I have the most awesome híredmenn. Tonight one of our gesiðas stepped down, knowing she did not have the time and resources to devote to the gesiðscipe. Her act demonstrated courage, loyalty and mindfulness. She remains one of our folk, even more worthy for having held true to our thews, and this night I am very proud that she is my sister.

Not long ago I received a letter saying, in part, “As for praise of your book, I mean every word and I gave it an equally glowing review on our Grove’s mailing list. I’m also very curious to see how the next book turns out. Magick is a fairly out there subject where everyone is more or less entitled to their own flights of whimsy, so if you manage to keep it even half as down to earth as the first book I’d consider that a tremendous accomplishment.”

The ‘next book’ he refers to is, of course, Wyrdworking: The Path of a Saxon Sorcerer, which I am currently finishing up. Will it be down to earth? I should probably leave that for the reader to decide. Now that the first draft is done, I can promise that Wyrdworking will be as honest as Travels Through Middle Earth. The book opens with a discussion of my own definition of magic, to ensure that the reader knows exactly where I intend to take him. Wyrdworking is not a book about spirituality, enlightenment or personal transformation. It is a book about magic. Old fashioned, cauldron stirring, wand waving magic.

Fully half of the book explores rune magic. I describe how each of the 29 runes of the Futhorc reflect an aspect of Anglo-Saxon culture and tradition. But the rune chapters also include simple, practical advice for combining runes for various purposes. This part of the book will also serve very well as a study guide for anyone who owns the Martin Rune Deck, which will be released by WolfDen Designs next month.

A chapter on galdor (voice/sound magic) discusses how to design effective incantations. Is this down to earth? I don’t know, but most of the techniques I present are found in the old Anglo-Saxon magic charms from the 9th and 10th centuries. And according to people who have attended talks I’ve given on galdor, the techniques work.

The chapter on wortcunning (herb magic) gives enough information to get the budding herbologist started on this path. In addition to listing useful herbs, I explain how to prepare magic potions and ointments. Again, is this down to earth? I think so. The techniques I describe are historical, time honored methods of utilizing the power of herbs. Although my own magic is influenced by my intuition and personal experience, it is fundamentally based on Saxon tradition and folklore. I have kept what works and discarded what does not.

This approach, blending lore with experience, is found throughout the book, and I constantly strive to differentiate between the two. I include ‘wyrd stones’ in the chapter on wiglung (divination), openly admitting that these are almost surely a 20th century creation based on Wiccan philosophy. Nevertheless, I have found wyrd stones to be remarkably accurate, and they seem to fit into a Saxon style of sorcery quite well. And, although I will leave it to my readers to form their own opinions, this is why I personally believe Wyrdworking is down to earth. It is honest. Not a treatise on historical, pre-Christian Saxon practices, nor merely a “flight of whimsy”, the book is a practical guide to this Saxon sorcerer’s path, put forth as well as I can.

To the tune of "Supercalifragilisticexpealidocious"
Lyrics by Shelly Goldstein

Stupid callous homophobic hateful legislation
Even though they wrap it up as "laws to save our nation"
How can it be moral to condone discrimination?
Stupid callous homophobic hateful legislation

I knew a lovely couple once named Benjamin and Lyle
The state of California stopped them walking down the aisle
Laws were passed as frightening as films by Roger Corman
Thanks to millions funneled here by many a rich Mormon

Stupid callous homophobic hateful legislation
Wedlock can't be limited to one orientation
It's the ones who outlaw love who suffer from damnation
Stupid callous homophobic hateful legistlation

Politicians fight for marriage, claiming gays will spoil it
Senators like Larry Craig whose toes tapped in the toilet
Congressman Mark Foley, known for moralizing rages,
Was so straight until they caught him trying to turn his Pages

Fearful rumors demonstrate this Right Wing desperation
Same-sex marriage is a choice, it's not an obligation
Doesn't mean that next we'll all elope with a Dalmation
Stupid callous homophobic hateful legislation

(Okay, now y'all know the words, go out and sing!)

My friend xomec reminded me in an eloquent LJ post that today is National Coming Out Day.

So if any of you on my friends list don't already know this, I'M GAY!

I used to describe myself as bisexual, but in my opinion 90% of the population is bisexual to some extent or another. Yes, I've been with a few women, but only a dozen or so. And, yes, it was (usually) very nice. But there is no question as to what truly inspires my passion, and after a time I decided to just come out and say it.

I'm gay.

It's not just what I do in the privacy of my bedroom, or in a tent or cabin at a festival. It is a core part of my essence. I didn't understand that for a long time, even after I'd started using "the G word", but I understand it now. We are all shaped by our sexuality, even the asexual Catholic nun, who is shaped by her own abstinence. Sexuality is an integral part of the human experience.

Why is National Coming Out Day important? Because we must be visible. We are not "flaunting" a lifestyle. What is flaunted, constantly, is the assumption that every young boy will grow up with an attraction to women, and every young woman will grow up with an attraction to men. The people who have inflicted this burden on gay men are responsible for the devastation faced by every woman who finds out that her years of marriage were a sham, because her husband was shamed into denying his sexuality. The people who have inflicted this burden on children and teenagers are responsible for the death of every young gay and lesbian who has committed suicide because he or she couldn't face the future.

I was surprised that I couldn't Google the lyrics to this song (below). I thought everything was on the world wide web these days. So I may not have all the words right, but they're as close as I can remember...

Dear Mom and Pop, how do I tell you?
I never thought I'd ever find the nerve.
Dear Mom and Pop, don't want to hurt you.
Pain is something you don't deserve.
How many times did I lie?
How many nights did I cry?
There's no other way I'll just have to come right out and say...I'm gay.

Dear Mom and Pop, I'm really happy.
I'm not ashamed at all of what I am.
Those who don't know, or think it's funny,
I don't pay much attention to them.
I'm hoping that you'll come to see,
This how the gods meant me to be.
This is my way, and I'm proud to come right out and say...I'm gay.

Dear Mom and Pop, you know I love you,
That's why you had to hear it from me.
If I didn't think so much of you,
I guess I could have just let it be.
You'd have heard it from somebody somewhere,
And that wouldn't be very fair.
Maybe one day it won't be such a hard thing to say...I'm gay.

Wassail and best wishes to tarenshadowwolf and to his beloved dinah_mead, who will be joined in marriage this day. May their ancestors and our Gods smile upon their union and bless them with many years of joy and prosperity.

He leaves behind all the pretentiousness and histrionics that neo-pagans are famous for, and he’s brought to our shared table a new look at a long-gone faith.

I wonder where I can get my hands on a July edition of "Renaissance" magazine?

Birthday felicitations to firewitchsparx! I'd do the big glittery font thing, but I don't know how.

I was going to get one of the many "2012" books, but today I realized that I'll probably be able to get them for next to nothing if I wait until 2013.

I met Randy Niere in the summer of 1977 shortly after moving to Kansas City. I didn't see him when I came through the city for a book signing last week, but 32 years after we first met, on the morning of June 21st, 2009, we both left Kansas City - me taking the "high road", and he taking the "low road". He was a year younger than me.

Like many Pagans, he was known by a variety of names. Many will remember him as Ternon de Caer Liant, the first prince of Calontir. A few, like myself, will also remember him by a name that I am oathbound not to share. At one time Ternon was my covenmate. He is also distantly related to Scott.

After Kelson left Middle Earth, Ternon and I saw each other infrequently. But we were once close, and his absence will leave a hole in the tapestry of my world. This solstice song, from Gwydion's early "Songs for the Old Religion" album, keeps playing in my head:

The raven is calling, she sits at my side.
She laughs like a demon, for death is my bride.
She's courted me often, but ne'er in the sun,
And now she will wed me when the battle is done.

The stag is my totem, the bull is your own.
'Tis reason enough that we fight all alone.
I have called you my brother, but now we must fight,
And the victor be crowned, ere the day turns to night.

It is now Frigesniht, on the eve of what might have been the twenty seventh anniversary of my handfasting to Kelson. I was told by a friend not long after Kelson's death that the "grieving process" lasts up to five years. That was incorrect. The grieving is forever, and despite the heart-pain I would have it no other way.

Nothing is forgotten.

(From the Human Rights Campaign website comes the following:)

What a great day for equality in our nation! The Human Rights Campaign issued a statement celebrating the Iowa state Supreme Court’s unanimous 7-0 decision today ruling that the equal protection provision of the Iowa Constitution guarantees gay and lesbian couples the same right to marry as heterosexual couples. As a result of the court’s decision in Varnum v. Brien, Iowa becomes the first state in the Midwest and the third in the nation after Massachusetts and Connecticut to recognize marriages for gay and lesbian couples.

HRC President Joe Solmonese:

This is a truly historic day for Iowa and a proud day for every American who believes in the promise of equal rights and fairness for all. The Iowa Supreme Court did its job by recognizing that gay and lesbian couples who form committed relationships and loving families deserve the same level of respect afforded to heterosexual couples. The unanimous court made forcefully clear that the state constitution guarantees the same rights and protections for all Iowans. This decision strengthens Iowa families and makes a strong statement for equality all across the nation.

We congratulate and commend Lambda Legal, the numerous organizations and individuals who briefed the Supreme Court, and, of course, the courageous plaintiff couples and their families who looked to the courts to vindicate their rights. We also thank One Iowa for their hard work across the state to ensure that gay and lesbian couples and their families receive the recognition that they rightfully deserve.

Read the rest of HRC’s press release to learn the key results from the ruling.

To celebrate the Iowa court decision, One Iowa and other LGBT advocacy groups including the Human Rights Campaign will host rallies across the state today and tomorrow:


Ames Rally
Friday, April 03, 5:30 PM
ISU Campus next to the Hub
Contact Matt Skuya at 515.314.0213

Cedar Falls/Waterloo Rally
Friday, April 03, 3:00 PM
Univ. of N. Iowa Maucker Union, Cedar Falls
Contact Kaitlin Corbitz at 319.610.7155

Cedar Rapids Rally
Friday, April 03, 5:00 PM
People’s Church Unitarian Universalist
600 3rd Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids
Contact Andrea Jansa at 319.360.8072

Council Bluffs Rally
Friday, April 03, 5:30 PM
Playland Park
2 North 40th Street, Council Bluffs
Contact Matt Skuya at 515.314.0213

Des Moines Rally
Friday, April 03, 5:30 PM
Western Gateway Park
13th Street between Grand & Locust @ 5:30 pm
Contact the One Iowa Office at 515.288.4019

Decorah Rally
Saturday, April 04, 10:00 AM
Winneshiek County Courthouse
201 W. Main St., Decorah
Contact Amalia Vagts at 563.382.6277

Dubuque Rally
Friday, April 03, 5:30 PM
Q’s
920 Main Street, Dubuque
Contact Tina Sio at 563.564.6316

Iowa City Rally
Friday, April 03, 5:30 PM
Univ. of Iowa Pentacrest
On Clinton Street and Iowa Avenue
Contact Matt Fender at 646.752.5932

Mason City Rally
Friday, April 03, 5:30 PM
Cerro Gordo County Courthouse
220 N. Washington Ave, Mason City
Contact Matt Skuya at 515.314.0213

Quad Cities Rally
Friday, April 03, 5:30 PM
Davenport Unitarian Church
3707 Eastern Avenue, Davenport
Contact Ryan Crane at 402.659.8110

I just stumbled across "Vegans and Vegetarians of MySpace". The profile photo accompanying this shows a person hugging a large tree.

Burger King should set up a MySpace page with somebody hugging a calf.

Remember those lists of 100 books with instructions to underline the books you've read, italicize the books you loved, etc? Remember thinking, "Who compiled this idiotic list?"

Well, here are 50 books by 50 fiction authors who have influenced my life to some degree or another. Most of these authors have written numerous books that I've read, but I limited the list to one title per author. Also, there are no children's books unless (like A Wrinkle in Time) I believe them to be appropriate and enjoyable for "children of all ages".

Italicize all the titles you've read.

1) Beowulf (Modern English translation)
2) Watership Down - Richard Adams
3) I, Robot - Isaac Asimov
4) The Way of Wyrd - Brian Bates
5) The Wizard of Oz - L. Frank Baum
6) Jaws - Peter Benchley
7) Planet of the Apes (English translation) - Pierre Boulle
8) The Mists of Avalon - Marian Zimmer Bradley
9) Ecotopia - Ernest Callenbach
10) Ten Little Indians - Agatha Christie
11) Timeline - Michael Crichton
12) The Door Into Fire - Diane Duane
13) The Twelve Maidens - Stewart Farrar
14) Flesh - Philip José Farmer
15) The Body Snatchers - Jack Finney
16) Fried Green Tomatoes - Fanny Flagg
17) Nor Crystal Tears - Alan Dean Foster
18) Alas, Babylon - Pat Frank
19) Lord of the Flies - William Golding
20) The Firm - John Grisham
21) Dead Until Dark - Charlaine Harris
22) Stranger in a Strange Land - Robert Heinlein
23) Pilgrimage - Zenna Henderson
24) Brave New World - Aldous Huxley
25) Carrie - Stephen King
26) The Jungle Book - Rudyard Kipling
27) Deryni Rising - Katherine Kurtz
28) To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
29) A Wrinkle in Time - Madeleine L'Engle
30) Rosemary's Baby - Ira Levin
31) The Store - Bentley Little
32) The Lord Won't Mind - Gordon Merrick
33) 1984 - George Orwell
34) Dust - Charles Pellegrino
35) The Godfather - Mario Puzo
36) The King Must Die - Mary Renault
37) Proposition 31 - Robert Rimmer
38) The Presence - John Saul
39) Ivanhoe - Sir Walter Scott
40) Frankenstein - Mary Shelley
41) The House Next Door - Anne Rivers Siddons
42) Gulliver's Travels - Jonathon Swift
43) The Hobbit - J.R.R. Tolkien
44) Harvest Home - Thomas Tryon
45) Tom Sawyer - Mark Twain
46) Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea - Jules Verne
47) The Front Runner - Patricia Nell Warren
48) The War of the Worlds - H.G. Wells
49) The Killing Gift - Bari Wood
50) The Day of the Triffids - John Wyndham

Happy Birthday dawa_lhamo_9!!!

I can see it coming. Eventually I'm going to have to accept the fact that you're an adult woman.

A super-duper, amazing, intelligent, fun and talented adult woman.

Sometimes when I focus on the Gods I forget about the lesser but more immediate spirits around me. Until one pinches my butt, that is. While I was at Pcon some little critter sucked the power out of my cell phone like it was drinking a battery latte. And of course I didn't bring my recharger, since I didn't think I'd need it. I recharged it when I got home, and of course now, three days later, it still has a full charge. The phone holds a charge for days on end when there isn't a púca screwing with it. Damn fairies.

Earendel had a nice Solmonað húsel while I was at the convention. It's nice to know that the world continues to revolve even when I'm not here to push. Scott says firewitchsparx was a kick-ass wéofodþignen. I knew she would be.

The Llewellyn staff members at Pcon assured me that I'll have copies of my book by the time I head off for the Heartland Pagan Festival. Hearing that bit of news may have been the high point of the convention for me. After all, what's the point of having a Llewellyn author as a festival speaker if there isn't any book? Other than, of course, my natural charm.

Patty Lafayllve's workshop on the role of gossip in neo-tribal communities was the best presentation I've heard in ages.

I love being Pagan.

My own workshop went well enough, but it could have been better. Bill's husband complimented my ritual design, and torcboy complimented the way I engaged my audience. But there were a couple times when somebody was sharing a deeply personal experience that I did not need to comment on. It would have been better to silently embrace the sharing. Instead I editorialized.

After I returned home I learned that Earendel will probably be severing ties with a long time ally. And that makes me sad, but it seems to be the best move, for both us and them. I would say more, but I don't think it would be appropriate until we move through this transition.

I also learned after returning home that my "2009 World Tour" has expanded a little. There will be a lot of travel for me in the coming months. Fortunately most if not all of it will be by truck or automobile.

I love seeing my name in lights! And it's only three months away now.

So let's do a meme

45 things about me
1. Do you like blue cheese salad dressing? Good gods, no. Blue cheese looks like something I've left too long in the refrigerator. Scott likes it. And I actually let him kiss me with that mouth.
2. Favorite late night snack? Popcorn. Well, that's not necessarily my favorite, but the other options are loaded with fat and calories.
3. Do you own a gun? Not anymore.
4. What's your favorite drink at Starbucks or other specialty coffee shop? The low cal vanilla thing. I'd recognize it if I saw it on a menu. I've only been in a Starbucks a couple times.
5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Sometimes - depends on the circumstance.
6. What do you think of hot dogs? They're sort of disgusting, but sometimes...when I'm in a mood...
7. Favorite Christmas song? Have Yourself a Merry Little Krissmas.
8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? I usually put on a pot of coffee.
9. Can you do push-ups? Can't everyone?
10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? Currently, the rune ring that Scott bought me last year when we went home for Yule.
11. Favorite hobby? RPGs, probably.
12. Do you have A.D.D.? I think A.D.D. is a made up disease, created to benefit the pharmaceutical industry. When I was a kid there wasn't any such thing as A.D.D. And I've noticed that now they've got every kid in America on drugs, they've created ADULT A.D.D. to expand their market base.
13. What's one trait that you hate about yourself? I tend to speak before I think. Yeah, word vomit just comes gushing out.
14. The last disease you contracted? Whatever that throaty/nasaly thing was I had earlier this month.
15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment. (1) I should be working on the second piece I promised Osric for the GFS website, (2) where the Hel is the dishwasher repair dude, (3) maybe I should put on some pants.
16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? Water, Fresca and coffee.
17. Current worry right now? That my book won't sell.
18. Current hate right now? Nothing special really. I know a lot of people are up in arms about the Prop 8 thing in California, but I pretty much expect christians to be hateful and mean, so nothing has changed in that arena.
19. Favorite place to be? Disneyworld, of course.
20. How did you ring in the New Year? Sat here with Scott and tarenshadowwolf and dinah_mead.
21. Like to travel? Yes.
22. Name three people who will complete this: I have no idea.
23. Do you own slippers? I think so. Someplace.
24. What color shirt are you wearing? Black.
25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? No, they're gross.
26. Can you whistle? Who are you, Lauren Bacall? Yes, I can whistle. I don't get the Lauren Bacall reference.
27. Favorite singer/band? It's a toss up between the Dixie Chicks and the Village People.
28. Could you ever make it 39 days on the show Survivor? I don't know. I've never watched it.
29. What songs do you sing in the shower? I hardly ever do that.
30. Favorite girl's names? Athena, Rowan, Dixie (if my next pup is a bitch I'm going to name her Dixie).
31. Favorite boy's name? Alaric, Rex (if my next pup is a male I'm going to name him Rex.)
32. What's in your pocket right now? I don't have any pockets at the moment. You may have noticed the comment above about needing to put on my pants.
33. Last thing that made you laugh? We watched our 'Speed Racer' DVD last night, which has some funny parts that crack me up.
34. Like your job? Don't have one.
36. Do you love where you live? ROFLMAO!!! You have GOT to be kidding!!!
37. How many TVs do you have in your house? I'm not sure. Only three or four are connected right now.
38. Who is your loudest friend? My friend Willow. When I go home for Heartland there are times when I can hear her voice on the other side of the camp.
39. Do you drive the speed limit or speed? Nobody drives the speed limit in PA. It's against the law here.
40. Does someone have a crush on you? I have no idea.
41. What is your favorite book? Brave New World.
42. What is your favorite candy? Yorkie Bar. But you got to watch those, because they're NINE FREAKIN' POINTS EACH.
43. Favorite Sports Team? KC Royals? I'm not much into competitive sports.
44. What were you doing 12 AM last night? Composing a letter to a friend in KC who is celebrating her 60th birthday this week.
45. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up today? I need to quit screwing around and finish up the Frige essay that I promised Osric.