August 2006
THE GREENWOOD TREE MONTHLY
A PANTHEIST PUBLICATION PUBLISHED BY
ROBINS HOOD COMMUNITY CENTER
Publisher: Lone Wolf Editor: Mr. Mojo
Contributing Writers Barbara Dreamkeeper, Odessa, Cyrena and Rev Bonnie
PAGAN FAMILIES FIGHT FOR PAGAN VETERAN HERO RIGHTS
We have all heard about the fight to put the pentacle on gravestones of our fallen hero’s and veterans from previous battles. We all think we know why political candidates and persons in office treat this issue like poison. Because we are witches and pagan. This could be the reason, Taken from (2003 WorldNetDaily.com) Bush’s Bash on Pagans
Posted: December 9, 2003
1:00 a.m. Eastern © 2003 WorldNetDaily.com
Backed up by Americans United for Separation of Church and State, pagans across the U.S. are demanding a Bush administration official apologize for saying pagan groups don't care about the poor.
Jim Towey, director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, participated in an online interactive "Ask the White House" chat Nov. 26. One question posed to him had to do with whether or not pagan faith-based groups should be considered for public funding.
"I haven't run into a pagan faith-based group yet, much less a pagan group that cares for the poor!" Towey responded, according to a White House transcript. "Once you make it clear to any applicant that public money must go to public purposes and can't be used to promote ideology, the fringe groups lose interest. Helping the poor is tough work, and only those with loving hearts seem drawn to it."
The Rev. Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United, has asked Towey to apologize to the nation's Wiccans and other pagans.
"Your reply is problematic for several reasons," he wrote in a letter to Towey, according to a statement from the group.
"Most troublingly, it implies that the Bush administration intends to discriminate against certain faith-[based] groups from the outset. This is a curious stand for you to take, as you have repeatedly insisted that the administration will not play favorites among religious groups under the faith-based initiative."
Lynn claims Towey has misled the American people by claiming the faith-based initiative will be open to all religious groups but then asserting that certain groups will be denied funding.
"Government can't play favorites when it comes to religion," Lynn said. "If religiously affiliated social services are funded, it must be done on an even-handed basis. Mr. Towey's recent comments indicate that the administration does not seem to understand this basic principle.
"This incident demonstrates once again that the 'faith-based' initiative is a bad idea," Lynn concluded. "When government tries to fund religious ministries, constitutional problems are inevitable."
According to Religion News Service, White House spokeswoman Maria Tamburri said in response, "The president has made it clear that the issue isn't whether an organization believes in God or not but whether the program works – are addicts recovering, the homeless finding housing, etc. The focus isn't on religion but on results."
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The Washington Post reports since Towey's comment, outraged pagans have bombarded the White House and Internet chat rooms with scores of examples of their charitable activity. Particularly common, they say, are food drives in conjunction with Pagan Pride Day celebrations across the country.
Taken as a thought process from the President, This means that the President fully intends to discriminate against any and all area’s of the Pagan belief up to and including placing the Penticle on the gravestones of our Fallen Hero’s!
This is in direct conflict with the constitution of the United States
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
As of the publishing of this e-paper there has been no response from The Ohio Governor’s office Governor Taft, Congressmen Chabot’s office and Congressional canadate John Cranley. All were asked the same question: Will this issue be expedited during this election season and will you be the one to bring it to a head?
LATEST UPDATE AS OF 08/03/06
For Immediate Release
Aug. 3, 2006
Americans United for Separation of Church and State
Contact: Joe Conn, Rob Boston or Jeremy Leaming
202.466.3234 telephone
202.466.2587 fax
www.au.org
AMERICANS UNITED PRESSES VA FOR RIGHT OF WICCANS TO USE PENTACLE SYMBOL AT MILITARY MEMORIALS
National Church-State Watchdog Group Will Represent Wife Of Fallen Soldier And Wisconsin-Based Wiccan Church Americans United for Separation of Church and State is stepping up its effort to persuade the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to approve a Wiccan symbol for headstones, plaques and other memorials of deceased veterans.
Americans United is now officially representing Circle Sanctuary, one of America's oldest Wiccan churches, and church member, Roberta Stewart, a Nevada woman whose husband, Sgt. Patrick Stewart, died in combat in Afghanistan on Sept. 25, 2005. Sgt. Stewart's helicopter was shot down by the Taliban during Operation Enduring Freedom. C
Circle Sanctuary, headquartered near Barneveld, Wisc., has church members throughout the United States and elsewhere.
Circle Sanctuary and Roberta Stewart seek to have the Wiccan emblem of belief, the pentacle, included on the government-issued memorial plaque honoring Sgt. Stewart. His plaque is to go on the Wall of Heroes at the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery near Fernley, Nev.In addition to Roberta Stewart, Circle Sanctuary has other church members who want the pentacle on the VA-issued memorial markers of their deceased veteran husbands, including a Korean War veteran from Utah and a Vietnam War-era veteran from Ohio.
The VA permits only the symbols they have approved and included on their National Cemetery Administration's list of emblems of belief to be used on headstones, plaques and markers. The symbols of 38 groups have been approved, but the Wiccan pentacle is not among them.
Backed by Americans United, Stewart and the Rev. Selena Fox, senior minister of Circle Sanctuary, are working to convince the Department of Veterans Affairs to approve the use of the pentacle on government-issued markers at public and private gravesites and memorials for Wiccan soldiers. Most recently, Fox filed a request with the VA in January of this year. Officials with the National Cemetery Admistration responded, but refused to tell Fox when they might complete action on Circle
Sanctuary's application. In June, Americans United sent a letter to VA officials, citing case law and asking them to approve use of the symbol. Observed the letter,
"The National Cemetery Administration's failure to recognize the Wiccan Pentacle as a valid religious symbol constitutes unconstitutional discrimination against the Wiccan faith and its adherents. Indeed,there is absolutely no legal support for the Administration's practice of
maintaining a list of officially-approved religious symbols -- much less its exclusion of any religious symbol from the officially provided markers for military gravesites."
The Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United, noted that the first application for approval of the pentacle was filed by a Wiccan church nine years ago.
"There is simply no reason for officials at the Department of Veterans Affairs to continue dragging their feet over this matter," Lynn said. "Religious freedom means all religions, and it's time for the department to stop discriminating and institute a policy that respects America's great tradition of religious diversity."
Americans United plans to appeal to the Department of Veterans Affairs again as well as ask Congress to investigate the matter. Americans United is a religious liberty watchdog group based in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1947, the organization educates Americans about the importance of church-state separation in safeguarding religious freedom.
Circle Times: Thursday, August 3, 2006
Permission is granted if you want to print this letter you can. I wrote to Senator Mike DeWine and to Senator George Voinovich and my letter got on the front page of www.congress.org
"Letters To Leaders
All messages are published with permission of the sender. The general topic of this message is Veterans Issues:
Subject:
Religious Emblem Approval
To:
Sen. Mike DeWine
July 31, 2006
Dear Senator DeWine,
I live in your district in Adams County. I am the wife of a Disabled American Veteran who is currently hospitalized at the VA in Chillicothe in a persistent vegetative state. He is Pagan.
Over the course of the last 9 years, members of the Pagan community have been trying to get the VA to approve the pentacle (a star within a circle) as an accepted religious emblem. These applications have been stalled during this lengthy course of time. Currently, there are five applications of dead Pagan veterans via next of kin, who NEED and WANT their religious emblem to be placed on their memorial markers/headstones.
My question to you is this-- why so long? Why is the VA stalling on this issue? I have heard many standard responses such as "the approval process of approving applications was approved wrong" and other such nonsense. This has to stop! Who is the VA to play God?
There is nothing but pure politics happening. Our dead veterans swore an oath to uphold the Constitution but the Constitution is NOT being upheld for them.
I am respectfully requesting that you check into this matter for me, the wife of DAV. My husband is currently receiving wonderful medical care in the nursing ward, however, there is no guarantee that he will respond enough to be rehabbed nor do we know if his body will start rejecting him and decide to shut down in order to pass and welcome death in his arms. That is my greatest fear. I am a widow-in-waiting Mr. DeWine. After my husband passes I don't wish to have to fight the VA for the rights that my husband trained and fought for in the Army and the simple right of having a religious emblem on his headstone would be fit and just for someone who considered himself a warrior to his nation while on active duty.
He has paid his dues Mr. DeWine. Please, I ask you again to look into matter. I don't wish to have to continue this fight with Roberta Stewart. Her husband perished in Afghanistan last September. His dog tags said "Wiccan". She is a grieving widow who has her application pending. I will be one too some day. I can share to some level and degree the mourning and grief that she is feeling.
Please don't make me feel the same. I am NOT looking forward to the day when I may have to apply for that emblem to have it approved and have it emblazoned on my husband’s
headstone/marker but if I have to, I will.
Please also remember that this is an election year as well.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Gerwin D. Combs
Blue Creek, OH"
SPELL OF THE MONTH
MOONLIGHT MAGIC
The Sun is brilliant and warm, but the Moon is enchanting. Luna’s soft blue blanket takes away the glare of the day and invites us to slow down and rest. Invite the power of moonlight into your home.
On a full moon, open your curtains and blinds to bathe a room in Luna’s silvery glow.
Place a crystal in a glass bowl filled with water, and place the bowl on a moonlit windowsill.
On the following day, you can move this Moon-infused bowl to another room that does not receive the Moon’s blessing directly.
~Written by Sedwin
IF YOU HAVE A SPELL YOU WOULD LIKE TO PUBLISH E-MAIL IT TO THE greenwoodtreemonthly@yahoo.com
HERBS TO LIVE BY
By Barbara Dreamkeeper
FYI: No known virus or bacteria that can live in the presence of any therapeutic grade essential oil. Not one. With antibiotics, viruses can mutate and develop immunity, but not with essential oils. Recently a unique blend of essential oils was tested at Weber State University for its potent ant microbial properties, and amazingly, it was found to have a 99.96% kill rate against airborne bacteria. It was stated that therapeutic essential oils are one of our best defenses for the very serious health challenges facing our society today.
Lemon Oil: The vaporized essence of lemon can kill meningococcus bacteria in 15 minutes, Typhoid bacilli in an hour, Staphylococcus aureus in 2 hours, and Pneumococcus bacteria within 3 hours. A mere 0.2% solution of lemon oil can eliminate diphtheria bacteria in 20 minutes and completely inactivate tuberculosis bacteria.
Source http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_lemon.htm
http://www.geocities.com/dreamkeeper57/Regalia.html
Aromatherapy: The use of essential oils to catalyze, balance, and strengthen the vital self-healing energies of the body, mind, and emotions.
Balm: A soothing ointment or lotion made from vegetable or animal fat and infused with medicinal herbs.
Catalyze: A substance that facilitates a chemical reaction or a change from one state into another, i.e., to encourage healing.
Compress: A clean cloth or pad soaked in a strong medicinal herbal tea and applied locally to an affected part of the body.
Decoction: Drawing the medicinal qualities from herbs by cooking and steeping.
Diffusion: To reduce an herbal tea to a lower concentration.
Elixir: A panacea or cure-all.
Effleurage: The saturation of animal or vegetable fat with fresh, fragrant flowers and herbs to produce an aromatic compound.
Essence: The most subtle, refined form of a flower plant.
Essential Oil: complex, highly volatile aromatic oil. The aroma is formed in the chloroplasts of the plant's leaves, containing alcohols, esters, trepans, ketenes, and aldehydes. Unlike fatty
oils, such as jojoba and sesame oil, essential oils evaporate into the air or skin, releasing their aroma.
Flower Water Tonic: A cold-water infusion of a flower drunk to cool the mental, emotional, and physical nature of the recipient.
Infusion: To steep an herbal tea without boiling.
Panacea: A remedy that is a cure-all for disease.
Potpourri: A mixture of scented, colorful herbs, spices, and flowers used for aromatherapy.
Poultice: A medicated herbal compound spread on a cloth and applied to a sore or injury.
Steep: To allow herbs to set in boiled water, covered and placed away from the heat, to produce an infusion or tea.
Syrup: A thickened sugar and water solution, often flavored with herbs or flowers.
Tincture: An alcoholic solution of a medicinal herb. Soaking an herb in alcohol for three weeks or more will draw the medicinal properties into the alcohol.
Tonic: An herbal combination blended specifically for certain conditions to nourish, support, and invigorate the body.
Volatile Oil: The chemical properties in essential oils and herbs that can change quickly from a liquid to a vapor, releasing aromatic and therapeutic properties.
Taken from "Mother Nature's Herbal" by Judy Griffin, PH.D
IF YOU HAVE HERBS YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHOWCASE E-MAIL US AT greenwoodtreemonthly@yahoo.com
FULL MOON NAMES
COLONIAL AMERICAN August: Dog Day’s Moon
September: Harvest Moon
CHINESE August: Harvest Moon
September: Chrysanthemum Moon
AMERICAN INDIAN (CHEROKEE) August: Fruit Moon
September: Nut Moon
AMERICAN INDIAN (CHOCTAW) August: Women’s Moon
September: Mulberry Moon
AMERICAN INDIAN (DAKOTAH SIOUX) August: Moon when all things ripen
September: Moon when the calves grow hair
CELTIC August: Dispute Moon
September: Singing Moon
ENGLISH MEDIEVAL August: Corn Moon
September: Barley Moon
NEO PAGAN August: Lightening Moon
September: Harvest Moon
MOON PHASES
If anybody has any more information on other names for full moons. Please send them in to greenwoodtreemonthly@yahoo.com. If you know the names of the moon at its other phases please send the information also to greenwoodtreemonthly@yahoo.com
The Appreciation Section
For those we need to say Thanks to:
I would like to say a huge thanks to our dearest Bonnie and to Barbara Dreamkeeper for their huge hearts and wide shoulders from those of us who get babblingly overwhelmed!!
Blessings...
~Jackie
I have an appreciation...
To Euphrates (Lisa Manor) for creating the women's group that she facilitates. I have learned a lot about myself through working with the book we are reading and her making us feel comfortable to talk openly about things.
~Raven Silverwing (Jeanette)
If you have a person or group you think is not appreciated enough e-mail us at greenwoodtreemonthly@yahoo.com
DIVINATION CORNER
Pendulum Dowsing
Using a pendulum can be a fun and easy way to learn divination
When a person thinks about divination, or fortune telling, they usually think of Tarot cards. Though reading the Tarot is one of the more popular forms of divination, it's certainly not the only one. For anyone thinking of trying divination, the Tarot may seem a little intimidating. There are 78 cards to learn, not to mention the various ways of spreading them out.
How about trying the pendulum? You can't get much simpler than a small weight (called a bob) on the end of a chain or cord. It does take a bit of practice, and some natural intuition helps too. You can use an actual pendulum, or fashion something yourself with a pendant, crystal, seashell or even an acorn on a string. As long as it hangs relatively straight. Some people have preferences as to what material is used, but your pendulum can be brass, wood, glass, or just about anything.
The way to read a pendulum varies from person to person.
You basically hold the chain, and let the pendulum hang down. Wait until it is still, and ask your question. Try to keep your arm still, but if you fight the natural movements too much, you will find the pendulum will not respond at all. How the bob swings, reveals your answer. Now here is the tricky part: learning how to read the swinging bob.
The best way to learn your pendulum's movements is to practice by asking questions you know the answers to. Or ask questions that you don't know, but can quickly find out. Remember, it's not perfect and won't give an exact answer every time, especially if you are just learning. The variations of swings could be: up and down, side-to-side, circular clockwise or counter-clockwise. You need to determine which way is yes, and which way is no. You may find that up/down is yes, but side-to-side is no. Or your pendulum may prefer a circular motion.
Once you are familiar with your pendulum, use it often to develop your intuition when reading with it. It can be a helpful tool to test and improve your psychic abilities.
If you have a divination method you want to showcase e-mail us at
greenwoodtreemonthly@yahoo.com
COMING EVENTS AT OUR HAVEN FOR THIS MONTHS CALENDAR
Lamas - Campout August 4 - 6 Lamas is a special time at Our Haven as we prepare for the harvest!Pitch-in Lamas feast sponsored by Temple of Ishtar$25
Heartland Poly Conference Fall Gathering September 1-4 Come join in the lively discussions and education at HPC's Fall Gathering$60 with evening meals
Mabon Gathering September 15-18 Our Haven presents Mabon 2006This is another event that has proven to be one of the finest in the region. Workshops, music, dancing, it's all here!$45
THE ORACLE
We all know that the government local and state officials do not believe in what we do or what we believe in. With that being said lets test our abilities.
Last months question was:
Will the Covington Kentucky Wedding District FAIL?
By Dragon’s lair
Yes it will fail because there is a wedding district in Cincinnati in Reading Ohio. There is not enough room for 2 Wedding districts in the same area.
Next months Question is:
With the world in turmoil will there be a WWIII?
You work your tools or Psychic ability, and e-mail your answer to me at GreenWoodTreeMonthly@yahoo.com
Classifieds
WANTED TO BUY:
I am looking for a Sleeper sofa about 80 inches – donation or for sale, either are requested.
E-mail Barbara Dreamkeeper at dreamkeeper57@yahoo.com
Have a Dvd player for sale? $10 is offered, please e-mail Barbara Dreamkeeper at dreamkeeper57@yahoo.com if interested in selling.
Senior Services of Northern Ky .has services for the elderly in top 8 counties...Meals on Wheels for those just out of hospital, Food Pantry for people with lack of food (non perishable items, such as canned goods), help finding senior housing, etc. 491-0522, all services are free.
The next 15 items belong to Barbara Dreamkeeper you can contact her at Dreamkeeper57@yahoo.com Prices will vary according to item. I know both of these women personally and know that they do quality work
HAVE YOU HEARD?
Rev. Bonnie is having a yard sale this weekend on August 19th and 20th! Come one, come all! Email sheagh@yahoo.com if you wish more information. Thanks!
PAGAN HOLIDAY
This publication will be out after the holiday ends but there are times when the holidays have to be celebrated at another time. This is the definition of what Lughnassadh is
Celtic: Lughnassadh (pronounced Lu NA sa) or Assembly of Lugh -- Old Celtic Feast of Earth Mother Goddess Tailte or Tailltiu and her foster son, the God of Light Lugh/Llew / Lug/ Luighaidh Lamhfhada or the long-handed. Llew was the God of All Skills, sacrificed each year as the grain is slain to become bread and beer. Celts celebrated the grain harvest with Harvest Games. Lugh was wed to Bloddeuedd, a beautiful Earth-Goddess. Marriages took place in a hollow during the festival.
OPINION POLL
Paganism (from Latin paganus, meaning "a country dweller" or "civilian") is a blanket term which has come to connote a broad set of western spiritual or religious beliefs and practices of natural or polytheistic religions, as opposed to the Abrahamic monotheistic religions. "Pagan" is the usual translation of the Islamic term mushrik, which refers to 'one who worships something other than God'. Ethnologists do not use the term for these beliefs, which are not necessarily compatible with each other: more useful categories are shamanism, polytheism or animism. Often, the term has pejorative connotations, comparable to heathen, infidel and kafir (كافر) in Islam.
By the very definition of Paganism we are a godless person? In our community today are Pagans:
1. Godless heathens
2. Closet Christians
3. Work hand in hand with the Devil
4. Fluffy bunny, Tree Hugging Pagans
5. Walk to our own Drummer or
6. We just have trouble with authority
Send your answers to greenwoodtreemonthly@yahoo.com
We here at The GreenWood Tree Monthly are starting a new article called pagan web site for children. If you have a Pagan web site you let your child go to and we will publish the name and web site address. Send them to greenwoodtreemonthly@yahoo.com
RECIPES
Meat Lovers Quiche
(4 servings) Printable Version
1 pound ground sausage
1 small onion
10 strips of bacon
1/2 cup chopped bell pepper
2/3 cup cream
2/3 cup milk
4 large eggs
4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 teasoon salt
1/4 tesapoon black pepper
1 ready-to-fill pie crust (9 or 10 inches)
- Form sausage balls with your sausage meat. Bring large pot of water to a boil; add sausage balls. Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes. Drain and reserve. Cut bacon into 2 inch squares and fry until crisp. Drain. Saute peppers and onions, drain. Beat eggs with cream and milk. Add salt and pepper. Scatter half the cheese in bottom of pie shell, cover with bacon, onions, and peppers. Layer sausage balls next. Scatter the rest of the cheese. Gently pour egg mixture into shell over meats and cheese.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes at 350 degrees.
Easy Banana Bread
(6 servings) Printable Version
1 and 1/4 cups flour
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
3 bananas
8 Tablespoons margarine
1/3 cup walnuts (optional)
- Cream sugar and margarine, mash the bananas and add to the mixture.
Beat and add the eggs. Slowly add the flour, salt, and baking soda. Pour into a loaf pan.
- Bake at 350F for 30-45 minutes.
Diabetic Banana Bread
2 teaspoons low-sodium baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 1/2 cups slice bananas (3 ripe bananas)
1 egg
1/3 cup canola oil
2 Tablespoons sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened orange juice
- Nonstick cooking spray
- Preheat oven to 350F. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon in a bowl. Stir to blend. Puree the bananas in a blender. Add the bananas and remaining ingredients and mix well. Pour into a loaf pan that has been sprayed with nonstick cooling spray. Bake for 40 to 50 min. Cool on a wire rack. Makes 1 loaf
- Serving size: 1/2 inch slice
- Yield: 1 loaf
- Exchanges: 1 Fat, 1/2 Fruit, 1 Starch
- Nutrition: 141 Calories (34% from fat), 2.4 g, Protein, 21.2 g, Carbo, 5.4 g Fat
If you have a recipe that you would like to publish e-mail us at greenwoodtreemonthly@yahoo.com
FROM THE UPI
GODDESS & NATURE
LIGHT EQUALS LIFE FOR ALL LIVING THINGS
COMMENTARY: ALWAYS IN SEASON
By DONNA HENES
UPI Religion & Spirituality
BROOKLYN, June 27 (UPI) — Though summer is the season of long light and hot days — each day gets shorter, losing about two minutes of sunlight every 24 hours. Light is not lost lightly. Light equals life for all living things. The grim prospects of life in the dark prod one to take action. To join the solar cheering section and enlist in the service of the sun. The stars need stirring, the atmosphere a charge. This is the task at hand if all is not to be lost.
Ask not what the ailing sun can do for you, but what you can do for the sun. Sympathetic magic is called for to fan the floundering flames of el sol. It is the tradition of the people of the Taos Pueblo to race up the mountain to welcome the rising solstice sun. To meet it half way, as it were. For them, it is a form of reciprocation. A returning, in much gratitude, of some life giving energy back to its original source. An allegorical passing of the life-force torch.
In pagan Europe and North Africa people sent burning wooden hoops and wheels woven of straw rolling down steep hills to illustrate the retreat of the sun, spinning, turning, traveling away. These wheels descend from a much older solar symbol, the chariot. The Norse Eddas tell of the Goddess Sol, Sul, Sulis driving the chariot of the sun. Ancient Buddhist texts speak of the Sun Chariot as the Great Vehicle, or the Chariot of fire.
The ancient Greeks pictured the sun carried across the daytime sky in a golden chariot. On the summer solstice, the priests of the Sun and Poseidon along with the priestess of Athena processed in front of the Acropolis with gift offerings of fruit and libations of honeycombs. Wine was not served because it would make the Sun tipsy and he had to drive.
The actual lighting of bonfires is, by far, the most prevalent — practically universal — practice for celebrations around the time of the solstice. What more fitting offering could be made in the aid of the failing mother of all light? It is the ultimate act of flattery by imitation. A primal sacrament of obeisance to the first flame of the firmament. A symbolic feeding of restorative fresh strength to the sun. And at the same time, certainly, the light and heat of the fire serve to soothe and affirm that, though departing, the sun will surely return.
In ancient Egypt, the summer solstice was celebrated by the Burning of the Lamps at Sais in honor of Isis, Queen of Heaven. In Rome, the day was dedicated to Vesta, also known as Hestia in Greece. The Vestal Virgins, Her oracular priestesses, were the guardians of the public hearth and altar. On this day the perpetual fire representing the mystical heart of the empire, was extinguished, re kindled and blessed.
People across the European continent as well as the New World colonies built great bonfires on the solstice. They danced around them the whole night long in a joyful, spirited vigil. They danced in great circles, winding to assist the sun on its celestial course. They leapt through the flames and drove their animals through them to be empowered and purified by the heat, the smoke. They waved torches in the air, passed them over crop and stock, and sent them out to sea. Blessings, all, of the sun's supreme power.
The age-old worshipful awe of nature, the respect, the reverence, has all but disappeared in contemporary western society. We have tampered with the perfectly functioning divine order of Nature, trying to fix what wasn't broken. The universal scenario has shifted, and the world will never be the same.
We have turned the heat up too high and the fires burn out of control. The deserts are spreading. The icebergs are melting. The atmosphere is shrinking. The crops are scorched and fertile soil is washed away. The hot air dries out the foliage and sears our lungs. Mother Earth is on a slow burn and Mother Nature's patience is fried. The sun — the bringer of light and life, the center of our once-adoring orbit — has now become something to stay out of.
This summer let us honor our debt to the sun by making friends with it again.
We can show our respect for the gift of its power by putting it to good use. We can collect this cosmic resource and utilize it as fuel to power our lives. We can plant arbors for shade and trees to prevent erosion. We can conserve, reuse, and recycle. And most important of all, we can be the emissaries of the sun, spreading warmth and light and energy wherever we go, whatever we do.
— — —
Donna Henes is an urban shaman in exotic Brooklyn, contemporary ceremonialist, author and popular speaker. Visit her website at www.donnahenes.net . Email her at cityshaman@aol.com. © copyright 2006 by Donna Henes
— — —
UPI Religion & Spirituality Forum is a big tent for all expressions
of faith and spirituality, neither excluding nor favoring any.
All opinions expressed belong to the writer alone, and are
not necessarily shared by UPI Religion & Spirituality Forum.
A PANTHEIST PUBLICATION PUBLISHED BY
ROBINS HOOD COMMUNITY CENTER
Publisher: Lone Wolf Editor: Mr. Mojo
Contributing Writers Barbara Dreamkeeper, Odessa, Cyrena and Rev Bonnie
PAGAN FAMILIES FIGHT FOR PAGAN VETERAN HERO RIGHTS
We have all heard about the fight to put the pentacle on gravestones of our fallen hero’s and veterans from previous battles. We all think we know why political candidates and persons in office treat this issue like poison. Because we are witches and pagan. This could be the reason, Taken from (2003 WorldNetDaily.com) Bush’s Bash on Pagans
Posted: December 9, 2003
1:00 a.m. Eastern © 2003 WorldNetDaily.com
Backed up by Americans United for Separation of Church and State, pagans across the U.S. are demanding a Bush administration official apologize for saying pagan groups don't care about the poor.
Jim Towey, director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, participated in an online interactive "Ask the White House" chat Nov. 26. One question posed to him had to do with whether or not pagan faith-based groups should be considered for public funding.
"I haven't run into a pagan faith-based group yet, much less a pagan group that cares for the poor!" Towey responded, according to a White House transcript. "Once you make it clear to any applicant that public money must go to public purposes and can't be used to promote ideology, the fringe groups lose interest. Helping the poor is tough work, and only those with loving hearts seem drawn to it."
The Rev. Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United, has asked Towey to apologize to the nation's Wiccans and other pagans.
"Your reply is problematic for several reasons," he wrote in a letter to Towey, according to a statement from the group.
"Most troublingly, it implies that the Bush administration intends to discriminate against certain faith-[based] groups from the outset. This is a curious stand for you to take, as you have repeatedly insisted that the administration will not play favorites among religious groups under the faith-based initiative."
Lynn claims Towey has misled the American people by claiming the faith-based initiative will be open to all religious groups but then asserting that certain groups will be denied funding.
"Government can't play favorites when it comes to religion," Lynn said. "If religiously affiliated social services are funded, it must be done on an even-handed basis. Mr. Towey's recent comments indicate that the administration does not seem to understand this basic principle.
"This incident demonstrates once again that the 'faith-based' initiative is a bad idea," Lynn concluded. "When government tries to fund religious ministries, constitutional problems are inevitable."
According to Religion News Service, White House spokeswoman Maria Tamburri said in response, "The president has made it clear that the issue isn't whether an organization believes in God or not but whether the program works – are addicts recovering, the homeless finding housing, etc. The focus isn't on religion but on results."
THE GOTHIC EDGE THE COMPUTER GUYS
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The Washington Post reports since Towey's comment, outraged pagans have bombarded the White House and Internet chat rooms with scores of examples of their charitable activity. Particularly common, they say, are food drives in conjunction with Pagan Pride Day celebrations across the country.
Taken as a thought process from the President, This means that the President fully intends to discriminate against any and all area’s of the Pagan belief up to and including placing the Penticle on the gravestones of our Fallen Hero’s!
This is in direct conflict with the constitution of the United States
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
As of the publishing of this e-paper there has been no response from The Ohio Governor’s office Governor Taft, Congressmen Chabot’s office and Congressional canadate John Cranley. All were asked the same question: Will this issue be expedited during this election season and will you be the one to bring it to a head?
LATEST UPDATE AS OF 08/03/06
For Immediate Release
Aug. 3, 2006
Americans United for Separation of Church and State
Contact: Joe Conn, Rob Boston or Jeremy Leaming
202.466.3234 telephone
202.466.2587 fax
www.au.org
AMERICANS UNITED PRESSES VA FOR RIGHT OF WICCANS TO USE PENTACLE SYMBOL AT MILITARY MEMORIALS
National Church-State Watchdog Group Will Represent Wife Of Fallen Soldier And Wisconsin-Based Wiccan Church Americans United for Separation of Church and State is stepping up its effort to persuade the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to approve a Wiccan symbol for headstones, plaques and other memorials of deceased veterans.
Americans United is now officially representing Circle Sanctuary, one of America's oldest Wiccan churches, and church member, Roberta Stewart, a Nevada woman whose husband, Sgt. Patrick Stewart, died in combat in Afghanistan on Sept. 25, 2005. Sgt. Stewart's helicopter was shot down by the Taliban during Operation Enduring Freedom. C
Circle Sanctuary, headquartered near Barneveld, Wisc., has church members throughout the United States and elsewhere.
Circle Sanctuary and Roberta Stewart seek to have the Wiccan emblem of belief, the pentacle, included on the government-issued memorial plaque honoring Sgt. Stewart. His plaque is to go on the Wall of Heroes at the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery near Fernley, Nev.In addition to Roberta Stewart, Circle Sanctuary has other church members who want the pentacle on the VA-issued memorial markers of their deceased veteran husbands, including a Korean War veteran from Utah and a Vietnam War-era veteran from Ohio.
The VA permits only the symbols they have approved and included on their National Cemetery Administration's list of emblems of belief to be used on headstones, plaques and markers. The symbols of 38 groups have been approved, but the Wiccan pentacle is not among them.
Backed by Americans United, Stewart and the Rev. Selena Fox, senior minister of Circle Sanctuary, are working to convince the Department of Veterans Affairs to approve the use of the pentacle on government-issued markers at public and private gravesites and memorials for Wiccan soldiers. Most recently, Fox filed a request with the VA in January of this year. Officials with the National Cemetery Admistration responded, but refused to tell Fox when they might complete action on Circle
Sanctuary's application. In June, Americans United sent a letter to VA officials, citing case law and asking them to approve use of the symbol. Observed the letter,
"The National Cemetery Administration's failure to recognize the Wiccan Pentacle as a valid religious symbol constitutes unconstitutional discrimination against the Wiccan faith and its adherents. Indeed,there is absolutely no legal support for the Administration's practice of
maintaining a list of officially-approved religious symbols -- much less its exclusion of any religious symbol from the officially provided markers for military gravesites."
The Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United, noted that the first application for approval of the pentacle was filed by a Wiccan church nine years ago.
"There is simply no reason for officials at the Department of Veterans Affairs to continue dragging their feet over this matter," Lynn said. "Religious freedom means all religions, and it's time for the department to stop discriminating and institute a policy that respects America's great tradition of religious diversity."
Americans United plans to appeal to the Department of Veterans Affairs again as well as ask Congress to investigate the matter. Americans United is a religious liberty watchdog group based in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1947, the organization educates Americans about the importance of church-state separation in safeguarding religious freedom.
Circle Times: Thursday, August 3, 2006
Permission is granted if you want to print this letter you can. I wrote to Senator Mike DeWine and to Senator George Voinovich and my letter got on the front page of www.congress.org
"Letters To Leaders
All messages are published with permission of the sender. The general topic of this message is Veterans Issues:
Subject:
Religious Emblem Approval
To:
Sen. Mike DeWine
July 31, 2006
Dear Senator DeWine,
I live in your district in Adams County. I am the wife of a Disabled American Veteran who is currently hospitalized at the VA in Chillicothe in a persistent vegetative state. He is Pagan.
Over the course of the last 9 years, members of the Pagan community have been trying to get the VA to approve the pentacle (a star within a circle) as an accepted religious emblem. These applications have been stalled during this lengthy course of time. Currently, there are five applications of dead Pagan veterans via next of kin, who NEED and WANT their religious emblem to be placed on their memorial markers/headstones.
My question to you is this-- why so long? Why is the VA stalling on this issue? I have heard many standard responses such as "the approval process of approving applications was approved wrong" and other such nonsense. This has to stop! Who is the VA to play God?
There is nothing but pure politics happening. Our dead veterans swore an oath to uphold the Constitution but the Constitution is NOT being upheld for them.
I am respectfully requesting that you check into this matter for me, the wife of DAV. My husband is currently receiving wonderful medical care in the nursing ward, however, there is no guarantee that he will respond enough to be rehabbed nor do we know if his body will start rejecting him and decide to shut down in order to pass and welcome death in his arms. That is my greatest fear. I am a widow-in-waiting Mr. DeWine. After my husband passes I don't wish to have to fight the VA for the rights that my husband trained and fought for in the Army and the simple right of having a religious emblem on his headstone would be fit and just for someone who considered himself a warrior to his nation while on active duty.
He has paid his dues Mr. DeWine. Please, I ask you again to look into matter. I don't wish to have to continue this fight with Roberta Stewart. Her husband perished in Afghanistan last September. His dog tags said "Wiccan". She is a grieving widow who has her application pending. I will be one too some day. I can share to some level and degree the mourning and grief that she is feeling.
Please don't make me feel the same. I am NOT looking forward to the day when I may have to apply for that emblem to have it approved and have it emblazoned on my husband’s
headstone/marker but if I have to, I will.
Please also remember that this is an election year as well.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Gerwin D. Combs
Blue Creek, OH"
SPELL OF THE MONTH
MOONLIGHT MAGIC
The Sun is brilliant and warm, but the Moon is enchanting. Luna’s soft blue blanket takes away the glare of the day and invites us to slow down and rest. Invite the power of moonlight into your home.
On a full moon, open your curtains and blinds to bathe a room in Luna’s silvery glow.
Place a crystal in a glass bowl filled with water, and place the bowl on a moonlit windowsill.
On the following day, you can move this Moon-infused bowl to another room that does not receive the Moon’s blessing directly.
~Written by Sedwin
IF YOU HAVE A SPELL YOU WOULD LIKE TO PUBLISH E-MAIL IT TO THE greenwoodtreemonthly@yahoo.com
HERBS TO LIVE BY
By Barbara Dreamkeeper
FYI: No known virus or bacteria that can live in the presence of any therapeutic grade essential oil. Not one. With antibiotics, viruses can mutate and develop immunity, but not with essential oils. Recently a unique blend of essential oils was tested at Weber State University for its potent ant microbial properties, and amazingly, it was found to have a 99.96% kill rate against airborne bacteria. It was stated that therapeutic essential oils are one of our best defenses for the very serious health challenges facing our society today.
Lemon Oil: The vaporized essence of lemon can kill meningococcus bacteria in 15 minutes, Typhoid bacilli in an hour, Staphylococcus aureus in 2 hours, and Pneumococcus bacteria within 3 hours. A mere 0.2% solution of lemon oil can eliminate diphtheria bacteria in 20 minutes and completely inactivate tuberculosis bacteria.
Source http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_lemon.htm
http://www.geocities.com/dreamkeeper57/Regalia.html
Aromatherapy: The use of essential oils to catalyze, balance, and strengthen the vital self-healing energies of the body, mind, and emotions.
Balm: A soothing ointment or lotion made from vegetable or animal fat and infused with medicinal herbs.
Catalyze: A substance that facilitates a chemical reaction or a change from one state into another, i.e., to encourage healing.
Compress: A clean cloth or pad soaked in a strong medicinal herbal tea and applied locally to an affected part of the body.
Decoction: Drawing the medicinal qualities from herbs by cooking and steeping.
Diffusion: To reduce an herbal tea to a lower concentration.
Elixir: A panacea or cure-all.
Effleurage: The saturation of animal or vegetable fat with fresh, fragrant flowers and herbs to produce an aromatic compound.
Essence: The most subtle, refined form of a flower plant.
Essential Oil: complex, highly volatile aromatic oil. The aroma is formed in the chloroplasts of the plant's leaves, containing alcohols, esters, trepans, ketenes, and aldehydes. Unlike fatty
oils, such as jojoba and sesame oil, essential oils evaporate into the air or skin, releasing their aroma.
Flower Water Tonic: A cold-water infusion of a flower drunk to cool the mental, emotional, and physical nature of the recipient.
Infusion: To steep an herbal tea without boiling.
Panacea: A remedy that is a cure-all for disease.
Potpourri: A mixture of scented, colorful herbs, spices, and flowers used for aromatherapy.
Poultice: A medicated herbal compound spread on a cloth and applied to a sore or injury.
Steep: To allow herbs to set in boiled water, covered and placed away from the heat, to produce an infusion or tea.
Syrup: A thickened sugar and water solution, often flavored with herbs or flowers.
Tincture: An alcoholic solution of a medicinal herb. Soaking an herb in alcohol for three weeks or more will draw the medicinal properties into the alcohol.
Tonic: An herbal combination blended specifically for certain conditions to nourish, support, and invigorate the body.
Volatile Oil: The chemical properties in essential oils and herbs that can change quickly from a liquid to a vapor, releasing aromatic and therapeutic properties.
Taken from "Mother Nature's Herbal" by Judy Griffin, PH.D
IF YOU HAVE HERBS YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHOWCASE E-MAIL US AT greenwoodtreemonthly@yahoo.com
FULL MOON NAMES
COLONIAL AMERICAN August: Dog Day’s Moon
September: Harvest Moon
CHINESE August: Harvest Moon
September: Chrysanthemum Moon
AMERICAN INDIAN (CHEROKEE) August: Fruit Moon
September: Nut Moon
AMERICAN INDIAN (CHOCTAW) August: Women’s Moon
September: Mulberry Moon
AMERICAN INDIAN (DAKOTAH SIOUX) August: Moon when all things ripen
September: Moon when the calves grow hair
CELTIC August: Dispute Moon
September: Singing Moon
ENGLISH MEDIEVAL August: Corn Moon
September: Barley Moon
NEO PAGAN August: Lightening Moon
September: Harvest Moon
MOON PHASES
If anybody has any more information on other names for full moons. Please send them in to greenwoodtreemonthly@yahoo.com. If you know the names of the moon at its other phases please send the information also to greenwoodtreemonthly@yahoo.com
The Appreciation Section
For those we need to say Thanks to:
I would like to say a huge thanks to our dearest Bonnie and to Barbara Dreamkeeper for their huge hearts and wide shoulders from those of us who get babblingly overwhelmed!!
Blessings...
~Jackie
I have an appreciation...
To Euphrates (Lisa Manor) for creating the women's group that she facilitates. I have learned a lot about myself through working with the book we are reading and her making us feel comfortable to talk openly about things.
~Raven Silverwing (Jeanette)
If you have a person or group you think is not appreciated enough e-mail us at greenwoodtreemonthly@yahoo.com
DIVINATION CORNER
Pendulum Dowsing
Using a pendulum can be a fun and easy way to learn divination
When a person thinks about divination, or fortune telling, they usually think of Tarot cards. Though reading the Tarot is one of the more popular forms of divination, it's certainly not the only one. For anyone thinking of trying divination, the Tarot may seem a little intimidating. There are 78 cards to learn, not to mention the various ways of spreading them out.
How about trying the pendulum? You can't get much simpler than a small weight (called a bob) on the end of a chain or cord. It does take a bit of practice, and some natural intuition helps too. You can use an actual pendulum, or fashion something yourself with a pendant, crystal, seashell or even an acorn on a string. As long as it hangs relatively straight. Some people have preferences as to what material is used, but your pendulum can be brass, wood, glass, or just about anything.
The way to read a pendulum varies from person to person.
You basically hold the chain, and let the pendulum hang down. Wait until it is still, and ask your question. Try to keep your arm still, but if you fight the natural movements too much, you will find the pendulum will not respond at all. How the bob swings, reveals your answer. Now here is the tricky part: learning how to read the swinging bob.
The best way to learn your pendulum's movements is to practice by asking questions you know the answers to. Or ask questions that you don't know, but can quickly find out. Remember, it's not perfect and won't give an exact answer every time, especially if you are just learning. The variations of swings could be: up and down, side-to-side, circular clockwise or counter-clockwise. You need to determine which way is yes, and which way is no. You may find that up/down is yes, but side-to-side is no. Or your pendulum may prefer a circular motion.
Once you are familiar with your pendulum, use it often to develop your intuition when reading with it. It can be a helpful tool to test and improve your psychic abilities.
If you have a divination method you want to showcase e-mail us at
greenwoodtreemonthly@yahoo.com
COMING EVENTS AT OUR HAVEN FOR THIS MONTHS CALENDAR
Lamas - Campout August 4 - 6 Lamas is a special time at Our Haven as we prepare for the harvest!Pitch-in Lamas feast sponsored by Temple of Ishtar$25
Heartland Poly Conference Fall Gathering September 1-4 Come join in the lively discussions and education at HPC's Fall Gathering$60 with evening meals
Mabon Gathering September 15-18 Our Haven presents Mabon 2006This is another event that has proven to be one of the finest in the region. Workshops, music, dancing, it's all here!$45
THE ORACLE
We all know that the government local and state officials do not believe in what we do or what we believe in. With that being said lets test our abilities.
Last months question was:
Will the Covington Kentucky Wedding District FAIL?
By Dragon’s lair
Yes it will fail because there is a wedding district in Cincinnati in Reading Ohio. There is not enough room for 2 Wedding districts in the same area.
Next months Question is:
With the world in turmoil will there be a WWIII?
You work your tools or Psychic ability, and e-mail your answer to me at GreenWoodTreeMonthly@yahoo.com
Classifieds
WANTED TO BUY:
I am looking for a Sleeper sofa about 80 inches – donation or for sale, either are requested.
E-mail Barbara Dreamkeeper at dreamkeeper57@yahoo.com
Have a Dvd player for sale? $10 is offered, please e-mail Barbara Dreamkeeper at dreamkeeper57@yahoo.com if interested in selling.
Senior Services of Northern Ky .has services for the elderly in top 8 counties...Meals on Wheels for those just out of hospital, Food Pantry for people with lack of food (non perishable items, such as canned goods), help finding senior housing, etc. 491-0522, all services are free.
The next 15 items belong to Barbara Dreamkeeper you can contact her at Dreamkeeper57@yahoo.com Prices will vary according to item. I know both of these women personally and know that they do quality work
HAVE YOU HEARD?
Rev. Bonnie is having a yard sale this weekend on August 19th and 20th! Come one, come all! Email sheagh@yahoo.com if you wish more information. Thanks!
PAGAN HOLIDAY
This publication will be out after the holiday ends but there are times when the holidays have to be celebrated at another time. This is the definition of what Lughnassadh is
Celtic: Lughnassadh (pronounced Lu NA sa) or Assembly of Lugh -- Old Celtic Feast of Earth Mother Goddess Tailte or Tailltiu and her foster son, the God of Light Lugh/Llew / Lug/ Luighaidh Lamhfhada or the long-handed. Llew was the God of All Skills, sacrificed each year as the grain is slain to become bread and beer. Celts celebrated the grain harvest with Harvest Games. Lugh was wed to Bloddeuedd, a beautiful Earth-Goddess. Marriages took place in a hollow during the festival.
OPINION POLL
Paganism (from Latin paganus, meaning "a country dweller" or "civilian") is a blanket term which has come to connote a broad set of western spiritual or religious beliefs and practices of natural or polytheistic religions, as opposed to the Abrahamic monotheistic religions. "Pagan" is the usual translation of the Islamic term mushrik, which refers to 'one who worships something other than God'. Ethnologists do not use the term for these beliefs, which are not necessarily compatible with each other: more useful categories are shamanism, polytheism or animism. Often, the term has pejorative connotations, comparable to heathen, infidel and kafir (كافر) in Islam.
By the very definition of Paganism we are a godless person? In our community today are Pagans:
1. Godless heathens
2. Closet Christians
3. Work hand in hand with the Devil
4. Fluffy bunny, Tree Hugging Pagans
5. Walk to our own Drummer or
6. We just have trouble with authority
Send your answers to greenwoodtreemonthly@yahoo.com
We here at The GreenWood Tree Monthly are starting a new article called pagan web site for children. If you have a Pagan web site you let your child go to and we will publish the name and web site address. Send them to greenwoodtreemonthly@yahoo.com
RECIPES
Meat Lovers Quiche
(4 servings) Printable Version
1 pound ground sausage
1 small onion
10 strips of bacon
1/2 cup chopped bell pepper
2/3 cup cream
2/3 cup milk
4 large eggs
4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 teasoon salt
1/4 tesapoon black pepper
1 ready-to-fill pie crust (9 or 10 inches)
- Form sausage balls with your sausage meat. Bring large pot of water to a boil; add sausage balls. Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes. Drain and reserve. Cut bacon into 2 inch squares and fry until crisp. Drain. Saute peppers and onions, drain. Beat eggs with cream and milk. Add salt and pepper. Scatter half the cheese in bottom of pie shell, cover with bacon, onions, and peppers. Layer sausage balls next. Scatter the rest of the cheese. Gently pour egg mixture into shell over meats and cheese.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes at 350 degrees.
Easy Banana Bread
(6 servings) Printable Version
1 and 1/4 cups flour
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
3 bananas
8 Tablespoons margarine
1/3 cup walnuts (optional)
- Cream sugar and margarine, mash the bananas and add to the mixture.
Beat and add the eggs. Slowly add the flour, salt, and baking soda. Pour into a loaf pan.
- Bake at 350F for 30-45 minutes.
Diabetic Banana Bread
2 teaspoons low-sodium baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 1/2 cups slice bananas (3 ripe bananas)
1 egg
1/3 cup canola oil
2 Tablespoons sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened orange juice
- Nonstick cooking spray
- Preheat oven to 350F. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon in a bowl. Stir to blend. Puree the bananas in a blender. Add the bananas and remaining ingredients and mix well. Pour into a loaf pan that has been sprayed with nonstick cooling spray. Bake for 40 to 50 min. Cool on a wire rack. Makes 1 loaf
- Serving size: 1/2 inch slice
- Yield: 1 loaf
- Exchanges: 1 Fat, 1/2 Fruit, 1 Starch
- Nutrition: 141 Calories (34% from fat), 2.4 g, Protein, 21.2 g, Carbo, 5.4 g Fat
If you have a recipe that you would like to publish e-mail us at greenwoodtreemonthly@yahoo.com
FROM THE UPI
GODDESS & NATURE
LIGHT EQUALS LIFE FOR ALL LIVING THINGS
COMMENTARY: ALWAYS IN SEASON
By DONNA HENES
UPI Religion & Spirituality
BROOKLYN, June 27 (UPI) — Though summer is the season of long light and hot days — each day gets shorter, losing about two minutes of sunlight every 24 hours. Light is not lost lightly. Light equals life for all living things. The grim prospects of life in the dark prod one to take action. To join the solar cheering section and enlist in the service of the sun. The stars need stirring, the atmosphere a charge. This is the task at hand if all is not to be lost.
Ask not what the ailing sun can do for you, but what you can do for the sun. Sympathetic magic is called for to fan the floundering flames of el sol. It is the tradition of the people of the Taos Pueblo to race up the mountain to welcome the rising solstice sun. To meet it half way, as it were. For them, it is a form of reciprocation. A returning, in much gratitude, of some life giving energy back to its original source. An allegorical passing of the life-force torch.
In pagan Europe and North Africa people sent burning wooden hoops and wheels woven of straw rolling down steep hills to illustrate the retreat of the sun, spinning, turning, traveling away. These wheels descend from a much older solar symbol, the chariot. The Norse Eddas tell of the Goddess Sol, Sul, Sulis driving the chariot of the sun. Ancient Buddhist texts speak of the Sun Chariot as the Great Vehicle, or the Chariot of fire.
The ancient Greeks pictured the sun carried across the daytime sky in a golden chariot. On the summer solstice, the priests of the Sun and Poseidon along with the priestess of Athena processed in front of the Acropolis with gift offerings of fruit and libations of honeycombs. Wine was not served because it would make the Sun tipsy and he had to drive.
The actual lighting of bonfires is, by far, the most prevalent — practically universal — practice for celebrations around the time of the solstice. What more fitting offering could be made in the aid of the failing mother of all light? It is the ultimate act of flattery by imitation. A primal sacrament of obeisance to the first flame of the firmament. A symbolic feeding of restorative fresh strength to the sun. And at the same time, certainly, the light and heat of the fire serve to soothe and affirm that, though departing, the sun will surely return.
In ancient Egypt, the summer solstice was celebrated by the Burning of the Lamps at Sais in honor of Isis, Queen of Heaven. In Rome, the day was dedicated to Vesta, also known as Hestia in Greece. The Vestal Virgins, Her oracular priestesses, were the guardians of the public hearth and altar. On this day the perpetual fire representing the mystical heart of the empire, was extinguished, re kindled and blessed.
People across the European continent as well as the New World colonies built great bonfires on the solstice. They danced around them the whole night long in a joyful, spirited vigil. They danced in great circles, winding to assist the sun on its celestial course. They leapt through the flames and drove their animals through them to be empowered and purified by the heat, the smoke. They waved torches in the air, passed them over crop and stock, and sent them out to sea. Blessings, all, of the sun's supreme power.
The age-old worshipful awe of nature, the respect, the reverence, has all but disappeared in contemporary western society. We have tampered with the perfectly functioning divine order of Nature, trying to fix what wasn't broken. The universal scenario has shifted, and the world will never be the same.
We have turned the heat up too high and the fires burn out of control. The deserts are spreading. The icebergs are melting. The atmosphere is shrinking. The crops are scorched and fertile soil is washed away. The hot air dries out the foliage and sears our lungs. Mother Earth is on a slow burn and Mother Nature's patience is fried. The sun — the bringer of light and life, the center of our once-adoring orbit — has now become something to stay out of.
This summer let us honor our debt to the sun by making friends with it again.
We can show our respect for the gift of its power by putting it to good use. We can collect this cosmic resource and utilize it as fuel to power our lives. We can plant arbors for shade and trees to prevent erosion. We can conserve, reuse, and recycle. And most important of all, we can be the emissaries of the sun, spreading warmth and light and energy wherever we go, whatever we do.
— — —
Donna Henes is an urban shaman in exotic Brooklyn, contemporary ceremonialist, author and popular speaker. Visit her website at www.donnahenes.net . Email her at cityshaman@aol.com. © copyright 2006 by Donna Henes
— — —
UPI Religion & Spirituality Forum is a big tent for all expressions
of faith and spirituality, neither excluding nor favoring any.
All opinions expressed belong to the writer alone, and are
not necessarily shared by UPI Religion & Spirituality Forum.
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