Newsletter for July 20, 2010

Rising Goddess Spiritual News, Events, and Words of Wisdom.

Greetings, everyone! This newsletter edition is dedicated to the upcoming holiday Lammas, or Lughnasadh as it is sometimes called. As July comes to an end, and harvest season begins with the promise of fall lying ahead, let’s learn a little about the upcoming holiday.

Lammas

Lammas is celebrated on August 1, though in older cultures it was typically celebrated when the sun reached 15 degrees Leo around August 5th. It a festival that celebrates the first harvest, the God Lugh, and the cycle of birth, life, and death.

Lammas itself means “loaf-mass” (from the old english hlaf-maesse) and was called such when the church assimilated Lughnasadh into their religious holiday calender. Typically the first loafs of bread of the season were blessed by the Church. Before that the harvest festival was called “Lughnasadh”, meaning “the Funeral Games of Lugh”, in honor of the God Lugh.

The importance of the holiday may be lost on many in the current day and age because we live in a different time. Today, the harvest may be important for those who have a garden, though not in the same way as those who lived off the land because they had to. When we need a loaf of bread, or the corn does not grow well, we drive to the local market and buy what we need. In times past harvest time was crucial to survival. In Ireland, to harvest before Lughnasadh meant the harvest was poor, while harvesting on the holiday meant the harvest was plentiful and there would be food enough for the winter months ahead.

Many cultures held festivals and performed rituals symbolizing the cycle of life. The birth of the crops (beltain/spring) the maturing of the crops (Litha/summer solstice) and the harvest of the crops (Lughnasadh/Autumn). During Lughnasadh, it was customary to reflect on the bounty of life and a plentiful harvest by making corn husk dolls, celebrate talents and craftsmanship, and have symbolic sacrifice of grains and bread.

The God Lugh

It is said that Lugh is the God of Light and the Harvest, master of all arts and crafts, a Druid, and a Warrior. His sacred month is August, It is believed that he dedicated this festival to his foster mother who perished clearing a great woodland area so that they could grow crops. When the people of Ireland gathered around her deathbed, she said that as long as they held funeral games in her honor that Ireland would never be without song. Her name,Tailtiu, means "The Great One of the Earth," and it is believed that she was the personification of the Earth herself. The holiday’s name Lughnassadh also comes from one much older, Brón Trogain, meaning painful childbirth, and personifies the Earth giving birth to the fruits of the land so that we, her children, may live.

Celebrate Lughnassadh!

Let us honor our ancestors this holiday! Be thankful for what you have and reflect on the bounty life has bestowed upon you. Whether you celebrate the harvest aspect or the God Lugh, remember the difficulties of our ancestors past, be thankful of the food on your table, reflect on the bounty that life has bestowed upon you, and share your bounty with others.

What's New at Rising Goddess Goods?

We have a few new items for you, including:
Tarot
Decorative resin journals to use in spells/BOS
smudge wands
Spiritual Artwork by Local Artists
Reversed Glass Artwork by local artist
Electric Oil Warmers (marble style glass!)

General News

In the beginning of our spiritual venture, we envisioned opening a shop for like-minded people. A comfortable place to converse and feel at ease. A place to make friends. We believed at that time that we needed to offer our products online as well as in the shop in order to succeed. After all, we live in a time when anything can be found online, even canned fart spray...

After some discussion and contemplation, we have decided to not sell our goods online at this time. It simply doesn’t fit in with what we believe the shop needs to be. We greatly enjoy meeting you! Those who have visited the shop have enriched our lives. So many new beliefs, ideas, and different ways of seeing our world have allowed us to continue to grow. It is fulfilling to know that we all share a common link no matter which path we follow.

So, to make a long story short, we will be selling primarily in our shop: however, the etched glass and a few other handcrafted wares may be added to Etsy from time to time. If you are unable to make it to the shop, let us know. We would be happy to help! Let us know what you are looking for, and we will try to find the item and work out the shipping.

You can visit our website at http://risinggoddess.webnode.com/, or visit our facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rising-Goddess-Goods/176232332925

Brightest Blessings to You and Yours!

The Rising Goddess

Apple Candleholders! Why not dress up your candles this Lammas? Any fresh, firm fruit will do, Red apples, early acorn squash, even eggplants, apples just seem to last longer. Wash and dry the fruit thoroughly, then shine it until it gleams. Set the fruit on its bottom, then take a knife where the stem is and start carving it out. You’ll want to go about halfway down inside the fruit to give the candle plenty of support. Widen the hole until it is the same diameter as the candle. Once the hole is finished, pour some lemon juice in and let it set for about 10 minutes. This will keep the apple from browning and turning mushy. After time is up, pour out the lemon juice, dry thoroughly, and place a sprig of your favorite fresh herb in the hole. Add a small amount of wax to the hole to anchor your taper candle, and you’re done! What a lovely way to dress up your altar. (photo and craft can be found at http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/lammas/a/AllAboutLammas.htm. Visit for more holiday rituals, craft ideas, and pagan information.)

Ritual Cakes and Feast Ideas Something you can do to celebrate Lammas is to bake bread in the shape of a man-as this allows the spirit of the grain-god to live through us. You can make your own, or choose to use store-bought if baking is not your strong suit. (paganwiccan.about.com) Corn cakes can be baked in a pan to make them look like ears of corn. These make great ritual cakes. The pans can be hard to find, though they can be found at antique markets and on ebay. New ones can be bought online for around $10 to $20.

So many ideas can be found online. My favorite sites include: All About Lammas on about.com and Magic Spells on magicspells.in

Goddess News

Merry Meet!

It has been quite a while since my last blog post, so I have tons of news!

The Rising Goddess Goods shoppe has MOVED!

Come find us at the Milton Flea Market in Milton, WV. The shoppe is larger, and we have started to carry new items. Copper Bracelets, Tarot Cards, OOAK Spiritual Artwork by Local Artists, and much more! Hand Etched Wedding Glass Sets will no longer be offered on commission, though etched glass for sale can be personalized for a small fee and a one week waiting time.

We are open Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., so come and visit us! We can open on Fridays if needed. Give us a call or drop us a line if you can only show up on a Friday and we'll work something out.

Our Newsletter is being sent out this week, so don't forget to sign up on the Rising Goddess Website!

Brightest Blessings!

New at Rising Goddess Goods!

Hello everyone!

It's been awhile since I've written anything. I've been busy working on some artwork. I have a commission for 5 paintings portraying Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit. I will post pictures on my blog as I complete them, as well as twitter updates.

News on All Things Divine

We have some wonderful new things available on the website, including a newsletter sign up form. Every week I will send a newsletter on Upcoming Pagan Holidays, Work you can do, Website updates, and New Products!

New Information And Pages

There is now a Newspage with links to news stories involving paganism, wicca, and witchcraft. Religious news of any kind may be posted, but we are trying to stay with pagans in the news. If you here of a story that you think should be here, let us know! Send us a link to the article and we will post it!


Well, That's all for now. Oestara is coming up soon, so we will be posting information on history, when it is, and what ritual or magick work is suitable for this holiday.

Brightest blessings, everyone!

Runes: Origins, History, and Their Use Today

Those interested in pagan spirituality often use or are familiar with divination. The most widely known technique is the use of Tarot cards which can be purchased in many varied styles at just about any book store near you.

Another form of divination that is not as widely practiced is the use of runes.

Where They Came From

Runes were first developed by early Germanic tribes in northern Europe and adopted by the Scandinavians soon thereafter, though many scholars disagree as to when runes were first used. The runic alphabet is believed to have originated in the first century because the earliest artifacts containing runes can be dated to the second and third century A.D. It is accepted that they were adopted from an earlier alphabet (probably Etruscan) though this is a point of contention in the field. (NOVA online)

Runes and Their Path Through Time

Runes are the writing system of early Germanic and Scandinavian cultures. The runic alphabet is called futhark because it is based on the first six symbols of the alphabet: F, U, Th, A, R, K. There are three runic alphabets that I will discuss here: The Elder Futhark, Anglo-Saxon Futhark, and the Younger Futhark (also known as the Scandinavian Futhark). (runes: alphabet of mystery)

The Elder Futhark

The Elder Futhark is thought to be the oldest of the three, in use from the 2nd through the 8th century. It contained 24 runes arranged into three sets (or aett) of eight: Freya's eight, Hagal's eight, and Tyr's eight. According to legend, Odin, Father figure/Chief of Norse Gods, either speared himself to Yggdrasil (the world tree) or hung from Yggdrasil while his spear pierced his side. He stayed this way for nine windy days and nights in order to gain the knowledge that would give him power in the nine worlds. He then passed this knowledge, the sacred knowledge of the runes, on to his people


The Anglo-Saxon Futhark

The Anglo-Saxon Futhark is an extended alphabet for the Anglo-Saxon/Old English alphabet that began with 29 characters and grew to 33. Until there is more definitive archeological evidence, it is unknown whether the runes were introduced by the Frisians or Scandinavians into England. They were used from the 5th to the 11th century by the Angles, Saxons, Jutes, and Frisians.

The Younger Futhark

The Younger, or Scandinavian, Futhark was used sporadically in Scandinavia until the 17th century, particularly in Denmark and Sweden. It is a reduction of the Elder Futhark containing only 16 characters and corresponds with a change in the language from Proto-Norse into Old Norse. The change is also reflected in the way it is written. It is divided into short twig (Swedish and Norwegian) and long branch (Scandinavian) runes with the reason for the differences in controversy.

Runic Use
The runes were viewed as a gift from the God, Odin, and therefore sacred. This idea is supported because many the earliest known artifacts contain the name of a person and do not seem to be used for general writing. The name adorned on the artifact is probably that of a Rune Master, a skilled craftsman trained in not only the power of the runes, but also their application. Runes adorned a variety of objects from swords to chalices, their uses running from talismans to either ward off evil or harm, or to provide healing magic for the sick. They were also used in divination where one rune is carved onto a stone until the entire alphabet is available. Then they were thrown or dropped onto the ground and read according to the meaning associated with that letter.

How We Use Them Today

Runes have seen a revival of sorts, especially in Germanic Neopaganism. It can be said that many on a pagan path have used or seen runes. Wooden runes are often created from sacred trees, though they can be created on a variety of mediums ranging from stone to glass. No matter how they are created, they are still being used in much the same manner as they were 2000 years ago. For the purpose of divination.

A great place to visit on Rune divination is Bewitching Ways. The site has practical advice on different ways to cast your runes, as well as simple instructions on how to read them.


Divination has manifested in many forms throughout history in a variety of practices; working with runes is only one of these. Their ease of use and appeal has allowed them to stand the test of time. Every culture strives to learn the unknown and to touch the divine, many believe that divination allows them to do just that. Tarot Cards, Scrying, and Runes have survived for a reason. Perhaps because in the proper hands, they actually work.

Blessed Be




all information used to write this article can be found on the following pages.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/vikings/runes.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Runic_alphabet#Elder_Futhark_.282nd_to_8th_c..29
http://www.sunnyway.com/runes/origins.html
http://www.uponreflection.co.uk/runes/germanic_runes_futhark.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odin

Reading? Writing? Check out The Pagan and the Pen!

Are You A Writer?

There is a wonderful resource for all the pagans out there, from The Pagan and the Pen. Are you a writer that would like a review, or some exposure? The Pagan and the Pen will review your work, no matter what faith you are (or are not). So if you would like to read the works of others, or visit their websites, Visit The Pagan and the Pen.

Do You Just Enjoy Reading?

If you are not a writer, don't think that The Pagan and the Pen is not for you! Come and read some short stories or articles that are posted. They are entertaining and well written.

Are You Looking for Information?

The Pagan and the Pen also has a wealth of information from their contributing authors, my favorite of which is the Pagan Holidays Article that C. H. Scarlett writes whenever something is coming up. The Article for today covers the next three days. It includes a little history (such as in Norse Culture, today is an observance for Thor), what is observed now (like Husband's Day is observed in many parts of the world), and-here...I'll just let you check it out

On the Pagan and the Pen you can check out the authors seperately, or just visit and read the posts of the day! So pull up a chair, grab a cup of coffee or herbal tea, and enjoy yourself

All information for C.H. Scarlett's article can be found here. I give full credit to the author http://thepaganandthepen.wordpress.com/2010/01/19/pagan-holidays-for-january-19-20-21-2010/

Textured Painting, Inspiration, and The Result

Inspiration and Instruction

Hello Everyone :)

I have finished (and photographed) my new art piece that was a commission for a friend. It is untitled as I don't know what to call it yet. This inspiration for my work was found by accident. As I was browsing artwork on the internet I found a few pieces that used texture that were extremely interesting. This one was found in an article on one way to create paint texture. The link will take you to the article. It is very interesting, and a good read for anyone who wants to explore creating texture.
I found it very interesting because of the finished piece, but this bare bones part of the work gave me some ideas on how I could create this myself.

Melanee Herrera and Mixed Media
This is from an artist named Melanee Herrera who creates some beautiful textured mixed media pieces that are abstract in form. Her Blog is titled Mixed Media and Folk Art, and it discusses not only what she creates, but where it can be found.
This is a closeup of the piece which can be found in her blog. I love the colors and textures, and it has a wonderful flow. It was the one which inspired me!

From Inspiration to Finished Product

Here is my finished piece. The woman who commissioned the piece wanted something strong and simple that portrayed her new spiritual identity and journey. She feels that individuals need to find their inner peace, and project love and acceptance to others, and society needs to see that and not focus on the busy surroundings that we live in.

She is very happy with the result, but I am going to work from this and see what else I can do with texture.
A New Concept in the Works

I have been very interested in "The Tree of Life" that appears in many cultures and want to do a textured mixed media painting of one. I started with a mock-up to see what I could do. On Watercolor paper I used Hot Glue, upholstery thread, and a decoupage medium with tissue paper. It is officially finished, and now belongs to my Husband because he walked in and told to me stop what I was doing-he really liked it.

As it is (for me) just a mock-up, he is welcome to it :) I wonder what he'll do with it?

Catch me on Facebook!

I have just created a fan page on Facebook, the link is here, so you can catch catch my latest blog post without leaving Facebook!

Now that everyone at home is over the flu, and winter colds (I hope), I will have plenty of time to blog, lol. That is...unless there are a lot more snow days...then I will be finding things to entertain my little one.

Oh! Just seen the time, I've got to get ready to pick little one up from school.
Hugs, see y'all soon!