Day 8 - Stroll the Shops for Christmas/Yule

My husband pointed out to me last night that for the past week, I haven't been my normal blogging self . . . I assured him that after my commitment to Jan's stroll we will return to our regularly scheduled program. I guess I didn't realize how much he enjoys my posts! And truth be told . . . I don't think he's getting all the hints I've been leaving about my favorite jewelry . . . sigh . . .

Today's featured artisan is, well, ME! You can read all about my crafty artist history at Jan's blog 'Jan Tanis Designs' and see some of the lovely items I have for sale in my Etsy shop 'Plume Poppy Designs'. I'm having a 15% off sale on all items, including dollhouses, and am offering free gift wrapping! I'm rather a modest lady and don't like to brag about myself too much, but I have been told that my wrapping is like a gift unto itself! And so, here are a few of my favorite items from my Etsy shop . . .

Dear . . .

I received an email the other day from someone asking questions about Paganism. She was curious and didn't know where to start. Yes, she'd been on the internet, but wasn't sure she could trust the information she was reading as she really didn't have an idea of what to look for. Here are some of my answers that perhaps might help some of you who are curious, but don't know where to begin.

I have been a Pagan for just a little over a year, although I suspect I've been Pagan all my life. When I decided that Paganism was for me, I started to read, read, read, getting my hands on all kinds of books that I thought could lead me along my path. The first book on Paganism I read was simply titled 'Paganism' by Joyce and River Higgenbotham. This is an excellent book and a terrific place to start if you're new in discovering your path. Another book by Joyce and River Higgenbotham is 'Pagan Spirituality'. I recommend both of these books as a starting point and then go out to the book stores in your area (if you have second hand book stores start there as you can find many of the books I suggest and others there for half the cost of new). And don't forget the library too. Find as many books as you can get your hands on and read them. I like to journal as I'm reading, jotting down notes of things that stand out for me, ideas and what not. This is a good basis for your Book of Shadows too, if you chose to have one.

Trying to explain the belief system of a Pagan is like trying to count the clouds in the sky. There are many different paths that lead off of Paganism. Some of them are Wicca (the path that I follow), Druidism, Heathenry/Asatru, Faery Tradition, et cetera. Then off of Wicca there is Eclectic Wicca (the path that I follow), Dianic Wicca, Gardnerian, Alexandrian, et cetera. Once you read about Paganism and understand the foundation of it, then you can decide which path of Paganism you want to follow. The internet is a terrific resource for information, and I think once you understand what Paganism is, you'll have a better idea of which sites are good and which are not.

A good first book on Wicca is called 'Wicca Demystified' by Bryan Lankford. It talks about what Wicca is in the first part of the book and then in the second part of the book there are questions and answers which I found most helpful and insightful. Another good starting book is 'The Complete Idiot's Guide to Wicca and Witchcraft'. This book is informative and easy to read. Again, if Wicca is a path you're interested in, read, read, read.

The belief system I have as a Wiccan is this: First there is Spirit, the Creator, the Divine. From the Divine the God and Goddess are manifest. From the God and Goddess there are interpretations of them from different pantheons. For example, Greek, Roman, Egyptian, Celtic, Hindu, et cetera. One would call upon a certain deity (God or Goddess) depending on what is needed or desired. For instance, if you want to manifest money in a big way, you could call upon 'Lakshmi' the Hindu Goddess of wealth and prosperity. As a Wiccan I also work with the elements of Earth, Air, Fire and Water.

One thing that most Neo-Pagans have in common is the Wheel of the Year which contains eight Sabbats. The Sabbats are Imbolc, Ostara, Beltane, Litha, Lughnasadh, Mabon, Samhain, Yule. You can search the internet for more information on the Sabbats and one book that I recommend is called 'Sabbats' by Edain McCoy. The altars you've seen on my blog are altars that I have set up for each of the Sabbats. Each Sabbat also has certain things associated with it. Like at Ostara, you'd find eggs, rabbits and such; basically anything to do with fertility. At Lughnasadh (or Lammas) you'd find things associated with the harvest, such as pumpkins, pomegranates, grapes, wheat, bread and such. At the Sabbat, a ritual is performed where one would celebrate and give thanks to the God and Goddess for whatever that particular Sabbat represents. Most people don't mind sharing their altars, but normally you wouldn't see one sharing their celebration ritual as they are very personal and private.

The other thing most Neo-Pagans have in common is celebrating the waxing and waning of the Moon, which are called Esbats. These are basically rituals that are done when the moon is either Full or Dark/New and a time when most work magick. Again, the internet is a great resource for more information in this regard. An Esbat is the time when normally you'd just work with the energy of the Goddess. The Triple Goddess represents the Maiden, Mother and Crone. During the Wheel of the Year she is represented as the Maiden at Imbolc and Ostara, the Mother at Beltane and Litha, and then the Crone at Mabon, Lughnasadh and Samhain. [At Yule she'd again be in her aspect of Mother, having given birth to the God.]

. . . As I said before, read, read, read and do your research. There are some excellent websites about Paganism and Wicca too. Just keep one thing in mind . . . if it doesn't resonate or ring true for you, leave it and move onto something that does. The nice thing about being an Eclectic Wiccan is that I can chose how I practice while still keeping the basic Wiccan tenets and principles.

Merry Meet, Merry Part, until we Merry Meet again!

A Great Find . . .

As I was going through some youtube videos yesterday . . . you know how that goes - one leads to another and another and well, you get the idea. Anyway, I found this fabulous channel by the FireFly Academy. It basically teaches Wicca in simple and understandable language. The narrator, Lady Iris, has a beautiful voice and one that is very easy to listen to.

So, if you're new to the path or are just looking to reinforce what you already know or to fill in the blanks, I highly recommend visiting this channel. Here's Wicca 1 - Lesson 1 (Part 1) to get you started.

Happy learning!

Questions and Answers . . .

Whilst browsing the internet today for information on Beltane, I came across a website called CARM - Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry. They write about various religions and why they perceive them to be 'bad'. That is, not of their way of thinking. And yes, Wicca, was included among them. And while they do not bash other religions, they proslytize . . .

"Jesus does not lie. Please trust in him and ask Jesus to forgive your sins and to show you the true path. After all, Jesus said "I am the way, the truth, and the life, and no one comes to the Father but by me," (John 14:6). If Jesus is the way just as he said he was, then he is THE only truth path."

Thanks . . . but no thanks. I spent most of my life in a box not seeing the forest . . . I'd rather run and play amongst the leaves to whatever end.

Now the reason I'm sharing this at all is because they ask questions but give no forum for answering them. So I'm going to do that here to the best of my knowledge and ability . . .

1. Do the gods and goddesses of Wicca actually exist?

Excuse me for saying, but this is a grade one question. It's called FAITH and so in my faith, yes, they exist. I don't have to see them and I don't need a bible to tell me so.

2. If they actually exist, how do you know they exist?

BELIEF and the fact that I've experienced them working in my life. How does one know anything exists? Like angels or spirits or guides? They exist because you believe they do.

3. If your tradition contradicts the tradition of another Wiccan, can they both be objectively true?

Yes, provided they follow the fundamental tenets of Wicca as in "An it harm none, do what you will".

4. How do you feel about believing in the religious system where you cater your religion to your desires?

Bottom line is, don't all religions somehow cater to the needs, wants and desires of it's followers? If they didn't, they most likely wouldn't exist. How do I feel? I feel great knowing I'm responsible for my own happiness and well-being.

5. If you cater/construct your religion according to our desires, then isn't it nothing more than your own invention?

How do you think Christianity or any other religion started? They started by a people or peoples having a desire to develop something bigger than themselves - men invented the bible. I didn't invent Wicca - I follow the Wiccan tenets - but I do incorporate prayers and rituals that ring true for me. And then there's something called morals . . .

6. Is Wicca able to be shown to be false or is it all non-verifiable ideas?

I don't know, why don't you disprove it and then read some of the great books out there on Goddess religions - all verifiable.

7. If your spells and incantations produce results, how do you know that the power behind the results is good or not?

Well, I suppose if it produces results I'll see whether they're good or not and I'll adjust accordingly. Remember, 'An it harm none . . .'? I might also add 'for the greatest GOOD of all'. As far as the power behind it . . . the universe always works for the greatest good of all. It does not seek to do harm.

8. How do you know that there is not something more sinister behind Wicca?

Please, give me credit for knowing my own mind, heart and spirit. How do you 'fight' the devil? Same idea.

9. Why do you think that rituals dealing with candles, knives, and such are able to affect nature?

Candles, knives and what-have-you are only instruments used to help a practitioner focus their prayers or energies. One could just as easily use a pointed finger or nothing at all. These items are not crucial to my spiritual practice. It all comes from within. I don't believe it's nature I'm affecting, it's my own perception of my place in nature and in the world.


So there you have it - my answers to the questions asked by CARM. Please keep in mind that it's difficult to answer such questions in a few short lines of text. I would love to be able to sit down and expand on my answers in conversation, but then again I tend to get tongue-tied when confronted.

The thought also occurred to me to ask - "Why do you feel compelled to ask me such questions? I have no desire to question your faith." I'm just saying . . .

I am not an idiot . . .

You've seen them in the bookstores. Those yellow and black or orange books that declare you are an idiot and apparently you need a book to tell you so. I jest of course, but why on Earth couldn't they have named them 'The Complete GENIUS'S Guide to . . .' After all, you're buying a book because you don't know everything there is to know about a subject (or you're just looking for some entertainment) and are therefore buying the book to expand your knowledge. Seems pretty smart to me . . . I'm just saying . . .

Feeling better for having gotten that off my chest, I now turn to the real reason for this post . . . a new book I'm reading called, you guessed it, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Wicca and Witchcraft. This book is full of great information and whys and what-fors. It covers all the basics like the history of Wicca and Witchcraft, the Wiccan Rede, rituals, Sabbats and esbats and then gets into what magick is and how use it, what supplies are needed, working with crystals, stones, herbs and essential oils.

This book is fantastic for a beginner just setting out on the path and also for someone who's been walking the path for awhile, but for one reason or another has become stuck. What I like best about the book is the inclusion of a Year-and-a-Day study. I've often read that phrase in other books but could never find a source for going about studying for the year-and-a-day. This book has it! It gives short descriptions on different aspects of Wicca which you can expand upon depending on your preferences. It is laid out according to the Wheel of the Year, so you'll be studying on aspects related to Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter.

Since we've already waved goodbye to Imbolc and traditionally the best time for new beginnings, there's no time like the present! Personally, I'm going to begin my study at the next New Moon which is Friday, March 4th - a great time for starting new projects and making new plans. That will give me enough time to read the book and prepare myself for going back to school!

So while I've been on the Wiccan path for some time now, have read some great books, done loads of internet research, have set up my Book of Shadows, done ritual and celebrate the God and Goddess, I feel a new surge of excitement in having a clearly defined course of study. One that I can grasp and make my own in whatever way rings true for me. Yay!

I leave you today with a picture of my two little fellows looking out the window . . . the snow is so high I don't think they can really see anything, although they're determined . . .

Ritual Cakes

If you're anything like me, you flail around the kitchen at the last minute looking for something to use in your rituals for the 'Cake and Ale' rite. Sadly, my last ritual incorporated a left-over Bisquick biscuit and jam. Hardly a meal worthy of a Goddess.

So to rectify this last minute flailing, I have decided to bake up some 'Crescent Cakes' to have on hand. They're easy to make and I can pop them into freezer bags to go into the freezer and grab at a moment's notice.

I found this recipe in Scott Cunningham's book 'Wicca-A Guide for the Solitary Practioner' (an excellent read by the way).

Crescent Cakes

1 cup finely ground almonds
1 1/4 cups flour
1/2 cup confectioner's sugar
2 drops almond extract
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 egg yolk

Combine almonds, flour, sugar, and extract until thoroughly mixed. With the hands, work in butter and egg yolk until well blended. Chill dough. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Pinch off pieces of dough about the size of walnuts and shape into crescents. Place on greased sheets and bake for about 20 minutes. Serve during The Simple Feast, especially at esbats.*

*This is the best recipe I've (Scott) been able to find. Most of the other published ones taste foul. Purists who worry about the inclusion of sugar in this recipe needn't. It's ritually related to Venus and has a long magical history.

Note: After I had chilled the dough, I found that it was too dry to hold together so I added a bit of milk - just enough so that the dough would stick together (about 1-2 tablespoons).

So there you go! No more flailing in the kitchen at the last minute! Enjoy!