Wheel of Wonder October 24, 2010

For the past year and seven months KAOS community Radio has been a wonderful medium from which to broadcast Wheel of Wonder. I'm thankful they gave a Pagan radio show a chance, and I am equally thankful for all of the calls and "thanks for doing this" mesages I've received from listeners and all folks who comment on this blog! This week on Wheel of Wonder I'll be joined in the studio by other fine KAOS producers, as we finish out our Fall FUNdrive! I Hope many listeners and people who appreciate this loveley local station, that amazingly streams on the Internet everywhere, will support the work we do, and the information we share by donating to this worthy cause: Local ,independent Radio voices!

You can call the Station during Wheel of Wonder to donate, or just go on line to kaosradio.org to do the same. Its your chance to thank KAOS for playing your music, or info about the alternate philosophies and interesting stories I always try to bring you on Wheel of Wonder!

Because it is the fall FUNdrive, this week I'll be bringing you the music of celebration! Music that makes you want to get up and dance! And because here in the Northern Hemisphere we're reaching the end of the Celtic Year and the late night and early morning sunlight, we'll also have some deeper music that inspires the inner Journey, maybe even music that reminds you of the approach of Samhain. Please join me and help us support KAOS radio, this week on Wheel of Wonder!

----Radio Ray

The picture to the right is a concept drawing of Cernunnos, by me, which probably explains why I don't post my art here very often.

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 October 10, 2010

Wheel of Wonder 10-10-10! This week on Wheel of Wonder I'm bringing you new music, well maybe with a few familiar favorites, but mostly all new. Also this week, in recognition of the autumn of the year, we will include brief memorandums for major twentieth century intellectuals of the Pagan Movement who have passed on, but had great impact on the Pagan Movement while living: Issac Bonewits and Gerald Gardner. Issac Bonewits just died this year,and was an author and Archdruid worthy of note, and of course Gerald Gardener had a huge impact on the rebirth of Paganism during his most active years of 1948-1958. We will also try to cover some of the information that is available on living Pagan Philosopher and Writer Raymond Buckland and his well known Pagan viewpoints. As of the time of this writing Mr. Buckland was not available for comment but I will share what can be found about his philosophies with you. On another episode I intend to share my findings and observations on the viewpoints of the leading women Intellectuals of the Pagan movement. New music and interesting viewpoints on Paganism, this week on Wheel of Wonder!

Picture to the right is "Celtic Deer Shaman" by Susan Seddon Boulet. Find more of her art here.

Experiencing Alban Elfed Gorsedd and Eisteddfod

Last Sunday I attended a Bardic Gorsedd and Eisteddfod. A Gorsedd is a gathering of Bards, and an Eisteddfod is their sharing of poetry, stories, and song. This Eisteddfod celebrated the turning of the Celtic wheel into the time of Autumn (Alban Elfed, as you may remember from last week's show).

It was a fine Autumn day along the shores of Lake Union in Seattle. The sun broke free of the Northwest clouds that sometimes hang like a silver canopy over the length of the region, its golden beams lit up the sacred space, never too hot as the Autumn breeze kept stirring the robes and clothes of all who were present.

I shared a few poems at Eisteddfod, one which I've composed music to, and received the incredible honor of being granted the Rowan Tree Tork for sharing some of the creative expression the season of Mabon inspires in me. I was humbled and amazed as the High Priestess set the Tork about my shoulders. It was wonderful to be recognized by a group of Bards and Druids I esteem so highly!

The picture to the right is the Rowan Tree Tork I hold in my possession. The talented metalsmith that created it can be found in Seattle's Pike Place Market and goes by the name of "Tink."

Autumn blessings to all!

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 September 12, 2010

This week on Wheel of Wonder we'll have another Bardic Byways episode. Our guest Mistress of Minstrilsy will be Wiccan, Neo-pagan Poet: Castalia, from Ontario Canada! We've heard her music many times on Wheel of Wonder, so its especially exciting for me to host a Live Interview with the Woman from north 8am this Sunday. We'll talk about the Celtic Wheel of the year, Traditional and Solitary wiccan paths, modern myths and legends and even spend some time discussing the modern Fables of what "is" we all live with at this time. Join myself and Castalia this week on Wheel of Wonder!

The picture to the right is from the photobucket album of someone named dstorms. You would have to ask them who the original artist was, I didn't see them credited there. dstorm didn't credit Waterhouse for his pictures on that site either. If you learn who the original artist was please post here and let me know. Otherwise , admire dstorm's taste in art.