Entering the Sheila-Na-Gig

1. For each element, you had to cross an obstical. Explain how you crosed to the caulrdron for each element.
For Earth: I walked. There was soft, cold, dirt "squishing" between my toes. I imagined my stone was in hand, and the scent of wildflowers filled my nostrils.
For Air: I used my Athame and I cut the air, allowing me safe passage to where I needed and wanted to be.
For Fire: This one was done in a blaze. I could feel the heat and see the beauty of the flames. It was an instant, as if riding on the flame itself.
For Water: This was a small canoe. I pictured myself at a lake I used to go to when I was growing up.

2. What messages were revealed to you, and what was the personal message you obtained?
The largest, most important message I got was that the past, present, and future are so intertwined. Everything is related. But I need to remember to take time for me in order to make my mark on the world -- the mark I was put here TO make.

3. Journal your experiance, thoughts and feelings for this ritual.
I enjoyed this ritual. I liked the calm that it inspired in me. I will admit that I had to try it multiple times as I kept falling asleep! Overall, though, I learned to relax. I learned that it's ok --and really, absolutely necessary -- to take things slow once in awhile.

Celtic Traditions paper

You are to reaserch all of the following traditions in the Celtic Path. Explain and compare the different branches of:

* Irish
* Scottish
* Welsh
* Gaulish
* Druidism
* Bards
* Faery

This was a difficult assignment in part because of the lack of information that still exists from ancient times. Let me start by defining the terms you've selected.

Celtic is an umbrella word. Not only does it relate to an ethnic group, but also to linguistic and cultural groups as well.
Irish, Scottish, Welsh, and Gaulish all make up the Celts. The Irish people are from the island of Ireland. The Scottish people from Scotland. The Welsh people from Wales. The Gaulish people from other areas of Western Europe — namely France, Belgium, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Germany. Although it was said specifically of the Irish, it is true for any of these people, "Many notable cultural divides exist between the rural people and city dwellers, between the Catholic and Protestant people of Northern Ireland, between the Irish-speaking people inside and outside the Gaeltacht regions and the English-speaking majority population, and increasingly between new immigrants and the native population. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_Ireland)"

Druids, Bards, and Faeries are even more specialized. Bards seem to be the poets and storytellers of the Celtic world. Druids would have been the priests and "learned class" of the society. Faeries are described by Wikipedia as "a type of mythological being or legendary creature, a form of spirit, often described as metaphysical, supernatural or preternatural."

Therefore, the first few terms are really "region specific." People who follow these paths — Irish, Scottish, Welsh, or Gaulish — all have regional differences that would have to do specifically with that area of the world. What traditions are common in Ireland, may not be exactly the same in the areas we're considering Gaul.

Differences in Druids, Bards, and Faeries are even more interesting. In addition to possible regional differences, there is a problem with the lack of records from the era. Even the Order of Bards Ovates and Druids claims that there are many types of Druids, some montotheistic, some polytheistic. (http://www.druidry.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=PagEd&file=index&topic_id=1&page_id=30)

There is really no way to determine the "correct" way to accomplish any of these paths. Too much has been lost. Too much is currently speculated. Too much is just plain not known. Those who wish to follow this path need to understand that and take what resonates with us and leave the rest.

Another Great Quote

"I … have to constantly balance "being a writer" with being a wife and mother. It's a matter of putting two different things first, simultaneously." Madeleine L'Engle

Your result for The Harry Potter Husband Test...

Mrs. Lupin

You like a nice, kind guy with a bit of a fierce streak and you don't mind if he comes damaged. Sure, he may take some convincing since his self-esteem's so low, but once you win him over, you know he's yours for life. Unless of course he has an attack of "I'm not good enough" and runs away, but luckily he's also good at making friends who will push him back into line if necessary.

(Art by Gold-Seven http://gold-seven.deviantart.com/ Used with permission.)

Take The Harry Potter Husband Test at HelloQuizzy

Questions for Celtic Pagan Women

1. How do you define

• Paganism: A polytheistic view of the Divine
• Witchcraft: Using magic, often in worship, always as a way of life
• Wicca: A religion incorporating both paganism and witchcraft

2. Why are you interested in the Celtic aspects of Paganism? I have Irish ancestors, so I think that's what originally drew me to the Celtic style, but the more I learn, the more it seems "right" with me.

3. What sets apart Celtic Pagan expressions from other culturally based Pagan traditions?   First, we don't have a lot of "facts" about these people. Not much was kept from then to today. It makes it difficult to know with any degree of certainty what exactly happened. Second, I think there seems to be so much of the Celtic path that was incorporated into other traditions. Finally, there seems to be a huge resurgence of this path that we just don't see in Ancient Rome, for example.

4. What are your first reactions to these words:

• Celtic: an ancient culture originating in what is now northern Europe
• Wicca: an earth-based religion
• Craft: creating something out of something else
• Witchcraft: performing spells
• Pagan: worshiping multiple deities
• Faery: fun, light, playful "spirits"; they remind us to be children -- in both positive and negative ways
• Women's Spirituality: any spirituality practiced/believed by a woman or created for women

5. What are your spiritual goals in yoru chosen path? My goal is simple: to become closer to the Divine.

6. How do you feel about the societal stratification of the Celts? Every culture has/had some sort of stratification system. It happens.

7. How do you plan to reconcile the more negative aspects of the Celtic world to your own Celtic practice? Every culture learns and grows. Every person grows. There is a bit of the negative in each of us and we learn to grow through that. I believe the same in the Celtic world. There was negativity. It would have changed by this point, just as everything else does. I will take what I need and discard the rest.

8. What do you see as the role of women in old Celtic Paganism? This is a difficult question because of the lack of historical writing from the people. I believe, though, based on the Celtic mythology, that women were more respected than in other ancient cultures. Therefore, I think women held positions and responsibilities in each of the various levels of society. I think some women were responsible for teaching, others not. I think some healed, others not.

9. What attracts you to the women's spiritual aspects of Celtic Paganism? As a woman, I feel that Celtic Paganism empowered women more than other pagan traditions.

10. What do you hope to get out of this course? I hope to receive a deeper understanding of the path I'm drawn to. I also hope to learn about myself.

Where is the "school?"

The class I'm taking can be found at www.mistresskalpanasrealm.com

They have MANY classes to choose from. Enjoy!

Introductory Assignment

The book referred to is "Celtic Women's Spirituality" by Edain McCoy

1. Please explain the difference between "religion" and "spirituality". Also discuss how these two terms are simmilar.
Religion is a set of beliefs — the "what," if you will. Spirituality is the "how." For some people, the way they approach their spiritual life is exactly how the leaders of their chosen religion tell them to. For others, the two things are completely different. Personally, I find a strict religion difficult to connect with the Divine. I know others for whom it's the strictness that they appreciate. That is the spirituality. The WAY you connect with the Divine.

2. What are the defining characteristics of Celtic Pagan spirituality, and how do they reflect in your life?
The characteristics of Celtic Pagan spirituality are listed on page xiii of the book. To summarize, though, it is a path that believes the Divine is everywhere and in everything; that magic is a natural thing; and that the Otherworld is a mirror of this physical world. These are things I was taught from an early age and grew up believing. Add in the fairy world and some festivals, and you have the Celtic beliefs! In my life, I make time for the fairies. I celebrate the holidays and festivals as best I can. I try to learn everything there is about the history of the Celts, because this is an ethnic path and without the history, you can't understand the people.

3. What are the defining characteristics of women's spirituality, and how do they reflect in your life?
These 6 characteristics are listed on page xiv. The main idea of this belief is that all women are worthy, all are a vision of the Goddess, all are amazing. While I can see all other women as part of the Goddess, I have trouble remembering *I* am part of Her as well. That is something I hope to "fix" with this course.

4. Explain how you can combine Celtic and Women's spirituality into one?
Personally, I feel that both "traditions" ask for women to be strong and independent. Because I find the history of the Celts so interesting, as well as the idea of strong women so appealing, combining the two ideals seems to fit my personality. I do not believe, though, that it is something that will take much additional effort because of the similarities that are already there.

5. What is the Cauldron of Life?
The Cauldron of Life is many things. It is the representation of the womb, where all life begins. It could also be a portal between worlds. In some mythology, the cauldron represented endless knowledge, endless life, or endless sustenance. As the book says on page xix, the cauldron is a "vessel of never-ending abundance." It is a symbol of the power of women — especially Celtic women.