I hadn't intended to post here today, but I discovered something I had to share. I was searching for photos of Autumn just to change up my computer's wall paper. I am tired of this long hot summer and I want to encourage Autumn in my world.
It was during this very benign search that I discovered this website. Just the the Beauty doll that I discovered yesterday, I find these sculptures incredibly evocative; though of the opposite emotion. So many of the sculptures reflect the feelings of Persephone. As I mentioned just the other day, I see the Autumn aspect of The Goddess to be as important as her springtime aspect. And is was specifically this piece that inspired me. Unfortunately, it is no longer available.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Monday, September 6, 2010
Beauty and the Beast Doll
I have always thought of the Beauty and the Beast myth as a gateway to Persephone's story. Or, perhaps, the other way around. In either case, I think both stories are beautiful. I just discovered this doll and was immediately enchanted. Though she is a representation of Beauty from the fairy tale, she could easily be seen as Persephone as well as she finds herself in the Underworld for the first time, afraid and confused.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
The End of Summer
This weekend is Labor Day. I've always seen it as the official end of summer. Though here in the south school has started for a lot of kids already, in Michigan I always remember going back to school after Labor Day. It was a real shift in consciousness. Labor Day meant Autumn was mere days away.
Now the anticipation of Fall means so much to me. It has always been my favorite season. It is the season of Halloween, my favorite holiday. This weekend is Dragon*Con which is kind of like my adult version of the last hurrah of the summer. Next weekend starts NFL Football season, which I love. It is also the season where Persephone returns to her underworld palace to be with her husband. She is often referred to as the Goddess of Spring, as in popular culture it is thought that her return is the catalyst for the return of the flowers and trees. But I have always connected to her as the Goddess of Autumn. It is when she descends into the Underworld that she discovers her own power.
Approaching the Autumn Equinox will also be the first anniversary of this blog. I has been a devotional project for me. I love sharing deep thoughts on the Goddess as well as recipes and poems and stories. I love journeying with Persephone throughout the seasons.
I think this song, Le Ballet d'Or by Counting Crows, really captures the sense of Autumn in the air.
Now the anticipation of Fall means so much to me. It has always been my favorite season. It is the season of Halloween, my favorite holiday. This weekend is Dragon*Con which is kind of like my adult version of the last hurrah of the summer. Next weekend starts NFL Football season, which I love. It is also the season where Persephone returns to her underworld palace to be with her husband. She is often referred to as the Goddess of Spring, as in popular culture it is thought that her return is the catalyst for the return of the flowers and trees. But I have always connected to her as the Goddess of Autumn. It is when she descends into the Underworld that she discovers her own power.
Approaching the Autumn Equinox will also be the first anniversary of this blog. I has been a devotional project for me. I love sharing deep thoughts on the Goddess as well as recipes and poems and stories. I love journeying with Persephone throughout the seasons.
I think this song, Le Ballet d'Or by Counting Crows, really captures the sense of Autumn in the air.
Wasted time running scared
When all a love needs is to be believed in
All those Springs come and gone
Past like trains and boxcars leaving
But I would be lying
If I didn't tell you the truth
They will leave you
They will leave you
So come now
Let's go dance to siren's song
Come now
Leave your damage behind and gone
Some are lost to you
Wasted time running scared
All that I need is to believe in something like a Summer
And I know you need somebody just like I do
And all these foxes go down in their barrows to hide
They will leave you
They will leave you behind
So come now
Let's go dance to the siren's song
Come now
Leave your damage behind and gone
Just come now
Let's go to the dance floor
Come now
Lose your mind at Le Ballet d'Or
Some are lost
Some are leaving
Some are lost
Some are leaving
But I'm not going at all
I'm not going anywhere at all
Some are lost to you
We've wasted time running scared
Now Autumn's fire is ashes on the breeze
And it spins away like dust on pearls
As winter comes to usher in the evening
But all of these drummers go stand
on their hillsides alone
They will leave you
They will leave you alone
So come now
Let's go dance to siren's song
Come now
Leave your damage behind and gone
So come now
Let's go down to the dance floor
Come now
Lose your mind at Le Ballet d'Or
Just come now
Let's get out while the getting's good
Come now
There's no one left in the neighborhood
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Things I shouldn't Drink
I went to a party at a friend's house yesterday afternoon. I had a great time with friends and we enjoyed some fantastic food and our hostess made Mojitos.
Mojitos, of course, are made with mint and Persephone and Mint don't exactly get along. I came to the conclusion that, while tasty, I should stay away from mint based drinks in the future. I have often mentioned that they are an inappropriate offering to Persephone, and I think it is high time to take my own advice.
So, I searched for a tasty alternative to the Mojito that can be prepared instead.
Mojitos, of course, are made with mint and Persephone and Mint don't exactly get along. I came to the conclusion that, while tasty, I should stay away from mint based drinks in the future. I have often mentioned that they are an inappropriate offering to Persephone, and I think it is high time to take my own advice.
So, I searched for a tasty alternative to the Mojito that can be prepared instead.
1.5 tequila
.75 St Germain
.5 simple syrup
.75 lime juice
Persephone foam top
Black lava sea salt rim
The website gives a simple version of the Persephone Myth as the story behind this cocktail. It also tells us what Persephone foam is. I think, however, that the drink cold be made with out that and still be tasty. I also like the fact that it is a drink that isn't made with any main pomegranate component. I love pomegranate, but I don't suppose it is necessary in everything. The black lava sea salt will give it a cool underworldly look about it too.
Happy Cocktail Party!
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Praise Persephone
I apologize for the recent radio silence. Those close to me know that I was dealing with a issue involving a hacker who gained control of all of my accounts effectively locking me out. Now, nearly two weeks later, finally have them back.
Interestingly enough, I just posted today on my private journal about some new ventures that I am really excited about. I said, essentially, the only thing that could make this day better would be getting my blogs back! Ah, the power of positive thinking.
So, I just wanted to post quickly to let you know that I am back. And to thank the Goddess for her blessings.
Interestingly enough, I just posted today on my private journal about some new ventures that I am really excited about. I said, essentially, the only thing that could make this day better would be getting my blogs back! Ah, the power of positive thinking.
So, I just wanted to post quickly to let you know that I am back. And to thank the Goddess for her blessings.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
The Sunflower
The sunflower was growing tall in the late summer near its fencepost. It was a very proud sunflower with beautiful golden petals and lots of seeds. He basked in the dying summer sun and waited for the Autumn to come. But the sunflower was particularly vain and hated the thought of losing all his wonderful seeds.
On a lazy afternoon, a bird landed on the fencepost and approached the sunflower and asked it to share his seeds. “I need the seeds so I can eat them now and become strong to fly all the way south for the winter.” The Sunflower shook his head, “Certainly not. You can not have my seeds for such a selfish purpose. Go find another flower to steal seeds from.” The bird scowled and flew away.
The Sunflower had finally relaxed again when another creature came to talk to him. A fluffy red squirrel climbed up on the fencepost and asked the Sunflower to share its seeds. “I need the seeds so I can bury them so they can feed my family through the winter.” The sunflower shook his head, “Absolutely not. I will not give you my seeds so you can hide them away. Go find someone else to steal from.” Disappointed, the squirrel hurried away.
As the sun began to dip towards the earth, the Sunflower was visited by a pretty human girl with braids in her hair and a basket in her hands. The girl smiled at the sunflower and asked if she could harvest its seeds. “They are wonderfully tasty and I like to eat them as the summer ends.” The Sunflower was growing angry at the requests for his seeds and he replied, “Never! No one will take my beautiful seeds from me. I am a majestic Sunflower and I will not give my seeds up. Go away and harvest something else.” The girl felt sorry for the vain Sunflower and left him alone in his field.
The Sunflower was feeling very smug as he watched the sunset start to turn the sky pink and orange. He was startled when he was approached by another figure. She glided through the field as though her feed didn't touch the ground. She was dressed in a pearl colored gown and the sunset crowned her head of soft golden hair. Determined to keep his seeds, the Sunflower chose to ignore the woman approaching.
“I have heard that you are unwilling to share your seeds, Sunflower,” said the musical voice. The Sunflower was force to take notice of the beautiful woman. “My name is Persephone, and I have been watching you all day. I saw you tell the bird and the squirrel to leave you alone. I saw you refuse your seeds to the girl. How horrible that you are unwilling to share your harvest with the world. Your seeds are beautiful, yes, but if they aren’t harvested your flower will wither and die before winter comes.” The Sunflower stared in awe at the luminous woman, and knew that her presence was divine. Persephone continued, “If you let the bird take your seeds, he would have begun to fly south, and would have dropped your seeds into the soil. By next year, you would be reborn throughout the country side. The squirrel would have buried the seeds in the ground, and by next spring any that he didn’t eat would also sprout and grow to the same majesty as you have now. And know this, the humans are the ones that care for you and protect you and cultivate you. By refusing them, you will wither and die before the summer ends.”
The Sunflower was touched by what the Goddess was saying. “I need to sacrifice myself,” he said softly, “for I would rather be reborn than to simply fade away.”
“That is the order of things,” Persephone said as though she truly understood what the sacrifice meant. “All things must die so that they can be reborn. Provide your harvest to the creatures of the Earth and you will be rewarded.”
So the Sunflower allowed Persephone to harvest his plentiful seeds. There were enough to give some to the birds and the squirrels and to the humans. And the Sunflower learned a valuable lesson about giving and sacrificing. And as the Autumn season descended on the land, millions of grains and plants were willing to sacrifice themselves for the winter, knowing that they, too, would be born again in the spring.
On a lazy afternoon, a bird landed on the fencepost and approached the sunflower and asked it to share his seeds. “I need the seeds so I can eat them now and become strong to fly all the way south for the winter.” The Sunflower shook his head, “Certainly not. You can not have my seeds for such a selfish purpose. Go find another flower to steal seeds from.” The bird scowled and flew away.
The Sunflower had finally relaxed again when another creature came to talk to him. A fluffy red squirrel climbed up on the fencepost and asked the Sunflower to share its seeds. “I need the seeds so I can bury them so they can feed my family through the winter.” The sunflower shook his head, “Absolutely not. I will not give you my seeds so you can hide them away. Go find someone else to steal from.” Disappointed, the squirrel hurried away.
As the sun began to dip towards the earth, the Sunflower was visited by a pretty human girl with braids in her hair and a basket in her hands. The girl smiled at the sunflower and asked if she could harvest its seeds. “They are wonderfully tasty and I like to eat them as the summer ends.” The Sunflower was growing angry at the requests for his seeds and he replied, “Never! No one will take my beautiful seeds from me. I am a majestic Sunflower and I will not give my seeds up. Go away and harvest something else.” The girl felt sorry for the vain Sunflower and left him alone in his field.
The Sunflower was feeling very smug as he watched the sunset start to turn the sky pink and orange. He was startled when he was approached by another figure. She glided through the field as though her feed didn't touch the ground. She was dressed in a pearl colored gown and the sunset crowned her head of soft golden hair. Determined to keep his seeds, the Sunflower chose to ignore the woman approaching.
“I have heard that you are unwilling to share your seeds, Sunflower,” said the musical voice. The Sunflower was force to take notice of the beautiful woman. “My name is Persephone, and I have been watching you all day. I saw you tell the bird and the squirrel to leave you alone. I saw you refuse your seeds to the girl. How horrible that you are unwilling to share your harvest with the world. Your seeds are beautiful, yes, but if they aren’t harvested your flower will wither and die before winter comes.” The Sunflower stared in awe at the luminous woman, and knew that her presence was divine. Persephone continued, “If you let the bird take your seeds, he would have begun to fly south, and would have dropped your seeds into the soil. By next year, you would be reborn throughout the country side. The squirrel would have buried the seeds in the ground, and by next spring any that he didn’t eat would also sprout and grow to the same majesty as you have now. And know this, the humans are the ones that care for you and protect you and cultivate you. By refusing them, you will wither and die before the summer ends.”
The Sunflower was touched by what the Goddess was saying. “I need to sacrifice myself,” he said softly, “for I would rather be reborn than to simply fade away.”
“That is the order of things,” Persephone said as though she truly understood what the sacrifice meant. “All things must die so that they can be reborn. Provide your harvest to the creatures of the Earth and you will be rewarded.”
So the Sunflower allowed Persephone to harvest his plentiful seeds. There were enough to give some to the birds and the squirrels and to the humans. And the Sunflower learned a valuable lesson about giving and sacrificing. And as the Autumn season descended on the land, millions of grains and plants were willing to sacrifice themselves for the winter, knowing that they, too, would be born again in the spring.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Not always what they seem
I am currently planning a trip to Greece for next year. As you might imagine, I am beside myself with excitement about the possibilities. There are so many places I want to visit and so many things that I want to do. I keep wondering what kinds of experiences I might have while I'm there. Will they be life altering spiritual epiphanies or more subtle brushes with the divine?
Which reminded me of something I wrote before. The following piece was published in PanGaia magazine in the Winter 2003 issue. I wanted to share it here, unedited, as it appeared in the magazine. A lot in my life has changed since this time, and it isn't Persephone-centric, but I think the lesson I learned in Wisconsin nearly 10 years ago is universal. (Also, I think - and hope - that I am a better writer now than I was then!)
With all of the lessons I have had over the years, there is one that speaks the loudest to me. Don’t go looking for a spiritual experience, they have a way of finding you. There will be rituals that can blow your mind and conversations that will enlighten you, but often the Gods chose a more subtle approach. I learned this on a very special trip to Janesville Wisconsin in March of 1998.
Pagans are generally aware of the teachings in Native American Culture. In 1994, when a white buffalo calf named Miracle was born, the news fanned out quickly across the country. Her birth was celebrated by all Earth Centered people. The little white buffalo was the answer to a prophecy made in the legends of the Lakota peoples. The buffalo ranch in central Wisconsin was flooded with visitors, whom they welcomed with open arms.
I graduated from college in 1997 and moved close to my hometown. I began a job that was good for opening doors, but terrible for my daily stress level. In March of 1998, myself and my newly handfasted husband decided to take a long weekend vacation to see the Frank Lloyd Wright houses of Wisconsin. I realized as we were planning this trip, that we would be very near Janesville…and Miracle.
My personal connection with White Buffalo Calf Woman began while I was still in college, so to have a chance to meet her felt like a culmination to a spiritual experience. Little did I know, it was only the beginning. Before this I could only piece together a little about the story of White Buffalo Calf Woman. My connection began with dreams in which a white buffalo or young Native American woman would appear. I asked a couple of people what it might mean, but I put very little thought behind it. One Sunday afternoon I made a routine trip to a local grocery store where I fell in love with a small stuffed white buffalo. I bought it and brought it home. That very afternoon I was watching TV while cuddling with my new buffalo. I came across an episode of Unsolved Mysteries that told the story of “Miracle”.
The legend of the Lakota peoples of North America tells us that there was once a great famine among their tribe and a maiden Goddess appeared to them and taught them how to hunt the sacred buffalo. She then told them that she would return seven generations later in the form of a female white calf. The legend further explained that as she grew her coat would change from white to black to red to yellow, representing the four colors of human skin. Seven generations later, the ranch in Janesville, Wisconsin witnessed the birth of Miracle. I was struck by this story and I threw myself into learning everything that I could about Miracle and the legend of White Buffalo Calf Woman.
I learned that it was customary to prepare an offering representing a prayer for Miracle. I put my time and heart into making a beaded gift for the White Buffalo. We flew into Madison, Wisconsin and armed with only a map from Yahoo.com, we set out to find the Buffalo Ranch that was owned by Dave and Valerie Heider. We drove and drove through rural Wisconsin, unable to find our Miracle. I was frustrated and angry about being lost and having to stop and ask directions several times. We almost aborted the mission more than once as our tempers short circuited. Finally, we found the ranch, not even 10 feet from a spot where we had turned around 30 minutes before. I was surprised that there nobody was there; everything I read told me there were always great numbers of Native American and Earth Religion visitors present. We entered the “Gift Shop” which showcased local Native American crafters. Once inside, “Grandpa”, Valerie Heider’s father, greeted us. He and his wife were the only two people at the ranch that day. We explained to him that we came from Michigan to see the White Buffalo and he eagerly took us to where she was kept. Miracle had reached her yellow phase, which seemed rather buffalo colored to us, so she mixed in well with the other buffalo. Before Grandpa had to point her out, I knew which one she was. I could feel her energy.
As I approached the fence she stepped toward me. I pulled out the offering, thought a prayer, and looped the beads onto the fence. Grandpa told us that she was going to be a mother soon and pointed her mate out to us. After some small conversation, Grandpa reached to the ground and pulled out a handful of grass and clover. He handed it to me.
“They don’t like it when we do this,” he said, “The Indians don’t want us feeding their sacred animal, but I won’t tell anyone if you don’t.” So I reached my hand through the fence. Miracle sniffed at the clover and gently licked it out of my hand.
Before we left for Wisconsin I anticipated an intense spiritual experience. It hardly felt profound as it happened, but now as I reflect on the events that day, it was deeply spiritual. It was a moment that I alone shared with the White Buffalo – the incarnation of a Goddess. That is a very powerful experience.
Which reminded me of something I wrote before. The following piece was published in PanGaia magazine in the Winter 2003 issue. I wanted to share it here, unedited, as it appeared in the magazine. A lot in my life has changed since this time, and it isn't Persephone-centric, but I think the lesson I learned in Wisconsin nearly 10 years ago is universal. (Also, I think - and hope - that I am a better writer now than I was then!)
The Goddess in America
Janesville Wisconsin
With all of the lessons I have had over the years, there is one that speaks the loudest to me. Don’t go looking for a spiritual experience, they have a way of finding you. There will be rituals that can blow your mind and conversations that will enlighten you, but often the Gods chose a more subtle approach. I learned this on a very special trip to Janesville Wisconsin in March of 1998.
Pagans are generally aware of the teachings in Native American Culture. In 1994, when a white buffalo calf named Miracle was born, the news fanned out quickly across the country. Her birth was celebrated by all Earth Centered people. The little white buffalo was the answer to a prophecy made in the legends of the Lakota peoples. The buffalo ranch in central Wisconsin was flooded with visitors, whom they welcomed with open arms.
I graduated from college in 1997 and moved close to my hometown. I began a job that was good for opening doors, but terrible for my daily stress level. In March of 1998, myself and my newly handfasted husband decided to take a long weekend vacation to see the Frank Lloyd Wright houses of Wisconsin. I realized as we were planning this trip, that we would be very near Janesville…and Miracle.
My personal connection with White Buffalo Calf Woman began while I was still in college, so to have a chance to meet her felt like a culmination to a spiritual experience. Little did I know, it was only the beginning. Before this I could only piece together a little about the story of White Buffalo Calf Woman. My connection began with dreams in which a white buffalo or young Native American woman would appear. I asked a couple of people what it might mean, but I put very little thought behind it. One Sunday afternoon I made a routine trip to a local grocery store where I fell in love with a small stuffed white buffalo. I bought it and brought it home. That very afternoon I was watching TV while cuddling with my new buffalo. I came across an episode of Unsolved Mysteries that told the story of “Miracle”.
The legend of the Lakota peoples of North America tells us that there was once a great famine among their tribe and a maiden Goddess appeared to them and taught them how to hunt the sacred buffalo. She then told them that she would return seven generations later in the form of a female white calf. The legend further explained that as she grew her coat would change from white to black to red to yellow, representing the four colors of human skin. Seven generations later, the ranch in Janesville, Wisconsin witnessed the birth of Miracle. I was struck by this story and I threw myself into learning everything that I could about Miracle and the legend of White Buffalo Calf Woman.
I learned that it was customary to prepare an offering representing a prayer for Miracle. I put my time and heart into making a beaded gift for the White Buffalo. We flew into Madison, Wisconsin and armed with only a map from Yahoo.com, we set out to find the Buffalo Ranch that was owned by Dave and Valerie Heider. We drove and drove through rural Wisconsin, unable to find our Miracle. I was frustrated and angry about being lost and having to stop and ask directions several times. We almost aborted the mission more than once as our tempers short circuited. Finally, we found the ranch, not even 10 feet from a spot where we had turned around 30 minutes before. I was surprised that there nobody was there; everything I read told me there were always great numbers of Native American and Earth Religion visitors present. We entered the “Gift Shop” which showcased local Native American crafters. Once inside, “Grandpa”, Valerie Heider’s father, greeted us. He and his wife were the only two people at the ranch that day. We explained to him that we came from Michigan to see the White Buffalo and he eagerly took us to where she was kept. Miracle had reached her yellow phase, which seemed rather buffalo colored to us, so she mixed in well with the other buffalo. Before Grandpa had to point her out, I knew which one she was. I could feel her energy.
As I approached the fence she stepped toward me. I pulled out the offering, thought a prayer, and looped the beads onto the fence. Grandpa told us that she was going to be a mother soon and pointed her mate out to us. After some small conversation, Grandpa reached to the ground and pulled out a handful of grass and clover. He handed it to me.
“They don’t like it when we do this,” he said, “The Indians don’t want us feeding their sacred animal, but I won’t tell anyone if you don’t.” So I reached my hand through the fence. Miracle sniffed at the clover and gently licked it out of my hand.
Before we left for Wisconsin I anticipated an intense spiritual experience. It hardly felt profound as it happened, but now as I reflect on the events that day, it was deeply spiritual. It was a moment that I alone shared with the White Buffalo – the incarnation of a Goddess. That is a very powerful experience.
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