Category: About Network
Mabon is a time to honor gods of
vine and vegetation.
Image © Getty Images
Fall is lurking just beyond the trees, and as the first of the leaves begin to change colors, it's a good time to consider the grape harvest, which is so intricately tied to the shifting of the seasons. This is the season to celebrate the making (and of course, consumption) of wine and other things grape-related. Wander outdoors somewhere this time of year, and you may even be fortunate enough to stumble upon some wild grapes.
This is the season to celebrate Dionysus and his counterpart Bacchus, and all the celebration that comes along with them. It's the season in which the Green Man makes his appearance, and shows in the forests in his many aspects as Herne the Hunter, Cernunnos, or even Puck of the wild woods. Take a moment to honor these gods of vegetation, and celebrate the harvest of grapes as Mabon approaches: Gods of the Vine
Follow Pagan/Wiccan on Twitter or Join Me On Facebook.
Mabon Countdown: Gods of the Vine originally appeared on About.com Paganism / Wiccan on Friday, September 3rd, 2010 at 06:46:40.
I would like to introduce you to the Institute of Frontier Science. This is a new site that deals with the credibility and advancement of the study of UFOs.
Its founder and leader is Steven S. Bass, who in addition to being the Founder and Director of the Institute, is also a field investigator for MUFON, and well known and respected by everyone involved in Ufology.
The Institute gives a great opportunity for those who are writing or making reports in the field of Ufology, as well as seasoned researchers. In Steve's own words:
"The Institute of Frontier Science is an elite fellowship of highly experienced and knowledgeable specialists in the scientific field of Ufology."
Your truly has been selected to serve as Senior Fellow, and will labor on the Advisory Council.
Check it out, and hey, you might want to apply to be a part of the Institute.
The Institute of Frontier Science originally appeared on About.com UFOs / Aliens on Friday, September 3rd, 2010 at 01:43:01.
Photo: Roger Patterson
Some interesting links I've found this week:
- North America Bigfoot Search -- This organization was founded by a small group of technology executives who had incidents in the woods of Northern California and have dedicated resources for the research and investigation of the biped.
- The Fairies of Doon Hill -- Doon Hill and the Old Kirk in Aberfoyle, will forever be associated with the Reverend Robert Kirk, a priest who is more notorious for his belief in fairies than his Christian preachings.
- Spirit Possession -- Unlike demonic possession where the person is thought to be taken over by the Devil or his demons for harm, spirit possession is a voluntary, culturally sanctioned displacement of the personality.
- All New Links
THE LATEST LINKS: Bigfoot Search, Fairy Hill, Spirit Possession originally appeared on About.com Paranormal Phenomena on Thursday, September 2nd, 2010 at 22:51:38.
Cherry Hill Seminary, which provides continuing education for Pagan clergy, has announced the addition of a four-week course on Media Outreach For Pagan Groups and Organizations. Taught by Jason Pitzl-Waters of the Wild Hunt blog, the course looks at ways to get your group's message out while not compromising your Pagan values. Topics covered include the importance and use of social networking, why having a media relations person is important, and the touchy yet ever-pervasive subject of "witch wars" on the Internet. Foundations courses such as this are open to the public, although you must register first with Cherry Hill if not matriculated. For more info, read the course description here: Foundations Courses. It sounds like a great class, and I'm sure Jason will have some great information to share!
Follow Pagan/Wiccan on Twitter or Join Me On Facebook.
Media Outreach Course Available Thru Cherry Hill originally appeared on About.com Paganism / Wiccan on Thursday, September 2nd, 2010 at 17:28:01.
Enjoy the magic of apples at Mabon!
Image © Patti Wigington
I love apples. Every fall, I take my kids to a local orchard -- it doesn't have anything fancy, like hay rides or corn mazes or anything like that. Just acres and acres of trees, full of plump and juicy fruit. We make a day of it, gathering up bags and bags of fat apples in every color and size and shape. I bring them all home with me, and then the magic really begins... preparing apples for the winter. I turn them into applesauce, I chunk them up and preserve them in slices, I dry them by hanging them from the rafters so we can snack on them later. There's just something magical about this autumn fruit, and that magic has long been a theme found in harvest celebrations around the world.
In ancient Greece, Pomona was the goddess of orchards and fruit trees. Apples have been used for divination and magic for centuries. The five-pointed star can be used as the focus of a harvest ritual. And it's not just apples themselves -- the blossoms of the apple tree are known for their magical properties.
If that's not enough to satisfy your apple craving, there are plenty of craft projects you can use to decorate your home with the magic of apples -- try a couple of these just for fun: Apple Candleholders and Apple Garland, or visit our Family Crafts site for some really fun ideas: Family Apple Crafts
Follow Pagan/Wiccan on Twitter or Join Me On Facebook.
Mabon Countdown: Apple Magic originally appeared on About.com Paganism / Wiccan on Thursday, September 2nd, 2010 at 06:45:36.
This week we are looking at some recent sighting reports from the state of Arizona. Our first report comes from the city of Surprise,
where a woman reported seeing a gold-colored object that sat still in the sky before fading from view. Our second report is from the city of Tempe, where a woman and her husband saw multiple, globe-like objects in the sky.
Our third report comes from a man in Camp Verde who saw multiple objects move in the clouds, and finally we have a report of 4-5
objects over Phoenix. The witnesses called in their report to 911, and tried to call Luke AFB, but the operator would not give them the telephone number.
Check out the full details of these reports at UFO Sighting Reports, 09-02-10, and don't forget to keep your eyes on the skies.
UFO Sighting Reports originally appeared on About.com UFOs / Aliens on Thursday, September 2nd, 2010 at 02:09:54.
Via Newstime Africa: "Kenyan officials have moved to quell growing hysteria sparked by rumour[s] that a ghostly red number was appearing on mobile phones and killing people. The rumours swept like wildfire among the residents in the capital, Nairobi and other major towns on Tuesday night, with many forwarding the stories to their friends, families and colleagues via text messages, warning them not to receive calls which will appear in a red colour."
'Red Number' Killer Phone Call Rumor Sparks Panic in Kenya originally appeared on About.com Urban Legends on Wednesday, September 1st, 2010 at 14:08:42.
The September edition of Your True Tales is here - 30 true tales of ghosts, poltergeists, psychic phenomena, weird creatures and more, including: "A Father's Last Goodbye," "Haunted Victorian House," "Sasquatch of Vinton, Iowa," "Fairy Crashes into Window," "Black-Eyed Creatures of Muir of Ord," "Terrifying Imposter Voice," "Doppleganger at Albertson's," "Baby Channels Friend at Funeral," "Mysterious Lady in Blue," "Black Magic Curse Backfires" ... and many more.
Your True Tales - September Stories originally appeared on About.com Paranormal Phenomena on Wednesday, September 1st, 2010 at 12:00:34.
Archaeologist Leore Grosman of the University of Jerusalem has spent thirteen years poring over bone fragments, artifacts, and specks of dust at the burial site of what may be the Middle East's oldest shaman, which is located at Hilzaon Tachtit cave in northern Israel. Over the past year, Grosman believes there is evidence that the gravesite itself could have hosted an early burial feast.
Researchers believe that in the years after the shaman's burial, other members of the community climbed up to the cave with large amounts of food, as well as other bodies to be buried. National Geographic says, "Next to the graves, the living dined lavishly on the meat of aurochs, the wild ancestors of cattle, during feasts conducted perhaps to memorialize the dead." Grosman says that in one sitting a large group may have devoured nearly 700 pounds of auroch meat. That's a LOT of feasting right there!
This would have been around 12,000 years ago, at the end of the Paleolithic era. Archaeologists have previously found evidence of ritual feasting in later Neolithic communities. Zooarchaeologist Natalie Munro of the University of Connecticut has been working with Grosman, and she saiys that the feasting served several purposes. In addition to the spriritual, ritualized process of the slaughter and the feast, a meal of this scale would have helped to reinforce the sense of community in the area. Communal parties are a great way to make peace with the neighbors. "When people feel like they are part of the same group, they are more willing to share and to compromise to resolve conflict," Munro said.
Follow Pagan/Wiccan on Twitter or Join Me On Facebook.
Shaman's Grave Shows Signs of Partying originally appeared on About.com Paganism / Wiccan on Wednesday, September 1st, 2010 at 09:49:34.
Demeter and Persephone tell the story
of the changing seasons.
Image © Getty Images
Mabon is just around the corner, and one of the stories that I've always loved about the change of the seasons is that of Persephone and Demeter. Even as a child I remember thinking how sad and heartbreaking it was that poor Demeter had to wander the earth looking for her lost daughter... and then when she finally found her, she still had to give her up for six months each year! Read more on Persephone and Demeter.
Follow Pagan/Wiccan on Twitter or Join Me On Facebook.
Mabon Countdown: The Tale of Persephone originally appeared on About.com Paganism / Wiccan on Wednesday, September 1st, 2010 at 07:35:55.
What is being called "astonishing" footage of a UFO was submitted to the AllNewsWeb news site. The footage was taken in the northern region of Norway on August 13.
Of interest is that the video was taken in the same area of last year's "spiral" event. A witness to the UFO made the following statement:
"This was in the same area where the Spiral UFO of December 2009 was observed, however any connection with this or the HAARP/EISCAT facility is unknown."
Check it out for yourself at Incredible UFO Footage from Norway Captured, and be sure to add your comments here.
UFO on Video in Norway originally appeared on About.com UFOs / Aliens on Wednesday, September 1st, 2010 at 01:04:12.
Top story: Enfield Poltergeist case offers new proof of paranormal existence
Plus:
- Mexico: Chupacabras attacks in Puebla and Guanajuato?
- Comerica Park possibly haunted?
- Crop circle: An ongoing conundrum
- Remembrances of lives past
- Poll: Do you believe in ghosts? Many do
- Legendary Humanoids: Mono Grande, Large Monkey of South America
- Boris Karloff, a monster talent remembered
- Puerto Rico: The gargoyle vs. the chupacabras
- At world's end: Is the unexplained on the upswing?
Follow on Facebook | Follow on Twitter
PARANORMAL NEWS: Poltergeist Evidence, Chupacabras Attacks, Past Lives originally appeared on About.com Paranormal Phenomena on Tuesday, August 31st, 2010 at 16:01:53.
"Many of the shamans of old — as of now — were masters of sham," writes Peter Kohler. "Their trickery included such skills as sleight-of-hand illusions, subtle or spectacular theatrics of boggling variety, and an ability to create through these and other strategems a belief in their tribespeople of spooks and spirits." Read more...
It's Good to Be a Shaman originally appeared on About.com Urban Legends on Tuesday, August 31st, 2010 at 14:11:34.
Use pokeberries to make natural ink.
Image © Patti Wigington 2010
A reader asks, "I do a lot of spellwork that involves writing on parchment, and I'm a little tired of using a plain old pen. I know there are inks available on the market, but I'd like to make my own if possible. Any suggestions?"
Actually, yes! This time of year is perfect for gathering pokeberries, or pokeweed, which grows in many parts of North America. The berries are super-toxic, but they produce a lovely pinkish-purple ink that you can use in your workings. The ink does eventually fade to brown if it's exposed to sunlight, but that's not such a bad thing - rumor has it that the Declaration of Independence was written with pokeberry ink! How to Make Pokeberry Ink
Readers, have you made your own ink using magical ingredients? What suggestions and ideas can you offer?
Follow Pagan/Wiccan on Twitter or Join Me On Facebook.
Reader Email: Magical Ink originally appeared on About.com Paganism / Wiccan on Tuesday, August 31st, 2010 at 14:08:27.
Author Raymond Buckland has a birthday today. He's been writing books on Paganism and Wicca for some forty-odd years now, and is often credited with being instrumental in bringing Wicca to the United States. Ray was introduced to Spiritualism by his uncle as a child, and was later initiated into Wicca by Gerald Gardner. After leaving the Gardnerian tradition, Ray founded Seax Wica. He continues to make numerous appearances on the lecture and teaching circuit each year. His newest book, "Solitary Seance," will be released by Llewellyn in April 2011.
For me personally, the first time I read "Big Blue" back around 1989 was a defining moment in which I realized that I was not, after all, alone in what I believed -- for that, Ray, I thank you once again. Have a wonderful, wonderful birthday!
Follow Pagan/Wiccan on Twitter or Join Me On Facebook!
Happy Birthday, Ray Buckland! originally appeared on About.com Paganism / Wiccan on Tuesday, August 31st, 2010 at 09:12:11.