Pagan's topics - tribe.net

New home blessings?

morgankicksass — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 17:15:57 GMT

I am moving into a new home this weekend and am wondering, what are everyone's favorite methods for blessing/ clearing a new home?
Thanks in advance :)

posted in Pagan - 3 replies

Your interpretations please..

Wanderingwolf — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 02:32:56 GMT

To Know

To Will

To Dare

To Keep SIlent.

These are the laws, please share your interpretations of each

posted in Pagan - 5 replies

Tumblestone or flat?

Judia — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 03:09:28 GMT

I'm assuming you're all familiar wiht rune stones and such.

I was wondering if it was best to make them out of flat stones or simple tumble stones. Any imput?

posted in Pagan - 2 replies

The Truth about EVIL

Wanderingwolf — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 04:31:21 GMT

Evil lurks in all corners of the world, it no longer has any need to hide, it smiles at you with the glamour of innocence, it has power over the authorities of earth, our system that has had the faith of the innocent for so long is run by men and women that have given themselves wholly and entirely to the forces of Evil.NO longer does evil hide in the shadows and run cowering from the Light, it stands forth PROUD of its power and it accomplishments, knowing full well that the neutral and the innocent among us will never grow the courage to face it down. It konws this because for centuries it has watched and waited, grown, and learned. It is a remarkable student is EVIL, it understands human nature to the Nth degree, and what it doesnt now know it persuades, it convinces, it bribes, it smoothly persuades all others to look the other way, just this once, just this one time, and all will be well. Its been learning, and now its controls the masses, the education of the young, so that no one can grow to courage and kill it, the powers, it has authority so that no one can oppose it, the church, so that no one can approach it and expose it to the world. It wears the face of the innocent, and uses the innocent as its best agents, them, never suspecting that their lord and master is the very evil they hate and are sworn to destroy.
For , you see, GOOD, is blind. THose of the light ever keep their eyes on the light, never seeking truth that cannot shine as bright, if it ugly, it cant be worth their attention, for all things GOOD must, ( in their estimation) by virtue of their goodness, ever strive to become brighter and more in the light.

Men and women that are sincerely devoted to GOODNESS cannot even see the rampant evil that controls every aspect of their lives, they have been trained by Evil to only see what Evil Wants them to see, and to define Evil as what only Evil wants them to Define it as, its only the man in the BLack hat that is evil, the men in WHITE are your friends, those that come with a gift for you must have every right to require your obedience, the line has become so blurred and grey, that no true follower of GOOD can see the truth anymore, not until Evil has truly TOUCHED them, taken from them, hurt them, poisoned their souls, tainted who and what they are with its nature, then and only then are the monsters revealed. For now, YOU are one of the darkened ones, you are tainted and smell like evil, a little bit of both in your makeup perhaps, but evil knows evil.And recognizes you, and wonders if you are now a threat, if you are, then the greater evils wil be alerted to your presence to destroy you, but if have alchemized a seachange within yourself then perhaps you may be allowed to further percieve the hidden actions of EVIL.
i prefer the darknes, but it has become a greater place to hide, and to see Evil in its natural environment, the Light has always been foreign to me but now i see it has become the bastion of Evil, i was raised to BELIEVE in the LIGHT, to KNOW< to truly KNOW in my heart of hearts that the LIGHT was good and to trust it always. Then Evil TOUCHED me and it came from the light, under guise of my faith and my trust, it tried to destroy me and all i lived for.TRUE EVIL is a master of lies and a master of disguise, it is DECEIT in all of its forms, it is the knife in the back from the faithful companion, it is the lie told to destroy trust in the faithful, it is the GREAT BETRAYER.
MONSTERS are nothing to me, for they wear their true selves on their face, it is the smiling, innocent, MR.NORMAL, Church goer, Pillar of the Community, UnTouCHABLE, UN KNOWABLE, that scares my out of my wits. The killer, the murderer, the rapist, the arsonist, the slayer of the innocent, NONE of these frighten me more than those that carry the trust of thousands in their hands. Lives, like so many upturned faces, seeking Goodness , spattered by the rain, unseeing, but yet trusting all the same that their leader will care for them, will have compassion, will show common human decency in the face of the inevitable mistakes we all will make. THESE people, the leaders of our worlds, they frighten me beyond measure, for i konw there is now way that i can ever be sure of their allegiance.Whether to the Light or to the DARK, GOOD or EVIL.
I have found that to know anothers intentions one usually has only to learn how to IGNORE everything that comes out of their mouths and see NOTHING but what actions have been accomplished and to determine, with nothing but facts, WHO and HOW it benefits.
It shows a TRUTH that is Undeniable.

posted in Pagan - 2 replies

oven blessings

Kansas — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:27:33 GMT

so, i was invited to a "Friends & Family" party at an Italian restaurant before it officially opened over the weekend. there i am, drinking a delicious Chianti, eating really good pizza and having a wonderful conversation with some jazz chick next to me. and all of a sudden, there was a catholic priest BLESSING the restaurant's oven with holy water and prayers. the oven, i later found out, also had a name and a picture of the owner's grandmother was imprinted into the tile above the oven's mouth. a friend of mine told me this was not unheard of in traditional times of southern Italy. and is probably another pagan thing introduced into the orthodox religions. wouldn't it be awesome to revive this practice with our own ovens! i mean, if there's one thing traditional Italy (and especially that experience i had) has taught us, it's that the center of the house lies within the hearth.

posted in Pagan - 8 replies

transformation workshops at Phoenix Fire 2009

Venee Lotusfire — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 23:34:32 GMT

Transformation at Phoenix Fire 2009

We are so proud to announce this years transformational workshops at Phoenix Fire

What a fantastic line up of teachers showing up to share there wisdom and gifts. There is a little something for everyone.

We are especially excited to welcome ORION FOXWOOD this year who will be teaching Fire Magic of the Old Craft, and SAMINA OSHUN who will be teaching The Magick of the Fire Circle. Don't miss out on this rare opportunity to learn with all of our great teachers in the smaller intimate setting of Phoenix Fire. What a special gift!

Hurry there is only 6 days left to register for Phoenix Fire 2009.
Thursday, August 13th - Sunday, August 16th, 2009 With early arrival option: Wednesday, August 12
http://www.firefamilygathering.org/

Transformational workshop offerings Phoenix Fire 2009:
Fire Magic of the Old Craft
Workshop offered by: Orion Foxwood

The use of fire in ancestral witchcraft tradition is a central part of natural magic and healing work. Through conjuration of the balefire, boonfire and bonefire, the spirit of love, wisdom and inner power is mediated through the world. In this workshop Orion will lead us in a wealth of techniques for these deep rooted practices.

And for those showing early!
On Thursday morning Orion will offer.

Fire in the Land
Workshop offered by: Orion Foxwood

At the heart of the planet burns the heart of Gaia's creative life pulse. In this workshop Orion will teach techniques from the Faery Seership practices for attuning and aligning our human center with the heart flame of the planet.

Orion grew up with the second sight (called the veil)in the Shenandoah Valley in Virginian, an area rife with the folk practices of southern tradition and Appalachia. He is a witch and Elder in Celtic-Traditional Craft, High Priest in Alexandrian Wicca and teacher of the Faery Seership tradition. He is also the founding Elder of Foxwood Temple and a primary founder of the Alliance of the Old religion- a national network covens in his line that have united to preserve the ways of his Elder.

He is the co-director of Moonridge, a center for metaphysical, Craft and Faery studies in Maryland. For over 20 years, he has lectured extensively across the United States and in the United Kingdom on the Craft, Faery Seership Tradition and Southern Folk Magic.

He is the author of "The Faery Teachings" (RJ Stewart Books, 2007),a collaborative CD project with RJ Stewart named “Faery Seership” and his newly released book called “The Tree of Enchantment” (Weiser books, 2008).

On the lecture circuit, he is best known for his teachings on traditional second sight and folkloric Faery practices originating in the ways of the Faery Doctors and Cunningmen of Britain, Ireland, Scotland and Wales and the conjurers of the American South. I

In the "other" professional world, he hold a Masters Degree in Human Services, is a licensed professional counselor and a public health administrator. His teachings are based in traditional folk practices aimed at direct spirit contact and substantive personal transformation.

MAGIC OF THE FIRE
Workshop offered by: Samina Oshun

This is a workshop on how to get the most from your experience around the fire. Creating the "Magick" of the fire circle, and using its power to manifest what is needed in your life. Come share your ideas and learn new ways to experience the fire.

Samina has been a Priestess of the Desert Moon Circle in Las Vegas for the past 13 years. She is a magician both on and off the stage, along with being a singer, dancer, song writer, percussionist, stilt walker, guitar & flute player, and all around enchantress. Being a seasoned performer, priestess, & magician, Samina blissfully brings her many talents to the sacred fire circle to help create and bring the magick to life!!!

Tantric Shamanism Breathwork Ceremony Workshop offered by: Sylvia Brallier
Ecstasy is a divine gift that lifts us out of ordinary reality and into a direct experience of the sacred. The transformative fires of ecstasy burn away the blocked energy held in our shadow selves and transmute it into pure energy that may be used for the healing of our world and ourselves. This form of tantric breathwork is done within the context of a circle. This ceremony is a profound opportunity to drop away what has been binding you and move forward towards your bliss.

Sylvia is a personal growth educator who is deeply interested in the relationship between the body, mind, emotions and spirit. She has some really unique and fun ways to help people shift both their perspective and their lives, which include dance, breath, hypnosis, trance states, energy body awareness, shamanism, and more… Sylvia has been offering seminars and working with people one on one for over 20 years, and LOVES what she does!
Sylvia fosters healing as well as spiritual and artistic grown through open cross cultural studies and personal creativity.
She is the author of: Dancing in the Eye of Transformation, a comprehensive guide to personal development drawing from the spiritual traditions of the world as well as spiritual applications of current quantum theory in order to help people achieve greater peace and balance

Descent of the Goddess and the Phoenix Rising
Workshop offered by: Morganne Baum

During this workshop, I will discuss the myth of Inanna, the legend of the Phoenix, and other icons/archetypes that represent the journey of death and rebirth. These stories offer a powerful message - that through our challenges and ordeals lies a path towards transformation and renewal. As we dance around the fire, through the darkness and into the dawn, we also walk the path of Inanna, the phoenix, and the setting and rising of the sun itself. Please bring a pen and paper or journal.

Morganne is a student of classic mythology, archetypes, psychology, and the Tarot, as well as being a skilled composer for piano and voice. She has been learning and teaching rhythm for over 15 years, and is an Alchemical Fire Circle devotee- having assisted with Rites of Spring, Firedance, Phoenix Fire, MayFire, and Fall Fest for many years. Through her own struggle with fibromyalgia and back pain, Morganne has found potent strength, healing, and renewal from participating in fire circle events.

For information on other workshops offered this year at Phoenix fire got
http://www.firefamilygathering.org/

posted in Pagan - 0 replies

Wheel of the Year Lecture - Summer Solstice, Tonight - Everett

Ani — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 15:49:28 GMT

A Gathering Grove Bookstore
June 16, 2009, 7 - 9 p.m.
2820 Oakes St.
Everett, WA 98201
425-512-8845

Wheel of the Year - Summer Solstice Lecture

Respected Pagan Elder Haragano will present the fifth in a series of lectures entitled The Wheel of the Year. The Wheel of the Year is the greatest of all Teachers. Each of us is born somewhere on it and as we spiral through it on our life's journey, our understandings deepen. This series of lectures draws on history and folklore to highlight the rich context of each of the eight major pagan holidays. Each lecture is given at the time of the year in which each holiday is set to assist in developing a personal understanding of each of the celebrations. Even if you miss a lecture you can still attend the series, while each lecture does build on the last one, they are also independent of each other. The term solstice can also be used in a wider sense, as the date (day) that such a passage happens. The solstices, together with the equinoxes, are connected with the seasons. In some languages they are considered to start or separate the seasons; in others they are considered to be centre points (in English, in the Northern hemisphere, for example, the period around the June solstice is known as midsummer, and Midsummer's Day is the 24 June, about three days after the solstice itself). Many cultures celebrate the summer solstice, for the June solstice; Christian cultures celebrate the feast of St. John from June 23 to June 24 while Neopagans observe Midsummer.

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Lama Mingyur Rinpoche: tantric Buddhist teaching and empowerment tour June - August 2009 / Avalokitesvara teaching

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 21:02:52 GMT

Lama Mingyur Rinpoche: tantric Buddhist teaching and empowerment tour June - August 2009 / Avalokitesvara teaching

Keywords : meditation practice ( tantra devayoga sadhana ), Mahayana Buddhist transmission, mantra yoga, Heart Sutra, Karma Kagyu lineage of Indo-Tibetan Buddhism, 2009 Tour, Portland, deity of "Liberating Compassion" Avalokitesvara empowerment ( a.k.a. Kuan Yin, Kannon, Chenresig etc. ).

Summary: His Eminence Yongey Mingyur will be giving a tantric Buddhist empowerment ( highest yoga tantra ) for Avalokitesvara in Portland this June 19, and later, other cities as well. This major tantric guru of the Karma Kagyu lineage is on international tour through August. Background references and a key book reference are provided.

" If we try too hard, meditation becomes difficult. But it is so easy... Meditation is resting in our own natural awareness. "
His Eminence Yongey Mingyur Dorje Rinpoche

His Eminence Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche is a younger yet also major teacher in the Indo-Tibetan tradition of vajrayana and tantra, specifically as a retreat master in the Karma Kagyu lineage. He is the son of the great Nyingma master Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, and his main residence is Sherab Ling, the seat of His Holiness Khentin Tai Situpa, a principal Kagyu guru.
http://www.mingyur.org/biography/index.html

Although quite young, HE Yongey Mingyur is an accomplished master of both the Great Seal ( Mahamudra ) and Great Perfection ( Dzogchen ) traditions of pure awareness yoga. I have received from His Eminence both the Tsik Sum Ne Dek ( Great Perfection Breakthrough ) and Karma Pakshi Great Seal guru yoga empowerments some years back, and both transmissions were quite powerful.

His Eminence is also establishing fellowships in North America ( e.g. San Jose CA and Phoenix AZ ) and participating in western scientific studies on mind science. He is the author of two well received books on meditation, including the recently released "Joyful Wisdom - Embracing Change and Finding Freedom".

This young teacher is clearly one of the most important of the new generation of tantric Buddhist gurus teaching in the West, in terms of the quality and quantity of his teaching work, and the deep and broad impact he is beginning to have. ( See "Yongey Foundation Links" at http://www.mingyur.org/links.html ).

This year he teaches coast to coast and also in Brazil. For information on the North American Tour continuing through August, see
http://www.mingyur.org/schedule.html

The main event of the Portland visit is a major empowerment for the meditation deity Avalokitesvara. See
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avalokitesvara

and many book titles and other resources from Snow Lion Publications. See
http://www.snowlionpub.com/

and the Kagyu bookstore for the Karma Kagyu lineage seat in North America at Woodstock New York:
http://www.namsebangdzo.com/

Avalokitesvara is a primary and pre-eminent deity and practice for Buddhists worldwide. Avalokitesvara is the renowned deity of "Liberating Compassion", known in many parts of the Far East as Kuan Yin ( China ), Kwannon ( Japan ), Kwan Seeum ( Korea ), Kwan Theum Botat ( Viet Nam ), etc. This is a major practice for both general Mahayana ( Great Way ) Buddhists and also for esoteric / yogic ( tantric ) Buddhists, and thus unites and helps all schools of Buddhist practice in many different cultural contexts, both Asian and Western.

This is a most well known and quite universally practised pagan / polytheistic deity yoga of Sanskrit origin, Hindu or Buddhist. For example, it has become incorporated into some Hindu practice lineages, such as that of Swami Nikhilesvarananda. It is very similar to or overlaps the practice of Blue Throated Siva, as shown in one of the mantras for Blue Throated Avalokitesvara.

The influence of Avalokitesvara is vast throughout the world, and in different Buddhist lineages. Several of my teachers are considered to be emanations of Avalokitesvara including ( the late ) HE Deshung Tulku Rinpoche ( Sakya ), HH the Seventeenth Karmapa Urgyen Trinley Dorje and the Karmapa lineage, HH the Dalai Lama and the Dalai Lama lineage, and so forth.

His Eminence Dzongsar Rinpoche ( Sakya and Nyingma lineages of Tibetan Buddhism ), who teaches worldwide, has stated that Avalokitesvara is the most broadly and most commonly practised of all Buddhist mantras worldwide. This is consistent with my experience in Japanese, Chinese, Tibetan, and Vietnamese traditions. Apparently there is a book on Avalokita practice in the Sri Lankan traditions, which are mostly Theravadin Buddhist.

The esoteric yoga traditions of Buddhist tantra are based on ritual empowerment and the practice of self-empowerment, and these include placing points of light at the Brow Cakra ( White Light ), Throat Cakra ( Red Light ), and Heart Cakra ( Blue Light ). Some forms of Avalokitesvara practice include a full kundalini yoga / psychic heat method, known in the Buddhist tradition as Completion Stage Yoga. N.B. One important example is the transmission of Red Avalokita / Vajrayogini. However, I do not know what form of Avalokita is being given by HE Mingyur Rinpoche.

Avalokitesvara is without doubt the most well known Buddhist ( or other ) esoteric spiritual practice in the West ( either as "OM MANI PADME HUM" or as the "Heart Sutra" or as other variants, see below ).
Many tens of millions of Buddhists recite daily either a Sanksrit formula for Avalokitesvara or a meditation text associated with this deity, as in (1) and (2) following.

1) One of the root mantras ( esoteric invocations or evocations ) of Avalokitesvara is
"OM MANI PADMA HUM", which is discussed at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Om_mani_padme_hum

2) Avalokitesvara is the source of the primary Buddhist text Prajna Paramita Hrdaya, the Heart or Essence of Transcendent Wisdom, which is recited daily in many Buddhist countries, such as in the Chinese and Japanese Zen traditions. See
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heart_sutra
This is a primary and central and definitive text for many of the Mahayana Buddhist schools, both outer and inner.

A good source of teaching on Avalokitesvara in the East Asian tradition is
"Bodhisattva of Compassion: The Mystical Tradition of Kuan Yin"
by John Blofeld.
The Sanskrit recitation of Kuan Yin / Avalokitesvara is one of the main esoteric healing practices in Chinese Buddhism. Of course, I can make no claims for any specific application. I do know that it is traditionally used by the Chinese for easing the pains of childbirth.

There is also
"The Origins of Om Manipadme Hum: A Study of the Karandavyuha Sutra"
by Alexander Studholme, Ph.D.

An example of a deeper and essentialized practice focused on Avalokitesvara is given in the book
"The Union of Mahamudra and Dzogchen"
by Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche
ISBN 962-7341-13-9
Rangjung Yeshe Publications

This is a commentary on "The Direct Instructions of the Compassionate One" originally given by Karma Chagmey Rinpoche the First.
See
http://www.snowlionpub.com/html/product_6174.html
THE UNION OF MAHAMUDRA AND DZOGCHEN
by Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche
240 pp.
# UNMADZ - $ 18.00

"Teachings on the complete path to enlightenment in 8 songs by the 17th century yogi/poet Karma Chagmey explicated with Rinpoche's trademark brilliance and humor.
'This advice spoken through personal experience embodies the quintessence of the Dharma.'--Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche"

Please note that I do not formally represent this teacher nor the fellowship hosting him in Portland.

Sarva mangalam! May it be beneficial!
Siddhi rastu! May there be accomplishment!

KT

Hosted by Portland Dharma Group
www.portlanddharmagroup.org
503.341.7776

From
http://www.portlanddharmagroup.org/Mingyur2009/Mingyur.html

schedule

16 June
7:30 pm
Book signing at Powell's Books for
"Joyful Wisdom - Embracing Change and Finding Freedom"
http://www.mingyur.org/book/joyful_wisdom.html

17 June - 18 June
Public talks 7 - 8:30 pm
First Congregational Church
1126 SW Park Ave, Portland OR

19 June
7pm
Avalokitesvara [ Chenrezig ] empowerment
First Congregational Church
1126 SW Park Ave, Portland OR

[ end listing / article ]

More event listings for Ven. Mingyur Rinpoche from:
http://www.yongey.org/en/eventyongey.htm
Note that these are subject to change.

Jun 22
(Evening Talk) 92nd Street Y (Yongey Foundation)
New York, NY www.92Y.org
8:15 PM Public Talk "Joyful Wisdom" Tim Olmsted
Tel 970-879-5425
tim@zirkel.us

Jun 23 (Evening Talk) Shambhala Meditation Center
New York, NY www.ny.shambhala.org
Public Talk "Joyful Wisdom"
Katherine Lieberson
Tel 212-675-6544
katherine_lieberson@shambhalanyc.org

June 24 - Jul 6 Garrison Institute (Yongey Foundation)
Garrison, NY www.mingyur.org
6/25-30 Open Retreat "The Heart of Meditation"
6/30-7/5 Level 1 Mahamudra Retreat
Tim Olmsted
Tel 970-879-5425
tim@zirkel.us

Jul 7 - 13 Yongey Buddhist Center - New York
Flushing, NY www.yongey.org
7/7-9 Level 3 Mahamudra Retreat
7/10-13 Level 4 Mahamudra Retreat
7/12 Empowerment "Thousand Buddha"
7/12 Book Signing "Joyful Wisdom"
7/13 Farewell Luncheon Mei Yen Ladle
Tel 408-263-2740
Sue Chang
Tel 917-907-2318
info@yongey.org

Jul 14 - 19 Karma Triyana Dhamachakra
Woodstock, NY www.kagyu.org
7/17-19 Mahamudra Teachings
7/19 Evening Empowerment TBD Tom Schmidt
Tel 845-679-5906 ext. 15
Tel 845-453-2159 (cell)
external.affairs@kagyu.org

Jul 20 - 24 Kagyu Thuhten Choling Monastery
Wappingers Falls, NY www.kagyu.com
Teaching "Five Skandhas"
Teaching "Seven Points of Mind Training"
Closed Empowerments (3rd Year Retreats) Ani Jamdron
Tel 845-489-4654
jamdron@yahoo.com

Jul 25 - 28 Palpung Choekyi Gyaltsen Center
Charlottesville, VA
Shamata Meditation
Mahamudra Teaching
Empowerment "Green Tara"
Bobbi Grant Llewellyn
Tel 434-973-8000
bobbi@robertllewellyn.com

Jul 31 - Aug 3 Boulder Shambhala Center
Boulder, CO
www.boulder.shambhala.org
7/31-8/1 Public Talk "Bodhicitta and the Nature of Mind"
8/1 PM -8/2 Private "Bodhicitta and the Nature of Mind"
8/2 6PM Talk "Joyful Wisdom" @ Boulder Book Store
Cynthia Kneen
Tel 303-444-0190 ext. 101
Tel 303-449-5894 (cell)
cynthia@boulder.shambhala.org

Aug 4 - 12 Palpung Phende Kunkyab
Vancouver, BC
www.palpungvancouver.org
Level 2 Mahamudra Retreat
Meditation Retreat "The Joy of Wisdom"
1 day Special "Bardo" teaching for senior students Ping Yau
Tel 604-271-6322
palpungvan@shaw.ca

Aug 13 - 17 Palpung Yeshe Chokhor Dharmacentre
Kitchener, Ontario
www.thopaga.org
Bardo Teachings
Linda Hayes
Tel 226-747-2547
office@thopaga.org

Aug 18 - 20 Karma Sonam Dargye Ling
Toronto, Ontario
www.ksdl.org
8/18 Talk & Book Signing "Joyful Wisdom" (7:30PM)
8/19 Teaching "The Union of Dzochen & Mahamudra"
8/19 Shitro Empowerment (7PM)
8/20 Shitro Pratice (9AM-5PM) / Tibetan Dinner
Valerie White
Tel 416-463-8538
valeriewhite@sympatico.ca

Aug 21 - 22 Rigpe Dorje Centre
Montreal, Quebec
www.centrerigpedorje.org
8/21 Public Talk of "Joyful Wisdom"
8/22 Teaching "Embracing Change/Finding Freedom"
8/22 Empowerment "Guru Rinpoche"
Both Days - Book Signing "Joyful Wisdom"
Judy Cutler
Tel 514-227-0703
j.cutler@rogers.com

Aug 24 - Aug28 Yongey Buddhist Center - Brazil
Sao Paulo, Brazil
http://yongeybr.tripod.com
8/24-26 Level 3 Mahamudra
8/25 Evening Empowerment "Thousand Buddha"
8/26-27 Evening Teaching "Joyful Wisdom"
8/27 Level 2 Mahamudra
8/28 Evening Public Talk at UNOFESUniversity
Edson Chang
Tel 5511-9440-6013
echang9@gmail.com

Aug 29 - 31 Karma Theksum Chokhorling
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
www.ktc.org.br
8/29-31 Level 1 Mahamudra Teaching
8/29 Evening Open Talk
8/30 Evening Empowerment "Karma Pakshi"
Claudia Carrera
Tel 5521-3418-8122
office@ktc.org.br
claudiacarrera@ig.com.br

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Cross's (And Your) Community First Get Together - SAT June 13

CrossSidhe — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 22:43:44 GMT

Cross's (And Your) Community First Get Together - SAT June 13

That is right folks!!! Our first get together!!! How about some live music and some good ale? Lets meet at the Starry Plough in Berkeley. I will be there around 8:00 PM (before cover charge) to get us a table. I will be wearing tie-die. Just let me know if you can make it.

Cover will be $8 after 9:00 PM. Music starts at 9:00 PM too.

There is also a Cross's (And Your) Comminity) Tribe:

tribes.tribe.net/crossyourcommunity

Cross

=:)

Sat June 13th.

Starry Plough Pub
Phone: (510) 841-2082
Address: 3101 Shattuck Ave
Berkeley, CA 94705
Website: www.starryploughpub.com
Cover: $8 Free before 9:00 PM

posted in Pagan - 0 replies

Lost Pagan

Deborah — Wed, 27 May 2009 05:59:33 GMT

So I'm looking for a little help understanding wise.
I left the covent I helped bring together behind when I move across country. My group seemed to have drifted apart after I left and I hardly hear from them any more now, even when I write. Here there seems to be only cathlics and christians who not only won't speak to me I've even been called a devil worshiping cat killer. (I'm a chaos witch and negativity is not in my nature). It's not that I throw my ways out for thew world to see, It's just that I don't attend their churches and those who are near me notice my necklacess with the goddess on it. I refuse to hide what I am and try to be outgoing but am beging to feel a bit lonely here.
Any one who's ever been in this situation and can lend me advice, I would appreciate it.

posted in Pagan - 4 replies

Shadows

CrossSidhe — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 06:39:42 GMT

Without darkness there will be no light. With out light there will be no shadows. With out shadows there will be no reflection. For reflections are just our shadows in light that hides our darkness.

Cross Sidhe

posted in Pagan - 1 reply

Need Some Help Planning a Handfasting

SpiritFlame — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 20:44:13 GMT

Hey all...

I have asked my lady to handfast with me. We are going to have the ceremony at or near Purdue University in West Lafayette IN. I also want this union to be recognized by the government so that my lady can benefit from my medical benefits, etc. So... we are looking for a pagan "officiant" in the West Lafayette area who has the power to sign a state "marriage license".

Can anyone out there give us some help in this matter?? It would be greatly appreciated.

posted in Pagan - 9 replies

Harvesting Dark and Full Moon Salt

CrossSidhe — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 16:37:14 GMT

This is an idea that I have been floating around since I was living in Petaluma. I want to make my own salt. I have all the equipment to do it. I even have a good spot to get sea water that is almost away from anything man. I have the burner, filters (200 micron), and pot. All I need in the propane.

I do not plan to eat the salt. The salt will be used for rituals healing. My salt harvest will be under the full and dark moon. Depending on what I need to do. I mean I have seen and heard of places selling full moon salt but not dark moon salt. Dark moon salt is powerful stuff. Especially if you harvest it yourself.

I been doing some research. According to my findings that I can harvest 35 grams (about one ounce) of sea salt per liter of water. Also for my area the salt will have a blue hue to it.

After trouble shooting I will let you all know when y first harvest is ready. Let me know if you are interested.

Cross Sidhe

posted in Pagan - 3 replies

Beltania Festival Updates

Walden — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 14:49:39 GMT

Beltania Festival: May 8th – 10th, 2009
Parrish Ranch – Berthoud CO

On behalf of Living Earth, thank you to all who have registered for Beltania and are supporting our event. With well over 300 registrations already processed, and more coming in daily, we are very excited about the interest in our upcoming festival!

PRE-REGISTRATION ENDS APRIL 30TH!
If you haven’t purchased your tickets yet, I encourage you to do so before our pre-registration period ends on April 30th. Take advantage of discount tickets and avoid lines at the festival by registering online, or in person at Herbs & Arts or Spirit Wise stores today. Weekend passes are only $45, Saturday passes only $20. After April 30th, tickets will only be available at the festival for an additional $5 each.

UPDATES / NEWS
We are happy to announce an 8th band has been added to our concert lineup! Skean Dubh is one of the most enjoyable Celtic bands in the Rocky Mountain Region. They will begin playing Saturday afternoon right after the Maypole Ritual and during the maypole dance.

CONCERT SCHEDULE

Friday

5:45pm - 6:45pm Ariana Saraha

7:00pm - 8:30pm Mountain Trance Medicine Band

9:30pm - 11:00pm Muse of Turiya

Saturday

2:00pm - 3:30pm Skean Dubh (begining Maypole dance)

3:30pm - 4:15pm Cheri Shanti

4:30pm - 7:00pm Tuatha

7:00pm - 9:00pm Wendy Rule

9:00pm - 12 midnight Lunar Fire

OPEN MIC HOUR
Want your time in the spotlight? Have a song or two you’d like to perform? We are planning an Open Mic hour on the main stage Friday afternoon before the concerts start. Contact Walden@livingearthcolorado.org to get on the list.

With over 30 different merchants registered, our vendor booths are full for this year. If you are interested in placing an add in our printed program being distributed at Beltania, please order by April 27th. See our website for details. www.beltania.org

We have also registered over 30 workshops and events! Details listed online. Workshop registrations are now closed.

Rituals are also planned for each day including:
Opening Balefire Lighting Ritual on Friday at 1PM
A Full Moon Ritual with special guest Wendy Rule on Friday night 8:30PM
Maypole Parade, followed by Main Ritual and Maypole Dance (12:30PM Sat.)
Women’s Mysteries / Men’s Mysteries (10AM Sunday)
Witnessing Each Other – An acknowledgement/dedication ceremony (12PM Sunday)
Mother’s Day Rite and Closing Ritual (1:30PM Sunday)

We are planning on Handfasting at least 2 couples at Beltania. If you and your partner are interested in a year-and-a-day vow, and would like to be handfasted as well, let us know!

As you can see, there will be plenty to do all weekend long! Details are continually updated on our website. Don’t miss out on this magickal event. Register now and secure your place at Beltania!

Blessed Be,
Walden
Living Earth
www.beltania.org

posted in Pagan - 0 replies

His Holiness the Dalai Lama : introduction, current international schedule, resources

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 18:55:10 GMT

Keywords : HH The Dalai Lama, public Dalai Lama talks on world peace, Dalai Lama resources and current schedule, Nobel Peace Prize, universal human [ secular ] ethics, deep permaculture ethics.

Summary: Provided here is (1) the current tour schedule for His Holiness the Dalai Lama [ for California Massachusetts, New York, Denmark, Iceland, Netherlands, India, Germany ], (2) an introduction to the life and work of HH the Dalai Lama, (3) book references and resources, and (4) curriculum vitae.

HH the Dalai Lama:
“Never give up.
No matter what is going on.
Never give up.
Develop the heart.
Be compassionate.
Not just to your friends but to everyone.
Work for peace in your heart and in the world.
Work for peace and I say again:
Never give up.
No matter what is happening.
No matter what is going on around you.
Never give up.”

Introduction:

All Our Relations. Mitakuye Oyasin.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama is one of the pivotal figures of our time. He is, more than anyone else that can be presently named, a world citizen and world teacher.

His work in ethics, human rights,world peace, psychology and education, Buddhist teaching and East West relations, is second to none in our generation.

In addition to a Nobel Peace Prize and the US Congressional Gold Medal, HH the Dalai Lama has received scores of honorary Doctorates ( in Laws, Philosophy, Human Letters, Divinity, Buddhist Philosophy, and so forth ) from major teaching centers worldwide. These include Columba, Brandeis, Universite de Paris, Benaras Hindu University, Hebrew University Jerusalem, U California San Francisco, and Rissho University Tokyo. He is an honorary citizen of Canada, of Roma Italia and so forth,
He speaks worldwide and has published more than seventy two books.

He is one of the most respected and revered persons on the the planet. On one visit to New York City some years back, forty thousand people turned out to see the Dalai Lama in the park.

When the Dalai Lama give the Highest Yoga Tantra initiation ( abhisekha ) of Kalacakra, the attendees sometimes number 100,000 or even 200,000. HH the Dalai Lama has given this initiation thirty times in different parts of the world. In addition to being a master of the Great Seal ( Mahamudra ) lineage of Buddhist tantra, he also gives initiations of the Great Perfection ( Mahasandhi, Atiyoga ), for example in London, in San Francisco, and Paris.

You can see him this year at public talks in several areas, such as California, Massachusetts, New York, Europe, and India. A current schedule is provided below.

I have seen HH the Dalai Lama give extremely worthwhile empowerments in Los Angeles and San Francisco, and represented him to the State Legislature of Hawaii in 1993, where he was invited to give a talk, and did. I have listened carefully to him conferencing with Hawaiian elders in public and was struck by the care and attention he gave in listening to others, and in asking questions.
HH the Dalai Lama has written extremely important books on psychology and ethics, and I recommend these to the general public for self-help purposes, and also recommend some of his books to those committed to public service, especially in the area of multiculturalism, international human rights work, and the international Green Party movement.

Because of the profound confluence of modern events, global economics, environmental issues and human cultures, the importance of broader and deeper human co-operation becomes more and more important.
To obtain a broader and clearer understanding and principles for working with these most important issues, studying the secular works of the Dalai Lama is of great value and importance.

Similarly, His Holiness is one of the few people who can and does speak for the diverse Buddhist populations and traditions worldwide. He has taught senior Japanese tantric Buddhist gurus of the Shingon lineage in their country, for instance. His Holiness is a paragon of the Buddhist renunciate order ( bhiksu-sangha ), of Buddhist scholarship, and of the Mahayana Great Way lineages, all of which are profoundly universal.

This teacher is one of our very very best, be you a psychologist or academic, a diplomat, a tantric yogi, or a Buddhist practitioner. He has completely revolutionized Buddhist teaching, parts of popular modern culture, the understanding of international diplomacy and so forth in our lifetime.

This is someone who actually embodies many of the key principles of the United Nations treaties on human rights, and also the key Buddhist Mahayana principles and teachings. It is important to note that the Mahayana Buddhist principles and the principles of the UN human rights work are essentially identical. There are universal principles that take us all forward, individually and together. In Buddhist Sanskrit these terms are, for instance pratitya-samutpada and karma. Now you know.

The final point I wish to put forward to all is this: the Dalai Lama believes in all of us as people who *already* have sensitive human hearts that can be educated and developed, and he shows all of us a very real and practical way forward, a way based on self-understanding, listening and mutual respect, and patient co-operation.

You could do worse, and please remember that due to impermanence, this elder teacher will not live forever. It is not clear how anyone anywhere can replace him.

I see no real alternative to respect and co-operation for the common good, because we are one world. For this broader and deeper reason, and not specifically because he is a Buddhist guru, I support this teacher. He was not allowed by their government to attend a recent peace conference in South Africa, but he is available to you, and he is here for All Our Relations. May he live long and may his brilliant consciousness reach many many more.

Thank you,
KT, Rio Earth Summit Green Party organizer and so forth

In partial fulfillment of my formal Mahayana teaching responsibilities.
Sarva mangalam! Siddhi rastu!
[ May it be auspicious! May there be accomplishment! ]

John David Bartoe, Challenger 8 NASA space mission, July 1985:
“As I looked down, I saw large river meandering slowly along for miles, passing from one country to another without stopping. I also saw huge forests, extending across several borders. And I watched the extent of one ocean touch the shores of several continents. Two words leaped to mind as I looked down on all of this: commonality and interdependence. We are one world.”

Some of the following materials are taken from
http://www.dalailama.com/
Published books and multimedia materials are available at libraries throughout the world, and from Snow Lion Publications at
http://www.snowlionpub.com

From the official web site:

“Universal Recognition

“His Holiness the Dalai Lama is a man of peace. In 1989 he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his non-violent struggle for the liberation of Tibet. He has consistently advocated policies of non-violence, even in the face of extreme aggression. He also became the first Nobel Laureate to be recognized for his concern for global environmental problems.

“His Holiness has travelled to more than 62 countries spanning 6 continents. He has met with presidents, prime ministers and crowned rulers of major nations. He has held dialogues with the heads of different religions and many well-known scientists.

“Since 1959 His Holiness has received over 84 awards, honorary doctorates, prizes, etc., in recognition of his message of peace, non-violence, inter-religious understanding, universal responsibility and compassion. His Holiness has also authored more than 72 books.

“His Holiness describes himself as a simple Buddhist monk.”

“Three Main Commitments in Life
“Firstly, on the level of a human being, His Holiness first commitment is the promotion of human values such as compassion, forgiveness, tolerance, contentment and self-discipline. All human beings are the same. We all want happiness and do not want suffering. Even people who do not believe in religion recognize the importance of these human values in making their life happier. His Holiness refers to these human values as secular ethics. He remains committed to talk about the importance of these human values and share them with everyone he meets.

“Secondly, on the level of a religious practitioner, His Holiness second commitment is the promotion of religious harmony and understanding among the world's major religious traditions. Despite philosophical differences, all major world religions have the same potential to create good human beings. It is therefore important for all religious traditions to respect one another and recognize the value of each other's respective traditions. As far as one truth, one religion is concerned, this is relevant on an individual level. However, for the community at large, several truths, several religions are necessary.
“Thirdly, His Holiness is a Tibetan and carries the name of the Dalai Lama. Tibetans place their trust in him. Therefore, his third commitment is to the Tibetan issue. His Holiness has a responsibility to act as the free spokesperson of the Tibetans in their struggle for justice. As far as this third commitment is concerned, it will cease to exist once a mutually beneficial solution is reached between the Tibetans and Chinese.

However, His Holiness will carry on with the first two commitments till his last breath.”

Upcoming Schedule
2009
Lecture in Santa Barbara, CA, USA on April 24: His Holiness will give a lecture on The Nature of Mind organized by the University of Santa Barbara at the UCSB Events Center. Contact Website: www.religion.ucsb.edu/dalailama/
Public Talk in Santa Barbara, CA, USA on April 24: His Holiness will give a public talk on Ethics for Our Time organized by the University of Santa Barbara at the UCSB Events Center. Contact Website: www.religion.ucsb.edu/dalailama/
Public Talk in Berkeley, CA, USA on April 25: His Holiness will give a public talk on Peace Through Compassion organized by the University of California, Berkeley at the Greek Theater. Contact Website: www.berkeley.edu

Public Talk in Boston, MA, USA on April 30: His Holiness will give a public talk to the Harvard University Community on Educating the Heart organized by Harvard University at the Memorial Church. Contact Website: www.harvard.edu
Inauguration of The Dalai Lama Center on April 30: His Holiness will inaugurate The Dalai Lama Center at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) by giving a talk on Ethics and Enlightened Leadership. Contact Website: www.thecenter.mit.edu
Panel Discussion in Boston, MA on May 1: His Holiness will participate in a panel discussion on Meditation and Psychotherapy – Cultivating Compassion and Wisdom organized by the Harvard Medical School Department of Continuing Education at Boston Park Plaza Hotel. Contact Website: www.cme.med.harvard.edu/index.asp?SECTION=CLASSES&ID=00292525&SO=Y
Teaching in Boston, MA on May 2: His Holiness will give a teaching in the morning on What Is Buddhism & Commentary on The Four Noble Truths organized by the Tibetan Association of Boston at the Gillette Stadium, Foxboro. Contact Website: www.bostontibet.org
Public Talk in Boston, MA on May 2: His Holiness will give a public talk in the afternoon on The Path to Peace and Inner Happiness organized by the Tibetan Association of Boston at the Gillette Stadium, Foxboro. Contact Website: www.bostontibet.org
Public Talk in New York, NY on May 3: His Holiness will participate in a conversation with Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and moderated by Pico Iyer on Wisdom & Compassion for Challenging Times and organized by The Tibet Fund at The Town Hall. Contact Website: www.tibetfund.org

Teaching in New York, NY on May 4: His Holiness will give a teaching on The Quintessence of Compassion organized by The Tibet House at The New Beacon Theater. Contact Website: www.tibethouse.org
Public Talk in Albany, NY on May 6: His Holiness will give a public talk on Compassionate Ethics in Difficult Times organized by the World Ethical Foundations Consortium at the Albany Palace Theater. Contact Website: www.worldethicalfoundations.org

Teaching in Copenhagen, Denmark from May 30 & 31: His Holiness will give a day and a half teaching on Nagarjuna's Commentary on Bodhicitta (jangchup semdrel) & Kamalashila's The Middling Stages of Meditation (gomrim barpa) at the Bella Center. Contact Website: www.dalailama.dk
Public Talk in Copenhagen, Denmark on May 31: His Holiness will give a public talk on Peace Through Inner Peace at the Bella Center. Contact Website: www.dalailama.dk

Public Talk in Reykjavik, Iceland on June 2: His Holiness will give a public talk on the topic on Values, Attitude and Happiness at the Laugardalsholl Sporting Arena. Contact Website: www.dalailama.is

Teaching in Amsterdam, The Netherlands on June 4: His Holiness will give a teaching on Shantideva’s Chapter 6 on Patience from A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life at the Rai Congress Center. Contact Website: www.dalailamanederland.nl
Public Talk in Amsterdam, The Netherlands on June 4: His Holiness will give a public talk on The Power of Compassion At A Turbulent Time at the Rai Congress Center. Contact Website: www.dalailamanederland.nl

Teaching in Kaza, H.P., India from July 10 to 12: His Holiness will give three-day teachings at the request of the Sakya Monastery in Kaza. On July 10 His Holiness will give a Buddhist teaching (topic yet to be decided). On July 11 and 12 His Holiness will confer the Avalokiteshvera Initiation (chenresig wangchen).

Teaching in Frankfurt, Germany on July 30 & 31: His Holiness will give a day and a half teaching on Kamalashila's The Middling Stages of Meditation (gomrim barpa). On the morning of July 31 he will confer an Amitabha Empowerment (opakmey jenang). Contact Website: www.dalailama-frankfurt.de

Nobel Prize Acceptance Speech
[ University Aula, Oslo, 10 December 1989 ] :
Your Majesty, Members of the Nobel Committee, Brothers and Sisters.
I am very happy to be here with you today to receive the Nobel Prize for Peace. I feel honored, humbled and deeply moved that you should give this important prize to a simple monk from Tibet I am no one special. But I believe the prize is a recognition of the true value of altruism, love, compassion and non-violence which I try to practice, in accordance with the teachings of the Buddha and the great sages of India and Tibet
I accept the prize with profound gratitude on behalf of the oppressed everywhere and for all those who struggle for freedom and work for world peace. I accept it as a tribute to the man who founded the modern tradition of non-violent action for change Mahatma Gandhi whose life taught and inspired me. And, of course, I accept it on behalf of the six million Tibetan people, my brave countrymen and women inside Tibet, who have suffered and continue to suffer so much. They confront a calculated and systematic strategy aimed at the destruction of their national and cultural identities. The prize reaffirms our conviction that with truth, courage and determination as our weapons, Tibet will be liberated.
No matter what part of the world we come from, we are all basically the same human beings. We all seek happiness and try to avoid suffering. We have the same basic human needs and is concerns. All of us human beings want freedom and the right to determine our own destiny as individuals and as peoples. That is human nature. The great changes that are taking place everywhere in the world, from Eastern Europe to Africa are a clear indication of this.
In China the popular movement for democracy was crushed by brutal force in June this year. But I do not believe the demonstrations were in vain, because the spirit of freedom was rekindled among the Chinese people and China cannot escape the impact of this spirit of freedom sweeping many parts of the world. The brave students and their supporters showed the Chinese leadership and the world the human face of that great nation.
Last week a number of Tibetans were once again sentenced to prison terms of upto nineteen years at a mass show trial, possibly intended to frighten the population before today's event. Their only 'crime" was the expression of the widespread desire of Tibetans for the restoration of their beloved country's independence.
The suffering of our people during the past forty years of occupation is well documented. Ours has been a long struggle. We know our cause is just Because violence can only breed more violence and suffering, our struggle must remain non-violent and free of hatred. We are trying to end the suffering of our people, not to inflict suffering upon others.
It is with this in mind that I proposed negotiations between Tibet and China on numerous occasions. In 1987, I made specific proposals in a Five-Point plan for the restoration of peace and human rights in Tibet. This included the conversion of the entire Tibetan plateau into a Zone of Ahimsa, a sanctuary of peace and non-violence where human beings and nature can live in peace and harmony.
last year, I elaborated on that plan in Strasbourg, at the European Parliament I believe the ideas I expressed on those occasions are both realistic. and reasonable although they have been criticised by some of my people as being too conciliatory. Unfortunately, China's leaders have not responded positively to the suggestions we have made, which included important concessions. If this continues we will be compelled to reconsider our position.
Any relationship between Tibet and China will have to be based on the principle of equality, respect, trust and mutual benefit. It will also have to be based on the principle which the wise rulers of Tibet and of China laid down in a treaty as early as 823 AD, carved on the pillar which still stands today in front of the Jokhang, Tibet's holiest shrine, in Lhasa, that "Tibetans will live happily in the great land of Tibet, and the Chinese will live happily in the great land of China".
As a Buddhist monk, my concern extends to all members of the human family and, indeed, to all sentient beings who suffer. I believe all suffering is caused by ignorance. People inflict pain on others in the selfish pursuit of their happiness or satisfaction. Yet true happiness comes from a sense of brotherhood and sisterhood. We need to cultivate a universal responsibility for one another and the planet we share. Although I have found my own Buddhist religion helpful in generating love and com¬passion, even for those we consider our enemies, I am convinced that everyone can develop a good heart and a sense of universal responsibility with or without religion.
With the ever growing impact of science on our lives, religion and spirituality have a greater role to play reminding us of our humanity. There is no contradiction between the two. Each gives us valuable insights into the other. Both science and the teachings of the Buddha tell us of the fundamental unity of all things. This understanding is crucial if we are to take positive and decisive action on the pressing global concern with the environment.
I believe all religions pursue the same goals, that of cultivating human goodness and bringing happiness to all human beings. Though the means might appear different the ends are the same.
As we enter the final decade of this century I am optimistic that the ancient values that have sustained mankind are today reaffirming themselves to prepare us for a kinder, happier twenty-first century.
I pray for all of us, oppressor and friend, that together we succeed in building a better world through human under-standing and love, and that in doing so we may reduce the pain and suffering of all sentient beings.
Thank you.

[ end posting ]

posted in Pagan - 0 replies

Here comes the Sun. Sanskrit mantras for Sun ( Surya ) and Moon ( Chandra )

Sun, 19 Apr 2009 20:45:56 GMT

Here comes the Sun.

Sanskrit mantras for Sun ( Surya ) and Moon ( Chandra ) from the Vedic traditions of Sanatana Dharma ( Hindu culture ), and a related mantra from Vedacarya David Frawley. Plus some George Harrison.

Sun and moon worship are very ancient and universal pagan practices. I personally have really missed the sun for many months due to a winter that extended through early April.

We all share the same sun over the same earth. Let's celebrate the healing strength of the natural elements. All Our Relations.

May the Circle Be Open And Unbroken!

Acarya KT, inner medical tantrika and dharmapala-guru

http://www.mailerindia.com/slokas/mantras/index.php SakamGayatri

9. Surya Gayatri: Worship with this mantra is very beneficial for curing grievous diseases.

Om Bhaskaraya Vidmahe
Divakaraya Dhimahi
Tanno Suryah Prachodayat

10. Chandra Gayatri: For the removal of suffering and to get peace from dejection and worries, this mantra has been used for the worship of this Divine Shakti.

Om Shirputraya Vidmahe
Amrit Tatvaya Dhimahi
Tanno Chandrah Prachodayat

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surya

Surya Namaskara, or the "Sun salutation"

A well-known Hindu mode of worship of the devotional movements of Surya is done at the rising of the Sun, known as Surya namaskara (Sun Salutation). Ten yogic postures are assumed in successive flowing movements to complete one namaskar. Twelve sacred Hindu mantras uttered and for each mantra one complete namaskar is done. Ancient practice is to do 108 namaskaras a day. It is considered most auspicious by Hindus to do this.

The 12 mantras for surya namaskara:

1. aum mitraya namah
2. aum ravayé namah
3. aum suryaya namah
4. aum bhanavé namah
5. aum khagaya namah
6. aum pushné namah
7. aum hiranyagarbhaya namah
8. aum marichayé namah
9. aum adityaya namah
10. aum savitré namah
11. aum arkaya namah
12. aum bhaskaraya namah

http://www.yoga-training-you.com/surya-mantra.html
A great astrologer said:
"To transcend the stars we must become the stars."

The Planetary Mantras

I've given several examples of powerful mantras for each planet. Choose one or more mantras from each planet and put it to practice.

Surya Mantra -- Sun Mantras

Om suryaya namaha

Om savitri namah

Om adityaya namaha

Om ravaye namaha

These four separate mantras can be repeated at least 108 times a week. Best on Sunday, the day of The Sun, during the day.

Chandra Mantra -- Moon Mantras

Om somaya namaha

Om chandraya namaha

Should be repeated on a Monday, the day of The Moon, or in the evening, particularly around the Full Moon.

also . . .

The Mantra to the Supreme Light
By David Frawley
From Americna Institute of Vedic Studies
http://www.vedanet.com/

Above is the Mantra to the Supreme Light, Param Jyoti Mantra, which is a famous Vedic, Vedantic and Tantric Mantra. We could also spell it phonetically as OM HREEM HAMSA SO HAM SWAHA! This mantra brings us into the Divine or inner light and causes it to resonate in our body, breath, speech and mind.

The Mantra for the Supreme Light is the main mantra for the American Institute of Vedic Studies. We recommend all our friends and students to chant it regularly. We initiate individuals into this mantra and its many variants. It is the core form of an entire set of mantras of which there are several dozen versions that can be used for many different purposes. We also use this mantra along with other important mantras like the famous Tantric Panchadashi Mantra to Tripura Sundari.

This Mantra to the Supreme Light is first a Vedantic mantra. Om is the Supreme Brahman. Hrim is the mantra of the spiritual heart. Hamsah is the mantra of the liberated soul. So'ham means "I am He", meaning the Supreme Being. Swaha indicates consecration into the light. The mantra can be used along with meditation to realize the Self within.

The Mantra to the Supreme Light is a Tantric mantra. Om is the Supreme Shiva. Hrim is the the Supreme Shakti. Hamsa So'ham is the unification of Shiva and Shakti in our breath and consciousness. Swaha indicates consecration into the light. This mantra can be used along with the worship of the Goddess to bring her presence into our hearts.

The Mantra to the Supreme Light is a Yoga mantra. Om is the supreme guru. Hrim is the light of the awakened Kundalini. Hamsa So'ham is the balancing of the Sun and Moon, or solar and lunar forces, the Ida and Pingala Nadis. Swaha indicates consecration into the light. The mantra can be used along with pranayama to empower the breath and open the chakras.

The Mantra to the Supreme Light is an Ayurvedic mantra. Om is the cosmic prana. Hrim is the health giving power of the spirit heart. Hamsa So'ham is the power of the breath to give vitality and promote rejuvenation. Swaha indicates consecration into the light. The mantra can be used to bring the cosmic prana into us for healing purposes.

The Mantra to the Supreme Light is an astrological mantra. Om is the mantra of the cosmic light. Hrim is a mantra for the Sun. Hamsa So'ham is the energy of the Sun as the power of life and consciousness. Swaha indicates consecration into the light. The mantra can be used to propitiate weak planets in the Vedic birth chart, starting with the Sun.

The Mantra to the Supreme Light is an important mantra for usage at the winter solstice, the equinoxes and summer solstices for the worship of the Sun. With the mantra Shrim (Shreem) instead of Hrim, it can be used at the new, half and full Moons, for the worship of the Moon and the Goddess.

[ end article ]

And here is a Buddhist Sun Goddess mantra, from the oral ( lineage holder ) tradition, which I received in 1983:

OM MARICIYE SVAHA

From George Harrison
( copyright retained )

Here comes the sun, here comes the sun,
and I say it's all right

Little darling, it's been a long cold lonely winter
Little darling, it feels like years since it's been here
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
and I say it's all right

Little darling, the smiles returning to the faces
Little darling, it seems like years since it's been here
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
and I say it's all right

Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...

Little darling, I feel that ice is slowly melting
Little darling, it seems like years since it's been clear
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun,
and I say it's all right
It's all right

posted in Pagan - 0 replies

Journal of Thelemic Studies, Vol.2 No.2, now available! (PDF download)

IAO131 — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 15:02:23 GMT

93,

Just in time for the Spring Equinox, we are proud to announce that the Journal of Thelemic Studies Vol.2 No.2 is now available from ThelemicStudies.com:

--Journal of Thelemic Studies Vol.2 No.2--
Spring 2009, C.E.
64 pg.

Print: Color ( www.lulu.com/content/6503815 ) - $23.99
B&W - ( www.lulu.com/content/6503492 ) $7.77
PDF: ( www.thelemicstudies.com/JoTS2-2.pdf ) Free!

--Table of Contents--
* Introduction by the Editor
* Thelemic Atheism and the Revaluation of Virtues by Los
* "The Magus Revealed" by Hettie Rowley
* One Becomes Many: On the Manifestation of the Divine by Isaac Aurelian
* "Trinity 93" by Frater A.
* Thelema in the Classroom by Soror L.V.X.N.O.X.
* "The Gateway of Aquarius" by Hettie Rowley
* Thelemic Crime & Punishment by Krymetrion
* "The Master Therion 666" by Hettie Rowley

posted in Pagan - 0 replies

WickerMan 2009

Kate — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 18:53:19 GMT

WickerMan 2009
Set-up May 15-17, The Burn May 21-25

WickerMan brings together Burn Culture, the Art of Giving and Ecological Responsibility in a festival that depends on the Radical Self-Expression of each individual. Based on the tenets of Burning Man of the Black Rock Desert, we actively incorporate their founding principles- Communal Participation, Decommodification, Radical Inclusion and Radical Self-Reliance. In essence, at WickerMan, Radical Self-Expression Meets Radical Earth Spirit.

We convene to celebrate what we as individuals offer to the community, through Art, Gifting and Self-Reliant Participation. Together we commune within the land to build and burn the biggest Man east of the Mississippi River. Individual participation is what makes this event happen, we depend on each other for content and execution. Every contribution, from Volunteering to Art Creation is essential to facilitate this WickerMan. What do you bring to the table?

Art, in its many mysterious ways, is at the core of this event. WickerMan offers over $6000 in Art Grants to fund a variety of initiatives, everything from Theme Camps, to beautiful Installations, Altars and Performance. Through Action and Creation we transcend the expected and stretch the paradigm of the possible.

WickerMan will again take place at Four Quarters of Artemas, PA, a beautifully ecologically diverse campground. Four Quarters has natural swimming holes in Sideling Creek, rolling meadows and pine forest. Four Quarters also has a great Ride-Share database to help you carpool to the event. Bring yourself and your inspiration to be a part of a community separate from the 'default world'. Check out www.wickermanburn.org for more information, Art Grants, voluteering and event registration.

BURNTHE MAN!!!

posted in Pagan - 1 reply

A Crafty New Tribe To Check Out!

Danae — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 19:04:13 GMT

Hello All! I am Danae Crafty Chick, and I have a new blog that I would love for anyone interested to come check out. It is called Crafty’s Cuppa Coffee; and it is a blend of Wiccan Spirituality, Information, Ritual, Spells, Recipes, Pagan DIY and Humor. With Tribe being down so much lately, I thought maybe some of you might like to drop by for a visit. I posted the links on my Tribe Page also. If you find it interesting, feel free to leave a comment to let me know &/or join the readership. I dislike the term “followers”, as none of us are. Anyways, enjoy!

http://craftychickscuppacoffee.blogspot.com

PS~ I posted this in a few of the other Pagan/ Wiccan Tribes that I belong to, so I apologize for the duplications. I truly hope this is not considered spam. I wanted to post this as a listing or review; but didn’t know how to only send it to the relevant Tribes.

~Bright Blessings

Danae Crafty Chick

posted in Pagan - 1 reply

Ephemeral mists

mysticalfairy — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 05:15:19 GMT

Ephemeral Mists is the newest side project by composer Brett Branning (The synthetic dream foundation & Abandoned Toys). The debut album, "Moon Ritual" is out now on Mythical records.

The sound of the project is best described as downtempo ambient electronics mixed with ethnic world musics in the vein of "Karma" era Delerium, Amethystium, and Dead Can Dance. Its really a very intoxicatingly beautiful creation and I highly recommend it to anyone into ambient music styles.

http://www.ephemeralmists.com/

http://www.mythicalrecords.com/

posted in Pagan - 0 replies

Bay Celtic Music and Dance Festival Sat Feb 21 Oakland Veterans Hall

scott — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 04:27:38 GMT

The San Francisco Bay Area Celtic Music and Dance Festival is happening this Saturday, February 21st at the Oakland Veterans Hall 200 Grand Avenue Oakland, 94610, X Harrison.

BayCeltic is an annual reunion of Bay Area Celtic musicians, singers, dancers and performers.

We have a wide range of very popular and well established musicians and performers.

The Black Brothers, Tempest, Molly's Revenge, Cullan's Hounds,Avalon Rising, Steve Baughman,and Siamsa, a bay area Celtic dance performance group, are in the main Ballroom.

In the musical showcase, new and emerging bands and musicians are are Three Mile Stone, Jim Nelson,Patrice Haan,Megan McLaughlin,Valerie Rose,West of Shannon,Susan Mashiyama and Lani Herrmann.

Steve Baughman will perform and lead the music session afterwards.

Dancing in the Dance Hall are an Irish Ceilidh with Ammy Hill, Irish Set dancing with Michael Murphy, hard shoes introductory dance class with Shirleigh Brannan.

We will have waltz and polka and irish dancing at 10pm to Culann's Hounds.

Lunchroom downstairs and Celtic vendors also.

The website is www.BayCeltic.com

Tickets available at the door: $20 general, $10 students, free under 12, $10 after 9:30 to waltz and polka dancing to Culann's Hounds

contact Scott at scottFNW@pway.com

posted in Pagan - 0 replies

Stores in the SF Bay area

Dionysus — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 00:23:35 GMT

Can anyone recommend any good pagan/witchcraft stores in the Bay area? Many thanks

posted in Pagan - 3 replies

Broom

Karbear — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 03:02:19 GMT

The Broom is intimatly connected with witches and witchcraft. It was a commonly believed that witches anointed their bodes with a slave given to them by the devil that enabled them to fly through the air upon a variety of sticks and stems, including broomsticks. The choice of the broom or besom as a likely means of transport is probably dew to teh association between brooms and female domesticity, though male witches were thought to ride in this way as well as women. In eastern europen folklore a broom maybe usaed in a exorcism ceremonies to sweep evil spirits out the door. It is also thoguth that stepping over a broomstick. lpacing it under your pillow or putting a broom across a threshold will offer protection against evil spirits and ghosts at night.

posted in Pagan - 7 replies

President B.H.Obama needs to check RED DWARF, Season 7 Episode 5, and SING ALONG:

Bob — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 23:04:22 GMT

FED DWARF needs to review Season 7, Episode 5, of RED DWARF, and get back to us.

Only a complete RIMMER would front for energy inflation during wars, for an illegal 1882 Zionist invasion of Palestine, which has incited WWI and WWII, and it is headed for WWIII.

So naturally, President Barack H. Obama is going for the golden "H" on his forehead, like young Rimmer earned, when he caused an O-boom-boom on the mining ship, known among BBC folk as the RED DWARF.

Naturally, Israel is neither pure nor natural, and never kosher. Jews are from Ethiopia, see Isaiah 20:5. The star is from Egypt. The language Hebrew is from 'Habiru,' the language of the slaves. Rahm's tainted name is from Ra-moses, or 'son of the sun.'

So what are my and Chelsea's and Chuy's F-15s and F-16s and jet-X and phosphorous doing bombing Gaza, for illegal Israel, of the same 1882 invasion, which incited WWI and WWII, so young Obama gals go to private school, protected expensively, to fail to learn how their fees since 2001 are illegally inflated, with the costs of wars, illegally waged?

Obama invited the $100,000 toolbag to float away, with hundreds of offices and measures, through his deliberate mismanagement of all Democratic media, related to energy reform, BEFORE BAILOUTS OR STIMULI ARE PROPOSED. Yet these are to be enacted, in fraud.

Mr. Blagojevich can bring down the Obama White House, as soon as he sues for even enforcement of the law, including under Title II ADA or 42 U.S.C. 1983.

High crimes may constitute inciting riot in Pakistan, including the Black Friday massacre, inciting riot in Gaza, when the Palestinians shot rockets, concurrent with the Obama-ordered Blago-chase by the US Senate and the Illinois Legislature, and then cops shot a 22 or 23-year-old black man, per day, after Roland Burris called Blagojevich 'reprehensible,' without a hearing. What a price to pay, already!

Misdemeanors include the Mann Act, aggravated in California by CPC 404 infractions, including incitement of riot and failure to disperse, by evading review, with both Burris players, Senator Roland and despicable John at misconduct, leading to death and immininent further injuries, to classes for discovery.

A Rimmer would get his own stupid mining ship blown up by a radiation leak, Mr. President Rim-shot. Don't go there, and then enjoy sunny California. We have an Arnold Hole, already.

Somebody's DADDY is a President Rimshot, who needs to review Red Dwarf basics, and then see Soundgarden tapes, of BLACK HOLE SUN. But this Rimmer side is a heckuva hit:

-------------------------------------------------------
If you're in trouble, he will save the day
He's brave and he's fearless, come what may
Without him, the mission would go astray
He's Arnold, Arnold, Arnold Rimmer

Without him, life would be much grimmer
He's handsome, trim, and no one's slimmer
He will never need a Zimmer
He's Arnold, Arnold, Arnold Rimmer

More reliable than a garden Strimmer
He's never been mistaken for Yul Brynner
He's not bald and his head doesn't glimmer

Master of the wit and the repartee
His command of space directives is uncanny
How come he's such a genius? Don't ask me
Ask Arnold, Arnold, Arnold Rimmer

He's also a fantastic swimmer
And if you play your cards right, then he just might come round for dinner

He's Arnold, Arnold, Arnold Rimmer
No rhymes left now apart from quimmer
He'd better fade us out before we get to schlimmer
Fade out you stupid plimmer

posted in Pagan - 0 replies

major tantric Buddhist empowerments this December in Vancouver BC

Sat, 29 Nov 2008 20:18:26 GMT

Keywords : tantric Buddhist empowerment, major empowerment cycle in highest yoga tantra and mahamudra, Sakya lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, Sakya Tsechen Thubten Ling and Her Eminence Jetsun Kusho.

OM SVASTI.

This December 2008 a major tantric empowerment cycle of the New School / Mahamudra lineage of vajrayana will be given in Vancouver British Columbia. These are the "Thirteen Golden Dharmas of Sakya", a comprehensive set of transmissions central to the Sakya School of Tibetan Buddhism, to be bestowed by Her Eminence Jetsun Kusho at Sakya Tsechen Thubten Ling, her tantric practice center.

"Her Eminence Jetsun Chimey Luding, or HE Jetsun Kusho, is a leading female teacher of tibetan buddhism living in the West. Jetsunma is one of three women in the history of Tibet to have given the Lamdre ("path and its fruition") teachings, the special system of contemplative and meditative practice of the Sakya order. Thus, she is a thoroughly trained lineage holder.
HE Jetsun Chimey Luding is the Resident Spiritual Director of the Sakya Tsechen Thubten Ling Center in Vancouver, Canada."

Translation from Tibetan will be by the eminent translator and Sakya scholar Jay Goldberg.

Dates:
December 20th through December 26th 2008
( see schedule below ).

Location:
Sakya Tsechen Thubten Ling (STTL)
9471 Beckwith Road
Richmond, BC Canada V6X 1V8

Contacts and references:
Tel: 604-275-5506
email: sakyatsechenthubtenling@shaw.ca
http://www.sakya.thinkbig.ca/

Discussion:
Her Eminence is a remarkably good teacher. I have three Vajrayogini empowerments from her. She is a primary lineage holder of the Sakya school, and considered a manifestation of the Great Goddess Vajrayogini herself. Vajrayogini is a central and highest practice of all the New Schools of Tibetan Buddhism, up through and including the Mahamudra teaching of primordial pure awareness.

It is not possible to practice these teachings without empowerment from a qualified lineage holder. Empowerment will include vows of basic Buddhist ethics ( the Ten Precepts ) and sacred vows of Mahayana / Great Way - Universal Service. Buddhist refuge and Mahayana vows are an integral part of every single tantric Buddhist empowerment, as is a commitment to some continuing meditative practice, typically involving mantra recitation.

Mantra means Sanskrit recitation of the names and activities of transcendent beings, i.e. Buddhist angels, in the context of ritual magic and yogic discipline. The purpose of these practices is primarily to develop the transcendent Wisdom, Compassion and Power ( jnana, karuna, bala ) of the fully realized Buddhas, and thereby to become capable of serving the highest good in all humanity from an inner elevated spiritual level. The path includes relative benefits such as inner healing and so forth, but no claims can be made regarding any one practice for any one practitioner.

Buddhist tantra, while a clear and formal spiritual discipline, is a culturally open and flexible path. This empowerment cycle will include a Hindu goddess ( Tinuma / Parvati ) and a Buddhist form of a primary Hindu deity, Avalokitesvara as Ganapati.

Note that I do not in any office represent this teacher or fellowship, and that arrangements may change. Please contact and preregister for all events, and be sure to show up quite a bit early, freshly washed and so forth. When the doors close they close. Space may well be quite limited.

Note also the prerequisite empowerment - either Sakya Hevajra ( included at the beginning of this series ) or Sakya Cakrasamvara. There are no substitutions though other lineages of these transmissions.

May the lineage of Her Eminence Jetsun Kusho flourish long, and may these teachings greatly benefit many.

Sarva mangalam! Siddhi rastu!
May All Benefit! May there be accomplishment!

Written in partial fulfillment of my vajrayana teaching vows, and with great respect for this teacher and lineage.

KT

The following resources are available from Snow Lion Publications
http://www.snowlionpub.com

For an overall survey of the meaning of tantric Buddhist empowerment, see
"EMPOWERMENT"
by Tsele Natsok Rangdrol

"The empowerment ritual is the indispensable entrance door to Vajrayana Buddhism. It activates our natural right to an enlightened rule over our life and spiritual practice. [ The book ] 'Empowerment' contains a wealth of instructions on Buddhist training, particularly Mahamudra and Dzogchen."

For a brief teaching on Mahamudra, see
"CLARIFYING THE NATURAL STATE", by Dakpo Tashi Namgyal
and
"AN OCEAN OF THE ULTIMATE MEANING: Teachings on Mahamudra"
by Khenchen Thrangu

"A practical manual for both teacher and student alike, Clarifying the Natural State covers the path from mindfulness to complete enlightenment, simply and methodically. Presenting the profound and ultimate instructions of Mahamudra, it embodies the realization of India and Tibet's greatest masters."

"Elevate your experience and remain wide open like the sky.
Expand your mindfulness and remain pervasive like the earth.
Steady your attention and remain unshakable like a mountain.
Brighten your awareness and remain shining like a flame.
Clear your thoughtfree wakefulness and remain lucid like a crystal."
--Dakpo Tashi Namgyal

MAHAMUDRA: The Natural Mind DVD
by Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche

7.5 hour, 4-DVD set.

#MANADV - $ 48.00
Mahamudra is the natural state of the mind: luminous, spacious, unhindered and free from dualistic concepts. In these talks, Mingyur Rinpoche provides a brilliant, engaging and accessible introduction to the practice of Mahamudra. With joy, humor and examples that are easily understandable by Western students, Rinpoche explains the meaning of Mahamudra and reveals how it is that our failure to recognize our nature of mind causes us to suffer. He provides extensive practice instructions on objectless meditation and meditation with a variety of supports including mantra, visual objects, sound, thoughts and emotions. In the fourth talk, Rinpoche presents an especially extensive and beneficial teaching on using pain as a support for meditation. For each practice he guides students through a practice session and answers students' questions about the practice. This teaching includes an extremely accessible explanation of Buddha-nature and emptiness.

For basic teaching on Vajrayogini, see
"VAJRAYOGINI: Her Visualizations, Rituals and Forms"
by Elizabeth English

"SUBLIME PATH TO KECHARA PARADISE: Vajrayogini's Eleven Yogas of Generation Stage Practice"
commentary by Sermey Khensur Lobsang Tharchin

"INITIAL PRACTICES OF VAJRAYOGINI: An FPMT Manual for Initiates" ( Restricted text )
FPMT

"Vajrayogini is the ultimate flowering of the female energy within all of us. This great manual includes short and longer versions of the sadhana, tsog and other offerings, preparing for retreat, guide to hand mudras and more. Spiral bound to lie flat during practice."

----------------------------------------------------

13 Golden Dharmas Empowerments
A series of empowerments unique to the Sakyapa

Hevajra - this is the central practice of Sakya lineage. The complete Sanskrit source tantra has been maintained, along with the practice lineage, since ancient India. See
"The Concealed Essence of the Hevajra Tantra, with the Commentary Yogaratnamala", by G.W. Farrow and I. Menon, published by Motilal Banarsidass.

This is a comprehensive inner yogic discipline. See
"The Triple Tantra", by Panchen Ngawang Choedak, Gorum Publications Autralia.

The Three Red Ones - (1) Vajrayogini of Naropa, (2) Vajrayogini of Indrabhuti, (3) Vajrayogini of Maitripa.

The Three Red Deities - (4) Uncommon Kurukulle ( an esoteric form of Red Tara ), (5) Ganapati ( Twelve Armed Ganesh - manifestation of Avalokitesvara ), (6) Takkiraja ( protector deity ).

The Three Small Red Deities - (7) Kurukulle Golden Chain ( a form of Tara ), (8) Tinuma ( e.g. Hindu goddess Parvati / Uma ), (9) Red Vasudhara ( Wealth Deity Tara ).

Four Other Deities - (10) Black Manjushri ( wrathful wisdom bodhisattva to reverse spells and sorcery ), (11) Multicolor Garuda ( for protection and healing ), (12) Singha Nada ( Lion's Roar Avalokitesvara ) and (13) Red Jambhala (mundane wealth deity ).

Pre-requisite: Hevajra or Chakrasamvara empowerment required. Participants who have received either empowerment from a Sakyapa teacher before will not need to take Hevajra empowerment again in order to receive the 13 Golden Dharmas.
Location: STTL center in Richmond

Hevajra empowerment - December 20 & 21
Saturday, December 20 - 6:30 pm
Sunday, December 21 - 2:30 pm
- Sadhana is available.

Other empowerments - December 22 - 31
( Partial attendance may be possible. )

* Sequence of the 13 empowerments will be announced on December 20.
* Mon - Sat: Empowerment starts at 6:30pm
* Sunday, December 25 & 26: Empowerment starts at 2:30pm.

More than one empowerments are scheduled on these days.
- Sadhanas are available.

Suggested Donation: For entire series of empowerment - $350 CND

* Per empowerment - Hevajra $100
* Vajrayogini of Naropa $50
* All others - $30

-------------------------- end announcement -----------------

posted in Pagan - 4 replies

DANIEL PINCHBECK IS A SHAM, NOT A SHAMAN

Ricky — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 07:00:01 GMT

Fascist Hypocrite Orwellian Thought Cop.

http://www.xanaduxero.blogspot.com

posted in Pagan - 1 reply

I'm slacking on my tribes

Karbear — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 23:18:29 GMT

Oh how i long to have a computer at my home again.(well the internet)
I feel so out of touch and disconected. I do hope everyones holidays
are going well and you are happy and bright.

K

posted in Pagan - 2 replies

Heathen Free-Church in Southern California.

Heathen FreeChurch — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 08:42:42 GMT

Hi,

I am the Gothi of the Church of the Old Ways, a heathen free-church dedicated to teaching the indigenous spiritual principles of the Northern European ways. We welcome any and all of diverse backgrounds from the California area who are interested to join us at http://tribes.tribe.net/churchoftheoldways. Neither racism nor militarism of any kind will be tolerated. Thank you.

posted in Pagan - 1 reply

ceremony ideas?

kasia — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 20:18:55 GMT

hello all... i'm putting together a ritual for my best friend and a circle of women on the eve of her wedding. i've heard, a long time ago so i forgot it, about a beautiful flower circle (spiral?) ceremony. anyone out there know about this gorgeous ceremony?.. or really any other activity to do at this very intentional event? themes for the evening are purification, love, beauty, transformation, the goddess, community... thanks for your help!

posted in Pagan - 0 replies

what are some traditional yule colors?

sweetmamadoe — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 17:41:25 GMT

and traditions?

posted in Pagan - 3 replies

Marry Meet my friends

Karbear — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 00:21:14 GMT

I am a newbie on this Tribe... I hope to meet new pagan and
get to know some others in the area of tribe and beyond.

Marry meet to all

K

posted in Pagan - 6 replies

An Interesting Article on Reality Sandwich

Morchu — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 05:34:38 GMT

I don't know if anyone here (if anyone is still on here) knows about the site Reality Sandwich, but a very interesting article was just posted there. The article's title is misleading. It outlines the various stigmas carried by the word magic in broader western culture and suggests a potential middle ground for those who buy into them. Check it out if you're interested:

Magic: It's More Than Just Finding Parking Spaces
Taylor Ellwood

http://www.realitysandwich.com/magic_it039s_more_just_finding_parking_spaces

posted in Pagan - 0 replies

Mythical records

mysticalfairy — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 06:50:08 GMT

Mythical records is now taking pre-orders for their new compilation "Odyssey of Rapture" vol. 1. The album includes beautiful new age and neo-classical compositions by Abandoned Toys, Library Tapes, The synthetic dream foundation, Hannah Fury, Samantha Bouquin, and many more great composers/artists. The official release date is Dec. 10th 2008. The full track list includes:

1. David Reyes "The magic woods"
2. Library Tapes "The rivers turned to cobblestone"
3. Abandoned Toys "An expanding tremble"
4. Ephemeral Mists "A pale slumber"
5. Phanatos "Voyage (quest for the shores of aphrodite)"
6. Aranis "Vala"
7. The new pollutants "Kidnap theme"
8. Hana (Jeff Greinke & Anisa Romero) "Hide"
9. Michel Avannier "La rencontre"
10. The synthetic dream foundation w/ Hannah Fury "Trapeze"
11. MePhI "Crystal night"
12. Aonua "Spirit of the deep"
13. Fiona Joy Hawkins "Contemplating"
14. Samantha Bouquin "Tale for a sunken moon"
15. Scythelence "Transparent eyelids"
16. Enigma de Ultratumba "To my unrest"
17. Samanta Ray & Pete Ardron "Interuterion 3"

http://www.mythicalrecords.com/

posted in Pagan - 0 replies

Working with the Golden Ratio

Morchu — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 00:42:32 GMT

I'm reading Mario Livio's book on the Golden Ratio and would like to know if anyone has written on it from a pagan perspective. It being so central to the construction of a pentagram and dodecahedron, no less the relationships between the Platonic solids (and the four elements + the fifth: quintessence), I thought that surely someone pagan has written on it.

posted in Pagan - 0 replies

Hannum House Bash for Cash...

WizardsAura — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 08:29:49 GMT

Nov. 1st from 5pm-10pm

PGE Conference Center
3700 SE 17th Street
Portland, OR 97202

Spaghetti and Garlic Bread Feed, Roast/Toast of King Brian, Auction with our very own Ogg-tioneer
Live Music performed by the FlexTones & DJ Rat.

As always no one will be turned away for lack of funds, however, since this is a family friendly fundraising event we are requesting $10 for adults, $5 for ages 5-13, free for children under 5.

Any questions or requests for more information or are interested in volunteering your help, please email HannumHouse@gmail.com or you can call Jenne at 503-524-5759

posted in Pagan - 0 replies

Any Samhain Gatherings in the San Francisco Area?

SpiritFlame — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 19:16:45 GMT

Just wondering if there any Samhain gatherings in the bay Area that my lady and I might be welcomed at...

posted in Pagan - 2 replies

healing spells?

sweetmamadoe — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 15:33:32 GMT

anybody know? any good ones? visualizing myself healthy and well would be good i think. i guess i'll start there. i am working on relaxation mostly right now.
thanks, lovlies~

posted in Pagan - 4 replies

Grand Witches Ball - Glenville, PA

Velvetsky — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 16:02:35 GMT

Where will you be on November 1st? If it is any place but the Grand Witches Ball it's the wrong answer!

Check it out: http://highland-farm-community.org/ball08.html

It's only ten dollars. There will be a DJ, a costume contest, a feast, fire performances and a Samhain ritual. Stay for the night or the weekend and pitch a tent, bring a camper or crash with a pillow and a sleeping bag in the Mother Earth Coffee Nook.

I went last year and had a blast. You will also.

posted in Pagan - 0 replies

Helernus [A Roman God]?

MacMorrighan — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 02:49:13 GMT

Hey guys, in researching a more-and-more likely Erasian seasonal calender for my MS. in progress ["Whence the Witches' Sabbat": the working-title], I cracked open my copy of Prof. Philippe Walter's book, "Christianity: The origins of a Pagan Religion" [English tr. published through Inner Traditions], and learned about a little known (well, he's "little known" to me, anyway!) Roman god of sowing who was celebrated on the Calends of February known as Helernus. I was wondering if anyone, here, might know of a source that I could turn to in research more about his cult and celebration, etc.

Some other evidence I've found for a potential Eurasian seasonal calendar is the Chinese seasonal portals that roughly align with the Irish-Gaelic seasonal portals (particularly the OS dates); there's a Greek opening of Spring in February; and Lithuania, for example, heralds the onset of Spring on about 1 February...not to mention Imbolc. Another fascet I noted in my research was that most IE hearth-goddesses happen to have a feast-date in very early february, as well. Moreover, I've been able to trace many of the heart-gfoddess traditional to the shamanic regions of Siberia, Mongolia, and the Asian realms, etc. :o) There are so many IE hearth-goddess similarities that I don't understand how Prof. Ronald Hutton can deny that Brigit/Brigantia is, in no way, related to this IE phenomenon! Such commonalities also include: protection of a home from lightning; birds; hearths; virginal attendees [Hutton declares that they were an Irish intimation of the Greco-Roman model, despite the obvious differences which is so often over-emphasizes when it serves his personal beliefs! He even declares that Brigantia and Brigit were culturally unrelkated local phenoms., despite the source evidence we have proving that the branch of the Brigantes tribe settles Kildare, Ireland, where Brigit's cult was so well established]; the swastika motif; the association with water and salt; and I'm sure I could think of many others if given half a chance at this late hour.

Take Care,
Wade

posted in Pagan - 0 replies

Pagan Men-Only Groups?

MacMorrighan — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 23:59:25 GMT

Hey guys, I was wondering if you know of any men-only Pagan groups for worship and bonding (forging a brotherhood) in your local community? And, if not, are any men interested in starting one within said "local community"? Do you believe anyone (of either gender) might be averse to such a group? I distinctly remember hearing of a case where a Men's Mysteries worship had just commensed at a greater Pagan Gathering when, tromping down through the woods was a band of women whom demanded entry! They were a group from the local Women's Mysteries seminary, and thought that they had, due to their gender, the right to partake in Men's Mysteries, 'cause they wanted to know what all these men were upto. Ever the diplomat, the head of the Men's group said this would be fine, as long as they did not demand entry, and also allowed the men to partake in the Women's Mysteries. They refused, declairing that the men would only pervert their Mysteries! Now, as offensive as this is of these women (it would be offensivce if men behave the same way towards them!), it shows that they have absolutely no respect for Men and their holy Mysteries.

Still, I (for one) want to forge a men's-only group for Pagans (regardless of sexual orientation), yet...Pagan men in particular seem sooooo apathetic and indifferent! Why do you think this might be? An interesting analogy may be found in Pagan publications, such as "Sage Woman" and "The Beltane Papers"--these are women-only Pagan magazines that each used to have a sibling publication for men-only. However, each failed drastically! In fact, after "Sage Woman"'s bro. "Green Man" failed, it was made a multi-gender publication as "Pan Gaia", and now it's thriving! Why do men not seem interested in networking with other men only? Heck, I have come across numerous men that feel phenominally uncomfortable ritualizing with Pagans if there are no women present, as if women must be mandatory at every ritual! Why do they seem to think it doesn't "seem right" to get together with a group comprising all Tab "A"s with no Slot "B"s!

Moreover, according to Isaac Bonewitz research (found in his book, "The Pagan Man"), the vast majorirty of respondants for his questionaire declaired men that need to ritualize with other men are either "wimps", or they believe (incorrectly) that such groups are all about making men feel bad about being male due to Pagan beliefs re: feminism! Of course, it doesn't help when many Pagan males in articles that I've read (albeit dated, I suspect) tend to declair the presence of men, and the High Priest as unneccessary; and that he just needs to accept this and deal with it!

Any thoughts about how to get men interested in gathering together in order to fashion a Brotherhood? Just thought I'd start a topic for discussion.

posted in Pagan - 5 replies

Zeus & Male Rites de Passage?

MacMorrighan — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 23:34:15 GMT

Howdy guys! A while back on The History Channel (though, recently, I sometimes wonder where the actual ancient history has gone on this channel!) I happened to see a program where it was mentioned that ancient Greek adolescent males would collect the trimmings of their FIRST shaving into a bowl, and sacrifice it on the Altar of Zeus as an offering. Sadly, I've not hitherto been able to substantiate this declaration. Soooo...I was wondering if anyone, here, might be aware of any ancient or academic source that I can look to. I'm also interested in any other male Rites of Passage from any other cultures, including (obviously) those from the Med. (which'll probably easier to locate) for a personal research project if anyone can think of any, as well as any associated deities. :o) Aye...it's a shame that we, in the west, have lost our particularly male-centered rites of passage! All we really have is a father teaching his son how to shave--but, not everyone recieves this; I know that I certainly didn't (I was just handed an electric razor and expected to do for myself when I was young, unlike my yunger brother whom my dad taught how to shave).

Take Care,
Wade

posted in Pagan - 2 replies

the pillers of narny

john — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 21:14:04 GMT

the pillers of narny are a subject I have spent some time reserching and would love to chat about if you know about them.I would love to chat about most subjects and themes conserning them.

posted in Pagan - 0 replies

Looking for Musicians - Portland area

mamagaea — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 00:13:38 GMT

Hey all!

Columbia-Willamette Pagan Pride is coming up soon and we have an awesome stage available for showcasing local talent. It is a free venue, and you would be able to sell your wares. The date is Sunday, Sept 21st - FALL EQUINOX! The locale is the Friendship Masonic Lodge at SE 57th and Sandy.

We'd really love to have you! If you would like to join us, please contact me, Mama Gaea, at mamagaea@verizon.net or call 503-530-0561.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Blessings,
Mama Gaea

posted in Pagan - 0 replies

Masks and spirits.

Memphis — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 05:09:33 GMT

I just signed up to see if I could find some direction.

Recently I just acquired a mask from a friend of mine. She has a collection, but this one was a present and never sat well with her.

I was wondering about doing a cleansing on it but then wondered if there was a way to 'check' the spirit and see if it really needs to be cleansed, or it was just a personal conflict with the collection. If something needs to be done, then I can make the solution more appropriate.

Hope you can help.

Peace.

posted in Pagan - 3 replies

angry : |

starsandmoon — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 21:49:38 GMT

I just got off the phone with a good friend who lives in Colorado. He says he just found out from his girlfriend that some of the women he works with are in a "coven", and that they all have to sleep with the coven-head chick (I'm guessing "priestess") to gain entry.

That's all the details he had. He didn't need me to tell him that it was wrong, he is no dummy. I started on a tirade, though it was to the choir that I was preaching. I was all, It's quid pro quo. She's got something that they want. I'm sure she's selling it as some kind of sacred rite of passage knowledge of the goddess it's fucking bullshit skanky wrong horrible abusive.

I was not calm.

I am not okay with this.

I know it exists. I know it always has and always will. But I will always find it outrageous.

posted in Pagan - 22 replies

Re: Is a Faith Belief a "Learned Thought Process"? Actually, religious faith is typically an immersion process. There are alternatives.

Sat, 30 Aug 2008 19:19:37 GMT

Keywords : religion, social conditioning and social control, religious conversion as a primitive emotional reaction from childhood rearing, different psychological orientations leading to different spiritual practices, inner spiritual development

Jake on tribe "Crossroads of Religion"

There has been some discussion here of late of individuals who "suddenly found Jesus".
It is my belief that as little children we are "taught" to find such Dieties as Jesus,Allah and other Faith-based Dieties.
I remember sitting in"Sunday-Pre-School" in a cheery room in the basement of the Family Church at age three playing with building blocks with the faces of Jesus and other "fun" Biblical Characters on them and other toddlers,while the smiling Teacher droned-on about Jesus,Noah,the Ten Commandments and other "Cheery Aspects of The Christian Holy Bible".
Would I have known about Jesus without seeing his face on the Building Blocks in my hands and hearing this smiling Teacher tell me ALL ABOUT Jesus?
Would I have known about why we celebrate December 25th as something other than when "Santa Comes" without being told by my Mother and Sunday Pre-School Teacher it was Jesus Birthday? of course NOT.
ALL Religious Faith beliefs are a "Learned Behavioral Thought Process". We are taught as toddler's both the Faith Belief,and "whom" to love within it.
Any Thoughts on this one?

Re: Is a Faith Belief a "Learned Thought Process"? Actually, religious faith is typically an immersion process.

Hi Jake.

This is a most important topic in social psychology, but unfortunately it is too often approached in a trivial or narrowly preconceived way, so leading to a dead end. The simple, direct answer is that religion is typically a though conditioning process, and not a learning process, not a developmental approach. And that ignores and casts away the interesting and important part.

Actually, religious faith is typically an immersion process. Someone who "suddenly finds" a faith object typically was brought up with a lot of exposure to that faith object in their childhood. So this is often a primitive emotional reaction, *not* commonly a conscious adult choice or path of individuation / personal development / higher consciousness.

I will frame this discussion by saying a few words about (1) Islamic culture and then about (2) transpersonal approaches such as Buddhism and Taoism, to show the very strong psychological contrasts with western religious culture, and (3) defining personal characteristics or perspectives.

(1) Islam

It is especially important to understand the basics of Islamic belief and Islamic law, not just the plain vanilla monotheism so often found in, say North America.

In Islamic countries, with populations totaling about one billion, there is no religious freedom. By definition. This is true even in so-called "modern" Islamic based states, such as Egypt. In Egypt, one must register one's religion, and this cannot be Hindu or Buddhist etc. It must be monotheistic only, and in Islamic culture only faitful Muslims have full standing in a court of law. Others are not citizens in the modern sense of equality before the law. In Islamic countries, Sharia is the cultural law, the social law, and to a great extent the national law.

The penalty for leaving Islam is, classically speaking, death. Or more literally, murder as a means of continued social control.

There are people born in Islam who leave the Islamic faith, but they either live in western countries or they leave Middle Eastern countries first. There was a famous case of a Christian convert in Afghanistan a couple years back. He received asylum in Italy.

There are two million Iraqi refugees abroad. They all fled religious violence and communal warfare, mostly between the two major branches of Islam, the Shia and Sunni. Although there is much physical and social violence in Iraq, it is still based mainly on primitive emotional reactions inculcated in early childhood and reinforced through the tribal clan system, which is all encompassing.

(2) Buddhism

A transpersonal spiritual practice such as Buddhism or Taoism is entirely different : it develops within a person as a result of inner reflection, not social demands and propaganda and coercion. It unfolds as a process of psychological maturation and personal individuation. The term Buddha dharma, translated as Buddhism, does not so much refer to a faith or devotion ( bhakti ) as it does to a commitment or discipline ( Sanksrit : dharma ).

Quite literally, Buddhadharma means "discipline of awareness". As a Buddhist spiritual doctor, I teach methods and pespectives for developing awareness. This is not really within the limitations of religion, because religious faith is by its nature limiting to both existential questions and personal pathways.

So in that basic sense, Buddhist teaching undoes religious faith and replaces it with an ethic, world perspective and personal practice ( of some kind or other ) which is centered on karma, consciousness and personal responsibility. Those are really the Big Three.

In such a system, there can be no place for a "chosen people" ( just people who choose ), no "personal savior" ( each person must work out their own liberation ), and no "final statement from on high", as in Islam ( instead there is an ongoing work of personal realization ). Such a worldview is therefore profoundly incompatible with western religion, although it is strongly compatible with a number of different paths in psychology, yoga, and so forth. It is definite, clear and yet at the same time very open-ended in practice.

This radically different perspective is clearly both deeply individual and at the same time strongly transpersonal in values and practice. It is the kind of perspective one finds not only throughout all the primary Buddhist teachings, but also in Taoism, another specifically transpersonal spiritual path.

Buddhism has developed and strengthened in the West WITHOUT really any social context whatsoever. And yet the numbers of western Buddhists are growing very rapidly in Australia and Western Europe, and many millions worldwide read books by the Dalai Lama.

So this is due to personal reflection, not social psychological immersion or personal upbringing among the muggles. And it develops as a personal individual path first and foremost, not as primary identification with a "faith community" or a culture of religious belief. As a developmental path is it necessarily fairly individualized, and typically very far from being a matter of group belief or indoctrination.

Many of those who come to Buddhism do so after having strongly rejected religion and religious faith in general. In such cases they do so from a more specifically psychological perspective, to work with their own thoughts and feelings. This is quite different from embracing a religious faith. For such people, Buddhism is not a religion, but an alternative to any and all religion.

(3) Defining personal orientations leading to different spiritual paths

To this I would add that there are some major defining personal characteristics or perspectives that lead people into different psychological-spiritual paths. Two that I find most important are
1) whole person / whole body practices, such as yoga, tai chi, etc.
2) magical sensitivity and orientation towards magical work, such as ritual magic and various kinds of pagan practice, which are often magical in their basic worldviews and methodologies.

Of course, there are others. But these are key. The western muggle monotheisms are known for And Defined By the absence of whole body practices and lack of magical sensitivity / training. Thus a person who seeks to engage a whole person and/ or magical spiritual path would have to leave muggle monotheism and find what they need elsewhere. Both (1) and (2) are strongly characteristic of Taoism and inner Buddhist practice.

In my case I do both (1) and (2). I do yoga and magic. When these are combined together from the standpoint of classical Indian yoga, they are called "tantra". The term means "weaving" or integration or wholeness, and sometimes it means primordial being. All tantra, whether Hindu or Buddhist, is based on the fundamental unity of yoga and magic, on working with energy through mind and body.

K T, inner medical tantrika and dagger priest

posted in Pagan - 0 replies

( Protect the Moon )

Dame Morena de Boulainvilliers — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 13:55:10 GMT

http://www.petitiononline.com/RTRRT/petition.html

Chandra must be free! Please help save the moon from NASA missiles.

http://tribes.tribe.net/2009

posted in Pagan - 4 replies

Pagans in New England???

Katie — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 01:37:02 GMT

looking to network with other pagans in the New England area, so I started this tribe for just such a purpose
http://tribes.tribe.net/nepagans
so if you are local and looking to meet up with like-minded pagan folk, come on by!
blessings
katie

posted in Pagan - 0 replies

HH Phakchok Rinpoche and the Chokling Tersar Lineage of the Great Perfection : An Introduction and 2008 Tour Notes

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 19:52:31 GMT

HH Phakchok Rinpoche and the Chokling Tersar Lineage of the Great Perfection : An Introduction and 2008 Tour Notes

Keywords: Esoteric Buddhist yoga ( buddhatantra ), Great Perfection / AtiYoga / dzogchen i.e. primordial awareness yoga, tantric Buddhist empowerment, non-sectarian tantric Buddhist practice ( Rimay ), HH Phakchok Rinpoche Tendzin Jigmey Drakpa, Orgyen Dorje Den Center ( San Francisco ), Chokling Tersar lineage ( Nyingma / Ancient School transmission of Indo-Tibetan vajrayana ).

NAMO GURU SRI PADMAKARAYE
Homage to Guru Padmasambhava.

This summer ( 2008 ) His Holiness Phakchok Rinpoche, a primary tantric Buddhist lineage holder, is on a major tour ( see below for events ), giving tantric Buddhist transmissions and teachings in the USA, Canada, and Europe. He is a younger major teacher in the Chokling Tersar tradition of Nyingma and Dzogchen ( see below ).

This lineage derives directly from Guru Padmasambhava, a most extraordinary Indian guru and a principal cofounder of the Buddhist tradition in Tibet. Today six million or more people practice teaching deriving from from Guru Padmasambhava, in for example the Tibetan traditions such as Sakya, Kagyu and Nyingma, including some millions of East Asians ( Chinese Buddhists of esoteric Buddhist lineage ).

This is a very magical, very powerful, and very yogic style of transmission, especially in terms of the inner practices. It is well supported by many independent practice lineages, of which the Chokling Tersar Foundation is an important example both in the USA and Europe. It is well established in California and Denmark, and several major teachers of this tradition give teaching tours.

This sangha ( spiritual fellowship ) is of major importance because Chokling Tersar Foundation has a translation / publishing organization called Rangjung Yeshe. This is one of the main sources worldwide for core Nyingma and dzogchen publications. I have and use quite a few Rangjung Yeshe practice and teaching texts. They are highest quality and indispensible for all Nyingma and dzogchen practitioners in particular, and broadly useful.

One of the most important books ever published for tantric Buddhists is
"Dakini Teachings", by Padmasambhava, and this is from Rangjung Yeshe.
Another key example, from the same source, is
"Light of Wisdom", by Padmasambhava and Jamgon Kongtrul.

For a general background on dzogchen, or "primordial awareness yoga", it is well worthwhile to obtain the book
"The Crystal and the Way of Light: Sutra, Tantra and Dzogchen", written by another important master of a parallel Nyingma lineage, Chogyal Namkhai Norbu. This is about the best place to start for a book introduction to the inner teachings, but is descriptive only, and not sadhana or formal practice per se.

Esoteric Buddhist yoga ( buddhatantra ) and Great Perfection ( dzogchen awareness yoga ) depend fundamentally on transmission, and so it is necessary to see a real teacher. Without a major transmission from an authentic guru, much or most of the teaching - and all of the yoga sadhana - does not work. Therefore I take this opportunity to make an important introduction.

( Please note that I DO NOT have any authority to represent Chokling Tersar Foundation, HH Phakchok Rinpoche, or any activity associated with this line of transmission. I am simple conveying what I know in a clear and definite way, to support this lineage and those who may benefit from it. I cannot make any promises that any of what is said here, or this kind of transmission, will solve any particular problem or give any particular result. The results are very personal and individualized. )

HH Phakchok Rinpoche Tendzin Jigmey Drakpa is not yet well known to the public, but is already having a great influence in transmitting key innermost teachings of tantra and dzogchen. Therefore it is auspicious and appropriate to make known this teacher and the availability of these teachings.

The qualifications of HH Phakchok Rinpoche are vast and profound ( see below for his autobiography ). He has highest-level authorization to give primary transmissions in both the Nyingma and Kagyu lineages, and is one of the few people who has a complete cycle of Sakya School tantric empowerments.

Two years ago I received a major dzogchen empowerment from this teacher, from within the Chokling Tersar, and personally confirm that his transmission is powerful and effective, not only as a tantric blessing / psychic cleansing, but also as a functional teaching / practice transmission. He is very direct and engaging and extraordinarily generous in his teaching. He is here to teach core precepts, not just bestow blessings. That means actual, whole person practice.

HH Phakchok Rinpoche gave me his card at the one time I was able to attend his transmission, so he is willing to personally engage students in a longer term sense. At that time he did lay on those present the general but significant requirement to Do A Daily Tantric Buddhist Practice, which is in fact the requirement of Guru Padmasambhava.

A daily practice typically means mantra recitation, as well as upholding ethical precepts of the Mahayana and Tantra. ( See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodhisattva_vows or better yet, the above book "Dakini Teachings" for teaching on outer and inner Buddhist ethics. ) A primary example of mantra discipline is Vajrasattva deity yoga, for which a short teaching is given at my tribe.net home under the Sanskrit picture for Hundred Syllable mantra.

A specific event listing for the Yangdak Heruka transmission and teaching to be given August 16, 17 & 18 follows. Orgyen Dorje Den can host at least 200 participants. This is a remarkably important group, and a "home fellowship" for me, though I have not seen them in many years. Their center teacher, Ven. Gyaltrul Rinpoche, is a great gift to the West. I have and use and recommend his books.

Basically, it is from the Eight Herukas Cycle which is associated with the Guhyagarbha Tantra, which was propagated as one of the primary practices of Guru Padmasambhava. This fully confers Vajrasattva, a key basic and continung practice, and *may* fully confer Great Perfection / Breakthrough as well ( no guarantee ).

Significant mantra teaching on the Eight Herukas is given in the remarkable book
"The Tibetan Book of the Dead: First Complete Translation (Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition) (Paperback)", Publisher: Penguin Classics; Deluxe edition (January 30, 2007 ),# ISBN-10: 0143104942.

This is written in partial fulfillment of mahayana and tantric Buddhist teaching responsibilities, in support of His Holiness Phakchok Rinpoche, Orgyen Dorje Den and Ven. Gyaltrul Rinpoche, the Chokling Tersar lineage, and the benefit of as many people as possible.

Sarva mangalam! Siddhi rastu!

Acarya KT

http://www.phakchokrinpoche.org/events.htm
Events
H.H. Phakchok Rinpoche's 2008 Teaching Calendar
For more information on any of the below programs, please e-mail us at office@phakchokrinpoche.org.

San Francisco, California: Aug 15-19
Empowerments: Yangdak Heruka & Sangtik Korsum (Teaching and Advice)
Teachings: Advice and teaching on general Development Stage
Meditation Training - at Orgyen Dorje Den, Directions to Orgyen Dorje Den
Public Talks: The Great “I” (Berkeley Shambhala Center)
Great Longchenpa
E-mail: office@phakchokrinpoche.org

Toronto: August 27-Sept 1 – with H.E. Tsikey Chokling Rinpoche
Empowerment: Sangye Won
Teachings: Jewel Ornament of Liberation
Taklung Thangpa
Public Talk: The Great “I”

H.E. Tsikey Chokling Rinpoche
Empowerments: Vajrakilaya & Tara
Prosperity Vase Blessing & Tsok
Visit: Riwoche Society, riwoche.com
E-mail: pema@riwoche.com

Vancouver: September 5-7
Teaching: VajraYogini Program [ this is restricted to those who have the empowerment ]
Public Talks: The Great “I”
Meditation and Happiness
E-mail: Mara Shnay, mshnay@telus.net

Salt Springs Island: September 7-9
Empowerment: Medicine Buddha
Meditation Retreat
E-mail: Matthew, matthewphyllis@telus.net

Europe: Poland & Germany

Hamburg, Germany: Sept 20-21
Lamrim Yeshe Nyingpo (Light of Wisdom)
E-mail: Arne Schelling, arne.schellingatgmx.de

Menz, Germany: Sept 22
Public Talk on The Great “I”
E-mail: Arne Schelling, arne.schellingatgmx.de

Berlin, Germany: Sept 23-24
Life Stories of Yeshe Tsogyal and Machig Labdron
The Aspiration Prayer of Samantabhadra
E-mail: Anne Siml, annesiml@yahoo.de

Greifswald, Germany: Sept 25-27
Public Talk on Compassion
Mind Training
E-mail: Anne Siml, annesiml@yahoo.de

Rangjung Yeshe Gomde – Denmark: Sept 29-30
Lotus Essence Tantra
Heart Sutra
Questions and Answers for Meditators
Website: www.gomde.dk
E-mail: Erik Pema Kunsang, erik@gomde.dk

Warsaw, Poland: October 2-5
Kunzang Thuktig Preliminary Practice
Mind Training
E-mail: Julia E. Wahl, karmayeshetsomo@gmail.com
Mobile: +48 608 079 909

The following events will be at:
Orgyen Dorje Den
2244 Santa Clara Ave
Alameda, CA 94501
http://www.orgyendorjeden.org/
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coming this weekend, August 16, 17 & 18:
H.H. Phakchok Rinpoche, head of the Taklung Kagyu lineage and son of H.E. Chokling Rinpoche, nephew of H.E. Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche, and grandson of Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, is coming to the San Francisco Bay Area from August 15-19 to give teachings and empowerments. Please plan to attend and spread the word regarding these precious teachings.
See phakchokrinpoche.org.
And for biographical info: http://phakchokrinpoche.org/lineage.htm
http://phakchokrinpoche.org/historyofpresentPK.htm

HH Phakchok Rinpoche will be giving the following empowerments and teachings at ODD.
Yangdak Heruka empowerment and teachings.
August 16 from 10 am to 12 pm and 2 to 4 pm.
When asked for some brief info about Yangdak Heruka, Rinpoche, translating from a text, replied the following in a phone call:
"Yangdak Heruka is the secret heart essence practice of Mahapandita Vimalamitra & Guru Padmasambhava. As a method to repair mistakes, purify broken samaya and reverse bad karma it is greater than even Vajrasattva. According to Ratna Lingpa, it is a supreme method for yogis to fulfill the root & branch samaya of vinaya, mahayana & vajrayana precepts & it will enable the practitioner to receive the 2 siddhis and have a long life. It requires accumulated merit from past lives to meet with these teachings and through practice you will see how fast the siddhis will be received. This terma is a revelation of Chogyur Lingpa--it is a short lineage--he revealed it on Guru Rinpoche Day from a Big Boulder. It is part of the Sangtik Korsum, which is a cycle of practice which also includes Vajrasattva & Vajrakilaya." This is the first time Rinpoche is giving the Yangdak Heruka empowerment in the USA.

Teachings on Sangtik Korsum cycle of empowerments, instruction on general development stage, and meditation training:
August 17 from 10 am to 12 pm and 2 to 4 pm
August 18 from 10 am to 12 pm and 2 to 4 pm
These teachings will relate to the specific cycle, Sangtik Korsum, but will also be applicable to whatever sadhana practice one is engaging.

The suggested donation is $100 for the three days, $35/ day & $20 per session.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Orgyen Dorje Den
2244 Santa Clara Ave
Alameda, CA 94501
www.orgyendorjeden.org

From
http://www.riwoche.com/phakchok_rinpoche.html

Phakchok Rinpoche's emanation-basis is the Lord of Secrets Dharmevajra, the compiler of the teachings of the Great Secrets (Vajrayana) of all buddhas; the arhat Ananda, the foremost disciple of our teacher (Buddha Shakyamuni); Lhalung Palgyi Dorje, the direct disciple of the Second Buddha of Uddiyana (Padmasambhava); (Rechung) Dorje Drakpa, the lord of siddhas; and many others.
. . .
The reincarnation of this sublime master was the seventh Phakchok Rinpoche, Tendzin Jigmey Drakpa, born in the Year of the Iron Bird, 1981, of the seventeenth year cycle. The family he was born into is, among the six original clans, the Nangchen Tsangsar of the Khepaga line which were chiefly holders of the Barom Kagyü Dharma lineage, a family line who maintained an unbroken tradition of combining Kagyü and Nyingma.
. . .

Due to his outstanding brightness and inherent qualities from former training, he comprehended reading and writing, and when he later studied the topics of knowledge with Kungo Kalzang, Karma Urgyen Rinpoche's younger brother, he gained effortless understanding by simply hearing what was said.

Here is a description of the ripening empowerments and liberating instructions Phakchok Rinpoche has received from masters of the Sarma and Nyingma schools of all traditions:

From Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche he has received longevity empowerments, the Six Volumes of Jatsön Nyingpo, Gyachen Kadzö (of Jamgön Kongtrül).

From Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche he has received the empowerments of longevity.

From Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche he has received the empowerments for the Rinchen Terdzö, the complete empowerments and reading trans-missions for the Chokling Tersar, the Dzogchen Desum, the empowerments, reading transmissions and instructions for the Kunzang Tuktig, the empowerment of awareness-display and mind-instruction for Dzogchen, the complete empowerments and reading transmissions for the Root Volumes of Nyingtig, the Hundred Chö Empowerments, and the Namkha Gojey.

From Kyabje Taklung Shabdrung Rinpoche he has received the complete empowerments and reading transmissions of the Taklung Kagyü, and the complete empowerments and reading transmissions for the collected works and terma teachings of Jedrung Rinpoche.

From Kyabje Chobgye Trichen Rinpoche he has received the empowerments and reading transmissions for the Gyüdey Kündü.

From Sakya Dagtri Drölma Podrang he has received the complete Drubtab Kündü.

From his father, Tsikey Chokling Rinpoche, he has received the complete empowerments and reading transmissions for the Chokling Tersar.

From Dzongsar Khenchen Kunga Wangchuk he has received the reading transmission for the collected works of the Five Sakya Forefathers, the Prajñamula, Madhyamikavatara, and the 400 Verses, Sakya Pandita's Tsema Rigter, Tsema Namdrel, the Higher and Lower Abhidharma and other works.

From Kyabje Tenga Rinpoche he has received the reading transmission for the Tenngyur, the Great Collection of the Translated Treatises.

From Kyabje Penor Rinpoche he has received the complete empowerments for the Rinchen Terdzö.

From Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche he has received the complete reading transmissions for the Rinchen Terdzö.

From Arik Khenchen Petse Rinpoche he has received explanation to the Guhyagarbha Tantra and the Manjushri Nama Sangirti, as well as mind-instruction.

From Kyabje Trülshik Rinpoche he has received the complete empowerments for the Collected Works of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche.

From Kyabje Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche he has received the Tögal Cycle of Khenpo Ngakchung's Hearing Lineage, as well as mind-instruction.

. . .

This was translated by Erik Pema Kunsang, at Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery, February, 2000.

www.choklingtersar.org

http://www.rangjung.com/gl/Chokling_Tersar.htm
Chokling Tersar, the New Treasures of Chokgyur Lingpa ( copyrighted )
During the ninth century, Buddhism was introduced from India into Tibet and its literature and culture has since been preserved in a way that has been unique in accuracy and truthfulness to tradition. Four decades ago, the occupation of Tibet by Communist China began an era of repression and systematic destruction of this thousand year old Buddhist culture. Shreds of this tradition reached the countries on the southern slopes of the Himalaya ranges - India, Nepal and Bhutan - in the hands of the few refugees who managed to escape alive. During the following years these areas have been the meeting-point and a forum of exchange between a large number of people from all countries of the world.

In response to the heart-wish of Kyabje Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, the Chokling Tersar Foundation was established. It is in the spirit of wishing to protect and preserve one of the important contributions to the world's cultural heritage, as well as responding to a growing demand within North America, that the members of Chokling Tersar Foundation support the foundation through donations of effort, money and prayers.

Chokling Tersar literally means the 'new treasures of Chokgyur Lingpa' and owes it name to the great Tibetan Buddhist master of the 19th century. Chokgyur Lingpa lived from (1829-1870) and was regarded by the most reputable living masters of his time as one of the major tertons (revealer of hidden treasures) in Tibetan history. His teachings are widely practiced by both the Kagyu and Nyingma schools of Tibetan Buddhism.

The collection of treasures revealed by Chokgyur Lingpa together with its connected teachings are contained in the Chokling Tersar, a body of literature filling more than forty large volumes. In English translation each of these volumes would be between seven and eight hundred pages and the total would amount to approximately 30,000 pages. The connected teachings included in these forty volumes were written over the last 150 years, chiefly by his contemporaries Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo and Jamgon Kongtrul, as well as by the subsequent upholders of the lineage down until today.

Kangyur - the TripitakaThe Chokling Tersar literature is meant to be studied and practiced as an addition to the traditional canonical scriptures of Tibetan Buddhism. These traditional scriptures are found in the Kangyur and Tengyur, the written words of Buddha Shakyamuni and their commentaries by learned Indian Masters. These two collections occupy respectively 104 and 273 large volumes.

In these scriptures are found detailed instructions on how to take full advantage of and imbue human life with its fullest meaning. These revealed scriptures were concealed by the 9th century Buddhist saint Padmasambhava with the expressed wish to be uncovered at specific times in the future. Many of them contain predictions for those times and which particular spiritual practices would be most beneficial for the people of those times.

Centers practicing the New Treasures of Chokgyur Lingpa:

Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling monastery, Boudha, Nepal.
Lamas: Tsikey Chokling, Gyurme Dewey Dorje; Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche; Phakchok Rinpoche

Pema Ewam Chogar in Bir, Himachal Pradesh, India.
Lamas: Neten Chokling and Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche.

Tsikey Gompa in East Tibet.
Lamas: Chokling of Tsikey, Tsang-Yang Gyamtso; Tersey Tulku

Chokling Tersar Foundation, USA.

posted in Pagan - 0 replies

Hi I am new!

annwyn — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 08:04:21 GMT

Hello-
I am very very new, I have always been intrested but never had the courage to step up. I was raised in a strict baptist home where such things were considered the devil. I have never been like them, I find peace in nature, and from a young age collected, rocks,gems, herbs and even made my own brews secretly of course they were made up by my imagination. I have rencently purchaced several books, Moon Magick, and also the herb,oil, incence, and metals, minerals by Scott Cunningham.(not exact titles but you know what I am talking about) In 2 weeks I had read through all 3 books being the first books I had read in years. Amazing it just all makes sence to me. So After these books where do i go, what do I do. Any tips suggestions, or YOU MUST do,have,experience etc would be fantastic. Thank you in advance!

posted in Pagan - 8 replies

Ganesh ( Ganapati ) the Hindu Buddhist Deity : practices references and transmission

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 18:52:41 GMT

Ganesh ( Ganapati ) the Hindu Buddhist Deity : practices references and transmission

Keywords : Ganapati / Ganesh the Elephant Headed God of Classical India, Mantra and Praise of Ganapati, Deity yoga, Tantric empowerment, Overlapping Hindu / Buddhist mantra culture, Vedacarya Thomas Ashley-Farrand, Sakya Lineage and Sakya Monastery, Seattle Washington.

“To those for whom these village fires still have meaning:
Oh, may your own most beautiful Animal of Light come safely to you!”
from the Last Whole Earth Catalog

On 13 July in Seattle Washington a Ganapati empowerment will be offered at Sakya Monastery of Tibetan Buddhism. The guru bestowing this empowerment is the tantric master of Sakya Monastery, His Holiness Jigdal Dagchen Sakya Rinbochay. See www.sakya.org for more information.

For this reason it is timely and appropriate to provide some basic teaching and perspective on Ganapati, and in particular an esoteric Hindu Ganapati mantra and also a Sanskrit Buddhist praise of Ganapati. Many diverse teachings on this deity in Hindu form are available on the internet ( under both Ganapati and Ganesh ).

An excellent introductory summary for Ganapati / Ganesh is available online at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganesha

The Buddhist Ganapati is also referenced in the Tibetan Buddhist traditions of the Nyingma ( e.g. Longchen Nyingtik ) and Gelugpa lineages ( see practice texts for www.fpmt.org ). There is also Buddhist practice of Ganapati in the esoteric Buddhist Japanese tradition known as Shingon, which came East via China and not Tibet.

Briefly, Ganapati means Lord of the Troop, and Ganesh basically means Elephant Headed One. Ganapati is known by the title “Remover of Obstacles” or “Lord of Obstacles”. He carries or represents the enormous power of the Elephant. He is often accompanied by two female consorts Riddhi and Siddhi ( Magical Accomplishment and Spiritual Accomplishment ).

Ganapati is very prominent and even central in Hindu practice and is often evoked at the beginning of important engagements or projects, such as making a journey or starting employment, or beginning a meditation practice session. I have seen dance evocation of Ganapati at the beginning of a Hindu temple dance concert. Ganapati is one of the main practices of Hindu business people for success in their commercial ventures.

Ganapati is strongly associated with the “national spirit” or Mother India as well as her earliest roots. In the distant past elephants were used throughout India to clear land for agriculture, and also as war elephants. More recently, public Hindu celebrations were banned by the occupying British and the outlawed Ganapati ceremonies were brought forth, successfully, to rally India against foreign rule.

It is said that the long “History of India” was transcribed by the deity Ganapati as given by Rishi Visvamitra. Many of the key texts of Sanatana Dharma ( Hinduism ) were written down by Ganapati. So, this practice is a primary connection to Vedic Culture. Due to this, Ganapati is also practiced by students to help with their secular school exams.

Ganapati has a very ambivalent status in Buddhist tantra, the esoteric form of Buddhist meditation which relies on yoga, deity recitations and mystic practices in general. On the one hand, Ganapati is often considered unfriendly towards Buddhist practitioners in general, and propitiated or banished or subjugated so as to not cause problems. Thus, a subjugated Ganapati serves as the throne for the deity Mahakala in his Six Armed form. This reflects the fact that some but not all Hindu practice / culture affirms Buddhist teachings.

On the other hand, there are specifically Buddhist practices for Ganapati, as for other Hindu deities such as Shiva, Sarasvati and so forth. The Sakya lineage carries Buddhist deity yogas for the Hindu deities Uma Devi / Parvati and Garuda, as well as Ganapati. ( In Southern Buddhism, such as in Sri Lanka Theravada monasteries, it is common to propitiate the Hindu deity Visnu for outer or worldly benefits. )

More broadly, many Buddhist schools share with the Sanatana Dharma ( i.e. Hindu practice and culture ) a significant focus on Ayurveda, or spiritual medicine. The Buddhist deity Bhaisajyaguru, or Medicine Buddha, is a deity of Buddhist spiritual medicine and Ayurveda in both Hindu and Buddhist forms is more or less identical in practice, not just similar.

In the classical Sakya tradition, this Twelve Arm Ganapati is actually an emanation of Avalokitesvara, the beloved and universal Buddhist deity of liberating compassion. Thus, it is reasonable to view this empowerment as being a definite connection to Avalokitesvara and the general practices of Avalokitesvara.

It is also very important to note that with this ( or any ) tantric Buddhist empowerment comes the general set of universal Buddhist vows, such as the Ten Precepts ( rejection of harmfulness, theft, dishonesty, ill-will and so forth ), and the Bodhisattva vows. The Bodhisattva vows focus on active humanitarian service in the most broad and deep and long term ways, starting with rejection of limiting ideas such as racism, sexism, tribalism, and all cultural divisiveness.

For some basic teachings on Buddhist theory and practice, see the following at Asian Classics:
http://www.asianclassics.org/research_site/webdata/education.html

The Principal Teachings of Buddhism
Buddhist Refuge
The Vows of the Bodhisattva

For an excellent general introduction to Buddhist practice, with a focus on Buddhist tantra, see the following book by Kalu Rinpoche:
The Dharma: That Illuminates All Beings Like the Light of the Sun and the Moon, State University of New York Press, 1986, ISBN 0-88706-157-5

http://www.amazon.com/Dharma-Illuminates-Beings-Impartially-Light/dp/0887061575

This book is short, direct, accessible, classical and effective. It should be. It was transcribed as spoken directly to westerners by one of the greatest Buddhist masters of the last century.

To take the tantric Buddhist empowerment of Ganapati or any other is to take Mahayana Buddhist vows, as well as to become authorized to do magical kinds of practice, such as mantra recitation to develop the power of the deity. The point is that in this case, the Hindu/ Buddhist deity Ganapati is practiced within a classical Buddhist context, not otherwise. Thus the above mentioned Buddhist references are of central importance in this transmission and practice.

As a brilliant red deity aspect, Twelve Armed Ganapati is not only a remover of obstacles and disharmonious circumstances, but also a magnetizing deity, i.e. a deity that “warms up” social situations, and develops strongly positive interpersonal engagement.

On a yogic level, this deity ( in Buddhist deity yoga ) develops strength and power at the level of the navel point of the psychic energy body ( svadhisthana cakra ), although I cannot say more without transgressing tantric vows of secrecy. Note that the Hindu Ganapati is girded by snakes, representing kundalini energy, and is similarly associated with the energy at the base of the spinal column. All tantric transmissions are private, and their contents not to be discussed following initiation.

This is one of many specifically obstacle-removing diety yogas in Buddhist tantra. There are many others, but this one is definitely recommended for those who have a more Hindu-oriented background in culture and/ or personal karma. And as noted earlier, it is a connection to Avalokitesvara practice specifically, and to the outer Mahayana practices in general.

This can also be viewed ( speaking very unofficially ) as a connection to Hindu transmissions. ) For this reason I will now provide a specifically Hindu mantra for Ganapati, which has been confirmed. It is quite reasonable to say that on obtaining a Twelve Arm Ganapati empowerment, one may practice the following Hindu mantra as well.

Maha Ganapati Mantra
"Aum shrim hrim klim glaum gam
ganapataye vara varada sarva
janamme vashamanaya svaha"

Vedacarya Thomas Ashley-Farrand, from whom I have Laxmi transmission, has many introductory and also detailed teachings on Hindu mantra practice. See his website at
http://www.sanskritmantra.com/

The following is not an official representation, but I do have the Sakya lineage Ganapati transmission some twenty years back from HE Luding Khen Rinbochay. This Sakya initiation is for a Twelve Arm Red Ganapati, equivalent in many respects to the Hindu deity Ganesh or Ganapati. Many diverse teachings on this deity in Hindu form are available on the internet ( under both Ganapati and Ganesh ). The Buddhist Ganapati is also referenced in the Tibetan Buddhist traditions of the Nyingma and Gelugpa lineages.

From www.sakya.org :

07/13/2008
GANAPATI INITIATION
Offered by H. H. Jigdal Dagchen Sakya
Sunday, July 13
Time: 10:00 am
Location: Shrine Room
Suggested Donation: $30 Public, $25 Members
Translator: Dr. Jeff Schoening
Ganapati made the commitment to help all beings to uphold the 3 trainings—moral behavior, meditation, wisdom— and, in particular, to provide the necessary materials and provisions for practitioners.
He protects one from obstacles at the beginning of any enterprise and also helps to increase wealth and power for the benefit of the Dharma.
His Holiness Jigdal Dagchen Sakya, head lama of Sakya Monastery, was born in Tibet in 1929. He continues the great Sakya lineage which began with Khon Konchok Gyalpo (1034—1102). He received teachings of the unbroken Khon lineage, the Sakya Vajrakilaya, the Hevajra and the complete Lamdre Tsogshe, from his father, H.H. Trichen Ngawang Thutop Wangchul, the last Sakya throne holder in Tibet. He also studied with many other great Buddhist teachers, including Dzongsar Khyentse Chökyi and Dingo Khyentse Robsal Dawa.
In 1960, H.H. J.D. Sakya was invited to work on a University of Washington research project on Tibetan civilization which was sponsored by the Rockefeller Foundation. At the request of students, he co-founded with H.E. Dezhung Rinpoche Sakya Tegchen Choling, a center for the study of Tibetan Buddhism and culture. In 1984, the center became the Sakya Monastery of Tibetan Buddhism.

The following is copyrighted material from The Digital Sanskrit Buddhist Canon, at
http://www.uwest.edu/sanskritcanon/index.html
specifically
http://www.uwest.edu/sanskritcanon/Stotra/Roman/stotra30.html

The source text is “ Source: Pandey, Janardan Shastri ed. Bauddha strotra Samgrah. Varanasi : Motilal Banarsidass, 1994”.

This is provided as a necessary and specific demonstration that classical Indian Buddhist culture incorporated Ganapati deity yoga as a tantric practice, and not for other purposes.
Ganesastotram

kharvam sthulataram gajendravadanam lambodaram sundaram
vidhnesam madhugandhalubdhamadhupavyalolagandasthalam|
dantodghatavidaritahitajanam sindurasobhakaram
vande sailasutasutam ganapatim siddhipradam kamadam|| 1||

herambah paramo devah karyasiddhividhayakah|
saibhagyarupasampannam dehi me sukhasampadam|| 2||

ekadantam mahakayam lambodaram gajananam|
sarvasiddhipradataram gangaputram namamyaham|| 3||

vande tam gananathamaryamanagham daridrayadavanalam
sundaadandavidhuyamanasamalam samsarasindhostarim|
yam natva surakoyayah prabhuvaram siddhim labhante param
sindurarunavigraham paripataddanambudharahrtam|| 4||

uccairbrahmandakhandadvitayasahacaram kumbhayugmam dadhanah
presannagaripaksapratibhatavikatasrotratalabhiramah |
devah sambhorapatyam bhujagapatitanusparddhivardhisnuhasta-
strailokyascaryamurtirjayati trijagatamisvarah kuñjarasyah|| 5||

ganapatisca herambo vidhnarajo vinayakah |
deviputro mahateja mahabalaparakramah || 6||

mahodaro mahakayascaikadanto gajananah|
svetavastro mahadiptastrinetro gananayakah || 7||

aksamalam ca dantam ca grhnan vai daksine kare|
parasum modakapatram ca vamahaste vidharayan|| 8||

nanapusparato devo nanagandhanulepanah |
nagayajñopavitango nanavidhnavinasanah || 9||

devasuramanusyanam siddhagandharvavanditam|
trailokyavidhnahartaramakhvarudham namamyaham|| 10||

sumukhascaikadantasca kapilo gajakarnakah |
lambodarasca vikato vidhnarajo vinayakah || 11||

dhumraketurganadhyakso bhalacandro gajananah |
vakratundah surpakarno herambah skandapurvajah || 12||

sodasaitani namani yah pathecchunuyadapi|
vidyarambhe vivahe ca pravese nirgame tatha|| 13||

samgrame samkate caiva vidhnastasya na jayate|
vidhnavallikutharaya ganadhipataye namah || 14||

sriganesastotram samaptam|

Sarva mangalam! Siddhi rastu!

In partial fulfillment of vajrayana teaching responsibilities,

KT

posted in Pagan - 1 reply

plant a tree for a dollar

sweetmamadoe — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 16:18:19 GMT

plant lots of trees! www.plantabillion.org

posted in Pagan - 2 replies

Abandoned toys

mysticalfairy — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 23:28:23 GMT

I just recently came across this album "The witch's garden" by Abandoned Toys and it is one of the most exquisitely beautiful, new age - pagan music albums I have come across in recent years. Apparently, they use alot of the golden ratio in their tunings and harmonies. If you don't already own a copy, I highly recommend picking up one. I think they have clips at their website here:

http://www.abandonedtoys.com/store.htm

posted in Pagan - 0 replies

The Mechanics of Polytheism

Morchu — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 17:56:09 GMT

Lately I have been thinking alot about the nature of monotheism vs. polytheism, understanding - perhaps falsely - pantheism as another form of polytheism (.i. if it's not monotheistic it's polytheistic). I am very familiar with the idea that many modern pagans understand their seemingly polytheistic faith as a kind of monotheism - the various gods manifesting different aspects and facets of a single transcendant divinity. Nevertheless, others maintain a strict, almost classical, polytheism where gods and goddesses from different cultures can be venerated together since either no one god is another god (all are distinct spiritual entities) or - as is more commonly the case in my understanding - different gods from different traditions are really identical spritiual realities that are honored or worshipped by different names according to cultural distinctions (.i. Odin = Mercury = Lugh and Thor = Jupiter = Zeus = Taranis).

So I was thinking about all this and the thought occurred to me that one of the many ways that polytheism is efficacious is to allow us mortals a venue for focusing our attention, expectation and intention — essentially our entire spiritual potency — towards a specific field of practical effect (.i. monetary gain, martial success, domestic health, intellectual understanding and wisdom etc.). In this way, polytheism becomes a method by which we can better exercise our natural creative power in this great interference pattern created by our various minds and which we call reality.

I have a difficult time reconciling this view with what seems to me a truer form of polytheism that understands each god or goddess as a spiritual entity with an independent mind and capable of individual interaction with mortal minds. This is to say that I do not see how the above paragraph allows for gods that visit us in the night and speak to us either directly or through omens.

My title therefore may be a little misleading and because it is really a matter of Thealogy (fear my hapax legomena) perhaps it would be better posted on the Pagan Scholars tribe, but I am looking for comments with a practical, not theoretical, foundation and wish to hear what everyone here has to say. I hope that

posted in Pagan - 13 replies

Hans Reiser Pagan???

CrossSidhe — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 14:38:56 GMT

Now that the case and he told the police where be buried his wife. The media is now showing Hans Reiser's personal life. One interesting thing they keep showing is his wedding. In the 3 sec video clip. It shows the Reisers in a Pagan Style Handfesting in a Labyrinth used by may Pagan in the SF Bay Area. The media also went as far as saying it was a "non-traditional wedding" and his best friend came in drag.

I am surprised that the media did not trumped up the "non-traditional" wedding and linking it to the occult.

Cross

posted in Pagan - 0 replies

I Am Your New Moderator

CrossSidhe — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 15:49:13 GMT

Blessed Be Everyone!!!

I am your new moderator!!!

First of all lets all thank Adeline for starting this tribe.

Well, pretty much I will run this tribe the same way. The only thing is that I will delete spam and bannish all Trolls. Other then that there will be no real changes.

So...

Let there be loitoring in the halls. Drinking in the saloons and necking in the parlor.

B*B

Cross Sidhe

posted in Pagan - 9 replies

Ride Share - Faerieworlds

mamagaea — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 19:48:51 GMT

I'll start.

I'm planning on going to Faerieworlds in Eugene, OR on Saturday, Aug. 2nd. I would love some company. Anyone want to join me? I will only be staying for the day. I will not be camping.

Mama Gaea

posted in Pagan - 0 replies

Lets Support Our Community - New Erra for Pagan Tribe

CrossSidhe — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 19:10:55 GMT

Hello Everyone!

I would like to make this tribe more proactive. i know there have been tons of good information, reflections, and wisdom on this Tribe. I would like to take it up a notch.

I am a very community orientated person and YOU (that right you who are in front of the screen) are my community. One of the things I know known for is Ride Shares. Now, gas is approaching $5. Some of us do not have wheels. We (most) love the Mother. So lets do something about it.

When I go somewhere special: Burning Man, Pagan Events, Beaches, Concerts, Clubs, etc. I usually post a ride share. For me it is a good way to meet new people and to strenghen bonds with friends. Also, it is one less car on the road if everybody is going the same direction. Lastly, you will make someone's day who do not have wheels.

So, posting and asking for ride share IS STRONGLY ENCOURAGED!!!!

=:)

Lets give Mother Earth a break and ride share.

Now I am more settled in my tempory digs... I am going to start going places. Places like Tahoe, Yosemite, LA Decomp, Spiral Dance, etc.

So lets ride share and have fun!!!

=:)

Cross

posted in Pagan - 0 replies

Deleted Introduction

SpiritFlame — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 01:02:30 GMT

There is nothing in the Introduction thread except the fact that the post has been deleted.

So I'm wondering now... is it now policy to delete introductions??

posted in Pagan - 1 reply

Earthweavers Festival Announcement (festival event for pagans and all other believers)

Amanda — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 22:31:21 GMT

Earthweavers First Annual Fall Calling of the Clans

October 10-13, 2008 Kent's Store, Virginia

We are thrilled to announce that after months of searching, we have finally found the perfect setting for our first annual festival, The Calling of the Clans!

The Calling of the Clans is being held at the CampOut Campground, which is located off I-64 between Richmond and Charlottesville Virginia. This location is a 90 minute drive from Norfolk, a 45 minute drive from Charlottesville. You can't get lost, it's interstate driving almost all of the way!

CampOut Campground is 97 fully wooded acres of gently rolling pristine Virginia forest. Included is Lake Towanda, a 7.5 acre, immaculate swimming lake with a sandy beach. The Campground is equipped with a clean, well-lit, and scrupulously maintained shower house and privately maintained Port-a-Potties.

CampOut is an Earth conscious campoground, complete with an on-site Recycling Center. We are truly blessed to have found such a perfect place to celebrate life on our Mother Earth, with our unique Community amongst friends and friends-to-be!

We decided to begin The Calling of the Clans because of a need we have felt and heard expressed throughout our Community, a need to return to the basics to what drew us to out-door festivals many years ago — a love of this beautiful planet, the ties of soul and spirit to our Community, our Mother, and her creatures, be they four footed, winged or fey.

Myspace Link:
http://www.myspace.com/earthweaversfestival

Official Website:
http://www.earthweavers.net/main.html

posted in Pagan - 0 replies

So as not to take ourselves too seriously...

Phoenix Faust — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 00:32:18 GMT

How to Become A Witch in Nine Easy Lessons
by Don McLeod

In the 1980's it was fashionable to be interested in the New Age. This is now a dreadful faux pas within the alternative scene, and in order to be accepted in the 21st century metaphysical social set, one must have an interest in Witchcraft or Paganism. Of course, you don't have to actually belong to a coven in order to be thought of as a Witch, you can bluff your way into being accepted as a fully fledged Witch simply by knowing a few terms and dressing accordingly. This brings us to...

Rule # 1: Image is Everything. After all, what's the good of being a Witch if nobody knows you are one? You must therefore wear black at all times. If possible, stay out of the sun until you become really pale, as this makes the effect even better. For women (and adventurous males) dark eyeliner and black nail polish can enhance this look. Also wear crystals and cheap occult paraphernalia at all times, and make sure that these are as gaudy and bizarre as possible, as this can only help your image. Wearing a pentacle around your neck is an absolutely necessary accessory - the bigger the better! Capes and cloaks are optional around town - it depends on how much of a visual impact you want to make, but either of these are also crucial apparel at any ritual or gathering that you may attend.

Rule # 2: Name Dropping is Good. Every serious student of The Craft (and I'm talking here about the term for Witchcraft, not macrame) knows the name Gerald Gardner. This man revitalised Witchcraft in the mid 1900's with his book about the true history of The Old Religion (some have called this book pure fiction, but only those picky few who like books to be based on facts). Real Witches however, never let historical accuracy get in the way of their spiritual path, so in conversations with other Witches, quote his name as often as possible (in tones of awe) and you will always be rewarded with smiles of acceptance.

Rule # 3: Past Life Name Dropping is Even Better. Tell everyone about the past life memories that have been surfacing since you began studying the Black Arts. It is especially useful to remember a past lifetime as a Witch who was killed during the Inquisition, or at least recall a lifetime as a famous occultist. My past lives have included Aleister Crowley, Cagliostro, Mandrake the Magician, and most of the cast of "Bewitched".

Rule # 4: Behave Strangely. Never forget why it was that you wanted to become a Witch - yes, so that you have an excuse for strange behaviour. Previously labelled eccentric behaviour patterns can now be accepted by others if they have a reason to explain it, even if that reason for howling at full moons while naked is simply, "He/she is a Witch, that's normal for them evidently." So, don't let your friends down, behave strangely, you can get away with it now.

Rule # 5: Watch Occult Movies. Make sure that you watch the movie "Warlock" lots of times to perfect those soft landings after over-indulging with the flying ointments (read as mead and weed).

Rule # 6: Ready Yourself for Sex, Money and Power. Wasn't this the other reason you were drawn to Witchcraft? In the past, adepts of the occult were known to possess charismatic, lusty and powerful personas - when people find out that you are a Witch, they may automatically assume (and therefore empower you) with these same qualities. This may sound pretty good, but unfortunately in today's world, another group of people have become even more established within the realms of kinky sex sessions and unlimited power - yes, the politicians! Beware of this elitist group of power-brokers...they don't want any competition to their manipulative monopoly over the gullible public - hence the laws against Witchcraft and divination that have remained unchanged for centuries. So, if calling yourself a High Priest doesn't lead you to unlimited sex, money and power - or if it does, but you then find yourself as the target of political and legal harassment - you may have to put aside your cloak and broomstick and pick up a pin-stripe suit and a back-bench in Parliament. If you can't beat them, try bribery, then if that doesn't work...join them!

Rule # 7: Atmosphere is Essential. Your home must reflect your Witchy nature. Incense must burn continuously. It's important that visitors see clouds of incense smoke billowing from a spluttering censer in the corner of your dim, dank and dusty home, so dismantle the smoke detectors and start collecting strange little bottles of exotic looking ingredients (use your imagination and label them with names like powdered bat's eyes, or dried dragon's gonads). And if you don't like housework, you can explain that the layer of dust that covers your floors and furniture helps to neutralise the highly charged psychic energy that results from your magical spells, thereby protecting your home and possessions from electromagnetic disintegration.

Rule # 8: Be Patronising to Christians. In social discussions don't forget to make plenty of derogatory remarks about fundamentalist Christians, but remember to save your most biting comments for other Witches that you don't get along with.

Rule # 9: Brag About Your Psychic Powers. Any self-respecting Witch will tell you that after their initiation to Witchcraft, their psychic powers awakened and their tarot cards (which they always carry with them) are now much easier to read (they now get something right once in a while). They will also tell you that they can now sense energy fields (in other words, they don't bump into things as often as they used to). Follow this example and brag about the rapid development of your psychic abilities since your initiation. If asked about your initiation ceremony, simply state that you were sworn to secrecy about it, then quickly change the subject by mentioning your newly awakened ability to detect Ley-lines, but try to remember that a Ley-line is not a queue for the after-ritual orgy!

Now you know how to pass yourself off as a real Witch, so place that broomstick in a conspicuous corner (one that is not clouded by too much incense smoke); pull on those black clothes; give everyone that you meet a sinister look - and your social status will improve overnight. If you do all of this successfully, you may even find yourself with enough adoring acolytes so that you can start your own coven! Good luck and Blessed Be!

posted in Pagan - 9 replies

Watch out for wolf in Pagan's clothing: Cybermoon Emporium

slechleiter — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 13:07:19 GMT

I decided to go online and order a few items from Cybermoon.com- well maybe more than a few items almost $200 worth on March 23rd, was told my order would ship out that week and they took my money, I had ordered a kit and they said: "As soon as the boxes come in, we will ship kits. We are expecting our boxes to arrive literally any day."

I waited 2 weeks and got nothing, emailed again got an email saying:

+++

Mon, Apr 7, 2008 at 3:27 AM
Greetings!

Thank you for letting us know your order failed to arrive. We will check
with the warehouse and, if your order hasn't already shipped, make sure it
gets out asap. If you ordered more than one item, please be aware your
order may arrive in more than one package.

If your order included runes, please remember that runes are not made until
they are ordered. That way, you receive runes that were made just for you.

If your order included an altar kit, please be aware that the boxes for the
altar kits are late arriving. We are expecting the boxes literally any day
and will ship the kits as soon as the boxes arrive. We haven't forgotten
about you.

Our apologies for any inconvenience this may have caused.

Blessings
Beth
****************************
CyberMoon Emporium
cybermoonemporium.com

****************************

Within 5 days of that email I got about $35 worth of my order, still missing arround $120 worth of product, not to count the $20 shipping fee. On top of that the OLOTA Anna Riva Oil that they sent me smells like nothing but Johnson & Johnson baby oil.

I have emailed and phoned them almost every day since and have not had once response. The 1 month anniversary of my order was the day that I promised them I'd go online and start spreading the word on what a horrible, fraudlant company they are.

Some of this is my bad, I should have done my homework first. Other complaints I have found on:
http://www.complaintsboard.com/?search=cybermoon

Cybermoon Emporium (complaint)
Posted: 2008-03-08 by Keitha Shrremetis [send email]
Item order not received!
Ring was ordered on February 2, 2008. I have tried to contact at phone # 404-348-4477 as I had order the wrong ring size. But to this day I have not heard from them. I have left quiet a few messages and have tried to e-mail them, to no prevail. I will be contacting my credit card com, to ask...

cybermoon (complaint)
Posted: 2007-08-29 by jeanmarie Blache [send email]
Order never delivered
I placed an order in June 2007 for a charmed altar kit as a gift for a friend. My credit card was charged and no product was received. I have tried to contact CyberMoon but have gotten nowhere. Someone help resolve this matter. I am a single parent of two young daughters and can not afford to...

Cybermoon Emporium (complaint)
Posted: 2008-04-24 by Stephanie [send email]
non delivered items that was paid for
I decided to go online and order a few items from Cybermoon.com- well maybe more than a few items almost $200 worth on March 23rd, was told my order would ship out that week and they took my money, I had ordered a kit and they said: "As soon as the boxes come in, we will ship kits. We are...

CyberMoon.com (complaint)
Posted: 2007-03-21 by Francine Conti [send email]
No product delivered!
I placed an order with CyberMoon.com on 2-1-07. I have called 2 XS and never received a call back and emailed them 4'XS with one email generating that their computers were down on 3-9-07. Still to this date no product delivered. I have asked them to credit my card back and cancel my order......

CyberMoon.com (complaint)
Posted: 2008-02-23 by Christina [send email]
ordered and paid online product never delivered
My mother placed an order with Cybermoon. com in Aug 2007 and never recieved the product, I ordered in Nov 2007 not knowing and still have not recieved any product either. Both her and I have left repeated emails and voicemails with no response to date. The entire websit is just a fraud, Both...

Beware and please don't shop here!
Stephanie

posted in Pagan - 7 replies

Kathy Lee put down (like her opinion matters)

urbangal70 — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 01:58:53 GMT

I just found this out (via witchvox.com & someone's article there) but came here and saw nothing on it. I assume most people already heard but I'm posting for those who didn't. I understand its may or may not be there but once the anger dies down perhaps its back up. I'd also check youtube or google vids too.
------------------------------

On Wednesday, 25 June 2008, Kathy Lee Gifford expressed her opinion about pagans. It wasn't very good. In fact, she called us nasty, bad pagans. At approximately minute 4:40 in the segment, you can hear her reading options off a card and she stated, “Pagans … the nasty, bad pagans believed it was bad luck to carry metal on your right side.”

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/25368216#25368216

MY THOUGHTS:
I wish I could care more about Gifford. I forgot who she is to be quite honest. I had to look her up on google. Then I thought about how I'd like to slap her in the mouth but I don't want to get my hands dirty. Honestly, what a cunt thing to say. Whatever. Talk to the pentagram.

posted in Pagan - 5 replies

Summer Solstice Marked With Fire & Magic

Phoenix Faust — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 20:50:46 GMT

June 19, 2008—lames illuminate thousands of revelers in a cave in Zugarramurdi, Spain, during a 1998 Aquelarre, or Witch Coven.

Held on or near the summer solstice, the festival commemorates the alleged witches who used the cave in centuries past—any of whom died by fire during the Basque witch trials of the 1600s.

For millennia the summer solstice has been embraced as a time of rebirth and hope, and as a herald of abundant food and warm temperatures to come (summer solstice facts).

Falling this year on Friday, June 20, in the Northern Hemisphere, the longest day of the year is still regarded by many as a day of mystical and religious significance—and the cause for many a celebration.

news.nationalgeographic.com/news....html

posted in Pagan - 0 replies

A Post to generate some discussion!

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 16:05:56 GMT

Although the original meaning meant 'country dweller' the term Pagan in the modern world is difficult to define. It is a life style more than a belief system and I am curious as to how others view the term. For myself Paganism means someone who keeps psychological distance from the main stream, such as living a rustic life in the mountains of Colorado or a Town House in New York. Simply put, the neo-pagan is a 'Free Spirit'. Much of what we see today regarding concepts of paganism came about during the 1960s. Back then as now people were seeking a way to insulate themselves from the frenzy associated with modern traditional lifestyle. And it was also a way of defining themselves as not a part of the insanity that seemed to define modern society such as wars etc. Although some religious groups use the term to define their life style, such as Wiccan', the term Paganism is not definable by dogma but rather by its statement of what it is not. In the modern world calling yourself a pagan is a way of saying you have had enough of traditional society.

I consider myself to be a pagan because I maintain a psychological distance from traditional religion and politics. As to my own form of dogma, well I sort of contrive it as I go along. When it does not work I toss it out and try another concept. I don’t really care for the Trendy Pagan Dogma, such as seen on pagan net forums, anymore than I care for the dogma of Christianity.

I do have a word of caution for those seeking spiritual guidance especially on the net: and that is to be wary of those who claim to have existential answers. More often than not they are simply selling a different type of snake oil. It may come in the form of traditional religion, or politics, or trendy types of paganism (whatever the hell that means). The best place to start looking for existential answers is within your self. What do you really believe regarding your own existence? There are only two basic assumptions 1: either you were created by some external force and are a puppet of that force or 2: you are infinite and are the creator of your own existence (you create your own reality). If you assume number 1 then there are many gurus who are waiting to be your MC between this life and the next. If you assume number 2 than you are likely to keep a comfortable distance from both religion and politics and will find a path of action and beliefs that feels comfortable, and logical.

posted in Pagan - 5 replies

Spiritual Awareness

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 09:50:58 GMT

My days are spent ‘blog surfing’ and as such I have developed a sense of what is out there. Now if you are looking for something you are bound to find it, at least that is what I always believed. Lately I am not so sure. And this is difficult to explain but I really think someone should at least make the attempt.The blogs are a wonderful way to get a quick view of what the net world is thinking about. Now I seriously doubt that a 3rd world family living in poverty has even a glimmer of understanding of the net and all it offers the imaginative and grasping mind. For this reason my conclusion is that only a few of us will actually shape events of the future, but hasn’t that always been the case? One of my efforts in was to find well informed non biased articles regarding spiritual awareness. And did I find it? Well if you look at it from the classic view of western civilization then I did: but with some stipulations. If you wander into the traditional religious (spiritual awareness) blogs there is enough information to blog the mind blind, and without interruption (no advertisements). But with anything beyond the traditional you get ‘buy my book, herb, magnet, crystal, candle, etc. etc. etc. etc. NOW!’. The argument of course is that without the ads they would not be able to continue the lofty work of being a guru.Well my question to the guides (channeling), gurus, spiritual advisors, feel good crystal heads and the thousands of others is this: at what point did the Buddha or Jesus The Christ (Pagans of the first order) find a need to charge for spiritual guidance services? Did I miss something? Did either one of them have an agent that I am not aware of. Was their path preceded by an ad campaign to purchase first hand accounts of their wonderful work? I have yet to find a spiritual advisor web site that stated no one would be refused services for lack of money. It may be out there but as yet I have not seen it. If you know of one, please post the links in comment to this post.Now I have heard a lot of ranting on message boards most of them regarding the politics of the planet. The simple truth is that none of this matters in terms of infinity and the powers who are in control will remain because most of us are too apathetic to actually take any kind of positive action. Can it be turned around?

Over the past 20 years I have had the opportunity to listen to many lofty ideals regarding humanity and its spiritual direction. Much of this came from New Age chatter and eventually internet gurus. My own experience with humanity is that most are mentally lazy and prefer ego based reactive solutions. And that is the reason why we are probably not ready for a compassionate government. A compassionate government is based on the premise that each individual will take 100 percent responsibility for forward movement of the group. This is a replacement of the external god head with self determination. Laws are counter productive in a compassionate government because the premise is an expectation of aberrant behavior. In simple terms, you get what you expect. Laws are created by those who wish to control and this wish is due to their own fears that others cannot be trusted. Historically it has been fear which has ruled our little planet. And it would appear from what I can see, admittedly a narrow view, that it will continue to rule until we are ready to Trust. Replacing fear with Trust requires an intense amount of hard work and creative thought. The old world is gone, and all that remains is sweeping out the corners. Those of us who still require others to provide community harmony and operate on fear and paranoia are tied ‘to the illusion’. The illusion comes in many forms, and usually includes a belief that an external authority somehow controls our destiny (the god head). In short, most of us like the idea of self determination, but we always seem to qualify it with “I’m OK but you are not, therefore we need laws to protect me from you.”

The lofty net talk about ascension, transmutation and entering new dimensions is delightful to listen to, but few of us are really ready to handle the responsibility. It is easy to sit in the comfort of our living rooms and discuss the potential of mankind, however, it is quite another story to actually change our view from fear and paranoia to love and compassion. Until we are ready to Trust the Universe we are not going anywhere.

posted in Pagan - 0 replies

Celtic Myth Podshow

Ruthie — Thu, 29 May 2008 01:25:24 GMT

Hi all,

I apologise if advertising here causes offence but I am hoping that
the subject of this podcast will be of sufficient interest to the
subscribers to this list to warrant inclusion.

I produce the Celtic Myth Podshow (http://celticmythpodshow.com) which
is a free MP3 download and aims to tell the stories of Celtic
mythology to its listeners. We have started with the Irish
Mythological Cycle and aim to cover all of the Six Nations in the
series. The by-line of the show is "Bringing the Tales and Stories of
the Ancient Celts to your Fireside" which is the atmosphere we would
like to create. The old legends were recounted orally and only written
down in later years, so by hearing them told we are getting a step
closer to their original presentation and hopefull, meaning. That's
the theory anyway :)

You can find us on itunes or download/listen to the episodes on the website

I hope this is of interest to some

Thank you

Ruth

posted in Pagan - 0 replies

ordering supplies

Thu, 15 May 2008 05:43:34 GMT

So where do most of you order your supplies from? Or are you lucky enough to have a local shop with everything you need.

posted in Pagan - 8 replies

SunFest 08

schellin9 — Thu, 15 May 2008 00:55:13 GMT

June 19-22
SUNFEST—THROUGH THE AGES WITH THE NORSE: presented by Other Worlds of Wonder. This festival will be held near Lincoln City Oregon on the Selitz River. Come join us in celebration of the Summer Solstice. Event includes: A Solstice Ritual, Drumming, Dancing, Bon Fires, Workshops, Family Activities, and Merchants Village. We will be camping where it feels as though the Mother is holding you in her hands. Adults $60, less for children based on age. Please visit www.owow.org for further information and registration. This event helps to raise funds to purchase Pagan Land. OWOW is a 501c3 non-profit organization.

posted in Pagan - 0 replies

Stones?

Faedra — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 19:51:06 GMT

Hello everyone! I'm a dedicated stone witch and I have more rocks than I need! A few of my favorites are:

Amethyst- for peace
Lapis- for visions and endurance
Rutilated Quartz- as a focus stone
Moss Agate- for Grounding
Garnet & Onyx- for Protection

What are yours? What do you use them for?

posted in Pagan - 7 replies

happy beltane!

sweetmamadoe — Fri, 02 May 2008 01:48:42 GMT

it is raining here and i bought myself a new labradorite ring today. how was your beltane, me lovlies?

posted in Pagan - 5 replies

RIDE SHARE - Reclaimings EB Beltane From Sonoma County

CrossSidhe — Fri, 02 May 2008 03:50:07 GMT

Anyone wants to go to Reclaimings East Bay Beltane on May 3???

Info:

Come and join RiteHere (Reclaiming in the East Bay) for our annual Merry May Day ritual and picnic in Tilden Park complete with Maypole dance and cauldron leaping. We will celebrate love in all its forms as well as the sunshine, flowers and flourishing growth of the season.

Come at noon to make head wreaths, share snacks, and decorate the Maypole. Ritual starts about 1:00-ish and is very likely to be finished by 2:30 or so. Then we'll have a picnic, weather permitting. (Steady rain cancels; cool weather, misty rain, ritual is on but will be shorter.)

Children are very welcome, & bring your friends! L/G/B/T-friendly group. Dogs on a leash (park rule) welcome too, if they are happy waiting outside the Circle during the ritual. Restrooms nearby. Wheelchair *might* be able to make it with assistance if ground is dry, but no paved path-sorry!

Bring: flowers & vines if you've got them; food and/or non-alcoholic drink to share; your own re-usable cup, plate, & utensils; a blanket to sit on (remember grass may be wet); sunscreen & hat if necessary.

Location: Meadow next to parking lot at Lone Oak Rd and Central Park Drive in Tilden Park, Berkeley hills. Find Nature Area on a map-drive away from it on Central Park Drive, past Pony Rides on right, take first left turn onto Lone Oak Road, which goes into parking lot. Park. Look for our round yellow signs. Walk up grass right there by parking lot, see us at far end of meadow.

www.reclaiming.org/rituals/index.html

Please let me know ASAP!!!

Cross

posted in Pagan - 0 replies

Rowan Academy

RowanTreeCoven — Thu, 01 May 2008 20:26:12 GMT

Rowan Academy...
An interactive Pre-School/Kindergarten Program
Where a child learns to fly!
The Rowan Academy is designed to expose children to the many wonders of their world through interactive play and lessons using a solid educational foundation and a creative environment guiding their journey to discover the world around them. The Rowan Academy curriculum encourages freedom of expression, tolerance, values, exploration, and so much more! Our faith is important to us. Raising our children in an atmosphere of faith and tolerance is perhaps the greatest gift we can give them. By embracing the individual educational needs of each child, we can play an active role in producing the next generation of leaders. We believe that a child can learn to fly when shown how to use their wings. Support and encouragement is a vital stepping stone to every child while they learn to make choices and try new experiences.
We here at the Rowan Academy believe that one-on-one learning is very important to a child's development and growth. Our class sizes are limited to a maximum of 10 children so that a teacher can lift your child to his or her fullest potential.
We want you child to reach for stars!!! Rowan Academy will help them get there!! Ages 3-5 (Must be potty trained)
Reading & Language Arts
Mathematics
Science Discovery
Dramatic Play
Art & Music
Magick & The Nature around us
Our focus is making the process of learning fun and exciting.
Open to all families interested in a foundational program (ABC'S & 123's)
With an emphasis on Individuality, Openness, Creativity, and love.
A place where a child can spread their wings and fly!

Opening Fall 2008 (September)
For more information please contact Selyna Faola’n at selyna.faolan@yahoo.com or
come into The Rowan Tree at 33 N 3rd Street in Ashland, 488-5361
* Rowan Academy will never deny education based on religious, gender, racial, or other discriminatory practice. “All are welcome!”

posted in Pagan - 0 replies

Hello!

Sydney — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 23:19:16 GMT

Hello out there!
I am a newbie to this site! I just wanted to say hello to everyone here.

Peace and Love,
syd

posted in Pagan - 8 replies

New Tribe: Followers of the Celtic Way.

Michy ~ Phoenix of the Flames — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 04:54:02 GMT

Hi to all fellow Pagans.

I just joined tribe.net and have started a new tribe called Followers of the Celtic Way. As it has just started there isn't much to see yet, but I hope that will soon change. i invite you to have a look and I hope some of you will join for sharing of knowledge and experiences.

Blessings, Michy

posted in Pagan - 2 replies

Potion-Crafting

MacMorrighan — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 17:44:55 GMT

Hey guys, I am preparing a course/workshop for my own local/geographic Pagan community on a fascet of Witchcraft that is very near-and-dear to me, as a Witch: Potion-Crafting! My impetus, of course, is because it seems like a relatively "dying" Art amid contemporary Witches, as though they could somehow care less! I certainly don't note any Witches admitting to brewing their own potions; rather, they rely on another's formula, as if it's better than anything they could ever formulate! ("Bullocks," I say!) Hell, some so-called "Witches" have absolutely no desire to brew any Potions, while others seem to bastardize the important epithet of "Witch" by differentiating between the Witch that employs Magick, and those that do not: More and more I meet so-called "Witches" who have no problem employing this descriptor, but...they reject Magick, and state, "I'm not that kind of 'Witch'"! WTF?!

Anyhoo...I was hoping to create an open dialogue between myself and any Witches/Pagans that have either taught, or attended, any classes and workshops specifically on the crafting of Potions. I'd like to know what was taught, or what assignments tendered, etc. While I have several ideas for my own lesson plans and syllibus, I don't want to short-change my students in any way, and want to ensure that my course be as exhaustive as possible, and that I not accidentally forget to cover anything. Ya' know what I mean? (I'm very exhaustive whenever I write and research something. ) Although, one concern of mine, is not enough stove-space when brewig Potions during class... I was hoping to model it, in part, after my high school Home Ec. class and give various research assignments, etc., etc.

Now, I am aware that many teaching Pagans and Witches that are educators guard their knowledge anbd course-teachings jealously, I rather subscribe to the view that educators can learn from, and aid each other.

Personally, one facet I really want to investigate about Voodou is, hopefully, at an ethnographic level, herbs and offerings, and other "correspondences" that are dedicated to the Lwa/Orishas. For example, I keep hearing that bail and cardamom seds is dedicated to Erzulie-Freda, but not why. Now, if I state that sandalwood is associated with ganesha, and someone were to ask me why, I would point them to the appropriate academic or source material after saying that it was his mother, Parvati, who first formed the god from sandalwood paste.

All my best,
Wade MacMorrighan

posted in Pagan - 6 replies

Pagans of The Pacific Northwest

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 15:35:33 GMT

Is there any gatherings this summer on the Olympic Penninsulia. If not, Lets get one going.

posted in Pagan - 7 replies

Good morning

Sun, 13 Apr 2008 15:48:56 GMT

On this beautiful Sunday morning I ask myself am I really a Pagan. I practice Chaos Magick and I worship Mother Earth. Does's that qualify me? Oh yes, I am Salamander Minion of the Olympic Pennensulia in Washington State.

posted in Pagan - 22 replies

Am I Pagan?

Elisheba — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 00:13:39 GMT

I was once a Christian. I was happy with having a religion, but I saw many things about Chrisistianity that didn't make sense, and also that it didn't match a few aspects of my ideals. So, I couldn't truly be happy unless I ignored these things. In otherwords, following Christianity was a blind pursuit. I am much too curious a person to blindly except a belief I don't agree with. For this reason, I waited until I could leave my Christian family members and sort it out on my own. Upon entrance into college, I decided to take the time to decide through logic and personal experience what I did believe in. However, what I did was not to look at religion's beliefs and find out which sounds the most "right". Instead, I thought about the universe and what I know to decide the particulars of it. This is what I believe:
1. God = energy
2. Those who put a name face or story to this energy are merely creating (or finding) a visual representation of their ideals. Even if they believe that they can't truly see their diety, if they give any kind of representation (as with Jesus being the human representation of a God they can not see), that is the face of their ideals.<this is a belief of mine that is really about religion in general.
3. If God = energy, and energy = life, then God = life. Therefore, the more life is present, the more god is present, and god is most present either in the forest or in a large group of people.
4. Right and wrong is dependant soley on the individual and what is right and wrong for them, much like as though it were written in the genes (but perhaps not really, because it is not necessarilly determined by the genes of the parents). In otherwords, wrong is what an individual feels to be wrong. Guilt comes when people do things that they know is wrong for them to do. However, what is wrong for one person may be right for another.
5. A balance need not necessarilly be maintained on an individual level, but the choices of every individual help to maintain a global balance. There is no such thing as "bad" people or "good" people. Simply yin and yang. On a global level, each balances the other.
6. Also, as God is energy, one need only implore the universe (as the entire universe contains that energy) for help, and if you truly believe it is a thing worth asking for, and you are willing to do whatever it takes to get it, the universe will conspire to give you what you ask. Perhaps it will not be given immediatly, but it will be given.
All these things I have seen to be true, so I can say that this is what I believe. However, my question is this: is this paganism as I was told and I believe it to be, or is it another religion. If so, do you know what religion it is?

posted in Pagan - 6 replies

Need a New Moderator

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 10:49:04 GMT

Hi guys!

As most of you have noticed, I'm no longer active on Tribe these couple of months...uh, years?

I know there have been complaints, suggestions, and comments about this tribe and how it can be a better place for the Pagan community... for you wonderful folks! Unfortunately, I have been idle and away from the internet for a very long time. I feel bad for neglecting this tribe!

So here's the thing. I need someone who really is on here on a regular basis (not necessarily every day) to moderate this tribe. I don't know who is actually active (and responsible) here but I am going to let you all decide!

You can nominate someone you'd like to be your awesomely new moderator (a link to their profile would be helpful!) or you can nominate yourself(!) to run things here.

I will open this thread for a week and I will give this tribe to whomever gets the most vote!

I'm really sorry for not being around to take care of things lately but I surely hope that we'll have a better moderator soon!

With that, I wish you all the best and I hope everyone has a great week ahead!

Blessings,
Addy

posted in Pagan - 2 replies

Paganism and Suicide

mamagaea — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 23:55:31 GMT

I know this was just brought up, but I think it turned more into a discussion of whether suicide is a good or a bad thing and not what was originally intended (I believe). So, I would like to start a separate thread.

According to your personal beliefs, what do you think happens if one were to commit suicide?

My answer: You come back to repeat the life you just lived, having to come up against all the same obstacles you just went through, to work on getting through it again. (as in, do you REALLY want to repeat the life you just lived? I know I sure don't. I'd rather keep living and growing with this one, thanks. :)

Mama Gaea

posted in Pagan - 50 replies

Short Documentry of the Burning Times - A Must See

CrossSidhe — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 06:59:07 GMT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yp_l5ntikaU

Cross

posted in Pagan - 16 replies

who here believes in monsters?

Wanderingwolf — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 17:35:33 GMT

real ones, real werewolves, real vampires, real evil life-sucking brain eating monsters? anyone? i do. i beleive in all of them, and in a lot more, met a few, kind of hard not to believe in the walking undead when hes slobbering over your shoes. ZOmbies? happens al the time, got a friend from Haiti, talks about it a lot, hardcore christian, beleives his faith keeps him from being Zombiefied, i wouldnt know maybe it does, but ive seen medical reports of things that are REALLY freaking weird. ive met people with extra parts, and with a few less than normal. i beleive in monsters , but the scariest ones dont look like anything scary, they look like JOe Schmoe, ordinary guy, wife, kids, life of the party, then he goes out and tortures somebody in a shcck for a month, slowly, till he dies, horribly. THOSE are the ones id like to go away, the creepy critters? hll they can stay all they want, they liven up the place. SO.... anyone else got any stories?

posted in Pagan - 31 replies

Manhood and the masculine divine

Wanderingwolf — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 18:16:13 GMT

Thoughts?
What are some good masculine deities? and what makes them good and why?
which MAle God best represents, ( to you) all the best qualities of Manhood?Why? and what are HIs qualities that make Him this way?

posted in Pagan - 5 replies

Beltaine In the Grove Deadline to Register April 10, 2008

Seanachai — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 06:36:51 GMT

Merry Meet! Time is running out, but there is still space available to register for Beltaine In The Grove! Registration closes on April 10, 2008. If you have checked out our website, www.beltaineinthegrove.org thanks for your interest! If not, check out what we have going on for Beltaine. The festival is on private property in the Columbia River Gorge area- about 2 hours east of Portland (OR). We will be camping, having workshops that include Practical Magic Correspondences, Astrology, Archery, Belly Dancing and more. There will be a Maypole with Dancing and choosing a new May Queen along with a fantastic Main Fire and Tantric Temple too!
FYI If you have registered as a USER at our site and plan to join us, be sure you REGISTER for this year’s festival as well- alas it is a two step process- but will be streamlined next year. Any questions, please let me know. I can be emailed directly at Seanachai@beltaineinthegrove.org.
Merry Part,
Seanachai of The Oak Cauldron

posted in Pagan - 0 replies

Introduction

Volva — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 14:50:25 GMT

I just joined this tribe and wanted to say "hello." I'm the Volva, a Kansas City-based seidkona exploring the intersections of Celtic/Northern European/Wiccan/Pagan/Magickal/Buddhist/Heathen spirituality (and some other things that don't fit into tidy categories that can be summed up in a word or two). Looking forward to getting to know more about all of you through your posts.

posted in Pagan - 4 replies

An Inconvenient Truth Presentation

WizardsAura — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 20:21:46 GMT

Other Worlds of Wonder Sponsors
An Inconvenient Truth Presentation
By Official Presenter Ezra Eckmeyer
Sunday, March 23rd @1 P.M.
Multnomah County Library, Midland Branch
805 S.E. 122nd Avenue Portland, OR 97233
Raise your awareness, and discuss strategies each of us can be involved in to address global warming.

This is a fund raiser for Pagan Land
Donations gladly accepted
Questions owoworg@hotmail.com or visit www.owow.org
OWOW is a federally recognized 501c3

posted in Pagan - 0 replies

wickerman burning - a new burn in south central PA

~em — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 18:25:03 GMT

www.wickermanburning.org

check it:

I wanted to let everyone know about a new burn, and I am part of the planning team for it, so my opinion is biased!

The burn is "Wicker Man," to be held Thursday through Monday, Memorial Day weekend; and we have a setup weekend, the weekend before. We are trying to lay the groundwork that will grow into a full-on burn, with an amazing site, roads for art cars, a $4,000 art grant budget and plans for a stupendous effigy.

We will be using Four Quarters as our site, which has the rep as one of the most edgy and progressive non-profit camps on the east coast. They have given us their full support for Wicker Man. Four Quarters has a piped water system, hot showers, flush toilets and of course port-a-potties. Buried power lines for their bio-fueled camp generator, a covered stage and three swimming holes. Lots of camping under tall trees and out in the sun too. And 2 miles of gravelled roads. Four Quarters is located 100 miles west of DC and Baltimore, just off I-68.

We want to develop a burn that is art focused and will support big art. And one that has a vision of the future of burns that is sustainable, ecologically responsible and leaves behind a small foot print. Thus "Wicker Man;" the old celebration of the Green Man and Green energy. We already have over 20 theme camps and art projects registered, and we are just beginning our announcements. We plan to have three "Theme Towns." "Sound Town," where we can run sound all night long, like the Gaian MInd psytrance festival held at Four Quarters. "Sin City" down along the river, a cure for what ever ails you. And "Center Circle," a place for nature and spirit; held inside the amazing stone circle at Four Quarters. (Yes, there is a circle of standing stones and they are BIG!)

And then there is the Man. Planned at 35 feet high our man stands on a round Temple to the Spirit of Fire, a big enough room that you can enter and place your own art and offerings to the burn. The roof of the temple is a deck upon which stands the Man, and people can stand too.. His belly is the Upper Temple, with room for just one person at a time. Each of his arms will hold a flaming fire pot, and we hope, will move as he burns. This is a huge project and we are looking to get as many people involved in his construction as possible. Ground breaking for the Man is Friday, May 9th, and then the next two weekends until he burns.

I could go on and on, but our web site is up, with the first design drawings for the Man, pictures of art grant projects and theme camps. We have a list serve / forum too. So visit the web site at wickermanburning.org for much more info.

"Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust,
Wicker Man Burning, In Fire We Trust."

posted in Pagan - 1 reply

RITES OF SPRING XXX

Martin — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 21:41:41 GMT

Rites of Spring is one of the oldest running Pagan events, held Memorial Day weekend in a stunningly-beautiful mountaintop retreat in Western MA.
It’s an awesome event and rather than repeat everything that’s already been put out I would encourage you to take a look at the website.

www.earthspirit.com/ros/index.html

Come celebrate with us at the 30th annual Rites of Spring!!!

posted in Pagan - 0 replies

This is serious

Odellin — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 15:22:53 GMT

I don't know if I am the first one to bring this up, but they are trying to get 'In God We Trust' in the schools. I want to try and get together some petitions or lists of names or something of that nature of everybody you can think of who will fight against this. We need to do something about it before they start teaching that instead of evolution, god created everybody. I'm not trying to be extreme and I know it sounds like I am, but this country has come so far because of the freedoms that we have, once they are taken away (and believe me they will be once this happens) then we will literally be screwed. So please if anyone can do anything, or start getting people to sign against this please do, we need to nip this in the nose before it spreads further than it has.

posted in Pagan - 50 replies

Beltaine In The Grove Registration Now Open!- A new NW area Festival!

Seanachai — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 05:23:40 GMT

Merry Meet! Anyone whom is interested in a fun, magical ritual and camping festival for Beltaine, check out our site, www.beltaineinthegrove.org.
We are a small group of family and friends whom have been working magically speaking for a number of years and have wanted to do our own Beltaine, and now we are. We would love to have others join us and meet more of our community at large. This is a traditional Beltaine with dancing the may pole, a May Queen and May King- with all the trappings and cavorting that entails! As this is a new festival we need more musicians, drummers, dancers, fire eaters, contortionists, and anyone else whom wants to join. This is also "family" oriented where children may come (with a parent/ guardian), but the celebration at the Main Fire, Bardic Circle and Tantric Temple can go on through the night! We welcome all faith/ religious backgrounds, gender assignations, sexual orientations and any other category you may identify with, so long as you are respectful of others. Questions? Interested? Check it all out at www.beltaineinthegrove.org.
Merry Part,
Seanachai of The Oak Cauldron

posted in Pagan - 0 replies

Halloween Haunted House - Input wanted

Serenity — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 23:55:27 GMT

Greetings all!

A group has come together to create a haunted house for Halloween with a decidedly Pagan theme and purpose. Our meetings have begun already as we are taking this project very seriously, and having a blast doing so!

We have run into several questions from our first meeting, and we figured, lets ask our community.

Location is a primary concern. We are figuring (large ballpark, so to speak) between Beaverton and mid southeast Portland, possibly warehouse space, but are willing to entertain any and all ideas/suggestions we are given. We have decided that inside would be best, and are also researching the cost for rental of a facility to keep us and the visitors out of the standard Oregon rain, rain, rain that the season brings.

If anyone has previous experience either working in or setting up of a haunted house, or general fundraising of this sort, we would love to hear from you! I am new to such things myself and would love to speak with people who have greater or more specific experience than I.

We will begin actively recruiting volunteers to assist in scaring the living daylights out of people and/or joyfully playing with children soon. If you have any interest in volunteering, please let us know.

Respectfully yours,

HHHCommittee

My apologies if you have been forced to read this more than once. I am posting on multiple tribes so we receive the maximum response.

posted in Pagan - 0 replies

Waking Dream seeks giant puppet builders and performers

James — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 19:47:25 GMT

Waking Dream, the performance company that has brought giant puppets to Starwood for the last five years, is seeking artists interested in helping us build and perform new work at this year's Starwood, and at other regional gatherings this summer.

Experience not necessary, however we are looking for people who have confidence making things and performing in front of people. Must be will to challenge ones self and be willing to perform in bizarre, sometime uncomfortable costumes.

Our studio and workshop is located in Greenwich, Connecticut, about 45 minutes from New York.

www.wakingdream.org

posted in Pagan - 0 replies

money spells?

sweetmamadoe — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 16:56:07 GMT

anybody know any good ones?

posted in Pagan - 4 replies

My Website now has a full functioning auction site for you to use

sacredgoddess — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 07:56:02 GMT

Thank you to those who have supported me and have visited my swap page.
Because I realized it was not full service enough, and required me to be involved, I now have a fully functioning AUCTION page you can use. AND IT IS FREE....all you have to do is list and be sure to blog it or network it to others.
Its all yours..my gift to all of my fellow Tribers who got me off to a webstart!!
I have posted my blog but will post the url one more time
www.sacredgoddessonline.com
go to the auction link under other realms or you can also go the bellydance page and link from there. I will still have the swap page going..so dont worry..it is still up..
www.bellydancerswap.com

totally thrilled, and with your help we can network and keep this free auction site going!!
thanks again guys..
Sandy

posted in Pagan - 0 replies

Gay Witchcraft and Sex Magic workshops In Wales, the spiritual home of the Craft

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 10:26:05 GMT

Hi folks and Merry Meet from the Celtic land of Wales; the spiritual home of the Craft and all pagans. I'm not sure whether my workshops at the HomoMoot (Copyright 2007) may be of interest. They are held once a month here in Wales. The website has more info' www.sorchartarot.com/homomoot

Blessed Be.

Julian.

posted in Pagan - 0 replies

Pagan Memory Day

cornel — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:37:07 GMT

Check out this online petition:
http://www.petitiononline.com/24feb/petition.html

I think these folks have a great idea!

Bottom Line: the proposal is to make Feb. 24 "Pagan Memory Day". This is the date on which, in the year 391, the Emperor Theodosius issued a decree that made it a crime to even LOOK AT a Pagan Temple or statue. Paganism had suffered from varying degrees of persecution since 312 - but until Theodosius' decree of 391 there was still some ambiguity in the legal status of the Old Religion.

Here is another link devoted to the idea of a "Pagan Memory Day":
http://paganmemoryday.blogspot.com/

posted in Pagan - 6 replies

Magick - By Rowan Canterbury

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 13:53:30 GMT

Spinning and spinning; unseen and forever sought out, magick is that which is ever present yet always elusive.

An eternal seduction that dances before some; yet hides when entrapped by rules and conditioning; magick is that which blesses the unsuspecting innocent.

Contrary to popular belief, magick is not always large and loud. Sad is the individual whom looks only to the bold and beautiful, the supposed powerful and dominant. Mislead are those that seek to control it, rather than sway like a sleeping lover in it's warm cradle.

You see, magick is one and all living things, seen and unseen. It is the reality of chaos and the denial of ignorance, all in the sound of a single drop of rain.

Magick occurs in the dreaming mind that has exfoliated consciousness, to leap naked and alive in the universe without flesh

Every action of every day of every reaction and every consequence murmured percussion is laced with the iridescence of magickal influence. The night, a reflection of silence and balance when the world sleeps and one is free to welcome time and illuminate the soul with the moon and light the way of wonder.

Like faith, it can't be written in one document, it can't be contained in one mind. Just as the cosmos is ever expanding and shifting to allow existence to grow, thus ensuring the continuing eruption of life.

Those whom study it, study eternal. Those whom seek it must learn first that in the finding, one only has to open one's unconscious eyes. See the flight of a humming bird, know the strength of a tiger, feel love, understand where hate comes from and how it will darken your center. Appreciate every breath, respect each diverse form of life, become aware of the tides of the natural world.

Understand that magick never stops, even when you choose to ignore it. It is all evil and all good and it is thus in the mind of the user. It slingshots like a winding spiral to return to it's source, either enhancing or destroying, based on the origin of it's conception, as all energy in the natural world exists in an eternal cycle.

Understanding magick is hearing the symphony of creation and playing your part with all your heart and soul, adding to the mystical beauty of the never finished overture.

..:

posted in Pagan - 2 replies

Pantheacon - Roommate?

juana — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 10:37:16 GMT

If anyone attending the SF Bay Area based annual conference needs a roommate and has already reserved an onsite room
please email me :).

The hotel is already sold out and I prefer to stay onsite if at all possible.

posted in Pagan - 0 replies

Brigid's Cross materials...where to find?

Arun-once-was-ZyGoat — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 01:27:10 GMT

Greetings!
A group of us who are organizing an all-night dance celebration for Imbolc at the Crystal Temple here in Portland are going to make Brigid's Crosses to decorate the space. I have not made them before and am curious as to where or how to acquire the reeds or bullrushes or other materials traditionally used. Any suggestions?
Anyone know where these may be harvested, or if that is not possible, purchased?
thank you and blessings.

posted in Pagan - 1 reply