Here it is.
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| Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson |
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| Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson |
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| Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson |
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| Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson |
Potterversary
November 30, 2014
One year ago today I made my first pot on the pottery wheel hubby got for me.
Here it is.
I've come a very long way since that first pot. I really love my wheel and enjoy making the new things on it. So in honor of my first potterversay Here are a few of my favorites!
Here it is.
Sosanna's Sabbats Yule Givaway!
November 29, 2014
Click the Sosanna's Sabbats Tab on the header for a chance to win!
Prize Package One
Dream Interpretation Prize Package - Deck & Book by Belinda Recio and Eileen London (website)
Package includes -
1 Deck of Dream Interpretation Cards
1 Sosanna's own Handmade Card Bag
1 Instruction Handbook
1 Sosanna's own Caged Crystal
**Retail - $80.00**
Prize Package Two
Tarot Discovery Prize Package Deck and Book by Amy Zerner & Monte Farber (website)
Package includes -
1 Deck of Tarot Cards
1 Sosanna's Own Handmade Card Bag
1 Instruction Handbook
1 Instructional DVD
1 Sosanna's own wire wrapped Citrine Pendants
**Retail - $80.00**
Prize Package One
Dream Interpretation Prize Package - Deck & Book by Belinda Recio and Eileen London (website)
Package includes -
1 Deck of Dream Interpretation Cards
1 Sosanna's own Handmade Card Bag
1 Instruction Handbook
1 Sosanna's own Caged Crystal
**Retail - $80.00**
Prize Package Two
Tarot Discovery Prize Package Deck and Book by Amy Zerner & Monte Farber (website)
Package includes -
1 Deck of Tarot Cards
1 Sosanna's Own Handmade Card Bag
1 Instruction Handbook
1 Instructional DVD
1 Sosanna's own wire wrapped Citrine Pendants
**Retail - $80.00**
Throwing Thursday - Mistakes
November 27, 2014
Sometimes when I think something is going really really well, it ends up being the opposite. I did manage to salvage a few of these pieces but this is what happens sometimes.
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| Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson |
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| Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson |
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| Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson |
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| Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson |
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| Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson |
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| Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson |
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| Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson |
Mulengro - Expectation
November 26, 2014
I've been participating in a book club reading the book Witchcraft Theory and Practice by Ly de Angeles. Thus far there has been a great deal of introspection. Understanding my own motives and my own responsibility for what I bring into the world.
I thought it might be interesting to do a few blog posts around the seven faces of mulengro and see how they play out not only in the magical world but also the mundane. I'm starting in no particular order.
Mulengro is the name of an entity that is like an alien barb; one that has become an out-of-control arrow that pierces generation upon generation with its poison. It feeds on its own likeness and people are its hosts. - Ly de Angeles - Witchcraft Theory and Practice pg 29
synonyms: supposition, assumption, presumption, conjecture, surmise, calculation, prediction, hope
antonyms: astonishment, consummation, despair, doubt, doubt, dread, enjoyment, fear, realization
I thought it might be interesting to do a few blog posts around the seven faces of mulengro and see how they play out not only in the magical world but also the mundane. I'm starting in no particular order.
Mulengro is the name of an entity that is like an alien barb; one that has become an out-of-control arrow that pierces generation upon generation with its poison. It feeds on its own likeness and people are its hosts. - Ly de Angeles - Witchcraft Theory and Practice pg 29
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| Image Source - Google Search Result |
antonyms: astonishment, consummation, despair, doubt, doubt, dread, enjoyment, fear, realization
I think of all the faces of mulengro I have studied to this point, expectation has to be the most difficult for me. I am guilty of placing expectations on others. Generally I am a pretty positive and motivated person. I try to get things done in a timely matter. I give everything I do 100% and do what I can to make sure that everything I put out there is strong, positive and complete. I also do not expect anyone to do anything more than what I would do. There in lies the problem. When I expect people to work on my schedule I run into issues. Not everyone is online as much as I am. Not everyone likes to get things completed as early as I do and not everyone sets such high expectations for themselves.
This has led me into issues dealing with other witches in the community. There are some in the community that I have issue with. Generally those that lie or those that try to pit people against one another. I like to call them shit stirrers. These types and I mesh like oil and water. I deal with them directly and expect them to deal with me in a similar manner, but alas they do not. These are the passive aggressive, vague status message posters or the ones that like to run you down with you blocked so you can't see it, but they can appear to be ballsy to their friends. My aversion to and desire to call bullshit on their antics has put me in the "mean girl" status many time.
I also expect people to behave professionally and in an adult like manner. You can see where that is an obvious fail. :P
I've learned that I cannot hold others up to what I would "expect" myself to do in situations. I have to learn that others do not have the same guidelines, goals or expectations of themselves and my desire to have them behave in a certain way is inappropriate.
However, I often wonder if the fact that I have no expectation of them but to behave how they would behave is an expectation in itself. Meaning, X has lied to me in the past. I expect X to lie to me. X tells me a lie. I am not surprised. By not being surprised by X's lie, isn't that an expectation that X will lie?
And is there a point does expectation actually protect us?
X has stolen from me in the past. X wants to come to my house. I know X will steal. I don't allow X in my house. My items are safe.
Simply because someone has done something in the past does this mean they will do it always? I think there is a point of gray within expectation. We have to be able to protect ourselves while not placing an unrealistic result from our human interactions.
Transgender Day of Remembrance
November 20, 2014
This week my Throwing Thursday post will be silent. I've decided to skip that in recognition of The Transgender Day of Remembrance.
I light candles to honor the memory of those who have been taken too soon. May they guide your way to the next realm.
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| Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson |
Earlier this week the world lost an phenomenal voice for Trans-activism. Author, activist, revolutionary communist, lesbian and human, Leslie Feinberg passed away on the 15th of this month from complications associated with Lyme Disease. Leslie was in the company of spouse Minnie-Bruce Pratt. Their work associated with the rights of the disenfranchised all over the world was immense. Leslie gave notice to the world that no voice should be silenced. With books like Stone Butch Blues and Transgender Warrior, Leslie shared life experiences and strength with the nation that shined a light on the inner workings of someone left on the outskirts of our society. Leslie's work carried many through hard times in their lives and was an inspiration to me on a personal level. The voice, the imagery and the action will certainly be missed.
"Feinberg preferred to use the pronouns she/zie and her/hir for herself, but also said: “I care which pronoun is used, but people have been disrespectful to me with the right pronoun and respectful with the wrong one. It matters whether someone is using the pronoun as a bigot, or if they are trying to demonstrate respect.”
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| Photo Credit - Leslie Feinberg - Image in the Sun www.transgenderwarrior.org |
Information on Leslie Feinberg
http://www.transgenderwarrior.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leslie_Feinberg
http://transgenderlawcenter.org/archives/11216
Information on Transgender Day of Remembrance
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_unlawfully_killed_transgender_people
http://tdor.info/
http://nsrap.ca/community/tdor
http://www.transrespect-transphobia.org/en_US/tvt-project/tmm-results/tdor-2014.htm
http://www.glaad.org/tdor
http://standingonthesideoflove.org/resources-for-hosting-an-international-transgender-day-of-remembrance-event/
Mulengro - Denial
November 19, 2014
I've been participating in a book club reading the book Witchcraft Theory and Practice by Ly de Angeles. Thus far there has been a great deal of introspection. Understanding my own motives and my own responsibility for what I bring into the world.
I thought it might be interesting to do a few blog posts around the seven faces of mulengro and see how they play out not only in the magical world but also the mundane. I'm starting in no particular order.
Mulengro is the name of an entity that is like an alien barb; one that has become an out-of-control arrow that pierces generation upon generation with its poison. It feeds on its own likeness and people are its hosts. - Ly de Angeles - Witchcraft Theory and Practice pg 29
synonyms: contradiction, refutation, rebuttal, repudiation, disclaimer; negation, dissent
antonyms allowance, approval, grant, OK
Wrapping my head around this one has been a challenge. To me, to refute something or to offer a dissent is an opinion. So what does Ly mean here? What does it mean from the perspective of mulengro?
As I'm reading this I can see where the other forms pop their heads in as well. The denial of a lie for example or the denial of greed could fall here. How does denial come into play in your life? What do you do to stop it? Remember the only way to move forward and defeat the powers of mulengro is to not participate in it. What do you do to stop it?
I thought it might be interesting to do a few blog posts around the seven faces of mulengro and see how they play out not only in the magical world but also the mundane. I'm starting in no particular order.
Mulengro is the name of an entity that is like an alien barb; one that has become an out-of-control arrow that pierces generation upon generation with its poison. It feeds on its own likeness and people are its hosts. - Ly de Angeles - Witchcraft Theory and Practice pg 29
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| Image Source - Google Search Results |
antonyms allowance, approval, grant, OK
Wrapping my head around this one has been a challenge. To me, to refute something or to offer a dissent is an opinion. So what does Ly mean here? What does it mean from the perspective of mulengro?
As I'm reading this I can see where the other forms pop their heads in as well. The denial of a lie for example or the denial of greed could fall here. How does denial come into play in your life? What do you do to stop it? Remember the only way to move forward and defeat the powers of mulengro is to not participate in it. What do you do to stop it?
Preaching to the Choir
November 13, 2014
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| Balance is the Key Photography - Renee Sosanna Olson |
First I’d like to start out by saying, I am not a lawyer. I have completed the requirements for paralegal in the state of Virginia and attended some classes for the State of California however I am not a lawyer and recommend that If you have legal question that you consult an attorney specializing in this subject matter.
Recently I came across a share of a Family Law blog that had
the following statement.
Screenshot from the webpage – www.wakedomesticlaw.com
At first I was pretty disturbed by this statement as you can
imagine. This statement is based on a
case that was ruled in the North Carolina Supreme Court related to Lynch. The Lynch case created a standard that any
marriages officiated by ULC Ordained Ministers were voidable. Now to the layperson this may sound as though
ULC Ministers cannot marry in the State of North Carolina. This ruling was later overturned in Fulton v.
Vickery stating that ULC Minsters can perform marriages in North Carolina. Now, that being said we should keep in mind
that marriages can be declared void for all sorts of things and being void is
different from being voidable. Voidable
means that they are valid but can be declared void based on certain set of criteria.
As an Ordained Minister with the ULC I contacted the church
immediately to determine if this was indeed the case. I was responded to almost immediately and
informed that the only state currently that does not recognize ULC Ordinations
is the state of Virginia. There have
been incidents where marriages have been ruled void based on the trials below
(See NC & NY) those are on a case by case basis and do not apply across the
board to all ULC officiated marriages.
In my zeal for investigation I quickly was brought back to
earth by my hubby who said, “If you want to do a marriage, just CYA by getting
a JP permit for the day and do the marriage that way.” At first my double standard kicked in and I
was irate. Why should I, simply because
I do not follow a Christian dogma have to take an extra step to conduct a marriage
ceremony. I mean honestly can't they just accept me for who I am?
I appealed to my group, The Covenant of Hekate, to determine
if anyone had become Ordained and based it on the process of becoming a
Torchbearer. There is a certain amount
of study required and we do have to take an oath and complete a ritual for
admission. Even though this requirement exists which is
more than “merely mailing in 10.00 to get a certificate” no one had thought of
this as being enough to satisfy the religious training/study requirement. So my search continued.
I went to another page Universal Life Church in Modesto CA , even though crediting the same founder Rev. Kirby Hensley who ironically
grew up in North Carolina is the parent church to the ULC-Monastery with BR. G. Martin
Freeman as the Presiding Chaplain; Monastery is a completely separate church from the ULC mentioned in the cases. Then I saw
several other websites popup, including ulc.net, ulc.org, ulchq.com to name a
few. Each with links to purchase
ordination certifications and credentials.
I sat looking puzzled at the screen. Which ULC was which? And does it really matter?
You see, earlier this month as I blogged about marriage equality and
how marriage was a civil institution. We needed to keep religion out of marriage because it was wrong to tell LGBT people that based on the "bible" they could not be married. Yet, here I sat annoyed that the State would
tell me if I was legally allowed to solemnize a marriage.
I had that “ah ha” moment. I realized that my ability to “legally” president over a spiritual bond is moot. No one is going to come to me looking for a standard wedding ceremony. They will be someone who is looking to be joined together on an entirely different level, and this something that no government can ever grant anyone. So while the legal status of ULC marriages may hang in the balance to some, the fact of the matter is marriage is a civil union brought together under the state. It is governed by the state and should be overseen by the state.
I had that “ah ha” moment. I realized that my ability to “legally” president over a spiritual bond is moot. No one is going to come to me looking for a standard wedding ceremony. They will be someone who is looking to be joined together on an entirely different level, and this something that no government can ever grant anyone. So while the legal status of ULC marriages may hang in the balance to some, the fact of the matter is marriage is a civil union brought together under the state. It is governed by the state and should be overseen by the state.
My recommendation to those looking to preside over weddings
or become wedding officials, take the extra step to those protect those you are
providing your services to. Become a
magistrate, or a Justice of the Peace.
Take the steps to be “legally” recognized as a member of the clergy to
protect your clients from the possibility of legal issues going forward. At this time ULC Minsters can indeed preform
weddings in the state of North Carolina.
It seems to be some confusion around which ULC is which but it is always
better to be safe than sorry.
On a personal note, I can say it was a bit disheartening to
fully accept that my path, though shared by many was still a very few and due
to it being such an ancient belief system, not fully recognized to be “allowed”
to legally solemnize weddings made me sad.
Briefly. I then realized that
what I offer to others is more of spiritual counseling and guidance as opposed
to just a ceremony and I suddenly got it.
No one can endorse my relationship with a deity. It is something very personal as it should
remain. I will continue to list ULC
Ordained Minister on my credentials next to my Torchbearer for Covenant of
Hekate.
I believe both have a place in
my life.
Sosanna Olson -
Ordained Minister - ULC
Torchbearer, Covenant of Hekate
Sources:
Clay Molds
This week I spent a bit of time working with clay molds and presses. Some turned out ok, others, not so much. Here's what I ended up with.
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| Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson |
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| Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson |
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| Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson |
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| Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson |
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| Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson |
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| Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson |
Mulengro - Deceit
November 12, 2014
I've been participating in a book club reading the book Witchcraft Theory and Practice by Ly de Angeles. Thus far there has been a great deal of introspection. Understanding my own motives and my own responsibility for what I bring into the world.
I thought it might be interesting to do a few blog posts around the seven faces of mulengro and see how they play out not only in the magical world but also the mundane.
Mulengro is the name of an entity that is like an alien barb; one that has become an out-of-control arrow that pierces generation upon generation with its poison. It feeds on its own likeness and people are its hosts. - Ly de Angeles - Witchcraft Theory and Practice pg 29
synonyms: deception, deceitfulness, duplicity, double-dealing, fraud, cheating, trickery, chicanery, deviousness, slyness, wiliness, guile, bluff, lying, pretense, treachery; informalcrookedness, monkey business, monkeyshines
antonyms: honesty
Deceit has to be the one face of mulengro that I can say honestly makes me crazy. I never fully get why people have the need to lie. Deceit is pretty much lying. I am one of those people who believe that if nothing else you can always tell the truth. The truth is not always pleasant. It isn't always what you want to hear. Sometimes the truth hurts. However it doesn't change the fact that it is the truth.
A few years ago I got into a discussion about "truth tellers" with someone on Facebook who said to me (well typed to me) "You use the truth as a weapon to hurt others." Now let's look at that for a second. Granted there are times when I have said things a bit harsh. I tend to be a bit over zealous. I'm not hateful about it though. I'm not going to walk up and tell you that that dress makes your ass look big. But if you ask me, I may say that, I don't think the dress is flattering to your figure.
But if you create a training platform and want professional feedback, or want an honest opinion about something and not someone to blow smoke up your behind, then I'm your gal.
So back to my "truth teller" discussion. She said to me, "You use the truth as a weapon." For the longest time I walked around thinking, I don't use it as a weapon. I don't attack people with it. I don't hunt people down with it. I use the truth as a way to combat deceit. Then it hit me!
The reason my "truth teller friend" saw my truth as a weapon was because her lies were a shield. She was creating a defense based on a lie and in this instance yes, my weapon of choice was indeed the truth and it would destroy the lie every time. I still smile a bit when I think about how poetic this whole thing turned out to be.
Honesty is the antonym of deceit. I do everything in my power to always approach life with honesty. Honesty in my relationship with others and in my relationship with myself. I don't offer what I cannot afford to lose. I do not give when I cannot do without. Understanding that others can and will deceive you is tough for those of us who spend our days working in an honest state. Learning that it can happen and refusing to participate in that is a tough lesson to learn.
Recently I had a situation where another acted unjust to me. In a neutral setting, what should have been something strictly professional, the other person brought in their mulengro and removed things that belonged to me. I felt angry and hurt that they did not have the ability to act professionals and set aside differences for a mutual cause. I was reminded that not everyone sees the world the way I do. I was reminded that even though I see an obvious divide between business and professional. Public and private. Right and wrong. Others may not see that same line or they may choose to ignore that line. I cannot expect (expectations again) others to act or react the way I would.
It is still a learning process. I don't think I will ever get to a point to where I cannot learn something new. I always want to be in the learning/growing state, honestly.
Sosanna
I thought it might be interesting to do a few blog posts around the seven faces of mulengro and see how they play out not only in the magical world but also the mundane.
Mulengro is the name of an entity that is like an alien barb; one that has become an out-of-control arrow that pierces generation upon generation with its poison. It feeds on its own likeness and people are its hosts. - Ly de Angeles - Witchcraft Theory and Practice pg 29
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| Photo Credit - Google Search |
synonyms: deception, deceitfulness, duplicity, double-dealing, fraud, cheating, trickery, chicanery, deviousness, slyness, wiliness, guile, bluff, lying, pretense, treachery; informalcrookedness, monkey business, monkeyshines
antonyms: honesty
Deceit has to be the one face of mulengro that I can say honestly makes me crazy. I never fully get why people have the need to lie. Deceit is pretty much lying. I am one of those people who believe that if nothing else you can always tell the truth. The truth is not always pleasant. It isn't always what you want to hear. Sometimes the truth hurts. However it doesn't change the fact that it is the truth.
A few years ago I got into a discussion about "truth tellers" with someone on Facebook who said to me (well typed to me) "You use the truth as a weapon to hurt others." Now let's look at that for a second. Granted there are times when I have said things a bit harsh. I tend to be a bit over zealous. I'm not hateful about it though. I'm not going to walk up and tell you that that dress makes your ass look big. But if you ask me, I may say that, I don't think the dress is flattering to your figure.
But if you create a training platform and want professional feedback, or want an honest opinion about something and not someone to blow smoke up your behind, then I'm your gal.
So back to my "truth teller" discussion. She said to me, "You use the truth as a weapon." For the longest time I walked around thinking, I don't use it as a weapon. I don't attack people with it. I don't hunt people down with it. I use the truth as a way to combat deceit. Then it hit me!
The reason my "truth teller friend" saw my truth as a weapon was because her lies were a shield. She was creating a defense based on a lie and in this instance yes, my weapon of choice was indeed the truth and it would destroy the lie every time. I still smile a bit when I think about how poetic this whole thing turned out to be.
Honesty is the antonym of deceit. I do everything in my power to always approach life with honesty. Honesty in my relationship with others and in my relationship with myself. I don't offer what I cannot afford to lose. I do not give when I cannot do without. Understanding that others can and will deceive you is tough for those of us who spend our days working in an honest state. Learning that it can happen and refusing to participate in that is a tough lesson to learn.
Recently I had a situation where another acted unjust to me. In a neutral setting, what should have been something strictly professional, the other person brought in their mulengro and removed things that belonged to me. I felt angry and hurt that they did not have the ability to act professionals and set aside differences for a mutual cause. I was reminded that not everyone sees the world the way I do. I was reminded that even though I see an obvious divide between business and professional. Public and private. Right and wrong. Others may not see that same line or they may choose to ignore that line. I cannot expect (expectations again) others to act or react the way I would.
It is still a learning process. I don't think I will ever get to a point to where I cannot learn something new. I always want to be in the learning/growing state, honestly.
Sosanna
My Life with Bills
November 10, 2014
Over the weekend I spent some time in the woods. Hubby and I drove up to Whispering Pines and participated in a few days of reconnecting with old friends and nature. We also met a few new friends and had some self discoveries.
Hubby found a rekindled interest in candles after attending a candle magic/root work class and I did some self contemplation under the stars. I was evaluating how I get along with others. There are a few folks online that tend to ruffle my feathers. I also noted that I have friends across a wide spectrum.
I have friends that are Pagan, Christian and Atheist. I have friends that are Republican, Democrat and Green. I have friends that eat meat and friends who are vegan. I have fat friends, skinny friends and friends in between. I seem to be able to get along with just about anyone.
I was telling my hubby about my new friend Bill. Bill is a Satanist, meaning he belongs to the Church of Satan. My new friend Bill is very different from my old friend Bill. My old friend Bill is a Christian. These Bills collided recently when I shared a graphic related to the Church of Satan. A tenant in the Church of Satan is that you do not make sexual advances on another person unless they are reciprocated. It is number five in The Eleven Satanic Rules of the Earth written by the founder Anton LaVey in 1967. I compared this with Deuteronomy 22:28-29 that says if a man violates a woman who is a virgin is must marry her. My public comparison of this led to a lengthy discussion, both public and private that ended in me remaining friends with both Bills.
But this isn't the end of the story. Here I am friends with Bill the Satanist and Bill the Christian. We comment, joke and discuss things back and forth without issue, really. Insert Bill the Pagan. I met Bill the Pagan through a local group. We tried to build a little Pagan group here. I managed to make it about 5 months before I decided it wasn't for me. Bill the Pagan and I even followed the same Goddess. I never really hit it off with him and in fact today, he doesn't speak to me when we see each other at events. He makes it pretty clear that we are not friends.
So I sat there under the stars, by the light of the fire pit looking at my Bills. I can get along with the Christian and the Satanist but apparently the Pagan is too much for me. Go figure.
Wishing you a lot of luck with your Bills.
Sosanna
What the Clay Wants to Be.
November 6, 2014
Sometimes when I sit down the intention of making one thing, it never shows up. I know that my state of mind plays a huge part of what I can pull from the clay.
Today was a little frustrating and I was distracted. I have a lot of stress at work lately so you can see it come out in the pots.
Here's my throw.
Today was a little frustrating and I was distracted. I have a lot of stress at work lately so you can see it come out in the pots.
Here's my throw.
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| Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson |
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| Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson |
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| Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson |
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| Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson |
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| Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson |
Mulengro - Guilt
November 5, 2014
I've been participating in a book club reading the book Witchcraft Theory and Practice by Ly de Angeles. Thus far there has been a great deal of introspection. Understanding my own motives and my own responsibility for what I bring into the world.
I thought it might be interesting to do a few blog posts around the seven faces of mulengro and see how they play out not only in the magical world but also the mundane.
Mulengro is the name of an entity that is like an alien barb; one that has become an out-of-control arrow that pierces generation upon generation with its poison. It feeds on its own likeness and people are its hosts. - Ly de Angeles - Witchcraft Theory and Practice pg 29
synonyms: culpability, guiltiness, blameworthiness; wrongdoing, wrong, criminality, misconduct, sin
antonyms: innocence
Guilt has a special place in my heart and mind. As a student of the law and a devotee of the Goddess Hecate, I can say in regards to justice, guilt has reared its head many times. I struggled a bit with looking at guilt from the perspective of mulengro. I couldn't wrap my head around the guilt as a noun being what I should avoid or guilt as a verb. I grabbed a water and had a chat with my sister to figure this out.
When we think about guilt we have to look at it as being a burden. It is something that weighs you down. My sister helped me understand that this is what the base emotion is around it. Before when I thought of guilt I thought of what happens when we go to court, or when my mother wanted me to do something for her because, "I was the oldest." I then looked back at Witchcraft Theory and Practice page 29 - "These faces (behind each of them are the other six) are all vices of disrespect."
When I think about guilt and how it relates to my relationship with my mother I can immediately see the others there. I see assumption there, I see greed and envy. They are there, just out of site, hiding behind guilt. There, through the sides I see deceit and denial waiting for their opportunity to burst in and join the clan. I get it!
So as we look at this guilt, this weight that is placed on us by others to carry around, or the weight that we assign others, we have to understand that the feeling, that nagging feeling of obligation is something that we choose to carry. Let me expand on that.
Today if my mother came to me and said, "You must do this for me because you are my oldest child and it is expected of you"; I would flatly deny her. After years and years of her guilt and her weighing me down with that burden, I can today stand up and say, "No, I will not do that."
Why? Why not just do what she asks and move on? I think it falls back to the burden. If we keep adding more and more on our plates eventually we fill up. Even with expectations from others. (HA! There it is again)
Today, I don't participate in double meanings or mixed messages to trick others. I speak my mind and say exactly how I feel. I ask for help directly and accept what those are willing to freely give. I don't expect anyone to always be there for me instead I appreciate when they are. I think that is a start on learning how to recognize any guilt I may be sending out.
Sosanna
I thought it might be interesting to do a few blog posts around the seven faces of mulengro and see how they play out not only in the magical world but also the mundane.
Mulengro is the name of an entity that is like an alien barb; one that has become an out-of-control arrow that pierces generation upon generation with its poison. It feeds on its own likeness and people are its hosts. - Ly de Angeles - Witchcraft Theory and Practice pg 29
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| Photo Credit - Google |
synonyms: culpability, guiltiness, blameworthiness; wrongdoing, wrong, criminality, misconduct, sin
antonyms: innocence
Guilt has a special place in my heart and mind. As a student of the law and a devotee of the Goddess Hecate, I can say in regards to justice, guilt has reared its head many times. I struggled a bit with looking at guilt from the perspective of mulengro. I couldn't wrap my head around the guilt as a noun being what I should avoid or guilt as a verb. I grabbed a water and had a chat with my sister to figure this out.
When we think about guilt we have to look at it as being a burden. It is something that weighs you down. My sister helped me understand that this is what the base emotion is around it. Before when I thought of guilt I thought of what happens when we go to court, or when my mother wanted me to do something for her because, "I was the oldest." I then looked back at Witchcraft Theory and Practice page 29 - "These faces (behind each of them are the other six) are all vices of disrespect."
When I think about guilt and how it relates to my relationship with my mother I can immediately see the others there. I see assumption there, I see greed and envy. They are there, just out of site, hiding behind guilt. There, through the sides I see deceit and denial waiting for their opportunity to burst in and join the clan. I get it!
So as we look at this guilt, this weight that is placed on us by others to carry around, or the weight that we assign others, we have to understand that the feeling, that nagging feeling of obligation is something that we choose to carry. Let me expand on that.
Today if my mother came to me and said, "You must do this for me because you are my oldest child and it is expected of you"; I would flatly deny her. After years and years of her guilt and her weighing me down with that burden, I can today stand up and say, "No, I will not do that."
Why? Why not just do what she asks and move on? I think it falls back to the burden. If we keep adding more and more on our plates eventually we fill up. Even with expectations from others. (HA! There it is again)
Today, I don't participate in double meanings or mixed messages to trick others. I speak my mind and say exactly how I feel. I ask for help directly and accept what those are willing to freely give. I don't expect anyone to always be there for me instead I appreciate when they are. I think that is a start on learning how to recognize any guilt I may be sending out.
Sosanna
The Real Thanksgiving Holiday
November 2, 2014
I've started to notice a few memes being passed around and blog projects starting up for the celebration of Thanksgiving. Some folks are saying oh how horrible the shops are for having people work on Thanksgiving, it should be about family.
Our modern tradition is based on harvest meal that took place in the 1600's in Plymouth Massachusetts. The documentation on this meal is limited. The holiday was created on the last Thursday of November by the federal government in 1941.
So why is it that we get all fired upset about working on Thanksgiving but yet demand that Columbus day be renamed to honor the Native Americans? Why do we see one as racism and the other as not?
Glen Ford wrote the following regarding the American Thanksgiving: (link)
While I have had some nasty family dinners, no one ended up run through with a sword. So now, let's think about these projects where you spend X number of days writing about being thankful for things. First let me state that I think it is a fantastic idea to be thankful. Everyday I wake up and thanks the earth for being under my feet and the sky above. I thank the birds of the trees and all the wonderful things that I have in my life. I don't however, feel obligated to do this. I do this automatically. I don't need a month or a holiday to make it happen.
I think instinctively I avoid taking part in these things because I do not condone what happened to the native people who lived on this island before Europeans came here and destroyed their culture. Our ancestors tried to conquer a people and when they could not enslave them, they killed them. Plain and simple. There is no honor there. Celebrating this month as some sort of holy month for those to be thankful of all things fall is a bit of a misnomer.
Especially since the majority of those reverent US citizens will celebrate Thanksgiving in the following manner:
While getting set to schedule your blog posts or share your wonderful Thanksgiving messages, I only ask that you actually do a little research on the holiday. Be sure to fully understand what you're celebrating. And remember, you don't need to have a special month or day to be thankful for what you have. You can do that anytime.
Sosanna
LINKS
Thanksgiving from a Native Standpoint
The First Thanksgiving - Lies My Teacher Told Me
Thanksgiving - A National Day of Mourning
Thanksgiving
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| Image Source - HLN - Facebook |
Our modern tradition is based on harvest meal that took place in the 1600's in Plymouth Massachusetts. The documentation on this meal is limited. The holiday was created on the last Thursday of November by the federal government in 1941.
So why is it that we get all fired upset about working on Thanksgiving but yet demand that Columbus day be renamed to honor the Native Americans? Why do we see one as racism and the other as not?
Glen Ford wrote the following regarding the American Thanksgiving: (link)
William Bradford, the former Governor of Plymouth and one of the chroniclers of the 1621 feast, was also on hand for the great massacre of 1637:
“Those that escaped the fire were slain with the sword; some hewed to pieces, others run through with their rapiers, so that they were quickly dispatched and very few escaped. It was conceived they thus destroyed about 400 at this time. It was a fearful sight to see them thus frying in the fire…horrible was the stink and scent thereof, but the victory seemed a sweet sacrifice, and they gave the prayers thereof to God, who had wrought so wonderfully for them, thus to enclose their enemies in their hands, and give them so speedy a victory over so proud and insulting an enemy.”
While I have had some nasty family dinners, no one ended up run through with a sword. So now, let's think about these projects where you spend X number of days writing about being thankful for things. First let me state that I think it is a fantastic idea to be thankful. Everyday I wake up and thanks the earth for being under my feet and the sky above. I thank the birds of the trees and all the wonderful things that I have in my life. I don't however, feel obligated to do this. I do this automatically. I don't need a month or a holiday to make it happen.
I think instinctively I avoid taking part in these things because I do not condone what happened to the native people who lived on this island before Europeans came here and destroyed their culture. Our ancestors tried to conquer a people and when they could not enslave them, they killed them. Plain and simple. There is no honor there. Celebrating this month as some sort of holy month for those to be thankful of all things fall is a bit of a misnomer.
Especially since the majority of those reverent US citizens will celebrate Thanksgiving in the following manner:
While getting set to schedule your blog posts or share your wonderful Thanksgiving messages, I only ask that you actually do a little research on the holiday. Be sure to fully understand what you're celebrating. And remember, you don't need to have a special month or day to be thankful for what you have. You can do that anytime.
Sosanna
LINKS
Thanksgiving from a Native Standpoint
The First Thanksgiving - Lies My Teacher Told Me
Thanksgiving - A National Day of Mourning
Thanksgiving
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