First: Today is the last day to get your votes in on a picture for the Caption Contest! There will be details to follow in the next couple weeks about where the giveaway will go from here. Voting closes at midnight, mountain time!
Second: Freckles the Happy Heathen is has her first review/blog giveaway going on! Go check it out, it's pretty awesome.
Third, and probably the craziest and most important of everything. Well, some of you know (and now all of you do) that we live in a trailer park. It used to be really lousy before the new manager took over, and it is slowly getting better. Getting the park better is what some of the court cases are about, but I can't really get into all that.
No, this is about cats.
About 4 years ago (so I'm told) there was a woman with three or four cats living in the park. She moved, and left her cats behind. So, can anyone tell me what cats who have nobody looking after them and aren't spayed/neutered do? That's right! They have kittens. Lots and lots of kittens. So many kittens that now there are anywhere between 25 - 40 feral cats roaming the park.
The park manager is being wonderfully caring and humane about the situation; he has managed to get a few cats adopted out and doesn't want to see any of them put down. Problem being, there is someone in the park who has been poisoning cats. With Antifreeze. ALL the cats. Not just the feral cats, which still wouldn't make it any better, but pet cats. If you want to read about what antifreeze does to animals - it only takes a few teaspoons to poison a cat - you can find the link here.
Next part of the story: about a week ago now, there was a dead cat across from our house. We called the park manager, simply because we knew about the poisonings. This cat hadn't been dead long enough to bloat or go into rigor - she was still warm. Yet she was stiff and bloated. She looked pregnant, I thought...her nipples were distended. We now suspect that she is the mother of the reason I'm writing this post: Kittens. Kittens who are trapped in our neighbor's yard, because they are too tiny to get out. The neighbor's have been on vacation or something for a month and a half, they don't even have cats so we know these aren't theirs. These kittens are so tiny they are probably still needing only milk. We tried to catch them yesterday, we were going to let them live in the porch until we can figure something out. To no avail, of course. So I had the thought: Catnip! Catnip would probably work wonders to help us catch the kittens. They are starving over there, and we have the window facing their house open usually. I can't stand listening to those poor things cry all day, knowing how hungry they must be.
So I post the question to you all: Where does one get catnip? The pet stores here in town don't sell catnip, just the chemical equivalent...nasty fake stuff. Anyone have any ideas? Help us help these kittens!
Goddess Bless,
Stacy
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
I'm here! Really, I am!
Hi All!
Sorry I've missed the beginning of the week. We had some commitments on Monday, and on Tuesday we had court, which went ridiculously. Postponed til September... ridiculous.
Regardless, today is going to be a busy day also, but tomorrow will be back to normal! And then Friday is my column at the Pagan Household. Eh, it's sort of a bust week.
How is everyone else doing?
Goddess Bless,
Stacy
Sorry I've missed the beginning of the week. We had some commitments on Monday, and on Tuesday we had court, which went ridiculously. Postponed til September... ridiculous.
Regardless, today is going to be a busy day also, but tomorrow will be back to normal! And then Friday is my column at the Pagan Household. Eh, it's sort of a bust week.
How is everyone else doing?
Goddess Bless,
Stacy
Friday, June 24, 2011
A touchy Subject - Rape
There is an article making the rounds today from the Examiner, about a writer's role in how rape is portrayed. It is a wonderful article, and I suggest everyone read it.
We need to stop blaming victims and survivors, because it is not their fault. Should a man have to ask, explicitly, before sex if it is alright? In most cases, probably not. But that brings us to a touchy area, not covered by the article: Partner Rape.
Call it Marital Rape, Spousal Rape, or whatever you want. Wikipedia defines it as "non-consensual sex in which the perpetrator is the victim's spouse". The reaction most people have is that you can't be raped by your husband or boyfriend, if you didn't want to have sex with him then you wouldn't be with him. If you don't consent, it is rape. Simple as that. I wasn't quite sure I wanted to go into this issue here; partially because I try to run this more as a pagan family blog than as a person one, and partly because of my past.
You see, I'm a survivor of partner rape.
Years before I met my Sean, I was with aman boy who was very abusive. It started off slowly, and grew as time went on. Self-esteem issues being what they are in "relationships" like that, I always felt I deserved such treatment. I remember vividly the night he raped me for the first time, and I won't go into that here. I get enough nightmares about him, thank you very much.
Regardless, after I finally got the courage to leave him and managed to tell someone what had happened, you can imagine my shock and pain when they told me that it wasn't rape because he had been my boyfriend.
Rape is rape. The horror, the helplessness and the pain are the same - regardless of your association with the attacker.
I'm not quite sure how to end this post, to be honest. I'm not trying to get sympathy, just create awareness. It is one of those subjects with me that I could go on about forever. So, since this post is about a controversial subject anyway, lets ask a controversial question. How do you define rape?
Goddess Bless,
Stacy
We need to stop blaming victims and survivors, because it is not their fault. Should a man have to ask, explicitly, before sex if it is alright? In most cases, probably not. But that brings us to a touchy area, not covered by the article: Partner Rape.
Call it Marital Rape, Spousal Rape, or whatever you want. Wikipedia defines it as "non-consensual sex in which the perpetrator is the victim's spouse". The reaction most people have is that you can't be raped by your husband or boyfriend, if you didn't want to have sex with him then you wouldn't be with him. If you don't consent, it is rape. Simple as that. I wasn't quite sure I wanted to go into this issue here; partially because I try to run this more as a pagan family blog than as a person one, and partly because of my past.
You see, I'm a survivor of partner rape.
Years before I met my Sean, I was with a
Regardless, after I finally got the courage to leave him and managed to tell someone what had happened, you can imagine my shock and pain when they told me that it wasn't rape because he had been my boyfriend.
Rape is rape. The horror, the helplessness and the pain are the same - regardless of your association with the attacker.
I'm not quite sure how to end this post, to be honest. I'm not trying to get sympathy, just create awareness. It is one of those subjects with me that I could go on about forever. So, since this post is about a controversial subject anyway, lets ask a controversial question. How do you define rape?
Goddess Bless,
Stacy
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Why won't my spell work?!
I've been getting a lot of questions of that ilk lately. People who have never had a spell work for them, at least noticeably. Some of these are people who have been Wiccans or Pagans for almost as long as I have, and some are new to the craft. I've never had a problem with any of my spells. Sure, not all of them have worked they way I may have intended them, but I've never had a "flop", as it were. With so many ideas as to what kind of spell works best and what magick actually is in a scientific sense, it is no wonder that so many people have issues with their spells.
There is a common theme: Most people, say 90% or more, of people who have never had a spell work are simply not confident enough and don't direct their energies properly. Yes, it is both that simple and that hard at the same time. If they don't believe it will work for them, then it probably won't. It's as easy as that. If they try to control outside influences, other people, etc. then their magick probably won't work either. It isn't that it cant, it is just that it simply doesn't take into account the other person putting their own influences on things. The hardest part of magick is gaining the confidence and the ethics necessary to practice it.
In the essay "What Is Magick" by David Rankine, he states: "Magick assumes belief in, or rather experience of, subtle energies. We can only see about one seventieth of the light spectrum, yet what we cannot see still affects us - such as x-rays and ultraviolet light." I think that this is accurate, but it again involves belief. Belief is one of the hardest things to achieve as a human, yet once we have it? We can truly do anything. By anything, I mean anything. I read an article not so long ago about a man who healed his own brain injury. Doctors had told his wife that he would be in a vegetative state the rest of his life, yet through strength of will and determination - essential skills for would-be magick users - he re-forged brain connections. He can still learn, he can walk again, he can talk again. He has taught medical science amazing things about the brain, simply because he believed and had confidence in himself.
That story does show the other part of magick. Magick is most effective when used to effect change in ourselves. Many young people, new to wicca, want to start with love spells. I don't think this will ever go away, we as humans feel such a need to be loved. Most of us will explain to them that it is not ethical to do so, that you should never control someone else's will. That is as far as it goes, and they either leave dejected or run off to waste money on a site proclaiming "WICCAN LOVE SPELLS!!!!!" You know you've seen them. Instead, why couldn't we tell them that yes, while it isn't ethical to do a love spell on someone else, why not do a love spell on yourself? Ask the Gods to bring love into your life, to prepare you and ready you so that you can accept that love? The study of ethics is something that every pagan should look into. Christians have the bible to tell them what to do, but us? We have "an' harm it none, do as ye will." We need to look beyond that to the ripple effect, we need to start thinking ethically, so that it becomes second nature. There are some fabulous books out there on Pagan Ethics, and I heartily suggest that everyone read one of them. When, Why, If by Robin Wood is my person preference.
If you are truly having trouble, a teacher or mentor in your area may be able to help you. Some areas are large enough that circles or covens will hold basic classes. Check out resources and never give up. Belief and confidence are hard won, but with them anything is possible.
What is your experience with Magick? Let me know!
Goddess Bless,
Stacy
There is a common theme: Most people, say 90% or more, of people who have never had a spell work are simply not confident enough and don't direct their energies properly. Yes, it is both that simple and that hard at the same time. If they don't believe it will work for them, then it probably won't. It's as easy as that. If they try to control outside influences, other people, etc. then their magick probably won't work either. It isn't that it cant, it is just that it simply doesn't take into account the other person putting their own influences on things. The hardest part of magick is gaining the confidence and the ethics necessary to practice it.
In the essay "What Is Magick" by David Rankine, he states: "Magick assumes belief in, or rather experience of, subtle energies. We can only see about one seventieth of the light spectrum, yet what we cannot see still affects us - such as x-rays and ultraviolet light." I think that this is accurate, but it again involves belief. Belief is one of the hardest things to achieve as a human, yet once we have it? We can truly do anything. By anything, I mean anything. I read an article not so long ago about a man who healed his own brain injury. Doctors had told his wife that he would be in a vegetative state the rest of his life, yet through strength of will and determination - essential skills for would-be magick users - he re-forged brain connections. He can still learn, he can walk again, he can talk again. He has taught medical science amazing things about the brain, simply because he believed and had confidence in himself.
That story does show the other part of magick. Magick is most effective when used to effect change in ourselves. Many young people, new to wicca, want to start with love spells. I don't think this will ever go away, we as humans feel such a need to be loved. Most of us will explain to them that it is not ethical to do so, that you should never control someone else's will. That is as far as it goes, and they either leave dejected or run off to waste money on a site proclaiming "WICCAN LOVE SPELLS!!!!!" You know you've seen them. Instead, why couldn't we tell them that yes, while it isn't ethical to do a love spell on someone else, why not do a love spell on yourself? Ask the Gods to bring love into your life, to prepare you and ready you so that you can accept that love? The study of ethics is something that every pagan should look into. Christians have the bible to tell them what to do, but us? We have "an' harm it none, do as ye will." We need to look beyond that to the ripple effect, we need to start thinking ethically, so that it becomes second nature. There are some fabulous books out there on Pagan Ethics, and I heartily suggest that everyone read one of them. When, Why, If by Robin Wood is my person preference.
If you are truly having trouble, a teacher or mentor in your area may be able to help you. Some areas are large enough that circles or covens will hold basic classes. Check out resources and never give up. Belief and confidence are hard won, but with them anything is possible.
What is your experience with Magick? Let me know!
Goddess Bless,
Stacy
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
The wonderful Anne from over at Muse Mama had her new baby boy, Liam, last week. (Congrats, Anne and family! *waves*) Liam was born early, and the story can be found on her blog. She updated her Facebook a few days later, saying her insurance company wouldn't cover a breast pump. An article was posted on Facebook about a man who robbed a bank for a dollar, just to get health care in jail.
I hate seeing posts like this. Hate is a strong word, but it's true. I hate it because I feel so bad for them. The reason? Insurance. If you don't have insurance, it can cost you anywhere from thousands to tens of thousands of dollars to get the treatment you need. Even with insurance, chances are it will cost you something. This is something, as a Canadian, that I just don't get.
When I had Brianna, we walked out of the hospital without paying. Without owing. No one handed us a bill.
When Sean bashed is head last Yule, he went to the ER bleeding like mad and got stitches, pain killers, etc. and wasn't handed a bill.
It was payed for, because we all pay a little bit extra in taxes. A small amount, constantly, throughout the year. And yes, it is a moderately socialist system. The rich pay a little more, the poor pay a little less. It's pooled together, essentially, and when someone needs a treatment it comes out of that pool. When we need treatment, it is there. If Brianna broke her arm and we had to go to the ER today, she would need x-rays and pain meds and a cast. We would walk out owing nothing.
Maybe socialist isn't the right word. Maybe we are more humanist. Intellectually, I understand the American system. I just don't understand why it hasn't been fixed. Doesn't everybody, regardless of income level, deserve health care? Even the homeless man who robbed the bank for a dollar would be covered up here. Race, colour, creed or income...everyone is covered.
I know this can be a touchy subject, but still. What do you think? What do we as Pagans think, coming from a place of such equality? Let me know, just keep it respectful!
Goddess Bless,
Stacy
I hate seeing posts like this. Hate is a strong word, but it's true. I hate it because I feel so bad for them. The reason? Insurance. If you don't have insurance, it can cost you anywhere from thousands to tens of thousands of dollars to get the treatment you need. Even with insurance, chances are it will cost you something. This is something, as a Canadian, that I just don't get.
When I had Brianna, we walked out of the hospital without paying. Without owing. No one handed us a bill.
When Sean bashed is head last Yule, he went to the ER bleeding like mad and got stitches, pain killers, etc. and wasn't handed a bill.
It was payed for, because we all pay a little bit extra in taxes. A small amount, constantly, throughout the year. And yes, it is a moderately socialist system. The rich pay a little more, the poor pay a little less. It's pooled together, essentially, and when someone needs a treatment it comes out of that pool. When we need treatment, it is there. If Brianna broke her arm and we had to go to the ER today, she would need x-rays and pain meds and a cast. We would walk out owing nothing.
Maybe socialist isn't the right word. Maybe we are more humanist. Intellectually, I understand the American system. I just don't understand why it hasn't been fixed. Doesn't everybody, regardless of income level, deserve health care? Even the homeless man who robbed the bank for a dollar would be covered up here. Race, colour, creed or income...everyone is covered.
I know this can be a touchy subject, but still. What do you think? What do we as Pagans think, coming from a place of such equality? Let me know, just keep it respectful!
Goddess Bless,
Stacy
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
Duality: Embracing the God
With Father's Day yesterday and Litha tomorrow, this is a perfect time of year to truly embrace the duality of our religion. As Wiccans, most of us believe in the Goddess and the God. Most of the time though, the God doesn't get his fair share of the time. We often are fairly one sided; whether that stems from the Patriarchal religions of our past or some sort of misplaced feminism no one knows. I say misplaced feminism simply because Wicca already IS a feminist religion, in a sense. Women are equal to men in Wicca. So why do we feel the need to downplay our God?
Chances are, it is simply because of that word: God. When someone says God, what do you think? It depends entirely on your upbringing. I've said it before, but while my parent's were not religious as such my town was. So when someone says God, my thoughts revolve around Hell, punishment, sinning. You know, that whole "God Fearing" thing.
As Wiccans, we should be embracing the divine masculine. Our God is the Lord of the Hunt, but he is not to fear. Our God is Lover, Father and Sage. Our Gods - the majority of them, anyway - want us to be happy. In Doreen Valiente's Charge of the Goddess, it states: " Let my worship be within the heart that rejoiceth; for behold, all acts of love and pleasure are my rituals. " I think that this applies to the God as well. What Father doesn't want his children to be happy?
There are a growing number of men coming into the craft these days. So many of them are embracing that sacred feminine; that equality that drew them in. How many of us women Witches embrace the sacred masculine? It can go both ways, and all ways. We all need to embrace the duality in ourselves, acknowledging the male and female portions of us all. We need to help men embrace true masculinity - whatever that means to them. Masculinity doesn't have to mean the same thing it did 50 years ago, and embracing the God can be a perfect opportunity to redefine it.
What do you do to honour the God?
Goddess (AND God!) Bless,
Stacy
::The above image isn't mine. I couldn't find the credit for it. If someone knows, please tell me!::
 |
| The Horned God |
As Wiccans, we should be embracing the divine masculine. Our God is the Lord of the Hunt, but he is not to fear. Our God is Lover, Father and Sage. Our Gods - the majority of them, anyway - want us to be happy. In Doreen Valiente's Charge of the Goddess, it states: " Let my worship be within the heart that rejoiceth; for behold, all acts of love and pleasure are my rituals. " I think that this applies to the God as well. What Father doesn't want his children to be happy?
There are a growing number of men coming into the craft these days. So many of them are embracing that sacred feminine; that equality that drew them in. How many of us women Witches embrace the sacred masculine? It can go both ways, and all ways. We all need to embrace the duality in ourselves, acknowledging the male and female portions of us all. We need to help men embrace true masculinity - whatever that means to them. Masculinity doesn't have to mean the same thing it did 50 years ago, and embracing the God can be a perfect opportunity to redefine it.
What do you do to honour the God?
Goddess (AND God!) Bless,
Stacy
::The above image isn't mine. I couldn't find the credit for it. If someone knows, please tell me!::
Friday, June 17, 2011
Degrees of...Sharing? Also, it's Friday!
Morning, all!
I don't have anything much for you today, as it is one of those Fridays! My article is up over at the Pagan Household. If you never, ever go and check out any articles there, today you should. Today, I shared my ultra-secret favorite most awesome recipe ever. For Homemade Mayonnaise. I'll probably share it here eventually too, when I forget that it is already over there. You know how those things work.
You've all heard, I assume of the 7 Degrees of Separation. Where you can connect anyone in the world to anyone else through 7 other people. Well, this isn't that. This morning on Facebook, it was interesting to see the way that articles make the rounds, articles that we bloggers want to share with people.
The Daily Spell (If you don't like them on Facebook, you need to. Do it. I'll wait. Okay, good.) shared an article about, well, here is the title of the article: "Male Editor blames Lara Logan's cleavage for her sexual assault". The silly man, can't he see he is just admitting that he can't control himself? Regardless, that link was shared by The Daily Spell. Then, Pagan Mom Blog shared it via Daily Spell. My blog page shared it via Pagan Mom Blog. I shared it with my personal account via...myself. My point? All the people who are friends on my personal account - including those bible belt ones - might read that article and never know that the link was found by a decidedly Witchy news source. I really have no point to this, just thought it was interesting where things go.
What does everyone have planned for the weekend? We're going to see X-Men First Class!
Goddess Bless,
Stacy
I don't have anything much for you today, as it is one of those Fridays! My article is up over at the Pagan Household. If you never, ever go and check out any articles there, today you should. Today, I shared my ultra-secret favorite most awesome recipe ever. For Homemade Mayonnaise. I'll probably share it here eventually too, when I forget that it is already over there. You know how those things work.
You've all heard, I assume of the 7 Degrees of Separation. Where you can connect anyone in the world to anyone else through 7 other people. Well, this isn't that. This morning on Facebook, it was interesting to see the way that articles make the rounds, articles that we bloggers want to share with people.
The Daily Spell (If you don't like them on Facebook, you need to. Do it. I'll wait. Okay, good.) shared an article about, well, here is the title of the article: "Male Editor blames Lara Logan's cleavage for her sexual assault". The silly man, can't he see he is just admitting that he can't control himself? Regardless, that link was shared by The Daily Spell. Then, Pagan Mom Blog shared it via Daily Spell. My blog page shared it via Pagan Mom Blog. I shared it with my personal account via...myself. My point? All the people who are friends on my personal account - including those bible belt ones - might read that article and never know that the link was found by a decidedly Witchy news source. I really have no point to this, just thought it was interesting where things go.
What does everyone have planned for the weekend? We're going to see X-Men First Class!
Goddess Bless,
Stacy
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Today, I'm not Canadian.
Seriously. Maybe I'll pretend to be from...Australia. Still in the commonwealth, but with kangaroos!
If any of you haven't heard, the Vancouver Canucks lost the Stanley Cup to the Boston Bruins yesterday. I mean, seriously. It's hockey. No matter how much you like hockey, it's not the end of the world, is it?
Is it?
I was in disbelief watching live streaming video of the riots last night. Actually, I'm lying. It happened when they didn't get the cup in 1994, too. Actually, this probably would have happened even if the Canucks had won the cup.
So today I'm somewhat embarrassed to be Canadian. Seriously, we aren't all like this. I promise. Will you take bribes? I'll bake you cookies! In any case, lets just hope everyone made it out of this alive and that there wasn't too much looting. Hopefully the insurance companies won't be difficult about it. Is there such a thing as riot insurance? **Update: Apparently there were no deaths, thank the Gods. Multiple injuries and a few people in critical condition, though.
I think that's it for today, I'm to disgusted with my fellow countrymen to properly write anything.
Stacy
If any of you haven't heard, the Vancouver Canucks lost the Stanley Cup to the Boston Bruins yesterday. I mean, seriously. It's hockey. No matter how much you like hockey, it's not the end of the world, is it?
Is it?
I was in disbelief watching live streaming video of the riots last night. Actually, I'm lying. It happened when they didn't get the cup in 1994, too. Actually, this probably would have happened even if the Canucks had won the cup.
So today I'm somewhat embarrassed to be Canadian. Seriously, we aren't all like this. I promise. Will you take bribes? I'll bake you cookies! In any case, lets just hope everyone made it out of this alive and that there wasn't too much looting. Hopefully the insurance companies won't be difficult about it. Is there such a thing as riot insurance? **Update: Apparently there were no deaths, thank the Gods. Multiple injuries and a few people in critical condition, though.
I think that's it for today, I'm to disgusted with my fellow countrymen to properly write anything.
Stacy
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Know Yourself
The first of Scott Cunningham's 13 goals of a witch. I believe that this is the most important, for when you know yourself, all else tends to fall into place.
A huge part of knowing yourself is also a huge part of Wicca - doing what feels right. That isn't to say going around and doing whatever you want, most of us know better than that. It's that feeling we get when suddenly, we want to take a road we've never been down. Where we pick up a book and don't know why. The feeling we get when we meet someone for the first time and know that you can trust them, that they will be a friend for many years. Sometimes, we just know things. Listening to that part of ourselves is part of what makes us witches.
That said, you all read my blog because you enjoy what I say. Does that mean you agree with everything? Probably not, because we all have different opinions and think differently about things. Which is the way it should be. Can you imagine if every one of us did things in exactly the same way? There would be nothing new to learn from. The same energy every time. Whether you have a support group or coven online, or just down the street; if your teacher is in a different province, state or country or beside you in a coffee shop, what matters is the energy and connection.
Energy and connection are the driving force of what we do, not just as Witches but as humans. As humans, we all want to connect. We are driven by the need to be social, we are social creatures. We forge connections in the strangest places with the best of intentions. As Witches, by listening to what our intuition tells us, we can end up making wonderful connections and experiencing such positive energy. When you put them together it can truly be something magickal; The ability to know ourselves and confidence in the ability to read our life's path. Sometimes it simply falls into our laps, and others it gives us a subtle call, not loud enough to hear, but there all the same.
Goddess Bless,
Stacy
A huge part of knowing yourself is also a huge part of Wicca - doing what feels right. That isn't to say going around and doing whatever you want, most of us know better than that. It's that feeling we get when suddenly, we want to take a road we've never been down. Where we pick up a book and don't know why. The feeling we get when we meet someone for the first time and know that you can trust them, that they will be a friend for many years. Sometimes, we just know things. Listening to that part of ourselves is part of what makes us witches.
That said, you all read my blog because you enjoy what I say. Does that mean you agree with everything? Probably not, because we all have different opinions and think differently about things. Which is the way it should be. Can you imagine if every one of us did things in exactly the same way? There would be nothing new to learn from. The same energy every time. Whether you have a support group or coven online, or just down the street; if your teacher is in a different province, state or country or beside you in a coffee shop, what matters is the energy and connection.
Energy and connection are the driving force of what we do, not just as Witches but as humans. As humans, we all want to connect. We are driven by the need to be social, we are social creatures. We forge connections in the strangest places with the best of intentions. As Witches, by listening to what our intuition tells us, we can end up making wonderful connections and experiencing such positive energy. When you put them together it can truly be something magickal; The ability to know ourselves and confidence in the ability to read our life's path. Sometimes it simply falls into our laps, and others it gives us a subtle call, not loud enough to hear, but there all the same.
Goddess Bless,
Stacy
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
A Family Litha Ritual
Ah, Litha! The first Sabbat of the year where we can actually do a ritual outside! I love it. Litha is less than a week before my birthday, so that might add to the excitement. Here is a simple Litha ritual for you, with something for the kids to do and contribute as well!
Items needed:
Regular Ritual Tools
1 white tea light for everyone present
Bread and Flowers
Extra flowers, fake or real, for the children. While doing the ritual, the children can braid the flowers in to garlands to be used in the offering to the Gods.
Place the candles on the altar in a circle. Cast the circle as normal and say:
As fertile fields are bearing fruit,
Midsummer's day shall come and go.
Now the Holly King's rule Begins,
The waning part of the year does flow.
Have everyone light the candles in Deosil/Clockwise manner.
Before the dark half of the year,
The sun will burn more brightly here.
Oak King, please before you go,
Heat the summer air just so.
We take this time to reaffirm,
Our vows to you, Goddess.
Keep our words,
and know that they were spoken
with perfect love and perfect trust.
At this time you can speak what you will to the Goddess.
Take the bread and flowers. You can lay them in the offering bowl and take them outside later, or if you are outside, simply lay them on the earth. Say:
Lord and Lady, accept our offerings. Thank you for blessing us with your light.
You can then do any other magick, cakes and ale and close your circle as you see fit.
What do you like to do at your Litha celebrations?
Goddess Bless,
Stacy
Monday, June 13, 2011
Good News, Everyone!
Something tells me I've named a post something similar to that before.
Regardless, Good News, Everyone!
I finally feel like things are at a place where I can share this wonderful news with everyone.
On Wednesday, I'm officially going to be starting my 2nd degree! In conjunction with this (the reason why I started doing the degree system actually) I've been discussing with a High Priestess from the Congregationalist Wiccan Assembly of Alberta bringing the Church to our city, and things are finally looking forward to it! I also had two wonderful people start as my students today, and I'll be teaching them a mix of Wicca 101/the 1st Degree.
So, I'm training to be a Priestess with some wonderful people in the States, and will (given some time, of course) be going through Clergy training in my province. Yay! It is so important for me to bring the CWAA to our city, because at the moment there is only one CWAA temple in the province. The Wiccan and Pagan community in my city has had nothing for so many years, and after explaining to several of them at the meet up at the beginning of the month, they seem to have embraced the idea!
I've felt pulled to serve the community for many years, and I'm so incredibly happy that I'm finally coming closer to that goal. It will still be a long road, but I'm finally on it. And I'm so glad to finally feel like I can share it with everyone!
Goddess Bless,
Stacy
Regardless, Good News, Everyone!
I finally feel like things are at a place where I can share this wonderful news with everyone.
On Wednesday, I'm officially going to be starting my 2nd degree! In conjunction with this (the reason why I started doing the degree system actually) I've been discussing with a High Priestess from the Congregationalist Wiccan Assembly of Alberta bringing the Church to our city, and things are finally looking forward to it! I also had two wonderful people start as my students today, and I'll be teaching them a mix of Wicca 101/the 1st Degree.
So, I'm training to be a Priestess with some wonderful people in the States, and will (given some time, of course) be going through Clergy training in my province. Yay! It is so important for me to bring the CWAA to our city, because at the moment there is only one CWAA temple in the province. The Wiccan and Pagan community in my city has had nothing for so many years, and after explaining to several of them at the meet up at the beginning of the month, they seem to have embraced the idea!
I've felt pulled to serve the community for many years, and I'm so incredibly happy that I'm finally coming closer to that goal. It will still be a long road, but I'm finally on it. And I'm so glad to finally feel like I can share it with everyone!
Goddess Bless,
Stacy
Late posting!
Today's post is going to be late - as in late afternoon, maybe later!
The reason?
You're just going to have to wait and find out, because I have some news to share!! :)
The reason?
You're just going to have to wait and find out, because I have some news to share!! :)
Friday, June 10, 2011
Litha Activites
Litha is almost upon us! We are making preparations for our Litha celebration here. For the first time in years, the active pagan community in our town has come out of the woodwork. We'll be having a potluck at a park in town, with many families! It's going to be pretty exciting.
So whether you are getting together in a group or just with family, here are some great Litha activities to do!
Sun catchers. I think that is what they are called. When I was a child, we got these kits in from a mail order magazine with wire rims, and little coloured beads. You had to put the beads in the right spot and bake them, and they turned into something that looked like stained glass! You would hang them up on the window and the sun shining through was just beautiful. While it might not always be feasible to have those kits on hand for Litha, there is another way to do this that uses what we all probably have on hand!
All you need is a clear jewel CD case (empty, of course!), paint and brushes and some white sewing thread. The best kind of paint to use for this is acrylic paint thinned with a little bit of water. You can get some great folk art acrylics at most dollar stores.
Then, paint on the inside of the "door" on the jewel case. Remember to paint in reverse, everything you want in the foreground needs to go on first instead of last! When it is dry, hang it up with the thread! You can also paint directly on an old CD and hang that up, but I like this because of the dimensional look when it is finished.
Make a Faerie Offering Bowl. I always prefer to make Faerie offering bowls out of material that is as natural as possible, because when you put them out they often go missing! I prefer paper mache, using flour and water instead of glue paste. The form to use? An upside down tea-light candle! It's the perfect size. Turn the candle upside down and cover with a small amount of plastic wrap. Proceed to paper mache your way to a tiny little offering bowl! One part flour to one part water generally works well.
Once your tiny bowl is dry, you can decorate it with ribbon, or paint it. My favorite offering for Faeries is a piece of bread soaked in milk and drizzled with honey.
Build a Stonehenge. Oh. My. Goddess. If I had the space to do this, I would jump right on it! It's not going to be feasible for everyone, but I had to share it because it is just too cool. It's listed as a science project on the Family Education website.
Have a cleansing bonfire. If you live in a place where you can't have a fire, a small cauldron fire or candle flames will do. Write negative feelings and influences you want to be rid of on pieces of paper, then release them to the Gods by throwing the paper into the fire.
What are you planning for Litha?
Goddess Bless,
Stacy
So whether you are getting together in a group or just with family, here are some great Litha activities to do!
Sun catchers. I think that is what they are called. When I was a child, we got these kits in from a mail order magazine with wire rims, and little coloured beads. You had to put the beads in the right spot and bake them, and they turned into something that looked like stained glass! You would hang them up on the window and the sun shining through was just beautiful. While it might not always be feasible to have those kits on hand for Litha, there is another way to do this that uses what we all probably have on hand!
All you need is a clear jewel CD case (empty, of course!), paint and brushes and some white sewing thread. The best kind of paint to use for this is acrylic paint thinned with a little bit of water. You can get some great folk art acrylics at most dollar stores.
Then, paint on the inside of the "door" on the jewel case. Remember to paint in reverse, everything you want in the foreground needs to go on first instead of last! When it is dry, hang it up with the thread! You can also paint directly on an old CD and hang that up, but I like this because of the dimensional look when it is finished.
Make a Faerie Offering Bowl. I always prefer to make Faerie offering bowls out of material that is as natural as possible, because when you put them out they often go missing! I prefer paper mache, using flour and water instead of glue paste. The form to use? An upside down tea-light candle! It's the perfect size. Turn the candle upside down and cover with a small amount of plastic wrap. Proceed to paper mache your way to a tiny little offering bowl! One part flour to one part water generally works well.
Once your tiny bowl is dry, you can decorate it with ribbon, or paint it. My favorite offering for Faeries is a piece of bread soaked in milk and drizzled with honey.
Build a Stonehenge. Oh. My. Goddess. If I had the space to do this, I would jump right on it! It's not going to be feasible for everyone, but I had to share it because it is just too cool. It's listed as a science project on the Family Education website.
Have a cleansing bonfire. If you live in a place where you can't have a fire, a small cauldron fire or candle flames will do. Write negative feelings and influences you want to be rid of on pieces of paper, then release them to the Gods by throwing the paper into the fire.
What are you planning for Litha?
Goddess Bless,
Stacy
Thursday, June 9, 2011
What now?
Well, the contest is finally over! You won't have to deal with me telling you to vote, yet again, haha!
The Pagan Moms in the final spots are:
#1 - Confessions of a Pagan Soccer Mom
#4 - Pagan Mom Blog
#7 - Witch Mom Blog - Parenting by the Light of the Moon
#8 - Tales of a Kitchen Witch
#9 - Hearth-N-Home
#10 - Witchy Mama
#11 - The Teflon Cauldron
#12 - One Witch's Wonderland
#13 - Earth Mother Musings
#16 - Pagan Presence: Staying current with the Witching World
#22 - Something Oddly
#25 - Aoibheal's Lair
This contest was...something else, wasn't it? Angela at Pagan Mom Blog does a great job of describing the feelings in the aftermath, and asks an important question. What now?
We have all, in recent weeks, looked to what connected us as opposed to what divides us. I'm not just talking about Pagans. I'm talking about the Christians who voted for the Pagan blogs in the protest of intolerance. I'm talking about the Pagans who voted for Christian, Jewish and Muslim blogs in the contest because they deserved it. We looked past ourselves; and suddenly we saw a whole new community becoming possible.
A community made up of different faiths.
What does that say about us? That perhaps, we can truly all get along with one another?! *Gasp!* Heresy!
Over the mast few thousand years and probably more, there have been in general two kinds of wars fought: Wars of Expansion and Wars of Religion, and sometimes the two were intertwined. No one needs to remind Witches of the perils of being different, and no one needs to remind Christians or Jewish people or Muslims.
Before the Christians burned people as witches for Heresy, the pagan Romans threw them to the lions.
The pagan Egyptians enslaved Jewish peoples. Christians and Muslims have slaughtered each other for centuries. People of all religions have held on to these very things for all these centuries! We shouldn't be looking to what certain peoples did to our ancestors. We shouldn't be acting like children poking each other in the back seat, "He touched me!" "She touched me first!"
We truly need to preserve this feeling of community we have found; the interfaith community. We have so much in common, and we need to look to those commonalities instead of our differences. We are all people, we all deserve fair treatment, and we all deserve respect.
So, thank you to the people who voted for the blogs on merit - regardless of faith.
Goddess Bless,
Stacy
The Pagan Moms in the final spots are:
#1 - Confessions of a Pagan Soccer Mom
#4 - Pagan Mom Blog
#7 - Witch Mom Blog - Parenting by the Light of the Moon
#8 - Tales of a Kitchen Witch
#9 - Hearth-N-Home
#10 - Witchy Mama
#11 - The Teflon Cauldron
#12 - One Witch's Wonderland
#13 - Earth Mother Musings
#16 - Pagan Presence: Staying current with the Witching World
#22 - Something Oddly
#25 - Aoibheal's Lair
This contest was...something else, wasn't it? Angela at Pagan Mom Blog does a great job of describing the feelings in the aftermath, and asks an important question. What now?
We have all, in recent weeks, looked to what connected us as opposed to what divides us. I'm not just talking about Pagans. I'm talking about the Christians who voted for the Pagan blogs in the protest of intolerance. I'm talking about the Pagans who voted for Christian, Jewish and Muslim blogs in the contest because they deserved it. We looked past ourselves; and suddenly we saw a whole new community becoming possible.
A community made up of different faiths.
What does that say about us? That perhaps, we can truly all get along with one another?! *Gasp!* Heresy!
Over the mast few thousand years and probably more, there have been in general two kinds of wars fought: Wars of Expansion and Wars of Religion, and sometimes the two were intertwined. No one needs to remind Witches of the perils of being different, and no one needs to remind Christians or Jewish people or Muslims.
Before the Christians burned people as witches for Heresy, the pagan Romans threw them to the lions.
The pagan Egyptians enslaved Jewish peoples. Christians and Muslims have slaughtered each other for centuries. People of all religions have held on to these very things for all these centuries! We shouldn't be looking to what certain peoples did to our ancestors. We shouldn't be acting like children poking each other in the back seat, "He touched me!" "She touched me first!"
We truly need to preserve this feeling of community we have found; the interfaith community. We have so much in common, and we need to look to those commonalities instead of our differences. We are all people, we all deserve fair treatment, and we all deserve respect.
So, thank you to the people who voted for the blogs on merit - regardless of faith.
Goddess Bless,
Stacy
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Pagan Values - Wiccaning
A Wiccaning. A presentation of a child to the Goddess and God for protection and blessing. This is something that has grown in popularity in recent years, as more and more of us suddenly find ourselves not as solitary we once were.
It used to be that all Wiccans wanting to join a coven had to be adult. Any underage person who came to a Witch and asked to learn was turned away. This is understandable from a legal standpoint, you don't want to be seen as being inappropriate with someone's child, regardless of how the word inappropriate will be interpreted. Things have come a long way, though we still have to be careful of the legalities. If an underage person wanted to join a Circle or Coven I was heading, I would absolutely have to meet with their parents first and get express written consent, as well as I would invite them to any meetings or rituals their child would be attending. As much as I hold education and learning of so much importance, parents always must have the final decision until their child reaches the age of majority, and I'm not going to ever suggest that I know better than someone else how to parent their child.
Lately, more and more of us have been having families, and what do we do with the little Witchlings that we've borne? Especially for those of us coming from Christian backgrounds, we wonder what we should do. Christening, of course, attempts to set a child on the path of God right at birth. Which, as so many of us can attest to, obviously has nothing to do with our actual path. So what about Wiccaning? A Wiccaning, or Naming ceremony, doesn't say that the child should follow the path of it's parents. It simply introduces them to the divine, and blesses them. There are many different variations of course, as many variations as there are Wiccans.
As Pagan parents, should we shy away from such ceremony, or embrace it? On the one hand, some of us who were baptized or Christened are children resent it. Those that do may see Wiccaning in the same light, a blessing of the child specific to one Religion. Personally, I think it is important for a child to be blessed by Deity and the elements. Such is the world they will grow up in with their parents, where the Goddess and God are ever present. Nowhere does it say in the ceremony that the child will belong to the Goddess and God for all their days, and so the option is always open for that child to follow whatever path they see fit to them.
Do you agree with Wiccanings? Have you had a similar ceremony for your children?
Goddess Bless,
Stacy
It used to be that all Wiccans wanting to join a coven had to be adult. Any underage person who came to a Witch and asked to learn was turned away. This is understandable from a legal standpoint, you don't want to be seen as being inappropriate with someone's child, regardless of how the word inappropriate will be interpreted. Things have come a long way, though we still have to be careful of the legalities. If an underage person wanted to join a Circle or Coven I was heading, I would absolutely have to meet with their parents first and get express written consent, as well as I would invite them to any meetings or rituals their child would be attending. As much as I hold education and learning of so much importance, parents always must have the final decision until their child reaches the age of majority, and I'm not going to ever suggest that I know better than someone else how to parent their child.
Lately, more and more of us have been having families, and what do we do with the little Witchlings that we've borne? Especially for those of us coming from Christian backgrounds, we wonder what we should do. Christening, of course, attempts to set a child on the path of God right at birth. Which, as so many of us can attest to, obviously has nothing to do with our actual path. So what about Wiccaning? A Wiccaning, or Naming ceremony, doesn't say that the child should follow the path of it's parents. It simply introduces them to the divine, and blesses them. There are many different variations of course, as many variations as there are Wiccans.
As Pagan parents, should we shy away from such ceremony, or embrace it? On the one hand, some of us who were baptized or Christened are children resent it. Those that do may see Wiccaning in the same light, a blessing of the child specific to one Religion. Personally, I think it is important for a child to be blessed by Deity and the elements. Such is the world they will grow up in with their parents, where the Goddess and God are ever present. Nowhere does it say in the ceremony that the child will belong to the Goddess and God for all their days, and so the option is always open for that child to follow whatever path they see fit to them.
Do you agree with Wiccanings? Have you had a similar ceremony for your children?
Goddess Bless,
Stacy
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Pick a Picture! - Giveaway Preparations!
This morning, we have something fun! In the next I hope to be having another giveaway, so here is the beginning of that contest! I'm going to show you three pictures, and the picture with the most votes will be used in the caption contest!
::Updated to add:: Voting on pictures will close June 30th, 2011! Get your votes in!
Picture A:
Picture B:
Picture C:
So vote for your favorite picture (or the picture that will take captions the best, haha!) and share this with your friends!
Goddess Bless,
Stacy
::Updated to add:: Voting on pictures will close June 30th, 2011! Get your votes in!
Picture A:
Picture B:
Picture C:
So vote for your favorite picture (or the picture that will take captions the best, haha!) and share this with your friends!
Goddess Bless,
Stacy
Monday, June 6, 2011
Pagan Family Values
As I'm sure is a redundant statement by now, June is Pagan Values Blogging Month. My first one! Yay!
If any of you have been paying attention over the past almost-year, you will have seen the multiple posts that I've put forth on family. Family is important, one of the most important things to me. But what are a Pagan families values? The list for every family will be different, but here are a few that I consider important for my family.
Togetherness. We love spending time together. We don't even have to be doing anything. Brianna can be playing with her legos on the floor, Sean will be reading a book, I'll be crocheting. But we are all in the same room. Brianna doesn't have a play room, I don't have a craft room. We have a family room, and we spend time together in it.
Laughter. Laughter is so important. In my opinion, laughter is what connects souls together. If you've ever been getting to know someone and shared a joke with them, you feel closer to them after you have shared that laugh. Laughter is an intimate act, it's allowing someone to see you at one of your most happy times. Laughter is a magickal bubbling of energy, and it's contagious! As all acts of love and pleasure are her rituals, I think pleasure applies to this!
Trust and Honesty. While laughter might connect souls, trust is part of the glue that binds them. When someone ceases to be honest with us, we lose trust in that person, and that in turn weakens the soul-bond between us. When we trust someone, that bond is strengthened.
Forgiveness. We should always be ready to forgive our family. The will stick by us when no one else will. It is hurtful to hold a grudge on both sides.
Gratitude. Just say thanks! It doesn't have to be anything elaborate. Knowing that you are appreciated feels wonderful, doesn't it? It feels that way for everyone! We all want to be appreciated, but so many of us (myself included on occasion) forget to appreciate the people in our lives. As strange as it may seem to say, think of training a puppy. You use positive reinforcement; if you sit you'll get a treat. People work the same way, only appreciation and gratitude are the treats. If your child takes out the garbage without being asked for once, don't just think to yourself, "Finally! Now maybe he'll do it every time." If you take the time, all of a minute or two, to tell them you appreciate them taking the garbage out, that makes them feel good. Feeling good is addictive. They will do something else to get more praise. And it doesn't just apply to household chores! We take more joy in the things we do when we know that it will be appreciated.
Communication. If you don't communicate with each other, the above values can hardly be found. Communication, the ability to convey what you mean to others, and to understand what others are conveying to you, is key to just about any relationship, not just family relationships.
These are just a few, of course. They aren't all of the values I consider important, because that list could go on forever! What are some of your family values?
Goddess Bless,
Stacy
If any of you have been paying attention over the past almost-year, you will have seen the multiple posts that I've put forth on family. Family is important, one of the most important things to me. But what are a Pagan families values? The list for every family will be different, but here are a few that I consider important for my family.
Togetherness. We love spending time together. We don't even have to be doing anything. Brianna can be playing with her legos on the floor, Sean will be reading a book, I'll be crocheting. But we are all in the same room. Brianna doesn't have a play room, I don't have a craft room. We have a family room, and we spend time together in it.
Laughter. Laughter is so important. In my opinion, laughter is what connects souls together. If you've ever been getting to know someone and shared a joke with them, you feel closer to them after you have shared that laugh. Laughter is an intimate act, it's allowing someone to see you at one of your most happy times. Laughter is a magickal bubbling of energy, and it's contagious! As all acts of love and pleasure are her rituals, I think pleasure applies to this!
Trust and Honesty. While laughter might connect souls, trust is part of the glue that binds them. When someone ceases to be honest with us, we lose trust in that person, and that in turn weakens the soul-bond between us. When we trust someone, that bond is strengthened.
Forgiveness. We should always be ready to forgive our family. The will stick by us when no one else will. It is hurtful to hold a grudge on both sides.
Gratitude. Just say thanks! It doesn't have to be anything elaborate. Knowing that you are appreciated feels wonderful, doesn't it? It feels that way for everyone! We all want to be appreciated, but so many of us (myself included on occasion) forget to appreciate the people in our lives. As strange as it may seem to say, think of training a puppy. You use positive reinforcement; if you sit you'll get a treat. People work the same way, only appreciation and gratitude are the treats. If your child takes out the garbage without being asked for once, don't just think to yourself, "Finally! Now maybe he'll do it every time." If you take the time, all of a minute or two, to tell them you appreciate them taking the garbage out, that makes them feel good. Feeling good is addictive. They will do something else to get more praise. And it doesn't just apply to household chores! We take more joy in the things we do when we know that it will be appreciated.
Communication. If you don't communicate with each other, the above values can hardly be found. Communication, the ability to convey what you mean to others, and to understand what others are conveying to you, is key to just about any relationship, not just family relationships.
These are just a few, of course. They aren't all of the values I consider important, because that list could go on forever! What are some of your family values?
Goddess Bless,
Stacy
Friday, June 3, 2011
Yay, Friday!
Well folks, it's Friday again! Brianna is going to my parent's house for the night, Sean and I are going to a Pagan meet up in town here. My column is running at the Pagan Household today, another in my Kitchen Basics series.
Remember to go vote for your favorite faith blogs over at the Circle of Moms contest! Kallan over at The Secret Life of the American Working Witch has a great post about whats going on. I tell ya, I love that gal. She is smart, and her writing style always gives me a chuckle. Pay attention to the title of her post today...it made me smirk.
I think that's it for today. Starting Monday, I'll be posting some things in regards to my next giveaway! It's going to be a photo caption contest. First step is voting on which picture to use! Stay tuned, folks.
Hope everyone has a great weekend!
Goddess Bless,
Stacy
Remember to go vote for your favorite faith blogs over at the Circle of Moms contest! Kallan over at The Secret Life of the American Working Witch has a great post about whats going on. I tell ya, I love that gal. She is smart, and her writing style always gives me a chuckle. Pay attention to the title of her post today...it made me smirk.
I think that's it for today. Starting Monday, I'll be posting some things in regards to my next giveaway! It's going to be a photo caption contest. First step is voting on which picture to use! Stay tuned, folks.
Hope everyone has a great weekend!
Goddess Bless,
Stacy
Thursday, June 2, 2011
A little bit of Sweetness - Banana Bread
I thought I would share with you all my Banana Bread, seeing as I've made two loaves this week with the way Sean doesn't eat the bananas we keep buying. o_O
Yes. In any case, here we are! Everyone loves Banana Bread.
Best Banana Bread
1 Cup Sugar
Yes. In any case, here we are! Everyone loves Banana Bread.
Best Banana Bread
1 Cup Sugar
2 Eggs
½ Cup Vegetable Oil
1½ tsp Vanilla Extract
1 Cup mashed ripe Banana
2 Cup All-Purpose Flour
1 tsp Baking Soda
½ tsp Baking Powder
½tsp Salt
Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9in x 5in loaf pan. In a large bowl, combine sugar, eggs and oil. Mix well. Add vanilla extract. Mix in bananas. In a seperate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add a third at a time to the wet batter, mixing well after each addition. The batter will be very thick. Pour into the greased loaf pan and bake for 50 - 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from the pan and cool on a wire rack.
This is really awesome with a cup of Chocolate Chips thrown in. I've even made it more of a tropical loaf by adding a cup of coconut!
The original recipe only called for a ½ tsp of Vanilla...to which I said HA! Not to mention having magickal properties or comforting and security, vanilla is just plain awesome.
Goddess Bless,
Stacy
Pagans, Wiccans and Prayer
I think as pagans, we forget sometimes that we can pray. Prayer so often seems like the domain of a big three religion, that sometimes it seems we shouldn't pray, or at least shouldn't say that we pray, for fear of seeming like we are conforming.
My experiences of prayer have been extremely varied. When I was a young child, I was Christian. Not necessarily because my parents were, because they were fairly open. No, it was at school that I learned to be Christian. There was no question of if you were Christian or not, you simply were. You didn't have a choice. We had prayer every morning, and once I was in grade three we had mandatory bible study. And yes, this was a public school.
I remember someone (alright, I know exactly who but I'm not naming them) telling me when I was in grade 2 that I wasn't Christian because I didn't pray enough.
So what about pagan prayer? Or at least, Wiccan prayer? Because that's the stickler there, isn't it? Wiccan prayer doesn't apply to all pagans. Pagan prayer would probably involve something more earth-based instead of Goddess based, as Wiccan prayer. So how should a Pagan or Wiccan pray? However they want!
Even a simple function like breathing can become a prayer. It can be a prayer to life; with each breath you take you are living for something, instead of just blindly living. A prayer can be as simple as taking time to sit and breathe, and with each breath in and out say something you are living for.
Even Pagans can say prayers before meals. I find personally that the food actually tastes better after it's been blessed - fresher, or somehow more.
Belief Net has a wonderful search function for looking up prayers. By need, text or religion, and Pagan/Earth-based is listed. Abby Willowroot has written many Goddess prayers. The best prayers are the ones you create yourself. You can write them out, or you can say them at the spur of the moment. If it is from the heart, it will mean more than anything written by another person, no matter how eloquent they are.
What do you think about prayer as a Pagan or Wiccan? Do you pray?
Goddess Bless,
Stacy
My experiences of prayer have been extremely varied. When I was a young child, I was Christian. Not necessarily because my parents were, because they were fairly open. No, it was at school that I learned to be Christian. There was no question of if you were Christian or not, you simply were. You didn't have a choice. We had prayer every morning, and once I was in grade three we had mandatory bible study. And yes, this was a public school.
I remember someone (alright, I know exactly who but I'm not naming them) telling me when I was in grade 2 that I wasn't Christian because I didn't pray enough.
So what about pagan prayer? Or at least, Wiccan prayer? Because that's the stickler there, isn't it? Wiccan prayer doesn't apply to all pagans. Pagan prayer would probably involve something more earth-based instead of Goddess based, as Wiccan prayer. So how should a Pagan or Wiccan pray? However they want!
Even a simple function like breathing can become a prayer. It can be a prayer to life; with each breath you take you are living for something, instead of just blindly living. A prayer can be as simple as taking time to sit and breathe, and with each breath in and out say something you are living for.
Even Pagans can say prayers before meals. I find personally that the food actually tastes better after it's been blessed - fresher, or somehow more.
Belief Net has a wonderful search function for looking up prayers. By need, text or religion, and Pagan/Earth-based is listed. Abby Willowroot has written many Goddess prayers. The best prayers are the ones you create yourself. You can write them out, or you can say them at the spur of the moment. If it is from the heart, it will mean more than anything written by another person, no matter how eloquent they are.
What do you think about prayer as a Pagan or Wiccan? Do you pray?
Goddess Bless,
Stacy
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Worst. Night. Ever.
Alright, so maybe not ever. And just for us, of course.
*sigh*
Brianna...crazy girl that she is. Went to sleep alright, we are transitioning slowly to her going to sleep without one of us in the room. The last two nights have been a success in that regard. We thought everything was fine.
Around midnight, she wakes up screaming. And I do mean screaming, any parent knows the difference between that whiny, "I don't want to sleep" cry, and when something is really wrong. So I run in there, using my phone for light, and see that she is stuck. Not just any kind of stuck, but her leg is caught and twisted in-between the crib bars and the wall, and if she moves at all, she could end up with a broken leg. It's hard to describe what it looked like, but I feel ill just remembering. I've never seen a human leg twisted like that except in horror movies. I yelled for Sean, who came running in and lifted the crib for me so I could get Brianna's leg unstuck.
Thank Goddess she is okay, her leg is a little stiff and swollen but she it still using it. I ended up sleeping on the floor in her room last night, because she didn't want to be left alone, and I don't blame her for that. Regardless that I'll do anything for my baby, I can still bitch because sleeping on the floor sucks. We really need a cot or something.
So after all that craziness last night, I don't have it in me to write a proper post.
Hope everyone else had a better night that we did!
Goddess Bless,
Stacy
*sigh*
Brianna...crazy girl that she is. Went to sleep alright, we are transitioning slowly to her going to sleep without one of us in the room. The last two nights have been a success in that regard. We thought everything was fine.
Around midnight, she wakes up screaming. And I do mean screaming, any parent knows the difference between that whiny, "I don't want to sleep" cry, and when something is really wrong. So I run in there, using my phone for light, and see that she is stuck. Not just any kind of stuck, but her leg is caught and twisted in-between the crib bars and the wall, and if she moves at all, she could end up with a broken leg. It's hard to describe what it looked like, but I feel ill just remembering. I've never seen a human leg twisted like that except in horror movies. I yelled for Sean, who came running in and lifted the crib for me so I could get Brianna's leg unstuck.
Thank Goddess she is okay, her leg is a little stiff and swollen but she it still using it. I ended up sleeping on the floor in her room last night, because she didn't want to be left alone, and I don't blame her for that. Regardless that I'll do anything for my baby, I can still bitch because sleeping on the floor sucks. We really need a cot or something.
So after all that craziness last night, I don't have it in me to write a proper post.
Hope everyone else had a better night that we did!
Goddess Bless,
Stacy
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