Winter Solstice Altar...Happy Yule!

 

Message from the Fey

So, I asked the Faery Oracle if they had a message for my readers, and this is what came up.  It's funny, because the message of listening to the heart tempered with practicality applies to my life.  I often find that the readings I do for others seem to follow same suit.  My thought is readings or any kind of healing are meant to heal the lightworker, as well as the querent.  Gotta love magick!
Ultimately, Lys is trying to help people develop true self-respect and self-esteem, but she has to start much further down the scale of idealism than that. She tries to inspire practical help for those who need it most. She is the inspiration for the first wobbly steps taken toward healing by a damaged soul. Her presence in a reading indicates that something that had seemed lost and fixed in that loss is now open to healing. Someone is ready to begin, with help, the climb out of the inner mire. There is hope here, and a need for loving kindness tempered by practicality. If you call upon Lys for assistance in helping another, she will always give it, often by encouraging them to be receptive and others to also be helpful. She always has time to support those who have time for others.


All Blessings Be. )O(

Winter Reflections of Shared Values

Several years ago, I was thoroughly immersed in the Craft, teaching Wicca 101 and other metaphysical workshops, managing the Silvering Coven, and ritualizing with the 3d Room Circle.  There was so much magick going on, you'd of thought you were living in a Ren Fair.
In those days, my mind was closed off from other religious forms of growth. Please don't get me wrong.  I was still aware of the same basic tenets contained within all religions and accepted the overall teachings that seemed to resonate with my own spiritual path.  It was just a very focused time for me, a very necessary time. Wicca was my life, my very breath.  I wouldn't hear of including anything even remotely Christian to my Holiday activities.  I made sure the only songs I heard were either the original pagan versions of some of today's most loved Christmas songs or specifically wiccan-themed holiday music.  I refused to say "Merry Christmas" to anyone and opted for the politically correct "Happy Holidays"...or in some pressing instances, "Happy Solstice".  I even spent one holiday season making sure that all the local pastors that liked to chastise and mock the pagan folk were set right about the actual birthdate of Jesus.  I went so far as to make sure that they were unable to "solicit" in any of the local businesses.  Sounds kind of Grinchy of me, huh?  Well...there are times in our lives when the pendulum must sway and stay to one side in order for lessons to take hold.  Spiritual growth sometimes relies on zealous approaches to provide a balanced, positive and realistic awakening.
This year has brought me one such an awakening...to a wiser, more gentle, peaceful place.  It is a state of knowing, of being, of living in the spirit of this time of year.  Yes, it's Christmas, with its beautiful nativities, angels abounding, Holy Mary with the Child of Promise.  Yes, it's Kwanzaa, with it's celebration of heritage and culture, the 7 principles, community, unity, and faith.  Yes, it's Hanukkah, with it's elaborate Festival of Lights, inspiring rituals, and show of faith and tradition.  And, yes...it is the Winter Solstice or Yule, the longest night of the year, the birth of the Light from Darkness, when Winter's icy grip is released from this world and the Earth Mother is nudged to awaken.
In truth, the Spirit of the Season never changes.  We only celebrate it differently.  The heart of Christmas is love, peace, understanding, faith, charity, and joy...the most important being "Love".  For it is through Love that this universe continues to spiral and the promise of Spring becomes a reality.
So, when someone wishes you "Merry Christmas", return this heartfelt greeting with a smile and a "Merry Christmas".  Do the same for Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Bodi or any other tradition your neighbor may follow.  And remember, this is the only time of the year your lighted pentagrams won't get a sideways glance.


"There is no ideal Christmas; only the one Christmas you decide to make as a reflection of your values, desires, affections, traditions". -Bill McKibben, Author & Environmentalist


May the holiday blessings of love and good cheer
Remain with you through the coming year.


All Blessings Be.  )O(

Today's Animal Spirit...Butterfly

Ok...so she's not necessarily an animal, but she flits into our lives today to bring us a valuable message.  Not surprisingly, Butterfly has similar spiritual meaning in every culture in the world.  She brings us the concept of transformation, change, and gentle transition.  Change is very hard for most of us; but by giving in to the flow rather than working against the universal currents, we can arrive at a much better state than we imagined.  The changes that occur in our lives are usually quite different than we expect.  Butterfly teaches us that growth doesn't have to be painful, if we open ourselves to the awareness of her colorful lightness and joyous dance on the winds of life.
In this season of the rebirth of the light/the Sun, let us take time to discern what is important right now, be thankful for our blessings, and above all...don't sweat the small stuff.


An Irish blessing goes: "May the wings of the butterfly kiss the sun, and find your shoulder to light on...to bring you luck, happiness and riches today, tomorrow and beyond."


All Blessings Be.  )O(

Greeting from the Winter Fey

"We are the Winter Faeries.  We contain the ancient energies of every winter beginning.  While most creatures hibernate in their way, we are awake and walk quietly amidst the snow.  We are elves, gnomes, gossamer-winged faeries, pixies, goblins, animal totems, and every manner of magickal being. You see, we inhabit the Faery Realm but come out of our realm and into yours when there is a deep silence upon your world.  When mortals are deep in their slumber - warm inside their homes, when the snow falls quietly, or when a strong storm appears...we float amidst the frigid winds and over the frozen life of Gaia.  If you encounter us during these times, you may see us as orbs of pure light or even in full faery form.  We have a deep warmth within us that keeps us warm no matter how cold the "outer" world may appear to be.  We are unaffected by weather, as we ARE the weather itself.  We come to you today merely to say, "Hello". 

All Blessings Be.  )O(

Today's Animal Spirit...

Wake up! Woodpecker is tired of trying to get your attention, and will peck and peck and peck until you hear the message. You have received the answer to a major question time and again, but refuse to act on it. Keep in mind that procrastination may be the problem. Heaven knows we've all suffered from it time and again. It's okay to ignore a solution—but be forewarned that woodpecker will keep making racket until you make some movement forward. Don't force the universe to give you a big kick in the butt!

All Blessings Be. )O(

Nativity...Whhhaaaaattt?

Pittsburgh's life-size creche downtown

Yes...crazy as it may sound, Sun God (or Son of God) myths have been with us since the beginning. I always thought that the virgin birth story of Jesus was unique to Christianity, but I know differently now. The story of Mithra, the Persian God of Light, is nearly identical to the story of Jesus and 5,000 years older.

Mithra has the following in common with Jesus:

• Mithra was born on December 25th of the virgin Anahita.
• The babe was wrapped in swaddling clothes, placed in a manger and attended by shepherds.
• He was considered a great traveling teacher and master.
• He had 12 companions or "disciples."
• He performed miracles.
• As the "great bull of the Sun," Mithra sacrificed himself for world peace.
• He ascended to heaven.
• Mithra was viewed as the Good Shepherd, the "Way, the Truth and the Light," the Redeemer, the Savior, the Messiah.
• Mithra is omniscient, as he "hears all, sees all, knows all: none can deceive him."
• He was identified with both the Lion and the Lamb.
• His sacred day was Sunday, "the Lord's Day," hundreds of years before the appearance of Christ.
• His religion had a eucharist or "Lord's Supper."
• Mithra "sets his marks on the foreheads of his soldiers."
• Mithraism emphasized baptism.

Despite this revealing information, let us not forget the miracle of this season. It allows us the darkness for reflection, the chance to examine and cast away the "sins" of the past, and to welcome a new beginning as the sun grows in strength. As we celebrate the changes in the seasons, we begin to understand our place in the "grand scheme", as well as our own divine purpose.

All Blessings Be & Happy Holidays. )O(