ISSN 2159-9939
Connecting with Your Inner Divine Welcome to the World of Today Book Review on Fated Lori Dake’s Top 10 List Gazebos in the Sky Amaterasu Creating Sacred Space Traditions for a Modern Age The Little Book of Hindu Deities Finding Your Inner God & Goddess Through Fitness
“Honoring Our Gods & Goddesses” July 2011 Volume 2 • Issue 7 ™•
July 2011 • Volume 2
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PUBLISHER EXECUTIVE EDITOR CONTRIBUTORS
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER LAYOUT WEBSITE ADVERTISING
Eberhardt, Personal Visions jess*ca mae Tootie Marie Dawn Sherwood Faelin Wolf Mya Om Michelle Crowskin Bond LJ Rose Ankolie Amina Racozy S. J. Drew Sister Nariel Jenn Embers Nina Pak, www.ninapak.com Refraction Design & Creative Services Personal Visions Eberhardt, Wendy Beth
Our goal at Pagan Edge is to provide readers a high quality, timely magazine with content relevant to modern pagans’ lifestyle and passions. Our publication is a lifestyle magazine so while we may publish spells, rituals, and some magick how-to; we aim to focus on ways that pagans, wiccans, earth-based-spiritualists, and those of like mind can incorporate their values and beliefs into their everyday living. Pagan Edge Magazine & paganedge.com exist solely to offer information to our readers. The publisher, editor, and the entire personnel of Pagan Edge, Pagan Edge Magazine, Personal Visions, Refraction Design and paganedge.com cannot be held responsible for misuse of any information provided. The views expressed in the articles and ads are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of Pagan Edge Magazine. Product descriptions, recipes & any how-to information: While we, and our affiliates, attempt to provide accurate information in the magazine and on the site, we do not warrant that the content on this site will be accurate, complete, reliable, current, or error-free. It is your sole responsibility for the use of the content of this Magazine or web site. For additional details please see www.paganedge.com ™•
July 2011 • Volume 2 3
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contents 6 Dream Weaving To Strive to Know 8 Elders Corner Welcome to the World of Today
9 Pagan Festivals Lori Dake’s Top 10 List 10 Plant Vibes Gazebos in the Sky Pagan Edge welcomes Lori Dake, offering quick tips to Pagan Camping
11 Amaterasu Shining Kami of Heaven
12 Keeping the Edge Traditions for a Modern Age
14 Divine Mind Creating Sacred
Space for the Divine
16 PE Book Review Fated
The Little Book of Hindu Deities
17 The Temple of You Finding Your Inner God & Goddess Through Fitness
On The Cover: Beltane by Frozen Melody http://frozenmelody.deviantart.com
18 Urban Shaman Connecting with Your Inner Divine
VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 7 • JULY 2011 “HONORING OUR GODS AND GODDESSES” PAGAN EDGE™ IS PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY PERSONAL VISIONS ADMIN@PAGANEDGE.COM ™•
July 2011 • Volume 2 5
Dream Weaving To Strive To Know To strive to know the unknowable will only bring us back to the reflection of ourselves. At three to four billion years of age, our earth is certainly not new. It is truly beyond us as humans to deeply understand what such an amount of time means. Current science and science-fiction make light of time spans like this because there is no emotional way for us to anchor ourselves to something so far removed from our experience. One of the quests we have set for ourselves as humans is understanding the nature of time; to understand and to be able to retell its hidden story. The quest — the understanding of our world and our place in it — is so tightly woven to who we are as conscious beings that we change the nature of our world in order to create the answers we are looking for. As a species, we always have tried to link ourselves to the divine or to bring divinity down to our level to serve the purpose we envision.
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publisher speaks
unknown-void-of-potential into our experience of linear time. They even allow for us to bend the rules and play with perceived time, because perception is what truly matters. Again from the thoughts of Campbell, “The way to find out about happiness is to keep your mind on those moments when you feel most happy, when you are really happy — not excited, not just thrilled, but deeply happy. This requires a little bit of self-analysis. What is it that makes you happy? Stay with it, no matter what people tell you. This is what is called following your bliss.” The gods allow equally for happiness or suffering. Knowing a god’s will or your place in life are actually the same thing. If you have patrons or patronesses should it not be a given that you have trust in them? If we have trust, we will find we play a part in a greater vision. On any given day, we may experience dozens of instances where our actions will give birth to happiness for someone else or later lead to a deeper happiness coming from their self-analysis. Actions, even small ones, have outcomes we will never know; but if our actions are done in compassion and freely, then many of those outcomes will provide for a better tomorrow.
The first lesson of living a spiritual lifestyle is to do as Joseph Campbell suggests, “We must be willing to get rid of the life we’ve planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us. The old skin has to be shed before the new one can come.” It is this acceptance of life which creates experiences to define who and what we are. Another way to say this is: in trying to understand the will of the gods, we stare into a void unknowable because it is only full of potential. In a very real way, each instance of time is creating reality anew out of all the potential realities.
We at Pagan Edge try to reflect both on the light elements of living a spiritual lifestyle and the deeper elements as well. As publisher of this young magazine, I start each day with a sense of contentment. Working with this magazine and my staff has graced each day with experiences that add meaning to my life and a greater ability to cherish happiness. Knowing the gods are always there, providing me with potential, gives every moment I breathe meaning.
The gods stand in the place between space and time manifesting reality to us. They convert the
Blessed Be! Eberhardt
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July 2011 • Volume 2 7
From the Elders Corner by Lucille M Rose
Many people when asked will tell you “they” chose the Gods with whom they work. And I say to myself “those are special people!” They’ll tell you they chose a particular God or Goddess because they liked a particular quality i.e. strength, character trait, name or appearance, etc. Many others like myself did not have a choice, because the Deities we work with chose us.
elcome to the W orld of oday W T She has always been on my left and he has always been on my right. I have not always paid attention to them, listened to their words of encouragement, heeded their warnings, or taken their advice on what I should do when I find myself in a situation calling for a decision or choice to be made. Needless to say, ignoring them does not work. Did I ever share with anyone the fact that I was hearing a female and male voice — NO NO NO. Because, we all know according to society when one hears voices, one should be medicated. Times have changed and I have since discovered there are others who hear their Deities too. Over the years I have discovered who they are; and I am very 8
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honored they have chosen me. I am not always happy with the opportunities they offer me in which to grow. Occasionally I feel resentful when they drag me out of my shell kicking and screaming. Either they cannot hear my human voice, or they are choosing to ignore my screams and protests. However, that is my issue, one with which I must learn to live. One asks the question…”How do you know who has chosen you?” For me, she revealed herself while I was reading Celtic mythology. When I saw her name and read her story, I felt chills go up and down and throughout my body. I heard her whisper “yes” — soft, yet firm — so welcoming and familiar.
She is a Crone Goddess, strong enough to defend me when I was a child; she protected me in ways I have only begun to understand. She has adapted quite nicely to modern conveniences. Spending long hours of Welcome continued on page 20
Lori Dake’s
Top 10 List
for Pagan Festivals
Part 2 of 3: Top 10 Etiquette Rules Part 1 of 3 was published in our June issue. The last installment of this mini-series will be published in August’s issue
1: Mutual respect, which
covers just about every rule in life. Just like planning and organization are key to ensure a good camping trip, giving out what you expect in return makes for a good festival. This includes respecting boundaries, especially those sexual in nature. Respect Nature and others equally!
2: Learn the rules and
expectations of the fest before registering and follow them to the letter during your stay. You may not agree with one or many of them, but there is indeed a reason they are set in place. If you have any questions or concerns, contact the facilitators for clarification before registering.
3: Bring an open mind. Many
fests have the clothing optional rule, which may at first be surprising or even jarring for some, and nude bodies come in all shapes and sizes. Most newcomers adapt after a half
hour. Remember, you are the odd (wo)man out in Nature for feeling the need to cover up, so if you feel uncomfortable about really getting back to Nature, respect the choices of those who wish to do so.
4: Observe quiet zones. Some
people want to sleep at night, while others wish to drum from dusk to dawn. While I personally find a distant orange glow from a bonfire, drumming and carrying-on to be the most incredible way to be lulled to sleep, there are others who prefer pure darkness and the sound of their own snoring.
5: Watch and care for your
own children. Do not discipline others’ children directly – seek out the parents. Bring along their favorite toys and activities, and check the day’s itinerary for kid-centric programs and events. If you do not feel your children will take to a Pagan fest well for any reason, please find a caregiver for them.
6: Unless specifically stated it
is okay to do so, do not bring your animal companions or familiars to the fest. Likewise, do not bring anyone who is not pre-registered, including your children. You and your guests may all be turned away at the gate in order to seek out other accommodations for them.
7: Plan ahead of time how
much space you will need for your campsite, camp in designated areas, and be prepared to share some of your space with others. Many fests are planned around minimal camping space, and you will not be well met if you take up a whole football field for your sprawling estate.
8: Do not touch anything
that is not yours – always ask! This includes any items for sale at vending booths. You may inadvertently transfer some of your energy into personal and ritual items. Practice good manners. Camping continued on page 21 ™•
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Plant Vibes
by Dawn Sherwood
GAZEBOS in the SKY
Dreams of a Garden Goddess A few years back I trashed “The Pile”, a stack of gardening magazines filled with projects to tackle – someday. I vowed to only keep properly filed plans that I would really use. Hah! I do have a few plans filed, but I hope they’re printed on archival quality paper, as ghosts from “The Pile” now reside in my head demanding to be given first priority. These ghosts, and their Spawn, love to clamor until they’ve fired my imagination to obscene levels of excitement; the gorgeous hand laid patio of self-created, recycled glass and concrete mosaic stones; the twisted, sculptural plant supports of recycled metals lovingly welded Gazebos continued on page 22 10
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materasu A
Shining Kami of Heaven by Eberhardt
This is the 3rd in a four part series looking at some of the ways we can bring ourselves in tune with Gods and Goddess playing significant roles in the way we live our daily lives. Of course we can do this with any Deity speaking to us but we have chosen four revered for their places in the home and family life. Understanding the Japanese view of the world takes as much study as any of the Western paths. Influences from their neighbors, the very environment in which they live and their interrelatedness make for perception of the world that is both complex and subtle. Shinto, the indigenous animistic religion of Japan, features the worship of gods, and or kami.
Kami (神) is the Japanese word for spirits, natural forces, or “essence” in the Shinto faith. Although the word is sometimes translated as “god”
or “deity,” some Shinto scholars argue that such a translation can cause a misunderstanding of the term. “[A kami is] anything or phenomenon
that produces the emotions of fear and awe, with no distinction between good and evil.” (Motoori Norinaga) kami are located within the human world and not outside it (non-transcendental). In fact, traditionally human beings like the Japanese Emperor could be kami and according to Shinto belief are descended from the Sun Goddess Amaterasu. Amaterasu (天照大神／天照 大御神) Amaterasu-ōmikami, means “the great august kami who shines in the heavens” and she is considered one of the most powerful, as she is the Shinto Goddess of the Sun and rules over the Plain of High Heaven. Amaterasu provides Amaterasu continued on page 23 ™•
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Original Photography by Nina Pak ©2011
Traditions for a Modern Age
Keeping the Edge
by Mya Om
What is a tradition? Dictionary.com defines a tradition as the transmission of customs or beliefs from generation to generation. This can be the passing on of religious norms, ideals and beliefs over time within a group of believers or it can simply be the passing down of a recipe for pot roast that you got from your mom who got it from her mom and so on. In my childhood, traditions were sacrosanct and unchangeable. In my teens, traditions were those “things” from the old country I emphatically rejected (including the famed pot roast recipe). As an adult, traditions are parts of my past self which I am still reconciling with the person I am now.
or group of practitioners, a tremendous degree of leeway: not only in actual ritual practice, but also in ideology, mythology and ethics. Where else but in Paganism would a group come together to honor Isis and Freya? Where else is the belief in one God / one tradition / one path not seen as mutually exclusive from the belief in a different God / tradition / path? And where else, but in Paganism, would the philosophies of Buddha, Nietzsche, and Christ be discussed side by side in a ridicule-free forum? Pagans, whether they know it or not, reconcile conflicting beliefs and ideologies on a daily basis.
What makes the Pagan movement unique is that we lack the strict adherence to “tradition” found within the Judeo-Christian world. This lack of strict adherence allows each practitioner,
At the same time, despite this overarching tradition of reconciliation within the Pagan movement, we are very critical of each other as we struggle to define ourselves and Traditions continued on page 24
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Your Community • Your Connection
Upcoming Themes & Deadlines August 2011: Fire Element Deadline: July 5th, 2011 September 2011: Balance Deadline: August 5th, 2011 October 2011: Dark and Light Deadline: September 5th, 2011
www.paganedge.com
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July 2011 • Volume 2 13
Creating Sacred Spa Connecting with the Divine and the Ancestors of our familial lineage has been the goal of every generation since the dawn of humanity. 14
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Artifacts from the large to the small show the journey of spirituality throughout world culture. While we are different, we are the same. Creating sacred space in our modern world is a matter of personal preference and the honoring of our own spiritual history. For some, sacred space in the living area can be as grand as vast gardens filled with statues or as small as a simple shelf in one’s own bedroom. The key to creating this space is having a
deep and abiding knowledge of what helps you along your way. Colors, items, scents and sounds can all play a part in honoring your Gods and ancestors. Many times, an altar and spiritual shrine area can take years to populate. Starting simple and small insures that your altar space will reflect your soul allowing it to find rest and respite from the workaday world. This altar creates the liminal space that separates the mundane from the magickal, the secular from the sacred.
Making the Divine Mind, Mine
by Sister Nariel, Contemplative Order of Anam Cara
ace for the Divine Many times there is a drive to acquire the ‘stuff ’ that can put an unnecessary amount of pressure on people (particularly with new pagans). Part of the beauty of a pagan life is that a fallen feather or a found stone can be just as sacred as a solid gold statue. It is in our personal perspective and sense of connection that we find and utilize what will aid us in our spiritual journey. We need not be in a hurry to acquire ‘stuff ’ or to conform to the ways of others around us. We need
only to listen to our hearts and honor what we find there. Getting to know our deities and our lineage requires an active involvement in exploring history—the cord that connects us to our spiritual origins. The more we can connect to our past, the more easily we can transmit the lessons, lore and love into our present surroundings. Many times pictures and items that belonged to our loved ones will find honored placement on our personal shrines and altars. By
reading the lore and myths of our patron Deities, we can choose those things that will draw their energy and blessings into our world. It cannot be emphasized enough that the knowledge of the past can transform the present and the future. Above all else, know that your spiritual space should reflect you and honor your Gods, Goddesses and ancestors in a way that works for you. Take your time in the process and enjoy the journey towards the Divine. ™•
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The PaganEdge
Book Review
by Faelin Wolf
Fated
by S.G. Browne, 2010ISBN: 9780451231284 Imagine that the Deadly Sins, the Lesser Sins, Virtues, Muses, Attributes, and any other intangible, abstract concept are in fact immortals who “work” within the mortal world. Lady Luck does bless gamblers, Failure is a visitor we wish never came, Disease does in fact spread disease, and Fate watches as his humans march down their depressing predetermined paths.
Fate, or Fabio as he is known in the mortal world, has grown tired of his job, which makes sense after two hundred and fifty thousand years. He is jealous of Destiny, who at least gets to see her humans become great and do amazing things. But Fate’s humans have predetermined lives that don’t amount to much—boring. Fate finds himself intrigued, then, when he meets a human woman whom he can’t read her future. She must be on the Path of Destiny, he figures, but that also makes her appealing. So, he begins to break the rules, primarily Rule #1: Don’t get involved. He begins to date Sara, trying to keep his job as
Fate and his status as an immortal from her. But being with her begins to change him and he starts helping his humans move to better paths. He is more interested in his job and he cares more about humanity. All while hoping that Jerry, or God, doesn’t find out. Or Jerry doesn’t punish him too much. I love books where concepts or abstracts are personified. Browne offers a look at Fate, Destiny, Death (or Dennis), Sloth, Gluttony, Karma, Lady Luck, Failure, and many others, yet makes them more “human” by giving them flaws and quirky personalities. This was a very fun book with an interesting look at humanity. Fate could be any of us who have lost interest in our jobs and our lives and just need a little something to get us back on track. I like the twists and turns and the ending is definitely a surprise!
The Little Book of Hindu Deities
by Sanjay Patel, 2006, ISBN: 0452287768
Are you familiar with Hindu gods and goddesses? Have you always been confused by the Hindu stories, legends, and myths? Do the images of the gods and goddesses seem too bright, shiny, or even scary? Well, I think you Book Review continued on page 25
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The Temple of You by Jenn Embers
Finding Your Inner
God & Goddess Through Fitness acceptance. As Pagans we know we must first love ourselves before we can love others. The Gods and Goddesses teach us through their lore that our faults can be beautiful as long as we make a conscious effort to work towards becoming the best we can be. How do you get to a place of acceptance and self love, you ask? By embracing your inner God or Goddess of course!
As human beings, we often struggle to be comfortable
in our own skin. On a daily basis, many of us look into the mirror and deal with the inner conflict of self
Embrace your inner God or Goddess by choosing a fitness routine you love and enjoy doing. Fitness should never become a chore; it should be a pleasurable pastime. Fitness and Pagan spirituality fit perfectly together. You, as a Pagan, have a secret advantage others in the gym do not. Take yoga for example: before your practice, take five extra minutes to ask your God or Goddess for any wisdom or guidance they have for you that day. Don’t be Fitness continued on page 27 ™•
July 2011 • Volume 2 17
Inner Divine
Illustration by Ankolie
Reconnecting with Your
It is important to find balance in all things we do. Including balance in how we honor ourselves and our divine. Although there are many various pantheon archetypes in our modern world to choose from; the most powerful energies of God and Goddess come from the Inner Divinity within us. This candle meditation will allow you to reconnect with the energy of both of these powerful archetypes in order to find balance within yourself. 18
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the Urban Shaman
by Michelle “Crowskin” Bond You will need
• One white and one black candle (preferably a votive or tea light) • Relaxing music, or a nice quiet space • A table mirror • A notebook and pen to scribble on Sit comfortably on the floor with the candles safely in front of you: the black one on your left, and the white one on your right. Position your mirror behind both candles in the middle. It is important you are able to see the flame of the candle reflected in the mirror’s surface. They should be safely set up with no concerns about the mirror or candles tipping. If you live in a somewhat loud area, be sure to turn on your music. Make sure it’s loud enough to hear, but not loud enough to overwhelm you. If you live in a quiet area, you likely can skip this step. Make sure the music is suited for meditation or relaxation without any clear lyrics or loud noises. Darken the room. You may keep your notebook and writing instruments to your side. Since you will be focusing on listening to certain energies, you may wish to pay close attention to any messages you receive throughout the meditation. Feel free to
scribble down anything you find important but do not allow yourself to lose focus on what you are doing. Light the white candle to symbolize the sun and the God aspect. Think about everything which represents the God to you. Relax, do not stare into the candle, stare into the mirror’s surface. Take deep breaths and calm yourself just as you would while meditating. Watch the flame and allow yourself a few moments to unfocus. Unwind and settle your mind. Try to keep your mind as clear as possible for a few moments. When you are ready, gaze at the reflection of yourself. Visualize the image of the God aspect flowing over your own image. Say to yourself firmly “I am part of the God aspect which represents the sun, the hunter, the father and the protector. It is mirrored in me. It is part of my duality.” Feel the energy embrace and surround you. Make peace with it, and then, when you are ready, let the energy go while giving thanks for the strength it provides. Blow out the white candle. Do the same thing with the black candle, this time you will call up and experience the
Goddess aspect. Think about everything which represents the Goddess to you. Light it, gaze at its reflection, relax, watch the flame, unwind and settle your mind. Gaze at the reflection of yourself. Visualize the image of the Goddess aspect flowing over your own image. Welcome it into you and say to yourself again “I am part of the Goddess aspect, which represents the moon, the maiden, the mother and the crone. The wise one and the nurturer. It is mirrored in me. It is part of my duality.” Again, make peace with this feeling. When you are ready, let the energy go while giving thanks for the comfort it provides you. Blow out the black candle. Then light both candles and stare into your reflection. Say to yourself proudly, “I have embraced the God and the Goddess inside of myself. I am whole and sacred.” Finish by letting go of any negative self images you may have. Simply reflect on how powerful and strong an individual you are. Allow yourself to feel like the warrior and the healer at the same time. Be proud of who you are and accept the qualities of both aspects - the light and the dark, the masculine and feminine - make yourself who you are as a whole person. ™•
July 2011 • Volume 2 19
Welcome continued from page 8
his name? No. However, later that day when I took a book from the bookcase and set it down on the table, it fell open. I am one of those types of people who love to read what is written, so I glanced down and there he was! chopping, slicing, and dicing are a thing of the past, simply press a switch on a blender, mixer or food processor. She no longer has to have someone gather firewood and tend the fire under her cauldron. Turn on the stove or oven and she is ready to create something spectacular. The kitchen is her domain and I am there to keep it clean and organized. He appeared to me in a dream. Someone once told me if you ask a question before you drift off to sleep, it will be answered. So being the curious type, I was ready with my question before I drifted off to sleep. I asked if he would reveal himself to me — and he did in all his glory! Standing in front of a roaring fire, next to an anvil, holding a hammer in one hand and an unfinished sword in the other. He was muscular and clad in leather. He had a dark beard, dark curly hair and huge smile. And he said to me ”You know who I am. I have always been with you.” I awoke the next morning with the oddest feeling. I knew this God, yet I did not know his name. Was it important that I did not know 20
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He may be in the present world without the roaring fire and anvil but now he has access to modern power tools which include a table saw, an air compressor, a belt sander, a dremel with a hundred different accessories, cordless drills, and several others. He was on the roof with us when we ripped off the old shingles and laid the new ones. He helped me last year when I ripped out the old paneling, plaster, and sheet rock in our computer room. He sat patiently watching my husband rewire the room. He was there when we installed the hardwood floor in the living room. He is always ready to help us rip out and remodel something in the house. He is more than willing to take control of the dremel or any other power tool. Plug a tool into a power source and he is there! Walking around Lowes or Home Depot with him is an endless source of amusement. A few years ago, another Goddess joined the group. She is a healer, writes poetry and inspires
me. She too has adapted quite well to the modern lifestyle. She no longer has to use a quill and ink. She hears me press the power button on the computer and before the computer has booted up, I find myself sitting on the floor! She is totally oblivious to the concept of sharing the computer. I no longer fight for possession of the keyboard. It is a good thing there’s a word limit on the articles, presentations or workshops we write. No need for me to ever worry about such a thing as writer’s block. As for transportation, they no longer ride their horses. They are quite comfortable as back seat drivers in the Land Rover. Years ago the world in which the Gods existed was vastly different than the world of today. Yet somehow the Deities have found a way to connect with us and adapt to our modern conveniences.
Camping continued from page 9
9: If something goes awry,
do not immediately jump to conclusions or start complaining. Collect yourself and calmly begin to resolve the problem. Being out in Nature brings out the best and worst in everyone, and people tend to remember you by how you handle difficult situations more than anything else. So if you want to make new friends and keep old ones, initial complaints may be expected, but dragging it out will make people distance themselves from you.
10: NEVER talk sh*t, because it
will get back to you. Gossiping is how Witch Wars get started, and some can last decades. Just like Mom always said, “if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” Even if you are attempting to bring up a grievance or correct an error, do so in a constructive, nonjudgmental and non-accusing manner. I’ve found that by smiling goes a long way to easing tensions, even when I’m
really ticked off. Lori’s list is much longer than this, so be sure to check out her new book, A Guide to Pagan Camping: Festival Tips, Tricks and Trappings, found everywhere online and at many Pagan booksellers. Lori Dake is a lifelong camping and music enthusiast who loves to combine the two whenever possible. She has traveled to almost every edge of North America the old-fashioned way, and she is always up for pitching a tent and living simply among like-minded, spiritual individuals. ™•
July 2011 • Volume 2 21
Gazebos continued from page 10 by moi (I don’t know how to weld); the meandering path where all the plants have hand stamped, copper identification tags; the woodland gazebo, hand-built, sans nails, from fallen limbs and topped with hand-crafted, shake-shingles graced with just the perfect amount of plush moss. Oh my! It’s so disgustingly utopian in its blending of nature, art and unbelievably hard work that I don’t know if I should scream or cry as I wipe the drool from my delirious grin and try to blink away the daze. Where can I find time and energy for all that? “The Pile” ghosts whisper “Sacrifice elsewhere in your life, and in the delightfully decorated end, Martha Stewart will have nothing on you!” Wow, time to cut some slack and enlist some help - beyond that for my mental issues - if I’m going to shut them up! I’ll start with a serious diet… cooking and eating are very time consuming and a full tummy interferes with bending and lifting. Plus, grocery money can fund garden projects. I’d save time and money right from the start, but… my tummy’s growling already. Okay, skip the diet and adopt the approach of my former neighbor.
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Her yard was filled with handbuilt garden décor, the flowers always perky, colorful and… totally fake. Her Pile must have whispered “Forget about plants, just devote your time to cutesy garden structures and put in fake flowers. No one will notice.” I certainly didn’t… at least not in the first 10 seconds. Seems this is best for yards where people drive by at 60 miles per hour, not stroll by like mine. Besides, it was Former Neighbor‘s husband who built and installed all of it while she was off leisurely shopping at the Fake Flower Market and master minding her next deception. My honey says, “Wait until the game is over.” It’s
a shame our cable lines don’t run underground here; one little slip of the shovel and those hour-long time spans - erroneously called the final minutes of the game - wouldn’t have me on hold. A temporary fix sure, but I’m clumsy enough that my shovel could slip several weekends in a row before he got suspicious. But alas, our cable lines are not below ground, so I’d better enlist help from farther afield than the recliner. A garden-building party, in the barn-raising tradition, seems the ultimate solution. For my non-gardening friends, working on my garden projects will give them much needed fresh air and physical activity that they have been missing out on. For the ones that do garden, a change of venue, from their garden projects to mine, will certainly give them fresh perspective and help them recharge and renew their commitment to their own projects. Hey, what are friends for? Besides, then I can add the project of incorporating custom made donor bricks, each bearing a volunteer’s name, into my front walkway. Dawn Sherwood is a garden writer and consultant garden designer currently considering treatment for the voices in her head.
Amaterasu continued from page 11
Profile Name – Amaterasu Culture – Japanese Worship/Ritual – Ise Shrine, festival on July 17, Winter Solstice Associations – Sun, Winter Solstice, Harvest Related Deities – Daughter of Izanagi, Brother to Susanowa Amaterasu-ōmikami (天 照大神／天照大御神) or Ōhiru-menomuchi-nokami (大日孁貴神) is a sun goddess and one of the principal Shinto deities (神 kami). The meaning of her name, Amaterasuōmikami, is “the great august kami who shines in the heaven”. She was born from the left eye of Izanagi as he purified himself in a river and went on to become the ruler of the Higher Celestial Plain (Takamagahara).
all the light for the world via her radiant body. She also gifted the Japanese people with rice fields and taught them how to cultivate wheat and how to weave on a loom. Her Ise shrine is considered to be the equivalent of Mecca for the Shinto faith and the Japanese people. In Shinto tradition, the souls of kami are dualistic and take on a gentle aspect (nigi-mitama) and a more aggressive aspect (ara-mitama). Powerful Kami that have risen to the God or Goddess level will also take on the aspect that reflects where they are in the universe, heaven (amatsu-kami), or here on earth (kunitsukami). In many ways, this was representative of nature’s sudden changes and would explain why there were kami for every meteorological event: snowfall, rain, typhoons, floods, lightning and volcanoes. So how can Amaterasu be relevant to a western eurocentric culture? Besides fitting into the rights and actions of other Sun Deities more familiar to us she allows us to develop a greater connection to the earth and its powers through the recognition and inclusion of various other kami in our lives. In a sense worship of kami as deities is not as much the goal as revering the virtues or ideals they represent. The goal of life to follower of the Shinto
path is to obtain magokoro (a pure sincere heart) which can only be granted by the kami. As a result, followers are taught that humans should venerate both the living and the nonliving, because both possess a divine Kami within. We can accomplish this veneration by upholding the five affirmations of Shinto. The first affirmation is to hold onto tradition and the family. Family is seen as the main mechanism by which traditions are preserved and traditions help to keep the family together and functioning in a way that helps ensure survival. The second affirmation is to have a love of nature. Nature objects are worshipped as sacred because the kami live within them. Therefore, to be in contact with nature means to be in contact with the gods. The third affirmation is to maintain physical cleanliness. Followers of Shinto take baths, wash their hands, and rinse out their mouths often. The last affirmation is to practice matsuri, which is the worship and honor given to the kami and the ancestral spirits. If you feel like Amaterasu and Shinto have a lot in common with your current practices you may be right there has been a lot of cross pollination in belief systems and since Shinto is alive and well it is easier for many to learn by observation than buy searching for traces of practice from ancient texts. ™•
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Traditions continued from page 12
Paganism is a religion that belongs to the individual. our movement. From an anthropological perspective the desire of human groups to band together against the “other” is seen as a natural survival mechanism. 1 This is the same mechanism (among others) that has been attributed as a root cause of racial conflicts and religious wars. 2 This idea can be summed up simply: to find yourself (individually or as a group), you have to find out who-you-are-not first. Take for example the racist: she may see herself as White, but before she can understand what White is, she must first know that there is something called Not-White or not herself. This search for definition can lead to so called “witch wars” where differing groups fight amongst themselves in an effort to define what is or what is not Pagan, Wiccan etc... Those who know their Christian history may see here a parallel in the stories of the first and second councils of Nicaea where a definition of what is and is not “Christian” first emerged. Are our “witch wars” growing pains? Are they simply a part of efforts to solidify ourselves and our movement? Will we in the end emerge as a group with the same strict adherence to “tradition” as other more established movements? I sincerely hope not. Paganism is a religion that belongs to the individual. It is a tradition encouraging the individual to seek out, explore, and create. It is a religion for the people who take Grandma’s pot roast recipe and change it to suit their taste. It is a religion of archetypes and connections,
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welcoming those to see the Divine, regardless of what form the Divine takes. It is a religion that ought to welcome practitioners whether or not we understand the basis for their spirituality. Each of us connects to the Divine on a personal visceral level. Close your eyes and conjure up a mental image of the Divine. Do you see Her? Do you see Him? Do you see one being? Two? Ten? Do you see a face? Or a body? Or maybe you do not see a human shape at all? Perhaps you see a pentagram, or the Tree of Life? I close my own eyes and I see so clearly: Raven hair, luminescent skin, brown eyes filled with Wisdom. I see bare feet, walking on sweet grass. I see a hand dipped in an icy stream. What I see is not the same as what you might see, and yet we share a connection. We share a tradition allowing us to form our own beliefs, to come together, to celebrate not the sameness of our connection to the Divine, but rather the differences. In the end, we seek the Divine within ourselves. We seek a bridge across differences. We do not seek the isolation of an only way, but rather, we feel the welcoming embrace of a Divine, claiming all acts of love and all acts of pleasure. William Haviland & Harold Prins et al... Anthropology: The Human Challenge, Carnegie Learning (2010) pg 24 2 Gerald Diamond, Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed, Penguin Books (2005) 1
Book Review continued from page 16
better pick up The Little Book of Hindu Deities! Sanjay Patel has tried his best (and succeeded!) to make Hindu gods and goddesses accessible to everyone. Patel is an artist and animator. He turned his skills to drawing Hindu gods and goddesses because he hoped that he could make them less scary and way cuter—easier for everyone to understand and accept. He says he was inspired by Sanrio’s Hello Kitty. He has also turned the sometimes complicated stories and histories of the various deities, animals, avatars, and heroes into easily read, conversational stories and descriptions. He, again, hoped to make the mythology that he grew up with accessible to anyone who was interested in Hinduism. I love this book. I knew very little about Hindu deities before picking this up. Sure, I had some information about a few gods, like Ganesha, Hanuman, and Shiva, and a few goddesses, like Parvati, Lakshmi, and Kali. But I was always so confused: How many incarnations did Vishnu have? How are Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva related? How does Rama fit in? Why do all the goddesses seem to be the same person? Due to the easyto-read stories, I have a better grasp on Hindu mythology and I can now turn to more difficult texts to expand my knowledge! If you’re new to Hindu mythology, this book might spark your interest in learning more. If you’re well-versed, you will still enjoy the bright, fun, cute art that represents all your favorite gods and goddesses. Me? Well, I love Ganesha and Kali. Let me know who you feel drawn to!
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Fitness continued from page 17
selfish and look to compare yourself to others during your practice. Instead, dedicate your practice to honoring your God or Goddess and their continual presence in your life. One of the best ways to embrace your inner God or Goddess is through dance. Dancing is not just for the ladies, men can have moves too! You don’t even need a gym membership for this activity, just put on your favorite music and dance your heart out. Be one with the God and Goddess and let them fill your heart with love and light. Grab a partner and put on some sexy Latin music, this is a sure fire way to get both of your hearts pumping. Belly dancing is also a favorite pastime amongst many spiritual fitness gurus. The rhythmic motions of the body can encourage one to love and accept their body and its abilities. Take a leap of faith and Tango with the God or Goddess as your partner! Larid Hamilton, an American
big-wave surfer, once said, “For those searching for something more than just the norm. We lay it all down, including what others call sanity, for just a few moments on waves larger than life. We do this because we know there is still something greater than all of us. Something that
inspires us spiritually. We start going down hill, when we stop taking risks.” Surfing is an intense way to connect to your God or Goddess and with the Mother Earth herself. After all, the moon rules the ocean tides. It is true what they say in regards to surfing a wave, only a surfer knows the feeling. Get out there and try something new today, what’s stopping you? Hang
ten with Poseidon, and he will assure you this will be a summer you never forget. If you awaken your soul through fitness, you will forever be changed. When you put your spirit in motion, you have the ability to completely and fully heal yourself of past pain. Awaken your inner God or Goddess through fitness and you will find ecstasy within your heart center. Now that you have new motivation for your fitness practice, don’t be surprised if you shed a few tears in downward dog, or on a wave in the sea. Those tears are your emotions from the God and Goddess sending you Divine love. After all, who says you have to be in prayer position to receive love and guidance from your deities? I think Mark Twain said it best when he said “The worst loneliness is not to be comfortable with yourself.” Do whatever it takes to make you comfortable with yourself.
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