Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
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.
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.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
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.
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.
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.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
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.
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.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
True heros...........
John Gebhardt's wife, Mindy, said that this little girl's entire family was executed. The insurgents intended to execute the little girl also, and shot her in the head...but they failed to kill her. She was cared for in John's hospital and is healing up, but continues to cry and moan.. The nurses said John is the only one who seems to calm her down, so John has spent the last four nights holding her while they both slept in that chair. The girl is coming along with her healing.He is a real Star of the war, and represents what America is trying to do.
This, my friends, is worth sharing. Go for it!! You'll never see things like this in the news. Please keep this going. Nothing will happen if you don't, but the American public needs to see pictures like this and needs to realize that what we're doing over there is making a difference.. Even if it is just one little girl at a time.
James Gates U. S. Navy
Guess what? This is true Snopes even agrees!
This picture was taken in October 2008. This isn't the first time Chief Master Sgt. John Gebhardt held this baby or any other baby during his time in Iraq. He doesn't even remember when this picture was taken, but does remember that he thought she might like some human contact and that she was fussy. He doesn't even understand why he is getting famous for this picture. He thought he felt lucky because he had a family at home waiting for him, while this poor girl didn't......
And he doesn't understand why he is getting attention............ Gotta love a true man that isn't afraid to be a ol' softy for a little baby that lost her family and got shot in the head. That dear Chief Master Sgt. John Gebhardt we think you are a true hero!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thursday, December 10, 2009
I won!
1 set of the stainless food container, bamboo bag, and a 20 ounce bottle made out of tinted stainless steel. From New Wave Envir.
From A Bookworm Mom's dairy
I can't wait to use it.... but I am off for the next 2 days...............
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