Month: October 2011

Ancestor Prayer for Samhain

Ancestor Prayer for Samhain

By Patti Wigington, About.com Guide

 

A Prayer to the Ancestors

This is the night when the gateway between
our world and the spirit world is thinnest.
Tonight is a night to call out those who came before.
Tonight I honor my ancestors.
Spirits of my fathers and mothers, I call to you,
and welcome you to join me for this night.
You watch over me always,
protecting and guiding me,
and tonight I thank you.
Your blood runs in my veins,
your spirit is in my heart,
your memories are in my soul.

[If you wish, you may want to recite your genealogy here. This can include both your blood family, and your spiritual one.]

With the gift of remembrance.
I remember all of you.
You are dead but never forgotten,
and you live on within me,
and within those who are yet to come.

Gentle thoughts for Monday, October 24th

Gentle thoughts for today:

1. Birds of a feather flock together and crap on your car.
2. There’s always a lot to be thankful for if you take time to look for it. For example I am sitting here thinking how nice it is that wrinkles don’t hurt.
3. The sole purpose of a child’s middle name is so he can tell when he’s really in trouble.
4. If you can’t be kind, at least have the decency to be vague.
5. Don’t assume malice for what stupidity can explain.
6. A penny saved is a government oversight.
7. The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing at the right time, but also to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.
8. If you can smile when things go wrong, you have someone in mind to blame.
9. The easiest way to find something lost around the house is to buy a replacement.
10. He who hesitates is probably right.
11. If you think there is good in everybody, you haven’t met everybody.
12. Did you ever notice: When you put the 2 words “The” and “IRS” together it spells “THEIRS”?

VJ FEMIA

OH MY AGING FUNNY BONE…

Earth Science Photo of the Day for October 24th

Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park

October 24, 2011

WestThumb5D-6425

Photographer: Marli Miller; Marli’s Website
Summary Author: Marli Miller

The hot springs shown above, linked by a shallow overflow channel, reside in the West Thumb Geyser Basin of Yellowstone National Park. Sinter, which is hydrothermally precipitated silica, forms the white crust while heat-tolerant bacteria and algae form the yellows and browns.

 

Although it’s one of the smallest of Yellowstone’s geyser basins, West Thumb is significant because it occupies part of a caldera within the much-larger and somewhat older Yellowstone caldera. West Thumb caldera was formed by an eruption between 150,000 and 200,000 years ago, whereas the main Yellowstone eruption occurred about 600,000 years ago. On a map, the West Thumb caldera appears as the distinct elliptical area that makes up the western part of Yellowstone Lake. With an area of about 30 sq. mi (78 sq. km), it compares in size to Crater Lake, Oregon. By contrast, the Yellowstone caldera exceeds 1,000 sq. mi. (2,590 sq. km) in area. Photo taken in July 2008.

 

Photo details: Camera Maker: Canon; Camera Model: Canon EOS 5D; Lens: EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM; Image Focal Length: 32.0mm; Aperture: f/9.0; Exposure Time: 0.025 s (1/40); ISO equiv: 100; Exposure Bias: -0.33 EV; Metering Mode: Spot; Exposure: program (Auto); White Balance: Auto; Flash Fired: No (enforced); Orientation: Normal; Color Space: Adobe RGB (1998).

Astronomy Picture of the Day for October 24th

Astronomy Picture of the Day

Discover the cosmos!Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.

2011 October 24
See Explanation. Clicking on the picture will download the highest resolution version available.

HH-222: The Waterfall Nebula
Image Credit: Z. Levay (STScI/AURA/NASA), T.A. Rector (U. Alaska Anchorage) & H. Schweiker (NOAO/AURA/NSF), KPNO, NOAO  

 

Explanation: What created the Waterfall Nebula? No one knows. The structure seen in the region of NGC 1999 in the Great Orion Molecular Cloud complex is one of the more mysterious structures yet found on the sky. Designated HH-222, the elongated gaseous stream stretches about ten light years and emits an unusual array of colors. One hypothesis is that the gas filament results from the wind from a young star impacting a nearby molecular cloud. That would not explain, however, why the Waterfall and fainter streams all appear to converge on a bright but unusual non thermal radio source located toward the upper left of the curving structure. Another hypothesis is that the unusual radio source originates from a binary system containing a hot white dwarf, neutron star, or black hole, and that the Waterfall is just a jet from this energetic system. Such systems, though, are typically strong X-rays emitters, and no X-rays have been detected. For now, this case remains unsolved. Perhaps well-chosen future observations and clever deductive reasoning will unlock the true origin of this enigmatic wisp in the future.

Feng Shui Tip of the Day for October 24th

Were the Beatles singing to Saint Jude when they sang, ‘Hey Jude, don’t make it bad, take a sad song and make it better’? As a young girl I always thought that they were since I was consistently told to pray to St. Jude whenever anything went wrong in my life. My mom said that anytime that I had any sort of troubling worry that I should immediately invoke the intercession of Saint Jude. She promised that no matter how big my concern that he could tackle it and make everything okay again. He is, after all, the Patron Saint of Lost Causes and has been known to help those who are in deep despair. So today I would like to take the opportunity to thank him from the bottom of my grateful heart! I have absolute faith in the belief that any time that I have shared a heartfelt request or a special need with him, Saint Jude has interceded almost as quickly as he was invoked. But instead of calling on his help today, I just want to celebrate and thank him. And I hope that anyone who is reading this tip will also know that they are not alone. Not as long as Saint Jude and I ever have anything to pray about it!

By Ellen Whitehurst for Astrology.com

Your Daily Number for October 24th: 9

Love and Romance rule the day, and you’re at your creative best. You may suffer a minor disappointment due to the disloyalty of a friend or family member, but worry not. This too shall pass. Good news may arrive for you in the evening hours.

Fast Facts

About the Number 9

Theme: Encompassing a love for all, Compassion, Patience, Selfless
Astro Association: Virgo
Tarot Association: Hermit

Today’s Tarot Card for October 24th is The Sun

The Sun

This Tarot Deck: Spiral

General Meaning: What has traditionally been known as the Sun card is about the self — who you are and how you cultivate your personality and character. The earth revolves around the sun to make up one year of a person’s life, a fact we celebrate on our birthday.

The Sun card could also be titled “Back to Eden.” The Sun’s radiance is where one’s original nature or unconditioned Being can be encountered in health and safety. The limitations of time and space are stripped away; the soul is refreshed and temporarily protected from the chaos outside the garden walls.

Under the light of the Sun, Life reclaims its primordial goodness, truth and beauty. If one person is shown on this card, it is usually signifying a human incarnation of the Divine. When two humans are shown, the image is portraying a resolution of the tension between opposites at all levels. It’s as if this card is saying “You can do no wrong — it’s all to the good!”

Your Horoscopes for Monday, October 24th

We are aware of the power of our passions now that the Sun, Mercury and Venus are swimming in the deep waters of Scorpio. But the Moon’s shift into diplomatic Libra at 11:49 am EDT reminds us that compromise can establish common ground in relationships. Nevertheless, acquiescing isn’t easy with constrictive Saturn also in Libra. We try to be objective, but still can lose our cool as the Moon opposes wild Uranus and squares fierce Pluto.

 

Aries Horoscope
Aries Horoscope (Mar 21 – Apr 19)

You may try to please everyone today, but you could end up alienating others if you don’t consider your needs, too. The social Libra Moon in your 7th House of Relationships tempts you to deny your own desires in favor of taking care of someone else. Unfortunately, codependency won’t help you or your partner reach satisfaction. Avoid the trappings of frustration by expressing what you want as honestly as possible. Friendship and intimacy grow from a foundation of integrity and trust.

Taurus Horoscope
Taurus Horoscope (Apr 20 – May 20)

You want to be of service to others now that the Moon is in your 6th House of Work, but making money isn’t necessarily your primary concern. You might be drawn to helping those who are less fortunate than you, or, maybe, you wish to pay back a debt to society to balance old karma. In any case, it’s healthy to know your limits by considering what you’re willing to give up to achieve your altruistic goals. Making commitments is serious business, so think twice before overextending yourself.

Gemini Horoscope
Gemini Horoscope (May 21 – Jun 20)

You’re determined to find ways to alter the daily routine of your life, but you’re not interested in upsetting the status quo. You just want to provide room for making improvements. Perhaps you have grown tired of having so many good ideas, only to discover that the big things in your life remain unchanged. Unfold your new goals slowly; the tiniest modifications can have the longest lasting impact.

Cancer Horoscope
Cancer Horoscope (June 21 – Jul 22)

Family dynamics are highlighted when the Moon returns to your 4th House of Security today. But if parenting is your primary responsibility, then you might just have less free time available for other activities now. But having a good time isn’t your primary motivation; it’s more about being available to those you love, even if it prevents you from doing something you enjoy. Fortunately, the quiet satisfaction derived from nurturing a loved one may be the greatest gift you can receive.

Leo Horoscope
Leo Horoscope (Jul 23 – Aug 22)

You may require some downtime today so you can think about the recent twists and turns in your life. Unfortunately, the road ahead is not very easy to navigate, so it’s a sensible idea to visualize a more direct route to success. Don’t be concerned if there aren’t immediate changes in your circumstances, for it may take some time for the current resistance to fade away.

Virgo Horoscope
Virgo Horoscope (Aug 23 – Sep 22)

You could run into a speed bump on the road of life today and though it requires you to slow down, there’s no need for a detour. Just take unexpected events in stride and do the best you can. Don’t allow yourself to succumb to discouragement, even if you face a major setback. Consider obstacles as perfect opportunities to keep improving your plan. Strengthening your body and mind now will increase your chances to succeed.

Libra Horoscope
Libra Horoscope (Sep 23 – Oct 22)

It’s harder these days to take your responsibilities lightly because the Moon and somber Saturn are both in your sign, setting the tone for the day. Don’t waste precious energy trying to put on a cheerful face for others, just because that’s what they expect from you. It isn’t your job to make everyone feel okay about the issues you face. Nevertheless, it’s up to you to look inward and ask yourself tough questions so you can gain clarity about the next phase of your life.

Scorpio Horoscope
Scorpio Horoscope (Oct 23 – Nov 21)

You may not want to talk about your emotions with the Moon and Saturn hiding out in your 12th House of Secrecy. But your need to be alone doesn’t include your very best friends or lover, since you long for the deep emotional connections that can break through your current isolation. Remember that interpersonal walls are created by mutual consent, so open your heart to invite in those with whom you want to share your life.

Sagittarius Horoscope
Sagittarius Horoscope (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

You only have so much free time available today, but you still want to escape for a bit, anyhow. Meanwhile, your workmates and friends keep reminding you of how many tasks you still have to complete. There are only so many hours in the day, so you may not be able to take time off to play now. Nevertheless, remaining focused on what’s most crucial will be rewarded later on. There’s no need to explain your choices; just follow your instincts and take care of the business at hand.

Capricorn Horoscope
Capricorn Horoscope (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

You may feel a lot of stress now, but this is your perfect chance to prove your competence to your boss. The reflective Moon and karmic Saturn in your 10th House of Career marks the culmination of your recent efforts or the beginning of an exciting new project. In either case, this is no time to relax. Don’t worry if no one seems to be acknowledging your contribution. Recognition is likely to happen soon enough.

Aquarius Horoscope
Aquarius Horoscope (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

Even well thought-out plans could meet up with opposition, but your ideas can still reach fruition if you’re open to making smart changes. Don’t be stubborn; acting as if you’re on top won’t help you reach your goals any faster. Something must change; fortunately, others are willing to meet you halfway if you demonstrate some flexibility. There’s no need to give up if you’re wise enough to modify your strategy.

Pisces Horoscope
Pisces Horoscope (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

You could face a difficult situation today if you must deal with someone who holds authority over you while remaining unsupportive of your efforts. It may be a difficult climb and although it requires extra determination to reach your destination, the process also makes you stronger. Don’t complain about your obligations; just roll up your sleeves and get busy. If you put forth your best effort the rewards will eventually follow.

Your Love Horoscopes for the Week of October 24

Relationships grow more complex during this first full week of the Sun in emotionally intense Scorpio. Desire increases and our willingness to compromise needs to gain approval diminishes. Wednesday’s pivotal square between ardent Mars and alluring Venus can’t help but dramatize romantic matters.

 

Aries Horoscope
Aries Horoscope (Mar 21 – Apr 19)

Your ruling planet Mars in dramatic Leo runs into a stressful square with romantic Venus in passionate Scorpio on Wednesday that raises the stakes in your personal life. Honestly facing some deeper issues in relationships is hard work this week. You or your partner may want more or, if you’re single, your desire for intimacy could lead to some risky behavior. Nevertheless, exposing your hidden feelings can liberate you with the truth; just try not to go to extreme measures to prove your point.

Taurus Horoscope
Taurus Horoscope (Apr 20 – May 20)

There’s nothing casual about your relationships this week with Wednesday’s passionate Scorpio New Moon landing in your 7th House of Partners. It’s time to push the envelope by seeking deeper satisfaction instead of settling for a safe but unfulfilling status quo. The price, however, is a willingness to let go of some of your stubborn patterns in exchange for achieving a greater degree of intimacy.

Gemini Horoscope
Gemini Horoscope (May 21 – Jun 20)

Feeling underappreciated or over-criticized can put you in a feisty mood this week. Your key planet Mercury’s stressful square with combative Mars can trigger harsh words on Friday. However, the message is about improving yourself rather than complaining to others or resisting reasonable advice. Cleaning up your act is a great way to feel better about yourself and, at the same time, makes you more attractive to others.

Cancer Horoscope
Cancer Horoscope (June 21 – Jul 22)

The passionate Scorpio New Moon falls in your 5th House of Romance on Wednesday, which should enliven your personal life one way or another. However, the path to love and pleasure could be a rocky one with conflicting ideas and values to negotiate with your current partner or a potential new one. Don’t hesitate if your heart tells you to reach out and express your desires. But if your emotions urge you to withdraw, don’t act too hastily. Retreating to your shell now is not the best option when it comes to finding love.

Leo Horoscope
Leo Horoscope (Jul 23 – Aug 22)

Irrepressible Mars in your willful sign encourages you to keep pushing for who and what you want. But loving Venus’ stressful square to the warrior planet is a mid-week reminder to be more sensitive in your seductions. Tuning in to what someone wants and subtly altering your actions to fulfill those desires will make you even more enchanting to those around you. As long as you remain true to your principles, putting others first works like a charm now.

Virgo Horoscope
Virgo Horoscope (Aug 23 – Sep 22)

It’s finally time to have some deep conversations about matters of significant personal concern. If you are tempted to aggressively defend your position, you could win the battle but lose in the game of love. Don’t look for quick solutions to restore faith in an ongoing alliance or to get a new one heading in a favorable direction. Honesty and vulnerability are your allies in spite of the complications they arouse. Take the first step by opening your heart and you might be pleasantly surprised at what happens next.

Libra Horoscope
Libra Horoscope (Sep 23 – Oct 22)

Hinting at what you want is unlikely to succeed this week. Your romantic ruling planet Venus in subtle Scorpio would prefer to give indirect signals rather than to be straightforward in expressing your needs. But Wednesday’s stressful square between cosmic lovers Mars and Venus indicates that staying quiet can leave you very dissatisfied. It’s better to be just a little pushy and deal with others’ discomfort in the moment than to remain silent and unhappy any longer.

Scorpio Horoscope
Scorpio Horoscope (Oct 23 – Nov 21)

This is a very powerful time for pushing your romantic agenda forward. The passionate Scorpio New Moon and a sexy square between Venus and Mars kick up strong feelings this week. The key to success is in understanding your desires and being able to express them without making others feel uncomfortable or guilty. An alluring invitation to enter into your world of pleasure just might be irresistible to the right playmate.

Sagittarius Horoscope
Sagittarius Horoscope (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

Secrets can play a big role in your personal life this week with Wednesday’s New Moon in confidential Scorpio falling in your mysterious 12th house. If you’ve been hiding something, even from yourself, it might come out in the open now. Respecting others’ privacy may make the difference between strengthening or weakening a relationship. Discussing delicate matters requires all the sensitivity that you can muster, but is well worth the effort if both parties open their hearts to the process.

Capricorn Horoscope
Capricorn Horoscope (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

Your sense of order and ambition may need to be set aside so that you can look past the surface to feel what’s going on underneath it. What’s not being said now may be more powerful than any words you hear. Listen with your gut instead of your ears and you may tune in to an important message. Being a good friend, even at some sacrifice to your own immediate interests, earns you a special kind of loyalty that will pay big dividends later.

Aquarius Horoscope
Aquarius Horoscope (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

Your airy intellectual sign tends to rely a great deal on rational thinking. Logic is a great thing, yet the planetary patterns that dominate this week are much more about evoking emotions. If you apply reason to a relationship matter, you might fail to connect and understand what’s really going on. Tune in to your own non-rational senses and you will recognize what you need to do. Silence can tell you so much more than words now, so give yourself the chance to listen.

Pisces Horoscope
Pisces Horoscope (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

Wednesday’s sexy Scorpio New Moon falls in your 9th House of Travel and Learning. Your desire to understand life’s mysteries may attract you to philosophical individuals and people from faraway places. If you’re in a less-than-fulfilling relationship now, discussing your core beliefs and long-term goals should help you discover if this partnership has a future, and what you need to do to make it a rewarding one. If you aren’t feeling the love in return, it just might be the right time to strike out on your own.

Cosmic Calendar for October 24th

Here’s another start to a workweek that feels somewhat edgy and worrisome – even though there are bright spots that will be manifesting. During the void Moon in Virgo as the day begins, Mercury trines Ceres in water signs (5:10AM PDT) while the Sun trines Chiron in water signs (6:38AM PDT). These two favorable alignments should equate with a rise in overall productivity and a feeling that healing forces are back on the march. However, a void lunar uncertainty zone can sometimes weaken sky patterns that happen within its time-cycle. Once the clock strikes 8:50AM PDT, the Moon pulls out of the void vortex by entering airy Libra for the next two days. The goal now is to revisit the Solar Libra 30-day cycle that recently ended by continuing to improve your primary partnerships and striving to increase your arsenal of artistic skills. Mercury making an inspirational, 72-degree link to Pallas (5:11PM PDT) is a major help in your becoming more adept at problem-solving and strategizing with trusted experts. Juno finally takes the plunge – leaving Libra for Scorpio (6:59PM PDT). This definitely adds weight to the passionate, mysterious and secretive undertones and overtones present within the Scorpio zodiacal frame of reference. [Juno remains in intensive Scorpio until January 29, 2012.] Creating one more shocking disturbance in the giant scheme of things is tonight’s Sun-Uranus 150-degree connection – bridging Scorpio and Aries at 11:00PM PDT. Here’s your choice – breakdown or breakthrough. Which way do you want to travel as Monday morphs into Tuesday?

the daily humorscopes for monday, october 24th

the daily humorscope

Monday, October 24, 2011

 
Aries (March 21 – April 19)
Huge mutant gnats will pester you today. Or at least, that’s what it will seem like — sometimes managers bear a striking resemblance…
Taurus (April 20 – May 20)
On a pre-arranged signal, you and 3 cohorts will start talking complete gibberish today, leaving the 5th person in your meeting entirely baffled. Act as if he’s behaving strangely, and look concerned.
Gemini (May 21 – June 20)
Avoid yodelling today.
Cancer (June 21 – July 22)
You’ll find a penny when you are out for a walk. Surprisingly, it will be the key to a wonderful change in your life. The trick is just to figure out what you can do with a penny, these days.
Leo (July 23 – August 22)
Family problems again. It’ll be just like that Rolling Stones song, about how you “Can’t Always Get What You Wa-ant”, except that in your case, you can replace one of the words with “Ever.” Try being positive and future-focused. Also, pretend you don’t speak English.
Virgo (August 23 – September 22)
You’ll accidentally eat one of those fried Szechwan chili peppers today, and it will bring tears to your eyes. This will strike you as odd, given that you will be eating a ham sandwich at the time.
Libra (September 23 – October 22)
You are being followed by fierce warriors of the Nez Perce tribe. You know – those guys with the little frameless glasses on the chains around their necks? Not surprisingly, many of the Nez Perce became fierce librarians.
Scorpio (October 23 – November 21)
Today you’ll start a new rock group, named “SPAM Catapult”, and kick things off with a really smokin’ number combining the best aspects of reggae, rap, and polka.
Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21)
You will be afire with enthusiasm today! Unfortunately, someone will put you out.
Capricorn (December 22 – January 20)
You are about to invent a night light in the shape of a chess piece, which you will name the “Nighty Knight”. You should be ashamed of yourself.
Aquarius (January 21 – February 18)
You will soon accidentally discover why it is that so many things “taste like chicken”. It’s because they ARE chickens, in clever disguises.
Pisces (February 19 – March 20)
Your concern about the International Space Station may not be one that NASA has considered, despite how obvious it seems to you. I’d go ahead and send them a note: “Never serve beans in space.”

When I Was A Christian Wiccan

When I Was A Christian Wiccan

Author: Priest Christopher Aldridge
I became Pagan at age 22, but at the time I had no knowledge or interest in magick, I was just a worshipper of the Greek Gods. Later I got into Witchcraft and attended The Grey School of Wizardry to become a Wizard, later I became Wiccan. Being in love with the archangels, I saw no reason I could not combine Christianity and Wicca. Besides, the archangels are not of a religion, and I could see Jesus and Mary as God and Goddess. Witchvox even published an article I wrote a long time ago defending my faith.

Now I made good arguments backed up with factual information, and even though I could argue very well against opposition, I never felt completely right about being a Christian Wiccan. Something just told me that this belief system was opposing itself from opposite ends in many ways.

Now don’t get me wrong, working with the archangels as a Wiccan is not considered Christian Wicca. A good example would be the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram, which calls on Michael, Gabriel, Uriel and Raphael.

However, having Christian influences such as Jesus as a God and Mary as a Goddess does make one more along the lines of a Christian Wiccan.

I eventually got into a huge YouTube debate over how valid the faith was, and I think there were good points made on both sides. But shortly after I decided to pull away from Wicca and continue on my previous path of Wizardry and Witchcraft, believing it would be more liberal and allow me to keep my Christian side in the sense that there was no established belief structure like in Wicca where you believe in things that are not compatible with Christianity. I knew that being a Wizard and practicing Witchcraft would allow me to have my own belief system.

And this did work for a while, but one day I had a complete change of faith. The Greek Gods returned and saved my life and the life of my friend one night. I did at first call on Jesus and Saint Michael to no avail. Something just told me to call on the Greek Gods, and glory to their names, they came. I feel that I am not permitted to give details at this time, but in that instant my Pagan faith was fully restored and I felt no need to be Christian at all anymore.

Ever since, I became once again a Greek Pagan, and I was no longer a Christian in my magickal practices. However, I did not return to Wicca, I stayed a Wizard. Now I do believe that it is possible for a Christian to practice Witchcraft and I do believe it is possible for a Wiccan to adopt the Christian Pantheon, but I know that I was a big Christian Wiccan and I did not fell totally right about it and I was changed.

Now if you’re a Christian Wiccan and you believe with all of your heart, mind and soul that you are 100% on the right path, then go for it, but seriously examine it and how you feel deeply. Christian Wiccans are a rare group, and I believe they are getting fewer and fewer. I believe you will find a Pagan path far more fulfilling and rewarding.

However, whatever you do, don’t change your path or beliefs because someone else said it was wrong or bashed you. Change because you feel you should and because it is best for you. If you change your beliefs every time someone disagrees, you won’t have any beliefs. But I will say as before that I feel more fulfilled as a Pagan again. It even helped me swallow my pride and let go of my masculine monotheistic nature.

Even if you go through your entire Christian Wiccan path without facing opposition or criticism, you will still probably find a conflict within yourself. Plus, you will be missing out on so many wonderful and magickal practices and beliefs in order to keep Christian Wicca from conflicting with the majority of Pagan Wiccan beliefs.

I just think that Christian Wicca provides a very limited and conflicting path within yourself at some point. Now sometimes it is good to take the road less traveled, but not when it is going to greatly limit your ability to prosper and grow.

I’ll give you an example. Almost if not all Wiccan practices with Magick involve invoking a Pagan God or spirit, not a Christian one. So you will find yourself isolated from the group, which will make it harder for you. Wiccan is by and large a Pagan religion, not a Christian one. Yes, Christianity draws almost all of its religion from Paganism, but Christianity also condemns them. And Christians dishonored many of the Pagan Gods.

However, if you still want to be a Christian Wiccan, then there are a few things I think you should follow.

1) Find a coven of Christian Wiccans (of which I don’t believe there are any) or be a solitary.

2) Stay true to your faith, but do not brag about it. It will eventually lead to a heated argument, especially if you are sensitive and serious about your path.

3) If you do attend public ritual, remember that you don’t have to announce your path. You are a Wiccan, so you can leave it at that.

4) Discard any ideas of sin, Hell and/or Satan, for Wiccans believe in none of those.

5) Always be extremely well informed and be ready to back up your faith with facts and logic.

6) Do not ever try to be a Wiccan with a Bible in your hand; it will not work.

7) Always consider the possibility of moving away from Wicca and into an open practice of Witchcraft or Wizardry or both. Remember, there is nothing that says a Witch or Wizard has to believe a certain way, but a Wiccan is within a belief structure.

8) Make sure that your path feels completely right. If you have portions of doubt, then examine their causes carefully.

9) Seek the council of highly experienced Wiccans, Witches or Wizards on the subject. I don’t think you need to fear ridicule from masters.

10) Set up your belief structure far beyond just the Christian Pantheon. Think of all the possible conflicts between Wicca and Christianity and give your beliefs as to why they are not conflicts.

I think that in the end it is about having a solid belief system. Remember, to be a Christian Wiccan is to be a very rare individual, and so you must know what you believe and why.

I think Christian Wicca is much easier for a solitary practitioner. Now I would never bash or ridicule someone for his/her sincerely held religious beliefs, but keep in mind that there are such people, and sometimes the best thing to do is ignore them.

I know from experience that neither of you will change the other, nor will it ever end until one of you gets tired of arguing. So be prepared to defend yourself, but do not look for an argument, and the best way to do that is to not brag and keep to yourself in humility.

Also remember that the number of Christians in the world is on the decline and the number of Wiccans and Pagans are on the rise, so Christianity is not this super popular club that everyone is dying to draw from.

If you feel a calling to Wicca, Witchcraft and/or Wizardry and Paganism, then go for it and consider the possibility that this could be your new religion. It may be time to leave Christianity in the past.

Blessed Be.

Footnotes:
Personal experience

The Veil as Seen Through the Eyes of a Witch

The Veil as Seen Through the Eyes of a Witch

Author: Crick

As I near my twilight years I begin to think of death. Not as a final stage, but rather as a doorway standing before me. The door is closed but through it I shall enter, as we all must at some point in time. Our Sacred Mother decides upon such a time, for it is she who sends her children forth into the Chautauqua of Life. And it is she who calls them back home.

For some the journey is but a moment in time, like a shooting star that appears ever so briefly. One of my sons was such a shining star, here and gone ever so quickly. Like a ripple across a quiet pond, he touched our hearts and then was gone. His moment of existence resonated in our souls like a song that will never end.

For others the stay is longer, like errant children with so much to learn. Perhaps it is life lessons to be repeated or maybe a lesson of our selves unto others. For we all are students of life, seeking to find the answers that allow us to grow. However, at the end of the day, it becomes time for us to return home.

Sometimes we face this return with trepidation, like children who want to stay out past dark. However it is children that we are and when our mother calls it is time to go home. For our knowledge of what lies behind the door that leads through the veil is not a reality. We are like small children whose whole sense of reality has been confined to a small fenced in back yard. We have no real awareness of the whole wide world that lies just beyond our gate.

As we go through this life, we sometimes find ourselves in a state of physical pain. The reason for this I cannot fathom or answer as to why. For the ways of Deity, are not for us to know at this stage in our development. For us to have such knowledge is to be as one with our Sacred Mother. Perhaps the pain that such folks endure is a lesson from another life. Or perhaps it is the beginning of a lesson in this current life.

We often feel love and compassion for those who experience such, and then perhaps that is the lesson intended for us. In the end, only Deity has the answers to such. As it is, when it becomes my turn to stand before the door leading to the corridor of transition from this life to that, I can only hope that I do so with a sense of dignity.

The dear Goddess has given us many gifts in the way of experiences. Some of these lessons were tinged with pain while others carried a note of joy. She has created a complex harmony with numerous opportunities to learn about ourselves and indeed to learn about others as well.

Many folks in this life will mill about at the foot of the mountain of life, their hearts and minds poisoned with fear of what lies ahead. And so their journey through this life will be compromised and with closed eyes, dwelling on what may or may not be.

I personally believe that this persona of fear has been initiated and exploited by those who would seek to control the thoughts and actions of those who succumb to such implanted paranoia’s.

As a witch though, I walk through this existence as an individual. And will indeed climb to the top of the mountain of life, seeing each arduous step, as merely another stride in the spiritual growth that awaits each of us. And once the peak is reached I will extend my hands to the skies and whisper a heartfelt thank you to Deity. Thus in this manner, giving a sign of appreciation for the opportunity to have experienced the lessons of this realm as we become that much closer to the final goal of being one with Deity.

From the moment that we take our first breath, we are walking towards the door that leads through the veil. And so when Deity extends their hand and beckons me forth, I will do as was planned prior to my existence in this realm.

Granted, there will be feelings of sadness, for one cannot enter this realm without creating a comfort zone composed of family and friends. But then there will also be feelings of curiosity and anticipation and of course many unanswered questions.

For instance will Deity be awaiting our crossing with open arms? Will those friends and family who have made the journey before us be waiting to greet and acclimate us to our new existence? Will our Spirit Guides who have planted the seeds of lessons and watched as these lessons blossomed into newfound knowledge be there to congratulate us? Will there be yet other teachers and/or personas from ages past waiting to test us anew?

Will we be allowed to take a moment to contemplate the experiences garnered while in this realm or will we awaken in yet another existence as if our level of awareness was momentarily put on hold? Will our existence in this realm resonate in our ken as but a moment in the over all framework of existence?

Of course all of these questions are pure speculation, as we do not have the knowledge at this point in our spiritual growth to answer such musings. But we do have the ability and knowledge as pagans to break away and reject the mind and heart numbing fear that others would impose upon us for their own limited and selfish devices.

Deity created this path of life, death and rebirth, not man. And therefore I place my trust in the grand scheme of things as designed by Deity rather then the tunnel vision of those who would pervert such ideals into something to be feared and distorted.

And so in summation, I will live my life as a Witch and when it comes time to walk through the veil, I will stroll through as a Witch…

Group or Solitary: Which Is Best For You?

Group or Solitary: Which Is Best For You?

Author: Bronwen Forbes

One of the biggest and most important decisions you will make as a newcomer to the Pagan path is whether to join an existing group of like-minded practitioners or go it on your own as a solitary. Of course, there will be other big decisions to make later but they are all dependent upon what you choose to do now.

In the interest of full disclosure, I will confess that I am a big advocate of finding others who a) are further along the path than you and learning all you can from them and b) are folks your gut seems to trust (more on this in a future article, I promise) . Why? Let me give you an example.

At one time my group’s holiday rituals were open to any Pagans in the area who chose to attend (if they told us they were coming in advance) . Since our group was the only one and the first one in the area for some time, we attracted a lot of people who hadn’t ever been in ritual with other Pagans, even though they’d been solitaries for years.

A solitary came to one of our rituals, speaking to anyone who would listen about her “astral fiancé.” Apparently she’d met a man on the astral plane – but never in real life – and they planned to marry just as soon as she moved to Ireland and figured out which one of several million Irishmen he was. To further hinder her search, she didn’t know what his name was. At some point in the ritual they apparently got “married” (it was Beltane, after all!) because by the end of the evening she was referring to her “astral husband.” As an occasional writer of fiction, I wish I could make up stuff this good!

Does the idea of an anonymous “astral fiancé” sound a little farfetched? It sure did to us – especially when she quit her job, moved to Ireland, and (no surprise) never found him. Last we heard she was back in the States, flat broke, and living out of her car. If this woman had had some basic non-book training and/or regular contact with a group at the beginning of her Pagan studies, she’d have known better than to delude herself to the point of homelessness.

I’m not saying that every solitary Pagan is going to end up doing something profoundly stupid, spiritually-speaking, and end up living in a car, but just as you turn to a more experienced roadster when you’re learning how to drive that car, it makes just as much sense to find someone – preferably several someones – when you’re learning the Pagan basics. The book you study in order to pass the written driver’s test is good for learning the rules of the road, but you’re not going to get your license without a lot of supervised, hands-on experience. So it is with Paganism.

On the other hand, there are times and places and personalities that are better suited for solitary work. Perhaps you live too far away from the nearest group to make regular travel for rituals and classes impossible. Or maybe the local coven or grove sets off your “icky alarm” and you’d prefer to never be in their presence again, thank you very much. Or maybe your work life is too hectic and home life is too full of the needs of small children to be able to make a commitment to a group’s calendar.

Or maybe, just maybe, you are more suited to a spiritual life of quiet, private observance and contemplation and will, in fact, go farther on your Pagan path if you travel alone. I’ve met some fine people in my life for whom this is the case; I admire their personal dedication even though I can’t emulate it.

If it’s just my husband, my child and I in the house on a holiday or full moon, we’re not likely to have a formal ritual – much like my widowed mother-in-law who will cook up a storm if a few of her children or grandchildren are expected for dinner but “just can’t be bothered” to cook if she’s just feeding herself.

So how do you know if you’re more suited for a group or a solitary practice? Ask yourself the following questions. Your answers should tell you what decision you need to make to better your chances of a satisfying spiritual future.

Is there a group nearby that I like and trust? If the answers are “yes” (Yes there is a group, yes it is nearby, yes I like them, and yes I trust them) , and they have space for you, by all means petition to join. However, if there is even one “no” (There’s a group nearby but I don’t like them and wouldn’t trust them to teach me how to walk my dog, much less take an active role in my spiritual development) , you’re much better off on your own.

Do I have the personal discipline to actively practice on my own? I freely admit that I do not. I need to commit to a group and the group calendar to actively, integrally observe even the basic holidays and moon phases. And that’s okay – I’m not the only one!

However, if you can – or would even prefer to – make a personal commitment to make small observances to the Gods at this time every day (or week, or holiday) and know you’ll keep that commitment, then I say good for you! You have at least some of what it takes to be a solitary.

Am I willing to ask for help or a reality check from time to time? I don’t think it ever occurred to our above-mentioned Beltane guest to ask anyone online or in person if she was deluding herself or if her astral experiences were real. When my husband was first starting to study Paganism, he made a point of seeking out community elders and experienced practitioners at local Pagan festivals and asking them questions. Even though these good folk weren’t his formal teachers, they were more than happy to answer him.

If you join a group, your High Priest or High Priestess will provide help and reality checks – that’s their job. If you choose to go solitary, you should consider attending a nearby gathering, Pagan Pride Day, or workshop at a Pagan store once in a while just to touch base with the rest of the community. I’d hate for you to drop everything and move to Ireland if it’s all in your head.

Ultimately, only you can choose whether to join a group or strike out on your own at the beginning of your Pagan life. Only you know your geographical, work, family, and personal circumstances that will all factor into the decision.

Whichever way you choose, I wish you all the best. In some ways, we are all alone – the Path is different for each person who walks it; in other ways we are all part of this wonderful, awe-inspiring, sprawling Pagan community.

Samhain Inspired Thoughts on Community

Samhain Inspired Thoughts on Community

Author: Crick

Hey folks, Samhain energies are at work and so I woke up this morning with some thoughts that I would like to share. First I would like to preface my thoughts with an analogy that I learned about many years ago. Basically, it is about a frog and a scorpion.

The Scorpion wanted to get to the opposite shore of the English Channel. And so he sought out various creatures that could assist him in the endeavor. Each time he was turned down, in part because of the fear of who he was and in part because of what he was capable of doing to others.

At any rate, he finally came to Frog with his entreaty. At first Frog turned him down like all of the others before him. But Scorpion kept pleading, as he knew this was his last chance to reach the opposite shore. Finally Frog relented and agreed to carry scorpion across the channel on his back. When they got to the middle of the channel, Scorpion stung Frog with his venomous tail.

Aghast, Frog cried out to Scorpion, “Why did you sting me, for I am dying and we shall both surely drown now?”

Scorpion responded, “You knew the nature of my personality before you agreed to help me!”

There are several reasons why I offer this analogy as a preface to my early morning thoughts. Imagine that, an Irishman resorting to the art of Triad (grin) . To begin with, there has been a great deal of talk over the years by modern pagans about “pagan community”. The reality is that such a community is a long way from becoming a valid entity. It is a concept that is rife with the insecurities of those who claim to adhere to such a concept. Many modern pagans were once members of the Abraham faiths, in particular, Christianity. And in many cases, such folks have parents, siblings, relatives and friends who still are Christians or what have you. And that is all good.

However, this has created a consistent undercurrent of insecurity because these modern pagans feel an overwhelming need to either hide their current pagan beliefs from their families and friends or to frantically seek approval from such folks.

To my mind, if folks have doubts about their self-professed beliefs, then perhaps they should reassess their desire to follow said beliefs. For to be true to others, one must first be able to be true to yourself. And such insecurities are detrimental to any efforts to build a genuine community whether it be modern paganism or what have you.

In view of such insecurities, there are many modern pagans — either individuals or groups — who feel that their primary mission as pagans is to engage in outreach with other religions. In spite of the fact that there are over four-hundred established religions in the modern world, this generally means that these modern pagans ignore four-hundred of these religions and reach out primarily and in most cases, specifically to the Christian religion.

At this point, I would like to point out that in this age of electronics that genuine communications skills are falling to the wayside. The current generation is losing the art of one-on-one communication due to their reliance on such electronic devices.

And as such, there will inevitably be the “me, me, me” types who will assume they know what I am trying to convey here. They will not seek clarification, because they already have the ‘answers’ to my thoughts… at least within their own self imposed limitations they will think so.

To such folks, I can only shrug my shoulders and hope that one day they will actually grow spiritually and thus find the genuine wisdom to understand a concept that is greater than themselves.

It will be said that that damn Crick hates Christians. My response would be “of course not”, but like the scorpions, I am aware of their own established behavior.

It will be said that that damn Crick is against community outreach. My response would be “Of course not”, but it should not be a primary and driving force in order to validate my pagan beliefs. And such outreach should be “attempted” with an expectation to meet with an equal amount of reciprocity… reciprocity of which is clearly absent from the Christian community. Yes of course there are exceptions to every rule, but it is realistically not the norm.

What then to my mind should be our primary goal you may ask? Well actually there are two very general goals if the modern pagan community is ever to reach a degree of cohesion and thus validity as a genuine community.

The first is to accept the realities of your chosen path. There are very few, if any, real “Masters” in modern paganism. The regurgitation of over the last fifty years of “101 Paganism” should be clear confirmation of this. And besides, we are all students over the course of our lives.
It is this denial of being a student that gives birth to the plethora of twenty and thirty-year-old ‘masters’ that modern paganism is noted for. It is also this denial that precludes modern pagans from acknowledging the pagan paths around the world that have been in place for many, many generations. And finally, it is this denial that sets modern pagans upon those who actually may know more than just the basic 101 scripts that defines modern paganism.

This is why the word “Elder” creates such a conflicting morass amongst modern pagans. For to define the word “Elder” in the manner that it is used among pre-modern pagans is to admit that one may actually be a student and not the “wise know it all’ that so many modern pagans strive to present themselves as, no matter how subtlety it is done. Yes, I know. Let the denials begin. It is to be expected when insecurities cloud reality. Besides, in this modern generation, everyone is right and no one is responsible, which is why we have the current me, me, me mindset in the first place.

Anyway, moving on.

The modern pagan community needs to find the strength to grow beyond such self-centered concepts of me-ism. Each community, pagan or otherwise is the sum of its members. If the modern pagan community is ever to become a genuine community, it must first learn to be true to its own tenets. Many within the modern pagan community will mouth the words acceptance and diversity. Sounds like good tenets to establish a community by doesn’t it?

And yet as soon as a free thinker such as myself proffers an “opinion” that is divergent from some other pagan, well … the ugliness rears its head. Hateful and disparaging words are hurled at will, in an attempt to hurt the author of such individual thoughts, and in extreme cases, threats of physical violence are made. Are such reactions, which in all reality are based upon personal insecurities really conductive to creating a sense of cohesiveness in a budding community?

And finally, we need to find the strength to break out of the modern concept of “me-ism” and reach out to other pagans in this fragile community without preconceptions and/or preconditions. As an umbrella community, we do not walk in lockstep with each other. The modern pagan community, unlike pagan communities of olden times which consisted of folks of identical beliefs and usually of small enclaves such as covens, tribes and the like, is now a morass of many, many different paths.

We need to reach a genuine understanding of the modern interpretation of pagan community that goes beyond just mouthing the words.

Perhaps when we develop genuine outreach amongst ourselves then we can validate the inordinate amount of energy that some modern pagan individuals/groups employ towards the Christian religion as being based on something other than an attempt to give in to ones personal insecurities.

Before I stop here and grab my first cup of java of the morning, please keep in mind that the preceding thoughts are simply the personal opinion of one old witch who has more years behind him then he has in left in front of him. And before you allow the “me -ism” to take precedence in your thoughts, please understand that my sole purpose in this rant is to spark the fuse of thought… it is an attempt to ignite a blaze of introspection that in the end will open the door to a understanding that is greater than you or I.

Now, where is that cup of java?

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Author: Grey Ghost

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year” … caught that old lyric as we were walking thru the mall. While the song is more in line with the winter season, I was always fond of the sentiment around the first of September when the kids would go back to school some twenty-five years ago. We in the Witch/Pagan community should be profoundly singing that lyric as Samhain approaches.

As the eve of all hallows is upon us, reflect upon the past year. The veil between Malkuth and Spheres of the spiritual realm grows thin, allowing contact made easier with those who are no longer of the flesh. Sing the praises of those past glories and rejoice upon the “good moments” spent with those now incarnate. The time is now!

Perhaps the most difficult subject to discuss is the process of passing from this reality of the body to the true nature of spiritual existence. Plainly evident from concerns spent here is the underlying preoccupation that our younger members have with the material world. They have not made the discovery that this physical world is of much less importance than their true inner nature as spiritual beings. They seem to value peer acceptance above spiritual advancement.

They appear to value a feel good spell or enchantment more than accumulation of Prana or life force. And lastly, they speak little of transferring psychic energy to heal others. While living with the reality of physical world has needs, the true power of the Witch needs to explore the spiritual realms if we are complete or even contemplate the great work.

Enough of the soap box … my purpose in this writing is to remind you that this is the most wonderful time of the year for the Witch in all of us. This is the time to celebrate the past year and plan for the next year. Now is the time to prepare ourselves for the turn of wheel, celebrating the life force around us.

One of the chief methods of focusing our inner power is the art of visualizing. Many books and speakers talk of this in a manner of fact way as if everyone can visualize without further lessons. So I will speak to especially our younger members of a simple approach to basic visualization.

Peoples all over the world of many differing religious views have known for a long time that the love of the Lord and Lady was more than asking and receiving material things. The Pagan community then must come to realize the grace and love of our Lady are the really only important gifts that She can bestow upon us.

We must first learn to manipulate the forces and forms of the Pentagram, to understand the energies and powers of the universe. Once understood, we can begin the quest to understand ourselves. By quieting our minds and subduing the unimportant thoughts, we train our minds to be fit containers to be used to hold the wisdom and love of our Lady. Only through these cleansing rituals can we become prepared.

The visualization: gaze now upon the pentagram. You must be able to see the pent alpha in our mind. When you open your eyes, the pentagram will remain momentarily in mid air. This will take practice and patience; it does not happen over night. Once you can hold the pentagram for at least thirty seconds after you open you eyes, you will be ready for the nest step.

Any visualized symbol can be use to project your personal energy. Forming the pentagram should be practiced and practiced until proficient before using this method in creation of the circle. To form a pentagram, we start by seeing the pentagram by using retinal retention (scientific term) .

This is not the same as projecting the energy and visualizing the pentagram. Using a pentagram or pentacle, look at the object with much intensity and focus under a bright light. Close your eyes tightly and you will “see” an after image or retinal retention of the pentagram in your minds eye. A bright image against the dark of having your eyes shut. This exercise creates an image that will be similar to the one you will create through visualization.

Exercise 2: This exercise will allow you, with practice, to create an image like the one you “saw” in the previous example, without looking at an example of the pentagram. By creating the image in your mind along, you are imbuing it with your personal energy.

Look at a candle, white in a dark room; then close your eyes. The bright spot of light will be seen by the mind’s eye after your eyes are shut. (Retinal retention again) Relax for a few minutes until the retinal retained image of the candle is gone. Then close your eyes, relax and let a white point of light appear. Think about it and your mind will do it.

You may need to think of the candlelight to make it appear. Do not look at a bright light to create the point of light, which is retinal retention and not creation of power. Once you can form the dot of pure white light with your mind, move the dot to create a line. Repeat this exercise until when you open your eyes, a retained image of the line remains in the air in front of you in the darkened room.

Exercise 3: close your eyes and form a line with your mind. Now form another line, whose head starts where the first line ends. Continue this process until you can form a pentagram. Once you have practiced enough to form a pentagram, open your eyes and “see” the retained image in the air.

Exercise 4: Close your eyes again and form a pentagram and then draw a circle around it forming a pentacle. Practice until you can do this with ease; then open your eyes and “see” the completed pentacle in the air.

Once you achieve this level of concentration, you start the whole process over; only this time you do it with your eyes open in a darkened room. After forming the pentagram with your eyes open, light the room and retain the image in the air.

You will need to visualize, that is create the pentagram in the air without first visualizing it with your eyes closed. This again will take practice. It is sometimes easier to do one arm at a time. Some also find it easier to begin with an all white pentagram. When performing this ritual you need to sit or lay in a relaxed, comfortable position, but not so relaxed that you fall asleep. To avoid falling asleep, you might find that it is best to perform this ritual in the morning when fully awake. Once that you can hold the pentacle for a full thirty seconds in the air, with your eyes open and in color, then are you ready to proceed to the next step. Do not proceed until you have mastered the basics.

Enter your meditative state, control breathing. Prana in, air out; Prana in, air out. Establish your pentagram in the air, in color. Start your mantra while holding the image of the pentagram. Now draw a white circle around the pentagram, just touching it at the tips. You now have the Pentacle. Look deeply at the center and clear your mind of all but the mantra.

You will now under go the “A … Ha”. Sometimes it happens the first time. Others take many times for it to occur. Eventually it happens to all who perform this ritual religiously. What you see inside the Pentacle is completely yours. I will not introduce preconceived ideas of what you will find, but I know in my heart of hearts that you will not be disappointed. This is the first stage of Illuminati. You will need to practice this for sometime to become proficient enough to proceed further. As a guide, I suggest that you be able to “see” what is inside of the formed Pentacle for at least a minute before you continue.

This, my young friends, is the basic of visualization. To be able to manipulate the mind and control your physical world with you inner spiritual being is our goal of these exercises. You must be proficient with the basics before you are able to perform the more advanced magicks.