Egg on My Face

Last night our house was egged. I am dumbfounded by this turn of events. We reported it to the police and I am going to try to parley this opportunity into a chance to meet with local law enforcement officials to educate about Wicca. Especially since our community locally is growing leaps and bounds. The hang up phone calls started this afternoon. I suspected this might happen sooner or later…I had really hoped for later.

At least the local police were understanding.

Any suggestions on getting egg off windows, wood and brick?

*sigh*

Earth In North?

I have just come back from a gathering here in Georgia where I attended a workshop by Lady Eurhythmy. The workshop was called "Magic and Science." For those who don't know I am a big science, quantum physics, M-Theory kind of girl…not to mention my obsession with all things Sacred Geometry and Pythagoras. So, of course, I attended.

What I came away with, however, was most surprising to me and it has to do with the controversy over Earth in the East or North and Air in the North or East. I have attempted to practice both ways and eventually settled on a preference for Earth in the North and Air in the East. I knew the theological reasons why practitioners changed Earth to East and even the magical stirrings of why Earth was moved to the East by some; however, the energies never meshed for me and I also felt there was some fundamental reason for that.

In this seminar, I found it. It turns out in Quantum Mechanics – according to the good Lady – that there are Four Fundamental Forces. These forces are the Weak, Electromagnetic, Strong Force and Gravity. Each force has a particle or association with it. Weak Force particles are called Bozons. Electromagnetic Force particles are called Photons. Strong Force particles are called Gluons and Gravity particles are called Gravitons.

Now what was interesting is the definitions for these particles and through these definitions the elemental associations that can be made for them.

Weak Force Bozons are defined as the force that transforms the up quark to the down quark and mediates forces. Odd forces are repulsed (widdershins) and even forces are attracted (deosil). This is the force that decides and starts and if Air is in the East, then the Bozon is associated with the Eastern direction.

Electromagnetic Force is the thing which acts between charged particles. Photons, also associated with light, are an application of electromagnetic force. (South)

Strong Force Gluons (West) are the force which binds nucleons in the nucleus and also quarks to one another.

The Gravitons activate the particles and carries those particles into the universe.

Starting in East – we apply the Bozon and decide how we want our magic to go (up or down, odd or even in force) and run that decision through the South and the Electromagnetic Force which charges the particles necessary for the working. In West the Gluons bind those particles together, sealing the magic that is being attempted. Now that these forces are bound, the gravitons activate them and carry them for release into the universe.

In practice, we could say that our Bozon is a decision to let go of hurtful relationship which determines the energy is going to go down and odd (widdershins). Moving to the South, we examine the need to replace that negative relationship with an opening in our hearts for healthier relationships and charge both those particles for that purpose. In the West, our two purposes are bound together in harmony and balance, a guiding principle of magic, creating a magical working that isn't lopsided. Our magic moves to the gravitons that activates both sides of the magical working and releases them into the universe. This working will end the harmful relationship and leave a healed space for healthy relationships to take root – note that no separate working is done to draw in healthy relationships because the work was balanced by the use of the four fundamental forces.

Lady Eurhythmy made a point to focus on the Bozons and the importance of the decision there, however, I think the Laws of Magic tell us that the combination of East and South is critical. By making your main decision in East and then balancing that decision by charging the particles with the completion of that thought, you are creating a magical working that is balanced and complete.

That controversy aside, the other fascinating thing was the four principles of Quantum Mechanics the presenters gave.

1. Fundamentally, the act of attention makes something real.
   

This is interesting because there was a whole school of Greek philosophy that said the very same thing. In magic we might say that what you focuses on increases and what you ignore decreases.

1. A queer force acting at a distance which means that two things who are together then separated have an effect on each other ever after that. This is also known as Quantum Entanglement.
   

Interestingly in magic, the Law of Contagion states that same thing. If A and B deal with each other the affect of their dealing (contagion) continues after separation.

1. Biocentric Universe states that we are creating the effects as we experience them.
   

This is to say, you get what you expect. This effect of the mind on the smallest of particles should be very encouraging to magical practitioners. Knowing that the expectation of a scientist in an experiment can actually affect the experiment is the same as understanding that the expectation of a practitioner during a magical working affects the magical working is certainly validating.

1. There is ability for scientists to gain use of external forces that cannot be seen by the mind.
   

Well, isn't that what magic has been saying for years? Magic is the ability of a practitioner to assert ones will over forces both seen and unseen to create change in the immediate life of the practitioner and the world. This thought should be very comforting.

Lady Eurhythmy reminded the class that Focus was the most important tool for witches and suggested that owning the Bozon in your life – the Statement of Intent – was the first place to start when it comes to magical creation. She compared it to the Philosopher's Stone which is the tool that reminds us that by our thoughts we create our reality. The second part was to find the tool set you would use to navigate these energies and use them to your benefit.

Overall, I was excited about the class and the presentation and really appreciated Lady Eurhythmy's efforts for it. It was one of the highlights of my weekend.

The weekend was also notable because I crowned a maiden to help me navigate the growing work load coming my way. Tina has become a model student, good friend, confident and right hand. I am honored she is willing to sacrifice to assist me. Then, of course, my good friend and another confident Cheiron became a 2^nd Degree in FWTI. It was LONG overdue and FWTI is so honored to have the likes of this wonderful man as one of us. What an inspiration and great mentor he is!

He taught a psychometric class and it was wonderful. Even Stone was successful which was really cool. I believe the class changed a lot of negative attitudes about personal ability. It was wonderful to see.

Well, I am working to finish my book before deadline. Ya'll be good now!

 

Beltane’s Nesting Birds

This morning I woke to an ill adjusted mood in both my husband and son getting ready for school and work. Fighting over shoes (my son's new obsession) while trying to accommodate a Coven Sister staying with us whose mother is dying in close proximity to our Covenstead. I'd made special effort to get up early to work and woke to familiar pain of post gathering hang over. In the chaos, the anger grew and the boys left without their tea.

They called and asked me to get the tea and bring it out to them. Bitching about shoes, being up early and pre-teen boys who haven't had a coming of age yet, I stomped out the front door only to be accosted by a bird.

Suddenly, the pettiness of everything fell away and there I stood realizing, in the wreath I had hung only the day before I left for Florida Pagan Gathering, a bird had nested there and laid eggs. In my own symbol of fertility and growth on my own door, the God and Goddess had performed the Great Rite and left me a reminder: Shoes, early rising, forgotten tea, irritable pre-teen boys – nothing is as important as family and you sometimes make do with the very best you can, even if it is the Beltane wreath on the witch's door.

Color me blessed in red, white and light blue green eggs.

Florida Pagan Gathering 2009

Life changing events don't happen very often; however, the events that make positive impact, inspire, motivate and forge friendship and camaraderie happen with more regularity; therefore, they are largely over looked as mundanely unimportant and. After all, it is likely to happen again real soon. Why the fuss?

Florida Pagan Gathering was such an event for me; however, mundanely unimportant is an insult to the experience, the event, the coordinators and the people I met. I want to make a bit of a fuss because, not only did I have F – U – N, I found like minds, common ground and acceptance. As a new author, these things are not a matter of regular timing. In a world of neo-paganism where new authors struggle to get their voices heard, FPG took a chance, let me speak and in turn I received far more than I could have hoped for and I believe those I met got a new perspective and new ideas. That was my plan anyway. ;)

Margot Alder, Chas S. Clifton, T. Thorn Coyle and Gavin and Yvonne Frost were presenters, along with me – sans book. However, it wasn't these esteemed contemporaries that were the only ones to honor me with their presence, insight and excitement. It was all the others I met along the way. I hope my photo album will soon reflect pictures of the events and people that made FPG such a wonderful experience.

In the meantime, here is my extremely condensed version of events that were important to me.

Balaenor – Chauffeur, confident, fellow karaoke fanatic and master of music was my first exposure to FPG. He took a panicked first time presenter, feed her hot chocolate and calmed her down. I was grateful and relieved. He also exposed me to Black Moors Night (help me out I couldn't find a website for them!), a band my husband I know is going to love.

I arrived to goody bags, spaghetti and meatballs, Anne Marie and the rest of the staff all excited, eager, welcoming and loving. Well feed, I went to bed peacefully. The next morning I took pictures of the beautiful site and met some of the 100s of participants. Then eventually, took my most dangerous and expensive journey into Vendor Row. My chauffeurs are certainly lighter.

I gave my first class and had a warm and welcome reception, as I did for all my classes. I met lots of families interested in Family Coven, the idea and forth coming book (Llewellyn Worldwide Press, Ltd.). I found that the topic was extremely hot during the highlight of my visit, the Author's Panel.

The authors' panel hosted by T. Thorn Coyle was themed Paganism: Past, Present and Future. Considering the guests of Margot Alder, The Frosts and Chas S. Clifton (Author of her hidden children, a book about how witchcraft came from Britain to become Wicca in America), the topic could not have had a better panel. My perspective of what I believe the future of Wicca to look like – filled with Family Coven's celebrating a varied spirituality in their own homes before they even step foot into the larger community, allowed for a well rounded and timely discussion. One that you can catch on Thorn's podcast Elemental Castings sometime in the next month.

I got equal pleasure from singing with Thorn on one of her songs during her set when she opened for Spiral Rhythms. Thorn's new album with Sharon Knight, Songs for the Strengthening Sun , is out now and complements their other CD, Songs for the Waning Year. Spiral Rhythms is also offering a new release, We are Light.

I meet some special people while during my stay that I wanted to mention here. Of course, Baleanor was already mentioned and worth mentioning again! Between Baleanor and Thorn I have a list of new music to look up including: Bauhaus, Rasputina, Zoe Keating and Spiral Dance. Sherry was the reliable rock upon which I could quietly whisper a need and see it quickly tended to. The Candy Ritual wouldn't have succeeded without her. Ann Marie, Gold Leader One whose supportive and encouraging words are addicting so I miss then already. She certainly seemed the glue that kept it altogether.

I had my first experience with Guardians, lead at this event by Trauma, what can I say? A group of people who give freely of their time to protect, mend and heal those who come to events. Trauma - Beautiful. Efficient. Precise. Courageous. Understanding. Loving. Wonderful AND going to be at Pagan Spirit Gathering with my own personal rescuer - Raja! I am so relieved!!!!!

Outside all those faces without names who make FPG such a great success and all of whom I wish I could recall now, I met lots of people who were attending the event that struck a chord with me.

Starting with Forest and Joe Butera who finally contradicted a famous saying made to me once, "There are no greater mysteries. Stop looking for them!"

Their workshop on The Keys to the Mysteries was not only pleasurable and informative – it fed my soul and my soul was thirsty. These two wonderful men are certainly ones I hope to continue to discuss the esoteric mysteries and schools in the future with. Especially as I explore The Order of International Co-Freemasonry, Le Droit Humain. Their Blue Moon Wiccan Tradition seemed like something that had I found, FWTI might never had come about. Good thing I only meet them last week! *grin*

I met Kharyssa, TeriCaye, Terry, Noel, Emily, Gina, Andrew, Gaylan, Jo, Amanda, Dustie, Michelle, Adam and Tabitha Little who gave me her Family Coven's motto, "Live in faith not fear." I am thinking of adopting it. Not to mention those who pre-ordered the book including Carrie, Oyliah, Angela and Amanada.

From there the names and faces blended and appeared before me time again. Each one displaying a unique love of Divinity and a willingness to provide for me…me!?! There was a Bale Fire to jump and intentional magic made. There was new friends and colleagues found.

There is also a burning desire to find my way back and bring with me my own Family Coven, do battle with Floridian sand and dance again around the sacred flames, seriously. If you have never been to FPG, it is worth the trip, time and effort and I can't thank the FPG staff and numerous individuals too many to name for the opportunity and blessings.

I have been quiet for some time. I have found that a significant stay in a hospital will silence you quickly.
Don’t freak out. I am o.k. They seem to have figured out what made me ill and I am at home and on the road to recovery.
My book will be delayed due to this most unfortunate turn of events. However, it will still be published.
I am learning lessons about taking it easy, listening to my body, meditation and the joys and annoyances of strong family coven and church support.
Crystal has been my shield and behind her capable hands I have felt at ease enough to rest. Of course, Michael has been right there flanking her right hand and further hiding me.
Then there is Stone and Tree Bear my core Family Coven who stood by me and questioned doctors and held my fingers (my hands were full of tubes). Without Tina, Tree Bear wouldn’t have made it to school nor benefited from the solid knowledge that he would be taken care of with or without his mother right at hand. Carly gave me a means to escape my misery and then loaned me her life when I got home from the hospital so I could watch it over and over while the medications found their way out of my system.
Now I am back slowly returning to a normal life and worrying about the tax deadline this week, excited to go to Florida Pagan Gathering and getting reacquainted with my Family Coven and my tradition.
Sometimes you need to rest and let your body recover. So I have an eye to continue that trend while returning to the work the God and Goddess has given.
Thank all of those who have kept me in their prayers and magic. Especially: Jenna, Cam, Michael, Crystal, Suz, Tina, Becky, Patrick, Mom, Carly, Sarah, Stone, TreeBear, Elysia Gallo at Llewellyn Worldwide and all the extended members of FWTI. Your energy and time I cherish and am humbled by. Thank you.

Welcome 2009!!!! Welcome Change! Welcome a harvest long sought and fought for। Welcome an attitude of hope. Welcome partners in my publisher, lawyer, new Family Coven members! Welcome all those who I hope to meet, share sacred space with and learn from during my travels and personal appearances! Welcome to you who are just coming to my site and getting know me....

I have been struck by the immense feeling of change and hope that seems to cling to the air clashing with the clamor of busyness, pressure and stress. So many of my Family Coven Brothers and Sisters are not sad in the least to see 2008 go and embrace a new year with the hope and possibility that seems to have been kept from us since Samhain.

Maybe it is the teenager – my ghost of maidenhood – that has possessed me forcing me to recall a young southern girl checking out the speeches and sermons of the Rev. Martin Luther King, then reading them in secret, hiding the book in a binder and finding within his words a world of possibility, justice and equality.
Maybe watching a civil rights advocate live long enough to see King’s dream fulfilled and participate on the historic day when the view of our Chief is suddenly no longer a white man like it has been forty-four times before, returned to me that innocent hope that seems to have gotten lost covered by the noise and static of a life lived। Maybe Joseph Lowery stirred in me a belief that it is possible for different faiths to find common ground.
And now, Lord, in the complex arena of human relations, help us to make choices on the side of love, not hate; on the side of inclusion, not exclusion; tolerance, not intolerance।
And as we leave this mountaintop, help us to hold onto the spirit of fellowship and the oneness of our family। Let us take that power back to our homes, our workplaces, our churches, our temples, our mosques or wherever we seek your will.

Love, not hate.
On the side of inclusion, not exclusion.
Tolerance, not intolerance.
Let us take that power back to our homes.

For five long years I have researched, studied and written to try to bring about the idea that HOME is where the power, tolerance, love, inclusion and spirituality come from। Strong spiritual families make strong spiritual communities and birth a peaceful nation। In a religion that has been built and maintained, in all gratefulness and respect, by solitaires and adult oriented covens; it is the family that is our future. Gardner claimed we were born at the kitchen table and now we have spiraled back to that table to find the spiritual plug block that seemingly unsatiated place in our hearts.

President Obama had already noted the need and power within our homes when he said:
For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies. It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break, the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours। It is the firefighter's courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent's willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides our fate.

Perhaps it is as President Obama suggested our country and, especially neopagans and Wiccans, are still young and we teeter like a child learning to walk, finding out the lessons only exploration, trial and error can bring us.

I am awed by the moment in history and time we stand upon. The brink of change for the country I love and the faith I am devoted to. As I work late into the night, I feel blessedly stressed. At five-years-old, I wanted to write. At ten, I wanted to write. At fifteen, I wanted to write. Here I am at 4:30 AM, a mild 37 years, writing while my son lays safely in his bed and my Husband Priest rests from providing me the opportunity no one else ever gave me: a chance to prove I could apply my will with hard work, perseverance and the gift of free speech, I could write. Suddenly, the ills, hardships and short-comings of this nation seems to pale in comparison to my blessed stress.

Let Freedom Ring

Freedom.

Sometimes freedom is one of inward overcoming where you break the bondage of the past so that you may move forward in spiritual peace.

Sometimes freedom is a piece of paper – the get out of jail free card where past wrongs are pardon and mistakes long paid for are finally assuaged and you have a chance to sleep peacefully, soundly knowing that balance and justice have prevailed.

Then there is the freedom of choice, one that I had come to believe we – as Americans – may have lost. However, as I wake early my world is changed and President Elect Obama is moving toward inauguration. My faith that choice does make or a break an American's life is restored.

I have spent the past several years making serious and deliberate choices moving my family to a place where peace and prosperity (emotional, mental, physical) were part of daily living not simply places visited occasionally. On Election Day I spent it in a court house and watched the joy of white southern parents adopt an African American boy named Porter. They were filled with joy and happiness while finalizing the bond that had grown between them. In this Southern courthouse in the heart of the Red state, one couple defying the odds and taking as one of their own a child who didn't look like them and whose genetic history was miles from theirs. On that same day, an African American would accept his bid and become President Elect of the United States. Surely, the coincidence of these events is not lost on me.

While spending my day in the court house, I also found freedom from a long term affliction that plagued me…a belief that I did not have friends that I could count on who loved me. While I was there with my husband and my matron of honor, two other women nearly two hours away were taking care of five children under the age of five so that we could concentrate on the important business at hand. At four o'clock, the women divided up and one went and fetched my 10 year old son bringing him to join the party, eat pizza and get ready for an important Boy Scout meeting. By the time the three of us had returned, children had been fed and Stone and Tree Bear were off to meet Boy Scouts and learn what a life in Boy Scouting might mean for our Cub Scout about to graduate beyond childhood and into tween years.

Saying thank you to Carly and Tina could not possibly convey to them what their act of selfless love means to me. Watching my goddess daughters so that I could have support and love on a tough and serious day in my life was so important to me. I truly felt I have found community that is stable and loving and willing to give as they receive. Love with an open eye and heart. Willing to take care of each other and to take care of other's others.

In the past few weeks, the Goddess and God has rained down upon me the blessings and opportunities I at one time did not believe I deserved. This morning, I am overcome with joy and peace and so much of my life has come to order, I am not sure where to begin to give thanks. My sister, Crystal's recent column in Celtic Whispers is about being grateful for what you have been blessed and given by the Gods and Goddesses. I read it last night humbled because there is NOTHING that I have that has not been ordained, given or bestowed upon me that was not overseen by the Deities I worship or my family worships.

My Family Coven needed a cheaper home with plenty of space and a garage – we have received one. (Thank you Mr. T)

Tree Bear needed the definite judgment of stability and constancy – he has received it. (Thank the Gods and Godddess and counsel)

My Familiars needed to be taken into the Familiar Protection Program by competent witches – they have been received. (Thank you FPP)

I needed totes to help me organize and move – I have received them. (Thanks Sarah)

I needed a refrigerator – I have received one with no cost to my Family Coven (thanks Tina).

I wanted a new glass top stove – I have received with no cost to my Family Coven (Thanks Tina - AGAIN).

I needed clear suggestion and direction where my writing is concerned and I have received it. (Thank you Llewellyn)

I wanted my best friend to find love like I had found so that we could be a four-some – four friends looking out for each other together and she has received it. (Thanks John, welcome home.)

I needed community, real community and to know what it is to live with it, in it. Yesterday two young women chased five young children, planned beautiful activities and then wrangled a ten year old and fed them pizza all in the name of community. In truth it was like they were some anti-spell that shook the world and reminded the Gods and Goddesses that love and community still existed and both were given freely without condition and with love.

I needed these feelings of insecurity that have seem to haunt my life like a spell unshakable to be destroyed and this morning I woke with hope, clarity and a sense that the future is indeed now and my Family Coven is finally in a position to live together in peace, prosperity, magic, love and unity.

Truly the harvest is in and, yes, there is still work to be done; however, it is work that will be done with a happy heart living in the moment of joy and optimism while we wake each morning living in confidence that tomorrow will be nothing more or less than the same.

Blessed be the Goddess of the Hearth – Bres – for finding a covenstead for my Core Family Coven.

Blessed be Cerridwen - Mother of All for giving stability and constancy to my Tree Bear. Blessed be Athena, Artemis, Hera and Justice for delivering the best interest of a child.

Blessed be Bast for organizing other witches to take and care for my precious familiars.

Blessed be Bres for striking the heart of a giving witch to provide the fire upon which I will feed my family and the balance – the cool within which the food will be preserved.

Blessed be the Muses within each of us and the editors at Llewellyn.

Blessed be Cupid and Aphrodite for arranging love…indefinable…undeletable…unexplainable…love.

Blessed be Gaia the basis upon which community sits and is created.

Blessed be Morrigan, my rock, my protectress, my salvation.

Blessed be Mabon, Lugh, Coronus, Thor, The Holly King, The Oak King, the Magician, Warrior, Lover and Sage who planted the harvest, quietly and efficiently bring in the harvest and give the drive for the work to continue.

Blessed be the God in Stone, in Tree Bear and the Goddess in me, for we are unworthy hosts to their sublime divinity.

 

What I want, all I want, what I need, all I need, I call to HER.

What I want, all I want, what I need, all I need, I call to HIM. (Spiral Rhythms Break in Come and Dance)

And through me, in me and around me They work as one to deliver

As we work to be worthy and begin to comprehend the universal dance we are just mere steps in. (Lydia M. Crabtree)

 

Blessed be.
Blessed be.

Blessed be!