“Three things in human life are important: the first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; and the third is to be kind.” Henry James
“Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” Mark Twain
“You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.” Emerson
Hello!
For a while now, I have been following Mike Rowe on Facebook. You may remember Mike from the TV show Dirty Jobs, or recognise his voice from the Deadliest Catch. Mike is a smart guy, and has alot of interesting things to say. He is not political. He is not irrational. He is well read, realistic and very well spoken. He has a foundation in which he is working hard to create well trained workers to fill the many open job opportunities here in America. His posts can be very entertaining (see the ones about the contest to name his new puppy – Fred won, but I was so rooting for Rutt!). Today, tho, I read some words from Mike that fully stopped me in my tracks…..
"What you do, who you’re with, and how you feel about the world around you, is completely up to you."
Seems simple at first glance, right? Obvious, even. Then sit with it a while and see what questions come up for you. Do you begin to notice some icky little demons pop out of the closet in your mind? Boundary issues? Empowerment struggles? Self doubt? I know I did!
It is worth a little time to sit with these words and examine what in you is holding you back from being happy. Happy in your relationships, Happy in your job, Happy in your head – The choice is ours. It always has been.
Love,
Sister Bridget
PS Thanks, Mike. And if you ever do decide to run for President, you have my vote!
“With a crown of the lilies of light —
For a maiden they crowned her in May,
For the Queen of the Daughters of Day
That are flowers of the forest of Night.”
~~~May Queen by Aleister Crowley
Freya, a May Queen.
Yesterday, during our Family Beltaine/ May Day activities, I played the role of the May Queen. Mambo Sam spoke about the holiday and its significance, and how it is celebrated in many cultures across the world. Today, I was doing some reading about the May Queen and how she is represented in other places and times. I found myself drawn to some information about Freya, an important Germanic Goddess. Her main festival is May Day. Walpurgisnacht ‘Walpurga’s Night,’ when the festival actually begins, is April 30, the evening before May Day is named for Freya. This time of year coincides loosely with the first dew fall, that is the time of year when frost no longer forms at night, but rather the temperature remains above freezing at least for some of the nights. This change in the weather allows the growth of green things and the blooming of all the flowers. This in turn allows for the cattle to be turned out of their winter quarters and released to graze on the new grass which increases the amount and quality of milk available to humans.
Walpurgisnacht is not named after St. Walburga, as is commonly said. However, the saint’s name became attached to the festival as a way of “explaining” the meaning of the name of the holiday. St. Walburga’s feast day is set to May 1st because that was already the name of a major festival of Freya. The pretense that the festival of Walpurgisnacht is named for St. Walburga provides a convenient way of obscuring the festival’s older Pagan origin.
Freya’s domain is the garden, especially a walled garden with fruit trees, properly an orchard with a spring or well. She is responsible for making the flowers bloom and she is always associated with flowers especially flowering trees. As a Goddess of spring time, she is especially associated with romantic love among human beings. Songs of love are well-pleasing to her; it is good to call on her for furtherance in love.
An important event in the changing of the seasons was the moving of livestock from their winter pastures to summer pastures, and vice versa. In some areas of Europe, as the weather permitted, cattle were moved to summer pastures during the May Day/ Walpurgis/ Spring time festivities and Freya was invoked for their protection and fertility.
The following Middle High German charm is to protect cows when they are turned out into the forest, as they were in spring in northern Europe. The exact date would depend on the climate and when the grass was sufficient to support the cattle, though some traditions closely associate this prayer with May Day and associated festivities. “Lady” may refer to the Goddess Freya, the Virgin Mary, or to any unspecified but highly respected woman. The ambiguity may be intentional, and possibly life-saving, since people could ask for assistance from the Goddess while pretending to refer to one of the Christian deities.
Herdsman’s Charm to Protect Cows
Today my herd I drove into our Lady’s grove,
Into Abraham’s garden; Be, good St. Martin,
this day my pledge and warden,
and good St. Wolfgang, good St. Peter,
(whose key can heaven unlock),
throat of wolf and vixen block,
against blood shedding, and bone shredding.
Help me, holy one, who ill hath never done,
and [by] his five holy wounds;
keep my herd from all wood-hounds!
[Say] 5 Pater Nosters (Our Fathers) and 5 Hail Marys
Hope you enjoyed reading about this as much as I did!
Love
Sister Bridget
…there you are!
So, in my head, I actually thought this quote was from a Ziggy cartoon when I was a child. I did a little searching and found the quite attributed to a few different people, but not Ziggy, so I must be mis-remembering. AnYwAy….. Most of you know I moved across country a few months ago.. BIG life change – HUGE! New place, new life, new weather, great people! Yet sometimes (today being one of those times) I find some old patterns arising again. I came across the article below, and it made me look at myself and my "inner surroundings" in a new light. I hope you enjoy!
Love
Sister Bridget
Not As Happy As You Want To Be…..
Once we treat our inner self with respect, patience and love, we transform not only ourselves but those around us. We see the world as a place of beauty; a vast area to live and breathe openly and with great joy.
Do you love your life? Are you not as happy as you would like to be? Sometimes it's what is happening on the inside that drives what is occurring on the outside. How many times does it feel to you that your life is out of control? Stuff is happening so fast and so often. Your kids aren't listening, the dog isn't listening and your husband says you didn't tell him what you know you told him. Is it them? Or is it you?You aren't going to like this…it is you. If you are unhappy with what is going on, the first place to look is to you. Great news though, you have the power to change it all. Yes, you do! What is going on inside is causing the turmoil on the outside. What are your thoughts about yourself? Are they positive, encouraging and supporting? Or are they more along the lines of "I can't believe I forgot that, you idiot!" I won't go on – I'm aiming for an upbeat feel here. If your thoughts are negative and you are always putting yourself down, the chances are the negativity is all around your being. Therefore, when people aren't listening to you, you get annoyed, aggravated and even angry at them. I call that the outward manifestation of your inner being. What it really is though, is that you are truly annoyed, aggravated and angry at yourself. So, then how can you turn that around and get the results you are wanting? Here are five tips to turn it around:
Through your actions, what you will begin to see is a transformation in yourself. You will see that you are communicating clearly and that others are really listening. It's almost like magic and truly beautiful. You will notice yourself responding differently to others, and others responding to you in a good, positive, very pleasing way.We see the outer part of ourselves so often we forget that we have an inner self as well. Once we treat our inner self with respect, patience and love
, we transform not only ourselves but those around us. We see the world as a place of beauty; a vast area to live and breathe openly and with great joy.
Hello!
Having gone through a great many changes in my life the past two years, there were many times I have read and reread this article below. The images of ships upon the water spoke deeply to me, and reminded me frequently to seek guidance from Capitaine Agwe. Master of the Sea, he is one to go to for guidance, setting a course through the stormy seas of life. Our own Brother Menfo now offers readings and rituals to his guardian lwa, Capitaine Agwe and his wife, LaSirene. You can view his offerings at www.spellmaker.com/menfo.htm I hope you find some jewels in this article to help you through any stormy patches you may find yourself in.
Love
Sister Bridget
You Were Made For This
By Clarissa Pinkola Estes
My friends, do not lose heart. We were made for these times. I have heard from so many recently who are deeply and properly bewildered. They are concerned about the state of affairs in our world now. Ours is a time of almost daily astonishment and often righteous rage over the latest degradations of what matters most to civilized, visionary people.
You are right in your assessments. The lustre and hubris some have aspired to while endorsing acts so heinous against children, elders, everyday people, the poor, the unguarded, the helpless, is breathtaking. Yet, I urge you, ask you, gentle you, to please not spend your spirit dry by bewailing these difficult times. Especially do not lose hope. Most particularly because, the fact is that we were made for these times. Yes. For years, we have been learning, practicing, been in training for and just waiting to meet on this exact plain of engagement.
I grew up on the Great Lakes and recognize a seaworthy vessel when I see one. Regarding awakened souls, there have never been more able vessels in the waters than there are right now across the world. And they are fully provisioned and able to signal one another as never before in the history of humankind.
Look out over the prow; there are millions of boats of righteous souls on the waters with you. Even though your veneers may shiver from every wave in this stormy roil, I assure you that the long timbers composing your prow and rudder come from a greater forest. That long-grained lumber is known to withstand storms, to hold together, to hold its own, and to advance, regardless.
In any dark time, there is a tendency to veer toward fainting over how much is wrong or unmended in the world. Do not focus on that. There is a tendency, too, to fall into being weakened by dwelling on what is outside your reach, by what cannot yet be. Do not focus there. That is spending the wind without raising the sails.
We are needed, that is all we can know. And though we meet resistance, we more so will meet great souls who will hail us, love us and guide us, and we will know them when they appear. Didn't you say you were a believer? Didn't you say you pledged to listen to a voice greater? Didn't you ask for grace? Don't you remember that to be in grace means to submit to the voice greater?
Ours is not the task of fixing the entire world all at once, but of stretching out to mend the part of the world that is within our reach. Any small, calm thing that one soul can do to help another soul, to assist some portion of this poor suffering world, will help immensely. It is not given to us to know which acts or by whom, will cause the critical mass to tip toward an enduring good.
What is needed for dramatic change is an accumulation of acts, adding, adding to, adding more, continuing. We know that it does not take everyone on Earth to bring justice and peace, but only a small, determined group who will not give up during the first, second, or hundredth gale.
One of the most calming and powerful actions you can do to intervene in a stormy world is to stand up and show your soul. Soul on deck shines like gold in dark times. The light of the soul throws sparks, can send up flares, builds signal fires, causes proper matters to catch fire. To display the lantern of soul in shadowy times like these – to be fierce and to show mercy toward others; both are acts of immense bravery and greatest necessity.
Struggling souls catch light from other souls who are fully lit and willing to show it. If you would help to calm the tumult, this is one of the strongest things you can do.
There will always be times when you feel discouraged. I too have felt despair many times in my life, but I do not keep a chair for it. I will not entertain it. It is not allowed to eat from my plate.
The reason is this: In my uttermost bones I know something, as do you. It is that there can be no despair when you remember why you came to Earth, who you serve, and who sent you here. The good words we say and the good deeds we do are not ours. They are the words and deeds of the One who brought us here. In that spirit, I hope you will write this on your wall: When a great ship is in harbor and moored, it is safe, there can be no doubt. But that is not what great ships are built for.
Clarissa Pinkola Estes, Ph.D
Hello!
Every year, Spellmaker puts on a free ritual for all who wish to participate to the Lwa of Love, Erzulie Freda. This year, we had the benefit of taping some parts of the ritual (the parts we can share with the public) and have made the video available to view. I was lucky enough to be the one recording Mambo Sam (you will hear my voice as I join her with the Hail Mary). Be sure to watch it till the end, as Mambo Sam includes a special blessing for all of you. Mambo Sam, Parran Matt and myself feel very privledged to have each of you in our lives, and hope that you enjoy seeing this look into some of the things we do here at Spellmaker!
Love
Sister Bridget
New Moon, New Year! Super Moon, Super Year!
The night of New Year’s 2014 is also the night of the first Super Moon (when the moon orbits slightly closer to Earth than usual and looks bigger in the sky) of the year, AND it is a New Moon as well. What does that mean for us? Many say that the New Moon is a time for setting intentions. The new moon is seen as the beginning or birth of the moon’s various phases. The night of the new moon is is the perfect time for birthing and planting your intentions. The dark side of the moon, with its mysterious unseen forces, offers a nurturing environment where our intentions can establish roots before their manifestations begin to sprout and reach out to the light. A New Moon on the New Year seems a really great time to set forth some positive intentions for 2014! Forget resolutions, and all that is associated with them. Take a few minutes this special night to focus your intent on what you wish 2014 holds for you. What a wonderful energy to begin this new year on 🙂
I wish each of you a Super New Year 🙂
Love
Sister Bridget
…is by Elizabeth Barrett Browning 🙂
Hope you enjoy!
Love
Sister Bridget
The Sweetest Lives
The sweetest lives are those to duty wed,
Whose deeds, both great and small,
Are close-knit strands of unbroken thread
Where love ennobles all.
The world may sound no trumpets, ring no bells;
The book of life the shining record tells.
The love shall chant its own beatitudes
After its own life working.
A child’s kiss
Set on thy sighing lips shall make thee glad;
A sick man helped by thee shall make thee strong;
Thou shalt be served thyself by every sense
Of service which thous renderest.
I have always been attracted to Carnelian. I have quite a few pieces, and have received it as gifts as well. Maybe it’s an Ogoun thing?
Carnelian is a powerful Sacral Chakra Stone. It increases personal power and physical energy, gives courage, and boosts creativity and compassion. Wearing or carrying Carnelian can enhance vitality and will, providing higher energy needed when approaching new projects and dreams. Ancient Warriors wore Carnelian around their neck for courage and physical power to conquer their enemies. Mentally, Carnelian focuses analytical capabilities, and aids meditation by allowing deeper concentration and keeping out interrupting thoughts. Carnelian is useful in making decisions by keeping us focused on the here and now and not on past experiences. Carnelian calms anger and grounds you in reality, while keeping you aware of unconditional Love permeating the Universe. Carnelian encourages initiative and determination. Carnelian lends the courage needed to help overcome difficulties and defend a cause. It promotes idealism, a sense of community and pragmatism. Carnelian is a crystal of action, overcoming procrastination or indecision. It encourages one to stop waiting for dreams to appear, and stimulates the courage to embrace change and Divine Will to begin to make one's highest goals happen. On the home front, Carnelian is useful to keep on hand, especially for the do-it-yourselfer, to prevent accidents. It is also used to protect the home from theft, fire and storm damage.
Cleanse and charge your Carnelian by holding it under running water, and then placing it in the sun.
Love
Sister Bridget
Hey!
Happy Monday to you all!
Random Acts is a non-profit organization that does many good things thoughout the year. Right now they have a blog series going called Twelve Acts of Kindness. Today is day three, I think. Their suggestions are simple, yet uplifting!
Day one – Clean Up Your Act : Know of somewhere that needs a little kindness in your area? Volunteer to help with neighborhood clean up or just pick up litter around the office or your school. A little work can go a long way and you never know who you might inspire to lend a hand.
Day two- Don't Forget Yourself : During the holiday season, it can be easy to forget to be kind to a very important person – you. December tends to be a busy month, and sometimes we overcommit to projects, parties or obligations to others. Sometimes we just aren’t feeling up to all of the festivities; we’re missing a special someone, can’t be with everyone we would like to spend time with, or feel like the end of the year comes with pressure we just don’t need. Even at other times of year, it can be hard to remember to take time out for yourself, and tough to remember that everyone sometimes feels down or just not good enough. Do what you love for others. Love knitting? Or maybe you’re a crazy good artist? Start a project that will help others like knitting blankets for a homeless shelter or offering to donate your awesome painting skills to a charity that helps children at risk. It’s a great way to have fun while spreading kindness. Helping others actually can make you feel better; it’s a great treat to realize how much you mean to others, and just how much you have to offer. At the same time, don’t always feel like you have to go out of your comfort zone – sometimes it’s an act of kindness to yourself to stay in and watch a so-good-it’s-bad movie, curl up with one of your favorite books while drinking some cocoa, or recapture your childhood and play with some paper dolls.
Day three – Spend Time with a Senior : All of us, someday, will be old. Ancient. Into our dotage. But for many elderly people, this is the start to just the latest chapter in their lives. A time for thrilling experiences with new people. For others, it can be very lonely. This year, why not spend some time listening to the incredible wisdom of senior citizens. Volunteer to paint their nails, bring home a load of groceries, or make a special surprise like balloon animals or a new knit blanket. Just visiting will let those special seniors in your life know you care. You might be surprised at how much you enjoy visiting!
It is not too late to join in the Kindness 🙂 Bookmark Random Acts and check back! Even if you can not make one of these idea, perhaps you will find inspiration to make up an act of kindness all your own. Keep it simple. The simplest ideas can have the most meaning!
Get out there and be kind!
Love
Sister Bridget