Calling the Eagles

Amazing Butoh Dancer

2011-09-07T17:17:00.000-07:00

This is absolutely spellbinding. Hope you enjoy it.

Summer's End, New Beginnings

2011-09-03T20:18:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone!

My last posting was on Midsummer, and I've been (happily) incredibly busy over the past couple of months; so much so that I had a period of non-posting! Thanks to all of you who remained with me during this small hiatus.

Now that Summer is drawing to a close, I hope to be here much more frequently and look forward to all of your postings, and hope to be contributing to the blogosphere as well.

I hope each and every one of you had a wonderful summer (weather notwithstanding...it was an eventful few months, yes?) and are looking forward to the cooler, darker (in the best way) period that is coming.

Blessings!

The Frolic of the Fae

2011-06-21T12:02:00.000-07:00

Now the hungry lion roars,
And the wolf behowls the moon;
Whilst the heavy ploughman snores,
All with weary task fordone.
Now the wasted brands do glow,
Whilst the screech-owl, screeching loud,
Puts the wretch that lies in woe
In remembrance of a shroud.
Now it is the time of night
That the graves all gaping wide,
Every one lets forth his sprite,
In the church-way paths to glide:
And we fairies, that do run
By the triple Hecate's team,
From the presence of the sun,
Following darkness like a dream,
Now are frolic: not a mouse
Shall disturb this hallow'd house:
I am sent with broom before,
To sweep the dust behind the door.

Puck, Act 5, Scene 1

A Midsummer Night's Dream

William Shakespeare

Drawing the Moon

2011-06-10T10:57:00.000-07:00

Today I drew one of my least favorite cards during my daily Tarot pull: The Moon.

The Moon, Robin Wood Tarot

This card has several interpretations; illusion, bewilderment, the unconscious, the intuition, imagination and fear being among them. In my personal experience, this card also signifies betrayal and deception from those that once appeared as friends (illusion).

I frequently remind myself that my daily tarot pulls are not necessarily indicative of things that will happen but could be indicative of events of which I need to be aware.

How does The Moon card speak to you? What messages do you or have you inferred from drawing this card? What might be the beneficial lessons and meanings (if any) of this card?

What is it about Turtledoves?

2011-06-08T17:44:00.000-07:00

I have noticed that one of my posts has - overwhelmingly - the most number of hits on my blog. It's the post I did last Holiday season on Two Turtledoves, as part of my study of The Twelve Days of Christmas.

Does anyone have any insight to offer as to the reason that this post gets so many hits? On the little ticker to the right...and down...you can see from what part of the world my visitors are coming, and on what posting they "land." You'll notice, as well, that lots of them hit upon the turtledoves.

Am I missing something about turtledoves? I mean...they're nice and all...but come on! And I know it's not my recipe for pear salad...

:)

Cleaning House

2011-06-07T18:48:00.000-07:00

Today, although I know it's technically a little late, I did spring cleaning for all of my magical supplies and implements. Everything is now out on my counter top: the things that can simply be washed mundanely have been, the things that need "special" cleaning are gathered and waiting for that to happen, and my stock of incense and oils has been noted and the list is made of what I need.

It feels good, clearing the cobwebs and dust off - both literally and figuratively - of these things. And now that I've been "practicing" for a few years now, my items have a history and I have a deep love for them. They are much like old friends.

I'm curious, though, as to how others "clean" their special implements. Do you, gentle readers, have any tips and tricks for cleaning your crystals, for example? Or what ritual do you like to use to consecrate or re-consecrate your tools. I would love to hear from you on this.

Hope everyone is having a great day...

Returning

2011-06-05T22:11:00.000-07:00

As the summer begins, I'm emerging from the Underworld. Later than Persephone, but emerging nonetheless.

I hope that some of you are still with me!!

Revisiting Freya

2011-01-21T10:33:00.000-08:00

Freya
byTodd Lockwood

This was a post that I first wrote in December of 2009; and while I don't like to repeat postings, I'm fairly confident that I only had...oh...two followers back then and I'm sure no one read it. At any rate, today I have been thinking a great deal about Freya, what with it being Friday, and I decided to resurrect this posting, especially to remind myself about when I first "met" Her.

*****

I've always been able to visualize vividly and clearly while meditating. When I first began this spiritual journey a few years ago, it was very easy to automatically and rationally say to myself,

"You're just going a bit bonkers, and the reason that all these Greek Gods are swirling around in your head is because you've always been interested in them and you find the legends fascinating."

I'm a Leo - we like to have proof and dislike others perceiving us as insane.

But shortly thereafter, I started seeing some things play out on my mind-CinemaScope that didn't have an origin in things in which I had shown interest, either previously in my life or currently; these were images in my mind's eye that became harder to rationalize, and that's when my consciousness began to open to wonderful things.

In a meditation, and while looking upon a particularly clear image of Hera and Athena standing before me serenely, both Goddesses slowly and deliberately pointed and looked to their left. Of course, I "looked" where they were pointing and there was another Being - definitely a Goddess - with furious (best way to describe it) auburn hair and wearing a cloak of what appeared to be dark, brownish feathers (with markings, etc.).

That was it. The vision dissipated and I was left to contemplate. The most important messages, I think, are the ones that come and go quickly. They imprint themselves into our memory and we're left with a homework assignment of the spirit: what am I meant to learn from that?

It might be obvious to many reading this that I encountered Freya in my meditation, and this hit me like a lead balloon a few days later (when I luckily searched on 'goddess with feather cape'...why didn't I do that in the first place?).

I understand the concept of things bubbling up from the subconscious, but these were things that I hadn't put in the pot to boil, so to speak. Furthermore, these things weren't being planted subliminally by the television or the internet. Modern culture isn't that fixated on ancient Norse Goddesses.

At any rate, whether I was actually visited in a meditation by an energy current that exists in the Universe as Freya, with all Her trappings and associations; or manifested an image of Freya because of some snippet from somewhere that leaked into my perception - I don't think it really matters. What matters to me is that because of this, I learned more about a facet on the huge diamond of the Divine (Freya would like that image; She has a thing for jewelry.). Learning about Freya helped me to understand how a great many people that once existed on Earth loved the Source, and the process of that learning taught me things about my own Spirit.

Learn all you can. That's what makes the journey worthwhile.

Have a wonderful Freya's Day...

Visionary - Martin Luther King, Jr.

2011-01-14T23:31:00.000-08:00

I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality...

I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.

Once a Leo, Always a Leo

2011-01-14T04:03:00.000-08:00

Oh, thank goodness.

I had a sinking suspicion that something wasn't exactly right about the whole Zodiac-change issue - it didn't feel correct to me, down deep in my bones. And, since I consider myself very tapped into nature, the Earth, and the seasons - this explanation in a CNN article clarifies the debate and makes sense to me.

And thankfully, I don't have to get a tattoo of a crab now.

Leo

Jofra Bosschart

Identity Crisis

2011-01-12T22:09:00.000-08:00

Ok...what's up with this....

http://gawker.com/5732115/your-zodiac-sign-may-have-changed

Apparently, I'm not a Leo anymore. I'm a Cancer. What?

Thoughts...observations...emotions?

Healing

2011-01-08T12:10:00.000-08:00

In light of the tragic events in Arizona, I would like to ask all of you to join me in sending healing energy to all those that were wounded in the shooting. I do believe every little bit helps.

This is a sad day for our country. The inflammatory rhetoric of the last many years has no doubt had a part in this somehow.

Meditate for peace. Meditate for comfort. Light a candle. Say a prayer.

Blessings to you.

du jour: The Epiphany of Kore

2011-01-06T05:14:00.000-08:00

The Return of Persephone

Frederic Leighton, 1891

Leighton depicts Hermes helping Persephone to return to her mother Demeter after Zeus forced Hades to return Persephone.

Orphic Hymn to Persephone

Persephone, Daughter of Zeus, blessed

Only begotten, gracious Goddess, receive this good offering,
Much honoured, you, overpowered by Pluto, you are beloved and lifegiving,
You hold the doors of Hades under the depths of the earth;
Transactor of Justice, your beloved hair the sacred olive branch of the enemy
Mother of the Eumenides, Queen of the Underworld,
You, maiden from Zeus through secret begetting.

Mother of loud-shouting, many-shaped Bacchus.

Playmate of the moving seasons, lightbringing, of beautiful form,
Holy, ruler of all, maiden, showering fruits,
Radiant, horned, you alone are longed for by mortals.

You are Spring, delighting in fragrant meadows
Your sacred body appears to us in growing fruits and branches.

Raped into your marriage bed in the late autumn

You alone are life and death to distressed mortals.

Persephone. You are forever the nourisher and the death bringer.

Listen, blessed Goddess and send up fruits from the earth

In peace, flourishing in health from your soothing hand;
And, in life abundance, leading to richness of old age
Then to your realm O Sovereign, and to powerful Pluto.

We Made It! - 12 Drummers Drumming

2011-01-05T13:57:00.000-08:00

And what drummers they are!

Amazing! The Top Secret Drum Corp from Switzerland.

Thanks for sticking with me throughout this little excursion. We've touched on mythology, ballet, bagpipes, lots of poultry, and the Radio City Rockettes! That's a lot of ground to cover in twelve days, but I've enjoyed it.

Needless to say, whoever would be doing the giving would have to have a pretty hefty bank account to afford all this swag.

Gift Tally - Day 12

Partridges - 12

Pear Trees - 12

Turtle Doves - 22

French Hens - 30

Colly (Black) Birds - 36

Ring-necked Pheasant - 40

Geese (Laying) - 42

Swans (Swimming) - 42

Maids (Milking) - 40

Cows - 40

Ladies (Dancing) - 35

Lords (Leaping) - 30

Pipers (Piping) - 22

Drummers (Drumming) - 12

Scotland the Brave - 12 Days Continues...

2011-01-04T15:19:00.000-08:00

Eleven Pipers Piping...

My ancestors came from Scotland. I suppose that's why the sound of bagpipes stirs me to the core, almost immediately making me tear up, regardless of whether the song is a happy one or a funeral dirge. There's something anciently majestic about them, and I actually wish I knew how to play them.

Video by Glenzboyz

Gift Tally - Day 11

Partridges - 11

Pear Trees - 11

Turtle Doves - 20

French Hens - 27

Colly (Black) Birds - 32

Ring-necked Pheasant - 35

Geese (Laying) - 38

Swans (Swimming) - 35

Maids (Milking) - 32

Cows - 32

Ladies (Dancing) - 27

Lords (Leaping) - 20

Pipers (Piping) - 11

Leaping Lords

2011-01-03T10:39:00.000-08:00

This clip, which wonderfully illustrates today's "gift" - 10 Lords A-Leaping - makes me marvel at how diverse and culturally magnificent our world is, and saddened that most people don't realize that fact.

I would normally write about the dancers, the ritual, and the culture, but the narrator on the clip does a great job of explaining this Romanian tradition.

Hope everyone has a happy Day of Luna!

Gift Tally - Day 10

Partridges - 10

Pear Trees - 10

Turtle Doves - 18

French Hens - 24

Colly (Black) Birds - 28

Ring-necked Pheasant - 30

Geese (Laying) - 32

Swans (Swimming) - 28

Maids (Milking) - 24

Cows - 24

Ladies (Dancing) - 18

Lords (Leaping) - 10

Nine

2011-01-02T14:11:00.000-08:00

Today, we have Nine Ladies Dancing, and I couldn't think of anything more appropriate than this...

...even though there are far more than nine....

Gift Tally - Day 9

Partridges - 9

Pear Trees - 9

Turtle Doves - 16

French Hens - 21

Colly (Black) Birds - 24

Ring-necked Pheasant - 25

Geese (Laying) - 24

Swans (Swimming) - 21

Maids (Milking) - 16

Cows - 16

Ladies (Dancing) - 9

Got Milkmaids? "12 Days" continues...

2011-01-01T11:32:00.000-08:00

Finally, the song breaks from poultry-related gifts and moves on to servants. We can't necessarily assume that the recipient already had cows to milk, so I'm going to include cows in the gift totals beginning today.

A milk maid (or milkmaid - apparently both are acceptable), of course, was a servant (or tradesperson) that was responsible for the milking of cows, maintaining and processing the milk, and making all sorts of cheese long before one could simply walk into a grocery store and visit the Dairy aisle. They, too, have inspired artists and authors throughout history. Here are a few examples...

The Milk Maid and her Pail

a Fable by Aesop

Patty the Milkmaid was going to market carrying her milk in a pail on her head. As she went along, she began calculating what she would do with the money she would get for the milk.

"I'll buy some fowls from Farmer Brown," said she, "and they will lay eggs each morning, which I will sell to the parson's wife. With the money that I get from the sale of these eggs, I'll buy myself a new dimity frock and a chip hat; and when I go to market, won't all the young men come up and speak to me! Polly Shaw will be that jealous, but I don't care. I shall just look at her and toss my head like this."

As she spoke, she tossed her head back, the pail fell off it, and all the milk was spilt. So she had to go home and tell her mother what had occurred.

"Ah, my child," said the mother:

Do not count your chickens before they are hatched.

The Milkmaid

Johannes Vermeer

I had no idea that the "chickens...hatch" moral had anything to do with a milkmaid. You really do learn something new every day, if you're open to knowledge.

This doll, while finely crafted, frightens me a bit -

She looks a bit like a Stepford Milkmaid.

And I have to tie this in somewhat with some of my own personal spirituality, so I'm happy that I can post a tidbit from the mythology of Heracles (Hercules) involving one of my Patrons, Hera. I haven't heard of many who are called by Hera, and She is not known in myth for being overtly warm and fuzzy, but I'm completely enamored and definitely one of Her devotees.

After the birth of (another of) his illegitimate son, Heracles, the great god Zeus wanted to ensure that the baby boy nursed at the breast of the Queen of Heaven, Hera, since Her milk bestowed immortality. Some writers say that Zeus tricked Hera into breast feeding Heracles, others write that Zeus placed the infant at Hera's breast while she was sleeping. Either way, plucky young Heracles bit too hard on Hera's nipple, or pulled at it too strongly, so when She quickly removed the child from Her breast, the spurt of milk that issued forth created the Milky Way.

*****

So, rounding out day eight, here's where the bounty of gifts stands:

Gift Tally - Day 8

Partridges - 8

Pear Trees - 8

Turtle Doves - 14

French Hens - 18

Colly (Black) Birds - 20

Ring-necked Pheasant - 20

Geese (Laying) - 18

Swans (Swimming) - 14

Maids (Milking) - 8

Cows - 8

I certainly hope this lucky lady (or gentleman) has a barn.

Hope your 1-1-11 is a one-derful day. (Sorry, couldn't resist that one...oh...did it again.)

The Swan

2010-12-31T19:17:00.000-08:00

Tundra Swan

I've been waiting eagerly for this one...Seven Swans A-Swimming.

Gift Tally - Day 7

Partridges - 7

Pear Trees - 7

Turtle Doves - 12

French Hens - 15

Colly (Black) Birds - 16

Ring-necked Pheasant - 15

Geese (Laying) - 12

Swans (Swimming) - 7

Sacred to the Greek God Apollo (and Aphrodite, as well as a few other deities from other pantheons, I'm sure), the swan has been the inspiration for artists in many genres, across thousands of years, and remains so today. It is no wonder that the creature sacred to the God of Music and Patron of the Muses would be such a...well...muse to painters, composers, choreographers, poets, etc.

From themystica.com:

When Apollo entered the world, sacred swans circled the island seven times for it was the seventh day of the month. At once Zeus lavished many gifts upon his son including a golden miter, a chariot drawn by swans, and a lyre since legend has it at birth Apollo said, "Dear to me shall be the lyre and bow, and in oracles I shall reveal to men the inexorable will of Zeus." The god commanded his son to find sanctuary at Delphi. But before taking Apollo to Delphi, the swans flew him north to their own country on the edge of the ocean, which was home to the Hyperborean people, who was a supremely happy race for whom life was sweet.

I wonder if the original writers of the song knew the legend about the swans circling the island seven times, on the seventh day of the month, or if that's just a coincidence (or maybe Apollo's influence on the writer, so long ago). At any rate, it's a nice synchronicity.

Apollo and the Nine Muses, Gustave Moreau, 1856

This is one of my favorite paintings of Apollo and the Muses. I could go on and on about Apollo, as He is one of my Patrons, but let's get back to the swan.

Without question, when someone says the word "ballet," chances are that most people (whether they know it or not) conjure an image from Swan Lake by Tchaikovsky. Swan Lake is full of magic - an evil sorcerer's curse, a magical lake composed of a mother's tears, shapeshifting - in addition to the enchanting score and (hopefully) brilliant dancing. With the advent of the recently released film Black Swan, this classic is once again in the forefront of pop culture; however, this ballet is usually included in the repertoires of most well-known ballet companies and is an audience favorite.

This variation is from Act III of Swan Lake, and introduces the Black Swan, Odile, to the story. The only thing you need to know is that the Prince has fallen in love earlier in the ballet with Odette, not Odile. It gets confusing. Wikipedia explains it better than I could:

The Prince returns to the castle to attend the ball. Von Rothbart arrives in disguise with his own daughter Odile. He has made Odile identical to Odette in all respects except that she wears black rather than white. The prince mistakes her for Odette, dances with her, and proclaims to the court that he intends to make her his wife. Only a moment too late, Siegfried sees the real Odette and realizes his mistake. (The method in which Odette appears varies. In some versions she arrives at the castle, while in other versions von Rothbart shows Siegfried a magical vision of her.)

One of my favorite productions of Swan Lake was the Matthew Bourne production, which was around in the early Nineties. It featured all-male swans, portraying the more aggressive side of swans (they can sometimes be pretty frightening and brutal to each other) as well as the powerful grace. It was absolutely mesmerizing to see the ballet interpreted in this manner. This occurs in Act I, when the Prince first meets the White Swan.

And with those bits of beauty, I will conclude; but not before wishing all of you a blessed, peaceful, and prosperous New Year...may it be better than the last.

What's good for the goose...

2010-12-30T18:06:00.000-08:00

After a brief lull in my resolve, we continue with today's installment of free-associating the Twelve Days of Christmas song. Yesterday was "five golden rings," which probably meant ringed pheasant, and that's about all I'm going to say about that.

Today we have Six Geese A Laying. Obviously those with a dirtier mind (like me) would think that means six geese in the moment of passion, but it's pretty clear that it means six geese in the process of laying eggs.

Goose eggs, incidentally, have extremely high levels of cholesterol, as compared to chicken eggs - more that 1000 milligrams. I would advise not including them in a 4-egg omlet anytime soon.

So, in an effort to tie this posting more in line with a magical perspective, what could we glean magically from 6 geese producing eggs?

For many of us, I'm sure the first experience we had with magic was in the form of nursery rhymes and/or fairy tales, and who better to introduce us than Mother Goose.

Old Mother Goose,

When she wanted to wander,

Would ride through the air

On a very fine gander.

Jack's mother came in,

And caught the goose soon,

And mounting its back,

Flew up to the moon.

Mother Goose bears a striking resemblance to a witch, to me. Pointy hat, buckled shoes, red cape...makes one wonder. Not to mention being in possession of a goose large enough to ride upon while carrying enamored infants.

In all seriousness, the characters included in the Mother Goose rhymes - Jack (in all his incarnations), Wee Willie Winkie, Humpty Dumpty, etc. - have a place in the magic(k)al Universe, don't they? People living in shoes, eggs that talk, anthropomorphic playing cards - those are all denizens of a magic(k)al realm for sure.

The origins of the Mother Goose rhymes is another one that is surrounded with much speculation and different theories, not unlike the origin of the "12 days" song. The Wikipedia article is here, if you are interested.

What was your childhood favorite Mother Goose rhyme? I have to say that I had forgotten many of them, but reading through the list and many of the rhymes certainly took me back to being a little boy with my nose in a book.

Not much has changed!

Gift Tally - Day 6

Partridges - 6

Pear Trees - 6

Turtle Doves - 10

French Hens - 12

Colly (Black) Birds - 12

Ring-necked Pheasant - 10

Geese (Laying) - 6

Is it so wrong...

2010-12-29T17:15:00.000-08:00

...that I've lost interest in the Twelve Days of Christmas? Today would be "Five Golden Rings" which are actually ringed pheasants, but I don't really have the inclination...

Gift Tally - Day 5

Partridges - 5

Pear Trees - 5

Turtle Doves - 8

French Hens - 9

Colly (Black) Birds - 8

Ring-necked Pheasant - 5

It's becoming rather evident that the culture in which this song originated was rather foul-centric, with regard to food. And we have yet to get to the geese and swans!

I'm starting to rethink the fun this was going to be, and wondering if the idea that started this was a piece of bad shrimp that I had on Christmas Day.

4th Day - 4 Colly Birds...and yes, that's correct (or was.)

2010-12-28T09:13:00.000-08:00

Now, with regard to my previous mentions of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" being an encoded-with-Christian-meaning song, I found a wonderful article on Snopes.com that basically debunks that theory and sets the record straight. I suppose it's another example of a little bit of advantageous-Christian-incorporation for the masses.

http://www.snopes.com/holidays/christmas/music/12days.asp

If we were still subscribing to this false theory, the four "calling" birds would represent the four gospels/evangelists of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

Mind you, I realize that the actual Christmastide period has real religious significance with regard to the Feasts of the different Saints, etc. especially in Eastern Christianity (link); and it is not my intent to cast any aspersions on the Christian faith (I'm a tolerant Pagan, after all). However, it is interesting to get to the real (as far as we know it) origin of this little Christmas ditty.

And (as mentioned in the Snopes article), in the "lost in translation" category, it would seem that the four calling birds were originally "4 Colly Birds" - blackbirds.

"Colly" literally means "coal dust, soot, or grime."

Apparently, anything with feathers was fair game to be served up for dinner. Knowing that, Sing a Song of Sixpence - the childhood rhyme containing "four and twenty blackbirds baked in a pie" - makes quite a bit more sense, since blackbird was evidently a delicious entree in Elizabethan England, and obviously in France as well.

I'll bet it tastes like chicken. But I would never eat a blackbird, ever. They are far too mysterious and magic(k)al to me. And Odin, while not one of my patrons, would nonetheless certainly be displeased.

Incidentally, one of my favorite Agatha Christie novels, A Pocket Full of Rye, features Sing a Song of Sixpence heavily in the plot, complete with dead blackbirds. The murder "weapon" in one instance is poison from the berries of the Yew, a tree with a great deal of magickal significance and lore attached to it. It's one of her mysteries featuring Miss Marple, and I highly recommend it; it's a good, fast read.

Gift Tally - Day 4

Partridges - 4

Pear Trees - 4

Turtle Doves - 6

French Hens - 6

Colly (Black) Birds - 4

3rd Day - Trois Poules Français

2010-12-27T07:26:00.000-08:00

I don't know about you, but this certainly inspires me on a Monday morning.

So yesterday I posted that the song "Twelve Days" was originally believed to be a "game song" like "Grandmother's Trunk," that probably originated in France. There is also a theory (although much more modern, and probably not historically accurate - although there is debate on this point) that the song's meaning is Christian in nature and was used to teach young Catholics the virtues of the religion. If so, then today's 3 French hens would represent faith, hope, and love.

Well, if this guy were my love, I would hope he would be faithful.

"Hen" can actually refer to the following (and some of these are a bit surprising):

1. A female game bird (domesticated foul) including chicken, ducks, and turkeys
2. A female octopus (!)
3. A female lobster (!)

...and a slang term for "woman." I don't know that I necessarily like that one, but the allusion made for a wonderful inspiration in the musical "The Music Man." The gossiping ladies are even costumed and directed to move in a way that suggests a gathering of hens.

Makes me smile every time.

You might be asking yourself, "what does this have to do with spirituality, magic(k), or anything metaphysical?" Well, I personally think that everything is connected in the Universe, and I find a little bit of joy in the fact that a single topic as absurd as "three french hens" - with a little exploration - can lead me to a very hot artistic interpretation, a religious meaning, interesting scientific terminology for the female of a species, and a wonderful number from the American musical theatre.

So there.

Gift Tally - Day Three
Partridges - 3
Pear Trees - 3
Turtle Doves - 4
French Hens - 3

The 2nd Day of Christmas - Two Turtle Doves

2010-12-26T13:14:00.000-08:00

Two Turtle Doves - aren't they lovely?

In an attempt to constantly strive for further knowledge and to educate myself on things about which I have always heard but don't really know much, I'm beginning a series on The Twelve Days of Christmas. Celebrations and holiday customs of all faiths and cultures have always fascinated me, and this is one that has been in my pop-culture brain since birth, and yet I haven't ever explored the actual traditions of the twelve days of Christmas proper, otherwise known as Christmastide.

Christmastide is specifically a Christian-oriented celebration, of course, but its practice differs among the many different sects of Christianity, and is rarely celebrated today. The practice was obviously more important in earlier times, when end-of-year feasting was tantamount to getting through the long winter months. Here's a link to the Wikipedia article, for those interested

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twelve_Days_of_Christmas

The origins of the song vary as well, but most seem to think that it was a "game-song," much like our childhood song, "Grandmother's Trunk." Each verse adds another "thing" to remember and continue the song, "In grandmother's trunk I found a blue bonnet. (2nd person) In grandmother's trunk I found a blue bonnet and two petticoats," etc., etc.

It is important to note that the particular gifts that are given in the song have nothing really to do with the actual custom of the twelve days, but it's interesting to blog. I hope. Let me know if it's not. :)

So the first day is Christmas Day - which was yesterday, of course - and begins with the ubiquitous partridge in a pear tree. Here's a partridge...

...that is rather plump. Partridges are members of the pheasant family, and could well be delicious. This one looks like he would be rather tasty, if you're into that sort of thing. I digress. Here's a pear tree...

...well, it's a pear on a tree, at least. I think my gentle readers get the idea. I do love pears, and a favorite Sunday dessert for our family was "pear salad." I'm wondering if any of you have had this, or if it's strictly a regional recipe from the South:

Southern Pear Salad (1 serving)

1 pear, peeled and cored, sliced in half (or two halves, canned pears)

1 tablespoon of mayonnaise

2-3 tablespoons of grated cheddar cheese (or your favorite cheese)

Place pear halves on salad plate. The dollop of mayonnaise goes in the center "hole" where the core once was. Sprinkle grated cheese over the mayonnaise and pear. Enjoy!

*****

It's really quite delicious, and I encourage you to give it a try. Personally, I prefer the canned pears to the fresh for this recipe (only). I suppose it's because that's what I was served as a child.

Turtle doves are, of course, a variety of dove, the bird symbolically associated with love, various Goddesses (Aphrodite/Venus, for example), and all things romantic. There's not much more to say, really, about that. However, I did come across a lovely painting featuring a turtle dove for your enjoyment...

The Turtle Dove

Sophie Gengembre Anderson (1823-1903), French born British painter.

Incidentally, according to the song, the lucky recipient of the gifts - as of the second day - would have the following:

Gift Tally - Day 2

Partridges - 2

Pear Trees - 2

Turtle Doves - 2

It will be interesting to see how this all pans out after the twelve days have concluded. It would seem to me that she or he would have had to have a rather large manor house to hold all the booty, so to speak.

I would like to attempt a "giveaway" somehow associated to this string of postings, concluding with a gift sent to the lucky winner at the end of the Twelve Days. However, I'm new at this, don't have many followers, and need advice! Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Tomorrow...three French Hens! I'm so excited...

Verse: 'Twas the Night Before Christmas

2010-12-24T17:20:00.000-08:00

This is becoming a yearly tradition for me, to post this. I don't usually like to repeat posts, but I do love it so - and find it to be quite magical - so I hope that it conjures visions of sugar plums in your mind. I'm wishing you all the best on this holiday!

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

by Clement Clarke Moore

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;

And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,

Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow

Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;

"Now, DASHER! now, DANCER! now, PRANCER and VIXEN!

On, COMET! on CUPID! on, DONDER and BLITZEN!

To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!

Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,

So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,

With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof

The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I drew in my hand, and was turning around,

Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,

And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;

A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,

And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,

And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;

He had a broad face and a little round belly,

That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,

And laying his finger aside of his nose,

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,

HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD-NIGHT!

Verse: A Yule Poem

2010-12-21T10:01:00.000-08:00

Said the Holly King

"Take my staff," said the Holly King,

"for you are the victor this day, brother.

Your wand of Oak and Acorn

Strikes truer than my frozen canes of red and green.

But celebrate me today, one last time,

Before you begin your reign over the earth;

Before the tiny spark that timidly glows in the belly of our Sweet Mother

Flames anew, guided by your solid step.

Hail me with song, with robust food and drink,

And wrap your homes with my colors one last time in remembrance.

And remember, dear brother, that I will return,

When my leaves again are sharp and my face flushed red with youth.

I, too, shall reign again

When the light begins to wane."

December 21, 2010

A blessed Yule to each of you, and wishes of Peace for the Oak King's reign.

artwork: "The Holly King" by Mickie Mueller, www.mickiemuellerart.com

Zeus and the Solstice

2010-12-19T10:54:00.000-08:00

It's been raining here for about three or four days. This is a constant, slow, soaking rain that looks misty and permeates everything.

My garden loves it.

It's fitting, corresponding with this, the darkest time of the year. Since I live in a place that typically doesn't get snow, the rain is somewhat of a corollary. It's unfortunate that I might not get to actually see the upcoming full moon and eclipse on the Solstice, but I know it will still occur, cloud cover or not.

Zeus is the God of the Heavens - storm, sky, rain, thunder, lightning. In ancient Greece, priests of Zeus used to dip oak branches (sacred to Zeus as well) into a holy spring in order to appeal for rain. I can't seem to find what they did to make it stop raining.

What is the weather like in your part of the world? What are your plans for the Solstice?

du jour: Saturnalia

2010-12-17T09:01:00.000-08:00

Today marks the Roman festival of Saturnalia. Originally celebrated on a single day, then three, then a week, this period of revelry is said to have inspired the modern day carnivales. Key to the festivities was the switching of roles between servant and master. As with many originally pagan feasts and celebrations, the custom trickled down and was adapted by Christianity into Misrule.

Saturn's Greek counterpart is Cronus (Kronos), of course, and the significance of His/Their mythos is great. I would love to write more about this at the moment, but cannot - Chronos ("Father Time") is not on my side this morning (Who, incidentally, is a different deity that Cronus; it's somewhat confusing, but clear once one researches the mythology). However, for now, I post the links to Wikipedia and encourge taking a look:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturnalia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cronus

Tea, anyone?

2010-12-15T12:06:00.000-08:00

I was talking about this photo with a friend yesterday, and I just had to post it.We had tea with two other witches yesterday afternoon, and we laughed about this on the way home. Hysterical.

Abundance and Gratitude

2010-12-14T22:12:00.000-08:00

This was my Tarot draw today: The Empress from the Robin Wood Tarot. I don't usually share my Tarot draws, but today I feel particularly joyful. She rarely appears for me, so I know it's an important sign when she arrives. I drew this early this morning after I awoke, and I didn't realize (though I should have) how significant a draw this card would be for the day.

They always are significant, without a doubt. We just sometimes don't realize the importance or personal meaning at the time. Sometimes I go back weeks, even months, later to consult my Tarot record and say to myself, "oh, NOW that makes sense!" But I digress...

Today I had one of the most enjoyable afternoons I can remember for a while, sharing ideas and tea with new friends; filling a space in my life that has needed to be occupied for a long time. It was wonderful and joyous.

I also am grateful for the increasing number of followers that I have here. Last year, when I began this blog I was in a very bad place, and as a result I felt as if my ideas were just going out into the ether and disappearing. Now, I'm making new, online acquaintances; sharing thoughts, perspectives and jokes, and mutual admiration and edification. It's good for the soul, as I'm sure you'll agree. Thanks to each of you who are out there, reading these ramblings.

The Empress portends abundance, fertility, the blessings of the earth and nature. She is a woman of authority and compassion, spinning the thread of life with a contented, knowing smile.

What have your experiences been with The Empress, if you have a daily Tarot practice? What message, or feelings, or energy do you perceive from this card? I would love to hear from you.

Thanks again for stopping by my little strand of the web.

Yuletide Altar

2010-12-13T20:34:00.000-08:00

I finally got it up and running. Thankfully.

There's a lesson to be learned this evening for me, however. I was somewhat rushing to get this done - clipping the holly (it's really pyracanthas) and the ivy, cleaning the room, getting all the candles ready - and I was really scattered when I began my ritual. Not good.

I spilled bayberry oil, which proceeded to soak a spot as big as an orange THROUGH both cloths and to the wood below. Essential oils eat right through varnish, so I had to rush to get everything - yes everything - off, clean the spot, and then put everything back. I finished as well as I could, and left feeling a bit deflated.

Lesson for me - don't rush. I should have taken a big breath after assembling everything, rather than pushing forward and trying to be in a relaxed, spiritual mindset when I wasn't ready.

Hopefully the Powers That Be will appreciate the effort, if not exactly the execution.

du jour: The Feast of Santa Lucia

2010-12-13T00:29:00.000-08:00

I am passionate about the holidays, both here in the United States and internationally. I find it extremely interesting to learn about festivals in other cultures and explore the myths, legends, and traditions that led to them. The comparisons around this particular holiday season are most exciting because so many customs are borrowed and shared among different countries and faiths, and many of the customs originate in paganism.

Saint Lucy (Santa Lucia, 283-304) was certainly not pagan; in fact, she was persecuted because she refused to marry a pagan in an arranged marriage. It seems that she wanted to remain a virgin, gave instruction for her dowry to be given to the poor, and when her betrothed caught wind of all this (and heard the erroneous news from a gossiping nurse that Lucy had found a better man), the spurned Groom-to-be ran to the governor of Sicily and revealed that Lucy was a Christian. At that time, being a Christian was a no-no.

Rather like being a pagan is now...sigh...but I digress...

So, since Lucy wanted to remain a virgin, was a Christian, and didn't want to marry, as her punishment the governor ordered her to burn a sacrifice to the Emperor. She refused, of course, and was then sentenced to a brothel, to be repeatedly defiled. That's when things became interesting.

The soldiers tried to carry her off to the whore-house, but she became incredibly heavy and they were unable to budge her, regardless of how many men tried. They even resorted to a team of oxen, but to no avail.

She was then stabbed in the throat to stop the constant denouncement of her captors, but that didn't work either. She neither died, nor stopped speaking. Burning didn't work either.

In medieval times, around the 15th Century, another torture was added to her martyrdom legend. In some tales the guards gouged out her eyes with a fork; in others, she gouged out her own after they were admired by her pagan bridegroom. Regardless of how she actually lost her eyes, this is the reason that St. Lucy (whose name, incidentally, contains the Latin root lux, meaning "light") became the patron saint of the blind. In many artistic depictions of St. Lucy, she can be seen carrying a platter holding her eyeballs. After her martyrdom, she was rewarded with new and improved eyes by God.

Now, I know all you gentle readers are asking yourself, "How does this have anything to do with the holidays?"

Saint Lucy is one of the few saints celebrated by Scandinavian Lutherans, who take part in Saint Lucy's Day celebrations on December 13th, and they retain many elements of Germanic paganism. It is mainly celebrated in Sweden and other Scandinavian countries, but festivities also take place in Italy, Malta, a few eastern European countries, and even here in the US in states with large Scandinavian/Scandinavian ancestry populations.

In traditional celebrations, St. Lucy is portrayed by a young woman with lights and sweets, usually wearing a crown of candles. Others process behind her, usually, each holding a single candle. Wearing a white robe and red sash, the candles represent both the light renewed (sound familiar?) and the fire that failed to burn Lucy at her execution.

Celebrations are held on December 13th because this day was commonly thought to be the longest night of the year, the Winter Solstice, until the late 19th century. The light of Santa Lucia is thought to help people survive the long winter that is only halfway over, in a part of the world that is at its darkest during this season.

But that's not all! This is directly from Wikipedia:

The pre-Christian holiday of Yule, or jól, was the most important holiday in Scandinavia and Northern Europe. Originally the observance of the winter solstice, and the rebirth of the sun, it brought about many practices that remain in the Advent and Christmas celebrations today. The Yule season was a time for feasting, drinking, gift-giving, and gatherings, but also the season of awareness and fear of the forces of the dark.

Lussinatta, the Lussi Night, was December 13. Then Lussi, a female being with evil traits, like a female demon or witch, was riding through the air with her followers, called Lussiferda. This itself might be an echo of the myth of the Wild Hunt, called Oskoreia in Scandinavia, found across Northern, Western, and Central Europe.

Between Lussi Night and Yule, trolls and evil spirits, in some accounts also the spirits of the dead, were thought to be active outside. It was particularly dangerous to be out during Lussi Night. Children who had done mischief had to take special care, since Lussi could come down through the chimney and take them away, and certain tasks of work in the preparation for Yule had to be finished, or else the Lussi would come to punish the household. The tradition of Lussevaka – to stay awake through the Lussinatt to guard oneself and the household against evil, has found a modern form through throwing parties until daybreak. Another company of spirits might come riding through the night around Yule itself, journeying through the air, over land and water.

It is tempting to look at Father Christmas’ journey with his reindeer as a commercial relic inspired by this superstition.

***

So there you have it - the synthesis of a Christian martyr, a Scandinavian witch, the observance of the Solstice, and the cross-cultural struggle between the darkness and the light (with a dash of Santa Claus and flying reindeer for good measure) all wrapped up the nice, shiny package of a modern day festival.

Holidays aren't ever as simple as they seem, and - to me - the complexities make them all the more rich and wonderful.

In the Land of Sweets...

2010-12-11T21:13:00.000-08:00

It is called a variety of names - "Dance of the Reed-Flutes," "Dance of the Mirlitons," "Danish Marzipan Shepherdesses," "Pastoral" or simply "Marzipan."

This delightful variation, in the second act of Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker Suite, is from the acclaimed American Ballet Theatre's 1977 television production starring Mikhail Baryshnikov and Gelsey Kirkland. I do not know the names of these particular dancers, but their technique is wonderful and the performance is enchanting.

Enjoy!

Quote of the Day

2010-12-11T16:58:00.000-08:00

Moral indignation is jealousy with a halo.

H. G. Wells
(21 September 1866 – 13 August 1946)

British author, considered "the Father of Modern Science Fiction"

Blue Moon - New Year

2010-01-01T06:31:00.000-08:00

Youth is when you're allowed to stay up late on New Year's Eve.
Middle age is when you're forced to.

Bill Vaughn

Last night I watched the ball drop in NYC (I live in Pacific time zone, so it was 9pm here) and kissed my partner. One hour later, at about 10pm, I was in the bed - sound asleep. So much for ringing in the New Year.

But it was fitting, my letting Old Man '09 slip away quietly beneath the Blue Moon. In past years, I would have fretted, likely, that I wasn't doing anything "special" or celebrating appropriately. Thankfully, there was no fretting on my part last evening. I made sure the New Year came to Times Square and had faith that it would make it across the country without my personal psychic assistance.

2009 was a difficult year for me on so many levels, and I really feel that I'm coming out of the funk of that year, shedding the skin that was the last twelve months. It was a time of unparalleled personal growth, and a time of deep despair upon several occasions, but it was all worth it and ultimately meant to be. And I'm eager and excited to see what the coming year will bring; I'm hopeful, and happy.

I wish all of you (few) readers a peaceful, prosperous, and wondrous 2010.

Saturn, Rhea, and Thetys

2009-12-30T17:58:00.000-08:00

It's no wonder that when one's "Saturn Returns" it packs such a whallop.

Amazing capture from the Cassini orbiter. More information on this stunning image and more photos, as well as an article, can be found on MSNBC.

Verse: How

2009-12-27T23:08:00.000-08:00

Surrounded by these things
which are really spirits,
souls encased in varied form,
my heart yearns for a way
to show my thankfulness to the One.

How can I,
a small lump of clay,
so inadequate,
show that my heart is bursting with Love
and that it is all because of All?

The lump in my throat swells,
nourished by tears choked back,
and I surrender to my humanity,
falling back into that blessed part of me that is Divine.

Thank You, Holy Spirit.
My Light is reborn.

Bless Us All...Everyone

2009-12-25T09:24:00.000-08:00

The light begins anew. Peace to You and Yours.

2009

Verse: A Visit from St. Nicholas

2009-12-24T04:57:00.000-08:00

A Visit from Saint Nicholas
Clement Clark Moore

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house  
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;  
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,  
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;  
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;  
And mamma in her ’kerchief, and I in my cap,  
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap,  
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,  
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,  
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.  
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow  
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,  
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,  
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,  
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.  
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,  
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;
"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!  
On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!  
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!  
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"  
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky;  
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,  
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St. Nicholas too.  
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof  
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,  
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.  
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,  
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;  
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a pedler just opening his pack.  
His eyes—how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!  
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!  
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow  
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,  
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;  
He had a broad face and a little round belly,  
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly.  
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;  
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,  
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;  
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,  
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,  
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;  
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,  
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle,  
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night."

du jour: Midwinter Peace

2009-12-21T09:42:00.000-08:00

When we have (hopefully) aligned ourselves with the Universe, in my opinion, we feel the turning of the Wheel even more strongly than those who have not. My life now seems to fall into patterns with the sun, moon, and seasons; and in keeping with this, yesterday a chapter in my life closed, in the absolute darkness of this time just before the Sun begins to return. It closed quietly and without fanfare, and I am grateful for the lessons learned and that it is triumphantly over.

I have no idea what the future holds for me, but the readiness is all, someone once said. Can't remember who.

On this Solstice, we are all bundles of potential - kindling that, to become a bonfire, only needs the spark of Will and the love that comes from the darkness of the Mother that cradles it. Whatever the tradition, whatever one chooses to name this moment in the unending Cycle of Ages, I am comforted in the thought that many will pause and hope for peace during these next coming days. The currents of Love are more palpable, it would seem.

It's almost as if Gaia herself wants us all to slow down, entreating Boreas to blanket so much of Her with snow. "Slow down," she says. "Be at peace."

I wish you Peace on this Solstice, and blessings for the coming year.

Artist Spotlight: Jonathon Earl Bowser

2009-12-18T08:06:00.000-08:00

Gates of Valhalla, 2009

I recently discovered the work of Jonathon Earl Bowser, and am really happy that I did. He has a wonderful website featuring his Goddess imagery, and it's all really stunning.

Since today is Friday, and I blogged about Freya some weeks ago, I thought it would be nice to continue the theme and feature Mr. Bowser's Gates of Valhalla. Along with his artwork, he writes accompanying articles about the myths and legends that inspire his work. It's a great site, and worth seeing.

Be sure to see the image of Isis. Wow.

Have a great Friday!

Snowflakes and Soldiers

2009-12-16T08:32:00.000-08:00

Original sketch for Act II of The Nutcracker, Konstantin Ivanov, 1892

We are all so bombarded with press surrounding the hundreds of productions of The Nutcracker that are performed at this time of year, I'm sure many turn a blind eye if they aren't interested; or, conversely, are so overwhelmed with it because it is a part of your life and you can't stand another rehearsal or sewing another costume right now - screw The Nutcracker...my feet are bleeding!

And yet, if the magic of The Nutcracker has ever touched someone, it takes hold and draws them back, year after year. The story of the Nutcracker comes from a tale that was translated and then interpreted and then staged, and then interpreted and staged over and over again countless times, yet the story remains powerful in its ability to enchant (like all great mythos), set to the brilliance that is the music of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.

I won't attempt in this posting to re-tell what has been told so well so many times, but the ballet is full of symbolism and allegory, and is well-worth a viewing in some form or another (it's on television now on a myriad of channels at all sorts of times).

So thank you, you nuts with the bleeding feet and needle-pricked fingers, you stagehands, and prop folk, and ushers. You keep The Nutcracker's magic enduring, and so many of us need it now more than ever.

Original costume sketch for The Nutcracker, Ivan Vsevolozhsky, 1892

du jour: Consualia

2009-12-15T08:21:00.000-08:00

It's interesting that there would be a festival to honor a grain deity this late in the Wheel of the Year, but on this day in Ancient Rome, citizens celebrated the festival of Consualia - a celebration of Consus, protector god of grains and subterranean storage silos. His altar was near the Circus Maximus and kept just beneath the ground, and on this festival (and the companion celebration which occurred each August) it was unearthed. In this aspect of Consus, his symbol was a corn seed.

Horses and mules were sacred to this deity, so on this day the animals were given a reprieve from appointed chores and decorated with flowers and garlands; ironically, the main events of the festival were mule and horse races, which I'm sure was work for the four-legged contestant.

Consus' other aspects include him as god of councils (meetings) and Neptunus Equestris ("Equestrian Neptune"), both characteristics that link him to Poseidon of the Greek Pantheon.

This information is from the Wikipedia article.

Image:
Ritratto dell'ammiraglio Andrea Doria come Nettun
Portrait of Andrea Doria as Neptune
Angelo Bronzino (1503 - 1572)

Legend: Alabama Vixen

2009-12-12T08:18:00.000-08:00

Tallulah Brockman Bankhead

January 31, 1902 – December 12, 1968

I read Shakespeare and the Bible, and I can shoot dice. That's what I call a liberal education.

She had a mouth like a sailor, a wit as keen as a rapier, and an accent that sounded like the love-child of Lady Bracknell and Rhett Butler. On December 12, 1968, Tallulah Bankhead died at the age of 65.

Born in Alabama in 1902, she was the daughter of a United States Congressman who also was Speaker of the House (William Brockman Bankhead). The southern upbringing served her well, no doubt, in one of her most memorable stage roles - Regina in The Little Foxes.

Legendary for her irreverent wit and refreshing candor, backstage tales and quotes attributed to Ms. Bankhead abound. Apparently she and a male co-star were concluding the final scene of a play (not for certain which that was), and happened to be on a bed, embracing. As the last lines were spoken, and the "the end" kiss happened, the lights were supposed to fade to black. For whatever reason, it didn't happen that way - lines, kiss, no lights fading. After the kiss ended, and a brief awkward moment passed, Tallulah is rumored to have said, "Well, I guess you'll just have to fuck me."

She brought the house down.

Brava, Miss Tallulah. We're raising a julep to you today.

Verse: Yeats

2009-12-11T09:08:00.000-08:00

The Cold Heaven

William Butler Yeats

Suddenly I saw the cold and rook-delighting heaven
That seemed as though ice burned and was but the more ice,
And thereupon imagination and heart were driven
So wild that every casual thought of that and this
Vanished, and left but memories, that should be out of season
With the hot blood of youth, of love crossed long ago;
And I took all the blame out of all sense and reason,
Until I cried and trembled and rocked to and fro,
Riddled with light. Ah! when the ghost begins to quicken,
Confusion of the death-bed over, is it sent
Out naked on the roads, as the books say, and stricken
By the injustice of the skies for punishment?

Oz in Georgia

2009-12-10T22:47:00.000-08:00

Amazing story. It makes me want to jump in the pen and play with them. Humans - take a lesson!

Lions, and Tigers, and Bears - Oh My!

Thursday, with hammer...

2009-12-10T08:51:00.000-08:00

Tors strid med jättarna

Thor fighting the giants

1872

Mårten Eskil Winge (1825-1896)

Thursday derives its name from the Norse deity, Thor. Swedish painter Marten Winge beautifully and boldly illustrates the battle between Thor and the Giants in this painting, so much so that it makes me want to grab my hammer.

Since this blog is still brand new, and I'm just finding my way, I'm still not sure what the overall "purpose" (what a daunting word) is yet for this little corner of the web that I weave. Right now, since we're living in a world with so much ugliness in so many forms, I think I'm just trying to create a refuge of beauty and wisdom; a place where I (and hopefully others) can visit to reduce our blood pressure after watching the news (How many think a 24-hour news cycle is too much?) and focus on some things that seem to be neglected: beauty, wisdom, art, and imagination.

I guess Thor got me on my own wagon, swinging at the Giants, this morning. I watch the news and get so very angry at ignorance and stupidity, so prevalent across the globe. I thought we were past living in a world where people actually try to legislate death as a punishment for loving someone.

I encourage each of you to pick up your hammer today and whack something - a nail to hang a photo of a loved one or a painting you've done; an old way of thinking that isn't serving you well, or have a pillow fight with your partner or kids. We all need to bring as much goodness into this world as we can, and it's not a matter of being "fluffy," it's about bringing balance back into our world. We're out of whack. So to speak.

Have a great Thursday. Stay warm.

Galaxies far, far away...

2009-12-09T13:17:00.000-08:00

The Hubble Space Telescope has taken the "deepest" shot of space ever captured. These photographs were taken in August of this year, and are just now being released to the public. More photos and lots of cool information can be found at HubbleSite.

Ironically (or not), this happens to be the anniversary of an infamous UFO sighting and crash incident, which still remains a mystery. I had never heard of this one, but it remains one of the most curious episodes in the ever-evolving story of unidentified flying objects.

The Kecksburg, Pennsylvania UFO Incident

Holiday in New York: Wonderland

2009-12-08T21:52:00.000-08:00

New York City is truly a magical place during the holiday season, and this year is no exception. Bergdorf Goodman's window displays pay tribute to Alice in Wonderland (her legend and that of Wonderland has been surfacing in all sorts of places lately) complete with Cheshire Cat, flamingos, and The White Rabbit.

Danni at The Whimsical Cottage took these wonderful photos on a recent excursion in NYC, and is letting me post them here (because they are such eye candy). Danni (a multi-media artist) creates art dolls, sculpture, ornaments, jewelry, wands, and more - all beautifully handmade.

Hope you enjoy...

du jour: Feast of the Immaculate Conception

2009-12-08T20:25:00.000-08:00

La Inmaculada de Soult

The Immaculate Conception of the Venerable Ones (Soult)

1678

Bartolome' E. Murillo

(A late post for a "du jour," granted.)

Today is the celebration of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, observed by the Roman Catholic church. In the "you learn something new every day" file, I just discovered that "immaculate conception" doesn't refer to Mary becoming pregnant with the Christ child; rather, it has to do with Her lack of "original sin." The Feast falls on this day because it is exactly nine months prior to the Feast of the Nativity of Mary (Her birth).

I find it interesting that she has the moon at her feet in this painting, and in many depictions actually. In fact, the moon and much of the "Queen of Heaven" symbolism, Goddess symbolism, is preserved in Mary's catalogue of imagery.

Wikipedia entry: The Feast of the Immaculate Conception

Visionary

2009-12-08T08:48:00.000-08:00

Imagine there's no Heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace

You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world

You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one

John Lennon

(October 9, 1940 – December 8, 1980)

Artist Spotlight: Ciro Marchetti

2009-12-07T17:01:00.000-08:00

Ciro Marchetti is responsible for three of the most beautiful Tarot decks I've ever seen, as well as a body of artwork that is a feast for the eyes and imagination. His Gilded Tarot sold over 200,000 copies and was translated into 9 languages; his Tarot of Dreams is now a collector's item (a modified version is available at his website); and his recently-released Legacy of the Divine Tarot, which he purports to be his last, is another study in opulent color and striking imagery.

All these, as well as his full catalog of work, can be found at his website (which features a gift shop, if you want to give the gift of art this holiday season):

Ciro Marchetti Official Website

I'm honored to be able to feature the above image, Spirit of Winter, with Mr. Marchetti's permission.

Cups Running Over

2009-12-07T06:34:00.000-08:00

I woke up early this morning, just after it began to rain. This is a cold, slow rain that seems to be sent to cool down the Earth. "Relax," the Sky Goddesses sing, "slow down and be still and silent."

I smiled when I then drew the Ace of Cups for my daily card. Water again. Great to draw this card on a Monday. Good signs.

I have virtually no Water in my astrological chart. My chart, rather, is like a bonfire - all fire and air, with a little bit of earth thrown in to prevent a whirling dervish situation. Maybe that's why Water is both extremely attractive and terrifying to me. I don't know it intimately, and the hardest thing for me to do is obtain tranquility; it's hard for me to become the still, glass-surfaced lake.

Learning to swim was difficult, even now I hate for my head to be submerged in any sort of manner, and the closest I ever came to actually dying in the wild was a near-drowning in the waters of New England. As soon as my past lives begin to reveal themselves, I'll wager there's an experience with water in there somewhere that probably didn't end pleasantly.

But the rain has always seemed to calm me, except when it's at its most furious; the poetic, mythic part of me thinks that it's my connection with Air and the Sky, and that rain is comfort from the Queen of Heaven (call Her what you will). That's my rationale, anyway.

My garden loves it, too.

I've been struggling with a head-cold for about a week, very minor, but I've been blowing and coughing out of proportion with my overall feeling: I haven't "felt" bad physically, at least not as bad as I have sounded (the blowing and the coughing). A dear friend said to me the other day, "well, you know mucus is supposed to represent unshed tears." That statement hit so close to home. Literally.

I've been releasing so much hurt lately, from both the recent past and long past. Mourning things that needed to be mourned and letting go of things that have long been holding my spirit down. I've done my share of crying, and I suppose my psyche is letting go of more tears than I realized. A true sense of home and family is only now returning to my consciousness after a long, long hiatus; so whether I'm purging unshed tears of pain or unshed tears of gratitude, it doesn't matter. Getting rid of them is a good step. Water eternally flows.

Today I'm thankful for the Water in my life -mysterious, frightening, healing and loving.

Ace of Cups from the Legacy of the Divine Tarot by Ciro Marchetti.

Verse: Invictus

2009-12-06T18:35:00.000-08:00

I just heard a television movie critic, while praising Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon's new movie Invictus, call the poem upon which the title is based "corny." I couldn't respectfully disagree more. Perhaps, mercifully, he has never been in a "place of wrath and tears" and therefore cannot appreciate Mr. Henley's sentiment. I have, and can.

Invictus

Out of the night that covers me,

Black as the Pit from pole to pole,

I thank whatever gods may be

For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance

I have not winced nor cried aloud.

Under the bludgeonings of chance

My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears

Looms but the Horror of the shade,

And yet the menace of the years

Finds, and shall find me, unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,

How charged with punishments the scroll,

I am the master of my fate;

I am the captain of my soul.

William Ernest Henley
(1849-1903)
English Poet

Invictus was first published in 1875. The title is Latin for "unconquered."

Visionary

2009-12-06T06:10:00.000-08:00

A religion without a Goddess is halfway to atheism.

Dion Fortune
December 6, 1890 - January 8, 1946

du jour: St. Nicholas Day

2009-12-06T05:21:00.000-08:00

This morning I learned that it happens to be St. Nicholas Day. I've always been fascinated with "gift-bearer traditions" and might make this a recurring focus during the holiday season.

If you would like to make a gift to the children of the world this Holiday, check out these websites. Every little bit helps.

DonorsChoose.org - for directed donation to classrooms

UNICEF - for information on global children initiatives and charities

Ronald McDonald House - provides assistance to families facing medical and healthcare-related challenges

This information comes from Wikipedia:

The tradition of Saint Nicholas Day, usually on 6 December, is a festival for children in many countries in Europe related to surviving legends of the saint, and particularly his reputation as a bringer of gifts. The American Santa Claus, as well as the Anglo-Canadian and British Father Christmas, derive from these legends. "Santa Claus" is itself derived from the Dutch Sinterklaas.

In the US

While feasts of Saint Nicholas are not observed nationally, cities with strong German influences like Milwaukee, Cincinnati, Cleveland, and St. Louis celebrate St. Nick's Day on a scale similar to the German custom.^[5] On December 5, the Eve of St. Nicholas Day, each child puts one empty shoe outside their bedroom door or on a staircase before they go to sleep. The following morning of December 6, the children awake to find that St. Nick has filled their footwear with candy and small presents (if the children have been good) or coal (if not). For these children, the relationship between St. Nick and Santa Claus is not clearly defined, although St. Nick is usually explained to be a helper of Santa. The tradition of St. Nick's Day is firmly established in the Milwaukee, Cincinnati, Cleveland and St. Louis communities, with parents often continuing to observe the day with their adult children. Widespread adoption of observing the tradition has spread among the German, Polish, Belgian and Dutch communities throughout Wisconsin, and is carried out through modern times.

St. Nicholas

Gratitude

2009-12-06T03:18:00.000-08:00

If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, "thank you," that would suffice.

Meister Eckhart (c. 1260–c. 1328)
Eckhart von Hochheim, German theologian and mystic

Image: Kenneth G. Libbrecht, SnowCrystals

When You Wish Upon a Star

2009-12-04T22:18:00.001-08:00

I only hope that we don't lose sight of one thing - that it was all started by a mouse.

Walt Disney
December 5, 1901 - December 15, 1966

Pointing to Freya

2009-12-04T06:57:00.000-08:00

I've always been able to visualize vividly and clearly while meditating. When I first began this spiritual journey a few years ago, it was very easy to automatically and rationally say to myself,

"You're just going a bit bonkers, and the reason that all these Greek Gods are swirling around in your head is because you've always been interested in them and you find the legends fascinating."

I'm a Leo - we like to have proof and dislike others perceiving us as insane.

But shortly thereafter, I started seeing some things play out on my mind-CinemaScope that didn't have an origin in things in which I had shown interest, either previously in my life or currently; these were images in my mind's eye that became harder to rationalize, and that's when my consciousness began to open to wonderful things.

In a meditation, and while looking upon a particularly clear image of Hera and Athena standing before me serenely, both Goddesses slowly and deliberately pointed and looked to their left. Of course, I "looked" where they were pointing and there was another Being - definitely a Goddess - with furious (best way to describe it) auburn hair and wearing a cloak of what appeared to be dark, brownish feathers (with markings, etc.).

That was it. The vision dissipated and I was left to contemplate. The most important messages, I think, are the ones that come and go quickly. They imprint themselves into our memory and we're left with a homework assignment of the spirit: what am I meant to learn from that?

It might be obvious to many reading this that I encountered Freya in my meditation, and this hit me like a lead balloon a few days later (when I luckily searched on 'goddess with feather cape'...why didn't I do that in the first place?).

I understand the concept of things bubbling up from the subconscious, but these were things that I hadn't put in the pot to boil, so to speak. Furthermore, these things weren't being planted subliminally by the television or the internet. Modern culture isn't that fixated on ancient Norse Goddesses.

At any rate, whether I was actually visited in a meditation by an energy current that exists in the Universe as Freya, with all Her trappings and associations; or manifested an image of Freya because of some snippet from somewhere that leaked into my perception - I don't think it really matters. What matters to me is that because of this, I learned more about a facet on the huge diamond of the Divine (Freya would like that image; She has a thing for jewelry.). Learning about Freya helped me to understand how a great many people that once existed on Earth loved the Source, and the process of that learning taught me things about my own Spirit.

Learn all you can. That's what makes the journey worthwhile.

Have a wonderful Freya's Day...

Image: Freya (1901) Johannes Gehrts

Message of the Day

2009-12-03T19:04:00.001-08:00

Confirmation of one's alignment with the Universe is nice when it comes in surprising ways. After a bit of a thoughtful afternoon, I chuckled when this was on my homepage (I have a gadget that randomly displays a famous piece of artwork).

Blessings come in many forms.

San Michele sconfigge Satana
(St. Michael vanquishing Satan)

Raffaello Sanzio
better known as
Raphael

In my humble...

2009-12-03T10:29:00.000-08:00

While undergoing my daily wash of negative energy emanating from the television set (news, one or two talk shows that entertain me occasionally), I found myself becoming very angry at a certain conservative host. Lately when this happens, I've really been trying to analyze what is making my heart rate increase. Why should her opinion affect me so greatly?

Psychologically, it's probably because I feel as if my opinion is inherently less-than. Because I've been programmed by society to feel as if I'm less-than-fully-human because of a range of characteristics that assemble to make me the physical being that I am, I have long thought that whatever I create or think is sub-par. Therefore, when someone is aggressive with their opinion and it conflicts greatly with mine, my fear (of being wrong, thus inadequate) takes hold of my body.

At least, that's my opinion. I'm not a psychologist.

And since knowledge is power, I wanted to know what some of our Ancestors had to say about the big O word, "opinion."

A wise man makes his own decisions, an ignorant man follows public opinion.

Chinese Proverb

I liked that one a lot, but the one that really spoke to me was this one:

“Truth always rests with the minority, and the minority is always stronger than the majority, because the minority is generally formed by those who really have an opinion, while the strength of a majority is illusory, formed by the gangs who have no opinion -- and who, therefore, in the next instant (when it is evident that the minority is the stronger) assume its opinion... while truth again reverts to a new minority.”

Soren Kierkegaard
1813-1855
Danish Philosopher and Theologian
Generally recognized as the first existentialist philosopher

Thank you, Mr. Kierkegaard. I can now have another cup of coffee, and I'll drink to you.

Three Times Charmed

2009-12-02T21:27:00.000-08:00

Image: Detail of the Three Graces, La Primavera, Botticelli

The number three is inherently spiritual. Long before I learned the wisdom of the Maiden, Mother, and Crone, I had been taught the concept of the Trinity, the fact that I seem to always sneeze in sets of three, and that celebrities seem to meet Death in triplicate. It is a powerful, powerful number.

Today, after beginning this blog, I had three blessings come to me, for which I am grateful:

1. I resolved a hurt that had been hanging over my head, and was given a sincere apology.
2. I confronted a person from my past and was heard, respected, and affirmed.
3. I was remembered by someone who is dear to me and a fellow traveler on these golden paths of spirituality.

Lately I've been meditating and praying to the Universe for the blessings I know that I will receive, rather than waiting for them to happen and then being thankful afterward.

Power of Three

So far, so good.

My Call

2009-12-02T07:49:00.000-08:00

"You will have to call the eagles."

That was it. The words formed clearly and effortlessly in my consciousness, with no fancy modifiers or flowery adjectives. I had no idea what to make of the message. This came to me during what I'll call a "flash" meditation - a super intense daydream when the Universe can slip in some wisdom, lightning fast. Zap. Boom.

I could imagine myself standing on top of a high mountain, wearing a leather gauntlet. Are there such things as "eagle call" whistles? If so, I'd need one, because I can't whistle unaided. I just never had the lips for whistling. The beautiful bird swoops in, its wingspan as wide as I am tall, and lands on my arm - promptly knocking me to the ground.

Maybe not.

Next stop - Google "eagle symbolism." I'm highly visual, and yet this "flash" was unaccompanied by any imagery, really; which I interpret as "stick to the point, find the meaning."

Needless to say, there is a wealth of information on the web regarding the eagle as a symbol throughout the Ages. One could literally spend hours reading literature on the topic. The information confirmed things I already knew, spoke to me on many levels, and generally made me feel less perplexed - obviously the "zap" was a hopeful message - but there was too much information to specifically narrow the meaning as it pertained to my personal path, I thought.

So I've pondered that message for about a year now, maybe longer. Since that time I've gone through emotional, spiritual, and personal highs and lows, as we all do - those of us who are walking with our Gods on a daily basis. And now I've come to this moment in my journey.

I have no idea what I'm doing with this blog. Part of me thinks that it's a manifestation of my Ego, wanting to glean praise for thinking I have a point of view that might be interesting to others. But I've been striving to put my Ego aside, and I've come to this; so hopefully the reason for starting this blog is - truly - to call the Eagles. Maybe I'm meant to reach out to others who have "eagle medicine" in dreams, meditations, visions, etc., during this time of great change in the Universe.

So, for right now, this is my call - this is how I'm going to call the Eagles. I don't know what we all will discover together, but I'm sure that it will be an interesting journey.

Peace.