Easter - a Christian, not a Pagan Festival

Easter is almost upon us again and already i have seen articles on-line relating to how it is a pagan festival. Alas, this is a load of hogwash.

Easter is a christian festival, about the resurrection of Christ. Yes, they did borrow a lot of symbology from the pagan path but so what? All religions and cultures borrow from each other. Many people now know that the rabbits and eggs are symbols of fertility taken from ancient religions, and that the date is based on the moon, another aspect of paganism.

Even the name has been borrowed from Eostre/Eostara/Ostara (or, less likely Ishtar), the Goddess of April. And? So?

In the end, the festival of EASTER is CHRISTIAN, not PAGAN. EASTER (see how it isn't spelled EOSTRE) is a christian concept.

Regardless of what your path, have an egg, enjoy it and revel in the sunshine :D

On another note, I have written 3 books. 2 are part of a series set in Scoltand about the Sidhe, fairy folk. Available on kindle and in paperback:

The Island of the Mist is book 2

The Stone in the Sword is book 1

The 3rd book is an adult, sexy witchy werewolf/vampire story set in New York and featuring a strong female lead character, again available in kindle and paperback formats:

The Wolf, the Witch and the Coffin

Spring is in the Air

Its that time of year again. The sap is rising, the birds are looking for mates and lambs are bouncing about.
Persephone’s influence has breathed on the land again and darkness shrinks to the other side of the world.
How can we bring Spring into our lives?
• Getting out into nature – go for walks, breathe in the fresh air, take in
the growing plants and the friskiness of life at this time
• Planting seeds of your own, with intent
• Bake some hot cross buns
• Actively take part in life instead of waiting for it to come to you
• Do something creative – it can be baking, knitting, making something
through crafts or arts, or writing/photography etc
• Even just changing your computer desktop can make a difference – see this
article: http://factoidz.com/spring-desktop-wallpapers/

Spring Equinox

This Sunday (20th March) is the Spring Equinox. It follows the full moon on the 19th and is a time of renewal, of fresh starts and new ventures.

This article covers the basics better than I could say here. http://www.bukisa.com/articles/469047_spring-equinox

Want to celebrate but not sure what to do? Why not have a little ritual planting seeds with special meanings attached to them. Bulbs would be an excellent alternative. Getting your hands dirty is especially satisfying at this time of year.

Spring cleaning is often done now, clearing out the old to make way for the new.
Telling stories is another form of ritual for this time of year, as it would have been in the past.

Found this wonderful video on U-Tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lZ-YKIeXww

Whatever you choose to do, have a wonderful time.

On another note, my second book, The Island of the Mist, is now available on both Kindle and paperback formats:

Kindle: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Island-Mist-Kingslayer-Series-ebook/dp/B0092TUS7U/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1346945410&sr=1-2

And paperback: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Island-Mist-N-Roy/dp/147921292X/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346506656&sr=1-2

and in the US: http://www.amazon.com/Island-Mist-N-Roy/dp/147921292X/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346946271&sr=1-2&keywords=the+island+of+the+mist

And you can still obtain the first book, The Stone in the Sword: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stone-Sword-ebook/dp/B006ZQIEPG/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1327179005&sr=1-3

New Moon, New Life

The New Moon forms tonight, Friday the 4th of March.

This is a time of beginnings, between now and the 19th, when the moon reaches full fruition.

It is now that you should begin anything you are seeking to undertake, be it a new job, project, eating plan, exercise plan, artwork, healing, anything you wish to start, to get off the ground, now is the time.

Starting a-fresh is also best done now. Putting negative thoughts/periods of your life/friendships behind you and embarking on a new phase, especially after this particularly harsh clearing of February, when so many souls returned to the source.

Rejoicing in life, fully grieving and stepping over that hurdle are all part of the cycle of life, death and rebirth.

March is the time of rebirth. Everything is coming to life in nature, celebrate and live life to the full.

Meeting Angels - An Introduction

Angels are not exclusive to any one religion and are not, as some people believe, a Christian construct, as they pre-date Christianity. They were mentioned in ancient Zoroastrian texts, among other spiritual paths.

The Qabalalistic sephiroth each have an archangel/angel and angelic group.
Many people cannot call angels ‘angels’. They do not like the little cherub imagery associated with them. Instead, they simply deem them as beings of a higher energy vibration.

However you see them, working with angels can be both rewards and enriching. Angels (however you see them, or like to call them) are another path to better understanding yourself, your place in the world and your connection to everything. Through working with angelic energy we can raise our spiritual awareness, work with healing energy and gain deeper insight to the divine, however you view it.

Working with angels could not be simpler. Just thinking about it is a start.

Meditation is one of the simplest ways of making contact. Simple prayer may be another but this article, or rather, how to, will take you through the meditative process. It is a guided meditation on how to meet your Guardian Angel http://www.bukisa.com/how-to/meet-your-guardian-angel

In reiki, your guardian or healing angel can step in and give you an extra boost to help you and your client. This can also be the case when attuning someone to reiki.

Everyone has a guardian angel, some more than one (usually because they need more help). Making contact with them can be a beautiful experience and really does enrich your life and benefit your spiritual wellbeing, regardless of your religion/faith/path.

Have fun!

On another note, I have written 3 books. 2 are part of a series set in Scoltand about the Sidhe, fairy folk. Available on kindle and in paperback:

The Island of the Mist is book 2

The Stone in the Sword is book 1

The 3rd book is an adult, sexy witchy werewolf/vampire story set in New York and featuring a strong female lead character, again available in kindle and paperback formats:

The Wolf, the Witch and the Coffin

Grief and Loss

Grief and loss are not exculisve to any religion or spiritual path, even atheism.

In many cases, the loss of a loved one can bring us closer to our sense of the divine, or remove us from it. We feel we are being punished, or that it is not fair, not right, not just that a loved one is lot to us. These feelings are not wrong, but do they really help in properly grieving for our relative/friend/partner?

Grief can come upon us at any moment. You can be sitting in your car, looking out the window and suddenly you're crying and you're not sure why.

Turning to our spiritual side, rather than pushing it away, can be a comfort. We can explore our feelings, our anrgy, frustration, deep sadness and pain in a way that is comforting and nurturing, rather than feeling abandoned and lost.

Everybody dies. This is the one clear, absolute in life. Everything dies. How that happens varies considerably and we can only hope that when it is the time for ourselves or those we love, it is as painless and quick as possible. When it is not, we are more inclined to anger, blame and frustration.

Lighting a candle for someone who has passed away is a small comfort, an act of love, of hope that they have gone somewhere better and you yourself will carry on. This small and simple act, perhaps accompanied with a small prayer or meditation can be releasing, soothing and very peaceful.

In many cases, it is not until we lose someone very dear that we are drawn to religion/spirituality, as we have never really needed to look below the surface, to delve deeper into the meanings of life and death.

I honestly feel that the divine never shuts ts back on anyone, especially not in times when we need it/them the most.

This is currently something that I am coming to terms with.

Blessed be x

Superstitions

Superstitions are prevailent the world over. Even the most rational of us will knock on wood or avoid breaking mirrors. Why? Because it is so ingrained in our cultures.

It doesn't seen to matter what religion, creed, raceor gender you are, this is one thing that the majority of people have in common. They range from quite reasonable (not walking under ladders - from the perspective of an object falling on you) to the ridiculous.

Have a look at this article for an idea of what I mean by that!
http://www.bukisa.com/articles/447782_a-look-at-superstitions

On another note, I have written 3 books. 2 are part of a series set in Scoltand about the Sidhe, fairy folk. Available on kindle and in paperback:

The Island of the Mist is book 2

The Stone in the Sword is book 1

The 3rd book is an adult, sexy witchy werewolf/vampire story set in New York and featuring a strong female lead character, again available in kindle and paperback formats:

The Wolf, the Witch and the Coffin