Retro-Pagan Living: Patience, Young Padawan*
Last week when I discussed perseverance, a commenter sympathized with my welding frustration by telling me of her own frustration learning how to sew. Her comment got me thinking about the difference between daily skills and what I’ll call apprentice skills. In the past, people did far more for themselves than we do now, and...
The Rapunzel Tax: Water and Electricity Use and Long Hair
As I explained last week, I have long hair. I hadn’t really thought about the possible environmentally negative consequences of long hair until Jax got me thinking about the products I use to care for my hair. I’ve continued thinking about the “cost†of long hair. Actually, I’ve been thinking about this for a while....
Looking Skyward for Momentary Meditations
I’ve been taking photos of sunrises and sunsets from my car these past six or so months. A car isn’t the ideal vantage point for a beautiful photograph, but it’s where I find myself when I’m gazing skyward these days. I don’t spend a lot of time in my car, mind you. It just so...
NAFTA: It’s What’s for Dinner
Or maybe for breakfast, or for lunch. In any case, what’s available in your grocery store has been profoundly shaped by the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). I know what we eat is largely shaped by public (health) policy, but I hadn’t thought about the relationship between NAFTA and my eating habits until I...
Texas “Merry Christmas” Law: Let’s Hope It Spreads Cheer, Not Fear
I first heard about the Texas “Merry Christmas†law when it was a bill last summer. My knee-jerk reaction was to roll my eyes. “What a waste of legislative time and effort,†I thought. But in the interest of keeping an open mind, I tried to step back and think about what the law was...
Can You Wish Me a Merry Christmas?
I bought a tree last night. I’ll decorate it this weekend. And it will be fabulous! Thinking about decorations has me sorting through memories and thinking about the season. I’ll be sharing my thoughts with you in the next few weeks. My thoughts today are about seasons greetings. Literally. I’m talking about the things we...
Thursday is the New Black: The Controversy Over Black Friday Creep
There has been a lot of chatter the past few weeks in the media and on the Grand Overseer about stores being open on Thanksgiving Day. I’m not talking about stores you’d think would be open, like your local grocery store — which I’m sure thousands of Americans desperately needed at about 11:00am yesterday. I’m...
Walls, Corners, and Floor Space: Finding the Right Spot for My Ancestor Altar
Jax has written about ancestor worship and her ancestor altar. I talk to my ancestors often, especially this year, but I have yet to set up an altar. I’m in a nice big house now, which I have all to myself, and I have the “real estate†to dedicate space for my altar in a way...
Connecting to My Ancestors through Cooking, Building, and Making Mead
Guest blogger: Hjortronsylt Websites: Hjortronsylt, Red Oak Heathens Royal reader since: 2011 I am a princess because I play one on the internet. Also, I rock an apron and bake treats from scratch. ♕  ♕  ♕  ♕  ♕  ♕ “Is this thing on? Is anybody listening?” These are questions I often ask my ancestors when sitting with a...
The Metaphysics of Runes, Part 2
Guest blogger: David Shane Shelton Website: Thorsdaeink Royal reader since: 2012 I am a princess when I listen to others, and when I am present to other’s suffering. ♕  ♕  ♕  ♕  ♕  ♕ Welcome back to the Pagan Princesses’ guest blog! Today, I am going to demonstrate one of the runes and break it...
The Metaphysics of Runes, Part 1
Guest blogger: David Shane Shelton Website: Thorsdaeink Royal reader since: 2012 I am a princess when I listen to others, and when I am present to other’s suffering. ♕  ♕  ♕  ♕  ♕  ♕ Welcome to a Pagan Princesses side-bar. I have been invited to provide my perspective into the ancient mystics. A little bit about me…I...
Filial Piety in China Changes from Philosophy to Law
In Confucian philosophy, filial piety (xià o) is a virtue of respect for one’s parents and ancestors. [It] means to be good to one’s parents; to take care of one’s parents; to engage in good conduct … to bring a good name to one’s parents and ancestors; … to obtain the material means to support parents...
