Free Your Mind

born right the first time

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 05:36:52 GMT

So when you talk on facebook to someone you've lost touch with, and they were pagan when you knew them, and now they are quoting bible "scripture", here's a warning: Run. Do not try to discuss, do not ask about the bible, certainly don't ask opinions on parts of the bible that have controversy. Just run. I didn't, and I'm sorry. I appologized on facebook, and on IM through FB, and everywhere else. Seemed ok. But now I'm unfriended. I'm direct with communication;
Rob: I don't seem to be on your friends list anymore. Did I offend you that
much?
Born "Again": You just reminded me about a lot of the things about you and your personal interactions that I don't need in my life. I wish you well.

In other words: Fuck off, have a nice day, and Jesus loves you although he's sending you to eternal damnation and agony because you pointed out that the bible, at least at some point in history, says that god promotes slavery and the stoning to death of non-virgins who then marry.

I wanted to say "Jesus doesn't love you, he just wants to get into your pants", but I couldn't.

Good riddance. No room in my life for those chameleons that change "their" "beliefs" to get a mate, that don't want to think, and are offended by simple "What about?" followed by a quote from THEIR book. It saddens me, but pull the plug when someone is brain dead.

Faery Fest

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:39:38 GMT

It worried me at first. Sure, this land has been used for 20+ years for BPC rituals, but it is not community owned. This was Glenn's decision to have a paid event, to open this event to the general public...so much this could bring.

As it turned out, for me personally, it was wonderful. Friends from my many years at festival on this land, along with "muggle" folk with interest and open minds towards the non-ordinary experience. The ball was great. People all weekend communicated easily, and celebrated, and enjoyed all that surrounded us. It felt like community more than our own community has lately (which I'm hoping changes).

thank you to all the persevered, all that worked, all that just attended. It was great having Sylvia stay with us, and I'm happy we could provide showers for some of the band members before the ball. Special thanks to King Loki, who embodies what I would most want in a king. My respect ever grows for our king, even as he serves by adding toilet paper to the porta potties. Not a glorious job, yet so very important, and carried out with grace and strength, along with all the other jobs he jumped into. And he treats all with respect, showing them their worth.

So many people have stopped by Imagicka to say thank you for the Faery Fest. (Imagicka is just easier to find) I'll pass them all on to Billy, Marianne, Miriam, Glenn, and all. Sponsoring it was an honor, and promoting it a lot of fun. next year will be even better.

Who are you?

Thu, 07 May 2009 13:00:03 GMT

I am ________. (sure, fill it in)

Are you an Engineer? Dentist? Leader? ....These are more things you do, so are we human doings rather than human beings?

Are you a Pagan? Christian? Hindu? Atheist? Are you what you believe? Are we human believers?

Are you a Mother? Father? Lover? Son? Are we our relationships? Are we human relaters?

Are we respected? Despised? both? Are we what people think of us?

So who are you? Who am I? "Just" a human being? What does our first instinctual answer say about us? Our culture?

What is the truth?

Perhaps Tyler Durdan is right. "You're not your job. You're not how much money you have in the bank. You're not the car you drive. You're not the contents of your wallet. You're not your fucking khakis. You're the all-singing, all-dancing crap of the world. "

It is a mystery.....

Blessings

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 13:57:45 GMT

As our economy suffers, people seem to be thinking more. The spirit of Yule was very much alive in downtown Binghamton. Sales overall in our community mirrored the rest of the nation, with people buying less stuff. So how come........?

Imagicka's number are up, as are those of most downtown businesses like Chrysalis. I sold 4 drums on Saturday, including my favorite lead drum (and that is a $600 drum)

More people are shopping communally, preferring to support their local businesses over the big box stores and all their "stuff". People opted for more meaningful gifts, and more meaningful, thoughtful, and caring shopping experiences.

So in that matter I am blessed. I'll continue to work hard to give the people what they want, but mostly what they want seems to be changing to what Imagicka has to offer.

Thank you to all of you the shopped Imagicka for the Holidays, and especially to those that felt the joy of finishing their shopping in a relaxed atmosphere in Downtown, without ever going to the madness and shallowness of the big box stores.

Namaste'
Rob

Imagicka

Sat, 20 Dec 2008 16:20:09 GMT

I'm happy here at Imagicka, and feeling thankful to those that support my little shop. There seems to be a growing feeling of community in downtown Binghamton, perhaps the tough economic times has some benefits. A couple recently bought books here instead of going to Barnes and Noble, because they wanted to shop locally. (They even had a B&N discount card) Downtown businesses are sharing advertising, and seeing each other as being on the same side, instead of competition. We send each other customers, and we are each others customers as well. Expenses are up a little, but my sales seem to be better than last year. As Circuit City, Bad Bath and Beyond, and others look at bankruptcy, Imagicka is healthy.

I have great gratitude to those that shop here. Everyone is buying stuff for the holidays as gifts, and for those that choose to shop with me, I say thank you. To those that have not finished their shopping, what better way to build community than to support those that support true community.

Bright Blessings,
and have a cool Yule
Rob

a new career? (stolen from illious)

Fri, 07 Mar 2008 12:37:54 GMT

Norm

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 13:35:04 GMT

He was my teacher, for 2 semesters when I was 19. I met him again a few years later, as the father of Glenn Herbert, Owners of magickal land, and both with big hearts, willing and wanting to share their good fortune with others. Norm passed about 1 month from his 80th birthday, and he was what we all want to be at that age. Strong, active, adventurous. He will be dearly missed. Most of our community knew him, although only a little. Always gardening, always filling the wheelbarrow with gravel to improve the rode we all used to get into the land. Blessed Be, Norm Herbert. You will be missed, and you were greatly appreciated.

funny, I got the chariot at Twilight too

Sun, 04 Nov 2007 14:22:12 GMT

You are The Chariot

Triumph, Victory, Overcoming Obstacles.

The chariot is one of the most complex cards to define. On its most basic level, it implies war, a struggle, and an eventual, hard-won victory. Either over enemies, obstacles, nature, the beasts inside you, or to just get what you want. But there is a great deal more to it. The charioteer wears emblems of the sun, yet the sign behind this card is the moon. The chariot is all about motion, and yet it is often shown as stationary. It is a union of opposites, like the black and white steeds. They pull in different directions, but must be (and can be!) made to go together in one direction. Control is required over opposing emotions, wants, needs, people, circumstances; bring them together and give them a single direction, your direction. Confidence is also needed and, most especially, motivation. The card can, in fact, indicate new motivation or inspiration, which gets a stagnant situation moving again.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

Samhain

Thu, 25 Oct 2007 11:20:12 GMT

http://www.care2.com/ecards/p/9296-5566-13403-8933

Stomp!

Sat, 13 Oct 2007 13:47:40 GMT

I can't believe my luck some days. This happened a couple of nights ago, but I haven't gotten to relaying it till now.

A member of Stomp, Nicholas, found Imagicka, and wouldn't you know it? He's pagan. He needs some white sage and some stones to clear out the energy of the hotel room he's in. Funny guy.

Next day, a few more Stomp performers, playng my little frame drums, doumbeks and djembes like they were magic. Sean buys a djembe, and says he might be able to get me a ticket for that night's show. Great!, but I have plans with Laurie, so I tell him I need 2, and am willing to buy the second. He gets 2 for free for us, whee! great show, Petra joins us and she gets a ticket right in from of us (8 rows back, near center)

After the show, near Imagicka, Laurie sees 2 of them and calls out "Nice show". One of them is Sean, the other hasn't been in Imagicka but has seen Sean's new drum. So of course, we reopen the store to show them around. More Stomp performers knock on the window. We spend the couple of hours drinking mead (Thanks Magpie, they loved it) eating chocolate, stompers trying all my percussion toys, talking about life, philosophy, getting pagan book recommendations, and of course shopping.

I understand why some people resent my luck. Some days everything turns to gold.

Twilight

Thu, 11 Oct 2007 12:43:19 GMT

Like most Earth Spirit events, it was the best of times....it was the worst of times....

Wolf clan was very good, pushing emotional, spiritual, and physical boundaries. The all night vigil was great, 13 separate spots for us each to be alone in, and a chance during the night to visit 3 of them for hours each. In silence, the clan leaders lead us on this perimeter walk, stopping at each location, where we hit a chime, smudged, and 1 clan member put out their symbolic token. At the end of the walk we talked, and the leaders made it clear that we didn't have to stop at where we put our token, that as a group we needed to decide where each of us would start. Then they left us own. One woman did not want to start where she left her token and wanted somewhere else. Specifically my spot or the one before it. 15 years ago I would have given it up to make another happy.....but I had chosen my spot, on the dock, out into the lake, with much intention. I declined, and had to deal with my own "selfishness". (Or taking care of myself and refusing the offer to be a martyr ;-} ) She did get the one before me, so she was happy enough about another person being willing to swap.
Evening came, midnight attunement happened, wolves gathered to go out one at a time. 2 went, then the rain started.....I was 4th, and sitting on the dock, the only spot with no chance of shelter, no trees, no shrubs, was just what I needed. Rain washed over my face in the darkness. I was cleansed. The time went amazingly fast, and when another wolf came, I rotated to the next spot. The rain had lessened, and was on it's way to ending. my second spot required me crossing a floating bridge with no handrails to an island, a wonderful place to spend a few hours alone. My 3rd and last spot was at the earth shrine, a 6x8 foot spot surrounded by 10 foot tall boulders about 80% of the circumference. wonderful.

Visioning.....wolves held space at the beginning, and I thought it was good. The ritual was interesting, the journey long, and much to think about. Holding space at the end was an interesting spot, but the wait was long, it was too cold for many after a strenuous journey, and the space wasn't held as much as it was endured, and barely by some. More connection was needed at the end, and it wasn't there. The beginning had options, journaling, bodywork, breathwork, singing bowls to play in support, divination, pools of energy to tap in to. There was an attempt to do this at the end, but people were tapped out, and the options few.

I wish it were a better experience for some that I know, and glad it was as god as it was to those that it was good for.

Another interesting aspect for me: my 3 lovers in one gathering. Potential for drama, hurt feelings, etc. Twilight can leave you raw and vulnerable. Actual drama/stress in this area: as close to zero as you can get. Juniper appreciated Jenne for who she is, and worried after the first few meals that she wasn't spending enough time talking to the others in the clan because she and Jenne were talking to each other so intently about the clan work/topic. "The others are putting in good effort, making headway and all, but Jenne gets it" (paraphrase) .

Spotting for trance dance was incredible. Lots of energy work....the releasing circle also was meaningful to me as well as dream circle. I didn't go to clear space that night, and was glad not to.

I spent a total of 2 nights outside, both beautiful for different reasons. I do feel more connected to nature and magic after this twilight, so I'd count it as a success.

Fri, 05 Oct 2007 13:46:23 GMT

I consider myself blessed to be able to participate in this yearly soul searching event that is Twilight. I will do my very best to make this smooth as appropriate for those I care about. I am a wolf this year, guardian of the outer boundaries. We are in service to community, and operate as lone wolfs and as pack animals, somehow at the same time.

i am incredibly lucky to have Earth Spirit as my second spiritual home for more than 20 years. Don't get me wrong, I put no one on a pedestal, and there is no pedestal for me either. It is sweet to be among peers. They know me there, better than most, and I know them. They have let me in over the past 20+ years, and I see their faults, their gifts, and everything. And they know mine. No one tries to impress, no social ladder to climb, just a time to be me. I am accepted for being exactly who I am. So....Twilight....A time to share my particular gifts with others, and a time for me to learn from the other people at twilight, clan leaders and participants alike. My heart is full, although I will miss those not there this year.

Today

and then?

Mon, 04 Jun 2007 13:04:38 GMT

absence....from LJ anyway....seemed like so much activity when I started, then Rites happened....and well, i'm finally getting my feet back on the ground.

Rites....best weather ever....started with going through the gates and greetings from Kelley and Sarah, getting reconnected, making new connections. Drum workshops, more, fire circle, what can I say? Feast, poi, And the mandatory "what the hell am I doing?" phase. Missed Guisers ball then kicked myself for 2 days for it. It's great being around people you like so much and connect with so well for so long. But...I missed my people here to, seemed like forever since Jenne and I had a chance to really connect. Sat night with her was great, lots of conversation, and things are good. How hard it must be to be in a relationship with me, especially in the summer when it gets nuts, and my mind is everywhere at once trying to keep up.

Back into surreal reality. for a moment....then off to Free Spirit.

Rites!

Tue, 22 May 2007 16:22:38 GMT

packing packing, preparing Imagicka, myself....

.....
What will I find this year? I'm in heated space, one of the nice rooms with only 4 beds....so it won't rain or be cold....that only happens when I tent.......

What connections will flourish? flop? What part of me will I face in the mirror this year? What will I let go of? What will I gain?

Alchemy.....the turning of your soul's lead into gold....every year a little bit more. How did I get here? How did I become the person I am? Rites is my home, my transformational beaker. What will the experiment show us this year? Where does spirit come from?

relax.....no time for sleep though, it will all be over before I know it.........Wish I had another day or 6 to prepare.......

I love this event. these people....this time.... And I've hated it too, looking in that mirror, finding my own self being responsible for my "issues" and for my gifts. I've come to appreciate this time, with the roller coaster of spirituality, sensuality, and emotional realms unlike any other. It changes you..........

oui

2am

Sun, 13 May 2007 06:15:31 GMT

tired...fell asleep on the way home from Ed's birthday party....now i can't sleep at all.....

I want to be relaxed, want to happily stop thinking and drift off....need to rest, but it can be elusive.....

nothing much more to say.....thoughts running through my head......but not wanting to type them Maybe I should try again. It feels like I'm not lhe person I want to be....people see me as calm, confident, relaxed, healing, grounding,,,,,why Can't I sleep?

some things done right

Sat, 28 Apr 2007 02:35:02 GMT

Just a thought ..... 2 years+ ago Laurie came to the community thanksgiving with her Husband Richard and kids. It could be seen as an awkward time, but it wasn't bad. One reason: Kelley want out of her way to talk to them and make them feel welcome. She wasn't the only one, but she really went out of her way, I think, because they were new and didn't have many connections. Now....if this had been the only time I'd seen Kelley do this I could think it was great chemistry, some connection to them, or some other reason. But I've seen her do this on a consistent basis. Thank you for that.

I like more people looking for ways to help newbies feel welcome, or even those of us that have been here and are going through a difficult or awkward time. I don't think for a moment that this wasn't already happening. Things like Kelley and that Thanksgiving are wonderful, and I, for one, would like to see more of those moments.

tick tick tick

Fri, 27 Apr 2007 13:46:55 GMT

Almost here......Work weekend starts tomorrow for Beltaine. Am I crazy? I'm paying someone to work at Imagicka for me so that I can be there helping out. Our community, our family......sure we have issues, but once you're past the front gate, every community has them. I wouldn't trade our issues for anyone's.

But.....I'll still keep doing my "work", keep trying to influence things here for the betterment of community. I hope we all have a great Beltaine. So far, the weather for next weekend (the celebration weekend) looks great. I could sure use the energy of a warm and dryer Beltaine......

What we can do

Tue, 24 Apr 2007 13:48:37 GMT

I don't mean to shut down discussion of what people see as problems, it's through this discussion that other choices of how to be become clear. But what can we do to affect change? To make things at least a little more like we'd like to see them?

Be the change you wish to see in the world.

Even if you think you already do this, or if you think you are powerless to change the tide of things, please stay with me. What if?

6 people in community independently decided that they will spend 5 minutes talking to someone they either don't know, or talk to someone they know as an acquaintance in a deeper way. 5 minutes, 5 focused minutes of deep listening, deep sharing.

3 new people shared their experiences of being welcomed and made to feel at home in our community with others.

you took the time to talk to the person that seems not to fit, looks a little lost, etc.

1 out of 3 people you took this risk with turned out to be really great people

you took the time to be present with your friends just a little more.

we kept talking, and acting on what we want to see, and sharing those experiences with each other.

we made it a point to step out of ourselves to see things from another's view.

What if? What do you say? Who wants to try it?

We can change things, we can make them at least somewhat better. Why would you not want to?

namaste'
Rob

weather

Fri, 20 Apr 2007 12:36:48 GMT

65 and sunny Friday and Saturday. Wow. I feel better today, I hope we do as well weatherwise on Beltaine. Business meeting this morning, then off to work in the garage. I'm looking forward to it for a change.

Coffee is my friend.........

Also, we're changing the display at Java's today. Maybe even some window changes at Imagicka. Spring Cleaning! .......then the insanity.

ahh, community. In the past year I've had a couple of days where this didn't "feel" like my community anymore....but only a couple of days like that. It was good, in that it made me look deeper. I'm of the "old guard" or whatever...I am no tourist, this is my home. This is my community. It seems that people see this same community in one of 2 ways. Either :the community sucks, with the exception of a few events/people in it, Or....The community is great with the exception of a few events/people. Same community. Which truth? Probably both. ;-} (and be events, I don't mean necessarily rituals, but any conversation/confrontation/discussion/series of posts, whatever) I thought about this when this new person saw the BPC as non welcoming.... well, people only know what they see, and she spoke to 1 or 2 people in the BPC that didn't jump to invite this stranger to Beltaine..... So in her eyes, the BPC is some exclusive club that doesn't want her'. Perhaps she thought "Well, fuck them, if "they" are going to be that way". Then, she was offered a possible sponsorship after Beltaine at the meetup, and I'm sure the BPC seems much more friendly. I'm guessing that she didn't see person 1 as not inviting, and person 2 as inviting, but rather that the BPC is like ________, then, with person 2 inviting her, maybe the BPC is ____ instead.

You can read the above and apply it to a working group, or yourself as an individual. Someone meets me before coffee, I'm a different Rob than I am 30 minutes after coffee.

Bumper Sticker: "Hate Traffic? YOU are Traffic!" ..... Makes you think......

I've traveled a lot in pagan circles, and am familiar with the way a dozen or so communities work. We can improve, true, but I like who we are.

Time

Thu, 19 Apr 2007 13:51:32 GMT

Time flies like an arrow
Fruit flies like a banana

Anyway, 10 days until Beltaine Work weekend, Beltaine the next week, Then prep for Rites of Spring, and the festival season has begun. And .....I'm tired already. i don't mean to whine, and hate to put a dent in the belief that I'm some bulletproof superhero (Actually, that one's fun once in a while ;-} ) but I'm weary today, congested, and don't really want to do anything but sleep.

Ton's to do though, so I forge ahead. Getting yet another new monster window in Imagicka to replace the cracked one. What fun. It will look a whole lot better though.

drumming

Sat, 14 Apr 2007 13:29:36 GMT

drumming....The Jim Donovan workshop was great...almost 60 drummers.

Off to syracuse today for another, and an authentic African meal, and a performance...Drum the Ecstatic International! I'm also scouting them for AkashaCon next year.

More later.

journal

Wed, 11 Apr 2007 13:33:14 GMT

So.....how do all these people keep up with this? So many posts, perhaps I'm meant to be a hermit after all.

What can I write here? After all, I've chosen this to be public. So nothing that exposes me or others too much, right?

I've seen Live Journal used for so many things. Some good, like informing large groups of friends of your thoughts and life changes all at once.

It can be bad too. I've seen it used to rant, take shots at others, etc. This is most often inferred, not written directly. "It's my journal" they say, yet they do not name names. Omdog rants about what pisses her off with a list of do's and don'ts. I'm guessing whomever reads that and see's themselves possibly in 1 statement reads the others with themselves in mind too. Of course no names are given, so the safety of the ranter is intact. "Oh, that wasn't about _______. " Sure beats the old way of sitting down face to face with someone and saying "Hey, something happened that involved you, and it's been bugging me. Can you explain or clear this up?" Of course, face to face, you don't have the option of hiding behind inferences.

You all know I rant. Typically its legal, political, or situational. I hope that I talk face to face and one on one when it's best. I know that lets the air out of the drama thing, but wouldn't we all be better off with a little less drama?

Beltaine

Tue, 10 Apr 2007 13:05:15 GMT

Should be an interesting year. Those in charge seem to not really like Beltaine, so they are screwing with it. Whee. Originally, or so I hear, there was to be no maypole, no queen and king..........now the king and queen are not being chosen by fate/lot/etc, but by some other method. Perhaps a popularity contest?

I suppose somebody next year will "fix" Samhain be making everyone wear bright colors, and banning references to those that have died. "This should be a happy occasion".......

first post

Mon, 02 Apr 2007 12:49:49 GMT

So, I'm doing it....maybe I'm getting a star tattooed on my belly, but maybe that's not what this is after all.

So what is this place? Is it where we polish our lives and thoughts and experiences into poetry?

I love as fully as I can. I have been left, and I have left. I left Sue, the other Sue, Julia, Cindy, and was left by many more. Am I a dupe? Sometimes I feel it. Misty lived with me rent free while she was in nursing school. Whatever, we would be fine when she started work, and we would be together always. She graduated, wanted to explore some first, wanted to go to Texas to find if this guy she had a crush on had anything for her, wanted to at least tie up the loose ends. Being broke, I lent her the $700 for the trip, and she left me when she got back. My heart hardened only slightly......

Sue lived with me rent free while she was in nursing school. Whatever, we would be fine when she started work, and we would be together always. She graduated, got a job, but needed the money for a car and new clothes for her new career. I accidentally cut my fingers off, and she was wonderful to me, scooping up my digits and taking me to the emergency room and 15 hours of surgery.......which didn't work. I was traumatized, she was caring, and knew she wanted to marry me. I was still in shock, now crippled, and in no shape to run with this. She left, because I couldn't say yes in that moment. Then she started dating Anthony, 17 at the time.

I've supported my lovers, even when their journeys led them away from me. I hoped they would return, but I've yet to see it.

Robin Zander once said (repeatedly) "I want you...to want me". He also said "Everything works if you let it, if you let it in your heart".

So am I the one that will be called tonight and "told the truth"?

I'm no work of art, but I am who I have always been. To you, I used to be wonderful, magickal, wise, and good. Am I now a burden, something to be avoided?

You have 2 wonderful people here that love you, and want to connect with you, want you. I doesn't seem that you want that any longer. Have I served your purpose, are you done now? What do you want from me?

love,
Rob