Dispelling Misconceptions . . .

Knowledge is like the morning sun shining through a window and bringing in light where once there was darkness. Once you know something you will carry that knowledge with you throughout your life. Knowledge is something that money can't buy, but it gives you unlimited potential and empowers you.

I've been doing a lot of reading and studying since deciding to follow my new path, and as I've been making my way through books and the internet I'm finding that my mind and heart are connecting. Just last night as I was studying, I was thinking that maybe I'm spreading myself too thin. I'm a student in the Sisters of the Goddess Tree (Level 1), I'm writing a book, and I've enrolled in Reiki and EMF classes starting in January. Not to mention my roles as wife, caregiver to our three dogs and three parrots, housekeeper, gardener, grocery shopper, daughter, sister and friend. And then the thought hit me . . . I'm not spreading myself too thin - I'm EXPANDING! My heart and mind are expanding out into the universe and as my husband says, I've become a sponge.

So with knowledge comes a responsibility to share with others what one has learned or experienced. And so from time to time I'll share with you what I've learned and how I've experienced what I'm learning. Bear with me . . . it's going to be a bumpy ride at times!

One of the things I wanted to share with you are the differences between a pentacle and a pentagram because I've discovered that there is no need to fear such a basic and powerful symbol. Now, these symbols have been feared because of their association with Satanic worship, but if you know what you're looking at there is no need to fear it. And that's another thing knowledge does for you, it erases fear of the unknown.

In Paganism or Wicca, the five points on the pentacle/pentagram relate to the Spirit and the elements of the earth (northeast), the air (southeast), water (southwest) and fire (northwest).

When casting a circle (a sacred space for ritual or spell casting), one would call on these elements for protection against outsiders (negativity).

Now here is the difference between a Pagan/Wiccan pentacle or pentagram and a Satanic pentacle or pentagram. The Pagan/Wiccan symbol is pointed with one star up (Spirit). Although, in some traditions the symbol is inverted to identify a second or third degree priestess, Pagans and Wiccans alike are turning away from this tradition because of its negative connotations with Satanism.

This is the same symbol but inverted with two stars pointing up indicating that it is a Satanic pentacle or pentagram. It's unfortunate that they choose this symbol as their own as it causes confusion amongst the masses and causes Pagans and Wiccans to be cast in with this lot. Which, if you know Wicca, isn't the case at all as we don't believe in Satan who is a Christian demon.

Now the difference between a pentacle and a pentagram is open to debate. Some people believe they are the same while others believe that a pentacle is the five pointed star with a circle around it representing the Goddess and God. A pentagram is just the star itself as is often seen on Pagan/Wiccan jewelry.

I hope this has helped dispel some of the fear surrounding this sacred symbol. In any case, now you know . . .

Abundance

I've been slowly and carefully putting together an abundance altar for our home. Not only is it something magical, but it's also filled with power and grace. It sits in my kitchen garden window and as I was looking at it and appreciating its beauty, my attention was taken by all the activity going on outside the window.

I was awestruck at all the birds that were sitting on my bird feeders. There were Chickadees, Gold Finches, House Finches and Sparrows. Each little perch was filled with a bird happily eating the seeds that I offered there. And as I was watching this amazing dance of color and flight, a Hummingbird flew past the feeder and made his way around the Hummingbird feeder I have hanging close to the bird feeders. I love Hummingbirds, they're the magical and evasive fairies of the garden. I was in awe of the glorious activity going on before my eyes. And if all this wasn't enough, a female Cardinal flew in and joined in the reverie along with a couple of morning doves and a chubby cheeked chipmunk gathering seeds on the ground.

I am in a glorious state of GRATITUDE this morning for all of the ABUNDANCE that surrounds me. My heart is overflowing with it. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Magical Housekeeping

My friend Sharon suggested a new book to me entitled 'Magical Housekeeping'. It's a wonderful book and is full of great advice and offers up suggestions on clearing clutter, cleaning, and infusing your home with magic and Feng Shui principles.

I've been feeling a lot of negativity in our home for some time now and I believe it's time to clear it out. So between the New Moon (August 10th) and the next full moon (August 24th) I plan on performing a house blessing . . . that's if I can get the basement cleaned out this weekend! Wish me luck!

Shopping on State Street

It seems that my dear husband, in an effort to get out of cleaning the basement, decided that going to State Street last Saturday was the thing to do. Here where we live, there is a Farmer's Market every Saturday around the Capital building downtown. We like to go there to go up and down the street and check out all the little shops. I found a new one called 'Anthology' where they have an eclectic mix of scrapbooking and collage making supplies. They also provide workshops and for my 50th birthday I plan on getting the girls together for a soiree there.

It was a beautiful day and the most interesting people were out and about. Brian snapped some awesome pictures and I thought I'd share them with you . . .

How cute is this little guy? A little Chihuahua with sunglasses. He had the attitude to go with them!

I was entranced by this booth. The fellow there worked with metal and made the most amazing things. I couldn't get over this one piece with a glass globe at the base of it. It's called Orion's belt and it actually looks like a little universe inside. Brian bought it for me as an anniversary present and it now hangs in my altar room. It's on a motor so it turns adding an element of magic to the room.

The Capital building and boothes surrounding the square . . .

One of my favorite shops on State Street is called 'Mimosa'. It's a new age shop full of interesting and magical things. I spotted these muse dolls and absolutely fell in love with them. I didn't buy one though. I'm inspired to create my own muse!

We really enjoyed our afternoon and finished it off with a trip to the library. I found some awesome books and will be checking them out from the library closer to home. We had a great day and I'm already looking forward to our next outing to State Street leaving me wondering if we'll ever get that basement cleaned out . . .

A Lifetime . . .

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons; things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person, and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant . . .

When one thinks of the people and relationships that are in her life, one can't help but think of her family. Parents and siblings. Grandparents. Aunts and Uncles. Cousins. And of course, if one is married, there is the family on that side as well. All of these people make up the connections (and sometimes disconnections) of a life lived from infancy into adulthood. Lessons learned, trials faced, and of course love given and received.

And then there are friends. The ones you make in childhood that last well into adulthood. I have such a friend. Her name is Bernie.

Bernie and I met when we were six years old. She lived across the street from me. A street that was full of kids and one that to a six year old's eyes, seemed magical. There were forts to build, forests and creeks to explore, games to play and even a haunted house in amongst a stand of trees. I remember the day it was torn down to make way for some new houses. It was like the sky had been opened up - almost apocolyptic. No more trees. No more haunted house. But when the bulldozers came to dig up the soil to make way for those new basements, we were all giddy with excitement because there were mountains to climb!

4th Grade
Bernie is in the second row on the left.
I'm in the front row fourth from the left.

Bernie and I, although never in the same class save for 4th grade, went through grade school together. Through Brownies and Girl Guides together. Through birthday parties and summers together. I was a possessive type of friend. I never liked her playing with other kids, so she would sneak them to her house by going down her back alley. We laugh about that now, but when I was a kid it was like someone had stabbed a knife in my heart. Not that I didn't have other friends that I happily played with, but Bernie was mine and I didn't like to share.

Big Hair

Little Hair

And then the day came when my family moved from our little house in the city to a bigger house in a small town several miles away. I was devastated to leave her behind, but she came along with us on moving day, spending the day and then getting sick so she had to be taken home. Bernie in those early days, was painfully shy and I think being away from home got the best of her.

My Wedding 1990

We remained friends throughout high school and into early adulthood. We remained friends through failed marriages and into strong, healthy marriages that survive to this day. We remained friends through a lost pregnancy, back surgery and a move thousands of miles away. We remained friends when she surprised me by coming to visit (having conspired with Brian) and I thought she was the 'other woman'. And when we were able to get together this past April for a trip to Maui it was a dream come true.

Maui 2010

Goddesses on the beach.

Bernie joking around with her snorkel.

Bernie has taught me more than she could ever know. About humility and strength. About patience and perserverance. About kindness and giving in ways that are not material in nature. About laughing at oneself and not taking herself too seriously. And that she's a much better cook than I.

Bernie in the kitchen.

After 44 years of being friends, and with the miles between us, we don't talk very often except on birthdays and special occasions. But one thing I know for sure . . . if ever I need her, she'll be there . . .

Best Friends Forever

Lammas . . .

Today is Lammas, or Lughnasadh, the Sabbat where many Wiccans and Pagans choose to celebrate the beginnings of the harvest. This Sabbat is about the cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth; the grain god dies, but will be reborn again in the spring. Lammas begins at sunset on July 31st and ends at sunset on August 2nd, although traditionally it is celebrated on August 1st.

Summer is nearing it's end and soon the leaves will begin to change. However, the sun is still bright and the days hot. You can celebrate Lammas by creating an altar using a combination of summer and fall colors; the yellows and oranges and reds of the sun can also represent the turning leaves to come. Add some browns and greens to celebrate the fertility of the earth and the crops being harvested. Cover your altar with cloths that symbolize the changing of the season from summer to harvest time, and use candles in deep, rich colors - reds, burgundies, or other autumn shades are perfect this time of year.

You can also include symbols of the harvest fields on your altar. Sickles and scythes are appropriate, as are baskets. Sheafs of grain, fresh picked fruits and vegetables, a jar of honey, or loaves of bread are perfect for the Lammastide altar. Corn dollies are also a wonderful addition to the alter as are grapes and wine, ears of corn, iron - such as tools or weaponry or armor, fall flowers, such as cornflowers or poppies, straw braids and onion garlands.

A Lammas Ritual
Written by Joanna at Sea Gypsy Magickals

My Gratitude and Blessings upon this day
The Seasons change upon this Spiral Path
Honoring the Bounty of the coming Harvest

At this harvest time
Blessed be Mother Earth
Blessed Be Father Sun
Blessed be this circle of life, death & rebirth

Here I stand, A child of this Earth before you now
Teach & Guide me with your gentle wisdom of light and dark
For there can not be one without the other
Blessed Be the Corn Mother
Blessed be the Grain God
Blessed be the Harvest and bounty of my life.

I honor and respect all living beings, creatures, plants & winged ones
Of this Earth
You and I are One upon this path-as it is, as it always shall be
Blessed be the Mother Ocean
Blessed be the Father Sky
Fire be Flame, The Well be Water
The Mounds be Earth, the Wind be Air
Blessed Be the Harvest
Every seed, every grain is a record of ancient times
May the Ancients Bless me this Lughnassadh
And So It Is.