Preparing for a ritual is extremely important. Especially when you are leading the ritual. Rituals do not just fall into place. Like at churches, the preacher goes through thick and thin in order to make sure his sermon is done well enough and coincides with what is currently going on in life. Well, we have to make sure everything from beginning to end coincides with the meaning of the sabbat.
Here is some key things you should remember when going to a ritual.
1.Potluck means there will be plenty of people there. You should ask what you need to bring, and stick to it. Don't change your mind at the last minute.
2.Usually it is bring your own drinks. That means have a cooler, and bring drinks for you and your family. Don't expect others to provide for you, even if you are friends. It's not fair to their pocketbook to have to provide drinks for everyone.
3. A group Coven/Grove meeting is not a place to try to pick up on people. It is not a Pagan Swingers Dating Club. It's a nice place to get together with people of similar beliefs and celebrate the sabbat or moon or whatever is being celebrated at the time. Flirting or sexual inuindos will not be tolerated. If you cannot help yourself, then you really should not be in a group worshipping setting. And not everybody in the coven and out of the coven needs to know your sexual preference.
4. I cannot stress this enough DO NOT TALK DURING THE RITUALS!!!! It is rude and disrespectful. Overall things should be quiet. Kids will make a little noise, but that can be taken care of by parents. If a certain kid seems to be causing trouble then they should be put by themselves at a distance in a time out to scream their heads off or whatever provided they are old enough to know better. (Over 3yo.) If there is a certain child who says everyone is doing stuff to them it's usually because they are being a pest to other people, and they should be separated from other children. There are many ways to deal with children. Other then that adults DO NOT TALK unless it is part of the ritual. It is disrespectful and may result in being thrown out of the circle if it cannot be controlled.
Overall be respectful is the biggest thing. Don't expect one person to bring almost everything. The leaders really do have alot on their plate as it is. And keep your hormones in check. And be respectful during the rituals. It's not so hard, please try, for the sake of worship. If you are not there to worship you do not need to be there.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Teaching Your Children About Us Pagans
A little off the beaten path, but maybe not. Teaching children is something you do every day. If you are trying or not. For example my 2yo. calls his drink a cup. Why? Because when he would get a drink it was always said, "Get Casey a cup too." So he associated a drink with cup. My oldest we used to spell it out in front of him, and when he started talking, much to our surprise he would say he wanted a D-R-I-N-K.
I guess overall the lesson with this is that, whatever we say children absorb like a sponge. Teaching your children Paganism would be as easy as involving your children. Talking about it freely around them. Taking questions to heart.
Not too long ago my 6yo. was talking with my 10yo. My 10yo. said the rain comes from God. My 6yo. said no, it comes from Mother Nature, my mommy said Mother Nature makes the rain. He went on to explain that Mother Nature cries, and it rains. My 10yo said, "ok, that makes sense."
I guess what I am saying with this, is to take every chance you can to teach your children. It's better that you do it then others. I am not saying to absolutely guide them to Paganism, but there are people who will take it upon themselves to teach them Christianity, and try to save them from "Going to Hell". You should take this time to teach them about Paganism too. That way they know better when someone tells them what their family does is wrong. Mine do!
I guess overall the lesson with this is that, whatever we say children absorb like a sponge. Teaching your children Paganism would be as easy as involving your children. Talking about it freely around them. Taking questions to heart.
Not too long ago my 6yo. was talking with my 10yo. My 10yo. said the rain comes from God. My 6yo. said no, it comes from Mother Nature, my mommy said Mother Nature makes the rain. He went on to explain that Mother Nature cries, and it rains. My 10yo said, "ok, that makes sense."
I guess what I am saying with this, is to take every chance you can to teach your children. It's better that you do it then others. I am not saying to absolutely guide them to Paganism, but there are people who will take it upon themselves to teach them Christianity, and try to save them from "Going to Hell". You should take this time to teach them about Paganism too. That way they know better when someone tells them what their family does is wrong. Mine do!
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Praise to the blacksmith
Is blacksmithing considered a real trade anymore? It used to be. If you look at the masonic groups and such, that is how it all got started. See, it was something that recently my husband has been wanting to explore. I want him to, because I think it would be wonderful, not to mention something great to teach the children also.
Can you imagine the amazement on the faces of children as they would learn how to use and combine metal and fire to create weapons of long ago, and their own ceremonial tools? My eyes still twinkle as I watch the sparks fly as a skilled black smith works his magic and creates a beautiful utensil for either ritualistic use, or for role playing. Or just to give something to someone that is something they always wanted, but never thought they would see again. Much less have it made from scratch for them.
Black smithing is an artform, and a true blacksmith will do it for the joy of creating something with his skill, and his own hands. So this article is dedicated to all of those people who keep the art alive. To all of you who have taken the time to reconstruct things and make something beautiful from nature, using air, skill, and fire, I hold your skills high, and praise you for doing it. For those who have thought of doing it, but haven't yet I say.... If it calls you, then do so.
Can you imagine the amazement on the faces of children as they would learn how to use and combine metal and fire to create weapons of long ago, and their own ceremonial tools? My eyes still twinkle as I watch the sparks fly as a skilled black smith works his magic and creates a beautiful utensil for either ritualistic use, or for role playing. Or just to give something to someone that is something they always wanted, but never thought they would see again. Much less have it made from scratch for them.
Black smithing is an artform, and a true blacksmith will do it for the joy of creating something with his skill, and his own hands. So this article is dedicated to all of those people who keep the art alive. To all of you who have taken the time to reconstruct things and make something beautiful from nature, using air, skill, and fire, I hold your skills high, and praise you for doing it. For those who have thought of doing it, but haven't yet I say.... If it calls you, then do so.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
The true meaning of family time
Family time is very valuable. It was everything back in Druid times too. In the tribes, they were family. The elders held a very high place in the tribe, and the young ones listened and respected their elders. It really did take a tribe to raise a child back then. The women helped young girls with becoming women. The men helped to teach the boys to hunt and fish, to become men.
Now days it's not always that way. Elders blame parents, parents blame kids. I don't think it's really anyone's fault as much as the lifestyles of today. Everyone is busy, and when they are not busy it just seems like family time is too much of a hassle. I have seen that happen. Not being bad parents or anything, but really not noticing that they are not spending much time with their children. They use the excuse of no free time. That there is not enough time in the day.
These are the times that the children will remember tho. Yes, you will have free time, eventually they will grow, and give you more free time then you know what to do with. They will have their kids, and hopefully you have spent enough time and taught them how important that if for both the children and for the parents of the children.
At my home we have scary movie night. The importance of that goes back to my childhood. When I was younger Elvira was on Saturday nights at midnight. My family would either order pizza, make pizza, or we would have sandwiches and chips. We then would have popcorn, candy, chips while we watched scary movies all together and normally we watched whatever scary movie would be on after Elvira too. It stands out in my memory, it was fun, and my mom who worked alot always sat and watched it with us. On Friday the 13th we would get a bunch of scary movies, and watch them starting during the day all through the night. Recently my mom was telling my boys about it, and my boys got excited, because they knew Friday the 13th was coming up, and I had the whole Friday the 13th movie series lined up.
Every Saturday night we do scary movie night. Yea half the kids fall asleep, and some movies suck. The fact is that they know when Saturday night comes, it's something that they will never get grounded from. It's something they can count on. It's a time where even if they have frustrated the adults all of that will stop for a period of time and it will be a nice time with the family.
I know my kids will remember things we done together. Just like I have, they too will have kids and with their kids there will be scary movie night. They will remember not so much the movies themselves, but the time we have together. The fact that on Saturday nights they got to eat in the living room, and sleep on the couches, and the floor in the living room. They will fall asleep with their family, enjoying snacks, and hopefully a good movie.
We do alot with our kids. Picnics, camping out, scary movies. They go with us almost everywhere. Time may or may not be enjoyable. It will be remembered tho. They will know that each and everyone of them always will be special, and that we love them. Long after we are gone there will be memories shared about our time together. In a way our "Tribe" will live on. There will be times when they get on our nerves, but we will deal with it, not telling them to go away. Not ignoring their cries for attention.
Hopefully this will make a difference. A difference in the way they act and a difference in the way they treat people. Best of all it will make a difference in the way their kids are raised, and it will continue for generations to come.
Now days it's not always that way. Elders blame parents, parents blame kids. I don't think it's really anyone's fault as much as the lifestyles of today. Everyone is busy, and when they are not busy it just seems like family time is too much of a hassle. I have seen that happen. Not being bad parents or anything, but really not noticing that they are not spending much time with their children. They use the excuse of no free time. That there is not enough time in the day.
These are the times that the children will remember tho. Yes, you will have free time, eventually they will grow, and give you more free time then you know what to do with. They will have their kids, and hopefully you have spent enough time and taught them how important that if for both the children and for the parents of the children.
At my home we have scary movie night. The importance of that goes back to my childhood. When I was younger Elvira was on Saturday nights at midnight. My family would either order pizza, make pizza, or we would have sandwiches and chips. We then would have popcorn, candy, chips while we watched scary movies all together and normally we watched whatever scary movie would be on after Elvira too. It stands out in my memory, it was fun, and my mom who worked alot always sat and watched it with us. On Friday the 13th we would get a bunch of scary movies, and watch them starting during the day all through the night. Recently my mom was telling my boys about it, and my boys got excited, because they knew Friday the 13th was coming up, and I had the whole Friday the 13th movie series lined up.
Every Saturday night we do scary movie night. Yea half the kids fall asleep, and some movies suck. The fact is that they know when Saturday night comes, it's something that they will never get grounded from. It's something they can count on. It's a time where even if they have frustrated the adults all of that will stop for a period of time and it will be a nice time with the family.
I know my kids will remember things we done together. Just like I have, they too will have kids and with their kids there will be scary movie night. They will remember not so much the movies themselves, but the time we have together. The fact that on Saturday nights they got to eat in the living room, and sleep on the couches, and the floor in the living room. They will fall asleep with their family, enjoying snacks, and hopefully a good movie.
We do alot with our kids. Picnics, camping out, scary movies. They go with us almost everywhere. Time may or may not be enjoyable. It will be remembered tho. They will know that each and everyone of them always will be special, and that we love them. Long after we are gone there will be memories shared about our time together. In a way our "Tribe" will live on. There will be times when they get on our nerves, but we will deal with it, not telling them to go away. Not ignoring their cries for attention.
Hopefully this will make a difference. A difference in the way they act and a difference in the way they treat people. Best of all it will make a difference in the way their kids are raised, and it will continue for generations to come.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Back to the basics!!!
Being a homeschooling mom, and finally having a little land to do so, I decided this year we would garden. I thought oh, what a wonderful family project then imagine when the harvest holidays came, and we actually had things to harvest! What a great picture I had in my head.
So then the day came, after planting some things indoors and then transplanting them outdoors. Come on kids we're gonna plant our garden. The boys come out, Quentin and Ashton walk off uninterested. Owen, Salem and Anakin take their plants, and barely put them in the ground and run off. Ashton and Quentin then complain about having the water the plants. A few weeks later I am the only one watering, planting, or heck, even caring about the garden.
So what happened? I thought this was a perfect idea. Everyone seemed all aboard until it got hot, hard and downright a chore for one person. That is the stunner, I have 8 boys!!! OK, I don't expect much from the 3 little ones, ages 4, 2 and 1. But 6 and up are not the least bit interested. It is almost making my head spin. So again, another brainstorm. I could play like that story in which the chicken made the bread, and noone wanted to make it, but everyone wanted to eat it. My dad was one of 9 children, raised on a farm and they worked on it. Heck, back then that is the reason farmers had so many children. I did not actively spoil my children. I do believe they have inadvertantly been spoiled tho.
They do have game systems, which have been cut down to Friday nights. We didn't get cable once we moved, now all we have is movies and digital channels that are local. My children are absorbed tho, in the land of television or video games.
I watched a television program on PBS the other night. They took spoiled kids and did the homeless program. 5 days and nights. One blanket, and 5 dollars for eating. I thought hmmm, that is a good idea. Because I know my dad went fishing and hunting. His fun was all self made. He played outside when he wasn't doing farm work. I do know it is a time for a life lesson of sorts. I do believe we may have a camping trip in the works.
I won't allow electronics on our camping trips. Normally it is for a night or so, but I think more if called for. Something to put these boys back in touch with their roots, with nature. I know I can do it, but for them it will be an experience. No video game talk or card games or DSI, DSILX, just them, and us.
So then the day came, after planting some things indoors and then transplanting them outdoors. Come on kids we're gonna plant our garden. The boys come out, Quentin and Ashton walk off uninterested. Owen, Salem and Anakin take their plants, and barely put them in the ground and run off. Ashton and Quentin then complain about having the water the plants. A few weeks later I am the only one watering, planting, or heck, even caring about the garden.
So what happened? I thought this was a perfect idea. Everyone seemed all aboard until it got hot, hard and downright a chore for one person. That is the stunner, I have 8 boys!!! OK, I don't expect much from the 3 little ones, ages 4, 2 and 1. But 6 and up are not the least bit interested. It is almost making my head spin. So again, another brainstorm. I could play like that story in which the chicken made the bread, and noone wanted to make it, but everyone wanted to eat it. My dad was one of 9 children, raised on a farm and they worked on it. Heck, back then that is the reason farmers had so many children. I did not actively spoil my children. I do believe they have inadvertantly been spoiled tho.
They do have game systems, which have been cut down to Friday nights. We didn't get cable once we moved, now all we have is movies and digital channels that are local. My children are absorbed tho, in the land of television or video games.
I watched a television program on PBS the other night. They took spoiled kids and did the homeless program. 5 days and nights. One blanket, and 5 dollars for eating. I thought hmmm, that is a good idea. Because I know my dad went fishing and hunting. His fun was all self made. He played outside when he wasn't doing farm work. I do know it is a time for a life lesson of sorts. I do believe we may have a camping trip in the works.
I won't allow electronics on our camping trips. Normally it is for a night or so, but I think more if called for. Something to put these boys back in touch with their roots, with nature. I know I can do it, but for them it will be an experience. No video game talk or card games or DSI, DSILX, just them, and us.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Did Druids celebrate Summer Solstice?
When you read, you will find so many differences in what is right or wrong, so many different opinions. So how are we supposed to know what is the RIGHT way, what is the TRUE way for us to celebrate our festivals? Supposedly according to some, Druids did not celebrate Summer Solstice. But if you look at Stonehenge, dating back to that time and place, you will see they did indeed do some form of celebration, but what? We may never know for sure.
So how do we do this? How do we celebrate a holiday that we do not know for sure what they did? We take into consideration what do we know of the Druids that we do know meant something in the summer? The SUN, it meant so much to them. It meant the difference between food, living, and their Gods. It meant they were being watched over. They were alive, they would survive. Then what would make someone think they did not celebrate the longest day of the year?
So, what did they do to celebrate it? Well, what did Druids do best in their celebrations? Food, drink, fire, dancing, music, and of course, a ritual! Thanking the Sun God for providing them with a way to keep food, and keep from freezing to death. Mother Earth was thanked for provided fertility in their land, water to nourish it all, and that Green Man, for making it all Green, and keeping it that way so their homes were secure, they were secure in the knowledge that life was continuing, both human life, and that of the plants and animals!
I do not believe for a minute that they did not celebrate these holidays. Historically written down was done mostly by monks. Why would they deem holidays like this important? Oh yes, we can think of many reasons, but does it have to do with the Christian God or paying homage to their God? No, so why would it be included?
Now maybe instead of arguing over if they did or didn't, or how it was done. Instead we understand and know, there is no way they did not. Take from what we do know. And take our family and show them how we do it, similar to the way Druids may have done it. Enjoy our Summertime!
So how do we do this? How do we celebrate a holiday that we do not know for sure what they did? We take into consideration what do we know of the Druids that we do know meant something in the summer? The SUN, it meant so much to them. It meant the difference between food, living, and their Gods. It meant they were being watched over. They were alive, they would survive. Then what would make someone think they did not celebrate the longest day of the year?
So, what did they do to celebrate it? Well, what did Druids do best in their celebrations? Food, drink, fire, dancing, music, and of course, a ritual! Thanking the Sun God for providing them with a way to keep food, and keep from freezing to death. Mother Earth was thanked for provided fertility in their land, water to nourish it all, and that Green Man, for making it all Green, and keeping it that way so their homes were secure, they were secure in the knowledge that life was continuing, both human life, and that of the plants and animals!
I do not believe for a minute that they did not celebrate these holidays. Historically written down was done mostly by monks. Why would they deem holidays like this important? Oh yes, we can think of many reasons, but does it have to do with the Christian God or paying homage to their God? No, so why would it be included?
Now maybe instead of arguing over if they did or didn't, or how it was done. Instead we understand and know, there is no way they did not. Take from what we do know. And take our family and show them how we do it, similar to the way Druids may have done it. Enjoy our Summertime!
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