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Artictles:

The Mysteries of Mabon

O’Donnell’s Witchcraft Smear

[Poetry] Collegiate Reflections

Even the Gods Have Monsters

My experience of September 11, 2001 was quite different from many peoples. I was 18, and had graduated high school in June. For the previous three years, I’d been saving money for a trip to the United Kingdom, and through a very odd series of coincidences, I was saved from a mess of trouble. My trip was to be 15 days, and I was scheduled to fly from Seattle to New York, and then on to London. A week or two before the trip, I had the travel agent (we had those back then) change it to a direct flight from Seattle to London. When I arrived at the airport with my parents in tow, the plane was grounded due to mechanical failures, and my travel agent pushed the entire venture back one day.

As a result, I was not on an airplane on Sept 11th flying to New York. I was still in Ireland, with a ticket home while everyone else was freaking out. Absolutely, the Gods were looking out for me then.

Because I was on vacation, the company I was touring with didn’t want to ruin our experience by telling us of the horrors at home. I had been in a bus most of the day, stopping and shopping at little towns. I should explain that, over there, by simply opening your mouth and speaking, people know exactly where you are from. So every time I asked a shop keeper where the restroom was, or the time, or where the bus would come from, they would apologize and treat me extremely politely, but with a grave solemnity. It was only at the third or fourth person that I stopped to ask what was going on. They showed me to the TV, and I could see these buildings and it looked like they were on fire. Everyone was speculating–an accident? an explosion? No one thought terrorism. I watched the second plane hit the towers. People in the shop gasped. Someone from my tour group was crying. All the Aussies and Kiwi’s kept asking me how I was going to get home. That was my thought too.

As a result, I barely knew what happened. By the time I returned home, everyone was burned out and grief-stricken from talking about the details. It was all about what to do. There was a cry against terrorism, and I watched my country unite against hatred and desperate to do something and not knowing what they could do.

Over the next couple of years, it was only with the specials on TV coming out that gave me the details. I think because it was so abstract for me when it actually happened, that I didn’t really deal with the emotions of it. It’s been almost a decade, and I still can’t stand to see the footage of the towers falling. 9/11 is more real for me than Veterans day or even Independence day. The emotion is really present for me. I feel for those families that lost someone, I grieve for the people who felt like this was their only option. My heart aches for soldiers and their families who are fighting to keep us safe–my heart even goes out to those families whose soldiers are fighting for our stupid excuses. I hate war, but Athena has taught me that it is sometimes necessary, if done with thought and care. This was wasn’t, or we’d be done by now and Osama Bin Laden would be charged for crimes against humanity.

9/11 is still real for many people, but there is a difference between being angry and scared at being attacked and in taking it out on people. Muslims did not do 9/11 to us FUNDAMENTALIST CRAZY PEOPLE did! That is something I’ll never forget. Muslims died in 9/11 because our country honors the fundamental right that people have a right to their religion. America welcomed them with open arms as immigrants and the children of immigrants. Just like they did with my ancestors coming from Germany, Ireland and England. The only difference is about 150 years, but we are all still here together as Americans, and every one of us was attacked that day.

So when I hear about FUNDAMENTALIST CRAZY PEOPLE burning Qur’ans, it, no offense, gets my panties in a wad. I’m pissed about it! How absolutely un-American (but I’ll support your right to do it, so how American is that??). When I hear about FUNDAMENTALIST CRAZY PEOPLE booing and hissing at a fellow who wants to build a Muslim community center near Ground Zero, I’m embarrassed at the reaction of my people. Clearly they didn’t learn what I learned from 9/11. What happened to that Unity? What happened to people being open and accepting and tolerant of other religions? Why does our unification have to be at the expense of someone else? Why does the spread of Democracy have to be so…undemocratic. WTF?

Have you read the Qur’an? Did you know it has many of the same books as the Bible? It has a lot of beautiful poetry. I keep a translated copy next to my Book of Mormon, the Tao Te Ching, and a book about Hinduism. Because being American is about letting every voice have a say, and every person have an equal opportunity for happiness, and it is up to me to learn what these voices are saying and where they are coming from. I protect their right to speak because I know if we can silence one group, we can silence another. Pagans are all about polytheistic plurality. We see diversity as a good thing because diversity in nature makes a healthy ecosystem for everybody. My magic is to stand up and speak. Yes. It is that important.

I found your site in a search for ways to protect my home from a guest who I am going to have to invite into my home, but this woman, who is also a Witch, does not not like me and I do not trust her. I am Wiccan also, my distrust isn’t due to her beliefs. I need some advice on ways to protect my home when inviting an unfriendly guest who could cause harm into it. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Blessed Be,

Kelly

Dear Kelly,

There’s an old saying that goes “guests are like fish, they stink after three days”. Ok, it’s not a very nice thing to say, but there is something to it. Back in the day, maybe our parents generation, folks knew what it meant to be a guest. This included cleaning up after yourself, offering to cook one night, and generally not trying to be much of a burden on the host. Now-a-days, guests expect it to be like at a hotel, where they are waited on hand and foot. Some open communication with your guest could really help–especially establish when she will be leaving.

I assume that since you have to invite this guest into your home, that you are either 1) related, 2) working on a business deal, 3) trying to please your partner who wants them to visit, or 4) taking a charity case and you are the nicest person ever.

In Wicca, we recognize that sometimes people we don’t like are actually very like us. It is what we see in them that we don’t like about ourselves. So what is it about this woman that you dislike so much? Is it her manners? Her attitude? Or just the fact that she doesn’t like you? And does she really not like you? Or do you just think that she doesn’t like you?

I don’t know what kind of harm this woman can do to you that you would allow. If she breaks something like a vase, that harm can often be mended. Even if it is irreplaceable–it’s just stuff. If she leaves “bad vibes”, you can clean them up when she’s not looking, and recognize that it’s probably only upsetting you anyway (you’re the sensitive Witch, after all!). Will she physically hurt your animals or children? That’s unacceptable for anyone, Witch or no, and she should know better (after all, who needs that kind of 3-fold return Karma??). So what kind of harm are we talking about?

www.explodingdog.com is worth a look!

Not everyone will like you. Sometimes they are projecting their own past on you. Perhaps you symbolize something distasteful to them. Sometimes they just have the wrong impression. Often their values are different than yours. It doesn’t make sense, but I think you know it is true. Something about you scares them–and that there is valuable information that you should try to find out! With that info, you can work on it and learn to help them have some compassion for you. Here’s the thing: it goes the other way, too: As Above, So Below, right?

Remember that Wiccans work for the highest good for all involved, especially because we reap our own Karma. Is starting a Witch War going to help you do that? Your guest may not have the same values that you do, even if you are both Witches, but hold true to YOUR highest ideals and strive ever toward them (Thanks Uncle Al!).

So, it sounds like you can’t change the situation. But you can change your mind. Imagine this woman is, well, a Witch–she challenges you and rubs you the wrong way and might cast a spell on you. You can’t fight her with sword and shield, so you must defeat her in less obvious ways. You are the hero in the journey and story of self-awareness and personal growth. You will defeat her because you know the ways of magic. You know that you are powerful, and nothing she can do will truly harm you (after all, a curse only works if you believe in it). You listen to her and are kind to her because you know that she can teach you something about yourself and about the world.

My advice in real life? Kill her with kindness. Make food she’ll enjoy. Make her comfortable. If she gets petty, take the highest road. If you think she’s casting spells on you, utterly ignore them. If her vibes are trashing your house, cover them with your light vibes of peace and tranquility (and a little sage or cedar never hurt either). Do not sink to her level and engage in a Witch War. I promise you will both lose.

Perhaps this isn’t the advice you wanted. But I honestly believe that when you cast spells on people, your Karma gets tangled with theirs. And I know I don’t want to be tangled with someone I don’t actually like. I trust that the Gods and the Laws of Karma will even things out in the long run. Until then, I’m free to change myself–and so are you. You have a valuable opportunity for learning here. I suggest you take it and run with it!

Otherwise, check out this article on clearing spaces and keeping magically safe.

Tangled Karmic Yarn.

In the Witchful Thinking Store, I’ve added a section for magazines and periodicals such as calendars. There are some great ‘zines for organic gardening, green living, homesteading and, of course, tattooing. But there were some great magazines out there that (for some inexplicable reason) I can’t seem to get into my store. But I’m excited about them and want you to know about them anyway!

One of my favorites is Witches and Pagans, the magazine for, well, just what it says. It used to be PanGaia, the magazine for thinking Pagans, but they merged it with one focused on natural magic. The result is a great publication with articles on spellcraft, astrology, Wiccan lore, ethics, theology and the occasional archaeology report. Plus issues focused on magic, music and much much more.

SageWoman is focused on celebrating the journey of women and finding your inner goddess. It is full of rituals and wonderful writing. Some of your favorite female authors have probably written for this publication.

These are all published by the same company, BBI Media, which means you can totally subscribe to them all and save some cash. Some even come electronically so you can save paper (or if you just prefer to archive your magazines on your hard drive). They also have a magazine dedicated to older women and mothers called Crone. So there is really something for everyone. I was able to get that one in the store, so check it out there!

If you know of any magazines or periodicals that Witchful Thinking readers might be interested in, send them to me! I’ll add them to the store or at least share.

In a recent Wall Street Journal article, terrorism analyst Evan Kohlmann said that anti-Muslim rhetoric in America is bad news for anti-terrorism efforts: “We are handing al Qaeda a propaganda coup, an absolute propaganda coup.”

By many accounts, the man who could blunt the power of that coup is Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, the religious leader behind the planned Islamic Center near Ground Zero. The imam has been surprisingly mum on the issue while he travels in the Middle East. What message of faith could he offer to Muslims and non-Muslims alike that could turn this moment of division into a time of healing?

The question is not what Imam Rauf should say to counter anti-Muslim prejudice whipped up by Fox News distortions about plans to build an Islamic community center in lower Manhattan, many blocks away from the site of the World Trade Center destruction. The people who are whipping up anti-Muslim frenzy aren’t listening to him or anyone else who is speaking truthfully and rationally. Imam Rauf is a moderate Muslim, a member of the mystic Sufi order, who has written a book called What’s Right with Islam is What’s Right With America. As Time Magazine says: “Park51′s main movers, Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf and his wife Daisy Khan, are actually the kind of Muslim leaders right-wing commentators fantasize about: modernists and moderates who openly condemn the death cult of al-Qaeda and its adherents — ironically, just the kind of “peaceful Muslims” whom Sarah Palin, in her now infamous tweet, asked to “refudiate” the mosque.” Equating Imam Rauf with terrorism is like conflating Martin Luther King with Timothy McVeigh, just because they both happen to be Christians.

Time Magazine link:

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2008432,00.html#ixzz0xiyc6byC

No, the question is, what should every other religious leader be saying? And the answer is-stop it, folks! Turn off the hate-spewing commentators and go out and meet your neighbors. Practice the tolerance, love and compassion that every religion at its best preaches. Remember–if we fail to support the right of any one religion to meet, worship and educate, our own rights are jeopardized.

Pagans know that when politics and public discourse descend to a hate-fest of blame and condemnation, we could be next. And as someone born Jewish just six years after the defeat of the Nazis, when you start burning books and demonizing religions, I start asking, “When will you be coming for me?”

Imam Rauf has already spoken. It’s up to the rest of us to stand with the voices calling defending the foundational American value of religious freedom.

// // By Starhawk  |  August 26, 2010; 11:26 AM ET  | Category:  Islam , Pagan , Religious Freedom

From the Washington Post

I had read in a book about Greek religion that in many religious groups, bathing, oiling and tending the statue of the Godform was one of the sacred tasks they performed. You can really understand how, with these bright colors, that might be a daunting and holy task.

From:  NanSanders

How many Garnerians does it take to change a lightbulb?
Can’t say. It’s oathbound.
How many Alexandrians does it take to change a lightbulb?
Same number as Gardnerians.
How many Dianics does it take to change a lightbulb?
That’s not funny!!!!

From:  Outpagan

Q:  What is a male honeybee's favorite magickal item?
A:  The caul-drone

Q:  What kind of furniture does a Goddess worshipper prefer?
A:  Wicker

Q:  Why did the Wiccan novitiate give up pork?
A:  She thought the Rede said, "Chew what you will, but ham?--none."

From:  Sisterlynx

How many Solitaries does it take to change a lightbulb?
Who cares!

From:  Outpagan

 A high priest tells his coven member, "Hey, I heard a new fundie joke today."
     The member replies, "Man, you're always slamming fundies.  Why don't you
tell us a Martian joke instead?"
     "OK, Two Martians are carrying their Bibles to church.  The first Martian
says, 'At the revival last week, I led 15 new souls to accept Jesus Christ as
their personal saviour' and the other Martian says--"
     "Never mind," says the member.

From:  EastLion

That's almost as bad as the one I heard about the Dyslexic devil-worshipper.
He sold his soul to Santa.

From:  Sekhmet59

(Mild slam, but I liked the joke...)

What's the difference between New Age and Pagan?

About $500.00 a weekend.

From:  ASBrowne01

I'm sure you are all familiar with the dyslexic, agnostic insomniac who stays
awake all night wondering if there is a Dog....

From:  Great Seer

The definition of "SAINT":
"A dead liberal who is worshipped by living conservatives."

(Just something I overheard at a Unitarian service this morning...)

From:  SpotedWolf

Hey, us dyslexics have a sense of humor, too.

The bumper sticker 'Dyslexics of the world Untie" --it works

From:  ROOCAT

I recently saw a bumper sticker that said
         D. A. M.  -- Mothers Against Dyslexia

From:  Beasty101

How many Dianacs does it take to change a light bulb?

Only one, but that bulb has really got to want to change.

From:  Mitheldhae

When God Created Men

She must have been Drunk and Horny!

From:  WITRHAWK

How many Witches does it take to change a light bulb???

None.. they call the electrician who's also pagan and keeps the money in THEIR
community.

From:  Ciorstag

How many witches does it take to change a lightbulb???

None -- if a candle was good enough for Gramma it's good enough for me!


From:  Rhiahnnon2

I know we are all sick of the "Confuscious say" jokes, but I have to rehash
them for this message board =D

"Confuscious say man who sits alone in church, sits in his own pew"

***Groan!*****

"Confuscious say man who stands on toilet is high on pot"

******Double Groan!!!******

From:  Thorolf

A personal favorite:

How many Asatruar does it take to change a lightbulb?

None. The light from the burning monastery is sufficient, thank you.


And the old Nordic classic:

Why don't Norse pagans perform the Great Rite?

Because it's impossible to get a saxknife into a beer bottle.

From:  LadyCharis

Q:  What is a witch's favorite snack?

A:   PAN pizza

From:  Outpagan

Q:  What's a witch's favorite subject in school?

A:  SPELLing.

From:  Rhiahnnon2

I've got two bumper stickers (I can't use them or the hubby will get hell on
base) one says "Life's a witch and then you fly" the other says "Beam me back
Merlin" They're not knee thumpers, but I think they're cute  
From:  Outpagan

WHY M&M'S ARE WICCAN:

*  MM = Merry Meet

*  Round shape for wheel of the year, cycle of seasons

* Skins are different colors, but the inside is the same chocolate, because we
are all related.

*  Associations with the colors:
         Red = South
         Green  = West
         Dark Brown = North
         Yellow = East
         Orange = For the Solar God
         Light Brown = For the Earth Mother
                               (Copper Woman)

*  Rotate the M & M:
        M = 13th letter of alphabet, and there are 13
              witches in a coven
        3 = Triple Goddess, three phases of moon
        W = Witchcraft, Wiccan
        E  = Enlightenment, Enchantment of chocolate

*  "Melt in your mouth, not in your hand"--God/dess's love must be experienced
directly to appreciate.  Also, God/dess will take care of you.

*  Sweetness to remind us of how sweet the love of the God and Goddess is!

From:  Aarmanda

Those are great bumper stickers. I got one from a friend today that has a
picture of Barbie dressed all femnist and it says "Barbie gets a Brain"

From:  Nosferati

Try this one, I ran across it once:
***ERROR #666 HARD DRIVE POSESSED! Load EXOR.SYS (Y/N)***
(actually I stole it from YeloRoz)

When that happens, and EXOR.SYS doesn't work, do you 'ascii' a priest?
And with spirits, you can get slimed. With a posessed HD, do you get 'gui'ed??

From:  ArachneG

Here's one you can just about get shot for where I live (Georgia) but I like
it anyway:

If you can't change your mind, are you sure you still have one?

From:  Ausrine

Sign in a Wiccan bookstore:

"No Shoplifting! Offenders will be Possessed!
Second-time Offenders will be Re-Possessed!"

From:  VacmClnrMn

What is one thing you never have to worry about?
Your airplane being hijacked by a group of radical Unitarians.

Also, I heard something before about a modern Wicca who used a vacuum cleaner
instead of a broom and a 24 caliber instead of a knife (hey, it's still
phallic!)

From:  EastLion

At a store I used to go to there was a parchment affixed to the wall with a
daggar that read "Shoplifters will be merrily hacked to pieces!", needless to
say, I don't think they had much of a problem.

From:  J FoxDavis

How do you scare a UU (Unitarian Universalist) our of your neighborhood?

Answer:  Burn a Question Mark on their lawn.....

From:  LdyHawke

Long ago when I belonged to an Artists' Cooperative...we had many fragile hand
crafted items sitting around on shelves.  Since we were located in a local
shopping mall we had much foot traffic by parents who saw no need to look
after their children much to our dismay.  Finally a sign we posted at the door
seemed to get our message accross...

WARNING!  Unattended children may be eaten by starving artists!

From:  Mariah Q

Q:  How many Druids does it take to screw in a light bulb?
A:  They don't screw in light bulbs, they screw in stone
     circles.

Q:  How many Druids does it take to change a light bulb?
A:  Thirteen; one to hold the bulb, and twelve to drink
     enough to make the room spin.

Q:  How many ceremonial magicians does it take to change
     a light bulb?
A:  One; he stands still with the bulb, and the universe
     revolves around him.

From:  Axe of Men

This is one of the BEST ideas to come out the Pagan Community since including
Duct Tape as the sixth element.  The following jokes were told to me by a
Thelemite, and thus I am completely exonerated from the retelling.

How many Thelemites does it take to change a light bulb?

None. Crowley never wrote a book about it.

What do Thelemites do for foreplay?

The LBRP.

And...

How many Witches does it take to change a light bulb?

Depends on what you want to change it into.

From:  LdyHawke

BumperStickers found on the Information SuperHighway.......

• Atheism is a non-prophet organization.
• If ignorance is bliss, why aren’t more people happy?
• Moral indignation is jealousy with a halo.
• Heck is a place for people who don’t believe in Gosh.
• I had my car’s alignment checked. It’s chaotic evil!
• A squirrel is just a rat with good P.R.

From:  Rhiahnnon2

 Speaking of Bumper stickers, i just saw these today in my new issue of Abyss.
The hubby and I died laughing  

• ” I believe in dragons, good men, and other fantasy creatures “
• “I do whatever my rice crispies tell me to”
• “Jesus is coming. Look Busy!”
• “My family is more dysfunctional than your family”
• “Re-elect Clinton-Gore and their husbands”
• “God Please save me from your followers”
• “I have the body of a god: Buddha”
• “Jesus saves! By using double coupons & shopping wisely”

From:  RebeccaMac

Lest we forget the sign that was on the wall at the Abyss in Easthampton,
Mass.,    "Unattended children will be sold as slaves."

From:  BethMichel

as one who can't remember any jokes... here goes

- A skeptic goes in to see  a fortune teller.
"You are the father of 2 children," the fortune teller says.
"That's what you think! I'm the father of 3 children!," says the man.
"That's what you think," says the fortune teller.

From:  Silver Elg

 I heard these on a BBS here in Phoenix, thought I'd share them...

• WASP…We Are Sexy Pagans
• Please hold… All Muse are busy right now, but your insperation is importent to us….
• Starclad dancing to the drums, Something Wiccan this way comes..
• The goddess is alive and She ate my homework…

From:  JaneRHCB

Having been brought up Catholic, I saw a postcard once that I thought was the
funniest thing I ever saw.  A nun was angrily standing over a sheepish little
boy who was writing on the chalk board "a hundred times" as instructed by the
nun:  "I am peronally responsible for the agony of Jesus Christ."
I showed it to my brother who happens to be a Catholic priest and he didn't
laugh, and told me to 'be careful..."
I'm so glad to see this folder, and that we can indeed laugh at ourselves.
So...how long does it take to get over the GUILT for being personally
responsible for the agony...oh, never mind.

From:  Rowan354

How may light bulbs does it take to change a Gardnerian?
None, they can do it all by themselves, thank you very much!!

From:  Rowan354

• witches do it in the moonlight
• practice safe hex
• misspellers of the world, unit!!
• we’re gardnerians…off with your clothes
• i’m doin my part to piss of the religious right…..r u??

From:  Outpagan

I am so pleased to see how this folder is growing...makes me laugh every time
I check the messages.

Has anyone heard the filk version of "Gimme That Old Time Religion"?  I first
heard it at a political march, but only remember three verses.

From the East there is Buddha,
He really is much cutah,
Comes in brass and glass and pewtah,
And that's good enough for me.

CHORUS: Gimme that old time religion (x3)
It's good enough for me.

Have you seen Aphrodite,
In her sexy, filmy nighty,
Sometimes she can be flighty,
But that's good enough for me.

Chorus...

Then there is the Horned One,
Of all the Gods, he's most fun,
He likes to hunt in woods and run,
And that's good enough for me.

Chorus...

From:  Outpagan

While I'm at it, here's another light-hearted chant for circle use:

Hooray for ( or "we love") the Sun God,
He is a fun God,
Rah, Rah, Rah.

Most appropriate for the coming summer months.  I'd love to hear a Goddess
version.

From:  Sekhmet59

Ooh, an old favorite.  A few verses of this appeared in Larry Niven's _Dream
Park_.  Let's see if I can recall them...

It was good enough for Isis
She will help us in a crisis
And she's never raised her prices,
So she's good enough for me!
(Chorus)
It was good enough for Kali
Though embracing her is folly
She'd be quite an armful...golly!
And she's good enough for me!
(Chorus)
It was good enough for Odin
Though those omens were forbodin'
'Til at last the giants rode in,
And it's good enough for me!
(Chorus, of course...)

From:  MIDSUMMER

Ankh if you love Isis!!

From:  Domesday

::::::::bumper sticker seen in Virginia suburbs near D.C.::::::
Domineering, coldhearted, vicious bitch seeks
submissive, warmhearted, caring man
for INTENSE love/hate relationship!

From:  TempleLuna

This is an old bumper sticker:
        "Sorry, my karma just ran over your dogma."

From:  MIDSUMMER

 this one is a little late.

 Did you hear, Easter is canceled this year........yeah, they found the body.

If you are offended by this one, lighten up its only a joke ( they didn't
really cancel easter)

From:  Card Lady2

Oh I'm tired of ronald reagan
He's too square to be a pagan
Let's all vote for carl Sagan
'cause he's good enough for me

From my hubby. Also he wants to know if anyone has the compleete version of
"plastic jesus"
"I don't care if it rains or freezes as long as I got my plastic jesus...
Plastic jesus
Plastic jesus
Plastic jesus sittin' on the dashboard of my car
pretty soon you'll have to go
You're magnet's ruinin' my radio
Plastic jesus sittin' on my car!"

From:  J0dawi

Possibly original with Wednesday / alt.magick / alt.magick.pagan / etc.
Possibly misquoted:

(Think B-52's, i think: "The Love Shack" song...)

    "The Love Law is a little place where
       We can Will together
     Love Law 93, ..."

And...

     "Love in the Raw, Love on the Pill."

From:  Silver Elg

  I thought I'd ad some one-liner's I've seen or heard. (mostly taglines..)

--- What do ya' call 13 Witches in a hot tub?
      - Self-Cleaning Coven

----Get a taste for religion, Lick a Witch!

---Best thing about Pagan friends? They worship the ground you walk on...

He was scholarly, witty, adventurous and tough. He worked hard to live his life by his beliefs, and to share what he’d learned with others. We are fortunate that he has left us so much writing to enjoy, both as books easily found online, and his miscellaneous found on his website. He wasn’t universally loved, but who is these days? Still, his service to the community, in his own way, is undeniable, and he will be missed.

Rest in Peace.

My cat, who was my familiar and my feline soulmate passed away last October. My neighbor poisoned him with antifreeze and I rushed him to the hospital, but they couldn’t do anything to stop it, and I had to make the horrible decision after much crying and begging the deities to help, to let him go.

Since then, my life is empty and I feel lost. What can I do to get my life back on track and is he still with me? I don’t feel him. Am I just too overcome with emotions?  Please help guide me back to the true path.
Thanks,
Suisan

Dear Suisan,

I am so sorry about your loss. What a sad case! Antifreeze is so dangerous to animals. I can hardly imagine the pain you are going through. It doesn’t surprise me that you are still grieving over the loss of your friend.

First allow me to say that grief takes as much time as it takes, and where you are and whatever you are feeling is exactly where you are supposed to be and what you should be feeling. That being said, in order to process grief, you must address it. Writing to me is a good step, and sharing your feelings with others is important–you are already on your healing path. Have you allowed yourself to have closure through ritual such as a funeral?

I think this grieving and healing process is complicated by your neighbors actions. It seems so malicious–who would hurt an animal? I am wondering if you are feeling betrayed, violated, or perhaps depressed. It was traumatic and difficult to go through. What support and help have you received from friends and family during that time?

In Paganism, our pets are important relationships and have a significant impact on our lives. Perhaps it is because we don’t have “dominion over the animals” and we see them equally as children of the Goddess and God, or recognize the inherent divinity in animals. Consequently, the loss of a pet can hit one as hard as the loss of a family member. Yet our society tells us to “get over it” and to “just get another pet”–as if you can replace family members!

Yet animals come and go in our lives for many reasons. They come to teach us lessons about trust, unconditional love, dependence, and play. What lessons have you learned from your cat friend? The harder questions is, what lessons can you learn from the death of your cat friend? Forgiveness? Independence? Letting go? Permission to feel pain and anger? Honor those lessons, even the ones that hurt, and you’re friend will be honored and a part of you. Being in constant pain awash with grief does not honor your friend.

When my cats disappeared mysteriously, I placed strips of fabric in a tree with a prayer to each of them, inviting them to come back and to give me a sign that it is them. I wished them well on their journey and told them I loved them–a sort of funeral for them. I knew that if they weren’t with me, they were with another family that needed them, or would be reincarnated where they were needed. Is there a prayer, spell or ritual that you can do to mark the passing of your friend?

As to not being able to feel him, it is because you have not integrated the lesson he was trying to teach you. If you feel that you just HAVE to get in contact with him, perhaps contact a pet psychic to help you find that lesson and help you contact your friend.

The anniversary of this event is approaching, and it is likely to stir up some old feelings–that’s ok. Dying is part of life. Hurting is part of healing. This is the path–not just the light side, but the dark nights, too. You know that if you keep walking, it will get light again.

See this post on grief for more information. My heart goes out to you.

Ya’all may not know this, but I have an aversion bordering on phobia of animal carcass. This includes chicken, beef, pork, etc. that you would get in the grocery store. I know that meat contains many bacteria that can harm me, and am extremely careful of cross contamination. I don’t like to eat meat off the bone and prefer to see it ready to cook and eat. I do eat sushi and rare meat only because I know it has been handled well and am educated in food safety practices.

So watching animals get slaughtered was a bit much for me. Knowing where the meat came from, and how it got there, and how awful it is –it made me sick. The worst was the pigs. And the screaming. I honestly couldn’t tell if they were screaming or if I was.

There is absolutely nothing humane or honorable in our production of meat. That animal is not a creature of the Gods, but a product–nothing more than an arrangement of biology. That’s what a factory system believes.

Our food is being genetically modified and patented. Big corporations are suing farmers out of business or keeping them like slaves, always owing the company to keep up with upgrades. It is inhumane to people as wages are minuscule and people are taken advantage of until they are useless, then thrown away. Upton Sinclair is still relevant in the way we process foods.

I want to be a part of the solution, not a part of the problem. So how does a small person take on a giant corporation? We vote. With money. I will no longer spend my money to support this disgusting system. I will vote for representatives and legislation which shares my values. I’m going to do my best to eat local, whole food–food that was treated with honor–food that is nutritious, not technological.

If you’ll excuse me, culture, I’ve got a planet to save.

Does your religious beliefs influence the way you think about these topics?