Pagan Manifesto

If you are like me you have someone in your life you care about who just doesn't understand your beliefs or the path you have chosen to follow.
I have struggled for several years with loved ones who cling to the old "Wicked Witch of the West" image and think I am being blindly led into the chasm of hell there to burn forever in the fires of sin at the hands of a devil I don't even believe in.  It is frustrating and very, very tiring at times, trying to explain my beliefs and the fact that the world of Christianity and Hollywood has it all wrong.  I am not evil, I am not damned and what I believe has nothing to do with Satan.
I have tried over and over to put into words just what this path I follow is, only to fail miserably due to my inaptitude at explaining myself.  When I read this this morning on Real Life Magicks site, (http://reallifemagick.com/wordpress/?page_id=5), I realized it is exactly what I have been trying to say for the past 4 years.

Pagan Manifesto

There is, within society at present, a group of people calling themselves Pagans who, feeling

that there are many misunderstandings surrounding their beliefs and practices, wish this

document to be made available to the public in order to promote a greater understanding of

the basis of Pagan belief (Pagan is a general term being used to describe many modern-day

manifestations of ancient and pre-Christian religious practices.)

The term “Paganii” comes from the Latin “Pagus”, meaning “Countryside”, and therefore

literally means “dwellers in the country”. Hence Paganism is a nature based religion,

respecting and endeavoring to understand the needs of the planet and it’s ecology as a whole.

It was handed down from ancient times.

Pagans are aware of the cycles of Nature, and observe them as festivals throughout the

changing year.

Pagans see magic in Nature manifest in balance and harmony, and try to bring these into their

everyday lives by worship of two balancing aspects of divinity i.e., the Goddess and the God in

unison.

Pagans, in their seeking of moral and spiritual development, are interested in the study of

comparative and alternative religions in order to promote tolerance of the beliefs of others,

There is no “one true way” Many paths lead to the same destination, Pagans respect the

religious beliefs of others who “harm none”.

Pagans defend and respect the right of the individual, and would hope that others show them

the same consideration, They are not Gurus, and are not looking for converts to their faith,

but will explain it if asked.

True Pagans hold all life sacred and regard the human species as caretakers of the planet

responsible for it’s well being. They would not cause harm to any living thing or condone

others doing so.

Good Pagans consider the consequences of everything they do in the belief that they can effect

changes upon the material level which will manifest on the spiritual level and vice versa. Many

Pagans believe in the Three-Fold-Effect, in that what we do, for good or bad, we shall receive

in return three-fold ~ good or bad.

The children of Pagans are encouraged to have an interest in alternate and comparative

religions, Without being forced into the beliefs of their parents, they are bought up to respect

nature, and to hold all life sacred. They are taught to respect the person, beliefs and property

of other people & to be good citizens.

Pagans see “Satan”, in the sense generally used, as a Christian paradox. The Devil as the anti-

Christ is a purely Christian concept. Pagans don’t even believe in this embodiment of evil.

They certainly don’t worship Satan.

The common tenet and Rule of all true Pagan groups is “HARM NOTHING AND NO-ONE”.

These ten points are basic to the beliefs of all Pagans. Given the above points, true Pagans are

opposed to the abuse of any individual – be they children or adult – and they are further

opposed to the abuse of nature including animals, insects, birds, aquatic creatures, trees,

plants, humankind & the planet itself This includes physical abuse, violence & mental cruelty,

psychological manipulation & power trips, sexual abuse, any abuse through others for

commercial gain, financial abuse by any dishonest or illegal activity, religious intolerance or

political abuse, the abuse of any living thing on Earth or damaging the environment.

Should anyone be persecuted for holding such moderate and harmless beliefs?

Article 18 of The United Nations. Declaration of Human Rights states: EVERYONE HAS THE

RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF THOUGHT CONSCIENCE AND RELIGION. THIS RIGHT

INCLUDES THE FREEDOM TO CHANGE RELIGION OR BELIEF AND FREEDOM EITHER

ALONE OR IN COMPANY WITH OTHERS, IN PRIVATE OR IN PUBLIC TO MANIFEST

RELIGION OR BELIEF IN TEACHING, PRACTICE, WORSHIP AND OBSERVANCE.

True Pagans should harm no-one – neither should true Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, or

followers of any religion based upon basically good human values.

©Farrar/Bone 1997

Picture: 

Poster for Salon des Cent

Date: 1894

by Eugene Samuel Grasse  (1841 - 1917)

Gluten Free Pie Crust

This last Thanksgiving I had pumpkin pie for the first time in 12 years.  I was in heaven.

This crust recipe is very, very good and easy to make. It will definitely be on my Christmas menu.  Can't wait to try it on apple pie, and cherry, and pecan hmmmm then there's chocolate, and lemon and...oh so many new/old things to eat. 

Gluten Free Pie Crust

from Cooking.com

Ingredients:

1/3 cup brown rice flour

1/3 cup tapioca flour

1/3 cup potato starch (not potato flour)

1 tablespoon cornstarch

2 teaspoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon gluten-free baking powder (recipe for gluten-free baking powder below)

1 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup shortening,or butter, chilled

1 egg, cold

1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 

Sift together rice and tapioca flour, potato and cornstarch, sugar, baking powder, xanthan gum, and salt into a mixing bowl.

Cut cold shortening or butter into dry ingredients.  Blend with a pastry cutter until butter is incorporated into the dry ingredients.  The dough should hold together when squeezed. 

Beat egg with vinegar and mix into dough.  Form into a ball with your hands. Add a little tapioca flour if the dough is too sticky. Roll out between two sheets of wax paper. The dough should be about 1 1/2 inches larger in diameter than the pie plate.

Peel one sheet of wax paper away from dough. Place pie crust in pan. Remove top sheet of wax paper. Trim excess dough and crimp edges to form a decorative border.

Tip:If the recipe calls for a baked pie shell, prick the dough with a fork and bake at 350 degrees F. for 10 to 12 minutes. Cool before filling.

Baking Powder GF

Ingredients:

1/2 teaspoon cream of tarter

1/4 teaspoon soda

1/4 teaspoon corn starch

Directions:

Combine all ingredients and mix well

A Welcome Gift From Grandmother Spider

I have been a Pagan for only four short years, and every once in awhile the Goddess sends me a confirmation message that I am where I truly belong.

This is a picture of a light fixture in the kitchen of our RV. We were living in it at the time, (a part of my horse racing/gypsy days). The light fixture was no longer in use as we had rewired the trailer a few of years before, so I guess Grandmother Spider thought it would be a nice place to build her new home and present me with her personal gift of welcome.

Grandmother Spiders Welcome Gift  

Sammie

This is Sammie. My new moving disaster.

She has already broken two of my ornamental jars, one that held my grand daughters feather collection and one with my bath powder in it, the tablecloth has been found on the floor more times than I can count and my alter candles have been knocked over on a regular basis. And all this in just 4 days. *sigh* She is not the brightest kitty I have ever owned either so teaching her the ropes is not going to be easy. On the other hand she is just so cute and cuddly that I can't help but love her.

My older kitten Kali is not as fond of her as I am though, and I have had to break up a few fights.

  

But maybe the war has ended or at least slowed down, because this morning I caught Kali giving her a good washing. Sammie now has one of the cleanest ears on the planet.

And come nap time, it's nicer to have a bed partner than to sleep alone.

Getting acquainted with and learning about a new animal is not always easy, but I have found that patience and staying constant in my discipline eventually pays off. I can tell Sammie is going to try my patience for some time to come, but we'll work it out and soon will be the best of friends.

Gods...To Be or Not To Be

What is the definition of a God or Goddess?

Are They just words to explain what we don't understand, or are They real beings, unseen, but felt?  Are They here to assist us with our lives, or are They only something we wish for when we are in need?

A heady question... what is God or Goddess, and one that is very difficult to answer.

There are as many answers as there are people on Earth and They have as many names as there have been civilizations in humankind's history. Each of us has our own idea about who and what They are. Even when we think we are agreeing on how we view Them, that view is still unique only to us. As individuals it is impossible for everyone to hold an identical image of the Gods. Each of us see's/ feels Them in our own way. I believe They are who we want or need Them to be at the time we call upon Them...and even that image changes with each circumstance.

My patron Goddess is Artemis. She has been with me my entire life, even before I understood exactly what my beliefs were. I can look back over the various chapters of my life and see where She stepped in to protect and guide me. At those times I didn't even know who Artemis was, or that She even existed. She helped me through a difficult childhood, then a difficult marriage. She was with me through six pregnancies, helping the births of my children go smooth and easy. She was not there to necessarily take away my pain, but to help me find the courage and strength to survive it. Even when I prayed to my God at the time to just let me die because I felt I couldn't endure one more day of unhappiness, there was always that small niggling poke from somewhere inside me that told me I could get through this crisis and come out the other side a stronger and better person for the experience.

I don't believe our Gods can wave a magic wand and make all the bad go away, but I do believe They are always with us, encouraging us and showing us the way to overcome the terrible hand life has once again dealt us.

As far as worshiping our Gods, I feel that just believing in Them is all the worship they require. Saying the occasional thank you, and living our lives in a way that honors Them is enough.

Although I am now well into my Crone years and Artemis is known as the protector of the young and innocent and the bringer of painless child birth, I feel She is still with me. She is the Goddess who held my hand as I entered this life, and after spending so many years together, She has granted me the gift of once again holding it when my time comes to leave. She is not a Goddess apart from me, but the Goddess that is a part of me, and I am grateful for Her presence and guidance all these years.

So back to the question “What is God/Goddess” ? They are who and what 'you' want Them to be. They are called by the name 'you' call Them. They are 'you' in your most Divine form.

An Apology

This blog is going to be in the form of an apology.  I know the last several months most of my posts have been copy and paste type things and I'm sorry for this. I know a blog is supposed to be original and a way to share your feelings, thoughts and ideas with others, but my health has been a real pain the the butt the last several months and the ability to concentrate long enough to put my thoughts down in a way that makes any sense at all has been impossible.

At this point things are improving and hopefully before too long I will be back to full steam ahead.  I send my thanks to those of you who have stuck it out, please bare with me just a little longer and I'll try and make up for lost time.

Blessings to all

Eileen

Blessed Samhain All

Twas The Evening of Samhain

(Unknown)

Twas the evening of Samhain, and all through the place

Were pagans preparing the ritual space.

The candles were set in the corners with care,

In hopes that the Watchtowers soon would be there.

We all had our robes on (as is habitual)

And had just settled down and were starting our ritual

When out on the porch there arose such a chorus

That we went to the door, and waiting there for us

Were children in costumes of various kinds

With visions of chocolate bright in their minds.

In all of our workings, we'd almost forgot,

But we had purchased candy (we'd purchased a LOT),

And so, as they flocked from all over the street,

They all got some chocolate or something else sweet.

We didn't think twice of delaying our rite,

Kids just don't have this much fun every night.

For hours they came, with the time-honored schtick

Of giving a choice: a treat or a trick.

As is proper, the parents were there for the games,

Watching the children and calling their names.

"On Vader, On Leia, On Dexter and DeeDee,

On Xena, on Buffy, Casper and Tweety!

To the block of apartments on the neighboring road;

You'll get so much candy, you'll have to be TOWED!"

The volume of children eventually dropped,

And as it grew darker, it finally stopped.

But as we prepared to return to our rite,

One child more stepped out of the night.

She couldn't have been more than twelve or thirteen.

Her hair was deep red, and her robe, forest green

With a simple gold cord tying off at the waist.

She'd a staff in her hand and a smile on her face.

No make-up, nor mask, or accompanying kitsch,

So we asked who she was; she replied "I'm a witch.

And no, I don't fly through the sky on my broom;

I only use that thing for cleaning my room.

My magical powers aren't really that neat,

But I won't threaten tricks; I'll just ask for a treat."

We found it refreshing, so we gave incense cones,

A candle, a crystal, a few other stones,

And the rest of the candy (which might fill a van).

She turned to her father (a man dressed as Pan)

And laughed, "Yes, I know, Dad, it's past time for bed,"

And started to leave, but she first turned and said

"I'm sorry for further delaying your rite.

Blessed Samhain to all, and a magical night."

"Twas the Night Before Samhain

Twas the Night Before Samhain

Anonymous

Twas the night before Samhain and all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, except for my spouse.

The incense, it burned in our cauldron so black,

For Witchcraft and Magick we'd a wonderful knack.

The circle was drawn with the athame of power,

The guardians were called to each quarter tower.

The Lord and Lady attended our rite,

In wonder and glory and power and might.

The dearly departed came as our guest,

To live once again, after their rest.

We bid them goodbye with a tear in our eye,

Such a lovely presence of loved ones so nigh.

The candles danced in the flickering light,

With the Great Rite we bid them all a good night.

The guardians, thanked, have all sped away,

The Lord and Lady, thanked for the day.

The night before Samhain, Gods bless this house,

A circle of wonder 'round me and my spouse.

The Charge of the Star Goddess

The Charge of the Star Goddess

By Starhawk

Hear the words of the Star Goddess,

The dust of whose feet are the hosts of heaven,

Whose body encircles the universe...

“ I who am the beauty of the green Earth,

The white Moon among the Stars,

And the Mystery of the Waters,

I call upon your soul to arise and come unto Me.

For I am the Soul of Nature, which gives life to the universe.

From Me all things proceed,

And unto Me they must return.

Let My worship be in the heart that rejoices,

For behold – all acts of love and pleasure are My rituals.

Let there be beauty and strength,

Power and compassion,

Honour and humility,

Mirth and reverence within you.

And you who need to know Me,

Know that your seeking and yearning will avail you not,

Unless you know the Mystery:

For if that which you seek you find not within yourself,

You will never find it without.

For behold, I have been with you from the beginning,

And I am that which is attained at the end of desire.”

Cooking With Rice Flour

For people who are gluten intolerant rice flour is a savior.  It not only makes great bread when mixed with tapioca and potato starch,(see recipe in prvious post),  it can be used to bread chicken, fish and vegetables for frying.  It makes a nice crispy, crunchy crust. 


I also use it to make my gravy.  It doesn't brown like wheat flour so you will need to shake it up in a jar with a little bit of water (about two cups) to disolve and add to your water or milk base after it has reached the point of near boiling.  Pour slowly, stiring continuously over medium, low heat, without bringing to a full boil, until it is the thickness you want. Season as usual.


One of the perks of using rice flour in your cooking is the clean up.  It doesn't stick like regular flour and washes off with little or no scrubing.  
My "number three" daughter, who is not gluten intolerant, has been using it for frying, gravies and sauces as long as I have.  Her family likes the taste and texture it gives her fried foods, and she likes the clean up.


White or brown rice flour works the same for me. There is a suble difference in taste, and I personally prefer the white, but do use the brown when the white is unavailable.

"Witchcraft Is Not Evil"

"Witchcraft is not evil. 

At least not any more than lighting a votive candle, 

praying for a sick friend, or carrying a lucky charm is. 

However, there are some who do view witchcraft as evil. 

This is only because organized religion (primarily the Christian church) 

has conditioned them to fear anything which strays from their narrow condemning view. 

After all, if you have the ability to fend for yourself, 

solve your own problems, and choose your own method of spiritual expression, 

why would you need the confined structure of a church?"

~Lady Sabrina~ 

Gluten Free Home Made Bread

This bread makes excellent Texas toast.  It has become my breakfast every morning, and since I can't tolerate most of the chemicals they add to margarine, I enjoy it with real butter.  Mmmm good!!!

Bette Hagman's Gluten-Free Flour Mix 

 3 cups rice flour

1 cup potato starch (not potato flour)

1/2 cup tapioca starch

Mix Well

Gluten Free Bread

(Gluten Free Cooking School) 
http://www.glutenfreecookingschool.com/

1 Tbsp. bread machine yeast
1 Tbsp. sugar

1 ½ c. water (105 degrees or a little less than hot)

2 ½ cups GF Flour Mix

2 tsp. xanthan gum
1tsp. salt

3 eggs (or 9 Tbsp. water and 3 Tbsp. ground flax seed)
1 ½ Tbsp. oil
1 tsp. cider vinegar

1. Start by combining the yeast and sugar in a small bowl (I use the smallest in my set of three nested mixing bowls). Add the water while gently stirring the yeast and sugar. Let this mixture sit while you mix the rest of the ingredients – bubbles and foam should form if the yeast is happy.

2. Combine the flour mix, xanthan gum and salt in the largest mixing bowl and stir well.

3. In a third bowl, whisk the eggs, oil and vinegar until the eggs are a bit frothy.

4. By this point the yeast mixture should be foamy, so you can pour the two liquid mixtures into the flour mixture. Blend the dough with a mixer for 4 minutes.

Bread Machine Directions:

Scoop your dough into the bread machine and smooth the top of the dough. I bake my bread using an 80 minute setting that allows for 20 minutes of kneading, 18 minutes of rise, and 42 minutes of baking. However, since I don’t use the paddle in by bread machine, I’m effectively doing a 38 minute rise and a 42 minute bake.  

Sovereign

Sovereign

~Nikolai Alekseevich Zabolotsky~

"The horse stands like a knight keeping watch,

The wind plays in his light hair,

His eyes burn like two worlds, 

And his mane lifts like the imperial purple."

My Favorite Creation Story

Creation and the Great Work

(Written By Silver Ravenwolf)

Long, long ago there was only darkness--a deep, ebony ocean of empty infinity-the void that

was no place.

From this place of nothingness, Spirit drew in upon itself and with a mighty burst of joyful

vibration, our Lady of Light exploded into being, Her essence, Her totality of perfect love

and perfect trust.

In Her heart She held the presence of Spirit, and there was no part of Her that was not of

the divine.

In delight, our Lady began the Great Work.

She danced among the heavens, Her bare feet beating out the rhythm of all creation, giving

birth to everything as sparks of light catapulted from Her flying hair and extended fingertips.

She created stars and planets, and bid them to dance with Her.

As they began to move, so the cycle of the year was born, and the divine symphony of the

universe came into form.

She gave them names of power, each unto their own.

These things moved from the void, into the thought, given the breath of life, and then into the

world.

Our Lady chanted the words of perfect love and perfect peace and, as these sounds fell to the

Earth, the trees, flowers, and grasses took root in the fertile soil of Gaea.

From the pure, white light of Her breath came the colors of the universe, turning all things to

vibrant beauty.

From the bubbling laughter in Her throat sprang the sounds of the clear, running water of the

streams, the gentle lapping vibrations of the lakes, and the roaring of the oceans.

Her tears of happiness became the rains of our survival.

Our Lady was the Presence, and the Presence our Lady.

And when Her dancing slowed, the Lady sought a companion to share the wonders of the

many worlds.

As the Holy Spirit, She created God as Her soul mate.

Because our Lady so loved the Earth, the energy pattern of the God contained both the

essence of the Presence and the Divine energy of the Earth ---and He was known by

many names: Green man; Lord of the Forests; King of the Fields; and Father, Son

and Sage.

Together the Lord and the Lady created all the beings of Earth.

The Lord's power moved through Her, and She showered the Earth and all upon it with

Her blessings.

Together, They designed the birds, animals, fishes, insects, reptiles, and people of our world.

To protect and guide the humans, the Lord and Lady fashioned the angels, guides, and

spirits of power.

These energies still walk with us, although we often cannot see them.

To each being our Lady gave a unique vibration in which to communicate, and the Lord

bestowed to each the fire of passion and the burning instinct to survive.

As a gift for His magnificent handiwork and caring for the creatures of the Earth, our

Lady gave our Lord a crown of stag antlers, which He wears upon His great head.

This aspect of half man, half woman would forever show His joy of both the human and

animal creations of the Presence.

The crown will always be a symbol that people can spiritually work with the duality of their own

natures to reach into the core of Spirit.

Together, the Lord and Lady blessed the first humans with free will. "

We are of the gods, and the gods are us!" the people cried.

And the Lord and Lady smiled, "We are all One," said our Lady, and through a

web of silver light, she connected each human to the other, and then linked the humans to all

other energy patterns on the planet.

When this was done, She wove Herself and Her Lord into the divine tapestry of pulsating

energy. "

Love is the law, honor is the bond," said the Lord as He empowered the tapestry of life.

Our Lady has many names: Isis, Astarte, Bride, Diana, Aradia, Innana,

Hecate, Mitzu Gami, and thousands more.

The Lady walks within and beside each woman and man of every race in every place.

She is the Maiden, Mother and Crone. She is the sacred trinity of all religions.

Indeed She is the Holy Spirit.

The Lord has many faces, from the strong Cernunnos to the delightful Pan, and Osiris,

Tyr, Anubis, Ra, Apollo, Odin, and thousands more.

He guards and guides us and resides in each man and woman of every race in every place.

When thunder roars in the heavens and lightening cracks from the ground, the Lord and

Lady dance the divine myth of creation so that we may remember Them and know that we

are never alone, and that we are one.

When the sun rises each morning, we bask in the joy of His love for us, and when the moon

moves through Her phases, we understand the cycle of birth, growth, death, and rebirth, as is

the nature of all things, and we honor Her power.

But as the humans began to grow and prosper, they forgot about Their divine parents.

Although the Lord and Lady called to their children, they did not listen. They were lost,

fighting the demons they themselves had created.

Not wishing to abandon Their children, the Lord and Lady decided to create healers and

workers of Harmony among the humans to remind them of the divine source and to show

them the way home to the arms of the Mother.

Within each special soul would be the remembrance of the Great Work: to love, create and

move in harmony. And so the Lord and Lady drew forth energy from the realm of angels,

the realm of power animals, the realm of the dead, and the realm of the humans, instilling these

special souls with the divine energy of the Presence through miracles of magick.

These beings of power were called Witches.

And so it was that once a month, when the moon grew full, the Witches celebrated in secret

and remembered the blessings our Mother bestowed upon them, and worked magick to fulfill

their divine mission of the Great Work.

In these rites, the Witches called forth the essence of the Lord and Lady to help them take

care of themselves, their families, the planet, and their friends.

Four times a year, as the cross quarters ,(Samhain, Candlemas, Beltain, and

Lammas), blossomed with bonfires across the land, the Witches celebrated the festivals of fire

in honor of our Lord and His love and protection for all the children of the Earth as well as

the birth of our Mother from the void and the divine dance that brought all humans into

creation.

At the four quarters of the seasons (Yule, Ostara, Summer Solstice, and Mabon), the

Witches honored the solar cycle of life and the gift of the Earth through celebrations of

thanksgiving.

For 8000 years we have done this, for our essence is in every shaman, every magi, every

priest and every priestess who carries the hidden truth of perfect love and perfect trust within their

souls.

We are the Craft of the Wise.

When it is our time to leave the Earth plane, our Lady sends a guide to escort us to the

Summerland.

From the Presence that moves and flows through the Lord and Lady, we continue to learn

the mysticism of the universe so that we may return, life after life, to serve our brothers and

sisters---to remind them that they are only visiting here, and that each action, not each piece of

gold gathered, is the way, the truth, and the light.

In each lifetime, Spirit guides us through learning experiences, preparing us along the way

for our individual missions.

Sometimes we are born among our own kind, but more often than not, we are born among

the unbelievers--we are born to show them the way home.

It is by our actions, not our preaching, that the journey is made.

We are the Witches, the representatives of wisdom's growth on our planet. Because the

religions of the world have failed to recognize the Great Work and to see our Mother in all

things, the Lord and Lady gave us our own religion. This is the greatest test.

We are the hidden children.

We are the people, the power, and the change-and we have incarnated in every race and

every culture, and will continue to do so until the end of time.

We are the weavers, and we are the web.

We cannot be stopped, because we are the Presence and the Presence is us.

We are the divine angels of Earth.

We are the heavens and the stars.

We are the earth, the air, the fire, and the water.

We are the Spirit.

We are one.

And, We have come to guide you home.

For we are the Witches, back from the dead.