Thursday, February 2, 2012
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Accusing a Pagan of worshiping satan, is like accusing an atheist of worshiping god.
Stories with nonsense like this in them, make me want to scream!
Happy Samhain
I hosted a small luncheon on Sunday, to mark Samhain. Unlike most Pagans, I do not use this day, to mark the end of the year. My tradition, is to honor my ancestors and remember those that have passed from my life, recently. It is rather sentimental to me, so I usually do this alone. However, I have a friend, that has suffered great loss, in her life this year, and I invited her to join me.
We used white stones, to remember those that had left this realm. First, we placed 19 stones around the Goddess candle, to mark those who were struck down, during the Salem Witch Trials. This is something I have done, every year, since deciding to walk this pagan path. It is important to for me, to remember, the world, has not always been accepting of this path, or those that claim to walk it. We then placed a stone for each soul we wished to honour. I positioned mine silently and thought of the pets I have had to say my good-byes to. My friend, spoke the names, of each person, as she positioned her handful of stones. I felt for her, as she placed each and every one.
During our meditation, we braided three pieces of ribbon into one cord, bringing our past, present and future together as one.
Our cakes and ales was a delicious autumn stew and Mulled Apple Tea. We spent the afternoon sharing stories stories of our family, friends and pets. Sometimes those stories made us laugh, sometimes they brought a tear to our eyes and a catch to our voice. I think I can speak for my friend, when I say, we are truly blessed to have had these beloved souls in our lives, and we miss them, each and every day. We have been truly humbled by them and honoured to have had the opportunity to know them all, no matter for how long.
Blessed Samhain to you and yours.
We used white stones, to remember those that had left this realm. First, we placed 19 stones around the Goddess candle, to mark those who were struck down, during the Salem Witch Trials. This is something I have done, every year, since deciding to walk this pagan path. It is important to for me, to remember, the world, has not always been accepting of this path, or those that claim to walk it. We then placed a stone for each soul we wished to honour. I positioned mine silently and thought of the pets I have had to say my good-byes to. My friend, spoke the names, of each person, as she positioned her handful of stones. I felt for her, as she placed each and every one.
During our meditation, we braided three pieces of ribbon into one cord, bringing our past, present and future together as one.
Our cakes and ales was a delicious autumn stew and Mulled Apple Tea. We spent the afternoon sharing stories stories of our family, friends and pets. Sometimes those stories made us laugh, sometimes they brought a tear to our eyes and a catch to our voice. I think I can speak for my friend, when I say, we are truly blessed to have had these beloved souls in our lives, and we miss them, each and every day. We have been truly humbled by them and honoured to have had the opportunity to know them all, no matter for how long.
Blessed Samhain to you and yours.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
I'm Still Standing
I looked today, and found it so hard to believe, the last time I made my presence known here. I wish I was coming here, to make comments of the pleasant kind, but that is not true.
Since, last we met, both of my furry babies, have crossed the rainbow bridge. To say, this has not been a good year for me, would be an understatement.
I have lived furry free, for the first time, in my adult life. For the life of me, I can not understand, why people would actually choose to do that. Pets make it worth it, to get up in the morning. They make coming home, after a long time gone, a pleasure. They are always happy to see you. They are the epitome of love and admiration.
This town, lost a young man, named Ian Jenkins, in May of this year. His motto Have A Purpose. I have been breathing for more decades than Ian, and never for one moment, realized my purpose. I knew that I should have one, as everyone should have one, however I did not know what it was. No S titled book could spell it out for me. No movie could help point me in the right direction.
Today, looking down at the face, of the newest furry member of my family, and trying to convince her, that she is safe here. I realized, what Ian realized oh so long ago. My purpose, is to give a voice and a safe harbour to those of the furry four legged kind. They give me a reason for being. They are my reason for standing.
I hope with all my hope, that each of you reading this, is still standing, and doing so, with a purpose.
Since, last we met, both of my furry babies, have crossed the rainbow bridge. To say, this has not been a good year for me, would be an understatement.
I have lived furry free, for the first time, in my adult life. For the life of me, I can not understand, why people would actually choose to do that. Pets make it worth it, to get up in the morning. They make coming home, after a long time gone, a pleasure. They are always happy to see you. They are the epitome of love and admiration.
This town, lost a young man, named Ian Jenkins, in May of this year. His motto Have A Purpose. I have been breathing for more decades than Ian, and never for one moment, realized my purpose. I knew that I should have one, as everyone should have one, however I did not know what it was. No S titled book could spell it out for me. No movie could help point me in the right direction.
Today, looking down at the face, of the newest furry member of my family, and trying to convince her, that she is safe here. I realized, what Ian realized oh so long ago. My purpose, is to give a voice and a safe harbour to those of the furry four legged kind. They give me a reason for being. They are my reason for standing.
I hope with all my hope, that each of you reading this, is still standing, and doing so, with a purpose.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
A Gift To Remember Forever
For as long as I can remember, Christmas was my favorite time of year. There was actually a joke, in my family, that I would require a house built around Christmas. Not built on December 25th, rather architecturely designed and planned around Christmas. A cozy fireplace in every room, with mantels deep enough to display my ever growing Nutcracker collection, Nativity Scene, and cherished crystal Candlesticks. Gleaming Oak staircase, to twist garland around. A grand foyer, with a cathedral ceilings, to glorious display a Rockefeller Center sized evergreen. My cards were addressed as I watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. My family tree was put up after the town's annual Santa Claus parade. Literally, right after. For many years, while living on main street, I would invite guest to view the parade, out the front window, then trim the tree afterward.
One year, not too long ago, all of that changed for me, and I can actually pinpoint the moment that it did. Picture me, in the living room Christmas morn, sipping orange juice, and opening gifts with my spouse of almost 2 decades. Actually, he was opening the gifts, and he had purchased nothing at all for me. His eyes filled with tears as he tore open his treasures and he uttered to me, how behind he was with things, because work was hit and miss, but after he returned to work, he would give me a Christmas gift I would remember for the rest of my life.
He was true to his word, in the first week of January, a stranger knocked at my door, to present me a package. Not just any package, he was there to serve me with divorce papers. Looked down at the envelope in my hand, and seeing the words Merry Christmas in an ever so familiar hand writing, those words, that season and everything I had once held so near and dear to me, instantly lost all meaning.
I don't celebrate Christmas, anymore As a matter of fact, it was years before I could even bring myself to putting up a tree again. Even then when I did, it was the neighbours that did the deed, as I could barely bring myself to look at the ornaments. Soon after, I sold everything, without even going through the boxes. I am not sure if that gift that I will remember the rest of my life, was a catalyst to me becoming Pagan or not, but I am sure it helped, as I wanted to be anything at all, but that Christmas loving woman, wearing tacky Christmas garb and sipping bitter tasting orange juice, in a living room full stuff that had absolutely nothing at all, to do with what the spirit of the season.
Everything I do, on this path, is about as opposite and far removed from that woman, as can possibly be. I don't even own a tree anymore, much less put one up. There is no special wardrobe, no mantel, and no orange juice sipping, gift ripping sessions. All of those things, have gone with the wind, and yet there is more spirit now than ever before. In December, I light candles and burn them bright. I fill my room with love and light, and hold hands with those I cherish, in the hopes that my spark will fill others, with spirit as well. I sit up all night long to welcome the winter sun and enjoy the warmth it brings to my life. In December, and every month that follows, I try, bring harm to none, with memories of crocodile tears and words filled with willful disrespect, lingering closely in my mind. Hoping with all my hope, I never in my entire life, make someone feel for one second, how his words will make me feel, for the rest of my life. As this path is important to me, and I now know, what Shakespeare meant when he said "Love all, trust a few, and do harm to none".
One year, not too long ago, all of that changed for me, and I can actually pinpoint the moment that it did. Picture me, in the living room Christmas morn, sipping orange juice, and opening gifts with my spouse of almost 2 decades. Actually, he was opening the gifts, and he had purchased nothing at all for me. His eyes filled with tears as he tore open his treasures and he uttered to me, how behind he was with things, because work was hit and miss, but after he returned to work, he would give me a Christmas gift I would remember for the rest of my life.
He was true to his word, in the first week of January, a stranger knocked at my door, to present me a package. Not just any package, he was there to serve me with divorce papers. Looked down at the envelope in my hand, and seeing the words Merry Christmas in an ever so familiar hand writing, those words, that season and everything I had once held so near and dear to me, instantly lost all meaning.
I don't celebrate Christmas, anymore As a matter of fact, it was years before I could even bring myself to putting up a tree again. Even then when I did, it was the neighbours that did the deed, as I could barely bring myself to look at the ornaments. Soon after, I sold everything, without even going through the boxes. I am not sure if that gift that I will remember the rest of my life, was a catalyst to me becoming Pagan or not, but I am sure it helped, as I wanted to be anything at all, but that Christmas loving woman, wearing tacky Christmas garb and sipping bitter tasting orange juice, in a living room full stuff that had absolutely nothing at all, to do with what the spirit of the season.
Everything I do, on this path, is about as opposite and far removed from that woman, as can possibly be. I don't even own a tree anymore, much less put one up. There is no special wardrobe, no mantel, and no orange juice sipping, gift ripping sessions. All of those things, have gone with the wind, and yet there is more spirit now than ever before. In December, I light candles and burn them bright. I fill my room with love and light, and hold hands with those I cherish, in the hopes that my spark will fill others, with spirit as well. I sit up all night long to welcome the winter sun and enjoy the warmth it brings to my life. In December, and every month that follows, I try, bring harm to none, with memories of crocodile tears and words filled with willful disrespect, lingering closely in my mind. Hoping with all my hope, I never in my entire life, make someone feel for one second, how his words will make me feel, for the rest of my life. As this path is important to me, and I now know, what Shakespeare meant when he said "Love all, trust a few, and do harm to none".
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
NANOWRIMO Update
For those of you wondering, I did not even come close to 50k in NANOWRIMO. I might have, if I didn't change my mind part way through, and take on an entirely different direction.
I started writing a fictional story about a wayward wizard. Then after about a week, I hit a wall and I lost interest in writing completely. After not writing a single word for about 8 days, another topic hit me in a dream. I wrote my fingers off, trying to get the words out, on the second topic, wrote more with that, than I did the other, but still hit a wall, again. The second wall, was not a writers block, it was an emotional wall, because the words just got too hard to type.
So, needless to say, I did not complete my NANOWRIMO but hope the few that I was cheering on, did.
I started writing a fictional story about a wayward wizard. Then after about a week, I hit a wall and I lost interest in writing completely. After not writing a single word for about 8 days, another topic hit me in a dream. I wrote my fingers off, trying to get the words out, on the second topic, wrote more with that, than I did the other, but still hit a wall, again. The second wall, was not a writers block, it was an emotional wall, because the words just got too hard to type.
So, needless to say, I did not complete my NANOWRIMO but hope the few that I was cheering on, did.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Samhain
I didn't do a full ritual, but with two passings in the family this year, I felt I must do something. So, I set an altar and read the following.
Hail to Our God and Goddess
We send you blessing along with a hug
May this special night be filled with love
We welcome spirits and ancestors this night
As we celebrate surrounded by light
We remember the sad times and the blessings too
As the wheel ever turns, make it sacred to you
A blessed Samhain to one and to all
Old or young, short or tall
May love and blessings be sent to thee
As it is writ
So mote it be.
Hail to Our God and Goddess
We send you blessing along with a hug
May this special night be filled with love
We welcome spirits and ancestors this night
As we celebrate surrounded by light
We remember the sad times and the blessings too
As the wheel ever turns, make it sacred to you
A blessed Samhain to one and to all
Old or young, short or tall
May love and blessings be sent to thee
As it is writ
So mote it be.
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