Gaia

We have come into this life with a particular vibration determined by the set of weaknesses we’re here to overcome and the set of strengths we’re here to acquire – prearranged before birth. Life becomes a journey through the circumstances we attract to us with the vibrational frequency of our thoughts.

The Law of Attraction says that which is like unto itself is drawn. Therefore, as we learn from life’s experiences, our vibrational frequency raises until we finally no longer attract the lessons we have already learned. Instead we move into a new frequency which attracts a new set of lessons.

Everything happens for a reason, even if we can’t see it at the time. Many times the reason can’t be seen until we look back upon the situation and realize that if that hadn’t happened then we wouldn’t have made the choices that have brought us where we are today.

During this Cancerian month of examining our FEELINGS it’s time to reflect upon what happens to our emotions when we experience Loss. There are many things we can lose that bring about this feeling of loss.

My husband and I are separating this week-end. I finally got my car back yesterday, so he no longer feels the need to stay to help me get around, and he has plans of his own that have been delayed while he has been helping me. So, I guess, today's the day, that he will complete his move into his new place, and my daughter and I will begin our own new life as well.

The loss of a loved one can be changed into joy if you look at all the accomplishments and achievements of that person, and how much they’ve changed your own life because of your experience with them.

He found an old picture of himself just before we met and we were laughing about how he now looks 20 years younger and much more confident about himself and his own path. He's changed quite a bit in many good ways since we first met. He told me that he's learned quite a bit from me. He's learned that living is for finding one's joy and following the trail of that in order to blossom and finally bloom into the person he was meant to be. His bud is bursting open, and he yearns to be who he really is. There can be no greater joy than that! For HIM, I am exceedingly happy.

The loss of a spouse, a job or a particular life-style can be changed into the excitement of looking for a new experience.

When you experience loss what do YOU do? Do you allow yourself to make the worst of it, dwelling on how life will never be the same again? Or do you turn your thoughts instead toward examining what has opened to you now that this former experience has passed?

It has been said that God never shuts a door without opening a window. I've heard this reminder a LOT from my girlfriends lately. The trick to finding the open window, though, lies in turning away from the closed door, and beginning the search for the new opening.

When something tragic happens, how long does it take you to turn around?

Do you try to make the best of things, or the worst of things? Do label the circumstances of your life as ‘bad’ or ‘good’ and then reject the bad, even though change must come in order to bring you something better?

It’s worth thinking about…

"GOOD AND EVIL"
by Kahlil Gibran

“And he answered:

Of the good in you I can speak, but not of the evil. For what is evil but good tortured by its own hunger and thirst? Verily when good is hungry it seeks food even in dark caves, and when it thirsts, it drinks even of dead waters.

You are good when you are one with yourself. Yet when you are not one with yourself you are not evil. For a divided house is not a den of thieves; it is only a divided house. And a ship without rudder may wander aimlessly among perilous isles yet sink not to the bottom.

You are good when you strive to give of yourself. Yet you are not evil when you seek gain for yourself. For when you strive for gain you are but a root that clings to the earth and sucks at her breast. Surely the fruit cannot say to the root, "Be like me, ripe and full and ever giving of your abundance." For to the fruit giving is a need, as receiving is a need to the root.

You are good when you are fully awake in your speech, yet you are not evil when you sleep while your tongue staggers without purpose. And even stumbling speech may strengthen a weak tongue.

You are good when you walk to your goal firmly and with bold steps, yet you are not evil when you go thither limping. Even those who limp go not backward. But you who are strong and swift, see that you do not limp before the lame, deeming it kindness.

You are good in countless ways, and you are not evil when you are not good, you are only loitering and sluggard. Pity that the stags cannot teach swiftness to the turtles. In your longing for your giant self lies your goodness: and that longing is in all of you. But in some of you that longing is a torrent rushing with might to the sea, carrying the secrets of the hillsides and the songs of the forest. And in others it is a flat stream that loses itself in angles and bends and lingers before it reaches the shore.

But let not him who longs much say to him who longs little, "Wherefore are you slow and halting?" For the truly good ask not the naked, "Where is your garment?" nor the houseless, "What has befallen your house?"
~ Kahlil Gibran, "The Prophet"

A Word To The Wise - Assimilating Loss

__________________
The present moment is a powerful goddess.
~ Goethe

Gaia

LAMMAS

by Mike Nichols


It was upon a Lammas Night
When corn rigs are bonny,
Beneath the Moon's unclouded light,
I held awhile to Annie....


Although in the heat of a midwestern summer it might be difficult to discern, the festival of Lammas (August 1) marks the end of summer and the beginning of fall. The days now grow visibly shorter and by the time we’ve reached autumn’s end (October 31), we will have run the gamut of temperature from the heat of August to the cold and (sometimes) snow of November. And in the midst of it, a perfect midwestern autumn.


The history of Lammas is as convoluted as all the rest of the old folk holidays. It is, of course, a cross-quarter day, one of the four High Holidays or Greater Sabbats of Witchcraft, occurring one quarter of a year after Beltane. Its true astrological point is fifteen degrees Leo, but tradition has set August 1 as the day Lammas is typically celebrated. The celebration proper would begin on sundown of the previous evening, our July 31, since the Celts reckon their days from sundown to sundown.


However, British Witches often refer to the astrological date of August 6 as Old Lammas, and folklorists call it Lammas O.S. (Old Style). This date has long been considered a “power point” of the zodiac, and is symbolized by the Lion, one of the tetramorph figures found on the tarot cards, the World and the Wheel of Fortune (the other three figures being the Bull, the Eagle, and the Spirit). Astrologers know these four figures as the symbols of the four “fixed” signs of the zodiac, and these naturally align with the four Great Sabbats of Witchcraft. Christians have adopted the same iconography to represent the four Gospel writers.


“Lammas” was the medieval Christian name for the holiday, and it means “loaf-mass”, for this was the day on which loaves of bread were baked from the first grain harvest and laid on the church altars as offerings. It was a day representative of “first fruits” and early harvest.


In Irish Gaelic, the feast was referred to as “Lughnasadh”, a feast to commemorate the funeral games of the Irish Sun God Lugh. However, there is some confusion on this point. Although at first glance, it may seem that we are celebrating the death of Lugh, the God of Light does not really die (mythically) until the autumnal equinox. And indeed, if we read the Irish myths closer, we discover that it is not Lugh’s death that is being celebrated, but the funeral games that Lugh hosted to commemorate the death of his foster mother, Taillte. That is why the Lughnasadh celebrations in Ireland are often called the “Tailltean games”.



The time went by with careless heed
Between the late and early,
With small persuasion she agreed
To see me through the barley....


One common feature of the games was the “Tailltean marriages”, a rather informal marriage that lasted for only a yearand- a-day or until next Lammas. At that time, the couple could decide to continue the arrangement if it pleased them, or to stand back to back and walk away from one another, thus bringing the Tailltean marriage to a formal close. Such trial marriages (obviously related to the Wiccan handfasting) were quite common even into the 1500s, although it was something one “didn’t bother the parish priest about”. Indeed, such ceremonies were usually solemnized by a poet, bard, or shanachie (or, it may be guessed, by a priest or priestess of the Old Religion).


Lammastide was also the traditional time of year for craft festivals. The medieval guilds would create elaborate displays of their wares, decorating their shops and themselves in bright colors and ribbons, marching in parades, and performing strange, ceremonial plays and dances for the entranced onlookers. The atmosphere must have been quite similar to our modern-day Renaissance festivals.


A ceremonial highlight of such festivals was the Catherine wheel. Although the Roman Church moved St. Catherine’s feast day all around the calendar with bewildering frequency, its most popular date was Lammas. (They also kept trying to expel this much-loved saint from the ranks of the blessed because she was mythical rather than historical, and because her worship gave rise to the heretical sect known as the Cathari.) At any rate, a large wagon wheel was taken to the top of a nearby hill, covered with tar, set aflame, and ceremoniously rolled down the hill. Some mythologists see in this ritual the remnants of a Pagan rite symbolizing the end of summer, the flaming disk representing the Sun God in his decline. And just as the Sun King has now reached the autumn of his years, his rival or dark self has just reached puberty.


Many commentators have bewailed the fact that traditional Gardnerian and Alexandrian Books of Shadows say very little about the holiday of Lammas, stating only that poles should be ridden and a circle dance performed. This seems strange, for Lammas is a holiday of rich mythic and cultural associations, providing endless resources for liturgical celebration.



Corn rigs and barley rigs,
Corn rigs are bonny!
I'll not forget that happy night
Among the rigs with Annie!


[Verse quotations by Robert Burns, as handed down through several Books of Shadows.]

Lammas - Lughnasadh

__________________
The present moment is a powerful goddess.
~ Goethe

Gaia

In this universe, all activities, events, and entities are related. Indians believe that everything in the universe has value and instructs us in some aspect of life. Everything is alive and is making choices that determine the future, so the world is constantly creating itself… With the wisdom and time for reflection that old age provides, we may discover unsuspected relationships.

---Vine Deloria, Jr, STANDING ROCK SIOUX

We are all connected. This is what the Elders have told us for a long time. If we are connected to all things, then whenever we harm anything, it causes harm to ourselves. If we destroy the air, then we will be affected by what we breathe in. If we poison the earth, we poison ourselves. We must respect our Mother Earth and She will respect us in return. We must open our eyes and obey the spiritual laws that govern the earth and ourselves.

Grandfather, today allow me to honor and respect the things You have made. Let me see the beauty of all things.


welcome to White Bison

__________________
The present moment is a powerful goddess.
~ Goethe

Gaia

Wren's Nest posts Pagan community news, updates on discrimination cases, legislative alerts, calls for action and general comments about Pagan issues around the world on a daily basis. If you find a news article of interest or are aware of an issue that may affect the Pagan community, please email us.

A Good Old-Fashioned Witch Hunt

Author: Loyd Ingham, History 201 Source: Zwire.com

Title: A GOOD OLD-FASHIONED WITCH HUNT

Today's topic: "Suffer not a witch to live among you..."

In most ways coming to America brought out the very worst in the Puritans. In England, they were mostly about "purifying" the Anglican Church-chosen by God to restore the "bride of Christ " to the bright and shining city on a hill that she had once been. But in America, far removed from more moderating secular authorities the Puritans became frozen in their belief they were the last gatekeepers against all things evil-often going to extreme measures in punishing the smallest of infractions (three days in the stocks for playing cards on the Sabbath). All of this zealotry reached its apex on a bright, sunny, summer day in 1690s New England


By all accounts July 19, 1692 dawned warm and sunny along the New England coast-a good day according to one local Puritan minister to do God's work.

Rest of Story:

Wren's Nest Spirit News

__________________
The present moment is a powerful goddess.
~ Goethe

Gaia

Many attempts have been made to define, classify, and describe the folktale. None of these attempts did a completely satisfactory job; the folktale is just too inclusive for such division. The term covers almost any traditional narrative, either oral or literary. Its diverse forms include legends and traditions, fairy tales, animal tales, fables, and of course myths.
Read on »

Encyclopedia Mythica: Folktales

__________________
The present moment is a powerful goddess.
~ Goethe

Gaia

Saturday July 19, 2008

The Salem witch trials were over 300 years ago, but the legacy of those accused lives on. Rebecca Nurse, who was known as a pious Christian woman, was one of the nineteen people hanged in Salem in 1692. Read on to learn about Rebecca, and why she was such an unlikely candidate for accusation: Who Was Rebecca Nurse?

Early Life and Family:

Rebecca was born the daughter of William Towne and his wife Joanna Blessing Towne, in 1621. As a teenager, her parents relocated from Yarmouth, England, to the village of Salem, Massachussetts. When Rebecca was about 24, she married Frances Nurse, who made trays and other wooden household items. Frances and Rebecca had four sons and four daughters together. Rebecca and her family attended church regularly, and she and her husband were well-respected in the community. In fact, she was considered an example of "piety that was virtually unchallenged in the community."

Accusations Begin:

Rebecca and Frances lived on a tract of land owned by the Putnam family, and they had been involved in a number of nasty land disputes with the Putnams. In March of 1692, young Ann Putnam accused her 71-year-old neighbor Rebecca of witchcraft. Rebecca was arrested, and there was a great public outcry, given her pious character and standing in society. Several people spoke on her behalf at her trial, but Ann Putnam frequently broke into fits in the courtroom, claiming Rebecca was tormenting her. Many of the other teenage girls who were "afflicted" were reluctant to bring accusations against Rebecca.

A Verdict Reversed:

At the end of Rebecca's trial, the jury returned a verdict of Not Guilty. However, there was much public outcry, due in part to the fact that the accusing girls were continuing to have fits and attacks in the courtroom. The magistrate instructed jurors to reconsider the verdict. At one point, another accused woman was heard to have said "[Rebecca] was one of us." When asked to comment, Rebecca did not reply -- most likely because she had been deaf for some time. The jury interpreted this as a mark of guilt, and found Rebecca guilty after all. She was sentenced to hang on July 19.

Aftermath:

As Rebecca Nurse walked to the gallows, many people commented on her dignified manner, later referring to her as a "model of Christian behavior". Following her death, she was buried in a shallow grave. Because she was convicted of witchcraft, she was seen as undeserving of a proper Christian burial. However, Rebecca's family came along later and dug her body up, so that she could be buried at the family homestead. In 1885, the descendants of Rebecca Nurse placed a granite memorial at her grave at what is now known as the Rebecca Nurse Homestead cemetery, located in Danvers (formerly Salem Village), Massachusetts.

Descendants Visit, Pay Their Respects:

In 2007, over a hundred of Rebecca's descendants the homestead in Danvers. The entire group was comprised of descendants of Nurse's parents, William and Joanna Towne. Of William and Joanna's children, Rebecca and two sisters were accused of witchcraft.

Some of the visitors were descended from Rebecca herself, and others from her brothers and sisters. Because of the insular nature of colonial society, many of Rebecca's descendants can also claim kinship with other "witch trial families", such as the Putnams. New Englanders have long memories, and for many of the families of the accused, the Homestead is a central place where they can meet to honor those who died in the trials. Mary Towne, a great-something-granddaughter of Rebecca's brother Jacob, probably summed things up best, when she said, "Chilling, the whole thing is chilling."

Rebecca Nurse is featured as a major character in the play The Crucible by Arthur Miller's, which depicts the events of the Salem witch trials.

Rebecca Nurse - Profile of Rebecca Nurse

__________________
The present moment is a powerful goddess.
~ Goethe

Gaia

By Patti Wigington, About.com

It's the dog days of summer, the gardens are full of goodies, the fields are full of grain, and the harvest is approaching. Take a moment to relax in the heat, and reflect on the upcoming abundance of the fall months. At Lammas, sometimes called Lughnasadh, it's time to begin reaping what we have sown throughout the past few months, and recognize that the bright summer days will soon come to an end. While you're planning your celebrations, though, you may want to take a minute to read up on:

Lammas (Lughnasadh) History

Rituals and Ceremonies

Depending on your individual spiritual path, there are many different ways you can celebrate Lammas, but typically the focus is on either the early harvest aspect, or the celebration of the Celtic god Lugh. It's the season when the first grains are ready to be harvested and threshed, when the apples and grapes are ripe for the plucking, and we're grateful for the food we have on our tables.

Here are a few rituals you may want to think about trying -- and remember, any of them can be adapted for either a solitary practitioner or a small group, with just a little planning ahead.

All About Lammas (Lughnasadh)

__________________
The present moment is a powerful goddess.
~ Goethe

Gaia

It is said that the Chinese sea goddess Mazu, with more than 1,500 active temples devoted to her worship and over 100 million devotees, is the goddess most celebrated in contemporary times. Her names, Mazu (Ma Tsu) and A-Ma, mean 'mother'. Like Kuan Yin she is a goddess of compassion, one who is courageously willing to intercede on the behalf of those in distress.

But Mazu is also revered for her courage, her willingness to fight for her principles. Faced with pressure from her family to marry, Lin Mo agreed to marry only if the man seeking her hand could defeat her in a match of Chinese boxing. Proving herself both courageous and skilled by defeating two generals who attempted to rape her. Mazu remained undefeated, and unmarried, throughout her brief life.

Scholars believe that Mazu originally was a real woman, born around 960 A.D. to a devout Buddhist family that lived on a small island in the Chinese Sea. This girl, Lin Mo, showed an amazing spirit and mind and asked to study with the Buddhist monks who, aware of her precocity, accepted her as a pupil when she was only thirteen.

Mazu blossomed under their tutelage and soon amazed them by developing a "second sight", an awareness of events that one usually has no way of knowing. She was also blessed with the ability to calm storms and to rescue sailors from the perils of the sea.

Eventually she was proclaimed a bodhisattava (in Buddhism, a person who has attained perfection but elects to remain on earth to help others).

When, at the age of 28, Lin Mo told her parents she must leave them, she was lifted by a dense fog of clouds to a nearby mountaintop where witnesses saw her transformed into a magnificent rainbow as she was carried into the heavens.

Goddess Gift

__________________
The present moment is a powerful goddess.
~ Goethe

Heretic

An asswhoopin' goddess. Nice!

__________________
"In space no one can hear you scream. in D.C. it won't matter..." -Clinton Resurrection: The Alien Queen lives!

Gaia

__________________
The present moment is a powerful goddess.
~ Goethe