Sunday, August 24, 2014

Wheel of Wonder August 24 2014

Susan Griffin writes in "You are where you live:  How the sky, rain, geography, and cultures of our place shape us." an article she wrote for YES! magazine in 2013:  "....not just forests and rivers but songs are part of what defines a region..." (January 30, 2013, full article also at yesmagazine.org)
The idea that we as Humans are somehow above, beyond, or "Masters" of nature because of our innovative ideas on how to extract more resources by machine, or shape the immediate landscape of our surroundings is , I think , a very flawed idea that I'm exploring on Wheel of Wonder today.  Last week on the broadcast we discussed the idea of the Garden as perhaps not just a place in your yard or "territory"but an idea that can inspire creativity, love, and compassion in our minds.  A state of Gwynedd, as some druids may say (the garden of Gwynedd in this case not as just a physical place, but a state of spiritual and fully engaged awareness for the beauty, mystery, and spirit of the natural world), that can be shared with other members of society at large.  It has occurred to me, many others like Susan Griffin, and many indigenous minded people that part of what is keeping people from this ecstatic state of being, part of what is causing people to feel a sense of frustration and powerlessness is the artificial boundaries we've allowed those who would hold power over others to put between our different cultures, ethnicities and our place in nature, i.e: not owners of it, but children /creations of it.  Or as an earth spiritualist would say "children of our mother, the earth." 
Reflecting on this idea we may well see that this artificial separation is what allows wealthy corporations or individuals (the two being distinctly different things) to treat people so badly putting profits before people, displacing workers and destroying environments.  It is only by co-creating a global culture that affirms life and life-sustaining endeavors that are good for all people that the cycle can be disrupted and the future for all life on earth can be improved.  We have all the power we need to do this as modern, awakened humans capable of compassion and cooperation, but these innovative models must be created by all of us.  In nature that which contributes prospers, whether its fixing nitrates for plants, controlling populations of prey animals so they don't become ill or weak, and disrupt the balance of nature, while still supporting its own existence.  That which cannot adapt to fill a useful purpose (in humans this may well be those who produce no real goods for the economy, say stock market big shots and loan traders) expires.  We are at that tipping point now, it is up to the majority to be resilient and work on creating a better world that is cooperative and life sustaining. A clue:  I think this is best done through love and compassion for other Human beings, while still not allowing excesses to continue.
The picture above was found on the website natures-blessings.org


Monday, August 11, 2014

Greywolf not coming to Olympia

Philip Shallcrass aka Greywolf, founder of the British Druid Order is not going to make it to Olympia this time.  He's had a very busy agenda since arriving in Seattle at the beginning of the month and needs some rest.  The elder Druid will join me on Wheel of Wonder soon though for a full length Interview, so keep watching this space.  All the best to Philip, to hear more about his visit and his viewpoints check out his facebook posts and his blog.

Greywolf , from his blog: Greywolf's Lair

Sunday, August 10, 2014

Wheel of Wonder August 10, 2014

Esbat!  The full moon ritual.  Many modern pagan traditions, often of Wicca or Witchcraft, celebrate the Full Moon and the energy that it is believed to bring with it through ritual and adulation.  At the time of this writing we are within this energy.  The Full moon for August 2014 is today, the 10th of August. Some describe this as the Full Moon in Leo and will say that personality aspects traditionally associated with the astrological sign of Leo are especially strong at this time.  On our Druidic Moon Calendar this would be the Hazel Moon.  From the perspective of the Ogham Hazel stands for wisdom and creativity, so these attributes should be especially strong at this time. That is interesting considering that we are shortly past Lughnasadh, the sabbat of the first Summer harvest. If you see harvesting not only as gathering the fruits and vegetables that are now ripening around us, but also as applying what you've learned this year to improving your life and the lives of others(harvesting your wisdom), follow through with that and you'll see how the change of the seasons and the energy of this month's moon have a place in your life.


Speaking of Lughnasadh, or Lammas, I was invited to attend a public Druidic ritual yesterday facilitated by a Gorsedd of the British Druid Order.  This particular ritual was special because Phillip" Graywolf" Shalcress, head of the BDO was visiting from the UK and was of course, present at the ritual.  What a great learning opportunity!  I'm hoping to have Graywolf on Wheel of Wonder as a guest today, and he is also available to speak in Olympia Tuesday of this week.  If you are one who ever wondered about modern Druidry, I hope you'll have occasion to hear him speak.  Watch this blog, and with luck, his Facebook profile to learn more.  Thanks for checking out wheel of Wonder!

The pictures to the left are entitled Lughnasadh Moon Maiden and Lughnasadh.  the latter inspired by John Barleycorn.