I hope many of you have taken the opportunity to follow along this past week as I celebrated my love for the works of author, filmmaker and all around amazing witch, Ly De Angeles. If not, please do peruse the archives and catch up. You'll thank me for it later!
The astrological new year begins this week, with a New Moon in Aries, Captain Dave is BACK with his Uncharted Seas, Sosanna's claiming her bragging rights, Kathleen's got some great herb information for you, Karen, Kestril and I have your regular Pagan Lore, Song of the Week and Divinations, and there's quite a bit of Paganism and Witchcraft news to share. So, grab your favorite beverage and prepare to dig in !!
Happy Birthday this week to Charlene Norton, Christine Walsh, Shadowulf McCullough, Patrick McCollum, Lionheart Richard, Raven Grimassi (!!), Dollie Motes Howland, and Melissa Aquilus! May this be your best birthday ever, and may your next year of life bring you joy, peace, happiness, health, harmony and all good things in abundance :)
In the News
Wiccans and Pagans Find Faith, Fellowship
Panel to Examine Minority Religions
Yakama Tribe Urges Government to Reconsider Horse Slaughter
Should Witchcraft Be Criminalized?
Witchcraft Theme for Edinburgh Art Festival
An Elderly Woman Beaten for Practicing Witchcraft
Mother and Son Burnt to Death for Practicing Witchcraft in Chhindwara
Man Arrested for Witchcraft
Woman Stripped, Force-fed Feces for Practicing Witchcraft
The Lucrative Business Driving The Congo's Witchcraft Courts
Temple of Witchcraft Still Needs 26K to Fund Parking Lot
Letter: Coldness of Pagan Culture Has Bred Violence in America
Former Northern Island Residents Express Concerns on Pagan Military Training
Ancient Stolen Buddha Returned After 25 Years
Pagan Lore with Karen Szabo
Sunday, April 7
The Blajini (or "kindly ones") are celebrated annually on this day in various parts of Rumania. This is a sacred day in which offerings are made to the beneficial spirits of the water and the Underworld.
Monday, April 8
On this date in 1994, a group of Pagans carrying placards, banners, balloons, and streamers paraded joyously in Gainesville, Florida. They praised the Mother Goddess and invited all to celebrate the beauty of life. The focus of this Freedom of Religion
Tuesday, April 9
Feast of A-Ma. Once a year on this day, the ancient Goddess A-Ma is honored with a religious festival in the Portuguese territory of Macao. A-Ma is the patroness of fisherman and all those who sail the sea.
This day is also sacred to all Amazon Goddesses. In England, the Hocktide Festival takes place on this date each year to celebrate the triumph of the Saxon She-warriors who battled against Danish invaders in the year A.D. 1002.
Wednesday, April 10
According to Celtic folklore, the Sun dances each year on this day. In many parts of Ireland, people arise at the first light of dawn to watch the Sun "dance" in a shimmering bowl of water. Bau, the Goddess Mother of Ea, was honored each year on this day in ancient Babylonia with a sacred religious festival called the Day of Bau.
Thursday, April 11
On this day each year, cross-inscribed loaves of bread are traditionally baked in honor of the Roman Goddess Diana. In Greece, branches of evergreen, myrtle, or bay were worn by children on this day for protection against the venomous evil eye. In Armenia, the Goddess Anahit is honored annually on this day with a sacred festival. She is a deity of both love and lunar power who dwells within the silver light of the Moon.
Friday, April 12
The Cerealia, an annual festival of the Goddess Ceres, was celebrated by the ancient Romans in order to secure the fertility of the crops. The sacred rites of Ceres began on this date and were observed for eight consecutive days. In Taiwan, the Goddess who presides over birth, Chu-Si-Niu, is honored annually on this day with a religious festival. Pregnant women go to temples dedicated to her in order to receive blessings for their unborn children.
Saturday, April 13
On this day, an annual festival of water is celebrated by Buddhists in Thailand. Buddha statues are ritually bathed and the water is thrown on the faithful to purify and "wash away" the evil spirits of the previous year. The festival lasts for three consecutive days.
The Blajini (or "kindly ones") are celebrated annually on this day in various parts of Rumania. This is a sacred day in which offerings are made to the beneficial spirits of the water and the Underworld.
Monday, April 8
On this date in 1994, a group of Pagans carrying placards, banners, balloons, and streamers paraded joyously in Gainesville, Florida. They praised the Mother Goddess and invited all to celebrate the beauty of life. The focus of this Freedom of Religion
Tuesday, April 9
Feast of A-Ma. Once a year on this day, the ancient Goddess A-Ma is honored with a religious festival in the Portuguese territory of Macao. A-Ma is the patroness of fisherman and all those who sail the sea.
This day is also sacred to all Amazon Goddesses. In England, the Hocktide Festival takes place on this date each year to celebrate the triumph of the Saxon She-warriors who battled against Danish invaders in the year A.D. 1002.
Wednesday, April 10
According to Celtic folklore, the Sun dances each year on this day. In many parts of Ireland, people arise at the first light of dawn to watch the Sun "dance" in a shimmering bowl of water. Bau, the Goddess Mother of Ea, was honored each year on this day in ancient Babylonia with a sacred religious festival called the Day of Bau.
Thursday, April 11
On this day each year, cross-inscribed loaves of bread are traditionally baked in honor of the Roman Goddess Diana. In Greece, branches of evergreen, myrtle, or bay were worn by children on this day for protection against the venomous evil eye. In Armenia, the Goddess Anahit is honored annually on this day with a sacred festival. She is a deity of both love and lunar power who dwells within the silver light of the Moon.
Friday, April 12
The Cerealia, an annual festival of the Goddess Ceres, was celebrated by the ancient Romans in order to secure the fertility of the crops. The sacred rites of Ceres began on this date and were observed for eight consecutive days. In Taiwan, the Goddess who presides over birth, Chu-Si-Niu, is honored annually on this day with a religious festival. Pregnant women go to temples dedicated to her in order to receive blessings for their unborn children.
Saturday, April 13
On this day, an annual festival of water is celebrated by Buddhists in Thailand. Buddha statues are ritually bathed and the water is thrown on the faithful to purify and "wash away" the evil spirits of the previous year. The festival lasts for three consecutive days.
There's the lore for this week! Hope you're finally enjoying some snow-free, Spring-time weather, wherever you are!
Karen
Sparkle and Shine with Sosanna
Much of her youth was spent at doctor’s offices, interviews for Magazines and even appearing on a local telethon for Children’s Hospital of the Kings Daughters in Norfolk, Virginia. I recently did a blog post about her here.
Today I don’t have a chance to get to see her as often as I’d like. She moved to London nearly three years ago and has since married. She plans to become a citizen there. I don’t much blame her. The state of affairs here makes me wish at times I could pack up and leave. I look over her Facebook page and see much that I am proud of. She stands up for what she believes in, she’s open, honest and humble.
Tuesday she told me she’d be in the states for 10 days but wouldn’t be able to stop by NC to see us. I was a little upset. I miss her terribly, but I do get to talk to her everyday online. I didn’t cry, but was pretty grumpy the rest of the day. Then I thought…. Why am I upset? Because she’s living her life? She has a husband and they’re going on a vacation together. I should be happy that she has that.
I look around at the people here in my small town and where their children are at 25 or 26 years old. My kid has a Masters and these here have babies. My kid has been to Scotland and walked in Stonehenge these here have been to jail.
I visited a family member just after moving here and I was told, “All you do is brag about your kid”. I guess it does sound like I’m bragging, and in a way I guess I am. I am very proud of her because she overcame amazing odds to become the wonderful person she is today.
Sometimes I feel like the world is going to hell in a hand basket and there’s nothing I can do about it. I wonder to myself, what I have actually done to make a difference in this world? Then I think about my kid, the reason that I lived for so many years. She is what kept me going when I had nothing left to live for.
Last week she released her first book* on Amazon.com for sale as a self-published e- book. I’ve been reading it off and on over the last few days and I can hear her voice reading it to me. Not bad for someone they said would never walk or talk. A published author, a scholar and equal rights advocate, she is my inspiration and she helps me Sparkle and Shine.
Namaste & Blessed Be
Sosanna
)O(
*NOTE: Proceeds for the book go to pay for a surgery for her
You can read more of Sosanna's excellent posts on her blog, Confessions of a Modern Witch
This Week in Astrology
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| Josephine Wall |
Happy Astrological New Year!
New Moon in Aries- April 10- 5:35am EDT (set your intention the night before)
Aries New Moon Articles:
Mooncircles (usually posts within two days of the moon's cycle)
Apr 12th: Pluto Retrograde in Capricorn (until September 21) 3:35 PM EDT
Pluto Rx Articles:
According to The Witches' Almanac, Pluto Retrograde impacts ecology, espionage, birth and death rates, nuclear power and mysteries. Scorpios will be most affected.
Be watchful over the tensions between the U.S. and North Korea. April 15 is the birth date of Kim Il Sung (Kim Jong Un's grandfather).
Be watchful over the tensions between the U.S. and North Korea. April 15 is the birth date of Kim Il Sung (Kim Jong Un's grandfather).
Apr 13th: Mercury enters Aries 10:37 PM EDT
"This Mercury position favors starting new things. Aries is not attached to outdated ideas, and generally adopts an enthusiastic style. Criticism or negative feedback can be taken personally. Still, they are not afraid of a fight or a challenge, on a mental level. They have a visionary intelligence that is sometimes on the idealistic side.
New projects and ideas are taken on with an unmatched enthusiasm with this position of Mercury. However, because there is no shortage of new ideas in life, Mercury in Aries natives can be quick to dump one mental pursuit, way of thinking, or opinion for something fresher and more exciting." ~ CafeAstrology.com
Moon VoC Calendar April 2013
Sunshine's Meanderings with Kathleen Lane
A New Herb Garden
I am planning a new herb garden using some old herbs that have been in use forever. Have you ever been to the Cloisters Garden in New York? It is a wonderful place to visit and some of their plants are amazing. It is also a very peaceful place.
Anyway, I want to make a garden with some of the old herbs that are used medicinally rather than just culinary herbs.
Herbs are one of my favorite things to grow and I love the look of them and the old names are cool. So often they tell something about what the plant was used to treat. Comfrey was called boneset for years. Gentian was called Agueweed for hundreds of years because it was used to treat "fever and ague".
Burdock has been used for centuries to treat a number of things and finally modern science has discovered the prebiotic in it as well as the benefits to the digestion. The roots of burdock are what are used and it is a good idea to plant it in a section of the garden where you don't have to brush up against it since it has the name BURdock for a reason. The little burrs stick to clothing with ease. It is also loaded with powerful antioxidants.
Angelica is a lovely plant that looks wonderful growing in any garden and tastes like celery. It has been used for a variety of things, including flavoring in gin. And a poultice made of the crushed roots is used by a number of native peoples as an aid in healing wounds of all kinds.
Fennel has so many medicinal properties as well as being used in foods and beverages. It is used for various digestive problems including heartburn, intestinal gas, bloating and loss of appetite. It is also used for upper respiratory tract infections, coughs, bronchitis, cholera, backache, bedwetting, and visual problems. Not that cholera is likely to be a problem here, but it is always nice to know.
Vervain is another lovely plant with some colorful names. It has been called at various times enchanter's plant, Juno's tears and Herb of Grace. It has been used to treat kidney stones, headache, depression, anxiety and insomnia. And it looks lovely growing in your garden.
And finally I come to Yarrow. Another pretty plant with feathery foliage and lots of uses. Sometimes the leaves are chewed to relieve toothache and powdered yarrow is appied to wounds to stop bleeding. It is also used to stop diarrhea, bloating and stomach cramps.
With the exception of the burdock, all of these are pretty to look at and in the case of vervain have nice flowers and make a natural addition to things that can be used in place of drugs. Or if for no other reason, it is nice to grow something that has been being used for so many centuries to heal.
Kallan's Notes: If you are concerned about Monsanto-linked companies and GMO seeds, the following link has a list of seed companies that have taken the Monsanto-Free Pledge in the U.S. and Canada. Click HERE for the list.
Uncharted Seas with Captain Dave
What is happening to our nation? When did we suddenly have an ultra-religious conservative party involved in a nation that prided itself upon a separation between church and state, as its own Constitution outlined? At what point did we become the very thing that forced us to flee England to begin with, well over 300 years ago, later set into writing and ratified in order to create a nation that would not require religious tests for office, allow others to worship as they choose, not step in and state that according to one faith or another that such-and-such should not be allowed…when did we become the thing that we despised?Allow me to illustrate: in the formative history of our nation, we allowed freedom of religion, abolished slavery, gave women the right to vote, allowed inter-racial marriage, allowed minorities the right to vote and to serve in the military, de-segregated our schools…we were well on our way to becoming the most inclusive nation in existence! We were recognizing basic human rights well before other nations were even considering them to be so! Then, somewhere along the line, we went insane.
I believe it started sometime in the 1950s, when we added “Under God” to our Pledge of Allegiance, then made it a requirement to state, every morning, while worshiping saluting the flag. This was in direct defiance of those “godless Communists” in the USSR. Now, we had an enemy to hate, and hate we did. Horror comics such as the “Red Menace” and other propaganda began circulating. Then the 1960s came along and despite the message of peace and love, we were terrified of the “Commies” just off the Florida coastline and narrowly averted a nuclear war. More “Commies” under Reagan and our being at Def-Con 2 (one step away from a global thermonuclear war) for over two years. Then…lo and behold…the Berlin Wall fell, and we began to see just how fragile things were over in Eastern Europe. This was followed shortly thereafter by the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the “Commie” threat.
We were beginning to wake up. This wouldn’t do. We needed a new enemy. Now, we had the Muslims! Enter Iraq…
Well, this didn’t sit too well with a lot of people. There were simply too many flashbacks to Vietnam and an “unwinnable” war with thousands of lives and untold millions of dollars lost. So, we needed an enemy here at home that could distract us from our enemy abroad.
Enter “the gay”. How dare human beings who just happen to be sexually and emotionally attracted to their own gender demand to be treated as equals! How dare they want rights like the right to marry! But they couldn’t be looked upon as the new “Commie”, and they didn’t fit the “towel-head” monniker, so…how to regard them.
Homosexuals, bisexuals, transgender, intersex, queer, and questioning persons became America’s new “nigger” as viewed from 1954 in Georgia with the reversal of Plessy vs. Ferguson in the historic case of Brown vs. Board of Education and the civil unrest that soon followed. They had their distraction – their scapegoat for all of the ills of the nation. All they needed to do was bring religion into it, and soon everyone would be afraid of “the gay”. But using the slurs wouldn’t work. They couldn’t go on record as saying “faggot” this or “dyke” that because the people would be appalled, even coming to the aid of “the gay”, so they had to build it up, slowly, carefully, placing their people in positions of power and authority. The results, as they are coming to light, are horrific.
You can read more of Captain Dave at his blog, "Uncharted Seas"
Starsteps with Renee Avard (New Contributor!)
DISTRACTION LEADS TO PROCRASTINATION
I have come into the awareness that I am easily distracted. In the past, I could see and understand why. I had legitimate excuses to do anything I could to keep my mind occupied, and that included avoiding a job I hated, keeping busy so that my surroundings felt less harsh and having a health crisis that left me disabled.
But now, and after a lot of hard work, sweat, time, money and lessons learned, I am finally at the point in my life where I am exactly where I want to be. I have my own business. Writing is my passion and love and I am able to freelance and I am getting a book together. My son is nearly grown and is very independent so the challenge of having to entertain him is no longer there. I have been married nearly a decade and we are at the stage where work is not needing to be done all the time on the relationship.
But, even though I have worked hard to get here and I LOVE what I do, one word comes to mind that I must work on:
PROCRASTINATION
Now, I am of the firm believe that you cannot rush inspiration. I know that if I do not feel creative at a moment, I do not need to attempt to write, draw or design anything because I know the job will not be done to the best of my ability.
BUT
My to-do lists are filled daily with things I absolutely WANT to do, there are still days, hours, weeks that I stare into space and fill my time doing other things (yes, still creative work, just not what I need at that moment).
REALIZATION
I know there are other people out there who suffer from this. Important to note, however, is just because you love something, does not mean there are days when you just are not going to feel like doing anything. Take a step back, take a break and return to it when you are able. This also goes back to the fact that often, I find myself thinking, “I SHOULD do this”, “This HAS to be done,” and other voices. The basic principle here is that we impose these ideals on ourselves. For me, the dates of when things need to be turned in and prepared is what I go by and other than that, I do not put that undo pressure on myself to write every day and make everything I write a masterpiece. It does not work that way.
ADMISSION
I realized as I looked around, all I could see for my hard work and time-consuming days was all of this gathering I had done. Inspirations, pictures, books, new websites to eventually read and the collections of scrap pieces of paper for the “next big thing”. Then, Spirit visited me and reminded me of quote that really put me in my place and created an excitement in me and I had what I call a “light bulb moment!”
INSPIRATION
“The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and starting on the first one.” (Mark Twain)
RESOLUTION
I came up with a mini-ritual to assist on those days when it seems I am not producing as much as I believe I could be. I hope this can help anyone who can relate to this issue.
All you need is some incense. What I like to do is to go to my computer and my table, where I do most of my work and light the incense and wave the smoke over the entire area. As I do this, I speak strongly my intention on what needs to happen.
I am not in a hurry, yet I need speed
To assist with a completion of a task I need
This fire turned into air I adorn this place
Procrastination is no longer welcome in this space
No, not in a hurry, yet talks need to reach the finish line
For I feel what I do needs to be shared, it is not only mine.
So Mote It Be.
This can be done as often as you like. For me, I have been doing it almost daily and it does work and because of the dedication of my work and the love I have for it, by doing this small step, my mindset becomes more positive and I firmly believe I have it in me and I am able to do it.
AFFIRMATIONS
Leaving you with a few great ways to get your mindset changed if you are stuck in a negative place.
I work hard and I am good at what I do. All things I desire I will receive in time.
I know this is my life's work and I know Time will be found to produce quality work.
Ideas and inspiration comes easy to me and I am able to follow through.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Good luck to all and if you need further assistance or guidance, please use the following methods of getting a hold of me.
Email: fallingstar424@gmail.com
Site/Blog: www.worthcatching.blogspot.com
With STARshine Blessings,
Renee Avard
Song of the Week with Kestril Trueseeker
Sometimes a bit of pride is a good thing. There's nothing wrong with acknowledging you are in possession of a pretty cool talent and then using that talent to help you when you need it. Do be careful not to confuse healthy pride with an over-inflated ego. One of the things you hear often repeated in the Craft is "Know Thyself". When you know yourself, you get an idea of what it is you are really capable of and what skills need work. Once you know, it doesn't do you or anyone else any good to hide or downplay your talents. Take a bit of pride in them!
Keep dancing,
Kestril
This Week's Tarot: Temperance
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| Vanessa Tarot Deck |
Key words and phrases: Balancing opposites, Experiencing renewed health, joining forces with others, reaching a compromise, avoiding extremes.
I love the imagery of The Vanessa Tarot deck. This one in particular strikes me as the perfect modern image of Temperance. This mixologist has to strike the perfect balance in every aspect of her job; from making sure the right mix of alcohol and other ingredients to ensuring drunken customers have fun, but don't cross the boundaries of that bar-top. Yet, she has a twinkle in her eye and a smile on her face, as well.
This is what Temperance embodies. It is not the Christian view of abstaining from fun, rather the challenge of making everything work WHILE enjoying the process that is the message of Temperance.
This week, it's time to make sure we're balancing our mental, physical, emotional and spiritual aspects to create the perfect blend of harmony that is our best self. It takes a little bit (okay, maybe more than a little bit) of practice, but it IS doable, and Temperance embraces the challenge with enthusiasm. Make it fun!
This is what Temperance embodies. It is not the Christian view of abstaining from fun, rather the challenge of making everything work WHILE enjoying the process that is the message of Temperance.
This week, it's time to make sure we're balancing our mental, physical, emotional and spiritual aspects to create the perfect blend of harmony that is our best self. It takes a little bit (okay, maybe more than a little bit) of practice, but it IS doable, and Temperance embraces the challenge with enthusiasm. Make it fun!
This Week's Totem: Hawk
Key words and phrases: Spirit messages, connecting with ancestral heritage, preparing for battle or action, being aware of all that is happening around you.
Hawk is a powerful totem both to have and with which to visit. In nature, hawks are found on 6 major continents on earth. It is no wonder that they are so prevalent throughout the mythologies of so many cultures.
In Native America, Greece and India, the hawk is generally seen as a spirit messenger.
In Celtic mythology, the Hawk was a reminder to connect with ancestral roots/heritage.
In ancient Egypt, Hawk as a representative of the soul.
In Chinese mythology, Hawk is the harbinger of war.
With Hawk's keen sight, the message is to keep a weather eye out on your life. Fly higher to see the overall picture, because there are details you may be missing. Hawk is a totem of action as well. If you've been procrastinating on a project or dream, call upon Hawk to assist you in taking action. Now is the time. If you have Celtic ancestry, it may be time to claim your birthright and honor your ancestors. Or, perhaps you know that it's time to stand up for yourself or others- if so, it's time to prepare yourself for the battle ahead.Take a 360 degree look at your life and the plans/dreams/hopes you have. Ask yourself: Am I lacking confidence? Am I allowing worry (the fear of loss) to dominate my life? Am I hesitating or procrastinating somewhere? Have I been acting too rashly without seeing the bigger picture?
Hawk can help you see what needs to be fixed and give you the tools to take proper action. Hawk awakens our vision and inspires us to create our lives according to our purpose.
The Shameless Plug:
This week's Shameless Plug is for Saga's Cottage Storybook Art. Artist and Shop owner, Loren Morris, has finished a brand new piece that is simply stunning to view. While the original has already sold (in less than 24 hours of her finishing it!), prints will be available for purchase on the site.
She calls this piece, "The Visitor":
You can view this and her other works on Saga's Cottage's Facebook Page or visit her Etsy Site!
There are daily questions, discussions, sharing and advice. The community is very much a reflection of Jeffery and Briana's loving spirit. Come check it out!
That's it for this week's Stew. Mull. Digest. Enjoy!