Brigid's Cross At Imbolg, the Maiden aspect of the Goddess might be represented in a great variety of ways -- by a simple ear of dried corn, a figure made of grain at Lughnasadh, or straws or wheat braided into an intricate design. One representation of the Goddess is Brigid's Cross. Although the original design may well have been made from rushes, wheat versions have been recreated for centuries. Method OneMethod TwoBrigid's Cross Rite Materials: 28 long, large diameter wheat straws without heads Soak straws in a tub of cool water for half an hour before starting, then wrap in a towel for another 15 minutes. Make the core first by positioning two straws to make a plus sign, placing the horizontal straw on top. Turn the straws 90 degrees counterclockwise again. Continue to add folded straws. When all 28 straws have been incorporated, tie each arm off about 4 inches from the center of the design. Materials: Nine long, large diameter wheat straws without heads 1. Tie nine straws together at their ends. 2.
Answer #3 - Does Everything Have To Make Sense? Does spilling the coffee make sense? Well, who spilled the coffee? Let's say I spilled the coffee. Why did I spill it? Maybe I am clumsy. But what if I am the one who cleaned the stove, and someone else spilled the coffee? Of course, I may like this person, or love this person, even if s/he behaves abusively. Let's take it up a notch. Let's look at New Orleans and Katrina and FEMA. It may be objected that FEMA's decision was not a moral error but a practical error, and since everything is in the hands of Heaven except the fear of Heaven, FEMA's error was caused by G_d. OK, let's take it up another notch. Now look at the way Katrina hit New Orleans. Now let's notch it all the way up. It used to be possible for a Jew who kept kosher to walk across Europe receiving nightly hospitality at kosher homes. We have torn out our hair trying to make sense of it; every attempt to make sense of it has been an insult to those we have lost. HAH!!! Ah, but there is a way to make sense of it. No.
Hold an Imbolc Candle Ritual (for Solitaries) Hundreds of years ago, when our ancestors relied upon the sun as their only source of light, the end of winter was met with much celebration. Although it is still cold in February, often the sun shines brightly above us, and the skies are often crisp and clear. As a festival of light, Imbolc came to be called Candlemas. On this evening, when the sun has set once more, call it back by lighting the seven candles of this ritual. ** Note: although this ceremony is written for one, it can easily be adapted for a small group. First, set up your altar in a way that makes you happy, and brings to mind the themes of Imbolc.
50 Things Men Wish Women Knew I just came across this article and thought it would be great for all of us ladies on here. I know my single friends and I always question what guys really want and this gives us a little more insight into that. Not to mention it's some great advice from men about what they wish we ladies knew/understood about them. Hope you enjoy!! What He Wishes You Knew #1 Express yourself. What He Wishes You Knew #2 You look hot in running shoes and shorts. What He Wishes You Knew #3 Bare, tan shoulders are underrated. What He Wishes You Knew #4 If you think I'm speeding now, you should see me drive when you're not in the car. What He Wishes You Knew #5 If you're truly interested in us, don't play hard to get. What He Wishes You Knew #6 Shopping is a chore, not an activity. What He Wishes You Knew #7 When I screw up, go ahead and tell me—once. What He Wishes You Knew #8 No question need ever be asked through a closed bathroom door if I'm inside. What He Wishes You Knew #9 What He Wishes You Knew #10
A Year of Wiccan Sabbat Rituals As the Wheel of the Year turns and the eight Wiccan Sabbats pass by, many people like to celebrate with special ceremonies and rituals. Learn about the different Sabbats, what they mean, and how you can celebrate with your group or as a solitary practitioner. Samhain Celebrate the Harvest's End. Yule Family Yule Log Ritual. Imbolc Honoring Brighid (Group Ritual). Ostara Spring Ritual for Solitaries.
The One Thing Men Want More Than Sex —RSVP to join weekly calls on Love, Sex & Relationships–How many times have we heard the phrase, “All men want is sex?” When I was 17 years old I was sure it was true. When I was 37 years old, I suspected it might not be true. And now that I’m 73 years old, I know it’s not true. This understanding has dawned on me slowly and became most evident to me in my men’s group. From the time I was a young I learned that wanting sex was synonymous with being a man. This early lesson was validated through the years: Always wanting sex is the mark of manliness for many. So, what do men want more than sex? The world of men is a world of competition. Getting taken into her body gives us a sense of peace and homecoming that goes way beyond simple sexual pleasure. Many of us remember the early school dances we attended. By the time we become adults, we’ve already been battered and bruised by the world of competition and rejection. First, women have their own conditioning about men being men.
Moonchild Wheel of the Year Calendar There is a simple story that humans have been telling one another since before time. This story is about the cycle of birth, growth, death, and renewal. This story is reflected in the changing of the seasons and the rolling of the days from one dawn until the next. This story knows no social or cultural boundaries and it crosses religious and political lines without exception. The Wheel of the Year celebrates the duality at the heart of many pagan beliefs. Life and death. This cycle of renewal is reflected in the legends of the Wheel of the Year which is first divided into four segments defined by the midpoints of each of the four seasons, known as the Winter Solstice, the Vernal Equinox, the Summer Solstice, and the Autumnal Equinox. These seasonal or solar midpoints are further divided by four agricultural celebrations which may vary according to where you are on the earth. Please remember, this Wheel of the Year and the mythological symbolism associated with it is only ONE of MANY.
The Pleasure of Pain By Marianne Apostolides, published September 1, 1999 - last reviewed on June 9, 2016 Bind my ankles with your white cotton rope so I cannot walk. Bind my wrists so I cannot push you away. Place me on the bed and wrap your rope tighter around my skin so it grips my flesh. Now I know that struggle is useless, that I must lie here and submit to your mouth and tongue and teeth, your hands and words and whims. Of every 10 people who reads these words, one or more has experimented with sadomasochism (S & M), which is most popular among educated, middle- and upper-middle-class men and women, according to psychologists and ethnographers who have studied the phenomenon. article continues after advertisement For James, the desire became apparent when he was a child playing war games--he always hoped to be captured. At first the scene found him. James, a father and manager, has a Type A personality--in-control, hard-working, intelligent, demanding. S & M: No Longer A Pathology --Sigmund Freud, 1905
Imbolc Rite and Rituals - Wiccan Imbolc Rituals - How to Celebrate Imbolc Imbolc is a time of celebration and ritual, often honoring Brighid, the goddess of the hearth. This is also a time of new beginnings and of purification. Celebrate the Imbolc season by performing rites and rituals that honor the themes of the end of winter. Imbolc Rites and RitualsImbolc is a time of ritual and ceremony for many Pagans. Here are some of our most popular Imbolc rite -- and remember, any of them can be adapted for either a solitary practitioner or a small group, with just a little planning ahead. Imbolc House Cleansing CeremonyMany people have gotten into the habit of doing a spring cleaning, and it's a good way to get yourself inspired. Hold an Imbolc Candle Ritual (for Solitaries)Imbolc is also known as Candlemas, and is considered a festival of fire. Hold a Farewell to Winter RitualTired of the snow and cold weather yet? Honor Brighid at Imbolc -- Group RitualImbolc is a time to celebrate Brighid, the goddess of hearth and home.
Your Brain on BDSM: Why Getting Spanked and Tied Up Makes You Feel High In honor of Valentine's Day, we're spending the week debunking myths and lies about romance. Read the rest of our "Love is a Hoax" coverage here. There's no denying that understanding how the human body works can lead to some intense sex. After all, as clichéd as it is, the brain is the biggest erogenous zone—and BDSM is no different. It may conjure up images of bondage, discipline, sadomasochism, dominance, and submission, but many BDSM practictioners attribute the pleasurable pain of their fetish to the endorphin rush that accompanies the acting out of their fantasies. There's even a word for the state of a submissive's mind and body during and after consensual kinky play: subspace, often described as a "floaty" or "flying" feeling. "For all of us, endorphins bind to opiate receptors to naturally relieve pain," explains Maitresse Madeline Marlowe, a professional dominatrix who also works as a performer and director for Kink.com, a leading BDSM content producer.
All About Imbolc By February, most of us are tired of the cold, snowy season. Imbolc reminds us that spring is coming soon, and that we only have a few more weeks of winter to go. The sun gets a little brighter, the earth gets a little warmer, and we know that life is quickening within the soil. There are a number of different ways to celebrate this Sabbat, but first, you may want to read up on: Rituals and Ceremonies Depending on your particular tradition, there are many different ways you can celebrate Imbolc. Imbolc Magic Imbolc is a time of magical energy related to the feminine aspect of the goddess, of new beginnings, and of fire. Traditions and Trends Interested in learning about some of the traditions behind the celebrations of February? Crafts and Creations As Imbolc rolls in, you can decorate your home (and keep your kids entertained) with a number of easy craft projects. Feasting and Food No Pagan celebration is really complete without a meal to go along with it.