May Eve

Happy May Eve!!

My little one is due any day now (actual due date is in the middle of May, but she's ready). I find it odd that she's due right around May Eve, typically this is the time of year for fertility and I've heard people say that there are a lot of babies born in Jan and Feb because of conception right around this time of year. I haven't looked into this, but I guess I could check out some archives to see if there is any truth to that. Anyway, since she's due pretty much any day now, unfortunately I haven't had time to put anything together for this holiday to share so I'll just leave you with a happy holiday wish and hope you have a fun filled day.

Take a moment to enjoy the life that is growing around you, and if you have time plant some seeds or take some time to do a ritual to celebrate the holiday.

Blessings
PrariePagan

Druidism link

I found this website on Druidism, which I don't know a whole lot about. I reviewed quite a bit of the information found here and I must say it appears to be credible...keep in mind I said appears. The copyright shows only until 2006 and I could not find any references to back up the information. There is a comment regarding Wicca being the sister religion to Druidism, which I'm not sure I agree with without more information. My main concern with that comment is that Wicca is about 60 years old and I don't even want to begin to guess how old Druidism is, also Wicca is not Celtic in nature, however some Wiccans do follow a Celtic pantheon.

I would recommend this site as a general information place to get you started, but definitely use only as a springboard for ideas to research further. Not to say that this information is not accurate, however he does admit that he was eclectic enough in his practices to sometimes believe he may not be Druid at all, also that there are many different Druid traditions each with their own practices. Not only this, but as mentioned before I didn't see any reference material for your own research.

If you have any interest in this site I hope you enjoy it, and if you are Druid I would love to "hear" some comments on what you think of the site.

Blessings
PrairiePagan

Was the US founded on Christianity?

Found this website and thought it had some interesting history to it. While it may not be the most academic, it does give an overview and some ideas to think about, as well as a springboard for more research.

Flying Spaghetti Monster

While talking with some friends awhile ago we somehow briefly touched on the Flying Spaghetti Monster (FSM) and I have been unable to remove thoughts of his noodley appendage from my mind. I thought that perhaps by sharing some of the knowledge inspired by the FSM you too may become a Pastafarian, or at least have a better understanding of this great religion.

This religion was brought to the public when Bobby Henderson, an Oregon State University physics graduate, sent an open letter to the Kansas School Board in 2005 protesting the decision to teach intelligent design along side biological evolution in science classes. You can check out the actual letter by clicking here. However on the Churches official website there is an archive dating back to December 2003. The letter was designed to argue that because the decision was regarding “intelligent design” rather than something specific, such as Creationism, the designer, by their definition, could be anything and in his “belief” it was the Flying Spaghetti Monster and should be considered just as valid as Darwin and Creationism. Many letters were sent by FSM members to the school board identifying the FSM as a valid religion arguing that it too should be taught. With all of these letters, the one sent by Bobby Henderson received some feedback, including four board members who also were unhappy with the decision and said they would be submitting the FSM issue to be voted on (humorously with a point of course).

It is difficult to say exactly what the purpose of this religion is because it is different for every member, as it should be for the members of any church. However, the official website for the Church of FSM reluctantly does make this statement regarding the religious purpose: “We are pursuing a religion that makes the world a better place. It means something different to each of us. We don’t need to analyze it.” For some people this religion is a sign of religious diversity and a following to keep religion out of politics. With that said it is obvious that while this is a satire religion of sorts, there is some good that comes from it. Many don’t understand the religion even after it is explained, while others catch right on to the comically addressed political and philosophical ideas that come along with it. A statue of the FSM was placed in front of a courthouse in Tennessee, the creator of the statue had this to say during the installation,

“The Flying Spaghetti Monster is a pile of noodles and meatballs, but it is meant to open up discussion and provoke thought. Being able to put up a statue is a celebration of our freedom as Americans; a freedom to be different, to express those differences, and to do it amongst neighbors — even if it is in a noodley way.”

The religion does poke fun at other religions, such as from the Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster you can find the Eight “I’d rather you didn’ts.” This is all done with the idea that if there is a god out there, s/he must have a sense of humor. It is in no way intended to be an attack on any specific religion. I highly recommend checking out the official website, however you will find that it is more of a community than information sharing. While I would love to give you more specifics on the religion I am unable to as I do not own the proper piratey headdress to teach therefore I will leave you with a link to the Pastafariani Guide. Enjoy!!

May all of you reading this be touched by his noodley appendage.

Ramen!

Kilauea volcano offers rare sight

To read the Yahoo article please click here.

The there are a couple of reasons this article caught my attention,
the first is GEOLOGY. I'm an amateur (very amateur) rock collector.
The other is the mention of Pele (Peh-leh), who is a Hawaiian goddess and this particular volcano is her home. I view this as Pele coming out to greet those who wish to see her, whether they realize it is her or not...but that's just me :)

**Just a side note: One specific type of volcanic rock, which just
happens to be the type Kilauea produces is called Pahoehoe
(Pa-hoa-hoa), aka rope lava. As this lava cools it hardens to what
looks like a ropy surface, this surface is said to be the hair of
Pele.

Sorry, science mixed with religion...I just had to share :)