Monday, February 23, 2015

The Pagan Experience - February Week 4

C and D

C:
  • Call
  • Candlemas
  • Craft
  • Cloak
  • Claw
  • Creature
  • Create
  • Cardinal Points

  • Cauldron
  • Centering
  • Circle
  • Cast
  • Chakras
  • Chalice
  • Channeling
  • Chant
  • Charge
  • Cleansing
  • Conjure
  • Crone
  • Correspondence
  • Coven
  • Croning
  • Curse
D:
  • Day
  • Demon
  • Degree
  • Demonology
  • Deosil
  • Dedication
  • Divination
  • Doctrine
  • Dowsing
  • Dragon
  • Druidism
  • Druid
  • Drum

Monday, February 16, 2015

The Pagan Experience - February Week 3

Deity and the Divine

The God:

I believe the God is the creator of the left brain activities, such as logic, ethics, mathematics, science, morals, and thoughts. I believe that people who have an active left brain, like doctors and lawyers are closer to the God than any other deity.

Monday, February 9, 2015

The Pagan Experience - February Week 2

Earth

The word "earth" has multiple meanings. For example, it can mean the planet on which we live, or it can mean the ground/dirt/soil. It can mean to cover something up and it can mean a den/cave for an animal.

The Earth itself is very precious to me. Not only is Mother Nature my church, but it is my therapy, my escape, and my home. The Earth has its own vibrations, and through earthing and grounding, I align myself to her rhythm as frequently as possible. I believe the earth can heal anything. For ever ailment, there is a natural remedy. The earth provides everything we need to survive. We don't need this man-made crap that clutters our lives until we are blind to see what is truly important. 

Earth to me is home. It is peace and balance, and sacred. It is healing and strength and release. It is full and abundant. It is life. It is beautiful.

Friday, February 6, 2015

Imbolc - Restless Awakenings


Imbolc marks the beginning of the end of winter. The first signs of spring are starting to show; early blooming trees are starting to show some green. The earth is beginning to awaken, and the roots of life are beginning to move. Animals that have spent all winter sleeping, are beginning to stir.

We Pagans are beginning to stir as well. Many families begin "spring cleaning" around this time; shaking out winter's dust and cobwebs that have been locked away with us through the winter. We are also undergoing an awakening of our own. Imbolc is a great time for the initiations of new Pagans and coven members. Imbolc is also a great time to renew your vows/promises to your deities, in regards to your studies and worship.

The days are becoming longer, and the nights shorter. Soon days will dominate nights, as we prepare for the most fertile time of the earth.

Imbolc is a fertility celebration, although it is not as popular as Beltane.

Imbolc at our home was fairly quiet. We did do some spring cleaning, and celebrated the return of some family members from their weekend trip.

Below are some photos of my Imbolc altar:







And here is a layout of my Imbolc Altar:


And of course, I created an infographic for Imbolc:


Monday, February 2, 2015

The Pagan Experience - February Week 1

Humanity - 

It's this week's topic in The Pagan Experience, and I'm still sitting her, fumbling over what to write.
How do I define "humanity?" How does my spiritual path support my definition of "humanity?"

Well...

...Um...

......Crap.

Generally speaking, "humanity" is the entire human race. But I believe it's more than that. I believe it is the entire world population. All living things. And by my beliefs, everything is living. So does that mean "humanity" in my beliefs, is...everything?

Generally speaking, "humanity" is the total experience of being human. It includes human nature, and virtue. But, if humanity goes beyond humans, it includes the nature of everything, and the virtue of everything.

But does everything have virtue? Does anything have virtue? Virtue is associated with behaviors of high value, such as kindness, dignity, integrity, and morality. However, these behaviors, while in high value in our modern society, haven't always been highly valued. Even in many cultures today, these behaviors aren't valued. Virtue is what we, as a society, make it.

As for the nature of things... General psychological behaviors, traits, and characteristics that are shared across mankind, changes over time. Our nature changes. As we go through life, experiences situations, learning, developing, growing, we change. Our nature changes. When I was little, it was my nature to suck my thumb. Twenty-two years later, you don't see me sucking my thumb. Furthermore, our society changes, which changes our nature. It used to be human nature to use the terms "sir" and "madam." Everyone did it. It was a behavior shared world wide. Not anymore. At least, not unless you happen to come across that one guy at the customer service desk who no matter what you say to him, smiles and addresses you as such... I know, I'm still searching for him too.

So I'm back to "humanity," and what the heck it is. It isn't the experience of being human, because human nature and virtue are created, not ever-present.

So how do I define "humanity?"

Life.

Existence.

The simple act of existence.

That is "humanity."

Of all that exists in this universe, it is all "humanity."