Messages In This Digest (25 Messages)

1a.: Re: Do Pagans Believe in the Concept of Sin?

Posted by: "lady_diamond_light" urhere4u@yahoo.ca lady_diamond_light

Thu Mar 3, 2011 6:33 am (PST)

I always found it interesting to look at what words mean in other languages. In spanish...SIN means WITHOUT or NONE. I look at sin as the opposite of LOVE or LIFE. So to me it is a SIN to be without or go against love or life. ;)

Blessed Be
Lady Diamond Light

> Do Pagans Believe in the Concept of Sin?
> By Patti Wigington, About.com Guide
>
> Most Pagan religions don't subscribe to the concept of sin.
>
>
> First, the definition of "sin" is, according to Dictionary.com, a transgression of divine law. It can also be "a reprehensible or regrettable act." However, because this is a discussion about religious theory, let's focus on the first definition, that of a transgression of divine law.
> To have the concept of sin in a Pagan belief system, then, one must assume that (a) the Pagan gods have a set of unified inviolable laws and that (b) they actually care if we break those laws. However, this is not typically the case, because frequently in Pagan religion, the duty of mortals is not to blindly follow the laws of the gods. Instead, our job is to honor the gods while accepting responsibility for our own actions. Because of this, many Pagans believe that there is simply no room for the idea of sin within a Pagan theological framework, saying that it is strictly a Christian construct. Others believe that if you violate the rules of your gods -- whoever they may be -- you are committing a sinful act, whether you call it that or by some other terminology.

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1b.: Re: Do Pagans Believe in the Concept of Sin?

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Thu Mar 3, 2011 10:40 am (PST)

I always found it interesting to look at what words mean in other languages. In spanish...SIN means WITHOUT or NONE. I look at sin as the opposite of LOVE or LIFE. So to me it is a SIN to be without or go against love or life. ;)

That makes sense

Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde

The light of a hundred stars cannot equal the light of the Moon.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/13Witches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WhisperingWitches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MagickalMeals/
http://groups.yahoo/group/NightshaydesNews

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2.: Feng Shui Tip for Thursday, March 3

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Thu Mar 3, 2011 11:47 am (PST)

Daily Feng Shui Tip by Ellen Whitehurst for Thursday, March 3

On this 'I Want You To Be Happy Day' I want you to be doubly happy! So let's explore an easy Feng Shui way to bring some sweet double happiness into your home by using the Double Happiness symbol that is the love attracting gold standard in Feng Shui. The history of the symbol and its power traces back to the ancient Chinese Tang Dynasty when a young student on his way to his final exams falls ill. An herbalist and his beautiful daughter take him in and nurse him back to health. Of course, the student falls in love with the daughter and she agrees to marry him, but only after reciting an incomplete verse to him and assuring that she will become his wife if he completes the verse. The student then went to the capital, aced his exams and won an audience with the Emperor himself. Upon meeting this exceptional student, the Emperor recited one last piece of the examinations. The student that could complete the King's verse would be named to a prestigious position in the country's ministry. You've probably already guessed that the King recited the companion to the doctor's daughter's verse. Ecstatic, the student immediately returned to complete the couplet and the two got married immediately. During the ceremony, the couple doubled the Chinese character for 'happy' by writing it in red twice on a red piece of paper. They then affixed it to the wall to express their total rapture and everlasting happiness. And so began the legend of this lucky symbol for love and success. Create an image yourself and affix it anywhere in the Love area of your bedroom and then be assured of sweet dreams forevermore!

Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde

The light of a hundred stars cannot equal the light of the Moon.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/13Witches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WhisperingWitches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MagickalMeals/
http://groups.yahoo/group/NightshaydesNews

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3a.: Re: Names for Healing Circle, 3/2/2011, 12:00 am

Posted by: "joi" joisrose@yahoo.com joisrose

Thu Mar 3, 2011 1:48 pm (PST)

I am ma...please know prayers and healing are surrounding her
joi

________________________________
From: Beth Patterson <purrrpaws4444@yahoo.com>
To: 13Witches@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wed, March 2, 2011 5:20:42 PM
Subject: Re: [13Witches] Names for Healing Circle, 3/2/2011, 12:00 am

Dearest Lady N.,
I have just found out that my dear friend and Sister in Spirit is in the
hospital and very ill.
Her name is Liz, she lives in MA. She has throat/sinus issues wich could lead to
a very dangerous surgery. She is also in a great amount of pain but is allergic
to morephine (sp).
Please add her to the Healing Circle. I would be most grateful.
She is so very important to me................................................
Thank you Lady N.

Beth
Blessed, Mystical, Magickal Cats

--- On Wed, 3/2/11, 13Witches@yahoogroups.com <13Witches@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

>From: 13Witches@yahoogroups.com <13Witches@yahoogroups.com>
>Subject: [13Witches] Names for Healing Circle, 3/2/2011, 12:00 am
>To: 13Witches@yahoogroups.com
>Date: Wednesday, March 2, 2011, 5:03 AM
>
>
>
>
>
>Reminder from: 13Witches Yahoo! Group
>
>Title: Names for Healing Circle
>
>Date: Wednesday March 2, 2011
>Time: All Day
>Repeats: This event repeats every week.
>Notes: If you have any requests for healing energies or candle-lighting please
>send them in for the Healing Circle, which is done every Wednesday Night.
>
>
>Get reminders on your mobile, Yahoo! Messenger, and email.
>Edit reminder options Copyright © 2011 Yahoo! Inc. All Rights Reserved | Terms
>of Service | Privacy Policy
>
>
>

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3b.: Re: Names for Healing Circle, 3/2/2011, 12:00 am

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Thu Mar 3, 2011 2:39 pm (PST)

Dearest Lady N.,
I have just found out that my dear friend and Sister in Spirit is in the hospital and very ill.
Her name is Liz, she lives in MA. She has throat/sinus issues wich could lead to a very dangerous surgery. She is also in a great amount of pain but is allergic to morephine (sp).
Please add her to the Healing Circle

I have addedher name to the list for the next Healing Circle.

Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde

The light of a hundred stars cannot equal the light of the Moon.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/13Witches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WhisperingWitches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MagickalMeals/
http://groups.yahoo/group/NightshaydesNews

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3c.: Re: Names for Healing Circle, 3/2/2011, 12:00 am

Posted by: "Beth Patterson" purrrpaws4444@yahoo.com purrrpaws4444

Thu Mar 3, 2011 3:14 pm (PST)

Thank you so much.
Do we have a mutual friend?
Blessings to you.

Beth
Blessed, Mystical, Magickal Cats

--- On Thu, 3/3/11, joi <joisrose@yahoo.com> wrote:

From: joi <joisrose@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [13Witches] Names for Healing Circle, 3/2/2011, 12:00 am
To: 13Witches@yahoogroups.com
Date: Thursday, March 3, 2011, 9:48 PM

I am ma...please know prayers and healing are surrounding her
joi

Beth
Blessed, Mystical, Magickal Cats

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3d.: Re: Names for Healing Circle, 3/2/2011, 12:00 am

Posted by: "Beth Patterson" purrrpaws4444@yahoo.com purrrpaws4444

Thu Mar 3, 2011 3:18 pm (PST)

Thank you Lady N.
After I sent the email asking for healing I realized the time difference and assumed I had sent it too late for yesterday. As she will be having surgery in about a week next week will be terrific.

Beth
Blessed, Mystical, Magickal Cats

--- On Thu, 3/3/11, Lady Nightshayde <LadyNightshayde9@aol.com> wrote:

From: Lady Nightshayde <LadyNightshayde9@aol.com>
Subject: Re: [13Witches] Names for Healing Circle, 3/2/2011, 12:00 am
To: 13Witches@yahoogroups.com
Date: Thursday, March 3, 2011, 10:39 PM

I have addedher name to the list for the next Healing Circle.

Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde

The light of a hundred stars cannot equal the light of the Moon.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/13Witches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WhisperingWitches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MagickalMeals/
http://groups.yahoo/group/NightshaydesNews

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4.1.: Aromatherapy Tip

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Thu Mar 3, 2011 2:24 pm (PST)

an't make up your mind??

Try 5 drops of Lemon essential oil in an Aroma Lamp
to help you focus and make decisions.

from www.aromathyme.com

Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde

The light of a hundred stars cannot equal the light of the Moon.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/13Witches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WhisperingWitches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MagickalMeals/
http://groups.yahoo/group/NightshaydesNews

=

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4.2.: Aromatherapy Tip

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Thu Mar 3, 2011 11:01 pm (PST)

Feel alert with this wonderful enlivening Lemongrass body scrub.
Sugar is an excellent ingredient to use for body scrubs and is very reviving
to tired skins. Think of the health benefits of putting sugar on your body
instead of into your body!

Massage this delightful cleansing paste all over your skin then rinse off
with water

4 tablespoons sugar

2 teaspoons sweet almond

10 drops Lemongrass essential oil

5 drops Geranium essential oil

5 drops Fennel essential oil

Mix all of the above ingredients together and store in a jar keeping it
close to the shower or bath. Massage the mixture into your skin once it has
been warmed up by the shower or bath - it feels absolutely wonderful!

Usually once or twice a week will be enough.

from www.aromathyme.com

Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde

The light of a hundred stars cannot equal the light of the Moon.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/13Witches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WhisperingWitches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MagickalMeals/
http://groups.yahoo/group/NightshaydesNews

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5a.: You Call It Easter, We Call It Ostara

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Thu Mar 3, 2011 2:31 pm (PST)

You Call It Easter, We Call It Ostara

Author: Peg Aloi
Posted: April 7th. 1997
Times Viewed: 218,471

(originally posted 5/1/1997)
Try this sometime with your children or a young niece, nephew or cousin: on the day of the Vernal or Autumnal Equinox, just a few moments before the exact moment of the equinox, go outside with a raw egg. Find a reasonably level place on the sidewalk or driveway. For a few moments just before and just after the equinox, you can balance the egg upright (wider end down) by simply setting it down on the ground. No kidding! It will stand up all by itself. Kids love this, and most adults are amazed and delighted, too.

This little "trick" brings together two of the most potent aspects of this holiday: the balancing of the earth's gravity midway between the extremes of light and dark at Winter and Summer Solstice; and the symbolism of the egg. The egg is one of the most notable symbols of Easter, but, as someone who was raised Catholic and who was never told exactly why we colored eggs at Easter, or why there was a bunny who delivered candy to us, or why it was traditional to buy new clothes to wear for church on Easter Sunday, I always wondered about this holiday. As with many of the seemingly unrelated secular symbols and traditions of Christmas (what do evergreen trees, mistletoe, reindeer and lights have to do with the birth of Christ? You might wanna read "You Call It Christmas, We Call It Yule" for an exploration of these connections), Easter too has adapted many ancient pagan symbols and customs in its observance.

Easter gets its name from the Teutonic goddess of spring and the dawn, whose name is spelled Oestre or Eastre (the origin of the word "east" comes from various Germanic, Austro-Hungarian words for dawn that share the root for the word "aurora" which means " to shine"). Modern pagans have generally accepted the spelling "Ostara" which honors this goddess as our word for the Vernal Equinox. The 1974 edition of Webster's New World Dictionary defines Easter thus: "orig., name of pagan vernal festival almost coincident in date with paschal festival of the church; Eastre, dawn goddess; 1. An annual Christian festival celebrating the resurrection of Jesus, held on the first Sunday after the date of the first full moon that occurs on or after March 21." The Vernal Equinox usually falls somewhere between March 19th and 22nd (note that the dictionary only mentions March 21st, as opposed to the date of the actual Equinox), and depending upon when the first full moon on or after the Equinox occurs, Easter falls sometime between late-March and mid-April.

Because the Equinox and Easter are so close, many Catholics and others who celebrate Easter often see this holiday (which observes Christ's resurrection from the dead after his death on Good Friday) as being synonymous with rebirth and rejuvenation: the symbolic resurrection of Christ is echoed in the awakening of the plant and animal life around us. But if we look more closely at some of these Easter customs, we will see that the origins are surprisingly, well, pagan! Eggs, bunnies, candy, Easter baskets, new clothes, all these "traditions" have their origin in practices which may have little or nothing to do with the Christian holiday.

For example, the traditional coloring and giving of eggs at Easter has very pagan associations. For eggs are clearly one of the most potent symbols of fertility, and spring is the season when animals begin to mate and flowers and trees pollinate and reproduce. In England and Northern Europe, eggs were often employed in folk magic when women wanted to be blessed with children. There is a great scene in the film The Wicker Man where a woman sits upon a tombstone in the cemetery, holding a child against her bared breasts with one hand, and holding up an egg in the other, rocking back and forth as she stares at the scandalized (and very uptight!) Sargent Howie. Many cultures have a strong tradition of egg coloring; among Greeks, eggs are traditionally dyed dark red and given as gifts.

As for the Easter egg hunt, a fun game for kids, I have heard at least one pagan teacher say that there is a rather scary history to this. As with many elements of our "ancient history, " there is little or no factual documentation to back this up. But the story goes like this: Eggs were decorated and offered as gifts and to bring blessings of prosperity and abundance in the coming year; this was common in Old Europe. As Christianity rose and the ways of the "Old Religion" were shunned, people took to hiding the eggs and having children make a game out of finding them. This would take place with all the children of the village looking at the same time in everyone's gardens and beneath fences and other spots.

It is said, however, that those people who sought to seek out heathens and heretics would bribe children with coins or threats, and once those children uncovered eggs on someone's property, that person was then accused of practicing the old ways. I have never read any historical account of this, so I cannot offer a source for this story (though I assume the person who first told me found it somewhere); when I find one, I will let you know! When I first heard it, I was eerily reminded of the way my own family conducted such egg hunts: our parents hid money inside colorful plastic eggs that could be opened and closed up again; some eggs contained pennies, some quarters and dimes and nickels, and some lucky kids would find a fifty-cent piece or silver dollar! In our mad scramble for pocket change, were my siblings and cousins and I mimicking the treacherous activities of children so long ago?

Traditional foods play a part in this holiday, as with so many others. Ham is the traditional main course served in many families on Easter Sunday, and the reason for this probably has to do with the agricultural way of life in old Europe. In late fall, usually in October, also known as the month of the Blood Moon, because it referred to the last time animals were slaughtered before winter, meats were salted and cured so they would last through the winter. Poorer people, who subsisted on farming and hunting, would often eat very sparingly in winter to assure their food supply would last. With the arrival of spring, there was less worry, and to celebrate the arrival of spring and of renewed abundance, they would serve the tastiest remaining cured meats, including hams. This also marked a seasonal end to eating cured foods and a return to eating fresh game (as animals emerged from hibernation looking for food), and no longer relying on stored root vegetables, but eating the young green plants so full of the vitamins and minerals that all living beings need to replenish their bodies in spring.

Modern pagans can observe these same customs by eating the fresh greens and early vegetables abundant now: dandelion greens, nettles, asparagus, and the like. There are some Witches who believe that fasting at the Equinox is very healthy and magical: it clears away all the toxins stored over winter, when we eat heavier foods to keep warm, and can create an altered state of consciousness for doing Equinox magic. By eliminating all the "poisons" from our diets for a few days (including sugar, caffeine, alcohol, red meats, dairy products, refined foods), and eating lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, we not only can shed a few pounds and improve the appearance of our hair and skin, but also improve our health over the long term. The overall benefit to health from an occasional cleansing fast helps strengthen our immune system, making our bodies more resistant to illness, and help us feel more alert and energetic. Try it! Be sure to "break" your fast slowly, reintroducing your normal foods one at a time, instead of going from several days of fruits, grains and herbal tea to a feast of steak, potatoes and chocolate cake! The breaking of the fast can be incorporated into the cakes and wine portion of your ritual, or at the feast many Witches have afterwards.

Speaking of food, another favorite part of Easter for kids, no doubt, is that basket of treats! Nestled in plastic "grass" colored pink or green, we'd find foil-wrapped candy eggs, hollow chocolate bunnies, jelly beans, marshmallow chicks (in pink, yellow or lavender!), fancy peanut butter or coconut eggs from Russell Stover, and of course our Mom always included one of the beautiful ceramic eggs she painted by hand. Like that other holiday where children are inundated with sugar (Hallowe'en), no one seems to know precisely where, when or how this custom began. And why are the baskets supposedly brought by a bunny???

There are some modern Witches and pagans who follow traditions that integrate the faery lore of the Celtic countries. It is customary to leave food and drink out for the fairies on the nights of our festivals, and it is believed that if the fairies are not honored with gifts at these times, they will work mischief in our lives. Certain holidays call for particular "fairy favorites." At Imbolc/Oimelc (February 2nd), for example, we leave gifts of dairy origin, like cheese, butter or fresh cream. At Lammas/Lughnasa (August 1st) we leave fresh grains or newly-baked bread. At Samhain, nuts and apples are traditional. And at Ostara, it is customary to leave something sweet (honey, or mead, or candy)--could this be connected to the Easter basket tradition? Perhaps a gift of sweets corresponds to the sweet nectar gathering in new spring flowers?

To refer again to The Wicker Man, the post office/candy shop where May Morrison works (she is the mother of Rowan Morrison, the young girl who is supposedly missing and who Sargent Howie has come to Summerisle to find) offers a large selection of candies shaped like animals. When Sargent Howie says "I like your rabbits" Mrs. Morrison scolds him saying "Those are hares! Lovely March hares, not silly old rabbits!" And when Howie goes to dig up the grave of Rowan Morrison (who it turns out is neither dead nor missing) he finds the carcass of a hare, and Lord Summerisle tries to convince him that Rowan was transformed into a hare upon her death. Clearly this is an illustration of the powerful association with animals that many ancient cultures have (Summerisle being a place where time has seemingly stood still and where the pagan pursuit of pleasure and simple agricultural ways define the way of life). The forming of candy into the shape of rabbits or chicks is a way to acknowledge them as symbols; by eating them, we take on their characteristics, and enhance our own fertility, growth and vitality.

For clearly the association of rabbits with Easter has something to do with fertility magic. Anyone who has kept rabbits as pets or knows anything about their biology has no question about the origin of the phrase "f*** like a bunny." These cute furry creatures reproduce rapidly, and often! Same with chicks, who emerge wobbly and slimy from their eggs only to become fluffy, yellow and cute within a few hours. The Easter Bunny may well have its origin in the honoring of rabbits in spring as an animal sacred to the goddess Eastre, much as horses are sacred to the Celtic Epona, and the crow is sacred to the Morrigan. As a goddess of spring, she presides over the realm of the conception and birth of babies, both animal and human, and of the pollination, flowering and ripening of fruits in the plant kingdom. Sexual activity is the root of all of life: to honor this activity is to honor our most direct connection to nature.

At Beltane (April 31st-May 1st), pagans and Witches honor the sexual union of the god and goddess amid the flowers and fruits that have begun to cover the land; but prior to that, at Ostara, we welcome the return of the spring goddess from her long season of dormant sleep. The sap begins to flow, the trees are budding, the ground softens, ice melts, and everywhere the fragrance and color of spring slowly awakens and rejuvenates our own life force.

I have always thought this had a lot to do with the tradition of wearing newly-bought or made clothes at Easter, in pastel spring colors. Wearing such colors we echo the flowering plants, crocus, lilac, forsythia, bluebells, violets and new clothes allow us to feel we are renewing our persona. How many of us feel sort of "blah" after winter ends? Along with the fasting practice mentioned earlier, this is a time for many of us to create new beginnings in our lives: this can apply to jobs, relationships, living situations, lifestyle choices. But since the Equinox is such a potent time magically, and often (as it does this year) falls in the period when Mercury is Retrograde, starting a new endeavor at this time can be problematic if we do not take care. One good way to avoid catastrophe is to engage in small, personally-oriented rites or activities: a new haircut, a new clothing style or make-up, a new exercise program, the grand old tradition of spring cleaning, a new course of study: all of these are relatively "safe" ways to begin anew without risking the weirdness and unpredictability of Mercury Retrograde.

This is a very powerful time to do magic, not only because of the balancing of the earth's energies, but because of the way our own beings echo the earth's changes. We are literally reborn as we emerge from our winter sleep, ready to partake of all the pleasures of the earth, and to meet the challenges we will face as the world changes around us daily. As we greet and celebrate with our pagans brothers and sisters of the Southern Hemisphere (for whom the Vernal Equinox more closely resembles the beginning of autumn, in physical terms!), we remember that Spring is not only a season; it is a state of mind.

Blessed Be in the Season of Spring! Go Forth and Flower!

Peg Aloi
Email: albion2363@yahoo.com

Author's Note: I have received a couple of emails saying the egg balancing on its end phenomenon is a "myth" not borne out by scientific experimentation or empirical data. My take on this issue is a purely experiential one; in my experience, this works at Equinox and no other time (I have tried balancing the egg an hour before, and an hour after, the appointed time; and I have also noted that the egg starts to roll a few minutes after Equinox has passed). If one really wanted to, one could conduct experiments all year long. I have neither the time nor inclination to do this. I am a Witch, not a scientist. My intention in offering this information is to provide Pagan parents and others with an activity to share with their children and loved ones, to welcome in the Equinox. Do try it! It will probably work.

Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde

The light of a hundred stars cannot equal the light of the Moon.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/13Witches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WhisperingWitches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MagickalMeals/
http://groups.yahoo/group/NightshaydesNews

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Messages in this topic (6)
5b.: Re: You Call It Easter, We Call It Ostara

Posted by: "Tina Carreon" nbox4tc1212@yahoo.com nbox4tc1212

Thu Mar 3, 2011 3:15 pm (PST)

I am enjoying all your interesting emails! I have wondered about this for a
while, but never took the time to look it up or research it. Thank you for
sending. My oldest daughter still insists that someone just "made that up", and
told me, "I really don't want to hear about paganism." However, I think it is
important that she know why Christians do some of the things they do, and how
most of it has little or nothing to do with Christianity, in fact all the
opposite. I wonder if these churches around here really know what they are doing
when they hold an Easter Egg Hunt, or why.

________________________________
From: Lady Nightshayde <LadyNightshayde9@aol.com>
To: 13Witches@yahoogroups.com; whisperingwitches@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thu, March 3, 2011 4:31:23 PM
Subject: [13Witches] You Call It Easter, We Call It Ostara

You Call It Easter, We Call It Ostara

Author: Peg Aloi
Posted: April 7th. 1997
Times Viewed: 218,471

(originally posted 5/1/1997)
Try this sometime with your children or a young niece, nephew or cousin: on the
day of the Vernal or Autumnal Equinox, just a few moments before the exact
moment of the equinox, go outside with a raw egg. Find a reasonably level place
on the sidewalk or driveway. For a few moments just before and just after the
equinox, you can balance the egg upright (wider end down) by simply setting it
down on the ground. No kidding! It will stand up all by itself. Kids love this,
and most adults are amazed and delighted, too.

This little "trick" brings together two of the most potent aspects of this
holiday: the balancing of the earth's gravity midway between the extremes of
light and dark at Winter and Summer Solstice; and the symbolism of the egg. The
egg is one of the most notable symbols of Easter, but, as someone who was raised
Catholic and who was never told exactly why we colored eggs at Easter, or why
there was a bunny who delivered candy to us, or why it was traditional to buy
new clothes to wear for church on Easter Sunday, I always wondered about this
holiday. As with many of the seemingly unrelated secular symbols and traditions
of Christmas (what do evergreen trees, mistletoe, reindeer and lights have to do
with the birth of Christ? You might wanna read "You Call It Christmas, We Call
It Yule" for an exploration of these connections), Easter too has adapted many
ancient pagan symbols and customs in its observance.

Easter gets its name from the Teutonic goddess of spring and the dawn, whose
name is spelled Oestre or Eastre (the origin of the word "east" comes from
various Germanic, Austro-Hungarian words for dawn that share the root for the
word "aurora" which means " to shine"). Modern pagans have generally accepted
the spelling "Ostara" which honors this goddess as our word for the Vernal
Equinox. The 1974 edition of Webster's New World Dictionary defines Easter thus:
"orig., name of pagan vernal festival almost coincident in date with paschal
festival of the church; Eastre, dawn goddess; 1. An annual Christian festival
celebrating the resurrection of Jesus, held on the first Sunday after the date
of the first full moon that occurs on or after March 21." The Vernal Equinox
usually falls somewhere between March 19th and 22nd (note that the dictionary
only mentions March 21st, as opposed to the date of the actual Equinox), and
depending upon when the first full moon on or after the Equinox occurs, Easter
falls sometime between late-March and mid-April.

Because the Equinox and Easter are so close, many Catholics and others who
celebrate Easter often see this holiday (which observes Christ's resurrection
from the dead after his death on Good Friday) as being synonymous with rebirth
and rejuvenation: the symbolic resurrection of Christ is echoed in the awakening
of the plant and animal life around us. But if we look more closely at some of
these Easter customs, we will see that the origins are surprisingly, well,
pagan! Eggs, bunnies, candy, Easter baskets, new clothes, all these "traditions"
have their origin in practices which may have little or nothing to do with the
Christian holiday.

For example, the traditional coloring and giving of eggs at Easter has very
pagan associations. For eggs are clearly one of the most potent symbols of
fertility, and spring is the season when animals begin to mate and flowers and
trees pollinate and reproduce. In England and Northern Europe, eggs were often
employed in folk magic when women wanted to be blessed with children. There is a
great scene in the film The Wicker Man where a woman sits upon a tombstone in
the cemetery, holding a child against her bared breasts with one hand, and
holding up an egg in the other, rocking back and forth as she stares at the
scandalized (and very uptight!) Sargent Howie. Many cultures have a strong
tradition of egg coloring; among Greeks, eggs are traditionally dyed dark red
and given as gifts.

As for the Easter egg hunt, a fun game for kids, I have heard at least one pagan
teacher say that there is a rather scary history to this. As with many elements
of our "ancient history, " there is little or no factual documentation to back
this up. But the story goes like this: Eggs were decorated and offered as gifts
and to bring blessings of prosperity and abundance in the coming year; this was
common in Old Europe. As Christianity rose and the ways of the "Old Religion"
were shunned, people took to hiding the eggs and having children make a game out
of finding them. This would take place with all the children of the village
looking at the same time in everyone's gardens and beneath fences and other
spots.

It is said, however, that those people who sought to seek out heathens and
heretics would bribe children with coins or threats, and once those children
uncovered eggs on someone's property, that person was then accused of practicing
the old ways. I have never read any historical account of this, so I cannot
offer a source for this story (though I assume the person who first told me
found it somewhere); when I find one, I will let you know! When I first heard
it, I was eerily reminded of the way my own family conducted such egg hunts: our
parents hid money inside colorful plastic eggs that could be opened and closed
up again; some eggs contained pennies, some quarters and dimes and nickels, and
some lucky kids would find a fifty-cent piece or silver dollar! In our mad
scramble for pocket change, were my siblings and cousins and I mimicking the
treacherous activities of children so long ago?

Traditional foods play a part in this holiday, as with so many others. Ham is
the traditional main course served in many families on Easter Sunday, and the
reason for this probably has to do with the agricultural way of life in old
Europe. In late fall, usually in October, also known as the month of the Blood
Moon, because it referred to the last time animals were slaughtered before
winter, meats were salted and cured so they would last through the winter.
Poorer people, who subsisted on farming and hunting, would often eat very
sparingly in winter to assure their food supply would last. With the arrival of
spring, there was less worry, and to celebrate the arrival of spring and of
renewed abundance, they would serve the tastiest remaining cured meats,
including hams. This also marked a seasonal end to eating cured foods and a
return to eating fresh game (as animals emerged from hibernation looking for
food), and no longer relying on stored root vegetables, but eating the young
green plants so full of the vitamins and minerals that all living beings need to
replenish their bodies in spring.

Modern pagans can observe these same customs by eating the fresh greens and
early vegetables abundant now: dandelion greens, nettles, asparagus, and the
like. There are some Witches who believe that fasting at the Equinox is very
healthy and magical: it clears away all the toxins stored over winter, when we
eat heavier foods to keep warm, and can create an altered state of consciousness
for doing Equinox magic. By eliminating all the "poisons" from our diets for a
few days (including sugar, caffeine, alcohol, red meats, dairy products, refined
foods), and eating lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, we not only can shed a
few pounds and improve the appearance of our hair and skin, but also improve our
health over the long term. The overall benefit to health from an occasional
cleansing fast helps strengthen our immune system, making our bodies more
resistant to illness, and help us feel more alert and energetic. Try it! Be sure
to "break" your fast slowly, reintroducing your normal foods one at a time,
instead of going from several days of fruits, grains and herbal tea to a feast
of steak, potatoes and chocolate cake! The breaking of the fast can be
incorporated into the cakes and wine portion of your ritual, or at the feast
many Witches have afterwards.

Speaking of food, another favorite part of Easter for kids, no doubt, is that
basket of treats! Nestled in plastic "grass" colored pink or green, we'd find
foil-wrapped candy eggs, hollow chocolate bunnies, jelly beans, marshmallow
chicks (in pink, yellow or lavender!), fancy peanut butter or coconut eggs from
Russell Stover, and of course our Mom always included one of the beautiful
ceramic eggs she painted by hand. Like that other holiday where children are
inundated with sugar (Hallowe'en), no one seems to know precisely where, when or
how this custom began. And why are the baskets supposedly brought by a bunny???

There are some modern Witches and pagans who follow traditions that integrate
the faery lore of the Celtic countries. It is customary to leave food and drink
out for the fairies on the nights of our festivals, and it is believed that if
the fairies are not honored with gifts at these times, they will work mischief
in our lives. Certain holidays call for particular "fairy favorites." At
Imbolc/Oimelc (February 2nd), for example, we leave gifts of dairy origin, like
cheese, butter or fresh cream. At Lammas/Lughnasa (August 1st) we leave fresh
grains or newly-baked bread. At Samhain, nuts and apples are traditional. And at
Ostara, it is customary to leave something sweet (honey, or mead, or
candy)--could this be connected to the Easter basket tradition? Perhaps a gift
of sweets corresponds to the sweet nectar gathering in new spring flowers?

To refer again to The Wicker Man, the post office/candy shop where May Morrison
works (she is the mother of Rowan Morrison, the young girl who is supposedly
missing and who Sargent Howie has come to Summerisle to find) offers a large
selection of candies shaped like animals. When Sargent Howie says "I like your
rabbits" Mrs. Morrison scolds him saying "Those are hares! Lovely March hares,
not silly old rabbits!" And when Howie goes to dig up the grave of Rowan
Morrison (who it turns out is neither dead nor missing) he finds the carcass of
a hare, and Lord Summerisle tries to convince him that Rowan was transformed
into a hare upon her death. Clearly this is an illustration of the powerful
association with animals that many ancient cultures have (Summerisle being a
place where time has seemingly stood still and where the pagan pursuit of
pleasure and simple agricultural ways define the way of life). The forming of
candy into the shape of rabbits or chicks is a way to acknowledge them as
symbols; by eating them, we take on their characteristics, and enhance our own
fertility, growth and vitality.

For clearly the association of rabbits with Easter has something to do with
fertility magic. Anyone who has kept rabbits as pets or knows anything about
their biology has no question about the origin of the phrase "f*** like a
bunny." These cute furry creatures reproduce rapidly, and often! Same with
chicks, who emerge wobbly and slimy from their eggs only to become fluffy,
yellow and cute within a few hours. The Easter Bunny may well have its origin in
the honoring of rabbits in spring as an animal sacred to the goddess Eastre,
much as horses are sacred to the Celtic Epona, and the crow is sacred to the
Morrigan. As a goddess of spring, she presides over the realm of the conception
and birth of babies, both animal and human, and of the pollination, flowering
and ripening of fruits in the plant kingdom. Sexual activity is the root of all
of life: to honor this activity is to honor our most direct connection to
nature.

At Beltane (April 31st-May 1st), pagans and Witches honor the sexual union of
the god and goddess amid the flowers and fruits that have begun to cover the
land; but prior to that, at Ostara, we welcome the return of the spring goddess
from her long season of dormant sleep. The sap begins to flow, the trees are
budding, the ground softens, ice melts, and everywhere the fragrance and color
of spring slowly awakens and rejuvenates our own life force.

I have always thought this had a lot to do with the tradition of wearing
newly-bought or made clothes at Easter, in pastel spring colors. Wearing such
colors we echo the flowering plants, crocus, lilac, forsythia, bluebells,
violets and new clothes allow us to feel we are renewing our persona. How many
of us feel sort of "blah" after winter ends? Along with the fasting practice
mentioned earlier, this is a time for many of us to create new beginnings in our
lives: this can apply to jobs, relationships, living situations, lifestyle
choices. But since the Equinox is such a potent time magically, and often (as it
does this year) falls in the period when Mercury is Retrograde, starting a new
endeavor at this time can be problematic if we do not take care. One good way to
avoid catastrophe is to engage in small, personally-oriented rites or
activities: a new haircut, a new clothing style or make-up, a new exercise
program, the grand old tradition of spring cleaning, a new course of study: all
of these are relatively "safe" ways to begin anew without risking the weirdness
and unpredictability of Mercury Retrograde.

This is a very powerful time to do magic, not only because of the balancing of
the earth's energies, but because of the way our own beings echo the earth's
changes. We are literally reborn as we emerge from our winter sleep, ready to
partake of all the pleasures of the earth, and to meet the challenges we will
face as the world changes around us daily. As we greet and celebrate with our
pagans brothers and sisters of the Southern Hemisphere (for whom the Vernal
Equinox more closely resembles the beginning of autumn, in physical terms!), we
remember that Spring is not only a season; it is a state of mind.

Blessed Be in the Season of Spring! Go Forth and Flower!

Peg Aloi
Email: albion2363@yahoo.com

Author's Note: I have received a couple of emails saying the egg balancing on
its end phenomenon is a "myth" not borne out by scientific experimentation or
empirical data. My take on this issue is a purely experiential one; in my
experience, this works at Equinox and no other time (I have tried balancing the
egg an hour before, and an hour after, the appointed time; and I have also noted
that the egg starts to roll a few minutes after Equinox has passed). If one
really wanted to, one could conduct experiments all year long. I have neither
the time nor inclination to do this. I am a Witch, not a scientist. My intention
in offering this information is to provide Pagan parents and others with an
activity to share with their children and loved ones, to welcome in the Equinox.
Do try it! It will probably work.

Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde

The light of a hundred stars cannot equal the light of the Moon.

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6a.: Ostara

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Thu Mar 3, 2011 2:34 pm (PST)

O S T A R A

Spring Equinox
circa March 21
Altar * Herbs * Stones * Activities * Food

Ostara, or the Spring Equinox, is an enchanted borderland time outside of time where a magickal seam joins dark and light. From this moment on, the Sun God begins his seminal journey across the sky. His light and warmth overtake the darkness of Winter until his power peaks at Summer Solstice in June.
Ostara is a time of new fire. The light and dark are in perfect balance, but the light is growing and the Sun is about to burst forth with new energy. It is a season of fertility and growth.
Eostre or Ostara is the Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring to whom offerings of cakes and colored eggs were made at the Vernal Equinox. Rabbits were sacred to her, especially white rabbits, and she was believed to take the form of a rabbit.
ALTAR: For the Ostara altar:
-- Candles should be light green.
-- Incense may be jasmine.
-- Decorate the circle with spring wildflowers.
-- Place an earthenware or wooden bowl containing soil or a large seed of some kind on the altar.
HERBS to use in your magic at Ostara: lily of the valley, tansy, lavender, marjoram, thyme, tarragon, lovage, lilac, violets, lemon balm, dogwood, honeysuckle, oakmoss, orrisroot, sunflower seeds, rose hips, oak, elder, willow, crocus, daffodil, jonquil, tulip, broom (Scotch or Iris), meadowsweet, acorn, trefoil (purple clover), vervain.
STONES: Clear quartz crystal, rose quartz, agate, lapis lazuli, amazonite, garnet.
ACTIVITIES :
Perform a seed blessing and indoor planting ritual.
Have a traditional breakfast of buns, ham, and eggs.
Make natural egg dyes from herbs.
Color hard boiled eggs and add symbols for the Fertility God, the Goddess, the Sun God, unity, fire, water, agriculture, prosperity and growth, strength and wisdom, spring, love and affection, and protection.
Consecrate the eggs:

In the name of the Goddess of Spring, (name); and the ever-returning God of the Sun, (name); By the powers of the four elements -- earth, air, fire, and water; I do consecrate these eggs of Ostara..

Point the athame at the eggs, make the sign of the pentagram, and see the energy flow through the blade into the eggs, and say:

New life lies within as new life shall enter the soil. Let those who seek this life find it and consume it, for all life feeds on life.

The eggs may be hidden and an Ostara Egg Hunt commences.
Make pysanky and krashanky, magickal amulets of fertility, protection, and prosperity.
Make hot cross buns to honor the union of the earth and the sun for Spring. Slash the "X" with the bolline and bless the cakes.
Toss crushed eggshells into the garden and say:

For fairy, for flowers, for herbs in the bowers, The shells pass fertility with springtime flowers.

Wear green clothing.

Eat an egg you have empowered with a quality you desire.
On Ostara Eve, light a purple or violet candle and burn patchouli incense. Carry them both through the house, and say:

Farewell to wintry spirits and friends; On morrow we greet the spirits of spring. Our blessings to thee as your way we wend; And merry we'll meet next winter again. Blow out the candle and say: Merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again.

At this time, witches cast spells for careers, relationships, and love. It's a time for planting new ideas. Seek harmony and balance in the incredible energy of the season, and project good health, good fortune, and confidence in achieving goals.
FOOD: Eggs! Spring lamb, cream and milk, bake bread with a decorated egg inside, spring salad, hot cross buns.

http://www.earthwitchery.com/ostara.html

Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde

The light of a hundred stars cannot equal the light of the Moon.

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7.: Ostara Correspondences

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Thu Mar 3, 2011 2:36 pm (PST)

Other Names
Ostre, Oestre, Eostre, Rites of Spring, Eostra's Day, Lady Day, First Day of Spring,
Easter, St. Patrick's Day, Alban Eiler, Bacchanalia
Dynamics/Meaning
The God comes of age, sexual union of the Lord & Lady, sprouting, greening,
balance of light and dark
Purpose
Plant and animal fertility, sowing
Gods/Goddesses
Hare, Green Man, Youthful Gods, Warrior Gods, Taliesin, Lord of the Greenwood (English),
Dagda(Irish), Cernunnos(Greco-Celtic), Pan(Greek), Adonis(Greek)
Eostre (Saxon Goddess of Fertility), Ostara (the German Goddess of Fertility) (Teutonic)
Kore, Maiden, Isis, Astarte(Persia, GrecoRoman), Ishtar(Babylonian), Minerva(Roman),
Youthful Goddesses. Faerie Queen, Lady of the Lake(Welsh-Cornish), the Green Goddess
Essence
Strength, birthing, completion, power, love, sexuality, embodiment of spirit,
fertility, opening, beginning
Tools, Symbols & Decorations
Colored eggs, baskets, green clothes, shamrock, equilateral cross, butterfly, cocoons,
sprouting plants; violets, lily, spring wildflowers, new clothes, lamb, hare/rabbit
Colors/Candles
Gold, light green, grass green, robin's egg blue, lemon yellow, pale pink, anything pastel
Customs
Wearing green, new clothes, celtic bird festival, egg baskets coloring eggs,
collecting birds eggs, bird watching, egg hunts, starting new projects, spring planting
Animals/Mythical beings
Unicorn, merpeople, pegasus, rabbit/easter bunny, chicks, swallows, snakes
Gemstones
Rose quartz, moonstone, amethyst, aquamarine, bloodstone, red jasper
Herbs
Blessed thistle, evergreen, moss, oak, sage, bay, bayberry, cedar, pine, frankincense,
ginger, holly, ivy, juniper, mistletoe, myrrh, pinecones, rosemary, chamomile,
cinnamon, valarion, yarrow
Incense/Oil
African violet, lotus, jasmine, rose, magnolia, sage lavender, narcissus,
ginger, broom, strawberry
Rituals/Magicks
Personal renewal, world peace, honoring family & friends, Festival of light, meditation
Foods
Light foods, fish, maple sugar candies, hot crossed buns, sweet breads,
hard boiled eggs, honey cakes, seasonal fruits, milk punch, egg drinks

Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde

The light of a hundred stars cannot equal the light of the Moon.

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8.: You Could Have Heard a Pin Drop

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Thu Mar 3, 2011 2:51 pm (PST)

This is not a political list, but I thought these quips were too good not to share.

POINTED REPLIES WHEN YOU COULD HAVE HEARD A PIN DROP

Field Marshal Sam Bahadur Maneckshaw once started addressing a public meeting at Ahmedabad in English.
The crowd started chanting, "Speak in Gujarati. We will hear you only if you speak in Gujarati."
Field Marshal Sam Bahadur Maneckshaw stopped. Swept the audience with a hard stare and replied,
"Friends, I have fought many a battle in my long career. I have learned Punjabi from
men of the Sikh Regiment; Marathi from the Maratha Regiment; Tamil from the men
of the Madras Sappers; Bengali from the men of the Bengal Sappers, Hindi from the Bihar Regiment; and even Nepali from the Gurkha Regiment. Unfortunately there was no soldier from Gujarat from whom I could have learned Gujarati."

You could have heard a pin drop

JFK'S Secretary of State, Dean Rusk, was in France in the early 60's when Charles DeGaule, the French President, decided to pull out of NATO. DeGaule said he wanted all US military out of France as soon as possible.
Rusk responded "does that include the 180,000 who are buried here?"
DeGaule did not respond.

You could have heard a pin drop......

Robert Whiting, an elderly US gentleman of 83, arrived in Paris by plane.
At French Customs, he took a few minutes to locate his passport in his carry on.

"You have been to France before, Monsieur?" the Customs officer asked sarcastically.
Mr. Whiting admitted that he had been to France previously." Then you should know
enough to have your passport ready."
The American said, 'The last time I was here, I didn't have to show it."
Impossible. Americans always have to show their passports on arrival in France!
The American senior gave the Frenchman a long, hard look. Then he quietly explained,
"Well, when I came ashore at Omaha Beach, at 4:40am, on D-Day in 1944, to help liberate this country, I couldn't find a single Frenchman to show a passport to."

............. You could have heard a pin drop

Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde

The light of a hundred stars cannot equal the light of the Moon.

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9a.: Living a Magical Life

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Thu Mar 3, 2011 2:58 pm (PST)

Living a Magical Life
By Patti Wigington, About.com Guide

People find themselves drawn to Paganism and Wicca for a variety of reasons. Some may be trying to escape some other religion. Others may be looking for a sense of personal empowerment. Still others may realize that the beliefs they've held all along are in tune with those of a Pagan path. Regardless, once you've found your new path, there comes a time when you may ask yourself "How can I make this spiritual system part of my daily life?"

Are you someone who thinks about the principles of your tradition all the time, or only when it's convenient? If you honor a particular deity in your path, do you do so just on the eight Sabbats, but not bother the rest of the time? Are you constantly reading and learning, or do you figure everything you need to know is contained in the three books you already own? In other words, are you a "weekend Wiccan"?

Living a magical life is something that one does twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Depending on the needs of your tradition, it may involve something as complex as daily ritual, or as simple as taking a moment to thank your gods each morning when you get out of bed. It means being in tune with the spiritual world around you, and staying in balance physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Does this mean you need to run around shouting "The Goddess loves you!" all day long? Not at all... in fact, the rest of us would appreciate it if you didn't do that. What it does mean is there's a difference between seeing Paganism and Wicca as something you "do" versus something you believe.
How can you bring more magic into your daily life? Try one, or more, of the following -- and if something doesn't apply to your particular flavor of Paganism, don't sweat it. Use what you need, and set the rest aside.

Pay attention to the phases of the moon. Know what's happening in the skies, and notice how (or if) it affects the way you feel.

Recognize that you don't know everything there is to know. Continue learning and growing, and be willing to accept that sometimes new knowledge will come from unexpected sources. Don't assume that you're always right, just because you've always done or thought something.

Show respect for nature -- do things on a daily basis that are good for the planet. Recycle, compost, cut back on excess energy consumption.

Get in touch with the earth. Plant a garden, study the changes of the seasons. Realize how good it feels to grow your own herbs and vegetables.

Be empowered. Know that you have control over many of the things that happen to you. If someone or something makes you miserable, make the changes that are necessary to bring yourself happiness.

Understand that just as you have control over your life, you are also responsible for your actions. Take ownership of everything you do -- even if that includes admitting you're wrong sometimes.

Find a way to honor the Divine in your daily life, rather than just at monthly Esbats. Even if you just start your day with a morning "thank you" to your gods or to the universe itself, it's not a bad thing to acknowledge the gifts that we have in our lives.

Behave in a way that is honorable -- if you make a promise, keep it. If someone needs help and you can provide it, offer it.

When you do something, think about how you can use it in a magical application. For example, when you're baking cookies, consider what sort of magical working you can incorporate into the recipe.

Consider the impact that your words and actions have on not only the environment, but also on other people and on yourself.

Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde

The light of a hundred stars cannot equal the light of the Moon.

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10.: Making TIme for Magic

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Thu Mar 3, 2011 3:04 pm (PST)

Making Time for Magic
Making the Most of the 24 Hours in Your Day
By Patti Wigington, About.com Guide

Make time each day for your spiritual studies - you'll be glad you did!
Image © Getty Images

Let's face it -- we're all busy. Life is hectic. You've got a job, school, a family, meals to cook, a house to clean, and a mountain of laundry that isn't getting any smaller. So mix all of that together, and we often find ourselves so overwhelmed with "have to" things that we never get around to our "want to" list. Unfortunately, our spiritual studies often get pushed to the bottom of our "want to" list. Next thing you know, six months have gone by and you haven't done a single ritual that you wanted to do, there's a stack of books gathering dust under your bed, and you're wondering if you can really call yourself Wiccan or Pagan if you're too busy to practice.

Here's the thing. You can make time for your spiritual studies, for magic, for ritual. You just have to remind yourself that it's as important as all of that other stuff. If you can learn to manage your time more efficiently, you'll be able to get more done -- and that, in turn, will make you feel like a far more productive person. Once you can get your mundane tasks completed, you'll have more time for the magical aspect of your life.
First, before you can figure out how to allocate your time, you'll need to figure out where you're already spending it. Do you feel like you're always busy, but you can't seem to get a project finished? Make a list of all the things you do in a day, and how long you spend on them. A spreadsheet actually works really well for this. Do this for a week or two. By the time you finish, you should have a pretty good idea of where you're spending those twenty-four hours in your day. Are you wasting a couple of hours surfing the Internet and chatting with friends? Did you watch seventeen hours of soap operas last week? By determining how you currently spend your time, you'll be able to make the necessary changes.
Next, you'll want to figure out if any of the things you're spending time on can be cut back. Are you at the grocery store seven days a week? Try to scale it back to three visits, or even two. Do you spend time watching shows on television that you've already seen? Cut back on the extra stuff. Here's a tip - if you enjoy an hour-long television show, by recording it you can cut your viewing time down to 45 minutes, because you can skip over the commercials.
Now, you need to set some priorities. Make a list of things you need and want to do. Figure out which ones are high priority -- those are the ones that have to get done today, no matter what. Then determine which things you *should* do today, but it's not a huge crisis if you don't. Finally, figure out if there's anything that you can hold off on until tomorrow if necessary. Remember, your spiritual needs are just as important as your physical and financial ones, so don't just shove "full moon ritual" to the bottom of the page if it's something you really would like to do.
Finally, make a schedule for yourself. Some stuff you've got to do, and there's no avoiding it -- work, sleep, and eating are unavoidable. However, when you're not doing those "have to" things, you can get a lot of other things done. Plan ahead so that you can get things done in a reasonable amount of time. If you know you want to read a book and finish it by the weekend, then look at your daily routine and figure out where you can squeeze in time to open that book. Otherwise, it's not going to happen. If it helps, write it down on your schedule, and then when it's time for you to read, tell everyone else in the house, "Okay, guys, this is my study time. I need you to leave me alone for about an hour. Thanks!"
In addition to scheduling, it helps tremendously to build a daily plan for studying. Incorporate this into your time management strategy, and you'll find you have a lot more room to do the things you want to do, and you'll be spending less time on the stuff you have to do.

Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde

The light of a hundred stars cannot equal the light of the Moon.

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11.: Snipping e-mails

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Thu Mar 3, 2011 3:30 pm (PST)

Very long e-mails are becoming a problem again. Members who continue to do this will be sent an e-mail about it, and if it continues, they will be put on moderated status or unsubscribed.

It really is very simple to do this (unless you are on a smart phone). Please be courteous and considerate to others and follow list rules by COPYING AND PASTING ONLY THE PART (S) OF THE EMAIL YOU ARE RESPONDING TO.
While some might think this is not a big deal, think again. These emails take up space in Inboxes, and are tedious to the readers.

Just being the List Mistress Psycho today.

Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde

The light of a hundred stars cannot equal the light of the Moon.

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12a.: Re: healing circle names

Posted by: "M Pf" krazypackerchick@yahoo.com krazypackerchick

Thu Mar 3, 2011 8:19 pm (PST)

I don't understand why a post would be "edited by a moderator"... Are we limited to the number of words we can have in an email? I've only been here a couple of days and have seen "edited by a moderator" on several emails, so I'm afraid to even send an email for not knowing what I can and can't write.

~Mimi~

--- On Wed, 3/2/11, Amber Texas <ambertexas64@yahoo.com> wrote:

From: Amber Texas <ambertexas64@yahoo.com>
Date: Wednesday, March 2, 2011, 4:48 PM

**Edited by a moderator***

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12b.: Re: healing circle names

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Thu Mar 3, 2011 8:25 pm (PST)

I don't understand why a post would be "edited by a moderator"... Are we limited to the number of words we can have in an email? I've only been here a couple of days and have seen "edited by a moderator" on several emails, so I'm afraid to even send an email for not knowing what I can and can't write.

~Mimi~

If you see the words "edited by a moderator," it means that the unnecessary parts of the post, (which I referred to in an e-mail today about trimming off previous posts from an e-mail so that 3 or 4 posts aren't sent to the list in 1 e-mail). The words people write aren't "edited."

Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde

The light of a hundred stars cannot equal the light of the Moon.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/13Witches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WhisperingWitches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MagickalMeals/
http://groups.yahoo/group/NightshaydesNews

-----Original Message-----
From: M Pf <krazypackerchick@yahoo.com>
To: 13Witches@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thu, Mar 3, 2011 10:12 pm
Subject: Re: [13Witches] healing circle names

I don't understand why a post would be "edited by a moderator"... Are we limited to the number of words we can have in an email? I've only been here a couple of days and have seen "edited by a moderator" on several emails, so I'm afraid to even send an email for not knowing what I can and can't write.

~Mimi~

--- On Wed, 3/2/11, Amber Texas <ambertexas64@yahoo.com> wrote:

From: Amber Texas <ambertexas64@yahoo.com>
Date: Wednesday, March 2, 2011, 4:48 PM

**Edited by a moderator***

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13a.: 13Witches List Rules

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Thu Mar 3, 2011 10:59 pm (PST)

Greetings to the list members, here are the rules for the
13Witches group:
1. Please cut and paste or trim your posts when replying to
an e-mail. This is very important.

. Bashing of ANY religion is not allowed on this list. If you
wish to relate a personal experience, you may do so, but to
post generalizations of a negative nature is not allowed,
and will get you on moderated status.
3. No spamming, chain letters, or virus warnings should be
posted.
4. Please observe general Netiquette. Be courteous and
respectful when responding to a post. We are all here to
share and learn, so everyone's opinion matters!
5. **Articles** posted on this list are for the 13Witches
members' enjoyment. Please do not use these posts as a part
of the agenda for your online school, group, etc.
DO NOT forward articles posted on this list to other lists
without the poster's permission.

If you have a problem or a concern about anything, please
e-mail one of us: Lady Nightshayde--LadyNightshayde9@aol.com;
Fran--tygermoonfoxx@gmail.com; Ani--ani_shadowdragon@peoplepc.com;
Lady Hawk, ladyhawk_jax@yahoo.com.

Blessed Be,
ady Silver Luna Nightshayde
wner, 13Witches

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14.: Fun Friday--Computers, Gotta Love 'Em

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Thu Mar 3, 2011 11:00 pm (PST)

Laugh Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde

The light of a hundred stars cannot equal the light of the Moon.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/13Witches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WhisperingWitches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MagickalMeals/
http://groups.yahoo/group/NightshaydesNews

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15.1.: Today's Quote

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Thu Mar 3, 2011 11:01 pm (PST)

Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone
else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living
with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the
noise of others opinions drown out your own inner voice.
And most important, have the courage to follow your heart
and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly
want to become. Everything else is secondary.
--Steve Jobs

Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde

The light of a hundred stars cannot equal the light of the Moon.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/13Witches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WhisperingWitches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MagickalMeals/
http://groups.yahoo/group/NightshaydesNews

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16.1.: Cool Website of the Day

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Thu Mar 3, 2011 11:02 pm (PST)

FEMA for Kids

With the turbulent events taking place in the world today, children need to be introduced to the concept of disaster. FEMA has put together an excellent disaster preparedness site moderated by Herman the Spokescrab, just the fellow to hold the attention of the little ones in a non-threatening manner. There are stories, games, and even details on how to become a Disaster Action Kid. This is a great resource for parents to use with their children and also for adults who want to find out what disasters are possible in a particular area.

Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde

The light of a hundred stars cannot equal the light of the Moon.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/13Witches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WhisperingWitches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MagickalMeals/
http://groups.yahoo/group/NightshaydesNews

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17.: Good Night!

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Thu Mar 3, 2011 11:03 pm (PST)

Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde

The light of a hundred stars cannot equal the light of the Moon.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/13Witches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WhisperingWitches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MagickalMeals/
http://groups.yahoo/group/NightshaydesNews

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18.: Fun Friday--Signs You're Really Broke

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Thu Mar 3, 2011 11:04 pm (PST)

--------------- Signs You're Really Broke ---------------

1. American Express calls and says: "Leave home without it!"

2. Your idea of a 7-course meal is taking a deep breath
outside a fine restaurant.

3. You're formulating a plan to rob the food bank.

4. You've rolled so many pennies, you've formed a psychic
bond with Abe.

5. Long distance companies no longer call you to switch.

6. Your credit card companies raised the rates from 6.9%
to 24.9%.

7. You see your roommate as a large fried chicken in
tennis shoes.

8. You receive care packages from Europe.

9. Your bologna has no first name.

10 You rob Peter...and then rob Paul.

11. You finally clean your house, hoping to find change.

12. You think of a lottery ticket as an investment.

13. You give blood everyday - for the orange juice.

14. McDonalds supplies you with all your kitchen
condiments.

15. Consumer Credit Counseling services said "No."

16. The neighborhood dog stopped sniffing at your pockets.

Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde

The light of a hundred stars cannot equal the light of the Moon.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/13Witches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WhisperingWitches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MagickalMeals/
http://groups.yahoo/group/NightshaydesNews

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joi, 3 martie 2011

[13Witches] Digest Number 7325

Messages In This Digest (25 Messages)

Messages

Posted by: "lady_diamond_light" urhere4u@yahoo.ca lady_diamond_light

Thu Mar 3, 2011 6:33 am (PST)

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Thu Mar 3, 2011 10:40 am (PST)

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Thu Mar 3, 2011 11:47 am (PST)

Posted by: "joi" joisrose@yahoo.com joisrose

Thu Mar 3, 2011 1:48 pm (PST)

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Thu Mar 3, 2011 2:39 pm (PST)

Posted by: "Beth Patterson" purrrpaws4444@yahoo.com purrrpaws4444

Thu Mar 3, 2011 3:14 pm (PST)

Posted by: "Beth Patterson" purrrpaws4444@yahoo.com purrrpaws4444

Thu Mar 3, 2011 3:18 pm (PST)

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Thu Mar 3, 2011 2:24 pm (PST)

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Thu Mar 3, 2011 11:01 pm (PST)

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Thu Mar 3, 2011 2:31 pm (PST)

Posted by: "Tina Carreon" nbox4tc1212@yahoo.com nbox4tc1212

Thu Mar 3, 2011 3:15 pm (PST)

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Thu Mar 3, 2011 2:34 pm (PST)

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Thu Mar 3, 2011 2:36 pm (PST)

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Thu Mar 3, 2011 2:51 pm (PST)

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Thu Mar 3, 2011 2:58 pm (PST)

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Thu Mar 3, 2011 3:04 pm (PST)

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Thu Mar 3, 2011 3:30 pm (PST)

Posted by: "M Pf" krazypackerchick@yahoo.com krazypackerchick

Thu Mar 3, 2011 8:19 pm (PST)

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Thu Mar 3, 2011 8:25 pm (PST)

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Thu Mar 3, 2011 10:59 pm (PST)

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Thu Mar 3, 2011 11:00 pm (PST)

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Thu Mar 3, 2011 11:01 pm (PST)

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Thu Mar 3, 2011 11:02 pm (PST)

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Thu Mar 3, 2011 11:03 pm (PST)

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Thu Mar 3, 2011 11:04 pm (PST)

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