The Sunday Stew: May 18-24, 2014

Just two days ago I celebrated the Rite of Her Sacred Fires (RHSF).  This is a worldwide celebration of the mysteries of the Goddess Hecate, established by the Covenant of Hekate.  Devotees of the Goddess around the world join together on one day to share their devotion.  These people are from all walks of life and assorted paths.  They may honor Hecate in her “Goddess of Witches” role or they may hold her as the Crone aspect of the Triple Goddess.  No matter the direction, each comes together on this one night in May to honor her.  Each, in their own way.

While this day of unity is such a rewarding time for me; it reminds me of how disjointed humanity is on a grander scale. Over the last few weeks, I’ve been presented with deception and lies in a personal relationship.  I’ve noticed the same hounding and replication of my work (and the work of my loved ones) still circling the net. 

I have blogged about it, I have messaged about it and I have talked about it with those involved.  There really isn’t too much that I can really do about it.  I have to accept there are things that I cannot control.  So on this post RHSF day I sit down with myself on the clover in my yard and focus my energy on sending peace and closure to all those who are in need.  I honestly want to put an end to all this.  I have no control over the situation and after these words leave my lips, I am done.

Blessings to you, now please, move on.

Now, let’s begin to look into the future and embrace our sparkle and shine.

Namaste and Blessed Be

Sosanna

)O(

This morning I found myself angry at a duck.

No, it wasn’t nesting in my sock drawer. It was offering me advice, as it tends to do. The duck was “Actual Advice Mallard,” an internet meme featuring… well, a mallard that offers you actual advice. But this was not actual advice; it was an opinion. (It may have been better served by “Unpopular Opinion Puffin,” which is a puffin that--- look, you can figure the rest of that out on your own.)

Today, “Actual Advice Mallard” told me this:

“If your nine year old kid swears at you, your parenting probably sucks.”

Hark to the wisdom of Anas platyrhynchos, for he is wise in the ways of such things!

Except it’s a load of duck sauce.

Where, oh, where did the idea pop up that every single thing a child does is the “fault” of her parents? Do people have no recollection of their own childhoods, no notion of how often they defied their parents? Do they not comprehend that rebelling, challenging, provoking, thwarting, opposing, resisting, and ignoring are par for the course for every child? Yes, it is the parent’s job to guide, and to redirect, and to allow natural consequences to occur or create consequences when necessary. 

But this does not instantly create perfect children. They will find another way to assert themselves. And another. And another. This is the process by which they discover who they are, what boundaries are imperative, and how their actions impact others. A child who never attempts to shock, never questions, never refuses, never sees just how much he can get away with… I can’t finish that sentence because I have never met one. Kids will do what kids do, what kids have done since the first hominid descended from the trees, stood up straight and said, “Oooom!” (Translation: “You can’t tell me what to do!”)

If your nine year old swears at you, he’s probably a nine year old. He chose to use those words. He has heard them before -- and it doesn’t matter where -- and he knows they get a big reaction. He is asserting himself. He is conducting a social experiment. He is deciding whether this is part of who he is. Those are his choices.

A good parent will correct this behavior, but let me tell you a secret, oh Wise and All-Knowing Duck: you won’t necessarily see that happen. Not because it DOESN’T happen, but because it happens when you’re not looking. You’re not there when allowance is withheld. You’re not there when privileges are revoked. You’re not there when a subsequent better choice is made, and the child is praised for his progress. You don’t see the intricacies of parenting. You make an assumption, and your assumption is incorrect.

My kids’ behavior is their responsibility, as was mine was I was a child. Holding the child responsible is the way the child learns that she, herself, has control over her actions. Simply blaming the parents for every childish infraction is fruitless, and I mean that in a deep sense -- parenting efforts bear no fruit when the child knows that the parent will take all the blame.

Life is not an internet meme. The simplistic and frequently erroneous points of view presented by an innocent waterfowl are inferior to an understanding of the challenges of life.

Having said that, here’s my simplistic meme in response:

“If you instantly blame everything kids do on the parents, I assume you have no understanding of a child’s nature, nor any clue how to raise a child to take responsibility for his own actions.”

Just call me “Getting the Facts Straight Chickyn.”

There has been a terrible misconception that people who practice a spiritual path are tolerant to the point of being doormats. The truth is, some people really are doormats…meaning, they don’t know how to set healthy boundaries with themselves or with other people. When practicing a spiritual path whose main guideline is ‘Harm none…’ it is easy to see how many can mistake that particular group of practitioners as pushovers.

I have never really been accused of being a doormat, though in fact, I have been. This was especially true early on in my seeking for a spiritual path of my own. I took every bit of advice I could get, every correction, every criticism, every push from anyone who wanted me to see the brilliance of THEIR wisdom to the detriment of my own internal guide. It happens….far too often, actually. When teachers are the sources of information and inspiration, many students believe they MUST submit themselves to the source of that wisdom. When the teacher tells a student that only THEY will know when the student is ready to learn more and the student accepts that, it could be the beginning of something…bad.

Sometimes, it is good that teachers withhold some knowledge for safety. In science, it’s good that teachers keep certain chemicals locked up lest one drop of the wrong agent could result in a burn or explosion. However, it’s harder to proclaim that wisdom when you are dealing with spiritual teaching. The true wisdom on a spiritual path is those independent thoughts and actions of the student. It is THEIR path after all and we all walk our own path our own way. Even those who have had the same teacher do not practice in an identical manner. The lesson of setting healthy spiritual boundaries is not just for teachers, but for anyone important in our lives. At work, in the home, in our communities-healthy boundaries encourage healthy living. It is the independent and individual spirit that moves us through the world. Some would squelch that in favor of their own gain, and others submit to the will of others because they lack confidence in their own Inner Guide.

One of my earliest teachers told me never to trust anything until it resonated truth within me. She said it was not a sign of disrespect to her to question her teachings; it was a sign of the strengthening of my Inner Guide. She was never insulted when I did not agree with her; instead she felt joy as she watched me become clearer on who I was and what I believed. She also firmly believed that how we treat others is a reflection of how we feel about the spirit of God/Goddess that is in every one of us. There were many times I had no clue what was going on or how to go about something. My teacher would give me her wisdom on how she would go about that task and then, she would leave me to it. My questions, my solutions, my path, MY life…

When we find that someone is draining energy from us, or that they are wearing down our love and patience, setting limits is self-love and self-care. It is also God/Goddess love…for we are reflections of the Creator in the Universe and how we take care of ourselves is directly connected to the Divine in us. At times when we must draw a line in the sand, it is to point the arrow in the direction that we must keep walking ahead. Setting limits is setting ourselves free to continue our journey…as well as setting others free to do the same. Our paths are individual; believe and utilize the strength and wisdom in you and focus on your own path. I cannot walk another’s road, nor can they walk mine. In setting clear boundaries, the path before us becomes clearer. The boundaries show us where we should go next for the lessons we need to learn.

Namaste’…

Come join me for coffee and dessert today over at Mid-Stride Moxie!

Sunshine's Meanderings with Kathleen Lane

The Death of the Forests

I don't know how many people who read the Stew have ever been to Redwood National Park, but if you ever have the chance it should be visited in person. Lately there have been a number of programs concerning the poaching of the redwood burls and the damage being done to these amazing trees. Also the main source of summer moisture for the majestic giants is the fogs that roll in off the ocean, but climate change is causing those fogs to fail to appear.

Redwoods are the tallest trees in the world and something that truly has to be experienced in person. Photos and videos don't begin to do justice to the sense of awe and wonder that you have when you actually stand in the midst of them and look up and up and up. I have watched cars pull up in parking lots and noisy and rambunctious children spill out, yelling and running around. It takes very little time for voices to quiet to mere whispers and the running change to a quiet tiptoe walk. The mystery and sense of "quiet" among the trees even changes the behavior of bored children. But the end of these giants may be coming. They are members of the sequoia family and the sequoias are disappearing as well.

Forests all over North America are disappearing at a truly frightening rate. Non-native bugs and diseases are killing the aspen in the Rockies by the millions and the pine borer beetle has wiped out forests of pines clear across the country. Single species tree farms are a banquet for bugs and disease. Nature doesn't plant single species trees. She creates an ecostructure that is full of variety and interdependent plant species that sustain and nourish each other. The low growing plants on the forest floor protect and shield the tree seedlings while they become established and as the low plants die out yearly they provide nutrients.

All of my rambling is a lead up to urging everyone to get involved. If you live in a place where you can do it; PLANT A TREE. You aren't doing it for you but for your children and grandchildren and countless generations of children. If you live someplace where planting a tree is not an option, join the National Arbor Association or donate a tree to someone else who has room for one. Whether you are planting a giant oak tree or a friendly little dogwood or something in between, their roots will reach deep into the earth and their tops reach toward the sky and connect us all with their beauty and mystery.

The Witches Cupboard by Autumn Earthsong

Rosemary Recipe: Editor's note- Last month, Autumn posted an article on Rosemary. Per her usual practice, she gives you the information one week, then a recipe the next time. When my (Kallan's) computer went down, this article wasn't posted. So, we're making it up to you this week, and boy, is it worth  the wait!


 Rosemary Focaccia Bread

Ingredients:

1 (1/4 ounce) package active dry yeast

3/4 cup warm water

3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

1 tb sugar

1 teaspoon salt

6 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary

coarse salt

- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Bake about 20 minutes or until golden.

 Serve warm or at room temperature.  Great with sweet butter or dipping oil!

This Week in Astrology

All times EDT

Planets in Retrograde:
Mars (UNTIL TUESDAY!)
Saturn until July 20


Sunday, May 18
12:23am Disseminating Moon

Monday, May 19
4:52am-5:57am Moon Void of Course (VoC), then moves into Aquarius

9:31pm MARS STATIONS DIRECT!!

Tuesday, May 20
8:15pm Moon VoC for the rest of the evening
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Clik here to view.
10:59pm Sun enters Gemini

Wednesday, May 21
8:18am Moon leaves void, enters Pisces

8:59pm Last Quarter Moon

Thursday, May 22
All's quiet in the heavens

Friday, May 23
2:25am-12:01pm Moon VoC, then enters Aries
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Clik here to view.
Great Day for Business from 12:01pm on!

Saturday, May 24
Great Day for Business (ALL DAY)

9:15pm Balsamic Moon

Weekly Horoscopes:

• From DarkStar Astrology
• From AstroStyle
• From Daniel Dowd

The Weekly Divine with Kallan Kennedy

Kallan Kennedy is a professional tarot/totem intuitive with more than 20 years of divination experience. She offers private readings to her clients via her website, Secret Services. Order your personal reading today!

This Week's Tarot: 7 of  Pentacles (Discs, Coins)

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I'm the kind of person who loves to work hard on something, then step back and take a look at what I've accomplished. Whether that's cleaning the house, writing a blog post, developing a class, planting a garden, what-have-you, I love the review part. You get to see the fruits of your labor, and perhaps make changes or go in a completely different direction, in some cases.

This is the energy of the 7 of Pentacles. It's a pause after hard work; taking a deep breath, and reviewing what you've accomplished.

According to learntarot.com,"This card is also a call for assessment. When we're busy, we don't always have time to reflect on what we're doing and why." That's a really good point. Sometimes, particularly with big projects, it's a good idea to have check points along the way. Are you on track? Are you where you thought you'd be by now? Are you starting to think that maybe you want to stop this project altogether?

If this is the case for you, the 7 of Pentacles is your pause. There's still time to change the road you're on (with apologies to Led Zeppelin). You haven't fully committed to the course yet, so if you want to make changes, now's the time.

This is also the card of benefit. The 6 of Pentacles is about the end of  a difficult period of time. This is the card where you start to see the rewards and rest that come after that. If you have been experiencing some hard times lately, this indicates that the wheel is about to turn in your favor. Hang in there!

All in all, the energy for this week should provide us with a pause before good things start to happen :)

Nature's Most Wanted with Julie Baker

 
     There are roughly 2,900 known species of snakes in the world; only about 700 of these are venomous.  They are all over the planet with the notable exceptions of New Zealand, Ireland, Antarctica, any place North of the Arctic Circle, and a few scattered islands.  Many people go a lifetime and never see a snake in person, even in areas that snakes live and feed.

         Snakes are a specialized form of reptile, characterized by having an elongated body,  a lack of legs, eyelids and ear openings, and are covered in overlapping scales. They are fully carnivorous and exothermic.  This means they hunt and eat animals smaller than them and cannot regulate their own bod heat.  They live in forests, mountains, desert and the ocean, and in every case are beneficial to humanity.

             Without getting into the details of evolution and how the Hox gene effected the physical structure of these animals, suffice to say that they evolved in a way that made them very effective hunters. With their lack of limbs, flexible body structure, their ability to climb and swim, snakes have become the planet's best source of natural rodent control. Wherever humans live, we create garbage, and attract rodents. Rats and mice reproduce quickly and infest an area rapidly. Rodents are capable of carrying dozens of virus and bacteria that can be transmitted to or cause illness in humans. Rodents damage homes, destroy food stuffs and bring with them any number of other pests including fleas,  ticks and mites which can then infiltrate the home.  Rodents, throughout history have been responsible for many epidemics and pandemics.

           With forty known species found in the old world (Africa, Europe, and Asia) and thirteen known species in the new world (North and South America and Oceania), rat snakes are one of the most common species throughout the world.   Rat snakes are renown for devastating rodent colonies, thus earning their names. They move easily up walls and through cracks and crevices, able to track by scent where rodents have traveled and follow them back to their nests. The snake will eat them, and then move to a warm cozy spot to digest, before venturing off again to find more food.  Rat snakes can dwell in rural areas as well as suburbs and even in cities and thrive where human populations are thick. They earn their weight in rodent control and the service they supply humans.

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Clik here to view.           Though they can put up a very impressive threat display, complete with hissing, pseudo-striking and rattling their tails, they are harmless animals. Capable of inflicting a pinchy and sometimes painful bite if they have no other choice, the bites are usually minimal, no more than the animal has to inflict to allow it to get away.  Like most snakes, rat snakes do not want to engage in direct combat with a bigger more dangerous opponent and is content to slide off into hiding and avoid being hurt.  Other defenses include musking.  This is a release of an anal fluid, which the snake spreads around with its tail on the animal it considers a predator. They also may, if they have a full stomach, vomit on the predator.  Let's face it- if Godzilla picked you up, wouldn’t you poop, pee, and throw up on him?

            Many other species of snake musk, hiss, and act aggressive if cornered or provoked, even up to lunging at the predator. They point of this display of pseudo-aggression is to make the object of fear back away, or run away, so the snake can escape. All snakes seek a way to warn of their presence when a human or other animal gets too close, from musking smells to the famous tail shaking that rattle snakes show off. Snakes will, first and foremost, hold very still and try to be invisible.

           Snakes Do NOT want to bite us, it is more dangerous for them than it is to us. They cannot eat us, so using up this type of energy or in the cases of some, their venom, is a waste. Snake bites are usually the fault of the human bitten, and in over 90% of the cases, this happens when a human is attempting to kill a snake that could have easily been left alone or removed by professionals for free.

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Clik here to view.            Most populated areas have services for snake removal. These are set into place to prevent snake bite injuries. This writer urges the readers to please look into services of this sort in your area.  Non venomous snakes vastly outnumber venomous snakes. Please, look up the species prevalent in your area, learn to identify them, their habits and ranges.  Information is a Google away, and most states have comprehensive lists of reptile species inhabiting the state, complete with photos. Most people will find that they are in little to no danger of venomous snake bites. In fact, they will find that the beauty of the rich reptile diversity in their area is amazing, and that these creatures serve us well.

            Our world is a treasure trove of amazing animals, of which reptiles are claiming their niche; and in which snakes are beneficial in not only pest control, but in the value of medicinal study, art and spirituality. A happy balance of their world and ours is easy to maintain with education and understanding.  We share this beautiful world with these magnificent animals and they mean us no harm.

            Let’s return the favor.

Snake is the symbol of transformation.

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Art by Jen Delyth

Snakes shed their skin at various times throughout the year. Snake sheds are used in a variety of spells and for some potions as well. This act of shedding is symbolic of leaving a part of one's life that is no longer necessary.. it's something you've outgrown, and when the shedding is complete, the snake is sleeker, bigger and ready to take on the next challenge in life.This is why they are associated with rebirth and renewal.

Snake's wisdom is in the process of shedding, which takes patience and proper removal (if the conditions are not right, a snake will not shed the skin fully, leaving him/her with bits and pieces hanging on for days; but if conditions are right, the snake will shed the skin whole, making it a thing of beauty). Once this process is completed, the snake is both ravenous and energetic.

If you've recently shed (or are in the process of shedding) things that no longer serve you, know that your time is complete and the energy you need for this new phase of life is available to you. Call upon the snake for his eternal wisdom in helping you start fresh.

According to Jamie Sams and David Carson, "Snake medicine people are very rare. Their initiation involves experiencing and living through multiple snake bites, which allows them to transmute all poisons, be they mental, physical, spiritual or emotional. The power of snake medicine is the power of creation, for it embodies sexuality, psychic energy, alchemy, reproduction, and ascension (or immortality)." ~ Animal Medicine Cards