Know Thyself

Last night I caught a show on PBS “Faces of America”. I’ve seen bits and pieces of the show here and there, but I was able to view the majority of the show. It was amazingly enlightening on how similar we all really are. So often we see skin color, clothing, and we automatically judge the person as different, foreign, and dangerous. But that really isn’t the case. An African studies poet and professor found out that she is in fact 66% European and only 27% African, with 7% Asian added into the mix. Eva Langora realized she is not Hispanic, but Spanish, Asian, and African.

So many people wanted to have a diverse background and showed a bit of disappointment when they were strictly European. I think this would be fascinating, and if you have $130 you can request a DNA test kit and send it in for your very own ancestry analysis. They include a map and charts with your genetic ancestry.

I’m about as white as you can get, but I wouldn’t be surprised to find Native American and African ancestry in my family. From the history I’ve dug up, we tended to be rather open to other nationalities and cultures; and I did find an advertisement in a paper from the 1730’s (when my family first arrived from Ireland) notifying the community of a run away slave. I’ve also found out that my grandfather’s great-grandfather was supposedly Native American, but I have yet to confirm this or figure out which tribe. I would love to confirm some of this information, even if I can’t actually find names and dates.

The human family really is small. I think of all of the bigots and racists in this world and would personally love to see their faces it they learned they had the same blood running through their veins of the individuals and groups that they detest. Our past has nothing to do with color or dress, it lets us know where we came from and hopefully to embrace the diversity we carry within ourselves. Now, if we could only come up with a way of testing our religious ancestry…now that would be interesting and very enlightening.

Summer Solstice 2011

The Summer Solstice falls on June 21st this year. Solstice comes from the Latin Sol (sun) stice (to stand still), as the days get longer and longer, the sun rises until it appears to stand still in the sky. The Summer Solstice (also called Midsummer or Litha) is the longest day and shortest night of the year.

Significance of the Summer Solstice:

In pre-historic times, summer was a joyous time of the year for those Aboriginal people who lived in the northern latitudes. The snow had disappeared; the ground had thawed out; warm temperatures had returned; flowers were blooming; leaves had returned to the deciduous trees. Some herbs could be harvested, for medicinal and other uses. Food was easier to find. The crops had already been planted and would be harvested in the months to come. Although many months of warm/hot weather remained before the fall, they noticed that the days were beginning to shorten, so that the return of the cold season was inevitable.

The first (or only) full moon in June is called the Honey Moon. Tradition holds that this is the best time to harvest honey from the hives.

This time of year, between the planting and harvesting of the crops, was the traditional month for weddings. This is because many ancient peoples believed that the "grand [sexual] union" of the Goddess and God occurred in early May at Beltaine. Since it was unlucky to compete with the deities, many couples delayed their weddings until June. (Or, many couples realized in June that their "fun" in May has now turned into a baby). June remains a favorite month for marriage today. In some traditions, newly wed couples were fed dishes and beverages that featured honey for the first month of their married life to encourage love and fertility. The surviving vestige of this tradition lives on in the name given to the holiday immediately after the ceremony: The Honeymoon.

So, what to do for the solstice with a 4 year old...
I'm thinking lighting the summer bonfires is out of the question; even if we did have the space set up for it...we live in Arizona...we definitily have enough heat here. We are going to make paper sunflowers for our alter, and possibly a little ritual he can help me with (which must of course include lots of running around with arms raised - anything to wear that boy out!). And for me...the knowledge that fall is on its way with cooler wheather...I can't wait...it's my favorite season of all :-)

Wiccan Blessing for Summer

As the sun spirals its longest dance,

Cleanse us
As nature shows bounty and fertility
Bless us
Let all things live with loving intent
And to fulfill their truest destiny.

The Joy of Writing?

I struggle with writing, and I doubt myself because it isn't always "fun". Then I read literary agent, Rachelle Gardner's, blog post "Are We Having Fun Yet?".  I felt much better about my writing, or lack there of, after reading this. I didn't realize that authors don't always enjoy writing. I love the planning stage; outlining my story, creating my characters, but when it comes right down to actually writing the story the passion leaves me. This is normal! What a relief, I may be a writer after all!

I really want to complete my story, I want that finished novel but I struggle with the writing of it. But what I've realized is that it's okay. I'm allowed to feel that way, and others feel the exact same way...and they're published successful writers. I just need to keep going, stop doubting myself and not quit because the thought of finishing the novel and having it in my hands is worth the struggle. Thank you Rachelle for all of your advice and inspiration!