It's also my birthday week (Thursday, February 7) and I turn the big 5-0. I've already received lovely gifts from friends (thank you, Loren and Renee!!) and I'm happy to have made it this far through my Imramma.
We have a new contributor to The Stew! Please be sure to welcome La'Trice Lott to the Sunday Stew Chefs. She's going to spice it up a lot around here! We're thrilled to have her on board!
With that, I present to you, The Stew:
Happy Birthday this week to: my wolf-dog, Lakota who turns 6 today, Margie Nelson, Annie Dixon, Doug Luzar, Silver Grey Eagle, Susun Weed, Jim Lesperance, and Micaela DeChaves! May this be our best birthday EVER, and may our next year of life be filled with success, happiness, joy, peace, health and all good things in abundance!
In the News
Son beheaded 'witch-like' mother
Plant fanatics climb up trees hunting for 'witch brooms'
The Little Witch and a Big Problem
How is Burkina Faso's Witch Doctor Helping the Team?
Group Rescues Two Children Accused of Witchcraft
Pagan Lore with Karen Szabo
Sunday, February 3
On this date, an annual ceremony called the Blessing of the Throats takes place to honor the healing powers of Saint Blaise and to magickally ward off throat ailments brought on by the winter's cold.
Monday, February 4
Throughout Japan, the evil demons of winter are exorcised annually on this day with a festival called the Setsu-bun. Beans are placed in every corner of a family's house, and pointed branches and sardine heads are mounted over the doors. Centuries-old purification rites are performed by priests in all temples and shrines. Prayers are written on slips of paper and then cast from bridges into the rivers below.
Tuesday, February 5
On this date in the year 1962, the Great conjunction of the Sun, Moon, Venus, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, and Saturn occurred in the sign of Aquarius. Also on this day, the annual Feast of Ia is celebrated in honor of, and to invoke the power of, the Sacred Maiden of the Pagan mythos.
Wednesday, February 6
Throughout northern Japan, a centuries-old winter snow festival takes place each year around this time of the month. The ancient and beneficial spirits that bring life-sustaining water are honored at special shrines erected in huts resembling Eskimo igloos. A festival in honor of the love Goddess Aphrodite was held each year on this date in ancient Greece.
Thursday, February 7
On this date (approximately), the annual spring fertility festival known as Li Chum is celebrated in China. Bamboo and paper effigies of a water buffalo (an animal which symbolizes "new life") are carried through the streets by a temple-bound procession. After reaching the temple, the effigies are set on fire in the belief that prayers for prosperity will be taken up to heaven by the rising smoke.
Friday, February 8
The annual nighttime ritual known as the Star Festival is celebrated on this date (approximately) in China. The stars that influence the fate of mankind are honored by the lighting of 108 small lanterns on a special altar, and prayers are offered to the sacred stars that governed one's birth.
Saturday, February 9
In northern Norway, the Narvik Sun Pageant is held annually on this date in honor of the ancient Pagan Goddess who rules over the Sun. The festival, which has been celebrated since pre-Christian times, begins at sunrise and continues throughout the day until the shadows of evening darken the sky.
And that's it for this time!
Wishing all of you a fantastic week,
Karen
Sparkle and Shine with Sosanna
I posted my creation to a group on Facebook that shares and celebrates art related to Hecate. Immediately following my post the following was posted to the group:
In ‘On Magic’ Apuleius says, “For, as Pythagoras used to say, you must not carve a statue of Hermes from just any piece of wood.” (Hermes is the God mentioned, but the connotation implies it is applicable to all Gods) Fragment 224 of the Chaldean Oracles says we should make images of Hekate out of wild rue, resin, myrrh, frankincense, and a crushed up lizard.
I followed the thread and learned a bit about working with the different types of items listed as well as how some other followers create and add the energy to their creations. Some install a soul stone/heart stone style object in the center of the piece, thus creating a vessel for the energy to live. Others create herb satchels or containers similar to a spirit bottle to house the force.
The statement “you must not carve a statue of Hermes from any piece of wood” concerns me. I look at the list of objects that according to the author are approved components and I have none of these here. Not to mention, I don’t work with resin. Does that mean I’m doing the Goddess a disservice by creating her from wet clay?
To me the answer to this question is absolutely not. When I am creating anything for Hecate, jewelry or clay work the intent is the most important part. If you are creating something that is meant to honor someone, I don’t believe that creation can be seen as a disservice. These are modern times, and in these times we do things differently than the ancients.
Devotees of Hecate in the ancient world would have sacrificed black dogs and sheep to her. Today, there is no such sacrifice to the Goddess. Just as this has changed I believe that the processes for creating likenesses to her would have evolved as well.
One of the main reasons I have maintained a solitary practice is because of the what can be created when a group of people come together some of the actions can become very “letter of the law” instead of “spirit of the law”. I feel there’s a huge difference between being religious and being spiritual. Being religious, in my opinion equates to repetitiveness. It is repeating the same process over and over. Spirituality is walking along side and enjoying the gifts that are offered together. It is taking a gift that is given and using that gift to elevate or sing praises to that deity.
I see my work in clay, though not in wild rue, resin or myrrh to be a trumpet to the Goddess. I see my statues created without frankincense and without a crushed lizard to be as worthy as any other creation because the idea behind using these ingredients was to add something valuable to the creation. To Add an expensive component to the creation showed a sacrifice by the artist. What larger sacrifice is there to make to deity is to give of oneself. When I create these I pour my life force into the work. Each is created with the all the energy and focus I have in my being. With only one goal in mind, to make that deity truly Sparkle & Shine.
Namaste & Blessed Be
Sosanna
)O(
The Spice with La'Trice Lott
I can’t tell you all how excited I am to contribute my own bit of “spice” to the Sunday Stew. I’ll admit my first thoughts after being invited to submit were: 1) What in the world will I write about; and 2) who wants to hear what I have to say? Well, the answer to the first question is easy. Anyone who knows me will tell you I have PLENTY to say. The answer to second question is a bit trickier but, I guess the only way to find out is to seize this wonderful opportunity the universe has presented to me by way of the ever so awesome Ms. Kallan. So, here goes. . .
My hubby and I believe that as a parents, in addition to teaching our son, Bubster, to use good manners; to cook, clean and do laundry; to find joy in a good book and in good music; to try new things; and for the love of Gelos, to laugh at himself every once in awhile; it is equally, if not more important for us to teach him not to be afraid to stand up against bullying, injustice and discrimination.
Is it always easy? HELL NO! But then, nothing of great importance ever is. Therefore, hubby and I try to lead by example. We speak up and speak out when we encounter someone being mistreated, or hear disparaging remarks made against someone. If we hear about injustices on the news or read about them in the newspaper, we share our thoughts with Bubster. If he has questions about something he sees or hears, we try to walk that fine line of between providing honest fact and age appropriate answers.
One subject we've been discussing lately is the discrimination of the LGBT community, especially as it relates to Boy Scouts. Bubster has been involved in scouting for the past 4 years. He enjoys the activities and being able to socialize with his friends but lately, he’s started to question what he refers to as “their stupid rules.” When he heard that the BSA had decided to uphold its ban on gay scouts and troop leaders, he was upset. When he read about Ryan Andresen, a scout who was denied Eagle Scout status after coming out, Bubster was mad.
Yesterday upon hearing that the BSA was threatening to pull the charter of Troop 442 because they have a non-discrimination clause that includes sexual orientation, he was so livid he said “That’s a bunch of crap. All Boy Scout troops should post that thing on their web pages to show support for that troop.”
Pretending I didn't just hear him use a word he knows he’s not allowed to say in our home or in my presences, I beam with pride at the fact: HE GETS IT! Not only does he recognize injustice, but he’s willing to stand up and fight it.
P.S. Sadly, Troop 442 has pulled the non-discrimination clause from their website.
This Week in Astrology
Feb 3, 2013 8:56 AM Sun Square Moon (Last Quarter Moon)
More on the Last Quarter Moon from Mooncircles.com
Sun is in Aquarius until February 18
Venus is in Aquarius until February 25
Mars is in Pisces until March 12
Saturn is in Scorpio until 2015 (Rx Alert:Saturn goes Retrograde February 18-July 7)
Jupiter is in Gemini until June 25
Mercury enters Pisces on February 5 (Rx Alert:Mercury goes Retrograde February 23rd- March 17)
Moon Phase Alert: New Moon in Aquarius February 10, 2:20 am (also the beginning of the Chinese New Year- The Year of the Black Water Snake)
Moon Void of Course Dates for February
Song of the Week with Kestril Trueseeker
Weekly Tarot: Page of Swords
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| The Vanessa Tarot |
"The essence of air behaving as earth, such as a steady wind: The approach of an unexpected challenge, to be met with clear thought and just action. A person filled with an eager appetite for all matters of mind and logic. The gathering of information through unfaltering vigilance, careful examination, and subtle spycraft. The use of reason or eloquent speech to penetrate the veil of confusion and cut to the heart of the matter." ~facade.com
Key Words and Phrases: Talkative, curious, mentally restless, energetic.
"The Page of Swords reflects an abundance of energy, passion and enthusiasm. You cannot wait to get started on a new project or an idea, and to share that with others. You start all new projects, ventures and journeys with a huge amount of energy and excitement. The challenge, however, is whether you can keep it up! As with all Pages, the beginning always looks promising but something else is needed in order to maintain the pace." ~BiddyTarot.com
To me, the Page of Swords is a dual message. It's one of excitement and enthusiasm, but also of mental challenges. How we deal with these determines the success or lack thereof in whatever project we're working on. The Page of Swords is telling you that diligence and a "stick-to-it" mentality will bring your goals to fruition. Now is not the time to slack off or give up. Go for it!!
Weekly Totem: Lynx
Key words and phrases: Knower of Secrets, Silence, Intuition, Clairvoyance
Lynx happens to be one of my totems, and I value its teachings greatly. As it's a very personal totem for me, I'm going to share excerpts and links for you to peruse as you like. This way, I'm not adding my personal experience into this too strongly :)
Lynx has strong planetary associations with Neptune, Uranus and Pluto.
Lynx medicine is that which empowers and gifts an individual to have amazing powers of intuition and clairvoyance. Just the same as there are great masters in music, literature, the arts and healing to name a few areas, so too are there great masters who can effortlessly pull from the ethers the intuitive and psychic messages that one needs at any given point in time. The Lynx person may not understand themselves why they have this ability for it simply pours through them. "Something turns on" within them and suddenly the person just knows what other people cannot or perhaps I should say are unwilling to see or hear. Yet the Lynx person sees it all too clearly though they are normally less than willing to share all that they know! (more)
Lynx is actually a family of cats that include the Bobcat, Canadian Lynx, Eurasian Lynx and Iberian Lynx. They vary in color from pale grey and silver to a deep amber gold with darker brown or black markings. The Lynx is characterized by the tufts of hair on their ears and the short tail. The word Lynx means ‘Shine’ and is thought to be a reference to their eyes which flash and reflect light.A medium sized predator cat, the Lynx eats all types of rodents, small mammals like fox, turkeys, birds, goats and even deer, but the mainstay of it’s diet is usually rabbit, especially the Canadian Lynx who dines mostly on the Snowshoe Hair.
Lynx Totem Medicine brings with it a connection to the mystery and unknown side of life – there is always something hidden and a mystery to penetrate when the Lynx shows up. the abbreviated tail of the Lynx represents the ability of Lynx people to operate in the unseen realms of life, to see what isn't seen, and to hear what isn't said.
Lynx Medicine is strongly associated with clairvoyance, and Lynx people have extra sensitive perception, which is often misunderstood by others. Many times Lynx people will find that other people are frightened of them, or reject them for no fault of their own. This is part of the Lynx lessons. Lynx teaches those who have it as a totem how to keep their own counsel and maintain the secrets of the ages that others aren't ready to hear. You see, people are sometimes scared of the Lynx person’s ability to see right through them as if with X-Ray vision. (more)
When Lynx medicine is about, it is time to stop talking and start listening. When we talk too much we give away our charisma and forfeit our advantage in a situation. Talking to fill the void creates a noisy, nervous world. Pausing before immediately responding to other people’s comments allows us to maneuver through the intrigues a bit longer before making a decision. Silence is uncomfortable when we are uncertain. We often avoid that uncertainty with a momentum of talk (both written and spoken) to create a pseudo-confidence. If we can keep talking, we can keep the silence away and never have to confront the possibility of being wrong. Lynx says, address the insecurity within and know that being wrong is a part of learning. Learning is what we are designed to do. Lynx medicine also holds the ability to hear a lie instantly by focusing on the tones of a voice rather than the surface of the words that are said. It is always best to function from a tonal reality rather than a verbal one. (more)
Lynx is the keeper of lost magic
and occult knowledge.
Lynx is the guardian of the secrets
and, more importantly, the knower of the secrets.
Lynx medicine is a very specific type of clairvoyance.
If the medicine is strong in you, you will get mental pictures concerning people
and the secrets they hide. You will see their fears, lies, and self-deceptions.
You never speak of these revelations - but you know.
With a Lynx totem, people will share their secrets with you.
They will take you into their confidence and you will "accidentally"
discover things about people (whether you want to or not).
You must be very careful not to break confidences.
Your words must be chosen carefully and used cautiously.
Strength through silence must be your motto.
You do not have to do anything with the secrets you learn,
you, like the Lynx, are the keeper of secrets.
Listen to your higher self. (Lins Domain)
The Shameless Plug
This week's Shameless Plug goes to "Ember Days". This is an indie film starring one of my personal favorite witches, Fiona Horne. It's a micro-budget kind of film, so it's not going to be all flash and polish. But, I have to tell you, I'm looking forward to it. It looks like it's going to be lots of fun!
Description from the website:
"It's a multi-layered tale, combining elements of Greek mythology, angelic lore, faerie kingdoms, and guns guns guns! It's "myth-soup with a side of bullets", presented with the over-the-top performances typical of most Greek myths ("Back, foul beast! Back, I say!!!"). It's flawed and awesome, epic cheese with a lot of heart, made by folks who still believe in faeries, magick, and the favor of the gods."
Here's the trailer:
Here's a link to the site for more information and/or to pre-order the movie. I plan to get it when it's released and will post a review. I love supporting independent films and especially Pagan ones.
That's it for this week's stew. Mull. Digest. Enjoy!