Celebrating Syncretic Paganism

So many good vibrations today, and maybe a few not so good ones, but they are the mysteries, not the fears, at least not at the moment. Blogging started out as a bit of an exercise in finding myself, and then I found a mess of myself! I had so much to say I created several blogs to organize all the areas of my thoughts and then my thoughts were evolving so quickly that I felt ashamed of most of the depth  of my writings. I am no longer ashamed, even though I have changed a great deal, sort of. Really, what has happened is that I have truly found myself. The layers of paint that others applied have been pealed off layer by layer until all that remains is the wood grain, the instinctual pattern of who I am, the evidence of the type of roots and fruit that my type can produce. What is my type? Turns out that I am a NeoPagan Tree, rooted in the ancient instincts of Euro-Paganism, but with a New World twist, a new understanding of spiritual interactions. Two things that Peter pointed out for the Gentiles that would follow the New Way were no blood sacrifices and no non-committal orgies, in other words, "the marriage bed is sacred," respect it and enjoy it as such, and you don't have to kill things to honor God, quite the opposite. Historically these two things, blood sacrifice and orgies, were the foothold for much despair, although, there is no blame being laid here, just learning.

From what I understand, technically, the word "pagan" means someone who is not Catholic, Jewish, or Christian (followers of the teachings of Paul's version of Jesus). For many people "pagan" is synonymous with "heathen" or "hedonistic," but these days the term is more accurately understood to mean "the people that look to nature to find their gods." I started down that path because of verses I read in the Bible, such as:

 Job 12:3-10 (NASB) "  

3“But I have intelligence as well as you;

            I am not inferior to you
            And who does not know such things as these?

      4“I am a joke to my friends,
            The one who called on God and He answered him;
            The just and blameless man is a joke.

      5“He who is at ease holds calamity in contempt,
            As prepared for those whose feet slip.

      6“The tents of the destroyers prosper,
            And those who provoke God are secure,
            Whom God brings into their power.

      7“But now ask the beasts, and let them teach you;
            And the birds of the heavens, and let them tell you.

      8“Or speak to the earth, and let it teach you;
            And let the fish of the sea declare to you.

      9“Who among all these does not know
            That the hand of the LORD has done this,

      10In whose hand is the life of every living thing,

            And the breath of all mankind?"

And Job 40:6-41

6Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm:

7“Brace yourself like a man;

I will question you,

and you shall answer me.

8“Would you discredit my justice?

Would you condemn me to justify yourself?

9Do you have an arm like God’s,

and can your voice thunder like his?

10Then adorn yourself with glory and splendor,

and clothe yourself in honor and majesty.

11Unleash the fury of your wrath,

look at all who are proud and bring them low,

12look at all who are proud and humble them,

crush the wicked where they stand.

13Bury them all in the dust together;

shroud their faces in the grave.

14Then I myself will admit to you

that your own right hand can save you.

15“Look at Behemoth,

which I made along with you

and which feeds on grass like an ox.

16What strength it has in its loins,

what power in the muscles of its belly!

17Its tail sways like a cedar;

the sinews of its thighs are close-knit.

18Its bones are tubes of bronze,

its limbs like rods of iron.

19It ranks first among the works of God,

yet its Maker can approach it with his sword.

20The hills bring it their produce,

and all the wild animals play nearby.

21Under the lotus plants it lies,

hidden among the reeds in the marsh.

22The lotuses conceal it in their shadow;

the poplars by the stream surround it.

23A raging river does not alarm it;

it is secure, though the Jordan should surge against its mouth.

24Can anyone capture it by the eyes,

or trap it and pierce its nose?

1“Can you pull in Leviathan with a fishhook

or tie down its tongue with a rope?

2Can you put a cord through its nose

or pierce its jaw with a hook?

3Will it keep begging you for mercy?

Will it speak to you with gentle words?

4Will it make an agreement with you

for you to take it as your slave for life?

5Can you make a pet of it like a bird

or put it on a leash for the young women in your house?

6Will traders barter for it?

Will they divide it up among the merchants?

7Can you fill its hide with harpoons

or its head with fishing spears?

8If you lay a hand on it,

you will remember the struggle and never do it again!

9Any hope of subduing it is false;

the mere sight of it is overpowering.

10No one is fierce enough to rouse it.

Who then is able to stand against me?

11Who has a claim against me that I must pay?

Everything under heaven belongs to me.

12“I will not fail to speak of Leviathan’s limbs,

its strength and its graceful form.

13Who can strip off its outer coat?

Who can penetrate its double coat of armor^a ?

14Who dares open the doors of its mouth,

ringed about with fearsome teeth?

15Its back has^b rows of shields

tightly sealed together;

16each is so close to the next

that no air can pass between.

17They are joined fast to one another;

they cling together and cannot be parted.

18Its snorting throws out flashes of light;

its eyes are like the rays of dawn.

19Flames stream from its mouth;

sparks of fire shoot out.

20Smoke pours from its nostrils

as from a boiling pot over burning reeds.

21Its breath sets coals ablaze,

and flames dart from its mouth.

22Strength resides in its neck;

dismay goes before it.

23The folds of its flesh are tightly joined;

they are firm and immovable.

24Its chest is hard as rock,

hard as a lower millstone.

25When it rises up, the mighty are terrified;

they retreat before its thrashing.

26The sword that reaches it has no effect,

nor does the spear or the dart or the javelin.

27Iron it treats like straw

and bronze like rotten wood.

28Arrows do not make it flee;

slingstones are like chaff to it.

29A club seems to it but a piece of straw;

it laughs at the rattling of the lance.

30Its undersides are jagged potsherds,

leaving a trail in the mud like a threshing sledge.

31It makes the depths churn like a boiling caldron

and stirs up the sea like a pot of ointment.

32It leaves a glistening wake behind it;

one would think the deep had white hair.

33Nothing on earth is its equal—

a creature without fear.

34It looks down on all that are haughty;

it is king over all that are proud.”

And Psalm 104 (NASB)

1Bless the LORD, O my soul!
            O LORD my God, You are very great;
            You are clothed with splendor and majesty,

      2Covering Yourself with light as with a cloak,
            Stretching out heaven like a tent curtain.

      3He lays the beams of His upper chambers in the waters;
            He makes the clouds His chariot;
            He walks upon the wings of the wind;

      4He makes the winds His messengers,
            Flaming fire His ministers.

      5He established the earth upon its foundations,
            So that it will not totter forever and ever.

      6You covered it with the deep as with a garment;
            The waters were standing above the mountains.

      7At Your rebuke they fled,
            At the sound of Your thunder they hurried away.

      8The mountains rose; the valleys sank down
            To the place which You established for them.

      9You set a boundary that they may not pass over,
            So that they will not return to cover the earth.

      10He sends forth springs in the valleys;
            They flow between the mountains;

      11They give drink to every beast of the field;
            The wild donkeys quench their thirst.

      12Beside them the birds of the heavens dwell;
            They lift up their voices among the branches.

      13He waters the mountains from His upper chambers;
            The earth is satisfied with the fruit of His works.

      14He causes the grass to grow for the cattle,
            And vegetation for the labor of man,
            So that he may bring forth food from the earth,

      15And wine which makes man’s heart glad,
            So that he may make his face glisten with oil,
            And food which sustains man’s heart.

      16The trees of the LORD drink their fill,
            The cedars of Lebanon which He planted,

      17Where the birds build their nests,
            And the stork, whose home is the fir trees.

      18The high mountains are for the wild goats;
            The cliffs are a refuge for the shephanim.

      19He made the moon for the seasons;
            The sun knows the place of its setting.

      20You appoint darkness and it becomes night,
            In which all the beasts of the forest prowl about.

      21The young lions roar after their prey
            And seek their food from God.

      22When the sun rises they withdraw
            And lie down in their dens.

      23Man goes forth to his work
            And to his labor until evening.

      24O LORD, how many are Your works!
            In wisdom You have made them all;
            The earth is full of Your possessions.

      25There is the sea, great and broad,
            In which are swarms without number,
            Animals both small and great.

      26There the ships move along,
            And Leviathan, which You have formed to sport in it.

      27They all wait for You
            To give them their food in due season.

      28You give to them, they gather it up;
            You open Your hand, they are satisfied with good.

      29You hide Your face, they are dismayed;
            You take away their spirit, they expire
            And return to their dust.

      30You send forth Your Spirit, they are created;
            And You renew the face of the ground.

      31Let the glory of the LORD endure forever;
            Let the LORD be glad in His works;

      32He looks at the earth, and it trembles;
            He touches the mountains, and they smoke.

      33I will sing to the LORD as long as I live;
            I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.

      34Let my meditation be pleasing to Him;
            As for me, I shall be glad in the LORD.

      35Let sinners be consumed from the earth
            And let the wicked be no more.
            Bless the LORD, O my soul.
            Praise the LORD!

I have also come to believe that Bible was written in layers. "Face value" is entirely based on someone else's interpretation. These are echoes of ancient thoughts, and those echoes lead me to new transformations and understandings. Please, do not assume that when I share scripture that I have a typical understanding of it, or that I am completely agreeing with the translation that I have shared. When I read it I always adjust bits in my head to suit what I have learned from studying the Hebrew and Greek, and Modern and Ancient Judaic thoughts, but it would get verbose and beside the point to even begin to explain all that at this time. 

 What I have come to learn about pagans and myself is that there are many varieties, but essentially the meaning would be that there is a firm conviction that the spirit world is relational and that we should respect and interact to the best of our ability. I have known that principle for quite a long time, but I felt blocked. I couldn't understand why I felt so lonely and ineffective. Essentially, it was because I was living a lie. Allegorically I was like a beautiful piece of furniture that had been painted over with a faux grain to imitate what was really happening beneath the surface. Why fake reality? Being raised in churches all my life I had been taught a way of spiritual interaction that was "a form of godliness that had denied its power." The "dark night of the soul" that I entered into as I was compelled to seek the substance of my truth was really quite excruciating, lonely, and complicated. The other side, however, is quite the opposite, for the most part. Pantheons of spirit helpers are always close, Divine Messengers, i.e. Faeries, i.e Angels.

A Syncretic Pagan might be a good way of defining what I am now, although, in the pagan sense of the word I probably have a long way to go and could potentially offend as many on both sides of the fence with my self-defining. At the risk of over-simplification, let me say this, I was raised to believe that I was part of a body, the body being a bride, the bride being betrothed to Christ. I am going to try and keep this positive, but what I have come to believe is that that was one of the biggest lies of the past 2,000 or so years, and cause for the murder of many of the world's best and brightest. I want to believe that there was a higher purpose, and I look to the Christ-consciousness to try and understand that. Lies aside, the truth was never very far. Alongside the false bride the true bride shone, hidden in plain sight. The true bride is the spirit of a place, not a people. The Priestess of a New Earth, she shines with glory and splendor, her gates being the tribulations of men soothed and beautified with time, she is the Matriarchal Spirit of Symbiosis, Balance, Beauty, Healing, and more that we will come to understand. These concepts fascinated me, and then I found their counterparts and ancient explanations. The Pagan way honors both God and Goddess. The Patriarchal ways of Catholicism, Judaism, and Christianity, as well as any other Patriarchal religions, have no true goddess. The Goddess, the Bride of the Begotten Son, has been shining all along, but I wasn't allowed to see her. Now I have learned that my purpose in life is to adorn her with my good deeds. Beyond environmentalism and ecology is honor, even worship. To find again the ways of honoring Gaia, and the Place Where Peace Dwells... The New Jeru Salem. How ironic that the old Jerusalem is a place that represents the opposite of peace. I really only began to come to an beautiful understanding the book of Revelation when I began to understand the true Christ-consciousness, the bride and the false bride (Jezebel), the good deeds for a New Earth of the New Age saints, the trees for healing, recognizing the false apostle and his cronies and names, marks of the forehead/the third eye. Here is some reading if you also have much to learn about Christ-consciousness, it begins to explain: http://www.ctrforchristcon.org/christ-consciousness.asp



There is much that I am still learning, but wherever I am I am always a guest at a great wedding feast between a God and a Goddess,  looking to celebrate with beauty and healing and peace. I do not yet fully understand the balance of the universe, the light and dark, the good and evil, the above and below, but I feel that my soul is already in a better place, already safer and more calm. There is so much that I am excited to learn about the NeoPagan Path, and I don't feel that there is a need to organize the thoughts of my life into separate categories. The are connected, they belong together. If they are blogged anywhere they might as well all be blogged here. Be Blessed!


Footnote:

Alethia is the Greek name for the Spirit of Truth. She is alive and well, although she is more of a key, less of a weapon. Knowing that I am not Alethia, but that I believe she has been one of my guides, I hesitate to state boldly that I can fully separate lies and truth, sometimes they really aren't different, sometimes it is the perspective that is off. I think history, including the books of the Bible, are very skewed by perspective, so although I love history and will refer to it, I hesitate to quote anything to a great extent, knowing that my perspective of it is quite likely very different. I will place things in quotes that are verbatim. I am not sure that I have many original thoughts, I'm not sure anyone does, but the way we put those thoughts together can be original. It would be nearly impossible for me to track down the source of all my thoughts, and even in quoting others I may be quoting an ancient plagiarist. I have a plethora of thoughts to back up everything that I say, but the best depth of thought can many times only really be achieved through conversation. "Where two or three are gathered...."





About the photo: I captured this image this morning on the screen door of my porch. I believe this to be a moth of the family Geometridae, which essentially means earth or Gaia, a Gaia Moth, although they are commonly referred to as Geometer Moths, I think I will refer to it as a Gaia Moth. It appears to be of the species called False Crocus, and I think it is that, but all the other photos that I have found to compare it to have a dark angel at the tail wings rather than a white one as seen in the above photo. Also, this moth has been sitting on my door the entire time that I have been blogging. There were two, but the other one flew away when I began taking photos. This one has stayed even though the door has been opened and closed many times. I like to read into such occurrences as messengers of nature, often offering vibrational gifts. The vibrational message I am taking at the moment has to do with its colors, primarily yellow. Here are some color thoughts from another site, I hope they don't mind if I link this: "

The Color Yellow

The color yellow is the color of

the mind and the intellect

This color relates to acquired knowledge. It is the color which resonates with the left or logic side of the brain stimulating our mental faculties and creating mental agility and perception.

Being the lightest hue of the spectrum, the color psychology of yellow is uplifting and illuminating, offering hope, happiness, cheerfulness and fun. 

In the meaning of colors, yellow inspires original thought and inquisitiveness. 

Yellow is creative from a mental aspect, the color of new ideas, helping us to find new ways of doing things. It is the practical thinker, not the dreamer." http://www.empower-yourself-with-color-psychology.com/color-yellow.html

Maiden, Mother, Crone

40 is one of those ages, the older ages, until you are even older. I can confidently say that I have lived every day of my life thus far all in. I have always done everything that I have done with all of me. I hope I don't leave this life anytime soon, but if I do I can assuredly say that it has been a life worth living. As I reflect on the potential of the future I am filled with peace and resignation. Peace, due to the happiness I have found when thought and action unite. My thoughts have fueled my actions and the fruit of that is the life I am living, and it is a precious and beautiful life. Resignation, due to the uncertainty of separations.

The lives of others also encourage me. So many amazing intelligences sharing amazing gifts. I find it almost impossible to compare the good lives, I don't think we are meant to compare. We are meant to live in symbiosis, and that is what good lives achieve, the ability to live in such a way that they benefit the environment they touch. I suppose if I make any comparisons they are along the lines of lives that appear to be less well lived. Lives that appear to harm the environments they touch, like viruses, or plagues. I compare them to what could be better, but I am starting to learn from nature that even many disasters have benefits, but just because a volcano enriches the soil or creates islands doesn't mean that we should build a homestead at its active base, at least not until the danger is dormant, and even then it might not be completely safe, though it might be worth the risk for some.

My maiden life has taught me much that I hope to benefit others with as a mother. I hope I make it to crone, but it is somewhat comforting to know that I have a few more years before I qualify for that role. Blessed be.

Changelings

It all began with religion, for me. I was really good at church for a long time, all my childhood. I would sing my heart out, and play the piano, and the harp, and sometimes teach Sunday School, and I loved it. Something changed when I became a woman. It took awhile for me to figure out what was going on. Truth is, I began to think more. I began to question more. I began to sing less.

I have an overactive mind. I am not the most intelligent, or the most clever, but I am not the least either. I used to be more proud, but the more I learned, the more I realized that everything I thought was wrong, wicked, or ridiculous actually had some merit. And everything I thought was valid, and absolutely faultlessly truthful, was indeed not quite all that I thought it was.

My seeking has led me through some stagnant and deeply muddy places. Swamps of deception and despair, so they seemed, but in actuality they were the sites of old forests, chopped down by the controlling powers of the day. Powers that are having a hard time hiding what they have done. They used to think they did not need to hide their wicked ways, that all the world applauded their efforts, and they were right, but that was before all the world learned to read and write and communicate over long distances. That was before all the world realized, again, that the Earth has a voice. That is what I learned, that is what started with religion. When you study religion you learn about interesting things, like spirits, and unseen forces. When we are young we accept these things without thinking much about them, but as we get older we might begin to question things, and if you begin to question the reality of a spirit world, well, you are in for an adventure.

I came to the conclusion that the spirit world is most likely real, that I am probably interacting with it all the time, but that I am quite a novice when it comes to the language of spirit. Those that have been abusing one of the most matriarchal of spirits, Mother Earth, would not want people to be able to communicate with spirit, so even though the religious books are filled with spiritual communications, the churches of today have all but stifled the language of spirit and replaced it with fund-raising and do-gooder projects, most of which are completely ineffectual at bringing about any real good. So, I have turned to Nature. She is perhaps the best teacher for humanity. She is like a governess, or nanny, raising up the young ones to be good adults. These lessons are not without riddles, or challenges, or even danger, but one thing has changed, one very important paradigm shift has taken over the lessons of today,  Love.

Once upon a time, love and kindness were not respected. Survival was respected. Humankind learned from nature and what they learned was survival and symbiosis, mostly. Wickedness was the opposite of symbiosis and survival. This was a global understanding, or so it seemed. Then, the Abomination of Desolation swept over all the earth, destroying all those that understood the language of spirit, almost all, but the great destruction also taught one very critical thing, love is important.

Even now we are seeing a return to what might be called an "Eden Shift." Permaculture, animal rescues, tree hugging, sustainable living, these things and more are what humanity needs to learn to survive, not just for this generation, but for generations to come, if we want there to be generations to come we need to rethink, relearn, re-instinctualize the habits of humanity.

Essential oils and the metaphysical uses for crystals/stones have been an enjoyable learning experience for me. They connect the best of the past with the hopes of a brighter future.

It seems to me that we have been living for centuries in a changeling society. I thought that perhaps it was the fault of the changelings, but perhaps the faeries knew what was best. I just hope they show themselves more frequently and help us learn the magic we need to heal. One of the things I have come to believe is that in all folklore and myth there is truth for those who know how to see it.

I am looking for the music, my music. Perhaps it is time I let the thinking rest for awhile.... my mind has led me to the place where I can once again find feeling. "It is well with my soul."

The Biscotti Breakfast "Diet"

Diets seem to be trending this week. Perhaps many ladies in these parts are thinking spring and bathing suits and shorts, etc. I know I have been. I never excessively diet, but I do tend to watch what I eat if I notice that my pants are starting to fit too snugly. I don't really mind a little extra weight in the winter. I noticed that when I had a lot of post-baby weight that I stayed warmer. I am usually so cold when the temperatures drop that a few extra pounds are welcome if it means not being so chilly. The easy trend of gaining some weight over the holidays doesn't bother me, but I don't really want it to snowball year after year. I do want to be energetic and also to fit into the clothes that are in my dressers. Spring tends to naturally shed some pounds for me, because the outdoors beckon me to walk more and to play in the dirt! Gardening is a phenomenal exercise and the side effects are a healthier diet! Fresh veggies are harder to come by this time of year, but that doesn't mean there aren't many nutritious options available. Eating well doesn't have to come with an extreme amount of willpower when the food tastes delicious. For example, biscotti, some biscotti would not fall into the category of a healthy breakfast, but this recipe easily does. Granted, biscotti aren't going to be nearly as delicious unless you have a hot drink to dip them into. My favorite combination would be an organic coffee with organic milk.

Blessed Breakfast Biscotti

2 large/medium or 3 small eggs (responsibly homegrown or local farm raised are great, or organic at the store, if you must)

2/3 cup sugar (I used organic rapadura this time)

1/2 teaspoon baking powder (no aluminum, please)

1/2 teaspoon salt (good stuff, of course, like Himalayan)

1/2 teaspoon Ceylon cinnamon (if it isn't specifically Ceylon it might be hard on your kidneys)

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (specifically good for the kidneys and liver)

2 teaspoons real vanilla extract

2 cups flour (I think I used spelt this time which tends to leave recipes too moist, so I added a bit more. This recipe should be a bit moist, though, about like cookie dough)

3/4 cup finely chopped nuts and/or seeds ( I think I used a full cup this time)

   ~suggestions: a mix of almonds, hazelnuts, pecans, walnuts, cocoa nibs, pistachios...  (I chopped them finely in a mini-food processor)

2 Tablespoons Buttermilk (more or less to get a slightly moist consistency, you could use regular milk, or maple syrup, but buttermilk really adds an extra delicious flavor)

Preheat oven to 350º (I just learned that holding down the "option" key and "0" gives you the degree symbol on a Mac)

Mix everything together well. On a slightly greased cookie sheet (stoneware rocks!) shape all of the dough into a parallelogram, which in this case would be a rectangle that looks like it is leaning, or just shape it into a rectangle, but later you are going to cut it into strips and if you are OCD you will wish that you had made the corners more angled, but you can make this recipe twice and adjust it the next time, of course. Oddly shaped biscotti can still be delicious.

 Bake for about 30 minutes. 

Let cool for 5 minutes and then cut into strips. Leave a small amount of space between each strip and bake for another 30 minutes.

Let the biscotti cool completely. If you would like a finishing touch, I recommend that you mix together a few tablespoons of organic powdered sugar with a few tablespoons of maple syrup to create a drizzle. Mix it with a fork and use the fork to create lovely lines over one side of the biscotti. The drizzle will harden slightly as it dries.

Enjoy! Be healthy! 

Essential Oil Thoughts

Essential Oils.

A few years ago I discovered them. It started with Tea Tree Oil. That was it. For about a year or two I occasionally used it for cleaning, that was pretty much all I used it for, but I enjoyed it. Then, I decided to try it on a wart that I had on my foot, a stubborn wart that refused all other types of treatment, medical and home remedies. I'm not exactly sure if it was the Tea Tree Oil and vinegar combination, or if it was that I also had just discovered Lemon Essential Oil and Thieves Oil Blends and was using them with joy. It all sort of becomes a blur from there, but the wart on my foot disappeared, the lemon essential oil seemed to bring my young daughter's fever down, the smells were poetic and powerful and I was hooked. I now refer to myself as an essential oils addict, not a professional, not an expert, just living a life immersed in the desire to know more, experience more, and share more about these little bottles of bliss.

One of the first things you will hear from anybody who is anybody and knows anything in the essential oil world is that not all essential oils are created equal. There really needs to be a strict quality control or the high concentrations can do much more harm than good. The other thing is that oils are potent. Centuries of use have helped the masses determine many of the positive and negative effects of their use. Learn about each oil from a variety of sources before using at all. Some oils are even dangerous for aromatherapy. There, now that you are either too scared to ever trying any of them or have gained a worthy respect for these deserving fluids, we can move on to briefly discussing dilution. Carrier oils are often recommended for many reasons, they lesson the sensitivity that some people experience from some oils, and they stretch the usage if you need them to. Sometimes you might not need them, sometimes you might, opinions and experiences vary greatly.

The following thoughts are related to personal experience, my opinions might change, and my knowledge might grow, and I will not be held accountable for your personal experiences due to being influenced by mine. That said, you might be curious about some of the things we do with all these precious oil relationships... 

For starters, we clean with them. We are a semi-large family in a semi-small house and there is a lot of cleaning that gets done, there is a lot more that probably should get done, but ever since I discovered that there are oils that are not only beneficial for cleaning, and that they are not only non-toxic, but actually healthy, and that there are some that deter moths, spiders, and rodents! Well, let's just say that cleaning became more mystical, sort of, but in a practical sense. I could still clean a lot more often than I do, but when I do clean now I like it a lot more! 

Peppermint: It is refreshing, possibly very beneficial for the respiratory system and it is reputed to deter spiders and mice. The kitties might like it, though. Try not to get any on a cat, they can be pretty sensitive to oils on their skin, but don't be surprised if they follow you around while you clean!

Lavender: The potential benefits of lavender aromatherapy are vast and it deters moths.

Tea Tree: I'm not sure where to even begin to sing the praises of Tea Tree Essential Oil. Some people aren't fond of the smell, but I think it smells fresh and protective. Tea Tree is a basic pest deterrent, it also is known to be very good at killing the things you want dead, like germs and bacterias, molds and mildews, dust mites and lice... but don't take my word for it! Do some research and be amazed! 

A favorite cleaning blend for us is:

Peppermint

Lavender

Tea Tree

Lemongrass

Rosemary

Several drops of each in a spray bottle with water

You could add extra cleaners or vinegar if you like, but it isn't always necessary, depending on the task. 

Just the water and oils are great for wiping down walls, door knobs, railings, spot cleaning floors, etc... and it is a wonderful air freshener!

Thieves Blends: There are recipes for mixing your own, or you can buy a variety from pretty much any reputable essential oil company. The basic mixture includes Cinnamon, Clove, Eucalyptus, Lemon, and Rosemary. You could just stop here on your Essential Oil Adventure. Never learn another thing about any other oils and so long as you learn the benefits of these few gifted drops of the gods I can die in peace knowing I have helped to influence the world and make it a better place. Seriously, this blend is just about perfect for whatever ails you.... especially the Plague, or so the story goes... We often just rub this blend on our feet and hands, but is also a great cleaning, air freshening and pest deterrent, as well as so much more! 

Around the holidays this year we found ourselves with two diffusers, and my life just keeps getting better and better. These diffusers put out a fine mist, a mist that can be infused with "magic," not really, but maybe! It sure feels magical somedays. A little water, a few drops of this or that, a push of the button, and the room becomes a haven. Some of my favorite diffuser blends so far are:

Bay and Lemon Myrtle
Bay and Jasmine

Ravensara, Nutmeg, and Lemon

Peppermint and Vanilla

Sweet Orange and Cinnamon Leaf
Tangerine and Sage
Jasmine and Cypress

The combinations are pretty much endless.... 

Citronella: I have used this oil to stay mentally grounded. Sometimes my thoughts can get a little spacey and as a result I can feel physically dizzy with really cold hands, it happens a lot during conversations with people that are religiously dogmatic. This oil does seem to help me, for whatever reason, but it is also the oil that is most likely to be strongly recognized by passers-by. "Who smells like a camping candle?" You might call it a people deterrent.... which isn't always a bad thing, but you might want to know this in case there is someone you prefer to not deter. As you probably know, it is also used as a deterrent for mosquitos and other insects.

Petitgrain is an oil that I recently discovered. Note that many oils have been used for centuries, but that most of them are relatively new to me. I will just briefly mention that Petitgrain is supposed to be a powerful emotional balancer and healer, as well as boosting the well-being of internal organs and combating bacterias that cause us to smell funky when we sweat... I mean really, what's not to love? Well, you might not love the smell all by itself, but when in combination with other scents it is actually a popular perfume additive!

One drop of Tangerine Oil in an eco-canteen of fresh water makes the beverage of beverages even more refreshing!

I am hoping to make some crockpot Castile soap again soon. We have tried many essential oil blends in the past. Cypress and White Thyme was one of my favorites. I want to make a batch of Frankincense, Sage and Rose next time.

This is pretty much just a tip of an iceberg in the world of essential oils. I have not given you a single reference to back up any of my statements, but that is mostly because I just want to encourage you to start your own research and experimentation. If you are reading this then you have access to the internet and a universe of information! Learn! Explore! Be Blessed!

Waking

Walnuts, windy, wonderful,
Wishing, walking, ways,
Working, winking, weekenders,
Wandering, whistling, wanes.

Tidbits

I've never seen a toadstool, but in pictures.
I've never climbed the Alps, 'cept in a book.
I've never eaten snails or snorkeled, ever!
I've never played the game or met a Rook.

I have been touched by angels and tamed dragons.
I have been given secrets of success.
I have enjoyed the bliss of raising children.
I have been spared the agony of duress.

Something Wonderful is About to Happen!

When I wake up
I want to believe
Something wonderful
waits to be seen
waits to be heard
waits to be felt
waits to be hugged
or removed from the shelf
waits to be noticed
waits to be loved
waits to be answered
waits to be held
Wonderful things
waiting for me
waiting for you
waiting for we
Sunrises and sets
clouds of fluff
rain so wet
gently blowing breezes
caressing all my hair
even if I'm dressed up
and headed for somewhere
Home and hearth
warm and cozy
family ties ever tight
loving letters looking rosy
soft sheets all the night
snuggles and kisses
books to cry and to smile
songs for dancing and singing
making merry for many miles
old trees, little saplings
squirrels gathering nuts
berries and cream
and friends come to sup
long lines by good magazines
coffee breaks and a call
loved faces in pictures
covering the wall
prayers go unanswered
leading to stronger belief
but mostly getting answered
filled with awe and relief
when I say "amen," to know and to feel
the Divine will answer
IT IS SO
it is real.

Every single moment
Every single day
Every single person
Many, many ways
Searching for meaning
Looking for the point
Does anyone really believe
Hope does not disappoint?
Posing the question
Shows philosophical age
Perhaps the wisest
Is the youngest sage.

Are We What We Eat?

Eating... I previously discussed how I think that eating is a priority. The balance of eating well is studied and argued and practiced the world over, day after day, century after century. This household has tried many methods of balance and planning. Here is a glimpse at the one we are currently performing:

"What do you think you could indefinitely eat every day and barely tire of it?" That was the question. Their answers led me to draw up a meal plan and delegate kitchen duties accordingly....

Saturday - Avé:

Lunch: Pancakes or Crepes

Supper: Tetrazzini or Alfredo and a veggie (she has a variety of favorites; peas, cauliflower, broccoli, carrots, beans, etc)

Breakfast prep: Scones or Muffins


Sunday - Jason:

Lunch:
Eggs and toast (Ideally, the eggs come from our chickens, and the bread is homemade.)

Supper:
Meat (probably something on the grill), potatoes, vegetable (whatever is available)

Breakfast prep:
Onion bagels (store bought) or cereal or something else...

Monday - Savannah:

Lunch: Homemade Pizza Rolls

Supper: Tuna and Buttered Noodles and Veggies

Breakfast prep:
Pie (Which was actually Jason's request and Savannah has kindly agreed to prepare it if he helps to keep onion bagels in the house!) or a Breakfast Cake…


Tuesday - Destiny:

Lunch: Seasoned Baked Potato Wedges

Supper: Soup (using whatever is available), Bread (usually homemade artisan), Salad (optional)

Breakfast prep: Cookies


Wednesday - Shiloh:

Lunch: Oatmeal

Supper: Spaghetti (homemade sauce when ingredients are available), salad (optional)

Breakfast prep: Onion bagels or a Breakfast Cake


Thursday - Amy:

Lunch: Crackers with toppings and leftovers

Supper: Sandwiches and side dishes

Breakfast prep: Toast (Homemade is great! But any kind of bread gets eaten quickly around here.)


Friday - Chester:

Lunch: Oatmeal

Supper: Homemade Pizza

Breakfast prep: A Breakfast Cake or Cereal


There were also snack options requested:
yogurt, pretzels, granola bars, cookies, popcorn, chocolate, jerky, fruit, etc...

And Hazel has the daily backup option of scrambled eggies, pb&j, etc. Which we, of course, prepare for her. :-)

Worth 15,000 Words

Just waiting around for a kiss...

Oh yes, fresh bread from fresh ground wheat... we are THOSE people.

Jewelry Making with Maam and Mimi

Happy Birthday to Shiloh!

Foxglove

Lemon Blossoms in the cold North

Letter from Daddy

New Paint

                                                         

Birds of a Feather

We might be birds of a feather if a bunch of these apply, not all, but the more the better!

You covet roadside berries.
You have taken long walks to see toads mating or other seemingly odd reasons to take a long walk to observe something in nature.
People aren't sure if you are a hippy or a religious fanatic.
If you are way too serious about God stuff.
If you think individual "communion" cups should be much larger and contain real wine and church should not always take place early in the morning, and it should probably be outside around a huge fire more often, but we shouldn't burn anything on it except wood that came from a tree that got knocked down in a storm....
If you think "foot washing" is figurative for cleaning houses.
If you love solitude and people.
If you often sound contradictory.
If money is necessary, but not a main motivation if at all possible.
If you think GMOs should be outlawed.
If you think handing your children over to the government is risky.
If you enjoy a documentary and/or a long biography.
If woodsmoke is aromatherapy.
You drink a pot of coffee a day.
Baking bread from scratch is not something the "superwomen" do, but good therapy.
You collect material and sewing machines.
You at least attempt to garden and occasionally can something.
The words "wives submit" might make your husband spit milk through his nose.
You believe that the Bible is a book of truth, but that it usually gets interpreted wrong.
You are a mystic, or want to be.
You love long, long talks around campfires.
You think that children are the most precious thing in the whole world, but you beg people to watch yours sometimes.
Mowing lots of grass makes very little sense.
You've counted the immature fruits on your fruit tree and your chickens before they've hatched.
If you think hospitality can't ever be overrated, but sometimes/often you don't answer your phone, and you hate pop-ins.
You know you don't make sense.
Only mean people and friends of mean people get unfriended, the depressive sorts make you feel connected, and the encouraging sorts really do make your day sometimes... sometimes they even make your whole life feel worthwhile.
You are a very, very relaxed housekeeper.
You aren't competitive or easily intimidated.
You are comfortable with your body type.
You prefer walking to running.
You consider yourself a goat person, or at least want to come to my house and milk my goats.
If you are a bit of a disappointed idealist.. or a poet.

Petite Ode to the Potty

Potty training, pull-ups, and pig tails... p, p, p.
A toddler, some treats, and a Suess book... wee, wee, wee.
I know I'm not the only mom that questions sanity.

Shedding a tear is common for the loss of infancy,
but diaper changing won't be missed, not by them or me.

Some were inspired by others,
some were inspired by age,
Some were inspired by cereal, but for now,
Organic chocolate bunnies are all the rage.

Curlers, Cartoons and Coffee

Curlers, cartoons and coffee... just the way it should be.
The summertime is upon us, lemonade and humidity.
The son is off for a week, camping out with friends.
The man of the house has a work-a-day job, for the meeting of the ends.
Just me and my girlie girls galore, for several hours each day.
With curly hair, and repeat shows, and java going my way!

Flirting With Empty

A little light to warn me
Some money in my purse
Juggling convenience
With time and chauffeur work
Could put it off no longer
The milk was also gone
Coffee black won't start my day
A key turn and a song
Perhaps I waited just too long
Perhaps I timed it right
The gas ran out before the trip
The wheel I still held tight
We coasted down a little hill
We gently turned the bend
No waiting cars to block us
Just a pump. I thank You, Friend!

Snow is Soothing

The snow is soothing in its coldness
Whiteness blanketing the mud
Seems oblivious to Mondays
Inaugurations and angry thugs

The snow is soothing in its silence
Ordinary, yet divine
Sacred to a singing mother
Praying long for peace with time

Snow is soothing in its power
Seasonal promise from the One
Flakes so steady, calming, gentle
Reminding me, be like a dove

Snow is soothing in its beauty
Like a virginal repose
Bursting soon into the springtime
Full of hetero, fruitful hope

Snow is soothing in its emotion
Seeming wholly not to care
About the whipping, bitter fury
Or the gleeful sledding pair

Snow is soothing in its splendor
Each snowflake unique, yet homo whole
Equality, a desert blanket
A silent snicker at man's dumb goal

"Always winter, never Christmas,"
Has a ring of wicked witch
Curses never fall forever
Blessings bloom through thin or thick

4-Wheel Drive

Reflection is good, until it becomes rumination. Reflection gives meaning and pauses to consider beauty and meaning. Rumination stagnates and paralyses. Reflection is productive thinking, rumination is over and over thinking.  Reflection looks back in order to move forward with improvement. Rumination causes the "wheels to spin in the mud." When my "wheels are spinning in the mud," it would be helpful to realize that this vehicle comes with "4-wheel drive." For me, the 4 wheels are probably as follows:

1. Music: I need music. Music is not so much a hobby or enjoyment for me as it is a need. "The garment of praise instead of the spirit of heaviness." For some, praise music is found in a specific genre, and to some extent I do think that there are genres that are not praiseworthy, but I believe that "every good and perfect gift is from above." There is a lot of "good" music out there, and so-called praise genres are not always spiritually edifying for me, sometimes they sound a lot like Job's friends. People that limit their genres to "Christian" probably wouldn't listen to the "Song of Songs" genre. Personally, I love anything that lifts me out of heaviness and into thankfulness.

2. Prayer: What a gift to be able to take absolutely everything to our divine benefactor and believe that we are cared for, "beyond what we could even ask or think." What a rest to be told that "all things will work together for good." ALL THINGS! I can't actually make a mistake, because when I hand it over to my God He makes it a non-mistake. The freedom that we are able to live in is a gift we can share with everyone around us, forgive them, pray for them. Sometimes, most of the time, forgiveness and suffering are holding hands. "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted." Don't over think suffering. Forgive, be soft, be compassionate, be broken, rest under the wings of the One who teaches the birds of the fields to build their nests, the One who clothes the lilies, the One who likes to count the stars, the hairs on your head, and the sands on the shore. My God is a savant, some may think of God as an idiot savant, but I don't, I think that God is the savant of idiots, able to make any idiot eternally useful.

3. Necessity: Some days my thoughts can run on and on limited only by the hours in the day, and necessity. I often think of Mary and Martha, sisters of Lazarus, as examples of love and duty. Perhaps the lesson is that duty should not trump those for whom we are dutiful. Perhaps duty should be embraced as a tool for reflection, rather than despised as an interruption from spinning thoughts. Any way that we focus on necessity isn't going to change the fact that there are things to do that are necessary, but seeing those things as reflective is helpful for me.


4. Love: The crux of every matter. Perhaps love is more than a wheel, perhaps love is also the vehicle and the road and the destination and the sunrise and the sunset and the air we breathe and the breathe of life and the hope that is the reason of the Ages, perhaps without love there is nothing except "darkness over the face of the deep."