Accused of…

He taught the self actualization of Asking, Seeking and Knocking. He encouraged people to open their own doors of opportunity.  Even at age twelve he was too smart for his own good, possessing psychic abilities and esoteric knowledge that reportedly  astounded the High Priests of the temple.

His immense popularity led to accusations of sedition, rabble rousing and blasphemy. He was charged with the art of necromancy, Lazarus the dead man being his most famous case. He was also accused of healing — cripples, lepers, the psychologically troubled, the depressed, the insane, the diseased.

He manipulated the elements, created and calmed storms, changed water into wine and according to Scripture, fed thousands of people with only a few loaves of bread and two tiny fishes.

He was arrested and taken before the Sanhedrin where he was accused of sorcery and witchcraft.  These were very  serious charges. The Book of Leviticus  clearly states, “Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.”  (Ironically, those that claimed to be his ‘followers’ would, in centuries to come, use those very same words as an excuse to put thousands of women to death.)

He was a clever chameleon, wisely admitting to nothing.  He made the Sanhedrin, Pilate and Herod stumble over their own words as he famously asked: “Who do YOU say I am?”

Who indeed?  🙂

Protected: Remembering Magdalene

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Celebrating Ostara

The very name sounds romantic, doesn’t it? It slips across the lips, sizzles the teeth, makes a guttural R in the throat. It conjures visions of stars and wistful moonlit nights.  Oh. Star.  Oh, star, ahhhh.   Indeed, spring is a good season for star gazing as the nights get warmer and the constellations clearer.

Ostara is the official Pagan name for the vernal equinox.  It marks a 24 hour period when the earth’s angle is tilted to receive equal parts of sunlight and darkness, usually around March 20-23^rd.   Ostara was first celebrated among ancient Germanic Pagans.  It is a feast that honors the goddess Eostre  who rules growth and fertility.

The names Ostara and Eostre might sound suspiciously like the Christian holiday Easter, also celebrated at this time of year.  No coincidence there.  In Christian faith, Easter signifies the day in which Jesus rose from the dead, leaving his tomb rolled open — and empty — to the astonished Mary Magdalene, who was, btw, the only one brave enough to visit her rabbi’s grave.  Easter therefore is a celebration of life everlasting.

The name ‘Easter’ is attributed to Saint Bede the Venerable, a 6^th century Christian monk.  Bede was a great scholar who wrote many spiritual treatises.  He was also an expert in chronology and developed a method of dating events relative to Christ’s birth (A.D. and B.C.)   Saint Bede the Venerable is thought to have anglicized the name ‘Easter’ from its original Eostre or Ostara.

 

Easter Sunday  is always celebrated in the spring, but the date changes.  Ever wonder how this is determined? There is a pattern to it. If you check the calendar you will see that   Easter always falls on the Sunday following the first full moon after the vernal equinox.  In this year of 2016, for example, the vernal equinox will occur on March 20^th, the moon will be full on March 23^rd,  and Easter Sunday will occur on March 27^th.  See how that works?  It’s the same every year, and has been since the Middle Ages.

Legend has it that Jesus pondered his fate of crucifixion in the Garden of Gethsemane under a full moon, on a Thursday night (Holy Thursday) after the vernal equinox.  He was crucified the next day (Good Friday) and rose from the dead on that Sunday.

 

Moving on to chocolate!  Ever wonder where we got those traditions of chocolate bunnies and marshmallow peeps?

 

No, not just to give the candy industry extra business,  although it is a great marketing tool.  They are actually symbols traditionally associated with the goddess Eostre;  eggs, chicks and rabbits (yes, for fertility.)  Eostre is also associated with early blooming flowers such as daffodils, jonquils, lilies and tulips.

 

In modern times, it is essential, necessary and fun to celebrate Ostara!  Growth and fertility are the building blocks of human life.  There are several things we can do to honor this special time:

• Plant a garden, or use starter seeds indoors which can later be transported as the weather gets warmer.
• Dye and decorate eggs. Use pastels, the colors of the rainbow  🙂

• Decorate your home with sweet smelling lilies and bright flowers.
• Be friendly to your local rabbits. Feed them carrots and spring greens.  While you are at it, save some for yourself.  Replenish your body with vitamin A and C.
• Take a walk in the woods, mountains, beach or local park.  Get in touch with Mother Nature.
• Bird watch. You’d be surprised at the amazing things robins are doing these days.
• Eat chocolate bunnies!  Chocolate is full of the chemical compound  phenylethylamine  which releases feel-good endorphins.  Dark chocolate can improve heart and brain function.
• Oh, and most importantly! Make love not war  🙂

Have a Blessed Ostara.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ostara Sonnet

Ostara goddess Eostre rules the dance

She  tends her lovers’  hopes in red clay earth

The witches’ turning wheel reveals the chance

To bring the flesh explosion love and birth

Before the dawn, desire awakens lust

The moon is full and washes silver land

His kiss is pure in perfect tender trust

Her tulips parted in his gentle hand

 

 

The spring is brilliant crystal morning dew

His gifted fingers digging to her flesh

His seed is passion pushing rich and true

And in that wave of glory do they mesh

A bounding leap of rabbits through the grass

Connecting carnal,  every lad and lass.

 

 

Black Cats

Black cats are beautiful and mysterious. Yet they are often hated! It is a shame that they are not recognized for the unique and loving creatures they are!

There are plenty of bad superstitions regarding black cats.  If one crosses your path it is bad luck, for example. But it’s not all bad.  Did you know that  historically black cats have been celebrated and revered in many cultures?  In certain parts of the world these ebony beauties were thought to be full of luck, love and supernatural magick.  Consider the following:

Scottish folklore states that a black cat found on your porch will bring financial prosperity.  It was also believed that a bride seeing a black cat on her wedding day would ensure a happy marriage.  In many Asian countries, particularly Japan, a black cat was considered an all around good luck charm.

In Ancient Egypt, the black cat was revered and represented by the goddess Bast.  Many pharaohs and queens owned black cats.

In Norse mythology, the goddess Freya is said to have often been accompanied by black cats, She also transformed herself into a black cat from time to time.

There may be something about the coat of a black cat that makes it more likely to have a good personality! Engineer and professor of animal science Temple Grandin claims that there is a relationship between fur color and animals’ behavior.  Black cats, she says, are known to be more sociable and therefore make great pets.

Aside from all this, black cats are beautiful!  Who could not love their playfulness, their loyalty and their mystery?  Yet due to their bad reputation and association with evil, black cats are reportedly the most overlooked animals in shelters.  If you are adopting a pet, please consider a black cat.  Guaranteed to bring health, prosperity, love and luck  🙂

“I am a swath of black velvet, a dark beauty, a companion, playmate, and a keeper of the castle. Do not overlook me.”