Blessed Litha '16!
This is one holiday that really is not to be missed - and yet it falls at such a busy time of year. There is so much energy at this time that it seems we are so eager to go, go, go and yet the heat seems to put us into slow motion, begging for shade!
I know it may sound odd, but remember this is about My Pagan Family so - here it is. We celebrate this sabbat over a few days. We cleaned out our garage, mulched landscape beds, and spruced up the outdoor fire circle. We had intended to have our bonfire but it just didn't work out this time.
We went to a water park and basked in the glory of the sun! We also enjoyed our lunch on a breezy patio while watching the birds.
The kids love having Slurpee, Icey, Slushy, Kona, cold sweet treats. We let the kids go crazy with this stuff during Litha. It just feels right.
A baseball game rounded out our Litha celebrations. Aaaah the people watching ;)
Of course a cheerful alter was in order. Lots of sunshine themed, warm colors. Wheres the photo? Eeeeeh. I have took hunt for a photo. I had some tech difficulties in the midst of the summer and I don't know if the photos I took are going to make it here. We shall see. Life just IS.
All in all a good solstice.
Wishing you and yours a sunny happy summer!
Alette >)0(<
My pagan family celebrations as we turn the wheel of the year ♥ www.mypaganfamily.blogspot.com
Wednesday, June 22, 2016
Wednesday, June 1, 2016
Today is Peace Wednesday!
♥
______________________________________________________
♥
______________________________________________________
I am a pacifist. I deeply believe in peaceful living. I believe in equality of all humans.
Here is this weeks candle on Wednesday for peace.
I invite you to join me.
Light a candle and contemplate and visualize peace and equality - commit to that ideal.
Monday, May 30, 2016
Memorial Day Weekend
Enjoy your Memorial Day U.S.A. !!
This Memorial Day, we light a candle and express our gratitude for those who served and gave all for our country. Freedom has not been free.
We have a little memorial altar here. We light a candle and take a min of reflection.
We engage in some seriously American activities today - we drink Coke's and eat BBQ. We'll play some hockey and later we sure hope to see some fireworks!
~Alette
Wednesday, May 25, 2016
Wednesdays For Peace
Something is new around here! Welcome to "Wednesdays for Peace"
______________________________________________________
I am a pacifist. I deeply believe in peaceful living. I believe in equality of all humans.
I will be burning a candle every Wednesday for peace.
I invite you to join me.
Light a candle and contemplate and visualize peace and equality - commit to that ideal.
Sunday, May 22, 2016
Full Moon and Mercury
I wanted to view Mercury in its glory. I was all jazzed. There was a light cool breeze and due to the full moon the area was lit naturally like a dim morning. The energy around us was palpable! How exciting!
I headed out to my usual viewing area with my beloved - and, and, and..... clouds. Lots, and lots of big marshmallowy clouds. Although the clouds were back-lit nicely we could not view a single light in the sky. No visible moon, or stars, and no Mercury. Herrrumph!
So, that's it. Lots of energy, and no viewing.
However - the end of the retrograde is awesome! I have had terrible almost debilitating head aches for several days, which is completely abnormal for me. All of my household's sleep has been 'off'. Also one of my children has been ill. Today, finally - no one in my home is ill and I have no head ache! I think I just need a good nap! Truth.
Wishing you all well my 'circle kittys'!
~Alette )0(
I headed out to my usual viewing area with my beloved - and, and, and..... clouds. Lots, and lots of big marshmallowy clouds. Although the clouds were back-lit nicely we could not view a single light in the sky. No visible moon, or stars, and no Mercury. Herrrumph!
So, that's it. Lots of energy, and no viewing.
However - the end of the retrograde is awesome! I have had terrible almost debilitating head aches for several days, which is completely abnormal for me. All of my household's sleep has been 'off'. Also one of my children has been ill. Today, finally - no one in my home is ill and I have no head ache! I think I just need a good nap! Truth.
Wishing you all well my 'circle kittys'!
~Alette )0(
Box of Shadows for May
Hey Circle Cats! (...that means you...)
This remains true:
The facts: $40 per month, renews automatically, communication via email. Simple.
The facts: $40 per month, renews automatically, communication via email. Simple.
What's inside this month?
This month I received five chime candles (pink, red, white, blue, yellow), a green "abundance" candle with glass cup holder and tip sheet, a sage smudge bundle, Jasmine incense, a garnet stone, a vile of anointing oil, a soapstone pentagram altar tile, and a carved sheesham wood spoon!
I am jazzed about everything in the box. My two favorite things in this box are the wooden spoon with a carved pentagram and the pentagram tile! As you can see in the photo, these two things are really beautiful. I have a special affinity for the protection of the star! I wear them, have them, and draw them pretty much everywhere! So having these two pieces in the box are especially exciting for me.
I am jazzed about everything in the box. My two favorite things in this box are the wooden spoon with a carved pentagram and the pentagram tile! As you can see in the photo, these two things are really beautiful. I have a special affinity for the protection of the star! I wear them, have them, and draw them pretty much everywhere! So having these two pieces in the box are especially exciting for me.
This months empty box has already been reused in a school project by my youngest child. It is now an artful part of a "Reading Robot". I have likely mentioned this before - but the eco friendly packaging really floats my crunchy little boat! I will post about the June BoS surprise next month. C'mon, You know you are curious! X)
~Alette )0(
Saturday, May 14, 2016
Mandalas for Peace!
*EYEROLL*! Yes, it is 2016, and no I will not sugar coat this. I have a problem with willful ignorance, but not with art. Never with art.
This is my answer to the uneducated shitstorm of anti-mandala sentiment introduced by a Christian blogger.
((Origional Xtian post found here: Last Hiker))
Dear Last Hiker - Take a long hike off of a short dock! - Mother Nature
This is my answer to the uneducated shitstorm of anti-mandala sentiment introduced by a Christian blogger.
((Origional Xtian post found here: Last Hiker))
Dear Last Hiker - Take a long hike off of a short dock! - Mother Nature
I am not a "crunchy new-ager", but that's a great thing to be! I do happen to be a "crunchy" Pagan though - also a great way to be! (However - I guess this is meant to be an insult? Hum... I thought Christians were above that.... guess not...)
This post hit a nerve. It hit a nerve in myself and appeared to also hit a nerve in the spiritually aware community of Paganism. The ignorance and misinformation (from a Christian Theological perspective) in the post is woefully astounding. Many of the comments are dreadfully ignorant as well.
First (I believe) all art is good art. Art is not just for children. It is for humans. Self expression that harms none, is an excellent part of being a human. Art can help us to recognize the common struggles we face. It can serve as a medium for discussion where disagreement has been tough. It can shed light on things we could not quite put our personal 'finger on'. (Yes, in my art of writing - I did end that sentence with a preposition - the imagery and whimsy would not otherwise have been the same.)
Art can be various things including writing, dancing, music, sculpture, recycling, gardening, fashion, paint, tattoo (I know sooo subversive), make up..... the list could go on and on and on.... every person can be drawn to express art in their own way. This. is. GOOD!
So, I challenge you to ask yourself how artwork, or participating in artistic expression could *possibly* lead one 'religiously' astray. If I choose to color a picture of a rood, it does not make me a Christian. If I focus on the life of the tree while doing so, I have aligned my mind with the trees life cycle. (If you are curious what else I am talking about - see "Dream of the Rood" it's classic lit and being well read is a good thing, so look it up dude. Also, the irony here, I mean really!)
Similarly, having a coloring book with mandalas, coloring them, or creating a mandala will NOT invoke (or evoke) some scary deity - unless of course you believe in that deity and focus your energy on said deity as you color. Therefore, lets say one is a Christian and therefor does not believe in any deity existing besides Jesus Christ. Therefor it is literally impossible to be lead to any other form of deity while coloring a mandala. This is basic Christian theology people. Yes. Really.
One should never take these random bloggers ideas as gospel. Yes, I said it.
Ask yourself -
*IF one truly believes a deity (In this case Jesus) to be all powerful, then how could coloring a picture thwart that deity's power? You do believe your soul to be his, right?
*IF one truly believes they have been 'saved', then how could art possibly thwart that?
Truth:
*What is inside your own heart is the only thing you will discover while coloring a repetitive pattern of a mandala.
*The only demons you will encounter through the door of coloring are those in your own head. So, if sneaky- "spiritual hosts of wickedness" are already in your subconscious mind.... the mandala is not your problem!
(Remember my comment about art? "It can shed light on things we could not quite put our personal 'finger on'.")?
I can promise you that the thought police are needlessly keeping you from self expression if you buy into "thou shall not color mandalas" - which by the way I am pretty certain is not expressly listed as a commandment in any Christian or Mormon scriptures. (Yes, I separate the two out because Evangelicals do not consider Mormons to be Christians due to scriptural and doctrinal differences, and Mormons don't understand the difference. Kind of like thinking mandalas will somehow cause one to become Buddhist, accidentally- or you know conjure an accidental demon. However, I digress...)
The Last Hiker quotes-
“When completed, a mandala becomes a sacred area that serves as a receptacle for deities and a collection point of universal forces. By mentally entering a mandala and proceeding to its center, a person is symbolically guided through the cosmos to the essence of reality. By constructing a mandala, a monk ritually participates in the Buddha’s teachings.”(ReligionFacts.com)
As a Christian you would not believe in any other deities - so how could some mysterious entity be collecting there? The Last Hiker states that demons can enter through a mandala - really? So now demons are Christian deities? Perhaps your 'saving' didn't stick?
Also, allow me to draw your attention to churches and cathedrals throughout the world, constructed at various points in history. (Note the links to click for examples) They very often contain stained glass mandalas. They also very often contain stonework or mosaic mandalas. I suppose if we follow the 'logic' of Last Hiker, that accidently makes those structures Buddhist or Hindu and has opened the door to demons. So, "sweet Christian friends" beware because if those mandalas don't get you , the ancient architecture or sheer ignorance will!
Go get a mandala and focus on world peace while you color. Focus on treating others with love (you know the sum of the whole law, per Jesus?). Focus on banashing ignorence, poverty, bigotry, violence.... Color Mandalas for peace! That is what Jesus would do.
Yes, I am blunt. Not sorry. Educated. Now, go read something that some religious authority (or blogger) told you not to read. Think for yourself. You will be glad you did.
I will light a candle for the illumination of your mind.
(AKA: I will pray for your enlightenment of thought.)
~Alette )0(
Church photos are not mine, but belong to the publishers at the websites provided. (Please note that there are many examples of church mandalas around the world, these are just a few for the sake of example.)
The related structures referenced in my essay include:
Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg, FR
Bordeaux Cathedral, FR
St. Vitus, Czech Christ Church, Dublin IRL
Monastery of Tatev ,9th century Armenian
This post hit a nerve. It hit a nerve in myself and appeared to also hit a nerve in the spiritually aware community of Paganism. The ignorance and misinformation (from a Christian Theological perspective) in the post is woefully astounding. Many of the comments are dreadfully ignorant as well.
First (I believe) all art is good art. Art is not just for children. It is for humans. Self expression that harms none, is an excellent part of being a human. Art can help us to recognize the common struggles we face. It can serve as a medium for discussion where disagreement has been tough. It can shed light on things we could not quite put our personal 'finger on'. (Yes, in my art of writing - I did end that sentence with a preposition - the imagery and whimsy would not otherwise have been the same.)
Art can be various things including writing, dancing, music, sculpture, recycling, gardening, fashion, paint, tattoo (I know sooo subversive), make up..... the list could go on and on and on.... every person can be drawn to express art in their own way. This. is. GOOD!
So, I challenge you to ask yourself how artwork, or participating in artistic expression could *possibly* lead one 'religiously' astray. If I choose to color a picture of a rood, it does not make me a Christian. If I focus on the life of the tree while doing so, I have aligned my mind with the trees life cycle. (If you are curious what else I am talking about - see "Dream of the Rood" it's classic lit and being well read is a good thing, so look it up dude. Also, the irony here, I mean really!)
Similarly, having a coloring book with mandalas, coloring them, or creating a mandala will NOT invoke (or evoke) some scary deity - unless of course you believe in that deity and focus your energy on said deity as you color. Therefore, lets say one is a Christian and therefor does not believe in any deity existing besides Jesus Christ. Therefor it is literally impossible to be lead to any other form of deity while coloring a mandala. This is basic Christian theology people. Yes. Really.
One should never take these random bloggers ideas as gospel. Yes, I said it.
Ask yourself -
*IF one truly believes a deity (In this case Jesus) to be all powerful, then how could coloring a picture thwart that deity's power? You do believe your soul to be his, right?
*IF one truly believes they have been 'saved', then how could art possibly thwart that?
Truth:
*What is inside your own heart is the only thing you will discover while coloring a repetitive pattern of a mandala.
*The only demons you will encounter through the door of coloring are those in your own head. So, if sneaky- "spiritual hosts of wickedness" are already in your subconscious mind.... the mandala is not your problem!
(Remember my comment about art? "It can shed light on things we could not quite put our personal 'finger on'.")?
I can promise you that the thought police are needlessly keeping you from self expression if you buy into "thou shall not color mandalas" - which by the way I am pretty certain is not expressly listed as a commandment in any Christian or Mormon scriptures. (Yes, I separate the two out because Evangelicals do not consider Mormons to be Christians due to scriptural and doctrinal differences, and Mormons don't understand the difference. Kind of like thinking mandalas will somehow cause one to become Buddhist, accidentally- or you know conjure an accidental demon. However, I digress...)
The Last Hiker quotes-
“When completed, a mandala becomes a sacred area that serves as a receptacle for deities and a collection point of universal forces. By mentally entering a mandala and proceeding to its center, a person is symbolically guided through the cosmos to the essence of reality. By constructing a mandala, a monk ritually participates in the Buddha’s teachings.”(ReligionFacts.com)
As a Christian you would not believe in any other deities - so how could some mysterious entity be collecting there? The Last Hiker states that demons can enter through a mandala - really? So now demons are Christian deities? Perhaps your 'saving' didn't stick?
Also, allow me to draw your attention to churches and cathedrals throughout the world, constructed at various points in history. (Note the links to click for examples) They very often contain stained glass mandalas. They also very often contain stonework or mosaic mandalas. I suppose if we follow the 'logic' of Last Hiker, that accidently makes those structures Buddhist or Hindu and has opened the door to demons. So, "sweet Christian friends" beware because if those mandalas don't get you , the ancient architecture or sheer ignorance will!
Go get a mandala and focus on world peace while you color. Focus on treating others with love (you know the sum of the whole law, per Jesus?). Focus on banashing ignorence, poverty, bigotry, violence.... Color Mandalas for peace! That is what Jesus would do.
Yes, I am blunt. Not sorry. Educated. Now, go read something that some religious authority (or blogger) told you not to read. Think for yourself. You will be glad you did.
I will light a candle for the illumination of your mind.
(AKA: I will pray for your enlightenment of thought.)
~Alette )0(
Church photos are not mine, but belong to the publishers at the websites provided. (Please note that there are many examples of church mandalas around the world, these are just a few for the sake of example.)
The related structures referenced in my essay include:
Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg, FR
Bordeaux Cathedral, FR
St. Vitus, Czech Christ Church, Dublin IRL
Monastery of Tatev ,9th century Armenian
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)