The Heartland Spirit

Cover Story - Snow

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 02:38:10 GMT

Cover Story - SnowAs I finish up the newsletter, the television news is creating excitement about a new winter storm that is approaching that promises to dump up to 12 inches of snow on Kansas City in the next couple days. But wait a minute! I thought this Sabbat was all about celebrating the end of Winter and the beginning of Spring. Though I can definitely observe the days getting longer, not much else in the weather seems to indicate that Spring is ready to begin yet. As I reflect on this inconsistency, I realize that this Sabbat seems to be more like a “hump day.” Just as we begin to feel excited that we are half-way through the week and we can see the weekend approaching, this Sabbat reminds us that we are half-way through the cold weather and warm weather is just around the corner. When I look around the community, I am definitely feeling signs of this growing excitement. People are beginning to map out their summer plans and vacations. As I watch the Yahoo Groups,...

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The Power of Touch

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 02:38:10 GMT

The Power of Touchby Lady RosewillowI’ve been contemplating for sometime now about the power of touch. How it has the power of healing or destruction in everyone’s path. When we are born our mothers touch caresses and feed us emotionally. We feel safe and dry, and comforted, but most of all loved. We are all so innocent and naive in the beginning of our lives. Amazingly it depends on how just a few elements can determine the outcome of our destinies. Whether we have “touch” or physical bonds in our lives, or not; how we learn ethics and behavior patterns can be a big factor in shaping our personalities. Influence from our parents and other relationships can mold us in how we define our space in society. At a young age we do not get the chance to pick who has influenced over our lives or the circumstance. Although we all start out with that simple caress that means everything to the unborn babe! One would never guess that simple jester of love would be as big of an influence in our...

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Demeter in Winter

Mon, 31 Jan 2011 19:21:47 GMT

Demeter in WinterBy Lily River Charcoal and chalk on Paper The story of Demeter and Persephone comes to us from Homeric Hymns written in the 8th century BC. Demeter, the Greek goddess of the harvest, lost her daughter Persephone to Hades. In her grief she stopped the cycle of the harvest for a full year and threatened to allow mankind to starve to death. Zeus struck a pact between Hades and Demeter that Persephone would spend one season of the year as Hades’ bride and the other three seasons with Demeter. Demeter agreed to the pact but spends three months of the year morning the loss of her daughter and refuses to give her blessings to the crops until Persephone returns each spring.

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Living in the Present, the Best Gift Ever

Mon, 31 Jan 2011 19:21:47 GMT

Living in the Present, the Best Gift Everby Angela KroutWe all learned the word present in our first years of elementary school. We could be sleepy, preoccupied with the kid in the seat next to us, or daydreaming out the window, but when teacher called our names, “present” was generally how we answered. However, its true meaning and the richness of that word escapes many of us. A few years ago, I realized I was often far from being present at all. There had taken place, in my life, a migration of my mind and heart from the living moment. My life had kept me from being truly present. Between the demands of a crazy work schedule, children, divorce, moving, I just wasn’t “all there” for myself, my family or my friends. I remember picking my boys up one weekend and while they were chattering on wildly about the plans we had for the weekend, I was preoccupied with my phone, things that had happened at work, etc. When my youngest asked me what I thought, I mumbled, “OK”. He then did...

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Word Search - Theology

Mon, 31 Jan 2011 19:21:47 GMT

Word Search - Theologyby Gaspar A T W L F Q E T H I C S Y E Z U Y A E Y J F S G H N V N R T W F E X L E Z B O M I A S I L T Y V E R F A T H E I S M T S G E Y Y E R T M L A I T H P R A X I S I B O G G J J U H I N Q R E M L K U V K N B X O O Q A V E G S C A O Z I E Y K B O B Z L L P N E N I C P N P P T O K S S M S E O O A I A O O E T S H O H A Q O J P J M T M N M F T U N M C A L E G D T Y O V S N S E I E H S D S E N Y O N N E G K H I O O N S K E P E I N Y T D O W R O M T L G C T M E I L N E D K H I S M I L S G A A Y H A O S U C H E P E C T S O O I M U V K E D C M R E T N H I Y I I L M E M D H W I U K D A T N C X S E C E O E H C N C K S A U R L N A E L M N I H G T T M O N S M L A G I B P N W K Z S T Y S O K N Q E W I P S S E H K D P Z M O R I N G S X D T S B I M N T I C G W I U B P O G I W X M M E C N E N A M M I K D J E M Agnosticism is the view that the claims about the existence or non-existence of any deity, but also other religious and...

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Gods and Goddesses

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 02:38:10 GMT

GODS AND GODDESSESby WynterGoddess of the Month: BrigidSo I’m getting caught up on this season of Dexter (thanks to my wonderful friend and neighbor who is recording it) and anyone who is watching it knows that his babysitter is a believer in St. Brigid. She brings a statue for Harrison, Her prayer being: “St Brigid, circle us with your light so that no darkness shall overcome our world.” It took a minute for Dexter to be open to the statue, but he finally allows for the statue to be displayed over his crib. With Imbolc being this month I thought it appropriate to write about Brigid. An Irish Goddess, Brigid’s fire is the spark of life. She brings hope, love, and inspiration. Imbolc is also known as Brigid’s Day, or The Feast Day of Brigid. Like the Goddess herself, it is meant to give us hope and to remind us that Spring is on it’s way. Brigid was also admired as the Irish Goddess of poetry and song. She was known for her hospitality to poets, musicians, and scholars, this...

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Shakti's Mind Medicine - The 5 Elements of Stress Reduction

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 02:38:10 GMT

Shakti's Mind MedicineThe 5 Elements of Stress Reductionby Sherri 'Shakti' MackIn Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Five Elements Theory represents the balance through which we achieve health, via the unique blend of the influences of the 5 elements: wood, fire, earth, metal and water. I’d like to demonstrate how you can take aspects of each element and apply them in a proactive way to get your day off to a good, balanced start…thus setting the tone for as stress-free a day as possible! Let us begin with FIRE. This element represents heat, light and energy. How can we generate this in the mornings? Ever heard the term, “fire in the belly”? Well, we can create some heat and energy in our bodies by deep breathing…or more to the point, belly breathing. Sitting comfortable in an upright position, breathe in and out by inflating and deflating the stomach. Make yourself a “Buddha belly”. Making full inhalations…to about a count of 4…and full exhalations, drawing this out to a count...

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Peaceful Whispers - Finding the Perfect Tarot Deck

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 02:38:10 GMT

Peaceful WhispersFinding the Perfect Tarot Deckby Lena TownsendThere are so many different Tarot decks on the market these days? How does one decide which deck is the right deck? It is not wrong to have more than one deck on hand but it would be silly to have a deck that does not fit your needs or skill level. An example of this would be, an inexperienced reader trying to read with a blank deck. Yes, it is possible to read with a deck that has no pictures but it would not be practical for someone that has no knowledge of the Tarot to consider starting with this type of deck. The best deck to start with would be one that offers numerous symbols and pictures in order to illustrate the full meaning of the card. This being said, the first step to consider would be your skill level. The next step would be to figure out the purpose, or what the cards will be used for. You may want a deck that works wonders for meditation, nearly any deck can be used for that but one that is associated with...

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Kutumba

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 02:38:10 GMT

Kutumbaby Skot Skewb PersonLiterally translated, it means, ‘Unique bond between community members’, or, ‘Family’, perhaps, even… ‘Tribe’. For many of you, this is the first time you have heard of us, but I promise, it won’t be the last! We are an eclectic group of individuals who believe that giving back to the community is vital for its existence. We provide a Safe Haven for ALL to gather, learn and express themselves, empowering them to heal and grow as individuals. Through acceptance, we have watched our community grow and thrive. Learning to live in a sustainable fashion is a high priority for us and we use every opportunity available to learn and educate those around us. Our mission is to build community by providing a space that encourages self-expression through Arts and Education. We believe that ALL are able to thrive at their full potential, and through community, or ‘Kutumba’, we can be empowered to do so. KUTUMBA is a collaboration to revitalize the culture of Kansas...

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Random Thoughts

Mon, 31 Jan 2011 19:51:53 GMT

Random Thoughtsby Gary LoweSometimes I wake up and think there are footsteps on my ceiling, like I have been walking on the ceiling in my sleep. I know I cannot do it while I am awake but maybe when I am in that dream state my mind's eye takes over and I can do super human things. Other times I think I am out under the stars, I gaze up and see the twinkle of the flickering light. I am blanketed by the dew that creeps in while I doze. I wake wet and sticky. Mother Nature has oozed all over me as she burst forth accompanied by the sunrise. I blink my eyes and focus and I am in my bed again, hot sweats and pin pricks all over my skin. Like a junkie I am drawn to the heat, the intense need to feel the fire. I roll over and pull the covers up. I am burning up at my core but my fingers are freezing. I tremble with fear, not frostbite. I snuggle up and try to feel normal but I am so far this side of the fence that I cannot leap over into the meadow, the sweet green plush meadow. ...

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Beware of the HPF Trash Pirates

Mon, 31 Jan 2011 19:54:02 GMT

Beware of the HPF Trash Piratesby John James SampelYarrrrrrr! We Be Introducing Ourselves! While unbeknownst to ye in the land-lubbing general population, with ye concerns of snow shovels, all terrain tires, and holistic cold remedies; at a remote, undisclosed island in an even more remote, and less disclosed sea, great toil, tedium, plotting and conniving are taking place. The small but oh so odoriferous band of scallywags and salty dogs pondering and setting in motion these great plans and strategies are none other than the Heartland Trash Pirates. Never had the dubious pleasure of encountering the Trash Pirates in their natural habitat? Not even sure what a Trash Pirate is? Let me, Yochennen, the great Scribe of ye ol’ Trash Pirates school ye. Trash Pirate - [etym.- Trash: Eng. - refuse, garbage, filth, waste, to destroy, to become extremely intoxicated. Pirate: Pub (pyrat) - thief, marauder, downloader of copyrighted materials, tasty mid-to-high quality rum] 1. n. a dirty, mung...

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Symmetry between the God and Goddess

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 02:38:10 GMT

Thorgo's ThoughtsSymmetry between the God and GoddessBalance between the Goddess and God is how I approach my spiritual path. I look for that balance in myself, and I see it in the world around me. There is a balance in nature between male and female and the dark and the light. I was contemplating balance in the universe between the Goddess and God when I had a momentary pause. The Goddess is associated with the Earth and the Moon. The God the Sun. What would be the symmetrical association for the God? Certainly you can point to the lord of the forest, the God of the Hunt, or of the grains of the field that ripen in the sun, but that does not seem to be of a comparable archetype to the Earth. This seemed out of balance to me. Was I wrong? Certainly you can search through literature to find spiritual answers but we need to sort these things out on our own at times as well. Socrates is famously quoted as saying "The unexamined life is not worth living" I think the concept that we need...

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