New Moon Rising

There's a new moon rising tonight, bringing with it a time of New Beginnings.
The Moon represents the unconscious, both individually and collectively. It is obedient and tends to do what we ask it to, which is why we need to start asking it very clear and specific questions - especially at the time of the New Moon.

And for me, especially this new moon, for it is in the sign of Aries, my birth sign - which means the new beginnings will take on an Arian tinge. Now, if you know or love an Aries, you also know that 1) we're stubborn as hell and 2) we tend to leap into the fray without forethought or planning, because - hey, why wait?

Our lives at Pyrth Annwn sit at a crossroads - with many paths leading forward into the mist. Which path we take will cause great change, not only to ourselves but to all the other people who know us and interact with us. Family, friends, jobs, the events we facilitate, our students, our chosen family, even our furry kiddos will be affected.

And we can't do the whole two steps forward one step back routine. Once we move forward that's it - concrete set, path designated, come what may.

So what choice do we make? Which step do we take? Do we charge headlong into the fray saying damn the fates, all speed ahead...or do we acquiesce to the fates and allow our lives to be completely upended?

Are there really any choices, or are those themselves just an illusion? Are the many paths before us merely one path broken out into separate parts?

So many questions, and so few answers. I will light a red candle tonight beneath the shadow of the new moon and pray for guidance come the dawn.

Vernal Equinox - Time of Rebirth, Renewal & the Return of the Light

The time of the wheel has turned to the Spring Equinox - the balance of night and day, when - from this moment forward - the days become longer and the nights become shorter. Once again, we have made it through our harsh winter and emerged into the budding daylight of springtime.

Ostara, Goddess of Spring and the Dawn (Oestre / Eastre)

Easter is named for a Saxon goddess who was known by the names of Oestre or Eastre, and in Germany by the name of Ostara. She is a goddess of the dawn and the spring, and her name derives from words for dawn, the shining light arising from the east. Our words for the "female hormone" estrogen derives from her name.

Ostara was, of course, a fertility goddess. Bringing in the end of winter, with the days brighter and growing longer after the vernal equinox, Ostara had a passion for new life. Her presence was felt in the flowering of plants and the birth of babies, both animal and human. The rabbit (well known for its propensity for rapid reproduction) was her sacred animal.

Easter eggs and the Easter Bunny both featured in the spring festivals of Ostara, which were initially held during the feasts of the goddess Ishtar | Inanna. Eggs are an obvious symbol of fertility, and the newborn chicks an adorable representation of new growth. Brightly colored eggs, chicks, and bunnies were all used at festival time to express appreciation for Ostara's gift of abundance.

At this time of year, my chosen family comes together to celebrate the dream time - this last longer night of darkness before the equilibrium of the equinox appears. We sleep together in a dream circle, in hopes of using our combined energies to help manifest our hopes and dreams for this turn of the wheel.

The breezes of air surround us, playfully making the daffodils sway to and fro. The gentle rains coax the new growth out of the freshly thawed earth, so that they may reach for the warmth of the fiery sun above them.

Use this time wisely - be aware of new possibilities, of the renewed energy and beauty in the world around you and within yourself.

A Single Grain of Rice

The following was written by my sister, Ahriana. It's a story that must be shared with as many as possible, and thus, I include it here...

A Single Grain of Rice

I should probably begin by explaining that there is no way, regardless how many words I use or how eloquent I might be, that I could really share with you the full experience that I had yesterday. Be that as it may, I am compelled to attempt this sharing anyway because the importance of the experience is too big to keep to myself.

Yesterday I had the pleasure of speaking as part of an interfaith panel at Pine Creek High School. Although the panel presentation, in itself, contained unique moments worthy of discussion, it is what happened afterward that affected me so deeply.

As one group of students left the room and another began to enter, the teacher who was preparing to teach the next class approached several of us and invited us to stay. She explained that her class has been studying genocide and that she would be providing a very powerful demonstration she felt we would appreciate.

I was a bit intrigued, but my own children, who did not have school, were waiting at the sitter’s for me to pick them up, so I graciously asked if I could stay “for a few moments” and sat by the door so that I could slide out without disturbing anyone when it was time for me to leave.

I intended to stay for ten minutes or so.

The only other person from the panel who stayed was the Rabbi – a lovely chaplain from the Air Force Academy. He was gracious enough to offer me a closer chair next to him, and, as someone who has come to appreciate any opportunity to get to know folks from other faith traditions more personally, I could not help but accept. It was a very good choice – and I am grateful for the Rabbi’s gesture because, without it, I might actually have missed something life changing.

The teacher began by laying out several black sheets on the open floor. The students were instructed to sit around them so they would have a better view. In a very matter-of-fact way, she then explained how she and a colleague had wanted to demonstrate the number of people who had been killed by genocide. After a lot of thought, they came up with an idea. They would buy a bag of rice and count how many grains were in a cup, then multiply the cups to get the correct numbers for various incidents throughout history. She explained that each grain of rice represented one human being and she directed our attention to the giant bins that contained what was needed for the exercise.

To begin, each person in attendance was presented with a handful of rice to hold. “What you have in your hand is about as many grains of rice as there are students in this high school (1500),” she explained. Then the teacher went to the CD player and introduced a haunting melody.

The music played and she began pouring rice on the ebony canvas.

I wish I had taken note of the exact numbers but the piles quickly became so immense that I could feel myself struggling with my emotions. At that moment, my logical mind was trying to wrap itself around a reality I could hardly comprehend.

“1.5 million.” “150,000.” “300,000.” “7 million.” “Hundreds of thousands in only 100 days.” The figures were staggering. To actually look at the massive mounds of rice and recognize, in such a visceral way, how many men, women and children had died was almost too much to take in. “Turkey, Germany, Cambodia, Bosnia, Rwanda, and continuing to this very day in Darfur, “ she said, as the piles grew and grew. The largest number? Native Americans. “Everything on this sheet – twice!”

Each grain of rice is a human being who has died as a result of genocide

My emotions eventually got the better of me. Tears fell freely as I embraced the severity of what she was demonstrating.

I watched as young women with mascara-lined eyes wiped away the darkened streaks that ran down their cheeks. I observed vibrant young men leaning forward, heads resting into their hands, as if to hold back the thoughts that could not be spoken. This was a lesson they would never forget – and neither will I.

Toward the end the rice we had been holding was collected. “It is believed,” she explained, “that, in our lives, we will each have the chance to influence about as many people as you have grains of rice in your hand.” We were asked to retain one grain and surrender the rest into a common container.

She paused and asked, “What kind of influence will you be?”

After allowing us a few moments to ponder, she changed the music to something more upbeat. One by one, she brought forth vessels of various sizes and shapes, containing varying amount of rice that represented numbers of individuals who had influenced the world in a positive way. Mother Theresa, - The Survivors of Auschwitz who shared their stories with the world, - The nine Prisoners of War that kept alive the memories of those who had not made it home. There were many examples.

She spoke about how one person could change the world – and presented the data necessary to prove her point.

And when she had finished, each student was invited to glue their single grain of rice on a piece of paper and to write what they were feeling.

Slowly a few students came forward, running their fingers through the piles, and contemplating all that had been seen and heard. As they moved to their desks to write, I quietly placed my grain of rice in my pocket, said a soft goodbye to the Rabbi, and took my leave. I had feelings of my own to sort out – and children who were waiting for me.

When I arrived home, I reached into my pocket, afraid I might have lost such a small treasure, and gratefully retrieved that single grain of rice. I placed it in a heart-shaped dish on my altar.

So you see, my friends, I could not simply “leave it at that” for I too have some influence in the world. I know that I am blessed to have your ear – and in some cases, your heart – so I must pass along the question that was asked yesterday.

“What kind of an influence will you be on the world we share?”

Whatever you choose, I hope you will remember how powerful you are and act accordingly.

You are LOVE and you are loved!

Ahriana
3/13/2009

To find out more about my sister and the good work she's doing in Colorado, please go to www.ecospiritual.com.

"You're living in a what?"

That's the response we tend to get nowadays from folks who can't believe we've made the move out to our land in Salem without having our cabin built yet...when we tell them we're living in a tent, or tents actually. Let me tell you, during the ice storm, we were actually better off in our tents than most folks (aside from the danger of being flattened by falling trees - other than that we were better off).


We've cobbled together two tents covered by a large blue tarp and consisting of a bedroom in the back and a closet/kitchen in the front. That's Cenau checking out the kitchen and Remy inspecting the comfiness of the bed.



We actually have a lovely kitchen tent that we use normally, but as cold as it's been, we got smart and moved a smaller version of it into our house tent for the time being.



To keep warm, we've added a wood stove to the back of the bedroom tent - surprisingly enough, it works great, and keeps the bedroom tent about 20 degrees warmer than outside.




Once it warms up a bit, Bren's a whiz at campsite cooking, and we'll start making good use of our campfire cooking ring.



And of course, as far as "facilities" go, we have our lovely composting toilets, which Brennan and our friends Richard and Cheri helped us build.



We have a wash station set up for doing dishes, and once it gets warmer, we'll have our solar shower for washing ourselves - right now we gratefully stop by our friend Megan's for a shower and hot meal in town. Plus we have a generator for electricity to power lights and my laptop, and a wonderful propane stove plus stone fireplace in the bedroom tent as a back-up in case the wood stove fire goes out.



All in all, it's not so bad - quite the adventure really. Now when we move the cats up here - that's going to be the real adventure - they get a tent all their own. Complete with futon for sleeping on, cat perch for bird watching and kitty dinner table for munchies and crunchies. Updates on that later. For now, it's back to building the cabin with the floor finished and the walls starting to come back together. More photos of that soon!

Making ends meet

The state of the economy weighs heavily on my mind, as it does on most Americans. Just being able to make enough money to cover the bills, keep a roof over our heads and keep our animals fed is tough, but we were on the upswing, paying off our car loan, cutting our expenses to the absolute minimum, we were doing okay - until unexpected expenses popped up such as our only vehicle breaking down make the day to day struggle even harder.

There are many moments when I just want to sit and cry and give up - throw in the towel, swallow my pride and beg for help from my conservative republican parental units....

But then small miracles happen - a friend offers a ride to and from work, another offers to watch over our cats whom we cannot get to due to the car being dead, and our dogs come up to me and completely lick my tears away, as my husband gives me an amazing hug.

We're going to make it - we're going to get through this. I know we're not alone, that there are so many out there like us, living paycheck to paycheck, having cut every possible extra expense, living on bare minimums. We have to be there for each other right now - we have to reach out and support each other - be that ride for someone, take care of someone's beloved animals, be a shoulder to cry on or a hug that someone really needs.

We are a community, spread out a bit, yes, but a community - let's pull together now and support each other through these tough times. And remember to hug someone today, whether they ask for it or not, expect it r not - just give a hug, and pass it on.

Surviving the Storm

Wow - when Mother Nature decides to make a storm, she really puts everything into it. Many friends and locals are still without power - more than 9 days after the storm first hit. It could be another week for some of them. That Tuesday night, sitting in our tent in the dark, listening as the trees cracked and came whooshing to the ground - was the scariest night of my life. I've never prayed so hard for so long for anything.

The good news is we survived, our tent was intact, our car was miraculously not hit by any falling trees or limbs and our dogs were blissfully happy bouncing around in the leftover sleet/snow.

And now the clean-up begins - pulling out the chainsaws, moving limbs, rebuilding what was lost. A lovely old white oak landed smack dab in the middle of our cabin floor - it could have been worse, but the set back is disheartening.

Hopefully this is the last ice blast Mother Nature has planned for this winter - I for one could really use a heat wave right about now.

Building a Home - Part 1

And we're off - the grand adventure has begun. We're building a cabin in the woods - a modified starplate cabin with five sides - to be our humble abode until a larger dwelling can be erected. We've got the foundation and the floor in, now it's on to the walls and a roof. As soon as we get a new camera, I'll upload more pics of our progress, but here's where it all started...



We began by laying out the five sided shape...



And moved it around until we found the right lay of the land for it.



Next, the dogs had to come in and check our measurements...



And once we had our layout, the cinderblocks came in to help us get level.



Then began the tedious process of moving and shimming, until we were level all the way around.



In place of our temporary cinder blocks, we placed mortared stone pillars from stones on our property. Eventually, we'll have a stone base all the way around.




And finally, we started framing out the floor...



By this point, we were pretty tired - even the dogs were done in...



Next time...wall raising!

A Yuletide Message from my Sister

My beautiful sister Ahriana has always had the most beautiful way with words - and at this Yuletide, I defer to her eloquence to express the meaning of the season.

Hello, Dear Friends!

It is Yule, and tonight, friends from far and near will gather in faith that we can survive the longest night. From this night forward, we will experience a little more sunlight each day, until the Spring arrives in all her colorful glory.

There is much romanticizing about this holiday and how the ancestors celebrated. Lengthy conversations are held about the origins of the Christmas Tree, Gift Giving, and the Jolly Ol' Elf himself. I wonder if it might be more important to discuss what these traditions mean in our modern world, where the holiday season can be challenging for so many.

My sweetheart is outside, as I am writing, stringing lights on the Douglas Fir in our yard. We decorate the Evergreen because it is the one living thing that consistently stays green throughout the winter. We see it as proof that Mother Nature has not abandoned us. She is simply resting, in preparation for a new season of growth and abundance. Despite the headlines about unemployment, crime rates and economic decline, the Evergreen reminds us that we have the strength to persevere through the "winter" of our own lives. It serves as a reminder to have faith.

We hang apples and strings of popcorn as gifts to the animals because it is harder to find food this time of year. It is a way to give back to "that-which-is-wild," and to remember that we are all interconnected. As we care for the wild world, we honor our own wildness, the untamable human spirit that tenaciously finds a new way of doing things. This same tenacity delivers us to the doorway of change.

The sparkling ornaments dance and sway, reminding us of the brilliance of our lives. Each dazzling glint of light opens our imagination, attracting the fairy realm - the devic kingdom - the unseen "spirit" of Nature. This "spirit of the season" warms us, comforts us and plays in our hearts, allowing us to find a sense of joy. It is this same "spirit' that sparks the flame within - the radiant flame that burns brightly in our hearts and lights the path ahead of us.

Tonight, in my home, a small group will gather. We will exchange gifts, reminding each other that there is always enough. We will light candles and, as each one ignites, we will share our visions for the future. We will warm each other with our laughter and our stories, and, together, we will face a new dawn. The "longest night" will give way to the eternal sun!

You see, these ancient ways are as important today as they were in times gone by. How they originated is not as important as the fact that they exist,. Our "Winter" is different than the winter faced by our ancestors. What threatens our survival is different. Yet, our need for faith, comfort, courage and strength, is the same. "Spirit' remains the blazing gift that guides us through the darkness into the light.

From my house to yours, a wish for a very blessed Yuletide. May your fires burn warm and the morning light inspire you.

Blessed be,

Ahriana

For more wonderful words of wisdom from my dear sister, please subscribe to her newsletter and check out the important work she is doing at the Colorado Ecospiritual Center - www.ecospiritual.com

Mother Earth & Father Time

Snuggling in to my mid-winter hibernation and tending to a bad cold, I was lucky enough to find on the television the original animated Charlotte's Web - the one with the magnificent Paul Lynde as Templeton the Rat, not that new one with Julia Roberts - and was transported back to being a kid again.

While I was enjoying the movie, this wonderful song is sung by Charlotte, called Mother Earth and Father Time - it's the best sort of lullabye, blending the changing of the seasons with the unwinding of Time.

It moved me so much that I dragged myself out from under the covers to find the lyrics and a link to it on You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTuDSP2Nk5Q

Mother Earth and Father Time

How very special are we

For just a moment to be

Part of life's eternal rhyme

How very special are we

To have on our family tree

Mother Earth and Father Time

He turns the seasons around

And so she changes her gown

But they always look in their prime

They go on dancing their dance

Of everlasting romance

Mother Earth and Father Time

The summer larks return to sing

Oh, what a gift they give

Then autumn days grow short and cold

Oh, what a joy to live

How very special are we

For just a moment to be

Part of life's eternal rhyme

How very special are we

To have on our family tree

Mother Earth and Father Time

This is one I want to share with youngsters as they cuddle snug in their beds tonight, waiting on Father Yule to arrive.

Preparing for the time of rest

This time of year always finds me pulled in two directions - in one, the holidays are upon us and there's frantic energy put towards preparing for family visits, cooking for friends and decorating the house inside and out -- and on the other hand, the seasons tell us this is the time for rest, reflection and stillness. Quite the dichotomy.

How to fit both halves of my life into one life - hurriedly decorate while sitting in still contemplation. I need to clone myself. Each year I struggle with this - I have pledged my life to my faith, which strongly dictates this as the season of rest. The trees are dormant, the animals are slumbering, the flowers have retreated into the dark soil of the earth, to rest until Spring.

And yet there are bills to be paid, jobs to do and so much more. I remind myself each morning, to take a slower pace, to move with deliberateness, not swiftness. To think all things through, not act on impulse. I am attempting to teach myself to live my life with the wheel, to match my energy to the energy of the Mother. To find balance in the season and meaning in the theme of rest and reflection.

New Beginnings

I typed "New Beginnings" into the image search on Google, and this came up as one of the choices - It reads: "These crocuses, poking their heads up through a powder of late snow reminded me of a quote by Albert Camus, 'In the depth of winter, I finally learned that inside me there lay an invincible summer.'"

An invincible summer - a season of joy, energy, hope and celebration - shining through the depths of the coming winter's cold and grey days. What a lovely thought - and so appropriate to what I'm feeling today. After months of being without work, and forcing myself to truly evaluate how I see myself and value myself, the Universe has presented an opportunity that fits everything we've been looking for - a job close to our land, that pays enough to allow us to fulfill our dream of living on our land, and that will allow me to get to know my new community and allow them to get to know me. We'll be closer to friends and chosen family, and finally able to call Pyrth Annwn our true home.

As the cold winds of November swirled around my shoulders today, that invincible summer had me grinning from ear to ear.

The Power Of HOPE

Hope - such a small word, but full of so much promise. We have elected Barak Obama as our first African American president - a harvard graduate who learned from an early age the importance of community.

Building community, bridging differences, finding room for tolerance are all qualities we strive to live every day and now the leader of our country will be doing the same.

A man on NPR today said: "Rosa Parks sat, so that Martin Luther King Jr could walk. Martin Luther King Jr walked so that Barak Obama could run. Barak Obama ran so that one day we could fly."

Let's spread our wings and on the winds of HOPE, may we soar to heights of equality, tolerance and understanding, the likes of which this country has never dreamed of.

Namaste

Getting Ready for Family

In just 10 days, a multitude of family members from across several states will be descending upon Pyrth Annwn to once again reunite and share in the magick that flows through us all.

Twice a year we come together amidst the forest canopy at Pyrth Annwn - people from all beliefs and backgrounds, from all paths and places - to come together as a family to share ritual, workshops, stories of the past six months, pictures of friends and time sharing and laughing around a fire.

I look forward to these times all year long - anxiously awaiting the days and nites when we can dress as we wish, dance under the starry sky and hug with abandon.

Just ten more days......I'm already packed....ready to go....wonder if anyone else is?

The Season of Fall

Autumn is here - the autumnal equinox arrives, balancing day and night in perfect harmony, preparing us for the shorter days to come and the darkness of winter up ahead.

I've always loved the Fall, ever since I was a child growing up on Staten Island. From my window, the trees lining the street of Hamden Avenue would come alive in a riot of colors ranging from yellows to reds to oranges as the green chlorophyll of summer slowly ebbed away, revealing the true colors of the leaves in all their glory.

Seeing someone's "true colors" has always had mixed meanings for me - it could be that you're seeing the wolf underneath his sheepskin, or perhaps seeing someone for the first time, realizing the person you've known for so many years is actually a complete stranger. It could be that someone has finally stepped forth and shown their mettle - or that their actual motives for action have come to the forefront.

Did you know that the energy of a dragonfly is that of displaying one's true colors? Of showing the world who you really are inside, beneath the layers of emotional baggage and old tapes from old relationships?

There is a "clan" of dragonfly women at WytcheHaven - a group of brave souls who followed the lead of one and had dragonfly tattoos imprinted on their skin, as if saying to the world - Here I am, this is me - like it or leave.

What a perfect time of year to strip away the layers of false hopes, masks of expected behaviors and smiles of protection and reveal the true colors underneath, much as the leaves are doing now - now that the green chlorophyll that masked them for so many months is ebbing away.

What would you see in the mirror, if your chlorophyll of expectations and pretensions was stripped away? Would you like what you see? Would you recognize your own soul in the reflection?

I'm taking my cue from the leaves, and stripping away the layers to my true self, and my true purpose - and I'm planning on joining the Dragonfly Trybe at WytcheHaven come October, and proudly saying to the world - This is me - these are my true colors.

Picking up the Pieces

Someone once told me that our lives begin as a solid piece of glass, and as we experience what life has to offer, it becomes scratched and broken, never to be whole again. At the time, I found that to be incredibly depressing - being an Aries, of course I wanted to be able to "wipe the slate clean" and start anew, with a brand new piece of glass.

As the years have passed, I've begun to see this in a different light. Every scratch, every break in the glass shapes us, and makes us who we are - unique. Unlike anyone or anything else on the planet...and being an Aries, I liked being unique, so this sat with me pretty well - until yesterday.

Yesterday, a hammer that would have made Thor proud smashed into my pane of glass and broke it into so many pieces that I feel as though I have lost parts of myself in the carnage. I feel hollow, empty - as if the echoes of life have left the building. What do you have when your pane of glass is now a heap of rubble?

Well, for starters you tend to sit and stare at the rubble pile - a lot. I've found it hard to do anything else. You move some pieces around on the floor, pick out the bigger ones and brush the smaller slivers together. You find yourself thinking about what was lost, and what you've lost that you don't even realize you've lost yet...and worrying that when you do realize, it will be something important...something you may fear being without.

And you tend to cry for a while, lamenting the glass that used to be. And then you start to really look at what you have left, and face what the glass now is. And it isn't easy to face, but being an Aries I want to move forward, ever forward head first into the fray.

So, I've decided to make a mosaic of my glass pane - I'm going to make something beautiful from the chaos on the floor, and I'm going to be able to look at it and know that it's me, and that it's okay. That I'm okay. I'm just a little different inside than I was before. A little sadder, somewhat wiser, and maybe even stronger.

And I'm going to buy a lot of glue...

Celebrating Mid Summer

It is the time of action…we are in but the pubescent stage of our growth cycle. Fire’s raging heat beats upon our skin, and focuses our will. Now is a time of great purpose, as air soars overhead, cooling our brows and bringing us the fresh scent of the summer days. Our goals are manifesting beneath us as mother grows steadily forth under our feet, giving us a soft place to lie during the heat of the day, and a warm place to dance at night. As we strive together to reach our personal and community goals, water quenches our thirst for knowledge and blends our efforts into one.

Remember that this is the longest day of the year. Air is aloft, clarifying our purpose and actions as we strive to maintain our goals. Earth stands beneath us as our crops begin to manifest within the fields of our endeavors. Fire blazes forth as the heat of the sun at its zenith beats down upon us, focusing our will and illuminating spirit's vision within us. Water ripples around us, awakening us to our intuitive connections with each other and our surroundings, and bringing us the wisdom to further our paths in the summer heat.

A Blessed Summer Solstice to You All - May the Longest Day Bring You Clarity, Faith and Hope for the Future Harvest Still to Come.

The beginning of a new home

I am beyond excited - we're finally moving forward with our plans to build a home at Pyrth Annwn. I can't describe to you the joy and overwhelming feeling of anticipation for this. It is something we have dreamed about for a very long time, and it's finally happening.

In fitting with our nature, our home won't be the ordinary box or cabin. As shown in the model, we're using the starplate building system as the basis for our home, our greenhouse and our future storage building.

Starplates create five sided structures, so we've created an arrangement that will work for us, including a two story main building that will house the living room on the bottom floor and our bedroom on the top floor, a two story bath house module for an upstairs and downstairs bathroom plus our telescope viewing area on the roof, a one story kitchen module, one story study/guest room module and a laundry/mud room. In the future, we'll be adding on a dining hall so we'll have room when our large chosen family gathers to celebrate.

We already know where the garden is going, and where we'll be fencing in an outside area for the cats to enjoy, plus a separate area for the puppies to play. We've got the site for the well picked out, and pretty much figured out the layout of the septic system.

We've picked out an area behind the main house that's partially into the cliff face for a canning cellar/mead brewing room. Next up is figuring out where the chickens and goats are going to go once we get them. Our friend Megan has us hooked on goat milk and cheese, so Cabrito is definitely going to be on the menu, and my friend James has me hooked on fresh eggs, hence the chickens. And yes, we will have many guineas to control the tick population. Cenau will have his work cut out for him keeping the coyotes and foxes at bay.

The best part about all of this - we're doing it ourselves. The magick that will infuse this act of creation will make this home a very sacred place indeed - and anchor my gypsy feet once and for all firmly in the ground.

Continuing the Journey (or how I try to keep ducking the Cosmic 2 x 4)

Ah, the Cosmic 2 x 4 - that gentle hand of the Universe, guiding us along our life lesson path...why as humans do we insist on ignoring the gentle prods and pokes and instead only pay attention when we get smacked on the back of the head? You'd think paying attention to all that poking and prodding would start to look good after a while...

but alas, we are only human aren't we?

No matter how far we think we've come, or how much we feel we've learned, there is always another lesson just waiting around the bend for us.

Mine this week is the lesson of release. And I really thought I had this one down too, but - whack! - apparently not.

And so, Aleve in hand, I find myself once again making meditation time for myself each day so that I can reflect on what I've been missing, or what it is that I refuse to release, and hope I get it right this time.

'Cause even for an Aries, we can only take so many hits to the head.

A Pagan Parable

I was sent this wonderful parable from an anonymous reader - and it's fabulous - a tale to be told to all pagan children (and adults) dealing with bullies in the schoolyard or the workplace.

The Little Boy Who Cried Lawsuit
A Pagan Parable
By
Golden Quill

Once upon a time, in the Pagan land of Ar-Kann, there was a little boy named Davy who, along with his faithful hound, Uninformed lassie (Davy called her Uni for short), had dreams of doing great things. Unfortunately, little Davy, was just a little crazy and had an unhealthy fascination with Christianity, Evangelism and Catholicism. None of the Pagans in Ar-Kann were quite sure why. Perhaps, he didn’t have a father to teach him any better; perhaps he was molested by a priest or a minister; or perhaps, like Reverend Jim Jones, he just wasn’t born right. To this day, it’s still a mystery.

Anyway, one day little Davy starts calling himself, Reverend Davy, and proclaims himself the first Pagan Pope of Ar-Kann. He wandered out to the meadow and called all the creatures together. Once all of the Pagan creatures had gathered he started to tell scary stories. There was a horrible monster roaming the land called the Guvmint that would steal away their children; that wolves roamed all around the meadows; that terrible storms were coming -- torrential rains and droughts, then plagues and all the crops would fail, and they would all starve, but he said, because “I am a Messiah”, he could save them all.

Well, naturally, the little Pagan creatures did not want all of these terrible things to befall themselves and their children, so they pleaded with Davy, “What can we do?” Davy raised his little crooked staff in the air, straining to get it past his very fat belly, and told them, “All you have to do is recognize that I am you sacred leader as proclaimed by the ALMIGHTY GOD. Umm,… I mean the gods of course. Give up your free will, your right to think for yourself; become sheep and recognize me as your Divine Shepherd, and umm, let me sleep with you wives from time to time.“

The little Pagan creatures thought these rules a little strange but, not being sure what it all meant, and being frightful of this terrifying world around them (which, they never even knew existed), they agreed. After all, they must think of their children first.

For awhile, all was good within the flock. The Guvmint monster wasn’t seen, wolves didn’t threaten their homes, the landscape and crops weren’t devastated, and even the Jehovah Witnesses stopped coming around. Then…things changed.

Davy’s faithful hound, Uninformed lassie, started biting at their heels, forcing them to run around in circles. And then, Shepherd Reverend Pope Davy, started rapping them on the head with his little crooked stick, calling them names, threatening them, abusing them and mistreating them in many different ways.

Well, the flock became agitated, chaotic, and began whispering among themselves. And, one day a member of the flock, timidly approached Reverend Shepherd Davy and said, “I don’t like the way you’re treating us. You’re very mean and you lie to us and, another thing, I don’t think I’m a sheep. I’m pretty sure I’m a rabbit”. The flock grew quiet. Uninformed lassie started running around in circles, barking and barking and barking. Little Davy’s face turned red from anger. He raised his crooked little stick and said, “YOU ARE EXCOMMUNICATED”. And, then, pointing his crooked little stick at her, called down the greatest curse he knew, and cried, “LAWSUIT, LAWSUIT, LAWSUIT”. All the flock trembled in fear, and the scared little sheep (or rabbit, depending on who you talk to), fled into the wilderness. And, for awhile… the flock was quiet.

Well, months passed and all seemed right with the world, at least from Shepherd Reverend Pope Davy’s position. Amongst the flock though, it was a different matter. Uninformed lassie continued nipping at the heels of the flock, making them run around in circles, and little Davy’s abuses became even worse.

This went on for many, many, months. And, every so often, one of the little Pagan creatures of the flock would timidly approach little Davy and complain about the abuse, the lies that they were told, express doubts that there were monsters all around, or sometimes just because they didn’t want to be a sheep but, wanted to be a hawk, or a butterfly, or a dragon instead. And, every time Uninformed lassie would run around in circles, barking and barking and barking. Little Davy would grow angry, point his crooked little stick, and call down the curse, “LAWSUIT, LAWSUIT, LAWSUIT,” upon the poor creature. The little creature would run off into the wilderness and the flock would stand there quivering in fear. And, once again, for awhile, things would be quiet.

But, one day, something strange happened. One morning Reverend Pope Shepherd Davy awoke, and he with his faithful dog Uninformed lassie, went to round up his flock. When he got to the meadow though, he realized that something had changed with his flock. Many of his little bitty sheep seemed larger, and had grown these huge, curving, dangerous looking horns. Undaunted, Uninformed lassie went to work, biting at their heels and trying to get the flock to run around in circles. But, this time the flock stood still… unmoving. But, then the flock began to move, as one, and the sheep with horns approached little Davy. Uninformed lassie began running around in circles, barking and barking and barking, and little Davy began to scream and yell at them, and rap them on the head with his little crooked stick. Yet, this time the flock didn’t quiver in fear and the little crooked stick had no effect on their big curved horns.

One of these strange looking sheep stared at little Davy and said, “We don’t want you around anymore. You lie to us, you abuse us, you take advantage of us, and you’re untrustworthy”. This so shocked Uninformed lassie, that she stopped barking, and stared in shock at little Davy, her thin little legs shaking, barely keeping her fat belly off the ground. Little Davy stared back at the sheep, and threatened him saying, “I’ll shall call the curse of LAWSUIT, down upon you all, if you do not obey me, and worship me.” The sheep sighed and replied, “You keep saying that but nothing ever happens, no one is cursed and no magickal lawyer ever appears. It’s time for you to go”. Undaunted, little Davy asked the strange looking sheep, “If I leave who will lead you, who will think for you, who will you follow!!” The sheep, glared at him saying, “Rams don’t follow”. Then the rams lowered their heads and moved menacingly toward little Davy and his dog Uninformed lassie. Little Davy and his dog began to shake with fear, and not knowing what else to do, turned and ran and ran and ran deep into the wilderness.

After that, things were better in the Pagan land of Ar-Kan. They learned that if they weren’t forced to run around in circles, they could get many things done. They realized that they didn’t have to be sheep, if they didn’t want to. They could be a hawk, or a butterfly, or a cat. They realized that they didn’t need an all powerful leader to think for them; they could do that for themselves as well. And, as these things happen, some of the little Pagan creatures became leaders, and others became followers, and some chose to lead at times or follow at other times. But, the most important thing that they learned was that they could work together.

Now, of course I’m sure that you are all wondering, what ever happened to little crazy Davy and his faithful dog Uninformed lassie? Well, it turned out that they were right about one thing. There are wolves in the world, hounds from the otherworld, and a horrible monster called Guvmint. And, they fell upon little Davy and his faithful dog Uninformed lassie, and devoured them, bones and all.
But, don’t worry kiddies, that only happens to the bad Pagans.

And, the moral or morals of this story are:

Lawsuit is not a magickal curse that you can smite your enemies with.
You can only frighten people for so long.
Telling a lie repeatedly doesn’t make it truth.
And, though some people are happy being sheep… well, I’d rather run with the
Wolves.


Copyrighted 2008: I freely give permission to anyone to copy or repeat or share this story, I only require that you maintain the work as it was originally written.

Chosen Family

I'm back - refreshed, revived, renewed ... and tired, tired, tired.

What a wonderful weekend - what amazing energy. I don't know where to begin. From the last minute push to get everything ready to the first welcoming hugs, this WytcheHaven Weekend was awesome! We have composting toilets now in place of those awful smelly port-a-potties we used to have. We have a shower house to get the camp dust and dirt of off us during the weekend. We have easy access to the river now, to go and play and relax in the sand. Speaking of sand, we have a dancer's track around revels of soft sand so the dancers no longer have to sing out the litany of "Stump, Rock, Hole..."

Vendors! Shopping! Wow! Artisans Alley was full of bright shiny baubles from new and old vendors - the didge workshop brought out some hidden didge playing talents (I expect to hear more Didge's at the next Revels!)

The Flight of the Faeries was beautiful as always - so many new faeries this year! And Faery's panty hunt was a wild time - congrats to Rowan for finding the special pair!

More new additions to the Memory Garden this year - it's truly gaining it's own voice in the community...and Wadjet's Wadi had a terrific innaugural event. From the swing to the sandbox to the blue and white fort - what a cool place for kids and adults to play!

I miss the drums, I miss the hugs, I miss the sleepy pagan zombies coming to the Wytche's Brew in the morning for coffee...I miss you all so much already. How long til October?

Family Reunion

I'm getting ready to leave for my family reunion - it's a bi-annual event, held in sacred space in the Ozarks under the beautiful shady trees of Pyrth Annwn.

My chosen family members from 11 different states will be there - gathering in together to share, laugh, learn, grow and reconnect as a loving community with love, respect and trust the foremost tenants.

We'll drum together, dance together, celebrate ritual together, laugh together, talk together, share together and learn from each other.

We'll shop and find amazing gifts hand-crafted by pagan artists; we'll go swimming in the crystal clear Starwberry River; we'll shuffle sleepy-eyed together into the Brew for coffee in the morning and share stories of the previous night's revelry.

Druids, eclectics, hermetics, wiccans, odinists, OTO'ers, agnostics, buddhists and more - all coming together as family.

Why can't mundania be more like this?

Creating Sacred Space

Creating sacred space, I have found, is a lot like any handmade craft - it takes time, skill, and energy. Like weaving the patchwork of a quilt, or adding touches of moss to a birdhouse, or finding the perfect word for a line of poetry, the creation of sacred space is a journey of discoveries.

Last weekend, an incredibly diverse group of Weekenders came together with one unified mission - to continue the creation of sacred space at Pyrth Annwn. Some were focused on a children's area, others on gathering wood for the communal fires, some on erecting a shower house and still others willing to apply their labors as needed. We were adults and children; husbands and wives; students; teachers; druids; hermetics; eclectics -- combining our creative energies into making something for the entire community to share.

We discovered the joys of hammer throwing (don't ask), of digging up rocks and rolling boulders, of sitting in a sand box and laughing with the kids, of relaxing by the fire and just enjoying the conversation.

All of this mixed into the aether, into the creative energies that flowed out and over Pyrth Annwn, renewing and refreshing her soil with peace, love, laughter and joy. And renewing and refreshing us as well.

Happy May Day! Happy Beltane!

To all my friends and chosen family, may this season bring new spiritual growth, an abundance of new colors and an overflowing of joyful emotions. I dance with you on this path, bells jingling, eyes smiling and arms outstretched to you.

Ah, those little victories in life....

You know the ones - small, somewhat inconsequential, but man - you feel better when they happen don't you? That time you fought with the printer until it FINALLY printed your information onto the specialty paper correctly (after trashing the first 5 sheets), or you did battle with the CD duplicating computer and actually got it to start working again without having to hit it with a sledgehammer...oh yes, these small victories make for those little pick me ups throughout the day that help get us closer to Friday.

I'm excited to get to Friday you see, because we've got so much planned for the work weekend out at our land, Pyrth Annwn - and many of our good friends are coming to join us in the labor and help us create more sacred space amidst the forests of Pyrth Annwn. We're creating a play area for the kids, working on small building projects and clearing out campsites of last fall's leaves. The day we can finally call Pyrth our permanent, never moving again home can't come too soon. (Come on water table, I want to drill a well!)

I could live there now, I really could. We have a little portapotty, with five actual 55 gallon drum composting toilets coming soon. We have solar showers and a river to swim in. We have tents that work for us quite nicely, just not so much for the cats. They might have a thing or two to say about that. The dogs however would be as happy as us I think - they both love it out there, whether they're chasing the errant armadillo or napping in dappled shade near staff camp.

The one thing I'd miss would be electricity - I like my Internet and my TV shows. They're my vice. I could live a really simple existence if it wasn't for them. The idea of planting gardens and orchards, and canning our crops fills me with absolute delight. I have a lot to learn about it, but I'm so excited to get started. And chickens - now that's going to be an adventure, especially with the two dogs to help chicken-wrangle.

Soon, now - soon. Every step forward brings us that much closer....

Making room for chaos

I was talking to a relative the other day, and they expressed great distress at the size of my ever increasing household - in just 8 years Brennan and I have managed to provide a home for not only ourselves, but five cats and now two dogs (there was a fish at one point, but then, remember, we have five cats...).

To them, the word menagerie doesn't even begin to cut it - they feel we're basically starting our own zoo. I was really surprised by their tone, and their concern. To me, each addition has found their niche, brought their share of love into the house, and done their part to really make our place a home. It made me wonder why they are denying themselves the joy of furry ones in their lives.

I can't imagine living without our munchkins - granted, they're messy sometimes, we do have dangerously large dust bunnies that roam the hallways on occasion, and a few tiffs tend to break out in the evenings come feeding time - but so what? How does that compare to the many mornings of hugs and kisses, lap warmings as you drink your coffee, evenings snuggled up with a massaging purr-box on the couch, the afternoons of playing with dingle-balls and using old rope for tug-tug.

The more I think about it, the sadder I feel for them. All they can see is the mess and expense - none of the joy and unconditional love.

The fastest way to your dog's heart....

is apparently to get another dog.

Our newest family member was found by a fellow Weekender, wandering down a busy highway, scared, hurt and alone. He was scooped up, taken to the vet, given his shots and a call went out to find him a home.

Well..we'd been thinking of getting our Akita pup Cenau (pronounced Ken-Eye & welsh for Bear Cub) a buddy to play with, as the cats just don't seem to be that interested in playing tug-tug with him (gee, wonder why?), and so we saw the call and said - sure, why not. Let's meet him and see if Cenau eats him or not.

Thankfully, Cenau didn't eat him - he's instead herded him around, cleaned him every morning from top to bottom, escorted him to the best "potty place" in the yard, shared most of his toys (he occasionally sneaks one away and gives it to Daddy to hide from the baby) and sleeps with him at night.

So....it looks like he's staying, which means he needs a good Cajun/Celtic/Welsh name. Because, all of our other furry family members have really good Cajun/Celtic/Welsh names (Boudreaux, Thibodeaux, Calisto, and Maxie - except for Seymour, but there's a story to that one).

And we watched the baby, and thought of name ideas, and tried to come up with somethig that sounded NOTHING like Cenau, so as not to get everyone confused and we came up with....Remy. Granted it's actually Acadian-y Cajun, but still Cajun enough to count. So little Remy (aka stinker) has found a home, and we've found another lovable love sponge to add to the brood.