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I was driving home one day after a BBQ at a friend's house and saw this hanging over the driveway. It gave me a funny feeling, it seemed ominous somehow. I stopped the car and took a photo of it. Today, The Parable of the Mustard Seed comes to mind:
"Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches ther." Mt 13:31-32
Often, people take the mustard seed to represent faith which starts small and grows to a mighty tree. Yet the mustard seed never grows to a tree, it is a weed and grows to a bush no higher than 3-4 feet tall. What do the birds of the air represent? They were described earlier in Jesus' conversation, in verse 19 as The Wicked One.
In the mustard seed parable, Jesus tells us that the birds of the air will lodge in the branches. These "birds" as we see in the verses are actually demons led by "the prince of the power of the air" (Ephesians 2:2), who have continually tried to infiltrate the church. Satan thinks, "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em!' Satan efficiently implants his agents in Jesus' church to teach false doctrine while appearing to be true Christians. Sound like some of today's churches? We know from 1 Corinthians 18-19 that God has allowed antichrists to lodge within His church. They nest, they lodge, they infiltrate. Believe it. Like the birds in the photo, where there are a few clustered and not shooed off, more arrive and climb the branch. more, source here
Since satan is a counterfeiter and a copycat, and Jesus said when two or more are gathered so He will be among them also (Mt 18:20) then satan will also send his demons to nest in the mustard branches. Where you see two fowl, you will see more. The problem is, Jesus also said that in the time of the end, many will not be able to discern the false from the good: "And many false prophets will arise, and will mislead many." Matthew 24:11 Is a fowl of the air nesting in your branch? Is he calling to fowl brothers to come on in? Pray daily. Study the bible daily. Walk with Jesus daily. Pick up your cross and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you. Why? Nesting birds in your branches are not always good things.
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The BOVEDA SHRINE OR BOVEDA SPIRITUAL ALTAR is the sanctuary where we worship our eguns. It is usually placed somewhere quiet in the home where you can sit and meditate with them. The items that are needed to construct this alter is indefinite.
But the main things that you need are:
* A small table
* A white cloth
* A rosary
* A bible
* Incense
* White candle
* A crucifix
* Florida water
* 7 or 9 clear glasses
*Note- spiritualist use either 7 or 9 glasses. It doesn't matter because this is your alter and your eguns run this alter. 7 is the universal number so that's why 7 can be used. 9 is the number of the dead so that's why 9 is used. Which ever way they are both good unless your eguns say other. Now once you located your house of ocha, your godparents or through a divination with the shells or Ifa, they might tell you specifically which number of glasses to use.
These are the main items that are needed. You first locate the area in your house where you can set your boveda or spiritual alter up with no interruptions ever. You clean the area with holy water and perfume (Florida water). After the area is clean and blessed you burn church incense in the area to purify it and your home. Place your table with the white cloth in the center of the area. Out of the 7 or 9 glasses you are going to use, one of them should be slightly bigger than the rest. This glass is known as the dedication to God and it should always be placed in the center of the table. The remaining glasses are placed either around the main glass or as in a pyramid affect. Again however your eguns indicate. But to start off place them around the main glass in a circular formation. Fill each glass to the brim with crystal clear water. Water is the main conductor in the spiritual world. Place your bible on the table and your incense, whether its incense sticks or the actual coal. Now place your rosary and your white 7 day glass candle which should be in front of all the glasses and lit. That's the basic way of constructing your boveda or spiritual alter. Now once you have gotten the hang of it you can start to place pictures of dead relatives, different color cloths around the edges when you are praising the Congo spirits, you can place a cup of coffee with a cigar or a small shot glass of rum. You can place different types of healing and meditating stones as well to help you in your transition. Flowers are important because it brings a sense of joy in our lives as well as the eguns lives. Tarot cards and coins for the Spaniard eguns. Basically anything and everything that you know your eguns like you can place it on the alter.
Once your alter is set up you can now sit in front of it and start of with some of the selected prayers in the Kardec's Book of Prayers or you can say any prayer you want. You can read versus from the bible in worship of God and sing any type of hymns or songs you wish and meditate upon your eguns. You can also place your egun stick (palo de muerto) there as well and you can summons your spirit using this particular stick which is prepared for you by your spiritual godparents through certain offerings.
Another spiritual altar that is allowed in our religoin is the teja (roof tile) which is marked by Ifa. When one gets a consultation from Orula, it might be specified that the person needs to tend to their eguns and Ifa will open that portal as well with the teja in which the babalow will diving through the oracles and consult directly with your spiritual cord. The babalow will perform certain ceremonies and mark this spiritual teja with certain markings to call your eguns and eggunguns closer. This is usually placed in a spot where it wont be bothered. Whenever you perform some type of ceremony within the ocha realm, that egun teja will be praised and certain services will be put to it in homage of the EGUNS.
SOURCE:: http://pagan-magic.blogspot.com
FOUR hundred years after it locked up Galileo for challenging the view that the Earth was the center of the universe, the Vatican has called in experts to study the possibility of extraterrestrial alien life and its implication for the Catholic Church
"The questions of life's origins and of whether life exists elsewhere in the universe are very suitable and deserve serious consideration," said the Rev. Jose Gabriel Funes, an astronomer and director of the Vatican Observatory.
Funes, a Jesuit priest, presented the results on Tuesday of a five-day conference that gathered astronomers, physicists, biologists and other experts to discuss the budding field of astrobiology the study of the origin of life and its existence elsewhere in the cosmos.
Funes said the possibility of alien life raises "many philosophical and theological implications" but added that the gathering was mainly focused on the scientific perspective and how different disciplines can be used to explore the issue.
Chris Impey, an astronomy professor at the University of Arizona, said it was appropriate that the Vatican would host such a meeting.
"Both science and religion posit life as a special outcome of a vast and mostly inhospitable universe," he told a news conference on Tuesday. "There is a rich middle ground for dialogue between the practitioners of astrobiology and those who seek to understand the meaning of our existence in a biological universe."
Thirty scientists, including non-Catholics, from the U.S., France, Britain, Switzerland, Italy and Chile attended the conference, called to explore among other issues "whether sentient life forms exist on other worlds."
Funes set the stage for the conference a year ago when he discussed the possibility of alien life in an interview given prominence in the Vatican's daily newspaper.
The Church of Rome's views have shifted radically through the centuries since Italian philosopher Giordano Bruno was burned at the stake as a heretic in 1600 for speculating, among other ideas, that other worlds could be inhabited.
Scientists have discovered hundreds of planets outside our solar system including 32 new ones announced recently by the European Space Agency. Impey said the discovery of alien life may be only a few years away.
"If biology is not unique to the Earth, or life elsewhere differs bio-chemically from our version, or we ever make contact with an intelligent species in the vastness of space, the implications for our self-image will be profound," he said.
This is not the first time the Vatican has explored the issue of extraterrestrials: In 2005, its observatory brought together top researchers in the field for similar discussions.
In the interview last year, Funes told Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano that believing the universe may host aliens, even intelligent ones, does not contradict a faith in God.
"How can we rule out that life may have developed elsewhere?" Funes said in that interview.
"Just as there is a multitude of creatures on Earth, there could be other beings, even intelligent ones, created by God. This does not contradict our faith, because we cannot put limits on God's creative freedom."
Funes maintained that if intelligent beings were discovered, they would also be considered "part of creation."
The Roman Catholic Church's relationship with science has come a long way since Galileo was tried as a heretic in 1633 and forced to recant his finding that the Earth revolves around the sun. Church teaching at the time placed Earth at the centre of the universe.
Today top clergy, including Funes, openly endorse scientific ideas like the Big Bang theory as a reasonable explanation for the creation of the universe. The theory says the universe began billions of years ago in the explosion of a single, super-dense point that contained all matter.
Earlier this year, the Vatican also sponsored a conference on evolution to mark the 150th anniversary of Charles Darwin's The Origin of Species.
The event snubbed proponents of alternative theories, like creationism and intelligent design, which see a higher being rather than the undirected process of natural selection behind the evolution of species.
Still, there are divisions on the issues within the Catholic Church and within other religions, with some favoring creationism or intelligent design that could make it difficult to accept the concept of alien life.
Working with scientists to explore fundamental questions that are of interest to religion is in line with the teachings of Pope Benedict XVI, who has made strengthening the relationship between faith and reason a key aspect of his papacy.
Recent popes have been working to overcome the accusation that the church was hostile to science a reputation grounded in the Galileo affair.
In 1992, Pope John Paul II declared the ruling against the astronomer was an error resulting from "tragic mutual incomprehension."
The Vatican Museums opened an exhibit last month marking the 400th anniversary of Galileo's first celestial observations.
Tommaso Maccacaro, president of Italy's national institute of astrophysics, said at the exhibit's Oct. 13 opening that astronomy has had a major impact on the way we perceive ourselves.
"It was astronomical observations that let us understand that Earth (and man) don't have a privileged position or role in the universe," he said. "I ask myself what tools will we use in the next 400 years, and I ask what revolutions of understanding they'll bring about, like resolving the mystery of our apparent cosmic solitude."
The Vatican Observatory has also been at the forefront of efforts to bridge the gap between religion and science. Its scientist-clerics have generated top-notch research and its meteorite collection is considered one of the world's best.
The observatory, founded by Pope Leo XIII in 1891, is based in Castel Gandolfo, a lakeside town in the hills outside Rome where the pope has his summer residence. It also conducts research at an observatory at the University of Arizona, in Tucson.
Reference: http://about-world-religions.blogspot.com
4/29/11
Well, I am bored and stressed so I thought I'd write..That always calms me down.. I am maintaining today, better than I would have thought on this 2 year anniversary of mom's death. I will be having a chat with her in a bit. A little meditation.. Mom has no grave..she sits on top of my refrigerator. Always near and dear to my heart. I wanted to show you a few things if I may..first being mom's obituary. Have a peak..
Yes that's my mom, my best friend. Here is another picture of her (and I) the Christmas before her passing.
I was so very plump in this picture, mom always made sure the Dragon ate. Every Sunday we would order take out after church, and throughout the week I would order us take out breakfast. Gosh I was so very fat, look at that belly..LOL..what happened. I dedicate this day as a remembrance to mom, her joy, her laughter, her love..I do remember the good things. I have to don't you agree? I am going to be ok, I am not going to wallow in self-pity today..well I did for a bit, but that has passed. I feel as though I have crossed a turning point, a change, rather subtle now..but in the end will be quite profound. A true blessing from Hecate, you know she takes care of me, she leads my path in life..She loves me. She led me to a teacher that I am learning about life, learning to change and appreciate life and all it's beauty. Learning just exactly what it means to be a witch. I will be dedicating my life as a witch very soon..How so very exciting that day will be. I am progressing in my lessons and moving forward in ways that I would never thought possible.
Heres's a picture of a happy Emerald. With his teeth no doubt.
I took that photo today, I look happy don't you think. I can't continue with my negativity. NO, it's a time for rebirth and acceptance. Body, soul, spirit and mind. Mom is helping me. I feel her presence and her comfort. Change is in the air for the Dragon, I was reading in that book "THE CURE" that if I think negative thoughts..then my body produces cells that cause more negative thoughts.. It is all in my mind wether I choose to be happy or sad. I can achieve many things within..if I only choose to be positive. A dear friend from Psychic Knight has been telling me the same things. Well several people. Here's a link to my favorite site online. Where I get so much needed and appreciated support.
Wont you have a peak? It's a funny thing. I get no comments on my blogs from my witch sites here in the USA, but from across the world, especially the United Kingdom I get many comments, you know who you are, And I think you so very much. I would truly love to relocate to the UK. Perhaps someday I will. My roses are not blooming there magnificent flowers at the moment..I will have to buy fertilizer and give them the attention they deserve. I will be going to a Betane ritual in Denton on the 7th. I wish so much that I had my robe..but that will happen soon enough. Denton is about 30 miles from where I live. Should prove to be interesting. This time I will try and not be shy and hopefully connect with I am putting together material for my second book witch I feel will be accepted by my publisher. In three months I will have to but 30 Dear friends, readers.. You all bless and enrich my life to no end. Without you listening to a mad man's rambles I don't know where I would be now. If I just get one response from my writings it makes it all worthwhile. Sometimes I do feel quite mad indeed. Makes for a interesting and unique life. We are all different aren't we? We are all special in some form or another. Forgive me for going on and on with my writing, I hope you don't find it boring? I have decided to go ahead with my new blog series.. Let's see what shall I call it..let me think?
"Living with Mental Illness"
How about that? We have a title, now lets start a tale.
June 18, 2004
I was admitted to the mental health hospital June 18 of 2004. On June 15th of the same year I made a suicide attempt. I had totally lost my mind, I was out of control, I couldn't bare the thought of living any longer. I had lost all hope, no one..absolutely no one wanted to talk to a nasty drunk like me. I had chased my 21 year old son out of my apartment with my cane. With no recollection of why I had acted so bizarre. What the hell is wrong with me? I am completely mad. TMC, the hospital I am in is so much better than the state hospital. The staff are very nice and seem concerned and want to help. I have only made a few friends here and they will be leaving soon. Then I will feel all alone. It was a rough go at the hospital in my hometown. I came really close to dying. I don't remember but just a flicker of my stay there. My dear mom, bless her heart said they had put me on a respirator. I just arrived here at the nut ward and haven't talked to a psychiatrist yet. He said he didn't want to talk to me until I finished detoxing from massive amounts of alcohol. I had already detoxed for three days at the regular hospital where I almost died. I should be clean by tomorrow and perhaps he will talk to me.
My counselor is a Christian man. I told him I was gay. It didn't seem to bother him in the slightest bit. He scares me for some reason..he looks mean. Very stern. Most of the staff here are very nice and compassionate. For some reason, beyond me, I seem to get in a really fowl mood after dinner. I am still very depressed and don't want to be here, but I have no choice in the matter. This hell has to end..If it doesn't I will soon die or go utterly insane..what a frightening thought. I just can't handle the drink anymore. I don't know if I have any chances left. I am like a cat.. I have had 8 lives and am on my last life.. #9.. I have to figure things out, figure why I am so self-destructive. Indeed! I am tired all the time..I think that's a direct result of my HEPC and HIV. My health is poor. As I write this page in my journal, I am thinking to myself. Emerald you need to write at least one page a day..you know how very therapuetic it is for you.. How your life is a blueprint and you can figure out the problems by writing and seeing what patterns you have that lead you back to drinking.. A blueprint of my life. I am physically and mentally sick today.. I have to rest now. Will resume at a later time.
Yes dear reader, dear friends..that was the start of my stay in a mental hospital..30 miles from home. It wasn't the first time I had made a attempt on my life and it wouldn't be the last. So we have a new story to tell. It will open your eyes to the Life and disappointments of dear Emerald. I have said before and I will say again, I have had a troubled life.. A very different life so to speak. You may be wondering, have I learned anything from my tragedies? I would like to think so. I have a grip on reality today.. At least most days.. Please..I hope you are touched by all that Emerald will have to say in the days to come. There is so very much to share with you. I don't want your sympathy..just your sharing your hopes with me as I take a trip down memory lane. I enjoy sharing my life with you tremendously.. You know all I really want is for somebody to listen to my ramblings. At the end of all things..no matter how bad things got in my life.. I have been a overcomer. I am sober today. I am finding out that I can be happy without a man. I have accepted that I live with a deadly disease and that death may knock at my door in the not to distant future. I fear I may have AIDS now, what with my going a month without my medications. With my rapid weight loss. But I am ok today. I have folks that love me for me. I have a loving and wonderful Goddess and God that I absolutely adore.
I'll close and say goodnight now.
Brightest Blessings today and everyday..we deserve that don't we?
With sincerity and love in my heart
Emerald Dragon
4/29/11
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Developer: Nerdook
Genre: Defense
Kongregate Rating: 4.14/5
Flash Mush Rating: 7.5/10
Time for another game by the legendary developer, Nerdook. Cat God vs. Sun King is an interesting game that is mainly defense based but retains all of the great features Nerdook utilizes in all his games as well as throws in a meme to keep the internet savy happy.
The plot line of Cat God vs. Sun King is that the Sun King wants to build a huge temple in order for the people to worship him instead of the Cat God aka Nyan Cat. Of course the Cat God doesn't want this to happy so he uses his powers to throw fireballs, create skeleton armies, curse people, and all sorts of nasty things. You play as the Cat God who is defending himself from the tower being built, if they succeed in building it all the way (10 levels) then you lose. At your disposal are six different spells you can cast and you can pick and choose which ones you want to bring into battle. The enemies are various. You have the basic slaves, but then you have slave drivers which can speed up slave's building, priests which can heal, soldiers which can defend against skeletal attacks, and so on. Quite detailed actually.
Of course were Cat God vs. Sun King shines is in the areas where all Nerdook games shine. That great style of graphics, variety in the spells as well as upgrades and achievements. Playing a Nerdook game you're guarantied to have those. However the game still has some faults which unfortunately I can say has becoming a current trend with Nerdook's latest games. Cat God vs. Sun King is very short and very easy. Which equals little to no replay value. Nerdook does sort of counter this with a survival mode but that also doesn't really curb my appetite.
Overall though Cat God vs. Sun King is a great defense online flash game made by the great flash developer Nerdook and you should all give it a try nonetheless.
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BOOK: THE SORCERIES OF ZOS FROM CULTS OF THE SHADOW BY AUSTIN OSMAN SPARE
Austin Spare claimed to have had direct experience of the existence of extra-terrestrial intelligences, and Crowley- as his autobiography makes abundantly clear- devoted a lifetime to proving that extra-terrestrial and superhuman consciousness can and does exist independently of the human organism.
As explained in Images and Oracles of Austin Osman Spare, Spare was initiated into the vital current of ancient and creative sorcery by an aged woman named Paterson, who claimed decent form a line of Salem witches. The formation of Spare's Cult of the Zos and the Kia owes much to his contact with Witch Paterson who provides the model for many of his 'sabbatic' drawings and paintings. Much of the occult lore that she transmitted to him suffuses two of his Austin Osman Spare - The Sorceries Of Zos From Cults Of The Shadow
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I've been trying to increase fertility for some things in certain areas of my life and I think this could help some of y'all as well. Fertility could be anything from getting a job to having a baby. The Goddess rules over this area and the full moon has the most influence from her.
FERTILITY RITUAL Materials: 1 green practitioner candle 1 white "full moon" goddess candle 3 green rocks, 1 green glass 1 or more green plant(s) 1 fertility goddess symbol 1 small piece of green paper, a pencil patchouli oil a cup of water a tbsp of salt 1) Anoint candle w/patchouli (or musk).
Set up alter as follows: place Goddess symbol at top center of alter. Place white candle at the left, slightly lower, to be left point of pentacle. Place green candle to the right, in line with white candle. Place the 3 rocks at the two lower points and in front of the Goddess symbol. Place the green glass in the center of the pentacle you have outlined.
Put a pinch or two in the cup of water, and the rest in the bottom of the green glass. 2) Center, cast your circle, and call the quarters inflecting on how each element can aid you in your request (i.e. - I call forth the East, Air by name, Upon your winds the seeds of life are sown, I now request your aid in the same, Aloft to the Goddess, make my request known.
) 3) Invoke the Goddess inflecting on how each is essential for both fertilization and sustenance of life. 4) State your purpose and reason for wanting to be or become fertile with a new life. 5) Do your actual working. I did this by reciting a fertility request poem to the Goddess, asking her for a "late-life" chance at motherhood.
I wrote my request on the green paper, and envisioned the child and I enjoying each other's company, and that of their older sister. I then burnt the paper in the flame of the green candle and dropped it in the green glass. The salt at the bottom absorbed most of the heat and kept the glass from cracking.
I then doused the smoldering request with the salt water from the cup. "From Earth (paper), Sea (salt and water), Fire (flame), and Air (feeding the flame) we all began and shall end." 6) Thank Goddess and turn the request totally over to them. 7)Thank and release the quarters in the opposite direction as called (i.
E. - I release to the North, Earth from this rite, With humble gratitude, Your assistance this night.) 8) Open the circle. Grounding may include releasing any extra energy to the plants you invited, the 3 green stones, or cleaning your altar and tools.
Blessed be,Lady Alice
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The bell is an incredibly ancient ritual tool. When being struck, the bell produces vibrations that are filled with power in accordance to the bell's fullness, tone and material.
Bells of all sizes are being used across the world, the bell of Notre Dame in France for example. Over the years, people have been singing songs and carols with these instruments, which is in part the reason for the bell's association with winter holidays.
A bell is a female symbol and often used in rituals to invite the Goddess. The chimes of the bell are used to reflect negative spells and evil spirits and encourage good energy. When not in use, you can keep the bell inside of a cabinet or hang it on a door to guard your home, or simply place it on your altar for future use. The element associated with the bell is Air.
During rituals, there is a meaning to the number of times the bell is struck:
1 - a new beginning
2 - the number of the God, unity
3 - the number of the Goddess, creativity
4 - grounding and balance
5 - inspiration
6 - harmony
7 - acquire wisdom
8 - achievement
9 - transition to a new level
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Would you be surprised to learn that there has been a drop in confidence for organized religion and religious leaders? Survey after survey tells us that more and more people are dropping out. Many find religious folk to be hypocrites, if not worse. Some of the charges leveled against the religious community are spot on, others not so much. Religious communities are no monolithic, so we must be careful that we don't paint with too wide of brushes.
In this edition of Sightings, Martin Marty visits recent "measurers of opinion," which tell us that the military comes out on top - and that despite recent scandals at the top. We're not as bad as Congress, but not where we once were. We could suggest that this is all an anti-religious (read anti-Christian) animus on the part of media, etc., but I don't think that would help our cause. But the key point that Dr. Marty wants us to hear is that the public "is "paying attention! I invite you to read Marty's post and offer your thoughts.
By the way, I received a nice note from Professor Marty giving permission for me to share these postings with you!
"Sightings "
"Sightings"
Confidence in Religion Drops
by MARTIN E. MARTY
Monday April 22 2013
Three "War College" scholars, in the Spring 2013 issue of "Daedalus" (see reference), discuss some of the reasons why the military wins more confidence than other American institutions. The military is not our subject; those authors may be biased because of their vocation and location, and we may lack full confidence in Harris and Gallup and Pew and other measurers of opinion. Still, even if statistics strung out in editorials can weary the eye, they do tell us something. In our case, the "War College" authors drew on a Harris poll conducted two years ago. Let's look at what this poll turned up about "Organized Religion" to see if there are insights or lessons for those who care about religion in American life.
In the Harris poll, 57% of those questioned had "a great deal of confidence" in the military, and only 10% had hardly any. "Small business" came in second, while "major companies, Law firms, The press, Wall Street" and "Congress" evoked least confidence; they came in twelfth to fifteenth. We keep our eye on "Organized Religion" which came in sixth. As for "leaders in institutions," the military rated highest, while religious leaders attracted "a great deal of confidence" among 22%. But here's a slide: in 1966 religious institutions inspired high confidence among 41% of the people, that "high" figure dropped to 22% by 1980, near where it still hovers today.
These instruments are not sufficiently fine-tuned to be used to ascertain what factors contributed to declines in confidence shown the favored or the unfavored. So one cannot find here what the usually highlighted features in each decline were. Look elsewhere to see what "clergy abuse" has done to inspire loss of confidence. We can speculate about other contributors: mass media focus on frailty, some financial criminality or sloppiness, sharpening suspicion among "nones" and "secularists" and "drop-outs," distorted vision among the cultured observers, etc.
What religious leaders and members should take from surveys like this is a renewed awareness of the fact that publics "are" watching. True, some people are remote from the exercises of life in religious institutions and thus their conclusions are born of ignorance. Some may want to find reasons to distance themselves from the efforts and effects of "organized religion." View it negatively, or draw only on the observations and conclusions of those who focus on the weaknesses and wrongs of religious institutions, and your case is made. The much-noticed "social media" certainly contribute, because images mediated through them are unmonitored, unfiltered, undisciplined, and thus, in their "raw" form they can spread negative images more readily than they can positives.
It is much more difficult to project images of what goes on among serious seekers, sacrificial givers and workers, agents of charity or quiet care for others, than it is to feature scandalous public expressions. All this does not mean that religious institutions simply have to do better jobs of public relations, though most of them could certainly do better then they characteristically do now. The point of these comparisons is this: there is no place to hide. Religious institutions cannot be at home in the public sphere to serve in it and expect to be given special treatment, if they ever could. There is no reason to expect that they can run for cover now and go unnoticed. Christians among them cite words of Jesus: "Woe to you if all speak well of you." They evidently don't have to worry as much about "woe" as do military leaders, because so few people these years speak well of them and their institutions.
REFERENCE
Andrew Hill, Leonard Wong, and Stephen Gerras, "The Origins & Lessons of Public Confidence in the Military, Daedalus: Journal of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences", Spring 2013.
Author "MARTIN E. MARTY "is the Fairfax M. Cone Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus of the History of Modern Christianity at the Divinity School. His biography, publications, and contact information can be found at biography, publications, and contact information can be found at www.memarty.com.
Editor "MYRIAM RENAUD" is a PhD Candidate in Theology at the Divinity School of the University of Chicago. She is also a 2012-13 Junior Fellow in the Martin Marty Center.
QUESTIONS or COMMENTS?
Email" DivSightings@gmail.com"
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The dictionary defines an Altar as "a raised place on which sacrifices and gifts are offered in some religions: a platform or table used as a center of worship. "The creation of an altar is a practice that I truly enjoy. I look forward to each season change, and creating a beautiful space for offerings, prayers and magic!
Creating an altar is so much more than just setting up for ritual. Though we (our Coven) do have a specific format for our rituals, I find the most pleasure in my personal altar spaces. There is power in both the formatted altar space, and personal one. When working in a coven or for the moons etc. We use a specific format. It is our secret! Keeping this secret and silent contains energy, it also builds power. Each time we use the same objects in the same place during ritual it creates a practice, that just like a specific prayer or movement can be very magical. Its like wearing a suit to work every day. It is prim and proper, makes you feel good and have confidence... but this is not the only way!
The personal altar spaces I create are the most creative, and carries a life force that is unique and truly magical. These sacred spaces are organic and ever changing. Their location changes, their purpose changes, they simply just change. They are erected for a need or purpose and when the time has passed they are taken down. I keep a "purpose" altar space by my bed. This allows me to burn candles through the night (safely) and is a wonderful reminder before and after bed what my intentions are. To the right is the bed side altar in two different forms.
The act of creating the altar in itself is ritual. The carefully selecting the objects, the consecrating of the space, cleansing of the table or cloth, and lastly the first act done before the completed altar is always a sacred one. It could be a prayer, spell, incantation, or even just a moment of silence, or meditation.
Once the Altar space is set, it is time for the ritual or meditation to begin. There is something so magical about seeing the elements at work, thick sensuous smoke rising through a bed of fresh flowers, and stones.
The creation of sacred space, and an Altar is one of pure devotion and love. It is a beautiful act that holds the energy of the prayers, meditations, and spells that are performed on its surface. Not only that it is an act of honor, whether that is to an element, cause of deity the act of creating it, and its lasting presence in a constant act of honor and devotion. This is not a practice to be over looked or taken lightly the creation of the space is just as important as the acts created on it.
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Reference: http://animals-and-shamanism.blogspot.com
Man has always been fascinated with the Moon and it's effects on the human consciousness. On Full Moon nights, something happens to us. With the initiation of the trance dance experience Full Moon nights turn out to be unforgettable experiences ranging across the spectrum of extreme polarities. There are some of us who take the opportunity to rejuvenate our connection with the Moon, dancing to the mystical vibe we collectively create when we come together on higher ground of collective consciousness. The beauty of our thoughts manifests as our collective experience as we individually transcend our acquired identities and commune as ONE, Cosmic Spirit ! Infinite ! We see everyone as reflections of the ONE divine source of all creation ! Everything is God ! God is Love ! Love is All !
One of the biggest Full Moon Festivals is the Full Moon Festival, Germany held each year at a picturesque location in Germany for a period of 4 days. They have a Psychedelic / Full On Stage, a Progressive-Electronic Stage, a Chill Out-Ambient Stage and this year they had a special Dark Psychedelic Stage with about 150 major Global Artists spinning foot stomping music non stop for 4 days ! Organizing a festival as big as this takes a whole lot of planning and ensuring all accounts are taken care of. You can see the details about the festival on their home page.
The Boom Festival Portugal has come really strong over the years bringing together music, art and creative innovation to all these wonderful people from all cultures of the world. The Healing Area was a novelty at Boom 2008. With therapies and holistic projects being held every day, a new concept of entertainment was being made at Boom. Going to Boom Festival should be on your things to do list !
Nepal has an ancient heritage of Shamanic rituals on Full Moon Nights. One of Nepal's most famous religious places of pilgrimage is Gosainkunda lake situated at an altitude of about 4312 m. Surrounded by high mountains on the north and east, this lake is grand and picturesque. Every year during Janai Purnima in August, thousands of Hindu pilgrims come here for pilgrimage and it is quite a sight.
The large rock in the center of the lake is said to be the remains of a Shiva shrine and it is also claimed that channel carries water from the lake directly to the tank at the Kumbheshwar Temple in Patan, 60 km to the south. Shamans ("Dhami") come from all over Nepal arrive to the lake and on full moon night.
There is much dancing and singing. This day is considered holy by the shamans whereby apprentices or "Jhankris" graduate into full shamans. Trekking in August can be a bit wet as the monsoon is at its last stages, but the greenery is at its best and since it is not peak season, it is best for people who do not want to be part of the crowd.
There are many more Full Moon Festivals and we shall cover each of these individually, including the BoOm Festival which deserves an exclusive article to it's name !
((( We are One... BoOm )))
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The most important of the WICCAN SUPPLIES you will have are the foundation pieces of your altar.
Altars generally have items on them that represent the five elements of earth, air, fire, water and spirit, which may take many forms. Here are some of the essential basic WICCAN SUPPLIES for your altar:
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THE ATHAME - a ritual double edged metal dagger with a wooden handle. As its purpose is to mark sacred space, it is "never" used to cut anything physical. Athames are associated with the element of air and male energy,
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THE CHALICE - a symbol of the feminine, it is usually a stemmed goblet. The chalice is associated with water, psychic ability and the subconscious.
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ALTAR BELL - generally a small metal hand bell used to clear sacred space, and punctuate parts of ritual or spellwork. Bells are associated with the element of air.
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ALTAR TILE - also known as a pentacle or peyton. The altar tile is used to open elemental gateways, evoke the divine and to protect and bless ritual tools and food. The elemental representation can be either earth or spirit.
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ALTAR CLOTH - protects the altar from stray wax, embers, dirt, and grime. The average altar cloth is traditionally black however when celebrating a Sabbat, Esbat, or doing specific spellwork, a colour that is representational of the event being observed can be used.
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THE WAND - wands are usually made of wood and are used to project or direct energy to a specific area, object, or person. The elemental correspondence is fire.
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THE BESOM - A besom is a ritual broom used to clear the residual energy from a space being prepared for ritual, and is one of the only Wiccan supplies that is used for ritual, but may not be found on the altar itself.
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CAULDRON - Used to burn, brew and mix things, it represents all the various elements, depending on how it is used. When used to burn offerings, it represents fire; used to brew a potion, it represents water; used for incense, air; and a cauldron of abundance, like a cornucopia, is associated with the element of earth. Usually made of iron and standing on three legs, the cauldron represents the feminine.
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CANDLES - there are usually three candles on the altar: one black, representing the Goddess; one white, representing the God, and a third, usually also white, for lighting. Candles represent the element of fire.
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A CENSER - this can be any flame-proof vessel used for burning incense. Some censers are cauldron like, and are hung on chains or suspended in tripods. A censer represents the element of air.
Although further items may be added to the altar according to the work being completed or the time of year, these are the essential basic WICCAN SUPPLIES to be found on Pagan and Wiccan alters.
If you would like to find out more about Wiccan supplies and their uses, go to this website here.
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