Wildlife Centers Need Your Help

Love nature? Then please support a wildlife center in your area. They can use donations (no matter how small), supplies (like paper towels) and volunteers.

It's spring, and centers all over the country are filling up with orphaned and injured baby animals in need. Do what you can.

Sia

Links:

How to locate a wildlife rehabilitator

Video: California Wildlife Center

On to the Supremes!

OK: How's this for a Pagan value? Equality under the law
To our gay and lesbian friends: I am so, so sorry.

To all the straight couples who enjoy rights that they do not: It's time to march with our friends.

Sia

Related Articles:

Justice Done and Justice Denied: A Dance for Mother Kali

Gay Weddings: What To Expect? How About An Economic Boom?

Certificate of Inequality

Karma, Love and Cage Free Eggs

Hate Crimes Towards The Other

San Diego Mayor Supports Gay Marriage

Inclusion and Acceptance

Differently Oppressed Folks Need Protection, Too

Image: Found here

June is Pagan Values Blogging Month

Pax has issued a challenge:

In June the sun is at it’s height in the Northern Hemisphere and nearly hidden from view in the Southern Hemisphere. Midsummer and Yule, festivals of fire and of light.

Let us then use our hearts and minds and words, invoking the fires of inspiration; let us write of the virtues and ethics and morals and values we have found in our Pagan paths, let us share how we carry these precious things forward in our own lives and out into the world.

Join me, in the month of June 2009 in writing about Pagan values.

I'm in.

Sia

Art: Susan Seddon Boulet

Memorial Day

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE

Returning: Looking for the goddess in Malta and in the new film "Agora"

Today I would like to share some views of the goddess temples of Malta while we consider reactions to the new film Agora, courtesy of Jason at The Wild Hunt. The movie was filmed on the island.

Jason writes:

The movie “Agora”, which centers on the life of Neoplatonist Pagan philosopher Hypatia, had its first official screening at the Cannes Film Festival and initial reviews are trickling in from the entertainment press...

“…there is much in the picture to sustain sympathetic interest, including its dedicated historical perspective, intellectual seriousness and credible presentation of epic film elements that have often tripped up filmmakers in the past. Then there is the physical side of the production, which is genuinely impressive. Lensing entirely in Malta, Amenabar has fleshed out real locations with extensive sets and helpful (and largely undetectable) CGI extensions to provide a striking impression of a legendary ancient city. Production designer Guy Hendrix Dyas has mixed traditional Greco-Roman style buildings with Egyptian motifs and various interior decorative influences to palpably evoke a Mediterranean port city where many cultures convened. Gabriella Pescucci’s costumes colorfully support this approach, and Xavi Gimenez’s widescreen lensing captures it all with colorful mobility.

I knew this was in production and I've been both hopeful and worried about the ways in which it will present this ancient Pagan scholar, teacher and herione. This is the review at Jason's blog that made me happy:

As for the historical accuracy buffs, The Guardian’s Charlotte Higgins calls “Agora” a “gift to classicists”.

Here below is the "teaser trailer" for the film:



I quite look forward to seeing it. Thank you, Jason. To read his entire article, go to the link above.

Goddess Music in Malta:

You might also enjoy the Returning CD by Jennifer Berezan which was recorded in the Oracle Chamber in the Hypogeum at Hal Saflieni, Malta. A 6000 year old Goddess temple made for sound. You can buy this CD at her Edge of Wonder music site or at Serpentine Music.

Sia


Related Articles:

Interview with Jennifer Berezan about recording Returning in the Hypogeum in Malta

Video: Youtube:
Goddess Temples of Malta
Trailer: Agora

Scott Simon On Two Very Different Lives: Michael Vic and Zachary Boyd

Today NPR reporter Scott Simon shared his thoughts about convicted dog killer Michal Vic working for with the Humane Society.

Excerpt:

The idea that a man who has just served 23 months in prison for running a dogfighting business... sounds as absurd as John Gotti working with Mother Teresa...But Mr. Vick met twice while he was in prison with Wayne Pacelle, head of the Humane Society, and told him that he wants to help the organization's anti-dogfighting programs.

"My first reaction was, 'You gotta be kidding,' " Mr. Pacelle told us. "But as I set with the issue more, it began to make sense.

"I'm not embracing Michael Vick," he emphasized. "I'm not saying he's a changed man. I'm not saying that we want him reinstated in the NFL. He said, 'I want to work with you on an anti-dogfight program.' And after much deliberation and soul searching, we said, 'here are some programs'."

Warning: Some of the details about animal abuse in this story may not appropriate for sensitive readers.

Can Mr Vic's work make a differerence with young people and others engaged in dog fighting? Let us hope so. Goddess knows he owes a great and heavy karmic debt, as does anyone in his early life who taught him how to dispise, torture and kill other beings for fun and profit.

Real Men Wear Pink Boxers:

Mr Simon is an author and the host on Saturdays for the NPR show Weekend Edition. I would also recommend another wonderful story by him that aired today titled Real Men Wear Pink Boxers.

Excerpt:

Nineteen-year-old Spc. Zachary Boyd of the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry, was sleeping when the Taliban attacked his unit in Afghanistan's Kunar province. Boyd leapt from his bunk. He grabbed his weapon, pulled on his helmet and vest, and manned his station behind sandbags at Firebase Restropo. He did not stop to pull on trousers.

What a guy! I love this story.

My thoughts this weekend are with all the real men (and women) serving in our armed forces, both here and abroad.

Sia

Related Articles:

Think Again: Michael Vic and Modest Dress

Etsy: Buying and Selling Handmade Items

Oh, look. This is why I like Etsy.

Place Setting - Dance By The Light of the Moon

The plates have lettering on the edges.

The dinner plate says, "Dance, Dance by the light of the Moon." The luncheon plate says, "Dance and Make Merry, Dance by the light of the Moon." around the rim. The cup is a rounded 'cauldron' shape with indents in the sides to make it comfy to hold.

The set was made from brown stoneware with lots of texture to it, and has multiple glazes that vary in color from pale greens and gold to earthy browns and rusts. Each has a soft spiral in the center.

I just love crafty people, don't you?

Have fun,

Sia


Note: I do not receive any funds, gifts, chocolate, handsome dancing lads or any other sort of renumeration for mentioning gift items for sale or websites at this blog.

Loving

The topic for this week at the Spiral Steps on-line support group is loving. One member shared in a way I found so moving that I asked if I could reprint her share here. So, with her permission, I offer this essay by guest Blogger, Herself.

Loving

Today my thoughts on loving are a mix of events in my life.

Yesterday my mother called to say she will being seeing an Oncologist in two weeks because they believe she has uterine cancer, "don't tell your brothers, daughters or aunts yet". Loving is making the five hour drive to go to the appointment with her. Facing my fears of losing my last parent to cancer, of going through all that it entails again and this time not drinking my way through it. Loving is knowing that I can respect her wishes for secrecy and still be able to call friends in the program and tell them I am afraid. Taking care of my spirit and sobriety by reaching out. Feeling their support and knowing I can count on it.

Yesterday the postman brought a footlocker to my door, sent from a young man in Iraq. He loves my daughter and has invented a game to pass the time they must be separated. She must wait for his call to get the combination to the lock, inside their are clues that she must follow and at the end there will be some sort of silly irreverent thing that will make her (and the rest of the family) laugh. This is loving.

Today he called, we thought to give her the code but he had forgotten it and we had to cut the lock off anyway! LOL. We all will tease him about that for weeks. This is loving.

Today I watched as she took out his uniform shirts and buried her face in them because they smelled of him. My heart is so afraid for them both, I have to work hard at surrounding them in loving light to keep the darkness of fears out. Still I cry as I watch her take the shirt to bed with her, tears in her eyes, soft smile on her lips. I call to her as she passes my door, "enjoy your dreams Lovey". This is loving.

Not always sweet, not always romance or sexual attraction. Sometimes requiring all the strength we have to give or acceptance we do not wish to practice. Sometimes requiring us to reach out and ask for help, when our ego would have us isolate and live in the fears. Sometimes requiring a goodbye and grief.

The intent that created a place to share what I don't understand, is loving.

Loving is all these things for me.

Namaste and Thank you.

Herself

*******

May you have such loving in your own life.

Sia

Related Articles:

Making a Sea Change: The Spiral Steps Support Groups

Painting: Day by Robert Edward Hughes

The Bank of Happiness or 5 Good Things About Hard Times

Today I would like to offer some food for thought. This comes from a story called Happy News from the Recession: 5 Good Things About Hard Times:

Estonians create a virtual “Bank of Happiness.”

Estonia, a small country in Eastern Europe, has been hit hard by the global recession. But while Estonia’s national bank is dealing with a catastrophic fall-out, Estonia’s Bank of Happiness is happily accepting new members.

The Bank of Happiness has no physical presence, but is merely an Internet portal where Estonians can register their contact details, along with details on what personal and professional skills they can use to help community members, as well as requests for what they’d like help with from others.

“I think young people would love to do this. Not everything has to be based on money,” 18-year-old student Evelin Tamm told the Times Online. “I love to clean and to babysit. Perhaps, in return, someone could help me with my maths and physics.”

The Bank of Happiness hasn’t officially opened for business yet, but Estonians are eager to register and start helping their neighbors. One of the Bank’s founders, Rainer Nolvak, believes that the idea has the potential to transform the small country.

“It is based on the assumption that doing good is good for you,” he said. “It will touch everyone with a conscience.”

Lest anyone think that tiny Estonia has it easier than we do, I would offer an earlier article I wrote on their Singing Revolution.

Sia

Who is back from vacation and hoping this finds you well and happy,

Beltane Wishes

Greetings to all here,

I will soon migrate westward to spend solar and lunar Beltane with old friends. While I'm gone the blog will take a nap.

I hope this finds you well and happy. Have a lovely Beltane season,

Sia

Pastel painting: Violet-green swallow by Karen Margulis. You can view her work here.

Bread and Roses for Beltane

If, like me, you are a small frog croaking joyfully in the lily pond that is modern Paganism then you, too, will receive emails this time of year asking if you know of any Beltane events occurring your town. Whenever I receive such correspondence I refer folks to the events pages at The Witches Voice (1) yet even as I do that I wonder if I'm doing the right thing.

It is natural for someone to want community, especially during the great festivals. Yet many of us find public events disappointing when we come to them. There are a lot of reasons for this, but the one I want to focus on today centers around this question: If we do not take the time to tend to a chosen, core and trusted community throughout the year, then how do we expect to find the circle fulfilling at Beltane?

Nothing Wrong With A Bit O' Fun and Feasting

If all you want is some drumming and dancing around the Maypole or if, as an adult, you are after a bit of merry making in the lusty month of May, then, go, be safe, and have fun. You take my blessings with you. I've been to such celebrations and had a great time. But if what you wanted was a deeper experience, if you want meaningful ritual or, better yet, a powerful sense of your connection to the life that quickens all around you this month, what we in my tradition consider to be a connection to the sacred, then I don't quite see how that can be accomplished in haste, among strangers.

Tending The Fire

Over the years, I have seen two types of Beltane celebrations that move me the most. The first is group orientated but at the same time, deeply personal. It involves people who know one another, who have a feeling of comfort around one another, and who have shared commitments and values as well as healthy boundaries. And it doesn't have to be a Pagan group.

A good group experience might be found at the fireside or in the dance, but it can also be found, as my friend Owlmoon finds it, while hosting a full moon hike for children and parents. These people comprise a nature group she works with on projects all year long. Of the dozen or so families there, only two identify as Pagan.

Good groups, all kinds, tend their relationships over the course of the year in the same way I tend my garden, by pulling up weeds that sprout and feeding and trimming what needs it. What they have, they have nurtured over time and it comes to fruition, as so much else does, at Beltane. Take, for example, my friend Sage who will be out this weekend doing wetlands restoration. She'll bring that experience into circle in a ritual centered around clean water for all, and some of the people from the restoration project with be there with her.

Form Follows Function

Beltane celebrations aren't something we put on awkwardly once a year like fancy dress and tight shoes. They are something that grows organically out of who we are, what we value and what our connection is to one another.

The best Beltane celebrations for me, are joyous and easy because I know and trust the people I'm with. Such celebrations strengthen our bonds and we leave the event inspired and joyful. We all find the meaning of Beltane in our own way. What matters to me is this: The celebration takes it's form from the meaning, not the other way around.

Celebrating May Day As A Solitary:

There is another kind of experience, one which we choose for ourselves and celebrate alone. It does not require that we be by ourselves; we can be in a group setting, it simply means that we might be the only one aware of it's greater significance. For example, this Beltane my friend Jo will go into the animal shelter where she volunteers and help find foster homes for homeless mother cats and their kittens. It is only Jo who knows she does this to honor her connection to the Goddess. Her ritual that morning will be private but her service will be done with others. The Mamma Cats will know, of course, but they're not telling.

Blessings at Beltane:

Beltane is what we make it. It can be quiet and peaceful, joyous, sensual, awe inspiring or meditative. It can shake down our house like an earthquake and require we rebuild or caress us gently like a breeze and bring peace to a weary heart. The readiness is all.

For me, a Beltane blessing often comes in the form of that still, small voice that tells me to turn a corner. This is not some stern revelation. Such a blessing is fertile and fair like the arrival of migrating birds bringing their songs with them or like a sudden bloom of wildflowers in an open meadow.

There is a wild park near our home where I walk our dog and such flowers bloom there every year around this time and they seem to do so almost overnight. Beltane gifts can be like that. Yesterday for example, a bright collection of messages I've gotten for months suddenly came together and made sense. They appeared in my meditations like butterflies in a flowering meadow where before there was only frost and dead leaves.

When openness and preparation meet at exactly the right moment our culture calls it an epiphany. Artists, singers, crafters and writers recognize this as the spark that lights their creative flame. Others experience this turn of the wheel as a time of greater freedom, and greet it with relief. Some see it as a time of renewed dedication or can be a moment of grace, a joyous leap around the fire, or the dropping of a burden we've carried far too long. In a season of renewal and growth, many things are possible.

Bread and Roses

When I think of Beltane, I think of bread. Like the baking of bread, a celebration of the life force is a common experience, one that is both nourishing and fruitful. It's power can be observed in nature, as our ancestors observed it, by closely watching mammals, sea creatures, birds, flowers, trees and plants. When such a celebration is done well by us humans; when it's done with care, consciousness, gratitude and joy, it is both fulfilling and delicious.

So much of what we celebrate around Beltane is centered around feasting and flowers. As Shakespeare says, "There's a double meaning in that." The older I get the more I see that a happy life is filled with both bread and roses. My mother, all gods bless her, taught me that a good woman knows how to put both on her table. If you will allow me to expand the metaphor at bit further, I'll say that first she must grow and store the grain and tend the garden in all the seasons that come before this holiday in order to have either ready by May. So here is a question for anyone wanting to find an event this year. Is the experience we create and share at Beltane special, in the same way that the bread we bake for our loved ones is special? I think it can be like that, either in a group setting or as a solitary, when we give attention to it's delights and when our preparation is focused. The blessing comes through us, from our hearts to our hands and then out to the world around us.

Beltane, like any great feast, requires both a fine cook and a good eater to enjoy it. At Beltane, I try to be both.

The blessings of the season to you and yours,

Sia

Related Articles:

Connection, Mystery, Joy

May Day - Valborg by Tseka
The lovely photo of the May Day basket comes from her blog - read the article, you'll be glad you did.

In Praise of Pagan Men
A celebration of the Green Man among us

Beltane: Old Style & New Style
May Day lore and links + notes on Lunar Beltane, Solar Beltane, etc.

Now THIS is a Fire Festival - photos and links from the famous Beltane Festival at Edinburgh

Beltane at the Baylands
An old California tradition

A Merry Beltane - from The Wild Hunt

Lord of the Dance

Beltane Pilgrimage
Notes on the British festival and the Old Oss by a Druid writer.

Apple Blossoms of the White May Moon
Poetry and apple lore

Romantic Thoughts at Beltane

Beltane Greetings
Notes on ancient Celtic celebrations and Rosslyn Chapel and it's links to the Gypsy culture by a member of the American Templar Fellowship.

Beauty and Meaning: Gardening Like a Green Witch

Nudity at Festivals

Pagan Festival Tips
A great section at Vox, with lots of good advice, most of which comes from Patricia Telesco

Cultural Creatives and Change

Links:

Wren's Nest - still the best place on the net for Pagan & earthwise news

The Wild Hunt: Offering a Pagan perspective on the news of the day

Photo: Columbia-spelt from a wonderful recipe site called Freshloaf.com

Endnotes:

(1) The Witches Voice or Vox, as it is fondly known, keeps an event list on a state-wide level in the U.S. and by country internationally. It has served our community for well over a decade. The quality of the essays posted there is a bit hit and miss, as would be the case with any open, community-minded site, but it is still the best place on the net to do networking or find events if you identify as Pagan, Druid, Wiccan, et al. The creators and founders are Fritz Jung and the Rev. Wren Walker. Remember those names. When the time comes to write a detailed history of the modern Pagan movement the work of these two people will be seen as a vital force which helped us to grow towards our highest good. They have always supported littled known groups and effective service and their site serves to highlight what is best and most effective among us. Unlike other venues, they did not focus on those who shouted the loudest or the prancing sillies longing for their 15 minutes of fame; the folks so often covered by the media while the rest of us cringed in embarrassment. I've said this often and I still believe it: Vox's work, in many ways, helped to save us from ourselves. Wren and Fritz deserve our deepest thanks for their unselfish service, their solid ethics and their deep dedication.