October Cozy Pagan Chat - Page 5

[DaughterOfKali]

Welcome to all the new pagan mama's! 

I keep forgetting to check in to MDC.  Sorry about that.

Bracing for hurricane Sandy.  Hoping we don't lose power or get crushed by a tree!  Eek!  Hugs to all.

[honeybee80]

I have some Yule questions for all of you.  Last year we kinda celebrated it.  We had a Yule log.  We went to this amazing gathering at Red Rocks that happens the morning of the winter solstice every year (we've been going the last 4 years)--it's called Drumming Up the Sun and is one of my favorite events of the year!  The kids opened what would have been their Christmas gifts on the solstice instead.  They didn't even ask about the whole Santa thing (which I am totally not into, but don't have the guts enough to really address it with my kids--but that's a whole other story ;)), which was awesome, and then they were at their dad's house on Christmas anyway, and he totally overdoes everything and does the whole Santa thing, so I got out of that one.  Well, this year I'm supposed to have them on Christmas, so for a minute, I decided we were going to just celebrate Christmas because it's easier and what almost everyone around us is doing.  Well, when the kids found out that we were going to celebrate Christmas, the first thing they said was that they would have to make a list for Santa   Of course, that made me decide that Yule is what I want to celebrate (and especially as I've been feeling like I need to embrace my pagan tendencies more anyway), so I'm wondering if you all have any good books to recommend on Yule so that I can really learn more about the history and teach my kids about it.  I want them to be excited about it and understand the meaning behind it.  I think I'm going to need to switch days with their dad too, so that he has them on Christmas Eve and I have them on the Solstice ;)

Oh, and I had a circle today with my close girlfriends and it was so amazing (always is!).  So great for grounding me and reminding me of what's important and what I should be focusing on and putting energy toward.  I tend to get in my head too much and get wrapped around ideas and they always give me the perspective that I need.

[Maiasaura]

Originally Posted by greenwitchymama Wow, Maiasaura... That's pretty intense. Let's just assume it won't happen until you're 110 and you just kind of cough yourself out of the world in your sleep. :)

That was kind of my thought, too

Originally Posted by honeybee80 I have some Yule questions for all of you.  Last year we kinda celebrated it.  We had a Yule log.  We went to this amazing gathering at Red Rocks that happens the morning of the winter solstice every year (we've been going the last 4 years)--it's called Drumming Up the Sun and is one of my favorite events of the year!  The kids opened what would have been their Christmas gifts on the solstice instead.  They didn't even ask about the whole Santa thing (which I am totally not into, but don't have the guts enough to really address it with my kids--but that's a whole other story ;)), which was awesome, and then they were at their dad's house on Christmas anyway, and he totally overdoes everything and does the whole Santa thing, so I got out of that one.  Well, this year I'm supposed to have them on Christmas, so for a minute, I decided we were going to just celebrate Christmas because it's easier and what almost everyone around us is doing.  Well, when the kids found out that we were going to celebrate Christmas, the first thing they said was that they would have to make a list for Santa   Of course, that made me decide that Yule is what I want to celebrate (and especially as I've been feeling like I need to embrace my pagan tendencies more anyway), so I'm wondering if you all have any good books to recommend on Yule so that I can really learn more about the history and teach my kids about it.  I want them to be excited about it and understand the meaning behind it.  I think I'm going to need to switch days with their dad too, so that he has them on Christmas Eve and I have them on the Solstice ;)

Oh, and I had a circle today with my close girlfriends and it was so amazing (always is!).  So great for grounding me and reminding me of what's important and what I should be focusing on and putting energy toward.  I tend to get in my head too much and get wrapped around ideas and they always give me the perspective that I need.

That drumming sounds so.freaking.cool. I want one!

Your kids are what, 7 and 9, right? Or did I get my math wrong. Anyway, mine's 11 and we kind of do a mixture. We keep the spiritual stuff and a couple of low-key gifts for Yule, and the Big Gift Extravaganza for Christmas. We use Elisa Kleven's book Sun Bread and we make an actual Sun Bread (which, I hate the recipe on the book, yuck, and there've also been some years when we've had to even resort to frozen dinner rolls because of being at other people's houses) and we get up extra early and watch the Sun rise and toast Him and throw Him some bread and pour libations on the ground of sparkling cider and open stockings and have a feast.

Christmas is usually at my mom's, and it's the usual. With Santa and all. I think of Santa as a spirit/god anyway Ther'es more, but I"m too tired to type.

[siddal]

Popping in to wish one and all a blessed Samhain.  And to share a pic of my little ones, Guinevere Isabeau and Rosamund Persephone, born 10/3.  I had to have a last minute c-section (thanks pre-eclampsia and transverse Baby B ;-)  )  and babies were smaller than we thought they would be 3 lb 14 oz and 4 lb 14 oz (three weeks early).  But we all did very well, and after 5 days in the hospital, we were all able to come home together, and no NICU.  The last few weeks have been a sleepy blur, as you can imagine.  Other than an autumnal walk and probably some simple meditation/prayer of my own, I probably won't be doing much for the holy day, but hey, it's the intent, right? :-)   And these girls are a wonderful harvest blessing.

Hope anyone in the path of Sandy will be safe!  A friend posted this on another forum today: From Pagan elder Peter Dybing:

"OYA, Goddess of thunder, lightning, tornadoes, winds, rainstorms and hurricanes, as you display dominion over this storm may your winds and waves bring change to our shores. In awe of your might, we seek your protection for all living beings that they may see the light of a new dawn and bring forth healing and compassion upon the shores of our nation.

So Mote It Be!"

[Maiasaura]

What gorgeous babies! And lovely names! What will you call them?

Cool invocation, that.

Here in Asheville, NC, we aren't seeing much of anything Where is the promised snow? You are hardly west of me, siddal...how many hours driving time? What's your weather looking like?

[vydalea]

Hey Mamas!  Happy Samhain Eve!  

Originally Posted by honeybee80 

Hi Everyone!  I've dabbled in pagan/witchy stuff for the last few years and I really would like to get more knowledgeable about all of it, as it's what feels the most comfortable for me spiritually.  I just put a few books on hold from the library and I'm excited to get reading!  Hoping to learn some new things from you lovely ladies as well! :)

 Hi honeybee!! 

Originally Posted by Maiasaura 

My realtor's contract expires in December. If no more showings by then, I am going to take it off the market, I think, for a month or two, and maybe try somebody else. I mean-- she has worked her tookas off, but now she's pushing for me to lower the price, and I will not do it any more. I can't go any lower. If people came through and said "Oh, it's nice, but too expensive", I could see it. But people aren't even looking. Nobody is bringing their clients by. It's a total mystery.

The public Samhain ritual last night was very powerful, as usual. I got to leave my ds at home, for the first time, in the evening! He was OK. Didn't even have to call me at all which is good, because we were asked not to have phones on. I put mine on vibrate and put it in my sock.

I had this weird thing happen to me during it, during the chant-- I am not normally a prophetic person in the least, but I have the lingering cough of bronchitis, and I had this very clear knowledge that this is what I am going to die from-- bronchitis, or a cough or some such where I will be having trouble breathing, or coughing up whatever is clogging my lungs. I hope it's not soon And I hope I'm wrong. I've been prone to bronchitis all my life, and it stinks to not be able to cough stuff up.

It sounds like a change in realtor might be good.  Not because your realtor hasn't worked hard for you but to change it up a bit and get new energy in there.  

Hooray for getting to leave your DS home and having him do well with that!    How is school going for him this year?  Haven't heard much so I hope that means all is going steady.  Is C still hanging on at M's?  

Yikes, what a vision.  Did it scare you to know that is how you may leave this world?   I agree with greenwitchymama - many, many years from now... 

Originally Posted by greenwitchymama 

Our Samhain ritual was pretty good--we did some goal working and banishing (which I needed!). 

Then I had girls night last night and we totally skipped the tarot and magic and watched Doctor Who instead lol. But it was magical, I swear!

I totally believe in the magic of sisterhood!!    Or even just your friends whose energy helps calm and restore your own.  I was able to spend some time with said friends in my life the weekend before last and I have felt so full of love since. 

Originally Posted by DaughterOfKali 

Welcome to all the new pagan mama's! 

I keep forgetting to check in to MDC.  Sorry about that.

Bracing for hurricane Sandy.  Hoping we don't lose power or get crushed by a tree!  Eek!  Hugs to all.

How did you fare?  We were told we were going to get insane winds, etc. here but nothing really, thankfully.  Our area is still rebuilding from intense, major flooding from last September so we really appreciate the pass, Mama Nature!! 

Originally Posted by Maiasaura 

Your kids are what, 7 and 9, right? Or did I get my math wrong. Anyway, mine's 11 and we kind of do a mixture. We keep the spiritual stuff and a couple of low-key gifts for Yule, and the Big Gift Extravaganza for Christmas. We use Elisa Kleven's book Sun Bread and we make an actual Sun Bread (which, I hate the recipe on the book, yuck, and there've also been some years when we've had to even resort to frozen dinner rolls because of being at other people's houses) and we get up extra early and watch the Sun rise and toast Him and throw Him some bread and pour libations on the ground of sparkling cider and open stockings and have a feast.

Christmas is usually at my mom's, and it's the usual. With Santa and all. I think of Santa as a spirit/god anyway Ther'es more, but I"m too tired to type.

Yeah, I totally permanently BORROWED the sun bread idea from Maia and my family LOVES it.  This year we are going to talk more about the sun sleeping and the sun coming back over the month of December since Z is a little older and understands it more now.  We also have a little Yule log that I have 3 candle spots in.  We talk about Santa in a spirit way, too.  I am trying to stay away from write Santa a list of THINGS you want and trying to focus more on the GIVING.  The Earth gives to us and we give to others type of thing... 

Originally Posted by siddal 

Popping in to wish one and all a blessed Samhain.  And to share a pic of my little ones, Guinevere Isabeau and Rosamund Persephone, born 10/3.  I had to have a last minute c-section (thanks pre-eclampsia and transverse Baby B ;-)  )  and babies were smaller than we thought they would be 3 lb 14 oz and 4 lb 14 oz (three weeks early).  But we all did very well, and after 5 days in the hospital, we were all able to come home together, and no NICU.  The last few weeks have been a sleepy blur, as you can imagine.  Other than an autumnal walk and probably some simple meditation/prayer of my own, I probably won't be doing much for the holy day, but hey, it's the intent, right? :-)   And these girls are a wonderful harvest blessing.

Hope anyone in the path of Sandy will be safe!  A friend posted this on another forum today: From Pagan elder Peter Dybing:

"OYA, Goddess of thunder, lightning, tornadoes, winds, rainstorms and hurricanes, as you display dominion over this storm may your winds and waves bring change to our shores. In awe of your might, we seek your protection for all living beings that they may see the light of a new dawn and bring forth healing and compassion upon the shores of our nation.

So Mote It Be!"

CONGRATULATIONS ON THE BEAUTIFUL BABIES, SIDDAL!!!

I love the invocation - how lovely and appropriate.  

Nothing to report on this end.  We've just been bracing ourselves for this hurricane, really.  We had a very quiet weekend which we haven't had in quite a while and it was so, so nice.  Looking forward to November this year, actually.  Looking forward to hunkering down a little bit.  I've really felt the transition this October which I normally am not as affected by as I was this year.  Hmm... ?? 

hugs to all. 

[Maiasaura]

Originally Posted by vydalea Hooray for getting to leave your DS home and having him do well with that!    How is school going for him this year?  Haven't heard much so I hope that means all is going steady.  Is C still hanging on at M's?  

Yikes, what a vision.  Did it scare you to know that is how you may leave this world?   I agree with greenwitchymama - many, many years from now... 

I am trying to stay away from write Santa a list of THINGS you want and trying to focus more on the GIVING.  The Earth gives to us and we give to others type of thing... 

School is going...well, the teachers and his (I guess he's a counselor?) say he's doing much better. But I'm not sure I'm seeing it. He gets infractions for breathing, practically, and 3 infractions = 1 ISS, which he's had two of so far. But ISS in his school is him sitting with Jamie (said counselor) in Jamie's office, doing homework all.day.long. And talking about behavior. So that's good. Plus, there are incentives, because if he gets an infraction, or two, and not a 3rd one, each one expires 1 week from when he got it. Does not count.

C was over at M's the other night-- I think I mentioned it, not going upthread to look but here is what happened: C was at L's, which is his ex (or STBX) wife (M's dd) and that's 1/2 hour away from M. They called up M and wanted a ride for him to where M lives. M actually did end up going, on the promise of $20 gas money. Well, he gets there on his last gas and last dime, and they say "We'll have the money for you Tuesday". Which they probably do, but M would have to go back down there to get it! So we're talking 3 hours total driving time (1/2 hour each way, 3x). WASTE! So M is out the money. And the gas. AND, he's not sure, but M left his meds out while C was there, and thinks the pill count is lower than it should be, on his controlled substances.
M is *pissed*, and rightfully so....let's hope for a good lesson, here.

It wasn't a vision...it was just a clear Knowing. Just, the thought came to me clear as day. Not scared me so much as I was like...."Shit". I hate not breathing. I hate coughing.

Santa-- I have ds do a Wish List and a Give List, and I have been very clear for years that a Wish List is just that-- not a Get List. For those of you with littler ones, this really, really cut down on the I Wants when ds was smaller. Putting on the the Wish List somehow lessened the badgering and pestering about X item, once it was on the list. The list was on the fridge, permanently, and anytime he wanted something, on the list it goes. He still does that, though not as much. And once he was able to write, when he was little, somehow it made it more powerful when he could write his own item on the Wish List.

I have a Wish List and a Give List, too.

I am still sick, dag nabbit. I really need to rest up-- tomorrow is huge. The Pagan Ladies' Costume Brunch, followed by the costume parade at ds's school, pick up friend's dd, then the whole candy extravaganza. STarting with Trunk or Treats at the Baptist churches, then Trick or Treat at night. Ugh. I am not at ALL into it, this year.

Only 21 days till I see M again, though!

[greenwitchymama]

I love the wish list idea! I read about that somewhere... one of those parenting books in the stack on my shelf probably. The theory seems to be that if a child feels validated and heard in his desires, that's often more important than the actual thing he wants. I'll have to do the same thing with DS when he gets older. For now I just repeat the question back to him "You want this truck? It looks fun, huh" and he says yes. And then I tell him something like "We can't get it right now, I'm very sorry." And he'll respond with some cute little "Awww, maaaan" and it's over. No tantrum or anything (um.. unless he's hungry or tired... then definitely tantrum...)

I can't believe Yule is just around the corner already. This year I'll actually have a log to burn because I'll be out in the boonies in California at my friend's house. She has land and a barn and an extremely high tolerance for chaos so we're gonna have super fun. :D 

[Kaydove]

So stepdaughter moved back to Florida on Saturday and I'm adjusting to solo parenthood during the day again. She moved in when DD was 1 month, so I'm totally used to help. I did manage to clean most of the kitchen yesterday but didn't get a shower. Oh well. 

I'm off to check out a new age store for some candles today! We planned our Samhain ritual on 11/1 so we could do some traditional american halloween things on the 31st since stepd requested that, but we have no plans for the 31st. We're two blocks away from an elementary school so I'm sure we'll get a ton of trick or treaters, which is a pain with two dogs. DH doesn't like driving on holidays because of all the drunk drivers. 

Happy Samhain Eve! I'll post more later but DD just woke up. :)

[amlikam]

Shapeshifter what guise do you take on today? How will you dance the sacred dance with our ancestors approaching the veil. Softly step with ears alert, they are as close now as in the flesh and their words are not spoken in the language of this world. They speak the language of love and eternity, it is one you see, taste and feel before it ruptures in song for you to dance or drum with. May your travels awaken you to a new way.

Happy Samhain and soon to be Día de los Muertos
 

This morning we put out food for the ancestors (snacks), tonight a full meal. And we will travel around the neighborhood in search of candy for my husband... ahhh I mean my DD.   This pregnant mama might indulge some.

[greenwitchymama]

Happy Samhain, everyone!

[Kaydove]

Happy Samhain! We got the last pumpkin today at the grocery store! My DD is a cow!

[vydalea]

kaydove, my DD was a cow, too!!!!

[Wolfcat]

Ah, Yule shopping. Everyone gets one gift from Baba Yaga... if she doesn't think you deserve to be eaten instead. What can I say, we have a dark sense of humorous at my house. My mom loves to shop and we can seldom all get away right at Christmas, so we pretty much do the holiday thing whenever. Oh, we also read the nativity story,switching out Horus' name for Jesus.

[greenwitchymama]

Is there going to be a November chat...? I have so many Yule things buzzing about in my head!

[vydalea]

i started it here: http://www.mothering.com/community/t/1367185/nestling-into-november-pagan-family-thread

weee!!