rosalind
Platinum
As You Like It
Posts: 1,717 Likes: 7,170
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Post by rosalind on Nov 10, 2020 19:01:05 GMT -6
I am terribly thinly stretched between work and parenting. I am trying to use some elements for wellness and calm. Reminding myself to drink water and eat veggies, ordered a few more crystals (selenite, black tourmaline, rose quartz), walking outside to experience some out of doors even when I am short on both light and time.
I have been doing some more reading and don’t think asatru is for me. I think Wicca is a better fit, but there is certainly no harm in having a better knowledge of my cultural heritage, so I appreciate that for what it is, too. We have officially decided to talk to C about Santa as a story. That’s where I am at.
I guess my goal for my nature practice is mostly for calm, centeredness, and patience for myself and others. I don’t know how much I will lean into other structure.
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Ls2012
Amethyst
Posts: 7,364 Likes: 32,621
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Post by Ls2012 on Nov 25, 2020 9:25:49 GMT -6
As we inch every closer to the solstice, and the nights longer and longer, all I want to do is hibernate. It's funny how I have such animalistic tendencies at times. If only my brain would turn off and let me rest...but that's a whole other problem. Right now, I'm trying to focus my energies toward the more festive elements and planning to decorate for the season. I could really use some extra light and sparkle. rosalind, I'm glad you've found a path that speaks to you, even if it's different from what you thought it might be. I hope it brings you the the insight and peace you need.
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rosalind
Platinum
As You Like It
Posts: 1,717 Likes: 7,170
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Post by rosalind on Nov 25, 2020 13:28:45 GMT -6
I have started reading a book about Wicca. It continues to feel right. I am trying to go on a road to meditation because it still feels really silly to me. Holding a rock or crystal makes it feel a bit better. Deep breathing is a good start. Happy Thanksgiving. I hope you all make good, safe decisions to be with small groups of family. My earth journey makes me feel for indigenous folks even more.
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iruntodrink
Sapphire
Mostly namaste. A little bit fuck you.
Posts: 4,574 Likes: 22,590
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Post by iruntodrink on Dec 6, 2020 9:08:43 GMT -6
Inching towards the solstice! Winter is my favorite because of light gain. My energy level matches the amount of sunshine like crazy.
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Ls2012
Amethyst
Posts: 7,364 Likes: 32,621
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Post by Ls2012 on Dec 8, 2020 12:29:37 GMT -6
My reading today: loraobrien.ie/an-irish-winter-solstice/The world at large tends to focus this season on Christmas, and if you're not of a Christian persuasion, that can get pretty isolating. And especially frustrating when so many Christmas traditions have been stolen from Pagan Solstice celebrations. Mistletoe? Pagan. Evergreen trees inside? Pagan. Yule logs? Pagan. Holly and ivy? Pagan. Wreaths? The circular nature...wheel-like, as a cycle of, say, time? Pagan. Even gathering together around this time of year, sharing in food and comfort, started as Pagan. But, when you've been raised in Christianity, and Santa Claus, those concepts are bound to follow along whether we want them to or not. So, I thought it'd be fun to share our traditions and how we bridge the divide within our homes and practices.
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Ls2012
Amethyst
Posts: 7,364 Likes: 32,621
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Post by Ls2012 on Dec 8, 2020 13:06:39 GMT -6
In my home, we have:
*A tree, decorated with family-made ornaments, generic bulbs, and woodland creatures
*Stockings- filled by each other, for each other
*No fireplace (😭), so lots and lots of candles, to bring warmth to the darkness. And I have my family's menorah from my maternal great-grandfather's side (no one since has practiced Judaism, but I like the nod to that heritage).
*A Solstice feast- meat of some kind and sides of bread and seasonal produce.
*Gift-giving on the morning of the 25th. We each get a gift from each family member, plus one Santa gift. We save the Santa explosion for the grandparents- they go overboard every year.
*Music- we listen to all the usual carols, but I'm in the process of curating a list of songs that don't mention Christmas or Christian messages, and are more focused on the season of warmth and giving, and snow.
*24th evening- we take a nighttime walk to look at the lights, drink hot chocolate, watch The Polar Express, and everyone gets new winter pj's and a book to huddle into bed with.
*Whole month of December, there are children's books set out that touch on all the themes of the season. We have Christian Christmas books, Hanukkah books, Solstice books, Yule, Santa, and general winter books. I add to the pile every year. We read a different one each night at bedtime.
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Ls2012
Amethyst
Posts: 7,364 Likes: 32,621
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Post by Ls2012 on Dec 21, 2020 8:53:02 GMT -6
Sharing from a page I follow, because they worded it much better. Happy Winter Solstice! In a long year of a lot of darkness, let us celebrate that the longest night within it is now behind us. Bless the return of the light! 🌅
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Ls2012
Amethyst
Posts: 7,364 Likes: 32,621
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Post by Ls2012 on Dec 21, 2020 10:00:39 GMT -6
The Shortest Day by Susan Cooper
And so the Shortest Day came and the year died And everywhere down the centuries of the snow-white world Came people singing, dancing, To drive the dark away. They lighted candles in the winter trees; They hung their homes with evergreen; They burned beseeching fires all night long To keep the year alive. And when the new year’s sunshine blazed awake They shouted, reveling. Through all the frosty ages you can hear them Echoing behind us—listen! All the long echoes, sing the same delight, This Shortest Day, As promise wakens in the sleeping land: They carol, feast, give thanks, And dearly love their friends, And hope for peace. And now so do we, here, now, This year and every year. Welcome, Yule!
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iruntodrink
Sapphire
Mostly namaste. A little bit fuck you.
Posts: 4,574 Likes: 22,590
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Post by iruntodrink on Dec 21, 2020 16:22:00 GMT -6
The Shortest Day by Susan Cooper And so the Shortest Day came and the year died And everywhere down the centuries of the snow-white world Came people singing, dancing, To drive the dark away. They lighted candles in the winter trees; They hung their homes with evergreen; They burned beseeching fires all night long To keep the year alive. And when the new year’s sunshine blazed awake They shouted, reveling. Through all the frosty ages you can hear them Echoing behind us—listen! All the long echoes, sing the same delight, This Shortest Day, As promise wakens in the sleeping land: They carol, feast, give thanks, And dearly love their friends, And hope for peace. And now so do we, here, now, This year and every year. Welcome, Yule! love it and will be using!
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iruntodrink
Sapphire
Mostly namaste. A little bit fuck you.
Posts: 4,574 Likes: 22,590
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Post by iruntodrink on Dec 21, 2020 16:27:35 GMT -6
I'm going to unplug and meditate until it's fully dark then set my house ablaze in light.
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Post by Wtfshouldmynamebe on Dec 21, 2020 19:01:18 GMT -6
I wish you all a good solstice. I’m taking some time to focus and center on me this evening.
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Ls2012
Amethyst
Posts: 7,364 Likes: 32,621
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Post by Ls2012 on Dec 22, 2020 10:27:44 GMT -6
Making my own rendition.
12 Days of Yuletide
🎶On the 1st day of Yuletide my true love gave to me a hot toddy with a lot of whisky.🎶
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Ls2012
Amethyst
Posts: 7,364 Likes: 32,621
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Post by Ls2012 on Dec 22, 2020 17:42:33 GMT -6
🎶On the 2nd day of Yuletide my true love gave to me 2 ice packs for the foot I smashed into a desk because I'm excessively clumsy.🎶
Ow.
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Ls2012
Amethyst
Posts: 7,364 Likes: 32,621
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Post by Ls2012 on Jan 15, 2021 11:17:12 GMT -6
Imbolc is coming up (February 1st). It's the day that marks the awakening of the earth and coming of spring. I find this one hard to celebrate because here, in Michigan, there are absolutely no signs whatsoever that spring is coming. I have to remind myself that the signs are happening deep in the ground, away from the snow and frost and cold wind. Sometimes, we get lucky and there's an unseasonably warm day that serves as a better reminder that spring will return, but it rarely falls on or near Imbolc.
Anyways, Imbolc is often also referred to as Candlemas or St. Brigid's Day (though St. Brigid *may not* be the same as the Goddess Brigid and care should be taken not to conflate the two, even if they are celebrated on the same day and for very similar reasons). It's also where we get the eye-roll worthy groundhog's day. In addition to it being a spring festival, it's also a time to celebrate womanhood- as the fertile rays of the sun goddess feed the earth, as livestock give birth, and of course the aforementioned Brigids.
It's a good day (weather permitting) to tend your garden/ yard, removing the dead bits to give way to new growth, light a bonfire to purify fields/ soil, and deep clean the hearth and home. If you're of the spellwork persuasion, it's a potent day for fire divination.
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Ls2012
Amethyst
Posts: 7,364 Likes: 32,621
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Post by Ls2012 on Feb 1, 2021 11:06:55 GMT -6
Blessed Imbolc! May the Goddess of the Earth bring you a fertile Spring soon (despite the recent dumping of snow).
"The eight-spoke Wheel of Life just clicked to another spoke signifying Imbolc, Brigid’s Day, a Gaelic traditional festival marking the beginning of Spring. It lands about halfway between the Winter Solstice (Yule) and Spring Equinox (Ostara). Since long before the arrival of Celts in Ireland, the festival originally celebrated the Mother Earth Goddess, Brigid, but more recently was Christianizd as a festival for St.Brigid, a fifth-century Irish saint who established monasteries throughout Ireland at the same time as St.Patrick. There are many versions of the name Brigid, translated as “exhalted", including: Bridie, Bree, Biddy, Birgit, Bridget, Brigitte, etc. Most of her monasteries were closed after her death because of Ireland’s misogynistic inheritance laws. An exception was an oak grove surrounding an “eternal flame” in what is now County Kildare, from Cill Dara, Church of the Oak. According to Irish mythology, the Goddess Brigid visits the Winter Goddess, the Cailleach Beara, and warns her that her days of power will soon be over. Most Irish homes still have a woven wicker Brigid’s Cross, like a compass, honouring the four directions. Brigid’s Holy Wells, still found in every Irish county, continue to follow a blending of pagan and christian traditions."
My mission today is to do some deep cleaning of the bathrooms and kitchen, wash the windows (inside), and sort through a couple of closets to purge the un-used and forgotten items. No real festivities planned- just the ritual of cleansing the home and some personal reflection.
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Ls2012
Amethyst
Posts: 7,364 Likes: 32,621
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Post by Ls2012 on Feb 23, 2021 10:57:39 GMT -6
Ostara is coming! I hope this month flies. I'm so eager for the return of Spring and sun and green growing things, the smell of dirt rather than frigid cold ice. I look forward to the rain and mud, the birds returning. I look forward to warmth.
It's been almost a full year since we've been here, and Ostara means we've gone through the full wheel, the full cycle of Nature's birth, growth, harvest, death, and rebirth anc marking what those occasions mean on a basic Nature-worship and Pagan level. I hope anyone following along has found meaningful info and ideas to incorporate into their lives and practice.
From here on out, I hope to focus more on the day-to-day aspects of the great variety of practices, and really hope those with culturally specific traditions come in and share. What I don't want is for this space to be an echo chamber. Nature faiths all share some very basic tenets, but there is so much that is unique between them that should be celebrated (and not appropriated).
So, please come in and share! Let's learn and support one another!
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