Aradia Meditation

I chose to meditate tonight upon Aradia, the Goddess of Witches. There was a neat statue that came up as one of my first search results; it has a really awesome blurb about her.

I'm beginning to glean bits of wisdom for a book I will leave to my descendants if not share with the world. Nothing claiming any sense of grandeur; just my thoughts, analysis, and advice.

Life has taught me that as I am connected to my immediate surroundings more intimately than I am the rest of creation it facilitates readjustment to remove all charms, talismans, amulets, charged objects, and cleanse your things and self to a neutral energetic state. Once realligned vibrationally/energetically/spiritually, your tools (including your physical senses) are able to adapt to the new information from the new surroundings.
The cleansing is kind of like deleting the files on a memory card so that it can be reused.

Removing those a/effects from your own self could accompany a simple ritual to focus on that which is inner and/or unchanging.

Also a great time for a charmed spa treatment! Detox your pores and your spirit! :)

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I watched a documentary on The Burning Times the other day. I get so worked up over that stuff. There are times when I just research and have my researcher's hat on, but sometimes I feel like I can see the faces, hear the voices, and feel the pain of those who were lost. This is half of why I looked up Aradia tonight. I have always called myself a Witch because regardless of the type, I practice Witchcraft. I even considered myself a bit of a Christian Witch when I was a younger man. Yes, folks(if anybody is reading this), I'm a man. And yes, I was a Christian. I'm from Alabama and have always been naturally inclined to philosophy, creativity, art, spirituality, and nature. If there had been a more nurturing environment I likely would have followed my own path. Instead I followed the only one I knew was acceptable. My opinion on Christianity, if it is not obvious, is nonetheless irrelevant. Follow your truth, but never stop questioning it for it is by doing so that you deepen your understanding of truth.

(GaiamTV.com is awesome, by the way!)

I have recently relocated to my hometown area in Alabama. I moved back to be closer to family. I know that there isn't as much in this community as I would like to find in terms of like-minded thinkers being organized with places to meet and go. I don't know what it will take to help that to happen, but I feel led to help make that happen.

I am not finding much community here in the sense of fellow identifying and practicing Witches, however awakening souls tend to keep finding me here. Those who understand that there is more to the esoterics, the mysteries, ancient world, science, consciousness, quantum world, intention, crystals, herbs, and sacred geometry. I'm here in a college town so I have to wonder what kind of encouragement I will be able to provide in those realms.

I don't have a video cam on this newer laptop my father gave me, so vlogging is going to be out for a little while. I really want to make some videos concerning the fallacy of a particularly popular and oppressive religion around here. I would leave them be, but they won't leave me be. They are obnoxious and public about their beliefs here. That's fine. So long as I can be equally as public about mine and it be respected. I leave theirs alone; I expect the same respect in return. Unfortunately it is difficult to trust such people as they have throughout history been intolerant of others. Any advice? I don't want to be maliciously inflammatory, but I will not back down or hide just because somebody disagrees.

I'll have a regular post up again soon.

Got a new book!

The Temple of Shamanic Witchcraft by Christopher Penczak

I found this little gem in a bookstore where I grew up. Largely I just wanted to see if they had any books of this type and what they carried. Thankfully there was a bigger section of New Age/Pagan/Occult books than I expected. Sharing my first article that basically made my spirit dance:
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STONE AGE WITCHCRAFT
When I teach workshops on core shamanism, during the introductions I hear stories of students who, like me, are of European descent. They tell me how they sought out spirituality in Native American traditions, going to drumming circles and sweat lodges, and how they are saddened that their own culture only has rigid, dogmatic institutions and not personal spiritual traditions. They ask me, "why don't we have our own shamans? Why don't we carry on these traditions?" We did. Our shamans were called witches. >>

Ginger and Intention

http://www.greenmedinfo.com/node/83545

"Not only is ginger a culinary marvel, its health benefits are stunning. It has been shown to be more effective against staph infections than antibiotics—and without the adverse effects."


So who loves ginger? Who hates it? Who stomachs it with sushi? Regardless of how you feel about its flavor (most of the world loves it and includes it prominently in their cuisines ranging from savory to sweet), one thing you can't argue is that it's a useful little herb. It's actually a rhizome and looks much like another wonder-root I like to call The Golden Goddess (Turmeric).

The article referenced is very well-written, easily digestible and comprehensible to even a novice health enthusiast. As always with GreenMedInfo.com, full bibiliographical information referencing the scientific studies is available.

In case it hasn't been clear what I'm trying to do here with this blog, I post these articles in hopes that people will read them and understand that health is not a profession practiced by a few highly-educated individuals on behalf of others. Health, rather, is a natural homeostasis of all life. It has been studied for millennia, and our last 100 years of Western "medicine" (which is pharmaceutical-based) is not an authority on well-being.

Pharmaceuticals are largely based upon substances occurring in nature, generally derived from plants. Using these models, specific parts are isolated and/or synthesized artificially in the lab. Disregarding the simple logic that unnatural things can not result in natural health, we are forced to objectively look at the history of the use of these man-made drugs. They work less often and with more unintended negative effects (we have to end this idea of a "side effect" because these effects are not things to be dismissed) than the natural "alternatives" which have been used and documented for hundreds and sometimes thousands of years. In the case of ginger, it has been safely and effectively used for over 2,000 years.

If you want to go with medical practice based upon evidence acquired by use, observation, and documentation the worst idea possible is to trust a drug which has been pushed through our government agencies for the use of maintaining sickness and disease. There is nobody to profit from natural therapies except farmers. When farmers benefit, the earth benefits, the ecosystem of which we are all a part benefits, and we ourselves benefit from real health care which accomplishes its goal.

It's economical, it's ecological, it's wise. Put down the pill and pick up the plant.

14 October 2012 DARK OF MOON MEDITATION

I have had the discussion come up recently with friends on such topics as practicing lunar witchcraft. To put a scientific yet simultaneously metaphysical (and in my opinion, pretty awesome) explanation with it, consider the following:
All in the universe is energy/vibration. Scientists have shown this on a quantum level. Even that which would appear to be solid is actually made up of tiny vibrating particles that basically vibrate fast enough they repel any intrusion into their space.
However, this means that on that same teeny-weeny level the entire universe is connected. There is no empty space.
One might now suspect that what we term electro-magnetic energy is on this subatomic level just pressure.
The human body can only either pull or not pull. Our muscles may give us the ability to direct force away from our bodies, but ask any doctor and they will tell you that no muscle pushes.

The cosmos works on this principle as well, but opposite. Forces can only push, they can't pull.
This push and pull phenomena argues, in my humble opinion, that by being in harmonic attunement to our environment (and all forms of intelligence with which we interact [knowingly or not]) we are in a synergistic relationship with the world and each other rather than a parasitic one. We have very well learned how to sustain living in a hell-consciousness; it is time we utilize whatever beneficial help available to us, pull our bootstraps up, grab our wands, crystals, yoga mats, or whatever else we may prefer and do so with gratitude. (More on the specifics of what I mean by gratitude as well as why it's important at a later time.)

Back to the moon magic. Astrological correspondences are energies; the effects of which have been studied by astrologers throughout history. They are subject to reinterpretation and differences of opinion because they are practiced scientifically. These astrological people (including Witches) are very fond of experimentation as they utilize these energies to assist them in accomplishing a goal.

One must understand, however, that no person needs this assistance to accomplish these things. The power is within you at all times. This is reflected particularly in the native Hawaiian Huna spirituality. (More on Huna later...I've got some really awesome stuff to share I found!)

"Using the moon facilitates the working,
But the working can be done just as well without it.
Now is the moment of power. "

When the need arises, trust your subconscious to make the right decision based upon the effect of being vibrationally attuned to the energies around you. This is at-one-ment, from which we created the word atonement. We must never forget that language itself is spellwork.

Namaste.
-Cairne Oleander

Truth

Truth does not need to be sold, nor bought. Truth simply is. If ever you encounter a statistic, consider who may benefit from your knowing it and how. Next, demand to know who provided the information and any benefit the publisher may gain from serving as the face of said-information. A prime example, but certainly not the only one, is the GMO fiasco revolving primarily around the poison company Monsanto. Monsanto has its hands in the governing bodies as well as institutions which are founded on the idea that they serve the people and their health. Reports attempting to sway voters and consumers away from the scientific facts concerning the horrors of GMO foods have been released throughout the last few years (and especially throughout 2012).

When you see something like this and your first thought is to point fingers and claim that the majority of the world's people are simply conspiracy theorists, consider what our "theories" are based upon. The same scientific method we all learned about in school regularly proves things in all manner of scientific realms which are contrary to the ideas perpetuated by major media, government, and other societal establishments. These institutions and organizations fight the dissemination of this information with more yellow journalism than the finest presidential election. Another wonderful tool for distracting their test subjects (all of us) from the truth of what they are knowledgeably (and undeniably intentionally) doing is the old "divide and conquer" routine:
1. Lie about the truth.
2. Establish two possibilities founded upon pseudo-science (but backed by excellent marketing) and pretend those are the only two options.
3. Deny any alternatives to your two established ideas with your now-established bias as basis for ridicule.
4. Sit back, relax, and enjoy your deception of others.

This is a much simpler method than simply killing everyone who disagrees with your totalitarian tyranny, although history has proven (examples: the Inquisition, Crusades, McCarthy-era communist conspiracies, Salem Witch Trials, etc) that community, government, and religion have no problem murdering to further their own gains.

Remember that anything true is never subject to whether it is believed or not. It is not true because it is believed. It is true because it simply is. Read the banned books. Listen to the "fringe thinkers." Don't just think outside the box; destroy the box. The only thing that can be kept in the box is yourself. Your perception is your own personal deception or your own personal enlightenment. The choice is yours, and you cannot make no choice for even doing nothing is a choice. If you go through time and your understanding does not change, does not alter, is not questioned, then you are not developing.

So here is my charge to you:
When you are told something by an organization, question it. Question everything, in fact. Question science, medicine, religion, history, society, culture, and yourself. Malevolent despots establish the foundation of deception then empower other benevolent but mis-informed people to carry out their work with the conviction they (the despots) so greatly lack. The fact that someone means well does not mean that they are an authority to be respected. You are your own authority. You own your life. You are responsible for your life. I will not tell you what to believe, but I will beg you -for your own sake- to take the middle path or strike out one on your own. If you have not questioned what you have been told, you have no logical justification for holding an opinion or "fact" to be true. Don't be upset by the mass deception perpetuated by establishment, instead use it as a guidepost of the wrong way to truth.

Avoid these unless organic

http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/foods-contain-highest-amount-pesticides

After multiple conversations with family concerning this topic, I have been told time and again how people wish they could eat completely organic. As for my parents living in rural Alabama with no grocery providers aside from Wal-Mart and no markets to frequent, much less health food stores, eating well can be an extremely difficult task to accomplish. In many parts of the country, your choices are frankenfoods parading as nutritive (and, as expected, over-priced) or cheap foods which are just as horrible for you. The article here is shared today so that for those of you/us who have limited access to real food, we can at least see what the worst offenders to health are. We don't all have to be vegetarian locavores (indeed the world would be quite out of balance if we all were), but everyone has the responsiblity to do what they can for health (of self and family), economy, and environment.

The article referenced at the top has been pasted below:

Top 12 Foods You Should Eat Organically (From lowest to highest amount of pesticides)

1. Apples: They contain 42 known pesticide residues found by the USDA Pesticide Data Program. Out of the 42 pesticide residues, there are 7 known carcinogens, 19 suspected hormone disruptors, 10 neurotoxins, 6 developmental or reproductive toxins, and 17 honeybee toxins.
2. Cherries: They contain 42 known pesticide residues found by the USDA Pesticide Data Program. Out of the 42 pesticide residues, 7 known or probable carcinogens, 22 suspected hormone disruptors, 7 neurotoxins, 8 development or reproductive toxins, and 18 honeybee toxins.
3. Green Beans: They contain 44 known pesticide residues found by the USDA Pesticide Data Program. Out of the 44 pesticide residues, there are 8 known carcinogens, 22 suspected hormone disruptors, 11 neurotoxins, 8 developmental or reproductive toxins, and 18 honeybee toxins.
4. Collard Greens: They contain 46 known pesticide residues found by the USDA Pesticide Data Program. Out of the 46 pesticide residues, there are 9 known carcinogens, 25 suspected hormone disruptors, 10 neurotoxins, 8 developmental or reproductive toxins, and 25 honeybee toxins.
5. Spinach: It contains 48 known pesticide residues found by the USDA Pesticide Data Program. Out of the 48 pesticide residues, there are 8 known carcinogens, 25 suspected hormone disruptors, 8 neurotoxins, 6 developmental or reproductive toxins, and 23 honeybee toxins.
6. Sweet Bell Peppers: They contain 49 known pesticide residues found by the USDA Pesticide Data Program. Out of the 49 pesticide residues, there are 11 known carcinogens, 26 suspected hormone disruptors, 13 neurotoxins, 10 developmental or reproductive toxins, and 19 honeybee toxins.
7. Lettuce: It contains 51 known pesticide residues found by the USDA Pesticide Data Program. Out of the 51 pesticide residues, there are 12 known carcinogens, 29 suspected hormone disruptors, 9 neurotoxins, 10 developmental or reproductive toxins, and 21 honeybee toxins.
8. Blueberries: They contain 52 known pesticide residues found by the USDA Pesticide Data Program. Out of the 52 pesticide residues, there are 8 known carcinogens, 24 suspected hormone disruptors, 14 neurotoxins, 7 developmental or reproductive toxins, and 21 honeybee toxins.
9. Strawberries: They contain 54 known pesticide residues found by the USDA Pesticide Data Program. Out of the 54 pesticide residues, there are 9 known carcinogens, 24 suspected hormone disruptors,11 neurotoxins, 12 developmental or reproductive toxins, and 19 honeybee toxins.
10. Kale: It contains 55 known pesticide residues found by the USDA Pesticide Data Program. Out of the 55 pesticide residues, there are 9 known carcinogens, 27 suspected hormone disruptors, 10 neurotoxins, 10 developmental or reproductive toxins, and 23 honeybee toxins.
11. Peaches: They contain 62 known pesticide residues found by the USDA Pesticide Data Program. Out of the 62 pesticide residues, there are 10 known carcinogens, 29 suspected hormone disruptors, 12 neurotoxins, 11 developmental or reproductive toxins, and 25 honeybee toxins.
12. Celery: It contains the most at 64 known pesticide residues found by the USDA Pesticide Data Program. Out of the 64 pesticide residues, there are 13 known carcinogens, 31 suspected hormone disruptors, 12 neurotoxins, 14 developmental or reproductive toxins, and 20 honeybee toxins.
Honourable Mentions

- Broccoli: It contains 33 known pesticide residues found by the USDA Pesticide Data Program.
- Cucumbers: They contain 35 known pesticide residues found by the USDA Pesticide Data Program.
- Grapes: They contain 34 known pesticide residues found by the USDA Pesticide Data Program.
- Potatoes: They contain 37 known pesticide residues found by the USDA Pesticide Data Program.
- Tomatoes: They contain 35 known pesticide residues found by the USDA Pesticide Data Program.
5 Foods that Contain the Lowest Pesticide Residues

Bananas: They contain 12 known pesticide residues found by the USDA Pesticide Data Program. Out of the 12 pesticide residues, there are 4 known carcinogens, 7 suspected hormone disruptors, 2 neurotoxins, 5 developmental or reproductive toxins, and 2 honeybee toxins.
Grapefruit: It contains 11 known pesticide residues found by the USDA Pesticide Data Program. Out of the 11 pesticide residues, there are 4 known carcinogens, 4 suspected hormone disruptors, 4 neurotoxins, 4 developmental or reproductive toxins, and 2 honeybee toxins.
Almonds: They contain 9 known pesticide residues found by the USDA Pesticide Data Program. Out of the 9 pesticide residues, there are 1 known carcinogens, 4 suspected hormone disruptors, 3 neurotoxins, 0 developmental or reproductive toxins, and 4 honeybee toxins.
Asparagus: It contains 9 known pesticide residues found by the USDA Pesticide Data Program. Out of the 9 pesticide residues, there are 1 known carcinogens, 7 suspected hormone disruptors, 4 neurotoxins, 3 developmental or reproductive toxins, and 5 honeybee toxins.
Onion: It contains 1 known pesticide residues found by the USDA Pesticide Data Program. Out of the 9 pesticide residues, there are 0 known carcinogens, 0 suspected hormone disruptors, 0 neurotoxins, 0 developmental or reproductive toxins, and 0 honeybee toxins.
When buying produce always consider buying organic. Better yet, to ensure freshness, buy local as much as you can. When you can buy both local and organic, you can guarantee that the product is both free of pesticides, and full of nutrients. Further to this, you will also avoid any potential foods that may have been genetically modified. To check out pesticide residues on other sources of food, you may visit: http://www.whatsonmyfood.org/index.jsp. By substituting the top 12 pesticide laden foods with organic, you can eliminate up to 80% of pesticides from your diet.