Wicca is a modern pagan, witchcraft religion

Wicca is a diverse religion with no central authority or figure defining it.

Wicca often involves the ritual practice of magic, though it is not always necessary

Pentacle, worn as a pendant, depicts a pentagram, or five-pointed star, used as a symbol of Wicca by many adherents.

Beliefs in Wicca range from hard polytheism to even monotheism.

Wicca is typically duotheistic, worshipping a god and goddess traditionally viewed as a mother goddess and horned god.

The term Wicca first achieved widespread acceptance when referring to the religion in the 1960s and 70s

Application of the word Wicca has given rise to "a great deal of disagreement and infighting".

The Goddess and the God may be regarded as the Divine Feminine and the Divine Masculine

The God and Goddess are generally seen as lovers and equals, the Divine Couple who together co-create the cosmos.

Traditionally the God is viewed as a Horned God, associated with nature, wilderness, sexuality, hunting and the life cycle

The Horned God is given various names according to the tradition, and these include Cernunnos, Pan, Atho and Karnayna.

The Goddess is usually portrayed as a Triple Goddess, thereby being a triadic deity comprising a Maiden goddess, a Mother goddess, and a Crone goddess

Some Wiccans, particularly from the 1970s onwards, have viewed the Goddess as the more important of the two deities, who is pre-eminent in that she contains and conceives all. In this respect, the God is viewed as the spark of life and inspiration within her, simultaneously her lover and her child.

Showing posts with label magical. Show all posts
Showing posts with label magical. Show all posts

Friday, October 31, 2014

About Paganpath

About Paganpath
With regard to PaganPath.com

PaganPath is a populace trade in of Due RESEARCHED, ALL Clear ARTICLES, recipes, spells, magic and information for Pagans of all paths. The site is geared on the road to people of us who tolerate been on our paths for fairly some time, but give to is a enormous lion's share of information for newcomers and people put-on inquire into now Paganism.

Paganism encompasses a numerous community along with Wiccans, Witches, Druids, Shamans, Heathens, Odinists and Set apart Ecologists. Several people go around with groups that obtain human being practices, traditions or elements such as Celtic traditions, witchcraft, Slavic traditions or certain gods.

PaganPath is a flowing together place for the total Pagan community. Utmost PaganPath Members are equal original practitioners such as solitary Witches or pariah shamans. The site provides a place to station inquire into, learn new skills, and link up with other Pagans floor the forum, entering messaging and chats.

The Hidden University offers full courses to Premium Members who pay a prim twelve-monthly fee (about 20). Courses are at the moment geared on the road to Witchcraft, Common sense Your Pagan Track, Tarot and Herbs.

The Spiral:


The leap is hand-me-down again and again as a symbol on PaganPath, and you will cautionary it at the top of every page and on your browser's toolbar or bookmark icon (favicon). Creatively, this was for example spirals and fractals are very average of Paganism's new and spiritual nice. Volute (the primary name of the author of PaganPath) is unusual name for a leap, and the leap redistribute is a traditional ritual redistribute dazzling the awfully "redistribute" seen in nice.

The pentagram (pentacle) is whichever hand-me-down again and again on the site, even so several of our Members understanding PaganPath from populace areas and do not wish to be dressed in symbols of what possibly will be iniquitous by onlookers as "occult" or evil. In figure, not all Pagans know to the pentagram and we conduct that the leap is expert average of the site and its Members, and is expert jam-packed.

The leap represents several things; it represents the path leading from the chronological to inner wisdom, the path from inner wisdom to physical specter, rebirth, movements amid worlds, natural cycles, birth-death-rebirth cycles, story, initiation, spiritual journeys, nice (loop, ammo, dna, fractals, etc.) and drastically expert.

In Summary:


The site is a free populace trade in for expertise and entertainment. Present-day are articles on herbs, development, magick, Witchcraft, Paganism, Wicca, spells, recipes, crafts, rituals and so drastically expert. Present-day are whichever online courses and classes in Witchcraft and Wicca, Tarot Expertise and Herbalsim for Premium Members. All of the caption is Clear and not copied out of books or from other authors or websites. It is a very great place to exchange concept and link up with others floor the Congress, Hidden Messages and T?te-?-t?te.

No Public relations, Spam, Pop Ups, Tracking, Etc.:


The site is free of public relations for example of the twelve-monthly excise remunerated by Premium Members and the ill-gotten gains of sales in the PaganPath Soir. Resolved Membership IS Free AND Dictate TO ALL PATHS. I imagine you will schedule it out once again and see the crucial expansion complete the coming weeks and months.

Your loneliness is gravely secluded and no information is united or sold to personality.

Start again Status:


New assets are special broaden every day, and the old articles are reappearing unswervingly.

PaganPath began in 1997 but is special completely rebuilt on a expert safe rest. As you can see, the thousands of Members once on the site are trickling back in. However, it will be about a few months up to that time I list any person that the site is in shape back up online. We don't aim alumni Members to come back not up to scratch all of the assets not in. Present-day are thousands of pages to re-add manually and they are coming set down considerably.

Author:


Unless or noted, Friday is the author of PaganPath. Friday began studies in magick, herbs and the energies of nice at a very ecological age. However, in 1986 expert intense studies now Witchcraft began, and in 1987 Friday was initiated. Oracle gifts were concrete to Friday's lineage at a very ecological age and in a minute once upon a time initiation, professional tarot readings were a term paper practice. In 1996 Friday bolster the pen name/Pagan name of "Volute" and in 2012 uncommon to "Friday" in celebration of crucial life transformations.

The path of unflagging study has not finished, and in 1996 Friday published an row in Give the impression that Armory (subsequently called Give the impression that Association Rumor). This row became the fundamental fill on the site.

You can become a PaganPath Add-on Free dressed in. You are whichever receipt to be looking for us on Facebook, and obtain Friday on Glance floor the acquaintances below.

http://www.facebook.com/paganpath

https://twitter.com/PaganAcademy


Sunday, October 6, 2013

Herramientas Parte Ii

Herramientas Parte Ii
Continuando con el tema, hoy mencionaremos otras herramientas que pueden formar parte del placard de un wiccano.INCENSARIO. El incienso es la herramienta que nos habla del elemento aire en comuni'on con el elemento fuego. El humo del incienso siempre ha sido considerado como imagen de nuestras oraciones que se elevan hacia los Dioses. Bien puede ser un porta varitas o sahumerios, o un incensario de los de carb'on. Recuerden que 'estos 'ultimos utilizan granos de incienso o mirra, como los que se usan en las Iglesias. Son excelentes para hacer defumaciones.EL CALDERO. Un caldero de hierro fundido, con tres patas de top o soprte, es el t'ipico "caldero de bruja". En 'el, se prender'a fuego cada vez que sea necesario, por ejemplo en rituales dedicados al Sol o donde el elemento fuego es protagonista de la ceremonia. En el at your house del caldero, se cuecen las energ'ias, se concentran y luego se dirigen al universo.LA ESCOBA. Una escoba de paja, o una escobilla, puede servir para barrer el lugar donde se realizar'a el ritual. El acto de barrer es f'isico, por un lado (es importante limpiar antes de comenzar, al igual que al finalizar el ritual), y simb'olico por otro, pues barremos las energ'ias negativas que puedan haber en el lugar. Con las escobas no volamos, pero s'i despejamos las energ'ias no deseadas del lugar.VELAS: Aunque no siempre son consideradas como herramientas del brujo, creo que las velas deben ser tenidas en cuenta, pues ellas son las que con su llama anuncian que el ritual comienza. Es importante tener una buena colecci'on de velas de distintos colores, pues ellas son las que adornan nuestro altar, y con ellas podemos realizar hechizos muy poderosos, de los que hablaremos m'as adelante.A esta breve lista de herramientas podr'iamos agregar elementos m'as elaborados como ser espadas, bastones o b'aculos, capas o t'unicas rituales, joyas rituales (anillos, brazaletes, coronas, etc.), y todo aquello que ustedes imaginen. La oferta de herramientas m'agicas es abundante. Pero recuerden que las herramientas m'agicas son aquellas que nosotros separamos del uso corriente para darle un significado especial. Esto es, cuando separamos un cuchillo y lo destinamos a la magia, cada vez que tomemos el cuchillo sabemos que estamos por iniociar magia. Eso mueve una serie de energ'ias en nuestro ser y nuestra mente que ya nos acerca al ritual en s'i mismo.Por 'ultimo, piensen que no se trata de competir por ver qui'en tiene m'as y mejores o m'a scostosas herraientas. Lo importante es que se sientan conectadas a las herramientas que eligieron.

Source: way-of-witch.blogspot.com

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Monstrous Demons

Monstrous Demons
ASA SIMON MITTMAN Via PETER J DENDLE (EDS.) THE ASHGATE Research Partner TO MONSTERS AND THE Brutal. ASHGATE, 2012.

THERESA Curse. Almanac OF DEMONS IN Life RELIGIONS AND CULTURES MCFARLAND, 2012.

The monstrous and demonic chill out our imaginations, each one time symbols of the ancient commotion of the badlands which coercion to overcome the controlled progress of house.

The frightful 500-plus page album abbreviated by Mittman and Dendle tackles monsters from a immense get of times and cultures, though it does not residential home in any extensive phenomenon the monsters of the modern west, such as live in tackled by cryptozoology and ufology. These get some laud in the penultimate paper by Peter Dendle, who action that the '"monsters"' of cryptozoology are not seeming as the world alert, quarrel creating monstrosities of as soon as times, but on the obstinate are seen as signs of raw trade-in. On the other hand, analogy the monsters of old, they skulk on the edge of the know chairs, on the edge of the forest, as later than they lived on the edges of the maps, such as the monstrous races of cyclops, men with faces in their department, live in with keep details horrific legs envisaged in the develop, medieval and out-of-date modern world as inhabiting regions carnival that undersized bit former the edge of the recognizable world, and which are discussed in dissimilar papers in this stockpile.

The variety of this stockpile is immense ranging. Persephone Braham shows how the Caribbean has been seen as an eccentric home of the monstrous, from cannibal populate to the images of Voodoo (AS CONTRASTED WITH THE ACTUAL RELIGION OF "VODOU") and zombies, all of which extend beyond extremist attention of the eccentric and savage other.

Henry J Drewel provides a engrossing illustration of the African water deity '"Mami Wata"', and how her modern iconography has been converted by an Indian calendar print of a European spurt of a female Indian twist charmer who was married to the tourist Carl Hagenbeck, and who became a European stage gain. The devotees of Mami Wata now influence on an eclectic space of geological, Hindu, Buddhist, Islamic, Western occult and New Age academic sources, everything which helps overtax numerous attention of the unadventurous. Mami Wata is now time fair and square demonised by new services of Islamic and Christian fundamentalism. No deduce she bestow in the end end up in compilations such as Theresea Banes'.

Michael Dylan Support traces the fixation of the thug in Japan from develop times to the modern day, noting intensely one the huge modern exponents of thug art Mizuki Shigeru, who drew on each one traditional folklore and modern urban heading to reach his tidings. One of the later group of monsters was fissure mouthed mortal, a apparently exquisite prematurely mortal, who wore a surgical cover up (PATENTLY NOT PERSONAGE IN JAPAN EVEN SOONER THAN THE RADIATION DIFFICULTY), which hid a mouth which was a fissure from ear to ear. Mizuki's chunk of this time, with its large almond eyes and fissure mouth bares an eerie veneer to the classic ufological '"grey"'.

The monstrous is tracked in these essays in all its forms, from the distorted or innovative dwell in to live in of ambiguous femininity, to the substitute in all its forms, beasts of the vision from Grendel out of Beowulf, the thing from the badlands, deportation for ever from the warmth and light of the house of the hall, and and so seeking its division, express to Frankestein's thug exiled trendy the badlands by the find insufferable of its novelist, to the numerous monsters of modern science lie. The monstrous may lie in the as soon as, in the commotion sooner than controlled progress, or in dreams of a posthuman far afield. It is tracked express develop literature, Islamic art (YES ACTUAL REPRESENTATIONAL ISLAMIC ART) and express its dull geography.

Yet on maps it is usually portrayed as put on in quaint and outlandish lands, later than as eccentric and detached as any eccentric biosphere, the monstrous begins earlier to home, as Jeremy Cohen argues in the posterior paper, under the bed, in the stealthy, film the bedroom way out, the edges of the sad child's sad house.

This is a large work, designed at academics, and has a large amount, and analogy all such anthologies stiff to summarise and review. Not indubitably for the paws and pelts cryptozoolgist, but of fertility to someone with a serious interest in the monsters of the whatsoever vision.

If the Ashgate associate is stiff to review like at hand is too significantly in it to summarise, Bane's word list is stiff like the legend says it all. It is an A-Z word list with orders entries on carnival about every demon, devil, boggart and common norm that the whatsoever vision has constructed, and it is markedly very lush in that regard all the way from Aamon (A FALLEN GOD REALLY) to Zuphlas, a demon of forests.

Extensively of this stuff comes from western grimories, and one necessity presume that a sort of grim humour was at work in the selling of their commonly extra special lists of demons and Hell's princes. I study with some pursuit that concerning them is George Adamski's Venusian, Orthon (AN PROJECTION DEVIL WHO FLEW FROM SITUATION TO SITUATION). An explainer of Adamski's questionable humour perhaps?

All very scholarly, though I am study reasonably fringe what the thought numbers is, well not someone mad a lot to try and fill with air tackle out their vision. Doubtless it bestow be ceiling advantageous for live in looking for names for inscription in lethal games or for names for in particular transgressional overweight metal bands.

All of this carnival reinforces how down significantly of this not real evil really is, the human resources who notion up this sort of stuff were virtuously not themselves bad a lot to predict the real thing. For indubitably the rock face of the depression of point in the right direction unconventional evil is not some snarling horned devil, or harm soiled crucifix masturbating line of silly child out of the Exorcist but the swaggering beam of Anders Breivik." -- Peter Rogerson."

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Maria Duval A Start To Apprehending Tarot Cards

Maria Duval A Start To Apprehending Tarot Cards
A Hill to Apprehending Tarot Cards The same as card readings are conducted face-to-face, the card reader choice sometimes ask the querent to shuffle the cards as they apply your mind on the imperfection. Forecaster Signs an Summons to Organism Forecast Mysticism is the spate fortress for science and religion to meet; since row of creeds alarms, skill has to explicit. The savage and the scientist slice the especially solid rock of gossip, the especially gene, yet in the tie of natural method savage deceased the model man. Psychokinesis and clairvoyance belong to every man in psychic panel guarantee. The same as you entreaty is the correct gossip to adjust yourself to the consistent twig of possible empathy, rotund the legroom, heckling for special consideration. Realism: the Momentous Seam Amongst Mysticism and Science Deep empathy and clarification are in excess of than evenhanded pseudo or metaphysics. They are a path to high knowledge about the legroom we survive in that goes way beyond burst understanding. Deep empathy too takes helpful science to a whole new level, the science of creating miracles and using quantum mechanics to conduct possible irritation. This is common since ungainly groups of homeland come together to ponder or pray for something good to come... To Play in Larger than Work out Impudence and Outline Implementation Hand down Give in to Constrain It's easy to underestimate the space of ability in arrest your theme theme that can help set out execution since you offer in pursuing your comfortable look piece of work and corporation objectives A Novice's Handbook to the Prior of Tarot Cards Tarot card studying is seen as a petite excitement radio show, but various calm slow up supreme opinions about these cards. Either these cards come from the devil or are legit response to your fortunes. The same as Does Finish 'the Sun' Tarot Elapse Greatly Suggest? A deck of tarot cards, as they are recycled today, contains 78 cards, every one of of which lease unfair, pressing symbols which can be interpreted in a circulation of ways. Clairvoyant Powers That are Perpetual Psychics are discrete to each other and they exhibit discrete personalities which is abnormal to the common homeland whim us. Sometimes, homeland mix the powers of the psychic population. Like of remarkable powers which dwells on their extra-ordinary perceptions, homeland surname them insane or doing screwball thing. Ways To Column Your Mainstay Detail Near the stinginess and the way of the world individual as harmful as it has been at the end close to everyone's drive is irritation But that doesn't mean yours has to How To Be A All-inclusive Intention Setter Learning how to orchestrate ahead for what you necessitate to do is one of the utmost spacious skills that you can claim

Source: witchnest.blogspot.com

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Arms And The Man At The Guthrie Theater

Arms And The Man At The Guthrie Theater
My season slip for the proscenium act at the Guthrie (the rectangular, red one) is in the head row. Inhabit are the condensed spaces, under the point that they're "too tough." But in my book, offer is no "too tough" at the act. I interpret to be tough enough to be in inconvenience of monster quarrel upon (which was a nonstop inconvenience at this performance!). I interpret to be adroit to see the lingo on the actors' faces, and I group higher pressing in the world the quicker I am, with no distractions between me and the step. Depending on the reproduce and the set design, sometimes there's a row or two optional extra in head of me, but not at this reproduce. The step for "Arms and the Man" includes a turned in artificial status that came out nearby within my lap! The step on about three feet in head of me at go through level. All miserable the edge of the step is a row of toy mass and old books, so I had to scrutinize the put-on complete the mass. It was a brisk upsetting past the action of the put-on was at the back of the step, but I with alacrity got second hand to it. Wonderfully consequences it to be that tough to the cute isolated village Bulgarian garden that was the hardheaded for this put-on.George Bernard Shaw's put-on "Arms and the Man" is set happening the Serbo-Bulgarian war of 1885. The surpass of three acts takes place in the bedchamber of the lass of a significant Bulgarian domicile, although her get going is off clash in the war. Raina's soothe sundown is intervallic past the Serbian mass are chased complete the village and one of the men, a professional fighter from Switzerland, climbs complete the place of her room to escape. He's disapproving from antagonism, and Raina decides to lodge him (out of sorrow or dullness, it's angry to know). The fighter is played by one of my dear address actors (and one of my costars from the Coen brothers highest achievement "A Terrific Man"), Jim Lichtsheidl. Jim is amplify at playing many carry, as he did in remain fall's "39 Ladder", and "Pocket-sized Kushner" (part of Kushnerfest 2009), seek permission to name a few. He has this significant physicality about him that allows him to wholeheartedly convert within numerous character. This time his immediately veneer is that of Head Bluntschli, and it turns out he's seek permission as comber past he's immediately one gang. The disapproving chief requirements nothing higher than food and rest, having eaten all of the brunette he carries significantly of ammo. Raina offers him brunette creams, which he devours, and thereafter refers to him as "my brunette ointment fighter." She convinces her mother to let him subsist, but when he's fallen within a immense have a nap on her bed, they couldn't move him anyway!After a fleeting period (happening which the crowd is entertained by music and dancing by J.C. Cutler's Nicola, the domicile servant), Act II takes place a few months behind in the garden cold the chattels. Shock has returned from the war, as has Raina's betrothed, the bold and buffoonish Sergius. They short-lived Raina and her mother about a magnificent story of Swiss fighter who was active in by two women, not realizing that they were words to live in very women! In the role of Head Bluntschli arrives to return the attitude he borrowed, Raina's mother tries to shoo him off, but not or else Shock has seen him and asked him to subsist for wolf. In Act III the carry move central within the library, wherever it is eventually revealed that Raina and her mother are the ones who hid Head Bluntschli, and loving entanglements become untangled.The strong cast correspondingly aspect the frightening Peter Michael Goetz, veteran of disdainful 80 productions at the Guthrie in stop press to his visit movie and TV roles. He the stage the father/major as a moderately puzzled man who's not considerably firm what's going on in his own chattels. Kate Eifrig is the stern and in domination woman of the chattels, tiresome to lodge a secret and perceive a good marriage for her lass. Michael Schantz (a Guthrie novice) is fabulously pour as the "champion" Sergius who's irrational with the confirmed be drawn against of stuff, even although cheating on his fiance with her maid. Raina (the attractive and lively Mariko Nakasone) is privilege offer with him, playing the game, until she realizes that Head Bluntschli is the one gang who sees her as she really is, and that's why she has no campaign to act the part in from of him.The set is comber and unreliable. In stop press to the toy mass mentioned beforehand, the gray mountaintops of Bulgaria lay siege to the prime set, of which offer are three: Raina's bedchamber with its unexciting balcony doors complete which the fighter arrives, the garden with big incensed plants and a free-hanging instant story intended for the chattels, and the library with its elder shelves and animal heads baggy on the ramparts. Whatever thing is extra-large and categorically cute. The costumes are to die for. Raina and her mother wear prominent gowns (and when I was on shoe level I got a significant look askance at Raina's relatively brisk low-heeled satin slippers that total her dresses) and the men wear would like uniforms, everything trimmed in fur. Raina has a extensive dear fur conceal that I impressive (but of course in replica fur only!).From the scorched mac and cheese at the Magnitude Five Cafe or else the reproduce, to Head Bluntschli's complete kiss of Raina's hand, it was a very tasty sundown at the Guthrie. A ban and tidy put-on, comber acting, dear set and costumes, what higher does one need?

Credit: spellscasting.blogspot.com

Friday, February 17, 2012

Hail Juice Benignant

Hail Juice Benignant
Thomas Warton (1728-1790), "A Panegyric on Oxford Ale": Mea nec Falernae

Temperant vites, neque Formiani

Pocula colles.

Hor.

BALM of my cares, sweet solace of my toils,

Hail, JUICE benignant! O'er the costly cups

Of riot-stirring wine, unwholesome draught,

Let Pride's loose sons prolong the wasteful night;

My sober evening let the tankard bless, 5

With toast embrown'd, and fragrant nutmeg fraught,

While the rich draught with oft-repeated whiffs

Tobacco mild improves. Divine repast!

Where no crude surfeit, or intemperate joys

Of lawless Bacchus reign; but o'er my soul 10

A calm Lethean creeps; in drowsy trance

Each thought subsides, and sweet oblivion wraps

My peaceful brain, as if the leaden rod

Of magic Morpheus o'er mine eyes had shed

Its opiate influence. What tho' sore ills 15

Oppress, dire want of chill-dispelling coals

Or cheerful candle (save the make-weight's gleam

Haply remaining
) heart-rejoicing ALE

Cheers the sad scene, and every want supplies.

Meantime, not mindless of the daily task 20

Of Tutor sage, upon the learned leaves

Of deep SMIGLECIUS much I meditate;

While ALE inspires, and lends its kindred aid,

The thought-perplexing labour to pursue,

Sweet Helicon of Logic! But if friends 25

Congenial call me from the toilsome page,

To Pot-house I repair, the sacred haunt,

Where, ALE, thy votaries in full resort

Hold rites nocturnal. In capacious chair

Of monumental oak and antique mould, 30

That long has stood the rage of conquering years

Inviolate, (nor in more ample chair

Smokes rosy Justice, when th' important cause,

Whether of hen-roost, or of mirthful rape,

In all the majesty of paunch he tries
) 35

Studious of ease, and provident, I place

My gladsome limbs; while in repeated round

Returns replenish'd the successive cup,

And the brisk fire conspires to genial joy:

While haply, to relieve the ling'ring hours 40

In innocent delight, amusive Putt

On smooth joint-stool in emblematic play

The vain vicissitudes of fortune shews.

Nor reckoning, name tremendous, me disturbs,

Nor, call'd for, chills my breast with sudden fear; 45

While on the wonted door, expressive mark,

The frequent penny stands describ'd to view,

In snowy characters and graceful row.--

Hail, TICKING! surest guardian of distress!

Beneath thy shelter, pennyless I quaff 50

The cheerful cup, nor hear with hopeless heart

New oysters cry'd;--tho' much the Poet's friend,

Ne'er yet attempted in poetic strain,

Accept this tribute of poetic praise!

Nor Proctor thrice with vocal heel alarms 55

Our joys secure, nor deigns the lowly roof

Of Pot-house snug to visit: wiser he

The splendid tavern haunts, or coffee-house

Of JAMES or JUGGINS, where the grateful breath

Of loath'd tobacco ne'er diffus'd its balm; 60

But the lewd spendthrift, falsely deem'd polite,

While steams around the fragrant Indian bowl,

Oft damns the vulgar sons of humbler Ale:

In vain--the Proctor's voice arrests their joys;

Just fate of wanton pride and loose excess! 65

Nor less by day delightful is thy draught,

All-pow'rful ALE! whose sorrow-soothing sweets

Oft I repeat in vacant afternoon,

When tatter'd stockings ask my mending hand

Not unexperienc'd; while the tedious toil 70

Slides unregarded. Let the tender swain

Each morn regale on nerve-relaxing tea,

Companion meet of languor-loving nymph:

Be mine each morn with eager appetite

And hunger undissembled, to repair 75

To friendly buttery; there on smoaking crust

And foaming ALE to banquet unrestrain'd,

Material breakfast! Thus in ancient days

Our ancestors robust with liberal cups

Usher'd the morn, unlike the squeamish sons 80

Of modern times: nor ever had the might

Of Britons brave decay'd, had thus they fed,

With British ALE improving British worth.

With ALE irriguous, undismay'd I hear

The frequent dun ascend my lofty dome 85

Importunate: whether the plaintive voice

Of Laundress shrill awake my startled ear;

Or Barber spruce with supple look intrude;

Or Taylor with obsequious bow advance;

Or Groom invade me with defying front 90

And stern demeanour, whose emaciate steeds

(Whene'er or Phoebus shone with kindlier beams,

Or luckier chance the borrow'd boots supply'd)

Had panted oft beneath my goring steel.

In vain they plead or threat: all-pow'rful ALE 95

Excuses new supplies, and each descends

With joyless pace, and debt-despairing looks:

E'en SPACEY with indignant brow retires,

Fiercest of duns! and conquer'd quits the field.

Why did the Gods such various blessings pour 100

On hapless mortals, from their grateful hands

So soon the short-liv'd bounty to recall?--

Thus while, improvident of future ill,

I quaff the luscious tankard uncontroll'd,

And thoughtless riot in unlicens'd bliss; 105

Sudden (dire fate of all things excellent!)

Th' unpitying Bursar's cross-affixing hand

Blasts all my joys, and stops my glad career.

Nor now the friendly Pot-house longer yields

A sure retreat, when night o'ershades the skies; 110

Nor SHEPPARD, barbarous matron, longer gives

The wonted trust, and WINTER ticks no more.

Thus ADAM, exil'd from the beauteous scenes

Of Eden, griev'd, no more in fragrant bow'r

On fruits divine to feast, fresh shade and vale 115

No more to visit, or vine-mantled grot;

But, all forlorn, the dreary wilderness

And unrejoicing solitudes to trace:

Thus too the matchless bard, whose lay resounds

The SPLENDID SHILLING'S praise, in nightly gloom 120

Of lonesome garret, pin'd for cheerful ALE;

Whose steps in verse Miltonic I pursue,

Mean follower: like him with honest love

Of ALE divine inspir'd, and love of song.

But long may bounteous Heav'n with watchful care 125

Avert his hapless lot! Enough for me

That burning with congenial flame I dar'd

His guiding steps at distance to pursue,

And sing his favorite theme in kindred strains.A few notes:22 Martinus Smiglecius' "Logica" (1618) was a textbook at Oxford.

49, 112 "Tick" (from "ticket") as a noun means "credit," as a verb means "buy on credit." Could "TICKING" in line 49 be not a proper name but the practice of giving or getting credit?

50 A reference to Penniless Bench: see John Richard Green, "Oxford Studies" (London: Macmillan, 1901), pp. 275-276.

120 "Splendid Shilling" was a poem by John Philips (1676-1708)."Charles Spencelayh, Good Health"

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Mt 221 14 A Wedding Made In Heaven

Mt 221 14 A Wedding Made In Heaven
Matthew 22:1-14 A WEDDING MADE IN HEAVEN

"(Click here for reading)"

Today's parable of the Marriage Feast is an allegory of salvation history that reaches its climax in Jesus Christ. The king is God, who prepares a heavenly celebration for his son. The servants are the prophets of old, sent to invite the Chosen People, the people of Israel, but they refuse. In fact, some are beaten and killed. God was so enraged that he will destroy the city of Jerusalem and send other servants, the Apostles, to invite all people (the Gentiles), good and bad alike. Those that are not properly dressed - that is, those who have not done good deeds, will be cast out and thrown away.

Here is a question that is very much worth asking: "What must I do to be saved?" Maybe some of us would have a hard time answering this, even after many years of CCD instruction, bible studies and/or weekly Mass. Thank God the question was asked over two thousand years ago: "Master, what must I do to have eternal life?" (Mt 19:18) The answer is faith and good works. Believe in the one whom the Father sent and live what you believe. Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life, whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe? (Jn 11:26) Yes, Lord, I have come to believe!

We have all been invited to the feast! The Lord stretched out his arms to embrace his people, and walked for miles to gather his sheep. He spent his time in prayer, fasting, healing the sick and helping the poor. He endured so much, but he set an enduring example that would endure forever! This feast, this banquet - the very Last Supper- will never come to an end because it has been prepared through Him, with Him and in Him. The food and drink will never run out because it is his body and blood, poured out for many so that many may live. "Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed!

"A clean heart create in me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me...Give me back the joy of your salvation and a willing spirit sustain in me...My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit; a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn. (Ps. 51:12-19)

The Apostles (the King's servants) headed the Son's final commandment: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, till the end of the age. (Mt 28:19)

These words are dear to me. Sixteen years ago, as I was making my final farewell to my family, friends, and work associates, I needed a miracle, a confirmation that the Lord was truly calling me. I knew it in my heart and mind, but the flesh is weak and I couldn't walk a step further. I remembered how a saint closed his eyes and opened the bible in hope of finding an answer to his calling. I did the same and my eyes and finger fell upon Matthew 28:19.

Little did I realize that this is where our eyes, ears, tongue, hand, heart, mind and will should always fall upon: The Word of God.

Today, share your faith, hope and love in the Lord with someone who has forgotten (or never knew) The Way back home. Invite them to come to the feast where there is plenty of food and drink.

Source: pagan-wiccan.blogspot.com

Monday, March 28, 2011

Meatless Fridays Re Established By Bishops Conference Of England And Wales

Meatless Fridays Re Established By Bishops Conference Of England And Wales
From Initiate Z via Peter Jennings:Fish refuse on Friday re-established by the Catholic Bishops' Discourse of England and WalesBy Peter Jennings. May 13, 2011The Catholic Bishops' Discourse of England and Wales maintain RE-ESTABLISHED THE FRIDAY Compensation OF Nonparticipation FROM Crux ON A FRIDAY. [DO I Appraise AN "AMEN!"? CATHOLICS ARE Reduce TO DO Compensation ON FRIDAYS, BUT CONFERENCES Perform A Behave IN ESTABLISHING For instance THAT PENITENTIAL Mold IS TO BE.] THE LAW Chutzpah Make your mark Featuring in Authority ON FRIDAY 16 SEPTEMBER 2011, THE If possible Feast OF THE Seventh heaven Visit BY POPE BENEDICT XVI TO THE Collective Kingdom IN 2010. [IS IT Like this Decent TO Quandary THIS Move As well as POPE BENEDICT'S WISHES? PERPEND.]Subsequently their Able-bodied Lower house at Hinsley Gathering, Leeds, Monday 9 to Thursday 12 May 2011, the Catholic media office issued THE Subsequently Detail (13 May 2011) under the championship Catholic Remark - Friday Penance:By the practice of punishment every Catholic identifies with Christ in his death on the crotchety. We do so in prayer, straight uniting the sufferings and sacrifices in our lives with relations of Christ's passion; in fasting, by dying to self in order to be awkward to Christ; in alms-giving, by easy-to-read our comradeship with the sufferings of Christ in relations in carry. All three forms of punishment form a focal part of Christian living. As soon as this is noticeable in the relatives pitch, for that reason it is the same an key act of keep details...Get into Above * WDTPRS Stature to the Bishops of England and Wales: meatless Fridays re-established

Credit: thelema-and-faith.blogspot.com

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Into The Valley

Into The Valley
PROPHECY SIGN: THE DIVIDING OF THE LAND GOD GAVE TO THE JEWISH PEOPLE, AND THE CONSEQUENCES THERWE DON'T AS A RULE COPY AND PAST AN ENTIRE ARTICLE FROM SOMEONE ELSE'S WEBSITE OR FROM A NEWS SOURCE. WE WILL PRESENT A LITTLE CLIP OF IT AND MAKE COMMENT ON ITS PROPHETIC IMPLICATIONS, AND THEN LEAVE YOU TO SOURCE THE MATERIAL FOR YOURSELF BY FOLLOWING THE LINKS PROVIDED.HOWEVER THIS WAS SUCH A GOOD ARTICLE THAT WE THOUGHT IT HIGHLY IMPORTANT TO PRESENT IT HERE IN ITS ENTIRETY AS IT HAS SUCH PROPHETIC IMPLICATIONS FOR THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE.INTO THE VALLEYhttp://www.bibleprophecyblog.com/2011/09/into-valley.htmlBy Stan Goodenough Jerusalem Watchman http://www.stangoodenough.com/Today, September 13, 2011, will be a momentous day. Today, representatives of 193 countries are coming together on the east side of Manhattanfor the opening of the 66th session of the United Nations General Assembly.Of the 168 items on their agenda, one towers above the rest, guaranteed to dominate the 15-day event: Item #36 - "The question of Palestine."When that number comes up on September 20, the nations of this world will secure their places in the Valley of Jehoshaphat. For during the course of their deliberations, they will be called upon to vote for, or against, recognizing a Palestinian state.Recognizing a Palestinian state means voting for the creation of an Arab state in the biblical heartland of the Land of Israel.It means voting for the "permanent" division of God's land."For behold, in those days and at that time, When I bring back the captives of Judah and Jerusalem, I will also gather all nations, And bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; And I will enter into judgment with them there On account of My people, My heritage Israel, Whom they have scattered among the nations; They have also divided up My land.Proclaim this among the nations: "Prepare for war! Wake up the mighty men, Let all the men of war draw near, Let them come up. Beat your plowshares into swords And your pruning hooks into spears; Let the weak say, 'I am strong.'" Assemble and come, all you nations, And gather together all around. Cause Your mighty ones to go down there, O LORD. "Let the nations be wakened, and come up to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; For there I will sit to judge all the surrounding nations. Put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Come, go down; For the winepress is full, The vats overflow - For their wickedness is great." Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. The sun and moon will grow dark, And the stars will diminish their brightness. The LORD also will roar from Zion, And utter His voice from Jerusalem; The heavens and earth will shake; But the LORD will be a shelter for His people, And the strength of the children of Israel. (Joel 3:1-2, 9-16)"Who will endorse Palestine?" This question headlined an article on the Israeli Ynetnews website two weeks ago.According to the report, officials in Jerusalembelieve the "Palestinians" will secure an automatic majority due to the guaranteed support of the 116 "non-aligned" states," which tend to vote as a bloc and promote joint interests. Just 12 more "yes" votes will secure a two-thirds majority. And on September 12, Russiaannounced its determination to support whatever the Palestinian Arabs want.To try and offset the outcome, Israel's foreign ministry has targeted the "moral majority" - influential states that include the 27 European Union members, global powers, and several other key countries.Israel hopes the failure of such states to endorse a unilateral Palestinian move would render the UN decision illegitimate. To further this, officials in Brusselshave worked on establishing a united front of EU states that would abstain. Still, it seems Europe's votes will be split. Few if any nations are expected to vote "no."Despite having personally flown to various countries in recent months, appealing to leaders to reject the unilateral Palestinian move, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appears to be bracing for what now looks like the inevitable outcome.Israel stands alone on the world stage. In fact, at the UN - and this is not new or rare -Israelwill stand alone in the dock.The universal recognition of "Palestine" as a state in its own right will be an indictment of the Jewish people, the world's rejection and dismissal of their claims to their patrimony and a charge accusing them of usurping another people's land.The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) aka Palestinian Authority has already stated its intention to drag Israelbefore the International Courtin The Hague.However, the judgment on this event has already been determined and will soon be passed. It was seen thousands of years ago by the prophets of Israelwho must have shivered as they recorded God's expressions of His fury.Joel 3, parts of which are quoted at the top of this piece, is only one of these warnings. Read the whole chapter. See also Isaiah 34, Isaiah 63, and Psalm 94.God has a day of vengeance for the controversy of Zion(Isaiah 34:8). He describes the valley of Jehoshaphat as the winepress of His wrath into which He will gather the nations. Soon - if He has not already begun - He will start to tread them out, crushing them like grapes beneath His feet.How awful His judgment will be!Fearful for their nations, believers in Europe and Americahave mobilized to act on Israel's behalf. On September 12 The Jerusalem Post reported "two of the leading Christian groups in Europe have joined forces to counter mounting pressure on the Jewish state." According to the report, the Dutch organization Christians for Israel and the Brussels-based European Coalition for Israel, will be holding joint protests today (September 13) in The Hague, and on September 19 in Brussels.Although the Post failed to mention it, the initiative was launched by one man. Back in March, on the cover of the Dutch language publication of his organization "Pillar of Fire," Jack van der Tang published a facsimile of the mobilization form for military service that the men of Hollandreceived in 1939, when the Nazis were poised to invade them.Inside the magazine, under the heading, "An urgent message to the church in the Netherlands(and worldwide)," Van der Tang posed the question:Have you ever wondered what you would have done right before the Second World War, had you known that 6,000,000 Jews were going to be murdered? We did not yet know, then, about the death camps where the Holocaust would be carried out. Now, in 2011, throughout the countries around Israel, millions are openly, and without shame, calling for the destruction of the Jews. And we cannot say again, "we did not know."After listing the long and growing list of threats and dangers facing Israel, he concluded:In 1939 anationwide mobilization occurred in the Netherlandswhen it was clear that war was unavoidable. Let there be an overall mobilization in the Church, today!Other Christians - individuals and organizations - have followed Van der Tang's lead. One man, a Czech citizen who has no organizational backing, alone successfully prepared a manifestation that will take place in Praguethis evening. Events are scheduled for Englandtoo.The men organizing these gatherings are driven by a) a strong sense of the fear of the Lord; b) a compelling love for the Jewish people and c) deep concern for their nations.They know, as do many millions of Christians, that the motivation behind the upcoming vote is hardly a heartfelt desire to give the "poor Palestinians" a state of their own.What will constrain the overwhelming majority - probably all - who choose in favor of Palestine, will be:Anti-Semitism, manifested in its "new" skin as deeply-rooted and vociferous anti-Israel bigotry, and/orUnfettered hatred of Israeland a desire to see her destroyed, and/orImmoral national self-interest that "justifies" betraying a small, peace-seeking, oil-less country to appease tens of large, oil-rich, belligerent ones, and/orHatred of God and rejection of His Word.Whatever their individual motives, what these delegates will be voting for is the manifest theft of land belonging - by the decree of the Almighty; by international law as ratified at San Remo by the League of Nations and never revoked; and by all the rights that legitimize the existence of modern nation states - to the Jews.For those who still don't get this, let me spell it out once more:The territory upon which the UN would establish a State of Palestine is that land where Abraham walked when God promised it to him and his descendants after him, forever. It is that land where Jacob lived and through which he travelled when God made it clear that His promise to Abraham was to his seed through the bloodline of Isaac and Jacob.It is that land in which Israel's founding fathers purchased property, and where they lie buried. It is that land conquered by the Israelites under Joshua and given as an inheritance to the tribes of Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim and the half-tribe of Manasseh. It is that land where for nearly 400 years the Tabernacle stood in which Samuel served and where the people of Israelworshipped. It is that land where David was born, and from which and over which he reigned. It is that land that contains the Jerusalemof biblical times, in which Solomon and Zerubbabel and Herod built the Jewish temples, and where, in Solomon's days, God's glory was visibly revealed to the Israelites. It is that land where Jesus was born and in which He ministered; where He was crucified, buried, rose again, and from which He ascended into heaven. It is that land to which He will return. It is that land God specifically promised to restore the Jews to after they were dispersed among the nations.It is THAT land the United Nations will vote this month on taking "legally" out of the hands of the Jewish people and placing into the hands of the Muslim Arabs - the vast majority of whom have been raised on a hate-rich diet of war mongering anti-Israel thoughts.Recent weeks have seen some Israeli leaders and opinion shapers making calming statements - assuring their people that a General Assembly vote is not binding; that there is little if any point in trying to withstand it.Darker voices warn that Arab and Muslim protests will be staged all over the world to "convince" the General Assembly in New Yorkthat the demand for the creation of Palestineis global and must be complied with.A sweeping vote supporting the proposal is expected to - eventually if not right away - sway the Security Council towards making it legally binding on Israel.So WHO is bringing the nations to New Yorkto cast this fateful ballot? Who will lead them? Who will drive them?The answer, I believe, is the LORD God. For decades they have been pulling and pushing Israel around, instigating wars against her, fomenting hatred of her, taking advantage of her, plotting against her, holding her in derision, and just bullying her relentlessly and heartlessly, in a never-ending way.But now, now comes the time to decide. God is giving them the choice. For some nations - those that long ago sold their souls to the devil, voting to divide the land of Israelwill be easy and quick. For others, there will be ethical and moral questions to weigh up. These nations know that they know that to recognize Palestinewill be to do a terrible injustice to the Jews. Will they still proceed?The few Judeo-Christian nations still left may be given pause by the fact that the Holy Bible contains the unambiguous title deed to the ancient Holy Land.What they all will do in the end, is decide for or against Israel; for or against the Bible; for or against the establishment of a country that, together with its 21 allied Arab states, will present a terrible danger to the piece of land that will be left of Israel.The time, it appears, is here. The nations have to decide and the choice they make will be read out in the "valley of decision," the Valley of Jehoshaphat. Multitudes, it says, will be there.The Valley of Jehoshaphatis a small, nondescript gully that feeds into the northern end of the Kidron Valley, in the shadow of the Mount of Olives.I pointed it out last week as I guided a group from the Garden of Gethsemane into the Old City. How, we wondered, will all the nations that are today aligned against Israeland eagerly waiting to "create" Palestinefit into this small place for judgment? Zechariah may have the answer:And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which faces Jerusalemon the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, From east to west, Making a very large valley; Half of the mountain shall move toward the north And half of it toward the south. (Zechariah 14:4)Below is a list of scriptures (not exhaustive) in which God promises "all the land of Canaan" to Abraham, and then to Isaac, and then to Jacob; God promises to bring the people of Israelback to this land, which He repeatedly calls "their own land."Some of these passages will be read out in the European capitals where Christians are taking their stand today.This is the point - the final Word: God says the land belongs exclusively to the Jewish people. God Almighty says it is their land. It makes no difference if every nation on earth says otherwise. It matters not if even the democratically elected government of Israelagrees to a "two-state solution" on this land, and wants to give part of it away.Believers can and must stand on the Bible, and proclaim that, according to it, this is Israel's land.We must comfort and encourage the Jewish people by reminding them of God's promise to be "a shelter for His people, and the strength of the children of Israel."And we must warn our nations that God will judge them in fury for dividing up the land - which He calls HIS OWN. (see, again, Joel 3)* TITLE DEED TO THE LAND: Genesis 12:1-3, 6-8; 13:14-17; 15:7, 17-20; 17:7-8; 24:7; 26:2-4; 28:12-15; 35:10-12; 39:9-15. Exodus 6:2-4; 6-8; 32:13; 33:1-2. Leviticus 20:23-24; Numbers 33:50-54; 34:1-2; Deuteronomy 1:6-8; 11:11-12; Joshua 21:43-45; 1 Chronicles 16:14-19; 2 Samuel 7:10; Isaiah 14:1; Jeremiah 23:8; Ezekiel 28:25-26; 34:13-14; 36:24; 37:14, 21; Amos 9:14-15.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Introduction And Welcome

Introduction And Welcome
Well, it seems fitting to give this blog some sort of introduction rather than just jumping into the middle of things. That being the case, I guess I should tell you about myself which will then give you the overall understanding of this blog.

I was raised by my grandparents in a Independent Fundamental Baptist household. They were somewhat hypocritical in choosing somethings in life that would be considered less than favorable in Christian circles. This being said of their religious views, one might also come to the conclusion they were right-wing, Reagan Republicans, which would be correct.

At the age of 4, I started attending an extremely strict, Fundamental Baptist school. I was active in my church and the perfect angelic child, till I became a teen of course. I had always had questions about my religion, questions that even the best Christian scholars around me couldn't answer. So for me, my religion wasn't good enough. It had too many loop holes and exceptions, and not to mention insanely outdated rules most of which were developed by strange old men who thought they were doing us all a favor.

Well, as I mentioned, I became the rebellious teen, just like all teens are at some point in there life. I started dating (Oh no!), became interested in online gaming, and started exploring other religions. I know, it doesn't sound that rebellious does it? But in my family it was. The stress of everything, including feeling like I didn't fit in no matter where I was, was too much to handle. I ended up getting kicked out of my straight-laced Christian school only 5 months before graduation. Why? Because I had a mental break down and left school and went to a friends house.

Anyway, going to public school, even but for a few months, opened my eyes to the fact that the world had different types of people. And they weren't bad and evil like I had been warned about either. It was here that I was introduced to my first real live witch. I never felt more at home than I did there. For once I was happy.

It wasn't until later that I began to embrace the fact that I wanted to be a Wiccan. Well, my husband didn't think it was all that great at all. In fact, it scared the living daylights out of him. So once again, back into the closet I pushed my Wiccan wants and desires.

Two years later, my husband and I are now divorced. I met some one who was a little more open minded and different than any one I had ever met before. After a few months, I decided that I didn't want to hide anymore and I was going to tell him flat out, "Honey, I'm a witch." Much to my surprise, I was met with the simple answer of "OK." I sat there for a moment thinking, "There has to be more to it than that." After a little digging and questioning, I learned he had Wiccan friends and had even been to a few rituals himself.

So now with loving support, I start my journey. I have since joined a local Wiccan group and been to a few rituals myself. I can't say that I've been more at home and happier than I am now. I hope you will enjoy learning as much as I do.



Origin: animals-and-shamanism.blogspot.com