/*\ February Pagan Family Thread /*\

[SaguaroMoon]

Hello all!

Happy Imbolc to all that celebrate it!

[vydalea]

BLESSED IMBOLC!  

This week was insane - doing our celebrating tomorrow.  I could not maintain today!! haha.  

[Maiasaura]

Ye Gods, February already?

Tomorrow night is our public Imbolc ritual. I have done this one a few years in a row, and I love it!

DS has been an absolute BEAST today. Beast, I tell you. I sent him to his room and there he will stay. I have had quite enough. Tomorrow and Sunday better be better, or he will have hell to pay.

I started a new abstract art class today. It was fun! I think it's the first time I've ever done art (aside from when I was little) that had no pressure, no obligations, nothing attached, it wasn't a gift I was pressured into giving, isn't for a grade. Oh, and no attachment to the outcome-- it was about the process. I created an 18x24 piece of....something. In black and white. With acrylic paint and charcoal, on a background of poster board. And I like what I created!

Flossie-- somehow that was not my idea. I can't remember *how* that came about.

[amlikam]

We don't really observe imbolc though dd is excited to see what Phil says. Not sure why I am not called to do an imbolc ritual but I'll trust it.

[greenwitchymama]

Happy Imbolc!

My friend and I are taking the kids to the park for our Imbolc ritual after we make some rolled beeswax candles. We may do a Starhawk Imbolc blessing on the kids before we go and then do a quick circle at the park. Part of me hopes someone asks what we're doing and part of me doesn't... How introverted shall I be today... 

[vydalea]

Originally Posted by Maiasaura 

Ye Gods, February already?

Tomorrow night is our public Imbolc ritual. I have done this one a few years in a row, and I love it!

DS has been an absolute BEAST today. Beast, I tell you. I sent him to his room and there he will stay. I have had quite enough. Tomorrow and Sunday better be better, or he will have hell to pay.

I started a new abstract art class today. It was fun! I think it's the first time I've ever done art (aside from when I was little) that had no pressure, no obligations, nothing attached, it wasn't a gift I was pressured into giving, isn't for a grade. Oh, and no attachment to the outcome-- it was about the process. I created an 18x24 piece of....something. In black and white. With acrylic paint and charcoal, on a background of poster board. And I like what I created!

Flossie-- somehow that was not my idea. I can't remember *how* that came about.

Love hearing about your public rituals.  So very cool.  

Envious of your abstract art class.  I actually focused enough to get a piece done last month.  It was for a show, so like you said there was some attachment.  I love process art and miss, so much, taking art classes!  Maybe I will sign up for one this spring!  It's like yoga... I could do it at home, I know how and have the supplies...but I just never do unless I have a commitment to a class.  What a terd I am!!

Originally Posted by amlikam 

We don't really observe imbolc though dd is excited to see what Phil says. Not sure why I am not called to do an imbolc ritual but I'll trust it.

Always best to follow your instincts, right?  I just knew that yesterday I would begrudgingly celebrate so this evening we can totally get into it!  i just dug up some dirt from our garden, no small feat with 5 inches of permafrost.  Somehow that in itself was a beautiful ritual for me.  Knowing that beneath the surface my garden dirt is still there, slumbering, getting energy ready for spring.  You all know I am in love with my garden, right?  

Originally Posted by greenwitchymama 

Happy Imbolc!

My friend and I are taking the kids to the park for our Imbolc ritual after we make some rolled beeswax candles. We may do a Starhawk Imbolc blessing on the kids before we go and then do a quick circle at the park. Part of me hopes someone asks what we're doing and part of me doesn't... How introverted shall I be today... 

That seems to be my ever-present question.  I'm a Libra, so outgoing by nature but I also need that balance of alone, introverted time.  I always wonder when I go out in the world how I will react.  Always I am pleasant but some days I'm a bouncy ball of energy and other's I'm like a smiling pile of molasses.  I hope it was a blast and please, if you feel comfortable, share how it went!  

[Maiasaura]

Originally Posted by vydalea It's like yoga... I could do it at home, I know how and have the supplies...but I just never do unless I have a commitment to a class.  What a terd I am!!

I'm a Libra, so outgoing by nature but I also need that balance of alone, introverted time.

I am exactly the same way, though, vydalea. I have the talent, I have supplies, but I would never do art without a class. At least, right now I won't.

I'm a Scorpio. I am exactly the same. Explain that?

[philomom]

We took a snowshoeing class today! Lots of fun. Then we went and had lamb meatballs for dinner. Yum!

[DaughterOfKali]

We have flowers coming up...and there's a dusting of snow.  62 degrees one day, 22 the next.  Nature is getting confused.

[Maiasaura]

Originally Posted by philomom We took a snowshoeing class today! Lots of fun. Then we went and had lamb meatballs for dinner. Yum!

I am way too physically lazy to do something like that anymore. I think part of it is my father's insistence on us all getting up at the crack of dawn to take as much advantage of our season ski pass as possible All I wanted to do is get up lacadaisically, go to the ski place, meet boys. All my mom wanted to do was sit in the lodge by the fire. But no, we had to all get out on the slopes. Grrr. My dad and my brother loved it. I didn't mind skiing so much-- I just wanted to do it at MY pace, but my father had control issues.

I am maybe ready to try lamb again. I love gyros. Haven't had them in ages and ages. M grew up on leg of lamb. I dunno. Maybe I will try it.

Originally Posted by DaughterOfKali We have flowers coming up...and there's a dusting of snow.  62 degrees one day, 22 the next.  Nature is getting confused.

Think? I saw daffodils the other day. They are coming up in my yard, too, AND tulips, but I saw the daffodil yellow heads in someone else's yard! And it's flurrying today. Finally! But it'll be gone by tomorrow and back into the 50s again. Here in the NC mountains, spring is generally here shortly after Imbolc

Lovely ritual last night, though. Did y'all know that Brigid made it to Haiti? She had Her crone/death aspect there. The Irish women were brought to Haiti to be slaves, and right alongside the African women. It kind of got blended. She is/was a gatekeeper for cemeteries, too. Along with Her other aspects in other countries. She seems almost as far-reaching as Isis maybe!

[amlikam]

I love reading what you all are doing. Perhaps it would be good to do a ritual today/tonight with DD since DH will be going out to watch the Super Bowl. *yawn* so we will have some super home time. Though I was planning on folding laundry. Any cleaver way to tie the 2 together? ;-)
The digging up earth sounds good and I have actually been called to do it for another reason, so I could put those 2 together. Yes perhaps.

[glassesgirlnj]

Originally Posted by Maiasaura 

Think? I saw daffodils the other day. They are coming up in my yard, too, AND tulips, but I saw the daffodil yellow heads in someone else's yard! And it's flurrying today. Finally! But it'll be gone by tomorrow and back into the 50s again. Here in the NC mountains, spring is generally here shortly after Imbolc

Yes, we've had both daffodils and snow flurries for the last couple weeks!  (I think with global warming, NJ's climate is getting to be more and more like NC's was a decade ago...) 

Lovely ritual last night, though. Did y'all know that Brigid made it to Haiti? She had Her crone/death aspect there. The Irish women were brought to Haiti to be slaves, and right alongside the African women. It kind of got blended. She is/was a gatekeeper for cemeteries, too. Along with Her other aspects in other countries. She seems almost as far-reaching as Isis maybe!

Okay, as a "second degree" initiate in Haitian Vodou, may I provide a bit of feedback on this?  

This belief that St. Brigid = Maman Brijit is a controversial one among Vodou houses.  (The most public online figure who promotes this theory has a LONG history of bickering with other houngans and mambos about it... and that's ALL I'm going to say on that topic.)   

My own godmother does not subscribe to this theory, and in fact, our societe uses an image of St. Mary Magdalene (the one with the skull, where she's supposed to be mourning the death of Jesus) to represent Maman Brijit. 

That being said, I do find it interesting that Imbolc/Candlemas/February 2 is also one of the feasts of Oya, who IS the cemetery gatekeeper in a completely different African tradition (Ocha/"Santeria", not Haitian Vodou.)  But our societe does not believe that Oya and Brijit are "the same spirit with different names", either.  

Hope I'm not sounding contrary, I just saw a point where I might be able to add some content to the discussion!! 

[Maiasaura]

Well, that is interesting.

I'm not disputing any of it-- yours or theirs. I just find it interesting that Brigit found her way to Haiti, in whatever capacity. I had no idea. I had no idea she had a death guise, either. There were her normal ritualy things, but this was added this year, and different.

At least "controversial" doesn't mean "Not". Just that there are differing opinions Which is a good thing, right?

Where in NJ are you? I am originally from NJ. Do you know Denville? That's my hometown. Though it is VERY different from when I grew up there!

[glassesgirlnj]

At least "controversial" doesn't mean "Not". Just that there are differing opinions Which is a good thing, right?

Absolutely! :) We have a saying, "There is no Pope of Vodou"... however your own societe does it, is the way that's right for your societe. (What annoys me is when people - NOT you, Maiasaura - set themselves up as "Internet Vodou Experts" and INSIST that their house's way is the ONLY right one... ahem. I'm sure that happens in other spiritual paths too!!)

Where in NJ are you? I am originally from NJ. Do you know Denville? That's my hometown. Though it is VERY different from when I grew up there!

We are in Essex County. I have not been to Denville - which county is it in? How has it changed since you grew up? :)

[Maiasaura]

Originally Posted by glassesgirlnj  (What annoys me is when people - NOT you, Maiasaura - set themselves up as "Internet Vodou Experts" and INSIST that their house's way is the ONLY right one... ahem. I'm sure that happens in other spiritual paths too!!)

Where in NJ are you? I am originally from NJ. Do you know Denville? That's my hometown. Though it is VERY different from when I grew up there!

We are in Essex County. I have not been to Denville - which county is it in? How has it changed since you grew up? :)

Right? You betcha it happens in other spiritual paths. Pagan ones. What I hate is at gatherings of Pagans, I mean just about every single time I go, there is a conversation that is about What Christians Do (nicely) or just general Christian-bashing (not nicely at all). Why be Pagan and talk about Christianity?

Well, about Denville-- I am 53yo, for one, so I grew up there in the 60s and 70s. EVERYwhere is different since then, but for one-- there was an old pharmacy in the center of town-- I think it's still there, but now there is a big ol' Starbucks right across the street from it I guess-- it was this kind of Mayberry sort of place and now it's got all the modern places like GNC peppering the downtown area. Oh, it's in Morris County.

[amlikam]

Why be Pagan and talk about Christianity?

From my understanding much of euro centric paganism is the foundation of Christianity. I think as a pagan it is important to know where we have influence and where we were oppressed by it. (loosely using "we" here)
I think it is often from the Christian dominance/victim hood most people bash Christianity. I personally have shifted from bashing the religion to embracing it as another way to see divine truth and light in the world. (we have a saying in my parts "take what serves you and leave the rest").
I don't spend a lot of time regurgitating my pains from oppression in christianity now except when dealing with zealous converters who try to shame you because of not believing in their sect of Christianity. (like my grandmother, sister and her choosen mother)
Most of the time I try to just enjoy that people are using their hearts to project love into the world.


I was really popping in to say I read one of the stories from circle round last night to DD and she loved it!!! It was a good easy way to talk about imbolc with her and not be all crazy with ritual. We also did a "goddess tubby" (candles, music, glitter, bubbles....) which is one of our favorite rituals. She's getting too big (as am I) for us both to fit in the tub anymore but she does them one her own too. (would love a chance to do one by myself).

Anyhow thanks for the prompt to do something - I like adding new traditions.

[Maiasaura]

Originally Posted by amlikam 

Why be Pagan and talk about Christianity?

From my understanding much of euro centric paganism is the foundation of Christianity. I think as a pagan it is important to know where we have influence and where we were oppressed by it. (loosely using "we" here)
I think it is often from the Christian dominance/victim hood most people bash Christianity. I personally have shifted from bashing the religion to embracing it as another way to see divine truth and light in the world. (we have a saying in my parts "take what serves you and leave the rest").
I don't spend a lot of time regurgitating my pains from oppression in christianity now except when dealing with zealous converters who try to shame you because of not believing in their sect of Christianity. (like my grandmother, sister and her choosen mother)
Most of the time I try to just enjoy that people are using their hearts to project love into the world.


I was really popping in to say I read one of the stories from circle round last night to DD and she loved it!!! It was a good easy way to talk about imbolc with her and not be all crazy with ritual. We also did a "goddess tubby" (candles, music, glitter, bubbles....) which is one of our favorite rituals. She's getting too big (as am I) for us both to fit in the tub anymore but she does them one her own too. (would love a chance to do one by myself).

Anyhow thanks for the prompt to do something - I like adding new traditions.

Perfectly understandable. But that's not the kind of Christian-talk I mean...I wish I could explain better online! I guess, when I go to a Pagan event, I want to talk Goddess. Out in the rest of the world, I have no problem discussing other religions (or any other topic). I mean...I do go to Christian services sometimes, and I never hear them talking about Pagans. Ever. It's just weird, to me. When in Rome, and all that. At a Pagan event I want to be Pagan and not think about other kinds of religions.

And OH yeah, yes, ITA about <<embracing it as another way to see divine truth and light in the world>>. I do that, too.

Also I am an alkie in recovery, and in AA we use the same phrase, almost-- "take what you like, and leave the rest".

Goddess tubby! LOVE it! Oh, love it. That is just freaking awesome
I am going to have Goddess tubbies now! How do you do glitter in the tub? With the bubbles? Do you get bubbles with glitter? Where? I prefer to think of glitter as Fairy Dust I have eyeshadow with glitter, body glitter....lurve.

Edited by Maiasaura - 2/5/13 at 8:03am

[amlikam]

Originally Posted by Maiasaura 

Goddess tubby! LOVE it! Oh, love it. That is just freaking awesome
I am going to have Goddess tubbies now! How do you do glitter in the tub? With the bubbles? Do you get bubbles with glitter? Where? I prefer to think of glitter as Fairy Dust I have eyeshadow with glitter, body glitter....lurve.   - we sprinkle the glitter aka fairy dust over the bubbles (only because we use this natural bubble bath stuff so finding it with glitter would be near impossible). Sometimes when we want to clean a mess we add herbs and flowers to the tubby as well.

I kind of get just wanting to be a pagan, I go to several pagan gatherings and find most of the talk regarding christianity to be an augmentation to the conversation. I also attend UU services and Sufi Universal Worships - and often I hear reference to the Goddess tradition or Pagan traditions during the services.... 

[revolting]

Originally Posted by greenwitchymama 

Happy Imbolc!

My friend and I are taking the kids to the park for our Imbolc ritual after we make some rolled beeswax candles. We may do a Starhawk Imbolc blessing on the kids before we go and then do a quick circle at the park. Part of me hopes someone asks what we're doing and part of me doesn't... How introverted shall I be today... 

So did anyone ask?

I'm pretty introverted and as much as I like to gab about religion with like-minded individuals, unless I know others feel the same way, I like to keep it pretty private.

Originally Posted by amlikam 

I was really popping in to say I read one of the stories from circle round last night to DD and she loved it!!! It was a good easy way to talk about imbolc with her and not be all crazy with ritual. We also did a "goddess tubby" (candles, music, glitter, bubbles....) which is one of our favorite rituals. She's getting too big (as am I) for us both to fit in the tub anymore but she does them one her own too. (would love a chance to do one by myself).

Anyhow thanks for the prompt to do something - I like adding new traditions.

That sounds lovely. What music did you use? My husband has banned glitter from the house. He calls it, "fairy sh!t." Okay, okay, I will admit that sometimes the crafts in our house that involve glitter end up with glitter all over the house and even though it's been a month since we last used glitter, I still find glitter on stuff...

When we redo the bathroom, I've decided that we will get a huge bathtub even though it'll mean tearing down a wall to expand the bathroom. I have two kids in the bathtub with me all the time (not comfortably but my kids wouldn't bathe at all if I didn't let them in my bath), and even once I no longer have littles in the house, I'd love to comfortably fit in the bathtub with my partner. I love love love baths and water...if only I could convince my husband to let me have a swimming pool...

We've had light snows, but this was our first snow this year with enough snow to go sledding! (Yup, Imbolc is definitely the middle of winter here!) Too bad my almost three year old is not a fan of sledding. He much rather shovel snow into his dump truck so he can dump it all on my shoveled driveway. Ha.

Waiting to test to see if I'm pregnant. Not being very chill about it. We've been trying for almost a year, and with all the losses, I find it difficult to resist obsessing.

Already thinking about our vernal equinox celebration. It's one of my favorite holidays. I can't wait!

[amlikam]

Originally Posted by revolting 

That sounds lovely. What music did you use? I have a mix of all kinds of music, mostly a bunch of Kellianna, Shawana Carol, Shining Wheel Pagan Chorus, Sweet Honey and the Rock, Drumming, the Nields, .... really ecclectic! My husband has banned glitter from the house. He calls it, "fairy sh!t." We refer to it as the herpes of the art world... and have come to terms with it being lots of unexpected places.....

When we redo the bathroom, I've decided that we will get a huge bathtub even though it'll mean tearing down a wall to expand the bathroom. I have two kids in the bathtub with me all the time (not comfortably but my kids wouldn't bathe at all if I didn't let them in my bath), and even once I no longer have littles in the house, I'd love to comfortably fit in the bathtub with my partner. I love love love baths and water...if only I could convince my husband to let me have a swimming pool...  I would love a large tub too, I had an above ground pool as a kid. one year my dad got a bonus/retro pay or maybe a settlement from an accident he was in.... and asked us all if we wanted to take a vaction (because we never had taken one) or if we wanted to get a pool. All of us kids agreed POOL!!!! I do however have a claw food tub so bigger than the standard tub for sure!!

We've had light snows, but this was our first snow this year with enough snow to go sledding! (Yup, Imbolc is definitely the middle of winter here!) Too bad my almost three year old is not a fan of sledding. He much rather shovel snow into his dump truck so he can dump it all on my shoveled driveway. Ha.  I really wish we had more snow here!!!

Waiting to test to see if I'm pregnant. Not being very chill about it. We've been trying for almost a year, and with all the losses, I find it difficult to resist obsessing.  Best of luck, I've been there before. Sometimes I still get balled up with fear that maybe this bean wont stick. Certainly a hard process of trust ans surrender. Funny I didn't know what would be worse a negative test or a positive one when testing this time around.

Already thinking about our vernal equinox celebration. It's one of my favorite holidays. I can't wait!  I do enjoy it as well, so much promise and renewal... all the life growing from the "death" cycle.  And milk and eggs at the farm again....