BS: Happy Yule everyone!!

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Yule everyone!!
From: CapriUni
Date: 04 Jan 03 - 01:14 AM

Yes, well... I figured that after all those slimy hairballs and mouse whiskers left laying around, there had to some clear reason as to why the narrator of the song accepts all those presents.

As for snuggles, I think all make the decisions in that area. My two kitties -- littermates (sisters) -- grew up with me since they were 5 months old, and are very particular about their favorite ways to get snuggled... one jumps up on my desk and pets me on the face to let me know she wants a snuggle. The other will never come into my lap, but will raise a fuss unless there is a chair beside mine at the computer where she can curl up and sleep while I work...

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Yule everyone!!
From: *daylia*
Date: 03 Jan 03 - 11:42 PM

PS I have quite a temperamental kitty - she grew up with my three sons who wanted her to be a teenage mutant ninja cat or something ... makes for a rather 'bouncy' relationship ... like the snuggles have to be HER idea!

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Yule everyone!!
From: *daylia*
Date: 03 Jan 03 - 11:29 PM

Oooo Capri I like the snuggles MUCH better than the shredded stockings! Especially on the 13th day .... yule deserve it!

:-) daylia

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Yule everyone!!
From: CapriUni
Date: 03 Jan 03 - 05:40 PM

:-)

If you weren't going to finish this, I was... with:

13 morning snuggles....

(I have Very snuggly kitties)...

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Yule everyone!!
From: *daylia*
Date: 03 Jan 03 - 02:12 PM

OK, today is the 13th and therefore LAST day of Yule so I couldn't resist finishing this - here goes -

On the __ day of Yuletide my kitty gave to me

13 shredded stockings
12 charming poses
11 rattled paper bags
10 purring ankle-rubs
9 tangled tinsels
8 muddy paw-prints
7 slimy hair-balls
6 missing gift-tags
5 UNTIED BOWS
4 bird feathers
3 mouse whiskers
2 batted ornaments
And one toppled Evergreen Tree!


Ahhh, I'm Feline so, well, COMPLETE now! I'm sure it'll make the top of the charts hee hee!

Happy, grateful blessings to you all. Yule all have a wonderful new year now ...

daylia

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Yule everyone!!
From: CapriUni
Date: 02 Jan 03 - 12:54 PM

Hmmm... sent a whole long reply, including a discussion of tinsel (cat and dog choking hazard -- not a good idea if you have pets, and a headache to clean up even if you don't), but it didn't take...

Let me try again:

On the ___ day of Yuletide my kitty gave to me ...
13 ------
12 charming poses
11 rattled paper bags
10 purring ankle-rubs
9 tangled tinsels
8 muddy paw-prints
7 slimy hairballs
6 missing gift-tags
5 UNTIED BOWS ...
4 bird feathers
3 mouse whiskers
2 batted ornaments
And one toppled Evergreen Tree!

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Yule everyone!!
From: *daylia*
Date: 02 Jan 03 - 11:11 AM

Capri I hear you about the "Neo-Pagan chip" on the shoulder. I used to buy a so-called "Witch's Calendar" every year because I found the detailed information re the phases of the moon, position of the planets, eclipses etc. very interesting. I won't be buying one this year though because I don't like the 'so-and-so was convicted of witchcraft and burned at the stake on this date 500 years ago' you find a few times on every page. As if it helps any to start my day with that kind of image on my mind!

Yes, terrible things were done to the 'pagans' in centuries gone by but they were also done to the Jews and Christians - ANYONE who refused to 'toe the line'! What good does it do to encourage people to continue blaming and hating? I suspect the biggest motivator for a lot of neo-pagans is the hope that they'll be someday be able to sue the Christian church for millions because some remote ancestor was victimized by the Inquisition. Everybody wants something for nothin ...

I mentioned this to a lady who owns a 'Neo-pagan' shoppe once. She hummed and hawed and looked pretty uncomfortable, and finally said "Well, EVERYBODY ELSE DOES IT...."   Oh, Brotherrrrrrr

Anyway I'm going to give this Yuletide Kitty Song another shot - here goes ...

On the ___ day of Yuletide my kitty gave to me ...
13 ------
12 ------
11 ------
10 purring ankle-rubs
9 tangled tinsels
8 muddy paw-prints
7 slimy hairballs
6 missing gift-tags
5 UNTIED BOWS ...
4 bird feathers
3 mouse whiskers
2 batted ornaments
And one toppled Evergreen Tree!

One more day of Yule left (after today, that is). Will we finish it??

daylia

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Yule everyone!!
From: CapriUni
Date: 01 Jan 03 - 03:50 PM

Well, counting 13 days from the Solstice, there's still 2 more days to celebrate Yule!

Are there, really? Counting in my head, I always thought the 1st was the 13th day, but then, I've always been bad at math...

So, as I don't have 13 fingers, and I can't reach my toes, I'll count out here, if you don't mind:

Solstice: December 21st
Yule 1: 22^*
Yule 2: 23
Yule 3: 24
Yule 4: 25
Yule 5: 25
Yule 7: 28
Yule 8: 29
Yule 9: 30
Yule 10: 31
Yule 11: today
Yule 12: tomorrow
Yule 13: January 3rd

^*I know Raedwulf said that, traditionally, the wait was three days before the celebration began, but since we do have atomic clocks today, and fancy telescopes connected to those clocks, I like to seperate Yule from Christmas on the calendar... Gives me a chance to honor the event specifically and privately without it getting tangled with all the Christian theological energies -- anchors my own connection to the Divine, so that I can more easily celebrate and share in my Christian neighbors' joy... Gets that Neo-Pagan shaped chip off my shoulder...

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Yule everyone!!
From: *daylia*
Date: 01 Jan 03 - 02:16 PM

{{{{ :-) }}}} Thanks, JennyO! There's a PM comin your way shortly...

Well, counting 13 days from the Solstice, there's still 2 more days to celebrate Yule! So c'mon let's finish Capri's Yuletide kitty song!Yule have fun singin it next year ...

Happy Continuing Festivities ..... purrrrrrrrrrr

daylia

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Yule everyone!!
From: JennyO
Date: 01 Jan 03 - 10:41 AM

My singing partner Sue and I wrote this a couple of years ago when my nephew was visiting from the U.K. and expressed some concern about all the nasties we have in Australia - just to reassure him, you know:

The Twelve Beastly Days of Christmas - Oz style

On the ***** day of Christmas, my ex-love sent to me...

12   Cane toads croaking
11   Leeches lurking
10   Blue-bottles stinging
9   Crocs a-snapping
8   Mozzies whining
7   Bull-ants biting
6   Snakes a-hissing
5   Funnel webs
4   Box jelly fish
3   Death adders
2   Killer wasps
and a redback on the toilet seat.

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Yule everyone!!
From: *daylia*
Date: 29 Dec 02 - 12:51 PM

OK - here goes!

Eight muddy paw-prints
Seven slimy hairballs
Six missing gift-tags
FIVE UNTIED BOWS...
Four bird feathers
Three mouse whiskers
Two batted ornaments
And one toppled Evergreen Tree!

Hee hee hee - thanks for that Capri! C,mon catters, this is FUN!

daylia

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Yule everyone!!
From: CapriUni
Date: 29 Dec 02 - 11:55 AM

Okay, I haven't got all 13 days yet, but here are #6 and #5 added to the list:

Six missing gift tags
Five Untied Bows!
Four bird feathers
Three mouse whiskers
Two batted ornaments
And one toppled Evergreen Tree!

(maybe some other mudders can come up with kitty gifts of the day)

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Yule everyone!!
From: CapriUni
Date: 29 Dec 02 - 08:15 AM

LOve it Capri......can you write the rest of it??!!!

Not until after my fortified morning coffee. ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Yule everyone!!
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 29 Dec 02 - 06:00 AM

LOve it Capri......can you write the rest of it??!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Yule everyone!!
From: CapriUni
Date: 28 Dec 02 - 09:44 PM

"On the fourth day of Yuletide, my kitty brought to me:

Four bird feathers,
three mouse whiskers,
two batted ornaments
And one toppled Evergreen Tree!"

(ahem... sorry, couldn't resist)

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Yule everyone!!
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 28 Dec 02 - 07:28 PM

HA!! Love the site.... Calling birds today... ironic as one of the cats deposited a dead flying thing on the step this morning.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Yule everyone!!
From: CapriUni
Date: 28 Dec 02 - 08:04 AM

It seems more and more that Christmas starts mid October and ends on Dec 24th.

And psychologists put forth so many complicated theories as to why there are so many suicides this time of year...

I think it's quite simple: Somewhere down deep in our brains, we know what the season is -- even if we don't happen to live on a farm, and work a 9-5 (or more likely, these days 7-7) job in a fluorescent bulb-lit job. We can feel it in our brainstems, and we know that we are pushed to start celebrating to soon, and pressured into stopping before we're ready...

Ironically, back in November, someone posted a link to a website protesting the lack of the Twelve Days (In a newsgroup I subscribe to... not here), that much of the stress of the holiday could be avoided if we spread it out, and didn't have to fight over which inlaws to visit -- take time to visit them all! And take time just for yourself...

But when I went onto Google to find the site, to create a blicky, it seems to have vanished :-P and all I did find were sites about the song, including this site, which although it has the "moral" at the end of "Keep Christ in Christmas", it's still very funny, so I post it for the sake of your amusement and mirth... Only annoying thing is, I can seem to stop the playing of the damned tune... So just hit mute if haven't finished reading by the time the song is on it's third time 'round...

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Yule everyone!!
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 28 Dec 02 - 05:08 AM

Then of course, there's the old calendar to contend with.... Orthodox traditions, commercialism and habit are in there too....

Saw a very depressing sight on Boxing Day... a pile of wrapping paper and a very sad Christmas tree... it had ovbiously been up a while and now, just as the season was proper to it, it had been slung out for the rubbish. All the Christmas music has finished on the radio (excpet for one DJ who still plays it), and the shops have cleared out for the Sales... in fact, one supermarket chain were asking staff to work Christmas afternoon to get the store ready for the Boxing Day sales. In London, on Christmas Eve, they were already stripping their windows of Christmas stuff.... It seems more and more that Christmas starts mid October and ends on Dec 24th.

It's STILL Christmas now!! Keep celebrating!

Compliments of the Season to you all!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Yule everyone!!
From: CapriUni
Date: 27 Dec 02 - 11:10 PM

From Raedwulf:

Well, for people without digital watches, I reckon about... 3 days to be sure?

Maybe it would take that long even for people with digital watches, after all, once they're programed, machines will go on ticking and counting off mechanical time regardless of what the sun does -- or what the earth does in relation to the sun (but the Earth, Sun and Moon are really three aspects of one life system, so quibbling over whether the sun rises or the Earth rotates really rather misses the whole point). And it's what the Sun does that matters, so it's better to trust your senses directly, IMNSHO.

Joys and peace and prosperity to you all!

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Yule everyone!!
From: *daylia*
Date: 27 Dec 02 - 08:55 PM

OK let's see, Yule is Yule, the Solstice is the Solstice, and I can go on celebrating for another 7 days. This is wonderful! I'll be sure to remember!      

Thank you BOTH, Raedwulf and Capri! And to Mudcat for this chance to learn. It IS important!

Happy Yule!   {{{ :-) }}}

daylia

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Yule everyone!!
From: Raedwulf
Date: 27 Dec 02 - 07:28 PM

Yep, Capri's managed to hit the nail fairly hard...

Solstice is always the night of the 21st/22nd. Yule always follows 3 days later. Whatever the reason why, they are separate dates.

Personally I always figured it worked like this: You can work out which is the shortest day. Until you can be sure that the days are getting longer again, you can never be sure that a) you were right & b) the gods haven't decided you aren't worth keeping alive any more.

The difference? Well, for people without digital watches, I reckon about... 3 days to be sure? So Winter Solstice - shortest day; Yule - we know the days are getting longer again, we can look forward to the sun coming back again, PARTY TIME!!! *BG*

BTW, Yes, I am Germanic pagan, if anyone is wondering.

Yule, to the best of my knowledge, has never been celebrated on the Solstice. Yule is Yule, the Solstice is the Solstice. Remember this. It's important!

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Yule everyone!!
From: *daylia*
Date: 27 Dec 02 - 02:03 PM

Oh, Skarpi, please do!!!

daylia

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Yule everyone!!
From: CapriUni
Date: 27 Dec 02 - 01:21 PM

Actually, according to the American Heritage Dictionary, "Yule" comes from the Old English Geol, meaning "coal" or ember... (because it is a fire festival) the linking it with the word for "Wheel" is a modern, Neo-Pagan convention,

But have a happy one, anyway! And it's not belated -- traditionally, it was celebrated for 13 days -- each day representing one of the coming 13 lunar months.

Right Skarpi? You can tell us all about the 13 "Yulemen" ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Yule everyone!!
From: gnu
Date: 27 Dec 02 - 07:02 AM

Yule go blind if you keep that up, Spaw.

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Yule everyone!!
From: catspaw49
Date: 26 Dec 02 - 11:43 PM

Ah yes, a fine tradition.....the winter solstice and the laying of the yule log......Actually, I like to lay out my yule log about any time of year. I've been using the same one for almost 54 years now and when you have a huge, hard, log, it will last a long time. Over the years, mine has generated plenty of heat and thrown off more than a few sparks and even now it still maintains that size and hardness that will last for many years to come......but never too soon.

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Yule everyone!!
From: *daylia*
Date: 26 Dec 02 - 03:28 PM

Raedwulf, do you mean that in pre-Christian Europe, 'Yule' was celebrated on Dec 25?

'Yule' means 'Wheel' - ie) the yearly cycle of the seasons. I was always under the impression that 'Yule' was celebrated ON the solstice, when the season of winter begins in the northern hemisphere! The people believed that their celebration was NECESSARY in order to ensure that the "Wheel" would continue to turn, that the days would get longer again and summer would return. And that they would survive the coldest, darkest and most dangerous season of the year.

Happy Yule/Solstice/Christmas/Boxing Day to you! :-)

daylia

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Yule everyone!!
From: Raedwulf
Date: 26 Dec 02 - 03:04 PM

"Today's the Winter Solstice - the pre-Christian 'Yule'"

Belated correction - Yule is the pre-christian 'Yule'! Yule is Yule, & the solstice is the solstice. They're two *separate* dates!

And an equally belated Merry Solstice, & almost as belated Merry Yule! *bg*

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Yule everyone!!
From: *daylia*
Date: 26 Dec 02 - 12:31 PM

Gnu - you're right, as I found out yesterday. It was very difficult to quit entirely on Christmas Day. I shoulda known that and given myself a 'break'! I DID smoke with my (still smoking) family and friends, around the fireplace after dinner. It was very 'celebratory' indeed, although I was fighting the guilt all night!

I am waiting for some ceremonial tobacco 'on order' from a friend, so I'm still not finished my new 'medicine pouch' (patch?). And I sure hope it works like I think it will!

In the meantime, I'm NOT going to waste time feeling guilty if I smoke with friends! That stress is probably worse for my health than smoking the odd cigarette anyway! Bad for others around me too, cuz I get distracted and 'bitchy'. Or at least more distracted and bitchy than usual! I'm just DETERMINED not to buy commercial cigarettes - and all the propoganda - anymore!

Good luck to you, gnu! There IS a light at the end of this smoky tunnel...

daylia

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Yule everyone!!
From: gnu
Date: 25 Dec 02 - 05:53 AM

Quitting on Christmas day, eh ? Hope you got some powerful medicine in that there pouch ! I bought a pack of smokes yesterday, after a week of being without, just to help get me through a day at the relatives'.... not just the regular crap... there'll be four smokers there and Christmas "cheer" will start about 11AM... 10AM if you drink the coffee. Ho ho ho.

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Yule everyone!!
From: *daylia*
Date: 25 Dec 02 - 05:31 AM

May your days be Merry and Bright, Skarpi!

Happy Yule!! :-) daylia

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Yule everyone!!
From: skarpi
Date: 24 Dec 02 - 02:46 PM

Yap... i mean yes i am looking forward to see the light again and
here in Iceland we celebrate, the daylight gets longer and what a great feeling we had so much darkness becouse we do not have the "
SNOW " .
All the best Skarpi Iceland.

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Yule everyone!!
From: *daylia*
Date: 24 Dec 02 - 11:16 AM

And to you, Gary! :-)

Blessed Be - daylia

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Yule everyone!!
From: GaryDon
Date: 24 Dec 02 - 10:14 AM

Just got back to mudcat today. I had a wonderful cerimony at yule including wood and leaves. Some beautiful reflection and recommitment. And more meditation. Glad to hear others had a well time also.

Merry Meet
Until We Meet Again
Blessed Be

Gary®

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Yule everyone!!
From: Fortunato
Date: 23 Dec 02 - 11:10 AM

Happiest Yule, CapriUni, day-liah, et al.

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Yule everyone!!
From: CapriUni
Date: 22 Dec 02 - 09:14 PM

CapriUni, thank you for your most practical wisdom and for the beautiful poem!

Thank you and mudcat for giving me a place to share my thoughts and poems.

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Yule everyone!!
From: *daylia*
Date: 22 Dec 02 - 07:59 PM

"..I get the most spiritual fulfillment from transforming everyday activities through a shift in perspective or intent, rather than by sitting down and composing a 'new' ritual for the occasion. I learn to see the everyday so-called 'mundane' activities as the blessings they are ..."

    CapriUni, thank you for your most practical wisdom and for the beautiful poem! Has anyone told you yet today how wonderful you are?
             {{{:-)}}}   YOU'RE WONDERFUL!!!   {{{:-)}}}

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Yule everyone!!
From: CapriUni
Date: 22 Dec 02 - 07:17 PM

SRS:

The shower mentioned above sounds like a nice simple ceremony (also necessary after struggling with the tree!).

Hmmm... Yes. I've found that I get the most spiritual fulfillment from transforming everyday activities through a shift in perspective or intent, rather than sitting down and composing a "new" ritual for the occasion. I learn to see the everyday so-called "mundane" activities as the blessings they are, and I don't have to give thought to whether I am doing them "right" or not...

Katlaughing:

I have to have help doing it and am not sure I can talk Rog out into the chill of the evening. I will do a special meditation tonight before I go to bed, though.

I'm in a similiar situation as you, I think. I can't get from most points A to Points B without a good deal of equipment, and I can't get to some points B at all... and I live alone, so I don't have an S.O. to help out -- which is another reason for using everyday activities as ritual. We do what we can, and the Divine Beings we dedicate our actions to can read our hearts well enough.

And since They can read (and act through) our hearts so well, simply visualizing yourself acting out a ritual, while in a meditative state, can be a powerful as doing it in the flesh...

Just a thought or two.

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Yule everyone!!
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Dec 02 - 03:23 PM

Love your poem, Ann!

Happy Yule to all of you!

Genie

  /\
)     (
)     (
  \/
  °
  /\
)    (
)    (
 \/

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Yule everyone!!
From: *daylia*
Date: 22 Dec 02 - 02:00 PM

{{{ :-) }}} Just reading this thread today, on the morning after the longest night of the year is a GIFT indeed!!! Grateful blessings to all who posted above - and to the Light reborn today ...

daylia

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Yule everyone!!
From: CapriUni
Date: 22 Dec 02 - 07:11 AM

thanks for all my new friends

The best gift of all!

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Yule everyone!!
From: jimmyt
Date: 21 Dec 02 - 11:54 PM

Happy yule for those who follow it may the season bless you for all the rest. thanks for all my new friends

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Yule everyone!!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Dec 02 - 11:15 PM

I have through various unplanned events stumbled upon a wonderful tree and put it up in my new house tonight. I'll put lights on this evening and let the kids hang other ornaments tomorrow. We've spoken of learning more about the celebration of the solstice--how appropriate to find we're "in time" as it were, with our late tree.

This house and yard are so alive, more so than anyplace else I've lived down here in Texas, that the timing feels more than just coincidence. The shower mentioned above sounds like a nice simple ceremony (also necessary after struggling with the tree!). Finally, I'm rearranging my writing space; I've moved the parts of a sort of combined table/credenza into my office that was originally designed by my father for the corner of his kitchen. I kept these pieces after his death, and only now are they finding a good place, and will, I think, contribute to a sustained energy level, from one generation to the next, through good will, love, and the spirit that lingers, if we only know to look for it. As Cluin says, it seems to be a good night for meditating on those who are absent.

I have misteltoe growing in my yard. All it needs is a fine fellow to be lured back under the hackberry tree!

Skoal
--SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Yule everyone!!
From: CapriUni
Date: 21 Dec 02 - 10:15 PM

{{{{{{{{{{{{{LiZ}}}}}}}}}}}}}

Sending you good wishes and energy for healing of the body, and strength to the spirit...

Look closely, you might just see some tiny little wildflowers poking their heads up amongst the scree.

Keep you mind on that mountain top, sure... but when you stop to take a breath now and then (which every climber must do), don't forget to see the beauty of where you are. Use those boulders to rest your back against, and shelter you from the wind. And don't be shy 'bout asking for a hand up, when you need it, from those who are climbing alongside you.

Signed:

Capricorn-Unicorn: Climbing up from the sea that gave me my fishy tail, with the Mountain's summit in view. With each step up, more of my Unicorn nature is shining through.

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Yule everyone!!
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 21 Dec 02 - 09:45 PM

I finally managed to find some mistletoe and some berried holly. Burnt my candle, and got 2 very excited children to decorate the tree, having put lights on it early this morning.

Now after being up since 6.30am (was in the supermarket before 7), it's nearly 3.00am and I can't sleep.

I've had a deeply turbulent year, so many things have happened that have affected me in ways I didn't think possible, and as a consequence, have got some strange and distressing health issues that I can't get my head round (and that in itself is part of the problem). I experienced such profound joy at the beginning of the year, only to see it crumble to dust and ashes before the first quarter was done. Since then it's been a long haul up a slope that seems entirely made of boulders and scree... if I can get past the boulder, I slide down the scree, and if I make it past the scree I get stuck behind a boulder.

But the fog is lifting and I can see the top of the mountain; that is one good thing. I just have to find another way to get to the top.

I hope you can all see your mountains clearly, and that you have a year of looking down from them, rather than trying to climb round them.

Anyway...   Merry meet, and merry greet, Wassail!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Yule everyone!!
From: Cluin
Date: 21 Dec 02 - 09:31 PM

Doing my Yule tradition. Every year on the 21st, I put up the Xmas tree, decorate it and settle back with a glass of Talisker & ice. And think on absent family and friends. As well as those still around.

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Yule everyone!!
From: JennyO
Date: 21 Dec 02 - 09:24 PM

It is Summer Solstice here in OZ, and as well as being the longest day of the year, it is also a full moon. According to tradition I should be lighting fires, but not a good idea considering the potential risk of bushfires. The only fires I am lighting are when I burn the candle at both ends as it were, which I enjoy doing (I am naturally a night person) My herbs are flourishing at the moment, and I am using them as much as possible, and bringing in fresh flowers. I am currently going through some changes in my personal life, which involve letting go of some things that have had a negative impact on me and bringing in some positive things - loving friends and family, and LOTS AND LOTS OF FUN! One change I want to make which I am finding very hard, is that I want to lose some weight, mainly for the sake of my health. Daylia, do you realize that you became a member within hours of when I did - on the same day? I am glad to see that you are intending to quit smoking on Xmas day, and you have my support. I like the idea of the tobacco pouch. Now I need to think of something to give me a boost on my way to increased health and fitness. It doesn't help that I hate exercise, but I feel that the change is not far away, all it needs is a little push.

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Yule everyone!!
From: Tig
Date: 21 Dec 02 - 06:31 PM

Happy Yule.

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Yule everyone!!
From: CapriUni
Date: 21 Dec 02 - 06:26 PM

Just a few minutes ago, I completed the last part of my Resolution for 2002 (To submit something to a year's worth of issues of a locally-based Pagan periodial)

After I log off here, I will take a hot shower, and visualize washing myself clean of all the emotional and spiritual "Gunk" I've accumulated over the past year, visualize it going down the drain and into the Earth, where it will be recycled and transformed into creative energy.

Tomorrow morning, after the sun has risen again, as reborn as I will be, I will open the Yule gifts that are waiting for me: One from my dad, and the other from my Secret Santa.

Then, on Christmas morning, I'll open a gift from another friend (who is also waiting until then to open one from me).

And right now, in the present, I will post the following poem, to share with you all, written in honor of Yule, and of the spirit of community:

HERE WE STAND
by Ann Magill

Deep below our feet, there is a fire burning,
feeding all living things that swim the dark ocean.
This is our Dragon Mother,
breathing fire, pulsing life.

High above our heads, there is a fire burning,
feeding all living things that look to the sky.
This is our Sun Mother,
breathing wind, spinning life.

Here we stand: fire below us, fire above us.
Rising from within the darkness
as a dream rises from sleep.
Take my hand, and let the fire flow through us --
A current of light, from heart to heart.

Light the candles and sing and dance.
Let us rejoice in light from darkness.
Let us rejoice in our own rebirth.

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Yule everyone!!
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Dec 02 - 05:13 PM

Well, the tree has been up in it's stand in our living room for five days. Today we got the lights on it!

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Yule everyone!!
From: Amos
Date: 21 Dec 02 - 04:32 PM

Reckon I'll be burning a small amount of tobaccom my ownself, just to celebrate you understand, The rest of the year, it's to keep them daemons away...or invoke blessings... or sompn. Anyway ya gotta keep it goin'! :>)


A