Horned God's topics - tribe.net

semen-based recipes

Kansas — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 21:48:36 GMT

http://www.lulu.com/content/4956212

posted in Horned God - 6 replies

Blk Muscle for NON, Hairy or Smooth.. Bigger...or Average

Thundercizzle — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 19:50:28 GMT

Very spiritual and sexual guy here. South FL or outside is fine too. Lookin' for a down to earth guy or couple to get to know.
Opposites Attract! Just like on ChaserZone.com

posted in Horned God - 0 replies

Julian Riley and the Homomoot

Allen — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 19:58:33 GMT

I need to get in contact with Julian Riley of the Homomoot. Does anyone know how I can get in touch with him?

Thanks in advance for your help!
Herne

posted in Horned God - 2 replies

http://oralcockworship.blogspot.com

Oral — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 02:19:23 GMT

A California Gay Man's Journey to Sexual Bliss!

posted in Horned God - 0 replies

December 5 Holiday for Faunus

Watchdog30306 — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 01:16:57 GMT

I didn't know about this until a friend informed me. I Googled and found this:

December 5: Faunus
A Roman festival in honor of Faunus, the consort of Fauna (see December 1). Faunus is the rustic god of woods and flocks, a Roman Pan, the original Green Man. Faunus was the son of Picus, whom Circe turned into a woodpecker for spurning her love. According to Robert Graves, the tomb of Faunus on Crete bore the inscription "Here lies the woodpecker who was also Zeus." Pan, the Greek god of the wild woods, and Hermes were also both associated with woodpeckers. Graves says all three are rain-making shepherd gods.

Graves, Robert, The Greek Myths, Penguin 1955

posted in Horned God - 5 replies

New Tradition!

Allen — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 19:53:56 GMT

Hello!

I have started a new site centered around my path which I call Cernosia. Its focus is the Celtic God Cernunnos. If anyone would like to take a look, here is the addy:

http://cernosia.webs.com/

Blessings of the Horned One!
Herne

posted in Horned God - 1 reply

Cern'osian Sabbats - I Need Your Input

Allen — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 13:32:04 GMT

Hello my friends!

As most of you know, I am a henotheist who worships only Cernunnos. I call myself a Cern'osian, a term I invented for my path. While I am not Wiccan, I want to incorporate the 8 Wiccan Sabbats into my path. Since Cernunnos is a stag god, I want to base my celebrations around the life cycle of the deer, while still preserving as much of the meaning and symbolism of the Sabbats as I can. Since I am not Wiccan though, I am not completely familiar with the symbolism of the Sabbats. I would really like your input on this. I am by no means finished with this. I just wanted to share what I have so far, and get your thoughts, input and advice on it. If you can help me in this, I would be eternally grateful.

Much love and blessings everyone,
Herne

Cern'osian Sabbats and Minor Holy Days

Dec. 31/ Jan. 1 New Year's Eve/New Year's Day

People around the world observe New Year's Day as a day of new beginnings, of fresh starts, of ridding oneself of bad habits and starting good ones. Beginning around mid-December and ending somewhere around March, male deer begin shedding their antlers one at a time. This is a day for the Cern'osian to shed unwanted traits and habits. Choose a resolution, something that you want to rid yourself of. Write it on a piece of paper and burn it to symbolize its departure from your life.

Feb. 2 Imbolc

February is a time of expectation for the herd. The bellies of the pregnant does are beginning to swell, and after the long, cold winter, the first green buds of spring are beginning to emerge. As the world prepares itself for the long awaited return of spring, so too should we prepare ourselves by rededicating ourselves to the Horned One. Perform the self-dedication ritual annually, not because the god needs us to do so, but to remind ourselves who we are and why we are here.

Mar. 21 Ostara/Vernal Equinox

Spring is now in full bloom. The long, hard famine of winter has ended. Night and day are equal now with long summer days just ahead. Coats begin to change color in preparation for summer. The god emerges from his long sleep, resplendent in his glory. Plant a garden, or maybe an apple or oak tree, in his honor. Decorate with garlands, wreaths and crowns of spring flowers. Recite Hail to the Horned One.

Hail to the Horned One!
By Herne, 3/15/09

Sound the horns loudly and beat on the drums!
The Stag King is waking! See, yonder He comes!
The birds are all singing a chorus of praise,
Their love overflowing in each chirp and phrase!
The fields are all donning their grandest attire,
The brooks are a' babbling, a wonderful choir!

Shout Hail to the Horned One, our Lord and our King!
Crown Him with flowers, the bringer of spring!
The Wheel is still turning, there's nothing to fear!
Sound the horns loudly, the Horned One is here!

May 1 Beltane

Antlers begin to sprout, the first fawns are born, the yearling bucks and second year does begin to exercise their independence from their mothers. As the stag's antlers begin to grow, so too does the desire and lust of the god. Celebrate the masculine on this day, as the virility of the god begins to flow. Purchase or make a deer mask and dance the hunt around the Beltane fire, mimicking a stag prancing and leaping in the wood. Celebrate with drumming and chanting. Try some body painting too!

June 22 Litha/Summer Solstice

During the long hot days of summer, the young fawns, tempted by the summer greenery all around them, are weaned from their mothers. As the fawn leaves off the teat, so too shall I wean myself from my troubles and woes. Use this day to celebrate life in all its glory and wonder. Take a walk in the woods, noticing the variety of life around you. Focus on the good and positive in your life. Count your blessings.

Aug 1 - Lughnasadh

Young fawns begin to lose their spots and the adults' coats begin to change color in preparation for the coming fall and winter. Adult antlers, now full grown, begin to lose their velvet. As the deer begin to prepare for the rigors of the coming winter, so too do people begin to lay away food. Celebrate with the first fruits of the harvest.

Sept 21 Mabon/Autumnal Equinox

The first buttons of the yearling bucks begin to form in preparation for their first rack which will begin to sprout in the spring, and the earth prepares to enter its slumber. The god lays down his life for the harvest and prepares for his trip to the underworld. Honor his passing with a feast.

Oct. 31 Samhain

All living things must die. Such is the way of life. So, too, does the deer. On this night the god begins his underworld journey. Today is a day to honor those who have passed on.

Nov 14 Deer Hunting Season Begins/Nov 28 Deer Hunting Season Ends/Nov ? Thanksgiving Day

Mating season for deer begins in October and extends until December. As the herd is expanding, so it must be thinned to prevent over-population.

On Nov 14, a ritual shall be performed, asking bounty for the hunter, and mercy for the hunted. May the hunters' bullets fly true, and may death be swift and merciful for the deer with little suffering. Pray for a mission accomplished, that the exact number needed will be taken - no more, no less. Also pray the Horned One's blessings on the hunters that there will be no hunting accidents. Celebrate by going on a hunt yourself, whether real or imaginary.

On Nov 28 another ritual is performed to celebrate the ending of the hunting season. Ask for protection for the herd throughout the long winter. Honor the spirits of the slain deer.

On Thanksgiving Day remember to thank the god for the bounty of the hunt and for preserving life in the midst of death.

Dec 22 Yule/Winter Solstice

It is the shortest day of the year, and winter is now full upon the herd. However, hope is in the air. From here on out, the days will get longer. As the sun is reborn, so the lean days of winter will soon end. Celebrate with fire, with gifts for loved ones. Decorate a Yule tree. Decorate your home with pine, holly and mistletoe. As part of the ritual, purchase a bag of apples and take them somewhere that deer are known to live. Hang them from tree limbs where the deer can reach them that the herd may celebrate the season too. If you live in a city, or in a place where there are no deer, decorate your Yule tree with apples and say a prayer for the survival of the herd.

posted in Horned God - 0 replies

south african pagan groups?

jack — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 16:25:31 GMT

hi guys
does anybody know of / have contact with male pagan groups / individuals in South Afirca / Cape Town

Blessings
Jack

posted in Horned God - 0 replies

New men and spirituality book

mrman — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 04:34:54 GMT

Numen, Old Men: Contemporary Masculine Spiritualities and the Problem of Patriarchy
http://tinyurl.com/desl9s
Since the early 1990s there have been various waves of interest in what is often described as “masculine spirituality”. While diverse, a commonality among these interests has been a concern that spirituality has become too feminine, and that men’s experiences of the spiritual are being marginalized. Masculine spirituality is therefore about promoting what it perceives to be authentic masculine characteristics within a spiritual context. By examining the nature of these characteristics, Numen, Old Men argues that masculine spirituality is little more than a thinly veiled patriarchal spirituality. The mythopoetic, evangelical, and to a lesser extent Catholic men’s movements all promote a heteropatriarchal spirituality by appealing to neo-Jungian archetypes of a combative and oppressive nature, or understanding men’s role as biblically ordained leader of the family. Numen, Old Men then examines Ken Wilber’s integral spirituality which aims to honour and transcend both the masculine and feminine, but which privileges the former to the extent where it becomes another masculine spirituality, with all its inherent patriarchal problems. Gay spirituality is then offered as a form of masculine spirituality which to a large degree resists patriarchal tendencies, suggesting a queering of spirituality could be useful for all men, both gay and straight.

Excerpted here:
http://www.realitysandwich.com/masculine_spiritualities_and_problem_patriarchy

posted in Horned God - 0 replies

Ritual bate in Catskills

monk — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 10:42:47 GMT

Seeking fellow ritual bators in Catskill region for outdoor, mountaintop experiences.

posted in Horned God - 0 replies

bruder visiting greensboreo durham winston salem

mick — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 01:27:39 GMT

hail bruders looking to meet like minded men for worship and ritual. dirtymack77athotmail.

posted in Horned God - 0 replies

Zeus & Male Rites de Passage?

MacMorrighan — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 23:53:52 GMT

Howdy guys! A while back on The History Channel (though, recently, I sometimes wonder where the actual ancient history has gone on this channel!) I happened to see a program where it was mentioned that ancient Greek adolescent males would collect the trimmings of their FIRST shaving into a bowl, and sacrifice it on the Altar of Zeus as an offering. Sadly, I've not hitherto been able to substantiate this declaration. Soooo...I was wondering if anyone, here, might be aware of any ancient or academic source that I can look to. I'm also interested in any other male Rites of Passage from any other cultures, including (obviously) those from the Med. (which'll probably easier to locate) for a personal research project if anyone can think of any, as well as any associated deities. :o) Aye...it's a shame that we, in the west, have lost our particularly male-centered rites of passage! All we really have is a father teaching his son how to shave--but, not everyone recieves this; I know that I certainly didn't (I was just handed an electric razor and expected to do for myself when I was young, unlike my yunger brother whom my dad taught how to shave).

Take Care,
Wade

posted in Horned God - 1 reply

ot' happy Ostara

Sizzle — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 14:22:18 GMT

and happy late Imbolc, if you are into it...
hope all you Horned ones enjoy this ostara-egg i saved for you...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k54cn1gbIyI

blessed / blissed be

posted in Horned God - 0 replies

horned god of the forest

art — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 02:35:10 GMT

I am Art Blue the artist of the Horned God of the Forest image on this tribe's website. This is a handmade collage which means I glued each candle and feather and other layers onto the the image of the Horned God. I was studying alchemy at the time so the fire off in the distance is a symbol of the alchemist's quest for creating gold. I am wondering how my Horned God collage ended up on this website? A friend told me he had seen it here and I stopped by tonight to comment about the art.

posted in Horned God - 7 replies

Herbs of Pan?

MacMorrighan — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 04:02:53 GMT

Hey guys, I'm currently performing some research on Pan for an anointing oil and incense idea I have in mind, called "Pan's Pipes"! I know that it'll include, at least calymus e.o., and musk oil (anyone know of any good suppliers? I'd look for Musk Abrette Oil, but it's so prhibitively expensive!). I find the latter (Musk Oil) to be sacred to any Horned God associated with sexuality and fertility to whatever extent, particularly in Europe and the Mediterannean; while the prior constitute the subsdtance from which His "pipes" were commonly rendered. Anyhoo...I'm looking for herbs that are rather strictly associated with Pan that bare an established lore. Please cite your sources, too! 'Cause, I adore those "Aha!" moments when I can point to something and say, "So *that's* where that comes from!" For example, I keep seeing the following associated with Pan in either incener or anointing oil for, but no reasons as to why: Pine, Blessed Thistle, Cedar, Juniper, Honeysuckle, Oak, Hemp, Prchis Root, Yarrow, and Pansy (or Violet).

posted in Horned God - 7 replies

Boaz and Jakin, portals of entry unto the Horned God

sorchar — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 12:24:31 GMT

Hi folks, I have just placed on our HomoMoot website, info in regard to Boaz and Jakin, which you may find of interest www.sorchartarot.com/homomoot

Blessed be as we approach the Great High Sabbat of Samhain

Julian Riley
High Priest of the HomoMoot
Copyright HomoMoot 2007

posted in Horned God - 0 replies

Pagan Men-Only Groups?

MacMorrighan — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 00:05:02 GMT

Hey guys, I was wondering if you know of any men-only Pagan groups for worship and bonding (forging a brotherhood) in your local community? And, if not, are any men interested in starting one within said "local community"? Do you believe anyone (of either gender) might be averse to such a group? I distinctly remember hearing of a case where a Men's Mysteries worship had just commensed at a greater Pagan Gathering when, tromping down through the woods was a band of women whom demanded entry! They were a group from the local Women's Mysteries seminary, and thought that they had, due to their gender, the right to partake in Men's Mysteries, 'cause they wanted to know what all these men were upto. Ever the diplomat, the head of the Men's group said this would be fine, as long as they did not demand entry, and also allowed the men to partake in the Women's Mysteries. They refused, declairing that the men would only pervert their Mysteries! Now, as offensive as this is of these women (it would be offensivce if men behave the same way towards them!), it shows that they have absolutely no respect for Men and their holy Mysteries.

Still, I (for one) want to forge a men's-only group for Pagans (regardless of sexual orientation), yet...Pagan men in particular seem sooooo apathetic and indifferent! Why do you think this might be? An interesting analogy may be found in Pagan publications, such as "Sage Woman" and "The Beltane Papers"--these are women-only Pagan magazines that each used to have a sibling publication for men-only. However, each failed drastically! In fact, after "Sage Woman"'s bro. "Green Man" failed, it was made a multi-gender publication as "Pan Gaia", and now it's thriving! Why do men not seem interested in networking with other men only? Heck, I have come across numerous men that feel phenominally uncomfortable ritualizing with Pagans if there are no women present, as if women must be mandatory at every ritual! Why do they seem to think it doesn't "seem right" to get together with a group comprising all Tab "A"s with no Slot "B"s!

Moreover, according to Isaac Bonewitz research (found in his book, "The Pagan Man"), the vast majorirty of respondants for his questionaire declaired men that need to ritualize with other men are either "wimps", or they believe (incorrectly) that such groups are all about making men feel bad about being male due to Pagan beliefs re: feminism! Of course, it doesn't help when many Pagan males in articles that I've read (albeit dated, I suspect) tend to declair the presence of men, and the High Priest as unneccessary; and that he just needs to accept this and deal with it!

Any thoughts about how to get men interested in gathering together in order to fashion a Brotherhood? Just thought I'd start a topic for discussion.

posted in Horned God - 0 replies

The Mystical Phoenix Caught On Camera At The HomoMoot

sorchar — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 09:36:31 GMT

Hi folks, well this weekend has been truly an amazing time; as I believe here at the HomoMoot, I caught on camera for the very first time, an image of the sacred, mystical Phoenix.

I have placed images of Her, on the HomoMoot website

www.sorchartarot.com/homomoot

Blessed be, as we approach the last Full Moon Esbat before the Great High Sabbat of Samhain 2008.

Julian Riley
High Priest of the HomoMoot
Copyright : HomoMoot 2007

posted in Horned God - 0 replies

Horned Gods Of The World

Phoenix Faust — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 18:21:30 GMT

The Horned God, some of who's names are Cernunnos, Pashupati, Pan, Puck, Pachacamac, Veles, Lord of the Winter, Hu Gadarn, and Belatucadros among who knows how many others.

His symbols are horns ether set like Pan or Puck, or antlers like Cernunnos or Pashupati. For Pan the syrinx or reed pipes. Cernunnos the Torc (female symbol) & Ram-headed snake (male symbol).

Usually his image is that of a well formed human male figure who's head bears antlers, or in the case of Pan fixed horns and in the case of Pan fixed horns and the legs of a goat.

His holy days are generally The Winter Solstice (his birth), Spring (his marriage), Summer Solstice (his death).
Though this does differ with other versions and traditions.

Referring to the Horned God in the singular is perhaps a silly thing to do. There are many male deities that have as one of their aspects the possession of horns.

They can be found all over the world under dozens if not hundreds of names. Though all are separate entities from different and diverse people there is, I think, enough in common to look at them as a whole. Some of these Horned Gods are:

Pashupati: This was the deer-horned god and Lord of the Animals of Northern India some 6000 years ago in what is now Pakistan. Little is known about the civilization that gave rise to the city of Magenjo Daro, even less about the God of the region other than some images found in area.

Pan: Here we find not an antlered god but one with permanent fixed horns. Son of Hermes and Penelope (at least in some of the myths) Pan was never really much like by the other Greek deities. The god of flocks, woods, shepherds and the sources of the unreasoning fear that overtakes some people when confronted with the Wild that was given his name and called panic.

He would in later years be turned, in part , into the Christian god Satan, a character whom at no point in the Bible is ever described as being horned. Poor Pan, for once being the kidnapped one here, had this role fostered on him by monks who were not familiar with the panic of the wildwoods, but with a different fear, that of the seriously and unhealthy sexually repressed.

Cernunnos: While many today think of this God as THE Horned God that may in fact be a misnomer, as it is doubtful that long ago there was ever a group of people who referred to him by this specific name.

On the Parisii inscription ernunnos, the first letter of the name has been scraped off at some point, but can safely be restituted to "Cernunnos" because of the depiction of an antlered god below the name and the fact that in Gaulish, carnon or cernon means "antler" or "horn" . Similarly cern means "horn" or "bumb, boss" in Old Irish and is etymologically related to similar words carn in Welsh and Breton, and is the probable derivation of "Kernow" (Cornwall), meaning horn'[of land]'. These derive from a Proto-Indo-European root *krno- which also gave the Latin cornu and Germanic *hurnaz (from which English "horn").

The same Gaulish root is found in the names of tribes such as the Carnutes, Carni, and Carnonacae and in the name of the Gaulish war trumpet, the carnyx. Therefore, the Proto-Celtic form of this theonym can be reconstructed as either *Cerno-on-os or *Carno-on-os, both meaning "great horned one". (The augmentative -on- is frequently, but not exclusively, found in theonyms, for example: Map-on-os, Ep-on-a, Matr-on-ae, Sir-on-a.)

Cernunnos, by whatever names he was really called is known from archaeological sources such as inscriptions and depictions, to have been worshipped in Gaul, Northern Italy (Gallia Cisalpina) and parts of Britain. The earliest known probable depiction of Cernunnos was found at Val Camonica in Italy, dating from the 4th century BC, while the best known depiction is on the famous Gundestrup cauldron found on Jutland in the westernmost part of Denmark dating to the 1st century BC. The Cauldron was likely to have been stolen by the Germanic Cimbri tribe or another tribe that inhabited Jutland as it is quite clearly from south east Europe.

In Gallo-Roman religion, his name is known from the "Pillar of the Boatmen" (Pilier des nautes), a monument now displayed in the Musée National du Moyen Age in Paris. It was constructed by Gaulish sailors in the early first century CE, from the inscription probably in the year 14, on the accession of the emperor Tiberius. It was found in 1710 in the foundations of the cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris on the site of Lutetia, the civitas capital of the Celtic Parisii tribe. It depicts Cernunnos and other Celtic deities alongside Roman divinities such as Jupiter, Vulcan, Castor, and Pollux.

To most Neopagans Cernunnos is the God who stands at the gateway of life and death and alternates with the Goddess in ruling over life and death. Seen as the God of fertility, life, animals wealth and the Underworld he is continually born, and dies returning year after year.

Puck & Others: In the British Isles, home of the Druid's horned Hu Gadarn, and the horned warrior god Belatucadros the Shining One, the the Horned God eventually came to be known as Puck or Robin Goodfellow as well as the legend of Herne the Hunter and the Green Man.

No longer a god but not a being that could be gotten rid of ether. An echo of the Horned God is also perhaps found in the Arthurian legends in figure of the Green Knight and in Caer Bannuac or Castle of Carbonek the "Horned Castle" that was thought to be the abode of the Holy Grail.

Veles: Veles, Volos, Weles, or Voloh is a major Slavic Horned God of agriculture, animal husbandry and the dead. This Slavic Horned God, ruled horned animals, earth, waters and Underworld he was also associated with dragons, cattle, magic, musicians, wealth and trickery.

Pachacamac: However it is not only in Asia and Europe that the Horned God is found. In Pre-Colombian Peru we find the horned son of the Sun Pachacamac, God of life and death he is the diety of light, volcanic fires and like his far removed brothers was said to stand at the gateway between live and death.

Further North in the land that would one day be the American Southeast the Indians have tales not of a horned God, but of great horned snakes. Large enough to swallow a man whole they also possess deer antlers, and sometimes a great gem with healing properties that was lodged between these antlers.

Modern: There are still new versions of the Horned God coming about today, such as Philip Jose Farmer's John Stagg in the novel Flesh or the Forrest King in Princess Mononoke. As in the past examples, to name only a few.

These are only a few of the Horned Gods that are found the world over. A personification of early man's envy of the far mightier beasts that were a part of his daily life? Or perhaps a powerful part of our Universal Unconscious that has come through in a endless number of different forms and is still being expressed anew that is still as powerful as it ever was?

posted in Horned God - 5 replies

Exclusive Horny God T-Shirts from the HomoMoot in Wales

sorchar — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 22:17:22 GMT

Hi Folks,

And a very happy Mabon to you all. To celebrate Mabon 2008, here at the HomoMoot, in the Celtic land of Wales, we have just launched our exclusive (Copyright HomoMoot 2008), Horned God T-Shirts, so now you can wear with pride- your connection with Karnayna (Cernunnos) in the world of men!

For further information, prices and pics of our exclusive T-Shirts, visit the HomoMoot at www.sorchartarot.com/homomoot

Blessed be as always.

Julian Riley BA.Th
High Priest of the HomoMoot
Copyright: HomoMoot 2007

posted in Horned God - 0 replies

Phallic Cake for Samhain!

MacMorrighan — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 02:33:14 GMT

Hey guys, I just had a bit of delicious inspiration I thought I'd pass along this evening. Well, all week long I've had a massive craving for pumpkin [pie, bread, bars, whatever...]-- when by a striking coincidence my mum brought me over half a loaf of pumpkin bread! (SKORE!) But, I digress... I thought that a lovely way to honour the Horned God at Samhain-- in His aspect as "Dread Lord of Death" (albeit rather "esoteric" in symbolism) might be to bake phallic-shaped loaves of pumpkin bread! (There are penis-shaped cupcake tins, though they are a bit abstract for my taste; I wish I could find one shaped slightly more like the curved phallic cake tin I have!) After they're baked (perhaps with walnuts or raisins in the batter?) pipe them full with a cream cheese filling, and pour melted chocolate over them as a coating (if you're feeling decadent), or carrob (as a healthy substitute). Mmmmm... My mouths watering already-- I can't wait to give these a try! Of course *I* would have to chill them, regardless, cause I like filled treats (such as Ho Hos) cold!

Take Care,
Wade

posted in Horned God - 3 replies

Finally, Self Initiation by Mail into the Sacred sexual energy of Cernunnos, via the HomoMoot

sorchar — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 17:03:52 GMT

Hi folks,

Finally at last, I have, as High Priest of the HomoMoot, composed self initiation rituals for gay and bisexual men into the sacred, mystical, powerful and sexual energy of our Celtic God Karnayna (Cernunnos).

For further info' go to the HomoMoot website www.sorchartarot.com/homomoot

Blessed be as we approach the Harvest Full Moon of August.

Julian: High Priest of the HomoMoot
HomoMoot: Copyright 2008

posted in Horned God - 0 replies

Goddess Bast, caught on Camera, here in Wales, for the 1st time!!! From Julian @ the HomoMoot

sorchar — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 16:58:19 GMT

Folks,

this is truly amazing.. recently, I caught on camera, by pure chance, the image of the Goddess bast, through the incense smoke that I offered Her, at Her sacred altar in my garden.

Images are on my website, at www.sorchartarot.com/homomoot

Julian: High Priest of the HomoMoot

posted in Horned God - 0 replies

Happy Lammas, from Julian at the HomoMoot, new pics and Lammas info on the website

sorchar — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 16:41:48 GMT

Hi folks

Happy Lammas, from here in the Celtic Land of Wales.

Hope you all find the Lammas page and the new pics on my photo page of interest this Lammas Sabbat.

Happy Lammas.

Julian: High Priest of the HomoMoot www.sorchartarot.com/homomoot

posted in Horned God - 0 replies

lookin for bruders in ft lauderdale

mick — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 02:13:48 GMT

will be there july 20-23 lets worship HIM!

posted in Horned God - 0 replies

Men, expose your male bollocks at your altar to the Horned God, to bless and empower your rites

sorchar — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 09:16:15 GMT

Men,

I have often been asked, here in the Celtic land of Wales, why, as High Priest at every rite/ritual, I expose my male bollocks to each quarter of the altar and ring tiny bells that are tied to them at the altar.

I hope that the new info' page on my website in regard to this ancient and sacred way of blessing, consecrating and empowering male rites with the use of the bollocks may be of help to you.

Blessed be.
Julian: High Priest of the HomoMoot
www.sorchartarot.com/homomoot

posted in Horned God - 0 replies

Celebrate with the horned gods at Sunfest 08

WizardsAura — Sun, 25 May 2008 02:33:33 GMT

Through The Ages With The Norse, June 19-22, 2008

Join us for a Norse celebration of Litha.

Ritual will include a Blöt, Sumbel, and potluck feast.

The festival will be held southeast of Lincoln City on the Oregon Coast.

The site feels as though the Mother is holding you in her hands.

There will be drumming, dancing around the huge bonfire, workshops, teens' fire, crafts, meditations, and, of course, merchants of Pagan wares.

Registration Fee's :
Adults $60
13-17 $30
6-12 $20
0-5 $5

Come one, come all and visit www.owow.org for registration.

posted in Horned God - 13 replies

Litha Celebrations: Midnight Vigil of the Solstice, Invitation to Join us here in Wales

sorchar — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 15:21:38 GMT

Hi folks, since 1992, the annual celebrations to mark Litha have taken place in a stunning location here in my homeland of Wales. This year, the tradition continues, starting at Midnight on June 20th, the solemn Vigil of the Solstice and lighting of the solstice bonfire. The Vigil will then be held through the night and the sabbat rituals will take place at Sunrise, just before 5am BST.

My website also has info on it... etc www.sorchartarot.com/homomoot

Blessed be.

Julian
The HomoMoot (Copyright 2007).

posted in Horned God - 0 replies

Need to get some conversation going in here....

sorchar — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 15:13:05 GMT

Hi folks... I see recently not much going on in here..so I thought id stick my website address below for you to take a look at and perhaps it may lead to some interesting conversations/threads/topics in here.... www.sorchartarot.com/homomoot

blessed be

Julian. The HomoMoot (Copyright2007)

posted in Horned God - 0 replies

Invocation to the Horned God

Phoenix Faust — Fri, 30 May 2008 22:47:08 GMT

By the flame that burneth bright,
O' Horned One!
We call they name into the night,
O' Ancient One!

Thee we invoke, by the moon-led sea,
By the standing stone and the twisted tree.
Thee we invoke where gather thine own,
By the nameless shrine forgotten and lone.

Come where the round of the dance is trod,
Horn and hoof of hte goatfoot god!
By moonlit meadow, on dusky hill,
When the haunted wood is bushed and still,

Come to the charm of the chanted prayer,
As the moon bewitches the midnight air.
Evoke thy powers, that potent bide
In shining stream and the secret tide.

In fiery flame by starlight pale,
In shadowy host that rides the gale,
And by the fern-brakes fairy-haunted
Of forests wild and woods enchanted.

Come! Come!
To the heart-beats drum!
Come to us who gather below
When the broad white moon is climbing slow

Through the stars to the heaven's height
We hear thy hoofs on the wind of night!
As black tree-branches shake and sigh,
By joy and terror we know thee nigh.

We speak the spell they power unlocks,
At Solstice, Sabbat and equinox.

The Grimoire of Lady Sheba.

posted in Horned God - 0 replies

Hapy Beltane everyone: new pics from here in Wales at our Beltane Rites

sorchar — Thu, 01 May 2008 10:01:31 GMT

Hi folks,

Happy Beltane. Thought we would share with you, some pics taken last night here in the Cletic land of Wales, April 30th, May Eve, of the Beltane rites.

www.sorchartarot.com/homomoot

Happy Beltane.

Julian ( the HomoMoot)

posted in Horned God - 0 replies

Death of Bill Harrison: Top UK Healer and Medium

sorchar — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 19:28:34 GMT

Hi folks, it is with the greatest regret and sadess from here in the UK, that the HomoMoot bears the sadest of tidings that on April 21st 2008, the Late Bill Harrison passed away. His close friend, also one of the finest trance mediums in the UK, Angie Kruger-who's website I manage and maintain, has asked me to place on her website a Book of Condolence. YOu can visit it at www.angandrich.co.uk. Bill's site is www.billharrison.co.uk

Blessed be folks at this sad time

Julian www.sorchartarot.com/homommot

posted in Horned God - 0 replies

How To Invoke Cernunnos Into Your Male Body

sorchar — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 20:10:30 GMT

Hi folks, my ritual works everytime... its on my website, how to manifest or Draw Down the powers of Cernunnos into your male body

www.sorchartarot.com/homomoot

light and blessing

Julian

posted in Horned God - 2 replies

Our God is deff' a horny God!

sorchar — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 17:35:06 GMT

Hey folks, since I have been away from the forum and changed my ID on here, things are looking great and great topics on here. I hope my website may be a platform for you all or as a thread for some great discussions... www.sorchartarot.com/homomoot

posted in Horned God - 0 replies

Orgy to honour Cernunnos: Re-Dedication & Re-Consecration of Cernunnos

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 10:30:58 GMT

Hi Folks, if anyone is in Wales (UK) ot near, on Beltane Eve, my Coven will be holding a Re-Dedication and Re-Consecration of Cernunnos, which will end with an orgy of male sex at the foot of His Altar to honour Him. For further information, go to my site at www.sorchartarot.com/homomoot

posted in Horned God - 0 replies

Cernunnos Rites For Gay Men

Fri, 15 Feb 2008 10:43:50 GMT

Hi folks,

What a fab forum. You may all find my website and workshops on Gay Ritual ( working with Cernunnos) and my Rites of interest. i'm based in Wales, the Celtic homeland of Cernunnos

Website is www.sorchartarot.com/homomoot

Blessed Be. J

posted in Horned God - 2 replies

An Inconvenient Truth Presentation

WizardsAura — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 19:56:59 GMT

Other Worlds of Wonder Sponsors
An Inconvenient Truth Presentation
By Official Presenter Ezra Eckmeyer
Sunday, March 23rd @1 P.M.
Multnomah County Library, Midland Branch
805 S.E. 122nd Avenue Portland, OR 97233
Raise your awareness, and discuss strategies each of us can be involved in to address global warming.

This is a fund raiser for Pagan Land
Donations gladly accepted
Questions owoworg@hotmail.com or visit www.owow.org
OWOW is a federally recognized 501c3

posted in Horned God - 0 replies

Blessed Ostara to all

Sizzle — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 23:30:28 GMT

2008 Vernal Equinox begins 3/20 at 05:57 UT
(12:57 am EST, where we are )

Wishing you all a safe, abundant season,
enjoy this Beautiful Ostara egg i saved for you...

Hearts, Gratitude and Blessings

www.youtube.com/watch

Siz'l

posted in Horned God - 0 replies

Drums for Meditation

Allen — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 22:03:16 GMT

I would like to find some masculine music for my meditation sessions. For some reason, when I think of masculine music, I think drums, so I would like to find some cds featuring just drums.... no flute, no chanting, just drums. Does anyone know where I could find cds like this? Also, does anyone have any other suggestions for masculine music for meditation which would not be distracting?

Thanks for any help you can offer....

posted in Horned God - 2 replies

Hail!

Valerhon — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 18:05:16 GMT

New to Tribe and shouting out to you. Namaste! Check out my page and art and enjoy!

posted in Horned God - 0 replies

Request for Assistance with Men's Folklore Project

Maglaurus — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 23:21:12 GMT

Let me start this request by saying that I am currently a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Folklore at Memorial University, Newfoundland. As part of a central assignment for a class on Folklore Genres, I am studying the subject of beliefs, taboos, and warnings related to male masturbation and auto-genital-touching behaviors. Since the study of folklore relies on the oral transmission of knowledge from one individual to others, I am reaching out to the men I know in an effort to discuss this subject with them. Anything you can tell me regarding your experiences with the subject-matter would be greatly beneficial to my project. The contents of your replies will be treated as anonymous for the purpose of writing the paper, unless you specifically say otherwise—so your privacy is assured.

My central question for the men reading this message is: What beliefs, taboos, or warnings regarding male masturbation and/or auto-genital-touching (vernacular: “playing with yourself”) have you heard, and at what point in your life did these ideas become familiar to you?

Just to give you some examples, I’ve paraphrased some answers I’ve received here:
--When I was very young, perhaps 4 or 5, I heard that if a boy pulled on his penis too much, it would break off his body.
--When I was in junior high school I heard that frequent masturbation could lead to hairy palms and blindness, but this warning wasn’t treated as serious by the people who told it too me. These people, boys I knew in school, said it like was something people in the “old days” used to take seriously.
--When I was in high school I heard the rumor that if a man masturbated too many times in a row, the internal workings of his testicles might be damaged. The rumor also said that the evidence of the damage would be having an orgasm but not ejaculating and/or having an orgasm, but blood would come out of the penis instead of semen.
--Around the same time, in high school, I started to hear rumors that frequent masturbation could lead to perversion and insanity.

Cheers,

Stephen

p.s. Even if your answers are identical to the examples, I still want to hear your take on these experiences because, in the study of folklore, it is a very meaningful when people tell the same stories in different ways.

posted in Horned God - 5 replies

Charge of The Horned God

Phoenix Faust — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 21:09:49 GMT

And these are the words of the Horned One, whose names are un-numbered:

I am the wild hunter of the forest deep
And I am the fire upon the hill.
And I am the sower of the seed
And the tiller of the soil of the earth.
And I am the golden warrior
Whose arrows
are the shafts from the sun.
The thunder is my hoof fall;
The wilderness my shrine.
I wield the oaken staff,
The elements at my call.
By day I am the sun;
By night I ride upon the wild winds.
I am a stag, a tree and the mountain.
My seed works
within the earth's dark womb
For I am the Horned One,
Sire of the Universe

In the wilderness doth my spirit dwell
And all wildlings and fugitives of oppression are cherished within my heart.
To these, my hidden children,
I am provider and protector
For all things wild and free
are in my keeping
And all things of beauty and freedom
and love delight me.
Swiftly I come to merriment and laughter, my invocations,
For I am the Lord of all life.

Yet also I have a dark face
For I am Death. The Reaper of Souls.
And terrible is this my dark face
to those who know not the mystery.
Yet to my hidden children,
Who know and love my spirit,
My dark face is also sweet,
For tis the face of deep and hidden wisdom.
I am the giver of knowledge
Life and death are mine to give
From death thou shalt be reborn
unto new life and love.
Therefore seek my spirit and know me
Bright and dark;
Then shalt thou know my mystery.
For I am the Ancient One,
Gentle and fierce:
My faces outnumber the stars:
I am Cernunnos, Herne, Atho, Belie, Haro, Crom, the Ancient One
Lord and Sire of the Universe All.

posted in Horned God - 7 replies

New Member

Fid — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 06:55:05 GMT

Hello everyone... i'm new here and im happy to join a place where there are other gay pagans/witches in the world who share the intrests of the horned god.

so stop by my page and leave me a msg, or add me, or both!

posted in Horned God - 1 reply

Demon of Gay Lust?

PlayaDragonfly — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 21:59:26 GMT

My Brothers, I'm trying to find information on any Demons associated with gay sex and/or lust. So far my research has come up with nothing. The only Demon close is Asmodeus, who by some accounts is a Demon of Lust. However, his lust is only heterosexual. Any help is greatly appreciated! HAIL!

posted in Horned God - 0 replies

Considerably "Classic" Pagan Music?

MacMorrighan — Wed, 30 May 2007 00:04:10 GMT

Hey guys, recently I've been thinking of really stuffing my personal music Library with some great Pagan classics (something I simply haven't given a whole lot of effort in the past few years or so; actually, I haven't bought *any* CDs for a *long* time-- just been more contented to perform it and sing it, rather than listen to it, I guess). So...I was wondering whom y'all might recommend as "classic" Pagan music or albums that one simply has to own? Anyone spring to mind particularly from the 70s and 80s-- the "good ol' days"...or should I say, "the bad ol' days"? ;o) Oh, and of course, any songs dealing with Horned Gods are always appreciated! Heh heh heh...

posted in Horned God - 4 replies

New Member: Intro 2U: C My Page/Send Add?

Merton — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 20:35:26 GMT

Hello Dear Tribe Members,

Just Wanted to Introduce Myself…
Hope you will want to see my page, send an add, and even write a testimonial:
http://people.tribe.net/d6aa2e9c-308c-4ab8-b937-d29e5f46af62

I am author, artist, illustrator, filmmaker, and photographer, Merton Parrish. I am a devotee of Priapian Spirituality (Priapus), and have a special devotion to my fellow gay, bi and str8 m4m men. I have diverse interests and am enjoying the diversity here on Tribe. I live in the midwest with my male partner of eight years. I am 44 years young.

Because the M4M life and Priapian Spirituality has been such a joy to me, I am here to provide information on these things for my m4m brothers. I would like to share with you my blogs, writing, art, and the various pages I have created on the net. I hope to be of service to you, connect with you, and become friends with you here on Tribe.

I will enjoy knowing you visited my page. I would be so pleased if you would add me as a friend and write a testimonial, and hope that you will also bookmark my Tribe page, and bookmark the various pages I've listed in my links section (I think you will enjoy my regularly updated 360 and Blogger Blog in particular… http://mertonparrish.blogspot.com/ and http://360.yahoo.com/mertonparrish )

Finally, I'd be happy to chat/cam/IM/Em with you (for friendship, camming, play, cockworship, or to answer any questions you might have about M4M life or Priapian Spirituality). Detailed contact info is below my signature…

Peace, guys!

Merton :)
*************************
Tribe page:
http://people.tribe.net/d6aa2e9c-308c-4ab8-b937-d29e5f46af62

Email:
Preferreddad@aol.com

My Y_hoo IMs:
Numeroushats2 (for camming with guys nationwide)
Numeroushats3 (for rt with Indianapolis guys/guys who visit Indianapolis)
MertonParrish (for questions re: m4m/Priapian Spirituality)

Note: If you send an add to my IM list for any of the above IMs, make sure your age, sex, and location is on your profile and 360. Ty! :)

posted in Horned God - 0 replies

invoking herne

will-andrew — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 04:16:24 GMT

hi tribe! i may have the opportunity for some quiet time in a sheltered field ringed by trees. this seems like an ideal place to invoke herne and ask him to protect the space for men to love. does anyone have any suggestions for an invocation rite? i think that there should be a sexual component to it - but you have to keep in mind that it is cold in canada and so an hour long nude ritual is just not practical.

guidance would be greatly appreciated.

posted in Horned God - 7 replies

lions foot

sukunet — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 12:10:42 GMT

hey guys i had a curious question..has anyone grown leonotis (lions foot) ive been really interested in this plant for some time and searched all over this state for one...i know i have seen one here in new mexico a long while back but the owner of this plant i had lost contact with..anywho i figure i will have to buy seeds or a live plant online in order to have this awesome plant online...JUST wondering if any of u growers...if any have had success with this plant...or have any idea how it will manage in a semi-arid state....too anyone have any ideas to help my lobelia pop back over the past week its gotten really depressed and sad looking (dry and shriveled) anyone have advice on how to make girl pop back to life and bloom again? anyone with any adviced would be awesomely appreciated

posted in Horned God - 0 replies

Formulating a Leather Bouquet (ie. Fragrance)?

MacMorrighan — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 14:50:14 GMT

Hey guys, I'm really interested in formulating an oil-based Bouquet of Leather (with Essential Oils), but...I haven't a clue about where to begin. (Having a number of formulas to examine would sure be a good place to start!) What I'm personally looking for, however, is that it *must* be "macho". ;o) Anyone got any ideas, perhaps?

Take Care,
Wade MacMorrighan

posted in Horned God - 1 reply

Ostara Is Upon Us

Sizzle — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 21:43:22 GMT

Ostara Is Upon Us
Vernal Equinox: Tuesday March 20th 2007@ 8:07 pm est

The vernal equinox, the world is poised on the brink, suspended between the cold months and the new warmth of the growing season. The world is coming alive with green shoots and animals seeking mates. Ostara is one of the Lesser Sabbats, usually celebrated anywhere from March 19th to 21st. Some celebrated on the fixed date of March 25 (Lady Day), while others celebrate on the next full moon (a time of increased births). While the equinox is a solar holiday, Eostre is a lunar goddess. This may be viewed as symbolic of the goddess (the moon) and the god (the sun) coming together in completion. Other names by which this Sabbat may be known are Oestara, Esther, Eostre's Day, the Rite of Eostre or Rites of Spring, Alban Eilir, Festival of the Trees, and the Bacchanalia. The Christian holiday of Easter is determined as the first Sunday after the first Full Moon after the Vernal Equinox.

According to the Venerable Bede (673-735), the Anglo-Saxons called the fourth month "Esturmonath" for the goddess Eostra. Her festival became the celebration of Christ's resurrection when Anglo-Saxon and German peoples were converted to Christianity. While English and German Christians still attach the name of Eostra to their most sacred holiday (Easter or Ostern), other European languages base the name on the Hebrew word "pasah," to pass over, reflecting the Christian holiday's Biblical connection with the Jewish Passover.

All cultures living in temperate climates celebrate the coming of spring with rituals and festivals. This was one of the most important of spring festivals among pre-Christian Germanic tribes, dedicated to the goddess Ostara, a goddess associated with the "east" and thus "dawn" and "morning light." Ostara is a time to celebrate the renewal and rebirth of Nature herself, and the coming Summer. Light and darkness are in balance, as are masculine and feminine energy, yin and yang. Ostara is a fertility festival celebrating the rebirth of the God and the awakening of life from the Earth. Some Wiccan traditions worship the Green Goddess and the Lord of the Greenwood.

The Spring-cleaning tradition derived from the old witches who engaged in a cleansing each spring followed by setting up a hedge of protection. All motions involving scrubbing of stains or hand rubbing the floors should be done "clockwise." This custom aids in filling the home with good energy for growth. Another Spring tradition for ancient pagans and magicians was to dig a small trench around the outer perimeter of their home. At each quarter they would bury an egg. A modern practitioner might also add iron, old rusty nails, metal keys, old razor blades, pins and needles or witch bottles filled with the above items to diffuse magical attacks and spiritual negativity. (If you are unable to dig a perimeter, you can improvise by placing iron keys above your door, and pentacles and sigils drawn on pewter or parchment paper under your carpet or floorboards.

As a time of cleansing and renewal, Ostara is an excellent time to begin some new project. It is an excellent month for prosperity rituals or rituals that have anything to do with growth. Spells for improving communications, fertility, and abundance are especially strong at this time. Some Pagan customs include ringing bells and lighting new fires at dawn for cures, renewed life, and protection of the crops. A common belief in nineteenth century Germany touted the curative properties of water drawn early on Easter morning. One nearly universal craft is decorating hard-boiled eggs.

Eggs have long been a symbol of rebirth. They have been found among the grave goods of Anglo-Saxons, within the tombs of the Egyptians, and were placed on the fresh graves of the deceased Greeks. In ancient time, eggs were gathered for use in the creation of talismans and ritually eaten. The gathering of different colored eggs from the nests of a variety of birds has given rise to two traditions still observed today, the Easter egg hunt and coloring eggs in imitation of the various pastel colors of wild birds. Some believed that humankind was inspired by watching birds weave nests to begin weaving the first baskets. This is perhaps the origin of the association between colored Easter eggs and Easter baskets.

The custom of coloring eggs seems to be limited to the Germanic countries, Slavic countries, and America. In Scotland and Ireland, the custom is virtually unknown. Each spring in Germany, bakery windows are filled with elaborately painted eggs. Eggs are also hung from flowering branches to make "egg trees." Easter is celebrated in Germany more enthusiastically than it is anywhere else in the world with decorations up a good month before the festival. There are parties, egg hunts, and other celebrations weeks in advance of Easter itself.

In many places, it is traditional to keep Easter eggs or shells all year to ward the family and cattle against harm. They are also used specifically as a charm against hail and lightning. For this reason, great care and thought goes into the creation of egg decorations, egg-trees, boiled and decorated eggs for eating, and hare cakes.

Eostre is a goddess of the moon, an ancient measurer of time. The lunar month of 28 days gives us thirteen periods in 364 days, equivalent to the solar year. The hare, though viewed as a symbol of fertility, is also a symbol of the moon. Ixchel, the Mayan Goddess of the moon, midwifery and weaving, has a rabbit totem. Mexican panels of 600-900 AD show her giving birth to and suckling a rabbit, and another shows the rabbit representing phases of the moon.

The Egyptians called the hare Un, which means open, to open, and the opener. The month of April, the first month of the spring season, comes from the Latin “to open.” Un also means period of time. The hare as "opener" symbolizes the New Year at Easter, and fertility and the beginning of new life within the young. Since the hare can sleep with its eyes open, the Romans equated it with vigilance and believed that rabbits watched over everything. According to one story, Buddha placed the rabbit in the moon after it voluntarily gave itself as food for one of Buddha's hungry friends. In another, a rabbit jumped into a fire to feed a hungry Indra and out of gratitude, Indra placed the rabbit in the moon. Rabbits were significant totem animals however and eating them was prohibited in Britain and Egypt. A Scottish superstition suggested that eating rabbit was equivalent to eating one's grandmother.

In Asian myth, rabbits and the moon are virtually identical. The Rabbit in the Moon sweeps its surface clean with bound horsetails according to Japanese stories. The rabbit pounds rice into flour, making mochi which means both rice flour and full moon. The Sanskrit word, cacadharas also means both moon, and "that which carries the hare."

Rabbits also represent immortality and vitality. Pliny the Elder stated that rabbit meat enhanced one's beauty and radiance for a week afterwards, and Chinese myth believed rabbit meat was essential for vitality. According to Chinese myth, the rabbit is a symbol of longevity. Its fur turns white at age 100 and blue at 500. In Eastern Asian myth, rabbits created an elixir of immortality. The Algonquin trickster rabbit, Manabozho, is thought to embody all life-giving energy.

In Greece, live rabbits were popular love gifts, indicating sexual intentions. European wedded couples in the Middle Ages exchanged rabbit-shaped rings. Rabbit's popularity as a sex charm or fertility totem is related to its' natural cycle. A rabbit's gestation period is approximately one month, and it tends to be the first animal to give birth in the springtime, continuing to have litters of kits during the year. In Asian folklore, a rabbit may become pregnant simply by staring at a full moon, licking a male rabbit's fur under a full moon, or running across a moon-lit water's surface.

posted in Horned God - 0 replies

Circle, Spring 2007: "The Sacred West & North"...

MacMorrighan — Sat, 03 Mar 2007 05:26:16 GMT

Hey, guess what? Circle will be publishing me and Anna's article (a MS. entry) in the latest issue of their magazine: http://www.circlesanctuary.org/circle/ So, when you see a copy of this issue, pick it up, would you! The only change since submission (depending upon how they may have "Edited" it) is the introductory sentence in an effort to read MUCH more professionally and smoothly. I initially submitted it for their "Pantheon" section, but they wonderfully published it under their "Nature Religions Around the World"! I should be recieving my complimentary two copies of this issue within a fortnight-- just in time for my birthday: 14, March. Hmmm...I wonder when our local Borders will carry it? But, if you can't find it there, order it directly from Ciurcle Sanctuyary, or search about until you *do* find a copy! *G* Let me know what you think of it when you read it, please! Personally, I'm particularly excited to read Emma Wilby's contribution, "Shamanistic Visionary Traditions In Early Modern British Witchcraft"; in fact, I can't wait to read her academic book on the same topic (along the lines of Profs. Eva Pocs, Carlo Ginzburg, and Claude Lecauteux, etc.).

Take Care,
Wade

posted in Horned God - 0 replies

ISO Bamba [Bamboo] Wood Base-Powder Suppliers...

MacMorrighan — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 16:48:06 GMT

Hey guys, does anyone know of a supplier of bamba [bamboo] wood bases for incense? Also, it'll have to come unscented (obviously). I note that while Indio Products sells coloured incense base-powders, they are pre-scented, unfortunately. Anyone know of any? I was flipping through my copy of Slater's Formulary this afternoon, and he mentioned that coloured bamba wood bases are what's used to create coloured occult incenses. So...if this pans out, all I need to do is find an excellent supplier!!! :o) Creating coloured incense is something I've been really interested in for a while! I'd even love a pure white base, if possible, to add some interesting pizaz to a Moon incense, or Imbolc Incense, etc. Heh heh heh...

All my best,
Wade

posted in Horned God - 3 replies

See this film and tell whatcha think

TribalGuy — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 08:11:31 GMT

I just saw the film "Pan's Labyrinth" tonight. Hadn't heard a a peep about it, but my best friend said we've gotta see it cuz the trailers remind him of me.
We were both surprised. To say the least.
Has anyone else seen this film?

posted in Horned God - 5 replies

Horned One, COME!!!

MacMorrighan — Sun, 28 Jan 2007 20:55:59 GMT

Hey guys, guess what? I was flipping through the latest AzureGreen catalogue (I rarely buy from them anymore unless I see something entirely unique), and I've found something that would make a breathless addition to any Altar devoted to the Horned One!!! It's an "Athame" (though, due to its lack of a black handle, I'd simply term it a "ritual blade") with a cloven-hooved handle!!! In fact, it reminds me of the one Doreen Valiente used to own, if I am not mistaken (hmmm...maybe it was the Farrars?)! Gods, I wish I had more money, so I could buy it! :o) Being jaded, it takes quite a bit to impress me anymore, but this sure as Avalon did the trick! Here's the link: http://www.azuregreen.com/index.html?stocknumber=RA413D So, if you have a love for Old Horny like me, perhaps you might like to purchase such a ritual blade-- it even has a Stag-Motif!

Now, if only their supplier of new Greco-Roman idolotry would carry an image of Pan! According to the owner of a local occult shop, who deals directly with the manufacturer of these same idols, they don't offer a Pan statue. But, she's written them a letter and proposed that they should! I should have asked her for the name of the company, so I could do the same thing! (Anyone, by chance, know the supplier? They look almost like marble, or perhaps even porcelain or alabaster.) Apparently, these images (and the Gods are posatively hunky, though, they cover up all the good bits with fig-leaves!) are inspired from Renaissance paintings of the Gods in question. Heck, were I a servent of Ares, I would have sooooo totally bought His idol! *drool* Heh heh heh... Though, I don't see that AzureGreen offers Him, there's a pretty arrousing image of Dionysos (incidentally, Priests dressed as Satyrs apparently had an endemic ritual role in both He and Pan's respective cults! Fascinating, no?). I've simply never seen a Pan statue that I like, but...if He looks as hunky as the idols I saw at Ancient Ways, I'd buy Him in a HEART-BEAT!!! He'd HAVE to be phallic, however-- anything else would simply be insulting!

Later,
Wade

posted in Horned God - 4 replies

Celtic Ritual Human "Sacrifice"?

MacMorrighan — Wed, 08 Feb 2006 16:06:05 GMT

Wow! I was watching a fabulous U.S. programme last night-- not sure if you chaps from the UK get it or not-- called "Nova" [http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/bog/]! It was about bog bodies, and the question of "Why?" Well, the most convincing reason put forth by the programme had to do with Sacral Kingship, where the Chieftain was "married" to the feminized land-- the Goddess of his Tribe (or Nation, as the Native peoples of the U.S. would rather be called today). The reason being was that the land probably did not prosper, or some such, during his "reign". But, of course we have a great deal of evidence fo Sacral Kingship-- this programme was fascinating!

However, so often I notice people screaming "HUMAN RITUAL SACRIFICE" [i.e., a strict offering to the Gods, as if it were a regular, and expected, part of their religious observences] when bog bodies are discussed. Or, they alternatively bring up the bog bodies to prove their personal belief that the Celts engaged in ritual human sacrifice to the Gods, despite how little supportive evidence there actually is for such a thesis. Even Peter Berresford Ellis delivers a severely crippling blow to this all too matter-of-fact belief in his recent book "The Druids". Indeed, I think he makes a fairly convincing case! Most people (researchers included) generally seem to take this for granted, that it's a fact that the Celts performed ritual human "sacrifice".

Although, I will be, eventually, investigating every case for a bog mummy throughout insular and continental Europe.

Incidentally, the way in which we generally use the term "Sacrifice," is, in fact, a misuse-- etymologically-speaking-- being that it means "to make holy" in the origional Latin!

Take Care,
Wade MacMorrighan

posted in Horned God - 4 replies

[Adult!] Crystals for the Horned God?

MacMorrighan — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 00:58:15 GMT

[I gave this a rather "adult" warning because some facets of ritual will be discussed that many men might find unconfortable, to be polite about it-- although the sheer number of Pagan prudes deeply disturbs me! It seems ironic to be that heterosexual male Pagans would find Paganism so sexually liberating, yet they would be offended, or deeply disturbed, by the mere notion of homosexuality. Sadly, I lost what could have been a great Pagan male friend because of this-- he apparently didn't want to even get to know me because my being Gay made him so phenominally uncomfortable!]:

Hey guys, I'm asking for some advise at the moment. I am researching crystals that are particularly sacred to the Horned One (gemology is *NOT* my strong point, whereas herb-lore *is*!)), as well as various Horned Gods. However, I can only think of three, readily; though, the first two are *somewhat* stretching the boundaries, a bit, so to speak (I'm looking for something uber-specific to a Deity, if at all possible, in my overly pedantic mood):

* Clear Quartz Crystal: According to Scott Cunningham, at regular in tervals, shamans would sprinkle this crystal with deer's blood.
* Amethyst: After the nymph of the same name was mauled by Dionysos' tiger, and subsequenbtly died, she was tansmuted into a cluster of crystals. The lammenting God saught her apology giving her a libation of wine as a token for His sorrow-- it is said to ave absorbed the liquer and turned a deep purple hue as a sign that she forgave Him. This stone contains the essence of wine wgicg was beliueved to be the personification of Dionysos. Hence, when one drunk wine, they were imbibing the God Himself! Reminds one of transubstantiation, don't it? ;o)
* Carnelian: Sacred to the Meditteranian Ram-God, Carneius. He was the son of both Zeus and Europa, as well as one of Apollon's many male lovers. Furthermore, He was conflated with His brilliant par-amour as Apollo-Carneius, or "the Horned Apollo"-- this is thought to have symbolized Their union. While at the island of Thera Carneius was honourd with homoerotic rites.

Anyway, I was planning on getting together with one of a few artisans on-line and commission them to forge a glass dildo for me that I can consecrate to the Horned One.

So, I'm hoping that anyone here might be able to list some crystals that are sacred to Him in many of His guises, as well as why-- and, if you can cite some sources for me, all the better (this is an aspect of my personal education that I would like to further persue).

Take Care,
Wade MacMorrighan
Wade@MacMorrighan.Net
http://MySpace.Com/MacMorrighan

posted in Horned God - 6 replies

Reverence for the Phallus...

MacMorrighan — Sun, 31 Dec 2006 21:31:24 GMT

Hey guys, riddle me this: Why do I see so little reverence for the phallus in our culture? It's as thought it's a part of the male body that is sociologically neutered from our psyche. Though, more to the point, why is the phallus concieved of as being so offensive by women (culturally-speaking), as well as heterosexual men? Hell, have you heard how many women speak about this part of the male anatomy? They speak of it as "icky," "dirty," "gross," etc. Someone even told me that women call Him "turkey neck"! How offensive and disrespectful! And, don't even get them started on forskin-- I've seen some women actualy gag at the thoughts, while some wom,en have already determined that they are going to circumcise their sons before they hgave any because hey are phenominally uncomfortable with the thought of cleaning their penis when he's an infant! And, if you question circumcision to her in any way, she becomes deeply offended!

Even in drunken orgies (not that I have a problem with orgies, mind you) one sees an applicable double-standard in place, such as at Mardi Gras: if a man whips it out even *once*, he gets hauled off to jail, but if a women shows her breasts, she gets a warning, first, and if she does it again, THEN she gets hauled off to jail. Now, if they had limited their law to the showing of one's outward secondary sexual characteristics (ie, breasts for women, and penis for men, and a single offense for each), I wouldn't be harping. But, c'mon!

Why must it be, I wonder, that women's bodies are viewed by Western society as beautiful and sexy (even thier secondary sexual characteristics) but men's parts (even if it's a buldge in his tighty-whities, are viewed as a step away from pornography? Yet, when women are concerned we look the other way... How have we come to this point? How has our culture allowed it?

A friend of mine was telling me, recently, that a woman wrote a letter to the Ed. of The Advocate (a GLBT magazine) because she was offended that there was a buldge in the shorts of the cover model for one month's issue (he happened to be a professional athlete)! My buddy was even telling me that female sports anchores are harping about how "unprofessional" it is that they were changinf in front of her as she was interviewing other players whilst *in* the Locker Room! What the...???

I was just recently (not by choice) reading AOL's headlines the other day when I was confronted with a close-up image of a woman's crotch wearing panties. Now, I know full well that we would NEVER see such exposure of a man! WTF!

Rather, it's as though the aniconic images of the blade and the gun or riffle have come to replace it as a symbol of respect. I mean, I feel as though men have transferred their psycho-sexual (and spiritual) images endemic with respect onto these extended images of violence as a result. They've basically flipped the switch, if you will.

I wonder, if they didn't view their own bodies as gross, or unsexualized they might be able to get back on track. What do you think about the issue?

Take Care,
Wade

posted in Horned God - 1 reply

Ronald Hutton's been served!

MacMorrighan — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 18:17:31 GMT

LOL... With all due respect to prof. Hutton I've always wanted to be able to say that to someone, regardless of whom. ;o)

Anyway, Hutton apparently wrote an article by the name of: What Did Happen To Lindow Man? Why Britain's best known bog burial can no longer be used as evidence for human sacrifice on Friday, January 30, 2004 [http://www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk/news/articles/TLS_LindowMan.pdf ]. However, in a responce [http://www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk/news/articles/Lindowresponse.pdf ] to this article (on 7 February of the same year; I found these articles purely by accident, btw), one Dr. JD Hill, the curator for the British Museum's British and European Iron Age dept. responded in kind, stating that Hutton made a number of factual errors in his polemic, and was clearly 20 years behind the times and the latest research and evidence!

Hmmm...I wonder what latest research is being advanced (and by what scholars) concerning the theory that the bog bodies are likely evidence for Iron Age Sovereignty Rites?

Personally, I found Hill's responce very refreshing, and would like to thank him some how! After all, it still worries me that no professional scholars of whom I am aware have censured Hutton in any way for his methodological short-comings (that's being polite), or for his sentance structure that implies that he (Hutton) has an omniscient or exhaustive knowledge on a given subject, when, in fact he's simply wrong; or how he refuses to balance the equasion, if you will, by dismising without thought scholars that disagree with the British academic school of thought or institution [eg. Eva Pocs, among many others]; factual errors; how he is allowed to blatantly mischaracterize an author's thesis [eg, Prof. Carlo Ginzburg] as though what evidence Carlo presents isn't really what it means (in other words, he's misinterpreting Ginzburg); as well as refusing to ask some very impoirtant inquestions that should have been evident to him from the very beginning! Of course, I could go on, and on, but I wouldn't wanna' bore anyone; time is also short, tonight. :o)

These are very important concerns of mine, and I believe that scholars should strive to acknowledge them, because left unchallenged they give a highly misleading impression.

Moreover, I must admit, I find it delightfully ironic that an Archaeologist is repremanding a Historian! After all, it was Hutton in his Stations of the Sun who made the pompous claim that (paraphrasing) Historians simply know more than Archaeologists, because the latter are not Historians!

Of course, I have many, many, reasons for not being able to wholey trust Prof. Hutton-- he was the primary promt that disillusioned me so deeply against Professional Historians (some of these are outlined below):

What bothers me so deeply is how if one dares to question Hutton (regardlessly of how small) they are thoughtlessly dismissed. Sometimes I am called a "History Revisionist" (a term I find particularly offensive), or have been told I'm simply biased, or don't know what I'm talking about, or even, that I'm just pissed because Hutton didn't tell me what I wanted to hear, and so I'm just pitching a fit and looking for any petty excuse to decry him, etc. *sigh* Furthermore, I find it hard to believe that Professional scholars can simply look the other way, and turn a blind eye, to the problems deeply engrained within his texts!

I must admit that the more I learn, the less seriously I am able to take British academia! Yet, British scholars severely come across as though they look down on other geographical branches of academia save theor own-- as though it's seriously them against he world! And, yes, I know that sounds extreme, but I tend to see such an attitude far too often to believe much ese.

Someone asked me, recently (as if it's some sort of sin), why I qualified my endorsement of Ronald Hutton so severely. I should have been more specific than what I was. So, I would like to devote this thread to that. What follows is merely the examples that I could think of, and tack down in his books, within the past few days. Also, I would like to refer the reader to these reviews by Max Dashu and Asphodel P. Long of his The Pagan Religions of the Ancient British Isles; apparently, after Long's review was published, Ronald wrote the journal a letter informing them (according to the Ed., with whom I spoke) that he didn't know enough about the topic before writing about it: http://www.suppressedhistories.net/articles/hutton_review.html (though Hutton stated that Max Dashu "isn't a scholar of any sort!" in a private e-mail that was posted on one Pagan site; the author of said "site" refused to acknowledge Dashu's fair criticism of Hutton, dismissing her thoughtlessly as incorrect purely due to political motives) and http://www.asphodel-long.com/html/pagan_religions.html

Unfortunately, one problem right off the bat is how Hutton is often thoughtlessly dismissive of other scholars that have an opposing view point, as though they're entirely inconsequential. As a result, Hutton's work is sorely in need of an objective stance; he needs to "balance the equasion", if you will... Indeed, he's far too keen on ONLY recommended and advancing those scholars which AGREE with him. It's a shame, however, that many rather gullible Pagans simply wave this through, under the banner of so-called "academic rigour"!!! (Honestly, I'm just a li'l offended by that!) Furthermore, it has come to my attention that Hutton really isn't in the habit of writing a histiography-- other-wise they'd surely be FAR more balanced and objective!-- but works of polemic (there's a major difference)! Here is a list, for ease-of-reference, of many quite egregious problems I have found with his writings:

1.) Ronald Hutton (The Stations of the Sun), in his minimalist zeal, claims that any such notion positing divination within the realms of Samhain were based upon "the flimsy nature" of the evidence gathered by two outstanding British scholars (John Rhys and Keating); evidence which is now believed to be inconsequential in Hutton's *opinion*. Rather, Hutton merely *thinks* that these two academics were in error when gathering the local folk-traditions throughout the British Aisles (an accusation he believes should have been apparent to them from the beginning) because the existence of purification rituals and divination "could be explained either by a connection to the most eerie of Christian feasts (All Saints) or by the fact that they ushered in the most dreaded of all the seasons." Unfortunately, he offers no documented evidence to support his thesis—- just an opinion portrayed as though it were empirical fact. (Where's the evidence, Ron!?!?!) For example, nowhere in this tome does he expressly find any documentation that the Christian feast of All Saints was in any way perceived of as "eerie"—- all we have is his lauded opinion. Nor does Prof. Hutton supply any documentation that portrays the genesis of British divination as one that results from this most "dreaded of all seasons" [Hutton 1996: 363]! Had he bothered to do so, I would have found that to be a far more convincing argument. Hutton's "opinion", here, is clearly unsubstantiated! Why he's putting it forth as fact is anyone guess. Actually, in retrospect, it looks like he's simply selling out, making a name for himself, by brown-nosing the skeptical rationalists! ("Skeptical rationalists" can be defined as those that believe if a thesis can be questioned—- regardless of how feeble their line of questioning or reasoning—- that their thesis is, by default, the correct thesis!) Be that as it may, Hutton apparently believes, privately, that a lack of evidence does not necessarily equate to evidence of non-existance. Gee, you wouldn't know it from his texts! But, I digress... What Hutton also failed to take into account is the endemic folkloric evidence of divination throughout the aisles. Often times divination involves the use of hazelnuts, and often for the purpose of love, rather than survival enquiries, despite how Hutton might paint it. Hazelnuts were sacred to the paleo-pagan Celts and are numerously found in medieval Irish mythological tracts. Furthermore, he seems to have an open disdane for other theories of any kind, yet...he's more than happy (and ready) to supplant his own! Hypocritic, n'est pas?

2.) What bothers me is how Hutton has, rather, engendered a sort of overt form of blind skepticism in modern Pagans where no proof is proof enough to them (perhaps cynicisim might be more apt a denotation)! Now, skepticism is a good thing! However, I don't believe that one should be blindly skeptical. Hutton exemplifies this beautifully when discussing Margaret Murray. As I understand it he basis the demollishion of her as a respectible authority on two primary scholars, Norman Cohn and Kieth Thomas. Well, Cohn is the most problematic of the bunch! Cohn often uses one's age as ammunition to dismiss and critique an author or idea-- and he does likewise to Murray, when he writes, "by the time she turned her attention to these matters she was nearly sixty.[!]" This is discriminatory, and Hutton should have seen this going on in Cohn's book Europe's Inner Deamons—- there's really no excuse in that he ignored it! (Hutton should be ashamed of indirectly endorsing this! In fact, if I recall, back in 1999 in a review of "A Coven Of Scholars" that he wrtote, he actually seems to endorse it when applied towards an unpopular scholar) Then Cohn grossly misrepresents Murray and hence asssassinates her character for generations to come! Cohn accused her of ommitting from the testimony of alledged "witches" anything that would have discredited her-- this is a mendacious lie on Cohn's part! Cohn also accuses her of failing to discuss the problematic nature of certain evidence, which is apparently not the case, for Murray *does* discuss the problematic nature of this "evidence"! Furthermore, if one goes back to compare and contrast what Cohn was saying of Murray with what Murray actually wrote, you would be stupified. In fact, she had apparently not ommitted these passages (as Cohn alleges), but considered them in detail! Indeed, if this is so, it would be practically scandelous that Hutton would be entirely unaware of this, or havng never checked, and just rather blindly relyed upon the "say-so" of another author. (Heck, it's academic suicide, IMO!!!) Now, this is not to say that Murray does not need extensive up-dating; she wrote in the 1930s, after all! But, the scholars that have alledgedly discredited her need to seriously rethink their position. Moreover, during the last week of October I decided to read a little more of my copy of Ginzburg's The Night Battles and read something equally astonishing: According to Prof. Ginzburg, the (now) late Prof. Cohn pretty much pulled the same stunt with Ginzburg's own work! Ginzburg says, "Equally unjustified on the other hand, in my opinion, is the assurance with which [Norman] Cohn, in a polemic with [J.B.] Russell (and also because of a misrepresentation of my book) concluded that, 'the experiences of the benandanti...were all trance experiences.'" [pp. xiv]. However, the late Prof. Cohn would have dismissed this all as illusory and, hence, inconsequential without a second thought! (Hutton himself similarly mischaracterizes Ginzburg's book, albeit more egregiously, as though if he repeats something often enough it'll become fact!) I must admit that I find this pattern deeply disturbing. After all, Hutton's certainly dismissed scholars with whom he fundamentally disagreed for pulling the same crap as Normal Cohn did (even for pulling much less than Cohn and others!). I also find it hard to believe that Hutton could have, in good consciousness, been ignorant of these scholastic failings... That is an unfortunate mistake... Hutton seriously needs to rescind, or at the VERY least, qualify his endorsement of Norman Cohn as a scholar! However, he blatantly refused to do this, even as early as a 2003 issue of [The Cauldron (a British Pagan Journal), despite this evidence. It simply makes Hutton look biased, I'm afraid, and a rather poor scholar, to boot. Honestly, as will be seen again, and again, I have noticed a marked sanctamonious attitude in Hutton's writings—- the rules he applies to others, he does not often apply to himself. A friend of mine that's getting his PhD quipped it to me this way, "Hutton plays fast and loose with the rules."

Heck, Coh lists some very hard to believe reasons for dismissing some entirely uncoerced witchcraft trials! One man was cassually questioned by the authorities, for being what was known as a "Free Spirit", because they were known to practice both male and female homosexuality as they saw the refusal of such desires to be the only "sin". Well, along comes Norman Cohn that completely, without thought, dismissed this account, because the individual was apparently, to him (bearing in mind the man's been dead for centuries, and Cohn has no degree in Psychology!), a "paranoid megalomaniac", "schizophrenic", or "nihilistic"!

No scholars seemed to question Cohn's thinking in *any* way! These seem awefully far-fetched "excuses" for dismissing evidence, to me. I mean c'mon, who's he trying to bull shit!!! In fact, another historian simply dismisses this Medieval individual as "psychopathic"! I, for one, have never seen such abhorrant methodology in all my life, especially when advanced as so-called "academia"!

Refuting other textual documentation that would have refuted Cohn's main thesis (that there were no witches, nor any sense of paleo-pagan "survival") Cohn accuses a few women that freely admitted to attending a sabbat and of night travel of being sinile, when he says of them that this is "something that has hitherto happened in the minds of silly old women." This is not only ageist (his distinctive trade mark), but sexist!

Sadly, Cohn's lies are still repeated by Hutton and other British scholars as though they are empirical facts!

3.) The Stations of the Sun: In a footnote for Chapter 40, Hutton claims empirically of Celticist Dr. John Carey, that he has been yielding astonishing results about paleo-pagan Samhain beliefs and practices from a paper he delivered at The Institute of Historical Research, as well as in an issue of the academic Journal Eriu, which he was not able to acquire. Despite Hutton's claim, according to the above-mentioned friend of mine which has as his academic advisor, Prof. Carey—- not only did the article at hand not deal with Samhain in any significant way, but Carey has never set foot onto "that learned Institution" [ie, The Institute of Historical Research]! (Carey's still curious about why Hutton made this claim.)

4.) In Pagan Religions, Ronald says, "...Odin sacrifices himself to himself, and so gains arcane wisdon. It is one of the most haunting passages in Norse literature, in which readers can at least feel close at least to the inner world of norther European paganism. Or can they? Can it be that the entire episode is the Crucifixion translated into Scandinavian myth? Christ and Odin are both hanged upon a tree (the latter being the common medieval term for a scaffold, applied very often to the cross). Both are pierced by spears, thirst, cry out and are resurrected with infinately greater glory (Odin after nine days, Christ after three). All this is surely too much to be coincidental, and although present-day scholars are divided over whether it is a Chrstian poem or not, it seems beyond question that its form was heavily influenced by Christianity. So, after all, it seems to tell us little about the nature of the older religions of Scandinavia" [pp. 296-7; 1991]. However, rather hypocritically, if you ask me, Hutton bases his conclusions only on the similarities, rather than acknowledging their fundamental differences-- an offense he levied upon such "poor" scholars as Frazer, for example! After all, had any other researcher claimed that the similarities between Osiris, Adonis, Dummuzi, etc. were the most likely authentic anecedants to the Christ myth (because they were obviously "too much to be coincidental") you can be sure that he would have stomped them into the ground with scorn! Indeed, Hutton almost seems too eager to casually default to a Christian explaination—- and it does often appear that Hutton has shifted the burdon of proof (see what I wrote of "skeptic rationalists, above). It is also interesting to note that the Catholic Church has, astonishingly, made many Encyclopedia publishers alter texts that do not portray them in anything but a positive light! But, I digress... Of course, at first glance, it sounds amazingly convincing, for those that don't know much about shamanism (or any topic with which Hutton concerns himself—- he appears to may an iron-clad concincing case to those that don't know any betetr), or even Indo-European studies (something Hutton never brings into play throughout this specific text), etc.! However, I have to wonder if, at this point, Hutton was familiar the works of Mircea Eliade (particularly his master-work, Shamanism: Archaic Techniques of Ecstacy—- a book he later treats as flawed and inconsequential in future writings)? So many contemporary-early, as well as modern (recent) scholars seem to go on about Heathenism being drenched in a various form of shamanism—- yet, this is all but denied in Hutton's book dealing with the subject. One wonders why this corpus of academia is being ignored? To briefly excerpt Davidson Gods & Myths of the Viking Age: "It was thought at one time that this image of the suffering god hanging from the tree must have been derived from the Christian Crucifixion. But, despite certain resemblences, it would seem that here we have something whose roots go deep into heathen thought, and which is no late copy, conscious or unconscious, of the central mystery of the Christian faith. By hanging on a tree, Odin is not sharing in the suffering of the world or saving men from death, but he is there to win the secrets of the runes..." [pp. 144; 1964]. She also goes on to relate that a variety of shamans are "made" by climbing the World Tree (or axis muni), which is a strong "northern" motif. While, other shamanic parallels are also noted: Like the shamans of the Mongols, both they and Odin tethered their respective horses to their percieved "World Trees". This scene is also clearly one in which Odinn is being "sacrificed" in the manner pre-dating the Viking age. For example—- this pre-viking practice entailed that prisoners/sacrifices be hung onto trees which was continued clear up until the 10th. century at Uppsala. I also believe that there may be an echo between Frejya teaching Odinn Her especial Magick, and the Yakut "Bird Mother of Prey" who carries off the prospective shaman to learn his abilities to "shamanize". Indeed, if we accept that this is actually an axis mundi (as Hutton seems hesitant to do, well...actually refusing to acknowledge), than we can clearly see the death and rebirth theme embodied in the psychological transformation of "Authentic"/"Spontanious Initiation"! Davidson also states that Odinn is depicted hanging from a tree in an early Swedish rock art—- though, of what date, I have no idea. Would it be fascinating to find this out? Abso-freakin'-lutely! This is one fascinating claim that I would, personally, love to research! But, unfortunately, in this particular text, Davidson did not relate any information about this stone with which one may use to find further information concerning it. Too bad... But, to back-track slightly, because Odinn is undergoing this horrific experience, I would definately be willing to assert that it is an Initiation experience, due to the fact that He is acquiring a special form of knowledge embodied in a very masculine form of old Norse Magick, known as galdr, which is respectively idetified with the casting of runes. The shamanistic extent by which Odinn is certainly identified is noted in a great many prose tales in which the God appears. Another VERY important question that Hutton should address—- otherwise, I think he's making some rather grand methodological leaps!—- is if this medieval term for a cross/scaffold is found in Germany/Scandinavia; or if it's only found in English/British areas (of which he is, generally, a scholar)? Ater all, if it doesn't appear in Germany or Scandinavia, than Hutton's reductionist theory—- a school of thought that is now rather untenible—- would be impossible to accept! Something else leaps to mind that Hutton also seems to have glossed over: the Christ was NOT "hanged" on a tree; he was nailed to a cross and crucified! Now, Odinn, however—- he WAS literalled "hanged" from a tree. They apparently, so far as I will advance, two completely differenbt modes of dying/death! And, still, I remain skeptical of Hutton's beliefs concerning the World Tree upon which Odinn is hung as being code-word for the cross, unless he could demonstrate that it was similarly known by such language in Germany/Scandinavia when, and especially WHERE, this particular poem was WRITTEN. Now, to my knowledge, he didn't do this—- we're merely supposed to accept him at his word. My own opinions to the side, according to a friend of mine with Asatruar connections, Hutton is apparently 150 years behind the times. "The idea that the Norse myths were substantially affected by either Christianity or Classical Learning was argued by Sophius Bugge. In a series of famous debates with Viktor Rydberg, Bugge's position was defeated, and Rydberg was considered to have fairly won the debates. Rydberg was able to demonstrate the strong Indo-European base to the Germanic myths" [pers. comm.]

5.) Hutton says, again, in Pagan Religions: "None of these images ['Green Man' carvings] could have been a beloved pagan deity, placed in churches by popular demand. The context of this idea was destroyed with the collapse of the Murray thesis, but like that thesis it could hardly have been argued at all by anybody with a real knowledge of the Middle Ages. No churchmen across the entire span of the period described them as such. St. Bernard, in a passage most accessibly printed by Sheridan and Ross, did inveigh against the burgeoning fashion for Romanesque at the beginning of the twelfth century; but his invective does not in fact prove the point suggested by these authors, for he condemned the images as grotesque, silly and expensive, not as pagan. There is abundant evidence, mostly from the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, for the sort of people who paid the masons and comissioned the carvings. Occassionally the whole parish did so, but much more often those responsible were churchmen (above all bishops and abbots), landowners and wealthy merchants. The central point in The Witch Cult in Western Europe was that ordinary people remained adherants to the 'Old Religion' while the ruling class was Christian. And it was that class that determined how churches were decorated. The Wild Man, Sheela-na-Gig and Green Man were all products of that tremendous upswelling of of medieval culture which has been called the Twelfth-Century Renaissance. And like the more famous later Renaissance it ws a Christian movement, even though it drew upon ancient ideas and images" [pp. 316]. However, Medievalist Samantha Riches, in her monograph St. George [Sutton, 2000] argues the following point: "The haunting image of the 'Green Man'-- the foliate face, redolent of the natural world, which sits so uneasily in Christian churches-- has been identified as a pre-Christian form of St. George. It acts as a reminder of his role as an icon of natural fertility; in fact, 'Green George' is a name sometimes given to this image, which may act as a symbol of the return of spring after the temporary triumph of winter. An interesting echo of this aspect of St, George is found in an Islamic analogue known as 'Al khidr', 'Al Khadir', 'El Khudr', 'Khizr' or 'Jiryis Baqiya'. This figure is particularly associated with the area around Palestine, Lebanon and Syria. He is also recognized by Jews under the name 'Eliyahu ha Navi', who is considered to be a special guardian of Israel, and by local Christians as 'Mar Jiryis'; much of the rebuilt church over the shrine at Lydda was converted to a mosque, and it seems that the tomb was positioned squarely between the two sections of the building, and was thus available to both Christian and Moslem devotees. The various names applied to this holy character equate to terms such as 'Living One', 'the Green One' and 'the Ever Green One'; he is thought to derives from the Greek sea god Glaucos, whose name means 'the Blue One' or 'the Green One', a fisherman who achieved immortality, and hence the status of a god, after eating a seashore herb that he had noticed restored his fish to life. Utnapishtim, a charachter in the Gilgimesh epic, attained immortality in a remarkibly similar way, and this parallel may indicate another influence.

"Al Khidr (and his alternative appelations) is reputed to have found the Fountain of Youth, or the Well of Life, which is said to be located near the confluence of the Mediterranean and the Red Sea. Drinking from the fountain confers immortality, and it is claimed that Al Khidr has been repeatedly killed and resurrected; one story involves the martyrdom at the behest of a pagan king. Some traditions state that Al Khidr bathed three times in the Well of Life: in consequence, his skin and all his apparel turned entirely green, and he leaves green foot prints wherever he goes. [...]" [pp. 33] Not only would it appear that we have an image of a paleo-pagan Deity from Indo-European consequence, but...Hutton appears to be angaging in intimidation tactics. According to another friend of mine, scholars all over the place—- though, seemingly more so in the US and UK—- practice intimidating other academics from voicing a difference in scholastic opinion (usually that of the minority). Stating that "no one with a real knowledge of the Medieval period" would say such-and-such is clearly intimidating! Indeed, this is often why scholars cannot follow protocol and admit that there are reputible views that differ from their own, because there is a large tactic of suppression taking place.

6.) In Triumph of the Moon I found this interesting tidbit, that never seemed to add-up. Basically, Hutton seems to be claiming that there's no evidence for the iconography of The Devil having stemmed from paleo-pagan images from other Deities: "The half-animal nature of the horned god, after all, gave him a much more obvious parallel in Christian mythology than the figure of Jesus, and one absolutely opposed. There is here, indeed, a fascinating possibility which must be left open, because at present we appear to lack a propper study of images of the Devil in modern culture, to complement a large amount of first-rate scholarship upon those in ancient and medieval times. Between 1100 and 1700, both artistic representations and confessions extracted from alleged witches certainly portray Satan at times as half-goat, and often with horns. More often, however, the horns are those of a bull, and his most common characteristics are clawed feet, long ears, and wings (or a bat or a dragon). He is also featured combined with a wide range of other animals, dogs and snakes being the most common, or a a black, or black-clothed, man. It does seem as if the standard modern conception of the Devil as a being with cloven hooves, goat's horns and pointed beard is a ninteenth-century creation, representing a growing Christian reaction towards the importance of Pan as an alternative focus for the literary imagination." [pp. 46]. Yet, in J.B. Russell's 1977 monograph, The Devil (a scholar with whom Hutton is certainly familiar), we find the following statement in numerous transmutations: "The goat form of the Devil derives primarily from the image of Pan. From such theriomorphic ancestors the Devil inherited his claws, cloven hooves, hairiness, huge phallus, wings, horns, and tail" [pp. 254]. Hence, it seems to me that Huttons is severely down-playing this "transferrence", if you will.

7.) Hutton, unfortunatelty, is rather thoughtlessly dismissive of Hungarian Prof., Eva Pocs. In her lit.—- as well as the majority view amongst European scholars—- (from reading Hutton, however, it almost seems like it's the British scholars against the world!), she has found a distinct shamanistic antacedent in Medieval witchcraft belief. She investigated over 2000 records and documents, trials and testimonies from the time (the largest in recent history) to come to this conclusion! In fact, the vast majority of these documents would not be available to the Enghlish-speaker were it not for Prof. Pocs. In a PROPER historiography, Hutton should have at LEAST made mention that most scholars in Europe believe she does, and naming those scholars that are spear-heading this popular European thesis. Yet, such a converse thesis is "conveniently" ignored in Hutton's lit., as though such a disagreeing thesis from any scholar did not exist! However, (finally) in responce to it, Hutton only engages in pure *pedantry* in that 2003 ed. of The Cauldron. In fact, it takes him so long to respond to the mention of Pocs that one wonder's if he'd even read her lit. or merely taken the say-so of another collegue. Rather, Hutton entirely dismisses Pocs. as inconsequential because, "like most British scholars" he *believes* she uses the word "shamanistic" incorrectly—- he believes it can *only* be applied to the tribal spiritual practices of the Arctic north, such as Siberia, never mind that her use of the term is only a freaking similie rather than a blatant metaphore of any sort! Am I the only one that finds this shocking and ill-educated on Hutton's part? Hutton seems, at least to me, to be scraping for any reason to reject a scholar or thesis! I, personally, find that *highly* insulting to my intelligence! Though, most of Hutton's dismissals I find highly insulting to my intelligence, for that matter.

8.) And, finally, a couple other points that really seemed to come to the surface this week, because they bothered me so desperately (I happened to by a new book last weekend by Peter Beresford Ellis that supplied a lot of tested-and-true evidence to the contrary; it's what brought this particular facet to mind, I believe): "...it may be seen already that there is a strong possibility that the whole concept of the Tuatha de Danaan was invented by storytellers, perhaps working in the early Christian era and influenced by the Graeco-Roman myths.... Goddesses rarely feature in the Irish literature as maternal or nurturing, being more often aggressive and vorascious in their sexuality and bloodlust. Whether they represented role models for self-assertive Celtic women, or the fantasies of pagan Celtic male warriors, or the nightmares of the Christian monks who wrote the stories, is an open questiion" [pp.152]. While on page 296 pf The Pagan Religions Hutton further claims, "It is very likely that when writing of the Tuatha de Danaan, the Irish were not recording something in which their ancestors believed but fitting old deities into a structure inspired by the Greek pantheon." He even makes the following claim back on page 152, "...there is no trace in the Irish or Welsh literature of any deity associated with the sun (or moon)." Well, what pf Graine(sp?), whose name means "Sun"? Etymologically, The Daghdha even seems certainly associated with the Sun, when many of his epithets are taken into account, as well, according to Dr. Daithi O hOgain. So, I must wonder what he is denoting as "evidence", and what has so convinced him? Hutton certainly doesn't say, and I believe he *should* have... I certainly would be fascinated in the reasons! But, I digress... Early Hutton seems to be claiming, in essence, is that what insular narrative literature we have on record [eg, The Tain] is purely a case of the mediaval Irish monks re-telling Greek myths! Whereas, Ellis states that several scholars are firm in their acknowledgement that insular narrative literature contains certain direct parallels to Indic/Hindu religion, culture and mythology...not just through linguistics. Now, Ellis has said something similar to this before, such as in his book The Druids, but it was confined seemingly to Celtic culture and linguistics. Here, he is far more forceful and applies it, also, to mythology, etc.! According to Ellis' The World of the Ancient Celts, Celticist Myles Dillon made this statement around 1977; there are scholars that have found similar seemingly-direct parallels through inscriptions, that only seem to reflect Hindu mythological themes, etc. Also, concerning the sexuality of the Celtic Goddesses, he doesn't seem very well versed in the Celtic Goddess as Sovereign-Goddess and Land-Goddess, which can explain such occurances, rather than male warrior fantasies, or Christian nightmares! In fact, amongs Celticists, this theory is as old as about the middle of the 20th century. *sigh* Looks like you're way behind the times, Ron!

Also of interest, an Alexandiran from New Zealand I've located has been tracking down and reading all of Hutton's sources in his Triumph Of The Moon, and found gross mischaracterization, as he relates two examples:

"1.) Hutton paints Leland as a crank and a forger, claiming that Aradia (Herodias) is clearly a figure from Christian not pagan theology and that no other Italian folklorist has found evidence for the Vangel. At this critical point in assassinating Leland's character, he neglects to mention that the eminent Italian historian Carlo Ginzburg famously identified the Benandanti, a cult with more than passing resemblance to the beliefs Leland recorded. Ginzburg also clearly demonstrated the non-Christian origin of the name Herodias ("Hera-Diana", which was normalised by the Church to "Herodias"). Despite Hutton purporting to critique Ginzburg's work elsewhere in TotM, he is either unaware of the main contents of Ginzburg's work, or he purposely ignores it. Other, more detailed scholarly analyses of Aradia, or the Gospel of the Witches since have arrived at much more balanced conclusions (see the article). (Note that I'm not claiming there is a link between the Benandanti and Leland's strega, just that Hutton has misrepresented the facts.)

"2.) One of Hutton's most pivotal claims in TotM is that modern pagan witchcraft cannot be historically-based, because there was no witchcraft, or even any form of pagan religion on which witchcraft could be based, still existing by the early modern era. Apparently not a single person persecuted was a practitioner of a pagan religion. His main support of this is simply citing seven of his creme-de-la-creme of modern scholars, with very little supporting discussion. Some of these are in foreign language, but of those in English, at least two directly contradict Hutton, freely talking about the influences of old pagan religious practices. A particularly juicy chapter is in the cited book by Monter (I think it was Monter, not Midelfort, I don't have any of this in front of me), about white witchcraft, which evaluates the beliefs of witches in France and England, and describes how the "green devils" in the woods were probably old pagan gods and the saints' shrines to which ill people were sent were probably actually dedicated to old pagan gods with a Christian veneer. Of the other books he cites (that are in a language I can read) none make the claim that Hutton does. They demonstrate that most accused "witches" were normal Christians, but they certainly don't go as far as saying "not a single person accused...". A moderate familiarity with the current academic work on the witch-trial period actually reveals Hutton's position as extreme and atypical. (Note that this is not support for a widespread organised witch-cult in Europe, such as Margaret Murray proposed, just another instance of extreme oversimplification and misrepresentation of other authors.)

"These are two examples of extreme over-generalisation and oversimplification, a lack of balance, a bias or a POV if you will. I can't comment on Hutton's motives, but I've found similar fallacies and misrepresentations scattered through his work. Dashu, despite being labelled as a "feminist", has so far seemed remarkably balanced, and is, as far as I have been able to ascertain, solidly grounded in fact."

But, what I would REALLY like to know is why scholars have failed to censure Hutton, as though they're afraid of doing so, for fear of tarnishing their "reputations"! Where is the "check-and-balance" system? Of course, I could surely find further errors, if I went back to re-read every page he's ever written cover-to-cover! There are likely even those that I have forgotten over the eyars, such as this gem that comes to mind:

According to Hutton, in The Pagan Religions, the Gardnerian/Alexandrian (of course, he's citing Janet & Stewart Farrar) cocept of the Goddess cannot be attributated to paleo-paganism in any way—- but it stems soley from Zoroastrian, and by extension to Christianity. This is simply incorrect information and proves that he knows nothing about Zoroastrianism! Rather, Zoroastrianism deals with a seperate and distinct God of Light pitted against a seperate and distinct God of Evil! This is simply not found within the Thealogy of modern Pagan Witchcraft! Hence, Hutton is attempting to complicate Neo-Pagan religious thought more than it is; he is seperating a single Goddess into two, in essence. This simply shows his lack of understanding—- strange, however, given that he was a Gardnerian when writign this text! He even dedicated it to the Clan of the Oak—- albeit he qualified it with a blatant lie. Hutton wrote in the preface that he was accepted into this Clan, and many opther Groups, because he was a professional Historian! However, according t these groups that have since spoken out about the claim, Hutton was allowed into their practices because he was a vouched-for Gardnerian Witch! This is, yet, another example of his mendacity, I fear.

Okay, rant mode off... ;o)

Happy Holidays,
Wade
myspace.com/MacMorrighan
MacMorrigaine@AIM.Com

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An Intro.

MacMorrighan — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 04:50:10 GMT

I'm a Witch, yes, a Witch-- just don't tell that to my folks that, or they'll accuse you of not being able to spell! LOL... Okay, that's my bad attempt at a joke that I ripped off-- err, ugh...I mean was "inspired by"-- Bell, Book, and Candle. *G*

I have been studying/practicing Witchcraft [not "Wicca," per se] for nearly a decade. However, my journey to this religion was quite an interesting one, to say the least. At first they seemed like random coincidence, however, when you have more than one coincidence right after the other, you have what is known as "synchonicity", which basically means that it was meant to happen. Even Carl Jung, who was a student of Freud, believed in synchonicity! He defines it as, "The coincidence in time of two or more causally unrelated events which have the same meaning."

It began with a life long interest in The Occult; a life-long "calling" if you will. I was never reared into many of the Christian trappings of guilt, even though my parents went to church on the extremely odd occasion (like, once every 10 years, or so)-- and for that I consider myself greatful. And, so, my jorney began... (Yeah, I can be heavy on metaphores!)

While I attended Junior High School I became quite environmentally aware (I was always a hippy at heart); and, also, quite interested in Native American religion, including my own Irish-Celtic heritage; much like many Witches that I know, I also absorbed all of the mythology that I could get my hands ahold of throughout Jr. High, etc. Two of my favourite books-- at that early time-- were the clasics: Bulfinch's Mythology and Brian Froud's Fairies. Though, these were really all I could really find in my very limited school district!

These formative years were quite literally years of progression: Because I was always pretty "psychic", from a very early age, I saught to explain these abilities-- I should also mention that I'm a dyed-in-the-wool skeptic at heart! So, I hit the books, trying to quench my desire for knowledge, which wasn't easy in the small town that I grew-up in, as the libraries were equally as small and sorely under stocked. I wanted to know how to explain them-- their physiological basis.

It seemed shortly after my initiation into the realms of parapsychology that my family & myself began to study the Mormon faith. And, it was also during this treatise, that my whole spiritual perception was forever changed: I, being the cheaky 12 year old I happened to be, took it upon myself to seriously question what I was told and asking some very advanced questions-- for any age, really! One such life-altering example occured one evening when the missionaries stopped by for their weekly "lesson". And, so, because we had been taught from the beginning that we are Jesus's brothers and sisters, and that we are God's children (literally), and having a basic working knowledge of genetics & family structure, I asked, 'Well, if we are God's children, and Jesus is our brother... Does God have a wife?', using the words and knowledge available to me at the time, for I had never really given time to thinking of (nor been exposed to) the feminine pronoun of "God" as "Goddess" per se, as a practical aspect of religion-- this was before my later interest in ancient religions. So, I simply used the word "wife". Their answer? "We believe He does, but...He loves Her so much that He does not reveal Her name to us!" Strange seeing as how they taught us that His actual Name was "Jehova"-- an ancient Pagan Name of the God from the Middle East who probably had a bull-cult! But, they admonished me with the following, "But, we don't pray to Her!" What the...?!?! Why in the world not?!?! "Nuts to that," I thought! And, it was from that moment that I began to pray to the Goddess.

But, my formal introduction into the religion of Witchcraft would wait until my first year of college. It was through a friend, naturally enough. She was performing some research on it, herself, and when I saw the word "Wicca" (having never been exposed to that term before) I simply asked her what it was. And, so began my journey into The Craft. Because, it pulled together everything I had experienced & believed & researched so much earlier in my life... It was truly a Home Coming!

I do consider myself lucky, however, because I knew that Witchcraft was nothing "evil" or in any way associated with any "devil" or other such nonsense. (It is interesting to note that the word demon was origionally Greek and, rather than referring to something "evil" originally denoted a genus, or spirit, with implications of "divine wisdom"; while in Latin, when rendered as daemon, it means "divinity" or "spirit"; and the word devil, actually means "little god".) Thanks, in no small part, to Leonard Nimoy's old 70s series 'In Search Of...' (I love that show; I still gladly make time to watch it whenever I catch it airing on Sci Fi). On one episode it did, in fact, detail a coven of American Witches and interviewed them so that we may walk away with a wonderful understanding of another religion, quite different from those that most knew. Incidentally, [perhaps this is synchronicity at work, again, as we will see?] the Coven of Witches was those presided over by Laurie Cabot!

But, I digress... My friend had only a passing interest in it, and soon dropped it altogether, which leads me to believe that I may have, perhaps, been lead down this Path from the very beginning-- because I firmly believe that many things happen for a reason-- call it "synchronicity"! Even physicists believe in synchronicity!-- Dr. F. David Peat defines it as: "coincidences that are so unusual and so psychologically meaningful they don't seem to be the result of chance alone." Thus, it is through synchronicity that we may be able to glimpse a deeper order to reality!

I found it utterly fascinating, and felt the calling of the Goddess, and that of my ancient Celtic heritage, once again, since all those long years ago. So, I began to further research it (as best I could, anyway). And, eventually found it frustrating, because I wasn't finding the answers to many of the questions I was asking-- questions which many books, at the time, seemed to avoid, with such dodgy answers as "You have to believe in spells for them to work!" without giving any rational, logical, or left-brained reason "to believe".

And so, in the time that I began to doubt my "faith" (relatively-speaking), I raised my voice in a silent petition to the Gods asking for Their guidance in answering the questions that I saught! (You have to realize that I come from a world in which "spells" are given over to the world of dreams and "fairy tales", with no factual basis in reality.) And, They did! A book found its way to me, as an answer to that humble prayer. It described, using Quantum Mechanics, a world and Universe that makes sense to the Witch! Having, since then, read a number of books on physics, I came up with the following analogy: The more I read about it, the more the Universe seems like the film The Matrix, if you've seen it (I happened to be reading a book on physics [The Holographic Universe], one evening, while The Matrix was airing on HBO, I believe, when this conclusion occured). But, I digress... The book-- which still holds a highly place on my book shelf and those that I can in good consciousness recommend-- was Laurie Cabot's The Power of the Witch: A Witch's Guide to Her Craft. (The two chapters, "Alpha" and "The Science of Witchcraft" are worth the cost of the book alone!)

Soon after, however, my Matron-Goddess, The Morrighan ["Great Queen"] came to me upon one Lughnasadh Eve. It's quite a lovely story, and I hope you enjoy it [it's actually one of my favorite stories to tell!]:

"Generally-speaking, if you ask most ol'-time Witches, they'll tell you that the Gods choose us, rather than the other way around. I live in a small town (a farming community) surrounded on all sides (for miles) by farms, fields & farmers! And, in the field in front of me, off in the distance (on the Eve prior to Lughnasadh) I was treated to a spectacular fireworks display! I have often wondered if the farmers new that this was the Eve of a Sabbat, or that it was at least a Harvest Feastival!?!?!? So, soon after the last whisp of light faded into the warm embrace of the night, I went back inside, and retired to bed. That night, one of The Morrighan's triplicities (whom is also frequently honoured on Lughnasadh) came to me in a dream; She came to me in the guise of the Macha ['Plain' or 'Field']! And, because I'm sure The Goddess knows how stubborned and left-brained I can sometimes be, She came to me on the Eve after Lughnasadh; this time as The Morrighan, dressed in Her dark robes & vestments. That was enough for me to take the hint! I have worshipped Her ever since! And, since, I have heard music in the call of the crow...felt Her black wings of protection & love! After all, we worship the Old Gods because we love Them." Also, contrary to what modern Pagans like to believe, She was not (and is not) a War-Goddess, but an Earth-Goddess-- at least according to to modern academia, as I have reseaarched Her.

Furthermore, my "Pagan name", if you will, came via similar means, as well. Albeit, a very few years there after. It is merely a spiritually adopted surname: Wade MacMorrighan [Ir., "Wade Son of The Morrighan"*]. It came to me, one quiet night, during a light state of trance. And, being as stubborn, as I often am, I could not accept it at face value. So, I had to validate it, rather than seem somewhat foolish in adopting a senseless spiritual name. And, it so happens that it was correct! As with all things, I neither chose this name, nor the Goddess whom I serve!

* Similar to other such Irish-Gaelic names, although this patronymic happens also to be Scottish-Gaelic, as Manannan mac Lir [Ir., Manannan "Son of the Sea"], Aengus Mac Og [Aengus the "Son of Youth"] or Mac Grinene [Ir., "The Son of the Sun"], etc.

Oh, and, incidentally, because of my belief in synchronicity, I am in the process of writing a few books, too (more than a few, actually)! For about 3 months straight, I'd talk to several fellow pagans, or dear friends of mine (this was about 3 years ago), and talk about this-or-that, and each one would say to me, "You should write a book!" So, I am! I'm actually co-authoring two with a well known British Pagan author-friend of mine, and have permission to use the local history museum, and the Museum of Witchcraft in Boscastle, England, to perform some further research! I can't wait!

Other than that, the only other bit of information I have to add is this: I'm a Consecrated Priest of the Irish Earth-Goddess, The Morrighan (don't take my word for it, look it up if you don't believe me-- please; often people don't, despite the current thinking that's so often dismissed as "inconsequential"!). And, unlike some other posers that are skulking about the cyberspace, She chose me to serve Her, rather than so many Buffy Bunnies (and Fluff Bunnies) invoking Her to their pedantic ends, or what they think She is based upon specious, "fixed," late 19th. century pseudo-scholarship.

But, I really am a nice guy, honest! I just tend to get upset by all of the posers that plague modern Pagan Witchcraft these days. Especially the anti-Fluffy Fundamentalists (despite the fact that I'm as anti-Fluffy as all get-out, but not to such an extreme!) which are just as bad as the Fluffy Bunnies in many respects (they like to tell everyone how wrong they are, or claim one's research is crap, despite the shifting winds of academia or methodology), or enact out-and-out character assassination for no other reeason than their own selfish Egos. Another personal quibble I only very generally admit to having is that such individuals refuse to, for example, question what they are "taught," taking it for granted as some "holy writ"! "Initiation" is a prime example of this: Far too many so-called "Pagans" (and un-Initiated, too boot!) are under the impression that it denotes a membership into a secret club, to learn said "secrets". In other words, this is the ONLY acceptible definition of "Initiation". Well, this is only an erroniously simplistic definition as far as I'm concerned. And, for this reason, I have differentiated what I term "Ritual Initiation" from "Authentic Initiation"-- an "Authentic Initiation" (which may include "Spontanious Initiation") being that which cannot be bestowed upon by anyone else, but can only, ultimately, come from within; The Charge of the Goddess even speaks of this! In fact, the author of The Charge Of The Goddess, Doreen Valiente, also questioned the Initiatory-mandate that "only a Witch can make a Witch"!-- she's my hero (another hero of mine is UCLA Archaeologist, Marija Gimbutas, because she dared to interprate)! I also recommend Mircea Eliade's Shamanism: Archaic Techniques In Ecstacy for an examination of a shamanistic-Initiation cycle.

I really have to grind my teeth when the "Occult Police" take to throwing their weight around! So, enough of my ranting...I'm sure you're sick of it by now!

Albeit I do not consider myself "Wiccan"-- despite the fact that this was the method through which I came to The Craft-- structurally-speaking (it even applies to the 8 Sabbats that I personally celebrate-- hey, I'd be mad to turn down a chance to party! LOL) I follow "Wiccan" proceedures to an extent, while following at the heart of my practice what may best be described as Gaelic Traditionalism (i.e., Reconstructionism). So, I guess one could define me as a cross between a Witch-Priest and a Gaelic Traditionalist/Reconstructionist!

Thanks for letting me ramble, a bit!

posted in Horned God - 0 replies

Phallic Worship & Dildo Rituals...

MacMorrighan — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 07:53:49 GMT

Hiya' guys. Sorry for such a blatantly blunt subject header, but... I was wondering if, in your years of study, if you've come across some truly excellent books (that are still academically sound today) re: the ubiquetous theme of phallic worship with bazillions of examples! *G* This (as well as the next query) is a personal research project of mine.

Also, I'm looking for some GREAT research material that I may turn to concerning the ritual and religious use of dildos! According to the History Channel, on the isle of Lesbos, Sappho and her followers used dildos in religious or for ritual purposes. I wonder if dildos were religious or ritually used in the cult of Dionysos because he was known to have penetrated Himself with such a device carved from fig wood, I believe. Moreover, it'd be interesting to locate similar ritual or religious dildo-centred practices within Phallic-God cults, such as Priapus, for example!

Ya' know, this reminds me of a discussion me and a bunch of folks were having in High School, during art class: Someone mentioned that the candles made by the nuns were used as dildos! This may be, but I've not read anything to verify it, yet.

BTW, something fascinating just came to mind: I don't believe I've ever read anything regarding the Tradition of the traditional Gardnerian phallic tipped wand. Where did it come from? How did it get into Gardnerianism via Gerald. And, what evidence might answering these questions prove when applied to the grand scheme of modern Pagan witchcraft's [Wicca's] history? That is, could it be evidence for something older than what scholars are willing to allow for?

Basically, I'd love top learn more about these topic in a historiographic setting.

Take Care,
Wade MacMorrighan

posted in Horned God - 0 replies

ISO A "Chalice"... ;o)

MacMorrighan — Sat, 16 Dec 2006 06:58:33 GMT

Okay, now this may sound like a somewhat vague, and way-too-open-ended question, but... I am-- as time and funds allow-- searching for a very specific chalice! Now, granted, I already own one (you may view it on my Blog or Profile at: http://MySpace.Com/MacMorrighan ), but...I merely settled for "less than best" in this situation. Heck, I just don't have it within me to appreciate most of the chalices that I see for sale in Pagan stores in the US. *shrugs* Although, to your credit, I must admit that I do see an aweful lot of superior and beautiful ritual Regalia throughout the UK! But, I digress...

If someone here could turn to their copy of Janet and Stewart Farrar's brilliant The Witches' Goddess, and find photographic plate #18, that reads: "Arianrhod Ritual: The Dark Goddess and (on the right) the Bright Goddess." This same chalice also makes frequent appearances in their Witches Bible compilation. This is, asthetically-speaking, what I have been looking for in a "Chalice", but simply haven't seen one around.

And, so, I wrote a polite e-mail to them (that is to say I wrote Janet and Gavin) enquiring about their lovely chalice! Unfortunately, I seem to have lost that-- I saved it, but cannot seem to locate it anywhere... Anyway, they told me that in England they are popular wedding gifts (or, perhaps, they were at least when they wrote these books). So, they said I should check some stores about a certain posh-sounding area of London...but, of course, I'd lost that e-mail, and cannot recall the area or stores they recommended any clearer.

So...I was wondering if anyone here might recognize this sort of chalice (preferribly if it's real silver!) in any shops or even on-line (heck, preferribly if said "shop" has a web-site!). In fact, I thought to ask because I know so few Pagans from the UK, or many with such connections. Hey, it can't hurt, after all.

Okay, enough from me this evening...

posted in Horned God - 0 replies

Cakes & Cookies for the Horned One...

MacMorrighan — Mon, 11 Dec 2006 05:16:49 GMT

Hey guys, I was wondering if anyone here has ever thought of baking Sabbat Cakes and Cookies of any kind for the Horned One that are, in any way, phallic in shape? (Ah...Yule always puts me in the mood for sacred baking!) ;o) You better believe that I've long thought of doing such! *EG* Maybe perhaps some yummy phallic gingerbread cookies iced in an appropriate manner (endemic of semen, and all). Heck, this Beltane I was thinking of making a Honey Cake batter including some pure rose extract, candied rose and violet petals, with a bit of cinnamon, and baked in phallic cupcake tins that are not only appropriately iced, but cream-filled!

Ah...what can I say, I have a passionate obsesion for the Horned One!!!

Hey, here's a curious question for ya'. Do you think heterosexual Pagans might be offended by being offered or served phallic cakes and cookies for the Sabbat? Would one openly refuse such? And, why?

Gods, I can't believe I'm thinking of Beltane already! Heh heh heh... Hey, I've found a great cookie cutter (if one Google's "Devil's Head" + "Cookie Cutter") that would be GREAT for Horned God cookies!

Geeze, there ought to be more of a variety of cake tins, cookie cutters, presses and molds of a Pagan nature, IMHO.

And, while I'm thinking about it, if anyone has any recipes developed for the Sabbats, or the Horned One, please share 'em! ;o)

Take Care,
Wade MacMorrighan
http://MySpace.Com/MacMorrighan

P.S.--I thought I'd share this fabulous web-comic that a non-Pagan friend of mine found, and lovingly sent my way: http://e-sheep.com/Saturnalia/ I *love* it!!! Hey, where can *I* get a root-top ornament like them; and, there's more than ONE reason why I'm a l'il jealous of Mr. Thompson! LOL...

posted in Horned God - 0 replies

God Virus

Fri, 17 Nov 2006 00:35:33 GMT

http://god-virus.blogspot.com/

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The Horned God in My Own Image!

MacMorrighan — Sun, 29 Jan 2006 09:37:55 GMT

Well, here's how-- generally-- I envision my Horned Lord. How doi you guys see Him, physically? Now, I know that the Gardnerian Horned God is the Stag-God, but...I wonder how they strictly envision Him (pressuming they do). And, Asterion (who's likeness adorns much Minoian currency; whom Rhea loved so much she forbid Him the love of any woman, whereby Poseidon-- the Earth-Shaker-- is said to have succumned to His lusts...this may mirror the role between the Minos [the Minoan H.P.] and his "Server" [the working partner and fellow H.P. of the Minos]) of the Minoan Brotherhood too, for example. Anyhoo...here's how I "see" Him:

* He'd be ripped, and buff! Hey, I'm Gay, and have certain proclivities regarding the male form, akin to that of Classical Greece. Take a look at str8 adult porn stud Colt Steel for more detail concerning the God from the neck down, generally-speaking. I also see Him with the sexiest back-side imaginable! I knew a guy back in college [a baseball Jock that rode his bike EVERYWHERE] with rump like that, which actually took my breath away!!!
* There should also be something-- to be determined later, when the sacred inspiration [or imbis forosnai] comes upon me-- relating Him, also, as the Dread Lord of Death, as appears to be the origional concept in Traditional Wica [note the singular "C"].
* He'd have a set of Stag antlers, each of seven tines [or points] to represent the King Stag.
* I envision Him with a goatee, rather than the "traditional beard". First, because they're quite fetching on most men. And, secondly, it is commonly believed that earlier cultures could not have had groomed facial hair! However, this has proven to be a false assumption. The Celts, for instance, were a deeply festidious band of tribes! The archaeological record attests to the fact that they took great pride in their appearance, having had combes and mirrors, and other such personal grooming devices. This, more than likely, extended to men's facial hair, as well, rather than the "wild," tattered, massive beards we so often envision due to popular culture [and indeed, this idea is far too often promulgated amongst modern Paganism]. Hey, the beard may have been rebeliously "stylish" back during the 60s, but no longer... Ditto with with the long ex-hippie hair-do!
* He'd proudly display various personally designed tribal tattoos across His torso, and body; perhaps spirals of rebirth [i.e., His dying/rising Aspect]. Perhaps gleaned via meditation and skrying... And, maybe, wreathed around each bicep could be witnessed-- such as the tribal/barbed wire motif so popular today-- a tattoo of intertwining holly and oak.
* Some very "shamanic" accoutrements would adorn His Holy visage, such as a necklace, ear rings [nipple rings? Prince Albert piercing? ], an anklet, perhaps a torque, or other jewelry, as well as a staff or stang, etc.
* No "goatfoot" God for me, thank you! Cloven hooves would recall Pan, rather than the Horned God of the Celtic-type, I believe.
* I am certainly no prude, nor are any of the Traditional Witches from Gardner's renaisance. However, modern Pagans seem very close minded, sexually, and where the human body is concerned. My image of the Horned God would definately, like most Horned Gods, be ithyphallic [even Patricia Crowther, Gardnerian HPs, called Him such in one of Her chants, when she sang, "Ithym phallus Thou do bear!"], and proportionately-so. But, an uncircumcised phallus, at that! Now, I cannot speak for all modern Pagans, but I should think that they should be opposed to this so-called "common" proceedure [i.e., circumsision]. Also, It will have to be a LARGE and erect phallis, but nothing cartoonishly-huge! Something worthy of "Worship". *EG*
* I should rather He at least be cast in the "Bone finish" as my beloved Morrighan statue, for no other reason than to asthetically compliment Her upon Their Holy altar.

Hmmm...can anyone else think of any other ideas worth "adding" to Him? I was also considering rummaging for some photos of men to get His physical form "just right". You know, take these pics. to Artisan X and say, "Now, I want Him to have his arms, oh, and this guy's rump, and this blokes jaw and cheek bones, oh, and his pecs!", etc. Heh heh heh...

Take Care,
Wade MacMorrighan

posted in Horned God - 1 reply

Hi Everybody!

ceilidh_chaos — Wed, 01 Feb 2006 01:36:41 GMT

I got made moderator by the former one without my knowledge or consent. A little icky actually, but I'm ok. If any1 else wants to moderate let me know I'm happy to hand off the hat. But until then .... who is your favourite horned god to work with?

I like Pan, myself. He's smashing

posted in Horned God - 9 replies

daddy

Jemel — Sun, 17 Sep 2006 05:18:36 GMT

Ok this may be way off post but i need help. I am 29 yo male and i am having a father issue and it is kicking my cute little brown butt. I have not seen my dad since i was 4 and the last time i heard his voice i was 13. I have just figured out the problems i have had with boyfriends stem in large part from the fact that my dad was the first man to break my heart. i also have some male identiy issues I am not too over comfy being around men unless sex is involved. I need help I am just not sure of what i am asking you guys for. ideas?

posted in Horned God - 2 replies

Noone of Solstice

FyreChyld — Sat, 23 Sep 2006 14:29:13 GMT

Thought you all would enjoy this.

http://www.pac-magic.org/Damh%20the%20Bard%20MP3s/Noon%20of%20Solstice.mp3

This is Damh the Bard & he can be found at http://www.paganmusic.co.uk

posted in Horned God - 0 replies

starting YahooGroup for discussing the Horned Lord from various cultures

Devi — Wed, 13 Sep 2006 18:38:00 GMT

If anyone is interested in joining a yahoogroup related to the discussion of the worship of Horned Lords from many cultures, surf over to:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cernunnos/

Blessings,
~Devi~

posted in Horned God - 0 replies

Speaking of Lingam...

MacMorrighan — Sat, 25 Feb 2006 04:15:48 GMT

In most of the photogaphs I've seen of the Phallus Worship centered upon a Lingam image-- and many other Idols, too, such as the Kali Ma, I seem to recall in one instance-- there are flowers of many different colours strewn. I'd love to know what they are! I'm pressuming they're native to India, or there abouts-- however, they look almost like a sort of large marigold: some are yellow, others are crimson, and more red, while others are a definate orange! Several idolitrous images (lingams-- or perhaps just the yonic portion is intended-- and statues of Goddesses such as Kali as I recall) have a beautiful red pwder strewn and rubbed onto them. Anyone know anything more about this; what flowers these may be, or what this powdered substance is (as well as its purpose)?

Take Care,
Wade MacMorrighan

posted in Horned God - 1 reply

Sacred King, Modern Throne

FyreChyld — Mon, 06 Feb 2006 05:39:30 GMT

Yesterday I went to the Magickal Winter Weekend ( http://www.magickalwinterweekend.org ). I went to a worksop/discussion called Sacred King, Modern Throne presented by Angerona. It was quite good & she is writing a book on the subject. Want to help her? Below is a call for help from her.

/|\ Gypsy /|\

Greetings, all.

I'm a lifelong Wiccan who has recently begun writing a book on the archetype of the Sacred King and how it relates to the work that Wiccan priests do. This concept grew out of a lecture I recently gave on this topic at a spiritual conference, after which I was beseiged by requests to turn it into a book. I know a sign from the Gods when I see one, so...

I'm looking to interview Wiccan priests - any tradition, any age, any background - about their experiences leading groups. I am particularly interested in talking to men who used to lead groups but are not doing so now. The groups can be covens, networking organizations, pagan public awareness groups, or anything of that ilk. If your group uses the image or metaphor of a King or Kingdom in your practices, I would especially like to talk to you. I'm not looking for details about your group's practices: I'm more interested in how Wiccan group leadership affects men who assume the HP role.

If you are a priest willing to share your experiences, please email me at angerona@earthlink.net and put "Sacred Kings" in the subject line. If you are not an HP but would like to share your experience, please contact me. I will respond to all emails.

Thank you,
Angerona
angerona@earthlink.net

posted in Horned God - 0 replies

The Horned One & Gay Men...

MacMorrighan — Sat, 14 Jan 2006 07:02:15 GMT

Just thought I'd start a thread re: the relationship of Gay men with the Horned-God.

Take Care,
Wade MacMorrighan

posted in Horned God - 1 reply

Speaking of Chalices...

MacMorrighan — Sat, 21 Jan 2006 16:43:57 GMT

...Does anyone have a copy of Janet & Stewart's "Eight Sabbats foir Witches"? Well, grab your copy, please, and flip through the Plates within it. Now, do you notice that lovely chalice that's in several photos, including Plate 1 of their Altar? Good. Keep that in mind.

I E-Mailed Janet and Gavin about where they obtained that lovely chalice (as its more of a "Chalice" than what I see sold in the U.S. for Pagans, by that same epithet!); and this is what they told me: "The silver chalices you've seen are the same sort used for wedding gifts in the UK. You might be able to find them in a high street jewellers."

Does anyone know what they mean, or is anyonbe familiar wioth these sorts of chalices from any retail store, perhaps (even if it *is* in the UK (so that I know they exist somewhere!)?

Take Care,
Wade MacMorrighan

posted in Horned God - 0 replies

Tribe for Freyr

Wed, 28 Dec 2005 02:13:36 GMT

Hello Everyone,

I hope you don't mind me posting this about the new tribe I created for Freyr. Could you please let other people know about this on other Norse, Heathen, or Pagan related tribes you belong to? I'd appreciate it! I created this tribe since there wasn't already one specifically for Freyr and the Vanir! Thanks!

Badger

http://tribes.tribe.net/Freyr

posted in Horned God - 0 replies

New pics

Otter — Thu, 12 May 2005 18:52:27 GMT

Just a few to brighten up the place.

posted in Horned God - 0 replies

Servents of the Sidhe Tribe

Otter — Fri, 01 Apr 2005 08:54:14 GMT

Servents of the Sidhe

This tribe is dedicated to participation through volunteerism within the community growing up around Pagan and Earth-based events such as the Faerieworlds Festivals. These events are essential exerci... more

This tribe is dedicated to participation through volunteerism within the community growing up around Pagan and Earth-based events such as the Faerieworlds Festivals.
These events are essential exercises in intentional community and building culture. And we can see no better way to participate in a culture then by pledging to serve it. Please join us.

"We will do what needs to be done with love"

posted in Horned God - 0 replies

New Seattle pagans tribe

Otter — Mon, 10 Jan 2005 03:01:06 GMT

Come join your Seattle pagan neighbors at:
www.seattleareapagans.tribe.net
Thanks for your time.

Peace,
Otter.

posted in Horned God - 0 replies

Porn

burningbushstudio — Thu, 29 Apr 2004 04:26:05 GMT

Why does so much porn suck so bad? What this world needs is some porn starring hot, powerful people fucking tantric wildstyle--that would be something to watch.

Oh wait, I guess there's always Burningman...

posted in Horned God - 5 replies

Whats it mean to you?

burningbushstudio — Tue, 27 Apr 2004 18:54:22 GMT

To start the forum I'd like to present this topic:

Times are changing. We have moved away from our grandfather's world of Man as sole Breadwinner and Lawgiver, when a person's sexuality was hidden and even shameful. We have built on our father's world, when women finally began claiming their Goddess Power and who's breakout sexual freedom and strength demmanded equal participation, and a man with emotional sensitivity. What is the next step in reclaiming our Horned Godhood? What does it mean to be a Man these days? What do Women want, and what are we willing to give? How does this all fit together, not only in heterosexual relationships but in queer and Bi as well?

posted in Horned God - 2 replies