Official Pagan Thread!

[Damummis]

I have always tried to teach my girls to thank the Mother for everything we take. In about two weeks it will be maple syrup season. DH and I both make a ritual out of the holes we tap into the trees. Thanking and blessing them for giving their life force, before we take any sap. It would be wrong any other way.

 

[Boyd]

Quote:
I have a few GINORMOUS silver maples in the front yard (biggest is 6-7' diameter i think) could I safely tap it in more than one spot?

 

[Damummis]

I believe so. I think you can get a few taps in. Google it.

 

[deb1]

Tamra, I found this book on WitchVox but I can't find it on amazon.

http://www.witchvox.com/books/dt_bk.html?id=2114

Skin Spirits: The Spiritual and Magical Use of Animal Parts


Since the mid-1990s Lupa, artist, author and neoshaman, has worked with animal parts in her artwork and spiritual practice. From leather and fur to skulls and bones, she incorporates them into ritual tools, jewelry, and other sacred items. Not only does her practice involve the physical remains, but she also works with the spirits of the animals themselves.

In this book she expands upon the information provided in her earlier book, Fang and Fur, Blood and Bone: A Primal Guide to Animal Magic. You'll find information on how to select animal remains based on not only your needs but those of the spirits themselves; how to work with the animal spirits, including in shapeshifting and other rituals; proper care for the physical remains; and other practices. Plus you'll find detailed, illustrated guides on how to make ritual tools ranging from bone-handled knives to fur pouches, skull rattles to dancing skins; and much more!

Based on Lupa's decade-and-change of intensive experience, this is an absolutely indispensable guide to the spiritual and magical use of animal parts in neopagan, occult, and other traditions. Whether you only have a single feather to work with, or an entire ritual room full of spirits embodied in hides and bones, there's plenty of material in this non-dogmatic text for you to integrate into your own practice as you see fit.

 

[Tam'ra of Rainbow Vortex]

Wow!
Thanks for that... I need those books! I have only one book which even touches on that (Animal Speak by Ted Andrews, I think) and I like it, but it is mostly about finding and working with spirit guides and reading the meaning behind real life encounters with animals. Its a great book for any who haven't read it, though I use it mostly like an encyclopedia honestly. I have friends come to me and say "I keep seeing vultures wherever I go. What does that mean?" or "this is the third time this week I have seen one of these, and I have never seen it before in my life!" or "I keep dreaming of..." Its a great resource, especially if you have spiritual friends who, like mine, consider you the nature expert. Whenever its a question concerning plants or animals, it is directed to me.
For the record, I am not an expert, though I do have a strong affinity for nature and am learning as much as I can. I suppose only the very arrogant ever feel they are truly experts, but I feel like I am boasting even to call myself knowledgable.
But back to the point, those books sound great. Its sad I hadn't heard of them before! I have always been a crafter and loved natural materials (one of the largest reasons I wanted chickens was the feathers) though I have long shied away from things like furs because the thought that an animal was killed just for its skin was appaling to me. Leather and rabbit fur are more okay, since both of those animals are actually eaten, but I always loved finding feathers, antlers, bones and reptile skins. I also have a huge collection of hedgehog spines from my childhood pets. No idea what they could ever be good for, but I stash them away anyhow.

 

[deb1]

I had an odd dream last night. Our screen door is broken and needs to be pulled in to latch. Last night there was a wind storm and the door was banging against the house. I must have incoporated the noise in my dreams.

I dreamed that there was a primal force knocking on my door wanting entrance. The cat that we just found was observing but I knew that he had somehow invited the force. From outside I heard the being tell me that she was Hecate and wanted to visit me. I was surprised-not afraid really- because she was not a goddess that I had previously really wanted to have anything to do with.

I woke up and realized that the dream come about because of my door but I was startled that my mind-even in dreams-would think of this particular goddess. She isn't someone that I had found appealing before because she is sort of dark.

 

[Kanchii]

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How interesting! Hecate is a very interesting Goddess, and yes, is on the dark side (but certainly not bad, in fact she's one of the more popular goddess that people worship).

I've had noises incorporate into my dreams a couple times before, though my dreams didn't have to do with religion, but they're still funny stories so I'll share one! It was during a thunder storm (which we pretty much NEVER get in the San Francisco bay area, so it's always a big thing for us lol) and because of the thunder, I was having dreams that I was being bombed! I was literally running around avoiding falling bombs in my dream. A particularly BIG roll of thunder woke me up, and I literally sat up rather calmly, noticed that there were in fact big flashes of light and booms, and thought, "well heck, I wasn't planning on dying tonight, but I guess it's time for my next life already!" And I swear I just sat there pretty calmly, petting my kitty, and waiting for the blast to get to me! LOL. After about a minute of waiting, I obviously got a bit confused. So I go banging into my parents room and yell, "what IS that?!?!" and they look at me (it's about 3AM mind you) and start cracking up, and tell me its thunder. As soon as they say it, it's like "oh wow DUUUUUUH" and so i stomped back off to bed and attempted to sleep. My dad got revenge for waking him up, and at 6am he came barging into MY room and yelled "WHAT IS THAT?!" really loud. Bugger!

 

[deb1]

Quote:
How interesting! Hecate is a very interesting Goddess, and yes, is on the dark side (but certainly not bad, in fact she's one of the more popular goddess that people worship).

I've had noises incorporate into my dreams a couple times before, though my dreams didn't have to do with religion, but they're still funny stories so I'll share one! It was during a thunder storm (which we pretty much NEVER get in the San Francisco bay area, so it's always a big thing for us lol) and because of the thunder, I was having dreams that I was being bombed! I was literally running around avoiding falling bombs in my dream. A particularly BIG roll of thunder woke me up, and I literally sat up rather calmly, noticed that there were in fact big flashes of light and booms, and thought, "well heck, I wasn't planning on dying tonight, but I guess it's time for my next life already!" And I swear I just sat there pretty calmly, petting my kitty, and waiting for the blast to get to me! LOL. After about a minute of waiting, I obviously got a bit confused. So I go banging into my parents room and yell, "what IS that?!?!" and they look at me (it's about 3AM mind you) and start cracking up, and tell me its thunder. As soon as they say it, it's like "oh wow DUUUUUUH" and so i stomped back off to bed and attempted to sleep. My dad got revenge for waking him up, and at 6am he came barging into MY room and yelled "WHAT IS THAT?!" really loud. Bugger!

That sounds like something that my hubby would do to our kids.

 

[CoopCrazy]

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I process my own animals as well. I try to always honor the animals in some way.. Sometimes I have given a Smoke offering and others I have just said a small prayer for them .. I would love to get some more info from you on how to care for the wings and feet for making toiols as this is something I want to do as well..

 

[CoopCrazy]

Good Morning everyone.. I have a favor to ask of all of you..
I have a few friends who have just recently given birth to a beautiful lil girl named Mikeala. Mikeala has to have a Sids monitor on at all times as her big sister died of Sids about 2 years ago , then what would have been her other big brother/sister was developing inside one of Mommys tubes and passed away before birth. Mikeala has been having alot of trouble lately with stopping breathing. Know one knows why and even the Drs are stumped. I have instructed mom and dad on a few simple protection spells, mostly I am just asking for any protection energy you can send for this lil one.. Mom and Dad are both young parents and are just so worried they are barely sleeping. I know that positive energy can make miracles and this lil one needs a miracle bad... Thank you all for your help.. Many Blessings to each of you..