Love

As a pagan, I've been in love several times. I never loved any other way. I've had my first glimpse of romance, my first love, and two more after that. And here I am, falling in love a fourth time. Something has always seemed to go wrong. Either I messed up, and the relationship was nothing more than a learning experience, or it was a learning experience for the other person and I had to leave them.

Now, I feel truly ready for it to be long-lasting and permanent. I feel that the person that I am with, and myself are ready for something more than a passing relationship.

One of the hardest aspects of my relationships is religion. I've never been with somebody who has the same views as me, really. I don't know how that works. And bringing up my faith has never been easy. In high school, it didn't really matter. The first time I was away from home, I lost myself for a while in the absence of my beliefs. I repressed them and it was killing me. It took me over a year to finally "fess up" to my views on the world.

The person I was with at that time, to this day, knows me better than anybody else. I'd even wager that he knows me better than myself sometimes. He loved me unconditionally then, and does to this day. He's one of my best friends. He took the news of my faith very well, and although he wasn't very religious he accepted me for who I was. Sadly, that relationship didn't work out.

The next time I though I might be getting serious, I brought it up a whole lot earlier, within the first month or two. He was vaguely Christian, and didn't quite understand why I believed what I did. Though he did try, he never quite got me. Though that was just a fleeting romance and I'm glad it's over.

Now, I'm faced with that choice again.

Over the course of my (not so many) years, I've learned that love takes many shapes, intensities and times. It doesn't have to take long to fall into love, but it will take a lifetime to climb your way out of it. No matter what people say, you never stop loving somebody.

The easiest way to explain love, I heard in a movie. True love is finding your soul's counterpoint in another. There is no one soul mate, and you can be meant for more than one person. When in love, you want the other person to be happy, regardless of your own desires.

Anyway, I think I'm done rambling. Been brainstorming up some more pagan-themed articles but I just got inspired for this.

Blessings,
Skye

The Fool

I'm just starting out on this path, and not quite sure where it will take me. The road underfoot is uncertain, but I'm not sure if I care about that at this point. It may just be because I have faith in the Gods or because I know that I'll always get through life one way or another. But it's time to throw caution to the wind and make my own way. This isn't a time to travel the well-worn path, or to stay where I know I'll be comfortable. The true path to happiness was never easy.

But I'll make it through. I pray to the Gods for their guidance and support. I ask Them to watch over me and protect me, and to give me a helpful nudge when I feel like I can't do any further.


--

I can clearly feel The Fool's presence in my life right now. It's all around me, encompassing me. I'm excited to learn from him, and to emulate him for a short period of time. I already know that I don't want to be walking blindly into the lion's den, so I can't stay with him forever, but he has a lesson for me nevertheless.

There are dual beginnings in the atmosphere, what with Candlemas passing and the start of my newest journey. I have everything I need to achieve all of my wildest dreams. I have a companion by my side to remind me that I am never truly alone.

I am The Fool.


--

P.S - I'm sorry for posting a lot today, I'm just a whole lot less organized coming back into this. I'll get into a schedule again soon!

New Beginnings

Imbolc is upon us. It's a perfect time for beginnings, and that's exactly what I'm going to take advantage of. These past several months have been tumultuous to say the least. I lost my home, my relationship and my ties to civilization all within the matter of minutes. I moved in with a friend, and then I moved in on my own. I'm finally learning to be a "big girl" and handle everything for myself. Well, sort of. I still don't have a car or a license, so I'm still relying on others for some of the important things like going to town to do the grocery shopping, but I'm getting there.

This Imbolc is going to be a big time for me. I'm starting a meditation/self-improvement program of my own design that I'm hoping that it brings me some clarity, and helps me discover exactly who I am. I've had that sense of security before, but after all the changes that I've encountered, I'm not certain anymore. I chose Imbolc because it's coming up mostly, but it just happens to be the perfect time for this kind of transformation if you ask me.

By the end of the program, I'm hoping to be more in control of myself, poised and grounded. I hope to be more understanding.

I'll be studying, meditating and embodying one of the Major Arcana cards each week, starting and ending with The Fool. All journeys need to come full circle.

This journey is about learning above all. Knowledge is power.

I hope for all of the readers I still have to support me.
Hopefully I'll get back with my Deity of the Week and any other series I had in the works soon, but just hang with me for a while, it's going to be tough to get back in the swing of things.

Blessings,
Skye

Finally, in time for Imbolc.

Wow, my guess back around Samhain was right. I thought I'd get internet around this time, and right on the dime.


With the Sabbat tomorrow I'm spending the day in solitude. I'm using the day for the beginning of a self-discovery and improvement program. I'm using the Major Arcana as a basis, and meditating as well as doing some soul-searching.

I'll give you some more information as I go. I'll finally have plenty of time to work on this project again.

Can't wait to catch up with everybody.

Blessings,
Skye

Part-time internet

It's' wonderful being back online, but it isn't my own connection so I'm not sure if I'll be able to post often or anything of that nature.

I'm currently using my boyfriend's internet connection, but he has one of those verizon portable wifi cards and can only use 5g a month... Anyway, some it better than nothing.

I remember a feeling of community that I lost when my life turned upside down. If any of you want to keep in touch, you can e-mail me at kylaskyemmc@yahoo.com

or you can find me on facebook - Skye Johnson, and you can find me with the same e-mail as above.

Blessings,
Skye

Long Time

I hate to say this, but since Samhain, I've been without the internet, and that likely isn't going to change until Imbolc.

Hope everybody is well and I can't wait to continue with this project.


Blessings,
Skye

Deity of the Week - Baldr

Deity of the Week

Baldr

Names: Balder
Relationships: Baldr's wife is Nanna; his son is Forseti. He was the son of Odin and Frigg, and his brother was Hodr.
Basic Descriptions: Baldr is associated with light and beauty, and was said to be the most handsome God. Most of what can be found about Baldr revolves around his death.
Appearance: All that's said about Baldr's appearance is that he is light and beautiful.
Rules Over: Baldr was the God of light and beauty. He also was associated with purity and innocence.

Significant Possessions:
Baldr owned a boat, Hringhorni, which was said to be the largest ship.
He also owned a horse.
His hall was Breidablik.

Common Stories:
Baldr's death was foreseen by his mother, Frigg, in a dream. Trying to stall Baldr's death, She went around and took an oath from everything in existance: humans, Gods, Giants, plants and animals. Only one, mistletoe, refused to swear the oath. (Alternatively, Frigg thought it wasn't big enough to do any damage and looked it over.)
Frigg kept Baldr's one weakness a secret, until Loki disguised himself as an elderly woman and convinced Her to share it. Loki ran off at once to get some Mistletoe, and fashioned an arrow from a twig.
The Aesir liked partaking in a sport of throwing things at Baldr. They would throw rocks, shoot arrows among other things, enjoying that they would not hurt Him. Hodr would stay off to the side, as he was blind and couldn't join in. Loki went to Hodr and offered to help him shoot an arrow at Baldr. Hodr believed that it wouldn't hurt him, and wasn't aware of the deception, so he agreed. The arrow pierced through Baldr and he was mortally wounded.
Originally, the Gods were furious with Hodr, until Loki's plan was brought to light. Loki tried to escape as a salmon, but was caught and tortured.

After His death, Hermod agreed to ride to Hel to try to get Baldr released. Hel agrees, but only if every living being weeps for him. The sorrow throughout the land was great, and everybody cried over his death. All except for a giantess named Thokk, who refused. It was later found that this was Loki in disguise.

For Baldr's funeral, he was set upon a pyre on his ship. His wife, when she saw his body, died of a broken heart (alternatively, she threw herself onto the pyre with him.) The boat was set to sea and it burnt down. His horse was also burnt with him.