Pagan Corner

[vrosej10]

Yey! Other Pagans. It Ostara tomorrow and I am having a slap up feasty. Any of you northern hemisphere mob celebrating Mabon?

 

[gotsnowgotslush]

There are herbs and flowers on the hill. Seeds and nuts. Wine and cider.
Fruit and vegetable.

 

[Image]

Now is the time of equal night and day and light and dark. In the northern lands, after today, the nights are longer than the daylight and with the diminishing sunlight hours, we move from warmth into cold. And below the equator, our brothers and sisters are looking for signs of Spring, as their days will now stretch beyond the nighttime hours.

Happy Ostara to you Rose!!!

Today is the second harvest, the midpoint of the harvest season. With some urgency now, we gather in the remaining bounty of summer, and prepare for Winter.

Everything in Nature is constantly giving to and receiving from everything else. Consider, however, that balance is almost never a 50-50 equality. Only at Spring and Autumn Equinox, only two days of the year, is light and dark exactly equal. A fifty-fifty equality is not necessarily the ideal, nor is it the natural way of things. In fact, it seems to me to be a simplistic concept that can bear bitter fruit, like “an eye for an eye.”

But balance is always possible, and is the natural way. So as we are gathering in all the gifts and blessings of the Goddess, we must remember to give something back, to make an offering, and to express our gratitude by doing good for others at every opportunity.

This is a time to look back at all the things and people we have to be thankful for. It is also a time to take stock of ourselves, and see how much we have grown and changed throughout the year.

So to you and all your beloveds I wish a splendid harvest of those qualities and blessings that most nurture what is best and most precious to you. May you reap sweet abundance and goodness of every kind.

Blessed be!

http://www.witchyswikkedgraphix.com/categories/Seasons/seasons%20(94).gif

 

[Sylvia75]

New moon tonight, a calm before new beginnings.

 

[Dhalgren150]

Peace and lights into the night for all who seek them.

The bleak times are here.

Keep the path.

 

[piccicatopolka]

Here's some sensual photos I took today while on a hike. I'm energized now after lunching on Miner's Lettuce!

http://filesll.fluxstatic.com/00E061AE0099CA42000710FCFFFF/TN1/Jpg/B-1008/AR590x590,Resize/634014962400000000

Actually this is from my front porch this morning and just a few minutes ago.

http://filesll.fluxstatic.com/00E061A50099CA42000710FCFFFF/TN1/Jpg/B-1008/AR590x590,Resize/634014964004925897

http://filesll.fluxstatic.com/00E061A60099CA42000710FCFFFF/TN1/Jpg/B-1008/AR590x590,Resize/634014964004925897

Winter tries to cling with it's bony fingers for a few more days.

http://filesll.fluxstatic.com/00E061A70099CA42000710FCFFFF/TN1/Jpg/B-1008/AR590x590,Resize/634014964005081897

http://filesll.fluxstatic.com/00E061A80099CA42000710FCFFFF/TN1/Jpg/B-1008/AR590x590,Resize/634014964005237897

http://filesll.fluxstatic.com/00E061A90099CA42000710FCFFFF/TN1/Jpg/B-1008/AR590x590,Resize/634014964005393897

mmm... LUNCH !

http://filesll.fluxstatic.com/00E061AD0099CA42000710FCFFFF/TN1/Jpg/B-1008/AR590x590,Resize/634014962400000000

 

[redgiantuk]

Hi everyone. Just thought I'd introduce myself. I'm currently being pulled towards a pagan way of life. I know there are many pagan ways and I'm sure I'll develop my own.
I just feel that as I'm getting older I'm learning more about myself, my environment and my world and universe.
I guess it all started, slowly, at my first Glastonbury Festival in 2005 (The great flood). Something woke inside me and it's been growing ever since.
Any advice or pointers on reading or sites would be gratefully recieved.

 

[KingOrfeo]

Hi everyone. Just thought I'd introduce myself. I'm currently being pulled towards a pagan way of life. I know there are many pagan ways and I'm sure I'll develop my own.
I just feel that as I'm getting older I'm learning more about myself, my environment and my world and universe.
I guess it all started, slowly, at my first Glastonbury Festival in 2005 (The great flood). Something woke inside me and it's been growing ever since.
Any advice or pointers on reading or sites would be gratefully recieved.

I recommend Drawing Down the Moon: Witches, Druids, Goddess-Worshippers, and Other Pagans in America Today, by Margot Adler.

Also, The Fifth Sacred Thing, a pagan-oriented post-apocalyptic novel by Starhawk.

 

[Image]

Hi everyone. Just thought I'd introduce myself. I'm currently being pulled towards a pagan way of life. I know there are many pagan ways and I'm sure I'll develop my own.
I just feel that as I'm getting older I'm learning more about myself, my environment and my world and universe.
I guess it all started, slowly, at my first Glastonbury Festival in 2005 (The great flood). Something woke inside me and it's been growing ever since.
Any advice or pointers on reading or sites would be gratefully recieved.

That's how it starts
Glad you found this thread. )0( I'd be happy to advise you in any way that's helpful. There are many paths and seem to be more every day. I like that you used the phrase "develop my own". Better to find your own way than get sucked in to just another dogma...

I recommend Drawing Down the Moon: Witches, Druids, Goddess-Worshippers, and Other Pagans in America Today, by Margot Adler.

Also, The Fifth Sacred Thing, a pagan-oriented post-apocalyptic novel by Starhawk.

Well, you never cease to surprise me. You gave two very constant and respectable authors for him to check into. So, are you pagan or just well versed in the subject?

Here's some sensual photos I took today while on a hike. I'm energized now after lunching on Miner's Lettuce!

Oh wow, Gypsy! I'm green with your pictures of green!!! You know, I visited Northern CA last year, from San Fran and up to Oregon via the coast. The Redwoods stole my heart...

 

[patagonia]

Merry Meet Image.
It's nice to find others of a like mind.

Love and Let Love

I don't need to make you wrong,
To embrace my own truth.
I don't have to slash you down,
To realize we bleed in color,
Instead of Dark and Light.
You can kneel in relation
To your God, Gods, or Goddess,
Sketch whatever symbols,
Sing whatever songs,
Pour your energy into whatever path
Gleams shiny, golden, beautiful
To you.

But sketch with deep groves,
And dance to the music of your choice.
Walk your path wide enough
For the rest of the world's travelers
To walk unencumbered of your fears.
Hold your Peace of the shredded
Whole picture.
Throw your arms around your neighbors,
Then hug their trees.
Offer up your perfect perspective
When others are curious,
And see how well
They fit.

by: Astara

I offer you this rough quote from the show "Babalon"

We are gathered here, together for one common cause,
and to acknowledge this one truth
That we cherish each other,
For each voice heard, enriches us
And each voice lost diminishes us.

Peace,
Patagonia (love of wild things)

 

[piccicatopolka]

That's how it starts
Glad you found this thread. )0(


Oh wow, Gypsy! I'm green with your pictures of green!!! You know, I visited Northern CA last year, from San Fran and up to Oregon via the coast. The Redwoods stole my heart...

That's within a mile of the Sonoma house. We were in Hermosa Beach for the last couple of years and never really found community beyond a monthly beach drumming circle that was very cool.

Though we do not call ourselves Wiccan, one of our dear herbal teachers passed away this summer and my ten y/o daughter got to sweep the circle with the deceased elder's broom to begin and end our ceremony. My daughter really gets into the singing and ritual aspects. She tied seven flower bundles for the alter so as to include the seventh for the Fairy Folk. The elder who passed was always very supportive of my child's attunement to plant life energy. Some people talk to plants but sometimes plants can talk to you. This was the first time she'd ever been allowed to see real Witches in full garb as opposed to our usual EuroPagan gatherings. She got a kick out of my part in the ritual since I taught a favorite set of dance moves evoking Moon energy into our beings to then shoot it back out into the heavens. Some people were in deep mourning and needed some comedy plus I was the first one to say out loud that she wasn't gone! She's RIGHT HERE!

So anyway... yeah NorCal. Sacred indeed; and also highly erotic to this lady. Those images I posted make me think of SEX. (sorry) Sometime I'll retell the story of doing it with my guy up on Mt Shasta and being scared away by Sasquatch.

 

[KingOrfeo]

Well, you never cease to surprise me. You gave two very constant and respectable authors for him to check into. So, are you pagan or just well versed in the subject?

I'm sort of a lapsed pagan. But I'm still a Unitarian, so it's all good.

 

[redgiantuk]

I recommend Drawing Down the Moon: Witches, Druids, Goddess-Worshippers, and Other Pagans in America Today, by Margot Adler.

Also, The Fifth Sacred Thing, a pagan-oriented post-apocalyptic novel by Starhawk.

Thank you for the recommendations. As i wanted something to read, I bought Living With Honour - Emma Restal Orr I'm not sure if it will show me the way but I am taking a lot from it at the moment. It makes sense anyway.

An author that really spoke to me with his work is Mark Chadbourn and his 9 series of books starting with The Age Of Misrule Trilogy
It starts with technology failing and all the old British Myths and legends coming to life and the challenges that this causes modern man. I found it fascinating but the real book that spoke to me on another level was Mark's 7th book in the series Jack Of Ravens. It really did describe my own world of mundanity, boredom and frustration with modern living.

I would say that was the second catalyst that moved me more into seeking something different. I'm not saying it's wholly pagan but it is what I feel it is at the moment

 

[piccicatopolka]

I finally got to Stonehenge btw. That was a couple of years ago. My mom and I got there right when it opened so hardly anyone else was there. Yes, it's smaller than you might think but the vibe can not be denied.

 

[Image]

Thank you for the recommendations. As i wanted something to read, I bought Living With Honour - Emma Restal Orr I'm not sure if it will show me the way but I am taking a lot from it at the moment. It makes sense anyway.

I'd not heard of it but it sounds like a step in the right direction whether considering paganism as a path or not. I think the main thing to remember is not so much trying to find religion, there are plenty of issues with any of them, but getting that spark, that understanding of connectivity with the universe. Everything then, falls into place...

I finally got to Stonehenge btw. That was a couple of years ago. My mom and I got there right when it opened so hardly anyone else was there. Yes, it's smaller than you might think but the vibe can not be denied.

That is so cool! It's on my bucket list... I've also wanted to tour some old castles in those parts. You know my love of Arthuriana. Did you ever see my little replica I made of Stonehenge? I'd love to make a larger version in my woods if I could muster up the muscle!

 

[redgiantuk]

I finally got to Stonehenge btw. That was a couple of years ago. My mom and I got there right when it opened so hardly anyone else was there. Yes, it's smaller than you might think but the vibe can not be denied.

I was very very fortunate to get to Stonehenge on the Summer Solstice just before The Glastonbury festival in 2006. During the two solstice Stonhenge is open to the public for free so that you can touch the stones.
I agree it is smaller than you imagine but once you get up close it is quite impressive. There are drums and other instruments and a lot of chanting which stirs the soul as well as some druids doing their thing. I think there was about 15000 people there so you lose a lot of the atmosphere but I am looking forward to going again some day.
On the sunrise, there was cloud on the horizon so we didn't see the exact time but the sky was fairly clear which helped.

 

[piccicatopolka]

Awesome ritual experience!

 

[redgiantuk]

Without going through the whole thread, I will one day, has there been any posts on music that feeds the soul.
I love my music and I'm always on the look out for something new.

The one person that soothes my soul every time is Kate Bush. So many wonderful songs.

 

[Image]

I'm pretty sure it's come up somewhere in the thread...

My preference is less for the meditative style stuff, (it puts me to sleep ) and more for the lively Celtic stuff.

Nightnoise was always a favorite band of mine. And Clannad...

Truth is though, I've been rather lax when it comes to newer music these days. Piccitapolka would be a good one to chime in on this one.

 

[redgiantuk]

I love Clannad and more recently Ive really got into Loreena Mckennitt and Solas. also Cara Dillon won the best folk album last week in the UK.
I agree with you. I love Celtic music

try Loreena Mckennitt's - The Mystic's Dream. Just stunning
and for really loveliness Kate Bush - an Architects Dream

Kate Bush's Aeriel album released in 2005 easily moved into my favourite alltime album spot. It's 2 cds and the second, A Sky Of Honey is a concept album set as a full day in summer. I would heartily recommend it. It just oozes calm and tranquility with blackbird song yet has dance beats to get your hips moving.

 

[redgiantuk]

I took a couple of photos some months ago in The Lake district of a cloud formation that, to me, looked like a swimmer swimming across the sky. It was far more obvious at the time and just took over the sky.

It just amazes me what nature can conjure up.

 

[Image]

Oh! I can totally see the swimmer, especially in the second photo! That's framable with a little tweak of photoshop. Pardon, but I've been on a personal art kick lately. Downloading my own photos and decorating my walls. The ink cartridge bills are ridiculous

Cloud watching is one of those childhood delights that should never be given up just because we grow up.

I liked the kate Bush video so much that I had to keep redirecting my attention to the music instead of the images

Here's some Nightnoise for you...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pN4kA70ujLU

 

[redgiantuk]

I'm glad you saw it. I worry sometimes when I show the photo especially it being so small on a screen and cropped for here. It really was HUGE. took over the whole horizon . I wanted to mess with the photo myself and really bring out the image but I need to relearn photoshop.
Are you or anyone else on deviantart? You can look at mine at Redgiantuk
As for clouds, check out The Cloud Appreciation Society I am a member and the clouds are stunning.

The video for the Kate Bush song is excellently done. The album is all connected musically and after a short interlude of the painter talking (Rolf Harris) the next song is Sunset. This video is equal superbly done. The end part that steps up to a dance has women on a stage dancing, seemingly in complete time to the music. Whoever did the video is very clever
Sunset

Thanks for the link. Unfortunately, my soundcard on my laptop is broken so I'll have to listen to it again. My mp3 player is on overtime!

 

[piccicatopolka]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8b/Wheel_of_the_Year.svg/325px-Wheel_of_the_Year.svg.png

Lammas is the first of three Pagan harvest festivals, and takes place on August first. I've never been around others who call it Lughnasadh.

http://www.transitionsabroad.com/publications/magazine/0409/Raddusa/raddusa_italy3.jpg

My San Francisco Sicilian family celebrate something similar in early September.

http://www.transitionsabroad.com/publications/magazine/0409/Raddusa/radusa_italy_wheat_distribution.jpg

The Romans planted durum wheat which thrived in Sicily. Annona is the Roman Goddess of the corn/all grain supply. In the early days, most of the wheat grown for Rome came from Sicily, Umbria and Etruria.

http://www.forumancientcoins.com/Coins2/33903p00.jpg

Annona is pictured standing on the back of this coin.

 

[redgiantuk]

I saw the starlings flocking for the first time in my life tonight. It was near to Gretna on the Scottish border at sunset.
I must say that it's one of the most brilliant sights I've ever seen. as always the photos don't do it justice but it gives an idea. Apparently they flock in their millions!

Made me feel so alive.