Lizzie's Award Of Shame

Disclaimer: I really hate to facilitate these people's fifteen minute's of fame but this rubbish was just too good to pass up! A friend of mine came across these articles the other day and of course, I just had to add my two cents...

C'mon people, has the world really reverted as far back as the dark ages again, where  unjust accusation was acceptable and even encouraged?  Since when do my beliefs deserve to be disregarded or mocked by others simply because I define divinity in slightly different perspective?  In my daily life, I believe that we are all part of the divine (and not separate from that divine) but yet there are those who turn around and ask "a certain member of the clergy" to forgive them of their sins that were, in their own teaching, wiped clean when another "certain individual" was nailed to wood? ("It is finished!" John 19:30.)  Here are a couple  of paragraphs from the Sunday Monitor ... 

"Pastor Grace Nakabonge gives a Biblical example of when Moses went up Mt Sinai and failed to come back. Tired of waiting for him and in need of a solution, the Israelites made a golden calf and started worshipping it....

But how does the mere worship of a statue usher in evil powers and spirits that presumably act on the whims and wishes of their executors? “Evil powers of the devil seize this opportunity to speak through these idols, making people think they have found God. So people unknowingly begin to worship evil powers and spirits,” she explains. The pastor adds that the distinguishing feature between God’s power to perform miracles and wonders and witchcraft is that the former is for the good of mankind and to bring peace while witchcraft will cause harm and damage even to a neighbour who lives peacefully besides you."

I am compelled to ask ... What in heck made this pastor think that I believe in the idea of anything being evil, let alone this devil nonsense she seems to be trying to shove down my throat? Has she watched so much television and Hollywood mumbo-jumbo that she's taken it upon herself to jump to such broad and absolutely laughable conclusions...

And sadly, even more outrageous silliness has recently sprouted up in the  Indianapolis schools, where it seems that they have started  blocking sites that deal with paranormal and unexplained events from possible internet access by children ...What lesson would we be passing on to our children, that it's okay to harbor false ideas and prejudiced judgments (made by those who are supposed to teach them right from wrong)...should we make the burning of books okay because they might open the minds of our children and then our children may start to challenge the accepted way of thinking?

"Sites that promote and provide information on religions such as Wicca, Witchcraft or Satanism. Occult practices, atheistic views, vodoo rituals or any form of mysticism are represented here. Includes sites that endorse or offer methods, means of instruction, or other resources to affect or influence real events through the use of spells, incantations, curses and magic powers. This category includes sites which discuss or deal with paranormal or unexplained events.

Excuse me... but  since when does my spirituality get thrown in the mix with atheism? I  believe in deity, just as other spiritual folks do...my definition is slightly different but hey, at least I can say that I believe in something  bigger than myself rather than the absence of anything other than what I can see, taste, touch or hear! As for religious tolerance...Well, I guess that only applies to those groups who are generally pre-approved by other similar groups. What about the resurrection...would that not be a  prime example of a paranormal or unexplained event? (Paranormal: a general term that describes unusual experiences that lack scientific explanation or phenomena alleged to be outside of science's current ability to explain or measure... Wikipedia)


 I'd like to share with you that I petition deity too, just as other spiritual folks do, I say a prayer called a spell or ritual... I ask the same things that other spiritual folks do as well..."Look after my loved ones..."  "Keep them safe from harm on their car ride to see Aunt Edna..."  "Help me to do well tomorrow with my presentation at work..."  "Bless my children with long and happy lives..."  How is this so different?


I know that this may be a controversial topic and I don't mean to make light or belittle these issues in any way but my sole purpose in this post is to provoke thought and to call into question the accepted and commonly held beliefs that exist (rather than choosing to remain silent and perpetuating these misleading and damaging ideas) about paganism and wicca, that some in society have chosen to foster. 

Celtic Tree Calendar

Because my roots are Celtic in origin, I thought it would be fun to do some research on the Celtic Tree Calendar, which fascinates me to no end. I've always loved history and it's so cool when learning about the past leads you to realize that the past and present are not so removed from each other. Family's hand down stories and traditions from generation to generation and I just love seeing where a particular belief or custom originates from. I can still remember my grandfather teaching me all about the trees, he was a fire marshal for the local forest service in the town I grew up in and passed his love of nature to me.

The Celtic Tree Calendar calendar has thirteen lunar divisions. Most modern pagans use fixed dates for each month, rather than following the waxing and waning lunar cycle. Otherwise, eventually the calendar would fall out of sync with the Gregorian year that we all use today because some calendar years have 12 full moons and others have 13. The modern tree calendar is based on an idea that each letter in the ancient Celtic alphabet corresponded to a tree. Today marks the end of the tree month Rowan and tomorrow begins Ash.

The tree month of Ash (Feb. 18th -Mar 17) was a sacred chieftain tree and said to "court the flash" as it was prone to lightning strikes. Its wood was thought to be enchanted and was used for Druid wands and spears. Ash people are quick witted, spontaneous and gregarious. They have a lively curiosity and are intelligent, persuasive speakers, enthusiastic, curious and communicative. In Celtic mythology the ash is known as the tree of enchantment and it is said the Welsh magician Gwydion fashioned his wands from ash wood.

The Ogham (oh-wahm) or sacred Druidic alphabet contained hidden secrets for magic and divination and only the initiated could understand these meanings. The ancient Celts had a close bond with trees and we can see in their magical alphabet and in the tree calendar.They had a deep respect for their trees and it is reflected in the old Celtic word for oak (Duir), the word Derwydd or Duirwydd (oak-seer) was probably the origin of the word Druid.

Losing Yancy....

I recieved some very sad news today, my cousin Clint lost his oldest son, Yancy, in the war against Iraq. Yancy Levi Goodwin was born just four days after my daughter Caitlin on May 14, 1988 and was in the National Guard doing what my family has for decades, supporting the United States of America to ensure the freedom of all who call this great land home. My father and his three brothers (my uncles) were all Navy men and served in WW2, something he and all of us were very proud to speak of. Although I shudder at the mention of war and conflict, I am well aware that without them and so many more whom stood up for our freedoms, my spirituality and way of life would not be possible today. The loss of Yancy breaks my heart and I cannot help but join the ranks of friends and family members and all those across this great country in grieving the losses of our men and women so very young. Let us all remember that without their sacrifices we could not call ourselves Americans, free to choose our beliefs, convictions and blessings. Good bye Yancy and blessed be your sacrifice on the behalf of us all!