Uncanny Archaeology

Some interesting articles on this Archaeology site.
http://www.archaeology.org/online/features/halloween/

Happy Valentines Day Everyone

Stonehenge "Hedge" Found, Shielded Secret Rituals?

This article about the people of Stonehenge planting hedges to keep their rituals and rites more private, really brought the site to life for me. Their act of planting and tending live plants helps me relate to them as people and not mysterious beings of another world. Planting hedges is something we Pagans do today to keep our own rituals private and away from prying eyes and nosy neighbors.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/02/100211-stonehenge-stonehedge-secret-rituals/

Wonderful photos of Stonehenge from National Geographic.

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2008/06/stonehenge/geiger-photography

"Witches and Witchcraft, Creatures of the Night, and Ancient Curses and Magic".

An interesting article for witches and Pagans.

"A look at the archaeology of Halloween, witches and witchcraft, creatures of the night, and ancient curses and magic".
http://www.archaeology.org/online/features/halloween/

Listening

Echo Of Small Things
Originally uploaded by Midnight-digital

I don't post much here, that's because I am more a listener/reader than a talker/writer. I learn by being quiet and taking in what goes on around me. You would be surprised what you can learn by just being a little mouse in the corner. People tend to forget you are there and talk about things they would otherwise keep to themselves.
But be forewarned, sometimes you can learn more than you really need to know so be prepared for a sometimes unpleasant surprise now and then.
I have been people watching/listening my whole life and recommend it highly. Our fellow humans are an interesting bunch and an encyclopedia of information, especially when they forget who is listening to them.
Try it some day, you might like it.

Another year to live!

“Another fresh new year is here . . .
Another year to live!
To banish worry, doubt, and fear,
To love and laugh and give!
This bright new year is given me
To live each day with zest . . .
To daily grow and try to be
My highest and my best!
I have the opportunity
Once more to right some wrongs,
To pray for peace, to plant a tree,
And sing more joyful songs!”
~William Arthur Ward~

Resolutions for 2010
I resolve to:
Read at least one book on Paganism/Witchcraft every two months.
Have a better grasp of the Tarot by the end of the year.
Put more structure and discipline in my Pagan life.
Set up and follow a schedule for study.
Get out in and observe Nature more often.
Work harder on my spiritual growth.
Be more devoted to writing in my journal.
Better organize my Book of Shadows.
Work on my meditation technique.

Just What Does "Harm" Mean

When we are given the knowledge of our power, we are also given the responsibility to use it wisely. This includes the choice of what is harmful and what is not . To see the harm in something, we must look deeper than what is laying on the surface. It may seem manipulative and harmful at first but when we look deeper, the true harm may come from doing nothing. Sometimes the person needing the help is unable to make a clear decision for themselves. If they are in a controlling, abusive relationship, the abuser usually has the upper hand and the person being abused can see no way out so endures the pain inflicted on them.
The same for someone with an addiction. The drug or alcohol has taken control of that person and they are unable to break free from it’s grip. In this case, they need someone to help them find a way to break the hold on their life and throw off their addiction.

I don’t mean we should cast a spell to actually release them from their abusers or addictions, but one to help them find their own way out. Something that takes our Power and uses it to awaken their Power to help give them back their lives.

Magic is not be a cure all. It should be used not to “give” us what we want, but to help us find a way to “achieve” what we want. I believe by giving someone else the Power to heal themselves or achieve their own goals, we are truly doing the work of our beloved Goddess and God and this cannot be considered manipulative or interfering.
I am not changing anything for them, I am simply showing them the way to change it themselves and then stepping back so they can make their own choices.