Paranormal Weekend in Kentucky May 10, 2007
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General Butler State Resort Park will be hosting a “Spirits of Butler” paranormal weekend on May 19-20.
The program features a study and investigation of paranormal activity at the Butler-Turpin State Historic House, built in 1859 and former home to one of Kentucky’s most famous military families. For more information, contact PsyTech of Kentucky
Beltane in Edinburgh May 1, 2007
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If you’re in or near Edinburgh next April 30, be sure to attend the Beltane Fire Festival. Just to whet your appetite, here is a description of this year’s festivities:
The festivities began just before 10pm, when giant fire sculptures were lit, representing gods and goddesses, as well as a centaur, a fish and a bolt of lightning.
Torchbearers then led the procession, headed by the May Queen, through a burning gate and around the hill. They used birch twigs to clear a path through the crowds. She was followed by her White Warrior Women – who represent truth, law and order – and druid spirit guides known as Blue Men.
The procession visited four points on the hill, representing the elements of earth, water, fire and air. Dancers and musicians dressed as goblins and nymphs entertained the crowds at each point. The performers then joined the procession, until it was almost 300-strong.
As they completed the circuit, they were ambushed by the mischievous Red Men, who scaled the hill symbolising lust and chaos. They were fought off by the White Women.
The festivities reached a climax when the Green Man, a symbol of the first growth of summer, arrived and was crowned by the May Queen. As they lit a fire, the Red Men and White Women joined in a courtly dance.
If you ever needed an excuse to visit the country which gave us Scotch, Robert Burns, tartan plaids and R.J. Stewart, now you have one.
Ozark Avalon Gets Good Press in Missouri April 15, 2007
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The April 14 edition of the Columbia, Missouri Tribune has an interesting and sympathetic piece about Ozark Avalon, a Wiccan Church and nature preserve located in central Missouri, and their annual Triple Goddess Gathering.
Here is a sample quote from Rose Wise, High Priestess of Ozark Avalon:
As Wiccans, we see the goddess as being both within ourselves and around us in nature. Each woman is a goddess and part of the larger goddess that is reflected in the natural order.
Annie Nelson’s article is refreshingly free of snarky comments and silly sensationalism; she didn’t feel the need to explain that Wiccans don’t worship the Devil or make snide comments about Charmed and Sabrina. Congratulations to Ms. Nelson and to the Columbia Tribune for treating our religion seriously: here’s hoping that many more journalists follow your lead.
It gives new meaning to “The Dead shall Rise” April 11, 2007
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Every April 5, millions of Chinese people celebrate Qingming (“Clear and Bright”) Festival by tending the graves of their ancestors. Paper money and paper coins are left behind as an offering. Those who wish to ensure that their ancestors are especially prosperous can leave them replica bicycles, watches, sewing machines or even laptop computers. A mock Mercedes can be had for 4,000 yuan ($520) while a gazebo-sized imitation house goes for 30,000 yuan ($3,900).
Now some particularly devoted descendants are looking after their ancestors’ … other needs. A brisk trade has developed in paper Viagra(tm) and condoms, as well as paper female figurines. Some say this is in poor taste: I suspect my ancestors would approve most heartily.
In today’s “Burning Religious Questions” category March 28, 2007
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During Passover, observant Jews refrain from eating leavened bread or any food prepared from the five species of grain – wheat, barley, oats, spelt and rye – which can be used to make bread. Ashkenazic tradition also forbids rice, millet, corn and legumes (edible seeds) during this eight-day holiday.
This has led to some controversy among Rabbinical authorities, as they struggle with the question “are hemp seeds edible?” Israel’s Aleh Yarok (“Green Leaf”) party, is taking no chances. Said party spokeswoman Michelle Levine:
“We are warning our people not to eat anything with hemp products … on Pessah,” said party spokeswoman Michelle Levine. “We are considering announcing a ban on everything containing hemp just to be on the safe side. We are going with the rabbis on this. People should remove all cannabis and hemp from their homes.”
While your editor is not Jewish, sie is always happy to work toward interfaith relations. Hence, any observant Jews needing to get the hemp out of their house are free to “pass over” their extra cannabis this way: we will see that it is properly disposed of.
Happy Equinox March 20, 2007
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Today at 8:07pm ET (5:07pm PT), the sun will cross directly over the equator. This marks the beginning of the Vernal Equinox – or, for those of you Down Under, the Autumnal Equinox. As explained in this Infoplease article:
These brief but monumental moments owe their significance to the 23.4 degree tilt of the Earth’s axis. Because of the tilt, we receive the Sun’s rays most directly in the summer. In the winter, when we are tilted away from the Sun, the rays pass through the atmosphere at a greater slant, bringing lower temperatures. If the Earth rotated on an axis perpendicular to the plane of the Earth’s orbit around the Sun, there would be no variation in day lengths or temperatures throughout the year, and we would not have seasons.
Happy Equinox to you and yours – and may our Persian friends have a blessed Norouz.
