Quantcast
Viewing all articles
Browse latest Browse all 248

The Sunday Stew- September 29-October 5

This week's stew is a lovely brew of standard fare and the seasonal introspection that occurs during Autumn.

We have a guest blogger today! Thank you to Stephen Spellane for his contribution to The Stew this week!

Loren's talking with spirits and taking you with her; Adelina's showing you the magick of tears; Kathleen's strolling down fall memory lane; Sosanna is honoring the spirit of return...

Tara's giving us another fantastic blog tip (psst she's doing a giveaway!)..

La'Trice has got a perfect fall recipe for us, and of course, Karen's got your Pagan Lore, and I've got your music, astrology, tarot and totem. (Note to Magaly: Lots of news for you today!)

I'm shamelessly plugging one of my favorite community projects this week as well. Is your appetite whetted?

Great! Then, let's dig in!



Happy Birthday this week to Sherry Dotson, Penny Clifford, Linda Hathaway Foster, Brandy Breslin, La Bonita Arreola, Rayanna L. Widger, Jodee Wilding, Michelle Denham, Kate Von Diva, Victoria Heart, Betty West, and Dawn Brierley!! May this be your very best birthday ever, and may your next year of life be filled with all of the very best in abundance!

Song of the Week with Kallan Kennedy 

(who is standing in for Kestril while she's on a break)

Restoration

This week's song is by one of my favorite artists- Sting. You should know that he was supposed to be my children's father, but my Naval service kept me from pursuing him romantically and he ended up getting married to someone else, damn it.

This song is about healing after doing damage to someone. It's seeing the harm caused, realizing the bitterness that has taken hold because of something we've perpetrated. It's an offer to restore-  a reconciliation song.

There are times in our lives when we harm others. We may or may not intend to do it, but the damage is there. Apologizing may not be sufficient. To damage another's heart, spirit or soul is a painful experience for both parties. It can leave scars that may never be fully healed. It may seem overwhelming or a waste of energy to try- but, if we caused damage that we regret, we must try in some way to restore. That can only be done through a sincere and open heart. And, if it isn't well-received, we can move on knowing we sent the healing out there.

Wishing you love, healing and restoration this week!






In the News 

(compiled by Kallan Kennedy)

Zimbabwe: Witch Crash-landing Prophet Arrested

York Pagan Festival Aims to Dispel Misconceptions

Driven to Paganism?

Coming Out of the Broom Closet

UT Pagan Student Alliance Aims to Help Pagan Students Feel Welcome

Pick of the Week: Pagan Sex Replaces Christianity on a Creepy Island

Students Demonstrate Religious Tolerance with Pagan Pride Day

He Has Spoken: Replacing Pagan Hermeneutics

Bantwal Student Dies Due to Faith in Witchcraft

1 Killed Near Sambalpur for Practising Witchcraft

Gangsters Turn to Sangoma's Power

Zimbabwe: 'We're Hired Actresses", Budiriro Witches Say

Do Superstitions and Witchcraft Work?

Pagan Lore with Karen Szabo

Good Morning, and welcome to the first Pagan Lore that includes that magical month of October and Samhain!  Can you believe it's almost here?  I have some interesting lore for you, so let's go.......

Sunday, September 29 
Today is Michaelmas. According to English folklore, it was on this day that the Devil fell from Heaven, landed on a blackberry bush, and cursed the berries. Therefore, it is unlucky to pick blackberries after Michaelmas. In parts of Scotland, special Michaelmas cakes are eaten by the superstitious on this day to ward off all evil and misfortune in the coming year.

Monday, September 30 
On this date, the annual Meditrinalia festival was celebrated in the city of Rome in honor of the goddess Meditrina, a deity who presided over medicines
and the arts of healing.  In ancient Greece, the Epitaphia was held once a year on this date to honor the souls of the warriors slain to battle.

Tuesday, October 1
On this date (approximately), hundreds of thousands of Muslims make a pilgrimage to the city of Mecca to kiss and touch the Black Stone (one of the original building blocks of a veiled shrine) and to worship their god Allah. They then drink some water from the nearby sacred Well of Ishmael, and journey up into the hills of Safa and Marwa to recite prayers.

Wednesday, October 2 
Guiding Spirits Day. On this day, light a white candle on you altar and give thanks to your spirit guide (or guides) for guarding over you and guiding you through your spiritual development. If you wish to communicated with or meet your spirit guide, use a Ouija board or, through prayer, invite the spirit guide to come to you in a dream or in a trance.

Thursday, October 3 
On this date (approximately), a Cementation and Propitiation Festival was once celebrated by the Native American tribe of the Cherokee. The purpose of the festival was to remove the barriers between the Cherokee people and the deities they worshiped.

Friday, October 4 
On this date in ancient Rome, a day of feasting known as the Jejunium Cereris was observed in honor of Ceres (Mother Earth), the corn-goddess and protectress of agriculture and all fruits of the Earth.

Saturday, October 5 
The Festival of the Old Woman (Nubaigai) is celebrated annually on this date by farm workers in Lithuania. The last sheaf of grain is dressed up as a woman and a festival of feasting, merriment, and games is held to honor the Goddess of the corn. In the country of Rumania, the Dionysiad wine festival was held annually on this date in honor of Dionysus, Ariadne, and the Maenads.

I hope everyone has a wonderful week, and I'll see you next week with more Pagan Lore!
Karen


Oh the Humanity! with Loren Morris


Spirit board and matching planchette made by yours truly. This crow
and pumpkin spirit board will be a giveaway item in one of the upcoming
Samhain Siren giveaways that starts October 1st! Make sure that you don't miss out on it!

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
My oh my, when I started my blog I never even thought that I would be doing so many posts on spirit communication. I was making a blog for my artwork and maybe an occasional post or two on spirit communication......lol, so I thought anyway. I have been letting the spirits lead me and this is where they have gone. So, it looks like you will have another post on spirit communication boys and girls. After all, the veil is thinning. No time like the present to learn more, right?

Today's post will be about gemstones, crystals, herbs and incenses that will aid you in your spiritual communications. I will be adding pics of everything with the descriptions because I just hate to read about an herb or a stone and not see what in the world it looks like.

All of the pics are of my own herbs and my rock and gemstone collection.

Now, of course you don't need ALL of these. Just a couple will be fine. I'm just listing them so you can see what properties they aid in and you can make your choices. I have an extensive collection of herbs, because I grow them and I have been collecting rocks and minerals for 20 years.

Finish reading this post over at Saga's Cottage Blog!


Mid-Air Moxie with Adelina Soto Thomas


The Magick of Tears

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
I will not say, do not weep, for not all tears are an evil.” ― J.R.R. Tolkien

As we grow closer to Samhain and I reflect upon the loss of my parents this past year, I have also been thinking about the spiritual energy of tears. Salt and water combined with other trace additives which are shed and often fueled by intense emotional arousal. It sounds so simple and yet there is a powerful energy that we associate with tears. It is this very energy and the act of shedding tears that is both feared and revered. Countless music, books and plays pay homage to the power of tears.  There are the ‘crocodile tears’ of the villain, using tears as a mask to manipulate their victims. There are the tears of pain and loss. There are also tears of joy and even laughter through tears (my personal favorite). However, despite the relief that shedding tears provides, we do not allow ourselves this release. It becomes like any other energy block that we carry within us, affecting all other energies and preventing the full use of our personal power. 

 “Let your tears come. Let them water your soul.” – Eileen Mayhew

 As we approach the time where the Veil draws back, we pause to honor the Ancestors and loved ones who have gone beyond this world. Why would you not weep if you missed someone whom you loved? Did you know that when you release emotional tears, you also release endorphins in the body which reduce pain? Emotional tears alleviate stress and naturally ease the pain of sadness. Spiritually, tears are an honest and honorable offering of salt and water to the memory of the loved one who has departed this life. Tears are Magick…

Don't be ashamed to weep; 'tis right to grieve. Tears are only water, and flowers, trees, and fruit cannot grow without water. But there must be sunlight also. A wounded heart will heal in time, and when it does, the memory and love of our lost ones is sealed inside to comfort us.” 
― Brian Jacques, Taggerung

Water and salt are life elements that nourish and sustain us. In Magick, water and salt are tools used around the world for ritual cleansing and healing. Taking a dip in the salt waters of Mother Ocean has long been seen as a powerful healing and cleansing ritual. While we may not be near a large body of salt water, within our bodies of emotions and magickal energies are the life elements of salt and water. When we shed tears, we perform a ritual of release and renewal…every time…with every tear... 

My body needs laughter as much as it needs tears. Both are cleansers of stress.” ― Mahogany SilverRain

Have you ever laughed so hard that you cried? That happens in my house when my husband does something silly and it hits my funny bone just right. I can’t stop giggling and the tears just come. For me, it’s another ritual of release and renewal, but also of celebration. When I release tears of sorrow, I allow that energy to be transformed into something positive that can move me forward. When I shed tears of joy, I’m also releasing that energy into the Universe. That energy is also an offering and a prayer to those I love-both departed and those still living.

I am who I am because the tears of my past have watered the magnificence of my present.” ― Steve Maraboli

Do not fear the shedding of tears. They do not make you weak, any more than a prayer uttered with the deepest conviction. Tears are a part of the life force within you. The Magickal energy that churns within you needs to be released and sent back out into the world. At times it will be through tears of joy; other times it will be from anger and frustration, and still other times, you will shed tears of sorrow and pain. Remember you are a Magickal being. Within you is the ability to transform energy and redirect energy towards a different purpose. Your Spirit will be renewed with each tear you shed, from sorrow or joy. Be mindful and consider that your tears are offerings from your heart.  They may be the gift of love and life to water an otherwise barren world.

Visit Adelina's Blog over at Mid-Stride Moxie!


Sunshine's Meanderings with Kathleen Lane



Growing up on a farm was fun and interesting and always busy.  The only calmer season was winter and even then livestock had to be cared for and wood had to be hauled and snow shoveled. 

Each and every season had a series of patterns and chores, but fall was the busiest. The last of the garden and field crops had to be harvested and stored and the garden "put to bed". Nuts had to be gathered out of the fencerows or wood lot and then the hogs were turned into the woodlot to fatten on mast and roots. Grain was taken to be ground and then came came the fall "putting by". Butchering and smoking and curing all had their place in the chores and the final push of canning. Everyone, even the youngest, had their own chores. The root cellar was cleaned and white washed and clean sand was put in the bins for storing root crops for the winter.

Meals changed from a lot of chicken to fresh pork and deer meat and pheasant and the house smelled constantly of soup on the cook stove and the smell of hams being smoked and cured filled the air. Grandpa would take the shotgun with him when he was out working and come back the rabbits or pheasants and I would help pluck the pheasants and sort the feathers. He made his own flies for fishing and saved the feathers for tying.

Oatmeal came back on the menu for breakfast and gram started making sausage and head cheese(ick) and scrapple(double ick).  My memories of fall are of an almost frantic drive to squirrel away enough to see us through to spring. Everything that could be was stored away and as the days shortened the race got faster. The potatoes were dug and stored along with the other root crops and squash and pumpkins were stored in the root cellar along with the bags of nuts and the last of the green tomatoes that hadn't been pickled or made into relish. We would have fried green tomatoes for dinner until they were used up because "we don't waste anything" was the theme of the day. When the garden was finally empty, Grandpa would mulch the entire garden with old hay. Over the area where the potatoes were planted the hay was piled deep because on St. Patrick's Day, the hay was pulled aside and the seed potatoes were planted and then recovered until real spring came.

Maybe these kind of memories are why fall is my favorite season. When the snow finally came and winter roared in, you could sit in the warm house and know that fall had given you all it had and you were safe for another winter.

Guest Blogger: Stephen Spellane


The Three B’s
Remember Always the Three B’s

1. Be Happy: Find something each and every day to make you smile even if only in a small way. Be grateful for all that you have and all that is yet to come. Make a secret storehouse of treasured memories; the sound of the ocean as you walk the beach, the peacefulness of a star filled sky, the laughter of a child, the sounds of birds as they greet a new day, a soft breeze that warms or cools you, a glorious sunrise full of promise or a peaceful sunset after a busy day, the excitement of animals that cannot contain their joy because you have returned to them, the touch of a loved one’s hand, the deep profound moments of silence amid the noise and chaos of life. There are times when we all are sad, and bad things do happen. There is nothing wrong with tears. They are a cleansing and balancing force; they are a sign of great love and deep feelings. But let not tears and sadness control your life Visit your storehouse as often as you need to, to refresh your soul and rejuvenate your life.

2. Be Healthy: Take care of and nourish your body in the way that best suits your spirit. Be happy and full of pride in the way you look, but do not obsess about it. If there is something you want to change, then do so; but only because you want to, not because of some false ideal image that the world around you has created. Remember also to take care of your mind as well. Meditate, pray; take long slow walks in nature. All of these things help us to develop a strong peaceful spirit. Our minds and bodies are two parts of the same whole. If one is out of balance then the other is also in need of healing.

3. Be Careful: Watch out for yourself. Know always where you are and who is around you. Have an escape plan at the ready if you ever need it. Know who is an ally and who is not. Let your instincts be your guide. If your gut feelings are telling you something is wrong, listen to your gut and your inner voice, and be extra vigilant. Be careful also of your heart. Our hearts are like little children; they are new to this life. We see things; and want what we see, even if it is not good for us. Our minds are like the parents. Our subconscious has the wisdom and experiences of many lifetimes. So if you see red flags or think there is something wrong, then there may well be problems ahead. Listen to your mind; re-evaluate what you want, and let your mind and your heart make the decision together. 
© Copyright 24 September 2013
by WolfSong;
All Rights Reserved


Sparkle and Shine with Sosanna


The Blessings of Return

Two weeks ago I picked up another litter of kittens to foster.  This time they are much younger than I’ve had before.  These little ones are so small they have to be bottle fed.  I’m working in 2-4 rotation to keep them warm and bellies full.  I noticed this morning the one that I’ve taken a shine to is getting its canine teeth in.  We tried a little mush this morning but they’re still not there yet.  I’m shooting for next Monday as weaning day.

We started out with seven kittens.  They were extremely small and weak when they arrived.  Today we have four. The first little one didn’t make it through the first night and the second we lost at the vet’s office on Monday.  The third on Wednesday. When they called me with the news and I shared it with others almost immediately the outpouring of support and condolences were amazing.  I was questioned privately how I could be so calm and not be devastated that a baby that I nursed passed away.  Upon thinking about this I realized that to me, death is part of the journey.  It is not the end, but a beginning to a new path.

I believe in reincarnation.  I believe that as we are energy, that energy which is found in every living thing on the planet is passed around back and forth through ever birth and death that occurs.  I think that that little kitten’s energy left the tiny fur body and will cycle back into this world in another form.  It may know when it cycles back where it was before, or it may not.  I don’t look at this cycle as any type of punishment, though at one point in my life and I did tell someone they were coming back to this earth as a slug!

I do what I can to send out positive energy out so that those same energies come back to me.  On July 1st my grandma passed away, just four days after my cousin passed away.  Many people sent messages of condolences.  The same thoughts that I had for them, finding their way to their own place is how I felt when I read the messages about the kittens.

Every one living being gets a set amount of time to work out what they need to learn.   Some take 97 years, some take a week.  After that is complete the circle around and get set up for the new adventure.  To me, knowing that at some point that energy will return and start anew gives me the strength to sparkle and shine.
Namaste and  Blessed Be
Sosanna


Live. Laugh. Love. Blog. Design with Tara Smith


Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Function is Important, Too.

"Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works".-----Steve Jobs

Last week, we focused on design. While design is important, we can’t forget the function of your blog.

It should be clean and free of any clutter. Clutter is the biggest no no. It’s okay to display your buttons of blogs you have collected, or any quotes you want to display on the sidebar. Just keep in mind if they are all jumbled together your message is not effective.

Your posts should be precise and should have a clear space differentiation from the rest of the blog. Use simple lines or designs to distinguish that space. The posting space is where your readers will hopefully spend the most time. The sidebar is important too, but let the posting space take precedence.

**Freebie up for grabs on my blog site. Head over to PIP Designs to get in on the giveaway.***



The Spice with La'Trice Lott

Red Beans and Rice

For me, autumn is the start of what I like to call the “cozy season.”  Time to pull out your sweaters, jeans and boots; time to grab a throw and nestle yourself in front of the outdoor fire pit with a warm cup of cider or curl-up in a nice comfy chair with a pot of tea and a good book.  It’s also the time to turn out some cozy meals from the kitchen. So, for the next several weeks I’ll be sharing some of my favorite cozy food recipes with you all.  Most of these them can be easily doubled so you can enjoy some now and freeze some for later.

Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice
Ingredients:
1 lb. red kidney beans
1 ham bone (with meat) or 4 ham hocks
1 smoked sausage sliced in to 1 in. pieces (optional)
1 bay leaf
Cayenne pepper to taste
1 lg. stalk of celery, chopped
1 lg. onion, chopped
2 tsp. sugar or honey
2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cumin (or smoked paprika)
Rice, cooked
Fresh chopped parsley

Directions:
   The night before
Place ham bone/ham hocks in crockpot and cover with water.  Cook on low over night.
Place beans in large bowl, pick out rocks and bad beans. Cover with water and refrigerate.
 Next morning,
Remove bone/hocks from crockpot and set aside to cool
Drain beans, add to crockpot along with all other ingredient (except rice) and cook on
 high for 2 -3 hours or low for 4 -6 hours, until beans are fork tender.
During last 30 minutes of cooking return cooled meat to crockpot.
Cook rice according to package directions.
To serve, spoon beans into a bowl and cover with hot rice.

  

This Week in Astrology with Kallan Kennedy

All times Eastern Daylight time (EDT). 

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Sunday September 29: Moon was Void of Course today from 3:30am to 3:57am then moved into Leo
Mercury moved into Leo at 7:38am

Monday, September 30: All's quiet in the heavens

Tuesday, October 1: Moon is Void of Course from 12:48am to 2:51pm then moves into Virgo
Balsamic Moon at 1:46am
Good day for business after 2:51pm

Wednesday, October 2: Great day for business- all day

Thursday, October 3: Moon Void of Course from 2:57pm- 10:59pm then moves into Libra
Great day for business until 2:57pm

Friday, October 4:New Moon in Libra 8:34pm

Saturday, October 5: Moon Void of Course from 9:35pm through the rest of the evening



Weekly Tarot: 9 of Coins (Pentacles, Discs) with Kallan Kennedy

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Vanessa Tarot Deck
"Good luck attending material affairs. Attaining refinement and embracing elegance. Discipline and nobility applied to the maintenance of security and stability. The wise use of resources and foresight. The fulfillment that comes with accomplishment, and the turning of attention to higher things."~facade.com

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
The 9 of Pentacles sends the message that you have reached or are close to reaching a point in your life where you've attained some stability and are able to relax a little. This is because you've been diligent in attaining your goals and have worked hard for what you currently have. You are being given permission to play, have fun, and enjoy your independence and freedom. If you haven't quite gotten there yet, don't give up. This portends a good sign that things are all going smoothly and you'll reach that goal sooner than you may have anticipated.

This isn't just about material wealth, though. This is also about harmony- with nature, your surroundings and those you love. If you've been in an unsettled place, now is the time to make peace and create an environment of unity, rapport and symmetry in your life.

Carry yourself with grace and refinement, and be tactful in your dealings with others this week.

Weekly Totem: Deer with Kallan Kennedy

Quick notes on Deer totem meaning:


  • The ability to move through life with elegance
  • Always in touch with one's inner child
  • Strong intuition, always alert
  • Being able to move quickly when necessary


Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
This is the ultimate "grace under pressure" totem. Those who have Deer as a totem move with nimbleness and refinement throughout the most difficult of circumstances.

Their patience is almost beyond measure, so it takes a lot to push them. But, make no mistake- when defending a loved one, themselves, or something they hold in high esteem, Deer people can be lethal. Never mistake their kindness for weakness, or it could be a deadly one.

Deer is the totem of wisdom and innocence combined in perfect balance. Intuition and spiritual sensitivity are strong in those with this medicine as well.

Deer, because they are able to grow back their antlers each spring, are seen as a symbol of regeneration and rebirth.

Deer's message is to remember the child within; see the world with those innocent eyes and treat yourself and others gently. Harshness is not a part of this medicine. Deer asks you to tap into your psychic gifts and use them for the greater good. If you've been feeling discordant lately, Deer can help you find harmony again. Through a compassionate outlook, kindness and connection to Spirit, you can heal yourself and others.

Be good to you this week.


The Shameless Plug by Kallan Kennedy






This week's Shameless Plug is for our 2nd annual Samhain's Sirens Celebration. We had such a great time last year, that we chose to do it again. If you haven't heard of Samhain's Sirens, it's a community service project for our spiritual brothers and sisters to celebrate our favorite time of year- Samhain... the thinning of the veil, honoring those who've passed on, and enjoying this season. 

The Samhain's Sirens blog will run each week, beginning on October 1 and ending on November 1, Monday through Saturday. There will be blog posts from fabulous writers, giveaways from amazing vendors, music, a recipe of the day (M-F), and on Fridays and Saturdays, crafts you can do yourself or with your family! Come join in on the fun.. it's all free!

The blog is: Samhain's Sirens and the Facebook page is HERE.
See you on Tuesday!

Left-overs

The Masks of Social Media and Their Price
By Kallan Kennedy

If you haven't read this yet, I posted it last Monday on the blog.

Many of us have busy work and home lives and don't have the time (nor sometimes the energy) to "get out there and meet people". So, we turn to Facebook, Twitter, G+ and other forms of online social platforms in order to connect with others.

As Witches, Pagans, Spiritual Atheists, Heathens, etc... it can be almost impossible to find others in our physical area with which to associate. In the world of online social media, friendships can be forged that are almost if not (in some cases) deeper and more lasting than those in the 'real world'.

As this type of interaction becomes more of the norm, we begin to see, tolerate or display behaviors that are harmful to others and ourselves, and it's up to us to confront them and eliminate them before they become what's tolerated/welcomed in this online world.

Disclaimer: I've been guilty of at least one (or more) of these behaviors at some point in my life. So, there's no judgment, no pointing fingers here, and I'm not directing this at any one person. These are just some observations for us to consider together, and decisions to make (both individually and as a group) on how we'll handle them going forward. I ask that you read this carefully, examine yourself, your associations and the behaviors you may or may not tolerate while interacting in these venues.
Finish the article here.









That's it for this week's stew. Mull. Digest. Enjoy!

The Sunday Stew is a free, e-publication delivered every Sunday 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. All photos used are either copyrighted to their owners and are used with permission. 

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!

Viewing all articles
Browse latest Browse all 248

Trending Articles