The End of the World as We Know It

Tonight may just be the end. I don't personally believe it is, but some do. It makes me think. What do i do at the end of the world? How have I lived my life? If this is not the end, what can I do to make my life better before the end finally does come?

Last night, I went with my mother to watch my younger sister's high school dance recital. It was a wonderful thing; a beautiful mix of older styles and contemporary forms with many different musical pieces. Among the highlights were pieces such as a traditional chinese dance inspired by happy floating clouds, a contemporary set about attempting to fit into the "corporate" structure and breaking out of it titled "The Machine", a beautiful dance about temptaion inspiried by the tarot card 7 of Cups (!), and my sister's group dance about the joys of being joyful. It was great, but what made it truly great was that I was able to spend time with my family at what could have been the end of the world.

A new project

Most of you know of the podcast I tried to put on. I feel my endeavors there have failed. There is however, a new project I am working on that I hope you will enjoy. I will not yet reveal what it is, but you will know in the coming weeks. It will be interesting, or, at least I hope it won't be boring. :-)

At a loss because of a loss.

What words have I to say?

Words that would describe the sorrow, the pain, are not to be found.

I knew him as a friend, but knew him not so well as others.

Their feelings must be more profound.

The gods, they must know, what a jewel has joined them now.

One so bright with wit and light, the world now darkened with your flight.

Mourners must we be now.




Rest well, David Grega.




For those of you who wish to help with funeral costs, please donate here: http://www.gofundme.com/davidgrega#description

Change is Gonna Come

I thought I should let everyone know that I have a big move coming up. My mother, sister, and I are all moving to a new apartment. We've had to cancel internet service and the only way I'm on here right now is through my phone tethered to my laptop. That, too, is soon to end, at least, temporarily. I'm sorry. I know I've been a terrible host. Once I get my life back on track, everything will come back.

An Apology to Transgendered People

This is the result of a discussion on Google+ which you can read here. This came up regarding my previous post about the events at PantheaCon. I have come to realize a slight phobia I had. This is a phobia I was not even really aware of. The unfounded fear I had was a result of my inability to wrap my head around multiple genders, the implications of that, and in part a simple misunderstanding of facts. And though some fears do have merit, I see them differently, now moving away from the "us vs them" camp I didn't even realize I was a part of. I apologize for any fear and ignorance I have perpetuated.

The Smoking Gun or a Water Pistol? Possible Source of Climate Change Denial

Very recently, some documents have fallen into my hands regarding The Heartland Institute and its conservative position on global warming and science being taught in the classroom. I will more thoroughly review these documents later, but I will also attempt to post them online here. Keep in mind some have been denounced as fake while others have been confirmed to be real and the institute itself has threatened to litigate anyone possessing and spreading these documents. I personally believe they are bluffing and that it is everyone's right to discuss these papers, false or not. The document titled "Confidential Memo: 2012 Heartland Climate Strategy" is considered by some to be fake, but I myself can not be sure of this.

UPDATE: After several computer failures and subsequent repairs, I have lost these files.

Life and Pantheacon

Okay, so I haven't made a post in a while. I've been busy doing things over here in Huntington Beach. Mainly, I've been looking for a job, but I've also been working out a lot in order to reenlist in the military! I did take a break today in order to let my body rest and rebuild, but I'll be back at it tomorrow for another three hours at least! I can already feel some of my former strength returning and it felt great after yesterdays workout! I've also started reading a new book series called The Hunger Games. I've been told that it's a great series almost worthy of Harry Potter, but it seems to be very depressing so far. We'll see how it goes.

Some news I heard about Pantheacon this year. I did not go myself, but it seems that the focus was on transgender issues in paganism. Personally, I don't understand why this even needs to be discussed. If you have a penis, you're a man. If you have a vagina, you're a woman. If you're a man who feels he needs to be a woman, save up for a sex change. Same if you're a woman who feels she needs to be a man. It really is that simple. It doesn't matter what you think. What matters is the physical reality and how you change that. Until then, don't try to join any skyclad rituals of the gender you identify with. A man exposing himself to a group of women, no matter how much he may identify with them, is still committing sexual assault.

brand new post

to see how long it takes to show up in my rss readers on fb and how long it takes to post automatically.

Really, Star? Really?

Are you seriously asking these questions?

" Do eclectics practice in such diverse and idiosyncratic ways because it fits their beliefs? Or, and yes I know this is a touchy idea, does a lack of consistency in practice perhaps denote a lack of belief?"

Let me answer that for you.

"We believe in the four classical Western elements, and that fifth which is spirit, and so we have to take them seriously. If we did not believe in these things, we would not practice the way we do."

Funny. I believe the same things and I am not a trad witch. Though not every eclectic believes the same as I do, that does not mean that they don't believe. Just because you lack belief in the eclectic path, doesn't mean those who practice it do. You wonder why trad witches come off as elitist when you post crap like this. Let me ask you this: what is this lack of consistency in practice of which you speak? Where do you feel that eclectics are inconsistent and why do you feel that way? Where is this coming from, Star? Keep in mind, not every eclectic practices like a trad witch does, or even like you did before you were a trad witch.

My two cents: take a World's Religions course. You'll find that every practice has its own symbolism and rites that may or may not be "consistent" with your own. You'll find that every religion hinges, ultimately, on belief!

Here's the original article: http://www.patheos.com/community/paganportal/2011/11/03/because-we-believe/

The Satyr's Thicket Episode 5- Patron and Matron Deities

Today on the show I have Ashlee and NRia, guests from the Pagan Centered Podcast

• Introduction
• Ads for the Pagan Centered Podcast and the Proud Pagan Podcasters
• Question from askapagan.com about worship of patron deities
• Discussion of non-patron deities
• Our Samhain experiences this year
• Hail Columbia and the NAR
• Dragonball Z, Selena Fox as Vegeta and Peter Dybing as Piccolo
• Final Thoughts

"PCP retreat from new age section" by Pagan Centered Podcast (PCP) and TreborLocke
"Pagan Podcasting Promo" by Dave of the PCP and uziwave


Photos are of my Samhain 2011 altar, taken at Huntington Beach Central Park, Huntington Beach, CA.


P.S. Cara Schulz, you're not one of those at patheos that I take offense to.

Samhain Ritual

A blessed Samhain to all!

So, Samhain is once again upon us. A time once again for honoring our dead and continuing our internal work to better ourselves. I'm going to be doing a personal ritual tomorrow probably some time around the afternoon. My mother will be at work and my sister will be at her dad's house, so that would be the best time for me. I don't have every single tool some might say I need, but that's ok. The most important magickal tool of all is the one inside your skull. I have a wand and an athame, candles for the Lord and Lady, and for my ancestors. I have items representing the four elements for the quarters. What I can't quite figure out is what I want to say for the quarter calls or for casting and closing the circle itself. For my ancestors, I believe each particular speech will flow when the time is right. I'm not even sure where I'm going to be doing this. I'm planning on doing it at Huntington Beach Central Park in Huntington Beach, CA, but I must acquaint myself with local fire safety laws beforehand.

P.S. Dave of the Pagan Centered Podcast has given me leave to discuss a few topics from the Ask A Pagan forum on my show so, expect a new episode soon! :-D

New Template

I'm testing this new template from Blogger. I'm also testing my link with my google+ profile.

Wiccan Prison Chaplain facing criminal charges

A Wiccan prison chaplain has been charged with several criminal offences after an incident on August 10th of this year. Jamyi J. Witch is reported to have trafficked drugs, delivering contraband to an inmate, and sexually assaulting an inmate. The reports are serious and could cause setbacks to the gains made by the pagan community. I also do not believe them to be true, or at least not seen in the proper light. The article says that she was facing increasing opposition from her coworkers. They weren't the only ones she had faced opposition from.

In 2001-02, Witch was the focus of now governor Scott Walker (then a Wisconsin State Assembly member and chair of the Assembly Committee on Corrections and Courts)and Representative Michael Huebsch, in what is known as the Wisconsin Witch Hunt. Walker had objected to her hiring by the Wisconsin Department of Corrections saying:

"Witch's hiring raises both personal and political concerns. Not only does she practice a different religion than most of the inmates -- she practices a religion that actually offends people of many other faiths, including Christians, Muslims and Jews."

Also, spoken by Huebsch,"Taxpayers shouldn't be forced to accept this hocus-pocus."

Because of this unwanted publicity, Witch began receiving hundreds of emails and phone calls placing death threats. These two men who hold public office, who are supposed to be defenders of the public trust, used their positions in an attempt to fire a woman simply because of her religion.

This woman who spent years attaining her master's degree in theology, then a decade in public service as a prison chaplain after having been chosen as the most suitable for the position, faced overwhelming adversity from her coworkers and the political powers that be, is just going to throw it all away to run drugs and get her rocks off? And I'm supposed to believe that? I don't think so. Given the fact that there have been previous attempts from high officials to have her fired, I think it likely that this is another such attempt. All we can do now is lend our support and pray that the courts see the truth of the matter.

Testing

Testing the new blogger app on my phone.

Update!

Hello everyone! The son of Pan is back on the blogosphere now. I've had such a long time away from this site, it should be a crime! I've grown and learned so much, though I still retain some of my childish charm ;-) I've gained and lost jobs, love, and luck in these past few months, but I'm pushing through! I'm on the prowl for another job now. Hopefully I can get one soon (who knew you needed so much money to live)!

Hola!

Hey guys and gals! I'm checking back in. I want to let you all know that I fully intend on bringing you new episodes. I also plan on going to a really cool festival called the Lake Eden Arts Festival (LEAF) in may. Check it out here! I also just got back from visiting my family in california, but more on that later.

I'm BACK, baby!

I'm back, guys! Yes I made it through basic and am now at my individual training site. I still won't be able to record for a while as I don't have the proper equipment with me and being gone for a few months kind of makes you forget some online passwords. Also, as you can see, I make no allusions about being in the military. However, the opinions expressed here on this podcast and on this blog are not the official positions of the military. They are my own opinions. That being said, let's get on to some other things.

I've finally found a group I can practice and do workshops with right here on post! So far it seems like exactly what I've been looking for, so we'll see how this goes. Hopefully we'll be doing something for Litha. Also, I bought a pan flute! :D And if anyone knows of any good, cheep pagan magazines or catalogs, please let me know. I've been looking for one for a good while now.

Going Away

Most of you may already know this ( I believe I may have mentioned this previously), but I will be going away for a long time. I have joined the Army and soon will be off to Basic Combat Training. I know I have not produced much, and for that I apologize. I wish I had been better able to do things. Maybe if I spent less time fooling around on the computer, I'd have been able to get a little more done. Make new posts at the very least. I will return, though. So don't fret for too long! Thank you for listening! Thank you for commenting! I will come back stronger, wiser, and with more stories, some of which I MAY be able to tell. I don't know for sure, so we will see. Remember, this is only a temporary separation, and I may have some time before I leave this month, to give you a recording.

Got it!

I finally got my new computer 2 days ago and downloaded Skype and Audacity yesterday! I love my new computer with windows 7! No hiccups so far. Now to find some time to record! :D

I shall leave you with a video of an incredibly cute kitten for now.


UPDATE: Kitten removed due to complications with the feed.

New and improved

A few weeks ago my computer died... again. The screen went blank... again. This time around, though, I have been approved to get an exchange for a new computer at Best Buy. The shipment of new laptops with Windows 7 will arrive around Thursday, so I should have my new laptop by then. Depending on what I get, it could come with a built in webcam, mic, and possibly recording software to go with both. If not, I can always look online for maybe a newer version of Audacity or some other open-source freeware. The point is, I will once again be able to record. As of right now, I am typing this all on my mum's computer while she is asleep.

Also, I recently was able to get on Skype and Talkshoe via my psp and cell phone respectively to record an episode (or three) with the guys and gals over at P.C.P. That was loads of fun to do and, I hope you go listen in. It's supposed to be part of the Santeria episode but we recorded for so long that it just might be it's own episode.