Monday, January 13, 2014:
The waiting period allowed us to get some sleep before heading over to the hospital (which inevitably results in cranky pregnant lady being tethered to a bed for hours on end while awaiting the final pushing, etc. We were able to take our time. Lyndsay took a warm bath, I gave her a foot rub, we took a nap, got up, went to breakfast, and then proceeded to mosey up to Mercy Anderson Hospital.
A few days ago while skimming through my normal routs for anything related to herbs, herb dye and plant textiles (all of which I utilize on a spiritual level for my charm and talisman work as a practitioner of folk arts and agrarian magic) I ran across a wonderful variety of blogs both old and new that have other pagan plant-textile enthusiasts and even one recent article in The New York Times about how DYI plant textile art is coming back! I’m happy to not be alone in this art; it’s something I developed an interest in watching my art teacher Missa teach classes on how to tie-dye fabric when I was about 8 years old.
On January 14, 2014, my girlfriend, Lyndsay, and I welcomed my fourth son (my fifth child overall, and Lyndsay’s first) into the world. This is the story about how it played out…
Looking at another pagan version of a Carmina Gadelica charm – this one focuses on an easy birth, and is one I have used during the birth of my own children. The imagery of the original focuses on an animal birthing but I find it very conducive to the idea of an easy human birth. The original is:
Those who know me well know that one of my pet peeves is that people are honest. If you give your word,I expect you to keep it. It’s simple right? I mean, that’s how I was raised… Unfortunately not everyone seems to have that same ethical barometer. Got a problem? Hey yeah! They’ll be there… […]
I’ve mentioned before – and blogged before – about how I like to take material from the Carmina Gadelica and make it something I can use by taking out the Christian references and adding in pagan ones. Here is another example from volume 2 of the CG, a protection charm. The original is:
THE ‘FIONN-FAOILIDH 155*
“Salva me.” He commanded Weaver to save him, and in the process confirmed the judgement laid on him.
2,626 words
This ritual was designed and written originally several years ago for the Gulf oil spill, and was used again after the Fukushima nuclear disaster. With the current major chemical spill in West Virginia I thought I would offer a fresh water version of the previously ocean-oriented ritual for people who would like to use it. It is meant for use by anyone of any tradition, but is designed from an Irish perspective, based on an understanding of the sacredness of water from that viewpoint and a belief in the inherent spirit of rivers.
For Paige…
Weaver is hunted down for involuntary servitude. Prey becomes predator and predator is abandoned.
968 words.