This week's stew is a blissful blend of inspirational ingredients, sure to tantalize your palate! Kestril's got a great plan for weathering the sad times, Sosanna's getting us all into healthy eating, Kathleen's talking gargoyles, The Captain is keepin it real, Alan's got music and magic on the mind, and Loren's talking movies. Adelina is talking about change, Karen has your Pagan Lore, and your usual Astrology, Tarot and Totem are all here, too.
Don't forget to check up on the latest news, and that there's a New Moon in Leo this coming week! I also have a fantastic Shameless Plug to share with you!
Do you have your favorite beverage? Alright then, let's dig right in!
Happy Birthday this week to Birthdays: Debra Blasey, Stef Dunaway, Dominique O’Gorman, Catherine Copple, Jason Hendrick, Christine Furmanek, Stacey Speich-Wagner, and Lorrie Gibson! May this be your best birthday ever, and may your next year of life bring you the very best of life in abundance :)
Clik here to view.
Everybody Hurts - And That's OK
I'm not the best at allowing myself to be sad. Its a custom for me to soldier on with a smile and like Scarlet O'Hara said "deal with it tomorrow" but knowing full well I'll find something else to keep me busy so I don't have to deal with it.
Not terribly healthy is it?
After talking with a wise friend, I relearned the truth that allowing myself to mourn a bit is healthy and OK. If I don't, it will come out anyway, in the form of hasty angry decisions or snapping at my friends and family. It's OK to say, "Yeah, I'm sad about this" and let myself feel it. I can cry a bit, listen to the songs that make me misty and - only when I'm ready - come out again on the other side.
Keep Dancing,
Kestril
Police shield Bamburi 'Witch'
Pagan Hammer of Thor approved for military tombstones
Paganism Part 3: the wheel of the year
Mysterious Pentagram on Google Maps Explained
Return to Paganism Increasing in England
Witchcraft Palaver Rocks Asaba
Suspected of witchcraft, man forced to eat dog excreta
Malawi: Southern Region Traditional Healers Say Witchcraft Exists
Sunday, August 4
Each year on this date, it was believed that the waters of Scotland's Loch-mo-Naire became charged with miraculous magickal powers to heal all who drank it or bathed in it. For many years it was a custom for those who visited Loch-mo-Naire to toss in a coin of silver as an offering to the benevolent spirits that dwelled within the lake.
Monday, August 5
Many folks still believe in this ancient superstition: if you make a secret wish wile looking up at the new moon (which normally begins on or near this date in August), your wish will be granted before the year is through.
Tuesday, August 6
On this date in the year 1817, a huge creature described as a sea-serpent was spotted in the ocean near Gloucester harbor in Massachusetts. Coincidentally, on this same date in the year 1948, a similar creature was seen by the crew of the British naval frigate Daedalus. This day is sacred to the Cherokee Earth-Goddess Elihino and her sister Igaehindvo, the sacred Goddess of the Sun.
Wednesday, August 7
In ancient Egypt, the cow-headed Goddess Hathor was honored on this day by an annual festival known as Breaking the Nile. The festival, which was also dedicated to all water and river Goddesses, celebrated the rising of the fertile waters of the mystical River Nile.
In ancient Greece, the annual mourning ceremony called the Adonia was held on this date in honor of the dying hero-god Adonis.
Thursday, August 8
According to the Christian Church calendar, the Virgin Mary was born on this day. The Eve of the Festival of Venus was celebrated annually on this date by the ancient Romans. On this night, the Goddess of love and beauty was honored and invoked with prayers, love songs, libations, and passionate lovemaking. It was also a time when sorceresses performed all forms of love magick and marriage-mate divinations.
Friday, August 9
On this date, many Wiccans from around the world celebrate the annual Feast of the Fire Spirits. Dried mandrake root or yarrow herb is cast into fires as offerings to the Salamanders.
Saturday, August 10
A centuries-old festival called Ghanta Karna Day is celebrated annually around this time of August in the Himalayan kingdom of Nepal. The event celebrates the death of Ghanta Karna, a blood thirsty Hindu demon who haunts crossroads and is the sworn enemy of the god Vishnu.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Lughnassadh celebration, and that you're enjoying the month of August! See you next week with more Pagan Lore,
Karen
Visit Karen's Avon Shop
Four years ago I was on a gallon size bag of prescription medicines. I was told by my doctor I was pre-diabetic and had congestive heart failure. In short, I was going to die sooner rather than later. I remember watching my hubby’s mom struggle with breathing and on an oxygen machine. We lived with her and watched her slowly die of congestive heart failure. Not something I wanted to experience. I felt it was too late for me. Then I watched two shows that changed my life. Food Matters & Food Inc. These two shows started me on a journey that I believe has changed me for the better.
Today I’m on no prescription drugs at all. I’m a laco-ovo vegetarian, meaning I will eat eggs and dairy products. I limit my intake of dairy by using it only for certain things. I use rice milk for my coffee and real milk for baking and so on.
During this journey I found another show called Sick, Tired and Nearly Dead. I saw Joe Cross change his life by getting off the processed foods and use juicing to drop 100 pounds. The story was astounding. I then started reading about Dr. Max Gerson. Dr. Gerson believed that our bodies could heal themselves by just getting good food, real food into them. In reading his theories and doing more research with other shows, I found that due to my mal-absorption disorder, I was not getting enough vitamins and minerals into my system.
This led me to picking up a Champion Juicer. I had already used a blender to make green smoothies and I really felt good drinking them. In my reading however I learned that blenders destroy the enzymes that are inside the juice. The really good stuff that helps feed our cell. The Champion Juicer is a masticating juicer. They basically grind the products up and separate the dry pulp from the juice.
Since I’m not treating cancer or any other ‘real’ illness and because I was really lucky to find one at a really good price I picked the Champion. This week hubby and I have started on a new program. We’re going to eat as usual but we’re going to add at least 2 glasses of juice to our diet.
Here’s our recipe ratio.
2 Apples
3 Carrots
1 Lemon
If you use more apples, increase the carrots and lemon accordingly. I read an article last night that mentioned adding Spinach to help ease back pain. We may add some later, but for now, we’re sticking with this. I hope to stay with this and provide updates on our progress.
I’m very excited about this journey and hope to have some fantastic news.
Namaste & Blessed Be
Sosanna
)O(
I recommend the following videos on food, health and juicing:
The Beautiful Truth
Food, Inc.
Food Matters
Sick, Tired and Nearly Dead
King Corn
Food Fight
Follow Sosanna on her blog, Confessions of a Modern Witch
Visit her Shop: Sosanna's Closet
Why does it seem to take a traumatic event to make us learn some of life’s most important lessons? And even with a major life-changing event, we often fail to notice the blessings or opportunities that arise afterward right in front of us. There is a usually a very perceptible energy shift to grab our attention. Like noticing a draft in the house when a window has been opened…that energy touches us to draw our minds to directions and paths that have been placed before us. These lessons are not always gentle, for some we have failed to act on or recognize for many years. When we fail to act on our own behalf, or when a situation absolutely MUST be changed, something big will happen. Just like when the tectonic plates have built up enough friction pushing together and then finally they SNAP! The spiritual earthquake rocks our world and we find ourselves mentally and emotionally running for cover. When the dust settles, we cannot help but look at things differently.
On September 19, 1999, a tropical storm named Floyd crept up the east coast. Sometime late in the evening, I was startled by someone banging on my door. The canal on one side had converged with the small creek on the other side of my apartment complex and I was ordered to evacuate my home due to fast rising flood waters. I was forced to leave my two beloved cats behind and spend that long, frightening night and the next day at the local high school gymnasium surrounded by strangers. When I was able to return to my apartment, I was fortunate that my two sweet cats had survived. However, everything else I had owned was destroyed. My car, my clothes, my furniture…it was all gone. Everything I owned had been under contaminated water for over 12 hours and could not be recovered.
Gargoyles
Don't you just love gargoyles? Ever since I was little I have been fascinated with them in all their forms. I think the first time I remember seeing them was in pictures of Notre Dame and having no clue what they were. My grandmother (the Christian one) told me they were demons but my aunt told me they were for protection on the cathedral. I used to watch for them on churches but in the SE and Mid-west part of this country, they are not the norm. Somehow the image of a white wooden Methodist church with gargoyles on the roof just doesn't work.
Later on after I learned to read the encyclopedia I read about them and became even more fascinated. Their history is truly ancient and predates the medieval period by a long time. The name gargouille is French and means "to swallow" and is obviously the root for words like gargle, etc. They were used as a way to divert water away from the structure of a building and the ones that were not part of the drainage were called grotesques.
The ancient Eqyptians used them mostly in the form of lions and an excellent example of this are the 39 remaining lion-headed water spouts on the Temple of Zeus. There were originally 102 gargoyles or spouts, but due to their weight many have snapped off and had to be replaced.
There is a French legend about St. Romanus (AD 631-641) who killed a dragon and because the head and throat were hardened due to being exposed to fire, he cut them off and used them on the cathedral to drain water.
The ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Etruscans and Romans all used animal-shaped waterspouts. And when the Catholic Church came into the picture, they adopted the idea in the attempt to convert pagans. Most of the population was illiterate and using images was a good way to communicate with them. In the medieval world many creatures had mystical powers attributed to them and human qualities were sometimes ascribed to specific animals. This was especially common for pagans, and using these ideas helped conversion to Catholicism.
There are thousands and thousands of pictures of gargoyles of all types and periods on the internet and it amazes me how much most of them have in common. They have been around most of our written history and haven't really changed. Maybe that means they were perfect to begin with.
Homey Don't Play That
My anniversary was a couple of days ago. My wife’s birthday was the day after that, and we went sailing aboard the S/V Seaward – an 82’ staysail schooner. Then we had a nice dinner, and the crowning jewel was when we paid off the boat in full. Then, that evening, a neighbor stopped by and dropped off a battery for us to use until the harbormaster gets in some more for us to purchase. The following day I worked very hard and got the electrical working, and more importantly, the head! Afterwards, my wife and I went for a nice row around the marina in our tender.
It was a very nice three days, which was then ruined in an instant on Friday when I saw the headlines. Well…not ruined, though I’m sure the powers that be would have wanted it to be ruined. They want everyone terrified…allegedly from terrorists, but the true terrorists are the ones we elect into office these days.
Yes, once more, we are being warned to be ever-vigilant. The terrorists are coming! The terrorists are coming!
Due to an alleged threat made to one of the United States’ overseas embassies by, again allegedly, al-Qaida, the US State Department issued a worldwide travel warning to United States citizens.
Yes, the bogey-man has reared its ugly head once more…or so they would have us believe. You see, people are a lot easier to control if they’re constantly afraid that terrorists are lurking around every corner. They may even be standing in line right behind us at the supermarket! We may even be living next door to one! Oh, no!
I’m reminded of the movie “V for Vendetta” with all of these announcements, color codes, warnings to buy duct tape and plastic sheeting… “I want everyone to remember why they need us!”
We see it in the news every single day. We hear it on the radio. We read it in the newspapers. Fear, terror, hate, devastation, bombings, catastrophe, anger, violence, revolts, riots…and now this. Now we can’t even step foot outside our own borders without being afraid of being blown up, kidnapped, tortured, assaulted…we can’t step foot outside our own homes without running the risk that we’ll be shot, or stabbed, or whatever…or so they would have us believe.
You see, they want us afraid. They want us paranoid. Well, guess what?
I’m not playing that game anymore. Absolutely not. I refuse. My three days of bliss were not ruined…they just ended in an epiphany: I am finished with their game. I have more important things to do. What are they, you may ask?
Hug my wife.
Play with my cat.
Scrub the deck of my boat.
Work on my engine.
Play my keyboard.
Sing.
Go for a walk along the shore of San Francisco Bay.
Sail.
Row my tender around the marina.
Draw.
Cook a nice vegetarian meal.
Clean the cat box.
Hose off the dock.
Scrape barnacles and plant growth off the boat’s hull.
Talk to my neighbors.
Meditate.
Burn incense and make mojo bags.
Wash the dishes.
Take a nap.
Read a book.
Formulate hoodoo oils.
Listen to new age music.
…or any of a thousand other things to do, none of which require that I first ensure that I’m not being followed, or that I have a concealed weapon, or that I check the news to make certain we’re not at Code Orange, or…
I choose to be happy.
I choose to be unafraid.
I choose to be…
…free.
Come…join with me. Throw off the shackles of fear and hatred and just…be.
Ashé!
Magic and Music
We Pagans are a creative bunch in so many ways, and that extends to music as well as other forms of art. We create music to celebrate life, to celebrate our faith, and sometimes to help us through difficult times. We can do so much more with it that we don't generally explore because Life itself is distracting.
Centuries of human beings (and probably longer) have used rhythm and sound as part of our celebration and part of our magic and I think it would be a fun subject to explore. Whether you play an instrument, compose, sing, or can't carry a tune in a bucket you are still a note in the grand Song of Life.
Read the rest of the story on Alan's blog, Heartsong's Circle
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.![]()
Image may be NSFW.
Sunday, August 4: Great day to do business- all day
Monday, August 5: Moon Void of Course 2:48am until 12:57 pm then enters Leo
Tuesday, August 6:New Moon in Leo 5:50pm
Wednesday August 7: Moon Void of Course 1:55am-11:56pm, then enters Virgo
Thursday, August 8: Mercury enters Leo 8:12am
Great day to do business after 8:12am
Friday, August 9: Great day to do business until 6:04pm
Moon Void of Course from 6:04pm through the rest of the day
Saturday, August 10: Moon Void of Course until 9:07am then enters Libra
Waxing Crescent Moon at 3:20pm
Weekly Horoscopes from Darkstar Astrology
Key words: Diplomacy, Unruffled, Wise, Broad-minded, Generous
"The essence of water behaving as air, such as a billowing cloud in the blue sky".~facade.com
The energy of the King of Cups brings together an outward focus (king) and positive energy (cups). This is the card of a teacher or spirit guide who leads with love and support. This person is someone you want around in a crisis, or to lead in business.
This is a message of using one's leadership to care for others and respond to their needs with kindness and compassion. A gentle touch and quiet words are needed this week. Active listening, creative solutions, intuition, patience and acceptance of others are the keys to success this week.
Bobcats are stealthy, accurate hunters who incorporate strategy and patience into their work. This is a message that in order to get what you want, you must first be willing to adapt, plan and then manifest what you want to happen.
Bobcats are solitary creatures. This week is a time for removing ourselves from crowds and situations where we interact socially, and to focus on our individual paths, dreams and goals. It's a good time for a break from the public.
Bobcat helps us develop our intuitive and instinctual abilities. It's time to explore our inner world in silence. Here is where we will find our potential and unlock our creativity.
Questions to ask yourself:
Am I trusting my instincts and gut feelings?
Am I able to see through motivations and get to the truth?
Am I spending too much time with others and not enough with me?
What goals and dreams am I actively working on? How will I make them happen?
Patience, independence and solitude are your keys for success this week.
As an amateur (hm, maybe that should be in caps?) pyrographer, I have found the nirvana of wood-burned creations... no, seriously!!! I want you to go right now to Greenwood Creations and take a look.
The work here is absolutely STUNNING and I MUST HAVE at least one of everything she makes. Even better? Greenwood Creations is in my state of Maryland! You can see below, she is not only phenomenally talented, but she's also a really wonderful crafter.. she's doing a giveaway on her FB page as well. She only uses a pyrography tool.. no other tools.. I am truly in awe of her talent and her work. I think you will be, too.
So, here's how you get to see her amazing stuff.
Facebook Page
Website
Tumblr
Tell her I (her new biggest fan) sent you!!
That's it for this week's Stew! Mull. Digest. Enjoy!
The Sunday Stew is a free, e-publication delivered as a loving gift to the Pagan community. All submissions are the intellectual property of their authors, and opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the blog owner. We welcome your feedback! Please be sure to tell us how we're doing and give us suggestions for improvement. You can leave a comment here (remember, they are moderated so it may take some time for yours to appear), use the contact form at the top of the page, email Kallan, or comment on Kallan's Facebook page. We look forward to hearing from you!
Don't forget to check up on the latest news, and that there's a New Moon in Leo this coming week! I also have a fantastic Shameless Plug to share with you!
Do you have your favorite beverage? Alright then, let's dig right in!
Happy Birthday this week to Birthdays: Debra Blasey, Stef Dunaway, Dominique O’Gorman, Catherine Copple, Jason Hendrick, Christine Furmanek, Stacey Speich-Wagner, and Lorrie Gibson! May this be your best birthday ever, and may your next year of life bring you the very best of life in abundance :)
Kestril's Song of the Week
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Everybody Hurts - And That's OK
I'm not the best at allowing myself to be sad. Its a custom for me to soldier on with a smile and like Scarlet O'Hara said "deal with it tomorrow" but knowing full well I'll find something else to keep me busy so I don't have to deal with it.
Not terribly healthy is it?
After talking with a wise friend, I relearned the truth that allowing myself to mourn a bit is healthy and OK. If I don't, it will come out anyway, in the form of hasty angry decisions or snapping at my friends and family. It's OK to say, "Yeah, I'm sad about this" and let myself feel it. I can cry a bit, listen to the songs that make me misty and - only when I'm ready - come out again on the other side.
Keep Dancing,
Kestril
In the News
Woman branded as witch, beaten upPolice shield Bamburi 'Witch'
Pagan Hammer of Thor approved for military tombstones
Paganism Part 3: the wheel of the year
Mysterious Pentagram on Google Maps Explained
Return to Paganism Increasing in England
Witchcraft Palaver Rocks Asaba
Suspected of witchcraft, man forced to eat dog excreta
Malawi: Southern Region Traditional Healers Say Witchcraft Exists
Pagan Lore with Karen Szabo
Good Morning, Sunday Stew readers! Welcome to this week's edition of Pagan Lore!
Sunday, August 4
Each year on this date, it was believed that the waters of Scotland's Loch-mo-Naire became charged with miraculous magickal powers to heal all who drank it or bathed in it. For many years it was a custom for those who visited Loch-mo-Naire to toss in a coin of silver as an offering to the benevolent spirits that dwelled within the lake.
Monday, August 5
Many folks still believe in this ancient superstition: if you make a secret wish wile looking up at the new moon (which normally begins on or near this date in August), your wish will be granted before the year is through.
Tuesday, August 6
On this date in the year 1817, a huge creature described as a sea-serpent was spotted in the ocean near Gloucester harbor in Massachusetts. Coincidentally, on this same date in the year 1948, a similar creature was seen by the crew of the British naval frigate Daedalus. This day is sacred to the Cherokee Earth-Goddess Elihino and her sister Igaehindvo, the sacred Goddess of the Sun.
Wednesday, August 7
In ancient Egypt, the cow-headed Goddess Hathor was honored on this day by an annual festival known as Breaking the Nile. The festival, which was also dedicated to all water and river Goddesses, celebrated the rising of the fertile waters of the mystical River Nile.
In ancient Greece, the annual mourning ceremony called the Adonia was held on this date in honor of the dying hero-god Adonis.
Thursday, August 8
According to the Christian Church calendar, the Virgin Mary was born on this day. The Eve of the Festival of Venus was celebrated annually on this date by the ancient Romans. On this night, the Goddess of love and beauty was honored and invoked with prayers, love songs, libations, and passionate lovemaking. It was also a time when sorceresses performed all forms of love magick and marriage-mate divinations.
Friday, August 9
On this date, many Wiccans from around the world celebrate the annual Feast of the Fire Spirits. Dried mandrake root or yarrow herb is cast into fires as offerings to the Salamanders.
Saturday, August 10
A centuries-old festival called Ghanta Karna Day is celebrated annually around this time of August in the Himalayan kingdom of Nepal. The event celebrates the death of Ghanta Karna, a blood thirsty Hindu demon who haunts crossroads and is the sworn enemy of the god Vishnu.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Lughnassadh celebration, and that you're enjoying the month of August! See you next week with more Pagan Lore,
Karen
Visit Karen's Avon Shop
Sparkle and Shine with Sosanna
“Let thy food be thy medicine and medicine be they food” - Hippocrates
Four years ago I was on a gallon size bag of prescription medicines. I was told by my doctor I was pre-diabetic and had congestive heart failure. In short, I was going to die sooner rather than later. I remember watching my hubby’s mom struggle with breathing and on an oxygen machine. We lived with her and watched her slowly die of congestive heart failure. Not something I wanted to experience. I felt it was too late for me. Then I watched two shows that changed my life. Food Matters & Food Inc. These two shows started me on a journey that I believe has changed me for the better.
Today I’m on no prescription drugs at all. I’m a laco-ovo vegetarian, meaning I will eat eggs and dairy products. I limit my intake of dairy by using it only for certain things. I use rice milk for my coffee and real milk for baking and so on.
During this journey I found another show called Sick, Tired and Nearly Dead. I saw Joe Cross change his life by getting off the processed foods and use juicing to drop 100 pounds. The story was astounding. I then started reading about Dr. Max Gerson. Dr. Gerson believed that our bodies could heal themselves by just getting good food, real food into them. In reading his theories and doing more research with other shows, I found that due to my mal-absorption disorder, I was not getting enough vitamins and minerals into my system.
This led me to picking up a Champion Juicer. I had already used a blender to make green smoothies and I really felt good drinking them. In my reading however I learned that blenders destroy the enzymes that are inside the juice. The really good stuff that helps feed our cell. The Champion Juicer is a masticating juicer. They basically grind the products up and separate the dry pulp from the juice.
Since I’m not treating cancer or any other ‘real’ illness and because I was really lucky to find one at a really good price I picked the Champion. This week hubby and I have started on a new program. We’re going to eat as usual but we’re going to add at least 2 glasses of juice to our diet.
Here’s our recipe ratio.
2 Apples
3 Carrots
1 Lemon
If you use more apples, increase the carrots and lemon accordingly. I read an article last night that mentioned adding Spinach to help ease back pain. We may add some later, but for now, we’re sticking with this. I hope to stay with this and provide updates on our progress.
I’m very excited about this journey and hope to have some fantastic news.
Namaste & Blessed Be
Sosanna
)O(
I recommend the following videos on food, health and juicing:
The Beautiful Truth
Food, Inc.
Food Matters
Sick, Tired and Nearly Dead
King Corn
Food Fight
Follow Sosanna on her blog, Confessions of a Modern Witch
Visit her Shop: Sosanna's Closet
Mid-Air Moxie with Adelina Soto Thomas
Changing PerspectivesWhy does it seem to take a traumatic event to make us learn some of life’s most important lessons? And even with a major life-changing event, we often fail to notice the blessings or opportunities that arise afterward right in front of us. There is a usually a very perceptible energy shift to grab our attention. Like noticing a draft in the house when a window has been opened…that energy touches us to draw our minds to directions and paths that have been placed before us. These lessons are not always gentle, for some we have failed to act on or recognize for many years. When we fail to act on our own behalf, or when a situation absolutely MUST be changed, something big will happen. Just like when the tectonic plates have built up enough friction pushing together and then finally they SNAP! The spiritual earthquake rocks our world and we find ourselves mentally and emotionally running for cover. When the dust settles, we cannot help but look at things differently.
On September 19, 1999, a tropical storm named Floyd crept up the east coast. Sometime late in the evening, I was startled by someone banging on my door. The canal on one side had converged with the small creek on the other side of my apartment complex and I was ordered to evacuate my home due to fast rising flood waters. I was forced to leave my two beloved cats behind and spend that long, frightening night and the next day at the local high school gymnasium surrounded by strangers. When I was able to return to my apartment, I was fortunate that my two sweet cats had survived. However, everything else I had owned was destroyed. My car, my clothes, my furniture…it was all gone. Everything I owned had been under contaminated water for over 12 hours and could not be recovered.
Read the rest of the story on Lina's blog: Mid-Stride Moxie
Sunshine's Meanderings with Kathleen Lane
Gargoyles
Don't you just love gargoyles? Ever since I was little I have been fascinated with them in all their forms. I think the first time I remember seeing them was in pictures of Notre Dame and having no clue what they were. My grandmother (the Christian one) told me they were demons but my aunt told me they were for protection on the cathedral. I used to watch for them on churches but in the SE and Mid-west part of this country, they are not the norm. Somehow the image of a white wooden Methodist church with gargoyles on the roof just doesn't work.
Later on after I learned to read the encyclopedia I read about them and became even more fascinated. Their history is truly ancient and predates the medieval period by a long time. The name gargouille is French and means "to swallow" and is obviously the root for words like gargle, etc. They were used as a way to divert water away from the structure of a building and the ones that were not part of the drainage were called grotesques.
The ancient Eqyptians used them mostly in the form of lions and an excellent example of this are the 39 remaining lion-headed water spouts on the Temple of Zeus. There were originally 102 gargoyles or spouts, but due to their weight many have snapped off and had to be replaced.
There is a French legend about St. Romanus (AD 631-641) who killed a dragon and because the head and throat were hardened due to being exposed to fire, he cut them off and used them on the cathedral to drain water.
The ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Etruscans and Romans all used animal-shaped waterspouts. And when the Catholic Church came into the picture, they adopted the idea in the attempt to convert pagans. Most of the population was illiterate and using images was a good way to communicate with them. In the medieval world many creatures had mystical powers attributed to them and human qualities were sometimes ascribed to specific animals. This was especially common for pagans, and using these ideas helped conversion to Catholicism.
There are thousands and thousands of pictures of gargoyles of all types and periods on the internet and it amazes me how much most of them have in common. They have been around most of our written history and haven't really changed. Maybe that means they were perfect to begin with.
Uncharted Seas with Cap'n Dave
Homey Don't Play That
My anniversary was a couple of days ago. My wife’s birthday was the day after that, and we went sailing aboard the S/V Seaward – an 82’ staysail schooner. Then we had a nice dinner, and the crowning jewel was when we paid off the boat in full. Then, that evening, a neighbor stopped by and dropped off a battery for us to use until the harbormaster gets in some more for us to purchase. The following day I worked very hard and got the electrical working, and more importantly, the head! Afterwards, my wife and I went for a nice row around the marina in our tender.
It was a very nice three days, which was then ruined in an instant on Friday when I saw the headlines. Well…not ruined, though I’m sure the powers that be would have wanted it to be ruined. They want everyone terrified…allegedly from terrorists, but the true terrorists are the ones we elect into office these days.
Yes, once more, we are being warned to be ever-vigilant. The terrorists are coming! The terrorists are coming!
Due to an alleged threat made to one of the United States’ overseas embassies by, again allegedly, al-Qaida, the US State Department issued a worldwide travel warning to United States citizens.
Yes, the bogey-man has reared its ugly head once more…or so they would have us believe. You see, people are a lot easier to control if they’re constantly afraid that terrorists are lurking around every corner. They may even be standing in line right behind us at the supermarket! We may even be living next door to one! Oh, no!
I’m reminded of the movie “V for Vendetta” with all of these announcements, color codes, warnings to buy duct tape and plastic sheeting… “I want everyone to remember why they need us!”
We see it in the news every single day. We hear it on the radio. We read it in the newspapers. Fear, terror, hate, devastation, bombings, catastrophe, anger, violence, revolts, riots…and now this. Now we can’t even step foot outside our own borders without being afraid of being blown up, kidnapped, tortured, assaulted…we can’t step foot outside our own homes without running the risk that we’ll be shot, or stabbed, or whatever…or so they would have us believe.
You see, they want us afraid. They want us paranoid. Well, guess what?
I’m not playing that game anymore. Absolutely not. I refuse. My three days of bliss were not ruined…they just ended in an epiphany: I am finished with their game. I have more important things to do. What are they, you may ask?
Hug my wife.
Play with my cat.
Scrub the deck of my boat.
Work on my engine.
Play my keyboard.
Sing.
Go for a walk along the shore of San Francisco Bay.
Sail.
Row my tender around the marina.
Draw.
Cook a nice vegetarian meal.
Clean the cat box.
Hose off the dock.
Scrape barnacles and plant growth off the boat’s hull.
Talk to my neighbors.
Meditate.
Burn incense and make mojo bags.
Wash the dishes.
Take a nap.
Read a book.
Formulate hoodoo oils.
Listen to new age music.
…or any of a thousand other things to do, none of which require that I first ensure that I’m not being followed, or that I have a concealed weapon, or that I check the news to make certain we’re not at Code Orange, or…
I choose to be happy.
I choose to be unafraid.
I choose to be…
…free.
Come…join with me. Throw off the shackles of fear and hatred and just…be.
Ashé!
Notes from the Circle with Alan Heartsong
Magic and Music
We Pagans are a creative bunch in so many ways, and that extends to music as well as other forms of art. We create music to celebrate life, to celebrate our faith, and sometimes to help us through difficult times. We can do so much more with it that we don't generally explore because Life itself is distracting.
Centuries of human beings (and probably longer) have used rhythm and sound as part of our celebration and part of our magic and I think it would be a fun subject to explore. Whether you play an instrument, compose, sing, or can't carry a tune in a bucket you are still a note in the grand Song of Life.
Read the rest of the story on Alan's blog, Heartsong's Circle
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Oh the Humanity! with Loren Morris
Those Pesky WarrensOver the past couple of weeks there has been a lot of uproar over the movie, The Conjuring. I’ve heard about the movie, and both sides of the argument in the Pagan Community. Some of you are mad about the movie, because it is being passed as “truth”. The rest of you say it’s just a movie, a horror story, not real. We shouldn't take it seriously.
But……….is it?
I mean, I know that the Hansel and Gretel witches aren’t real. The Hocus Pocus witches aren’t real. The Wizard of Oz witches aren’t real. Hollywood always creates elaborate fantasies. We know when it says based on a true story, that really….it isn’t.
Read the full story at Loren's blog: Saga's Cottage
You can also visit Loren's shop, Saga's Cottage Storybook Art
The Spice with La'Trice Lott
Tired of the same old sides for your summer BBQs? Here’s a twist on an old favorite.
Macaroni Salad with Asparagus, Peas and Feta
Ingredients
· 1 cup of elbow macaroni
· ½ cup fresh or frozen organic peas
· ½ a bunch asparagus cut into 1-inch pieces
· 2 tablespoons olive oil
· 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
· 1 cup Feta crumble
· 1 – 2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon
Directions
Cook pasta according to package directions
Add peas and asparagus during last 3 minutes of cooking. Drain pasta and veggies and run under cold water to cool.
In a large bowl, whisk together oil, lemon juice ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Add the pasta/veggies, Feta and tarragon. Toss to combine.
I like to make this a day in advance to give the flavors time to mix and mingle.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.![]()
This Week in Astrology
Sunday, August 4: Great day to do business- all day
Monday, August 5: Moon Void of Course 2:48am until 12:57 pm then enters Leo
Tuesday, August 6:New Moon in Leo 5:50pm
Wednesday August 7: Moon Void of Course 1:55am-11:56pm, then enters Virgo
Thursday, August 8: Mercury enters Leo 8:12am
Great day to do business after 8:12am
Friday, August 9: Great day to do business until 6:04pm
Moon Void of Course from 6:04pm through the rest of the day
Saturday, August 10: Moon Void of Course until 9:07am then enters Libra
Waxing Crescent Moon at 3:20pm
Weekly Horoscopes from Darkstar Astrology
Weekly Tarot: King of Cups
| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  |
| Vanessa Tarot Deck |
"The essence of water behaving as air, such as a billowing cloud in the blue sky".~facade.com
The energy of the King of Cups brings together an outward focus (king) and positive energy (cups). This is the card of a teacher or spirit guide who leads with love and support. This person is someone you want around in a crisis, or to lead in business.
This is a message of using one's leadership to care for others and respond to their needs with kindness and compassion. A gentle touch and quiet words are needed this week. Active listening, creative solutions, intuition, patience and acceptance of others are the keys to success this week.
Weekly Totem: Bobcat
Key words: Silence, Solitude, Patience, Instincts
Bobcats are stealthy, accurate hunters who incorporate strategy and patience into their work. This is a message that in order to get what you want, you must first be willing to adapt, plan and then manifest what you want to happen.
Bobcats are solitary creatures. This week is a time for removing ourselves from crowds and situations where we interact socially, and to focus on our individual paths, dreams and goals. It's a good time for a break from the public.
Bobcat helps us develop our intuitive and instinctual abilities. It's time to explore our inner world in silence. Here is where we will find our potential and unlock our creativity.
Questions to ask yourself:
Am I trusting my instincts and gut feelings?
Am I able to see through motivations and get to the truth?
Am I spending too much time with others and not enough with me?
What goals and dreams am I actively working on? How will I make them happen?
Patience, independence and solitude are your keys for success this week.
The Shameless Plug
Ok so, this is one I'm really excited about. I mean, REALLY excited.... Squee-like-a-fangirl EXCITED!!
As an amateur (hm, maybe that should be in caps?) pyrographer, I have found the nirvana of wood-burned creations... no, seriously!!! I want you to go right now to Greenwood Creations and take a look.
The work here is absolutely STUNNING and I MUST HAVE at least one of everything she makes. Even better? Greenwood Creations is in my state of Maryland! You can see below, she is not only phenomenally talented, but she's also a really wonderful crafter.. she's doing a giveaway on her FB page as well. She only uses a pyrography tool.. no other tools.. I am truly in awe of her talent and her work. I think you will be, too.
So, here's how you get to see her amazing stuff.
Facebook Page
Website
Tumblr
Tell her I (her new biggest fan) sent you!!
That's it for this week's Stew! Mull. Digest. Enjoy!
The Sunday Stew is a free, e-publication delivered as a loving gift to the Pagan community. All submissions are the intellectual property of their authors, and opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the blog owner. We welcome your feedback! Please be sure to tell us how we're doing and give us suggestions for improvement. You can leave a comment here (remember, they are moderated so it may take some time for yours to appear), use the contact form at the top of the page, email Kallan, or comment on Kallan's Facebook page. We look forward to hearing from you!