Speaking of Jesus... has anyone here read the Maeve Chronicles? I recently finished The Passion of Mary Magdalene and it was EXCELLENT. I wish it was non-fiction, seriously. It was so incredible and I really delight in any paganized version of the life of Jesus. ;)
Speaking of Jesus... has anyone here read the Maeve Chronicles? I recently finished The Passion of Mary Magdalene and it was EXCELLENT. I wish it was non-fiction, seriously. It was so incredible and I really delight in any paganized version of the life of Jesus. ;)
No, but thanks for the book recs! I love Mary. And I will have to read those!
Sounds like some good reading.
Wolfcat, I think you have a good point about people being cautious about identifiying as "Hindu". (Wasn't that word originally invented by the British Raj anyway, since they couldn't be bothered to keep track of all the different spiritual paths in India?)
That being said, there are several Afro-Caribbean trads in which "Hindu" spirits are served along with the others (mostly the areas which were colonies of Britain, or which had a lot of South Asian immigrants at some point). Guyana, Jamaica and Trinidad are three places I'm thinking of where this happens - apparently, in Trinidad, it's not uncommon for Lakshmi, Oshun and St. Philomena to all show up at the same ceremony!
Mainly, I was just interested in whether any of the Pagans here who work with Shiva were doing anything for his feast day (I think it's March 10?), and if so, what.
I'm really glad your husband is getting the medical care he needs. I can also sympathize about being nervous re: bringing young kids to a camping event. We're trying to decide whether to bring Annamaria to Free Spirit Gathering this year. (That would be cabins with hot water and electricity, but dealing with diapers, sleeping arrangements, etc. seems daunting...)
Maiasaura, I'm glad you enjoyed hearing more about Vodou! :) There's another thread going on in the Spirituality forum, something like "Pagan with a Catholic DH" - that's your situation, right? I posted more about Vodou, and some of its Catholic influences, over there.
Jasmine violet syrup is just those flavored syrups like you can buy at ritzy coffee shops - we mixed the jasmine and violet flavors together. I think you could definitely add them to tea! And we put the offerings on a "Tableau loa" we have for this spirit (Vodouisants don't call them "altars" - just like we don't "worship" the spirits, we "serve" them.) This particular table is full of pink and sparkly things...
Our challenge now is babyproofing our various tables - even though Annamaria has mostly just stared in wonder at them so far, that toddler impulse could strike at any second. I'd be interested in getting tips from other parents of toddlers who've kept altar-ish setups in their home.
WRT a "Jesus Loves Me" balloon, I would probably take it, but if I had a Sharpie with me, I'd be tempted to add (in smaller print) "And Legba Does Too" ...
Heartland is a five-day, tent-camping event with guests and bonfires. It's also clothing optional. I'm worried about taking the kids because they are both pretty high maintenance. Dd is not yet potty trained, so diapers and pota-johns are less then thrilling. Ds is on the autism spectrum. I use this opportunity to network with big-nosed pagans (the guest speakers & performers) and having the kids will definitely put a damper on it. Plus we kinda use this event as our big getting away from the kids thing.
Where I get all my experience camping with littles is at PSG, the annual Pagan Spirit Gathering. It's 8 days and also clothing-optional. My ds has very, very severe ADHD and it was a challenge when he was little, but there was no way I was not going to go, so, like we all do in any parenting situation...I winged it 
And, I am a single mom, so, well, creativity is paramount. And also practicing acceptance. Instead of wishing I could go to the 300 workshops and rituals, and resenting my boy and my situation, I was happy to get to ONE ritual and ONE workshop the whole week. Which, with 900 other people there, wasn't all that hard to do.
When he was in-arms, I wore him in a sling or backpack.
When he was a little older, those, plus a jogging stroller (PSG didn't have anything paved).
People are pretty respectful as to clothing or not-clothing. It isn't this big sex-fest because people could be nude, or semi-nude. I'm sure there's plenty of sex going on, but it's something that I wasn't looking for or involved in, so I never saw any in the ten years I went.
I had ds on a leash and harness till he was 3 anyway, because he had this lovely habit of running off into traffic and thinking it was funny. And I could NOT catch him. So at PSG, in order to set up my tent, I just extrapolated that out and got a screw-in dog stake and a 20-foot lead, and hooked THAT onto ds's leash. He had a ball and a wide range to play and I knew I was not going to find him face-down in the pond. People thought it was hilarious, and I didn't catch any shit for it, and if I had, I would have gotten really cocky and said "YOU set up my tent, then, or YOU watch him while I do" 
Dipes camping are not any more of a deal than they are at home. Unless you do cloth, and I have seen people do that camping-- I was no way going to be one of them. I used 'sposies. Oh, for potty-- this is brilliant, I think! At Sam's Club one year (bet you could find such on Freecycle) I got a 2-1/2 gallon bucket, half the size of those big ones, that originally held dishwasher powder soap. A kid's potty ring with the foam, those comfy ones? For the toilet? Fits EXACTLY on this bucket. We keep it in the tent, in a corner, behind the Rubbermaid tubs of clothing and stuff, for night time, and we empty it out every morning. Because of potty training, sure, but because *I* am not getting up in the night to find a bathroom Nor could I, as a single mom, leave my ds alone in the tent for that long.
But, it's easy. It's more about wrapping your mind around a different way. But if you want to keep it sans kids, I dunno...grandparents?
Mainly, I was just interested in whether any of the Pagans here who work with Shiva were doing anything for his feast day (I think it's March 10?), and if so, what.
(That would be cabins with hot water and electricity, but dealing with diapers, sleeping arrangements, etc. seems daunting...)
Maiasaura, I'm glad you enjoyed hearing more about Vodou! :) There's another thread going on in the Spirituality forum, something like "Pagan with a Catholic DH" - that's your situation, right?
Jasmine violet syrup is just those flavored syrups like you can buy at ritzy coffee shops
Our challenge now is babyproofing our various tables - even though Annamaria has mostly just stared in wonder at them so far, that toddler impulse could strike at any second. I'd be interested in getting tips from other parents of toddlers who've kept altar-ish setups in their home.
I can ask my friend if she'll be doing anything. I don't think she does, but I can ask.
Sleeping arrangements-- I co-slept with ds till he was like 7yo. In a cabin I would suffer the tiny bed and put him near the wall with me on the outside, OR, him on the outside and bring the net-thingy that you put to keep a child from falling out. In the tent, I had a queen air mattress and made it up just like a bed. Opened the sleeping bag for a comfy bottom layer, and then brought regular sheets and blankets. I used those sheet garters to keep the bottom sheet on. When ds was really little, this is where I discovered what those turtleneck long sleeved onesies were for! He'd get all warm and toasty on his legs, but his arms he kept out and his neck was nice and warm, with the long sleeves and turtle neck.
Those syrups sound amazing. Please tell me they aren't made of sweetener! 
I only use stevia and erythritol.
I have a "stealth altar" on my stove back. It looks like seasonal decorations. Toddler altars-- you have to keep yours WAY UP HIGH for a couple years now! But have a "nature table" where she can play with what's on there. Sort of a kid-altar. This gets her used to the idea, too.
Yes, that is my situation-- dh is Catholic. We get along fine. I was brought up Episcopalian, so, Catholic-lite and he has a whole lot more Pagan tendencies than I would ever tell him about
Here is what my friend said:
"Naw, I am more a devotee of Vishnu and Lakshmi myself...ya know <my son's> middle name is Vishnu...Vishnu has always been a favorite God of mine. Lakshmi more recently. I do LOVE the nayma Shiva chant....and I have a painting I did and a tapestry I got in India of Lord Shiva..but I don't really do His festivals, normally."
HTH!
Lighting one in my mind, revolting. Just burnt the sh*t out of my hand on bacon grease so no no no fire for me. Sending sticky baby vibes for you.
So fustrating.... I have had a few souls come and go far too quickly, I couldn't imagine my provider taking forever to tell me results on such important tests!!!
Oh I am envisioning good results and an earth side dweller from your womb sometime soon for you!!! I see a belly growing and knowing lots of kicks and jobs I will light my candle for silent mamas waiting to steward life into this world like you, that I have on my altar later tonight when I get home.
Thanks for getting back to me, Maiasaura! PSG sounds a lot like a larger version of Free Spirit Gathering, which is the one we attend in MD.
Good advice about managing expectations of how many rits and workshops we'll be able to attend, let alone lead. (For contrast, pre-child, we had one FSG where we co-led SIX workshops AND one ritual... that sure ain't happening no more.)
FSG has cabins with twin beds that can be pushed together in different ways. At home, we mostly cosleep on a kingsize futon on the floor. I wonder if they make kingsize air mattresses, and if we could put one atop two twin beds... then I'd worry about A falling out, though, so maybe we'd need bedrails too... well, we've got a few months to figure this out! :)
I'm sorry, those are sugar syrups (Monin) I was talking about. The spirit we gave them to would accept nothing less! ;) They make sugarfree versions, but I think those have Splenda in them.
Some of our loa tables (the ones with the really delicate objects) will move into locked armoires or closets for a couple of years. (FTR, a lot of Haitian-American Vodouisants do this anyway -- they don't want their landlord/Bible-thumping relative/rival mambo/whatever seeing their Vodou stuff and trying to "fix" or mess with it.)
Revolting, I'm keeping you in my thoughts! In my experience, with test results, if it's "bad", they call you right away -- the fact you haven't heard anything is probably a GOOD sign. But I appreciate your wanting the closure (I've had a loss myself).
Thanks for getting back to me, Maiasaura! PSG sounds a lot like a larger version of Free Spirit Gathering, which is the one we attend in MD.
Good advice about managing expectations of how many rits and workshops we'll be able to attend, let alone lead. (For contrast, pre-child, we had one FSG where we co-led SIX workshops AND one ritual... that sure ain't happening no more.) I seriously felt like I had to back down a bit when we did our first year as a family. I do like when there is stuff we can do as a family, but it is so nice to let my hair down!!! :-)
FSG has cabins with twin beds that can be pushed together in different ways. At home, we mostly cosleep on a kingsize futon on the floor. I wonder if they make kingsize air mattresses, and if we could put one atop two twin beds... then I'd worry about A falling out, though, so maybe we'd need bedrails too... well, we've got a few months to figure this out! :) We took the mattresses off the bed and made a bigger bed for us all to share on the floor one year. Also prehaps you could get a "egg crate" topper? As for falling out, could the kiddos be in the middle for the week? ugh not the best solution but perhaps could work?
All this talk of gatherings has me sad since we wont be going to one of our favorites this year because it is right when I am due! It comes down to $$ really bc I don't want to pay to go with the chance I might go into labor there. The place would be a hoot to give birth at (and like 20 midwives attend it and there are MDs there) but the otherside is all the $$ I am dishing out for a midwife.... ugh. DH was thinking about maybe getting a weekend pass for him and DD to go up for some of the big community rituals, but feels funny since it is more my thing than his.... he just likes to come along with me :-)
I will want full reports after the season starts 
I will have to live through others... I will do one gathering this summer if it actually happens and isn't too far away but not until August.
FSG has cabins with twin beds that can be pushed together in different ways.
Or, you could put two beds together, make them up like a king, and sleep sideways on them, so the crack between mattresses isn't longways, but sideways. Or, you could put the mattresses on the floor, but they'd probably slide apart easier that way.
All this talk of gatherings has me sad since we wont be going to one of our favorites this year because it is right when I am due!
When are you due?
One year at PSG, I remember this young woman that was SO pregnant, everyone thought she was gonna pop there. She was like within a week of her due date on either side. And she was severely dehydrated-- nearly fell out on a couple of occasions. Everyone was following her around with water. She was seriously being so irresponsible it was pissing people off. There's a ton of midwives at PSG, too. Everybody was mad at that chick! PSG in midsummer can top 105* in the shade, though that's not usual. Ye Gods.
Thanks everyone for the support. The tests didn't find much, so now there's nothing to do but pray.
Sorry for your loss, glasses! So interesting that that's kind of normal amoung Vodouisants. Are you Hatian-American?
Maia, you are making me nervous about going to PSG pregnant! I'm thinking about going this year just for the weekend, just me, no kids. I live pretty close...close enough I could leave after my partner got home from work on Friday and still arrive before the gates closed. I've never left them for a whole weekend though...my husband has never even had them solo overnight. And I've never been to a big Pagan gathering...and going by myself makes me a little nervous, too. Are you going this year?
Vy: Instead of taking showers, have you thought about bathing with sea salt? On Disney princesses, I think some are better than others. I don't mind Tiana from the Princess and the Frog. I know it's Pixar, but I really liked Merida from Brave, which is also a princess movie.
I dunno, vydalea, about the negative energy....sounds like you are doing everything you can. Have you done a mirror spell? I "erect" a concave mirror all around me...remember that little kid rhyme (which I think is really a spell ) "I'm rubber, you're glue. Whatever you say bounces off of me and sticks to you".
That was me, with the potty 
I'm so glad I'm originally from up north where (IME) people aren't nutty with religion. I've been in the south since 1988 and it STILL galls me how "In Yo' Face" people are with it.
Maia, you are making me nervous about going to PSG pregnant! I'm thinking about going this year just for the weekend, just me, no kids. I live pretty close...close enough I could leave after my partner got home from work on Friday and still arrive before the gates closed. I've never left them for a whole weekend though...my husband has never even had them solo overnight. And I've never been to a big Pagan gathering...and going by myself makes me a little nervous, too. Are you going this year?
Oh, man, I wasn't trying to make you nervous! My point was that chick was being uber irresponsible. She was basically refusing to take care of herself and pshaw-ing every suggestion that she needed to. As long as you drink tons of water, you'll be fine. They have water and Gatorade stations every here and there, for free. Just drink up every time you see one, and bring your own refillable bottle. Bring one that has a wide mouth where the top screws on, so you can add ice.
No, I'm not going. I haven't been since 2009. DS was 7 that year, and he has got extreme behavioral issues that seem to be getting worse as he gets older (ADHD). That year, we camped with people that we hadn't met in person before, but for weeks ahead were getting to know one another online. DS had some pretty bad behavior, I did, too, and some of the people we camped with took it upon themselves to decide I am an abusive mom, and called DSS in my home state, from THEIR home state, on the way home AFTER the gathering. Two days after I got home, didn't even start to unpack yet, got a visit from the social services lady 
After a two hour visit, she said "I see nothing but a loving home here"-- which, of course she did! I spank sometimes. So deal with it. But the people who called, they don't, and so saw my behavior as over the top. Also, they are a triad parent dynamic and had DSS called on THEM the prior year-- I have a hard time believing anyone who goes through that would ever, ever call on someone else, but whatever 
AND, nobody said a word to me whilst there. I had no suspicions whatever that people were concerned. And there are a number of channels to go through AT PSg before one goes to the last extreme and calls authorities. Nobody had bothered. So, needless to say, I am too nervous to go there for a good while. I can't trust ds's behavior and I don't want to micro-manage. I want to go to some workshops and rituals alone, which I could do much easier when he was a little one than I can now. I really miss it, though
Don't worry, mama. You will be fine. I went my first time alone and pregnant, and I came from 11-1/2 hours away (before stops)! Going somewhere I had never been. It's all good.
Yeah, if my daughter goes through a princess phase, I plan to point out that Princess Leia and Wonder Woman are both princesses too! And that real-life princesses spend a lot of time doing charity work and "giving back" to society.
Revolting, I will keep thinking of you. Every week you're pregnant improves your chances, right?
I appreciate your condolences. TBH, that was not a good time in my life to have a baby - when I got pregnant again in 2011, my spouse and I were closer, more financially stable, and had MUCH better health insurance...
My midwives (for the second pregnancy) were okay with my going to FSG, as long as I stayed in the shade and didn't lift anything heavy (I had a marginal placenta previa at the time - thankfully it moved up later on). I know you have mixed feelings about your current practice, revolting, but have you discussed your festival plans with them?
I am not Haitian-American, but my godparents are. Our societe is pretty ethnically diverse. (Some other Vodou houses reserve initiation for Haitians only, or people of African heritage only; that's just the way they prefer to run things - again, there is no "Pope of Vodou"...)
Amlikam and Maiasaura, thanks for the camping tips! You're both making this seem a lot more feasible, so I really appreciate it. :)
Maia, yikes on the PSG drama fest. I don't plan to use physical punishment with Annamaria - but I also understand that children with needs like ADHD, might require discipline techniques that seem "less gentle" if one doesn't know the reasons behind them. (And who knows what my daughter might be like when she's 7 years old?)
In other news, we found a drop-in playspace this weekend that I really liked! It's at our former YWCA, which renamed itself "The Connection" to be more inclusive. :D They offer yoga and healthy cooking classes, too... I'm going to see if we qualify for a moderate-income discount on membership.
And A had another great checkup today - she's now 90th percentile on height, 70th on weight, and hitting all milestones. After Lent is over, I want to make an offering to her spirits for her ongoing development and good health...
Psst... I couldn't wait another day. Here's the March thread:
http://www.mothering.com/community/t/1375604/pagan-families-marching-into-spring
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