tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75600322717499921802024-02-10T01:52:37.571-07:00Trey Capnerhurst's BlogMusings of a Pagan Abbess...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15626580781769379881noreply@blogger.comBlogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560032271749992180.post-63428899265218207792016-05-23T11:53:00.000-06:002017-02-13T15:54:17.806-07:00Reporting Rape in Edmonton: Just Don't Bother. Seriously.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><img alt="Image result for edmonton police service downtown branch building" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSGfl1yZ6I7WLw3sTTIQolGBZy6KRn6INYcIc4GK-Gs-3Q3fgyYmA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">It is seriously all 70's orange and hard plastic chairs on the inside.<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<br />
<div>
There's a reason why the main branch of the Edmonton Police "Service" looks like it's right out of the 70's: that's where their policing is from!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I have already written on the<a href="http://gifts-of-nature.blogspot.ca/2015/06/an-appointment-with-my-rapist-trigger.html" target="_blank"> nature of my assaults</a>, and how<a href="http://gifts-of-nature.blogspot.com/2015/07/rape-culture-update-yes-still-even.html" target="_blank"> they were received by the general community</a>. For many people, one of the necessary requirements for taking a victim seriously is "Did you go to the police?" Here are some excellent examples on why that's problematic, especially in areas that are deeply misogynistic and steeped in rape culture, as Edmonton is. MRA's have gained a notable foothold here for a reason.</div>
<div>
<br />
<h3>
What I learned when I worked for the Police</h3>
</div>
<div>
<br />
I have already related how, in my past experience, <a href="http://gifts-of-nature.blogspot.ca/2015/06/an-appointment-with-my-rapist-trigger.html" target="_blank">our police dealt with my previous sexual assaults</a>. I had hoped in the intervening 25 years that they had moved with the times. It does seem, however, that they have actually regressed, if my current ordeal is any indication. Now, I'm not a cop hater. Not only am I white, which means my relations with police as a client have been few and far between, but I also worked as support staff for them after my daughter was born. I have gotten to see them behind the scenes and helped them in their work. I do have a few issues, especially about how my few complaints have been handled, and their lack of due diligence in my area of Edmonton in particular, as I live in the sex trade section of the inner city. I was also summarily fired the day *after* they discovered I was a witch. Revealed one afternoon, told not to come in the next day. Really. For extra crap all over me, they told the service I was under contract with that I was 'incompetent'. I never was able to work in those fields again. I know that it was probably just one a-hole that I have to thank for that, but no one else seemed to think that it was a problem to fire and poop on someone's entire life because of their religion, so I will harbour a bit of resentment for that. Especially when we had a baby to take care of! It does inform some of how I deal with them, even though I try to see them as people dedicating their lives to helping others.<br />
<br />
One of the things I noticed most is how much they insist on control. Controlling the conversations, even if someone is telephoning, and how the citizens calling or showing up are treated more like supplicants - applying for assistance and compassion, and hoping, hat in hand, that someone will give them the attention their matter requires. They often lectured me on taking control of interactions with the public. Or complainants are just seen as the Adversaries, not citizens and most certainly not their tax paying employers. EPS are a power onto themselves, or at least, that's what they perceive and perpetuate. And that is terrifying, seeing the utter incompetence, power tripping, and complete closemindedness I witnessed. Now, these qualities were of course most notable in their extremity. The rest of the time was simply regular office atrocities of lack of safety, imposed soul crushing boobery, and the same lack of care for the work that you get anywhere. Those actually shouldn't be in any work environment. But they *really* shouldn't be there...<br />
<br />
I remember hearing discussions of racial profiling in the cafeteria. I remember filing fraud cases, with so many letters to the victims stating that there is no way their case will *ever* be investigated - not because it isn't criminal, but because they didn't have the funding for their three member fraud team to lay charges for everyone. I worked for the new Staff Sargent of the Fraud team just before I left. He told me he had no qualifications for finance *at all*. HIS suspicion was that he was promoted to that work because he was Asian. Seriously. I remember having to use less complex vocabulary because many of the officers didn't know basic words, because only a high school diploma is required to join up, and most of them have never gone beyond that education. Which is frightening by itself, knowing how complex many of these problems coming to them are. I remember being not at all shocked at the numbers for underage sex workers and missing Indigenous women in this city and the country, because coming across MY desk, as a temp worker, was some 5-10 missing children's reports PER DAY, and I was one of a small army of the same kind of support staff. Many came from BC, most were reported by foster parents or care workers, most were native, and most were female. I was told that after you stamped them and put them away, they were rarely followed up. Because they are considered "minor" activity. Losing your wallet, or property crimes, are considered 'major". And now you know one of the reasons why missing and murdered FN women is such a problem. Because it's treated as minor. Literally.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<h3>
No Sex Crimes Specialists for YOU!</h3>
<br />
So you will understand my reluctance to bring this to the attention of the police and court system. However, I was encouraged and motivated by the national discussions on the Ghomeshi cases, which surfaced in October of 2014, and how far more people are expressing the correct kind of shock and disgust that non-consensual BDSM acts should bring, rather than, as in the past, simply dismissing anyone who claims to practice it as a perv already "so what did you expect?", and that "victims of it are deserving of rape". The police in Ontario in particular were most insistent in the national interviews that there are sex crimes units across the country specializing in such cases, and that there is no longer any reason for victims not to come forward and tell their stories. Well, apparently, Edmonton hasn't gotten the memo on that yet. The justice system culture in Edmonton is SO behind, in fact, that when I finally decided to do this, every single person I tested - from the B&W who came to my door to the court clerk to the process server - NONE of them had even heard of Ghomeshi yet. Which is shocking on many levels. One) that is actually a prominent celebrity figure in Canada, with a former music career and host of popular CBC programs, and two) that his case has facilitated this national discussion on sexual assault and consent. Except of course for here. In Alberta, we produce judges that s<a href="http://calgaryherald.com/news/crime/federal-court-says-judge-off-all-cases-pending-review-of-sex-assault-trial" target="_blank">ay in court that victims of rape should keep their legs closed,</a> which gives you some idea of what we are up against in the system here. Though maybe I was correct to wait until the Harper government was no longer our moral leader. Under the re-establishment of normal in our Canadian system, this judge was suspended, so maybe there is hope for me now...<br />
<br />
Knowing the culture in this city then, I was thoroughly convinced that filing a complaint was pointless. Not to mention the huge cost to my life and family, but I seriously doubted that I could make a case at all. I doubted myself, and my feelings, as is usual in sexual assault, especially by someone we know. Abuse is like that. That how they can keep doing it to you. However, when the Ghomeshi case broke, I was glued to my computer for days, and followed it for weeks. Everything about it had some relevance to my case - from the narcissism and sadism of the (alleged) perp, to his feminist public face, to the 'defense' that it was BDSM, to the consent issues, to his dismissal that the victim was a 'jilted girlfriend'. I was shocked and saddened and inspired and validated. Even with the initial influx of support for him as the injured party, with his poor character besmerched, and his professional press releases that championed his right to bedroom antics and damn those lying bitches after they get dumped, armrite? which was depressing but predictable. It took very little time for most people to see through the lies and call him out. The attacking of the character of the victim, the actual videos he took, the pathetic defense of 'preference' for assaulting women, the discussion that personal injury is not something where consent is easily granted - all were laid out as typical of rape culture, and now the public was having none of it. It was heartening, enlightening and revelatory that our sexual assault laws, which are written to include this, were actually being applied appropriately. And to a case that was so similar to mine! I admit, I took heart. It really was assault under the Criminal Code, and Ghomeshi was actually being charged. Instead of being supported and believed and his victims destroyed. Huh.<br />
<br />
After much discussion with my husband and boyfriend and circle, I made the decision in November of 2014 to finally contact the police about my case. Arming myself with hundreds of hours of communication (though I didn't print them all out and underline them, which proved problematic later) and my blog post, which I had untangled the narrative in, and an actual male witness, we made the call to the police. I had to get my boyfriend to do it at first, since I was still so freaked about the process. The woman handling the call was both bored and belligerent, if you can picture that. She was abrupt, and insisted that we have all the info she wanted ready, like the address where it occurred (which we were able to find later, even though he moved by then) and eventually told us that we would have to call in a patrol car to take the statement. I insisted that we were calling to make an appointment to talk to sex crimes, not a patrol. The officer did tell us that we could do that, AFTER we have all the info, and come down to the station. Gods. I know I've heard the stories, but this is just as bad as it has been reported for decades, now. You'd think it wasn't the 21 Century. So after we gather everything we think they will need, in a huge file, we head down to a local station. We sit and wait for over an hour, listening to men, entirely men (I was the only woman in the whole station) talk about their car accidents and missing wallets and such. When the male officer finally got to me, I had to state in a loud, clear voice that I was looking to being a sexual assault complaint. And the place stopped. I have rarely been that humiliated, but since this involves my sexual dignity, further humiliation should be all part of the process, right? And public to boot! Oh, wait... The officer was friendly and sympathetic, more so to me than most, but wouldn't discuss it anywhere but at the common counter, in front of everyone. And he still couldn't help me apparently. I had to go down to Main Branch and speak with sex crimes there. I asked if anyone here could help me, since I'm feeling a little like I'm being tossed around, but no. Not here. Though he *did* give me the advice not to take "No" for an answer when making my complaint! Except for him, of course. He wasn't going to help. It's the same advice my boyfriend got when he contacted an old friend who used to be a cop. Don't give up! Because apparently, this is a Thing for sex crimes in Edmonton. They will totally shut you down at every turn.<br />
<br />
So now, after two contacts with police and still no one would take my statement, we take *another* day off and head down to Main Branch. After waiting in line for only 20 min or so, we again find ourselves at the counter, talking to a very bored and annoyed gatekeeper. She won't make us an appointment with the detectives, either. The procedure, since we have not yet been correctly informed, she sneeringly informs us, is to go through a patrol car. Only then, if the officers deem it worthy enough, will it go the detectives.<br />
<br />
You will have to forgive me that, even with my usually indomitable will, that I put the process on hold at this point. Because seriously? I have enough on my plate. Like most rape victims. Maybe that's one of the things that rapists, and apparently cops, count on. That we will just go away. And we often have to.<br />
<br />
It was only when my rapist decided to take this up a notch that I felt I had to get back at this and push harder. I documented most of it in <a href="http://gifts-of-nature.blogspot.ca/2015/06/an-appointment-with-my-rapist-trigger.html" target="_blank">this post</a>. After that incident, I felt compelled to return to pushing for my complaint to be heard. I could no longer give him the excuse that he was young and inexperienced and ignorant of the pain he had and was causing me. Now it seemed far more deliberate, abusive, and vicious. He was out to literally destroy the rest of my life, and he was largely succeeding. My sense of justice requires that he be stopped, in part to prevent him from doing this to others. So we began again.<br />
<br />
<br />
<h3>
Biblical Rape: White, married mother, with a male witness, and you STILL won't believe me?</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After booking my husband to take care of the kids, and setting aside the day, we made the call on Sunday, July 25, 2015. We were told they might take hours to come, so we had to wait somewhere. I didn't want to wait at home, and freak out my kids and neighbours, so we made the choice to be at my boyfriend's place; in part because he was an actual witness and we assumed that his statement might make a difference, especially because he was also threatened by Ryan when he tried to talk about it. We shouldn't have thought his statement would make any difference, it turns out. <br />
<br />
We played some games while anxiously looking at the door, and after a few hours, got relaxed again. And then they showed up. Two burly men. They introduced themselves at the door, but I didn't catch their names. They presented no cards or anything to help me identify them later. After we tried to explain the situation, one of them insisted that we make our statements separately. I know the procedure, and my boyfriend really wanted to stay to support me, but I told him to go into the bedroom with the other officer so we could move this along. The nicer and more reasonable officer stayed with me in the living room. I offered to have him sit on the cushions, since we have no chairs, but he refused. Maybe he didn't want to seem undignified or lacking in power? Seems a bizarre and Eurocentric call. At any rate, we had to spend the entire interview standing up. We both stood without moving, but it increased my discomfort and humiliation, but that's what this exercise is all about, isn't it? Yay! I gave him all of the documentation I had printed out, and did my best to articulate the incidents. It didn't take as long as one would think it should, because soon his partner emerged with my boyfriend from the bedroom. That was when I wish I had listened to my own advice and taped the interview. Because what happened next was disgusting, and my boyfriend saw it all. My officer's partner stalks over to me, gets right in my face, and sneers "Did any money change hands?" Now, this is the very first thing he has ever said to me. I blink repeatedly, and control my temper. Already, he is making the clear accusation that I, or Ryan, I don't know which, is a sex worker, and that makes all this irrelevant. Because that somehow justifies rape at all? Dude, sex workers can still get raped, you know? I mention that we exchanged gifts, like I do with many people, but that was all. I admit I got a bit warm when I pointed out that I was a married mother of two, and I'm not supplementing my income in that manner. He then began stalking the room, gliding behind his partner and me and my boyfriend. It was creepy, like a shark. All the while his partner is reasonably continuing to ask me questions and taking down my answers. He asked if I would come down to the station and make a taped statement that day. We would be thrilled, I said. The next thing out of his partner's mouth was a belligerent accusation "You know you can't take it back then? You can't just change your mind three years later?" I almost felt his spittle on my face as he nearly screamed it at me. I told him I had no intention of doing so. I didn't emphasize any of our religious work, though it was included in my statement, but Belligerent Cop sneered "If it's religious, you know we can't do anything, right?" No, that's not right, actually. You can't claim to do ANY crime to another person and claim religion, *especially* assault. Honour killings, child molestation have all tried to use that pathetic excuse. Of course it's utter nonsense, but the cop doesn't seem to know that. Or think I don't. Seriously. You just REALLY don't want to bother with this, do you? But naturally after all this, Relatively Nice Cop decided that we wouldn't be coming down to make an interview, and that instead he would call us in a few weeks, after they 'looked into it.' They had no intention of doing anything about the threats to my boyfriend, and his witnessing of the events in question was actually snorted at. Love that contempt! They didn't leave me any cards or numbers to contact them, they didn't tell me even what station they were at (though I assumed main branch), they didn't say they would call me with a case number so I could check on it's progress, and they implied that they would call me at some unspecified time in the future. Maybe.<br />
<br />
So the only thing I could do is wait and hope they were going to get back to me. Turns out, Relatively Nice cop called me back a few weeks later after his vacation. He pushed me for a second meet, this time at my house. I arranged to have my husband take a walk with my son, while my daughter remained upstairs, since she wouldn't leave. I was slightly worried that she might overhear, but as a teen, she spends most of her time with earbuds on, so I wasn't too worried. And I did warn her.<br />
<br />
I was puzzled by his reaction by seeing my family leave. It looked to me like he thought they either shouldn't be supporting me, or didn't seem to understand that we had to go to some trouble to accommodate this interview, but it did throw me a little. This time, at least, it went the way one thinks those things should. He took down notes and asked respectful questions. I didn't get any impressions of judgement or weird vibes. And he took his time. I felt that we had bonded a little and rather hopeful that he took me seriously when he left. I should have known better.<br />
<br />
I wrote down his name, though it's one of the few items that I have misplaced, so I don't remember it now. I'm gonna say "Stevenson"? Still, I also forgot to ask where he was stationed or any contact information or even a case number so I could check up on it. And of course, he didn't offer such. Again. So I was forced to wait. Yet again.<br />
<br />
*Another* few weeks go by, and I finally get a call. He sounds bored and annoyed that he has to explain this, but of course *he's* not going to press charges. Now, I know that cops are the ones who do that in Canada, and that complainants are only witnesses to a crime, but I was shocked that he was the only gatekeeper in my case. I kept him on the line far longer than he seemed to want to, and asked if there was anything he needed to help clarify or push for this, and asked why it wasn't going forward. Remember: I have reams of communication between us that prove coercion and lack of consent, and which the police have never asked to see, though I have provided some examples. AND I have a male witness, who was also threatened, though they seem uninterested in the lot of it. The officer explained in a rather condescending tone that the courts would "have doubts". Did you know that cops only press charges when they are 100% certain they can get a conviction? Me, either. They must hardly charge anyone with anything ever! He did assure me though that if Ryan does this again, then they have this on file. Now. <b>Let that sink in</b>. <u>The cop acknowledges what happened to me is a crime, and that if my rapist makes this a pattern, and other women come forward, the police will finally believe me, and them, and he might actually get caught. And that he will have to assault multiple women before they make an effort to stop him.</u> I even mentioned that other women have made similar claims in our circle, and I can provide him with names. He told me that if they come forward themselves and make a complaint, he can help them. But he wasn't even slightly interested in the police work to track them down and inquire about these crimes. He was however VERY focused on the goddam "mutual' restraining order. It was very important that I obeyed that, and not seek out my rapist. Because without a car and desire to have my guts ripped out by encountering him, that was totally likely. I'm glad they have their priorities straight. I wasn't even sure how to ask "Is there anyone else there who would help me?" because he didn't seem interested in any of that at all. He was my only gatekeeper, and he was gonna keep it that way. He hung up on my life with a click.<br />
<br />
So I make a FB post expressing my disappointment in the process; my boyfriend's is a bit more strongly worded. Cue the inevitable "you just need to get on with your life, then" comments, which most women might feel they should adopt at this point.<br />
<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Rapesplaining: Traffic lights, hockey rinks, and bar fights</h3>
<br />
Another few months go by. I'm getting worse and less able to leave the house, feeling far less safe in public. I often can only go out with an escort, because I'm now anxious not to see him or any of his crew, since they have made my life so difficult. Small wonder. When I get another call from the police. This time, it's a new officer, Detective Brad Kline, actually from Sex Crimes division. Shocking, right? I never did find out how he gets my case, but he was reviewing it, and a couple of things "struck him." What exactly struck him, if I may ask? Well, my abuse from my stepbrothers in particular, he said. I deflated, but I supposed any interest is better than none. He asked if I would come in to talk about it, and I shrugged. Although it shattered my life, it was so long ago, and there is no proof at all, except my testimony, and my brother's, who they also abused, so there is even less chance that justice would be achieved, but still I gave a sighing Yes. My duty is always to Truth, so I'll take the time out for that. He gives me his name and actual cell phone number to call him if I can't make it, and we make an appointment to meet at the station. <br />
<br />
So on November 25th, 2015, though a bit more harrowing, I ask for Det. Kline at the desk and he comes down to meet me in the lobby. He is, naturally, a white male, rather imposing, but almost a senior citizen. We chat as he takes me upstairs to one of the Interview Rooms. He then informs me that we will be recording this. I'm a bit taken aback, but I suspected something like that might happen, so I roll with it. Then he comes to the point. He really wants to ask me about Ryan. I'm surprised, if gratified, but why didn't he just tell me that first? I assume later that it's because he didn't want me 'practicing' my statement or anything? I never did find out. Because women lie, right? Luckily, I had written everything out in my past blog posts, I'm an excellent speaker under pressure, and I can mostly deal with this. Again, all those skills and prep are not available to everyone, and it is very disingenuous to call someone in for a different issue, and then expect them to handle such memories on the fly. We're witness and victims, not the accused. The very basic we should expect is respect and compassion. But I soldier on. This time, however, I also was recording, just to make sure I don't regret not doing that. He was, too, but I doubt that tape is for public consumption. I can post mine, though!<br />
<br />
The session lasted for four hours, with two bathroom breaks. Even those were slightly humiliating, since he had to walk me to the bathroom and wait for me. Because security in the building. Not unreasonable, but unnerving. He offered me water, which I occasionally sipped, as we went into pornographic questioning that I would have a difficult time telling my therapist. If I could get one... He seemed focused on our encounter in November 2014, where I established that I wouldn't have sex with Ryan without protection, and he rejected me and threw me out, grooming me for later abuse. Not that the officer used any of those terms, and he seemed rather fixated on it. No crime occurred, and I had tried to demonstrate the concept of positive consent to Ryan at that time, which is what I had hoped he learned from that, but I still have no idea why the cop was so interested in it. I had already described in detail about our first time in February, where he made me bleed, and the officer did seem inordinately interested in exactly what parts of our bodies were involved. And, for the anal rape incident, he asked me just what I thought Ryan wanted to do to me when he asked me to turn around, implying that I should have known and therefore I must have consented. In 25 years, I haven't ever done that before, so why would I expect it? It was rather disturbing, to put it mildly. <br />
<br />
After one of the breaks, I see him talking to another old white guy. Turns out, the video tape is being monitored by his partner, who he consults about some of the pornographic details with, correcting some of my terminology. Thanks, old white guys! This wasn't terrible enough. You DO know that I know those terms, but I'm kinda having trouble discussing this? Great! I'm thrilled this is just another night on the job for you... </div>
<div>
<br />
After this is mostly over, he decided to rapesplain to me about traffic lights. Because you know, if you have a red light, you're supposed to stop. And if you have a green light, you can keep going. But if you have a yellow light, you might only have to slow down. And if you have no signals at all? I guess that means there are no rules to follow! Yes. Women are streets to be driven on, Never forget that. I never will now... He does have the nerve to give me a soulful "I believe you" before parting. I'm not sure what seminar he learned that from, but it sounded pretty darn insincere. And I didn't believe him. Of course everything I say is as precise and truthful as I can make it. I haven't spent the past 25 years honing my radical honesty for nothing, so I *expect* to be believed, thank you. That is kinda the bare minimum. Best part? He tells me I can come to him if I want to do something about the abuse done to me as a child. Think about that for a minute. There is literally ZERO evidence about that, other than my testimony (which has already been sneered at) and maybe my brother's, if he wants to go through this, too; the case is decades old, and still the cop thinks there might be any success in pursuing that? Seriously? I almost laughed, if there were any laugh left in me.<br />
<br />
This time, at least, he gives me his card, with his cell number, and calls me to make sure I got back okay, since it was nearly midnight and I was pretty distraught. Though it is certainly an improvement from my last officer. I was personally a little worried that I was going to throw myself off a bridge or jump in front of a car after that. I wasn't terribly optimistic, but I knew this reporting was the right Thing to do. It's supposed to be, and we are required to do it to be believed, you know. I also really needed to do it to make sure that Ryan knew that this consent problem he had was very dangerous; for him and others.<br />
<br />
More months go by. I don't bother to call. The Ghomeshi verdict comes in. Exactly the same type of crime as this one. Naturally, the women are eviscerated by exactly the same criticisms that my cops have given me. Only these victims enjoy the privilege of having it done to them in the most public setting. I give up all hope of ever hearing from the police, much less in a positive way. Out of the blue, in May, I get another call. Detective Kline asks me to come in for a chat. I am pretty sure I know what he's gonna say, and it probably won't be to ask for clarification, but I'm prepared for anything at this point.<br />
<br />
So on Friday, May 20th, I wander into the downtown Police station yet again. I'm pleasantly surprised by the decor. They have been renovating the reception area at least. Does that indicate a modernizing of their thinking? No such luck. The inside is still the same 70's orange, for good reason, and he takes me into a public lounge. Yay. His partner is with us this time, maybe as a witness. Or to help browbeat me, who knows? At any rate, it's rather intimidating, and I think that is part of the point. After he asks me how I'm doing, which is not well, thanks, he proceeds to tell me why he's not pursuing charges. Of course. But he gets to do it - with more condescending rapesplain metaphors.<br />
<br />
"If you report to me that someone punched you in the nose, but I don't see any evidence of that, like you aren't bleeding, then..."<br />
<br />
But what if I had a witness who saw that I wasn't bleeding, and then after that I was? Would that help? He looked shocked. He had forgotten that I had a witness, who saw that I was cut that last night with Ryan. Who was right there and saw almost everything, and can verify everything I said. Well, that wasn't going to stop the cop from soldiering on to his conclusion.<br />
<br />
"It's like hockey. If you go onto the rink, you are tacitly agreeing to other things that may happen, like a fight".<br />
<br />
Wait. What? First I'm a road, now I'm a hockey player?<br />
<br />
"Two guys can agree to fight, like boxing or an alley, but one guy can't put the other one's head through a car. That's grievous bodily harm, and you can't consent to that." But for that to occur, one guy has to say to the other "We'll settle this out back" or some such, and other agrees and goes into the alley. You can't just be suckerpunched and swing back to defend yourself in the bar, with the assailant later claiming that "he didn't say no, so I thought we agreed to fight."<br />
<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
You can never be the perfect victim enough for them to believe you</h3>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I have all my documentation, including dates and times. I normally have a very organized mind, and I'm a horder. I took notes at the time and kept every scrap of correspondence. I'm a mother tongue English speaker, who is 'reasonably articulate", even under national spotlights. I'm a mother of two and a wife of nearly 20 years. I'm white. I have an international reputation as a professional religious with scrupulous honesty, even under political pressure not to be. I am mature and experienced. I have an actual male *eyewitness* to the lack of consent, the cutting and bleeding, and who has insisted on going over every scrap of documentation. He knows the evidence better than I do, since I haven't been able to look at since, and he is eager to testify and get some justice. I can go on at some lengths about my privileges. I have almost no strikes against my 'credibility' from the rape apologist handbook. And yet, I still encounter enough gatekeeping to dissuade all but the most determined of victims. They refuse to take my boyfriend's statement at all, and finally, they still manage to make enough excuses to find my rapist somehow more believable, to rapesplain to me and 'correct' my 'interpretations.' </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="http://www.edmontonpolice.ca/CommunityPolicing/PersonalPropertyCrimes/SexualAssault/WhatisSexualAssault.aspx" target="_blank">Even though so much of my experience falls into their stated categories</a>, <u>some of the best excuses for not taking this seriously included:</u><br />
<br />
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
"Age Gap"</h4>
</div>
<div>
<br />
Wait. What? So if I was his age, it would be a crime? Or if he were mine? That was all. It was just a 'factor'. How exactly, and why, they never said. It was just understood. Not by me, of course, which is what the session of rapesplaining was for. I literally have no idea what they were talking about on this one. I'm pretty sure the law doesn't give an age limit for anyone over "minor". Quick tip: get raped by someone close to your own age, or it's a 'factor' in whether it's real rape or not. Boys, rape MILFs 'til they bleed and she seduced YOU! Old crones should be grateful for that attention, amarite?<br />
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<br />BDSM is a free pass for rape!</h4>
<br /></div>
<div>
From what I can glean from all this, they had decided that I was involved in voluntary BDSM play, because that is what Ryan told them. That means that any injuries, even "surprise" anal or being penetrated so hard you bleed or making someone drink their blood, is just one of the risks you take with that. I told them we didn't negotiate any of that at all, but the Detective looked most skeptical, because he thinks I agreed to it. How? Because we had a relationship and Ryan told me, and them, that he was a sub, so that makes me into BDSM with him. Right? And they stated that means pretty much anything goes, since that is what you signed up for, other than grievous bodily harm, like if my arm was cut open wide or something. Even without explicit consent, apparently. They never "touch" the BDSM crowd.<br />
<br />
I never agreed to any of that. Not before, not during, and not after. I tried to give him the benefit of the doubt that he simply didn't understand how this was supposed to work, and tried to be supportive of him, because love and compassion and exploration, but in no way can that be considered consent to *make me bleed* or anally rape me. The cops took my desire to be <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-passion-paradox/201208/are-you-ggg" target="_blank">GGG </a>as proof of consent for ALL acts. Keep that mind, ladies! If you go out on the ice, be prepared for anything! Because whatever they do to you isn't a crime if you are in a relationship with them... They can tell the cops you wanted some BDSM and no matter what you say, it's all okay!<br />
<br />
Apparently, Ryan had given them enough selective material to demonstrate that I was eager for BDSM. "He had the emails", they said. "So do I. ALL of them." They seemed shocked. Emails work like that, you know. I have them all, too. But you never asked me for them. And they didn't want any from me, especially to refute their beliefs. Their investigation was over, already! Let me re-iterate this, because it bears repeating. <b>If your rapist claims it was BDSM, and the cops said this to my face, *you have to prove that you DIDN'T consent to everything*. And your word alone isn't good enough.</b> I'm no lawyer, but I'm pretty sure that any of the assault laws don't work that way. But that is exactly how they are applied here.<br />
<br />
Look. I'm not a member of the BDSM community, but many of my acquaintances are. Alot of feminist and LBGT activism involves kink and consent, so by doing work in those areas I'm familiar with much of the material, which is one of the reasons I tried to help Ryan when he wanted to explore that. I know that it requires negotiating ahead of time, and explicit and ongoing consent during, and aftercare and discussion later, so that everyone is safe and having fun. I am pretty certain that <u>assuming silence for consent in *making someone bleed* is absolutely NOT what the community stands for, and they would be appalled that the justice system is hiding behind BDSM to not prosecute rape. </u> But if any members of the kink community want to speak to that, I'd love to hear their comments. Since, as I say, this isn't my forte...<br />
<br />
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Can't get into the psychology</h4>
<br />
Actually, you have to. Criminal laws are written with that basic principle in mind. Intent of the criminal, coercion of the victim - those are *integral* to the laws. When the cops told me that they couldn't take into account what I *felt* like, including "terrified", a word which I used frequently in my communications to Ryan, what they were saying is they don't want to bother to apply the actual law in this case. Or don't really understand it. Or that part of the law isn't really used here. I'm not sure which.<br />
<br />
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
"<b>Courts will have doubts"</b></h4>
<br />
About what? Exactly? When do they NOT have doubts? That's kinda what they are paid to do. And how does that justify you not pressing charges? Is that how Edmonton does things?<br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<b>More than once</b></h4>
<br />
"Well, if it was just the one time, then maybe. But it was more than once, and you were in a relationship, so we can't help you." I think this is my personal favourite. By that logic, no domestic violence cases ever occur at all. Because we all know those only ever happen once, right?<br />
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<br />F*ck your male witness</h4>
<br />
<div>
My boyfriend, who was in the apartment on the last occasion and actually saw the cutting and blood, is horrified that he was used as a weapon to harm me. He has offered his statement to the cops, really a confession, twice, and been very clear that he is willing to be charged *with assault and go to jail* if it means justice against the man who set us both up.<br />
<br />
The cops literally laughed in his face. And in mine. "It doesn't work like that", we were told. They have dismissed his statement, and refused him as a witness. I'm not even sure how they manage that.<br />
<br />
"Take my confession for assault! Help me put this guy away!"And they literally laughed in his face. I have no idea what anyone has to do to be taken seriously here.</div>
</div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
From a different place</h3>
<div>
<br />
Anger is one of most primal emotions for a reason. It demonstrates when our boundaries have been crossed and, like pain, shows us where we need to put our most immediate attention. It is one of our most vital tools. Men are taught to put their anger in stupid and dangerous places, like violence, so it usually does nothing to change the conditions around them. Women are taught to bury their anger, or risk the violence of men. Normally, my spur to my activism comes from rage. Injustice enrages me, as it should for more people. It helps lift me out of depression and immobility and gives me the fuel I need to keep pushing for change. There is a reason why my motto in my activism work is "Powered by Rage". For me it is quite literal.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The fuel I need to keep going in this is more meager fare, hence the far longer delays in it's implementation, but comes from a more complex place. It comes from justice, duty, honour, love and compassion. I can't get up the energy to hate him, or be angry very often, no matter how my boyfriend encourages those feelings. Sorry, not all rape victims feel that. That still doesn't mean they weren't raped, btw... That "Love thy enemy" and "everyone deserves a chance to be redeemed" stuff? That is real to me. I live it. I am doing my best to be the change I see in the world. Just because dishonourable people take advantage of it doesn't mean they are my teachers. For these particular violations, I usually feel tremendous grief and despair and sorrow, for the deliberate shattering and use and punishment of someone who loves unconditionally, and surrenders to it. I can feel used and abused and abandoned, and still not hate the person who does it. And I don't need to hate him to deserve help or sympathy. Only my pain and the harm done me should be necessary. My constant anger should not have to be the price of anyone's assistance or my believability. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I left off forcing him to deal with this for months. I had hoped he would be able to reflect and understand, outside the heat of the moment, that what he did was deeply harmful. I had a great deal of trouble dealing with it myself, but it would have been so much easier with his help. I would have left it even longer, but he chose to harm me further by deliberately inserting himself in one of my only safe public spaces. Instead of trying to destroy his life as he destroyed mine, I asked him to resolve this in a mature manner, face to face, with backup amoungst our circle. He chose not to take the option where I am helped and he learns, but rather he lied repeatedly, to me, to a judge and in his deposition, and sandbagged me with the legal process. And then began a hate campaign on FB and other social forums. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
I don't want any of this. Like the majority of rape victims, especially ones whose attackers are their friends or lovers, all I ever wanted was to *not get raped*. And make sure other women don't get raped. Many areas in the world offer badly named "Reconciliation" courts (btw, rape victims have no need to 'reconcile', except their own experiences). Instead of a criminal system, victims and assailants get together with facilitators to ensure that victims actually have their concerns heard, and how it affected their lives. Many rapists refuse to believe they did anything wrong, and that means they will inevitably do it again. But others can be made to understand that they aren't irredeemable, and their mistake had serious consequences, which they can prevent in future. So many victims say they would choose this option if they could. It is less adversarial, decreasing their trauma, and the emphasis is on their healing, not their re-victimization in a public forum.<br />
<br />
When Det. Kline asked me in my interview what I wanted as an outcome, I told him exactly this. I just wanted Ryan to know how much he had hurt me, and what lead to it, and how never to do it again. I could never get him to hear me in person, but I could make sure this ordeal scares the heck out of him into taking consent more seriously. This was possibly my only chance to get him to understand how he utterly destroyed my life, and how he will also destroy others, possibly his own. I felt it necessary to discharge my duty to teach him this lesson. I think I may take this duty thing a bit further than most people these days do... So many opportunities I gave him to make this right. I still cannot believe that this is the only way he has chosen to do this! But I am nothing if not tenacious...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My life here is over. He has taken everything. Not an hour goes by that I don't think of this, or worry that I will see anyone who will abuse me over this, or remember that I've lost my family and my home. I often can't sleep, I sometimes can't leave the house without an escort, which both my husband and my boyfriend generously do for me. When the cops asked me how I was impacted by all this, I told them. They interpreted it as a lack of physical safety. Their helpful advice? He seems to be installed in Sherwood Park and never wants to see you again. You should just stay away from any place you think he might be, and you'll be fine. Gosh! I never thought of that! Thanks so much! "I know how PTSD works, thanks." I was starting to get terse and just wanted to get out of there by then. And they have demonstrated that they are such good investigators and judges of character that I should just be satisfied with their assessment of what he's doing and where he is. I'm SO relieved. Me and my tiny lady brain, you understand...<br />
<br />
<b>Remember</b>: my rapist is trained in combat, hunts, has access to guns, has proven he will go out of his way to harm or torment me, and the officers are perfectly satisfied that I'm not in any danger, because *he* doesn't want to see *me*! Awh, I can feel the safety warming my innards now...<br />
<br />
Knowing me, however, this won't be It. I have resources, like visiting city hall, since the Edmonton Police are actually city servants, like janitors. Only with guns. Or bothering some of my political buddies to shake the tree, as the justice system is federally written and provincially administered. I wasn't able to do that right away, of course, since I needed to recover from this, but I immediately started thinking along those lines. I even started to make some inquires. For those women who do not have such persistence, or can't afford the strength, that would indeed be It. Especially for women of colour, and most especially native women, I can understand entirely why they would not even bother to initiate proceedings. From the accusations of sex work to the 'courts having doubts', they have far more strikes against them than I do.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2016-03-25-1458935714-1648925-IMG_1345-thumb.PNG" height="274" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There is a fiery moat in front, the door isn't even labeled, <br />
and there is no Welcome mat.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Tips:</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
If you decide that you absolutely MUST go through this process in Edmonton, here are some actions that will make your ordeal just slightly less odious. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Call 911 first</b> to have dispatch send a car out, no matter how old the assault. That is apparently the procedure in this city, so don't let anyone tell you to go into a station. Even their website misinforms. You can tell the dispatcher that it's sexual assault, but it won't make any difference in who they send out. You get whatever is available, and it's usually males who aren't trained in this. If you don't want to upset or generate curiosity with your neighbours and family, have them meet you at a coffee shop or a friend's place. And be prepared to wait hours.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Record every encounter with police.</b> It can be out in the open, or surreptitiously on your phone. As long as one person in the conversation knows it's being taped, like you, <a href="http://www.legaltree.ca/node/908" target="_blank">it's legal in Canada.</a> You will need that recording to push your case in future, or to lodge a complaint when the police don't take you seriously or accuse you of anything.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Have all your documentation ready.</b> Nothing cops hate more than this investigative police work thing. If you don't spoon feed them, they won't ask you for additional information to help your case. They WILL do so for your rapist and be prepared to believe anything that contradicts your story, unless you get the jump on it with everything you can think of, up front, in advance. So make sure you have extra copies, and don't give them the originals! You will never get them back.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Write down their names, station, and the case number for your file. </b>Without this information, it is almost impossible to find out anything about your case if you want to follow up.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Have valid ID if they call you in to the station.</b> Weird and privileged I know, but they apparently "need" it to record who you are, and who is entering the station. I don't know if they even have a procedure if you don't have ID. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The system is not designed to create justice for you. It is entirely to protect your rapist's 'rights'. His right to 'fair trial' and apparently, his right to our bodies. Getting them to even hear you is a huge challenge, and they will attempt to make you give up as often as possible. Until they close the door entirely. I don't know how to solve this, but I know that this is an evil and misogynistic system, put in place to oppress and defeat us. I wish I could give you hope. I wish I had much left myself. My iron will and warrior heart is the only thing keeping me going. And I will keep going, until that fails. Though knowing me, that still can be pretty impressive.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
I can only pray that by moving across the country, I can have some peace. I won't be reminded every second of every place and person this has touched. If I can manage the money and strength to do it, since I leave my family and my entire life and network here. Good wishes are nice, but at this point, I'd settle for people making it less hard for me. And that is the best many victims can hope for.</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15626580781769379881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560032271749992180.post-18315673906096734662015-07-24T17:44:00.000-06:002016-05-25T20:14:02.616-06:00Rape Culture Update: Yes, even the young folks in Edmonton...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h3>
</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBH66YtTG_G_POiA9uK8WBfhG09u-GdJQ5uLPuIGCASlhLPW_hX5516Nd_XP4FIILYQQ_3MIN_NtcmM8XsLyB4E2CWeg4bMWJDyYVNPKmNI4uDHD_RzhpZOuyM81z_kbu4cmhX0YpvDaqv/s1600/consent.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBH66YtTG_G_POiA9uK8WBfhG09u-GdJQ5uLPuIGCASlhLPW_hX5516Nd_XP4FIILYQQ_3MIN_NtcmM8XsLyB4E2CWeg4bMWJDyYVNPKmNI4uDHD_RzhpZOuyM81z_kbu4cmhX0YpvDaqv/s320/consent.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Edmonton is a cesspool of misogyny, and has been for decades. It's considered one of the worst cities to be a woman, anecdotally AND statistically. We have literally the worst wage gap in the country. Woman make just over half of what men do. We have some of the worst domestic and animal violence records in the country. Those go together, as harm to more vulnerable beings, and perps work their way up the food chain as they are emboldened, due to encouragement by the culture around them. We have one of the highest underage prostitute rates in Canada, especially for native women. All of this is in large part due to the tarsands economy. Studies show that places that rely on that kind of resource concentration, particularly those that require such environmental destruction, and high pay for high risk, with disposable workers, are far more prone to importing vulnerable sex slaves, taking out the instability on their families, and treating women like the earth they are forced to rape for their jobs. It's a cancer (which we also have one of the highest rates of) that disproportionately affects women, and increases the culture of sexual violence.<br />
<br />
Since my <a href="http://gifts-of-nature.blogspot.ca/2015/06/an-appointment-with-my-rapist-trigger.html" target="_blank">previous post on my assaults</a> was published, all the old rape culture chestnuts have been hauled out and dusted off by his camp. Which still surprises and of course deeply disappoints me. I had thought that with all of our work on this issue, his cadre would be less inclined to perpetuate such garbage. Even in this place... For more proof,<a href="http://gifts-of-nature.blogspot.ca/2016/05/reporting-rape-in-edmonton-just-dont.html" target="_blank"> here is how the cops reacted.</a><br />
<br />
<h4>
Rape can't occur if the relationship was consensual.</h4>
<div>
<br /></div>
Up until the 80's in Canada, it was still legal for a husband to be able to rape his wife. Because rape originally means a 'violent and unlawful taking of property". Since she was his rightful property (and being a cold bitch denying him sex amarite?), there could never be an unlawful taking. Therefore, no husband can rape! Ever! It was one of our greatest achievements, and still is bizarre that we had to fight for it, that sexual assault could now be a crime for intimate partners. Seriously. This isn't a Thing. I freely admit that I was in a consensual sexual relationship with Ryan, and would do so again, in a heartbeat. I still deeply care about him, which is why I wanted to arrange a meet and settle this without destroying his life, because I still think he's worth it. <b>That still doesn't mean that he achieved consent on these occasions. </b>And that is where the problem lies. Mistakes can be made, and that's where communication and forgiveness come in. If he doesn't learn this lesson, I can't be sure he won't do it again. I would take a bullet for him, and forgive him the moment he sincerely asks, but I will not usurp the Truth for his sake. The boys in my camp think he is human refuse and shouldn't be allowed to walk among others, and it is a source of much consternation that I hold my view. Attribute it to PTSD, or sexual abuse training, or entralldom or Fate. But how I feel is the Truth, and I stand by it until it changes.<br />
<br />
<h4>
My rep. (What was she wearing?)</h4>
<div>
<br /></div>
The fact that I have worked hard to overcome my issues and appear as sex positive, particularly in public, is no longer a source of praise for my bravery as I try to reClaim my sexuality, but an indication of 'how I operate'. The fact of the small number of sexual partners that I have ever engaged in intercourse with in my rather longer lifetime (I mean, duh) doesn't matter. It's how I 'appear'. Because he just assumed? And that somehow justifies rape, right? I'm still having trouble about how that one works, quite frankly... Prostitutes can still be raped, you know. Every. Single. Act. to another human body must be consensual. Especially ones that involve bleeding. It's kinda mandatory. Regardless of what I was wearing or how friendly I am to him or other men at events, or how much I try to forge trust bonds with others...<br />
<br />
The rep of brutal honesty and total integrity that I have spent a long lifetime building up doesn't seem to enter into it, though. Remarkable how that works...<br />
<br />
<h4>
No one forced her.</h4>
<div>
<br /></div>
I had really thought we had finally gotten rid of this one as a society at least. Consent is more of a 'Yes' thing, not a 'I didn't hold you down' thing. And anyone who suggests that I would seriously recommend running away from. Because they have indicated they are kinda rapey. I went into such painful detail for a reason. Consent can sometimes be harder to achieve, especially in more difficult circumstances. That's why communication, particularly ahead of time for people like me, is essential. As well as continual checking and aftercare. And let me reiterate this - especially when you make someone bleed for you. Because it's an actual crime. Yah-see?<br />
<br />
<h4>
Her boyfriend is a...</h4>
<div>
<br /></div>
Of course they have to attack his character as well. It's kinda necessary, since I'm one of the few folks who has an actual witness. Rumours are already being flung at him, too. Somehow, that means he isn't reliable or to be trusted.. The undercurrent of racism inherent in these claims (he's Chinese/Filipino) makes it all the more charming. I'm not quite sure how that is supposed to make what Ryan did seem all better, or maybe they are trying to pretend that we have concocted everything, for some monumentally bizarre reason, but this does seem a necessary tactic to protect their friend. Which brings us to...<br />
<br />
<h4>
She's making it all up (false rape claims)</h4>
<div>
<br /></div>
Because for some reason, I'm laying everything on the line: my marriage, my home, my career, their careers, my kids, my family... Everything. Just so I can smear this young man and ruin his life. Even though I never came forward at the time, and didn't want to now, but for the fact that he was suddenly went out of his way to get in my face and hurt me more, and not admit that any of this happened. It forces me, in the name of Justice and Truth, which are a big deal to me as a spiritual elder, to come forward to protect any other women he might try to do this to, and to get him out of my spaces so I can at least have some small joys in my life.<br />
<br />
<br />
And just when I thought they had covered all the bases, here's a new one that was just hurled at me last week. If there's a rape apologist award, this one takes it!<br />
<br />
<br />
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
If a much younger man rapes you, you're a pedophile!</h4>
<br />
<br />
Okay, ladies, keep that in mind. Stick entirely within your cadre, or you deserve to be raped, I think is the takeaway here. I'm not quite sure the reasoning on this one, either... If young men con seniors out of their life savings, the thieves get a free pass, because the older folks shouldn't have trusted them? How about murder? Those older persons shouldn't have been hanging with them in the first place! Oh, wait... No. If a young man is old enough to buy a condo, drive his own car, get a job and sign contracts, he's old enough to take responsibility like an adult for making the choice to rape someone. Even if that someone is older and took him at his word like a grown up. The trusting and relationship part is not the mistake here.<br />
<br />
<br />
That one came from a few new twists on this whole story. I am a fairly well known member of the poly and pagan communities. There is much overlap naturally, and in an attempt to introduce Ryan to other folks that he could connect with, I took him to a poly potluck, a monthly meet up put on by the Polyamory Edmonton Association. I was still very nervous about being his only contact to these communities and wanted him to have more exposure as just himself. There was only six people there this time, since those are less well attended than the drinks nights for example. There I hung out with some old and some new, including one young man, Damien Hildebrandt. I did my best to let Ryan get to know everyone, but also not let him feel alone, so I concentrated on being *with* him and also social, including talking alot to Damien. He seemed reasonable and intelligent, so the time went by pleasantly. Later, he Friended me and Ryan, which I almost always accept, my FB being more buisnessy than not. We chatted at some length, and he shared his loneliness and insecurities. His plight appealed to my compassion, 'cause I remember what that is like, and he seemed to need a friend, so I offered to take him out to dinner to discuss it. He knew I had a husband and I came to the meet with Ryan, so it's nice to hang with folks who aren't polyphobic. The evening was a bit awkward, but I felt enough sympathy to invite him on another one. I did find his arrogance and privilege his main issues, however. He really did think he and his opinions were all that and a bag of chips, and even though I tried to gently probe that, he was bulletproof on it. And at no time was there even a hint of a physical relationship. I can do that. I actually *like* hanging out with people of totally different ages in a complex and satisfying manner that isn't sexy times. Shocking, I know...<br />
<br />
It turns out, I knew his mom, too! Sherri Ingrey was a long time FB correspondent of mine from the pagan community (hence how Damien and I were able to hit so many topics) and she chatted to me about our going out. She expressed only amusement at the time, even though her son is much younger than I am. (And not, say, the horror and disgust she later pretended.) I did mention, delicately, how his arrogance was hard to get around, and she concurred. She insisted that it was his father's flaw, whom she no longer got on with at all, and she hoped her son would grow out of it. Our next dinner out went even less well, and I distinctly remember his racist comment that cooled me completely. I was done with him, and was rather distant the next times he tried to contact me. I didn't actually want to hurt his feelings, so I didn't want to critique him, but he really was unpleasant. He stopped bothering to communicate with me in late August, and I thought that was the end of it, and I had successfully Ghosted. Guess what? Hel hath no fury like an entitled man scorned! Imagine my surprise when I saw him *at the courthouse* attempting to get the judge to accept him as Ryan's spokesperson. The judge didn't allow it, of course, because he's not a lawyer, nor does he know anything about this case, so he can't even be a witness. Other than he saw me and Ryan together once, while we were still in a relationship. And we don't need a witness for that... I still haven't figured out, or been able to ask him, what the f*ck that was all about! Because he unFriended me that afternoon. Apparently, he had just remained Friends with me all this time to <b>stalk me on Ryan's behalf </b>or something. I mean, deeply creepy. And it gets worse. It seems that he is the source for 'how I operate" or the main trashing of my 'reputation' as an excuse for my rape. Since he did see us together, that must mean I'm either lying or I can't be raped in a consensual relationship? Polys, snatch this one up fast! I have no idea why he's still single. He's clearly a catch. Except he might rape you if you get into a relationship with him, and he's more than willing to use your polyness as a slut shaming justification for it.<br />
<br />
Naturally, I assumed his mom would be revolted by this turn of events, and would want to smack his bottom thoroughly for the rape apologist harm he was doing to my life. I mean, *I* would certainly want to know if my son did that. Hah. No such luck. She seemed already familiar with this (thanks for the heads up, Sherri) and called me a pedophile, which she needs to look up the definition for. Persons who are of legal age have agency, and are treated like adults in every possible institution. They aren't children, which is the "paedo" part of that. There have even been relationships of age disparity throughout history, and as long as there are no great power issues, like old men forcing girls to marry them, those relationships can offer much exchange and affection. We even have an idiom for it! There are plenty of happy consensual May/Decembers (even though I'm not really December yet, more of September), and even if you call all of them pedophiles, it still doesn't make it so. And it certainly doesn't give anyone a free pass to rape. I normally don't blame the parents for rapists or their apologists, but in this case, as a rape apologist herself, she's clearly a contributor.<br />
<br />
So really, the *only* people making a mess out of my life is Ryan, of course, his female allies Izzy and Roo that I still keep trying to protect and I'm so disappointed in, and this Damien and his mom. <b>All the stories and smearing come from them</b>, with other folks repeating without considering the source. Or even thinking about it, apparently. I mean I know he's charming, but doesn't *anyone* bother to look at these for more than a second to see how stupid, impossible, and repugnant this narrative is? What have we been working for all these years in fighting these incredibly harmful rape culture myths? It almost seems wasted...<br />
<br />
Ryan's honour must be taking huge hits for this victim blaming and manipulation. He's willing to corrupt the truth and all of his circle, when the only thing he is currently protecting is his rep, and his desire to go where I usually am while I'm actually there. He's not even defending himself from criminal charges or civil claims. I have yet to do those, because awful for me (I'm pukey enough as it is), but I will if I have to, to force him to hear how much he can hurt others, and has already hurt me. I can't imagine what horrible tactics he'll pull out if he makes this continue. <i>All I have ever wanted is an acknowledgement, and an intense discussion on consent, to make sure he understands.</i> Mistakes can always happen. I could easily chalk all this up to his inexperience and sudden freedom and forgive him and let this go. But not if he is willing to harm me even more, by denying these events and defaming me, simply to protect his rep alone. Because then, he's becoming an actual dangerous rapist. And that I am required to fight. I promised to teach him, and I don't break my word, no matter how much this kills me.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgheWnq5IRqzTPZT4ecgS7_qTxYluhcerigorV5OXQuY_jSSY1jAR45nSOSfo2Sa_tF4Ucm1BzXEUillPYNx9egnnJONhsx3jbWXVYiGzsRo3byxccSY7SrmZ2lHp-SC7uLnWDBZ6rBvCKZ/s1600/039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgheWnq5IRqzTPZT4ecgS7_qTxYluhcerigorV5OXQuY_jSSY1jAR45nSOSfo2Sa_tF4Ucm1BzXEUillPYNx9egnnJONhsx3jbWXVYiGzsRo3byxccSY7SrmZ2lHp-SC7uLnWDBZ6rBvCKZ/s320/039.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I miss my crew from #Artsjam at the Legislature. Just one of my many losses from all this.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15626580781769379881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560032271749992180.post-63167946737390880592015-06-29T13:31:00.003-06:002016-05-25T20:15:59.592-06:00An Appointment with My Rapist *Trigger Warnings*<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUuC3tb7zel6FFzfG2h3DjlspJjr1qHeZ5qNTXz-DDwPfpBhvz9rIj8iylYjdm-epkKssiUubeKB_Vtuewc_hlK9zsTDK5kxOu_sWLtu7qM19bNNQwFUAhuEk4kKkTBOsJUbqVZtjgcbOn/s1600/ryan+with+rose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUuC3tb7zel6FFzfG2h3DjlspJjr1qHeZ5qNTXz-DDwPfpBhvz9rIj8iylYjdm-epkKssiUubeKB_Vtuewc_hlK9zsTDK5kxOu_sWLtu7qM19bNNQwFUAhuEk4kKkTBOsJUbqVZtjgcbOn/s320/ryan+with+rose.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Admit it. You'd do almost anything for that. I know I did...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a href="http://gifts-of-nature.blogspot.ca/2016/05/reporting-rape-in-edmonton-just-dont.html" target="_blank">How the cops reacted. Hint: you can guess.</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://gifts-of-nature.blogspot.ca/2015/07/rape-culture-update-yes-still-even.html" target="_blank">How social circles reacted. Hint: you can guess.</a><br />
<br />
I shake with terror. I can barely breathe. I made an appointment to see my most recent rapist. For over a year, I lived in dread that he would show up at an event where our mutual friends were. I've tried to speak to three of them about it. They won't believe me. They shut me down, or actually say that it didn't happen. But I really hoped that I could make them see it someday, when they knew me more or were willing to listen. I wasn't nearly as confrontational or blunt as I could have been, and am rather known for, but I didn't want to lose them because of him, too. ("<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2015/06/23/allegedly-rape-culture-tessa-hill-lia-valente_n_7637832.html" target="_blank">What abusers count on is the silence of survivors, and the supporting of that silence by the community."</a> ) I also suspected that he was grooming other victims, so I wanted to both keep an eye on them and warn them, and that meant sticking around. A young woman named Izzy in particular was vulnerable. She has been able to avoid most of what I went through because she has insisted on no sexual intercourse, which she brags about, and that gave me more time. Which I needed, since I was so devastated that I was almost immobile and could do very little. Hearing about his predation would have spurred me, but I both couldn't see him, and yet was desperate to know if he was harming more women.<br />
<br />
We managed to avoid him, only hearing stories that he had arrived when we had not. I started to feel safe. Maybe he wouldn't feel it necessary to increase my pain by taking away yet another piece of my life. But of course it was too good to be true. While I was chatting with those mutual friends, he came without warning. I jumped up, dry mouthed and shaking, and started to pack my gear, and he sat down where I had been. Many came by to hug him and wonder why he wasn't around lately. Each friendly pat or word to him was a blow to me. It took me awhile, but I was able to get up the strength to confront him and demand an audience. I had to interrupt because he wasn't going to stop talking to acknowledge me, even though I was right beside him, waiting. I told him he could meet with me or talk to the police. It was his choice. <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Byr6NsD8JfW8cngxTWRocElkaHY0cnNTRlBsWF9xRGxJMnJB" target="_blank">He was indignant</a>, but <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Byr6NsD8JfW8UkVNMUVBNHprdHU2UGRraWFFdllDeGM2ZEZJ" target="_blank">I was firm</a>. <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Byr6NsD8JfW8MVdfa2xqdGJlRk50T0x4VkRJQmNMTHZsMUFr" target="_blank">I gave him a week</a>. I still had to contact him to make the arrangements, though.<a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Byr6NsD8JfW8cngxTWRocElkaHY0cnNTRlBsWF9xRGxJMnJB" target="_blank"> I really needed this,</a> so I told him to do everything he had to do to make himself comfortable, so that he would agree. <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Byr6NsD8JfW8MVdfa2xqdGJlRk50T0x4VkRJQmNMTHZsMUFr" target="_blank">He decided on the most inconvenient time and place for me possible, or almost</a>, and decided <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Byr6NsD8JfW8cHdfSGxJY3NDc25jaFZXQWxtWlVNb2RCaDdJ" target="_blank">he was bringing his two girls, Izzy and Roo</a>, for his comfort. Yeah, I'll bet. They are the ones I was most worried about, who don't believe me, and who are in the most harm's way. I love them both dearly, but he has their complete trust. He's such a <a href="http://feministcurrent.com/12379/jian-ghomeshis-progressive-persona-was-the-perfect-cover-for-his-abuse/" target="_blank">progressive gentle feminist</a>! He would never Ghomeshi me. Izzy even considers themselves dating these past two years! Though she lived in another city for most of it, and really, I know *exactly* when they would have gotten together. Which is why I felt like the risk of my further vulnerability from an intervention wasn't as vital just then. If the girls do come, I will have to shatter everything. As much as I loathe all of this, and exposing my own pain even more, I have no choice but to be as frank as possible and destroy as much of his narrative as I can. For their own safety. Which they will hate me for, and never, ever thank me. I will be the Bad Guy by insisting that we talk about this. I will take that hit and sacrifice any relationship with them to make sure they have more tools to protect themselves. If I can, I will negotiate a peace treaty that ensures he stays away from me for as long as necessary, and I need to be convinced that women aren't in danger from him anymore. It's a long shot, but beating up someone once doesn't make them a thug. It's the habitulizing and the minimization of the criminality that makes one a thug. Or a rapist. (Though my boyfriend insists that it only takes one murder to make one a murderer. Go figger...) Maybe I really was the only one, and he was just experimenting with that kind of hard core sexuality. And maybe he really didn't understand that consent for that kind of damage means discussing it thoroughly beforehand, including safety, before all parties can agree properly. Maybe he didn't mean to harm me, no matter how much he actually did. I really do need to know.<br />
<br />
<b>It took me a long time to acknowledge him as my rapist.</b> I'm still stuck on it sometimes. Obviously. As a past survivor, figuring out how to contextualize sexual violence is a far too everyday event. From childhood, my experiences were minimized, shut down, and the deafening silence which was enforced was considered the most preferable response. No child should have to experience their first sexualized encounter as a stepbrother sneaks into their room late at night to put their penis into your open mouth. Not me and not my even younger brother. I remember hearing the door open and knowing, as only the instinct of an aware animal, that someone was entering stealthily to do harm, but not what that harm consisted of. I remember clutching my stuffed elephant Elle, hoping that if he sees that I'm just a child, he will have pity and not harm me. But for all I know, that show of helplessness turned him on even more. To this day, I have no illusions that stuffies help deal with fear. Because they don't protect you. Nothing protects you. Not ever. And why did I pretend to be asleep? He was huge and bigger than me and what the fuck was I supposed to do? Damned if I knew. I certainly never considered biting it off. I was 9. Those became routine, of course, and dismissed in various ways as I grew up. Whether I tried to speak about it or not. At 16, when I finally got up the courage to speak as bluntly as I could to my mother, which still wasn't much, filled with shame and all the other victim baggage, I still recall her saying "Awh, is he touching your widdle body again?" So..she knew. All that time. And never protected me. So I learned then how much I wasn't valued, how I was to be pimped out to save her relationship with her partner, the boys' father, and how I was supposed to keep silent or be mocked.<br />
<br />
All this informs my later experiences of course. From relatives attempts to molest me in public in front of other family members to abusive partners to assaults from strangers who come into my home selling insurance to men who answer roommate ads and then proceed to convince, coerce and then abandon, once they got the tap that was clearly their goal all along. As I got older, I did actually attempt to do what victims are supposed to do to earn the right to be believed and protected - I tried to report to police. The insurance guy who I could not get out of my house and continually groped my breasts when I was 25, calling me a 'fun girl', was a pretty clear case I thought, but it still took so much for me to feel justified enough to try to make a statement. Edmonton is a particularly bad place in Canada for violence. It has one of the highest levels of animal and spousal abuse in the country. (They are related, in that other lives and bodies aren't valued, and power, entitlement and the ability to create suffering are identical.) So despite the shaking, I got myself physically down to the main police station. After getting through the receptionist, saying what I needed, which was humiliating enough, a policewoman deigned to come out to speak with me, in the waiting area, to tell me, most sympathetically, that I had to call in to start the case. I mean, I just couldn't make a statement here? Apparently not. The guy was still trying to come back into my house, so I finally got the courage to call the station. The male officer on the other end barely listened to my story and then burst out laughing. "Oh, yeah, that's sexual assault all right!" All the while. Laughing. Needless to say, I didn't complete that complaint, and when the assailant kept calling me, though shaking, I was able to find the words to keep him away. And I guess that's all that matters, right? The fact that the officer <b>acknowledged that it was criminal, but that somehow it was a matter of jest is a reflection of how rape culture silences victims and protects those who commit sexual violence</b>.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Sought Me Out</h3>
<br />
One of the aspects of rape culture is the silencing of victims, encouraging them to believe that they are responsible for preventing sexual violence. We are supposed to watch out for those who would harm us, and stop them from doing so. Even if we can't tell them apart from the "Good Guys", the ones who demand we trust them, and why should our past pain paint all of them with the same brush? But if we guess wrong, and trust the wrong ones, we are still to blame. Because hey! We should have known, right?<br />
<br />
As a semi-public figure, and a survivor, I am very familiar with online violence, as well as the up close and personal kind. I am often attacked online, though not usually to the extent that my racialized sisters report, or those who confront misogyny professionally. And as a pagan elder who teaches anyone who asks and is dedicated, I not infrequently receive unsolicited communications from young men who ostensibly want to study but really want to indulge in all this 'sexual magic' and pagan freak sluttiness they keep hearing about. My radar is pretty tuned to them, and usually it doesn't take long for their agenda to reveal itself.(This <a href="http://anunfortunatefairytale.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">white boy</a>, for example, I rejected rather harshly when he applied for training. And you can see why. He subsequently confused me with someone else he didn't like, then apologized because he claimed non-nureonormative, so I forgave him. THEN he spent the subsequent years posting crap. Because Wiccan Do No Harm! It's seriously scary to be a woman with a voice here sometimes... These people are just awful.) Since I know my own prejudices, though, I do make it a policy not to assume, but only to watch for, and create a few easy tests that almost always expose them for the posers they are. Most of that ilk, for example, will hightail it as soon as they know I'm married. That doesn't matter for my sex life, of course, since I'm poly, but it does clearly show *their* intentions. However, I have always been hopeful to receive an inquiry from a young man that seems sincere and genuine. In October of 2013, I thought I had actually found one. He contacted me through my Abbey, and made very respectful inquires. He did fit the profile for the danger signals, though - beautiful, privileged, newly legal, formerly fundie Xian looking to finally explore new spirituality, first out in his own place away from his parents... The most likely scenario that he was just interested in some hot pagan action in his current no consequence and obligation free environment. Because I had met those entitled a-holes many times before. But I never brush off, because I understand the stereotyping, so no matter how many times I encounter this dynamic and it goes badly (though *never* this badly before), I need to give them the benefit of the doubt. For Justice. This particular one worked so hard to stand beside me, <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Byr6NsD8JfW8c3VkVm10TlNjQkZpTjdpbHZIeFNuaEVkV05v" target="_blank">to give every indication that we were growing as best friends, teacher and student</a>, as well as helping me in my work. He didn't leave, he performed every task, no matter how difficult. He made time in his first year university schedule when I requested it. Though I tried not to... In short, there was every indication that this one, finally, was worthy of my trust and putting the energy into for a long term and intense relationship. Much like my now journeywoman, I began to have hope that this lovely, charming, dedicated young man was going to be in my life for the rest of it, as we worked together and taught each other. Because as a mentor or best friend, this is the one of the highest goals. For someone who has been so hurt by men, this kind of trust does not come easily. I try very hard to keep my shields lowered deliberately for that reason. Yes, he was barely legal, and I had ethical questions about that, too, but if I am to respect agency at all, I can't make decisions for folks that are of age. Not for women, and certainly not for men who own their own apartments and don't have major power discrepancy concerns. (When my husband met him, he called Ryan "the Enemy". I brushed off his advice as 'overdramatic.' But he's always been a better judge of character than me.)<br />
<br />
So when he first started to make even slightly rude jokes, I sidestepped. I mean, I make rude jokes, too. I'm a grown up. But still, trying to make sure here... But he worked so hard at convincing me. By the time November rolled around, I was hooked. But not yet sunk. This was very traumatizing for me, in part because he triggered so much of my own PTSD. His energy, his style, his story of his own abuse and our sharing brought me closer to it, and more raw that I had been in decades. My compassion and pity for his victimization and isolation and suffering overwhelmed me. I shook and cried and was able to shatter my shields more than I ever had in my life, and it was terrifying. It was however incredibly freeing, because <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Byr6NsD8JfW8UnBkY1ZRSE5kTG8" target="_blank">we began to work through some of our greatest pain</a>, exploring our spirituality, dark sides, and healing those. Of course I had done the same with my journeywoman, but we worked on different areas, since the synergy varies with the relationship and the persons involved. I had always thought that I was simply doomed to hear the screaming in my heart and my head for the rest of my life, with variants on the volume, but he changed my belief in that. There was, finally, someone who could actually help this part of me heal. I had never thought that was actually possible, and I sang with the joy of that discovery.<br />
<br />
<h3>
No Because Unsafe</h3>
<br />
Doing rituals at my house was always problematic, especially at night, since my house is a zoo. What with kids and husband and all that. He lived alone, and so it was a natural to have them there. He spent so much effort on convincing me of our relationship that I admit I totally fell for him. And after the rituals, he wanted to prove it. The first time he tried to push me for actual intercourse, though, I balked. I have always had an arrangement with my husband to play safe, as nearly all polys do, and he refused to use any protection. I really thought about it, because he was just so much and nearly broke my resolve, but while I was considering, he withdrew consent. He picked himself up, moved away from me, and refused to engage me as he intimated that I was to leave his presence and his home. In silence. I literally couldn't move. His sudden and complete rejection shattered me to my core. I almost forgot I had a body. We had become so close, and shared so much. I was recovering and rediscovering my own worth as a person, I was finally feeling intense joy at my own sexuality for the first time in my life, and he was rejecting me because I wanted to keep myself, my husband, and ultimately him, safe. My brain knows it's a abuse technique. I'm pretty goddam well versed in this. But when the one you opened up to, who made such an effort to be there for you and convince you that you really could become the person you always wanted to be, and thought you would have been if you weren't broken, demands you break your word and treats you like a object to take risks with, well, it's just devastating. I finally did manage to move, much to his annoyance, since I had collapsed on the floor, and walk out under my own power. (He wrote to my journeywoman that night claiming that he thought he was going to hurt me. I didn't know that at the time, and at the time of this writing, I still have never seen that correspondence, because it wasn't addressed to me.) <i>But now the games and abuse began.</i> I waited for a week to contact him, and he was cold and distant. Naturally. I held back, keeping out of his way for as long as I could, but I was desperate to repair this. He occasionally engaged with me on FB, though would Friend and UnFriend me on perceived slights, but sometimes, shadows of the depth of our relationship were still there. He still invited me over to his house in text usually, so of course I went. And he still kept coming closer, and on, to me, and then changing his mind, calling it 'bullshit', and seeming to regret it later. He would dismiss me after, by silence and just his hand in the air. I should take my leave quietly and not bother him now. He didn't push for intercourse again yet. I couldn't have cared less, I wanted to be with him so badly. But after all, you know, he HAD a real girlfriend. In another province, usually... I would text him and if she was with him, he'd be entirely cold, warning me that he was with "his girl'. Because I wasn't her. Obviously.<br />
<br />
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Did I mention the blood drinking?</h4>
<br />
<br />
And the blood drinking. When he cut himself to make his offering to his Deity, he made me lick off the wound. Again, without warning or consent. I shook with terror, because I know how much it puts my body at risk, but bravery! And commitment! I was convinced that someone who wanted this kind of bond with me must want me in his life for a long time and cared about me. Francis believes it was entirely because he got off on controlling me. This is why it can help to examine the evidence from different perspectives...<br />
<br />
If he had said that he wanted to experiment, which was reasonable being newly out on his own, or wanted us to be causal, or asked for training, or to be friends - I would have been happy with any combination of those. I'm perfectly capable of handling many kinds of relationships, and I'm always honest and clear. Poly kinda insists on that. But he kept switching intimacy levels and I had to follow all of his many changing cues...<br />
<br />
This went on and on. I went insane. I seriously worked out for the first time in years, hoping to earn him with a new hard body. I grew my nails because he always requested being raked with them. (He prefers being a maso sub, doncha know...) I wrote copiously. Like, 20 pages a day. I went more mystical than I have ever experienced as I attempted to contextualize and regain control on my emotions and my life. I was always at risk at various times in the past. My anorexia for example, which I've had under control for more than a decade, came back in full force. At one point, I literally could not put anything in my mouth for nearly three weeks. Food is nurturing and love and control issues. I made a rule to eat after dark, and that kept enough calories in me so I didn't noticeably lose too much weight. Yay. Pro tip: Call it fasting and no one will comment. They may even praise your discipline! I was in such despair that no joy or worth or comfort could reach me. There were many, many episodes where I had to convince myself to keep breathing. Because I really, really didn't want to. <br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Because if that is what he needs, right?</h3>
<br />
I finally couldn't stand it anymore, and tried to cut myself off. I wrote him an artistic love letter in early January and sent it to him in the mail. I was pretty desperate and poetic at this point, and that was one of the only communication avenues left open that he hadn't punished me for using. For almost two months, I hoped that I would be able to get him out of my head by not contacting him at all, but it only got worse. <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Byr6NsD8JfW8UnN3RlI4N1BsU0k" target="_blank">Around the end of February, I decided to break radio silence one last time. </a>My text messages were laid back and casual. He responded in kind, and eventually, he requested that I come over to his house and he would be <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Byr6NsD8JfW8MDAxWjV0Vmp6cWs" target="_blank">‘fully submissive in whatever manner I pleased”</a>; his main kink being masochism and submission. I was nervous, but agreed. I’m not very comfortable with domination. (Copies of all our SMS available to those who think I'm making this up!?) I'm like "what?" Yes, I know. I should have run. But seriously. Have you SEEN him? And I hoped so much that my best friend was back. So I did. And that night, he was all over me. Turns out he had just broken up with his girlfriend the week before, but I didn't know that yet. I just got the timing right, I suppose... But even with all the mention of consent I made, he never brought up the condoms again. And I made the decision that if that is what was necessary to be with him, I would break my word, take the risk of STD's and pregnancy (I have kids with my husband and we used condoms. I wasn't on the Pill!), and go without protection. <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Byr6NsD8JfW8OTR4NmZMYXBSSFRoNGRsV0RkODY3OHBrbVF3" target="_blank">It was very hard, but I convinced myself I was being courageous</a>, and this relationship could change my life. Because brave and healed sexuality! But realize - he never asked. He didn't know any of that, and I don't know if he cared. In the same spirit of bravery, <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Byr6NsD8JfW8LWpOWklDU3c3NHZHQ3hfNHl5bnpTcGtRa0lr" target="_blank">when he fisted me so hard that first night that I bled all over his sheets with the microtears</a>, I didn't protest. He never asked, but I hoped that we would talk about it after, since he must like that, right? And GGG! I can handle this... I'm no prude...<br />
<br />
I don't know how many times I used the word 'terrified' to him in our correspondence. With good cause. I should probably count. But he forced me to discuss things when I didn't want to or had too much trouble with, and didn't talk about other things when I needed to. His <a href="http://everydayfeminism.com/2015/06/gaslighting-is-an-abuse-tactic/" target="_blank">gaslighting</a> techniques were impeccable. I still hoped to reach him. I remember once asking him how do I access his compassion. He never responded.<br />
<br />
He summoned me by text usually once a week. Condoms never came up again, nor did anything else he wanted to try before he did it to me. Our talks were deeply moving, though, and I mostly loved the time I spent with him. And I loved him personally very much. His hurting me was clearly an oversight, or he just didn't understand, right? He couldn't hear me, but he was young. We could fix this. I just had to get through to him.<br />
<br />
The second last time he summoned me for one of his shower cuddles was in March of 2014. While we were actually in the shower, he said "There is something I'd like to try." This must be big. He didn't just start doing whatever it was, which was his usual habit. I'm in for a penny, in for a pound at this point. I've already worked so hard to overcome my fears and try to move ahead on this new adventure that I wanted to be up for anything. Turns out, <i>anything was <b>anal</b></i>.<i> With no prep, no discussion, no protection, and no lube. </i>I admit, that shocked even me. I have never done that before or since. It's not as though I never wanted to, and I really did want to try it with him at some point, because he was my new dream, but like that... That was awful. It was incredibly painful, and I couldn't transpose the pain into pleasure or contextualize it or anything. And I gave birth naturally at home without drugs. Twice! So I do know how to do that somewhat. But I couldn't say anything. I was too shocked. And he was hurting me so much. Afterwards, he must have considered it a rather unsuccessful or unsatisfying experiment, because he *never mentioned it again.* I felt like I couldn't even use that orifice for a week. It bled and was torn. <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Byr6NsD8JfW8UWdWMmt4T3pFMjg" target="_blank">I tried to bring it up a the next day,</a> all casual and everything, but he wouldn't deal. His complete and utter lack of concern for my well being was devastating. Even more than usual. But he was done with me. There was no other conclusion that could be drawn. Even in my devotion and bravery and adoration... He had gotten all he wanted, so I was disposable. (In his restraining order, he claims we made a mutual agreement to break contact that point. What he means is, he wanted to completely stop communicating with me after that. Because he sure didn't tell me, and I most certainly wouldn't have agreed to it. Not even a 'break up' text!)<br />
<br />
Civilized folks generally agree that the person being penetrated should have the most control for consent to be valid. Most people would also consider rather dangerous anal sex, especially for the first time, without full discussion and agreement beforehand, as non-consensual sex. And what is the term for non-consensual sex? Rape. His abandonment immediately afterwards is kinda the clincher - that we really weren't in a relationship and that he manipulated me into those situations for that purpose. But still. I was desperate and hopeful. There has got to be some way to get through to him. It couldn't have all been a lie...<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>I Let Him Cut Me and Invite a Friend</b><br />
<br />
<br />
This wasn't the usual pattern for me. This was new. For most of my life, including nearly all the time with my husband, sex was always half pleasure, half pain. Too intense, and it was like knives. Not enough, and negative imagery, particularly coercion and gangs, was one of the only visions that would get me off. It was very unpleasant in my head and in my body, but I was resigned to it. It was my Fate, and that is all I would ever be able to get out of it. (I'm even worse now, for some reason, only now without any hope in sight.) The synergy that I had with Ryan was the most soothing balm to my pain that I had ever had. All of a sudden, it was all good. All the time. I was supercharged. I could actually orgasm without pain or shame. It was joyous and freeing and releasing. Even with the acts he continually shocked me with. I finally saw a chance to heal that part of my life completely, so the risks and the bad relationship practices (which were obviously just a lack of experience and not deliberate viciousness on his part, right?) were worth it. I would have done almost anything for him. But now, he was abandoning me. He didn't even tell me. He just cut off contact. I was worthless and used up. My despair and desperation spiraled me out of control. I was non-functional. I had been shown what I could be like, how I could live, but that was never going to happen again. Small wonder that I tried to find any excuse I could to see him again. And this one was a doozy.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Byr6NsD8JfW8Tnl3Mzl0RmZPcFV1WmdHSm5KZWZTQU5SWENr" target="_blank">I asked him to cut me</a>. He's a cutter, you see, and I'm totally not, so it wasn't outside his experience to help someone with that for the first time. So on April 15, 2014, we arranged for a meet up at his place, as usual. I got dressed in my black garter belt and stockings because I know they are his favourite, and headed out. He sent me <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Byr6NsD8JfW8Q2l4bWtSSHJ1b0E0UU5FTExySVExTGN2aDJz/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">a text message *en route*</a> that he had a friend over, and would I mind that? But I didn't check my phone before I got there, so I didn't know until I arrived and saw them both. Now, this was to be a very intimate evening, and very possibly my last with him, unless I could make some serious inroads on his feelings, so I knew, when he had invited another, that <b>he was setting me up for a threesome</b>. I knew it. I've had them before in my life. They are almost always fun, can often be spontaneous, but they aren't just 'set up' by one person. That's more of the sleazy non-consensual kind of evening... But I would do almost anything at this point, and the instant I saw him, I knew I would do this, too. I didn't protest, but my heart fell. He used a disassembled disposable razor blade in the shower on my arm. (I didn't even know you could take those things apart!) I tried, but I couldn't do it myself. I was so scared and shaking. I still have the scar. Then, vulnerable as I now was, <i>he ordered me to invite his friend into the shower with us. </i>Again, I did as I was told. How could I not? Again, there was no discussion of protection, and the boys were both bareback. I couldn't say a word. His friend spoke only to him, not to me, and asked the things he could do to me. He even asked Ryan if he could come inside me, and I was so shocked I almost found my voice then, but Ryan answered that probably wouldn't be a good idea. I was so relieved that he finally thought a bit about my safety that I was grateful. Grateful.<br />
<br />
He made some comments that gave me some insight into why this kind of evening. They had had a threesome once before, with the friend's girl, and I was his payment back. A transaction, if you will. He also thought of us as his "high sex drive" friends, so in part I think he was pawning us off on each other so I could be pushed off without too much trouble. But I will probably never know. Because he never asked me ahead of time, and never discussed it with me after. You know, like one would in an actual relationship, and not just a fleshy Thing.<br />
<br />
After a few rounds, Ryan got a text from Izzy to join him. So he left us - me - with this stranger in his apartment, while he went to the person he cared about. I was destroyed, but there was nothing I could do. I stayed with his friend, doing my best to seem all sex positive and giving and crap, because I hoped that would please Ryan. After all, I was the present for that night, right? Turns out, Ryan set up his friend, too. He had never even been told my name, and he was under instructions not to ask me questions or bother me... He joined us in the shower because I asked him to (which is why Ryan had ordered me to), and he genuinely had no clue about all the subtext and lack of full disclosure and consent all around him. He rarely does that sort of thing, too, but he wanted to be all bad ass and brave and stuff. I can sympathize. He really liked me, though, and just before I left, he got over his shyness (shyness!) and asked me my name. I gave him my card. We have been together ever since.<br />
<br />
This new relationship hasn't been without some serious problems, of course. Like starting off with a rather rapey first night. When I told him what had been going on, he was mortified and horrified. He didn't quite believe me, I think, because this was his friend, and insisted on seeing all the correspondence, to make his own assessment. I permitted it, despite my deep embarrassment at my own lack of control and wisdom. I told him I forgave him for the first evening, but he is now livid and enraged that he was an unwitting participant in harming me. He wants to see Ryan punished in every possible manner. He's even willing to go to jail for it, if that means Ryan does. I really don't want him making that sacrifice. Confronting him about it all, and only once when they were both present at a function, Ryan threatened to 'burn him alive'. But not in front of anyone else, of course. I remain deeply grateful to my current boyfriend for being there to witness for me, to condemn these actions as intolerable, and to support a view of events from an outsider, who is also an insider, that doesn't leave me questioning my own perceptions.<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Actual BDSM is "Safe, Sane, and Consensual" </h3>
<br />
For those of you unaware, the Ghomeshi case usefully pointed out what exactly is legal consent and what is not covered by that under the Criminal Code in Canada. BDSM is supposed to be an enjoyable game where all persons agree on roles, activities, and choices ahead of time, because most BDSM becomes an illegal act the instant consent is withdrawn. Nearly all players are therefore very careful to check with their subs or bottoms about their safety and comfort before, during, and importantly, after. Aftercare is a BDSM requirement. Most bodies and minds are made vulnerable, so the upmost concern and diligence is given for post-play. Usually a blanket and cuddling. It reinforces the trust required to ensure further play in future, to check for no unintended harm, and to prove respect for your friends, their bravery, and their experience. <b>None of that looks anything like being fisted or anally penetrated without warning or negotiation, and then thrown out of a house in silence. With no apologies or even debriefing after. </b>So if I can't be certain that I was an aberration, that he has learned his lesson about consent and sexual violence and abusive behaviors, then I will have no choice but to give my complaint to the police. To protect others, no matter how hard this will be on me and my family (and it will). Because you still can't cut or make another person bleed, even if they are in a shower with you. It's actually real assault. And this has really, really destroyed my entire life.<br />
<br />
And you know, after all of this I could still forgive. I still want to. I still want to believe that he didn't harm me on purpose, and that if he understands, he will ask me to forgive him. He could still help fix the harm he caused me and help me heal. I truly don't believe, or don't wish to, that he is that evil. My current boyfriend is convinced of it, though, and he's seen all the texts and FB chats. I'm kinda glad that he is around. Helps keep all this in perspective...<br />
<br />
I know some folks were wondering why I was offline and in non-contact mode for nearly a year. Well, this is some of what I've been doing! I hope I can finally get back to my life now. Though really, it looks like this IS my life now. A rather unpleasant Fate. Some days, the struggle consists largely of justifying its continuance.<br />
<br />
I've never had a chance to finally confront someone who committed sexual violence on me. That's one of the reasons I need to do this. If I can meet him without my nerves making me throw up, I'll consider that a victory.<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://gifts-of-nature.blogspot.ca/2015/07/rape-culture-update-yes-still-even.html" target="_blank">Update:</a></h3>
<br />
So I wrote all the above before<a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Byr6NsD8JfW8V1V0SkFGaHNKb2VKUGRjRkx3ZFFaR3BBY3Y4" target="_blank"> our arranged meeting</a>. When we arrived, only Izzy was there, saying nothing at all to me, but handing me a restraining order. You know, he didn't have to make my husband take a day off work, have us go out of our way to the other end of the city, to do that. He knows where I live... (I have often complimented him on his artistic cruelty.) There are a huge bunch of lies in the order, which he made under oath. He claims that I've threatened him, which I never have of course, since I'm closer to impeccably civil, and that we martial artists are scaring him. Him, Mr. Cadet Trained. And that somehow, even though I've gone out of my way not to be where he is, he can show up where he knows *I'll* be, then use the courts to stop me from being near my friends. It's that extra vicious touch that almost manages to evaporate that last bit of compassion and pity I had for him, that perhaps this was all just a mistake on his part, and he really didn't mean to rape me.<br />
<br />
He claims that *we* (meaning him) broke off contact in March, 2014. Which is provably untrue. Since he enjoyed <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Byr6NsD8JfW8OGFmRm0xOEZpdkFIR0dZZ1UyQlFCOUIzcC00" target="_blank">sending me abusive texts much later than that</a>. And I am spreading 'rumours', even though I very specifically only hinted to very few, because I knew this could escalate, and I wasn't prepared for that. Now, I have no choice. He has forced my hand. We are going to the courthouse today and preparing our statements for the police. Any good wishes sent will be greatly appreciated.<br />
<br />
In all this, I remain deeply grateful to have a witness in all this. Having a man who was there one night, who looked through all the evidence, and can offer what he has seen, is the *ONLY* reason I can go through any legal proceedings at all. By this latest tactic, Ryan is going with the 'crazy ex bitch' motif. And he might have easily gotten away with it, even with all the actual evidence I have. But I actually have a real, live, male witness to much of it.... For that, I need to be grateful. Because otherwise, I would not even be able to pursue Justice. It's almost Biblical, really. Except don't I need five males witnesses to be believed? Because they can't just take my word for it, right?</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15626580781769379881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560032271749992180.post-86140847611368492612015-06-05T17:23:00.002-06:002015-06-05T17:23:52.840-06:00Speech for Shaw: Original transcript vs. how it actually went<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/bXr72ZcGSOI/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bXr72ZcGSOI?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<br /><br />The written speech was what I was originally gonna say. But all those lights...! Luckily, I'm really good at this, and can still get the message out. The tech and producer just blinked at me when I was finished. They totally advised me not to do another take and keep this one I did. I took that as positive advice, and not like they were secretly trying to make me look bad or anything. Since they seemed genuinely nice, and I just kinda assume that most people are generally good and helpful. Because I know I am. Maybe that's a flaw on my part, but I'm not changing it.<br /><br />And again, this is before the orange wave, which I totally anticipated, but it was still not a done deal.<br /><br />Original written speech:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Greetings. My name is Trey Capnerhurst and I'm running for the Alberta Greens in Edmonton Decore.</blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
My 13 year old daughter said to me today "We're the heart of Canada's oil industry. Why is everyone getting cancer?" She is willing to make the connections that most Albertans are not.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<a href="http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/tomorrowproject.asp" target="_blank">One in two Albertans will get cancer in their lifetimes. One in four will die from it. </a> That's your kids, your family, your nieghbours... That's not normal. We have the worst polluted air in the country, and one of the highest child asthma rates on the planet. My son was born nearly perfect, except that sometimes, he literally can't breathe. That is the price we are paying for oil being our primary industry. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Some parties want us to have even more jobs in that resource industry, because we somehow don't have enough already, and yet also expand our health care. Which is really handy, because those go together. We need to expand our gutted healthcare, but prevention saves even more money and lives.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
I still remember a time when Alberta was a world leader in so many industries. Oil may have been discovered in the 40's, but it was always part of a balanced economy. In fact, oil wasn't even one of the top three in the 80's. Agriculture, forestry, and believe it or not, the arts, were our most profitable industries. The Arts alone brought in 2 *billion* a year in 80's! And all of these sustainable. We could have flourished on them for generations. Then came the push for the tarsands, and suddenly austerity measures, with slashing of social programs and the war on the poor, and all of our other industries sacrificed to the Tarsands idol. Of course we now need the tarsands, because we have no other jobs left. We could be great without the tarsands, as we once were. Alberta could still even be an energy leader, if we acknowledge that petroleum is on its way out, and we need to fully prepare for the new. Or get left behind...</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Alberta also has, for all practical purposes, a flat tax, and corporations are getting away with using our infrastructure and killing our citizens, while still paying some of the lowest rates on the planet. We could easily transition to sustainable industries if we insist that everyone pay their fair share. They've certainly got the benefits from it already...</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>It's time we got our head out of the tarsands. </b> The price is far too high; for us and for the world. We are a wonderful, caring people, and we can do so much better than this. Speak out. Demand more. Vote Green.</blockquote>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15626580781769379881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560032271749992180.post-38849352011971543582015-05-18T14:21:00.000-06:002017-04-22T12:58:04.569-06:00Toxicity and Male Aggression at the Gaia Gathering, and in the Edmonton pagan community<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO7_muKA208uYlAjcaRa09gjN4V6V9ds9VPUak_blIBBFMw0aCySmgZkPEB3fi0ZXxiOulQ72tlZ7r0fMNC4zV157i2Wjh-cSxDSBIea9PQkEDBpyDY-QzVntUNRRkru6pHFORj-LGm52A/s1600/IMG_20150517_140837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO7_muKA208uYlAjcaRa09gjN4V6V9ds9VPUak_blIBBFMw0aCySmgZkPEB3fi0ZXxiOulQ72tlZ7r0fMNC4zV157i2Wjh-cSxDSBIea9PQkEDBpyDY-QzVntUNRRkru6pHFORj-LGm52A/s320/IMG_20150517_140837.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And with Sable Aradia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So when I was invited to speak at the<a href="http://www.gaiagathering.com/" target="_blank"> Gaia Gathering</a>, the only Canadian pagan conference, by another local pagan leader, I was very hesitant. I'm always willing to donate my time and energy to creating community of course, but the Edmonton scene has always been problematic, with no signs of correcting itself. There is a deep reluctance to address any of its serious issues and improve the local pagan community, especially in regards to victimization. With one of the panels this year on feminism and another on Guarding the Guardians, one would hope that the boys were open to making spaces safer and more comfortable for women, but alas. That is simply not on the menu. Indeed, to even attempt to complain is met with mystified stares at best, and jeers at worst. The sheer incompetence and exploitation of the conference itself was another concern. I am totally supportive of the idea of a national pagan conference, even held in different cities every year. So much so in fact, I even volunteered the first year myself as the local experienced event planner and community liaison, since the inaugural event was held in Edmonton. However, as the other planners were all from Toronto at the time, I had so many problems with their entitlement and other issues that I had to bow out entirely. They have not seemed to have learnt much in the decade they have been in operation. A few easily noted examples...<br />
<br />
I was thrilled to meet the female keynote speaker,<a href="http://www.sablearadia.com/" target="_blank"> Sable Aradia</a>. I would have loved to hear more from her on the topic of her seminar, but her toss out session right at the beginning seemed to cue the local power males into believing it wasn't a keynote address but a workshop. To be fair, only they seemed to think that, though. Women remained respectfully silent nearly the entire time. Yes, there is always a problem to buttonholing women, but it has been proven in so many studies that men taking over space means women retreat and are unheard. The argument to change that is usually, again, the onus on the women to "Speak up! Lean in!" But somehow, the reverse is almost never applied. Like "Shut up, and let the woman speak. It's her we came to see, not you." Which is what most of the women felt like, but are trained not to challenge or make a fuss. Even if more women spoke up, it might have seemed like a more equitable ratio, but with the constant interruption from the entitled men, most of us felt like too much time was already taken up with comments from the (men in the) audience, and we didn't feel like sharing. I'm pretty darn aggressive, but even I felt like my one tiny comment, heckled immediately by the men, was a mistake. Normally, I couldn't care less. I'm kinda used to it. However, I am one of the few local women who is a peer to the high profile males. If they are not used to respecting the opinions of others, they should at least accept that I am closer to them in status. In this community, I do expect some degree of consideration for my expertise and experience. But nope. One male even asked for my thoughts *specifically* to announce that I was wrong. Not to hear what I had to say. Not to edify or contemplate my viewpoint, which he actually *requested* of me. Not that my interpretation was wrong *in his training*. But that I was just wrong. Is there a name for men who do that, or that particular action? Mansplaining, I think...<br />
<br />
As a guest, Sable's needs were also not met. Particularly egregious in consideration of the pagan Hospitality laws, which most paths follow in some variation. A vegan, she was wolfing down some much needed nourishment just before her address. It made the entire session late, but we were informed that she hadn't eaten in two days. I trust that was an exaggeration, because the alternative is too offensive to contemplate. When she made a slight comment on the fact after arriving, instead of humble and shame-filled apologies from those of the organizers who were there, she was actually heckled. Heckled. "You should learn to eat what's in front of you!" She choose to ignore that aggressive shouting down and continue on with her lecture, but I know I felt the violence in that statement. Your needs are nothing. You are here to serve only. You are expendable. Being invited to a city that you don't know, and need others to assist you in, and not providing basic needs like FOOD, is an injury. Throwing it back in their face is most certainly an insult. Adding insult to injury. It's like asking an orthodox rabbi to speak at a dinner, not providing him with anything, and then force him to carve the pork for it. There were other vegans there, too, which is not uncommon among pagans, who also couldn't locate food. Like me, who had no car with which to fetch some. Why on earth would anyone plan a conference where they knew that even a keynote would be unable to have her needs met? It still astounds and appalls me.<br />
<br />
I have also never, EVER been invited to speak at an event and then been required to pay for the privilege. I've been doing these for 30 years now, and I have never asked for cash compensation, as is keeping with tradition. My expertise and knowledge are clearly valued enough to be asked to impart them, and so I have made time out of my schedule to spend hours sharing, which I am honoured to do. However, it is apparently the policy of this conference to insist that invited presenters PAY to get in. To the event they are contributing to. When the conference is making money off of the audience members coming to see them. When I insisted that I wouldn't participate under those conditions to the male who invited me, I was angrily told I wasn't 'building community". Since I'm not a money grubber by any stretch, the attempt to shame me into paying for my own lecture was a total flop. I am able to deal with male violence in that circumstance, but it's most distasteful. However, this isn't just about the invited guests. The volunteers, the actual staff putting in their time and sweat equity to make the thing run, are *also* supposed to pay. Even when they are spending all their time at their posts, and none in the workshops that they are so keen to see. All the volunteers I saw were women, and some from several hours out of town. (To be fair, I never asked if they got a reduced rate, but since I wasn't told I could have one, I assume they couldn't as well.) I cannot begin to express my shock and repugnance at such exploitation. When challenged, I was told that this is the standard model for this event. Well, I've organized and participated in lots of national conventions and events, and I can tell you: <b>you're doing it wrong</b>. Volunteers donate their valuable time so *you don't have to pay staff.* That's the carrot for them. Lower income for example, can donate time instead of money, and still get a chance to participate! I know you might have cash flow problems,but siphoning off money from them for the privilege is total exploitation, and tells everyone that their time dedicated to this is just not valuable enough. (Eventually I was compted, but only because I made such an argument for it. I doubt anyone else made such a fuss over the principle, and I wouldn't have been able to attend anyway otherwise. I certainly don't have that kind of cash...)<br />
<br />
A male of my acquaintance also offered me a shoulder to cry on, since my last year has been one of the worst in my life. He promised he was a good listener, and as my troubles do have something to do with the local community, I overcame my usual reluctance and shared some choice bits. Here's a tip, men: suggesting that the person violated should have known better is both not good listening AND victim blaming. Again. More violence is not what one expects or needs in spiritual circles. All that talk of healing energy is just crap, right?<br />
<br />
Being high profile in anything is always a risk. Targeting for women is even more of a problem now than before the 'net. I remember a few years ago when I brought up how local Wiccans had gone out of their way to stalk and harm me and my family. I had all my documentation and proof, and presented it to the local coven for their consideration. Of course, the boys involved were local heroes! Who did great work! I know you don't want to deal with such pillars of the community being criminals, but one would still hope that truth and justice was an ideal for pagans to aspire to. But no. I was shut down faster than a choir boy accusing a Catholic priest, bizarrely told that their 'mediation' was an option, and despite all the emails and proofs right in front of them, unceremoniously removed from lists and uninvited to events I was already scheduled to appear at. Because boat rocking. Mediation of course meaning that more than one party is at fault, or that some 'misunderstanding' is the source of the violence against them. Because two sides! Even though the proof is right there... Victim blaming at it's finest. There's a reason this is the first time you've seen me a local event in ages, dudes... (<a href="http://anunfortunatefairytale.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">This a-hole</a> applied to me out of the blue to be an apprentice. I turned him down rather harshly after he confused me with someone else he didn't like and started hurling abuse at me. He apologized, citing non-neuronormative, and I forgave him. But he's been posting crap ever since. And everyone in the city seems okay with that. I mean, how do you 'mediate" that? These people are just awful.)<br />
<br />
The panel I was invited to speak at, Pagans in Politics, as an actual expert, was no better. My male co-presenter often interrupted me, told me *I* had to let others finish (though that never applied to him), and actually dismissed completely my experience with the Greens and Elizabeth May, saying to my face that I had an "idealized" version.<a href="http://www.alternet.org/gender/10-words-every-girl-should-learn" target="_blank"> It was an utterly classic form of silencing women</a>. Even though I've been involved for years at the highest levels and know everyone personally; his opinion, based on pulling it out of his ass, was to be the deciding one. I could have pushed it, but I already had to shove my way into the conversation, because this man was swaying the group with his obviously deep knowledge of the subject. My insistence on actually being heard as a woman who knew what was going on was somehow disruptive to the group, doncha know. Look. Just because you have an opinion doesn't mean it's right or based in reality. That's why you might want to listen to someone who is actually in the know before you form or maintain that opinion. And no. Its not of the same value, then, and we don't have to insist that it is. That's why you asked me there: because I know what I'm talking about. And shutting me down, in public, in a group I was supposed to be co-hosting, was deliberately disrespectful, antagonizing, disempowering, and downright rude. (I got it on video. Keep in mind the man was constantly interrupting female speakers all weekend, because he owns this town. And I was doing my best to control my Fist of Death as it was... He was remarkably silent during Kerr's keynote address. Hhmmm...)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv0Jwrx2-NSsUp7Tpca6AmMrOUoUYakHw4pJ6bACc7_00TEoFu34LXYP4ss-mYJ1LL_Eg__Fq8zvkyQ_QgZIWxafIiJDuAMU5HLH5rUBPu9FV6xxaukkz3V9Cn9tPctB0J2tEHAO5AjpH0/s1600/IMG_20150517_140701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv0Jwrx2-NSsUp7Tpca6AmMrOUoUYakHw4pJ6bACc7_00TEoFu34LXYP4ss-mYJ1LL_Eg__Fq8zvkyQ_QgZIWxafIiJDuAMU5HLH5rUBPu9FV6xxaukkz3V9Cn9tPctB0J2tEHAO5AjpH0/s320/IMG_20150517_140701.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kerr and me!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I had to leave both nights early, because it was just too overwhelming to deal with. And again, it most certainly isn't all men, or everyone at the conference. <a href="http://www.kerrcuhulain.com/" target="_blank">Kerr Cuhulain</a>, whom I have known about for decades and really wanted to connect with, is a high profile pagan who has done so much work in the Canadian and international community, and is one of the most delightful, humble, hard working, grounded and knowledgeable spiritual leaders I have ever had the fortune to meet. I was thrilled to have the opportunity for some serious face time, and very much look forward to a vivacious and fruitful long term relationship between our two organizations. I may even hang at his Mother House for a while and study under his group. So that at least was worth it...<br />
<br />
<br />
I find the dismissal, exploitation and social violence of this event and community actually shocking, since I'm not really expecting it. It hurts way more than in my other circles. We're all supposed to be love and trust, right? How does that work if the men in particular dominate all the conversations, dismiss women and their opinions or their needs or their contributions, and then natter on about the Goddess? Even in metaphoric terms, she's still female, and is represented in the women physically around you. That you are exploiting, dismissing, and dominating.<br />
<br />
The local community in Edmonton finds ANY criticism to be 'negative energy", and punishes those who bring it up, by censure and virtual excommunication. Thus ensuring that these toxic practices are doomed to continue, rather than be exposed, examined, and corrected. So many local witches and pagans have become 'solitary'; not because they wished it, but because they have felt harmed, endangered, unwelcome, exploited, or downright victimized, in both informal and formal manifestations of the community. I've heard many whispered stories that I'm not the only one. Since it's so incestuous, there is no recourse when such problems occur, and victims are then forced to explore their faith entirely on their own. Yes, there are always bad apples. Yes, no community is ever totally safe or warm and fuzzy. However, to deliberately not patrol oneself, ignore and punish those who point out problems or complain, and pretend instead there is a bubble of "light and love" around you and all you do is monumentally naive at best, and abusive at worst. The "Community" pillar of paganism demands improvement, as does the "Self" one. Neither of these are currently under serious scrutiny in Edmonton. Do we have to wait until all the local enablers of these kinds of behaviors die or move away? It does seem to be perpetuating itself, since this has been going on for decades now - and from what I saw this weekend, no end is in sight.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMUHfnm8vBIpOeROLvxky3L38HAS2ev2ZvOZRUPKkbg8wTuRrgvqscy-yKgZoJ2aZPEFxTYZB_ZqWEVVUooU8P1RsnXm7wvVzCibicxjUTNWj_c7VLIIUepuIAFra6CZW_aBf7zhPZOX9x/s1600/IMG_20150517_142735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMUHfnm8vBIpOeROLvxky3L38HAS2ev2ZvOZRUPKkbg8wTuRrgvqscy-yKgZoJ2aZPEFxTYZB_ZqWEVVUooU8P1RsnXm7wvVzCibicxjUTNWj_c7VLIIUepuIAFra6CZW_aBf7zhPZOX9x/s320/IMG_20150517_142735.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_re9wx5OJKGOKUTyoIOQ08ftmLhf6c2eSkS95MMClCWRgb4Si81x1xCILaFZQxt68KbYD7ITQelU16hOQV1PaojdqbGwJAiYEk4QgAaPxkXQF5gREL7LXlEaAqoA8z5PQMPNRQJ5IxbbK/s1600/IMG_20150517_142740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_re9wx5OJKGOKUTyoIOQ08ftmLhf6c2eSkS95MMClCWRgb4Si81x1xCILaFZQxt68KbYD7ITQelU16hOQV1PaojdqbGwJAiYEk4QgAaPxkXQF5gREL7LXlEaAqoA8z5PQMPNRQJ5IxbbK/s320/IMG_20150517_142740.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqLC-EgoRZetR-of4gLuqDRG7ywX1ZQ4eIRICYxbnoU2vwIRBKAtEw16kG0JSXvJPcalFvGDuUph-k8b1xFi6CVoE045PyqjYoIn7NPsB67LB_2Jm52jgal6lip2rTQI84jlRMRDBCtLgC/s1600/IMG_20150516_122551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqLC-EgoRZetR-of4gLuqDRG7ywX1ZQ4eIRICYxbnoU2vwIRBKAtEw16kG0JSXvJPcalFvGDuUph-k8b1xFi6CVoE045PyqjYoIn7NPsB67LB_2Jm52jgal6lip2rTQI84jlRMRDBCtLgC/s320/IMG_20150516_122551.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">70's chic? Or just a terrible place to have this. Sable and I agree on the latter. Number 12 bus, the only one to get there, is a bitch, too... And of course, no bike racks. Another blow to accessibility! Yay!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
As for the conference, there was much talk of this being the last Gaia Gathering. It has been misinterpreted as being no longer necessary for the Canadian community, but the real problem is not having local buy-in, one of the first issues I warned them about, and they clearly still haven't solved. To say it was sparsely attended would be generous. When I organize things like this, I get hundreds of folks showing up. And I expect as much from a "national conference." From accessibility issues: one awkward bus route and no bike racks, to *still* not having a viable local billeting option for most conventioneers, to the utterly awful decor and lack of refreshments for everyone, Sable and I had a long discussion about it on the Sunday, and we were largely on the same page about the problems of the conference. We agreed that it has always been a necessity, and need it to continue in some proper form. I personally can't decide if I want this version to pass away, and revive the idea in a few years, or make yet another attempt to help them solve these problems so that we have continuity. We really do need this to help create and maintain communities, scholarship, and legitimacy all over the country. I rather hope they can finally start making this a more robust event, but since I have yet to see those results after ten years, my expectations for change in this, too, are also dim...</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15626580781769379881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560032271749992180.post-81197850506342560302015-04-13T09:21:00.001-06:002015-06-05T17:26:10.785-06:00Provincial Campaign 2015 - Alberta Greens<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFJy0cCO0JLaWO9OLiEEF3rS6oCFtQW0ZieV9U9Bvo2PGJeKTRMGG9-vB0vmHYwlmsGkHfIPcBYR_jJ1IbFlOK9kae-0Yd986qePJw7BaA1gynhuQXLCsicfCupCeiwWgYm-yq4dLs5nGb/s1600/10257739_10152714038452791_3103975883602138839_o+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFJy0cCO0JLaWO9OLiEEF3rS6oCFtQW0ZieV9U9Bvo2PGJeKTRMGG9-vB0vmHYwlmsGkHfIPcBYR_jJ1IbFlOK9kae-0Yd986qePJw7BaA1gynhuQXLCsicfCupCeiwWgYm-yq4dLs5nGb/s1600/10257739_10152714038452791_3103975883602138839_o+(2).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Sat., April 11</h2>
<br />
Another whirlwind tour! Although provincial elections are rarely as lively as federal, this one started off with a bang. I was asked by long time activist and vital member of the community, David Laing, to lead off the #ActOnClimate Edmonton action. About two days before. Heh. I actually really like working like this. Gives me less time to get nervous... <br />
<br />
I go into far more detail on my blog post on the subject "<a href="http://gifts-of-nature.blogspot.ca/2011/02/sixthseventh-major-mass-extinction-or.html" target="_blank">Why I became a Green</a>", and I left out so much, of course. Such as why the current cries, and some blame, for scientists to activate now, and not in the past. As if to illustrate my points, a sudden wind burst up, knocking everything around. You should see the giant bruises on the back of my legs from where one of the signs hit me... Ah. All for the cause. Made some great new contacts, too!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/2zczNIXTQy4/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/2zczNIXTQy4?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
My entire speech is here. Taping makes it sound better... Did I really talk for 11 minutes? I usually make these so short. But this one - this subject really screams at me.<br />
<br />
This year I'm standing for Edmonton Decore. I have stood for it once before, since it's adjacent to the provincial riding I live in, and still in my federal riding. However, the Alberta Greens have decided not to challenge the progressives who have already worked hard to make it to the Legislature and we are not running candidates in their ridings. Instead, we are focusing our message in places that do not yet have such a voice. So Brian Mason, the former leader of the ND's, who currently represents the riding I live in, can thank me for not throwing down the gauntlet. You're welcome. (Because he's soooo worried. Heh.)<br />
<br />
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Mon. April 13</h2>
Taking my campaign manager along to teach him the process. Getting signatures all afternoon and evening to get on the ballot. His very first encounter was greeted by a sit down invite with loads of sweets by a traditional hospitality senior Greek couple. It was certainly one of the most welcoming I've ever encountered doing this part of the work. Another unexpected surprise was Ann the Poetess, who we met in the food court of Northgate. She gave us a spoken word recitation of two of her works, but not her signature, since she doesn't live in the riding. Part of this job is the folks you meet.<br />
<br />
And a quick word to Northgate Mall: it's actually illegal, as well as dickish, to prevent folks from getting signatures for Elections Alberta to get on the ballot. It's not partisan: it's providing electoral choice. It's not advertising; it's democracy. The returning office is actually IN your mall! I know you relented and let us do it for one night, but you still can't do that. You do not get to decide who gets on the ballot, by making it harder to get someone on. Here's a tip: you also aren't allowed to prevent campaign literature from getting to renters in buildings that you own, either. Just because you hold the space does not permit you to interfere with the election process. That's a Real Thing. And I will make a formal complaint next time.<br />
<br />
<br />
And my face is burnt. Even with my rare, and now apparently collectible, hunter green Tilley.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Sat. April 18</h2>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Anti Bill C-51 Rally</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiziUqKnb6JzFBX9W-sb969s4s1pkTvl0n7VYlWZP_XEP2YDjquMbyIyYB0aYegRXhOddorWRotZkYLjPc_7CllSqi-audQpDFEsYH6wbsrdxBM-GplFgA8ANbPNcmTZM9BHeGH036QerZR/s1600/11037892_10152801260007997_3851824367652073524_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiziUqKnb6JzFBX9W-sb969s4s1pkTvl0n7VYlWZP_XEP2YDjquMbyIyYB0aYegRXhOddorWRotZkYLjPc_7CllSqi-audQpDFEsYH6wbsrdxBM-GplFgA8ANbPNcmTZM9BHeGH036QerZR/s1600/11037892_10152801260007997_3851824367652073524_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div>
More <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10153141883307367.1073741832.17608942366&type=3" target="_blank">Pics here:</a><br />
<br />
Opening up the Week to Stop Bill C-51, this was a cross country wide co-ordination, with nearly all major cities in Canada organizing a protest. Ours had many of the usual suspects, with some new faces. And many came in satirical outfits to highlight the grim and farcical attempt at painting all activists: environmentalists, aboriginal, social... with one brush - that of terrorists. Much like our neighbours to the south, this is our Patriot Act, except that a few mentally ill murderers are not the same as fighters with a political agenda constantly maiming and killing civilian populations to control the dialog. It kinda ain't. Not even a little bit. Dissent is not terror, and the only people who call it that are those who won't tolerate dissent. Especially if our government is supposed to be listening to us, and doing what *we* tell it? If they shut down all ability to hear us, then who, exactly, are they listening to?<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/pIHbrdUZM1Y/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pIHbrdUZM1Y?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Come for the impassioned and knowledgeable presentations and costumes; stay for the march! From speakers on Aboriginal rights to Palestinian justice to workers rights, all of which would be targeted by this Bill, we were gloriously inspired by spokespeople from many varied, yet always intersectional, causes. Included were Native Elder Taz Bouchier who opened with ceremony, the always popular Raging Grannies, my favourite Communist candidate <a aria-describedby="js_k" aria-haspopup="true" aria-owns="js_j" class="taggee" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/hovercard.php?id=100002560925633&type=mediatag&media_info=6.10153141866672367" data-tag="100002560925633" href="https://www.facebook.com/peggy.morton.58" id="js_l" style="background-color: white; cursor: pointer; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;">Peggy Morton</a>, <span class="fbPhotoTagListTag tagItem" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><a class="taggee" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/hovercard.php?id=1521687991&type=mediatag&media_info=6.10153141866562367" data-tag="1521687991" href="https://www.facebook.com/dale.ladouceur" style="cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">Dale Ladouceur</a>,</span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList" style="background-color: white; display: inline; line-height: 18px;"><span class="fcg"> <span class="fbPhotoTagListTag tagItem"><a aria-describedby="js_n" aria-haspopup="true" aria-owns="js_m" class="textTagHovercardLink taggee" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/hovercard.php?id=10153143592682367&type=mediatag&media_info=6.10153141866422367" data-tag="10153143592682367" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="js_o" style="cursor: pointer;">Glynis Lieb from CUPE, </a></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="fbPhotoTagListTag tagItem" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><a aria-describedby="js_q" aria-haspopup="true" aria-owns="js_p" class="taggee" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/hovercard.php?id=100000439962488&type=mediatag&media_info=6.10153141866352367" data-tag="100000439962488" href="https://www.facebook.com/malcolm.azania" id="js_r" style="cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">Malcolm Azania</a> (aka Minster Faust), </span><span class="fbPhotoTagListTag tagItem" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><a aria-describedby="js_t" aria-haspopup="true" aria-owns="js_s" class="taggee" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/hovercard.php?id=702622342&type=mediatag&media_info=6.10153141866302367" data-tag="702622342" href="https://www.facebook.com/danika.littlechild" id="js_u" style="cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">Danika Billie Littlechild</a>, the beautiful and talented </span><span class="fbPhotoTagListTag tagItem" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><a aria-describedby="js_w" aria-haspopup="true" aria-owns="js_v" class="taggee" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/hovercard.php?id=586661135&type=mediatag&media_info=6.10153141866262367" data-tag="586661135" href="https://www.facebook.com/voodooking" id="js_x" style="cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">Bill Bourne</a>, </span><span class="fbPhotoTagListTag tagItem" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><a aria-describedby="js_z" aria-haspopup="true" aria-owns="js_y" class="taggee" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/hovercard.php?id=1128935402&type=mediatag&media_info=6.10153141865717367" data-tag="1128935402" href="https://www.facebook.com/ghada.ageel" id="js_10" style="cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">Ghada Ageel</a>, and many others brought their colours out in solidarity, like</span> Ecawar.org. <br /><br />I was pleasantly surprised by the organizers inclusion of women and PoC. Many times, lip service is given to hearing voices that are usually silenced, but this rally had some of the most diverse speakers I've ever had the pleasure to hear. Most were women, and nearly all were PoC. Not a white man haranguing us in the bunch. Except the host, and he kept the focus on the guests. I for one was impressed, and would like to extend kudos to the organizers. It's more than past time that we made a place for those who to often have to squeeze their way in.<br /><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">One of the most awe inspiring presentations was by <a aria-describedby="js_11" aria-haspopup="true" aria-owns="js_10" class="profileLink" data-ft="{"tn":"l"}" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=513187954&extragetparams=%7B%22directed_target_id%22%3A1588801578034260%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/jjbroomfield" id="js_12" style="cursor: pointer; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.38; text-decoration: none;">Jenna Joyce Broomfield</a><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">, a law student and native activist who explained some of the most problematic parts of the law, and then proceeded to give us a demonstration of one of the many forms of self-expression</span><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">: Inuit throat singing.</span><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"> Subversive!</span><br />(I found to my shock that I did not, in fact, get this on video. So I'm using a link that <a class=" yt-uix-sessionlink spf-link g-hovercard" data-name="" data-sessionlink="ei=k09AVYTsL5WKuAKXmoCIDg" data-ytid="UCJILsVonoiLWzY1iSpy-QdQ" href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJILsVonoiLWzY1iSpy-QdQ" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; height: 22px; line-height: 13px; margin: 0px; max-width: 315px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; text-overflow: ellipsis; vertical-align: top; white-space: nowrap;">Paula E. Kirman</a> posted to FB from her channel. Let me know if you want me to remove the link, Paula!) </span></span><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1588801578034260/" target="_blank">See all of the presentations posted here:</a></div>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Sunday, April 19</span></h2>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Blue dot action at EGS<br /><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Met up with some of the lovely folks at Earth's General Store, and stayed for a few hours. They even remembered me from my climate change speech last week! I'm totally flattered... Went into more detail about the issues, handed out a few cards, but there were no babies to shake or hands to kiss. Or is that other way around? Good thing there weren't any then! Had a lovely chat with </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">Estefania Cortes-Vargas, ND candidate for </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">Strathcona-Sherwood Park. We discussed at some length the current problem of the ND's shifting to a non-cooperative and adversarial model, and how that affects the Left as well as their own policies. A truly progressive young woman, who I hope to work and get better acquainted with! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
</h3>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
</h3>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
April 20 & 21</h2>
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Doorknocking with the Leader, and our Crew</h3>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiOnCLv2fjpdlNPRKJLjIbSOlN4MIeLaYTqb00U-jiyq4ektfBh5eIslvl88DXAmIM_HB8Fp-fkvQs4R1O616zbAWCzdmxhqV8mr7uqf-m8ZkALvdqBQ3ZAMEaVDjuby2xdl4tffrbM5p8/s1600/IMG_20150420_185742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiOnCLv2fjpdlNPRKJLjIbSOlN4MIeLaYTqb00U-jiyq4ektfBh5eIslvl88DXAmIM_HB8Fp-fkvQs4R1O616zbAWCzdmxhqV8mr7uqf-m8ZkALvdqBQ3ZAMEaVDjuby2xdl4tffrbM5p8/s1600/IMG_20150420_185742.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, and your Green Party candidate for Edmonton-Riverview, Sandra Wolf Lange!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Janet Keeping, our indomitable Leader, managed to make it up to Edmonton with her team for two days this week. We spend the evenings doorknocking in two ridings with fellow candidates. I was privileged to spend some quality face time both days, as well as show off my riding.<br />
<br />
Monday night we paired off in teams and hit Edmonton-Riverview and Edmonton-Whitemud with a vengeance. In part because I forgot it was 4/20. That will tell you how much campaigning makes you completely lose track of everything else. Should've been there for the spinning alone... Tuesday we were in Edmonton Decore, right beside Northgate Mall. Met one of the ND volunteers hitting the streets, too. Lovely young man! They have such great people! I wish they would let them talk to us...<br />
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_pllaxPTCAypCBYaknSf432TTQK3Jd1v49LdZ4nyQi3JjiWq3ylW-VXutfJ2kU_Y5FTNha1KqT5_5dFDtlPJXz17TEbj85vpr5JBMTZy5R-0klkXLfC7GishOjD1-rJcqG6eni6LuuE1/s1600/IMG_20150420_215705.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_pllaxPTCAypCBYaknSf432TTQK3Jd1v49LdZ4nyQi3JjiWq3ylW-VXutfJ2kU_Y5FTNha1KqT5_5dFDtlPJXz17TEbj85vpr5JBMTZy5R-0klkXLfC7GishOjD1-rJcqG6eni6LuuE1/s1600/IMG_20150420_215705.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">A much deserved celebration! <strong style="background-color: white; color: #2b823e; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none;" title="Candidate. Click to see biography."><a href="http://greenpartyofalberta.ca/2013/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/kathrynjackson.pdf" style="background-color: white; color: #2b823e; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Kathryn Jackson</a>, </strong><strong style="background-color: white; color: #2b823e; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none;" title="Candidate. Click to see biography."><a href="http://greenpartyofalberta.ca/2013/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/sandrawolflange.pdf" style="background-color: white; color: #2b823e; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Sandra Wolf Lange</a>, </strong><strong style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none;" title="Candidate. Click to see biography."> me, my campaign manager, Francis Ho, Jill Browne, and our Leader and inspiration, </strong></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://greenpartyofalberta.ca/2013/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/janetkeeping.pdf" style="background-color: white; color: #2b823e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" title="Candidate. Click to see biography.">Janet Keeping</strong></a><strong style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: start;" title="Candidate. Click to see biography."> </strong></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Tuesday Afternoon, April 21</h2>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Shaw Interview</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguXVM1bv-hreeTeof-aKbBtf-YGgeX_xSKzP2qMoIhVfvVzEibxkf8Gx8bd7aELFzAtIxW-7fkBD2fKyrRLCvb_Lh1y2CsBLJ6ejTDA8JHZ97CmG0R1V8B646Yh-7kY2r_dhpzuq9RiYVp/s1600/IMAG0051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguXVM1bv-hreeTeof-aKbBtf-YGgeX_xSKzP2qMoIhVfvVzEibxkf8Gx8bd7aELFzAtIxW-7fkBD2fKyrRLCvb_Lh1y2CsBLJ6ejTDA8JHZ97CmG0R1V8B646Yh-7kY2r_dhpzuq9RiYVp/s1600/IMAG0051.jpg" width="181" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Local cable isn't dead! At least, it's putting up a good fight.. Shaw invited all the candidates into the studio, in both Calgary and Edmonton, to present a 90 sec speech, which isn't easy to do when they suggest you talk about yourself, discuss taxes, and throw in a health care plan. A great plan for local relevancy, and I for one applaud their initiative. Most of the Greens managed to avail themselves of the invitation, and it took alot of polishes and practices before most of us felt comfy with the timing and the material. Yes, we write all our own speeches. I know for a fact that the Liberals have their own speechwriters, for the federal campaign anyway, even for tiny ridings, so I have little doubt that the other parties have a more..consistent.. message with actual writers. But since the Greens are all volunteer, being the only citizen's action party, we do it all ourselves. And you know, we are pretty damn good!<br />
<br />
I only found out the night before that they were using a green screen, so we couldn't wear green, black, or white. Due to my religious vows, I've only worn black and green for over 25 years, so that's all I have in my closet. Fortunately, my other colour is silver, so even though I thought it might seem frivolous, it was really my only option left. So in that spirit, I tried to get my daughter to lace me into my silver steampunk corset for the presentation, because if you can't hide it, you'd better decorate it! But she couldn't do it up, so I had to go with a silver shirt. My campaign manager thinks it was for the best. Sigh...<br />
<br />
I wrote my speech only a few hours earlier, because I always work to deadlines, and I just couldn't get inspired before. However, my 13 yo daughter said something that totally gave me my speech. She said, and I quote, "We're the heart of Canada's oil industry. Why is everyone getting cancer?" And that kinda did it for me. She gets it, even at her age, because that's it in a nutshell. I wrote furiously, for about an hour, and it all came together. Rearranging it was tough, though, since I didn't have time to copy it out, so with taking out the bits that were too long, and trying to point to where I was supposed to go next, it was an editor's nightmare.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhKmX1jbltmAzLhF0vCekx_rBik9SChlpcXfLPNIfGz8rshruPrTRONN3-j91ohHUsT63ZxQLgqXbaPwka5ImEAcy1DuXouolWhi8wwo0Hr_CxlOcyAT1tNQhzkILdq-6ZbD1UyNcyGVGO/s1600/IMAG0046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhKmX1jbltmAzLhF0vCekx_rBik9SChlpcXfLPNIfGz8rshruPrTRONN3-j91ohHUsT63ZxQLgqXbaPwka5ImEAcy1DuXouolWhi8wwo0Hr_CxlOcyAT1tNQhzkILdq-6ZbD1UyNcyGVGO/s1600/IMAG0046.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They had to check to see if my green hair would scan properly...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Which is kinda what did me in when I actually got there. Shaw is Hel and gone for me, so I had to cab it. I do that very rarely the rest of the year, but I have to rely more on it during a campaign. I and my campaign manager can get everywhere in the riding by bike or bus, as we otherwise do, but some events are simply not doable in a reasonable time frame without utilizing cabs. I think of it as stimulating the local economy! But it does make for some stress, so I was a bit freaked out by the time I got there. And I actually can get terrible stage fright, though you'd never know. That's why they call me "professional"... Heh.<br />
<br />
So, after being lead in, and ushered and maneuvered around by the lovely staff, I was set up to go. I took a deep breath, and managed about half the speech, when my edits caught up with me. I got lost. Could not figure out where I was supposed to be going next. Like the trouper I am, though, I had already practiced it earlier, and I actually do know my material and what I want to say, so I just vamped my way through it. I may have been a blunter than I would have otherwise, but I was just under time, and got in most everything I was planning on saying anyway. And the staff looked stunned. Even my campaign manager thought that was some of my best work. Apparently, we could have another take, so I suggested I try doing the speech I had originally intended, but they strongly encouraged me to keep that one. So I abide by their advice, and we kept that. (Original speech and how it actually went is<a href="http://gifts-of-nature.blogspot.ca/2015/06/speech-for-shaw-original-transcript-vs.html" target="_blank"> here.</a>)<br /><br />
Profiles of the candidates are available up to election day, and the schedule is posted on my website, my FB page, and I'm assuming, Shaw's, but I didn't check. And if anyone could record it for me, I'd really love a copy. Because I have almost no idea what I said. I mean, I know what I said, but you know... And Shaw has for some reason decided that they aren't going up on YouTube or their site, so I'm kinda outta luck, unless they relent and allow me to have a copy after the election. Because, I kinda rocked. Or, I think I did... Isn't that the same thing? Heh.<br />
<br />
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Wed, April 22</h2>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
</h3>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Candidates Public Forum on Education: Crestwood Community League</h3>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<br /><br />The Future of our Public Schools and School Closures, sponsored by Community Action for School Renewal</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxZy_2N0X5DOBwJ1agesTTcmEIra8WTpX2LcBGxLaNn5zT1wlysdIgOhdDyZMOB0vIlziSPR11fBsnUZEMzbZ6ididrc61Zc8_4vcH6lrotify5-Fm8IVs16mhESDWCbg6XivepQTxMxHj/s1600/11174307_883257071715708_8307006371487939268_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxZy_2N0X5DOBwJ1agesTTcmEIra8WTpX2LcBGxLaNn5zT1wlysdIgOhdDyZMOB0vIlziSPR11fBsnUZEMzbZ6ididrc61Zc8_4vcH6lrotify5-Fm8IVs16mhESDWCbg6XivepQTxMxHj/s1600/11174307_883257071715708_8307006371487939268_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me in the new T shirt design!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Supposedly an all-candidates forum: but just like the one on education held in Calgary, the PC and the WildRose chose not to attend. Or even send an excuse, I think... Much note was made of it, since it was the only one of its kind this election held in Edmonton. Despite that, however, a highly useful and productive evening was spent by all. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.883256291715786.1073741828.159918537382902&type=1" target="_blank">FB listing is here, with more details</a> and pics.<br />
<br />
For my full answers to all the questions, check out my <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbziv2anR9gNlv1-xMughtQ" target="_blank">Youtube channel</a>!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Actually in attendance were two Alberta Party candidates, two NDP candidates, one Liberal, and me, representing the Greens. My answers are on my Youtube channel. Thanks to my campaign manager for taking them! The MC announced that they would be livetweeting the answers, which put on a bit more pressure. However, I only looked at them afterwards, and was very impressed that someone could manage to summarize our answers so well and so quickly. I didn't quite know I was so well received until after the event, when so many participants came up to me to offer congratulations, and I looked over the tweets the next day. They do make me look pretty darn good! It's nice to have the pat on the back every once and awhile. We really work hard for this... See them all yourself, with the hashtag #casrforum </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I was very impressed with Dr. Donna Wilson, Liberal candidate for Riverview. She was clear and focused, with great answers and a real knowledge of the subject. As a prof, she could also speak to post secondary as well.Great stats! I could only really disagree on the Liberal party line of keeping government out of the schools. Well, no. That's kinda what government is *for*: collecting taxes and providing education. When we have decided on a system of public education, that's one of the things governance is for. <br />
<br />
The male Alberta party candidate, Brandon Beringer, standing for Riverview, the only boy on the panel, held himself fairly well for his first election. He was a bit flippant, and didn't know his material much, but he kept to his script, which is what he's supposed to do, I guess. I have no clue why he thinks that the Alberta Party policy of *borrowing* to get out of our financial mess, instead of just collecting a more appropriate amount of tax from the rich and corporations getting wealthy off OUR resources, is somehow a better plan. You know we have some of the lowest royalties on the planet, right? And borrowing puts us in *debt*? Really. Those oil companies aren't going anywhere. They could just pay their fair share. I couldn't stop staring at Dr. Christina Stasia, the female Alberta party candidate for Goldbar. The work that goes into looking like she is literally off a Mad Men set was impressive. And a bit stunning. However, she was also clear, with a lovely speaking voice, and totally knew her subject matter. I felt like I had to up my game with this crowd.. Which isn't a bad thing. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The two NDP were right beside me. And barely looked at me the entire time. I will admit - I was very disappointed in them. As a former hard core NDP, I must say that this new route of hostility, rather than co-operation, does not suit them at all. One at least gave me the time of day, then proceeded to ignore me, but Sarah Hoffman, for Glenora, was a wall of rude. Although I admit I didn't get most of that until *after* I mildly satirized her idol worship of Notley. But really. Do the NDP think we are that stupid? Or was that just her? I know they have been instructed to say "Rachel Notley and the NDP" whenever they breathe, but she was giving the impression that Notley herself was going to build all those schools personally. She said it so often that the kids were considering making a drinking game of it. I'm glad they can't legally use alcohol yet. They'd have died from the poisoning. I personally found it deeply embarrassing and shameless, and shades of Ralph's Team and the PC Cult of Personality, were hanging over us all. Everyone who spoke to me afterward felt the same way. I couldn't help but get a little bit angry over it. None of us mentioned our leaders. Mine in particular is an inspiration as a spokesperson, but she's not the Be All and End All of all the candidates and our platform... I did have a chance to sneak a peek at their notes, cheat sheets, and talking points. (Which we don't have, by the way. Just our policies.) I saw an actual chart comparing Prentice to Rachel, him all bad and her all good. It was eye opening - the push to manipulate, and in such a simplistic fashion. I almost got a picture of it with my phone. The candidate was rather indiscreet with such party secrets. You know we don't vote for a premier, right, Rachel? And encouraging use of your first name to promote a false sense of intimacy, countering his use of last name to indicate authority, is a rather sleazy and manufactured tactic? The best part was the end, when we all wandered around and shook hands, giving each other sincere compliments on an evening well spent. Except for the NDP, who totally ignored me. Again. I don't know if they shook hands or spoke to any of the other candidates, but their bad form and general discourtesy was highly pointed. I don't know if that was just them, or if they are under orders to snub us. Because they most certainly did. Bad NDP. No cookie.<br />
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Feature in Diversity Magazine!</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8hoLbSxhW1LCJ9kAhB2AxbdA2wX9v7-Qn-r9eyVY6nuotOYl71u1MmPcDzxOfb1rBbrAR0UC1vU2V1CSg9lR_udGJRk3MSMTnSFCMS2E6fj5_a9zX_huCXtsZC5d3gvGenlw2AiC76cHT/s1600/Janet+and+me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8hoLbSxhW1LCJ9kAhB2AxbdA2wX9v7-Qn-r9eyVY6nuotOYl71u1MmPcDzxOfb1rBbrAR0UC1vU2V1CSg9lR_udGJRk3MSMTnSFCMS2E6fj5_a9zX_huCXtsZC5d3gvGenlw2AiC76cHT/s1600/Janet+and+me.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leader Janet Keeping, Sandra Wolf Lange, and me hamming it up. We have such fun in all the hard work...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br />
Also while Janet was in town, we had a photo shoot at Diversity Magazine! See the full article <a href="http://www.diversitymag.ca/trey-capnerhurst/" target="_blank">here</a>...Big thanks to editor Franklin, the Green Crusader, for the invite!<br />
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Sunday, April 26</h2>
<h3>
Earth Day in the Downtown core</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVG7XvD2CQIKFvoztwwIkWEkpRIjhrjYe5p4P_fM-HVeGFizOY9StRfuj_yMUqqfrYc1PlygQnkfVI8inN-4K1qBo3AuLI0XIcLig_ftiXy5a2JBEtkoFu48SpG5ho_XMkZFfj-jIwFp8C/s1600/IMG_20150426_131311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVG7XvD2CQIKFvoztwwIkWEkpRIjhrjYe5p4P_fM-HVeGFizOY9StRfuj_yMUqqfrYc1PlygQnkfVI8inN-4K1qBo3AuLI0XIcLig_ftiXy5a2JBEtkoFu48SpG5ho_XMkZFfj-jIwFp8C/s1600/IMG_20150426_131311.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The martial arts Green contingent</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
</h3>
Of course, it is the must attend event of the day. My campaign manager and I meet another local Green, Chris Vallee, and hang out with the usual suspects. Garbaganza was in attendance, as was Greenpeace, Amnesty, Permaculture, local green hero Michael Kalmanovitch from Earth's General Store, and some new folks we said hi to. I was particularly impressed with the new vegan food truck! A great addition! We did our duty and dropped off some literature and buttons, which joined the federal swag on the table. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10153167079812367.1073741835.17608942366&type=3" target="_blank">More pics here.</a><br />
<br />
Then we spent the rest of the day, for some much needed R and R, at the Legislature grounds for ArtsJam: a very loosely organized group of flow artists, hoopers, musicians, and now, the martial arts group, of which I happen to have the honour of joining from time to time... </div>
</div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE2TgQNpMQiFWB6ufe-XYk_T8ySQ-hJMoYtBX99zuocdmvMhO4TQiI_KWusKslWSgmiktOdW-lMIZ9Chf8e4QmlfADbLuA1kD9GpUq6fVgIYT7gcRUBKEMri4AtjrJdDM9alifhiD4bzdj/s1600/IMG_20150426_161256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE2TgQNpMQiFWB6ufe-XYk_T8ySQ-hJMoYtBX99zuocdmvMhO4TQiI_KWusKslWSgmiktOdW-lMIZ9Chf8e4QmlfADbLuA1kD9GpUq6fVgIYT7gcRUBKEMri4AtjrJdDM9alifhiD4bzdj/s1600/IMG_20150426_161256.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sword training and one of our dapperest attendees</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqslC-_Qp6otZeGfY_nf0rt5kG3m6v0re2Po_dm0ilVEDQcJSi963SkDOZHrFw4YdpXcwfo_sx59vJR3j70xK5nAGBp0PIkCBFhUMwdbx__q84bzxD98Y_i8hhXdk5le6NqgEiiBB7SGKM/s1600/IMG_20150426_145442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqslC-_Qp6otZeGfY_nf0rt5kG3m6v0re2Po_dm0ilVEDQcJSi963SkDOZHrFw4YdpXcwfo_sx59vJR3j70xK5nAGBp0PIkCBFhUMwdbx__q84bzxD98Y_i8hhXdk5le6NqgEiiBB7SGKM/s1600/IMG_20150426_145442.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hoopers and jugglers and drummers: oh, my!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsQXyVNchVHzi-t3UbepGLbtQsg7EXr1NkMJdP2gAr8sjqNCKbAB7RqorTcEbb2zY9PPTBHpm07IBvTn0T56nePQE00-LVSXgNCpE1r1TWLqNOUglFIdf5_MYqm82sZeNI7qPIGFLm6q85/s1600/IMG_20150426_154348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsQXyVNchVHzi-t3UbepGLbtQsg7EXr1NkMJdP2gAr8sjqNCKbAB7RqorTcEbb2zY9PPTBHpm07IBvTn0T56nePQE00-LVSXgNCpE1r1TWLqNOUglFIdf5_MYqm82sZeNI7qPIGFLm6q85/s1600/IMG_20150426_154348.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hand to hand, because we didn't bring enough weapons...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
</h2>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
April 29</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Pack the Chambers</h3>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQaX-RQcmb3Jieh6DrbEeg4FC0ZfjwWFqtK6vUMcD32caXdQp4FxPaCFYAaj_cNPIr7qralKGY0wFF3MmgY0tmE5CIDZ7sH14ZpZkvghfOrmNLz-Sj-Q7x4ryDKn51Cbb-m5BiscaluIMK/s1600/IMG_20150429_095016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQaX-RQcmb3Jieh6DrbEeg4FC0ZfjwWFqtK6vUMcD32caXdQp4FxPaCFYAaj_cNPIr7qralKGY0wFF3MmgY0tmE5CIDZ7sH14ZpZkvghfOrmNLz-Sj-Q7x4ryDKn51Cbb-m5BiscaluIMK/s1600/IMG_20150429_095016.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Livetweeting selfie! Sandra Wolf Lange, your Green candidate for Edmonton Riverview, and me!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br />
A call to action! The Edmonton City Council was meeting to discuss the motion to reduce our carbon footprint, for the *very* realistic goal of 35% reduction by 2025, and the Greens, and green minded citizens, came out in a show of support. It was just an ordinary business meeting, which happens fairly often, but in this case, we were to bare witness and demonstrate how much we cared about this plan. Several of us livetweeted, including me, and you can see most of them on the<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/364121940450483/" target="_blank"> FB event.</a> Our mayor, Don Ivason, is a popular progressive, and even mentioned climate change! And so near to the tarsands, too... And not a single job was lost. He did, however, chastise us for not 'sitting respectfully in silence" when we made sedate polite applause over one Councillor's remarks about an hour into the meeting. You know, you ARE facing us in a semi-circle. You are OUR employees, doing work for us. That's a democracy thing. I'm not sure admonishing us like bad children to 'sitting respectfully in silence' is the best way to address us. One attendee went so far as to call it an abuse of power. I probably wouldn't say that, but it wasn't cool, Don..</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgalRVf-2IU7_vcGSCQhxj64udDjD9JlBWxgFQtfNBJjoW-WQX2H9UNlcZVZ6SDoT3ANSBmTruACtm9vHConyD0XPgvlqZ0C_EIQiDTvCmZGX5JJQolRAhOSpj43yGNO4RQ_i9QNlJOV5J1/s1600/IMG_20150429_093050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgalRVf-2IU7_vcGSCQhxj64udDjD9JlBWxgFQtfNBJjoW-WQX2H9UNlcZVZ6SDoT3ANSBmTruACtm9vHConyD0XPgvlqZ0C_EIQiDTvCmZGX5JJQolRAhOSpj43yGNO4RQ_i9QNlJOV5J1/s1600/IMG_20150429_093050.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greenies in the house!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU1g2nUC9eGH8rlCc0MPnLVAXlRzmJNK0nrKo-CyVuxX3BkZ2ReyrwloiAZx_j-QWs22cb_2eLGyrSimQC7uaABsGMwQFyNzaXF-Lb_EaSLIqtbMsQLjYaCSNvtyLWEEpz8R1US57F8trn/s1600/IMG_20150429_093444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU1g2nUC9eGH8rlCc0MPnLVAXlRzmJNK0nrKo-CyVuxX3BkZ2ReyrwloiAZx_j-QWs22cb_2eLGyrSimQC7uaABsGMwQFyNzaXF-Lb_EaSLIqtbMsQLjYaCSNvtyLWEEpz8R1US57F8trn/s1600/IMG_20150429_093444.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, we really do the less glamourous stuff, too, to get the job done.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
</h2>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
</h2>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAezZ1CvdCn2_03dbKdFV1lwAkOEQKPwL2lOMymWMSoLZSA3yqR5unE2AA0i84M4slfn5sieIFxxUO83wzV-KE_p5Z67ErV3SbOKO8Ja6Xt9Fej-rydINjBjdnooMGjcplVHCVrGsIA0qj/s1600/IMG_20150429_112727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAezZ1CvdCn2_03dbKdFV1lwAkOEQKPwL2lOMymWMSoLZSA3yqR5unE2AA0i84M4slfn5sieIFxxUO83wzV-KE_p5Z67ErV3SbOKO8Ja6Xt9Fej-rydINjBjdnooMGjcplVHCVrGsIA0qj/s1600/IMG_20150429_112727.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saw a sound check for a really good musician on the way out. Oooo...looked fancy! I wonder what was going on here...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
</h2>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
</h2>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
</h2>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
<br /> </h2>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
</h2>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
<br /><br />May 1</h2>
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
May Day Worker's Rally and March</h3>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu6MyZyPKVHVhsGv-8LLcQ1iWJqxhQRAYS4oOaUht106xAqOBzyZTLHIMCPXct1_dTr2UrKcVUClDNpA9LYoKESjDWzFjfs6ck6Gqw0QJQTDWtgll6J1jMqQTmf3s-h5iLbR_JwZZz5fC7/s1600/10660338_10152754535387791_4175728488369040398_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu6MyZyPKVHVhsGv-8LLcQ1iWJqxhQRAYS4oOaUht106xAqOBzyZTLHIMCPXct1_dTr2UrKcVUClDNpA9LYoKESjDWzFjfs6ck6Gqw0QJQTDWtgll6J1jMqQTmf3s-h5iLbR_JwZZz5fC7/s1600/10660338_10152754535387791_4175728488369040398_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The worker's / united / will never be defeated!<br />
I'm all scary when I'm in Fight mode..</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
We started off at the Legislature. Speakers went on for about 45 min, but mysteriously, the clarion at the Ledge continued for about 10 minutes during it all, making it very hard to hear the speakers. I have honestly never, ever heard those bells go on for quite so long. I'm not gonna say someone did it deliberately, but...<br />
<br />
Much hedging around for the political Labour talk, and election was obliquely referred to, but no one was crass enough to really promote the orange party, and they were not predominantly in attendance. I for one found it refreshingly tasteful, and also did not shove my literature at anyone. And yet, not one of the speakers insisted that everyone just out to VOTE, DAMMIT! I hung out with Janis Irwin, federal NDP candidate for my usual riding of now Edmonton Griesbach. We really wanted to start the chant of Vote, Vote, Vote! but we were both too shy to interrupt the proceedings with such a political agenda. Even though a damn election and the workers should speak up with their vote! Grumble, grumble... Even though somehow we've never actually met before, we have both followed each other for awhile and made a great connection. We vowed to hang out in future and the possibly of ...gasp...co-operation is a very distinct possibility. Hush.<br />
<br />
The march was one of the longest I've been in for awhile, and we ended up at Grant Notley park. Nope. No political statements there.. Heh. We didn't get permission to march, but the organizers informed the cops of our route, so there was a police escort, and we were encouraged to take over Jasper Ave! Which we kinda did. It was exhilarating! I know some folks may have had their travel interrupted, and often will whine over that, but I tells ya: your human rights are way more important, and exercising them is sometimes inconvenient for others. At least we weren't in Quebec, where they were tear gassed for the very same action. So, we get to count ourselves lucky...? Or do we have to fight harder for them?<br />
<br />
I usually celebrate Beltaine today, but instead, I headed out in solidarity. I will have to make it up my observances *after* the election, I guess. I certainly can't take much time for them now...<br />
<br />
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Sunday, May 3</h2>
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
North Glenora All Candidates Forum</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdz35RQ0FCayb249atjjROmR_XytJa841yYEjpap4F6kC-v48qMCWoIa8E9uwOk5QEyGU97BLr0jMkcCv43pSXDzQ3UJORU0C580vb0YeRgff8LZ-CGB8aJzN8WNWRAlHkVwvUzg6Om2s3/s1600/IMAG0066_BURST002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdz35RQ0FCayb249atjjROmR_XytJa841yYEjpap4F6kC-v48qMCWoIa8E9uwOk5QEyGU97BLr0jMkcCv43pSXDzQ3UJORU0C580vb0YeRgff8LZ-CGB8aJzN8WNWRAlHkVwvUzg6Om2s3/s1600/IMAG0066_BURST002.jpg" width="181" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKgmavRstlZhYLVH4d0Nbe1ca1H7x9-YRMHAyyvNrlTgkfjYpONSvRNYg3zPDdIik-ZUlkfqsAclvnNlw3tFDJQAT8Sly-pf_NVtVwW4dkOwxo8b_aQUwS-BBhkfV4fHHMQRKxXLGqrKpZ/s1600/IMAG0061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKgmavRstlZhYLVH4d0Nbe1ca1H7x9-YRMHAyyvNrlTgkfjYpONSvRNYg3zPDdIik-ZUlkfqsAclvnNlw3tFDJQAT8Sly-pf_NVtVwW4dkOwxo8b_aQUwS-BBhkfV4fHHMQRKxXLGqrKpZ/s1600/IMAG0061.jpg" width="181" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Well, okay. *First*, it was Artsjam, And although I am usually the one documenting, someone finally managed to sneak pics of me. Not with any of the weapons though. Just dancing and borrowing a robe for effect. My arms still ache from swinging at my campaign manager with the Ken-do staff, too...<br />
<br />
Then we were off to Glenora. I was filling in for David Parker, and holding up the Green banner for the riding. All parties chose to attend this one, and the format was like a quiz show, with random questions from the audience, names picked out of the bowl to answer, and one minute timed. They WILL take the mic from you in mid-sentence, btw... Fortunately, this is my sixth rodeo, so I was the only one they never had to do that to. Booyah. My answers are loading up on my Youtube channel, though not totally complete. It's hard to video when you don't know who's coming up next.<br />
<br />
As usual, I totally got on great with the Liberal candidate. I hadn't met Karen Sevcik for Glenora before, but it was her first campaign, and obviously her last forum for it, so she was a bit more experienced in them by now. She was delightful, and not yet had her sense of humour, and disgust, crushed under the weight of it all, so we tried hard not to look appalled at the PC incumbent's Orwellian take on education funding and taxation. Sarah Hoffman of the NDP was there again, and really gives the impression that she doesn't like me. One remark satirizing her idolatry of Notley in a forum and a girl can't get a break... Heh. The first thing out of her mouth when she noticed me was "Oh, are you in the audience this time?" I have no clue why she would think that, esp. dressed all in my Greens, but I assured her I was on the panel with her. As a real, live candidate. I wasn't even snarky about it! After her brag about how many forums she's been in so far this campaign (I've still been in far more in my six times running, but who's counting?), she again dismissed me. I love working with professionals... At least this time she shook my hand afterward.<br />
<br />
The Wildrose candidate sitting to my left, Don Koziak, had run lots of times himself, for city council and other seats, but he still shook like a leaf and looked like he was gonna puke. And he almost couldn't finish one minute for each question. I kinda felt sorry for him. But this is part of the job, and if I may recommend, you are not good at this at all. You may want to consider another way of participating in the democratic system. Oration in front of crowds is not your bag. The PC incumbent, Heather Klimchuk, flailed around like she was desperate to keep her job, but like an employee in a bad performance review, not enough to be honest about mistakes or blame. Just "how I'll do better!" Many found it rather distasteful.<br />
<br />
And with that, and a few more blog posts, we reach the end of one of the hardest campaigns I have ever done. With the new change looming and the complete shut out of the media on the Greens, it also seems like this one will see the least returns. But we are building a party here, and more hope for the future. And rest assured, a conscience and alternative for the NDP. So keep that in mind, oranges. What you did this time, we can do next, if you don't keep your people happy. And do something about that appalling environmental record, switch our jobs and our industry green, clean up our air and water, and make us world leaders again. Properly and sustainably this time. Or your votes are ours.<br />
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Election Night after party</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju-OsQRNrGMmuqF_t8VK1pwBnj5YEs6B_OovFPOsUTV-ohU_-_srUt9Uais6oSuSV8XLSUO6YJcMMyhEyLynvABan4XqH-VvDDINKOtCEoN4y_CigVa-l8v5qqUh61LkKCMrmcM1ZFWp7L/s1600/IMG_20150505_202851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju-OsQRNrGMmuqF_t8VK1pwBnj5YEs6B_OovFPOsUTV-ohU_-_srUt9Uais6oSuSV8XLSUO6YJcMMyhEyLynvABan4XqH-VvDDINKOtCEoN4y_CigVa-l8v5qqUh61LkKCMrmcM1ZFWp7L/s320/IMG_20150505_202851.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;">Greenies hang out at vegan eat and drinkery Arcadia on 124th St. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15626580781769379881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560032271749992180.post-81969462813843322292014-04-04T10:21:00.000-06:002014-04-05T12:36:39.337-06:00Some Differences in Priestesses and Witches - Personal Transformations<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-ved="0CAUQjRw" href="http://www.google.ca/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&docid=rNuGUaIz7whmsM&tbnid=ON-qhK3WbUxTwM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.artwallpapers.org%2Fpaintings%2FFrank-Bernard-Dicksee-Art%2Fimagepages%2Fimage2.htm&ei=690-U5PYIMzIsATZ8YK4Ag&bvm=bv.64125504,d.aWc&psig=AFQjCNF2c1Wd8QteSWf6rhZkyYDFwtdONA&ust=1396715344555862" id="irc_mil" style="border: 0px currentColor; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img class="irc_mut" src="http://www.artwallpapers.org/paintings/Frank-Bernard-Dicksee-Art/images/frank%20bernard%20dicksee%20belle%20dame%20sans%20merci.jpg" height="393" id="irc_mi" sb_id="ms__id2180" style="margin-top: 0px;" width="503" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">La Belle Dame sans Merci</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I am Renounced. I am no longer a Priestess, though I am still a witch, and possibly still an abbess. It's a disconcerting and enlightening sensation, replete with relief and disappointment. I have been Dedicated for two decades, and had forgotten what it was like not to be constantly connected with Deity. Since becoming Renounciate, however, the change in perception has been so quick and profound that I feel more qualified to speak on the difference in roles, abilities, and experiences of each.<br />
<br />
Being a witch and being a priestess are manifestly not the same thing, though many of the current crop of books imply otherwise. A priestess is a conduit of Deity in the world, and can be from any tradition or set of practices, including wizardary. Invoking Deity during a ceremony, feeling Her move you occasionally or hearing Her is a completely different experience from dedicating yourself to a manifestation of the Universe. It is a contract; a Covenant between you and the Deity, where you are both matched and agree to it. You may hear the Call, but your deity must also take you on... Your inner Divine slowly, or sometimes radically, creates a constant communication with the outer Divine, learning from it, hearing it, and aligning yourself with it. You also represent Deity on earth, and channel that into spellwork and ceremony. Eventually, as you practice and feel the Calling, you take on aspects of the Deity, which manifest in your daily life. It greatly increases your abilities, sometimes even giving you new ones, since they are automatically Divinely channelled. As you become more aware of the bigger picture, and your mind is expanded to encompass it, you envision better your place in the Universe, and what you need to do to achieve it. Priestessing therefore touches Destiny, and you are filled with Purpose, and the passion for it. When you are an accomplished priestess, you are always in contact with Deity. Everyone talks to themselves, but priestesses sense the echo that their words, thoughts, feelings, and wishes are heard directly by Deity. In a way, they are always praying.<br />
<br />
In our relatively safe Western world, we forget that many of these paths are actually dangerous, so therefore the tests can be as well. Not all Shamans or priests make it through their Initiations and Trials with whole skins or minds intact. It sometimes isn't simply a case of passing a sword over someone's head or anointing. It can involve passages to other worlds, links with other hearts and minds, and can threaten one's very physicality. Because that's what the job can sometimes entail and it can be pretty tough. Especially for priestesses, who are the Deity's representatives, doing Her work in the physical realm. <br />
<br />
Priestesses and witches both have Initiations. Like most spiritual or mystical beginnings, they can be extremely similar or even simultaneous, often confused with each other. Both also share the concept of Trials, where major changes in life circumstances or spirituality are marked with an ordeal. In the case of priestesses, however, it isn't merely the inner self or circumstances and how one reacts that denotes the Initiation or Trial and its success or failure: it is the intervention and channelling of Deity itself that, if not creates the circumstance, then at least does the judging. Passing means that entirely new paths, powers, or perceptions open up. Think leveling. Failure in a Trial as a witch can mean that no movement into a particular new life path is possible for a time, perhaps ever. Failure for a priestess can mean much the same. However, it can have graver consequences. It can result in penance, with the promise of further chances to rectify, or punishment, or in the loss of favour from Deity entirely.<br />
<br />
The latter such was my case recently. My Goddess has only benevolent aspects, so my Trial was, if you will, subcontracted out to another, less merciful manifestation of Spirit. Or simply not interfered with as another borrowed me for Her own purposes, which works out the same. I was <em>geas</em>ed with a task last October. Rather like a command function, it is a fundamental set of instructions that overrides any other code, to the exclusion of all other orders. It overwhelmed every part of my mind and body - the strongest Sending I have ever received in my life. Therefore, I never questioned its authenticity or imperative. Though seemingly simple, it was made clear that my entire future depended on its execution. However, since it conflicted with other self-imposed restrictions and needs, the task became more complex and harder to complete. The sacrifices became greater and, though I was willing to pay them, came with fewer results. I burnt everything - my sense of self, my defences, my university work, my ties to my family and home - none were worthy of acceptance. Uncompleted, though still running, for months the <em>geas</em> drove me mad. Ironically, I have never worked so hard at my spirituality in my life. Every single night without fail, for months I lit my candles and concentrated for hours. Spells, prayers, meditation, writing hundreds of pages, fasting, altering my biochemstry to dull the pain and make me functional... I prayed for mercy, and tried everything to break the <em>geas</em> or complete it. Waking or sleeping, it consumed my every moment, and I had no relief for my torment, except for brief periods of joy when a newly Initiated Priest took pity on my plight. For which I remain deeply grateful. Judgement was finally realized in the form of the new priest in the name of his Deity, and I was found wanting. My strength and honour were not enough to overcome the obstacles to the task, particularly my personal demons. Though I was responsible for his Initiation, even his introduction to his new Matron deity, which was part of my task, it was not enough of a boon to switch the judgement in my favour. It took me some time to process that, and all the while the <em>geas</em> continued unabated. Finally, only a few days ago, I realized that the only way to release it, since I wasn't going to be able to complete it, was to cut off the Divine conduit itself.<br />
<br />
My Deity was clearly disappointed in my service, and had removed Her protection and dismissed me, though in Her kindness, rather allowed me to resign. So on April 1, without even an auspicious date, since it seemed pointless, I Renounced my Deity. Never having participated in such a ritual before, I had to wing it a bit. I announced my intention to my family to prepare them and took off my pentangle, some version of which hasn't left my neck in over two decades, as a symbol of repudiation of our Covenant. The results were astonishing. The overwhelming pain of the uncompleted <em>geas</em> was gone almost instantly, and the dominant sensation was one of a burden lifted, though not without sorrow, particularly in my proven failure and weakness. So in case I was still in doubt, I was proven correct - the source of the <em>geas </em>was Divine, and though this destiny remains unfulfilled, it no longer matters.<br />
<br />
As I return to being a humble witch, my perceptions and abilities have been altering rapidly, as I discover which parts of my life were intertwined with my constant channelling and which are my own inherent gifts and skills. For example, for me that means I retain my precog, which I've had since I was a child, but all the Destiny and grand epicness that I used to manifest on a daily basis is gone. No longer connected to the Divine, I am suddenly cut off from the bigger picture, and cannot touch the filaments of Destiny that weave through life. Sidelined, if you will... <br />
<br />
That does beg the question, however: how much of my witch skills were boosted by Divinity? I can no longer perform some duties, clearly, but others remain as my own, though lessened. Will I be able to help others heal anymore? Can I teach? Will I even want to, as I am bereft of the sense of passion and destiny necessary for such grand schemes? I have known what I was supposed to do since I was 12, with every single skill, task, risk, and relationship in my life, including that with Deity, moving towards that goal, and now, I literally have no future in front of me anymore. Even my cooking is off. Apparently, even that was a prayer, since my Deity is a Healer and Hospitaler. Now I have to re-learn how to do that without channelling, too... My daughter, who has never known me when I wasn't a priestess, says that I'm 'all here' now and that when she speaks, all my attention is fixed on her. She claims that part of me was missing when she used to talk to me, since I was in constant communication with Deity. Which I agree with, since now it seems like my universe has shrunk, and it's only me inside my head. She insists that I even smell differently.<br />
<br />
Part of me still retains hope that I can be Redeemed and finish my task, returning to the Divine in humility but triumph. Fulfilling my Destiny by completing my quest and moving on to the next level. However, that requires the relenting of my priest judge, and neither he, nor his matron, are known for their mercy. So it's a false hope. Turns out that he'll make a far better Manifestation of his Deity than I ever did of mine, though, so at the end of this, it's a net gain of Priests, right? I do feel that this withdrawal could eventually change, however. Perhaps, once I learn who I am, by myself, and again increase my natural gifts, in a number of years I might be able to rededicate to Deity - though not necessarily the same one, or Her and another, and maybe reintegrate with Destiny, being useful on a grander scale once more. Or I might not, since I'm not enough of a optimist to believe that She is doing this in the long run for my 'own good'. Maybe I just failed and got fired, because that is what happens sometimes.<br />
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15626580781769379881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560032271749992180.post-38683671003784392832014-03-10T09:00:00.000-06:002014-03-10T09:00:02.727-06:00Brighid – Celtic Triple Goddess for the Ancient and Modern World<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My essay containing some of the latest research on my matron deity for my<i> Goddess Mythology, Women’s Spirituality, and Ecofeminism</i> course.<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3-VJ356BNomNNrSxRm_gfnxo6ld2pIt27MfOCsxPAcmXW2y2gtDfjN9me-0882e-4Att1-5Wykevq1xTkF6h1SAMd7qdkMS6TrQ59frsVlQPbrLtH4zH3xpiMnYvYzf6axxMpMISxr8fU/s1600/Brighid's+cross.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3-VJ356BNomNNrSxRm_gfnxo6ld2pIt27MfOCsxPAcmXW2y2gtDfjN9me-0882e-4Att1-5Wykevq1xTkF6h1SAMd7qdkMS6TrQ59frsVlQPbrLtH4zH3xpiMnYvYzf6axxMpMISxr8fU/s1600/Brighid's+cross.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i style="text-align: start;"><span lang="EN-US">Figure 1. </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="text-align: start;">Four arm version, and most commonly known, St. Brigit’s Cross from: </span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-align: start;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigid's_cross">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigid's_cross</a></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
Though the standardized spelling of Her
title in English is now Bridgid or Bridgit, and in oral narratives as Bride, this
ancient Goddess is known in Gaelic languages as Brigit, Brighit, Brid, Briid,
Brigid, Brighid, usually pronounced “Breed”; all stemming from the root of the
ancient word Brig meaning “exalted”, “high”, “fire”, or conveying power or authority.
Her name is usually translated as some form of “The Exalted One”, “High One”,
“Bright One” or sometimes “Bright Arrow”. Not simply an Irish Goddess, as She is
currently known, Her influence is felt all over what was known as the Celtic
world. She has been linked with Ffraid in Wales, Brigindo amoung Gauls,
Brigandu in Celtic France, and Brigantia in Britain, and therefore the symbol
of the island as Britiania itself. The Celtic tribe of Brigantes took their
name from Her, and all over the ancient world, even surviving to the modern
era, hundreds of places, wells, rivers, and centres of worship bear the
remembrance of Her name or symbolism.</span><br />
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Brighid is rather unique in that She has
survived relatively intact and still worshiped in the modern era. To that we
must owe, ironically, the canonization and popularization of Her as a Catholic
saint. In 633 CE, in Leinster, a new sept, Ui Dhúnlainge, rises to power. Its
leader, Faolán mac Colmáin, was brother to the Bishop of Kildare and
commissions the <i>Vita Brigitae</i>, or the
Life of Bridgit, around 650 CE. This saint’s supposed biography is compiled a
century after her alleged death by the monk Cogitosus, and is the “oldest
surviving biography of any Irish saint”, according to Ó hÓgain, D. (1985). Focusing
largely on her miracles, “a skillful combination of pagan and Christian
elements”, it has very little real information about the historical Brigit, and
is largely concerned with the claims of her church’s and therefore the sept’s
power and jurisdiction. It succeeds brilliantly. In less than 50 years, Kildare
reigns supreme in matters spiritual and secular, and the Fotharta, which
claimed Bridgit as originally a member of their sept, retained power. However,
we do owe a great deal of thanks to these machinations. The pronoun
"Kil" or "Cil" indicates a sacred shrine in many parts of
the Celtic lands and Kildare, or ‘Cill Dara’, meant Church of the Oak Tree, was
already associated with the pagan Goddess for centuries earlier. Drawing
extensively on extant legend and contemporary practices, the Life of Bridgit
gives us a snapshot of some of the authentic beliefs, rituals, and stories of
Her worship.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Domains of Influence</span></span></h2>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bridgid is a triune, or triple Goddess,
but not a typical Maid, Mother and Matron trinity, since aging is not a feature.
Instead, as Monaghan, P. (1997) points out, Brighid and her sisters “were never
construed as separate goddesses but as aspects of one divinity…they were
identical”, linked in the symbolism of fire in what many propose as a remnant
of a primary Neolithic Sun deity. However, one can make the argument that She
did in fact represent the Creatrix, Preserver, and Destroyer sequence. As
Creatrix, She was the Bright Lady of Flame, or Inspiration of poets and bards.
Her symbol in this aspect was the caldron. Most other crafts are under Her
auspices as well. As a Spring deity, She was also most associated with
fertility (an aspect hard to overcome for the Catholic saint). She was
responsible for agriculture, such as crops and cattle, and healthy babies. She
was literally the Bride; the wedded one. As the Preserver, She is a Mother
goddess and associated with healing and medicine, especially in midwifery, “who
in Ireland was honoured for her ‘protecting care’”, as Ó hÓgáin, D. (1991)
reports. As the “Bright Flame of Love”, Her sway was over sexual fertility and
erotic love. Her specific totem plants were the mountain ash tree, the holly
berry, and the shamrock, as a symbol of Her triple aspect. As the Destroyer, in
another facet of fire, Brighid is matron of smithcraft and of smiths. Her
symbol in this aspect is the forge. Although at first blush this seems to be
related to Her creation and craft aspects, this is the one of the only crafts
that is directly mentioned in stories. Some have gone further to associate Her
further with war<a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Athabasca/Women%20and%20Gender%20Studies%20333%20-%20Assignment%202%20-%20Goddess%20Essay.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>,
the legendary female fighting arts trainers in Celtic lore, and <i>brigands</i> or medieval fighters outside
Christian law, as Walker, B. G. (1983) notes. Her epithet of “Bright Arrow”
lend support to this claim. The connection of “the fianna, a legendary group of
warriors from Celtic mythology”<a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Athabasca/Women%20and%20Gender%20Studies%20333%20-%20Assignment%202%20-%20Goddess%20Essay.docx#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
to St. Brigit’s primary seat of Kildare and whose symbol is a harp, one of the bardic
instruments, who Brighid is matron of, also indicates that might be the case. If
further investigation of these links yield more results, Brighid is also a
warrior Goddess, in the manner of the triple Morrigan, with smithcraft as
representative of Her solar fire on earth as well as Her patronage of warfare
and the martial arts. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In all Her aspects, She is most
associated with fire and light; and with healing or ‘lucky’ wells, especially
wellsprings, thermal waters, and most particularly milky artisan wells;
especially in Her physical places of worship.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Festivals and Rituals</span></span></h2>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Festivals</span></span></h3>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Brighid’s main festival is Imbolc; also
spelt Imbolg, Óimelc, Oimelc, and Oimelg, on Febuary 1<sup>st</sup>. A pastoral
festival, it is best translated as “parturition”, the usual explanation
relating to the dropping of lambs. Even in Britain, however, spring would not
yet be fully evident, so the signs of spring, such as animal births and
generation of milk, do not strike our unagrarian eyes as sufficient reason for
a fertility festival. Mac Killop, J. (1998) suggests that “the visibly
perceptive lengthening of the light, and therefore the anticipation of spring”
is a more satisfying explanation, but there is another. Imbolc, as one of the
four Great Celtic high feasts, is also on the opposite end of the calendar from
Lammas or Lughnasa, or First Harvest festival on August 1<sup>st</sup>. In the
four quarter solar symmetry of the Celtic world view, all of these reasons
together would be more than enough to denote a sacred time and appropriateness
of spring worship.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">In the Christian attempt to claim of the
power of Brighid as a saint, they renamed the festival “Candlemas’, meaning
“Mass of the Candles”, including therefore the symbolism of the coming of
light. Some modern traditions retain the link to the holiday only through the
Saint, such as the Scottish Gaelic name of
L</span>á Féill Bhríde, and the
Irish Lá íl Bride, but others are completely converted to the Candlemas form and
associate it with the Christian Mother of God. There is some logic to this.
Brigid as Mother Goddess never truly lost her supremacy in her native lands and
St. Brigit is widely known as “Mary of the Gaels”, with many stories
associating Her with the Christian Blessed Mother and Son. Sometimes St. Brigit
is seen directly as Mother of the Savior, sometimes as midwife at the Nativity
and foster mother of the Christos, sometimes as compatriot and assistant to
Mary. In fact, the Festival of the
Purification of the Virgin, which takes place 40 days after Christmas, is on
February 2, the day after Imbolc. It celebrates when the Blessed Mother is
Churched, or purified after the spiritual pollution of giving birth, so many stories,
explanations, and confusion of the holidays, as well as the two figures,
abound. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Rituals</span></span></h3>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Current traditions
of Brighid in Her native lands are largely in the context of St. Brigit, though
obvious parallels to Her original Goddess origins can still be found in past
and extant examples. Origins of Her fertility cult and Mother aspect were
notable in practices and legends. Men were originally banned from coming past
the hedge at Her shrine at. Even when Christianised, Her orders retained many
traditions from Her former incarnation.
St. Brigit’s bishops, Monaghan,
P. (1997) reports, had to be practicing goldsmiths, an unusual requirement,
harking to Brighid’s domain of crafting, smithing, and embodiment of Fire. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the most telling ancient practices was the sacred Fire at Kildare itself. Cultural archeology and folklore has produced intriguing evidence of practices that indicate the Fire may have continued for centuries before St. Brigit is alleged to have lived, tended by the original pagan nuns occupying the shrine far in advance of the advent of Christianity. Reported in the Life of Brigit as already being old, it was still being maintained in 1184, as Giraldus Cambrensis records the “inextinguishable vestal fire tended by nuns”. Even at this time, men were still not allowed near the fire itself. It was also considered miraculous, in that it produced no ash in the centuries it had been burning. Contemporary accounts number nine or, more usually, nineteen priestesses tending the Fire. Both are sacred numbers of traditional Goddess worship – nine being the Triple Goddess tripled, such as the Muses, and 19 representing “the cycle of the Celtic ‘GreatYear’” – the mating of the solar and lunar calendars, as Walker, B. G. (1983) explains. Each nun was responsible for tending the sacred fire for one day at a time, and on “the eve of the twentieth day the last nun would place logs by the fire with the prayer: ‘Brigid, guard your fire, this is your night.”… In 1220, some forty years after Gerald’s visit, the Norman-appointed Bishop of Dublin grew angry at the exclusion of men from the Abbey at Kildare, as well as the obvious paganity of the sacred flame<a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Athabasca/Women%20and%20Gender%20Studies%20333%20-%20Assignment%202%20-%20Goddess%20Essay.docx#_ftn3">[3]</a> and demanded they open the Abbey, claiming nuns were subordinate to priests. After their refusal, his men forced their way into the Abbey and extinguished the fire. Under Henry VIII’s Reformation, the archbishop George Browne of Dublin ensured that the flame stayed dead. However, in “1993, the flame was re-lit by Sister Mary Teresa Cullen, then the congregational leader of the Brigidine Sisters” <a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Athabasca/Women%20and%20Gender%20Studies%20333%20-%20Assignment%202%20-%20Goddess%20Essay.docx#_ftn4">[4]</a>, ensuring a modern order of nuns to again take up the duties and mantle of their ancient sisters.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Along with Her main
shrines, such as the one at Kildare, hundreds of ancient healing wells and
sacred spaces dot the landscape all over Ireland and many other parts of the
Celtic world that are associated with Her name or titles. They are so numerous
that many are largely unknown, except by locals, and attempts are being made to
catalog them all. Many are still visited and favours are still sought in
traditions that clearly go back centuries. Most closely linked with the milky
white artisan springs, invoking Her as lactating Mother; other forms can
include wells and caves with pure water.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The most well known
ritual of St. Brigit is of course the “Cros Bhride” or Brigit’s Cross. Traditionally
made out of reeds or straw, again harkening to Her fertility and agriculture
patronage, it is become the most popular and recognizable symbol of the saint,
and used in most ceremonies, invocations, and even heraldry. It was “placed under the rafters of the
dwelling house so as to ensure health and good fortune”, and occasionally in
the cow byre to protect the animals, according to Ó hÓgáin, D. (1991). Though the most common versions are based on
the solar number of four or a lozenge shape, an authentic version is also a
triskelion, harkening to Her trinity aspect as the Goddess, as demonstrated by
Matthews, C. (2008). The lozenge and triskelion shapes indicate that the Cross
pre-dates the Christianized saint and is an ancient symbol and rite for Brighid.<span lang="EN-US"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMA90SkbVM0Y8W-bj9pOsy-tv6CFfahGgmiBFtw7vq1_QOaX09XdiEHMwLEPF60WA3GYGqtKcWs0XHG60wMUyYbL3VTDewILhcS9dX7HAMSmOaEHlwBq4jqr-80HF4aZxB9vdbaR1wo2n7/s1600/Bridget's+cross-+how+to+make.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMA90SkbVM0Y8W-bj9pOsy-tv6CFfahGgmiBFtw7vq1_QOaX09XdiEHMwLEPF60WA3GYGqtKcWs0XHG60wMUyYbL3VTDewILhcS9dX7HAMSmOaEHlwBq4jqr-80HF4aZxB9vdbaR1wo2n7/s1600/Bridget's+cross-+how+to+make.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i style="text-align: start;"><span lang="EN-US">Figure 2:</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="text-align: start;"> How to make a Brigit’s Cross from: <a href="http://www.earthwitchery.com/makeacross.html">http://www.earthwitchery.com/makeacross.html</a></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="page-break-after: avoid;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Major Stories</span></span></h2>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With such an early medieval emergence of the saint with the ancient Goddess, many stories have clearly been Christianized. However, we do have some very obvious indications of the traditional domains, attributes, and original responsibilities of the Goddess through less altered or edited versions. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the most famous oral tradition stories points to Her most ancient form. Brighid, in her guise of Bride, in a trial of servitude and cunning, defeats the Old Woman of Winter, the Cailleach, by turning Her to stone. Bride also steals the secret of Immortality and Youth, by using a triskelion cross of rushes in a well, and uses it to revive the land from winter, invoking all her traditional symbolism and ritual. Bride is also assisted by a druid in the form of a bird, specifically an oystercatcher, known as Gille Bridhid, or Bride’s Servant, much like a totem animal. She also obtains a birch wand and vows to use it assist any who need Her help, instructing listeners to invoke Her when they require Her aid. In this story, Bride is in essence Spring itself, which is perfectly in line with Brighid’s sacred day of Imbolc and indicates Her extreme antiquity as a representation in the wheel of the seasons itself. However, the Cailleach is also portrayed as much older, and originally one of a sisterhood herself in her youth, indicating that, as ancient as Bride is, She is still a more recent incursion.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9tW76HD8k9TRgeaLMEH-udIuNnGuLZkRLJvgMPCGn8pOs9RUSaOuqGdxZRNeoksOfcvMVKtVsK4nnIdNxf8qc8sLz5QEsi-A5mQwCUnc3m-U3bRLNa8ctaJqvEdmckINr_xblOv_unVM4/s1600/Briget's+cross-+three+armed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9tW76HD8k9TRgeaLMEH-udIuNnGuLZkRLJvgMPCGn8pOs9RUSaOuqGdxZRNeoksOfcvMVKtVsK4nnIdNxf8qc8sLz5QEsi-A5mQwCUnc3m-U3bRLNa8ctaJqvEdmckINr_xblOv_unVM4/s1600/Briget's+cross-+three+armed.jpg" height="198" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i style="text-align: start;"><span lang="EN-US">Figure 3: </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="text-align: start;">Triple armed Brigit’s Cross</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since the Church was almost exclusively responsible for literature for nearly 1000 years, the written stories are almost entirely about the Christianized St. Brigit. However, even with those, we are given insight into the previous Goddess incarnation. St. Brigit is said to have invented both whistling and the death keening, easily linked to a Goddess of bards and warfare. Her father is demoted from the Dagda, and becomes the druid Dubthach. The saint herself is reduced to founding the Abbey at Kildare and therefore made its patron. She is still portrayed, however, as having the ability to multiply “butter, bacon, and milk, to bestow sheep and cattle, and to control the weather”, as Ó hÓgáin, D. (1991) tells us. Most of her stories involve healing, or generosity in the form of giving food and cows to the needy. Some involve the dispensing of justice, especially as a trick to the wicked. As ancient protectoress of her people, St. Brigit was said to favour Lienstermen in time of war. There were said to be nineteen churches dedicated to her all over the British Isles on the eve of the Reformation, harkening back to the traditional number of priestesses at Her shrines.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the most well known Christianized tales pertains to the founding of her abbey. When St. Brigit asks for land for her convent, a powerful local bureaucrat, usually a chieftain or a bishop, refuses to give her any more land than her cloak will cover. In response, she lays out her cloak on the ground and it begins to spread, taking up so much land that he begs her to stop before he loses everything. In another version, she takes apart the weave of her cloak and encircles the area with the thread. In either case, it offers the spiritual and physical foundation for her abbey. In form, it is from a traditional Irish folk tale, where the trickster makes oxhide into strips to draw out a large area of land. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We also run into the problem of the confusion of the pagan Mother Goddess, the subsequent saint, and the imported Mary, Mother of God. Not only are their feast days equated, but many stories justify that association. In one story, Mary confesses that she is ashamed to be churched after the birth of the holy child and doesn’t want to be stared at. Brigit eases Mary’s fears by taking it upon herself to don garish attire, making it impossible for anyone to look at anything else, and precedes Mary down the aisle. Mary is so grateful that she permits Brigit’s feast day to precede her own ever after. There are similar stories to justify the order of the feast days, and they usually involve Brigit in her Sun deity aspect – lights in her hair or headdress, or garb that no one can look at, or can stare only at her.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Later versions are more problematic, however. St. Brigit, in her association with the sun, light, fire, and other pre-Christian attributes, manages to become entangled in symbolism from other saints from the Continent, largely Christianized deities themselves, complicating the problem of what ancient Brighid would have actually represented to Her people. We can make some educated guesses, however. St. Lucy, in particular, as the original Goddess Lucia of the reborn Light at Solstice, has her properties intermingled with the stories of St. Brigit as each of their cults gain influence. Lucy, as the Sun, becomes patron saint of eyes and eye diseases, and many of her stories and attributes are reflected in later Christian miracles of Brigit. She, like Lucy, plucks out her eyes to be less attractive to a suitor, though her healing aspect later restores her sight. Her mother is said to have an eye disease, and several of her stories feature eyes and sight, including actually giving eyes to a ‘flat faced man’. The lighted headdress mentioned in some stories, and occasional rituals for Brigit, especially seems to come from traditional Lucia worship. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Narratives also include St. Patrick, or the Father god. Though he is often dependant on Brigit’s perception, trickster qualities, mercy and justice, he is still able to instruct her, to demonstrate his pre-eminence.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Significance</span></span></h2>
<h2>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></h2>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Possible IndoEuropean roots</span></h3>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In Kildare, and in
other sacred shrines of St. Brigit, the order of Brigantine nuns that tended
the eternal flame were called kelles or Calliechs. The term kelle, Kelly as a first name, O'Kelly as a last name and Kelly
Green as a clan colour has also been linked (for they are often interchangeable
with various forms of Calliech in the old records) as is The Book of Kell(e)s
itself. The term "kelle' is still used in India in the meaning of "prostitute', and in conjunction of Mary Magdalene, often described as a temple prostitute. Like the holy houris of the ancient world, the 'kelle's may have performed a similar role. These primary priestesses would have remained unmarried to mortals and their children therefore were gifts of the Goddess and could only be of the Kelly clan, or O'Kelly, in a practice very similar to the Indian Goddess Cunti, who gave children as a gift without requirement of wedlock. It would explain why the O'Kellys were the spiritual, financial and sole caretakers of the shrine at Kildare and other shrines until fairly recently. Many scholars have linked these practices to the Indo-European shrines and temples from which they may have been imported. <a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Athabasca/Women%20and%20Gender%20Studies%20333%20-%20Assignment%202%20-%20Goddess%20Essay.docx#_ftn5" name="_ftnref5" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference">[5]</span></span></a>The
similarly of language and concepts cannot be overlooked, and could possibly
lead to further depth of understanding. In particular, Goddess worship in the Indus Valley and Fertile Crescent
areas and highly probable links to the Calliech and Kali Ma are numerous, as
are the practices and structural organization of Her Priestesses.</span></div>
<h2>
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span></span></h2>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Original Contexts</span></span></h3>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Brighid was clearly
a trinity Goddess of great antiquity, with shrines and cult centres all over
the ancient Celtic world. In the earliest written records, we find Her aspects
associated with Minerva and Vesta. With links to the Indo-European Goddesses,
She is slightly younger than the deities already occupying the British Iles,
but She is readily embraced as the approaching Sun, the Spring, the Healer, the
fertile Mother, and even as consuming and just Death, as She takes over some of
the aspects of the Old Woman herself, the Cailleach. Brighid is appealed to for
aid, with the expectation of assistance, bestows generosity to those who
require it, and unlike most other trickster figures, does not vindictively
punish Her enemies, displaying kindness and mercy. Even as a trinity, She is
the young and vigorous Mother from which all good things came, such as the
technology, knowledge, and culture Her people needed to survive and thrive. She
symbolized the land itself; and its people saw it as good, healing, warm, generous,
just, and with enough for all. She also embodied Her people, as is shown by
some tribes actually taking their name from Her. Perhaps, then, that we can conclude that the
peoples who embraced Brighid as their Mother also saw the world as a beautiful,
bountiful place, worth celebrating, with kindness and justice as ideals that
could be manifest in each other, offering a death with peace or righteously fighting
to achieve it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Contemporary Women</span></span></h3>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Modern Irish women
in particular are embracing Brigit as their matron saint, but also with echoes
of the earlier Goddess being deliberately included. In 2014, in one of the many
ceremonies at Imbolc, for example, Louth County celebrated the 7th Brigid of
Faughart Festival. Incorporating the Goddess’s traditional symbolism and
aspects such as bard and protectress of the land, workshops in Brigit’s cross
making, circle dance, poetry, painting and organic gardening took place, as
well as a professional bardic night.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Athabasca/Women%20and%20Gender%20Studies%20333%20-%20Assignment%202%20-%20Goddess%20Essay.docx#_ftn6" name="_ftnref6" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference">[6]</span><!--[endif]--></span></a> Healing pilgrimages and more Christianized
activities also featured, demonstrating the fluid nature of the Celtic Goddess
with Her saintly counterpart in the eyes of many of Her worshipers. With modern nuns and lay orders such as Cháirde
Bhríde or “Heart of Brigit” taking up the care of her sacred flame, shrines and
wells are now being attended, decorated, and maintained by a new generation of
Celtic women. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wiccans, a very
recent and highly popular neopaganism tradition, have embraced Brighid and
Imbolc especially. As one of their Eight Great Sabbats, Imbolc is viewed as the
quickening of Inspiration, new ventures, and cleansing of energies and
preparation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With Her warmth,
strength, justice, bounty and independent power as a Mother and a woman, She is
a model that is in sore need in an era of patriarchy, war, capitalism, and
ecodestruction. Brighid still has the ability to inspire women today. As one attendee
said of Her ceremonies: “I have never felt more Irish than I did that night. I
felt an atavistic sense of blood connection, an awareness that I was
celebrating in ways that had been part of my heritage for generations and
generations. I felt as though my body were temporary, almost illusory, existing
only to trace ancient sunwise paths around a holy place. As though my body
reflected, like wellwater reflecting countless candles, the bodies of others --
women of Irish blood, women like me -- who had celebrated at that very place,
on that very night, down through the centuries.”<a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Athabasca/Women%20and%20Gender%20Studies%20333%20-%20Assignment%202%20-%20Goddess%20Essay.docx#_ftn7" name="_ftnref7" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference">[7]</span><!--[endif]--></span></a><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
</div>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">References</span></span></h2>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><br />Budapest, Z. (1989). The Grandmother of Time: A Woman's Book of Celebrations, Spells, and Sacred Objects for Every Month of the Year. HarperOne<br />Campanelli, P. (1989). Wheel of the Year: Living the Magical Life. Llewellyn<br />Ellis, P. B. (1992) Dictionary of Celtic Mythology. Constable & Robinson Limited<br />Green, M. J. (1997). Dictionary of Celtic Myth and Legend. Thames & Hudson<br />Jordan, M. (2004). Dictionary of Gods and Goddesses, Second Edition. Facts on File<br />Mac Killop, J. (1998). Dictionary of Celtic Mythology. Oxford Univ Pr.<br />Matthews, C. (2008). Tales from Celtic Lands. Barefoot Books<br />Monaghan, P. (1997). The New Book of Goddesses & Heroines . Llewellyn Publications<br />Ó hÓgain, D. (1985). The Hero in Irish Folk History, Gill & MacMillan<br />Ó hÓgáin, D. (1991). Myth, Legend and Romance: An Encyclopedia of the Irish Folk Tradition. Prentice Hall Press<br />Ó Súilleabháin, S. editor (2012). Miraculous Plenty: Irish Religious Folktales and Legends, Comhairle Bhealoideas Eireann <br />Walker, B. G. (1983). The Woman's Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets. HarperCollins Publishers<br />Walker, B. G. (1988). The Woman's Dictionary Of Symbols And Sacred Objects. Harperone<br />Wilson, K. M., Margolis, N. editors (2004). Women in the Middle Ages: An Encyclopedia, Volume I, A-J. Greenwood<br />Zucchelli, C. (2007). Stones of Adoration: Sacred Stones and Mystic Megaliths of Ireland. Collins Press</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Appendix I</span></h3>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Websites consulted:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://monasticmatrix.osu.edu/commentaria/st-brigit-ireland">http://monasticmatrix.osu.edu/commentaria/st-brigit-ireland</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.ancientworlds.net/aw/Places/Place/490534">http://www.ancientworlds.net/aw/Places/Place/490534</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.unicorngarden.com/brigid.htm">http://www.unicorngarden.com/brigid.htm</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.ancientworlds.net/aw/Article/489836">http://www.ancientworlds.net/aw/Article/489836</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://awitchintime.wordpress.com/2010/01/06/wednesday-whatever-imbolc-path-working/">http://awitchintime.wordpress.com/2010/01/06/wednesday-whatever-imbolc-path-working/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://houndofhecate.blogspot.ca/2012/11/commentary-on-charge-of-goddess-14-bride.html">http://houndofhecate.blogspot.ca/2012/11/commentary-on-charge-of-goddess-14-bride.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<!--[endif]-->
<br />
<div id="ftn1">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Athabasca/Women%20and%20Gender%20Studies%20333%20-%20Assignment%202%20-%20Goddess%20Essay.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US"> “In the past twenty years, scholars have cast Brigit as a
pre-Christian tripartite hospitaller, lawgiver, and warrior based on the
British goddess Brigant”
http://monasticmatrix.osu.edu/commentaria/st-brigit-ireland</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn2">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Athabasca/Women%20and%20Gender%20Studies%20333%20-%20Assignment%202%20-%20Goddess%20Essay.docx#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US"> http://www.ngw.nl/int/ier/counties/kildare.htm</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn3">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Athabasca/Women%20and%20Gender%20Studies%20333%20-%20Assignment%202%20-%20Goddess%20Essay.docx#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US"> http://www.unicorngarden.com/brigid.htm</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn4">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Athabasca/Women%20and%20Gender%20Studies%20333%20-%20Assignment%202%20-%20Goddess%20Essay.docx#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US"> http://www.brigidine.org.au/about-us/index.cfm?loadref=36</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn5">
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Athabasca/Women%20and%20Gender%20Studies%20333%20-%20Assignment%202%20-%20Goddess%20Essay.docx#_ftnref5" name="_ftn5" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US">[5]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US"> </span>"Sergeant Vithana
beat her with a baton saying, "Go, prostitute girl, find your
brother" ('Palayan vesa kelle, ayyawa gihin hoyapan')."
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2002/280/ Sri Lankan language. </span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn6">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Athabasca/Women%20and%20Gender%20Studies%20333%20-%20Assignment%202%20-%20Goddess%20Essay.docx#_ftnref6" name="_ftn6" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US">[6]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US"> http://www.independent.ie/regionals/argus/entertainment/busy-festival-to-celebrate-saint-brigid-29939042.html</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn7">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Athabasca/Women%20and%20Gender%20Studies%20333%20-%20Assignment%202%20-%20Goddess%20Essay.docx#_ftnref7" name="_ftn7" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US">[7]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US"> http://www.matrifocus.com/IMB04/earth.htm</span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div id="ftn5">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15626580781769379881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560032271749992180.post-62286124523777010502014-02-24T11:39:00.000-07:002016-03-02T18:53:19.844-07:00Climate Change Deniers? Still? Seriously? It's the most important environmental problem there is!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUGTnEl_oImyhF177MZYZ-uQHZNtDl6UyswT4maponH2_Q2PMtjSiSqns02rumWPz1T4XfOXfHZvFtcXD4vT4VjhXv4RG6GvFiSPRAMM-lRAoFl_nTiNVFWwPA3uDWsqxcqjPefrC7v-bm/s1600/climate+change+house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUGTnEl_oImyhF177MZYZ-uQHZNtDl6UyswT4maponH2_Q2PMtjSiSqns02rumWPz1T4XfOXfHZvFtcXD4vT4VjhXv4RG6GvFiSPRAMM-lRAoFl_nTiNVFWwPA3uDWsqxcqjPefrC7v-bm/s1600/climate+change+house.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u><br /></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u><br /></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>Climate change
denial is not, and has never been, a 'dissenting view'.</u></b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> Anthropogenic
global warming has been accepted and taught in Universities since the 70's as a
currently occurring event based on the paleoclimatology data accumulated from
the past 100 years of geologic research. It’s also been confirmed by many other
disciplines, such as atmospheric science, geography, oceanography, biology,
chemistry, physics, and even the social sciences like anthro. The fact
that the general public only heard about AGW in the '90's does not diminish the
science in any way. It was only then that the denial machine went into effect,
of course, but AGW has never been in question in science. There is no other
theory that fits all the current data, and more importantly, all the past data
of the many eras the Earth has had high levels of carbon in the atmosphere.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">AGW was and is taught the way plate tectonics and that the
earth revolves the sun and gravity are accepted: that there is no other
explanation that fits all these observations as well, so they are what science
considers 'truth' or 'knowledge'. Even though we can't actually see them in action,
we infer those explanations from our observations. And unless you're a genius
and can come up with a completely new model that explains all these thousands
of papers filled with raw data and analysis every year that confirm this
hypothesis, we'll just have to go with AGW as the best concept. Gravity
doesn't care if you believe in it as a theory or not, either, but you can
declare that as you jump out of a window and see how well that works for
you.. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><u>What these deniers don't get is that this isn't
"dire warnings.</u>" Scientists aren't just yelling from rooftops
that the end is near. <b>These are a series
of predictions that range from really bad to catastrophic, based on past eras of
the earth and modern trending</b>. Scientists are just doing their job in
making these public, and suggesting which parameters changing and how fast will
alter the models. SOME of them are agitating actively for change, but they are
in the minority. They have no stake in anything, other than that they are human
and might like the human race, including their children, to continue. But those
destroying the planet really do believe that these predictions are just
'warnings' and that they aren't murdering everything. Because most of them
aren't that sociopathic, so they have a vested interest in hoping that the
scientists are lying or wrong or misinformed or paid off.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Perpetuation of the bizarre myth that climate change is just
cyclical global warming, or that colder temperatures are proof that it isn't
happening, is more than unethical or criminal. It will kill us all.
Life on Earth will continue, even if only 1% of current species survive
that kind of climate alteration. But we humans are a soft species that can only handle
a mild medium in the spectrum of weather and temperature that the earth is
capable of, when we observe the geological record. (Unless you think
you can handle 800km/h winds?) We have very little time to make very drastic
changes that tip the engine back in our favour before we are all wiped out.
There is a reason that frogs can hibernate for years and other species
can go dormant when there is no water at all. It's because their
species developed in times where the earth was far less hospitable to life than
it is now. We are not such a species, and we will not survive this next,
and largely induced, phase in the Earth's cycle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<img src="http://www.tayriver.org/images/climate_change_image.jpg" /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For those of you who need a <b><u>one paragraph summation</u></b>, and missed your science classes on
the subject... On Earth, heat is collected from the sun and, depending on the
conditions at the time, largely by carbon and other reflectors in the
atmosphere, that energy is either dissipated into space or retained to add heat to the
weather engine. That engine is responsible for moving heat around in the form
of winds, ocean currents, etc. The more heat in the engine, the greater
disparity in temperatures in different areas of the world, and the greater
strength of storms, etc. There are times on this planet when storms could average 500km/h, and when temperature fluctuations ranged from -100 to +60C.
For the past few millenniums, more energy has been released into space, making
the earth milder in all dimensions. With the increase in the atmosphere of
previously buried carbon, more heat is being added to the weather engine,
average earth temperature is increasing, while local temperatures are becoming
more extreme or altering altogether. Pretty clear, right?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In a world where it's +50 outside, or -70, or severe
hurricanes or tornadoes are the norm, humans would be living on an alien world.
<i>Like a colony on Venus, humans
would have to live in underground bunkers or climate controlled cities. We could never interact with the environment again without protective
gear</i>. That's already happening in many parts of the world. Our
children would never be able to play outside for their entire lives. Like
a civilization out of science fiction, this is really what some deniers propose
our solution to be, if they happen to be wrong, that is...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The entire eco-system will collapse as well. So there will
be no complex life on earth for a few million years. No mammals like whales and
bears and cats, no giant trees, almost no fish, most bugs gone and therefore
more plants. Never to be seen in the Universe again. Solving the eco-system
collapse problem seems a better solution than letting everything go extinct.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sure, Earth has had that kind of environment many times before,
and life has thrived, but not life as we are used to. Dinosaurs survived
and evolved for hundreds of millions of years before their climate change
finally made them weak enough for the meteor to pop them off. Mammals
have had a relatively short stint in this new, far milder world, but now the
cycle is shifting back well before its usual time. We, as the dominant
intelligent species, have either contributed to it, or can change it back to
something our type of life can continue with. Denying that we have
anything to do with it, or that we can do anything about it, and should
concentrate our focus on "traditional" environmental causes, makes
someone a climate change denier, regardless of whatever emotional baggage they
carry with that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In most of the geological history of the Earth, the climate
has been far more like Venus than what we are used to. Yes, life thrived then,
but not mammalian, and not the biosphere that maintains mammalian life. In this
particular incarnation of Life, we have a very narrow window of temperature
that is necessary to function and reproduce. We can manage to keep warm, but
cooling off is another matter. At a certain heat point, most of this
incarnation of the biosphere completely breaks down. And that includes us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Humans alone, for various reasons, become less fertile as
the temperature rises for example. Include higher death rates, and you can see
the problem already starting. And that is IF no one starts mass migrations to
areas away from the equatorial band. Now include other mammals and support
systems and you can see the magnitude. It’s not just sea level rise or crop
failure. It is *human bodies* that begin to fail, as well as most other mammals
and plant systems.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Life will continue on this planet, but it won't be a kind of
life that can support anything that we need to survive.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7560032271749992180#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7560032271749992180#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Our governments can't control everything, of course, not
without complete re-organization. But simply allowing our economic systems alone to decide if our environment is polluted, or determining if our
non-renewable resources are left behind for our children, is madness. Governments
MUST start showing long term leadership and make the decisions that will permit
our ecosystems and resources to sustain themselves for the next generations.
And not just for the human populations…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Lowest possible carbon is the only way to go. The feedback
loops make our current course a death sentence, but restoration, including
re-integration of carbon, can save most of our ecosystem. <b><u>Adaptation is a myth.</u></b> Science and tech can't do that for us.
That's why compromise and slow alteration simply won't work. We, and this
entire eco-system, are way too squishy and vulnerable to survive the change in
climate. However, there is still time to reverse the trend. More than we need,
in fact. Rainforests need to be encouraged to be rainforests again, wetlands
back to wetlands, carbon taken out of the atmosphere and put into plants, where
it should be. Yes, we have much more than the usual carbon in this kind of
system, but we can still compensate. This system is designed to do what it was
doing, and can revert in some cases in less than a decade. Its natural equilibrium
*wants* to go there. I'm not a conservationist. I'm a Restorationist. And it's
still possible. If we stop the damage we are doing now, and reverse the trends.
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7560032271749992180#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The environmental movement in this moment IS Climate Change.
Biomes moving to different areas due to local alterations; severe and far more
violent events, water loss, food growing areas shifting... What the heck
do you think the environmental movement is? Putting litter in it's place?
All those contaminants in our air and soil? Those may have
been the galvanizers 20 or 30 years ago, but they are nothing to the serious
issues facing the current life on earth as we know it. If you can't stand with
us, at least get the heck out of the way while we try to save the last remnants
of this ecosystem from going the way of the Age of the Dinosaurs, or the Age of
Insects, or the Age of...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="Heading1Char"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Further
reading,</span></span> including the Climate Change and the Integrity of
Science<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7560032271749992180#_edn1" name="_ednref1" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[i]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>,
raw and interpreted data from many different disciplines<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7560032271749992180#_edn2" name="_ednref2" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[ii]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>, and
some of the alleged controversies, like denier scientists<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7560032271749992180#_edn3" name="_ednref3" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[iii]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
and “Climategate”<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7560032271749992180#_edn4" name="_ednref4" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[iv]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div>
<!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br clear="all" />
</span><br />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<br />
<div id="ftn1">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7560032271749992180#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12781636<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn2">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7560032271749992180#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> http://www.harryfisch.com/pdf/Global%20Temperature%20change%20and%20Fertility.pdf<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn3">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7560032271749992180#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_9364000/9364044.stm<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<br />
<div>
<!--[if !supportEndnotes]--><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br clear="all" />
</span><br />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<br />
<div id="edn1">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7560032271749992180#_ednref1" name="_edn1" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[i]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> Data doesn't
change, but we learn better how to interpret and where to look for more:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Scientists' Statement and Response on Climate Change and the
Integrity of Science <a href="http://tinyurl.com/373c5pp">http://tinyurl.com/373c5pp</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div id="edn2">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7560032271749992180#_ednref2" name="_edn2" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[ii]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> One of
the many disciplines that have yielded this data for 100 years, and how it is
used to create future projections: (and has one of the coolest names)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">paleolimnology<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paleolimnology">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paleolimnology</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.uregina.ca/biology/faculty/leavitt/drought/drought1.htm">http://www.uregina.ca/biology/faculty/leavitt/drought/drought1.htm</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.springer.com/earth+sciences+and+geography/journal/10933">http://www.springer.com/earth+sciences+and+geography/journal/10933</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I loved paleoclimatology, but it certainly didn't
receive the attention in the 80's than it does now! From boring cores samples in
back rooms of museums to media scrums! How glamorous for them...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/Paleoclimatology_IceCores/">http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/Paleoclimatology_IceCores/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.lakepowell.net/sciencecenter/paleoclimate.htm">http://www.lakepowell.net/sciencecenter/paleoclimate.htm</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.mendoza-conicet.gob.ar/paleo/globalwarming/instrumental.html">http://www.mendoza-conicet.gob.ar/paleo/globalwarming/instrumental.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Paloeclimate Dummies (or Tea Partiers): complete with
charts, over the Epoch, last ice age, 400,000, and 500 mya!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.noe21.org/dvd2/Global%20Warming%20FAQ%20-%20paleoclimate.htm">http://www.noe21.org/dvd2/Global%20Warming%20FAQ%20-%20paleoclimate.htm</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Hydrology data and interpretation:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Global Warming and the Hydrologic Cycle<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.waterencyclopedia.com/Ge-Hy/Global-Warming-and-the-Hydrologic-Cycle.html">http://www.waterencyclopedia.com/Ge-Hy/Global-Warming-and-the-Hydrologic-Cycle.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Global Warming and the. Hydrologic Cycle: How are the
Occurrence of Floods,. Droughts, and Storms Likely to Change? Full
Marshall Institute paper<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.marshall.org/pdf/materials/207.pdf">http://www.marshall.org/pdf/materials/207.pdf</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Arctic hydrology during global warming at the
Palaeocene/Eocene thermal maximum<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v442/n7103/abs/nature05043.html">http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v442/n7103/abs/nature05043.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div id="edn3">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7560032271749992180#_ednref3" name="_edn3" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[iii]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> Maxime
Bernier has a long history as a climate change denier<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://greenparty.ca/blogs/7/2010-02-25/maxime-bernier-has-long-history-climate-change-denier">http://greenparty.ca/blogs/7/2010-02-25/maxime-bernier-has-long-history-climate-change-denier</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div id="edn4">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7560032271749992180#_ednref4" name="_edn4" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[iv]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> And Now
to Discuss Those Hacked Emails<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">(since most of you and the media haven't actually
read them, this is what's in them)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://greenparty.ca/blogs/7/2009-12-03/and-now-discuss-those-hacked-emails">http://greenparty.ca/blogs/7/2009-12-03/and-now-discuss-those-hacked-emails</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div class="title">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15626580781769379881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560032271749992180.post-11440502236560010652014-02-14T18:51:00.001-07:002014-02-22T20:01:15.804-07:00Manifesting the Dream: On Religious Orgs, Pagan Abbeys and our Order in particular<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBCmhuiPdVN_eDlKYwusj91CvcvHA49pyWv7n3zCvhhUnDrYI6XLqkr6c1FtPsTlZvSO-_GkGxgMBIvL2eX7w69V-mGyJ7bEWZe1SsZSvrAKJt_rjPYAuORdDShjw7C9OZxSNOm1TQMCPT/s1600/Pentagram+-+Church+of+Santa+Mar%C3%ADa+d'Azougue,Betanzos,+A+Coru%C3%B1a,+Galicia,+Gallaecia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBCmhuiPdVN_eDlKYwusj91CvcvHA49pyWv7n3zCvhhUnDrYI6XLqkr6c1FtPsTlZvSO-_GkGxgMBIvL2eX7w69V-mGyJ7bEWZe1SsZSvrAKJt_rjPYAuORdDShjw7C9OZxSNOm1TQMCPT/s1600/Pentagram+-+Church+of+Santa+Mar%C3%ADa+d'Azougue,Betanzos,+A+Coru%C3%B1a,+Galicia,+Gallaecia.jpg" height="272" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pentagram - Church of Santa María d'Azougue,Betanzos, A Coruña, Galicia, Gallaecia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In previous posts, we have already covered: how to<a href="http://gifts-of-nature.blogspot.ca/2013/09/pagan-religious-communities-in-your.html"> join or create pagan communities</a>; and <a href="http://gifts-of-nature.blogspot.ca/2013/07/pagan-abbeys-practical-heritage-for.html">historic and modern cloistered communities</a>. N</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ext up in our Abbey series; </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">more of the <a href="http://gifts-of-nature.blogspot.ca/2013/05/how-to-start-church-legal-pagan.html">benefits of establishing modern religious organizations</a> and </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">how we envision our Order creating those spaces.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />Advantages of our non-denominational (and not just different varieties of Wicca) </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">pagan organization, and religious institutions in general,</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> are many.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Incorporation and Societies</span></h4>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A legally religious corporation or society in Canada has the ability to:<br /><br />- Own property. i.e. creating and maintaining safe space. Not just renting. Including ministry work such as permanent churches, inner city safe spaces, etc. <br /><br />- Ordain, a perform legal ceremonies, such as marriage. Currently, the only forms of Paganism that have organized to this degree in Canada are Wiccan. I'm not Wiccan, and like Spiritual Humanism and other forms of Humanism, the evaluation of one's channelling of the divine should NOT be a requirement for clergy. We can all do that. Or not, depending on your personal belief system and your skill level. Heh. All I need to know is, say, can you MC a good wedding or funeral, or counsel well, and does your community support you? That is mostly enough to satisfy the need. <br /><br />- Support Native Elders and other professional religious who are having difficulty obtaining legal status or are being otherwise hassled by institutions. It's friggin' hard even to do smudges working with prisoners and guards or in hospitals or schools sometimes, for example. Legal docs can help solve some of those problems by lending legitimacy to fellow professional religious that request it.<br /><br />- Projects get easier to do, like co-ops, or microloan programs, publishing houses, or abbeys. Also encourages full time clergy, such as nuns, monks, and other priests.<br /><br />Our problem in paganism in particular has always been organization and communication, and everyone has to re-invent the wheel in every new location. A seriously inefficient, as well as illogical, situation. A national supporting body, providing information and other resources, would save oodles of time, money, and effort. There is also the problem of where those who have different influences from many traditions, like Christian witches or Jewitches or eclectics, go to worship and get together, to organize, and to be validated and do work in the world. <a href="http://gifts-of-nature.blogspot.ca/2013/06/pagan-humanism-tradition-of-rational.html">Pagan Humanism</a> is ideally suited to provide that space. Paganism have always been tolerant of other traditions, as well as pantheist, and can provide an emotionally and spiritually satisfying experience for those who might otherwise not feel welcome in most other communities, without insisting on following any set of traditions or deities, or even, and this is the kicker, any deity at all. It's always better to be MORE inclusive than less, wouldn't you say? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Structure</span></h4>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our choice, being who we are, is:<br /><br />- Collective environment, with overseeing bodies to ordinate, provide continuity and support, and solve disputes. Like the entire Green Party of Canada, it's not actually difficult to achieve, especially with modern tech. Groups or individuals can propose projects, expenditures, visions, etc. The entire body can vote on providing funds, support, or other resources. Projects are all volunteer, no assignments. That way everyone brings their entire energy, and they can leave a project or the organization when they wish. A gestalt entity.<br /><br />- Board of Directors - Emergency and day to day decision making, with ratifications by members where required. And to point directly at someone for holding the bag on certain issues, as it were... Also, required for a non-for-profit corporation in Canada, it turns out...<br /><br />- Council of Elders - As a body of second thought, for those decisions that need some further consideration, if the Board may have got it wrong, if there is a dispute that the Board can't solve, and for moral and ethical drive.<br /><br />- Up to three Leaders, largely as Spokepersons. Because you need someone the press can talk to... Movements have a tendency to fizzle out when the Leader(s) leaves or dies, unless they are deified, which is rare. Although it is actually easier to </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">encourage members to join with </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">a created Cult of Personality, and group loyalty is higher, it is far more vulnerable to corruption and ultimately more fragile if the Leader dies, leaves, or is discredited. Though harder to get going and generate group identity, I have no intention of having everything we've all worked for dissipate because we lose the face on the stamp. However, it can be handy to have a face as a known symbol and to rally around, so spokesperson Leaders are still a darn good idea. Used correctly, of course...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Funding</span></h4>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Donations vs. grants vs. fundraising vs. products and services:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Donations are always lovely, but never to be relied upon. We can't ever count on donations or grants. They are the gravy, not the meal. WAYYY too many pagan groups, for example, have hoped that the community will simply 'help them out'. It doesn't happen. The old abbeys used to support themselves by being as self-sufficient as possible, taking students, making products of use to the community, like medicine. It has to be funded with the same eco-capitalism in mind. The ends definitely does not justify the means in this case. Or most cases, really. </span><br />
<div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />In a University, there are oodles of disciplines working side by side, and each is finding fulfilment and increasing their own knowledge, but they are all working together. Modern abbeys must, as all abbeys have in the past, support themselves. We can produce items that are in keeping with the spiritual pursuits of our members, such as sacred crafts, but we can also consider services such as a publishing company, group home, health food co-op, holistic healing and retreat business, money lending co-op, pagan and women's insurance org., and an arts group. When we can, of course. Methods to support ourselves and our families in Right Lifestyle: with safety, purity, determination, and honour, should be a huge draw. (Hel, I was fired twice in one year for my religious beliefs alone; rather than my safety and ethics code, which were also too high, apparently. Darn integrity...) I also want more pagans or alternative lifestyle folk to be able to count on financial assistance for insurance, mortgages, etc. (without some idiot passing judgement), financial instructions like co-ops, microloan programs, and eventual credit union and insurance mutuals. It only took the women's mircroloan program in India ten years to go from a few hundred dollars to ten million. This isn't India, of course, but that kind of growth is still possible here. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don't let anybody tell you it's gotten better for women in the financial world, either. I've run and started my own businesses, and had a life insurance licence. It has been hell trying to get anyone to deal with me fairly. (And I'm smarter and more attractive than the average bear. Heh.) </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Apprenticeships will also help attract and train people, if we already got Masters teaching certain skills... <u>We are open to the ideas, passions, and expertise of our members.</u></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><br />Currently, we generate income and promote with:<br /><br />1) Retail and wholesale herbal and stillroom product business - online and itinerant.<br />2) Training and apprenticeship<br />3) Lectures and speaking engagements<br />4) Food and whole foods co-ops<br /><br />With capital, those can easily expand into:<br /><br />1) Microloan programs<br />2) Physical retail locations<br />3) Training centres<br />4) Hospitality ventures<br />5) Healing and retreats<br />6) Cloistered communities</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Order is a facilitator </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">for projects and expressions of spirituality. We can back members and non-members, providing </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">space, funding, networking, or guidance.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Membership Criteria</span></h4>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Different levels of involvement will be available for different levels of commitment.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Cloistered community: </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">nuns, monks, hermits, etc.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Professional in-the-world members: priestess and priests, Celebrants</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Lay members: beguines, outreach workers<br />- Volunteers</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Different levels of privileges, e.g. voting, and differing resource support for different levels. For the most casual, they must only agree to accept and facilitate everyone's else's path, or be in agreement with our principles and goals, etc. Again, alot like the Greens. Heh. I'm not re-inventing the wheel or anything. I'm lazy. More like a combination of a full church, like Unitarians, plus the broadened focus of a Pagan United Way. For the most devoted, such as nuns, we will offer even more than other Orders of dedicants: room and board for as long as they stay with us, training, sponsorship in formal education and other bonuses for them and their families, and if they chose to leave us, a repayment of their sweat equity and any investment monies with interest, depending on how long they were with us. That way, no one feels they are taking too much of a personal risk, even when dedicating their lives to spiritual pursuits.<br /><br />- No one can be ousted, except by conviction of criminal act that is in the moral realm. (Parking tickets don't count.) But no one has to work with you either, and if everyone wants to have you transferred 'cause you're acting like a dictator or miss the point of the project or any number of serious personality conflicts, that's final. You can decide where else you want to go or to be solitary, and still supported at your level of commitment. Thus, hermitage can be encouraged, and power plays or groups cliques discorporated.<br /><br />- </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of our goals will be to ordain locals, regardless of their </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">affiliation. Humanist priests are usually called Celebrants. One of the primary questions</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> an applicant for ordination have to prove to us is that you can professionally MC </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ceremonies. Local signatures and maybe a video would easily show that. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nobody can certify you </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">as a Divine conduit, really. I CAN tell if you can give a satisfying performance </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">for a wedding, though... </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pagan Humanism solves the issue of the different </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">pagan paths very nicely. This is really a boon for those who are having </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">difficulty finding their place in major religions or philosophies, like Christian witches or atheists, or </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">being recognized by government as legitimate.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Abbey of the Green Flame</span></h4>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />Imagine: an actual place where one can dedicate one's life to voluntary simplicity, learning and using one's knowledge for humankind's benefit, providing a retreat to those who are ill and helping those who are ill to achieve full health, practising one's art, all without worrying about how to make one's daily bread... Interest has already been expressed for this kind of co-ordination and professionalism several years ago. I would join one if I could find it. If you can't find it, make it, is my motto... </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My abbey will be a modern one, designed to meet the needs of modern nuns and monks, not a re-creation. Collective structure, wholistic design, green tech... The entire abbey will be pagan humanist, with many diverse beliefs and practices able to be accommodated. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rather like the inclusiveness of Unitarians, but more active and In the World, if you will.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Different Paths, like Facilities, will allow everyone to study, perfect, and perform the lifestyle of their Calling. The Path of the Spoon, for example, teaches cookery and food as an act of worship, providing Masters and a place to practice in that space, without requiring dedication to Deity. <a href="http://gifts-of-nature.blogspot.ca/2013/11/traditional-apprenticeships-training-in.html">My own speciality is the stillroom, and I train in the traditional manner...</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">However, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I personally need a Celtic reClaimist subset for those of us of that persuasion, so </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">my own sect will be a female Brigantine order in the style of the original kelles, with a focus on the Flame of Kildare as Her manifestation. Music, bardic arts, poetry, healing, the warrior arts and scholarship will be the main focii. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> A full religion, not just a congregation and some ceremonies. A Circle, but much bigger. I'm focusing on women because they usually get the circle concept faster, but men and other genders are free to join, of course.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />One of the projects I'm embarking on if I move to Newfoundland is a co-ordination with local universities to complete a scholarly work that translates their research of the local folk trads into a practical Celtic magic manual. In Canada, European pagan heritage and beliefs have up until now only be recently recognized as a rich tradition of 'folklore', but it now has whole University departments dedicated to it. Like their music, some of it remains uncorrupted from the 16th century. My partner comes from the Codroy Valley, which is nearly all Scottish, many of whom came from Cape Breton. They still speak with a Scottish accent. There are also those of French decent, English that is linguistically nearly identical to Shakespeare's, and Irish. All remain relatively uncorrupted, as they left before the Removals, or Potato Famine, or Corn Laws decimated their relative folk cultures. Currently, there are in flux of scholars from the UK and other European countries who come to study the more primitive, more culturally complete music, tales, dance, and other folk traditions in Canada. For the Celtic nations, many of these traditions are accumulated in the halls of academia, but not yet reClaimed by Celtic trad witches of the world. A lifetime's worth of work, and many books, await the dedicated cult leader, I mean, spiritual guide. Heh, heh.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Each of our Founders and Affiliates has their own vision for doing sacred work in the modern world, with more inclusion of diverse spiritualities and encouragement of fulfilling lifestyles. One of our affiliates, The Copper Horse Abbey, for example, focuses on wholistic wellness for animals; horse medicine and natural training in particular. Pagan Humanism is a rich, accommodating environment and we very much welcome other viewpoints, input, energy, and spirit. Make suggestions or join us as a member, volunteer or group affiliate! We are here to support you!</span></div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15626580781769379881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560032271749992180.post-32971097095408190472013-11-18T16:21:00.002-07:002017-04-21T13:38:06.697-06:00Traditional Apprenticeships: Training in the modern Pagan Abbey<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Image result for abbey" height="180" src="http://www.kylemoreabbey.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/topbanner1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.kylemoreabbey.com/" target="_blank">Kylemore Abbey in Ireland</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">My recent activities<a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Order/Traditional%20Apprenticeships%20-%20Training%20in%20the%20modern%20Pagan%20Abbey.docx#_edn1" name="_ednref1" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: black;">[i]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> have unexpectedly netted alot of inquiries
from those wishing to study under me. Explaining different levels of
involvement so frequently has helped refine the details better in my own mind,
which is the major reward for the teacher, isn't it? In this case, we are
specifically referring to the training in healing and other technology, often associated
with women, primarily from the European Aboriginal traditions<a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Order/Traditional%20Apprenticeships%20-%20Training%20in%20the%20modern%20Pagan%20Abbey.docx#_edn2" name="_ednref2" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: black;">[ii]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>, that is taught at our
pagan Abbeys<a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Order/Traditional%20Apprenticeships%20-%20Training%20in%20the%20modern%20Pagan%20Abbey.docx#_edn3" name="_ednref3" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: black;">[iii]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>.
However,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>traditional
apprenticeships have many common elements</b>, including the relationship
between teacher and student, which we will also explore.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><u><span style="color: #222222;">Lessons or sessions and apprenticeships are two different<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>streams</span></u><span style="color: #222222;">. For
the first, they are in-depth teaching opportunities to learn the intricacies of
stillroom work for a more hobby use, perhaps as an introduction, or for
personal healing. I do them usually for groups, with a full lecture and demo<a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Order/Traditional%20Apprenticeships%20-%20Training%20in%20the%20modern%20Pagan%20Abbey.docx#_edn4" name="_ednref4" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: #222222;">[iv]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>, and in my home on an
individual basis. They require alot of prep and materials on my part, so I
often have to charge for them. Depending on materials and tech, as well as what
kind of detailed help the student requires, fees can range from $25-100/hour:
the higher level being full health consultations. 'Course, I also trade for
doing dishes, for example, since my dishwasher broke down... This is also
traditional, since most people don’t have chickens to trade anymore...</span><span style="color: #222222;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #222222;">Apprenticeship</span></b><span style="color: #222222;"> on
the other hand <b>is for those who believe
this might be their Calling</b>. It involves a far more intense and thorough
program, with the expectation that apprentices repay their teaching in sweat
equity rather than cash, and often continuing on to practice professionally. It
is longer, too, and harder, usually involving an eventual restructuring of
one's life to take on this goal.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Order/Traditional%20Apprenticeships%20-%20Training%20in%20the%20modern%20Pagan%20Abbey.docx#_edn5" name="_ednref5" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: #222222;">[v]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a><br />
<br />
I take applicants for both methods, and people can switch streams whenever they
like, if they are able to. I don't take on apprentices who are healing
themselves of a severe condition, for example. There is far too much going on
in someone's life when they are healing to add the intensity of a full time
apprenticeship, too. They stay Students until they are more fully recovered.</span><span style="color: #222222;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">With both methods, the dropout rate is still pretty high. </span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Similar to the attrition rate for mental health programs, if applicants give up, it's almost always in the first six weeks. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Most
people are not prepared for the revelations that occur when immersed into
traditional healing, and what that means for themselves, their lives, their
families, and how they fit in the world, or the world fits around them. It's a
profound shift, and many people are simply not equipped to deal with it at that
time. It's my job to help them with that, of course, but it's still too big a
leap for many. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">It is especially intense for those who seek the apprenticeship
stream. </span><span style="color: #222222;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">I take on very few apprentices. Since I also require the
spiritual component,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>potential
apprentices are accepted in similar ways to novitiates in other paths</b>.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Order/Traditional%20Apprenticeships%20-%20Training%20in%20the%20modern%20Pagan%20Abbey.docx#_edn6" name="_ednref6" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: #222222;">[vi]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> Sometimes,
they simply need to apply, and I am satisfied that they are ready to
dedicate themselves and meet the challenge. Occationally, I allow them to commit to
the apprenticeship stream only after a trial
period, especially if they seem adamant on the surface but some
underlying issues are holding them back or making progress difficult. In
certain cases, an Initiation or personal trial is
required, for those who require a more visceral acknowledgement of
the contract and to prove they won't fail out when the hard work begins.<br />
<br />
No matter how they arrive to the path, however,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>all apprentices are chosen for
their dedication not just to healing others, but to their own personal growth,
character, and empowerment</b>. No one can heal anyone else, of course. Only
patients heal themselves, no matter what you cut out of them or dose them with.
Someone who feels they are done with suffering will die no matter how
successful the treatment is, and others will rise from their deathbeds with
remarkable courage if they have the will.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Order/Traditional%20Apprenticeships%20-%20Training%20in%20the%20modern%20Pagan%20Abbey.docx#_edn7" name="_ednref7" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: #222222;">[vii]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> The healing arts are to
facilitate that recovery as much as possible. So I dislike the term Healer,
since healing is entirely done by the patient (except laying on of hands, which I have yet to
have proven to me), but since I can't really come up with a better term, it will
have to suffice. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">Because of this, however, one of the best methods to increase
chances in patient outcome, in traditional or conventional healing, is having a
fully actualized Healer. This is self-evident, but not included at all
in conventional training, though very much a part of traditional
healing in many parts of the world.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Order/Traditional%20Apprenticeships%20-%20Training%20in%20the%20modern%20Pagan%20Abbey.docx#_edn8" name="_ednref8" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: #222222;">[viii]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Order/Traditional%20Apprenticeships%20-%20Training%20in%20the%20modern%20Pagan%20Abbey.docx#_edn9" name="_ednref9" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: #222222;">[ix]</span></span></span></a> Someone who has actively worked to eradicate their flaws, like racial or sexist prejudices, is a better patient
advocate, for example, and can hear the vulnerable in a more meaningful
way.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Order/Traditional%20Apprenticeships%20-%20Training%20in%20the%20modern%20Pagan%20Abbey.docx#_edn10" name="_ednref10" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: #222222;">[x]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> A healer who has cultivated humility will
be more available to assist in vital procedures or discussions that other
professionals might find beneath their dignity. A healer who practices
Detached Compassion<a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Order/Traditional%20Apprenticeships%20-%20Training%20in%20the%20modern%20Pagan%20Abbey.docx#_edn11" name="_ednref11" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: #222222;">[xi]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> will be strong and kind to those who invoke great pity in others, and the “Wounded Healer”
such as a shaman can devote far more energy and time to palliative care than
those who are struggling with their own mortality. </span><o:p></o:p></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Modern conventional healers are trained largely as technicians</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, under the Body is a Machine model, which is totally different from nearly all forms of traditional healing, and while they have achieved certain miracles, it is a very new form of medicine. Like any youth, it seeks to make it own way without listening to its Elders, and only with maturity can we hope to integrate successful traditional wisdom with current practices.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Let's pick just one example to illustrate. PTSD<a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Order/Traditional%20Apprenticeships%20-%20Training%20in%20the%20modern%20Pagan%20Abbey.docx#_edn12" name="_ednref12" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: #222222;">[xii]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>, often induced in the
Western world by childhood or adult sexual or physical abuse, is a far more
common condition than it should be. In those drawn to paganism, which is my
worldview, there is a much higher incidence of seekers who have been wounded in
this way – closer to 85%. As many grew up in other traditions, this often
represents a failure of their previous systems to satisfactorily contextualize
their experiences. So it is with distressing frequency that I encounter this
deeply rooted issue in my students and apprentices. For those who have not yet
dealt with this in their lives, it can be a terrible blind spot that can
influence how they treat others coming to them for help. Unable to deal with
the darkness in themselves, they often miss the same symptoms in others, or the
reason for them. As their Mistress, it is part of my duty to guide them come to
terms with their pain in whatever manner they best respond to: from medicine
and therapy to intense spiritual journeys. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">So, when I take on apprentices, I train them as traditional
professional pagan healing nonnes. (I currently don't train men as apprentices,
for various reasons.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Order/Traditional%20Apprenticeships%20-%20Training%20in%20the%20modern%20Pagan%20Abbey.docx#_edn13" name="_ednref13" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: #222222;">[xiii]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>) This means not only
studying for months or years to learn the traditional tech, but they also
dedicate themselves to spiritual self-improvement. They
examine their own lives for fatal flaws and empower themselves. Because of
this, there is far less to cloud their judgements in their
examinations of others, and they are more able to give of themselves
with sincerity and reverence, and not simply as a drain on their
resources. To that end, we emphasize knowledge, honour,
duty, integrity, courage, discipline, deep personal
self-examination in all the dark places, and ultimately, vows, if the dedicant
choses to make this her life's work.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">For method and technique, we have to adapt to
the modern era we live in, but there is
a plethora of material to build upon from the past <a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Order/Traditional%20Apprenticeships%20-%20Training%20in%20the%20modern%20Pagan%20Abbey.docx#_edn14" name="_ednref14" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: #222222;">[xiv]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Order/Traditional%20Apprenticeships%20-%20Training%20in%20the%20modern%20Pagan%20Abbey.docx#_edn15" name="_ednref15" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: #222222;">[xv]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Order/Traditional%20Apprenticeships%20-%20Training%20in%20the%20modern%20Pagan%20Abbey.docx#_edn16" name="_ednref16" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: #222222;">[xvi]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>, as well as some current
best practices. We use whatever resources are necessary, including other acknowledged
professionals and accredited institutions. For example, our nuns learn how
to 'read' a client, such as body clues, intuiting and
micro-expressions<a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Order/Traditional%20Apprenticeships%20-%20Training%20in%20the%20modern%20Pagan%20Abbey.docx#_edn17" name="_ednref17" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: #222222;">[xvii]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>,
to better understand a client's actual issues, especially those they might
not be willing to divulge, and investigate many other possibilities that most healers never know to look for. They
also learn how to make the remedies themselves, like salves, decoctions,
alcohols, poultices, candies, and healing foods, as well as put forward recommendations and train clients in their use. Some finish university degrees
in our specialities, such as counselling and folklore. We also teach how to
work within the laws and health requirements of each country, partner up
with other members of the healing team, and not step on the toes of
conventional med, the pharmaceutical industry, and food and
drug administrations, which have a tendency to bite.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">However, one of the most important reasons for me for
the rigorous selection process and the choice of taking only a
few apprentices is the personal trial they represent.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>By agreeing to be someone's
Mistress,</b><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>or mentor, or sifu,
or yogini<a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Order/Traditional%20Apprenticeships%20-%20Training%20in%20the%20modern%20Pagan%20Abbey.docx#_edn18" name="_ednref18" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: #222222;">[xviii]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>you commit to a lifelong
relationship.</b><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>You must not
only train them in your particular art, but also move them along in their
spiritual and personal journey. As you help them discover themselves,
you volunteer to be their Dark Mirror, which requires a great deal of
trust and honesty on both sides. As the training continues, it becomes
impossible not to have a close and ultimately vulnerable relationship. I
still sit down with my first Mistress, who is now nearly 70, and we discuss
everything from our sex lives to our fears, our dreams, and our successes.
We give each other insights in as open and often blunt way as we can, because
no one else knows us better, and almost no one is prepared to be as honest
and genuinely helpful. To this day, it still helps both of us in our
lives and continually assists us to become more developed and whole persons.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Fantasy novels are full of students who have betrayed their
masters' trust and try to destroy them. However, the reality is not far from
that myth. In this kind of intimate relationship, as such tend to become, the wrong
selection of student can be a devastating blow. Whether it's your
business secrets or proprietary formulations, or your personal
life lessons that you have imparted as examples for training, an apprentice
that proves him or herself unworthy of carrying such secrets can make a huge
mess of your life or career. Like most close relationships, really... I have
some experience in this kind of heartbreak, and it guides my reluctance, my
selection and my occasional trials or character proofs for
applicants. Sadly…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Student or apprentice, I take my role as a sacred trust, and do
my very best to give that person what I feel they most need: whether it be
simple healing knowledge, physical health, spiritual self-examination, business
and social training, or character building and empowerment. Even if the healing must be done when they aren't aware of it, which is much harder… It can take a great personal toll, but the rewards of watching other people’s lives unfold beautifully are worth it, and
can bring so much joy. I am always honoured to be asked to serve my clients and
students, and with hard work, personal sacrifice and dedication, to train others
go out into the world committed to serve, heal, and fight for justice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
</div>
<div>
<!--[if !supportEndnotes]--><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br clear="all" /></span>
<br />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<br />
<div id="edn1">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Order/Traditional%20Apprenticeships%20-%20Training%20in%20the%20modern%20Pagan%20Abbey.docx#_ednref1" name="_edn1" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference">[i]</span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <a href="http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2013/10/30/for-some-wiccans-halloween-is-a-real-witch/">http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2013/10/30/for-some-wiccans-halloween-is-a-real-witch/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn2">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Order/Traditional%20Apprenticeships%20-%20Training%20in%20the%20modern%20Pagan%20Abbey.docx#_ednref2" name="_edn2" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference">[ii]</span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <a href="http://gifts-of-nature.blogspot.com/2013/03/witch-heritage-101-european-aborignals.html">http://gifts-of-nature.blogspot.com/2013/03/witch-heritage-101-european-aborignals.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn3">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Order/Traditional%20Apprenticeships%20-%20Training%20in%20the%20modern%20Pagan%20Abbey.docx#_ednref3" name="_edn3" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference">[iii]</span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <a href="http://gifts-of-nature.blogspot.ca/2013/07/pagan-abbeys-practical-heritage-for.html">http://gifts-of-nature.blogspot.ca/2013/07/pagan-abbeys-practical-heritage-for.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn4">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Order/Traditional%20Apprenticeships%20-%20Training%20in%20the%20modern%20Pagan%20Abbey.docx#_ednref4" name="_edn4" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference">[iv]</span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GiftsofNature">https://www.facebook.com/GiftsofNature</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn5">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Order/Traditional%20Apprenticeships%20-%20Training%20in%20the%20modern%20Pagan%20Abbey.docx#_ednref5" name="_edn5" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference">[v]</span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <a href="http://gifts-of-nature.blogspot.ca/2011/01/my-transformation-guest-blog-from-my.html">http://gifts-of-nature.blogspot.ca/2011/01/my-transformation-guest-blog-from-my.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn6">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Order/Traditional%20Apprenticeships%20-%20Training%20in%20the%20modern%20Pagan%20Abbey.docx#_ednref6" name="_edn6" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference">[vi]</span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Novitiate">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Novitiate</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn7">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Order/Traditional%20Apprenticeships%20-%20Training%20in%20the%20modern%20Pagan%20Abbey.docx#_ednref7" name="_edn7" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference">[vii]</span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2011/12/05/health/positive-thinking-deepak-chopra/">http://www.cnn.com/2011/12/05/health/positive-thinking-deepak-chopra/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn8">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Order/Traditional%20Apprenticeships%20-%20Training%20in%20the%20modern%20Pagan%20Abbey.docx#_ednref8" name="_edn8" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference">[viii]</span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shamanism">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shamanism</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn9">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Order/Traditional%20Apprenticeships%20-%20Training%20in%20the%20modern%20Pagan%20Abbey.docx#_ednref9" name="_edn9" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference">[ix]</span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <a href="http://www.tibetanlanguage.org/bookstore/Tibetan_Medicine.html">http://www.tibetanlanguage.org/bookstore/Tibetan_Medicine.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn10">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Order/Traditional%20Apprenticeships%20-%20Training%20in%20the%20modern%20Pagan%20Abbey.docx#_ednref10" name="_edn10" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference">[x]</span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <a href="http://gifts-of-nature.blogspot.ca/2013/10/starved-for-content.html">http://gifts-of-nature.blogspot.ca/2013/10/starved-for-content.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn11">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Order/Traditional%20Apprenticeships%20-%20Training%20in%20the%20modern%20Pagan%20Abbey.docx#_ednref11" name="_edn11" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference">[xi]</span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <a href="http://wisdomquarterly.blogspot.ca/2012/11/detachment-and-compassion-in-buddhism.html">http://wisdomquarterly.blogspot.ca/2012/11/detachment-and-compassion-in-buddhism.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn12">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Order/Traditional%20Apprenticeships%20-%20Training%20in%20the%20modern%20Pagan%20Abbey.docx#_ednref12" name="_edn12" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference">[xii]</span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Posttraumatic_stress_disorder">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Posttraumatic_stress_disorder</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn13">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Order/Traditional%20Apprenticeships%20-%20Training%20in%20the%20modern%20Pagan%20Abbey.docx#_ednref13" name="_edn13" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference">[xiii]</span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <a href="http://bestpractices.diversityinc.com/platform/1934/docs/mentoring12.pdf">http://bestpractices.diversityinc.com/platform/1934/docs/mentoring12.pdf</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn14">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Order/Traditional%20Apprenticeships%20-%20Training%20in%20the%20modern%20Pagan%20Abbey.docx#_ednref14" name="_edn14" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference">[xiv]</span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hildegard-von-Bingens-Physica-Translation/dp/0892816619">http://www.amazon.com/Hildegard-von-Bingens-Physica-Translation/dp/0892816619</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn15">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Order/Traditional%20Apprenticeships%20-%20Training%20in%20the%20modern%20Pagan%20Abbey.docx#_ednref15" name="_edn15" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference">[xv]</span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cold_cream">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cold_cream</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn16">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Order/Traditional%20Apprenticeships%20-%20Training%20in%20the%20modern%20Pagan%20Abbey.docx#_ednref16" name="_edn16" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference">[xvi]</span><!--[endif]--></span></a> "More than anything else, however, Brigid
is renowned for her hospitality. The poor and the infirm come in their
multitudes. She makes provision for the sick, tending to them with her
knowledge of contemporary medicine. Kildare becomes a place of holy pilgrimage
for all, from the prominent and powerful to the lowly and forgotten."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> <a href="http://www.allsaintsbrookline.org/celtic_saints/brigid.html">http://www.allsaintsbrookline.org/celtic_saints/brigid.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn17">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Order/Traditional%20Apprenticeships%20-%20Training%20in%20the%20modern%20Pagan%20Abbey.docx#_ednref17" name="_edn17" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference">[xvii]</span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <a href="http://www.paulekman.com/micro-expressions/">http://www.paulekman.com/micro-expressions/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn18">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Order/Traditional%20Apprenticeships%20-%20Training%20in%20the%20modern%20Pagan%20Abbey.docx#_ednref18" name="_edn18" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference">[xviii]</span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guru-shishya_tradition">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guru-shishya_tradition</a></span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div id="edn18">
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div id="edn18">
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div id="edn16">
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div id="edn15">
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div id="edn14">
</div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15626580781769379881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560032271749992180.post-27518951986571405832013-10-11T15:56:00.001-06:002013-10-11T15:56:46.706-06:00Starved for content...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In case anyone was wondering what I've been up to, (what's she DOING?!), I am currently finishing up my Counselling Women and undergrad degree. It's been a long time coming. Like many women, I wasn't able to finish or further my studies when I was younger, so I'm finally rectifying that sad situation later in life. I never stopped my research, and I have some fabulous developments that I will be publishing later, and was in fact able to teach much of it in less academic settings. But that only goes so far, and to take my work to the next level, it's necessary to have the paperwork and degrees to back it up.<br /><br />So, much of my current writing and research has gone into essays and such. For your edification, this is one of the short pieces I presented to my Issues in Women's Health prof. Mostly, the mechanics were not to her liking, rather than the content. I hope I have corrected enough of those mistakes for her to see my true brilliance shine through... Heh.<br /></span><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.95pt; margin-bottom: 9.6pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 9.6pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #333333;">Statement 1:</span></strong><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.95pt; margin-bottom: 9.6pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 9.6pt;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Based on and using examples
from your required readings, critically discuss notions of autonomy as they
relate to women’s health care. Include some discussion of the conflicts that
arise from ideal and actual conditions defining patient autonomy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Patient
autonomy has not always been of primary concern in conventional health care,
but is now seen to play a vital role in outcomes and quality of care. Sherwin
(1998) gives a <u>comprehensive four point definition</u> used to determine
ideal autonomy in health care. The patient 1) must be sufficiently competent,
2) makes a reasonable choice from available options, 3) has adequate
information and understanding of the choices, and 4) is free of coercion (p.
26).<a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Athabasca/WGST%20303%20Assignment%201%20Two%20Short%20Essays.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference">[1]</span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
However, these definitions are problematic in practice when examined in the
context of classist or sexist institutional constructs.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For the
<b>first condition</b>, competency is often
defined by the dominant power group. Language and cultural barriers for example
are often considered reason enough to question a patient’s competency or
understanding when considering their care.
Rationality in particular is considered the usual yardstick of
competency, especially, as Genevieve Lloyd (1984) shows, that that the agent
demonstrate objectivity and emotional distance. However, since those traits are
“constructed in opposition [to those] stereotypically assigned to women..[they]
are often seen as simply incapable of rationality” (as cited by Sherman, p.
26) Competency, therefore, is often
already defined as outside a woman’s capabilities, and autonomy becomes an
impossibility.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The
ideal for <b>condition two</b>, or
reasonable selection of offered choices, appears straightforward enough.
However, “the set of available options is constructed in ways that may already
seriously limit the patient’s autonomy by prematurely excluding option the
patient might have preferred.” (Sherwin, p.26) From dominant viewpoints to
researchers to funding to primary care providers, pre-selection reducing
women’s preferences occur at every significant point in the shaping process of
offering health care options.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The <b>third condition</b> of patient autonomy,
that of adequate information to understand the choices, ties in with the
choices available. In “the information
that has been deemed worthy of study…and, significantly, what questions are
neglected; systemic bias unquestionably influences these polices.” (Sherman, p.
27). Patients most often do not have the expertise to question providers to
gain the information they need, and providers often do not have the perspective
as a member of that group or experience treating those members, and in many
cases, the time available, to be able to volunteer the information relevant to
the patient’s situation. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 200%;">The <b>fourth condition</b>, in such a dominant
patriarchal culture, is the most obviously problematic. Oppression permeates
almost every aspect of a woman’s choice and agency. No matter how liberated a
woman has worked to become, “[i]t’s hard to fight an enemy who has outposts in
your head.” (</span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #333333; line-height: 200%;">Sally
Kempton, Esquire, 1970) Every choice,
therefore, can be subconsciously influenced by the culture around her, and
those decisions reinforced. Standards of beauty, self-worth related to
fertility, and negative views of aging for example can all influence treatment
choices, including the desirability and presentations of those treatments and
the risks involved.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For
women especially, the challenges of navigating and expressing autonomy in a
system where they are overtly and subtly coerced, with stereotyped beliefs that
reinforce their lack of competency, and with choices designed by those who do
not consider women’s preferences, makes accessing health care a frustrating and
often dangerous journey.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.95pt; margin-bottom: 9.6pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 9.6pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #333333;">Statement 2:</span></strong><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.95pt; margin-bottom: 9.6pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 9.6pt;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Based on and using examples
from your required readings, critically discuss how gender expectations affect
both paid and unpaid providers of health care. Include some analysis of ways in
which the needs of women health care providers can be met.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 200%;">Gender expectations are a vital
and primary consideration in the delivery and quality of care of patients, and
the working conditions of health care delivery. </span></b><span style="line-height: 200%;">How could it not be? “Approximately 80% of paid health care
workers in Canada are women… Women make up the overwhelming majority of
hospital workers…Women are also the overwhelming majority of health care
workers employed in nursing homes, residential facilities or private homes”,
according to Armstrong et al. (2009b)<a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Athabasca/WGST%20303%20Assignment%201%20Two%20Short%20Essays.docx#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="color: black;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> As for unpaid workers providing health care, usually
to older relatives, Letvak, S. (March 2001) reminds us that “</span><span style="line-height: 200%;">72% of
caregivers are women."<a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Athabasca/WGST%20303%20Assignment%201%20Two%20Short%20Essays.docx#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference">[3]</span><!--[endif]--></span></a>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Not
only do these disproportionate demands on time create stress for the women
caregivers, for those who have made a career out of it, <b>the inherent sexism of their expected roles can create further
difficulties.</b> As Letvak suggests from G J Clifford, “the predominance
of women in such professions as social work and nursing has led to their
identification with that other domain of female exclusivity, the housewife.”<a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Athabasca/WGST%20303%20Assignment%201%20Two%20Short%20Essays.docx#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="color: black;">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> Letvak also quotes from P E B Valentine, that
nursing in particular, “being identified with a docile female role…has led to a
ghettoization of the career field. Ghettoization segregates people by race,
ethnicity, lifestyle, or socioeconomic status and reinforces negative
stereotypes<span class="apple-converted-space">“</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Athabasca/WGST%20303%20Assignment%201%20Two%20Short%20Essays.docx#_ftn5" name="_ftnref5" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="color: black;">[5]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a><span class="apple-converted-space"> which has made it progress against the gender
expectations of the so-called nurturing professions nearly impossible, even
today.<br />
<br />
<b>Mothers</b> who are paid or unpaid
caregivers are in the worst straits. As Letvak reports from </span>Faludi,<span class="apple-converted-space"> “</span>70% of women with young children also
participate in the labor force. Women still shoulder 70% of all household
duties<span class="apple-converted-space">”</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Athabasca/WGST%20303%20Assignment%201%20Two%20Short%20Essays.docx#_ftn6" name="_ftnref6" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="color: black;">[6]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a><span class="apple-converted-space"> Women’s
unpaid care hours re excluded from paid labour and other duties, however, as
“Sixty percent of women caregivers work 35 or more hours per week outside of
the home in addition to caring for an older adult family member”</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Athabasca/WGST%20303%20Assignment%201%20Two%20Short%20Essays.docx#_ftn7" name="_ftnref7" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="color: black;">[7]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a><span class="apple-converted-space"> as Letvak enumerates from Jenkins. Why are women disproportionately burdened
with the health care needs of patients in our culture, yet also expected to
perform all their other duties as well? It is considered acceptable in a sexist
social context, because “</span>[t]he very image of nursing maintains the
stereotype of nurturing, self-sacrificing females who will always meet the
needs of others.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Clearly, this is detrimental to women, and the families and
patients they care for, and comprises the health of all concerned. But <b>what
is to be done?</b> As Lessard et al.
suggests, by fully engaging the women involved in paid and unpaid care in the
policy process<a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Athabasca/WGST%20303%20Assignment%201%20Two%20Short%20Essays.docx#_ftn8" name="_ftnref8" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="color: black;">[8]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
as part of the solution, some remedies automatically present themselves. Recognizing and valuing women’s caregiving
services could reduce frustration and result in more appropriate services and
programs, including possible subsidies or other support for unpaid caregivers.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Athabasca/WGST%20303%20Assignment%201%20Two%20Short%20Essays.docx#_ftn9" name="_ftnref9" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="color: black;">[9]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> Letvak suggests other support suggestions for
paid caregivers, such as flexible working hours, job sharing, part-time work
with benefits, and other innovations on hours worked, including more flexible
time off for those with kids in school or whose families become ill.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Athabasca/WGST%20303%20Assignment%201%20Two%20Short%20Essays.docx#_ftn10" name="_ftnref10" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="color: black;">[10]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 200%;">As the fashion for neocon privatization of public services shows
no signs of slowing down in health care, it appears that women will be forced
to take on even more of the burden than they have in the past. The time for
improvement is now, increasing the quality level of care, staff, and saving the
system money. Without considered improvements in the conventional health
delivery system, patient care and professional nursing and its quality will
continue to decrease, homecare will necessarily increase, the burden shifting
more to families and their women, reducing the health of all concerned, and
therefore, our collective health. With a
rapidly </span><span style="line-height: 37.77777862548828px;">ageing</span><span style="line-height: 200%;"> population, it is of vital importance.</span><span style="line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div>
<!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br clear="all" />
</span><hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="ftn1">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Athabasca/WGST%20303%20Assignment%201%20Two%20Short%20Essays.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference">[1]</span><!--[endif]--></span></a> Sherwin,
S. (!998). A relational approach to autonomy in health care. In S. Sherwin
(Coord.), <i>The politics of women’s health,
Exploring agency and autonomy</i> (pp.19-47) Philadelphia: Temple University
Press.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn2">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Athabasca/WGST%20303%20Assignment%201%20Two%20Short%20Essays.docx#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference">[2]</span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Armstrong et al (2009b). Hidden health care work and women. Canadian Women’s
Health Network<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn3">
<div class="apa" style="margin-left: 30.0pt; text-indent: -30.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Athabasca/WGST%20303%20Assignment%201%20Two%20Short%20Essays.docx#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference">[3]</span><!--[endif]--></span></a> Letvak,
S. (March 2001). Nurses as working women.<span class="apple-converted-space"><u> </u></span><span class="publication"><i>AORN
Journal, 73</i></span>(3), 675–682.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="margin-left: 30.0pt; mso-cellspacing: 1.5pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn4">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Athabasca/WGST%20303%20Assignment%201%20Two%20Short%20Essays.docx#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference">[4]</span><!--[endif]--></span></a> G J
Clifford, "Women's liberation and women's professions reconsidering the
past, present and future," in Women and Higher Education in American
History: Essays from the Mount Holyoke College Sesquicentennial Symposia, ed J
Faragher, F Howe (New York: W W Norton and Co, 1988) 165-182.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn5">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Athabasca/WGST%20303%20Assignment%201%20Two%20Short%20Essays.docx#_ftnref5" name="_ftn5" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference">[5]</span><!--[endif]--></span></a> P E B
Valentine, "Nursing: A ghettoized profession relegated to women's
sphere," International Journal of Nursing Studies 33 no 1 (1996) 98-106.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn6">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Athabasca/WGST%20303%20Assignment%201%20Two%20Short%20Essays.docx#_ftnref6" name="_ftn6" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference">[6]</span><!--[endif]--></span></a> Faludi,
Backlash: The Undeclared War Against American Women.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn7">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Athabasca/WGST%20303%20Assignment%201%20Two%20Short%20Essays.docx#_ftnref7" name="_ftn7" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference">[7]</span><!--[endif]--></span></a> C L
Jenkins, "Women, work and caregiving: How do these roles affect women's
wellbeing?" Journal of Women and Aging 9 no 3 (1997) 27-45.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn8">
<div class="apa" style="margin-left: 30.0pt; text-indent: -30.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Athabasca/WGST%20303%20Assignment%201%20Two%20Short%20Essays.docx#_ftnref8" name="_ftn8" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference">[8]</span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <a href="http://drr.lib.athabascau.ca/redirect.php?id=48006" target="_blank">Lessard, D.,
Barylak, L., Cote, D., Martin, J., Lavoie, J., & Berube, L. (2001, Winter).
Caregivers and support services: Becoming empowered. Centres of Excellence for
Women’s Health<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="publication"><i><span style="text-decoration: none;">Research Bulletin, 1</span></i></span>(2), 12–14.</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="margin-left: 30.0pt; mso-cellspacing: 1.5pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn9">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Athabasca/WGST%20303%20Assignment%201%20Two%20Short%20Essays.docx#_ftnref9" name="_ftn9" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference">[9]</span><!--[endif]--></span></a> Ibid.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn10">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Treasach%20Capnerhurst/Documents/Athabasca/WGST%20303%20Assignment%201%20Two%20Short%20Essays.docx#_ftnref10" name="_ftn10" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference">[10]</span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Letvak., S, (March, 2001)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15626580781769379881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560032271749992180.post-59417975446731916382013-09-01T16:13:00.000-06:002013-09-14T13:37:13.002-06:00Pagan religious communities in your area: Connecting with and creating them<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha4KLMC1T1dHCwfhAUfb1NvtAuAKEM-ZIzYL7a3HuqLCItDb3qZuAoJhIMufMg_-sxqgOpzguz-JKERMyd_o_zflcFYeAAnsRI-2VeFZYME45Um3cMLgIEMjFYhJLTto_ERsVoacMQhue7/s1600/a+Sacred+Woman's+Temple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha4KLMC1T1dHCwfhAUfb1NvtAuAKEM-ZIzYL7a3HuqLCItDb3qZuAoJhIMufMg_-sxqgOpzguz-JKERMyd_o_zflcFYeAAnsRI-2VeFZYME45Um3cMLgIEMjFYhJLTto_ERsVoacMQhue7/s320/a+Sacred+Woman's+Temple.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">My continuing series on <a href="http://gifts-of-nature.blogspot.ca/2013/07/pagan-abbeys-practical-heritage-for.html" target="_blank">pagan abbeys</a> has been well received and I have had many inquires about pagan communities in North America, </span><span style="color: #222222;">lay and cloistered</span><span style="color: #222222;">. For those of you as hungry to be a part of such a dedicated group as I am, but have not yet found the right one, here are a few ways you might be able to connect with something suitable. If there are no structures in place in your area that fit your criteria, and you have the inspiration to create one, I have included some suggestions for that as well.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Identifying</span></h2>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of the main reasons for dissatisfaction in a group is that most aspirants don't start by<b> identifying their needs</b> correctly. In Western paganism, and especially in North America, there are often so few dedicated pagan groups that one must join whatever is available regardless of any misgivings or wrong fits, simply to partake of a community setting. This is a pity, as it often does not satisfy either the seeker or the other participants. They, or others, soon leave, or there is a long drawn out period where everyone becomes unhappy. Since there are so few options, and as the community is often so close knit, that a withdrawal or rejection from one group often leaves the seeker with even fewer choices for the future.</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We can achieve the honing of our expectations without burning our local bridges by clearly identifying what is most important to us before we even attend our first meeting. Most reps aren't willing to answer a long form questionnaire for the pleasure of your presence, of course, but most are agreeable to addressing your most important concerns. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As it is quite an effort for most smaller groups to include new members, knowing what you need ahead of time can save everyone, including you, alot of grief. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What exactly does a group require for you to be happy in it? What can you live with, and what is a dealbreaker?</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* Dedicated to your deity, sect, or practice? Atheist? Non-denominational</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* Supportive or focused on other communities as well - Gender or sex based, </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">LBGT friendly, actively and pro anti-racial, anti-ablist, anti-agist?</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* Level of commitment - Full time, ritual only, class based, coven like? Working in the world or simple meet-ups?</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* Level of spirituality - Full time, full ritual, same tradition, like minded or causal?*</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Travel - how far are you willing to go? To move, commute, or pop by?</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Be honest with yourself. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Your needs are your own and n</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">o one can criticize you for your choices. Don't expect others to change their group for you, since they probably won't, but your self-knowledge will make the task of narrowing your selections much simpler.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Locating</span></h2>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now that you have broken down into a list of what you actually require, locating a group becomes much easier.</span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">An additional avenue to consider is the practice of your spirituality along with your sacred calling, tasks, or interests. Many pagans find inspiration and sacredness in history, traditional skills, crafts, role-play, sexuality, activism, and other practices. There are many other individuals that also share those interests, and those kinds of groups don't need to be sacred for you to feel as though you are fulfilling your spiritual needs. They are often easier to find and connect with, and you will learn from them how to better serve your deity (if you have one) and spirit, by honing and practising the skills that you associate most with the sacred.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Another bonus of connecting with any of these communities, religious or secular, is that you should be able to <b>network with others</b> that share your interests, and have an even better chance of finding a less well known but perfect group for your needs. If you find something sacred, so do others!</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm going to make the leap here that you already know how to search for a pagan group in your area using Google and other on-line means. <b><a href="http://www.witchvox.com/" target="_blank">Witchvox</a></b>, for example,<b> lists many local pagan groups.</b> If you still can't see any that fit the needs you've defined, do not despair! There are alot of avenues that many people miss when they are searching. Here are some suggestions of where to start looking for a group that meets your requirements that may not have an online presence or local listing. Feel free to suggest more.</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A word about Message boards:</b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Even though scouring Craigslist, Kijiji and social networking are the first places to start, many communities don't have the work hours to keep posting on too many sites. Going down to a physical location, like an occult or new age bookstore, whole foods store or community centre and checking or posting on their notice boards is an increasingly disused option, but one worthy of pursuit. For many groups, it's so much easier to leave up a poster and wait for inquiries than maintain a FB feed. You will always find at least one event or group that you never would have found any other way.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Organized:</span></span></h3>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Religious, National and International:</span></span></h4>
<div>
<a href="http://www.uua.org/" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;" target="_blank">Unitarian Universalists</a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.druidry.org/" target="_blank">The Order of Bards, Ovates, and Druids</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">International <a href="http://iheu.org/" target="_blank">Humanists</a>: <a href="http://humanistcanada.ca/" target="_blank">Canada</a>, <a href="http://americanhumanist.org/" target="_blank">US</a>, <a href="https://humanism.org.uk/" target="_blank">UK</a>, <a href="http://www.spiritualhumanism.org/" target="_blank">Spiritual Humanism</a> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://gallae.com/" target="_blank">Maetrum of Cybele</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/AbbeyoftheGreenFlame" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Abbey of the Green Flame</span></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/CopperHorseAbbey" target="_blank">Copper Horse Abbey</a></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://oto-usa.org/" target="_blank">OTO</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Student groups at Universities and Colleges</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Less organized, organic:</span></span></h4>
<div>
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/RedTentMovement" target="_blank">Red Tent Movement</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pan Indian movement and <a href="http://www.idlenomore.ca/join?splash=1" target="_blank">Idle No More</a></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Drum circles</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">shamantic</span><span style="color: #222222;"> offerings</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">bardic circles</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">healing circles</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Iron John retreats and The Good Men Project</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<h4>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cloistered or Segregated secular communities:</span></h4>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">alternative healing retreats</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.ic.org/" target="_blank">Intentional Communities</a>: ecovillages, cohousing communities, residential land trusts, communes, co-ops, housing cooperatives</span><br />
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Secular Communities of Sacred Interests:</span></h3>
<div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Recreationist:</span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://sca.org/" target="_blank">Society of Creative Anachronisms</a> and medieval reCreationists</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Steampunk</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">war reenactors</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">LARPS</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bellydancing and other traditional folk dancing</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">sacred circle dance</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yoga</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">martial arts and other moving meditation, archery</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Women's and Men's Healing</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Gender Activism</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">LBGT groups</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">poly groups</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">sexuality groups, like BDSM</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">eco activism</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">animal activism</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">political activism</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">traditional skills - herbology, fibre arts, cookery, leatherworking, blacksmithing</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">music - medieval, bardic, folk</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;"><b>For example,</b> you've decided that </span><span style="color: #222222;">you need a group of like-minded women whose causal support in weekly meetings will help affirm your Goddess-hood. A</span><span style="color: #222222;">s a disabled person,</span><span style="color: #222222;"> y</span><span style="color: #222222;">ou aren't able to travel much, so you need a local, accessible and positive</span><span style="color: #222222;"> group who will support you. Surprisingly, in most urban environments, that's not hard to come by. It might be very hard to immediately find a coven like that, but there are plenty of women's groups that will fulfil all those requirements, and still let you get your spiritual kick out of it. Joining your local Pride centre for womyn's night, participating in a women's dance circle or even making the commitment to volunteer at a sexual assault centre or Planned Parenthood can give you the group interaction you crave, while also truly giving back to the Goddess reflections on earth. While you are there, you may also find other women who have the same spiritual needs, and would love to get together with you for prayers and tea, or who can introduce you to one, and that is an extra bonus.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you decide that as a city dweller with a schedule to keep and you need a temple that you can head off to ritual for on a regular basis, that then limits you to more organized groups, rather than the spontaneous organic types. If a like minded organized group will do, UU could be an option. Or perhaps you can get along with heathens, but </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">due to your past history, </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Christians make you nervous, so the UU option is less viable. Perhaps a Druid grove or Wiccan or OTC temple might be more your speed then, even if you don't share all their beliefs. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Other spiritual needs can work like that, too. If you want to move to the country and dedicate yourself to a full time cloistered community, for example, and you *don't* want to pretend or convert to Catholicism or Buddhism or Taoism or go Amish, but you don't mind if everyone else isn't doing the same prayers whenever you are, then International Communities or the new Ecovillages springing up are an excellent alternative. Most are secular, but not anti-religious, and are supportive of most lifestyles.</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It would be fabulous if we had already available spaces for gay men who want to dedicate themselves full time to a Priapus temple as professional monks, as just one example, but we don't. Yet. So for the moment, we must satisfy our spiritual selves as much as possible, before we can make those kind of dedicated communities a reality.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Creating</span></h2>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Even with honing your sacred skills, you now want to dedicate your life to helping others experience that sacred community space. But there are no groups that fulfil your needs in your area, so you have decided to create one. What to do? Here are some suggestions.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Canadian laws are very different from American and other countries, of course, but there are some guidelines. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">First, get your ducks in a row. Research what needs aren't being satisfied in your area, and how to cover those. Redundancy doesn't help anyone, and the larger the vacuum you are filling, the greater chance you have of attracting participants. Do you need a weekly group meeting at a brick and mortar temple, or event planning group, or non-denominational cross pagan discussion group?</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For those interested in becoming full time dedicants in a cloistered community, there are few other substitutes for</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> pagan abbeys, </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and those communities will definitely need to be established for us. The complexity of creating one is the apex of organizing skill, as well as our significant validation as a major religion, but it is certainly doable, with drive, vision, and a love of detail. To get some idea of how it's accomplished, you don't have to re-invent the wheel. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Visit a few real life abbeys, convents or monasteries. (After all, alot of them are directly derived from pagan abbeys in the first place!) Many have weekend or week long visit privileges, or you can just ask to learn from them. There is a <a href="http://www.gampoabbey.org/" target="_blank">Buddhist </a>Abbey in Nova Scotia that I am planning on conferring with or hanging out in. They have been around since the early 1980's. You should select one that's a bit older, too, so they can tell you the problems they have encountered. One in your own state would better, since laws vary so much. Amish or other religious communities can help you see how that works in practice, too.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then, <b>*do your paperwork*</b>. If your group is even at all organized, like renting a space for a temple, your best bet is creating a corporation or organization that can have a board and be accountable for bills and other legalities. That way no one person is ever on the hook, and no members are so key that it falls apart if they leave. It's one of the main factors that determine if your group makes it after the Founders all move on. If that is the best choice to get done what you need to do, m</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ake sure you have everything you need to establish your not for profit or even for profit corporation</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. If you want charitable status, it's even harder, but you'll figure which one works best for you when you come to it. Get your founders and other personnel lined up. </span><a href="http://gifts-of-nature.blogspot.ca/2013/05/how-to-start-church-legal-pagan.html" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Here's how we did it in Canada.</a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you have a regular, physical location that you rent or own, make sure you </span><b style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">pick your space</b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> with the locals in mind. They are part of your equation, too. If they feel put out or a lack of consultation, they will punish you, and all your people, and all your visitors. You will be interacting with them to get most of your services and equipment, even if it's just parking space. It's not good to piss them off. So arrange team games or picnics or Open Houses for example. If they know you, they will be more likely not to bother or fight you. And maybe even defend what you do.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once you have your structure in place, with the appropriate advice from other professionals on what they have done, and what went wrong, then it's time to listen to the community you are serving, to discover what they need to satisfy them. Unlike private or even coven worship,</span><b style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> a temple, monastic or segregated community is completely reliant on everyone pulling their weight; as in, they WANT to be there. </b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That means, no matter what your vision is, it can't replace the gestalt that your group will create. It's your job to get it together, keep the base going, and make adjustments, but they aren't minions. If you get too controlling, or conversely, not controlling enough and let a few idiots ruin it for everyone, they will all simply leave, and badmouth your operation to boot. So choose carefully to start with. Pick people who share most of what you see, but not exactly, and select the ones you are reasonably sure aren't going to flake on you. You can't push people too hard for this, but you do need to help them stay motivated. Take them with you to investigate other institutions. Make sure they have the hunger for it, like you do.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It will help a great deal if you do *not* think about this as the Goddess calling you to Found a space, as some claim or feel. Believing you are Called to it can put you at a disadvantage because it almost never 'falls into place', and even when it does, everyone assumes it will always continue like that. Or maybe you can only start and maintain this with other Calleds, and if they aren't, then only *you* have authority for the final say. Which is never healthy. If you truly think that, you will inevitably be disappointed when the Goddess doesn't hand you most everything you need, like people and money. Because She probably won't. That is our job, because it is our happiness at stake, not Hers. However, it may help Her, because religious life, especially pagans, can also lead to a call to activism, scholarship on our interconnectedness and the attendant spirituality, and real world effects. By all means, feel the Call, but because of your need, not because She has singled *you* out for this task...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once you get it going, you will also have to </span><b style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">maintain</b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. This is the biggest mistake most make. Nearly all pagan communities, temples, communes or IC's end in one generation, because no one builds it to continue. You will, for example, encounter at least one split or takeover attempt in the first 5-10 years, and one every two decades or so after that. Anticipate those, and build your group to withstand it, or it will simply dissolve. If you require a physical location for your work, purchase property if you can, instead of leasing, or in a decade, you'll have to move, and that can destroy the community entirely. Bring in a wide variety of skill sets, and make sure your people feel nurtured and heard, or they won't put up with it, and they will think they can do it better, or that another place can do it better. Which is why you may want to </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">i</span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/paganhumanismcanada" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">nclude all pagans like we do</a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> and not, say, just Wiccans, but that's your choice. Ego, yours and usurpers, will kill your group gestalt, and then everyone loses. You are the MC, the house manager, and the CEO. But you are not the choir, and without them volunteering their lives, you have no community.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Make no mistake about it: </span><b style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">this is a lifelong task</b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. If you do not have these skill sets, then you must either learn them, or join an already existing community and lend your strength to growing that one. It will not happen unless you make it happen, and give it all your personal energy and focus, but without exhausting yourself and leaving you vulnerable and the task unfinished. We are at another time of change, and about to re-build and re-learn what our ancestors had. Some remnants are still here, but most aren't. Pick where you are best suited to direct your energy, and then do it. For the rest of your life. It still won't be long enough.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15626580781769379881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560032271749992180.post-5053569365058357022013-07-15T08:00:00.000-06:002013-08-06T14:50:57.304-06:00Pagan Abbeys - A Practical Heritage for Spiritual Lay and Professional Cloistered Communities<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9NTH7s0I2Nt5-8onP2rvSmeC_6XicI9Zppugh-o4lGWdnC3RIuYUybe5eKZLIlsgU4t3IyKm9RnGGrPCTuHYm264OJyJO-XyUhZyvOfBzSrjAwntnhbnZ01TJg3S70iqNd1b4LZboCGl1/s1600/abbey+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9NTH7s0I2Nt5-8onP2rvSmeC_6XicI9Zppugh-o4lGWdnC3RIuYUybe5eKZLIlsgU4t3IyKm9RnGGrPCTuHYm264OJyJO-XyUhZyvOfBzSrjAwntnhbnZ01TJg3S70iqNd1b4LZboCGl1/s320/abbey+pic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9K0cZGQgHA" target="_blank">Dr. Vandana Shiva</a> proudly proclaims, "I am no
longer employable by the Other Side", and good intentions don't often buy
dinner. If you are choosing to make your way in Right Lifestyle,
which is often a component of your spirituality, there are really few
options available to you, because the small fraction of our culture
that isn't toxic and actually set up for people like us have many times more
applicants clamouring to join than could ever be supported. If you
wish to learn a traditional or green profession or craft, and practice it full
time with honour and dignity, perhaps as part of your spiritual practice
instead of just as a hobby, you are almost totally out of luck. Or at least, until now...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I make my living following the old ways as a professional
witch, largely in traditional healing, helping those most in need. It has taken
me many years of dedication, research and experience to learn how to
earn a living practising as a traditional witch in a modern context, even
with training from mentors and learning how to teach apprentices the craft. I know many more folks who can only do it on their off hours,
especially women, who often don't even expect to get paid for their expertise.
And most can't take the time out of their lives to dedicate
themselves to the more advanced learning about their craft. However, <b>there
has always been a group that can dedicate their lives to a traditional
profession or the work of a particular Goddess or God and never have to worry
about housing or their next meal. They were what the Old English knew as <a href="http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/nonne" target="_blank">nonnes,</a></b> or
traditional European nuns (and monks) whose Orders the Christians took over, if they didn't outright purge them. In many of the traditional
extant Orders, you can still see remnants today of
the original pagan dedications and offices that were retained
after the Christian usurpations, though most are written off now as unique
historical curiosities.(1) Whether in their pagan or later
Christian incarnations, most of the old abbeys in Europe were
matriarchal (2), and, as the original Universities, taught all manner of
scholarship.(3) The title of Dean is still used by the heads of both Abbeys and
Universities. Some were also warrior training camps for women and men (4) and
were centres of justice. The Abbeys and nunneries trained nonnes,
which also translates as nurses, as a profession and as a spiritual calling and housed cloistered communities as well as
hospitals, travellers' hospices and convalescent homes.(5) While the
pagan community is reClaiming so many of its traditions, as far as I know these
professional traditions and communities are rarely even discussed, much less
significantly revived.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I used to have repeated arguments with others in the pagan
community on this topic, though in the past few years, curiosity and
hope are beginning to replace the sneering. "Why should WE need an
abbey?", some said with a snort. "There are plenty of Buddhist and
Taoist monasteries around.." Well, we are neither Buddhist nor Taoist,
although most of us get along quite nicely with them, of course. For a religion
to be more formalized, to grow and permeate more areas of a culture or a group,
it needs full time members who are dedicated to practising, refining, writing,
recording, studying and teaching. Though we do have quite a few of those, they
usually have day jobs, rather than being a full time professional community. We
have a great many of what could be termed lay sisters and brothers; those who
are devoted and dedicated to living their lives in the Way, but we have no
priest 'class', as it were. So, though we do have a professional priesthood of
sorts, we have not yet created spaces to support them full time, or train and
hone them, or even facilitate professional community environments of
librarians, educators and other academics. <b>It is vital to our religion to
establish these communities, and not just as teaching venues, but as places
where we can totally immerse ourselves in our religion</b>, and not only for short retreats. But for years. They are already becoming a reality. I was
in contact with an abbess of the <a href="http://gallae.com/" target="_blank">Cybeline abbey</a> in New York for some time. They already
have a large community of nuns with hospitality, retreat centres and
libraries. Though there is room for dedicating to one Goddess in particular,
like mine, because that's just for me, a similar kind of
non-deity specific community can appeal to far more people under the
auspices of Pagan Humanism, where everyone can hear the call in their own way,
yet we can work under one banner. Conserves resources and coalesces talent,
doncha know...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://gifts-of-nature.blogspot.ca/2013/06/pagan-humanism-tradition-of-rational.html" target="_blank">Pagan Humanism</a> solves the issue of the different pagan
paths very elegantly. As a University structure run by professional
nuns and their families, the individual Path of each practitioner is
actually irrelevant to the functioning of the abbey, be they Druid, Odinist, Yogini, or atheist. In a University, there are
oodles of disciplines working side by side, and each finds fulfilment and increases
their own knowledge, but they are all working together. And this in particular
is where Right Lifestyle professions, disciplines
and education comes in. <b>A pagan abbey must, as all abbeys have in the
past, support itself.</b> They are incorporated today, and like
most corporations, can generate income by providing goods and
services, especially those that are in keeping with the
spiritual pursuits of the members. The old Abbeys for example provided
beer, liqueurs, linens, medicines and other highly skilled
products to the community that the practitioners would create while
practising and teaching their Path. For a modern abbey, my preferences are
for herbal products, a winery, a brewery, and retail health/pagan
stores, mostly because I know how to do those. But it could be wool or
meat or milk or wheat or flowers...Whatever. Hel, there are Christian convents now that support themselves by having the nuns do tech support. Not
to mention the <a href="https://www.gethsemanifarms.org/fruitcake.aspx" target="_blank">monks who manufacture Christmas fruitcakes</a>...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've had training in all the areas that my Goddess is matron
of, but only the Enlightened achieve total perfection, and I'm not yet Graced
with that yet. Although I feel well rounded in my tradition, I need to interact
with other experts on a regular basis, and help people train and perfect their
respective crafts, as well as collaborate with those who can share
what they know of my Matron, helping me to achieve a better understanding
of Her. So. <b>A dedicated space where one can devote one's life to
voluntary simplicity, learning and using one's knowledge for humankind's
benefit,</b> perhaps providing a space to those who are ill, helping them to achieve full health while practising one's art
and spirituality, all without worrying about how to make one's daily
bread... Mmm. Though some interest has been expressed for this kind of
co-ordination and professionalism in the pagan community for a few years now,
it has yet to really manifest. In fact, I would join it if I could find one
that suited my needs. But if you can't find it, make it, is my motto...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our business model operates on personal
voluntary poverty and is a modern version of a self-sustaining religious NPO/<a href="http://www.ic.org/" target="_blank">Ecovillage</a> that, for
example, will create a space for crafters to follow their path in a spiritual
manner while also managing to funnel surplus product to consumers, without
undercutting other professionals. I specialize in herbal still
room work, and there is only so many experiments and demonstrations I
can store or give away. And they have a limited shelf life. So for me, having
an online and physical shop was a necessity to continually hone my
craft, encourage experiments, and keep the ingredients fresh and rotated.
For fibre artists for example, having a space for them to get rid of
their projects is almost a requirement to keep doilies and quilts from crawling
all over furniture in an attempt to escape. Taking their profession
and skill to the next level by generating income to help sustain
themselves and create more art is a dream most aspire to. <b>Having a community to
do that, with other professionals and teachers, in a sacred space, is something
many would dedicate their lives to.</b> I know I have craved it since I was a
child, and I'll be damned if I have to be Christian, or Buddhist, or Taoist
to do it, either. Why can't pagans have those goodies, too? We used to, and we
can again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Shaker community (6), for example, who are nuns
and monks (and who have the lovely aphorism "Hands to work, hearts to God, which I adore..), used to commonly have entire families joining at once and living in
the community or dedicating themselves to the lifestyle. Once consecrated when
adults, however, they were full monks and nuns in
the Christian tradition and could produce no more children, which is
one of the reasons for their slow decline in numbers, despite their appeal as a
spiritual community. Pagans, however, don't usually require celibacy. In fact, <b>it
is traditional for most pagans, and pagan orders of nuns, NOT to be celibate.</b> Not
only do most pagans find the enforcement of celibacy to be unnatural in humans, <a href="http://www.matrifocus.com/SAM05/spotlight.htm" target="_blank">it's not
even the usual procedure in most women's spiritual communities
in antiquity.</a> It only becomes the usual enforced restriction in
the West when the patriarchal Christian structure takes over our sites and
orders. With many pagans using sexual energy and the sexual acts
as necessary forms of worship, and as a sex
positive spirituality in general, there is little enticement to
encourage celibacy as a discipline for
pagan dedicates. Even our cloistered communities can be, then, as
traditional pagan communities usually have been, family friendly and
supportive of partnerships, relationships, and human intimacy. Which makes
us even healthier and more appealing than the celibate communities.
And I'm not leaving my husband and kids behind while I devote myself to my
spirituality and sacred work. Why should I? They are part of it, and reflect
it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Another necessity, though a less joyous one, is the requirement
of many of our community members to have a safe space to practice
their spirituality in support and comfort, since many of us had have
conflict with our families of origin or society at large over our
belief system. Though some of us manage to find covens and other smaller
groups to express ourselves in safety, many more do not have access to such
resources, nor do they feel comfortable at the level of intimacy such groups
usually require. An Abbey provides professional mentorship and community in a
safe, healing environment where the novice or practitioner can feel comfortable
in their faith and life choices, without judgement and in security.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.patheos.com/blogs/agora/2013/06/a-professional-priesthood/" target="_blank">Wendy Griffin, PhD</a> suggests that our professional
priesthood has already sprung up, but poses the question, do we want an
educated one? I fundamentally agree with that assessment. Abbeys
solve that problem and many others in a most elegant manner. <b>Modern pagan
abbeys based on traditional structure,</b> both virtual and brick and mortar,
<b>can provide:</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* a professional academic community with continual
interaction and peer environment, with libraries, research and publications<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* training, mentoring, discussion
and maintenance of full-time professionals in traditional pagan paths
and pursuits<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* a sacred and supportive community for worldly
or cloistered professionals and laity to dedicate
themselves temporarily or permanently to spiritual
devotions<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* vectors to provide services and goods to benefit the
community and the world <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* a safe haven for pagans and non-members who feel the harm
of the world to rest and heal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Abbey-of-the-Green-Flame/377733239012401" target="_blank">Abbey of the Green Flame</a> and the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/CopperHorseAbbey" target="_blank">Copper Horse Abbey</a>,
both under the auspices of <a href="http://www.facebook.com/paganhumanismcanada" target="_blank">Dìsir: An
Order of Traditional Aboriginal and Pagan Humanists</a>, are two such
entities that are already formed, one dedicated to green witchery and healing and the Celtic
Aboriginal tradition, and the other to pagan horse magic and traditional
animal medicine. I hope the few already in existence will soon be joined by many more, as we
reClaim our heritage of sacred communities, spaces,
professional academic knowledge and Right Lifestyle which we, as
a mature tradition, both crave and deserve.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Footnotes:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">1) "St. Brigid's double monastery at Kildare was built
at a location previously sacred to her pagan namesake, and the inner sanctuary
of the Kildare Church also contained a blessed fire perpetually maintained by
the nuns of her community. Some have speculated that St. Brigid herself once
served as the last high priestess of a community of druid women worshipping the
goddess Brighid, and that she led that entire community into the Christian faith."<br /><a href="http://www.allsaintsbrookline.org/celtic_saints/brigid.html">http://www.allsaintsbrookline.org/celtic_saints/brigid.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">2) "Kildare was ruled by a double line of
abbot-bishops and of abbesses, the Abbess of Kildare being regarded as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superior_general" title="Superior general">superior
general</a> of the monasteries in Ireland."<br /> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigit_of_Kildare">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigit_of_Kildare</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">3) "Brigid's most famous foundation is at Kildare, established on a
generous grant of land from the king of Leinster. It is generally thought to
have been a double monastery, housing both men and women, with Brigid presiding
over both communities. Double monasteries were a common practice in Celtic
lands, later taken by the Irish to the continent. Brigid made her monastery a
remarkable house of learning for both men and women, including an art school
devoted to for the creation of highly decorated handmade copies of scripture
texts and other holy writings."<br /><a href="http://www.allsaintsbrookline.org/celtic_saints/brigid.html">http://www.allsaintsbrookline.org/celtic_saints/brigid.html</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">4) "The, training of a warrior was a long task, frequently undertaken by
warrior women who were responsible for teaching boys the arts of combat and of
love. Specific titles were given to these classes of female warriors such as
BAN-GAISGEDAIG (BAN-meaning woman and a derivative of GAS which means young
warrior) and BAN-FEJNNIDH (which combines BAN with FEINNIDH meaning 'band of
warriors') so it seems they were classed according to age and experience,
possibly starting their training as very young girls. "<br /> <a href="http://www.pabay.org/skyeviews.html">http://www.pabay.org/skyeviews.html</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">5) "More than anything else, however, Brigid is renowned for her
hospitality. The poor and the infirm come in their multitudes. She makes
provision for the sick, tending to them with her knowledge of contemporary
medicine. Kildare becomes a place of holy pilgrimage for all, from the
prominent and powerful to the lowly and forgotten."<br /> <a href="http://www.allsaintsbrookline.org/celtic_saints/brigid.html">http://www.allsaintsbrookline.org/celtic_saints/brigid.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">6) The Shakers, an offshoot of the Quakers, were one of
"a number of utopian experiments in communal living that strove to
construct a society in which people could live in perfect harmony surrounded by
the bountiful plenty of Mother Earth. The Shakers were one of the most
successful of these attempts"<br /><a href="http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/shakers.htm">http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/shakers.htm</a> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15626580781769379881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560032271749992180.post-88229889244254468372013-06-09T00:29:00.002-06:002013-08-18T17:00:29.882-06:00Pagan Humanism: A Tradition of Rational Religion<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9sGYPjEzkICHLyj7WMjY6AErp40aH1u16E9307OLc9JvR8POLI9CEdbe0mABCpC0NKdkw2JgvuJeGSXqR17poKSaY4YngOI4QYoUGDFcapmvOXuDlgoT9GVDsQxt-GVZ3rk1vGbBdE0-W/s1600/Order+logo+orange.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9sGYPjEzkICHLyj7WMjY6AErp40aH1u16E9307OLc9JvR8POLI9CEdbe0mABCpC0NKdkw2JgvuJeGSXqR17poKSaY4YngOI4QYoUGDFcapmvOXuDlgoT9GVDsQxt-GVZ3rk1vGbBdE0-W/s1600/Order+logo+orange.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Humanism is the concept that human reason, need, perception, ethics, and experience are the primary drivers of a satisfactory ordering of inner life, and of interactions with others and the world. Though humanists themselves disagree on many points, and the principles themselves are always being honed, the <a href="http://humanistcanada.ca/content/all-about-humanism" target="_blank">Canadian Humanists</a> say "Humanists are guided by reason and scientific inquiry, inspired by music and art, and motivated by ethics, compassion and fairness." Currently more associated with secularism, Humanism was originally conceived as a revival of the classical Naturalism, with sacredness of the human condition and the true nature of reality at its core.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ4Op5XKuWYbqpvJD8yE-wCIwWR1z4uqCQrEvKmZSb8rl2PIcD_Ag" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy Human logo of Humanism</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">History of Humanism</span></h2>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Humanism sprung out of the 19th century "ism"s of philosophical thought; when scholars were doing some serious rethinking in the Western world about how science, culture, economics, art, and individuals interact. Hot on the heels of the American and French revolutions, philosophers were forced to consider that top down authority of the Church and the State might not be the only way, or even the "natural" or "ordained" way of organizing society or human thought. Dogma and faith were no longer a good enough justification for any practice or organization. Reason, scientific inquiry and Nature had again become hugely popular and esteemed by all classes of humanity, no longer a mere hobby and curiosity for rich amateur eccentrics. The concepts were even occasionally worshipped as an Ideal in Western Europe as the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cult_of_Reason" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Cult of Reason</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">, especially during the last days of the French Revolution.</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">It was their own fault, really. Religious authority in Europe for the past 1500 years had derived from the top-down, fundamentalist, radical, and dogmatic type of Christianity, which had set itself in direct opposition to science, highly unusual in religious traditions. State authority, including economic and societal systems, had piggybacked on that authority for nearly as long, making opposition to either an offence against God. Now the peasants were not only revolting, but ruling. Everything that the Church and State had taught about class, natural roles, authority and how the world worked was demonstrably wrong. So paradigms more in keeping with what could actually be seen and proved were needed. Into this came the renewed regard for Science, Naturalism, and the need to find out how the Universe functioned, and how humans fit into it properly. Personal experience and provable measurements, not outside authoritative dogma, were once again the preferred meaningful interaction with Reality and Deity.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Philosophy of Humanism</span></h2>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">From </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humanism" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">: "In modern times, many humanist movements have become strongly aligned with secularism, with the term Humanism often used as a byword for non-theistic beliefs about ideas such as meaning and purpose", largely due to the American school of Humanists who created the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humanist_Manifesto_I" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Humanist Manifesto</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> in 1933. This has never precluded the original and continuing use of the term in other philosophies, only occluded it. More of a co-opting, really...</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b><a href="http://atheism.about.com/od/abouthumanism/a/religioushuman.htm" target="_blank">Religious Humanism</a> is the philosophy of Humanism with a religious world view and symbology, including revealed religions.</b> From <a href="http://atheism.about.com/od/abouthumanism/a/religioushuman.htm" target="_blank">What is Religious Humanism? </a></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://atheism.about.com/od/abouthumanism/a/religioushuman.htm" target="_blank">Humanist Philosophy as a Religious Position</a> by Austin Cline, </span><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"The functions of religion often cited by religious humanists include things like fulfilling the social needs of a group of people (such as moral education, shared holiday and commemorative celebrations, and the creation of a community) and satisfying the personal needs of individuals (such as the quest to discover meaning and purpose in life, means for dealing with tragedy and loss, and ideals to sustain us). For religious humanists, meeting these needs is what religion is all about; when doctrine interferes with meeting those needs, then religion fails." </span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Many religious traditions, it has been argued, were already humanist in philosophy and rational in practice. "Science" is an agreed upon method of quantifiably describing reality. The only
other methods we can use are religious or philosophical, and most traditions gave them varying weights as Truth. The "middle east' preserved
scientific knowledge as a bastion of the Islamic faith for centuries into the
Xian control-and-destroy Dark Ages. Buddhism insists on inner truth reconciling
with outer experience, even though technically all around is illusion. Traditional aboriginal systems require accurate knowledge of biosystems and tech, or crops fail, animals die
and humans starve. Taoism, kung fu, yoga and other forms of religion and
spirituality are human centered in they defy the conventions they live under and provide a route for those
who do not wish to integrate into surrounding systems of control.</span><br />
<b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Nearly all aboriginal worldviews, including European, were usually more egalitarian, democratic, pragmatic and scientific, with less blind devotion to dogma than the later Christian fundie conquerors</b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> - one of the reasons those usurpers put themselves in such opposition to those ideas. The pagans deal with the reality of the world: the crops, the animals, health and well-being... Human integration and sustainability with the environment, as its caretakers and partners, is a constant theme, with knowledge sought for, and altered as discovered, as natural and desirable to those goals. Though many traditions had a trained and specialized priesthood, usually as scientists, philosophers, healers, lawyers, performers, and poets, very few always required a mediator to the spirit world or deity. Most authority came internally; from personal interaction with the Unseen. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br /><b>Most forms of paganism, ancient and modern, were mature traditions that accepted most forms of the human condition as natural, and provided spaces for it. </b></i>LBGT individuals for example were accepted and even revered as holy in many pagan cultures. Mental and physical illnesses were usually treated with respect and dignity, with suffering eased as much as possible. Pagan health care had surgery, disinfectants, and all manner of tech, which was obliterated in the Christian purges in favour of demon banishing. The longest documented continual democracy on the planet is on Iceland, which was only lightly veneered with Christianity, and at the very end of the conquests in Europe. When historians ask when the first democracy existed, where do they point? To the pagans! It's a Christian myth that pagans were primitive or non-rational, for it's what they hoped to exterminate in the population, largely for their own power.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Moderates have always existed, however, and reformist Abrahamics, as some of the original instigators of the Humanist Manifesto, also have some vibrant and continuous religious humanist writings. Modern Christian and Buddhist Humanist thought are dynamic examples of current popular religious humanist manifestations. As a widely inclusive version of religious humanism, <a href="http://www.spiritualhumanism.org/" target="_blank">Church of Spiritual Humanism</a> preaches that "[a]ll humans have an inalienable right and duty to practice their own religious traditions. Spiritual Humanism allows everyone to fuse their individual religious practices onto the foundation of scientific humanist inquiry." It also encourages self-ordination and personal authority, instead of a divine calling or hierarchical structure. (I was in communication with the founder Zorger many years ago when he was launching this church, and my posts are still on his forum, I believe.) In Canada, we have a few branches of secular Humanism, as well as Unitarians already well established, but I do not find them personally satisfying for various reasons. As a scientist and academic, and a traditional witch with a personal relationship with deity since childhood, I have chosen to focus on championing the philosophy of Pagan Humanism.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pagan Humanism Defined</span></h2>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://gifts-of-nature.blogspot.ca/2012/10/im-witch-not-wiccan-brief-summary-of.html" target="_blank">Paganism</a> is the current umbrella term of Earth based religions. <b>Pagan Humanism is therefore Humanism with a pagan agenda and focus. </b>Of course, upon investigation, I discovered that the term was used by a small group of Humanists, religious studies, and classics professionals in delineating Plato Hellenic-type Stoicism. A small number of persons from the modern pagan movement have tried to distance themselves from this incorrect usage by taking a page from the current camp and calling it Neo-Pagan Humanism. As that has far too many associations with the Crystal Rubbing Fruit Loop (TM) section of Paganism, I decided to forgo the prefix. The Classicists will just have to get more accurate in their terms is all... </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Therefore, Pagan Humanism in this case is not from the Classical, or Plato and Aristotelian perspective, but the more modern use. It would be more accurate, I suppose, to call it "Earth-based Religious Humanism", but that seems a bit much. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Modern Paganism, or </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Neopaganism, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">with its subsets of <a href="http://gifts-of-nature.blogspot.ca/2012/10/im-witch-not-wiccan-brief-summary-of.html" target="_blank">witchcraft</a>, Wicca, and heathenism, is the modern catch-all phrase for many organized and non-organized Earth based religions and spirituality.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Often seen as based on European Aboriginal practices and beliefs, it can also be used to describe traditional African, Asian, and North American spirituality, though less so, largely due to its primarily English usage. By declaring oneself "pagan", it specifically implies a resurgence in traditional Earth Based beliefs, sometimes in defiance of Abrahamics, depending on the area, and a reconstruction of traditional wisdom, knowledge, and connection with Nature as a completion of self and humanity.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Since most aboriginal traditions rely on observation and reason in combination with revelation as balanced forms of truth, pagan humanism as an evolved current derivative presents little conflict </b>with its traditional forms. Reason and personal authority, with the human need for internal ordering of the inner life as the goal of satisfying religion, and the sacredness of all life has always been a natural fit with paganism, past and present. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pagan Humanism in particular can also be Naturalist in philosophy - in modern terms, that translates into non-theism, with no revealed religious experiences and no supernatural, relying instead on scientific inquiry and natural awe for the Universe for inspiration. Rituals and rites are to satisfy the human need, with deities as Jungian archetypes rather than actualities. As paganism reasonably accepts and respects different forms of truth, atheism, theism, and spiritualism are all at home and welcome in pagan humanism. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Principles of Pagan Humanism</span></h2>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pagans need to reClaim our heritage, not perpetuate this ridiculous Christian propaganda about "primitive" Aboriginal peoples, which relies on inherent racism. </span><b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are legitimate inheritors of rationalism, democracy, egalitarianism, science, and effective medicine, and we did it all, and *can* do it all, in a sacred framework that doesn't contradict itself.</b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The common principles of modern secular humanism have had alot more debate than most forms of religious humanism, and there aren't many inclusive religious humanists that have had a great deal of input on the literature. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Borrowing from modern secular humanist writings, then, there are certain principles that we can start to develop for ourselves in a pagan context. <a href="http://humanistcanada.ca/content/all-about-humanism" target="_blank">1</a> <a href="http://www.secularhumanism.org/index.php?page=affirmations&section=main" target="_blank">2</a></span></div>
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Humanists affirm the dignity of every person and the right of the individual to maximum possible freedom compatible with the rights of others. Humanists acknowledge human interdependence, the need for mutual respect and the kinship of all humanity.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Humanism aims at the full development of every human being. We believe in the fullest realization of the best and noblest that we are capable of as human beings. We believe in the cultivation of moral excellence. We are engaged by the arts no less than by the sciences. We believe in enjoying life here and now and in developing our creative talents to their fullest.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The humanist ethic encourages development of the positive potentialities in human nature, and approves conduct based on a sense of responsibility to oneself and to all other persons.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We believe in the common moral decencies: altruism, integrity, honesty, truthfulness, responsibility. Humanist ethics is amenable to critical, rational guidance. There are normative standards that we discover together. Moral principles are tested by their consequences.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Humanists advocate the use of the scientific method, both as a guide to distinguish fact from fiction and to help develop beneficial and creative uses of science and technology. We are committed to the application of reason and science to the understanding of the universe and to the solving of human problems. We believe that scientific discovery and technology can contribute to the betterment of human life. However, it is not amoral; rather, it defines our morality. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Humanists call for the continued improvement of society so that no one may be deprived of the basic necessities of life, and for institutions and conditions to provide every person with opportunities for developing their full potential. We believe in an open and pluralistic society and that democracy is the best guarantee of protecting human rights from authoritarian elites and repressive majorities. We are committed to the principle of the separation of church and state. We are concerned with securing justice and fairness in society and with eliminating discrimination and intolerance. We attempt to transcend divisive parochial loyalties based on race, religion, gender, nationality, creed, class, sexual orientation, or ethnicity, and strive to work together for the common good of humanity.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We respect the right to privacy. Mature adults should be allowed to fulfil their aspirations, to express their sexual preferences, to exercise reproductive freedom, to have access to comprehensive and informed health-care, and to die with dignity.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Humanists advocate peaceful resolution of conflicts between individuals, groups, and nations. We cultivate the arts of negotiation and compromise as a means of resolving differences and achieving mutual understanding.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We affirm humanism as a realistic alternative to theologies of despair and ideologies of violence and as a source of rich personal significance and genuine satisfaction in the service to others. We believe in optimism rather than pessimism, hope rather than despair, learning in the place of dogma, truth instead of ignorance, joy rather than guilt or sin, tolerance in the place of fear, love instead of hatred, compassion over selfishness, beauty instead of ugliness, and reason rather than blind faith or irrationality.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Humanists affirm that human beings are completely a part of nature, and that our survival is dependent upon a healthy planet that provides us and all other forms of life with a life-supporting environment. We want to protect and enhance the earth and to avoid inflicting needless suffering on other species.</span></li>
</ol>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are all spiritual beings. We all develop a spirituality map and a personal mythology when we are very young and never leave it (even if that mythology decides there is no Unseen). Though the form may change, the basics do not. The symbology from youth that contributed to religious experience is the most powerful and remains so. It can never be substituted. That's why there are Christian witches, and Taoist witches, and Jewitches.. The irreplaceable religion and symbology of youth must be integrated with the witchcraft practices, often in later years. Teaching children especially to integrate their own experiences with their reason and practical worship, without perhaps some of the more potent magic or beliefs inherent in some traditions, is a valid compromise to ignoring religious practice entirely, in the hopes the harmful parts will just 'go away'. Because they won't, and neither will religion, so it is only logical to relearn how to use it properly, for the benefit of the individual, humankind, and the world itself.</span></span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15626580781769379881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560032271749992180.post-63389261831832047202013-05-25T12:51:00.001-06:002013-06-09T14:05:10.465-06:00How to Start a Church - Legal Pagan Religious Organizations in Canada<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoUXw5iFrbI2UKkYCiqbQ18-wy2ZTHnNxLKTlXpWHehfUh8yGdR8dCbGELLeMNXzkBsWyGi9E4SMA2GQIxRUZKNk72qpfPJkzPqERqFTK66gG6kX4zKwQ-eIONzzIuB3eJafA1b6JzQcFw/s1600/logo+3.GIF" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoUXw5iFrbI2UKkYCiqbQ18-wy2ZTHnNxLKTlXpWHehfUh8yGdR8dCbGELLeMNXzkBsWyGi9E4SMA2GQIxRUZKNk72qpfPJkzPqERqFTK66gG6kX4zKwQ-eIONzzIuB3eJafA1b6JzQcFw/s1600/logo+3.GIF" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So we just got our<a href="http://www.facebook.com/paganhumanismcanada" target="_blank"> religious not for profit</a> officially off the ground! And it was surprisingly easy, especially compared to elections regulations...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Many pagans have a few problems with legally recognized groups. As a very self-directed spirituality, there is some debate on the validity and desirability of institutions and organizations. I understand and sympathize with those anarchist views, but there are also some serious benefits that we are not able to partake of if we continue to insist that we remain outside official structures. To that end, I wanted to create a legal corporation to allow those groups who do not, in fact, wish to go to all the bother, but still get some of the goodies - like events, insurance, property purchases, ability to perform weddings and have a legal or full-time clergy, etc...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u style="text-decoration: underline;">There are no 'officially recognized' religions in Canada</u><u>.</u> None. Nada. I know some folks think that Christianity was already an official religion, but it just seems like it, since it's everywhere and many of our laws are based on its tenets. But Canada only recognizes religious not-for-profits (such as churches, mosques, synagogues or druid groves) on an individual basis and then only as corpora<span class="text_exposed_show">tions. The ability of its representatives to legally officiate at weddings is a separate right granted after certain conditions are met, and it is entirely civil in power. There is absolutely no doubt that we are aswim in a Christian culture, and that the lawmakers wrote laws according to those traditions, but in Canada, it's not official policy, nor is there a mechanism for such. Which makes it much easier for us to push for recognition of holidays from other traditions, and we don't have to put up with the Baby Jesus in our public schools, and our nuns and priestesses can legally perform weddings after they finish the qualifying paperwork as legitimate clergy, and not just as civil marriage commissioners. It's still not a cakewalk, but it remains much easier than other countries. </span>Stats Can does actually put on certain religions on their census form for informational purposes, and these can change. The past few years offered 'pagan' as a option in most places and on most forms, but that is entirely a choice of the statisticians. Paganism IS recognized by the Canadian Military, and that's as about as 'official' as Canadian religions get. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Up until a few years ago, churches were individually recognized as religious not for profit's largely in the provinces of incorporation, as long as they do not devote more than 10% of their work and funding to social work. If they did, they were considered a social NPO without any of the religious benefits. Each province had different legislation for incorporation of religious NPOs, with a different amount of names or paperwork required.</span></div>
<div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>After weighing the options, we decided to go with the newly re-written incorporation laws as a federal religious not for profit corporation </u> It requires at least three (3) signatories and two different form submissions. It used to require by-laws AND a constitution to start off with, but now they are allowed as one document, and isn't required for the first full year. (So, yay! Procrastination...) Federal incorporation also allowed us to have signatories in different parts of Canada. We can have branches all over the country. Heh. We also have up to a year to elect new Directors, instead of just us, which comes into play if you want to bring in more than $10 thousand a year. Then you are a "soliciting not-for-profit corporation" and different rules apply, like Board members not being employees... Things like that. We don't really have to worry about that this week, but I hope we will soon.<br /><br />Consulting our non-local co-founder as to intent and wording, we came up with <a href="http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cd-dgc.nsf/eng/cs04999.html" target="_blank">by-laws</a> and a constitution anyway, just to be sure we were all on the same page, in part to forestall as many disagreements about direction as possible in future. A few long emails back and forth, and we now had it fleshed out. It remained to fill in the darn paperwork, and that was quite a task.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are almost no examples of what the actual documents are supposed to look like on line, and we aren't lawyers. After reading through most of the gibberish, we came up with something we thought they would like. The by-laws we wrote up didn't go to waste, either. The Mission statements and a few other bits were darn handy for a couple of questions. A note to the wise, however. <u style="font-weight: bold;">*You cannot cut and paste in any of the forms. Everything must be re-typed anew, and none of it can be saved.*</u> Seriously. Every last bit must be typed in and printed out before you close the window. Attempting to save it just saves a blank version, so don't even try to do this at night or over a few days, just in case you are prone to crashing. Weirdest system ever. I was really concerned that our writing wouldn't be good enough for the bureaucrats so I insisted we type the damn thing, but looking back I suppose we could have just written really neatly.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Another choice we had to make was if we were going to attempt to set ourselves up to be a religious not-for-profit with </span><u style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>charitable status</b></u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> at some point in the future. Industry Canada strongly suggests that if you wish to do that, make sure your set-up will allow it when you first apply. We never did find out what specifically that meant, but I really held out for not bothering anyway. As a corporation we are able to generate funds the same way everyone else does - by providing goods and services - even if our money then goes out to good works instead of investors. As a charitable org, however, the government, and the Harper government in particular, really has one by the short hairs. All charitable not for profit organizations are officially required to be non-political in nature. This includes most churches, which are usually NPO's, though some are charitable Societies. Those Churches, therefore, are most specifically NOT allowed to engage politically, officially or unofficially. Technically, even people representing those churches are not permitted to express opinions, provide services, or in other ways participate politically. Of course, during the Same Sex marriage looniness, many clergy raised their voices, but they weren't supposed to, or risk jeopardizing their churches' status. That naturally never happened to them, but the local Pride Centre, which was also a charitable NPO, did actually have a former board member speak up on the subject (duh) and it lost its charitable</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> status. For nearly a decade...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So to ensure we have flexibility and the political freedom to operate, since it's much harder to do good works without that, we're just going with the non-charitable status. It only works on Canadian taxes anyway, and donations really should just be gravy, not the sole support. Gives us more motivation, doncha know..</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh, the forms; the FORMS!</span></h2>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have jpegs of all of the paperwork we generated and received, since we couldn't find anything to use as a template when we searched. To make this even easier, I'll go over some of the more trying bits in detail.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyKoxK3Wmb-1VeryKYy-eyJ3ClYsa2Tc-WjDJ5jfor9vvzQLRIeO9vQ9n7rhPKpOx7DP7n1FG-Dwfr8FF4ICxQjjtH4vDN8pEw5jmXUN5ijQW1Z97Y2e6HKwMfMLUfgXv8uydTcnL09sJl/s1600/img001+-+edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyKoxK3Wmb-1VeryKYy-eyJ3ClYsa2Tc-WjDJ5jfor9vvzQLRIeO9vQ9n7rhPKpOx7DP7n1FG-Dwfr8FF4ICxQjjtH4vDN8pEw5jmXUN5ijQW1Z97Y2e6HKwMfMLUfgXv8uydTcnL09sJl/s320/img001+-+edited.jpg" width="246" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEDL8fqpPsNPGVR6r73Qi_nqWmhcseixPgZ7kMgtkoSb1PG6AXfNc2QSpWBf21_K0jg_qK0YsNx-Q5vNiwr2Fl500VcTyZGttTo8Ya1lETZD-pp2-Tmb7yx1CTwTXlXhxry5ADpECbMitI/s1600/img002+-+edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEDL8fqpPsNPGVR6r73Qi_nqWmhcseixPgZ7kMgtkoSb1PG6AXfNc2QSpWBf21_K0jg_qK0YsNx-Q5vNiwr2Fl500VcTyZGttTo8Ya1lETZD-pp2-Tmb7yx1CTwTXlXhxry5ADpECbMitI/s320/img002+-+edited.jpg" width="246" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cd-dgc.nsf/vwapj/FRM-4001-e.pdf/$file/FRM-4001-e.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act (NFP Act): Form 4001: Articles of Incorporation</span></a></h3>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1) Corporate Name.</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Slightly harder than it looks, and we really wrestled with it. It has to reflect the religious nature of your organization, but you can't use Society, unless it's actually a Society, which has a different structure. After researching the terms, most etymologies suggest that "church" comes from the old Greek, meaning 'gathering place for Christians' . So after some discussion, we brainstormed on other terms; Gathering, Congregation, Grove, Hive, Circle, Sorority, Sisterhood, Fellowship... In the end, we went with Order. It's hard to get a good acronym, even though we really tried, so we used <span itemprop="name">Dìsir</span> as the title brand. But you can always change your name later, with Board approval, so we just picked one to get the thing done. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After we printed the form up, we called the office up to be sure, and since we had only put <span itemprop="name">Dìsir</span> as the name, we wrote the rest of it in pen. Just to make it official, we used blue pen (so they knew it was original) and all initialled the change when we signed off.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4) Statement of the purpose of the corporation.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We used our by-laws statements for that. We already had them done up, and this looked like the place where they go. No one at Industry Canada said anything...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><i>6) The classes, or regional or other groups, of members that the corporation is authorized to establish.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i>This is mostly about who have voting rights. Is it just paid-up members who vote? Or a different group in your inner circle that has the ability to vote on policy and directors? Who gets notice of AGM's? If there are two or more levels of voting rights, this is where you state that.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><i>7) Statement regarding the distribution of property remaining on liquidation.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is actually spelled out pretty clearly in the Income Tax Act, so we just looked it up and copied it. You aren't allowed any leeway on it, so why they bother to ask I don't know.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">8) Additional provisions, if any.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Again, these are pretty well spelled out in the Not for Profit Corporations Act. We copied and pasted the relevant parts we thought we were likely to apply to us.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All in all, nine (9) questions on that form. Each incorporater signs (blue ink, remember), and you're done with that one.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Next, you need proof that you have run a </span><a href="http://www.nuans.com/nuansinfo_en/home-accueil_en.cgi" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank"><b><u>NUANS</u></b> </a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Name search report on the name you've selected, to show that it doesn't conflict with any other corporate names. We were pretty darn sure there weren't many other pagan humanist religious orgs. to conflict with in Canada, but there might have been another "</span><span itemprop="name" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dìsir"</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> involved in some business that didn't come up when we Googled the name. It's worth it not to have that impediment in your application, and it's only a few bucks if you do your own on-line. Include this report in your application package.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cd-dgc.nsf/vwapj/FRM-4002-e.pdf/$file/FRM-4002-e.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act (NFP Act): Form 4002: Initial Registered Office Address and First Board of Directors</span></a></h3>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirX0kOuDtL7ctGV2kWfqBIIAYYgh_1F2CJugmTOL3ZiHMec7qjLDk9kSOyK_VvOxJ_WopSyKn3eaGZY3Xy04HBVwjN1L9dzydz6y3dN-OjSQCnVePt_RD-_gtvmYGGaAc0aXfidAm488ez/s1600/img003+-+edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirX0kOuDtL7ctGV2kWfqBIIAYYgh_1F2CJugmTOL3ZiHMec7qjLDk9kSOyK_VvOxJ_WopSyKn3eaGZY3Xy04HBVwjN1L9dzydz6y3dN-OjSQCnVePt_RD-_gtvmYGGaAc0aXfidAm488ez/s320/img003+-+edited.jpg" width="246" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Four (4) questions, all self-explanatory. It says you can't use a post office box, so we used one of our addresses as the official office.</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>And that's really all there is to it!</u> Now you print and submit all the forms, with a $250 'processing' fee. (<a href="http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cd-dgc.nsf/eng/cs04968.html" target="_blank">Link to procedure here</a>) I used the hard copy mail version, which meant that I could include a cheque for the fee, instead of just sending off my credit card number in an email. Which I feel totally secure about, given all the trust I have for the current elected federal government.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If everything is a go, you will simply receive a Certificate of Incorporation, and the subsequent forms and receipts, in the mail about a week later. No fanfare, but have a bottle of champagne chilled, say. I got a bit snorkled... Hey, rituals are important for such significant events!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqehmpmbTdjG6H-kLZU8of3tsAFre6SoEV0p745VPdjuB8wxgVB6LHM9Rl8QhyphenhyphenMqJe5sgJqSTm3ExnSd3n-WyPjDufXag52uQj2IYmO6zENT-ilAVgkD0Ina6BgcVTE9_PkH3apvtoFoYk/s1600/img004+-+edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqehmpmbTdjG6H-kLZU8of3tsAFre6SoEV0p745VPdjuB8wxgVB6LHM9Rl8QhyphenhyphenMqJe5sgJqSTm3ExnSd3n-WyPjDufXag52uQj2IYmO6zENT-ilAVgkD0Ina6BgcVTE9_PkH3apvtoFoYk/s320/img004+-+edited.jpg" width="246" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ZnvHwKRqzZmxsg_IzFc49JP97FYfLncirh21JHZOPBUEqualnpkmKls8yBJWUqgdnBlOo15ubCv3qfMKGUg9fYWKPpgwrutnZFz3kkWtugokRcsCxvgZnyJzBOxC0kLtNyb84GZcPhWy/s1600/img005+-+edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ZnvHwKRqzZmxsg_IzFc49JP97FYfLncirh21JHZOPBUEqualnpkmKls8yBJWUqgdnBlOo15ubCv3qfMKGUg9fYWKPpgwrutnZFz3kkWtugokRcsCxvgZnyJzBOxC0kLtNyb84GZcPhWy/s320/img005+-+edited.jpg" width="246" /></a> </span><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie0A3-YpSlBHooOXoLfK_ywRjYz2OMyRoEGneJYV4jQSzp8jXwv2UQXIQNTCPeQBcYCdTV9GMdt3ac5QUAQUjH_xyIfklUpkgDJWfebbzMGH1KeVTE_Zp40l5PjwYH_6XgzveThVjPrJhV/s1600/img006+-+edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie0A3-YpSlBHooOXoLfK_ywRjYz2OMyRoEGneJYV4jQSzp8jXwv2UQXIQNTCPeQBcYCdTV9GMdt3ac5QUAQUjH_xyIfklUpkgDJWfebbzMGH1KeVTE_Zp40l5PjwYH_6XgzveThVjPrJhV/s320/img006+-+edited.jpg" width="246" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiy4bOnDfBczeaEpij3HX6v0TRwRqRTkv7-qS48FPoxYcoHWkPIVWahyphenhyphenrAbCkND1zBNbAl89y8YiRtfV5ACMCSgXvs6AEPDsVPIGlWPc2wB3OCDSFcwRip8q0NsyJL4uiHdOCGx17NmVWc/s1600/img007+edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiy4bOnDfBczeaEpij3HX6v0TRwRqRTkv7-qS48FPoxYcoHWkPIVWahyphenhyphenrAbCkND1zBNbAl89y8YiRtfV5ACMCSgXvs6AEPDsVPIGlWPc2wB3OCDSFcwRip8q0NsyJL4uiHdOCGx17NmVWc/s320/img007+edited.jpg" width="246" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our <a href="http://www.facebook.com/paganhumanismcanada" target="_blank">FB page</a> is up and running, with other congregations and potential members already inquiring about events and services. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I personally love informal gatherings, covens, and individual work, even though I am largely solitary. But many pagans complain that we are not allowed the privileges of other religions - the recognition, the clergy, the outreach work in prisons and inner city, the ability to legally marry... In Canada, those all come through lobbying from established religious organizations, not some random decision making from the government from census numbers. If we want the goodies the system can provide, we have to create the legal framework that gives us a stake in the game.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />Let us know if we can help you or if you have any questions!</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Published on <a href="http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=caab&c=words&id=15438" target="_blank">Witchvox</a> on June 9, 2013</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15626580781769379881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560032271749992180.post-2960929801673264982013-03-19T07:00:00.000-06:002013-08-28T23:57:44.905-06:00Vegan Fudge: Traditional Homemade Candy - A Step by Step Photo Guide<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7JHnEbfpaU3saCyrMU9gTdUaJuNQLTckk7Vj_htHoo6cxkjhiNzzh5I4lUBeFvQtXYbXOO_GEuNZZruMoJ7eUO6FciCFJITqRtMDsgyvsU0P0rw4Y1T0mU7NYbX9pfRJ02ojVPqUo_H0I/s1600/cocoa+fudge+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7JHnEbfpaU3saCyrMU9gTdUaJuNQLTckk7Vj_htHoo6cxkjhiNzzh5I4lUBeFvQtXYbXOO_GEuNZZruMoJ7eUO6FciCFJITqRtMDsgyvsU0P0rw4Y1T0mU7NYbX9pfRJ02ojVPqUo_H0I/s320/cocoa+fudge+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A truly vegan guilt free fudge, made with organic and Fair trade ingredients!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I don't make nearly enough fudge for the family and for gifts. I made it so much for the shop that it became a bit of a chore. But lately, I've been trying to create a habit of whipping some up for special occasions and holidays like Yule gift giving. For <a href="http://gifts-of-nature.blogspot.ca/2013/02/lascivious-lupercalia-why-valentines-is.html" target="_blank">Lupercalia</a> last, I poured a batch for my daughter's class in lieu of the more grown-up celebrations.<br />
<br />
Actual fudge isn't the bizarre current fashion of brittle pre-cut oversweet crumbles or "instant" recipes of marshmallow cream or melted chocolate chips. Though those are now considered the norm, they are modern and rather inadequate adaptations of the traditional candy, which requires some skill to make. It's uncommon now to find someone who practices the techniques, other than London High Street candymakers, so until they try the fudge from the StillRoom, most people haven't ever eaten it.<br />
<br />
<strong>Traditional fudge is a real candy</strong>; cracked sucrose heated to a certain temperature. Since it requires some specialization, as well as access to sugar, this is a relatively modern confection, originally only available to the upper class in the middle ages and working its way down to the rest of us when sugar and high heat cooking became more available. Although the traditional method takes far more time and care than current industrial techniques, the final result, being much <em>healthier and eco-friendly</em>, is totally worth the effort to learn. People will be impressed that someone still knows how to do this!<br />
<br />
I always go to the horse's mouth for my research. Whether it's Roman naturalism treatises or early medieval physician documentations (those I have to get in translation still), to late medieval stillroom books and Victorian household encyclopaedia I look for the original techniques and uses before I try adapting something. In the case of fudge and candy making, they were an encouraged art for amateur cooks and a requirement for professionals up until the 70's. So to get ideas about how to re-create them for today's audience, but still keep the best of the traditions, I refer to cookbooks and instructions from the 60's all the way back to the Tudor era. In this post, I'll take out most of the guesswork and distil down the best of the techniques for you. As it were..<br />
<br />
<strong><u>Candy making is one of the most dangerous ventures in your kitchen.</u></strong> Fudge isn't as bad as some, but <u>candy is a thick burning syrup that sticks to your skin and clothing, and doesn't come off easily</u>. Think Napalm. When you attempt any candymaking, make sure the kids are busy, the pets aren't underfoot, and no one is running around your workspace. It is unforgiving, and there are few second chances. If you get it on your skin, have some comfrey, tea tree, aloe or lemon juice ready. Only the comfrey will ensure you have no scars, but the others will help you use that hand again in less than a month.. (Experiences of the Candy Maker story no. 1)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieeiAWt-qgtGpnH8pcoQhhQu2UePttE3scrg4LgDW_8pLSOtyWQu7XYXVf2wKRw2AuCWPnUaHTRKOhHfwWTvZqTt_Z_0dgH_v4EVQ5ZHC3h8Q30XfXkQQsdGTuP7uXEW3Wu0khcHm89Khm/s1600/IMGP7805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieeiAWt-qgtGpnH8pcoQhhQu2UePttE3scrg4LgDW_8pLSOtyWQu7XYXVf2wKRw2AuCWPnUaHTRKOhHfwWTvZqTt_Z_0dgH_v4EVQ5ZHC3h8Q30XfXkQQsdGTuP7uXEW3Wu0khcHm89Khm/s320/IMGP7805.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
1. The Pot</h3>
<br />
Your choice of pot is pretty crucial. It has to be nearly three times bigger than the amount of ingredients you first put in it, and it has to be comfortable handling very high heat for a fairly long period. So for a pound of fudge for example, I use a Dutch oven. If you select too small a pot, you won't be able to correct your choice easily once you get started, since you do not want to attempt to pour splashing candy from one pot to another, and the only alternative is letting it bubble all over your stove. (Experiences of the Candy Maker story no. 2)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjerAzMXp-78AQVb8kFnBgxBMsKFIscaNSlnG3b9mdP9ZE4g1y9g1FhputAAoI7NunBqumWR_glAH5GvSG0x0iHOAxxglOp1ucFQocjt22bZdgC8eFjsPRGCTQ8YUU094gQY_g8aPmy87d8/s1600/IMGP7812.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjerAzMXp-78AQVb8kFnBgxBMsKFIscaNSlnG3b9mdP9ZE4g1y9g1FhputAAoI7NunBqumWR_glAH5GvSG0x0iHOAxxglOp1ucFQocjt22bZdgC8eFjsPRGCTQ8YUU094gQY_g8aPmy87d8/s320/IMGP7812.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
The sides of your pot need to be coated in a fat. Don't worry about the bottom. I used to use butter, but it's not necessary. The vegan version works just fine with vegetable shortening, cocoa butter, or coconut oil.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj49WaLMTv0MWbNWNsGqMnlyhLs3x8oFFBw-mqXhCpD0CrFK8vxTt1hgQqc05NScx-Sbu0YxlgLBsiOprqxGg6uKt8YcyjUz1XqBovRkovY_ylhoWN6Bp59oijwdsI8v0VZubNqEmDQF2DG/s1600/IMGP7818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj49WaLMTv0MWbNWNsGqMnlyhLs3x8oFFBw-mqXhCpD0CrFK8vxTt1hgQqc05NScx-Sbu0YxlgLBsiOprqxGg6uKt8YcyjUz1XqBovRkovY_ylhoWN6Bp59oijwdsI8v0VZubNqEmDQF2DG/s320/IMGP7818.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
2. The Ingredients</h3>
<u><br /></u><u><b>For 1/2 lb of fudge:</b></u><br />
<br />
<b>2 cups sucrose</b> (dehydrated sugar cane juice is what I use. It's a whole food, and works the same as white sugar. Beet root sugar theoretically will also work.)<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>1/3-1/2 cup cocoa </b>(I use fair trade organic cocoa, which is much stronger than regular, so compensate accordingly if you don't have any.)<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>pinch salt</b> (<a href="http://gifts-of-nature.blogspot.ca/2010/07/organic-traditional-sea-salt-for.html">artisan sea salt </a>means I use much less, and it's good for you.)<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>2/3 cup water</b> (I use filtered. I can easily taste chlorine, and it can create weird reactions in cookery.)<br />
<br />
Try not to get the sugar on the sides if you can. It will make your job slightly harder later.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT6Pv8LIU_zGBoELrRdtwMPFcum6uOUqD1M7H-sRTscd1vOBQx_Y5Y5YXv2SxaMdWBcPNX654TUvEVi37LJnMsOfYJ_KrymKEVX_bBvycvZ32xNUgu2zkHNro_v_2o0aeONamwOYQo7aQp/s1600/IMGP7825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT6Pv8LIU_zGBoELrRdtwMPFcum6uOUqD1M7H-sRTscd1vOBQx_Y5Y5YXv2SxaMdWBcPNX654TUvEVi37LJnMsOfYJ_KrymKEVX_bBvycvZ32xNUgu2zkHNro_v_2o0aeONamwOYQo7aQp/s320/IMGP7825.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
3. The Cooking</h3>
<br />
Stir on the stove while heating. It will take awhile to combine properly, and continue to mix and stir until it starts boiling. Don't worry too much about the clumps of cocoa, but do be careful not to get sugar on the side. If you do, scrape it off with your spoon or even a rubber spatula, if you're fussy... It will start to get very satiny before it starts to bubble.<br />
<br />
<u>Then stop, and take the spoon out.</u> Set your spoon aside and let the candy bubble.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisfIFZG8iFyFkzX57UOS9kCJwnVvZ4VZkklBNSQcaB4EoeHPleBI00u5xF2Uz7gzA7ELVYCcdUrVMzVSqvFh6J0RK2fbQhQsZurRv71OSTBaCZ5qJtNEy-_H5YHh3q8ft9suFhU2xpiyR2/s1600/IMGP7834.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisfIFZG8iFyFkzX57UOS9kCJwnVvZ4VZkklBNSQcaB4EoeHPleBI00u5xF2Uz7gzA7ELVYCcdUrVMzVSqvFh6J0RK2fbQhQsZurRv71OSTBaCZ5qJtNEy-_H5YHh3q8ft9suFhU2xpiyR2/s320/IMGP7834.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKtfeljyhPMOh0Eh0Y5L2wMJlh_ZQWoOjAgDYkvIgY9JgunM8dPX3_t60S5RO28143TcoxeKAyP5quqnh9DTseWUIDn3f8HUmDpYaYMmgaE5YNnnb424gUL6c0HEUX_bJTb4ewMV1hyphenhyphenRUD/s1600/IMGP7845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKtfeljyhPMOh0Eh0Y5L2wMJlh_ZQWoOjAgDYkvIgY9JgunM8dPX3_t60S5RO28143TcoxeKAyP5quqnh9DTseWUIDn3f8HUmDpYaYMmgaE5YNnnb424gUL6c0HEUX_bJTb4ewMV1hyphenhyphenRUD/s320/IMGP7845.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See how big it gets?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Get out your candy thermometer, and place it in the candy, <i>without touching the bottom of the pot. </i>For fudge<i>, <u>you require the <a href="http://candy.about.com/od/candyglossary/g/def_softballstg.htm">Soft Ball stage</a>,</u> </i>or 235-245F. (about 112 - 118C for most of the world).<i> </i>Check the reading by getting down and looking at eye level. A few degrees can make all the difference in candy making.<br />
<br />
I usually stop at 240F and, depending on the pot I use, it will rise a bit before it starts cooling. I also use the highest heat setting, but you may want to turn it down as it approaches the correct temp, since it can rise quickly.<br />
<br />
My home ec teacher was a true professional, and I remember at least one experiment with candy making where we didn't even use the thermometer, but instead used the ice cold water method, so we learned how each candy stage 'felt'. For stillroom work, I use the far easier temperature gauge, which is what I recommend here.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbCxA_HOfedfyrTYipgiwQOE6j_yLrz0gt5RujrUzJx58xKBFT7Wf-ApBfxGPmwbbq7rg8YmruPBANNdLXjROCblZuZnsYVB-o4oKX5dP2II700DCOgmz6IOJF1lT36mLKiRv6O1uUfJIQ/s1600/IMGP7849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbCxA_HOfedfyrTYipgiwQOE6j_yLrz0gt5RujrUzJx58xKBFT7Wf-ApBfxGPmwbbq7rg8YmruPBANNdLXjROCblZuZnsYVB-o4oKX5dP2II700DCOgmz6IOJF1lT36mLKiRv6O1uUfJIQ/s320/IMGP7849.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<u>Turn off the heat and just let it sit without moving</u><b>. </b>It will fall quickly.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJDOiwgaTAyNdyZaITtkd94OHkOxWhspRokJ_yZng9NZv_Qq8bd_5p42pxss8t34wNMH9Js-eba_tykRV0JH0eflova_kdId1i1c6ZftTXzBaCyqS-ZSkjKujAyjGzfEFKHcOPbNryWkrA/s1600/IMGP7720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJDOiwgaTAyNdyZaITtkd94OHkOxWhspRokJ_yZng9NZv_Qq8bd_5p42pxss8t34wNMH9Js-eba_tykRV0JH0eflova_kdId1i1c6ZftTXzBaCyqS-ZSkjKujAyjGzfEFKHcOPbNryWkrA/s320/IMGP7720.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Get your pan ready. If I'm shipping or giving the fudge away, I use a disposable or reused tin. If we're keeping it for home, a cake or pie pan will do. After washing, make sure the pan and lid are thoroughly dry. Any water droplets can mar the surface look of the fudge. Grease bottom and sides.<br />
<br />
Now find something else to do with yourself for a bit. I try not to leave the kitchen or watch TV, in case I forget what I'm doing, but your fudge needs to remain undisturbed while it cools. You can leave the thermometer in if you like. You are waiting until the temp is about 110F, or 45C. I just use my hands near the bottom of the pot. If it's uncomfortably hot to the touch, it isn't ready yet. Wait until it's still quite warm, but not too long!<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
4. The Beating</h3>
<br />
Now comes the trickiest and fussiest part. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwG5GQ5-J61S-dHaXEKstqVzOhwGMi3XfB1hktbRzV8p2gtzVnvR4rj_EHRC3eo-UbAF9iOzbylEOMcS08-6ZkDd0lfra-C2_dO4ddEcmyCIIky4ErCy1DLDBgvlswTWqEG9yq4f4SDTun/s1600/IMGP7851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwG5GQ5-J61S-dHaXEKstqVzOhwGMi3XfB1hktbRzV8p2gtzVnvR4rj_EHRC3eo-UbAF9iOzbylEOMcS08-6ZkDd0lfra-C2_dO4ddEcmyCIIky4ErCy1DLDBgvlswTWqEG9yq4f4SDTun/s320/IMGP7851.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Testing, testing...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Using a new, clean, dry spoon, add your flavouring. I often use the traditional<b> 1/2 tsp. vanilla</b> (organic and fair trade feels good and tastes better, so you use less.) Mix in and begin to beat the fudge. Depending on how hot it was, this can take a while. Watch carefully under a good light source. Keep beating until you begin to see the gloss start to disappear with each stroke, and the fudge become heavier and thicker. Pour into your pan. Many do not recommend scraping the sides into your pan. I only suggest it after you have filled your pan, and you want to eat - I mean, test - your batch. If I am giving it away, I don't want to take a chunk out to test it, which would totally mar the look, so I use the remainder that is scraped on to the spoon. Mmmm...testing...<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg61nZngOamMmXsbrtx0MAdUk1qMbADsca-8un9NpG8Vs2Viyn7CobcBLOXvKSotnCB-7I-hb-osuUtfSMp7ddRGOVbnoYu10jBkkBVtgy4BnCmgubOcnetMv-GVcL25Dyhg51rscCO2oLT/s1600/fudge+pour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg61nZngOamMmXsbrtx0MAdUk1qMbADsca-8un9NpG8Vs2Viyn7CobcBLOXvKSotnCB-7I-hb-osuUtfSMp7ddRGOVbnoYu10jBkkBVtgy4BnCmgubOcnetMv-GVcL25Dyhg51rscCO2oLT/s320/fudge+pour.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;">(Illustration from Better Homes and Gardens: circa 1966.) </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
For home use, score the fudge while it's still warm, to facilitate cutting it later. When I present my handcrafted fudge in the traditional manner for shipping and gift giving, it is sealed when cool, unscored and untouched, until opened by the recipient. Stays softer that way, too, and doesn't get all broken up in transport.<br />
<br />
After completely cooling, your fudge should be soft, moist, even grained, and satiny. If it's not entirely perfect, and isn't completely far gone, a good freezing will fix most errors. Freeze completely, and when it's totally thawed out again, its structure changes to a better grain. Only freeze once, though, and don't refrigerate after. It turns into a pudding.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtT567jnK4UXQhXkn__fMTBsa8-M_DMLsuhXSIFDZ-0FjhuERdaLBoEcq9aqh2aEZz5FnWAXq8G2d7IuWv17NTIb0J5-A0uAaYlLKqIQdCga4iJbd8QpzVTLxhyphenhyphenWsD22esr6fxxrWaujhr/s1600/IMGP7748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtT567jnK4UXQhXkn__fMTBsa8-M_DMLsuhXSIFDZ-0FjhuERdaLBoEcq9aqh2aEZz5FnWAXq8G2d7IuWv17NTIb0J5-A0uAaYlLKqIQdCga4iJbd8QpzVTLxhyphenhyphenWsD22esr6fxxrWaujhr/s320/IMGP7748.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJm-yV-vNKc-o8IYf6yhAvKoYfh0aQpxhYg2oTZJVxYeXwS2dH8_-g30lTBQcieY9OcrFoSe6Svz940y2hJ4z_SHB0kzhgxRxyH_Y5U6sgNWZK-e3jekRoe6DvFTLPz8xVJbr2TFpaA87T/s1600/IMGP8189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJm-yV-vNKc-o8IYf6yhAvKoYfh0aQpxhYg2oTZJVxYeXwS2dH8_-g30lTBQcieY9OcrFoSe6Svz940y2hJ4z_SHB0kzhgxRxyH_Y5U6sgNWZK-e3jekRoe6DvFTLPz8xVJbr2TFpaA87T/s320/IMGP8189.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is that a dinosaur print in my fudge? No, that's a kitten track. <br />
Remember to cover your fudge when cooling!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Fudge is a tricky and fickle candy, so occasional sloshes on the side or drops of water can ruin its perfect surface, but fortunately my skill makes such incidents rare. So you'll need to practice!<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
5. Variations on a Theme</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Herbs</h4>
<div>
<br /></div>
Remember when your food was your medicine and your medicine your food?<br />
<br />
From horehound candies to spruce beer; from real marshmallow to liquorice, Western herbalists have traditionally created tasty treats to tempt those under their care to take the vitamins, minerals, and remedies they needed. In the spirit of that ancient protocol, I often add medicinal or nutritive value to my fudge with herbs, or vary the flavours with different additions. Because it's just not magnificent enough already...<br />
<br />
Substituting the water with an <a href="http://gifts-of-nature.blogspot.ca/2011/01/how-to-brew-your-medicinal-tea-quick.html">herbal infusion</a> of organic herbs means the sky's the limit. Cool and filter with cheesecloth first, of course. Even one stray leaf will be most unpleasant in a soft, moist, even grained fudge, if it doesn't ruin it completely. I've never found an herb that noticeably affects the flavour of the fudge, so consider what effects you're interested in, rather than worrying about blending the flavours. Don't forget to use a non-reactive pot for cooking your fudge, too, if you want the herbs to be at their best. Some suggestions are:<br />
<br />
*Nettle and Dandelion leaf, which has oodles of vitamins and minerals, including iron, and helps prevent allergic histamine reactions. Forget to take your calcium? Can't stand your iron supplement? Need more B's? This will make you look forward to your daily dose.<br />
<br />
*Wild yam, Dong Quai, Vitex, Cohoshes, Cramp Bark, and Licorice Root can make a PMS or Menopause fudge to replace and replenish your hormones. Who needs Midol? I have fudge!<br />
<br />
*Immune Boosting - Elderberries, Echinacea p. and a., Astragalus, Ginseng, there are so many... I mean, if your kids are gonna eat 'em anyway..<br />
<br />
*Ginseng, Sarsaparilla, Yohimbe, and Damiana can add spark to any adult encounter. Seriously. Use this one sparingly. It totally works..<br />
<br />
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Flavours</h4>
<br />
Like it extra chocolatey? I know I do, so I often double the cocoa powder.<br />
<br />
Feel like a mocha? Add expresso as part of your water component.<br />
<br />
Organic oils are much stronger than flavoured oils, with no aftertaste. They are added just before the beating, instead of vanilla. We have experimented with many in the stillroom. Some of our usuals are:<br />
<br />
*Peppermint: Careful. Organic peppermint is very powerful. A few drops are all that's needed.<br />
*Sweet Orange.<br />
*Rum<br />
*Brandy<br />
*Lavender. Traditional, believe it or not.<br />
<br />
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Tips</h4>
<br />
Candy making is pretty impressive organic chemistry. You are changing the molecular structure of the sugar, so certain conditions must be met, or it just won't work. Sugar stops melting at boiling, so make sure all of it is mixed and off the the sides of the pot <b><i>before</i></b> it starts to boil, since those grains won't be able to melt after that. Why is that important? Because, like honey and syrup, liquid sugar will accrete around any stray particle, especially unmelted sugar, and crystallize completely. Once that happens, there is almost nothing you can do to save your candy. It will be inedibley grainy, and even freezing won't fix it. That's why you need a new spoon to beat with, too.<br />
<br />
I therefore air dry, rather than towel dry, all of my equipment where possible, just to be extra cautious of stray particles.<br />
<br />
Beating also alters the candy. The longer you leave it to cool, the quicker it will turn when you begin to beat. If you start too early it will take forever, but don't wait too long, or the entire thing will set in your pot in a flash. If you pour before the candy has altered enough, it will be grainy, but usually edible. Freezing will help that mistake the most.<br />
<br />
It's easy to double batch, but triple gets harder. You need an extra big pot, and strong arms to beat that much candy. Don't say I didn't warn you...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAjTEGJN-xD8X03KoVJOaSvYTl42XJnZ6baRP2FXVKCY3Qthn31hIEnpbu4kMRpvqGkUvAc15eoSGB8zM4OTWQhZGTEwBMYUvU8K68iJuLnHekdXZ5QQChy4NK9l-Pz6KuFkrL3qJl-UMW/s1600/Vegan+fudge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAjTEGJN-xD8X03KoVJOaSvYTl42XJnZ6baRP2FXVKCY3Qthn31hIEnpbu4kMRpvqGkUvAc15eoSGB8zM4OTWQhZGTEwBMYUvU8K68iJuLnHekdXZ5QQChy4NK9l-Pz6KuFkrL3qJl-UMW/s320/Vegan+fudge.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Not the industrial brittle pre-cut candy most people are used to; this is the most moist and creamiest fudge you've ever tasted, and absolutely guilt free chocolate! Let me know how your experiments go, and good candy to you!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15626580781769379881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560032271749992180.post-9678386636297199682013-03-09T23:20:00.000-07:002016-02-01T11:27:20.899-07:00Witch Heritage 101: European Aborignals or When Witch haters joke about anti-Witch films<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLOFazgsoVKqX91H4XMR1q9gNxIgx_ja2blmPRktEIc26dx-q5pZ9rhddSU277rmkopqwmRpNuLC0uNsG33HL3KI3cXxadWPkl4J89RSMY4f8iqHFUkXViKQHs9SdxAZZlSZdC8uHxY4Fp/s1600/July+2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLOFazgsoVKqX91H4XMR1q9gNxIgx_ja2blmPRktEIc26dx-q5pZ9rhddSU277rmkopqwmRpNuLC0uNsG33HL3KI3cXxadWPkl4J89RSMY4f8iqHFUkXViKQHs9SdxAZZlSZdC8uHxY4Fp/s1600/July+2010.jpg" width="231" /></span></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I think I'll be doing my graduate work in European Aboriginal studies,
since apparently, it's rumoured that they don't actually exist, or if they did,
they don't now, or aren't continuous after all the Xian fundie persecutions.
Thanks for proving how necessary that research is, and for giving me the idea..</span></blockquote>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />This FB status of mine was universally Liked from so many of my friends, of all
different heritages and faiths. It was one of my most popular ever. Yet, it
was in response to one of my alleged friends who has continually seen fit to post
anti-witch hate on my FB page, in a constant attempt to deny our existence,
veracity, tradition, or continuation. I remain bemused why it is so important to insist that we either never existed, or were
exterminated, or are a "traditional folklore monster", and that modern pagans are somehow using the term for 'shock value.' There are so many issues with this
that I can't begin to deconstruct it all at once, but it
is vital to defend our right to claim ourselves, and fight the
dominant Christian narrative of who we are.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've gone into some of the pathology on <a href="http://gifts-of-nature.blogspot.ca/2012/10/anti-witch-bigotry-still-as-popular.html" target="_blank">anti-witch bigotry</a> and Blood Libel
before, but clearly, there needs to be more said, with movies still being produced that encourage our
'hunting', called an "exciting and informative film about witches" by my
totally non-hateful friend. But we're much smarter than the dolts who slurped up
the anti-Jewish Nazi propaganda, and no one believes what they see on film, especially
if it's about a myth, right? Yeah. Of course not. And my neighbours don't
threaten to burn down my house, either, or my otherwise intelligent co-workers
quietly whisper the question "Could Blair Witch actually happen?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I feel a little helpless sometimes. When I have these discussions, I
assume that my fellow debater has the basic grasp that they are living in a background radiation of the Christian narrative. When I realize that I have to drop the level to something of a first
year University course, or maybe even high school, to have a
reasonable exchange, I nearly despair of ever reducing the spectre of
oppression and persecution. Hence, the title of this post. I will be using actual public comments as an example to counter some of the most pervasive, harmful, and just bizarrely weird
myths. </span><br />
<b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Claims that still pervade the literature make it nearly impossible for us
to legitimize ourselves and our heritage.</b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Here are some comments on the latest
witch hate movie, from an otherwise intelligent person.</span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"The film's characterization of witches was true to the original
traditional folk tale the Bros Grimm collected and published 200 years ago, and
that has clear antecedents stretching back centuries before that. Surely all
that folklore, i.e. oral history, can't be wrong? Or is it only wrong if it says
bad things about witches, but is right if it says good things? ...The film
doesn't say anything about modern-day witches. "there are some good "white
witches" whose magic heals rather than harms, and the common (evil) witches
really hate them. No sign of this in the original folk tales (unless one is
re-branding fairy godmothers), so I think that's a nod to modern ideas of
witchcraft (as having good as well as evil elements)." ...I'm a lot more
confident in the existence of Jews than of witches, sidhe, unicorns, or
dragons."</span></blockquote>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He claims that witches are a "traditional folklore monster". Whose tradition? Well, not ours, surely. Though we have many magic 'bad guys' in faerie tales, which translates close to "witches" in Irish, they are usually part of the trial of the heroine or hero; the adversarial mentor they must overcome to learn their lesson or win their prize. It's not a quality of witches per se, but those witches in those stories do have that role. "Folklore" usually applies to stories and beliefs of the peasantry, that is, the country folk, where the term 'pagan' comes from in Latin. So not the learned Christians, then, but the propaganda spread by the power elite to the people, and not the pagan people, either, but their own leadable 'flock'. "Monster' is the most obvious smear. It's used for people who are so evil they are no longer human, which makes it easy to exterminate them without mercy, or even trial, in some cases.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Obviously, if a group tells horrific, disgusting or offensive stories about another people, that must be who they are. No one would make up that stuff up to suppress, oppress, or exterminate them. (First Nations, Gypsies, gays...cough, cough...) I've gone into the (totally non-racist) problem of the perpetuation of the myth of <a href="http://gifts-of-nature.blogspot.ca/2010/08/colours-of-magic-racism-and-reclaiming.html" target="_blank">"white" and "black"</a> i.e. 'evil' witches before. Relegating witches to the category of mythical creatures, usually horrible ones, since he later suggests he could call himself an ogre but that doesn't make him one, isn't a harmless or theoretically amusing trivialization. It is deliberately associating us with fantasy, so we couldn't really exist, except in our own minds, and even if we did, we are inherently supernaturally evil. (Hmm... supernaturally evil...Sorry. My mind wanders... Where were we?)</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">No, my
ancestresses did not live in "candy cottages, worship Satan, conjure demons,
eat children, ride brooms through the air, or cast spells to dry up dairy herds,
blight crops, spread pox, or otherwise harm the community". Defining witches as only those who fulfil that criteria, and then insisting that I therefore cannot be a witch because I don't do all that is a most circular argument, and again, impossible to comply with. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Satan is the Christian Antagonist. You have to believe in the Christian world view to be a Satanist or have any business with Him. Pagans do not, and never have. Besoms are, for most varieties of witches, sacred because of their symbolism, so most of us use them in ritual. We can't fly on them, though, so we must not be real. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Another attack is confusing medieval Christian propaganda with modern reClaimist, largely Wiccan mythology to make them seem somehow equatable and equally untrue. Modern witches, the argument goes, have created themselves, and historical witches are fantasy, because they are both story sets. "Medieval Christians told stories of
women who served Satan and hid in forests eating children. Modern-day witches
tell stories of women who followed pre-Christian traditions and harvested forest
herbs for healing. I don't actually believe either set of stories - each served
or serve a purpose for the people who told/tell stories of them." </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Medieval Christians told stories about their rivals, the witches, in a propaganda extravaganza. Just because those stories are ludicrous doesn't mean the real witches didn't exist. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They told nasty stories about the Pope being Satan, too. Does that mean he didn't exist?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Church adopted pagan traditions when it couldn't destroy them. Many forms of paganism survived under a veneer of Christianity.</b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Many of those were a discrete, independent faith and tradition surviving under those very priests, and would have resulted in accusations of witchcraft if the more orthodox and especially non-local authorities got wind of it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The word </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witch_(etymology)" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Witch</a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> is of middle Germanic origin. Similar traditional beliefs and practices were called by a different names in different languages, but they would be called 'witch' in English, and would be persecuted by the same people in the same way with the same accusations were they discovered. Witches were and are real, regardless of what they were called in that language or area, and some of those caught in the net of persecution were authentic. Many were not, of course, and some were simply heretical, which is quite different. However, the term has been co-opted by the Christians to define us, especially in the English tradition. Healers, seers, midwives, abortionists, and local authorities were often accused of witchcraft by the Church, and yet many of those were in fact authentic pagan practitioners, even with a touch of Christianity for camouflage.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://gifts-of-nature.blogspot.ca/2012/10/halloween-makes-me-twitch-but-i-love.html" target="_blank">This is still one of my favorite pics.</a> It's an official witch group that made it into the 20th century, from a real institution and with the uniform intact. They weren't playacting or at a costume ball. They were healers, there were 13 of them, and they wore their traditional red robes as well as the hats. Deniers claiming that they can't be witches because they were "Christian holy sisters who attended chapel every day" and the hat shapes were just co-incidence is pushing even the bounds of common sense. WHY did those hats and those robes and that number become associated with the healing tradition, and why does that follow the witch healing tradition so exactly? Because the tradition existed before they became Christian holy sisters.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's actually impossible to believe that so many of these<a href="http://books.google.ca/books?id=Qr6_q-chR6MC&pg=PA79&lpg=PA79&dq=estonia+witches&source=bl&ots=GcSt1q05pi&sig=4nYEAS-EIgqYSs4moGvtJIb2yY8&hl=en&sa=X&ei=luI3UevPOcPPqQHJhICYBw&ved=0CD4Q6AEwAg#v=onepage&q&f=false" target="_blank"> 'hunts'</a> went on
wherever fundie European Christians went without a shred of real witchcraft
traditions to back up their claims. One could only consider it wilful
ignorance. Social science backs up the claims of these <a href="http://www.folklore.ee/rl/pubte/ee/sator/sator5/doctor.pdf" target="_blank">traditional aboriginal beliefs</a> and practices, known as witches in English, from all over Europe, in a continual line to this time. From <a href="http://offeringstone.wordpress.com/2011/11/19/how-do-you-say-witch-in-estonian/" target="_blank">Estonia</a>. From Bulgaria.<a href="http://www.jstor.org/discover/10.2307/4317681?uid=3739392&uid=2&uid=3737720&uid=4&sid=21101920626337" target="_blank"> 1</a> <a href="http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=117546" target="_blank">2</a> From Germany. <a href="http://www.voelkerkundemuseum.com/87-1-Witch-Archiv.html" target="_blank">1</a> <a href="http://books.google.ca/books?id=2_mtzwR7ho0C&pg=PA43&lpg=PA43&dq=hexen+witch+german&source=bl&ots=MfFqIOgf69&sig=wgvQFFvP_3FcoQ60cDGt3DwR-Gk&hl=en&sa=X&ei=5eQ3UYnwCInlqQHvqoDYAQ&ved=0CGAQ6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q=hexen%20witch%20german&f=false" target="_blank">2</a> <a href="http://books.google.ca/books?id=ldJMtRTV9ZgC&pg=PA85&lpg=PA85&dq=hexen+witch+german&source=bl&ots=XA7Oa3OHFn&sig=8_pRDtutQtw9dK5BJ3oNPGkyCXY&hl=en&sa=X&ei=b-U3UfrQOof5qAHO94HoCw&ved=0CGYQ6AEwDDgK#v=onepage&q&f=false" target="_blank">3</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwRKjpjSYc4PVZkiVp73WF6dg2m2hMMtlH20D1ZW_R6KgChZvs9CRagqRscBYTJ4FQsvkuM6v4AU0KU5O3ybTjfEO4Q2jhi_Kjbpja4qcH7cBK6TuomQautHqu5mPsddOeYA-kj6A8TQ5b/s1600/Sami+ppl.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwRKjpjSYc4PVZkiVp73WF6dg2m2hMMtlH20D1ZW_R6KgChZvs9CRagqRscBYTJ4FQsvkuM6v4AU0KU5O3ybTjfEO4Q2jhi_Kjbpja4qcH7cBK6TuomQautHqu5mPsddOeYA-kj6A8TQ5b/s400/Sami+ppl.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pasthorizonspr.com/index.php/archives/03/2013/mattarahkka-mother-earth-in-sami-rock-art" target="_blank">The Sami People: Shamans and Symbols</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Map of Gaul 52 BC (Small)" height="294" src="http://www.historyfiles.co.uk/images/Europe/Barbarians/Map52BC_Gaul01_big.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Map of Europe's tribes at the beginning of the Common Era. <a href="http://www.historyfiles.co.uk/FeaturesEurope/Barbarian_Map52BC.htm" target="_blank">Click here to enlarge.</a> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Every culture has its magic workers, and some are professional
or semi-professional, serving their communities, usually with varying degrees of
respect and local power. Witch is a real term that was used with pride, and
described a very specific group of English professional pagans, usually women. It was therefore
the term used when the Christians wanted to usurp the power positions and land the
pagans owned. In other areas, they were called by their traditional names, of
course, though when translated into English, the term 'witch' is the equivalent.
In Ireland, it was often 'faerie' or various forms of Druid. In Italy, it was
strega. In German, it was Hexan. All of those terms and professions were
attacked by the Christian fundie patriarchy that coveted their land and power. Nearly all of
those terms are now being reClaimed by the traditional witches in their
homelands, too, by the way...</span><br /><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Of course, each variety of magic worker had different traditions, but most
still go by certain general roles and specialities: healers, seers, shamans, and sub-sets
of those. Many had a mystical relationship with animals and plants, some could
communicate with or visit the Other World, many told fortunes, some were
priestesses and priests of the Old Goddesses, Gods, and Spirits of their
area. Many were local judges, who carried the authority of common law and officiated at life events- another reason they were tempting targets.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2013/04/europes-wild-men/img/06-stag-romania-670.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2013/04/europes-wild-men/img/06-stag-romania-670.jpg" height="320" width="243" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b style="background-color: white; color: #191919; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">ROMANIA: </b><span style="background-color: white; color: #191919; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Stag on New Year’s Day</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;">“These traditions come from Neolithic times— <br />from shamanism — and they have never stopped,” </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Charles Fréger</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">More living European Aboriginal <a href="http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2013/04/europes-wild-men/freger-photography#/15-burryman-scotland-670.jpg">costumes</a><br /> and descriptions <a href="http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/03/18/where-the-wild-things-are/">here</a>.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When the push from the Christians began, many collaborators saw it as an
opportunity to remove the balance of power, which was usually more egalitarian
in pagan societies, and grab everything they could. So the anti-witch hysteria
was blown up as much as possible. Not only was your local professional witch suspect, but anyone who also did a bit of usual pagan magic, or healing or
seeing, or hinted of it was now in the line of fire. Most weren't
going to believe it at first, and even at the height, most didn't believe it
anyway. But like the Communist McCarthy trials, it became political death to
defend or even fight the anti-witch craze when they got going. Adding to the
fuel was the bizarre torture porn of the sexually deprived monks, who conceived
all manner of disgusting intercourse with Satan, and all manner of punishment
for these suspected deviants. Of course, that was all part of the attack on traditional cultures. As the saying goes, a people is not gone until "the hearts of its women are on the ground", and the Christian fundie takeover was entirely patriarchal. <a href="http://www.medievalists.net/2015/01/04/medieval-black-magic/" target="_blank">Since witches in most European aboriginal cultures are primarily women, it was the women who were the primary targets for extermination, humiliation, and disempowerment</a>, whether they were pagan or not. Pretty young girls were accused by local power
mongers and disappeared, never making it to trial. Old women who had land were
accused, and charged for every part of their own incarceration, like bits of
rope to tie the witch with, soldiers to guard her, the food she ate... It was
hugely lucrative, and completely transformed the political and social structure
of Europe.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Options for survival were limited. Like the Jews who were persecuted in places like medieval
Spain and more modern Germany, if one wanted to remain, and not flee (and where would
all the magic workers go?), you had to hide in plain sight or hide out of sight.
Now, in most of their persecutions, some of the Jews chose to get baptised, even though they kept most of their
family traditions intact. In a few generations, they seemed like other Christians,
but sometimes the family would recover and reconvert to their traditional heritage
when the all-clear was visible, and the danger largely passed. Are they still
real Jews? The pagan shrines and
priestesses and priests who survived with most of their traditions intact did so
by making a deal with Christianity: they got to keep their deities, put Saint on the
front of their name, stick a cross on the lot, say your vows to Christ, and you got to
keep most of your land, sacred stuff, and culture. The nuns at Kildare did that,
for example. Before it was a Bridgetine Christian nunnery, it was a pagan Bridgetine
nunnery. Kildare's sacred Flame to Bridget as the Sun aspect didn't go out for over a 1000 years, quite seamlessly with the Christian takeover, too. Many of the Abbeys and monasteries made the same deal. Their holy
orders carried on much as usual, but under a new banner. The families
experienced the same problem, and usually opted for the same solution. We are
always there, however, passing on our knowledge to our children, helping out our
neighbours, worshipping in the Old ways and places, even if those places now
have crosses on them, and we use Saint in front of their names. During less
dangerous times, however, like the Jews and Gypsies, we tend to sneak back out,
just to test the waters, because the myths encouraging self-loathing and living
under a veneer are always oppressive.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We can see how long it takes for pagan beliefs to be truly usurped, and
what happens when fundie Christianity finally takes over. Iceland, for example, was
the last place in Europe to officially convert, in about 1000 CE. Yet they still
maintained much of their egalitarian society, including their matriarchal naming
system, and the oldest continual democracy in the Western world. As spirits of the earth, elves are still
very real and negotiated with during any building project. In this recent economic crisis, the largely women leaders let the banks fail, jailed their CEO's and saved the people who were suffering. That's what even the shadow of European Aboriginal paganism can do. It takes an eon to
destroy most of our systems and beliefs and replace it with the unnatural and exploitive patriarchy. The rest of Europe was taken over much
earlier, so less of our original systems are left. In some cases, only traces remain, except where the
deals were made. Cultural archaeology is useful for uncovering those traces, and
many folklorists and fam trad witches are recovering their heritage with these
techniques and researches. Are they still witches, even when the rest of the
family for generations called themselves Christian, believed they were Christian, and did
Christian things in public? Were the Jews who recovered their heritage generations
later really Jews? I'm no Rabbi. Maybe I'll ask one, but I certainly can't
decide for them, nor can non-witches define who we are, either.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Wiccans, which was never used as a noun for magic workers in any language,
are a modern amalgam of a gathering of presumed pagan traditions from around the
world,</b> largely from Western Europe. It's very recent, but obviously satisfies,
since it's one of the fastest growing religions in North America. Few therefore
have a sense of long term history, like the traditionalists, or of future
centuries. They usually feel the threat of persecution as an empathy of
possibility, as social slights, not an imminent personal danger, like stoning.
(It doesn't feel real until one hits you. I can tell you that for a fact.) They
are a valid subset of witches, new pagans for a modern age, and rely on the
legitimacy of traditionalist beliefs, rituals, and reClaimed and recovered
paganism from many areas to form their systems.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://gifts-of-nature.blogspot.ca/2012/10/im-witch-not-wiccan-brief-summary-of.html" target="_blank">I am not a Wiccan. I'm a traditional witch</a>, raised in an family of no
faith, which maintained a few Christian rituals when required, like weddings and
funerals (which always disgusted, since we totally weren't that. I always loathe hypocrisy, especially to maintain an illusion.) Our obvious
connections to the old ways were strongly denied, and I am still ostracised for
recognizing and celebrating them, rather than continuing to hide and secretly
hate who we are. My sense of deity, beliefs, and abilities were always with me, my skills
improved with practice and training, and I now teach a mixture of internal
knowledge and external scientific learning, as witches have always done. I have had witch tools since my Initiation when I was 12. My cat-friend familiar was with me for 20 years, but she didn't eat souls or babies. (Go figger!) I am a professional witch operating in the traditional trade of healing. My faith has always been a source of unfailing joy and positive interaction for me. Just wish that would follow with the Haters I meet up with... My primary mentor was raised Eastern Orthodox, but the magic and witch rituals were part
and parcel of her family's personal faith, even though it clearly had nothing to do
with Christianity in any way, and would get them burnt in more volatile times.They would still call themselves Christian, though my mentor has always been more
honest, and changed her name to a proper witch one years ago. She'll be 70
soon... My daughter is proud of her family and who we are. She has her new familiar (she picked the only non-black kitten. Where did I go wrong?) and just cut her first wand. My son shows no
inclination. Makes sense with his personality, though...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>We are still here. We will always be here. </b></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Just like Aboriginals from
around the world, the only way you can truly be rid of us is to exterminate us
all. Like all oppressed people, we will hide, sometime for hundreds of years, but
we will rise again the moment we can. Women led, women powered, women held, we
hold the key to healing the Earth, bringing forth real change and egalitarian
democracy, and creating social and environmental justice. I have always stood
with my FN sisters, and my sisters all over the globe, since I have always known who I
was and where I had come from. Women's magic can save the world, and I will do
my part to nurture, illuminate, support, and disseminate it, against the context
of the Christian fundie oppressors. We, too, must be Idle No More.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNgsUibOW_4KHpAvlDp20LeRUdo3JQXoBHVDPWs1f-TE61BGmOlsBhkVW0CAKcvz4A-hwMMj1CWK9rLmWf1v4RrC7yD2OF2PZyUJ4pexUjSetRKsMNTp31Whw_vINYKyeG5SNp89lUNL8-/s1600/Dianic+image.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="226" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Idealized and romanized Celtic/ UK Aboriginal image, including face shape.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNgsUibOW_4KHpAvlDp20LeRUdo3JQXoBHVDPWs1f-TE61BGmOlsBhkVW0CAKcvz4A-hwMMj1CWK9rLmWf1v4RrC7yD2OF2PZyUJ4pexUjSetRKsMNTp31Whw_vINYKyeG5SNp89lUNL8-/s1600/Dianic+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Quotes are from my FB friend's public posts, early March 2013, unless otherwise indicated. I think he should remain nameless...</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">An abridged version was printed on <a href="http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=caab&c=words&id=15371">Witchvox.</a>, March 17, 2013. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15626580781769379881noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560032271749992180.post-16493407198379738682013-02-13T18:27:00.000-07:002016-12-15T02:33:01.843-07:00Lascivious Lupercalia: Why Valentine's is a Vital Pagan Holy Day for the Modern World<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxW96vve4vF67zlc9jq_laHYq3iJPE0t4iRpHcm3iVEamqFVn_mbZWB7NRgCx9fEDds8CJyUdem2PQ8DgsoNKVVKctIekSFCzbOMPS8pVX9n0TQPCOt5RB5uO_Tt0rKlBbr9vU0LXUANjp/s1600/lupercalia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="105" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxW96vve4vF67zlc9jq_laHYq3iJPE0t4iRpHcm3iVEamqFVn_mbZWB7NRgCx9fEDds8CJyUdem2PQ8DgsoNKVVKctIekSFCzbOMPS8pVX9n0TQPCOt5RB5uO_Tt0rKlBbr9vU0LXUANjp/s320/lupercalia.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lupercalia, "day of the wolf”- the Roman fertility festival celebrating the sexual frenzy of the goddess Juno! Togas, random draws for sex partners, the occasional goatskin splatter from a priest, and oodles of intoxicants. Oh, you didn't know about the traditional Valentine's Day? Think it's just a commercial holiday intended to sell chocolates, jewelry and dinners, and make single folks feel like drinking alone? Lupercalia is not only designed for singles, they are one of the feature attractions!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Valentine's is one of my favourite pagan observances, inspiring modern women and men to at least consider how much the imposed cultural system has on their views of their own love relationships and sexuality. So many find the modern practices to be bloodless, dispassionate, superficial, commercial, and vaguely depressing. I personally find it inspiring that this Holy Day is so powerful that it's made it to the modern era relatively intact, despite the best efforts of Christian priests to defuse and replace its practices. As a sacred and religious celebration of human sexuality and passion, many of the elements and themes have been retained: <strong>valentine's cards, red heart shapes, single people going home with partners, married women wanting children, lust, sex, fertility</strong>... It does prove how much we in the modern world, just as our ancestors did, need to acknowledge, idolize, ritualize and even worship our own most powerful drives, emotions, and relationships.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The eve and night of February 14th to the next day of the 15th were the Ides of the month of Februa, sacred to Juno Februata or Juno Februa. This day also honored the Roman gods, Lupercus and Faunus, who you may recall as the lusty Faun in current tellings. It was a vital religious observance as children of the Great Wolf, symbolizing the very fecundity of Rome herself, and the unpartnered participants who presented themselves were considered highly religious and praiseworthy, deserving of the blessings of the priests. 'Course, they didn't go home emptyhanded. After being the focus of some mild flagellation, the single folks would be randomly assigned to each other through a lottery system. Each pairing resulted in a sacred 'going steady' until the next year, where one thing was encouraged to lead to another. Married women weren't left out, since they were also under Juno's patronage, and at this time of year, they came to celebrate and bless their sexuality with conceptions.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On this day, Lupercalia,.. the Luperci or
priests of Lupercus dressed in goatskins for a bloody ceremony. The priests of
Lupercus, the wolf god, would sacrifice goats and a dog and then smear
themselves with blood. These priests, made red with sacrificial blood, would run
around Palatine Hill in a wild frenzy while carving a goatskin thong called a
“februa.” Women would sit all around the hill, as the bloody priests would
strike them with the goatskin thongs to make them fertile. The young women would
then gather in the city and their names were put in boxes. These “love notes”
were called “billets.” The men of Rome would draw a billet, and the woman whose
name was on it became his sexual lust partner with whom he would fornicate until
the next Lupercalia or February 14th.
</span></blockquote>
</div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thus, February 14th became a day
of unbridled sexual lust. The color “red” was sacred to that day because of the
blood and the “heart shape”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>that is
popular to this day. The heart-shape was not a representation of the human
heart, which looks nothing like it. This shape represents the human female
matrix or opening to the chamber of sacred copulation. </span><a href="http://www.lasttrumpetministries.org/tracts/tract6.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1</span></a></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While the women presented themselves for random selection and the men chose, one shouldn't make the modern mistake of assuming it was because the women were somehow property. As a holiday sacred to Juno, with the priests offering the wolf blood as the Wolf Hero's virility, it is the women's fertility that is the focus of the ritual. They were in fact presenting themselves to Juno to select a man for them for their personal pleasure, not a husband, and the men are volunteering to perform that service. It was a sacred duty, as well as wild and joyous.<br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: helvetica neue, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Married women also occasionally presented themselves for Lupericalia, especially if they were having trouble conceiving. Their selected love billet would service them throughout the rest of the year, as an act of piety, along with their husband, with no weird repercussions or jealousy. The holiday was pure consensual sexual licence.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: helvetica neue, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: helvetica neue, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Lupercalia is also built for poly.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />For His sacred virility, a Hero is usually required for the Goddess Queen. For Februa, her divine lover was Lupercus, the "hunter of wolves", who kept the wolves at bay from the shepherds and their flocks, and lent his blood to fertilize the Goddess and her daughters. </span></div>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Greeks called Lupercus
by the name of "<i>Pan</i>". The Semites called Pan "<i>Baul</i>," according to
the Classical Dictionaries. Baal - mentioned so often in the Bible - was
merely another name for Nimrod, "the mighty hunter" (</span><a href="wlmailhtml:{B8E1E982-45DD-4A0C-BB73-E24AC8DA9237}mid://00000979/!x-usc:javascript:scriptpop("../bibleref/av/ge010.html#9")"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Genesis
10:9</span></a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">) It was a common proverb of ancient time that
Nimrod was "the MIGHTY hunter before the Lord." Nimrod was their hero - their
strong man - thier VALENTINE!
How plain that the original
Valentine was Nimrod, the mighty hunter of wolves. Yet another of Nimrod's names
was "<i>Sanctuc</i>" or "<i>Santa</i>", meaning Saint. It was a common title of
any hero-god. No wonder that the Roman Lupercalia is called "St. Valentine's
Day"!<br />
<br />
But why do we associate HEARTS on
a day in honor of Nimrod - the Baal of the Phoenicians and Semites? The surprising answer is that the
pagan Romans acquired the symbol of the heart from the Babylonians. In the
Babylonian tongue the word for heart was "<i>bal</i>" .. The heart - <i>bal</i> - was merely a symbol
of Nimrod - the Baal! or Lord of the Babylonians!"</span><a href="http://www.biblestudy.org/basicart/valentin.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2</span></a></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So for centuries in Rome and its dominions and even after its fall as an Empire, the festival happily went along - the Ides of Februa featured red everywhere and heart symbols abounding, with love cards or tickets, complete with the mighty hero-love whose title was <em>Santa.</em> It was so well known and associated with sex and lust that when </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">the Gnostic Catholic Church began to get a foothold
in Rome around the 3rd century A.D., they became known as Valentinians. The
Catholic<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Valentinians retained the
sexual license of the festival in what they called “angels in a nuptial
chamber”, which was also called the “sacrament of copulation.” This was said to
be an reenactment of the marriage of “Sophia and the Redeemer.” As the
participants of the February 14th ritual began their sexual sacrament, presided
over and watched by the priests known as Valentinians, the following literary
was spoken: “Let the seed of light descend into thy bridal chamber, receive the
bridegroom… open thine arms to embrace him. Behold, grace has descended upon
thee.”"</span><a href="http://www.lasttrumpetministries.org/tracts/tract6.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3</span></a></blockquote>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Orthodox Church thoroughly disapproved, of course, and as well as exterminating the Gnostics, did their darnest to suppress or ban the festival.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When Constantine made Christianity
the official religion of the Roman Empire there was some talk in church circles
of discarding this pagan free-for-all. But the Roman citizens wouldn't hear of
it! So it was agreed that the holiday would continue as it was, except for the
more grossly sensual observances. It was not until the reign of Pope
Gelasius that the holiday became a "Christian" custom. " As far back as 496,
Pope Gelasius changed Lupercalia on February 15 to St. Valentine's Day on
February 14." (p. 172 of <i>Customs and Holidays Around the World</i> by Lavinia
Dobler).</span><a href="http://www.biblestudy.org/basicart/valentin.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> 4</span></a></blockquote>
</div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The attempt to substitute or water down the more obvious components met with limited success.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As Christianity became prevalent, priests attempted to replace
old heathen practices. To Christianize the ancient pagan celebration ...church officials changed the name to St. Valentine's Day.
To give the celebration further meaning and eliminate pagan traditions, priests
substituted the drawing of Saints names for the names of the girls. On St.
Valentine's Day the priest placed saint's names into an urn or box. The young
[men] then drew a name from the container. In the following year, the youth was
supposed to emulate the life of the saint whose name he had drawn. </span></blockquote>
</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
By the fourteenth century they reverted back to the use of
girl's names. In the sixteenth century they once again tried to have saintly
valentines but it was as unsuccessful as the first attempt...</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
Later, in France, both sexes drew from the valentine box. A
book called Travels in England, written in 1698, gives an account of the way
it was done: </span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<ul><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
"On St. Valentine's Eve an equal number of Maids and Bachelors
get together, each writes their true or some feigned name upon separate billets,
which they roll up and draw by way of lots, the Maids taking the Men's billets,
and the Men the Maids'; so that each of the young Men lights upon a Girl that he
calls his Valentine, and each of the Girls upon a young Man which she calls
hers. By this means each has two Valentines--but the Man sticks faster to the
Valentine that is fallen to him than to the Valentine to whom he is fallen.
Fortune having thus divided the company into so many couples, the valentines
give balls and treats to their mistresses, wear their billets several days upon
their bosoms or sleeves, and this little sport ofen ends in Love. This ceremony
is practised differently in different Countries, and according to the freedom or
severity of Madame Valentine. This is another kind of Valentine, which is the
first young Man or Woman chance throws in your way in the street, or elsewhere .
. ."</span><a href="http://www.techdirect.com/valentine/origin.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">5</span></a></ul>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So despite some of the best efforts of the new priesthood to alter the festival, the original idea of sexual licence and expression, particularly for women, never went away. The practices still lingered in nearly all the places Rome had taken it, mostly what is now known as the "Western World".</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It only stands to reason that countries colonized by peoples from Europe brought the practice with them. So in North America, we still see the remnants to this day. Even hidden, suppressed, altered, and derided, <strong>we retain many of the most recognisable features of the only ancient festival left in the popular culture that celebrates human sexuality</strong>. However, it still seems to generate fear, particularly in this age where women are reClaiming their sexuality and heritage. So the attempt to secularize and desexualize it goes on today. The <em>commercialization, with it's obvious monetary rewards, the insistence on already created couples, rather than singles finding mates, and the more disturbing marketing to children</em>, appears to be an attempt to finally remove the more worrisome lustful elements still left.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Some will claim that the holiday has adapted itself to our modern needs, and that the encouragement of children in grade school to participate in Valentine's Day by giving out cards is more than just adapting. In fact, it appears to continue to be mutating every generation. No longer is the Valentine a secret, given from a child to someone they fancy, as it was in two childhoods ago; it is now a class event, where everyone must bring one for everyone else, so as to ensure "no one gets left out'. It is bizarre, disquieting, and has always been inappropriate for children, expressed even by those completely ignorant of its history. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In a time when women are working to reClaim their sovereignty over their sexuality instead of being objectified, traditional rituals which celebrate joyous lust and sexual licence without bonded partners are needed more than ever. Safely sublimating its lustful nature into permitted 'couple's only' commitment activities, or reducing it by infantalization as a classroom friendship ceremony covered in pink leaves out the most vital and powerful element of the celebration: shameless consensual adult lust. With all the disempowering of women and inappropriate sexualizing of children, we could use a good ol' fashioned Lupercalia to reClaim our bodies, divine passions, and sacred sense of self.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><u>So this Valentine's Day, consider adding something in the spirit of the ancient practices of Lupercalia to your celebrations. Why make it just about already paired couples?</u> Consider getting your friends together and having some joyous grown-up fun. Toga parties, love lotteries for the singles, erotic games for the group... (An <a href="http://lupercalia-edmonton.com/lupercalia/index.php/lupercalia-2013/2013-workshops" target="_blank">Edmonton version.)</a> Give yourself an opportunity to worship sexual passions in a consensual, safe environment, without the requirement of commitment or permission from anyone but yourself! Maybe some half-naked hotties playing the priests can occasionally slap one of the crowd with a whip dipped in red food colouring... Oh, wait. That might be just me..</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJPmqR6ewN2CzGV9Tnx-nN0VJeX7Awp8Zx8QCzlMp1MenzEknh9anK3HmRqY_8ijlsSs3UlrPqoxAqSmbSSMs67II5MEm-5ENcEr7Isrcq0Dk-T3swEOC-yHRJal8gnbQ_AMMSBaJ5uvo/s320/lupercalia+poster.GIF" width="228" /></div>
Some ideas for modern celebrations from a Halifax bathhouse.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My daughter's class is supposed to bring Valentine's cards for everyone, if they bring any at all. Raising her as a witch, I have told her as much as I think she needs to know at 11 years old. So she has no interest in bringing cards. As a nod to the current rituals of her class, though, we both decided to send her with enough homemade candy for everyone. That seems to be a good compromise...</span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15626580781769379881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560032271749992180.post-79697013231264123722012-12-24T17:59:00.000-07:002013-02-13T00:22:58.300-07:00Ginger Beer / Ale Recipe: Traditional Yule Recipe - Flashbrewing<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLmgcrh6AR4CAvhaldrjejO7LSmBQQU1acOiIPr0_HSf5AuHwoBInDt1_rqhXaZZNuyIVWB_2URt1vZKWwo0peX3x2TaqoZKp5vsRyM3INoorkvlCty8G0VgiKp5Y0fYTS6pAsg-HFIKKH/s1600/beer+woodcut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLmgcrh6AR4CAvhaldrjejO7LSmBQQU1acOiIPr0_HSf5AuHwoBInDt1_rqhXaZZNuyIVWB_2URt1vZKWwo0peX3x2TaqoZKp5vsRyM3INoorkvlCty8G0VgiKp5Y0fYTS6pAsg-HFIKKH/s1600/beer+woodcut.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Medieval woodcut of brewhouse</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We didn't have quite enough handmade goodies this year for Yule, so I felt it was necessary to whip something up. I had a bunch of fresh, organic ginger from <a href="http://egs.ca/" target="_blank">EGS</a> that I couldn't use all up before it dried out, which inspired me to toss together a quick batch of ginger beer for the season. I'm familiar with the theory, but I never gave a it a try before.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwSeiCOIELoNGEPusIBUW7tk5KTEKJt1O0Wbjj42_3GmZXApU_6rlP2Ju1kEW065Jc5Vv5_CJNk-1K1Srxz69V8wwm2Eb9iowdo6k7UFuNAi2CvWxkeO7M0p8Bj4OKzpzAfphrAYl7BJ4-/s1600/IMGP7367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwSeiCOIELoNGEPusIBUW7tk5KTEKJt1O0Wbjj42_3GmZXApU_6rlP2Ju1kEW065Jc5Vv5_CJNk-1K1Srxz69V8wwm2Eb9iowdo6k7UFuNAi2CvWxkeO7M0p8Bj4OKzpzAfphrAYl7BJ4-/s320/IMGP7367.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ginger slices, lemon juice, and sugar in a jug, <br />
with enough water to fill it up mostly to the top.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In the time my journeywoman took to finish one of her tasks, I had completed the entire initial setup. I cleaned and sanitized the one gallon jug for my experiment, cut up about 1/4 cup of ginger in slices that can fit easily into the jug's mouth, and I added the lemon juice, sugar and water. I know it's common to boil the water and sugar to help reduce wild yeast, but all I had available was bread yeast anyway, so it didn't really matter if I got a few weirdo flavours in, too. By leaving out the step of boiling and cooling the syrup, it completely reduces the prep time and makes this a snap!<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGsO351SdV7xE8gfX8ODOJPazz0Y4HdVHYRgLvOBQ2_cRY7z0kXD-f_F7hllZq-__tcCbojxB-9Xj97-PVZi3WQpSegryV7d7HvwJ2IZzWl_ZfKQIY0JajaXmBT9gSb2emy4r9P9kz6azC/s1600/IMGP7374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGsO351SdV7xE8gfX8ODOJPazz0Y4HdVHYRgLvOBQ2_cRY7z0kXD-f_F7hllZq-__tcCbojxB-9Xj97-PVZi3WQpSegryV7d7HvwJ2IZzWl_ZfKQIY0JajaXmBT9gSb2emy4r9P9kz6azC/s320/IMGP7374.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bung in the top. If you don't have one, <br />
cloth with a rubber band around it will do.<br />
It's largely to help it bubble without <br />
getting foreign material in the mixture.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Four days later, I filtered out the ginger and left the grouts on the bottom. There were surprisingly fewer than usual with beer, but the result is still really cloudy. It stands to reason, because bread yeast doesn't flocculate as much as beer or ale yeast, so there are fewer byproducts that fall out, and more then stay in suspension.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9BuHQoHPMTuhvyt7y9YIdhmwIqwYsDfQOl0AzSUiYglPZRhyphenhyphen4XvOeUF9B7N6xDnGkCx6XX3z8Xa0mxeVb_nLhxtDtyBfsSiPALYTcxbuHaEW2-xaE2ufa69LXsXMXN7yMIqUGU6ZgoIAR/s320/IMGP7380.JPG" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A funnel with cheesecloth in the spout <br />
recovers the most liquid, but takes longer.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqrIODLfFi7d9QqzfXkqV1HnK3GIT-Fmt1PBGtoHIN7J-HCgEi4tCEIx-jkSW_pA7nUpqgbRsYY9W8lgcOU8HvVbSERfA2MOAMCR5uUdVvZPd1k8gQYP6YykqlSKCjhqfGVN80u4ca3U81/s1600/IMGP7382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqrIODLfFi7d9QqzfXkqV1HnK3GIT-Fmt1PBGtoHIN7J-HCgEi4tCEIx-jkSW_pA7nUpqgbRsYY9W8lgcOU8HvVbSERfA2MOAMCR5uUdVvZPd1k8gQYP6YykqlSKCjhqfGVN80u4ca3U81/s1600/IMGP7382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqrIODLfFi7d9QqzfXkqV1HnK3GIT-Fmt1PBGtoHIN7J-HCgEi4tCEIx-jkSW_pA7nUpqgbRsYY9W8lgcOU8HvVbSERfA2MOAMCR5uUdVvZPd1k8gQYP6YykqlSKCjhqfGVN80u4ca3U81/s320/IMGP7382.JPG" width="240" /></a>Or you can use the cheesecloth filter over a sieve, which is much quicker, if a bit messier...<br />
<br />
I used a pop bottle since it can handle pressure. I only did one, and left the rest in the jug, just in case this part didn't work out as well as I hoped. I wanted it quickly, so the bottle can be the secondary fermenter almost immediately. I should have waited, though. It was carbonated almost the next day, and I had to keep releasing the pressure to keep it from exploding. (Fortunately, the pop bottles have alot of give.)<br />
<br />
By the time Solstice and my guests arrived, we were able to drink fresh ginger beer 8 days after it was first brewed. It has slightly too many sugary notes and not quite enough ginger zing, but that has of course improved with age. It is now 11 days since I first threw the batch together, and all the sugar notes are gone, with a fine zip of ginger. There is a slight yeast note, but only in the nose, which my husband, <a href="http://tuckamoredew.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Tuckamoredew</a>, prefers in a beer anyway. The colour continues to be lovely, and very homemade, but it hasn't clarified any further.<br />
<br />
All in all, it was a glorious experiment, rated highly successful by all who imbibed. It was largely gone by Solstice, but I saved enough of it to continue to ferment and carbonize in the bottle. For my next batch, I won't actually bottle until a day or two before serving. In the first week or so, that seems more than long enough for a good fizzle. I served it without chilling. Maybe I'll try it next time ice cold and frosty!<br />
<br />
Here's the <u><strong>recipe</strong></u> I used:<br />
<br />
<h4>
1/4 cup fresh organic ginger, sliced<br />1 tablespoon organic lemon concentrate (juice of one lemon will do)<br />2 cups organic sugar<br />1 tablespoon quick rising bread yeast<br />enough filtered water to mostly fill to top<br /><br />Let sit between 1-7 days. Filter. Serve in 1-2 weeks. Bottle a day or two before serving if carbonation is desired. </h4>
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2x9v7fG-6FVUd7OMyMwM0FB0NgIQMqpPwtmZCmuTSczzTW5dbJ0z4mrNccb5mL6Ccdua-q5kQS0oNbeotrpKhtHKxQuE1urxk0VDrfQmyWRrp-ZmUe_jcJt5pnCo3ADnzqYshXTbIfbzo/s1600/IMGP7683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2x9v7fG-6FVUd7OMyMwM0FB0NgIQMqpPwtmZCmuTSczzTW5dbJ0z4mrNccb5mL6Ccdua-q5kQS0oNbeotrpKhtHKxQuE1urxk0VDrfQmyWRrp-ZmUe_jcJt5pnCo3ADnzqYshXTbIfbzo/s320/IMGP7683.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flashbrewed carbonated ginger beer, in a <a href="http://www.leevalley.com/en/gifts/page.aspx?p=45168&cat=4,104,53200,45168" target="_blank">Kölsch</a> glass.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The lemon is partly for flavour, and partly for nutrient for the yeast. Though there was almost no bubbling over, like there is in beer and ale making, I still left some air in the top for it when I poured in the water. I'll leave less next time. When everything is in, put on the cap of the jug and shake by inversion a few times, just to get the sugar all dissolved. I did that a few times every day or so for the first few days, just to be on the safe side, but then I left it alone so it could grout up. Bung it or cheesecloth the top, and let it sit. I put it by the register to keep it warm, but not too toasty. I filtered it after 4 days, but I could have left it a bit longer. It seems to be perfect by 2 weeks, and I had no desire to add more sugar to ferment after it had used up all the yeast, since I let it do so in pop bottle instead. No extra sugar!<br />
<br />
Enjoy!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15626580781769379881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560032271749992180.post-73991256832139312382012-12-03T08:00:00.000-07:002012-12-25T17:47:17.623-07:00Mulled Wine and Cider: Traditional Yule Ritual & Recipes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYaeSp2NuJz-b5t2qT2vTTrduKeyu6z69cNcJpKliRmL5uVn8rXuRUoTMMUHig3LDGbG3NAu93ozDabpcM7wxb-nFZdQppO7A19RW_Sax-2ZpA35T3bvllSsf1AgBBK7KlJu9U4TteIvoG/s1600/mulling+spices.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYaeSp2NuJz-b5t2qT2vTTrduKeyu6z69cNcJpKliRmL5uVn8rXuRUoTMMUHig3LDGbG3NAu93ozDabpcM7wxb-nFZdQppO7A19RW_Sax-2ZpA35T3bvllSsf1AgBBK7KlJu9U4TteIvoG/s320/mulling+spices.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Glühwein, or gleewine, is a sacred, ancient winter drink found all over
Western Europe traditionally presented to warm and welcome guests in from
the cold. Its medicinal herbs and spices can also help
fight off colds, aid digestion, and increase circulation.<br />
<br />
This drink can be made with wine, cider, and be alcoholic or non, depending on your guest list. Practice a bit to get the ratios and recipe you prefer, and it will become your one of your essential tools for the season. It's versatile and festive, turning any gathering into a Yule party! <br />
<br />
At times of celebrations in many areas, the brandy was first lit on fire in the bowl, with the rest of the brewed gleewine poured over top to snuff it. We tried it last year for Twelfth Night and it was a huge hit! We had to improvise the equipment, though. In England, they had a traditional shallow punch bowl designed for this kind of entertaining, complete with herb sieve. I used a big stainless steel bowl, which showed the flames when the lights were out, but not quite as much of a show as the traditional bowl. Also, the stainless steel was hot, and I had to use a separate hand sieve, so it was a bit of a challenge to serve...<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiDxCxKzfZ51XyjiZkht7wDvNQYcMTS07faLj4ipFTLkmLRG2sZqKYZKOvRgQpJJ7Q6jxSoPi5SqRLWnIlgOyyfL7dxdlacDGoP1qx5IiPz-sPil1gQgqHJZj0zKUW40thnz9y5jkEp_c7/s1600/IMGP5378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiDxCxKzfZ51XyjiZkht7wDvNQYcMTS07faLj4ipFTLkmLRG2sZqKYZKOvRgQpJJ7Q6jxSoPi5SqRLWnIlgOyyfL7dxdlacDGoP1qx5IiPz-sPil1gQgqHJZj0zKUW40thnz9y5jkEp_c7/s320/IMGP5378.JPG" width="320" /></a>If you want to get really authentic, don't forget the toast! That's where we get the concept of "A toast!" from. Bits of herbed croutons floating about in the mulled wine were highly prized, and one found in a punch cup was cause for congratulations and portended well-being, health, and success for the upcoming year. <br />
<br />
For convenience, herbs can be put into a muslin bag that can be dropped in as is but I prefer to let the herbs float around. Great effect!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpIMZp8ElbOAo5X-JPfR-9IUfpi9FhVBb7XLFbSFSYI4-u7s5yMYPlNbBLaBJ7y2zSTX9M4PUvOPdHMWmHSn54v5EwLpWchN6duvKh1toKz8qdRkJ3p4pl4B1Zcw5IXBDrhxzkYR8EYUpJ/s1600/IMGP5387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
For my recipe, the herbs, depending on availability, are whole or pieces of:<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
lemon peel<br />
orange
peel<br />
cinnamon<br />
cloves<br />
ginger<br />
nutmeg<br />
allspice<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
The citrus note is considered necessary for the recipe and can be whole or fresh peels or even entire fruits floating around. Try whole oranges pierced with cloves. I know you might be tempted not to include the sugar, since most recipes are wayyy to sweet, but if you are making the red wine version in particular, you really need it to balance out the flavours. Use <a href="http://gifts-of-nature.blogspot.ca/2012/11/stevia-miracle-sweetener-how-to-use-it.html" target="_blank">stevia</a> for the low-cal version!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpIMZp8ElbOAo5X-JPfR-9IUfpi9FhVBb7XLFbSFSYI4-u7s5yMYPlNbBLaBJ7y2zSTX9M4PUvOPdHMWmHSn54v5EwLpWchN6duvKh1toKz8qdRkJ3p4pl4B1Zcw5IXBDrhxzkYR8EYUpJ/s1600/IMGP5387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpIMZp8ElbOAo5X-JPfR-9IUfpi9FhVBb7XLFbSFSYI4-u7s5yMYPlNbBLaBJ7y2zSTX9M4PUvOPdHMWmHSn54v5EwLpWchN6duvKh1toKz8qdRkJ3p4pl4B1Zcw5IXBDrhxzkYR8EYUpJ/s320/IMGP5387.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
You will need:<br />non-metallic pot (enamel, glass, Pyrex, etc.)<br />2 bottles
dry red wine (zinfandel, merlot, burgundy, etc.) or one gallon cider (alcoholic
or non)<br />7 tbsp sweetener or more as desired (Sucanat, Demarra, or honey
preferred)<br />3/4 cup brandy (optional)</h4>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Pour the wine into a large pot and begin heating over low heat. Use a stainless steel pot if you need to, but herbs are affected by metal, and a non-metallic pot ensures the flavours blend better. As it begins
to warm, add sugar and spices. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Heat
thoroughly, but <u>do not allow to boil</u>! Steep at least 30 min. over low heat. You
may add more sugar during this time if desired, stirring well so it dissolves.
Now is the time to add the brandy. Pour it in, or light it on fire in a bowl and pour the wine over top! Serve hot and garnish with orange slices or cinnamon.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<o:p></o:p><br />
There are other traditional Northern European variants, too. Swedish <span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[381].[1][2][1]{comment10151339268746416_10151339311101416}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[381].[1][2][1]{comment10151339268746416_10151339311101416}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]."><span id=".reactRoot[381].[1][2][1]{comment10151339268746416_10151339311101416}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[0]">Glogg has aquavit instead of brandy and the fruit is blackcurrants, raisins or sultanas, and usually includes shaved blanched nuts such as almonds. The ritual is more like our modern version of absinthe, where the sugar cubes are soaked in the liqueur, lit on top in a grate, and then flow into the wine as they burn.<br /><br />Enjoy, and make merry in your holiday season!</span></span></span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15626580781769379881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560032271749992180.post-40757954637952701212012-11-26T08:00:00.000-07:002012-12-02T22:51:54.998-07:00We Are the Other People by Oberon Zell (Unabridged)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7llhpJ0gzvetmTGsL9JbrUZOFIOlXTWFJNJVCJPMGM0TYbnDOGLIKkkCfLgoQBOCtA_H7pUj97pVGlSCZEmyZCTtfnPfFcA5iVu5e8FOnp4vKGMk36gVRRBBaKJCdrL5EgI8j7zKLY3_/s1600/genesis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7llhpJ0gzvetmTGsL9JbrUZOFIOlXTWFJNJVCJPMGM0TYbnDOGLIKkkCfLgoQBOCtA_H7pUj97pVGlSCZEmyZCTtfnPfFcA5iVu5e8FOnp4vKGMk36gVRRBBaKJCdrL5EgI8j7zKLY3_/s320/genesis.jpg" width="152" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hugo van der Goes, 1470.<br />
Ideal beauty is also a social construct. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
One of my personal favourites! There is only one other blog I know of hosting this currently, and while I don't want to detract from them, I worry that this might not always be available. There have been several long periods when I haven't been able to find this easily on the 'net, so I'm going to reproduce it here to give it a bump.<br />
<br />
This sentiment is one of the many reasons I personally don't resonate with the Abrahamic messaging of Sin or Salvation. There is nothing to save *me* from... In their mythology, we are all one family, but the pagans have strayed. In ours, they are a separate people; beginning from a very small group and now grown, but still, their myths and dogma are not ours..<br />
<br />
This was published years ago in "Green Egg" magazine. All the links I can find to the Chick tract satire version of this are broken. If anyone can find me a copy, I'd love to see it again!<br />
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
We Are the Other People</h2>
<br />
"Ding-dong!" goes the doorbell. Is it Avon calling? Or perhaps Ed McMahon with my three million dollars? No, it's Yahweh's Witlesses again, just wanting to have a nice little chat about the Bible... <br />
<br />
Boy, did they ever come to the wrong house! So we invite them in: "Enter freely and of your own will..." (Hey, it's Sunday morning, nothing much going on, why not have a little entertainment?) Diane and I amuse ourselves watching their expressions as they check out the living room: great horned owl on the back of my chair; ceremonial masks and medicine skulls of dragons and unicorns on the wall; crystals, wands, staffs, swords; lots of Goddess figures and several altars; boa constrictors draped in amorous embrace over the elkhorn; white doves sitting in the hanging planters; cats and weasels underfoot; iron dragon snorting steam atop the wood stove; posters and paintings of wizards and dinosaurs and witchy women, some proudly naked; sculptures of mythological beasties and lots more dinosaurs; warp six on the star-filled viewscreen of my computer; a five-foot model of the USS Enterprise and the skeleton of a plesiosaur hanging from the ceiling; very, very many books, most of them dealing with obviously weird subjects... To say nothing of the great horned owl perched on the back of my chair and the Unicorn grazing in the front yard. You know; early Addams Family decor. And then, of course, it being late in the morning, you can expect Morning Glory to come wandering out naked, looking for her wake-up cup of tea. Morning Glory naked is a truly impressive sight, and the Witlesses look as if she'd set titties on stun as they stand immobilized, hands clasped over their genitals.<br />
<br />
With the stage set and all the actors in place, the show is ready to begin. Their mission, of course, is to save our heathen souls by turning us on to "The Word of the Lord"- their Bible. I guess they figger some of us just haven't heard about it yet, and we're all eagerly awaiting their joyous tidings of personal salvation through giving our rational faculties to Jesus. Every time they come around, I look forward to trying out a new riposte. Sure, it may be cruel and sadistic of me, but hey, I didn't call them up and ask them to come over; they entered at their own risk! This time should be pretty good. After letting them run off their basic rap while lovely Morning Glory serves us all hot herb tea, I innocently remark: "But none of that applies to us. We have no need for salvation because we don't have original sin. We are the Other People."<br />
<br />
"Hunh? What?" they reply eloquently. It's clear they've never heard this one before.<br />
<br />
"Right," I say. "It's all in your Bible." And I proceed to tell them the story, using their own book for reference: (Genesis 1:26) The [Elohim] said, "Let us make humanity in our own image, in the likeness of ourselves, and let them be masters of the fish of the sea, the birds of heaven, the cattle, all the wild beasts and all the reptiles that crawl upon the earth." Elohim is a plural word, including male and female, and should properly be translated "Gods" or "Pantheon." (1: 27) The Gods created humanity in the image of themselves, In the image of the Gods they created them, Male and female they created them. (1:28) The Gods blessed them, saying to them, "Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth and conquer it. Be masters of the fish of the sea, the birds of heaven and all living animals on the earth."<br />
<br />
Now clearly, here we are talking about the original creation of the human species: male and female. All the animals, plants, etc. have all been created in previous verses. This is before the Garden of Eden, and Yahweh is not mentioned as the creator of these people.<br />
<br />
The next chapter talks about how Yahweh, an individual member of the Pantheon, goes about assembling his own special little botanical and zoological Garden in Eden, and making his own little man to inhabit it: (Gen 2:7) Yahweh God fashioned a man of dust from the soil. Then he breathed into his nostrils a breath of life, and thus the man became a living being. (2:8) Yahweh God planted a garden in Eden which is in the east, and there he put the man he had fashioned. (2:9) Yahweh God caused to spring up from the soil every kind of tree, enticing to look at and good to eat, with the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the middle of the garden. (2:15) Yahweh God took the man and settled him in the garden of Eden to cultivate and take care of it. Now this next is crucial: note Yahweh's precise words: (2:16) Then Yahweh God gave the man this admonition, "You may eat indeed of all the trees in the garden. (2:17) Nevertheless of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you are not to eat, for on the day you eat of it you shall most surely die." Fateful words, those. We will refer back to this admonition later.<br />
<br />
Then Yahweh decides to make a woman to go with the man. Now, don't forget that the Pantheon had earlier created a whole population of people, "male and female," who are presumably doing just fine somewhere "outside the gates of Eden." But this set-up in Eden is Yahweh's own little experiment, and will unfold to its own separate destiny. (2:21) So Yahweh God made the man fall into a deep sleep. And while he slept, he took one of his ribs and enclosed it in flesh. (2:22) Yahweh God built the rib he had taken from the man into a woman, and brought her to the man. Right. Man gives birth to woman. Sure he does. But that's the way the story is told here. (2:25) Now both of them were naked, the man and his wife, but they felt no shame in front of each other. Well, of course not! Why should they? But take careful note of those words, as they also will prove to be significant...<br />
<br />
Now this next part is where it starts to get interesting. Enter the Serpent: (Gen. 3:1) The serpent was the most subtle of all the wild beasts that Yahweh God had made. It asked the woman, "Did God really say you were not to eat from any of the trees in the garden?" (3:2) The woman answered the serpent, "We may eat the fruit of the trees in the garden. (3:3) "But of the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden God said, 'You must not eat it, nor touch it, under pain of death." (3:4) Then the serpent said to the woman, "No! You will not die! (3:5) "God knows in fact that on the day you eat it your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods, knowing good and evil." What a remarkable statement! "Your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods, knowing good and evil." The Serpent directly contradicts Yahweh. Obviously, one of them has to be lying. Which one, do you suppose? And, if the serpent speaks true, wouldn't you wish to eat of the magic fruit? Wouldn't it be a good thing, to become "like gods, knowing good and evil"? Or is it preferable to remain in ignorance?<br />
<br />
(Gen. 3:6) The woman saw that the tree was good to eat and pleasing to the eye, and that it was desirable for the knowledge that it could give. So she took some of its fruit and ate it. She gave some also to her husband who was with her, and he ate it. (3:7) Then the eyes of both of them were opened and they realized that they were naked. So they sewed fig leaves together to make themselves loincloths. The author makes an interesting assumption here: that if you realize you are naked you will automatically want to cover yourself. Further implications will unfold shortly...<br />
<br />
(Gen. 3:8) The man and his wife heard the sound of Yahweh God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from Yahweh God among the trees of the garden. (3:9) But Yahweh God called to the man. "Where are you?" he asked. (3:10) "I heard the sound of you in the garden," he replied. "I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid." (3:11) "Who told you that you were naked?" he asked. "Have you been eating of the tree I forbade you to eat?"<br />
<br />
And so the sign of the Fall becomes modesty. Take note of this. The descendants of Adam and Eve will be distinguished throughout history from virtually all other peoples by their obsessive modesty taboos, wherein they will feel ashamed of being naked. It follows that those who feel no shame in being naked are, by definition, not carriers of this spiritual disease of original sin!<br />
<br />
(Gen. 3:12) The man replied, "It was the woman you put with me; she gave me the fruit, and I ate it." Right. Blame the woman. What a turkey! (3:13) Then Yahweh God asked the woman, "What is this you have done?" The woman replied, "The serpent tempted me and I ate." So of course she blames the serpent. But just what did the serpent do that was so evil? Why, he called Yahweh a liar! Was he wrong? Let's see... (3:21) Yahweh God made clothes out of skins for the man and his wife, and they put them on. Out of skins? This means that Yahweh had to kill some innocent animals to pander to Adam and Eve's new obsession with modesty!<br />
<br />
And now we come to the crux of the Fall. Yahweh had said back there in chapter (2:17), regarding the fruit of the tree of knowledge, that "on the day you eat of it you shall most surely die." The Serpent, on the other hand, had contradicted Yahweh in chapter (3:4-5): "No! You will not die! God knows in fact that on the day you eat it your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods, knowing good and evil." So what actually happened? Who lied and who told the truth about this remarkable fruit? The answer is given in the next verse: (3:22) Then Yahweh God said, "See, the man has become like one of us, with his knowledge of good and evil. He must not be allowed to stretch his hand out next and pick from the tree of life also, and eat some and live forever."<br />
<br />
Get that? Yahweh himself admits that he had lied! In fact, and in Yahweh's own words, the Serpent spoke the absolute truth! And moreover, Yahweh tells the rest of the Pantheon that he intends to evict Adam (and presumably Eve as well) to keep them from gaining immortality to go with their newly-acquired divine knowledge. To prevent them, in other words, from truly becoming gods.<br />
<br />
So who, in this story, comes off as a benefactor of humanity, and who comes off as a tyrant? THE SERPENT NEVER LIED!<br />
<br />
This story, to digress slightly, bears a remarkable resemblance to a contemporary tale from ancient Greece. In that version, the Serpent (later identified as Lucifer, the Light-Bearer) may be equated with the heroic titan Prometheus, who championed humanity against the tyranny of Zeus, who wished for people to be mere slaves of the gods. Prometheus, whose name means "forethought," gave people wisdom, intelligence, and fire stolen from Olympus. Moreover, he ordained the portions of animal sacrifice so that humans got the best parts (the meat and hides) while the portion that was burned to the gods was the bones and fat. In punishment for this defiance of his divine authority, Zeus condemned Prometheus to a terrible punishment for an immortal: to be chained to a mountain in the Caucasus, where Zeus' gryphon/eagle (actually a Lammergeir) would devour his liver each day. It would grow back each night. Zeus promised to relent if Prometheus would reveal his great secret knowledge: Who would succeed Zeus as supreme god? Prometheus refused to tell, but history has revealed the answer... The interesting thing about all this is that the Greeks properly regarded Prometheus as a noble hero in his defiance of unjust tyranny. One may wonder why the Serpent is not so well regarded. On the contrary, snakes are loathed throughout Christiandom. (3:23) So Yahweh God expelled him from the garden of Eden, to till the soil from which he had been taken. (3:24) He banished the man, and in front of the garden of Eden he posted the cherubs, and the flame of a flashing sword, to guard the way to the tree of life.<br />
<br />
So that's it for the Fall. But the story of Adam and Eve doesn't end there. (Gen 4:1) The man had intercourse with his wife Eve, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain... (4:2) She gave birth to a second child, Abel, the brother of Cain. Now Abel became a shepherd and kept flocks, while Cain tilled the soil. (4:3) Time passed and Cain brought some of the produce of the soil as an offering for Yahweh, (4:4) while Abel, for his part, brought the first-born of his flock and some of their fat as well. Yahweh looked with favor on Abel and his offering. But he did not look with favor on Cain and his offering, and Cain was very angry and downcast. Well, why shouldn't he be? Both brothers had brought forth their first fruits as offerings, but Yahweh rejected the vegetables and only accepted the blood sacrifice. This was to set a gruesome precedent: (4:8) Cain said to his brother Abel, "Let us go out;" and while they were in the open country, Cain set on his brother Abel and killed him.<br />
<br />
Accursed and marked for fratricide, (4:16) Cain left the presence of Yahweh and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden. We can assume that the phrase "left the presence of Yahweh" implies that Yahweh is a local deity, and not omnipresent. Now Eden, according to (Gen. 2:14-15), was situated at the source of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, apparently right where Lake Van is now, in Turkey. "East of Eden," therefore, would probably be along the shores of the Caspian Sea, right in the Indo-European heartland. Cain settled in there, among the people of Nod, and married one of the women of that country. Here, for the first time, is specifically mentioned the "other people" who are not of the lineage of Adam and Eve. i.e: the Pagans.<br />
<br />
So let's look at this story from another viewpoint: There we were, around six thousand years ago, living in our little farming communities around the Caspian Sea, in the land of Nod, when this dude with a terrible scar comes stumbling in out of the sunset. He tells us this bizarre story, about how his mother and father had been created by some god named Jahweh, and put in charge of a beautiful garden somewhere out west, and how they had gotten thrown out for disobedience after eating some of the landlord's forbidden magic fruit of enlightenment. He tells us of murdering his brother, as the god of his parents would only accept blood sacrifice, and of receiving that scar as a mark so that all would know him as a fratricide.<br />
<br />
The poor guy is really a mess psychologically, obsessed with guilt. He is also obsessively modest, insisting on wearing clothes even in the hottest summer, and he has a hard time with our penchant for skinny-dipping in the warm inland sea. He seems to believe that he is tainted by the "sin" of his parent's disobedience; that it is in his blood, somehow, and will continue to contaminate his children and his children's children.<br />
<br />
One of our healing women takes pity on the poor sucker, and marries him... (4:17) Cain had intercourse with his wife, and she conceived and gave birth to Enoch. He became the builder of a town, and he gave the town the name of his son Enoch.<br />
<br />
With both of their first sons not turning out very well, Adam and Eve decided to try again: (4:25) Adam had intercourse with his wife, and she gave birth to a son whom she named Seth... (4:26) A son was also born to Seth, and he named him Enosh. This man was the first to invoke the name of Yahweh. Now it doesn't mention here where Seth's wife came from. Another woman from Nod, possibly, or maybe someone from another neolithic community downstream in the Tigris-Euphrates valley. But her folks also, cannot be of the lineage of Adam and Eve, and must also be counted among "the other people."<br />
<br />
But whatever happened to Adam? After all, way back there in chapter Gen. 2:17, warning Adam about the magic fruit of knowledge, Jahweh had told him that "on the day you eat of it you shall most surely die." So, when did Adam die? (Gen. 5:4) Adam lived for eight hundred years after the birth of Seth and he became the father of sons and daughters. (5:5) In all, Adam lived for nine hundred and thirty years; then he died. Hey, that's pretty good! Nine hundred and some odd years isn't bad for a man who's been told he's gonna die the next day!<br />
<br />
Well, the story goes on, and maybe next time the Witlesses come to visit I'll tell more of it. But suffice it to say that those of us who are not of Semitic descent (i.e., not of the lineage of Adam and Eve) cannot share in the Original Sin that comes with that lineage. Being that the Bible is the story of that lineage, of Adam and Eve's descendants and their special relationship with their particular god, Yahweh, it follows that this is not the story of the rest of us. We may have been Cain's wife's people, or Seth's wife's people, or some other people over the hill and far away, but whichever people the rest of us are, as far as the Bible is concerned, we are the Other People, and so we are continually referred to throughout.<br />
<br />
Later books of the Bible are filled with admonitions to the followers of Jahweh to "learn not the ways of the Pagans..." (Jer 10:2) with detailed descriptions of exactly what it is we do, such as erect standing stones and sacred poles, worship in sacred groves and practice divination and magic. And worship the sun, moon, stars and the "Queen of Heaven." "You must not behave as they do in Egypt where once you lived; you must not behave as they do in Canaan where I am taking you. You must not follow their laws." (Lev 18:3) For Yahweh, as he so clearly emphasizes, is not the god of the Pagans. We have our own lineage and our own heritage, and our tale is not told in the Bible. We were not "made" like clay figurines by a male deity out of "dust from the soil." We were born of our Mother the Earth, and have evolved over aeons in Her nurturing embrace. All of us, in our many and diverse tribes, have creation myths and legends of our origins and history; some of these tales may even be actually true.<br />
<br />
Like the descendants of Adam and Eve, many of us also have stories of great floods, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and other cataclysms that wiped out whole communities of our people, wherein "I alone survived to tell the tale." Nearly all of our ancestral tribes (and especially those of us who today are reclaiming our own Pagan heritage) lack that peculiar obsessive body modesty that seems to be a hallmark of the original sin alluded to in the story of the Fall. We can be naked and unashamed! Why, our Goddess even tells us, "as a sign that you are truly free, you shall be naked in your rites." Not being born into sin, we have no need of salvation, and no need of a Messiah to redeem our sinful souls.<br />
<br />
Neither heaven nor hell is our destination in the afterlife; we have our own various arrangements with our own various deities. The Bible is not our story; we have our own stories to tell, and they are many and diverse. In a long life, you may get to hear many of them... May you live long and prosper!"<br />
<br />
(Ed. note: This is written from the Wiccan perspective. As far as I know, it's only their sect that promotes nudity for every rite. The rest of us usually save it for special occations, though it is true that most of the rest of the world isn't nearly as body shameful as the Abrahamics...)</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15626580781769379881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560032271749992180.post-3136399635068550602012-11-19T08:00:00.001-07:002012-12-25T13:36:46.725-07:00Washing Grains: Traditional Soapless Cleanser for all skin types<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXN6NWKDjVHt8CxKWYXzY5R-ybreTbtEAdkql7XtQJTSKOpP7wuQohYT0bhHfdofo8rF7-t7mMECu2YdydnV-FevqT-s0R0p99OZ90XPPEmW4pDG0SzUWUSKmsacbCP8WOPhHfbOxKVEvt/s1600/IMGP4539etsy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXN6NWKDjVHt8CxKWYXzY5R-ybreTbtEAdkql7XtQJTSKOpP7wuQohYT0bhHfdofo8rF7-t7mMECu2YdydnV-FevqT-s0R0p99OZ90XPPEmW4pDG0SzUWUSKmsacbCP8WOPhHfbOxKVEvt/s320/IMGP4539etsy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another great traditional cosmetic found in almost every ancient beauty book from around the world. From azuki beans to almonds to rice bran, ingredients usually feature local products, but most have at least a few exotics in them, for both medicinal purposes and to lend a sense of elegance and luxury. Naturally soapless, they cleanse the skin of oils and impurities, as well as exfoliate and smooth the surface without harm. If the herbs are chosen with health conditions in mind, they can even out tone, soften lines and wrinkles, and help cure everything from psoriasis and eczema to blemishes!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I made this originally for myself, as I couldn't find any on the market made with quality ingredients as well as reasonably priced, and it is now my most popular product. You'll see these in boutiques and spas for four times the amount, but they all used to be made at home. I find that, used daily, the healing herbs and exfoliation can appear to take 5-10 years off my face in about two weeks. They work like magic! They are also a welcome and thoughtful handmade gift, and an essential for a home spa day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My version of washing grains are based on years
of experimentation on ancient formulations with modern sensibilities in mind.
I use only organic ingredients where possible, including the essential oils,
so this cleanser has the least chance of reaction for even the most
sensitive skin. I designed this product to work with any other regime and for
everyday use. It contains no nut products, which have allergy issues, and can spoil if not used directly. These will keep almost indefinitely, though using herbs as soon as possible is always best. I grind them at
the lowest temperature as possible so as not to decrease the efficacy of the
delicate herbs and oils. I use newly dried herbs, since using fresh will mean that you must use them within one or two days, and it will already be a paste. Rather like a facial pesto, it is also traditional, of course, but requires a bit more fussiness. Feel free to give it a try!<br />
<br />
They can also be used as a mud masks - once or twice a week is recommended. Water,
honey and yogurt can be used as a base with the Grains. Honey is antibacterial
and is especially recommended for problem skin. For a slight natural bleaching
effect for freckles and blemishes, the Acidophilus in yogurt increases the
efficacy of the elderflower.<br />
<br />
If you've never used Grains before, I recommend starting off in the bath or
shower, as they can be tricky to rinse off completely in a sink. Now I know why
previous generations needed a basin on their vanities: to splash off Washing
Grains!</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
My typical batch can include:</h3>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
Oatmeal : For softening, exfoliating, and relieves irritations.</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cornmeal: Exfoliating. Considered sacred by peoples of the Americas.<br />Kelp: Exfoliating. High in vitamins and minerals.<br />Clay: Used to draw out toxins and other impurities from the skin while providing minerals.<br />
Fennel: Wrinkle remover. Fragrance herb.<br />
White Willow: Moisturizing. Healing wash for eruptions and sores.<br />
Nettle. Astringent, tonic, improves skin. Very high in vitamins and minerals.<br />
Lavender flowers: Soothing. Stimulates circulation. Toning. Anti-microbial and
topical antiseptic. Healing for cuts, burns. Fragrance.<br />
Rose petals: Wrinkle removing, moisturizing. Fragrance. Sacred in Western
Europe.<br />
Linden: Softening, healing. Wrinkle removing, antiseptic, mildly bleaching.
Fragrance.<br />
St. John's Wort: Anti-microbial. Healing for skin ulcerations and severe
conditions.<br />
Red Clover: Skin conditions of all types. Purifier. Blood cleanser.<br />
Yarrow: Astringent and healing, especially for cuts and gashes.<br />
Elderflowers: Tonic. Clears and softens skin, smoothes wrinkles and bleaches
freckles.<br />
Calendula: Treats inflammation, wounds, irritations, and sores. <br />
Chaparral: Treats severe skin conditions, including serious infections. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Add only a small amount of the essential oil of your choice into the mix, or whisk in at the end for different batches. Any more than a drop or two, and you risk it becoming a bit more tingly than you might be comfortable with, as well as creating a rather lumpy mixture. Many essential oils have medicinal as well as perfumery properties, so keep in mind the effect you want. Don't use fragrance oils. They have no medicinal properties, can clog your skin, and are usually entirely a chemical creation.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Use the bases in greater ratio than the herbs. You don't actually need many herbs, and they can be rather stick-like. Grind everything to a fine powder in a coffee grinder, wheat mill, or blender specifically set aside for this purpose. Take a break if it's gets too hot. You wouldn't want to ruin all the best parts of the ingredients. Experiment with the ratios to get the effect you want. Don't be afraid to try some of the traditional formulations with different beans and nuts. Some of those are much harder, though, and may require a hammer to get down to a reasonable size before grinding, which is another reason I don't use them. It's too much wear and tear on my equipment, since I make so much of these... Each nut and bean has different effects and properties, but remember to keep those types in the fridge to minimize degradation. And keep track of your recipes! You may hit upon the next, greatest version, and we'll all want to know about it...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15626580781769379881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560032271749992180.post-19246927820305161862012-11-12T08:00:00.001-07:002013-08-28T23:58:56.976-06:00Four Thieves Vinegar: Non-toxic & Natural Disinfectant & Cleanser<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEcrmIWKmVdoXWmWAweCwzlcXW9In3UUPDI55wBMW5KZpJ3BpC1PAql_0jwwBXoFvWE0PC_YBvF5l-ykch2K7GFuv8HEgEGBEqKB2kk5tydv6H7wWVQNOdIpSptYMTNBKK_wKjbx-x_MBN/s1600/four+thieves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEcrmIWKmVdoXWmWAweCwzlcXW9In3UUPDI55wBMW5KZpJ3BpC1PAql_0jwwBXoFvWE0PC_YBvF5l-ykch2K7GFuv8HEgEGBEqKB2kk5tydv6H7wWVQNOdIpSptYMTNBKK_wKjbx-x_MBN/s320/four+thieves.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
<br />
From what evidence we have, infused vinegars have existed almost since we first discovered vinegar. It's so useful by itself, and infusing it increases its effectiveness and potency. Its many functions include:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
- culinary</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- preservation</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- beauty regimes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- cleansing</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- disinfection</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- anti-infestation</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
I have gone into detail on some of the cosmetic vinegar infusions in <a href="http://gifts-of-nature.blogspot.ca/2010/07/alcohol-free-healing-herbal-toner.html" target="_blank">this post</a>. Now would be the time to start making them for the holidays, if you were considering giving them as gifts, by the way...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
<strong><u>Herbally infused vinegars are natural, organic, non-toxic, inexpensive, traditional technology that used to and still can replace so many of our modern products.</u></strong> They can be full strength for cleaning and disinfecting, as an insect discouragement or anti-fungal. With the proper ingredients, they are remarkably effective against bacteria, as well as an efficient cleanser which leaves a refreshing scent. I personally have used the diluted spray to cure my apple trees of a debilitating fungus that had been plaguing them for years. I also got rid of the aphids on my Virginia Creeper and created a scent barrier against ants getting into my house.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
Diluted, often with rosewater, it was used as a cosmetic, to tone the face, clear up eruptions, refresh clothing, and in a sponge nosegay, was kept near the face to ward off the Plague. Certain physicians are still called quacks due to the medieval practice of wearing a duck-like mask with a sponge of aromatic vinegar resting in the beak when visiting areas of contagion. Perhaps it's currently an insult to call a doctor a quack because it implies their techniques are right out of the Middle Ages.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a class="image" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Paul_F%C3%BCrst,_Der_Doctor_Schnabel_von_Rom_(Holl%C3%A4nder_version).png" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" class="thumbimage" height="234" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/57/Paul_F%C3%BCrst%2C_Der_Doctor_Schnabel_von_Rom_%28Holl%C3%A4nder_version%29.png/170px-Paul_F%C3%BCrst%2C_Der_Doctor_Schnabel_von_Rom_%28Holl%C3%A4nder_version%29.png" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/57/Paul_F%C3%BCrst%2C_Der_Doctor_Schnabel_von_Rom_%28Holl%C3%A4nder_version%29.png/255px-Paul_F%C3%BCrst%2C_Der_Doctor_Schnabel_von_Rom_%28Holl%C3%A4nder_version%29.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/57/Paul_F%C3%BCrst%2C_Der_Doctor_Schnabel_von_Rom_%28Holl%C3%A4nder_version%29.png/340px-Paul_F%C3%BCrst%2C_Der_Doctor_Schnabel_von_Rom_%28Holl%C3%A4nder_version%29.png 2x" width="170" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="left">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plague_doctor_costume" target="_blank">Paulus Furst’s 1656 engraving of Dr. Schnabel ("Beak")<br /> of Rome wearing protective clothing typical of the<br /> plague doctors of Rome at the time</a>.</span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em><b><br /></b></em>
<em><b>It should be used only with extreme caution during pregnancy</b>,</em> as some of the herbs are <u>abortifacient.</u> I used it when I was pregnant with my son to no ill effects, but I took care not to get any on my skin.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
<strong>Four Thieves Oil</strong> is a very modern invention, and not the same thing at all. It usually contains essential oils of similar herbs, but oils and aqueous infusions do not often share the same properties. It cannot be used for all the same purposes as the vinegar formulations, and are often far more expensive. Though it apparently can be used for similar magical purposes, such as banishment, in Vodun and other systems...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
The first actual record we have for the version known as Four Thieves is not medieval. If it is indeed an actual record. Most of the "documentation" are really stories. I will take the liberty to re-post this excellent history. (I'd credit it if I knew the original source, but this exact version is all over the 'net.):</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The famous French aromatherapy
doctor, Jean Valnet, has two recipes in his book. He claims the original
recipe was revealed by corpse robbers who were caught red-handed in the area
around Toulouse in 1628-1631. His story is the more credible of the many one
can find. Given the virulence and deadliness of the plague, the judges were
astonished by the indifference of the thieves to contagion. Valnet quotes
the archives of the Parliament of Toulouse:</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">During the Great Plague, four
robbers were convicted of going to the houses of plague victims, strangling
them in their beds and then looting their dwellings. For this, they were
condemned to be burned at the stake, and in order to have their sentence
mitigated, they revealed their secret preservative, after which they were
hanged.</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Given the source, I choose to believe the Valnet account, but
there have obviously been many spins of the tale. Here is the recipe stated
to be the original:</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <strong>Original Recipe for Four Thieves
Formula</strong></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3 pints white wine vinegar</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">handful wormwood</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">handful meadowsweet</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">handful juniper
berries</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">handful wild marjoram</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">handful sage</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">50 cloves</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 oz. elecampane root</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 oz. angelica</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 oz. rosemary</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 oz. horehound</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3 g camphor</span></div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dr.
Valnet has a variation of his own described as an antiseptic
vinegar:</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<strong><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Marseilles Vinegar or Four Thieves Vinegar</span></strong></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">40 g. greater wormwood, Artemesia
absinthum</span><br />
<div align="left">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">40 g. lesser wormwood, Artemesia
pontica</span></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">40 g.
rosemary</span></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">40 g.
sage</span></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">40 g.
mint</span></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">40 g.
rue</span></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">40 g.
lavender</span></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5 g.
calamus</span></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5 g.
cinnamon</span></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5 g.
clove</span></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5 g.
nutmeg</span></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5 g.
garlic</span></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10 g. camphor (do not use synthetic
camphor)</span></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">40 g. crystallized acetic
acid</span></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2500 g. white vinegar</span></div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Instructions: steep the plants in the vinegar for 10 days. Force
through a sieve. Add the camphor dissolved in the acetic acid,
filter.</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Valnet says his formula is useful in the
prevention of infectious diseases. He says to rub it on the face and hands
and burn it in the room. It can also be kept in small bottles that are carried on the person so that the vapors can be inhaled.</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
<strong>Y</strong><strong>ears of experimentation using historical and modern recipes have helped create my interpretation of this legendary liquid.</strong> My
version is an amalgam of several different recipes, taking into account what
was commonly available, especially in England, during the medieval period, and what was in my
garden fresh. <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
It is a concoction of white wine vinegar steeped
in aromatic and anti-bacterial herbs such as garlic, rue, and wormwood for a number
of days, then filtered and used in dilution with water for cleansing the house
and other areas.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><br /></strong>
<strong>Remember: Only use real, brewed vinegar for all these recipes.</strong> Ordinary store bought white
vinegar is just lab-created Acetic Acid diluted to 5%.It doesn't have the same richness of
composition or balance of acids as real brewed vinegar, or the same sustainability. Try these recipes with other base vinegars, too, such as apple cider and rice wine! </span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
Here is my exact recipe, for those that want to try it at home, or who just want to
see how crazy I get when I make these things.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My Four Thieves Vinegar Recipe:</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Approximately the same sized twig piece of each:</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
<br />
fresh peppermint<br />
fresh thyme<br />
fresh rue<br />
fresh rosemary <br />
fresh wormwood<br />
fresh sage<br />
<br />
four cloves garlic (slightly crushed to release the allicin)<br />
3 bay leaves<br />
4 cloves<br />
4 small pieces cinnamon bark<br />
<br />
Place ingredients in old, clean, spaghetti jar. Fill remainder of jar with white wine
vinegar, stir to get rid of bubbles, add lid, and place in sunlight, like
windowsill. Herbs will lose colour after a few days. Then you filter and can add a bit
more herbs for a really strong batch.<br />
<br />
Filter out completely in a few weeks, bottle and label.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
Article published on <a href="http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=caab&c=earth&id=15301" target="_blank">Witchvox</a> on December 30, 2012.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15626580781769379881noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560032271749992180.post-29841797184633830812012-11-05T07:00:00.000-07:002013-08-28T23:59:22.252-06:00Stevia: The Miracle Sweetener & How to Use it!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Q5_1GIeFXbNSFHFSrAJlZLIxmppcYZ4sz5MCIv7znWzCnDf150yUstCsni5BK8-gE5rusqPEUQAxy7jSWn3DvpZWggvu9nlJioDW4650CW9QHUUMJpnircsXa1Q3taMzJYIG7JnbjrIu/s1600/stevia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Q5_1GIeFXbNSFHFSrAJlZLIxmppcYZ4sz5MCIv7znWzCnDf150yUstCsni5BK8-gE5rusqPEUQAxy7jSWn3DvpZWggvu9nlJioDW4650CW9QHUUMJpnircsXa1Q3taMzJYIG7JnbjrIu/s320/stevia.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dried Stevia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Memory; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Memory; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Memory; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Memory; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">"What if there were a natural sweetener that: </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
</span></span><span style="font-family: Memory; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Memory; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Was 300 times sweeter than regular sugar, with minimal aftertaste </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;">Had no calories </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;">Was suitable for diabetics </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;">Appropriate for children </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;">Did not cause cavities </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;">Was heat stable and thus could be used for cooking and baking </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;">Was a great alternative to synthetic sweeteners </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;">Easily blended with other sweeteners, such as honey </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;">And already widely and safely consumed in many countries around the world for decades.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Memory; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Memory; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Well, this remarkable, no-calorie sweetener called <u>Stevia</u> is, unfortunately, not a household name. It should be... With the availability of Stevia, there seems to be little reason to use artificial sweeteners such as aspartame and saccharin."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Humans have used Stevia for centuries with no known side effects. The Japanese and others have been using it commercially to sweeten their treats for decades. People who have little tolerance for sugar or other sweeteners can use Stevia leaf or Stevia extract. Studies suggest that Stevia has a regulating effect on the pancreas and could help stabilize blood sugar levels in the body, due possibly to its Chromium component, therefore making Stevia a better choice for people with diabetes, hypoglycemia, and those prone to Candida. Traditionally Stevia is indicated as a cardiotonic, anti-gas, and for obesity. Stevia is also used to reduce acidity (heart burn), hypertension, and to lower uric acid levels. Research suggest that Stevia will fight bacteria in the mouth. The sweetening power of Stevia extract is estimated to be 300 times that of sugar. Both leaf and extract may be used in cooking.</span> <br /> <br />
<b><span style="font-size: small;">Diabetes and Hypoglycemia</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Scientific research has indicated that Stevia regulates blood sugar levels, bringing it to a normal balance.</span> <br />
<b>
</b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: small;">Weight Management</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Stevia contains 0 calories, making it the ideal sweetener for any weight loss or weight management diets.</span> <br />
<b></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: small;">Cardiovascular</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Studies have also shown that Stevia works as a cardiovascular tonic, lowering high blood pressure. </span><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><b></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: small;">Bacteria</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Stevia inhibits the growth and reproduction of bacteria and other infectious organisms like those that cause colds, flu and dental caries.</span>
<br />
<b></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: small;">Skin care</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Applied as a face mask, Stevia smoothes out wrinkles and is effective in healing acne and in treating seborrhea, eczema and dermatitis. </span><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><b></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: small;">Digestion</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Taken as an herbal tea, Stevia improves digestion and gastrointestinal functions and effectively soothes upset stomachs.</span></span></span><br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
</h3>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Raw Leaf vs. Extract</h4>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Memory; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Memory; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">I have the fresh leaf in my garden, which of course is the cheapest to use. However, the fresh leaf can't be substituted directly in recipes that require sugar. I can dry it in the winter, and then powder it, of course, which is still far cheaper than the prepared forms in the health food stores. Those have a purpose, though, too. They are standardized, fully prepared and completely water soluble, so it might be worth paying the premium to know exactly how much you need, and not to have to filter all those darn leaves. Easier to carry around with you to use during the day, too.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">So be careful in the recipes below! Keep in mind which concentration level of the stevia you are using is. Raw form is of course far less powerful than extract, but the price certainly compensates for that...</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Memory;"></span><br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Recipes and Suggestions for Use:</h3>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Memory;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Memory;">For teas, infuse the raw fresh or dried herb as usual in with your other black or herbal leaves. No need for additional sweetener!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Memory;">When substituting and experimenting with your stevia in cooking and baking, remember that it has no calories, so it doesn't provide the nutrients needed for rising yeast, for example. The raw or dried leaves can be made into an infusion, filtered, and directly included as the liquid component in recipes using water or milk for most purposes, though. It's far cheaper than the concentrated health food store version, if a bit more of a bother.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Memory;"><a href="http://gifts-of-nature.blogspot.ca/2011/01/how-to-brew-your-medicinal-tea-quick.html" target="_blank">How to make herbal infusions:</a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Memory;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Memory;">Get inventive, and send us some of your suggestions!</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Memory;"><span style="font-family: Memory;"><strong><u>Easy Ginger Ale</u></strong><br />
</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Memory;"><span style="font-family: Memory; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Memory; font-size: x-small;">YIELD: 8-OUNCE SERVING</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Memory; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Memory; font-size: x-small;"></span><br /></span><span style="font-family: Memory;">3 ounces ginger syrup (see below) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Memory;">
5 ounces sparkling mineral water <br />
ice cubes <br />
<br />
Pour the syrup into a 10-ounce glass and add the ice cubes. Slowly add the sparkling water. Stir and serve. <u><strong> </strong></u></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Memory;"><strong><u></u></strong><br /></span><span style="font-family: Memory;"><strong><u>Homemade Ginger Syrup</u></strong></span><span style="font-family: Memory; font-size: x-small;">YIELD: APPROXIMATELY 4 CUPS</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Memory; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Memory;">With minimum effort, you can make this flavorful stevia-sweetened syrup to have on hand whenever you're in the mood for a refreshing glass of sparkling ginger ale. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Memory;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Memory;">4 cups water </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Memory;">
4-or 5-inch piece fresh ginger <br />
1/2 teaspoon white Stevia powder <br />
2 tablespoons vanilla flavoring <br />
1 tablespoon lemon extract <br />
<br />
Peel and finely chop the ginger. Bring the water to a boil in a small saucepan. Add the ginger and Stevia, reduce the heat to low, and simmer gently for 8 to 10 minutes. Strain the liquid into a heat proof container, and stir in the vanilla and lemon. Covered and refrigerated, this syrup will keep for several days.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Memory;"><b><u>Flourless/Sugarless Chocolate Cake (non-vegan)<br />
</u></b>Ingredients:<br />
14 oz semi-sweet chocolate chopped<br />
3/4 cup plus 2 TBS. unsalted butter <br />
10 egg yolks<br />
1 tsp. Stevia <br />
1 TBS. vanilla extract <br />
1 tsp. lemon juice <br />
10 egg whites <br />
1/2 tsp. Stevia <br />
2 cups heavy cream, whipped<br />
<br />
Instructions:<br />
<br />
Melt chocolate and butter in top of double boiler, or in microwave. Set aside to cool slightly. Beat yolks and the Stevia until smooth; stir in vanilla and lemon juice. Blend in chocolate mixture. Beat egg whites in large mixer bowl until soft peaks form. Gradually add 1/2 tsp. Stevia, beating until stiff peaks form. Stir 1 cup whites into chocolate mixture, then fold in remaining whites. Pour batter into a 10 or 12-inch pan which has been greased and floured and lined with wax paper. Bake in a preheated over at 250 F for 2 1/2 hours. Cool COMPLETELY on a rack before removing from pan. Serve with whipped cream.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Memory;">
<b><u>Grandma’s Apple Pie</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Memory;"><b></b></span><span style="font-family: Memory;">Yields a 9 inch pie<br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Memory;">Pastry for a 9 inch, 2 crust pie <br />
6 cups peeled and thinly sliced pie apples<br />
1 or 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice <br />
1 1/2 teaspoons Stevia Extract Powder <br />
2 to 3 tablespoons whole wheat pastry flour <br />
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg <br />
1 teaspoon cinnamon <br />
Dash of cloves or allspice <br />
2 tablespoons butter<br />
<br />
Fit bottom pastry into a pie dish. In a large mixing bowl sprinkle lemon juice over apples and stir to mix. Using a cup or small bowl stir together Stevia, flour, nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves or allspice. Sprinkle spice mixture over apples and carefully stir to coat apples. Pile apples into crust. Dot with butter.<br />
<br />
With water, moisten the outer rim of the lower crust. Place upper crust on pie and crimp edges together. Slit top of pie to allow steam to escape. Place on a cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees in a preheated oven for 55 to 60 minutes. Aluminum foil can be placed over the pie during the last 15 minutes to prevent over-browning.<br />
<br />
Cool on a rack, cover and leave at room temperature overnight or refrigerate if you like. This pie is delicious at any temperature.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Memory;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Memory;">
<b><u></u></b><br />
<b><u>Pesto Sauce</u></b>Yields 1 cup sauce <br />
<br />
This unique herbal sauce freezes well for later use. Goes on sandwiches, salads and pasta dishes or by itself on bread or crackers.<br />
<br />
1/2 cup parsley leaves, stems removed <br />
3/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves <br />
1 clove garlic, peeled and chopped <br />
1/4 cup vegetable oil (olive oil if you prefer) <br />
1/16 teaspoon salt <br />
1/8 teaspoon Green Stevia Powder <br />
1/4 cup chopped walnuts <br />
3 1/2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese or Parmesan style soy cheese <br />
<br />
Process in a blender the parsley, garlic, oil, salt and Stevia. Push down the sauce with a rubber spatula as needed. Add remaining ingredients and blend. The sauce need not be entirely smooth. Refrigerate in a covered jar. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Memory;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Memory;">
<b><u></u></b><br />
<b><u>Stevia face masque/ Stevia liquid<br />
</u></b>
Ingredients:<br />
<br />
Green Stevia powder<br />
<br />
Instructions:<br />
<br />
Brew like tea. Mix residue with extra virgin olive oil. I keep it in the fridge. When this is smoothed on the skin, it is like a cool breeze blowing on your face. Let it dry. When it has dried, rinse off. Your face will feel sooooo smooth and soft. Took 5 years off my face, even a friend noticed how relaxed I looked!! Nothing like "recycling" your Stevia leaf. Extra paste can also be stored in the fridge for two or three days.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Memory;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Memory;">
<b><u></u></b><br />
<strong><u>Lemon Ice Cream</u> </strong></span><span style="font-family: Memory;">Sweet cream with a lemon zing.</span><span style="font-family: Memory;">Yields 6 servings</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Memory;">
<br />
1/2 teaspoon Stevia Extract Powder OR 1 1/2 to 2 teaspoons Green Stevia Powder <br />
1 cup milk, skim or whole <br />
1 cup whipping cream <br />
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice <br />
1/8 teaspoon lemon extract<br />
<br />
Combine Stevia, milk, and cream in a small, deep mixing bowl. Stir to dissolve Stevia. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze 1 or 2 hours until solid around the edges.<br />
<br />
Remove from freezer. Add lemon juice and extract. Beat thoroughly and replace the plastic wrap. Return to freezer.<br />
<br />
After 2 hours beat again. Freeze some more until consistency is firm but still soft enough to dip. This entire process requires about 6 hours and very little effort.<br />
<br />
For leftovers, remove from freezer about 1/2 hour before serving to allow for softening. Whip again if desired.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Memory;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Memory;">
<b>Variations:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Memory;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Memory;"><span style="font-family: Memory;">The amount of Stevia and lemon extract can be varied according to taste. Equal amounts of lemon extract and vanilla extract can be use.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Memory;"><span style="font-family: Memory;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Memory;">Vegan: In place of dairy milk use soy milk.</span></span><span style="font-family: Memory;"><b><u></u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Memory;"><b><u></u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Memory;"><b><u>Vegan Noggin<br />
</u></b><u></u>
2 10 oz pkgs. silken tofu<br />
16 oz vanilla soymilk<br />
1 TBS. plus 1 tsp. vanilla<br />
1/4 cup sugar<br />
2 TBS. brown sugar<br />
1/4 tsp. ground turmeric<br />
1/2 to 1 cup brandy or rum<br />
nutmeg to taste<br />
<br />
Combine everything except nutmeg in blender; blend 'til smooth. Serve chilled and dusted with nutmeg.
</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15626580781769379881noreply@blogger.com3