Tag Archive | priestess

Religious Awareness In America

The Importance of Secular Government

Secular:
of or pertaining to worldly things or to things that are not regarded as religious, spiritual, or sacred; temporal: secular interests.

There’s a lot of talk in the U.S. today about the founding fathers establishing our constitution based on Christian values and therefore America is a Christian Nation. Unfortunately this propaganda by religious zealots is false and not only breeds intolerance, it misrepresents the intent of the founding fathers or attempts to re-write American History.

I believe it’s important for all people to speak up and correct these misconceptions if our nation or any nation is to remain free. Many have given the ultimate price to ensure those freedoms and if their sacrifice is to remain meaningful, everyone must ensure the attempt to change history does not succeed.

Through some research I happened upon the following article that can explain the historical position of many of the founding fathers and their predecessors. Thanks to the author for allowing me to reprint their ever so well written article here. For more reading, check the resources provided by Mr. Walker at the end of this article.

A few definitions to help up front:

Deism:
belief in the existence of a God on the evidence of reason and nature only, with rejection of supernatural revelation ( distinguished from theism).
Atheism:
the doctrine or belief that there is no God, disbelief in the existence of a supreme being or beings.

Little-Known U.S. Document Signed by President Adams Proclaims
America’s Government Is Secular
by Jim Walker
earlyamerica.com

Some people today assert that the United States government came from Christian foundations. They argue that our political system represents a Christian ideal form of government and that Jefferson, Madison, et al, had simply expressed Christian values while framing the Constitution. If this proved true, then we should have a wealth of evidence to support it, yet just the opposite proves the case. Continue reading →

Sunday Homily: If You Wrote A Letter To Your 16-Year Old Self

Sep23

Sharing Wisdom With Your Younger Self

What Would You Say?

All week I’ve heard about this letter that Dale Earnhardt Jr. professional Nascar driver, wrote to his 16 year old self. The letter was part of a CBS News project that aired September 12, 2012.

As reported by the media, other Nascar fans and friends who shared their thoughts on the letter, it’s a very moving insight from one of racing’s premier drivers. It reflects on relationships, worries, his career and it even has some humor tossed in for good measure.

It is indeed a very moving reflection from a man who is not comfortable with being in the limelight each and every time he steps through the door. And it made me wonder, if you wrote a letter to your 16 year old self, what would you say? Continue reading →

The History of Mabon – The Feast of Avalon

Sep21

The Apple Feast

Celebrating The Fall Equinox
By Springwolf, D.D., Ph.D. 🐾

Mabon (May-bawn) is also known as the Feast of Avalon, the Festival of the Wine and the Festival of the Apple Harvest. Celebrated on the Fall Equinox.

To the Celts, Avalon is the mysterious place for the land of the dead and literally means the “land of apples”. Thus this is a holiday for celebrating the bounty of the harvest and the desire for the living to be reunited with their deceased loved ones. But the holiday is also named for the Welsh God Mabon.

Mabon translates to the “great son”, but some say it’s the “great sun” and relates to the waning reign of the Sun in the sky as summer fades and the season changes to beacon the darkness of fall and winter.

From mythology, Mabon the person was the son of Modred who was kidnapped at the age of 3 and later rescued by King Arthur. His life represents the innocence of youth, the strength of survival and the growing wisdom of the elderly. Continue reading →

10 Commandments To Live By

Sep16

Respect & Support The Self & Each Other

Keeping Your Perspectives Positive

My husband and I have recently faced some business challenges that brought a great deal of stress into your lives. I’m blessed with the partnership I have with him. When challenges come our way we seem to grow closer and face them as a united front. But we’re human like all couples and we do get annoyed with each other from time to time. Thankfully, our annoyances are pretty mild and don’t last a long time. We still end up pulling together and wading through the issues that fall on our plate and success with support and respect for each other.

Sometimes we all get into a rut and continue a fight that deep down we know maybe a loosing battle. We can refuse to see the inevitable out of fear of change, or the unknown. Or because the known “evil” is more secure than what maybe around the corner that we don’t know.

When we fall into that rut, the Divine has a way of pushing us along to help move our energy and to get us to something better. We may not always see what’s going on as it’s happening, but hindsight is always 20/20 and becomes clear when we have made it through the change. Continue reading →

Fluid Plans Can Bring Unexpected Successes

Sep14

Successful Changes

Change Happens, Sometimes For The Better

It’s been an amazingly busy week on all fronts in my life. It seems when you make a little change that releases a negative anchor so many things are freed and begin to move forward. Even things that have nothing to do with the anchor in the first place.

The flow of energy in and around our lives can touch and connect to so many other things we never expect. We talk about it, we may even know it. But sometimes we don’t really acknowledge it until it happens on a personal level and we sit back and say “Wow”.

Continue reading →

We Remember In Respect, Compassion And Love

Sep11

September 11, 2001

It was 11 years ago today when the unthinkable became reality, forever changing our lives. Known simply as “9/11”, this date should be remembered for the innocent victims in New York City, Washington D.C., and Shanksville, Pa.

Along with the first responders in all three locations, some of whom lost their lives in the service to their communities and to those in dire need of assistance. Not only in the early moments of the tragedies, but in the waning hours and over the months as they themselves fell victim to the unseen weapons in the aftermath that eventually attacked their own bodies and claimed their lives.

And to all those servicemen and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the resulting War on Terror in far away lands and even here at home.

We will Never forget.

Our prayers and compassion to all of these people, their family and friends. May the GreatSpirits give strength to endure and love to remember.

So it is.

The U.S. Constitution and Religion

Sep10

The U.S. War On Religion

The President of the United States swears a pledge of office stating they will up hold the Constitution of the United States.

“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

The 1st Amendment protects ALL religions and the exercise of those religions by a free people. But that also means that no one religion may be favored or set above the rights of others. Your right to pray to the cross can not and must not force your beliefs upon this free society and the rights of others to practice their own religion or none at all.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. Continue reading →

Sometimes A Smile Can Empower Someone To Survive

Sep3

“Looking at the face of a friend, let me know I’m going to be Ok”

What Face To Face Communication Can Do

Today many are seeking spiritual comfort as they try to hold onto hope that things will improve in their lives. Or as they face challenges in war and military service. For some, hope is all they have to make it through one more day.

Sometimes a person simply wants someone to listen. Often a simple phone call can get them through to the next week. But for some a face to face moment of communication, where compassion can be seen, can go a long way to helping them make it through yet another day of despair. It’s amazing how much a kind word or simple smile can lift someone out of their fear and hopelessness.

How many times have you heard someone say “I found strength from her smile” or “Looking at the face of a friend, let me know I’m going to be ok”. Visual communication can say so much more than an email, tweet, or instant message. I can provide a greater sense of connection and understanding than a simple voice can. Continue reading →

What Books Should I Read?

Sep1

Time For Reading

Suggested Book Lists

I’m often asked what books I recommend for those getting started on their spiritual journey. You mean other than mine? 😉

I have two recommended reading list, one at Amazon and one at GoodReads. These lists are exactly the same, so don’t think you have to do a comparison here. It’s easier to keep a list of recommended books on these sites, because they change from time to time. This way I can add new books and share them with others who frequent two of the more popular book sites.

Amazon Listmania
GoodReads Listopia

The more you learn about a topic, the more research you’ll want to do. Make sure you read about a subject from different authors to gain insight into the different perspectives and ideas. Pick and choose what feels right to you, when it comes to your beliefs. The more you read, the more you’ll be able to recognize what’s good source material from that which leaves something to be desired.

Have fun reading.

A Story Of Hope

Aug31

When Compassion Succeeds

When Spiritual Psychology Goes Right

As a Pagan Minister I receive a lot of requests from people looking for spiritual insight and help during times of trials and challenges. Often times, these requests come from people who are out of state or even overseas. They can be people who live in areas that are highly saturated in a Christian community, or military people who want one of their own to talk to.

Imagine being in crisis and wanting someone to speak with in spiritual terms, but the only available help are Christian Ministers who don’t understand your pagan beliefs. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard someone say the minister only wanted them to pray for salvation and to convert from their wicked pagan ways. If they would do that, their problems would disappear. For many, this isn’t the help they’re looking for and in fact, it causes some to feel even more helpless than they were prior to the “Spiritual Counseling” session. Continue reading →

"Believe In Yourself, Even When No One Else Does."
~ Harvey McKay ~
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“Take a chance on faith. Not religion, but faith.
Not hope, but faith.
I don’t believe in hope. Hope is a beggar.
Hope walks through the fire and Faith leaps over it.”
~ Jim Carrey ☆ 2014
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“I describe myself as a simple Buddhist monk. No more, no less. And I am one of the seven billion human being. Basically we are the same… your emotion, my emotion, your mind, my mind.., same physical. So I always look [at it] that way. We are the same.”
~ Dalai Lama 2012 ~
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"Empty your mind, be formless. Shapeless, like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle and it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now, water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend.”
~ Bruce Lee 1971