January Pagan Moms' Thread - Page 28

[Maiasaura]

i remember the articles and hoopla about that witch school. i think i actually voted something (positive, of course) about it online on some website.....about.com maybe? sorry you and your local pagans have to go through that

i'm totally wiped from ds's birthday party. he turns 6 on wednesday (already!!) but his party was saturday. we only had 3 boys (plus a 2yo sister, an 11yo sister, a dad and 3 moms, and me and ds) but i have a teeny tiny house and it was all i could handle for 2 hours.
it went really well though! we had a spy party. i did goody bags with things like magnifying glass, notebook and pen, sunglasses, small water gun, and other things, and i did a treasure hunt to find them. i put all the goodies in a manila envelope labeled "top secret". as an opening activity i made ID cards for the boys with photo and fingerprint. most of the time they just played, but those two activities they all really loved! it was fun!

ds has been SOOOOOOO contrary lately. i can hardly handle it. i've been totally stressed and down for over a week, probably closer to two.

sigh.

for Imbolc we are probably going to do something private, together (if ds doesn't ruin it with his attitude like he has been doing EVERY day recently) like plant seeds, bless and wake up the land around us with our wands, bless and clean the garden tools, and have a small feast of white foods.

Maiasaura
aka pamela

[wombatclay]

"My Unique Family"...I just saw an add. It's a TLC show that focuses on three families. Looks like a "I'm a witch, my husband is a witch, we're raising our children as witches" family, a family with a genetic physical disability (very visible), and a family in which the DH underwent sexual reassignment surgery.

If you google the show name and TLC you'll find a lot of pagan discussion threads...

And on a different note...I hope everyone soon feels better, rested, healthy, and happy!

[Kleine Hexe]

Originally Posted by mercyn

ds has been SOOOOOOO contrary lately. i can hardly handle it. i've been totally stressed and down for over a week, probably closer to two.

My just turned 6 yr old ds is acting the same. Every.Single. Day. :

[UnschoolnMa]

Something happened for my son around 6 too, actually. It was, shall we say challenging for some time and then he seemed to turn a pretty sharp corner into less challenging. Perhaps that was just my son reaching a new developmental milestone, but it might be true for your guys too. Hang in there mamas!

So I have some stuff to ramble on about and a question, sort of. I considered posting a separate thread for this, but I felt more comfortable asking you all. I have identified as Wiccan (as well as Buddhist, but that's not the point) for quite some time now. I've had some conversations, with others and myself lol, that have caused me to wonder if Wiccan is accurate for me. Now many say that labels don't really matter, and I can agree that in the much bigger picture they don't. I generally focus on how happy a person is with whatever they say they are and that's good enough. However, I personally do like to have a name for my beliefs and practices so for the sake of this conversation the label actually does matter to me.

I've been hearing that some of my beliefs and practices are more eclectic "earthy Pagan" than Wiccan, and I am not sure what to make of that. Things like:

~ At the heart of things I am a monotheist. I believe that the Sacred/Divine is singular and what I would describe as an energy or presence. I have no problem at all seeing that One represented by God and Goddess energy/personas, but I don't do the whole pantheons of multiple Gods/Goddesses with really detailed personalities thing. I am also a panentheist. I believe the Sacred is the earth and more than the earth, immanent and transcendant.

~I don't do a lot of formal ritual. I enjoy some organized stuff from time to time, and I do have a daily structured prayer and meditation practice that I really love. But I don't cast circles unless I am taking part in a ritual with others and then my energy is involved in that. I don't call watchtowers, etc. If I am doing some ritual I wing it and do it however the hell I want to rather than following some format about what and where.

~I've never had much use for some of the tools associated with Wicca such as wands, athames, cauldrons, or besoms etc. I find a lot of meaning in the elements though, and my pentacle is important to me.

~ The sabbats/Wheel of the Year are a big deal to me.

~ Magic. Oy. For me magic is all tied into prayer, meditation, and worship. The focus on magic and spells in nearly every book I read and lots of Wiccans I talk to makes me twitchy. It's like the magic is the whole point for many to the exclusion of everything else. I'm not explaining this part very well so feel free to ignore that lol.

So given all these things. What would you call me Wiccan or "earthy Pagan"? Of course I know that I am the one who must decide what to call my path, and I will, but I just wanted to get some feedback from like minded folks as I sort it all out. Thanks for reading this far.

[Birth Junky]

UnschoolnMa, I would say you sound just like ME, spiritual identity crisis and all . . . so when you figure out what it's called, would you let me in on it?

Personally, I am leaning towards earthy Pagan with Buddhist tendencies.

[Birth Junky]

Suggestions, anyone?

I am trying to find a meaningful Imbolc/first birthday gift for our friends' daughter. My brain is fried and I'm just not coming up with the right thing, and I really want it to be special because we absolutely adore this little girl (she is 5 weeks older than DD and the two of them are great buddies).

I thought about ordering a baby-safe Dancing Goddess doll, but didn't get an order placed in time . . .

[Birth Junky]

And an update on my friend

Still intubated/heavily sedated. They tried to extubate over the weekend but she was still too swollen to breathe comfortably and they had to put the tube back in. I am worried sick, scattered and anxious and nauseated and panicky. But they say she is going to be okay, so I am trying to hold it together and not drive her fiance crazy with more than one call per day.

[UnschoolnMa]

Originally Posted by Birth Junky

UnschoolnMa, I would say you sound just like ME, spiritual identity crisis and all . . . so when you figure out what it's called, would you let me in on it?

Personally, I am leaning towards earthy Pagan with Buddhist tendencies.

lol, sounds like me indeed! Actually, for me the Buddhism is firmly in place...it's just the earthy stuff I am sorting through. At least I am in good company though.

I am trying to find a meaningful Imbolc/first birthday gift for our friends' daughter.

I thought this was pretty cute! Little Pagans

Still intubated/heavily sedated. They tried to extubate over the weekend but she was still too swollen to breathe comfortably and they had to put the tube back in.

Many prayers for your friend and for you!

[CariOfOz]

Originally Posted by mercyn

i'm totally wiped from ds's birthday party. he turns 6 on wednesday (already!!) but his party was saturday. we only had 3 boys (plus a 2yo sister, an 11yo sister, a dad and 3 moms, and me and ds) but i have a teeny tiny house and it was all i could handle for 2 hours.
it went really well though! we had a spy party. i did goody bags with things like magnifying glass, notebook and pen, sunglasses, small water gun, and other things, and i did a treasure hunt to find them. i put all the goodies in a manila envelope labeled "top secret". as an opening activity i made ID cards for the boys with photo and fingerprint. most of the time they just played, but those two activities they all really loved! it was fun!
for Imbolc we are probably going to do something private, together (if ds doesn't ruin it with his attitude like he has been doing EVERY day recently) like plant seeds, bless and wake up the land around us with our wands, bless and clean the garden tools, and have a small feast of white foods.

Maiasaura
aka pamela

oh wow how cool does that party sound! Love it!

Originally Posted by UnschoolnMa

I've been hearing that some of my beliefs and practices are more eclectic "earthy Pagan" than Wiccan, and I am not sure what to make of that. Things like:

So given all these things. What would you call me Wiccan or "earthy Pagan"? Of course I know that I am the one who must decide what to call my path, and I will, but I just wanted to get some feedback from like minded folks as I sort it all out. Thanks for reading this far.

I'm not sure really... whatever you are though, I wouldn't be too far behind ya lol. I rather like Earthy Pagan for myself though!

Originally Posted by Birth Junky

Still intubated/heavily sedated. They tried to extubate over the weekend but she was still too swollen to breathe comfortably and they had to put the tube back in. I am worried sick, scattered and anxious and nauseated and panicky. But they say she is going to be okay, so I am trying to hold it together and not drive her fiance crazy with more than one call per day.

Hope your friend recovers soon...I'm sure she WILL, but sometimes it's just a lot slower than those of us watching can handle

And those little pagan tshirts are just TOO cute, I am in love with the little baby green man now!

[Aeress]

Birth Junky- lighting a candle for your friend!!!


That was a great idea for a party! I love treasure maps!

My DD, just turned 5, is just not herself either!!! She is just being contrary, (good word) and this has been the last 4-5 days and we have been partially snowed in!


Neat store!!!

[Valerie.Qc]

Hi all!

I've been away from the computer for a few days... too busy to sit down...

Last week we celebrated my birthday in family with a nice supper and an Opera cake that DH bought in a nice pastry store. I had a very good day!

Went to town with DD1 on Sunday; we went to a little cafe and took our time to talk while we ate and drank then we went to the stores to see if we could find a dress for her prom but only bought two identical shirts laughing that we would look like sisters. It was nice to be alone with her and to be able to have a conversation without her usual "I don't know" answer :

I bought two little sheeps that I put on my window sill in the kitchen; they are cute and I'll bring them on the table for our Imbolc supper Unfortunatly, DH won't be here... he's going out of town for 4 days, leaving February 1st. It's his first trip with the boys since a long time and he would have bring DS with him if he wasn't injured so I really wish him to have a very good time there!

[GoldBerry]

Unschoolnmama~ I am thinking about your post and hopefully will have some time later to reply. This is a question that occasionally bothers me, too. What am I? Do I need to name it? Do I need to follow structured ritual? Do I need to belong to an organized group? What is a Pagan? A Wiccan? Is it all semantics or the path to a deeper understanding?

I'd love to hear everyone's thoughts on these items which are kind of related:

What kind of Pagan are you?

A pledge to Pagan spirituality

Birth Junky~ Blessings and healing energy to your friend!

Here is a good site with lots of ideas for things to do and make for Imbolc.

[aweynsayl]

Originally Posted by Salvia

I'd love to hear everyone's thoughts on these items which are kind of related:
What kind of Pagan are you?

intersting. yes, i am a mutt, but really, i think internally, i feel more focused than that..... i do have a tendancy to say "earthy pagan" when pressed....

Originally Posted by UnschoolnMa

I thought this was pretty cute! Little Pagans[/COLOR]

i love this site! thank you for sharing!

ds is now up, but i'll send my blessings now for a splendid imbolc celebration for you all!!!

[GoldBerry]

Personally, I don't like the term "Ecclectic Pagan"- even if that's what I am.

[Jennisee]

Originally Posted by Jennisee

Well, ladies, my baby will be 3 in April, and I cut her hair for the first time last night. It was past her shoulders and uneven and always getting tangled, so we knew it was time. She loves it and called it her "pretty hair" and keeps telling me to cut it again. I kept a lock for her baby book, but I don't know what to do with the rest. All I've thought of so far was spreading it in my garden or burning it in the fireplace. Any ideas?

Anyone?

Originally Posted by brendon

*laughs*

everyone have plans for Imbolic?

I've had my alter decorated for a week or two. I had wanted to have a seed sowing ceremony for my spring seeds, but it doesn't look like I'll have the equipment ready in time (heat mat and grow lights), so DD and I sowed some wheat seeds in a pot today that will hopefully sprout in a couple days. I just wanted to have something to symbolize the upcoming fertility of the earth and my garden preparations. Maybe I'll order my seeds on Thursday and say a blessing over the order form. .

On Thursday, I hope to go out to the garden, pour a vial of my milk and juice from last year's fruit over the soil, and reflect on the coming growing season. I am trying to come up with a meal that focuses on grain, milk, and garden plants. Probably cooked mixed grains (rice, barley, and millet), cheese with crackers and summer sausage, and a salad with blue cheese and sprouts...if my broccoli seeds actually sprout, LOL. I'll definitely light the fireplace and my alter candles, and I think I'll write down my New Year's resolutions and burn then in the fireplace. With Imbolc's focus on new beginnings, spring cleaning, new fertility, it feels so much like a spiritual New Year to me. I just don't know that I'll ever be able to relate to Samhain as the New Year.

Originally Posted by UnschoolnMa

I've been hearing that some of my beliefs and practices are more eclectic "earthy Pagan" than Wiccan, and I am not sure what to make of that.

I call myself a Pagan-leaning agnostic, but I think "earthy Pagan" would probably fit me pretty well. I don't believe in dieties, spells, or magical creatures, and I am agnostic about ancestral spirits and any concept of The Divine. For me, it is all about the earth. I find it amazing that everything on this planet, from the tiniest to the largest creations, have a place in the Wheel of the Year and the Circle of Life. To me, that is spiritual. I feel that we are healthier--emotionally, physically, and socially--when we try to live in harmony with nature, the Wheel, and the Circle. (Maybe I should call myself a Pantheistic Pagan?) I also believe that the five elements are powerful metaphors, perhaps because I am a horticulturalist and see plants (life) as requiring soil (earth), water, carbon dioxide and oxygen (air), and sunlight (fire).

For me, all of the rituals that I do are symbols or metaphors. When I say bless my seeds, I don't believe that I'm literally casting magic. It is my way of slowing down, reflecting on the amazing process of seed germination and the earth's fertility, admitting that I am dependent upon that process, and acknowledging my hope for the coming growing season. I think a good analogy might be my college graduations. I didn't have to attend them to officially graduate; they mail you your degree. In fact, many of my friends didn't attend. However, for me, all the pomp and circumstance was a time for me to reflect on all that I had done, think about my hard work and experiences, think about my friends and my life experiences in college, focus on it, enjoy it, and think about where I was going next.

I'm not sure I'm making any sense...

Originally Posted by Salvia

What kind of Pagan are you?

It says I am a Zoroastrian Pagan. It actually describes me really well, but I know little about Zoroastrianism. (sp?) Guess I need to research.

The Zoroastrian Pagan is a rare breed who follows the teachings of Zoroaster, the religious reformer. He believed that there were no gods, and it was naive to put faith in them and give them names. What one should focus on is merely serving one side of the cosmic duality; work on good or light deeds, and the world would become more good or light. Pagans of this variety are rare, but often feel like they get more done without the hassle and clutter of pantheons and gods. They're smart, analytical, and occationally cynical.

[UnschoolnMa]

Originally Posted by Salvia

Personally, I don't like the term "Ecclectic Pagan"- even if that's what I am.

Yea, that's what it labeled me as too...57 percent or something. It seems that's what many people say if I describe my beliefs to them. Hmmm.... thinking more. Thanks for listening to my crazy long post up there. If nothing else it felt good to get those thoughts out of my head, ya know?

[UnschoolnMa]

Originally Posted by Jennisee

I don't believe in dieties, spells, or magical creatures, and I am agnostic about ancestral spirits and any concept of The Divine.

I've talked to many who feel that same way. For me though, I am definitely a believer in the Divine or whatever word one wants to use for "God". For me though I see that energy as being singular overall rather than plural (so monotheistic rather than polytheistic). I have no problem with a God and Goddess face representing that energy, but I don't really need a name or detailed personalities/character traits for them, no pantheons...they are just God and Goddess, two joined energies that form a whole. Does that make sense?

For me, it is all about the earth. I find it amazing that everything on this planet, from the tiniest to the largest creations, have a place in the Wheel of the Year and the Circle of Life. To me, that is spiritual. I feel that we are healthier--emotionally, physically, and socially--when we try to live in harmony with nature, the Wheel, and the Circle. (Maybe I should call myself a Pantheistic Pagan?) I also believe that the five elements are powerful metaphors,

This would largely describe me too! Nature is a biggie and I see the Divine within it.

For me, all of the rituals that I do are symbols or metaphors. When I say bless my seeds, I don't believe that I'm literally casting magic. It is my way of slowing down, reflecting on the amazing process of seed germination and the earth's fertility, admitting that I am dependent upon that process, and acknowledging my hope for the coming growing season.

This makes sense to me. For me magic is not really separate from prayer and worship or communing with nature and meditation. It's all the same stuffs somehow. The elaborate spell stuff just never was my thing, and many seem to think Wicca is about that.

[GoldBerry]

Had to share this cool story about recent findings at Stonehenge.

[Aeress]

ecclectic pagan- I am generally ecclectic. ecclectic homeschooler, crafter, reader, eater

brrr...the girls and I climbed snow drifts today!

[Birth Junky]

Good news!

She's extubated! Breathing on her own! Talking to her family! Even ate some clear fluids!

Thanks to the Universe; there is sunlight in the world again.