Job Hunting Update!!!

I just got back from walking the dog, checked the mail, and inside the mailbox was a letter from the county juvenile detention Assistant Superintendent.

HE LIKES MY APPLICATION AND WANTS TO MEET FOR AN INTERVIEW!!!!

The job would be Court Services Officer, and the pay would be at least more than I made in Texas.

Maybe, possibly, hopefully, Lord and Lady willing this will go quickly and smoothly and I will be in a real job soon!!!!!!!

Cross your fingers!!!

Love and Lyte,

Fire Lyte

Another Beautiful Summer Day!

I went outside to walk my dog and this is the sky that greeted me. This is an iPhone picture, so the contrast is dimmed for some reason - that whole automatic focus/coloration thing. But, you can just imagine this unbelievably blue sky with cotton candy clouds and lush, green trees abounding. It's GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Lord and Lady did good today.

Love and Lyte,

Fire Lyte

Would you like a little Death?

My little, tiny, lilliputian brain likes to think about things occasionally. Usually, these things are really simple

1. I am hungry.
2. I need to poop.
3. I am hungry again.
4. I need to work out.
5. I am starving.

On rare occasions, though, it somehow manages to churn out thoughts about the big questions in life. Over the past few months, the big question that's been on my mind is Death. More specifically, questions like "What is death?" and "What happens after it?" have been looming. This is due in large part to my adoration for podcasts, and the bombardment of all the various podcasters' ideas about the afterlife - or lack thereof. Over the next, whatever length of time, I'll be discussing bits and pieces of what I think about death; what other cultures think of death, and why.

Now, I'd like to give a really basic synopsis of my view on the afterlife. I believe each of us has a soul/spirit/[insert your personal term here]. I do not believe each of us is an "energy." I've heard many people discuss the idea that energy cannot be created or destroyed, so this proves the afterlife. I don't like it. It doesn't fit with me. Though, I will go into those ideas in a later posting. I believe our spirits are birthed when we are/were first born. Notice I said first born. The older I get and the more I research, I'm becoming convinced of the idea of reincarnation. However, I don't believe that we are just perpetually reborn until the sun burns up and the Earth is no more.

I believe we are reborn in order to more fully learn the lessons of life. We must continue to live until each of us learns tolerance, peace, kindness, mercy, gentleness, etc. Some of us might actually get these lessons down in the first go-around, but others (like...oh...Hitler) might take 2, 5, 17, or more times to finally get it down what it means to be human.

Once these lessons are learned, this is where my ideas get a bit foggy. I believe we're finally allowed to be at peace, to look in on our loved ones, to guard the earth, and generally be at rest. I'm not sure about the notion of Heaven (or the Summerland, which is just Heaven with a neo-pagan twist). This is where my ideas split - and which I will be discussing in later posts. I'd like to believe in Heaven, and for the most part I do. I think that once we've learned all we need to learn, we're allowed to sit back and relax for eternity with the Lord and Lady. My conundrum comes in what this Heaven looks like. Every religion in the world has a different idea. Some people think it's a place with homes for each of us, a crystal lake, and pearly gates. Others believe it is a heavily perfumed existence laden with gold and virgins a-plenty. I believe it goes beyond our concepts of places and things. I think that whatever it is will be ultimately peaceful, and we will know only love and harmony for all of eternity. Could we paint a picture of it, though? I don't think so.

Like I said, this is a diverse topic that is far too much to talk about in one post. I'll periodically come back here and talk more about my theories, but I'd love it if you all out there could share some of yours! Let me know what you think.

Love and Lyte,

Fire Lyte

"It's Good" - Oseaana

Oseaana, of the Get Witchified podcast, just gave a wonderful shout out on her show of this little blog. I'm so pleased that she likes the blog, and especially that she likes all of my randomness.

You all should really check out her show. It's quite interesting, and she gives great, practical advice on everyday pagan living - complete with a spell or two interspersed.

Thanks, Get Witchified! You rock!

Love and Lyte,

Fire Lyte

PSA on Escalators

Here at the blog, I like to cover a wide variety of topics. Sometimes you'll read about handy gardening tips, others might concern the plight of the middle east. However, today, I'd like to discuss a topic near and dear to my heart, and one I'm sure has touched your life.

We've gotten lazy in America, today. So lazy, in fact, that we treat escalators - those convenient, rotating sets of stairs found in multi-floored buildings, shops, airports, etc. - as though they were the latest and greatest carnival ride. They're not. They move for a reason. They are created, and intended, for massive amounts of people to get up and down the various floors more quickly than an ordinary set of stairs. However, this cannot be achieved if a person briskly walks up to the escalator, steps onto its moving stair, and then simply stands there. This defeats the very purpose of escalators. Yes, I've even seen one girl get on one such contraption and then SIT DOWN. COME ON PEOPLE!!!

To reiterate: the escalator is not a ride. A lot of people would like to hurry up and get to where they're going, but this can't be done if we are too lazy to walk up the moving stairs. Oh, and this same statement goes for the moving walkway in an airport. They move so that you can walk that mile-long stretch of airport in a couple of minutes instead of milling about the insanely crowded population for half an hour trying to get to your gate on time. We've got places to go and other people to see than the back of your lazy head.

Remember those old puppet/claymation Christmas movies everyone loves? Remember the one about the origins of Santa Claus? Remember the song with the lyrics "Just put one foot in front of the other, and soon you'll be walking 'cross the floor!"

Yeah...do that.

This public service announcement has been brought to you by Citizens for a Less Lazy America.

Love and Lyte,

Fire Lyte

Lughnasadh/Lammas

Coming up this weekend is the festival of Lughnasadh - otherwise known as First Harvest, Lammas (or bread mass), and by quite a few other names. It is a time to honor Gods and Goddesses of grains and harvests. It is also a time to honor the sacrificial God who spills his blood and sacrifices his body so that we may have a bountiful harvest. It is named after the Celtic sun god Lugh, whose counterpart is the Mother Goddess Danu. Below is my BOS entry on Lughnasadh. I plan on making a big dinner this weekend, complete with beef stew (the sacrifice of a bull was a Greek/Roman tradition at this time), cornbread (to honor the Corn Mother), honey butter (to honor the Sun god), and some sort of yummy round cake iced to look like a sun (...duh).

What will your celebration look like?

Love and Lyte,

Fire Lyte

Lughnasadh

Date: August 1st or 2nd
Also Called: First Harvest, August Eve, Lammas
Related Holidays: Festival of Green Corn (Native American), August Ceresalia (Rome),

Lughnasadh is the first of the three harvest festivals. Its name comes from the honoring of the Celtic sun god Lugh, though it is primarily a grain festival honoring the crops of corn, wheat, barley and the like. The Native Americans honor the Corn Grandmother/Mother at this time. Other sun and grain deities are honored as well, such as Ceres and Isis.

This sabbat does chiefly honor Lugh and his consort, the Great Mother Goddess Dana. The Goddess is considered the one that brought forth the first grain, but she is still pregnant with the future autumnal harvests. Though it is the god who sacrifices himself, becomes corn, and feeds the people. Sacrifice is a running theme at this time, and can be performed by baking an image of the God as bread and eating it. Or, you could burn, bury, or leave out a bit of the harvest in sacrifice. Also, along with bread, one can spill wine to symbolize the God’s blood.

The harvest is considered sacred the world over. The romans and Greeks revered Ceres, Demeter, and Persephone. Celtic and English witches keep a bit of the harvest to make the next Imbolc corn dolly, and some dress the current dolly as a pregnant mother. In Peru, parades are put on with everyone wearing their best clothes with corn being eaten or scattered about fields in blessing and sacrifice. The Bretons kept a similar tradition as that of the Corn Dolly, while in India it is the Cotton Mother that is celebrated at this time.

Breads and grain ales are commonplace during the Lughnasadh celebration. Bread represents not just the harvest, but the earth Mother, home, and hearth. Honey, as a sun food, is perfect to serve with harvest breads. Though, it is possibly most fitting to bake a loaf of cornbread with honey butter. Berries are also picked at this time, as they are just becoming ripe.

It is said that the last grain must be left standing as an offering for fairies or other nature spirits. Native Americans left the last corn stalk for the Corn Mother to reside in. While a Middle Eastern traditions says to bury the last harvested grain back into the earth so the corn spirit would want to return the following year.

Have a large harvest festival with friends and family. Decorate with summer themes, make sun cakes, and make sure to have the fruits of the First Harvest readily presented throughout the meal. Serve red wine and bread with honey in honor of the Goddess’ continued pregnancy and the God’s sacrifice for his people.

Personal Update and well-wishes to Lacy

I know I haven't really written a lot lately. Sorry. It's been 90 to nothing (yes, that's a southern phrase) here at the house. Troll Queen finally went nuts on all of us and will be gone by Friday. We've been given the official go ahead to begin moving boxes, hanging art, and putting in furniture this Saturday. YEAH!!!

I just came back from handing in my very adult, very important, very LONG application to a local court services department. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE send me your thoughts, prayers, well wishes, energy, etc.. I could really use this job. Hopefully, things will progress quickly, and the rest of the hiring process won't take nearly as long.

My job as a cafe barista completely sucks, but I'm hoping that the aforementioned adult/important/awesome job will come through quickly. For now, Partner is carrying the financial burden, which sucks for both of us. I feel like I have to work my butt off just to make a ridiculously meager amount of money, but that's the sitch, right?

BTW, my dear friend Lacy (whose blog can be found in the links section to the right of the page) is going through some family health problems right now. I would like you to please send her your thoughts, energy, and prayers as well. I know I am. Lacy, dear, you have your very own lit candle on my altar burning away to send you some positive, healing energy. I pray everything works out for you and your family at this time. I know it will.

I'll be back shortly with some fun insights and snarky remarks!

Love and Lyte,

Fire Lyte

Fairies Rock! (and Dance and Sing!)

You absolutely, positively, supremely NEED to see the movie Were the World Mine. I'd seen the trailer a little over a week ago, and immediately stuck it at the top of my Netflix. It. Is. Awesome!

And, yes, it has a wonderfully cute ending.

It's a musical. It's got fairies. It's got gorgeous men. It's a very sweet movie with a big heart and a cute, yet not overly-done message. The trailer is below for your enjoyment.

Love and Lyte,

Fire Lyte

Banned Sprite Commercial

*Warning! This is quite adult!*

This is a recently banned German Sprite commercial. I think it's...funny...but there is definitely a line being crossed. I also find it strange that it was overseas, especially with the manner in which our modern media has gone down the toilet taste-wise. What do you think?!

Love and Lyte,

Fire Lyte

*UPDATE* This commercial, apparently, was a fake. Funny, but luckily not something put on any nation's television..........YET!

Thanks iPod Witch!

Another great pagan podcast, the iPod Witch with Brook, has given a shout out to this little blog on her 29th episode. In it, she talks about my ideas on herb selection and how to make an herbal for your BOS - using Tips and Tricks from this blog!

Thanks Brook. I love your podcast. Make sure you subscribe!

Love and Lyte,

Fire Lyte

Silly Shelf Sensitivities

I love religion. Not one particular religion in general, but I love religions. I love paths to the divine, how different they are, and how alike. They're some of the most beautiful and interesting things to study. I get confused, however, when a particular religious group starts decrying some major business or industry, because they feel they're being treated unfairly. Now, I could understand completely if the store were, say, a Christian store that refused to carry other holy texts. I could not understand why a Muslim or Wiccan would walk into said store and get upset that they did not carry pertinent religious materials for their respective religion. A bookstore, however, is a totally different story - especially the large-scale, big box store that I work at.

I came in to work a few days ago and noticed that very nearly all of the eastern religions' sections were gone, including their signs. I was curious, so I asked the employee doing the unshelving the reason. She said that all Barnes and Nobles have to reformat the eastern religions' sections, because the books on Islam were too close to the floor and there have been complaints. Go ahead, check your local B&N. It's the same there. All B&N stores are having to do this, as retail establishments are notorious for rolling over so as to avoid problems. Mind you, the eastern religions section was on the second floor. From what I recall of Islam, it is considered deplorable for you to hit somebody with your shoe or sandal, as it is the lowest item to hit someone with - it touches the ground. I've never heard anything about books on the subject, nor have I heard what constitutes the "ground." Even then, the books are held off the ground by the shelves. It's not like we stack books on the floor!

Isn't this kind of thing silly? Am I wrong? I mean, they stick the Wicca books in the New Age section, when the two are totally different things. That's ok; that just means I know where to look for them. I'm not mad about it. I certainly am not going to petition some big name store to give a whole section to a number of books that they may not even sell enough of to warrant such a display. Modern times are strange. We're desensitized to sex, violence, and drugs through the media to the point where we actually slow down to watch horrible crashes and don't even wince at images of mutilated victims on the news. Porn is downloaded in nearly incalculable amounts by our prepubescent youth, and drugs...well...we all know how the war on drugs is going. We're in an age where the stuff that's supposed to affect us on a very deep, personal, shocking level doesn't. Yet, should the books at our local book/movie/music superstore be put on the wrong shelf? This we raise hell over.

Something's wrong here. Or, maybe it's just me.

Love and Lyte,

Fire Lyte

R I P

Be it known that yesterday, July 15, 2009, my beloved herbal companion - Lemon Balm - was laid to rest...

Sigh...

I'm really not that distraught about it, but I am kind of sad that a plant that I'd grown for a few years now died. In a tragic accident, my brother-in-law was spraying some weed spray around the porch, and he didn't realize that it killed herbs too.

I searched far and wide, but unfortunately nearly all the herbs are gone in the home and garden stores. I replaced Lemon Balm with a little Patchouli plant that I found. My Thyme hasn't died yet, but it doesn't look very good. So, I'm crossing my fingers that it can bounce back from the brink.

But, just in case you're wondering, the Ortho brand of weed killer works GREAT!

Love and Lyte,

Fire Lyte

Grab some popcorn and a box of Kleenex!

My partner and I just finished watching Changeling, starring Angelina Jolie and directed by Clint Eastwood. Please, oh Great Gods please, see this movie. It is stirring, heart-wrenching, and real. The story is unbelievably beautiful and brutal and a must-see for anyone that has a heart. It is uncanny, the weight of Angelina's performance in this movie. I know that this past year was a tough competition, but after seeing the film I completely understand how she was nominated for Best Actress - though, if you're going to lose, Meryl Streep is the one to lose to. I don't want to give any of the plot away, but you should absolutely take time to see this film. Now, it's not a sit down for 90 minutes, barely eat your popcorn and it's over kind of movie. No, this one makes you sit there for 2 hours and 22 minutes, but the time utterly flies.

Should you make the choice to watch the film, I would like you to consider two things:

1. How much we have evolved as a people since this era.
2. How much we have not.

I've included the trailer below to entice you just a bit more, but I'm telling you... SEE THIS MOVIE!!!

Love and Lyte,

Fire Lyte

Just maybe a little hope

There just might be a little hope in this world after all.

I've not written in a few days, because there's been little of a personal nature to write about. There's continuous drama with the woman living downstairs - thankfully she's been told to move out, and given 2 weeks to do so. So, that's coming to an end. I'm getting together my letters of recommendation and am going to begin working on my application for Will County Juvenile Probation this week, which is good as it's due the 28th.

This has already been on the news, and I realize that I'm late in posting this, but I just saw it. The Episcopal Church - yes, the Christian Episcopal Church - voted to allow the gay men and women that feel called to serve the church the ability to do so.

"God has called and may call" gays in committed relationships to "any ordained ministry" in the church, the resolution says.

Lay people voted 78-21 and clergy voted 77-19 to approve the measure. The House of Bishops had earlier voted 99-45 to adopt the statement. In the debates, delegates said they worried about the reaction of other Anglicans, but felt a duty to vote yes.

"I personally believe we had to do this," said John Cheek, a delegate from the Diocese of Western Massachusetts, based in Springfield. "It's the way we see the Gospel."

I don't know what to say to that. Perhaps this is just another step in the horribly long journey to equality for millions of people in this country and around the world. Perhaps the Christian church, demonized for millennia for their brutality and insistence on conversion, is finally evolving. Maybe this could even, one day, be the church that fights for, and helps win, gay rights for all. Though, as my partner would say, that sounds like me just being a little bit too much like Barney; I love the world.

Love and Lyte,

Fire Lyte

I'm sorry... I didn't realize we'd gone back in time.

Racism. Homophobia. Bigotry. This is the stuff that's not making headlines because of the pervasiveness of Michael Jackson's perpetual memorial and the myriad of Republican sex scandals. It's alive and well, and sadly not getting better anytime soon.

Recently, in El Paso, Texas a group of gay men were asked to leave a Chico's Tacos restaurant because two of them kissed.

In Philadelphia, PA a group of hispanic and black children were refused use of a pool facility - despite paying over $1900 - because the swim club thought that their presence would "change the complexion...and atmosphere of the club."

And, as recently as July 10th in Salt Lake City, Utah two men were detained by the security detail of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS) and then later arrested by police for holding hands and kissing - once - while walking through a main road that happened to be on/around LDS facilities.

Oh, and let's not forget the raid on a Fort Worth, Texas gay bar that happened on the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. Man, that makes you proud to be from Texas. Honestly, I can think of an enormous number of people that I know in Texas that probably are quite pleased with the police officers' performance in this raid. Pathetic.

I mean, is it just me, or have we suddenly stepped back a century or two? Segregated swimming pools? Separate but equal ideologies? Unequal treatment at restaurants, street sidewalks, and pools?! I'm just flabbergasted. There's really no other word or sentiment that's accurate enough. I'm appalled. Outraged. Yet, I continue to hope. I hope this administration shows us some change to back up our belief. I pray that my children never learn of these atrocities on humanity. Again, I urge you to contact the offices of your Senator, your Representative, your Governor, Mayor, President, etc. Let them know we'd like to live in 2009, not 1809.

Blessings to you and yours.

Love and Lyte,

Fire Lyte

Right Place, Right Moment

There are times when things just feel extra...correct. As though you are in the place you're supposed to be at that moment. Like life is a video game and you just reached a check point. It's like deity, the Divine, is saying, "Yep, you're still on your path, and you're right where you're supposed to be at this exact moment."

Usually these moments, for me, happen with some sort of found symbol. Like, I'll find a gorgeous piece of quartz, or other sacred stone. Sometimes, it will be a particular animal, the way the moon looks in the clouds, a more-than-usual comfortable breeze on a sun-drenched afternoon walk. Something.

Last night, it was a firefly. It alighted on my windshield last night during my drive home and stayed there the entire journey home. Why a firefly as a symbol, you ask? Because, since my element is fire, I send energy out to loved ones in the form of fireflies. When somebody asks for healing energy, comforting energy, energy to pump you up after being drained, etc., I send it to them as fireflies. So, that firefly tells me that I'm safe, guarded, healthy, comfortable, loved, and in the right place, the right moment.

What are your symbols? What makes you feel like you're right where you're supposed to be? Think about it, and look for them in the future.

Love and Lyte,

Fire Lyte

My Kika is a boy!

Kika went to a new groomer yesterday and came away a little...deflated. All of her gorgeous fluffy fur is gone, and instead she has this short, boyish look. She's sad. She may not show it, but she misses looking like a girl.

Ok, maybe I'm projecting my dislike of her new 'do onto her, but still...REALLY?! I even showed them a picture of a previous grooming that I'd loved. I know it's summer, though, and that probably means she's much more comfortable. :::sigh:::

Love and Lyte,

Fire Lyte

Job Update

I recently received a letter from a local agency saying they would like to move forward with my application. JOY!

Now I have two weeks to get together a mountain of paperwork, but it's ok. I have most of it already, and at least I'm finally moving forward!

Send me prayers, energy, and good thoughts if you can spare them.

Love and Lyte,

Fire Lyte

I found Ganesh!

This great Ganesh statue was at a store called Quest Book Shop in
Wheaton, IL. Great book supplier, but very little in the way of
supplies.

Love and Lyte,

Fire Lyte

New Poetry!

Were I to be a sunbeam.

Were I to be a sunbeam
I think I'd make a lousy one.
The strength is not in me and
speed would surely fail me and
I'd be the biggest failure.
Then I'd endure endless ridicule
at the hands - or other pertinent extremity -
of all the other sunbeams,
compounded infinitely by the speed
at which the ridicule would happen.

Though, to digress,
were I to be a sunbeam,
I'd insist on being the one that
is given birth to by the Clouds.
The one that is both the beacon
and the Quiet.

3 and a half Earths

Apparently, that's how many we would need if everyone on the planet lived exactly the way I do. There's this great, easy quiz on MyFootprint.org It's quick, and it really enlightens you as to ways you can make Mother Earth a bit more comfortable, and ensure that resources will be around for our children's children's children. Interesting tidbit, there was a Native American tribe that used to make decisions based on how it would affect 19 generations of children.

After the quiz, there's a section you can click that gives you tips on how to improve your footprint. It can be found here:

Reduce your footprint: Ecological Footprint Quiz by Redefining Progress

We have a recycling bin that's included in our waste pickup, but it's never used. (Brother-in-Law doesn't recycle...) I'm telling you, I'm getting on it today. I was shocked at my results... 3.5 Earths. And here I thought I was a good little green person.

What's YOUR footprint?

Love and Lyte,

Fire Lyte

Jubilation

Yesterday was Independence Day for the United States. Here in the upper Midwest, it was dark and cloudy, but cleared up just in time for fireworks. I was originally going to write about how yesterday - while at work - I was reminded over and over again how divided we all are, even on this supposed day of unity. Then last night happened. We celebrated with new friends and watched a beautiful fireworks display. Great food, family, and new games. (I was talked into playing flippy cup, which was interesting as I don't drink.)

Fireworks used to be one of the most magical things to me when I was a kid. They were beautiful. The lights chased each other around the sky, as I imagined fairies probably did out in some untouched field when people weren't looking. I realized last night that fireworks haven't lost their wonderment. They still take me right back to being 8 years old in my parents backyard with a bonfire going and friends all around exploding lights of red, blue, purple, green, and every combination thereof into the night sky. It truly is magical. It's unifying, and allows a few minutes of peace in this all too scary modern world.

Love and Lyte,

Fire Lyte

A simple trust

Today I was asked by a family friend of my partner's to put together a bit of a luck/money-drawing...package. They told Abel that for a few years now, they have been good with their money, but for some reason they never seem to be able to get ahead. These are good people that try hard, have their own little carpentry/construction business (they're building my brother-in-law's kitchen), and just want to be able to put a little money away each month - a problem a lot of people have these days. When they told their plight to my partner, he told them they may want to seek a little...magical...advice. This seems to be a typical Hispanic cultural response. Or, at least, the Hispanic culture is really open to seeking answers from an occult source.

That being said, I suppose it should feel a little daunting. This man told Abel he wanted, and felt obligated, to pay me for whatever services I would render. I, of course, immediately turned him down. Firstly, I would like to say I'm not against those that take money for their mystical services. Secondly, however, I do feel that, on a very personal level, accepting money would put an unnecessary pressure on needing to see results quickly - which any good witch worth their purifying salt should know that immediate results should never, and can never, be promised or expected.

Strangely, though, there's a calm about the tasks I'll be undertaking to help this family. The remedies and spells I've prescribed, I know they'll work. There's a simple faith and trust in the power of them. I think that's important. Much more important than deep meditations and Hollywoodesque experiences. I think it's important for the craft to feel like a comfortable pair of pajamas. This is my advice to you. Get so comfortable with what you know, in all aspects of your life and/or craft. Learn your job or religion or hobby or family or whatever so well and love it so thoroughly that if you're ever called upon to use that knowledge, you have no qualms about your ability to follow through. Love like that keeps the boat in the air when it shouldn't work, when it should fall apart instead. (yeah Serenity)

Love and Lyte,

Fire Lyte