Ask Anora

Lupercalia Blessings

2012-02-13T16:44:00.000-08:00

Lupercalia is the Roman festival from February 13-15 that was celebrated as away to get rid of evil spirits and purify the cities. It is believed to have stemmed from the she-wolf Lupercal who took care of Romulus and Remus. So blessings as we celebrate Lupercalia.

Anora

The New Year

2012-02-10T20:26:00.000-08:00

My dearest readers and friends,
I'm afraid that the Yule has come and gone, along with the Imbolc and now we are coming upon Valentine's Day followed by the glorious Ostara. This time away has been a time of cultivation and growth for me. I needed a down time to recharge my own spirit, so that I might be here for my readers. My humble blessings be with you and yours as we all come out of our hibernation and begin to enjoy the beginnings of spring.

Anora

Does it really matter?

2011-12-12T04:54:00.000-08:00

I’ve been reading a great deal online, as I have given up watching the news on television as it is an entirely too much of a drain, about the various issues coming up this year regarding the winter holidays. I do not say winter holidays to be politically correct or to avoid offending someone, it simply is the way to encapsulate everyone who celebrates a Holy time during this part of the season, and that season would be the end of fall and the start of winter as marked by the solstice on the 21st of December and conveniently stamped onto every calendar. I have a growing concern as a spiritual person that perhaps all arguments are beginning to infringe upon the purpose of each of our celebrations. People seem to be spending so much time this season saying what is correct, what is not correct, that they take away from their own celebrations.

Unfortunately the largest outcry I have witnessed has been by Christians. Do not get me wrong, I was a Catholic for much of my life, later Baptist, and have a great fondness for the story of Christ and his teachings. However, that said, one of the reasons I sought my own spiritual path was because the teachings of Christ were getting lost in the argument of “We’re right, everyone else is wrong”. And when it came to Christmas/Yule the arguments were so strong, so thick, that I wondered if even my fellow Christians at the time understood what was happening to their own walk.

Most who read my column know that when I use a label now, though I don’t feel they are necessary, that I use the term Pagan. That said I’ve spent the last several years researching, reading, and finding out the origins of said Yule time myths. I did not do this so that one day I could sit here and say “Oh look at you, you’re all wrong”, but so that my own understanding of the season would be personally enriched, so I might understand my fellow mankind better. So even though I know that this type of writing does come across as it does, it is not meant to do so. It is meant only as a little light back to what we all want, peace and love during the year and to remember the Light at this time of the year.

Recently I read about an elementary school who took out a word of a popular carol. I then read several varying statements across the last week of how the real season is for Christ and how Santa has taken over the season. What I find interesting about both of these commentaries is that so many simply do not know the origins of their own myths and beliefs. They have never been taught, never listened, or simply chosen to ignore them. I do not claim to be the expert of folklore, but I do know many experts have written about them and are happy to explain to explain them. I can only share what I do know in the hopes that perhaps we can all celebrate with gladness.

For some time, I suppose since the dawn of Christianity, there has been debate of what is the “right” way to celebrate. Early Christians were still clinging to either Pagan or Jewish beliefs and trying to live the best of both worlds. I summarize this for brevity but in short over the history of religion in general people have tried to get the best of both worlds. In America, as we’re quite young, we’ve gone from hard core purist to easy go secularism over a short 200 years. Does this make one better than the other? Does it make us less spiritual?

In my own humble opinion nothing can make one more or less anything unless one wants to be so. However, if it is the belief that for example celebrating Santa makes one forget the season than the answer is to simply not partake of said custom. Though the custom originates with a Saint, spiritually inclined (but human), it does not mean one has to celebrate it. It also does not mean that said abstinence is right for all. In the Christ myth the baby was given three gifts. Something I did or at least encouraged with my older children was the lesson of three gifts. Of course, in order to do so one must be able to put a halt to overly zealous relatives who may or may not agree with your chosen path. It does not though make them any less spiritual because they believe or do not believe in the spirit of Santa.

When I think to the teachings of Christ, especially the Sermon on the Mount, I think that it is something that should be done all year, but it is something that we especially take to heart during the Christmas season. As a pastor stated in his article recently, it is about giving. Instead of running around yelling blasphemy to every Santa, holiday lighted house, perhaps one should be out doing what Christ would have done. He wouldn’t have been running to Macy’s for the latest gift, or standing in long lines for a two dollar waffle iron. He would have been out feeding the hungry, clothing the needy, sitting with the poor and out of luck. Even I admit, there is a bit of irony when those who cry out the most about how Christmas is losing its meaning are the first to the stores, have trees up inside, hang stockings, give out handfuls of gifts, and cry if they don’t have the perfect Christmas dinner.

Let us look to the secular side of things for a moment. In researching the song held in contempt the words were added later in America, or so they have been thought to have originated as the original was simply a melody without words. It reminded me of the indifference of many that we now say Happy Holidays at schools, etc. instead of Merry Christmas. If we knew the origins would it really matter? Society’s issue today seems to be that most of us are caught up in the storm of saying what offends us that we forget to live what we believe. We have created an environment in which we want to sit here and point out “That word now means something different. It is offensive”. “That belief offends me”. “That person is ruining my holiday”. Yes, I’m well aware that my own articles could be said to be the same, yet there is a part of me who hopes that by pointing out a few of the arguments I’ve heard recently, that we can all come to the conclusion that it doesn’t really matter what our neighbor is celebrating or how they are celebrating. What matters is how are we celebrating, does it go along with our own beliefs, our own path, and does it make us a better person, and have we helped our fellow sentient beings in doing so. If it does not, then perhaps it is time to check, but it is to check with one’s own self, not to blame others for our own choices.

Anora

Home Made Yule/Christmas Ornaments (Support the 99)

2011-12-05T15:28:00.000-08:00

I grew up watching the Hallmark holiday commercials and still continue to find them rather enduring, but I've come to realize that they are not selling the spirit of the season, but rather simply profiting from it. This year instead of giving into the corporate processing of cheap plastic or glass ornaments, make ones that will endure generations of love.

One of the most precious ornaments on my tree is one my third daughter made me when she was in kindergarten, and it still is proudly hanged each year. It is two cd discs glued together with a red bow. On one side is Merry Christmas in glitter paint, and on the other side is her picture from that year. Don't know what to do with those scratched discs that cannot be salvaged? Turn them into priceless family keepsakes.

Another project that I grew up making alongside my mother was egg carton ornaments. Simply cut out Styrofoam egg cartons so that you have just the cup remaining. Spray the inside of the cup with spray glue, or you can simply use clear drying Elmer glue and sprinkle with gold or silver glitter. Once dry sew decorative light weight fringe to the edge. Once that is done glue in a miniature of your choice. You can find small enough miniatures at any Michael's or JoAnne's craft store. You simply want a piece that is small enough to glue inside the egg cup. You can then sew a hanging string into the top of the ornament. These fragile but precious ornaments make fun family projects and precious gifts.

A slightly more challenging project but one that is fun is beaded ornaments. There are many patterns out there for various types but one that I like involves simply using plastic beads (found in any store in the craft department)and threading them on wire to form a cross. You can create the cross by tying the string in the center (two pieces of string tied in the center) or if using wire you can simply wrap the wire in the middle. You can do any color design, and bend or tie the wire or string off at the end of the cross. Simply put the hanger on one end of the cross and hang.

Stain glass ornaments are also very pretty. An easy way to accomplish this is to use wax paper and shaved crayons (everyone seems to always have a handful of old crayons hiding out in odd places around the house). This project requires adult supervision because it uses an iron. Simply cut out the shapes you want your sections of stain glass to be (you want two pieces), then place the colored shavings into each piece. The adult should then use an iron on low to rub over the wax paper to melt the crayon in between. Once dry you can then hole punch the top and hang to the tree. If you want to create a Yule picture you can use construction paper to frame around each section.

Decoupage is another wonderfully creative way to make a classy home made ornament and you can do this with virtually anything! I find that anything from glass ornaments to spaghetti tops work well. Simply select the pictures you wish to create the piece, glue them down, and when dry shellac them.

Anora

Scrooge Need Not Apply

2011-12-04T17:17:00.000-08:00

It's a scam. They are just lazy. They will just use the money for drugs/liquor. Sound familiar? This time of year it seems to scream louder but it is a sentiment that seems to be there year round. The moment someone is approached by someone needing help there is a great deal of skepticism and sometimes false accusations that occur quite unfairly.

Oh, I'm in agreement that there are those who do have quite the tall tale, but I'm human enough to know that most people in need are genuinely in need. So during this time of year when we see more families in need of food, shelter, clothing, and a Yule experience let us all think about our own journey first before we pass judgment. Was there a time we needed help? A time we struggled?

Keep this thought throughout the year, and perhaps we will change the world. Anora

99% Support-Not just for the holidays

2011-12-01T07:03:00.001-08:00

We've all been following the local occupy groups in various cities and it is my hopes that we are all supporting the changes that need to occur. It is my hopes that we as citizens would understand that this is a life time change, and that includes our own shopping needs. It is the time of year that most of us are hustling and bustling to the stores and malls to get the latest cool toy, clothing, jewelry, and so forth for our children, significant other, or family. It is time to turn that shopping habit around and start buying from local vendors and artisans. There are many websites that host local artisans, and it is quite easy to start shopping local stores for the next the gift. This turns the revenue away from large corporations and sweat shops towards local residents and communities. I know from personal experience that it is easy to sit back and say "Well, it's cheaper", but is the decision to buy from large corporations really all together less expensive? Not really. Though in price it very well may be cheaper to by that $2.00 waffle maker but in order to have a price that low it means that people such as yourself in another country spent hours making them at low wages, and living in cramped apartments to do so. It just doesn't make the gift that nice when one begins to think about just how that item came into existence. Some of the most memorable gifts I received as a child were home-made. A home made wooden barbie doll set which included a dresser, closet, bed, and rocking chair. A hand-made baby doll complete with a dozen hand-made outfits. Do not think that children do not appreciate the home made gifts! Most of the special memories are about the experience, not how many of the latest gadgets they received. This is also a change that has to occur for a life time. It is not just limited to the holiday season. The more we as consumers support our local artisans and vendors the more we empower our communities and discourage the larger corporations. So make your life style change this holiday season, but keep it for a life time. Anora

Prayers to Joplin, MO

2011-05-24T09:27:00.000-07:00

Our prayers and thoughts are with the people of Joplin, MO who suffered at the hands of mother nature. In doing some browsing I did see that there was a Joplin Survivors page listed on Facebook. Please check it out, and pass it along to help others.

Namaste-Anora

Carrot-More than eye sight

2011-05-10T08:12:00.001-07:00

Carrot-Fertility, Lust. Women should eat the seeds to become pregnant. Eat carrots to promote lust and cure impotence. And we thought it was just good for eye sight. : )

Significant Others

2011-05-06T09:01:00.001-07:00

Don't treat your significant other as insignificant or they just might become so. It's very easy for us to come home from a bad day at work, school, or just our travels about the town and take it out on the spouse. It's very easy for us to sling our clothing about the clean bathroom without so much as noticing that the toothpaste stain we left that morning is now gone. It takes focus to realize that your clothes are not magically transporting themselves to the cleaning bin, the drawer, or the closet. It takes focus to notice that significant other is taking care of things when you are out and about doing business as usual. It takes a few moments to let them know you appreciate their hard work, to pick up after yourself, to lend a helping hand in the day to day running of the home that you occupy as well. Living with another is never just about one person.

Happy Administrative Professionals Day

2011-04-27T09:30:00.001-07:00

Happy Administrative Professionals Day! Be sure to tell your Administrative Professionals how much you appreciate all their hard work! (Even if you run a home business, don't forget to thank the person who helps you. )

You alone are responsible

2011-04-22T21:29:00.000-07:00

You alone are responsible for the choices you make, the feelings you experience, and the manner in which you handle them. When you hide from your own nature you are like a man who refuses to fix his water bucket and blames the water for leaving the bucket.

No one is ever too small

2011-04-17T19:12:00.001-07:00

Tonight the family and I enjoyed watching Horton hears a Who. I cannot say enough how there are so many life lessons to be learned through Dr.Seuss but even us adults sometimes need to be reminded that we are never too small or too large to do something great.

There will be times in our life where we will feel the odd man out and yet if we are true to who we are, our spirit will keep us moving forward in the direction. And to some degree to out lasting the popular fads, the passing cliques, to find that we have done something very great even if it is something very small.

Remember that no matter what you do in life, it is great because you do it.

Namaste-Anora

10 Virtures (Great Article)

2011-04-15T10:52:00.000-07:00

I love when I can come across great articles! This one is on the 10 virtues.

It is well worth the read. Spend some time reflecting upon each virtue. How are they going in your own life? Are there areas that need improvement? Journal these thoughts and come back to them in thirty days.

Namaste-Anora

Get Up

2011-04-13T09:08:00.000-07:00

Sometimes the best thing we can do for ourselves is get up and get dressed.

Balm of Gilead

2011-04-10T06:39:00.001-07:00

Balm of Gilead is said to have magickal properties over lovers spats, arguments, and quarrels. Seeds burnt over charcoal are said to bring peace, love, and reconciliation in the household. You may wish to burn in the bedroom you sleep and share in love to bring the relationship back to whole. You may add myrrh to the mixture to open the heart or bring back a lost love (no deceased, just not in a relationship).

Minn. Dog Owner Recalls Dramatic Eagle Attack « CBS Minnesota

2011-04-08T21:03:00.000-07:00

Minn. Dog Owner Recalls Dramatic Eagle Attack « CBS Minnesota

This just amazed me when I saw it. We sometimes forget that we share our backyards with other creatures who may very well take our pets for something else. It reminds us to always be mindful of our surroundings.

Repelling Magick

2011-04-08T08:36:00.000-07:00

The following is a Voodoo ritual for dealing with someone who is tormenting you, spreading lies about you, harassing you or your loved ones, either on the material or the mental level. You can perform this ritual on the waxing moon (when the moon is starting to become larger).

Spread a black cloth upon your work area and place a white candle on the right and left sides. Take a picture of Hecate and place it in the middle of the cloth. Engrave a black candle three times with the name of the target person. Rub it with the juice of dieffenbachia (a common house plant called "dumb cane").(Make sure you wash your hands after working with this plant as the juice is toxic,or use gloves). I personally believe in being able to substitute for things with like properties if you don't have it on hand or do not feel comfortable working with some things. Say:

The tongue of (name) shall become mute and fail him, when he/she is spreading lies about me and saying untrue things.

Next, roll the candle in spider webs and say:

May (name) be caught in the net of his/her own intrigues and viciousness.

Then place the candle in the middle of the black cloth, before the picture of Hecate. In addition, write the name of the victim on a piece of parchment paper.

With the greeting of the fire spirits, light the white candles and then the black one. Burn the parchment paper with the name on it, while you say:

Here is (name) alone and helpless, emptiness and failure accompany you. May sorrow and desperation consume you. Stop torturing me or Hecate's ire will cove over you! O Hecate, avenging mother, assist me in my work and help me. Let justice prevail. Destroy the plans of (name). So be it by the might of the lady of darkness!

You can adapt the magic formula to the situation. When the candles are done burning you may wish to burn a cleansing incense. Don't forget to wash your hands from working with the plant. After the ritual wrap the remains in parchment paper. After darkness has set in burn the package in front of the target's house or on a road that he will use. If this is for someone that you won't physically cross but may have dealings with on an internet level you may wish to burn and direct the smoke towards the person's internet profile or perhaps a picture of the person online.

Spell taken and adpated from Voodoo Rituals by Heike Owusu

Do not forget about today...

2011-04-07T17:55:00.000-07:00

We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today. ~Stacia Tauscher

This is so true. Sometimes we do this as magicians/occultists. We sometimes become so focused on what we want to become, what we want to learn, what we want to accomplish that we lose who we are right here in the present moment and we lose the experience. Engage in goals, activities, and the dreams of what you hope to accomplish as a magician but do not forget about there here and now, the moment.

Drawing Powder Personal Dusting Powder

2011-03-29T18:15:00.000-07:00

In our economic time I've decided to seek out a few business spells that may assist us in our goals. I truly believe that we all make our own magick but adding a little help to the pot never hurt anything. Remember that intent is everything. The following spell was one collected by Judika Illes. I've used money baths in the past, and this one would be just an addition to the basil bath.

Drawing Powder Personal Dusting Powder

1. Blend powdered confectioner's sugar into cornstarch.
2. Lightly dust this on your body with a powder puff to magically attract personal attention-and open pockets.

For added enhancement you can sprinkle the powder with essential oil of basil before applying to the body.

Relationship Balance

2011-03-24T11:06:00.001-07:00

One of the things that I think is difficult in any relationship is the idea of two persons being both an individual entity as well as a combined force of nature. There is a danger in this delicate balance of one partner in the relationship becoming completely absorbed by the other. I’m not speaking about the togetherness that occurs with parenting, or such parts of the relationship where a united front is appropriate. I am speaking about one partner losing their identity in the presence of another. There is danger of this in any sort of relationship be it platonic or romantic.

I’m not exactly sure when or where it begins in a relationship. Perhaps it starts when a partner wishes to please or even seek the approval of another partner or even surrounding persons to the relationship (i.e. friends, family, etc.). Slowly the partner begins to give up those things that have defined them to themselves. I am not speaking against transcending one’s own system, beliefs, or such as we find our goal in magick, occult work, and spiritual work (or one’s religion). I am speaking about the core of our identity that we may give up in order to seek the approval of those we are around. There is a large difference between transcending a particular ideology or set of beliefs (the ego) or such, and simply becoming the person or people we are around where our original character/soul/spirit or that name which you like to refer to your unique self is lost.

When in a relationship we must keep in mind that we are first individuals, partners second. It is not to say that these two cannot work in tandem, but we must remember that even in tandem there is a balance to be kept. We must allow our partner to be who they are whilst working together. Though we may be very comfortable with our way of doing things, thinking, and so forth we must have enough allowance for our partner in the relationship to have the same. As I said, balance. I think one of the best ways we can accomplish this is through open and honest communication. It calls for the openness of both partners (regardless of the type of relationship) to be open and honest about their thoughts, and also be open to listening and hearing what their partner in the relationship is sharing.

Once we have communicated our thoughts the next part of developing balance I think can be one of the most difficult. We now have to accept our partner’s individuality. It seems as if it this would be common place, and extremely simplistic in nature but even I find that it can be one of the most difficult parts of a relationship. Regardless of the relationship be it fraternal, platonic, or romantic there is a period of newness that clouds a great many things about our partner. Perhaps we over look things that we find cause us awkwardness or unsettled feelings because we are caught in the excitement of the new relationship. However, over time, these facets of our partner’s individuality can begin to seep in and at times instead of acceptance it is met with resistance. We may find we try to change our partner in the relationship. We may find we begin to change ourselves to suit the other’s individuality. Again, this is why balance is so important. We must be willing to accept those qualities that make our partner unique, who they are, just as we would wish them to accept us in all of our unique qualities. We will find that when we begin to accept these unique qualities our relationship begins to blossom with fragrance, rather than wither.

Spring/Autumnal Equinox

2011-03-20T08:41:00.000-07:00

Blessed Spring Equinox to my Northern brothers and sisters. Blessed Autumnal Equinox to my Southern brothers and sisters.

Solidarity

2011-03-10T14:12:00.000-08:00

Do not think we're all so different. We're alike in that we are all sentient beings. Solidarity!

Merlin Stone

2011-03-03T09:05:00.001-08:00

I'm a bit late on this one but Merlin Stone sadly left this mortal journey on February 23 of this year.

How we speak to others...

2011-03-01T14:27:00.001-08:00

We've all experienced this scenario: We spend hours doing a project or home make over (cleaning, etc) to have the significant other make a George Bailey comment, "Why do we live in this drafty old house anyway". It can be hurtful no doubt. However, if we play quiet the other may not know their behavior is upsetting. Sometimes it can be difficult to express during the moment, but find a quiet time to explain to your partner how you felt during the moment. If you are "George" genuinely listen and be open to your partner's needs.

First Official Women's History Month (March 2011)

2011-03-01T08:42:00.000-08:00

As many read in yesterday's news President Obama has declared that March 2011 will mark the first official Women's History Month with the International Women's Day being celebrated on March 8.

In honor of the first official Women's History Month I invite each of you to share stories of the women who have been influential in your life.