Brighid's Day (Imbolc, Candlemas, etc..) is fast approaching. Are you preparing for it? I'm hoping to get altar pics up for you again this year. If you'd like to submit one, let me know. I'd love to feature yours here!
Speaking of features, as many of you are aware, I posted this past week on the topic of Christianity and the things I've seen wrong with it. Several Christians who read what I wrote and agreed with me, have asked some really deep questions about what they can do to make changes for the better. My friend Lisa, of Soul Liberty Faith blog has graciously accepted my invitation to do a guest post for us in the stew today. It's a really excellent post, and I want to thank her for sharing.
Ok enough fanfare, it's time for the good stuff. On to the Stew!
Happy Birthday this week to Crispin Fletcher, Nikolas D Mafiaa, Erin Frost, Fawn Parker, Deb Garnett, Wendy Storm, Nadia Romanov, Kat Hexe, Christie Choida Gucker, KELLY ANTON(!!!), Blake Octavian Blair (!!), Phoenix Darquewing, and Suze Koenig :) May this be your best birthday EVER, and may your next year of life bring you joy, peace, health, happiness and all good things in abundance!
In the News
Nepal jails mob for burning accused witch alive- Business Insider
Christianity, Atheism and a Touch of Paganism - News24
Panel to check witchcraft- Deccan Herald
Witch doctor took money for human sacrifices- ITV Africa
Special Guest Blogger, Sister Lisa
Kallan and I have developed a friendship over the last year and I am quite blessed to be so welcomed in her community in the blogosphere and on Facebook. Her rants always raise awareness to the many problems our world faces, especially in what we see happening in Christianity. She mentioned on her Facebook wall that I follow an organic path and asked that I share with you what that means for me.
I wasn't exactly raised in Christianity, although I was told that I'm a Christian and I casually attended a Lutheran church while growing up. The last 20 years of my adult life, in Christianity, has been quite a journey. After being deeply embedded in a fundamentalist cult, our family began studying the portions of the bible that the pastor never preached on. What en eye opening experience! It's no wonder he never preached in those passages. We found out the tithe is no longer applicable, there are no curses, and his position as a pastor is irrelevant.
Despite all the truths we began discovering, we knew we had real spiritual experiences that we just couldn't deny.
So we started searching the bible for what it meant to live in the 'Kingdom' of God. During these years, I began studying different denominations of Christianity as well as other world religions. I found a startling amount of similarities that we could not ignore. I came across a term used in the early days of the Protestant new-comers to this land called, 'Soul Liberty'. What we found was this Christ is more than just a story about a man who is widely hailed as the literal son of God. To us it is much deeper than a human body. It's about the inner person we all are uniquely connected to and that we are indeed all connected to one another. Soul Liberty is our freedom to journey through the spiritual world and come to the conclusions that benefit our lives.
I'm often accused of heresy, as is customary of clergy who think they have the monopoly on the Bible. They traditionally accuse others of heresy, paganism, and new age philosophy when we disagree with their loaded dogma. They've learned how to use manipulation and fear to control the people and rake in the dough. While some might not yet be aware that this is what they're doing, there are plenty out there who do know and are continuing with this lie to keep up the cash flow.
But deep inside I knew there was something going on in my soul, as did my husband. We knew there was something mysterious yet true that could benefit our lives and the lives of others. Matthew 24:35 says clearly that 'heaven and earth' will pass away. One day we all face our last day on earth and what will be left? What will people remember us for? Once we're gone all our money, houses, clothing, etc will all be gone. What remains is the memory we left people with.
I don't know about you, but I'd much rather leave this earth knowing I've given people freedom and love than leaving them with a memory of how to further religious rituals so the one percent of churches gain power and control while the rest remain in servitude. The words we use, the philosophy we teach, and the lifestyle we live can "live eternally" if we can learn what the Buddha, Gandhi, and even Jesus taught humanity. Many years, centuries, and eras have passed yet the words of these leaders have lived on. When we glean positive uplifting philosophy from others and we truly live out those philosophies, we are generating positive energy and love in the world. When people believe in lies, spread hate and hostility, demand propaganda and control people like slaves to their systems, they send negative energy out to the world.
I truly believe this is what the Bible contains and although I do read manuscripts from various other spiritual leaders, my familiarity with the Bible puts me in the position to teach my perspective to the people who know the Christian language and culture. I'm often rejected, but more often I'm finding acceptance. The Bible is a magical book, whoever holds it and teaches it will determine what kind of world they want to create with it. I believe we can do that with any holy book. We can create chaos and hostility or peace and love.
So while some take the stories of the Bible, Torah, or Koran and create hell on earth, I look for the ones who use books like these to create heaven on earth. There's always going to be people who take any book and along with their immature minds and hearts, will create their own little kingdoms. Their kingdoms will be what they make of them and they will create followers who fall for it all hook, line, and sinker.
I believe there is a purpose for those who have come to understand this. A purpose to continue to raise awareness of the wolves in their midst and to help educate and free more people from unhealthy thinking and lifestyles that keep them in bondage.
The Christ I believe in has no literal hell in the afterlife where people who didn't pledge allegiance to him will be tortured forever. It's a figment of many twisted imaginations. Jesus spoke about Kingdom living so we could learn to live spiritually while here on earth. We live in a spiritual place within and that inward reality will be seen in our outward lives on earth.
According to the Bible, God is Spirit. My own spiritual experiences have shown me that this is true and I can't prove it to anyone. It's not my responsibility to prove anything. I believe it by faith. Spirituality comes by personal revelation. However, my God and the god of the 'eternal torture chamber' are not the same. That god is part of the imaginations of men and by following that god's thinking those people end up in their own personal hells while here on earth. If we deny that god, it's followers put us through hell because they believe their god does the same thing.
Well, my God doesn't do that. My God gives freedom and love to everyone. What we believe becomes our reality.
I detest the things Kallan and I both see in Christianity today. From what I get from the Bible, there wasn't supposed to be any such thing as Christianity. It was just to be a way of life to love others and nurture community among us. This way of life is meant to bridge gaps and tear down walls that divide. I favor InterFaith collaboration to create safe communities for any religion and Atheists to be a part of. The way of the Christ is not arrogance, hostility, or manipulation. It's love, freedom, and hospitality.
And so it is my desire to share this way of life with others and show how it can be discovered in the Bible, as well as many other holy books.
Kallan's note: If you'd like more information, and want to read more of Lisa's phenomenal writing, please visit her at Soul Liberty Faith and/or visit her Facebook page. Thank you, again, Lisa. I know it's not easy to be a Christian and my friend sometimes with my ranting, but you always show grace and love- and you keep my hope alive that there is good that can come from it.
Sparkle and Shine with Sosanna
Finding an Outlet
I remember what I did to my kid. How she had to deal with living in a house where I packed up everything in boxes because I planned to move in a few years. She would wake up in the middle of the night with me on my hands and knees scrubbing the kitchen floor because my mania was so bad I’d be awake and going for days at a time.
I had no support system. No one to listen and only doctors that were interested in a getting more pills into me instead of helping me learn to deal with the real problems that face many bipolar people each day. No one talked to me about sleep, or my diet. No one told me how processed foods can make symptoms worse. And most of all, no one explained to me that I needed to find a way to try to quiet my mind.
About 12 years ago after losing my daughter to my ex-husband, I got in my car and drove to California. My intent was to drive my car into the ocean. I planned to off myself. I was alone and felt like a complete failure. I met current husband and he began the slow process of weaning me off the gallon size zip lock bag of prescription drugs I was on. He helped me start using breathing to help the panic attacks and then guided me into understanding that I wasn't damaged goods. I just looked at the world through different glasses. My brain processed things differently. He saved me.
Over the past year I’ve been developing a new outlet. Avoiding the processed foods as well as working in clay has actually started to help me. As I’m sitting with the blank lump in front of me my mind drifts down inside the work and I feel the magic come from my fingertips. My mind hums the song that my fingers strum out in the clay and for a little while, I can focus on just one thing. It took me a while to find this. I’ve tried painting and scrapbooking and all sorts of other things to help.
With this new medium, I've finally found a way to truly embrace the sparkle that lives in my head and share with, in a positive way with others. Everyone needs a way to shine, what’s your sparkle? Email me!
Namaste & Blessed Be
Sosanna
Pagan Lore with Karen Szabo
Good Morning, readers, and welcome to a new week and lots of Pagan Lore with tidbits from all over the world!
Sunday, January 13th
Saint Silvester's Day. Evil spirits are traditionally driven away with clanging bells on this night by villagers in Urnasch, Switzerland, where the pre-Julian New Year's Eve continues to be celebrated on this date.
In pre-Christian Ireland, the thirteenth day of January was celebrated each year as the Feast of Brewing by the ancient and mysterious priests known as the Druids.
Monday, January 14th
On this date in the year 1967, a psychedelic spiritual "pow-wow" called the Human Be-In took place in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. The event drew approximately 20,000 people (including Allen Ginsberg and Timothy Leary) and consisted of chanting, dancing, poetry readings, music, and celebrations of love and the unity of humankind. In Southern India, the three-day Pongal festival begins on this date each year to celebrate the January rice harvest, honor the great sun-god Surya, and give thanks to the spirits who bring the rainy season.
Tuesday, January 15th
In ancient Rome, a sacred festival called the Feast of the Ass was celebrated each year on this date in honor of the goddess Vesta and the ass that saved her. Vesta presided over the hearth and her temple was lit by a sacred fire tended by six virgin priestesses known as the Vestal Virgins.
Wednesday, January 16th
Each year on this date in the country of Indonesia, the fire-god Betoro Bromo is honored by Buddhist monks and pilgrims who gather at Mount Bromo. At the first stroke of midnight, offerings of food and flowers are cast into the volcano where the god is believed to dwell. Also on this date, in the year 1976, the famous astrologer and author known as Zolar died.
Thursday, January 17th
Wassailing the Apple Trees, a ritual dating back to old Celtic Britain, is held annually on this date (the eve of the old Twelfth Night). A traditional libation of cider is poured on the roots of apple trees while an old invocation is sung to the tree in order to ensure fertility and to drive away all evil-natured supernatural entities.
Friday, January 18th
In the country of China, the kitchen-god Zao Jun is honored with prayers and offerings of sweet rice cakes each year on this night, which marks the end of the Chinese year. For luck, paper images of the god are burned and dried beans are thrown onto the roofs of houses.
Saturday, January 19th
Each year on this date, the Thorrablottar (also known as Husband's Day) is celebrated in Iceland. In pre-Christian times, it was celebrated as Pagan festival in honor of the mighty god Thor, the red-bearded lord of lightning bolts and thunder.
And there you have it! Hope you all have a fantastic week; see you next time with more Pagan Lore!
Karen
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This Week in Astrology
January 18th: First Quarter Moon
"Change with the Quarter Moons" by Dana Gerhardt
Jan 19th: Mercury enters Aquarius 2:25 AM
Jan 19th: Sun enters Aquarius 4:52 PM
Weekly Horoscope from DarkStar Astrology
Void of Course Moon Calendar
Song of the Week with Kestril Trueseeker
This Week's Tarot: 10 of Coins
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| Vanessa Tarot |
Completion of material prosperity and riches. Freedom from financial anxiety, the security of home, and the enjoyment of family. The passing of inheritance along to children, or the gaining of inheritance from parents.
"The Ten of Coins stands for worldly and material success. This is the card you want to see if you are wondering how your latest enterprise will turn out. Wealth and affluence are yours." (learntarot.com)
Many times, this means taking the conventional, rather than unconventional routes to getting there. This card says not to rock the boat, or if it ain't broke, don't fix it. The tried-and-true will get you where you want to go. Change is fine, but only when advisable.
The Ten of Coins is concerned with permanence. Constant change is uncomfortable. We need stability and the chance to work for a secure foundation in life. It's time to look at the long-term and work toward solutions that will suit you far into the future.
This Week's Totem: Owl
The owl is symbolic in many different cultures:
Greece: Owl was the totem of Athena, the Greek goddess of learning and wisdom.
Celtic societies, Egypt, Hindu culture: Owl is the guardian of the Otherworld or Underworld, and protector of the dead.
Native American nations: Owl is the symbol of wisdom, foresight, and the keeper of sacred knowledge.
Medieval Europe: Owls were said to be the form witches and wizards took as a disguise.
West African and Aboriginal Australian cultures viewed the owl as a messenger of secrets, kin to sorcerers, as well as companions to seers, mystics and medicine people.
Owl sees and knows the truth. It's ability to navigate through the darkest night and bring back nourishment for itself and others is the foundation of this essence.
When you have lost your way, owl essence will guide you back to your proper path and wisdom. Owl medicine can help a person to extract secrets, to see that which is hidden in the darkness and is very powerful for soul retrievals for this reason.
Many shamans, psychic healers and mediums have owl medicine either as a primary totem or can call upon one as needed. They can see clear through to the core reason for any type of imbalance and then they can spot the proper medicine needed to heal the imbalance.
Owl's message is to look more deeply into yourself and others before making a decision this week. Your intuition is telling you something- heed what it has to say.
The Shameless Plug:
My buddy, Barbra Annino, writes a really awesome set of books called 'The Stacy Justice series'. This one is book 3 in that series. Here's the description: "Stacy Justice is looking forward to a lazy summer of hot dogs and beer; swims in the lake with her Great Dane, Thor; and hanging with her rekindled old flame, Chance. But when she gets a creepy anonymous call hinting that her father’s “accidental” death fourteen years ago was actually a murder, she’s too unsettled to relax. Stacy has blamed herself for his death all along—in fact, it’s the reason she’s fought so hard against being a witch. But who’d want to kill an innocent small-time newspaperman?
That’s the question on Stacy’s mind when she casts a spell that goes horribly wrong. And between the white tiger that keeps appearing out of thin air, the body in the lake, the feisty razor-toothed Chihuahua, and the gun-toting maniac, she suddenly has her hands full once again. But solving the mystery of her father’s death is Stacy’s number-one priority…and avenging it, if necessary, is a very close second.
Continuing the thrilling Stacy Justice saga, Tiger’s Eye drives the reluctant witch deeper into the mysteries of her family’s past…and the darker regions of her soul."
You can buy this on Amazon: Kindle edition is only $4.99 USD, but it's also available in paperback and audio book as well!
T. Dovich Photography
She's providing a giveaway right now for those of you in the Rincon, Georgia area. See details below:
That's it for this week's stew. Mull. Digest. Enjoy!