Sex and the Spring Equinox

Just when you thought this time of year was about chocolate rabbits and hiding eggs, along comes an idea that changes your preconception. Right now you have felt urge to bring out the softer colors of spring and store up the dark colors of the cold. Talks of spring activities, be they gardening or baseball start spreading throughout the house. Along with these new ideas comes the passion of spring. The desire to start anew.

To most pagans this is not a time of year of repentance, of guilt and forgiveness. No human sacrifice for sins. This is not a time we celebrate survival of near extinction either. This is a time of life. A time to appreciate what you have, but to seek pleasure and joy for the year.

The Spring Equinox is on a new moon.this year. The timing perfect to bring a new life. Sex being as natural as spring itself, it's deeply tired to the rituals this time of year. It's a time to renew life, which sex symbolizes. As trees bud their leaves, birds build nest, all signs that baby animals will appear.

Baby Fever!!!

You may be feeling the urge to have a child, you maybe trying, this may be the right time to try. If you go to full term, your baby will be born around the Winter Solstice. Even if your cycle isn't ready, make love on the Spring equinox and again when you are fertile. Nothing is guaranteed.



If you have fertility issues and are seeking treatment or adoption, a sexual ritual to symbolize the love that will help raise and create the person the children you adopt shall be.

This applies to all couples, including same sex couples seeking to adopt, a surrogate or sperm donar. Those who can not or even choose not to produce naturally have to endure a great deal to have their children. It is much to overcome, but when you do, you have truly earned it.

Sex

Now don't panic, this may be a good time for fertility, but it doesn't mean you are obligated to have a child (just use birth control). This ritual can be renewal of anything in life. Your relationship, in celebration of what you have overcome during the autumn and winter rituals. It can be a renewal of your relationship, whether new or old. You could be in the honeymoon phase or celebrating your first year of the kids out of the house. It's a time to rediscover the lover in you and if you have one, your partner.

Dating

If you are single or not in a serious relationship, but seek a new love, this may be a good time to look for someone. The depressing darkness of Christmas and Valentine's day are over. You may find yourself and potential partners to be in better spirits as the daylight grows longer.

Relationship Sex

If you are in a relationship and you are both seeking to spice things up, ritual sex may enhance your inmate experience as well as draw each other closer. If you have been together for while, you may want to add some play that can spicen things up together. Of course brush up on Tantra and the Kama Sutra for some help. Though don't underestimate the more obvious items, like sex toys, pornographic videos, alcohol, chocolate, etc...

                

Swinging

If you aren't in a relationship or you are polyamorus, you may want to explore orgies or bring an extra person or more into the bedroom. You may find another partner can lead you to appreciating your current partner. You also might discover you like to watch. If you are bisexual, this may give you play with a partner of another sex, if you so desire. Make sure this is something your partner equally wants. Don't try this if your relationship is having serious issues of course and most importantly, practice safe sex!!!

Masturbation

Of course sex with partners is always fun, but self love is important too. Regardless if you are in a relationship or not, this also a good time for self love, i.e. masturbation. Don't let monotheistic hang ups on this subject stop you from enjoying your own body. This can even lead to a spiritual sexual encounter with an entity you choose to embrace. The gods are very much in tune with sex and can increase the energy levels in the ritual area.

The Spring Equinox is a time of passion and joy. It brings new hopes of what's to come. Life is forever changing and what we have today, we may not have tomorrow. This Ostara, welcome the new, by trying something new in the bedroom.

Blessings to you all!

Happy Spring Equinox!

 

Altars

Altars can come in many forms and fashions, especially today. A personal altar is a space which is both personal and sacred. This space can be an area you preserve or an item/s you use for spiritual enhancement. Altars can be communal or individual, to reflect your entire family or just yourself. An altar should be as unique as the person or persons it represents.

Often when altars are brought up, it's often for a ritual or meditation. When in reality, altars can posses practical purposes in daily life. Many people use them to set the mood for each month, based off of the season, holidays and personal days that pertain month, such as birthdays. They don't just provide for your spiritual needs, but will help you with your organizational skills, especially for children. Taking the time to set up and maintain an alter will you focus on your goals, while giving you the discipline of its up keep. 

 Altars

The Traditional Altar: it is often what a we envision when we think of altars. A table or shelf of some kind, that we set up for group or individual spiritual and or ritual needs. Most people have some kind of traditional altar in their home.

Some are even unintended. It could be a small table in a corner somewhere with your candles, crystals and whatever you use for your intended purposes. It can also be that table in you living room with a pictures of your family and a few items that hold significants.

The Home as an Altar: It helps set the energy of the home. One very religious Christian women I know personally keeps her windowpaine has her altar. Every month she goes all out and decorated this section reflecting each month. She unaware the depth of her actions, but through her domestics she has mad several little alters throughout her home. In doing this the house too turns with wheel of the year. This enhance the holidays and the energy flow of the house.

Nature's Altar: can be out doors if you have a safe and private location or you could bring nature into your home. For those blessed with green thumbs, are able to produce garden altars that are a testament of time and patience. Gardening truly allow you to tap into energy from its source. The soil, the water, the creepy crawlers and animals that come, are your tools and insight.

The Portable Altar: are a part of our daily lives. There is no avoiding them. Whether it is a silk bag you carry your tarot cards in, a shoe box with your ritual items, a brief case you take to work, a back pack for school, gym bag for your work out, even your car. Each of these items server a duty to you and your families life. They If things seem overwhelming, look to these alters, for they may be neglected, making your life difficult.

The Electronic Altar: these are modern times and by all means, our modern instruments such as computers, cell phones, game consoles, tablets, etc... are very much an alter. Whether you are embodying a warrior in a game of call of duty, zoning out to your favorite song from your phone or simply looking up anything on the world wide web. These devices, like any altar, is simply a tool, for both practical and spiritual purposes. 

Pagan's and Evolution

One misconception which as spread throughout Christian and sometimes atheist/agnostic/nonreligious groups, is the idea that accepting science, means you are in a nonreligious category. This idea is as extreme as Pascal Wager, you must either be religious or you reject religion completely. Even for Christians, it suggest your either a modern puritan or you're an atheist.

Pagans often being lovers of nature are free to understand the science behind a sunset to the physical development of species of life surrounding them. Any reasonable, spiritual and or religion person can.

The fact is, the majority of theist including Christians accept the evidence of evolution. Though a vocal minority will make it appear otherwise. Those who believe in a creator, may accredited this being or beings in the direction of evolution over every single species. I personally don't believe in creators and accept the scientific findings in subjects such as biology and astronomy. I understand the current limit's in science and I don't try to fill in the blanks. I accept there are questions we may not live to see the answer and humanity may never find such answers.  

Confused about how am I a theist?

That's okay! For unanswered questions leads to new studies and findings. 

We shouldn't assert belief as fact or religion as law. For belief is subjective and law is suppose to be objective.

In high school, evolution wasn't covered, though occasionally mentioned. I graduated, with very little knowledge on the subject. I thought we evolved from monkeys, I had the idea that evolution had some direction it was intentionally leading too and many other very common misconceptions. 

In my adulthood, with the help of YouTube, I was able to educate myself about evolution. One of the reasons I'm choosing to home school my daughter is because I want her to be given the most up dated and informed knowledge in these ever changing arts. 

Teaching your children about updated and honest science will give them both the power to survive and appreciate the world around them. Whether they fill in the blanks with magic or leave them open, one must be humble to change when evidence replaces a beloved story. There is no shame in changing your mind when evidence presents itself contradicting a current belief.

I always felt it was arrogant to assume that the world view of ancient people out weight the physical findings of science. If such a creator existed, as commonly asserted, would the physical findings of science not be the remains of what your god left behind. To assume these ancient people understood the world around them or the concept of god, to the point we reject actual physical evidence is also a dangerous pattern. This direction of misinformation, is more manipulative than factual. It stunts our our social growth and can even plummet a society into a darkage. 

Fun ways to introduce children to science!

Natural History Museums: are always fun to take children too. There is always much to see and do for children in natural history museums.

Children love seeing skeletons, models and other displays of ancient artifacts. Along side with biology, historical and cultural education await for and your family behind those doors. Go as often as you can, depending where you live, some are admissions free. 

Aquariums and Zoo's: are great place to observe the many of the diverse animal species.Oftentimes these places have tours, where they talk about related species. For younger children you may want to find a more hands on place, such as petting zoo's or even just a trip to a pet store that is hands with children. 

Archeological and Paleontology locations: these can be out doors in a park or accompanied with a museum. This of course better for older children, age depending on their interest level and in some cases physical ability. Climbing could be involved in some the out door locations. 


Have your children take notes, either on paper or device. Give age appropriate task and projects during these outings. These are good places to learn to observe.

Dinosaurs Train: the Jim Henson company has done it again, finding new and creative ways to reach out to educate children in fun and entertaining way. Dinosaurs Train is a wonder programs, geared to teach young children science, mostly biology. They teach children scientific terminology with correct definitions, critical thinking, observations, as well as touching social issues. For example, the stories centers around a little T-rex and his adopted family of Pteranodons, who deals with issues similar to adopted children experience. Dinosaurs Train is a true delight and I suggest you watch it together. You will likely learn something new. 

Science Projects through Crafts and Hobbies: Science in my opinion should be as hands on as possible, especially with young children. Try to find hands on activities that allows artist expression to some degree. It could be making fossils out of clay or model of the solar system, expression is key to interest.

Science is the study the world around us, not the spiritual one. Science gives the physical prospective of life, what we do with the knowledge it provides is up the individual, not science itself. With the gift of knowledge, give your children the ethics to use their knowledge responsibly.

Handfasting, today's Pagan Weddings

In honor of Imbolc and Bridget the ancient bride, 

I humbly present

 Handfasting,

 for today's Pagan Weddings!

 "You can give without loving, but you can never love without giving. The great acts of love are done by those who are habitually performing small acts of kindness. We pardon to the extent that we love. Love is knowing that even when you are alone, you will never be lonely again. And great happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved. Loved for ourselves. And even loved in spite of ourselves.”

Love reflects love in return

The Divine Comedy

by Dante 

Weddings are a part of our lives, even if you aren't married. Friends will be getting married and even one day your children may choose to tie the knot.

Handfasting is a time honored tradition of literally tying the hands of the wedded couple until the next morning. Handfasting has changed over the years and we must adept. How do we know how to honor a pagan couple who chooses to be married under the pagan tradition?  Well I hope this will help clarify the different kinds of Handfasting out there and how you can act accordingly if you are ever invited to one.

Thoughts on Marriage

By Mark Twain

A marriage…makes of two fractional

lives a whole;

it gives to two purposeless lives

a work, and doubles the strength

of each to perform it;

it gives to two

questioning natures

a reason for living,

and something to live for;

it will give a new gladness

to the sunshine,

a new fragrance to the flowers,

a new beauty to the earth,

and a new mystery to life.

Handfasting

Wedding: This is a full legal marriage in which the couple has incorporated the hand bonding tradition, or pagan/spiritual rituals. The Unity candle carries the concept of handfasting, with the two flames joining as one.

 In invited a wedding, traditional wedding gifts are appropriate. Pagans tend to be colorful in their weddings, so you may be asked to wear clothing fitting a certain theme.

A Year & a Day Ceremony: This is a tradition, done a year and a day before the legal wedding takes place.Its a type of mock marriage or engagement ceremony. In this case, there ceremony is small, done with only a small group of people, if any. If this is included in an engagement party, engagement gifts are acceptable gifts. If not, small spiritual gifts are usually appropriate.

Nonlegal Handfasting Ceremony: There are many reasons one may want to profess their eternal love, but not be willing or able to legally be bound together. In many cases the couple may be very young, such as teenagers, expressing their love and future plans. Other cases they may be older and a marriage would effect their income. In some cases, they may be legally marriage to a separated spouse, or live in a state that discriminates against same sex marriage. The reasons can vary. Often this is done a small affair and good wishes and support are all you asked to bring.

Anniversary Handfasting: A couple may choose to renew their vows yearly after their handfasting. Often it will be a private affair for the couple, who is simply celebrating their anniversary.

If you are invited to this type of handfasting, an anniversary gift is all that is appropriate. Though be thoughtful for special occasions like 50th anniversaries, something for us all to celebrate.

Mock Weddings: sometimes in love, it is a light heart affair, sometimes leads two a ceremony. Nothing is binding. It can be a moment of lust and fun, a theatrical performances, a promise, or just two kids pretending to get married.

Pagan weddings can vary from many ways, from greatly traditional to extremely eccentric. You never know what to expect. Our marriages symbolize our love for each other and retelling of how we met. You can play along or sit back and enjoy the show.

Celtic Blessing

You are the star of each night, 

You are the brightness of every morning, 

You are the story of each guest, 

You are the report of every land.

No evil shall befall you, on hill nor bank, 

In field or valley, on mountain or in glen. 

Neither above, nor below, neither in sea, 

Nor on shore, in skies above,

Nor in the depths. 

You are the kernel of my heart, 

You are the face of my sun, 

You are the harp of my music, 

You are the crown of my company

In loving Memory of

the late

Isaac Bonewits

and in Honor his partner

Phaedra,

who together joined

my husband and I

nearly nine years ago.

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.