Thursday, April 30, 2009

Powers of Seeds?

BERURIM, ISRAEL - FEBRUARY 13: A Hazera Geneti...Image by Getty Images via Daylife

Does anyone know if the seeds of herbs hold any of the traits their parent plants do? I would assume that the whole plant would be stronger but then again, could the seed be considered a more concentrated form?

I don't think I've come across any of this in my reading. If you know of any sources please point me toward them if you wouldn't mind.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

How Do You Feel About Your Deity/ies?

Do you like them? Respect them? Dislike them? Love them?
Do you trust them or mistrust them?
Do you find them impressive? Scary? Cute? Cuddly? Crazed? Annoying? Do you adore them or laugh about them?

Or do you just consider them business partners without any personal feelings for them?

Do have very different feelings for several deities you work with? Or do you love them all the same?

Monday, April 27, 2009

Book Study: Trance-portation





3) Take care of yourself.


4) Schedule:



5) Organization:


Now, let's get started!


Sunday, April 26, 2009

Mixing Religions?

How do you feel about mixing religions? Do you feel that something is lost when they are mixed or are they more powerful? How do major (or minor) world religions affect your path?

As I begin learning more and more about world religions, I find a lot of similarities and truths in them, but I can't except any of them wholesale. Thoughts?

Saturday, April 25, 2009

The Word 'Occult'

For many people outside the pagan umbrella the word 'occult' has darker associations to it than the word 'magic'. You know, Harry Potter visits a school of magic, not of 'occult studies'. But why is that? According to Wikipedia the word just refers to 'hidden' or 'secret' knowledge.

How do you use the word in pagan settings? How in non-pagan ones? If you practice magic or other arts considered to be occult do you see yourself as 'occultist'? Do you like/dislike the term?

Friday, April 24, 2009

Explaining what other people do...


How do you explain to kids how others worship and believe in their religions? Have you had to do this? Was it successful or funny or horrid?

My 5 year old son is going to a magic show with a friend from school and it's in a church (I think it's to raise money for something). He's going with his friend's parents and they are fairly religious. I was getting him ready when it suddenly occurred to me, he's NEVER been in a church. We've been near churches and I had sort of told him about them, but only briefly. Today I had to do a little explanation and also give him some rules of how to act in a church (don't tear around like a ninny, or scream or knock things down). I told him that churches are where some people go to talk to their god, that they only have one god and that these are the same people that celebrate Christmas instead of Yule and have Easter later than us. I think he gets it, but I'm a bit concerned that he'll shock people by knowing nothing about it. Yikes! I don't care for myself, but I'm concerned that if the religious discussions come up (unlikely at a magic show) that he'll be confused or embarrassed.

Has anyone been through this?

Bile and Belenus

Beltane fire festival dancers, 2006Image via Wikipedia

I've been researching the Gaulish god Belenus since recently reading that the festival of Beltaine was named after him. In so doing I've run across a lot of information, some of which conflicts with things that I had read previously. For example, some sources seem to equate the god Bile with Belenus as though they're the same god, with Belenus being the Gaulish equivalent of the deity. Still other sources seem to differentiate between the two gods, with Belenus being treating as a solar deity (associated with Apollo by the Romans) while Bile is associated with the idea of sacred trees and/or The World Tree.

Can anyone recommend any resources that might aid in clarifying this issue? Or if anyone is familiar with this subject and would like to share their thoughts I would very much appreciate it.

I noticed that someone else started a thread about Danu/Anu and I was actually able to get some information about this subject from one of the links there. However, the relationship (if any) between Bile/Belenus is still unclear to me.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Do Muggles Really Exist?

Are there people who are unable to do magic -- not from lack of training or knowledge -- but from natural inability?

In the Harry Potter novels, "Muggles" are the large part of the human species who lack the ability to do magic. Even with training and knowledge, they would be unable to do magic. That's just fiction, of course.

Most of the modern books on magic I've read claim that magic is something anyone can do -- some claim even without any training, knowledge, or practice. But is this true? I can't carry a tune in a bucket. Other people can't see certain colors. Why couldn't there be people who simply cannot do magic? Do you think such people exist? Why or why not?

Badb, Macha, Morrigan, Anand?

Macha Curses the Men of UlsterImage via Wikipedia

n the Lebor Gabála Érenn it refers to Badb, Macha and Anand as the Paps of Anu.


Later it says that three daughters of Ernmas were Badb, Macha and Morrigu "whose name was Anand".


It goes on after to describe Badb, Macha and Morrigu-

"Badb and Macha, greatness of wealth, Morrigu--
springs of craftiness,
sources of bitter fighting
were the three daughters of Ernmas"

The Morrigan seems sometimes like three separate deities and other times like three aspects of one. This is a little confusing, but what's got me the most is reading that Anand was also the name for Morrigan and even more that She is associated with fertility and prosperity.

I'm going all over the place now . . . It's hard to say what I'm trying to say now that I'm writing it out Undecided

These are my two questions:

1. Is TM three deities or three aspects of one?

2. Anand is associatd with fertility, cattle and prosperity, so then is this also an aspect of the Morrigan leading more to a Goddess who deals with the entire cycle(both life, death and the time between)?

Maybe I mixed references or something went over my head here, but this is really sending my head spinning. Is it similar to Kali who at first seems like a deity of death and destruction but after reading more you find that she's associated with both creation and destruction?

Seperation of Genders?

I recently found myself involved in a set of separate men's and women's retreats. While turnout at the actual events was good, there was a lot of discussion leading up to the event about whether or not separating the genders was ok. Personally I think it's a very valid experience we don't often get in western cultures. Most of my spiritual workings are solitary or "co-ed", but every now and then I think the ladies and gents need some time apart.

I have a very eclectic religious perspective and come from a home where men and women are on a pretty even footing. I don't see either as inferior, and in this case I don't feel separation implies inequality. How do your background or religious beliefs affect how you feel on the subject?

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Celtic Celebrations







Workable Definition of Evil?

Evil. Is there a good explanation of what it is?

A lot of people have "This is Evil. This Isn't."

but do you have a workable definition for what evil is - in and of itself.

Is such a definition even valuable?

Finally Feeling It?

I finally feel like things are clicking into place. I have a morning meditation that feels good to me, I’m starting to feel direct pulls toward certain things and in general, I feel pretty content in my spirituality. I read pretty much anything I can get my hands on be it books or the internet. I actually feel like I was a bit obsessed for a while. It seemed the more I researched and the more I learned, the more I thirsted. It was as if I was dehydrated and I couldn’t quench my thirst but I was also spinning in circles.

For a long time I wasn’t feeling a connection to deity and I also wasn’t sure if I felt something when I cast a circle, but I went through the motions, tried altering thing and adjusting them, read more, adjusted more, meditated more, reached down deep inside of myself and I think yesterday things finally ‘clicked’. I don’t see anything when I cast a circle, but I’m hearing a very distinct buzzing white noise. In the morning when I heard it, I thought it was something in the house. Last night I heard it again and started thinking ‘maybe’, then today I did a ritual in the woods and I definitely heard it and felt it. I felt like I was in the middle of a soap bubble. The buzzing seemed to be the walls of the bubble. I’m also feeling a tingling in my finger tips.

I think 'feeling it' is something different for everyone, but has anyone else had an 'ahh moment' where they finally felt like things were clicking and that they were finally understanding why they were pulled toward their path? Most of what I'm reading and studying is Wicca (mostly because there is more info available on Wicca than any other Pagan 'religions'). But I don't think that's going to end up being my path. I'm staying open and I figure my path will become more clear the longer I travel.

Friday, April 17, 2009

Do You Cook Anything Special for Sabbats/Esbats?

I've been thinking of this for a while now. Is there anything you cook for each Sabbat and Esbat? Or do you have certain dishes for each one? Do you only make cookies, breads, or muffins for each holiday?

Tuesday, April 14, 2009




Wiccan Authors - Your recommended list?


Just looking for input on who you all feel are the best authors of Wiccan books out there. Who do you feel presents the most straightforward, accurate depictions of what Wicca should be like and how it should be practiced? Which authors leave out most of the "fluff" and get straight to how the religion should be properly practiced? I understand Silver RavenWolf is not one of these authors for various reasons. How about Buckland? Cunningham? Starhawk? Those are the top few I can think of offhand, other than Gardner of course.

Seems like everywhere I look, everyone has a different idea about Wicca. It's almost a turnoff seeing people get so caught up in how it is celebrated that they result in online flame-wars and the whole "if you don't do it THIS way, you're not a Wiccan." I suppose that drama comes with any religion, but I do see it more with Wicca for some reason. Any thoughts?

Sunday, April 12, 2009


A photo of the Gundestrup cauldronImage via Wikipedia



Where do you fall on this Theist-Atheist scale?

Criticism of atheismImage via Wikipedia

Select the closest answer and feel free to explain it in a reply.

* Strong theist. 100 per cent probability that deity/deities exist. In the words of C.G. Jung, 'I do not believe, I know.'

* De facto theist. Very high probability but short of 100 per cent. 'I cannot know for certain, but I strongly believe in deity/deities and live my life on the assumption that deities exist.'

* Technically agnostic but leaning towards theism. Higher than 50 per cent but not very high. 'I am very uncertain, but I am inclined to believe in deities.'

* Completely impartial agnostic. Exactly 50 per cent. 'The existence and non-existence of deities are exactly equiprobable.'

* Technically agnostic but leaning towards atheism. Lower than 50 per cent but not very low. 'I do not know whether deities exist but I'm inclined to be skeptical.'

* De facto atheist. Very low probability, but short of zero. 'I cannot know for certain but I think deities are very improbable, and I live my life on the assumption that none exist.'

* Strong atheist. 'I know there are no Gods, with the same conviction as Jung "knows" there is one.'

Saturday, April 11, 2009

The Cookbook Thread



Sunday, April 05, 2009

Minor Gods/Goddesses?

Have any of you had experiences with so called 'minor' Gods or Goddesses? By 'minor', I mean ones that don't have many myths involving them, ones that didn't have a huge place in their respective religions/mythologies, etc.

I've been having experiences with a so-called 'minor' God for a while now - Thanatos. I've always had an interest in Him, and it's waned on and off throughout the years, but it's seemed to be stronger lately. I've done as much research as I can, and not much has turned up.

I've always been interested in mythology, especially Greek and Roman. I took Latin back in public school because of this interest.

Thanatos has popped up in various ways in my life, most recently in a dream a few days ago that got me asking about this here. The dream was very obvious - I was dreaming that I was doing a pathworking (something I have not yet been able to accomplish due to the lack of quiet places in my house) and that I received a sign from Thanatos. I don't remember what the sign was.

About a year ago I was interested in the video game Persona 3, which features Thanatos as a character. I stumbled across a stuffed animal of Thanatos as he appears in that game on Ebay, and on impulse I decided to buy it. I brought the stuffed animal with me on a plane trip I took, and for the last leg of the trip we were on a very loud plane that took many sharp turns and encountered a lot of turbulence. I remember grabbing the stuffed animal from my bag and thinking that it would protect me... now that I look back on that, it seems to have a lot more significance than I thought it did at the time.

So, anyways - does anyone have a minor God or Goddess that is important to them? How do you go about forming a relationship with Them when there is such little information available?

Teen Place Board Now Teen Pagans SIG


New Special Interest Group: Home and Garden SIG

The Cauldron has a new Special Interest Group: the Home and Garden SIG. This SIG is the place to discuss your garden, your home, home projects and repairs, your lawn, etc. This SIG was formerly a board in the Full Members only section of The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum's message board. As a SIG, it is now open to all members.

New Special Interest Group: Gaming SIG

The Cauldron has a new Special Interest Group: the Gaming SIG. This SIG is for members who enjoy playing games: board games, card games, role-playing games, computer games, online games, etc. If you can play it, it can be discussed here. This SIG was formerly a board in the Full Members only section of The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum's message board. As a SIG, it is now open to all members.

New Special Interest Group: Divination SIG

The Cauldron has a new Special Interest Group: the Divination SIG. This SIG is for members interested in the Divinatory Arts: Astrology, Tarot, Numerology, Scrying, Runes, Geomancy and other forms of divination. This SIG was formerly a board in the Full Members only section of The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum's message board. As a SIG, it is now open to all members.

New Special Interest Group: Cooking SIG

The Cauldron has a new Special Interest Group: the Cooking SIG. Like to Eat? Like to Cook? The Cooking SIG is the place to discuss cooking (and eating). This SIG was formerly a board in the Full Members only section of The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum's message board. As a SIG, it is now open to all members.

New Special Interest Group: Pagan Parents

The Cauldron has a new Special Interest Group: Pagan Parents. This SIG is a place for Pagan parents and soon to be Pagan parents to discuss child-rearing issues and bringing up child in a Pagan religion.. This SIG is open to all members of The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum's message board.

New Special Interest Group: College Pagans


Wednesday, April 01, 2009

Chavi Memorial Chronic Illness SIG Now Open

In honor of Chavi, The Cauldron has opened the Chavi Memorial Chronic Illness SIG -- a message board for where those Pagans suffering from severe illnesses, chronic illnesses, chronic pain and other long term medical problems (or who are caretakers, friends, or family of a person so suffering -- Pagan or not) can post about their problems in a supportive environment. The Prayer and Energy Requests board is still the place to post prayer and energy requests, the new forum is for more long term discussion and support.

We've moved Lyric's Cancer Update thread to the new SIG. If you have a serious/chronic illness that you have been discussing in another thread, we can move the thread to the new SIG for you -- or you can start a new thread there. Everyone is welcome to read the board and participate in discussions in a supportive manner.






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