WTPaganTimes

Mayday issue

2011-05-15T00:53:00.002-05:00

Oh, do not tell the Priest our plight, Or he would call it a sin;
But we have been out in the woods all night, A-conjuring Summer in!
- Kipling

Mayday! Mayday! Long-awaited play day!

Another story from my Good Catholic Upbringing:

Naturally I attended Catholic school. The first of May was the feast of the Virgin Mary, Queen of Heaven, and it was traditional to have a big celebration. This included crowning a good Catholic girl the Queen of May, and she would then crown the Virgin Mary statue located inside the church. The big thing for our class one year was to dance the Maypole. Our teacher, Sister Jesus Mary & Joseph, began to pair the girls with the boys in order of height. I was doomed! Since I was the tallest in my class, taller than any boy or girl, I was not paired with a boy to dance with. I was the Giganto that no shorter boy would want to dance with (Tom Cruise never wanted to appear shorter than Nicole Kidman either - SIGH). Sister Jesus Mary & Joseph felt sorry for me though and found a way to include me. I got to "hold" the Maypole!

However, I am thrilled to tell you that once again I will DANCE the Maypole (no holding from me needed!) this year in the lovely park with Pagans and Non Pagans from miles around! We will collect personal hygiene items for donation to Women's Protective Services. There will be ritual and food and drink and a good time had by all. Everyone is invited, for as you can see, this tradition is too big for one religion. We will celebrate sexuality, and fertility and we might even crown a fair maiden or two! For sure there will be penis cake, condoms for free (the Elder Grove wishes everyone a safe Beltane!) and a table full of tampons and sanitary napkins!

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NEWS

Long may he blow!

By Great Eurus, Exalted Ruler of the East Wind,

By Great Notus, Exalted Ruler of the South Wind,

By Great Zephyrus, Exalted Ruler of the South Wind,

By Great Boreas, Exalted Ruler of the North Wind,

By ALL the Sylphs, Creatures of AIR,

we welcome the Triumphant Return of Lubbock's OWN

Windy Man!!!

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Fires around Carlsbad, New Mexico break out on Easter Sunday! Kalisha is part of the firefighting efforts and we're glad that witch is on it! There's been too many fires in that state and in ours too, lately!

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Welcome to the Lubbock Universal Life Faire. We are an independent organization that wishes to promote Alternative Spirituality.
Our Collective goal is to establish a venue for the exchange of ideas and items associated with progressive alternatives to Spiritual fulfillment, representative of the common ties that is shared by all. The Lubbock Universal Life Faire is an opportunity for persons practicing alternative spirituality and the healing of Mind, Body, and Soul to educate the general public about their practices and to serve as a community building experience. This is an opportunity for the participants to market and to connect with other practitioners and to build community.
This event would be combinations of speakers, music and vendors, exploring the different views of mind, body and spirit in the West Texas area.

Even though the Lubbock Universal Life Faire is small in size, we are Big in Vision, working diligently at making this an annual event, growing and becoming more inclusive year after year.
We are planning to have 3-6 speakers and 5-8 vendors and musicians, but we are open to any type of event, as there is not only an indoor space but also a large outdoor space where tents can be set up as well

Our proposed date is August 27, 2011. The House of Spiritual Teaching (HOST) space will be the sponsor of the Universal Life Fair. HOST is located 1 block West of Slide on 18th. It is a great space and very accessible.

Here is the website which as the vendor/speaker form and other information:
https://sites.google.com/site/universallifefaire/
If you are interested in Vending or Speaking, please let us know. Also feel free to pass this on to other interested parties.
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We apologize for the technical difficulties, but our brooms caught fire and the film broke. We are getting everything repaired and the reviews will return with the next issue.

Thank you, Momma Witche and Lil' Witche

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Advice from:

Good Witch/Bad Witch

Dear witches,

I live out in the middle of Christian Hell. Recently the highway department has been adding sculptures to the new freeway. One of the designs is called "Windy Man" and is a representation of the west Texas wind in all of it's glory. He has clouds for hair and is blowing a curtain of dirt before him. The problem is that this is the second time they have tried to put Windy Man up. The first time, a Christain group took a sledge hammer and destroyed the sculpture because they claimed he was the Green Man. Now anyone with any brains can see the difference. Please GWBW, what should the pagans of this area do in order to preserve this beautiful piece of artwork?

Sincerely,

A Pagan Art Lover

Good Witch:

Dear Art Lover,

First let me say how absolutely thrilled I am that the highway department has not bowed to the rabid few and have put Windy Man back up where he belongs. That being said, I can see your concern. Hopefully he is placed where they cannot damage him again. Get a group of friends together and do a protection ritual for him. I wouldn't sugget actually going to the location because that might cause even more wrath from the more rabid of the Christian groups. If it is mentioned in the local press, write in and point out, politely of course, that he is NOT the Green Man and cite the differences. Your tax dollars, and I am assuming that you pay your taxes, are paying for this art work and you should be allowed to enjoy it.

Sincerely,

Good Witch

Bad Witch,

Well no one said that Christians were smart. I mean
it is the religion of grovelers. Don't do this or you'll
go to hell, don't do that, grovel, grovel, grovel.
How they manage to get through the day without
dropping to their knees and a few hallelujah, I'm
never quite sure. Yeah, yeah a few good
protections spells will do, but I say in the very
Christian vein, and eye for an eye, a sledgehammer
for a sledgehammer. A few good whacks at some of
those overly pious idols will do. But why waste the
energy, although it is tempting, let's just dose's
with some good ole fashioned Goofer Dust. Sprinkle
some outside one of their churches on Sunday
morning, or better yet, on the entrance to
Walmart, since that's where they all herd off to
after more groveling. And we can make some with
some harmful dirt form one of their own
graveyards. Plus a bit of sulfur, and some black
pepper. I make my own with a few choice
ingredients, so if you need some,…
May the windy man reign supreme,
Bad Witch
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Our Beltane 2011 Playlist:

May Queen - Three Weird Sisters
May the Circle Be Oopen - Circle of Women/Alice Di Micele
I Walk With the Goddess - Kellianna
Earth My Body - Circle of Women/Alice Di Micele
We Shall Lift Each Other Up - Circle of Women/Alice Di Micele
Mother of Darkness; We All... - Circle of Women/Alice Di Micele
O' She Will Bring-Musical Priestess - Circle of Women/Alice Di Micele
Celebrate the Rain - Circle of Women/Alice Di Micele
Mother I Feel you - Circle of Women/Alice Di Micele (yup, I'd just downloaded this album recently)
Ladyspin - Daughters of Gaia
Blessed Be - Daughters of Gaia
Merry Mayfolk - Emerald Rose
Freya, Shakti - Emerald Rose
Wiccan Goddess Chant - Inkubus Sukkubus
Cauldron of Changes - Lindi Lila
Beltane Boogie - Moon Struck
Firepit Drumming - Moon Struck
Firebird's Child - S.J. Tucker
Hymn to Herne - S.J. Tucker
Witch's Rune - S.J. Tucker
In the Name of the Dance - S.J. Tucker
Prayer of St. Francis - Sarah Maclachlan
New Forest - Three Weird Sisters
Boys Want Sex in the Morning - Three Weird Sisters
Lord of the Dance - Todd Alan
Artemis - Wendy Rule
The Circle Song - Wendy Rule

Beltane is a time of fertility and creativity. Most of us have been quite busy getting creative, and fertile. So, this is the abbreviated version of the newsletter this time. See you next month!

Luna

2011-03-14T00:08:00.002-05:00

Ostara Issue

This is my favorite Sabbat. There's nothing better than Spring in the air when you grow up in northern Michigan. There could be frost on the ground in the morning, but by mid-afternoon, if the temperature reached 5-0, the young generation could be found outside in FULL FORCE - long sleeves off, bikini tops and short shorts in the place of thermals, worshipping the sun and begging for a bit of a tan. Of course, Spring also brought cold, wet, dirty snow, slushy ice, and all kinds of misery. The sun was our favorite bright orb though, and the first sign of spring was a welcome sight.

Also, it was my mother's fault that I loved Easter so much. You see, in Michigan, we don't hide eggs. We hide the whole basket. And it didn't matter how old I got, and because I was the oldest, I always got a basket and the Easter Bunny always hid it in the most difficult to find place! This awful fate befell my mother at a young age, and so she deemed it necessary to bestow it upon me. My mother's Easter Bunny hid her basket (she was the eldest) in a place so hard to find, that she didn't get to enjoy ANY Easter candy until well into the next day! Now, she did feel sorry for me once and had to tell me where mine was, but I never went very long without my basket. (That's because I learned to get up early and start looking for mine!)

Anyways, I still have the same basket that was wedged into nooks and crannies where it was hoped I would never look, and I still have some of the toys my mother would put in the baskets, saved year after year and now so special to me.

So I get all kinds of Warm Fuzzies when I think of this holiday. Then, as an adult, I began attending sunrise rituals on the Sunday closest to the spring equinox, led by a former minister. After he left the church, and the state, to better places of course, I continued on his tradition, inviting friends and covenmates to an early morning party. This year we shall repeat of course, and as the sun rises, we will awaken Mother Earth and rejoice in the beginning of another year, another harvest, another spin around the Wheel.

Ostara Altar

I pray you all find balance at this Spring Equinox,
Luna
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NEWS

Psychic Fair Coming to a Town Near You!

The two local PPD co-coordinators have determined that they have enough funds to run PPD for the next two years and no longer wish to be associated with fundraising, or the impending psychic fair. This is great news! It opens up the possibility of bigger and better psychic fairs with brighter futures! Although this will continue to be an open Pagan community-lead event, by distancing itself from PPD politics the spirit of freedom and independence will shine through and continue to grow. Hopefully! You too can be a part of this exciting venture by visiting: http://www.lbbpsychicfaire.webs.com/

The Psychic Fair will be August 27, at the House of Spiritual Teachings.

Calendar

March 19 - Full Storm Moon
March 20 - Spring Equinox aka Ostara
March 20 - Elder Grove Ostara Celebrations (all day)
March 25 - Palmistry class (private), see Aisha Kandisha for details
March 27 - Coffee with Oly - Special Guest Sharon: Psychic Readers; 3-5pm at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/olympias
April 3 - Coffee with Oly - International Pagan Coming Out Day; 3-5pm at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/olympias
April 8 - Magick Coffee - The Element Fire and Wands; 7-9pm location TBD
April 15 - Palmistry class (private), see Aisha Kandisha for details
April 15 - Deadline for submissions for Beltane newsletter
April 18 - Full Wind Moon
April 22 - Earth Day
April 30 - Walpurgisnacht
May 1 - Beltane
May 8 - Mother's Day
May, Friday the 13th - Magick Coffee - The Element Air and Daggers/Athames/Swords; 7-9pm location TBD
May 17 - Full Flower Moon
June 10 - Magick Coffee - The Element Water and Cups/Chalice; 7-9pm location TBD
June 23-26 - GOTMO, for more information,

Click to join gathonthemtn

July 8 - Magick Coffee - The Element Earth and Pentacles; 7-9pm location TBD

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Kitchen Witch's Korner

As with all Sabbat celebrations, food plays an important part in the festivities. If we turn back the clock and look at the conditions our ancestors survived in, by the time of Spring, many of their food stocks, saved from the previous years harvest, and meat saved from the last cull and slaughter of their animals, would now be running out. With the arrival of a new Spring and the renewed regeneration of life and nature, many of their fears for survival were over. Ostara to them marked an end to eating cured and salted meat with dried vegetables. As animals came out of hibernation, fresh game became available, and as the Sun climbed higher, herbs and new young plants replaced the old. As such, the Ostara feast was always one to remember. Hope these recipes assist you with planning your feast! With blessings from the hearth, ~Hestia

Deviled Eggs
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Deviled eggs are supremely easy to make, and you can make them sweet or spicy. This recipe is for a tangy, spicy version of the classic spring dish. Prep Time: 30 minutes

1 dozen eggs
1 TBSP brown mustard
¼ cup mayonnaise (not Miracle Whip)
1 tsp curry powder
½ tsp white vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste
paprika

Place the eggs in a pot and cover with water. Bring to boil and let them boil for 11 minutes. Turn off the burner and allow the eggs to set for 30 minutes. Cool the eggs with cold water and then peel. Slice each egg in half lengthwise and remove the yolks to a bowl. Mash the yolks up with a fork, and add the mustard, mayonnaise, curry powder, vinegar and salt and pepper. Blend it all together. Place the yolk mixture into a ziplock baggie, remove all the air and seal. Cut a small hole in the corner of the baggie to allow you to pipe the yolk mixture into the egg whites. Sprinkle with paprika. Enjoy!
　
　
Sausage Quiche
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
4 eggs
1 cup whipping cream
¼ TBSP salt
¼ TBSP pepper
8oz breakfast sausage, browned and cooled
¼ cup diced onion cooked with sausage
1 cup cheddar cheese
9 inch deep dish pie crust (thawed)

Whip eggs, cream, salt and pepper together with a whisk. Place the sausage and onion in the bottom of the pie crust. Evenly cover with the cheese. Pour the egg mixture over the top. Bake at 400° for 15 minutes then reduce heat to 300° for 30 more minutes or until knife inserted in the middle comes our clean. Let stand for 10 minutes before cutting.
　

Spring Salad
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mixed salad greens of your choice
Green onions, chopped
Can of mandarin oranges, drained
Caramelized almonds
Dressing

Caramelized Almonds:
1 cup slivered almonds
1 TBSP butter
3 TBSP sugar.
In a small fry pan, melt butter and sugar over medium heat. Add almonds. Stir till toasted.
Remove from heat and spread on waxed paper to cool.

Dressing:
½ tsp salt
¼ cup canola oil
1 ½ TBSP sugar
Dash of black pepper
1 TBSP parsley
2 TBSP salad vinegar (I like to use rice vinegar)

Combine all ingredients in a bottle and shake until mixed thoroughly.

In a bowl, place the salad greens, the oranges and the almonds. Pour dressing over salad and toss. This salad will not keep. Must be served immediately.

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Ostara, celebrated March 20^th or 21^st, is also known as the Vernal Equinox. This is a time of birth and of balance, when light and dark are equal. This is the time when you are ready to burst forth from the womb of the Goddess and begin this years incarnation. Whether you celebrate with an elaborate ritual or just a simple spring blessing, remember this is an ideal time to put plans into action for growth in our own lives, to actively encourage change. Correspondences include:

Rituals: welcoming spring, fertility rites, rituals of balance, spells for prosperity, new beginnings, Garden/plant blessings, seed blessing, balance, growth

Activities: planting seeds, coloring eggs, egg hunts, starting new projects

Incense: African violet, jasmine, rose, sage and strawberry

Herbs/Plants: pine tree, acorn, celandine, cinquefoil, crocus, daffodil, dogwood, Easter lily, Irish Moss, ginger, hyssop, linden, strawberry, gorse, honeysuckle, iris, jasmine, jonquils, narcissus, olive, peony, rose, tansy, violets, woodruff and all spring flowers

Stones/Gems: Jasper, amethyst, aquamarine, bloodstone and red jasper.

Colors: Light green, lemon yellow, pale pink, pastels, gold, grass green, robin’s egg blue

Symbols/Decorations: baskets, eggs, lambs, flowers, chicks, bunnies, budding twigs, flowers, pussy willows, four leaf clover, sprouting bulbs, colored ribbons, any spring flowers, eggs, butterflies, cocoons

Foods: jelly eggs (jelly beans), chocolates, lamb, eggs, seeds, leafy green vegetables, spiced or flower cupcakes, fruits, hot cross buns, sprouts, honey cakes, unleavened bread, hard-boiled eggs, sprouts, fish, maple sugar candies, milk, punch, egg drinks

Goddesses: all love, virgin, and fertility Goddesses; Anna Perenna (Roman), Aphrodite (Greek), Astarte (Canaanite, Persia, GrecoRoman), Athena (Greek), Cybele (Greco-Roman), Eostre (Saxon Goddess of Fertility), Gaia (Greek), Hera, Ishtar (Assyro-Babylonian), Isis (Egyptian), Libera (Roman), Minerva (Roman), The Muses (Greek), Persephone (Greek), Venus (Roman), Ostara (the German Goddess of Fertility), Kore, Maiden, Isis, Youthful Goddesses. Faerie Queen, Lady of the Lake(Welsh-Cornish), the Green Goddess

Gods: all love, song & dance, and fertility Gods; Adonis (Greek), Attis (Greco-Roman), Cernunnos (Celtic), The Great Horned God (European), Liber (Roman), Mars (Roman), Mithras (Persian), Odin (Norse), Osiris (Egyptian), Thoth, Pan (Greek), the Green Man, Hare, Youthful Gods, Warrior Gods, Lord of the Greenwood (English), Dagda(Irish),

Animals/Mythological creatures: rabbits, hares, robins, dragons (associated with eggs the earth and fertility), lambs, chicks

Essence: The beginning of spring, new life and rebirth, the God and Goddess in Their youth, balance, fertility, strength

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I watch-day by day

Lady Bug is first to sing of the Mother

Skeletal trees, tall and lean

from the Winter

suddenly transform...

from Masculine to Feminine

in the glorious display

of blooming crowns...

each branch a miracle

soon to be birthing the fruit

that will seed the seasons...

~mojo~

Northeasterly winds

Pink glow born on the horizon

Morning chill on the run

A new day begins

Red and gold rays reach out

Embracing

Sending her warmth

To the world Good morning children

Let us begin anew

Grasp this moment of magic

Until we meet again on the morrow

~Jason Stanley~

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By Momma Witche

Movie review—“Rango” rated PG (2011)

“Rango” is the animated story of a chameleon with a theatrical turn of mind that falls out of his humans’ car in the middle of the desert and winds up in the town of Dirt. There, he uses his acting “talents” to become the latest sheriff to try to defend the town bank and its supply of water which is in extremely short supply. If you are a fan of westerns then you pretty much know where this one is going to go, but the trip is really fun. The animation is good and at times it was hard to believe it was a cartoon. The characters were fun and the allusions to the old classic westerns were fun to pick out. I especially liked “The Spirit of the West” and all of the references to Clint Eastwood’s Man with No Name. Lil’ Witche had fun picking out the voices and it is a great cast—Johnny Depp, Ilsa Fisher, Ned Beatty, Alfred Molina, and Bill Nighy to name just a few. Johnny Depp does an excellent job as a slightly not all there chameleon who is not used to having to deal with the consequences of his actions. There are some adult themes in this one, which does seem a bit odd considering it is a cartoon and is being marketed to kids. But I am a firm believer in the parent controlling what the child consumes so I’m not having an issue with this.

Go see this either alone or with your little witchlets. There is enough adult humor and references to keep you entertained and the little ones will love it. We give it 4 owls.

Movie review—“Gnomeo and Juliet” rated G (2011)

To start this review off I have to say that I do not like the story “Romeo and Juliet.” I never have. Having had to read it twice during high school and once at university and having seen several movie versions, I still dislike it intensely. It glorifies teen suicide and the impression a lot of young girls are given that “I can’t go on if HE doesn’t love me.” What a crock.

What intrigued me was the whole gnome idea. Maybe this one would be worth seeing. It is a kid’s movie after all. Gnomeo and Juliet surely can’t kill themselves in the end. Can they?

Don’t worry, they don’t. To quote Gnomeo when he is speaking to a statue of Shakespeare “That’s not how this one is going to end.” And that is not the only reference to Shakespeare and his other works. The moving van is Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Juliet tells a dog “Out, out.” And in the background you hear the owner say “Damn Spot.” It was fun picking out the various references. And the voice cast was incredible. James McAvoy, Emily Blunt, Maggie Smith, Michael Caine, Jason Statham, Ozzy Osbourne, and Patrick Stewart to name a few. Dolly Parton even makes an appearance as a hillbilly girl gnome. And the music is wonderful. Elton John and Bernie Taupin did the soundtrack and Elton John makes a brief appearance as a gnome in pink and purple with blinged out glasses.

Lil’ Witche and I give this one 3.5 owls. I’m still not thrilled with the source material, but it was handled well and the music was good. The animation was not up to the standard of “The Legends of the Guardians,” but it was a good reminder of an earlier time in animation.

Movie review—“The Eagle” rated PG-13 (2011)

This movie is based on the book The Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff which in turn is based on the legend of the Ninth Legion of Rome that marched into the north of Britain in 120 CE and vanished from the pages of history. The movie is set 20 years later when the son of the Centurion in charge of the Ninth is made Centurion of the 4th Gaullish Cohort and is posted to Britain. After being wounded in battle and honorably discharged to his uncle’s British estate, Marcus Flavius Aquila is given a British slave Esca. He hears rumors of the lost eagle being held north of Hadrian’s Wall and Marcus then decides to salvage his family’s honor by retrieving the lost eagle. He sets off alone with Esca to travel north of the wall. This is a quest/road trip movie set in 140 CE and I loved every minute of it.

The history is handled very well, the scenery is wild and wonderful (as it should be since it was shot in Scotland), and the acting is good. I appreciated that while this movie does deal with conquest and warfare, most of the blood and guts are off camera. When the scouting party is beheaded in front of the Roman fort, you see the Druid pull the sword, the Roman’s head pushed down and then you watch the faces of the soldiers on the fort’s wall watch the beheading. No massive spurts of blood and no bouncing head. I think it made it more gut wrenching than if we had seen slash, splash, and bounce.

I’ve read other reviews that complained about the acting, but I enjoyed watching the two leads overcome their ingrained prejudices—Roman versus Britain—and learn to trust and care for each other. They each learned that the other was not a soulless, heartless monster, but a man with flaws and talents and honor. I think one of the last lines of the movie sums up this lesson best when Marcus defends Esca to a Roman politician “He is not a slave. And he knows more about honor and freedom than you’ll ever know.” You can see on Esca’s face that he feels the same about Marcus.

See this one when you can. Lil’ Witche has already said that it will be added to our collection. And if I can find the soundtrack there are some songs that would work wonderfully in ritual. We give this one 4.5 owls.

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App Review
by Luna

An App review, you wonder? Well, what else have I been doing ever since Randy got me an iPod Touch?! Yes, I've been racking up the charges at iTunes. Something I spent 99 cents on was this app:

Wicca Spells has almost 100 spells, so that's about a penny apiece. Most of them are money or love spells. However, during Doug's presentation of Grimoires, he brought quite a few for show and tell. I went through the spells in a couple of them, and the majority of those spells were ALSO money and love spells! I guess money and love are always in demand!

I like the pretty pictures in this app. My iPod has the retina something or other *insert Geek-like terminology to describe why it shows such purty pictures.* This app looks nice, and it has a bunch of spells that you can take anywhere. Plus, it's fun to look through. You never know when you'll need The Beautiful Voice Spell (when you want to sing well in a performance) or a dozen money spells. There is no way to index these spells. You simply go from one to the next, but you can distinguish certain spells as your Favorites and thereby you would have a smaller list to go through. Plus, I wish there was a way I could add my own spells. But for 99 cents, it's a fun little app that has been updated a time or two already. Also available: Pagan Rituals app and Magic Potions app.

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I must begin this with a HUGE apology. I cannot find where I originally got this spread. So I can't give credit to the author. If you know who wrote this, please let me know.

Tarot Deck Spotlight
by Luna

The deck I am choosing today is a new one, a birthday gift from a great friend! I'd had my eye on this deck for a LONG TIME and not only did I get a brand new deck and the companion book, but my copy was signed by the author and creator of the Whimsical Tarot - Dorothy Morrison. The cards are illustrated by Mary Hanson-Roberts, and she was the perfect illustrator for this adorable deck. I always thought that this would be the deck I would gift a child as many of the card scenes are from fairy tales and nursery rhymes. You can see the Ugly Duckling on the 5 of Pentacles, Jack Sprat and his fat wife on the 2 of Pents, the Princess and the Pea are the 4 of Swords, and an indignant Little Bear has busted Goldilocks on the Justice card. It's not totally all cuteness and kittens though. The Fool (the Scarecrow from the Wizard of Oz with Toto at his feet) is just about to head over the cliff into the flames (of hell?) below. The Tower card shows the ravenous Wolf blowing down the Pig's house of straw, a frightening scene. The 3 of Swords show clueless Hansel and crying Gretel hopelessly lost as the birds eat up their trail of crumbs. It's scary, although in the cutest way possible.

Because I get in touch with my Inner Child at Ostara (especially), I wanted to use this deck which also is for my Inner Child.

Here we have Last year's issues, 1 year ago: 9 of Swords

What you controlled, 1 year ago: Wheel of Fortune

Outside influences, 1 year ago: 7 of Cups

Spiritual guidance, then: 9 of Rods

This year's issue is: 9 of Cups

Spiritual guidance (now): 2 of Rods

Outside influences, this year: 2 of Cups

What you control (this year): 6 of Pentacles

BALANCE card for this year: 8 of Rods

What do you think about this reading? What do you think of this deck, the Whimsical Tarot?

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Dear GWBW,

I am a member of a circle that has always been very inclusive of all seekers. The majority of us are older, not elderly just over thirty, and have jobs and families. There have been a few younger people on the fringes who seem to think that we should just drop everything and take care of them spiritually and, unfortunately, financially. When we are unable to cure all of their problems, they go off and rant and rave in language that my children would get their mouths washed out with some of my vegetarian lye soap for. Frankly GWBW I'm tired of all the drama. What should we do?

Thank you,

Mother Demeter

Dear Mother Demeter,

I feel for you and your circle. Drama like this can be very tiring and cause a person to rethink their relationships with those around them. And that’s the way it should be. I believe that the Goddess sends us these little trials as a way of not so much testing our faith, but as a learning experience. Beef up your own personal protection, and that of your immediate family. Personally I keep an apache tear(for grounding and protection), hematite(to repel negativity) and snowflake obsidian(for protection) with me at all times. You can use this time as an opportunity to rethink your structure as a group in order to discourage this from happening again. It can also be a teaching experience for YOUR children. They are watching how you respond to this and you can show them proper adult behavior in the way that you respond to this crisis. In this way, you can help future groups by creating mature, responsible pagan youth. And remember that old adage “Kill ‘em with kindness.” If they are having troubles financially, help out by collecting job applications for them so that they can better their employment opportunities. Bring them meals, and include herbs such as rosemary and oregano, and others that can broaden their minds. Just remember, it’s not only our children who are watching us, but the wider community. To quote my old granny “You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.” How you all handle this will not only have an impact on your pagan community, but also on the outside community.

May the gods watch over you,
Good Witch

Bad Witch has finished her lunch and sends this answer -

2011-01-31T00:14:00.000-06:00

Imbolc Issue

When I was a small child, deep in the bonds of the Catholic Church, February 2nd, to me, represented the day we nearly were strangled in church. St. Blaize's feast day is Feb. 2, aka Candlemas. We were made to attend mass, as usual, and the priest would bless our throats. You had to kneel down and the big tall priest would stick a couple candlesticks across your neck and murmur some words in Latin (or so I was told, it could have been Satan Speak for all I knew then) and the wafting of the frankincense and myrrh was made to put you in a trance so that you didn't feel the pain of the candles squeezing your life force from you! MUHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

See these pics? Imagine my fright. Plus, I had never heard of anyone at that time dying from a neck disease!

Catholic torture device

Don't you think she looks as scared as I was?

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Brigid's bed, Imbolc 2007

The Imbolc Love Necklace Spell

Ancient mystery, magic night

Cut pink rose buds by fireside bright.

Thread of white, a needle sharp

Candle red to stay the dark.

Place all upon the altar stone

Consecrate from witches bones.

Cast a circle from outstretched hand

Call the quarters, make it grand.

Elements are good, and angels too

Universal love can be their cue.

Banish winter, out, out, out

Raise your staff, turn thrice about.

Throw Yule greens in the fire

Dance to bring in Spring's desire.

Dress the dolly, corn she be

The harvest bride from last year's seed.

String the rose buds, one by one

Circle and tie when you are done.

Empower it now, hold it high

Ask the Gods to bring love nigh.

Raise your energy, bright and strong

Hum a tune of loving song.

Release your power, quickly please

Ground an center, feel at ease.

Dismiss your quarters, circle down

Open the space with a rapping sound.

In the morning when the sun doth rise

Place the dolly under new day skies.

Leave her there, without the gown

To summon prosperity all year round.

When autumn chill doth kiss your cheek

Return the doll to the ground or creek.

Save the necklace, keep it close

Give it to whom you love the most.

Kiss them once upon the lips

Tell them it's an Imbolc gift.

~by Silver Ravenwolf

________________________________________________________________________________

NEWS

Fire at Cloudcroft destroys a couple buildings. The mid-December fire happened at 4am and threatened Cloudcroft's main street. Fortunately no one was injured, although several businesses were burned down.

Congratulations to Mojo and Misi (O’Pa and Nene) on the birth of the first grandson. Anson Lee Rutherford was born on January 17. He joins proud daddy Asa and exhausted momma Alle and beaming big sister Audrey at home. Welcome to this crazy world, Anson! You are only a couple weeks old now and so very loved.

GOTMO - the next planning meeting for the Gathering On The Mountains (aka GOTMO) will be February 4. If you’d like more information on what GOTMO is please visit:
http://www.tarotbyolympias.com/mysticcrossroads2007.html This year’s event will be held on June 23-26, 2011 and costs $40 per adult and includes all meals, camp access, and all workshops/rituals. It’s a great time, beautiful area, and I say WHAT A BARGAIN!

________________________________________________________________________________

CALENDAR

Feb. 2 - Imbolc
Feb. 2 - New Moon
Feb. 4 - GOTMO Planning Meeting
Feb. 5 - EG Imbolc celebration
Feb. 6 - PPD/Psychic Fair Planning Meeting, 10am, Hastings
Feb. 11 - Magick Coffee at Schlotzky’s on 19^th, topic: Astral Temples
Feb. 13 - Coffee with Oly - Recipes for Love 3-5pm at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/olympias
Feb. 18 - Full Moon
Feb. 20 - Coffee with Oly - Hades, Lucifer, and Satan 3-5pm at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/olympias
Feb. 27 - Coffee with Oly - Sound-Off Sunday 3-5pm at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/olympias
March 1 - Deadline for Ostara Newsletter submissions
March 4 - New Moon
March 11 - Magick Coffee, topic TBD

________________________________________________________________________________

Pagan Poetry Corner
for future submissions, email: angellswrath@yahoo.com

American Veterans

A wesome

M odest
E xtraordinary
R eady
I ntelligent
C ourageous
A dmirable
N oble

V ast
E ducated
T rained
E ncouraging
R eliable
A ble
N ecessary

Here's to all the veterans and soldiers
who are fighting or fought to protect us.

~Jenna Espinoza, grade 6

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Imbolc fire, 2009

If you kept a sacred fire burning for me

I would spend the rest of eternity

making love to you -

body mind soul.

Every square inch of

you covered by my lips

in a kiss.

I would feed that fire.

I would

burn baby burn for you.

Look for me in every candle flame.

I burst into desire for your heat.

~Luna

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I breath in...

I can feel the briskness of the God

I can feel the chill of the Goddess

they dance the ancient dance,

breath-cloud forming before my face...

I sit among the fallen skeletal leaves

and I trace her fingerprints along each

line of decay, their brittle essence

turning to dust at a touch...

She is here...in the hard earth beneath me...

BELOW

She is here...in the shadowing barren trees

that sway in the wind

She is here...in the scurry of the heavy furred squirrel

the black crackles eagerly eat the weeks crusty bread.

The Geese turn the twilight a grim gray Wild Hunt

as they call out the mother's name as they pass...

Above me-I see a tiny bud of life

ABOVE

forming carefully at the tip of the deep brown branch...

soon she will turn from barren to life-giver again

and Her soft womb will swell with renewal...

~mojo~

________________________________________________________________________________

by Hestia

Kitchen Witch's Korner

Imbolc is a great time of fire and feasting. The word "Imbolc" comes in part from the phrase "ewe's milk," so dairy products have become a big part of February celebrations. Traditional foods for the Imbolc celebration include those made with seeds, (to symbolize growth), raisins (a fruit of the Sun God), pork, poultry, or lamb, with sides of potatoes, cabbage, onions, and garlic and of course any dairy product. Imbolc is the mid-point of the dark half of the year, and though stored foods are running low, it is a celebration of renewal and preparation for Spring. Whip up some kitchen magic for your Sabbat meal with these tasty recipes of the season!

With many blessings!
~Hestia

Amish Breakfast Casserole

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1 pound sausage or ham or bacon, cooked and diced

1 medium sweet onion

6 eggs lightly beaten

4 cups frozen shredded hash browns, thawed

2 cups (8oz) shredded cheddar cheese

1 ½ cups (12 oz) 4% cottage cheese

1 ¼ cups shredded Swiss cheese

In a large skillet cook the sausage/ham/bacon until completely done. Drain. Using 1 TBSP of the oil left over from cooking the meat, sauté the onion until done.

In a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients. Transfer to a greased 13 x 9 inch baking pan.

Baked, uncovered, at 350° for 45-50 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Let stand for 10 minutes before cutting. Yield: 6 servings

Note: I really thought of not doing the cottage cheese or the Swiss cheese, but please include them. You will not be disappointed.

Colcannon
~~~~~~~~~
8 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
1/2 head of cabbage
1 bunch scallions (green onions), chopped
2 cloves chopped (or pressed) garlic
1 small chopped onion
milk
butter
dill (1/2 t. dried, or 1 t. fresh chopped)
fresh ground black pepper

Shred the cabbage. Sauté the onions and garlic with a little butter, then add the cabbage and toss to coat. Reduce heat and cover; let it steam until done.

Meanwhile, boil, drain, mash the potatoes, add milk and a little butter. Stir in the cabbage mixture, and season with salt pepper and dill.

At the end of winter, our ancestors may have been running low on veggies and meat, but they usually had plenty of bread left. This is a wonderful recipe for soda bread from our local Irish witch, Charree.

Irish Soda Bread

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

½ cup sugar

1 ½ teaspoons baking powder

¾ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon n baking soda

½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter

1 cup raisins, dried cranberries or dried pomegranate

1 tablespoon caraway seeds (optional)

1 large egg

1 ¼ cup buttermilk

¼ cup sour cream

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9 inch round cake pan or a loaf pan. Sift together the dry ingredients. Using a food processor or a pastry cutter cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles small peas. Blend in the dried fruit and the caraway seeds. Beat the egg, buttermilk and sour cream together until blended. Stir the egg mixture into the dry mixture just until blended. Transfer the batter to the pan and bake for 50 to 55 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Imbolc, also known as Candlemas, Imbolg, Bride's Day, Oimelc, Brid's Day, Lady Day, St. Brighid's Day, Candelaria, Lupercus, is usually celebrated on the 1^st of February. Imbolc, loosely translated, mean’s “ewe’s milk” It marks the center point of the dark half of the year. It is the festival of the maiden, a time to prepare for growth and renewal. Correspondences include:

Rituals: Purity, growth and renewal, new beginnings, purification, household cleansing rituals, rejuvenation, spells for good luck, fertility spells, re-consecration, weather divination

Incense: Basil, bay, benzoin, cinnamon, myrrh, vanilla, violet

Herbs/Plants: Angelica, basil, bay, benzoin, heather, myrrh, rowan, dill

Stones/Gems: Amethyst, bloodstone, garnet, onyx, ruby, turquoise

Colors: white, silver

Symbols/Decorations: white or silver Candles, brides, grain dollies, burrowing animals, ewes, Brigid’s cross, Brigid’s bed, priapic wands, brooms, white flowers or the first flowers of the season, silver bowls, melted snow in a bottle, representations of animals of the season

Foods: Cheese, recipes using sour cream or mascarpone, yogurt, curries, fish, white meat, dishes containing onions, peppers and/or garlic, spiced wine, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, muffins, scones, rice pudding, poppy seeds, poultry, foods or breads containing raisins, herbal teas

Goddesses: Virgin or maiden goddesses, the Goddess as a child, Brigid(celtic), Aradia, Athena(greek), Gaia(greek), Inanna(sumerian), Februa(roman), Hestia(greek)

Gods: Gods of fire, the God as a young man or child, love or fertility gods, Pan(greek), Aengus Og(celtic), Eros(greek), Februus(roman), Faunus(roman)

Animals/Mythological creatures: Bears, eagle, groundhogs, owls, ravens, sheep, snakes, stags, dragons, firebirds, phoenix

Essence: renewal, new beginnings, purification

_____________________________________________________________________

by MommaWitche

Before we get to the movie reviews I have some exciting news on “The Hobbit” front, or at least Lil’ Witche and I find it exciting. It has been confirmed on onering.net that Sir Ian McKellen will reprise his role as Gandalf, along with Elijah Wood as Frodo and Andy Serkis as Gollum. Peter Jackson has stepped back in to direct the two movies. The latest rumor is that Sir Christopher Lee is in talks to reprise his role as Saruman. We are so looking forward to these two movies, which are currently due in theaters in December, 2112, and December, 2113. Now back to the regularly scheduled movie reviews.

Movie review—“The Chronicles o Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader” rated PG (2010)

“The Voyage of the Dawn Treader” is the third movie in “The Chronicles of Narnia” series. This one almost didn’t get made because “Prince Caspian” did so poorly at the box office. The movie begins with Edmund and Lucy Pevensie living in London with their aunt, uncle and pesky cousin Eustace during the last few years of World War II. Peter and Susan have gone to America with their parents for reasons that are never explained. The Pevensies, along with cousin Eustace, find themselves transported back to Narnia when a “very Narnian looking painting” begins oozing sea water. They are rescued by King Caspian who is sailing to the East in search of the seven Lords of Narnia in order to defeat an evil that has moved upon the land. Typical quest, and we know that Edmund and Lucy are prepared for the journey. But cousin Eustace complains that he has been kidnapped, etc, etc. Like the previous two movies, lessons are learned and Eustace is the one who learns the most.

This one goes much further in the overt Christian themes than the other two. Aslan’s world is beyond the surf and once you’ve gone there, there is no return. Lucy asks Aslan if he has ever been to her world and he says that in her world he is known by another name, one that she must learn. Lil’ Witche wanted to know what he meant and that gave me the opportunity to explain C.S. Lewis’ intent with these books and the differences between him and his good friend J.R.R. Tolkien.

We give this one 4.5 owls. The story is good, and the CGI characters are awesome, especially the dragon and the sea serpent.

Movie review—“Season of the Witch” rated PG-13 (2010)

“Season of the Witch” was supposed to come out early last year, but was pulled and new scenes were shot. This is never a good sign, but I went in knowing that it would not be an Oscar contender. It’s Nicholas Cage versus the supernatural after all. He has even admitted that while he enjoys the period and playing a knight, he did this one for the money.

That said, I was blown away. This is the story of two knights who have deserted the Crusades and are forced, under penalty of death, to take a witch accused of causing the Black Plague to a distant abbey where the monks can “cure” her. Along the way they encounter wicked CG wolves and battle zombie ninja monks. I was on the edge of my seat for most of the movie, and at other times I was jumping in my seat. There are twists and turns that I didn’t see coming. I do recommend this one and give it 4 owls.

For all of the reviewers I read that complained about the plague scenes as being too gross, the plague was gross. And the Church did blame witches for causing the plague. They didn’t know about germ theory after all.

Since it’s January, Lil’ Witche and I want to give you a list of the upcoming movies we are looking forward to this year. I’ve included the release date and if it is a cartoon or documentary.

“The Way Back” January 21

“The Eagle” February 11

“Gnomeo & Juliet” February 11 cartoon

“Rango” March 4 cartoon

“Red Riding Hood” March 11

“Mars Needs Moms” March 11 cartoon

“Born to be Wild” April 8 documentary

“Rio” April 15 cartoon

“Thor” May 6

“Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” May 20

“The Hangover 2” May 27

“Cars 2” June 24 cartoon

“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2” July 15

“Winnie the Pooh” July 15 cartoon

“Cowboys and Aliens” July 29

“The Three Musketeers” October 14

“Breaking Dawn Part 1” November 18

“The Muppets” November 23

And there is an as yet untitled “Sherlock Holmes” sequel that is due out by Christmas. It looks like it will be a good year.

_____________________________________________________________________

Good Witch

My dear sir,

You have truly been blessed by the Goddess to have attracted such a large clan of cats. It is entirely possible that they see you as a cat also. However, if you are sincere in your desire to cut back the population and are unable to have them all neutered, I would suggest finding them good homes. Cats make wonderful familiars and kitty pets and I’m sure you know people who could give each of them a wonderful loving home. You should also look at your garden and see what is out there that is attracting the cats. Perhaps you should take out part of the catnip and plant rosemary. Either dry the catnip or pot it up to give away with the cats.

Good Luck,

Good Witch

Bad Witch

Dear Delbert,
You really have your head up your… if you can’t figure out the difference between in the plumbing.
Ho Hum.

Option 1: As far as ‘natural’ remedies, try wild carrot seed, or wild carrot oil. You need to ingest, you don’t rub it on the regions: that is to say, you need to feed it to your female cars, once you figure out the plumbing issues you have. I have no idea of the dosage. BTW, put a crowbar in my money spell and take the little buggers to the vet.

Option 2: The Q-Tip Method. Do I really need to go into details?
Option 3: The Diaper Method. Again, do we need to go into detail. Still doesn’t solve the problem of the incessant squalling----enough to send the zombies, vampires and what not, heading for the hills.
Option 4: You could try a bit of Bend Over and Commanding Oil creating a spell that bends your cats to your will. That is, will them NOT to breed. Yeah, and we know how well that one works. There also is a great Arab-curse, that would be said to any male cat in the area. It’s a penis-shriveling curse. But again, efficacy is in question.
Really for as much as us witches like our furry familiars, they are almost akin to rabbits, pigeons or squirrels with their voracity of breeding, And Since here in the hinterlands, it never really gets cold enough (like in Yankeeland) for a good old fashioned die off, we are, so to speak, a bit overrun at times.
The other options of course are to start a coyote sanctuary on your land. That will take care of the excess kitties, although you may have a few beefee rednecks with their guns taking exception to that.
The bottom line. Treat ALL cats like little breeding machines, shooting out kitties like a water canon. TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION!

BW
Ps. Oh and one last option.

The Boot
Grab male cat
Place head-first boot
Take sharp razor
Whack those gonads off

________________________________________________________________________________

And that concludes the Imbolc 2011 Issue. Hope you enjoyed it. We enjoy getting feedback, so please leave a comment or drop us a line at wtpagantimes@gmail.com

We also accept essays, book/music reviews, poetry and anything that you consider news worthy, please email it to us for the next issue.

In Love & Light,
The Elder Grove

Yule Issue

2010-12-02T22:16:00.000-06:00

We're back!
It's December in West Texas. It's pretty chilly at night, but I hear it will be a sunny 70 degree weekend ahead. We hope you enjoy this issue. Let us know what you did like or if you'd like to see something else.

Let's Call this our Schedule
“Hoped-for” publication dates for West Texas Pagan Times newsletter:

Yule issue/December 2 (this was Dec. 1.... until yesterday!)
Imbolc issue/January 15
Ostara issue/March 1
Beltane issue/April 15
Litha issue/June 1
Lammas issue/July 15
Mabon issue/September 1
Samhain issue/October 15

NEWS

HarvestFest
HarvestFest was held recently in Amarillo; this was the 21st year! That is quite a feat! Your editor was too ill to attend, but I heard it was a smashing success and everyone had such a good time. I am so sorry I missed it! It was not to be, for me. But there’s always next year!

Bouncing Baby Boy
Tommy & Mary Jeffers had a baby boy on Nov 9th: Evan Andrew. Welcome, Evan and many happy wishes and peaceful sleep-filled nights to the new parents.

Wedding Bells

Susan and Dean Goodman were married on September 11 in Roswell. Congratulations, you two! May you enjoy many happy years together, ever in newlywed bliss!

CALENDAR
Dec. 5 - BlogTalkRadio program, “Coffee with Oly” topic - Entities
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/olympias
Dec. 10 - Magick Coffee at Schlotzky’s on 19th, topic: Yule Love It
Dec. 12 - BlogTalkRadio program, “Coffee with Oly” topic - Interview with Raven Sexton, an Elder Goth & Vampire - http://www.blogtalkradio.com/olympias
Dec. 18 - Elder Grove Yule Celebration
Dec. 18 - Earth Circle's Yule Ritual
Dec. 19 - BlogTalkRadio program, “Coffee with Oly” topic - Winter Solstice - How Will You Celebrate? - http://www.blogtalkradio.com/olympias
Dec. 21, 12:33 a.m. (Note: this means the night of Dec. 20) - Total Eclipse of the Moon
Dec. 26 - BlogTalkRadio program, “Coffee with Oly” topic - Sound Off Sunday and Readings for the New Year! - http://www.blogtalkradio.com/olympias
Jan. 14 - Magick Coffee

YULE
I think we’re pretty much in agreement when I say that what began as a Pagan celebration has been totally taken over by Christianity. How many times have you heard “Jesus is the reason for the season?” Have you ever been chastised for saying Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas?

I’m not saying that we can’t all celebrate - for whatever reason - at the same time of year.
Instead, I am asking, what does Yule mean to you? And if you celebrate it, how?

Nothing is a certainty. (Except death and taxes, of course.) Sure, you’d win the bet on whether the sun would rise tomorrow - if you could find such a foolish bookie. But you can’t know if the sun will rise on YOU!

Christians commemorate the birth of the Son, while we Pagans see the rebirth of the Sun. While this time of year marks the days getting shorter, I can’t relate to a people that were afraid this meant the sun was dying or going away. But given that there’s no guarantee on how many times the sun will rise on me - I choose Yule time to celebrate life’s cyclical nature.

The birth of a baby is so exciting - the potential for that life unlimited. The baby could well be the next savior of the world! Death, as we’ve agreed upon, is really just another chapter in that life. Which brings us to rebirth. All these themes can be seen at Yule time. The magic of that is what I relate to.

My celebrations include food (of course), and yes, some gifting is involved. I like to find children to gift, because what child doesn't need a Yule Gift?! There's also a Yule log and some sympathetic-type magic in the form of lights and/or flames from a warm fire. Being with loved ones and drinking mulled wine - all these things just go together.

I would really like to hear from you, what are your Yule traditions? What does Yule mean to you?
~ Luna

Kitchen Witch Korner
by Hestia
Yule Correspondences to follow!

Sugar Cookies and Hot Wassail. This is what comes to mind when I think of Yule. For me, this is a season of love; love for your family, your lover, your friends. What’s the best way to share that love? Why putting that love into your baking and cooking of course! I’m a kitchen witch by nature. I have always instilled healing or comfort or love into everything I prepare. I like to call on a hearth Goddess to watch over my kitchen and any chance that I will enchant an item, such as a wooden spoon, I do. I like to stir things in deosil (clockwise) to infuse and widdershins (counterclockwise) to banish. Today I am sharing two of my favorite Yule recipes, so please give them a try and learn what works best for you. There’s a little kitchen witch in everyone!

Many Blessings!
Hestia

Sugar Cookies

1 stick margarine (generic)
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tbsp milk
1 tsp vanilla
2 ½ cups flour
2 tsp baking powder

Cream margarine and sugar well. Add eggs, milk and vanilla. Mix thoroughly.
Sift dry ingredients together and slowly add to the wet mixture.

Chill batter 2-3 hours or overnight.
Roll out on floured board approx ¼ inch thick.
Cut with cookie cutters.

Bake at 350° for 8-10 minutes or until golden.
Remove to cooling racks.

May decorate before baking with sugars and candies ~or~
you can bake the cookies, allow them to cool and then ice them.

Wassail

2 quarts apple cider
1 cup honey
2 oranges studded with cloves
4 cinnamon stick
1 apple cored and sliced
1 tsp nutmeg

Add all to a large crock pot and allow to simmer for at least 2 hours, more if you can. Strain and serve hot.

YULE CORRESPONDENCES
Yule, usually celebrated on the Winter solstice/December 21st, is a time of the Goddess of the Cold Darkness and the birth of the Divine Child, the reborn Sun God. It is a time of renewal and rebirth during Winter, and the turning of the Earth force tides. Correspondences include:

Rituals: personal renewal, world peace, honoring family and friends, Festival of light, meditation

Incense: bayberry, cedar, ginger, cinnamon, pine, rosemary, frankincense, myrrh, nutmeg, wintergreen, saffron

Herbs/Plants: blessed thistle, evergreen, moss, oak, sage, bay, bayberry, cedar, pine, frankincense, ginger, holly, ivy, juniper, mistletoe, myrrh, pinecones, rosemary, chamomile, cinnamon, valerian, yarrow

Stones/Gems: cat’s ere, ruby, diamond, garnet, bloodstone

Colors: gold, silver, red, green, white

Symbols/Decorations: bayberry candles, evergreens, holly, mistletoe, poinsettia, mistletoe, lights, gifts, Yule log, Yule tree, spinning wheels, wreaths, bells, mother and child images

Foods: nuts, apples, pears, caraway cakes soaked with cinder, pork, orange, hibiscus or ginger tea, roasted turkey, fruitcake, dried fruit, cookies, eggnog, mulled wine

Goddesses: Great Mother, Befana (strega), Rhea (Greek), Holda (Teutonic), Isis (Egyptian), Lucina (Roman), Dona Dea (Fauna/Roman), Mother Earth, Ops (Roman Earth Mother), Hertha (german) Freya(norse), Call leach (celtic)

Gods: Sun child, Saturn (Rome) Cronos (greek) Horus/Ra (Egyptian) Mithras (Persian) Balder (norse), Santa Claus/ Odin (teutonic) Holly King, Old Man Winter

Animals: reindeer stag, phoenix, squirrels, cardinal, sacred white buffalo, kallikantzaros - ugly chaos monsters (greek), Yule goat (Nordic) Yule cat, trolls, Yule elf, jule gnome, wren, robin

Essence: honor, rebirth, transformation, light out of darkness, creative inspiration, the mysteries, new life, regeneration, inner renewal, reflection/introspection

Mistletoe
For its supposedly mystical power mistletoe has long been at the center of many folklore. One is associated with the Goddess Frigga. The story goes that Mistletoe was the sacred plant of Frigga, goddess of love and the mother of Balder, the god of the summer sun. Balder had a dream of death which greatly alarmed his mother, for should he die, all life on earth would end. In an attempt to keep this from happening, Frigga went at once to air, fire, water, earth, and every animal and plant seeking a promise that no harm would come to her son. Balder now could not be hurt by anything on earth or under the earth. But Balder had one enemy, Loki, god of evil and he knew of one plant that Frigga had overlooked in her quest to keep her son safe. It grew neither on the earth nor under the earth, but on apple and oak trees. It was lowly mistletoe. So Loki made an arrow tip of the mistletoe, gave to the blind god of winter, Hoder, who shot it , striking Balder dead. The sky paled and all things in earth and heaven wept for the sun god. For three days each element tried to bring Balder back to life. He was finally restored by Frigga, the goddess and his mother. It is said the tears she shed for her son turned into the pearly white berries on the mistletoe plant and in her joy Frigga kissed everyone who passed beneath the tree on which it grew. The story ends with a decree that who should ever stand under the humble mistletoe, no harm should befall them, only a kiss, a token of love.

~Author Unknown~

POETRY

Gaia In Colorado

I have witnessed Gaia in all of her glory:
Basking and shimmering in the light of her lover, Sun.
The swell of her bosom and her hips rising above the plane of her thigh.
Her scent is jasper and aspen, cedar and pine, lavender and sage.
No other beauty compares to that of my mother, Earth.

But what terrible children she has borne!
They who would have her spread-eagled on their greed!
I have seen her stripped naked and forced open for all to see.
I am forced to watch as she is repeatedly raped.
Her golden hymen all but obliterated: she bleeds oil into her oceans.

But I have also seen her exact her revenge!
She hurls her stone judgements at the dwelling places of her defilers!*
Her lover, Sun, also avenges her: beating relentlessly down upon all who tread her mesa pathways.

Colorado evokes every emotion simultaneously.
~Written By TammyLynnClason;19July2010; MesaVerde,CO~

by Momma Witche

Movie review—“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1” rated PG-13 (2010)

“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1” is the much anticipated seventh movie in the Harry Potter saga. This one finds Harry, Hermione, and Ron outside of Hogwarts in a race to find the “Deathly Hallows” in order to stop He-who-must-not-be-named, who has taken over both Malfoy Manor and the Ministry of Magic. Many people have gone into hiding and almost everyone has lost hope of ever being free from the tyranny of the Death Eaters. Some old friends die and others are maimed. I won’t give too much of the story away, but if you have read the book you know what is going to happen. It is a darker film than the previous ones, but they have been getting darker for some time now. Be prepared for some tears if you are at all involved with these characters. Lil’ Witche was especially upset with two of the deaths, and any of you who know her will know which two.
    I went into this movie with extremely high hopes. The other movies were wonderful, but a lot of information from the books was left out. I understand why, because otherwise the movies would be extremely long. I came out of this one extremely pleased. It’s not so much that things are left out, but rather that a lot of description from the book is done in one or two shots. The chapters concerning the trio’s journey up and down the countryside is shown rather quickly, but does not detract from the story.
The familiar faces have all returned along with a few new ones. You finally get to meet Bill Weasley(you met Charlie briefly in “The Goblet of Fire.”) and Luna Lovegood’s father. And having watched these kids grow up on the screen, I am impressed with the acting talent. I know a lot of it is the fact that these movies have been a great acting school for them, and the adult actors they have had a chance to work with is simply incredible. But the first casting directors should be given a big hand for taking a risk with these young men and women. I mean, they could have turned out to be mediocre, or even down right bad. I think you will understand what I am saying when you see the look on Draco Malfoy’s face during any of the scenes in Malfoy Manor. You can see the revulsion and fear he is feeling, and not a word is said.
    We give “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1” 5 owls. I’d give it more but I’m on a 1 through 5 owl scale. Go see this one. The second half comes out next July.

DVD review—“How to Train Your Dragon” rated PG (2010)

    This is the story of a young Viking who does not fit in with the rest of the Vikings in his hometown. He is short, scrawny, and does not want to kill dragons. Instead, he befriends a Night Fury, the most deadly of all the dragons. In the process he discovers that the dragons and the Vikings have a lot in common and don’t have to kill each other if they can get rid of the dragon that is controlling the other dragons. It is just as good in 2D as it was in 3D. The DVD has some interesting segments on how the film was made and the cast. We got the edition with the second disk which is a continuation of the story in “The Legend of the Boneknapper.” We give it 5 owls.



Interview
by Luna
Thanksgiving has once again come and gone. I had the wonderful treat of spending some time with a very good friend whom I hadn’t seen in 4 years! I first met Hana in the late 90’s when she was a student at TTU. She was a member of the former CUUPS group (which eventually became the Lubbock Seeker’s Society) and later, the High Priestess of the Serpents of the Vine, my old coven. After her appearance at the first Pagan Pride Day in Lubbock as the “woman with the baby and the knife!” Hana and her family moved to Washington state. However, they have recently relocated to Albuquerque so Hana can attend the University of New Mexico.

Hana and baby Alex in San Diego

    Magickal name and why you chose it.

     Briony, it is the name of a plant that only has magical uses, not healing or cooking. I wanted it to differentiate my magical life from my mundane one. It's numerology also matches my given name.

    Brief bio/history of religion and religious practices:

     Like many of today's modern neo-pagan practitioners, I was raised Christian. However, I was also lucky enough to have parents that thought camping and being outdoors were very important activities. Mountains and rocky beaches have always been my true cathedrals. Also like many people, I began to feel something was wrong spiritually in my teens, and started seeking a new path then.

    How long have you been practicing and what is your chosen path?

    I settled on Wicca during the summer of 1998, and declared myself so on the top of Glastonbury Tor.


Why did you choose that path?

     It provided both a framework and a means to be flexible, and it is what felt most like home.

    How do you celebrate Yule?

     I celebrate Yule with most of the trappings of a modern American Christmas, only changed slightly to fit my beliefs. But I like presents, good food, and family and feel like most symbols of Yuletide have either lost their Christian symbolism or never had it to begin with.

    You used to be a nurse; how did you bring witchcraft into your nursing practice?

     As a nurse I worked in intensive care units, which was often very stressful. I's use simple techniques like grounding to help get through my shifts. However, I'd also do things like take the little pink squirts of saline that we had (for cleaning out suction lines) and sprinkle the salt water around a room after one patient died and before the next one arrived to remove any lingering energy.

    What are you doing now, and do you use witchcraft in (geology - or whatever it is you do do .... )

    Right now I'm studying for a Masters degree in Planetary Science at the university of New Mexico. This means I am working with stones and minerals all the time. As a witch I can often tell if there is quartz in any rock just by briefly picking it up and looking at it, because quartz feels like such an old friend! Sometimes there's such a small amount that we can't confirm it until we put a sample into the scanning electron microscope- but I'm always right!

    Tell us a bit about being a Pagan parent and what practices you bring into parenting.

     My son is a very busy four year old red-head, born on a full moon. I read him myths from different cultures, but he's not ready yet to be in rituals. What I do do with him is teach him ways he can ground. For example, if I have to take him to class with me he knows to run and hug every tree we pass on campus before going into the earth sciences building!



Music Review
by Luna

Same Winter as Ever

And Winter Came ~ Enya, 2008, Reprise Records

First of all, I am probably the least qualified to review music of anyone. I have never learned to play a musical instrument, and I have no voice for singing. That being said, I do like to listen to music and I have my opinions about what is good music and what is crap.

Speaking of crap, I am sad to say that I did not enjoy this CD at all! I was so disappointed, because I love Enya! Or, I thought I did. Until I listened to this CD. EVERY song, save for one, sounds like every other Enya song I think I've heard. I didn't realize it until I put this CD on and heard what sounded like Watermark... or Memory of Trees.... The different song wasn't even that good.

Don't buy this CD. You can have mine.

Samhain Issue

2010-09-26T18:02:00.129-05:00

New Newsletter
Welcome to the first newsletter, “published” by the Elder Grove members, about and for West Texas/Eastern New Mexico Pagans. In this newsletter, we hope to provide items of interest, and news about upcoming events. Articles, poems, event dates, stories, and etc. can be submitted for inclusion in future newsletters (we hope to publish for each Sabbat) to this email address:
WTPaganTimes@gmail.com

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NEWS

5th Annual PPD in Lubbock
The day (September 25) started out drizzling rain and that hampered some of the set-up efforts, but not participation in this annual event to celebrate Pagan Pride in a town thick with Christian churches. There were robes and candles for sale, tarot readings to be had, and workshops/lectures to attend. Plus, a wonderful raffle. Folks came from nearby states and nearby neighborhoods. Brenna Mar led the masses in an opening ritual that provided Food from the Gods in the form of blessed water and pretzels for all to enjoy. Later, some of the Elder Grove dressed up as Green Folk and marched around the area calling for all to join in their pledge to care for Mother Earth. Blessings and wishes were placed on ribbons and attached to a tree. The day ended all too soon when the group once again gathered in a circle to pronounce the fifth Pagan Pride day in Lubbock a success. Appreciation and applause was bestowed upon Kiandra, as she is stepping down as co-coordinator, and to Aaron for a job well done. Then a hearty welcome was made to Sarah, as she will be the new co-coordinator for next year.

South Plains Fair
The annual South Plains Fair was held recently. I can report that I made it to the Fair once this year. They've moved our offices - we used to be housed a mile from the fairgrounds, and would go every day for lunch (free parking AND admission before 1pm!). This year they raised the admission price for adults to $8 (it used to be $5 -I think?) and parking to $5 (from $3). However, all the music concerts were free. So we made arrangements to go see Blue Oyster Cult. The two original members have been together 40 years! Yet, they could still shred a guitar! It was a GREAT concert, they played nearly 90 minutes, and well worth the increased fair prices. I have never seen so many CANES used by the concert-goers though - B.O.C. has been around that long.
As far as the Fair food goes, I was a little disappointed in my corn dog, but the corn was scrumptious - if a little overpriced ($4 for one cob/cup?!) And the fried pie was a sweet delight, as always.

THT
Over in Roswell, New Mexico, Temple of Hekate's Torch member Sam was recently promoted to 2nd Point Priest. A hearty congratulations goes out to him! And because I was curious about what it means to be a "2nd Point Priest," Sam readily agreed to be my first INTERVIEW for our new newsletter. So, without further ado, here is Sam!

Could you give us a little introduction? Name, or magickal name, hometown, occupation/type thing.
My name is Sam Eash, I was born and raised in Roswell, NM. I am a tutor at Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell, I am also a student at ENMU-R, I am seeking a degree in Computer Information Systems.

Could you give us a little background into your Pagan experience?
·    How long have you been a practicing Pagan (assuming you consider yourself as Pagan)?
I have been a practicing pagan for the last 3 years. I use the term pagan because I live and walk my faith.
·    What got you started on the Pagan Path?
I was always taught to be open to new ideas and to cut my own path in life, and when I meet Cindy and the THT I heard the ring in the back of my head and decided I would like to learn from the THT and I have had a blast learning and growing, not just magically/spiritually but personally as well.
·    What "kind" of Pagan flavor are you? - Wiccan, Druid, Asatru, Strega, etc.
I am a member of the Temple of Hekate’s Torch and follow the Strix Tradition, but I have the honor to be called by many pantheons.
·    How long have you been with THT?
I have been learning from the THT for 3 years, and I have been a full member for 2 years.

You've recently been initiated as a 2nd point priest to the Temple of Hekate's Torch. Can you tell us what that means? Does that position come with obligations of any sort?

The THT has a point system that breaks down the hierarchy of the temple and the status of its members. Points 1-3 are students, 4-5 are teachers, and 6-9 are the priesthood. The obligations that come from me being a 2nd point initiate are that my actions now represent the temple more so than when I first joined. I may speak for the temple and I may teach as well. My other obligations are to the gods and goddesses, such as daily offerings and prayers.

What kinds of accomplishments did you make to qualify you to move up in the ranks of the Temple?

THT has a curriculum of courses and study material that one must complete before they can move to the next point. The course work is designed around the challenges that each point will face. Some of them include participation with the pagan community, others are just like school work, nose in the book or computer screen, and research is done to broaden the knowledge of the student.

What kinds of goals/projects or plans do you see in the future for you as a 2nd point priest/part of the THT?

The only goals that I have set as of now, are to continue with my studies toward my 3rd point, and get through college. As for being a 2nd point initiate I hope to start being able to teach potions, because it is something that I really enjoy.

Who are the mentors, teachers, or heroes who have inspired you on your path?

All the members of the THT have been my mentors and teachers and they have helped me move forward on my path, but also John and Aaron Brocklehurst, LeQuetta Purkiss, and the other members of the Yew Leaf Willow Grove have inspired me to do great things with my life.

How does your religion affect your life?

My religion affects my life in how I view the world and how I interact with the world, I walk in magic, which for me means that I am not afraid to use magic in my daily life. Every breath, drink, and spoken word is magical to me. I constantly have to think of how I will say, do, and react to things because of how I have intertwined my magic into my life.

What spiritual challenges or obstacles have you encountered?

My biggest spiritually challenges where learning to let go of myself and enjoy my new life, and deciding when to use magic and when not to. Interacting with other pagans opened my eyes to what was right and what was not to an extent, I also listen to what the gods and goddesses have to say and base my actions off them.

What do you find most rewarding/memorable moment about your religion?

    My most memorable moment was the first time I actually heard Hekate speak to me at my first oracular ritual, the experience was so grand that I nearly cried from the great joy and oneness I felt being in the prescience of Hekate, who I have heard off and on for as long as I can remember.

Thanks so much for sharing with us, Sam! We need more Pagans like you in the world!

Alle & Sam

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Samhain season activities and Calendar

The Maize - a 12 acre cornfield full of twists and turns.
In addition to the Maize you will find roasted corn, BBQ, rock wall, pumpkin patches, campfires, corn cannon, hay bale mazes, barnyard, concession and tent area. Maze admission - $7, non- maze admission - $4, (3 and under are free). Hayride, Corn Cannon, Cow Train- $1 each. By Reservation: Tues -Thur 8 a.m.- 3 p.m. (School Field trips) and Tues-Thur 5 – 9 p.m. (Groups). For more information call James and Patti Simpson at 787-4222 or 787-4241 or visit www.cornfieldmaze.com.

The Pumpkin Trail
The 2nd Annual Pumpkin Trail is a spectacular grouping of lighted jack o’ lanterns donated by the public and placed along the walking trail at the Lubbock Memorial Arboretum in Clapp Park. In addition to the pumpkins on the trail, there will be themed displays along the trail provided by local businesses and groups. This year there are two entrances to the trail, one at the Lubbock Memorial Arboretum, 4111 University, and one at the Garden and Arts Center, 4215 University. The trail is stroller and wheelchair friendly, and the event is free! Call 767-3796 for information!

EVENINGS – Pumpkin lighting occurs from 5:30 pm to approximately 6:45 pm.
6-9 pm Thursday October 21
6-10 pm Friday October 22
6-10 pm Saturday October 23
6-9 pm Sunday October 24

The Elder Grove is getting together on October 20 to carve pumpkins for inclusion in the above event. Email for more info!

Heritage Halloween
The National Ranching Heritage Center at Texas Tech University will host an old-fashioned Harvest Festival from 4 to 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 29, during the 4th annual Heritage Halloween event. Visitors of all ages can take part free of charge.

Trick-or-Treaters can fill their bags with period-correct treats as they visit several of the historic structures at the NRHC. Also offered are $1 hayrides through the park, a cakewalk at the McLaughlin Arbor and making fall crafts in the Four Sixes Barn.

Dia De Los Muertos
“El Dia de los Muertos” (Day of the Dead), a documentary film from the Institute of Texas Cultures in San Antonio, will be screened at the Texas Tech museum on Oct. 31.
More celebrations for the Day of the Dead will be part of the next First Friday Art Trail, November 5.

Upcoming:

October 3: BlogTalkRadio program, “Coffee with Oly” topic - Pagan books with Bronwen Forbes, 3-5pm CST http://www.blogtalkradio.com/olympias
October 8: Magick Coffee, workshop Eastern Astrology by Tammy
October 8-9, HarvestFest, annual psychic fair in Amarillo
October 17: BlogTalkRadio program, “Coffee with Oly” topic - Religion in the Workplace, 3-5pm CST http://www.blogtalkradio.com/olympias
October 22: the full moon is the Blood Moon
October 21-24 : 2nd Annual Pumpkin Trail at the Arts & Garden Center/Memorial Arboretum
October 31: Samhain
October 31: Gathering of Hope
November 1: Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)
November 12: Magick Coffee, workshop Runes, Part 1: Divination by LaQuetta
November 21: full moon, the Mourning Moon
November 21: Gathering of Hope
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Tarot Deck Spotlight by Luna
I own quite a few tarot decks. It is my intention to share those decks here, with a few words about them, why I like them, and include a small reading with the deck. This isn’t really a review - since I like all the decks I have, and there are tons of positive reviews all over the internet.

The Halloween Tarot
This adorable deck is created by Kipling West, a Halloween addict. The artwork is so colorful. It uses Rider-Waite imagery with Halloween twists. The suits are Bats (in place of Swords), Ghosts (for Cups), Pumpkins (instead of Pentacles) and Imps (Wands). There is a black cat in every card to act as your guide. It is one of my favorite decks, what witch doesn’t like all things Halloween? But Ms. West’s art is so appealing to me; I also own another of her decks, the Major Arcana-only Tarot for Cats. On the Moon card is a werewolf coming to life, with another of West’s loves, a French bulldog in the foreground. The look on the bulldog’s face is so serene, he recognizes the werewolves instincts.

Here’s my reading:
Q: Future success of this newsletter?
R: Card 1: represents past events or conditions that have led up to where you are now.
Card 2: suggest new direction that you might take
Card 3: shows what could happen as a result of those new directions you see in Card 2.

The 4 of Bats suggests to me that “we” (meaning people involved and/or creative energies at work) have taken a Long Winter’s Nap, or that Much Needed Rest. Now it’s time to awaken!
The 5 of Ghosts speaks of a loss and I see it as the loss of some of those creative energies that were involved in prior newsletter efforts; and the loss that arises when groups dissolve or members’ relationships change over the years. This card is focusing on that loss, and too on the feelings that surround those losses.
While the 4 of Ghosts means to me that if this “new direction” of focusing on loss is taken, it is definitely a step backwards (going from 5 to 4 of Ghosts, literally backwards). The 4 of Ghosts just cannot let go of that disappointment - look at that posture, arms crossed, drawing in the knees, holding in that “baggage.”
So the moral of the story, to me, is to focus ahead on the new and positive, and the wonderful creative forces of our Pagan community today.
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By Momma Witche

Movie review—“Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole” rated PG (2010)

“Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole” is the story of two young owls. The brothers have been raised on stories of the Guardians who are strong and wise. The younger brother, Soren, dreams of one day flying to Ga’Hoole and joining the Guardians. The older brother, Kludd, thinks the stories are just stories. He is also jealous because flying comes easy to Soren while he struggles to learn. One night they are kidnapped by the “Pure Ones,” a group of owls who are planning the takeover of all the owl kingdoms and kidnapping owlets for their own nefarious purposes. The owlets are turned into either soldiers for the “Master Race” or workers looking for bits of metal from owl pellets that can paralyze owls when amassed in large quantities. Kludd agrees to become a soldier, while Soren fights and is forced to be a slave. He and another owlet manage to escape and go to find the Guardians. Along the way, they meet new friends and discover a lot about themselves and what is important.
    I went into this movie not sure about seeing it, but Lil’ Witche wanted to go. I came out extremely pleased. The story is a typical quest with one brother believing in the spiritual stories of their father and the other brother only believing in what he can see. That being said, the storyline does not falter and the characters are believable. I was able to predict one character’s actions, but that did not detract from my enjoyment of the movie. See it in 3-D. The drawings are incredible and you will be amazed that this is a cartoon. The way the feathers and water move is simply wonderful. The cast is primarily Australian with David Wenham, Joel Edgerton, Anthony LaPaglia, Hugo Weaving, Richard Roxburgh and Geoffrey Rush. Helen Mirren is the voice of the Pure Ones’ queen. Lil’ Witche and I enjoyed picking out the voices, since most of them had the Australian accent, and she is used to hearing these actors use either American or British accents.
    We give “Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole” 5 owls. It is defiantly worth the extra $2.50 to see it in 3-D. Go see this one. There is a Wyle E. Coyote short before the movie. I feel sorrier for him in 3-D.

DVD review—“The Black Cauldron” rated PG (1985)
    This is the story of a young assistant pig keeper, Taran, whose pig can show you anything you want. The evil Horned King is looking for the legendary black cauldron, which is the source of all evil, and if he can find it he can rule the world. He learns of the pig’s abilities and sends his henchmen for the pig. Taran is sent into hiding with the pig and through a series of events not only finds the black cauldron but is able to save the world in the process. The story is taken from “The Chronicles of Preydain” which in turn is based on “The Mabinogion.” It was fun watching the animation since it is pre-CGI, but the princess left a lot to be desired as a role model for little girls. I have to remember, though, that Elionwy is pre Mulan. There is a Donald Duck Halloween short on the DVD, along with a couple of games and one deleted scene. All in all, it was a nice flash back for me, and Lil’ Witche discovered where the phrase “munchings and crunchings” came from. We give it 4 owls.

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POETRY CORNER

The Washer at the Ford

This veil so thin

As I walk slow

This ghost road circle.

I pass the cross-roads fair

Hidden this day ‘neath fall’s long shadow

‘Nare look back, o’er shoulder gast

Lost glance and figure from corner eye

Winter a whisper from bitter blue lips

A song, sung long in tooth,

The sagging breast

A wailing Mother’s lament

Of loss.

IF I nurse at your withered breast

Oh Washer Woman,

Would you give unto me Mother’s Milk

Warm and white…my future’s unfoldment cast

Or would you stain my mouth-thin lips scarlet

With the remnants from stone clashed stone

at the water’s edge

Death rags cleaned to dress the dead.

Turn to me a Maiden fair-

Reckless Love ‘top brown grass brittle.

To awake-blanketed beneath heavy dew

thin fog dancing-dries away-the sun’s hot kiss

Immortal dreams-mist.

Come, dark Mother mine

Embrace me with thine icy touch

Dance with me the ancient dance

Of bone to bone-too sweet a kiss

Revealed in kind…

by Mojo

Samhain Night

On the Night the veil was thin
I took for me a feary lover
On the night the veil was thin
I danced again my childhood dreams
On the night the veil was thin
I gazed lovongly into the future
On the night the veil was thin
I saw true magic and what it means

by Lily Hensly

Faery's Wish

Gather Round
I'll tell the tale
Of a night so long ago
Of when a star
Fell to earth
And a faery made a wish
To find her love
And this is how it goes

Dance to me
Dance to me
Dance to me, my darling
Come to me through fire and wind
Upon my wish's yearning

Now came to pass
A country lad
Heard the faeary's calling
He hurried forth
To find his love
And into her embrace went falling

Dance to me
Dance to me
Dance to me, my darling
Come to me through dreams and tears
Upon my wish's yearning

Now we know
That farey love
A fickle things can be
The poor boy
Is lost forever
And wanders so aimlessly

Dance to me
Dance to me
Dance to me, my darling
Come to me through earth and sky
Upon my wish's yearning

by Lily Hensley

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