Earth Day 2011

Image via Wikipedia

It is really upsetting to know that many people out in the world don't care about taking care of the place we call home in this Universe. It is all about the instant gratification of the here and now without considering consequences of their actions. Like a pebble in the stream we can do good or cause bad no matter how small that ripple, it does matter. One day out of the year we ask people stop to think about that and consider what they can do to preserve our home and because of that many of us are considered dirty idiotic hippies. It's sad....

It truly breaks my heart. 

Some things I found online today in reflection of Earth Day:

Adagio Teas is allowing people to pick from 3 locations to plant tea and virtually take care of it. After it matures (around 3 years) you will be able to reap the harvest and have it sent to you. Go to this link:http://www.adagio.com/trees/plant.html

It is also National Park week and you can get free admission to these parks. So go out and enjoy some of Mother Earth. Go here for more info: http://www.nps.gov/npweek/

If you bring in 5 plastic bags to recycle at The Disney Store they will give you a Disney reusable bag. Check out the link: http://blog.disneystore.com/blog/2011/04/track-my-tee.html

Home Depot will be hosting free workshops including one for kids on making a planter. Check out their website: http://ext.homedepot.com/community/blog/join-us-for-free-earth-day-weekend-workshops/

Lowe's is giving away 1 million trees 4.23.11, so get there early! Check out their website: http://www.lowes.com/cd_Earth+Day_817240224_?cm_mmc=search_google-_-Brand%20Modified-_-Earth%20Day%20Million%20Tree%20Giveaway-_-lowes%20earth%20day

Last thing I have for you is from Starbucks. If you bring in your own travel mug you can get a free coffee today. Check out their Facebook for info: http://www.facebook.com/Starbucks?sk=app_205414519482950

I personally will be celebrating Earth Day tomorrow by attending EMPPA's Earth Day Healing Web Ritual

in Coe Park in Bangor, ME. We are encouraging others to do the ritual no matter where they are in the world at the same time to send out healing energy to the Earth.

Happy Earth Day everyone!

Inward Journey

Image via WikipediaA lot has changed for me the past year. I help start a non-profit and I got a job and became the bread winner of my family. This has caused a lot of inner conflict for me as I find myself unable to find a new balance yet. I am looking forward to the Winter months not just for the beautiful landscapes the snow provides but for the purpose of looking inward to find my new peace.

I recently asked, "Why is it so hard to pursue happiness?"

I think the best answer that I received was "because happiness changes"

As with everything in life!

I look around and see the last of the leaves falling to the ground and feel the chill in the air. While, I don't look forward to the commercialism of the holiday to come that I always succumb to due to respect for my husband...

I do find some little joys that do come with this season.

So while I look inward to find my new path I will be sure to remember my hot cups of tea, snuggles in bed and comforting smells of spiced baked goods.

Life Happens

A lot of things have happened since I last posted here. One of the biggest things being the success of Eastern Maine Pagan Pride Association as a non-profit. We finally have a website which I put together. You can see it here:

http://www.emppa.org

Our calendar project is completed and has a wonderful response. We are now planning our first Annual Pagan Music Festival which will be held July 17, 2010 at the Unity College in Unity, Maine. We have some wonderful performers that will be there. Lorelei with her harp, Women with Wings, Kelliana and bellydancing from Joie Grandbois. Brian Flaherty from the Headrush Show on WERU radio will be there to not only perform but be our MC.

Also, my family recently attended the Annual Beltane on the beach at Popham. We had a blast! It was my first experience at a Maine beach. Very different from the beaches down in Florida. I even went clothes and all for a dip in the icy water.

And now with the success of our fledgling non-profit and our first Pagan Pride Day event creeping up closer....

I and a group of friends have decided to get together to create that same success in our personal lives. It is our hope to eventually live on a big piece of land as much off the grid as we can. I am very excited about this. One major thing however is I'll need my internet. I can't live without that! :)

Blogging for Brigid

Image by ToobyDoo via Flickr

So, I was over at the blog, The Gods Are Bored and came across Brigid Poetry Blogging. "What is this?", I wondered. So I followed the trail back to Anne Hill's Blog o' Gnosis which kicks off the 5th Annual Brigid Poetry Festival. I couldn't pass this up and what better way to welcome Imbolc!

So, in honor of Imbolc and the Goddess Brigid(most associated with the sabbat) I will post a poem I wrote for Imbolc in 2003.

Beautiful white bride
of the countryside
Your sweet perfume
Doth fill a room
Flowers do bloom
In honor of you and your groom
And we dance again
Dance again

You turn to me
Say, "You must follow to see."
I take your hand
Together we greet the land
"This is where the magic grows,
here is the seed you must sow."
And we dance again
Dance again

Lord and Lady gave blessing
And I did of their asking
In the newborn light
We said farewell to night
So the wheel turned again
And the Lady did call me friend
And we dance again
Dance again

A new year, a new song

Many years ago I started a tradition with my best friend. We would get together on New Years or closest we could and do a small ritual. The main ingredient for this little ritual was a song. We would both pick out a song for the new year. Something that was inspirational to us and projected what we wanted for that new year. This year I am without that friend. However, I have acquired a new partner in crime and we plan to get together soon to do the same. The problem is I can't find a song! This could perhaps be because I am not sure what I want for this New Year or the fact that I just can't find a song to inspire me. So, despite the New Year here already I will still search on for that song.

Anything special you like to do as a New Year's tradition/ritual?

Return of the Distant Goddess

In the Kemetic Orthodox tradition this day celebrates the Return of the Distant Goddess. This refers to Hethert (Hathor) who in the form of Sekhmet has traveled south in Her bloodthirsty rage. There are variations on the tale but in summary She is calmed and convinced to come back home. She is the Eye of Ra and therefore associated with the Sun.
You can read one of the stories at a fellow Shemsu's website: here









In modern times we can equate this with Yule in that the Sun is returning. In that we should make merry!

I hope everyone has a Blessed day no matter how you celebrate it. As for me I will be celebrating tomorrow evening.

Yule Season

I'm sure everyone is familiar with the traditional cinnamon ornaments?
Well, someone I know makes them with only applesauce and cinnamon so she can burn them as incense when she is done with them. I thought that was pretty awesome! So, I decided to try a variation of that using an actual Yule incense blend. I mixed equal parts of the incense blend with the applesauce. It seemed too moist so I added some flour to thicken it up. I then used a cup to cut out circles and my pentacle cookie press. I used a straw to poke a hole at the top and stuck them in a 250 degree oven for about an hour and a half. I used red and green ribbon to make loops for them. They came out excellent!

Yesterday my family played hooky and had a family day together. We went to the grocery store and picked up egg nog, cookies, and fixin's for Make-your-own-pizzas. I cranked up the Xmas tunes and we decorated our Yule tree.


Start







Finish





Despite it not being officially Winter until the 21st we are already in the midst of Winter here in Maine. I woke up to a temperature of 1 degree this morning. It is very icy everywhere which I don't much like. I can't wait for the next snow storm here. I enjoy the snow much more than the ice.

Here is a picture from our last snow storm here:





A winter wonderland!

On the EMPPD front we have been having lots of fun and a lot of success in our endeavors!
We completed our first photo shoot for our Naughty Pagan Calendar. There were many beautiful (and hilarious!) shots taken and we are looking forward to our next shoot in January.

As far as Yule in my house we will be spending time with our adopted family here on the 22nd and I hope to make a big batch of Wassail.

Blessed Yule!