When laws are not enough...

this woman is my destiny...

Feels like home

Drifting away

Power up

Changes

I couldn't decide which was better....

Becoming a 'Chosen One'

Going home

Let's celebrate Ginger Day!

Shades of Holle

About Frau Holle (According to http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/yulethelongestnight/p/Holly_KIng_Yule.htm)

In some Scandinavian traditions, Frau Holle is known as the feminine spirit of the woods and plants, and was honored as the sacred embodiment of the earth and land itself. She is associated with many of the evergreen plants that appear during the Yule season, especially mistletoe and holly, and is sometimes seen as an aspect of Frigga, wife of Odin. In this theme, she is associated with fertility and rebirth. Typically, she is seen as a goddess of hearth and home, although in different areas she has clearly different purposes.

Interestingly, Frau Holle is mentioned in the story of Goldmary and Pitchmary, as compiled by the Grimm brothers. In this context -- that of a Germanic Cinderella-type tale -- she appears as an old woman who rewards an industrious girl with gold, and offers the girl's lazy sister an equally appropriate compensation. Legends in some parts of Germany portray her as a toothless hag who appears in the winter, much like the Cailleach of Scotland.
In the Norse Eddas, she is described as Hlodyn, and she gives gifts to women at the time of the Winter Solstice, or Jul. She is sometimes associated with winter snowfall as well -- it is said that when Frau Holle shakes out her mattresses, white feathers fall to the earth. A feast is held in her honor each winter by many people in the Germanic countries.  

Yet most of the stories and images make her out to be some old crone.  And old plump lady who wants to clean and make beds.  Only one aspect of shade of female.  Rarely anything like this:

But I think she is more all encompassing of winter and femme...  more like this.

I hate that we have to isolate aspects of women.  Either the virginal and good or the old and good.  Where is history for the middle aged woman?  Evil Tempress?  MILF.  Total bollocks. 

 Cause any woman is all these things and more.  Especially those in Holly/Holle.

Uniquely CA

On Monday a soul departed from a family I care very much about.  Although we knew for years this would happen, it is no less hard on the heart.  As I prepare for this funeral I find that this is something I want to share because I find this such a beautiful aspect of my home-culture.

As much as people like to be hard on Californians, we have our own completely unique culture and ways of expression.  Us 'coastals', we are water people.  One's water choice might be a surf board or a wake board.  Perhaps a paddle board, boogie board or kayak.  And some just swim.  Within each of these water 'mediums' you will find a subculture - lingo, ways of being.  However, no matter the medium or method one embraces the water - the constant is: the great Pacific.  The peaceful mother.  The life that gives and the life that takes only to give again.  The circle of life.

Thus when a loved one passes, we let go of the traditions of religion. It matters not if they were nothing or Muslim, Jewish or Buddhist, Catholic, Mormon or Christian.  Instead, one morning, early, we - those who knew this soul silently gather on the sands.  We put on our gear and ready for our collective venture into the ocean.  Great care is given as flowers are handed out.  We wear traditional Polynesian leis around our necks, hold flowers in our hands, behind our ears, in our hair.  Every flower with it's own prayer.  It's own blessing.  It's own kiss.
 

 





 There will be a leader.  In this case the wife and her two almost adult children.  We will wait on the wet sand to follow the family out to the deep with our hearts, flowers and souls.

 

 There on the water, we gather together in a large circle.  Everyone must be a part.  Often the family will go into the center of the circle to form their own.

Depending on the wishes of the family we may all hold hands or hear a prayer or perhaps a poem.  No matter how many people, it is always quiet - you hear the water and the words.  You hear the tremble of loss in the voices speaking.  Tears fall freely into the water.  Souls unleash their sadness.  The ashes of the person being honored may be put out to sea with final prayers.  We lay our leis on the water.  We throw our flowers out to the sea.  Gifts to the departed soul and we ask the powers that may be that our loved one is greeted with the same love we give.

Then comes a time of celebration.  We who have released our loved one will one by one, ride the waves back into shore.  We will ride for hours.  There will be a community of food, laughter, sandy toes.  Stories.  Ah the stories.  Your soul will be moved.  All too soon, the sun will start to set and it is time for the fires.

 

 My favorite: The beach side bonfires. As the sun starts to fall into the sea, the drums will begin. Songs will be sung.  We will speak the spoken word: Poetry as our friend so passionately did.  There will be more tears.  More remembering.  And once the moon is high over us, with sweaters and sandy toes, it is time to release ourselves from the burden of sorrow and accept the gift of life.  Each participant will reach the dream-time that eve and as I believe, commune with the soul one last time.

I am thankful for this heart that beats within me.  One day whatever it is that I am here will end too.

But life - life never ends.   Even when the sun sets, we know tomorrow it all begins again.  Let me begin again while I can.  Soon, this is the exact stretch of sea we will circle on.  It will be beautiful.

 And life will begin again.  Aloha California.  I love thee.

She don't fade

A man in my shoes runs a light
And all the papers lied tonight
But falling over you
Is the news of the day

Angels fall like rain
And love, love, love is all of Heaven away

Inside you the time moves and she don't fade
The ghost in you, she don't fade
Inside you the time moves and she don't fade

A race is on I'm on your side
And hearing you my engines die
I'm in a mood for you
For running away

Stars come down in you
And love, love, love you can't give it away

Inside you the time moves and she don't fade
The ghost in you, she don't fade
Inside you the time moves and she don't fade

Don't you go it makes no sense
When all your talking supermen
Just take away the time
And get in the way

Ain't it just like rain
And love, love, love is only Heaven away

Inside you the time moves and she don't fade
The ghost in you, she don't fade
Inside you the time moves and she don't fade
The ghost in you, she don't fade

Inside you the time moves and she don't fade
The ghost in you, she don't fade

Möchtest du mit mir tanzen?

Have to beleive we are magic...

I've got this friend...

I've got this friend
I don't think you know him
He's not much for words
He's hid in his hardened way

Oh I've got this friend
A loveless romantic
All that he really wants
Is someone to want him back

Oh, if the right one came
If the right one came along
Oh, If the right one came, along

I've got this friend
I don't think you know her
She sings a simple song
It sounds a lot like his

Oh I've got this friend
Holding onto her heart
Like it's a little secret
Like it's all she's got to give

Oh, if the right one came
If the right one came along
Oh, if the right one came, along

It'd be such a shame
(If they never meet)
She sounds lovely
(He sounds right out of a dream)
If only
(If only)
If only

Oh
Oh, if the right one came
If the right one came along
Oh, (I've got this friend) if the right one came
If the right one came along
Oh, (I've got this friend)
If the right one came, along

Happy Samhain!

California

disappointment

Break Your Heart

Natalie Merchant / Indian Love Bride ©1997

People downcast, in despair
see the disillusion everywhere
hoping their bad luck will change
gets a little harder every day

People struggle, people fight
for the simple pleasures in their lives
but trouble comes from everywhere
it's a little more than you can bear

I know that it will hurt
I know that it will break your heart
the way things are
and the way they've been
and the way they've always been

People shallow, self-absorbed
see the push and shove for their rewards
I, me, my is on their minds
you can read about it in their eyes
People ruthless, people cruel
see the damage that some people do
full of hatred, full of pride
it's enough to make you loose your mind

I know that it will hurt
I know that it will break your heart
the way things are
and the way they've been
I know that it will hurt
I know that it will break your heart
the way things are
and the way they've been
Don't spread the discontent
don't spread the lies
don't make the same mistakes
with your own life
you never will let love survive
I know that it will hurt
I know that it will break your heart
the way things are
and the way they've been
Don't spread the discontent
don't spread the lies
don't make the same mistakes
with your own life
don't disrespect yourself
don't loose your pride
and don't think that
everybody's gonna choose your side

sunlight

Who you are...