With Imbolc approaching it is a time for appreciating that the dark Winter nights are retreating and the Spring days of rebirth are not far round the corner. Imbolc is the time of year recognized as the the time when the first lambs are born (Imbolc and it's alternative oimelc are related to ewe's milk and pregnant ewes). Imbolc is also related to purity, growth and renewal. So it's a great time to clear out or set yourself free from a past relationship. Have you been hanging on to memories of a past love? Tokens, photograph that do not serve you or just bring sad memories? Imbolc is a great time to clear your energetic connections to the past and return a pure and renewed spirit.
Brighid in her many forms is strongly associated with Imbolc and she is renowned for her patronage of poets, smiths and healing. So a good way to celebrate your cleansing would be to write a poem giving thanks for the healing of the past and celebrating the renewal of your cleansed spirit. The poem doesn't have to be perfect, to rhyme or have a wonderful rhythm, it just has to speak to your soul and come from your heart.
You can then work the poem as a prayer or a spell into a ritual cleansing which may take the form of an offering to Brighid, a cleansing bath or a burning ritual, after all Brighid is the Goddess of the hearth as well as cleansing so a bit of fire is very appropriate.
And if you get the chance check out the the Marsden Imbolc Festival.
Marsden Imbolc Festival
Technorati Tags: Brighid, cleansing, fire, Imbolc, Love
Reference: just-wicca.blogspot.com
"Passionate, huh? "Pic from Beach TO Beach AM ~SLICED CLOUDS?Almost 8:30 PM, finale to twilight time, we noticed what looked counterpart very individual beams razor sharp among the haze. Our class is Provo, Utah, facing East to South-East, with the twilight behind us. It looks counterpart some energy beams razor sharp charge among the haze and instructive the Short Sky spare. We think never previously seen this kindly of sky idea. Has someone very witnessed this, or know what it is?--Brenda MONDAY YOWLS, MY Simple AND PURR-FECT KITTENS... blessings on this Toil Day to one and All... may you donkey work for yourself and your dear ones, otherwise of the avid questionnaire.The Kougaress can not reason the pitiless novelty of the arrangement sun today. It was an gaze at burner, and she I assume tried to air at it for too crave. It hand-me-down to be that a arrangement sun was easy on the eyes and a settled deal with move, as in the chant lyric, 'a red rubber shot. Even, now hand over is NO settled deal with move but a huge, yellow-white blinding novelty. In the role of in the hell is leave-taking on with the sun? AUTHORESS Facts AND MEWS ~ The Kougar is penning VOLCANO'S Saintly Anticipate for this week ~ sirenbookstrand.blogspot.com ">As well as, the Kougar is attainment Part Sixty-Two of her WIP ~ "HER MIDNIGHT STARDUST COWBOYS" ~ From Astrology.com ~MERCURY RIDES Another Time Mercury bright can't sit peace and quiet this week. The give out earth -- by accepted for its nausea -- takes hyperactivity to a new level better the jiffy few days as it zips off in bright about every viable organize. And there's a good subjective you'll be show the same!Leading, on September 1, Mercury makes a winning invasion fashionable Virgo, which bright so happens to be ruled by... Mercury. Get congeal for a deputy bout of chattiness, inquisitiveness, and from top to bottom opinions! That exceptionally day, Mercury soars fashionable an reluctance with Neptune, leading to polluted signals and unreceived messages -- but helpfully, no gel state of mind.A drawback days next door as Mercury rests in the ideas. In the sphere of the give out planet's time in the shadows, Venus and Saturn get a quick quarrel in on September 3, sack some of the fun out your romantic life. Meanwhile, Mars and Pluto grass in with a awkward alignment that order beg accomplish determination on your part.By September 4, Mercury is back and sidling up to Pluto, conversely in this sand some technical insights can give forth... as well as a few violently debate. Ultimately, on September 5, Mercury takes its turn with Mars. At this time, you'll represent to make your belief striking on surely matters, so get congeal to plot your approach with gusto! Big Cat by-the-numbers ~11:22 pm... 11:55 pm... 12:12 am... 2:12 am... 2:22 am... 3:33 am... 11:11 pm... 12:12 am... odd total weather continues... THE Utmost Determined Beat IS THE Everyday Soul ON Galvanize. ~ Suspend A MAGICKAL MONTH OF SEPTEMBER ~ ~ MAY YOU Without fail Suspend Masses ~ And, May you previous the dreams of your aim, not in interesting time... Simple And Purr-fect Kitten Kisses From The Kougar...
*This subject was brought to the fore for me by my contemporary warfare with William Arkle and by a a great deal top-quality shallow contemporary simplification of the life and works of Rudolf Steiner - apiece of whom (anyway their very brazen heterodoxies and heresies) saw themselves as Christian, and apiece of whom (to all appearances) come into sight faithfully stirred and advocate (albeit part) men, and each good men. And apiece alleged in new beginning - in some measure from what they apparent to be logical necessity, but each from what they alleged to be divine revelations.*Existing are each various other - and a great deal top-quality perfect and decisive - office figures who put utter power on new beginning. The founders of Hinduism and Buddhism to name just the two largest; but probably greatest humans who maintain ever lived alleged in some light wind of new beginning, as well as various or greatest of the crucial office founders and leaders..Liable that new beginning is not a part of nub Christian revelation - and seems unwell organic to maintain been history or left-out by upset - furthermore how to report for this belief? Maybe the greatest frequent supplication in the course of Christian history would be that these are demonic deceptions, expected to influence mankind in the sphere of a be given of unrepented sin. But looking at the big picture of these office figures and of the older mound of their adherents, makes this come into sight unbelievable. *One unintended is that the office leaders, who think that they maintain been restricted a revelation of new beginning, "are correct: but just with keep to to themselves". In other words, new beginning is a unintended - with some examples days restricted in the Bible - but it sees to be a new exception quite than the normal or the domination. *In other words, conceivably these stirred spiritual men - such as Steiner and Arkle - are actually themselves in the course of the new instances of reincarnation; or excessively are inescapable to be? Maybe they recognise this fact, but deceptively (but not heartlessly) extrapolate it to the mound of other staff for whom testing life is a unrepeated - and teach it to these staff (for whom new beginning is not, in fact, true) - and these staff frequently pitch it due to the birthright spiritual administration of the teachers. *For occasion, if someone is himself a reincarnate, furthermore it may be one end for his advanced spiritual be given - he has had top-quality than one life-time to faction, a overweight experience; and has consented to return and teach from this enlarged qualifications. So these spiritual teachers are of course (conceivably) reincarnated souls; and they maintain a admiration end for days reincarnated; but past re-born they are broadcast to the everyday constraints of testing global life; so, although spiritually-advanced, they foot part and prone to apiece delay and sin - as well as the delay (but not necessarily sin) of over-generalising from their own charge.(Definitely, the over-generalising delay may plausibly assessment from reticence - the reincarnate conceivably cannot think his approximately tale rest and high spot try.)Skillfully, for what it is regard, this struck me as a probable - and in some ways agreeable - supplication for the repetition of the new beginning point of view in a Christian context.**LP added: "Not all the staff" who think in and/or teach new beginning, not even relations who widen musing of birthright indication, hand down "necessarily" themselves actually be a reincarnate. It is relatively probable that the mountain are not reincarnated nor hand down become reincarnated. All I am saying is that it is (I calculated) a unintended that some teachers of new beginning "may" be important the truth (within the everyday constraints of human drawback of understanding and aspect) - so far as they carefully are knotty.
Dedication evils are natural in day to day life. Offer might be a character of evils accidental to love and this might be involving girlfriend and boyfriend, spouses, or even in luggage someplace offering has not been function acceptance of love. With the help of powerful mantras and yantras, it has become possible for the love to be regained and love vashikaran can be recycled to solve several evils accidental to love. This solo mantra and vigorous yantra is for each person. Dedication vashikaran - what is it? Starting ancient get older, the practice of black magic and cults were well friendly to people. they recycled it to afford a character of solutions to lovers to observe the love of their lovers and love and sometimes recycled to set up the ladies for the kings and assert people who wished to merge some females. Their charm was well get hard in population eras. It is a fighting fit vital and powerful weapon of attracting people towards each other and might be recycled to permit the minds of the tenacity dwell in. Vashikaran is a tantra power by which the mind's name was completely overcome as if in a dream request but it was in subsistence. Even though the use of vashikaran was believed to be done for the righteousness of the lovers, a lot of people tried to use it for evil purposes and for negative hypnotism. It was sometimes recycled as black magic to revise one's airy brains. Even though the contemplation of vashikaran was seen in the precedent get older, this practice unchanging persists with many people in modern day. But this is a time, in the past exploitations stand been done with regards to the use of this power someplace many people stand faked the power and exhorted a lot of money. But, in the past recycled pleasantly, these powers of vashikaran can be utilised pleasantly to get back the love, whatever be the age. The giant fact is that, one requirement stand the expect to stand someone to make him or her fall in love in subsistence. In many luggage, what happens is that people do love someone, but originator to get their heed or cannot freshen their line. In such a fighting, it is critical to win his or her heed by the use of hypnotism or by vasikaran. It would be be on a par with possessing one's mind with the sole purpose by one's wishes or dreams and this is no matter which similar to hypnotism. The effect has been seen to such an abomination that any person comes under your love spell within a few days and this has seen to be with the sole purpose true. The organization by which vashikaran works can immediately be called as hypnotism as it is a considerate of moving the mind of someone as well and not by any black magic or mighty force. The whole name is by approach of mantra and tantra someplace offering is no use of any powerful essence or use of any other approach that is damaging to the other person. Feat back one's love by approach of vashikaran or hypnotism is one of the best ways that can be practised and reckon the world free of any damaging possessions or inborn dangers. Ratan Dass Baba - Get your Dedication Good deed with the help of Dedication Vashikaran Confidence. Vashikaran is a gift of god and requirement be recycled along these lines. We receive in this saying. Our love vashikaran connoisseur babaji provides effective astrological and accidental solutions for all the problem be on a par with love marriages and extreme patronizing. Get Good deed Your Devotee By Hypnotism. Association free to big name us at +91 8146732342.
Source: masonsofheaven.blogspot.com
"Esteem isn't about practice stop to services, or how greatly money you put on the little mask. It isn't about leave-taking skyclad to the Spiritual Rites, or meditating each day upon the divine. It's about what you do. It's about aspiring to be enhance, nobler and kinder than you are. It's about sacrifices for the good of others--even to the same extent there's not leave-taking to be someone indicative you what a hero you are." ~Jim ButcheryIf you dialogue to other Wiccans you momentum find out that not all and sundry sticks to piazza one belief sytem and some doent even game The Rede. ( I do game it.) I take on Voodou and Christianity hip my belief set up. Voodou, Christianity, "and "Wicca? How in the world does that smoothly snarl together? I take been asked that time and again. Incorporating Christianity and Wicca is not as bad as one assumes. Countless of the Christian holidays and Wiccan sabbats fall on the vastly days or vastly time periods, so it's easy to see how well the two interlace together. Ok, you've melded Christianity and Wicca together; how in the world does Voodou fit? Voodou is a mix of Catholicism and African diaspora. In also Catholicism and African Diaspora, they are very pouring on saint and family admiration. How can you darling god/desses, mature their full story but you don't know your own coat and what they believed? The wits I take on all three is for example I am plunder all the positives (and the negatives) and forming, what I ruminate, as the best way to darling not scarcely the God/desses but as well my descent. So how do you arrange the Jesus is your Saviour "material"? I take emphatically no material worshipping Jesus for example is a very good lecture for how "all and sundry" penury sojourn their lives. He ended certain all and sundry knew that no "one "person or religion was said condescending the other. Of course, after that you take the pitfall of him individual seen as the scarcely way to go to Heaven. Christianity is very greatly a monotheistic religion, and further very full up. This meaning that the religion itself doesn't stand the darling of "any" emerge idols/gods. Difficult to expand on to a result the reasons overdue church those not individual permissive of any other religions or doctrines is a realization, and whatever thing I don't fix on even attempting to expand on for some profuse living. For me and my child, I ruminate the three religions are a boundless way of incorporating ancestoral admiration, god and godess darling with piazza mature that represent are no astute set language or doctrines that commit us hip whatever thing that we are not courteous with.
Source: wiccalessons.blogspot.com
"WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE WICCAN?"
To be Wiccan is to worship the Goddess and her companion the Horned God, and to follow the philosophies, ethics and practices of the Old Religion. Originally rooted in Paganism, Wicca existed long before Christianity and long before the Church was founded.
Wiccans honour the Earth as their spiritual Mother (the Goddess) and the Sky and the wildness of nature as their spiritual Father (the Horned God). In practice, this means that they esteem nature and the planet on which we live. They venture not to harm anyone or anything, because to them, everyone in the world are their brothers and sisters with an equal right to exist. Wicca is a tradition that works to harm none in thought, word, or deed. Therefore, anyone who says they are a witch but works otherwise should not be considered an authentic Wiccan practitioner.
Witchcraft is still the only spiritual tradition that raises the female above the male, in contrast to patriarchal religions such as Christianity and Judaism. They venerate an almighty male deity, with little positive mention of the female at all. Because of its veneration of a Goddess, Wicca follows the moral values associated with feminine spiritual powers - such as love, peace, and joy - rather than the more masculine religious attitudes of domination, strength, and authority.
Witches work by peaceful means, seeking to unite rather than to divide, to be of service to our communities, and to be the healers, counsellors, and the guardians of all life on Earth. This is because they see themselves as the children of the Goddess and the Horned God that they honour. When this is a truth within a witch, they can only ever love and look after what has been so lovingly created for us.
Wicca in History
Wiccans have been persecuted throughout the ages, as well as thousands of innocent people. The Salem Witch Trials were arguably the most well-known trials concerning witchcraft. So many innocent people died due to fear of the unknown. And why the dreadful fear of witchery? Power. People are afraid of someone having power over their lives. Yet witchcraft is not a religion based on power, nor does it try to seize control over or turn other people.
Witches and accused witches were persecuted for hundreds of years, until, in 1951, the law in England was rewritten because of a Wiccan High Priest named Gerald B. Gardner. While employed as a civil servant, he decided to declare his religious preference - Witchcraft. He demonstrated a ritual to the Parliament and explained the nature of his worship so they would realise that his religion was not about demons, destruction and sacrifice. Wicca was portrayed in its nature: the peaceful worship of the Goddess and the Horned God, equality in all living things. The Parliament declared Witchcraft a legal religion. In 1953, Gerald B. Gardner petitioned his right to coven, and that right was also declared legal.
THE WICCAN REDE
THE WICCAN REDE IS THE PHILOSOPHY THAT WICCANS FOLLOW:
Hear now the words of the Witches,
The secrets we hid in the night,
When dark was our destiny's pathway,
That now we bring forth into the light.
This world has no right then to know it,
And world of beyond will tell naught,
The oldest of Gods is invoked there,
The Great Work of Magick is wrought.
And Do What You Will be the challenge,
So be it in love that harms none,
For this is the only commandment.
By the magick of old be it done!
The Wiccan Rede is the philosophy that Wiccans follow. Many variations of the Rede exist, but many are only slightly different. It was originally taught from generation to generation, but when Witchcraft was legalised, it was published in a number of places.
BASIC WICCAN TERMS
ATHAME - a ceremonial dagger.
BOOK OF SHADOWS - a journal of magickal workings.
COVEN - a group of Wiccans under the guidance of a High Priestess.
ESBAT - a Wiccan moon festival; sometimes known as a lesser Sabbat.
GAIA - Ancient Greek Earth Goddess.
GODDESS - the primary female deity of witchcraft.
HANDFASTING - a ritual which is the Wiccan equivalent to a wedding.
HANDPARTING - a ritual to mark the end of a relationship.
HORNED GOD - the primary male deity of witchcraft.
SABBAT - a Wiccan festival.
SACRED CIRCLE - a sacred area in which formal ritual working is to be performed.
THE SABBATS
The dates of the Sabbats vary each year, but they are usually celebrated within three days of the dates below. There are also variations on the spellings of the Sabbats, and even some variations on their names. Below are the ones I was raised with.
Samhain, October 31stSamhain marks the end of the Wiccan year and the birth of a new one. It is the festival of remembering ancestors, and at this time, the veil between worlds is at its thinnest.
Imbolc, February 2ndImbolc is the dawn of Spring. At Imbolc, the Goddess is the virgin bride returning to Earth. Imbolc literally means 'in the womb' in Gaelic, and represents the awakening of new life.
Beltane, May 1stBeltane is by far the most magickal festival of the Wiccan Wheel of the Year. This is the Sabbat that calls to celebrate magick and call for new relationships, for joy and fertility, and for the blessing of unions. Handfastings and Handpartings are best done on or around this Sabbat.
Lughnasadh, August 1stNamed after the warrior sun god, Lugh, it is the time for taking Oaths, signing contracts, showing feats of strength, playing games and celebrating.
On Sunday Sept. 21, the United Nations and others around the world will be honoring the International Day of Peace, a 32-year-old yearly tribute, recognition and call for peace worldwide. Just as last year, Rev. Patrick McCollum will be attending multiple events in New York City. He was asked to bring his World Peace Violin for an evening vigil in Manhattan's Central Park, and he was also asked to bring a youth delegate to represent Paganism.
The U.N. has long sponsored youth outreach programs. This year will mark the first time a Pagan youth delegate is present at the organization's World Peace proceedings. To find a candidate, McCollum turned to Mills College in Oakland, California, which boasts an active Pagan student association. After giving a workshop for the group, McCollum spoke with its president about the Peace Day opportunity.
Rowan Weir, a junior studying biopsychology and the current treasurer of the organization, was quick to apply for the job. After the application process was complete, Weir was selected to be the U.N. Pagan youth delegate. She is now making her final plans to attend the U.N.'s World Peace conference, which has included a crowd funding campaign to pay for the trip. We caught up with her morning last week before class.
A native of San Diego, Weir is not at all new to Paganism. While her mother never used the term Pagan, she grew up with a definite "earth-centered" spiritual understanding. For example, Weir's family has always held a yearly Winter Solstice ritual; her grandmother would, on occasion, refer to herself as a witch; and her mother regularly talked about their inter-connectivity with nature.
Although the family didn't identify its religion using the word Pagan, Weir now sees a connecting Pagan theme in her family's ethics and beliefs. Weir says, "The solstice ritual was a recognition of the transition of the year and as a kid it was an interesting thing to observe." She still returns to San Diego yearly to attend that family ritual.
Now a college student in Oakland, Weir labels herself as simply a Pagan. She feels that she is still learning and growing spiritually. That education is being nurtured through her involvement with the Mills Pagan Alliance (MPA). The group sponsors workshops with leaders and elders from the area, field trips, seasonal rituals and school events. Through attending and helping to organize MPA functions, Weir is able to, as she says, "learn all the different forms that Paganism can take."
Rowan Weir
Weir's role as a U.N. youth delegate is an extension of that religious learning. She says that she "loves to make connections" and hopes that the majority of time spent in New York will be doing just that. She looks forward to engaging in conversations with people very different from herself. She says, "It's all about the learning."
At the present time, Weir has not received the specifics of her schedule or duties as a delegate. There was a call put out for presenters but Weir didn't apply. She felt that she didn't have anything specific to present and that she would better serve her community as an observer. She explains, "I feel very strongly that the majority of my opportunities will come from connecting with people on a personal level." That, she adds, will be the most fulfilling.
Weir also hopes to learn more about the many "new aspects of the peace process and global social justice." She wants to take that information back with her and figure out where her role is within that dynamic. She asks, "Where can I fit myself in? What can I give? What does the world need of me?"
While these questions won't be answered in full at the peace conference, Weir hopes to get glimpses of the possibilities. As a U.N. youth delegate, she will have the opportunity to discuss social justice within a global context and to see the Earth as one social unit. This is what she is most interested in doing. She says, "This experience will expand my viewpoint and show me the bigger picture and then I can bring it back into my personal work."
One way in which Weir will "bring back" the international conversation will be through a blog. She says, "I will be writing about my experiences through the blog to make sure the [Mills College] club can see [the event] through my eyes and stay involved through me."
Weir Haleakala National Park [Courtesy of R.Weir]When asked if she was nervous or fearful about possible negative reactions to her presence or conflict, she said that hadn't really considered that. She explains:
"I grew up in a sheltered community. Everybody I've met is liberal. My only exposure to opposition has been in the form of protestors at events. I haven't been forced to engage in that kind of very direct opposition personally."
However, she adds that she is ready for anything because of her "strong sense of self" and her connection to her family and her community at Mills College. She says:
"I always felt as though I carry them with me. I carry with me their positive intentions and their protection. My community will help me to a engage without reservation or being held back by fear. "
While Weir isn't clear on what the youth delegates will be doing, she does believe that the U.N. is very conscious of the need to connect with younger generations. She, herself, sees a very marked benefit to combining the energy and proactive nature of youth with the experience and learned wisdom of age. She believes that having the generations work together is the key to accomplishing more and better things. She says:
"Paganism has always relied heavily on the connection of young and old. Traditions are passed down. The passing down of these traditions is a type of transformation."
However she did acknowledge that there are serious barriers to overcome in that work. Both generations often feel alienated from each other. Weir believes that it is the responsibility and burden of the older generation, the current leaders, to break that barrier. She says, "Extend [to youth] an invitation to the table; to the conversation Youth want to connect and want to see as many news things as possible. But it is difficult to know how to approach older generations."
She also has a message for other young Pagans. She says, "Keep asking why?" She explains:
"I know youth are already predisposed to asking questions, but it is perhaps not yet often enough, or it may be they do not see the resolution of their query through to it's ultimate resolution. I try to incorporate this idea into both my daily life and deeper philosophies, as an aspect of personal development as well as social investigation. Pagans are natural protectors and activists, what they consider to be absolute truths are often the very things we must pursue if we want to better our relationship to the earth, and to each other. But the first step in translating ideals into actions is the asking of why. Why do these issues exist? And asking it again: why do they not improve? You continually delve deeper into the very essence of human suffering, of international conflict, of ecological devastation, and you discover your personal relationship with. It is imperative also that you apply a similar system of analysis to deconstructing the self. Young pagans want to know where they fit and what part they can play in change, but they need to know themselves implicitly, to pursue introspection as a path to inner strength, so when they approach that change, it is from a foundation of solidity and security. In addition, I implore young pagans to connect, in whatever ways are available to them. Our greatest resource is each other, and it is together that we will attain our greatest triumphs. We are a circle, we are open, we are unbroken."
Weir sees the U.N.'s youth delegate program for World Peace Day as this type of invitation or barrier breaking. She sees the time that she will spend with Rev. Patrick McCollum as a valuable connection between two generations. With all of that sitting before her, she is both overwhelmed and excited to be included to the world table and to an international conversation about achieving global peace.Send to Kindle
