Prayer for The East Coast 10/12

Yemeya
Great mother
She Who is All,
Mother whose children are the fish,
Please be gentle with Us.
May your cleansing be swift & merciful.
I honor You Yemeya.
I am your daughter

Bridging the gap in the Pagan Community

"Eclectic"  It's a big word in the Pagan community.
By definition, eclectic : composed of elements drawn from various sources

So what about the sources where these elements come from?
For some it's not a big deal.
 But for others, It is.
Many Native American communities resent
other people claiming to be part of there culture.
There is nothing wrong with learning the ways
of another people.
In fact it forms a bridge to understanding. 
However, When someone begins to teach or spread
the ways of a culture they do not truly understand,
a chasm is created.
When the ways of a culture are molded to fit
An individuals need or perspective,
That chasm grows.

Recently I heard about a tiny a controversy in the Pagan community.
This one involved the Spiritual practice called Santeria.
First, I must say that Santeria and Palo are beautiful traditions.
they are not the basis of all that oogity boogity stuff people believe.

I'm also not going to get into the roots of the tradition -
One can wikipedia that.
Neither am I going to discuss all the rituals & ceremonies.
I will explain one simple concept which may shine a light on
where issues develop from...
Many eclectic Pagans choose which deity they work with.
They may feel called by a certain deity but ultimately,
They make the choice.

Not so in Palo or Santeria.
To begin with, Some follow this tradition
because of family.  Some have a need for the
protection, Spiritually and some are called by Spirit
to be Priests,Priestess, Diviners.
It is the Spiritual Elder who receives the message that
one is called to the path. 
Also to what degree one shall be initiated.
It is also SPIRIT who decided who shall crown the initiate.
Spirit decides through divination by one's Padrino, Madrina
or Babalawo; who Your Mother & Father is in the tradition.
These traditions are celebrated in a grand manner.
Houses come together to prepare the initiate.
Huge, glorious altars prepared, feasts, music.
Above all, Respect.

When someone outside the tradition says,
Oshun is My Mother, or Chango is My Father
The intention may not be to disrespect but to
those who follow the path of the Santo or Palero
It is considered so.
Better perhaps to say simply, "I honor Oshun"
Then to widen a gap already in need of bridging.

We are all children of the Divine
No matter how We see it. 

May We give one another the gift of respect
Namaste'

Wicked Wednesday GIVE AWAY!!!

It's time for another Wicked Wednesday GIVE AWAY!

The first Giveaway comes from Mysticwynd shop : A Rune Necklace

According to the artist Karen Grosser:
The charm is a silver plated pewter Nordic rune symbol,
“Wunjo” – associated with the balance required before one can experience true happiness.
 I’ve added several small gemstones that are often associated with
 balancing energies: garnet for success;
 citrine for clarity of thought;
 rhodochrosite for sweeping away emotional clutter;
 turquoise for wholeness; lapis lazuli for self knowledge;
 blue chalcedony for achieving calmness;
 and amethyst for wisdom and protection.
 The necklace is an adjustable knotted black satin cord.

This Piece is OOAK.

In order to enter you must  -
Be a Follower of My Blog and/or FB page
Be a follower of  http://mysticwynd.blogspot.com or
like Mysticwynd on FB

It's a lovely piece.. Good luck!

 

Irish Barmbrack Bread, A Samhain Tradition

Barmbrack is a traditional Irish bread or fruit cake
which is served on Samhain or All Hallows Eve.
The cake is baked with small trinkets hidden inside.
The Fun of this tradition is in the finding of one.

 Each trinket would foretell the future of the one who found it.
 The coins, represent wealth, ring marriage, The thimble - well
spinsterhood! 
A fun & tasty holiday tradition!

Barmbrack

2 1/2 Cups Dried fruit - sultanas, apricots, raisins, etc..
1 - 2 Cups Tea
2 1/2 Cups of All Purpose Flour
1 Egg
1/2 Tsp Baking Soda
1 1/2 Cups Sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp allspice
1/4 cup Orange Marmalade
Soak the dried fruit overnight in the tea. Plain tea is fine, but
Orange Pekoe  or Lemon Zinger adds nice flavor.
Drain the liquid from the fruit.
Preheat oven - 350 degrees.
Sift together  flour, baking soda & spices.
Beat the egg, sugar & marmalade, Fold in fruit.
*If you have trinkets, wrap them in parchment or wax paper
& fold in.
Slowly fold in flour until just blended.
Pour into greased Bundt Pan.
Bake for approx 1 hour.  Done when top springs back
when gently pressed. Cool completely before removing
from pan.
* A Bundt pan allows for even heat distribution, which is
necessary for a heavier cake/bread
** This is not a traditional recipe in that there is no yeast
   

Wicked Wednesdays Giveaway #2

The Winners of this weeks Giveaways  :

The Fabulous Tarot Bag from Madlight 13 goes to Karen
The Samhain phone Reading goes to Prue

Congratulations to both of You!
Don't forget, Next Wednesday -  More Goodies,
More Giveaways!  

Tarot Bag Giveaway!

Wicked Wednesdays GIVEAWAYS!

Every Wednesday through October I'm be GIVING something away..
Of course there are rules but they're simple..
You must be a follower of My Blog or My FB page to start
The more ways you follow me, the more chances you have to win a giveaway..
FB - http://www.facebook.com/IntuitiveGoddessShop
Twitter - @helenemartz


Today's Giveaway-  A gorgeous Tarot Bag comes from Mimi of Madlight 13
This is a good one!

Wicked Wednesdays GIVEAWAYS!

Every Wednesday through October I'm be GIVING something away..
Of course there are rules but they're simple..
You must be a follower of My Blog or My FB page to start
The more ways you follow me, the more chances you have to win a giveaway..
FB - http://www.facebook.com/IntuitiveGoddessShop
Twitter - @helenemartz


Today's Giveaway includes : https://www.etsy.com/listing/98000524/15-min-phone-reading-tarot-psychic-photo

October Magick - Sesame Seed

"Open Sesame"
When I was young, I remember sitting in the living room
watching Ali Baba & the forty thieves.
I would run around saying "Open Says Me"..
It would be years later when I learned the phrase was
"Open Sesame".
 
Sesame seed
In magick, it has been utilized since Biblical times.
Used in Egyptian Magick
The seeds represent prosperity & abundance
Sesame seeds are a traditional offering for the Hindu Deity Ganesha.

Whenever I think of Sesame Seeds,
I'm transported back to the land of magic carpets
To that little girl running around, believing  in magic
calling out "Open Says Me"
Sesame seed opens paths, draws opportunities toward us.
Yes, perhaps that little girl was right -
When using the energy of Sesame Seeds,
We should shout out , Open says Me!

Business Success Oil
Mint
Patchouli
Cinnamon
Sesame seeds
Sesame seed oil

Morning Message 10/6/12

During the Mornings Meditation I heard the Following:
"One Shall come
A Woman
And SHE shall unite
The houses (of many nations)
And those that do Not follow
Shall be fallen by the wayside"