tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33258356286181068992024-03-13T14:37:40.240-07:00Wheel of WonderAiring Sunday mornings 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time on 89.3 fm KAOS Olympia, Washington. Now also on Radio Free America at www.radiofreeamerica.comRadio Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11033369437287014534noreply@blogger.comBlogger201125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325835628618106899.post-41687567437968707242020-04-12T08:41:00.000-07:002020-04-12T08:43:06.032-07:00Wheel of Wonder April 12 2020<div style="text-align: center;">
"Reflecting on Animism"</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">"Animism encompasses the beliefs that all material phenomena have agency, that there exists no hard and fast distinction between the </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirituality" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Spirituality">spiritual</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> and physical (or material) world and that </span><a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soul_(spirit)" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Soul (spirit)">soul</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> or </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirit" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" title="">spirit</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> or sentience exists not only in humans, but also in other animals, plants, rocks, geographic features such as mountains or rivers or other entities of the natural environment: </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_water_deities" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration-line: none;" title="List of water deities">water sprites</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">, </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vegetation_deity" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Vegetation deity">vegetation deities</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">, </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_tree_deities" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration-line: none;" title="List of tree deities">tree sprites</a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">..." (Wikipedia, because, why not?)</span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTX4oQu7w5vaPeS1cczXw11XPBb-aIi3MFNuTbxGre4fRKUCRuNaWylHUM8xKShkQbwtQtOTHx91xWSZ9gfQaiD0AVRAXOX9g0JS8CEVZMicjxK6CydHLw7FiqMyBuTgqOWSxUXLBBClAc/s1600/Coleus+Plant+Spirit+Photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="285" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTX4oQu7w5vaPeS1cczXw11XPBb-aIi3MFNuTbxGre4fRKUCRuNaWylHUM8xKShkQbwtQtOTHx91xWSZ9gfQaiD0AVRAXOX9g0JS8CEVZMicjxK6CydHLw7FiqMyBuTgqOWSxUXLBBClAc/s400/Coleus+Plant+Spirit+Photo.jpg" width="222" /></a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">Another aspect of Animism lies in the idea that there is a divine intelligence at work in nature, and in the universe. When modern neo pagans speak of Mother Earth or Gaia it is often from a belief that the Earth spirit manifested is an entity one can feel, connect with and interact with. Interestingly, scientific discoveries about the interconnectedness of life cycles and biomes also attribute an amazing ability for nature to keep everything in balance as well, almost as if it were operating with a divine intelligence! Hmmn.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">Today on Wheel of Wonder the focus of the journey will be not on the christian holiday (surprised?), but on the interface, the interactions of the nature of Humans and the importance of plants to our lives, our mental and physical health, and our livelihoods. I don't know if quarantines where you are, designed to protect you from the potentially savage intelligence of a mysterious virus, allow you to get outside and walk beneath o among the green, through the desert, or along the shore, but perhaps the musical mindflight of Wheel of Wonder will help you connect with nature from a place of safety and comfort.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">As celt pagan artist Mickie Mueller observes in her intuitive description of the resonance of the Ogham power Ngetal (Broom or Reed) "Shelter the Spirit with the power of Hearth and Home ,and allow harmony to shelter body and mind" (from "Voice of the Trees" Tarot companion book p.81, by Mueler)</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">The Coleus to the right is a photograph from plant Shaman Howard G. Charing. check out his blog <a href="http://www.shamanism.co.uk/developing-and-exploring-your-connection-to-the-consciousness-or-spirit-of-plants/">here</a></span></span></div>
Radio Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11033369437287014534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325835628618106899.post-63115235301853092722020-04-04T22:54:00.000-07:002020-04-04T22:54:41.918-07:00Wheel of Wonder April 5 2020This Sunday on Wheel of wonder we'll journey through the music of dreams, the dreaming, and stories of the sidhe. Dreams create their own realities. The dreaming is the place where some have said the Shamans go to heal and help their people. As Robert Moss says in the introduction to his book <u>Dreaming True: How to dream your future and change your life for the better</u> "In our dream travels, we not only enter other times, but other dimensions where we may encounter spiritual sources of insight and healing. In big dreams, we may be open to a higher guidance we screen out in the midst of our hurriedor ego-driven agendas. The guidance may come from a dream messenger--an angelic being, a departed loved one, an animal guardian--or direct from the Source. We might call this the Higher Self. I sometimes think of this spiritual source as the God we can talk to."<br />
May the dream music help you find insight as well<br />
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The picture above is called Fairy Dream Symbol from the website dreamstop.com, and appears to have been created by Stephen KleinRadio Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11033369437287014534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325835628618106899.post-48863216203514812732020-03-28T23:55:00.004-07:002020-03-28T23:55:37.835-07:00Wheel of Wonder March 29, 2020This week's Wheel of Wonder will be all music. It will be music that celebrates the spring equinox, living in balance and even rebirth (Alban Eiler, the Druids would call it) but it will be all music. I'm planning to work narration in as pre-recorded Wheel of Wonder episodes continue, so stay tuned!<br />
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Radio Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11033369437287014534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325835628618106899.post-21708274994700541642020-03-22T08:45:00.002-07:002020-03-22T08:48:19.500-07:00Wheel of Wonder Ostara 2020During this time of caution related to curtailing the spread of the Corvid-19, "Coronavirus" Wheel of Wonder will not be broadcast live on KAOS 89.3fm. KAOS functions out of The Evergreen State College, an institute of higher learning, where one can earn a Bachelors of Arts or Bachelors of Science degree, it also offers a couple of Masters degree tracks. But as with many colleges in America, it closed for a time until the threat of catching novel coronavirus passes. So, its time to revisit the old blog, dusty as the strings of my harp in the upstairs art studio, and connect with some of the people who may have followed this blog in the past or might decide to start reading it now if they have spare time on their hands. I'll be creating MP3s to send to KAOS so they can run pre-recorded Wheel of Wonder episodes.<br />
Beyond all of that, it is still spring! I can sit in my little garden and watch the Tulips, Daffodils and Hyacinths come in to bloom. I can watch the bluebirds, chickadees, and squirrels build their nests, and find their mates. Crows and Seagulls voices still carry across the wind.<br />
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Nature has a way of balancing herself and with 7.5 Billion people on our Earth, we might just be witnessing part of her process. But we still are compassionate and caring people with a free will of our own, and we are at a crossroads, do we choose fear, or do we choose to care for each other through the challenges before us? Perhaps its a balance of both? We keep ourselves safe, with social distancing,very regular hand washing and exemplary courage and compassion for a time, as we work towards a world, even towards cohesive government policies that help us to take care of the sick and ill. Then, this too shall pass. Spring equinox is all about balance and the beginnings of a new life. Blessed Be.<br />
----Radio Ray<br />
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The picture above is a place I like to call Fearn Duir in the foothills above the southern tip of the Salish Sea. Nature spirits and Salmon wisdom are found here.Radio Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11033369437287014534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325835628618106899.post-29418136736944798602018-02-04T10:37:00.001-08:002018-02-04T10:37:11.213-08:00Wheel of Wonder Imbolc 2018Our ninth cycle around the Wheel of the Year! I like Imbolc as a time of new beginnings and a time of confirming one's intentions. Every ending is a beginning though when turn with the cycles of the year. This year I intend to continue Wheel of Wonder. Since the inception of this show we've passed the great shift of 2012 (some say this brings us closer to the age of Aquarius) some say this is the time when we move closer to the Christ Consciousness (Consciousness of Compassion) because we Humans are evolving as a species. I think the work of the 21st Century is to learn how to survive and thrive cooperatively. We have reached astounding levels of technological and industrial mastery, that may have been the work of the 20th century, unfotunately it may have also ushered in the Anthropocene era, where we as Humans have more impact on the natural world than she can recover from through her normal cycle of death rebirth growth in nature. Universal truth though: Climate change doesn't care about us, it is a result of our hubris. Perhaps the great Mother does not need Human Beings, over millions of years she's had many children, we are just the latest generation. We need the great Mother and from a pedestrian, non-spiritual perspective, we need to learn how to live in tune with nature, even in an Anthropocene era. It is what keeps us alive. Money seems to be a tool for things, but if there is no food left to eat, or clean air and water left to drink and breathe? We cannot buy what doesn't exist! May our Inspired, Informed, Awareness bring us into a world of peace and health beginning this year. The great work of the 21st Century has begun!<br />
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Above are Imbolc inspired pictures: "Aquarian Awakening: The Perfection" and 'Santa Lucia'<br />
re postings of pictures we've used before in this blog happy Candelmass!<br />
<br />Radio Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11033369437287014534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325835628618106899.post-312213568354716242018-01-21T11:12:00.001-08:002018-01-21T11:12:12.575-08:00Wheel of Wonder January 21 2018Sometimes it seems we Humans are all part of an interconnected web of life, but as individuals we find ourselves in a false dichotomy where we believe we can't be both an individual and part of a whole. Perhaps then the true dichotomy is that we are all separate threads in a greater tapestry of life.<br />
Most of us individually want a sense of personal autonomy, we've seen this reflected in the countrywide women's marches of the USA just yesterday, part of the motivation seems to have been Mr. Trump deciding to decrease funding to planned parenthood, under the mistaken idea that all they do in that organization is give women abortions. Planned Parenthood actually is focused on family planning and educating women about their choice to be or not to be a Mother and how that can be facilitated. The going idea seems to be, at least with the Trump administration that women aren't allowed to choose whether or not they become Mothers at any particular time, whether this is completly true or night is beside the point here. It comes across to the women of America, and their allies that the US Government is not respecting their personal autonomy. Though this may be less about the Government than about the influence of the Catholic Church, which has a long history of not respecting Women's personal autonomy. I do not gender identify as a woman so I can not speak much more about that and still feel that I'm being respectful to my friends, relations and sisters Pagan or otherwise and what they have and do go through as individuals of female identity.<br />
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Picture above "The Dancing Muse" from Wiccan Together, a website that seems to have been taken out by a computer virus.<br />
How has the desire for independence revealed itself in the past? Especially among the historic cultures I am co-opting nothing to talk about, as they are part of my ancestry. For many hundreds of years Ireland and Scotland fought hard to retain their independence from England. For cultures connected to the land they live on, this could be understood as a matter of autonomy and their rights to traditional lands, not so different a dynamic than rights to the body when you are that connected to the land. What pushes one to act? How far will people allow things to go before they say "enough is enough!" How far would you go to protect the land you call home? This is pertinent to the 21st century and is what we explored today on Wheel of Wonder. Profit seeking economies or person serving economies seems to be what this comes down to these days. Long ago the Scots had their heroes affectionately known as William Wallace and "The Bruce" These days though, we have to be our own heroes as we learn the meaning of courage while still understanding the efficacy of firm non-violence, so as not to just depose one dictator for another. This is one of the largest challenges I think we face in this 21st century, this perhaps, <i>anthropocene</i> era.<br />
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Portrait above Robert the Bruce from the historic website <a href="http://www.ancientpages.com/2016/10/13/robert-the-bruce-mighty-king-of-scots-and-great-scottish-hero/">Ancient Pages</a>Radio Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11033369437287014534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325835628618106899.post-75373804215249654972018-01-07T10:50:00.000-08:002018-01-07T10:54:31.220-08:00Wheel of Wonder January 7 2018As we prepare to take another Journey around the Sun, some of us cannot help but wonder "Is this the year we learn to walk in balance? Balanced between masculine and feminine, balanced between human needs and natural systems?" Looking at the political movements across the global landscape is this the beginning of a time of balance between socialism and capitalism? Neither economic system seems capable of staying just and sustainable if let alone to go all the way to its ultimate expression, both outcomes would seem to be tyranny. For the health of humans and our home planet it seems we must remain vigilant and strong, yet open to some change. We seem to be in an <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthropocene">Anthropocene</a> era, which does not mean we have finally conquered nature, no, Mother Nature will remind us not to give way to hubris: flood, fire, freezing, forming hurricanes are still real possibilities to remind us we are not omnipotent, regardless of our scientific advances.<br />
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Perhaps this year will be another step towards transformation and balance. If we as Humans work together, empowered by that which has <i>inspired</i> us, <i>informed</i> through our new, and ongoing scientific discoveries and achieving <i>awareness</i> of each other's challenges through Compassion and Empathy truly amazing things can be done.<br />
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<i>INSPIRED INFORMED AWARENESS is my wish for all in this new year</i></div>
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May light and hope guide us on our journeys, and blessed be.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A fine wheel of the year/interconnected world image from The <a href="https://thecelticjourney.wordpress.com/the-celts/wheel-of-the-year/">Celtic Journey</a> website</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<i> </i>And a link to a wonderful video, related, but not quite the same composed/created by one <u>Melody</u> <u>Sheep</u> at this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGK84Poeynk">Link</a></div>
Radio Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11033369437287014534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325835628618106899.post-60192599466015347242017-12-31T10:47:00.003-08:002017-12-31T10:47:42.814-08:00Wheel of Wonder December 31, 2017We've made it through the longest night, the wheel of the year turns and we head back into the light...<br />
This is a time to harvest the fruits of your labors over the past year, speaking in terms of Pope Gregory's Calendar anyway. The Celtic Calendar had the new year beginning at sunset on Samhain.<br />
What have you learned over the past year? What seeds of community or self-improvement (or both, at the same time)have you placed in the care of Mother Earth and your place in this reality? Or, the next one you intend to go to? All Humans have the will and skill to design their own destiny. As the Gregorian year ends and a new one begins I try to be like Janus, looking both forwards and backwards in time from the present to plan for the future. What good works will we see completed this year, what works have met completion in the passing year? What works will you do? I hope to keep working on Wheel of Wonder, learn from the past, help and share with my fellow earth beings in the present, while planning for the future. It seems so very important for all of us to focus on conserving and sustaining our global ecosystem. This is the lifeforce that supports our bodies, that keeps the Human species alive. May you have a fruitful and fulfilling 2018. Blessed Be.<br />
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<br />Radio Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11033369437287014534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325835628618106899.post-73749009283517744672017-12-26T11:32:00.000-08:002017-12-26T11:32:02.567-08:00Wheel of Wonder Reboot December 24th 2017Hello my friends and fellow travelers on the wheel of the year! The Wheel of Wonder is still turning, I am still broadcasting out of KAOS (kaosradio.org) Sunday Mornings PST (7am - 10am for the time being). I haven't posted for a year?!? WTF? I think the American texters say. Here's to holiday hopes and cheers that this will change in the coming up year. It has been a busy and beautiful year! I worked many hours, every week, nearly every day, but the occupation kept me outside, in nature all the time. Sometimes building new trails through state and national public lands with hand tools, large and small, sometimes walking among the Elk herds, or tending indigenous oak groves, sometimes preparing for and protecting people from the ravages of floods. On occasion I would even do Naturalist Interpreter work ,or even educational outreach, about shellfish, shellfish harvesting, and the hidden and adaptive lifeforms thriving on these cold northern beaches. And of course there was the National November Novel Writing Month Challenge (my third book). Thanks for listening to Wheel of Wonder and look for more posts here in the new year.<br />
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<br />Radio Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11033369437287014534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325835628618106899.post-13607852463011235692017-01-29T10:24:00.002-08:002017-01-29T10:27:25.633-08:00Wheel of Wonder January 29, 2017<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Imbolc is
traditionally the great festival and honouring of Brigid (Brighid, Bride,
Brigit), so loved as a pagan Goddess that her worship was woven into the
Christian church as St Bridget. She is a Goddess of healing, poetry and
smithcraft. She is a Goddess of Fire, of the Sun and of the Hearth. She brings
fertility to the land and its people and is closely connected to midwives and
new-born babies. She is the Triple Goddess, but at Imbolc she is in her Maiden
aspect.</span><br />
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<![endif]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Imbolc,</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>it is the
promise of renewal, of hidden potential, of earth awakening and life-force
stirring. Here is hope. We welcome the growth of the returning light and
witness Life's insatiable appetite for rebirth. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">It is time to let go of the past and to look to
the future, clearing out the old, making both outer and inner space for new
beginnings</span>.</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6EeSUjgZxyGH7LXktSfpPn3gldSir4hGBrYU-H-e2gmZmARm49YC1S68WqYQH4tP_crgxPM_OIKBHcMIYt8NCz2v8kzCm19XyDfCaBy41FwVru11o6iTNONxEiAHXRAou9GY2rWMzE3AK/s1600/Ostara+by+Druids+of+the+Order+of+Aspen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6EeSUjgZxyGH7LXktSfpPn3gldSir4hGBrYU-H-e2gmZmARm49YC1S68WqYQH4tP_crgxPM_OIKBHcMIYt8NCz2v8kzCm19XyDfCaBy41FwVru11o6iTNONxEiAHXRAou9GY2rWMzE3AK/s320/Ostara+by+Druids+of+the+Order+of+Aspen.jpg" width="233" /></a></div>
Beautiful picture above from the Druids of the Order of Aspen. (May be an OBOD seed group?) Imbolc reminds us that the desire to burn away the cold and depression of winter and of disappointments is always just under the surface and ready to burst like new life that triumphs over the slow death of a cynical viewpoint on the world. Connecting with the spirit of Imbolc helps us to become more than a pale shadow of our former selves. Instead, we can be an embodiment of all our best aspects of courage, character and inspiration, we can become an active participant in our world.<br />
Happy Imbolc! (February 2) <br />
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</span>Radio Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11033369437287014534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325835628618106899.post-41698983106897746952017-01-22T10:50:00.000-08:002017-01-22T10:50:05.632-08:00Wheel of Wonder January 22, 2017I don't actually know if its actually "The Trump Era" in the United States, but many people in this country are disturbed by what they think the newly inaugurated President will do. Well, in the sense of US History, we've been in situations were unjust laws and viewpoints have been held by people in powerful political positions. These "eras" cast long cold shadows over many people's viewpoints, and in some cases a instilled a fear in them that action would be taken against them just because of their personal identity or genetic ethnicity. The people who faced these fears stood up to them, organized against them and made some advances towards a more ethical and just society. It seems that President Trump has inspired people into these sort of actions once again, though as Americans, we don't actually know what he is really going to do while he is in office.<br />
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To me it looks like a classic scenario of people forgetting they had a shadow side, a "darker side" and oppressing and ignoring it. A Millionaire TV celebrity and a cabinet of White Millionaire/Billionaires now holding positions in government. America, behold your shadow! Ignoring and choosing not to learn from what your shadowside tells you, rather than making it disappear, will eventually make it impossible to ignore, at that point it could potentially become a dominant factor in your life, or perhaps the life of your country? Our shadowsides seem to embody all that is flawed in our characters, but like a trickster tale, they are there to remind us what is wrong or ineffective in our lives and culture. Pagans and Spiritualists who spend time , usually during the dark time of the year between Samhain and Imbolc, doing shadow work honestly engage their darker natures and the spirits, gods, goddesses, and personas that reflect it. The trick then , as I understand it, is not to give in and become your shadow completely, but honestly consider and analyze what it is trying to tell you, so you can learn and improve your life. Do you sometimes feel selfish or greedy? Perhaps your shadowside is trying to tell you that you have not been taking care of your needs, monetary, material, and emotional well enough and you should give these more thought and plan actions that will help you to get these needs met? If you don't, quite possibly your concern about these things will begin to consume your time and adversely effect your work, your lifestylle, and your relationships. <br />This would be the shadowside "Taking Over" to insist it must be heard, wereas had one engaged these aspects, in an attempt to understand them and learn from them in the first place, they could be managed better and not become obsessions or social ills manifesting in one's life. As with death and rebirth, Winter and Spring, hope and growth waits beyond the shadows, but first we must journey through them. Many of these challenges we as a people can face together. Take heart in that brighter day joining us from the future and blessed be!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu_rzWCwfxjTViuTSQuSDD9pzG2l0ZWNOZamBwa7F8aUvRJ27Lzyg48JSozlg9bBpuNWII68oCmDUpNEKwRipT8oWQKVNO16Dpfb1y02DHyLAaP07w2GxEWjq3jVq98D8l168L9Y90uYc6/s1600/World+Tree+inspiring+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu_rzWCwfxjTViuTSQuSDD9pzG2l0ZWNOZamBwa7F8aUvRJ27Lzyg48JSozlg9bBpuNWII68oCmDUpNEKwRipT8oWQKVNO16Dpfb1y02DHyLAaP07w2GxEWjq3jVq98D8l168L9Y90uYc6/s400/World+Tree+inspiring+photo.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
This picture found at Pinterest, copyright free as of 1/22/2017, by all available information.Radio Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11033369437287014534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325835628618106899.post-9951531098550798422017-01-01T10:37:00.000-08:002017-01-01T10:49:52.781-08:00Wheel of Wonder, January 1 2017Following last post: I did indeed spend a great deal of time engaging nature, and the hills and forests I call home through the month of December. Back for the New Year (according to the Gregorian Calendar).<br />
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Those of you who listen to Wheel of Wonder, or follow the blog and live in America may well be concerned about the results of our last Presidential election. Honestly, some outside of America may be concerned too. The problems that anger Americans in this country full of fiercely independent minded people are addressed well in this YouTube <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSRUmRYrRLY">video</a> and no this is not the new President of the USA, but it is the message that's important and still pertinent, even after the results of our last election.<br />
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The dark half of the year is often viewed by Earth spiritualists as the time to honestly look at, and acknowledge our shadow selves. To understand and learn what our self-generated, darker selves really represent. It is advised by those who engage in shadow work that we listen to our darker selves and learn what negative traits we should be aware of , before through our ignorance, they grow into a controlling force that harms our peaceful co-existence. America, behold your shadow!<br />
This process of awakening is not about just the pain and fear we must work our way through and learn from, it is about taking action to keep the shadow self from continuing to control our lives. If we can learn from our darker halves, whether they be consumer, misogynist, colonial, or insensitive, acknowledge their existence, without embracing them as our identities, just another tool for learning who we are, then we can respectfully distance ourselves from these shadow aspects before they overtake our better selves and realities. If we refuse to acknowledge them, their power will grow, until we are consumed by them. Learn from your shadow, but don't let it control you. My advice is that we all consistently put forward our best effort to find our better Angels, to be as good to the Earth and other people as we are capable of being. Many current world leaders seem to be leading us the wrong direction, their views perhaps unduly biased by fear, power envy and greed. these are shadows we must acknowledge, but they don't have become the spirits that define us. We all can think, we all can plan and organize, we don't need our governments to do it for us. What kind of world do you want to experience in the course of your lifetime? What kind of a world do you want to leave for those who remain when you are gone?<br />
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Today is the beginning of a new year on many calendars. What kind of year do you want this to be? We are here, now, we are planting the seeds for future beliefs. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUzHOUPnQFqXvQtVHhJEogxV-79qO8MOUaO2vDvq5C-4dIh0czb-P2l413G3aZQ1VAh66XlF0_j0wJ9wyV8yrrcGMC5ueQ-Wrou2E99ybj5XSi6FXyxwJ9E7GL_raizk0QYvZ9FVq15fgL/s1600/winter-solstice-tree-gallery.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUzHOUPnQFqXvQtVHhJEogxV-79qO8MOUaO2vDvq5C-4dIh0czb-P2l413G3aZQ1VAh66XlF0_j0wJ9wyV8yrrcGMC5ueQ-Wrou2E99ybj5XSi6FXyxwJ9E7GL_raizk0QYvZ9FVq15fgL/s320/winter-solstice-tree-gallery.png" width="320" /></a></div>
I found this winter solstice tree image on a kids <a href="http://www.kidzworld.com/article/1623-winter-solstice">educational site</a> about the solstice.<br />
<br />Radio Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11033369437287014534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325835628618106899.post-10462636429701563212016-11-06T10:30:00.000-08:002016-11-06T10:32:44.766-08:00Wheel of Wonder November 6, 2016Everyone has a place they call home, and even as they travel many can feel it calling them back again. Some will change their place of living, or seek out their ancestral lands, move there. Most will still feel the call of the place where they defined themselves as people, its part of their identity. I think all places have a unique energy , a unique sort of song, that I think, is the voice of the Spirit of place. Perhaps that is what, in part inspires poetry and song. Yet there is still another level to the experience when we feel connected to that special place, because it is beautiful, because it is part of our life, it occurs when we step into stewardship, the honoring of that special place. Then we are required to be brave and all of our actions should be considered in terms of the impact we have on that place, and how other people feel about that place, how they are inspired to protect it. I think this is another step towards the deep Magick of being in relationship with spirits of place. That loving, yet incessant calling that brings us back home into a good relationship with nature, and through that compassion, helps our spirits to evolve and grow. Conscious evolution is one of the greatest benefits of living on this earth. Enjoy the forests, rivers, trees, sunrises and sunsets of the place you call home. Walk in beauty, live in joy, listen for the song of the spirits.<br />
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Earth my Body<br />
Water my Blood<br />
Air my Breath and<br />
Fire my Spirit<br />
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I am born of the Elements<br />
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Radio Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11033369437287014534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325835628618106899.post-12450678028851137132016-10-30T10:45:00.000-07:002016-10-30T10:45:08.721-07:00Wheel of Wonder Samhain 2016Ah yess.....hello again friends! My naturalist work, as you'll see listed in my profile, has kept me out and about, often in the wilderness, and away from the computer for any reason besides interpretive research and development. Now as we head into the dark time of the year, I look forward to adding to and updating this venue as the wheel of the seasons turns. Most people understand Samhain is the name of the original Celtic holiday modern Halloween is descended from. The costumes are similar to the mumming and guising traditions of people dressing as the sidhe, the spirits of the dead and often other faerie folks both seelie and unseelie (nice and not nice) in order to collect tributes and offerings in order to receive blessings or protections from the spirits of the fay. Further, food was often collected so you could invite the spirits of your ancestors to a Samhain feast if they were lost or suffering and to pay tribute to them for all the good things they brought to your family during their years of living.<br />
Mummers would sing songs, tell stories. show parlor tricks, or share prose as they traveled door to door to collect the tributes. Wouldn't it be nice to have "Trick or Treaters" come to your door on Halloween night and share something with you besides a "Trick or Treat?" I certainly don't feel deeply moved to give offerings for my protection or to honor fictitious superheroes or disney characters! Chances are if you have kids familiar with consumer culture you've already made offerings of money to the creators of these fictions.<br />
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Samhain is believed to be one of those times of the year when the veil, the separation between this world and the world of the spirits is thinner than is normal and a fine night for divining the future and connecting with the spirits of one's ancestry and of the past. This Samhain it is a night of the new moon, if one does new moon rituals, it may be easier to ask for help in achieving something through ceremony and magic! But don't get lost in the underworld or faerieland. Shamans and Druids may see Samhain as a night were it is easy to travel between this world and the otherworld, all or at least most should be sure to ground and center before attempting contact with the spirit world. It is a thrilling night for people who hold these belief systems close to their heart and spirit. Some will say it is the best night to confront your shadowself , hear its beliefs and understand it and how it can help you through your challenges in life, leaving you free through the coming new year to benefit from the wisdom of darkness, without allowing your darker side to overtake or overrule your better nature.<br />
May your beliefs lead you to wisdom and may your truth burn its way through the fog of confusion, continuing to light the along your journey. Blessed be.<br />
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First picture from elfwood. Second picture Samhain by midnightstouch both from <a href="http://www.deviantart.com/">DeviantArt</a>Radio Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11033369437287014534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325835628618106899.post-74427888884127481262016-08-21T11:27:00.001-07:002016-08-21T11:29:44.707-07:00Wheel of Wonder August 21, 2016Those who are three generations removed from their Irish or Scottish Roots and are living in another country are among the Diaspora. Diaspora are people who have been, or are fairly closely related to those that have been displaced from the Mother Country of their ancestors, and are living in other parts of the world. This usually comes from the ravages of War, a bad economy, or these days maybe a changing climate. They or their Grandparents had to leave the Mother Country or die.<br />
The Jacobite revolution played a very key role in the Irish/Scottish Diaspora experience. Unsurprisingly, so did Capitalism.<br />
The Jacobites and their Anglo-Saxon allies who wished to own other people's property declared it illegal for any non-Protestant to own property or hold Political office, and with the help of the Frenchman, William of Orange and his Army, successfully put down a rebellion against this law, and forcibly took the traditional property of the Catholic Celts and effectively destroyed the Clan and Tribe system of Scotland. The Highland Clearances in Scotland came out of these policies. Celts were considered a lesser race by the arrogant Anglo-Saxons, and generations of suffering have come out of this displacement.<br />
Those of us now in America, cast adrift from our ancestral, traditional and sacred lands, feel this most keenly. Many of us are spiritually drifting or lost as a result of it. We do not need these lands returned, we're Americans now with our own property, some of the time. The point of this observation is that Government sanctioned Genocide and property theft is not something that is done by whites to folks that aren't white, this is a recurring pattern across ethnicity, and across the whole of the Human Race. We as a Human race should stand together in spirit and action and say "No more of this!" Its been happening for many hundreds of years and its time we matured beyond it as we enter the Aquarian Age.<br />
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The picture above is a picture of the Famine memorial in Dublin, Ireland.</div>
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The Interview with Ginger Doss went well, She is an outspoken, strong, and deeply spiritual person. As of this writing you can still here Wheel of Wonder, and the Interview, on <a href="http://www.radiofreeamerica.com/station/kaos">Radio Free America</a>. check out her site and Music <a href="http://www.gingerdoss.com/">here</a>.<br />
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Radio Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11033369437287014534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325835628618106899.post-36012685634550888362016-08-07T10:52:00.004-07:002016-08-07T10:54:02.278-07:00Wheel of Wonder August 7, 2016The Harvest of Lammas: Transformation and Change<br />
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With Lughnasadh/Lammas behind us, until it returns again, the Wheel of the Year turns steadily along. How do we experience the first harvest of summer if we are not living the agrarian lifestyle? Perhaps it is in the changes that have occurred in our lives over the past and passing year? John Barleycorn is transformed into Bread, Mead and Ale through fire and pain, dissolution and transformation. That is the alchemy of the season. Perhaps the sacred fire of the burning wicker man, is also the fire of transformation, if we carry that idea, that energy within us, take it home from the ritual, if we attended one, it can inform our decisions for the up and coming year. I sacrificed to the wicker man. I sacrificed fear and aversion to change, I hope the sacred fire that I feel burn within me leads down the path of change. Not to end Wheel of Wonder and the Wheel of Wonder blog, but perhaps to deepen our mutual experience of it. Its a matter of facing changes in our lives with hope, or with fear, as we have free will the choice is always ours. That is the first harvest I've been feeling the presence of as this year draws to a close. I hope everyones life will see some improvements as we look forward to our further harvests and Samhain, followed by the darker half of the new year. I've heard the ancient Celts had always said the new day begins at the setting of the sun. We stumble through the darkness a spell, until the new light of a new day clarifies the experience that day has to offer!<br />
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Next week on Wheel of Wonder I look forward to interviewing Ginger Doss, Pagan Musician and Music Director for the Church of the Mind in Fayetteville. Check out <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNxYQq4G2mo">This Video</a> on YouTube if you'd like! Or visit her website via the sidebar.Radio Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11033369437287014534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325835628618106899.post-17090684217002007142016-07-31T11:11:00.001-07:002016-07-31T11:12:10.472-07:00Radio Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11033369437287014534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325835628618106899.post-85892176036312279392016-07-31T11:11:00.000-07:002016-07-31T11:12:00.052-07:00Wheel of Wonder July 31, 2016Happy Lughnasadh. It is the time of the first harvest of summer and the sacrifice of the god of the grain, the oak king. What wisdom do you feel you can harvest from your experiences this year? Have you felt the need to sacrifice anything for the greater good of yourself or your community? Or<br />
do you just love running around in the sun and eating wild berries? Many people experience this time of Lammas differently. In a way perhaps its all a first harvest, a harvest of experiences and memories. What are people but their memories within their physical bodies anyway?<br />
Lughnasadh is also a celebration of the bread and the death of John Barleycorn symbolized in the scything or harvesting of the grain. "John Barleycorn must die!" is so true if we are to see him as an embodiment of all the edible plants we need to harvest or transform into food so we can live. That's what John Barleycorn (An aspect of the god figure, the Green Man) sacrifices himself for, the continuance of Human life.<br />
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After he dies he heads to the dark underworld, to face his challenges, his kingdom, or pact, he made with the goddess before he can be born again. The underworld has oft been described in tales as the prison for the dead. Today on the Lughnasadh show of Wheel of Wonder we talk with a Druid by name of Moss, who works in prison Ministry. A clear and present darkness, or some may say "self-induced lease to the underworld," prison, where people must meet and defeat their personal demons to learn and rehabilitate before being born again. It seems an appropriate situation from which to see and learn the meaning of the Lughnasadh season. I am thankful to Moss who chose to sit and talk with me about his efforts, insights and victories as a person in Pagan Prison Ministry. Happy Lughnasadh!<br />
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<br />Radio Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11033369437287014534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325835628618106899.post-74942811483452389192016-07-24T10:51:00.000-07:002016-07-24T10:52:00.844-07:00Wheel of Wonder July 24, 2016Although the Wheel of Wonder blog remained quiet for June and most of May, Wheel of Wonder is still broadcasting weekly on KAOS 89.3fm in Cascadia. Summers can get busy. I hope you enjoyed many episodes. I'm just back from the road, staying at another Sea Turtle Sanctuary, as I often do in the Summer. Not much to report back about the hatching of baby turtles, unlike last year when 110 of the creatures crawled out of the sand beneath the light of their first full moon. As a Naturalist, I've been enjoying learning and sharing information about the beaches of the wild Pacific Northwest Coastline, most especially in the area of the Salish Sea.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZWyGJaPP34cLV0Ds_BMpJoc2NtHoAXrKFreGtSH4cKQ3Lo48h7H9tqOWBfjvtPzVcATNh2U7o-DoEWrI7M3L3__rafplnCsIN6RqILgSYqJ2eomiMJlWbZhxG-FBWliYOHKzPwd3KV1nh/s1600/Sea-Star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZWyGJaPP34cLV0Ds_BMpJoc2NtHoAXrKFreGtSH4cKQ3Lo48h7H9tqOWBfjvtPzVcATNh2U7o-DoEWrI7M3L3__rafplnCsIN6RqILgSYqJ2eomiMJlWbZhxG-FBWliYOHKzPwd3KV1nh/s320/Sea-Star.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB3KeDFRNAKVPNq11RMfntxB8RqioOFA0N8W44utGnzuy6-ks_L2y6vdf3bIxYj_JPKJxMxqaO0fQmmz1UGgiugwcCsWe_iyiSjwQXKW9O6JSRn_sVLqcVHYtRRVHDvMNRktwAAAFcc9Cz/s1600/Sea-Star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>The beaches of<br />
the Salish Sea<br />
appear very rocky, barnacle<br />
ridden and desolate. But they are an incredible cauldron of cold tides and<br />
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One can spend many hours exploring them. For an Earth Spiritualist, Ecologist, Biologist, or Bard, they offer many opportunities for stewardship and stories.</div>
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As the Wheel turns, we've passed the Summer Solstice, at which time I had the wonderful opportunity to join the local Sacred Fire Community for ritual. The theme of the evening was sacrifice. Sacrifice of bad habits and things that restrain you from becoming your best self and an asset to your community. As we move forward to Lughnasadh, this idea of sacrifice stays with me, through the dramatic reenactment of the death of the corn king, manifested in the harvesting of wheat and the baking of the bread and brewing of the mead. It also stands with me in the burning of the Wicker Man, the effigy that holds all the unwanted thoughts, going up in smoke. It will also drift through my consciousness in the falling of the Oak leaves to nourish the ground, though I realize I wont see the poetry of that dance until we are closer to Autumn. I hope your summer has been adventurous and educational as well, and may you find a fitting sacrifice of an old, bad habit to improve your life in the coming year!</div>
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Radio Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11033369437287014534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325835628618106899.post-12588444469854079042016-05-08T10:42:00.002-07:002016-05-08T10:42:52.148-07:00Wheel of Wonder May 8, 2016Today lets remember what Mother's Day was always intended to be about:<br />
In 1870 in the American States Julia Ward Howe created the "Mother's Day Proclamation" which was a call to women to engage in a day of protests against War and the Killing and the harm it caused their Sons and Husbands, and all others as a reaction to the losses of the "Civil" War.<br />
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<a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9d/Sarah_Choate_Sears-_Julia_Ward_Howe%2C_1907.jpg/490px-Sarah_Choate_Sears-_Julia_Ward_Howe%2C_1907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="File:Sarah Choate Sears- Julia Ward Howe, 1907.jpg" border="0" data-file-height="765" data-file-width="626" height="320" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9d/Sarah_Choate_Sears-_Julia_Ward_Howe%2C_1907.jpg/490px-Sarah_Choate_Sears-_Julia_Ward_Howe%2C_1907.jpg" width="260" /></a><span style="font-size: x-small;">Arise, then, women of this day! Arise all women who have hearts,<br />
whether our baptism be that of water or of fears!<br />
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Say firmly: "We will not have great questions decided by<br />
irrelevant agencies. Our husbands shall not come to us, reeking<br />
with carnage, for caresses and applause. Our sons shall not be<br />
taken from us to unlearn all that we have been able to teach<br />
them of charity, mercy and patience.<br />
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We women of one country will be too tender of those of another<br />
country to allow our sons to be trained to injure theirs. From<br />
the bosom of the devastated earth a voice goes up with our own.<br />
It says "Disarm, Disarm! The sword of murder is not the balance<br />
of justice."<br />
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Blood does not wipe our dishonor nor violence indicate possession.<br />
As men have often forsaken the plow and the anvil at the summons<br />
of war, let women now leave all that may be left of home for a<br />
great and earnest day of counsel. Let them meet first, as women,<br />
to bewail and commemorate the dead.<br />
<br />
Let them then solemnly take counsel with each other as to the<br />
means whereby the great human family can live in peace, each<br />
bearing after their own time the sacred impress, not of Caesar,<br />
but of God.<br />
<br />
In the name of womanhood and of humanity, I earnestly ask that a<br />
general congress of women without limit of nationality may be<br />
appointed and held at some place deemed most convenient and at<br />
the earliest period consistent with its objects, to promote the<br />
alliance of the different nationalities, the amicable settlement<br />
of international questions, the great and general interests of<br />
peace.<br />
<br />
Julia Ward Howe<br />
Boston <br />
1870</span> <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The photograph above of Julia Ward Howe came from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sarah_Choate_Sears-_Julia_Ward_Howe,_1907.jpg and was listed on that site: <span class="plainlinks" style="font-size: xx-small; line-height: 140%;"><a class="external text" href="https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/deed.en" rel="nofollow">This
file has been identified as being free of known restrictions under
copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights.</a></span></div>
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Radio Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11033369437287014534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325835628618106899.post-16058946177308791962016-05-01T10:34:00.001-07:002016-05-01T10:39:38.184-07:00Wheel of Wonder May 1, 2016As Spring returns, winter's quiet and reflective, relaxing lifestyle can get busy. I know mine does. We just finished up on our spring fund drive at KAOS community radio, and thank you to all the new and returning members that not only helped Wheel of Wonder reach its fundraising goal for the drive, but actually exceed it! Community without borders!<br />
<a href="https://img0.etsystatic.com/000/0/5124363/il_570xN.279106004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="https://img0.etsystatic.com/000/0/5124363/il_570xN.279106004.jpg" border="0" class="shrinkToFit" height="320" src="https://img0.etsystatic.com/000/0/5124363/il_570xN.279106004.jpg" width="254" /></a> If your involved in your community starting just after St. Patty's day, there seems to be an event every weekend. I think, for an earth spiritualist a new event occurs every day, because spring and summer are returning! Migrating birds sing their song from the trees reminding us there is more beauty in the world than just what we see in our friends, children's and partner's faces. Their faces surrounded us through the winter months, bringing a natural warmth to the inside of our homes and the planning of our lives. We love that. Now the sun shines down warming us outside as the greys, browns, and gusts of wind are replaced by a rainbow of blossoms, the emerald budding of trees and the songs of the birds. <br />
Today, is Beltane, a time to celebrate all the growth and fertility of
nature and the first shoots of seeds we've planted at the turning of the
spring and under the blessings of Bridgit's fire. The sun, he shines
down on us and reminds us of life's return. These rays of hope and life
brighten Mother Earth and we see her beauty even more clearly than
before. Happy Beltane! May your inner fire again return, as you walk
about surrounded by spring and summer beauty, feeding your creativity
and your passion to do the great work you have awakened on this earth to
do, and blessed be.<br />
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The picture above and to the right was found on Pinterest, but I could not find out who the artist was before the Pinterest "join now" filter blocked the view of my screen. Please let me know who it is and how I can reach their website if you know, so I can credit them. ThanksRadio Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11033369437287014534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325835628618106899.post-86316468673761123402016-02-14T10:32:00.003-08:002016-02-14T10:32:46.877-08:00Wheel of Wonder February 7 2016January gone already? The wheel keeps turning and now we've moved past Imbolc. Imbolc, February 2 is a day of recognition for the multifaceted Irish Goddess Bridgit, some would say the Triune Goddess Bride. Bridgit is often called the keeper of the sacred flame of inspiration, poetry, and spiritual transformation as well as the protector goddess of the newborn children, and the first maiden of spring whose influence in the people's lives grows stronger than the influence of the crone of winter, and this shows in the land with the warming of the weather and the beginning of the first early buds and sprouts coming out of the ground as we move into spring. Imbolc is also observed as a good time to renew one's vows and intentions for the coming year. As the Sun warms the world, more people leave their houses and have occasion to meet and greet other people and consider what sort of positive impacts they could have on one another's lives.<br />
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Shortly after Brigid's day is Valentine's day, on February 14th. Originally know as Lupercalia, it was a three day festival from the 13th to the 15th of February. Ancient Roman in origin, it celebrates the she-wolf goddess that nursed Romulus and Remus, the twin founders of Rome, before leaving them for a Shepard in the field so they could be taken care of and then go on to create the city of Rome. It is also known as a day to celebrate Faunus (Roman Pan), horned god of forests, plains, and fields. So not only can one honor Bridgit in February but the horned god as well, if they are so inclined. Lupercalia as a festival was preluded by a spring cleansing festival known as Februa, which is where the Romans got the name for February from. During Lupercalia ceremonies were done to ward off evil spirits and assure fertility.<br />
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Valentine's day in modern times was redefined into a holiday of romantic love in the 14th century. So I suppose, Male identifying and female identifying romantic love is a celebration of fertility in a way. Perhaps these days celebration of any romantic love, unbiased by gender identification is the way of the day. But it is interesting to see the origins of the holiday prior to the mythic martyrdom of the people by name of Valentinus under the Roman Empire.<br />
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The pictures above: Brighid is from the website spiritblogger's <a href="https://spiritblogger.wordpress.com/tag/celtic-goddess-brighid-blogs/">blog</a> and the picture of Faunus comes from <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/soelm69/faunus/">Pinterest</a><br />
<br />Radio Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11033369437287014534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325835628618106899.post-78073303303123774732015-12-27T10:58:00.000-08:002015-12-27T10:58:00.169-08:00Wheel of Wonder December 27, 2015The Winter Solstice has passed, and pleasantly, on the evening of the solstice I had the honor to co-facilitate a Solstice ritual at the local Unitarian Universalist Church. 60 people showed up! Its wonderful to now there are actually that many seekers wishing to learn and celebrate the old ways of Yule, the pre-christian holiday. I'm glad my friend Amy and I could facilitate the experience for them.<br />
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Today was also Freya's birthday according to a seasonal observance book I found. Freya: Norse Goddess of Love.<br />
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In the interest of stories at gatherings around the fire inside or out of the winter cold I was also thinking about the winter morris singers and dancers of England. Much like Wassailing, these singers will go door to door sharing their songs and plays in the hopes of some drink or food in exchange for their christmas cheer. It is said that if the Wassailing goes badly at a house they will sing intentionally off-key Christmas Carols in reaction to the situation.</div>
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One of the favorite plays of the midwinter morris revelers is the story of St. Michael and the Dragon done in fun and spoof by actors dressed as folkloric figures. In the story St. Michael (the sun god figure) will slay the Dragon (embodiment of winter), or in the process, St. Michael will be slain, only to be raised from the dead once again by the Faerie Doctor or other magics. Much like the folkloric sun god/green man figure.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLxdEqrv1M1NNrjTGxEGCzm1bpGa58KNknkd0xeE31xQDx26sZvl0PiO4ggBhVdHtrkxMiwflN8qbjlzkFndLzxrDvmd5jn9zkeWmxjYaSkttVwIMihhRHZyuyfOatmQBORLyiloRFLsAi/s1600/Winter+Folklore+Green+Man+and+Mummer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLxdEqrv1M1NNrjTGxEGCzm1bpGa58KNknkd0xeE31xQDx26sZvl0PiO4ggBhVdHtrkxMiwflN8qbjlzkFndLzxrDvmd5jn9zkeWmxjYaSkttVwIMihhRHZyuyfOatmQBORLyiloRFLsAi/s400/Winter+Folklore+Green+Man+and+Mummer.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Winter blessings to all!</div>
Radio Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11033369437287014534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325835628618106899.post-91568656855915924072015-12-13T10:49:00.001-08:002015-12-13T10:50:41.629-08:00Wheel of Wonder December 13, 2015Today is a triple day of festivities! December 13 is Santa Lucia day, popular in Sweden. If you ever wondered about the images you've seen of a young woman in white, or red and white with an evergreen wreath, crowned with burning candles on her head? She's representing Santa Lucia. The story of Santa Lucia is believed by some to be a christianized version of the story of Lucina, the sun goddess. Thalia Took writes: “Lucina is a Roman Goddess of Light, a Moon-Goddess
who is especially a Birth-Goddess, for when a baby is born it is brought
into the light of the world for the first time. According to the <a href="https://journeyingtothegoddess.wordpress.com/tag/lucina/"> blog</a> Journeying to the Goddess: “Lucina themes are banishing, kindness, charity, health and protection.
Her symbols are candles (light sources). Lucina means light."<br />
Today is also the beginning of the runic half-month Jera. The Futharc/Norse Rune Jera is a rune that represents the cycle of life. With this rune we see
that we must go with the flow of nature to obtain the goals we want.(info found on <a href="http://www.therunesite.com/elder-futhark-rune-meanings/#Jera">this</a> blog)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpRj8iOmoi-cqjqHWhgXrYNLapJhx3YwvgwGkMcZWtI0fYDDo7v0OVVmMERuXJkhs1ryO2GW67cTJFsw1PwzO19_CfZzTBpRxdCEnfOqFDAqiaPgQRiXR5ZhlLYjsGa5YaE-IdaMA4lsTU/s1600/Demeter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpRj8iOmoi-cqjqHWhgXrYNLapJhx3YwvgwGkMcZWtI0fYDDo7v0OVVmMERuXJkhs1ryO2GW67cTJFsw1PwzO19_CfZzTBpRxdCEnfOqFDAqiaPgQRiXR5ZhlLYjsGa5YaE-IdaMA4lsTU/s320/Demeter.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Also today is a day to pay homage to Demeter: Here is a prayer you can prelude your meal with by Dorothy Morrison to reflect that:<br />
<i>Great Goddess of the plants and Earth</i><br />
<i>Who tends the crops that fill its girth</i><br />
<i>We ask your blessing on this meal</i><br />
<i>and honor you with the turning of the wheel </i><br />
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<span class="partial-question-content-image-attribution-label">The picture above Credit: </span><span class="partial-question-content-image-attribution-component partial-question-content-image-artist">Cristian Bait/</span><span class="partial-question-content-image-attribution-component partial-question-content-image-collection">The Image Bank/</span><span class="partial-question-content-image-attribution-component partial-question-content-image-rights">Getty Images/Demeter</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfv5PjwEAqwOsc-50nfQSOaHxbqF46eckA1lPLuAN8MUfQ4jQSbUozeQs-T_GmY2aD1JwO0sW86ICgfH2wXH6Gu6ONo3MV0DE_bfWrsXNAxY1FHcY_Ze4WStYUJhD4YwUIOabHWomLziAp/s1600/1-st-lucia-joanna-powell-colbert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfv5PjwEAqwOsc-50nfQSOaHxbqF46eckA1lPLuAN8MUfQ4jQSbUozeQs-T_GmY2aD1JwO0sW86ICgfH2wXH6Gu6ONo3MV0DE_bfWrsXNAxY1FHcY_Ze4WStYUJhD4YwUIOabHWomLziAp/s320/1-st-lucia-joanna-powell-colbert.jpg" width="248" /></a></div>
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St Lucia by <a href="http://www.gaiansoul.com/blog/">Joanna Powell Colbert</a></div>
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Radio Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11033369437287014534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325835628618106899.post-90917429675133296112015-12-06T11:18:00.005-08:002015-12-06T11:18:47.523-08:00Wheel of Wonder December 6, 2015"The traditional rules about how to be a “real man” in America are
breaking down. Economic upheaval has shifted wage earning from men to
their wives or partners. The rise of men as primary caregivers of their
children is challenging our most fundamental assumptions about gender.
The gay rights and trans rights movements are creating expansive new
definitions of masculinity. Millennials are leading a much broader
acceptance of diversity. <br />
This generation is witness to a collision between traditional
masculinity and a new wave, one that values intimacy, caregiving, and
nurturing. But many of us have spent our lives under immense pressure to
stifle emotional expression of any kind. And we’re learning there’s a
cost: Men are suffering higher rates of life-threatening disease,
depression, and death. Simply put, the suppression of emotional
expression in men is damaging their health and well-being.<br />
If you’ve grown up in the United States, then you’re familiar with
the Man Box, the longstanding rules of how to walk, talk, and sound like
a man in America:<br />
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1. Real men don’t express a wide range of emotions. They limit <span style="height: 1.5em;">themselves to expressing anger or excitement. </span></div>
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2. Real men are breadwinners, not caregivers. </div>
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3. Real men are “alphas” and natural leaders. </div>
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4. Real men are authoritative and make all final decisions. </div>
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5. Real men are physically tough and sexually dominant. </div>
These rules take hold early in our lives. Boys 4 and 5 years old are
told to shake it off, man up, don’t be a crybaby, and, worst of all,
don’t be a girl. This is because the Man Box devalues any form of
emotional expression traditionally deemed to be feminine. A devastating
result of this anti-feminine bias is that women, gays, and trans people
face epidemic levels of bullying, rape, misogyny, homophobia, and
violence.<br />
The Man Box robs our sons of a lifetime of opportunities to develop
their emotional capacities. Instead, they grow into emotionally isolated
men who wall themselves off from the social connectivity central to
healing and creating community."<br />
-----Mark Greene, from <u>Why manning up is the worse thing to do</u> <a href="http://www.yesmagazine.org/">Yes! magazine, December 2015</a><br />
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Mr. Greene's words could not be more true, and he expressed this idea much better than me. To read the rest of the article follow the link above. Social Media Sites and Politicians trying to run for office by showing "they are not scared of anyone" (and proving quite the opposite) through spewing hate, fear, and bigotry have been hard to avoid lately. Considering hate talk to be normal, does not help American society head in the correct direction, most of the trash talk I've heard and seen comes from men, so I was pleased to find this article today as it addresses that. Men's roles are changing in American society, so this is an important issue. This old, all about rough and tough men way of being has no place in this modern, 21st century. At least its less prevalent in communities of Goddess honoring traditions, that is one of the things I appreciate about modern neo-paganism and its place in the world.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_tyRwWbQCjtNqabgZ4Nr4UyYGcpfcCuHYKgTDuHC_zEEGpH3FTaOreyfueFF85OErYn07Wvkjc1EsFTtOc_Qqxxg1C3KB2nX6XP315Z3rwkKF4nu9ayeWreIHDt0mgRb8BhzSdwf-OCLZ/s1600/man_with_baby_black_white.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_tyRwWbQCjtNqabgZ4Nr4UyYGcpfcCuHYKgTDuHC_zEEGpH3FTaOreyfueFF85OErYn07Wvkjc1EsFTtOc_Qqxxg1C3KB2nX6XP315Z3rwkKF4nu9ayeWreIHDt0mgRb8BhzSdwf-OCLZ/s200/man_with_baby_black_white.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Today, December 6th is also known as the day that is sacred to Odin, so we briefly covered some ideas of <a href="http://www.religionfacts.com/asatru">Asatru</a>, the Norse Pagan faith. I appreciated the "Nine Charges" of the Odinic Rite:<br />
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The <b>Nine Charges</b> were codified by the Odinic Rite in the 1970s.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-13"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nine_Noble_Virtues#cite_note-13"><span>[</span>13<span>]</span></a></sup><br />
<ol>
<li>To maintain candour and fidelity in love and devotion to the tried friend: though he strike me I will do him no scathe.</li>
<li>Never to make wrongsome oath: for great and grim is the reward for the breaking of plighted troth.</li>
<li>To deal not hardly with the humble and the lowly.</li>
<li>To remember the respect that is due to great age.</li>
<li>To suffer no evil to go unremedied and to fight against the enemies
of Faith, Folk and Family: my foes I will fight in the field, nor will I
stay to be burnt in my house.</li>
<li>To succour the friendless but to put no faith in the pledged word of a stranger people.</li>
<li>If I hear the fool's word of a drunken man I will strive not: for many a grief and the very death groweth from out such things.</li>
<li>To give kind heed to dead people: straw dead, sea dead or sword dead.</li>
<li>To abide by the enactments of lawful authority and to bear with courage the decrees of the Norns.</li>
</ol>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWs3LmcpnH_PzFyIizknuG1ct-dvM7GvU7t0tpBk-9aWV19_lj7Wqa7u8Efxz1Q0g8Xrm7kW75-RAwb83TOKVHQ7rM239hc1Gn2rQFr4HqF3MJu1_L9OxNB9kZgpjFkO_n2vwdvoqaEreX/s1600/portrait_of_odin_by_wolverat-d2czafo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWs3LmcpnH_PzFyIizknuG1ct-dvM7GvU7t0tpBk-9aWV19_lj7Wqa7u8Efxz1Q0g8Xrm7kW75-RAwb83TOKVHQ7rM239hc1Gn2rQFr4HqF3MJu1_L9OxNB9kZgpjFkO_n2vwdvoqaEreX/s320/portrait_of_odin_by_wolverat-d2czafo.jpg" width="320" /></a>The picture to the left is called "Odin" by Jeff Stokely <a href="http://jeffstokely.deviantart.com/">this link</a> should lead you to his gallery on DeviantArt<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWs3LmcpnH_PzFyIizknuG1ct-dvM7GvU7t0tpBk-9aWV19_lj7Wqa7u8Efxz1Q0g8Xrm7kW75-RAwb83TOKVHQ7rM239hc1Gn2rQFr4HqF3MJu1_L9OxNB9kZgpjFkO_n2vwdvoqaEreX/s1600/portrait_of_odin_by_wolverat-d2czafo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
Radio Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11033369437287014534noreply@blogger.com0