Wheel of Wonder November 28, 2010

This week on Wheel of Wonder we'll be talking about the Benandanti. Often characterized as an Agrarian Cult from Northern Italy; an area called Friuli; in the North easternmost corner of Italy. The Benandanti, or "Good-Walkers" are a group of Shamanic Dreamtravellers whose Beliefs are based on travelling during Equinoxes, Imbolc and Samhain, and Catholic "Ember days" as Spirit Warriors against the Malandanti, and other Malicious Spirits to protect the people in their community and assure the health of the crops that support them. Many Benandanti are said to exist in Baltic, Germanic and Slavic areas too, and it is believed that the legends from that region of the Benevolent Werewolves are actually stories of the Benandanti who travel the Spirit world and this world, in the form of Wolves. Of course, as always, we will also listen to great independent music. This week on Wheel of Wonder!

The picture to the right was found on DeviantArt and is in Ink and Pencil and created by Artist "Komodo Vista" the artist calls this picture "Benandanti Elite"

Wheel of Wonder November 21, 2010

This week on Wheel of Wonder we'll be talking about Urban Paganism. Often on Wheel of Wonder we speak about belief systems and philosophies that are believed to get one more in touch with nature and the natural cycles of the world, as well as advancing the spirit. Often I've spoken of Sacred Groves, Harvests and the rural living of the ancients. Truth is 40% or more of the Earth's population lives in cities and if current trends continue, that number is likely to increase. Honestly, most neo-pagans live in the urban environment as well. So how do the modern Pagans cope with living so close to the rest of Humanity, in an artificial environment separated from Nature by steel and concrete? Perhaps there's a different way of looking at the City in a spiritual fashion? I'll share writings from Neo-pagan and modern Druid sources this week that address just that. Also this week, we'll be having an Interview with musical, storytelling guest Celia Farran, a woman who herself has gone from Country Living to City Living and kept her spirituality intact. I will also try to fit in some information about the increase of green spaces we are seeing in American Cities these days and its effects on personal spirituality. This week on Wheel of Wonder!

The picture to the right is of a rooftop garden in present day Chicago, there is an Evergreen Alumni who has been working on rooftop garden projects in Chicago and elsewhere since graduating from TESC!

Wheel of Wonder November 13, 2010

This week on wheel of Wonder we'll talk about The Hunt and The Harvest. Are these two expressions for acquiring food products of the Male Polarity for "The Hunt" and the Female Polarity for "The Harvest?" Many people Pagan and not Pagan alike have very strong opinions about whether Hunting Animals is Right or Wrong. Well, its not the intention of Wheel of Wonder to resolve that debate. Personally, I'm glad that people are discussing it. Although I'm not a Hunter myself, this week we'll be trying to look at it from a unique perspective of Pagan Myth, History and modern sustainability culture. The Harvest of course, has a brilliant energy as well, one has to get food from one of these ways or another, or perhaps even both!

This week we will also hear new Music from Pegasus (The filk award)winner Heather Dale, and from Dolmen. We may even have KAOS "all strung out" DJ Bridgit in the Studio to add her energy to the Journey! This week on Wheel of Wonder!

This weeks picture is a photograph of the Hunter's Moon from the a great blog The Domestic Pagan, check it out if you can.

Wheel of Wonder November 7, 2010

What is this Pagan thing about anyway? This week on Wheel of Wonder we will focus on debunking misrepresentations of the Pagans by some of the more outspoken extremists of Monotheism past. Additionaly I'll share my observations on the real, not fantasy horrific actions and motivations of Modern Pagans. We'll also speak about the Wheel of the Year , as the Celtic New year has just begun. This week will also include new Music from Damh the Bard, Sharon Knight, and a new artist I've recently seen perform: Celia Ferran. Please tune in this week for Wheel of Wonder.

This Beautiful Golden Pentacle was created by Bradley W. Scheck, see more of/about his work at this link

Speaking of All Soul's Day and Samhain...

Happy New Year! I hope you all had a Super Samhain! Samhain, or All Hallow's Eve (Hallowe'en) is considered the last day of the Celtic Year, and begins at Sunset on the 30th of October. I realize I was negligent in not posting about the Taibhsear tunes of Samhain. It was a busy day of get togethers and artistic expression. I attended Strowler's Night in Seattle's Magnuson Park and had a simple performance of my own to attend to. Strowler's Night featured Sharon Knight, Tricky Pixie, Celia, and Alexander James Adams (Faerie Tale Minstrel), in a solo set as well. You can link to all of these Artists from here see "Artist Links" to the left. Strowleres Night also offered an opportunity to meet Independent Film Makers and see lots (and I mean LOTS) of attractive young women and strapping young men engaged in Fire Dancing and the swinging of flaming swords at one another (come to think of it both the young men and young women were strapping and attractive, and yes, in a good way). I hope there will be more Strowler Night events in the future!

On Wheel of Wonder I shared Ghost Stories and Tabhsear Tales with all the early morning listeners (well, unless they were catching the stream somewhere else in the world on kaosradio.org), with better results after that pesky gremlin got out of the computer machine. I also held a live interview with Paula Randall from the Bards of the Koad.

To feel the vibe of last week's Wheel of Wonder seek out these songs (this was the playlist):

All Soul's Night by Loreena Mckennit from The Visit

Holly Lord by Spiral Dance from Woman of the Earth
Samhain Eve by Damh the Bard from The Hills they are Hollow
November by Faun from Totem
Grimspound by Damh the Bard from The Hills they are Hollow
Danse Macabre arranged by Pascal Roge from The Work of Saint- Saens
Ancestor Chant by Sharon Knight from Songs for the Waning Year
Ornaments of Gold by Siouxie and the Banshees from Peepshow
Oracle by Gaia Consort from Vitus Dance
Spirit by Autumn Tears from The Hallowing
Watching you Without Me by Kate Bush from Hounds of Love
The Search for Lost Souls(Midnight) by Louisa John Krol from Alabaster
My Immortal by Evanessence from Fallen
Queen of Heaven by Sharon Knight from Songs for the Waning Year
Chu Chulain Set by Spiral Dance from Over the Nine Waves
Death's Illusions by Louisa John Krol from Alexandria
Spirit World by Douglas Blue Feather from Sacred Space
Ancient Mother by Bards of the Koad
Numbers by Bards of the Koad
Phoenix is Rising by Bards of the Koad
Hopeful People by Bards of the Koad
Shaman's Death by Terrel's Magic Flutes from Kokopelli: The Indian Legend
Lament by Priscilla Hernandez from Ancient Shadows
Prayer for the Dead by Sharon Knight from Songs for the Waning Year
Your Soul is a Lantern in the Dark by Wendy Rule from Guided by Venus

Picture to the right is an entry from Elfwood by Jade N Bengco. See more of her art here (do you see his Tork? I've got one too!)