This next Saturday Sept 25 is our Pagan Pride event. We have worked hard on it and it should be a blast. Hopefully we get good attendance!!!

What the Fae are Really Like
A workshop on what fairies are really like and why they are definitely not humans. What you should know when dealing with the Fae.

Nan Edwards Boyster is the Chieftess of Hrafn Skjoldr, an Asatru Kindred, and was raised in a Welsh Family Tradition that dealt heavily with the Fae.

2pm-2:45pm, outdoor workshop area
Intro to Asatru
Learn more about the path of the Northern Tradition, also known as Asatru, Forn Sed, Heathenry,and other names.

Hauk Heimdallsman has been a dedicated Asatruar for over a decade. He
is most well known for his contributions to modern Heathen music, but
has also had essays on Heathen topics published by multiple Heathen
organizations. Hauk is a proud member of Heimdall’s Lur Kindred.


4pm-5pm
The Power of Real Hypnosis
In this presentation, Donald will reveal the amazing truth about the power of real hypnosis. You'll discover what hypnosis really is and perhaps more importantly what it is not. No, hypnosis is not like what you see in the movies or on TV. It cannot turn you into a mindless zombie. Rather, it's an incredible way to harness the deepest recesses of your mind to help you achieve your goals. It is so powerful in this that it seems to work like magick...in fact, you'll also learn how to use hypnosis to enhance any of your magickal work. You'll experience what hypnosis is like without being hypnotized, and if you want, you can safely experience real hypnosis, too!


Donald Michael Kraig is an internationally known occult lecturer and author of such books as Tarot & Magic, Modern Sex Magick, and Modern Magic.k Donald has been thoroughly trained in hypnosis and has been certified as a hypnotherapist by three certification bodies. He holds numerous advanced certificates in clinical hypnotherapy, is certified as a teacher of hypnosis, and is a .master practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming.


Primrose Room in Larry Chimbole Center- across the parking lot, in the building where the restrooms are.

11am-11:45am
"So what is a Pagan anyway?"
This workshop is a brief overview of what it is to be a Pagan, what we are and what we are not. Ever wonder why the Witch is green? Have I got a compelling story for you. A brief history of paganism will be included.

Cyndia has been a magical being all her life but started serious study in 1985. She is a former member of Covenant of the Goddess and is now the Elder High Priestess of Clan of the Desert Oak. Teaching the public since 2001, she fought for pagan rights and has been reading tarot, for the public, since 1991.
12-12:45
Shifting Worldviews and Honring the Isis Return
Lecture and interactive workshop on the paradigm shift and the new balance of power between the Divine Masculine and the Divine Feminine, assimilate as center.
Lady Oxannamoon aka Angela is a hereditary shamanic witch, and the founder and High Priestess of The Inner Temple, and on staff at the Metaphysical University.

2pm-2:45
Visceral Magic
Ever had a “gut-feeling” that a spell is going to work, before you’ve even finished doing it? Learn how to use your visceral self to empower your magick.

A Brit of Welsh extraction living in Los Angeles, Peter Paddon is an author, publisher, videographer, podcaster, and Magister of Briar Rose, a company of modern cunningfolk.

3pm-4:30pm
Greek Nature Deities and Gaia Conciousness
While the primary deities of the ancient Greeks were the twelve Olympians, there were numerous lesser deities, daimons and heroes also enjoying patronage. The polytheistic and animistic world of the ancient Greeks pulsed with life. The world ocean was Okeanos, the earth was the goddess Gaia, the four winds were gods, as were the rivers, and springs were divine nymphs.
Today, Gaia Consciousness is manifesting as the environmental movement, earth-based spirituality, and a trend towards seeking unity within diversity.
Workshop will include an invocation to the Greek Nymphs.

Tony Mierzwicki
Tony has been practicing ceremonial magick since 1990. He has been running regular workshops and rituals recreating ancient magickal practices in the United States and on the east coast of Australia since 2001.

I am missing Eric (see my icon).
Need to spend some more time with him somehow. Perhaps that means a road trip to Sacramento at some point.
I wonder if taebopper will see this at all. :P

With Facebook we talk more there than on here. I am going to work some more on doing more writing. I have things I am supposed to write about.

Right now I am downloading all the sites I have that I can access so I can back them up because the F-----ig hosting company is a piece of shyte. I have a new hosting company ready to take over I just need to be able to access the control panel so they can grab the sites. This is killing me that I can't get them to respond.

This just in- Prop 8 overturned!!!
I am so happy. This is the conclusion of the Judge's comments/judgement:

CONCLUSION Proposition 8 fails to advance any rational basis in
singling out gay men and lesbians for denial of a marriage license.
Indeed, the evidence shows Proposition 8 does nothing more than
enshrine in the California Constitution the notion that opposite-
sex couples are superior to same-sex couples.Because California
has no interest in discriminating against gay men and lesbians, and
because Proposition 8 prevents California from fulfilling its
constitutional obligation to provide marriages on an equal basis,
the court concludes that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional.
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REMEDIES
Plaintiffs have demonstrated by overwhelming evidence
that Proposition 8 violates their due process and equal protection
rights and that they will continue to suffer these constitutional
violations until state officials cease enforcement of Proposition
8.California is able to issue marriage licenses to same-sex
couples, as it has already issued 18,000 marriage licenses to same-
sex couples and has not suffered any demonstrated harm as a result,
see FF 64-66; moreover, California officials have chosen not to
defend Proposition 8 in these proceedings.

Because Proposition 8 is unconstitutional under both the
Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses, the court orders entry of
judgment permanently enjoining its enforcement; prohibiting the
official defendants from applying or enforcing Proposition 8 and
directing the official defendants that all persons under their
control or supervision shall not apply or enforce Proposition 8.
The clerk is DIRECTED to enter judgment without bond in favor of
plaintiffs and plaintiff-intervenors and against defendants and
defendant-intervenors pursuant to FRCP 58.

IT IS SO ORDERED.
VAUGHN R WALKER United States District Chief Judge

Keeping up. Actually attended a Baronial Council meeting for the first time in a long time. I need to put the dates on my phone so I get a reminder. Attended the moot on Sunday and that was... interesting. A lot of people came who didn't really bring a food contribution for the potluck. Of course they brought their kids and they all ate. GRRR. What is WRONG with people?!

Our council meetings are small. I am getting to know the new officers better. I have a hard time being friendly with people who have titles for some reason. I need to get over that. Our current baron and baroness, I knew before they elevated so that helped. I want to be more involved but my time doing clergy work limits that a lot. I try to put events on my calendar. I should be at Crown Tournament. Thursday Night on the Square has started up again too, so I am out there every week on Thursdays in the hot sun. So far sales are better than last year. Not having the Fundamentalist Church booth next to mine helps a lot. I really enjoy that event because it's family friendly and there are a lot of community groups that come out for it. I need to promote, promote, promote Pagan Pride Day. I want to get more groups out there to have information tables. I'll be printing up flyers and handing them out to local groups to encourage them to come to our event in September. We need the money from booths!

Prison ministry has been busy but that's changing right now. With the State of CA having no budget, all the staff at the prison are making $7/hour, state minimum wage. So needless to say there are a lot of folk using sick time I think.. and they aren't having program much. We did have a nice Midsummer rite for the Odinists on both yards and Summer Solstice for both yards for the Wiccans. We even had a Alban Hefin for the Druids (sp). I brought fresh fruit in for the feast and it was a hit. I wish I could afford to do more but we just don't have the funds in the FPCAV account to pay for prison feasts. We get some donations earmarked for inmate ministry but not much. I am trying to think of a fund raiser we could do to collect money. We did just donate about 29 books to the facility to be divided between both yard chapels and the Odinists and Wiccans. Some Poetic Eddas, and some other good stuff for them to read.

I have been clearing off my desk and trying to get the desk behind me organized enough that I might be able to set up my sewing machined on it. That was a goal originally but it's never happened yet. Maybe someday. In the mean time, I'm done writing and I'm dry from my shower so it's time to curl up in bed for the night. Have to drive the oldest son to a dental appointment in the morning. THAT will be traumatic. He HATES the dentist.

While reading another person's blog, I decided to try and turn on my old desktop Mac G4 which is really old.. and it booted up. WOO HOO! So I'm moving files moving files, moving files especially pictures so I'll have them. I don't know when this computer will decide to crap out so I need to make sure that I get the files moved now.

My kindle broke on me. Not sure how, but when I called Amazon about it they said, they'd send me a new one. REALLY? WOW. I am quite impressed. Definitely buying a warranty. This Kindle has been the best thing for me and my book habit. I really love reading books on it. At this point I'm suffering because the books I just got loaded on it, are not accessible right now. POUT. Well I can read them on my desktop but I like to read in bed or reclining in my chair. Todays been a day of trying to clean off the desk, and get things organized a bit. I haven't blogged a lot lately, mostly have been posting on Facebook.

I'm trying to figure out what I am doing this week, and to plan for the weekend. We have a moot on Sunday, and Thursday Night on the Square on (you guessed it, Thursday). It's a lot of work set up and tear down for TNOTS but I do have fun there and it's nice to see the locals in the community and visit. I will be printing up some AV Pagan Pride Day flyers, etc. We already have two and possibly three bands booked, and a workshop or two. Just need to round up some more vendors. We have a corporate sponsor for trash cans, and they'll donate some give-aways, too. Wett... they do Gay Pride events.

I had a great trip to Minnesota for TrothMoot, and we visited Mt. Rushmore, and some other museums along the way. I am organizing things for my trip to Indianapolis for Merry Meet, and I will be registering soon. I am hoping that we can stretch funds to get where we are going.

Also I have been doing a lot of prison ministry at our local facility. Several times a week when I can get in. We had a feast for Beltane on one yard, one for Midsummer for the Odinists, on both yards and a delayed beltane-cum-Midsummer for the Wiccans that was held in the visiting room due to the size of the group. The chaplain that I work with (volunteer with) did a great job of making all these events happen because he kept on the staff to get the signatures needed to make the feast happen.

We are in South Dakota, near Mount Rushmore in the Black Hills, Hill City to be exact. It is freaking cold here- about 50 something and the altitude is high... but after a day of driving in the rain, I was glad to see that it is a lovely clear sunny day. We are going to ride on an 1880's train and see Mt Rushmore and Crazy Horse and then go to Rapid City for the Stavkirke. Then we drive to Utah and crash. :)

Corwyn is totally ready to go home though. :) Missing Xbox something fierce and his own bed. I miss my doggies...

We had a really nice visit in Minnesota. I wish we had had more time to stay but we have a 2000 mile drive home and need to get back. Today we are going to Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse monuments. I spent some time doing laundry at the Residence Inn across from the Fairfield here, while Corwyn and John swam/hot tubbed. I also had my first tick in Minnesota. They were pretty big and felt like a spider walking on you til they bit down. Found one on my leg at the restaurant on the way home, too. Having showered and scrubbed I am feeling MUCH better. So good to be clean and mosquito free :) The site there at TrothMoot was gorgeous, lined with evergreen, maple, and oak trees with ferns and other plants and flowers. And the rain was refreshing, actually. We had brought umbrellas and rain gear so we were fine. We've been downstairs to eat breakfast now and I'm checking email/packing and Corwyn's napping on my bed. At least when we get home we won't have tons of filthy clothes. Yay. I had a ton of quarters so we're good. Yesterday Corwyn was texting his sister at home back and forth. He's getting quite good at texting, and I think he likes doing it. It's good for his spelling/writing, and he has challenges in that area. With unlimited texting, it's no big deal. I do go through his messages, of course.
The kids activities and the multitude of young boys his age or younger meant that Corwyn did have a fun time playing with the other kids. He did some of the activities, others he didn't want to participate in.

As it was last year, really a great group if people. Volkshof kindred is a tight knit team and it was great to see them work so well as a team. They make their own sausage and provided some amazing wurst and sauerkraut for Sat. feast. The site was gorgeous! It rained all but one day but not too hard or long. :). Diana asked John and I to help ward for their seidh. Rod Landreth gave an amazing workshop on Building Thew and Mark Stinson did a workshop too on starting a kndred. He also performed the Voluspa for Skaldic competition. It was great to see some new faces and reconnect with others and also to meet some face to face that I hadn't met but online. Got to see Hauk! Yay.
Also I was apparently elected to the High Rede.. I am still suprised and honored. Hail Odin!

My son watching a movie about leprechauns in the back seat.