Mainstream media bias

Mainstream media bias

So a few years ago I asked a question on my FaceBook wall. This question was based on my on experiences of the media in Britain's general bias against Wales, (I am from there after all) Scotland and Northern Ireland. The stories that come from these places (IF they are covered at all) in my experience were all pro-English biased. I live in England. I married here, had a child here. I like some of it more than others.

My question was roughly (it has been years). Are there riots in Wales and Scotland? They keep saying UK riots, but only talking about England! 
This was not to say I assumed there were no riots, quite the reverse. Wales in particular has a long and lustrous history of rioting. It has a large black community too, and a lot of poverty. I was just wondering if my friends in Wales could tell me what the media generally didn't (and doesn't) what was actually happening.
What I didn't expect was the wave of hate I experienced from my English" friends".
I mean seriously, I was accused of racism. Hate-crimes. Being anti-English. (Notably the main vein of this flood of bile were from well off, privileged white men, well all of them were.) Pages and pages of rage and hate.

HOW DARE YOU SAY SOMETHING.
I don't see it so it doesn't happen.

How dare I?
I was shocked. Some of these people were what I thought were decent people. People I had helped. People I have loved and supported.
Now when I tried (and then TK tried) to explain it was about media bias not anti anybody. Nobody. Listened. Certainly nobody cared.I was devastated. Truly.
I changed my FaceBook page. I removed and deleted a lot of people. I lost friends, because I saw something ugly and usually hidden. I couldn't find the words.
In the last few years I saw and noticed something else. This reaction is almost identical to what happens when a victim speaks out about her abuse. The reaction is the same. #NotAllMen; the voice of white male privilege gets challenged on it's behaviour and it lashes out and is so full of hate.

HOW DARE YOU SAY SOMETHING.
I don't see it so it doesn't happen.

Then Scotland began it's journey (some might even say fight) and the mainstream media was doing it's same old same old (as far as I can tell) but suddenly people NOTICED. Through g+ and certain facebook group were seeing what I had seen.The media bias was and is real. 
There were facts and figures that were and are being mislead. The bias was showing. Now I do not think for a second that this bias is down to individuals. Editors and presenters, directors and so on are not to blame (though complicit). The media in this country is under the direction of the Government and corporations (notable Murdock ones). Thankfully the internet came to the rescue.
More and more people are speaking out. There is still the "I don't see it so it doesn't happen" lot but the facts and feelings of real people are getting out there.
While part of me feels vindicated "I TOLD YOU SO" part of me feel deeply sad. Sad because I questioned myself, my sanity, my voice. Sad because the hate was so close that I just hid. I crawled away sobbing.
The news is supposed to be the truth, as unbiased as possible, and it is not. I am glad people are waking up, I just wish that I had not closed my eyes and pretended to be asleep.  

Holy Stones

Holy Stones

I have been on my jolly hol's, my vacation, and as TK is pron to doing (especially at a pebble beach) he went in search of of "rock friends". TK has a knack, a skill, a gift when it comes to being around rock or pebbles, bending down and finding a gem, sometime literally. It is so magickally that even I find it breath taking to watch. Well we (this is the loose term for me sitting watching the water and TK and Mini-witch combing the pebbly shores) got quite a haul! From Jasper by the handful, dolomite's, and pieces of flint worn so thin you could almost see through them. Yet the biggest haul were holy stones. 

Adder stones, hag stones, witch stones, Glain Neidr, snake eggs or simply Holy stones are the common names for stones and pebbles that have a naturally occurring hole in them, often from water erosion. They have been used "to see" faeries and other unseen forces as well as heal and protect from negative and evil magicks. Worn by Druids as "badges" (according to Pliny). It is believed that the stones mentioned in The Mabinogion are these stones, one that Peredur uses to see and kill the invisible monster, and Owain is gifted a stone of invisibility by the Maiden. These stones are not only considered magickal by the Druids as some have been even found in Egyptian sites. While I can not personally attest to the invisibility, I can say that with rough 40 of these beauties in the house it is positively buzzing.They were put above doorways, hung on keys and sewn into pockets to protect people and animals from all harm.
The ones we are selling are lovely but I do like the ones we are keeping just for us. TK popped one on my bind rune and other than it keeps turning it's self around (yesterday my necklace was backwards so I swapped it around three times in a row) it feels really great. 

The pictures are not bad but it is hard to get the wonderful vibration they give off. The textural quality. It was no mean feat bringing all these rocks back on the train but it was worth it. It was so great to catch up with my teacher and his wonderful wife (and family). It does make me keen and pine to move to somewhere else again. Stoke is many things, a place of outstanding beauty is not one of them!
Pop to our shop if you fancy one!

Magick, morality and ethics

Magick, morality and ethics

Doing the "right" thing is tough and in the modern world of magick and life, not easy. There are all sorts of maxims and catch phases trotted out especially about magick that seem to tie people into the comfortable place of doing nothing. This nothingness also has consequence and can often be very hurtful to the people around them in need.

An example:

 There is a homeless guy who you see everyday. You may or may not know their name. You don't know their story. You can pass by everyday and look away when they speak to you. (Is this harming none?). Or you can give them some change (which they might choose to spend of substances to temporarily easy the pains of living in the cold and hard) which is like doing a little healing for someone. You could go to someone "higher" than you and complain or make this person move on ( giving over this person to a Deity or spirit as they are "not your problem") empowering you to feel like you did something and that "someone more qualified" is dealing with it and you don't have to feel or see this person. You could talk to them. Listen and get to know them. (this comes with many risks including getting hurt). You could take them food (removing the choice of how they spend money). You could help them into a shelter, over even take them into your own home, and care for them.

Do these sound unrealistic? Far fetched? Who would take in a homeless person? Well my friend and teacher did just that. He first took hi to a shelter. On their recommendation he went to see a doctor and found out he way dying. My friend then took him in and nursed him until he passed. THAT is kindness on another level. One I aspire to. I have feed people who were hungry (for lots of reasons), taken a few into my home when they were homeless or in danger. Healed people when I was in pain. Listened when I needed to speak or scream. Put my hands on someone in a kind healing way when they had not be held or touched for a long time. 

Looking the other way. Making people in need "someone else's problem". Is not moral superiority, it is cowardice. I am certainly no saint. I will protect those who are vulnerable or unable to defend themselves and I have no problem kicking butt to do so. Magickally or otherwise. I don't always get it right. Sometimes I mess up, lose my temper, get things wrong but I am willing to take the flack for my mistakes. I would always rather that than live with the "what if's" the "I wonder if I" of if I had not acted.

I care deeply and sometimes this gets me hurt. Sometimes I don't see the big picture until afterwards. Yet I do the best with what I have at my disposal at the time because I don't quote "and harm none" I try to live it. Harming none is almost impossible, so maybe my way is "for the greater good". Do my actions (or non-actions) leave the greater good better or worse?

If you are a vegan who is selfish and cruel to humans this does not serve the greater good.

If you are a healer who doesn't heal, this does not serve the greater good.

If you heal and help everyone but yourself, this does not serve the greater good.

If you trot out the Rede and ignore needy, this does not serve the greater good.

If you hex or curse people because you feel slighted or injured, this does not serve the greater good.

I get heartily irked by those who spout the most being the people who care and do the least. It doesn't matter to me the Path people follow because a good person is a good person. They try. They may or may not be saintly. They make mistakes (because do). Opening up your heart and being vulnerable to hurt makes us able to feel compassion, what a beautiful agony that is.

Lost in my moment

Lost in my moment

I have been lost in my writing moment these last few days. While it is a great way to honour my gifts it does mean I forget to connect with people. Neglect emails and messages and generally end up in a "huh?" when I do pop my head out. For no reason I can fathom I couldn't sleep last night. I saw 4 am for the first time in a long while. Then I had crazy dreams. So this morning feels particularly bright and loud.

My father-in-law was taken into hospital yesterday, something I didn't find out until about 4 am when TK, who fell asleep downstairs, told me when I went to drag his bones to bed. Pops has been on his way out a while now so it isn't surprising.

I got a message about some incense using herbs and resins that, well, stink and when I read it I was just confused. I think I am still confused. Maybe it is lack of decent sleep. Maybe it is that sad feeling that we make things harder, more bitter and difficult than they need to be. Echoing our battle's with Pop's. He is actually a kind and sweet man, but he is stubborn and heartsick. After TK's Mum past we were relieved. The abusive relationship and the living hell she put him through were over. Yet he spiraled in a depression so dark and deep that he refused to eat, sleep, take medication. We battled for him so hard for years and even had him live with us almost 6 months. He fought us every inch of the way. He almost died 4 times and each time it was me that talked him down (or into hospital) saved his leg (though not his toe). Yet nobody wants to deal with him, acknowledge his illness (serious some mental health medication 3 years ago could have add between 5 and 10 years to his life). We fought so hard, for so long but he doesn't want to live. Nothing we do, or say, or shout or show makes him want to. Yes he is a gross old man who doesn't smell great, because he is too proud (or ashamed) to let his carers wash him properly). Yes he is difficult (seemingly for it's own sake) about medication, diet and doing anything positive. I remember him. Holding the step ladders while I was heavily pregnant and painting our new tiny house, because I am also stubborn. I remember him pulling faces at Ken's birthday meal. I remember talking to me, because I just gave him space and really listened. Oh and they were great stories. 

Why do we make it bitter and fearful and difficult? Why do fight so hard? After the last time I got him rushed to hospital, and I carefully and with great intelligence and small cutting words made the doctors keep him in hospital, I knew then that it was the last time I would fight. It is his life, and his choices and while I know he is not well in so many ways other than his physical health I have to let go of the difficult, the bitter and hard. 

I let him go, I let him go in peace. Knowing that it is what he wants, what he has wanted for a very long time.

  

Isn't Wicca a new religion?

Isn't Wicca a new religion? 

Yes and no. It is a little complicated. As far as we can definitely prove it is a new religion. 
I have Triumph of the Moon by Prof Ronald Hutton and as an academic book it can only speak to the sources it can prove. 

Much of Western mysticism's knowledge and beliefs were passed on orally (especially in cultures with strong oral traditions like Ireland, Cornwall, Scotland, parts of Spain and Wales). While "Old Dot" was never seen as a serious person to academics many non-academics believe she did exist and did run the coven Gardener joined. While his flare for the dramatic and study of rituals from all over the world influenced his rites and practices this person seems to have existed (read the essay chapters in The Witches Bible Janet and Stewart Farrar).

 While Dorothy's "wicca" was undoubtedly different to Gardeners (if you read his book of Shadows you can see edits of important texts deliberately left out to ensure that the oral tradition was maintained. One of the reasons Wicca feels ancient is because in ritual context time is so different. Ritual being the core of these practices and being a mutable and powerful force to change not only those within the circle but outside, it is hard to express this sensation of time, of "before", of echoes of something without using the world "ancient". Ritual (Victor Turner) is at the core of social, mental and spiritual changes. Ritual work dwells in a place of symbolic, of archetype, the sub-conscious and for practitioners, the spiritual and Divine. These places are ancient. They are as old as symbols and just as full of paradox, depth and opposing forces. If at least once a month you dwell within this space within the ritual circle and yourself it is hard to dismiss this sensation of being in the presence of something very, very old.

Spirits. The other side

Spirits.

The other side.

So what is "the other side" and what is between these places. Well some call it ether, some the astral, I call it The Veil. If you think of bubbles or foam then that to me, is what the Universe is like. All these different dimensions mushed up but not touching. Ask Carl Sagen about it, he explains it better than I do.
I am a medium. I have seen spirit all my life. I claim not ultimate truth and can only talk about my experiences. Firstly everyone is different. They deal with their lives and deaths differently too. Folks that had no inclination to believe there was or is anything else after death tend to have a hard time passing over. As do those who are frightened of what awaits. They are not always bad people, just scared. Also when we get down to it, souls and spirits are not the same, they are very different. 

Spirit is the form they wish to be seen as (trees often take human-like forms when communicating with people in spirit though I feel this has to do with respect and understanding), a residual self image is a powerful thing. Like our own thought form we create throughout our lives. This spirit can leave the body, travel and go and do many things yet is is connected to the physical until we die. The silver chord is well documented in terms of astral (Veil) work. When spirit is on this side of the Veil they often look like shadows, or like people. Often you only see them briefly.
 As a medium it is my joy and duty to help them cross over. When a spirit passes there is a lot of light and something lifts and feels cleansed and better in this place. Some people just need to be heard. Some forgiven. Some just guided. Others a push is required.Spirits that spend a long time not going through, or staying on this "side" start to fade. Their souls seem to leak, their memories get blurred and they often can not remember who they are or why they are there, all that energy seems to just dissipate. I have crossed some people through that were shadows of themselves. I don't know what happens when they cross over exactly. I haven't seen it from the other side. 
For me I saw so many people waiting for me. So many places I could go. I was at peace to sit beside the river in the summer meadow, the sound of lazy bees and children playing, wafting on the air. 
When spirit comes through this light to watch over us, or wants to communicate with the living through me they are clearer, brighter and make more sense when they have passed over. All spirit guides are spirits who have crossed over. It is a spirit that guides you. It is a spirit who has crossed over (not a ghost that haunts you or bugs you) that has chosen to guide you for a set time, lesson, or part of your life.

This spirit may not be human (we are not the only life forms with spirits). You might have an animal guide. This is not the same as a totem or familiar. The animal spirit (or person) might look like a swan, otter or dog, but that doesn't mean they are or were. Nor should they be revered too highly or dismissed too quickly. 

I told someone their spirit guide was a swan and they were mortified. (Clearly it wasn't cool enough/sexy enough/spiritual enough).

As a child my spirit guide (one of) was a large white horse that would gallop towards me. There are two interesting facts about this. I happen to be born in the Chinese year of the horse (not something I knew in rural Wales at the time). As my Grandmother was dying she keep saying she was seeing (she was blind most of her life) white horses running. So much so that a white horse was made of flowers for her funeral. I had never spoken to her about my horse, nor she to me.

Now to work with your guide you need to be in touch with spirit. If you don't do spirit work, your guide will still be their moving things unseen, helping meet the right people at the right time, and so on.

Working with spirit is not glamorous or spooky. It takes time, effort and practice. (Okay I think we lost a lot of folks right there).

That is the truth though. Working with spirit is about inviting spirit into your life and practice. Spirit guides are not perfect, they are often just good people. My guide when I first started working with spirit my guide was an artist (a French guy). I wanted to channel using a paintbrush, so that is what I did. It was odd thinking in french sometimes. During this time I meditated daily, sat with other mediums up to three times a week and learned my ass off. While my friends were getting high and getting laid, this was what I was doing.

When I left my body and journeyed to spirit/astral/Veil as an (nearly) adult for the first time I was greeted by many spirits. Nearly all of them were animals. I didn't feel upset or disappointed by this. I cried with overwhelming joy. I tranced out of my body after a meditation in the farm's kitchen. (no glamorous ritual required). This reunion was brief and it was mostly human guides I had from that time on.

I have two spirit guides at the moment. One I have always had (lets just call her the blue lady) and the cheerful Druid. Sometimes when I heal with spirit I get "the doctor" (a small tubby American gent with round glasses and very little hair).

My spirit guides don't move things, knock stuff over or "haunt" me. My fey are another matter entirely. They do love to take things. Eat things. Move them, then sometimes put them back.

Most things that live have souls. It is an awareness, a light, each unique shimmering force. The more conscious the being (the more sense of self and not self) the more flame like this soul force seems to be. Spirit seems to come from something else. I have encountered spirit creatures that seemed soulless, but rarely.

Souls on the other hand have no form or thought. They are (for me) swirling vortexes of energy. When a person dies their spirit carries this soul back to the place where it came from. A seemingly endless lake of pure liquid light. Sort of reminds me of the places dreams form in Roald Dahl's BFG. This soul place heals and nourishes the souls. Spirits when they cross over tend to have what they feel they deserve. Some have trails (metaphorical and otherwise) some speak to people they need to speak to. Sometimes the dead usher their own (family by blood or spirit) to some place together. Certain things mark spirits and souls, the taking of another's life especially so; also the "higher" aspects too, how loving, kind and sweet, how spiritual (not religious). Some spirits choose to stay in spirit. Some choose to be re-born. Some watch over the living. Some watch over a place. Each is unique and beautiful.

Handfasting

Handfasting: Love and Binding.

A handfasting sounds romantic, and it is. A loving couple joined with magick to weather the storms of life. Except sometimes they don't end well. I have seen it mess up good people, make marriages implode and tie lovers together in spirals of despair.

When handfastings work they do so because the person conducting them knows the couple well, knows the light tough required for this joyous occasion where the Olds Gods listen.

The ritual is one of cleansing and then binding. It ties the fates together. The ritualized space and level of depth, knowledge and understanding in my opinion required to do this far exceed most who try.

A long long time ago, when I was a student in halls there was a girl who was "more pagan than thou" and in Freshers Week bound a cute lesbian couple in a handfasting. I wasn't there to see the rite, nor did I want to be. Over the next few years this couple went round and round. Fighting, cheating, high drama, always pulling against each other but never able to leave. It was awful. There were not bad people, just young and they did a "game" that scarred them both for a long time. In the end after a suicide attempt I stepped in and broke the binding. Over night they split up amicably and went on their ways.

This is what happens when those who wear the costume of what I do, try and do what I do.

This is not only the privy of the young. Some couples who have been together a long time, and who know it isn't working often try a handfasting to "fix" what is broken in the relationship. It might be to "control" a wild partner, or to try and find the love and respect that is missing entirely. Oddly enough it never works.

When it does work, when they really know and see each other, it is beautiful. The shimmering light around them and the circle is just stunning. There is a peace and light to this ritual. It is a marriage of our highest selves. A purity and joy in the flame of unconditional love. The building of families and homes, safety and harmony.

I have refused to do many fasting because I could not, and would not bind people together in something base, needy and wrong. I would not join people whose desires were based not on love but fear. Fear of being alone, fear of losing a person they had made their world, fear of unfaithfulness or unworthiness.

A handfasting is a rite that taps into the purest light of the Divine and the purest love in the heart.

It says

"I see you, I know you, and we are one, separate and together, grow with me."

That is the beauty of a true handfasting.

It is not some vampiric feast of blood and control, fear and lust, pain and hollow glory.

It express the best and honest love, imperfect but real and Divine.