Friendship Moon

Nut's Day
LuniSol - Moonth 10, Day 2
Metonic - Year 13, Lunation 207, Day 15
Dreamspell - Blue Self-Existing Eagle (4 Men) - Kin 95
Mayan Tzolk'in - 9 Lamat (Yellow Solar Star) - Kin 48
Mayan Ha'ab - 11 Mol

Full moon in sidereal Aquarius

On the Friendship Moon, we hang out with our friends. You can sit around and talk about what friendship means to you and to society, but it's probably a lot more fun to spend time with people you like and care about. - Moon Phase Astrology by Raven Kaldera.

I miss my cousin. And by cousin I mean a close family friend. She's JW and can't (won't) speak to me because of the religion. She used to always watch my kids. She has kids of her own that I don't even know.

I miss my sister-girl, my kids' godmother. Hopefully she will be here in the States for our high school reunion. I went to see her in Denmark this summer. We sat and chilled and had a good ol' time. We talk via Facebook and call each other occasionally due to the long distance charges. She's the type of friend that I can call after months and we will pick right up like we just chatted yesterday.

I miss my sister. We used to karaoke all time. She's not baptized but she won't friend me on Facebook because of all her more important JW friends.

Thank goodness for the Internet. I've met lots of folk that I wish I could meet in person. Witchy folk, exJW folk, techie folk, Trekkie folk, Buddhist folk. Nice to have people that understand what you are going through. The 'net has also opened me up to different viewpoints. I associate with folk that I would be forbidden to if I were still JW.

Tell me about your best friend or your circle of friends.

Pagan Blog Post - R is for Reincarnation

Growing up JW, I was taught to believe that the "dead are conscious of nothing at all." (Insert bible scripture here.) So when you die, that's it. No heaven, no hell, no purgatory. But there's hope of a resurrection after a whole bunch of stuff happens. This created some questions like, what if you die by fire? What about stillborn babies? What about aborted babies if you believe life begins at conception? JWs do not believe that the soul is separate from the physical bodies; if you are alive, then you are a living soul and if you are dead, you are a dead soul.

I'm not still sure of my views on reincarnation. I now believe that the physical self is different from the spiritual self. When I was JW, it was never fully explained how Jehovah would resurrect the dead. People would get a new physical body like Jesus apparently did. But this still didn't make sense. What about what makes me, me?

Buddhism
Some Buddhists believe in reincarnation; other believe in rebirth. These two concepts are not the same. Reincarnation implies that the soul or spiritual essence (what make you, you) endures and inhabits a new physical presence when the current one dies. Rebirth is when the "background noise" of the soul moves on and takes with it all karmic residue of the previous lives. At any rate, there is no holding place. As soon as you die, you are immediately reborn or reincarnated. Based on your karma stores, you may not even come back as human or even in the same realm that you are in currently.

Paganism
Some NeoPagans / Wiccans believe that the soul goes to Summerland which from what I understand is some sort of waiting room. What Summerland looks like is anyone's guess but it's not good or bad; it just is. Souls that are done reincarnating stay there for eternity and assist other souls returning to the land of the living.

There is conflicting information on whether the ancient Egyptians believed in reincarnation. They certainly believed in the afterlife.

Science
Well science doesn't exactly support reincarnation but hear me out. Energy cannot be created nor destroyed. It merely changes its form. This is a known and accepted law of physics. It is also proven that the human body produces energy. The brain has electric impulses. Our memories are formed via electrical impulses and a whole bunch of other stuff that I'm not going to get into.

Since energy cannot be created or destroyed, what happens to the energy when our physical body dies? For the purpose of this post, I'm defining this energy as the soul. OK, so we have a lifeless physical body and a soul that is now homeless. Where does it go? Ah, the age old question. I like the idea of a holding place (Summerland) but I can't reconcile my essence going into another body without any prior knowledge of my current existence.

So, I can't say that I personally believe in reincarnation but my beliefs are constantly evolving. I do believe in an afterlife but beyond that, I have no idea.

Blue Moon

There's an upcoming blue moon tomorrow. Some of my pagan friends are doing something extra special. I don't think there's anything particularly special as I'm getting away from using the calendar month. Here are some definitions of blue moon:

Literal
A literal blue moon occurs when the (not-necessarily-full) moon looks blue due to dust or other foreign objects in the atmosphere. One may see this type of blue moon after a volcanic eruption.

Seasonal
This blue moon occurs when there are 4 full moons in a season. Equinoxes and solstices mark the beginning of the season. The 3rd full moon is the blue moon.

Calendar
The modern definition is the 2nd full moon in a calendar month. It really isn't all that rare; it happens about every 2.5 years or so. It is this definition that is used for tomorrow's full moon.

Zodiac
If you're into astrology, the zodiacal blue moon is the 2nd of 2 full moons in the same sign.

Regardless of which blue moon you prefer, all full moons are magical.

PS I wonder why new moons aren't as special. If so, what would they be called?

Pagan Blog Project - Q is for Quantum Physics

Yesterday's magic is today's science.

There are two sets of laws that govern our universe: the laws that explain the happenings in the universe at large and the laws that explains what happens at the subatomic levels.

Definition of Quantum Physics
Also known as quantum mechanics or quantum theory. As said above, QP explains what happens at the subatomic levels. It's also responsible for the parallel universe and multiverse theories. Are you familiar with Schrödinger's cat? A theoretical cat is placed in a box with poison. Until the viewer actually opens the box to see the cat, QP says the cat is both alive and dead. (I'm simplifying this thought experiment; read the link for a better explanation.) QP provides for nearly "anything " to be possible. Every possibility exists until the event has occurred. In other words, just as it is possible for the winning mega millions numbers to repeat themselves in two consecutive drawings, the Quantum universe when applied beyond the sub-atomic level says it is "possible" though unlikely to smash a coke bottle into a brick wall from afar and have all of the shattered pieces land in such a way as to reassemble the shattered pieces.

QP and Witchcraft
When I told my hubs about witchcraft, he told me about QP. I was amazed at how much sense they both made when applied together. What we see as solid objects are energy patterns densely packed together. QP  says that an event's outcome depends upon the expectations of the observer. The observer has direct influence over the outcome.

A spell is cast in the same way; for example, the wording for a new job spell is "I have a new job," not "I will get a new job." Most witches agree that details such as tools, potions, time of day, moon phase, etc. are extras. The most important part of the spell is the intent of the caster. If you have a bad attitude or do not truly believe the spell, it will not work or it will not have the outcome that you wish.

Are you a witch who is fond of science? Do you feel that science complements your witchcraft?

Special thanks to my hubs for some of the scientific content. Maybe one day he will write an entire post!

Executioner's Moon

Ra's Day
LuniSol - Moonth 9, Day 23
Metonic - Year 13, Lunation 207, Day 8
Dreamspell - Yellow Planetary Star (10 Lamat) - Kin 88
Mayan Tzolk'in - 2 Imix (Red Lunar Dragon) - Kin 41
Mayan Ha'ab - 4 Mol

1st quarter moon in sidereal Scorpio

On the Executioner's Moon, we remember all the times we have done things to "get back at" someone. Perhaps we feel that our actions were justified; perhaps they taught a good lesson; perhaps they were simply wasteful hatred. In retrospect, how might we have handled the situation differently? - Moon Phase Astrology by Raven Kaldera.

At a former job, I asked a coworker to do me a favor. The bus was coming and I wanted to leave to catch it. Well, she refused even when I explained to her that I had to get the bus. About a week later, she must have forgotten her refusal because she asked me to do her a favor. "Nope", I said and kept on about my business. Perhaps, I could have done the favor anyway with a "you owe me" attached to it.

Feel free to share your vengeful moments *evil laugh*!

Quarter Call

This was posted by Jen at Chasing Domestic Bliss for the Pagan Blog Project. I thought it was beautiful so I'm reposting it.

As the sun rises in the east we call the properties of air to form the circle Fly to us on Raven wings 
As the sun warms the south we call the properties of fire to form the circle Travel to us on a sun ray, warm us as you warm the snake 
As the sun sets in the west we call the properties of water to form the circle Swim to us with the noble turtle 
As the sun sometimes never sets in the north we call the properties of earth to form the circle Run to us beside the majestic polar bear 
As our center shines with our internal sun we call the properties of spirit to form the circle Bind us together with the grace of nature's energy 
the circle is cast, we are between the worlds, blessed be

Apprentice's Moon

Thoth's Day
LuniSol - Moonth 9, Day 19
Metonic - Year 17, Day 4
Dreamspell - Yellow Rhythmic Seed (6 Kan) - Kin 84
Mayan Tzolk'in - 11 Caban (Red Spectral Earth) - Kin 37
Mayan Ha'ab - 0 Mol

Waxing crescent in sidereal Virgo

On the Apprentice's Moon, we learn new skills, polish old ones, work in groups (especially with handcrafts or with people who are all learning a new skill together), and in general educate ourselves. Any class or workshop will do, so long as it teaches something useful...This is also a time for developing discipline and good habits. - Moon Phase Astrology by Raven Kaldera..

Sun Child's Moon

Ra's Day
LuniSol - Moonth 9, Day 16
Metonic - Year 13, Lunation 207, Day 1
Dreamspell - Red Electric Dragon (3 Imix) - Kin 81
Mayan Tzolk'in - 8 Ix (White Galactic Wizard) - Kin 34
Mayan Ha'ab - 7 Yaxkin

New moon in sidereal Leo
Kemetic lunar leap month Djehutet

During the Sun Child's Moon, we concentrate on creativity in any endeavor, and we try to reattain that childlike confidence of the era before we became conscious of the criticism of others. It's also a good time for people who are not performers...to tentatively get up on stage and try their best. If we can neither create nor perform, then the task is to focus on feeling joy and on spreading that joy to others by whatever means we have. - Moon Phase Astrology by Raven Kaldera.

I'm pretty creative, I suppose. My poetry book is still waiting to be written though. I've always wanted to perform one of my original writings at an open mike. I'm a member of my local UU church's choir. For an introverted person, this is a big step.

What creative skills or talents do you have?

Pagan Blog Project - P is for Pyramid

Ra's Day
LuniSol - Mooth 9, Day 9
Metonic - Year 13, Lunation 206, Day 24
Dreamspell - White Solar Wizard (9 Ix) - Kin 74
Mayan Tzolk'in - 1 Manik (Blue Magnetic Hand) - Kin 27
Mayan Haab - 10 Yaxkin

The pyramids that we are most familiar with are more specifically called square pyramids. The base is square and the 4 remaining sides are triangles. A perfect pyramid or golden pyramid has a slope equal to phi (golden ratio) or 51° 50' on each side. The Egyptian pyramids have a slope that is very close to the golden ratio.

Ancient pyramids were the tombs of pharaohs. Some say that the ancient Egyptian received help from aliens or time travelers to help construct the pyramids. Who knows? However, modern science has proved that they are build to exact specifications. The north-south axis of the Great Pyramid of Giza is aligned to true North; it is off by about 2 1/2 minutes. Pretty accurate to be working with primitive tools, eh?

I plan on getting my pyramid corners from Precision Pyramids. There is a handy guide at this site to align your pyramid to true North to harness the magical powers. Once aligned properly each side not corner will face a cardinal direction. Hubs will be able to get the wooden dowels to complete it. I want to put it in my backyard. Won't that freak my neighbors out!

Sopet Rising aka Wen Renpet

Blessed Wen Renpet! (I'm not sure of the proper greeting.)

Wen Renpet is the 1st day of the Egyptian solar new year. Ancient Egyptians used the heliacal rising of Sopdet / Sirius to predict when the Nile would flood. The next new moon (8/17/12) is Tepy Renpet, the 1st day of the lunar new year.

Lord's Prayer - pagan version

I did NOT write this but I think it is absolutely awesome.

Our Mother whose body is Earth

Hallowed be thy 10,000 names.

Thy Queedom come, our wombs be one

As women, let us Remember!

Give us each day food to nourish

And forgive us our trespasses,

As we strive to heal ourselves and the planet.

Lead us unto Your many pleasures

And deliver us from oppression.

For Thine is the wisdom, the power and the beauty

For ever and ever!

So mote it be!

revised by ~Heather Kohser 2012 (copyright)

Help me find this song

I've transcribed most of the lyrics. Sadly Google is not helping. If there is a way for me to post the mp3 file, let me know. It is a gospel / r&b song by a group of ladies with the rap done by a guy. Song title may be "I'm Free."


Chorus:
I'm free, I'm free
so glad I'm free
from the pain and misery
from the chains that were holding me, oh!


I'm free, I'm free
so glad I'm free
never thought that my life would be so beautiful
I'm free

what was I supposed to do
I was hurting and so confused
so I figured I should talk to you
cuz I thought that you showed me what to do - I
really didn't wanna live
I had nothing else to give
but you showed me a brighter day
came into my life and now

I'm free, I'm free
so glad I'm free
from the pain and misery
from the chains that were holding me, oh!

chorus:
I'm free, I'm free
so glad I'm free
never thought that my life would be so beautiful
I'm free

I used to think that I had some friends
but they turned their backs again
they laughed at the pain I'm in
here we go again
but I kept on prayin'
I didn't know what to do
but you came and you pulled me thru
just in time and now I say ???

chorus:
I'm free, I'm free
so glad I'm free
from the pain and misery
from the chains that were holding me, oh!


I'm free, I'm free
so glad I'm free
never thought that my life would be so beautiful
I'm free

bridge:
without you lord I can never be eternally free
I'm so incomplete
I know I can ??? as long as you stay in my heart
never be apart

rap: (not transcribed yet)
Chorus x 2

5th Kemetic epagomenal day - Nebt-Het/Nephthys

Nebt-Het is a funerary goddess. She assists the dead by being their companion through the various stages of the afterlife. Although some myths has Nebt-Het as childless, in others she is the mother of Anubis.

4th Kemetic epagomenal day - Auset/Isis

Auset is one of my favorite goddesses. She is the goddess of motherhood among other things. Her name means throne and her headdress depicts this. Auset is well-versed in magic. A famous statue of Auset shows her and her son Horus the Younger which was Christianized into Mary and Jesus.

3rd Kemetic epagomenal day - Set/Seth

Set is one of the darker gods. Some think that this is where the notion of Satan came from. He killed his brother Wesir due to jealousy. Set is the god of storms, desert, darkness, and chaos. Set is depicted with a composite animal's head (known as the Set animal) and a human body.

2nd Kemetic epagomenal day - Heru-Ur/Horus the Elder

 

Heru-Ur is a sky god sometimes pictured with a falcon's head. The picture is known as the Eye of Horus; Horus' right eye is the sun and left eye is the moon. His consort is Hathor. In some legends, he is the twin brother of Set.

1st Kemetic epagomenal day - Wesir/Osiris

Today is Wesir's birthday. I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do. For right now, the fact that I'm aware and acknowledging it is good enough.