Before people comment, or assume, that I must be gay or bisexual, I would like to preempt you and say no, I'm not. However, that doesn't stop me from praising the state of New York for giving equal marriage rights to the gay and lesbian community!
To be honest, I never saw the big deal in gay marriage. If homosexuals want to get married, what does that matter to me? If you're against gay marriage then don't get gay married? It seems like a no brainer, but alas, much of those that oppose it have indeed no brains. I also think that letting same sex couples adopt children is a fantastic idea. I would rather a homosexual couple give a homeless child a loving family, than some of the people I see here who pop out babies just so that they have a stipend from the government every month.
The whole idea of marriage being only between a man and woman seems very old to me. Maybe back in biblical times it was accepted, but we are modern living Americans who believe in Democracy and equal rights. I'm not going to be surprised if we see a rise in the New York economy as well, now that Gay marriage is legal. Hiring of wedding planners, caterers and dress/tux makers is really going to help the revenue there. As well as the influx of justice weddings that will no doubt take place in a months time. Yes, I predict a huge jump in revenue for NY.
On the opposing side though, I love that the government is not forcing churches to perform gay marriages if they don't want to. I would hate if I was the priestess of a Pagan church and was told I had to perform marriages to Pagan hating Christians. Granted, I would do it because I believe in freedom of religion, but I wouldn't like to be FORCED to do it. I would at least like to have the choice, and I believe that the government of NY was totally right in this way. Also, I would sort of respect a Christian church if they were polite in their declining of performing the ceremony, but I would be even more respectful if the church said "Yeah sure, we will marry you!"
My daughter is only 6 weeks old, but I feel proud that she is being born into a nation that is, however slowly, at least TRYING to make this nation equal for all.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Monday, June 13, 2011
2012 Election
Who, as an American citizen, would a pagan vote for when it comes to elections? Well, I don't know about you guys, but I'm going to support Ron Paul. I've been a fan of Dr. Paul since his first election run in 2008. Dr. Paul is the answer to me, when it comes to the big issues we have right now, like immigration, the war, the economy etc etc.
I don't really consider myself "Republican." In fact, usually when it comes to issues, I agree with Democrats more, but Republicans nowadays aren't REALLY republican in my point of view. Except for Ron Paul. He has the most pristine voting record of any candidate, and he almost NEVER compromises on an issue he stands for. I agree with 99% of his political platform. However, I find the bias against him, via the mainstream news networks to be very disturbing.
Things like, CNN taking a poll of viewers over who won the latest debate. Ron Paul got 70% of the vote, but CNN says that Romney won with a whopping 8%? I'm very confused when it comes to the blatant rigging of poles like this. Now, the following website is a private owned site, NOT a government or network owned site, so alas they can be as biased as they want to, but this is an example of what most mainstream news networks are doing: Post Debate Poll.
Now, who do I think the biggest JOKE is when it comes to election? Well, I know she hasn't officially entered the ring so to speak, but if Sarah Palin actually thinks she has a chance, I'm going to laugh myself silly. I'm all about "women empowerment" and independence, but lets face it, this is a mans world and that woman is already a fry short of a happy meal. Hell, I might not like Hillary Clinton, but damn if I don't respect her. Sadly, you would have a better chance of being elected as a woman if you acted like a man.
Ron Paul is pro-life. I'm Pro-Choice myself. I could never imagine, NEVER imagine getting an abortion myself, as I have a beautiful daughter now and it took us almost 8 months of trying to conceive her, but I do not judge people who have had them. Ron Paul has personally delivered over 4,000 babies, so I can see how stead-fast his belief on this is.
Ron Paul is totally against the "Patriot Act". Ironically named, I'm sure. There's nothing patriotic about that act.
For a more detailed view on his political platform, please visit Ronpaul.com
Just thought you guys might find interest in who a regular pagan family would endorse for presidency.
I don't really consider myself "Republican." In fact, usually when it comes to issues, I agree with Democrats more, but Republicans nowadays aren't REALLY republican in my point of view. Except for Ron Paul. He has the most pristine voting record of any candidate, and he almost NEVER compromises on an issue he stands for. I agree with 99% of his political platform. However, I find the bias against him, via the mainstream news networks to be very disturbing.
Things like, CNN taking a poll of viewers over who won the latest debate. Ron Paul got 70% of the vote, but CNN says that Romney won with a whopping 8%? I'm very confused when it comes to the blatant rigging of poles like this. Now, the following website is a private owned site, NOT a government or network owned site, so alas they can be as biased as they want to, but this is an example of what most mainstream news networks are doing: Post Debate Poll.
Now, who do I think the biggest JOKE is when it comes to election? Well, I know she hasn't officially entered the ring so to speak, but if Sarah Palin actually thinks she has a chance, I'm going to laugh myself silly. I'm all about "women empowerment" and independence, but lets face it, this is a mans world and that woman is already a fry short of a happy meal. Hell, I might not like Hillary Clinton, but damn if I don't respect her. Sadly, you would have a better chance of being elected as a woman if you acted like a man.
Ron Paul is pro-life. I'm Pro-Choice myself. I could never imagine, NEVER imagine getting an abortion myself, as I have a beautiful daughter now and it took us almost 8 months of trying to conceive her, but I do not judge people who have had them. Ron Paul has personally delivered over 4,000 babies, so I can see how stead-fast his belief on this is.
Ron Paul is totally against the "Patriot Act". Ironically named, I'm sure. There's nothing patriotic about that act.
For a more detailed view on his political platform, please visit Ronpaul.com
Just thought you guys might find interest in who a regular pagan family would endorse for presidency.
Friday, June 10, 2011
The Casey Anthony Trial
Since our small family resides in Florida, we have been bombarded with coverage of the Casey Anthony trial. I don't know enough about the case to form my own opinion, but it reminds me greatly of the media coverage of the whole OJ saga back when I was a kid. There is more coverage of the trial on local channels than regular programming, the media is just spamming this mess all over the place.
Besides the local channel, Nancy Grace (who, for the record, I CAN NOT stand) has covered this mess for a really long time. I just don't get the appeal! I mean, I love crime dramas, I really do, but I wouldn't want to see a crime drama plot drag on for three weeks straight! But that's just my opinion, and I mean no harm to people who do enjoy such things.
Anyway, that's besides the point. I have issue with the fact that parents kill their kids everyday. That's the harsh reality of it. Everyday kids are beaten, raped, tortured, killed and goddess knows what else. What makes the media stand to attention for some trials, but not for others? Bad deeds are equal to me, depending on their caliber, and I would think that a proper amount of media attention to ALL things of this degree, might deter how much they happen.
I don't know, that's just my opinion. If someone ever hurts my daughter, Goddess help them.
Besides the local channel, Nancy Grace (who, for the record, I CAN NOT stand) has covered this mess for a really long time. I just don't get the appeal! I mean, I love crime dramas, I really do, but I wouldn't want to see a crime drama plot drag on for three weeks straight! But that's just my opinion, and I mean no harm to people who do enjoy such things.
Anyway, that's besides the point. I have issue with the fact that parents kill their kids everyday. That's the harsh reality of it. Everyday kids are beaten, raped, tortured, killed and goddess knows what else. What makes the media stand to attention for some trials, but not for others? Bad deeds are equal to me, depending on their caliber, and I would think that a proper amount of media attention to ALL things of this degree, might deter how much they happen.
I don't know, that's just my opinion. If someone ever hurts my daughter, Goddess help them.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Much Needed Help
Me and my husband are facing a financial dilemma. We are both living in a high population area, living off nothing but unemployment with a newborn baby. We find ourselves living paycheck to paycheck, in a motel, because we can't afford a huge deposit on an apartment or house. Thursday, it came to my attention that we hadn't bought enough formula for the baby. I didn't know what to do, as we had spent our last few dollars on diapers at the Dollar General.
My husband kept trying to keep me calm, through my hormonal outbursts of tears on how our baby was going to starve, by saying "It will all work out." But just like every time he says it, I don't listen, and worry myself silly. After a few depressing hours, I decided to stop worrying and put it in the Goddess' hands. She had always helped me before when I was in desperate need, and I knew that if she didn't help me now, there was a good reason. However, she came through with flying colors.
When I was younger, I went on a chat program for fans of the book series Harry Potter. I met a lot of interesting people up there. Even now, eight years later, I still talk to a few of them. One of these people, Rose, randomly messaged me last night, asking how my baby was doing. The baby is great, I let her know. She then asked how I was doing. I told her that I was happy, but financially depressed. She then offered to send money, which I politely declined. However, she wouldn't take no for an answer. "You're taking it whether you like it or not! Consider it Genevieve's birth gift."
Now, I was shocked as it was. How can someone I never met in real life, be so nice? I mean, I bought her something a few years ago, a Harry Potter banner decoration for her room, but I didn't think she still remembered that. "It's the little things that mean so much to me." She informed me. In additon to this, she woke up at 8AM, even though she didn't have to work until 2PM AND she had a seventeen hour shift today, just to send us the money.
So, here I am, shocked beyond belief as it was. She goes offline to send the money, and comes back an hour later. "I sent you 100 dollars."
WAIT, YOU SENT WHAT?
Praise the Goddess... I can't believe how much help someone I've never met in real life could be! I have friends in real life who haven't done anything like that to help! I wish so much good karma on her, and all her dreams to come true. I'm going to praise the Goddess tonight for our stroke of good luck, and may blessings onto Rose for her kindness. If my readers have the time, I would appreciate a prayer for Rose, that many good tidings head her way.
Blessed Be.
My husband kept trying to keep me calm, through my hormonal outbursts of tears on how our baby was going to starve, by saying "It will all work out." But just like every time he says it, I don't listen, and worry myself silly. After a few depressing hours, I decided to stop worrying and put it in the Goddess' hands. She had always helped me before when I was in desperate need, and I knew that if she didn't help me now, there was a good reason. However, she came through with flying colors.
When I was younger, I went on a chat program for fans of the book series Harry Potter. I met a lot of interesting people up there. Even now, eight years later, I still talk to a few of them. One of these people, Rose, randomly messaged me last night, asking how my baby was doing. The baby is great, I let her know. She then asked how I was doing. I told her that I was happy, but financially depressed. She then offered to send money, which I politely declined. However, she wouldn't take no for an answer. "You're taking it whether you like it or not! Consider it Genevieve's birth gift."
Now, I was shocked as it was. How can someone I never met in real life, be so nice? I mean, I bought her something a few years ago, a Harry Potter banner decoration for her room, but I didn't think she still remembered that. "It's the little things that mean so much to me." She informed me. In additon to this, she woke up at 8AM, even though she didn't have to work until 2PM AND she had a seventeen hour shift today, just to send us the money.
So, here I am, shocked beyond belief as it was. She goes offline to send the money, and comes back an hour later. "I sent you 100 dollars."
WAIT, YOU SENT WHAT?
Praise the Goddess... I can't believe how much help someone I've never met in real life could be! I have friends in real life who haven't done anything like that to help! I wish so much good karma on her, and all her dreams to come true. I'm going to praise the Goddess tonight for our stroke of good luck, and may blessings onto Rose for her kindness. If my readers have the time, I would appreciate a prayer for Rose, that many good tidings head her way.
Blessed Be.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Planning a Wiccaning
A Wiccaning is when you present your child to the universe and give them with their first Magical name, that they change once they are old enough to pick their own. It is a right of passage, and is similar to a “christening” in Christianity.
Timing: The timing for the child's Wiccaning is largely influenced by the time of year the child was born. Some people would prefer to have it on a solstice or equinox of the season the child was born, while others wish to present the new addition during a new moon. Our daughter was born on May 11th, so we are planning hers for Thursday, June 2nd on the date of the next new moon. Make sure both parents are well enough to participate (I had a C-section, so we have to wait a bit longer).
Who to invite: Invite family, close friends, maybe even your coven. Since we do not belong to a coven here, and our family lives 600 miles away, we will be doing this ritual by ourselves. Your guests can bring gifts if they choose.
Sometimes your child might cry, especially if they aren't used to a lot of people or noise. Don't worry about this, the child just wants to be apart of the fun! Try to keep calm, and think of the Goddess.
Altar: A standard altar representing all four elements and corners would be a great start, also placing any gifts given to the child on the altar.
Name: Choosing a baby's wiccan name can be as hard as her real name. Try to pick a name everyone agrees with, you might want to ask your coven leaders for suggestions, or friends and family. We haven't come up with a Wiccan name for Genevieve yet. Maybe, you could suggest names to your child and see if they react in some way positively, since they are not speaking age. You might meditate or ask for the Goddess to suggest something in a dream or in a sign.
The Ritual: I don't feel comfortable or experienced enough to write my own Wiccaning ceremony, so we have decided to use the one on this page: http://herbalmusings.com/wiccaning-ritual.htm Remember, pre-written ceremonies aren't mandatory, they are merely guides on a suggested way to perform a ritual. Mix it up with your own things!
Timing: The timing for the child's Wiccaning is largely influenced by the time of year the child was born. Some people would prefer to have it on a solstice or equinox of the season the child was born, while others wish to present the new addition during a new moon. Our daughter was born on May 11th, so we are planning hers for Thursday, June 2nd on the date of the next new moon. Make sure both parents are well enough to participate (I had a C-section, so we have to wait a bit longer).
Who to invite: Invite family, close friends, maybe even your coven. Since we do not belong to a coven here, and our family lives 600 miles away, we will be doing this ritual by ourselves. Your guests can bring gifts if they choose.
Sometimes your child might cry, especially if they aren't used to a lot of people or noise. Don't worry about this, the child just wants to be apart of the fun! Try to keep calm, and think of the Goddess.
Altar: A standard altar representing all four elements and corners would be a great start, also placing any gifts given to the child on the altar.
Name: Choosing a baby's wiccan name can be as hard as her real name. Try to pick a name everyone agrees with, you might want to ask your coven leaders for suggestions, or friends and family. We haven't come up with a Wiccan name for Genevieve yet. Maybe, you could suggest names to your child and see if they react in some way positively, since they are not speaking age. You might meditate or ask for the Goddess to suggest something in a dream or in a sign.
The Ritual: I don't feel comfortable or experienced enough to write my own Wiccaning ceremony, so we have decided to use the one on this page: http://herbalmusings.com/wiccaning-ritual.htm Remember, pre-written ceremonies aren't mandatory, they are merely guides on a suggested way to perform a ritual. Mix it up with your own things!
Honeymoon Over
Not even two weeks after we were married, we had to move out of our house. My husband lost his job and I could not pay the rent and all the bills on my jobs paycheck alone. We ended up moving in with his cousin, her husband and their two children. Big mistake.
Never live with another family, it is doomed to have a negative effect on your own relationship. Soon after moving in with them, my husband got a job with the cousins husband. They worked nightshift, where-as I worked day shift. Our relationship took a downward toll, as our schedules didn't give us any time together, and when it rarely did, it wasn't alone time. The cousin started talking down to me, and saying unkind things about me to my husband while I was asleep or at work.
I got accused of cheating on my husband, and my husband (bless him) believed it. I was kicked out and forced to move in with my parents, my husband asking me for a divorce. I went into a downward spiral of depression, only leaving my room to go to work.
It was this time, that Dr. Possum and his wife started holding Wiccan church ceremonies every month. During one of these meetings, they asked me if I would house sit for them while they went on vacation. I was very happy to do it, their house is so full of wonderful magical energies, and it always smelled amazing.
It was on the last day of house-sitting, that I decided to take the opportunity to absorb some of their houses wonderful aroma and atmosphere. I sat on their couch with their two familiars (two big yellow Labradors) and prayed once again. I asked for a sign from the Goddess. Anything at all, maybe a sign about what I should do with my life from there? We had only been married 2 months before this bomb was dropped on me. I had applied to go back to college, and was waiting for a response back.
I mediated for a half hour, just basking in the ambiance of their amazing home, and then made my way outside. Right outside their back door is a tree. Usually I would go around the right side of the tree to make my way to my car, but one of their cats got my attention, and I walked around the left side of the tree instead to pet the cat. That's when I saw, sticking straight out of the ground, a crows feather. I mean, straight out of the ground, as it's end was stuck in the dirt, with the rest sticking straight up.
The significance of this for me was huge, as my husbands spirit animal is a crow, and we had evoked the spirit of the crow (and the red fox, as that is my spirit animal) at our wedding. I knew at that moment that I had received my sign.
It was a week later that my husband contacted me again (after we had not spoken for a month.) He had moved away from his cousins, and now without their influence, had made his own conclusions about our relationship. We got back together, and then I found out two months later, I had been pregnant the entire time we were split up.
We have never had another issue with our relationship since that point in time.
Our daughter was born on May 11th 2011. Genevieve Kerry-Anne Toler. We plan on raising her Wiccan, until she is old enough to make her own decisions on what path she chooses (whether it's a pagan path or not). My husband is also trying to get a couple of pagan children's books published, as we don't know of any. (We are going through Llewellyn publishing).
We have since moved from our Bible Belt town (and away from our Wiccan church there) and are now residing in Kissimmee Florida. I really do miss our old church, and you can visit their website here: http://www.eternalharvestwicca.org/
Never live with another family, it is doomed to have a negative effect on your own relationship. Soon after moving in with them, my husband got a job with the cousins husband. They worked nightshift, where-as I worked day shift. Our relationship took a downward toll, as our schedules didn't give us any time together, and when it rarely did, it wasn't alone time. The cousin started talking down to me, and saying unkind things about me to my husband while I was asleep or at work.
I got accused of cheating on my husband, and my husband (bless him) believed it. I was kicked out and forced to move in with my parents, my husband asking me for a divorce. I went into a downward spiral of depression, only leaving my room to go to work.
It was this time, that Dr. Possum and his wife started holding Wiccan church ceremonies every month. During one of these meetings, they asked me if I would house sit for them while they went on vacation. I was very happy to do it, their house is so full of wonderful magical energies, and it always smelled amazing.
It was on the last day of house-sitting, that I decided to take the opportunity to absorb some of their houses wonderful aroma and atmosphere. I sat on their couch with their two familiars (two big yellow Labradors) and prayed once again. I asked for a sign from the Goddess. Anything at all, maybe a sign about what I should do with my life from there? We had only been married 2 months before this bomb was dropped on me. I had applied to go back to college, and was waiting for a response back.
I mediated for a half hour, just basking in the ambiance of their amazing home, and then made my way outside. Right outside their back door is a tree. Usually I would go around the right side of the tree to make my way to my car, but one of their cats got my attention, and I walked around the left side of the tree instead to pet the cat. That's when I saw, sticking straight out of the ground, a crows feather. I mean, straight out of the ground, as it's end was stuck in the dirt, with the rest sticking straight up.
The significance of this for me was huge, as my husbands spirit animal is a crow, and we had evoked the spirit of the crow (and the red fox, as that is my spirit animal) at our wedding. I knew at that moment that I had received my sign.
It was a week later that my husband contacted me again (after we had not spoken for a month.) He had moved away from his cousins, and now without their influence, had made his own conclusions about our relationship. We got back together, and then I found out two months later, I had been pregnant the entire time we were split up.
We have never had another issue with our relationship since that point in time.
Our daughter was born on May 11th 2011. Genevieve Kerry-Anne Toler. We plan on raising her Wiccan, until she is old enough to make her own decisions on what path she chooses (whether it's a pagan path or not). My husband is also trying to get a couple of pagan children's books published, as we don't know of any. (We are going through Llewellyn publishing).
We have since moved from our Bible Belt town (and away from our Wiccan church there) and are now residing in Kissimmee Florida. I really do miss our old church, and you can visit their website here: http://www.eternalharvestwicca.org/
A Handfasting
Now that we were engaged, the issue became "How do we find a Wiccan priest/priestess to handfast us, in the Bible belt?" The answer, was quite literally, under my husbands nose. My husband was a waiter at Waffle House, and it turns out one of his regular customers was a Wiccan Priest. His name was Dr. Possum, and he had his own Wiccan store behind his house. (http://drpossumshexhouse.com/index.html) We had no idea that the Wiccan community was more than just us! Him and his wife opened up a whole new world for us, in that we realized we weren't the only Wiccans living in the Bible Belt.
We were married via Wiccan handfasting on June 19th 2010. We tried to have it as close to the summer solstice as possible. Most of my family attended (except I did not invite my intolerant grandfather), and it was medieval themed. The priest and the priestess are both ordained Wiccan ministers, so it was nice and legal.
(From left to right) Dr. Possum, Christopher, myself and Dr. Possums wife
Handfasted
Husband and Wife
We even jumped the broom for fertility ;)
We were married via Wiccan handfasting on June 19th 2010. We tried to have it as close to the summer solstice as possible. Most of my family attended (except I did not invite my intolerant grandfather), and it was medieval themed. The priest and the priestess are both ordained Wiccan ministers, so it was nice and legal.
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