Pagan Ponderings

Happy Thanksgiving

noreply@blogger.com (Don Scroggins) — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 18:13:00 +0000

I admit, I have a bit of a problem with the whole thanksgiving thing. I

don't think the pilgrims had thanking the Indians in mind when they stole their land

and decimated their numbers.

I do however, concur with the idea of being thankful. Our local UU minister, Jane Bechle, said it well last Sunday, "we should give thanks not just for our joys but for all the experiences that have

brought us to where we are today" or words to that effect.

It would be impossible to make a list of all the things one is thankful for but I'm make an attempt.

For this planet that has just the right balance of elements to support life. For the water and the air, the earth and the fire that warms us, and the spirit that nurtures our soul's inner flame.

For a country where we're able to speak freely, worship freely, and pursue happiness. Though the nation isn't perfect, it could be much worse.

For shelter and food.

For my wife - who keeps me sane

For my family - who drives me insane

For my friends who give me outside perspective, and keep me searching

For past experiences good or bad, That have expanded my knowledge

for all those, but especially the young, who are waking up to the injustices around us. I don't expect the changes to come soon enough to help my generation, But I do have hope for the future.

And these are all things you can't buy on black Friday. So I'm staying home :)

Stay tuned. I’m hoping to post more regularly now. Maybe switch over to wordpress..maybe I’ve got some new ideas for post so we’ll see how it works out

Poetry Picture Challenge may 22

noreply@blogger.com (Don Scroggins) — Wed, 23 May 2012 00:36:00 +0000

Go Insane by the Doors

Once I had a little game
I liked to crawl back in my brain
I think you know the game I mean
I mean the game called 'go insane'
Now you should try this little game
Just close your eyes forget your name
Forget the world, forget the people
And we'll erect a different steeple.
This little game is fun to do.
Just close your eyes, i'm going too.
And I'm right here, no way to lose
Release control, we're breaking through

Poetry Picture Challenge May 21

noreply@blogger.com (Don Scroggins) — Wed, 23 May 2012 00:33:00 +0000

And you run and you run to catch up with the sun but it’s sinking

Racing around to come up behind you again.

The sun is the same in a relative way by you’re older.

Shorter of breath and one day closer to death.

Every year is getting shorter. Never seem to find the time.

Plans that either come to naught or half a page of scribbled lines.

Hanging on in quiet desperation is the English way…

excerpt from Time by Pink Floyd

Poetry Picture Challenge May 20

noreply@blogger.com (Don Scroggins) — Sun, 20 May 2012 19:42:00 +0000

And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music.

~Friedrich Nietzsche

Poetry Picture Challenge May 19

noreply@blogger.com (Don Scroggins) — Sat, 19 May 2012 23:27:00 +0000

"The words we speak become the house we live in" ~Hafiz

Now that’s transparency!!

Poetry Picture Challenge May 18

noreply@blogger.com (Don Scroggins) — Sat, 19 May 2012 23:19:00 +0000

The Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem (English Translation)

Wealth is a comfort to all men;

yet must every man bestow it freely,
if he wish to gain honour in the sight of the Lord.

The aurochs is proud and has great horns;

it is a very savage beast and fights with its horns;
a great ranger of the moors, it is a creature of mettle.

The thorn is exceedingly sharp,

an evil thing for any knight to touch,
uncommonly severe on all who sit among them.

The mouth is the source of all language,

a pillar of wisdom and a comfort to wise men,
a blessing and a joy to every knight.

Riding seems easy to every warrior while he is indoors

and very courageous to him who traverses the high-roads
on the back of a stout horse.

The torch is known to every living man by its pale, bright flame;

it always burns where princes sit within.

Generosity brings credit and honour, which support one's dignity;

it furnishes help and subsistence
to all broken men who are devoid of aught else.

Bliss he enjoys who knows not suffering, sorrow nor anxiety,

and has prosperity and happiness and a good enough house.

Hail is the whitest of grain;

it is whirled from the vault of heaven
and is tossed about by gusts of wind
and then it melts into water.

Trouble is oppressive to the heart;

yet often it proves a source of help and salvation
to the children of men, to everyone who heeds it betimes.

Ice is very cold and immeasurably slippery;

it glistens as clear as glass and most like to gems;
it is a floor wrought by the frost, fair to look upon.

Summer is a joy to men, when God, the holy King of Heaven,

suffers the earth to bring forth shining fruits
for rich and poor alike.

The yew is a tree with rough bark,

hard and fast in the earth, supported by its roots,
a guardian of flame and a joy upon an estate.

Peorth is a source of recreation and amusement to the great,

where warriors sit blithely together in the banqueting-hall.

The Eolh-sedge is mostly to be found in a marsh;

it grows in the water and makes a ghastly wound,
covering with blood every warrior who touches it.

The sun is ever a joy in the hopes of seafarers

when they journey away over the fishes' bath,
until the courser of the deep bears them to land.

Tiw is a guiding star; well does it keep faith with princes;

it is ever on its course over the mists of night and never fails.

The poplar bears no fruit; yet without seed it brings forth suckers,

for it is generated from its leaves.
Splendid are its branches and gloriously adorned
its lofty crown which reaches to the skies.

The horse is a joy to princes in the presence of warriors.

A steed in the pride of its hoofs,
when rich men on horseback bandy words about it;
and it is ever a source of comfort to the restless.

The joyous man is dear to his kinsmen;

yet every man is doomed to fail his fellow,
since the Lord by his decree will commit the vile carrion to the earth.

The ocean seems interminable to men,

if they venture on the rolling bark
and the waves of the sea terrify them
and the courser of the deep heed not its bridle.

Ing was first seen by men among the East-Danes,

till, followed by his chariot,
he departed eastwards over the waves.
So the Heardingas named the hero.

An estate is very dear to every man,

if he can enjoy there in his house
whatever is right and proper in constant prosperity.

Day, the glorious light of the Creator, is sent by the Lord;

it is beloved of men, a source of hope and happiness to rich and poor,
and of service to all.

The oak fattens the flesh of pigs for the children of men.

Often it traverses the gannet's bath,
and the ocean proves whether the oak keeps faith
in honourable fashion.

The ash is exceedingly high and precious to men.

With its sturdy trunk it offers a stubborn resistance,
though attacked by many a man.

Yr is a source of joy and honour to every prince and knight;

it looks well on a horse and is a reliable equipment for a journey.

Iar is a river fish and yet it always feeds on land;

it has a fair abode encompassed by water, where it lives in happiness.

The grave is horrible to every knight,

when the corpse quickly begins to cool
and is laid in the bosom of the dark earth.
Prosperity declines, happiness passes away
and covenants are broken.

Poetry Picture Challenge May 17

noreply@blogger.com (Don Scroggins) — Sat, 19 May 2012 23:18:00 +0000

Wizardry

I may be vindictive

But I know better

than to waste my wishes

on revenge.

I may be righteously enraged

But I know violence

heals no wounds

creates no peace

gives no solace

I have learned through misery

that expectations are heralds

of disappointment, prophets

blind and diseased.

Better to envision calm

vistas, pleasing to sensation,

happy successful scenes, merry

and blessed, when wishes

are conceived.

by Laurie Corzett

Poetry Picture Challenge May 16

noreply@blogger.com (Don Scroggins) — Sat, 19 May 2012 23:15:00 +0000

And just as a counter point to yesterday’s post.. and to brighten the mood a bit

The Charge of the Goddess

Doreen Valiente

Whenever ye have need of anything,

once in the month, and better it be when the moon is full,

then shall ye assemble in some secret place

and adore the spirit of me,

who am Queen of all witches.

There shall ye assemble,

ye who are fain to learn all sorcery,

yet have not won its deepest secrets;

to these will I teach ye all things that are yet unknown.

And ye shall be free from slavery;

and as a sign that ye be truly free,

ye shall be naked in your rites;

and ye shall dance, sing, feast,

make love and music,

all in my praise.

For mine is the ecstasy of spirit,

and mine also is joy on earth;

for my law is love unto all beings.

Keep pure your highest ideals;

strive ever towards them;

let nothing stop you or turn you aside.

For mine is the secret door

which opens upon the Land of Youth,

and mine is the cup of the wine of life,

and the Cauldron of Cerridwen,

which is the Holy vessel of immortality.

I am the Gracious Goddess,

who gives the gift of joy unto the heart of man.

Upon earth, I give the knowledge of spirit eternal;

and beyond death, I give peace and freedom

and reunion with those who have gone before.

Nor do I demand sacrifice;

for behold,

I am the Mother of all living,

and my love is poured out upon the earth.

I am the beauty of the green earth,

And the white moon among the stars,

And the mystery of the waters,

And the desire of the heart of man,

Call unto the soul, arise and come unto me

call unto thy soul.

Arise, and come unto me.

For I am the soul of nature, who gives life to the universe.

From me all things proceed,

and unto me all things must return;

and before my face, beloved of Gods and of men,

let thine innermost divine self be enfolded in the rapture of the

infinite.

Let my worship be within the heart that rejoiceth;

for behold,

all acts of love and pleasure are my rituals.

And therefore let there be beauty and strength,

power and compassion, honour and humility,

mirth and reverence within you.

And thou who thinkest to seek for me,

know thy seeking and yearning shall avail thee not

unless thou knowest the mystery;

that if that which thou seekest

thee findest not within thee,

thou wilt never find it without thee.

For behold,

I have been with thee from the beginning;

and I am that which is attained

at the end of desire.

Poetry Picture Challenge May 15

noreply@blogger.com (Don Scroggins) — Sat, 19 May 2012 23:12:00 +0000

"Charge of the Dark Goddess ~

Listen to the words of the Dark Mother, who of old was called Hecate, Nuit, Morrigan, , Macha, MotherNight, , and many other names:

Whenever you seek wisdom, at the time of the Darkening Moon, come together in love and trust and learn of Me, who am the Wisest of Crones...

Ye who search the mysteries of the Earth, the secrets of Air and Darkness, of Blood and Fire, the silence of the uttermost stars, come unto me, and I shall whisper to you in the depths of midnight.

Ye shall approach Me in silence, and as a sign that ye are free from fear, your breast you shall bare to My blade...for fear has no place in My mysteries, and that which you seek of me will destroy you if you fear it. .

I am the silence before birth and after death. I am the clouded mirror in which you scry your own soul. I am mist in the twilight, the vast and starry sky of midnight, shadows on the Moon. All things come to Me in the end, and yet I am the beginning of all. I meet you at the crossroads, I lead you through the darkness, My hand you grasp in the passage between the worlds.

To those that toy with Me am I an instrument of self-destruction. yet to the true seeker do I bring knowledge beyond mortal comprehension. Of you shall I demand the utter truth of all that you are, and in return shall I give you all that you may be, all that I am.

For My wisdom is beyond the Ages, and knowledge of My Secrets is power over self, over fear,er death. Nor do I demand aught of you which you cannot give.
For I am the Mother of Mysteries, and as you know Me, so shall you learn to know yourself."

~ Author unknown

Poetry Picture Challenge May 14

noreply@blogger.com (Don Scroggins) — Tue, 15 May 2012 01:33:00 +0000

Again not poetry but …

Bit of trivia. See if anyone makes the connection ;)

Overhead the albatross
Hangs motionless upon the air
And deep beneath the rolling waves
In labyrinths of coral caves
An echo of a distant time
Comes willowing across the sand
And everything is green and submarine.
And no one called us to the land
And no one knows the where's or why's.
Something stirs and something tries
Starts to climb toward the light.
Strangers passing in the street
By chance two separate glances meet
And I am you and what I see is me.
And do I take you by the hand
And lead you through the land
And help me understand
The best I can.
And no one called us to the land
And no one crosses there alive.
No one speaks and no one tries
No one flies around the sun....
Almost everyday you fall
Upon my waking eyes,
Inviting and inciting me
To rise.
And through the window in the wall
Come streaming in on sunlight wings
A million bright ambassadors of morning.
And no one sings me lullabyes
And no one makes me close my eyes
So I throw the windows wide
And call to you across the sky....

Pink Floyd .. Echoes

Poetry Picture Challenge May 13

noreply@blogger.com (Don Scroggins) — Tue, 15 May 2012 01:28:00 +0000

ok this isn’t technically poetry but It is to me.

If my words did glow with the gold of sunshine
And my tunes were played on the harp unstrung
Would you hear my voice come through the music
Would you hold it near as it were your own?
It's a hand-me-down, the thoughts are broken
Perhaps they're better left unsung
I don't know, don't really care
Let there be songs to fill the air
(Chorus)
Ripple in still water
When there is no pebble tossed
Nor wind to blow
Reach out your hand if your cup be empty
If your cup is full may it be again
Let it be known there is a fountain
That was not made by the hands of men
There is a road, no simple highway
Between the dawn and the dark of night
And if you go no one may follow
That path is for your steps alone
(Chorus)
You who choose to lead must follow
But if you fall you fall alone
If you should stand then who's to guide you?
If I knew the way I would take you home

Ripple.. The Greatful Dead

Poetry Picture Challenge May 12

noreply@blogger.com (Don Scroggins) — Sat, 12 May 2012 23:38:00 +0000

A Wee Wee Touch

Some would ask to be very great,

and high in the hall of fame,

but all I ask is a tiny touch.

A touch of a writers fame.

Like a candle that is aglow,

though small may be the flame,

yet even if one may se by the light,

then the candle glowed not in vain.

So all I ask is a touch of light

to place beside my name and

this I ask not for myself but

for my babies names.

I ask tit not that I might live

in the light of a writers fame

except that whne my children walk,

all others will know their name.

It’s such a little tiny thought

yet oh so hard to explain,

for my heart I want to hold

a touch that will make my name.

Now this wee wee touch turns into much

and I question my heart of its gain.

For words must live and hearts must give,

and it lies in the realm of fame.

~Viola G. Scroggins.

I miss you grandma!!

Poetry Picture Challenge May 11

noreply@blogger.com (Don Scroggins) — Sat, 12 May 2012 23:37:00 +0000

Green trees

majestic mountains

the clouds

dark in some places

while letting sun through to others

more of the latter, blue sky

The whisper of the wind, her breath

the rain her tears

a mountain stream her healing waters

The sun

And through these images we see our lives

more light than dark

more joy than pain

more hope than desperation

But we can also hear her cry

a cry for help, Listen

Her breath speaks of oxygen depletion

her streams of mercury poisoning

why are we so careless, do we not care?

Do we not see we are killing ourselves and our children?

magic is all around us, everyday, everywhere we look.

Awake before it's too late!! Remember!!

~Written at VWC 2009 By Don Scroggins

Poetry Picture Challenge May 10

noreply@blogger.com (Don Scroggins) — Sat, 12 May 2012 23:34:00 +0000

Life's waters flow from darkness. Search the darkness, don't run from it.

~ Rumi

Poetry Picture Challenge May 9

noreply@blogger.com (Don Scroggins) — Thu, 10 May 2012 00:20:00 +0000

He Who Knows The Center Endures

He who knows the outside is clever
He ex−cells life less
He who knows the center endures
He lives in−light end
He who masters, gains robot strength

He over−powers
He who comes to the center has
flowering strength
He is in−formed
Faith of consciousness is freedom
Hope of consciousness is strength
Love of consciousness evokes the same in return
Faith of seed frees
Hope of seed flowers
Love of seed grows

From Timothy Leary’s Psychedelic Prayers

Poetry Picture Challenge May 8

noreply@blogger.com (Don Scroggins) — Tue, 08 May 2012 19:26:00 +0000

Be with those who help your being

Be with those who help your being.
Don�t sit with indifferent people, whose breath
comes cold out of their mouths.
Not these visible forms, your work is deeper.

A chunk of dirt thrown in the air breaks to pieces.
If you don�t try to fly,
and so break yourself apart,
you will be broken open by death,
when it�s too late for all you could become.

Leaves get yellow. The tree puts out fresh roots
and makes them green.
Why are you so content with a love that turns you yellow?

Rumi

Poetry Picture Challenge May 7

noreply@blogger.com (Don Scroggins) — Tue, 08 May 2012 19:22:00 +0000

A Potted Plant

I pull a sun from my coin purse each day.

And at night I let my pet the moon

Run freely into the sky meadow.

If I whistled,

She would turn her head and look at me.

If I then waved my arms,

She would come back wagging a marvelous tail

Of stars.

There are always a few men like me

In this world

Who are house-sitting for God.

We share His royal duties:

I water each day a favorite potted plant

Of His--

This earth.

Ask the Friend for love.

Ask Him again.

For I have learned that every heart will get

What it prays for

Most.

Hafiz

Poetry Picture Challenge May 6

noreply@blogger.com (Don Scroggins) — Mon, 07 May 2012 02:50:00 +0000

A day late no doubt but non the less

DEFEATED BY LOVE

The sky was lit
by the splendor of the moon
So powerful
I fell to the ground

Your love
has made me sure

I am ready to forsake
this worldly life
and surrender to the magnificence
of your Being

- Rumi --

Poetry Picture Challange May 5

noreply@blogger.com (Don Scroggins) — Mon, 07 May 2012 02:47:00 +0000

Eldorado

Gaily bedight,
A gallant knight,
In sunshine and in shadow,
Had journeyed long,
Singing a song,
In search of Eldorado.
But he grew old-
This knight so bold-
And o'er his heart a shadow
Fell as he found
No spot of ground
That looked like Eldorado.
And, as his strength
Failed him at length,
He met a pilgrim shadow-
"Shadow," said he,
"Where can it be-
This land of Eldorado?"
"Over the Mountains
Of the Moon,
Down the Valley of the Shadow,
Ride, boldly ride,"
The shade replied-
"If you seek for Eldorado!"

Edgar Allan Poe

Poetry Picture Challenge May 4

noreply@blogger.com (Don Scroggins) — Sat, 05 May 2012 00:56:00 +0000

May the beauty you love, be what you.

There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground

~Rumi

Poetry Picture Challenge May 3

noreply@blogger.com (Don Scroggins) — Thu, 03 May 2012 19:01:00 +0000

The Raven

E.A. Poe

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
`'Tis some visitor,' I muttered, `tapping at my chamber door -
Only this, and nothing more.'
Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December,
And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor.
Eagerly I wished the morrow; - vainly I had sought to borrow
From my books surcease of sorrow - sorrow for the lost Lenore -
For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels named Lenore -
Nameless here for evermore.
And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain
Thrilled me - filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before;
So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating
`'Tis some visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door -
Some late visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door; -
This it is, and nothing more,'
Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer,
`Sir,' said I, `or Madam, truly your forgiveness I implore;
But the fact is I was napping, and so gently you came rapping,
And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my chamber door,
That I scarce was sure I heard you' - here I opened wide the door; -
Darkness there, and nothing more.
Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing,
Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before;
But the silence was unbroken, and the darkness gave no token,
And the only word there spoken was the whispered word, `Lenore!'
This I whispered, and an echo murmured back the word, `Lenore!'
Merely this and nothing more.
Back into the chamber turning, all my soul within me burning,
Soon again I heard a tapping somewhat louder than before.
`Surely,' said I, `surely that is something at my window lattice;
Let me see then, what thereat is, and this mystery explore -
Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore; -
'Tis the wind and nothing more!'
Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and flutter,
In there stepped a stately raven of the saintly days of yore.
Not the least obeisance made he; not a minute stopped or stayed he;
But, with mien of lord or lady, perched above my chamber door -
Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door -
Perched, and sat, and nothing more.
Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling,
By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore,
`Though thy crest be shorn and shaven, thou,' I said, `art sure no craven.
Ghastly grim and ancient raven wandering from the nightly shore -
Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night's Plutonian shore!'
Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.'
Much I marvelled this ungainly fowl to hear discourse so plainly,
Though its answer little meaning - little relevancy bore;
For we cannot help agreeing that no living human being
Ever yet was blessed with seeing bird above his chamber door -
Bird or beast above the sculptured bust above his chamber door,
With such name as `Nevermore.'
But the raven, sitting lonely on the placid bust, spoke only,
That one word, as if his soul in that one word he did outpour.
Nothing further then he uttered - not a feather then he fluttered -
Till I scarcely more than muttered `Other friends have flown before -
On the morrow he will leave me, as my hopes have flown before.'
Then the bird said, `Nevermore.'
Startled at the stillness broken by reply so aptly spoken,
`Doubtless,' said I, `what it utters is its only stock and store,
Caught from some unhappy master whom unmerciful disaster
Followed fast and followed faster till his songs one burden bore -
Till the dirges of his hope that melancholy burden bore
Of "Never-nevermore."'
But the raven still beguiling all my sad soul into smiling,
Straight I wheeled a cushioned seat in front of bird and bust and door;
Then, upon the velvet sinking, I betook myself to linking
Fancy unto fancy, thinking what this ominous bird of yore -
What this grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt, and ominous bird of yore
Meant in croaking `Nevermore.'
This I sat engaged in guessing, but no syllable expressing
To the fowl whose fiery eyes now burned into my bosom's core;
This and more I sat divining, with my head at ease reclining
On the cushion's velvet lining that the lamp-light gloated o'er,
But whose velvet violet lining with the lamp-light gloating o'er,
She shall press, ah, nevermore!
Then, methought, the air grew denser, perfumed from an unseen censer
Swung by Seraphim whose foot-falls tinkled on the tufted floor.
`Wretch,' I cried, `thy God hath lent thee - by these angels he has sent thee
Respite - respite and nepenthe from thy memories of Lenore!
Quaff, oh quaff this kind nepenthe, and forget this lost Lenore!'
Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.'
`Prophet!' said I, `thing of evil! - prophet still, if bird or devil! -
Whether tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore,
Desolate yet all undaunted, on this desert land enchanted -
On this home by horror haunted - tell me truly, I implore -
Is there - is there balm in Gilead? - tell me - tell me, I implore!'
Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.'
`Prophet!' said I, `thing of evil! - prophet still, if bird or devil!
By that Heaven that bends above us - by that God we both adore -
Tell this soul with sorrow laden if, within the distant Aidenn,
It shall clasp a sainted maiden whom the angels named Lenore -
Clasp a rare and radiant maiden, whom the angels named Lenore?'
Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.'
`Be that word our sign of parting, bird or fiend!' I shrieked upstarting -
`Get thee back into the tempest and the Night's Plutonian shore!
Leave no black plume as a token of that lie thy soul hath spoken!
Leave my loneliness unbroken! - quit the bust above my door!
Take thy beak from out my heart, and take thy form from off my door!'
Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.'
And the raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting
On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;
And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming,
And the lamp-light o'er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor;
And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor
Shall be lifted - nevermore!

Poetry Picture Challenge May 2

noreply@blogger.com (Don Scroggins) — Thu, 03 May 2012 18:54:00 +0000

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village, though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

Robert Frost

Poetry Picture Challenge May 1

noreply@blogger.com (Don Scroggins) — Tue, 01 May 2012 22:17:00 +0000

Good poetry makes the universe reveal a secret

--Hafiz

what do you see when you gaze into the looking glass

noreply@blogger.com (Don Scroggins) — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 16:33:00 +0000

I’ve been doing some self-work the last few years trying to figure out what I believe how my life reflects my values, and how and what I need to change to get to where I need to be.

This post is an attempt to determine how these insights are connected, what they are trying to tell me as a whole. This could get kind of messy as I’m processing on the fly.

I’ve been going to Vermont Witch Camp for five years now and I love it. I have to admit it took a bit of getting used to. Friendly people, though strangers, running up and hugging you, greeting you as if you’d know them forever. I knew within the first three days there that these were my type of people. Very liberal, open minded, and friendly. It wasn’t until the third year that it really hit me how comfortable I’d become. I found myself having a conversation in a group, and while I don’t recall precisely what the conversation was about, I do recall making some statement and then thinking, “I can’t believe I just shared that”, that was about two seconds before someone said about those same words. Well that opened the flood gates. I knew that I could allow myself to explore without concern of being judged.

I decided to step outside my comfort zone and take a path where I’d have to be an extrovert, at least for a few hours a day. It was called the bards path, we wrote poetry, and explored the earth, and shared our inner most thoughts on the work we did. It was frightening but refreshing. By the third day I was determined to at least introduce myself to everyone in path. It took another day before I got far. I had to process why I found some people unapproachable, and how I was going to overcome my fear of rejection to introduce myself.

I am so glad I did, I befriended about a dozen more people. My friendships with my previous campmates deepened at the same time. I was sailing along. I found that I actually enjoy interaction once I overcome my fears.

I had a turbulent year following, but Hagalaz was the rune I pulled. I did learn much about myself, and continue to.

Last year was a very emotional year at camp for me. It was the first time I had been so far from home, for so long, alone. I could almost cry on queue. I arrived to find a lot of my core group either wasn’t able to get to camp, or were heavily involved with organization or with family. I was very lonely.

I reluctantly decided to take an elements path. I’d take it before but with a different facilitator. I had my mind set on trance but I had a hurt foot. Once I found who was facilitating elements, I had to go.

I learned a method that really rang true about grounding and starting to work with energy. The connection to each element seemed real instead of some metaphor.

From there I decided to throw myself into camp. I wanted to feel the energy that I’d see in all the rituals. The energy I never felt before, that I would never allow myself to try to get into because I felt phony because I couldn’t feel it. Did I get knocked on my ass. I find feeling energy and many things in the craft are like training wheels. If you never dare, you’ll never “get it”.

I focused this new insight on the theme of camp, which was the witches pyramid.

Once I knew what the element energy was like, I could relate it to the points on the pyramid.. For those who don’t know:

East - To Know - Air
South - To Will - Fire
West - To Dare - Water
North - To hold Silence –Earth

The capstone was the final night ritual where we had alters at each of the directions and ample time to meditate on each one, ask questions.

I don’t recall exact words but I know my question was what I needed to focus on this year to get my life on a course I’d prefer.

My answers were two East and West, to know and to dare. It seems I need to work on communication and emotions. This wasn’t much of a surprise. I am very poor at communication my ideas and am very guarded emotionally. I seem to have plenty of desire but without the others in balance, it makes progress improbable. While I was thankful for clarification, I was still uncertain where to start.

The answer came about a month later at a Maybon ritual, during a guided meditation. I ask Persephone if she could help to clarify where I should start work. I was promptly show the Ehwaz rune.

But it was turned on its side. What the hell does that mean??

I’m new enough at visualization that I can’t determine directions. I usually get a picture as the story goes on, not always all the details but a static image, or the gist of what’s going on but not the depth. So I had to rely on some help with orientation. We determined that the open of the M was pointed to the East.

Hmm I don’t know a lot about the runes but, after last year, when one shows up I pay attention. I’ve yet to figure it out but I’ll throw out what I found and my perception of it.

Ehwaz Meaning

As is often the case, the definitions confuse. This is where things tend to break down with me. I’ve never been good with divination. I’m not sure if it’s from lack of trying or what. I’ve never been able to make heads or tails between the questions I ask and the responses I’ve received. Visualization seems to be the best means for me; At least I know when I am getting a response.

The link I posted above seems say the same thing in many different ways.

“The mind will trust the body, the body will trust the mind.”

That sounds redundant. Let’s see if I can clarify. We know that habits are hard to break. If we decided to change that habit, by replacing it with a new habit, it takes 21 days before it becomes automatic. It would seem the actions of the body were “convincing” the mind to change. Once the mind has changed, the new habit is automatic.

IE: “be the change you wish to see.”

That’s great but it’s doesn’t really answer any questions. Continuing on down the list:

“Rune of harmonious teamwork and trust. Rune of pairs of entities working together for a common goal.”

Now we’re getting somewhere. So I know that I’m going to need to work with East and West simultaneously.

For energy the properties are: trust, cooperation, the fetch

I’ve heard of the fetch in my study of Feri, but I can never quite keep the three souls straight. Looking at the definition on wiggage.com (highly recommended). The fetch is know by many names, the one that is likely relevant here is “child self”. It’s purview is the root,navel, and solar plexus chakras. It is concerned with basic physical survival, creativity, and the courage and ability to look beyond individual concerns.

Ehwaz governs:

Activating the energies of your inner Fetch
Ability to detect deceit and uncover subtle queues
Facilitates swiftness in every regard
Establishing trust and bonds with animals

All good information, but what knowledge is it trying to impart?

There are many approaches to this. One would be the Iron Pentacle. I’ll leave that to someone who knows about these things. You can find more about that on wiggage as well. I can see some of the issues I have on there but I can’t draw clear conclusions with my limited knowledge.

What I take away from this is that I need to get in touch with my creative self.

While I’ve take a very important first step of becoming involved with community, I need to work on honing my “bullshit” detection, instead of either trusting all or nothing. Specifically I need to learn to read nuances instead of waiting for the flashing signs. I need to be less critical in my correspondence with others and be more willing to share my ideas. I need to be more willing to feel and share my emotions, but not let them overwhelm me.

Might be a good time to try and connect with an animal guide as well. Couldn’t hurt.

Now that I’ve processed it, it seems very simple. At least to say and see the logic. We shall see if I can put it into practice!!

It’s the Journey, not the destination

noreply@blogger.com (Don Scroggins) — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 03:16:00 +0000

To be without desires, is to be content.
If you do not wish to have something,
you are content with what you have.

And it always seems to me that,
the more we don't desire something,
the greater the chance of getting it,
and all the more exciting.

To be without desire,
is to be simple.
If life is simple,
then life is not complicated!!!

~ from the wisdom of Lao Tzu

And so we have the cliché “It’s the journey, not the destination.” But what does this mean in our busy lives?

To me it seems that, as a society, we have lost perspective. We spend more hours every year working toward some eventual goal. A bigger house, a new gadget, a retirement.

We spend our lives making someone else rich is bottom line. They don’t give a shit about you, there is no such thing as loyalty anymore. Sure companies talk about it but it’s a one way street. They expect you to give all, if you don’t your not a team player. If you ask them to give however, they don’t.

I propose taking a look at what is really important in life. Is it keeping up with the Jones, or is it humanitarian efforts? This is only something you can determine.

I have come to the conclusion that what’s most important to me is promoting humanity wherever I can. From building community to protecting the environment, securing our food supply, developing alternative energy,etc. These are the most important things to me.

Too many are so entangled with money that their entire existence is nothing more than smoke and mirrors. Therefore they are so disillusioned that they see only enemies. They believe the spin that those different than them are dangerous, that looking out for yourself is priority one, and so on.

But it’s an empty existence. Even those at the top find themselves very unsatisfied. They have no true friends. Only posers who are after their dollars or the illusion of their important position.

I find myself less and less happy. Even when I have money I have no time to enjoy things it can bring. I must recoop to do another day slavery to make another dollar. But never fear, there will always be another bill or car repair, or something waiting to suck every last dollar from your account, affording you the opportunity to work even more hours.

When I find myself the most happy is when I’m spending time with family and friends. Working in the garden. Helping at the local food bank, church or some other social function. These are the things that matter. What we do is what we will be remembered for.

So where am I going with this? Think about what you want in life. Don’t think about how much it cost or what your parents wanted for you, etc. But what is truly important to you. Then make it your life. One day, when you’re old you’ll look back at al the things you did and wished you’d done. The only regrets you’ll have is those things you didn’t do. Tomorrow is not a promise so Carpe Diem!! Seize the day. Savor every moment as if it were your last.. it could be.

In the end it’s not your retirement, or your home, or you car that will sustain you. What will is the love you share and the good deeds you do.