Heathens, Pagans and Witches discussion

Ancestral Celt has stepped down as Group Moderator, but hopefully will still remain a member. Thanks for keeping the group alive for us all, Ancestral.

So... Please welcome Jeanette as new Group Moderator - Gina and I are so happy she agreed to join us. Three feels just right, and it is a magic number.

Nell :)

Great to have you as co-mod, Jeanette! Three is essential in my mind (0)

Thanks ladies :-D I'll do my best to just be around and help out and keep the flow.
This is a really nice group to be part of with so many interesting points of view.

:P The Power of Three ^_^

Yay Jeanette!

Cheers Jeanette :)

Congratulations Jeanette. I was really only a caretaker until other, more enthusiastic and inspirational souls came along.

It's great to see this group thriving; long may it live. :D

Ancestral, can you add Jeanette as an administrator on our facebook page too? I'm notoriously fickle about my facebook updates, it would be nice to know that there is someone else onboard there too. O.K with you Jeanette? Nell you aren't on facebook are you?

No Gina, I'm not on facebook.

I can tell what you think of facebook through your reply, Nell :) I am a recluse, it's been the only way I've managed to keep up with old friends, lots of fellow artists (I get to see their new work as they produce it), that sort of thing. Oh, and relatives in Germany and NZ that I wouldn't have much contact with otherwise (not through lack of love). In that way facebook is good. Kind of icky, but good. :)

Georgina wrote: "I can tell what you think of facebook through your reply, Nell :) I am a recluse, it's been the only way I've managed to keep up with old friends, lots of fellow artists (I get to see their new wo..."

I agree with both of you - Nell and Georgina. I don't like ' Facebook' either but I am on it for the same reasons that Georgina elucidated for us. However, the point of me saying all this is can you send me a link to the page so that I can add myself there as well? Thank you :)

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Heathen...#

Here it is Disha. :)

Thanks Georgina :) You are so kind!

A pleasure. :)

I'm not against facebook, it's just that life's too short to get involved in anything else if I want to have time to experience it and create things.

I walked behind a girl the other week - she was talking on her mobile. "No," she said, "I came home for lunch but spent the whole time on facebook and haven't had anything yet."

So I resist...

:)

Georgina wrote: "A pleasure. :)"
Georgina <3

Georgina wrote: "Ancestral, can you add Jeanette as an administrator on our facebook page too? "

Sorry, but I am no longer an admin on the Facebook page (deactivated I saw this message) so cannot oblige. :(

Nell wrote: "I'm not against facebook, it's just that life's too short to get involved in anything else if I want to have time to experience it and create things.

I walked behind a girl the other week - she wa..."

Absolutely! I drop into facebook from time to time, just to keep in touch with my friends. My own page is thick with cobwebs. GR is my only time on the net other than that, and I've cut down my groups so I'm only involved with those I really enjoy. I need writing time. That's why I'd love a hand with the groups' page from someone.

So I'll wait to hear what Jeanette says about me making her co-administrator for the page, and if not, then I'll be asking some readers in the group for help. I think our groups' page is great, we are getting new likes daily. I just don't care for facebook enough to want to keep the page updated by myself.

Just to say that today our membership stands at 666. Cause for celebration or a group spell for protection...?

Nell ;)

Wow! Nah, any bias against that number is due to the Christian demonologists. Let's celebrate.:)

I agree with Georgina :) It is all in the mind ! But there is no harm in prevention Nell :)

The God of the Witches

Georgina wrote: "The God of the Witches"

Arghhh! Not Murray! Flawed...and seem to remember that she argues that picts and pixies are the same thing.

I blame John of Patmos...

Old-Barbarossa wrote: "Georgina wrote: "The God of the Witches"

Arghhh! Not Murray! Flawed...and seem to remember that she argues that picts and pixies are the same thing."

Just wait and see what Daniel Pinchbeck says about pixies in our next group read, Breaking Open the Head: A Psychedelic Journey into the Heart of Contemporary Shamanism.

I think we should celebrate, and raise a glass of something to 'yon auld beastie' too, may the gods rest his mischievious soul...:)

Chamomile tea :)

Nell wrote: "Just wait and see what Daniel Pinchbeck says about pixies in our next group read, Breaking Open the Head: A Psychedelic Journey into the Heart of Contemporary Shamanism..."

Let me guess: sprites seen after a 7% solution of 'shroom tea?
But it was her dismissive attitude to pictish folk I had issues with. Equating a historical people with "the wee folk" was nonsense.
As I note above though this particular bugbear of mine may not have been Murray, think it was though...anyone shed light on it?

Re the 666...nice.

Nell wrote: "Chamomile tea :)"

Absinthe?

Old-Barbarossa wrote: "Nell wrote: "Just wait and see what Daniel Pinchbeck says about pixies in our next group read, Breaking Open the Head: A Psychedelic Journey into the Heart of Contemporary Shamanism..."

Let me guess..."

The author, Daniel Pinchbeck, seems to have come to the conclusion (after much experimentation and investigation) that partakers of particular specific substances see the same substance-specific images.

I can't remember what he'd taken when he saw the green pixies (he was embarrassed about having to write up this experience), but it occurred to me that perhaps ergot or something similar could be responsible for this particular archetype in our stories and folk tales.

I can't remember if the pixies/picts confusion was in Murray's book or another.

Absinthe? Good choice, but maybe not for me - I'll stick with the chamomile, chosen to tease YAB rather than anything else :)

That's not to say that they don't exist (pixies), just that certain substances might allow folks to see them...

At least, this is what Daniel seems to think.

Nell wrote: "Absinthe? Good choice, but maybe not for me - I'll stick with the chamomile, chosen to tease YAB rather than anything else :)"

Could go with the blood of virgins...live up to the stereotype and all that...but where do you find one these days?
Will do it symbolically with this:
http://www.porterhousebrewco.com/beer...
I'm sure the laird would get it...
;)

Fresh oysters...?! I think he'd get it.

Agreed Murray's book is supremely flawed. Book title used to raise the idea that no protection spell is needed for the 666. The demonologists have a lot to answer for, and of course Disney.

Green Pixies? Mushroom tea? This sounds like an interesting group read.

I've just had a quick flip through Murray's book, there seems to be many references to fairies, but not pixies.

Nell just reminded me that the July note to members is due out. (Yes, I'm habitually late :)) I'll work on it this morning and send it out this afternoon. My apologies in advance, it won't be as lovely as Nell's June letter. I'm caught up in several tasks at the moment, so it will be brief...

Brief is fine, Gina, and thanks for the lovely words:)

It was waiting in my inbox as I wrote the above - neither a word too little nor too many - just perfect:)

Thanks, Nell :) I've had a trying day, but as usual I find kindness and understanding in this group. I was going to mention the waxing and the waning of the year, and I did not mention the June/July reads...

It's OK, you've reminded us here. Hope your day improves - remember the Now. :)

Thank you, I needed that! The Now is actually pretty good, if I shake off the past and ignore my fears of the future. I shall enjoy. :):)

I just wanted to add my thanks to Ancestral for keeping this group moving forward. And to welcome Jeanette as our third moderator.

I'm with Nell regarding Facebook; not a member so I can't be of any help.

Being in the US, I'm celebrating the Fourth of July today. I wish all my fellow Americans a glorious and safe holiday.

Yes, a happy Fourth of July to all our US members.

Happy Fourth of July to all our U.S friends here :)

thanks to the holiday wishers - it is nice to have an extra day to kick back with a book :)

I've just noticed that we now have 700 members - a warm welcome to all newbies :)

Yes, welcome to all :) (Late in noticing the post again--typical Gina, when are you going to check your notifications?)

703 now.

Just to say that I probably won't be around much for a few days - 6 family peeps arriving tomorrow. Help...!

Oh my, have courage Nell :-D
I'll try to be more active next week since I got plenty of time on my hands right now.