Speak, for the cup of hemlock is not yet on your lips.

Sun: 09'Cancer
Moon: 16'Aries
Last Quarter Moon

In the United States, we are very fortunate that the Constitution protects our freedoms of both religion and free speech: of all the objections raised to the original writing of the document, the rights of free speech, press, religion and assembly were the first to be preserved specifically to the populace by the Bill of Rights.  Religious fundamentalism of any stripe is at odds with both of those rights.  Christian fundamentalists attack both the freedom to believe as one wills and and the right to say it (the brainless claim that non-Christians are waging a "War on Christmas" rings a bell here) within our own country.  Islamic fundamentalists (and others) do the same elsewhere.

It is a courageous few, comparatively, who stand up and speak for all by saying they wish only to be left to their own beliefs in peace.  This blogger in Bangladesh was almost murdered - and still lives in fear for his life - for no reason other than the fact that he believes (or, more accurately, does not believe) as he chooses and speaks about it.  And his words are the title of this post, which I quote in respect.

What cowardice could motivate a person to attack from the shadows, to murder or attempt murder in defense of a theology that claims God (by any name) is all-knowing, all-powerful, all-present and created all things (including the one being murdered), and then slink back into the shadows convinced that God will protect and absolve that crime, the theft of the life and free will of another of His creations?

Speak, for the cup of hemlock is not yet on your lips.  Speak for those who cannot speak for themselves, and if those around you are silenced, let their voices join yours and roar defiance at those who would silence freedom forever in the name of religious tyranny.

Magickal waters

Sun: 03'Cancer
Moon: 26'Capricorn
Just Past Full

All right.  I admit, a big part of my practice is astrology.  But I also like the hands-on witchy work as well, and I am a biiiiig fan of charging water by the Sun, Moon, element or astrological aspect in effect for practical work.  (By "water" I mean actual dihydrogen monoxide, not oils or tinctures, those are for another topic.)

You see, while it's nice to be able to set your tools, talismans, crystals, self, etc. out under the Full Moon overnight for cleansing and recharging, that's not always possible or practical.  (People do steal, and not everyone has the privacy necessary for a skyclad Esbat - the neighbors probably mind, even if you don't!)  Charging waters, or the herbs to go into them, provides a standalone tool, a storage battery already tuned to the frequency you want that can be pulled out at any time.  You can make it as elaborate or as simple as you want: what you put into the water will catch the energies to which it is closest and radiate it into the water to hold.  It can be as easy as setting out a jar and a funnel during thunder snow (and use that water cautiously!), or as complicated as charting out the entire heavens at the specific planetary day and hour you want to capture.

Summer Solstice 2013: Prometheus and Hellenic Reconstructionism

The BBC came out with an article yesterday that I thought was an interesting, and too-brief, look at the Greek phenomenon known as Hellenic Reconstructionism and the challenges it faces.


These folks see Greece as a pagan nation under occupation by the Orthodox Church and are, quite literally, attempting to reconstruct the ancient religion of Greece.

The Cult of the American Flag?

Sun: 28'Gemini
Moon: 00'Scorpio
Sun Trine Moon - Waxing Gibbous

I will make no friends with this post, I am sure.  It is a mix of both theological thought and politics, fair warning, but it should be said despite the common convention.  (After all, you came here, and it's your choice to keep reading or not.)  And there's no better time to explore the deep-seated psychological thoughts and urges than under a Scorpio Moon.

What defines "sacred?"

This question came to my mind after noting the incident in which rapper Lil' Wayne stepped on, or was perceived to be stepping on, the American flag. 

Now, I normally don't give a flying rat's ass about what goes on in popular culture, and the rap "scene" is just really not my thing at all.  However, this caught my eye as both a Pagan and an active servicemember.  And my thoughts are not precisely what one might expect from either perspective. 

RLS, pregnancy and energy flow

Sun: 28'Gemini
Moon: 28'Libra
Sun Trine Moon: Waxing Gibbous

Restless Legs Syndrome is truly torturous.  I've dealt with it for as long as I can remember in one degree of another, but now in the third trimester of pregnancy, it's worse than ever before.  It's a common side-effect of late pregnancy, and it is both debilitating and absolutely maddening.

Elemental shrines

Sun: 14' Gemini
Moon: 08'Taurus
Dark of the Moon

A short post tonight.  Now that our home's central altar is up and running, my husband and I are in the process of putting up several small elemental shrines around the house.  So far, one is in progress, the other three are in conceptual form.

Where we live in Hawaii is urbanized, but when you close your eyes and strip out the city from your awareness and focus on what is behind it, the elements are screaming to be heard.  This land, this solid earth, is born of fire from water's embrace, kissing the sky as the winds play over the mighty pali (cliffs) under the heat of the tropical sun.  You can't miss it, if you quiet down half a second to listen.  It's easy to overlook the origins of your land on the continents: when the volcanoes that gave rise to your island are still watching over you (and are still active or potentially so!), you don't forget.

Tales of Alohi

Just taking a moment to send a big hug and shout-out to my friend and Sister, Alohi Fyre, who maintains her blog on Witchcraft, Paganism, photography, environmental anthropology and a natural and holistic lifestyle over at Tales of Alohi.  She has been an amazing support and inspiration to me for better than ten years now, and she is my coming daughter's namesake.

Aloha, Alohi!

Water

The local Wiccan circle had a meditation last night on water.  I find myself in the unusual position of being able to speak with some authority on the subject.

The main correspondences are clear to anyone who's studied for a decent amount of time.  The Moon, Venus, Neptune.  Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces.  Moonstone, aquamarine, opal, obsidian, silver and quicksilver.  Willow, yew, rosemary, lilies of all kinds.  Animals that live on or near the water: that's a pretty wide variety from dolphins to dragonflies.  Ocean magick, river magick, wishing wells and mirrors.

What could water magick be used for, though?

Dreams in pregnancy

13May2013
Sun: 22' Taurus
Moon: 00' Cancer

As I write, I am 26 weeks pregnant with a little girl.  And I've noticed something - often enough now for me to put it out as a question to those who have been pregnant (or later formed a close relationship - parent, sibling, or close friend - with a child whom they knew about from prenatality), in hopes of sparking some discussion.

Have you ever had any strong or vivid dreams, premonitions, or unexplainable "knowledge" about an unborn child?

The Boston Marathon Bombing

15 April 2013  2105
Sun: 26'Aries  Moon: 2' Cancer

I would simply like to say that my heart goes out to all those who have been directly affected by the senseless carnage wrought today at the Boston Marathon: I will keep those injured, or who know someone who has been injured, in my prayers.  Santa Muerte, take those who are dead and dying into Your gentle hands, help them to let go and be at peace.  Isis, enfold the survivors and the loved ones of the dead and the injured in Your wings and help them come to terms with their losses, ease their pain and suffering.

I also do sincerely hope that Boston, which was once the cradle in which America's revolutionary ideals of freedom were born, will not now become the grave of those same ideals and the freedoms to which they gave rise in this new and horrifying Boston Massacre.  At this time my prayers also go out to those in power in America, that the twin lights of mercy for the victims and swift, uncompromising justice for the perpetrator(s) shine true and in unison as a double star to guide them.

Santa Muerte - "Saint Death"

Isis

April is the cruelest month

1605, 14APR2013
Sun: 25'Aries  Moon 17'Gemini

April is the cruelest month, they say, and I know it.  The Sun has entered Aries, bringing with it the hard-charging energies of the Ram and the gods of war (collectively called "Mars,") and in synchronicity the Northern Hemisphere's pursuit of new life and reproduction takes over in full force and flower, with all the beauty and mercy of a diamond.

Nothing is born, without something dying to make way for it.