Women, Lots of Pretty Women

There isn't a specific passage or chapter in the book for today's post. Just a generality.

In the light of the Da Vinci Code, there has been a re-awakening of the part women play in Christianity. I will not discuss the possibility of Jesus and Mary (Magdalene) having a child/children - I do not have enough knowledge to give an intelligent point of view. However, there are many references to women in the life of Jesus that makes me wonder - was Jesus born a Jew but accepting of Pagan philosophy?

Geez, this is heavy stuff!

It is mentioned that Jesus was in the company of those considered "unclean". This included women. Male followers of Jesus found this to be horrid and not the work of a true savior. After all, wasn't 'He' here to give his teachings and ways to 'God' only to those worthy? How could women be worthy? Women being worthy was not a Jewish view, but a Pagan one.

Many women followed Jesus while he "spread the Word of God". They gave up their homes, families, ways of life, to follow this man. When Jesus (supposedly) rose from the Dead, he revealed himself first not to a man, but to a woman - a suspected whore. At Jesus' crucifixion, "There was a crowd of women followers at the cross, when all but one of the male company had fled or stood far off." How Pagan of them!

I believe Jesus understood the strength and power of women and of the Feminine. He understood that, without women, life could not continue. I'm speaking not just of procreation, food, and shelter, but also of progressive thinking, curiosity, the want of better for future generations.

Modern Christians - both male and female - miss this point. Yes, there are places in the Bible that state women should be subservient to men. However, Jesus did not teach this. 'He' taught that all are equal under 'God'. Again, here is a difference between true followers of Christianity and those who just want to control.

I believe in the Sacred Feminine and the Sacred Masculine. I believe that the Goddess and God are equal, just as people are equal. I pray equally to the Goddess and the God. There will be some Pagans/Wiccans who will disagree with me; that is fine. Isn't tolerance and acceptance part of our faith, as well?

p.s. I'm sure someone will use this story to "prove" the Devil is a woman :)

Love your enemies and pray for those who afflict you

*Author's Note: All references to God (capital G) are to the Christian God. This is done out of respect for those who follow the Christian path.

According to Mr. Wills, Jesus "followers are not to aspire to the social register, but to seek out the forsaken."

Well, that makes sense for everyone, doesn't it?

His further point that "if they (Jesus followers) try to make that a privilege (know God thru Jesus) to be used against others or each other" the supposed followers they are keeping others from communing with Jesus/God.

This is SO very different than what the Falwell's and Swaggart's preach, isn't it? {I won't go to the Pope - the Catholics have their own form of Christianity I have a very hard time figuring out. } The idea that one sect of Christianity is better than another or people who say God speaks through/to them are better than the rest of us, that goes against what Jesus said. I'm sure there are Christians who believe they know and understand better what Jesus or God wants - there are those type of people in every religion (yes, even Wicca). But that, according to Jesus, does not make them better; if anything, it makes them worse - because this makes them "all pretense and exceptions to the Law (meaning the Law of God)."

In my readings of Wicca and Paganism, we are to accept everyone, whatever their belief system or religion. Of course, we be very careful not to allow murderers and rapists into our homes, but we will not deny them the right to speak directly to their god-of-choice ; nor will we make fun of them for doing so. {well, we aren't suppose to...}

More in my next post.

Peace

Time is what prevents everything from happening at once.

~John Archibald Wheeler

That quote has nothing to do with this post :)

I do promise you that my next post will discuss parts of the book "What Jesus Meant".

This post, though, is more of an update.

I start a low-paying part-time retail job today. I am not happy about this for a few reasons.

1. I applied for a part-time retail job, but it was for a specific department at a higher pay rate.
2. I intereviewed for a full-time retail job, entailing the entire store, at a higher pay rate.
3. I was offered (and accepted) the low-paying, part-time, entire store job.

Why, you might ask, have I taken the job?

Well, in this part of our fair Country, there are few job opportunities. I've applied for many other types of jobs - all non-retail, full- and part-time, different pay rates - and have received rejection letters which included statements such as, "Your experience level is not as we require" or "We found a candidate that better fits our company".

The first one is pure bull$hit - I have many years of training in 3 different job classificaations. The second one makes no sense - how would you even know if I 'fit' with the company if you haven't even interviewed me?

I vow to the Goddess and anyone else listening - in my next life I WILL become a teacher the first time I attend college!

The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.

Dr. Seuss, what a guy.

There are some great posts about the Unique Family show from TLC on Autumn's, Sojourner's, and (a new place for me) Graceful. You should check them out :)
I did not see the show, so, I cannot comment. I know when the re-run appears, I'll be taping it!

I have been reading, "What Jesus Meant". Now, before you get your Pentagrams in a twist, I am not - repeat NOT - converting. I decided that with the time I have for reading, my curiosity, and my fed-up-ness with the "holier-than-thou" crowd, I'd read up on something I thought to be true.

When I first read the Bible, I was young and had no clue what most of it meant. The next time I read it - after a tragedy in my life - I had joined a born-again Christian 'club'. The minute I started asking questions, I was labeled as still having the Devil within me. eh. About 6 years later, I read it again; this time to figure out just what religion or belief system I might fit into. At that time, I began to realize that there were a lot - A LOT - of preachings and demands from "Christians" that were not supported by the teachings of Jesus. Of course, there were no good sources at that time (way before Mr. Gore invented the Internet) to help prove my point.

Then, while listening to NPR, I heard Garry Wills talking about his book. This man considers himself Catholic - although I'm sure the Pope would like to revoke his Union card - and a follower of Jesus. Yes, he has his own take on the writings of others about Jesus; but, I think he is truer to form than most. Mr. Wills has a good understanding of Greek and Aramaic, especially the "older" versions. This puts many of the writings about Jesus into better perspective.

As I said, I am not converting - NOT. I am, tho, thinking differently about the "real" Jesus and how - I hate to say this - I've been right about the Swaggart's, Falwell's, and Baker's of this lifetime.

And, interestingly enough, a lot of what people wrote about Jesus' beliefs and teachings are similar to Wicca/Pagan beliefs and teachings. Hmmmmmm

So, over the next few posts - and maybe intermittently after - I'll be writing about what I found in his book.

Oh, and, next month, while I'm away for a bit, I'll be reading "Misquoting Jesus" and re-opening Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft.

Peace

THE HELL WITH THAT: Wicca in the News

THE HELL WITH THAT: Wicca in the News

Incredible!

The price we pay for beauty

As near as I can figure, I'll need to post all the photos I want to use in my template in a blogger post and then refer to them. I just can't find another way to do it.
Flickr is no help; nor is Photobucket or ImageShack.

If anyone has any ideas, please, let me know! Until then, deal with this post!

And, it seems, I cannot use a link for my background! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

And in a glas he hadde pigges bones

So, changes to this template are not going well. I figured out that I'll have to start from scratch. Well, at least it will keep my mind off other things....

• I have to write a "thanks, but not at this time" letter to a potential employer. I wouldn't make money until I went through some training, and the pay is all commissions. Can't do that right now.
• I have to write a "thanks for the memories" type letter to someone I admire and respect. In another place, another time, the relationship would have been different.
• I have to gather 6 years of "stuff" to take with me on a trip next month. Not only gather, but put in chronological order, write notes on/about, write out the game plan, etc.
• *It looks like I will be working by the end of the week. It is not a job I wish to have; it is a job I must have. It is not a job in which I will be challenged; but it is money. I cannot tell you who it is for, but I can say it is in Retail - blech.

There you have it.

I'm still working on my spiritual-ness. I'll keep you updated.

Peace

*Edit: Found out the job isn't full-time, as I was promised. Well, I've become an expert at looking for work.

Change is Bad

The changes I want to make to my layout, template, content will

1. Delete the cool blinky things in my side bar
2. Delete my cool background
3. Make my links go into some sort of Internet black hole

So, what to do? Well, haven't decided. Will keep you updated.

Oh, did manage to add a Meez to my side bar. Check it out.

Change is good

I've decided to change a few things on my blog - additions, deletions, moving-tions. It will take a few days, but I hope you will like what you see.

Peace

Witchy Poo

Remember HR Puf-n-Stuff? No?! Well, go here and get some laughs.

Anyway, as I remember Witchy Poo really wanted to be an all powerful witch. She had some issues - like the green face and the horrid costume and the e-vil ways. This got me to wondering - have I been "hiding" power from myself because I'm afraid of becoming Witchy Poo? I don't know.

Over the next week or so, it looks like I'll have lots of time to think and research this idea. Along with finishing at least one of the books I started months ago and writing about that.

Anyone interested in knowing what I find and how my journey goes?

Happy VD!

Today is special to me for a few reasons. In about 6 years, I will be able to reveal the biggest reason*. For now, let's just say that I love flowers and chocolates and today is THE day for such!

Husband gave me 3 red roses and a huge box of chocolates. For all his faults, he still remembers how to make me smile.

Hope you all got through today.

Peace

*For my "regular" readers, you may email regarding this, if you wish.

I got taken in

I got taken in by a scam. It really is horrible. I'm fairly intelligent and still got taken in.

The worst part of the whole ordeal - the bank, the FBI, the RCMP (Canadian police), and the company being victimized know it is a scam and STILL they hold victims responsible for the monetary part.

WHAT?!

Yep, I've been on the phone for nearly 24 hours. This is just fuc*ing great, and not what I need at the moment.

So, I'm about to spend another 12 hours on the phone - after some rest and food. Wish me luck

Kind of Spiritual

Recent events in my Daughter's life have put me in the "get it done now" mode. Of course, there is still the "I've got to wait for other people" part of the whole thing. And, let's not forget the "You haven't been around so you have no rights" thing happening*.

*Note: For those of you who have been following the story, yes, this comes as yet the next installment of the wife's contradictions. If you want more on this, just ask.

I've asked for spiritual guidance. I haven't done it officially - with ritual and all - I just can't get myself quiet enough to do so. The quieter it is, the more I succumb to the fear - fear of failure, fear of loss, fear of being alone; mostly, fear of what worse could happen to my Child.

I have been spending more time at Beliefnet. I still visit other Pagan & Wiccan sites, but, at Beliefnet, I can find other ways of looking and thinking about the situation - mostly from the non-fundamentalist faiths.

The following prayer is from the Pagan section in Strength & Courage. As the tag line says, it is appropriate for any faith

Make me strong in spirit,
Courageous in action,
Gentle of heart,

Let me act in wisdom,
Conquer my fear and doubt,
Discover my own hidden gifts,

Meet others with compassion,
Be a source of healing energies,
And face each day with hope and joy.

- Abby Willowroot


Peace

Non-Spiritual Post

I have something horrible, heart-wrenching, and just sickening happening in my life right now.
I have feelings I cannot get out - in verbal or written word.
My heart is so broken and my gut so twisted, I have difficulty doing the simplest things.

Does anyone know how to get out - in words - feelings that just won't cooperate?

Psychic or something

Due to circumstances beyond my control (literally) blogging will be spotty (at best) for the next few weeks. This is one of those times I cannot - will not - "tell all" in my blog.

I would like to say, tho, that my post earlier today is a perfect fit for what is happening right now.

You can be assured that I will be taking more quiet time to meditate, read, and pray.

Peace

Challenging Faith

Everyone's faith gets challenged. I think the person who deals best with challenges is the Dali Lama.

Then, there's always this guy:
" The Goddess is alive and magick is afoot -- no matter how much that terrifies the spiritually insecure." - Issac Bonewits

A new place to visit

Note: The "p" on my keyboard is acting up.

I found a new blog to visit A Blog of Two Witches . I don't know what they will think of me, but I plan to add them to my every-other-day blog visits.

Here is something fun I found on their blog. It reminds me I must find quiet time - without interruption - to dig more through my Past Life book. You can get to the diagnosis by clicking HERE.

Your past life diagnosis:

---

I don't know how you feel about it, but you were male in your last earthly incarnation.You were born somewhere in the territory of modern Scotland around the year 950. Your profession was that of a banker, usurer, moneylender or judge.

---

Your brief psychological profile in your past life:
As a natural talent in psychology, you knew how to use your opportunities. Cold-blooded and calm in any situation.

---

The lesson that your last past life brought to your present incarnation:
The timid, lonely and self-confident people are everywhere, and your task is to overcome these tendencies in yourself and then to help other people.

---

Do you remember now?

Imbolc / Candelmas

Here is what I plan to do tomorrow. You are more than welcome to "steal" it :)

Tools:

• purple candle in holder
• white candle in holder
• bowl of snow or chipped ice
• matches

Ritual:

• Cast circle
• Place bowl between candles
• Light candles
• Welcome Goddess and God
• Meditate on all harm and bad habits you wish to banish
• Meditate on all healing and good you want to bring into your life

You may use any variation of the following speech:

I welcome to earth the increasing light
The lengthening day and shortening night
I celebrate the Goddess fresh and young
I celebrate the God the growing Sun
The land shall soon begin to arise
Sleeping life will open its eyes
I offer my thanks as I light this flame
As the Wheel brings forth life again
With thanks to the Goddess the Lord awakes
Thanks to the Goddess and all she creates

• Continue to meditate until the snow has melted.
• Pour the snow down the drain, remembering you are purging the harm and bad habits.
• If you have not broken the circle to pour the water, do so now.

Remember, this is the Sabbat to re-welcome light, to begin new and better ways.

Peace