Transitus Imperative: Three Quiet Days
Transitions.
Imperatives.
That which must happen - the change or transition from what is to what will be - that cannot be prevented or avoided has happened.
The transition has occured.
It is now February.
As it was - It was.
The day came.
The day went.
There was - so far as this Paganus could sense or notice no major change in everything or anything.
It was just another February 1st.
As it is - it is.
It is now Mondae the 9th as these few, brief words are posted for All and EveryOne to read.
For this Paganus - even if possibly not for anyone else anyplace else - it has been a quiet three (3) days.
Three Quiet Days. I did as I was told to do by my Runic Guidance -
“Strengthen center. Do without Doing.” -
“Everything is a test. Slow down - do a status check” - “Forsee consequences before actions” -
and most importantly - “Experience intuitive awakening".
This was - for this Paganus - not so much a weekend of physical doing as it was three days of mental, meta-physical and intuitive becoming and being.
As it will be - it will be.
The hour is quiet this moment as I hand scribe these words for later keyboarding online posting.
A few moments to gather one’s self together for the day. This is the moment to do your “Rune of the Day”
or - if you prefer - “Tarot of the Day". A single Rune or Tarot for the day. This simple technique even works with the I-Ching.
This is not so much ‘predicting’ or ‘forecasting’ the day as it is setting the tone and temper of the day.
If say you pulled “ansuz"/"signals” you can take that Rune with you as a contemplative guide and meditative aide.
Signals are everywhere. They need not always be emails and phone calls, radio or tv.
Awaken your intuition. Awaken to the world around and about you.
Become open and receptive to the messages and signals of your life.
Later - if desired or required - you can do what might be considered a mid-day status check or “outworking” Rune.
You can also - at the close of the day - do a “results” Rune.
These are simple self-guidance techniques developed by Ralph Blum. These are not Paganus methods or techniques.
I read and study the books. I may even have some new books to read and study - and cards to work - this week.
I am your Paganus. I am but your humble “Student Sage".
That term itself is not mine originally. That term came from a fellow “Science & Arts” Guild’sman.
So thus it was - So thus it is - So thus it be.
This moment this morning is quiet. It is time for this “Student Sage” to cast his “Daily Rune".
The Rune has been cast. For today the “Daily Rune” for this Paganus is “Pertho” or “Initiation".
According to the “Book of Runes” this Rune signifies that:
“Powerful forces of change are at work here. ….. Soaring flight, such as that symbolized by the eagle, flight free entanglements, lifted above the earthlyand mundane so as to acquire broader, brighter vision - all of this is indicated here.”
Hmnnnnn…… Fascinating words on cool, rainy Mondae morning after three quiet days.
As it is above - it is below.
As it is forward - it is behind.
As it right - it is left.
Inside as well as outside -
the Globus Triune.
Is this “magic(k)” I am this morning doing? No. I am - as Blum so patiently repeatedly explains - merely consulting my “inner oracle".
I am - in essence - to and with myself. My “Higher” self. This is not “magic(k)".
This is balance and stability. This is strengthening centers. This forseeing consequences before actions.
This is - in so many respects - developing and awakening intuition.
This is Self guiding and directing self.
The Globus serves, preserves, protects and defends.
Inside the Globus - securitas, scutim, medicas, illuminatus and luxe.
Outside the Globus is nox. There is no nox iside the Globus.
Nox is to leave and cause no harm. Depart and cause no harm.
Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow - The Globus was, is and will be.
Three (3) quiet days. Three days of self-study, development and learning to be shared.
It’s now Mondae. First day of the new week.
My Rune of the Day is “Pertho” / “Initiation".
Let’s go forth and get something done.
Let’s Remember to Be Careful & Cautious out there….
Let’s Remember to Stay Safe & Secure out there….
Let’s Remember to let the Lord & Lady -
(Or Deity/Divinity of your personal choice & preference} -
Bless & Protect Us All out there….
Let’s Let Our Guides & Guardians Serve, Preserve,
Protect & Defend Us All out there…
Blessing’s Be.
So thus it was -
So thus it is -
So thus it be.
So Mote It Be;
Namaste.
Transitus Imperative?
Changes.
Changes are coming. They cannot be avoided, ignored and sidestepped. From where we are here and now to where we are going to be is a process that cannot be stopped.
Change can, is and will be.
It is an ancient axiom that ‘old things are made new". These are far more more than just philosopher’s words. They are an enduring reality. Nothing ever ’stays as it is’ for long.
Even the very very universe in which we live is ever changing.
Moving on from where we are to where we will be is a transition. These transitions can be slow and gradual or they can be very sudden and abrupt. One such transitional moment seems to be that of this upcoming February 1st. Runes, Tarot and I-Ching have all been cast, read and worked. Some of the Runic and Taroic ‘answers’ do not easily match up. Often they directly contradict and conflict. In one regard they are both very clear - this may be a moment of change and transition. Whether it be for good or for ill - or even a bit of both - may not be fully known and understood untill later.
Energies and outcome possibilities and potentialities are not written in anything but unclear uncertainty. The Runes and Tarot are oracles. They point to a possible eventual outcome.
They cannot - and do not - point to the only outcome. The future is not ‘written in stone’. It is very much open to alteration, development and change. Nothing in these ‘oracular’
castings, readings and workings is certain save for the inevitable - and expected - uncertainty.
For all of the the acknowledged uncertainty of the oracular offerings it does seem to be that this February 1st is either a day of profound changes or is the starting point for those changes. I know that for myself the casting and reading results of the Runes and Tarot were decidedly mixed. One particular question shows “Laguz” or “Flow” for the runic answer. The Tarot showed “5 of pentacles” or ‘disaster and ruin’. Hmnnn???? Another question had “Isa” or “Standstill” for the Runes and “Magician” for the Tarot. I’m not going anywhere and doing anything but I’m doing it magically? Hunhhhh???? Yeah. This was the recurrent pattern for the casting and reading. I’ve heard of ‘balances’ but that’s a bit ridiculous! So - Am I to have a good, useful and productive day on the 1st or do I stay home and hide from the world to remain safe and secure? Looks like a job for the I-Ching to break the deadlock……
I am thinking - and I sit here tonight handwriting these words - that perhaps the best way to answer these questions is to do another casting and reading on the 31st. Why the 31st? I am scheduled to be out at the Koroneburgh Festival site on the 1st to do the annual site clean-up and maintenance. Perhaps - finaally?? - we can get that creaking, and breaking wheelchair ramp fixed? We have a very dearly respected Guild Assistant Master who is confined to a powered wheelchair. That ramp is in bad, bad shape. Therefore - situations may - by the 31st??? - change and the energies re-form and re-align.
Transitions.
Sometimes they cannot be sidestepped. This may well be one of those moments of inescapable inveitability. On the 1st - and in the days following - we shall see if this really
is the Transitus Imperative - or is this just another Sunn’sday. Just another February 1st.
Handwritten: 01-28-2009
Forum Finalis
“What we leave behind is not as important as how we have lived - for we are all but mortal”
J-L Picard
What once was will soon be no longer. There is - for all things in all ways - a proper place and time. Rome arose
and grew from the 7 hills to a great Republic and later Empire. Artists, musicians and scribes paint and sculpt,
compose and perform, write and publish. Sculptures are found in galleries and museums. Symphonies and
Sonatas are performed in concert. Words of the scribes are found in scrolls, manuscripts and books.
Sometimes the paintings and sculptures are lost, the music misplaced, and the words forgotten. We are all mortal.
Sometimes our works survive us - sometimes they do not.
“Don’t grieve. The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few - or the one”
J. T. Kirk.
Changes. Openings. New ddirection’s. New opportunities. New possibilities and potentials.
From where we are we step forward to where we will be. The Mystic Witch Forum is closing.
As the Forum’s Administrator I have seen years of comments and countless subjects and topics.
The Forum has presented everything from “Daily Chatter” to the “Den of Zen” and the “Spirit Garden".
Soon all of that will be gone. All we will have remaining are our memories and reflections.
“People can be very afraid of the future. Welcome to the Undiscovered Country.”
J. T. Kirk
What once was will soon be gone and be only a reflective memory.
Does the infant always remain an infant?
Does the tiny plant seed always remain a seed?
The infant grows, develops and becomes the child, then the adult.
The seeds sprout and the plant pushes up and a flower blossoms.
For Mystic Witch the Forum was - and is - that seed of something greater.
Lesser to Greater - from what was to what what will be.
“Look where you intend to go - not where you are afraid to go.”
Where then do “we” go?
How then do “we” get there?
The Mystic Witch Forum will soon close.
For myself - I am working towards resurrecting my “Spirit Garden” sub-forum elsewhere on the web.
For the visitors and occasional contributors there is - and will be when it returns - Romantha’s.
The main Mystic Witch site is not closing. Articles, poetry, recipe’s and guidance, direction and inspiration will still have a home there.
There is even the not-so-dim and not-so-distant possibility that even “Den of Zen” may find a second life beyond the Forum.
From where “we” are to where “we” need to go.
“Second star on the right - and straight on till morning”
“If our reach does not exceed our grasp - how then do we reach heaven?”
Robert Browning
Let’s see what’s out there.
Mabon 2008
The Year continues, The Wheel turns, the Seasons change. It is time for the second harvesting. It is the time of the Autumnal Equinox.
For those honour and follow the Lord and Lady - or even their own personal deities and divinities - this is the seasonal moment when the âdyingâ âSun Godâ begins his slowly sollemn sojurn toward Samhainâs Land of the Dead. For some this is but mythological fantasy. For others - especially those of the Northern and Nordic paths and traditions - this is a very real - if spiritual and metaphysical - event. If Yule can be seen as the yearâs midnight, Mabon ap Modron could be seen as the yearâs sunset. The ceremonial year is closing. The Wheel of the Year continues to turn, the cycle continues.
This is the second harvest, the completing of the harvest begun at Lammas. Contemporary pagan practitioners - as well as others - may decoprate the residences - and altars if they even have an altar - with the offerings of the season - amoung them being the autumnal leaves, pine cones and acorns as well as the apple. Cutting open the apple - crosswise, not lengthwise - reveals the inner, hidden wonder - a star of five points - natures own pentacle.
At this festival, this equinox, we stand and walk between the worldly realms, that of the routine daily mundane and that of the magical metaphysical. As the âSun Godâ symbolically âdiesâ only to be reborn in the Spring so to do we mortals prepare our lives, stock out pantries and larders for the upcoming months of darkness.
It should be noted here that this is only relevant and applicable to that of the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere this is the time of Ostara. The seasons are reversed in that as the North is entering Winter, the South is entering Summer. All of this develops from the the planetary tilt - and orbital rotation. Earth {Gaia} has a tilt of 23.45 degrees withy an approximate 365 âdayâ period of solar orbit. This tilt and orbit is the source of both the seasons and why the seasons are hemispherically reversed North and South.
For those of us here in the North the seasons are changing. Leaves are changing colour and dropping - that much can even be seen here in Southern California where this PagnusMagus lives, works and resides. Darkness is slowly winning over the Light. Summer is ending; Fall, the vanguard of Winter, is approaching.
This is the Fall Equinox - the day when the hours of Light and Dark are equal. This is - for only the second time of the year - a moment of balance. Afte this moment the seasons turn slowly darker and colder. The most obvious sign of this is the Sabbot known as Samhain or Halloween. For now the goblins, ghouls and spectral spoolies are still just costumes in the closet. It is not yet time for spooks and tales of fright. It is time for gathering Mabonâs harvest.
Last year - for this Sabbot - a working was written and shared. Here now is that working from last yearâ¦â¦
Supplies for Working:
Wooden Bowl
Second smaller wooden bowl for apple core sections
Apple
Wheat biscuit or small wheat cereal biscuits
Slice of cheese
Fruit knife
Small bell
Optional:
Small table or platform
Altar cloth
Celebrant:
Takes bell and moves clockwise.
Rings bell â twice in each of the four directions.
Earth, Air, Fire and Water.
Elements of the Physical and Metaphysical.
Mother Earth â Gaia.
Akasha â Hand and Voice of the ALL.
Be You Honored.
Be You Blessed.
It is the Harvest.
It is the Gathering of the Harvest.
From the Earth We gather the Foods We will need for the
dark and cold Winter.
This is the Fall Equinox.
The hours of Father Sun and Mother Moon are equal.
This is a time of thanksgiving and balancing.
Mabon is the second of a trilogy of Harvest Festivals.
This Equinox is a time of great changes from the Light
unto the Dark.
We mourn that which is passing â
We celebrate that which is yet to be.
It is at this time â at this Equinox â that we stop and consider
and celebrate our gifts from our deities and divinities.
We celebrate and consecrate this symbolic death of the Father-Sun.
So that the Cycles may continue â
That the Wheel of Year may circle âround â
âdeathâ must be in the Fall so that ârebirthâ may be in the Spring.
Thus we hold sacred this Sabot of Mabonâs Harvest.
Our Harvest is not just of the Fruits and Grains.
It is also of the Spiritual and Metaphysical.
Holds up wooden bowl with apple and wheat biscuits
From the Mother Earth We have Our fruits â
We have Our Grains â
We have Our Milks and Cheeses.
From Akasha â
Hand and Voice of the ALL â
We have Our Guides, Guardians and Muses,
Gods and Goddesses.
We have â each in Our own ways â
Each according to our preferences and needs â
Have Our Espiritus Sanctus.
From the Earth Mother â
From the Akasha -
We have Our Harvest for this Sabot of this Year.
Sets bowl back down on table/platform.
From the Mother Earth We have Our Harvest.
Takes knife and cuts apple into four equal sections.
From One We now have Four.
Cuts apple core from each of the four sections.
Sets apple core sections aside into smaller wooden bowl.
Takes smaller bowl and turns clockwise to the four directions.
North â South â East â West.
Elements and Guardians of the Four Directions.
From You comes this apple.
Returned unto You is this Apple.
Tosses a core section to each of the four directions.
From You this apple came.
To You this apple is returned.
Sets small bowl down and picks up four small wheat biscuits.
Wheat.
Grain of the Earth.
From this grain We make and bake Our breads â
Our muffins, biscuits and bagels.
From the bounty of the Summer â
We Gather the Harvest for the Winter.
With this Harvest We have food for the Winter.
Tosses a biscuit to each of the four directions.
Wheat.
From the Mother Earth this grain came.
To the Mother this grain is returned.
Takes cheese and breaks off four tiny sections.
Cheese.
From the milk of the cow â
Farmerâs companion of the ages.
Source of milk and all milk can be made into.
Oh, Great Placid Mooâing One â
Thanks!
Tosses cheese sections to the four directions.
From the Mother Earth -
Back to the Mother Earth.
Takes Bell â rings three times in each of the four directions.
So thus it was â
We gathered the harvest of bounties from the Mother Earth.
So thus it is â
We celebrate and consecrate these offerings back to the Mother Earth.
So thus it be â
The cycle and circle continues.
From the Mother to Us â Her sons and daughters â back to the Mother.
The Harvest is Gathered.
The Harvest is Shared.
Takes a bite of apple and cheese.
Thanks for the apple and cheese.
As it was â
As it is â
As it will be.
Blessings Be.
Takes Bell and moves counter-clockwise ringing bell three
times in each direction.
This working is closed.
Blessings unto the Elements and Guardians of the Four Directions.
Blessings unto the Earth Mother â Gaia.
Blessings Unto Akasha â Hand and Voice of the ALL.
In Perfect Love â
In Perfect Trust You joined this Solitary Celebrant in this working.
I cannot dismiss that which is always with Me.
I thank You for You presence here today.
I thank You for Your presence in My life every day.
Blessings Be.
This working is closed.
I shall return.
Mabon Harvest Home Cake Recipe
Mix 1 cup dark brown sugar, 1 cup raisins, 1 cup water and 1 cup lard. Bring to a simmering boil for 3 minutes. Set aside to cool. After cooling completely, beat in 1 egg. Add 3 cups flour, ½ teaspoon baking soda, 2 teaspoons baking powder, ½ teaspoon salt, and one teaspoon each of powdered cinnamon, cloves and allspice. Beat into mixture for 2 minutes and pour into greased cake pan. Top with 1 cup of chopped nuts of your choice and bake at 375 degrees for 30-35 minutes, Serve with butter or cream. Happy Harvest!
Foodstuffs: Grapes, Acorns, Wheat Bread, Goat, Indian Corn, Horn of Plenty, Cornbread, Corn, Root Crops (ie Onions, Carrots, Potatoes, etc.), Nuts, Dried Fruits, Apples, Beans, and Squash.
Drinks: Wine, Ale, and Cider.
Colours: (for those who work with Candle Magick): Red, Deep Gold, Orange, Brown, Maroon, Violet, Russet, Yellow, and Indigo. Red, orange, russet, maroon, brown, and gold.
Animals: Dogs, Wolves, Stag, Birds of Prey (especially the Blackbird, Owl, and Eagle), Salmon, and Goat.
Mythical Creatures: Gnomes, Sphinx, Minotaurs, Cyclops, Andamans, and Gulons.
Stones: Yellow Topaz, Carnelian, Sapphire, Yellow Agate, Lapis Lazuli, and Amethyst. Also, river or stream stones which have been submerged for the Summer may be used.
Plants: Vines, Garlands (made of these various plants), Gourds, Pine Cones, Acorns, Wheat, Dried Leaves, Corn, Pomegranate, Ivy, Hazel, Hops, Cedar, and Tobacco.
Herbs: Myrhh, Thistles, Tobacco, Oak Leaves, Hazel, Mums, Hops, Acorns, Marigold, Roses, Sage, Milkweed, Solomonâs Seal, Asters, Ferns, Honeysuckle, Benzoin, Passionflower, Pine, and Cedar. Acorn, benzoin, ferns, grains, honeysuckle, marigold, milkweed, myrrh, passionflower, rose, sage, solomonâs seal, tobacco, thistle, and vegetables.
Incenses: Aloes Wood, Cinnamon, Cloves, Benzoin, Jasmine, Frankincense, Myrrh, and Sage.
Dieties: All wine Deities (especially Dionysus and Bacchus), the Mother aspect of the Triple Goddess, Persephone, Thor, Modron, Morgan, Snake Woman, Epona, Pamona, Muses, Mabon, Thoth, Hermes, Hotei, Harvest Deities, and Aging Deities.
The Green Man.
Symbols:
Second Harvest, the Mysteries, Equality and Balance.
Activities:
Making wine, gathering dried herbs, plants, seeds and seed pods, walking in the woods, scattering offerings in harvested fields, offering libations to trees, adorning burial sites with leaves, acorns, and pine cones to honor those who have passed over.
Spellworkings:
Protection, prosperity, security, and self-confidence. Also those of harmony and balance.
Mabon Linksâ¦
Mabon mythology
⢠KILHWCH AND OLWEN or the TWRCH TRWYTH (Translation by Lady Charlotte Guest)
⢠Apples and Apple Trees in Western European Myths, Legends, and Folklore
Harvest Facts, Customs, Folklore and Tradition
⢠Orkney Harvest Lore
⢠Fall Foliage Facts
⢠The Elders Speak: About Autumn
⢠Folk Legends & Myths About Predicting Winters
⢠Festivals Of Autumn (India)
⢠Slavic Pagan Holidays - Autumn
⢠Johnny Appleseed
⢠Great Moments in Apple History
⢠Applelore
Recipes
⢠Seed cake
⢠Caraway Seed Cake
⢠Irish Potato Cake
⢠Apple Harvest Cake
⢠Hazelnut cake recipe
⢠Cranberry Cornbread Native American Harvest Recipes
⢠Harvest Feast Recipes- Modern Versions
⢠Harvest Broth - CAWL CYNHAEAF
⢠Hazelnut-Chocolate Soup
⢠Applesauce
⢠Apple Cranberry Crisp
⢠Allspiced Cider
⢠Dudley Eppelâs Hot Cider-Cranberry Punch
⢠Notchland âMuddledâ Cider
⢠Cider & Apple Wine Recipes
⢠Michigan Apple Juice/Cider Recipes
⢠Boiled Cider Pie
⢠Apple Cider Jelly
⢠Poteen From Ireland
Harvest Things to do
⢠Scarecrow
⢠Corn Placemats
⢠Autumn Activities
⢠Decorated Raffia Braid with Potpourri and Fall Florals
⢠Apple Votive
⢠Colorful Leaf Placemats
⢠Autumn wreaths
⢠Acorn Wreath
⢠Stained Glass Window
⢠Corn Mazes
⢠Bakerâs Clay Cornucopia
⢠Cornucopi a Wreath
Fun Fall Facts links
⢠Fall Color Hotline
⢠Autumn in Killarney
⢠Hipparchus of Rhodes
⢠Precession of the Equinoxes
⢠Precession of the Earthâs Rotation Axis
⢠Precession of the Equinoxes
⢠Precession of the Equinoxes Impact on Astrology
Research Source References:
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/4885/mabon.html
http://www.wicca.com/celtic/akasha/mabon.htm
http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.?a=usma&c=holidays&id=3623
Recipe Source Reference:
http://www.isisbboks.com/mabon-autumn-equinox.asp
Mabon Links Reference:
http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.?a=usma&c=holidays&id=3623
Posted on 9/17/2008 at 4:40 pm by Paganus âPagusMagusâ Greybeard
Globus Securitas / Scutum, Pt. I
The navies of this world have known it for years. When in a situation of high risk and danger evasion and escape is often necessary. For the navies this has been known since the mid to late 1800’s when the first known navel submersible, the C.S.S. Hunley, made its combat appearance. This strategy has become known as ‘run silent, run deep’.
Even in our own personal and professional lives the same strategy applies. As your Paganus I have often had to adopt ‘deep silent running’ to evade and escape combative confrontations. There have been many days and nights when being ‘out-of-sight’ and ‘out-of-mind’ has been my sole means of conflict avoidance. This has also worked when I was working ’security’. When your supervisor is on a tear, you want to be anywhere but there. You may also need to observe and respond to a situation quietly and without notice. This tactic can be and has been utilized in dealing with non-physical etherial threats and dangers.
The navies in their use of submersibles have the cloaking and shielding aspects and benefits of the world’s global waters. The water becomes both security - ’securitas’ - and shield - ’scutum’. Long years before I was even aware of ‘magick’ and it’s myriad forms and functions I was utilizing a very basic cloaking shield. I used the phrase - “You do not see me, I am not here". I used no tools of any kind - not even my wrist beads or rings. At this early stage of growth and development I was not wearing either my wrist beads or rings. I was however - without being aware of what it really was I was using - using concentrated visualization. This is the same technique used by ‘magicians’ to achieve their objective - yet, I was not aware of this. I simply spoke the words and visualized a shielding cloak around me. I clearly remember using this ‘basic’ technique when working ’security’. I needed to not be seen and noticed - and I wasn’t.
Years later, after working with and studying under the instruction, guidance and direction of Mistress Ravenfyre and certain Festival and Guild members, I have learned what it was that I was doing without any instruction, guidance or direction. I was forming and using a ’security shield globe’. In my present and current development this has become “Globus Securitas / Scutum".
Globus: Globe, Orb
Securitas: Security, Protection
Scutum: Shield
As described and explained last week in “Sic Fiat Luxe” my curent method is to
1) Touch the rings/beads
2) Visualize the shielding globe/cloak
3) Speak the words which in this useage are - “Globus Securitas / Scutum".
I was performing “magick” years before I went to Renaissance Faires & Festivals. I was doing the “Don’t see me, I am not here” even before I worked ’security’. This was years - decades? - before Mistress Ravenfyre, Festival, Guild, My Guides, Guardians and Muses and even the Draconae. This was seemingly something I did on my own. Was it? Was it really? Most likely not. I have been doing Rennaissance Fairs and Festivals since the 1980’s. I was doing Sci-Fi Conventions before that. I have only been actively aware of “magick’ for around ten (10) years. I have been associated with Mistress Ravenfyre and MysticWith.com for six (6) to eight (8) years. I have been a Guild member for five (5) to (6) years. Where then did the knowledge and ability to do the very ‘basic’ ‘magic’ I was doing come from? Were my Guides, Guardings and Muses working with me and through me even then? Was I being guided, directed and protected by then before I was even actively aware of their existence? Could it have been “my” Draconae? Could it have been then as it is now a bit of both?
In my own way ‘running silent, running deep’ is one of my best ways to avoid messy and emotionally complicated confrontations. The only real problem is that in this household - my family of birth household -
in many ways my ‘magick’ does not work. My ‘magick’ - when it does work, for the most part - works outside the household, not inside.
It does, however, to some limited degree lessen the severity of the situations. This is best seen in my daily ‘cleanings/cleansings’ - when I can remember to do them! As an experiment I have not performed the ‘cleanings/cleansings’ ‘magick’ act/function to compare the results of days when the ‘magick’ was performed and when it was not performed. The results are quite clear. While I obviously cannot use the “don’t see me, I am not here” ‘magick’ here in this current familial household, I can do a ‘cleaning/cleansing’ that does seem to work. One is a drectly active shielding cloak - the other is more of a maintenance function. You spray for bugs and vermin - I do the same for etherial vermin and bugs.
Using the “don’t see me, I am not here” in this household obviously will not work. My energy forms and patterns - mundane and metyaphysical - are well known. This will also not work at either Festival or Guild as I am far too well known there as well. At my current level of ‘magickal’ development this technique only seems to work and be effective in a situation where I am not nearly so well known - such as in a crowded store or shopping center or in a late night ’security’ work environment. However, since I am unlikely to be working ’security’ as I once did, there remains one other realm of effective useage. Previously I had been using the ‘don’t see me, I am not here’ in what could be considered mundane conditions and situations.
Now that i am somewhat more trained, skilled and experienced in the useage and utilization of ‘magick’ there is still of the realm of the etherial and metaphysical. It is perhaps here where ‘not being seen because I am not here’ might be most effective.
***** TO BE CONTINUED *****
Sic Fiat Luxe
Nox.
Nothing and Nothingness.
Emptiness and Oblivion.
In the absolute very beginning there was not even nothingness and oblivion. There was not even nothing.
Then a Voice spoke -
“Sic Fiat Luxe".
Sic: So, Thus, In This Manner
Fiat: Let There Be
Luxe: Light
This is a Latin translation of a Greek translation of a possibly Etruscian translation of something even unimaginably older. Are these the actual, true, and “real” words “spoken” at the instant of “creation"? Nobody knows. Nobody can ever know. It is, however, a somewhat reasonably accepted tradition that something was said by somebody/something at that “creation” instant. The words are traditional. It is not important what was actually said. What is important is the instantaneous act of “creation".
Creation: From nothing, something.
“Let There Be Light”
Four words in the present day common-use “English” language.
“Sic Fiat Luxe”
Three words in the ancient days common-use “Latin” language.
Either in the “English” or the “Latin” the directed intent of the words is the same - Light. This “Light” can be either metaphysical/spiritual for inner, personal “enlightenment” or it can be quite mundanely physical - basic, ordinary light by which we see.
In the last, past few weeks I have been using the short phrase “Sic Fiat Luxe” as a short form blessing. Instead of appending 2 or 3 more pages of text to an already long email or article entry I simply add “Sic Fiat Luxe". It’s simple. It’s basic. It works. It also works in the daily “Cleaning/Cleansing". “Magick” need need not always be complicated and elaborately ritualistic. It can be very simple, direct and functional. The deities and divinities do not ask for - nor do they even require - the ostentatious, elaborate ritualistic ceremonies we mortals so seem to love.
None of that overblown and quite unecessary “ceremonial ritual” is needed. I learned that several months ago. For the most part I have dispensed with much - but never quite completely all - of the “ceremonial ritual". The ritualistic ceremonial actions are for our mortal use and benefit. The deities and divinities need none of that elaborate bumph.
We humans - homo sapiens sapiens - are an apparently unique “creation". We can think, speak and write thoughts, and are seemingly self-aware. It is this sense of self-awareness that is seemingly insistent on ritualistic gratification. Wearing your wrist beads , and one ring on on the middle finger of each hand is obviously not enough frou-frou bumph for our ritual obsessed minds. We have to concoct and then enact elaborate rituals to do our spiritual and energy manipulations. We call the quarters, we cleanse the ceremonial/ritual site, we incense or smudge, we lay down circles with water and salt, we erect the momentary ‘temple’ and have to use our ritual tools to leave and enter said ‘temple’. It’s complicated.
It’s confusing. Is any of it really necessary?
Perhaps for some certain selected, specific incantations, invocations, evocations and convocations it may still be. Dealing with certain etheral entities you may well need to cast the triangle inside the circle. However, for the most part - under most ‘normal’ and ’standard’ circumstances - much of this ceremonial & ritualistic folderol can be set aside and dispensed with. I wear the wrist beads. I wear the rings. These ‘tools’ are nearly always with me as I wear them. I don’t need to fumble and bumble around and about for my wand & atheme.
For the most part I don’t need them; for the most part I no longer use them. Instead of becoming “The Complicated Witch” I’ve listened to Mistress Ravenfyre and become “The Simple Witch". Anybody remember the K.I.S.S. principle - Keep It Simple, Stupid! I’m the Paganus around here. I’m often having to keep it simple because I’m often “stupid” at times.
I use my rings and wrist-beads. For the “working” of a bit of mental light in the scholarly darkness - touch the rings, envision understanding and speak the words. Touch rings, envision and speak the words - “Sic Fiat Luxe". It’s simple. It’s basic. It works. Even this Paganus can make that bit of “magick” work!
Much of the reason for why we do all the ceremonial ritual is that it’s a mind-distraction. We are physically futzing around and about with distractions so that we can let the other brain hemisphere get to work. Think of a stage magician. Smoke and Mirrors. He puffs smoke, waves a wand, flashes images in mirrors, flutters a cloth and speaks a few ‘magickal” words and - Poof-Ka. Magic is done. You have been so busy watching the “show” you failed to notice what was really happening. This is what the human mind is doing with all of the ceremonial ritual.
In a less dramatic way that is how our bio-internal mind-brain works. We distract ourselves by doing all of these ritualistic ceremonial actions. We self-delude ourselves so we do not notice the real and actual “magic” that is occuring. So many volumes of books of magic have lists and tables and even diagrams of ritual.
Stand here, Hold this in the right hand, Hold this in the left hand, Wear this on your head with the insignia pointing to the left, while saying the following while hopping first on the right foot then the left foot - and do it all in the nude at midnight. Yeah Right. Did it actually accomplish anything ‘magickal’ - or did you just ‘feel good’ by ‘doing something magickal’? I’m your Paganus. I’ve been here online for how many years now? How many ‘workings” have have I written and posted/shared here? I’ve just given You another.
1) Touch rings.
2) Envision/Visualize.
3) Speak words.
Very, Very simple.
Very, Very effective.
It’s “magick” of the highest, primal sort. It’s “low-end” as well as “high-end” “magick” at the same time. It’s practical. It’s functional. It works.
I shall - most hopefully??? - return here next week with “Globus Securitas / Scutum".
“Sic Fiat Luxe".
Namaste.
Handwritten: 08-28-2008 10:50
Keyboarded and Posted: 08-29-2008 11:48
Chakra Ear-Cuffs website review
It matters little how good a service or product you have if you do not have
a useful, practical and functional means to inform your potential customers or clients
of your service or product. Multiple forms of advertising have been developed over
human history from carved stones in the Greco-Roman era up to the most modern
of communications modes - the Internet. In our modern information & cybernetic age
a website is a new and efficient way to both market and sell your service, product
or product service.
Customer Service. It’s far more than just a friendly face behind the register taking
your money. Your customer or client - for the sake of the growth and development
of your business enterprise - must be treated with great dignity and respect.
Being helpful, assisting the customer’s client’s in their needs are all vital component aspects of good, functional customer service. Good customer service offers clients and customers service as well as services.
Doing business on the Internet all of the customer service requirements require a site that is both easy to find and easy to use.
One such website is: http://www.chakraearcuffs.com.
Not only does this website offer a product of interest, it is also clean and very
easy to navigate. The product is photographed in colour and the photos
are of quite high resolution. The site has several internal ‘click-throughs’
and all work. The site includes information on the developer and designer
of the “Chakra Ear-Cuffs” - Scott Kovarik.
According to the site Scott is an accomplished musician, songwriter
and spiritual guide. The site includes information on wholesaler resellers,
contact information as well as a lifetime repair/replacement warranty.
In this era of products and services that make extravagant claims
with little or no actual product quality it is quite encouraging and
refreshing to find - especially on the Internet - a company and its
website that offers and provides a good product, an easy to
use ordering website and service for the customer/client.
As has been said previously:
“With so many products on the market this is one of the few that Mystic Witch would in fact stand behind and endorse. We have many items and products come our way. Finding so many flaws that we do not review as we do not wish to associate the product with our company. Not so with the Chakra Ear Cuffs.”
I like the product.
I like the website.
I like the services provided by the company. I signed up for the ‘newsletter’
and a ‘free bonus special’. A day later I found in my inbox that newsletter
and the ‘bonus’ - a short article on the Healing Chakra’s.
This is a good company with a good website offering a good product.
I will definitely be doing some business here.
This site’s a keeper….
Reviewed by: Paganus Greybeard
Closing Benedictions 2008
By Staff Writer: Paganus Greybeard
Closing Invocations and Benediction
SkyFather Sun -
NightMother Moon -
Aspects of the Infinite, Eternal ALL -
We thank You for blessing Us with Your presence during this Working.
Blessings Be.
Lord and Lady
Consort and Companion -
Aspects of the Eternal, Infinite ALL -
We thank You for blessing Us with Your presence during this Working - and this day.
Blessings Be.
Akasha of the Spirit -
Spiritus Sanctus Aspect of the ALL -
You - who are the Voice of the ALL -
We thank You for Blessing this Working - and this day - with Your Presence.
Blessings Be.
Elements of the Five Directions -
Aspects of the ALL -
Air of the East -
Fire of the South -
Water of the West -
Earth of the North -
Akasha of the Spirit -
You came in Peace, Understanding, Learning, Loving and Sharing.
Air of the East We thank You for Your offering of Inspiration and Understanding.
With Your help this Working was written and worked and the intent and desired result of this
Working was accomplished.
Fire of the South We thank You for Your offering of Energy and
Power. This Working was worked and with Your help We might just
make it through these times of testing, changes, and opportunities.
This is a time of stress for Us all.
We thank You for Your Power and Energy to help Us through these times.
Water of the West Your offering of Coolness and Healing is greatly
appreciated. The hot days of Summer are a bit easier to survive and endure
with Your help. Your healing washing away of Our hurts and troubles is also greatly
appreciated.
Earth of the North we thank You for Your offering of Guidance and Direction.
Akasha of the Spirit We thank You also for Your offering of Direction and Guidance.
Earth Mother Gaia -
Aspect of the ALL -
We thank You for this world upon which We live.
Ancient Tree of the Celts and Norse -
Aspect of the ALL
We thank You for the plants and greenery of this little blue world.
And the apples are still good.
Ancient Element of Fire of the Celts and Norse -
We thank You for all the gifts and benefits Fire has brought humanity.
Fire is Our friend - it can - as can all the elements - be also Our enemy.
Fire can cook our meals and warm Our hearths.
Fire can also burn Our forrests, grasslands and homes.
Ancient Element of Water of the Celts and Norse -
We thank You for all the gifts and benefits Water has brought humanity.
Water is Our friend - it can - as can all the elements - be also Our enemy.
Water can fill Our lakes, rivers and water storage reservoirs.
Water can also flood Our cities and homes and let slide Our homes off the
hillsides in which they so perilously perch.
Ancient Element of Air -
Without You We could not breathe -
We would have nothing to breathe -
We thank You for Your gift of the Breath of Life.
Air is Our friend - it can - as can all the elements - be also Our enemy.
Air gives us the Breath of Life.
Air can also - in great storms - blow down Our cities and homes.
Ancient Element of Earth -
Without You We have no ground upon which to live.
Earth is Our friend - it can - as can all the elements - be also Our enemy.
Earth gives us Our ground to live upon.
Earth also takes away that ground in slides and earthquakes.
Fire and Water -
Ancient Elements of the Celts and Norse -
Fire and Water -
Air and Earth -
Ancient Primal Elements of the ALL -
You are seen as both Friend and Enemy to humanity.
You are neither Friend Nor Enemy to humanity.
You are Basic, Primal Elements.
So very often We forget that.
You never let us forget We are but humble mortals upon this lovely little blue world.
We thank You for Your offerings, lessons, reminders and teachings.
We thank You for Blessing this Working - as well as this day..
DayFather Sun -
NightMother Moon -
Lord and Lady -
Sea Nymph Galatea -
Earth -
Air -
Fire -
Water -
Akasha of the Spirit -
Tree of the Ancients -
Earth Mother Gaia -
All of You who have Blessed Us during this Working - and this day -
I know not how to release you.
How can I release Elements and Aspects of the ALL -
when, as I have Read and Studied -
Learned and Shared -
You are always here with Us at all times anyway?
Closing Open Benediction to the Mystic Witch Readership:
We who are gathered together here as MysticWitch -
We who are Writers and Editors -
We who are Readers and Occasional Contributors -
We who think, write and work for MysticWitch -
In All the Names of the ALL -
In the Names of All of the Aspects of the ALL -
In All the Names of the DayFather Sun -
In All the Names of the NightMother Moon -
In All the Names of the Directions and Elements -
May Akasha of the Spirit -
the Living Ethereal Embodiment of the Spoken Word of the ALL -
be with Us always.
May All of the Aspects of the ALL be with Us Always.
May the Ancient Tree of the Celts and Norse stand silently beside Us always.
May the Ancient Well - Source of the Waters of Healing and Life - never run dry.
May the Ancient Cauldron - Source of Fires Energy and Power and
Warmth in the Cold Days of the Winter - never go cold.
May the ALL - in All Its Aspects - be with Us always.
We came in Love, Learning, Peace, Sharing and Understanding.
May We now conclude this Working with Love, Learning, Peace,
Sharing and Understanding.
Go now in Love for Your fellow inhabits of this tiny blue world.
Love Your friends and Your lovers - IF you have any.
Love your cats and dogs.
Yes - love even - IF you can - Your neighbor.
Go now in Learning - and Learn something.
Keep Your mind alive.
Keep it growing and seeking and searching.
Go now in Peace - and help to keep the Peace.
Do not start the Fight - IF there is a Fight - but do not be afraid - IF needed - to finish itââ¬Â¦.
Go now in Understanding that We need not all be of the same faith or belief.
It it all the same to the ALL. Whether We be Pagan, Protestant, Druid,
Catholic, Jewish, Taoist, Shinto, Shaman, Wiccan, Chaotic, BardicMagus or even
Eclectic Whatever. - we are all family.
We are All of Us Children of the ALL.
Go now in Sharing - and take these humble and inadequate words with You.
For it is in the Sharing that We are Mystic Witch.
Remember always -
Be Careful & Cautious out there.
Stay Safe and Secure out there.
Let Your Guides and Guardians Serve, Preserve, Protect & Defend
You out there.
Let the Lord and Lady -
{or personal preference Deity & Divinityof Your choice} -
Bless You and Keep You -
May Their Lights Shine forever about You -
and give you their Peace until next We meet here again.
As it was - it was.
As it is - it is.
As it will be - it will be.
So thus it was -
So thus it is -
So thus it be.
So Mote It Be
Blessings Be.
Copyright © 2002-2008 Mystic Witch
Opening Invocations 2008
By Staff Writer: Paganus Greybeard
Opening Invocations:
DayFatherSun -
NightMother Moon -
Aspects of the Eternal, Infinite ALL -
I Honour and Greet You.
Sun of the Day -
Moon of the Night -
I Honour and Greet You.
Sun of the Day who brings Light and Energy and Life to this little blue world -
You are Welcomed Here.
Moon of the Night who brings the Reflected Light of the Sun into our dark nights -
You are Welcomed Here.
Lord and Lady -
Aspects of the Eternal, Infinite ALL -
I Honour and Greet You.
Lord -
Consort of the Lady -
and Original Image of Male Humanity -
You are Welcomed Here.
Lady -
Companion to the Lord -
and Original Image of Female Humanity -
You are Welcomed Here.
Akasha -
Spiritus Sanctus Aspect of the ALL -
I Honour and Greet You.
Akasha -
who brings the ALL into all our lives, faiths, beliefs, traditions and religions -
You are Welcomed Here.
Akasha -
You who - in other faiths -
carry other names such as Holy Ghost, Holy Spirit, Espiritus Sancti are Sacred to all of Humanity.
For without the Word there would have been no World. When in the Beginning - When the ALL - the Original Primal Creator Being - reaches forth across the Heavenly Cosmos and Creation was Created You were the Word by which it was done.
You are the Voice of the ALL.
You are Honoured and Welcomed Here.
Celebrant holding up a Cup of Water:
Water -
Element of Life -
Element of Wisdom from the Wellsprings of the Earth Mother -
You are Honoured and Welcomed Here.
Water -
for whom there Would Not and Could Not be any life here on this little blue world -
You are Honoured here.
Water -
from which all life arose -
We who live upon this little blue world Would Not and Could Not be
here without You.
You are Honoured and Welcomed Here.
Celebrant holding up a Handful of Earth:
Earth -
Element of the Very Ground upon which we walk and live -
and the Sacred Flesh and Bones of the Earth Mother -
You are Honoured and Welcomed here.
Earth -
in and upon which we grow our foods and build our homes -
we would have no place to live without you.
You are Honoured and Welcomed Here.
As has been said -
Let now the rocks and stones themselves begin to sing.
Celebrant holding up a twig from the Original Primal Tree {Yggsradsill}:
Tree -
Element & Representative of all that is Green & Plant upon this
little blue world -
You are Honoured and Welcomed Here.
Tree - You stand forever tall and majesticly proud.
You offer shade and fruits.
You are home to birds and other small creatures.
You are wood for our fires and lumber for our homes and furniture.
You are Tree - an Old and Very Dear Friend.
You who in the ancient Celtic and Norse traditions connected the
Depths to the Heights of the Heavens -
Who connects the Nine Realms -
Who is the Axis of the Universe -
Be Welcomed Here.
You are very much Welcomed Here.
And thanks for the apples - they tasted good today.
Good Morning and Greetings!
DayFather Sun and NightMother Moon I Greet You!
Sun of the Day and Moon of the Night I Greet You!
Element of Air I Honour and Greet you!
Greetings Guides and Guardians of the East!
Spirits of the Air -
Who come on the Winds and Wings of Understanding -
Forever Inquisitive and Curious -
Awaken our Intuition and Intellect so We may Comprehend and Understand so that We may Share this Learning with Others so that they too may Comprehend and Understand.
Be Welcome!
Blessings Be!
Good Morning and Salutations!
Hawaiian Goddess of Fire Pele I Honour and Greet You!
Element of Fire I Greet & Honour You!
Greetings Guides and Guardians of the South!
Spirits of Fire who come to warm our hearths and hearts -
who Illuminate and Light our Lives -
who Heal our Physical wounds and Emotional and Psychic sorrows -
who Make us strong -
Aid us as we give honour and respect to those of us who have traveled onward.
Bring us warmth - but not so much as we cook ourselves.
Blessings Be!
Good Morning & Merry Meet!
Sea Nymph Galatea I Honour and Greet You!
Element of Water I Greet & Honour You!
Greetings Guides and Guardians of the West!
Spirits of Water who come to cool us down on days of heat -
who come to wash away the negative, hurtful and damaging -
who softly and gently salve our wounds and hurts -
who bring us cooling in these days of summer.
Be Welcome!
Blessings Be!
Good Morning & Hail & Well Met!
Earth Mother Gaia I Honour and Greet you!
Element of Earth I Greet & Honour you!
Greetings Guides and Guardians of the North!
Spirits of Earth who dwell within this planet -
Friends of Humankind - Seen and Unseen -
Sons and Daughters of Earth Mother Gaia -
who support and uphold us -
who nurture and sustain the flowers and trees,
who watch out for and protect us mortals all -
Be Welcomed here.
Blessings Be.
Lord and Lady -
Aspects of the ALL -
Who was here before Anything & Everything -
Who will still be here after Everything and Anything is long gone -
IF it be Thy Will -
Bless this Working and this day - with Your presence -
Air of the East -
Fire of the South -
Water of the West -
Earth of the North -
Akasha of the Spirit -
Come in Peace.
Come in Understanding.
Come in Learning, Loving and Sharing.
Air of the East I ask for your offering of Inspiration and
Understanding.
Fire of the South I ask for your offering of Energy and Power -
to get this Working worked - and to just get successfully,
safely, sanely and sensibly through this time of testing, changes and
opportunities.
Water of the West I ask for your offering of coolness so all of us
here collected as MysticWitch stay cool and not suffer from Summers Heat.
Earth of the North I ask for your offering of Wisdom and
Comprehension.
I am but your humble Celebrant.
I ask for your Guidance and Direction.
I ask for the Right Questions and the Understanding of the Answers to those Questions.
Akasha of the Spirit I ask for your offering of Guidance and Direction.
Guide and Direct this humble, mortal Celebrant. If there are properly appropriate opportunities opening up for me - point me in the right direction so I do not miss them. Let me be able to at least consider acting upon these appropriate opportunities. IF it be of Thy Will - and the will of the ALL - give me the skills and abilities to earn the monies to act upon any of these possible appropriate opportunities.
I ask also that for any of the Readership and Membership of MysticWitch.com that they too be able to make good and proper and appropriate use of any proper and appropriate changes and opportunities.
Akasha - Let your offering of Guidance and Direction be for all and everyone.
DayFather Sun -
NightMother Moon -
Aspects of the All -
IF it be Thy will -
By Your Light -
Original by Day and Reflected at Night -
Out of the Darkness of the Night -
Out of the Depths of Dark Fury and Anger -
Out of the Despair of Emptiness and Loss -
From Yesterday into Today -
Today into Tomorrow -
Tomorrow into Infinite Eternity -
I ask that IF it be by Thy Will -
May no harm be done this day.
No harm by thought, by word or by deed -
Whether by active intent or accident -
Let No Harm Be Done -
By Anyone
{Animal, Plant, Mineral, Spiritus or Other} -
To Anyone
{Animal, Plant, Mineral, Spiritus or Other} -
Themselves included -
For Any Reason.
Let - No - Harm - Be - Done!
DayFather Sun -
NightMother Moon
Aspeccts of the Infinite, Eternal ALL -
I thank you.
As it was - it was.
As it is - it is.
As it will be - it will be.
So thus it was -
So thus it is -
So thus it will be.
Blessings Be.
Namaste.
Copyright © 2002-2008 Mystic Witch
Little Bird Home
Little voice
Little bird
Safe in nest
Chirping for affection
Growing ever stronger
Soon
Perhaps too soon?
To flap your wings
One day to quietly fly away
Long flight
Fledgling’s flight
Soaring high, Winging low
Back to original nesting grounds
Seeking life and living
Soon to link with kindred spirit
One with whom new family made
Families together blending
Sticks and twigs gathering up
A new nest to make
A new life to prepare for
Hatchling to Fledgling to Mated Pair making their own nest
The family is coming again together
Little Bird is home.
For Shaina -
Blessings Be.
Written: 04:05 - 04:26 / 01-25-2008
Posted: 01-25-2008
Weaving Samhain’s Circle
By Staff Writer: G. Brad Harte
Quickly, Quickly come
The Circle is forming
Children from Elders
Fathers with Mothers
Sisters and Brothers
Come quickly
round the Fire gather
Link the Chain
Form the Weave
Weave the Circle
Dance for Our Elders
Dance for Our Kin
Green Man, Green Man
Forests Warden friend
Druid, Druid
Sacred Mage of ages old
round this Fire We dance
Dance the Samhain night
This Night between Realms
Veils parted
Welcoming again the departed
Quickly, Quickly come
round the Fire gather
Weaving Samhains Circle.
Gathering Mabon’s Harvest
Mabon 2007 Solitary Practitioners Working.
By Staff Writer: G. Brad Harte
Supplies for Working:
Wooden Bowl
Second smaller wooden bowl for apple core sections
Apple
Wheat biscuit or small wheat cereal biscuits
Slice of cheese
Fruit knife
Small bell
Optional:
Small table or platform
Altar cloth
Celebrant:
Takes bell and moves clockwise.
Rings bell twice in each of the four directions.
Earth, Air, Fire and Water.
Elements of the Physical and Metaphysical.
Mother Earth Gaia.
Akasha Hand and Voice of the ALL.
Be You Honored.
Be You Blessed.
It is the Harvest.
It is the Gathering of the Harvest.
From the Earth We gather the Foods We will need for the
dark and cold Winter.
This is the Fall Equinox.
The hours of Father Sun and Mother Moon are equal.
This is a time of thanksgiving and balancing.
Mabon is the second of a trilogy of Harvest Festivals.
This Equinox is a time of great changes from the Light
unto the Dark.
We mourn that which is passing
We celebrate that which is yet to be.
It is at this time at this Equinox that we stop and consider
and celebrate our gifts from our deities and divinities.
We celebrate and consecrate this symbolic death of the Father-Sun.
So that the Cycles may continue
That the Wheel of Year may circle round
death must be in the Fall so that rebirth may be in the Spring.
Thus we hold sacred this Sabot of Mabons Harvest.
Our Harvest is not just of the Fruits and Grains.
It is also of the Spiritual and Metaphysical.
Holds up wooden bowl with apple and wheat biscuits
From the Mother Earth We have Our fruits
We have Our Grains
We have Our Milks and Cheeses.
From Akasha
Hand and Voice of the ALL
We have Our Guides, Guardians and Muses,
Gods and Goddesses.
We have each in Our own ways
Each according to our preferences and needs
Have Our Espiritus Sanctus.
From the Earth Mother
From the Akasha -
We have Our Harvest for this Sabot of this Year.
Sets bowl back down on table/platform.
From the Mother Earth We have Our Harvest.
Takes knife and cuts apple into four equal sections.
From One We now have Four.
Cuts apple core from each of the four sections.
Sets apple core sections aside into smaller wooden bowl.
Takes smaller bowl and turns clockwise to the four directions.
North South East West.
Elements and Guardians of the Four Directions.
From You comes this apple.
Returned unto You is this Apple.
Tosses a core section to each of the four directions.
From You this apple came.
To You this apple is returned.
Sets small bowl down and picks up four small wheat biscuits.
Wheat.
Grain of the Earth.
From this grain We make and bake Our breads
Our muffins, biscuits and bagels.
From the bounty of the Summer
We Gather the Harvest for the Winter.
With this Harvest We have food for the Winter.
Tosses a biscuit to each of the four directions.
Wheat.
From the Mother Earth this grain came.
To the Mother this grain is returned.
Takes cheese and breaks off four tiny sections.
Cheese.
From the milk of the cow
Farmers companion of the ages.
Source of milk and all milk can be made into.
Oh, Great Placid Mooing One
Thanks!
Tosses cheese sections to the four directions.
From the Mother Earth -
Back to the Mother Earth.
Takes Bell rings three times in each of the four directions.
So thus it was
We gathered the harvest of bounties from the Mother Earth.
So thus it is
We celebrate and consecrate these offerings back to the Mother Earth.
So thus it be
The cycle and circle continues.
From the Mother to Us Her sons and daughters back to the Mother.
The Harvest is Gathered.
The Harvest is Shared.
Takes a bite of apple and cheese.
Thanks for the apple and cheese.
As it was
As it is
As it will be.
Blessings Be.
Takes Bell and moves counter-clockwise ringing bell three
times in each direction.
This working is closed.
Blessings unto the Elements and Guardians of the Four Directions.
Blessings unto the Earth Mother Gaia.
Blessings Unto Akasha Hand and Voice of the ALL.
In Perfect Love
In Perfect Trust You joined this Solitary Celebrant in this working.
I cannot dismiss that which is always with Me.
I thank You for You presence here today.
I thank You for Your presence in My life every day.
Blessings Be.
This working is closed.
I shall return.
Mabon Harvest Home Cake Recipe
Mix 1 cup dark brown sugar, 1 cup raisins, 1 cup water and 1 cup lard. Bring to a simmering boil for 3 minutes. Set aside to cool. After cooling completely, beat in 1 egg. Add 3 cups flour, ½ teaspoon baking soda, 2 teaspoons baking powder, ½ teaspoon salt, and one teaspoon each of powdered cinnamon, cloves and allspice. Beat into mixture for 2 minutes and pour into greased cake pan. Top with 1 cup of chopped nuts of your choice and bake at 375 degrees for 30-35 minutes, Serve with butter or cream. Happy Harvest!
Foodstuffs: Grapes, Acorns, Wheat Bread, Goat, Indian Corn, Horn of Plenty, Cornbread, Corn, Root Crops (ie Onions, Carrots, Potatoes, etc.), Nuts, Dried Fruits, Apples, Beans, and Squash.
Drinks: Wine, Ale, and Cider.
Colours: (for those who work with Candle Magick): Red, Deep Gold, Orange, Brown, Maroon, Violet, Russet, Yellow, and Indigo. Red, orange, russet, maroon, brown, and gold.
Animals: Dogs, Wolves, Stag, Birds of Prey (especially the Blackbird, Owl, and Eagle), Salmon, and Goat.
Mythical Creatures: Gnomes, Sphinx, Minotaurs, Cyclops, Andamans, and Gulons.
Stones: Yellow Topaz, Carnelian, Sapphire, Yellow Agate, Lapis Lazuli, and Amethyst. Also, river or stream stones which have been submerged for the Summer may be used.
Plants: Vines, Garlands (made of these various plants), Gourds, Pine Cones, Acorns, Wheat, Dried Leaves, Corn, Pomegranate, Ivy, Hazel, Hops, Cedar, and Tobacco.
Herbs: Myrhh, Thistles, Tobacco, Oak Leaves, Hazel, Mums, Hops, Acorns, Marigold, Roses, Sage, Milkweed, Solomon’s Seal, Asters, Ferns, Honeysuckle, Benzoin, Passionflower, Pine, and Cedar. Acorn, benzoin, ferns, grains, honeysuckle, marigold, milkweed, myrrh, passionflower, rose, sage, solomon’s seal, tobacco, thistle, and vegetables.
Incenses: Aloes Wood, Cinnamon, Cloves, Benzoin, Jasmine, Frankincense, Myrrh, and Sage.
Dieties: All wine Deities (especially Dionysus and Bacchus), the Mother aspect of the Triple Goddess, Persephone, Thor, Modron, Morgan, Snake Woman, Epona, Pamona, Muses, Mabon, Thoth, Hermes, Hotei, Harvest Deities, and Aging Deities.
The Green Man.
Symbols:
Second Harvest, the Mysteries, Equality and Balance.
Activities:
Making wine, gathering dried herbs, plants, seeds and seed pods, walking in the woods, scattering offerings in harvested fields, offering libations to trees, adorning burial sites with leaves, acorns, and pine cones to honor those who have passed over.
Spellworkings:
Protection, prosperity, security, and self-confidence. Also those of harmony and balance.
Mabon Links…
Mabon mythology
KILHWCH AND OLWEN or the TWRCH TRWYTH (Translation by Lady Charlotte Guest)
Apples and Apple Trees in Western European Myths, Legends, and Folklore
Harvest Facts, Customs, Folklore and Tradition
Orkney Harvest Lore
Fall Foliage Facts
The Elders Speak: About Autumn
Folk Legends & Myths About Predicting Winters
Festivals Of Autumn (India)
Slavic Pagan Holidays - Autumn
Johnny Appleseed
Great Moments in Apple History
Applelore
Recipes
Seed cake
Caraway Seed Cake
Irish Potato Cake
Apple Harvest Cake
Hazelnut cake recipe
Cranberry Cornbread Native American Harvest Recipes
Harvest Feast Recipes- Modern Versions
Harvest Broth - CAWL CYNHAEAF
Hazelnut-Chocolate Soup
Applesauce
Apple Cranberry Crisp
Allspiced Cider
Dudley Eppel’s Hot Cider-Cranberry Punch
Notchland “Muddled” Cider
Cider & Apple Wine Recipes
Michigan Apple Juice/Cider Recipes
Boiled Cider Pie
Apple Cider Jelly
Poteen From Ireland
Harvest Things to do
Scarecrow
Corn Placemats
Autumn Activities
Decorated Raffia Braid with Potpourri and Fall Florals
Apple Votive
Colorful Leaf Placemats
Autumn wreaths
Acorn Wreath
Stained Glass Window
Corn Mazes
Baker’s Clay Cornucopia
Cornucopi a Wreath
Fun Fall Facts links
Fall Color Hotline
Autumn in Killarney
Hipparchus of Rhodes
Precession of the Equinoxes
Precessi on of the Earth’s Rotation Axis
Precession of the Equinoxes
Precession of the Equinoxes Impact on Astrology
Research Source References:
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/4885/mabon.html
http://www.wicca.com/celtic/akasha/mabon.htm
http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.?a=usma&c=holidays&id=3623
Recipe Source Reference:
http://www.isisbboks.com/mabon-autumn-equinox.asp
Mabon Links Reference:
http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.?a=usma&c=holidays&id=3623
“Charge of the Parents”
[b][i]Charge of the Parents[/i][/b]
[b]By Staff Writer: Paganus Greybeard[/b]
I am Your Mother.
I am Your Father.
We have been with You always.
Remember Us.
Return to Us.
Come home to Us.
We are Your Parents.
We bring You into life
We take You out of life.
The life You have is Ours to give
It is Ours to take away.
I am Your Father.
I am the Sun that lights and warms Your days.
I am Your Mother.
I am the Moon that lightsYour nights.
We are Your Parents.
From before the start of time till after the end of time
We have been with You.
In the light of day
In the dark of night
We are with You.
Form Your circles
Dance,
Sing,
Quietly meditate.
Consecrate Your days Celebrate Your nights.
This is Your time
This is Your place.
Celebrate Your days Consecrate Your nights.
Light the incense
Burn the candles
Share the food and drink.
Observe Your Rites and Rituals.
Remember the Ways of Your mortal Elders.
Find a tree, sit in silent sanctuary, and be as one with Us.
We are Your Parents.
Come Home to Us.
Earth Mother Awakenings
By Staff Writer: G. BradHarte
Earth Mother
We honour Your Body
Earth Mother
We honour Your Bones
Earth Mother
We sing to Your Spirit
We sing to Your Stones.
-Druid Chant- -Anonymous-
Gate Keeper
Open the Portals between the Gods and Mortals
Power freely flows
When our magick grows
-Druid Chant- -Anonymous-
We approach the Sacred Grove
With Hearts and Minds and Flesh and Bone
Join us now in ways of old
We have come home
We have come home
We have come home
-words by Sean Miller
Light the Fires.
Bang the Drums.
Dance the Maypole.
In the Germanic countries it’s Walpurgisnacht.
In the modern Irish it is Mi na Bealtaine {"month of Bealtaine"}.
In the English countries it’s May Day.
For Celts, Druids, Wiccans and assorted Pagans it is simply Beltane.
Down through history’s centuries the festival was celebrated around or about
May 1st in Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man. Similar and closely related festivals
were held at the same time in Wales, Brittany as well as Cornwall. The Welsh, Bretons and Cornish did not, and do not, celebrate La Bealtaine. In Wales the day is known as Calan Mai and the Gaulish name is Belotenia. Among the Pagan and Wiccan Sabbats,
Beltane is a cross-quarters festival. In the Northern hemisphere it is celebrated May 1st.
In the Southern hemisphere is it observed on November 1st. [1]
Beltane marks the passage of the earth from the cold fallow season into the warming growing season. The earth is slowly awakened from her winter slumber. This festival marks the return and rebirth of earth’s bounty. [2]
Beltaine, translated, means ‘bright fire’ or ‘bale fire’. On Beltaine the Celts would
build two large fires using the nine sacred woods. The fires are an invocation to bel (Belenos). The cattle herds were driven ritually between the two fires to purify, bring luck and protect them on their way to their summer grazing lands. [2]
This is a time-between-times. The veils between the worlds/realms are thinnest at this time. Like Samhain this is a time of magick, when the two realms mix and intermingle and you may just see if you are awake and alert enough elves, faeries and perhaps even a sprite. Be alert this night for the Queen of the Fae riding on her white horse.
IF you are sitting beneath a tree on t his night and the Queen comes riding by, hide your face, otherwise you may be riding off to the Otherworld.
Celebrate.
Consecrate.
Join in the Circle.
It’s May Day.
It’s Beltaine.
Come dance the Maypole.
Come join the Awakening.
Awakenings.
Dawn’s First Light
From over distant mount
Bird’s song of morn
Rabbit’s run
Squirrel’s scrounge
Out from under
Up and about
Gather and grab
Snatch and go
Cheek pockets filled
Scampering scramble
Back to nest
Down to den
Home again.
Pepper tree
leaves falling
rain of green.
Water falling
Flat rock
Quiet splashes.
Doves on ground
Feeding
No hawks nearby.
Birds
Swooping and diving
Sky dancing.
Bee
Busily buzzing
Making honey.
Acorn into Tree
Seed into Plant
Caterpillar to Chrysalis to Butterfly
Winter’s Cold Empty Dark to
Spring’s Warm Growing Light
Out of Oblivion’s Darkness.
Awakenings.
[2] Beltane - Holiday Details and History
Christina Aubin
Posted: April 30th, 2000
Witchnox
Witchvox
Resurections #1
[b]Written and Posted by: Paganus Greybeard[/b]
Flying with Angels
Fallen
Crawling with Demons.
Silent Dark
Empty Cold
Solitary Path
Walking Alone.
Shattered.
Scattered.
Thousands Shards of Self.
Integrate.
Consolidate.
Amalgamate.
Become One.
Living as Lost.
Living as Dead.
Walking the Desert
Three Years Walking
Seems like Thirty
Going nowhere
No where to go
Circles.
Under the Tree -
Beside the Path
Sitting
Meditating.
Reading.
Writing.
Learning.
Growing.
Grounding.
Centering .
Balancing.
Cold
Empty
Dark
Alone.
Voice heard
Voice responded to
Guidance heard-
Directions received.
Up from Oblivion
Moving Slowly
Moving.
No longer alone
Lord & Lady walking beside
Companionship.
New Guide also walking alongside.
Calming influence.
Guides advising
Guardians protecting
Muses inspiring
Getting the work done.
Many into One
One for the Many
One for the All.
Walking on.
Walking a new path?
Or is it the old path walked anew?
Let’s Walk.
Let’s Resurrect
Upward -
Onward -
Into the Light.
Zoom - Zoom
By Staff Writer: Paganus Greybeard
Zoom-Zoom
Working.
Doing.
Being.
Face-in-the-Miror -
Be aware.
I am here.
Very little sleep.
Many hours awake.
I just keep pushing forever forward, onward ..
I push forward.
Nothing had better get in My way.
Nothing whatsoever.
I will crash through it.
I will leave it shattered and splattered.
Do not even think of getting in My way.
It matters not Whom or What You are.
You will also get shattered and splattered.
No joke.
No empty words.
I have the means and capability to enforce this.
I have enforced this in the past.
I have no problem with enforcing this in the present or future.
No problem whatsoever.
I have been trained to not have any problems with doing whatever must be done to accomplish whatever must be done.
Whatever I may need to do I will do.
Anything whatsoever.
Be aware.
I’m coming right straight on through.
Are You in the way?
Move it or loose it.
You may not have much time to decide.
The clock is ticking, I coming on
I am not slowing down
I am not stopping.
Shatter? Splatter?
Or get out of the way?
Half-awake I batter and crash onward.
I do not stop.
I will not stop.
I cannot stop.
Face-in-the-Mirror -
I have spoken.
Have You listened?
Have You heard?
Zoom Zoom.
Triplus Poema
By Staff Writer: Paganus Greybeard
No Demons Season
Alone I stand -
Alone I walk -
Alone I am.
In Captivity Cold -
Wrapped in Chains -
Bottom of Pit Remains -
My Inner Demon.
Escape did not -
Escape will not -
Confinement continues -
Locked away.
Darkest Weeks passed -
First time in Years -
Last Week -
First Week -
No Sight -
No Sound -
Nothing At All -
For this First Ever -
No Demons Season.
Walking Beyond
Here
There
Beyond
Here
This World & Nation -
This Realm & Reality -
Fragile.
Faint.
Ephemeral.
There
Another Here -
Yet -
Not exactly -
Quite -
For that Here -
is
There -
Away.
Delicate.
Breakable.
Broken.
Beyond
Not Here
Not even There
Outside -
For escaping Inside -
Shapless -
Shapes have Sides -
Formless -
Forms have Shapes -
Null Shape -
Non Form -
Side’s Out -
In’s Reverse -
Backward’s Forward -
Spin’s Dizzy -
Swirl -
Step’s buy bye Step -
Twirl -
Twist -
Move -
Leap -
Be -
Above -
Below -
Inside -
Outside -
There & Here -
Shapeless Forms -
Square Circles -
Round Squares.
Peg’s Boards -
Of the One -
Into the Other -
Not mixed -
Not watched -
Circles -
Squares -
Thrice Angles -
Neither’s Nor.
Out’s Side’s In.
In’s Side’s Out.
Shakedown -
TakeDown -
Breakdown.
Straight Down to Heaven.
Walking Beyond.
Step Walking
Stepping Forward -
Stepping Beyond.
Step buy bye Step -
Forward Two -
Backward One -
Progress Made -
Unmade.
Walking Forward -
Standing Still.
Moving Here to There -
Where is -
Where will be -
Never was -
Never be -
Place -
Function & Form -
Shape & Structure -
Mundanian Physical -
Everyday’s ‘reality’ -
Elsewhere’s ‘meta-reality’ -
Shapeless Shape -
Formless Form -
From Physical Mundane -
Metaphysical Extraordinary -
Daily Journey.
Stepping Forward -
Walking Forward -
Standing Still -
Stepping Beyond.
Step Walking.
Book of Ganesha
Book of Ganesha
Royina Grewal // Illus. Arwinder Chawla
Viking Penguin India
© 2001
ISBN: 0-67-004908-5
www.Penguinbooksindia.com
146 pages
Fascinating book.
Much I understand - So very much I do not.
‘Deva’s & Sura’s & Bodhisattvas & Ganapatya’s.
Brahma, Shiva, Vishnu, Parvatti, Agni and other deities -
proto, semi, hemi and demi.
Total confusion in some respects.
Yet - in some respects clarity and and simple, basic understanding.
The Tales and Myths often overlap and frequently conflict.
It’s like a socio-cultural House of Infinite Mirrors. Aspects of Aspects
Anywhere and Everywhere. Name Changes. Different Origins.
Different parents - and in one particular myth Ganesha is the
Father/Parent of All and Everything that Follows.
Confusions and Complications included - this is a most illuminating
and enlightening work.
Much of the difficulty with the book is that it was not written for a western reader.
This book was written for a reader in the Indian SubContinent. I do not know these terms.
Deva? Sura? Ganapatya’s? I have no idea what these are. A reader in Delhi would.
I was for that reader that this book was written.
Yet - for all of that - I was meant to have, hold and read this book.
I am fighting a seriously lingering head/chest cold as I I hand-scribble these words.
These words may not be typed/keyboarded till January.
I was at Barnes & Noble.
Yes.
I was at Barnes & Noble - again.
I was there for another - far different - book.
They are currently out-of-stock on that other book.
So I thanked the lovely lady at Customer Service and walked on.
I was not even fully aware of where I was headed to in the store.
I found Myself at ‘Eastern Religions’.
I stood there scanning the shelves.
There then was this single, small, thin book.
It was as though it was the only book there.
A very clear case of being guided directly to the book I was to read today.
So I bought it.
brought it home,
and between coughing fits,
read it.
Read all of it.
It’s only 146 pages.
I have only a couple of questions:
-) Lord Ganehsa - why this book - now?
-) What am I to get from this?
-) It’s an excellent ‘primer’ on Ganesha. I however, work with Dragons.
Do Dragons and Lord Ganesha go/work together?
-) Am I even asking the right questions?
-) Are there even any ‘right’ questions?
Lord Ganesha - I am beyond confused.
I have to admit I did what I was guided and directed to do.
I simply do not understand the ‘why’ of it.
I ask for no ‘boon’ other than comprehension and understanding.
OR - if that is not to be part of ‘the plan’ - perhaps another bit of guidance
and direction?
Lord Ganesha is the Patron Deity of Writers and Students.
I am Paganus Greybeard.
For the Mystress - I am both Writer, Student and Administrator.
Lord Ganesha helps Writers and Students.
That much - so far - I do understand.
This is an excellent book on Ganesha.
It may not be all that easily found - even at Barnes & Noble.
My finding it was a bit magickal and serendipitous.
There is - however - the online URL for Penguin Books India.
You might be able to access and find the book that way.
Now if I could just get rid of this cold so I can think clearly.
I might re-read “Ganehsa” and find that bit of guidance and direction.
It seems the most logical place to start.
Frankincense and Myrrh
Frankincense
Latin Name: Boswellia carterii
Folk Names: Olibans, Olibanum, Olibanus
Gender: Masculine, Hot
Planet: Sun
Element: Fire
Deities: Ra, Baal
Part Used: Gum
Powers: Protection, Exorcisms, Spirituality, Purifications, Consecrations
Ritual Uses: Burnt at dawn to honour the arising Sun God Ra.
It is included in some of the ritual incenses used by the Catholic Church.
Magickal Uses: When burned uplifts vibrations and energizes but also aids in
driving out ‘evil’ and negativity. It is also burned to assist in meditations
and visulizations [vision quests]. Added to sachets for luck, spiritual growth
and protection.
Myrrh
Latin Name: Commiphora Myrra
Folk Names: Gum Pyrrh, Karah, Mirra Balsom Odendron
Gender: Feminine
Planet: Moon
Element: Water
Deities: Isis, Ra, Adonis, Marion
Part Used: Resin
Powers: Protection, Exorcism, Healing, Spirituality
Ritual Uses: Myyrh was burned for Ra at Noon,
and was also fumed in the Temples of Isis.
Magickal Uses: Myrrh, in combination with Frankincense,
is burned to purify an area, lift the vibrations and create peace.
Myrrh is rarely burned by itself. Myrrh increases the power
and effectiveness of the incense to which it is added.
It is also used in sachets.
Frankincense and Myrrh are often considered two of the gifts
presented to the Baby Christos by the Wise Men of ther East.
It is not known exactly whom these traveling Wise Men were
but since they had - at that time - the rare and valuable spices
Frankincense and Myrrh they could possibly have been
Traders or Monks/Priests from the East - even possibly China.
Many ancient predictions and prophesies were purportedly
fulfilled by the Bethlehem Nativity. Not all of the predictions
and prophedies were Biblical.
References:
1) Cunningham Encyclopeadia of Magickal Herbs
Scott Cunningham
Second Edition
© 1988 Scott Cunningham & 2000 Scott Cunningham Estate
Lewellyn Publications
www.llewellyn.com
Heffalumps and Woozles
By Staff Writer: Paganus Greybeard
Strange days -
Weird energies -
Long hours -
Cold mornings -
Warming Afternoons -
One morning this working week some energies came by -
Around 10:30 in the AM it was -
Still slowly warming up with frosty mental fuzz -
Song appeared -
‘bangin’ ’round ‘n ’bout in the brain -
“Heffalumps and Woozles”
sung to the music of the old tv series “Addams Family” -
Strange that -
The words and music fit -
So why am I thinking of Cousin Itt? -
Makes no cents -
Perhaps some British pence -
or even a Zloty or two? -
Don’t know ’bout You -
but nothing here seems to fit -
Might be time to give it over to Fester and Itt -
as this Solitaire Greybeard does sit and in these quiet hours observes -
and has the passing thought -
perhaps all of this is a message -
I sent My Dragons out -
Perhaps this is their message -
I know Dragons have a sense of humour -
But “Heffalumpos and Woozles” sing to “Addams Family"?
Ah well -
Dragons -
Huffenstuff and Puff -
and Away We Go!
Tiny Climber
By Staff Writer: Paganus Greybeard
Tiny little ant -
crawling, crawling -
up, up faux-marble pillar -
where are you going? -
what is there? -
tiny climber?
Sharings - 12, 2006
Time.
Hours.
Days.
Dark to Light to Dark all around the Cycle.
Quiet.
Noisy.
Busy.
Moments of Inner Study,
Understanding and Outward Sharing -
The Solemnis Solitaire Sits -
Observes -
Writes -
Shares.
Black Cat dumpster scrounging -
scramble fast away -
parked by palm -
early morning arrival -
empty lot -
City still asleep -
sleeepy chirp of unseen featherhead -
“Go away. Sun not up yet.”
Suit rides up -
Suit, tie, fighting yawns -
bicycle in locker -
laptop over shoulder -
off to coffeehouse -
newspaper delivered to racks -
lot begins to fill -
first stirrings -
hint of dawn -
this working mondae begins -
slowly.11/20/2006
Hours -
Moments -
Slow rising of the Warming Sun -
The DayFather Arrives -
The NightMother softly slips away -
Sun is up -
Cold concrete slowly warming -
Birdseed offered and served.
Offerings found -
Offerings accepted.
Hungry, Hungry. 11/21/2006
Sounds -
nearly half heard stirrings and rustlings -
the day comes slowly alive -
First Light -
Orange, Blue, & Red -
Slow rising dawn -
Soft rustlings -
Quiet Chirpings in the bushes -
Seed offered and accepted -
Cold Morning -
Slow Flying Bee -
Pauses on sweater -
Resting for a moment -
Little ‘chi-chirup’ -
Offerings found -
offerinbgs again accepted.
Winter’s Coming.
Eat, Eat! 11/22/2006
Sitting at pillar -
Faux-stone -
Watching the little events -
Observing the story beneath Our Human feet -
Small Black Bug -
feelers atwich -
up from concrete’s crack -
seeking, searching, sensing -
gust of wind -
dry, brown leaf -
leaf vs. small black bug -
bug back down concrete’s crack -
leaf blows onward -
silly little bug! -
it was only a brown, dried leaf!12/01/2006
Sitting -
Watching -
Observing -
Remaining not above -
Not seperate and distant -
But a silent, observing paricipant -
One of -
One with -
One belonging.
Time -
Hours -
Moments -
Days.
Light and Dark -
Day and Night -
Around the Endless Cycle -
Moments of Inner Study -
Observing, Learning, Sharing -
Thus it was -
This is is -
Thus it will be -
This Paganus the Greybeard -
This Solemnis Solitaire.
Bearing the Light
By Staff Writer: Paganus Greybeard
Light.
Of the Light -
From the Light -
Illumination Spirits -
Guide’s of the path -
Agent’s of the ages -
Occult’s Officers -
Mystic Magi -
Magical Muses -
Ancient Ages Wisdom -
Sages from the Aeon’s -
Warrior’s of the way -
Bearing the Light -
Warmth and Healing unto Winter’s Cold
and Despairing Darkness -
Salve the Sorrows -
Repair the Damage -
Heal the Hurts -
Rebuild, Reset, Redo,
For the Hemisphere North -
The Cold, Dark, Depressingly Despairing Months of Doom,
Prepare the Hearth -
Light the Fires -
Stock the Larders.
The Night are long -
The Storms destructive.
The Harvests gathered.
Comes now the long months of Darkening Cold -
Ice and Snow upon the Ground -
Rivers frozen -
The Land lies fallow -
The Goddess carries on Alone -
Her Lord Lies Dead -
A Childe inside Her Grows -
Hope for the Next Year -
Hope for the Coming Spring.
As this Season lies buried under blankets of frozen white -
White not of life -
White of despair, cold and death -
The Land and its People huddle close -
close by the Fires of the Hearth -
waiting -
waiting -
Waiting for the Light.
Light of Life -
Light of Spring.
Bear the Light.
Bear the Life.
Winter is Coming.
Spring is months away.
Hold alight the Light.
Let not Hope of the Coming Spring Die.
Bear the Light into Winter’s Night.
Bear the Light.
{To Be Continued….}
Herb Garden: Onion
By Staff Writer: Paganus Greybeard
Latin Name: Allium Cepa
Folk Names: Oingum, Onyoun, Unyoun, yn-leac
Gender: Masculine, Hot
Planet: Mars
Deity: Isis
Element: Fire
Parts Used: Bulb, Flowers
Powers: Protection, Purification, Exorcism, Healing, Money, Prophecy, Lust
Ritual Uses:
Reportedly in Ancient Egypt the onion wa worshipped and was invoked while
taking ceremonial oaths. The onion is sacred to the Moon - and is used in Lunar rituals.
Magickal Uses:
A small white onion stuck full of black-headed pins placed in a window will guard the home
and household against the intrusion of evil. The flowers are protective as well as decorative
and can be dried for protective amulets.
Grown in garden pots they also shield against evil.
Halved or quartered onions placed in the home and household will absorb evil,
negativity and disease.
Do not throw onion skins and peelings on the ground.
You are throwing away your prosperity.
Burn them in a fireplace or cookpot to attract riches.
An onion placed beneath the pillow can produce prophetic dreams.
When faced with a decision, scratch your choices and options on an onion.
One option and choice to each onion.
Place them in the dark.
The first one to sprout is the answer.
Magickal knives and swords are purified by rubbing their blades with fresh cut onions.
Healing (Magickal) Uses:
Rub the cut edge of an onion against aflicted part of body - viisualizing affliction going into
the onion. Then burn or bury the onion.
Strings of onions - much like strongs of garlic - hung over doorways guard against infections.
A large red onion tied to the bedpost protects the occupants against sickness and aids in
recovery.
References:
1) Cunningham Encyclopeadia of Magickal Herbs
Scott Cunningham
Second Edition
© 1988 Scott Cunningham & 2000 Scott Cunningham Estate
Lewellyn Publications
www.llewellyn.com
Halloween/Samhain 2006
By Staff Writer: Paganus Greybeard
Tiu’s Day - October 31st, 2006
Moon Sign: Aquarius
Moon Phase: Second Quarter
Colour: Lavender
Incense: Rose
Again the ghouls, ghosts, gremlins and ghoblins appear on Our doorsteps.
It’s Halloween.
Costume Shops have been busy.
Candy sales are making merchants happy.
For the sake of the tykes, toddlers and other children out
‘trick-or-treating’ - a few simple safety and security precautions
are suggested.
-) Be careful where You go. Stay in Your own neighborhood if possible.
-) Use reflective costumes - if possible.
-) Carry and use a good, bright, long-lasting flashliight if You go out before dark.
-) If possible do not wait until dark when it is harder to see and be seen.
-) Wait until You get home to eat anything handed out. As the the Adult in the
Family and Household - it is up to You to safeguard the children on this night.
One thing You can do is to hold all the treats handed out.
Do not let any of the children eat anything till You are back home.
Once home - carefully inspect everything You have received.
If You have any questions or doubts about anything - do not let the children eat it
or play with it. Take it to either a Fire Station or a Hospital so It can be examined
or X-rayed if necessary.
It is not just Your Children You need to protect.
Keep Your Dogs and Cats inside if at all possible.
This has long been a night of unspeakable cruelty to Dogs and Cats -
especially black cats.
Keep them inside and safgely away from the neighborhood marauders.
This is not just Halloween.
This is also Samhain.
On this night the veil between the realms and realities thins and parts.
That ghost You thought You heard -
You thought You saw -
perhaps You did See and Hear -
Something or Someone.
Or It may have just have been Granpa’ Ned stoppin’ by for a visit?
This is also the day in 1517 that Martin Luther nailed His ninety-five (95)
theses to the Wittenburg Castle Church’s door - sparking the Protestant Reformaion.
For the ‘Church’ it is ‘All Saints Day’ on Woden’s Day - November 1st.
On Thor’s Day - November 2nd - it is “All Soul’s Day’.
Cast Your Circle -
Raise Youir Shields.
Let’s Be Careful & Cautious out There.
I am Casting a Circle -
I am Raising Shields -
I am Grounding and Centering -
and staying very, very quiet.
May the only ghosts, ghoblins, saints, ghouls and gremlins I see
are children in costumes.
Take Care out there.
Stay Safe, Secure and Out of Harm’s Way out there.
Keep the Children, Dogs and Cats safe out there.
Do No Harm.
Let No Harm Be Done.
So Mote It Be.
Blessings Be.
Goddess Letter - Good Fair
By Paganus Greybeard - Staff Writer
It was a good Fair.
For this Paganus it was a good Fair.
I had ‘work’ - such as it was - that got Me out of the Household for
ten (10) days.
I had Challenges to Overcome.
I had Tasks to Accomplish and Ojectives to Achieve.
Goddess - I thank You for all of that.
I had Lessons to learn.
Some I am already learning.
I thank You for the chance to resuce to tiny little kitt.
Finding the lost child was also rewarding.
It was dusty, smelly, draining and exhausting total sensory overload.
I thank You for all of that also.
I thank You also for the unexpected and unwanted challenge of the
‘team leader’. He was not My team’s leader. We had an encounter.
It was quite ugly. His kharma came back and chewed and lunched Him up good.
I am still waiting for My kharma’s verdict.
Aside from the Jury Duty Summons I think I am still clean and clear.
I had the ‘rabbit-totem’ and rescued kitt experiences after that nasty, brief encounter.
I think I might, perhaps have a clue to my kharma’s verdict.
Yes, Goddess.
I thank You even for all of that.
Teaching Moments.
Learning Experiences.
Sharing Moments.
You were tossing basket-full’s of those at Me at Fair.
I probably missed several of Your Lessons and Learning Moments.
I think I might have used a Sharing Moment or three.
It was not so much the ‘work’ - If I can say that with a straight face -
that was so overwhelming. It was the background experience of the
noises, smells, sights and realities of the Fair.
That and the driving home.
That is and was the Big One.
You got Me home every night.
Driving home every night was My biggest challenge of this Fair.
The roads were dark, often not well marked if they were even marked at all,
wet and slippery and in Reche Canyon - narrow and twisty.
Reche Canyon is bad road in the daytime.
At night it is a nightmare.
Even at that it is still better than the Freeway.
Around here almost any road is better than the Freeway.
I am here.
With Your help I made it.
I endured and survived.
I comprehended and understood.
I centered, grounded and shielded.
I succeeded.
This was ‘work’ for ten (10) days.
I need more than this.
If possible - I need it closer.
No more night drives in back-country canyons and hills.
No more gasgging and choking dust.
No more deafeningnoise from ‘Carnivale’ -
“El Toro Huaco” ‘Mexican’ rodeo -
and dirt track motorcycle and sprint and demo derby car races.
Urrggh.
Especailly the last.
I can handle the rodeo.
It’s those dirt-trackers that are a bit much.
For My next paycheck -
and Teaching, Learning and Sharing moments -
Perhaps a nice, quiet office someplace?
I can - at least ask for that?
I can do that - right?
I thank You also for the opportunity to serve the Membership
and Readership of MysticWitch.com.
I thank You for the Mystress. She is a good Editor and Publisher.
She is also a good Teacher and Sharer.
I am lucky to be working with Her.
I also thank You for the Staff of MysticfWitch.
I am lucky to be working with them also.
May tghe baby kitt, baby camel ‘Delilah’ and all of the babies be well tended
and carfed for.
May the 2nd shift ‘dispatch’ be safe anbd secure in Her patrols.
She is a Riverside County Deputy. Not sure how many knew that.
And Yes - Look after “P.". HJe was a pain. Look after Him also.
He pinched his nerves. Perhaps HIs pinched nerves can be a wake-up call
to Him that His Darksider Spirit and Ways is doing as much damage to
Himself as He is to others.
Do No Harm.
Let No Harm Be Done.
Perhaps - in time - even “P.” can learn this.
So thus it was -
So thus it is -
So thus it be.
Do No Harm.
By Thought, Word or Deed -
Intentionally or unintentionally -
By action or inaction -
Let No Harm Be Done -
To Others or Yourself -
Let No Harm Be Done.
Let’s Be Careful & Cautious out there.
Let’s Remain Out of Harm’s Way out there.
So Mote It Be.
Blessings Be.
Paganus Greybeard
Solemnis Solitaire
BardicMagus/Priest-in-Training
Mabon ap Modron 2006
By Staff Writer: Paganus Greybeard
Come One -
Come All -
Gather Here -
Gather ‘Round -
You are Invited Here -
You are Welcomed Here -
In this Solemn, Sacred Place -
In this Solemn, Sacred Space.
We are once again united -
Each on Our own separate path -
United in Our Direction and Goal -
Collected together here -
United and Solitary -
Writers and Editors -
Contributors and Visitors -
we are together in this Space -
Mystic Witch.
Spirit of this Sacred Place -
Spirit of this Sacred Space -
We come here to Honour -
We come here to Celebrate -
Spirit of this Sacred Space -
Spirit of this Sacred Place -
We ask Your Blessing for this Gathering -
We ask Your Blessing for this Working -
May Our Words and Actions find Your Blessing.
We Approach this Sacred Space -
We Approach this Sacred Place
With Hearts and Minds and Flesh and Bone -
Join Us now in Ways of Olde -
We Have Come Home.
Earth Mother, We Honour Your Body -
Earth Mother, We Honour Your Bones -
Earth Mother, We Honour Your Spirit -
Earth Mother, We Honour Your Stones.
GateKeeper -
Open the Portals -
Between the Gods the Mortals -
Power Freely Flows as Our Magick Grows.
Opening Invocations:
Celebrant ‘facing’ East:
DayFather Sun -
NightMother Moon -
Aspects of the Eternal, Infinite ALL -
I Honour and Greet You.
Sun of the Day -
Moon of the Night -
I Honour and Greet You.
Sun of the Day who brings Light and Energy and Life to this little blue world -
You are Welcomed Here.
Moon of the Night who brings the Reflected Light of the Sun into Our dark nights -
You are Welcomed Here.
Celebrant ‘facing’ South:
Lord and Lady -
Aspects of the Eternal, Infinite ALL -
I Honour and Greet You.
Lord -
Consort of the Lady -
and Original Image of Male Humanity -
You are Welcomed Here.
Lady -
Companion to the Lord -
and Original Image of Female Humanity -
You are Welcomed Here.
Celebrant ‘facing’ West:
Gaia -
Earth Mother -
Living Spirit of this world -
You are Honoured here -
You are Welcomed Here.
Celebrant ‘facing’ North:
Akasha -
Spiritus Sanctus Aspect of the ALL -
I Honour and Greet You.
Akasha -
who brings the ALL into all Our lives, faiths, beliefs and ‘religions’ -
be it Pagan, Wiccan, Druid, Chaotic, Catholic, Taoist, Protestant,
Baptist, Hindu, Jewish, Lutheran, Shinto, Hebrew, or even humble
Undecided Eclectic -
You are Welcomed Here.
Akasha -
You who - in other faiths - carry other names such as ‘Holy Ghost’, ‘Holy Spirit’, ‘Espiritus
Sancti’ are Sacred to all of Humanity. For without You as the ‘Word’ there would have
been no World. When in the Beginning - When the All - the Original Primal Creator Being - reaches forth across the Heavenly Cosmos and Creation is Created You were the ‘Word’ by which it was done.
You are the ‘Voice of the ALL’.
You are Honoured and Welcomed Here.
Celebrant ‘holding up’ a ‘Cup of Water’:
Water -
Element of Life -
Element of Wisdom from the Wellsprings of the Earth Mother -
You are Honoured and Welcomed Here.
Water -
for whom there Would Not and Could Not be any life here on this little blue world -
You are Honoured here.
Water -
from which all life arose -
We who live upon this little blue world Would Not and Could Not be here without You.
You are Honoured and Welcomed Here.
Celebrant ‘holding up’ a ‘Handful of Earth’:
Earth -
Element of the Very Ground upon which We walk and live -
and the Sacred ‘Flesh’ and ‘Bones’ of the Earth Mother -
You are Honoured and Welcomed here.
Earth -
in and upon which We grow Our foods and build Our homes -
We would have no place to live without You.
You are Honoured and Welcomed Here.
As has been said and sung -
Let now the rocks and stones themselves begin to sing
.
Celebrant ‘holding up’ a twig from the Original Primal Tree
{"Yggsradsill"}
Tree -
Element & Representative of all that is Green & Plant upon this
little blue world -
You are Honoured and Welcomed Here.
Tree -
You stand forever tall and majesticly proud.
You offer shade and fruits.
You are home to birds and other small creatures.
You are wood for Our fires and lumber for Our homes and furniture.
You are Tree - an Old and Very Dear Friend.
You who in the ancient Celtic, Druid and Norse traditions connected the
Depths to the Heights of the Heavens -
Who connects the Nine Realms -
Who is the Axis of the Universe -
Be Welcomed Here.
You are very much Welcomed Here.
Celebrant again ‘facing’ East:
Good Morning and Greetings!
DayFather Sun And NightMother Moon I Greet You!
Sun of the Day and Moon of the Night I Greet You!
Element of Air I Honour and Greet you!
Greetings Guides and Guardians of the East!
Spirits of the Air -
Who come on the Winds and Wings of Understanding -
Forever Inquisitive and Curious -
Awaken Our Intuition and Intellect so We may Comprehend and
Understand so that We may Share this Learning with Others so
that They too may Comprehend and Understand.
Be Welcome!
Blessings Be!
Celebrant again ‘facing’ South:
Good Morning and Salutations!
Hawaiian Goddess of Fire Pele I Honour and Greet You!
Element of Fire I Greet & Honour You!
Greetings Guides and Guardians of the South!
Spirits of Fire who come to warm Our hearths and hearts -
who Illuminate and Light Our Lives -
who Heal Our Physical wounds and Emotional and Psychic sorrows -
who Make Us strong -
Aid Us as We give honour and respect
to those of Us who have ‘traveled onward’.
Bring Us warmth - but not so much as We cook Ourselves
.
Be Welcome!
Blessings Be!
Celebrant facing West:
Good Morning & Merry Meet!
Sea Nymph Galatea I Honour and Greet You!
Element of Water I Greet & Honour You!
Greetings Guides and Guardians of the West!
Spirits of Water who come to cool Us down on days of heat -
who come to wash away the negative, hurtful and damaging -
who softly and gently salve Our wounds and hurts -
who bring Us cooling in these days of summer.
Be Welcome!
Blessings Be!
Celebrant ‘facing’ North:
Good Morning & Hail & Well Met!
Earth Mother Gaia I Honour and Greet you!
Element of Earth I Greet & Honour You!
Greetings Guides and Guardians of the North!
Spirits of Earth who dwell within this planet -
Friends of Humankind -
Seen and Unseen -
Known and Unknown -
Sons and Daughter’s of Earth Mother Gaia -
who support and uphold Us -
who nurture and sustain the flowers and trees,
who watch out for and protect Us mortals all -
Be Welcomed here.
Blessings Be.
Celebrant Very Slowly turning Clockwise:
Lord and Lady -
Gods and Goddesses -
Aspects of the ALL -
Who was here before Anything & Everything -
Who will still be here after Everything and Anything is long gone -
IF it be Thy Will -
Bless this ‘Working’ with Your presence -
Elements of the Five Directions -
Air of the East -
Fire of the South -
Water of the West -
Earth of the North -
Akasha of the Spirit -
Come in Peace.
Come in Understanding.
Come in Learning, Loving and Sharing.
Air of the East I ask for Your offering of Inspiration and Understanding.
Fire of the South I ask for Your offering of Energy and Power -
to get this ‘Working’ worked - and to just get successfully,
safely, sanely and sensibly through this time of ‘testing’, changes and opportunities.
Water of the West I ask for Your offering of coolness so all of Us
here collected as MysticWitch stay cool and not suffer from Summer’s Heat.
Earth of the North I ask for Your offering of Wisdom and Comprehension.
Akasha of the Spirit I ask for Your offering of Guidance and Direction.
Guide and Direct this humble, mortal Celebrant.
Akasha - Let Your offering of Guidance and Direction be for All and Everyone
..
Celebrant takes ‘atheme’ and ‘faces’ East:
DayFather Sun -
NightMother Moon -
Aspects of the All -
IF it be Thy will -
By Your Light -
Original by Day and Reflected at Night -
Out of the Darkness of the Night -
Out of the Depths of Dark Fury and Anger -
Out of the Despair of Emptiness and Loss -
From Yesterday into Today -
Today into Tomorrow -
Tomorrow into Infinite Eternity -
I - Paganus - ask that IF it be by Thy Will -
May no harm be done this day.
No harm by thought, by word or by deed -
Whether by active intent or accident -
Let No Harm Be Done -
By Anyone -
To Anyone -
Themselves included -
For Any Reason.
Let - No - Harm - Be - Done!
DayFather Sun -
NightMother Moon -
Aspects of the Infinite, Eternal ALL -
I thank You.
Celebrant at the Altar
We are gathered here to celebrate the Autumnal Equinox.
In Ancient Traditions of the Celts, Druids and Norse -
As well many other Ancient Pan Indio-Asian-European
Traditions and Cultures -
this was the time of the Sacred Second Harvest.
This is the time when the Sun King ‘dies’ and goes into the West -
This is the time when the Goddess is Ascendant -
the God is Descendant -
and We Celebrate and Honour the Harvest.
We have here cinnamon - a spice from the Far East.
We have here Apple - one of the fruits of the Harvest.
Celebrant takes a ‘working knife’ and slices open the Apple.
Inside this Apple -
this Fruit of the Ancients -
We see the Ancient, Sacred Pentagram.
Celebrant removes seeds from Apple.
Celebrant places seeds in small wooden bowl.
Celebrant holds up bowl.
These are the seeds of the Apple.
These are the seeds of the Apple Tree.
In the Spring -
In the Season of Renewal and Rebirth -
These saved seeds will be planted.
Planted to grow and develop into an Apple Tree.
Celebrant takes some of the cinnamon and sprinkles
some on an apple slice.
Fruit of the Earth -
Herb and Spice of the Earth -
Both from the Ancient Sacred Tree -
One an Apple Tree -
One a Cinnamon Tree -
From the Earth -
From the Earth Mother -
We Celebrate and Share this Harvest.
Gaia -
Earth Mother to Us All -
Home World to Us All -
We Honour and Thank You.
Celebrant takes a bite of the cinnamon apple.
Thanks, Gaia.
The apples are good today!
Closing Invocations:
Celebrant ‘facing’ East:
SkyFather Sun -
NightMother Moon -
Aspects of the Infinite, Eternal ALL -
We thank You for blessing Us with Your presence during this ‘Working’.
Blessings Be.
Celebrant ‘facing’ South:
Lord and Lady -
Consort and Companion -
Aspects of the Eternal, Infinite ALL -
We thank You for blessing Us with Your presence during this ‘Working’.
Blessings Be.
Celebrant ‘facing’ West:
Gaia -
Earth Mother -
Living Spirit of this world -
We thank You for blessing Us with Your presence during this ‘Working’.
Blessings Be.
Celebrant ‘facing’ North:
Akasha of the Spirit -
Spiritus Sanctus Aspect of the ALL -
You - who are the ‘Voice of the ALL’ -
We thank You for Blessing this ‘Working’ with Your Presence.
Blessings Be.
Celebrant ’slowly turning in a clockwise circle’:
Elements of the Five Directions -
Aspects of the ALL -
Air of the East -
Fire of the South -
Water of the West -
Earth of the North -
Akasha of the Spirit -
You came in Peace, Understanding, Learning, Loving and Sharing.
Air of the East We thank You for Your offering of Inspiration and
Understanding.
With Your help this ‘Working’ was written and ‘worked’ and the
intent and desired result of this ‘Working’ was accomplished.
Fire of the South We thank You for Your offering of Energy and
Power. This ‘Working’ was worked and with Your help We might just
make it through these times of ‘testing’, changes, and opportunities.
This is a time of stress for Us all.
We thank You for Your Power and Energy to help Us through these times.
Water of the West Your offering of Coolness and Healing is greatly
appreciated. The hot days of Summer are a bit easier to survive and endure
with Your help. Your healing ‘washing away’ of Our hurts and troubles is also greatly
appreciated.
Earth of the North We thank You for Your offering of Guidance and
Direction.
Akasha of the Spirit We thank You also for Your offering of Direction and Guidance.
Blessings Be.
Celebrant ‘facing’ North:
Earth Mother Gaia -
Aspect of the ALL -
We thank You for this world upon which We live.
Ancient Tree of the Celts and Norse -
Aspect of the ALL
We thank You for the plants and greenery of this little blue world.
And the apples are still good
.
Ancient Element of Fire of the Celts and Norse -
We thank You for all the gifts and benefits Fire has brought humanity.
Fire is Our friend - it can - as can all the elements - be also Our enemy.
Fire can cook our meals and warm Our hearths.
Fire can also burn Our forrests, grasslands and homes.
Ancient Element of Water of the Celts and Norse -
We thank You for all the gifts and benefits Water has brought humanity.
Water is Our friend - it can - as can all the elements - be also Our enemy.
Water can fill Our lakes, rivers and water storage reservoirs.
Water can also flood Our cities and homes and let slide Our homes off the
hillsides in which they so perilously perch.
Ancient Element of Air -
Without You We could not breathe -
We would have nothing to breathe -
We thank You for Your gift of the ‘Breath of Life’.
Air is Our friend - it can - as can all the elements - be also Our enemy.
Air gives us the ‘Breath of Life’.
Air can also - in great storms - blow down Our cities and homes.
Ancient Element of Earth -
Without You We have no ground upon which to live.
Earth is Our friend - it can - as can all the elements - be also Our enemy.
Earth gives us Our ground to live upon.
Earth also takes away that ground in slides and earthquakes.
Fire and Water -
Ancient Elements of the Celts and Norse -
Fire and Water -
Air and Earth -
Ancient Primal Elements of the ALL -
You are seen as both Friend and Enemy to humanity.
You are neither Friend Nor Enemy to humanity.
You are Basic, Primal Elements.
So very often We forget that.
You never let us forget We are but humble mortals upon this lovely little blue world.
We thank You for Your offerings, lessons, reminders and teachings.
We thank You for Blessing this ‘Working’.
DayFather Sun -
NightMother Moon -
Lord and Lady -
Sea Nymph Galatea -
Earth -
Air -
Fire -
Water -
Akasha of the Spirit -
Tree of the Ancients -
Earth Mother Gaia -
All of You who have Blessed Us during this ‘Working’ -
I know not how to ‘release you’.
How can I release Elements and Aspects of the ALL -
when, as I have Read and Studied -
Learned and Shared -
You are always here with Us at all times anyway?
How do I say -
with a straight face and not giggling in My nicely trimmed up beard
“
thanks for coming by and carry on!
” -
when You are still going to be here with Us at all times?
Perhaps this Celebrant does not quite yet completely ‘get it’.
Or perhaps this Celebrant Does ‘get it’ - in My own humble way
..
Closing Open Benediction to the Mystic Witch Readership:
We who are gathered together here as MysticWitch -
We who are Writers and Editors -
We who are Readers and Occasional Contributors -
We who think, write and work for MysticWitch -
In All the Names of the ALL -
In the Names of All of the Aspects of the ALL -
In All the Names of the DayFather Sun -
In All the Names of the NightMother Moon -
In All the Names of the Directions and Elements -
May Akasha of the Spirit -
the ‘Living Ethereal Embodiment of the Spoken Word of the ALL’ -
be with Us always.
May All of the Aspects of the ALL be with Us Always.
May the Ancient Tree of the Celts and Norse stand silently beside Us always.
May the Ancient Well - Source of the Water’s of Healing and Life -
never run dry.
May the Ancient Cauldron - Source of Fire’s Energy and Power and
Warmth in the Cold Days of the Winter - never go cold.
May the ALL - in All It’s Aspects - be with Us always.
We came in Love, Learning, Peace, Sharing and Understanding.
May We now conclude this ‘Working’ with Love, Learning, Peace,
Sharing and Understanding.
Go now in Love for Your fellow inhabits of this tiny blue world
Love Your friends and Your ‘lover’s - if You have any.
Love Your cat’s and dogs.
Yes - love even - IF You can - Your neighbor
.
Go now in Learning - and Learn something
.
Keep Your mind alive.
Keep it growing and seeking and searching.
Yahoo, Ask.com, Mamma and Google are not the only search tools.
Use also the one between Your ears
.
Go now in Peace - and help to keep the Peace
Do not start the Fight - IF there is a Fight - but do not be afraid - IF needed - to finish it.
Go now in Understanding that We need not all be of the same ‘faith’ or ‘belief’.
It it all the same to the ALL. Whether We be Pagan, Protestant, Druid,
Catholic, Jewish, Taoist, Shinto, Shaman, Wiccan, Chaotic, BardicMagus or even
“Eclectic Whatever
.” - we are all ‘family’.
We are All of Us Children of the ALL
Go now in Sharing - and take these humble and inadequate words with You.
For it is in the Sharing that We are Mystic Witch
.
Walk with Wisdom -
From this Hallowed Place -
Walk not in Sorrow -
Our Roots shall embrace -
May Strength be Your Brother -
and Honour be Your Kin -
Luck be Your Lover until We meet again.
Remember always -
Be Careful & Cautious out there
.
Stay Safe and Secure out there
.
Let Your Guides and Guardians Serve, Preserve, Protect & Defend
You out there
.
Let the Lord and Lady -
{or personal preference Deity & Divinity of Your choice} -
Bless You and Keep You -
May Their Lights Shine forever about You -
And Give You Their Peace.
So thus it was -
So thus it is -
So thus it be.
So Mote It Be.
Blessings Be.
Addendum #1
Cinnamon
Latin Name: Cinnamomum zeylancium, C. vervum, C. lauracea
Folk Names : Sweet Wood, Ceylon Cinnamon, Cassia
Gender: Masculine, Hot
Planet: Sun
Element: Fire
Deities: Venus, Aphrodite
Part Used: Bark
Powers: Spirituality, Success, Healing, Protection,
Power, Psychic power, Lust, Love
Ritual Uses: Cinnamon was used as an ingredient in an anointing oil by the
Ancient Hebrews. The leaves of the Cinnamon tree were woven into wreaths which
were used to decorate Roman temples. The Egyptians used Cinnamon oil during the
mummification process.
Magickal Uses: Cinnamon - when burned as an incense - raised high spiritual vibrations,
aids healing, draws money, stimulates psychic powers and produces protective vibrations.
Can be used in healing incenses and burned to help stimulate clairvoyance {’far seeing’}.
It is one of the herbs used to stimulate and excite the passions of the male. Can be
added to prosperity mixtures. Can be mixed with myrrh for a good general incense for general magickal workings. Cinnamon is also used in sachets and infusions for these purposes.
Medicinal Uses: Cinnamon is also widely used in treating athlete’s foot, body odor, diabetes, fever, heartburn and nausea. Cinnamon contains at least ten (10) fungicidal chemicals. Cinnamon also contains eleven (11) antibacterial chemicals. Cinnamon is one of the spices that current research indicates may help the body better use insulin more effectively. Simply add a pinch or two to a pot of black tea and steep for ten minutes then let cool. Sprinkling a bit of Cinnamon on your toast may help indigestion and heartburn & nausea.
Kitchen & Cooking uses: Cinnamon is a popular spice used in baking.
It is also used as a spice for yoghurt’s and seasonal eggnog’s.
It is even used in certain teas and other drinks.
Other Uses: Cinnamon has also been used as an insect repellent.
Sprinkle some around the ground perimeter of the structure and
ants and other small bugs should be repelled.
Addendum #2
Apple Names: Pyrus spp.
Folk Names: Fruit of the Gods, Fruit of the Underworld, Silver Branch,
Silver Bough, Tree of Love, Tree of Life, Eden’s Tree
Gender: Feminine & Cold.
Planet: Venus
Deities: Venus, Dionysus, Olwen, Apollo, Hera, Athena, Aphroditie,
Diana, Idura, Hercules, Zeus
Element: Water
Parts Used: Fruit, Cider, Blossoms, Branches {wood}, & Bark.
Seeds used for next season’s planting.
References
1) Magical Herbalism: The Secret Craft of the Wise
© 1982 & 1983 Scott Cunningham.
© 2002 Scott Cunningham estate
3rd edition, 3rd printing
Llewellyn Publishing
www.llewellyn.com
2) Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs
© 1985 Scott Cunningham
© 2000 Scott Cunningham estate
2nd edition, 12th printing
Llewellyn Publishing
www.llewellyn.com
3) Green Pharmacy
© James Duke
Rodale Press
4) “Sacred Grove” chant - words by Scott Miller
4a) Druidic Materials - awensbreath@aol.com
Posted on 6/15/2006 at 9:41 pm by Paganus
Revised & Rewritten & Saved to Draft on 09/15/2006 at 16:06 by Paganus
Edited & Saved to Draft on 09/16/2006 at 14:02 by Paganus
Final Edit and Typo Check and Posting on 09/18/2006 by Paganus
Copyright © 2002-2006 Mystic Witch
May the Goddess Bless - A Goddess Letter
By Staff Writer: Paganus Greybeard
In Times of Trouble -
May the Goddess Bless.
One of Our Own needs Your help.
One of Your Own needs Your help.
The Father of Our Mistress R. is in hospital.
He knows not himself nor anyone else.
He is alive -
yet -
in a way -
not alive.
He is hanging between the Realms.
He is holding between the Worlds.
The Mistress is facing a nightmare situation
that no Childe prepares or plans for.
This is the Horror and Nightmare
that the Childe most fears.
The Parent is gone -
yet is still here.
The Body is here -
the Mind may be gone.
The Family is in severe emotional
disruption and stress.
They need You and Your Healing.
They need You and Your Help.
You are Needed.
Blessings to the Father.
Blessings to the Family.
Blessings to All.
So thus it was -
So thus it is -
So thus it be.
Blessings Be.
Paganus Greybeard
BardicMagus/Priest-in-Training
Solemnis Solitaire
17:33 [5:33p] {pacific/’california’}
09/14/2006
Away the Swords
By Staff Writer Paganus Greybeard
Home.
Off the Ships -
So long at Sea -
Off the Roads -
So long the Riding and Marching -
I am Home.
The stone walls around me -
courtyard and wall -
common room and kitchens -
My room - my sanctuary - awaits.
Unsaddle the horse -
Wipe down, rub down -
Grain and water -
So trusted and steady -
Honoured, trusted friend & companion -
Again home -
In pasture’s safety -
Run and have a moment away from the Wars.
I hang the tabards, the baldrics, surcoat, doublet,
mailshirt away.
I don again the the pants and tunic.
The Swords again locked away high upon the wall.
The Shields hung also upon the wall.
Retain the Daggers - useful tools.
Slice the bread and cheese -
Core the apples -
Time for lunch -
Here back at home -
Back in this village -
This community -
Where baker knows butcher -
Candlesticks knows weaver -
All know the blacksmith -
My village -
My quiet place -
My home -
Where I serve the Lords & Ladies -
The Lord & Lady -
So pull up a stool or chair -
Gather ’round -
I’ll draw a pint for all -
This Barman has tales to tell!
Alone I write: Again as nothing……
By Staff Writer: Paganus Greybeard
Alone I sit -
quiet in the night -
upright in bed -
light overhead -
paper and pencil -
writing.
Beside Me books -
printed pages bound -
words and images -
knowledge offered -
wisdom shared -
learning enabled.
Clipboard and paper -
pencil in hand -
words in thought -
words by written hand -
images of visions -
sensations of emotions -
feelings of encounters -
sharing of inner self -
fragments of psyche -
captured by mind -
committed to paper -
to be read -
to be shared -
written by One for All.
Quietly I sit -
alone to write -
upright in bed -
quiet in the day -
sunlight through window -
paper and pencil -
writing.
Beside Me piles -
books, papers, boxes -
life in cluttered jumble -
collected here -
where I sit -
where I write -
alone.
This Household is no Monastery -
This Room is no Cloisture -
yet in many ways -
for so many years -
in so many Households -
so many Rooms -
Those roles Household and Room have served.
I am here as surely as if I were locked up.
I cannot leave.
Where to go? -
How to get there?
Cloistured here I am.
I sit here -
I sit here alone -
I write here -
I write here alone -
Who is there to read?
I am here to write.
Who can read if I never leave here?
Here I write.
Here are My words.
Together We are here -
alone.
I am here -
words by hand -
no online -
no phone -
silenced.
Shut-down.
Shut-out.
Solitary.
I have Articles, Forum entries and Poems to write.
They are not written.
Not today are they written.
What is the point -
if in this Cloisture -
I am to remain?
I cannot contribute this way.
I cannot participate this way.
I am not involved this way.
Here -
as Silent Solitary -
I cease to exist as a working and functional
participant and contributor.
Here -
in this Room that is not a Cloisture -
in this Household that is not a Monastery -
I become again as nothing.
Cold stone walls surround Me -
there are physically no stone walls here -
yet I ‘feel’ & ’sense’ them.
Exercises I have been doing -
this is not exercise.
I am in stone -
surrounded by stone -
there is no stone.
I ’see’ the arched covered walkways -
I ’see’ the well & cistern -
the strange patterns of shadow in the courtyard -
I ‘hear’ the slam of the heavy wooden doors -
the soft footsteps down the corridor -
in My Room -
in My Cloisture -
I am -
again as nothing -
writing as by hand -
pausing for a moment -
wondering if any will read the words -
words I write -
not in stone -
but here in Household -
alone.
What ‘test’ is this?
What ‘challenge’ is this?
What ‘lesson to be learned’ is this?
I sit enclosed in a silent and empty
monastery of stone -
a monastery of silent stone that
does not physically exist -
yet I ‘feel’ it -
I ’sense’ it as thought it were existant -
I can almost even ’smell’ it -
dampness and mildew -
not of lath, metal and wood -
but of stone and brick.
I am not a Monk,
So why do I feel that I am?
This is no monk’s cell.
So why do I feel that it is?
This is no stone carved monastery.
Then why do I ‘feel’ the stone so strongly
I can almost touch it?
What experience is this?
I know not.
I am simply sitting here -
clipboard and paper -
Saturn’s Day afternoon -
writing -
alone.
This is no exercise.
This is very, solidly real.
This is happening -
if only inside My mind.
White stone walls.
Dark wooden doors.
Tiny slits of windows.
Cots, tables, desk, closet and chair.
Worn rug upon floor.
None physical.
Yet all so very real.
Another time?
Another place?
Another realm or dimension?
I do not know.
Yet I do know this -
the longer here I sit -
sit writing here -
the more I ’see’, ’sense’, ‘feel’.
How unreal.
Or is it?
Whom to speak with?
Whom to share this with?
Nobody.
Not till Mondae -
If even then….
Will anybody even read this
will anybody even know of this -
I cannot say -
I cannot know.
Perhaps yes.
Perhaps no.
This is far beyond My knowing.
These words - by hand -
were written.
That much I know.
Alone I sit -
Quietly -
upright in bed -
sun through window -
paper and pencil -
writing -
alone.
St Alban’s Voices #1
By Staff Writer: Paganus Greybeard
Voices -
A toast -
Spirit invoked -
Elder’s spoken -
Younger’s speak -
Scribe silently scribbles -
in end of table quiet -
Faces and Souls known -
In this Guild -
Where the fun is put back into disfunctional -
Daniel and Sarah -
Married after Festival ‘04 -
Power and Glory -
Truth and Justice -
Love, Honour and Obey?…..
This Scrible is blasted-
Blitzed -
Blown -
and sitting here -
Learning -
Growing -
Being and Becoming -
Becoming and Being….
It’s getting deep here -
Deep it’s getting here -
So thus it was -
So thus it is -
So thus it be -
Whatever -
However -
Wherever -
Whenever….
I sit here listening -
I sit here learning -
I sit here scribbling…
Around and about -
About and Around -
This scribbling powerless Magus -
Magus without power -
Magus who does not know how to call power -
Power is here -
Even if this blasted and blitzed scribbling scribe cannot describe it -
it is here -
It flows -
It goes -
It is -
In around & about…..
So thus it is -
So thus it was -
So thus it be…..
Original handraft written: 07/25/2004 20:20 [8:20p] {pacific}
Keyboarded & posted to http://www.mysticwitch.com/articles/2006/st-albans-voices-1:
08/04/2006 13:36 [1:36p] {pacific}
Workmen & Patio Transformations #3 - 08/04/2006
By Staff Writer: Paganus Greybeard
Thumps, rattles, clatters,
Bangs, Clangs, Clunks -
Dog barking -
Cat me-rowing -
People talking -
Workmen day three.
Sitting quietly -
Avoiding contact -
Escaping hassle.
Displaced Cat -
Makeshift enclosure -
Many merow’s of displeasure & complaint.
Escaping hassle -
Handwritern words -
Writer, being.
Sirens on street -
racing up and down -
Rapid quiet -
Many needs served.
Dog quiet -
Out-of-pattern -
No bangs or thumps -
Writer, checking.
Garden room -
New roof -
Re-built -
Hours of Labour -
Days of Disruption -
Cooler room in heat -
Less leaks in rain -
Better room for garden -
Better room for cat -
Upgrade.
Dog baqrking -
Single workman -
redoing a window -
hammer and saw -
all was quiet till workman stepped to inside door -
Brief question asked -
Brief question answered -
Dog erupts.
Writer observes -
Writer records -
Writer retreats.
Project continues…..
Workmen & Patio Transformations #2 - 08/02/2006….
By Staff Writer: Paganus Greybeard
Second day -
More workmen -
More Noise & Disruption -
More Transormation.
Writer Escapes -
Errands to do -
Administrating to do -
Adminstrating done -
Errands done.
Quiet check upon return -
Site cleaned -
Old replaced -
New look -
New patio roof -
Changes.
Cat still loudly complaining.
Dog still strongly barking.
Writer still Writing…..
Workmen & Patio Transformations #1 - 07/31/2006
By Staff Writer: Paganus Greybeard
Back Patio -
Back ‘Garden Room’ -
Space of Plants and Cats -
Many plants and cats -
Many windows -
Sunny place.
Hot in Summer -
Leaks in Spring and Winter -
Re-Do Required.
Workmen arrive -
Two Trucks -
Many Tools -
Hammering and Sawing -
Old removed -
Much mess.
Cat moved -
Serena not happy -
Displaced cat -
Much commentary.
Dog Barks -
Strange people -
Much noise -
Dog protective.
Old removed.
Transformation begins.
Writer steps outside -
Images recorded -
Sights seen -
Sights saved -
Writer, Writing……
Household ‘Tendings & Visualizations - #1
By Staff Writer: Paganus Greybeard
Quiet household -
Family away for day -
Soltary household ‘tending -
Magus-In-Training being mundane…..
Cat crying -
Cat brushed and combed -
Cat purring -
Nap time in chair.
Flowering plant -
Floating hummingbird -
Rapid moving stillness.
Quiet moments of thought -
Unseen options found -
Plans contemplated.
Dog barking -
Noise outside -
Guarding.
Clock ticking -
Eternities drumbeat.
Silent House -
Empty House -
1 cat -
1 dog -
All others gone -
No Companions -
No Familiars -
House slowly winning battle -
House slowly returning to silent and empty -
All who were here and gone dead -
So many gone -
So many dead -
Who is next? -
Who will this House kill next? -
This House does not want anyone here -
This House wants to be alone -
So soon it shall be.
Sitting here -
Thinking and writing here -
Being Magus -
BardicMagus/Priest-in-Training -
Being Solemn Solitary -
Seeking understanding -
Attempting to ‘visualize’ options -
‘Seeing’ only dark nightmare scenarios -
Rejecting & blocking darkside’s waking nightmares -
Not empowering nightmares -
Not giving dark scenarios any existence -
Attempting to focus on simple, basic objective -
‘Self-test’ objective -
Can I ’see’ this objective? -
Can I really do this? -
So far all I get is more static -
More ‘failure-mode’ disruptions -
More disasters and desecrations -
Concentrating & Focusing -
Focusing & Concentrating -
Invocations -
Convocations -
Dedications -
Consecrations -
Forward Upward Light -
Concentrate & Focus -
Focus & Concentrate -
I can do this -
I must do this -
I will do this…..
As I ‘tend My household -
‘Tend My tasks and chores -
I make efort -
Contrated effort -
to accomlish My ’self-test’ ’seeing’ -
Simple enought objective -
What will I find on the MysticWitch Forum boards
when I get there? -
A new entry? -
A new commentary? -
Perhaps even a U2U from somebody? -
Can I ’see’ this? -
I can only do -
There is no try.
Concentrate & Focus -
Focus & Concentrate -
and run the recycle and trash out to the bins -
Do this -
Do this -
Fauggghhh -
Headache and a sneezing fit -
that is what I get -
I am still not good at this…..
I sit here thinking -
Concentrating & Focusing -
Focusing & Concentrating -
Attempting to ‘visualize’ -
Just what do I ’see’? -
Just what is there to ’see’? -
Anything?…..
To - Be - Continued…..
Shieldings - #1
By Staff Writer: Paganus Greybeard
Moon above -
Dark residence below -
Night hours.
Fitful sleep -
Shattered, skattered dreams -
Awakening jolt -
Solid, dull thud -
Impact sound.
Walk around -
Check about -
Listen, look, sense, feel -
Nothing obvious found.
Standing in hallway -
Senses alert -
Downward shiver -
Energies used -
Shields.
Hours till Dawn -
Must remain quiet -
Must not awaken or disturb family -
Working using Strength -
Writing words -
Banishing -
Securing -
Power.
Original handraft: 07/06/2006 02:30
Keyboarded to MW Forum: 07/06/2006 16:57 {4:57p}{pacific}
Posted to http://www.mysticwitch.com/articles/2006/shieldings-1: 08/04/2006 12:51 {pacific}
Sharings #2 - 06/26/2006
By Staff Writer: Paganus Greybeard
Doves on ground.
Feeding.
No Hawks nearby.
High Heels -
Lack of Balance -
Walking in Woodchips.
Water falling -
Flat rock -
Loud Splashes.
Pepper Tree -
Leaves -
Rain of Green.
Dog -
Deat Rat -
Crunchy lunch.
Toddler Child -
Falling mist -
Hair Curling damply.
Two Girls -
Walking Faire -
Men all watch.
Parents -
Old Age -
Stress for All….
Lizard -
Damp boards -
Flys on ground -
Easy quick lunch.
‘Pyrate’ ‘Festival’ -
Hot summer days -
no business -
no money earned…..
Paganus sitting in corner -
not really awake -
not really caring -
was anybody?……
Sharings - #1 - 06/23/2006
By Staff Writer: Paganus Greybeard
Still water -
Garden pond -
Reflections of self.
Lizard climbing tree -
Eating Bugs -
Gardener’s Friend.
Birds flying -
Feathers in flight -
Not so much walking.
Dog -
On Lap -
Sleeping.
Dog -
Scratching -
Lap Shakes.
Storm -
Winds & Rain -
Trees Down -
Survival.
Cat -
Sitting in Window -
Wise eyes watching world.
Turtle -
Slow motion -
Long life.
Thread -
braided into strand -
strand braided into rope -
Rope Strong -
Single thread weak -
Be Rope -
Not Thread……
Scribe -
Writing -
Thoughts shared….
Lines of Support - #5 - 06/20/2006
By Staff Writer: Paganus Greybeard
Battle is Enjoined…..
Force to Force -
Strength to Strength -
Will to Will -
Contact and Encounter -
Forces Mingled -
Forces Melded -
One inside the Other -
Struggle for Dominance -
Warrior to Warrior -
Individual to Individual -
Hand-to-hand -
Skill to Skill -
Combat on an intimate & personal level -
Challenge offered -
Challenge accepted -
Support offered -
Support provided by Scribe -
Scribe uninvolved -
As by the Ancient ‘Way’ -
‘The Way of Life’ -
‘Tao Te Ching’ in the Ancient Tongue -
And in that Tongue of the Ancients -
‘Wei Wu Wei’ -
“….To do without doing - to act without action….”
This may also mean that -
“….The ‘Wise Man’ does what He must do - for everything and everyone but remains independant of them all…..”
The Scribe observes but takes no direct action.
Words are Written.
Words are made available for Reading, Study & Contemplation.
Thoughts are Thought.
Thoughts are saved as Words.
Words are Shared.
Sharing is Support.
Support is Offering of Words.
Words in Lines.
Lines of Support.
Five (5) Lines.
Five (5) Lines of Support.
Five (5) Arrows.
Five (5) Points of the Star.
Stars.
Points of Lights in Heaven’s Firmament.
Lights of Heaven.
Lights Ascendant.
Ascendant to the Heavens.
As Above - So Below….
May the Lights Hold You -
May the Lights Keep You -
Keep You Safe -
Keep You Secure -
Salve Your Hurts and Wounds -
Give You Peace…..
Benedictus Solemnis Sanctus…..
Lines of Support - #4 - 06/19/2006
By Staff Writer:Paganus Greybeard
Been reading of Spartans and Romans
and some really bloody battles.
The Medes and Persions got into it also.
Let we forget the Egyptians…..
Then there were the English and Scottish
at places like Hastings and Bannockburn……
Wars of Roses they called it.
Pretty name for some really ugly hand-to-hand…..
Stand Tall -
Stand Firm -
Be Bold -
Be Strong -
Remain Resolute -
Bang the Drums -
Sound the Bagpipes and Fifes -
Clang the Shields -
Unsheath the Swords -
Sharpen the Spears and Pikes -
Line Up -
Ranks Be Formed -
Swords, Spears, Pikes -
Hammers, Clubs, Maces -
Bows and TinterBoxes -
Shields to the Fore -
Rank Up -
Form Your Units -
Prepare -
Stay Awake and Alert -
Post Sentries and Guards -
The Battle nears -
The Struggle intensifies -
That which was cast out -
Cast forth -
Removed from Sight -
Removed from Mind -
Reforms in Desecraced Space -
In Perversions of Propriety -
In Ruins of Righteousness -
Darkness regroups -
Resurgent in revulsion -
Rising up from Stygian Abysses -
Disolution and Dissipation -
Desecration and Destruction -
Aspects and Avatars of the Eternal Emptiness -
Return forth to do Battle in Eternal Challenge
of Combat with -
Enlightenments Entourage -
Truth, Justice, Faith, Hope, Charity, Honesty, Ethics.
Hold Fast.
Do Not Weaken or Waver.
Darkness is Rapacious.
It Gives and Honours No Quarter.
Truth against Lies.
Justice against Perfidy.
Faith against Emptiness.
Hope opposing Despair.
Chairity countering Greed.
Honesty combating Deception.
Ethics versus Corruption.
Love to Battle Hate.
Clarity to Overcome Obscurity.
The Ancient Struggle -
The Never-Ending Battle -
Rumbles and Rages forever on…..
Stand Not Alone.
Stand Not as Solitary Warrior on Fields of Battle.
Support is Available.
Encouragement offered -
Back-up is behind You.
You are Not Alone…..
Take up Your Shield -
Take up Your Sword and Spear -
Stand to Your Station -
Your position in the ranks -
Soldiers to the Left of You -
Soldiers to the Right of You -
Soldiers behind You many ranks deep -
Soldier -
Your Time is Now -
You are not Alone -
Together We can do this -
We can Battle this Battle -
Fight this Fight -
Block Darkness’s Advance -
Sending Desolation and Despair -
Desecration and Destruction away
back from whence they came.
Stand Tall.
Stand Firm.
Be Bold.
Be Strong.
Remain Resolute.
Do Not Weaken.
Do Not Waver.
Do Not Falter.
The Enemy approaches -
Battle is Enjoined…..
Lines of Support - #3 - 06/18/2006
By Staff Writer:Paganus Greybeard
Songs of the Mother -
Songs of the Earth -
Songs of the Ancients -
Music of Power -
Music of Strength -
Earth Mother -
We sing to Your Spirit -
We sing to Your Stones -
We sing to Your Flowers, Plants and Trees -
We sing to Your Oceans, Lakes and Seas -
We sing to the life that flies, swims and walks -
We sing to the Gaia -
Home of Us All -
Where the Light Within -
Defeats the Darkness Without -
Consecration Within -
Desecration Without -
Build - Not Destroy -
Salvage - Not Savage -
Sacriment - Not Sacriledge -
Up from Darkness Below -
Rising Upward Enlightenment Above -
Soul Wings Arise -
Spirit Wings Alight -
Sacred Consciousness in Flight -
From mortal bound flesh released -
Soar to Heights Unknown -
Sail to Realms Unexplored -
Seek and Follow the Onward Path -
Towards the Shining Golden Light -
Sanctus Day -
Sanctuary Day -
Sacred Moment -
Sanctified Time -
Moment & Time out of Time & Moment -
Consecrated Hours -
Hours to Study -
Contemplate and Reflect -
Read and Write -
Observe and Learn -
Accept the Bounties, Blessings and Boons
this day offers and provides -
Dawn to Dusk -
Instant to Instant -
Moment by Moment -
Songs of birds in trees -
Quiet purr and mrow of drowsy cat in lap -
Soft snuffle of sleeping dog -
Songs of the Mother -
Songs of the Earth -
Music of Power -
Music of Strength -
Earth Mother -
We sing to Your Spirit -
We sing to Your Stones -
We sing to Your Flowers, Plants and Trees -
We sing to Your Oceans, Lakes and Seas -
We sing to the Life that flies swims and walks -
We sing to the Gaia -
Home of Us All -
Where the Light Within -
Sacred Espiritus Alight -
Sacred Soul Aflight -
Defeats the Darkness Without -
Darkness not to Remain -
Darkness not to Return -
From this Sacred Place -
At this Sacred Time -
Be Gone -
Be Away -
Depart this Place -
Depart this Space -
From this Time -
From this Sanctified Place & Space -
Depart -
To Do No Harm -
To Anyone, anywhere in any way -
To return from whence it came -
To Darken and Despoil Our Sanctus Day No More.
In Dominae Maximus -
In Excelsius Gloria -
The Darkness Is Gone.
Blessings Be.
Lines of Support - #2 - 06/17/2006
By Staff Writer: Paganus Greybeard
Candle Light -
Candle Bright -
Tiny Fire -
Tiny Flame -
Light for Sight -
This Day -
This Night -
Light against Darkness -
Pretender’s on the rout -
Come Not Here -
Enter Not Here -
Be and Stay Not Here -
Go Away -
Get Out -
Be Gone from this Time -
Be Gone from this Space -
Ye be not welcome Here -
From this Time -
From this Space -
Ye must go -
Ye must depart -
Away -
Away -
Away….
Born of Stars -
Born of Space -
Born of Mortal -
Born of Man -
Espiritus requested -
Akasha -
As above -
As within -
As below -
As without -
Akasha -
Espiritus Sanctus -
By request -
Never command -
Never demand -
Water -
Clean, cleanse and wash away -
Fire -
Light, heat and burn away -
Earth -
Support, endurance, strength and secure & seal away -
Air -
Wisdom, understanding and blow away -
Any and all Aspects and Avatars of Spirits Malevolent Dark -
From this Time -
From this Space -
This Sacred, Sanctified Place -
Ye must go -
From this Place -
This Sacred, Sanctiified Space -
Depart -
Go -
Leave
From Out of Sight -
From Out of Mind -
Doing No Harm -
To anyone anywhere -
In any Time -
In any Place and Space -
Never to Return -
Here -
There -
or Anywhere…..
Away -
Away -
Away…….
Lines of Support - #1 - 06/16/2006
By Staff Writer:Paganus Greybeard
Greetings, All & EveryOne!
Here are some lines I wrote this day.
Sitting with the pup words came this way…..
Time out of Time -
Moment between Moments -
Place out of Space -
Sacred Place -
Sacred Space -
Hallowed be this Time -
Hallowed be this Space -
In this Moment -
In this Space -
Light unto Darkness -
Light of Illumination -
Light of Enlightenment -
Light to Show the Way -
To Sanctify and Seal -
To Secure and Shield -
Against the Pretenders of Light -
The Imitations -
The Simulations -
The Demons in Angelic Guise -
Sourness and Brimstone -
Flaming Foul Rot -
Desecration’s Champion Despoiler -
Bloody hoofprints -
Stamping, stomping, standing -
Howling in agonized frustration -
Scratching,
Biting,
Smashing,
Kicking all to no avail -
Inside this Space -
Inside this Moment -
Quiet calmness reigns -
Time for contemplation & meditation -
For Family, Friends & Self -
Time to Heal -
Time to re-set the Balance -
Raise the Shields -
Expand the Bubble -
Secure and Shield -
Sanctify and Seal -
This Time out of Time -
This Moment of Moments -
This Place -
This Space -
And for this Day -
And the remainder of this Night -
May the Blessings Be……
GBH/PG
BardicMagus/Priest-in-Training
13:38 {1:38p}{pacific/’california’}
06/16/2006
Goddess Letter #7 - Were You Talking To Me????
By Staff Writer: Paganus Greybeard
Greetings, Godddess!
Whichever One You are of the ‘Duty Shift’…..
Were You talking to Me yesterday morning?
Had a very strange semi-meditation/dream.
Not exactly sure what it was….
There was a College or University Campus.
Same one I am always ‘visiting’.
I was inside an elevator that goes nowhere that mysteriously
turns into a ‘bucky-ball’ shaped floating chamber that floats
over cities and buildings till I see the Campus.
I land in a Commons - a large grass area the size of a football field
between large Greek & Roman style academic buildings.
Before I was in the floating transcendant elevator I was watching
some kind of very weird female-only sporting event where nudity
was not unexpected. Not sure what the young ladies were doing.
Whatever they were doing they were doing it topless.
How I got from there to the floating elevator I don’t know -
can’t clearly remember that. After the the flying elevator
landed in the soft, green grass of the Campus Commons I
was speaking to one of the ladies. She said for Me not to touch Her.
She said why - I just could not hear what She said.
I then seem to remember somebody saying that I needed to get a
girlfriend. The Young Woman smiled. I then said that -
“….The Goddess will provide. When I am meant to have a gf -
I will have one. The Goddess knows. The Goddess provides….”
The Young Lady nodded. I then awoke to some birds loudly chirping
outside My window.
I know I have been told to meditate.
Was I asleep or in meditation?
I would vote for being asleep.
Yet I remember continually awakening.
Perhaps I was asleep - in some light meditative state?
Not sure where I was.
Not sure what all that was - or meant.
Godddess of the ‘Duty Shift’ -
Were You talking to Me?
I certainly appreciate the message if it was You.
I did ask for clarity in the messages.
I also asked to be able to remember them.
So what could this new message mean?
Semi-dressed lady athletes - an elevator that turns into
a floating ‘buckyball’ - and I speak to Myself with the Words
of the Goddess.
Surely - all of that must mean something……
The topless lady athletes may not be important.
Or they might be. I don’t know about that.
It’s the Campus and the Commons that seems to Me to be what
is important.
The Words of the Goddess are also important.
Both are important.
Yet neither fits well together in this meditation? dream? whatever?
At least I had a message.
At least I remembered enough of it to write it down…..
For this Greybeard that is decided progress…..
So thus it was -
So thus it is -
So thus it be…..
Blessings Be.
Wolf’s Bane
By Staff Writer: Paganus Greybeard
POISON!
Do not touch or handle without proper protective gloves.
Do not eat.
Wolf’s Bane is a virulent poison.
Latin Names:
Aconitum Napellus, Arnica Latifolia, Arnica Montana
Folk Names:
Aconite, Cupid’s Car, Dumbledore’s Delight,
Leopard’s Bane, Moonshood, Storm Hat,
Thor’s Hat, Wolf’s Hat.
Gender:
Feminine.
Deity:
Hecate.
Element:
Water.
Powers:
Protection & Invisibility
When added to magickal protection sachets,
Wolf’s Bane offers security against vampyres and
werewolves. It is also puportedly used by werewolves
to heal themselves. The seed, when wrapped in a
lizard’s skin, allows magickal invisibility at will.
For further information:
1)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aconitum
2) http://www.drugdigest.org/DD/DVH/HerbsWho/0,3923,4075%7CWolf%2527s+Bane,00.html
3) http://www.healthtouch.com/bin/EContent_HT/altCareMedShowLfts.asp?fname=00009&title
=Wolf’s+Bane%2C+See+%7CARNICA+%7C+&cid=HTALT
4)
http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/a/aconi007.html
Cunningham Encyclopeadia of Magickal Herbs
Scott Cunningham
Second Edition
© 1988 Scott Cunningham & 2000 Scott Cunningham Estate
Lewellyn Publications
www.lewellyn.com
Letter to the Godddess - #6 - Eclectic in Chaos?
Hail & Well My Goddess!
{Goddess of the Duty Shift}
I am still here.
My situation - in all major respects -
has not changed.
I am still living with Family.
I am still working at MysticWitch.com for
Mystress RavenFyre.
The Festival Season was good.
I learned much.
I became a better performer.
I also became a better - pagan?
I am slowly starting to question my status as - pagan?
The Mystress has been slowly and ever so carefully been
guiding me and leading me into a new understanding of what
i might actually be.
I might be becoming more Chaotic.
Yes - Dear Goddess.
Chaotic.
I might just be - as once I said - a “Chaotic Eclectic".
An Eclectic in Chaos.
As if I even know what that might be and mean…..
Yes - Goddess.
I have more to study, discover and learn.
And with Your help -
and the help of the Mystress -
I might just discover and learn something…..
So thus it was -
So thus it is -
So thus it be…..
Paganus Greybeard
BardicMagus/Priest-in-Training
07/07/2006
Letter to the Goddess #5: Breaking the Cycle #2
By Staff Writer: Paganus Greybeard
Greetings, Goddess.
It is again I -
Your humble, mortal Paganus…..
As Hours follow Minutes -
as Days follow Hours -
as the Moon ceaselessly circles the Earth -
As Earth itself forever tracks around the Sun -
so to do Dreams circle ’round us.
Some Dreams are Positive -
they illuminate, guide, instruct and point-the-way
along the forward path.
Some Dreams are Negative -
they strew thorns and thistles into the path -
and obscure and block the forward path.
In these Dreams -
plotlines and recurrent scenes, settings and characters
inhabit this Dreamtime Theatre.
Our Muses are the Writers & Directors of many - but by no means all -
of these mental theatrics. For as many of the Dreams that are from
your Guides, Guardians and Muses equally as many of the performances
upon the mental stage are products of our own mind with little outside
assistance.
Sometimes a dream is just a dream as a cigar is just a cigar.
Sometimes though that cigar is smoked by a person who should not be in
our dreams. When this happens is it a tossing-up of old unfinished
mental business or a spiritual & occult plane visitation/manifestation?
IF dreams are clearly becoming more than a day’s rehashed and recycled
events you may well be in Dream Cycle. A Cycle that may be of infinite
degree between the Dark and the Light. It it menacing, intimidating
and disturbing enough to infect and affect your waking, working hours
you might well be in the midst and grip of a Dark Dream Cycle.
Breaking the Dark Dream’s Cycle becomes a vital psychological,
emotional, physical and spiritual priority…..
Hand-Drafted:
***{15:27/3:27p}{pacific/’california’}{04/02/2006}***
Dark Dreams.
Unwelcome Visitations & Manifestations.
Lessons being taught -
or Warnings being given?
On a clearing and mild weather day here in Southern California -
thoughts do turn to the 950+ ‘Severe’ weather incidents/reports
in IN/IL/TN. Some of the red triangles {tornadoes} and even some
of the white dots {hail} were far too close to Montpelier and Blackford
County. Perhaps these unwanted ‘Dreamscape’ intrusions of the Mystress
were ‘get out of here while You still can’ Warnings.
Dark Warnings?
Warnings & Alerts as Dark Dreams?
Not being the Dreamer I can only offer -
Perhaps????
Hand-Drafted:
***(08:20)(04/04/2006)***
Birds feeding outside window.
Day may or may not be clearer & dryer. Can’t tell just quite yet…..
Palm Springs and ‘K’burg’ photos available to ‘leathergoddess’.
Guild was looking for photos. Photos on ‘MagickalMystics’
on Google. Might need to post/forward them to ‘leathergoddess’.
Or ‘leathergoddess’ may already have them.
Will know what-is-what this afternoon.
Still no commo. from the Mystress. Was able to post the April 2006
MysticWitch.com deadlines upon Mystic Witch Forums. Might need to
x-post them to the Yahoo & Google Forums.
Might need to work up a notice or series of notices saying I will not
be available & online for my daily work sessions on the weekends
starting April 22nd. Festival Season…..
Hand-Drafted:
***(08:23)(04/05/2006)***
Storms.
Hail.
Wind.
Rain.
Wanted to get out of here yesterday.
Did not go.
Bad day to leave here and go anywhere.
Radios very busy. Had radios on so long had to shut them off
and put them on charge.
Weather map looks better for here tomorrow & Freya’Frid’s Day.
Not all that sure about Montpelier. Yesterday’s Pacific storm is
headed east where it will collide with lower level warm air
and moisture from the Gulf. More red triangles and watch and
warning boxes on the Weather Channel’s weather map.
Damn.
Hope the “Spooky Blue Mansion” is ready for this…..
Hand-Drafted:
***(09:19)(04/06/2006)***
Daylight.
Clear, Quiet - No Rain.
Can’t - yet! - speak for Montpelier.
Have heard from the Mystress.
Email on the 5th.
Found and read it on the 6th.
Wrote up the ‘Daily Business’ and gave a short reply.
Mystress is in an extended and protracted ‘moment of transition’.
So much so I am beginning to consider the possibility of a
‘transformation’. Emotional, Psychological and Spiritual -
all could be up for update & change in this ‘transitional
transformation’. Said She put some of her ‘tools’ away.
That’s very interesting. Just as She is putting Her ‘tools’ away -
I am collecting and ‘activating’ mine. Perhaps - in some
very small-scale and very low-level way a role switch is being played
out here. Might be more from Her today - IF all is stable and
together there….
Mystress asked if the earlier “Goddess Letters” were OK to post &
publish.
I knew from the first it was a possibility She would inquire.
She has the “Green Light” - She has the “Go” to post and publish all,
part or none of the “Letters” as She sees and feels fit to do so.
As has been said before -
While I may not be a Witch -
I do work for One!
I am - for the Mystic Witch Forums -
Site Administrator & Group Moderator.
I keep the traffic moving and clean up the ‘road-hazard’ Spam.
Anticipation.
I need to know what needs to be done -
and as much as possible from my limited end -
do it and get it done.
I am also a Writer and Contributor to MysticWitch.com.
I need to ’see’ the needs of the Membership and Readership and write,
produce and post articles and other materials for that Membership
and Readership. Topical, pertinent and appropriate articles and
other materials.
In time there may even be more tasks, duties, responsibilities.
There is MysticWitch.net with products to promote and sell.
There is RavenOaks.net - the “Community Centre’s” website.
There is MWS - the School. So very many things to tend to -
and there is only one (1) Mystress RavenFyre.
Anticipation.
So just what is next for then the Paganus?
Stay tuned.
We’ll find out together…..
Letter to the Goddess #4: Breaking the Cycle
By Staff Writer: Paganus Greybeard
Goddess:
It’s sunny & warm here.
At least - for the present moment as I hand-write these
words it’s sunny and warm. {03/13/2006}
{As I sit here and keyboard these words it’s darkly cloudy,
windy and threatening to rain…..}{03/31/2006}
As I handwrite these words {03/13/2006} it’s very cold and
overcast in Montpelier, In. As the Mystress Herself told me -
it was so cold upstairs - in ‘Her’ room - that She had to move
the ‘puter unit downstairs. It was so cold in that house you
could see your breath. That is a very cold house!
Progress was made on Palm Springs Festival.
I was able to go for the final day - on the Sanctus.
It meant a negotiated compromise - but I did manage to
salvage something of the weekend. It was good weekend.
Till - of course - We got to the picking-up/cleaning-up & packing-up.
That was - as it always is - a chore. Very heavy solid oak tables
and benches, chairs and crates. Tents to break down and stow.
Lots of work to be done in a very short amount of time.
But that is why I went down to Palm Springs. I was not really
there for the activities during the day - though I contributed far
more than I did last year. I was there for the labour/work party.
With considerable effort We were packed up and on the road in two hours
and seven minutes. For this Guild - not bad at all…..
Mondae We met back at the the “Koroneburg” site and unloaded and
unpacked everything that stayed there.
That was another two hours of effort and labour.
I thank You, Goddess for the chance to offer My assistance and services
to the Guild.
It was greatly appreciatedby the Guild….
{03/24/2006}
Yes, Goddess - I am better.
I am much better.
My personal & internal ’storms’ have - for the moment - passed.
I know I have used - in earlier Letters - the term ‘Nightmare’ to
describe my ‘life’. I know that for some that that may be a very
inaccurate use of the term. I know, accept and understand this.
‘Nightmare’ may not be - in any real sense - accurate at all for my ‘life’.
Why?
Why is ‘Nightmare’ quite possibly not accurate or proper for my ‘life’?
Let’s examine that briefly for the explanation…..
I am NOT - : Dying of starvation & hunger in Dharfhur.
Poking my helmeted head up out of the bombed-into-rubble
remnants of a Mosque in Iraq or Afghanistan
A ‘political’ prisoner in Chile
An inner-city ill-educated black male youth in the U.S.
Dying of AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa
A declared ‘apostate’ in Afghanistan, Iran or Iraq
A privately employed ‘Security Officer’ in Southern California.
I am none of these things.
So why then is my ‘life’ - such as it can be considered and described -
described as a ‘Nightmare’?
My ‘life’ - in this family and household - is very slow-motion.
What might take weeks or months to achieve and accomplish for another
might well take Me months and years.
I have no employment.
I have no ‘earned’ income.
I am not living on my own.
I ‘live’ here in the Family Residence.
I am 48 years old.
I am very well aware that in certain societies and cultures this is
not a negative in any possible way. Rather - for some - it is
thought to be a great blessing. I am still at home to aid and assist
the Family. The fact that I would be - in very great measure -
’sacrificing’ My own ‘life’ for what is required by the family is never thought of or even
considered. This is My ‘life’. Where else would I be? What else would I doing?
However - in equally great measure - and with no disrespect to anyone or
any societal, cultural tradition and belief - I cannot and do not see My
situation in that light and in those terms.
I see myself as the youngest child.
I am the youngest child.
The child who did not escape the Family nest.
How then - do I escape this situation?
Money.
I need to earn money.
Money means employment.
Employment means the paycheck.
The paycheck means the missing money.
the employment also means risking my ‘escape’ -
IF It can ever even happen - later…..
It’s a very pedestrian and quite ‘mundane’ situation.
It’s a very ‘mundane’ ‘nightmare’.
Yes - it may not even be - even for ‘mundanian’ situations
much of a ‘nightmare’.
Clearly - I understand, accept and acknowledge that.
My ’storms’ - for the immediate, present moment - have passed.
Such may not be said for the Mystress.
A seriously severe bout of dark and nasty dreams has so unsettled Her
She reportedly is seriously considering chucking it all and -
‘…going mundane….’. For the Mystress to tell Me this -
in strictest, personal confidence - is rather astounding.
It clearly now appears that the ‘problems’ of January have not been
solved and dealt with.
My ‘nightmare’ is quite ‘mundane’. It is not of the psychic, occult and
spiritual realms. A common and very ‘mundane’ ‘paycheck’ will go far to
solving my difficulties.
A ‘mundanian’ ‘paycheck’ will not solve psychic, occult or spiritual
realm difficulties.
Working through a Manager on the temporal, mundane level/realm will
result in a paycheck that will in turn help solve temporal, mundane
realm difficulties.
Working through one’s Guides, Guardians & Muses is required in matters
of the psychic, occult and spiritual realms.
Working with one’s Guides, Guardians and Muses is often complicated,
difficult and confusing. When you deal with your Guides & Guardians
you are dealing with Spirits. Some of these Spirits may be Family
Ancestors. In some societies and cultures this is expected.
Some may be Spectres of future or alternative lives/selves.
Spirits may not all be of and from the ‘Positive-White-Light’.
Some may very easily be - and clearly may well be - of the
‘Negative-Black-Darkness’. Only by experience can one hope to
learn and discern the difference. Sometimes - as mere humble ‘human’
mortals - one cannot tell or know the difference.
Darkness can - and has - masqueraded as the Light. What appears to
be the Light may not always be the Light. The Light - in order to
teach a lesson or make a needed point - can and often does work through
means and methods that can seem and appear to be of the Dark.
Sometimes lessons must be taught.
Lessons must be learned.
Messages must be sent and received.
Even as a mere “Magus-In-Training” I have learned and know that.
Goddess - You made very sure I learned that!
Dreams can be and are a prime mode and means of communication to and
from the Occult Realms. Occult - as I know and use the term - is that of
‘hidden’ or ‘obscured’ or ‘concealed’. The Realm of the Guides,
Guardians and Muses is - for the most part - ‘hidden’ and ‘obscured’
from our mortal view, comprehension and understanding.
Sometimes the lesson taught and the messages communicated are not
pleasant.
Sometimes they are very far from pleasant. I’ve had some very dark and
black dreams. Watching ‘myself’ be killed through the eyes, ears and
perceptions of the ’self’ being killed comes readily to mind. As
shattering and unsettling as that recent dream was - it was dealt with.
I was told what to do to break the cycle of the dream.
I followed the Guidance of my Guides & Guardians.
That dream is now only a rapidly fading memory.
How did I ‘defeat’ the ‘death-dream’?
I reached over and held my pewter & crystal wand. The wand has not left
my presence since that night - and that authentic ‘nightmare’.
Goddess - that is how I ‘defeated’ my dream.
I cannot expect the Mystress to do the same.
Our situations are quite seperate and unique.
I was shaken for a few days afterwards.
That was to be expected.
She is now being shaken - and disrupted - by Her dreams.
How do I help/assist Her in Breaking this Dream Cycle?
For this clearly sounds and feels like a Dream Cycle.
How do I do whatever it is that might needs be done?
I need to ‘listen’ to my Guides, Guardians and Muses.
I need to ‘hear’ their Guidance and instruction.
So I shall ‘listen’ and ‘hear’.
So I shall share what I thusly learn….
{To Be Continued/Completed……}
Letter to the Goddess - #3
Goddess -
I am here for Part #3.
This is from today.
This is today’s entry….
May this find Your favor and acceptance…..
Goddess -
I’m better today.
I’m much better today.
Serena & Sherri are also much better today.
Sitting with them last night helped.
I will sit with them today while the family is out
running and doing errands and whatever…..
It’s Tiu’s Day today. It’s clearer than yesterday.
So far it’s clearer than yesterday. Warmer too!
It’s supposed to be even more clear and warm tomorrow.
I am doing what I said I would have to do.
I am surviving and enduring. The rest of the week still
looks to be empty, pointless and futile.
I can accept that. I have no real choice - now do I?
I also accept that that it may very well change and not be
quite so empty, pointless and futile….
I cannot say.
I do not know…..
I still sit here -
tending the household -
and writing by hand….
So thus it was -
So thus it is -
So thus it be…..
Letter to the Goddess - #2
By Staff Writer: Paganus Greybeard
Goddess -
I come here before You with Letter Part #2….
Again - May this find Your acceptance……
Goddess -
I am again here - writing by hand….
The Darkness is lessened.
I cannot say it is gone.
It may never be gone.
It is lessened.
Emotionally My senses and feelings are not nearly as Dark
as they were but a few hours ago.
How this can be I cannot say because I do not know.
I do not understand it. Yet it is real. Quite real.
My situation in this household is in no way changed.
Palm Springs is still a ‘no-go’. As of this moment it is
a ‘no-go’. {20:15}{8:15p}{03/20/2006}
Perhaps something Metaphysical/Spiritual/Ocult has changed.
Perhaps. I cannot say what it is or what it might even be.
I do not know this. This is far, far beyond anything I have
yet read, studied or previously experienced….
I do know that the brief words of the Mystress have helped.
Her words helped. So too did something I may have done.
I stopped pushing so hard to obtain an answer or answers.
Perhaps it really does matter not if I am able to do
Palm Springs Festival. Perhaps I am meant for something else
this week? Or perhaps I am meant to only do what is always done -
My tediously predictable daily and weekly routine?
I cannot say.
I do not know.
I did something else today.
I re-set My own personal ‘production’ ‘deadline’ schedule.
I again told the Mystress My words and writings would come in
on Freya/Frid’s day. I took the “Get it done - Get it done NOW!”
pressure off Myself.
I also admitted that perhaps My only known - at this moment in time -
way out of this never ending nightmare of my ‘life’ in this household
is through survival, endurance and outliving/outlasting my family.
Which is - obviously - also a nightmarish event scenario.
A bad scene no matter how it plays out…..
I also admitted I have questioned why I bother/bothered with any of this.
My head, emotions and psyche have been in a rather darkly-grey and
gloomy place for the past few days. The weather - admittedly! - has not
helped. A dark-black place? No. Merely a middling grey murky gloom.
Think of a cold. foggy day with a slow, drizzling rain. Very sloppy and
messy. Perhaps even dangerous - But it can be dealt with.
By some way -
By some means -
I am writing these words -
and dealing with it…..
Letter to the Goddess - #1
By Staff Writer: Paganus Greybeard
Greetings, Goddess!
I come before You with this letter.
I have no offering for You save these words and
my thoughts behind these words….
May they be found acceptable…..
This is only the first of a multi-part letter.
There are more parts - from later days.
What begins with this part has not yet ended -
it has not yet played itself out…..
There is much more to yet come……
Everything Changes.
Light to Dark and back again.
In My ‘life’ - IF I am permitted that somewhat fanciful
exaggeration and overstatement -
My options may have just closed down.
Due to the cost of gasoline My participation in the
Palm Springs Renn. Festival is no longer likely.
I can’t go down and stay.
I have no tent and sleeping bag.
I also have no money to go get a tent and sleeping bag.
I have no ’source of earned income’ for the money to go get
a sleeping bag and tent. Rather thourally ’screwed’ am I…..
I may not even be able to go at all even if I did have
money for the tent and sleeping bag.
The car I drive is not in My name.
It is in the Family’s name.
“It’s not Your car. It’s Ours. We can - and We will -
say how and when and where it is used….”
I am even more ’screwed’…..
IF Palm Springs Festival is not to be -
as it appears to not be -
what else is at risk?
Perhaps everything?
The main “Koroneburg” Festival. Though I do have some possible employment there.
Not much earned - but perhaps just enough to ’salvage’ the Festival for me….
My getting out of here for Montpelier.
IF Palm Springs is shut-down {for Me and My participation} then I am
going to be very - inhuman.
The Spring Festivals are when I get My ‘humanity’ back.
Winter is a dark and draining time for Me.
That is - by now - well known.
Painfully well known.
IF I am not able to get My ‘humanity’ back I may be very dangerous
to be around. I may have to shut Myself up in this room and just stay
here. I may have to again seriously question IF I am of the
“White-Light-Path” at all. It is not feeling of “White” I feel at this moment.
It is also not “Dark". It is not even “Grey". It is closer to depressed, angry,
emptiness….
Emptiness.
And a very strong sense of Failure.
Failure because I have no source of Income -
No paychecks in the Bank Account -
I’m being shut down.
Goddess - How do I tell Marcello {GuildMaster} that again it’s a
‘no-go’ because of no money and a car that is not Mine?
Just How do I do that???
Goddess - How do I explain all this to the Mystress?
IF Palm Springs {for Me} does not happen - what else dies with it?
I already knew Montpelier was close to impossible.
That was not news. It was a challenge…..
This may make it beyond even impossible - an even bigger challenge…..
It may even be a sign that even more may - in time - be lost.
I wrote the Mystress that 04/01 might need to be an ‘employed by’ date.
IF Palm Springs does go down {for Me} - and I have to live without it -
04/01 will become a near certain required deadline. In order to ’save’
‘Koroneburg’ I am going to need income. And that might just mess up
whatever the Mystress might possibly have been planning - or is planning.
How do I explain this to Her? So much is starting to come together and to
happen - and I may just not be part of it. IF I don’t start pulling down
some income even email and My online work sessions are at risk.
How do I tell Her that? How?????
How do I tell Her I am being slowly silenced, shut-down and
put-out-of-business by a parental decree - “Get A Job!".
The Mystress is Not well thought of around
here. Not well thought of all all - in any way at all….
‘Liar’, ‘Cheat’, ‘Fraud’, even once ‘Thief’.
‘You cannot believe a single word She tell You…’
‘So what is She - a Witch?’
Not nice words at all.
Not a nice attitude behind the words either.
Yet - these are some of the more diplomatic and discrete words spoken.
There have been many more - many that are much worse.
So IF I am shut-down family might well see it as a ‘victory’ for their
‘morals & values’. Obviously - I cannot and do not see things that way.
Bad attitude from family.
Dark attitude from family.
Goddess - just how do I say to the Mystress that in this household the
‘Dark’ side might just win after all?……
Just how do I say that????
Ostara 2006 Offering/Working
By Staff Writer: Paganus Greybeard
Including prayers from ‘ A Book of Pagan Prayer’
*by* Ceisiwr Serith
Celebrant:
{Introductory and explanatory comments….}
Ostara.
Easter.
Former is ‘Pagan’ -
Later is ‘Christian’.
Both honour, celebrate and consecrate the Spring.
The ‘elder’ Ostara speaks of the Spiritual, Elemental
and Metaphysical Rebirth of the Land.
The comparatively ‘newer’ Easter speaks of commercial
product sales and Egg Hunts for Children.
There is very little of the Spiritual and Metaphysical
left in the ‘Christian’ Easter save for the
occasional ‘Sunrise Services’. While in the ‘Christian’
modification/adaptation/usurpation of the ‘elder’ ‘Pagan’ Ostara
celebrations celebrates the ‘resurection’ from the Grave & Hades
of the Christos it is still only through the ‘elder’ ‘Pagan’
Ostara celebrations that the Spring and its Rebirth of the Land is
honoured. With that in mind…..
Celebrant:
{Offering & Working}
Goddess, Ostara!
Greetings, Goddess!
Hear my offering of words from the “Book of Pagan Prayer".
I offer You these words of Ceisiwr Serith as well as words
of My own.
May You find these words -
as well as the plant offering -
suitable and acceptable…..
Blessed be Eostre -
Springtime’s Queen -
Blessed in all the signs of warmth’s return -
Blessed in the scent of thawing Earth -
Her own true Incense rising up in Her praise.
Take a small earthenware planting-pot and fill
it halfway with ground soil or a good quality
commercial potting-soil mixture.
The snow sinks back into the Earth -
there to nourish the sleeping life -
that waits patiently for its time to come.
Goddess of Spring -
You have performed this miracle through many ages.
Transform again the frozen white into the pliant vibrant
growing green.
Work again the ancient magic -
and bring Spring to our Land.
Place a plant cutting or seedling in the pot and
cover it with the mixture.
Warm the Earth -
Make the ground soft -
so we may again walk barefoot in the grass
and plant the seeds that will grow all Summer untill the Harvest -
when Your full power will be known -
and eveyone will see what You have done.
But now it is time to begin these great deeds.
Bring us that Spring -
So that together we might produce that harvest.
Warm the Earth -
So that the plants may live and grow so we might
display Your gifts.
Water the newly planted seedling/cutting.
Goddess -
This is Your plant.
This is Your life.
I prepare it here for many years of service to You.
This is the Spring.
You warm the Land - melt the white ice and snow -
and bring back the living, growing green.
Goddess Ostara -
Aspect of the ALL -
I Thank You for this opportunity to serve You with
this Offering of Words and this humble,
newly planted seedling/cutting.
From the ALL came everything.
Blessed be the ALL.
Blessed the the Godess Aspect Ostara.
So thus it was -
So thus it is -
So thus it be…..
So Mote it Be.
Blessings Be…..
Words in boldface from “A Book Of Pagan Prayer".
Ceisiwr Serith
© Ceisiwr Serith
Red Wheel/Weiser, LLC
ISBN: 1-57863-255-2
www.redwheelweiser.com
Bryony - Working
Bryony - Working
Place the herb - a small gourd - in a small
wooden bowl and place the bowl and gourd near
the front entrance of the residence.
Bowl and gourd should be placed on a moderately high
shelf - such as an upper level bookshelf - because
the herb is considered poisonous….
Goddess:
Greetings!
Hail & Well Met!
Hello Again - My Eternal, Infinite Cosmic Lady!
Accept this herbal offering.
>From the soil and ground of this world this
herb - this gourd - has lived and grown.
This is Your herb - Your gourd.
This is Your world.
These are Your Sons and Daughters.
Hold safe this residence and its inhabitants.
Hold safe Your Children.
Let not anything dark or negative happen here to
this residence or its inhabitants.
May Your Children who live here find safety, security
and prosperity.
May Your Children who live here live long and prosper.
So thus it was -
So thus it is -
So thus it be….
Solemnis Solitaire: #3
By Staff Writer: Paganus Greybeard
Faith.
Faith and Belief.
Belief in a Being You cannot see, hear or physically sense or detect
in any known way.
Belief in a Being ‘higher’ on the ‘evolutionary’ path than You -
a mortal human.
Belief in an Original Primal Creator Being.
You cannot detect - by any currently developed or known device or
means - ‘God’.
Yet You accept that ‘God’ has, does and will continue to exist.
You ‘believe’ in Your selected Divine Divinity.
You have ‘faith’ in Your ‘God’.
You also - by logical extension - have ‘faith’ and ‘believe’ in the
righteousness of Your chosen clergy. Whether You be Catholic, Protestant, Methodist,
Episcopalian, Buddhist, Taoist, Jewish, Lutheran or even Sikh, Hindu & Muslim - You
are expected to accept and follow the tenets, teachings and precepts of Your ‘religion’. You
are told what to think, how to think it, and when and where to think it by Your ‘church’s’
‘clergy’. You are a member of a congregation. You do as You are told.
You do what the ‘congregational’ group does because You are part of
that group.
You sing the Hymns from the Hymnal. You pass the offering and drop a
dollar a dollar in.
You are a member of Your chosen ‘religion’ and You do what is expected
of You to do.
Sitting in Your pew, listening to the Sunday Services sermon in Your
neighborhood ‘church’,
You are not alone. You are just a single member of a single, ‘local’
congregation. In Your ‘Denomination’ You are Your communities ‘local branch’.
You are part of a very large and diverse ecclesiastical membership.
Membership in such a ‘Denomination’ can be considered as is a
double-edged sword. Such a sword cuts both ways.
You can cut on the forward stroke as well as on the return stroke.
Membership in such a large ‘Denomination’ can be both positive and
negative. Recently, in the newspapers and broadcast news reports,
‘Denominations’ and their ‘Congregations’ have been noteworthy.
There has been the increasing turbulence after political cartoons of
the Muslim Deity Muhammed. According to the news reports, Muhammed
is not to be visually depicted at all.
This has reportedly caused strife and discord. Bombing and burnings
have ensued. Embassies and Consul offices have been attacked and
destroyed. Yet - as has also been repeatedly pointed out and reported
in the media - this are the results of a small, vocal and very
physically and spiritually violent micro-sub-set of the Muslim ‘faith’.
There have also been accounts of ‘heresy’ and ‘criminal abuse &
misuse of authority’ trials. These ‘church’-based ‘trials’ examined a
Catholic Priest in Southern California for what was described as
‘heretical thoughts, actions and teachings’ and a ‘refusal to
accept the ultimate, final temporal authority of the Pope’ .
A female Priest of the Episcopalian ‘Dnomination’
was tried for conducting gay weddings. She was acquitted. The ‘trial’
determined that She was following the guidance and dictates of Her understanding of the
teachings of the ‘Holy Spirit’.
No ecclesiastical ‘crime’ was committed. The Catholic Priest was not
nearly so fortuitous.
He was excommunicated and ‘removed’ from the Church.
These were - and are - Catholics and Episcopalians.
I am neither Catholic, Episcopalian, Methodist, Muslim, Hindu or
Taoist. I am not now - this day - a member of any of these ‘Denominations’.
I am Pagan. I now follow a very much older and somewhat fundamentally
different path and tradition. I have also not always been - or considered myself to be -
Pagan.
I am 48 years old. Somewhere in the hazy mists of semi-forgotten
personal time, space & history I was once very different. Around 25 to
30 years ago I was Lutheran. - Missouri Synod.
This was the time I served as ‘Candle-Lighter’ for my local,
neighborhood church. I last sat in a church pew somewhere between 1976 and 1982.
I have written that my personal change was slow. IF my
Memory is to be even partly trusted it has been a 30 year process.
Faith and Belief in a personal and intimate Deity & Divinity is a matter for the individual alone.
It is not - no matter how many times it is taught and ‘preached’ as being so - fundamental to a congregation. For what is a congregation but a disparate collection of individuals?
‘Churches’ - in and of innumerable sects and denominations - are
critically dependant upon the unity and collective cohesiveness of their assembled congregations.
It is through the congregations that the national and multi-national ‘churches’ exist and survive. It is the mundane political, social and economic power and influence that
ensures their continued survival. IF enough of the ‘faithful’ simply stopped showing up on Sunday and stopped giving/dropping their ‘voluntary contributions’ into the entirely
unsubtle ‘offering bowl’ where would the denominations, sects and
churches be? The money would dry up and the political power and
influence would wither and die away.
‘Church’ and ‘Denominations’ - since their inception thousands of years
ago - are not nearly so much about Deity and Divinity as they are about mundane, temporal
Political, Social and Economic Power. ‘Churches’ are now - and they always have been - multi-national corporations.
Deity and Divinity runs a far distant fourth or fifth place
following Politics, Social Change and Reform and the monthly Profit
Statement. While by law ‘church’s’ can be - and are - classed by
the Revised Tax Codes as exempt non-profits - it is indeed profits that is one of
the twin driving motivators for the development and continued existence of any ‘church’ or ‘denomination’.
For this very much former Lutheran I find the never-ending emphasis
on the Power and Profit motivators disturbing. Even before I last
attended a service I knew ’something’ was wrong.
I was not old enough, well read or experienced in life enough to know
what could be wrong.
I just knew and could very clearly sense that ’something’ was wrong.
Certain theological and ecclesiastical questions were strongly
discouraged. One was - why is it so necessary to be here -
in this building - every Sunday? This is ‘God’s House’. But if God is
God - can’t He be anywhere?
Of Course. He is Omniscient and Omnipresent. Then why can’t I go
commune quietly and personally with Him in the park under My favorite
tree? I never did get much of an answer to that one!
Even as I lit the Candles I was thinking. Thinking My own thoughts
for Myself. In a local ‘congregation’ where ‘you go along to get along’ was constantly spoken
of and acted upon - I was already unknowingly starting to seek, find and walk My own path.
I clearly remember a moment downstairs in the ‘Sunday School’. It was a conversation
concerning ethics. The ‘official line’ was that there was only one (1)
kind of ethics. For all conditions and situations - there was just this one (1) kind,
type, form of ethics. ‘Situational Ethics’ was not only derided - it was described and
coloured as something distinctly ‘evil’ and ‘You do not want to even think of going there’…. Thinking for One’s Self was thusly therefore implicitly, strongly discouraged. ” ‘God’ has the Answers. Just ask ‘God’ ” was the de-facto motto and mantra. Even as a child and later as a teen I had some very severe problems with that kind of non-thinking non-response to Spiritual as well as mundanian, temporal, everyday reality.
I have never been good at taking commands. Direction, Guidance and
Instruction are not only accepted but welcomed and encouraged.
Commands are not. You know the situation.
The Child’s - ‘Why’? The Adults - ‘Because I said so’…. That never
worked well with Me.
It still does not work well with Me. Dealing with an imperious
imperator of an employer is one thing.
Dealing with the ‘Holy, Apostolic, One, True and Only Real’ ‘Church’
makes My skin itch and crawl.
Because life is complicated, confused, conflicted and contradictory
a simple ‘one size fits all’ form of ethics is unmanageable and unworkable.
An at work situation is far different than that of one at home with the family and kids.
A Supervisor to Employee behavioral approach cannot
be expected to work at home when you are mediating brother and sister.
Or the classic one we discussed - and never were able to get a consensus decision on - is the
lifeboat scenario.
There are only supplies and room for 6 people in the boat - there are
seven people to save.
I came up with a solution. One person hangs onto the boat and swims in
the water. And to extend supplies You eat fish. Simple solutions.
Simple, basic, practical, functional ‘real world’ solutions. The Others
were off busy debating the nature of the lifeboat and the ‘moral’ qualities of
the people involved. Are they Catholics, Jews or Buddhists? I had no interest in that
metaphysical trivia. Life is Life. Save them all I did. I did ‘get real’. The Others still
missed the point. At least that’s how I remember it!!
Even as a child and later as a teen in High School I could see that ‘one size fits all’ won’t work. Later - in my very brief and very much abortive mis-adventure at the Seminary - it was so very much worse. I was there - IF memory is even
remotely accurate after 30 years - no more than 5 weeks. It may have been far less than that.
It was clearly not the place for me to be.
‘God’ - for the ‘churches’ and their attendant ‘denominations’ - is not so much a Deity
and Divinity as He is a Product to be marketed and sold. Catholics
light a Candle for prayers. Very fundamentally good idea. Basic candle magick. For the
Candle another of the seemingly endless ‘voluntary contributions’ is required. Remember the
‘Sales of the Indugences’? Many fortunes were raised with that im-pious moneymaker.
There is not a ‘church’ that does not - in some way or form, to some degree - sell ‘God’, ‘Faith’, or
‘Salvation’. It’s a multi-billion dollar a year Business. Even the online ULC does it. Yet the Universal Life Church seems to be a bit more open and straightforward about it. Want or need to do a Wedding? There are packages for that. Counseling? Sure. Packages exist for that too. ID?s,
Credentials and even music, books and proper ‘reverential’ garb is offered. I have no problem with this by the ULC. They are clearly offering a service. A service at a nominal cost. At no time have I read anything saying that not buying something from them will harm your karma or damage your eternal soul. This is quite unlike many of the TV-Evangelicals and even some of the more ‘mainsteam’ ‘’denominations’.
“BUY! GOD! NOW! or Die the most gruesome, hideous death possible"..?
There is a popular bracelet amoung the ‘Christians’ and ‘Evangelicals’ - WWJD?
What Would Jesus Do? It is an excellent question. What would the Christos do?
As early as approximately 50 years after the ‘Death’ and ‘Resurrection’
of the Christos His teachings, have been re-interpreted, re-cast, re-imagined,
re-structured and re-formed into something quite un-’Christian’ and un-recognizable.
He spoke to the individual.
He spoke to small groups. His was an intimate and personal message and
ministry. It was not until the writing of and ‘publishing’ of the ?Acts of the
Apostles? and the Letters of Paul that the nascent ‘Christian’ ‘church’ began to take
shape, find a function and develop a social, political and economic viewpoint. It was - even at
that early date - a ‘Christian’ ‘church’ in promotional name only. In practical,
functional reality it was ?religion? as usual with only a new ‘product’ to produce, market and
sell.
It was not many decades later that ‘God’ was being used as an
‘insurance policy’.
‘Buy Jesus or Die and Go to Hades’. ‘Redemption or Destruction’. Just
how would the Christos feel about being used and sold as the ‘hammer’ in an old-style
‘vigorish’ scam?
While the Sicilian Mafiosi may have earned their darkly deserved image
and reputation for their organized crime Families and Brotherhoods - the ‘organized’,
‘mainstream’ ‘Church’ - irrespective of sect or denomination - makes
their extortive hardball tactics look penny-ante in relative comparison.
The Chistos spoke of love, compassion, hope, faith and charity. In
a certain box - opened by a certain young woman - the last thing in the box was Faith, Hope and Charity. The box - that legend and myth says should never have been opened - was
closed before Faith, Hope and Charity could escape and be lost. The
Christos was a ‘fisher of men’ - not a cheap, hustling, scamming
shyster. I am reminded of the sequence in ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’
where He cleans out the temple. The ‘Church’ and ‘Religion’
has indeed turned a ‘House of Prayer’ into a ‘Den of Thieves’. {Really
cool song - and really rockingly performed as I recall!} Had Paul - who
once was Saul - known his very personal and intimate letters
to the seven (7) tiny and nascent ‘churches/congregations’ would be
copied, assembled and bound together into a ‘New’ Testament - he might
have had second - or even third thoughts - on writing them
had he known the in-intended and un-forseen uses they would eventually
be put to.
The Temple Lyrics
Artist: Jesus Christ Superstar
Album: Jesus Christ Superstar Soundtrack
Moneylenders and Merchants
Roll on up – for my price is down
Come on in – for the best in town
Take your pick of the finest wine
Lay your bets on this bird of mine
Name your price I got everything
Come and buy it’s all going fast
Borrow cash on the finest terms
Hurry now while stocks still last
Jesus
My temple should be a house of prayer
But you have made it a den of thieves
Get up, get out
My time
Is almost through
Little left to do
After all
I’ve tried for three years
Seems like thirty
Seems like thirty
Crowd
See my eyes I can hardly see
See me stand I can hardly walk
I believe you can make me whole
See my tongue I can hardly talk
See my skin I’m a mass of blood
See my legs I can hardly stand
I believe you can make me well
See my purse I’m a poor, poor man
Will you touch, will you mend me Christ?
Won’t you touch, will you heal me Christ?
Will you kiss, you can heal me Christ
Won’t you kiss, won’t you pay me Christ?
Jesus
Oh, there’s too many of you, don’t push me
Oh, there’s too little of me, don’t crowd me
Heal yourselves!
Solemnis Solitaire #2
By Staff Writer: Paganus Greybeard
Greetings.
Salutations.
Hail & Well Met.
Welcome…..
I am a Reader
I am a Writer
I am a Sharer
I Read.
I Write of what I Read.
I Share of what I Learn.
As both a Reader and a Writer I am in a position to not only do my Readings
but to Write of that which I have Read and Learned. It is - in this way -
that the valued and valuable process of Sharing is achieved and
accomplished.
Sharing - whether by physical action or by written word or by recorded
spoken word - is a basic human behavioural trait. Observe a toddler with a favorite
toy or cookie. The toy and cookie will be offered. To the tiny toddler there
is no ‘me & mine’. There is ‘our’. What belongs to one belongs to all.
What is Shared by One is Shared by All. Let us read. Let us learn, discover
and explore. Let us - together - join in a sharing of those readings,
discoveries and explorations…
Let us together share….
In my Readings that I have made so far - a book is often prominently
described and mentioned.
A “Book of Shadows". A Shadow is Dark from the Dark. In the Light of the
Day a Shadow is where the Light shines not. I am not here writing of
where the light is not. I write of the Light from the Light.
I am not whom and what I once was. What then am I?
I am if I can be considered to “be” anything - I might be best considered
an “Eclectic Practical Functionalist". Yeah. A really big mouthful that
does not say much. Boiled down it means - “whatever works".
I have always been an Eclectic. Bit’s of this - Bits of that.
Bit’s of anything and everything from anywhere and everywhere.
Rigid and ritually formalized “Canonical Dogma” does not work with me.
My life changes.
So too must my interactions with Deity.
My life is not in any way rigid and ritually formalized.
Why then should my interactions with Deity be?
My interactions with Deity are as open and free-form as possible.
I remember Sundays when I would sit on a hard wooden pew and “Hear the
Given and Delivered ‘Word’".
I also remember that on those Sundays I would serve as the ‘Candle-Lighter’.
In proper black and white alb and chasuble I would give honour to the
altar then very carefully light the candles on the left side of the altar. I would
then pause at the altar again giving honour then light the right hand set of candles.
You always lit from the outside inwards. After all candles were lit I would pause
for the final time at the altar then extinguish the lighter and step offstage. It was
five or so minutes of ritual and drama. I really enjoyed the brief moment of ritual.
At the end of the Services I would go out and repeat my actions save
this I enxtinguished the candles. At that time that was acceptable. In all things a
foundation must be formed and laid down.
Remember - You cannot build a building from the top down. You build a
building from the bottom up.
Those years of sitting in those pews are and were my formative
foundation of the Deity.
While I no longer sit in a hard wooden pew on a Sanctus - I still do
accept and acknowledge the existence of Deity.
It is just far more personal and direct now. It many even be - according to the
rigidly dogmatic and doctrinaire “mainstream denomination” - a different
Deity!
As an adult I no longer have any desire or need to have the ‘Word’ - in
whatever form it may be “Given and Delivered” - be “Given and Delivered” by an interpretive
middleman.
The ‘Word’ - in whatever form it may be - is mine to discover, explore and share.
The Goddess is important.
The God is equally important.
Neither is more important than the other.
Neither is ’superior’ or ‘inferior’ to the other.
Have I forsaken my earlier Deity learnings? No. Absolutely not.
In no way is my acceptance of Goddess and God a repudiation of what I
was taught - and what I learned earlier. Deity is Deity. It matters not who you send the
messages to.
It matters not at all. It all winds up in the same place. It’s all the
same multi-faceted, multi-formed,
multi-dimensional infinite “Creator” being. It’s all the same thing.
It’s the ALL. {Remember the Creation Mythos?…}
Why are we so concerned about our limited views, comprehension and
understanding of Deity?
We are Humanity.
We are - in no possible way - Deity.
Deity is Deity.
Deity has no restrictions or limitations.
Why then limit and restrict Deity?
Why limit and restict the ALL?
Convenience.
Personal pride and ego.
Human competitiveness instead of human cooperation.
Challenge and Confrontation instead of Cooperation and Coordination.
It all comes down not to the needs of the Divine - but rather the needs
of the Humanly Mundane.
The Humanly Mundane ‘Church’.
It derives from “Religion".
Sociological Power and Control.
Personal interaction with Deity is not based upon Power and Control.
But “organized” “religion” most certainly is. For “organized” “religion”
as it is structured and formulated - cannot exist or operatively function - without Power
and Control over it’s members and adherents. This much is sociologically and historically
proven and documented.
Personal interaction with Deity is private, intimate, instructive,
enlightening and empowering. Enlightenment and Empowerment for the solitary individual is
not a priority nor encouraged with the ‘Church’. It is the ‘congregation’ that matters.
For it is the ‘congregation’ that feeds that ever insatiably greedy golden ‘offering’
bowl.
As a “learner” and most recently an “eclectic” “solitary practioner” of
“whatever works", I find that listening and paying close attention to my “Guides” helps.
Yes. My Guides. Spirit Guides. Guardians. Muses. Good People.
I have no Priestess.
I do have my Editorial Mystress.
She often tells me what to do - and how to do it. This does not count.
She is my Editor/Publisher. Without her guidance and instruction as
to what the Membership and Readership needs - I would be nothing.
There would be nothing written or posted. There would be nothing
at either MysticWitch.com or Mystic Witch Forums.
I have my “Guides".
I have the Goddess/ Earth Mother.
I even have the “God".
Horned God? For me that once was a bit much. That once was too much too
close to my “Demonic Devil"/cosmological ‘Boogy Man’ figure I had waved in front of
me for all those earlier formative years. Is the Horned God the ‘Christian’s’
smelly, dark and nasty ‘Devil’? No. In no way. What then is He? He is the ancient ‘Green Man’
of Northern European Celtic and Nordic cultures. He is the Priest/ess//Shaman wearing the
head and horns of the beast that was killed and slaughterd for food. He is the very deep reverent
honouring of the life and spirit of the beast sacrificed for the survival of the human tribe.
I even had to come to terms with the “pentacle". I knew it as the
“pentagram". I never knew it with the fifth point pointing upwards. It was always pointing downwards.
Even the security officer badge I wore had the point downward not upward.
I could “sense” and “feel” that was wrong.
The badge pointed downwards. That “felt” wrong.I did not know why.
I wore it but it “felt” wrong.
It was only in my Readings of the past few years that I have seen the
“pentacle” and read of its usage and meaning.
So much of what I am Reading and Learning is not so much a denial or
contradiction of that which I was taught and learned earlier, as it is
an amplification and alternative viewpoint. But even so - I will be
open, ethical and honest in this admission - it has been difficult to
“expand” my previous and prior comprehension and understanding to
include and encompass my new “readings and learnings". As was quoted by
one of the writers I read - from Father Loyola:
“Give me your children to the age of seven and I will have them for life".
I have many years of teachings to comprehend and understand in new light.
I therefore, have no interest in Power and Control.
I do have interest in Learning and Guidance.
So too did all those earlier generations. In their books - their Books
of Shadows - They shared.
It was quiet by need and necessity - a book written in and shared in -
the shadows.
It was indeed a “Book of Sharings” but it was done in the safety and
security of the obscuring “shadows".
Sometimes the absence of Light is not a bad thing
When in times of Darkness - The Light is needed
Martyrs and burned books are not needed.
So care and caution were exercised.
So in that context I can accept and understand “Book of Shadows".
Yet - for all of that - these words I am now writing - are part of my
“Book of Sharings".
They are again the same thing - serving the same intent and purpose.
I just like “Sharings” better.
So let us - together - read
So let us - together - learn
So let us - together - share
So thus it was
So thus it is
So thus it be……
So mote it be………
Blessings Be….
Solemnis Solitaire #1
By Staff Writer: Paganus Greybeard
Greetings.
Hail & Well Met.
Blessings Be….
In the Beginning all was dark, shapeless and without form.
In the Beginning there was no function, point and/or purpose.
In the Beginning there was nothing.
Then the Primal Event occurred -
and came forth the ALL and with the ALL came the Whole of Creation.
The basic, universal Creator and Creation myth.
Myth not because it is fiction phantasia - but because it is
the first story ever told and recorded. Recorded not in a written
form - but in spoken word oral history and tradition.
Oral tradition passed down father to son - mother to daughter,
generation to generation - down through the millennia.
Because this Creation Myth is so ancient - and so primal - it is
found in nearly all of the Major Faith’s, Cultures and Societal
Histories. It even appears - in slightly varied forms - in
indigenous aboriginal peoples myths - including such as the Australian
and North and South American Natives’s. It even appears in the Edda’s of the
ancient Norse and Celtic peoples.
Being originally oral history and tradition the Creation Mythos
was not ‘written’ and ‘recorded’ till around 3000 BCE.
This was not ‘written’ as words on papyrus scrolls.
This was ‘written’ as pre-Egyptian cuneiform of the Sumerian,
Assyrian and Babylonian temple and burial chamber inscriptions and
carvings. While by our current era’s historical and cultural
frame of reference Ancient Egyptian is archaeic - there are and
were vastly older societies and cultures.
In the beginnings of ‘faiths’ and ‘religions’ all peoples were
essentially pagan. There were as many male as female deities and
divinities. Male and female deities and divinities covered the
lands and the cosmos. It was not until after the death and crucifixion
of the Christos that a ‘new’ faith came forth into the chapels and temples
of the land. Formulation of the nascent ‘Christian’ ‘religion & faith’ -
in it’s earliest years - depended extensively upon vastly older
Zoroastrianism from Persia and selected elements from the Egyptian
pantheon as well as other selected elements from the Greeks and Romans. It could,
therefore, be argued - in a limited sense - that in many of its core basics
‘Christianity’ is itself pagan derived.
Writing down the myths, teachings and wisdom of their respective
faiths on papyrus scrolls is - in the long view of human history - a
relatively recent development. Even the oldest of the known scrolls only
date to after the death and crucifixion of the Christos. This is - at
best - circa 1800 to 1950 years old. Well under 2000 years ago.
Some of the oldest of the Persian/Sumerian inscriptions/carvings are
somewhere in the realm of 4 to 6 thousand years older than that - making
them 6 to 8 thousand years old from our present date.
Ancient oral traditions are many multiple millennia older still.
In my own individual and personal beginnings I was not Pagan.
I was a “mainstream denominational". I did the Sunday services.
I attended Sunday School. For a summer I even assisted in Summer School
classes. I graduated from a “denominational” High School in Denver, Co.
After High School I enrolled in - but did not complete - classes
at a church based and operated seminary school. I then enrolled
in and graduated from Metropolitan State in Denver, Co. I last attended
’services’ in the ‘denominational church’ somewhere in the mid
to late 1970’s. I still had my ‘faith’ - I just had no physical ‘church’.
I was open and ready for a drastic and very dramatic change.
A change that was already happening - but since it was
happening so very slowly and incrementally - I never noticed it.
I never knew the ‘change’ was happening.
Time changes everything. Everything changes over the years.
In the 1950 circa years since the ‘birth’ of the so-called
‘Christian’ ‘religion & faith’ many of its integral tenets,
teachings, ritual and ceremonial services and structures and
‘essential’ core beliefs have become ‘official canon’ instead
of the Zoroastrian paganistic ‘borrowings’ they clearly
originally were. So too I am no longer who and what I once
was. Once I sat in a cold, hard, uncomfortable wooden pew
attending Sunday Services hearing the pastorally delivered
‘Word of the Lord’. At that time I also assisted with Sunday
and Summer School classes. Today I sit under a tree - provided
I am sitting anywhere other than at a ‘puter somewhere - quietly
and personally communing with my Guides, Guardians. Muses and
the Lord & Lady. The years have passed. Changes have been
made….
I am nearing the start of my 3rd Year of Readings.
I am starting to read of the Shamans and the Druids.
I am also starting to read “The Supernatural".
It’s a series of Time-Life-like picture & text
books from the 1970’s. I know they may not be
accurate or reliable on many things - but they are
good for what I am going to use them for. I see them as
sign posts to thoughts, topics, ideas and concepts
that may yet be new and as yet unexplored by this Paganus.
New ways - new thoughts - new patterns and forms.
New authors, new readings and new writings.
Moving forward from where We were to where We will be.
Let’s together begin with a simple analogy….
I am building my new life.
I may not yet be a Witch - but I do work for one!
I work for M’lady Mistress Ravenfyre.
I work and serve as Her Site Administrator & Group Moderator
for Her Mystic Witch Forums
I am a Writer and Editor for Her MysticWitch.com.
I am the “Owner” of a Google Group - MagickalMystics.
I am a Guild member of the ‘Science & Arts’ Guild at the
“Koroneburg” Renaissance Festival in Corona, CA.
I also serve and tend this household.
My life is complicated, often confused and contradictory
and emotionally, psychologically and metaphysically busy.
I serve many people in many different ways.
For the Mistress I am Her Paganus - Her Site Administrator
{spam killer!} and Group Moderator {Forum’s ‘traffic cop’}.
I also serve Her as a Writer and Editorial Contributor.
It is in that role that I write and post these thoughts….
I also “own” and “manage” MagickalMystics on Google Groups.
In the ‘physical’ and often quite tediously mundane ‘real’ world
I am this household’s ‘house-tender’. Yes - that does indeed
include some inevitable and inescapable ‘parent-tending’.
I also serve the ‘Science & Arts’ Guild out at the “Koroneburg”
Renaissance Festival. This coming season I am again blessed with
the opportunity to work for Tom & Pat - producers and presenters
of the Festival.
Let us not ever forget I also serve the Lord & Lady.
I serve not only a very masculine God but a very feminine
Goddess.
I am building my ‘new’ life.
In a very real way it quite similar to building a structure.
You first select the site and location for your project.
You clear and prepare the ground.
You take out all the old dead stumps and rocks.
You keep as many of the living tress and shrubs as possible.
You then dig out for the foundation.
A life - nor physical structure - is never built from the
highest level downwards.
A life - as well as all physical structures - is/are built from
the lowest levels upward.
I am ‘building the foundation’.
One digs out for the foundation -
lays in the electrical and plumbing -
and then builds the basement level.
That is what I am doing.
I am gathering materials - the metaphysical & metaphorical
electrical conduit, copper pipe, wood, plaster, concrete and
rebar and other component stuff - and am busy ‘building’ and slowly
‘outfitting’ my ‘basement/foundation’ level.
Shamanism, Druidism, Wicca, Magick and Mysticism are all going
into that Foundation Level.
The process is slow.
It is meant to be slow.
You are not meant to do any of this quickly.
Building Your physical ‘real’ world home may take years.
So too it may take years to ‘build’ and ‘outfit’ Your
metaphysical, metaphorical, spiritual home.
I no longer sit in a wooden, cold and uncomfortable pew
listening to a pastor deliver “God’s Word".
I no longer ‘pass the offering’ down the aisle.
I no longer drop a dollar into that insatiably greedy golden bowl.
I no longer serve as a ‘Candle-Lighter’ for the Sunday Services.
If I light any candles at all it is for my own personal workings.
I can - and do - wear to Renaissance Festival an outfit/costume very
similar to that which I once wore as ‘Candle-Lighter’. I once wore
black and white for ritual and ceremony - I wear shades of tan and brown
now.
I have moved far, far beyond the restrictive and intentionally
limiting constrictures and confines of a “mainstream liturgical
denomination".
I have seen that so very much - if not in a very real way nearly all of
what the ‘mainstreamer’s’ believe in & do on their Sundays - is merely a
‘Christianised’ & ‘De-Paganized’ variant version of what Druids,
Wiccans, Witches do in their circles and in solitude under their favorite
welcoming and sheltering tree.
There is also the real matter of now having a cosmic ‘mother’ as well as
a cosmic ‘father’.
“Mainstream” reduces - if not eliminates - the feminine.
For years I knew something was not in balance.
Something was very much missing.
It is missing no longer.
I serve the God.
I serve the Goddess.
I serve the Lord & Lady.
I serve the Mystress RavenFyre.
I serve the Readership & Membership of both MysticWitch.com but
Mystic Witch Forums.
I serve my family, household and its inhabitants.
I serve myself.
Finally - most importantly - I serve The ALL from which
everything else derives…..
As I do my Readings -
As I gather my Learnings -
I shall Share.
I will Share of the Readings.
I will Share of the Learnings.
I will Share of Questions and Answers.
That is how we Grow & Develop.
That is how we Be & Become - Become & Be.
So thus it was -
So thus it is -
So thus it be…..
In Perfect Love -
In Perfect Trust -
So Mote It Be.
Blessings Be
White Cat Ascendant #2: The Visitation…..
She has Returned.
It had been a long, tiring and draining day.
It was late at night.
Family had gone to bed hours earlier.
I was watching some Olympics from Torino, Italia.
I got up to rinse up and put away my dishes.
I was walking across the carpet.
I heard soft, quiet footfalls.
I looked back.
Obviously there was nothing there.
I went on to the sink.
I felt a unmistakeable rubbing of my leg.
I looked down.
Still there was nothing physical there to be seen.
I rinsed up my cup and dishes.
The Olympics were over.
I shut out the light over the sink.
I walked back over to where I had been sitting.
I shut down the satelite system and shut off the TV.
I felt another very brief leg rubbing.
I gathered up my cell phone and wand.
I shut out the light.
I stood there for a moment.
Something had just happened that I was beginning
to think would not or could not ever happen.
I work for a Witch.
I Work, Write and Edit for Mistress RavenFyre @ MysticWitch.com
I Write and Edit for MysticWitch.com.
I am the Site Administrator / Group Moderator for
Mystic Witch Forums.
I am a Guild member of the ‘Science & Arts’ Guild at the
‘Koroneburg’ Renaissance Festival.
I work for Tom and Pat at the Festival.
I am what I consider to be a ‘Magus-In-Training’.
I have what I would consider some good, solid yet basic
‘qualifications’.
Yet for all of those ‘qualifications’ I have never seen, heard
or sensed in any way a spirit or ghost.
Not untill a few nights ago…..
I stood there in that darkend room and knew She had been there.
Been there - if only for a tiny, fleeting moment.
I knew those footfalls.
I knew those quiet and gentle leg rubs.
The White Cat Ascendant had returned.
If only for the shortest, briefest moment She had returned.
Thank You, Bast.
Thank You, Brighid.
Thanks, Patty…..
Purr On, M’Lady-Cat!
Purr On!
Foundations
By Staff Writer: Paganus Greybeard
Greetings All & Everyone.
Hail & Well Met.
Be Welcome Here.
Paganus Greybeard here….
I am nearing the start of my 3rd Year of Readings.
I am starting to read of the Shamans and the Druids.
I am also starting to read “The Supernatural".(1)
It’s a series of Time-Life-like picture & text
books from the 1970’s. I know they may not be
accurate or reliable on many things - but they are
good for what I am going to use them for. I see them as
sign posts to thoughts, topics, ideas and concepts
that may yet be new and as yet unexplored by this Paganus.
New ways - new thoughts - new patterns and forms.
New authors, new readings and new writings.
Moving forward from where We were to where We will be.
Let’s together begin with a simple analogy….
I am building my new life.
I may not yet be a Witch - but I do work for one!
I work for M’lady Mistress Ravenfyre.
I work and serve as Her Site Administrator & Group Moderator
for Her Mystic Witch Forums.
I am a Writer and Editor for Her MysticWitch.com.
I am the “Owner” of a Google Group - MagickalMystics.
I am a Guild member of the ‘Science & Arts’ Guild at the
“Koroneburg” Renaissance Festival in Corona, CA.
I also serve and tend this household.
My life is complicated, often confused and contradictory
and emotionally, psychologically and metaphysically busy.
I serve many people in many different ways.
For the Mistress I am Her Paganus - Her Site Administrator
{spam killer!} and Group Moderator {Forum’s ‘traffic cop’}.
I also serve Her as a Writer and Editorial Contributor.
It is in that role that I write and post these thoughts….
I also “own” and “manage” MagickalMystics on Google Groups.
In the ‘physical’ and often quite tediously mundane ‘real’ world
I am this household’s ‘house-tender’. Yes - that does indeed
include some inevitable and inescapable ‘parent-tending’.
I also serve the ‘Science & Arts’ Guild out at the “Koroneburg”
Renaissance Festival. This coming season I am again blessed with
the opportunity to work for Tom & Pat - producers and presenters
of the Festival.
I am building my ‘new’ life.
In a very real way it quite similar to building a structure.
You first select the site and location for your project.
You clear and prepare the ground.
You take out all the old dead stumps and rocks.
You keep as many of the living tress and shrubs as possible.
You then dig out for the foundation.
A life - nor physical structure - is never built from the highest
level downwards.
A life - as well as all physical structures - is/are built from
the lowest levels upward.
I am ‘building the foundation’.
One digs out for the foundation -
lays in the electrical and plumbing -
and then builds the basement level.
That is what I am doing.
I am gathering materials - the metaphysical & metaphorical
electrical conduit, copper pipe, wood, plaster, concrete and rebar
and other component stuff - and am busy ‘building’ and slowly
‘outfitting’ my ‘basement/foundation’ level.
Shamanism, Druidism, Wicca, Magick and Mysticism are all going
into that Foundation Level.
The process is slow.
It is meant to be slow.
You are not meant to do any of this quickly.
Building Your physical ‘real’ world home may take years.
So too it may take years to ‘build’ and ‘outfit’ Your
metaphysical, metaphorical, spiritual home.
As I do my Readings -
As I gather my Learnings -
I shall Share.
I will Share of the Readings.
I will Share of the Learnings.
I will Share of Questions and Answers.
That is how we Grow & Develop.
That is how we Be & Become - Become & Be.
So this was -
So thus it is -
So thus it be…..
Blessings Be
Desert Visions - {Spring Storm Shower}
Desert Visions - {Spring Storm Shower}
Eagle’s path -
Circling around -
Seguaro -
Desert Rain -
Sculptures -
Canyon Lands -
Carlsbad -
White Sands -
Stormlight -
Stormbright -
Lightning’s flash -
Thunder’s crash -
Arroyos’ flush -
Ground level scramble -
Hurry, Climb, Survive -
Groundlings hustle -
Quick shower -
Brief desert torrent -
Up the Seguaro -
Below the arroyo surges full -
Surges past -
Water soaks deep -
Desert’s lifeblood -
Suck it up -
Soak it up -
Life from Nature’s watering can -
Lizard watches -
Perched on cactus limb -
Doing its ‘push-up’ dance -
Waiting for burrow to dry -
As the desert breezes blow -
Cloud’s break -
Sun peeks back out -
Overhead -
Soaring free -
Again the Eagle circles…..
Imbolc
In a small, northern hamlet a childe plays outdoors.
The community is up and about their day. The cooking fires are lit.
The sheep and lambs are milling about in their pens waiting for their
morning feeding.
The men of the hamlet gather their bows and spears. They gather and
pause at the cookfire of the Shaman. Snow still covers the ground.
The Shaman emerges from the hut. Preparations for the ritual blessing
of the hunters begins but is quickly interrupted by the shouts of the children.
Quickly the adults of the hamlet hurry to where the children are clustered about.
The Shaman eases all aside and looks to where one of the children is pointing.
Out of a hillside, in the warming sun, seveal tall green shoots struggle
upwards into the light. Excitedly the adults chatter amoungst themselves.
The Shaman steps back away to make room for others to gaze upon the first new green
growth of Spring. The Shaman glances over at the sheep and lamps. There too signs
of life are to be seen. The first signs of Spring. Spring is not yet here - but
it is coming.
There is hope again…..
Here in the Northern Hemisphere Spring is coming. The deadly grip of Winter
is slowly giving way to Springs healing warmth. In the Southern Hamisphere
Imbolc is celebrated and observed August 1st and 2nd. In the Southern
Hamisphere the seasons are reversed - so we here in thr Northern Hamisphere are
celebrating and observing Imbolc on Feb. 1st and 2nd., int he Southern Hemisphere it’s
Lughnasadh. (1)
By the time of imbolc Winter’s deadly icy grip is slowly loosening. The
days are slowly growing longer and warmer. The annual re-birth and re-growth of the
plants can slowly start to be seen and noticed. Imbolc symbolicly hearalds the first lambs
birth and the ewes (mother lambs) begin to lactate (make milk). This is part of the
ancient connection to the first milking of ther season and year.
This also connects to the Celtic Goddess Brighid. Brighid is the Celtic
version and variant of the ancient Pagan and pre-’Christian’ Triple Goddess. She is the
Maiden, Mother and Crone. She is the Goddess of poetry, Smithcraft and healing. She is even seen by some as a protector and preserver of knowledge. (2)
Farm animals and their milk were exspecially sacred to not only Brighid
but to her Celtic, Irish and Northern Lands peoples. This was the time of the year when new
life and new hope for life was vital to the endurance and survival of the peoples and
cultures. It is for this reason that Brighid ’survived’ the ‘Christian Conversion’. In
Ireland she was made over by the ‘Christians’ into St. Brigid and became the “Foster Mother”
of the young Christos and Mary’s midwife. In many ways it may be thought that Brighid
is the protector, preserver and midwife of Spring. (1)(3)
Here in the U.S. Groundhog Day has come to be celebrated and observed on
the ancient Pagan Sabbat. While much of the original ancient pre-’Christian’ Pagan message
and meaning has been stripped away and ‘lost’ we still do celebrate and observe the
warming of the lands and the coming of the Springs re-birth and renewal.
Other Names:
Feast of Torches, Oimelc, Lupercalia, Feast of Pan, Snowdrop Festival,
Feastof the Waxing Light,
Brighid’s Day.
Dates Celebrated & Observed:
Feb. 1st and 2nd {Northern Hemisphere}
Aug. 1st and 2nd {Southern Hemisphere}
AltarCloth Colour:
White
Candles:
White, Yellow, Blue
Stones:
Amber, Amazonite {feldspar}, Clear Quartz, Rose Quarts, Citrine
Herbs & Plants for Magickal Workings:
Cedar, Chamomile, Evergreen branches, Rose hips, Sage, Sunflowers
Other Decorations:
A small bowl of seeds for the Altar along with a smal bowl of potting soil.
A Brief Imbolc ‘Working’:
An Acorn or a small collection of seeds.
A planting pot.
Potting Soil.
Water.
Candle or battery-’candle’.
Light candle or battery-’candle’.
Aspect Brighid - We thank You for the Spring.
Place acorn/seeds into planting pot with potting soil.
From this Acorn {these seeds} great growth will come.
From this tiny seed {seeds} will come the future.
Cover acorn/seeds with potting soil.
Out of Winter’s white frozen ground comes Spring’s green growing life.
Water the newly planted acord/seeds.
Aspect Brighid - You watched over, protected and preserved not only the
Plants of Spring but also the new Lambs, Foals and Babies. Spring may
not yet be here -
but it is coming. Hope and promise of Spring’s rebirth and regrowth is
coming.
Place plant pot - with planted and watered acord/seeds - in a wondow
with sunlight.
Thanks Brighid.
Use candle snuffer to extinguish the candle or turn off battery-’candle’.
SOURCES:
(1) Wicca Bible
Ann-Marie Gallagher
Sterling Puiblishing Co., Inc.
New York, N.Y.
© 2005
ISBN: I-4027-3008-X
(2) Wicca & Witchcraft for Dummies
Diane Smith
Wiley Publishing Co., Inc.
Hoboken, NJ
© 2005
ISBN-10: 978-0-7645-7834-2
ISBN-13: 0-7645-7834-0
etips.dummies.com
www.dummies.com
(3) The Complete Idiot’s Guide to: Paganism
Carl McColman
Alpha - A member of Penguin Group
Indianapolis, IN
© 2002
ISBN: 0-02-864266-X
www.idiotsguides.com
(4) The Complete Idiot’s Guide to: Wicca & Witchcraft
Denise Zimmerman & Katherine A. Gleason
Alpha.
© 2003 by Ameranth
ISBN: 1-59257-5
www.idiotsguides.com
(5) Wicca - A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner
Scott Cunningham
© 1988
Llewellyn Publications
ISBN: 0-87542-118-0
www.llewellyn.com
(6) Living Wicca
Scott Cunningham
© 1993
Llewellyn Publications
ISBN: 0-87542-184-9
www.llewellyn.com
(7) Wicca For one - The Path of Solitary Witchcraft
Raymond Buckland
© 2004
Citadel Press/ kensington Publishing Corp.
N.Y./N.Y.
ISBN: 0-8065-2554-1
www.kensingtonbooks.com
New Year’s Midnight Working
By Staff Writer: Paganus Greybeard
Setting/Set up for Working:
Table/Altar with altar cloth and either a single small candle
or single small battery-’candle’. There is also a small clock.
The atheme and wand are also on the altar - but will not be used
in the working. The altar pentacle is also on the altar below
either the candle or the battery-’candle’.
From one moment to the next -
one hour, day, week, month, year -
time passes -
the Wheel turns….
Hold either candle or battery-’candle’
Facing EAST
East.
Facing SOUTH
South.
Facing WEST
West.
FacingNORTH
North.
Place either the candle or the battery-’candle’
back on the altar.
Four Directions -
Four Guides -
Four Guardians -
Inside this Sacred Space -
This Sacred Physical Place -
This moment of time out-of-time -
the cycle continues….
From Dawn to Dusk -
Sunlight to Moonlight -
Father Sun to Mother Moon -
Day to Night -
The cycle continues…..
One year departs -
One year arrives -
Still the cycle ever continues….
A single small candle or battery-’candle’.
One tiny light.
One tiny candle/’candle’ to light the Darkness
and show the way till Dawn.
Let NOT the Darkness rule forever.
the cycle continues.
One moment to the next.
As it was -
As it is -
As it will be….
So thus it was -
So thus it is -
So thus it be -
The candle/’candle’ burns on…..
Yuletide’s Lights
By Staff Writer: Paganus Greybeard
This is the Season of the Celebration - for the “Christians” of
the “birth” of the “Christ Child". This is - for all practical intents
and purposes - the primary underlaying “religious” reason for this
Winter Season holiday. For the vast mass of modern civilization -
it is the season of sales, shopping and retailer’s worrying about their
“sales figures” and “cash flow bottom lines".
The lights are up on the house here. The tree is up. In fact -
the tree has been up since the day after “Thanksgiving". It is
going to be a very quiet holiday this year - as it has been for
several years.
It’s Sanctus. It was a warm day outside. But the weather
report says that in my part of Southern California we may be getting
some high winds. House is quiet. Nothing is happening. Cat’s are
snugged in together and Penny-pup is in the bean-bag.
This “season” of the “yuletide” is far more than just an excuse
for the wholesalers and retailers to sell their products. It is
an ancient and honourable “religious” holiday.
It is both Pagan and “Christian". The “Christians” - in very large
form and measure - co-opted this holiday for their own purposes. This is
NOT the actual “season” of the “Christ Child’s” birth. The holiday - as we now know
it and celebrate it - was moved to the Pagan’s Winter Solstice holiday to
directly co-opt that celebration. Celebrants of the Eastern Orthodox faith
celebrate on January 6th - the Feast of the Epiphany. Many of the traditional
trappings and seasonal celebratory festivities are directly descended from
ancient Pagan roots such as the tree, wreath, candles and feasts.
Ancient pre-"Christian” Romans celebrated Saturnalia on December 17.
When the Germanic and Celtic tribal cultures blended with the Romanic
cultures the Germanic and Celtic Paganistic traditions of food, fellowship, yule log,
“Christmas” tree and the exchange of gifts were added to the holiday’s
celebration. Even many of the carols that are sung in this season are
very ancient and very pagan. As with the holiday itself - the carols
were co-opted and re-cycled by the early “Christian Church” for their
own uses and purposes.
Who then - in all of this commercialized retail mayhem - is the
symbol of the season? Santa Claus. A fat man in a red suit who
lives at the North Pole with elves. Sounds more than slightly
Pagan to me! How does he travel? Flying reindeer. By whom is
he guided? Rudolph with his “red nose".
But even this has a historical basis. St. Nicholas - or “Sinter
Klaus” in the original Dutch. Nicholas was a fifth century priest
in Asia Minor was said to have performed various “good deeds". Perhaps
the best known of these deeds involved three young women who were about
to be forced into prostitution because of poverty. Nicholas - or so the legend goes
- secretly entered their home through their chimney, and left gold in
their stocking which were left over the fire’s embers to dry. This
“legend” was subsequently brought from Asia Minor to New Amsterdam and
the other Dutch colonies in the New World where they were combined with
ancient Celtic and Nordic legends about a Yuletide gift-giving figure
who would only leave gifts for “good little boys and girls".
As an inevitable result of these inter-cultural and
cross-cultural meldings and blendings there is a gift-giving figure in many
societies and cultures. In Germany, Austria and Switzerland the
figure is known as Christkindl or Kris Kringle. Some of the figures
are blatantly Pagan and decidedly non-Christian as in the Scandinavian
countries were the gift-bearers are a trio of gnomes. Poland
celebrates with a blending of the two traditions - the Star Man, thought to be
called so because of a connection to the Star of Bethlehem. In France the figure
is Pere Noel {Father Noel}, in England it’s Father Christmas, and it’s
Grandfather Frost in Russia. Even into the far-eastern realm of Japan
this figure is found. There the person is their deity Hoteiosho.
The tradition and practice of gift-giving at the Yule is ancient
and apparently very much pre-"Christian". There are written and
confirmed accounts of at least four (4) pre-"Christian” Pagan and
Roman festivals that “Christmas” came to supplant and replace.
Two of these festivals - the Kalends and the Roman “Saturnalia”
were characterized by feasting and revelry. A third festival is
that of Libanius where the focus is upon gift-giving.
The fourth - the Roman festival of Deus Sol Inviticus - was held and
celebrated on December 25th and is often considered to be the
date co-opted by the early “Christians” for their “Christ’s Mass".
So - with all of this in mind - how does this particular Paganus
and Family savor this season? We spend time with each other - as
much we can and as much we can stand each other. We set up the
tree just after “Thanksgiving” and will leave it up till just
after “New Year’s". The lights are up on the house and the the
electric candles are in the window. The “Christmas” cards are on
the mantle over the fireplace.
Blessings Be to All & Every One..
Walking the Gathering Grey
By Staff Writer: Paganus Greybeard
In Grey I walk today.
I walk not the Deeping Depths of the Abysal Blinding Dark -
Not do I walk the Soaring Heights of the Infinite Illuminating Light -
I walk the Grey.
I stand between the the Dark and the Light.
Neither Hero nor Villain.
Nor Victim Nor Perpetrator.
I Stand My Place.
What needs to be done I do.
Family is Damaged.
Family is Hurting.
I am not Damaged nor Hurting.
My Physical is quite functional.
It My Psyche and Spirit that is Rattled.
It’s My Spirit and Psyche that is Hammered.
My body is fine -
as well as it ever was.
I do the errands.
I do the chores.
I tend - as well as I can - the household.
Functionally I am the household….
Right Hand -
Left Hand -
Giving Outward -
Taking Inward -
Open and Closed and Guarded -
Balances -
Where once were the Balances -
Balances resetting -
Forward -
Backward -
Upward -
Downward -
Everywhere Onward….
In Grey I walk today -
I Stand My Place -
This Household -
This Place of Residence -
This Moment of Time -
Here I Work -
Here I Walk -
Here I Am -
Here I Stay -
Walking the Grey.
Blessings Be…..
White-Lighter’s Wear Black
I wear Black.
I am NOT the ‘villain’.
I AM the “White-Lighter".
I AM the “White-Lighter” -
or so my Editorial Mistress tells me I am.
I am still seriously working on understanding and accepting
that.
There is still so very much I do not understand.
But there is also much -
that after years of hard learning and experience -
that I do understand…..
It’s only in the older ‘Hollywood’ Westerns and ‘Action’ movies
that the ‘villain’ wears black.
You could always tell who ‘hero’ and the ‘villain’ were by
the color of their clothes and hats.
Well - after many years - that changed.
A Druid wears dark robes.
A Magus wears dark robes.
When I am able to afford robes I will wear dark colors.
Not because of any interest in the ‘Dark Side’ but
rather that I wear black better than white.
I just do not look good in white.
I look good in Dark Blue and Brown.
One of my Cloaks is Brown.
I look good in that.
I feel good in that.
Brown - for me - is the colour of Mother Earth.
I do much of my Faire and Festival work wearing my
brown outfits.
In time - I will add a black outfit.
There are printed - paper - catalogues of “pagan gear”
and some of the robes and cloaks are very appealing.
I would look very good in dark colours.
I would also work well in dark colours.
Most of my workings are done at night or at dawn.
I am NOT of and or from the ‘Dark Side’.
I am - as Mistress RavenFyre said - of the ‘White’.
I am not fully adjusted to that.
But with the help and guidance of my Guides and
Guardians - I may become a better and more
effective “White Lighter".
Festival is coming up in the Spring.
Perhaps by then I’ll have my black Druid/Magus outfit.
I would cetainly madke a good impression at Festival.
I might even be able to do some bigger and better workings….
And that - is the point of the matter…..
Its is not what I wear -
but what I do…..
I could do my ‘Pagan’ ‘Magus’ thing at a local area ‘nudist resort’.
Yes - there is a ‘nudist resort’ in my area.
But would your Paganus be comfortable there?
I’d rather wear my Robes.
At least -
untill I am invited into and join a circle, gove or coven…..
I know I’d look good in brown or black then…..
So thus it was -
So thus it is -
So thus it be…..
Blessings Be
Serving the Household
By Staff Writer: Paganus Greybeard
I serve.
I serve the household.
I do what must - and needs - be done.
I serve also the Goddess as best I can.
At times that may not be very well at all.
I am told that I am a ‘White-Lighter’.
I am doing my inadequate and humble mortal best to
live-up-to and serve in that capacity and role.
But as a mortal I am clearly not always very
much of the ‘White’.
In many ways - so very often - I am still very
much what I consider to be the ‘Grey-Lighter’.
I still have many clashes with my ‘inner darkest demon’.
The ‘anger inside’ is still very much there.
I am constantly ‘on watch’ to keep my ‘inner anger’
from coming out and taking over my personality and life.
I also serve my Editorial Mistress.
I am a Writer/Contributor.
I am the Group Moderator and an Administrator
for the MysticWitch.comn forum.
I serve in many people in many ways.
It is - however - at ‘home’ - in the ‘household’ -
that I find myself at most in service.
My parents are elderly.
Much that they used to be able to do -
they now can no longer do.
I do errands.
I feed the birds at night when I return
‘home’ from here at this ‘cyber-cafe’.
I tend Sherri and Serena - the cats.
I tend Penny-Pup - the dog.
I do ‘mail & errand'’runs’.
I tend to the household in the middle of the night
when that is needed and necessary.
When they are gone for the day I stay at home -
I do not leave until they return.
The ‘household’ is not left untended and unserved.
I serve also by avoiding the anger and fury that
I am so capable of.
Last year - at this time - I had a real battle
with that ‘inner darkest demon’.
That ‘inner darkest demon’ is NOT coming out to visit
this time this year.
I must - at all times - remain in total and complete
control. That ‘inner demon’ is far too dark and deadly
to ever come out for a visit ever again.
So - in a way - I serve the household by something I am not
doing. I am avoiding problems and hassles. This year that
is very critically important. The health of the parents
is delicate - to be diplomatic and discrete.
I cannot afford any hassles.
Therefore - I serve the household by avoiding and preventing hassles.
Another way I serve is in these late afternoon and early evening
‘visits’ to this ‘cybernetic-cafe’. By being here for two hours
per day I am doing two (2) things. I am out of the household
and thusly not there for problems to even begin - and I am here
working for the Mistress & the Goddess. That is also a excellent
way and means to keep that deadly ‘inner darkest demon’ under permanent
control.
I serve the Goddess - in all Her Aspects and Forms - by being the
best possible ‘White-Lighter’ I can be.
I serve the Mistress by being the best Writer/Moderator/Administrator
I can possibly be.
I serve the Household by being the best possible Son to the Parents I
can be.
I am the Paganus.
I am the Greybeard.
I do what I must do.
I serve many in many ways.
Greybeards Samhain Midnight
By Staff Writer:Paganus Greybeard
Midnight. The infamous witching hour. A moment between moments
between the worlds. This Greybeard prefers to celebrate this hour from
23:30 /11:30 p. to 00:30 / 12:30 a. Circles are raised and workings are
worked. This Greybeard is not hiding anything. Despite what the often
overly excitable evangelicals would want you to hear and believe
doing magick or even a simple and basic working or sharing in the
quiet hours of the night is not of the Darkness or Evil. It is
simply a better, quieter time. This Greybeard can concentrate without as
many disruptions or distractions. It is for me simply a better time
to work.
One of the more important Nights to do a working with as few
distractions and disruptions is Samhain {Sow-ween}. On this Night in
this moment between moments between the worlds I did my first ever
working. It was very basic. I was not even working from written, prepared
notes. I was very new to both MysticWitch.com and my Chaotic Eclectic
status. Chaotic? To be sure. To be very sure!…. Eclectic? That too!
Complicated confusion from many different places and sources.
I had no idea what I was doing. I also knew it did not matter.
I honoured the Living.
I honoured the Departed.
I honoured the Lord & Lady.
It was over and done with in less than three (3) to five (5) minutes.
It was my first working.
On the 31st of this October month Samhain is again observed and
celebrated. this year I will again in a moment between moments between
the worlds honour the Living and the Departed.
I will also honour the Lord & Lady.
We all develop our own personal traditions. As your Paganus GreybeardI
am no different. I will again for the 2nd time do the working
impromptu. No preparation. No planning. I will assemble what is needed
and do the working. I have no idea what I will be doing. That is part of
my developing tradition that I not know what I am to do much before the
moment of the working.
I write workings.
I do workings.
On this Samhain {Sow-ween} Night I will again do a working
spontaneously. It will be done as my Guides, Guardians and Muses inspire
and direct me to do. As the all the Children of the local neighborhoods wander
throuh the community with their bags and baskets Ill be spending time
with the Lord and Lady and my recently departed.
Ill especially be spending time with Patty-Cat.
She who may so very soon be the White Cat Ascendant.
Light the Candles.
Present the Offerings to the Gods and Goddesses.
Honour The Living.
Remember the Departed.
Samhain is the Night of the Ancestors.
Ill do a simple working.
Will you?…..
Dawns Awakening
By Staff Writer: Paganus Greybeard
I sit here.
I scribble.
I scrawl.
I am Awakening in the Dawn
..
Alarm tones in the stillness.
Reaching over
open the phone
and silence the noise.
Noise that starts this Greybeards day.
I gather myself together.
I greet and honour my ancient and Elderly White Cat.
She so soon to be the White Cat Ascendant.
She waits upon the counter for a spoonful of - something….
I serve her and she purrs her thanks.
I sit at the counter for some toast and yoghurt.
Bags are beside the door - where they were left the night before….
Out of the Household banging not the door nor gate.
Down the road to the School.
Parked beside the welcoming tree.
After an hours quiet awakening I make my bleary eyed way slowly inside
to find my place at this keyboard.
Keyboard where these words be written.
I honour the Goddess.
I honour the Lord and Lady.
I honour All whom have departed this Realm of the Living.
I honour the Living still of this Realm.
Blessings Be unto All & Everyone.
Out of the Darkness of the Night comes the Light of the Day.
I am here.
I am still not really awake.
I am still not all that functional.
Its still far too early in the day.
Yet for all of that - I am here.
I am not asleep somewhere.
I am here…..
So thus it was
So thus it is
So thus it be…..
The Dawn has come.
The Dawn has been Awakened……..
Badges of Office
By Staff Writer: Paganus Greybeard
I am the Paganus.
I am the slightly different man in black and brown occasionally
black, blue or white sitting quietly in either a quiet corner somewhere or
at a puter unit keyboarding away. Sometimes I wear what I think of as my
scholars cloak. Most of the time I wear one of my old black
uniform shirts out as a over-shirt. Today as I sit here in the Student Resource
Center I am wearing my standard black jeans, brown turtleneck and brown
shirt-jacket. I am as dressed-up as I ever am here at San Bernardino City Unified
Schools Adult School.
Since I am the Paganus - and a Chaotic Eclectic I am also wearing
my Celtic Cross, Pentacle, Jewish Six-point Star and a yellow stone
symbolizing the Sky-Father Sun. It all looks matched and coordinated to me but
then after-all I am a single, adult, male. I am probably a walking sartorial disaster
and do not even know it. Here at School where I am slowly working my through clerical and
office & administrative skills classes I have been confronted only
once by anyone who even knew what the pentacle is and means. Here in
School either nobody is observant enough to notice or I am quiet and
discreet enough that I am attracting any interest or attention.
I am here at School just another student. I do nothing overly
odd, strange or different. I am the Chaotic Eclectic. I am an
Eclectic whose life is in nearly total disruption and chaos - hence the
designation. I am in relationship with and in comparison to the mass
student body here quite unremarkable. There is after-all a
couple of nuns here in full habits, a Buddhist in his saffron robe, and
students and instructors from all form and manor of sociological, ethnic
and cultural backgrounds in their native cultures attire. Here in
this ever busy S.R.C. I am almost part of the background in my jeans,
turtleneck and shirt-jacket. Only my Badges of Office are in any way
distinctive.
Take a good look at the badge graphics IF they
survived and appeared in the posted version of these scrawled scribblings.
Note the marshals badge. Is that not a pentacle? That is the badge of the
U.S. Marshal of old west fame. You have the star within the circle.
The badge is a very old symbol of healing and protective authority updated
to a relatively modern era.
Now take a look at the center-piece graphic of the U.S. Seal.
That is the symbol of the United States Military and Government.
This is the symbol of a Nation State of the modern era.
Finally there is the Celtic Cross. This is a symbol of an ancient
and proud society, race and culture that wandered, explored, settled
and cultivated much of Europe and South Asia. There are anthropological
and archeological signs and records of ancient semi-pre-historic Celts
as far east as what is now present day India and Bangladesh. This
would mean that those nearly-lost to history Celts possibly had trade and
cultural contact with equally ancient Hindus, Arabs, Jews and others of the Middle and
Near South Eastern continent. With that multi-cultural, ethnic and racial
contact and trade aspects of each race and culture would be adapted, adopted and
dispersed throughout the Celts areas of wanderings and settlings.
When the Church blundered and bludgeoned its way into the lives and
cultures of the ancient Europeans older symbols and referents were
modified and adapted if not outright ham-handedly altered by the
Church to fit its view and vision of religious reality. One of the
changes that was made was that of the cross to overlay and overwrite older
indigenous symbols. The ancient Northern Europeans had their Elder
Gods and with these Elder Gods their associated symbologies. Along
then come the priests, friars, brothers and nuns to re-arrange and
re-design everything. The Celts lived and existed for thousands of years
before the invasion of the holy orders. They had their own ways and
means of doing things and living their lives. The Circle and the Four
Directions were an integral and vital part of these ancient Celtic
lives.
I am the Paganus. I used to wear a badge for my security work.
I no longer do security work so I no longer carry or wear that
badge. I am however the Paganus. I wear the Pentacle and the Celtic Cross.
These are not badges for employment and work. They are my badges
for the Goddess. I work for her and the Mistress now. I dont carry a
baton anymore. I carry my Celtic wand. I dont carry the Penal Code anymore.
I carry Scott Cunninghams Truth About Witchcraft and Witches Datebook and
Planner.
I am the Paganus.
I am the Pagan Eclectic Chaotic quietly keyboarding away in the S.R.C.
Have no fear the Greybeards here…..
Shall we go Raise a Circle?……
Waking the Dragon
By Staff Writer: Paganus Greybeard
Drums.
Drums playing Call to Quarters tattoo.
Drums playing softly in distance then coming ever closer.
Darkness before dawn.
Solitary Figure stands.
No altar. Just a single candle-stand at circle center and at each
station of the circle.
Celebrant steps to candle-stand and with burning taper lights single white
candle.
Drums ever slowly closer .
At North point Celebrant walks slowly the circle.
At each station of the circle Celebrant lights the candles in the
candle-stands. All stations lit. 5 stations lit.
Celebrant now extinguished taper into water filled wooden bucket.
Celebrant stands at circle center.
Circle is enlightened.
Circle is ready.
Circle is waiting.
Drums approach.
Four {4} groups slowly approach the circle each lead by a drummer and a
banner bearer.
There is also a sword-bearer, a scholar/herald and a healer. There
are four {4} groups of five {5}.
One group for each direction, guardian and element.
One: Groups approach from four {4} directions lead
by their drummer and banner-bearer and take station
in the circle.
Two: Groups approach in standard parade order with
N., E., S., W. taking station.
Groups take station.
Banner-bearers place and unfurl flag-banners into
prepared stands or holes. Each flag-banner is in the
directions colour with a symbol of that directions
element.
In the distance a fifth {5th} drummer is now heard.
Group- Five {5} now approaches from the parade route.
Lead by a drummer, banner-bearer, flute-player, with the
sword-bearer, scholar/herald, and healer.
Only when the 5th group is in circle centre and on station with Celebrant do
the drummers all 5 increase tempo then
after a rufflles and flourishes creshendo conclusion -
- stop
with only the single flute player of group 5 playing.
As the flute player plays Celebrant walks the circle and at each station
stops and taps the ground three {3} times with staff.
Back at circles centre Celebrant hands staff to banner-bearer and takes
sword from sword-bearer. Celebrant again walks
circle and stops at each station. Tip of sword is placed
just above each candles flame. Sword is held there for
a moment then raised and held vertically in a salute to
the direction, flame, element, guardian and group.
Back at circles centre Celebrant returns the sword to the
sword-bearer.
The scholar/herald of the North group opens the book
and begins to read….
In turn from E., S., and W., the scholar/heralds read
from their books….
Norths Reading:
In the beginning there was only Darkness.
Upon the Eternity of Infinity there was only Darkness.
Then out of that Infinite, Eternal, Empty Darkness
comes a Flash of Light.
Out of the Infinite and Eternal Darkness of Nothing comes the Creator.
With the Creator comes the Whole of Creation.
Upon the Darkness comes the Light
and the Creator was well pleased.
Now that Light has moved upon the Infinite and dispelled the
Darkness The Hand of the Creator passes over the Empty Infinity
and from the Empty Infinity comes worlds and lives upon the
worlds. As the Creators Hand continues to move across the
Infinity it pauses over a tiny, unremarkable blue and brown world.
Upon that little blue and brown world in the oceans and upon
The drying land life appears. Aeons pass upon this little world.
Aeons of civilizations and cultures rising and falling.
In the fullness of time a Circle is Cast. From each point of the
Circle part of the Story is told. From the North The Elemental
Guardian of the Earth has spoken
..
Souths Reading:
Upon the Centuries
when the dry land had appeared and life first walked instead
of swam
the energies and elemental forces of the little brown and blue
world first began to appear.
The Creators Hand continues to move across
the tiny, unremarkable blue and brown world.
Upon that little blue and brown world in the oceans and upon
the drying land life appears. The Salamanders and the FireDrakes
first make their entrance of fire and flame.
Aeons pass upon this little world.
Aeons of civilizations and cultures rising and falling.
In the fullness of time a Circle is Cast. From each point of the
Circle part of the Story is told. From the East The Elemental
Guardian of Fire and Flame has spoken
..
Easts Reading:
Soon after the Beginning
when the dry land had appeared and life first walked instead
of swam
the energies and elemental forces of the little brown and blue
world first began to appear.
The Creators Hand continues to move across
the tiny, unremarkable blue and brown world.
Upon that little blue and brown world in the oceans and upon
The drying land life appears. The Sylphs, Zephyrs, and the Fey
first walk and fly across and upon the firmament of this tiny new
world.
Aeons pass upon this little world.
Aeons of civilizations and cultures rising and falling.
In the fullness of time a Circle is Cast. From each point of the
Circle part of the Story is told. From the East The Elemental
Guardian of the Air has spoken
..
Wests Reading:
The Centuries pass
when the dry land had appeared and separates the dry lands from one
another -
the energies and elemental forces of the little brown and blue
world first began to appear.
The Creators Hand continues to move across
the tiny, unremarkable blue and brown world.
Upon that little blue and brown world in the oceans
life appears. The Nymphs, Undines and the Mer-people first make
their aquatic entrance of water and mist..
Aeons pass upon this little world.
Aeons of civilizations and cultures rising and falling.
In the fullness of time a Circle is Cast. From each point of the
Circle part of the Story is told. From the West The Elemental
Guardian of Mist and Water has spoken
End of Part One.
This Working To Be Continued……
The Circle Walks
By Staff Writer: Paganus Greybeard
The Circle remains raised.
That is a given for a Circle raised and sent for the Mistress.
That Circle remains raised.
At least the intent of the protective energies raised and sent to the
Mistress remains.
Whether the Circle that was raised still exists may be
a question. While the intent of the Circle may still exist does the
Circle itself still exist?
If that Circle barely only a month old may no longer exist - what of
an earlier Circle I raised for myself?
I am speaking of the Circle I raised at Festival months ago. In my
Readings it is stated that a Circle once raised may only last a month.
Does that Circle raised at Festival still exist?
This is not just an academic inquiry.
This is a very real-life, practical concern.
My question was and still is how do you raise a Circle for yourself
possibly inside an older, earlier Circle youve raised for yourself??
IF there is a difference is it a difference that makes any
difference? As your Paganus I cannot say that it does. A Circle or
Shield is raised and you are protected. You have raised, directed and guided
energies. Inside your Circle you are in as we are
taught to think of it a different time and place.
Therefore any newly raised and formed Circle
I raise for myself may or may not be raised and formed inside that
of an older Circle. But it is still a personal Circle. It would be
so far as I understand my Readings both Shield and Circle.
Since it would be both Shield and Circle I would be
taking my sacred space with me throughout my day
Wherever I would be would be my sacred space.
I could be here in the S.R.C. or in a classroom.
Inside your Circle you become your own holy place.
You become your own altar.
You become your own sacred space.
So thus it was
raised and sanctified.
So thus it is
raised and sanctified.
So thus it will be
raised and sanctified.
The Circle remains raised.
The Circle walks
Beyond the Far: A Working
by
Paganus Greybeard apearing & serving as the BardicMagus/Priest.
Grey foggy murk.
No Light.
No Sound.
A figure enters from the Grey foggy murk.
Paganus Greybeard serving as the BMK {Bardic MagusKnight}
steps to the single table/altar.
BMP uncovers the altar and puts the covering down on the
second shelf/level of the table/altar.
BMP lights the single candle.
BMP: Light. Out of the Darkness comes the Light of the ALL.
Light to dispell the Darkness.
Light to Guide the Way.
Candle and the Candle’s Flame serve as
symbols of the Element of Fire.
Element of Fire - You are Welcome here.
BMP picks up the small wooden bowl of water.
BMP: Water. Source of Life and Healing.
Element of Water you are Welcome here.
BMP picks up the small bowl of Earth,
BMP: Earth. Upon the ground we live.
Element of Earth you are Welcome here.
BMP pours the earth back down upon the ground.
{If indoors another bowl can be used.}.
BMP holds up a small twig of the ‘One Tree’ -
symbol of all plants and ‘green life’.
BMP: Ancient symbolic ‘One Tree’ - representative
of all that is green and growing.
Ancient ‘One Tree’ you are Welcome here.
BMP hold up his empty hands.
BMP: Element’s of Air and Spirit.
I cannot hold you.
But without you we would not be alive here.
There would be no life - as we know life to be -
here on this world.
Elements of Air & Spirit you are Welcome here.
BMP holds up a small model globe.
BMP: This be our world.
This is but a symbolic globe.
Upon this model globe are the lands and nations
we - as humble mortals - live.
From nation to nation -
city to city -
land to land -
we travel and explore.
We travel by air -
by land -
by sea.
Earth Mother Gaea/Gaia we live here upon this living
world.
This is your world - we only just live here for our
short lives.
Mercury - Mesenger of the Gods - keep watch
over all who travel.
{One in espescial particular - this ReaderShip’s & Membership’s}
{Lady ‘Jussi’ as she voyages far across land and sea…}
May the Healers, Guides, Guardians and Muses keep watch
over not only the Traveler’s and Voyager’s but those of us
who travel no further than the Mail Box and the Corner Store.
Some of us work. Keep watch over those of us who commute
to and from work. Keep watch over those of us who simply
travel to class and back home. Keep watch over the instructors
and adminstrators of the schools and colleges. They who teach and
instruct -
and those who simply administrate and assist need your Guidance.
Keep watch over the parents of young children.
Keep watch over the children and their care-givers.
Keep watch over the adult children of elderly parents - they need your
help also.
Upon this world we here do live.
We all need your help.
It’s been a bad couple of months.
Take Care out there.
Stay Safe & Secure out there.
Let the Lord & Lady -
{Or your own preference/choice of Deity/Divinity} -
Bless you and Keep You.
May your Guides, Guardians & Muses keep watch
over you.
BMP: Blessings be to All & Everyone….
BMP snuffs the candle.
BMP covers the Altar and steps back into the
Grey foggy murk…..
Transitions Accelerations….{Pt. One)
By Staff Writer: Paganus Greybeard
Quiet moment’s thoughts -
Early hours -
A few words written….
Student.
Classroom’s time.
Administrative matters.
Paperwork’s adjustments.
First lesson’s & assignments.
Sharing class with students from Mexico.
Students that have to struggle with the language.
Classes in ‘Adult School’ -
for so many -
in so many ways -
it’s another name for “remedial education".
Education and Training they never had -
and now know they need and must have.
For this Scribbling Scribe it’s a ‘refresher’
on some things - nouns, verbs, adverbs and predicates.
There is also the ‘Computer Skills’ class -
Word processing is taught and learned there.
Keyboarding {typing} was escaped.
Slow though this Scribe may be -
This Scribe can - after a fashion - type!
{Slowly, in My own fumble fingered way…}
For class it’s another ‘new’ textbook for $45.
I did Not plan for that.
It’s also something called a “flash drive memory stick".
That is around $35.
That was also Not planned for in the budget.
Such as it is - it is when one takes classes.
So thus it be -
new things to study -
new things to learn.
Education is not easy -
Education is not cheap.
Education is not -
as such as was re-learned today -
also not stress and hassle free.
What must be done - must be done.
So thus it was -
So thus it is -
So thus it be -
out here in the ‘real world’ -
and not the Cloistered Academe……
Out From the Cloisture’s Cell
By Staff Writer: Paganus Greybeard
We open on a Monastery. Not a real, physical Monastery, but a
‘Monastery of the Mind’. A quiet, studious greybearded Magus-Monk
is sitting quietly scribbling in his tiny, bare and spare cell. High
overhead a fire-raven circles. Below the raven a ghostly figure is half-seen waiting
at the gates of the Monastery. The raven lands and shape-changes to a
human Witch. The Witch pauses at the gate of the Monastery to speak to
the ghostly figure - one of her associates. The Witch then walks up to the
gate of the Monastery and the gate opens. She walks into the courtyard
and looks around. She finds the cloisture where the cells are located.
She walks down the long, silent hallway till she comes to the solid oak
door of the Monk’s cell.
“Paganus Greybeard!”
The puzzled Magus-Monk looks up from his scribbling. He thought
he had heard something.
“Paganus!”
Puzzled he gets up and goes to the closed and locked door of his
monastic cell.
“Yes?”
“Paganus Greybeard! Come on out of there!”
The Magus-Monk stands there in total consternation.
“Come on out of there. There is a whole, new and exciting world
out here you are missing.”
The Magus-Monk steps closer to the door.
“M’Lady Mistress - Is that you?”
The Monk hears a soft laugh.
“Whom else, Paganus? You did conjure the raven - did you not?”
The Monk stands at his cell’s door. He looks back at his table, chair,
single dim candle and his papers and inkwell and pen. There is also a
bare cot, and a trunk at the end of the cot. There is a closet with only a
few things on hangers and a staff and sword. It’s an otherwise empty
Monks cell. He turns back to the door, unbolts it and swings it open.
The Mistress Witch steps into the cell and looks around.
She sniffs.
“Cold. Damp. Drafty. Dark.”
The Monk shrugs.
“It’s a Monk’s Cloisture, M’Lady….”
The Witch turns to the Monk.
“You deserve so much more. Come with me. We can do so
much - together….”
The Monk looks around the cell.
“Works for me, M’Lady….”
Together the Witch and Magus-Monk walk down the hallway out of
the cloisture into the courtyard of the Monastery. The Monk stops and
looks back.
“I forgot to -”
The witch shakes her head.
“Don’t worry about it. It’s under control.”
The Monk takes one last look back, pauses as he almost sees
something that is almost there. The Witch sees this and nods.
Together they walk towards the
Monastery’s front gate.
Back in the Monk’s cell a form slowly takes shape. The appartition slowly
looks around the cell. The Spirit sniffs and snorts.
“Pathetic…..”
The Spirit steps over to the where the Monk had been seated and writing.
The Spirit leans over to read the scrawled scribblings of the Magus-Monk.
“Hmnnnnn - not bad. Not bad at all. But nobody does this by written hand
anymore….”
The Spirit steps back from the Monk’s table and again looks
around the cell.
“This place just won’t do. Won’t do at all…..”
“Not for this Magus. Not for this Paganus…..”
Spirit pulls out an ancient whistle and blows it.
A face appears out of the ether.
“Yo?”
“Get the crew together. We have a re-build job.”
Second spirit glances around the cell. His eyes open wide as he realizes
where he is and whose cell this is.
“Paganus?”
The first Spirit nods as the second Spirit pops out. Although he is gone
we can still hear the second Spirit.
“About bloody, damn time. Was beginning to wonder if we’d ever
get the call…..”
First Spirit sits down at the Monk’s table and sighs.
“You and me both……”
Spirit starts reading the Monk’s writings. Slowly the Spirit’s
form changes to that of a slightly older, greyer version of the Magus-Monk.
Spirit reads then fowns. Spirit pauses in thought for a moment. Then the Spirit snaps his
fingers. A large wooden mug appears and hover in mid-air besides the Spirit.
The Spirit reaches for the mug then takes a long draught.
“Ahhh - that’s better. Writing always was thirsty work…..”
He sets the mug down and picks up the quillpen, dips it into the inkwell
and continues the writing……
He looks up - as if directly at the reader -
“Now then, where were we?…..
The Paganus keeps on writing…..
White Cat Ascendant
In the corner you quietly sleep -
curled up -
fur ball of white -
Old Lady of the Household -
Companion of Ancient Days -
Familiar to this Magus -
Dear Friend of this Greybeard -
Fellow Sojourner of the Harte -
You rest quietly in your corner -
Your days are nearly accomplished -
Blessings Be, Honoured Wise One -
You who have lived 20 years -
Long years for a cat -
I sit here -
and remember -
Days long gone -
in a household of a different time and place -
You and your companion The Lady Ginger -
Young you were -
Tiny kits -
Snuggled together -
Happily in my lap -
Ginger ascended a few years ago -
So did Koko, Sandy, Babette, Katie, Brandie,
Sammie, Laddie, Freya, Skipper…..
I know as I sit here I’ve forgotten some names
and faces.
Forgive me.
You outlasted all of your Friends.
Now - at long delayed last - it’s your time…..
Gaea -
One of your daughter’s may soon be coming home.
Bast -
She likes her kibble, meat, and saucers of water and milk.
She likes a quiet lap.
She likes to be brushed and snuggled.
I hold her and she snuggles in my beard.
She learned that from Babette.
Lord & Lady -
a Familiar is going off-duty.
I sit here.
I keyboard here and feel the emptiness already.
I’ve seen this coming for months.
She’s not sick.
She’s not hurt.
She’s just so very, very old.
Old Age kills.
How do you do a protest march against Old Age?
You don’t.
You let Gaea and Bast do what needs to be done.
and you remember -
the little kit -
asleep in your lap……
Travel well, M’Lady Patty-Cat.
Your Tour-Of-Duty is almost over.
You did a very good job, M’Lady.
You have been an exceptionally good Familiar.
So thus it was -
So thus it is -
So thus it be….
Blessings Be, Patty.
Blessings Be.
You honoured us all by being here.
You Stand Relieved.
Carry On….
G. Brad Harte
-appearing as-
Paganus Greybeard
Rolling the Road {Pt. Two}
Miles upon miles -
Wheel’s rolling ’round -
Another milemarker past -
Hotel and motel for the nightly rest -
Odd meals eaten at odder times in & at oddest places -
Pausing for breaks for gas on the Interstate -
Cities & towns -
Communities and hamlets -
Sea’s of Grass -
Mountains of Stone -
On through -
Up and over -
Down the other side -
Another milemarker in the mirror -
Wheels rolling ’round -
Miles upon miles -
Rolling the Road….
Cosmos attends -
Scribbling Scribe sends -
As it was -
As it is -
As it will be -
Circle Remains Raised.
Blessings Be, Mistress.
Blessings Be….
Rolling the Road {Pt. One}
By Staff Writer: Paganus Greybeard
Empty House -
Boxes packed, away and gone -
One last time -
In these rooms -
Inside these walls -
Following the Vision -
Vision of a New Life in a New Place -
Yet for this Moment -
A short pause -
A pause for memories & reflection -
The laughter -
Tears -
Joys -
Fears -
Moments of passion -
of distracions -
Sadness & Sorrows -
Resignations & Regrets -
Acceptance and Understanding -
Revolution & Resolution -
Celebration & Exulatation -
All were here -
Within these walls -
This Place of Residence -
This Household of Consequence -
As it was in the Beginning -
So thus it be at the End -
Endings as Beginnings -
Beginnings as Endings -
All windows closed -
All doors locked -
Out the front door -
Locking up behnd you -
Never looking back -
Never going back -
The Past is Behind You -
The Present is with you -
The Future is yet Before You -
You are -
“…On the Road Again…”
The Circle Remains Raised….
“Castle of Boxes” - {Pt. Two}
Desk
Chair -
Table -
Lamp -
Stand -
Wrap and pack in cloth -
Note and label -
Stand in corridor and by doorway -
Ready for the truck -
Waiting for the road….
Map’s read -
Route’s planned -
Vehicle’s checked and ready -
Tires, gas & oil -
Planned station stops -
Journey’s budget set -
Weather’s forecast studied -
Season of Storms -
Wind, Rain & Lightning -
Cloudtops elements dance -
Running for cover -
Shelter’s sanctuary sought -
Miles upon the roads -
Old life behind -
New life before -
As in the Image Held -
The final boxes packed -
Ready for the road….
Circles Remains Raised -
Focused Image -
Cosmos Observing -
Boxes here -
Boxes there -
Boxes everywhere -
Household in cluttered disaray -
Tasks to do -
Checklist’s checked -
Another day done -
Another day down -
Calendar and clock inevitable -
Cosmos observing, knowing -
Image focused -
Cirlce Remains Raised….
“Castle of Boxes” {Pt. Three}
Boxes -
Crates -
Furniture -
‘wares -
Packed -
Stacked -
Assembled -
Ready -
Waiting…
This House -
This Home -
This Household & Hearth -
Residence -
Office -
‘place to hang the hat’s’ -
Where once a family lived -
Now a family departs -
Entire lives uprooted -
Patterns and Forms forever altered -
What was - was -
What is - is -
What will be - will be….
So thus it was -
Where once it was -
When once it was -
In time -
In space -
In a new place -
So thus it is -
So thus it again will be….
Map’s final check -
Vehicles ready -
People ready -
Shutting down system’s -
Computer down -
Mail re-directed -
‘paper’s shut off -
Phone’s off -
All stands waiting -
Ready for the moment -
Truck is loaded -
Vehicles packed -
All is set and done -
Deadline is here -
Out the door the final time -
as once was said by cattle-drover’s years ago -
“Head ‘em Up! - Head ‘em Out!”
Circle Remains Raised -
Guides & Guardians -
Elementals and Muses -
Ethereal All attending -
Power’s Up -
Protective Globe’s Surrounding -
Image Held & Directed -
Ethereals All attending -
Muses & Elementals -
Guardians & Guides -
Blessings from the Cosmos -
Sendings from a Greybeard -
Circle Remains Raised…..
Blessings Be, M’Lady Mistress.
Blessings Be….
“Castle of Boxes” {Pt. One}
By Staff Writer: Paganus Greybeard
Openings.
Closings.
Changes.
Choices.
Growth.
Development.
A New Life.
Moving Ever Onward….
Flat pack unpacked -
Folded into Shape -
Fastened into Form -
Packing & Moving Boxes -
Boxes ready to be filled….
Kitchen -
Bath -
Bedroom -
Office -
Off the shelves -
Out of the cabinets -
Empty the drawers -
Sort, stack & separate -
Mark and tag the boxes -
Match the box with the inventory list -
Seal and stack the box -
Setting it aside - making room for the next box -
So soon for out the door -
Out the door -
And far, far away -
But not yet this day….
Circle Remains Raised -
Cosmos Attends -
Image focused on ‘Castle of Boxes’ -
Image on ‘Final Days’ of present residence -
New doorway and pathway opening -
Old doorway and pathway closing -
Long hours -
Long days -
Weeks to Days to Hours -
So much to be done -
So much not yet done -
Racing the Deadline -
Image Focused -
Cosmos Attends -
Circle Remains Raised…
Road’s Traveling Far - {For the Mistress}
By Staff Writer: Paganus Greybeard
Lives.
Visions.
Guidance.
Direction.
Plans.
Options.
Choices.
Chances.
Transitions.
Transformations….
Ordered Chaos.
Normal Distractions.
Expected Disruptions.
Life’s Pattern & Plan Lived.
Comes the Vision & Guidance.
Guidance & Direction.
A New Understanding.
Understanding a New Way….
Closing old doorways & pathways.
Opening new doorways & pathways.
Shutting Down.
Opening Up.
Moving Ever Onward….
Circle Cast & Raised.
Candles Lit.
God’s and Goddess’s -
Guides & Guardians -
Muses & Elements -
Greeted & Welcomed.
Image Focused -
Image Held -
Safe Departure -
Safe Arrival -
Many Roads -
Many Miles -
Roads Traveling & Traveled Far -
From Point of Beginning -
To Point of Completion -
Voyage Safe the Journey.
God’s & Goddess’s -
Guides & Guardians -
Elements & Muses -
Thanked and Honoured.
Candles Extinguished.
Circle -
Remains….
Circle Remains -
Shield of Thought & Power -
Circle of Protection -
By Thought & Intention Sent -
To Hold Safely Secure -
A Family on the Move.
Starting from West -
Moving to East -
Large City to Small Town -
The Mistress Moves….
May the Raven’s Fyre Protect You.
May the Circle -
To Be Cast & Sent -
Remain Unbroken….
Ascend -
Transcend -
Transform…..
So thus it was -
So thus it is -
So thus it be….
Travel Safe & Well , M’Lady….
Rounding the Circle
By Staff Writer: Paganus Greybeard
Mist.
A swirling, grey, murky mystic mist.
A Solitary Figure stands in the quiet grey mystic mists.
A Sword and a Staff are held.
A tiny, four legged, square table stands in the altar’s place.
There are several objects on the table/altar covered by a grey cloth.
There are four other small table/altars at the ‘four corners of the
circle’. The Sword is set down beside the table/altar. The Staff
is leaned up against the table/altar. There is a ceremonial
broom/besom leaned up against the lover shelf of the table/altar.
The Figure takes the cloth cover off the table/altar, folds it up
and sets it down below on the second shelf. The Figure lights a
candle on the table/altar.
BMP {BardicMagus/Priest}/{Celebrant}:
“This candle is lit.
This candle is Light unto the Darkness.
May the Darkness be dispelled and dispersed….
May this Circle - this Place, this Space - be Consecrated and
Sanctified.
This Circle is Sacred and Sanctified.
May This Moment between Moments be Consecrated and Sanctified.
This Moment between Moments is Sacred and Sanctified.”
Celebrant takes the candle and lights four more candles on the four
table/altars:
“Candle of the East - Be lit and let Your Light shine into the Darkness.
Candle of the South - Be lit and let Your Light shine into the Darkness.
Candle of the West - Be lit and let Your Light shine into the Darkness.
Candle of the North - Be lit and let Your Light shine into the Darkness.”
Celebrant slowly turns in a clockwise circle:
“Candles of the Four Directions - Be lit and let Your Light shine
into the Darkness. May the Darkness be dispelled and dispersed….
May this Circle - this Place, this Space - be Consecrated and Sanctified.
This Circle is Sacred and Sanctified.
May this Moment between Moments be Consecrated and Sanctified.
This Moment between Moments is Sacred and Sanctified.”
Celebrant sets the candle down and picks up the Staff:
From the Ancient Sacred Tree comes this Staff….
Staff is tapped on ground:
For Truth - Understanding - Learning - Growth & Development.
Staff is tapped on ground:
For Justice - Health & Healing - Strength - Survival & Endurance.
Staff is tapped on ground:
For Honour - Ethics - Faith - Hope - Charity - Love.
Staff is tapped on ground:
From the Lord & Lady Aspects of the Infinite, Eternal ALL.
Staff is tapped on the ground:
From the Guides, Guardians & Ancient Sacred Elements of the Four
Directions.
Staff is tapped upon the ground:
From Akasha - Elemental ‘Word of the Creator’ Aspect of the ALL.
Staff is tapped upon the ground:
From the Ancients whom once were here and still are here….
Staff is tapped upon the ground:
From the Tree, Cauldron & Well of the Ancients.
Staff is tapped one last time upon the ground:
From the Eternal & Infinite ALL. From the ALL in All of the
Names, Aspects and Understandings of All the Religions, Faiths
and Beliefs From All of the Cultures, Societies and Nations from
the Dawn till This Day.
Celebrant sets the Staff back against the table/altar and picks up the
Sword. Celebrant holds the Sword above the candle on the table/altar:
“Out of the Ancient and Eternal Fires of the ALL’s Creation came
the Ancient Sacred Elements - Fire, Earth, Water, Air and Spirit.
Fire for the Light Into and Against the Darkness.
Water for Life and Healing.
Earth for the very world we live in and upon.
Air for the Very Breath of Life.
Spirit for that which is unseen but not unknown.
In the most Ancient and Forgotten of Days The Ancients
learned to make fire. From that first fire came the knowledge of
survival. Some of that survival meant protection and defense
against dangers known and unknown. Protection against dangers seen and
unseen. You could not always hide in the cave. Sometimes you had to
stand your ground and defend yourself. For that moment when action had to be
taken The Ancients were given The Sword and The Staff….”
Celebrant lowers the Sword till it touches the Flame of the Candle:
“Sword of Truth - Justice - Honour.
Sword of the Ancients.
Sword of the Decendants.
In Fire’s Flame You were Born.
In Fire’s Flame You were Consecrated and Sanctified.
In Fire’s Flame You are Greeted and Welcomed.”
Celebrant moves slowly in a clockwise circle with the Sword to each of the four
table/altars. Celebrant moves first to the table/altar of the East:
Candle of the East - Out of the Flames of the Forge came the Sword.
Heated and Forged by The Ancients.
Celebrant moves to the table/altar of the South:
Candle of the South - Hammered and Shaped by The Ancients.
Celebrant moves to the table/altar of the West where BMK dips the tip of
the Sword into a small Wooden Bowl of Water:
Water of the West - The Sword was Cooled in Your Water.
Celebrant moves to the table/altar of the North:
Earth of the North - Out of the Earth came the metals to Forge the
Sword. From the Earth came the Ancients to Forge, Hammer, Shape and Cool The
Sword. From the Earth comes the Spirit and Soul of the Sword. The Sword of the
Ancients. The Sword of Today. The Sword of Tomorrow. The Sword of the
ALL….
Celebrant sets down the Sword and picks up the Staff:
Staff of the Truth - Justice - Honour.
Staff of the Ancients.
Staff of the Decendants.
From the Ancient Tree You were Symbolicly Born.
From the Ancient Tree You were Consecrated and Sanctified.
From the most of Ancient of Days till this Day You are Greeted and
Welcomed.
Celebrant moves slowly in a clockwise circle with the Staff to each of
the four table/altars:
From the Ancient Sacred Tree that links the Realms comes symbolicly
the wood to make this Staff. From You - Ancient Living Symbol and
Element of all that is Living and Green - comes the wood to make
this Staff. This is for Walking - when Walking is difficult. This
is for the Festival’s Parade - when Blessings and Honours are Given
and Shared. This is for Magick & Mystery for the ‘Workings’. This
is the Staff….
Celebrant moves to the table/altar of the East:
East - From the Ancient Tree and all that is Green and Living….
Celebrant moves to the table/altar of the South:
South - Life and Source of Life on the Mother World….
Celebrant moves to the table/altar of the West:
West - Fruits, Vegetables, Roots, Flowers and Herbs for Health,
Healing and Living.
Celebrant moves to the table/altar of the North:
Earth of the North - Out of the Earth came the Ancient Sacred
Tree’s Wood’s to Form the Staff. From the Earth came the Ancients
to Form and Shape the Staff. From the Earth comes the Spirit and
Soul of the Staff. The Staff of the Ancients. The Staff of Today.
The Staff of Tomorrow. The Staff of the ALL….
Celebrant places the Staff back at the table/altar. Celebrant picks up a small
wooden bowl with herbs and vitamins:
“From the Earth -
From the ALL -
The Staff of Life.
Food and Nutrition.
Life, Health and Healing.”
Celebrant sets down the bowl and picks up another with water.
“From the Earth -
From the ALL -
The Water of Life.
Life, Health and Healing.”
Celebrant sets the bowl down on the table/altar.
Celebrant picks up a small wooden whistle & ‘toots’ three times.
Celebrant moves to each of the four directions, pauses at the table/altar
and ‘toots’ three times.
Celebrant sets wooden whistle down on table/altar.
Celebrant picks up small wooden drum.
Celebrant taps drum three times.
Celebrant moves to each of the four directions, pauses
at the table/altar and taps drum three times.
Celebrant sets wooden drum down on table/altar.
Celebrant picks up tambourine.
Celebrant taps tambourine three time.
Celebrant moves to each of the four directions, pauses
at the table/altar and taps tambourine three times.
Celebrant set down tambourine and picks up besom.
Celebrant ’sweeps’ three times first left and then right side of
table/altar.
Celebrant then moves to to each of the four directions, pauses
at the table/altar and then ’sweeps’ three times first left and
then right side of table/altar.
Celebrant sets besom back down and picks up pentacle.
“Four Directions - East, South, West, North.”
“Five Elements - Earth, Air, Water, Fire, Spirit.”
“Life, Health & Healing.”
“Survival and Endurance”
“Knowledge, Learning and Sharing.”
“Serving, Preserving, Protecting, Defending".
“Doing No Harm".
Celebrant sets down pentacle and picks up bell.
Celebrant rings bell three times.
Celebrant moves to each of the four directions, pauses
at the table/altar and rings bell three times.
Celebrant sets down the bell and picks up a wooden cup.
Celebrant pours tiny bit of water into a small wooden bowl.
Celebrant sets the wooden cup down and crumbles up a single salad crouton.
“Food and Water.”
“Life, Health & Healing".
“Of the Earth - Back to the Earth…..”
Celebrant pours water and crumbled crouton back onto the ground. {IF
done indoors a larger wooden bowl with some leaves and dry earth can be
used.}
Celebrant picks up Staff and taps it three times upon the ground.
Celebrant goes counter-clockwise and taps staff three times at each of the
table-altars.
Celebrant sets Staff down and picks up small candle snuffer.
Celebrant goes counter-clockwise from North putting out the candles.
After the four ‘circle’ candles are extinguished Celebrant pauses at the
fifth candle.
“This candle is lit.
This candle is Light unto the Darkness.
May the Darkness be dispelled and dispersed….
This Circle is Sacred and Sanctified.
May This Moment between Moments be Consecrated and Sanctified.
This Moment between Moments is Sacred and Sanctified.”
Celebrant extinguishes the fifth candle.
“This candle is extinguished.
This candle was Light unto the Darkness.
The Darkness was Dispelled and Dispersed.
This Place - This Space remains Sacred and Sanctified.
This Moment between Moments remains Consecrated and Sanctified.
This Moment between Moments is Concluded.”
Celebrant covers the table/altar with the grey cloth.
Celebrant picks up the Staff and the Sword and steps back into the mystic
grey mists….
Life By Timer -An Illustrative & Informative Sharing
By Staff Writer: Paganus Greybeard
We humans have this seeming need to think we are in charge of our
lives. In some small ways - in some small things - we may still be.
But for the main things in life - we have set aside our control to
that of the little black or grey box. It may beep - it may not.
It is the timer - and it is in ultimate control of our lives.
You don’t quite believe me? Come with me as I point out a few things
in our daily lives. But first - is the coffee ready yet? Did anybody
set the timer last night?
OK. Now that we have our first cup of inky black caffeine we can
get started. Let’s go get the morning paper. Let’s do avoid the water
in the driveway. The sprinkler’s ran last night. Only two of the
‘papers are here. And do watch out for the rosebush. It’s blossoming.
Pretty isn’t it? But that thorn was a bit sticky - wasn’t it?
Good. We are back inside where we have a cat waiting for us.
She is hungry and patiently waiting for us. She is very old - nearly 20
years in human years - and very set in her ways. She likes her snuggles and
cuddles in the morning. She also wants her morning munch. A spoonful of
something and a handful of dry kibble and she is good for a few hours.
The other two girls are up now. They are also waiting for some attention.
The Penny-Pup is sitting quietly watching all of this. It’s time
for her to go outside for her morning walkies. The birds are in
the feeder and scattering seed everywhere. Delightful little
feathered souls - but such messy eaters. Somewhere off in the
middle distance a crow is heard cawing about something. The owl
that lives around here is also heard. It’s a bit early for the
doves but we don’t want to be out here too long because they can
come early. Penny is snuffling something in the grass.
Something only her nose knows is there.
Back inside we open up the ‘papers and settle in for a few minutes
with the ‘paper and Patty who has decided you really don’t want to
read that article but would rather pay attention to her. You are
at the kitchen counter and you are in her space - her place.
Besides - the toaster just clunked and the microwave just beeped.
Your toast and warmed over whatever from the ‘fridge is ready. You
find a hot pad and set the reheated whatever-it-is out of the
microwave. You go get the toast out of the toaster and return to
find Patty-Cat staring at the re-heated whatever with a strange
look on her face. “You’re NOT really thinking of eating THAT are
You?” She seems to say. Sure. Why Not? Plop some processed
cheese goop on it and it’ll be almost edible. With a decidedly
disgusted flick of her expressive tail she hops down off the
counter with a mournful “Murr-roww…” and has a few bites of kitty
kibble. She’s not only ancient - she’s very vocal and opinionated.
She just does not like cheese goop. Now if it had been sourcream or
mayo - that would have been a very different story. But your
Paganus happens to like cheese goop from the glass jar. It’s good
on nearly everything. Especially leftover whatever’s from the ‘fridge.
Now that we’ve grossed out the Old Lady Cat with our recycled
‘fridge whatever’s we can come back down the hall to where the
computer is set up. It’s not connected to anything. Everything is
done to the floppy disc but it does do basic word processing rather
well. After we move “Little Bear” out of the chair we can sit and
‘boot up’ this beige box. That gives us time to go heat up the
coffee. A few numbers punched in and the microwave is zapping
away. After the beep I have warmed up caffeine. Patty is still
nowhere to be seen. I am back down the hall in time to watch the
icons flash in the little box in the centre of the screen.
Computer’s up and ready. Slip the floppy in and let’s get started….
We’ve typed and re-written and spellchecked. This little bit of
editorial submission is ready. We’re dressed. Disc is in the little leather
planner. But before we leave to go downtown we have a few more tasks here at
home. First we have to go walkies again. Penny knows her schedule. And so
does Patty who has appeared from seclusion. She’s sitting beside her kibble
dish. She’s old and slow and needs help to get to the main kitchen counter.
So a quick ‘lift up’ is in order. That and a fresh spoonful of something
that only be described as smelling like cat-food from the ’small can in the
‘fridge’ and she is happy again. The other two girls are asleep in their chairs.
No need to bother them. It’s time to get downtown and post this week’s writings.
The car is hot. We wait a few moments to let the A/C cool it down.
We are rolling when we are stopped by the first of several stoplights.
Parking lot is empty as we pull into the Downtown Library.
We grab our bag and planner, lock up and head on in.
We punch the button for the elevator and watch the circulation desk
as we wait. Upstairs we find our space and log in. We have only one hour to
get everything done. So we start by calling up the word processing
program and getting the document ready to transmit. We then open up the e-mail
account. After a quick copy, paste and save-to we have our document in
in the e-mail account’s composition folder. After we save it to the
drafts folder and run a last spell-check it’s time for the send button.
We can now check our e-mail. Nothing but ads and scams. Not even any
“aluminum siding’ from Sears or “live nude wives” from Pocatatello,
Idaho. Just not much at all today. We sign-out of the e-mail account and
go check the Forum. Not much there either. One of the Readership has
posted some photos of her cats. It’s a quiet Friday for everybody it seems.
Over on LiveJournal there is not much happening either. A few new
comments from some teen girls on life in general and some responses to an earlier
posting by a lady working long hours at her new job. It’s Friday. There’s just
not much of anything happening….
Except for the timer on the computer. It says I only have 15
minutes left. I quickly move on to a couple more sites for the weekly check. Still
nothing much on either Witches Voice or Mystic Witch’s Forum. I sign
out and go back to the e-mail account. Still nothing there either.
OK. No problem. I see I only have five minutes left anyway and
log-out. I need the time to get back across town.
I gather everything up, check for the disc and head on downstairs
and back out to the car. I again wait for the A/C to cool it down then
head back across town. This time I am headed for my weekly ‘hair’
appointment. I am a male with long hair. Very long hair. I make a very good ‘pagan’
at the Renaissance Festival. So I get it brushed, washed, combed and braided
weekly. On the way back across town I am again slowed down by the red lights.
But it is of no matter - I have time. I find a spot in the parking lot and slip
inside the cool shop. It’s good to get your hair done.
After I ‘hair’ I slip into the “Cybernetic Cafe” that is in the
same shopping center and do a fast 30 minute check of e-mail. Some
things I leave till this second session because they take too long
to do at the timer ruled Library. I again run through my list of
places, sites and accounts I need to check. Still nothing of much
from anybody. That’s good. I can head it on back home then. I
stop for the USA Today newspaper and get it on back in. It’s a hot
day and I do not want to stay out in the heat.
Penny’s waiting for me. We do another quick walkies and get back
in. Patty’s waiting for her ‘lift up’ to the counter. Another spoonful of
her smelly favorite for today and she’s ready for some snuggle and
cuddle time.
After some snuggle with Patty it’s time to get the afternoon
‘running & doing’ done. I don’t really have all that much to do -
just pick up the newspapers and stop by the “CyberCafe” to do a
fast e-mail check. I grab my stuff and slip out the door.
Traffic is quiet at this time of day. I stop first at the UPS Store
where I get most of my mail. As expected on a Friday - nothing there. I slip
on down the road to the “CyberCafe” where I find a short message from
the Mistress!! Cool! Contact is re-established - at least for the
momentary moment. I read she has received a certain package I had mailed
to her. This is very good news. I was more than slightly concerned
because I sent it U.S. Postal instead of UPS. U.S. Postal was better
priced. I send a fast reply and then check the rest of the e-mail.
Nothing much there. So I make a quick stop off at both MysticWitch
and Witches Voice. A few new things on the Voice that I do not have
either time to read or can copy down. I am at the “Cafe".
Can’t do any ’save downs’ at the “Cafe".
So I’ll have to wait till the Public Library.
I do a fast check of my ‘friends list’ on LiveJournal.
It’s Friday and hot in the western U.S.
Not much happening there either!
I make a quick stop at Stater Brothers for something to eat. It’s
summer and I have to really struggle to find anything I might even
want to eat. I find a frozen quiche at $2.39 and I just cannot do it. I like quiche - but
$2.39? Sorry - no can do. I settle for two banana’s and head on down the road.
I find the newspapers and head it on home.
The hour is late and the household is quiet. I am again - save for Patty -
the only one still up and awake. I am sitting in my chair, reading my
‘papers, and thinking. On the bottom of the weather page of the Los Angeles
Times there is the sun and moon dates and times. I note the date of the next
full moon. As sit there I am reminded that for the Ancient Celts, Norse and
the even earlier proto-civilizations there were no clocks, no timers. Not as we
know them anyway. You had the sun - which became Day/SkyFather Sun.
You had the moon which became NightMother Moon. You had the Seasons of
the Year which eventually became the Great Wheel of the Year. You did
have the smaller, more intimate cycles of life such as the growing
plants in the spring, the coming of the rains, and the appearance and
disappearance of certain animals. You had what became known thousands
of years later as the Gaia Cycles. Though at that time in human history
you did not call it Gaia’s Cycles. You were far too busy just staying
alive from day to day and season to season.
Patty comes by and wants a few more moments of snuggle. It’s an
easy request. I’m finished with the ‘paper anyway. On my lap,
curled up and dozing, is one of Life’s best timers. Patty knows
when it’s time to feed her. She knew when I was going off to work.
She would wait for me at the front door and quietly complain. She
would be waiting for me when I returned. She knows the patterns
and timings of this household. She is one of this household’s
familiars. My family does not quite completely understand or
accept that sort of thing - and I do not make an issue of it. But
Patty knows. Penny and the Girls know. After all - they are the
household familiars. And it’s time to go down the hall for the
night. Patty has gotten up and stretched. I get up from the chair
and she hops up into it and curls up into her sleeping ball.
I glance out the window. The moon is up. NightMother Moon is ‘on
duty’ watching over us all. For what it’s been worth - this day is
done and over….
Friday.
Lived by and for the timer.
How many timer’s did you find?
Remember - it’s not always the ticking or electronic clock…..
Anyway - that’s my Friday.
So how was your Friday - lived by the timer?…..
So thus it was - it was.
So thus it is - it is.
So thus it will be - it will be.
Remain Careful and Cautious.
Stay Safe and Secure.
Let the Lord and Lady - {Or Your choice of Deity/Divinity} -
Bless You and Keep You and Shine Their Light about You and Give You Their Peace.
Blessings Be.
Notice And Request for July 4th, 2006
Notice and Request for July 4th, 2006
By Staff Writer: Paganus Greybeard
Its nearly July 4th, 2006.
Please for the sake of Your Dogs, Cats, Horses and other pets and animal companions keep them inside and under shelter. This is the second (#2) worst day for bullets and firecracker bangs of the entire year. For Your Furred Ones sakes Serve Them and Protect Them and Preserve their Peaceful Quiet.
Put the guns away and leave them put away.
You do not need them.
Put the fireworks away and leave them put away.
You do not need them.
Set aside the booze and enjoy a safe, sane, sensible and sober July 4th.
The Medics, Doctors and Surgeons do not need the extra work.
The Firemen do not need the extra work.
The State Police & Patrols and County and Local Sheriffs and Police most
decidedly do not need the extra work.
Nobody needs the extra hassles, concerns, complications and problems of the
Shots Fired and Motor Vehicle Crash and Structures Burning and most
decidedly they do not need Subject(s) Down. They need none of these extras.
Their daily working lives are complicated and busy enough. Dont give them anything extra.
Lay off the Sauce. You just dont need it.
Stay Clean. Stay Sober.
Stay Home. Stay Safe.
Keep your Dogs and Cats undercover and They will sleep quietly at Your feet in Your laps and You will know a Quiet and Safe and Sane and Sensible July 4th.
Your Cats And Dogs will thank You forever for it.
I was once Security.
This is My State and County and Community.
I live here.
I work here.
I once carried a badge.
I may no longer be in uniform. I may not be in uniform at all.
I am your Magus. I too Serve Preserve Protect Defend.
I just do it in a rather different way now.
I also have My tasks to perform.
I have enough to do already.
I dont need any of this extra July 4th sh*t either.
So dont give Me any
..
Don’t give anybody any.
Let this be a quiet July 4th.
Let nobody blow their hands off.
Let no Dogs or Cats be scared.
Let no Horses and Cows be terrrified by the loud bangs, bright lights
and possible fires.
Let No Harm Be Done At All.
Calm down.
Chill out.
Watch a fireworks and concert show on TV.
There is nearly always a good one from Boston or Washington, D.C.
Your ‘companions’ and ‘familiars’ as well as Your family and friends
will thank You for it.
Take Care.
Stay Safe.
Remain Care & Cautious.
Remain Out of Harm’s Way.
Blessings Be.
Shared Working
By Staff Writer: Paganus Greybeard
Paganus ‘faces’ the MysticWitch Readership:
Greetings!
Salutations!
Hail & Well Met!
Merry Meet!
We are here -
Solitary and United -
each in Our own time -
each in Our own place & space -
each in Our own personal way -
Together.
We are the Writers, Contributors, Editors, Staff
and Visitors of, by and for MysticWitch.
Again We meet here in this ‘cybernetic space’ -
this ‘cybernetic place -
of electrons -
of photons -
Motherboards -
and Microchips.
We are again assembled here -
each in Our own physical place & space -
each in Our own time -
each in Our own way.
We are assembled here for this brief moment -
this instant of time -
when We all come together and share -
in this ‘Shared’ ‘Working’.
We are United and Unified Here -
Here in this ‘Shared’ ‘Working’ -
so that Together Our Energies -
Our Thoughts -
Our Words -
might accomplish -
as One Voice -
accomplish what One single Voice cannot….
We are MysticWitch.
This is Our Strength.
This is Our Power.
This is Our ‘Working’…..
Opening Invocations & Consecrations:
Paganus ‘facing’ East:
NightMother Moon - I Greet You.
NightMother Moon - You are Welcomed Here.
NightMother Moon - Aspect of the Infinite Eternal ALL - You Bless Us.
Day/SkyFather Sun - I Greet You.
Day/SkyFather Sun - You are Welcomed Here.
Day/SkyFather Sun - Aspect of the Infinite Eternal ALL - You Bless Us.
Day/SkyFather Sun - You who Lights Our Days and Energizes Our Lives
- You Bless Us.
NightMother Moon - You who Reflects the Sun into Our Dark Nights -
You Bless Us.
Element of Air - I Greet You.
Element of Air - You are Welcomed Here.
Element of Air - Aspect of the ALL’s Creation - You Bless Us.
Guides and Guardians of the East - I Greet You.
Guides And Guardians of the East - You are Welcomed Here.
Guides and Guardians of the East - You Bless Us.
We Are Blessed.
Spirits of the Air -
Who come on the Winds of Understanding -
Inquisitive and Curious -
Awaken our Intuition and Intellect so We may Comprehend and
Understand so that We may Share this ‘Shared’ ‘Working’ with Others
so
that they too may Comprehend and Understand.
Aid us in this ‘Shared’ ‘Working’
Be Welcome!
Blessings Be!
Paganus ‘facing’ South:
Hawaiian Goddess of Fire Pele - I Greet You.
Hawaiian Goddess of Fire Pele - You are Welcomed Here.
Hawaiian Goddess of Fire Pele - Aspect of the Infinite Eternal ALL
- You Bless Us.
Element of Fire - I Greet You.
Element of Fire - You are Welcomed Here.
Element of Fire - Aspect of the ALL’s Creation - You Bless Us.
Spirits of Fire - I Greet You.
Spirits of Fire - You are Welcomed Here.
Spirits of Fire - Aspects of the ALL’s Creation - You Bless Us.
Guides and Guardians of the South - I Greet You.
Guides and Guardians of the South - You are Welcomed Here.
Guides and Guardians of the South - You Bless Us.
We Are Blessed.
Spirits of Fire who come to warm Our hearths and hearts -
who Illuminate and Light Our Lives -
who Heal Our Physical wounds and Emotional and Psychic sorrows -
who Make Us strong -
Aid Us in this ‘Shared Working’.
Bring Us warmth - but not so much as We cook ourselves -
nor Our Companions and Familiars.
Be Welcome!
Blessings Be!
Paganus ‘facing’ West:
Sea Nymph Galatea and Sea Lord Triton - I Greet You.
Sean Nymph Galatea and Sea Lord Triton - You are Welcomed Here.
Galatea and Triton - Aspects of the Infinite Eternal ALL - You
Bless Us.
Element of Water - I Greet You.
Element of Water - You are Welcomed Here.
Element of Water - You Bless Us.
Spirits of Water - I Greet You.
Spirits of Water - You are Welcomed Here.
Spirits of Water - Aspects of the ALL’s Creation - You Bless Us.
Guides and Guardians of the West - I Greet You.
Guides and Guardians of the West - You are Welcomed Here.
Guides and Guardians of the West - You Bless Us.
We Are Blessed.
Spirits of Water who come to cool Us down on days of heat -
who come to wash away the negative, hurtful and damaging -
who softly and gently salve Our wounds and hurts -
who bring us cooling -
We ask that ‘Dennis’ not do too much damage and devastation.
Be Welcome!
Blessings Be!
Paganus ‘facing’ North:
Earth Mother Gaia {Nerthus of the Celtic and Norse} - I Greet You.
Earth Mother Gaia {Nerthus} - You are Welcomed Here.
Earth Mother Gaia {Nerthus of the Celtic and Norse} - You Bless Us.
Element of Earth - I Greet You.
Element of Earth - Aspect of the ALL’s Creation - You Bless Us.
Spirits of the Earth - I Greet You.
Spirits of the Earth - I Welcome You.
Spirits of the Earth - Aspects of the ALL’s Creation - You Bless
Us.
Guides and Guardians of the North - I Greet You.
Guides and Guardians of the North - You are Welcomed Here.
Guides and Guardians of the North - You Bless Us.
We Are Blessed.
Spirits of Earth who dwell within this planet -
Friends of Humankind - Seen and Unseen -
Sons and Daughter’s of Earth Mother Gaia -
who support and uphold Us -
who nurture and sustain the flowers and trees,
who watch out for and protect Us mortals all -
Be Welcomed here.
Blessings Be.
Paganus ‘facing’ Readership and ‘holding up’ a Twig of the Ancient,
Primal Tree:
Ancient, Primal Tree - I Greet You.
Ancient, Primal Tree - You are Welcomed Here.
Ancient, Primal Tree - Ancient and Primal Celtic and Norse Symbol
of the Living,
Natural World - You Bless Us.
We Are Blessed.
Paganus ‘facing’ Readership and ‘holding up’ a Cup of Water:
Water of and from the Ancient Celt’s and Norse’s Well - I Greet
You.
Water of and From the Ancient Well - You are Welcomed Here.
Water of and From the Well - Ancient Celtic and Norse Symbol of
Health,
Healing and WellBeing - You Bless Us.
We Are Blessed.
Paganus ‘facing’ Readership and ‘holding up’ a Lighted Candle:
Fire of and from the Ancient Celt’s and Norse’s Cauldron - I Greet
You.
Fire of and From the Ancient Cauldron - You are Welcomed Here.
Fire of and from the Cauldron - Ancient Celtic and Norse Symbol of
Wisdom, Love and Power {Physical and Spiritual Energies} - You Bless Us.
We Are Blessed.
Paganus ‘faces’ the Readership with open, empty hands:
Akasha of the Spirit - I Greet You.
Akasha of the Spirit - You are Welcomed Here.
Akasha - Spoken ‘Word’ of the Infinite Eternal ALL - You Bless Us.
We Are Blessed.
Paganus ‘holds up’ a ‘feather’:
Great Spirit of the Ancient and Indigenous Native Americans - I
Greet You.
Great Spirit - You are Welcomed Here.
Great Spirit - You Bless Us.
We Are Blessed.
Paganus Very Slowly turning Clockwise:
Lord and Lady -
Aspects of the All -
Who was here before Anything & Everything -
Who will still be here after Everything and Anything is long gone -
IF it be Thy Will -
Bless this ‘Working’ with Your Presence.
Elements of the Five Directions -
Air of the East -
Fire of the South -
Water of the West -
Earth of the North -
Akasha of the Spirit -
Come in Peace.
Come in Understanding.
Come in Learning, Loving and Sharing.
Air of the East I ask for Your offering of Inspiration and
Understanding.
Fire of the South I ask for Your offering of Energy and Power -
to get this ‘Working’ worked - and to just get successfully,
safely, sanely and sensibly through this month.
Water of the West I ask for Your offering of coolness so none of Us
here in this Readership - participants and visitors & guests alike
- bake, fry and broil as We did the last two weeks. It’s bad for Our health
and very bad for the Readership. We ask also that ‘Dennis’ not do too much
damage.
Earth of the North I ask for Your offering of Wisdom and
Comprehension.
I am but Your humble Paganus. I am new to all of this. My first
Year of Readings is over. It is time for me - IF it be Your will that it be done -
to grow and develop to the next level. I ask for Your Guidance and Direction.
I ask for the Right Questions and the Understanding of the Answers to those
Questions.
Akasha of the Spirit I ask for Your offering of Guidance and
Direction.
Guide and Direct this humble, mortal Paganus. If there are
opportunities opening up for me - point me in the right direction so I do not miss them.
Let me be able to at least consider acting upon these opportunities. IF it be of
Thy Will - and the Will of the ALL - give me the skills and abilities to ‘earn’
the monies to act upon any of these possible opportunities.
I ask also that for the Readership that any opportunities be opened
up unto Them also. Let the opportunities and blessings be for All in the
Readership.
Paganus holding up Unlit Candle and Cup of Water:
Greetings, My Guides and Guardians.
I am here today. At least - I think I am here today…..
{I hope to be here today to do this and say these words….}
Paganus sets down Cup of Water and hold up Unlit Candle and faces
South:
Spirit & Element of Fire -
I hold here a candle.
I hold here an unlit candle.
I will not light it.
I have no need to light it.
Even unlit it serves as Your symbol of light, illumination
and a path through the darkness. It is also energy and power
for all of Uus assembled here in this Readership - participants,
staff and visitors and guests - let Us all be awake and functional.
We need the energy and power to get safely, sanely and sensibly
through this month’s duties, requirements and obligations.
You Are Welcomed Here.
Paganus sets down the Unlit Candle and picks up the Cup of Water
and faces West:
Spirit and Element of Water -
I hold here a Cup of Water.
Water that We need to survive.
Water to wash away the sorrows and hurts and pains of Our mortal
lives.
Water to keep this place cool.
Water to nurture and support the plants and tress and cats and dogs
and even Us mortals….. For all who live upon this world We thank
You for Your water. We could not survive here without it.
You Are Welcomed Here.
Paganus sets down the Cup of Water and picks up a handful of Earth
and faces North:
Spirit and Element Of Earth -
I hold here a handful of You.
Earth that We walk upon daily.
Earth that We grow Our foods in.
Earth we build Our homes and shelters upon and in.
Earth to channel and guide the Water that nurtures and supports all
that lives
here. For all who live upon and in this world We thank You. We
would not be
living here without You.
You Are Welcomed Here.
Paganus returns the Earth to the Ground and holds up the empty
hand:
Akasha I cannot hold you.
Spirit and Element of Air I cannot hold You.
You are around me and inside me.
Without you I would have nothing to breathe.
Without you I would have no connection to Spirit.
Without either of You I could not and would not be here.
You Are Welcomed Here.
Paganus takes ‘atheme’ and faces East:
Day/SkyFather Sun -
Aspect of the All -
IF it be Thy will -
Bless this ‘Shared’ ‘Working’.
Father Sun -
By Your Light -
Out of the Darkness of the Night -
From Yesterday into Today -
Today into Tomorrow -
Tomorrow into Infinite Eternity -
I - Paganus - ask that IF it be by Thy Will -
May no harm be done here this day.
No harm by thought, by word or by deed -
Whether by active intent or accident -
Let No Harm Be Done -
By Anyone -
To Anyone -
Themselves Included -
For Any Reason.
Let - No - Harm - Be - Done!
Father Sun -
Aspect of the Eternal, Infinate All -
I thank you.
Paganus ‘faces’ the Readership:
I am your humble Paganus.
This ‘Working’ is Opened.
The Gods’; Goddesses’; Elements’; Guides’; Guardians’; and Spirits’
have been Greeted and Welcomed. The Ancient Tree, Cauldron and Well of the Celt’s
and Norse have been Greeted and Welcomed. The Great Spirit of the Native
American’s has been Greeted and Welcomed.
I pass this ‘Working’ onward to the Readership.
I pass this ‘Working’ onward so it may be completed.
I pass this ‘Working’ onward - so it may - work…..
So thus it was -
So thus it is -
So thus it be….
July 7th ‘Working’ -Three Days After - 2005
By Staff Writer: Paganus Greybeard
Opening Call to the Assembled Readerships:
Greetings!
Salutations!
Merry Meet!
Hail & Well Met!
Blessings Be!
We are here again assembled in this ‘cybernetic space -
this ‘cybernetic place….
We are here -
Solitary and United -
each in Our own time -
each in Our own place & space -
each in Our own personal way -
Together -
We are assembled here for this brief moment -
this instant of time -
when We all come together and share -
in this ‘Working’ -
This ‘Working’ for Three Days After….
Opening Invocation’s:
Paganus ‘facing’ Readership:
It is past.
It was endured and survived.
This American Nation’s ‘4th of July’ ‘Celebration’ is over.
We are here to give Honour and Thanks to the Lord & Lady.
We are here to give Honour and Thanks to the Elements, Guides &
Guardians of the Four Directions.
We are here to give Honour and Thanks to the Native American’s
“Great Spirit".
We are here to give Honour and Thanks to the Ancient Celtic & Norse
Tree, Cauldron and Well.
We are here to give Thanks and Honour to the Akasha Aspect of the ALL.
We have been Blessed by Their Efforts in Our behalf.
This could have been a much worse weekend.
It was bad - but it could have been so very much worse.
We Thank the ALL - in all It’s Aspects and Forms - for not
permitting more destruction and damage.
We Thank the Earth Mother Gaia for Her Blessings.
We have been Blessed….
Paganus ‘facing’ East:
Greetings Guides, Guardians and Ancient Sacred Elements of the East.
We Welcome and Greet Our Guides, Guardians and Ancient Sacred
Elements of the East.
Paganus ‘facing’ South:
Greetings Guides, Guardians and Ancient Sacred Elements of the South.
We Welcome and Greet Our Guides, Guardians and Ancient Sacred
Elements of the South.
Paganus ‘facing’ West:
Greetings Guides, Guardians and Ancient Sacred Elements of the West.
We Welcome and Greet Our Guides, Guardians and Ancient Sacred
Elements of the West.
Paganus ‘facing’ North:
Greetings Guides, Guardians and Ancient Sacred Elements of the North.
We Welcome and Greet Our Guides, Guardians and Ancient Sacred
Elements of the North.
Paganus ‘facing’ Readership:
This is the 7th of July.
Our ‘Nation’ was ‘born’ three days and nights nights ago..
‘Our’ “American” ‘Nation’ was not the first here.
There were other ‘nations’ here.
There are still other ‘nations’ here.
The Native American’s were here First.
They are the First One’s here.
Who blows up firecrackers for Their day?
Do They even have a day?
Did ‘We, the People’ ever give the First One’s a day?
Or did We just give them dry, dead, empty desert land?
Who Celebrates the First Ones here?
Who even remembers the First Ones here?
This ‘American’ ‘Nation’ was ‘born’ three days and nights ago.
We ‘celebrated’ with fireworks and gunfire.
We see that as a ‘joyful noise’.
Do Our Dogs see it as a ‘joyful noise’?
Do Our Cats, Horses, Cows and other Animal Companions see it as a
‘joyful noise’?
No. They do not.
It’s Loud.
It hurts Their ears.
It startles and scares Them.
Noises such as these frighten Our Animals - Our Companions - Our Familiars.
But do We seemingly care?
Do We see the fear in Their eyes?
Sometimes - IF We know to look for it.
Sometimes - IF We care to look for it.
Put the Guns away and leave them put away.
You do not need them.
You did not need them.
Put the Fireworks away and leave them put away.
You do not need them.
You did not need them.
This year the Fire Danger is Very High.
The Fire & Rescue Crews do not need more work.
The Medical Crews do not need more work.
The Police and Sheriff’s do not need more work.
The Doctor’s, Surgeons and Nurses do not need more work.
The Veterinarians {Animal Doctors} do not need more work.
They all have had too much work already.
Do not give Them any more.
Do not burn the hillsides and forests.
We have already had a few fires in the hills.
We do not need any more.
{’Uhhh - it’s burnin’ dude….’}
Do not blow Your fingers and hands off.
{BOOM! Ouch! ‘Uhhh - that hurt, dude…’}
Do not shoot Your Neighbor, - or Yourself - when firing Your gun
into the air.
{Don’t shoot Your gun in the air. Duhhh!}
We have had an Officer shot. Do NOT shoot your Police and Sheriff
Officers.
You really DO NOT want to do that….
{Or do locking steel bracelets go with Your outfit?}
Don’t scare and frighten the Dogs and Cats and Other Companions.
Don’t Frighten Your Companions and Familiars!
You Really Do Not Want A Frightend Companion and Familiar!
You wanted Fireworks?
You did go see a licensed, professional show - Right?.
Better yet - you did watch one on TV - Right?.
You did watch the show from Boston and the Orchestra. It’s always
a great show.
You did leave the beer and wine and alcohol alone - Right?.
You did not need any of that either.
This is the 7th of July.
Did You Wake Up?
Did You Wise Up?
Are You Paying Attention?
Or did Bubba have a new ‘friend’?
Bubba was lonely in that ‘lock-up’.
You looked really, really good.
And He was very, very lonely……
Paganus ‘holding’ up a ‘lit candle’…..
Fire - Element of both the Ancient Druidic and Wiccan Faiths - You
are Welcomed Here.
Fire - Element from the Ancient Celtic & Norse Traditions - and the
equally Ancient Wiccan Traditions - You are the Light unto the Dark.
You are also the Flame that burns the hillsides, forests, homes and
communities. Controlled You serve Humanity. Uncontrolled You burn
and destroy Humanity and Humanities Habitat.
Fire - Ancient Sacred Element - You Stayed Your Hand.
You burned only a few hills and grasslands.
You did not burn the grillers in either their backyards or apartments.
We are Thankful.
We are Blessed.
You Did NO Major & Massive Harm.
Paganus ‘holding up’ a ‘handful of earth’….
Earth - Element of The Ancient Pagans - You are Welcomed Here.
Earth - Elemental Aspect of the ALL - You are the Ground upon which
We walk and live. We needed no ’shakes and ‘quakes this day.
Earth - Ancient Sacred Element - You Stayed Your Hand.
You did not Shake & Quake.
We are Thankful.
We are Blessed.
You Did NO Harm!
Paganus ‘holding up’ a ‘bowl of water’…..
Water - Element of the Ancient Pagans - You are Welcomed Here.
Water - Elemental Aspect of the ALL - You are the Water We drink to
live.
You are the Water that washes away and salves Our hurts, sorrows
and wounds.
You are also the Destroyer of hillsides, homes and communities.
Water - Ancient Sacred Element - You Stayed Your Hand.
We are Thankful.
We are Blessed.
You did not Flood and Drown.
You did not harm the boaters or swimmers.
You Did NO Harm!
Paganus ‘holding up’ empty hands…..
Air - Element of the Ancient Pagans - You are Welcomed Here.
Air - Elemental Aspect of the ALL - You are what We breathe so that
We might live.
You also blow hard and fast across the land.
Air - Ancient Sacred Element - You Stayed Your Hand.
We are Thankful.
We are Blessed.
You Blew not down anyone or anything this day.
You Did NO Harm!
Paganus ‘holds up’ a ’small ceremonial sword’….
Ares/Mars - Ancient ‘God’ Aspect of ‘War’ - You are NOT Welcomed
Here.
You are NOT EVER Welcomed here.
You are NOT Greeted Here.
You are NOT EVER Greeted Here.
GO Away!
{You went away.}
Turn around.
{You turned around.}
GO Home!
{You went home.}
Stay away.
{You stayed away.}
We need not Your destruction and devastation and desolation.
Take Your Toys of War - and Go Away.
{You took your Toys of War - and went away and stayed away.}
Stay Away!
We DO NOT want You Here! -
We DO NOT need You Here! -
Begone!….
Begone!….
Get - Outta - Here!….
And Don’t Come Back!….
Begone!
Begone!
Stay Away!
Do Not Come Back!
DO NO HARM!
Paganus ‘faces’ Readership with a ’small wooden bowl with a flower
in it’…..
Gaia -
Mother Earth -
You Are Welcomed Here.
Earth Mother to Us All -
You are the Living World We humble Mortals inhabit.
You are Our Home.
You are Home to Our Cats, Dogs, Horses and Other Animal Companions.
You are Home to the all the green living things.
You are Home to the Ancient Celtic and Norse Tree.
Hello, Tree - You are Welcomed Here.
You are Home to the Ancient Celtic and Norse Well of the Waters.
Hello, Well of the Waters - You are Welcomed Here.
You are Home to the Ancient Celtic and Norse Cauldron of the Flame.
Hello, Cauldron of the Flames - You are Welcomed Here.
You are the Native American’s ‘Great Spirit’.
‘Great Spirit’ We are Honoured and Blessed to have You here with Us.
‘Great Spirit’ - You are Welcomed Here.
You are Home to All of Us.
Mortals from all directions and ‘corners’ of this tiny little blue world.
You Are Our Home.
We thank You for letting Us live Here.
We apologize for some of the things We have done - and are doing to You.
You Are Our Only Home.
Blessings Be.
Paganus again ‘holding up’ empty hands…..
Akasha - Ancient ‘Word of the Creator’ Aspect of the ALL -
You Are Welcomed here.
You are Very Much Welcomed Here!
Nobody important died.
Nobody was seriously hurt - save for that Police Officer and the
person who shot him. Thug shoots at Cop. Cop fires back.
Cop kills Thug. Cop was Harmed. Thug? Who cares about a Thug who
shoots a Cop? No harm done by the Cop. This Paganus does not think so anyway…..
No Cat, Dog or Horse was scared, frightened and disturbed - not that this Paganus
knows of…
No fires major fires burned. There were the expected ’smaller’
fires - but nothing like the Fires of October 2003. It is by those Fires all else is
measured….
No earthquakes rattled.
No windstorms blew.
No raging waters flooded.
Only a few shot’s were fired.
Only a few suspicious fireworks.
No Major and Serious Harm - so Far as this Paganus is aware of -
was done on the three days and nights of this ‘Nation’s’ ‘4th’.
We are Thankful.
We are Blessed.
IF It be the Will of the ALL -
Let NO HARM BE DONE this day….
By active intent -
or even accident -
by Mortal Man or Ancient Element -
Let NO HARM BE DONE!
Akasha of the ALL -
You Bless Us by being here and taking this humble Paganus’s request
to the ALL.
Akasha - We Thank You.
Blessings Be - ‘Word of the ALL’.
Blessings Be….
Paganus ‘faces’ Readership:
Day/SkyFather Sun & NightMother Moon We Greet You.
Sun and Moon - Symbolic Aspects of the ALL - We Welcome You.
Great Spirit of the Native American’s - Indigenous Inhabitant’s
Aspect of the ALL - We Welcome You.
Sun for Light in the Day.
Moon for Reflected Light in the Night.
Great Spirit of, by and for the Land.
Symbolic Aspects of the Creation of & by the ALL -
We ask for Your Guidance this day.
Let Your Light Shine upon Us.
Let Your Peace be upon Us.
Let Us get through this day with NO HARM.
Blessings Be.
So thus it was - it was.
So thus it is - it is.
So thus it will be - it will be.
As it was in the Beginning -
As it is Now -
So shall it be -
Forever and Ever -
Amen.
So Mote It Be.
Blessings Be.
Darkness’s’ Masquerade: Driving Out Demons?
Darkness of the Eternal Night.
Darkness of the Infinite Eternity.
Darkness of the Immortal Incarnate Soul.
Darkness from the Deepest Depths of the ‘Demonic Realm’.
Darkness against the Light.
Even without a Hell - as Pagan’s of varying kinds & types seem to say
they do not believe in - there is still an Eternally Destructive Darkness in the
Physical and Ethereal Cosmos. Whether there is a ‘Devil’ can be
endlessly debated. What cannot be so easily dismissed is that the
Darkness does masquerade as the Light. It has done so very recently.
It does so very frequently. It can - and will - do so again….
Beware the Darkness. It DOES Exist….
Demons.
I know Our Mistress RavenFyre writes of Demons. Here, in the
Saturday Press-Enterprise and Friday USA Today, is a story out of Romania.
A story that in the year 2005 is more like something you would read in
the year 1005….
She was a ‘nun’ in an “Orthodox” ‘convent’ in the severely
impoverished hinterlands of northeast Romania.
She was 23 and said she was starting to hear ‘voices’ saying
she was ’sinful’. She said the ‘voices’ were that of the ‘devil’ and
‘he’ was saying she was ’sinful’. She was taken for psychiatric treatment in
Vaslui. She was given medication and released back to the ‘care’ of the “Holy
Trinity” ‘convent’ located in the nearby village of Tanacu on April 20.
She was scheduled to return for further tests and treatments. She never did.
Instead of proper medical and psychological treatment she was bound to a
cross, gagged with a towel and left in a dank, dark room at the ‘convent’ without food.
She died in that dark, dank room of suffocation and dehydration.
Oh, the ‘demon’ was driven out. But so too was Maricica Irina Cornici.
The ‘priest’ was arrested. The “Orthodox” “Church” is - allegedly and
purportedly - ‘condeming’ this ‘ritual’. The ‘priest’ at the ‘convent’
- Daniel Petru Corogeanu was reportedly ‘ordained’ as a ‘priest’ without completing his
theological studies. Some quality control - ehh???
Demons. She said she was hearing the ‘voice’ of a ‘demon’.
The doctors knew it was a possible psychological episode and were
treating her and dealing with her condition. She was sent ‘home’ to her ‘convent’
where she was assaulted and killed. She was safer and in far better
hands with the doctors in the Vaslui hospital. Returning to the
‘convent’ was an unwitting and unknowing act of suicide. Her ‘priest’
killed her. Her ‘fellow’ ‘nuns’ killed her. Her “Church” killed her.
The ‘priest’ reportedly said that he was trying to take the
‘devils’ out of her. She reportedly had to be restrained because she was violent
and she refused to drink ‘holy water’. Tell it to the Sergeant -
this Officer is not buying a word of it. Her family - from the small
agricultural village of Perieni - is not buying it either. Her
relatives are demanding justice. Her relatives said she had joined the ‘convent’ mere
days before she was admitted to the Vaslui psychiatric hospital.
In reaction to the severely mishandled and hamhanded ‘exorcism’ the
“Church” - to it’s partial credit - has reportedly closed and padlocked the
‘convent’. The ‘priest’ has been banned from the ‘priesthood’ and the “Church” has also
excluded the other four ‘nuns’. The Tanacu ‘convent’ was built by a private donor in
2001 and was not yet consecrated and sanctified. This has also reportedly motivated the
“Church” to impose some somewhat tighter rules for entering monasteries
and convents. Psychologcal tests and evaluations are also reportedly
included as part of the monastery and convent rules. You mean there were no such checks
and balances before? There was no quality control????
Questions….
Just what was this tortured young woman hearing?
‘Demons’? We shall never know.
What was the so-called and un-consecrated ‘priest’ hearing? What was
going through his possibly twisted ’round thoughts? We may never know that either.
What was in the thoughts of the other four ‘nuns’ that they would allow this to
happen to young Maricica? We may never their know thoughts on this either. Why
would - and how could - a “Church” let a 29 year old male un-confirmed and
un-consecrated ‘priest’ lead a convent? Even in Romania - in Eastern Europe - this seems
incomprehensible. How was that ‘convent’ allowed to function and operate without being
properly authorized, sanctified and consecrated?
Answers?….
There may not ever be any acceptable answers. There may only be -
for this humble Paganus - a ‘gut-level’ reaction and response….
This tragedy began with a young woman entering what she must have
thought to be a legitimate, authorized, sanctified and consecrated convent. It was
- evidently - none of these. It was a place of abuse, torture and death.
What is not yet known - and may never be known - is whether she was ‘hearing’ the
‘voices’ before she entered the ‘convent’. Or were the ‘voices’ something she began to
experience after she arrived there? Your Paganus often thinks the unthinkable. Was she
actually hearing a voice? A real voice? The voice of her ‘priest’? He was the only
male available. Was he the one with the real psychiatric problem and saw her as a young,
naive and innocent - and very handy - victim?
This tragedy was compounded by the explicit and complicit aiding
and abetting of the crime - and it was very clearly a crime - by the four ‘nuns’.
Nothing is known of these ‘nuns’ save that they existed at that ‘convent’ at this moment
in time and gave help and assistance to their so-called ‘priest’. They did nothing
to stop this tragedy.
We come now to the “Church". Here - in a very real way - we come
to the ‘heart’ of the matter. A young man was in a ‘convent’ with four ‘nuns’.
Where was the Bishop? Or whatever serves in that “Church” for the
Bishop? Where was the Supervisor? Was there any Supervisor? It is clear that
this tragedy occurred in Romania - an Eastern European nation still
struggling to arise from and escape the ravages of its Communist Regime. Poverty is
endemic in certain parts of Eastern Europe. Education and Schooling
must also arise from the dark ashes of the Communist Era. This is also - by
historical tradition - a more ‘backward’ and ‘dark’ region of the Continent. But
no matter how ‘dark’, how ‘backward’ and how economically impoverished that
Romanian ‘backwater’ may or may not be - the “Church” failed. The “Church” failled utterly.
A woman is dead. A young man serving as a ‘convent’s’ ‘priest’ is
in custody for homicide and has been ‘banned’ from the “Church". Four ‘nuns’ are
also charged in the homicide and are similarly ‘banned’ from the “Church".
A ‘convent’ is now sealed and pad-locked. It was never sanctified and
consecrated. It never became ‘Consecrated and Sanctified Ground’. The “Church” now
looks at best incompetent - at worst - invalid and pointless.
Through the thoughts, words and deeds of a so-called ‘priest’ in an
unconsecrated and unsanctified ‘convent’ the Darkness had its moment. In the “Name of
the Light” the Darkness used a ‘priest’ to kill a young woman. Beware the
Darkness. Whether or not you believe in and accept the existence of a ‘demon’ or a ‘devil’
matters not. You do need to be aware of the eternal, inner Darkness we all carry
inside of us. Something twisted that ‘priest’ into a killer. Something blocked the
“Church” from noticing and attending to the tragedy till far too late. Do not ignore
or discount the Darkness. It is a very dangerous thing to do. Because if you do ignore
or discount the Darkness - the next victim might well be you….
Subservience, Silence and Seclusion
On a recent Friday night a young woman goes to service.
She wears a pink veil and a long coat. She is a single, working,
mother with a son. She entered the main section of the mosque,
sat down with the men and began to pray. She triggered an immediate
negative reaction. The mosque was the Islamic Centre of Southern
California.
What did she do that was so terrible? She stepped across a low
partition in the mosque that separated the men from the children and women.
This is the year 2005. Again - directly from the newspaper front
page - we are confronted with a story that is straight out of the year 1005.
A Mosque - in Southern California - not in the Middle East - still
separates women and children from the men in the main prayer sanctuary.
This is - now matter how you look at it or describe it - an exclusionary
act. It is very close to bias, prejudice and ’separate but equal’
bigotry. It may not be considered as bigotry, bias and prejudice but this is
seemingly not an isolated event in a single mosque. This is - according to the
article in the Los Angeles Times - a policy and practise of Islam.
This is not a practise of the Catholics, the Protestants, the
Lutherans, the Episcopalians or even the Baptists. Not even the Anglicans of the
‘Church of England’, nor even the ‘Mormons’ of the Seventh Day Adventist’s do this. This is
supposedly a practise of Islam. Why? According to the article it is because “The
Prophet” ‘Muhammad’ purportedly said for men and women to sit in separate benches
or rows. Men with the men and women and children apart. Not a very family
oriented thing to do - now is it? Perhaps it’s just because I am not Islamic/Muslim
that I do not understand this. But even in my earlier years as a ‘mainstream
denominational’ this was never seen. It was never even mentioned or thought of. It
simply was not done. Family sat with family and sometimes friends would come and sit
in. You did not break up the family unit for the Sanctus service. And in
the Pagan Circle this is - to be as diplomatic and cautiously discrete as possible
- an absolute absurdity. The Circle is the Circle. Even in ‘normal’
‘mainstream’ Faiths and Denominations you have Prayer and Worship Circles.
Exclusionary Separation of the women from the men is unheard of. But not - evidently
- for the Islamic/Muslim Faith.
According to the article as soon as Asra Nomani stepped across the
low barrier and knelt down she was accosted by a male. She was told she was not allowed
to pray there. Her place was back over the barrier with the rest of the women. Asra
stayed where she was. She did not move. A female elder tried to coax her back across
the barrier. Asra would not move. A man - according to the article - muttered that
she must be mentally ill. Asra still would not move. She was eventually cordoned
off - separated by a wide red ribbon - and the services began.
In the year 2005 this still happens? In Los Angeles of 2005 this
happens? I am not yet fully and completely Pagan. I amy never be fully and
completely Pagan. I still have - and carry within me - ‘aspects and elements’ of
my earlier ‘mainstream denominational’ history and background. Part of what I once
was I may always be. I am only recently come to the Circle. I sat in a hard,
wooden pew for many years. There was also - let’s be accurate and honest here - a long gap
of years since last I last sat in a hard wooden pew. But a pew is where once I sat.
And when I sat there I sat with family. I even remember - on occasion - a female friend
sat with me.
As the article suggests this is not how the Islam/Muslim Faith
always worked. But over the years since ‘Muhammad’ changes were made. This is a
pattern. Changes were made in all the Denominations and Faiths since their Development
and Inception. None of the Faiths and Denominations are as once they were. Sometimes
change is required - as has been noted in some of the practises and policies of
the Catholic Faith. So thus it is that the Islamic/Muslim Faith has been altered and
adapted from it’s initial inception. Men have made the changes. Men - seemingly -
always make the changes. Changes for Power, Prestige and Control. And now - as
Asra demonstrated so aptly - it is now a man’s - not nearly so much a woman’s or even
family’s - ‘religion’. It is a ‘religion’ of subservience, silence and seclusion
for the women and children.
Find the Article from the Times.
Read the Article from the Times.
It is well worth it.
You will learn.
You will question.
You may not understand.
I learned.
I questioned.
I did not understand.
Perhaps it’s the not understanding and questining that matters
most. This is what is happening in our world. This is what is happening in our cities
and towns. This is what is happening in our mosques - if we even have any
local mosques. We of MysticWitch are Pagan - more or less. We do not do
this. We do the Circle where all are welcome. We also do not confront or
condemn. We question. That we can do. We may not understand. That also we can
do. So do it. IF you do not understand - question. Seek answers and guidance. Do not
challenge or confront. We are Pagan. We don’t do that. We do
question, study and learn. We accept. We include - we do not exclude. We welcome - we do
not separate. We are the Circle.. In the Circle there are no corners and there are no
barriers. In the Circle - as we all have learned - All are One….
Welcome to the Circle…..
Here we are all Family……
Allahu Akbar {God is Great}
Blessings Be.
Original Article: ‘Breaching the Wall at Prayer’ -by- Teresa Watanabe
Monday - 6/27/2005
Page One - Column One
latimes.com/columnone
Litha’s Moon
Opening Call to the MysticWitch, LiveJournal, AwensBreath and
Witches Voice Readership(s):
Greetings!
Salutations!
Hail & Well Met!
Again we meet here in this ‘cybernetic space’ -
this ‘cybernetic place’….
We are again assembled here -
each in our own physical place & space -
each in our own time -
each in our own way -
we are the Writers, Contributors, Editors, Staff
and Visitors of, by and for MysticWitch;
LiveJournal;
AwensBreath;
and the Witches Voice….
Opening Invocations:
Paganus ‘facing’ East:
NightMother Moon - I Greet You.
NightMother Moon - Aspect of the Infinite Eternal ALL - You Bless Us.
DayFather Sun - I Greet You.
DayFather Sun - Aspect of the Infinite Eternal ALL - You Bless Us.
DayFather Sun - You who Lights Our Days and Energizes Our Lives -
You Bless Us.
NightMother Moon - You who Reflects the Sun into Our Dark Nights -
You Bless Us.
Element of Air - I Greet You.
Element of Air - Aspect of the ALL’s Creation - You Bless Us.
Guides and Guardians of the East - I Greet You.
Guides and Guardians of the East - You Bless Us.
We are Blessed.
Paganus ‘facing’ South:
Hawaiian Goddess of Fire Pele - I Greet You.
Hawaiian Goddess of Fire Pele - Aspect of the Infinite Eternal ALL
- You Bless Us.
Element of Fire - I Greet You.
Element of Fire - Aspect of the ALL’s Creation - You Bless Us.
Spirits of Fire - I Greet You.
Spirits of Fire - Aspects of the ALL’s Creation - You Bless Us.
Guides and Guardians of the South - I Greet You.
Guides and Guardians of the South - You Bless Us.
We are Blessed.
Paganus ‘facing’ West:
Sea Nymph Galatea and Sea Lord Triton - I Greet You.
Galatea and Triton - Aspects of the Infinite Eternal ALL - You
Bless Us.
Element of Water - I Greet You.
Element of Water - You Bless Us.
Spirits of Water - I Greet You.
Spirits of Water - Aspects of the ALL’s Creation - You Bless Us.
Guides and Guardians of the West - I Greet You.
Guides and Guardians of the West - You Bless Us.
We are Blessed.
Paganus ‘facing’ North:
Earth Mother Gaia {Nerthus of the Celtic and Norse} - I Greet You.
Earth Mother Gaia {Nerthus of the Celtic and Norse} - You Bless Us.
Element of Earth - I Greet you.
Element of Earth - Aspect of the ALL’s Creation - You Bless Us.
Spirits of the Earth - I Greet you.
Spirits of the Earth - Aspects of the ALL’s Creation - You Bless
Us.
Guides and Guardians of the North - I Greet You.
Guides and Guardians of the North - You Bless Us.
We are Blessed.
Paganus ‘facing’ Readership and ‘holding up’ a Twig of the Ancient,
Primal Tree:
Ancient, Primal Tree - I Greet You.
Ancient, Primal Tree - Ancient and Primal Celtic and Norse Symbol
of the Living,
Natural World - You Bless Us.
We are Blessed.
Paganus ‘facing’ Readership and ‘holding up’ a Cup of Water:
Water of and from the Ancient Celt’s and Norse’s Well - I Greet You.
Water of and From the Well - Ancient Celtic and Norse Symbol of
Health, Healing and WellBeing - You Bless Us.
We are Blessed.
Paganus ‘facing’ Readership and ‘holding up’ a Lighted Candle:
Fire of and from the Ancient Celt’s and Norse’s Cauldron - I Greet You.
Fire of and from the Cauldron - Ancient Celtic and Norse Symbol of
Wisdom, Love and Power {Physical and Spiritual Energies} - You Bless Us.
We are Blessed.
Paganus ‘faces’ the Readership with open, empty hands:
Akasha of the Spirit - I Greet You.
Akasha - Spoken ‘Word’ of the Infinite Eternal ALL - You Bless Us.
We Are Blessed.
Paganus ‘faces’ the Readership:
It’s been a mild and quiet week. Family is in - and back out -
and back in again. Doctor’s appointments, ‘tests’ at the hospital
for I’ve long since lost track of what, and other business.
The A/C service crew was here and worked their ‘magic’ as we now
have A/C again. I posted more articles to the Mistress at
MysticWitch.com and found my latest submissions posted to the site.
There have been no major family conflicts or confrontations.
Last night - as I returned from my indecisively productive
errands - I caught sight of the moon. It seemed almost full.
I got on in - had my late-hours ‘lunch’, read my newspapers and
then a couple of chapters in my Readings. It’s been a very quiet and mild week.
This is MidSummer. For the Ancients for whom Summer began on Beltane
this is the MidPoint. In the Realm of Symbols The “Holly” and “Oak” “Kings”
exchange places. The Sun is at it’s zenith {its highest point in the sky}
and the days are closely balanced between day and night.
It is a time of Symbols and Symbolism. It is a time of looking back at
the the start of the year and a looking forward to the rest of the year.
I was at home - late at night - and I could see the moon through
the small trees outside my window. For the Pagan’s - NightMother Moon was
shining down her reflected light of the Sun and keeping watch over us.
For this Paganus - it was a moment of quiet reflection and thought.
Changes are happening and being made. Options and choices and
alternatives are being studied and considered. This ’symbolic’ ‘MidSummer’ - for this
solitary studying and learning Paganus - is a moment of uncertainty and
changeable flux. I am not currently employed - though there are some options and
possibilities. Costs of ‘doing business’ are again rising making necessary some
immediate and direct changes to how some things are done around here. I thought of
all of this in the dark quiet of the night - then set it all aside for another
day….
What are those quiet, rustling and stirring noises outside my
window? Who or what is there? Puck - are you wandering past my window again?
Frodo - are you with him? Afterall - this ‘Lithe’ IS from the ‘Lord of
the Rings’ by Tolkien. It’s on the Hobbitt calendar. So which one of you is
scrunching about in the bushes out there? - or is it both you - again???
It looks to be another quiet and mild week. I have my own trip to
the Doctor - routine scheduled Dental-Hygienist visit. {Oh the joy’s of having to
leave my mouth open for an hour!….}. I might be checking back on a few ‘job
application possibilities’. {This is Paganus again. Any change in status with my
application?}. I might even get to work in a trip to the Camera Shop to find out if I
can get a ‘check-up’ for my Camera. It’s old and needs some servicing.
I might even have time to check my e-mail and post some articles to my
Editorial Mistress. Another week of hopfully nothing much…..
Paganus ‘very slowly turning clockwise’:
Lord and Lady -
DayFather Sun and NightMother Moon -
Hawaiian Goddess of Fire Pele -
Sea Nymph Galatea and Sea Lord Triton -
Earth Mother Gaia {Nerthus of the Ancient Celts and Norse} -
Ancient Tree of the Celts and Norse -
Ancient Water and Well of the Celts and Norse -
Ancient Fire and Cauldron of the Celts and Norse -
Elements of the Four Directions -
Guides and Guardians of the Four Directions -
Akasha of the Spirit -
Aspects of the Infinite Eternal ALL -
I thank You for Being Here and Blessing this ‘Working’.
You came in Peace - We are Blessed.
You came in Understanding - We are Blessed.
You came in Learning, Loving and Sharing - We Are Blessed.
We are Blessed.
DayFather Sun and NightMother Moon -
Aspects of the Infinite Eternal ALL -
IF it be Thy Will -
By Your Light -
Out of the Darkness of the Night -
Into the Light of the Day -
Yesterday into Today -
Today into Tomorrow -
Tomorrow into Infinite Eternity -
I - your humble Paganus - ask that -
No Harm Be Done -
By Thought -
By Desire -
By Word -
Or By Action -
Whether by Active Deliberate Intent or Accident -
Let No Harm Be Done -
By Anyone -
To Anyone -
Themselves Included -
For Any Reason.
Let - No - Harm - Be - Done!
So thus it was -
So thus it is -
So thus it be….
Let Us Always Remember to -
Be Careful and Cautious out there.
Stay Safe and Secure out there.
Let Our Lord & Lady {Or Deity/Divinity of Your Personal
Preference/Choice} -
Bless Us and Keep Us and Shine Their Light About Us and Give Us
Their Peace.
Let ur Guides and Guardians Serve, Preserve, Protect and Defend Us
All out there.
Such as it was - it was…
Such as it is - it is…
Such as it will be - it will be…
So Mote It Be.
Blessings Be.
Readings - Year Two: In the Beginning’s
I am a Reader.
I am a Writer.
To be a good Writer you need to be a good Reader.
To be a good Reader it helps if you are a good Writer.
They compliment and balance each other. The words that
you Read and the words that you Write - even if all you ever
regularly write is a weekly shopping list - share the same
basic source of inspiration. They are products of our
thoughts and inner personal mental realities. Reading is a
quiet solitary activity. So too - for this Paganus - is Writing.
But the inspiration for the Writing - and the Reading - is not
always quiet nor solitary. Inspiration can be a song you hear -
a comment overheard - or something you read on the ‘net or observe
in your daily mundanian life. Life happens. Inspiration happens.
You are both Writer and Reader.
I am now entering my Second Year of Readings. One of the books
I am Reading is “The Druid Renaissance” edited by Phillip Carr-Gomm.
Published in 1996 it is - as Mr. Carr-Gomm sates in his introduction -
“report-in-progress” on the re-birth of the Druidic ‘faith’. As has
been previously noted and reported there are no ‘authentic’ Druids today.
All of the re-born and re-constituted Druidic groups and organizations
are - in some fair degree of truth - ‘imitation’ Druids. The last
‘real’ and ‘authentic’ Druid - as so far as modern day research and
scholarship can account for and attest to - died well over a millennium ago.
What we have are their writings and their expectedly adulterated oral traditions.
Between the academic scholarship of the linguists and the textural researchers
and the in-field work of the archaeologists and anthropologists we have
what little information we have on the now long since vanished Druids.
Writings were left behind in the form of poetry and books of law.
There was even an alphabet - the Ogham alphabet - said to have been given
to the early British Isles inhabitants by Ogham. Save for scholars the alphabet
is unreadable and unrecognizable as an alphabet. It is in the form of lines that
form pictographic trees. It is - in its own way - reminiscent of the oriental alphabets
that are pictographic ideograms - each ideogram having several meanings depending upon its placement and use. The connection to the Primal Tree - as later Celtic and Norse ‘faiths’
considered and described it - is even more direct in that each Ogham ‘letter’ is a
pictographic representation of a tree. The ‘letters’ of the ‘alphabet’ do not just
resemble trees - they are the pictographic representations of trees.
Such was the depth and importance of the living, growing and long-lived tree for the
proto-historic indigenous ‘Britannic’ peoples. Trees were so vital and important to
them they became the basis of their form of writing. It was - in this way - that for
these people’s - Language was developed and preserved.
Languages - as with it’s relative Literatures - are the sources
and wellsprings of a culture’s cohesiveness and operative identity.
Language - as in the spoken oral tradition - is also a vitally critical part of a ‘religious’
‘order’s’ initiation, purification and dedication rituals, rites and ceremonies.
This can be seen across cultures from the ancient indigenous inhabitants
in what would be known as pre-historic ‘Ireland’ and ‘Britain’ as well as
here in the American West and SouthWest with the Native ‘American’ Tribes. For both
of these cultural groups - as well as others in the ancient pre-historic
pre-written world - it is the spoken oral tradition that carries forward the Lessons and
Sharings of the past. For both the Native ‘American’s’ and the Native ‘British’ - much
of this oral tradition was taught and learned in small, dark underground structures.
Here in the American West and SouthWest such structure are known as Sweat Lodges.
In some places they were also known as Kivas. Here the initiates were isolated from
the rest of the population and expected to learn - by rote memorization - the
chants, songs, and songlines of the culture. In the ancient ‘Irish’ culture - there
was no ‘Ireland’ even dreamed of yet - the Bard was expected to learn songs, physical
geography such as property markers and other ‘legal and social’ matters. It was said
to take up to twenty (20) years for this ‘learning and training’ to be complete for
what we consider the ancient Druids.
Along with the Druidic material I have been Reading I am also
Reading a very instructive and informative pamphlet/monograph published by the Peabody
Museum of Harvard University. This monograph is of the Navajo Creation Chants.
The texts and the chants they record speak from a vastly different understanding and
viewpoint of how the World was created. The ‘creation’ - as seen in these chant
texts - was not ‘created’ whole’ as it was taught Biblicly. It happened a far different
way though songs from ants, wolves, a coyote who stole the fire, the earth spirit,
the salt woman and many others. Here then - here in our own native country - by the
Navajo - is an excellent illustrative example of what pre-written oral traditions could
be and accomplish.
Being a Reader - as well as a Writer - means you need to be open to
Learning and Sharing from all possible sources. I like Libraries for in them I
can often find - If the collection has been properly maintained - very fascinating
books and monographs of ancient cultures and religions. Materials on Pagan’s and
Wiccan’s are not often as easy to find in some Libraries. But when you do find a Library
that stocks books and materials on Religions and Alternative Faiths you find the
books are well read and constantly in use. This means that you are not the only
Reader. You are but One among the Many. You are not Alone in your Readings. You may
never know any of the other Readers but you can - at least - know that there are
other Readers.
I am - your Paganus - one of the ‘other Readers’. I am also a Writer.
Writing as well as Reading need not be solitary. Cofeehouses - such as Starbucks - have
been mentioned to this Paganus as places where Writer’s Write. I have never done that
- though perhaps I might want to consider it….
This Paganus has been Doing his Readings for now a few days over a
Year. This marks - as well as anything can - the start of my “Studies". But
for me the Goddess came earlier. I just did not know who she was or why she
was speaking to me. I needed to go to Festival, shop at a favorite
“Historical Store” and Read and Write here on MysticWitch to start to find the answers to my
questions. Writing is how I Share what I have Learned. We are all Readers. We may
not be all Writers - save perhaps the shopping list - but we are all linked by our
societies and culture’s stories and histories. Read. Read of the Druids in
Europe. Read of the Native Americans. Read of Cultures and Society’s not your own. You
will be the better for it. You will also then have something to Share. Here on
www.MysticWitch.com is where you can do that…..
I’ll be here Writing and Sharing.
Will You be here Reading?…..
-) The Druid Renaissance: The Voice of Druidry Today
Edited by - Philip Carr-Gomm
© 1996 by Philip Carr-Gomm, Et Al….
Thorson’s - An Imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers
ISBN: 1-85538-480-9
Printed in Great Britian
Library Cataloguing - 299.16 DRU
from the Riverside City Library - Riverside, CA
=) Texts of the Navajo Creation Chants
Peabody Museum of Harvard University
No copyright found on monograph nor date of publication other
than a textural mention on ‘new recordings’ made in the fall of 1950. The Chants were
originally recorded by Dr. Harry Hoijer in 1929. They were evidently re-recorded
in 1950 by Dr. David P. McAllester, Research Associate of the Museum of Navajo
Ceremonial Art.
The texts are those collected and translated by Dr. Hoijer.
The pamphlet/monograph has an introduction by Mary C. Wheelwright.
Library Cataloguing - 299.72 NAV
from the Riverside City Library - Riverside, CA
Honouring the Badge
-An Instructional Sharing-
By Staff Writer: Paganus Greybeard
I was a good Officer. I did what I needed to do. I walked my job-sites,
drove my patrol beats, and wrote my reports. I never came close to a
physical encounter or confrontation. I had more heated encounters with my own
supervisors than I ever did with the public. As I explained in “Walking
the Line” much of the time there was no supervision of any significance. You were
- for all practical intents and purposes - your own supervisor. For some
Officers this could - and did lead - to some problems. The most frequent was
sleeping on the job. It’s 03:30 in the AM and nothing is happening. You sit in your
vehicle and rest your feet. Next thing you know it’s 45 minutes later and -
blessing’s be - it’s still quiet. I know. I’ve done it. So you get up - and do
another ‘walk-about’. It’s just what you do. Have you ‘dishonoured’ the Badge?
No. I have even ’salvaged’ some ‘materials’ from the trash at sites.
Theft? No. Salvage. It was in the trash or headed for the trash.
Is even this ‘dishonouring’ the Badge? No.
Neither of these is ‘dishonouring’ the Badge.
I ‘honoured’ my Badges. I worked, I walked, I wrote. Ok. So I had the occasional
darkhours nap and I kept a watch on the trash - I was still a good Officer.
I still am. As I have said - it is the attitude that matters not the employment status.
So since I am not employed as a ‘watchman’ - what badge am I still honouring?
Here. I’ll ’show’ you…..
This is my Pentacle. This is my Celtic Shield/Cross. I wear both.
I wear the Pentacle in honour of the Lord & Lady and the Goddess Earth
Mother. I wear the Celtic Shield/Cross because I honour the Creator.
As I have said before - many times in many places - it’s all the same Deity/Divinity.
The ALL has an infinity of names for an infinity of believers following
an infinity of ‘religions’ and ‘faiths’. The ALL is truly Infinite.
It is that Infinity that I honour. It is that Infinity that I
’serve’….
My ’service’ is limited - at this present time - to these humble and inadequate
words I write for the MysticWitch and Live Journal Readerships. Since
these articles - once I get them written and posted - go to both MysticWitch.com
and LiveJournal.com I have a very modest Readership. But it is for this
Readership - no matter how small - that I write and ‘perform’ my ’service’.
Other’s have a far more active service. Mz. RavenFyre ran a small
shop on the weekends. That’s very open and obvious service to the Lord & Lady.
Tirgana does Pagan Festivals. I do Renaissance Re-Enactment Festivals.
Aislinne Unne is a new mother. Agate is a student in College and a
writer of long reports in a favorite local coffee-house. We all do our service in our
own ways. How many wear the Pentacle? I cannot say. How many also wear a Celtic
Shield/Cross? I do not know. I wear both because I am the Paganus and I am slightly
strange and weird anyway…..
My ‘badge’ may no longer be for a “Security” Company. I may no
longer walk a post or patrol a beat. But I am still ‘in-service’. It’s just that I
have a new and more important ‘employer’. I have to be more aware of myself
now. I don’t just represent a private industry anymore - I represent the Lord
and Lady. I represent the ALL.
It is because I now ‘represent’ the ALL that wearing any of my
previous ‘badges’ no longer feels quite right. The ‘badge is meant to symbolize and
instantly represent Truth, Justice, Honour, Ethics and something that once was called ‘The
American Way….’. I am not certain any of these apply anymore. In a very real
way I am not certain of those even exist anymore….
Justice? What is that when a “Celebrity” is found “Not Guilty of
All Charges". Children are Sacred and are to be held Inviolate. Even so much as the
appearance of misuse and abuse - social and well as sexual - is abhorrent and
repellant. Whether or not the “Celebrity” ever did fondle the genitals of young
boys is moot after the verdict. The Children were Violated anyway. Children
are the Blessed Hope for the Future. Don’t ever even think of misusing or
abusing them. They are Sacred. You do not Violate any of your ‘religious’
’sacraments’ do you?
Do not violate the Children.
The two top officials of Tyco were indicted and they were found
“Guilty". The Lady ‘Justice’ is depicted as blind but is she off-balance and
confused? She missed the obvious in the matter of the “Celebrity” and yet ‘rings
the hammer down’ on the two Tyco Corporation executives.
Ethics is also in severe doubt with Bell-South’s Chief Executive rigging
the accounts. Ethics are seemingly utterly ascent for this corporate executive.
IF and when he is found “Guilty” Justice may gain back a miniscule bit
of the lustre she once had.
Truth? What is Truth? We - as a Nation - were told in early 2002
that our Government was not actively planning upon and considering military
action in Afghanistan and Iraq. Then - earlier this year - comes the “Downing Street memo".
Truth? From this Presidential Administration? Honour no longer lives here.
Does “Abu Ghirab” mean anything to the Readership? There is no Honour
in this ‘war’. There never has been. There is the newly ‘revealed’ matter of the
Interior Department’s ‘Guidelines for Cattle Grazing’. Sincere and accurate
scientific analysis and conclusions were blatantly re-written to fit the prevailing
political climate. The report was re-written and there are no apologies for the re-writing.
What kind of ‘Ethics’ is it when science has to conform to ‘political’
‘reality’? Where is there - in any of that - Honour? Where is there - in any of
that - Respect? Dignity?
What then of this mythical “….American Way…"?
It’s a Myth. It’s good in stories for children and fictional comic
book characters. In street-level reality it’s meaningless. It’s actually
even worse than that. It ‘wraps in the flag’ Injustice, Abscenece of Ethics,
DisHonour, DisRespect, and total lack of Truth.
Here then is why I cannot easily wear again any of my previous
badges. I know I am being boldly heretical here. This is “Politically
InCorrect” heresy of the worst kind. I will not wear the ‘badges’ of Honour when there is
no Honour. I will not wear a ‘badges’ of Justice when there is no Justice. I
simply cannot and will not do it. The ‘badges’ represent and symbolize something that no
longer - save perhaps only for this Solitary Paganus - exists. The “…American
Way…". It used to mean something. Perhaps to this Paganus it still does…
I wear the Pentacle. I wear the Celtic Shield/Cross. I no longer
wear the ‘badges’ of ‘my’ ‘homeland nation’. Wearing them would be -
for this Paganus - the ultimate act of dishonour and disrespect.
I will wear the Pentacle. I can and will wear the symbol of the
Earth, the Water, the Air, the Fire and the Spirit. That I can wear.
That I will wear. There is no “politics” in that. I can also wear the
Celtic Shield/Cross. There is no dishonour or disrepect there.
In fact - there is a great measure of respect and honour in wearing the
symbol of the ‘ancient’ Celts. Violent and Brutal - by our current day
standards they may well have been - but in their own ‘primitive’ way they had
Honour. They had Justice. They had Ethics. They had Dignity and Respect.
They had their own “…Celtic Way….". Perhaps it may be time to
return to some of these ‘ancient’ and ‘primitive’ ways.
I am not ‘Civilized’. I am becoming more ‘Pagan’ by the day. I
believe in Honour, Ethics, Dignity, Respect, Truth, Justice and something
mythological called “…the American Way…". Perhaps I am just out-of-date and should be
set aside on shelf somewhere with the other ‘ancient’ ‘historical’ artifacts.
I said it before and I will say it again here -
“Go hug a tree. The tree will understand. You will will too - later….".
I know I understand….
Do you?
Will you?
From Far Beyond
By Staff Writer: Paganus Greybeard
Paganus ‘turns’ and ‘faces’ the Readership:
We are Mortal. We are not Gods, Guides, Guardians, Elements or Spirits.
We are humble Mortals made from the clay, twigs and water of the Ground.
Made from the Ground we live through the ‘Breath of Life’ from the Gods.
We Mortals are not Gods. We are the created Children of the Gods.
Creation ‘Myths’ abound. There are many tellings and re-tellings of
our Creations and Development. The Navajo - through their Chants -
see the story starting with the marching upward from the lowest of
realms of the Red Ants. We Mortals came along much later. In certain Hindu
mythologies we are the product of a dreamer. All we see and know is but
a dream of some unknown dreamer. And even that dreamer might be but a
dream of yet another dreamer. In the Judeo/Christian ‘faith’ we Mortals were
‘Created’ by the “Hand and Word of God".
From whatever ‘original’ source is selected one thing is clear -
We Mortals were Created and Developed and Owe all that We have to
the ALL - one of the many multitudinous names of the Original Primal
Creator Being. The ALL is God. God is the ALL. They are the same
Deity. Just different names. The Judeo/Christians see God as an
Outsider who steps into our mortal lives. Pagans, Wiccans and even
Druids - so far as I can determine from my Readings and my Understanding
of those Readings - see the ALL not as an Outsider but as part of us.
In the Judeo/Christian version we were Created and send on our way
with God as an Benevolent Overseer keeping watch over us.
Pagans - including Wiccans and Druids - see the Creation somewhat differently.
Pagans see the ALL and the Creation as a single event/entity.
For them - and this may be a bit of a difficult mental image - the
Creator and the Created are identical - they are the Same.
Yet again - the Navajo tell yet a third version of this with Creation
stemming from the Red Ants marching upwards from the Lowest Realm.
Are we but a Dream of a Dreamer dreamed by a Dreamer dreamed by a
Dreamer dreamed by a Dreamer into the far mists of eternal infinity?
Paganus ‘holds up’ a mirror:
Are we but a Dream dreamed by an infinite series of Dreamers?
Perhaps.
Paganus ‘holds up’ a picture of Red Ants - marching:
Did our Creation begin with Red Ants marching upward through other
realms till they reached this realm?
Possibly.
Paganus ‘holds up’ a photo of the Sistine Chapel fresco of the the
Hand of God reached out towards the Hand of Man:
Were we - and all We see and know - ‘Created’ by the ‘Hand & Word of God’?
Could be.
All of these scenarios are possible. And oddly enough - both the
the Navajo and the ‘Hand & Word of God’ versions are supported by Genesis.
Paganus ‘holds up’ a Bible:
In Genesis we read that -
“….a Flood used to rise out of the Earth and water all the
surface of the Ground…."(1)
In the Navajo Chants there is a “Song of the Flood” that says - in
part:
“….the waters that extend upwards; I came up with them;
when my spiritual power was strong; I came up with them;
when it was holy; I came up with them."(2)
We are all Children of the ALL.
We all ‘worship’ the same Deity/Divinity.
There is even some indirect evidence of that in the Introduction to
the ‘New English Bible’. In that Introduction we read of how the many
varied and variant versions of the Bible came down through the generations to
us. It was translated into many languages. According to that Introduction -
“….As the knowledge of Hebrew died out amoungst the Jews, the readings
of the Scriptures in the Synagogue had to be followed by a translation of the
passages into Aramaic, the language which had supplanted Hebrew. Such renderings,
known as Targums (Aramaic targum ‘translation’), tended to become traditional and
streotyped and finally were written down. Some of them contain pre-Christian material…."(3)
This is very consistent with anthropological and archeological
analysis and record. For thousands of years the ‘Word of God’ was literally that -
the Spoken Word. Nothing was written down. Only many thousands of
years later - not just hundreds but thousands of years later - were these ‘Holy
Sacraments’ written down. They were learned by rote from one generation to another.
This is the same pattern the Ancient Druids followed. Little - if any - of the ‘original’
Druids remain. What little does remain is from the writings of the newly arrived
Christians and with them their scribes.
“In the Beginning was the Word - and the Word was God….”
Just how different - and differing - are the Myths of Creation?
When we consider that in all of the ’sources’ examined here all of the Myths
were orignally oral traditions and that the writing down of them came later -
hundreds if not thousands of years later - and that there are striking
similarities in the texts - we are left with the not so suprizing
inevitable conclusion that there may not be any real difference. Any differences
may be only differences in viewpoint and interpretation. And that may mean
that there is no real difference at all….
Paganus ‘holds up’ a ‘bowl’ of Water:
This is Water.
Paganus ‘holds up’ a ‘handful’ of Earth:
This is Earth.
Paganus ‘holds up’ a Lighted Candle’:
This is Fire.
Paganus ‘holds up’ empty hands:
This is Air.
This is also Spirit.
Five elements.
Elements of Creation from which we - and that was Created - Was
Created.
Paganus ‘turns slowly’ in a ‘clockwise circle’:
Four Directions -
East of the Dawn and the Day.
West of the Evening and the Night.
South and North to keep the Balance.
‘Spirit’ to connect and hold Everything together.
Paganus again ‘faces’ the Readership and ‘holds up’ a Pentacle:
Five Elements.
Five Directions.
It’s the Pentacle.
It’s your Key to the Kingdom.
It’s your Seal of Authority.
It is not an ‘evil’ symbol.
It is the symbolic represetation of Earth, Air, Fire, Water and
Spirit.
There is no ‘evil’ there.
There is Life and Healing there.
Paganus ‘holds up’ a Celtic Shield/Cross:
This is the Celtic Shield.
It is also known as the Celtic Cross.
It represents the Four Directions - East, West, South, North.
It also represents Spirit that is in and with us always.
Two symbols.
One Pagan.
One Celtic and Early Christian.
Two symbols.
One Speaks -
Both Speak.
One speaks of the ‘elder gods’ and their ways of Life and Healing.
One speaks of the ’sacrificed god’ and Salvation and Redemption.
Both speak.
Do we listen?
Do we hear?
I wear both.
I listen - as best this Paganus can.
I hear - as best this Paganus can.
Do you?
What do you listen to?
What do you hear?
I do both beacause for this Paganus there is No Difference. They
speak in different way of the same thing. Mortal Cultures and Histories may
be different. The message is not different. the messages have never
really been different. They only appeared to be differetn because of CUltural and
Sociological ‘differences’. There is only one (1) message….
Hug a tree. The Tree will understand. In time - so will you..
Closing Invocations and Benediction
By Staff Writer: Paganus Greybeard
Closing Invocations:
Paganus ‘facing’ East:
SkyFather Sun -
NightMother Moon -
Aspects of the Infinite, Eternal ALL -
We thank You for blessing Us with Your presence during this
‘Working’.
Blessings Be.
Paganus ‘facing’ South:
Lord and Lady -
Consort and Companion -
Aspects of the Eternal, Infinite ALL -
We thank You for blessing Us with Your presence during this
‘Working’.
Blessings Be.
Paganus ‘facing’ West:
Blessings Be.
Paganus ‘facing’ North:
Akasha of the Spirit -
Spiritus Sanctus Aspect of the ALL -
You - who are the ‘Voice of the ALL’ -
We thank You for Blessing this ‘Working’ with Your Presence.
Blessings Be.
Paganus ’slowly turning in a clockwise circle’:
Elements of the Five Directions -
Aspects of the ALL -
Air of the East -
Fire of the South -
Water of the West -
Earth of the North -
Akasha of the Spirit -
You came in Peace, Understanding, Learning, Loving and Sharing.
Air of the East We thank You for Your offering of Inspiration and
Understanding.
With Your help this ‘Working’ was written and ‘worked’ and the
intent and desired result of this ‘Working’ was accomplished.
Fire of the South We thank You for Your offering of Energy and
Power. This ‘Working’ was worked and with Your help We might just
make it through these times of ‘testing’, changes, and opportunities.
This is a time of stress for Us all.
We thank You for Your Power and Energy to help Us through these times.
Water of the West Your offering of Coolness and Healing is greatly
appreciated. The hot days of Summer are a bit easier to survive and endure
with Your help. Your healing ‘washing away’ of Our hurts and troubles is also greatly
appreciated. Earth of the North we thank You for Your offering of Guidance and
Direction.
Akasha of the Spirit We thank You also for Your offering of Direction and Guidance.
Blessings Be.
Paganus ‘facing’ North:
Earth Mother Gaia -
Aspect of the ALL -
We thank You for this world upon which We live.
Ancient Tree of the Celts and Norse -
Aspect of the ALL
We thank You for the plants and greenery of this little blue world.
And the apples are still good….
Ancient Element of Fire of the Celts and Norse -
We thank You for all the gifts and benefits Fire has brought humanity.
Fire is Our friend - it can - as can all the elements - be also Our enemy.
Fire can cook our meals and warm Our hearths.
Fire can also burn Our forrests, grasslands and homes.
Ancient Element of Water of the Celts and Norse -
We thank You for all the gifts and benefits Water has brought humanity.
Water is Our friend - it can - as can all the elements - be also Our enemy.
Water can fill Our lakes, rivers and water storage reservoirs.
Water can also flood Our cities and homes and let slide Our homes off the
hillsides in which they so perilously perch.
Ancient Element of Air -
Without You We could not breathe -
We would have nothing to breathe -
We thank You for Your gift of the ‘Breath of Life’.
Air is Our friend - it can - as can all the elements - be also Our enemy.
Air gives us the ‘Breath of Life’.
Air can also - in great storms - blow down Our cities and homes.
Ancient Element of Earth -
Without You We have no ground upon which to live.
Earth is Our friend - it can - as can all the elements - be also Our enemy.
Earth gives us Our ground to live upon.
Earth also takes away that ground in slides and earthquakes.
Fire and Water -
Ancient Elements of the Celts and Norse -
Fire and Water -
Air and Earth -
Ancient Primal Elements of the ALL -
You are seen as both Friend and Enemy to humanity.
You are neither Friend Nor Enemy to humanity.
You are Basic, Primal Elements.
So very often We forget that.
You never let us forget We are but humble mortals upon this lovely little blue
world.
We thank You for Your offerings, lessons, reminders and teachings.
We thank You for Blessing this ‘Working’.
DayFather Sun -
NightMother Moon -
Lord and Lady -
Sea Nymph Galatea -
Earth -
Air -
Fire -
Water -
Akasha of the Spirit -
Tree of the Ancients -
Earth Mother Gaia -
All of You who have Blessed Us during this ‘Working’ -
I know not how to ‘release you’.
How can I release Elements and Aspects of the ALL -
when, as I have Read and Studied -
Learned and Shared -
You are always here with Us at all times anyway?
How do I say -
with a straight face and not giggling in My nicely trimmed up beard
“…thanks for coming by and carry on!…” -
when You are still going to be here with Us at all times?
Perhaps this Paganus does not quite yet completely ‘get it’.
Or perhaps this Paganus Does ‘get it’ - in My own humble way…..
Closing Open Benediction to the Mystic Witch Readership:
We who are gathered together here as MysticWitch -
We who are Writers and Editors -
We who are Readers and Occasional Contributors -
We who think, write and work for MysticWitch -
In All the Names of the ALL -
In the Names of All of the Aspects of the ALL -
In All the Names of the DayFather Sun -
In All the Names of the NightMother Moon -
In All the Names of the Directions and Elements -
May Akasha of the Spirit -
the ‘Living Ethereal Embodiment of the Spoken Word of the ALL’ -
be with Us always.
May All of the Aspects of the ALL be with Us Always.
May the Ancient Tree of the Celts and Norse stand silently beside
Us always.
May the Ancient Well - Source of the Water’s of Healing and Life -
never run dry.
May the Ancient Cauldron - Source of Fire’s Energy and Power and
Warmth in the Cold Days of the Winter - never go cold.
May the ALL - in All It’s Aspects - be with Us always.
We came in Love, Learning, Peace, Sharing and Understanding.
May We now conclude this ‘Working’ with Love, Learning, Peace,
Sharing and Understanding.
Go now in Love for Your fellow inhabits of this tiny blue world…
Love Your friends and Your ‘lover’s - if you have any.
Love your cat’s and dogs.
Yes - love even - IF you can - Your neighbor….
Go now in Learning - and Learn something….
Keep Your mind alive.
Keep it growing and seeking and searching.
Yahoo, Ask.com, Mamma and Google are not the only search tools.
Use also the one between Your ears….
Go now in Peace - and help to keep the Peace…
Do not start the Fight - IF there is a Fight - but do not be afraid - IF needed - to finish it….
Go now in Understanding that We need not all be of the same ‘faith’ or ‘belief’.
It it all the same to the ALL. Whether We be Pagan, Protestant, Druid,
Catholic, Jewish, Taoist, Shinto, Shaman, Wiccan, Chaotic, BardicMagus or even
“Eclectic Whatever….” - we are all ‘family’.
We are All of Us Children of the ALL…
Go now in Sharing - and take these humble and inadequate words with You.
For it is in the Sharing that We are Mystic Witch….
Remember always -
Be Careful & Cautious out there….
Stay Safe and Secure out there….
Let Your Guides and Guardians Serve, Preserve, Protect & Defend
You out there….
Let the Lord and Lady - {or personal preference Deity & Divinity
of Your choice} -
Bless You and Keep You -
May Their Lights Shine forever about You -
and give you their Peace until next We meet here for another
‘Working’….
So thus it was -
So thus it is -
So thus it be….
So Mote It Be…
Blessings Be.
Opening Open Call to the Mystic Witch Readership
By Staff Writer: Paganus Greybeard
Come One -
Come All -
Gather Here -
Gather ‘Round -
You are Invited Here -
You are Welcomed Here -
In this ‘Cybernetic Place -
In this ‘Cybernetic Space -
Here at our CRT’s -
Each at our own time -
Each in our own physical place and space -
We are once again united -
Each on our own separate path -
United in our Direction and Goal -
Collected together here -
United and Solitary -
Writers and Editors -
Contributors and Visitors -
we are together in this Space -
Mystic Witch…..
Opening Invocations:
Paganus ‘facing’ East:
DayFather Sun -
NightMother Moon -
Aspects of the Eternal, Infinite ALL -
I Honour and Greet You.
Sun of the Day -
Moon of the Night -
I Honour and Greet You.
Sun of the Day who brings Light and Energy and Life to this little
blue world -
You are Welcomed Here.
Moon of the Night who brings the Reflected Light of the Sun into
our dark nights -
You are Welcomed Here.
Paganus ‘facing’ South:
Lord and Lady -
Aspects of the Eternal, Infinite ALL -
I Honour and Greet You.
Lord -
Consort of the Lady -
and Original Image of Male Humanity -
You are Welcomed Here.
Lady -
Companion to the Lord -
and Original Image of Female Humanity -
You are Welcomed Here.
Paganus ‘facing’ West:
Blessings Be.
Paganus ‘facing’ North:
Akasha -
Spiritus Sanctus Aspect of the ALL -
I Honour and Greet You.
Akasha -
who brings the ALL into all our lives, faiths, beliefs and
‘religions’ -
be it - Pagan, Wiccan, Druid, Chaotic, Catholic, Taoist,
Protestant,
Baptist, Hindu, Jewish, Lutheran, Shinto, {…>>>…>>>…}, or
even humble
Undecided Eclectic -
You are Welcomed Here.
Akasha -
You who - in other faiths -
carry other names such as ‘Holy Ghost’, ‘Holy Spirit’, ‘Espiritus
Sancti’ are Sacred to all of Humanity. For without the ‘Word’ there would have
been no World. When in the Beginning - When the All - the Original Primal
Creator Being - reaches forth across the Heavenly Cosmos and Creation
was Created You were the ‘Word’ by which it was done.
You are the ‘Voice of the ALL’.
You are Honoured and Welcomed Here.
Paganus ‘holding up’ a ‘Cup of Water’:
Water -
Element of Life -
Element of Wisdom from the Wellsprings of the Earth Mother -
You are Honoured and Welcomed Here.
Water -
for whom there Would Not and Could Not be any life here on this
little blue world -
You are Honoured here.
Water -
from which all life arose -
We who live upon this little blue world Would Not and Could Not be
here without You.
You are Honoured and Welcomed Here.
Paganus ‘holding up’ a ‘Handful of Earth’:
Earth -
Element of the Very Ground upon which we walk and live -
and the Sacred ‘Flesh’ and ‘Bones’ of the Earth Mother -
You are Honoured and Welcomed here.
Earth -
in and upon which we grow our foods and build our homes -
we would have no place to live without you.
You are Honoured and Welcomed Here.
As has been said -
Let now the rocks and stones themselves begin to sing….
Paganus ‘holding up’ a twig from the Original Primal Tree
{”Yggsradsill“}
Tree -
Element & Representative of all that is Green & Plant upon this
little blue world -
You are Honoured and Welcomed Here.
Tree - {I cannot pronouce your Celtic/Norse name} -
You stand forever tall and majesticly proud.
You offer shade and fruits.
You are home to birds and other small creatures.
You are wood for our fires and lumber for our homes and furniture.
You are Tree - an Old and Very Dear Friend.
You who in the ancient Celtic and Norse traditions connected the
Depths to the Heights of the Heavens -
Who connects the Nine Realms -
Who is the Axis of the Universe -
Be Welcomed Here.
You are very much Welcomed Here.
And thanks for the apples - they tasted good today….
Paganus again ‘facing’ East:
Good Morning and Greetings!
DayFather Sun And NightMother Moon I Greet You!
Sun of the Day and Moon of the Night I Greet You!
Element of Air I Honour and Greet you!
Greetings Guides and Guardians of the East!
Spirits of the Air -
Who come on the Winds and Wings of Understanding -
Forever Inquisitive and Curious -
Awaken our Intuition and Intellect so We may Comprehend and
Understand so that We may Share this Learning with Others so
that they too may Comprehend and Understand.
Be Welcome!
Blessings Be!
Paganus again ‘facing’ South:
Good Morning and Salutations!
Hawaiian Goddess of Fire Pele I Honour and Greet You!
Element of Fire I Greet & Honour You!
Greetings Guides and Guardians of the South!
Spirits of Fire who come to warm our hearths and hearts -
who Illuminate and Light our Lives -
who Heal our Physical wounds and Emotional and Psychic sorrows -
who Make us strong -
Aid us as we give honour and respect
to those of us who have ‘traveled onward’.
Bring us warmth - but not so much as we cook ourselves….
Be Welcome!
Blessings Be!
Paganus facing West:
Good Morning & Merry Meet!
Sea Nymph Galatea I Honour and Greet You!
Element of Water I Greet & Honour You!
Greetings Guides and Guardians of the West!
Spirits of Water who come to cool us down on days of heat -
who come to wash away the negative, hurtful and damaging -
who softly and gently salve our wounds and hurts -
who bring us cooling in these days of summer.
Be Welcome!
Blessings Be!
Paganus facing North:
Good Morning & Hail & Well Met!
Earth Mother Gaia I Honour and Greet you!
Element of Earth I Greet & Honour you!
Greetings Guides and Guardians of the North!
Spirits of Earth who dwell within this planet -
Friends of Humankind - Seen and Unseen -
Sons and Daughter’s of Earth Mother Gaia -
who support and uphold us -
who nurture and sustain the flowers and trees,
who watch out for and protect us mortals all -
Be Welcomed here.
Blessings Be.
Paganus Very Slowly turning Clockwise:
Lord and Lady -
Aspects of the ALL -
Who was here before Anything & Everything -
Who will still be here after Everything and Anything is long gone -
IF it be Thy Will -
Bless this ‘Working’ with your presence -
Elements of the Five Directions -
Air of the East -
Fire of the South -
Water of the West -
Earth of the North -
Akasha of the Spirit -
Come in Peace.
Come in Understanding.
Come in Learning, Loving and Sharing.
Air of the East I ask for your offering of Inspiration and
Understanding.
Fire of the South I ask for your offering of Energy and Power -
to get this ‘Working’ worked - and to just get successfully,
safely,
sanely and sensibly through this time of ‘testing’, changes and
opportunities.
Water of the West I ask for your offering of coolness so all of us
here collected as MysticWitch stay cool and not suffer from
Summer’s Heat.
Earth of the North I ask for your offering of Wisdom and
Comprehension.
I am but your humble Paganus. I am new to all of this. My First
Year of Readings is over. It is time for me - IF it be Your will
that it be done - to grow and develop to the next level. I ask for your
Guidance and Direction. I ask for the Right Questions and the
Understanding of the Answers to those Questions.
Akasha of the Spirit I ask for your offering of Guidance and
Direction.
Guide and Direct this humble, mortal Paganus. If there are
properly appropriate opportunities opening up for me - point me in the right
direction so I do not miss them. Let me be able to at least
consider acting upon these appropriate opportunities. IF it be of Thy Will
- and the will of the ALL - give me the skills and abilities to
‘earn’ the monies to act upon any of these possible appropriate
opportunities.
{14 hours per night for four days a week of walking a “Foot Patrol”
at an RV Dealership may not be entirely appropriate…..}.
I ask also that for any of the Readership of MysticWitch.com that
they too be able to make good and proper and appropriate use of any proper
and appropriate changes and opportunities.
Akasha - Let your offering of Guidance and Direction be for all and
everyone…..
Paganus takes ‘atheme’ and ‘faces’ East:
DayFather Sun -
NightMother Moon -
Aspects of the All -
IF it be Thy will -
By Your Light -
Original by Day and Reflected at Night -
Out of the Darkness of the Night -
Out of the Depths of Dark Fury and Anger -
Out of the Despair of Emptiness and Loss -
From Yesterday into Today -
Today into Tomorrow -
Tomorrow into Infinite Eternity -
I - Paganus - ask that IF it be by Thy Will -
May no harm be done this day.
No harm by thought, by word or by deed -
Whether by active intent or accident -
Let No Harm Be Done -
By Anyone -
To Anyone -
Themselves included -
For Any Reason.
Let - No - Harm - Be - Done!
DayFather Sun -
NightMother Moon -
Aspects of the Infinite, Eternal ALL -
I thank you….
Walking the Line: An Instructional Sharing
By Staff Writer: Paganus Greybeard
Serve. Preserve. Protect. Defend. Four simple words. Four simple, basic
words. These are the words that Police & Fire, Medic’s and Surgeon’s,
Soldier’s, Sailor’s, Marine’s and Pilot’s know very well. They are also
words that a certain segment of Private Industry lives by - those of the
Public Safety, Private Security and Loss Prevention Officer’s. I was
once Private Security. Legally, in a way, I still am and always will be.
I am Licensed by the State of California. I am legal to work as a
Security Officer in the State of California. I carry what is known as my
“Guard Card". It is not all that easy to obtain. You need to take - and
successfully pass - a first segment of 40 hours of instruction - then
later another 40 hours of instruction. I have more than that. I have
nearly 120 hours of instruction. I have been working Security for nearly
five (5) years. I do not work Security anymore. But that is always open
to change. I still have and carry my “Guard Card". I just got my renewal
today.
While it is in doubt as to whether I will ever work Security again - I
will always consider myself a ‘Security Officer’. It is my inner
attitude that is important - not my status of employment. While not
being currently and actively employed as an ‘Officer’ means I do not
wear the ‘badge’ and carry the ‘equipment’ it does not effect my
attitude and behaviour. I still walk by fenced lots and visually check
the gates. I walk in the store and scan the aisles, shelves, counters
and check-outs. I walk into my ‘bank’ and do a fast check of who is in
there and where they are. I walk into the Library and do the same thing
- see who is there and where they are.
That is just your very basic ’situational awareness’. I carry my
c-phone with me. I carry my notebook and camera with me - but this may
be more of a hold-over from my newspaper days as much as it is from
anything related to Security. Some things become some so ‘automatic’
that you often do not even consciously think of them anymore - you just
do them. That is what your training is for. Training takes time.
Learning what that training is teaching you takes time. Even after my
hours and weeks of training when I was first sent out to a post - I was
nervous and unsure of myself. I was trained - but I was not yet skilled.
That took time. That took work. That took effort to read beyond what was
expected by the Classroom, Instructor and the State regulations.
I went beyond all of that. I knew I had to. I knew that at that point -
on a post and by myself - I had to do everything else myself. I read
books and magazines. I bought copies of the legal codes. I bought some
‘equipment’ and learned - as best I could - how to use it. I was new to
the job - but I was learning fast. One of the things I learned right at
the beginning was that your “Field Supervisors” are - in very large
measure - worthless. They drive the company vehicle and show up for a
few minutes each shift to make sure you are still awake, functional and
alive. They may bring information out to you at the job-site - but this
is rare. They basicly spend their shifts driving from post to post and
knowing none of them. I made sure I learned my posts very, very quickly.
Because even if it was a new post to me - I knew I might have to explain
it to the “Supervisor".
As absurd as that sounds - it did happen. “Supervisors” rarely - if ever
- took the time to do any of that. They simply - as far as I was able to
determine - did not care. Serve. Preserve. Protect. Defend. Let’s look
once more at these four words. There is another group of workers for
whom these words apply. To what Readership is this Article written?
Yes…… The Clergy and Church. Priests. Pastors. Fathers. Friars.
Bishops. Cardinals. The “Men/Women of the Cloth". But wait - this
Article is for MysticWitch.com - not for “Mainstream Denominational’s
Today". Mystic Witch. Mystics. Witches. Pagans. Druids. Chaotics? Along
with the occasional “Eclectic Solitary BardicMagus-in-Training". Yea -
Verily. Your humble Paganus Greybeard. The former(?) ‘Security Officer’.
My ‘badge’ is now my pentacle and my celtic shield/cross. Unless again
employed to walk the night I need none other. Now - in some strange way
- more than at any other time - those four words have an added depth of
meaning. Let us begin with Service. On one of my very first nights
employed as an ‘Officer’ I had a situation to deal with. I found a young
woman walking across my job-site. She was in a terrible emotional state.
She was - it was obvious - ‘running away from home’. I met up with her.
She saw the uniform - I doubt very much if she ever really saw me - and
seemed relieved. Something had gone very wrong at home and she was
‘getting out’. I walked with her across my job site. I did not do much of anything at
all. I simply walked with her and listened to her story. I was providing
Service.
Let us continue with Preserving. I have often been the
‘Officer’ to be called in to work a shift. I am Reliable. I am
Dependable. I know the job-site and can get the work done. I Preserve
both the “Company’s’ and the ‘Client’s’ Peace 0f Mind. In one of my
job-sites a small - and not frequently mentioned - part of the duties
was to protect and preserve the natural landscape. It was an underground
water and service conduit construction site. The job-site was actually
leased from a farmer. It was part of the contract of the ‘Client’ that
the land - as much as would be possible - be returned to it’s ‘original’
pre-project condition.
We come now to Protecting. I did this on many of
my job-sites simply by being there. One night in particular I was
effective in deterring a possible, potential ‘threat’ to the ‘clients’
property and business. It was a vehicle repair and service facility. It
also served as a ‘lock-up’ yard for those vehicles being worked on. One
night as I was doing my ‘walk-abouts’ I heard a noise.
A noise I was primed to listen for. I had an intruder attempting to
climb the fence. I moved quickly - and not at all quietly - and shone my
flashlight in the intruder’s direction. A fast scramble and running feet
were heard. I also hustled. We were located near a major freeway - in
fact the back side of the job-site backed-up to the railway which was
next to the freeway. I reached the far back corner of the job-site in
time to see a dark SUV hurriedly drive away. I stopped - caught my
breath - and did a quick site survey and inspection. Nothing was
disturbed or damaged since my last ‘walk-about’ less than an hour
previous. All was - again - quiet and ‘code-4′.
We come now to Defending. While I have not been directly involved in any open conflicts
this is a daily part of the Armed Services duties. They go ‘…in harm’s
way…’ so that we do not have to. So does the County Sheriff and the
local City Police. This is how those four words apply to the Uniformed
Military and Civilian Emergency Services as well as Private and
Industrial Protective Security. But as the Paganus I see these words in
my life even if I am not wearing the ‘badge’ and earning a paycheck.
For me - your “Eclectic Solitary BardicMagus-in-Training” - these four
words still do apply. We start again with Service. Without even knowing
it at the time I was providing Service to that lost and distraught young
woman as I walked with her across my job-site. I was not yet aware of
the Lord and Lady and the Earth Mother as part of my Life. But I was
doing what needed to be done anyway. Now that I do not carry any ‘badge’
how I Serve? I am doing that now - as I Write these words you will soon
be Reading. I Write the ‘Workings’ that occasionally appear here. I
occasionally even ‘work’ the ‘Working’. I Share what I have Read and
Learned. For the present time here on MysticWitch is where I Serve. We
come next again to Preserving. It is my own household where I find my
Preserving work these days. I Preserve the Quiet and Lack of Conflict
and Controversy by being Discrete and Circumspect. I keep certain
aspects of my participation in/with MysticWitch very, very quiet. I am -
in very brutal and undiplomatic truth - Preserving my place to live by
not being overly obvious about MysticWitch and these writings.
Perhaps at some time in your life you also had to do some discrete and
quiet diplomacy. You may have had to avoid Conflict and Controversy with
family and perhaps even friends and co-workers. This is not bad. This is
not bad at all. You are Preserving your friends and your employment. You
are Preserving the Peace and Quiet. Yet - for some - this is not enough.
They go forth and save forrests, rivers, lakes, meadows and even
farmland and parkland spaces. This too is also Preservation. This is
Serving, Preserving and Protecting the Land. I have not done much of
this. Have you? Have you saved a tree? Cleaned up a park? Worked on
cleaning up a farm? These are all viable and worthwhile activities for
the Readership.
We now come again to Protection. Here it is again human Dignity and
Honour that the Pagan, Wiccan or Druid is concerned with. While the
“Mainstream Denominational’s” may not see the Pagan, Wiccan or Druid in
a positive light - it is incumbent upon the Pagan to not respond or
react to the negative. The Pagan must not react or respond unless it is
a direct threat situation and then - as it always is - you do what you
have to do. All bets are off. First are foremost it is the Children you
must Protect. Not all the threats against the Children are obvious and
blatant like the schoolyard bully. As was recently seen in the news
there is the “Celebrity” with decidedly twisted tastes. Or the “Judge”
that banned “Wiccan” education in the home.
The Pagan, Wiccan and Druid must be awake and aware of all the possible
and potential threats. As we are concentrating on the Children - we must
not ever forget the Elderly, the Sick and Infirm and the Lost. It is for
them also that we work and serve. We come once more to Defending. Here
all the previous can come into play. Are you blocking a forrest’s
destruction? Or are you planting trees to prevent another hillside’s
sliding collapse? Are we tending the lost and abandoned in a Shelter?
Are we building shelters for the homeless? Are we helping to tend to the
homeless in some way? And let’s clearly note here that ‘homeless’ need
not always mean human….. Are we working as a Citizen’s Patrol
Volunteer? Are we a part-time Medic or Patrol Officer?
All of these are valuable and viable. In Defense we are combining all
of the three previous in our efforts for the Earth Mother. For it is for
the Earth Mother we are Serving & Preserving & Protecting & Defending.
Even if we are in Uniform - and may not even be even remotely aware of
it - it is for the Earth Mother we are all working. Again - as I had to
learn for “Security” work - ‘working’ for the Earth Mother requires
Training. It takes time - as it always does - to learn the lessons the
training is teaching. It is more than just the lessons we work for
KarmicJourney. It is in the daily life experiences that what we learn
through the Lessons is put to test. I Read the booklet and answer the
questions. But not until I have to deal with the society outside my
front door does what I have Read become an active part of my daily life
routine. I see, sense and feel things.
I always have sensed, seen and felt things. Now I can understand and
deal with them. As I did for my training in “Security” I go far beyond
the ‘texts’ and read other writers. I read books by Cunningham,
Starhawk, Grimmassi, Cantrell among so many others. I read my fellow
writer’s here on MysticWitch. I am now into my ‘Second Year of
Readings’. I am again learning fast. But unlike in “Security” there is
no real ‘Field Supervisor’. Life does not work that way. But since I
rarely had much to do with many of my ‘Supervisors’ I am comfortable
being on my own. But - Wait. Are we really on our own? Not if we have
been paying attention to our Readings and Writings. We do have
‘Supervisors’. They are our Guides and Guardians. They do care. They
don’t just show up for five minutes, get your signature on a time-check
sheet and leave. Your Guides and Guardians are with you always. I’ve
been on the streets, in the parking lots and alleys. I’ve walked and
patrolled my post. I’ve been out there at night when the sounds are
spooky and the shadows uncertain. I’ve been there and so have my Guides
and Guardians. I’ve felt them. I may not have seen or heard them - but I
knew they were there. Have you paid attention to yours? Isn’t it time
you did?
You may never ‘walk the line’ as I have done but you are a Reader and
Writer, Editor and Corespondent or even just a passing by Visitor to
this little comfortable place we call MysticWitch. Pay attention to your
Guides & Guardians. They are there for you. Serving. Preserving.
Protecting. Defending. Four simple words. Four simple, basic words.
Remember the song? - “Because you’re mine - I walk the line….". I may
not always wear black but I do get the message.
Did you?
Do you?
Will You?
As Always Let’s Remember to - BE Careful and Cautious out there….
Stay Safe and Secure out there….
Let Our Guides and Guardians Serve, Preserve, Protect and Defend us out
there….
Let our Lord & Lady - {Or your choice/preference of Deity/Divinity} -
Keep Watch Over us and Bless us and give us their Peace…..
Such as it was - it was -
Such as it is - it is -
Such as it will be - it will be….
So Mote It Be.
Blessings Be.
A Blessing’s Chant
By Staff Writer: Paganus Greybeard
{Inspired by the Navajo Creation Chants as published by the}
{Peabody Museum of Harvard University}
The Gods have Spoken - They have Spoken;
The Directions have Directed - They have Directed;
The Elements have Provided - They have Provided;
The Guides have Guided - They have Guided;
The Guardians have Guarded - They have Guarded;
We thank Them for Their Work - Their Work;
We thank Them for Their Care and Devotion - Care and Devotion;
We thank Them for Their Directions and Guidance - Directions and
Guidance;
We thank Them for Their Protection - their Protection;
We thank Them;
We thank Them;
We thank Them….
We Mortals are from Clay and Twigs - Clay and Twigs;
We Mortals are from Water, Mud and Wind;
We Mortals are from the Ground - from the Ground;
We Mortals reach to the Sky - to the Sky;
The Gods reach out - reach out;
The Directions point the way - point the way;
The Guides and Guardians protect us on the path - on the path;
We thank Them for Their Guidance and Directions;
We thank Them for Their Devotion and Care;
We thank Them for Their Protection:
We thank Them;
We thank Them;
We thank Them….
We have been Blessed - We are Blessed;
The Gods have Spoken - We are Blessed;
The Directions have Directed - We are Blessed;
The Elements have Provided - We are Blessed;
The Guides have Guided - We are Blessed;
The Guardians have Guarded - We are Blessed;
We are Blessed;
We are Blessed;
We are Blessed….
We are Mortals - From the Ground;
From Clay and Twigs - From the Ground;
From Water, Mud and Wind - From the Gound;
We Mortals were Shaped - were Shaped;
We Mortals were Formed - were Formed;
The Earth Mother and the Sky Father came - they came;
DayFather Sun and NightMother Moon came - they came;
All Four Directions came - they came:
All the Elements came - they came:
The Ancient Tree looked down - looked down;
The Ancient Water’s Cauldron bubbled - bubbled;
The Ancient Well’s Fire sent a spark - sent a spark;
Akasha of the Spirit came - Akasha came;
Aspects of the ALL they came - they came;
Aspects of the Eternal, Infinite ALL they came;
They came and saw that it was good - it was good;
and the ALL then smiled; - the ALL then smiled;
the ALL saw it was good - it was good;
and gave to us - gave to us;
Life’s Breath - Life’s Breath;
We live - we live -
We Mortals live - we live:
We live;
We live;
We live….
We have been Blessed - We are Blessed;
The Gods have Spoken - We are Blessed;
The Directions have Directed - We are Blessed;
The Elements have Provided - We are Blessed;
The Guides have Guided - We are Blessed;
The Guardians have Guarded - We are Blessed;
We are Blessed;
We are Blessed;
We are Blessed….
Blessings for the Dancer
By Staff Writer: Paganus Greybeard
Day shift.
Sanctus.
Very quiet.
‘Tender waiting for the drinks
Dancer’s waiting for some
men to sit
men to pay
men with whom to play -
games of ‘couch dance’ -
and ‘visit to the VIP Suite’ -
where other games are played…
For the continuation and complettion of
“Blessings For the Dancer” please go to:
http://groups.google.com/group/MagickalMystics
A Childe Cries
By Staff Writer: Paganus Greybeard
Pain is Real.
Despair is Real.
Innocence is Lost.
Faith is Shattered.
Hope is Destroyed.
Somewhere this Day
Somewhere this Night
A Childe Cries.
A Jury has Spoken.
Verdict has been Reached.
The Accused this Day
Walks Free
Somewhere this Day
Somewhere this Night
A Childe Cries.
Justice is not Real anymore.
Corruption Rules the Land.
‘Civilization’ is the Game we play
We play it very well
So well that
We kill in places we cannot even name
We steal from everyone everywhere
Weapons are built for ‘Defense Only’
Just waiting for an attack to be used
and bodies to be counted
Evidence is Ignored.
Testimony is Twisted and Torn Apart.
Truth is the other side’s Lies.
Crime is not a Crime anymore
it is something else
something else that has no name
something else that the Lady with the Scales
Still knows and understands
Something of the Darkness
From the Darkness
Painfully Real
so much so that
Somewhere this Day
Somewhere this Night
A Childe Cries.
The Jury has Spoken
The Accused has walked Free
‘Civilization’ has spoken
So too then will I
I am the Paganus
After this ‘Verdict’
and the resultant intense disgust I am feeling
feeling as I sit here and keyboard down these words
is that if that is what ‘Civilized’ is and means
then I am NOT ‘Civilized’.
I am the Paganus.
I am - as the name first meant - the ‘Common Man’.
I am also Heathen - as from the Heaths.
I am the ‘Solitary Learner’.
I am the ‘BardicMagus’.
I am disgusted and utterly and deeply insulted and offended that
the Jury let the Accused walk Free.
I am disapointed in the Courts that after all was done
nothing was done.
This is NOT a truly ‘Civilized’ Verdict.
The Ancient ‘original’ Pagans would not have accepted this.
The Ancient ‘original’ Druids - whomever they really were -
most decidedly would not have accepted this.
The Ancient ‘original’ Witches - or Wiccae - most certainly would not
have accepted this.
But here we sit - as a ‘Civilized’ Society - and we accept this.
We - accept - this….
We even let it happen.
We let it happen - so the accusations purport - repeatedly.
WE - Let - It - Happen…..
Would the Pagans - of years long gone - have permitted this?
Would the Druids - of whatever time and space - have permited this?
Would the Wiccae - of days ancient and nights forgotten - have permitted
this?
WE - this ‘Civilized’ society - let these ‘Crimes’ - or so they have been
accused to be - happen.
Would the Ancients have let these ‘Crimes’ happen?
WE did…..
The ‘Media’ came
the “Media’ reported and covered the story
as well as it could be reported and covered
but as I sit here
I cannot help but wonder
what would the Medea think of this
Sorceress to Jason of the Argo
as Euripides had written
so many eons long ago
“….O Haggard Queen! To Athens dost thou guide
thy glowing chariot … where Peace and Justice
dwell for evermore?…”
Perverts can rejoice.
The Accused was found Not Guilty.
The Paganus does NOT rejoice.
The Accused was found Not Guilty.
This is not a good day to be a Childe.
The Jury has Spoken.
The Accused has been set free.
Pain is Real.
Despair is Real.
Innocence is Lost.
Faith is Shattered.
Hope is Destroyed.
Somewhere this Day -
Somewhere this Night -
A Childe Cries.
A Jury has Spoken.
A Verdict has been Reached.
The Accused this Day -
Walks Free.
Somewhere this Day -
Somewhere this Night -
A Childe Cries.
Somewhere this Day -
Somewhere this Night -
A Childe Cries…..
In Memento Mori: Closing Ritual
Staff Writer: Paganus Greybeard
Paganus holding up Unlit Candle and Cup of Water at Guild site Saturday
morning:
Greetings, My Guides and Guardians.
I am here today. At least - I think I am here today.
hope to be here today to do this and say these words….}
Paganus sets down Cup of Water and hold up Unlit Candle and faces South:
Spirit & Element of Fire
I hold here a candle.
I hold here an unlit candle.
I will not light it.
I have no need to light it.
Even unlit it serves as Your symbol of light, illumination and a path
through the darkness. It is also energy and power for all of Us
assembled here at the Festival - Participants, Staff and Visitors and
Guests - let Us All be safely awake and functional.
It’s going to be three very long and tiring days. We need the energy and
power to get safely, sanely and sensibly through this weekend’s
celebrations and memorials.
You are welcomed here.
Paganus sets down the Unlit Candle and picks up the Cup of Water and
faces West:
Spirit and Element of Water
I hold here a Cup of Water.
Water that We need to survive.
Water to wash away the sorrows and hurts and pains of Our mortal lives.
Water to keep this place cool.
Water to nurture and support the plants and tress and cats and dogs and
even us mortals.
For all who live upon this world We thank You for Your water.
We could not survive here without it.
You are welcomed here.
Paganus sets down the Cup of Water and picks up a handful of Earth and
faces North:
Spirit and Element Of Earth
I hold here a handful of You.
Earth that We walk upon daily.
Earth that We grow Our foods in.
Earth we build Our homes and shelters upon and in.
Earth to channel and guide the Water that nurtures and supports all that
lives here.
For all who live upon and in this world We thank You.
We would not be living here without You.
You are welcomed here.
Paganus returns the Earth to the Ground and holds up the empty hand:
Akasha I cannot hold you.
Spirit and Element of Air I cannot hold You.
You are around Me and inside Me.
Without You I would have nothing to breathe.
Without You I would have no connection to Spirit.
Without either of You I could not and would not be here.
You are welcomed here.
Paganus again ‘faces’ the Readership:
‘Magick’ for this Paganus is often a matter of being aware of what is
happening around You and paying attention to the patterns and flows of
life’s currents and eddies. Much can be learned by simply letting your
Guides and Guardians do the ‘workings’ and paying close attention to the
results of those ‘workings’.
Change, Development and Growth are critical and vital to the
practitioner. But also equally important is being aware of the need for
Change, Growth and Development.
You - as a practitioner - may have lived in a city and local area
community for years. An opportunity to move away and do something new
and different may be presented to You. Are You awake and aware enough to
‘catch’ the opportunity before it fades away? Do You ’seize the day’ and
all it’s risks and rewards? Do You listen to Your Guides and Guardians
and ‘pay attention because this is important’? If You do not - perhaps
it is time that You started to listen and ‘pay attention’ to Your Guides
and Guardians. They are wiser, older and know more than We do.
They are here for us.
And just whom might these Guides and Guardians be? On this Memorial Day
Weekend that is a very appropriate question to ask.
Your GrandFather or GrandMother. Your distant Ancestor You never knew
but whom knows You very well. Your favorite dog or cat that is keeping
watch over You. It could be any of these and all of these. You need only
to stop and ‘listen’. You may not fully know whom the ‘message’ is from
- but You should be able to get the ‘message’. That - after all - is
what’s most important.
Paganus takes ‘atheme’ and faces East:
Sky Father Sun -
Aspect of the All -
IF it be Thy will -
Bless this Weekend.
This Weekend that We - together - honour and remember those who died in
service to this nation and country.
The soldiers, sailors, marines, flyers, astronaughts, cops, firemen and
civilian security.
Those of Us who have ‘died in service’ We honour here today.
As the Paganus - the ‘common man’ - I also ask that the living and still
serving be honoured, blessed and kept safe from harm.
So many remember the dead - who - on this day - remembers the still
living and serving?
Father Sun -
By Your Light -
Out of the Darkness of the Night -
From Yesterday into Today -
Today into Tomorrow -
Tomorrow into Infinite Eternity -
I - Paganus - ask that IF it be by Thy will -
May no harm be done here this day.
No harm by thought, by word or by deed -
Whether by active intent or accident -
Let No Harm Be Done -
By Anyone -
To Anyone -
Themselves inlcuded -
For Any Reason.
Let - No - Harm - Be - Done!
Father Sun -
Aspect of the Eternal, Infinate All -
I thank you.
Paganus again ‘faces’ the Readership:
We - the Readership of Mysticwitch - come together in this
online/’cybernetic’ place. We write Our articles, Our reviews, Our
interviews and Our poems and stories. This is a place to come and Learn,
Share, Grow, Change and Develop. We are not the same persons We were
when We began this ‘community’ less than a year ago. We are more. We are
stronger, wiser and mentally better fed. We are the Writers, Editors,
and Contributors to MysticWitch.
We are - in all the ways that matter - MysticWitch.
Gaia - I thank You for assisting me here.
Sky Father - I thank You for a warm - not too hot - day to work on this
and a day to ‘perform’/'work’ this ‘Working’.
Elements, Guides and Guardians of the Five Directions - I thank You for
the thoughts, words and inspirations to write this ‘Working’.
I thank You for the courage and energy to actually ‘perform’/'work’ this
‘Working’.
Mistress RavenFyre and the Readership of MysticWitch - I thank You for
permitting this ‘Working’.
I have never done anything like this before. I hope that on Saturday I
can do this - and it will work.
It’s the Memorial Day Weekend - Let Us all raise a bit of energy and
power and remember and give honour to our dearly departed honoured dead.
Because - you might not ever know whom one of your Guides and Guardians
are. And Honoured Guide and Guardian is a Happy Guide and Guardian.
So thus it was -
So thus it is -
So thus it be.
Let’s remember to Be Safe and Secure out there.
Let’s remember to be Careful and Cautious out there.
Let’s remember to let our Guides and Guardians keep watch over Us
and keep Us from harm.
Such as it was - it was.
Such as it is - it is.
Such as it will be - it will be.
So Mote It Be.
Blessings Be.
In Memento Mori: Opening Ritual
Dawn’s Early Light ‘Working’ for Memorial Day Weekend
Early Morning. Sun is just peeking over the ridgeline to the East. The
rabbits and squirrels are hopping and scurrying about. {These sloppy and clumsy tall
two-legs must have dropped something good for us to eat. They always do!…}
The lizards are still drowsing in the rapidly fading darkness of the
night. Birds are starting to fly. In the village the inhabitants are
starting to awaken to a new day. At one of the more permanent encampment
sites a figure stands quietly watching the rabbits and birds. A figure
standing quietly facing East. He has just dropped off his ‘traveling
bags’ at his Guild’s site. The hour is early - and there is much mundane
physical work to be done - but this Paganus knows there might still be a
few moments to do a simple, basic working. This is - finally! - the 2005
Memorial Day Weekend - and there are going to be - so all hope - many
visitors to the little ‘village’ and much business for the Artisans,
Merchants and Guilds.
The Paganus closes his eyes for a moment then opens them.
He is as ready as he will ever be for this ‘Working’…..
Paganus facing East:
Good Morning and Greetings!
Sky Father Sun - I Greet You!
Element of Air -I Honour and Greet You!
Greetings Guides and Guardians of the East!
Spirits of the Air -
Who come on the Winds of Understanding -
Inquisitive and Curious -
Awaken Our Intuition and Intellect so We may Comprehend and Understand
so that We may Share this Learning with Others so that They too may
Comprehend and Understand.
Aid Us this Memorial Day Weekend - We ‘performers, tradesmen &
tradeswomen, merchants, and event staff’. We come here to give honour to
those of Us who are no longer with Us and to offer a few hours of
entertainment and amusement to Ourselves, Our Visitors and Guests.
Be Welcome!
Blessings Be!
Paganus facing South:
Good Morning and Salutations!
Hawaiian Goddess of Fire Pele -I Honour and Greet You!
Element of Fire - I Greet & Honour You!
Greetings Guides and Guardians of the South!
Spirits of Fire who come to warm Our hearths and hearts - who Illuminate
and Light Our Lives -
who Heal Our Physical wounds and Emotional and Psychic sorrows - who
Make Us strong -
Aid Us this Memorial Day Weekend as We give honour and respect to those
of Us who have ‘traveled onward’.
Bring Us warmth - but not so much as We cook ourselves - nor Our
visitors and guests.
Be Welcome!
Blessings Be!
Paganus facing West:
Good Morning & Merry Meet!
Sea Nymph Galatea - I Honour and Greet You!
Element of Water I Greet & Honour You!
Greetings Guides and Guardians of the West!
Spirits of Water who come to cool Us down on days of heat -
who come to wash away the negative, hurtful and damaging -
who softly and gently salve Our wounds and hurts -
who bring Us cooling for this Memorial Day Weekends so that
We here at this Festival may entertain and inform Ourselves,
and Our Visitors and Guests.
Be Welcome!
Blessings Be!
Paganus facing North:
Good Morning & Hail & Well Met!
Earth Mother Gaia - I Honour and Greet You!
Element of Earth I Greet & Honour You!
Greetings Guides and Guardians of the North!
Spirits of Earth who dwell within this planet -
Friends of Humankind - Seen and Unseen -
Sons and Daughter’s of Earth Mother Gaia -
who support and uphold Us -
who nurture and produce the flowers and trees,
who watch out for and protect Us Mortals All -
Be Welcomed here.
Blessings Be.
Paganus Very Slowly turning Clockwise:
Lord and Lady -
Aspects of the All -
Who was here before anything & everything -
Who will still be here after everything and anything is long gone -
IF it be Thy Will -
Bless this ‘Working’ with Your Presence -
Air of the East -
Fire of the South -
Water of the West -
Earth of the North -
Akasha of the Spirit -
Come in Peace.
Come in Understanding.
Come in Learning, Loving and Sharing.
Air of the East I ask for Your offering of Inspiration and Understanding.
Fire of the South I ask for Your offering of Energy and Power
to get this ‘Working’ worked - and to just get successfully,
safely, sanely and sensibly through this Final Weekend of this Festival.
Water of the West I ask for Your offering of coolness so none of Us
here in this Festival - Participants and Visitors & Guests alike
bake, fry and broil as We did the last two weeks. It’s bad for
Our health and very bad for the Festival. We need the biz.!
Earth of the North I ask for your offering of Wisdom and Comprehension.
I am but Your humble Paganus. I am new to all of this. My first Year of
Book Learnings and Readings is over. It is time for me - IF it be Your will
that it be done - to grow and develop to the next level. I ask for Your
Guidance and Direction. I ask for the Right Questions and the Understanding
of the Answers to those Questions.
Akasha of the Espiritus Sanctus I ask for your offering of Guidance and Direction.
Guide and Direct this humble, mortal Paganus. If there are opportunities
opening up for Me - point Me in the right direction so I do not miss
them. Let Me be able to at least consider acting upon these
opportunities. IF it be of Yhy will - and the will of the ALL - give Me
the skills and abilities to ‘earn’ the monies to act upon any of these
possible opportunities.
Paganus ‘facing’ the Readership:
Readers! - I welcome You to this dual-use ‘Working’. I write these words
that You now read so You can read the ‘Working’ I plan to do Saturday
morning. Part of this ‘Working’ is for You - the MysticWitch Readership.
Part of this ‘Working’ is to be ‘worked’ - IF I can even do it - Saturday.
I have never written more than a very short hand-written ‘Working’ for
the Festival and Guild site. This ‘Working’ You now are reading is much
deeper and hopefully more specifically directed and guided towards a
positive and productive end result..
With this Weekend’s activities I come - so far as I can semi-reliably
determine - to the end of My ‘First Year of Readings & Writings’. While
I have not been here on MysticWitch for a year I have been doing My
‘Readings and Writings’ for a year. In some ways even longer. I have
been working with and have had a good ‘working relationship’ with Gaia
for almost 2 years. I was working Security at one of My not-so-memorable
nighttime work sites when I asked for guidance. I got the guidance.
I also asked for whom the guidance was coming from. I did not expect an
answer. But I got an answer. Gaia I knew. The Earth Mother. But the
other name was not one I knew. Galatea. A Sea Nymph? Whatever My Guides
and Guardians decide is alright by Me. I do not do much ‘business’ with
Galatea because I am not near the sea. But I do call upon Gaia almost
daily. I was having these ‘conversations’ before I ever traveled to the
Crossroads Festival site in Corona for the ‘Koroneburg’ Festival. It was
- as I have written before - at Festival - that My ’second stage’ occurred.
It was close after closing one night. There was a ceremony. A
handfasting. Very visually impressive. I was ‘advised’ by my Guides &
Guardians to ‘pay attention - this is important’. So I did. It was the
third of three handfasting celebrations celebrated that day and night.
A few days later I went to Dragonmarsh and bought Cunningham’s “Wicca -
A Guide to the Solitary Practitioner". I was now - as I like to think of
it - into the ‘third stage’. I was now into My ‘Year of Readings and
Writings’. With the conclusion of this Festival Season I shall be moving
into My ‘Second Year of Readings and Writings’.
Change, Development and Growth are integral to the ‘practitioner’ -
solitary or otherwise. You cannot remain /’static’/. You cannot lock
into a dogmatic discipline and be functional. Churches fail to
understand this.
Sects of Churches fail to understand this. IF Your liturgy is 300 to 500
years old you are not only out-of-date You are utterly dysfunctional. If
You have ‘Offices of the Preservation and Protection of the Faith’ - or
something similar - You are dangerously antiquated and irrelevant. So
too are Pagan’s and Wiccan’s faced with this need to not become locked
into form and ritual process over utility and function. Go with what is
practical and functional.
Do not rely and depend upon Your books and online information. Rely upon
what You have learned works for You - the individual practitioner. What
works for You? Do that. Find what works for You. Do that. It may take
time. It may take years. Do it anyway. Books are invaluable. But a book
- or even a writer here on MysticWitch?- cannot say what can and will
work for You - the singularly specific individual practitioner.
This is what Your Guides & Guardians are there for. Ask Them. You need
not - unless You feel it works best for You to do so - be elaborate and
complicated in working with Them. I know I am not with Mine. We have
been through far too much together. And for Me - Your Paganus - I may
not even need ask for help anymore. They know Me far too well. I get it
before I ask for it! They know there may not be time for Me to ask! They
may also know that I may not know to ask. I may not even know I should
ask so I get their help and assistance anyway.
For Me this is how much of My ‘magick’ - If it can even be legitimately
called that - is ‘worked’. I have little - if anything - to do with it.
It is done for Me. It is occasionally done through me. I just do my
‘thing’ on a mundanian day-to-day plodding onward basis - and only after
something has happened - or I have said, written and done something do I
belatedly realize - something ‘magickal’ may have happened here
Sharing, Not Working
Come!
Gather ‘Round!
Pay Attention!
I have Important and Valuable Learnings to Share this Day!
Form a three-quarter circle.
Come on!
I am here.
Attend me.
This is a Sharing.
This is NOT a Working.
No ‘Magick’ is being ‘Worked’ this day.
{None that I - your humble Paganus - knows of!…}
Last week your humble Paganus did do a Working.
Your Paganus called and invoked the Elements, the Four Directions, and
the Lord and Lady in my Opening and Closing the Magick. Your Paganus
does not do very many circles and castings. Your Paganus does ‘Magick’
through the written word. Like the words you are now reading. Your
Paganus’s ‘Magick’ is - so far! - primarily of the written word - and
not the cast circle physical action.
I speak here - as I have spoken here before - of ‘Magick’. What then is
this ‘Magick’? ‘Magick’ is the act and art of sending energies through
guided and directed Mortal Will to effect changes in the world around
us. We Mortals are beings of the mind. We think. The universe in which
We inhabit - in Our physical, mortal bodies - is mental also. IF We - as
thinking Mortals - can successfully control and guide Our thoughts We
can - in some measure and degree - shape and mold Our world to Our wills.
The Universe is energy. Even solid seeming objects - like the CRT screen
you are reading these words on - is actually energy. You - My Reader(s)
are energy. I am energy. Energy is not static. It is very active,
reactive and responsive. Last week I called upon the Elements - Earth,
Aire, Fire and Water. I also called upon the Four Directions - North,
South, East, West. I called them up and used them to send my ‘Magick’ -
my written words - outwards to you - My Readers. We - as Mortals - act,
react and interact with this ‘energy’, this ‘Magick’ daily. This
‘energy’, this ‘Magick’ surrounds, supports and sustains us.
This ‘energy’, this ‘Magick’ can be broadcast. Some do it in the circle.
I do it here - at this keyboard - with these written words. This is how
I do what little ‘Magick’ I do. I write - and you read. Last week I sent
the Elements and the Four Directions. From how I feel this week - how
drained and empty I am - I have not yet fully re-charged from that
working. And because of that lack of ‘energy’ and ‘power’ I am NOT
{knowingly and deliberately!} doing ANY {so far as I know!} ‘Magick’ or
‘Working’.
Do you remember your earliest Learnings?
Do you remember this Learning -
“Do Not Do Any ‘Magick’ when you are either ill/sick or drained/tired".
I most certainly know this. I am clearly Re-Learning it this week! That
is why this is a ‘Sharing” and Not {so far as I know it to be} any kind
of ‘Magickal’ ‘Working’. I have to recover and conserve as much
mental/psychic as well as basic physical ‘energy’ as possible. I have
another long Festival weekend with the “Grande Finale” in two weeks.
Whatever ‘energies’ I have - and can raise {IF I can even raise any} -
must be directed towards Festival and my mundanian life here [home].
It’s physically and mentally exhausting and brutal - but that is how
things are and will be.
As I was watching the Season Finale of ‘Smallville’ I came to an
understanding. An understanding of the Pagan/Mystic/BardicMagus ‘Drawing
of Power & Energy’. I was watching the actors and actresses of the WB-TV
program ‘Smallvile’ enact their roles. As I watched I felt momentarily
energized. But it was only very briefly momentary. I was not really
‘Drawing Power & Energy’. I was - for the length of the program -
ignoring my exhaustion and going with an ephemeral ‘emotional’ surge.
Clark was assembling the stones, Smallville was getting blasted into
oblivion with a meteor fall, and Lex was being Lex. All leading to Clark
in a snow field with the re-assembled stones, and Lana in a crashed
helicopter near a large, dark, black object half-buried in the Kansas
turf. Quite good TV. But No source of power or energy. Just a momentary
distraction. But it did feel good for the momentary moment.
I still have Not ‘learned’ how to ‘Draw Power & Energy’. I have however
learned that you can be fooled by ephemeral, emotional, surge responses
that can and do mimic the drawing of power and energy. Whatever ‘Drawing
Power & Energy’ is - it is Not an ephemeral, emotional surge response to
a distraction stimulus. It is something very different. What it is I
have yet to discover and learn. But I will - because I have No Choice.
None. None what-so-ever.
This Saturday morning I am out of here at 05:30. Sleep I will have had.
I can and will make certain of that. My vitamins and ginseng and
caffeine pills I will have. I will make certain of that also. These are
Not ‘drugs’ as I understand what ‘drugs’ to be in context to my Readings
and Learnings. In addition to the bio-chemical pills and potions - I
hope to have found - in whatever place I have to search to find it -
“Drawing Power & Energy". I am Not going to be a lethal risk on the
road. I already have done that. I did less than five years ago. I was
working too many hours with not enough sleep, no food and only bloody
minded will to get me through. I came very, very close to not surviving
the experience. I was so tired I was falling asleep driving home. I was
less than 5 miles from home. I was weaving and swerving. I hit some sand
at the righthand side of the road. I almost dumped it. I am Not going
there ever again. Either I do this Festival and my ‘Magickal Learnings’
right - or I do not do them at all. I shut them down and walk away. I
may miss out on a lot to gain but I will be alive to walk away. I
remember that dawn of years ago. My survival is priority one.
Nothing else comes close. Nothing else will ever come close. And this is
just a ‘normal’ Festival Weekend. The week after this one is the “Grande
Finale". Three days - three nights. I am the “Dawn Patrol/Watch” for my
Guild. I get there first to set-up. I must be awake and functional.
There can be no escaping that requirement or reality. Either I am able
to fully and completely do it right - or I call it off and walk away. I
am Not calling anything off and walking away from anything. That just
will not happen! So I am going to ‘learn’ what I need to ‘learn’ - and
do it fast!
I am - in a very analogous way - in a very similar situation to
‘Clark’s’. I have to find the answer - put it together - and make it
work. The clock is against me and I do not know where to look or even
what to look for….. Should make this weekend - and the one following -
very interesting.
My Readers’ - I am fully and completely aware you will not be reading
this - IF you read this at all - until Friday. I know not your
schedule(s) for doing things. But I do know this much - whatever I find
- IF I find anything - will have to done by Friday noon or perhaps by
15:00 {3:00p}{p.}. Noon for whatever is on my e-mail when I am at the
Library posting this - or by 15:00 at the “CyberCafe” after I get my
hair done. After that it is too late for anything coming in - for this
week - on my e-mail and MysticWitch. It might still be of value for the
week after - but for this week - it will be too late…. There might be
something in one of my books - and I will search through them to see if
there is anything there on this ‘Drawing Power & Energy’.
My Readers’ - I am also fully and completely aware that IF there is
something in the books - and in the Readings - I might very well be
jumping past many lessons to get there. I accept that. I also accept
that since I am so drained and ti