HERMES

HERMES

Maia was a nymph in the train of Diana. She was the most beautiful of the nymphs, and so fell to Zeus’ affections. Hiding from the jealous eyes of Hera, Zeus made Maia his wife and bore her a home in a cave on the slopes of Mount Cyllene. It was in this cave that the Son of Zeus and Maia was born. They gave him the name of Hermes.

Hermes being the child of a god, was different form mortal children. And so, when he was only a few hours old, the restlessness of his nature took hold. Leaving the cave and his sleeping mother, Hermes wandered outside and soon came upon the broad green meadow where Apollo kept his great herd of cattle. Being a prankster at heart, Hermes decided to play a trick on Apollo. He drove off fifty herd of cattle, taking care first, to tie bundles of leaves around their hoofs, so that they would leave no tracks. He hid the cattle in a cave, but before he was done, he killed two and ate them.

On his way home, Hermes came upon a tortoise, making it’s slow way on the rocks. An idea struck him. He killed the creature, and hollowed out the shell. Over this he drew some strings and created a lyre.

Apollo was greatly angered by the loss of his cattle, and using his divine power of vision, discovered that it was the babe Hermes who had committed the crime. Greatly angered, Apollo transported himself the cave on Cyllene and demanded that Hermes restore his cattle. Maia, Hermes’ mother bowed before the Great God and insisted that Hermes was but a babe, scarce a day old and thus could not possibly be responsible for the loss of his cattle. However, Apollo knew more about Hermes than his mother did, and so, grabbing the babe, he bore Him to Mount Olympus and presented Hermes to his Father, so that he may judge between them.

Zeus looked at his Son, and demanded that He speak the Truth, and Hermes, quite without shame confessed to the prank. Then the Baby-God and The Great Apollo journeyed to where cattle were hidden, and Hermes restored them.

Counting His cattle, Apollo discovered two were short. He was about to approach Hermes with this, when He saw the babe playing a beautiful instrument and making the most entrancing sounds. Being the God of Music, Apollo was deeply interested. He asked the Babe Hermes to show him this wonderful instrument. To the music-loving Apollo, this instrument was more precious than all the treasures of Olympus. Apollo demanded to have the instrument, offering in exchange to forget about the two cattle that were missing.

Although he was delighted at his success, Hermes pushed for more, saying that his lyre was a bad exchange for a supper. So Apollo offered Hermes his Caduceus as well. The Caduceus had the power to reconcile any two men, beasts or elements that were in conflict.
Wanting to try out his new Wand, Hermes thrust the stick at two serpents that were hissing fiercely at one another. The serpents instantly forgot their quarrel and entwined themselves around the Wand. From that day on the Caduceus always bore two intertwined serpents.

And so peace was made between Hermes and Apollo and Zeus was pleased.
Because of Hermes agile figure and alertness of mind, Zeus decided to make him the messenger of the Gods. He gave to Hermes a pair of golden-winged sandals with which he could speed the Gods messages to man. The other Gods gave Hermes a broad-brimmed, winged hat, which made his face look brighter and more charming than ever.

E.B.
Toronto
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Bean-Nighe

This variation on the Banshee could be found in the legends of Ireland, Scotland and Brittany. The name ‘Bean-Nighe’ means washer woman. She was called this as she was usually seen washing bloody garments at the water’s edge. her feet were webbed like those of a duck or goose. If a traveler saw her before she spied him, he would survive, however, if she spied him first, he would die. In the Scottish Highlands, it was thought that only those about to die could see her.

A Quick Guide to Working With Crystals

Finding the Right Crystal:

Ask anyone experienced in crystal use & they will tell you that the best way to select a crystal is to find that one that “feels” right. What does that mean? Simple, if you pick it up & it feels like it belongs there or it really catches your eye, that’s the one for you. When working towards a goal or purpose, research the crystal(s) that best suit the goal & then go shopping. However, be open to what the universe is telling you. If you go to the store to buy amber but quartz calls to you, there’s a reason. Often, when we set out to accomplish something, there are underlying reasons, motivations, & energies that we need to deal with but don’t realize it. The universe will guide you to what you need, even if it doesn’t agree with the book. Trust the universe first.

NEOPAGAN SYMBOLISM

Today’s lecture has two purposes.  First, we will deal with the legends, meta-legends, and conventions that form the basis for most Neopagan ritual.  Then we will discuss the purposes behind a witchcraft initiation, and walk through the one that the graduates of this class will perform.

NEOPAGAN SYMBOLISM

Today’s lecture has two purposes.  First, we will deal with the legends, meta-legends, and conventions that form the basis for most Neopagan ritual.  Then we will discuss the purposes behind a witchcraft initiation, and walk through the one that the graduates of this class will perform.

 

1. Theology/Thealogy

 

Theology and thealogy (the alpha-ending, Thea, being the Greek feminine ending) are outlined to show how Neopagans relate to their own and other people’s choices of gods.  The hook on which this will all be hung is that most of the Gods represent facets of human experience personified.

Introduction to Wicca

What it is….What it isn’t
First and foremost, Welcome and Blessed be, you have chosen to persue a wonderous path, and to get you started out on the right foot, I am going to HIGHLY recommend that you run out and purchase a copy of Scott Cunningham’s Book “The Truth about Witchcraft Today”, by Llewellyn Publications, (no I don’t work for them, It is just an excellent starting book) and hopefully I’m not invading any copyright infringments by typing this, but what I am giving you here is the introduction taken straight from his book, it’s excellently written, and I don’t want to change a thing.So here it is…word for word..

Celtic Craft Reading List – 6 July 1991

Rowan Moonstone

*** Marks especially good books. Read these FIRST!! Keep in mind, this is simply a listing of the books that I have found useful. Question everything.

A.E.(GEORGE RUSSELL); “The Candle of Vision“, Quest Books, Theosophical Pub. 1975

ALFORD, VIOLET; “The Hobbyhorse & Other Animal Masks”, Merlin Press 1978

AMERICAN CONFERENCE FOR IRISH STUDIES; “Guide to Irish Studies in the U.S.A.” 1987

ANWYL, EDWARD; “Celtic Religion in Pre-christian Times“, Archibald Constable & Co. 1906 ***

Coumarins

First identified in 1820s, coumarin is an oxygen heterocycle that is famous for its vanilla-like or freshly-mowed hay fragrance. This parent organic amalgam is generally found in many plants like Tonka beans, sweet clover grass, lavender and licorice. It is also present in fruit-bearing plants like apricots, cherries, strawberries, and cinnamon and dong quai. Artificial production of courmain started since 1820s and has been used in the manufacture of flavorings and perfumes since 1868. Courmain is produced as pesticides by the plants and artificially it is also used to manufacture amalgams like anti-coagulants and rat poison.

Renewal, Worship, Cocoa and Home by Charma

from the valley floor
i watch as the first
green-gold rays
a hint of glory to come
burst victoriously from
behind blue mountains
capped with blinding white
in the distance
dim and barely heard
the crow of a rooster
lowing of cattle
snowbirds begin
their daily hunt
searching for seeds
berries to break nights fast
overhead eagle wheels
silent in brightening sky
the clouds now rosey
with morning
eyes focused on the river
hoping to spot the first
seabound salmon
coyote barks her last
song of night
gathers her brood
and sleeps
horse whickers and blows
stamps hooves
on crystalline snow
breath clouds of steam
which freeze, sparkle falling
quail thunder
from beneath sage
escaping, threatened
by my proximity
elk grazing nearby
in oatfields unconcerned
know, today,
i do not hunt
daybreak breeze
whispers through naked
branches of spring trees
sends them trembling
as with cold
scatters powder snow
from evergreens
reminds me
i walk alone
but not Alone…
i sing a song
of renewal, worship
and dream
of a cup
of cocoa
and home

Pak Hyeokkeose

by Charles La Shure

 
First king of Shilla. The area where Shilla was later to emerge was first called Ch’inhan, and it was occupied by six towns (most probably city-states). According to the mythology, the leaders of the towns gathered together and decided that they needed a king to rule over them, primarily because there was no fixed rule or law and thus the people acted without virtue. They ascended to a high place and to the south they saw something like lightning flash from heaven. Then they saw a great white horse bowing down to the ground.