silent night...

On Saturday I'll celebrate the Winter Solstice with a group of very close friends. After a year of waiting, the mead we added our magic to last Yule will be unveiled! A great time will be had by all, no doubt.

But... (and you knew there had to be a but, didn't you?) at this time of year, as I have for the last 20, I find myself missing the quiet that is the hush of freshly fallen snow and the cold crisp air that is a northern winter. There was something special about celebrating the return of the light then. 

Some of my favorite winter memories are stringing lights on the evergreens that were in front of the house with my dad (and with that, Dad, I still miss you but know you're out there, somewhere)... building snowpeople... building snow forts... cross-country skiing when I got older. There was a peacefulness, a calm. 

As I've said said many times, nature is my temple. I feel best when outdoors -- in my tiny butterfly garden, in a park, in the Everglades. I miss peace and quiet, with the only sounds those of nature. Right now I'd be really glad for a few hours in a snowy wood, watching cardinals, bluejays and other woodland creatures carry on their day. 

Tis the season...

... for the annual "who does the holiday belong to" hubbub to begin. 

Down the road, in white and gold lights, Calvary Chapel of Fort Lauderdale proclaims "Jesus is the Reason for the Season!" Somewhere, Bill O'Reilly is pitching a fit at those who would rather call the events happening in December the "holidays". 

While Christ does rightfully belong in the word Christmas, is Christmas, and the birth of Christ, really the reason for the season?

More than enough evidence has been presented to indicate Jesus was not born somewhere even remotely near December 25th, in fact the celebration of his natal day was moved to that time period during the 4th century CE, when Christianity was made the official religion of Rome. It is generally presumed Jesus was born in the spring. 

Even earlier, the Egyptians celebrated the god Osiris, who died and was reborn, the time of the Winter Solstice. The Greeks celebrated the "Festival of Wild Women" around Dionysus, who was murdered and reborn during the same period of time. In Rome the Saturnalia was celebrated. 

The Winter Solstice, or return of the sun, began pre-religion, as early man observed the cycles of the sun. It is said that aboriginal people were able to notice a slight elevation in the sun's path within days of that time when the sun sunk to its lowest point on the horizon, and it is believed people soon began to celebrate the sun's return, or rebirth, around the solstice, as they knew that soon the warmth would return and they would be able to cultivate crops. 

On December 21st, or thereabouts, I'll be celebrating the return of the sun, in my mind the real reason for the season.

Back to nature

In the hustle and bustle of working for a living, it seems my entire life is tied to a computer these days. If not working on the computer, I'm doing a bit of poking around on the internet looking for information, reading interesting news and blogs, or finding the next thing I want to throw money at.

It gets tiresome being on a keyboard all day and well into the night. 20 years ago I was saying I wanted to work on a computer full time. Be careful what you wish for...

At any rate, sooner or later the time comes when I just have to get outdoors, spending time in the butterfly garden or going to a park or even just taking a walk around the neighborhood looking for flowers to photograph.

This weekend was one of those times. The impetus was the incredible photography of Clyde Butcher, inheritor (in my opinion at least) to the crown formerly worn by Ansel Adams. Butcher's black and white work, particularly of the Florida Everglades, is just amazing. After reading that Butcher was having an open house at his Big Cypress gallery, in the Big Cypress National Preserve, I knew it time to pack up the camera, toss it in the truck and get down the highway.

We arrived at the gallery around 2pm or so, a bit late in the day for really good light in terms of taking pictures. After oooh-ing and ahhh-ing at Butcher's work, much of it in very large format, we stepped out the door onto a small nature trail which wound back to a pond practically outside the gallery door, where we'd stopped when we first parked our vehicle.

It was photography heaven. In a very small space was a gator, a great white egret and an anhinga, all practically posing for the lens. Merrily, I clicked away, til I felt I'd gotten all the decent shots I could. We jumped back into the truck and went another half mile down the road, to the visitor center at the preserve. All the while, my husband counted gators on the far side of a creek-like body of water that ran parallel to the road.

We parked, jumped out and strolled close to the water's edge on the far side of the barrier erected to keep cars from going into the water. As Mikal counted critters, my shutter was clicking, each photo opportunity seeming almost better than the last. Some of the gators seemed gargantuan! The egrets, ibises and anhingas seemed not to mind them at all, strolling or wading past. Perhaps they knew it wasn't dinner time.

I particularly enjoyed watching a white ibis, the one whose photo is attached here. Those pink legs, with knobby knees, and that curved beak just make me chuckle. They're so darn cute -- and curious.

A couple of hours flew by, and as the sun started getting closer to the western horizon, we knew we didn't want to drive the two-lane highway back to 'civilization' in the dark so it was time to leave.

As I drove homeward, I promised myself we'd visit Big Cypress again and, more importantly, that I'd try to get some more outdoor time while the cooler dry season is here. The sense of calm which I always find when I spend time away from the madding crowd stayed with me all weekend. I want that feeling to be with me all the time.

Butcher says, in a CBS interview, "Nature is my spiritual retreat." He's got that right, it's mine too.

A Celebration of Peace!

On Saturday, November 17th, 2007, on World Peace Day, in Fort Lauderdale, FL, all are invited to attend Harmony for Humanity, a Ritual for Peace. For more information, please visit: http://www.uucfl.org/harmony/

hypocrisy and such...

Last night, listening to news comments around the Senator Craig story, a member of the Christian right -- whose name escapes me at the moment -- spoke about the immoral nature of our society. In the newspaper, I've read a number of letters to the editor around our city's mayor, who has created a real buzz in the local gay community.

I'm at a loss. While I understand that each of us has views shaped by the particular aspect of society we were raised in, by our spiritual beliefs and our concept of what is moral to us, I can't wrap my mind around the concept of telling people they should agree with my positions, precepts and values.

Is our essential nature much like that of the pack animal? Must we go along with the pack, and follow the leader? I don't think so. It seems to me that the Divine has gifted us with the ability to think for self; to decide what is right for us, and to live by our own personal set of guidelines. That's not to say I think that murder, child molestation or rape is acceptable, I don't. But... who am I to say what you should think about other's sexual preference or spiritual beliefs? What works for you, or them, is fine by me.

Does it matter to me if Sen. Craig is gay? Heck no! What does bug me, though, is if he _is_ gay, that he can't stand up for himself and declare he is what he is.

Society seems to dictate to us. I don't think it should. We should be free to be who and what we are; to worship as we see fit, and to enjoy our own sexuality and sexual preferences, what ever they are.

Freedom. An of-forgot concept.

songs from a Pagan heart

A dear friend and temple sister suggested, last month, that a few of us get together and create a Pagan women's choir. Always the chantress, I eagerly agreed to participate. Five of us have come together, and thus far gathered twice to rehearse; our next meeting is this evening. We're planning our first performance to be at a peace-centric event on World Peace Day in November.

At our first meeting, we chose a lovely piece found on Shawna Carol's Goddess Chant CD, "Blessed Be." The sound of our voices, united at first, but then bringing in lovely harmonies, filled my heart. In my mind, sacred music has always been important, whether it was the Christian hymns of my youth, joining voices in kirtan, chanting while my good friends drum, or hearing voices lifted in familiar Pagan song.

Music can be an escape from the every day mundane, or it can lift us toward the Divine. As the music flows, and the mind wraps around the lyrics, all other thoughts are pushed aside... music brings us fully present - completely focused. Seems to me there should be more music in ritual, and I envision, someday, a complete rite in song.

I love having a song in my heart.

so much for diversity...

Many of my Pagan friends consider themselves "recovering ex-Catholics," those who were raised in the faith but walked away from it for one reason or another. From my point of view, Catholicism never came into play -- I was raised attending the (Greek) Orthodox and Methodist (what a combo!) churchs, favoring the Orthodox church for the incredible ritual that was mass. I enjoyed ritual from a very young age!

Earlier this week I wrote about religious diversity and how important it is to overcome differences and speak from our heart, where our true spirituality and commonalities reside. It seems a sensible thing to me as we are far more alike, you and I, than we are different.

Yesterday Pope Benedict XVI endorsed a Catholic church document which states that Orthodox churches are "damaged" and that other Christian denominations are not "true churches." In addition, earlier this week he instituted a return to the Latin mass. Shades of the dark ages... Pope Benedict says the non-Catholic churches are ecclesial communities rather than true churces and, thus, do not offer "true" salvation. The key to being a true church? The ability to trace apostolic succession as the Catholic church can; the ability to trace their bishops back to the original apostles. The Orthodox churches do have apostolic succession but the "damage" is their refusal to recognize the leadership of the Pope.

Frankly, I'd love to see the documentation on apostolic succession which the church must have in order to make this broad claim. Perhaps it is hidden deep within the Vatican's archives. However, it is my feeling that the Bible is mythology and that, rather than the word of God, it is the word of those architects who wanted to create a new religion and place of power over others, thus the one "true" church, the Catholic church.

While there are people in leadership positions like the Pope, and those others who claim they are speaking the word of their God, can we really find a place where we will be accepting of religious diversity? Although there may be voices within various religious institutions which echo mine, I don't expect it to happen in my life time. Religious leaders have too much power, particularly over those who blindly follow their words as true gospel.

We need more independent thinkers -- maybe another Martin Luther with a more neutral sensibility.

religious diversity

The Rev. Stephen V. Sundborg wrote a wonderful guest column in the Seattle Times last week on religious diversity, putting into published words many of the thoughts I've had and expressed to others over the course of the last ten or so years, as my own spiritual practice has become more central to my life.

Sundborg states that, while there are many causes for war, they are ignited by differences in our religious beliefs. The fundamentalist can wear a multitude of different spiritual hats, with their one way the "right" way. This head-blindness, the refusal to accept other spiritual paths as viable, can fuel an inferno.

My heart-of-hearts is filled with love. For the beauty of the natural world around me, for those whom I count among family and friends and for all those fellow human beings whom I have yet to meet. I simply cannot presume I will dislike a person based upon their spiritual path. As a Pagan, it might seem I should be naturally inclined to disfavor those who follow the predominant religious path in this country, Christianity. That's not the case -- indeed, I have met many wonderful Christian folks whose hearts are as full of love as mine.

Sundborg believes, and I agree, that all religions command their followers to engage with their fellow human beings, to love and appreciate them, to work with them no matter what spiritual path they follow. Somewhere along the way, though, we've lost that ability to speak peacefully and rationally with our spiritual voice -- too often the voices are raised in an effort to convince the other that our way is the right way.

The best phrase in Sundborg's comment, from my perspective, is "I define "spirituality" with five words: one's lived relationship to Mystery." Isn't this the reason for all religions? Religions try to answer those eternal questions to which we have no solid answers, those mysteries -- why am I here, is this all there is, is there more to life? Don't we touch mystery when we witness a birth, when we find true love, when we behold a scene of incomparable beauty? Those things tell us there is more to life than our day-to-day mundane existance. Our spiritual beliefs seek to help us define and comprehend these mysteries.

Thanks Rev. Sundborg. I agree, it's time to dialog from our heart-of-hearts. It's time to open our hearts to the hearts of others, and to hear their voices with love and deep understanding.

on the separation of church and state

In 1802 Thomas Jefferson wrote, in a letter to the Danbury Baptists, of the First Amendment creating a "wall of separation" between the church and state. Jefferson's simple, but well-penned thoughts on the First Amendment are thus a key to what many of us aver are our legal right.

The two pertinent clauses of the First Amendment are the establishment clause,"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion..." and the free exercise clause, which declares that religious practices not be restricted by the government.

James Madison, one of the principals involved in the creation of the Bill of Rights, wrote "strongly guarded is the separation between religion and the government in the Constitution of the United States."

The young Supreme Court first quoted Jefferson's words in 1878 in the Reynolds case and then in a series of decisions beginning in 1947 and ending in the 1970s. Since then, the Supreme Court has backed away from using the phrase "separation of church and state" suggesting it conveys hostility in opposition to Jefferson's original meaning. Critics of the concept echo this and other similar thoughts. Many of them claim the United States was formed as a Christian nation.

Today, supporters of fundamentalist Christian doctrine are the most vocal detractors of this wall of separation. Leaders of the Religious Right seek to control our leaders, if not our government, offering what they claim to be "a mainstream vision for America." For followers of other faiths, and even some more mainstream Christians, this effort is frightening; many of us envision a turning away from the Constitutional Republic toward a more theocratic form of government. Leaders such as Focus on the Family's James Dobson claim our nation has turned its back on faith, and that this will bring about the downfall of our country. Dobson avers that unless we, as a nation, embrace his narrow view of faith, we will be unable to save ourselves from destruction. Evangelist D. James Kennedy declared, at a 1999 Fort Lauderdale, Florida gathering entitled Reclaiming America for Christ, "Not only are the culture wars not over, and not only have we not lost, but the fact is we are winning."

Dobson, Kennedy and other leaders and members of the Religious Right seek to exclude the freedom to practice a religion of our own choosing. In fact, 32 percent of like-minded respondents to a recent Barna Group poll say they favor a Constitutional amendment making Christianity the official religion of the United States. While the Barna Group's mission is to partner with Christian ministries and individuals in an effort to effect moral and spiritual transformation in the United States, and, thus, sampling numbers are suspect and likely lean toward a positive response to such a query, this implication is of concern.

How would such a vision impact the small but steadily-growing numbers of Pagan spiritual practitioners in the United States? Might we be forced to hide the practices which many of us have so very recently, and tentatively, brought out into the open? Worse yet, could it involve persecution? Even in these supposedly "secularist" times, there have been cases in which neo-Pagans have been persecuted; fired from jobs, turned away from offering prayers at town hall meetings, and most recently, attacks on the Democratic County Chairperson in Kennebec County, Maine, a Pagan woman.

We've seen what happens in theocratic countries... People of other faiths and, indeed, people of different sects within the same faith fight for control, demanding their narrow interpretation of religion guide the country, killing their fellow countrymen whose interpretation of the same religion differs from their own.

The symbol most commonly used by neo-Pagans, the pentacle, implies for many the practice of Satanism -- things demonic and evil. No matter how often neo-Pagan practitioners proclaim they do not worship Satan those indoctrinated to fundamentalist beliefs declare this to be untrue. Detractors seek to induce fear in those who will accept their words at face value.

Recently, Americans United for the Separation of Church and State represented a group of Wiccans seeking to have the pentacle included as an allowable religious symbol on the headstones of American veterans. After a long struggle, more than ten years in the making, the Veteran's Administration agreed (due to the presentation of incontrovertible proof of discriminatory actions) to recognize the pentacle as an emblem of belief. An editorial published shortly after the decision in the Madison "The Capital Times" said, "No matter what religion any of us chooses to practice, or not to practice, we should all recognize that America was founded in struggle against state-sanctioned definitions of which faiths were acceptable and which were not."

At this time, much as our forefathers did, it is important all Americans support the separation of church and state, keeping religious freedom safe for generations to come. As we celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence, it's the patriotic thing to do!

extremism

Friends have heard me expound on extremism in the recent past, sticking to my position that there are extremists across all belief systems; they are not limited to those who follow the Muslim faith. If you are dead set on the belief that your path is the right one it doesn't take much of a leap to determine that everyone else should follow your path as well.

Here in the states we have seen the actions of such extremists as those who follow the teachings of Fred Phelps and his Westboro Baptist Church as they protest at the funerals of solders who, they say, have died because "God hates fags" -- their best known, and reviled, slogan. Additionally, there are those who are so anti-abortion they find it necessary to blow up clinics and murder doctors who perform abortions.

The late Rev. Jerry Falwell, after 9/11, boldly proclaimed "I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People For the American Way, all of them who have tried to secularize America. I point the finger in their face and say 'you helped this happen.'" He also said: "I therefore believe that they created an environment which possibly has caused God to lift the veil of protection which has allowed no one to attack America on our soil since 1812." Falwell later apologized for his remarks, but from my perspective, his extreme views were accurately represented.

While I've not met pagan extremists as yet, I suspect they exist too. Perhaps they take the position that the Gardnerian path is the only true Wiccan path -- one possible example.

At any rate, whomever speaks (allegedly) as the mouth of God/Allah/insert the name of your favorite deity here - averring they know, understand and represent the truth - has the potential to become an extremist. It doesn't take much of a leap to believe "my way is the right way" and, thus, that all other ways are wrong or, worse yet, against the ways of that extremist. To the extremist emboldened with that certitude violence may be seen as the only solution.

Extremism is dangerous, and must be countered by raising children who think, question, learn and understand. While we may well be good role-models, it is important not to fall into the potential trap of guiding our youth by teaching them only one religious belief is right, only one political viewpoint is right, or only one government is right. If we take that path, we will be lead by those who are little different than the extremists and terrorists we hear about on a daily basis -- in Iraq, Iran or here in the United States.

reclaiming dead timber -- and saving a tree

This evening's "Nightly News with Brian Williams" segment "EarthWatch" ended with a report that -- from my perspective -- represented a brilliant idea in tree conservation.

A firm in British Columbia, Canada has started to log trees submerged by the formation of resevoirs for hydroelectric dams. According to the report, there an estimated 300 million trees which can be found and harvested in these resevoirs and used for construction purposes. Due to the lack of oxygen and cold water temperatures, the tree trunks are very well preserved and just ripe for harvesting.

The company uses specially developed equipment, a so-called "sawfish," mounted with cameras, metal arms and saws. Using remote viewing capabilities, they are able to find a tree, attach an airbag to it and remotely operate the chain saw which cuts the tree "down". The company doing this salvage logging is hard put to keep up with the demand for their product.

With the high demand for lumber, and ongoing clearcutting and devastation of our forest, this is an excellent and environmentally sensibile idea. I hope American companies will follow suit.

bring back the old gods

I was thrilled to read that Ellinais (The Holy Association of Greek Ancient Religion Believers) successfully organized and staged a Summer Solstice ritual at the temple of Apollo in Vouliagmeni, Greece, on June 21st. Incense was burned, libations to Apollo offered, and hymns to Apollo and his sister, Artemis, were read.

Pagan groups have been strongly resisted in this country, home to Mount Olympus, home of those familiar Greek gods -- and goddesses -- by the very vocal and strong Eastern Orthodox church. However, the recently founded (2005) Ellinais has managed to receive state recognition of the ancient Greek religion which, until last year, was not given equal rights. In 2006, a court in Athens officially declared the worship of the old gods unbanned.

Supporters of the old religion in Greece are still afraid to turn up at public ceremonies, concerned that a photograph or a video of them can get them into trouble with church authorities or their employers.

Those of us in the US who follow a Pagan path are similarly afraid of retribution, particularly during this period of time when Christian fundamentalism is a very vocal component of our society.

Of Greek descent, I celebrate the Solstice and honor Apollo with my Greek brothers and sisters. Apollo is the light of the world.

on cheney

The Washington Post started running a four-part series on VP Dick Cheney this morning. The first installment details the Veep's staff/cohorts and some of their methodology in terms of getting Cheney's decisions to and approved by the President.

The series looks to be a good bit of investigative journalism, though thus far the strongest point is to affirm what many of us have thought all along; Cheney is the power behind presidential decisions.

Of particular interest in installment one is the method used to circumvent the Geneva Convention's guidelines in terms of treatment of prisoners. Humane treatment, in my view, has never been considered a "quaint" idea of the past. Additionally, the details of the efforts to keep secret communications surveilliance and how Cheney's team bypassed those who would have the strongest objections is interesting.

It's unfortunate that this investigation is so late into this administration's "ownership" of the White House. It may well have served the American people better several years ago.

Right after the 2006 mid-term elections I breathed a sigh of relief. In a clear-cut demonstration of naiveté, I presumed we'd have six months or so until the battle for the Run to 1600 -- the 2008 presidential race -- would begin.

Clearly, and obviously, I was completely wrong.

The Democrats are duking it out amongst themselves. While Obama seems a good man, I'm still not sure where he stands on most issues. Hillary? I'd really, really like to see a woman president, but truthfully I think the Clinton name carries too much baggage -- at least in these very conservative-sounding times. I like John Edwards. Liked him since the 2004 elections. He's got some good ideas. Will he take my vote? It's way too early to tell.

The Republicans are busy doing what they do best, bashing the Democrats. Maybe the eventual Republican candidate will be the one who slammed the Demos most effectively.

And once again, the same issues are trotted out. Abortion rights. illegal aliens. Taxes. Oh... and by the way, the Democrats want us to surrender in Iraq. You didn't know that? Ask any Republican.

Are these the important issues? Not from my perspective. This country needs sensible and available health care. Better quality education, available to all young people. Reduction of those things making us one of the largest contributing countries to global warming, including sensible research for alternatives to fossil fuels, and actually using those alternatives.

This morning I read an excellent excerpt from a book by Lee Iaccoca, "Where Have All the Leaders Gone?" Remember him? He saved the Chryler Corporation. Iaccoca got my attention right away as the piece began with: "Am I the only guy in this country who's fed up with what's happening? Where the hell is our outrage? We should be screaming bloody murder. We've got a gang of clueless bozos steering our ship of state right over a cliff, we've got corporate gangsters stealing us blind, and we can't even clean up after a hurricane much less build a hybrid car. But instead of getting mad, everyone sits around and nods their heads when the politicians say, 'Stay the course.'

Born in the 50s, I lived through the tumultuous 60s and early 70s. Against the Vietnam war, I marched, protested, wrote letters, signed petitions. Important to note: I did not spit on any returning Vietnam vets. On a recent Bill Maher program I was in agreement with Bill Bradley, who said the war in Iraq is a bigger mistake than Vietnam.

For how may years can the American people foot the bill for us to be the world's policemen? How much killing will happen before we see that not every country in the world wants to operate under the guise of democracy? (BTW, the US is a Constitutional Republic. Look it up if you're not familiar with the term.)

Lee Iaccoca says it's time to throw the bums currently leading this country out. I agree. Unplug yourself from the computer for a while... turn off your iPod. Read newspapers. Pay attention to what's going on. For heaven sake, get mad. Do something about where the US is going.

A patriot is NOT someone who drives their Hummer around town flying a couple of tattered American flags. A patriot is NOT someone who blindly parrots the current phrase of the day without question.

A patriot IS someone who supports their country from all detractors and enemies, even the enemies within -- those same people who attack, subtly, your Constitutional rights and spend, recklessly, your hard-earned tax dollars in the name of fighting "evil-doers" while intimating your free speech is treasonous.

Stand up. Speak out. Be prepared to vote. Make your voices heard. This is YOUR country. I don't think I can say it better than Mr. Iaccoca, who closed the excerpt with these words:

"Hey, I'm not trying to be the voice of gloom and doom here. I'm trying to light a fire. I'm speaking out because I have hope. I believe in America. In my lifetime I've had the privilege of living through some of America's greatest moments. I've also experienced some of our worst crises—the Great Depression, World War II, the Korean War, the Kennedy assassination, the Vietnam War, the 1970s oil crisis, and the struggles of recent years culminating with 9/11. If I've learned one thing, it's this: You don't get anywhere by standing on the sidelines waiting for somebody else to take action. Whether it's building a better car or building a better future for our children, we all have a role to play. That's the challenge I'm raising in this book. It's a call to action for people who, like me, believe in America. It's not too late, but it's getting pretty close. So let's shake off the horseshit and go to work. Let's tell 'em all we've had enough. "

Say you've had enough.