You know what really chaps my ass? It seems like you can never get any help from people in the Pagan community for the most part. I mean I go to a very popular Pagan message board and ask questions...NO ONE answers them. And then later someone asks the same question, and gets a bunch of replies...WTF is that about?

I'll admit I am mostly a lurker at these sites. I only ask when I have a real question and I only post when I have something valid to say. So I don't know if its because I don't have high enough post numbers or something...but seriously. Alot of Pagans complain that there are so many fluff bunnies out there and people need to learn more about Paganism...well maybe you should answer some freaking questions they have!!!

It really seems like alot of Pagans are snobby. If you are still learning then you aren't worth a crap. That's how alot of us act. It's TRUE! Especially when you get into large groups.

It's really frustrating. But you know, it seems like no matter what the subject...when people start to get really knowledgable or really into a certain topic, they turn into cocky assholes. Whether it be cars, art, movies, or even Paganism...its all the same.

But anyway, seriously people. Don't bitch about fluffy bunnies if you aren't going to do anything to help them learn.

Ok, end rant. LOL.

I have been wanting to learn Tarot here for a very long time...

Well thanks to my wonderful husband, I know how have a Tarot deck! He bought me the Mystic Faerie Tarot deck for my birthday...and I feel so connected with it. So far every reading I have done has made sense to me. It's great! I even did a couple readings for Joshua and even though he has never had a Tarot reading work for him, I was able to do one for him! I just think that is another sign that we are connected on a deep and spiritual level.

But anyway, so I have been practicing with my deck and trying to get familiar with all the cards. I know I will be looking up meanings for a very long time. I am just trying to learn at my own pace. And for me, doing readings is the most fun and best way to learn, it seems.

Today I did a "Pro's & Con's" reading that I learned from watching a video on Youtube. Basically its a 4 card spread which, like the title says, shows you the pros and cons of a decision you are about to make or a situation you are in.

My situation was "What are the pros and cons of moving to Germany?" My hubby is on assignment to move to Germany here within the next year, so I am feeling very overwhelmed and wanted a little more in depth information on my anxiety about this.

For the first card, which represents the Heart of the situation, I drew the Wheel of Fortune. I read this to say that I am not sure how I should be reacting to this situation. I am not really worried about the actual move itself, I am just not sure whether I should be happy or upset about it.

For the second card, which represents the Pros, I drew The Sun. This is telling me that when I move to Germany, it will be a very happy and joyous time for my husband and me.

For the third card, which represents the Cons, I drew the Knight of Swords. This is telling me that while in Germany, I will be so focused and involved with my life in Germany that I may neglect my family and friends that are back in the USA. I may find myself so soaked up in the newness and activities of being in Germany that I may not keep in touch with them as much as I should and may lose some friendships because of it.

The final card represents the Crossing or Bridge from the Pros to the Cons. This will basically give me an idea of how I should be reacting to the matter. I drew the Four of Wands. This tells me that my move to Germany will be a very rare opportunity, and that I should see it as a valuable gift in life and enjoy it! It's telling me that I should be happy and excited about this move and take advantage of the situation.

This spread was very helpful for me. Lately I have been feeling alot of anxiety about this move to Germany. This spread was able to show me the good and bad things about it, and how I should be feeling about it all. It has really helped me overcome some anxiety and be a little more excited about the move!

If you would like to see a video of this spread in action, here is the video! =D I hope it works as well for you as it did for me!

I know this battle has been going on for a very long time now...but it never fails to get me all fired up.

I get so tired of seeing Paganism being shown as something evil or stupid or WRONG. Sure, there are people out there who give us a bad name, but what about all the CHRISTIANS who give Christianity a bad name? You know, the child-molesting priests, the murderers who kill in the name of God, the idiot bible-thumpers that protest military funerals? Are they ok just because they are "christians"???

The hubby and I were watching an episode of "A Haunting" on Discovery channel and the story was about this lady who started practicing Wicca and her devout Christian son thought it was evil...and then they blamed all the bad stuff that happened on Wicca...and guess what? The show ended with the lady never practicing Wicca again and they lived happily ever after...Give me a BREAK!!!

And today I read a message where I guess some Sherri chick on the view said something like "I want a leader who shares my beliefs...I wouldn't want some Wiccan casting spells over a cauldron..." GRRR! What the hell is that supposed to mean EXACTLY?

To all the ignorant people out there who consider Paganism to be evil, wrong, immoral, or whatever negative thing you think...GET A LIFE AND DO SOME RESEARCH. And I am not talking about the "ex-Pagans" who were expected to have sex to become a member or do other bad things. THAT IS NOT OUR RELIGION! READ A DAMN BOOK! (and I don't mean the bible!). Pagans are probably the nicest people you will meet. I mean, there are jerks everywhere, but seriously...if the main religion of the world was Paganism or Wicca...the world would be a much more loving and peaceful place. I am so glad that its making a comeback.  

I just get so sick of worrying about whether or not I should wear my pentacle necklace that Joshua bought me because some psycho Christian will give me a hard time. Now a days when I go into a store I, without even thinking, put my pentacle underneath my shirt and out of view. I shouldn't have to do that. I shouldn't be afraid to broadcast my faith like so many Christians do. 

Anyway, I could go on and on (and on) but I won't...just know that I am the WRONG person to try and "convert" and talk to about how Jesus will save me from this "evil" satanic worship. UGH! GET A LIFE PEOPLE!!!

< / rant > 

Ok, I have a couple things to talk about here. First...the Pagan Meetup Group that I *was* attending. Secondly, family.

Ok, so in my last post I talked about how great the Mabon feast was with the meetup group. Well, that was due to the efforts put forth by a good friend Tammy and Tabitha, and a few others. Well, before this feast the group was going no where. There was no structure, no real goals, and no steps to achieving any sort of improvement or progress with the group.

Well a few of us got together and started talking about things we can do to make the group better...well I guess the organizer had other plans. Well anyway, there was a sort of debate going on on the message boards of the meetup group. Today the shit has really hit the fan. There was a fire started on those boards and I think that most people agree that it was the organizer who started them.

So anyway, yesterday Joshua and I made a new group for Pagans of El Paso. I think it will be a really big success as long as we put in the work for it to be. (I posted a link to in my profile.) This group is casual and will stay that way. It's a place for Pagans to come together to meet people, make friends, have fun, learn from each other. I really think it will be a great group. I hope we are able to attract more members, too. Once we get started with everything, I don't see that as being a problem. 

But anyway, yeah that's the story with the old and new meetup groups.

Ok, for the second topic: family.

At times I get a little down because I will try talking to my parents about what is going on here (they are in Illinois, I am in Texas)...and right now pretty much everything that is going on with me here is the Pagan Meetup Group. But everytime I talk to them about anything Pagan I get the feeling they are very uncomfortable talking to me about it. That hurts because they may not believe in it, but it is a part of me and who I am. I have been Pagan since Junior High...so about 8 or 9 years now...

Of course I never told my parents about it. I didn't think they would understand or take me seriously...well little did I know that when I told them years later, when I was an adult and married, they still didn't understand or take me seriously. I feel like I can't talk to them about it. I am just so thankful to have a supportive husband who is also Pagan. That has been such a blessing. 

Well anyway, those are the things I wanted to talk about. Latah, Gatahz!!!

So I am back!!!

Yeah it has been a while. I have been kinda out of the blogging loop for a while. I haven't really had anything Pagan to post about. Lol.

Anyway, so Joshua and I went to a Mabon feast the other night with the meetup group. It was so much fun! I have made some really good friends through this group. Tammy and Tabitha Joy are so awesome. We will be having a cookout together here soon (along with a few other members) so that should be lots of fun!

I was driving home with Joshua the other night and I told him that I almost wished that I wasn't moving to Germany. It figures I finally make friends here and we have to move! That is the Army life I guess though. I am starting to get what life will really be like now.

But anyway, I am really excited because the group is really evolving into something great and fun. I can't wait to do more stuff with everyone. Samhain is coming up too!!! Yay!!! This is my favorite holiday of the year. We are planning on having a Witch's Ball. So that should be sooo fun! Also we are planning on going on a ghost tour of El Paso! How exciting is THAT? I will have my video camera by then so I will be editing and posting those over time! Yay!

I felt kinda stupid because I took my camera to the Mabon feast and didn't take any pictures! Sheesh. I was too busy stuffing my face. The food was so good. Lol. Oh well, next time! I need to take pictures of the group in general and maybe make a slideshow with some music. 

Anyway, I will end this here. I just thought I would drop in! =D

Love & Light,

Venus