Imbolg: an open discussion
Facilitator : Red Deer
Date : 25 January
Red Deer:
time to begin?

melilot:
it's not when used to discribe me sava

Sava Winter:
mine says 8:59 but go for it

Kaley:
heheeeeeee

PAniteowl:
go for it RD {g}

melilot:
my clock doesn't talk

Sava Winter:
ok mel

Arcadia:
9:01 and alllllls well

Red Deer:
first, the usual preliminaries...

mamaduck:
mm sky

melilot:
behave be good don't fight and talk to each other privately in IM

Red Deer:
1) If anyone present would like to facilitate an open discussion or present a class in Wicca 101, please E-mail me at HUZD85A.

Red Deer:
2) Please keep all BBs, MMs, MPs, and side-conversations in IM for the duration of class, until approximately 10 PM ET.

melilot:
hehehehehe

Red Deer:
3) Please hold all questions and comments until our facilitator opens the floor.

Red Deer:
4) May I have volunteers who expect to attend the entire session log for backup?

Arcadia:
{----------logging

Red Deer:
5) Thank you, loggers. I'll be in touch within the week if the back up logs are needed.

Red Deer:
With that, I pass the besom to me to start with, then all of us for the class topic

Kaley:
MM holy

Sava Winter:
it is just beginning

Red Deer:
Before we begin class proper, I need to conduct a small pole...

mamaduck:
what class??????

Sava Winter:
pole?

melilot:
pole?

Kaley:
me too... count me in

melilot:
small pole?

Kaley:
I've been meaning to sign up

Sava Winter:
is that like a wand?

mamaduck:
forgive me i am stupid but what are you talking about?????

Arcadia:
fishing poll RD {g}

Red Deer:
Following input from a number of folk, I launched a series of BASIC open discussions, beginning with correspondences about the circle...

Red Deer:
then started into each direction with its corresponding elements, etc...

Red Deer:
east went VERY well week before last

Red Deer:
last week on south, Erendil was virtually the ONLY one talking, so I called class...

Sava Winter:
i missed last week

Red Deer:
Is this course worth pursuing (though NOT tonight)?

Sava Winter:
yes

xTwoHawksx:
ho room

PAniteowl:
sorry RD ... I was at a funeral ... so missed last week

holy woman:
why not tonight?

melilot:
discussion went from south to fire to creamation and death i think it went rather well

PAniteowl:
I would like to see the series continued

Kaley:
:)

Filks:
Yes, please!

Red Deer:
thanks PA... but my issue isn't with folk who weren't here...

Red Deer:
it's with folk who were and were saying nothing

Sava Winter:
i think it would be very valuable and interesting

Filks:
Perhaps they were thinking....?

Kaley:
I've been meaning to come... I'm just forgetful

Flidais:
or learning

Red Deer:
well.. it went much better after we called class off and it was on its on topic...

xTwoHawksx:
Imbolc, isn't that candlemas?

Filks:
Some process more quickly than others.

melilot:
i think it is a good series red

melilot:
yes two hawks

Paul00:
MP all

Flidais:
go on with the series RD

Arcadia:
{-------agrees with Meli, and Flid

melilot:
but then i also think we didn't get that far off subject last week myself

Red Deer:
OK, well we'll continue next week and see what happens

Red Deer:
thanks for the feedback

Sava Winter:
welcome

mamaduck:
red i like to observe sometimes with out saying anything. i seem to learn more that way

Filks:
HOw may classes have you had?

holy woman:
what time next week?

Red Deer:
now, tonight, let's DISCUSS Imbolc = Bride (or Brigit) = Candlemas

melilot:
same time every sunday holy

Sava Winter:
me too mama, sometimes we get on a subject i know little about

Kaley:
:)

Red Deer:
9 PM ET holy

Red Deer:
and coming up on three years worth Filks

holy woman:
thanks. now please continue

mamaduck:
i know that feeling sva and there is so much i want to learn

Sava Winter:
ok, when is imbolc?

Red Deer:
what IS imbolc to you folk

Kaley:
oops... sorry

PAniteowl:
Feb 2nd Sava

xTwoHawksx:
To me, Imbolc symbolizes the time of conception of God deep within the womb of the sleeping Earth.

Sava Winter:
ahh, ok

Red Deer:
(please, no comments about poet didna knowit,,, they don't really rhyme)

melilot:
hope renewed the end of the frozen time coming to an end

Red Deer:
conception, eh?

Sava Winter:
i agree with mel

Red Deer:
same for others?

Sava Winter:
it seems like a rebirth and a promise of better things to come

Red Deer:
variable sava - PA's answer is agreed to by many, but not all

melilot:
it's kinda like you've been on a long journey and now you see the Inn in site

Filks:
Could it also be a way to symbolize a new personal beginning- whether it is to end something negative, or old, or just to begin a new quest?

holy woman:
learning from listening here<<<<

Sava Winter:
good point filks

xTwoHawksx:
Absolutely Filks!

Red Deer:
The Celts celebrate it as the time of calving

Filks:
(Happy face)

Sava Winter:
so the actual date is variable?

Red Deer:
and many see it as the confirmation that the new God will wax strong

PAniteowl:
{g} Lambing ...

melilot:
or when the ewe's start lactating red

Filks:
Calving, then, would indicate a physical bringing into being of something.

melilot:
PA outta my head

Red Deer:
don't they usually start lactating when the babies come {g}?

PAniteowl:
LOL

Windsinger:
manifestation

Sava Winter:
end of the rule of the god and beginning of the brighter reign of the goddess?

Windsinger:
that which is percieved, conceived, and intended is given form

melilot:
don't know red i've never lactated

Filks:
I think you are right, Sava.

Red Deer:
aye filks... a beginning of something already begun (as the babes grew first in they mommies uteri)

Sava Winter:
thanks filks

Filks:
Begun perhaps as an intention, and now as reality.

Arcadia:
Imbolg, means "in the belly" so to me, it is a time of renewal of mother earth, I like to picture grasses and seeds fighting to renew under this layer of snow, gives a hope of things to come

PAniteowl:
no Sava ... the cycles are different ... the Goddess is in the maiden stage, the Sun God is waxing tho not yet at full growth ... this is the youthful time

mamaduck:
or the recovery of the goddess after giving birth

Windsinger:
which is, of course, the initiation of the feminine curve in the sphere

melilot:
more of the beginnings of the puberty pa

PAniteowl:
Hmmm .. can I get back to Sava's comment?? .. The God and Goddess are not adversarial ... the phases of each are turning in conjunction

Red Deer:
aye meli... the strength which must be demonstrated before initiation

Filks:
We have some wonderful minds in here- I'm proud to be with your company!

Arcadia:
aye, a young lady discovering her menses fo the first time

Sava Winter:
so it means samething different to everyone and that is what i like best about wicca

Sava Winter:
it all depends on what book you read owl

melilot:
i've never viewed any time as Goddess or God they all have aspects of both

Red Deer:
definitely PA... they aren't constrained by the sex roles our society (at least attempts) imposes

PAniteowl:
What book are you referring to Sava?

Sava Winter:
i always thought that samhain began the reign of the god

Red Deer:
agree PA... each goes through their seasonal developmental cycles together.

Filks:
Perhaps each has aspects of life that they are respectively better at.

PAniteowl:
Yes RD

Red Deer:
for when is EITHER absent?

Sava Winter:
one a friend sent me part of, i don't know the title

melilot:
i've always viewed samhain as the time of conception and death of the God

Red Deer:
oops, I was agreeing with meli

Red Deer:
many myths, many cycles folk...

melilot:
don't do that red remember what happens when we start to agree

Filks:
I am getting a bit confused with the holy days.. can we just stick to the one for tonight?

PAniteowl:
The God / Goddess symbiology is what I perceive Sava

Red Deer:
first one must determine whether one sees the Lord as one or two...

Red Deer:
one = wax to midsummer, wane to midwinter

Sava Winter:
sorry owl, i'm still new to wicca

Filks:
Me too.

Kaley:
ditto

mamaduck:
me too

Sava Winter:
although not to being pagan

PAniteowl:
{g} .. s' ok Sava .. it will become clear {g}

Sava Winter:
ok

Red Deer:
two = wax to beltain, die at midsummer,,, second waxes till samhain, dies at midwinter

Sava Winter:
but i am still entitled to my point of view

melilot:
one of the traditions of Imbolg is the bringing of a circle of candles into the circle this represents the returning strength of the God

Red Deer:
(or approzimately, depending upon your perspective)

Red Deer:
the Goddess cycles are variable with these also

PAniteowl:
Hmmm ... RD, not two Gods ... but the aspects change in different cycle imagery

Filks:
RD, is there a usual date for the beginning of Imbolc?

melilot:
calendar date is listed as Feb 2 filk

xTwoHawksx:
A circle of candles... thank you that is very helpful!

Arcadia:
right mel, the emphasis is on light, rather than heat, feven thou it is a fire festival

PAniteowl:
Yep, RD .. I agree with that time frame

Red Deer:
you mean in your practice I assume PA...

Filks:
Thanks, melilot.

PAniteowl:
{g} Yep

mamaduck:
it is a festival of light and fertility

Red Deer:
many see the Oak and Holly Kings as two distinct gods, not two aspects, who seasonally assasinate each other

melilot:
i "assume" we are all talking about in our practices red unless we state otherwise

Red Deer:
aye mama...

Red Deer:
the light grows and the young are fed...

PAniteowl:
Ok .. Imbolc or Candelmas is also known as the festival of light

Cmetarybabe:
MM All

xTwoHawksx:
I take it class ISN'T cancelled..{g}

mamaduck:
mm cmetary

Sava Winter:
hmm, i have to celebrate this one

melilot:
not yet anyway two {g}

Kaley:
MM cmetarybabe

Red Deer:
aye meli, but I - being the semanticist I am - try not to assume in a group conversation where newbies don't know that

Cmetarybabe:
MM mamaduck

melilot:
that's why i stated it don't want no semantic error's occuring do i {g}

Sava Winter:
hey, i'm a newbie of a sort and i knew that

Cmetarybabe:
MM Kaley

PAniteowl:
ahh, thought this was WICCA 101 RD {g} .. I just figured we were talking Wiccan practices {g}

Red Deer:
no, 'cause then we get to slap YOU with the trout of semantic repercussions {g}

melilot:
LOL red

Red Deer:
whoa, PA... you'd assert that all Wiccans maintain there is only ONE God?

Sava Winter:
ok, i'm still a solitaire interested in wicca, so leave out the semantics

Sava Winter:
damn owl, and i thought there were bunches of them

melilot:
can't do that sava it's red's thang

Sava Winter:
ok

xTwoHawksx:
Imbolc. . .

Filks:
I like your method of introducing an idea, RD, and then soliciting our responses.

melilot:
depends on how one views the bunches sava if all lead to the one source all are one {g}

PAniteowl:
Nope .. I'd say most Wiccans maintain Imbolc as the mid point ... after the Sun returns, and before it is full grown

xTwoHawksx:
i agree with PA nite

Red Deer:
my point WInter, is that you don't learn if the semantics are left out... if I say use a red candle and assume you know that I mean carmine rather than beet (and the distinction matters)

Red Deer:
you won't understand what's going on

Sava Winter:
so shades of red are important?

melilot:
yes sava the importance is in their meaning to you

Red Deer:
no Winter, shades of MEANING are important

PAniteowl:
Hmmmm ... and Imbolc???? What about Imbolc???

Filks:
Oh, dear... you had best be very specific here, RD. I totally missed the necessity of red candles.

melilot:
red.........we're agreeing agai stop it

Sava Winter:
ok, i can put up with the semantics

Red Deer:
rofl... red was just an example... had nothing to do with Imbolc

Sava Winter:
hmm, and i was under the impression that you used white candles

Red Deer:
what color candles for Imbolg???

Sava Winter:
whatever you have?

PAniteowl:
Green, Brown, Gold, Orange {g}

Nymue01:
I preferr white

holy woman:
imbolg or imbolc?

melilot:
i personally think a light shade of green myself

Kaley:
mm salem

Sava Winter:
i still like white

Flidais:
same here meli

Nymue01:
gold

Red Deer:
whichever works for you Holy...

xTwoHawksx:
puce

Filks:
Perhaps it is the light that is important, and not the color of the candle.

Sava Winter:
puce?

Red Deer:
that question is like "color or colour?"

mamaduck:
are there traditional colors to use Red

Sava Winter:
hehe, are battery operated candles allowed?

melilot:
the color is only important as to the aspect that it represents to you light green means spring buds to me

zXvermet:
Red, Before they had color for their candles....all candles was white. The "idea" of our Thoughts bring in the color of "creations" to BE.

Red Deer:
yes there are mama... but the answer is dependent upon one's Tradition

melilot:
:::::::::::;smacks sava with trout of batteries

Sava Winter:
just kidding mel

PAniteowl:
Green for the coming Spring, Brown for the richness of the earth, Orange for the Sunset, Gold for Sunrise {g}

melilot:
i know sava {g}

Red Deer:
gotta disagree vermet...

Sava Winter:
white for new beginnings

zXvermet:
It is not for you to disagree

Red Deer:
before they had color, all candles were a light yellow if made of wax because they had no parafin

melilot:
why not black for new beginnings sava?

Sava Winter:
black is for endings

Kaley:
endings are beginnings.

holy woman:
beyond the color of the candles.....

Sava Winter:
true, semantics again

mamaduck:
ok so if i understand than any clor you think is appropriate for you is ok?

melilot:
oh no Kaley's crawled into meli's head

Kaley:
oh... sorry..

melilot:
you got it mama

zXvermet:
...correct woman..this goes beyond colors.

PAniteowl:
The cakes of Imbolc are wheat and spice mixes .. for the new grains have not sprouted yet.

Kaley:
I'll be quiet {g}

melilot:
it's ok kaley just make sure you've got on hip boots pretty dirty in my head

Sava Winter:
how can you make cakees of something that has not grown yet?

Red Deer:
mama... I'll agree totally if we cvan change think to believe

PAniteowl:
The drink of Imbolc is milk BR>
Nymue01:
stored harvests

melilot:
well sava look to what you plan on planting and use the stored harvest

PAniteowl:
Right, Nym {g}

Sava Winter:
just thinking back a few hundred years

mamaduck:
that is the whole point of wicca is to believe

mamaduck:
isnt it????

Sava Winter:
yes

Red Deer:
aye mama... believing is much more important than thinking...

PAniteowl:
no, mama, the point of Wicca is to own your own belief {g} ..

Sava Winter:
to believe in the earth and the cycles and that the warmth will come after the cold

melilot:
if i plan on planing zuccenie i'll use frozen zuck to make zuck bread

Red Deer:
you got me PA

Nymue01:
thinking just as important as believing

Cloudburst:
Sprouted wheat berries in the bread/cakes is very nice for Imbolc, IMO

PAniteowl:
hehehehe

zXvermet:
Think before we had candles..or colors...use natural nature.

Red Deer:
{--- dairy breads, like sally lunn

PAniteowl:
Oh, Yes Cloud ... and dried fruits and raisins {g}

Sava Winter:
and apples

Nymue01:
wheat berries are hard to find

Cloudburst:
On the stored harvest end, we like a pie with last year's mulberries - reminds us spring is likely to come again...eventually

Filks:
Clarification, please, RD. Now we are on traditional foods for the holy day?

Nymue01:
beeb looking

mamaduck:
oatmeal cookies, dried oats wheat and raisins

Red Deer:
looks that way Filks

PAniteowl:
also, the weavings made at Samhain are burned in the Imbolc flames {g}

Sava Winter:
ok, we got food, drink, and candles, what's next?

Cloudburst:
{--have a food co-op, so am muy spoiled, Nym

PAniteowl:
Now ya got the idea Mamaduck {g}

melilot:
but wouldn't traditional foods depend on what is traditional for each of us?

Red Deer:
and upon where we live?

mamaduck:
i am working on it PA

Nymue01:
still looking for one Cloud

Kaley:
yeah... Ice cream is my tradition...

PAniteowl:
yep, Meli ... don't forget the sauerkraut!! {g}

Filks:
Perhaps the food are all one that seem seed-like, and pertain to planting?

Cloudburst:
yupper, meli. Including some luckouts like RD might have already edibles coming up...

Sava Winter:
damn and i still got snow

Red Deer:
I mean, if my ancestors were from a mediterranean climate, and I didnot have a supermarket, it would be hard to eat THEIR traditional foods HERE at this time of year

Nymue01:
thanks to El Nino...we never got snow

Sava Winter:
good point red

Red Deer:
we've still got last years collards in the fields!

Filks:
RD, please, what is the purpose of the foods eaten at Imbolc?

Kaley:
come to Ohio... we'll share ours {g}

mamaduck:
where are you red

melilot:
well red if your ancestors were from the mediterranean and supermarkets didn't excist you'd have other worries

Sava Winter:
and someone who was in florida might have different foods than i do here up north

zXvermet:
Correct Red....eat the food in your natural area.

Sava Winter:
so do i have to eat pine cones?

holy woman:
Filks, keep edging us forward.

zXvermet:
yes LOL

Red Deer:
Filks... IMO the purpose of the feast at any Sabbat is to celebrate Nature's bounty...

melilot:
no sava what state are you in

Sava Winter:
CT

Filks:
IMO?

zXvermet:
Yes Nature's bounty in our own area.

melilot:
IN MY OPINION

Red Deer:
and hopefully, we use a preponderance of foods which also SYMBOLIZE what we see happening upon the Turning Wheel at this particular point in the year

melilot:
try an apple tart with ice cream sava

Cloudburst:
Filks, I think the purpose of being careful about what you eat at any festival time is to give you an extra reinforcement of mindfulness about what's going on around you

Sava Winter:
good idea me

Sava Winter:
mel

Red Deer:
so, since calving(lambing) and lactation come now in the celtic countries...

Red Deer:
dairy foods are used a lot

Filks:
Ah.

Sava Winter:
milk, cheese, ice cream?

Red Deer:
and since they had NO fresh fruit/grain stored or dried fruits/grains

melilot:
we tend to forget that the old ones made these items traditional because it is what they had we need to use what is available to us

Red Deer:
together, these two types symbolize the completion of that held over from the last years bounty...

melilot:
cookies and milk work well also sava

Sava Winter:
i agree, we have stores that will provide us with fresh fruti

Filks:
two types? Dairy and....?

Red Deer:
and our subsitence upon that which mother offers us before we are ready for fresh whole foods

Nymue01:
grain

Red Deer:
stored fruits/grains

Cloudburst:
For us, though, last year's frozen crops do the job too - like meli's zukes{g}

Filks:
k

xTwoHawksx:
If i lived in australia, could i use vegemite?

PAniteowl:
Yes Red

melilot:
you could two but why would you

Red Deer:
where ever you live, you may use whatever you believe appropriate hawk

xTwoHawksx:
agreed.

PAniteowl:
{g} ... good question Hawks .. and the Aussies will tell you .. {g}

Sava Winter:
corn would have been big in my area, is that appropriate?

zXvermet:
correct red

melilot:
look to your freeze and do a freezer feast sava

Cloudburst:
Vegemite is the stored fruits of some year's harvest of...something

Red Deer:
for me, the point is to assess what would be NATURALLY available at a given time, and to use that

melilot:
yes sava that's the idea {g}

Red Deer:
this is part of how we maintain our connection with the LAND

Sava Winter:
ok

xTwoHawksx:
The spirits will understand if we need to make substiutions. Ceremony is not engraved in stone.

Red Deer:
yeast mostly

Cloudburst:
oh.

Red Deer:
aye hawk

Sava Winter:
what does yeast come from?

Filks:
Well then, I guess the semi-frozen collards still in my garden would be okay!

melilot:
red corn in the freezer is still a connection with the earth as is apples or potatoes stored

melilot:
ahhhhhhh filks i wouldn't eat them E{g}

Nymue01:
no it's not engraved in ston..it should be what feels RIGHT to you

Red Deer:
yeast... kinda like mushrooms come from mushrooms {g}

Red Deer:
no disagreement at all meli

xTwoHawksx:
Yeast is a fungus

Sava Winter:
oh, sorry i just wondered

xTwoHawksx:
that's what we're here for

Red Deer:
for where you live {g} as the freezer might be your back yard

Filks:
mel- would it make me sick?

Sava Winter:
but isn't wicca designed so that each one does what is right for them?

Red Deer:
here, though, frozen food through winter is UNnatural

melilot:
a good corn chowder would include both milk and corn sava

zXvermet:
Yes..it is best to use what you grew yourself..is that not YOUR best?....not from some store; someone else grew or raised.

Kaley:
so would corn pops.

Kaley:
:)

Red Deer:
if that's an option for you vermet, I agree...

Sava Winter:
funny kaley

melilot:
heck if i know filks but i tend not to eat something that i've left in the field after the last harvest tis fairy's fare

Kaley:
oh... sorry

mamaduck:
not eberyone has the space for a garden zX

Red Deer:
but being unable to grow your own should not keep anyone from feasting

Cloudburst:
RD, that's why I suggest sprouts - you can grow them yourself if you have room for a mayo jar{g}

mamaduck:
nope you just use what you think is appropriate

Sava Winter:
i cannot have a garden, no room

Filks:
nice idea, cloud.

Red Deer:
aye cloud... and they are so full of new potential (like milk)

melilot:
then look to the fresh veggies section of your local store sava

Nymue01:
herbs in a window work well

Cloudburst:
yup, yup, yup!

Filks:
well, we'd better start growing them now!

Sava Winter:
ok, and i hate sprouts

zXvermet:
mama you can get a small box and grow something...for your use.

Red Deer:
what about ritual?

Filks:
Good.

Red Deer:
how do folk ritually celebrate Imbolc?

mamaduck:
oh i have a garden every year but i know a lot of folks who dont

melilot:
i think every room in the house should be alight with candles myself

Cloudburst:
Don't eat what you hate, Sava - obliterates all the good resons for feasting{g}

Sava Winter:
could be dangerous mel

Sava Winter:
thanks cloud

Nymue01:
candles EVERYWHERE

PAniteowl:
well, this year will be a bit different RD ...

Red Deer:
<=== definately believe FIRE should be present

xTwoHawksx:
i've never celebrated the cross quarters, :(

Nymue01:
and a totally clean house

melilot:
thank the Goddess for votives sava {g}

PAniteowl:
Candles, yes ... but I plan an outdoor bonfire {g} .. first time I've had the space {g}

Sava Winter:
i like the candles everywhere idea but i have too many cats

zXvermet:
is this the best we can do for ourselves....raise or grow that which we will use in our rites?

mamaduck:
i lioke candles but i have a couple of playful spirits

xTwoHawksx:
if it works, Vermet

melilot:
i've two cats and two dogs sava they don't seem to bother the candles for some strange reason

Filks:
Ritual involves a declaration, or pledging, of intention and also a renewal of connection with the Lord and Lady?

Sava Winter:
i have a haunted house as well

Red Deer:
none of our 14 cats bother candles a bit

zXvermet:
Two..it works, {g}

mamaduck:
fun isnt it

xTwoHawksx:
Good thing the candles don't bother the cats!

Sava Winter:
i have 10 and they think candles are toys

Red Deer:
if one wants to use candles, though, it is important to first believe that they are safe

Sava Winter:
tis interesting

SALEM W:
Sava, i have spirits in my house!

PAniteowl:
Also, I will have a few "friends" over to give everyone a chance to party during this long spell of winter {g}

Sava Winter:
heheh, who doesn't?

Filks:
Fire would involve purificationof some type, no?

melilot:
try tea candles in a mason jar sava see if that is a tad safer\

SALEM W:
lol

mamaduck:
sava you can make candles in crocks and they dont get knocked over

Sava Winter:
good ideas

Nymue01:
put votives inside tall jars

xTwoHawksx:
winter lasts about 3 days for me.

mamaduck:
the stoneware kind you can find at flea markets

Sava Winter:
how about oil lamps, acceptable?

melilot:
put about an inch of gravel in the bottom of the jar

melilot:
yes sava

Cloudburst:
Live flame, Sava, however you manage it

Sava Winter:
ok, i have bunches of them

melilot:
the cat's dont bother the oil lamps sava?

PAniteowl:
yep Sava ... and now is when I put those electric candles in the window {g}

Red Deer:
what you're after is flame - as imbolic is one of the fire festivals

Sava Winter:
ok, we got the flames all over, then what?

Red Deer:
'tis arguable whether any one is superior, but all are acceptable

Filks:
RD, purification? (Sorry I'm so pushy... come with being a FIRE sign!)

PAniteowl:
Then think about what you want to bring to "flower" this year Sava {g}

melilot:
LOL filks

Cloudburst:
Rededications, initiations, actual beginnings of projects you thought about at Yule

PAniteowl:
What new starts??

PAniteowl:
LOL Cloud .... Semantics??? {g}

mamaduck:
fire could also represent our own light and inspriation

Red Deer:
IMO, every ritual is an act of purification of the mind filks

Cloudburst:
Which semantics, Owlie?

Sava Winter:
sort of like a new resolution?

Red Deer:
but not of the body or the environment, both are already divine

PAniteowl:
I think you and I were saying the same things Cloud {g}

Filks:
Perhaps the light is intended to focus our thoughts on what is to come....? Seeing a way?

Sava Winter:
i like that idea filks

Cloudburst:
Uh, yeah, me too{g} Must have gone to different schools together{g}

PAniteowl:
Yep filks {g}

zXvermet:
Return to the beginnings...light the first fire using steel wool... and use the light from the Sun using a large glass...fun to do...to honor the Sun[God] lighting the wick of the Goddess.... both Honoring each other in this Rite. Keep the balance in Nature.

PAniteowl:
LOL Cloud!!!

Cloudburst:
GOOD, Filks

Red Deer:
or perhaps the light is to remind us that the newborn Lord of Yule is now strong... His light breaks through the mists of Winter

Filks:
(Another happy face)

Red Deer:
aye filks

Cloudburst:
I love that, Vermet, but I usually take sunfire at Yule if conditions are OK

Sava Winter:
so the light fortells an end to winter and the promise of spring?

Red Deer:
vermet... I always thought the Goddes lit the God's wick {g}

melilot:
yes sava {g}

PAniteowl:
Imbolc is the time of anticipation ... when all things may be possible .. and the flames light the way ..

Sava Winter:
the light chases away the darkness of winter

zXvermet:
Red sweety...they both light each others fire. {g}

Red Deer:
comes REALLY close to groundhog day, eh?

mamaduck:
wish it were warm enuf to do this outside. i love being outside at night

PAniteowl:
ahhh mama ... a snowy winter's nite is beautiful!!

xTwoHawksx:
Thank you all for the good class!

xTwoHawksx:
Take care & BlessŽd Be. . .

Filks:
Is it over?

mamaduck:
only if i am in a warm house looking out pa

melilot:
that is considered a "modern" ritual to some Red

PAniteowl:
MP & BB TwoHawks

mamaduck:
i am a pansy

Sava Winter:
feb. 2 is a monday, can i do it on feb 1?

zXvermet:
Red...I enjoyed,,thanks

Red Deer:
modern meli???

Red Deer:
to which are you referring?

melilot:
groundhog day red {g}

Cloudburst:
For me, ritual actions depend a LOT on current conditions and demands - one year it was real warm and I spent the day pruning the apple tree in shirtsleeves kneedeep in snow

Red Deer:
tradition indicates a 3 day window on either side...

Red Deer:
reality indicates you may do it whenever you wish

Cloudburst:
Sava, the groups I know are all doing it Sat. the 31st for ease of travel

Sava Winter:
ok, thanks, monday's are a little difficult

PAniteowl:
Pagan Time Sava is very "flexible" >>> HEHEHEHE

zXvermet:
the groundhog going back into the womb of the Goddess. {g}

Sava Winter:
tis what i thought

Cloudburst:
No matter what the groundhog sees, Spring Equinox still comes in about 6 weeks. Funny thing....{g}

zXvermet:
right LOL

melilot:
oh no all rituals MUST be done at midnit of the date and YOU MUST have six white candles 2 red 2 blue 2green so it is written

Sava Winter:
yeah, but those of us in new england watch that ground hog

Sava Winter:
oh up yours meli

Flidais:
LOL meli

melilot:
ROFLMAO

PAniteowl:
LOL ... uh ... Witch Book is that Meli???? LOL

Filks:
funny meli

Cloudburst:
In whose carved-in-a-rock trad is THAT, meli?!{g}

Arcadia:
lol Meli, which rule # is that {g}

mamaduck:
lol meli

Cloudburst:
So it is written in chat this evening, IMO

Sava Winter:
i'm a solitaire mel and don't have to follow your rules

melilot:
haven't numbered that one yet arc not sure i likei t

Sava Winter:
delete it me

Sava Winter:
mel

melilot:
heheheheheh oh yea of little faith you may be following my rules and don't even know it

Sava Winter:
nooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!1

PAniteowl:
ROFL .. Meli RULES!!!

Cloudburst:
the Queen may make all the rules she desires - we get to decide whether to follow them or not{g}

Arcadia:
I know each and every time Mel {g}

mamaduck:
lol cloud good pint

mamaduck:
point

melilot:
hehehe cloud that's rule number one

PAniteowl:
I liked the pint better Mama {g}

Filks:
Thank you for the class, all, and RD especially. Did we talk enough for you?

mamaduck:
so do i pa

Sava Winter:
is class over?

Red Deer:
quite enough for me filks and all...

Red Deer:
THANK YOU!

Filks:
Seems like it, Sava, and it's almost 10.

mamaduck:
thank you red deer

Arcadia:
logs off RD?

Red Deer:
BTW, should we try to do South & Fire again next week, or move on to West?

Sava Winter:
thank you red, very informative

Red Deer:
logs off, sis

Posting Date: 07 February 1998
©1998 Red Deer@pagani