© 2012 Springwolf, D.D., Ph.D. Springwolf Reflections / Springs Haven, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Tag Archive | thoughts
The Votes Are In – It’s Time For Compassion and Unity
Patriotic Wolf – Artist Unknown
Thank You For Your Patriotism America
Thank you to everyone who got out yesterday and voted. Who ever you voted for, your action was an expression of freedom that has been paid for by many who have come before us and many who have given life and limb so you could do so.
Now that the votes are in, it’s time to bury the anger and political rhetoric. We cannot be a United people, when some groups are being restricted, controlled, hated or ignored out of fear and ignorance. Doing so breeds contempt, distrust and hate. Acceptance creates peace, respect and inclusion. A United States born out of a desire to be free for all, not for a controlling few.
We light a candle today and ask the Divine Universe to guide the knowledge and compassion of our leaders, that they may guide their steps with wisdom and inclusion. We hope our leaders walk a path of compromise for the good of all people, without fear, anger, or hatred. But rather in love and compassion for all. We hope that even though we may have our differences, we can all find common ground to share a smile, common respect and the return of civility once again.
Let It Be So –
~ Spring Wolf
~ Spring Wolf
© 2012 Springwolf, D.D., Ph.D. Springwolf Reflections / Springs Haven, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Spread A Smile
Spread A Smile
Optimism and Smiling Help You Live Longer
There’s an old adage “ignorance is bliss” that pops up from time to time when I’m teaching or giving a lecture. Especially when the subject is about taking personal accountability for your life. Inevitably someone will mention this old saying and wonder why becoming more spiritually aware in your life means giving up that bliss happy feeling that comes along with attaining enlightenment.
The simple answer is, you’re looking at this from the wrong perspective. Because becoming personally accountable for your actions, thoughts and choices shouldn’t be a burden. It should give you a sense of empowerment over the path your life takes and the direction it’s headed into.
You have the free will and choice to allow every action you take to be overwhelming or a gift of insight and understanding. But that choice is yours to make. Others cannot make you happy, nor can they be held accountable for the choices you make in your life. When you stop blaming others for the things that go wrong in your life; you will discover that you had the power in your hands to create the results you wanted from the beginning. And that spiritual knowledge can and will help you change the direction of your path toward a more positive and optimistic future. Continue reading
What’s In A Name? And What Does It Mean?
How Pagans Define Their Religion
Do we call it Pagan, neo-Pagan, Witchcraft, Wicca or some other label? Is ‘Witchcraft” the religion or is it something else? If we look at the origins of the word and how it was originally used, then yes, Witchcraft is a religion. But it’s important to look at the origins as well as the meaning of the words as they were initially used to begin this discussion. But it’s also important to look at how these words have evolved throughout time and what they have become to mean.
Words like people evolve in their meaning and in their use. When a religion such as modern paganism has evolved so much through the centuries, does it really make sense to hold onto old labels like “Witchcraft”? Some say no. Others say that was never the name for our religion to begin with. It was heaped onto believes by the early Christian Church and demeans our beliefs and practices.
So how do modern practitioners of paganism define the name for their religion? For that we have to start at the beginning and discuss the meaning, origin and evolution of some of the words and labels that are used within our religion. This maybe tedious stuff, but it’s important to know where you came from in order to understand where you’re going. Continue reading
Thank You For Helping Us Help Others
Help Us Help Others
Our Indiegogo Campaign Has Ended
Yesterday was the final day of our campaign to Help us keep hope alive for shut-ins and the military asking for help. We’re calling it a satisfactory success!
We began our campaign on August 3, 2012.
Our goal was $1,700 and 18 people helped us raise $347 of that. But nearly 380 people helped us to get the word out and share our campaign across social media.
I can’t begin to express what these gifts mean to us here at Spring’s Haven. We may not have meet our ultimate goal, but thanks to Apple’s new iPad Mini we should still be able to meet the need! We’ll know in the next few weeks as we dot the i’s and cross the t’s. So stay tuned for our announcements and new face to face services!!
More than the monetary value, we truly appreciate the thought behind the support and the compassion everyone shared with those in need. Knowing we have the support of people like those who contributed, shared, tweeted and helped to get the word out, inspires our day and encourages our mission.
Thank you again from the bottom of my heart and from everyone at Spring’s Haven.
© 2012 Springwolf, D.D., Ph.D. Springwolf Reflections / Springs Haven, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
The History Of Samhain And Evolution of Halloween
Photograph by Mukul Soman
National Geographic
Samhain – The Celtic New Year
Whether you use the Gaelic pronunciation “Sow-en”, “Sow-ween”, “Sah-ween” or the Americanized version “Sam-hain” (yes that is an acceptable pronunciation), it’s still the biggest holiday on the Pagan Calendar.
It’s the start of the Celtic New Year and honors the year that has passed. It is the time when the veil of forgetfulness is lifted between the physical world and the spiritual world. Where the dead are honored and communication with spirit can take place more than any other time of the year.
For pagans it’s a time of celebration, but it’s also a time of reverence and deep spiritual reflection for the past and the future year to come.
An article by the Library of Congress states: Pagans divided the year by four major holidays. According to their calendar, the year began on a day corresponding to November 1st on our present calendar. The date marked the beginning of winter. Since they were pastoral people, it was a time when cattle and sheep had to be moved to closer pastures and all livestock had to be secured for the winter months. Crops were harvested and stored. The date marked both an ending and a beginning in an eternal cycle. Continue reading
The Mayan Long Count Calendar
A Dec. 21, 2012 Prophecy
One of the most common myths today is that the Mayans predicted a doomsday and that the world will end on December 21st 2012.
What gets me about this story is that many of the people who believe this, never listen to other prophecies that have been made and have happened. Why do so many people believe this one? I honestly have no insight into that. Perhaps it’s a sign of the hoplessness that some people feel during this recession/depression time in our world.
I’ve written about this story in the past on Taking Another Look At Dec. 12, 2012 . Sharing facts and links to real scientific evidence that debunks this silliness. Now that we’re getting closer to the infamous date, more stories are coming out about that same evidence. This week the Discovery Channel posted a pretty good perspective on the Mayan Calendar and the misinformation fear mongers are spreading. It’s worth a read.
Two Months Until the Mayan Doomsday Nonevent
© 2012 Springwolf, D.D., Ph.D. Springwolf Reflections / Springs Haven, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Teaching Your Children
Teachable Moments
Starting Out On A Spiritual Path
In today’s world of spiritual variety, people of all faiths are looking to share their beliefs and practices with their children. Even if their beliefs are Pagan Metaphysics.
As with any practice, there are levels of participation based on age. Children often go through a period of learning the basics before they participate in the central practices of the Church or Temple or Circle. This is true with children in the pagan metaphysical realm as well.
In most traditions, children are not permitted to practice magik until they reach puberty. That means being present during a circle, but not participating in the ritual of the circle. It’s not because of an age thing, it’s an energy thing.
Until all the chakras are fully functional and ready to begin work, they can be adversely affected by rituals that deal with energy manipulation (magik). Think about what the physical body is going through during not only their early years of physical development, but the emotional development as well. Especially during puberty, kids are going through a wide array of changes. Both boys and girls fight and deal with hormones, physical changes and emotional pressures each and every day. Adding magik and energy rituals on top of that can be over whelming. Even parents who think their children are wise beyond their years have to face the reality that they are still children who are growing physically. Don’t push them! Allow them to be kids and grow up gradually as nature intended. Continue reading
Shamanistic Numerology
The Shamanistic Approach To Numbers
Earlier this year I wrote a brief overview article on the Bare Minimum Basics of Numerology. From that article several people asked for more information on the method I’m most familiar with and the meaning behind the numbers from that perspective; Shamanistic Numerology. I don’t want to re-write the information in that original article, so you might want to start there and then finish reading about the approach I have been taught and use from time to time.
I do want to restate that I am not a Numerologist, nor have I spent a great deal of time utilizing this method of insight and wisdom. There are many forms of Shamanism around the world and this is only one method in that venue. So do more research and if you like some of the approaches here, merge them with things you like in other methods and create your own version of personal Numerology. Stick with what rings true to you and follow your own instincts. Continue reading
Family Caregiving For The Elderly Or Sick
Compassion and Healing
Living With Chronic Complainers
Getting old or being sick isn’t easy. Living with those who are feeling the aches and pains of age and illness isn’t easy either. They often seem angry all the time, never have a nice thing to say about anything or anyone and their negativity can easily bring down the entire house in an instant. You want to be compassionate, you want to be there for your family when they’re in need. But even the best of people can only take so much before they go crazy themselves.
From the perspective of the older or ill relative, they already feel as though they’ve become a burden to you. If it’s a parent you’re taking care of, remind them that they took care of you when you were young and now it’s your turn to take care of them. Tell them that the U.S. is the only country that doesn’t treat it’s elderly with the utmost respect and dignity. In most other countries, the elderly are revered and honored. In many countries of Asia, it’s an honor to be selected as the one who is responsible for caring for their elderly parents. Continue reading
Springwolf Reflections 