I love this time of year. Have you ever wondered why you bother getting your kids all dressed up for Halloween and carve Jack 'O Lanterns? Well, I'm going to give you a little history lesson tonight. Yes...history, not myth.
Halloween, or Samhain (Sow-en) began with the ancient Celts. Probably before them, but that's when things started getting recorded. The Pagan and Celtic tribes of Europe, Northern England, Scotland and Ireland saw this time of year as the beginning of a new year. It was the time of year to finish harvesting and laying in food stores that would see them, their families, and their entire tribe through the coming winter months. (They lived in a tribal society--it wasn't an "Every-man-for-himself" society.) They often worked through the night harvesting the last of their crops, so bonfires where lit throughout the land. There was a celebratory air to it all. The crops could not be harvested after this night. Probably weather driven, but also, the Pagans believed very much in The Little People, or Faeries.
These were not cute little winged things for them. The Little People could be very mischievous and vindictive at times. Many societies believed in them in one form or another, even in the Americas. If any part of your crop remained after Samhain, the faeries believed it was being left for them. If one dared to harvest it afterwards, they believed something that belonged to them was being stolen and punishment was meted out. One's family, home, livestock or the whole tribe could suffer in one way or another.
What about sacrifices to the Gods, you ask? Yes, much of the livestock was slaughtered at this time, simply because there would be no way for them to survive the winter months in the hard-scrubbed lands of the North. The meat was cured and stowed away for the winter. The remaining livestock lived in the house with the family it belonged to, so keeping a whole herd through the winter months was not feasible. Livestock living in the house provided extra warmth and fuel for the fires. No one ever had a herd of cattle, sheep, or goats that numbered more than twenty. They just didn't need that many.
Nothing was ever wasted. Not a single part of a slaughtered animal was ever just thrown away. Every part had some use. Our society could learn much from the ancients.
When Christianity--and more specifically, Catholicism--began to take hold, these practices could not be halted, for they were not only tradition, they were a means of survival. They couldn't just put their "devil worshipping" stamp on it and sweep it under the rug. So, it was Christianized with the addition of All Saints Day on the first day of November--a day of honoring the dead, a tradition that is carried out most thoroughly in Mexico today.
What about the masks and disguises? Well, it is said the veil between the worlds of the living and the dead is very thin on this night, the last night of October. One needed to disguise themselves in order to confuse the wandering spirits on this night. Jack 'O Lanterns were placed in windows to scare off spirits--originally carved in turnips! Divination was used to ask the souls of the dearly departed for advice for the coming year--but caution always had to be used lest a soul that was not a "dearly departed" came through instead. Thus, such things should never be played with. Don't believe it? Well....tonight, after the little ones have gotten all their treats and are tucked into bed, just step outside for a minute or two.
Still your mind. Listen. You'll start to feel that the air feels...different. Be careful though; don't stay out too long. You never know who may be standing there listening beside you.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Saturday, October 27, 2007
I am so glad that Jennifer didn't tag me with the "food" blog, because I can't think of a single food that I like that means anything to me that starts with a "g"!
I'm getting ready for Halloween. The best Pagan holiday of the year. How do I get ready? Well, one of the best ways is watching the mini-marathon of "A Haunting" on the Discovery channel. 6 hours of real American hauntings. Seriously...if you want to be creeped out and not sleep, you've got to watch this stuff. It is real..and scary. If you watch more than a few hours of it, you'll get scared. Too bad it's on Sunday and I have to go to work the next day.
What is our fascination with being scared? Why do we want it? Is it the adrenaline? The fast pounding of the heart, the shortness of breath, the feeling that someone is watching you...following you? We go to scary movies, we read Stephen King novels, we turn on the 24-hour news channels.
What creeps you out?
For me...it's the giant roaches that Texans call "waterbugs". Yeah, right....waterbugs. Big Roaches that look at you and communicate their findings with something with those antennae. Seriously...they watch you and communicate something to someone. And they're just like Michael in Halloween---they don't die with the first attack. When you come back to scoop them up in the dustpan...they're gone. And you know they're somewhere--watching. Waiting.
Spirits don't really scare me. They're just energy that have not let go of consciousness. In their measure of time, it's still "now". Well, deep down, I really believe that, but my mind does buy into the "that's not natural" thing. That's how the Hauntings thing creeps me out.
So, seriously....what scares you?
I'm getting ready for Halloween. The best Pagan holiday of the year. How do I get ready? Well, one of the best ways is watching the mini-marathon of "A Haunting" on the Discovery channel. 6 hours of real American hauntings. Seriously...if you want to be creeped out and not sleep, you've got to watch this stuff. It is real..and scary. If you watch more than a few hours of it, you'll get scared. Too bad it's on Sunday and I have to go to work the next day.
What is our fascination with being scared? Why do we want it? Is it the adrenaline? The fast pounding of the heart, the shortness of breath, the feeling that someone is watching you...following you? We go to scary movies, we read Stephen King novels, we turn on the 24-hour news channels.
What creeps you out?
For me...it's the giant roaches that Texans call "waterbugs". Yeah, right....waterbugs. Big Roaches that look at you and communicate their findings with something with those antennae. Seriously...they watch you and communicate something to someone. And they're just like Michael in Halloween---they don't die with the first attack. When you come back to scoop them up in the dustpan...they're gone. And you know they're somewhere--watching. Waiting.
Spirits don't really scare me. They're just energy that have not let go of consciousness. In their measure of time, it's still "now". Well, deep down, I really believe that, but my mind does buy into the "that's not natural" thing. That's how the Hauntings thing creeps me out.
So, seriously....what scares you?
Monday, October 15, 2007
I am cool personified
Okay...that's way better than the World Leader quiz. Now all I need is my Harley. Sadly, the Vespa may come first.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
My Mommy is leaving me
Tomorrow, my mother takes off for her new home in Colorado. Tonight, she gave me all the stuff out of her freezer and refrigerator. As I was driving home, it hit me....Holy Crap! My Mommy is leaving me!
My Mom has never left me. I have left her...I moved to my Dad's when I was 16 and after that, she moved to Texas. Since I have been an adult and out on my own, though, she has never been more than three hours away from me. Every holiday, she's only been a short drive away. Colorado...that's 14 hours. Not a short drive. I can't chill out at her house in between pet sitting gigs for the holidays. I can't call her and say, "Hey, I'm heading for the Farmers' Market, do you want to come?" She can't call me and ask, "Do you want to grab some lunch?"
Now, she's going a long way away, and I'm really going to miss her. I've always had one of my parents nearby. Now, neither one of them is going to be close. I'm beginning to see that this sucks! I'm trying to convince myself of the benefits (a really cool place in Colorado to visit), but it's not really working.
I need one of my blogger friends who have children to be my surrogate Mom...even though, you're the same age, if not younger, than me.
Because, sometimes....you just need your Mommy.
My Mom has never left me. I have left her...I moved to my Dad's when I was 16 and after that, she moved to Texas. Since I have been an adult and out on my own, though, she has never been more than three hours away from me. Every holiday, she's only been a short drive away. Colorado...that's 14 hours. Not a short drive. I can't chill out at her house in between pet sitting gigs for the holidays. I can't call her and say, "Hey, I'm heading for the Farmers' Market, do you want to come?" She can't call me and ask, "Do you want to grab some lunch?"
Now, she's going a long way away, and I'm really going to miss her. I've always had one of my parents nearby. Now, neither one of them is going to be close. I'm beginning to see that this sucks! I'm trying to convince myself of the benefits (a really cool place in Colorado to visit), but it's not really working.
I need one of my blogger friends who have children to be my surrogate Mom...even though, you're the same age, if not younger, than me.
Because, sometimes....you just need your Mommy.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Are Men really above Women?
Ah....the age old debate. I read a wonderful book, not too long ago, that hi-lighted this debate in one of its chapters. It takes place in the 13th century and a girl is trying to become a student. The first few chapters of this book will make a lot of women so angry because it hi-lights how women were more or less just used for breeding purposes in that time. But this girl--she wasn't going to let that happen. I told a friend about this passage and she said, "You have got to post that on your blog!" So, here it is....Enjoy, Ladies.
From Pope Joan, by Donna Woolfolk Cross
"Your ignorance, child, is revealed in that question. For St. Paul has asserted this truth, that women are beneath men in conception, in place, and in will."
"In conception, in place, and in will?" Joan repeated.
"Yes," Odo spoke slowly and distinctly, as if addressing a half-wit. "In conception, because Adam was created first and Eve afterward; in place, because Eve was created to serve Adam as companion and mate; in will, because Eve could not resist the Devil's temptation and ate of the apple."
Odo smirked. Joan felt an intense dislike for this man. For a moment she stood silently, tugging on her nose.
"Why," she said at last, "is woman inferior in conception? For though she was created second, she was made from Adam's side, while Adam was made from common clay."
"In place,"--the words tumbled out as Joan's thoughts raced ahead and she reasoned her way through--"woman should be preferred to man, because Eve was created inside Paradise, but Adam was created outside."
There was another hum from the audience. The smile on Odo's face wavered.
Joan continued, too interested in the line of her argument to consider what she was doing. "As for will, woman should be considered superior to man"--this was bold, but there was no going back now--"for Eve ate of the apple for love of knowledge and learning, but Adam ate of it merely because she asked him."
Well, needless to say, I highly recommend this book. Truly, I do believe that Men and Women are equal, but we stand on different ground, our paths criss-crossing. We compliment each other and, as there is equal balance in all things, one would be no good without the other. I've often viewed women and men as the two parts of God; Women being the creators of life and Men the destroyers. But really, without Men we could not create life and without Women, they would have nothing to defend if for.
So although we rant and rave against each other on a daily basis, it's good to step back and look at it as a whole and accept the differences between us and the things that just will not change. We are different, but One...and no better than the other.
From Pope Joan, by Donna Woolfolk Cross
"Your ignorance, child, is revealed in that question. For St. Paul has asserted this truth, that women are beneath men in conception, in place, and in will."
"In conception, in place, and in will?" Joan repeated.
"Yes," Odo spoke slowly and distinctly, as if addressing a half-wit. "In conception, because Adam was created first and Eve afterward; in place, because Eve was created to serve Adam as companion and mate; in will, because Eve could not resist the Devil's temptation and ate of the apple."
Odo smirked. Joan felt an intense dislike for this man. For a moment she stood silently, tugging on her nose.
"Why," she said at last, "is woman inferior in conception? For though she was created second, she was made from Adam's side, while Adam was made from common clay."
"In place,"--the words tumbled out as Joan's thoughts raced ahead and she reasoned her way through--"woman should be preferred to man, because Eve was created inside Paradise, but Adam was created outside."
There was another hum from the audience. The smile on Odo's face wavered.
Joan continued, too interested in the line of her argument to consider what she was doing. "As for will, woman should be considered superior to man"--this was bold, but there was no going back now--"for Eve ate of the apple for love of knowledge and learning, but Adam ate of it merely because she asked him."
Well, needless to say, I highly recommend this book. Truly, I do believe that Men and Women are equal, but we stand on different ground, our paths criss-crossing. We compliment each other and, as there is equal balance in all things, one would be no good without the other. I've often viewed women and men as the two parts of God; Women being the creators of life and Men the destroyers. But really, without Men we could not create life and without Women, they would have nothing to defend if for.
So although we rant and rave against each other on a daily basis, it's good to step back and look at it as a whole and accept the differences between us and the things that just will not change. We are different, but One...and no better than the other.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
This movie looks interesting....
.
I guess this movie is based on some children's series. It looks interesting--a good December it's-too-cold-to-go-do-anything movie. Of course, right now, it doesn't seem like we're going to have that type of December here. Oh well. Take the kiddos to it. Fuel their imaginations.
Go to the website and find out who your daemon is (or, if the word frightens you, your animal familiar). I think mine is pretty accurate.
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Back home again
Summer has finally caught up to Texas. We had a very long, rainy, cool Spring, but Summer has finally remembered us. And we remember her. It's so freaking hot! And it's not a "dry" heat!
I miss the sound of the wind in Colorado. The sound of people in the parking lot and traffic on I-35 just doesn't compare. I miss the clean air, the clear--very cold!--tap water, open windows all day and night long, and, best of all, not having to take Clariton-D every day! (No molds). I am determined to buy a parcel of land up there. You wouldn't believe how inexpensive they are! Even after adding electricity, well, and septic tank, it's a whole lot less than trying to buy a house and keep up with property taxes in Austin!
So, it was back to work. Aye-yay-yay. Why do people have to create such DRAMA out of something that really isn't that BIG OF A DEAL? They're called Negaholics--and they thrive on it! As a manager, I must not feed into it. That's why I invest so much in wine these days! I'll have cheese with mine, thank you. One of the guys at work asked me the other day, " You've changed--Why don't you gripe and complain about anything anymore? Why are you always smiling? You're always in a good mood." I asked him, "What's the point?" Really...there is no point in complaining about something you have no control over. I learned to do that in traffic a long time ago, thanks to living in Dallas. Now, I've learned how to at least hide it at work. I really did grow up and become an actress.
So, yes, I'm back to the grind, but with dreams of Colorado giving me something to reach for. I want land up there. I want a house up there. And I will get one...someday...........soon...I hope.
UPDATE ON ABANDONED KITTY:
The next door neighbor was able to adopt her and she is very healthy and happy in her new home. She was at a perfect weight, hydrated, and glossy when I saw her this week. Sigh of relief for at least one mistreated kitty. No word on her previous owners, though.
I miss the sound of the wind in Colorado. The sound of people in the parking lot and traffic on I-35 just doesn't compare. I miss the clean air, the clear--very cold!--tap water, open windows all day and night long, and, best of all, not having to take Clariton-D every day! (No molds). I am determined to buy a parcel of land up there. You wouldn't believe how inexpensive they are! Even after adding electricity, well, and septic tank, it's a whole lot less than trying to buy a house and keep up with property taxes in Austin!
So, it was back to work. Aye-yay-yay. Why do people have to create such DRAMA out of something that really isn't that BIG OF A DEAL? They're called Negaholics--and they thrive on it! As a manager, I must not feed into it. That's why I invest so much in wine these days! I'll have cheese with mine, thank you. One of the guys at work asked me the other day, " You've changed--Why don't you gripe and complain about anything anymore? Why are you always smiling? You're always in a good mood." I asked him, "What's the point?" Really...there is no point in complaining about something you have no control over. I learned to do that in traffic a long time ago, thanks to living in Dallas. Now, I've learned how to at least hide it at work. I really did grow up and become an actress.
So, yes, I'm back to the grind, but with dreams of Colorado giving me something to reach for. I want land up there. I want a house up there. And I will get one...someday...........soon...I hope.
UPDATE ON ABANDONED KITTY:
The next door neighbor was able to adopt her and she is very healthy and happy in her new home. She was at a perfect weight, hydrated, and glossy when I saw her this week. Sigh of relief for at least one mistreated kitty. No word on her previous owners, though.
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