Wheel of Wonder April 12, 2015

This week on Wheel of Wonder, I'm happily giving over the second hour of the radio broadcast to the Interview and Music of Aradia.  This week will seem a little bit Electronica for those who listen to the broadcast regularly, a natural selection of subject and philosophy that follows that for me is the New Age movement.  This movement, along with a few neo-pagan others offers a unique welcome to spirituality in the information/computer/space age.  Interesting information I found on the New Age Movement from religioustolerance.org :

The New Age Movement is in a class by itself. Unlike most formal religions, it has no holy text, central organization, membership, formal clergy, geographic center, dogma, creed, etc. They often use mutually exclusive definitions for some of their terms. The New Age is in fact a free-flowing spiritual movement; a network of believers and practitioners who share somewhat similar beliefs and practices, which they add on to whichever formal religion that they follow. Their book publishers take the place of a central organization; seminars, conventions, books and informal groups replace of sermons and religious services.
Quoting John Naisbitt:

"In turbulent times, in times of great change, people head for the two extremes: fundamentalism and personal, spiritual experience...With no membership lists or even a coherent philosophy or dogma, it is difficult to define or measure the unorganized New Age movement. But in every major U.S. and European city, thousands who seek insight and personal growth cluster around a metaphysical bookstore, a spiritual teacher, or an education center." ₁

New Age beliefs:

A number of fundamental beliefs are held by many -- but not all -- New Age followers; individuals are encouraged to "shop" for the beliefs and practices that they feel most comfortable with:

	Monism: All that exists is derived from a single source of divine energy.
	Pantheism: All that exists is God; God is all that exists. This leads naturally to the concept of the divinity of the individual, that we are all Gods. They do not seek God as revealed in a sacred text or as exists in a remote heaven; they seek God within the self and throughout the entire universe.
	Panentheism: God is all that exists. God is at once the entire universe, and transcends the universe as well.
	Reincarnation: After death, we are reborn and live another life as a human. This cycle repeats itself many times. This belief is similar to the concept of transmigration of the soul in Hinduism.
	Karma: The good and bad deeds that we do adds and subtracts from our accumulated record, our karma. At the end of our life, we are rewarded or punished according to our karma by being reincarnated into either a painful or good new life. This belief is linked to that of reincarnation and is also derived from Hinduism
	An Aura is believed to be an energy field radiated by the body. Invisible to most people, it can be detected by some as a shimmering, multi-colored field surrounding the body. Those skilled in detecting and interpreting auras can diagnose an individual's state of mind, and their spiritual and physical health.
	Personal Transformation A profoundly intense mystical experience will lead to the acceptance and use of New Age beliefs and practices. Guided imagery, hypnosis, meditation, and (sometimes) the use of hallucinogenic drugs are useful to bring about and enhance this transformation. Believers hope to develop new potentials within themselves: the ability to heal oneself and others, psychic powers, a new understanding of the workings of the universe, etc. Later, when sufficient numbers of people have achieved these powers, a major spiritual, physical, psychological and cultural planet-wide transformation is expected.
	Ecological Responsibility: A belief in the importance of uniting to preserve the health of the earth, which is often looked upon as Gaia, (Mother Earth) a living entity.
	Universal Religion: Since all is God, then only one reality exists, and all religions are simply different paths to that ultimate reality. The universal religion can be visualized as a mountain, with many sadhanas (spiritual paths) to the summit. Some are hard; others easy. There is no one correct path. All paths eventually reach the top. They anticipate that a new universal religion which contains elements of all current faiths will evolve and become generally accepted worldwide.
	New World Order As the Age of Aquarius unfolds, a New Age will develop. This will be a utopia in which there is world government, and end to wars, disease, hunger, pollution, and poverty. Gender, racial, religious and other forms of discrimination will cease. People's allegiance to their tribe or nation will be replaced by a concern for the entire world and its people.

The ideas of the New Age movement are for some, another great guide toward how to live an enlightened life, evolving in the mind and spirit to create a better world.

Wheel of Wonder April 14, 2013

Hello, well its catching up time again!  Week before last on Wheel of Wonder we completed the Elemental Episodes with the fifth Element:  Spirit.  Or as we saw defined on the website gnosticteachings.org:  spirit: mid-13c., "animating or vital principle in man and animals."  In the belief systems of the five spiritual Elements (Air, Earth, Fire, Water, Spirit; sometimes called Ether). Spirit flows through everything, often when I think about the Pentagram, I think about it as the Fifth Point, it could also be represented by being of the place that is the center in the sacred circles some earth spiritualists call forth in ritual.  It was interesting to look at the online gnostic teachings available on this subject.  Gnosticism is of course Christian Mysticism, and some say relate to very powerful energies, so be aware and proceed with respect and caution if you should choose to investigate them.
The week that followed as I was running through my thoughts on what should be our next topic of discussion, eventually I decided to grab a deck of Celtic Tarot Cards, do an Alchemists spread and see what came up.  The overall message I found in that Tarot drawing involved many "swords" cards but almost all in relation to the signifier card of "The Sun." because of that significator, it was overall about as positive a message as you can get from 5 cards, three of which are swords.  The message I found was one of Humans becoming more aware of, or  perhaps, remembering the spiritual dimension of we Human Beings, and using that knowledge to create a better world.  That is the time this reading said we live in.  What a wonderful message!
This week is very important though, because this week is the week of the KAOS membership drive.  KAOS gives me a medium through which to share these neat Pagan, Indigenous, Sustainable, and New age ideas live on FM radio!  The only reason I can do that is because KAOS remains a non-commercial radio station, it doesn't matter if corporate media does not see Wheel of Wonder's message as important or profitable for there bottom line, because the people who listen to KAOS ("One of the top 10 non-commercial stations in the USA" according to Performer magazine, and The Princeton Review) donate actual money to support it.  There are not very many fully independent media outlets left in this country and I hope whether you enjoy listening to Wheel of Wonder, or just reading the blog, or if you are indeed one of the select and wonderful artists I play the music of, or one of the great thinkers I direct traffic to the websites of, that you will consider donating money to KAOS,  this week.
Blessed Be
---Radio Ray

Celia Farran! Three concerts in the area.

Hello friends, Pagans, and Listeners of the show! Its been such a pleasure to bring you Wheel of Wonder for the past three years, through the seasons, through the awards, and just recently, on the radio station voted best radio station in Olympia, WA. (nice, cause there are about four or five stations in the town). Its also been a great pleasure to meet so many great Pagan Musicians, New Age Thinkers, and independent artists!

One of those artists I've met is then warm and wonderful Celia; A musician, activist for equality, songwriter, comedienne and (going out on a limb here) earth spiritualist. This very talented musician is coming into the area next weekend to do three concerts (and I believe, a house concert too).

Don't miss her if you can possibly make it to one of these shows:

Benefit Concert for the Bards of Caer Pugetia

Saturday, April 21, 6:30-10pm

Ballard Oddfellows Hall

1706 NW Market St Seattle, WA 98107

I belive this event includes a Raffle, Concessions and definitely a performance by

Avery Caldwell, Bard of Caer Pugetia, and an excellent singer and songwriter herself!

Tickets $10.00, available through brownpapertickets.com, or at the door, the night of the event!

http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/239911

Fundraising Concert in Olympia

Sunday April 22 7pm-9pm

Olympia Unitarian Universalist Church

2300 East End St NW 98502

Tickets $10.00 at the door

A benefit for the OUUC Memorial Garden

Celia in Concert

Monday April 23, 2012 7pm-9pm

Crystal Voyage Metaphysical Bookstore

2601 East D Street, Tacoma, WA 98421

Tickets $10.00 at the door

To find out more about Celia, go to the link on the left, or celiaonline.com

Also worthy of mentioning; the KAOS spring membership drive runs from this Monday, April 15 to Sunday April 22. The not-fo-profit public radio station that brings you Wheel of Wonder each week has lost a lot of their funding in the past year or two, so please Pagans, Spiritualists and any independent Musicians that have found their way to Wheel of Wonder, consider seriously starting or renewing your memberships on this fund drive week! Wheel of Wonder, the only Pagan focused Radio Show broadcasting live in the USA is only on the air because KAOS memberships make it happen. To support independent, local radio and shows like KAOS supports please call 360 867 5267 during the drive with your pledge, or if your living in a different part of the world , or a less convenient timezone, start, or renew a membership at kaosradio.org

I know this entry sounds a bit commercial. Fear not, I'm as independent as you are individuals. I don't work for corporate America, and Wheel of Wonder has always been intended as a Spiritual, educational Journey! Thanks for listening and following the blog!

-----Radio Ray

The Season of Imbolg

Welcome to the Season of Imbolg! Imbolg (variously called Imbolc, Candelmas, Groundhog Day, Saint Brigit's Day) is actually on February 2, most years, but from the perspective of early spring, it seems to me it can run nearly to Spring Equinox (Ostara, Alban Eilir, Gŵyl Ganol y Gwanwyn ). One of the neo-pagan aspects of Imbolc, that I find most interesting, is renewing the vows of what you intend to do within the coming year.

This year, as Wheel of Wonder rolls on, I intend to try to post here more often and expand the repetoir of Interviews, and guests we can bring to you. This year will be a year to include modern Pagan thinkers, Authors, Spiritualists, and Healers. Perhaps you heard the Interview of a couple of weeks ago with Damh the Bard, musician, Druid, and host of Druidcast. This week (February 12, 2012) We'll be Interviewing Heather Dale (Pegasus Award winner 2011), and in the near future Celtic healer Gaishida Kheawok, founder of the British Druid Order Phillip Shallcrass, and hopefully, author Christopher Penczak (he offered to join us last year, perhaps this year we can bring that to fruition, Brigid willing).

So, check back regularly on this Blog, and I will try to do my part to continue to share Insights, ideas, music, and the occasional poem. Perhaps this year some more thought provoking content as well. Thanks and Happy turning of the seasons from Wheel of Wonder!

The Picture above "Moondove" is from Eblanna Raven's website, find out about the wise woman here

Wheel of Wonder January 15, 2012

Once I received a call in the air studio of KAOS while broadcasting a piece about Irish Traditional Witchcraft. Irish Traditional Witchcraft is a spiritual practice passed through certain lineages, those that practice it are known to feel strongly about protecting their family practices. They don't teach them publicly. Some feel there are a lot of good spiritual practices to be gleaned from what these traditionalists make public about their processes.

The question the caller put towards me on that day: " How do you define the difference between cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation?" There was a bit of a debate going on in town about a public ritual at the time. This week I'm going to try to address this issue on Wheel of Wonder.

Many people these days are trying to find their true spirit paths, an experience of the divine that makes sense to them on a very personal level, some awakening or epiphany that cannot be found within the limitations of the faith or spiritpath they're raised in, or owe lineage to (perhaps people have always been experiencing this). Can a person's individual truth be limited to only what their race, ethnicity or social class have been taught all these years? Or is the world of Spirit much larger than that? Could perhaps, experience of the divine be beyond racial limitations?

With some insights from well written articles in Thorn Magazine (thornmagazine.com) and music from Pagan artists' expressions of what they feel is divine, we will approach this topic this week on Wheel of Wonder!

The picture "one view" to the right, can be found here

Wheel of Wonder Twelfth Night Post

Welcome to Wheel of Wonder midwinter blog. I write this in the middle of the Twelfth Night Celebrations. The original "12 days of Christmas" fall between the Winter Solstice and the beginning of the Roman New Year (about December 21 - January 1). Its the time of the Saturnalia, Alban Artuan, The Festivals of Lights, and Yule! Last week I shared the silversongs of solstice, and the response was great. Nearly 1/2 dozen phone calls (unusual for an early Sunday Morning). I had occasion to share information on observances of the Solstice and neo-pagan public rituals of the modern age! It also was an occasion for Poetry, inspired by the season.

as Math, son of Mathonwy
would hear it on the wind
so do I...

The snowy whoosh of winter
skis shooshing down their tracks
Thrilling the wind as they ride
smoothly down curvaceous hillsides

The Hare has turned ivory white
The pale Lynx follows
pounces fast
Icy, wintry jaws of death
clamp down

like the crusty snow, surrounding limbs
of the sacred, naked, oaken tree
a haze of frost paints needley fingers
of the silver-blue, and dark green trees

The fir tree has its winter coat too
and bobbles, bangles, and ribbons as well
dressed for its wake
after its final, deadly fall
And yes they celebrate that too

all this, I hear
I hear it on the wind

written by Ray, solstice 2011

I hope you enjoy the blog, and Wheel of Wonder. Now going into its third year!
The picture to the right was found on a great blog: celtic queens.blogspot.com

Wheel of Wonder December 2011

As the year is drawing to a close, I am already resolving to post more often on the Wheel of Wonder site. As the moon and the seasons change, so is Wheel of Wonder changing. Honestly the whole world is changing, look at the occupy movement and the surprisingly recent recognition in the UK of Druidism being a recognized religion, instead of a cultural celebration, as I understand it used to be. Times like these it seems the world is out of balance, but change is afoot. In the near future of Wheel of Wonder I'll not only be covering the interesting perspectives of Bards and Earth Spiritualists, but the rather New age, but still important, ascension ideas as well. I will also try to bring you info about the economic and cultural progressives ever more common in this twenty-first century world.
I feel concepts like Geomancy, multiple dimensions, and energy work are worthwhile topics for Wheel of Wonder too! Don't worry, I'll still bring you great independent music from Bards and Earth Spiritualists, share legends and stories, and interviews with artists, but now, Interviews with writers, spiritual thinkers and environmentalists as well. This truly is a time of wonder. Thank you for taking some of your time to join me on this journey!

Wheel of Wonder October 15,2011

This week on Wheel of Wonder its the Fall Membership drive for KAOS!
KAOS is the great community radio station that has enabled me to bring you Wheel of Wonder since 2009! If you like what I'm trying to do with this Pagan/New Age/Environmental outreach radio show. Please pledge money to keep the wheels turning.
The whole world is turning, I like to think, into a better more spiritual place. People are waking up and getting fed up with the status quo of Corporate Consumption, Religious Persecution, and Environmental Degradation. Independent voices, songs and stories, like you can find on this community radio station are helping to move this process of global growth along. I hope you'll support these efforts. I also hope all of these wonderful artists whether they be from America, Australia, Canada, northern Europe, or the UK,will help in these efforts to share this good message and give a greater voice to their songs and philosophies with their own donations too!
I was looking over this blog and website again before deciding what to post. Wheel of Wonder has evolved and I have also changed in the past few years. It will soon be time to reflect that in this blog. It will still be about Music, Spirituality, pagan and progressive, and wonderful independent music, but I'm beginning to see there is more poetry and philosophy to share. So it will be changing . This time though, for this membership drive, I'm going to take it back to its roots as expressed in the introduction.
This Sunday I will be sharing stories and songs in musical form throughout the whole episode. Once again you can hear Fiontullach, SJ Tucker, and yes of course Damh too, on this episode of Wheel of Wonder! Please tune in and help keep the discs turning and the message continuing on its journey this membership drive week on Wheel of Wonder!

The fine Celtic Design above and to the right was found on the website: Coolchaser

Wheel of Wonder October 2, 2011

Greetings again! Thanks for your patience in waiting for my posts. At Home PC's are expensive! According to the language of nature in this part of the world, the wheel has turned and we've moved into Autumn again. The time of the Oak king is "Past and Passing" (as the Tarot readers would say). But he'll return. The Holly Lord is preparing to take the crown. Of course I'm speaking of the Dynamic, Active energy of Nature, the "Male" polarity if you will.
I've just recently come across a fine meditative/Cyclical approach to engaging the Green Man from the perspective of the honorable Druid/ Author John Matthews. Its about change and "the song of the Green Man, and how Humans engage this aspect of Nature. We''ll share some of that with you this Week on Wheel of Wonder.
And, in the spirit of change, and the past and passing aspects of this civilization we humans live in, I will also share with you some essays of activists from a book I recently found in my local Peace and Justice Library. What are the next generation of Adults and Young Adults doing to put an end to Tyranny in the 21st Century? Especially, what Non-Violent actions are they taking in the face of violence from "The Old Order?" These are Hopeful essays.
Of Course, we will also be hearing lots of great Folk Rock, Rock,New Age, and Pagan Music just as you would expect from Wheel of Wonder! The Wheel starts a'turning at 7Am PST this Sunday Morning on KAOS Olympia 89.3 fm. Streaming at kaosradio.org I hope you'll join me for the Journey.

The Picture of the Autumn Green Man/Druid (see the symbol behind?) was found on this site. Artist unknown to me.

Wheel of Wonder August - September 4, 2011

Has it really been a month since I posted on Wheel of Wonder? August has come and gone, in the Northwest it was finally the month of Summer. As we're going through the clear 8o degree Farenhiet days here, the evenings are beginning to be coller and some few leaves are becoming blushed with the tinge of Autumn. But the Cedar still stands, grand in her stillness and the creak still runs, laughing across the river rocks.
The people involved in the Community Supported Agriculture movement are finally sharing their produce, bountiful enough in my opinion, to show a slow recovery from two rough summers for farmers. Many more farm stands are appearing now as people look toward their local farmers for food, a pleasent cultural movement, better for the environment.

The Earth seems out of balance sometimes. Climates changing, glaciers melting, Natural Disasters occuring, Its the 21st Century. The world's not the same as it once was. Many Lightworkers and like minded people will tell you these changes, especially the ones called Natural Disasters, are a matter of the Earth getting herself back in balance, as Gaia moves into a different physical relationship with the flow of energy in the Universe.

There is also a belief that we as Humans have the ability to relieve Gaia of some of this stress, and excess energy of the changing electromagnetic field , and the stronger shift of the continental plates, that some relate to the over mining/extraction of oil. As sure as Humans can feel the pull of the Spirit on their concepts of existence, Humans can also channel these energetic changes through their bodies, when they work in cooperation with others, in rituals often referred to as Magic, provided they then complete their ritual through creating healing energy for the Earth Mother in return.

At the same time the Human power of the intellect can adapt and create new techniques and technologies for seeing all our basic needs met, and new ways to teach ourselves, through cooperation with others to become resilient to the damage of these natural disasters. This is a balance of Science and Magic. Perhaps exactly what we need to learn in this; the 21st century.

This week on Wheel of Wonder we'll be talking about balance and adaptation, punctuated as best I am able, by the fine Earth Spiritualist and Expansive thinking styles of music you've come to expect from Wheel of Wonder!

The Picture above is called "Presence of Gaia" and is by Josephine Wall

(Promise I really will try not to ever let so much time pass again between postings!)

Wheel of Wonder March 13, 2011

Sunday's Wheel of Wonder occurred on the date closest to the first ever broadcast of the show on the Olympia Airwaves. The first ever broadcast of Wheel of Wonder was on March 18th, 2009, as a "Rookie Radio" installment. So I chose this episode to be a "2nd year Anniversary Special ," went right back to the roots and re-created a Celtic Wheel of the Year show. I followed through song, information, and ideology the meaning of Samhain, Yule, Imbolc, Ostara, Beltane, Litha, Lughnasadh (lammas) and back around to Mabon. I will hope to see posts and opinions around it soon.

The key purpose, the string of meaning through observing these ancient Holidays, beyond the harvest and fun, seems to be in living in closer awareness to the natural flow and energetic cycles of the Earth Mother. I am idealistic enough to believe this could very well be one recognizable path towards living in better relationship with the land and each other.

I think agrarian, indigenous, and environmentalist people know this, even if it does not fit their faith path to consider themselves "Pagan" or "Shamanic." That is the appeal of learning about ancient belief and perhaps even new age, ways of thinking.

I hope you have been enjoying Wheel of Wonder over the past few years, and the information I've tried to make available on this blog. The picture above and to the right is from my Garden.

Wheel of Wonder February 13, 2010

So what are the Pagan origins of St. Valentine's Day anyway? Could this be a holiday that is completely and totally Catholic in origin? Not like Yule/ Christmas, Ostara/Easter, Samhain/All Saint's Day? Not a chance! According to historians, the myth in Valentine's Day is very likely that there never was a Valentine marrying people covertly when it was illegal to be Christian at all. The pagan origins of the holiday are found in ancient Rome in a festival called Lupercalia. We'll speak a bit about that this week on Wheel of Wonder, as well as, sharing songs of love, and perhaps passion.

We'll even hear new music from Celia, who will be in concert Sunday night in Olympia (see entry below). Celia may even make a guest "appearence" on Cottleston Pie between 3 and 5pm on KAOS to share with you an Irish Tale, or one of the stories she shares in her children's shows. Please join me on a journey through history and passion, this week on Wheel of Wonder.

The picture to the right is of pink bleedingheart flowers from my garden

December 19, 2010

Merry Silver Solstice from Wheel of Wonder! This week's broadcast is the one closest to Midwinter's Eve in the Northern Hemisphere, so you can expect a Yule program!

Whether its called Alban Arthuan, Yule, or the deep midwinter, it is also known as the Winter Solstice. The shortest day of the year when all seems darkest, but as in many different cultures , on the very darkest night the Sun is reborn as the baby sun king! Bringer of light and hope! Even while the land seems to lie sleeping and in the Northern Hemisphere, the brow of the Goddess has turned pale as frost and sometimes the wind is deathly cold. Light is returning. But Winter has a quiet beauty to it also and brings many people together around the fire or into our homes, as we celebrate the Holidays.

On this week's Wheel of Wonder, we'll talk about the beliefs of solstice recognized by the Druids and Pagans, and perhaps others as well, as I take us on a journey of Celtic, Holiday Music. Music that carries the beauty of the cerulean winter sky, the calm silence of the falling snow, and the festivity of the Troubadour.

This week we will also check in again with Jane Valencia, Bard and Healer, as our live holiday guest. Jane will speak with us about Healing Harp, Medicine Animal and Medicine Plant lore, and perhaps even Home Schooling one's children to include an understanding of Earth's Sacred Nature in their educational upbringing. Hear Hope and Joy this week on Wheel of Wonder!

The beautiful picture above is from the Crystalinks the science and metaphysics Website, artist unknown.

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!)

Wheel of Wonder October 17, 2010

Listen in for another Bardic Byways episode this week on Wheel of Wonder! We'll have the lead singer of the Indy Music group from Seattle "Bards of the Koad" on for a live interview. The Bards of the Koad are a group of musicians who decided to pool their creative resources together in pursuit of music geared towards the hope and beauty found in Nature. i will also include music inspired by improving community and finding the joy that can't be measured in paychecks in the course of life. We'll speak some on the Bardic viewpoints and what the Bard's Awen really is (as well as I can interpret it). I hope to include some information on the myths and virtues of plants too, sharing information from the writings of Kate West and Phillip and Stephanie Carr-Gom. As always, fine independent music about the earth as sacred and inspirational too, this week on Wheel of Wonder.

The picture to the right is of course, from the cover of the book The Druid plant oracle, illustrations by Will Worthington

Wheel of Wonder August 22, 2010

Glad to be back after a fine journey across this country! This week on Wheel of Wonder we'll be talking about Wicca. We'll compare and contrast the many different approaches modern pagans travel on their Wiccan Path. There is Tamaran Wicca, Celt-Eclectic Wicca, Gardenarian Wicca, the Wiccan reclaiming Tradition made well known by the work of Starhawk. There is even Solitary Practitioners within Wicca. this week we'll try to cover all of these approaches to earth-centered spirituality. It may even prove easier than understanding all of the different variations of Christian Protestantism (has anyone ever written a work of reference on that?) This week's Wheel of Wonder will include sourcepoint info from practitioners of Wicca or "The Craft" as sometimes it is called. Also, all the great music you expect the majority of the Program to include!

the picture above is one of the very popular works of original art by Australian Artist Selina Fenech. Link to her website here.

Wheel of Wonder December 27, 2009

The Winter solstice is one of the High Holidays of the Pagan Calendar. So we'll explore the Holiday further on this week's Wheel of Wonder. There will be more information on how the Druids recognize this Holiday, even featuring some of the written works of Damh the Bard. We'll also speak of The Horned one, as the Winter Born King. Also in consideration of Scandinavian Legend and Belief we'll speak of The Wild Hunt. Believed to be the spirit hunt for lost and evil souls, led by Odin or Herne, The Wild hunt would tear through the land with the power of a winter storm, and one had to be careful not to get "Caught up in the Hunt" when it blew through around the Winter Solstice. We will also feature new music by Robin Williamson, and Sharon Knight with Pandemonaeon.

The picture above to the right is Artist Unknown, if anyone can show me where one might surf the net to find the artists identity, please let me know.

Wheel of Wonder November 29, 2009

This week on Wheel of Wonder we'll talk about "The Pagan Revival." This includes some of the recent history about the growth of spiritworkers identifying as Pagan. What factors may have brought about this Social Change? Is it good for the global consciousness? We'll include some of the insights and opinions of RJ Stewart, modern Pagan Writer and some of the current social trends that are occurring, that bring "pagan " ideals into useful application to mainstream society. We'll even try to site some of the work of T.Thorne Coyle, known on Wheel of Wonder for her work with Sharon Knight, but also a well respected pagan teacher and writer in her own right. This week will also include lots of new music from some of the musicians considered "most influential pagan musicians" currently in the scene. New music from Omnia, Faun, Emerald Rose, and The Moon and The Nightspirit, as well as SJ Tucker. Turn that dial to 89.3 FM this Sunday Morning and listen to Wheel of Wonder!

The fine picture to the right is a photograph by Peter J Stephenson.

Wheel of Wonder August 9 2009

Faeries, a Universal symbol of Whimsy, Playfulness, and awe. Some will say they have seen them, some will say they are merely a scent, a feeling, or perhaps a passing thought . The silver dust of a fading dream. Others will say they are all in the spirits of you and me. Whichever way you experience the fay, they represent magic, and ancient knowledge beyond the limits of Mortal time. These images tap into the universal web of feeling and awe, that place that shares its existence with music and stories. This is how we''ll be experiencing faerie this week on Wheel of Wonder. There will be much new music from SJ Tucker and Tricky Pixie, Sharon Knight, Faun, and it will be my great pleasure to introduce you to the music of Vixy and Tony and the work of T. Thorne Coyle . We will also hear an interview with Woodland singer, Faerieworlds co-organizer, and soloist Kelly Miller-Lopez. Find your Fairy Frequency this week for Wheel of Wonder!

The picture above is by Amy Brown, Found on freewebs.com