~*~May Pagan Mamas Circle~*~ - Page 24

[GoldBerry]

wow, Wombatclay, I'm really sorry. That sounds like a bad situation.

If it was me- I would pick up the trash and fix the fence. I'm super non-confrontational and that is not always a good thing.

Here is a four corners protection ritual. This might be helpful as well.

Lady luck!

[13moons]

Geez, wombatclay, that sucks. I had to read your post twice and the first time I read it, I thought you said that you had told your dh to mind his own business when he tried to welcome them, but then when I reread it, I saw that you said they told him to mind his own business. Nice. While the littering is annoying and the bad manners are, well, bad manners, those things I would just amount to people never being taught a better way to do things and I would just go on setting a good example. Smile and nod if you see them(subtle greetings that they can choose to ignore if they want), pick up the litter if it's in your space--I'd try and ignore it if it isn't as that will only create more problems. Kind of that catch more flies with honey thing, you know? The thing that worries me about the situation is the not-so-thinly veiled threat and the fact that you recognize one of the kids as a dealer. I don't think you are being paranoid, but just aware of a situation that could be potential dangerous to you and your family. Annoying neighbors is one thing, but unsafe is another. I know how scary it is to live someplace where you have to be constantly aware of what's going on around you and constantly hypersensitive about issues that may be harnful to your family. I think it is important that the neighborhood efforts continue and not to the exclusion of this family--is it possible they've just never been given an opportunity to do better or be a part of a community? That way, they can see that this neighborhood is keeping an eye out and trying to make a safer place and that they are welcome to help if they are so inclined. I don't know--that may be far too nicey-nice and optimistic for this situation but I like to try and give people the benefit of the doubt. More than once if need be.
But as far as the safety of your family...that is non-negotiable of course. I don't know if you like Scott Cunningham's books or not, but his book The Magical Household has tons of ideas for protecting your home: sprinkle salt throughout your home, visualizing it "creating a blanket of protective, glowing energy" and keeping danger out; cactus or aloe vera grown indoors protect against intrusions; frankincense, myrhh, pine, basil, sage (or a combination of these) and cinammon are good incenses for protection; an all-purpose protection sachet of rosemary, basil and dill in a red or white cloth tied and hung over the front door; a witch bottle with rosemary, pins and needles (or anything else that symbolizes protection to you) buried on your property or under the front porch; the list goes on. Actually he has lots more ideas in there, many of which I've seen in other books, websites, etc. too. HTH and I hope you find something that works for you and that your family stays safe. ((hugs))

[13moons]

Originally Posted by Salvia

If it was me- I would pick up the trash and fix the fence. I'm super non-confrontational and that is not always a good thing.

Non-confontational may not always be a good thing, but it sounds like in this situation where you are already dealing with potential threats and a possible drug dealer next door, it probably is best. You can be non-confrontational but still present enough that they know people are keeping an eye out for any kind of trouble in the neighborhood. Just the fact that it won't be so easy to make trouble might make it less likely that they'll try. Hopefully. Then again, maybe they really don't intend to make trouble and are just inconsiderate people.

ETA: That was a general "you" , not directed at you, Salvia.

[zavierchick]

wombatclay- that sounds like a icky situation to be in! I second the Magical Household suggestion- i sure wish i had other ideas for you, too, though my first thought as i was reading was "move!" but i definitely understand putting time, love and energy into your home, so in that case, being diligent about awareness of the situation seems to be your best course, for now.

[**guest**]

Wombatclay, I lived in a bad area before and I ended up giving up and moving out. I was a few houses down from the 'good', upper scale neighborhood but I was near a known drug street. I tried so many things to make things pleasant but after having my mothers car vandalized and broken into and then I was chased into my garage by thugs, I realized that my life was more important.
I understand you put a lot of work into your house and neighborhood but I smell huge trouble. I mean, stabbings and a shooting? Not good.
I would seriously think about getting a new home.

Sorry about what you are going through.


Liz

[mamaofthree]

A little rant: I have to say that being scared out of yoru neighborhood, just chaps my butt. I have no idea what else to do, but just the thought that people can make it so hard for you to live in your space just makes me so angry!
OK, I was feeling very unsafe in our space (general world worries) and I made a witch bottle and put it near the front door. I took a mason jar, put nails in it, along with some protective herbs (from a Cunningham book), and then charged it with good thoughts and energy. I feel better knowing it is there.
Good luck, be safe. I second the idea of not being confrunational, and if you do block things (like parties, or meetings) make sure they feel invited.
It can be so hard living on the edge of the good side of town and the bad side of town. Just a few blocks north of us are homes that go for 1/2 a million dollars and more, and just behind us are the nastiest, run down houses you would care to see. We are stuck right in the middle. UGH!

H

[wombatclay]

Thanks mamas! I'd forgotten about the Cunningham books...I've got the household one somewhere in the attic so I'll dig it out tomorrow once it's light. And thanks for those sites Salvia...there's some good info there! And thank you all for letting me share.

I really want to believe that the initial "rude" response was just a case of being cranky about moving (I know moving drives me nutsy) and the initial littering from maybe not having lived in areas where people care about their space (and today's litter/fence being knocked down maybe the reaction of your average 14 or 15 year old to being "caught" misbehaving yesterday). I'm 100% on the side of catching flies with honey, and although I try to be very up-front with people (since it bothers me when people don't let me know what they expect and then later on get upset because I haven't done what they wanted!) I'm also pretty non-confrontational by nature. I picked up the trash, put the fence back up, and am planning on inviting the new neighbors over for a backyard BBQ once the weather warms up (it SNOWED today!). Sort of a "welcome to the neighborhood, would you like to come to the next neighborhood watch meeting" thing, you know?

We've lived in this house for 3 years...we bought it with the assistance of a "low income home owner" program and if we leave within 5 years we have to pay a pretty steep penalty, so besides all the effort we've put into this place we really can't afford to sell. Especially while the neighborhood is "slumping" again... My parents live about half an hour away on a few acres in the country. They'd like us to rent out this house and move in with them. It has a certain attraction, but we'd need a more reliable car in order to get to work (no mass transit out there) and my parents are fundamentalist Catholics and one of the "rules" of their house is that under their roof, nothing contrary to Catholicism is discussed or practiced. So while I respect their wishes, it makes for an un-comfy living environment for Dh and I!

Gah!

Well, it's no use dwelling on the negative...time to work on getting that positive energy out there! Thanks again mamas...I feel better now that I've got a list of productive things to do, even if it's just getting some witch bottle materials together (I made one years ago when I lived in NYC) and planning a BBQ.

[13moons]

Originally Posted by mamaofthree

In our neighborhood we have a few houses that have renters, some of the people who have rented are great and others are rude, messy, and just plain jerks (not sure why that is!).

That's just people. I find this to be equally as true with home owners as renters.

[mamaofthree]

Sorry, that came out sounding bad.

I have to share some good news. I am starting CBI (Childbith International) to become a childbirth educator. All my class stuff came in the mail today! Yippee! This will be a fun 2 year (or so) journey.

H

[Millie Ivy]

Salvia, LOVE the Ladyof the Lake references. I was thinking about HP mermaid as well, though!! lol

Wombat Clay- That suckity suck sucks. My first thought was "Move" as well, but if that isn't an option, your plan sounds great. Just be open to watching for signs that safety might be an issue, if it gets there. You know? If it gets better, YAY! But if it gets worse, living with fundy Catholics for a time is better than being injured or dead. Sorry if that is a bit fatalistic I want to be positive!!!

Did anyone else have a hard time posting yesterday? I was nice actually because I spent a lot less time on the pc than I usually do. I need to limit my mdc time. Seriously!!!

Any good online reading on the sabbats, etc? I have Cicle round, but I can't afford to get any other books right now, an I prefer to surf, since I am such a mutt with my beliefs. I can find nuggets here and there that I agree with, you know? So any suggestions?

BB

[HelloKitty]

About.com has a weekly e-mail "class" on the different sabbats. The actual write up they send you is small but it has some good links in there to other places for more information. I think you might be able to see all the classes at once too, I'm not sure... I got mine in a weekly e-mail.

They also have one on different herbs that is quite interesting!

[wombatclay]

mamofthree- cool news! good luck with the program!

(and oddly enough, I've recently started working with a book by Caitlin Matthews that has a meditation/reading for each day of the year...I turned the page to today and found my meditation is on "creating safety around the home"! Perfect!)

[zavierchick]

Originally Posted by Bella Babe

Salvia, LOVE the Ladyof the Lake references. I was thinking about HP mermaid as well, though!! lol

Wombat Clay- That suckity suck sucks. My first thought was "Move" as well, but if that isn't an option, your plan sounds great. Just be open to watching for signs that safety might be an issue, if it gets there. You know? If it gets better, YAY! But if it gets worse, living with fundy Catholics for a time is better than being injured or dead. Sorry if that is a bit fatalistic I want to be positive!!!

Did anyone else have a hard time posting yesterday? I was nice actually because I spent a lot less time on the pc than I usually do. I need to limit my mdc time. Seriously!!!

Any good online reading on the sabbats, etc? I have Cicle round, but I can't afford to get any other books right now, an I prefer to surf, since I am such a mutt with my beliefs. I can find nuggets here and there that I agree with, you know? So any suggestions?

BB

I at the mutt comment- what a great descriptor!

[zavierchick]

Originally Posted by mamaofthree

Sorry, that came out sounding bad.

I have to share some good news. I am starting CBI (Childbith International) to become a childbirth educator. All my class stuff came in the mail today! Yippee! This will be a fun 2 year (or so) journey.

H

very cool! congratulations!

[Pam_and_Abigail]

I accidentally hit the unsubscribe button instead of viewing the thread, so I'm posting to resubscribe

[13moons]

Originally Posted by mamaofthree

Sorry, that came out sounding bad.

mamaofthree, it's okay--I just thought I'd say something since I've seen people rant about how lousy renters are here on MDC (not here on this thread of course!) on several different occasions and didn't want to chance anyone taking it in that direction. (Not that I think any of us would--just being careful. )

Congratulations on the childbirth education program--that sounds exciting! I've thought about being a childbirth educator before (and was for my sis and her dh). Let us know how you enjoy the program!


We need to start some sort of book borrowing exchange among us since we spend so much time recommending and discussing books together!

[beemama]

We need to start some sort of book borrowing exchange among us since we spend so much time recommending and discussing books together!

I was going to ask about another stereotype... are most pagans well read? My only pagan friend IRL is a librarian and loves her books... there are 2 librarians here, the book recs are usually flying and some of you also have great writing styles of your own... what IS it about this form of spirituality & literature?

I'm thoroughly enjoying The Red Tent. It's what I've been craving. I've had 11 books on/in my nightstand- parenting, self-help, gardening... but no fiction. I just couldn't get into reading any of them but I really look forward to everyone falling asleep now so I can get back to these women.

wombatclay~wow, that's a really hard place to be! this week in The Goddess Book of Days talks about keeping a statue of Bast in your home to protect the women & children... and to keep it happy w/fresh flowers.
I've liked this little book, it's actually a dayplanner typa thing...but focuses on a different goddess every month,usually relative to the time of year.. there are lots of myths, poems, chants, meditations... suggestions for altars.

We went campering this weekend & had such a great time. It was the perfect chance to celebrate my good news. While laying in my hammock I decided that it was something I needed more of~just to glide like that, suspended in air. I was even excited to learn how to tie it up myself... then as we were leaving, dd threw one of our ropes right into a patch of poison oak. Guess I'll have to get a new length before I can float it here between my maples! My feral child, camping. <sigh>

Do any of the midwestern mamas know what's blooming yellow in the fields right now?

[cravenab00]

I need some suggestions on how to clear the negative energy from my house.
I cant quite put my finger on it, but there is just a general negative feeling in my house, which is strange because I consider myself a very positive person.

I feel great working in the yard, and then I come inside, and I feel really down and depressed.

Can I fix this? How?

[**guest**]

I've found Feng Shui to be helpful in clearing negative energy. I'm sure you could even find a book on it at the library.

[beemama]

I agree about the feng shui... but also, have you smudged it w/sage?
When our house has negative energy I'll smudge w/sage & then burn sweet grass to invite good spirits in.