Uriel's Gifts

We're Back! And hopefully, we'll have some stuff for you to get excited about! One of my first impressions when I began studying theology and things spiritual was that it was hard to fathom disagreements and supposed incompatibilities between spiritual paths. When I took a closer look at Glastonbury, I found that my suppositions might not be that far off. And there is so much to learn!

Things happen during prayer and meditation. But I've also noticed some strange preconceived notions about what happens in prayer and meditation. Most often, such ideas are spread by people who have no real experience in either prayer or meditation. How to get things to really happen? The answer is right out there in front of you. In fact, a popular Beatles song summed up most of it. Some people devote their lives to this pursuit, but here is an introduction to get yours working.

According to the Tax Code, a church such as Temple of Gaia or the Universal Episcopal Church is supposed to stay out of partisan politics in order to be tax-exempt. That means that I can't get into a pulpit and preach for or against a candidate. But the nature of ministry being "Comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable" means that I am supposed to face issues head-on. And if a candidate creates or becomes an issue, I need to face the issue. With some of the stuff going on as the presidential election approaches, we are not lacking for issues, including issues of basic civil rights that most people take for granted. And, precedent gives cause for concern. We need to look and see what we might need to be ready for, and keep our eyes open!

February 20th is Tempest Smith Day, and it will be at least as long as I can have any say in the matter. She died February 20, 2001 at the age of twelve years old. She died by her own hand as a result of religious harassment at her school. She had adopted Wicca as her faith, and that was one of the more major pretexts her classmates used to harass her. But this goes beyond that. This sort of harassment and bullying is not limited to schoolchildren. Those of us who spend any time keeping up to date on the news should know that. And it needs to stop.

Atheists and Christians of the Evangelical/ Pentecostal Protestant variety might not agree on much. But, they sure can miss the same point! Watch what happens when subjects like famine, war, hate, disease and poverty comes up. On those subjects, Atheists (and agnostics) like to taunt us with "Where is your god?" In almost the same breath, some Christians will try to blame such problems on "God's will" or postpone resolution until "God's time". Guess what! Both miss the same point!

To most Wiccans and Pagans, this is a non-issue. Most of them follow more than one deity, and some call upon deities from more than one path. For those with a Christian background, this is a different issue. Some do not seem to realize that the Old Testament does recognize and respect the existence of other deitites. And in the New Testament, we have evidence of Jesus respecting other paths, and even honoring them.

We see a number of people claiming to be Christians citing doctrine from the Old Testament as being the basis of their pronouncements. Can it really be? It seems that Luke 16:16 is one of the more ignored and/or forgotten passages of the New Testament. That verse does offer a definitive answer. Comparing that verse with a table of contents in a Jewish Tanakh (the scripture Jesus would have known) is revealing!

Let's look at The Last Gospel and see what it says about the beginning of all beginnings. The Last Gospel is the very end of Holy Communion services in many Catholic, Anglican and other Orthodox traditions. It specifically is John 1:1-14. Note that it shows that there is more to Jesus than we know, and that his role begins long, long before his birth in Bethlehem. What we know is one small part of one small corner.

Let's begin at the ending. Why? Some of us are known for taking a peek at the end of a novel to see how the story ends! Why not? It gives us some idea of what to look forward to, and perhaps a glimpse of the fate of certain characters. And since people are trying to persuade us to follow what's in this book, we need to know who it ends. The gate is open wider than some would have you believe. Let's look and see.

So much of religion seems to be based on waiting for something to happen, but how much of the waiting is really necessary? Christians wait for the coming of The Kingdom of God, yet do they need to wait? They are not alone, for some of the Norse wait for Ragnarok, yet others say that Ragnarok has already been! The question, then, is how much need is there to wait, or are there cases in which we can claim something that some others might think that they need to wait for?

In this time when so many of us make a point of giving thanks, it might be an idea to share some thoughts concerning a major part of giving thanks, that being the act of receiving something for which we are giving thanks. Most of us can offer examples in which receiving was done and, for that matter, when it actually was not done. I offer a couple that I've seen. The point is something that I offer as a counterpoint to a statement often made by plate-passing preachers. They might claim that their god loves a happy giver, but my deities really get excited about a happy receiver!

One of the most charged words, whether in a political or theological context, is the word "choice". People bat that word around as if it were important and, interestingly enough, as if there were a universal definition which perfectly fulfills their vested interest. But does it do all that? Let's look and see!

Ostara is a celebration of fulfillment! Not that all of the promises made at Samhain have been fulfilled, but a special assurance that they will be. The next celebration, after all, will be of The God/ The Lord coming of age. And this one, we celebrate the fact that he is advancing toward that. In many ancient societies in which child mortality was common, a celebration at this point was appropriate. And here we also celebrate and make a point of something I keep repeating about because it is so important: fulfillment is a fact! The next Sabbat is Beltaine, and we know when it is going to be - you can mark it on your calendar. And, what is celebrated does not depend on anyone's will, either. Blessed Be!

February 20th is Tempest Smith Day, and she deserves a day to mark her short life. On February 20, 2001, Tempest Smith died as a result of the relentless bullying she received from her classmates. She was shy, she liked to wear black "Gothic" clothing and, she was studying and following Wicca. She was also highly intelligent and talented. She wrote poetry, played the flute, and in general showd more depth to herself that most folks would expect in a middle-school girl. Had she lived, she would be entering her mid-twenties today. One can only imagine the young woman she might have become! Many of us have endured bullying, and perhaps most of us who would find interest in a podcast such as this. It could be said that Tempest Smith was one of so many, but she is also one who represents ever-so-many. A look at the Tempest Smith Foundation web site reveals photographs of many more. And so, perhaps let us see her as a patron for those who are the victims of bullying. And if we keep Tempest in mind, we might be able to put an end to bullying. And this is a special ritual done in her honor to celebrate her life and mark her day. Blessed Be!

Tempest Smith Day is February 20th. Tempest Kayne Smith died on February 20, 2001. She was twelve years old. She was shy, she liked to wear black "Gothic" clothing and she was studying Wicca. Because of that, she was the subject of years of daily bullying in school until the time when she could not take any more. She died by her own hand. When her classmates realized what their bullying had resulted in doing, many of them expressed apologies. And, of course, the faculty and administration at her school "expressed regret" and "extended condolences." Not only is bulling wrong, religious bullying is one of the most spiritually dangerous deeds a person might do! I would expect Christians to be especially wary, since their Bible gives so many reasons not to! On Febraury 20th, I will be exercising what authority I have to try and make some sort of permanent honoring of Tempest Smith. To begin with, she will be officially declared a martyr and her day will be permanently a part of a calendar. Blessed Be!

Imbolc in some places is a Sabbat greeted with a feeling of relief. We've had winter with us for a while, the brightness and merriness of Yule is in the past, and what's been left to many of us is simply cold and perhaps a bunch of snow, too! At Imbolc, we celebrate the first stirrings of spring, with the first shoots of the heartier crops pushing their heads through the snow to be seen! We were made a promise at Samhain when we celebrated the life of the old year. That promise was re-stated at Yule, as the sun began its return to us. And Imbolc gives us the first tangible evidence that it is actually happening. We have the first actual evidence that spring is actually going to be! Other paths, including the Christian, have flattered us by adopting our Sabbats, and this one is no exception. However, you sometimes might feel forced to dig deep if you want to learn about more than "Ground Hog Day". But that's OK, there is something very significant - and it gives an extra perspective to help us see the full importance of what Imbolc means! And so, let's celebrate! Blessed Be!

It's Yuletide, and here's our Yuletide celebration, in our special chapel where all join in, no matter where you are! Yule is a special time, for so many reasons, not the least of which is its prominence in the Wheel Of The Year. After all, it is the first visible fulfillment of the promise made at Samhain. There was a death then, but also a promise of a new birth. And that's what we have here, and we celebrate it. In fact, most paths at the time of their Winter Solstice celebrate it, and for good reason. It was the beginning of the sun's return. There were wintry days ahead, but a promise had been made, and this is its first sign of fulfillment, no matter if it's December in the Northern Hemisphere or June in the Southern Hemisphere. And since I'm in the Nothern Hemisphere, we have this now. And if you look at it, there's something special. And perhaps we can look at it here. But above all, it's Yule and a good time to celebrate and enjoy fellowship! Blessed Be!

The words "universal", "unity", and "universalism" get batted around a lot, as if they were something major and profound. And, of course, there are a number of people who use those words with the definition which they have come up with for themselves. How often have we heard someone speak of "unity" or "The Universal Church", and find that they are actually talking about an ostensibly grown-up version of the supposedly long-abandined childhood logic that says "playing with my ball in my yard equals my rules"? So then, what does it mean? And how do we deal with the existence of more than one path, each claiming to be "the" path to The Divine"? And how do we deal with the fact that so many of us are not on the path we started on? There's something here that most of us will need to explore. Blessed Be!

In the United States, November 11th is set aside as Veterans' Day, a day to honor those who have served in the armed forces of the United States. Most countries have such a celebration, and well they should. Personally, I honor all veterans, including those who would have once been my enemies. It was originally called Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of hostilities in the First World War. And even then, there were honors to those who had served in that war. In in the early 1950's, we had been through one other (and bigger) war and we were in the Korean conflict, and so Armistice Day was re-named to Veterans' Day in honor of all veterans. All veterans began their lives as ordinary people leading ordinary lives. For some, military service was considered a rite of passage on the way to adulthood. Others were given no choice, they were drafted. Some volunteered. Others chose the way they enterd because the alternative was to be drafted. There are no limits to the possibilities of their motivations. One rather well-known test pilot and fighter ace became an aviation cadet to avoid the duty roster. Another fighter ace who won the Medal of Honor joined to get off of the farm. Once in uniform, there was yet another occasion for fate and fortune. Some were needed to fill jobs behind desks and in supply warehouses. Others were needed as leaders, and others needed to be led. Some earned more rank and medals than others, but in the final analysis that is not much of a distinction. After all, would the heroic fighter pilot or the decorated hero of the battle have accomplished what they did without support from the supply clerks, the cooks, the medics, and ever-so-many others? The Army once estimated that it takes fifty people in other jobs to support one soldier in the field. And so, we take this occasion to give thanks for them all! Blessed Be!

It's Samhain! The wheel of the year has completed another cycle, and so here we are. We are at the end, and we are at the beginning! This is, after all, the Celtic New Year. We can look back at all that we've accomplished this year, and look forward to what we want to accomplish in the new year just beginning! For some of us, just having made it through in some semblance of health can be looked upon as an achievment. And there's more, for those who look for it. Each Sabbat can be found in every other Sabbat until the year comes around to Samhain again, and there we find the greatest of Samhain's promises: fulfillment. And, of course, the veil between the worlds is at its thinnest, and this means that now is the best opportunity to spend some time sharing with those we've known and loved who have crossed the Rainbow Bridge. They still love us and care about us, after all. And for those of us new to such things, this is the perect time to become more aware. There is much hear that we can all make use of throughout the entire year. And, we have our celebration. Blessed Be!

It's Mabon, and here we are in Mabontide ready for a celebration! Some call this the last harvest, Lammas being the first. Some call it the second of three with the final being Samhain. Either way, this is Mabon and we do celebrate the harvest at this time. Not only do we celebrate the harvest, we give thanks. In fact, it can be said that Thanksgiving as people in the USA celebrate it is Mabon transplanted to later in the calendar. And yes, we give thanks. Not just for the good things that are apparent, but also for those that might not be apparent. There are those things we've been too busy to notice. There are some things which we might have come to take for granted. And yes, there probably are some blessings which we simply haven't realized. And this is the time for that. This is another one of those Sabbats where the emphasis is on fulfillment. Those who feel as if they are in exile from other paths can take comfort in that. The Wheel Of The Year is about a promise and its fulfillment. There's no talk of "God's will" here because the will of The Divine is our fulfillment, happiness and well-being. There is no talk of "God's time" because each and every Sabbat can be marked on the calendar. As for "God's higher plan," this is indeed that "higher plan", and woe be those who stand in the way! And so come, join in this celebration! Blessed Be!

"Non nobis Domine, non nobis sed nomine toa da Gloriam." And before anyone uses their pre-conceived notions to dismiss this, let it be known that virtually every spiritual path has someone (or a few someones) who might be addressed as "Lord" or "Lady" and unto whom people ascribe all honor, including the ones referred to as simply "The Lord And Lady." "Not us Lord, not us but to your name give glory". And that is a pretty good solution to just about anything which I have to criticize about religion, organized or otherwise. It's basically a call to humility, and for some humility seems to be actually the subject of bragging rights. As in: "There isn't anyone more humble than me, and I date you to disagree with that." And that problem is not limited to the clergy. And the problem is not limited to the level of the individual follower. How many people and movements are there where someone believes that they are of "The One And Only True Way (R)". And so, let's look at this and see what we can do for ourselves with this! Blessed Be!

Last time, I spoke about what I was going to do to accept my own challenge. And, it made sense to do so. I had offered a challenge to others, so am I going to also accept the challenge? Of course! Not only should I, but I want to! And, I spoke about some people I want to reach out to. This time, I want to expand that and point out three kinds of people that I am concerned about the most. They present us with a challenge and an opportunity. On the positive side, meeting their needs means that we will grow in numbers and strength. Yes, I see them as having the most need. But I also see that once those needs are met, they will have the most to give others. In The Havamal, Allfather Odin says that a gift deserves a gift, and this is a situation in which those who are given gifts pass on gifts, with the result being the enrichment of us all! You see, those who have been successfully ministered to often become the most successful ministers. And the healed become healers. Blessed Be!

Time before last, I offered a challenge. In essence, the challenge was to figure out what we can do for ourselves and for the betterment of our spiritual paths and the people who pursue those paths. That's not all I talk about this time, but it's the main thing. I'm answering my own challenge by investigating what I might be able to do, and coming up with something resembling a plan. We have a lot of people, both regular and reserve, on active duty right now, and a number of them are deployed without their families into some areas which are less than hospitable. Add to that the number of tours over there that some have served, and you have a situation which can breed a lot of stress. In my day (the VietNam era), someone would probably have to serve one tour and a few people in critical specialties might have to serve a second tour. And, we knew when we left when we were coming home. A fifth tour for us would be unthinkable, yet now fifth tours are not unusual. Add to that for one of us the likelihood of spiritual isolation. Even some Christians face that, but as a Pagan, Wiccan or Druid it can be all the more. So, what to do? I remember some of the ways I found comfort, such as listening to the BBC. And so, I'm looking at something that I might be able to offer that's part of what I'm offering now. What do I mean? Tune in and see! Blessed Be!

It occurred to me that this would be a good time to have a celebration just for the sake of having a celebration. Just for the sake of seeing all that The Divine has done for us and giving some thanks, even if it isn't one of those marked-on-the-calendar appointed times for such a celebration. Many years ago, someone who I have come to venerate had some advice for people who were going to The Divine with prayers because of specific needs: "Give thanks in advance", he was known to say. And in at least one place, someone quoted him as saying "When you do that, you have them over the barrel and they have to do something for you, because you're thanking them!" Some would question such a statement, but it works. And, he was able to pull off some amazing stuff in his lifetime. And, come to think of it, why not! And why not from time to time take a step back and look at the blessings you and I have and give some thanks. And who knows? Like in a retail business where it seems that the happy customer seems to get better service, in life it seems that people who give thanks wind up having more to give thanks about! And in this, I'll reveal something to you which some of you might find to be the clue to inspire a quest. But, that is for you to see. Just as you'll see here that this ritual and celebration was spontaneous and unrehearsed (as mine normally are). But then again, I'm not the Pope at St Peter's Square at Christmas or Easter. I'm just a priest (and a mortal) who wants to spend some time giving thanks to The Divine for some wonderful things. Blessed Be!

A famous (or infamous) English author once wrote an essay with a title which began "A modest proposal...." which raised a stir in its day and still does. And here, I wish to offer a proposal about some of the things we can do. In fact, some of the things we once did to survive might be the way for us to be able to thrive. What is it? Doing for others in ways which they cannot do for themselves, or helping in ways which those who are supposed to help them just don't seem to be able to. Our herbs and other natural remedies offer comfort and healing where sometimes doctors just can't. Divination offers answers to questions which people might not even know how to ask. And so much, much more. Isn't there! And so, we have an opportunity. And I'm going to tell you about the idea that is coming together in my mind's eye about what I would like to do along those lines. I'm not an herbalist, I don't know enough about divination to offer my services beyond a small circle of friends, but I am a priest and I can do something there. And that's the challenge! Do what you can do best, and in the best way. And see what might come of it! Blessed Be!

Sometimes, to get a point across you might have to say something that won't be liked by everyone. Yet, there are some people who seem to put such a high priority on not offending anyone that they also avoid accomplishing very much. My favorite example is what I so often experienced in the Air Force. There were even some denominations who made such an effort at "inclusiveness" that they would overstep boundaries of their own denomination. And then there was the denomination which worried that the traditional reading for Easter might offend another group, as if that other group were going to attend! And, for that matter, the particular reading had been scripture for longer than that denomination had existed, so what's the deal? Somehow, it has to be possible to reconcile enlightening and the possibility of offending. Blessed Be!

Some folks call us "marginalized", but that doesn't have to be and it can easily be said that the time for that is over! Every religious movement has a time when it wasn't in the mainstream. At one time, Buddhism consisted of Gauthama Sakyamuni Buddha and his followers, of whom 12 were especially close to him (does that sound familiar?). And yes, Christianity began as Yeshua Bar-Joseph and his 12 disciples. And Yeshua was Jewish, a movement which began with only Abraham and his wife Sarah. The Mormons were once a small group of followers of Joseph Smith who were forced out of Nauvoo, Illinois. And what of us? There are certainly enough people - and even corporations - who seem to be able to make a living supplying the material goods to help our spiritual needs, such as books and magickal tools. So, it seems to me that if we all stood up and let ourselves be counted, we'd be in the mainstream - and perhaps larger than some of the groups who try to marginalize us. And what might we be able to do to bring this about? More directly, what can each and every one of us individually do that will help bring this about? Three things - and they are within the grasp of each and every person who sees this vidcast! Blessed Be!

It's Lammas! Whether you call it Lammas, Lughnassadh, Loaf-mass, or any other of the names that it is known by in various paths, this is the first of the harvest feasts. It is especially the celebration of the harvest of grains, which makes bread and the like such an appropriate food for this celebration. It is also the first tangible fulfillment of the promises made since last Samhain. Remember, every sabbat has remnants of every other Sabbat. And just as when the god died at Samhain we were promised the birth at Yule, so we were promised harvests at the time of planting. And that's what so many of us seek and welcome. There's no talk about "God's will" here. We do our part, the Divine do their part, and we celebrate the resulting harvest. And so, then, here is a celebration at Temple of Gaia. Come and join us, as we appreciate the harvest. This is one that even the city folk can enjoy! Blessed Be!

Here, we take a variation from our regular schedule to do something special for someone who has been so very special to so many of us. I am speaking of Morning Glory Zell. We have received word that her cancer has returned. I don't have the details, and I don't need the details to know what to offer. We need to join in the fight with every means we have, including and especially the spiritual. At a time when my life seemed in turmoil, it was some of her writings that guided me onto a path which brought my life into balance. And that was when I was just one among so many virtually anonymous "newbies" trying to find some sense of direction in a situation in which many offer advice, but few are actually qualified to do so. And I say that as just one of ever-so-many who can say that. "Rolling Thunder", which has been called for July 22nd thru August 13th, and I'm also offering this special "Mass For The Shut-Out" in addition. "Rolling Thunder" is a Temple of Gaia tradition used in time of need. In essence, at the date and time called for (your local time whatever it is), you do your own particular ritual the way you do it for the specific intention. It "rolls" because of the way time zones work. Here, in "Mass For The Shut-Out", you join with others together. Between "Rolling Thunder" and "Mass For The Shut-Out", we can raise a whole lot of healing energy for Morning Glory! Blessed Be!

Got focus? It's amazing how things can lose focus. I recall in the Air Force, there were people who insisted upon reports being filled and meetings being attended, even at the expense of operational missions! And please don't think that such failure-to-focus is limited to the military establishment. Businesses, healthcare establishments and even religious bodies can sometimes get so wrapped up in procedures and rules that their basic purpose is obscured! Does a hospital exist for the sake of healing people or for the sake of complying with state and federal regulations? There are a few folks who would ask that question! And where spirituality and religion are concerned, it can really happen. I recall my main mentor (Rt Rev Jerome Birnbaum AKA Jerome Peartree) kidding that if he were put to death, in a thousand years would his followers be wearing little electric chairs around their necks? And what about the cross, especially the version with the body on it? Isn't the emphasis supposed to be not on that, but the fact that he overcame the most agonizing and humiliating of deaths to rise again and triumph? When we think of stars on the red carpet for the Oscars or Emmys, do we focus on the well-dressed, well-scrubbed star on the carpet, or do we focus on the scrubbing, bathing, and perhaps some breath-holding that it took to get them into those fancy clothes? And that's where focus comes in. It's one of the more important parts of "To Will," I would say. Got focus? Blessed Be!

Once upon a time, in what some folks call a fit of my occasional cynicism, I remarked that where the spiritual is concerned, nobody forges new ground and gets away with it. If memory serves me right, one of the people who readily agreed with that statement was the High Priest/Bishop who gave me the ordination which I consider to be my "biggie". And, of course, in some cases "forging new ground" might actually be reclaiming old ground which others have abandoned. That's true in The Craft, but it is also true in some Christian paths - and all of those which cross between The Craft and Christianity. Understand the New Testament in its actual context and in light of certain "ignored" verses, and you'll understand what I mean. And there are some basic principles which need to be understood. I consider them to be basic and elementary. The first is that if you have a tradition, follow it! The second principle is that if you are going to change a tradition from within, do so on a firm basis. History gives us some good examples of when and how this was done. Finally, sometimes the best way to make change is to build something new. That way, you can continue to respect (and be respected by) those who are following the old tradition, and you can build something with the opportunity to examine in a full context. There are those who don't seem to understand this. One particular example in the Church of England has had so much press about variances of his opinions that he appears to waffle enough to open a breakfast shop! And so, I adapt from a popular commercial from a few years ago. Got Guts? That might be a good thing to have in the coming days! Blessed Be!

I've noticed a similar phenomenon going on in the world of secular politics as I've noticed going on in religion, especially in the United States. It's known as polarization. And, so I take the title from the political campaign slogan of Richard Nixon, the man who was President the last time I saw so much political polarization. As I see it, the basic problem which Richard Nixon had was that he accomplished what his predecessors of the other party had not been able to do. He opened China, he ended the war in Vietnam, and he ended the miliraty draft. And so, the other party became almost obsessive about him - and some still are. If he were still alive, he could probably share some things with President Obama. And in the world of religion, there is similar polarization going on in a number of denominations - and between denominations. Worse, some groups seem to make accusations in one direction when there is history to show that they could make those accusations into a mirror. And I think about three men I greatly admire, some of the greatest theological minds our world has seen: Venerable Solanus Casey, Archbishop Fulton Sheen and Father Thomas Merton. All three were Romal Catholic clergy, but all three were comfortable working with people of other faiths - and did so with no intent to convert them. Father Solanus was a Capuchin priest simplex known, among other things, for the soup kitchens he founded. Bishop Sheen was known for his work in radio and television. Father Merton was a Trappist monk whose diverse circle of friends included the Dhalai Lama. And they all spoke about unity without unification. Can you imagine what could be accomplished if we could come together to work together? Blessed Be!

Given the nature of some of the stuff I've been studying and dealing with lately, it occurred to me that I really needed to say something about that being which some Christians refer to as "The Devil". I personally do not believe that such a being exists. I have many reasons to believe that way, and in this show I'll outline to you the reasons why I do not believe that a being which is totally and absolutely evil can exist. Of course, that does not mean that I don't believe in evil. It also does not mean that I do not know that there are indeed evil spirits and other evil entities, just as there are evil people. Good cannot exist without evil, and evil would not exist without good. This is an issue which every one of us has to deal with in our everyday lives. And now that you know that the fact that you see it does not make you wrong or crazy, what can you do about it? What should you do about it? Blessed Be!

Did you ever notice that on the Wheel Of The Year, Litha is the Sabbat directly opposite Yule? In fact, as we in the Northern Hemisphere celebrate Litha, they are having Yule in the Southern Hemisphere. And that fact has some implications worth noticing. A baby was born at Yule. We've seen him go through all of the stages of growing and coming of age, and the last Sabbat was Beltaine, where we celebrated his wedding. Here at Litha, we celebrate his fulfillment! It is too soon to harvest, that will be soon enough. But it is a good time to look at what the baby born at Yule has grown to become! And here is Litha's gift to us, as expressed in a reading which came from a place which you might not have expected. But the point of that reading was that someone was given something that they didn't put to use, and here at Litha we celebrate someone's fulfillment. In other words, the baby born at Yule now has all he needs to carry out what he needs to do. So much of theology deals with stories of people who were trying to get what was already theirs. And some of us surprise ourselves when we discover how much we have. And so let's celebrate this, and learn! Blessed Be!

I grew up in a retail environment. I couldn't help it. My Dad was in the hardware business almost all of his adult life, and the lessons he learned he passed on to me. He worked in the central organization of Coast-To-Coast Stores, and in the latter part of my high school years I worked in one of the stores until I left for college in another city. So, what does this have to do with spirituality? Perhaps more than some folks want to admit. The secret to success in being in the retail business is to not only persuade the customer to buy this time, but to come back again to buy some more. And for the customer, the secret is to get the best possible deal consistently so that you get what you want without going broke. Now, does that sound like it might have a parallel in the stuff we're talking about? This episode was inspired by a recent visit to a deli which I regularly frequent. And this time, the lady in front of me was someone whose knowledge of cheese was there was "white cheese" and there was "yellow cheese", or so it seemed. It reminded me of the person who asked for "bolts" with no appreciation of how many kinds of bolts there are, or the person who asked for "a thingamabob about so long...." And after the deli clerk had served the lady her "white cheese", he and I had a nice chat comparing notes. Can you see how something there might relate to how to use prayer effectively? I knew which kind of cheese I wanted, right down to the brand - much easier for him to get me what I really wanted. Oh, and of course it heled to let him know that I had an appreciation of what he did. And I come there regularly enough that he knows me. Do you think that helps? Do you think there's a lesson here for our spiritual lives? Watch and see! Blessed Be!

"Payback Time!" You've probably seen a movie which makes use of that trite saying. And unless you're going through life as everyone's favorite doormat, you've felt like wanting to say that yourself more than once. It's only natural. At some time in your life, someone is going to get you angry enough that you will want to see something happen to the person who made you angry. And you probably feel that you have every right to do so. And, if you're of a spiritual path which believes in such things, you have a nice array of spiritual tools available to you to help you accomplish such a goal. I recall one time telling someone (honestly) that I found that I can do more with an altar than I ever could with a firearm. So, what do you do? There is a joke that goes "If the Pope excommunicated like some High Priestesses banish, hell would have a housing shortage!" And what might you accomplish by such an effort. Do you think it would make an impression on the person whose attention you're trying to get? Does that person even understand that he or she did anything wrong? Sometimes, with experience, you discover that something you did not consider might be the answer. Not giving up, but giving it to someone who is better equipped to handle the whole situation. Let's think on this one for a while. It's an issue you've seen before and probably will see again. Blessed Be!

This week includes Memorial Day in the United States. If you live somewhere else, you probably have a similar celebration so that what we speak of today will apply for you at that time. And, we memorialize the same ones. In fact, I will be including all of those that are honored anywhere on such a memorial. All fell for ther country, or served their country and died later. For in the United States, we find ourselves not only honoring those who died on active duty, but all who have fought and passed on. They all share the common bond of having anseered their country's call. Some did so voluntarily. Some were drafted. Others volunteered so that they could choose their form of service rather than have it chosen for them. But they all took an oath. I remember mine. Part of it was to support and defend the Constitution Of The United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. Another part was to obey the orders of the President Of The United States and the officers appointed over me. Some who criticize us who serve forget that we took such an oath. Military service is not an occasion to debate the merits of a particular action. And on this day, we remember them. In my case, I also honor those who might have been enemies at the time, but they would have been friends under other circumstances, and in a few cases some of those they fought alongside did become my friends when our nations became friends again. And on this day, we honor them. Blessed Be!

When it happens - and it does - what do you do? A boy of ten is getting ready for school when his dad suggests he "take a day off" and spend the day with some fmaily friends - and at the end of that day the boy learns that the "day off" was because his mother had died. A man is at work when the phone rings and he's told that he's needed at home immediately because of an accident. A couple is speaking to her dad/ his father-in-law about a forthcoming visit, and in the wee hours of the next morning there is a call from the dad/father-in-law's wife that he had died just hours after the phone call. These are things that happen. What to do? No amount of advice, no matter how well-intentioned or even no matter how wise, will be the "magic pill" some folks look for. If it happened to you, then it's pretty much on you to see yourself through. And therein is the question: What do you have? What is your most powerful weapon in dealing with the current situation. Perhaps just as important, what is your enemy? We need to examine this, because nobody is exempt from such things happening. So, let's look at this issue, which you probably have had to face and you certainly will face in the future! Blessed Be!

And here we go into the area known as practical theology which also means applying this stuff we talk about here in our daily lives. And this time, inspired by that San Fransisco-area mommy who thought it was perfectly all right to inject her 8-year-old daughter with Botox "to get rid of wrinkles". After hearing about it a number of times, I realized that there was a much bigger issue here. Wells go down deep below the surface and bring stuff up to the surface for the benefit of those on the surface. A bridge crosses a gap. The bridge is firmly anchored on both sides and flexibility is designed into the middle parts of the span. Right now, we need more bridges and wells. Mythologies, mysteries and passages. The ancient societies had an ample supply of all three. Our modern society barely bothers with any of that. Some differences are painfully obvious, such as when villagers know to go to higher ground "because the gods are having an argument." Or the fact that it takes The Pope to remind us that something like The Resurrection does not contradict science, but is beyond science. Or the cases of adults who try to force adult concepts on their children. So, let's see what we might be able to find about this issue. Blessed Be!

Anyone's spiritual life can be said to be composed of three elements: wells, bridges, and bunny-rabbits. Some might only have one well. Others might have a few wells and bridges. But those who have a bunny-rabbit don't have much in the way of bridges or wells, and the bunny-rabbit keeps jumping around from place to place so that there's little chance that any will be built. So, what do we mean here? Take a look at the physical objects that are known as bridges, wells, and bunny-rabbits, and you will see what I mean. You'll also see their function and the need for both wells and bridges. You might recognize some of your own. The bunny-rabbit is the perplexing one. For some, it might be a needed phase, especially if someone was cut lose from what they thought was an anchor. But beware the fact that the bunny-rabbit bounces around and might never stop in the same place. And at the same time, it is good to cherish wells and bridges. From these we draw much of our spiritual sustenance. Blessed Be!

Here we are at Beltaine, and here we are at the Temple, and so, let's celebrate! Beltaine is about many things, but they all add up to fulfillment. There was a god who died, and his funeral was Samhain. But, there was a child who was newborn at Yule. And we've seen him grow and go through the various stages. At Imbolc, there was the Naming for the Norse (which translates into the Christian "christening"), or the Briss for the Jewish. And then there was Ostara, which functions much as a Bar Mitzvah, indicating the first coming of age. And now, Beltaine where we see him as a fully-grown young adult, ready to take his bride! And so, we see the promise made at Samhain being fulfilled. And here is a good time to look ahead and see what and how many fulfillments we want. We're not waiting for any deity's time, it's on the calendar. We aren't wondering about any deity's will, because it has been promised and it is going to be. As for anything about any "higher plan", this is of the highest plan! And so, let's learn about getting fulfillment and how to deal with it when it happens. Blessed Be!

As we come to the celebration of Beltaine, the Christians are having their Easter Sunday. The whole point of their faith hangs on the fact of Easter and the fact that their god's son, Yeshua Bar-Joseph, died and rose from the dead. It is an event which, as Pope Benedict XVI describes it, is not in disagreement with science, but is beyond science. And what can a Wiccan learn from the Christians' Easter? Perhaps quite a bit, especially given that so much of what Christians believe originated with Jesus' story preceded him, often by centruies if not millenia. The Last Supper was in fact a Passover Seder, but other aspects of it call on other traditions. Most Jews would recognize the baptisms done by John The Baptist as being the Mikvah, a ritual bath not unlike what many Wiccans and Pagans do. The prophecy of Simeon in the Temple at Jesus's presentation (when he was nine days old) speaks of a phenomenon which was supposedly not supposed to happen until years later after the resurrection. And "justification by faith" can be found in Genesis in the story of Abram. Hey, even the resurrection wasn't the first one - rememebr the one whom Jesus resurrected? So, what's the big deal? Well, all of them got packaged into one big "bing-bangitty-boom" with a mighty shock to one and all! And if these things were not new gifts, then they were brought together so that people would pay attention to them and use them. It meant that folks didn't have excuses not to use them anymore! And that's what a lot of folks on many paths miss - the importance of finding out how much we already have and using it! And maybe, just maybe, this was their god's way of hitting them on the head with a spiritual baseball bat to get them to notice! Blessed Be!

Here, we talk about some folks you and I have known, and (very importantly) how to keep from joining them. I'm talking about the spiritually dead. They may physically continue to exist and have their funerals in their 80's or 90's, but they actually died much younger, perhaps in their teens and twenties. Some are obvious, because they are so busy being who they think that they are supposed to be that they forget who they might actually be. Others die more quietly, just sort of giving up on their spiritual life. In either case, they may have been the victims of spiritual suicide. Some commit spiritual suicide voluntarily, such as the people who are so intent on being who others want them to be that they forget to learn who they really are. And then there are the victims of subtlety, whose spiritual suicide is more of a slow and gentle process to the point that it's hard to tell when they actually died. Worse, so many of them do not know that they are dying - or dead. And of course, there is something positive that might be gleaned from this also. If you know how some people die, it might show you some ways to be more alive. Blessed Be!

These are secrets which are indeed in plain sight Someone recently accused me of being too political. Excuse me, but we are living in political times, and there are some things we need to know about in order to at least survive, and at best deal successfully with other paths, especially those who would interfere with us and our rights. And here I reveal one of the biggest secrets waiting for us in plain sight: Their Bible is actually more Pagan-friendly than many (especially Christian fundamenalists) want to know. There is a psalm in which their god speaks to other gods. Actually, there's more than one psalm that mentions there being more than one god, but in this one, the "Most High" speaks to the others! Of course, we have the statement about sheep which are not of that particular fold, which does not say how many other folds there might be, or where they are. How many paths have people waiting for a god's son to return? And, there's the matter of the only sin which cannot be forgiven. On that yardstick, you and I are in a lot less trouble than many who might condemn us. As if to point out something, there's the time that someone entrapped the leaders of the religious establishment in an act of desecration, and he let them off the hook - or did they realize what they had done! But finally, there is a statement which is probably the first declaration of the separation of church and state, and it's in the Christian's Bible! t, and we will do well to know them and be in a position to speak on them. Blessed Be!

I had something ready to go when the local newspaper had a couple of articles which pointed to the point I wanted to make, and illustrated its need. One is the story of a New Hampshire politician who referred to his local Catholic bishop as a "pedophile pimp." Knowing who he was referring to, it is safe to say that if there were any basis for such an accusation, action would have been taken some time ago. Yet, we have a broad-brush accusation made personal, and on the order of the broadbrush attacks on Islam by Rep King of New York. And then we have the story of that pastor in a mini-church in Florida. The church has an average Sunday attendance of about 50. If you count cyberspace, my congregation is far larger. Anyway, here is a pastor of a small congregation who decides, after some bad publicity in the past, to go ahead and burn a Quran! Well, the Muslims in Afghanistan and a number of other places were upset! (note to Christians: Matthew 12:31 will tell you where that pastor should have found a warning). And what we really need is unity - and I offered two more examples of people in positions of responsibility who don't get it. Unity does not mean universalism. But unity does mean that even though your gods and goddesses might not be the same as mine, or we might see them differently, we respect each other's paths. Yours is as valid for you as mine is for me. Once we get that, there's no telling how much we'll be able to accomplish! Blessed Be!

If there has been anything that has been bothering each and every one of us since the moment we were able to understand what others were telling us, that one bother would be what is known as hype. From the kindergarten know-it-all who told you how many trips to the principal's office would get you kicked out of school to the Mayan Calendar's predictions for 2012, we can name several examples. Most of us remember the "Y2K" hype when measures needed to be taken to insure that systems worked once the century changed. And everything worked because folks worked hard to make sure that it would, but not before other people were able to sell big blue water barrels and wind-up radios, and even afterward there were people who seemed to almost be hoping that something might not be working. And then there was the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks when suggestions were made that we wrap our houses in blue plastic and watch our neighbors very carefully. While I will not call myself a fan or follower of James Refield, of "Celestine Prophecy" fame, I consider him to be someone well worth my attention because of the valid points he makes. And his description of what the Mayan calendar is really telling us about 2012 I find attractive. Far from the hype that some are proclaiming, he offers something that makes sense in light of what else I've seen, learned and experienced. And I think we have something to look forward to! Blessed Be!

Ostara is the 21st of March, so this is the time to celebrate it here! I keep talking about fulfillment, and Ostara is the embodiment of fulfillment. In terms of the Jewish tradition, it could be said that the baby born at Yule had a Briss at Ostara and now is having his Bar Mitzvah! Winter's hold is broken, and the world is returning to life! Even the Christian celebration of Easter parallels this, as they celebrate someone returning to life after dying a painful and humiliating death. And, since it happened at Passover, it is at the same time of year as Ostara because it happened then. This is not like Christmas which was put on December 25th to take the place of a Pagan Roman feast. And some would call what happened as being the ultimate act of magick. One of their theologians says that it does not contradict science, but goes beyond science. And that's something basic at the heart of all magick - going beyond science. It belongs to every spiritual path which believes in The Divine (of any name or names) being able to do things for us in this life. And it works! An so we have here a major celebration, and reason to celebrate. And we also pray for the people in Japan, that they soon can celebrate and not live in fear. Blessed Be!

If you've watched any of my podcasts, video or audio, or if you've seen my posts on blogs or sites like YouTube, you know that I speak of whether or not someone "gets it." And here, we have two cases, very dramatic opposites, of someone who doesn't get it and someone who does. The one who doesn't get it misses based on something which should be common knowledge among people in his position. And The one who does get it is someone who might surprise you - so many of us thought that he didn't! First, there's Representative Peter King, a Republican member of the House of Representatives, and chairman of the Homeland Security Committee. He's leading an investigation into Islamic extremists in the United States and on his way to that, he makes broad-brush statements against the whole of Islam, as if they were all radicals. And he criticizes American Muslims for not doing enough to oppose terrorism as if there weren't an abundance of Muslims serving in the armed forces - as one example of where he's wrong. He's burning a lot of bridges for us! And then, let's look - perhaps with amazement - at someone who seems to really get it! Pope Benedict has written a book which shows his courage, scholarship, and espeically his willingness to open doors and build bridges. I'll offer some quotes to show you what I mean. One in particular sound like something a Wiccan might teach, and it is definitely something which Gnostics have been teaching for centuries! I'm not going to hold my breath until he welcomes me as a fellow clergyman, but he did extend something which few expected, and it's worth celebrating! And when people get it, it's the stuff that miracles are made of! Blessed Be!

We need to discuss oaths, because they are so much a part of our lives. Not only religiously, magickally and spiritually, but in our mundane lives as well. There are the oaths which we consciously take, such as when someone testifies in court, when people get married, or when someone joins a military service. Then, there are the implied oaths, which are there even if a formal oath is not taken. An example in my own life is when Lady Stormy and I adopted Yuengling and Veronica from our local animal shelter. Of course, there are also those cases in which there is no oath taken or implied. And there will be times when someone will try to hold somebody to an oath which does not really exist. An oath is mutual - there is something given in both directions. And then there is the question of when an oath is broken. Or for that matter, if someone is told that the other party broke their oath. And thankfully, there is some room for forgiveness there. We could cover much more and take much more time, too. But here is a beginning on a subject that some spend a lifetime trying to figure out. Blessed Be!

We need to address the issue of hell, if for no other reason than the fact that it is just possibly the ultimate spiritual blackmail. And please, do not think that the Christians have an exclusive on threats of hell. Of course, for most of us it's the Christians we see, with one preacher claiming that his way is the only way, but at the church down the street from him, another preacher is proclaiming that his is the only way, and I am not sure what would happen if they ever got together and perhaps started damning each other. But what is hell? Actually, the term is found in the ancient Norse, but it is called Hel (one "L"), and it's the cold place where the dead people go to rest between lives. And there are the alternatives. The Norse have Valhalla, Folkvangr and other halles for people who have distinguished themselves. And there is somethign set aside for the worst of the worst - according to the Norse, those are thieves, oath-breakers and spouse stealers. And the Greeks and others had theirs, too. But the Christians have some reassurance for all sins and blasphemies but one. And so, is there a solution? Yes! And if you look at what we've shown here, the answer is far more basic than you might imagine. So much for the self-appointed rule-makers and those who would condemn other paths! Blessed Be!