A Day in the Life of a Pagan Parent

Supportive Parenting

Pangeacat@gmail.com (Larisa) — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 15:10:00 +0000

How to be a Supportive Parent

by akasch
There are different levels of support that a parent can provide, depending on the age and maturity levels of their child. When a child is very young, the supportive parent can do relatively simple things such as posting a drawing on the refrigerator after giving the child rave reviews on their creation.

The supportive parent must give the child their undivided attention when the child has something to say. How many times do you see a mother or father completely ignore a small child who calls their name out over and over again, as if they don't hear them. Do you find yourself thinking, "Answer your child!" Obviously its important to teach your child that they are not to interrupt while the parent is in the middle of another conversation, but even then, the parent should lean to the child and whisper, "Wait until mommy is finished with this conversation," rather than just ignoring the child. Not only is that teaching your child to be courteous, but it is also being supportive. You are acknowledging your child 's needs, but asking them to wait their turn.

Supporting Teenagers

As the child gets older and more mature, their need for support changes. A teenager 's need for emotional support is more complex than before. They have a need to be heard and to be respected by their parents.

Too many children do not treat their parents with respect, and when you ask them why they disrespect their parent, they will respond that their parents don't give them respect so why should they give respect to their parent? That 's a good point, actually. Most parents do not consider their teenagers as children, and they do not consider them adults either. Somewhere along the way, the teenager is dismissed and the parent forgets that the teenager has needs too. The teen is left to fend for themselves and sometimes make self-destructive decisions such as drugs, alcohol or reckless behavior.

So, how do you support your teenager? First of all, supporting does not mean letting them do whatever they want to do. They need to know that you care, and showing that you care means making some unpopular decisions. If your teen wants to go somewhere, its important to let them know that you care enough about them to find out where, how long and with whom. Some parents have blind faith and don't even inquire as to where their child is going and this can often be interpreted as uncaring or unsupportive by a teen.

What if they want to do something and you feel it would be dangerous or inappropriate at their age? Well, being supportive means explaining your point of view and hopefully you can compromise a happy medium with your teen. But sometimes that is not an option, and the answer no with an explanation, is all you can do. They may get angry with you for the moment, but that too, will pass. And eventually they will realize that you made the decision out of love.

Supporting your teenager also means being active in their interests. Transporting them to and watching their sporting events, talking with their teachers to find out how they are doing in school, asking to see their homework, and also making them responsible for chores at home.

Don't forget to make time to sit down (uninterrupted) to talk with your teenager about how things are going at school, with their friends, or other activities. This shows that you respect them and are supportive of them. Giving them this type of attention is not difficult to do, but often times, parents believe that because their child is no longer "young" that this type of attention is not as important. The truth is, that it is actually a very important and necessary thing in a young adult 's life, because they are now making decisions that may affect the rest of their lives. This is when they need the most advice and support from their parents.

But that type of conversation and supervision should not begin when the child becomes a teenager. Supportive dialog should have begun as an infant, and continued into the teen years. It is not uncommon for parents to realize that the child needs more structure and supervision after things have gotten out of control. Unfortunately, if you haven't set the guidelines and rules before they become teens, its going to be very difficult to make an impact now.

Supporting a Grown & Independent Child

Once again, the role of a supportive parent changes once the child has grown up and moved away from the home. The only way you can ensure that your grown child will come to you for advice or support is to make sure that you offer advice ONLY when asked. Hopefully, you have raised your child to make good decisions and be a responsible adult. Now, they are here to get practical advice or comfort from the parent, and your supportive role means you will not criticize their decisions or make them feel like they are failing at adulthood. Of course they will make mistakes and they will also make decisions that you disagree with. But your role as a supportive parent is to be their cheerleader and their safe place to come home to.

What if they make a decision that you disagree with? Well, you can give them your non-judgmental perspective on the situation and then tell them that either way they decide to go you will support them. I guarantee that if they walk away from you feeling better than when they came to you, they will come back to you the next time they need your love, advice and support.

And the best part is, they will know what it means to be a loving and supportive parent - and this will be passed on to their children.

About the Author

Martine Kasch is a professional counselor and just one heck of a good mom. To get her sage advice for being supportive in the rest of your relationships, go to http://www.supportiverelationship.info

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Wiccan Wisdom E-book

Pangeacat@gmail.com (Larisa) — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 14:42:00 +0000

Out of the Shadows and Into the Light--an ebook of Wiccan Wisdom

by Tirgana
Valkyrie Publishing announces the March 1 release of Theresa Chaze 's new ebook, Out of the Shadows and Into the Light. It is a 105-page ebook containing Wiccan wisdom and rituals for the beginner as well as the advanced practitioner. It contains rituals for the individual as well as for groups.
Although Wicca is a modern term, it is based on traditions that reach back to when humans toiled the soil and hunted the forests for food. It is a wisdom, which helps Wiccan and Pagans work in harmony with the rhythms of nature to provide and protect the family or tribe. Most of us today do not grow our own food or hunt in the forest; instead, we work jobs and forage in supermarkets. This doesn’t change the essential nature of our goals, which is to provide for our families and ourselves. By working in harmony with the nature 's energy, which surrounds us, we can bring balance, peace and prosperity into our lives. This doesn’t mean our lives will be without challenges, but it does mean with faith in ourselves and the Divine we can weather our challenges to reach our best and highest good.
Wiccans also respect other religions. We do not alter their rituals or prayers as an anti-religion. I have heard of covens, which as part of their initiation require the initiate to say the Lord’s Prayer backward. Wicca is based on spiritual traditions, which began long before Christ walked upon the Earth. We are a positive, loving force in the universe. Only by respecting all paths can we honor ourselves, each other and the Divine life force, no matter what is called, which is in all of us.
In Out of the Shadows and Into the Light, I share some of what I have learned. It is a positive healing magic, meant to help you on your path. If you are looking for rituals to control or harm another, you are looking in the wrong book. Anytime you try to control another’s destiny, it is black magic. Which brings me to the Wiccan Creed “do what ye will, but harm none.” and the “rule of three”. The only exception to these rules is in self-defense. Once you are no longer being attacked, you must stop; otherwise, you become the attacker and the rules apply to you. Both the creed and the rule of three have been hotly debated. Whether you call it the rule of three, karma, or what goes around comes around, your actions do have consequences for good or evil. Harm or manipulate another, no matter what your intentions, and you open yourself to the same at another’s hand. However, random acts of kindness bring help and healing back to you when you need it. It is your choice.
There are two categories of protection. The first is a response to an attack that has already begun. Rituals, which reflect back or bind the other’s negative energy, fall into this section. The second set of rituals are preventative measures, which include cleansing, shields, and reinforcing your own energy. Protection rituals or spells, which reflect back or bind, are specifically for self-defense on a spiritual level. Once you are in a safe spot, you can then turn your attention to preventing further aggression. These protection rituals are solely for self-defense. To follow the attacker and to continue, reverse the roles and you become the attacker. These rituals are specifically designed for self-defense, nothing more.
More than protection, justice rituals are for situations, which are bigger than the individual is, when you want to clear your karma, or break karmic ties with another. They are the best way to release the situation to the wisdom of a higher power. However by doing so you also forfeit your control over the end results. By letting go, you allow the best and highest good to determine the outcome. There are many situations both on the personal level and on the grand scale that would benefit from setting aside the ego and allowing Goddess/God to deal with the challenge.
What would a book of Shadows be without prosperity rituals--a book of other wisdom. But if you are looking for rituals to help you win the lottery or to steal others’ belongings, you need to look elsewhere. There aren’t many rich witches out there who didn’t become so without hard work. That doesn’t mean it can’t or won’t happen, only that is unlikely that you will win millions. Prosperity is more than the sum total of what is in you bank account, but of who you are and what you have accomplished. That doesn't mean you can set aside the mundane needs of life and go meditate on a hill--even then you have to eat. What it does mean that you need to take responsibility for your decisions and your life. Casting spells and doing rituals can help, but I have yet to meet a rich witch. The best way to insure a successful, prosperous life is to remain in school and get a good education. In doing so, you'll find a source of satisfaction as well as being able to live comfortably.
Most love rituals are in fact black magic. If you try to influence another against their will to love you, even for good reason, it is black magic and eventually you will pay. In the movie, The Craft, the one witch discovered how dangerous it can be. She forced a classmate to love her, but instead of a lover, she created a dangerous stalker. Besides wouldn't you prefer to have a love match where you were loved you for yourself instead of forcing someone to love you. How could you ever trust the love between you? Created in trickery and deceit, it could never be a strong bond. Also in doing so, you would create very bad karma and destroy any chance you and any of your true soul mates would have of connecting.
As with the protection rituals, the following are not meant to be the only path to take. If you are physically ill or injured for goodness sake, seek medical help. I am not a doctor or a medical professional. Healing rituals are designed to heal from the spiritual down to the physical. Many illnesses, both on the physical and emotional level have their sources in the spiritual. By healing etheric body or the soul, the physical body is restored. There isn't a simple explanation of why illness happens--nor are there any cure all. Frequently illnesses are learning experiences, karmic balancing or the result of emotional trauma. The only way to deal with them is to find the root cause. In doing so, the lesson is learn or the trauma is understood so trapped emotions can be released. This is no guarantee that the physical ailment will just disappear, but it will aid with the healing process.
Wiccan and Paganism are multi-dimensional paths whose main purpose is to be able both live well and in harmony with the universe. You won’t find them on street corners trying to convert others, nor do they actively attack others; it would be against their belief system. Instead, they chose a life’s path in the pursuit of wisdom, honor and harmony. They work their jobs, care for their families, and pay their bills, while trying to make this world a little better for everyone.

"Out of the Shadows and Into the Light, A Book of Shadows for the Modern World." A Review by GrannyMoon An amazing and in depth BOS written by the published Wiccan writer Theresa Chaze. An Ordained Minister of the Universal Life Church, Wiccan Priestess, and expert in Dragon Magic, Mz Chaze shares her personal wisdom and experiences with the reader. The artwork is inspiring and you will find invaluable spells, rituals, Moon phases, Pagan Holy Days and much much more. Not the run of the mill BOS fare, but a tantalizing buffet!
GrannyMoon
GoddessSchool.com

“When I use the term “awesome” in reference to Theresa Chaze’s new book, Out of the Shadows and Into the Light, it is such an understatement that I really feel ashamed I cannot come up with a better term. Out of the Shadows and Into the Light is an excellent reference guide for anyone who really wants to know what Wicca is really all about. Theresa, an Ordained Minister of the Universal Life Church and Wiccan Priestess, guides us through rituals, alter-building and dragon magic with such a gentle and easy tone that even those of us who don’t practice Wicca can understand that it’s not about evil, but about finding good in the world. It has totally changed my way of thinking. I believe that if more people would realize that Wicca is not about burning animals at the alter or casting evil spells, but concentrate on Theresa’s principles that “…Wicca is a wisdom…based on living in harmony with the rhythms of nature to provide and protect the family…,” you will see the full impact that those who practice Wicca are trying to portray. I highly recommend Out of the Shadows and Into the Light…a must read for anyone who wants to know the REAL world of Wicca.”
--Dorothy Thompson, editor, The Writer’s Life (www.thewriterslife.net) and editor/contributing author of Romancing the Soul (Zumaya Publications 2004)

Out of the Shadows and Into the Light is only available at www.theresachaze.com. Downloads are five dollars to be paid through Paypal.

Theresa Chaze has been described as the woman who plays with dragons, especially the dragons of the mind. She leads her readers to magical realms and others worlds. Her work is based on her philosophy that all peoples can live together in peace as long as we come from respect, not only for ourselves but those who follow different paths or beliefs. Her work has been compared to Marion Zimmer Bradley and Anne McCaffrey with an adult version of Harry Potter mixed in. Theresa Chaze 's major works so far include the first two novels of the Dragon Clan Trilogy and a free fantasy ebook called, Sisters, Mother, Daughters. Her screenplay, Never Can Say Good-bye, is one of the 2006 winners of the Gloria Film Festival. She publishes an ezine called, Messages From the Universe, which is available on her site www.theresachaze.com.

About the Author

Theresa Chaze has been described as the woman who plays with dragons, especially the dragons of the mind. She leads her readers to magical realms and others worlds. Her work is based on her philosophy that all peoples can live together in peace as long as we come from respect, not only for ourselves but those who follow different paths or beliefs. Her work has been compared to Marion Zimmer Bradley and Anne McCaffrey with an adult version of Harry Potter mixed in. Theresa Chaze 's major works so far include the first two novels of the Dragon Clan Trilogy and a free fantasy ebook called, Sisters, Mother, Daughters. Her screenplay, Never Can Say Good-bye, is one of the 2006 winners of the Gloria Film Festival. She publishes an ezine called, Messages From the Universe, which is available on her site www.theresachaze.com.

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Fire Vs. Water

Pangeacat@gmail.com (Larisa) — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 03:55:00 +0000

I'm a Sagittarius and my eldest daughter is a Pisces. Given how drastic the difference is there, astrologically speaking, I think I've done rather well over her six years. I try to remember to be ever gentle in my tone, and she has taught me a lot in regards to patience and the like.

She's a well behaved child, don't get me wrong. But, she's still a child and, as such, is prone to doing things that might get under my skin (like literally put her face about 1/2 an inch in front of mine while she's talking to me, or having her moments when listening just isn't in the cards).

The little Virgo (my second daughter) and I tend to clash more often. But, my precious Pisces is far more sensitive in certain areas. So, I have to watch my tone with her more.

I was fortunate to have a number of close Pisces friends, prior to having my eldest daughter. With that experience, I was able to get some real life experience regarding exactly how our fire vs. water natures were most likely to clash.

Just last night though, I was reminded just how sensitive my little one can be.

I was sitting at the computer, sifting through email, when she came into the office. At first, she was merely playing in the room, but this escalated to her getting less than an inch away from my face, poking my shoulder, breathing heavily at me, and talking loudly.

I asked her to stop, multiple times, remembering to be gentle about it. But, enough was enough. I yelled her name. I got her attention, her face just about lost it's color when mommy's voice became that loud. And, I told her to stop what she was doing.

Almost immediately, simply because I yelled, she started to weep sadly. She then ran into the living room, slumped onto the couch, and continued to cry in the kind of way that just rips your heart out.

*Sigh*

Alas, it appears I still have work to do on softening my tone, somehow, when I'm dealing with her misbehaving. Yes, she needed to know that what she was doing was not okay. But, there has to be a way to do that, even with a sensitive child who can't stand knowing she's in trouble, without hearing that heart-wrenching weeping.

It's very interesting to me, the way our personalities clash, get along, or otherwise interact, particularly when it comes to the ones who are dearest to our hearts - our children.

Updated Blog Template.

Pangeacat@gmail.com (Larisa) — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 10:23:00 +0000

Some of you may have noticed that I recently changed the blog's template. I prefer this one, because I think it's prettier, more in line with the theme of the blog, and organizes everything a little better. But, I would really like some feedback on it. What do you guys think of the new layout?

Who Do We Thank on Thanksgiving?

Pangeacat@gmail.com (Larisa) — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 02:26:00 +0000

Most people think that I'm weird, because I have my children (and all guests) thank the thanksgiving turkey before we eat it.

In my belief system, I find it important to do so however. This animal had/has a spirit just like we do. And, it's life was lost so that we could live. I think it's only appropriate that we thank the animal for having given it's life that ours may continue on in health.

Does that sound weird?

Here's more fuel for the fire then, I also have my children thank the trees in the front yard after having taken something from them (a leaf, or blossom).

My kids are still very young, 6 and 4 respectively. But, I believe that having them do these things is good for their development, spiritually if nothing else. Yes, I believe that they should find their own path. And, I'll not be upset with them if they decide that (my) Paganism isn't the path they are meant to be on. But, my hope (and I really do think that it's working) is that this (asking them to thank various living things for various reasons) will teach them a great respect for life, in all of it's many forms.

Excavation in Israel Unearths an Ancient Roman Pagan Temple Within an Ancient Jewish Village.

Pangeacat@gmail.com (Larisa) — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 06:55:00 +0000

Click here to read more about it on Foxnews.com.

Archaeologists have found an ancient Roman Pagan temple (dating back to around the second century A.D.) while excavating the ancient Jewish village of Zippori. A Christian church, from a later period, was built on top of it, and discovered during an earlier dig.

The temple is in ruins, but parts of it have been well preserved through the ages, and the layout of it is clear. Another building has also been discovered, and seems to have held great importance for the people of the time, though the proverbial 'they' aren't yet certain what it's original function was.

The article I found on Foxnews contains a photo of the ruins.

Apparently, their best guess so far is that the temple was perhaps dedicated to Jupiter (Zeus) and/or Fortuna (Tyche). They're basing this on some coins found at the site that show a temple(s) honoring these Gods.

Perhaps the best, and most interesting, aspect of this recent discovery, is the knowledge that at one time Jews, Pagans, and even early Christians apparently got along quite well, or at least lived together fairly harmoniously. These ancient peoples were able to coexist within the same village, and yet we (the more civilized?) often cannot. That's not to say that fights didn't inevitably break out between the various people. I'm sure they must have. I'm sure fights broke out, at that time, between people who shared identical beliefs as well. Still, it's uplifting to realize that likely people back then, as hopefully in many locations today, were able to at least respect one another, though their beliefs differed greatly.

*On somewhat of a side note, it really does irritate me to a degree that the writers at Foxnews chose to use the Greek names for the Gods, when they said it was a Roman temple that was discovered. On the other hand, I suppose since the Greek names are more commonly known, they may have felt that it was a better way to go, so that the average reader would instantly know who they were talking about. *shrug*

More Resources For Pagan Parents...

Pangeacat@gmail.com (Larisa) — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 06:03:00 +0000

Lady Bridget's Pagan Parents Page is filled with lots of fun ideas for teaching Pagan values, rituals, etc. to children. It also has great stories, poems, etc. and a list of suggested reading material for Pagan kids.

Pagan Parents is a great site, that looks promising. There are links to articles on Pagan parenting, what your rights are, etc.

Your rights as a Pagan Parent. This is an article posted on About.com. Particularly if you're divorcing a non-Pagan spouse who may prove vindictive, or if you may find yourself involved in other legal issues regarding your children and your religion, this may prove exceedingly useful, perhaps even indispensable.

Mamawitch's Pagan parenting pages. This site is currently (as of late September, 2008) under reconstruction by Mamawitch. So, some of the pages may be blank, but it still promises to be a very interesting site, with projects for kids to do, a family book of shadows, and much more.

Care2 - A leaning tree for Pagan parents is an online support group for Pagan Parents.

Edmonton Pagan Parents Circle. This site is extensive, with many articles, resources, fun stories, etc. geared specifically toward Pagan families.

The Blessed Bee is a Pagan family newsletter.

Moon Dragon's Pagan Parenting Partnership is a very interesting site, with wonderful articles on the subject, and some awesome links toward the bottom of the page. I can't recommend this site enough!

And, finally, Solitary-Pagan.net.

I hope you find the above resources as great as I do. :)

Various Pagan Paths and Some Definitions and Resources

Pangeacat@gmail.com (Larisa) — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 10:41:00 +0000

Pagan

Pagan is an umbrella term, used to label/describe a variety of religious paths and ideas/beliefs. In it's broadest form, it can include any religion that isn't either Christian, Jewish, or Muslim. Though, I have yet to meet a Buddhist (among many other religions) who would call themselves Pagan. And, though Asatruers are often labeled as "Pagan", they tend to prefer "Heathen".

Reconstruction

A 'reconstruction' religion, is one that is currently attempting to reconstruct an ancient religion. As such, most have limited resources on precisely how the original religion was practiced in ancient times, and exactly what was fully believed by the original peoples who practiced said religion. Reconstructionists do the best the can, with what they've got, essentially. The reconstructing of the religion is largely based on whatever writings, archaeological finds, temples, knowledge, etc. has survived through the ages, and what is researched and concluded by scholars and scientists in regards to the way the culture and religion worked at the time it was in place. The religion in question is then typically molded to fit modern times. NOT changed, mind you, but modern day culture (such as restrictions on acceptable animal sacrifice) is taken into account when reconstructing the religion for feasible practice in the modern era.

Sumerian

I haven't done too much study on this particular religion, other then researching and writing a paper on the legend of Gilgamesh. But, I'll do my best to provide links to information that seems as trustworthy as I can find, given my ignorance on the subject.

Sumerian culture and religion

Sumerian/Mesopitamia culture and religion at wsu.edu

History, contributions, mythologies, etc. of Sumer

Wicca

In order to legitimately claim the title of "Wiccan", one must be initiated into a lineaged coven. You'll only be able to obtain the 'inner court material' (protected by oath) this way, and fully grasp what it is to be Wiccan. So, much information cannot be obtained by merely reading about it. That said, I hope that I can provide some very basic 'outer court material'/information on the rede, and tenets, through more knowledgeable individuals who've written it online, though these resources can be difficult to find, given the number of people who've taken the path and run with it to their own version. Never mind the fact that it is a mystery religion, and as such is rather mysterious as to what is believed, until one is initiated.

Article on the Wiccan Rede, on witchvox

Wicca and Witchcraft on religious tolerance.org

Asatru (Norse Heathenism)

This is the reconstructed religion of the ancient Germanic peoples. If you're looking for some reading material...

The Asatru Alliance

Asatru Folk Assembly

Irminsul

Kemetic Reconstruction (Ancient Egyptian Religion)

This is the reconstruction of the religion practiced by the ancient Egyptians. Like Asatru, much of it is conjecture (or inner feeling/message from the divine), with many of the ancient writings and oral traditions having been lost through the ages. Perhaps even more so, as the religion of the ancient Norse was kept a bit more 'in tact'.

One could go Orthodox in this religion, or not. Here is some material that will give you a good idea about what it entails...

Kemetic Orthodoxy Contains many indispensable resources, and a free class one can take online to further their knowledge.

Ancient Egyptian Proverbs

An Article on Tales of Magic in Ancient Egypt (based on papyri found)

An unorthodox church of Kemet

Hellenic Reconstruction (Ancient Greek Religion)

There are a couple different ways of looking at this one. Hellenismos tends to frown upon the practice of magic, but magic was a big part of ancient Greece, at least in earlier times.

Hellenismos - one branch of Hellenic Reconstruction, that appears to be most popular

A nice article, with a great many scholarly resources on the subject

Magic/Witchcraft in Ancient Greece

Reconstruction of Roman Polytheism

Here are some resources which seem reliable, given what I know of the religion of ancient Rome, and what I've studied/researched.

Article on Witchvox (scroll to the bottom for indispensable resources)

Temple of Religio Romana

Celtic Reconstruction

Deiuokara (Reverence of the Divine) - These guys aren't CR (Celtic Reconstructionists), though they are attempting to reconstruct the religions and culture of the ancient Celtic peoples. They do distinctly separate themselves from CR though, given their differences in how to go about this. For more on this distinction, see their FAQ. They are included here only because they are involved in the construction of a Celtic Pagan tradition, but they are not CR.

A Celtic Reconstructionist Gateway This one is really incredible for so much information on CR. Be sure to check out their FAQ.

Another Witchvox article, again, scroll to bottom for some great resources

Pagan Tombs Under St. Peter's Basilica?

Pangeacat@gmail.com (Larisa) — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 10:11:00 +0000

I was browsing the Fox News site, and came across this story regarding Pagan tombs beneath St. Peter's basilica in Vatican City.

Honestly, I'm not sure whether or not I should be insulted, but I'm finding it funny non-the-less.

Apparently, Emperor Constantine (life-long Pagan who supposedly converted to Christianity, after deciding that it should be the religion of Rome, in order to calm the issues - but that's a different Xombyte), had the burial ground covered over in the fourth century, so that the Cathedral (housing the tomb of St. Peter) could be constructed over it. After years of restoration, to it's former splendor, the Vatican has opened the Pagan tombs for tours and such.

So, let me get this straight. One of the oldest Christian churches; where the man who is credited as being the first Pope; where it could be argued Christianity got it's start, sits knowingly atop the elaborate final resting places of Roman Pagans?

Now, I'm sure that there are many churches that are built upon ancient Pagan/Heathen burial grounds. But, those churches are probably unaware of this fact. They probably didn't do it on purpose, which is the difference here. And, chances are, they wouldn't be advertising the fact if it were figured out.

On the one hand, I find it disrespectful that a church was constructed, willfully, over the tombs of people who didn't ever adhere to the teachings/doctrine of said religion. On the other hand, I find it funny that Christians tend only to have saints and other VIP's worthy of honor buried within the confines of a Cathedral/church. Yet, here, in this all important Catholic location, there be Pagans nestled beneath. LOL.

**Originally posted, by me, on Xomba.**

Summer Solstice Celebrated At Stonehenge.

Pangeacat@gmail.com (Larisa) — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 19:21:00 +0000

I know I'm a little late on this, but I found the article on Fox News.com about the Stonehenge celebration of the summer solstice on June 21st, and I wanted to share it with you.

The estimate for how many Pagans, Druids, and curious spectators, was around 28,000. Some people weren't religiously connected to the sacred space, but felt that it was such an important part of their English heritage/culture, they just had to attend.

Click here to view the story on Fox.

or.. copy and paste into your browser... http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,369824,00.html

The Meaning of Life, From the Thoughtful Perspective of a Child

Pangeacat@gmail.com (Larisa) — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 02:03:00 +0000

Before I became a full-time mommy, I worked in a private daycare center. I handled all age groups, ranging from 8 weeks to 8 years of age.

One day, one particular 8 year old was really grating on my last nerve. She just wouldn't behave, and it was making life stressful for not only the teachers and T.A.'s, but also the younger children.

Finally, I just could not take it anymore. So, I told her to sit in time out. She pushed me to tell her for how long she would have to sit there, so I said, "Until you can tell me the meaning of life!"

Now, I wasn't honestly going to have her sit there all day. Technically, we weren't allowed to have them sit in time out for longer then five minutes at a time. I just needed time to cool off, and for her to know that she couldn't get away with whatever it was she was doing (this was 7 years ago or so, I don't remember the exact offense).

A few moments later, she called me over. She told me that she had figured out the answer to my question. I was a little more then skeptical that an 8 year old had figured out the meaning of life, but I did tell her that she could get out of time out by giving my a pensive answer, so I awaited her response.

"To live," she told me. It was so simple, and yet so very compelling. My irritation with her antics faded quickly. I thought about her answer for a few seconds, and told her she could get out of time out and go play.

To live. The more I thought about it, the more her answer not only made more sense then anything I'd heard from a great many philosophers and intelligent adults, but it also brought more peace. From the lips of a rebellious child to my ears - The meaning of life is to live.

Attempting to Define Paganism

Pangeacat@gmail.com (Larisa) — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 08:40:00 +0000

You, or your child, may run into situations where you'll have to define what Paganism actually is. Most of the time, it's just a lot easier to discuss your families own personal beliefs, as they specifically pertain to you. But, sometimes, you'll have to give a more general definition (online, or perhaps at school even).

It can be a very difficult thing to describe to someone who doesn't identify as Pagan. Hopefully, my little tirade below (which is a reprint of an article I wrote on Xomba), will help you in your endeavors to define it to people who may not know what it is. Or, who, worse yet, believe it to be something that it definitely is not!

The dictionary has a few definitions for Paganism, all of which are pretty vague. One such definition simply states that any religion not part of the big three Abrahamic faiths is deemed Pagan. However, I have yet to meet an individual who counts themselves as strictly Hindu or Buddhist who would identify themselves as "Pagan". So, for the purposes of what I'd like to talk about here, I'm going to be sticking with the people who would be most likely to identify themselves as "Pagan".

Even Pagans will tell you that "Pagan" is an umbrella term, used to refer to a vast number of individual faiths (much like "Christian" doesn't say which denomination or Biblical interpretation one adhere's to). Most of the individuals you'll find who will identify as "Pagan" though, will be reconstructionists (those who are attempting to reconstruct more ancient spiritual paths, as best and most accurately as they can in present time), Wiccans, or those who are more eclectic in their beliefs, but whose beliefs are largely not Abrahamic in origin.

Pagans come in all shapes and sizes, and most have very different ideas of God. Some believe in many gods, some in just one, some that all gods are one, some in none. And on and on it goes. One thing that most Pagans do have in common is that they don't believe in the Devil (at least, not the character presented in Christian mythology). Considering how difficult it is to worship, honor, or otherwise pay homage to something or someone you don't believe in, they are not Devil-worshipers. In fact, you'll often find that telling them they are "actually worshiping the devil" doesn't go over so well. And, frankly, it's not something I've ever been able to understand, considering that the Bible makes a clear distinction between "The Devil" and the gods worshipped by other peoples, in both the old and new testaments.

In a nutshell, that's what Paganism is and is not. It's a little vague, I know, but probably much more descriptive then anything you'll find in an dictionary. Basically, Pagans are just people. They are people who are searching for what they believe is the right spiritual path for them personally to follow. They are people who believe, or know to the best of their ability, that they have found that path. And, their path doesn't include most of what's found in Abrahamic religions. That's pretty much as detailed as one can get, without going through all the various beliefs held personally by all the Pagans in the world (but, I guarantee that even if I were capable of doing that, you would be asleep by the end of this article. I know I would!).

2 FREE Ways You Can Help Change the World For the Better.

Pangeacat@gmail.com (Larisa) — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 15:28:00 +0000

Not all of us have the money to give as much as we want, need, or feel we should to charity. But, most of us want to help change the world for the better, even if it's just in a small way. Well, these sites will help you accomplish that, without having to spend any money at all, and with only devoting a small amount of your online time.

The Hunger Site (click here) donates food for the hungry as their primary function. Every day, you can click on a button at the top of the page, and donate 1.1 cups of food to the hungry by doing so. They have other ways you can help too, most of which are free, like sending an e-card.

One of the really great things about the hunger site is that you can give to other causes in the same way. Are you passionate about animals? Want to give more to breast cancer prevention? They have tabs for that and much more.

The available causes they have, that you can give to by clicking, sending e-cards, etc. are; (ending) Hunger, Breast Cancer, Child Health, Literacy, Rainforest (preservation), and Animal Rescue.

Another great site, that will allow you to give to a worth cause, is FreeRice.com. This site serves two functions actually. When you go onto the site, there will be a vocabulary word, with four possible definitions below it. You click on the definition that you believe best suits the word. For every word/definition combo you get correct, the site donates 20 grains of rice to the United Nations World Food Programme, to help end world hunger. So, you'll be building your vocabulary, having fun, and helping to end world hunger all at the same time, and all for free!

Get the kids involved in these online ventures! You'll be teaching them about using computers (if they're young), and teaching them about helping others simultaneously!

Book Review ~ "The Herbalist of Yarrow"

Pangeacat@gmail.com (Larisa) — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 02:03:00 +0000

"The Herbalist of Yarrow" - A fairy tale of plant wisdom, written by: Shatoiya De La Tour, is a book I bought a while back for my eldest daughter. She's very into nature spirits, herbology, botany, etc. She may only be 6, but these interests have been obvious for quite some time now.

This book is really amazing for a child who loves plants of any type, or shows an interest in herbology. I would also recommend the book for a child that is showing less appreciation for nature then you'd like, as a way to get them more involved, interested, or even more kindly in that regard.

The actual story is fictional, but the book features recipes for various salves, teas, tinctures, etc. that are very useful, even for us adults. To that end, I would say that the book is able to reach a wide variety of age groups. My daughter is just six, and she loves the story. I'm 26, and I love the recipes.

In front of the book is a map of "Yarrow", which I feel makes the world the book presents more "real" feeling, and more fun to read about. Much like "The Wind in the Willows" did for me as a child, when I saw the map of the featured fictional world presented in the front of the book.

I whole-heartedly agree with the blurb on the back of the book, and I quote, "The Herbalist of Yarrow is full of fun and adventure with many pleasant surprises for the child in all of us. There are recipes for teas, herbal baths, and other healing remedies for preventive family healthcare. Gorgeous full-color illustrations by Pamela Becker create an engaging learning environment for child and parent. Ideal for 'sharing time.' A great gift."

Pagan Homeschooling

Pangeacat@gmail.com (Larisa) — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 17:48:00 +0000

If you're looking to homeschool one or more of your children, you may have found that Christian curriculum is abundant, secular resources aren't difficult to find, but Pagan homeschooling resources can be a bit of a pain to get.

I've found some resources that can help in your quest...

The Pagan Homeschool Page has a TON of useful information, resources, book suggestions, etc. for Pagan homeschooling families.

This is a very nice list of essential and fun resources for Pagan families. Though the emphasis is on Pagan homeschooling, there are resources there that every Pagan family should know about, whatever their decision may be regarding education.

Jon's Homeschool Resources (for Pagan families) has a good number of resources, some of which I would consider down right necessary for Pagan homeschooling families.

Pagan Homeschooler's Unite is an essential resource.

Oak Meadow Curriculum is Pagan-friendly.

Goddess Moon Circles Academy provides just about everything one would possibly need in order to successfully homeschool Pagan children. They have a Pagan-friendly curriculum. More then that, the curriculum is specifically designed for and by Pagan families. They have teacher support, an umbrella program, and so on and so forth. Definitely worth checking out.

Sacred Grove Academy's Links Page. Sacred Grove Academy is a pagan homeschooling program, based in Alabama. This link will take you to their page, chalk full of some of the best links to all things Pagan homeschooling related.

Programming Your Child's Dreams for a Better Night's Sleep

Pangeacat@gmail.com (Larisa) — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 22:30:00 +0000

Night terrors are a fairly common occurance among young children. But, there are ways that you can help your child sleep better. One tactic I've used with my little ones is dream programming.

Since my eldest was just a baby, she's had a thing for unicorns. She had a stuffed unicorn that she carried everywhere with her, by it's horn.

I started helping her sleep through the night, as an infant, by stroking her hair while describing a peaceful place that she could go to in her dreams. It started with, "close your eyes. You're in a forest, trees everywhere, with a little pond close by. You hear the waterfall gently splashing against the pool of water..." She may not have understood at least half the words I was using, but she did understand the concept, and she found it relaxing.

Once she developed her obvious love/obsession with unicorns, I added to the description. It gradually became known as "The land of the unicorns." I haven't had to do much to alleviate fears since then, even though grandpa insists on watching all kinds of horror films, with her in the room. She's had a total of maybe 3 nightmares in her 6 years, not too bad. Any time she has had a nightmare, I simply remind her of the place we created, the land of the unicorns. She was usually still asleep when I noticed that her dreams weren't very happy, but she was awake enough that the description was heard, and it was obvious that she settled immediately back into her "safe warm place".

If you have older children, you can also try black tourmaline under their pillow. It's a type of crystal/rock that is supposed to help with bad dreams, ward off negativity and harmful spirits, etc. My mother actually uses this tactic with my 6 year old step sister. It's worked for her. But, again, I don't recommend it for younger children, as they may hurt themselves or place the crystal in their mouths.

A Boy/Girl Scouts Alternative For Pagan Parents

Pangeacat@gmail.com (Larisa) — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 23:26:00 +0000

We all want our children to have fun growing up, socialize, get involved in extra curricular activities, etc. But, as a Pagan parent, some programs may be shut off, or not coincide with what we want for our kids.

The boy scouts and girl scouts, for instance, are supposed to only accept children from families that proclaim a belief in one supreme God, and no others. This can be a bit of an issue for kids and parents that do not adhere to one of the big three Abrahamic based faiths.

This is why I was thrilled to discover the Spiral Scouts. They were formed as an alternative specifically for Pagan parents. They are co-ed, and seperated by age group. There are "dens" so to speak all over the place, though they are still fairly new, so there aren't as many as there are boyscout meeting locations.

They accept children and parents from all walks of life, so even non-pagans can benefit from the program. And, it just looks plain fun! I found a group of spiralscouts not too terribly far from where I live, so I'll be looking into it further, and testing it out with my little ones. When I have a bit more personal experience with them, I'll be sure to update you all on what I've found.

In the mean time, this is a quote directly from their website:

"SpiralScouts™ International is a program for girls and boys of all faiths working, growing and learning together. Making its public debut in February of 2001, SpiralScouts™ International has grown into an expanded program available to anyone world wide. We now serve youth throughout the US, as well as in Canada and Europe. "

And, you can take a peek for yourself, and find a group meeting near you, here... http://spiralscouts.org/

Welcome to my Blog!

Pangeacat@gmail.com (Larisa) — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 21:44:00 +0000

My name is Larisa, and I am a Pagan parent (gee, do you feel like you're at a "Pagans Anonymous" meeting yet? lol). I have two beautiful little girls, who I stay home with, the eldest of which I'm homeschooling. They are 6 and 3, respectively.

In this blog, I'm going to be mainly sticking with issues that are of particular interest to Pagan parents. I'll be reviewing various programs, discussing news stories, movies, etc. that I think might strike your fancy. If there is anything you'd like me to write about, advice I may be able to provide (having personal experience with being a single Pagan mother of two), etc. please don't hesitate to contact me with that, and I will do my best to provide you with whatever I can that might help.