Hi, folks!
Wicca 103 Lesson Five tonight.
So typical Oregon weather…. What woke me this morning was rain really bucketing down. It pounded on the skylight enough that I got up to take a look. It was coming down hard enough to create what sounded like a roar from the porch roof and hissing in the trees…. And it was *not* hail! Just rain!
Now the sky is blue with white puffy clouds and the occasional dark one and when the sun is out it’s incredibly bright…give it 5 minutes… …and it goes away…. And comes back …
I’ve been watching house finches on the feeder. Pretty little things…. One of ‘em might be a Cassini’s finch….
I still haven’t found the stack of business cards from Tuesday… my card case is with them and I know I had them, but…. Tempus was hunting around this morning. …and I’m trying to get all of the literature that we collected into one place. …and went out looking for the bag of stuff from yesterday, sorting out the other stuff and found the card stack and card case on the table in the front hall…. Not sure how that one happened…..
Yesterday was the Creating and Producing High Impact Events Workshop module. Some of the workshop was squirm-inducing, being mostly definitions. I would have preferred that they be defined as we went, but…. The decision frame that was brought in is wonderful! It could stand some work (so what else is new?) but I got permission to copy and scatter some around to you folks so we can make use of it. I’m thinking mostly for Pan-Pagan…. And those will go up in the Oregon Coast Pan-Pagan Gathering Facebook group.
A couple of other things that came out of this one had more to do with how to keep an event consistent over time (i.e. the “Event Bible”…which we don’t have) and other things that have been happening (group decision-making and process on brainstorming).
The food was awesome. Rumi just puts on a great spread.
Getting to hang out with other folks who are engaged and interested and enthusiastic… it’s been a real energizer for me. So often people don’t manage to get together because they’re too wrapped up in what they’re doing to have time for anything else.
…and one problem I can see out of this is that we’re going to have too *many* events and get over-load… but that should sort itself out over time. What I’m hoping is that some of the “new” events will get absorbed into bigger, existing events.
Tempus was with me all day yesterday. Not sure what all he got out of it, but from our discussions yesterday evening it was worth it.
“It’s going to be another long day, but we’re done at 4pm and no evening event. I have an awful feeling that I’m going to get home and just drop in my tracks.” Yup…. I didn’t wake until after 7:30pm…
…and then got online and got yanked into the discussion about Pan-Pagan that went on until well past 11pm…. That group is *hopping*! If you want to get into the group, let me know. I’m trying to not add anyone without permission and you can always bail out if it gets to be too much…. But we’re putting up documents as well as discussing, so this is going to be a good place for information.
I’ve had a chat with Brandon Tweed this morning, (text below, edited with permission) about having him come and give a talk about chickens and raising fowl (and we discussed his new project, sheep). He’s thinking to bring some chicks and eggs for sale, too! We’ve got some firming up to do on dates, but that just sounds awesome to me.
Tempus is going to be the one at the shop today. I’ve got so much to catch up on that it’s overwhelming and it *all* needs to be done right away, as usual. I’ve managed to wade through mail for the week and Facebook and necessary replies, but I’ve got a few longer ones, shop e-mails (my shop laptop is here in the study and hasn’t even been turned on this weekend!!!!) I’ve gotten some of the newsletter file updates done, but the quotes file is right down at the end… I’ve got to figure out how to see that coming from farther away…. I know there’s got to be a way. I’m not the first person to have that problem…. He’s going to cut up business cards and do some headers… the one page that I managed on Monday.
…and the weather is so pretty that I *know* I’m going to be tempted outside….
…and I’ve been almost this far for over an hour. I keep getting distracted….
The shop opens at 11am and we’ll be there through class time. Spring hours, 11am-6pm, Thursday through Monday. If we’re supposed to be closed, but it looks like we’re there, try the door. If it’s open, the shop’s open!
Love & Light,
Anja
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Conversation between Anja and Brandon 4-26-12
A - Brandon is there any possibility of a talk about raising chickens and such? Sounds odd, but we've had a few requests.
B - ok that I think I am knowledgeable with. lol
A - We just got an ordinance passed that folks can have up to 6 (female only) chickens or ducks in city limits. Is there any possibility that you could come down earlier than Pan-Pagan to talk to locals about it?
B - Let me see what I can do. It is a possibility. What you think of my sheep?
A - I went. "OMG!", snorted and the laughed for a while.... Not at you and the sheep, but at some of the in-jokes that keep floating around the Circle! They're pretty, but I don't know enough about sheep to really say anything more....
B - They are Jacobs, a primitive breed ... oddly enough biblical. lol
A - Biblical? So.... a middle-eastern breed? Desert? Not sure what you mean by "biblical"... other than sheepskin makes great parchment.
B – Jacob, father of the 12 tribes of Israel, supposedly screwed over his uncle by asking for all the spotted sheep and his cousins as wives as payment for tending his flocks. He selectively bred/god willed the sheep to be spotted, depending on the story you believe. lol
A - I’m familiar with the story, just laughing at myself that I totally missed the connection.
B - lol
A - Sheep can't be all that horrible to raise....they're pretty good-natured, yes?
B – I’ve got 4 ewes and a wether. They are sweet unless your elastrating the ram to make a wether and mama has something to say about it… very protective…
A - So how come you're getting into sheep?
B - ..two words... lamb chops… lol@ I like sheep. They were a good investment. They are all registered.
A - At one point I was getting into spinning wool.
B - They are at Hawks Heath, Kindred land, we will blot out the little wether to Freyja this fall.
A - ...but love lamb chops with mint jam.
B - … pepper jelly
A - If Tempus would even consider lamb chops, that would be for him.
B - One of the former members to the kindred always brought leg o’ lamb to blot with pepper jelly glaze.
A - That sounds good.
B – Hey, if I come down I could bring some chicks for sale. It would be a straight run, though, because I cant sex them. Would that be ok?
A - That would be cool! I'd need to have enough lead time to advertise it.
B – kk
A - Can I go ahead and start saying something in the newsletter as a possibility and then we can firm up details later?
B – Sure! It would be this or next month. I would come for the day/night and back again.
A - How's about the 1st weekend in June? That gives me plenty of lead time and the other special guest that weekend is a tea-leaf reader.
B – I have the 31st and the first (thurs, fri) off let me see if I can get some one to work for me….
A - Ok, if I quote from the above?
B – Sure! lol
A - If Facebook will cooperate. Ok. I'm putting you on the calendar, tentatively.
A - Hmm... what are the chances of bringing some eggs, too? For sale, I'm thinking.... I've been bragging on your eggs, ya know.
B – Yeah, I could.
A - It will be *so* good to see you!
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Café Press Products from Ancient Light - http://www.cafepress.com/ancientlight Everything from T-shirts to pillows to coffee mugs to journals with witchy or just fun designs! I’ve added a bunch of products to the Happy Naked Pagan Dance design!
Spoonflower Fabrics - http://www.spoonflower.com/profiles/coastalanja The newest designs are in the Bugs ‘n Slugs Collection. We have designs for sale in the Garden Collection and Mushroom Collection and the Pagan Collection is coming soon.
Our Circle’s site! http://www.ancientlight.info/circle/ Add things by e-mailing me here. mbartlett@harborside.com
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Today
The Moon is a Waxing Crescent. Waxing Crescent phase - Keywords for the Crescent phase are: expansion, growth, struggle, opportunity. It is the time in a cycle that you gather the wisdom learned in the new phase and communicate your intention to move forward. Light a candle. Write or read an affirmation. LISTEN & ABSORB. Commit to your goal.
This evening the Moon is in the feet of Gemini, below Pollux and Castor and high above Betelgeuse.
Uranus is hidden low in the dawn. Neptune (magnitude 7.9, in Aquarius) is emerging into view low in the east-southeast before dawn's first light.
Celtic Tree Month of Saille Willow Apr 15 - May 12
Goddess Month of Maia runs from 4/18 - 5/15
Runic half-month of Man, April 14-28 A time when the archetypal reality of the human condition should be meditated upon. Nigel Pennick, The Pagan Book of Days, Destiny Books, Rochester, Vermont, USA, 1992, 1992
Runic half-month of Lagu, 4/29-5/13 Representing the flowing and mutable forces of water, Lagu symbolizes life, growth and waxing power of this time of year.
Sun in Taurus
Moon in Gemini entered Cancer at 10:42pm last night…. Missed that yesterday morning….
Saturn retrograde, Juno retrograde, Pluto Retrograde
Color: White
Planting 4/26-8
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©2012 M. Bartlett, Some parts separately copyright
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Calendar
4/26 – 5pm - Wicca 103 – Lesson 5
4/28 – Saturday, 11am - Herb Workshop
Noon-ish – Care and Feeding of a Rock Tumbler
3pm - Sewing Workshop
4/29 – Sunday, 10am – Wicca 101
Noon - Brea’s Elements (class)
2pm - Practical Craft
4/30 – Monday, Walpurgisnacht
4/30 – Monday – 6pm – Wicca 101 – Lesson 1-2
5/1 – Tuesday, Traditional Date, Beltane
5/2 – Wednesday, 3pm – Herbs Outdoors – (not this week)
5/2 – Wednesday, esbat, Coming up on Full Moon, Beltane Practice
Beltane/Walpurgisnacht Sabbat 5/4, Friday, 7pm at Ancient Light
Planting 5/5-6
May 5-6 – Psychic Fair – Special Guest, Carl Neal
5/5 – Saturday, 11am - Herb Workshop
Noon – ?
1pm – ?
3pm - Sewing Workshop
6pm - Metta Meditation
7pm – Movie Night, showing ?
5/5 – Full Flower Moon at 8:35pm, Healing Scorpion Moon
5/6 – Sunday, 10am – Wicca 101
Noon - Brea’s Elements (class)
1pm – Free showing of ??
3pm – Discussion follows movie
Harvest 5/7-8
Planting 5/9-10
5/10 – Thursday – Waldport Chamber of Commerce meeting, Greenside Restaurant (Crestview Golf Club) – Noon
Waldport City Council Meeting – 2pm
Harvest 5/11-12
Sat. May 12 – Waldport’s Great Garage Sale (We’ll have people the days before and after…)
Planting 5/13-15
Tuesday, May 15, 2012 - 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM - Rural Tourism Marketing on a Shoestring Workshop - Overleaf Events Center at the Overleaf Lodge, $5.00
Harvest 5/16-17
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 - 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Fundraising for Tourism & Developing
Action Teams Workshop - Overleaf Events Center at the Overleaf Lodge, $5.00
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM - FREE EVENT: Community Tourism Kickoff, Location: Ona Restaurant, Yachats
http://industry.traveloregon.com/Departments/Tour ism-Development/Oregon-Rural-Tourism-Studio-1.aspx http://industry.traveloregon.com/Departments/Touri sm-Development/Oregon-Rural-Tourism-Studio-1.aspx
5/17 - 3pm, Crones’ Tea
Planting 5/18-19
Sun enters Gemini, 5/20 8:16am
New Moon, 5/20, 4:47pm
Oregon Coast Pan-Pagan Gathering, Friday – Sunday, September 28-30
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www.wunderground.com
Apr. 26, 2012, Rise, Set
Actual Time, 6:13 AM PDT, 8:15 PM PDT
Civil Twilight, 5:42 AM PDT, 8:46 PM PDT
Nautical Twilight, 5:03 AM PDT, 9:25 PM PDT
Astronomical Twilight, 4:21 AM PDT, 10:08 PM PDT
Moon, 9:53 AM PDT, 12:29 AM PDT
Length Of Visible Light, 15h 04m
Length of Day, 14h 01m
Tomorrow will be 2m 44s longer.
Waxing Crescent, 24% of the Moon is Illuminated
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Saille Willow Apr 15 - May 12 - The Willow in the Tree alphabet stands for the female and lunar rhythms of life. She is water-seeking, thriving from preference on the damp margins of lakes and streams or across the low-lying water meadows. Water and the tidal movements of the sea are governed by the pull of the moon. The moon in its monthly rhythms is female, contrasting with the male sun's daily and yearly turnings. In several ways, the Celts held women in higher regard than we do today. On the material level, women were property owners, and whoever controlled the property controlled the marriage. Women of all types and ages appeared in the Celtic pantheon, the spiritual strength and life-giving qualities given by both female and male recognized equally. There were colleges of Druidesses - learned women and teachers - respected equally for their gifts of see-ship, often expressed through dreams, or night visions.
Magical Associations: Romantic love, healing, protection, fertility, magic for women.
Saille - WIllow Ogam letter correspondences
Month: February
Color: listed only as bright
Class: Peasant
Letter: S
Meaning: Gaining balance in your life
to study this month - Ohn - Furze Ogam letter correspondences
Month: None
Color: Yellow Gold
Class: Chieftain
Letter: O
Meaning: Information that could change your life
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Tides for Alsea Bay
Day High Tide Height Sunrise Moon Time % Moon
/Low Time Feet Sunset Visible
Th 26 High 3:34 AM 7.1 6:13 AM Set 12:30 AM 17
26 Low 10:43 AM 0.1 8:15 PM Rise 9:53 AM
26 High 5:23 PM 5.8
26 Low 10:36 PM 3.3
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Affirmation/Thought for the Day – Blessed is she who has learned to laugh at herself, for she shall never cease to be entertained.
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Journal Prompt – What does this quote say to you? - In "The Adventures of Peter Cottontail" by Thornton W. Burgess, Peter Rabbit says, "Cottontail, Peter Cottontail! How much better sounding that is than Peter Rabbit! That sounds as if I were really somebody. Yes, Sir, that's the very name I want." If you. could change your name, what would it be? Explain your answer.
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Quotes
A competitor will find a way to win. Competitors take bad breaks and use them to drive themselves just that much harder. Quitters take bad breaks and use them as reasons to give up. - Nancy Lopez, Golfer
Against logic there is no armor like ignorance. - Dr. Lawrence J. Peter (1919-1990) US pop psychologist, writer
All the gold in the world cannot buy a dying man one more breath - so what does that make today worth? - Og Mandino
An election is coming. Universal peace is declared and the foxes have a sincere interest in prolonging the lives of the poultry. - Thomas Stearnes Eliot (1888-1965) US writer
What God in His mercy has taught the bees He has not graced the lion or wild ass;
The bee knows how to make a house of liquid sugar.
It is God who opened to him this Way of Knowledge.
What God in His mercy has taught the silkworm
The elephant himself cannot understand or repeat. - Jalal-ud-Din Rumi (Translated by Andrew Harvey from A Year of Rumi)
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Magick – Beltane
Seraphina’s Cottage - http://www.chroniclesofavalon.com/beltane2003print .html
Welcome to the Cottage, dear friends. The chaos is outside, more specifically, the children are off romping in the woods busily building their tree fort. Pull on a pair of gardening gloves and join me outside.
Beltaine! At last winter is well and truly behind us and we look forward to the ever lengthening and warming days. The time between Ostara and Beltain has been a time of busy preperation for enticing the Earth to bring forth Her fertility. Ground has to be turned and tilled to receive seeds, vegetable beds need to be prepared, and fertilising mulches turned into the soil. The pastoralists are also busy at this time, turning the young herds out into their spring pastures and getting summer pastures prepared. We are, in this span, busy, busy, busy like our bee friends. Is it any wonder then, that at Beltaine, when the trees bloom and early cold weather crops are ready, we take a bit of time for a celebration? And, seeing's how "Spring is in the air," is it any wonder that after the long months of winter, and until recent times the spectre of want, our celebrations are wild and exhuberent, life affirming and spectacularly joyous?
This year, life is imitating Witches Art rather closely, for the museum where I work has been busily preparing for an American Museums Association accreditation committee visitation. The span between Ostara and Beltaine has been dedicated to ensuring the museum's grounds (buildings, artefact collections, and exhibit spaces) were prepared to receive the seeds that accreditation will help grow, that is an enlarged research grant pool (most people who give you money want that official "gold seal"...go figure...), an easier procedure for borrowing 17th century period pieces for exhibit (again, people lending you one-of-a-kind pieces want that AMA stamp), as well as the knowledge that the museum we all work for has gotten a nod from others in the profession for developing a museum with the highest professional goals and standards (everyone loves a job well done). And, believe you me, we will celebrate when the visit is completed, for this year's Cinqo de Mayo party is going to be a big stress reliving "blow-out." I wonder if we will play Pin-the-Mustachio-on Roger again?
In any case, I will celebrate this Turning, for my yard is prepared for a bountiful harvest of herbs and roses, and the archaeological lab where I do research is cleaner than it has been in decades. And....as it is the beginning of the Time of the Big Sun, the half of the year presided over by Grianna, a goddess most certainly associated with love and romance, well, that's in the cards too ::wink::
Until the next Turning, may the Gods Bless all your endeavours, may your plans be fertile and come to full fruition, and may you find added love and romance in your life ::nudge, nudge, wink, wink::
Seraphina
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Energy list
4/16/12 – For someone who has found a dream job and wants some extra oomph to help him get it.
4/13/12 – “I am still very sick and have been for a month now - really need help kicking this on the spiritual plane - depression makes you sick and I am having a hard time climbing out of this hole. I now have bronchitis as well as the ongoing infection - see Dr again on Monday - This is probably the only request for help/healing I have ever made - but I just can't seem to kick this on my own. Whatever you think will help - I feel like I am dying a very slow and painful death.”
4/8/12 – For an older father with various health issues that gave us all a scare a while back. He’s much better, but still needs help to get back to health.
4/7/12 - 9-year-old boy with an inoperable brain tumor. Starting radiation. Family and friends asking help for him and for the children that know him. Update 4/7 He’s doing pretty well and back in school despite the treatments.
3/28/12 – For a man who is terrified he’s going to lose his small daughter to her mother’s new boyfriend. The guy seems to be intent on leaving with her, even if he has no legal right.
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Silliness – A couple made a deal that whoever died first would come back and inform the other if there was sex after death. Their biggest fear was that there was no after-life at all.
After a long life together, the husband was the first to die. True to his word, he made the first contact:
"Sue..........Sue"
"Is that you, George?"
"Yes, I've come back like we agreed."
"That's wonderful!? What's it like?"
"Well, I get up in the morning, I have sex. I have breakfast and then it's off to the golf course. I have sex again, bathe in the warm sun and then have sex a couple of more times. Then I have lunch (you'd be proud - lots of greens). Another romp around the golf course, then pretty much have sex the rest of the afternoon. After supper, it's back to golf course again. Then it's more sex until late at night. I catch some much-needed sleep and then the next day it starts all over again."
"Oh, George, are you in Heaven?"
"No, I'm a rabbit in Kansas ."
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