I'm afraid of the evil tarot and pentagram!

As most of you know, I've been interested in tarot for years. I enjoy both reading for friends and having my own cards read by others. Once in awhile I'll still shell out $30 to see what a good reader has to say but mostly I read, or a good Milwaukee friend will read for me. (You know who you are, Jurg.)

Lately I've had people ask why anyone would want to have their cards read. I admit, this question often seems to come from the seriously non-curious. Nevertheless, it's a good question. Why would anyone want to have someone else seemingly dive into their lives and personal affairs?

My first response to that question is this: insight. To me, the first and foremost tool of tarot is to give one insight into either a general or specific situation in her/his life. Tarot is the exploration of options, a presenter of choices, a purveyor of power ("knowledge is power"), and a method of directing our focus on what concerns may be imminent.

Of course there are many other ways of using the tarot: as a ritual tool, access to our unconscious, focus for meditation, clarification of goals, understanding dreams or even creating dreams.




Tarot is not used to cast evil spells or make others do what they do not wish to do. There have been rather accurate past portrayals in the media of witches, witchcraft and the use of esoteric tools, but most often witches, tarot, books of shadows and other accoutrement are depicted as in some way evil and tools of wicked intent. Nothing could be further from the truth.



Just as the tarot is not a tool of malevolent scheming, neither is the pentagram a symbol to be feared. Do you know what the pentagram represents? It is a five pointed star representing elements: air, earth, fire, water and spirit. It is a tool of protection, not fear.

The number five is considered to be mystical and magickal. We have five senses (those which are known as the common senses). Five toes, five fingers, five pillars of the Muslim faith, five daily times of prayer, five wounds of Christ on the cross.

Every person is a star!



There is a tarot layout which is done in the shape of the five pointed pentagram. By the way, the symbol you often see us wearing is actually called a pentacle, which is a pentagram within a circle.

One "suit" of the tarot card deck is called pentacles, or sometimes coins. This suit represents prosperity, finances, business ventures. The ace of pentacles can represent a new, prosperous beginning.



So you see, tarot cards and pentagrams are actually a wondrous celebration of life, nature and spirit.

Those are today's words. Spread 'em, ok? (All right, that was a little wytch joke.)

I Adore Crones

I was going to write about older women, but then saw gorgeous, super smart Michelle Obama on the news. She's not exactly older, so I've changed the title to "crones" which, I know, brings to mind an ugly old woman in most people's minds.

Even the out of date dictionary definition of crone is "an old woman who is thin and ugly."

So let me tell you what a crone really is. A crone is the third part of the triumvirate starting as maiden and mother. This means I'm a crone and I ain't old, baby. My life producing years may have just ended but my knowledge of life continues growing larger and stronger, and that's precisely what a crone is, a knowledgeable elder.



There is much to be learned from older women and it's about dang time we recognized this here in the good ol' U.S. of A. I'm pretty sickety sick of older men with wrinkles being termed "maturely handsome" and older women with the same wrinkles being viewed as ...... well ..... OLD and undesirable. Huh? Who thought up that disjointed idea?

My experience with men, all the way back since I was in my teens, is that they are mostly interested in my pants. Older women, while I'm not gonna say we don't notice a cute young hunk, have much more on our minds and might I say much more important things on our minds.

The women I'm close to are students of life. We read, study, watch, and each day brings us closer to the answers for which we search. The search brings us more ability to share this knowledge with our sisters.

Now don't go all defensive on me re the wonderful men in your life. Ya, I know some, too. Some of my best friends are men. My husband is, too, and believe me, I'm pretty psyched about having my own in-house hunk.

My point is that in general we devalue women as they age and that is just plain wrong. So I'm talking about it now and you know I will be again.

As usual.

Taking a Break to Celebrate

Today I will refresh my mind and soul, take a break from this seeming political chaos, turn off the news, and simply enjoy and appreciate my wonderful life. We don't do this often enough, do we? If you do, bless you and please share this ability with others.

Today I will spend the day alone, or at least separated from other human beings. I am surrounded by the love of six furballs (Luna, Angus, Bart, Tashi, Sophie and Merlyn), Mama Nature's incredible acceptance, the pleasure of my home and sacred objects, and intrigue of my books.

Today I begin my celebration of Ostara. Although still three weeks away nature has already commenced noting the arrival of the spring equinox, warmer weather and longer light. On March 20th we celebrate the Vernal Equinox (Ostara), the midway point of Candlemas and Beltane. This is the celebration of spring's apex, the equality of night and day, the return of the God of Light and the Mother Goddess who opens herself to fertility.



Today I was amused by the first Kildeer performance I've seen so far this year. Quite vocal in her attempt to lead me astray, she brought a smile to my face (as they always do) when she screeched and flopped around, creating a Sarah Bernhardt worthy production of convincing me she had been injured so that I would follow her far from her nest.



Today I took down the last of my Yule greeneries from my rural mailbox and will replace them with spring colors and flowery adornments along with little twinkling lights. I will start my spring cleaning of the yard, fill the fountains with fresh water for the birds and plan my herb and vegetable gardens.

Today is a day to begin our renewal, replenish our souls with the bounty of Mother Nature and give praise for the incredible life giving forces of our universe.

Namasté

This is the best they can do?

I listened to our President last night and found myself renewing the hope for our futures which I have had for the past four months. To say that it is incredibly uplifting to hear our President speak to us with eloquence and intelligence, as though we are, indeed, intelligent enough to understand him, is understatement. Yowza! Now already there's a change I can live with!

Then the Republicans send Bobby Jindal on as their rebuttist (and I quote Dubya here ...... ok, not really ..... but he could have made up this word if it sounded even stupider). Bobby Jindal, Governor of Lousiana. Yes, Lousiana. Where the hurricane Katrina decimated its most famous city. This is what Republican Governor Jindal (of Lousiana) had to say, and I quote:

"the government didn't help us out during Katrina, so we know not to look to them for help during this economic crisis".



Now to quote Rachel Maddow when asked about Jindal's response: "ah .... a .... ah ..... bwa bwa bahhhhh...... I don't even know what to say right now".

Yep. Me, too, Rachel.

We hate to belabor the obvious (but often do it, anyway), but, ah, does Gov. Jindal recall that BUSH was President during Katrina? Hey, Bobby! Bobby! Pay attention now! Bush is gone! WE VOTED OUT THE REPUBLICAN ADMINISTRATION! We have a new President now! Hello??

This is the best that the Republican party can offer up to rebut President Obama's well thought out, well laid out speech, keeping the American people informed every step of his way just as he said he would in his campaign speeches? Wha?

Jindal's argument is that since the federal government couldn't do anything productive for New Orleans following the Katrina tragedy, don't expect any help, at all, for anything in the future.

First of all would someone please ring Bobby up and catch him up to date on who's Prez right now? Second, could someone alert him that perhaps when he offers up a rebuttal directly following the President who speaks to us as though we are intelligent, thinking adults, he MIGHT not want to speak V E R Y S L O W L Y, using only grade school terminology and two syllable words.

Oh yes, and THIRD. Someone ...... please ........ someone ........ let Governor of Louisiana Jindal know that not only is there $5 billion in Katrina government aid still unspent in Lousiana (his state) ....... but that turning down the money coming to Lousiana via President Obama's stimulus package means that YOU are denying your state the federal help it could receive.

Sigh.

Caged Wild Animals - Come ON, PEOPLE!

Ok, now look (and I quote our adored President there). We've all seen the news lately: Key West being overrun with boa constrictors and exotic snakes. Key West being a place where there was never a snake problem before.

Why? Because people who wish to appear exotic themselves purchase these wild animals, then when they cannot care for them they take the easy way out and dump them. Please tell me who can cuddle and love a snake ..... go ahead ......
tell me ...... and the reptile "loves" you in return, right? Uh-huh.

What happens next? Snakes lay 40 eggs or more so guess what. The countryside fills up with unwanted animals which are not native to the area and they cause problems for humans and other animals. Do YOU want to accidentally cross paths with a 12 foot boa constrictor? Me, either.

I don't have anything against snakes. We have lots of 'em here in Missouri ....... the ones which belong here in order to keep the environment under control. I see them often. The little ones are adorable ..... the big ones are necessary. The hawks love to munch on them. But do I wish to find a boa constrictor crawling out of the couch my child is sitting on as just happened in New York? NO!

The latest chimpanzee attack has brought to light, once again, the problem with keeping a wild animal and treating it as a child. It doesn't work. I researched chimp attacks and they happen often and ferociously. Chimps do not behave as do domesticated dogs and kitties. Why? Because they are wild animals, people!

Sorry to all who wish to appear Madonna or Wytchy-like exotic by having a white snake or some other exotic reptile, but they are not domesticated animals and simply do not belong in your home. What sounds "cool" is actually WRONG.

Caging animals is WRONG. Have you read "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings"? As far as that goes, zoos have always seemed inhumane to me ...... or inanimalmane, as it were. These animals are caged, gawked at and held against their will in unnatural environments so that humans can "enjoy" their plight? Wha? How is this a good thing?

As humans we wish to control the world, including the environment. Well, Mama Nature is showing us who's boss, isn't she? Global warming is upon us. We want to drive and travel all over the place in our gasoline powered cars rather than staying home, living a simpler life (myself included in the past). Instead of powering our transportation naturally (which can be easily achieved but the Rockefellers preferred that we use oil) we choose the production of carbon monoxide, filling the environment with pollutants.

But I digress. As usual.

I'm not preaching to the choir here ...... I'm hoping to hit a note with those who want to keep exotic animals in their homes for whatever reason. I doubt that any of the reasons, if examined closely, have anything to do with the welfare of the animal. As humans and, for the most part, the top of the food chain, we should be invested in caring for the animals in our worlds, not torturing them by putting snakes in aquariums, birds in cages and chimps in a home built for people.

Yes, we share 98% of our DNA with chimps, but evidently that 2% which is not shared is the killer 2%.

In general I'm not pro more and more laws. I'm pro common sense. But since there seems to be a dearth of common sense around lately it looks like we need laws.

It's time to enact laws protecting wild animals again. Once again we need to protect them from US. From humans bringing exotic, wild animals into their homes, finding out that it doesn't work out well and then producing a tragedy beyond sanity or releasing wild animals where they don't belong.

Many of us have kept birds in cages, myself included. I love birds and would like to have a large, exotic bird in my home. But I had to rethink that. I'd love it, but how would the bird feel about it? I came to the conclusion that the only way I could justify that purchase would be after we've built a greenhouse, filled with trees and plants, where we could allow the bird to fly free.

However, is even that enough? It's still a caged environment.

I invite your responses both pro and con. Perhaps I'm wrong about our desire to keep wild animals in unnatural environments. But I doubt it. What do you think?

Cemetery Haunting

Constructed in 1857 and designed by John Wood, the Woodland Cemetery in Quincy, Illinois is one of the more intriguing cemeteries I've haunted recently. It overlooks the Mississippi River from the bluff on which Quincy is set. The view is wonderful.



Oh ...... you didn't know that one of my favorite pastimes was haunting old cemeteries? How long have I known you?

Yesterday afternoon found me creeping around Woodland with my camera while listening to Marschner's "Der Vampyr" on NPR radio. Really, does it get any better than that?



Well anyway, I got to thinking about why it is that cemeteries have always attracted me. When I was growing up there was a large cemetery about 6 blocks from my home. In those days kids were allowed to run around at night, stay at others' houses, camp in our backyards ...... you name it. We weren't so paranoid back then that there was a child molester hiding around every corner. Now we hear news from all over the world, news that every day tells us we are not safe. How can this not have affected our sense of being safe in our own space?



But I digress. As a child, along with my friends, we used to run through this cemetery at night. We would continually fascinate ourselves with the one above ground "tomb" of cement, trying to dislodge the lid. Which, of course, we couldn't. There was a crack in the corner of it, however, and this made us believe that somehow, some day, we would surely be able to slide that 500 pound lid over just far enough so that we could have a peek inside. This was the extent of our attempt at vandalism, at which we were dismal failures.

Well there was one other little thing, but that's a different BLOG.

When my daughters were young we used to pick up sandwiches and park in the middle of a cemetery for our picnic. This could explain the way they turned out, perhaps. Hmmmm. Nevertheless, it was always a peaceful outing. Rarely is anyone trampling through a cemetery with their barking, pooping and peeing dogs. I like that about cemeteries.



Other than the errant young vandal, seldom do you find anyone being disrespectful in a cemetery. I imagine that we still, as a society, respect the spiritual and for that I'm thankful.



So what is it about cemeteries? Fear of the unknown? Our craving for the mysterious? The intrigue of the "other worldly"? Or is it the feeling that we are playing with fire, with things we don't understand and which pump our adrenaline a bit faster, make us feel slightly more alive by contrast with the peacefulness following death?



I know there are many who dislike the thought of cemeteries or viewing them. It seems to me that were we to more readily accept that death is part of life we would find the passage through our lives into old age more acceptable. Rather than trying to always look younger and avoid thoughts of what it means to be old, would we be more at peace with the knowledge of old age and death were we to allow ourselves more contact with them?



My Dad's death was a heavy blow for me emotionally. When Dad was showing signs that he might not be around on this plane much longer I asked him if he cold try to contact me from the other side. He said he would "have to think about it." Har. To my knowledge he hasn't done so yet ......... but then again I have noticed that this past winter I've seen so many more hawks, eagles and what I call the "God sky" ...... I have to wonder if maybe he isn't having something to do with that.



There isn't anything about Woodland Cemetery that isn't intriguing. From the old grave markers which are in disrepair and falling down the bluff, to the "City Vault", built into the hillside and now housing seemingly the castoffs of the cemetery, the place has a feel of calm solitude.



Next time I think I'll bring a bottle of wine to share and sip it under one of the incredible cemetery trees providing shelter for the still living. I highly recommend a trip through the oldest cemetery you can find, reading the names and dates and giving blessings to those who have passed this way before.



Namasté

My Evening with Deepak Chopra at Unity Village

Stained Glass Window in Unity Chapel


There is a calmness on the expansive grounds of the Unity Village which one would expect to encounter. What is surprisingly interesting is the architecture which is a mix of cottage style structures and Mediterranean architecture. One such cottage style building, evidently used now as a potting shed of sorts, could easily serve to be a model for my dreamy witch’s cottage in the mountains one day.



Easy to find and right off interstate 470 southeast of Kansas City, Unity Village is the complex consisting of chapels, prayer tower, gardens, motels, conference centers, golf course, book store and many buildings associated with the business side of the Unity Church.

Driving onto the grounds I was pleased by the familiarity of several of the buildings which I had often seen in the monthly Unity magazine I received years ago. Always a source of peace and often enlightening, the magazine was my first introduction to the Unity Church’s unique brand of spirituality. At that time Dr. Marcus Bach was still writing a monthly column for the magazine. Dr. Bach, an author and minister, had been a friend of my Father’s for years and had traveled the world, writing of the similarities in the world’s religions as opposed to their differences. He was a fascinating friend and an amazing man.


Unity Tower Dr. Marcus Bach


This evening was to be a first for me: my first time visiting Unity Village and the first (hopefully of many) times I would meet and learn from Deepak Chopra. Dr. Chopra is, arguably I imagine, one of the leading spiritual teachers of our time. As most of you will know he has written many books. At this time he is on a book tour for his most recent book, “Jesus: A Story of Enlightenment.”



I was thrilled ...... nearly overwhelmed, really ....... to be at his private reception prior to the lecture and book signing. The new friends I had made while sitting around the fire in the hotel lobby were first in line with me to meet Dr. Chopra. In person he is as kind and soft spoken as you would expect after seeing him interviewed and lecturing on television. There was one surprise, however. This evening he was wearing bright red, glitter encrusted glasses which prompted me to wonder if he was a distant cousin to Liberace.


Great glasses, eh? Yes, I can be a dork even around Deepak Chopra

The reception afforded an opportunity to meet many people associated with Unity Village. Some who work behind the scenes and others with their own Unity radio programs which you can find online at www.unityfm.ning.com. Once again I was struck by the universe’s ability to link me with people of commonality. This time it was with two sisters who had lived in the city where I had spent most of my adult life previous to moving to the countryside of Missouri.


Wall painting and mosaics in Silent Unity Chapel and Unity Buildings

We moved to the Unity Village Chapel for Dr. Chopra’s two hour lecture. Here I was pleased once again that I had reserved seating so that I could see Dr. Chopra close enough to interpret facial expression. Finding that his red tennis shoes were a perfect compliment to the glittery glasses was an extra added treat.


Brass sculpture in the lobby of the Unity Chapel

Anyone who has listened to Dr. Chopra speak knows that a two hour lecture would be impossible to summarize in one brief article. His lecture centered more around his recent DVD lecture series entitled “Jesus and The Awakening to God Consciousness” which is based on his book “The third Jesus: The Christ We Cannot Ignore.”

You may be wondering how all of this information which centers around Jesus Christ has relevance for me, a believer of the "old ways", a person most disinterested in modern organized religion and its hypocricies. However, to listen to Dr. Chopra is to learn that all spirituality is intertwined. As an organization which focuses on spirituality rather than religion, Unity Village is the perfect setting for increasing one’s knowledge of the Godliness within all of us.

One of the thoughts presented by Dr. Chopra was the “fight or flight” level of consciousness. This is our lowest, least spiritual reaction to any event. It is our immediate instinct to either run away or lash out at any perceived injustice. It is the reaction of those who are full of self-importance, not of a more evolved spirit. This is the reactive level which is the basis of fundamental religions. Hence our world is home to terrorists on a global framework, and even those small time terrorists we find lashing out in our personal lives.

There may be drawn certain parallels between politics and this spiritual theory. Do we take the time and effort involved to discover the right path to take, or do we simply react? Do we commence a discussion with our global neighbors, or do we simply strike out? We need to progress from our win-lose alignment to one of win-win mindset not only in global politics but in our own lives as well. It is from our changes within that the global creative leap will occur.

Dr. Chopra went on to explain that evil is not our enemy. Evil is the personal and collective shadow. It is easy to understand how this is our learning experience from which much is gained. We learn not only from experiencing, but hopefully from watching also.

“The universe does not exist unless someone is looking at it.” Now there is a thought provoking statement, is it not? Because I am far too inexperienced at Dr. Chopra’s level of consciousness I can only offer that which I understand of this concept. As Dr. Chopra explains, we are all made up of light. Our universe is formed from that which we see, which is light transmission. If we don’t see it, does it exist? This brings to mind the age old question, “if a tree falls in a forest and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound?” Previous to this lecture I thought, “well, of course it does!” Now I am not so sure.



Dr. Chopra tell us to look within. Look within our mind/body and our egos. For within is our “inner self awareness” which is the co-creator, along with the larger mystery of the universal being. Ultimately we are immortal beings. “Death is quantum creativity.” This and so much more was squeezed into two hours of rather mind boggling ideas which to this day have left me pondering and altered. There is a mood which is created by one who has such intense knowledge to share. When shared in person and kept alive by conscious thought it transforms the listener more quickly than is possible by the written word alone.

Dr. Chopra left the crowd of approximately 350 attendees with a challenge. A challenge of how to change the world as quickly as possible to that of a world of non-violence. He had recently attended an international conference made up of 500 people from 35 countries. As he rose to the lectern a thought occurred to him. He asked this group of esteemed politicians, “movers and shakers”, to stand if they would be willing to take a vow of non-violence. This means non-violence not only in action but in words and thoughts. Not an easy task.

One by one, all 500 people finally stood up. He asked our lecture group to consider doing the same after giving his request the concentration it deserves. He asks all who will take the vow to go to his website at http://deepakchopra.com/ and sign that you, also, will take this vow and then will ask two other people to agree to do the same. Three by three we shall conquer violence and become a peaceful world. Perhaps the new age has begun.

~This article was previously printed in "Ye Olde Witches' Brew" Magazine, which you can find here: http://www.yeoldewitchesbrew.com/




The labyrinth I walked at sunrise ...... not far from my room at the Inn


Wall painting and stained glass window in the tiny 6 person meditation chapel

Has our country finally entered "the new age"?

It's hard to imagine that anyone could be thinking of anything besides the outcome of the election at this point in time. Historic, moving, enlightened, hopeful, gratifying ....... well, I could go on.



Out walking before sunrise this morning, enjoying a lightness in my steps which wasn't there yesterday (possibly something to do with my new pink Crocs covered in "diamonds" ...... but I think it's more than that), I felt the tired elation of staying up late to hear the hopefulness and wisdom of President-elect Obama's acceptance speech (recording it to listen again today). Of course we have a long way to go but now is the time to revel in this moment in history. Those of us who voted for Obama are the catalysts of this historic moment. I want to feel it, reflect on it, and promote it.

I couldn't help but reflect, also, on McCain's concession speech. Had he chosen to run a campaign with a graciousness similar to that of his acceptance speech, might he have won the election? Definitely a possibility. The fact that he chose to go low-level with fabrications, anger and the usual misleading accusations helped him lose. I'm not complaining. In fact what pleases me is to recognize that it's clearly not the direction most of us wanted to go any longer. We're onto the fear mongering to get votes .... the out of context 6 second soundbites to misconstrue ........ and the pubescent grimacing and rolling of eyes during debates. Level headedness has conquered the right wing's continuing attempts to spread panic in order to gain votes. Isn't it about time.

As for the red eyed Ms. Palin, her return to Wasilla cannot come fast enough, although I pity Alaska for their choice. The Republicans made a stab at appealing to their fringed far right and to women, and women saw through it. Palin and the Republican party's attempt to set women back decades has failed. The fact that they showed us their true agenda is enlightening and powerful.

Our country now needs to take steps to unify and to heal, and President Obama will be the one to lead us in that direction. It's a new chapter in our country's story. So many memories come to mind: Martin Luther King, John Kennedy, Bobby Kennedy. A chapter of hope which began with the horror of slavery. A chapter of change which began with the fear and cynicism of the far right and is ending in the rich ambition of promise.



Here is my hope: that this is the end of apathy. I hope that our country as a whole will now embrace change, grasp the path to a higher road and now truly enter this new age of Aquarius which was promised to us.


Blessings and peace.