when i started hearing signs of wind and rain tonight, i got off my computer, turned off my light, and sat on the bed, praying and listening to the sounds. beautiful. thank You Goddess, Spirit.

Watched "Dogma". Liked it. Didn't agree with all of it, but liked it.

had to get some pics on here of God in Her Alanis-Morissette-looking-likeness:

http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=uswi&c=words&id=13564

about owls. some highlights:

Henry David Thoreau summarized one perception of owls, when he wrote in 1854's Walden, "I rejoice that there are owls. Let them do the idiotic and maniacal hooting for men. It is a sound admirably suited to swamps and twilight woods that no day illustrates, suggesting a vast and underdeveloped nature that men have not recognized. They represent the stark twilight and unsatisfied thoughts which all [men] have."

The History of Owls Mythology and Folklore

Throughout the history of mankind, the owl has featured significantly in mythology and folklore. A prime example of owl imagery are the handle fittings found with a famous cauldron found in Bra, Jutland that dates to the 3rd century B. C. The cauldron was found in a bog in Bra, and was believed to have been a votive offering that was broken into pieces before it was deposited. When put together, the cauldron spanned over a meter in diameter and was adorned by several owls. Owls are one of the few birds that have been found in prehistoric cave paintings, and have been both revered and feared throughout many civilizations from ancient to more recent times. It was believed that owls did not come out during the day because they were so beautiful and would be mobbed by other birds out of jealousy.
...
The Celts (particularly the famed Cult of the Head) believe the owl is a magical animal, sacred in that it is associated with deities of the Underworld, a place of unpredictable change, and is a guide to and from this realm.

The French have interesting interpretations on owls, and are split in their depictions of owls depending if they are eared or not. The hiboux, eared owls, are considered symbols of wisdom...
*The Welch have an interesting depiction of the owl both blessed, and cursed. Goddess Arianrhod shapeshifts into a large Owl, and through the great owl-eyes, sees even into the darkness of the human subconscious and soul. She is said to move with strength and purpose through the night, her wings of comfort and healing spread to give solace to those who seek her....

I am looking thru the photos from this year's Reclaiming (San Francisco) Spiral Dance and i saw this one: http://www.rfman.com/Events/Spiral-Dance/2009-SD/10177623_KHSwo#700564600_9yg2z  apparently an altar for the war dead.  And i teared up and prayed for my second cousin, who is deploying to Afghanistan this week...and for apple_jaques' boyfriend who is also deploying.

Current Music: Fljotavik - Sigur Ros

http://www.celticways.com/blog/2007/10/ceremony-for-samhain.html

Tags: samhain

http://nshrine.com/shrine/Shechinah
http://nshrine.com/shrine/Shekinah
http://nshrine.com/shrine/ShekinahGlory

i did not make these.  the first one, i love the picture.  the Shekhinah, decked out as the Queen should be, like a May pole or Christmas tree!

so it is All Hallow's.
last night i did my solitary ritual.  my parents were gone for the week, so i had my rite in the living room, after sunset, shades pulled down.  i set up an altar on the ledge in front of the fireplace:  lit jack-o'lantern and other candles closest to the fireplace itself (including a cinnamon scented candle), and a "cauldron" (mug painted black), little bits of paper with grudges written on them,  old film container containing holy water, ritual plate with "cake" made roughly with the ingredients in this text (w/ the addition of some lemon balm)*,   ritual cup containing mulled cider, and ritual bell.  i lit the candles and turned out the lights.  i invoked the Holy Trinity and acknowledged the four Elements in their directions as well as some seasonal saints (Martin, Martin de Porres, Luke, Simon, Jude, Raphael.)  I read the names of the year's dead, ringing the bell after each.  i consecrated the newly-painted cauldron to the Trinity w/ the holy water and burned the slips of paper, to represent letting go of the grudges.  i ate the cake and drank the cider, toasting the Lord Who is Lady.  i snuffed the candles and thanked each Person of the Trinity as i snuffed their candle.

* didn't taste that great.  needed more honey, but the honey was coming out so slowly and i was getting to be in a hurry. should've added sugar!

Tags: samhain

Danish song i've used in ritual:

Cutting golden grain down, who will reap and bind it?
My true love, when him i find, i know he will not mind it.

Current Mood: postsecreting

"you must always keep in mind that in our Way, we don't cling to the illusion of "certainty" in the philosophical sense. We acknowledge that God is ultimately mystery and that all of our revelations, scripture, and canons are nothing but an incomplete image of a God who nature we will never truly comprehend."
~~dionysius_rossi

"Then with a flash of Scarlet

Sweeping across the snows

Comes Christmas, Radiant Creature!

She's laughing as she goes. The shining holly fills her lap

Blue pages hold her train

Dear Time of lovely memories. So here you are again

There stand the glittering Christmas Trees

The Fires flame and glow

Soft fingers tapping on the pane

Are fairies, made of snow

The Bells ring out, The Carols mount

All the old songs are dear

The First Most Sacred Festival

The best of all the year"

[ Christmas 1942 ]

~Old Dorothy Clutterbuck

Tags: winter solstice