Changes

Arizona Fall

SONORAN DESERT PHOTOS

Fall is slowly creeping in.  

The days are getting shorter and the shadows longer.  

I like fall...

I'm even looking forward to winter and cooler temps. 

Things change with age. 

 What I used to like no longer matters and things I hated I now enjoy.

It's all part of this learning process we call life.

Water on the Desert

I took these picture of Lake Roosevelt Arizona on a trip to visit my kids last May 26th.

Water on the desert is always a welcome sight, and seeing the lake this full after several years of drought, made my heart happy, happy, happy.

Pagan vs Christian...the same or different?

It amazes me how many "Christians" use the same or similar tools we do, but still condemn us to their hell for our beliefs.  Can't they see that their "Angel Cards" are the same thing as our Tarot decks or that when they light candles and make a wish, they are doing the same thing we do when we light candles and cast a spell?  

One woman I know creates what she calls her "Daily Zen", it's a digital picture of what she is feeling that day to help her get in touch with herself and learn how to deal with what is negative in her life. I do the same thing, but my "Daily Zen" is done with meditation or a Tarot reading.

So many things the same, but considered different because the people who use them have different Gods or different beliefs.

The narrow mindedness of it all is sad, but on the other hand, it's always good for a good chuckle on my end. 

Getting to Know Me!

 I found this little quiz on the blog of a friend and thought it would be a good way to let everyone know a little something about my personal path and just what I believe.

Basics

Do you have a magickal name?
Yes

Does it have a special meaning?
Yes, it means “Bringer of light from a field of water.” It honors the Dragonfly who starts life in water then raises into the air, with a rainbow of light refracting off of his wings.

How did you find Wicca/Paganism?
When my grand daughter announced she was going to marry a Wiccan boy, I got on line to find out what his religion was all about. What started out as a panicky search ended up being the most amazing night of my life.

How long have you been practicing?
Four years.

Solitary or group practitioner?
Solitary. Started out as such because I was unable to find any other Pagan's in my area, now I practice solitary because I feel it is my true path. There is too much to learn, and too many twists and turns on the road of life to follow just one narrow path.

What is your path?
I consider myself a Witch/Pagan.

Are you out of the broom closet?
I'm still in but the door is open. I don't broadcast my beliefs, but if asked I tell the truth.

Gods/Goddess
Goddess mainly, I am learning to accept the God.

Who are your patron Gods?
The Sun God, not sure if it's Ra, Apollo, or one I have yet to meet. I welcome him as “Radiant Father” in my morning devotionals.

Who are your patron Goddesses?
Gaia is the Mother and Goddess of all. But Artemis is my own patron Goddess. She has been with me my entire life.

Do you fear dark aspects of the Gods/Goddess, or rather, respect them?
I respect them. They are a part of the whole and bring balance to everything.

Do you worship the Christian God?
Not the Christian God as such. It is my belief that all Gods are One no matter who worships them or what name they are called.

Do you ever worship animals? Or plants?
Not as individuals but as being part of Mother Earth or Gaia.

Do you regularly commune with nature?
Feeling the breeze on my skin, watching the sunrise or set, dancing in the rain or just walking or sitting and seeing Her beauty are my ways of communing with my Mother.

Ever walked barefoot in the woods?
Not in the woods per se, but rather on the desert. I am a desert dweller.

Taken a camping trip just to talk to nature?
Not necessarily to talk to nature, but to enjoy her beauty.

Describe the moment you felt closest to Mother Earth?
The day I passed through an area that had been burned out by a wild fire. I felt Her pain and wished I could have taken Her in my arms to comfort Her.

What is/are your power animal(s)?
The Dragonfly was at one time. It is the animal the help me find my way to this beautiful path. Now it is the Hawk. She is with me almost every day, sometimes I see her as many as three or four times.

Do you have a familiar?
I think I do. She is still young and I have much to learn about her, but she shows signs of being interested in my magical work.

Have you ever called upon the powers of an animal in ritual? Or a plant?
No!

Do you hug trees?
Oh yes. Quiet often in fact.

Give them gifts?
Water and food, and an offering if I take something from them.

What is your favorite flower to work with?
Yarrow!

What is your favorite tree to work with?
Elm!

Wheel of the Year

What are your favorite holidays?
Samhain is first and Yule is second! I have been touched by the Divine on both Sabbats.

What if your least favorite holiday?
I don't have one.

Have you ever held a ritual on a holiday?
Yes!

Ever taken a day off work to celebrate a pagan holiday?
No!

Do you celebrate Yule on the 21st rather than the 25th?
On the 21^st.

Have you ever felt the Veil thin?
No!

Ever danced the Maypole?
Yes, when I was a child.

Know what the Maypole symbolizes?
A phallus, representing fertility.

Ever made love on Beltane?
Probably, just didn't realize it was Beltane at the time.

How do you usually celebrate the pagan holidays?
In my own private way.

Divination

Do you use Tarot?
Yes!

Do you use runes?
Yes!

Do you use a pendulum?
Yes!

Do you use dowsing rods?
No!

Do you use astrology?
No!

Any other form of Divination?

No!

Spells

What was the first spell you did?
A spell to help my daughter pass an exam for her job certification. It worked, she passed with a 100%. I didn't ask that she pass the test, just that she stayed calm and kept her mind clear in order to remember what she had learned. I don't believe in “giving” something through magic, but rather asking that the person find what they need inside to receive the needed outcome.

What was the latest?
A spell to help another daughter with her finances. It also worked, but took longer than usual.

Ever done a love spell?
No, I don't believe in them. I will ask for someone to find the right kind of person, but whether the relationship develops or not is up to them.

A job spell?
Yes, for another daughter.

A healing spell?
Yes, for my animals.

What was the most powerful spell you’ve ever performed?
Probably the one to help my daughter get her job.

Cryptozoology

Do you believe in Vampires? Werewolves? Shape shifters? Elves? Faeries? Dragons? Nymphs? Sprites? Mermaids? Sirens? Satyrs?
Elves and Faeries.

Ghosts/Spirits?
Yes. I have a son who has been given the gift of seeing them.

Ever “seen” any of the above?
No! I have sensed them from time to time, but nothing visual.

Ever talked to any of the above?
No!

Ever called on any of the above in magick?
No!

Do you have one of them as a personal guardian?
Not to my knowledge, but this path is never ending and all things are possible.

Random

Do you see a rabbit, a man or a woman in the moon?
I see my Goddess.

Own a cat?
I live with three of them. They own me. : )

When you meditate what does your sacred/safe place look like?
My room.

Do you work with Chakras?
No. Still learning about them.

Do you believe in soul mates?
Yes!

Ever met one?
I'm living with him.

Do you have a Spirit guide?
Not that I know of.

Is it always love and light?
No...without the darker side there would be no balance and without balance nothing would work right.

  

Mama's New Mexico Enchilada's

My mother grew up in Hurley, New Mexico at a time when segregation was in full swing.  The town was divided according to race, whites living on one side and Mexican's on the other.  When my mama was small she fell in love with the corn and chili dishes of the Mexican people. Her mother, being from Oklahoma, had no idea how fix them, so Mama took to sneaking off to the Mexican side town and begging the old women there to teach her how to make the different dishes. She learned well, tamales, posoli, menudo... and this is how they taught her to make enchilada's, modified of course because of our modern health issues.

Ingredients:

1 carton Baca's frozen red chili (It's better to render your own, but I'm lazy and Baca's is the next best thing)'

2 Tbs. Olive oil (lard is better, but it's one of those things we aren't allowed to eat anymore.lol)

2 Heaping spoonfuls masa flour (by spoonfuls I mean soup spoons from dinnerware set.)

2 Cups of water, adding enough to keep sauce from getting too thick as it cooks. Should be the consistancy of gravy.

Garlic powder and salt to taste.

1 Onion chopped fine.

Extra sharp cheddar cheese, grated (I don't know how much, use an amount that suits you. For three of us I use 1 8oz package plus 1/3 of another).

Table corn tortillas. (I use Guerreo if I don't make my own).

2 Cups of cooking oil.

Melt frozen chili over low heat with olive oil, stirring occasionaly.

After chili is melted, increase heat to medium high, dissolve masa flour in water, then slowly add to chili and oil, stirring constantly until it begins to thicken. Season to taste.  

Turn heat down to medium low and let simmer for 30 min., stirring occasionaly so it doesn't burn.

When chili is ready, heat cooking oil.

Dip tortilla in hot oil until soft, then into chili sauce and put on plate. Sprinkle liberally with cheese and onion. Stacking until as many tortillas as each person wants are on their plate.  Top off with 1 or 2 fried eggs, and pour chili over all.

Serve with frijoles or refried beans.

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