Being always allergic to most cosmetics and all commercial soaps, Jan Humphreys needed to find an alternative. Many soaps from specialty shops claiming to be "all natural" still contain fragrance which is artificial and can draw whelps and induce headaches. After much study, Jan made her first batch of soap, which was intended for her and her family. She really liked this craft and within days had made enough soap to supply a market. She began going to fairs, craft shows, and festivals with her wares. What started as one batch for her family grew into a cottage industry.
Soaps by Jan has been vending up and down the east coast at pagan festivals and such for over a decade. They are a major vendor at the Starwood Festival and all other fests held at Wisteria (www.wisteria.org) Please take a moment to check out her website and see the wonderful items she has for sale! http://www.soapsbyjan.com/
Thursday, August 21, 2014
Friday, August 15, 2014
Courage
Being courageous is not about having a blind disregard for
danger, which is a trait Aristotle often mentions when speaking of the
Celts. (That one always kind of ticked
me off) Being courageous is “standing-strong-in-the-face-of-adversity,
alone or with companions. Sometimes Courage is getting up and going about a
daily routine when pain has worn one down without complaint or demur."—Daven
I
find that to be a much better description, at least in relation to myself. I receive comments almost daily on how
courageous I am for the facing the things I have….the cancer, the heart attack,
etc... , and I appreciate those, I do.
However, those are not the times I feel I have been courageous.
What IS courageous, however (and this is some
self-appreciation here) is getting up each day and making the conscious choice
to NOT give in to the darkness that hounds me and to NOT use in an effort to be
rid of it. By now most of us have heard
the news of the actor/comedian, Robin Williams, committing suicide. The man took a rope and hung himself. (Talk
about maladaptive behavior…Maladaptive behavior is a type of behavior that is
often used to reduce one's anxiety, but the result is dysfunctional and
non-productive.) I mention Robin
Williams, not because I enjoyed his work, but because his death, and form of,
opens many doors in discussion regarding depression and addiction. Those two pretty much go hand-n-hand, forming
a very twisted dance for many of us.
For me, depression began at a very early age. When I sit back and review my life in detail,
I see the signs of the onset beginning approximately when my parents split up…at
about age 8. Not very long after, I
began my addictions. I started drinking
at a very young age, then slowly moving into much harder drugs. That was my maladaptive way of coping with
the depression. It continued throughout
the rest of my teens, and into my twenties.
I stopped using January 8th, 1989, yet I found other “maladaptive”
ways to handle my depression. But I
never took that final step…what I refer to as the coward’s way out. (If I offend you, too bad. I personally find suicide to be the ultimate
act of self-absorption. )
Depression is a never ending companion of mine. Over the years I have learned healthier ways
of dealing with it as it comes around. I
can ‘feel” the onset, truly. It is a
physical process when it hits, like a very heavy blanket covering my body. I then retreat….go into my own little space,
seek solitude, and work myself thru it.
I face it head on. I have had
many over the years tell me that I should not do that, that I need to get out
amongst people, “it’s not healthy to be alone in that state”, etc. Bullshit.
At least for me. What would be
unhealthy is to force myself out into the world and put on a false front…to do
that would require me to numb myself to what I am feeling, and that would
require the use of something chemical, be it alcohol or whatever, and then the
addiction / depression dance begins again.
My point to all of this is that when you know someone is
dealing with depression, the best way to help is not only to talk to them, but
to listen. Listen to what they have to
say about how they feel and how they handle this. Sometimes just knowing there is someone out
there willing to listen, whether that is ever utilized or not, just knowing it
is available is enough to get one through.
Everyone is different; there are no cookie-cutter answers on how to deal
with this condition.
Just like the quote by Daven at the beginning of this blog,
St Thomas Aquinas states that those with courage will also have a considerable
degree of endurance. For one must be able to “stand immovable in the midst of
dangers,” especially those dangers that threaten bodily harm and death (ST
IIaIIae 123.6). I know some find it
ironic that I tend to like much of what Aquinas has to say, but I do. Endurance…that is my act of
courageousness.
Saturday, August 9, 2014
Being Hospitable
“So seek me no in
far-off places.
I am close at hand.
Your workbench,
office, kitchen.
These are your altars
where you offer love.
And I am with you
there.” – Clarence Enzler
Hospitality is one of the virtues we see expounded on in
Celtic lore over and over. Offering our
homes to travelers, sharing our food, aiding our neighbors…all are very typical
and practically expected. Part of being
honorable and “saving face” is in being hospitable to those who cross our
paths.
If you look back to ancient times, we lived in rural
settings with no communication to the outside world except from those who came
to visit, or if we were to travel. There
were no telephones, no internet…you couldn’t just log on to your laptop and talk
to your friends. Travel was hard…walking
or by horse, no automobiles or airplanes.
So visitors were a not so frequent, yet welcomed occurrence. It was the decent thing to do to offer them a
warm bed, food for their belly, and in whatever else they might need for
comfort. Just as it would be reasonable
to expect the same in return if your were the visitor. “Trí fuiric thige degduni: cuirm, fothrucud,
tene mór. Three preparations of a good man’s house: ale, a bath, a large fire.” This was no different when our ancestors came
to the Appalachians. They lived much as
they did in their homeland. This virtue
of hospitality has been instilled in many, many of us today. If you stop by my house you will be greeted
with a cup of coffee or tea and invited to partake of any meal I am
cooking. One of my favorite times is
stopping by to visit my friend, RJ, who always has a drink ready and some
lovely meal constantly on hand to share with guests.
Hospitality works both ways.
As there are expectations of the host, there are expectations of the
guest, as well. You do not go into
someone’s home and mistreat them or their family, nor do you overstep the
bounds of graciousness. There is a point
where the line between being hospitable and being a doormat gets blurred. I have struggled myself over the years with
learning how to enforce that line. Being
hospitable does not mean having to allow someone to disrespect you or your
home. “Trí rudaí nach ba chóir aoi a thabhairt chuig teach eile: tidings tinn;
ceadúnas presumptuous; agus feall. Three things a guest should never bring to
another's house: ill tidings; presumptuous license; and treachery.” I do feel
that there are times when we forget that in the process of trying to be
honorable. Setting boundaries is not
being selfish, it is being self-preserving.
When I look at the quote at the beginning of this blog, it
reminds me that hospitality is a virtue that we should incorporate, not only
with the people we deal with in our lives, but our deities, ancestors, and spirits
in general. Make your home, and your
heart, a warm and inviting place for all to want to come. Be welcoming to those who wish to visit. Treat those who come with respect and
graciousness, and expect the same in return.
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Spirit
After various discussions today in some online CR groups, I
decided perhaps I should explain my personal views on spirit...ancestors and
deities. Let me first explain that I
view my deities, specifically the Tuatha de Danann, as my ancestors. I believe I am descended from them, not
created by them. Does that mean that I
feel I am a direct bloodline descendant?
No, not necessarily, or at least not that I can prove. Perhaps one day I might, given the time and
money, and through some genetic testing like with The Nolan DNA Project (http://www.worldfamilies.net/surnames/nolan). Apparently one can trace their lineage by the
Y-chromosome. I feel I am descended from
them through various lifetimes. Yes, I
do believe we have several.
Consider this: we are all giant blobs of energy. Millions upon millions of electrons spinning
around millions upon millions of nuclei.
The law of conservation of energy states that energy can neither be
created nor destroyed, it merely changes forms.
So if we cannot be destroyed, then where do we go? I personally do not think we leave. We have changed form, existing side by side
with those of us who have not changed yet.
This explains the “veil” discussed in so much lore. The theory is that the veil thins at Samhain,
and the spirits are able to cross between the worlds easier. Personally, I feel they cross back and forth
as freely as they want, when they want.
In Christian theology, in the Gospel of Thomas, saying 113 I believe,
Jesus himself says “The kingdom of heaven is spread out on the earth; you just
fail to see it with your eyes.” Or something like that. Even Jesus knew that we don’t go off to some
heaven in the sky….we stay right here and co-exist.
With all of that said, I feel confident on my belief that I
am descended from my deities. I may not
be able to prove it by blood, I have all the proof I need in their words and
actions to me. I have developed a
personal relationship with several in my pantheon, the TDD, as I have with
various ancestors. Again, when I speak
of ancestors these are not just blood relations, but ancestors of the spirit as
well. So, yes, I speak to dead
people. *grin* Do they answer back? Not in the normal way of speaking, usually,
though it HAS happened. When I had my
diabetic scare last year, I heard my father’s voice just as loud as if he were
sitting next to me, telling me to check my blood sugar. It was 473.
This may explain a little as to why I do certain things like
I do. I generally do not do ritual. At
least not for myself. In a group
setting, I believe rituals are a wonderful way to focus the combined energies
and complete whatever task is set out.
On a personal level, I do not feel the need to. I work on a daily basis with a select few
deities and ancestors, and I feel free to communicate with them as I do my
neighbor and old friend. My morning
devotionals are on my front porch, coffee in hand, listening to the sounds
around me then just talking to whoever I feel is there. Yes, it makes me look crazy…this is nothing
new. I used to “talk to god” when I was
a little girl, instead of praying like I was taught. I do the same now. Now mind you, I am not advocating disrespect
or anything of the like towards the deities and/or ancestors. The Morrighan has no problem letting someone
know She has been disrespected, and thank the gods it has not been me. I do look at Her though, as a trusted
adviser, a loyal ally and one whom I can speak with freely. It is the same with all others.
When you view spirit, be it ancestral or deity, as being
just like you…energy, but in a different form...dealing with them takes on a
whole different meaning. It becomes less
mysterious and more comforting actually.
You start to realize that you are never truly alone, so many walk beside
you every day. Knowing that can be of
great comfort to many. Learn to quiet
your mind and just listen…you can actually hear the footsteps.
Monday, July 28, 2014
What is Honor
What is honor? Merriam-Webster’s
dictionary defines honor as “respect that is given to someone who is admired;
good reputation; good quality or character as judged by other people; high
moral standards of behavior”. The Urban Dictionary actually gives a better
definition, more along the lines of my beliefs…”The courage to do what is
right, no matter what. A belief that your actions represent more than just
yourself” Think about that for a moment.
“The courage to do what is right,
no matter what.”
I could go into a whole long spiel about the Celtic virtues
and the various arguments about exactly what those are and why, and could go on
to list various source references for each debate. The fact simply remains that my ancestors
were honorable people who had values.
Period. The Irish word for honor
is “oineach” which came from the Old Irish word “enech” meaning “face”. “To save face” is a phrase I am sure we are
all familiar with. It was, and is,
important to keep one’s dignity and respect of others by being honorable.
The main core virtues, in my opinion, are honor, truth,
loyalty, justice, courage, and hospitality.
It is also my opinion that honor encompasses all the other five virtues,
as well as many more people tend to add.
To be blunt, any virtue, by way of definition of honor, is part of being
honorable. Being hospitable is an
honorable act. Being courageous is an
honorable act. Being loyal….well, here
is where our problem arises.
Honor is a very tricky thing. One can be quite courageous, which IS an
honorable act, and yet still be a dishonorable person. Miss one of these virtues and your honor has
just gone “poof”….you have lost “face”.
Loyalty seems to be the one virtue that many do not seem to grasp. Being loyal does not mean being loyal when
times are good, or when your “friend” is being applauded by the public. I was condemned for my public display of
loyalty to a friend facing some serious allegations; I was betrayed by those I
trusted and shown their disloyalty to me…I do not need to name names here.
Those involved know who I mean, and those not involved can still learn a
lesson.
“The courage to do what is right, no matter what.” Really
think on this phrase for a minute. No
matter what…meaning no matter the loss you may incur, no matter the
ostracization you might receive, no matter what. You do what is honorable. You must be honest
and loyal, courageous and hospitable, you fight for justice and in doing all
these things you are honorable.
The Purpose of This Blog
The title of my blogspot is "My Homecoming" for a
reason. Home can be defined as many
things, but to myself home is where I find the "real" Donna. That inner part that stays consistent, no
matter where this outer shell travels, or what it encounters, or how lost it can
appear to be....that very core that is "me". That is home.
I once read in a book by Frank MacEowen about a Lakota medicine man
saying, "Sometimes a man has to travel to the edge of his being to find
his center." That center is what I
consider to be home. I have travelled to
the edge, have dangled my toes off quite
a few times, and am slowly beginning the process of making my way back to the
center, back to "home".
As for the purpose of this blog, I am by no means deluded
into thinking that my thoughts or views will in any way "change the
world". I do, however, hope to add
a little insight into my take on things and in doing so, perhaps help others to
see things a little differently. And
perhaps in the process shed a little light into why I think and act the way I
do...though at times that scares even me.
This process of self-discovery, this journey "home", is by no
means an easy process. I have discovered
things about the world and people around me, even things about myself that have
made me ashamed and sad and angry. I
have also seen and experienced some of the most profound and beautiful
things...glimpses of what Parthas (paradise) could be.
I am an Irish polytheist.
Irish due to ancestry, not because I was born there. I am Irish-American
by birth and Irish-Republican by choice.
Polytheist because I do believe in and honor more than one
god/goddess. There are degrees of
polytheism...I am what is considered a traditional, or "hard",
polytheist. I believe the gods are just
as real and separate as you and I, which they function in this world individually,
and with us, and as for my pantheon that I am descended from and not
"created by" them. They are my
ancestors. As opposed to someone who is
a "soft" polytheist, I do not believe the gods and goddesses are all
just representations or rays of the ultimate divine. This is important to understand as it
explains why I struggle with ecclectism so much, but also why I can completely
believe in the Christian god, among others.
To me, all gods are just as real as mine; I just do not honor or worship
them. Since I believe that all exist
individually, it is hard for me to wrap my small mind around the concept of
ecclecticism. However, if one believes
that all gods are just representations of the ultimate divine, honoring Isis
and Brighid together makes sense.
I wanted this first blog to be somewhat of a baseline, so
that you the reader can understand my thought process when I begin the next
blogs. You will not find not a
theological or historical classroom here on these pages. What you will find, however, are the views of
a simple woman who has walked this path a while and wants to share her views in
a way that most layman can understand.
If I believed in the Maiden, Mother, Crone phases (which I actually do
not), I would say spiritually I feel I am reaching the Crone stage. And as such
am feeling compelled to share a little of what I have learned. Síocháin leat mo
charas.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)