I is for Isis and Osiris positions

I for one use the Isis and Osiris positions when calling the Lord and Lady during ritual. I know they'e Egyptian gods, but I'd like to learn more about these positions, so on to the research...

These positions are also referred to as simply the God and Goddess Positions or Postures. According to the Encyclopedia of Wicca and Witchcraft, the God or Osiris Posture represents burial, and while a bowed head in this position refers to the Slain God or Harvest Lord, a raised head symbolizes the god renewed, Sun God, or Lord of Vegetation. The Goddess Posture is similar to Neolithic Goddess symbols found in Old Europe. It also resembles the ka symbol of Egypt, which refers to the spirit body double of the physical body.

You can look at these pages to learn about Isis and Osiris

H is for Happiness

"People are just as happy as they make up their minds to be." -Abraham Lincoln
"Happiness depends upon ourselves." -Aristotle

I decided that it is my job to make myself happy; nobody can do it for me. Happiness is all about attitude, and mine needed improvement. Actually, it still does. As with many things, my pursuit of happiness is a work-in-progress. One of the things I am trying is affirmation. I've put sticky notes in places I'll see (on my bathroom mirror and near my computer) saying, "I think positive and loving thoughts and enjoy a happy, optimistic mood." I've also been attempting more positive thinking, which is easier said than done. My goal in every situation is to look at the bright side, but if that's too hard, I just try to calm down and not make it worse. I'm not always happy, and I'm certainly not the happiest person alive, but thinking positively has made me happier, and I'm hoping it will continue to.

H is for Hell (as an expression).

Sometimes being a Pagan surrounded by Christians is as hard as Hell. I could try to raise hell about it, but all hell would break loose, and someone hell-bent on converting me would tell me I'm doomed to hell, to which I'd have to reply, "Go to hell!" just for the hell of it. Then they'd give me hell about that, which would start one hell of an argument, which neither of us would have a snowball's chance in hell of winning, unless hell freezes over. Maybe I could just scare the hell out of them and they'd flee like a bat out of hell. Ah, to hell with it!

As a pagan, I don't believe in Hell, so why would I use the word? Well, it is probably the best known name for a location of its type, at least in the Western world. According to Thesaurus.com, there is a list of synonyms for hell: Abaddon, Gehenna, Hades, abyss, affliction, agony, anguish, blazes, bottomless pit, difficulty, everlasting fire, fire and brimstone, grave, hell-fire, infernal regions, inferno, limbo, lower world, misery, nether world, nightmare, ordeal, pandemonium, perdition, pit, place of torment, purgatory, suffering, torment, trial, underworld, wretchedness. While many of these words could be used in place of hell in some circumstances, sometimes hell just works better. Many of these words still refer to the same Judeo-Christian concept of hell: Abaddon, Gehenna, everlasting fire, fire and brimstine, hell-fire, perdition. Some are just not as comprehensive as the word hell: abyss, affliction, agony, anguish, blazes, bottomless pit, difficulty, grave, infernal regions, inferno, misery, ordeal, pandemonium, pit, place of torment, suffering, torment, trial, wretchedness. A few are names for similar mythological places: Hades, limbo, lower world, nether world, purgatory, underworld. The only synonym left is nightmare, but let's face it: "Hurts like a nightmare" just doesn't have the same ring to it.

Not only is hell a relatively unique word, but the fact that you don't believe in something isn't necessarily a reason to avoid talking about it or using it in conversation. I have friends who debate the physics within fictional universes. Most of us have heard the phrases, "I'm no Superman," and "What would <insert fictional character here> do?" Not to mention all the memes starring fictional characters or places. So the next time you say "What the hell?" and someone responds, "I thought you didn't believe in Hell." give 'em hell! ;P

G is for Goddess Festival

I recently had the pleasure off attending the Goddess Festival in nearby Fayetteville, Arkansas. This was the fifth annual celebration, but the first year I'd heard about it in time to go. The mission of the Goddess festival is "to restore balance in the world, by encouraging exploration of the feminine divine through art, music, words, dance and shared knowledge." It was a 10-day long assortment of events linked together by a focus on the divine feminine. There were rituals, music, workshops, and discussions. I did not attend every day, but I did get to participate in a few of the events. They started the whole thing with an opening ritual, followed by a wine and cheese reception. The ritual included drumming, chanting, and interaction with for different altars set up throughout the venue. It was a very welcoming atmosphere where all were included. A few days later, I joined others for group Yoga. On the Equinox, the Festival held an Equinox ritual, which was created collectively a few days prior. The next event I attended was "Divine Sculpture: Creations in Salt Dough" where we learned how to make and use salt dough, and received some inspiration as to its spiritual applications. The last day of the Festival included a service at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Fayetteville, and the closing ceremony included the live music of a local band, Selkie. "Selkie is an original ensemble whose music speaks to the mythical, magical past and future that we all share. Featuring such instruments as didgeridoo, Irish whistles, African and Latin percussion, guitars and bass, lush female vocals and rich harmonies, Selkie is hard to categorize. But to be sure, this unique blend of rich influences speaks to some-thing primal and deep in all of us and is sure to enchant and get your soul and body moving." I enjoyed all of the events I attended, and there were many I missed that sounded good as well including 
"Bringing the Feminine into Spirit: An Interfaith Dialogue," a "Vendor Village," wand-making, archery, "Singing in Sacred Circle," an open-mic night, bellydancing, and many others. I hope that this event continues to be held every year, and I recommend attendance to anyone interested in Goddess worship and/or the divine feminine. 

The Goddess Festival website: http://www.goddessfestival.com/

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Fayetteville: http://fayettevilleunitarian.org/

Selkie on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Selkie/155035357913057

F is for Fairies and other beings

Do I believe in fairies? Well, that answer is not a simple yes or no. I believe there are beings of another realm, with whom we have only limited communication. I believe some of these are the souls of those who have lived as humans before: ghosts. I believe that there are others, as well, but they are harder to define. I think we humans (certainly I) do not have enough information about these beings to form a scientific conclusion, so we just go with whatever term we think applies to what we've experienced. Some call them angels and demons, or good fairies and bad, perhaps elves, gnomes, or many other names. I prefer the term fairies, but only for lack of a better name, as I'm pretty sure only they know their true identity(ies). What about you?

Ostara (a poem)

Ostara, Equinox, First Day of Spring!
Earth now awakens and new life she'll bring
The sun is returning and weather is warming
The flowers are blooming and big storms are brewing
Fresh plants now abounding, the soil is thawed
Animals back: scaled, furry, and clawed
It's now time to plant, some seeds we will sow
Then in Fall harvest, the profits we'll know
So as the season renews everything
Together rejoice in the coming of Spring!

Does it make me a bad Pagan?

In my home, trespassing is punishable by death... if you're a bug, that is. To clarify, by "bug" I don't necessarily mean insect. I mean any small creepy crawly or flying thing that bugs me. Spiders are bugs; butterflies are not. Back to the point, I will squish most bugs, certainly spiders, crickets, and ants, simply for being in my home, without remorse. Does that make me a bad Pagan?
Also, shouldn't I enjoy the sunlight? I mean, I'm supposed to, right? Well, I don't. I can certainly appreciate the sun from a logical standpoint, for what it does for life on Earth, and I am thankful for the warmth it provides, but I can't seem to really like it on an emotional level. It's too bright, it hurts my skin, it gets too hot in the summer, causes glare, sunburn, I could go on. I'd be happy living a completely nocturnal life, never seeing the sun, if it weren't for the fact that everyone else operates during the day. Does that make me a bad Pagan?
Another confession: I'm not much of an animal person. Sure, I think baby animals are cute, and I admire some animals for their behavior and/or beauty, but I'm not really much for taking care of them, or even being around them much. I've had a few pets, currently one cat (Rain), and I did and will take care of them, but I really leave a lot of that to my husband. I feel guilty that I don't play with Rain more, but she seems happy. I could certainly never see myself working with animals, whether volunteering or as a career. I used to think I might like working with horses, but that thought didn't last long. Does that make me a bad Pagan?
I'm also very picky about when I like being outdoors. I don't like the cold, or the heat, or the sunlight, or getting rained on, or bugs, or getting dirty... but otherwise I love the outdoors! Does that make me a bad Pagan?
My list of faults could go on, but I really don't think any of them make me a bad Pagan. I think none of us are perfect, we are all different and unique, and that's the way Goddess made us!

E is for Easter and Ostara

Easter and Ostara are so different, yet have so much in common. One is Christian, the other Pagan. One focuses on the Passion of Jesus Christ, the other on the Equinox and the return of Spring. One focuses on resurrection, the other... does too.

   

I come from a Catholic family, and nearly all of my extended relatives are Christian, so we get together on Easter Sunday every year. I am Pagan, celebrate Ostara, (at least once a year) and want to teach my children (ages 4 and 1) about my faith. There are plenty of ways to teach them about Ostara which I'm planning to do, but there's the matter of the bunny. In previous years, we didn't do the Easter/Ostara/Spring Bunny and the kids weren't old enough to miss it, but I'd like to do it this year. The trouble is deciding when said bunny should arrive. Ostara is more religiously significant to me, but most of my family would say that about Easter. My husband isn't religious and really doesn't seem to care. It would be so much simpler if Ostara and Easter just fell on the same day, but I can't even count on them being near each other. Ostara is on the Equinox, but Easter is the first Sunday after the first full moon after the Spring Equinox. That means they could be as little as 2 days apart, or as much as 35 days apart. I think I like the idea of celebrating Easter like a secular holiday, and the bunny can come then. Ostara will be about Earth, and Easter can be about candy. Maybe we can color eggs on Ostara, and use them to decorate on Easter. If it weren't for all the Easter commotion, it might be easier to have the bunny come on Ostara, but oh well.

E is for The Elements

The four classical elements are Earth, Air, Fire, and Water; add Spirit, and you have five. Each element has its own properties and associations, and each has unique ways to connect with it. Many people have one or two elements with which they connect best, and it may be useful to know yours, but it is also good to be able to connect with them all. Let's go over them one at a time.

Earth is associated with, well, things of the Earth: the forces of nature and her bounty, birth and healing, fertility, mystery and growth, material abundance, and matters of business and industry. It's compass direction is North, and creatures of Earth include the bear, stag, and wolf.

Air is associated with things of the mind (intellect, communication, concentration, telepathy, etc.) and also with prophecy, movement and karma. It's compass direction is East, and creatures of Air include the hawk, raven, and eagle.

Fire is associated with energy, purification, courage, the will to dare, creativity, loyalty, force, the higher self, success and refinement, arts and transformation. It's compass direction is South, and creatures of Fire include the lion, phoenix, and dragon.

Water is associated with things of the soul (intuition, emotions, the inner self) and with flowing movement, cleansing power, the currents and tides of life, and with dreams and dreamtime. It's compass direction is West, and creatures of Water include the dolphin, swan, and crab.

Spirit, also known as Akasha, God/Goddes, and so many other names, is the binding force of the other four. It is associated with centering, transformation, and limitlessness. Rather than a compass direction, Spirit is at the center.

As far as connecting with the Elements, I think it's pretty obvious that a great way to do so is by going outside and simply enjoying nature, but let's be more specific. Below are some examples of ways I like to connect.

Earth

• Walk outside barefoot
• Feel things in nature: rocks, trees, grass...
• Leave out food or water for animals
• Climb a tree
• Grow something
• Look at your children, friends, pets
• Before you eat, think about where your food came from
• Think about how all the things around you, are from the Earth. However changed and processed by man, everything has its roots in the Earth.
• Remember that you are also of the Earth

Air

• Simply breathe
• Stand and feel the air, whether a light breeze or a mighty wind
• Watch the clouds blow by
• Light incense
• Remember that Air is all around you constantly, even though we don't see it. We usually ignore it, taking it for granted, and yet without it there would be no life.
• Try to feel subtle changes in the air, even indoors

Fire

• Light a candle
• Have a campfire or bonfire
• Watch lightning
• Feel the warmth of the sunlight
• Play with a Tesla ball
• Notice your own sparks of energy
• Do something you're a bit afraid of

Water

• Swim
• Take a bath or shower
• Stand in the rain
• Wade in a stream or jump in puddles
• Watch the rain, a stream, a fountain, or any flowing water
• Go to the beach or a lake
• Try to visualize the blood pumping throughout your body, and remember humans are mostly water.

Spirit

• Pray
• Meditate
• Divination
• Many of the ways to connect to Spirit are personal and unique, so do what works for you.

Personally, I find my best way to connect with Spirit, is to connect with the other four. The element I feel I connect best with is Air. There are varying ways to discover yours, but for me it was kind of three fold. I consider myself a logical person, and I like to think about things rationally. So Air makes sense. I also feel the most physically ans spiritually connected to nature, and to Spirit, when I am standing in the breeze, feeling the wind all around me, and smelling the fresh air. The third thing is a bit silly, but it seems to me that flight is just about the definition of freedom. So there you have it; I hope you enjoyed my babbling on the subject.

Noteworthy Nothings: Letter to Santa

Noteworthy Nothings: Letter to Santa: My 4-year-old son James and I sent a magical letter to Santa Claus today. This was the first year he was really old enough to be interested ...

C is for Cernunnos

Cernunnos is a Celtic horned god, and that's about all I knew about him before today. I figured it was time to learn more. 

Cernunnos (pronounced KER noo nohs) is associated with animals, nature and the forest. He is also often associated with fertility, vegetation, and death/rebirth. He was worshipped by the iron age Celts all across Europe around the first century AD, and his worship must have begun centuries before that. We have nothing in writing about him , so everything we know about him can only be guessed at from images. He is usually portrayed seated and cross-legged, in the meditative or shamanic position. He is also known as The Lord of the Hunt, The Lord of the Animals, The Stag Lord and The Lord of the Forest.

Today, many Pagan religions revere a horned god; this divinity syncretises a number of horned or antlered gods from various cultures, including Cernunnos.

Sources: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_do_you_pronounce_Cernunnos, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cernunnos, http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/godsandgoddesses/p/Cernunnos.htm, http://www.lugodoc.demon.co.uk/CERNUNOS.HTM

C is for Candlemas

   Candlemas, or Imbolc, as I prefer to call it, is the first of the Sabbats to celebrate Spring each year. The freezing weather is just starting to subside, and little buds are starting to show up. Although Winter is not yet over, it is becoming evident that Spring is definitely on its way. As winter is a time of inward reflection, and Spring is a time of new beginnings, I see Imbolc as the turning point between the two. It is a time to sum up all that we've been reflecting on and turn it into goals. I think it's a great time to start budgeting or saving up for something; Spring cleaning/organizing; planning, and possibly planting your garden; or any other project you've been thinking you ought to do. 

   This will be my first year to celebrate Imbolc with the kids (ages 4 & 1), so I've been searching for ways to include them. I've found coloring pages (like this one), activities (like these), and other great ideas. I think I'll try to do a couple of these, but not all of them. We will definitely be doing some coloring, and roasting marshmallows in the fireplace, and I'll try to explain the significance of the day in terms my 4-year-old can understand.