Pagan AP mommys Tribe Roll Call [Archive] - MotheringDotCommunity Forums

Lilac Moon

12-21-2002, 08:34 AM

Celebrate the Solstice/Rejoice in the returning of the light/
In the labor of the longest night,/The sun is born again./
The seeds that lie in their beds/Beneath the blanket of soil/
Awaken to the warm kisses of the sun/And know that it is time to grow/
Delight in the renewal of the brightness,/
The lengthening of days that cheers our hearts./
Praise the sun that brings new life out of the darkness./
That melts the snows that they may/ darkness./
That melts the snows that they may/Give water to the Earth./
Glorify the sun that turns the white of winter/
To the many colors of Spring/ Honor the sun, without whom there is nothing,/
Whose light brings fruit and blossom/And joy to all who live.

Happy Solstice to You All!

KeysMama

12-21-2002, 09:18 AM

Originally posted by Lilac Moon
Celebrate the Solstice/Rejoice in the returning of the light/
In the labor of the longest night,/The sun is born again./
Thanks Lilac!

Heres one too :

The Sun was born again today
Let's greet the Sun's first morning ray
We sing and celebrate the light
the Sun's born in the longest night....

DaryLLL

12-21-2002, 10:21 AM

:banana My nickname is gone!

:s2demon My post count approaches 666!

It's a good day.

asherah

12-21-2002, 11:10 AM

I'm here.. back from a week of vacation.

Yule celebration last night at a friend's.. we drank honey mead and looked forward to the return of the light... ate a lot of good food.. talked about what we wanted to leave back in the dark and re-committed to meeting once a month on the full moon.

I am hosting in February.

Hope you are all having a blessed Yule/Solstice.

seraph

12-21-2002, 03:17 PM

I'm a pagan mama-to-be who plans to AP. Does that count? :)
I love Yule. My coven is getting together tonight for ritual and I'm really looking forward to it. My favorite chant this time of year is this one:
Round and round the earth is turning/
turning always round to darkness/
and from darkness round to light

BB :)

Arduinna

12-21-2002, 03:28 PM

Blessed Solstice !!!!!!

DaryLLL

12-22-2002, 11:12 AM

Welcome seraph! I hope you had a good solstice celebration. We sure did! I'm still basking in the glow.

MamaSoleil

12-22-2002, 11:32 AM

Count me in!!!
I've been away from the computer.
Hope everyone had a wonderful Solstice...welcome back sun!!!

:heartbeat

steph

12-23-2002, 11:00 AM

late as usual, but i'm here too! i don't have anyone to circle with, and now with an active toddler, doing any kind of ritual is challenging at best... so i just try to be aware of the day and send out some quiet energy.... boy am i happy the sun is returned to us again! hope everyone had a great solstice! the great wheel goes round and round.... :love

mamaknature

12-23-2002, 09:34 PM

Bright and Dark Blessings to all of you!
:angel :fairy

Arduinna

12-23-2002, 10:11 PM

:sunshine Everyone!!!!!!

OceanMomma

12-23-2002, 10:15 PM

Thanx Arduinna! After a total cr@p summer solstice here that was cold & overcast, today it is so hot the sun is like your smilie :D

yoga

12-24-2002, 12:42 AM

I should go to bed, but I just saw this.

I'm here! It's very cold outside and I need a party...

jennymoon

12-26-2002, 09:14 PM

I am new to the mothering boards, and just saw your post. I am also new to the pagan/goddess tradition, well I should say it has be newly awakened within me. I just found the book Circle Round in the library and I had to buy it. I had my first small ritual for the solstice. I feel so connected to the whole web of life when I recognize this tradition and want to raise my daughter with this feeling as well. I am glad you are all out there and I am sure to have many questions for you all. I am also studying the wise woman way of herbs and hope to be a midwife eventually. many blessing to you all.

indiegirl

12-26-2002, 10:04 PM

I'm here although I feel like a fake. I honestly feel really connected to paganism but have a hard time not feeling like a sham when I do any rituals.

Can anyone speak to that?

Jesse
Violet 7-14-00
Elijah ^i^ 12-20-01
Zoe EDD 2-14-03

OceanMomma

12-26-2002, 10:27 PM

Yeah I can relate to that. I always thought it was coz I was brought up an aetheist so I have great difficulties with the whole worshipping anything concept. I tend to do more earth honouring things rather than rituals. More like spiritual environmentalism. I try to feel the energies around me rather than get into specific deities. Does that make sense ?

khrisday

12-27-2002, 12:26 AM

Jesse,
I don't even do many rituals due to those feelings. You don't have to do big ceremonial rituals to honor your spirituality. Try and find smaller things that are meaningful to you that don't feel "fake". I think it's all about finding your own way, rather than tryin to take a path that's been laid out by somone else.

mamaknature

12-27-2002, 12:32 AM

hey, I was brought up aethiest as well and I've alway felt kind of uncomfortable with the whole ritual thing, especially group rituals (I always have to hold back a big case of the snickers).
I've decided to work on creating my very own ritual. My own poetry, instead of some high falutin' priestess jargon.
so mote it be.
:angel :fairy

LaLaLuna

12-27-2002, 06:15 AM

Count me in on the haven't-found-my-ritual-voice. I chalk it up to extreme disorganization. OceanMomma, what you said describes very well how I view my spiritual self.

My five year old is going to a charter school that, although it isn't waldorf, draws heavily on waldorf theory and style and I truly love how it recognizes and honors the Mother- I've never heard the word "goddess" there, but she permeates every aspect of the environment. :love

Lvmyboy

12-29-2002, 11:27 PM

In Central NY. We are so blessed in our family. I have so many things that I am thankful for and now that my boys are getting older, I love talking about spirituality with them and hearing their *take* on it. We too do rituals that *feel* right for us. There is a lot of remembering and *placing* ourselves in the wheel, due to dysfunction in my and dh's history. Our children are learning to make their own space and seeing how we honor those around us by loving ourselves. QUITE different from my upbringing.
I think we all have to find our way and if something doesnt come from the heart then by all means, change it so that it can and does come from that meaningful place...

rambling, I know...

Warmly,

Amy atb

Arduinna

12-30-2002, 10:52 AM

Jesse,

That is the reason I'm not wiccan. I just can't get into the big ceremonial ritual. It just feels too orchestrated. Instead I started with meditation and incense offerings. Now I do more, but at the time it was perfect. Paganism is so vast, ceremonial magic and wicca are just a portion of paganism.

Einhorn

12-30-2002, 11:08 AM

count me in too -- a little late.

I didn't get to celebrate Solstice (I'd planned to at least be up to celebrate sunrise), but I was a bit busy having our son on 12/21, and that night I was way to busy meeting him to even remember to watch the sunrise.

DaryLLL

12-30-2002, 11:14 AM

Oh my goddess, cybele, here comes the son indeed! Brightest blessings on your little Mithras! :baby :sunshine

Now childbirth, there is a ritual we can all get behind.

zjande

12-30-2002, 11:48 AM

Wow, it's fascinating for me to read most of the recent posts, I too feel that the idea of rituals (the altar/athame/speaking to the deities etc. sort of rituals) are just not for me either. Years ago they actually turned me off of neo-paganism when I 1st began my studies, but once I discovered all of the other stuff that feels so RIGHT to me, I never turned back. :) I truly love the sabbats & esbats, I love teaching my children about these & about "the mother earth".

Cybele, wowwie a solstice baby! :love That's so neat, congratulations!

HipMomma3913

12-30-2002, 08:19 PM

I, rebel momma am here too!

Happy belated Yule, and blessed New Year!

:love :hippie

mercyn

01-01-2003, 08:40 AM

Happy secular New year! Pamela here, 43yo first time mom to Rio Connelly, who will be 2 on 1/31. i am on the Outer Banks of NC, moving to Asheville area at the end of the month (still with no place to live yet! yikes!)
pamela

earthmamafor3

01-02-2003, 02:45 AM

I just found y'all over here! We had beautiful solstice, my dh attended his first public ritual and it was so great to have him there with me!
anyway, here!

MarsupialMama

01-04-2003, 09:12 PM

I'm here, too, But I'm not sure how terribly pagan we are. Dh and I are new to this - but it's so good for us!

Our Yule celebration wasn't so great. I had lots of good Ideas (in fact, those parts were good....) but there was bad kharma, or something. We'll do it better next time!

What is comimg up that we can start preparing for?

-Ana

herblaunt

01-05-2003, 10:31 PM

Here!
Blessings to you all.
Yule was woderful. Went ot Pagan Holler and our friends did a small ritual and recalled the light in each of us.

DD did pretty well. We danced and drummed madly!! sigh, I sure do love my family.

Anyone get the Winter Blessed Bee and try the candle decorating?

Looking forward to Imbolc, Feb 2. Brighid's fires of inspiration!

:hippie

Noey

01-09-2003, 03:20 PM

I'm here too!!!

Blessed Be!

DaryLLL

01-10-2003, 08:55 AM

ana--

The next one on the wheel is Imbolc, (secualrly known as Groudhog Day!). That is the day my tulip and daffodil bulbs start pushing out their roots and shoots, underground in secret.

I know candles are impt for Imbolc, but I don't really get it. Yule is all abt lights, why is Imbolc too? Opinions, insights?

HotMama

01-10-2003, 11:51 PM

We had a lovely Solstice - very family friendly with great friends and cold, wet weather. Then we flew to my roots in the desert (San Diego) and played in the ocean - plane travel is incredible!

Today I learned an AP Mama up the street is also pagan! I love finding others in my community to share the holidays and life with. LalaLuna - we should meet IRL someday.:p

magdala

01-12-2003, 11:43 AM

Checking in with a babe on the way in the santa cruz mountains- what a lovely tribe here! I'm wondering if any of you have incorporated non-"pagan" family and friends into your rituals - solstice or otherwise. I would love to start this tradition with my child - navigating blessingways and namingceremonies- in a family familiar only with baby showers to begin with! I think it is important that family is present for these sacred events but know it is a little out of their element- how have you all fared? What has worked for you?Love and Blessings

mercyn

01-12-2003, 09:36 PM

did i post on here already? 3 pages long, i forgot. pamela, mom to rio, age 2.
xo, p.

Arduinna

01-12-2003, 11:23 PM

"wondering if anyone has included non pagan family in ritual ect"

We don't include non pagan family in ritual. Although we do have a "Christmas" celebration at our home that is an extension of Yule for us. Other than a predominance of sun symbols our non pagan family probably can't tell the difference.

moom

01-13-2003, 09:25 PM

Hi, :wave
I’m new here, but I have been reading about everyone and you sound like a delightful group!
My mom suggested I subscribe to something like this to help me get over my traumatic birth experience, (for the whole story go to the PPD “my story this is long" or PM me)
Everything turned out fine, it just wasn’t how I wanted it, and I have been feeling scattered ever since.
I was wondering if anyone had any ideas for bringing myself back to myself. :scratch I have heard about a ritual using lots of candles all over the house, and have started collecting, (old birthday candles, etc) but I would like to add more, from the other elements, any Ideas/suggestions? They would be greatly appreciated!

pioneermama

01-13-2003, 10:03 PM

Here... hey we made a pizza symbolizing the new son for the winter solstice... it was a lot of fun! Blessings Mamas!

herblaunt

01-14-2003, 02:19 PM

From Circle Round by Starhawk, Diane Baker and Anne Hill:
Brigit is the Goddess of wells and flame. She is the Goddess of inspiration esp poetry and of healing.
Imbolc means ewe's milk; at this time, lambs were born.
Brigit is also a time for initiation; time for 'new year's resolutions' and plans for the year: gardening, vacation, projects. She is the Goddess of the Forge, another fire aspect.
Her sacred animals: cow for the abundant milk and the snake for the transformational aspects. Shedding the old, becoming new like initiations.

How do you celebrate Imbolc? How does Brigit inspire you? This is usually a difficult holiday, because I am not so sure how to celebrate and bring it 'home' to my family. Definitely a fire, probably a grain doll and ask Her to bless my family ad our garden. Hmmm, guess I have a few ideas. ANyone else?
Much love and B*B*
herblaunt

edited to add: there is a discussion about Imbolc/Candlemas in Spirituality forum.

kynd mama

01-17-2003, 01:01 PM

Mama to Keenan Malachi and Soloman Jade... best woman to Matthew:hippie

mamaknature

01-17-2003, 08:19 PM

Thanks for your question, Moom. I've been needing to focus on this myself.

Creative journaling/ scrapbooking with found objects, paints, thread, fabric, crayons, glue, mirror pieces, glitter, beads, photos, cut-outs, anything that will fit.
Invest in a big, blank book or make your own.
Work with symbols of empowerment (your own or borrowed). Write/ collect poems and inspiring phrases and quotes.

Post affirmations above doorways, on mirrors, the fridge, etc.
I started looking up inspiring quotations on the internet. Here's some that help me:

It is never too late to become what you might have been. George Eliot

If you get rid of the pain before you have answered its questions, you get rid of the self along with it. Jung

Fear is the foundation of all human limitations. Benny the Jet

“Even if you live to be 100, it’s really a very short time. So why not spend it undergoing this process of evolution, of opening your mind and heart, connecting with your true nature — rather than getting better and better at fixing, grasping, freezing, closing down.”
— Pema Chodron

“My barn having burned to the ground,
I can now see the moon.”
— Zen haiku

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.”
— Helen Keller

“It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare; it is because we do not dare that things are difficult.”
— Seneca
Stoic philosopher

Tarot -- The Star and Queen of Wands (just a couple)

Some Spellwork:
Cut out a square (about 5"x5") of fabric of your favorite color and select a long piece of thread or ribbon of another color of your liking. Find small objects, words, herbs, trinkets, drawings, stones, etc. that symbolize what you consider getting back to yourself and place them in the center of the square. Tie the thread around the four corners to make a bundle into 13 knots. Sleep with the bundle for three moon cycles, starting with the new moon and opening on the third full moon. Open the bundle and place the objects in a place that will be seen, like a decorative bowl with other knickknacks or place the objects in a plant or two. Make a piece of art from it, put the objects in a journal or make a drawing/ painting that incorporates them, etc.

Go for a nature hike and place a meaningful gift to the goddess, great spirit, god, etc. in a power spot/ place of power: like in a creek, river, lake, base of tree, tree-hole, under a big rock, etc.
Let a week or two pass and pray for a gift from the goddess that will bring you back to yourself. Make clear in your head what back to yourself means to you.
The next day, return to your place of power and sit quietly and ask again for a gift. Then look for a gift in that place of power. It could be near where you left your gift, or on the path, or further down the path... Look all around. Bring the gift home and treasure it as long as you need it.

:angel

TieDyeMom

02-03-2003, 12:43 AM

I'm here (better late than never).

Hope everyone had a blessed Imbolc!

Loving mom of Rowan (4 mos old dd)

kimbalicious

02-04-2003, 04:29 PM

Originally posted by magdala
I'm wondering if any of you have incorporated non-"pagan" family and friends into your rituals - solstice or otherwise. I would love to start this tradition with my child - navigating blessingways and namingceremonies- in a family familiar only with baby showers to begin with! I think it is important that family is present for these sacred events but know it is a little out of their element- how have you all fared? What has worked for you?Love and Blessings

Hi magdala. My husband and I are Pagan, but most of our family and friends are not (my Mom is actually very much the little Pagan - but on a subconsious level). We have had some successes and failures with incorporating them into our celebrations. The one failure my in-laws (mil & fil) freaked hard when I "outed" us. Now when they visit, they leave behind books printed by Zondervan. Cracks us up! Many more successes, though -- biggest was our ds's Paganing. Everyone was so supportive and excited to be a part of it -- they wanted to know when they could join us in another celebration.

I find that my Mom and others like to be apart of the more secular part of the celebrating and will respectfully leave the more religious rituals to us as a family unit (ie we will have already dedicated and decorated the altar before they arrive, or after they leave).

I'm very lucky right now, in that I've hooked up with a group of Mamas that are very open to Paganisim. We all just celebrated the Chinese New Year and Imbolc this past Saturday night (they go well together and the food was excellent).

Good luck incorporating those in your life who follow a different path, I think you'll find that they will care enough to be respectful of your beliefs and will probably enjoy being a part of your celebrations!

Kimba

Greenfrogs

02-13-2003, 12:07 PM

How did I miss this thread.

I am here too.

Pam_and_Abigail

02-14-2003, 04:33 PM

Hi! I am here!

It seems a little late to wish you all a happy Imbolc, so happy Full Moon!

First, I'd like to say that I felt a littlt like that with my rituals so far, but I think it's improving. I keep on telling myself, "I really am 'practicing' magic", because that's what it feels like to me. I'm getting the motins down, and soon they will have a deeper meaning. But honestly, I feel more in tune with nature when I'm driving past a bunch of trees. When the snow melts, I'd like to do more work outside.

Also, Moon, I didn't read your story, but I think we have something else in common. Although I'm not certain I suffer from PPD, I have some of the symptoms.

Gotta go, hear my babe

TapWitch

02-14-2003, 05:07 PM

Yet another pagan here! I haven't even read these boards in ages and
it's good to be back! I'm Mom to a 17 yo and 2 yo (yes that's not a typo) dd's, married to a pretty cool pagan-friendly agnostic zen kinda guy ("every holiday's a fertility festival, right?"), a solitary Italian "Strega della Cucina" (every holiday's a FOOD festival!) here in sunny, buggy, how-do-you-work-this-dang-voting-machine Florida.

And yeah, I really do tap dance! Choreographing my first number for a show! Merry Meet!

mommy2Aalicia

02-15-2003, 02:36 PM

Sharlita, single mommy to Aalicia here!!

hahamommy

02-15-2003, 03:39 PM

Merry Meet to you new folks! :wave to the regulars, too :love For anyone who doesn't know, I'm diana ~ the wacky witchy widow, raising Hannah, 6 and Hayden 4, right smack in the middle of *Fundy Xtian Mecca.* I too struggle with prescribed rituals... I like to take the ideas and incorporate them (as my friends say, diana-cize them) as to fit my personality, my place in the universe at the time, etc. I've not done any circle work, but I do include a Pagan or Pagan-ish friend in any fun stuff we do as a family. We weren't home for Solstice, but we did a family celebration for the full moon before. Actually, we greet the full moon every cycle ~ I'm hooked on hearing my name spoken with such reverence :LOL For Imbolc, I was unsure what to do, so I lit my orange candle, expressed gratitude for the coming spring and the renewal of life. We just began our cycle of winter weather, here so it felt really *off* to be grateful for spring so soon into the snow season, but I invisioned all the new farm animals and it helped.
We'll be outside at moonrise tonight ~ thinking of all of you!
~me :hippie

Indigo73

02-18-2003, 03:38 PM

Indigo here, mom to one rambuntious 1 year old bat boy, loves to hang up side down.

queenbee

02-18-2003, 08:05 PM

OK, please forgive, I'm not even Pagan, but I gotta know, what does AP mean?

Noey

02-18-2003, 11:04 PM

AP is Attachment Parenting.

MarsupialMama

02-19-2003, 09:51 AM

AP is a phrase coined by Dr. Sears in the 80's.
I'm really surprised that there is anyone (let alone a 'mothering mama') whom hasn't heard of AP. I guess I need to spend more time in the real world:rolleyes:

queenbee

02-19-2003, 03:53 PM

Thanks Noey
I had the impression it had something to do with being Pagan, because I kept seeing AP mentioned alongside. I figured out BF, duh... but got stuck on AP. So what is "attached" about this parenting then? I suppose I should look up this Dr. Sears (thank you Marsupialmama).

I'm just curious here. Don't (obviously) know very much about this. I was a very successful nursing mother, but that was quite a while ago. Been out of the loop, so to speak.

I appreciate your patience.
BEE

lunar forest

02-19-2003, 06:26 PM

I'm here! Better late than never.

I'm an AP pagan, married to the love of my life. We have one 'love child' and we're currently ttc!
We're crunchy earth people. I'm a bit of a kitchen witch, herb using, homeopathic, mostly vegan, mostly organic, unschooling, animal loving, (we have a zoo,) non-vaxing, non-circing, (to everyone's horror ds is intact,) gentle birthing at home, NVCing (Non-Violent Communication,) cloth diapering, home growing:wink and lot of other cool stuff that I can't think of off the top of my head!

It's great to meet you all! There are NO pagans anywhere near where I live!

Noey

02-20-2003, 09:34 AM

Lunar forest! Yay! I love your intro. We also try using NVC it works wonders when I can use it...still learning!

Also wanted to mention that now you are cyberlly(is this a word? : ) ) surrounded with earthy Pagan sisters!!

Noey

02-20-2003, 09:37 AM

Queenbee! Check out this site for AP info(to much info for my one fingered typing to type out!!!)

http://askdrsears.com/

maighdhlin

02-26-2003, 04:13 PM

Hi all. I'm relatively new to the fold and new to this Board.

Does anyone here have a significant other who is slightly uncomfortable with your Pagan ways? I'm a newer Pagan, and while I think DH finds the whole thing slightly amusing, now that we have a daughter (she's 5 mos.) he's been dropping hints that he does not want her to be aware of what I'm doing.

I know that probably sounds harsher than I mean it to sound. While I am much more "crunchy" than he is, he is VERY supportive of me in all aspects. In fact I think I'm getting him to come around on a lot of things. I've been vegetarian for many years and he's recently converted. I've recently convinced him to stop using chemicals on our lawn. He is coming around to AP (he actually enjoys co-sleeping more than me I think!) and he's been seeking out more places to find organic foods so that our daugther can be fed organic food once we reach that point.

ANYWAY, I try to explain to him that Pagans are kindler, gentler respectful, nature loving folk without weird ties to satan or anything else spooky, but I can still tell he's uneasy bringing up our daughter around it.

Any suggestions?

:hippie
Maighdhlin

ap mommy tracie

02-26-2003, 06:16 PM

Hi Everyone:

I'm Tracie, a pagan mama to one sweet little boobie boy Aidan (29 mos). We're in Saratoga NY. I've been solitary eclectic, studying all sorts of different pagan paths for about 20 years now (since I was a 16 year old trying to freak out mom! LOL). DH is great about it, but he's completely agnostic - says he has no idea what the nature of the divine might be.

To maighdhlin

You might want to check out a UU church. Everyone there is very accepting of paganism, and it might make everything seem a lot more "normal" for your DH. Plus, it's great to have a community around when you're raising a family

:-)
Tracie

PaganScribe

02-28-2003, 05:06 PM

Thought I'd say hi -- I'm relatively new to paganism and relatively new to mommyhood, but I'm here and wanted to introduce myself.
So hi, I'm Carrie, nice to meet y'all!

13moons

03-25-2003, 03:00 AM

hmm...it's been a couple weeks since anyone posted but I'll throw myself in here too....Happy belated spring equinox everyone!
I'm a pagan mommy to 3 little ones--8 and 5 y.o dd's and 3 y.o. ds, married to a wonderful man who is also not really comfortable with my spiritual beliefs so we don't discuss them. Kinda sad, but it's what works right now. I am crunchier than most in my area (which is saying nothing), AP, my son is non-circ and still bf's, and we homeschool our oldest child.
So, HI! I'm here...
:hippie

khrisday

03-25-2003, 04:59 AM

Welcome! 13moons, I just noticed that you are in Cali- we're in the Sacramento area, wherebouts are you?

lunar forest

03-25-2003, 10:23 AM

Welcome 13moons!

I love to see EBF'ers that BF past toddlerhood. I like to call it, surper extended breastfeeding. :wink

13moons

03-26-2003, 01:58 AM

Thanks for the welcome!
khrisday-we are between Monterey and Santa Cruz -coupla hours south from you. We recently were thinking about moving up near Sac. but it didn't go through. Do you like it there?

lunar forest-I like that! Super extended breastfeeding (SEBF!?) That would refer to the length of time as well as the length of couch involved in BF'ing a child past toddlerhood!!:D

:hippie

13moons

03-26-2003, 02:00 AM

I am desperately needing to connect with other pagan families right now. esp. IRL and having no luck--how do you others find them (or do you?)??
I do have friends around here but most are Christian (and I am not out of the broom closet) and besides that don't share my AP philosophies-at least not to the extent that I do. And I know of literally no-one who really truly cares whether they recycle their soda can (whereas I will carry one in my car for days rather than throw it in a trash can) or do anything else towards bettering or appreciating the earth, much less find someone who actually comes close to having earth-centered spiritual beliefs.
My 8 y.o dd actually cried when, on a field trip with some other homeschoolers to do a beach clean-up, we were shown pictures of animals that had been injured or killed by garbage in the sea. She was so sad and so moved by that and the other kids were like, "Man that sucks." if they had any reaction at all. I need to help her find a frien who is as passionate about caring for our earth as she is and that has proved impossible so far.
oops-I did not mean for this to get so long! So, if anyone has any suggestions...thanks.
:hippie

Noey

03-26-2003, 08:44 AM

You could try www.witchvox.com they list people in your area trying to connect and also circles and gatherings.

Starhawk's group is in San Francisco(I don't know how close you are to there?)

And also there is Sage Woman magazine and Circle magazine with connection pages in the back.

also www.mothersmagic.net might be an online idea as well as there are alot of user groups dealing with parenting, craft,AP etc.

Good Luck plugging in!!

lunar forest

03-26-2003, 02:19 PM

Oh thank you for the links, noey!

13moons - I love your name, dh and I named our small buisness/animal rescue 13moons :wink
That would refer to the length of time as well as the length of couch involved in BF'ing a child past toddlerhood!!
That is so true! Last night I was nursing ds and he demanded to have his own seat on the couch next to me! I figured I'd let him since it really wasn't that different from when he is on my "lap." :rolleyes:

We would love to meet some "like minded" people around here, but the closest we can come catholic semi-crunchy socer moms in denial. We are still a little bit in the broom closet, too.

13moons

03-27-2003, 01:13 AM

Thanks for the suggestions-I've tried witchvox (a great site!) and other ways of finding people near me but with no success. I almost 2 hours from S.F. so not really close enough for any real friendships, ya know?
I know there are some groups in Santa Cruz which is totally close enough but nothing that I know of that is family-oriented.
I guess I'll just have to move.:D

lunar forest-thank you and I know exactly what you mean--my ds likes to sit on the couch next to me while nursing sometimes too. They are so funny!
:hippie

13moons

03-29-2003, 03:46 AM

hi all,
I've been searching various threads and forums for a couple hours (and getting sidetracked along the way of course) for a good place to post and I have ended up back here-go figure.
My best friend (on this side of the country) moved to Oregon today and I am so down. :crying She is also my SIL and our kids are the same ages and have grown up together so we have all been crying off and on all afternoon.
I guess I ended up back here because she is truly the ONLY person IRL that I can talk openly with about being pagan. She is my only friend who appreciates and admires the crunchiness and AP mommy in me. She is someone with whom I can still get together and have sleepovers with staying up all night talking about things.
It is hard enough for us mommies to find good friends but, in my area at least, finding someone that I can share my deepest feelings including those about being pagan with is very hard to do.
oh, I just had to tell someone how I was feeling-you know how these things tend to hit hardest in the middle of the night. Anyway, sorry to be a downer but I do appreciate the space...next post I promise will be more upbeat.
:(

lunar forest

03-29-2003, 10:00 AM

((((((((13moons))))))))

:hug

I really feel for you! I'm sending you positive energy :rainbow - can you feel it?

Konur's Mom

03-29-2003, 05:11 PM

:hippie Count me in! i am looking for a playgroup of similiar mommies and kids, but no luck so far. I had a great one in Phoenix, but just move to Michigan. Konur is too young for Spiral Scouts.

13moons

03-30-2003, 03:34 AM

Thankyou lunar forest-I am feeling better tonight. Any positive energy is always good!
Hi Konur's mom-good luck to you in your search as well!
Hey, is anyone here actually involved in a Spiral Scouts group? My kids are old enough but last I checked (couple months ago) there were no groups in CA-go figure. I've thought about trying to start one, but I have no first hand knowledge of or experience with Spiral Scouts.
So, if anyone is involved with Spiral Scouts let us know how you like it and how the kids like it.
Do anyone's kids participate in Girl/Boy Scouts despite the Christian aspect?
(Maybe I should start another thread...)
:hippie

lunar forest

03-30-2003, 11:56 AM

I'm glad I could help make you feel better, 13moons! :love

I don't really know anything about Spiral Scouts, but I'd like to! I think DH would be into it.

Is there a separate groups for boys and girls? I hate that! When I was a child I was in a Christian girl scouts kind of group, and I hated it! My sisters are in that group now, and they like it because their firneds are in it. My mother and I have talked about the issues, and I've tried to get her to take her girls out of it (which she wants to do) but they girls really want to be in it. The biggest problem we have found is the separation of the sexes. One of the groups is called "girls only." They truely are teaching these girls to hate men, and that lesbianism is wrong. I'm thinking, you can't have it both ways! What are they doing to these poor girls? That whole group mentality is a big problem. It is honestly very much like brain washing. I really cannot find one thing that I like about this group (that is worth all the bad, anyway.)

P.S. Sorry for the poor spelling and type-o's. My toddler is helping me today:rolleyes:

13moons

03-30-2003, 04:18 PM

When I was pretty young my sister and I were in Girl Scouts which lasted about as long as my mom felt like being a troop leader (like less than a year, I'm sure) but I don't remember a whole lot other than the brown uniform was fun to wear. (Like I said, I was pretty young.)
Then when I was in probably 3rd or 4th grade I was in Campfire Girls (separation of the sexes again) because I had a friend I went with, and I remember enjoying it. But I do remember that there was a very Christian slant to the whole thing-it was all about God in one way or another. Which was fine with me then as I had not even begun to question Christianity.
Spiral scouts is not separated by gender (as I understand it). I have a couple issues with the Boy/Girl Scouts myself--the anti-gay stance they take alone is enough that I will not allow my children to participate. But I would hesitate anyway just based on the fact that it is a Christian-based organization and that gives the groups quite a bit more room in terms of what they can "teach" my kids.
I have no problem with my kids being encouraged to be kind and help the community, etc. but I do take issue if my kids are in a situation where they are being taught that they will go to hell for not believing in Jesus or for being gay or whatever. The brainwashing is definitely there, lunar forest with respect to several different issues I think. Um, I'm getting a little windy here-sorry!
Anyway, has anyone out there participated in Spiral Scouts?? I would love to have my kids involved in a group setting where their activities were more earth-centered and appreciative of differences.
Any more opinions about other scouts?
:hippie

kimbalicious

03-31-2003, 07:09 AM

Hi Mamas,

My little guy is still a bit too young for SpiralScouts (16 m), but as soon as he is about 3 dh & I plan on starting a hearth. Anyway, have you checked out www.spiralscouts.org ? I find it hard to believe that there aren't any locations in CA since that's where it all started. I've joined the yahoo chat group for GA (since that's where we live) and the activity level is picking up.

Personally, as soon as the BSA came out (ha!) against homosexuality I decided my sons would never join -- I would find an alternative. To many people I care about are not heterosexual (or Christian) and I don't want my children growing up thinking it's okay to disrespect them.

Good luck hooking up!

Konur's Mom

03-31-2003, 01:05 PM

Thanks 13 moons, Hello to you as well! Where in CA are you from? I have a gf in San Fran area.

kimbalicious

03-31-2003, 01:53 PM

13 moons there may be a problem with the locator program. It claims there are none in GA either, when I know for a fact that one or two groups do exist. In fact, when you click on the state of GA it lists Peach Tribe and once you click says nothing exists. It's a new application, though. I'll try dropping them an email and let 'em know about the error. That maybe why you were unable to locate in groups in Cali.

Kimba

13moons

04-01-2003, 02:23 AM

Thanks for the info kimbalicious--I've checking periodically for about a year and considered starting a hearth but I personally know of no-one in my immediate area who would be interested. I'd totally be willing to drive a bit though if there actually are groups and I know a few months ago there was another mom on the boards in CA who was interested too--I can't remember who right now...
About the BSA, that was exactly how I felt when they "came out" :D too.
Konur's mom-I'm kinda between Monterey and Santa Cruz about an hour and a half/two hours south of SF. I'm sure there are people in Santa Cruz who would be into a Spiral Scouts group but I'm not very good at finding any of those people! :rolleyes:
I'll check back to the Spiral Scouts site and maybe email them myself to try and find out more info.
:hippie

lunar forest

04-01-2003, 10:56 AM

I have a question. Do the Spiral Scouts have weekly classes, and what not? What do they teach in there classes, etc.?

kimbalicious

04-01-2003, 06:31 PM

13moons -- you're welcome. Try searching yahoo groups for spiral scouts. I'm on the GA list and we chat amongst ourselves (although not nearly enough) and periodically get info from the head office. Anyway see if they don't have one for California.

lunar forest -- it's not really a class thing, it's a scouting group that teaches respect for any all Earth based philosophies as well as engaging in activities/crafts etc. that celebrate the Earth. check out the link in my earlier post and take a look. I wish I could be more specific, but we aren't active members yet.

lunar forest

04-01-2003, 09:25 PM

kimbalicious - I checked out the link. I was just wondering about the meetings. Like, do they only meet when they are going to do an activity, or do they meet weekly?

13moons

04-02-2003, 03:12 AM

Hey thanks kimbalicious-there is a CA Spiral Scouts group in Yahoo! I'd never have thought of that. Gonna go check it out more....
:hippie

13moons

04-04-2003, 02:49 AM

evening ladies!
I saw the most beautiful little sliver of a crescent moon out tonight. My 3 y.o. ds and I have been watching for it. He's been saying "the moon is dark now" for a couple days and tonight he said "It got some light on it!" Funny how the little things can help you step back and focus on what matters. I just wanted to tell someone who would appreciate it.
)O(
:hippie

Arduinna

05-16-2003, 11:24 PM

just bumping, anyone else???

the lunar eclipse was awesome!!!!!

13moons

05-21-2003, 03:19 AM

I'm here! We couldn't see the eclipse-total bummer but did get to see a lovely full moon later on.
Summer solstice approaches....I should start planning now so we will actually have something planned for when the day rolls around!
:hippie

mercyn

05-21-2003, 01:16 PM

*I* will be at PSG for summer solstice....GLOAT, GLOAT!! oh, i can't wait!! only 24 more days to go!
pamela

Pam_and_Abigail

05-21-2003, 02:48 PM

I missed the eclipse :crying
We are having sleeptime woes at our house, so I hadn't imagined I'd be staying up to watch it, but it didn't even cross my mind.
I'm doing a few great projects right now. I'm making a cloth book of wiccan symbols for my dd, and I'm working on a picture book series for when she's older. I think my very-christian MIL is getting the hint. Our Easter cards didn't even mention God, Jesus or the Bible. For her that is an incredible step!
Oh, and my community just started a pagan group. It's basically a loose coven of solitaries, and I've only been to one meeting so far, but I like it.
btw, what's PSG?

PaganScribe

05-21-2003, 07:59 PM

I'm looking forward to the solstice too. I don't yet know if I will "do" anything much, but it is my favorite day of the year -- I will enjoy every drop of it.

I love the book of symbols idea!

mercyn

05-21-2003, 09:28 PM

PSG is the greatest on the planet!! a week long gathering of 900 Pagans in the woods for Solstice! very family friendly. you can still register (by June 1 is the latest)! go to the Circle Sanctuary website and follow links to Pagan Spirit Gathering.
would you mind sharing the pattern for your soft book? i would LOVE to have one for my son before he gets too old!! (he's 2y4mo). i'd love the picture book too, if you could. i'm not so crafty; i'd have to copy someone else's! *groan*
are you in Asheville?
thanks,
pamela

Uzume

05-22-2003, 02:21 AM

Well, this looks like the place for me. I'm an APing Pagan mama of two boys. I just signed up here and found all of you when I wandered into Finding Your Tribe.

I'm a solitary practitioner. I can't say how many years I've been Pagan because it seems like it's been my whole life, but I only found a label seven or eight years ago.

Just a quick intro while I get my bearings around here. I look forward to getting to know you all better along the way.

darn typo, how did that get past the typo guard at the gate?

Moon

05-22-2003, 09:10 AM

How did I miss this?

Me! And dd Maeve, aged 10, the Beltaine baby.

Pam_and_Abigail

05-26-2003, 06:43 AM

Hi again!
I don't have an actual pattern for the cloth book, but maybe when I'm finished, I can post some pictures of it. As for the picture book, it's alright, but it turns out I can't draw as well as I thought. The idea is, though, just to teach the sabbats at an early level, and include some key symbols.
:dust

Oh, I don't know where Asherville is, but I don't think so! I'm in Canada!

mercyn

05-26-2003, 08:36 PM

dang. i am so uncrafty i was hoping i could send some sort of pattern to my mom, who is VERY crafty and could maybe make it for me!! well....please post photos anyway, and maybe i can get her to figure it out. i hope. she still thinks i am in a cult....*sigh*
but she does buy me Goddess stuff, go figure. while asking me out of the other corner of her mouth if i was going to have my son baptized!! <patience, patience> LOL
Asheville is a small city in North Carolina, USA. WAY far from Canada!
pamela

saturnine25

05-30-2003, 11:11 AM

Hi all, can I be counted in?- I consider myself a pagan mentally, but do not practice rituals. I was raised Catholic and find myself uncomfortable w/ elaborate rituals, as they are for me reminiscent in some ways of a belief system I worked to disassociate myself from. I hope no one takes that the wrong way, as I do believe that rituals, etc. can be very beautiful and powerful to those who are able to embrace them fully. I sometimes wish I could, but just have my own issues which make me feel funny about it.

Nicole

06-08-2003, 09:20 AM

Hello. I've been mostly lurking the last two years (so little time to write). But I'm here, too.

Blessed be!

Pam_and_Abigail

06-08-2003, 11:37 AM

I finished the 'prototype' for my cloth book, but I can't figure out how to get pictures up. Any suggestions?

Pam_and_Abigail

09-23-2003, 01:18 PM

Happy Mabon everyone!
Blessed Be!

lilirose

09-23-2003, 03:21 PM

sorry, having to remove all posts with personal info due to an online stalker.

Celestial

10-10-2003, 04:42 PM

TEAK's Mom

10-16-2003, 02:59 PM

Me, too! Me too!

I'm a pagan mama of an 18 month old dd, married to a reform Jewish dh, with a lot of Lutheran relatives. Life is good.

cortsmommy

12-26-2003, 09:31 AM

Hello!!

Arduinna

02-04-2004, 04:48 PM

bumping

how is everyone enjoying winter??

DaryLLL

02-04-2004, 05:25 PM

A, you've got a snow obsession. I took down my outdoor Yule decorations today as it was actually a degree or two above freezing. I saw you say Imbolc could be counted as today, so I didn't feel bad as I had thought I was late!

Kimlee

02-04-2004, 07:40 PM

Have been busy and out of commision for quite some time on these boards - was shocked to find Queer Parenting gone but happy to see this group held strong! Mitakaye Oyasin....

My question to you all is this....I've been asked to give a reading at a friend's wedding and could use a lead to find some sort of ritual/spiritual blessing for the couple. I'm a bit intimidated because it'll be a real "straight laced group" of people but this is really important to my friend. Any suggestions are welcomed!

Thanks
Kimberly
(3Goddess to my friends)

Arduinna

02-04-2004, 11:44 PM

Dar, yes I'm obsessed with snow and winter, lol.

Kimberly, Queer Parenting hasn't been removed, it was just moved as a subforum of parenting issues. We even have a new mod in there :D I'm not sure of any readings to suggest for a wedding, are your friends of any particular faith??

Pam_and_Abigail

02-05-2004, 05:42 AM

Just wanted to pop in and say I am enjoying winter, but always looking forward to spring. Yesterday my (indoor) paperwhites started to bloom! I had hoped they'd be ready for Imbolc, but given estimates from when I planted it, I expected they'd flower at Ostara, especially since I couldn't exactly provide the full sunlight they required. Given all this, I am pleasantly surprised by their blookimg.

No ideas about the wedding. Yes, their religious background would certainly help to know...

fluffernutter

02-06-2004, 10:51 AM

Hey there. I'm a Pagan momma to an almost 2 year old, and although we just had a very lovely snow (at least 6 inches) I'm SO ready for Sring. :D

Kimlee

02-06-2004, 12:06 PM

My friends have no religious affiliation - they will be married by a Justice of the Peace in a ceremony near the ocean. They asked me if I could share a reading of some sort of blessing - Pagan, celtic, Native American, Eastern. I've looked through some of my Spiritual/Goddess/Ritual books and can't find anything specific pertaining to a wedding blessing. I'll certainly keep looking but if any suggestions are out there I'd certainly welcome the lead.

Blessed Be
Kimberly

momgotbreastmilk

02-08-2004, 02:17 AM

Hey there fellow pagan parents

I'm Sharlita (19) single mommy to 19 month old Aalicia. I didn't realize there were so many pagan parents here, I look forward to chatting with you all soon.

And Hiya Sarah I know you from quite a few message boards (to name one, The Bungalow)

RubyV

02-09-2004, 11:12 AM

Hi, I'm ruby, WOHM momma to Dvorah Carmen, 9wks old. Moving to salem from NYC.

Einhorn

02-09-2004, 05:10 PM

Originally posted by Kimlee
My sort of blessing - Pagan, celtic, Native American, Eastern. I've looked through some of my Spiritual/Goddess/Ritual books and can't find anything specific pertaining to a wedding blessing. I'll certainly keep looking but if any suggestions are out there I'd certainly welcome the lead.

Well, here's some ideas I have. The first is from a framed print I bought dh last year for our anniversery -- it's titled "Apache Wedding Blessing" and seems to be easy to find on the web:

"Now you will feel no rain, For each of you will be shelter to the other. Now you will feel no cold, For each of you will be warmth to the other. Now there is no more loneliness, For each of you will be companion to the other. Now you are two bodies, But there is only one life before you. Go now to your dwelling place To enter into the days of your togetherness. And may your days be good and long upon the earth."
~author unknown (at least to me)

The second is where I got a lot of ideas for our wedding ceremony, which is a marrage ceremony (much like a handfasting) in a fantasy book, called Owlsight, by Mercedes Lackey. I wont repost it here as I think that might have copyright issues (and it's long).

There's some life-passage rituals in a number of pagan books I've looked through, some were for handfasting. I'd suggest a quick look at _Circle Round: Raising Children in the Goddess Tradition_ by Starhawk, Anne Hill (and someone else) [I love Anne's CD that goes with it to play for ds (and me)!]. Towards the back of the book they have life events -- although since it's focused on children it may only have stuff for including children in ceremonies. Also Raising Witches (sorry, don't have the author info handy) I think had something on handfasting. I've got a newer book which I've only partly read by Raymond Buckland that's called _WICCA FOR LIFE: The Way of the Craft, from Birth to Summerland_ that might have something useful as well, but I don't recall off hand. feel free to PM me if you want more details or for me to look something up. The Buckland book I've seen in Barnes & Noble, so you might be able to leaf through it.

anyway, I hope that gives you some ideas, or jogs someone else's memory of a better idea.

Arduinna

02-10-2004, 06:03 PM

Welcome Ruby and Cybele!!!!

:love

Arduinna

02-19-2004, 06:53 PM

Hey, do you guys want to go to a monthly thread and maybe get some discussion going???

We could do Pagan Mamas Tribe February thread or something??

opinions?

Einhorn

02-19-2004, 07:05 PM

a shorter thread and or some discussion might be nice.

thanks for the welcome Arduinna, but it's a 'weclome back' I posted back on page 2 of the thread a year or so back right after my son was born -- I've kept up with this thread, just haven't had much to say. :)

How long do I stay a "New Member" anyway? is it by posts or time on the boards?

Arduinna

02-19-2004, 07:07 PM

new member is by post count. I think the new part goes at about 20 posts?? not sure.

I think we don't usually get alot of talk because most of us post in Spirituality. but some chit chat would be nice here.

13moons

02-20-2004, 01:47 AM

I would love some discussion! I don't get enough chit chat in my life...unless "Would you kids please stop fighting!" and "Turn that damn TV off please!" count?
Oh and let's not forget, "Would you like apple juice or soy milk to drink?" for the younger one.;)
:D So, anyway, I'd be up for a monthly discussion thread or something like that.
By the way, Arduinna, your sig line makes me laugh every time I see it--I wholeheartedly agree:LOL
:hippie

Arduinna

02-20-2004, 07:39 AM

here is the link to the Feb chit chat thread

http://mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?s=&threadid=117162

thanks for the support on the sigline :D

Zannalyn

02-20-2004, 06:02 PM

Hi all. Count me in! I'm a Pagan mama-to-be who definitely plans on APing. Baby is due in early June, and all is going quite well so far.

We lost a son at 23 weeks gestation just before winter Solstice in '02; our annual Solstice bash was a small, subdued gathering that year.....

We have snow on the ground but I am noticing the lengthening of the days, and also the buckets are out on some sugar maples we regularly drive by.... Spring is coming!

Kimlee, I once gave a blatantly Pagan, fertility-oriented blessing for a dear friend at her wedding, in a church! I was a little nervous until I found the elements around me; the ceiling fan going, candles, water in the baptismal, and some earth the bride and groom were using in seed planting ritual during the ceremony. We adapted a blessing from a book I used to have (can't find it at the moment) that I think was called _Magical Rites from the Crystal Well_ . It was very well received, including among folks I thought looked too straight or mainstream to like it. Remember that lots of people are curious and interested, rather than hostile, though they might look scary to us. I'm sure you'll do a great job.

Nice to find Pagan threads on these boards!

Jezanna