Day of the Dead

Pre-Columbian Mexico saw the skull as a symbol of life - not death.




Death is when our bodies cease to function; when our hearts no longer beat of their own accord, when our gaze no longer has depth or weight, when the space we occupy slowly loses its meaning.

The second death comes when the body is lowered into the ground, returned to mother earth, out of sight.

The third death, the most definitive death, is when there is no one left alive to remember us."

While most altars are laden with the favorite foods, sweets, drinks, and harvest fruits of each family spirit, even the most basic altar includes these basic needs:

* WATER to quench the thirst and for purification
* SALT to season the food and for purification
* BREAD to represent the food needed for survival

The altar is prepared in a place of honor in the home, using empty boxes on a table to form a pyramid of three or more levels, then a white tablecloth covers it all.

Four candles are placed on the top level to represent the four elements. One for
each family member, and one extra so that no one is left out. The candles, burn all night.

Copal is burned as incense since the time of the Aztecs as an offering to the gods.
Flowers.

Colorful tissue paper, papel picado, is cut into designs and strung to flutter over around the altar. This custom comes from the Aztecs who used paper banners in rituals.

In addition you can observe the following items, representing indigenous and synergetic symbols in many cultures such as:

* The Feather of the Rooster: Represents the dawning of a new day.

* A Black Dog: Represents the guide accompanying the passenger / soul to another life.

* Frog: Represents the twilight of another day.

* Money: Represents generosity and wealth as well as the fare to be paid for the crossing from the underworld.

* Mirrors: Represent the duality of existence.

* Photographs or posters of people: Represent Love and a way to remember and to learn from the virtues and abilities of the people represented there.

* Purple candles: to represent the sorrow for having lost a beloved one. They should be placed in the four cardinal points, to help the visitor to find its way.

* Sugar skulls in various sizes:
Three small skulls that represent the Holly Trinity are placed at the lower level of the altar.
Two medium skulls represent the always present death.
A large skull on the higher level of the altar represents the eternal Father.

* A water bowl, soap and towel, in the case the deceased needs to clean up after the long journey.

Lunar Eclipses

Lunar Eclipses are a viewed, as a troubled time in many religions for some believes it is the time the goddess is swirling the sea and scouring the lands looking for demons. Many still have religious believes about the eclipse. No food, only water. Pregnant women cannot watch the eclipse or the baby will have birth defects, even sex is forbidden for they may procreate. Having a child that may be blind, deaf or born with some defect. Mediating or chanting will help one become more holily.

I sure we have all heard the Astrology believes of how this time can bring
Upsets and feelings of disorientation, feel restless, pressured and a buildup of emotions, and experience excitement and crisis. Especially after the annular solar eclipse, we had earlier this month.

For pagans we can only guess what our ancestors believed even reports have mixed findings. We honor the full moons. Many of them are different as different as pagan believes. Some believe that the full moon is the start of something, a good time for love spells etc. Where some trad has it as a tying up loose ends type of working. However, wherever your believes the eclipse super charges or give it an illusion that is in your face for you to have to face your illusions. You know not everything is what it seems. A time to get a new perspective. We all know the eclipse is where the earth is passing the moon and the sun. Darkening the moon causing it to turn a reddish to brown color.

So the time of the eclipse is a time to remember that some time nature happens and their will be sometime that tries to block your way. As you let go of the things that hold you back you will see the light once again. We will use this time to strengthen ourselves spiritually, mentally and physically, for whatever that may come.

Quotes

The most important thing she'd learned over the years was that there was no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one.
Jill Churchill

Sooner or later we all quote our mothers.
Bern Williams

If you can give your son or daughter only one gift, let it be enthusiasm.
Bruce Barton

People who say they sleep like a baby usually don't have one.
Leo J. Burke

The moment a child is born,
the mother is also born.
She never existed before.
The woman existed, but the mother, never.
A mother is something absolutely new.
~Rajneesh

Before I got married I had six theories about bringing up children; now I have six children and no theories. 
~John Wilmot

The phrase "working mother" is redundant. 
~Jane Sellman

You don't raise heroes, you raise sons.  And if you treat them like sons, they'll turn out to be heroes, even if it's just in your own eyes. 
~Walter M. Schirra, Sr.

Simple Truths from the Cherokee

We are our own best experts.

We are our own worst enemies.

The worst thing about having so many choices is having to choose.

Imagination is the one true measure of freedom.

Wisdom is having more questions than answers.

Search long and hard enough for something and you’ll surely find it.

Sometimes we try so hard to be what we’re not that we may forget who we are.