~~Pagan Parenting in February!~~ - Page 3

[wombatclay]

A Tuesday, Season of Imbolc, evening meditation begins...

Snow Light turns to Spring Light's blessing

bride lights linger in the sky

twilight dews the flowers caressing

vision's gift through the soul-veils fly.

The focus of the lunar meditation is "A plant of your choice", and the final cleansing tonight is:

I cleanse my soul in the showers of Spring

light upon my brow

love upon my heart

life upon my hands

May the blessing drop of spring

bring peace to the soul of all beings

from spring's twilight

till spring's dawn light

(From the Celtic Devotional by Matthews... the book is divided into four seasons, within that season there is a weekly rhythm in which each day has a morning and evening routine.  Then there is a solar activity for each day and a lunar meditation for each night during the course of the season.  Morning ritual is: invocation of the Divine, soul awakening, daily practice, question for the day, prayer, solar activity and protection.  Evening ritual is: invocation of the Divine, candle lighting, devotion to seek clarity of the day's experiences, lunar meditation, prayer, soul blessing and cleansing.  It sounds like a lot but the book is really nicely laid out and clear.  You can check out samples in google books here)

[Maiasaura]

You rock, Clay

[MonkeyPrincess]

Hey, mommas. :)

Just jumping in...

I don't know that I've ever called it an altar (or nature table, or anything in particular actually), but we do have a white buffet table that functions as such. It changes on a regular basis, so seasonal by default, I guess. Right now, there is a plate that holds the remains of our ice lanterns from Imbolc. We had a chunk of tree trunk left from Winter holidays, it had a hole drilled into it from placing it in the tree stand and one day, I stuck a stick of incense in there - have been using it that way ever since. There is also a jar of a couple bunches of sage, and a small glass of various left over candles. Oh, and a special candle we light on special occasions. Above it is a huge painting of the moon that I did a few years ago. I would like some flowers or a plant on there, but its not in a particularly sunny spot, so I always feel like I'm depriving them of the sun... (I'll try to get a picture tomorrow. It's very simple.)

Speaking of the moon, we did a nice spell/prayer as a family outside this evening. I had done a few things during the waxing moon to attract something in particular, wrote down my intentions and what I would like from them, we read it together three times and burned the paper under the moon, blowing on it gently every once in a while. Then we washed the ashes out with water and splashed them back on the Earth. It was particularly fulfilling having released all that intentional, collective energy, and feels very balanced to me. We are excited to see what it brings. :)

Our Imbolc celebration was simple. We ate dinner with our ice lanterns burning, decorated with greens and cranberries. And had a cake with little "groundhogs" popping out of the top.

wombatclay, I *love* the idea of rosemary and salt in the mop water! And while I always stir clock wise, it never occurred to me to verbalize that to my kids - thanks for bringing that to my attention!

I love the ideas on this thread. :)

[Valerie.Qc]

I'm reading.

I want to do a little more planning for my rituals. I've run after time all year last year and it seems to continue... I used to be in sync with the moon and working with Her was easy/flowy but right now I feel disconnected and "behind"...

It's way cold this morning! I have a hard time heating the place... Even the livingroom, where the fireplace is, is still at about 64°F despite tending to the fire. (about 60 in most rooms) Brrrr!

[3xMama]

Originally Posted by Maiasaura 

hCG-- human Chorionic Gonadotropin, yes, the pregnancy hormone. Nope, no mistake. It works! You can take off 20lb in a month, easy.

Yeah-- I have always wanted to read her books, and they look so fun, but after that workshop...well, I won't. I might look at them in a library, but never put my money towards. I was sorely bummed, too. And the thing of it is, I don't want to diss her at all, on here or anywhere. I don't like to talk people down. I just wish I could have said something, or asked her...but I had that feeling I would have been torn down for the asking.

Geesh, I think I screwed both acronyms up. This is not turning out to be my month! 

Take off 20lbs in a month?!?! Holy Moses, I need to do this once DS2 is done nursing. Probably going to be awhile yet, but 20lbs in a month?! That'd be fantastic!

Originally Posted by _ktg_ 

I'm surpised but not at the same time.  She is one who really does push "whatever works for you is right" or at least that is a theme I've picked up in reading 2 of her books. I'll confirm it after cracking open the one I just checked out from the library.

I know in Natural Witchery, she recounts an experience she had in taking an advanced circle casting class and the Wiccan instructors got down on her about lack of hand gestures etc instead of feeling her casting her circle.  I think she has a tendancy to come across judging harshly or challenging practices which are like "YOU'RE DOING IT WRONG!" when it comes to magick, and casting and drawing down the moon and all those items for the reasons above in terms of whatever works for you is right.

Its been many months since I read her books, you must be right. 

Originally Posted by vydalea 

SOOOOO exhausted this week!  What gives?  Maybe I am still recovering from Sunday night...but not as much as your DH. I'm sure, 3x!  

We did our Imbolc dinner and light garden last night.  Z loved digging up the dirt in preparation AND "planting" the seeds.  It was pretty awesome, albeit simple.

Yeah, poor DH has been falling asleep by 830 the past several days! I think he's starting to recover but is definitely ready for a few days off!

Ya know, simple is sometimes the most meaningful. 

Originally Posted by Valerie.Qc 

I'm reading.

I want to do a little more planning for my rituals. I've run after time all year last year and it seems to continue... I used to be in sync with the moon and working with Her was easy/flowy but right now I feel disconnected and "behind"...

It's way cold this morning! I have a hard time heating the place... Even the livingroom, where the fireplace is, is still at about 64°F despite tending to the fire. (about 60 in most rooms) Brrrr!

Its been pretty darn cold here, too. Ok, for this winter, its been darn cold lately, though nothing compared to previous years. Maybe its because it never got too cold so I'm just not used to it, but I cannot stay warm. Anytime I sit for more than 10 mins I'm pulling out my super warm fluffy bathrobe and blankets. Its annoying the heck outta me!

I'm behind, too, mama. Realized during my bathroom trip at 2am that I forgot to even light a candle to honor Her during the full moon. *sigh* I am getting there, though!

[3xMama]

Oh, Clay, I got several of those books on hold at the library! Can't wait to page through them. Unfortunately, they don't have the Celtic Devotional.  But I'm going to poke around the world of eBay and the sort to see if I can find it on the cheap. I really am enjoying your postings. It sounds like something that I could really use in my life. 

[vydalea]

I am loving this conversation.  Digesting all the ideas and information.

Monkey Princess: how did you make the ice lanterns?  Sounds really awesome and really representational.

Clay: You are awesome.  Seriously.  How do you do it?  I think you must be an alien/robot or something.  haha.  Thank you for sharing the meditations/prayers other thoughts.  

3x:you're right, thanks, sometimes simple is the most meaningful.  Thanks for the reminder.  Overall right now I need that reminder.

In other news, although we have a pretty good garden here I've decided to sign up for a CSA this summer.  I've been reading Animal, Vegetable, Miracle (still, yes) and feeling like I need to be closer to my food source.  I cannot afford to purchase free range chicken (even though we only eat chicken once a week) at $7/lb so I've settled on buying a veggie share at a local farm.  To me, this feels like practicing my paganism, too, being closer to the earth.  As much as I love my own garden I'm hoping that a share will give me more variety that I don't have to buy from the store and I won't have to go picking through the farmer's market every weekend.  (at this point, that idea just overwhelms me - being on a strict budget and all and wanting to support everyone I'll end up WAY over budget and I can't responsibly do that for my family).  

I can't wait for fresh veggies!  I love what I've squirreled away in my freezer but can't wait to eat broccoli I just harvested!!!  

[meenajo]

Subbing and new here. Enjoying the conversation

[_ktg_]

Merry Meet Everyone

Originally Posted by vydalea 

In other news, although we have a pretty good garden here I've decided to sign up for a CSA this summer.  I've been reading Animal, Vegetable, Miracle (still, yes) and feeling like I need to be closer to my food source.  I cannot afford to purchase free range chicken (even though we only eat chicken once a week) at $7/lb so I've settled on buying a veggie share at a local farm.  To me, this feels like practicing my paganism, too, being closer to the earth.  As much as I love my own garden I'm hoping that a share will give me more variety that I don't have to buy from the store and I won't have to go picking through the farmer's market every weekend.  (at this point, that idea just overwhelms me - being on a strict budget and all and wanting to support everyone I'll end up WAY over budget and I can't responsibly do that for my family).  

I can't wait for fresh veggies!  I love what I've squirreled away in my freezer but can't wait to eat broccoli I just harvested!!!  

You have reminded me I need to put this book on hold at the library.    Anyone else getting excited about starting their garden?  I have to finish picking out my seeds and then off to the garden store for starter materials (soil, peat moss etc) as I've been collecting plastic containers to serve as small greenhouses for my seeds (apple packs, berry packs, milk cartons etc).  My poor kitchen table is about to be taken over in March with all the seeds I'll be starting.

It's been so warm for winter here in WI that I probably could start turning over the earth to expand my garden right now.  Unfortunately I know that this warm weather might mean a nice late April/May blizzard for us.
 

This full moon energy has been crazy or bringing out the warrior in so many!  I'm pooped from it already!

[wombatclay]

awwwwww.... I'm blushing!  Seriously, I'm NOT a space alien super robot.  I'm just an extremely lazy pagan parent with no time.  I stick with two-fer-one (or better, three or four fer one) techniques because I just don't have a life that lends itself to introspection and solitude at the moment!  Homeschool, toddlers, babies, retail work, writing, crafting (for self and for sale), homesteading, ailing parents in need of care, building a house, trying to avoid bankruptcy, the list goes on and on.  Like Bilbo, I often feel like too little butter spread over too much bread.  I can't afford mundane or spiritual things that don't pull their weight!  lol

speaking of... we always get a CSA.  I want to have a glorious garden, but I hate gardening!  If only I could bring in a few devas or gnomes to do it for me.  ;)  When the kids are bigger I'm sure we'll have a plot but till then the CSA provides reasonably priced, seasonal, local, organic food.

The resolution isn't great, but I took a picture of our family altar with the evening candles burning... here.

[Maiasaura]

Originally Posted by Valerie.Qc Even the livingroom, where the fireplace is, is still at about 64°F despite tending to the fire. (about 60 in most rooms) Brrrr!

Someone told me once that a fireplace is actually INeffective as a heating source, because while it's warm right next to it, it sucks heat from all the rest of the house. Dunno how valid that is-- might want to look into it, though!

Originally Posted by 3xMama Take off 20lbs in a month?!?! Holy Moses, I need to do this once DS2 is done nursing. Probably going to be awhile yet, but 20lbs in a month?! That'd be fantastic!

Is true For me, though, the trick is to KEEP it off. It's a very specific protocol and has to be followed to the letter, or you can screw it up badly. Like I did 3x in a row

Originally Posted by wombatclay awwwwww.... I'm blushing!  Seriously, I'm NOT a space alien super robot.  I'm just an extremely lazy pagan parent with no time.  I stick with two-fer-one (or better, three or four fer one) techniques because I just don't have a life that lends itself to introspection and solitude at the moment!  Homeschool, toddlers, babies, retail work, writing, crafting (for self and for sale), homesteading, ailing parents in need of care, building a house, trying to avoid bankruptcy, the list goes on and on.  Like Bilbo, I often feel like too little butter spread over too much bread.  I can't afford mundane or spiritual things that don't pull their weight!  lol

speaking of... we always get a CSA.  I want to have a glorious garden, but I hate gardening!  If only I could bring in a few devas or gnomes to do it for me.  ;)  When the kids are bigger I'm sure we'll have a plot but till then the CSA provides reasonably priced, seasonal, local, organic food.

The resolution isn't great, but I took a picture of our family altar with the evening candles burning... here.

There is no WAY I can even think about all the things that you handle without imploding! You really are amazing. You are my muse and my inspiration on many days!

Hey Clay? What is the name of that Celtic book again that you have been quoting from?

[Valerie.Qc]

Originally Posted by Maiasaura 

Someone told me once that a fireplace is actually INeffective as a heating source, because while it's warm right next to it, it sucks heat from all the rest of the house. Dunno how valid that is-- might want to look into it, though!

We've been using this fireplace as main heating for 6 years with great results... This year, we got our wood late and from a new source... It's not as dry as it could/should be. :-(  Plus, I suspect that not having a air exchanger in action is part of the problem (we had to stop it due to a recall... a technician is suppose to call to come and repair it... hopefully very soon!).

[LionessMom]

Originally Posted by Maiasaura 

Someone told me once that a fireplace is actually INeffective as a heating source, because while it's warm right next to it, it sucks heat from all the rest of the house. Dunno how valid that is-- might want to look into it, though!

mythbusters proved that while the roomw ith the fireplace was warm, the rest of the unheated house actually got colder. 

[Maiasaura]

Originally Posted by Valerie.Qc We've been using this fireplace as main heating for 6 years with great results... This year, we got our wood late and from a new source... It's not as dry as it could/should be. :-(  Plus, I suspect that not having a air exchanger in action is part of the problem (we had to stop it due to a recall... a technician is suppose to call to come and repair it... hopefully very soon!).

Well good luck, then! I guess it's the exchanger thingy that is the issue, then, huh. I hope you get it fixed soon!

Originally Posted by LionessMom mythbusters proved that while the roomw ith the fireplace was warm, the rest of the unheated house actually got colder. 

Oh goodie, then; I wasn't sure. I don't have cable, so while I am familiar with the concept of the show and have seen it once or twice, I am not all that versed

That said, I am having someone come over tomorrow to find out why the heck my kitchen sink (and only one side of it) has been increasingly smelling like mold/mildew for the last month. It was a complete conundrum at first, because it was only when I drained pasta that it would do that. Now it is all the time, and very gross.

[3xMama]

Gardens...I'm still so torn on gardens. I know I want a huge herb garden and I know where I'm going to do it. I know DH will be all for it since he'll get to glean herbs for cooking although it'll mostly be for herb magic. But as for veggies...sigh...I'm thinking right now I will just stick with the herbs. Start small and work my way up. 

Eventually, I'd love to have a gigantic garden that provides most of the veggies we need. The time and ability to can them. Apple trees to make jams and butters from. Berry bushes. A flock of chickens. About ten acres to keep it on and plenty of fairies and gnomes to keep it all happy....Yeah, I can keep dreaming on that one!! 

As for CSAs, I hated the CSA we had. Maybe it was because it was a bad year, but all we got was a TON of greens which no one in my family eats, a few very small beets, a crap ton of shallots and a ton of green beens which were given away (I was pregnant w/ DS2 and green beans made me vomit massively, even just smelling them...I still can't stand the green things ). That was it. I was not impressed, esp for the price that was paid. I hear so much good about them that maybe it was just that one CSA or the year was bad, but I'm hesitant to go back. I'd rather spend the  money at a farmer's market and get what I what, kwim?

Clay-Srsly, you are pretty darn awesome. No idea how you juggle all of that! But I can understand the need for something that works and works well in your situation. Heck, that's what I need and I'm not half as busy as you are!

And thanks for the pic. Makes me feel better that mine isn't all perfect and glorious like the books tell you to have. I've only seen one altar in person and that was when I was about fifteen and just in awe that someone was openly Wiccan (her distinction, not mine). And it was very by the books Wiccan. I am not so I've been intimidated by that image. Its nice to see something a bit more like what I would have in my house. 

Maia-You mentioned something previously about someone who's school of thought you agreed with...something about diet and exercise just make you hungry and don't help. What was that person's name? I think I could easily fit into that mold. 

[MonkeyPrincess]

I love our csa! They work with other local farms, so we do our chicken share pick ups at the veggie farm. They also offer a seafood share option! I am hoping we can afford to try that this year. The chicken share worked out great! I'd love a garden with our favorites, but would still keep our csa. I'm thinking we may try it this year. I also get alot of fruits and veggies from an orchard pretty local to me, and buy in bulk to use all winter. Next year, I think I need to preserve even more, but we need a stand up freezer first!

vydalia, I got the idea from a thread here one year. I just used plastic containers, places some greens and berries in there and filled them with water. Then placed a smaller container in the water with something heavy to hold it down, so when it froze there was a place to put the candle. When it was frozen, I just ran some warm water over the containers to pull them off easily, then popped a candle inside and watched them melt.

[wombatclay]

Maia- Celtic Devotional Daily Prayers and Blessings by Caitlin Matthews.  There is a sample in google books (link in one of my earlier posts or just search the title/author).  I got it years ago, right after it was published, and although it's not exactly where my path has taken me, it's a good solid book and I always feel better when I make the effort to follow it's routine (morning devotions, evening devotions, lunar/solar meditations and activities).  I think some of it resonates because of being raised so "traditionally Catholic"... I was used to having a book of hours and that sort of daily/seasonal ritual routine.

Wed evening, season of Imbolc, the meditation ends:

I smoor my soul at the eaves of evening;

flower of life, flower of light, flower of love

blossom in peace in the hearts of all beings,

from close of night to light of day

altar pictures... I have a bunch scattered here and there in my facebook pages.  There are a few in my Solstice album and indoor/outdoor pics in the runup to solstice album, and a look at our outside altar/offering spot is in this album.  We're a Heathen family within the ADF tradition...

[MonkeyPrincess]

Gorgeous photos, wombatclay! Your children are beautiful and your home is festive and inviting. Thank you for sharing, I enjoyed looking thru them. :)

[3xMama]

OMG, Clay, your kids are so darn cute! The pics of your littlest made me want another baby!! They are beautiful, srsly! And dang lady, what a place to live! Very jealous!

[LionessMom]

Originally Posted by Maiasaura 

Oh goodie, then; I wasn't sure. I don't have cable, so while I am familiar with the concept of the show and have seen it once or twice, I am not all that versed

That said, I am having someone come over tomorrow to find out why the heck my kitchen sink (and only one side of it) has been increasingly smelling like mold/mildew for the last month. It was a complete conundrum at first, because it was only when I drained pasta that it would do that. Now it is all the time, and very gross.

i love mythbusters. we watch all the reruns on netflix and then catch the new ones on wed  night. lol. even the kids love it. most of the time they are blowing something up or doing something dangerous that looks cool. 

my sink started doing that too. when it started getting all the time smelly is right before it got clogged. i tried baking soda and vinegar down the drain, bleach down the drain, draino, etc. when it finally clogged all the way up he had to rent a snake and snake the drain. we live in a trailer that is not all the way level so it happens at least once a year. plus i tend too drain the burger in the sink and forget to run the hot water 

i went in for my 20 week anomaly scan. i know lots of people dont get them but i wouldnt have felt comfortable with the rest of the pregnancy or with a homebirth unless i knew everything was where it belonged. kwim? and everything looks good. heart, brain, spine etc. no sign of spina bifida. i was afraid of that bc my older brother had that and he died by 5 months old. so i always get screened for that. and bc of our genetic issues i like to make sure bc it can cause heart issues and stuff. but baby is healthy... and a ..... BOY!!!! i cant believe it. i saw his little turtle at least 8 or 10 times. this will be my husbands first bio son. my girls wanted a little brother so bad. i got to get on the ball and get clothes together. all i have is girl stuff. i ahve lots of people giving me clothes though so no worries. i just need to make diapers and buy a car seat. 

there was only one concerning thing. well concerning to me. the tech said it was common and nothing to worry about.but there was a calcified spot in the baby's belly area. the best guess i can find for it is calcified meconium. that should dissolve. i will go back in for another us to make sure later down the line. my gut feeling is that everything is ok. 

i have been trying to not be on the computer as much lately. i have been wanting to get stuff done and i feel like i have the energy lately. my house is clean, the laundry folded, and the kids are helping. now i need to start decluttering things to get ready for baby. i think i nest early bc i know i wont feel like it later when my spd hits. lol. 

much love to you all!!