Ostara Fire Play

So, I am very proud of this!
First off, I hate computers. Second, I haven’t used my digital camera in over 2 years. Third, I haven't done any fire performing in the last 2.5 years. Fourth, I've never edited a video before.

Now put all that together and you can imagine my frustration at trying to make this video. I want to thank Bret for getting me off my butt and having me light up. It has been too long. I also want to thank my friend Chris for pressing the record button!

Please let me know what you think of it!

Ostara

Spring is in the air, I can feel it! Even in the frozen tundra of Minnesota, there are signs letting us all know we will thaw out eventually!

This weekend, we will be celebrating Ostara, otherwise known as the Spring Equinox. You might be wondering, “Say, don’t you mean Easter?” No I don’t. Being as politically correct as possible: what do chocolate bunnies and colored eggs really have to do with a dying man? Answer: NOTHING!

Those are traditions that have been around long before Jesus might have ever crawled out of a tomb.

This is the time of year where we start to celebrate new life. The image of the egg shows the potential growth for the coming year. Dyeing the eggs bright colors is twofold. It can represent the buds of the flowers starting to grow and bloom. (We need that in Minnesota since there is still snow on the ground, too cold for flowers yet.) And it’s a way to help cement the things that you want to bring into your life this year. Dyeing an egg pink for love, green for health, etc…

There is also a fun little activity that you can do with eggs only at the equinox. Take a raw egg and find a nice flat surface. The floor of your kitchen or cement outside works well. And minutes before through minutes after the true equinox you will be able to balance the egg standing up! (Put the fatter side facing down) This exercise is a good way to visually see how the world is shifting from dark to light.

All winter we have been in the dream time, the dark time. It has been a time for us to catch needed rest and relaxation, and start to plan out our goals for the coming year. In the tradition of my coven, we follow the lovely Persephone out of Hades and into the world once again full of life.

As you make the transition for yourself out of the dream time, think on these questions: Are there things in your life that you do not want to bring with you into the coming year? Are there actions or habits that you would like to get rid of? If there are, as you make that walk out of Hades yourself, leave those unwanted things behind. Let them stay with the dead deep in the earth as we welcome the spring and new life again. You can even light a candle to represent that the light is here.

So enjoy your Ostara baskets! Color those eggs! Laugh with the joy that spring is almost here!

Bright Blessings

People Passing

I’ve had a few people in my life who have moved onto the other side. Most recently (yesterday) one that I didn’t even know was again having health issues. And it got me thinking.

Now, almost all traditions have some idea of what the afterlife holds for us. It might be going to the Elysium Fields, Valhalla, Heaven, etc. You might believe in reincarnation. You might also be a person that believes that when we die, we just decompose.  Though most of us like to flower it up and believe there is something more after our days of walking in this life time are over.

I thought it would be nice to just take a little stroll through the afterlife options and share my opinion. Not saying in any way that is what you have to believe. But this is MY belief.

Recently I have been working a lot with the Greek pantheon. There are 3 different lands you might go to when you travel across the River Styx. The Elysium Fields, where the people who have more good in their life than sin may roam freely and enjoy the beauty to be found there. Asphodel Fields are where the people who have more sin than good wander, this is also known as the Field of Punishment. Then there is Tartarus where the people who have defied the gods, monsters, and people who were nothing but evil reside and are punished. (Think worse than the movie Little Nicky… though Hitler with the pineapple makes me smile) Those who reside in the Elysium Fields do have the chance, when they are ready, to drink from the River of Forgetting and be reborn.

I like the idea of having a place to rest and basically digest everything that I learned in this life time. R&R is needed in everything that we do. But the concept of being stuck Forever in a place, even as nice as the Elysium Fields, I’d get bored quickly and it would become its own version of torture. Drinking from the River of Forgetting allows us reincarnation. The chance to live again, try something new, learn new skills and feed our souls full of more knowledge.  Though unlike the Greeks, I do not believe we forget everything. Some knowledge stays within us, dormant, until we need it in the next life. Haven’t you every experienced an innate knowing of something? Been taught a concept or idea that just clicked with you and you knew exactly what they were talking about from the get go? Some people are able to recall past lives. For the most part I am just happy knowing that I have been before and I will be again.

Sorry this was the short and sweet version of Greek afterlife. I might go more in depth at another time. But as of right now, I’m exhausted.

EXTRA EXTRA!!! NEWSIES IN THE SKYWAY!

On my way to lunch saw a whole bunch of Newsies in the Skyway.
This one even offered to break into a song and dance for me :)

Oy Vey

So… Here I go world!
People have been asking me for a LONG time to start a blog.
I don't know how often I will write. I don't know what I'll be writting about.
But you asked for it!

Hi! I'm Crystal :D

The readers digest version of me is:
Single curvy red head (that sounds like a dating ad :P ) with a cat.
I have a very busy life. I’ve been practicing Pagainism for about 13 years now. I’m part of a wonderful coven. I teach classes, help build and run rituals, plan retreats, etc.
I'm also a fire performer and belly dancer; though I haven’t been "lighting up" in the last couple years. Still love the art form. I’ve been dancing ATS with some ladies here in the Twin Cities for 9 months now. I danced Egyptian style over 8 years ago and am falling in love with ATS!
I’m a crafter. I’m a make-up artist. I model for a couple designers… Basically I do whatever calls to me!

This will just be a collection of my life.
Tonights task, popping an Ikea cherry for a friend of mine! Wish me luck!! :D

Bright Blessings