For the most part, however, I don’t follow the blogosphere.  For one thing I don’t like reading prose that commits felonies against the English language.  Too many blogs come across as full of self infatuation and importance, deal with trivialities such as this morning’s breakfast, or use code that only a special few understand.  Maybe this is just because they offer nothing that speaks to me.

 This lies at the core of why I’m hesitant to become a blogger myself.  What do I have to say that speak to others, that they could possibly want to read?

 Well, maybe you won’t find any thoughts or musings here of interest, but I going to blog anyway.  I have expertise in the Natural realm that might interest you, for one thing; I’ve been an amateur and practicing Naturalist well, oh probably since about the age of 14.  I have also observed a lot of changes over the 60 years and more of life, not all of them good in my view, but nonetheless worthwhile to me to put out there for consideration.  I’m also reaching out to you to see if you are of like mind on things; that’s up to you to decide, and I don’t expect you to agree with all that I say.

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 I identify myself as a Nature Shaman.  I travel easily between the various worlds of Nature study: astronomy, meteorology, geology, ecosystems, the Earth’s evolution.  As a shaman I find journeying to other worlds – spiritual ones for lack of a better term – easily in trance, and those I meet there speak to me. 

 Being the Nature Shaman is a new role for me.  It’s come upon me over about the past two years or so, but it’s roots lie back in my distant past.  This path is one I’ve been meant to tread for a long time, and I’ve been in training for it without knowing it. 

Only recently has what this means begun to come into focus.  I think that my purpose as a Nature Shaman is to reconnect with the Earth and Nature in mind, body, and spirit and to help others do so.  I’m also to be a “rememberer”, one who collects and keeps alive the stories and knowledge of what the connection with Nature means.  Shamans travel between the worlds and connect with them for the good of all.  If there was ever a world we need to connect with and travel to, it’s our own Nature/Earth – the Great Mother from whom we come and who sustains us – from whom we’ve become separated.

 All very theoretical, you may find, reading it as words.  Yeah, it sounds sort of like that to me, too.  Like I said, what it means to be a Nature Shaman has just begun to become clear, and I ain’t there yet.  Writing the blog may help, as well as your comments and contributions to it.

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 August first or thereabouts is the harvest feast of Lammas. “Lammas” comes from “Loaf Mass” and in Britain in times gone by was a festive celebration and giving of thanks to God for the first gathering in of the year’s grain.  Tradition speaks of the first loaf made from the harvest being offered as the bread used in the eucharist.

The festival’s roots in Britain and Ireland are far older than that, however.  Remnants of the older ways have managed to survive their usurpation by the medieval church and the suppression of the Reformation.  This is still the time for fairs, for feasting and rejoicing in the fruits of the Great Mother, burning bonfires on hilltops, and dancing in the streets.

Lammas is also a time to reflect on the fact that the productive year has begun to wane.  To our ancestors not that long ago such as my Aunt Ruth and Uncle Warren, the fields, orchards, flocks, and herds were measured and managed carefully to be sure there was sufficient bounty to last the winter.  Now, of course, if we make even a modest living such worries don’t come to us.  There are fruits and perishable vegetables at the store year round along with all else we need.

 Still, this time of year has things for us to reflect upon.  The days become shorter.  The sun sinks lower in the sky each day, the Moon rises higher.  The birds have begun to prepare for winter, and already the goldfinches are beginning to lose some of their golden brilliancy.  The trees feel like they are preparing the sleep, the bright vibrant green of June now absent.  Nights grow colder.  It’s good to be aware of such things, that the season of summer is turning to autumn.  So it has always been in my lifetime and for ages before you and I were born.

Elements of Magic

Sept. 17-19, 2010

New Orleans, Louisiana

Reclaiming is a magical tradition that reveres the earth, promotes social and environmental justice, and focuses on the development of personal spiritual power.

Elements of Magic…

…is the first of the core classes  presented by Reclaiming.  In this class we will explore our personal relationships with the elements of Air, Fire, Water, Earth and Spirit.

Techniques explored in this class include breathwork, grounding, song, visualization, raising and working with energy, trancework, dancing, divination, spellcrafting, and creating sacred space.  Participants will learn to create and conduct a ritual. This is a valuable class for newcomers to Earth-centered religion and an inspiring refresher for experienced practitioners.

This class is offered as a three-day intensive, open to adults of all genders.  Classes will meet Friday evening, all day Saturday and half a day Sunday.  Our intention is to provide a safe and nuturing environment for everyone involved. A minimum of eight participants is required to hold the class. The classes are designed to build upon each other, so plan on attending all of them.

Teachers: Star Weaver, Taliesin,  and Autumn

Cost: $50-75 sliding scale covers supplies and space rental. Partial scholarships are available–please contact us for more information. A $20 non-refundable deposit holds your place in the class.  Contact data and checks may be mailed to:  Mark G., P. O. Box 1465, Wells, ME  04090

For More Information: Phone: 207 251-3669 Email: classes@elementsofmagicalliving.com

The Iron Pentacle
Sex, Pride, Self, Power, Passion
November 6 – 7,  2010

Wells, Maine

Reclaim your human birthright. Expand your authentic self to explore the five points of the Iron Pentacle: Sex, Pride, Self, Power, and Passion. Using trance, magic and ritual, we will experience the connections between these points and what happens when the points are out of balance. We will access each individual point of the pentacle using techniques that include guided meditation, art, song, movement, and sacred play. Together, we will learn to balance the Iron Pentacle within ourselves and bring it more fully into our lives and the dominant culture.

Prerequisite: Reclaiming Elements of Magic or equivalent experience.

This class is open to people of all genders 18 and over. The class will be drug and alcohol free to provide safe space for all. Iron Pentacle is offered as a weekend intensive. Classes will meet from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on November 6 and 7 and will be held in Wells, Maine.

Iron Pentacle has never been taught in Maine. We have invited a wonderful Reclaiming witch from Portland, Oregon to teach this class.

Ravyn Stanfield is dedicated to bringing more of the extraordinary into the world through the cracks of Western civilization. She practices acupuncture in Portland, Oregon. She teaches magical workshops internationally and in the Oregon prison system. Ravyn is an initiate in the Reclaiming and Feri traditions.  To learn more about Ravyn, please visit her website:  www.RavynStanfield.com.   Ravyn will be assisted by Star Weaver and Taliesin.

Cost: $75-125, sliding scale. Partial scholarships are available–please contact us for more information. A $30 non-refundable deposit holds your place in the class.  Contact data and checks may be mailed to Mark G., P. O. Box 1465, Wells, ME  04090

For More Information: Phone: 207 251-3669 Email: classes@elementsofmagicalliving.com.