That is the problem with our country.  It’s never our fault.  We’re depressed, so we eat.  We’re bored in our marriage so we cheat.  We’re looking for something (or someone to believe in) so we blindly follow.  This woman had no money, and went to a doctor to have more babies she couldn’t support.  The doctor knew she wasn’t married, but allowed her to be implanted with who knows how many embryos, where is his responsibility in  it? 

And what if the doctor had simply said, no I will not do this?  Would the media be crucifying him for not being kind to the poor lady who only wants a baby?  More importantly how would you have felt had she been denied the chance to procreate?  I guess it’s the fault of political correctness!  LOL!  There I just shoved the blame from both the doctor and the stupid woman who was inseminated and blamed the entire country!  Doesn’t it make you feel all warm and fuzzy?

Holy Gods people, what is right is right, it ain’t that hard!  Can we all just open our eyes, think for ourselves and take things to their logical conclusion before we act on our impulse?  Why do we as people so easily believe what we’re told?  Even if we have no experience with the subject?  Sometimes even when we can see for ourselves we’ll listen to someone else.  That’s how come its so easy for people to fall into cults and drink the grape Kool-Aid.  So aside from trying to give a different face to the stereotypical Pagan why not add to that face responsibility for yourself and, being diligent and research anything you hear or see?  Maybe then things will begin to change for you, and that might start a domino affect and others will follow your good example?

The Pasco Pagans are the rail station that directs the human resources to their destinations.  Covens in the community are growing, classes are being taught, and the best part is the fellowship.  We’ve taken the time to really get to know one another and forge some really close relationships.  In fact I think that because of all the shit in the past, we’ve been able to actually are better for it.  The one thing is we know EVERYTHING about each other.  We have all  seen and done good and bad things.

Now we’re more focused and determined to give the community a better face, and to make some very lofty dreams a reality.  If you’re not part of the Pasco County Pagan Community, you’re missing something really special.  I challenge you to come out and meet you neighbors sometime soon!

Peace Out

Zoe

Peace out!

Zoe

First the date, June 12-14 2009 starting at 6 AM and closing on Sunday at 2 PM.  There will be workshops all day and some of those will be Besom Building, Technomancy, Dance Interpretation and many, many more!!  Carnival style games such as Ring toss, Dunk Tank, and Kissing both, plus more!  We will have a Labrynth, 4 different Rituals, a Kids Realm and a Knights tournament.

We have headliners!!  Warchild will be performing and Elaine Silver will be doing a workshop and more!  Check out the Phoenix Projects site for online registration.  Your price will include (if you choose that package) meals for all three days and entry into the event.  There are cabins available and camping sites.  We even have a chance for you to be staff and get in at a reduced rate!  So, check out the site at http://phoenixprojects.org

Hope to see you all there!

Peace out Zoe

Don’t email others and ask why I do what I do, email me.  I know that’s a hard concept for some of you since you like to just discuss me when I’m not around.  But really I’ll listen if you’re willing to hear the truth and my side of anything I have to say.   So, from here out I’ll only blog on the Pasco Pagans wordpress blog what’s happening in the Pagan community, personal spiritual stuff, I”ll promote other covens, and groves that want a plug, but my own personal observations will be at the following place.  http://zoerhodes.wordpress.com/

I’m going to go on and pass word protect all the other posts here that some found offensive, but they WILL be copied to my other blog.  So, read responsibly and at your own risk.

Helenism says that you the person are allowed to talk about injustices done, and have righteous anger as long as you don’t insult the person who has caused the injustice to you.  I’ve read similar things from other religions and a couple of terms that keeps coming back in all the posts and prose I’ve read is RESPONSIBILITY and JUSTICE. 

However, even with that I’ve seen people who believe that you have to protect friends, family, coven members even if they are wrong.  That you actually have to defend their positions when they’re harming another individual.  I find it fascinating that no matter what you argue back their response is, I will defend Apollo Moon Flower to the end because he is my coven brother.  What?  Apollo just made up shit because he didn’t get his way in an argument with Raven Fluffy Bunny and now has made it his mission to ruin her at her work, with other people in the community and to whomever will listen.

I ask, did you even go to Raven to hear her side of the story?  Well, no because I know Apollo and he wouldn’t lie to me?  Oh really?  How can you say you walk a path of self responsibility and justice.  That your word is you bond, and your honor means everything without the least bit of investigation of poor Raven?

I don’t know.  I’m so jaded.  That’s why I’m looking forward to Gaeyln’s class on honor.  Because Goddess knows that I haven’t’ behaved as I should have in every situation.  But I can at least see where I’ve been wrong and make the appropriate apologies.  I’d also, under no circumstances, unless I’ve seen the infraction just take the word of anyone who is being malicious against another person.  Nor would I just not be friends with, or cease a relationship with another human being without first asking the accused what the hell is going on.

Guess I’m just strange that way huh?

Peace Out

Zoe

Here is the quote:  In my great tiredness and discouragement, the phrase “Reverence for Life” struck me like a flash. As far as I knew, it was a phrase I had never heard nor ever read. I realized at once that it carried within itself the solution to the problem that had been torturing me. Now I knew that a system of values which concerns itself only with our relationship to other people is incomplete and therefore lacking in power for good. Only by means of reverence for life can we establish a spiritual and humane relationship with both people and all living creatures within our reach. Only in this fashion can we avoid harming others, and, within the limits of our capacity, go to their aid whenever they need us. ~ Albert Schweitzer

Pretty heavy stuff.  It also showed me how some things stay the same even after a substantial amount of time.  I mean look at Schweitzers quote and think of how many times you may have felt that same way.  It is really sad (and I have behaved the same way) that we live in an us and them mentality.  (Again I’m including myself here) Not giving a care or concern for the feelings of the other human being before we say, even if it’s comepletely true what we are about to unload on anther individual. 

Don’t get me wrong, I will never compromise my values, or morals I will always do what is right and defend the one being beaten.  Regardless if  can’t stand being in the same room with that person,  or they’re my dearest friend.  Because what is right is right.  However, I will take into consideration other peoples feelings.  I will try to always tell what I feel, or give my view without adjectives of the other person.  I will always be willing to listen to both sides, and remember that both sides are people.   And maybe, just maybe I don’t have all the facts.  I will never just take one persons view of what was said or done, because in all situations there are 3 sides to every story.  Yours, mine and the truth.

I don’t say that I am or you are lying.  Just that when we’re emotional we tend to say and do things out of that emotion.  We also see things colored as well.  That is why 3rd party, unbiased mediation is always a good thing.  Once you’ve mediated it, or worked things out.  No matter what the resolution, friends or non-friends, you walk away.  Leaving the stuff in the past.  You allow other people to make their own decisions, and not try to mar anyone involved.  You don’t make it your mission to ruin other people from one end of the planet to the next.  You move on and concentrate on yourself. 

You ask yourself  “what did I do in that situation that I could have done differently”?  If someone asks me about a relationship that I’m no longer in do my best to just say that our personalities, and opinions differed strongly and we, WE decided to not have the relationship anymore.  And then find something to do, anything that will occupy your time so that you don’t wallow in the sorrow, anger, vendetta and ruin yourself.  Because you will find yourself in the darkest depths of despair.   Regardless of whether or not you’re the one slinging the mud or not.  Even if you’re on the receiving end, you need to stop, on your side and just be. 

Be yourself, love yourself, and for lack of a better term.  Love your enemy.  Because we are “one human family”. 

Peace Out Zoe

You think, especially if you’ve ever been in a group either on line or real life, “mine will be different!”   You say to yourself, my group won’t be like Strawberry Fairy Dusts group, because I’m not going to have disagreements, people love me, they’ll all be my friends through thick and thin!  I started Pasco Pagans, because I didn’t want to drive to Clearwater  anymore, I wanted to meet people close to me.  I wanted a coven that would be a family to me.  LOL, still haven’t found the coven/family yet, but I’ve not given up hope!

And the other thing you’ll find out is there is so much negativity out there.  People in group settings tend to either be followers,  trouble makers, or Switzerland.  You’ll find if the group goes for any length of time that you are really never making everyone happy.  So, the best rule of thumb is, what do you want the group to do for YOU.  No one else.  Because once you start catering to the factions, you’ll lose your joy, and the group will become a chore.  Remember that there is an ass for every chair, and if it’s not your group, there is one some place that will take care of  Witchy Whiner,  or s/he can simply start  their own group.

You also should find 1 or 2 other good friends, that you can enlist in helping you run your group.  And under no circumstances…now get ready…don’t forget this very vital piece of information…NEVER, EVER GIVE YOUR GROUP TO SOMEONE ELSE TO RUN while you take a break.  That’s why you enlist the friends.  They can pick up the slack when you’re beat up, and given out.  Believe me that moment will come.  The one where your finger hovers dangerously over the delete button.  The moment when someone else, maybe even that friend that helps you run the group, says I’ll take that off your hands for ya!  DO NOT DO IT.  Not unless you don’t want to stay friends with that person for long after you come back.  Because you WILL come back.

Especially if that group is successful.  Because it’s a part of you.  It’s sort of like your child.  There wasn’t one day that  I didn’t think about Pasco Pagans when I stepped back.  And btw, that is what I did step back.   I didn’t leave, or give it away, I stepped back.  It was a 2 year step back, but  step back it was.  So, to all of you with that great, new Pagan group idea, go forth and create, make moderators and remember the rules. 

Rule 1: YOU CAN’T PLEASE EVERYONE ALL THE TIME, SO JUST FOCUS ON YOURSELF AND WHAT YOU NEED BECAUSE THERE IS AN ASS FOR EVERY CHAIR.

Rule 2: DON’T GIVE CONTROL OF YOUR GROUP TO SOMEONE ELSE’S, JUST TAKE A BREAK, BUT ALWAYS KEEP YOUR CONTROL

Rule 3: IF ALL ELSE FAILS REFER TO RULE 1!

Good luck, Peace out

Zoe

I met people under a starry, moonlit sky, that were students of teachers from the big leagues!  The kind that are the authors of the many books that line the shelves of the metaphysical store.  Humble men and women, offering insight on the trials and tribulations, joys and sorrows of all things Pagan and Pagan community.  I was re-charged, and revived, and I’m more at peace than I’ve been in a long time.

Roni, who had to write, and organize the entire ritual last night, and to whom I owe my eternal gratitude is a fabulous gifted witch.  She has much knowledge and is eager and willing to share it.  She has amazing networking connections and the things she has in her mind for our community is phenomenal!  I’m excited by all the future has to offer for our humble little county. 

Right now, I feel like I’m on a speedway.  Hurling through what the Gods have to teach me.  I have so many people to thank, people that probably have no clue what they’ve done to help set my course, and shove my ship into the spiritual sea that I am now navigating.  I thank Michelle and her husband for the initial push into the boat.  I thank Dan and Wolf for giving me the charts to steer my rudder.  Gwyn and Rusty for giving me the calm I needed when I looked at the turbulent waters and thought, “I can’t do this!”  Rusty I love it when you say, “it’s OK darling!”  Amanda, Gaeyln, Gina, Tony and Christina, for allowing me in and loving me, when I didn’t love myself.  And finally Roni, for running and kicking my ass off the jetty!

So, sometimes when the sea grows rough, and the storm clouds seem never ending, look hard.  Grab the lantern of the Hermit and look for the blessings, the direction and listen for your Gods.  Blessings sometimes come in disguises.  Blessings!

Peace Out

Zoe