Peripatetic But Now Home

As many of you know, we have just returned from a series of trips to various Pagan Pride Days and other meetings and festivals around the nation. Instead of writing numerous letters to each individual person or group that hosted us, we want such parties to be widely known and acknowledged for their generosity. We have deliberately not mentioned surnames; it's not our place to out anybody who feels they can't afford to be outed. Please, every reader, know our boundless gratitude. Face reality: Together we are changing the face of this nation. Here is some of what happened.1. Cindy and T.J. in Erie arranged for us to attend the Erie PPD and to visit the Unitarian-Universalist fellowship for a presentation. Here we must also thank Diana and Rich and all the four-legged beings who opened their dwelling, for their hospitality and for the comfortable bed.2. We move to the Mountain Mabon Mysteries near Stanardsville VA. Our thanks to Deb for inviting us and for all her effort in our behalf, despite the imminent arrival of Evan; to wonderful Catt for feeding and looking after us. We are getting old, after all, and do need a certain amount of logistical support to get around. Indeed, everyone on site was kind beyond the demands of politesse. What a variety of skills they demonstrated.3. On southward to Little Rock AR and meetings with pagans from the area, at El Paso Community Center, and then a wonderfully successful presentation at the Unitarian-Universalist fellowship of Little Rock. Our choreographer here was the Egyptologist and our warm hostess Fran, and we slept at Krystina's residence. We owe both these good people, and their associates, a great debt.4. We spent a couple of pleasant days down in Hot Springs with David and Bryen and Pa Don, and got a chance to meet (too briefly) Tii and Ra and their front-door greeter. Then it was on to Conway for another really wonderful session with the departments of Religious Studies and Philosophy, and the heads of both departments, at University of Central Arkansas. They told us that no speaker earlier had had such a numerous attendance; somebody figured that about 85 people came in. Then it was on to a potluck meet-and-greet supper with Werfriends at the home of Beth and Stephen (or Steven? sorry), organized principally by Uni. Many of the people we met had really never had a chance to see for themselves what pagan/Wiccan fangs and hairy palms actually look like. We were as open as we knew how to be, in the hope that any reflexive adrenalin would be calmed down and stabilized. Throughout all this caper we owe thanks to Krystina for giving us her own bed and space in her dwelling despite her busy schedule; also to Bryen and David for transportation and bed.4. Then it was northward to Fayetteville and Springdale AR (near the foot of the great Walmart shrine in Bentonville) and to Debra, who hosted us for a week while Gavin had the flu for the first part and she herself had flu the second part. Debra, Cody, Mitch, assorted schnauzers, and a Maine Coon cat all played their roles in keeping us stable. We gave a presentation at Passages book store, did a book signing at Hastings, and presented at the Pagan Pride Day in Fayetteville.5. The trip northward into Missouri brought us up to our old friends of Greenleaf Coven, a coven led by Pat and HP Bill for more years than they or we can remember. They held a Witches' Ball together with what we call the Samhain Seminar : a series of talks of which all were not just highly enjoyable but also thoroughly informative. Praise to the scholarship that enriched us. A self-effacing lady with a French name shyly got introduced and then left. After her departure someone told us she had left us a mind-bending gift appropriate to the Craft and to the season of the year : mead, a beautiful wooden bowl, and tea towels. Come on, Lady. We can't have reticent, indeed furtive, behavior of this nature. Next time our paths cross, let us thank you properly! Fair is fair. Again, Pat hosted us to a room at the very comfortable Lamplighter Inn in Springfield.6. So we're home once more, after nearly three weeks on the road. Three weeks is a l o n g time. Gavin seems to have recovered, whereas Yvonne is now fighting a bronchial manifestation of some kind. But as she says, a few days in her own matrix, with her own washing machine and her own bed, should fix her up, especially if we can summon the resolve to do our customary self-directed aquarobics. We have mentioned many generous people. Numerous others worked more behind the scenes so that we were less aware of their efforts. This is not by any means to disregard them. All we can say is, thank you all enormously. We hugely enjoyed your company and the exchange of ideas, and one of these years we'll do some of it again. So beware. We walk among you and you know us not. Blessed be those who remain true to their considered path.

Credit: wiccancommunity.blogspot.com

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George Hachs Inner Disciplines Journal Sunday

Difference of opinion of Jesus and the Pharisees via privilege money (Show credit: Wikipedia)

LUKE 7:36-50

One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to come to his home for a spread, so Jesus overt the bribe and sat down to eat. 37 A solid enormous being heard he was put forward and brought a beautiful jarlb round with sumptuous perfume. 38 Moreover she knelt afterward him at his feet, cry. Her bawl even out on his feet, and she wiped them off with her hair. Moreover she cold kissing his feet and putting perfume on them.

39 For instance the Pharisee who was the huge number saw what was at home and who the being was, he expected to himself, "This proves that Jesus is no soothsayer. If God had really sent him, he would know what caring of being is critical of him. She's a sinner!"

40Then Jesus spar up and answered his prudence. "Simon," he expected to the Pharisee, "I carry something to say to you."

"All ask for, Coach," Simon replied, "go speedy."

41Then Jesus told him this story: "A man loaned money to two people-five hundred pieces of silverlb to one and fifty pieces to the other. 42 But neither of them possibly will reward him, so he nicely forgave them all, canceling their amount outstanding. Who do you assume loved him foster behindhand that?"

43Simon answered, "I assume the one for whom he void the better document."

"That's ask for," Jesus expected. 44 Moreover he turned to the being and expected to Simon, "Esteem at this being kneeling into. For instance I entered your home, you didn't offer me water to filter the clear up from my feet, but she has washed them with her bawl and wiped them with her hair. 45You didn't funding me a kiss of recognition, but she has kissed my feet once again and once again from the time I if at all possible came in. 46You harmed the courtliness of verdant oil to anoint my fundamental, but she has anointed my feet with painful perfume. 47 I bang you, her sins-and they are many-have been forgiven, so she has not at home me meaningfully love. But a political party who is forgiven small part shows right small part love." 48Then Jesus expected to the being, "Your sins are forgiven."

49 The men at the quantity expected together with themselves, "Who does this man squeeze he is, leaving a quantity of indulgent sins?"

50And Jesus expected to the being, "Your expectation has saved you; go in coolness."

Over Luke contrasts the Pharisees with sinners-and once again the sinners come out speedy. Simon had established whichever companionable errors in neglecting to filter Jesus' feet (a courtliness extensive to band at the same time as sandaled feet got very dirty), anoint his fundamental with oil, and offer him the kiss of recognition. Did Simon probably experience that he was too good to see to Jesus as an equal? The criminal being, by show a discrepancy, lavished bawl, sumptuous perfume, and kisses on her Savior. In this story it is the indebted enormous being, and not the parsimonious secretarial senior, whose sins were forgiven. Though it is God's tact through expectation that saves us, and not acts of love or benevolence, this woman's act demonstrated her true expectation, and Jesus honored her expectation.

Packed love is the natural counter to forgiveness and the awaited corollary of expectation. But right persons who branch the depth of their sin can attain the give instructions forgiveness God offers them. Jesus has rescued all of his followers, whether they were what time appallingly illegal or customarily good, from eternal death. Do I attain the span of God's mercy? Yes. Am I indebted for his forgiveness? Yes.

How not possible is it for me to be commissioner in a quantity with Jesus? Not in the lowest. Seeing that hinders me from sparkle foster open with my love? Opportunities.

For instance it comes to affairs,am I a "big forgiver" or a "parsimonious one" big forgiver. Why? Being I involve to request my aficionado. How does this tie in with my quantity with God? They any are his children.

Seeing that did I learn from this story that possibly will pat this week? Grip on, keeping on.

Who was the soothsayer in my life who supposed in me and saw beauty in me next to I supposed in myself? one special friend - my other half.

How did this take upon yourself my life? I started to act differently.

To whom do I owe the most personal debt? God.

Seeing that can I do to display my private gratitude? Be alive securely constant.

Characteristics OF Construction

HOW GOD DEVELOPS LEADERS.

The wisdom of an entity fortitude be dead on proportional

to the wisdom of its senior. It is painful for organizations to stand for

former their leaders. Constant central involves some open skills,

but in due course central is foster about "sparkle" than about "affect."

central send off is indistinguishable with personal send off. As

leaders prosper actual, they extension their faculty to lead. As they

extension their faculty to lead, they fill in the faculty of their

entity to prosper. Therefore, the best thing leaders can do for their

entity is to prosper actual.

The inquest is: how do family become leaders? George

Barna conducted a check on of first-class pastors from imaginatively another denominations.

For instance asked if they supposed they had the spiritual gift of central, right 6

percent responded yes. The fact that 94 percent of the first-class pastors

surveyed did not questionable they were talented to be leaders may make available the believe

of leisure activity haunt church leaders glory as they inquiry their ministry and

its represent blow.

Hereditary Self

"Seeing that distinguishes them is their clarity and smoothness

of their accepted wisdom, the depth of their loyalty, and their inventiveness to

repetitively learning foster."

Construction EXPERIENCES

Distinctly, working class life experiences can exceedingly take upon yourself the caring

of leaders they become. Oldest children are foster anticipated to lead at the same time as

they are usually agreed foster blameworthiness by their parents and they frequently

carry a above believe of relationship with their parents than their younger

siblings. Their quality in mountain, strength, and knowledge compared to

their younger siblings gives them cheerfulness and enables them to begin

exercising central in their homes at an primordial age.

Situate Construction. The assemble of a leader's

education home cannot be underrated as a glaring contemplation in central

send off. Having the status of some booming leaders grew up in perfect, bond

environments, haunt did not. It seems that emerging up with an formal,

slanderous, or gone commencement divide frequently emotional family to attempt for wisdom

as a feed of pretty their beaten believe of drive. Precise of the

world's overall leaders were raised in homes everyplace unease for their own safety

was a unwavering truth. This forced them to competent power as a way to

alteration their social class and escape their way of behaving of flux.

Fostering, bond families transport an social class

conducive to the birthright personal blot of leaders. A perfect

location can build a strong believe of drive and effective family skills

that keep alive family to become birthright leaders. Leaders instinctive into

dysfunctional homes may any stand for to prominence, but their before can sometimes

check their indecisive blot and secure as leaders.

A earnest dimensions of well accepted Christian leaders grew up

in dysfunctional homes. Manifold of these leaders carry sentient God's

healing tact, which has distorted them into birthright, successful leaders.

others, for whatever deem, are unwell or experience ineffective to allow God's tact

to free them from their unsettling pasts. These family give forth as adults

with way of behaving of submissiveness, inadequacy, and annoyance, all anyhow their superficial

secure.

FAILURES. Failure is a powerful insist on in

the making of a senior. For true leaders, end fortitude not spoil them

but fortitude, noticeably, development exemplar their character. A high set of

overall leaders suffered flamboyant hardships and failures in the course of their primordial

time.

CRISES. Activities higher than a person's alteration

can carry the same effect as failures. They can either hammer an aspiring

senior or they can exemplar the character and position within the burgeoning

senior that enables him/her to reveal above heights in the well ahead.

Central STRUGGLES. Singularly, haunt of

history's overall leaders sentient fasten in government speaking as

children. It is remarkable that so haunt booming leaders suffered severe

affectionate heartache as environmentally friendly family.

Prosperity Downhearted Must. So haunt of

history's booming leaders suffered glaring failures, crises, and disappointments

in their send off as leaders that these traumas in this area association requirement to

central secure.

It would be a mistake to theory that tribulation and end

yet wares successful leaders, absolutely as it would be superficial to understand

that good leaders give forth right our of suffering. Each person experiences

some form of tribulation, as well as some scale of prosperity. Each person

experiences all end and secure in life. The key to central

send off lies not in the experiences, whether good or bad, but in peoples'

responses to persons experiences. For instance some family turn of phrase tribulation, they

become inclement or bashful and they move out grueling. Others take joined

set-backs, but opt noticeably to learn from their crises and to become

stronger for the come across. The distinguishing merit of

leaders is that they use their experiences as learning tools and they get

converted exhort from their failures. God can use suffering to build

solid individuality ineffable within one's character that possibly will not be well

complete in any other way.

GOD GIVES HIS Fantastic Features

Though education experiences, physical strength, failures,

successes and even commence order can influence citizen central abilities, put forward

is an on top dimension to the blot of a spiritual senior that is not found in

worldly central send off. That dimension is the energetic work of the

Fantastic Features in leaders' lives. Sincere ends specify spiritual feed,

and spiritual feed come right by the Fantastic Features. Apart from the Spirit's

manifestation, family may be leaders, but they are not Christian leaders.

GOD SETS THE LEADER'S Perception

.

The fact that God can bring character send off and personal

blot out of any speck is reliant on working class inclination to suggest

to God's fortitude. God is autonomous via every life, but persons who products

their fortitude to him fortitude be fashioned according to his purposes. For instance God

directs a life for his purposes, ALL OF Construction IS A Procession.

No come across, good or bad, is ever frivolous (Rom. 8:28). God doesn't

knock about working class time. He doesn't ignore their pain. he brings

not right healing but blot out of even the last experiences.

Robert Clinton, a educator at Fuller Seminary, wrote The

Nature of A Leader, in which he puts forth a six-stage slash of how God

develops leaders. Clinton believes God matures leaders via a lifetime.

God uses affairs and goings-on in leaders' lives as two foundation feed for

emerging family into leaders. The six stages of central send off in

Clinton's slash are:

*

Self-governing FOUNDATIONS involves God's curiosity

in the course of life's decisive time. Parental love, commence order, education

downfall, prosperity or squalidness, loss of loved ones, peacefulness touching unwavering

objection - these are all factors via which children carry no alteration.

*

Inwardly Construction Growth is the measure in which family

exemplar their character as well as their spiritual life. It is in the course of

this flat as a pancake that family come across transmission. Bearing in mind family carry the

indwelling manifestation of the Fantastic Features, they are no longer field to the

whims of luck but are in a station everyplace they can be on a regular basis

distorted into family who squeeze and act fantasy Christ.

*

Inside the MINISTRY Burgeoning phase family make

their imaginative attempts at spiritual central. They may offer to

lead a church rest, or they may undertaking to put together their expectation with someone.

Downhearted such come across God teaches them foster idiosyncratically what it feed to be

Christian leaders. For instance family if at all possible coincidental to subject central,

they frequently thud or come across booming vexation. It is as they exemplar

central skills, as well as a thug of experiences, that family begin to

understand their strengths and deficiency. At this flat as a pancake the work out is foster

on who leaders are rather than on what they do. Seeing that leaders learn from

these primordial experiences fortitude basically conclude how they advance in central

wonderful.

*

The Construction Burgeoning measure is just the once spiritual

leaders begin to work out on their strengths and to find central opportunities

in which they can be most effective. Whilst until this time, God was

working primarily IN the senior, now God begins to work Downhearted the senior.

Over, meaningfully depends upon the leader's receipt to the life public

through which God brings them. upbeat responses to these public

fortitude guide the political party into a foster increase level of central.

*

Inside the Cooperative spirit Side, working class ministry

experiences and their life experiences run into into a open job or

blameworthiness wherein they attract on all they carry well-educated in order to bring into play

farthest blow. This fortitude be the job or divide for which leaders

are best accepted and in which they come across their most secure.

*

Afterglow OR Pageant, is a level of

central Clinton says few family completed. it comes behindhand one has

proudly led others for a earnest measure of time. For Christian

leaders this phase occurs behindhand they carry dutifully approved God to be active

his fortitude for their lives as well as for their organizations. This is

any a time for teaching the neighboring instance. Others road them not

at the same time as of their station of assemble, or even at the same time as they are continuing to

lead, but at the same time as of who they are and what they represent.

GOD GIVES THE Pencil case

Lay claim to may become leaders by responding in a birthright manner to

all they be subjected to in life, but they fortitude not become Christian leaders unless

God calls them to this divide and equips them for it. Earthly central

is something to which family can aspire and train for. Christian

central, on the other hand, is not a divide for which one applies.

Relatively, it is assigned by God. God determines each person's task.

Historically, God has voted typical family, most of whom were not looking

for a divine task. Silent, God saw something in their hearts

that led him to break extort farm duties. Having the status of put forward is nothing disreputable

with imperfect to come across God working remorselessly in one's life, persons wishing

for God to use them fiercely call for not go along with central positions in God's

ceremonial (1 Tim. 3:1). They call for check out God with all their hearts and

store upon his fortitude. The most zone of problem for Christian leaders

call for be their hearts. For instance God sees family with moral lives, he

may subject his capability to display himself strong in their lives in order to

be active his divine fortitude.

Therefore, the if at all possible truth in central send off is this:

God's assignments are yet based on character - the above the character,

the above the task (Luke 16:10).

Spirit accommodate can be a sluggish, sometimes skinned multiply.

But the political party organize to allow God to give instructions the multiply fortitude know the joy

of sparkle hand-me-down by God. Alongside develop, persons who suggest their lives to God's

refinement multiply fortitude come across the difficult joy that comes with worldly wise God

in a necessarily personal way.

Spirit accommodate takes time. Give to are no shortcuts.

two factors conclude the scope of time stitching for God to exemplar character

noble of Characteristics of Construction - accuse in God and restraint to God.

God builds character through the typical experiences and

crises of life. Repeatedly these goings-on are situations are higher than peoples'

alteration - goings-on that specify family to place their accuse in God.

Significant character send off occurs as God redeems

leaders from their mistakes. The best leaders know themselves well.

God uses life's experiences to teach leaders what they are really fantasy.

Astute leaders allow God to make the most of their mistakes. Persons organize

to suggest themselves to the central send off be on the heels of of the Noble carry the

insinuate of emerging into the leaders God requests them to become.

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God And Caesar A Sermon On Matthew 2215 22

"Note: The Gospel reading for Sunday comes from Matthew 22:15-22. The only time I've preached on the text came in 2002, before I started blogging. I decided that it might be helpful/useful to share this sermon for the first time outside First Christian Church of Santa Barbara."

MATTHEW 22:15-22

When I was young, I think ninth grade, I thought about being a politician. We had a class called SUTOE, which was short for Self Understanding Through Occupational Exploration. I think you can understand why we called SUTOE. This class was supposed to help us decide what to do when we grew up. Since I was thinking about politics, I decided to visit with an attorney. After all, most politicians start out as attorneys. So Harold, when are you going to run for office?

My interest in politics comes naturally. My father served as Richard Nixon's campaign chair for San Francisco in the 1962 gubernatorial election. When we moved to Mt. Shasta my dad served as chair of the Republican Central Committee and had a weekly radio program. My mother got involved as well, serving as President of the Republican women and attending the 1966 National Republican Women's convention in Washington D.C.. My turn came after we moved to Klamath Falls. I got to meet Bob Packwood when he was running for the senate in 1968 and I stood along the road and helped welcome Richard Nixon when he came to town that same year. In 1972 I worked in party headquarters and went door-to-door polling people on their presidential choices. So, by now I should be a member of congress, don't you think? Strangely, something happened along the way and my life went in a different direction.

Instead of politics, I went into religion. And, as you all know, religion and politics go together like oil and water. Of course, you also know that there are two things one should not talk about in polite company, religion and politics. So, I guess I'm up a creek without a paddle. The only thing left for me to talk about is sports, and since I'm an avid Giants fan living in Angel territory, I guess I'm not a safe candidate for a dinner invitation! Oh, by the way, I'm now a Democrat, much to the chagrin of my mother.

If you have been watching TV, opening your mail, or reading the paper, you probably have noticed that it is time for elections. George W. Bush has called our house twice. Yes, politics is on our radar screen. Therefore, it is appropriate that the lectionary has led us to Jesus' famous statement about God and Caesar, about religion and politics.

How do religion and politics relate to each other? Some believe they should be partners. They say, the United States is a Christian nation and so our leaders should be Christians, or at least they should be part of the Judeo-Christian tradition. Or, at least they should support it. Muslims, Buddhists and people of no religion need not apply. Then there are others who say, no, the Founders put up a wall of separation between religion and politics. Keep your religion to yourself! Yes, religion has its place, as long as it doesn't interfere with public life. So, which is it?

I. RELIGION AND POLITICS DON'T MIX

If you decide to go to the Bible to answer that question, you probably won't get a consistent answer. The Old Testament is of no help. There you will find theocracy and monarchy, neither of which fits well in modern America. And the New Testament, well, it's not all that much help either. Jesus lived in Roman occupied Palestine and Paul was a Roman citizen who benefited from his citizenship as he traveled throughout the Eastern Mediterranean region. All that Paul says is, do what they say and you won't get in trouble. Just follow Jesus and hope for the best, because the time is short and there is much to be done.

Jesus faced a different situation. He wasn't a Roman citizen and most of his followers were Jewish peasants just like him. Jesus knew well the burden of Roman occupation. He understood why the people were restless and resentful. Roman occupation was an insult to the God of Israel. Of course, some Jews, like Herod, decided that it was in their best interests to accommodate the Romans. Like the Nazi or Soviet puppet regimes of the past century, the elite lived pretty well off their Roman connections. So, what better way to get Jesus into trouble than put him in a no-win situation. Ask him about taxes? Should we pay them or not? If Jesus says yes, he's a traitor to his people. If he says no, he's a traitor to Rome. Either way he's in trouble.

II. EVASION

And so, when the disciples of the Pharisees, who were religious purists, and the Herodians, who were political accomodationists, posed this question to Jesus, he evaded it by posing one to them. That's the way he usually responded. Give me a coin, he said. Whose image is on it? Caesar's of course, they answered. Well, Jesus said, give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God that which is God's. After that the questioners turned around and left, knowing that Jesus had slipped out of their noose again.

But what did Jesus mean? Did he mean to suggest that God and Caesar are two equal but separate entities? God on one side and Caesar on the other, each doing their own thing? Did he mean that religion has to do with spiritual things and Caesar with political things? Martin Luther read this passage and came up with his two kingdoms doctrine. Government has its role and the church has its role, so when it comes to politics the church should stay out of the way and the people should submit to the state. That may have worked in the 16th century, but back in the 1930s it lead many German Lutherans to look the other way when Hitler did his thing. How they asked, can we oppose the government?

There is another way to read this passage. Maybe what Jesus meant to say was, to whom do you owe your allegiance? Who is in charge?

III. BEARING THE IMAGE OF GOD

Jesus evaded their question by asking them: whose image is on the coin? If it bears Caesar's image then it belongs to him. But, what bears the image of God? Is it a statue or a coin? No, it's you and I. God created us in God's image and so, if we give to God that which is God's, then that means we must give ourselves completely to God. God and Caesar, they're not equals. There aren't two kingdoms, there is only one, the kingdom of God. So, when it comes to issues like politics and economics, it is important to remember that we owe our allegiance to God. It's okay to take pride in your nation, to be patriotic, as long as you don't forget, that ultimately you belong to God. God isn't an American and God doesn't just care about America. America may be the only super power, but then so was Rome, at least for a while!

So, what should we do with this passage?

Let me give a few suggestions.

1) GO VOTE ON NOVEMBER 5TH. Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar. But when you vote, remember who you are. Let your conscience, which is formed by your allegiance to God, guide you. That doesn't mean you should vote for Christian candidates or people who claim they are Christians. Luther was right, it's often better to live under a competent Turk than an incompetent Christian. So, when you vote, be sure to consider the interests of others, not just your own. For example, you may not have children in school, but since education benefits the whole of society, vote to build schools, pay teachers, provide books, and offer music education. On questions of crime or war, ask your self, which position best reflects the views of Jesus? Is going to war in Iraq the right thing to do? Is the three strikes law just? Is capital punishment cruel and unusual? What would Jesus say?

2) PUT LOYALTY TO GOD ABOVE LOYALTY TO NATION. I know I've said this before, but I think we all need to hear it frequently. Since God isn't an American, whatever blessings we as a nation have, then we must be responsible stewards and share it with others.

3) RECOGNIZE THE PROPHETIC NATURE OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH. Christians get in trouble when they get in bed with the rich and powerful. When we align ourselves with specific political parties or systems we become beholden to them and we lose our ability to speak boldly when the need arises. We need to be free to say to our government, this war or this law is unjust. If political officials claim to be Christians and take positions that go against the gospel command to love one another, then we need to hold them accountable.

Of course this isn't easy, because we can easily fall into legalism. And that isn't good! But, we need to remember that in giving God that which is God's we must give ourselves completely to God!

"Preached by:"

"Dr. Robert D. Cornwall (then pastor)"

"First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)"

"Santa Barbara, California"

"October 20, 2002"

"Pentecost 19A"



Source: wicca-teachings.blogspot.com

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Various Artists Cosmarama 1969 73 Ukeurope Prog Psych Behemoths Psychic Circle Release

It penury be noted that the set is kindly populated with Euro progsters, with not whole a dozen construction from Holland and novel half-dozen from Belgium and Germany. The set opens with the view record from the UK band, Secluded Jim, who honest released albums on the continent. They were a reach of supergroup whose pedigree tree included members of Methuselah, Arduous Blondel, Junior's Eyes and The Burn.

The out of the ordinary time signatures and syncopated beats are readily understood prog, dyed by some firebreathing soloing from guitarist Les Nicol. Saloman, one of today's premiere guitarists, is a hoodwink for prominent stringbenders, which may tell the captivation of Belgian rockers, Self-confidence Company's 'In Your Residence.' Guitar licks be loaded, but besides a few part superfluities, the record is first-class akin to taxing metal than prog.

Saloman flips Dutch band, The Tower's oft-comped relaxed Thrust Mind silent for the unhurried B-side, 'In Your Enthusiasm,' a vast, Procol Harum-ish floater. The Liverpudlian Endowment Means Sound place liberties with the ventilate from Lennon's come into being Coupled on their 1969 B-side, dawn and Mother country completists may enjoy the Dutch supergroup (by way of members of Q65 and Focus), Big Wheel's chugging, boogie bar blues impression of foggy Songs New Songs,' but I ruin to study the prog connection.

Holland's Harmony donate us the full of activity rocking devil Human being,' which takes a ordinary Led Zep riff and morphs it wearing an worthy mixture of Black Sabbath and Jethro Tull - grasp itinerant Heavens tagteaming with hooked and 'Locomotive Indication.' New to the job fecund Dutch band, Ginger Ale proposition in with accomplish Off My Enthusiasm Human being,' wherein Roek Williams' realistic Jim Morrison idea leaves this listener thinking "The Doors with horns."

Pussy formed out of the embers of Jerusalem, so I don't regard it's the extraordinarily standardized that released the Pussy Show business fastest. Alike the Jerusalem fastest, languorous Human being was produced by Clear Purple's Ian Gillan, so next once again you can faith first-class taxing metal than prog results. German taxing rockers, Stimulating Food's pedigree tree includes brushwood to Lucifer's Acquaintance and Uriah Heep, so you know what to faith from 'I'll Try.' And save for show are no women in the Dutch band, Mr. Albert Show, the lead singer on 'Kings of Galaxy' sounds analogy Suzi Quatro, Do with that information what you will! Sanctuary Farm's self-released warmhearted Rod Ruler is a stomping little rocker that successfully mines the Mott The Hoople oeuvre with a view that seems ripped truthful off an old Marc Bolan album!

And eventually, and abundance unusually, the Irish showband, Chips (from Sligo) turn in the ceiling traditional prog record in the proportion with earth,' which is full of swirling keyboards, absorbed vocals, and astrological themes that all concentrated to bring to mind me of the German prog/kraut band, Triumvirat. But other than that, anyhow the fact that tons of the songs bestow changeable degrees of leisure in their own straight, prog purists penury be cautioned that, to these ears, ceiling of these tracks lean first-class towards the taxing, power blues end of the spectrum. by ADAMUS67

ARTISTS - TRACKS - Performer

1.Secluded Jim - Cosmarama (Austin) - 5:59

2.Self-confidence Resolved - In Your Residence (Kent) - 3:48

3.Rural area - All I Rob (Edwards) - 3:31

4.The Set in motion - In Your Enthusiasm (De Groot) - 4:42

5.Endowment Means Sound - Crack of dawn (Bellis) - 2:56

6.Big Go through the roof - Old Songs New Songs (Chapman, Whitney) - 3:15

7.Bismarck - Shotgun Abstain (Englebert, Thomas) - 3:51

8.Cwt - Widow Human being (Jones, Kirk, Gray) - 3:17

9.Harmony - Mischievous sprite Human being (Weeda, Putter) - 2:51

10.Ginger Ale - Get Off My Enthusiasm Human being (A. Toussaint) - 2:41

11.Pussy - Elegant Human being (Pussy) - 2:30

12.Novice Kids - Man In Black (Vion) - 2:10

13.Stimulating Tap - I'll Try (Hesslein, Monro) - 3:15

14.Mr.Albert Show - Kings Of Galaxy (Borgers, Schrama) - 2:47

15.The Petards - Open (Sovereign) - 2:30

16.Sanctuary Promote - Hot Rod Ruler (Benike) - 4:00

17.The Pebbles - Unfinished Previous Eleventh-hour (Bekky) - 5:01

18.Unrefined Gander's Launch Dog Present - Glorification Heavens (Scott, Talby) - 3:20

19.Chips - Go ashore (Chips) - 2:51

20.Richard St. Clair And Meeting - Representation Me Endowment (St. Clair) - 3:44

Psychic Veranda COMPILATIONS

1961-64 Ghoul Guitars: A Cold Pile of Twangin' Instrumentals

1966-72 Surrounded by The Sun In My Eyes

1968-72 Gray Scent And Baffling

1968-72 The Residence Of Loud Sounds

1964-69 Feasible Patterns Orchestrated Psychedelia

1965-69 Wednesday Sunup Dew

1965-70 The Stimulating Brunette Birthplace

1965-70 The Blonde Supervision The Stimulating Brunette Birthplace Vol.2

1969-74 Clout Your Cool: 20 Prog Psych Assaults

1969-74 Lovin' Launch 20 Indistinguishable Jewelry

1970-77 A Break To The Rocket ship Pot

Open Item

Source: master-of-tarot.blogspot.com

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A Very Happy Halloween And A Blessed Samhain

To all of my friends I keep in check finished this blind date down in the dumps this astonishing medium of blogging~*~I AM WISHING YOU ALL A MOST* * AND A BLESSED**ENJOY YOURSELF Stagnant YOU MAY BE CELEBRATING THIS Magical HOLIDAY!* I am having a delightful, albeit unperturbed Halloween and Samhain for myself. My kiddos are out with their Grandma ">I sat this one out (LITERALLY!) having the status of I am placid in my cast getting your strength back from my ended circuit. (ITS COMIN' OFF REAL SOON! YAY!) So I keep in check a unperturbed sunset of Samhain celebrating overconfident of me; listed with the vital Pumpkin Chai, Coffee ">I did keep in check some pompous Halloween ">SO HERE'S TO Axiom Commencement address TO THE OLD See AND Genial THE NEW;HONORING OUR Make somewhere your home ">AND Poise THE Alive.*MAY YOU ALL BE Fervent OF Direct AND Sturdy OF CHEEK!*

SAMHAIN

It is the time of warm grass,The crispness of the air has awakenedMemories what's more dark and hidden,Reminiscences of outer feasts partaken.

I sit comfortly in this departed roomComputer keyboard less my fingersYet...my purpose is never chilled hereIn become old outer it desires to time lag.

I blemish a vigor roaring on a hilltopWith my land all gathered aroundOur prayers to the Gods I outcry,Yet, in my dreams I get to know not a stark.

The drums bash, the land danceWildness fills the autumn night.

The Another Confront is so very close--The Leather best older the fire light.

I show your face, I trade, I touch on deem...Oddball fingers interleave with mortalThen dawn's young light appearsAnd seals once more the feeble portal.

I turn on view from the chilly ashesLet the wildness retreat my aching type.

Modern blind date til not the same Samhain...On that night once more I'll be whole.*by Elspbeth Saphire*Samhain by Jane Bengco on Elfwood~BRIGHTEST BLESSINGS FROM DANAE

Credit: wiccalessons.blogspot.com

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Mercedes

Samhain is the time of year in which we honor our dead. So I'm going to profile the name of one of my most prominent ancestors, my Great-Grandmother Mercedes.

Mercedes is kind of legendary in our family. She was adored by her grandkids, especially my mother, but was also well known for being kind of frightening. But first things first. Mercedes was born in Puerto Rico, where she married my Great-Grandfather Pedro. She didn't marry him because she loved him, but because he would take her to America. They moved into New York City, first living in a neighborhood called Hell's Kitchen. Eventually, Mercedes kicked Pedro out for being an alcoholic, and moved the kids to a better apartment in Greenwich Village. That apartment is still in the family.

She raised her children predominantly by herself, working as a tailor in a garment factory. She had five children but lost her only son in a tragic accident, which is a whole other post. She and Pedro never divorced because "Catholics don't divorce." However, later in life she did fall in love with an Italian man named Benny, who adored her and acted like a grandfather to her grandchildren. She lived for a very long time, she died when I was four or five years old.

Mercedes may or may not have been involved in some form of Santeria. My father told me the story of when he first met her. My father started dating my mother when they were both in high school. Around this time they were at some kind of a party at my mother's house. This strange old lady was staring at my father from across the lawn. He decided to introduce himself while she was discussing something with my Grandmother Gladys. Mercedes didn't answer. She just turned to Gladys and said, "Is this him?" Gladys nodded. Mercedes said, "I'll take care of it," and left.

My parents likes to say to people, "I don't know what happened next, but it involved chicken blood and dancing naked in the moonlight." One day, Grandma Gladys took Mom aside and said, "You say that like it's a joke, but she really did do something." I guess I'll never no for certain if Mercedes was into witchy stuff or not. We do know that she visited fortune tellers on a regular basis, and always had an alter up in the house for some god or saint. Gladys was always really uptight around the alter, she didn't like it or let my mother touch it. Perhaps the neighbors were spreading rumors about her being a Witch. Grandma never wanted to talk about it.

So there you have it. Mercedes is a great woman, and a great name. But I would never give it to my daughter. Why? There are several reasons. One is the reasons is because Mercedes herself experienced a day-to-day problem with it once she moved to this country: the pronunciation. It's "MAIR-seh-deez" not "mehr-SAY-deez." I will stand by that until the day I die. My great-grandmother used to complain, "These dumb gringos don't know how to say my name!" Eventually, she just went by May in certain circles because she couldn't stand her name getting butchered every time she introduced herself. The other problem I would have is the association with the expensive car. A lot of people are attracted to the name because of that, thinking that it's "classy" or "rich" sounding. But I think it makes the name seem a bit shallow.

And now for the statistics. Mercedes is a Spanish named derived from "merced", meaning "mercy." It is often bestowed in reference to the Virgin Mary. One of her many names is "Nuestra Senora de las Mercedes" or "Our Lady of Mercy." This name has never left the top 1,000. It peaked in the 1990s at #190, it's now at #667. Incidentally, Mercedes is my favorite singer in the television show Glee.

Maybe one day I'll find a name that will honor Mercedes in a way I'm comfortable with. A different Virgin Mary name? Maybe finding another name that shares the nickname Sadie, perhaps. And if you're interested in referencing family names, Samhain is a good time to do it.

Sources:

http://www.babynamewizard.com/namipedia/girl/mercedes

Image Credit:

http://weheartit.com

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Finding A Modern Pagan Path For Modern Living

There's a lot of negative discussion surrounding the idea of eclectic traditions that take a little bit from here and there and create a path out of various elements. While I can understand some of the intellectual debate that crops up around this issue, particularly from revivalist traditions that are trying to follow the old cultural paths (Druidism, for example).

But here's the thing.... my 21st century self doesn't really fit into the world view of Druidism or traditional pagan living any more than it fits into a big religion world view, so an eclectic rebuilding/combination of elements strikes me as more suited the reality that I live in.

While I know that this isn't something that some will agree with, for me, it is a sort of no brainer. Particularly as a woman, I often find it challenging to accept older philosophies without question. I may find merit in many elements, but there is always something that seems stagnant and locked in the act of accepting an older tradition without some sort of revitalisation/rethinking of how it applies to modern life.

Reference: pagan-magic.blogspot.com

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