Hearing the One Voice (originally posted at http://www.dailyom.com,reprinted here for not-for-profit educational purposes only.)

Gathering in a circle is the perfect container to hear our truths as there are no hard edges, only endless support.

When we sit in a circle together and share our thoughts and feelings, we participate in a powerful, unifying practice whose origins stem from the very beginning of human time. All early cultures practiced some form of this ritual, which gives each individual in the group a voice, and at the same time reveals the one voice, and the ultimate unity, of the group. This profound and simple way of talking and listening has experienced a modern rebirth in counseling, social work, and spirituality.

Most circles benefit from the presence of a leader who opens the circle by calling in angels, spirit guides, and ancestors—beings of light who will be present with those taking counsel. The leader may announce a theme for the circle, or one may simply evolve from the unstructured expressions of each participant. The circle continues for as long as feels right, at which point the leader may summarize what has been said, perhaps leading everyone in a moment of silence before the circle disbands. One of the most powerful components of this work is the talking stick, which can be any object—a crystal, a flower, or a candle—that is passed around the circle from person to person. The person holding the object speaks until he has fully expressed his feelings, and no one else interjects, interrupts, or even responds until they are holding the stick. This enables people who have a hard time speaking out to express long buried feelings and points of view. This is powerful because in a! community it is often what is not said or acknowledged that causes the most pain and suffering.

The circle, which contains no hard edges or angles, is the ideal container for these difficult truths. As we hear the many perspectives the subject at hand inspires, we begin to see that our individual truth is just one of many. Our own hard edges begin to soften as the circle flows from one person to the next, and each wave of words cleanses us of one more layer of mental and emotional armor, freeing us to be closer to the people around us. Try using counsel during your next family meeting, school class, or any setting where you feel a centering communication method is needed.

Julie Balavia is a great gal to have on your side.  A genuine, in-the-blood strega* (how often have you seen one of them?)  she is an incredibly talented psychic.  I’m willing to place betting-man’s odds the true believers will be impressed and the hardened skeptics will come away shaking their heads and puzzling over how exactly “she does it.”  Simply put, she’s the genuine article: a ruby shining in the modern world’s pile of gravel.

So, why is the Reverend writing about a psychic?  Psychics are a lot like psychiatrists, bartenders, and undertakers: when times are bad, they see a lot of business.

The economy has hit some rough times, and it seems to be on everybody’s mind: from Mr. President during his State of the Union to the neighborhood gossip. At the time of writing this, the latest jobless figures quoted are 1 in 10, but this does not take into account those who have been unemployed so long they have exhausted unemployment, or taken what they could to survive but are “under employed,” meaning they are not really using the full range of skills (ie: a lawyer washing dishes to get by, for example.)

The following interview with Julie by a local Rochester, NY based news team is re-printed for not-for-profit educational purposes only (and with the hope of providing some comfort and hope to the concerned.)

Julie Balavia, Psychic and owner of Mystic Moon

News 8 Reports:
Psychics see Boom in Tough Economy
Reported by: Matt Molloy
Wednesday, Jan 14, 2009
@09:35pm EST

Julie Baliva is a psychic medium with more than 40 years of experience. In this recession she says clients are more focused on finances than anything else.

“It’s not necessarily are they losing their jobs, they’re all terrified they are going to lose it,” said Baliva. So they come to her for guidance. “I try to tell people don’t be the person who waits until the job is over and it’s the end. Let’s take some action first and get you right into a job somewhere so there is not down time or time for you to worry about things,” said Baliva.

“My business has always been prosperous. Unfortunately, it’s busier when there are times of crisis. It’s simply the way it works,” said Baliva.

Jason Klaum has been a client for the past year. His focus most recently, “Success, my job, how well I’m going to do in the future,” said Klaum.

Klaum hopes future visits won’t focus so much on finances.

“I think if the economy’s better, everybody’s lives improve a little bit more and the outlook might be better as far as what I might find out,” he said.

In the meantime a shaky economy means more concerned customers for psychics like Baliva.

“I give people the faith in knowing that this is going to be very short term. That this isn’t something you need to go into a major panic,” she said.

***************************************

*Strega:  The word is simply Italian for “female witch” (male is “Stregone,” plural, “Stregharia.”). This ancient form of Italian witchcraft has been passed for generations through family lines, and I have often heard it is inherited through blood lines, and, unlike other systems of magic, can not simply be taught, despite several attempts to popularize and mass-market it.  Charles Godfrey Leland, an American folklorist from Philadelphia, took an interest in this, claimed to have found a genuine strega, and, in 1899, with Christian bias firmly in hand, wrote Aradia, Gospel of the Witches (available for free to read in its entirety here).  This began popularizing a mythic image of the Stregharia as devil worshiping sex-fiends or curse-casting crones lobing the malocchio at all who crossed their path. Whether her account was true or whether she was having a bit of fun at Leland’s expense is a mystery kept by the Stregharia alone.   I chose this link as it appears closer to  realistic, but can not fully endorse anything.  After all, I am not a Strega. (Julie is a much better resource!)

Imbolc: Festival of the White Candles

To the Scots-Irish traditionalists, today is celebrated as Imbolc (In Irish, Imbolc (pronounced “im’olk”), derives from the Old Irish imbolg – which means ‘in the belly’. This refers to the pregnancy of ewes. Another name is Oimelc – which means ‘ewe’s milk.’ *) Later, this holiday took on a number of names to please the local Christian legates: it became Candlemaas, St. Brigit’s day, and the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. If you’re American, you probably know it as Groundhog Day. No matter, since all came from the same root.

This has always been my favorite holiday, as it is so poignant in such a quiet way. Imagine a world where you and your tribe needed to make whatever you and yours had stored, smoked, and preserved during the autumn season (Lughnasaad for the early harvest, Mabon for the high harvest) and, after that, the cold of Samhein brings the reminder of the cold, dead season to come. Have you harvested enough? Will your tribe survive?

All of this changes on Imbolc, when the ewes begin to give milk and prepare to give birth to their lambs. You’ve made it! Your tribe will not starve! Even if supplies have run dry, you can slaughter a sheep or drink the milk from the other ewes, knowing that there will be more lambs soon! You’ve made it!

Our circle views this holiday as a quiet holiday to spend with close friends and family. It’s other name, “the feast of the White Candles,” plays a large part in how we choose to sanctify our personal space.

However, there are and have been several other Pagan services for Imbolc being offered in the Rochester area. Here is one we can speak for, as we have personally spoken with the woman who will be running the circle:

Psychic’s Thyme
(Priestess: Charlene “Char”)
439 Monroe Ave
Rochester, NY

(585) 473-4230

www.psychicsthyme.com

7:00 pm: (Please call first.)

(*) Chadwick, Nora (1970) The Celts London, Penguin.(p 181) ISBN 0-14-021211-6

The latest installment of “the Depression Workgroup” has been posted. This group, through the Church of the Ancient Paths, is intended as a way to educate and support the population living with Depression and Manic-depression. The classes themselves are based on Mary Ellen Copeland’s the DEPRESSION WORKBOOK, liberally interlaced with other experiences. I make no claims to be a mental health professional: simply a fellow traveler on a similar road. My opinions are not necessarily those of the Church of the Ancient paths. However, if you or somebody you know is experiencing either of these two organic brain disorders, maybe they can find help and healing in our work.

I heard a song today that made me cry.
They were tears of wonder, and love. Portia and I were crying, and smiling. Because it made me think of all the people I love, and my family. And all the people in the world, that have spent a winter without heat, without food, without water.
Without a hug to warm their soul,
Without a family to call them home.
I’ve been to those worlds, many a time and each time needed someone to be there to help me, to understand and love me for every imperfection.

I have found, and lost love along the way. I have been hurt, and sadly, hurt others in my life. We’ve all changed, we’ve all aged, and we’ve all walked the branches of our tree. And if you can find that moment where your heart is lightened, your smile is bright, and your laughter merry… then you are the richest of any person this holiday. No matter what religion, sect, or creed you call your faith, may you follow it in love.

Love to all

Johnny Cash – The Christmas Guest

It happened one day near December’s end,
Two neighbors called on an old-time friend
And they found his shop so meager and mean,
Made gay with a thousand boughs of green,
And Conrad was sitting with face a-shine
When he suddenly stopped as he stitched a twine
And he said, “Old friends, at dawn today,
When the cock was crowing the night away,
The Lord appeared in a dream to me
And said, ‘I am coming your guest to be’.
So I’ve been busy with feet astir,
Strewing my shop with branches of fir,
The table is spread and the kettle is shined
And over the rafters the holly is twined,
And now I will wait for my Lord to appear
And listen closely so I will hear
His step as He nears my humble place,
And I open the door and look on His face. . .”

So his friends went home and left Conrad alone,
For this was the happiest day he had known,
For, long since, his family had passed away
And Conrad had spent many a sad Christmas Day.
But he knew with the Lord as his Christmas guest
This Christmas would be the dearest and best,
So he listened with only joy in his heart.
And with every sound he would rise with a start
And look for the Lord to be at his door
Like the vision he had a few hours before.
So he ran to the window after hearing a sound,
But all that he could see on the snow-covered ground
Was a shabby beggar whose shoes were torn
And all of his clothes were ragged and worn.
But Conrad was touched and went to the door
And he said, “Your feet must be frozen and sore,
I have some shoes in my shop for you
And a coat that will keep you warmer, too.”

So with grateful heart the man went away,
But Conrad noticed the time of day.
He wondered what made the Lord so late
And how much longer he’d have to wait,
When he heard a knock and ran to the door,
But it was only a stranger once more.
A bent, old lady with a shawl of black,
With a bundle of kindling piled on her back.
She asked for only a place to rest,
But that was reserved for Conrad’s Great Guest.
But her voice seemed to plead, “Don’t send me away
Let me rest for awhile on Christmas day.”
So Conrad brewed her a steaming cup
And told her to sit at the table and sup.
But after she left he was filled with dismay
For he saw that the hours were slipping away
And the Lord had not come as He said He would,
And Conrad felt sure he had misunderstood.

When out of the stillness he heard a cry,
“Please help me and tell me where am I.”
So again he opened his friendly door
And stood disappointed as twice before,
It was only a child who had wandered away
And was lost from her family on Christmas Day.
Again Conrad’s heart was heavy and sad,
But he knew he should make the litte girl glad,
So he called her in and wiped her tears
And quieted all her childish fears.
Then he led her back to her home once more
But as he entered his own darkened door,
He knew that the Lord was not coming today
For the hours of Christmas had passed away.
So he went to his room and knelt down to pray
And he said, “Dear Lord, why did you delay,
What kept You from coming to call on me,
For I wanted so much Your face to see. . .”

When soft in the silence a voice he heard,
“Lift up your head for I kept My word–
Three times My shadow crossed your floor–
Three times I came to your lowly door–
For I was the beggar with bruised, cold feet,
I was the woman you gave something to eat,
And I was the child on the homeless street.
Three times I knocked and three times I came in,
And each time I found the warmth of a friend.
Of all the gifts, love is the best,
I was honored to be your Christmas guest.”

Dear Friends and Family in Spirit,

During this sacred time we regret that we will not be holding a public Yule ceremony. We encourage you to enjoy the time with loved ones, or by volunteering to help increase the greater good. May the Lord and the Lady hold you in their hands until we meet again.

Rev. Tracie Voss

Rev. Adrian Tremayne

by Cait Johnson

(Cross-posted from Care2 for not-for-profit educational purposes)
Each solstice falls upon the ecliptic midway between the equinoxes, when the sun reaches that midway point, generally about June 21 and December 21. Winter Solstice on December 21 is the shortest day of the year. After Winter Solstice each day becomes longer until the longest day of the year arrives around June 21st. The solstices have been observed and celebrated by cultures throughout the world.

A central aspect of the winter solstice rites observed by many Native American tribes includes the making and planting of prayer sticks. Prayer sticks are made by everyone in a family for four days before the solstice. On the day named as the solstice, the prayer sticks are planted – at least one by each person – in small holes dug by the head of the household. Each prayer stick is named for an ancestor or deity.Here’s how to make a prayer stick; they are usually:

• Made out of cedar and are forked;
• Are equivalent to the measurement from the maker’s elbow to the tips of
  their fingers; and
• Are taken from a tree that the maker feels connected to.
• Tobacco is offered to the largest tree of the same species in the area and
  permission is asked to take a part of its relative.
• The bark can be stripped.
• The bark can be carved on the stick.
• One feather should be added to the prayer stick; traditionally this is a
  wild turkey feather.
• A bit of tobacco is placed in a red cloth and tied onto one of the forks.
• Fur or bone from an animal that the maker wishes to honor is tied onto the
  stick.
• Metal or stones should not be tied to the stick.
• It is also customary to say prayers silently as one makes the prayer stick.

Winter Solstice Project II: Discover Stones

All matter whirls at incredible speed, atoms in constant, breathtaking motion. But the rock people are seemingly still. We are all of us surrounded by the stillness of stone; if you dig in any patch of earth, you are likely to find bits and pieces that are unimaginably old and likely to outlast us by countless lifetimes.

Just as trees may be intuited to have individual spirits and personalities, so the humble rocks beneath our feet may be known and their energies felt in ways that have much to teach us.

Children are inveterate rock collectors, often seeing unique power and beauty in a rock that looks plain and nondescript to us. By seeing with the open inner eyes of our children, we can share their fascination for the magic of stone. And when we surround ourselves with rocks that are special to us, when we take time to hold one in our hands or stroke its weighty smoothness or striation, we make a bodily connection with the oldest matter on this planet and with the element of winter.

Particularly at this often harried time, building a relationship with rocks–allowing them to permeate our consciousness in quiet and stillness–is a great gift of peace for the entire family.

Care for a slice?

11/24/2009 4:17:55 PM
by Bennett Gordon
Giving junk food to rats can make them into addicts, exhibiting similar behavior to heroin junkies. For a recent experiment, researchers gave rats a diet of HoHos, sausage, poundcake, bacon, and cheesecake. The subjects quickly began compulsively eating and became obese, and soon, the pleasure centers in the rats’ brains became less sensitive to the food. “As a result,” Science News reports, “the rats ate more to get the same amount of pleasure—just as heroin addicts require more and more of the drug to feel good.” The changes due to binge eating lasted weeks after the rats began eating healthier, and researchers are now looking into the long-term affect of messing with the brains reward systems.

Source: Science News

Image by Tracy Hunter , licensed under Creative Commons .

11/25/2009 2:32:36 PM
by Jeff Severns Guntzel
(Source: Foto8)
Reproduced here for not-for-profit, educational purposes only.

The photojournalist who blogs under the moniker Afghan Hound at the documentary photography website Foto8 has posted a photo he took of Oz, a soldier serving in Afghanistan who was killed on his last day of deployment. The photographer talks a little bit about Oz and a lot about life as a war photographer. It’s a long post and an important read. But really, his opening paragraph says it all:

Another Op-Ed in The New York Times, another well balanced political essay in Foreign Affairs, another eulogy to a departed soldier, another boring politician, another retired military commander, another demand for more troops, another demand we pull out now, another request for more helicopters, another comparison to the Soviet invasion, another Vietnam, another rant, another point of view… I just see dead people.

Source: Foto8