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News & Submissions 10/18/2011

Tuesday, October 18th, 2011

Interview:

Interview with Author Dorothy Morrison
Dorothy Morrison is the author of a number of books on Wicca and Paganism, including the brand new Utterly Wicked. Dorothy was able to take some time out from her busy tour schedules to answer a few questions for About.com.

Health:

Accepting death is difficult for patients and doctors, but it needs to be done
My 64-year-old patient with terminal cancer and less than six months to live wanted to go to Oregon. He was contemplating assisted suicide, which is legal there. “My life has been long and good,” he said. “I believe it is my right. I want the ability to say it’s too much, I can’t do it anymore. A person should have a dignified quality of life.”

Another one of my patients, an 84-year-old woman from a nursing home, had heart failure, lung failure and kidney failure. She lay in her bed on a ventilator and on a dialysis machine with little hope for survival.“We want everything done,” her daughter insisted. “It’s in God’s hands, and God can do miracles.” For weeks we continued aggressive and ultimately futile efforts to keep her alive. Read full story from washingtonpost.com

News:

GOP presidential hopeful courts pagans
Gary Johnson’s unorthodox campaign for the Republican presidential nomination continued Sunday, when he spoke at a Google+ town hall conducted by representatives of various pagan media outlets.

The former New Mexico governor spoke with members of the Pagan Newswire Collective, ModernWitch Podcast and Patheos.com, among others. He said it was important to reach out to voters that fall outside the Christian, Jewish and Muslim faiths, and slammed his own party for being too beholden to the Christian right. Read full story from thehill.com

Religion:

Pastor defends teacher accused of anti-gay rant
UNION, N.J. — The pastor of a high school teacher who has been vilified for an anti-gay tirade on Facebook came to the woman’s defense, calling her a “very loving person” who should not be fired for expressing her religious beliefs.

The Rev. Milton B. Hobbs, pastor of New Covenant Fellowship in Clark, N.J., said special education teacher Viki Knox is not homophobic and that her comments, when taken in the context of the Bible, were not false.

Knox, 49, an ordained minister at the church and a faculty adviser for a student Bible study group, wrote on her Facebook page that homosexuality was a “perverted spirit” and a “sin” that “breeds like cancer.” Read full story from washingtonpost.com

Shamanism: Religion next door to medicine
Shamanism is the national religion in many regions of the Earth, including Yakutia. The ancient belief has survived the Soviet persecution of religion. During those atheist years the Yakut shamans were hiding their abilities. The remaining oyuuns, as they were called by the local population, and Udege (female shamans) soon found a loophole. With a talent for medicine, they found work as medical staff and veterinarians. Hiding under the guise of the Soviet medicine, Yakut shamans secretly conducted their magical rituals. Read full story from pravda.ru

Samhain:

Halloween: Everything you wanted to know but were afraid to ask
“As far as history goes, it’s supposed to be the eve of All Saints Day,” Thad says. “I think they’re supposed to drive evil spirits away. That’s when they believed all that stuff. We just like to see the little kids dressed up.”

While many people view the Oct. 31 celebration as harmless fun, others express concerned about its origin.

The Encyclopedia Americana says, “Elements of the customs connected with Halloween can be traced to a Druid ceremony in pre-Christian times. The Celts had festivals for two major gods — a sun god (called Lug) and a god of the dead, called Samhain, whose festival was held on Nov. 1, the beginning of the Celtic New Year.” Read full story from clevelandbanner.com

Media:

Who does God want in the White House? (Source: CNN)

Blogspot:

Feel free to leave comments regarding the articles posted.

If you’re interested in guest blogging or would like to submit an article or event, contact me at pagansworld.org@gmail.com.

Thanks for stopping by! Well wishes to you all, have a great day!

Lisa

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Happy Mabon!

Friday, September 23rd, 2011

Wishing you a Blessed Mabon, have a wonderful day!

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Friday’s Food For Thought – Garden Pasta

Friday, August 12th, 2011

Garden Pasta


Photo by Pabo76

Prep time: 21 minutes
cooking time 11 to 12 minutes
Servings: 4 to 6

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces fusili pasta
  • 1 cup each sliced yellow squash and zucchini
  • 1 cup each julienne red bell pepper and chopped green bell pepper
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 3/4 cup chopped green onions
  • 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 small tomato, peeled, crushed
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh Italian parsley
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Preparation:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions, drain well.
  • Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a large saucepan over high heat. Add yellow squash, zucchini and bell peppers. Boil for 2 minutes. (drain) Rinse with cold water. (drain)
  • Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté vegetables and green onions in the butter until crisp/tender. (about 3 to 4 minutes)
  • Add the chicken broth and tomato. (bring to a boil) Cook until reduced by half. (about 5 minutes)
  • Add pasta to tomato mixture and cook for 1 minute. Transfer mixture to a large bowl, add Parmesan, parsley, salt, black pepper and toss lightly. Serve immediately.

Enjoy! Have a great weekend!

Lisa

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News & Submissions 8/9/2011

Tuesday, August 9th, 2011

Arts & Entertainment:

O’Death: “Bugs” Challenges Nick Cave For Most Disturbing Video
And loses, but keep in mind that Nick Cave, whose latest incarnation Grinderman is responsible for “Heathen Child”, has never really said for certain whether or not he is in fact a demon toying with our souls until he consumes them. So no, O’Death doesn’t beat the creepiest man in rock and roll with their music video for “Bugs,” but that doesn’t mean theirs doesn’t haunt your nightmares afterwards.

Our discovery of O’Death is part of an ongoing exchange program that Rocks Off utilizes with Mick Cullen of Subterranean Radio (live via Intertubes every Thursday from 10 p.m.-1 a.m. courtesy of WRLR FM in Round Rock, Ill.). We gave him Alyssa Rubich and the Folk Family Revival; he gave us Erland and the Carnival and O’Death. Read full story from houstenpress.com

Ten worst film remakes
Lionsgate Studios have announced they are working on a remake of 1980s classic Dirty Dancing. Here are some Hollywood remakes that failed to impress the critics: Read full story from telegraph.co.uk

Native American:

Droughts, water scarcity, fires, flooding, snowstorms are especially harsh for American Indians and Alaska Natives
North American Indian Tribes are especially harmed by climate change, as more ecological shifts and more frequent, more extreme weather events occur, a new study concludes. Because Tribes are heavily dependent on natural resources, severe weather events like droughts, floods, wildfires, and snowstorms make tribal communities particularly vulnerable and impact American Indians and Alaska Natives more than they impact the general population.

“Extreme weather events can be very destructive for Tribes, many of whom are already suffering from lack of resources to begin with,” said Dr. Amanda Staudt, scientist, National Wildlife Federation. “Heat waves and droughts can exacerbate plant and wildlife mortality, heighten the risk of wildfires and habitat loss, and compromise tribal lands.” Read full story from nwf.org

News:

London riots attract international coverage
The London riots made front pages across the world – in Europe, the United States, Asia and Australasia.

The images of blazing buildings in Tottenham and elsewhere around the capital appeared in scores of newspapers.

For once, the phrase wall-to-wall coverage was justified. It was the surprise international story for almost every major paper in capitals around the globe.

The New York Times carried a front page picture under the headline, “Riots continue to rattle Britain in worst unrest in two decades”. And its website updated the story, “Rioting widens in London and spreads elsewhere”.

The Washington Post ran a single column top on page 1, “London unrest escalates, spreads” turning to a full page inside. Its website ran an online gallery of pictures. Read full story from guardian.co.uk

Religion:

Army agrees to host concert for atheists on N.C. base
(RNS) A group of military atheists have won the backing of U.S. Army officials to hold a “Rock Beyond Belief” concert for nonbelievers at North Carolina’s Fort Bragg next year.

The victory came after several church-state separation watchdog groups complained last month to the Secretary of the Army that a Christian-themed concert held at the fort last September gave “selective benefits” to religious groups.

That concert, staged by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, received more than $50,000 in financial support from the base, according to records obtained by local atheists through the Freedom of Information Act. The nonreligious concert will receive the same funds and will be held at a similar venue at the base. Read full story from christiancentury.org

Buddhist wonks? No, Buddhist Geeks
Vincent Horn opened his eyes after a moment of meditation, scanned the room and smiled. About 150 other people were emerging from their own states of dead-silent, self-induced tranquillity. They shuffled a bit in their seats.

“Hello, Buddhist geeks!” Horn said from his perch onstage. “This is the most geeks I’ve seen in one place, I think, ever.”

His statement brought to mind a moment in the documentary “Woodstock,” when folk singer Arlo Guthrie takes in the crowd of several hundred thousand young people and cackles, “Lotta freaks!” But this was a very different time and place. Read full story from latimes.com

Media:

Vandalism Discovered at Pontiac’s Oak Hill Cemetery
PONTIAC, Mich. (WJBK) – Sam Wiscombe brought his daughters to Pontiac’s Oak Hill Cemetery. He wanted to use the historic burial grounds built back in the 1820s as an artistic backdrop for some pictures he was taking, but after looking through his lens he wasn’t happy.

“I just thought it was a shameful testament to our culture that we allow our ancestors to be in this state,” he said.

As this English teacher wandered through the grounds, he noticed mausoleums were literally crumbling with trash thrown inside.  There were toppled grave stones. Someone even drew the word “wiccan” and other profanities on marble monuments. Read full story from myfoxdetroit.com

Punk Rock Permaculture in Mexico City
It’s not just hippies going that like to go green. From green-living anarchist collectives to Punk Rock Permaculture’s reporting on disaster relief in Haiti, the notion of green living back-to-the-land lifestyles goes hand-in-hand with punk rock subcultures. Here’s a neat PBS report on the punk rock permaculture activists of Mexico City. Read full story from treehugger.com

Blogspot:

Feel free to leave comments regarding the articles posted.

If you’re interested in guest blogging or would like to submit an article or event, contact me at pagansworld.org@gmail.com.

Thanks for stopping by! Well wishes to you all, have a great day!

Lisa

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Friday’s Food For Thought

Friday, May 13th, 2011

Citrus Shrimp


Prep time: 36 minutes
Cooking time: 7 to 10 minutes
Servings: 4
Partner: Herbed Vegetable Medley

Ingredients:

  • 8 ounces fettuccine
  • 6 tablespoons butter, divided
  • 1/4 cup chopped green onions
  • 3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
  • 1 pound medium shrimp, peeled, deveined (about 25 to 28 shrimp)
  • 1/3 cup fresh orange juice
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons grated orange zest
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons grated lime zest
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Preparation:

  • Place pasta in enough boiling water to cover by 1 inch in a large stockpot. Cook according to package directions; drain well. Keep warm.
  • Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add green onions, cumin and hot pepper sauce. Cook, stirring continually, until green onions are tender, 1 to 2 minutes.
  • Add shrimp to green onion mixture. Cook, stirring frequently, until shrimp turn pink, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove shrimp from skillet.
  • Increase the heat to high. Add the orange juice and lime juice. Cook, stirring frequently, until liquid is reduced to 1/3 cup, about 4 to 5 minutes.
  • Remove skillet from the heat. Stir in the remaining butter 1 tablespoon at a time. Stir in cilantro, orange zest, lime zest and salt. Stir in shrimp.
  • Divide pasta evenly among 4 individual serving plates. Spoon equal portions of shrimp mixture over pasta.

Enjoy! Have a Great Weekend!

Lisa

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Beltane

Tuesday, May 3rd, 2011

I had the most excellent Beltane. Wade and I spent the weekend at Lake Anna, what used to be our home away from home. We haven’t been there in over a year, with both of us being hospitalized. It was so nice to see so many old friends, be back on the boat and play cornhole.

We went down armed with a ton of gardening and cleaning gear. With the help of our friends, we got the boat and trailer cleaned and new plants in the yard.

After all that work, it was time to celebrate. We spent the rest of the afternoon on the boat and diapering. What is diapering you ask? Life Jacket on your butt = floatation device. After wakeboarding, we tie our boats together, float around and chat.

After much needed rest, we played cornhole, followed by a big fire. I thought we were going to burn the place down. I’m the only Pagan in the bunch, all my friends know and respect it. Wade and my friend Beth sat around the fire with me, Beth even read my prayers and placed them in the fire.

On to Sunday. What was supposed to be a beautiful day on the boat didn’t happen. The weather got a little chilly with a few sprinkles, but that didn’t ruin a thing. We finished yard-work, then spent the rest of the day around the fire pit talking and grilling. It made it hard to leave.

What a wonderful weekend. A big thanks to my friends who made Beltane and my first time back amazing!

That’s all for now. Thanks for stopping by, have a great day!

Lisa

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Friday’s Food For Thought

Friday, April 29th, 2011

Cinnamon Raisin Rolls


Prep time: 15 minutes
Standing time: 20 to 30 minutes
Baking time: 20 to 25 minutes Servings: Makes 1 1/2 dozen rolls

Ingredients

  • 1 (16-ounce) package hot roll mix plus ingredients to prepare mix
  • 1/3 cup raisins
  • 4 tablespoons butter, softened, divided
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preparation:

  • Spray a 13 x 9-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Prepare hot roll mix according to package directions; mix in raisins. Knead dough on lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. Cover dough with plastic wrap; let stand 5 minutes.
  • Roll out dough on floured surface to 16 x 10-inch rectangle. Spread dough with 2 tablespoons butter. Combine granulated sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg in small bowl; sprinkle evenly over dough. Roll up dough starting at long end. Pinch edge of dough to seal. Gently stretch sealed dough until 18 inches long.
  • Slice dough into 1-inch pieces; place, cut side up, in prepared pan. Cover pan loosely with towel. Let stand until double in size, 20 to 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 375F.
  • Bake rolls until they are golden, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool in pan on wire rack 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from pan; cool on wire rack.
  • Combine the confectioners’ sugar, the remaining 2 tablespoons butter, milk and vanilla extract in medium bowl. Mix well; spread glaze over warm rolls.

Tip: Use hot water to plump up raisins if they were dry and hard. Soak the raisins in hot water for 3 to 5 minutes. Then drain them and use as directed in the recipe

Enjoy! Have a Wonderful Beltane!

Lisa

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Friday’s Food For Thought

Friday, April 22nd, 2011

Peanut Butter Cream Pie


Prep time: 15 minutes
Chilling time: 2 hours
Servings: 8

Ingredients:

  • 3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
  • 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1 (9-inch) baked pie-crust
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 package (4-serving size) instant French vanilla pudding and pie filling mix
  • 5 peanut butter candy cups, divided
  • 1/3 cup whipping cream

Preparation:

  • Combine the confectioners’ sugar and peanut butter with a fork in medium bowl until blended. Spread mixture evenly in bottom of pie-crust.
  • Place milk and sour cream in a large bowl. Add pudding and pie filling mix. Beat with wire whisk or electric mixer set at medium speed until thickened, about 1 to 2 minutes.
  • Pour half of pudding mixture over the peanut butter mixture. Coarsely chop 4 peanut butter candy cups; sprinkle evenly over filling. Top pie with the remaining pudding mixture.
  • Beat cream in large bowl with electric mixer set at medium speed until stiff peaks form. Spread whipped cream over top of pie.
  • Cut remaining peanut butter candy cup into 8 pieces; place on top of the pie. Cover pie and refrigerate 2 hours or until ready to serve.

Tip: Use homemade peanut butter. Ground peanuts in a blender. When the peanuts are finely ground, add a little vegetable oil or peanut oil and blend the mixture to the desired consistency.

Enjoy! Have a Great Weekend!

Lisa

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My week off…

Monday, April 18th, 2011

What was supposed to be a week off, turned out to be 2. I planned on playing catch up and starting a few new projects, but it didn’t happen. Turns out, I really needed to get my head together.

I didn’t realize being unemployed would be so difficult. Wade told me I do more now than I did when I had a job. Since coming out of the hospital I’ve managed to get involved in so many projects, sometimes I wish I had a job. No, not really. The one thing I did was drive for the first time in over a year. Kind of scary when you can’t feel your feet. I think I’ll be back on the road this summer, so if you live in the DC area, you may want to be on the look out.

I’m also taking up Intuitive Tarot over at Sacred Mists. Be sure to check out my Tarot journal. I’m planning on making this a weekly update, be sure to follow my journey.

Daily updates resume today. Be on the look out for new things to come!

That’s all for now.

Thanks for stopping by! Well wishes to you all and have a great day!

Lisa

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Medicinal Monday – Thyme

Monday, April 11th, 2011

Garden Thyme

Botanical Name: Thymus Vulgaris

Thyme is a perennial shrub, and a member of the mint family. With over a hundred varieties, the most common being garden and lemon thyme. It’s an aromatic herb that enhances flavor, stimulates digestion and improves appetite. Other than it’s culinary value, it has many properties for medicinal use. The main ingredient helps inhibit the growth of fungus and bacteria. Thyme is useful for treating respiratory congestion, bronchitis, asthma, whooping cough and sore throats.

Thyme is derived from the Greek “to make a burnt offering.” Ancient Egyptians used it for embalming. The Romans used it to purify rooms and to give cheeses and liqueurs an aromatic flavor. In the Middle Ages, Europeans placed it under pillows to promote sleep and ward off nightmares. Women would also give the leaves to knights to bring courage. It was also placed on coffins and burned as incense during funerals to send one into the next life.

Characteristics: A woody evergreen with with small gray-green leaves that roll under the edges. Flowers can range in color from violet to pale pink.

Care: It needs a sunny warm location. Thyme  thrives well in dry soil and a well drained environment. Little water is needed, avoid humidity. Harvest time is usually in fall and winter, cutting it through these months will weaken the plant.

Harvesting: Best time to harvest is during the day when it has the highest concentration of oils. Shoots should be cut 4 inches above the soil before it blooms, usually in May or June. Bundle the shoots together and hang in a shaded area to dry. Once dry, take the leaves and buds for use in teas, cooking and medicinal remedies. Store in a jar away from light.

Uses:

  • Ideal for flavoring all meats and vegetables.
  • Increases digestibility.
  • Calms the action of intestinal muscles and prevents gas.
  • Thyme and Rosemary combined can increase effects.
  • Oil from the plant is excellent for rubs, baths and washes.

Avoid Thyme oil while pregnant.

References:

  • The Complete Guide To Natural Healing

Note: Consult with a Physician if you are seeking medical remedies. The information is not intended as medical advice. PagansWorld.org is not liable for the misuse of the information listed above.

Thanks for stopping by! Well wishes to you all and have a great day!

Lisa

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