Imbolc

The wheel of the year has turned towards the first signs of spring! To our ancestors this as a great time of rejoice, for the long winter days were finely heading towards their end and the fertility of spring awaited. To us of the modern day, we can still relate to the change in the season, which is a great time to start planning things out for this year.

Traditionally in our resolutions are suppose to start January 1st, but let's be honest, no one isn't going to throw all that extra food from the holidays. Your resolution could be to exercise, however you may visualize yourself running in the park before work, but in the current state of the weather may put this plan on hold. Even if you're dreaming about exercising out doors or at gym, there no reason not to begin doing warm up exercise to prepare you for your goals.
Our ancestors understood this period of rest after rest and when restlessness sets in. Now that the holidays of the years past are over, it's time to put away all the holiday decor. Before you store the winter holiday items, maybe clean out that attic, closet, shed, garage, basement, extra room, etc... Empty out all the old food in the refrigerator, clean out the shelves and restock with healthier food. This is a time to put the dreams into reality. Farmers would often order seeds for their crops this time of year, now we try to make plans for our dreams and future. This is a time of renewal, so this is a good time for spiritual cleansing and nurturing. This is a time understanding that what is good for us is not the same as what we want. This is a time of embracing self control, self restraint and firmer form of self love.

While adults, struggling with worries of weight, money matters, relationships, and all that exist in our world, our children are not without potential of growing and learning.

Suggestions for young children

1. Cleaning and cleansing their room: if they are young, help them sort out items and teach your children how and where to put their stuff away.

You may want to use this this time to repaint walls, repair items, redecorate, rearrange furniture, rid yourself of old items, while collecting new. Teach your children how to cleanse their space to make it their own. Let the room symbolizes tranquility.

2. Eating Better: there are several ways to achieve this goal. One of the best ways is not to buy the wrong foods at the store anymore. I also strongly suggest cooking at home, as a family affair. Rather than make the same old items, dare to be different and try to learn another cultures recipe. Make sure to have lots of tasty and healthy snacks available.

3. Becoming better students: whether you have concerns or you simply feel this is something that deserves more attention, your child's education is very important and this is a great time to focus on issues, as well as praise accomplishments.

You may want to start reading with your child more, make plans for educational trips, look up a tutor, find other means to help your child learn. Simply being involved helps their odds. Look into online learning programs, as well as hand on activity groups as options in helping your child learn.

4. Achieve Milestones: it was around this time last year, I said "no more diapers"  and struggled with potty training for months.

A year later, my daughter is very much potty trained and all that dirty laundry was worth it. This is a good time to learn for your little one to tie shoe laces, dress themselves, go on a first sleep over or simply spending more time with peers than with their parents.

5. Chores: should be a part of your child's life as early as three. Cleaning habits are most effective when taught young. Approach the subject as a life lesson to ensure a cleaner and healthier life. You might want to make a chore list. Be fair!

Don't be sexist in the chores. Make sure both genders can cook, shop, clean, do basic car maintenance, mow a lawn, shovel snow, vacuum, do laundry, etc... these are important skills that will greatly benefit anyone.

6. Exercise: being stuffed up inside during the cold months can be rough on children. Best to find healthy ways to help expel all that pent up energy. This a good time to start exercising as a family. Maybe take up some yoga, learn to dance, help your kids get ready for a spring time sport and other physical activities to help your children stay healthy and fit.

7. Craft or Hobby to do together as a family or for the child to by his or herself. Life isn't all about being clean, healthy or smart, it should be fun. Keeping your child active with new crafts and hobbies will expand their interest and help them grow.

This Imbolc 

give you 

and your family 

a brighter New Year!

The ever changing Gods of 2015!

If you haven't read "A Personal note from the author," please do so first.
Many years ago, an idea was born. With that idea, came another idea. With each new idea, several more came with them. They multiply, for they were fruitful. Those idea's formed words and thoughts, developed concepts and those concepts embedded themselves into our culture. Our ancestors when dealing with theses ideas created some of theses ideas into gods and theses beings were able to translate to what they represent to the mortal world. The evolution of theses ideas is still an ever changing process and so too are the gods. Here are a few examples of my own analysis of theses now modern gods and goddesses.

For myself, it is important that the idea I'm looking to bring to my life should be obvious I've choose to uses video programs, (since television is now out of date) to show this modern interpretation of theses gods. Video is a fantastic medium that gives the viewer so much, from sight and movement, to sound and colour. Video has given us a way to see others in a realistic manner. From this medium, naturally gods and goddesses will take hold of it.

Hera to Peggy Bundy 

In ancient Greece and Rome, Hera represented housewives from ideal families. The refined image of marriage and respected motherhood. The truth was Hera marriage was awful and it brought out the worse in her. Fast forward to the 1980s and here comes Peggy Bundy (Played by Kate Sagal) from the hit sitcom "Married with Children ". Although her husband was no Zeus, Peggy like Hera, isn't happy with her marriage, but both are loyal to her their significant other. Credit to Al, he remains faithful to Peg, although both enjoyed going to strip clubs. Some people may become offended that I would compare Hera Queen of Mt. Olympus to Peggy Bundy, America's favorite couch potato. Lucky for me Peg can hold her own. She having married a shoe salesmen of minimum wage nearly thirty years ago, is a home owner. Time itself along with inflation has raised Peg's status to middle class by default. She is suppose to be lazy, yet her house remained clean. Her daughter is the embodiment of every single blond stigma, from being overtly sexually permissive to a level of stupid, one could label retarded.

 Yet her daughter manages to graduate high school and held several job's that were far better than most. (Who wouldn't want to be the Verminator?) Pegs son maybe considered unattractive in their world, but is above average intelligence, but he seems to condemned to the Bundy curse. Much can be said about Peggy, ex bad girl with a reputation she was proud of and born of hill folks. Peggy's life has never been easy, but she manages to rise out on top. She was doing what now refer as "Life Hacks" before there was a term for it. She manages to feed her spending addiction, yet the lights never go off at that house. She fines a way or even better get Al to do it. She is a symbol of a part of humanity, the difficulties people struggle through during a marriage. In ancient Greece it is Hera, but today its Peg. She reminds us that even when things aren't as you hoped, you can still figure out ways to get your neighbor to bake you cookies, while sitting down on your favorite yellow couch (thrones are uncomfortable!) watching Oprah, as the well trained dog picks up dirty clothes.

 Peggy Bundy has done Hera proud. 

Buddha and Mister Roger's

Although Buddha was a real person, a philosopher. Buddhism a philosophy, which develop the concepts Buddha symbolizes. These concepts cries out harmony, peace, balance in life, which has in fact defied itself.

Mr. Roger's a Presbyterian Minster, I'm sure also had no intention of being deified, has inconsequentially mirrored Buddhas concepts to several generations of children.

“Deep and simple is far more essential than shallow and complex.”  Fred Rogers

He played a gentle soul, who never seemed to raise his voice. He believed in education, compassion and had a strong dislike for people insulting each other. Since Misters Roger's death, his concepts evolved into Daniel Tiger's from "Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood." Daniel Tiger a preschooler little Tiger who lives with Mom and Dad in the Land of Make Believe. It has evolved even more, being that its animated it appeals more to todays preschooler. In the 1960s, Mr. Rogers had children of all races playing on his show and now one of the characters is a little girl called Miss Elaina, who comes from a biracial family. This very much reflects the peace and harmony Mr. Rogers projected all those years and still does today.

 Namaste
Mister. Rogers

The Crone AKA Sophia Petrillo

Old and wise, this ancient mother comes with many names, in many forms, but to me Sophia Petrillo (Played by Estelle Getty) from the hit sitcom the Golden Girls will always be my favorite fictional Crone. She images the quintessential Italian grandmother. Sharp, to the point, there is never any wonder to what is on her mind. She embodies so many peoples grandmothers, grandfathers, older relatives and loved ones of age. She is a hearth witch at heart Sophia, with her love of cooking, mostly Italian food. Making sharp wit remarks to her roommates and daughter, all while making some home sauce (in her cauldron) from scratch and pop a cheese cake in the oven. She can be a dream grandmother and the mother from Hell. Her impulsive and rambunctious mouth and actions can get her into a world of trouble or worse, "Shady Pines!" She makes a feisty Crone.

Yet no matter how much trouble Sophia gets into, her wisdom makes up for her heartache. She is the last mother, for she is motherless and is the next in line for death, she wears her matriarch as a badge of honor. She was the least vain and self conscious of the four and still managed to have a sex life. She loves her children, but is always critical, only because she believes they just need to realize their true potential. She is old fashion and can be mean. Yet in the end, she is a mothers of the past. She of a time we will never know and she still appreciates. We can only appreciate her situation, when it is our turn to live through Autumn of our life walking to the Winter lands. 

Shalom Estelle Getty!
Thank you

for portraying such a character!

War Gods, Try Wolverine!

War gods are always a favorite in mythology and today. Gods like Thor, Aeres, Morgan and heroes such as Odysseas, King Arthur, Wolverine, theses characters struggle incredible odds to achieve their goals.

A strong and dedicated solider, Wolverine was well trained to the dirtiest work for those with ill intentions. Armed with the power of fast healing and an unbreakable skeleton, Wolverine appears unstoppable in the face of his enemies. Giant Sentinels , corrupt governments, crazy ego manic trying to take over the world, none will stand a chance. His long claws that come out of his the back of hands are both intimating and aweinspring.  Even holding a replica of those claws can make even the weakest feel ready to fight.

 Yet Wolverine  is often plagued by turmoil, making him the tragic hero, often not getting the girl he wants or losing her in death. He is curse with near mortality and a loneliness only an immoral would truly understand. He symbolizes any fighter who feels alone and rejected by society. He often reflects soldiers have seen combat, may suffer from PTSD, may feel depressed, rage disorders and other psychology trauma.

Too much a killer to live in society, but not evil to enjoy the work he is so good at. One of his saving graces, is he is a protector.
When not under someone else control, he fiercely protects those who are not able to protect themselves. Whether it is monsters under the bed, the entrances of your front door or your left arm as a tattoo, Wolverine is a powerful protector.

 Just don't be a dick, 

he doesn't like that.

Your gods should be personal. They should identify with your life and what you hope to accomplish. When you see them, they cause you to pause and think about their meaning. Do not fear symbolism, even  new kinds. We are ever changing as a culture, society and species. 

Finding which gods talk to you can come in many angles. Be open to embracing a more modern view of the same old stories and keep the ideas growing. 

Keeping Birthday's Special

Birthdays are always a great way to start off with a new year. Appreciating life one year at time. Most adults may roll their eyes as that time approaches, but for children, its a special time. It is their day to shine and during this self absorbed time period, they sparkle like the sun.









When giving your child a birthday party, the first thing you should focus on is where the party is going to take place.

Locations and their pros and cons.

Home: You might think this is the cheapest idea, but that depends on what you have to entertain the kids already, verses what you may have to rent, ie pony, clown, character appearances etc... can be pretty pricey.You also must make sure you have enough room or this is not an option.

However if you can you swing it, it gives you a lot of room to decorate and cook the way you or your child want.



Park/Playground/Beach: Children love fresh air and local community lands such as theses can be even less costly than your home. You may have to get a permit, especially if you want to save a location like the picnic area. However this will not apply if your party during unseasonable months.

 If you are in an area where the season change, it would be winter and if you are in the tropics that would be summer. Be prepared if mother nature starts raining. Make a rain date or have covering and other activities to do for the party.

Entertainment Location: Often the easiest route, but one you have least control and often they provides the least healthiest food. Having a birthday at restaurant/entertainment place, will mean no cooking, no clean up, just stand back and watch someone else run the show.

Though some places are flexible and will allow you for example to bring your own cake, which could cost extra. However if its in  your  budget and are willing to disregard a day of less quality food so your little one can go up and down an indoor slide, then this may be the right choice for you.

Libraries, Community Centers, Churches, YMCA's: Certain public options are available. Some Libraries will allow you to celebrate a kids birthday there.

Many Community Centers and even Churches will rent out a room for you to host the party, which is often cheaper than the entertainment places, but you will have to do your own decorating, take cook, cater or just get pizza and you are responsible for clean up.

Alternative to Parties

Trips/Travel/Vacation: Rather than throw a party, take a trip to Disneyland if you can, or go take a long car rid to go visit family and friends the child request to see. If your kid wants to see his friends at his or her old town for example, take the trip and arrange play dates with the kids.

Sometimes reconnecting is better than a party. Sometimes going to a place they have been drilled into wanting to see all their lives, such as amusement parks and other more promoted entertainment, birthdays can occasionally be switched with a trip.



An expensive outing with minimal to no friends attending. This will be more popular as your child grows older and definitely preferred by teenagers, offering an alternative to a party. Maybe theater tickets to see a play, flying lessons, go to the stadium to watch a game, a concert, etc..

An expensive gift in lud of any celebration. Large gifts such as car, an expensive toy the child heart is set on that cost more than you make in two weeks, or any other material item that would cost too much to provide and throw a party. However I suggest doing this the least of all. Even if you don't invite friends do try to honor the day, even with just a cake.

The Cake and Candle

The cake is rather an important part of this ritual. Home made cakes or cakes made a good bakery, really add a special touch for any birthday,(party or not.) It doesn't necessarily have to be a cake, but any kind of food often a dessert as gift to the person.

What is special about the ritual is that it carries the last spark of the persons former year, which they blow out, initially creating them a year older. To some this sounds silly, but to children, this is a serious part of the ritual. The ritual has its roots in pagan traditions, including the idea of the wish.

Birthday's aren't just for Children

Whether you are three years old or a hundred and five, your life does matter and should be celebrated. Be mindful of other peoples birthdays and try to make those days special for them. When your birthday comes along, even if no one seems to notice, make sure you do something nice for yourself.

Remember this year, make every Birthday count! 

Dedicated to my cousin who's Birthday already past!

Magic and Catholic Saints

I wish to begin with a side note, that this is not an attack on the Christianity or the Catholic church and their deeply held beliefs. I understand that as pagans, what I'm suggesting is blasphemy, however this is not my intent. My beliefs in the idea of many of theses characters, are simply the ancient gods transformed to remain immortal. I understand this goes against the Catholic teachings, but what do you expect? I'm Pagan.

It has long been established that the Catholic church Incorporated pagan traditions and holidays into their religion, to make it easier to convert those away from their old religions. Yet many would not give up their gods, so the church choose to consider those gods Saints, someone the people could pray too, to plead on their behalf to this one singular god of the bible. Many Saints themselves were real people, but regardless if they were or not, it is what they themselves symbolize that matters. Saints are actually wonderful transformations of the ancient gods into the middle age gods we are now more familiar with. Today gods have evolved further, with celebrities, cartoons, fictitious characters from shows, movies, comics, books, etc.. all in ever evolving process that successful species and ideas go through.

Saints can be very powerful sources to work with, because so many of them are still honored today. They are less threatening to the mundane Christians than statues of our ancient gods. Yet they mirror their stories, their traditions, their behavior, their lessons and their influence on those who honor them. Just like gods, there is a saint for nearly anything. Each come with symbols, holy days, traditions and most importantly what they are know for.

Use the Saints to make Peace with your Catholic family 

If you have Catholic relatives, you may want to brush up on your Catholic theology.  I never approve of going through the Catholic rituals when you yourself are not committed to the faith. It is though, a nice jester to give your child a Patron Saint for the more sensitive members of your family who are of the church.  Because my in-laws are Catholic, I choose to dedicate two saints for my daughter. One is the literal translation of my daughter's name and the other was after Joan of Arc, who had a similar story to pagan woman I named my daughter after. If my daughter chooses to become Catholic, she has two Saints she can choose to find connection with. Even though I will never convert, I hope if she does, she will appreciate the sentiment of the jester. 

My Personal Experience

I myself have never been Catholic, basic christian maybe at one point, but I hold no ties to the church. My parents themselves had nothing to do with any church for the most part, my entire life. Yet I myself was reached out by a saint. It was during a very difficult time in my life and in a dream, I saw a statue trapped in a tower. When I awoke with the dream fresh in my mind, I described the statue and to my shock, I quickly found it. It was a statue of saint Bernard, who was known for helping those lost in the snowy mountains. Symbolically he had reached to me, as I struggled during this period of my life.

Using Saints to honor Catholic loved ones

When my husbands grandfather died, I felt it was appropriate to incorporate Saint Anthony into our home. In this case, we are not honoring the actual saint, but see it as a symbol of my husbands grandfather, who was very fond of.  We choose not to look to the saint, but to my husbands loving grandfather as source of positive guidance's.

Yule for a Modern Pagan Family

As the holiday's take their course, the season building blocks are put into place with traditional songs, decorations and stories are drilled into us by media, that are hard to avoid. From your T.V., your mail box, the bill boards that line your trip to work, the traditional modern materialism Christmas is tossing out its messages of buy, buy and buy.

Along with this love towards Mammon, so has the creation of many our most beloved traditions. The giving and receiving of gifts is a popular one, along with the modern image of Santa Claus, his glowing red nose reindeer Rudolph, all were gimmicks in advertisements for products that the image has become so iconic that now have surpass their original creation.

In way, this can be good in that we have traditions and culture to celebrate and enjoy. However as pagans, we do not have the easy option of playing a video explaining our history, our songs, our stories and our beliefs. Its good that our culture isn't being sold on the market completely, but how do we stand against something as big and powerful as Christmas?

The key is family. As shiny and new or big and popular will not give your child love. No out fit you buy them, no toy you fight like a band of rabid animals for, will still be with your child or grandchild in their life. Instead of giving something that will fade out, give them the gift of you. Something that will out live you and bring joy and happiness to that child you love all their life, happy memories of you.


How to Come Together at Yule

You know the way to a man's heart is his stomach. This is very true. However this isn't just true for men, but most people. Eating is one of our most pleasurable actions. Healthy recipes to enjoy!

 Good food is a good ice breaker and a good way to bring even the most bitter enemies to the table.Rather than pin the kitchen duty on just one parent, I suggest making this a family affair. Cooking and clean up, can lesson the load of responisblities and bring families closer together.

Holiday music is always a great way to get into the spirt of the season. You can play your childhood favorite songs or pull out some drums and have a circle of music.
 Even if you aren't musically inclind, your family can enjoy the time together singing and play music together. With practice you may find some musical talent.

Crafts, another pleasureable way to end the year. Creating your own gifts and decorations can really make the holidays a lot of fun.

Children love crafts and you might find you enjoying them as well. Its always good to learn something new.
Feeding hungry animals is also a long practiced tradition this time of year. You can make bird seed crafts and hang them outside on a tree for the hungry birds is a simply way to accomplish this goal.

 You can also look for a clower of cats living wild and give them a bag of cat food. If you are like me and already loyal feed a clower of strays, you can give them a treat of wetfood if you its in your budget. In colder areas, squirls and chipmunks go hungry, leaving a bag of hard shell nuts out for our little rodent friends. This will teach your child empathy for animals and a good time to talk about nature.

Santa

Santa is not completey a christian creation. The idea of giving out gifts has been around since ancient Rome, during their Santurnalla celebrations. In 2nd AD are the earliest records of Holda, the goddess of snow flakes. She is also the goddess of children and would give gifts to good chldren during the winter holidays. For more information about Holda. 

No matter who used, Santa, Father Winter, Father Odin, Holda, rather than lie to your child, tell them stories of theses fabled creatures. When your child inquires if the stories are true, rather than answer the question for them with the painful truth or a lie, simply tell them, they have to figured that out. Give up when they catch you red handed putting out gifts. Show great encouragement when they make their discovery, but remind them that its not their place to ruin the suprise for other children. Part of being a child is discovering the little lies told.

When the cat is out of the bag, make sure to teach the history of the tradition and explain how this tradition has taken on a life of its own. This tradition has effected so many generations, perfect example how traditions evolve. Never lose out on a good history lesson and this time of year is full of stories and legends, one can learn from.

Yule vs Christmas

During Yule, I try to keep thing cozy. We start our affar at sun down the night before, though preperation happenes long before. We have our large feast on Yule night. We often invite friends over to join us in festives.

The gifts we give are most educational, but fun. We also give out some toys and clothes. I try to give more home made gifts rather than bought toys and candy. Home baked cookies are a bigger hit that candies in a plastic candy cane.  Since we live in a warmer climate, we are able to celebrate the holiday out doors  with a fire. If you are not able to have a fire, a row of candles will be fine. You can put them in a safe holder for your purpose or even try flooting candles in water. Always becareful, especailly with small children. The holiday last all night. Children fall alseep, trying to stay awake and parent celebrate until dawn, watching the first new light from the longest night of the year.

For Christmas I had hoped we would visit our christian relatives, who always go way out in creating a beautiful holiday season.

 A large fresh cut tree, a feast that could feed an army, decorations that would put Macy's to shame and the exended family coming together. It truly is wonderful sight to behold. Sadly, we live far away. To bridge the gap, we skype, video the little one opening gifts in the early morning, that they sent her. We end the day with a nice dinner and watching old holiday movies we grew up with.

 When the children are asleep

Eventually, children do go to bed, on both Yule, Christmas and Santurnalla. When that time comes, its a time for grown up to enjoy the less child friendly activies. If you are going out, hire a young sitter to watch the sleepy heads, if not, make sure the feastivies won't wake them.

Drink and debachory are very much a part of spiritual life. Letting lose and having a good time, is important for us all. We should never do this excessively, but we have theses holidays for a reason and they are certianly a good time for this behavior. You can choose to have company, go out with people or choose this time for some friskiness with your partner. Please be responsible when you play. Get a room, stay home, give up the keys, call a cab or have a desginated driver on hand. Also make sure to use birth control, unless you are planning to add to your family.

May your Yuletide be bright

and may you all have a good night!

Happy Winter Solistice!