Pagan Corner

[redgiantuk]

Hadrian's wall lit up tomorrow night. All 84 miles of it. Torch parades and a real festival feel. Should be something to remember and to celebrate ancient Britain.

http://www.illuminatinghadrianswall.com/site/2010/01/11-09-illuminating-hadrians-wall-announcement/

1600 years since the Romans left Britain.

 

[Image]

Wow! Will you be attending any of the festivities? I'll be sure to look for links and pictures from you!

Oh, and love the starling pics! You captured them pretty good. I must have missed the post before...

 

[piccicatopolka]

Page 69 ~ woo hoo! What we call starlings here in California are really brewers blackbirds. I learned that when I was in Scotland and didn't get to see the gatherings. I was in Devon and around southern England they were debating the rolling of the flaming tar barrels which some towns still enjoy despite the danger. That tells you that I was there in October. http://www.pitt-farm-devon.co.uk/animage/ottery-1.jpg

http://yachtattitudes.com/photogallery/Flaming%20Tar%20Barrels%205.jpg

So in a few days I'll be at my first NYC St. Patrick's Day Parade. Hopefully I can stand on the steps of The Met to get a good view. (not Pagan but dang close)

I'll take some pics.

 

[Image]

So in a few days I'll be at my first NYC St. Patrick's Day Parade. Hopefully I can stand on the steps of The Met to get a good view. (not Pagan but dang close)

I'll take some pics.

Celebrating St. Patrick is close to Pagan? Maybe if you were burning his effigy

Have fun! I would love to attend a St. Patty's day party in Savannah someday...

 

[HoHoBomb]

So in a few days I'll be at my first NYC St. Patrick's Day Parade. Hopefully I can stand on the steps of The Met to get a good view. (not Pagan but dang close)

I'll take some pics.

I love the bagpipes.

 

[Rayven101]

Just wanted to say hello to all the pagans out there! Yay!! I am so glad I wandered in....

Blessings to you all!

Rayven

 

[redgiantuk]

Talking of old British events. I see, with disappointment that the cheese rolling event at Cooper's Hill in Gloucestershire has had to be postponed this year due to the high demand last year.

apparently 15000 people attended. Considering it's only a steep hill, thats a lot of people.

http://www.cheese-rolling.co.uk/index1.htm

They are completely off their heads to do this!!!

 

[redgiantuk]

Just wanted to say hello to all the pagans out there! Yay!! I am so glad I wandered in....

Blessings to you all!

Rayven

Welcome Rayven. You can be a newbie with me on here. I'm just finding my feet in all things Pagan and looking for my own path through life. Feel free to share you're feelings and experiences

 

[Image]

Just wanted to say hello to all the pagans out there! Yay!! I am so glad I wandered in....

Blessings to you all!

Rayven

And to you, Rayven )0( So tell us about your pagan self...

Talking of old British events. I see, with disappointment that the cheese rolling event at Cooper's Hill in Gloucestershire has had to be postponed this year due to the high demand last year.

apparently 15000 people attended. Considering it's only a steep hill, thats a lot of people.
They are completely off their heads to do this!!!

I wonder if the increased crowd had anything to do with the event being part of The Amazing Race" last year?

Welcome Rayven. You can be a newbie with me on here. I'm just finding my feet in all things Pagan and looking for my own path through life. Feel free to share you're feelings and experiences

I'm glad you're both here. This thread needs some life. Paganism is the simplest way to live. Once you get over the "did I do it right" syndrome

Talk to me!

 

[Dhalgren150]

Peace to you Lady Image.

Feel the stirrings in the earth.

Bare feet to the Mother.

 

[Image]

Peace to you Lady Image.

Feel the stirrings in the earth.

Bare feet to the Mother.

The greening rain is falling and my toes are twitching already!

 

[Rayven101]

There is no right or wrong way....just feeling Spirit move through you and knowing that where ever your feet land is your path.

Blessings Image I have been walking this path for most of my life very eccletic up until I met my husband who has helped me claim my celtic roots. Taking me to Ireland and running around the mountains of Wales. Currently I am blending my witchy ways with the Shamanic path.

This came to me the other day and I guess this sums up where I am at right this very moment

My father told me that Hopi earth does contain my roots and I am, indeed, from that land. Because my roots are there, I will find them."
--Wendy Rose, HOPI/MIWOK

Everything that comes from the earth will return to the earth. We should be able to realize the connectedness to the earth. We should be able to feel toward Her just like She is our real Mother. We can easily feel this connectedness if we can answer these three questions: why am I?, who am I?, and where am I going? If we cannot answer these questions, then perhaps we need to talk to the Elders. Go to the Elders and ask, "Grandfather, why am I?; Grandmother, who am I?; Oh Great One, where am I supposed to go?" The Elders will help us with these three questions.
Grandfather, help me to stay centered today


And as for me,
There are certain landscapes that I can walk and I feel so at home, my bare feet moving over the solid ground, my hands raised up to feel the wind dance between my fingers, to look up and see the hawk soaring above my head….as I kneel my knees touch the earth, as I bow my forehead touches the earth, my fingers digging into the soft moist soil and I hug my mother……..

Rayven

 

[Dhalgren150]

The greening rain is falling and my toes are twitching already!

I did this past Saturday night burned and felt the Earth.

This time makes me alive.

 

[Image]

Everything that comes from the earth will return to the earth. We should be able to realize the connectedness to the earth. We should be able to feel toward Her just like She is our real Mother.

And as for me,
There are certain landscapes that I can walk and I feel so at home, my bare feet moving over the solid ground, my hands raised up to feel the wind dance between my fingers, to look up and see the hawk soaring above my head….as I kneel my knees touch the earth, as I bow my forehead touches the earth, my fingers digging into the soft moist soil and I hug my mother……..

Rayven

Consciousness is a beautiful thing...

I bolded this because it's a realization that has come to light (once again) recently. I don't know if you saw my "Genographic Project" thread the other night. I was adopted and have longed for connection most of my life.

A few years ago I was writing a paper for a religions class when that proverbial lightbulb went off. My mother, everyone's mother, when it comes down to it, is Earth. I should never feel abandoned... Made me smile for the moment anyway.

 

[jnibroc88]

I am not sure what this thread is all about, but I will come back!

 

[Rayven101]

Consciousness is a beautiful thing...

I bolded this because it's a realization that has come to light (once again) recently. I don't know if you saw my "Genographic Project" thread the other night. I was adopted and have longed for connection most of my life.

A few years ago I was writing a paper for a religions class when that proverbial lightbulb went off. My mother, everyone's mother, when it comes down to it, is Earth. I should never feel abandoned... Made me smile for the moment anyway.

What a beautiful realization image! You are never alone, she is always there.....you had a fantastic AHA moment. Thank you for sharing I am going to have to check out your thread. I haven't gotten to that yet.

Rayven xx

 

[Image]

I am not sure what this thread is all about, but I will come back!

I like you already, Corbin

It's about life after life, dancing naked under the moon, swimming naked in the sunshine; eating the frosting first off the cupcake, planting a seed and seeing it turn into an oak, feeling the strength of that same oak 100 years later.

Laying in the arms of a lover, stargazing and waking up the next day cloudwatching. Raw clams and honey and laughing while crying...

It's whatever you want it to be, really...

 

[redgiantuk]

Just a random post.

This song is to be played at my funeral.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPe120MegkA

I have made the video through photos I have taken over the years.
It sums up the feeling of life after death and the whole cycle of life to me

Sowing seeds in celebration
With the fallen not forgotten
Spirit voices in the distance
Can't you hear the sound of thunder
Don't you hear the sound of thunder

Banish the darkness from your days
Now it's over
Garnish the garden with your grace
Now it's over
Now that it's over
Now that it's over

Now you can live again
Learn how to laugh again
Wash it all away
Learn how to love again
The sun's coming out
The sun's coming out

There is no-one around me who is remotely interested in anything as uplifting and spiritual as Paganism. My wife sort of understands what I mean and goes along with it but as a Catholic, she is pretty focussed on her own beliefs.
I need to expand my horizons more and experience life through my own eyes instead of being dictated to by my mundane and hundrum 'working' life. I don't do enough to experience all that this wonderful earth has to offer, but it's changing. I'm changing.....and I love it

 

[Image]

There is no-one around me who is remotely interested in anything as uplifting and spiritual as Paganism. My wife sort of understands what I mean and goes along with it but as a Catholic, she is pretty focussed on her own beliefs.
I need to expand my horizons more and experience life through my own eyes instead of being dictated to by my mundane and hundrum 'working' life. I don't do enough to experience all that this wonderful earth has to offer, but it's changing. I'm changing.....and I love it

I'm diggin' your photography. The rainbow over the little hamlet is perfect and the teepees! Where was that? On my bucket list is to take a (self-guided) tour through the castles of Scotland/Ireland/Great Britain. Have you visited many?

As long as your wife is supportive that's all that matters. My husband is the same way. Ironically, raised Catholic though completely removed from it's trappings now. He's pagan on the inside, he just can't be bothered with the dogma of it (because there's still that, no matter how one tries to say otherwise when it comes to community and others).

Put it out there and it will come...

 

[redgiantuk]

I'm diggin' your photography. The rainbow over the little hamlet is perfect and the teepees! Where was that? On my bucket list is to take a (self-guided) tour through the castles of Scotland/Ireland/Great Britain. Have you visited many?

As long as your wife is supportive that's all that matters. My husband is the same way. Ironically, raised Catholic though completely removed from it's trappings now. He's pagan on the inside, he just can't be bothered with the dogma of it (because there's still that, no matter how one tries to say otherwise when it comes to community and others).

Put it out there and it will come...

Thanks for the kind comments. It's amazing that mother nature can make a distinctly average man-made town look amazing.

I had a time when I was child of being taken to all the castles of England and Wales. I used to love running around the battlements with my brother. Maybe it was those experiences that brought the love of the old lores and histories out in me. I love the Arthurian legends and there is so many places around Britain that can bring out your inner feelings so easily. So much history surrounding us and we're trying our hardest to build over it.

I've mentioned my delving into the Pagan way to several people who I thought may be sympathetic but to no avail. I laughed when one of my closest friends rolled his eyes when i said I was reading a book on Paganism. He said something about witchcraft and evil. I just shut up rather than try to explain. He is so far removed from what I am experiencing that it wasn't worth the effort. I still love him though. he's one of my best friends.

The book I am reading mentions online groups and discussions and becoming friends with people through the internet because of Paganism but does stress that there is nothing like meeting like minded people in the flesh. I guess that is the same no matter what the topic is.

Part of me would be nervous talking face to face about my feelings and findings on the subject for the first time. Maybe I'll get to meet lots of people at Glastonbury. I'm hoping that this year will be a real eye opener for me in this regard rather than purely about the music

 

[Image]

If you've never been to an all out pagan festival you're in for a treat. They usually last only a weekend and center around one of the holidays but one here, in the states, is sponsored by Circle Sanctuary (http://www.circlesanctuary.org) every year.

It's called Pagan Spirit Gathering, is held at the time of the Summer Solstice and is a week long. Total community submersion featuring rituals, workshops, music, dancing and drumming, etc.

http://www.circlesanctuary.org/psg/

You mentioned you're going to Glastonbury. Have you been to The Chalice Well?
I'm really fascinated by Arthuriana as well...

http://www.puredivinelove.com/albumengland/pages/Chalice%20Well,%20Glastonbury,%20England_JPG.htm

 

[Image]

The Chalice Well at Glastonbury...

http://www.puredivinelove.com/albumengland/pages/Chalice%20Well,%20Glastonbury,%20England_JPG.htm

Hmmm... Image not coming through. Try this one

http://www.londontoolkit.com/Walkimages/glastonbury_chalice_well_head.jpg

 

[redgiantuk]

If you've never been to an all out pagan festival you're in for a treat. They usually last only a weekend and center around one of the holidays but one here, in the states, is sponsored by Circle Sanctuary (http://www.circlesanctuary.org) every year.

It's called Pagan Spirit Gathering, is held at the time of the Summer Solstice and is a week long. Total community submersion featuring rituals, workshops, music, dancing and drumming, etc.

http://www.circlesanctuary.org/psg/

You mentioned you're going to Glastonbury. Have you been to The Chalice Well?
I'm really fascinated by Arthuriana as well...

http://www.puredivinelove.com/albumengland/pages/Chalice%20Well,%20Glastonbury,%20England_JPG.htm

I'll give the site a good look round. ive been lazy and not looked for a British site yet.

I'm presuming the well is in the town of Glastonbury. the festival is in Pilton actually. It's not a great time to visit the town as everything is geared up for 200,000 people getting in and out of the festival.

I am trying to get down there one day and spend a week around Cheddar, visiting Glastonbury and I always have to go down to Cornwall once every 5 years or so just to get my fix.

it's my 5th festival there and each time I go I get more emersed in the green, Avalon and healing fields. There's lots of great folk and celtic music around there and the true ethics of Glastonbury are in this area. Yes there is so much to do and see with so much fantastic music and circus acts and comedy and cabaret etc but I always end up back there.

I would definitely feel quite conscious of jumping in feet first into a proper pagan get together. I can imagine it would be a definite boon having someone to hold your hand and show ou the ropes.

here's the official site for Glastonbury http://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/ look around the areas link. there's lots of great videos to watch too.

 

[Image]

I would definitely feel quite conscious of jumping in feet first into a proper pagan get together. I can imagine it would be a definite boon having someone to hold your hand and show ou the ropes.

here's the official site for Glastonbury http://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/ look around the areas link. there's lots of great videos to watch too.

Wow! I've never seen such a huge and varied festival as this! It looks like an amazing time! I can't believe that it's 40 years old. ~laughs~ It's hard to believe that Hendrix died 40 years ago too. Damn, life just flew by!

 

[Image]

I also wanted to add... I read the history 1970 and saw that Al Stewart performed. The youtube video, Mark Burgess, reminded me of his music. I must have worn out my vinyl copy of Year of the Cat when it came out