Ink Blot

J. was here. For a brief, shining moment. She brought the rain with her, of course.

One of the side effects of having a sister you don’t see all that often is that you tend to revert to childhood. Because arguing the philosopher of Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a wonderful way to spend a Sunday night.

We had a bonfire in the pouring rain, had a debate on which one of us was actually older, discussed no-no parts and learned new words for sexual acts that frankly, I’m still baffled by.

The boys LOVE LOVE LOVE Aunt J. Bear’s invited her to his 4th birthday in November. It’s hard to explain how far away Oregon really is.

I even drug her to Pagan Church on Sunday. It was Animal Totem day. She did very well and kept a straight face though the whole thing.

I think the best part was that I got to show off my LIFE to her in a way that I haven’t before. Or at least show off all the parts that weren’t out of town.

At least at this point I only have to wait until Christmas to see her again.

Gene Roddenberry went to his grave, telling stories that, although they supposedly happened light years away, were relevant to our every day lives. From the beginning, he claimed that the characters and races on Star Trek were parallels for people here on Earth. Little did anyone know that the characters were actually taking on traits of Neo-Pagan sects across the country! Was Gene Pagan? Who knows, but sit back and enjoy this little trip, where no Pagan has gone before…

Wiccans - The United Federation of Planets

The Federation means well. They let just about everybody into their little social club, so long as they agree to play nice. They don’t talk about rules much, but keep referring to one Prime Directive that all other laws are based on. That said, they frequently violate that rule when the need suits them. Often heard speaking in various UK accents, even though they’re not from the islands (Et tu, Jean-Luc?)

Asatruar - Klingons

Obsessed with honor and combat. Have no qualms with eating meat and eat it with obvious relish. Insist they did everything first (”But Hamlet is so much better in the original Klingon.”) And who wants Klingon opera, when you can have Wagner’s Die Neibelung?

Ceremonialists - Vulcans

Have you ever heard someone say, “Excuse, I was reading this and wanted to tell you: “anal retentive” has a hyphen in it.”? Everything is very orderly in their universe. No room for untidy things like emotions and the like.

Druids - Bajorans
(with special guests: the Tuatha de Dannan as The Prophets)

You cannot separate the Bajorans from their faith. Religion permeates the very air they breathe. Although this should be a unifying force on their devastated environment, they are constantly fighting with one another. Like many other races, they are subject to charismatic leaders.

New Agers - Betazoids

Profoundly psychic when you don’t want them to be; dense as a rock (crystal) when you actually need some help. Spend an awful lot of time talking about “vibes” and are perpetually concerned with how others feel. If they weren’t so damn cute, you’d just want to smack them. You only see the women of this race.

Numerologists/Kabbalahists - Binars

Numbers are everything, don’t you know. Can loudly pronounce a given number (93!) and have people laugh at it like it was a punch line. Draws all sorts of really interesting links between things based on the numerological significance. Socially uncouth. The only difference between the Binars and numerologists is that Binars have mates that understand them.

Setians/Satanists - The Skin of Evil
(the oil slick that killed Tasha Yar)

A long time ago, a race decided to sluff off all their evil, mean and nasty emotions. They physically excreted these emotions into a big pile of black ooze. The race bailed off the planet, leaving the ooze which, over time, became sentient… sort of, and delights in causing fear and pain in others.

Dianics - The Women of Angel 1

Imagine a planet where women are in charge! It is a wonderful, peaceful place. Everyone gets along all the time and no one ever goes hungry. Yeah, right. Behind the facade of perfect love and perfect trust and gyno-unity, there is an iron fist in that velvet glove. And, surprise, surprise, the gynarchy is subject to the same power struggles and in-fighting that the rest of us are.

KayOs MagicKians - The Children of Tama
(Damok & Jilad on the ocean)

I know I’m speaking English, and I know that they are speaking English. However, sometimes, you just can’t seem to understand what these souls are trying to tell you. Although they have something valid and wonderful to share with the Federation, what they have to say is mired in a language that excludes more than it includes. Fnord.

Llewellyn Publications - the Borg

Resistance is futile, you will be assimilated. Your history and beliefs will become part of the Borg Collective, where they will be watered down and spread out evenly between everyone in our race. Lower your shields and hand over your money; resistance is futile.

taken from http://www.ecauldron.com

I’ve been trying to determine the significance of Mabon / Equinox to me from a spiritual perspective. At the moment, the closest I can get is Thanksgiving, plus this sense of bittersweet celebration. It’s a harvest festival, so YAY, but it’s also about to get frakking cold. *Shiver*

I have a hard time relating to the archetypal Oak and Holly Kings, or the Lord and Lady and their revolutions:

The Holly King now has overtaken the Oak King.

The Lord’s power wanes, he will die by Samhain.

I don’t get why that maters.

I’ll take Persephone and Demeter and Hades, plus pomegranate juice is yummy.

I grew up with a meal mantra, not so much a blessing, that I can still repeat in my sleep. I don’t use that one anymore, and I’ve been feeling that I should be using SOMETHING with the kids. Not that I’m great at cooking to start with. Here are a bunch I found that are happily Pagan.

May We Appreciate and Remember – Buddist

Today may we appreciate this food and remember those who are hungry.
May we appreciate our family and friends and remember those who are alone.
May we appreciate our health and remember those who are sick.
May we appreciate the freedoms we have and remember those who suffer injustice and tyranny.
Peace on earth.

Divine Energy – Pagan

From forest and stream, from mountain and fields, from the fertile Earth’s nourishing yields, I now partake of the Divine Energy; may it lend me health, strength, and love.

Elemental – Wiccan

Blessed be the Earth for giving birth to this food
Blessed be the Sun for nourishing it
Blessed be the Wind for carrying its seed
Blessed be the Rain for quenching its thirst.

Blessed be the hands that helped to grow this food,
To bring it to our tables
To nourish our minds, bodies, and spirits.

Blessed be our friends, our families, and our loved ones.
Blessed Be.

Goddess – Wiccan

Goddess, bless this food you have given me
Let it be filled with your divine energy
So that I will be healthy
And live a long and happy life.
Goddess bless! Blessed be!

Cerridwen – Celtic

O Lady of the Harvest, bounteous Cerridwen,
For the meat and bread that sustain us,
And the wine that brings us joy,
We thank you and promise you,
That we will never use the strength derived from your gifts,
To willfully harm your creatures or violate your laws.

Mother Earth – Generic (vegan)

For the golden corn and the apple on the tree,
For the golden butter and the honey from the bees,
For the fruits and nuts and berries we gather on our way,
We praise the loving Mother Earth and thank Her everyday.

Lord and Lady – Wiccan

Lord and Lady, watch over us,
and bless us as we eat.
Bless this food, this bounty of earth,
we thank you, so mote it be.

A Prayer to the Earth – Pagan

Corn and grain, meat and milk,
upon my table before me.
Gifts of life, bringing sustenance and strength,
I am grateful for all I have.

The Hunt – Norse/Celtic

Hail! Hail! The hunt has ended,
and meat is on the table!
We honor the deer who feeds us tonight,
may his spirit live within us!

Invitation to the Gods – Pagan

I set a place at my table for the gods,
and ask them to join me here tonight.
My home is always open to you,
and my heart is open as well.

Offerings – Greco/Roman

In ancient Rome, it was common to leave a bit of your food on the altar for your household deities. If you would like to do this at your meal, you could use the following prayer:

This meal is the work of many hands,
and I offer you a share.
Holy ones, accept my gift,
and upon my hearth, leave your blessings.

Great Spirit – Pagan/Native American?

We thank you for the gift of this food.
We send blessings of peace, love, and release to all whose bodies energies brought us this nourishment. We honor you in our enjoyment and utilization of this meal.
May it bring us health and joy, reminding us of our interconnections with all that is.
As we receive, so do we give thanks for this gift.

With young children, it is best to keep prayers short, simple, and to the point as below.
Thank you, Great Spirit
Thank you, chicken and peas and milk (or other food items)
Thank you, Mother Earth
We love this food.

Buddhist Blessing for Food

Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Space
combine to make this food.
Numberless beings gave their lives
and labors that we may eat.
May we be nourished
that we may nourish life.