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Friday, October 28, 2011

American Horror Story 4

It's Halloween !!

Wednesday's episode Halloween part 1 was amazing. First of let me just say that I LOVED Zachary Quinto as Chad, and I hope his character sticks around. Secondly Thank You AHS for including the accurate history of Samhain. That little scene made me appreciate and respect the show so much more. It's always nice when they put in the effort to make things historically accurate.

**Spoiler Alert** Now while I did feel really bad for Hayden I was kind of hoping that would be the end of her but in a show where the dead are constant characters I guess you can't really expect that. I still think Tate is a Ghost and the only reason he was able to walk among everyone else was because it was Halloween/ Samhain. Also did anyone else come up with the theory that the kicking that Vivien felt was that of the miscarried baby since it was able to "come back" for the night so to speak. I thought the scene with with Moira and her mother was very touching and sad and part of me wonders if Chad and Pat wanted Ben to take down the Gazebo so she could be free. I like that they are continuing to explain the history of the house and the first residents, and I wonder what's going to come of the Frankenstein like laboratory that was in the basement, and why Tate has such an obvious attachment to it.
On a slightly different topic I feel very sorry for Addy, all she wanted was to be a pretty girl for one night and it was over. Something tells me though that we haven't seen the last of her.  

Something my husband keeps asking is "Who is the black condom!" but along with that he's also come up with a very interesting and insightful theory on what it is. Perhaps it's the physical manifestation of the darkness within the house. So with all of those questions and the huge cliff hanger they left us with I can not wait to tune in next Wednesday!

Gaia Consot - The Scyth

Here is another amazing song from Gaia Consort that beautifully represents the sabbat of Samhain as the final harvest. Enjoy!!

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

The End

A lonely widow offers help to what seems like a sweet and harmless stranger but finds he's much more than he appears to be

Cold, wet, cloth flapped gently in the breeze as Maggie hung up her laundry.
           

“I don’t know why I still do this” she said aloud to herself.  Maggie was seventy-eight now and as long as she had lived in her own home she had always hung her laundry on sunny days.  It was September now and almost time for the leaves to turn.  As she clipped the last clothes pin she heard her elbow joint crack.  Lowering her arm she sighed, everything cracked lately.  At least outside she could hear noises besides the cracking, everything was too quiet inside.  More and more lately she found herself leaving on the television for companionship.  The only friend she had anymore was the stray tabby that started hanging around a few weeks ago, but he only came for the food.            

Rubbing her elbow she slowly walked back to the house, knocking over the dish of food that sat by the back door on the way in.  “Great, now I’m getting clumsy too.”  She could hear the phone ringing and began to walk a little faster.  When she and Calvin first moved in the house was perfect for them, now with no one around but her it seemed to be growing and the telephone was farther away than ever.
           

Walking down the hallway she thought about whom it might be and before she even picked up the receiver, she knew.
           

“Hello Dear” she said.
           

“How did you know it was me?”
           

“It’s always you” she laughed.  Since Jack and Jenna left for school her daughter seemed to be filling her empty nest with telephone calls.                                                                                                                                          

“Sorry I’m so predictable.”
           

“You get it from your father.”  Maggie could almost feel the tension on the other end.  It had been over a year now and Diane still wasn’t able to talk about him.
           

“Are you still there?”
           

“Yeah, sorry, your voice sounds funny Mom are you okay?”
           

“I’m fine; my chest just feels a little tight.”
           

“Again, what did the doctor say about it?”
           

“I didn’t see the doctor.”
           

“What?  You promised.”
           

“Diane I’m an adult I can take care of myself.”  She instantly regretted snapping at her daughter but couldn't help but be fed up with the babying.
           

“I’m sorry honey; I’ll make an appointment for next week, all right.”  The line was quiet for a while and Maggie wondered if she should change the subject.
           

“I don’t want to lose you too.” Her heart broke at the sound of her voice; she sounded eight years old again.
           

Diane cleared her throat on the other end, “well I’m going to go throw a load of laundry in, I’ll probably talk to you tomorrow.”
           

“Okay baby, I love you.”
           

“I love you too Mom.”
           

Maggie hung up the phone to the sound of her husband’s voice in her head I don’t like this Mags, I don’t like our little girl living so far away...... (click for my entire short story) 

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

The Season Of Sprits

Samhain is thought of as one of the times of the year when the veil between this world and the next is at it's thinnest. Many people take this time to go ghost "hunting" and share stories of those who have passed on but still linger in the land of the living.

Every region has it's local legends and ghost stories and I thought I would share a few from my home state of Massachusetts.

There is the infamous Rock-a-Dundee Rd in Hamden  where everything is said to have happened from a mass teen suicide to the untimely death of a small child.

The bizarre tale of Demonic possession that took place in Warren that is said to have several credible witnesses.

The famous Lizzie Borden House in Fall River which was even visited by SyFy's Ghost Hunters

Last but not least Salem with it's terrible history of hangings, voodoo, curses, and deceit.

Haunted tales abound and if you live in the area and are interested in doing a little ghost hunting of your own visit Shadowlands for an extensive list of haunted locations.

If you visit any of these places please tell us all about your experience!

Monday, October 24, 2011

Interesting Information

Thanks to a wonderful post on Myriad's Blog I have a bit of an update for you.
The Pagan Occupancy of D.C. is most definitely a go and is taking place on Halloween Eve from Noon to five.
I would also like to correct myself, I believe I stated in my previous post that I didn't believe any one considered lady liberty to be a Goddess. Well I stand corrected apparently some view her as a modern day Goddess. I guess you learn something new every day.

On a lighter note I read an interesting article over at Martha'svinyard.patch.com and thought I would share it with you all.

Have a blessed Monday Evening. )O(

Once Upon A Time Pilot

Did anyone watch last night? I really enjoyed it. I appreciate the main character Emma and her ballsy attitude which is slightly tempered by her clear vulnerability, and I like Henry and find him to be sweet and precocious without being to cheesy or cliched. I found Snow White and the Prince to be a little simpering for my taste but considering who they are I believe that comes with the territory.

I'm a little confused as to why Rumpelstiltskin owns the town when he said in his jail cell that it would even be prison for him but perhaps he's worked out some kind of deal with the Queen. I guess I'll have to keep watching and find out.

If you missed the First episode and would like to catch it on line visit:
 http://beta.abc.go.com/shows/once-upon-a-time

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Once Upon A Time


Who loves fairy tales? I do I do! Tonight at 8/7c is the premier of ABC's new show Once Upon A Time. People like to look down their nose at television and some people even brag that they never watch it. I do, I feel like televisions are really just modern day story tellers. One of the most ancient past times is story telling. I also don't think watching television creates a lack of personal creativity. Sometimes I get my best and most creative ideas from something I've seen in a movie or on a show. I'm especially looking forward to this show as I have been following American Horror story and I feel this will be more fantasy and less horror on the story telling spectrum and the two together are a perfect blend for this time of year.

I've always loved fairy tales from the time I was young and while I feel witches always got a bad rap I appreciated that they were always religiously ambiguous. There was simply right and wrong, good and bad, and you should follow the path of good simply because it's good. Not because a specific God tells you to. They were never afraid of including a little magic and fairies were always in abundance. So if anyone will be tuning in with me, let me know what you think of the show because I'm sure to let you know what I think.

Friday, October 21, 2011

Pagan Protest

If anyone follows the Pentacle Project you've probably heard talk of some right wing extremist Christians saying that the reason this country is "under attack" is because of the statue of liberty. Apparently they believe Lady Liberty to be some sort of Demonic Goddess of Hell, and the American "worship" of her is leading to the nations downfall. I didn't realize anyone worshipped her and I've never seen a candle light vigil held in her honor but I don't know everything so maybe I'm wrong.

I really can't figure out how these nut jobs come up with this stuff. That's like saying Uncle Sam is a God of War and all the pacifists should be up in arms saying that's why we're "under attack". It's insane. These people are always looking to attack some imaginary or non-corporeal being and lay all of the worlds problems on it's fictional or stone head (I guess now that goats aren't in use they've got to use imaginary sacrifices). First it was children's cartoons and now this. Come on people, please try to find a better use of your time.

Further more there is a complete waste of time movement of prayer that is meant to eradicate all feminine deities from America and claiming them to be Goddesses of Hell.
"The New Apostolic Reformation is a Dominionist group of Christians preaching that all feminine forms of deity are demonic. The NAR is engaged in a 51-day campaign of imprecatory prayer to create a fundamentalist Christian theocracy in the USA. Republican presidential hopefuls Michele Bachmann and Rick Perry are influenced by the NAR agenda."
I guess they've decided our male deities are okay. Who knew a spiritual being with a vagina was so damned frightening.

To combat this D.C. Pagan Priests and Priestesses will be holding "a Celebration of the Divine feminine and Religious freedom"  across from the White House. I wish I had the money to get there because if I did I would have to stand with them.

Last Quarter Moon

For anyone that follows the moon phases last night was the last quarter moon, I like to light a black candle in reverence to the crone aspect of life and reflect on things I wish weren't a part of my path anymore. One thing I've been working on is getting healthy again. So I tried to focus on letting go of bad eating habits. What are some things you want to get rid of?

American Horror Story 3

This was meant to be posted yesterday but I had to much to do and never got it finished. Did anyone catch the last episode. It was amazing!

**Spoiler Alert** Well now we know how Moira was killed and why her eye looks like that. I really appreciate how they explain why Vivien sees her one way but Ben sees her another. It makes me really curious though whether or not she's actually acting that way or if it's all in his head. I feel very sorry for her. Especially because she's now trapped in the house.

As far as Tate goes I'm about 98% positive that he's a ghost. A theory that I have is that he's Constance's son, the one she said that wasn't disabled. Also it's been becoming more and more clear that Constance used to live in that house but I don't remember them ever discussing or explaining it. So I guess we'll just have to see what happens. I love that they included the ghost of the first mistress of the house, so far she has been the most haunting of the spirits by far.

I feel very sorry for Hayden who is clearly troubled but I believe to have simply been a victim of passionate and irrational love that was quite obviously not reciprocated and what is up with Larry! The man is obviously disfigured both inside and out, and something tells me he has a very integral part to play in the story soon to come.

My husband asked me if I think the show will make it and I really feel that if they keep up at the rate they have been it will, or at least I hope it will.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

So We're on This Again are We

Over at the Huffington post there's a cute little article on whether or not Christians should celebrate Halloween based on it's connection to paganism. Surprisingly enough there are even Pagans who wonder whether or not they should send their little ones out begging for candy since trick-or-treating has become so secularized and removed from the pagan tradition. Before I say anything I would just like to state that this is my personal opinion and everyone should do what feels right for them and their families.

That being said considering the fact that oh... 90% of our traditions and holidays have been... well lets say borrowed and stripped to remove any connection it once had to it's original purpose I'm pretty sure there's no worry that dressing up in a costume and stuffing yourself with fun-sized snickers one night a year is going to associate you with being a pagan. While Samhain is becoming ever more present as more and more pagans work their way out of the broom closet, trick-or-treating isn't an ancient ritual for bringing back Aunt Sally from the dead. It's also not connected to the ancient Celtic God of the Dead Sam Hain (ya hear that Supernatural IT'S NOT, do your homework!). It's not connected to any god for that matter. It was simply the final harvest of the year and a time to remember and acknowledge those who have passed on. Some believe it is a time of the year when the dead can more easily communicate with the living (me being one of them). However believing this isn't really a prerequisite for being pagan.

Do any of those things remind you of a bunch of 3 year olds dressed as the Lion King (that's who Adrian wants to be) didn't think so. So while Christians are once again trying to put yet another spin on a holiday that was never theirs to begin with so they can eat candy guilt free, and some Pagans are fretting over letting little Starshine dress as the Wicked Witch because of it's stereotypical implications we will be trick-or-treating, because it's fun and it doesn't hurt anyone. We'll also be taking him to do grave rubbings, and leaving pieces of cake and cookie for the ghosts that might want to visit in the night. Stop worrying, in the words of the fabulous Bette Middler "It's just a bunch of Hocus Pocus" ;-)

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

A Council of Witches?

I've read from a few sources lately that the American Council of Witches is coming back. Well I guess for starters I'd have to say I didn't even know there had been one in the first place. It appears that back in the 1970s a group of Pagans formed themselves into a council with the purpose of looking out for the rights of various Pagan faiths and creating an interfaith dialog to dispel some myths about the pagan community. I won't lie, I kind of have mixed feelings about this.

On the one hand I like the fact that finally there will be a council of people all hailing from different Pagan faiths willing to stand up for us all and say "We will be taken seriously and we will get involved." I also like that just maybe this can lead to people of Pagan faiths being taken seriously. Too often we are labeled by the media as just fan boys/girls who have watched The Craft one too many times, and taken Harry Potter way too seriously. We're all associated with adolescent confusion, drug use, and promiscuous sex. It would be nice to see a group of mature adults standing as our representatives.

However, I'm a little unnerved at the idea of a council of people standing up and saying this is what we all believe in. I'm also more than a little concerned about it shining a giant spotlight on the Pagan community and making it easier to attack us. I guess we'll just have to see what happens, I'll keep you posted as I learn more.

Friday, October 14, 2011

Five Year Anniversary

Today is my five year anniversary to my wonderful, amazing, sexy husband. Thankfully my parents are watching our son so we can get a night out alone. Nothing to fancy, just dinner at Applebee's and maybe a little shopping, but what we do doesn't really matter. The ritual of making sure we find time alone for a quiet, meal, adult conversation, and reminiscing about that special day five years ago where we pledged our selves to each other for all of eternity is what makes it special (and of course sex).

As I've said before I have no interest in bashing other religions, or faith systems and I know that these kinds of quandaries are not prevalent to everyone of a specific religious denomination. However, I've heard and read about a lot of people being concerned with whether or not they should celebrate an anniversary, a birthday, a holiday or even wear wedding bands and hand out gifts because they believe the practice to be "too pagan" or secular and not something ordained by their God. I don't know that I could live that way. Afraid to commemorate a special occasion with a celebratory ritual.

Why would God care whether or not they give someone a birthday present? Or whether or not wearing a wedding band is too pagan. Why can't we just be happy. As long as it's not harming someone else why does it even matter what we do? I'm not saying they're wrong. Obviously they need to do whatever feels right to them, I just couldn't live that way. It seems very...joyless. I'm sure they feel the same way about someone who's pagan and to me that's just why they are who they are and I am who I am and that's just the way it's meant to be.

All I know is I'm proud to wear my wedding band, and engagement band. I'm proud of the fact that we've been married for five years, and I'm glad that every year on the 14th of October my husband and I will find ourselves in some restaurant, talking about how nice we looked that day, and how much we still love each other.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

American Horror Story Episode 2

Did anyone catch last nights episode of American Horror Story? I'm starting to think that just maybe Tate is alive but I really want to know what his connection is to that house. Perhaps he's related to someone who died there.On a slightly less supernatural note, I always appreciate it when there's a real life lesson in the plot. Not some cheesy phony display but an actual lesson and an example of what type of situations to avoid. Types of situations that real people get caught up in every day.

That being said hiding things and lying NEVER works out, even if you think you're doing it for altruistic reasons. Your motives are never really selfless. You tell yourself it's to protect someone, but in all honesty it's only to protect yourself. It has nothing to do with not wanting them to be upset, you just don't want to see them upset.

If he had just told her who had called and what was going on, hell invited her along obviously she would feel hurt, and it would bring back all sorts of painful memories, but she already knew that they had sex. If he had taken that small step towards honesty, it would have gone a long way in proving that they were starting with a clean slate and he was done with secrets. Also perhaps if the girl saw them together, saw that they were working things out, that they were a united front, just maybe she wouldn't have been so clingy and needy. If she thinks he's hiding things from his wife it just adds to her impression that they still have some sort of secret romance, that he still wants her, and wants to be alone with her.

Yes, yes, I know it's just a show, but people.. good people make these kinds of mistakes all the time simply to avoid an uncomfortable situation. Human relationships are going to be filled with uncomfortable situations until the end of time. The sooner we all face that fact and learn to take responsibility for our actions the happier we'll all be.

So for all of you who believe that Pagans don't have a sense of morality simply because we don't have a singular definable God to turn to as a guide or the ten commandments, I guess you were wrong.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

An Esbat and a Horror Story

If you've glanced at the moon phase tab you may have noticed that today is the day of the Blood Moon.
Hello October Esbat! I always light a red candle during a full moon to represent the blood mysteries and pay homage to the divine mother deity. I know I'll be working with my tarot later this evening and if it stays nice perhaps a moon walk. And lets not forget a little energy raising sex. Moons are generally representative of female deities. But today's moon is also associated with Gods of the hunt. So why not celebrate the energies of male and female power coming together.

One of the many things that's had me continually coming back to paganism throughout the years and finally claiming it as my path is the balance of everything. Things may not always be alike, but they are always equal. Night / Day, Light / Dark, Above / Below, Male / Female, and all are equally important. I know there are many feminists out there who like to go on and on about our ability to give birth, but we couldn't do it alone, and neither could the men. Even with today's evolution of science, with sperm banks and fertility doctors both elements are still necessary.

Also tonight is the second episode of American Horror Story. Did anyone watch the first episode?

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Sunday, October 9, 2011

A Lazy Day and Deep Thoughts


Me and Adrian (my 3 yr old) are the only one's home today, just enjoying a lazy day together watching movies on Netflix, some cleaning and maybe some coloring. I'm introducing him to the Dark Crystal. It's a little dark but I feel like it gives us some room for discussion and helps to teach him some good morals. Being gentle, respect for the earth, and living a natural life. I love showing him the movies that I used to enjoy when I was younger. I think it's really important to show our children what has moved, or entertained us. Maybe it will move them, and they'll share it with their children, and the chain begins. Even if you don't believe in life after death seeing your passions, and morals passed down through the generations is sure to give you hope that you're spirit will live on, even if it resides in another. Just maybe reincarnation isn't as far fetched as some people believe. Perhaps it's just not as literal as they imagined.

Friday, October 7, 2011

Kristin Lawrence - Souling Song


The video for this song  by Kristen Lawrence is... interesting to say the least, but the song is AMAZING. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I do.

Musings on The Rule of Three and the Wiccan Rede

Essentially The Rule of three and the Wiccan Rede can be summed up in two phrases. What ever you put out in the world comes back to you three fold, and "An it harm none, do what ye will". Both of these are essentially meant to be advice for leading a responsible and respectful life, and work off of the basic principals of Karma. Many people I've talked to in the past however don't seem to take these phrases as advice meant for interpretation rather as strict guidelines meant to be followed to the letter, and are even inescapable. They believe if they do the smallest disservice to any living creature they have to sit and wait for the karmic three-fold fury that is bound to come their way.

Now if you see these as rules which are essential to your emotional and mental well being. By all means I have no gripe with you and you should feel free to live life as you choose. I personally see no real world proof that these are clear tenants of the universe. Also I believe that at times we live in a cruel and unjust society wherein only the strongest survive and occasionally yes that does mean that someone may get hurt and it might be at your doing. Do I think you should seek these situations out, of course not. I'm just not afraid to fight fire with fire, and if someone is damaged in any way (mentally, emotionally, physically) by my hand I accept responsibility for my actions. I certainly don't feel good about it, but life is full of mistakes and I can't spend my entire life walking on proverbial eggshells. Not really sure if this made any sort of clear sense but those are just my thoughts on the subject.

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Lisa Thiel - Samhain


It's music time. This song by Lisa Thiel is a little slow for my taste, but it's still seasonally appropriate and beautifully sung.

American Horror Story

Did anyone watch American Horror Story on FX last night, if you did, what did you think of it? Personally I didn't think it was half bad. I'm sure critics are going to have a field day with the show but I don't usually agree with what they say anyways. Right now I'm having fun picking out who might not actually be alive on the show. I'm guessing **SPOILER ALERT** his patient,  and the housekeeper is pretty damned obvious (me and my husband think the perfect punishment for the cheating jerk is to have sex with her and in the middle see what she really looks like) I'm on the fence about the neighbor and her daughter. I'm going to go with no because her daughter's aged but at the same time she seems heavily intertwined with the spirits and the house. So let's see what happens next Wednesday.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Gaia Consort

I love Gaia Consort! Their vocals are amazing. I've just recently found this group thanks to the wonderful world of YouTube. Pagan music isn't really hard to find I've come to discover but I never really knew where or how to look.

Introduction

This is my most exciting venture yet. I've been toying with the idea for quite a while now of starting my own faith blog. I've read quite a few and feel it's finally time to add my voice. I'm going to try and work on this every day and I have big ideas for this page. I feel like I have a lot of knowledge and ideas to share with the pagan and pagan novice community. This is going to include my own personal beliefs and opinions and may not conform to everything else you might have read or believe in. If you see or read anything you disagree with feel free to avert your eyes or start a healthy debate. I'm always open to new ideas and don't mind a challenge. With that being said I hope you find this page useful.

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