Wheel of Wonder January 15, 2011

This week on Wheel of Wonder Bridget returns to co-host! Together, in the Spirit of Balance, She and I will share the leadership of the Journey. I'll be speaking of Druids and the importance of the Sun as the basis for their ancient knowledge of the cycle of things. An approach often believed to be drawn from the expansive and Masculine energy of Spiritual duality. The Druids see the male embodiment of nature as both Light and Dark and have been known to teach their lessons in triads. Bridget will speak of the rites of the Moon and the triple goddess, a spiritual approach often considered drawn from the more feminine and intuitive aspects of Human Spirituality. It is often observed that Goddess teachings move forward in cyclical fashion. Bridget and I will both bring you Classic Music, Indy folk rock, New age ambient and even Rock and Roll. This week on Wheel of Wonder!

Happily, with the Sun and Moon image above, you too can see where it came from "GeoImages Clipart."

Wheel of Wonder September 26, 2010

This week on Wheel of Wonder We'll explore the Druid's Autumn festival; Alban Elfed. Those on the Druidic Path also celebrate the Equinox, but fewer Druids look at the Autumn Equinox as a Minor Sabbat as is the case with many Wiccan and some Neo-Pagan Traditions. From the Druidic perspective it seems the equinox is about celebrating the balance of dark and light, which I suppose one would expect of a faith path seeming to focus on cycles of the Sun, rather than cycles of the Moon. It has always been interesting to me that the Druidic faith seems to attract men who are focused on the cycles of the Sun, and the Wiccan faith seems to attract women who are focused on the cycles of the Moon. A nice balance. Acknowledging of course their are great variations in the gender and motivations of both these faiths. This week on Wheel of Wonder we will also have the opportunity to interview the organizer of our local Pagan Pride Day Celebration, which is scheduled for later this same Sunday. We'll hear about the Pagan Pride (international) movement and our local celebration from Kate, the organizer. We will also hear new music from Castalia and The Moon and the Night Spirit, while exploring deeper into the Druids Equinox: Alban Elfed. This week on Wheel of Wonder!

The picture to the right is another great work of art by Willow Arleanea, I call it PanDiana, not so very Autumnal, but gorgeous nonetheless.

Wheel of Wonder September 19, 2010

Mother Nature has turned the Star Wheel, Autumn is upon us. Or soon will be, here in the Northern Hemisphere. Mabon has come around again and Wheel of Wonder is still rolling, here to take you on the journey through the coming Darkness. This week of course will be the Mabon Show. Mabon is my favorite season! Its the time to harvest the wisdom of the last year of learning and the fruits (and vegetables?) of our labors. This is the time of the year when we will take brisk walks through the kaleidoscope of colours the trees have painted their leaves, dressing them up for their good byes before letting go of them to fly solo on the wind. Somewhere out there there are even some Human parents saying good bye and well wishing their own children, who as young adults on their own, are off to fly in the winds of their new adult world. You see, just as it is with all endings, it is also a beginning. Wheel of Wonder this week will both celebrate and try to shed some light on the historic myths and meaning of this season Mabon! I'll share some writing with you from various Pagan Authors (while we're at it, check the links in the left Margin of this blog for even more information) and of course the great indy music you expect from Wheel of Wonder! Please tune in.


This week's picture is an untitled work I like to call "Mabon" by Artist Jason Harrison.

Wheel of Wonder April 18, 2010

This week on Wheel of Wonder, as the episode falls between Ostara and Beltane we're going to speak about the second and third branches of the Mabinogion involving Branwen and the Welsh embodiments of the goddess: Virgin, Lover, Crone. The virgin in this case is a pure hearted woman not owned or enthralled with any partner, but self-sovereign and in control of her own life, ready to pursue her own destiny. The lover is also the mother in this Welsh point of view. The crone is as always the woman of courage and Wisdom living her own life by her own rules, with so long a life behind her and death as an obvious future friend that she no longer needs to follow rules of custom that don't make sense to her, or don't serve her plans. Your eccentric old Auntie or Grandma. Blodeuwedd, Branwen/Rhiannon, and Arianrhod/Cerridwynn, will be the goddesses of the hours. One for each hour if all goes well.

The photo above and to the right is a picture of the plant meadowsweet, from the Internet site Wildflowers of Ireland, with pictures by Zoe Devlin. Scotch Broom, Oak, and Meadowsweet were three of the nine herbs and flowers from which the May Queen Blodeuwedd grew in Welsh Legend.