To me doorways metaphysically represent the passing from one space to another.
When I open up my shrine cabinet, I am opening a doorway to my deities and their space. I invite them to formally join me in a ritual or sometimes just a conversation. But I don't always formally invite my deities into my life, sometimes its a casual invitation or sometimes they open the door themselves.
Sometimes the doorway isn't the physical opening of a door. Sometimes the doorway is in my mind. When I meditate I step through a mental doorway to change my perceptions and even my reality. Guided meditations are often particularly useful to mentally step through the doorways between realities.
In the metaphysical sense doorways also help us divide things. You can symbolically create a doorway between you and what you want to release and shut the door to sever the connection. Maybe even lock the door or board it up.
The problem with doorways though, is that sometimes others can come through them. We all need to be careful what we allow through the doorways we open.
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
C is for Cats
The first thing that comes to mind when I think of the letter "C" is cats of course! And this can also be related back to pagan topics :)
Cats are truly interesting creatures. They allow us to feed them and shelter them, in return we end up in cuddly kitty piles or for some a familiar. Now I've never considered any of my felines a familiar but I know many who do.
During the European witch hunts, (black) cats were often times considered a witch's familiar that was given to her by the devil. To this day black cats are often seen as unlucky.
Today, some pagans look to cats as a familiar, and I often wonder how does that one cat become considered a familiar. Why that cat and not another? Do individuals with multiple cats sometimes have multiple familiars? Can you really pick out your familiar at a pet store or shelter?
For me and probably plenty of others, my cats are a part of my family. As you can see in the picture I added in, I have a few feline family members :). I often joke that I run a "half-way house for those in need that never leave". I have never been able to go pick out a cat, no regrets here btw. Every cat that has come into my life (7 at current count) came to me by chance. They all have their own stories and their own personalities and I love each of them. The challenge ultimately becomes how not to house more cats than I can reasonably care for.
B is for Books
Books, books and more books. I have a lot of love for books. Thankfully so does my sweetie. One day we hope to have a small home library with its own room and everything :)
As I work on becoming more environmentally aware, my love of books makes me think. I do have an ebook reader - two actually plus my phone - and they are great. A wonderful way to read to my heart's content without having to carry around each individual book.
Now physical books are a touch more complicated. There is a bit more of an environmental impact when it comes to physical books. This includes the producing and transportation of said books. I haven't really looked in to actual numbers and such but I'm not sure how many books are printed on recycled materials. This could be something to eventually look into.
In the meanwhile, I love purchasing books from used bookstores (and Amazon but that doesn't really help). I'm trying to purchase more books from used bookstores as well as sell unwanted books to used bookstores. I wish I could find more pagan/New Age books there. For those books I tend to go more to Amazon marketplace. There is also the realistic aspect that used books also cost less.
On another thought, to get books authors need support. And new books need to be purchased to support authors. Hmmmm...tricky bit there. Well, I generally buy fiction books as ebooks - I just read too many of them to justify how much of my current space it would take up. I do like to buy them physically when I have a chance to actually meet the author and get them signed though.
Writing out this blog makes me realize that if I were to say 'ok only buying used books because they are better for the earth', I'd be missing out the entire part of supporting those authors who's books I love and that could reduce the writing of new books. I will have to think about this some more.
As I work on becoming more environmentally aware, my love of books makes me think. I do have an ebook reader - two actually plus my phone - and they are great. A wonderful way to read to my heart's content without having to carry around each individual book.
Now physical books are a touch more complicated. There is a bit more of an environmental impact when it comes to physical books. This includes the producing and transportation of said books. I haven't really looked in to actual numbers and such but I'm not sure how many books are printed on recycled materials. This could be something to eventually look into.
In the meanwhile, I love purchasing books from used bookstores (and Amazon but that doesn't really help). I'm trying to purchase more books from used bookstores as well as sell unwanted books to used bookstores. I wish I could find more pagan/New Age books there. For those books I tend to go more to Amazon marketplace. There is also the realistic aspect that used books also cost less.
On another thought, to get books authors need support. And new books need to be purchased to support authors. Hmmmm...tricky bit there. Well, I generally buy fiction books as ebooks - I just read too many of them to justify how much of my current space it would take up. I do like to buy them physically when I have a chance to actually meet the author and get them signed though.
Writing out this blog makes me realize that if I were to say 'ok only buying used books because they are better for the earth', I'd be missing out the entire part of supporting those authors who's books I love and that could reduce the writing of new books. I will have to think about this some more.
A is for Animal Spirits
Trying to actually start the Cauldron Blog Project. I am such a blog slacker.
And this will be a bit of a ramble so please be patient with me.
At Pantheacon I attended a class by Lupa who works with animal spirits; she is also an author (check out Fang and Fur, Blood and Bone) and an artist.
The class in question was animal skulls as ritual partners. I touched on this briefly in my last post but I'd like to explore it a tad more.
During class we did a meditation with animal skulls. Although I usually am a cat person I ended up with a coyote skull to meditate with. I felt such a pull from this skull that she ended up going home with me. Several things that surprised the crap out of me here; I've taken anatomy classes before. Never really noticed anything of a skin spirit. With in moments of focusing on this skull I got one heck of a "hello" back. As with all things in faith, I am a healthy skeptic. This could of just been my imagination.
I acquired a bobcat skull and this skull has a completely different feel than the coyote. I was working with the theories that Lupa works with her skulls and it could have been her residual energy and again it could have all been in my head. Where the coyote's energy was more accepting and content, the bobcat skull that had clearly been sitting on a shelf in a warehouse somewhere was a lot more stand offish, not quite hostile but wary.
Taking this little experiment a touch further. I handled some furs; bobcat and coyote faces to be exact. I thought I was going to be physically sick, not out of disgust of handling the fur but something else. Again it was mostly from the bobcat face. I have no issue with leather or removing dead pet bodies growing up.
So what is the difference between dead family pets, animal pelts, and skulls and human remains. I don't know.But I would like to.
Why did a coyote skull end up in my hands instead of a cat? These are all things that could be all in my head but somehow I think it is a bit more than that.
I plan on continuing to work with the remains and as Lupa names them "skin spirits" and see what happens.
And this will be a bit of a ramble so please be patient with me.
At Pantheacon I attended a class by Lupa who works with animal spirits; she is also an author (check out Fang and Fur, Blood and Bone) and an artist.
The class in question was animal skulls as ritual partners. I touched on this briefly in my last post but I'd like to explore it a tad more.
During class we did a meditation with animal skulls. Although I usually am a cat person I ended up with a coyote skull to meditate with. I felt such a pull from this skull that she ended up going home with me. Several things that surprised the crap out of me here; I've taken anatomy classes before. Never really noticed anything of a skin spirit. With in moments of focusing on this skull I got one heck of a "hello" back. As with all things in faith, I am a healthy skeptic. This could of just been my imagination.
I acquired a bobcat skull and this skull has a completely different feel than the coyote. I was working with the theories that Lupa works with her skulls and it could have been her residual energy and again it could have all been in my head. Where the coyote's energy was more accepting and content, the bobcat skull that had clearly been sitting on a shelf in a warehouse somewhere was a lot more stand offish, not quite hostile but wary.
Taking this little experiment a touch further. I handled some furs; bobcat and coyote faces to be exact. I thought I was going to be physically sick, not out of disgust of handling the fur but something else. Again it was mostly from the bobcat face. I have no issue with leather or removing dead pet bodies growing up.
So what is the difference between dead family pets, animal pelts, and skulls and human remains. I don't know.But I would like to.
Why did a coyote skull end up in my hands instead of a cat? These are all things that could be all in my head but somehow I think it is a bit more than that.
I plan on continuing to work with the remains and as Lupa names them "skin spirits" and see what happens.
Friday, February 20, 2015
A little understanding or asking "why"
I've noticed something that is causing a lot of issue of late. I believe it is a lack of understanding. I look at many issues from small to large political ones and wonder why there is so much clashing. After having a wonderful almost debate type of conversation with a woman (I don't recall her name) at Pantheacon, it occurred to me that we often forget to ask why.
To use a trivial example- say Sally is pissed off because her coworker ate her banana. On the surface it may seem that Sally overreacted and the coworker was a jerk. But why did they respond that way? Maybe it was the day before payday and that banana was all Sally could afford for breakfast. Maybe the coworker was a diabetic who was getting low on blood sugar and didn't think she would mind. But unless one considers the "why" of their actions it is difficult to understand.
The same concept can be used on bigger more political issues. I've seen people collecting signatures for issues darn near chase people down to press their petitions or get aggressive responses from the people they are trying to discuss things with. Why are the potential signers acting that way? Are the petition people doing something in their presentation that repels them?
Which brings us to why there is such a hard division in the big issues. In this I mean racism, same sex marriage, trans individuals, etc. I suspect that the reason many people respond so negatively is that they don't understand the issue or didn't consider how to respond. Or the presentation needs some help. I've come to realize that often times what we say the issue is isn't necessarily what the issue is or an issue is presented too aggressively. Another example - some may say that we all have the right to marry who we want. Some may say that it is an abomination. What may be the deeper issue is that the idea of same sex marriage is something people may not know how to process this change of the norm and as a society we expect instant results. I am using same sex marriage as an example because over some years now it has changed from a hot button topic to something that is actually becoming accepted. (which I find to be wonderful)
To summarize what I am trying to say is that we all need to try to understand where people are reacting from and give a little acceptance. Some times people are just jerks, but sometimes people just need a little time or information to get used to a new concept. And I believe a little understanding or asking of "why" can go a long way.
To use a trivial example- say Sally is pissed off because her coworker ate her banana. On the surface it may seem that Sally overreacted and the coworker was a jerk. But why did they respond that way? Maybe it was the day before payday and that banana was all Sally could afford for breakfast. Maybe the coworker was a diabetic who was getting low on blood sugar and didn't think she would mind. But unless one considers the "why" of their actions it is difficult to understand.
The same concept can be used on bigger more political issues. I've seen people collecting signatures for issues darn near chase people down to press their petitions or get aggressive responses from the people they are trying to discuss things with. Why are the potential signers acting that way? Are the petition people doing something in their presentation that repels them?
Which brings us to why there is such a hard division in the big issues. In this I mean racism, same sex marriage, trans individuals, etc. I suspect that the reason many people respond so negatively is that they don't understand the issue or didn't consider how to respond. Or the presentation needs some help. I've come to realize that often times what we say the issue is isn't necessarily what the issue is or an issue is presented too aggressively. Another example - some may say that we all have the right to marry who we want. Some may say that it is an abomination. What may be the deeper issue is that the idea of same sex marriage is something people may not know how to process this change of the norm and as a society we expect instant results. I am using same sex marriage as an example because over some years now it has changed from a hot button topic to something that is actually becoming accepted. (which I find to be wonderful)
To summarize what I am trying to say is that we all need to try to understand where people are reacting from and give a little acceptance. Some times people are just jerks, but sometimes people just need a little time or information to get used to a new concept. And I believe a little understanding or asking of "why" can go a long way.
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Pantheacon 2015 and changes
Pantheacon 2015 was wonderful in so many ways. Seeing Zat and attending the Nisut's talk was wonderful. Making some new friends was also wonderful.
Some highlights:
Friday:
ADF water-working and opening ritual
House Wights class - debating if I want to or should invite wights into my home and life.
Bast Devotional Dance - could not believe the energy in this ritual. Incredible!
Drum Circle 101 - sooooo enjoyable. Actually purchased a frame drum to use and enjoy. This is the first percussion instrument I have owned since the tendinitis in my forearms hit and changed things.
Saturday:
Magic of the Marlinspike - the knot work was sooooo incredibly fun! Met some wonderful ladies that I shared a table with.
Herbalism 101 - Quite educational... now if only I can find that darn handout that I want to use to plan additions to my herb garden.
Drum circle and Bast ritual events - one was rather fun and the other was nice to interact with other Kemetics even though they were of a different trad.
Sunday:
Animal Skulls as Ritual Partners - this was one of the most surprising workshops for me. I got ALOT more out of it than I would ever had expected. And a coyote skull I was meditating with ended up following me home.
It's about time: Kemetic festivals - This one by my Nisut was one that I wished had been earlier in the day or weekend. Fascinating subject and a very appreciated insite on the calendar.
Monday:
ADF ritual - surprisingly enjoyable for too darn early on the last day of con lol.
On Hospitality suites:
My favorite suites this year (in no particular order);
Woven circle - the crafty people hung out here. Wonderful people and weaving wheat was surprisingly fun
OBOD - Super friendly people. Had fun just hanging out there
Pagan Alliance - Another with super friendly people...and good drinks :)
American Magic Umbanda House - One name: Kurt. Lovely person to chat with, enjoyable to experience new drinks with.
Whoever had the massages. Seriously needed that, Thank you!
Part 2 - Changes
I realize how contrary it seems that I spent a bunch of time with ADF people and realized that ADF is not the place for me. I'll be member for another 6ish months so this decision does not need to be a permanent one but I don't think I will end up staying a member. This is nothing against the ADF org or people.
Some highlights:
Friday:
ADF water-working and opening ritual
House Wights class - debating if I want to or should invite wights into my home and life.
Bast Devotional Dance - could not believe the energy in this ritual. Incredible!
Drum Circle 101 - sooooo enjoyable. Actually purchased a frame drum to use and enjoy. This is the first percussion instrument I have owned since the tendinitis in my forearms hit and changed things.
Saturday:
Magic of the Marlinspike - the knot work was sooooo incredibly fun! Met some wonderful ladies that I shared a table with.
Herbalism 101 - Quite educational... now if only I can find that darn handout that I want to use to plan additions to my herb garden.
Drum circle and Bast ritual events - one was rather fun and the other was nice to interact with other Kemetics even though they were of a different trad.
Sunday:
Animal Skulls as Ritual Partners - this was one of the most surprising workshops for me. I got ALOT more out of it than I would ever had expected. And a coyote skull I was meditating with ended up following me home.
It's about time: Kemetic festivals - This one by my Nisut was one that I wished had been earlier in the day or weekend. Fascinating subject and a very appreciated insite on the calendar.
Monday:
ADF ritual - surprisingly enjoyable for too darn early on the last day of con lol.
On Hospitality suites:
My favorite suites this year (in no particular order);
Woven circle - the crafty people hung out here. Wonderful people and weaving wheat was surprisingly fun
OBOD - Super friendly people. Had fun just hanging out there
Pagan Alliance - Another with super friendly people...and good drinks :)
American Magic Umbanda House - One name: Kurt. Lovely person to chat with, enjoyable to experience new drinks with.
Whoever had the massages. Seriously needed that, Thank you!
Part 2 - Changes
I realize how contrary it seems that I spent a bunch of time with ADF people and realized that ADF is not the place for me. I'll be member for another 6ish months so this decision does not need to be a permanent one but I don't think I will end up staying a member. This is nothing against the ADF org or people.
Sunday, January 11, 2015
Red Week!
Over in the House of Netjer we are starting to celebrate Red Week. Basically a week long celebration of the god Set. As a part of the celebrations one of our Shemsu-Ankh's is offering up a daily creativity challenge. They give a word or concept that relates to Set and we create something.
Today the word was RED. After some contemplation I decided to cross-stitch a small biscornu. Basically an interesting shaped pincushion. After more searching and contemplation I decided to use a flower chart and this will be added to my Set shrine this week as a flower offering..
Today the word was RED. After some contemplation I decided to cross-stitch a small biscornu. Basically an interesting shaped pincushion. After more searching and contemplation I decided to use a flower chart and this will be added to my Set shrine this week as a flower offering..
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