Musings of the Raven

Lately I've been made to do a little thinking about things. You see, I would never try to change a persons ideas about God just because someone who stands at the front of my church tells me to. And the last place I would even think to do such a thing would be in the produce section of a major store.

Don't get me wrong, I understand why some go door to door, and I realize that some may think they're doing it for my own good. Yet I can't help remembering the part about having free will to choose. I have said before that everyone has to find their own path. I will defend the right of anyone to find their own path. At the same time, I expect others to allow me to walk my path. I can except their concern because of their teachings, but when you try to tell them that their way is not your way, and even thank them for their concern, and they still try to convince you you're wrong. (while standing in the produce section remember) I tend to want to walk away and fight not to get rude if they follow.

Anywhere else, I might have sat down and talked to the woman, but that was not the time or the place. The only thing that saved my sanity that day was just before I left the store with a friend of mine. Going in we were caught by a (forgive the words) Bible Thumper. Just as we checked out, I felt a light tap on my shoulder. I turned around and a woman I'd never seen looked at me and asked "Are you a Wiccan?" Surprised, I said yes, and she broke into a huge smile. She hadn't expected to find of us around here.I told her my friend was too. She said it so nice to see us so she knew she wasn't alone and I told her there were more of us than she might think. As we left waving, she called "Bright Blessings!" and we answered "Merry Meet"

I have something I have to get out, or it will drive me nuts. I've been thinking about it for about a month now. I hope anyone reading this will bear with me. It's something I feel very strongly about and need to express after recent events in our home.

My baby girl Boo died last month. She was our last rat. She died of cancer. I didn't get to hold her when she died. I don't think she wanted me to. When ever I would think of going to her something would keep me in my place. Then when my other half was about to go to bed I made myself move and we found her gone. It wasn't easy, because after our first girl Davi died alone, I promised her none of the others would. I held 7 out of 9 of them.
Having watched them through their last moments I had to think, "When did an animal's pain become different than a human's?" If I could go back and find where that started, I'd be smacking some heads together. I'm not one who goes for fighting, but there are some things I just can't understand. People who have their pets will most likly know what I mean. My rats were my girls. My pets when I was younger were brothers and sisters. When their time came they were given the same respect any family member would get. Theres a pet cemetery in the front yard of my parents old house out in the country. I can tell you every pet in it. I was raised to know animals had feelings, that they could hurt and that hurt should be taken care of if there was a way.
When I see or hear of people treating animals as if they don't matter it makes me wish I could somehow make them feel the animal's pain and then look at them asking "Can you feel that, is it any different from the pain you feel when you get hurt?" How anyone can look into to the eyes of an animal in pain and not feel for them is beyond me. How anyone can intentionaly cause an animal harm is beyond me. I cannot and will not ever understand people like that.
I've know to many animals in my life to not know they feel. They feel pain, loneliness, fear, loss, happiness, and love the same as we do. I've seen animals get sick with missing hteir person. I've heard mother cats cry over loss kittens and watched them run around looking for them. I've seen animals die of fear. And thank the Powers, I've seen the happy faces of many animals when I've come home or someone they like came to visit. I've also had the gift of an animal's unconditional love and felt the tug on my heart when I would hear my cats call for "Ma" when they couldn't find me. I cried when my three cats Benny, Angel and Billy were taken from me to the Humane Soc. because we couldn't have them where we had to move to. To hear Benny calling for Ma as they took him away tore me apart. I felt like my children were being taken from me. I still miss them so much.
But I guess by now you understand where I'm comming from. I wont rant on any more about it. I just hope you understand and if you didn't before, maybe you'll see animals a different when you look at them next time. The Gods bless you if you know what I'm saying and even more if you come to change from one who doesn't care to one who does.

As I prepare for our Yule Tide right, I find myself thinking about many things. This politicly correct thing of saying "Happy Holidays" for one thing. A person should be able to express greetings in their own way. I for one am not offended to hear someone wish me a "Merry Christmas" I just answer back with the same thing. If one is not secure in their faith then maybe they need to do some soul searching.
Does it really matter what one calls the Holiday season? If anyone should be offended, it should be the Wiccans. December 25 was chosen at the date of Christmas because it was near the Winter Soltice. All the easier to convince the lowly heathens to come to church if you put your Feast Days on or near theirs, and build your churchs where their oak groves and circles use to stand.
That being said, just because a holiday is celebrated differently or given a different name doesn't make it any less a holiday for the people celebrating it. Is it more real if you call it Christmas than if I call it Yule or the Winter Soltice? Aren't they both celebrated with candles and prayers and gifts? Don't they both rejoice in the birth of a new born babe? Is my reality of the season any less real than any one elses? Does different mean fantasy now, does it mean becareful where you tred?
It is my belief that all Gods are one and all religions holy. We each have to find the path to this God, or Power that is, that fit us best. I see the ways as one would see people from all over the world coming to one special place. Each comes by their own route, but they are all going to the same place. The lessons and ideas they form along the way, may be slightly different, or very different, but they are still the reality of that person.
My son was raised Methodist, we've always had a Christmas tree. I grew up in a Christian home. I celebrate the holidays with friends and family and am greatful to be able to. I even look forward to putting up the tree. (Something else not totally Christian, but that will wait for another time.) Everything about this holiday speaks of peace and goodwill. That is what is important, not what anyone calls it or doesn't call it. As for me, I wish you all the Merriest Christmas Ever & the Brightest Blessings for the New Year.

"Ripples"

I am a night person, plain and simple. I like the stillness, the quiet. But as of late my son and I have been sitting up til anywhere from 4 to 5am talking, about anything and everything.
My son was baptized Methodist to make certain people happy. The first church he went to was the Salvation Army. He's gone to church and Bible study with friends, using the Bible my grandmother gave me for Christmas in 1964. But he's still not sure if he's a Christian, but he's not Wiccan. He has no problem with my beliefs, but he hasn't found his path yet. I've left that to him.
We talk about Angels, demons, the world, and the people in it. And he surprises me at times, and he makes me think about things. He has a video game I got him for his birthday "SMTP3". In this game you have to choose between lawful, chaos, and nutural. You create or aquire different "personas" as you go through the game, to fighting shadows and demons.
I began to think, it's alot like real life. You have to make choices, some easy, some not, and take full responsibility for those choices, or it screws with the works. Every choice causes some kind of "ripple effect" somewhere. A small, kind gesture can make many people happy, as a hurtful word can cause pain to more than the person it was spoken to.
Here in the Glade they call me the "Hermit" the "Latern Bearer", "The one who shows the way". I try my best to help everyone who comes to me find their path. I won't pick for them, but I will give them the light to find it. And I wonder how many "ripples" I've sent out, and what they've done for those they reached. I pray to the Old Ones they've been good, gentle ripples, and if not, I hope I can be forgiven for any dark ripples my latern failed to light on.
I wish you all Calmness of Spirit, Peace in your hearts, the Love of family & Friends, and the Wisdom to see and know what you truly have.
Brightest Blessings & Love, Brynnlynndir "The Hermit of the Glade"