Egg on My Face

Last night our house was egged. I am dumbfounded by this turn of events. We reported it to the police and I am going to try to parley this opportunity into a chance to meet with local law enforcement officials to educate about Wicca. Especially since our community locally is growing leaps and bounds. The hang up phone calls started this afternoon. I suspected this might happen sooner or later…I had really hoped for later.

At least the local police were understanding.

Any suggestions on getting egg off windows, wood and brick?

*sigh*

New Website, Facebook, Tweeter, Pagan Spirit Gathering – Not Necessarily in that Order

 

I am back from Pagan Spirit Gathering (PSG) and have taken a few days trying to get my bearings again. SOO much happened at PSG. I met so many amazing people and so many more people I wanted to meet, I wanted to spend time with and simply ran out of time.

I had the amazing pleasure of spending my cabin time with some fabulous people and presenters. Joanna Powell Colbert is an internationally known artist who is currently working on the Gaian Tarot. I was pleased to spend time with her in workshop learning about the intensive process it takes to create a tarot deck. It was absolutely incredible and humbling. The fact that she is an amazing person on top of her amazing talent only made it better. She became a fast friend and someone who was careful to include me which warmed my heart. I will never look at tarot decks in the same way again and I can't wait until this one comes out. I am not even a collector. If you are, then this deck is going to be a must have. There are special edition decks that will be available. Don't miss your chance!

Her husband Craig Olsen was also welcoming and talented. He was one of the many musicians who played during the week of PSG, the story of Craig Olsen and Douglas Bischoff of Coyote Run exemplified the theme Old Traditions, New Beginnings. Craig whose blazing guitar licks and poignant lyrics about the Goddess and one man's spiritual journey to Her inspired Douglas Bischoff to pursue pagan music and in doing so this PSG saw them on stage together both humbled and pleased with the admiration of the other. It was certainly an honor to witness such an exchange.

I also bunked with Sparky T. Rabbit and his lovely mate Ray who celebrated 25 years of handfasting at this PSG. Twenty-five years ago, Sparky and Ray handfasted at PSG and this year they rededicated themselves to their love and commitments. They were both a joy to watch and an inspiration. Hope. The hope that love can last and survive and thrive was embodied in their very being.

Two beds down was Dee of Elvendrums. This entertaining trio not only will keep you laughing, they will make you think. I loved their song that was about why Elves and Faye hate iron. It's not what we are, but what we do, the course sang. They are absolutely fun and gregarious and I thoroughly enjoyed my time with them.

Rev. Patrick McCollum and Joyce and River Higginbotham were also in attendance; however, my time with them was limited. I attended excellent workshops by Patrick and River that were enlightening and inspiring and had several meals with Joyce and River which were always entertaining and educational.

I didn't bunk with Nora Cedarwind Young; however, she was around making sure the presenters were taken care of, helping out Giving whose job it was to do the same. Nora was also warm and giving and her work with green burials and death midwifery was fascinating and timely. I am extremely grateful for the time I got to spend with her.

I left mostly amazed by Selena Fox's constant energy and attitude of service, gratitude and love. Where it all comes from is still a mystery however I would love to find it. J Her workshop on Hospital Chaplaincy was very informative and I was grateful I got the chance to attend.

Despite all these "Big Names" that I was honored to be among, it was people like Jerrie Hildebrand, Shel, Moonfeather (What was your name again?), Giving (her name and her attitude), Kiwi, Brian (The Candy Man Can) and many others from my home stomping grounds that made the week an adventure I was glad I hadn't missed. The faces dance before my eyes like they did around the main ritual bonfire and they are illuminated by the magic wands of opening ritual. To all of these there is a gratefulness that I have found because my life was profoundly touched by these people.

It was also my honor to bestow the rank of 2^nd Degree in Family Wiccan Traditions International to Melissa Hill on behalf of Reverend Crystal Blanton, her High Priestess and Mentor. Melissa is a cherished member of FWTI and during PSG shone brightly the light of FWTI and her home Family Coven – Family Of the Rising Phoenix.

Many of you know I am a bit of a music snob. I admit it. I only like certain things. Being born and raised in the south with a capella is the staple of my musical diet, the harmonies of the Deep South are engrained in my being. I find a resonance with them that literally shakes my soul and warms my spirit. It has been a long time since anyone other than Emerald Rose has been able to shake soul tears from me, until this PSG. When I arrived the buzz was all about Coyote Run. I had never heard of them; however, I ended up eating dinner with Douglas Bischoff (guitar, vocals, didgeridoo, trombone, bagpipes) and talked about the styling of Coyote Run music. He said they were Celtic Rock which of course reminded me of my fanatical liking of Emerald Rose. Turns out that Doug knows Arthur Hinds (solo artist, bard and all around great guy not to mention, vocalist, bodhran, guitarist for Emerald Rose), and welcomed the comparison with enthusiasm saying that Coyote Run had a fuller sound.

They also, in my opinion, play a different music. The sound is fuller as they utilize a full drum kit, horned instruments and bagpipes (I missed the bodhran); however, their lyrics take a decided turn from "traditional" Celtic fare. They use poems and traditional songs with new twists in their music and you have to listen closely to hear that Celtic flavor that is one part of the symphonic music Coyote Run composes.

To my embarrassment, it was their rendition of Oh Shenandoah that had me sitting on the front row balling. My husband is from Virginia and this unofficial state song reminded me of the winding hills, the running creeks and the family home there. Without benefit of drum, pipe or guitar, I was there again and longing to jump up and sing alto right along with them, balling the whole time. Run, Coyote Run! Check out this fabulous band (only after you have once again shown some love to Emerald Rose – Sorry Coyote – my first music love is hard to beat and their lyrics are in my book! J).

So this Facebook thing is looking more and more like an important tool that I under utilize. I am going to have to get my Tina and Carly to help me learn to better navigate the waters of Facebook. I have had more adds to Facebook since I returned than I thought possible. Selena also turned me on to Tweeter and I hope to be turning my attention there very very soon – so look to Tweeter me in the near future when my new website is unveiled. That's right a new website….more to come.

Earth In North?

I have just come back from a gathering here in Georgia where I attended a workshop by Lady Eurhythmy. The workshop was called "Magic and Science." For those who don't know I am a big science, quantum physics, M-Theory kind of girl…not to mention my obsession with all things Sacred Geometry and Pythagoras. So, of course, I attended.

What I came away with, however, was most surprising to me and it has to do with the controversy over Earth in the East or North and Air in the North or East. I have attempted to practice both ways and eventually settled on a preference for Earth in the North and Air in the East. I knew the theological reasons why practitioners changed Earth to East and even the magical stirrings of why Earth was moved to the East by some; however, the energies never meshed for me and I also felt there was some fundamental reason for that.

In this seminar, I found it. It turns out in Quantum Mechanics – according to the good Lady – that there are Four Fundamental Forces. These forces are the Weak, Electromagnetic, Strong Force and Gravity. Each force has a particle or association with it. Weak Force particles are called Bozons. Electromagnetic Force particles are called Photons. Strong Force particles are called Gluons and Gravity particles are called Gravitons.

Now what was interesting is the definitions for these particles and through these definitions the elemental associations that can be made for them.

Weak Force Bozons are defined as the force that transforms the up quark to the down quark and mediates forces. Odd forces are repulsed (widdershins) and even forces are attracted (deosil). This is the force that decides and starts and if Air is in the East, then the Bozon is associated with the Eastern direction.

Electromagnetic Force is the thing which acts between charged particles. Photons, also associated with light, are an application of electromagnetic force. (South)

Strong Force Gluons (West) are the force which binds nucleons in the nucleus and also quarks to one another.

The Gravitons activate the particles and carries those particles into the universe.

Starting in East – we apply the Bozon and decide how we want our magic to go (up or down, odd or even in force) and run that decision through the South and the Electromagnetic Force which charges the particles necessary for the working. In West the Gluons bind those particles together, sealing the magic that is being attempted. Now that these forces are bound, the gravitons activate them and carry them for release into the universe.

In practice, we could say that our Bozon is a decision to let go of hurtful relationship which determines the energy is going to go down and odd (widdershins). Moving to the South, we examine the need to replace that negative relationship with an opening in our hearts for healthier relationships and charge both those particles for that purpose. In the West, our two purposes are bound together in harmony and balance, a guiding principle of magic, creating a magical working that isn't lopsided. Our magic moves to the gravitons that activates both sides of the magical working and releases them into the universe. This working will end the harmful relationship and leave a healed space for healthy relationships to take root – note that no separate working is done to draw in healthy relationships because the work was balanced by the use of the four fundamental forces.

Lady Eurhythmy made a point to focus on the Bozons and the importance of the decision there, however, I think the Laws of Magic tell us that the combination of East and South is critical. By making your main decision in East and then balancing that decision by charging the particles with the completion of that thought, you are creating a magical working that is balanced and complete.

That controversy aside, the other fascinating thing was the four principles of Quantum Mechanics the presenters gave.

1. Fundamentally, the act of attention makes something real.
   

This is interesting because there was a whole school of Greek philosophy that said the very same thing. In magic we might say that what you focuses on increases and what you ignore decreases.

1. A queer force acting at a distance which means that two things who are together then separated have an effect on each other ever after that. This is also known as Quantum Entanglement.
   

Interestingly in magic, the Law of Contagion states that same thing. If A and B deal with each other the affect of their dealing (contagion) continues after separation.

1. Biocentric Universe states that we are creating the effects as we experience them.
   

This is to say, you get what you expect. This effect of the mind on the smallest of particles should be very encouraging to magical practitioners. Knowing that the expectation of a scientist in an experiment can actually affect the experiment is the same as understanding that the expectation of a practitioner during a magical working affects the magical working is certainly validating.

1. There is ability for scientists to gain use of external forces that cannot be seen by the mind.
   

Well, isn't that what magic has been saying for years? Magic is the ability of a practitioner to assert ones will over forces both seen and unseen to create change in the immediate life of the practitioner and the world. This thought should be very comforting.

Lady Eurhythmy reminded the class that Focus was the most important tool for witches and suggested that owning the Bozon in your life – the Statement of Intent – was the first place to start when it comes to magical creation. She compared it to the Philosopher's Stone which is the tool that reminds us that by our thoughts we create our reality. The second part was to find the tool set you would use to navigate these energies and use them to your benefit.

Overall, I was excited about the class and the presentation and really appreciated Lady Eurhythmy's efforts for it. It was one of the highlights of my weekend.

The weekend was also notable because I crowned a maiden to help me navigate the growing work load coming my way. Tina has become a model student, good friend, confident and right hand. I am honored she is willing to sacrifice to assist me. Then, of course, my good friend and another confident Cheiron became a 2^nd Degree in FWTI. It was LONG overdue and FWTI is so honored to have the likes of this wonderful man as one of us. What an inspiration and great mentor he is!

He taught a psychometric class and it was wonderful. Even Stone was successful which was really cool. I believe the class changed a lot of negative attitudes about personal ability. It was wonderful to see.

Well, I am working to finish my book before deadline. Ya'll be good now!

 

Beltane’s Nesting Birds

This morning I woke to an ill adjusted mood in both my husband and son getting ready for school and work. Fighting over shoes (my son's new obsession) while trying to accommodate a Coven Sister staying with us whose mother is dying in close proximity to our Covenstead. I'd made special effort to get up early to work and woke to familiar pain of post gathering hang over. In the chaos, the anger grew and the boys left without their tea.

They called and asked me to get the tea and bring it out to them. Bitching about shoes, being up early and pre-teen boys who haven't had a coming of age yet, I stomped out the front door only to be accosted by a bird.

Suddenly, the pettiness of everything fell away and there I stood realizing, in the wreath I had hung only the day before I left for Florida Pagan Gathering, a bird had nested there and laid eggs. In my own symbol of fertility and growth on my own door, the God and Goddess had performed the Great Rite and left me a reminder: Shoes, early rising, forgotten tea, irritable pre-teen boys – nothing is as important as family and you sometimes make do with the very best you can, even if it is the Beltane wreath on the witch's door.

Color me blessed in red, white and light blue green eggs.

Florida Pagan Gathering

Life changing events don't happen very often; however, the events that make positive impact, inspire, motivate and forge friendship and camaraderie happen with more regularity; therefore, they are largely over looked as mundanely unimportant and. After all, it is likely to happen again real soon. Why the fuss?

Florida Pagan Gathering was such an event for me; however, mundanely unimportant is an insult to the experience, the event, the coordinators and the people I met. I want to make a bit of a fuss because, not only did I have F – U – N, I found like minds, common ground and acceptance. As a new author, these things are not a matter of regular timing. In a world of neo-paganism where new authors struggle to get their voices heard, FPG took a chance, let me speak and in turn I received far more than I could have hoped for and I believe those I met got a new perspective and new ideas. That was my plan anyway. ;)

Margot Alder, Chas S. Clifton, T. Thorn Coyle and Gavin and Yvonne Frost were presenters, along with me – sans book. However, it wasn't these esteemed contemporaries that were the only ones to honor me with their presence, insight and excitement. It was all the others I met along the way. I hope my photo album will soon reflect pictures of the events and people that made FPG such a wonderful experience.

In the meantime, here is my extremely condensed version of events that were important to me.

Balaenor – Chauffeur, confident, fellow karaoke fanatic and master of music was my first exposure to FPG. He took a panicked first time presenter, feed her hot chocolate and calmed her down. I was grateful and relieved. He also exposed me to Black Moors Night (help me out I couldn't find a website for them!), a band my husband I know is going to love.

I arrived to goody bags, spaghetti and meatballs, Anne Marie and the rest of the staff all excited, eager, welcoming and loving. Well feed, I went to bed peacefully. The next morning I took pictures of the beautiful site and met some of the 100s of participants. Then eventually, took my most dangerous and expensive journey into Vendor Row. My chauffeurs are certainly lighter.

I gave my first class and had a warm and welcome reception, as I did for all my classes. I met lots of families interested in Family Coven, the idea and forth coming book (Llewellyn Worldwide Press, Ltd.). I found that the topic was extremely hot during the highlight of my visit, the Author's Panel.

The authors' panel hosted by T. Thorn Coyle was themed Paganism: Past, Present and Future. Considering the guests of Margot Alder, The Frosts and Chas S. Clifton (Author of her hidden children, a book about how witchcraft came from Britain to become Wicca in America), the topic could not have had a better panel. My perspective of what I believe the future of Wicca to look like – filled with Family Coven's celebrating a varied spirituality in their own homes before they even step foot into the larger community, allowed for a well rounded and timely discussion. One that you can catch on Thorn's podcast Elemental Castings sometime in the next month.

I got equal pleasure from singing with Thorn on one of her songs during her set when she opened for Spiral Rhythms. Thorn's new album with Sharon Knight, Songs for the Strengthening Sun , is out now and complements their other CD, Songs for the Waning Year. Spiral Rhythms is also offering a new release, We are Light.

I meet some special people while during my stay that I wanted to mention here. Of course, Baleanor was already mentioned and worth mentioning again! Between Baleanor and Thorn I have a list of new music to look up including: Bauhaus, Rasputina, Zoe Keating and Spiral Dance. Sherry was the reliable rock upon which I could quietly whisper a need and see it quickly tended to. The Candy Ritual wouldn't have succeeded without her. Ann Marie, Gold Leader One whose supportive and encouraging words are addicting so I miss then already. She certainly seemed the glue that kept it altogether.

I had my first experience with Guardians, lead at this event by Trauma, what can I say? A group of people who give freely of their time to protect, mend and heal those who come to events. Trauma - Beautiful. Efficient. Precise. Courageous. Understanding. Loving. Wonderful AND going to be at Pagan Spirit Gathering with my own personal rescuer - Raja! I am so relieved!!!!!

Outside all those faces without names who make FPG such a great success and all of whom I wish I could recall now, I met lots of people who were attending the event that struck a chord with me.

Starting with Forest and Joe Butera who finally contradicted a famous saying made to me once, "There are no greater mysteries. Stop looking for them!"

Their workshop on The Keys to the Mysteries was not only pleasurable and informative – it fed my soul and my soul was thirsty. These two wonderful men are certainly ones I hope to continue to discuss the esoteric mysteries and schools in the future with. Especially as I explore The Order of International Co-Freemasonry, Le Droit Humain. Their Blue Moon Wiccan Tradition seemed like something that had I found, FWTI might never had come about. Good thing I only meet them last week! *grin*

I met Kharyssa, TeriCaye, Terry, Noel, Emily, Gina, Andrew, Gaylan, Jo, Amanda, Dustie, Michelle, Adam and Tabitha Little who gave me her Family Coven's motto, "Live in faith not fear." I am thinking of adopting it. Not to mention those who pre-ordered the book including Carrie, Oyliah, Angela and Amanada.

From there the names and faces blended and appeared before me time again. Each one displaying a unique love of Divinity and a willingness to provide for me…me!?! There was a Bale Fire to jump and intentional magic made. There was new friends and colleagues found.

There is also a burning desire to find my way back and bring with me my own Family Coven, do battle with Floridian sand and dance again around the sacred flames, seriously. If you have never been to FPG, it is worth the trip, time and effort and I can't thank the FPG staff and numerous individuals too many to name for the opportunity and blessings.

I have been quiet for some time. I have found that a significant stay in a hospital will silence you quickly.
Don’t freak out. I am o.k. They seem to have figured out what made me ill and I am at home and on the road to recovery.
My book will be delayed due to this most unfortunate turn of events. However, it will still be published.
I am learning lessons about taking it easy, listening to my body, meditation and the joys and annoyances of strong family coven and church support.
Crystal has been my shield and behind her capable hands I have felt at ease enough to rest. Of course, Michael has been right there flanking her right hand and further hiding me.
Then there is Stone and Tree Bear my core Family Coven who stood by me and questioned doctors and held my fingers (my hands were full of tubes). Without Tina, Tree Bear wouldn’t have made it to school nor benefited from the solid knowledge that he would be taken care of with or without his mother right at hand. Carly gave me a means to escape my misery and then loaned me her life when I got home from the hospital so I could watch it over and over while the medications found their way out of my system.
Now I am back slowly returning to a normal life and worrying about the tax deadline this week, excited to go to Florida Pagan Gathering and getting reacquainted with my Family Coven and my tradition.
Sometimes you need to rest and let your body recover. So I have an eye to continue that trend while returning to the work the God and Goddess has given.
Thank all of those who have kept me in their prayers and magic. Especially: Jenna, Cam, Michael, Crystal, Suz, Tina, Becky, Patrick, Mom, Carly, Sarah, Stone, TreeBear, Elysia Gallo at Llewellyn Worldwide and all the extended members of FWTI. Your energy and time I cherish and am humbled by. Thank you.

Injured

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