8 years later. In memorandum.

In Loving Memory of all those who were lost, and in Honor of those who worked so hard to rescue and help the missing, trapped, and injured....

Blessed Be.....






(this is a very touching memorial video)

Where were YOU when the attacks happened?

Sept. 11, 2001. I was 21 years old, my daughter, "Miss Zee", was 2. We were living in Texas, I was a waitress at the local Denny's. I was in a relationship, but it was going nowhere fast. I was unhappy and knew it wouldn't last. We were just waking up, I didn't have a tv, so we had no idea what had happened. My x husband called me, and I was irritated to hear his voice. He said "They bombed the World Trade Center". I laughed. Yes, I laughed, I am ashamed to admit it, but I didn't know what he was talking about. I was still half asleep, could't figure out who "They" were, and didn't know what he meant by "World Trade Center." I guess I was always kinda shut off from society in some way, because I honestly did not know that the Twin Towers were called "The World Trade Center". So I figured my x husband was telling me about something that had happened in another country. Because stuff like that happens in other countries, but not here. So I was like, "Umm, okay. Why are you calling me? I just woke up." As if my x-husband didn't already think I was a cold-hearted bitch. He says, "No, I mean it, they bombed the World Trade Center." My blonde moment continued...."Where is that?"
"New York! The Twin Towers! It's on the TV! COME OVER HERE!"
Everything stopped. I went cold. The rest of the day was cold. The rest of the day was in slow motion. Nothing that I cared about before really seemed to matter.... I forgot about how unsatisfying my relationship was. I forgot about how much I hated my x-husband. I forgot about how annoying my job was. Watching the towers fall again and again on TV, listening to them explain what happened as they figured it out. Hearing the words "Al Queida" and "Taliban" for the first time. Confusion. Fear. Looking up at the sky, wondering if more would die today. Looking up at the sky, and wondering if we are going to war, if the war would be on American turf. Wondering how much our lives would change, how much our country would change. Frozen in time, tears and words stuck in my throat; neither came out for a long time.

A few days later, my boyfriend and I broke up. He took his car and drove back to Oklahoma. I wasn't upset. It had been over before he left. It had been over before the towers fell. I somehow felt like the timing was symbolic. America had been shaken awake by a catastrophe, and was now stronger, more alert, more aware of it's priorities as a nation, and ready to rebuild. I felt the same way. I didn't want to waste any more time on trivial relationships. I had gone thru so much in the previous two years, and I felt like I was finally ready to take my life seriously again, to start building something meaningful rather than just playing in the rubble and ashes. Ironically enough, I began dating again a week later. September 18. We have been together ever since. We ended up getting married in 2003, and having two more kids together. Over the past 8 years, America has had to make a lot of choices, change, move forward, and grow up. So have I.

Red, Alabaster, and Blue

These are the lyrics to the song, "Red, Alabaster and Blue" by Celia.

Red Alabaster and Blue
Lead Vocals: CeliaHarmony Vocals: S.J. Tucker, Jeff BrayBass: Bryan MirPiano/Organ: Jeff BrayGuitar: CeliaDrums: Dave SchoepkeCello: Ray ChiElectric Guitar: Brian GrinwaldHarmonica: Lil’ RevTrumpet: David Mitchell©2007 Red Granite Goddess Publishing All Rights Reserved

He is a young African American male.
By the time he hits draft age he might be dead or live in jail
And he found his life of crime when they said “No Child Left Behind”
He’s an American too.
She is 90 with dementia all alone
Well, her family couldn’t take it so they put her in that home
And now she withers down to bones and at night she gently moans.
She’s an American Too
She is a young Hmong refugee, She’s full with Child.
If her Daddy finds out He will go insanely wild
They say they understand her plight, call themselves the Christian Right.
She’s An American Too.

Chorus:
And all they Wanted was to be Free
But greenback dollars can’t buy you dignity
Black Gold and Icebergs separate us from them.
Time to re write the master plan.

It is terminal, he’s sick, he needs a cure
He’s a second class citizen because he’s uninsured
He will leave his family broke because our health care is a joke.
He’s an American Too
She is a Mexican, She loves her family
She risks her life to cross the boarder to harvest the trees
And they get dollars to her dime She works triple the time.
What she would give to be American too.
He is a young attractive man and he is gay.
Well, they beat him and they burned him and they left him that way
And now the 26th of April is the Silent Day.
He’s an American too.

Chorus II:
And all they Wanted was a better life
And to be Equal, no matter black, rainbow, or white
It’s getting risky to demonstrate for peace.
You just might get shot down by police
We’re Crying Oh …….

His hair is curly skin is freckled eyes are green
No Irish Need Apply, What’s wrong Mick Can’t you read
Right off the boat he hits the land..they shove a gun into his hands.
Saying, “You’ll Die for America Too”.
Her skin is black her hair is curly eyes are brown
Arrived here in shackles and her master threw her down
And she grits her pearly whites cuz they’ll beat her if she fights
She’s an American Too.
His skin is Red his eyes are brown his hair is black
Lived here in peace until the White Man attacked
And he tries to understand how a man could own the land.
He’s an American Too.

Chorus III
And all they wanted was to be free
But they were robbed and ripped of their dignity
And their Grandmother’s are crying in their graves.
How some Americans Behaved
They watched their babies turned to slaves
Their babies built this place.
They’re crying Oh…..

My hair is Red, Skin’s Alabaster and I’m Blue
I’m a spiritual shaman and my lover is a Jew
And we’re fierce and we’re proud and we serve our songs up loud
And we are American’s too.
But there was a time they would have torched me without care
Tied me to that stake for the color of my hair
And I’m not the only one
It’s been done and done and done
And we are Americans too
My Hair is Red, Skin’s Alabaster, and I’m Blue
And I’m an American Too.

The whole album by Celia entitled "Red Alabaster and Blue" has spiritual and political undertones, I thought today is a good day to write about it, as I have been listening. The song "Symbol" has become an anthem for many Pagans and Wiccans, or anyone who believes in freedom of Religion. "Strings on our Kings"is another one talking about politics, and "Quan Yin" explores the rights of mothers.

I had the pleasure of meeting Celia in person last August at the Phoenix Pagan Pride Festival, and listening to her music there. My copy of "Red Alabaster and Blue" is signed by her and one of my prized possesions... :o) Stop by her page and check out more of her lyrics or have a listen to her music! http://www.celiaonline.com/

Celebrating Independence! Happy 4th of July!

Wishing You All a Happy and Safe Fourth of July!!!

I wanted to write something about our independence and freedom. Last year around this time I was studying the cards and their relation to astrology. The Chariot is the card associated with the Astrological sign of Cancer - The Crab. Cancer personalities tend to be strong in the sense that they hold onto their thoughts, ideas, and feelings with the unrelenting tenacity of a King Crab. Every year, while the sun is in Cancer, America celebrates it's Independence Day on the 4th of July.... celebrating our time in history when people took a stand for what they believed in and held fast to their dreams until those dreams became a reality; a sovereign nation.

I think The Chariot is a great card to study for Independence Day. I mean it's all about Choice, and it is our freedom of Choice which makes this a great country. It is our Freedom of Choice that we must fight to hold onto, at all costs.

Whether it be Freedom of Religion, Political Party, sexual preferance, how we raise our kids, or how we eat, it is the Freedom to CHOOSE our own way that makes us truly free!

Key Words for the Chariot Tarot Card Meanings
Tact
Skill
Action
Control
Focused
Driven
Motion
Balance
Physicality

Cancer Key Characteristics;Sensitive, Nurturing, Intuitive, Traditional, Dependent, Aquisitive, Tenacious, Self-Indulgent, Comfort Loving. Driven by emotions or strong feelings.

Cancer is Ruled by the Moon, therefore The Chariot is linked to The High Priestess, which is the card related to the Moon.

Moon Key Characteristics;Feeling-Orientated, Unconscious/Subconsious, Instinctive, Moody, Mothering, Nurturing, Reactive, Changeable, Reactive, Secretive

here is an interesting website describing the relation between Cancer & the Chariot; http://www.novareinna.com/constellation/cancertarot.html

from the book; "The Everything Tarot Book" by M.J. Abadie;" The Chariot is related to the sign of Cancer, which symbolizes the sheer tenacity of the life force. It's image, the Crab, is known for the ability to hold on, just as the Charioteer holds firmly to his steeds. Cancer is the first water sign, and it represents relatedness, whether with others or with the opposing forces within one's self. Cancer represents the process of the growth of the soul through the sustaining efforts of the life forces, which are by nature dual. Thus, Cancer's primary characteristic is Tenacity. The Crab is known to never let go. Also representative of motherhood and family, Cancer is an extremely powerful sign, for the pulsating life force within it is extremely strong. Cancer's relation to the moon and the High Priestess identifies this connection to The Great Mother and the strong inner force represented by this energy."More on Cancer can be found here; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cancer_(astrology)and here; http://www.elore.com/Astrology/Study/cancer.htm

a response to Gingrich and Huckabee

Newt Gingrich; "America is surrounded by Paganism"?
http://hamptonroads.com/2009/06/huckabee-gingrich-urge-political-engagement-va-beach

Here's a response that I wanted to share. Rev. Don of Witchschool.com makes a good point about what "Paganism" Gingrich and Huckabee seem to be afraid of, and why this type of fear and ignorance is truly the worst form of terrorism.
http://witchschoolinternational.ning.com/profiles/blogs/newt-gingrichs-paganism