Next weekend, Pagan pride descends on North-Western NY in the form of the Central NY Pagan Pride Festival in Liverpool, NY (near Syracuse). I'm really excited about the keynote speaker, Patti Lafayllve. She's a practicing heathen devoted to Freyja and seidh work. Even though I follow an Irish-inspired path, I do have Norse blood in me and know that the Celtic nations often interacted with them (hence my mixed ancestry!). I feel that I could learn a lot from seidh. Really, I think any trance-related workshops would be greatly beneficial to my spiritual growth*.
I was delighted to hear that Lafayllve is performing a rite using oracular seidh. Unfortunately it's the night before Pagan Pride Day... And I live an hour and a half away. Now it wouldn't have been an issue if things had gone according to plan. My husband now has to go into work Saturday morning for a meeting that he cannot get out of. We didn't anticipate this and had been talking about going to Syracuse Friday for the rite, getting a hotel, and staying for Pagan Pride. Bugger! A part of me really wants to go to the rite anyway. It's something I've never seen before and I want to learn more about it! Yet the driving... An hour and a half down, an hour and a half back. Then the next day we would do the same thing!
"But Grey," you chime in, "don't you deserve to go? Don't you have every right to further your knowledge? It's not that bad of a drive."
Yes, I know... But there's a part of me that would feel like a huge hypocrite. Druidism, to me, is very Earth-centric. I work so hard to make sustainable choices. If I do so much driving for selfish reasons, it seems spiritually counter-productive. It practically negates everything else I do... We recently figured out how many miles my husband drives to work every week and it's depressing. We really need to move between our two places of employment.
It's not that bad if I miss the rite... I'm hopeful that I'll get the opportunity to see something like it in the future and learn more then. And as long as Weretoad's meeting gets done in time, I should be able to make the two workshops Lafayllve is giving then - one on Ásatrú and the other on deepening relationships with Goddesses - in her case, Freyja. It just stinks. I'm so often faced with these transportation dilemmas. I'm hoping to get a second car soon so that I have more freedom - freedom to pursue grad school and other areas of interest. Even so... it's so much pollution and so much driving...
I'm so ready for mass public transportation in the US now.
*Well...almost any...
( For My LJ Friends: http://adfcatprints.blogspot.com/ )
Showing posts with label Syracuse. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Syracuse. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Sunday, May 2, 2010
"It's May! It's May! The lusty month of May!"
My Beltaine was wonderful. After a delightfully amorous morning, hubby and I went to The Mustard Seed in Watertown to enjoy their Earth Day celebration. We got to try a plethora of products, including some eco-friendly perfume, organic cat treats (which our babies really enjoyed), soaps, and a micro-brewed kombucha. My husband is not a fan of the drink in general, but it was probably the best batch I ever had! We also had some delicious local baked goods and a grilled portobello sandwich. Yummy!
We headed to Syracuse to attend Muin Mound's Beltaine celebration. Yesterday was actually my three year anniversary of going to Muin Mound. I made a point to make it to a business meeting. I want to be more involved, especially as I'm going to become an official Folk of the Grove next month. My grove mates have become such a spiritual family to me. It's so easy to talk to them now, and I have so much fun.
The men went into the woods to find a tree for the maypole. My husband went reluctantly at first but ended up having a lot of fun finding, sawing, and constructing it with Skip. Hubby is one of those men who almost always has a knife on him and it was quite handy yesterday! Muin Mound's tradition is to attach last year's Yule tree to the top of the maypole. We dance around it to celebrate the fertility all around us and leave it standing in the yard to fill the land with more creative energy. Come Samhain, when the harvest is over, the maypole is chopped up and placed in our bonfire. It's a lovely tradition that really connects us to the land. I wish we brought the camera to get a photo of our maypole this year. It's probably the best I've ever seen!
The ritual was beautiful. The usual nemeton was already infested with mosquitos so we opted to use the area closer to the home. We've been using it a lot, actually, and the larger nemeton is generally bug free for Samhain. It's sad, in a way, because the nemeton is so visually striking with the large central bonfire and bridge lit by torch-light, but the newer, less-infested nemeton is also lovely and is growing on me. The second bile (sacred tree) looks quite proud with some offerings hanging from it. There's also a lovely pond which works as the well!
As the ritual began, the sky lit up a few times and thunder rolled around us. It was really something to acknowledge the three realms and chant "may the sky not fall down upon us" in such weather. I took two larger roles in the ritual this time. We have a member who always welcomes the Nature Spirits, but she wasn't there last night, so I took the part. I felt so confident and just said what was in my heart. It was an amazing feeling! I also welcomed and honored the Goddess of the rite, Bláithíne. I had an idea of what I could say, but in the end I read something prepared ahead of time. I usually don't like to do that, but I've really never worked with Bláithíne before and didn't want to stumble or get her story wrong, even though I'm fairly sure I know the basics of it. I felt a lot of wonderful things while calling to her. I felt the strength of an independent woman who knows what she wants. I felt the awe and joy of the plants all around me. I also felt compelled to learn more about her and make a doll inspired by her to give to the grove next Beltaine.
At the end of the rite, the sky could no longer hold and it began to rain. It felt cool after a humid day dancing around the maypole. We were finishing our right so it didn't spoil our fiery fun at all. We went inside and had a wonderful potluck feast.
It was such an enjoyable day and I hope everyone did something as wonderful!
May the Kindreds bless you this season!
[ For my LJ friends, please visit me at: http://adfcatprints.blogspot.com/ ]
We headed to Syracuse to attend Muin Mound's Beltaine celebration. Yesterday was actually my three year anniversary of going to Muin Mound. I made a point to make it to a business meeting. I want to be more involved, especially as I'm going to become an official Folk of the Grove next month. My grove mates have become such a spiritual family to me. It's so easy to talk to them now, and I have so much fun.
The men went into the woods to find a tree for the maypole. My husband went reluctantly at first but ended up having a lot of fun finding, sawing, and constructing it with Skip. Hubby is one of those men who almost always has a knife on him and it was quite handy yesterday! Muin Mound's tradition is to attach last year's Yule tree to the top of the maypole. We dance around it to celebrate the fertility all around us and leave it standing in the yard to fill the land with more creative energy. Come Samhain, when the harvest is over, the maypole is chopped up and placed in our bonfire. It's a lovely tradition that really connects us to the land. I wish we brought the camera to get a photo of our maypole this year. It's probably the best I've ever seen!
The ritual was beautiful. The usual nemeton was already infested with mosquitos so we opted to use the area closer to the home. We've been using it a lot, actually, and the larger nemeton is generally bug free for Samhain. It's sad, in a way, because the nemeton is so visually striking with the large central bonfire and bridge lit by torch-light, but the newer, less-infested nemeton is also lovely and is growing on me. The second bile (sacred tree) looks quite proud with some offerings hanging from it. There's also a lovely pond which works as the well!
As the ritual began, the sky lit up a few times and thunder rolled around us. It was really something to acknowledge the three realms and chant "may the sky not fall down upon us" in such weather. I took two larger roles in the ritual this time. We have a member who always welcomes the Nature Spirits, but she wasn't there last night, so I took the part. I felt so confident and just said what was in my heart. It was an amazing feeling! I also welcomed and honored the Goddess of the rite, Bláithíne. I had an idea of what I could say, but in the end I read something prepared ahead of time. I usually don't like to do that, but I've really never worked with Bláithíne before and didn't want to stumble or get her story wrong, even though I'm fairly sure I know the basics of it. I felt a lot of wonderful things while calling to her. I felt the strength of an independent woman who knows what she wants. I felt the awe and joy of the plants all around me. I also felt compelled to learn more about her and make a doll inspired by her to give to the grove next Beltaine.
At the end of the rite, the sky could no longer hold and it began to rain. It felt cool after a humid day dancing around the maypole. We were finishing our right so it didn't spoil our fiery fun at all. We went inside and had a wonderful potluck feast.
It was such an enjoyable day and I hope everyone did something as wonderful!
May the Kindreds bless you this season!
[ For my LJ friends, please visit me at: http://adfcatprints.blogspot.com/ ]
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
SU Chaplain
I fell a bit behind reading my blogs this evening. I just found out, thanks to Jason of The Wild Hunt, that Syracuse University now has a Pagan chaplain. Congratulations to Mary Hudson! This is spectacular news for the Pagan community, especially here in Upstate NY. Hudson helped to found SPIRAL, the same group that puts on our local Pagan Pride Day in Liverpool. Considering the religious studies program offered by SU, it only makes sense that the institution would recognize the need for such a progressive step in the right direction. There already seem to be many active Pagan groups in and around Syracuse. Let's hope the trend continues and we see more recognition and religious freedom. The more people know about us, the more we'll be accepted. That's the hope, anyway.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Trying Not to be Lazy
The terrible fatigue I've been feeling lately has spread to my spirituality. My rituals are suddenly shorter and lack any real meditation. I've tried to meditate in bed but I always fall asleep and have strange dreams that I can't really remember in the morning.
I keep thinking about and seeing foxes everywhere. My inner teacher is calling out to me. I really should get down to business later. And I need to do it in my ritual room. I'm too programed to sleep when in bed. Meditation doesn't come easy there.
I'm attempting to be more physically active in the hopes that it will improve my health and my energy. I started doing some aerobics yesterday. Perhaps I'll do some yoga today - something not too jarring but also strenuous. I do love stretching...
Speaking of exercise, I've looked for belly dance instructors in and around Watertown. It seems that the closest are across the border or in Syracuse. With one car between myself and my husband, neither is really feasible at the moment. In the meantime, I'm hopeful that the local BOCES will get one down the road.
I keep thinking about and seeing foxes everywhere. My inner teacher is calling out to me. I really should get down to business later. And I need to do it in my ritual room. I'm too programed to sleep when in bed. Meditation doesn't come easy there.
I'm attempting to be more physically active in the hopes that it will improve my health and my energy. I started doing some aerobics yesterday. Perhaps I'll do some yoga today - something not too jarring but also strenuous. I do love stretching...
Speaking of exercise, I've looked for belly dance instructors in and around Watertown. It seems that the closest are across the border or in Syracuse. With one car between myself and my husband, neither is really feasible at the moment. In the meantime, I'm hopeful that the local BOCES will get one down the road.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
MVPN - It's Official
Why am I, the self-titled "North Country Pagan," so interested in what is going on with the Utica Pagan community? I still consider it my home, albeit a distant one now. I found my path in Utica and I made spiritual ties in Utica. My tribe is very much in the Mohawk Valley.
Today, the council of MVPN released an official statement about the future of MVPN*.
Although I am supportive and understanding of this move, change is sometimes hard to swallow. Perhaps it is that, despite my growing fondness of and involvement in ADF, I still feel isolated in Northern NY. As far as I know, I'm the only ADF druid up here. I've heard of some people calling themselves druids, but from what I can tell they are really Wiccan. No CRs, no ADFers, no Keltrians... Not even any OBODies as far as I can tell. That's what I would want, I guess - Druids attached to a tradition I understand, one that is even a little CR in nature. So, back to my original point, perhaps I am simply wishing that I could have a more path-specific group closer to my new home. I am happy for my Wiccan friends, but also a little envious.
Right now, the plan seems to be for my husband and I to stay put for a couple years. If everything continues to go well where I work, we will possibly move closer to Watertown. This would mean more of a commute to my job, but we would be closer to everything else - my husband's job, shopping centers, a big library, a theater, etc... And ultimately closer to Syracuse, home of Muin Mound, the grove I attend. Where I currently live adds an additional 30ish minutes of driving to and from Syracuse. Oh, how I wish the government would hurry up and build high-speed public trains...
To my Wiccan friends in the Mohawk Valley - I wish you the best of luck and the most sincere wish that this new group you are forming is spiritually satisfying to you. I also hope that I am welcome to join you from time to time in the spirit of friendship and a mutual wish to celebrate the turning of the wheel with you. Although we walk different Pagan paths, you are still my brothers and sisters. Kindreds bless you all.
*For my friends on Live Journal: http://mvpn.yuku.com/topic/263
Today, the council of MVPN released an official statement about the future of MVPN*.
Although I am supportive and understanding of this move, change is sometimes hard to swallow. Perhaps it is that, despite my growing fondness of and involvement in ADF, I still feel isolated in Northern NY. As far as I know, I'm the only ADF druid up here. I've heard of some people calling themselves druids, but from what I can tell they are really Wiccan. No CRs, no ADFers, no Keltrians... Not even any OBODies as far as I can tell. That's what I would want, I guess - Druids attached to a tradition I understand, one that is even a little CR in nature. So, back to my original point, perhaps I am simply wishing that I could have a more path-specific group closer to my new home. I am happy for my Wiccan friends, but also a little envious.
Right now, the plan seems to be for my husband and I to stay put for a couple years. If everything continues to go well where I work, we will possibly move closer to Watertown. This would mean more of a commute to my job, but we would be closer to everything else - my husband's job, shopping centers, a big library, a theater, etc... And ultimately closer to Syracuse, home of Muin Mound, the grove I attend. Where I currently live adds an additional 30ish minutes of driving to and from Syracuse. Oh, how I wish the government would hurry up and build high-speed public trains...
To my Wiccan friends in the Mohawk Valley - I wish you the best of luck and the most sincere wish that this new group you are forming is spiritually satisfying to you. I also hope that I am welcome to join you from time to time in the spirit of friendship and a mutual wish to celebrate the turning of the wheel with you. Although we walk different Pagan paths, you are still my brothers and sisters. Kindreds bless you all.
*For my friends on Live Journal: http://mvpn.yuku.com/topic/263
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Finally getting the show on the road...
This is a new blog to go along with my website Grey Catsidhe's Den. I have an lj, but it is more personal. I did have another blog but for various reasons I have decided to create a new one. The others... I didn't like the format of the program or my username was not reflective of me. Anyway... I may take some of the old entries and post them here at some point.
Anyway, I'm a Druid in Ár nDraíocht Féin. I've been in the organization for... three years I think. I really enjoy the community and the balanced approach. It's comfortably between reconstructionism and Neo-Paganism.
I live in Northern NY. Way, way upstate to the point that I'm nearly in Canada. I used to live in Central NY where a small but vibrant Pagan culture was forming. I am maintaining close contact with my Pagan family in Central NY (Syracuse and Utica), but also keep my eye open for Pagans in the North Country. There is supposed to be a UU chapter of CUUPs here but I've yet to check it out. I've also heard tell of Pagans in the nearby Fort Drum. But, for now, unless I'm going to my grove Syracuse or the open network in Utica, I'm solitary.
More later.
Anyway, I'm a Druid in Ár nDraíocht Féin. I've been in the organization for... three years I think. I really enjoy the community and the balanced approach. It's comfortably between reconstructionism and Neo-Paganism.
I live in Northern NY. Way, way upstate to the point that I'm nearly in Canada. I used to live in Central NY where a small but vibrant Pagan culture was forming. I am maintaining close contact with my Pagan family in Central NY (Syracuse and Utica), but also keep my eye open for Pagans in the North Country. There is supposed to be a UU chapter of CUUPs here but I've yet to check it out. I've also heard tell of Pagans in the nearby Fort Drum. But, for now, unless I'm going to my grove Syracuse or the open network in Utica, I'm solitary.
More later.
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