January Pagan Thread

[DaughterOfKali]

Happy New Year!  Let's get started chatting!

[Maiasaura]

Originally Posted by DaughterOfKali 

Happy New Year!  Let's get started chatting!

Yay! Happy New Year!

My word for 2013 is Blessings. I have also two more, because Sarah Addison Allen, a very cool local-to-me author, said we can have three. So, my other two are Boundaries, and Movement.

I magickally swept out the house last night of old, stale energy, and let the New Year in by both doors this morning. I made pork loin with blackeyed peas in the crock pot. I forgot to draw a rune and a Tarot card, but I can handle that before bed tonight

What are you guys doing to set intention for the new year? Or do you not celebrate secular new year?

[amlikam]

I don't go all out for the calendar new year but I like the sweeping idea. I swept and mopped all the floors on solstice out of need and for intention.

DoK how's everyone feeling at home? I hope the new years has brought health.

Been just focused on baby growing and home. Some transitions happening at home and enjoying the replacement widows. I ordered some items for my temple room I am building which will be a good space for me to labor in as well. I aam creating the intention to have a labor deep with ritual and next week I start the process by having a ceremony to honor my mother and do some healing work on how her death impacted me and my choices next week.
I am excited to see this space happening.

[Kaydove]

I swept and mopped the floors yesterday intentionally. Always nice to start the new year with a clean house. I ordered a tarot deck that should arrive this week. I have a big urge to clean house which is great because we have to be out by the 20th! I should probably clean out our energy, especially from DH and step daughter arguements, before we have a move inspection. Maybe add generous energy so they give us all of our deposit back.

Maia - I love your words for the year! May you have many Blessings!

Amlikam - I love that you're adding ritual to your labor! I surprised how with it mentally I was for my labor. I hear so much about women being out of it during labor and having such spiritual experiences. I was very much in presence and was cracking jokes about DD being grounded because she was hard to push out. I was sort of expecting to have a profound experience. I also wasn't spiritual at all then. I would love to hear more about what you're planning.

Speaking of babies - for months, I've been having nightmares about getting accidently pregnant! Sometimes its catching the first pp egg, most of the time its DH's vascetomy failing a year after he gets it. He hasn't had one yet but thats what we plan on doing. He tends to be in the 3% that has complications from anything like drugs or surgeries and vas do have a failure rate. We only want one! I tend to think dreams have meaning but I'm probably just processing worries.

[Valerie.Qc]

Happy New Year! 

We celebrated in our beds instead of with friends... the 4 of us are sick and the other families also had sickness... It's been a few days of very slow pace...

Still sick... 

Dh is also sick... but he's braving the cold air and fighting a fire as I'm writing this post. No clue when he'll come back... Might spend all night fighting... I've clean the tub so he can have a hot bath when he does come home. 

Still trying to figure out my Word of the Year... 

[DaughterOfKali]

Originally Posted by amlikam 

DoK how's everyone feeling at home? I hope the new years has brought health.

Cold/cough is still lingering.  I'm super tired this morning.  Not sure what's up with that.  

Such a busy week ahead. 

[amlikam]

Originally Posted by Kaydove 

I swept and mopped the floors yesterday intentionally. Always nice to start the new year with a clean house. I ordered a tarot deck that should arrive this week. I have a big urge to clean house which is great because we have to be out by the 20th! I should probably clean out our energy, especially from DH and step daughter arguements, before we have a move inspection. Maybe add generous energy so they give us all of our deposit back.    YES set the intention!!! HA!

Amlikam - I love that you're adding ritual to your labor! I surprised how with it mentally I was for my labor. I hear so much about women being out of it during labor and having such spiritual experiences. I was very much in presence and was cracking jokes about DD being grounded because she was hard to push out. I was sort of expecting to have a profound experience. I also wasn't spiritual at all then. I would love to hear more about what you're planning. I think it is what you make and want of the experience. I imagine I will ebb and flow out of my experience but I am doing my best to allow for a ritual rich experience. One of my midwives I have been in deep intense ritual with before so I trust I can go there with her. My biggest concern is my DD but we have been talking about it and I am prepping a "temple room"/Red Tent, which I have been wanting and anticipate to be a great place to labor in! I will also be making a CD of chants with a woman I know for labor and plan to have a portal building ceremony/mother blessing ceremony in lue of a "shower"

Speaking of babies - for months, I've been having nightmares about getting accidently pregnant! Sometimes its catching the first pp egg, most of the time its DH's vascetomy failing a year after he gets it. He hasn't had one yet but thats what we plan on doing. He tends to be in the 3% that has complications from anything like drugs or surgeries and vas do have a failure rate. We only want one! I tend to think dreams have meaning but I'm probably just processing worries. Wow, well I guess you will just need to make sure you go the to follow up for testing to make sure the V takes!!! I do think dreams can be telling us something, maybe you are being told now is the time to be using a barrier or other method for prevention? That you might be an early PP ovulator?

DOK- those winter coughs seem to always linger so much longer.... hope you find some seep nourishing rest before your needed in the busy weekend.

[Kaydove]

Well, I'm at 10 months no ppaf. I think I'm processing fears of accidentally getting pregnant. I wish I knew when I'm getting my cycle back, but definitely not wishing for it back! Its been nice not having to worry about it!

[crazyms]

Sorry all i don't have it together enough to quote but I'll try to respond to everything here. I really like the idea of the ritual birth. I never got too enjoy my labors so that would've been amazing. Three anniversary on my son's bday is neat! And those fears about the pregnancy I've had before too. Most of my baby dreams turn out to be someone else like my brother's on the way now... my dh had a vasc too though and I'm still not sure his is cleared. His 2nd test was still positive and we never retested after. I honestly don't want to know. I don't really want another at least not now but i do have guilt over the procedure.

For everyone sick i hope y'all feel better soon. We're all sick as well and spent new years in bed. what's with the word though? I've never heard of that sounds interesting.


Ps sorry for the scattered post. Foggy sick head here

[Maiasaura]

Originally Posted by crazyms 

Sorry all i don't have it together enough to quote but I'll try to respond to everything here. I really like the idea of the ritual birth. I never got too enjoy my labors so that would've been amazing. Three anniversary on my son's bday is neat! And those fears about the pregnancy I've had before too. Most of my baby dreams turn out to be someone else like my brother's on the way now... my dh had a vasc too though and I'm still not sure his is cleared. His 2nd test was still positive and we never retested after. I honestly don't want to know. I don't really want another at least not now but i do have guilt over the procedure.
For everyone sick i hope y'all feel better soon. We're all sick as well and spent new years in bed. what's with the word though? I've never heard of that sounds interesting.
Ps sorry for the scattered post. Foggy sick head here

We all choose a word for the year. This started before all the old ones (aside from DOK and Valerie and me and...hmm, a few others) left to migrate to FB. All y'all are new except for those in the parentheses. So it's kind of a Witchy thing, maybe, maybe like not resolutions so much, which are setups for failure in lots of our opinions, but more of an Intent for the Year. Some one thing to focus on. One year mine was Understanding-- I thought maybe I was focusing on me too much, my own Stuff, and not so much trying to open to the loved ones in my life, or their motives for acting the way they do. So I chose understanding. This year I chose Blessings, because of all the other words there could be, Blessings seemed to umbrella them all. AND, it makes me smile. I have had a lot of downers this past year, so I can use any extra smiles I can get!
Does that help?

My son was born via emergency C section. He's my only, so no cool birth for me I was out cold through the whole thing. Total anesthesia. I'm lucky he's alive.

[siddal]

Happy 2013 to all.  We also spent the Eve in bed, but just because we are worn out, lol.  Our 3 month old girls are starting to go longer between feeds, though, so that is nice.  It has been a quiet holiday season for us. I'm setting the bar pretty low for 2013, with my main goals being to take care of the girls, to get healthy (lose the baby weight), and to focus on my Tarot practice and spiritual path.  I would love to be doing more artwork and writing, but I'm finally accepting that that is going to have to come later, and I think I'm at a place of feeling o.k. about that.  And my big wish is for our house in Louisville to sell :-\  What a load off our minds (and wallet) that will be!  

I've been doing my yearly review, and Tarot journaling.  My card for this year (using Mary Greer's system for calculating) is The Hanged One (or the Tree, in the Gaian Tarot, the deck I use most). Stoked about just surrendering to flow and seeing how things go, and enjoying a new perspective.  I also enjoy checking out this site each year and finding my number; I'm in a 3 year.  Which I think resonates well with The Tree. Anyone else working with Tarot for the year ahead?

Healing vibes to all who are sick <3

[vydalea]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaydove 

Speaking of babies - for months, I've been having nightmares about getting accidently pregnant! Sometimes its catching the first pp egg, most of the time its DH's vascetomy failing a year after he gets it. He hasn't had one yet but thats what we plan on doing. He tends to be in the 3% that has complications from anything like drugs or surgeries and vas do have a failure rate. We only want one! I tend to think dreams have meaning but I'm probably just processing worries.

I am with you. We are a one baby family by choice.  Luckily I have never had any baby dreams and if I did I would FREAK OUT as my dreams are usually spot on with pregnancy.  aiyiyi!

Originally Posted by Valerie.Qc 

Happy New Year! 

We celebrated in our beds instead of with friends... the 4 of us are sick and the other families also had sickness... It's been a few days of very slow pace...

Still sick... 

Dh is also sick... but he's braving the cold air and fighting a fire as I'm writing this post. No clue when he'll come back... Might spend all night fighting... I've clean the tub so he can have a hot bath when he does come home. 

Still trying to figure out my Word of the Year... 

I'm so sorry everyone is just so sick in your house!  YUCK!    I hope everyone is feeling better soon!  Maybe your word should be HEALTH!  ha.

Originally Posted by DaughterOfKali 

Cold/cough is still lingering.  I'm super tired this morning.  Not sure what's up with that.  

Such a busy week ahead. 

And I hope you and DS are feeling better!  Bah!  Everyone in this area seems to be getting this 24 nasty stomach bug.  I would like to keep Z out of school until... spring (!) just to keep from having it!  She goes back tomorrow.  

Originally Posted by siddal 

I'm setting the bar pretty low for 2013, with my main goals being to take care of the girls, to get healthy (lose the baby weight), and to focus on my Tarot practice and spiritual path.  I would love to be doing more artwork and writing, but I'm finally accepting that that is going to have to come later, and I think I'm at a place of feeling o.k. about that.  

I've been doing my yearly review, and Tarot journaling.  My card for this year (using Mary Greer's system for calculating) is The Hanged One (or the Tree, in the Gaian Tarot, the deck I use most). Stoked about just surrendering to flow and seeing how things go, and enjoying a new perspective.  I also enjoy checking out this site each year and finding my number; I'm in a 3 year.  Which I think resonates well with The Tree. Anyone else working with Tarot for the year ahead?

Good for you for being so zen about your upcoming year and flowing with the new life you've got with the girlies.  That is not easy and I don't think you're giving yourself enough credit -- "setting the bar low" 

Pretty cool site, thanks for sharing.  I am in an 8 year which totally follows my "release" intention so I'm loving that.  I also pulled a Goddess card that was Sige "Quiet" - and I think that also follows my word so I feel like I'm getting a lot of confirmation that I made the right choice.  

[crazyms]

Maia- that's neat about the word. I'll have to think about mine then. t that birth must have been terrifying but it's definitely great your baby is here. My first was standard epi hospital but no issues, ds was a forceps birth from oxygen loss, and dd2 i wanted a home birth but ended up with a hypertension caused induction. No happy birth but healthy babies so I'm happy lol. Anymore word on the house or M?

Siddal- twin girls! Wow i can't imagine twins I'm sure it's amazing.

Vydalea- it's great you're getting confirmation of your choice. Hopefully it's a sign of a good year ahead.


Still sick here but we seem to be a little better today so hopefully it's passing. At least i have a good excuse to relax lol

[Maiasaura]

Originally Posted by crazyms Maia- that's neat about the word. I'll have to think about mine then. t that birth must have been terrifying but it's definitely great your baby is here. My first was standard epi hospital but no issues, ds was a forceps birth from oxygen loss, and dd2 i wanted a home birth but ended up with a hypertension caused induction. No happy birth but healthy babies so I'm happy lol. Anymore word on the house or M?
Siddal- twin girls! Wow i can't imagine twins I'm sure it's amazing.
Vydalea- it's great you're getting confirmation of your choice. Hopefully it's a sign of a good year ahead.
Still sick here but we seem to be a little better today so hopefully it's passing. At least i have a good excuse to relax lol

It was terrifying-- it's a long story, but the short of it is when I woke up, I didn't even know where I was or what I was there for. Or anything about a baby. All of a sudden I realized "OMG, my baby! Is he OK?" and he was, but it was a cytotec birth and I didn't know for years that he could have died, I could have died, I could have ended up with a ruptured uterus...there was a class action a couple years after he was born, but because I didn't have any of those things happen, I couldn't get in on it I didn't care about money, but I wanted my name down as trying to stop that damn drug from being used for births, and help other families.

My boy is now going to be 12 on the 31st and he's almost as tall as me! (Which isn't saying much-- I'm 5'-- but he is only 12).

M is good! He's home! He got released yesterday. It's so good to just be with him and not have to call a dang hallway phone and only have a couple of minutes. He sounds great. Now he has to get un-lazy and get that dang health care proxy for me. He was too concerned with his car and apt and all that, to do it before he left the hospital-- now it's probably going to be a pain to get. But the thought that his dd could withhold access to me if she gets a bug up her butt-- which she does, frequently-- that girl really does have anger issues-- really had him nervous. One thing at a time, though.

Also, DS went back to school today. It is SO NICE to have a quiet house all to myself!

[vydalea]

Okay, mamas, I know you can't catch anything over the internet but COME ON!  I'm getting sick now!  What the heck?  It seems to be the start of an ear infection which I am combating with warm compresses, vitamin C, and warm tea.  Supposed to go celebrate DH's birthday tomorrow evening with dinner and the Hobbit so I am hoping this feels better.  I can't imagine a movie theatre + ear infection would be comfortable.  

How is everyone else feeling?  

Maiasaura!  Hooray for M being home!!  Is he still feeling well? 

---

 Happy Birthday to your DS on the 31st!  Any big plans for 12?  That seems like such an important year.  My cousin turned 12 this year (our dads are 15 years apart so the spacing is odd between their kids) and for some reason I feel like this year is a rite of passage on some level.  She is starting to see the world through more grown up eyes.   

 

I don't know how to get rid of the horizontal line I just put up there.  It's not there for any reason, just so everyone knows. haha.

[Maiasaura]

Originally Posted by vydalea Maiasaura!  Hooray for M being home!!  Is he still feeling well? 

---

 Happy Birthday to your DS on the 31st!  Any big plans for 12?  That seems like such an important year.  My cousin turned 12 this year (our dads are 15 years apart so the spacing is odd between their kids) and for some reason I feel like this year is a rite of passage on some level.  She is starting to see the world through more grown up eyes.   

Ugh, feel better, you! Garlic oil in the ear, slightly warmed, feels good.

Yes, M sounds back to normal Turns out we were both afraid this would be permanent. Oh, and his brother, not his dd, has his health care proxy, yay! But J is not all that patient with other people and their foibles (gross understatement!) so I think I still want proxy. But J is WAY, way better than his dd, for a choice. I feel OK with a bit of delay, now.

No, ds wants his best school friend over for a pizza party and overnight, for his birthday. It's what he's done for the last 3 years, including this one coming up. He also has a best friend that's a girl, and I'm gonna try to arrange something with them, too. She's never included with his boy-things and now that he's older, he doesn't want people to know she's his best friend They have had a love-hate relationship forever, but they've been best buds since they were 4.

I'm kind of glad he doesn't want a big to-do-- my house is way too small to handle more than one boy over, now that they're so big. I actually have the money this year to rent a place (gym, pizza parlor, Chuck E. Cheese) but he doesn't want to. OK by me! Though, I have to say, I am worried about his lack of friends, which is what I think is fueling this.

[crazyms]

Maia- so glad to hear M is home and doing better. Happy birthday to the boy too! Sounds like fun hanging out with his buddy

Vydalea- sorry! Hope you feel better quickly

We're still sick ugh. We were feeling better today though so hopefully it's almost over

[DaughterOfKali]

Sorry to those still sick.  This has been a nasty season for illness around the world so far (according to the news.)

I'm feeling better (occasional cough/nose blowing.)  My son recovered way faster than I did, which is a HUGE surprise since he's the one with an immune deficiency!

I've been having trouble focusing on things. (mind, not eyesight)

Hey, I just realized something.  It's 9am and I think my son is still sleeping!  I heard some noise from his room about 15 minutes ago but it's quiet again.  My floors are super squeaky so if I get up to go check on him, I know it'll wake him.

[LilPenguinMama]

The word for the year that came to mind was acceptance. I checked the numerology site mentioned above and came up with the number nine -- which is very accurate. I am trying to find my place and come to terms with the past. Right now I am searching for community and trying to resolve personal identity. It is challenging for me because I identify with some aspects of Catholicism, but also with Paganism. Perhaps it is because many of the parts of ritual in Catholicism were lifted from much earlier roots?
From Samhain on this year, I was more consistent with weekly smudging, clearing my altar, and thanking my stones and crystals for their hard work. Still, it is yet to be as consistent a practice as I would like.
In tarot, I'm working with a Thoth deck. I only did readings for others last year, and then only when asked, and if the cards felt warm to the touch.
I'm interested in the idea of doing a daily pull or card to focus on to learn more.

This year I just need to accept where I am, and the unusualness of my belief system (which I haven't entirely figured out myself).

[Maiasaura]

Originally Posted by LilPenguinMama 

The word for the year that came to mind was acceptance. I checked the numerology site mentioned above and came up with the number nine -- which is very accurate. I am trying to find my place and come to terms with the past. Right now I am searching for community and trying to resolve personal identity. It is challenging for me because I identify with some aspects of Catholicism, but also with Paganism. Perhaps it is because many of the parts of ritual in Catholicism were lifted from much earlier roots?
From Samhain on this year, I was more consistent with weekly smudging, clearing my altar, and thanking my stones and crystals for their hard work. Still, it is yet to be as consistent a practice as I would like.
In tarot, I'm working with a Thoth deck. I only did readings for others last year, and then only when asked, and if the cards felt warm to the touch.
I'm interested in the idea of doing a daily pull or card to focus on to learn more.
This year I just need to accept where I am, and the unusualness of my belief system (which I haven't entirely figured out myself).

Acceptance is a good word. Being in recovery, I hear it a lot But the key, I think, is this: Remember that acceptance does not necessarily mean approval. Knowing that really helps me sometimes.

My man is Catholic, penguinmama. I grew up Episcopalian, which I just found out a couple years ago is Catholic-Lite. I love the high pageantry of those religions, and I think Christianity in its pure form is beautiful. Just....I can't grasp the One Male God thing. I feel Catholic when I go to Mass, and I feel Episcopalian when I'm in that church, but I am very much Pagan. So...I guess I kind of practice a dual faith. Sort of.

Go google "slacker Paganism"-- I found that one article helped me SO MUCH. Relieved a lot of guilt over not having the "perfect practice".