To Main Page 2301 * STAND UP, STAND UP FOR ODIN -Robert Cook (Tune: "Stand Up For Jesus") Stand up! Stand up for Odin, you warriors of the beard! lift high the Raven Banner that half the world has feared! From Angleland to far Vinland shall sound the Warrior's Cry Till every foe is vanquished, and Odin reigns most high! March forth with steel flashing beneath the naked Sun and never stand at rest again 'til all the World is won! Let scarlet sword his symbol carve in every nation's sod 'Til every man still breathing stands up for OdinGod! Let ships with prows of Dragons the mighty oceans cleave and every land not Odin's our crimson gifts receive let Raven Banners fill the sky where every man has trod And all the soil beneath them belong to OdinGod! Stand up! Stand up for Odin, you Warriors of the North! With silver swords a-flashing to victory go forth! From Angleland to far Vinland our joyous conquest lead 'Til every foe is vanquished, and Odin's Lord, indeed! * 2302 * NUDE -W.J.Bethancourt III -Ed Hirt copyright 1982 W.J.Bethancourt III and Ed Hirt (Tune: "Men of Harlech") What the use of wearing panties Whalebone corsets of your Auntie's Boxer shorts and other scanties Best of all is nude There's such fun in going bra-less Now that it's no longer lawless 'Specially if your figure's flawless Best of all is nude Nude is what you're born in Shirts are never torn in Underwear and lacy flimsies, garter belts and other whimsies Yards of itchy cloth to put your form in Ducks all do it, maidens rue it Even ancient Picts in Britain blue it Going naked's how to do it Best of all is nude! If your garters aren't elastic Tie them up in knots fantastic (Panty hose is something drastic!) Best of all is nude! If you're tired of wearing clotheses Shed your garment 'mongst the roses Never mind the old bluenoses Best of all is nude! Nude is best for ducking! Worst for horses bucking! Moonlit nights will see such sights that are very best for fooling round .....and elbows! Nudity is grand to see A well-known antidote to virginity Take your clothes off and you'll see: Best of all is nude! * 2303 * FAIRIES LOVE SONG -Anonymous Why should I sit and sigh Broo and bracken, broo and bracken Why should I sit and sigh All alone and weary When I see the plover rising Or the curlew wheeling It's then I'll court my mortal lover Back to me is stealing When the moon begins her waning I sit by the water Where a man born of the sunlight Loved the Faerie's daughter Oh, but there is something wanting O but I am weary Coming blithe, now bonny treads he O'er the knolls to cheer me * 2304 * THE BARD'S SONG -W.J.Bethancourt III (c) copyright 1990 W.J.Bethancourt III (Tune: "Dublin City") As I walked out one quiet evening At the hour of twelve at night Who should I meet but a fair young maiden Combin' her hair by candle light; Lassie, I have come a-courtin' Your kind favours for to win And if you'd heed my petition I would be your Paladin... (CHORUS) Gather roses in the Springtime Gather roses while ye may, Time is passing; roses wither; Winter comes; we're here -today-. Have you seen the dew a-formin' On the grass at early morn? Have you seen the forest quiet, Or a stag that's barely born? Have you seen the dawn a-breakin' O'er the Western Ocean's tide? Have you felt my heart a-beatin' When it's held close to your side? I can give no gold or silver, I can give no fields of land, I can give no servants brisk To wait on you both foot and hand; I can give you wide roads callin' Wind and Rain, and Moon and Sun, Songs to sing, and love and laughter, Dresses made of plain home-spun. Come dance with me upon the greensward in the moonlight, in the Spring. Dance with me within the forest Dance with me within the ring! Earth below us, stars above us, Fire and water by our side, Dance with me within the moonlight, Dance with me, and be my Bride! * 2305 * ALL THRU THE NIGHT -Traditional While the Moon her watch is keeping all thru the night While the weary world is sleeping all thru the night O'er thy spirit gently stealing, Visions of delight revealing Breathes a pure and holy feeling all thru the night Though this Bard must roam full lonely My true harp shall sing praise only Love's soft dream, alas, is over Yet my strains of love shall hover Near the Presence of my Lover Hark! A solemn bell is ringing Thou, my King are heavenward winging Earthly dust from off Thee shaken Soul immortal shalt thou waken With thy last, dim journey taken Neath this Stone my King is sleeping Stars around Him softly sweeping Once and Future King preserving Britain's Saviour there reserving All around him Stars observing all thru the night Holl am ran-tire sehr thuh wed-ont ahr heed ah nos Dum-ar forth ee vro go-gawn-yont ahr heed ah nos Gol-i ar-all you tuh wull ooch ee are thang os gweer bred vairtch-ooch tie-leer nave oith m'yoon thu-wail-ooch ahr heed ah nos note: The last verse is phonetic Welsh. "ll" is pronounced by putting the tip of your tongue to the roof of your mouth, and saying "h" and "l" at the same time...sort of. "ch" is pronounced as German. * 2306 * TWO MAGICIANS (Child #44) recorded by Steeleye Span "Below the Salt" She looked out of the window, as white as any milk He looked in at the window, as black as any silk (Chorus): Hello, hello, hello, hello you coal black smith You have done me no harm! You never shall have my maidenhead That I have kept so long! I'd rather die a maid, aye, and then she said, And be buried all in my grave, Than to have such a nasty, husky, dusky, fusty, musty coal black smith! A maiden I will die! She became a duck, a duck all in the stream And he became a waterdog, and fetched her back again She became a star, a star all in the night And he became a thundercloud and muffled her out of sight She became a rose, a rose all in the wood And he became a bumblebee and kissed her where she stood She became a nun, a nun all dressed in white And he became a chantry priest to pray for her by night She became a trout, a trout all in the brook And he became a feathered fly, and catched her with his hook She became a quilt, a quilt all on her bed And he became a coverlet, and gained her maidenhead! note: This has MANY variants. See Robert Graves' "The White Goddess" pg. 401! * 2307 * JOHN BARLEYCORN There were three men come out of the West Their fortunes for to try, And these three men made a solemn vow: John Barleycorn should die! John Barleycorn should die! (nb: 4th line of each verse is sung twice) They plowed, they sowed, they harrowed him in, Threw clods upon his head, And these three men made a solemn vow: John Barleycorn was dead! CHORUS: Fa la la la, it's a lovely day! Sing fa la la lay oh! Fa la la la, it's a lovely day! Sing fa la la lay oh! They let him lie for a very long time 'Til the rain from Heaven did fall, Then Little Sir John sprung up his head, And so amazed them all! They let him stand 'til Midsummer tide, 'Til he grew both pale and wan, Then Little Sir John he grew a long beard, And so became a man! They hired men with the sythes so sharp To cut him off at the knee They rolled him and tied him about the waist, And used him barbarously! They hired men with the sharp pitchforks To pierce him to the heart, And the loader he served him worse than that, For he tied him in a cart! They wheeled him around and around the field, 'Til they came to a barn, And there they made a solemn mow Of poor John Barleycorn, They hired men with the crab-tree sticks To strip him skin from bone And the Miller he served him worse than that: For he ground him between two stones! They have wheeled him here and wheeled him there And wheeled him to a barn, And they have served him worse than that They have bunged him in a vat! (more) 2308 John Barleycorn (cont.) They have worked their will on John Barleycorn But he lived to tell the tale; For they pour him out of an old brown jug, And they call him home-brewed ale! Here's Little Sir John in a nut-brown bowl, And brandy in a glass! And Little Sir John in the nut-brown bowl Proved the stronger man at last! For the huntsman he can't hunt the fox Nor loudly blow his horn, And the tinker can't mend kettles nor pots Without John Barleycorn! (Note: sing the chorus after every other verse or so. Encourage the group to join the song) * * THE FALSE KNIGHT UPON THE ROAD (Child #3) -recorded by Steeleye Span "Oh where are you going to?" said the False Knight upon the road "Oh I'm going to my school." said the wee boy and still he stood "What is that upon your back?" said the False Knight upon the road "Ah weel, it is my books!" said the wee boy and still he stood Oh, what have you got there? I wish you was on the sands. I have got my bread and cheese! Yes, and a good staff in my hands! Oh won't you give me some? I wish you was on the sea. No, ne'r a bite or crumb! And a good ship under me! And the ship to sink. An inch away from shore! I think I hear a bell. And it rings you straight to Hell! * 2309 * NOTTAMUN TOWN -Traditional In Nottamun Town, in Nottamun Town Not a soul would look up not a soul would look down Not a soul would look up, not a soul would look down To show me the way to fair Nottamun Town I bought me a horse t'was called a grey mare Grey mane and grey tail and green stripe on her back Grey mane and grey tail and green stripe on her back Weren't a hair upon her that was not coal black She stood so still threw me to the dirt She tore at my hide, she bruised my shirt From saddle to stirrup I mounted again and on my ten toes I rode over the plain When I got there no one did I see they all stood around me just looking at me i called for a cup to drive gladness away And stifle the dust for it rained the whole day And the King and the Queen and the company more Came a riding behind and a walking before Come a stark naked drummer beating a drum With his hands in his bosom came marching along Sat down on a hard hot cold frozen stone Ten thousand stood round me but I was alone Took my heart in my hand to keep myself warm Ten thousand was drowned that never was born * 2310 * CAMBRIAN DREAM -Gwydion PenDerwyn copyright probably to Nemeton In the mountains of Cambria, by Rhymney's bright stream I have oft slept in heather, and dreamed a bright Dream No mortal could wake me, nor see what I've seen No landscape could ever compare. 'Twas the Land of my Fathers, unfettered, and free Ere the time that the Saxon swept over the Sea When mistletoe grew 'neath the shining Oak Tree No landscape could ever compare! (Chorus): Dreaming of Prydein, asleep on a hill When I awaken, will you be there still? Oh, Island of Poets, my dreams you can fill But never the long waking hours. Mighty Poets and Warriors traversed every road Leaving stories and legends wherever they strode Their pasts are recalled in the humblest abode In tales of the sunnier days. (Chorus) Now my story is ended, my song is all gone I have slept thru the evening, and into the dawn Yet still, I remember your Face, Albion, And your older, and much wiser ways! (Chorus) * 2311 * SHE MOVED THRU THE FAIRE -Padraic Colum recorded by Theodore Bikel My young love said to me: My mother won't mind And my father won't slight you for your lack of kind She put her arms 'round me; these words she did say: It will not be long, love, 'til our wedding day! Then she stepped away from me, and she moved thru the Faire And so fondly I watched her move here and move there At last she turned homeward, with one star awake As the Swan in the evening moves over the lake. Last night she came to me, my dead love came in And so soft did she move that her feet made no din She put her arms 'round me; these words she did say: It will not be long, love, 'til our wedding day! * * CUP OF WONDER -Ian Anderson recorded: "Songs from the Wood" Jethro Tull copyright 1977 Salamander Music pub. USA: Chrysalis Music Corp. May I make my fond excuses for the lateness of the hour But we accept your invitation, and we bring you Beltane's Flower For the May Day is the Great Day, strung along the Old Straight Track And those who ancient Lines did Ley will heed this song that calls them back! Ask the Green Man where he comes from, ask the Cup that fills with Red Ask the old grey Standing Stones who show the Sun His way to bed Question all as to their Ways, and learn the Secrets that they hold Walk the lines of Nature's Palm, crossed with Silver and with Gold. (Chorus): Pass the Word, and pass the Lady Pass the Plate to all who hunger! Pass the Wit of Ancient Wisdom Pass the Cup of Crimson Wonder! Join in Black December's Madness! Lie in August's welcome Corn! Stir the Cup that's ever filling with the Blood of all that's born! For the May Day is the Great Day, strung along the Old Straight Track And those who ancient Lines did Ley will heed this Song that calls them back! 2312 * CUP OF WONDER II -variant lyrics by the Whyte Bard May I make my fond excuses for the lateness of the Hour But I accept your invitation, and I bring you Beltane's Flower For the May Day is the Great Day strung along the Old Straight Track And those who ancient Lines did Ley will heed this Song that calls them back! Ask the Green Man where he comes from, ask the Sun his way to bed Ask the grey and Standing Stones where last they lay their head Ask the Lady where She's standing, growing young, and growing old Cross the Lines of Nature's Palm, marked with Silver, crossed with Gold For the May Day is the Great Day strung along the Old Straight Track And those who ancient Lines did Ley will heed this Song that calls them back! Ask the Lady where She's standing in the green and growing corn! Take the Cup that's ever filling with the Blood of all that's born! For the May Day is the Great Day, strung along the Old Straight Track And those who ancient Lines did Ley will heed this Song that calls them back! So, pass the Cup, and pass the Lady! Pass the Plate to all who hunger! Pass the Wit of Ancient Wisdom Pass the Cup of Crimson Wonder! (repeat verse 1) * 2313 * THE SONG OF WANDERING AENGUS -Wm. Butler Yeats recorded by Judy Collins I went out to the hazel - wood Because a fire was in my head Cut and peeled a hazel - wand Tied a berry to a thread And when white moths were on the wing And moth - white stars were flickering out I dropped the berry in a stream And caught a little silver trout.......... I had but laid it on the bank And gone to blow the fire a-flame Something rustled in the air Something called me by my name! It had become a glimmering Girl With apple - blossom in her hair Who called me by my name, and ran And vanished in the brightening air........ Though I am old, with wandering Thru hilly lands, and hollow lands; I'll find out where she has gone To seek her lips, to take her hands- And walk thru long green dappled grass; To pluck 'til Time, and times are done: The Silver Apples of the Moon; The Golden Apples of the Sun............... * 2314 * THE CHILDISH EDDA -Poul Anderson -Ron Ellik (Tune: "Tramp, Tramp, Tramp") Yggdrasil, where Nine Worlds clash, is a noble piece of ash That shelters Norns and Gods and all that crew There, a Dragon gnaws the base of an Eagle's resting place, And four Harts, a Goat and Squirrel are there too! Frigga took a year or so, and, except for mistletoe Got from everything an Oath for Balder's good Evil Loki wished him harm, so he hired Hodr's arm, And the staff the Blind God threw was kissing-wood! Tyr vowed Fenris-Wolf his hand if he couldn't break the Band That All-Father's wisdom made both light and hefty... Lupine muscles strained away, but the magic held its' sway - And from then on, till The Time, they called Tyr "Lefty!" When Thor went out to fish, he quickly got his wish, and he hauled a Jormangandr from the Bay. But Hymr cut the cable, and Thor was only able To brag about the "one that got away..." When Thor called upon the Giants, they didn't show defiance, But they soon got rid of him, and of his Hammer! For the sea he could not swallow, and old Grandmaw beat him hollow, And the House-Pet caused an awful katzenjammer! Asa-Thor became a "her" for to repossess Mjollnir, And unto a frosty brute his troth did plight; But the vittles that he ate would an army more than sate, And the chefs at Utgard always rued that night! Each God's Apple every day, kept the doctor far away 'Til a Giant captured Ydun from their Halls... Loki fetched home Bragi's Bride, with Her health-food store beside, Plus a char-broiled eagle underneath the Walls! Odin said to Mim: "I think I would sort of like a drink." Answered Mim: "That will cost you your left eye! For you've come up very late to the Well at Wisdom's Gate And the set-up prices, after hours, are high!" Oh, the Giants brought their War up to Bifrost's very Door And the battling wrecked Asgards perfect clime- Jormungandr, Hel and Fenris dealt out Death in doses generous And, in fighting, did the Aesir pass The Time! * 2315 * THE VALKYRIE SONG (Tune: Wagner's "Flight of the Valkyries") We fly through the night skies Flashing our fat thighs, Picking up dead guys; You call this a job? You take the blond guy, I'll take the redhead! Wait, he's not dead yet; Let him go . . . splat! Chorus: Woo-oop! Woo-oop! Woo-oop! Woo-oop! Woo-oop! Woo-oop! Woo-oop! Woo-oop! Oh-h-h-h-h-h! We're hunting the Wabbit! We're hunting the Wabbit! We're hunting the Wabbit! We're hunting the Wabbit! * 2316 * GOD IS ALIVE, MAGIC IS AFOOT -Leonard Cohen (c) 1966 God is alive.....Magic is afoot...God is alive....magic is afoot... God is afoot.....Magic is alive...Alive is afoot..magic never died! God never sickened. Many poor men lied. Many sick men lied. Magic never weakened. Magic never hid. Magic always ruled. God is afoot. God never died! God was Ruler, though his funeral lengthened. Though His mourners thickened, magic never fled. Though His shrouds were hoisted the naked God did live; Though His words were twisted the naked magic thrived; Though His death was published round and round the world The heart did not believe. Many hurt men wondered. Many struck men bled. Magic never faltered. Magic always led. Many stones were rolled, but God would not lie down! Many wild men lied. Many fat men listened. Though they offered stones, magic still was fed! Though they locked their coffers, God was always served. Magic is afoot....God is alive.... Alive is afoot....Alive is in command. Many weak men hungered. Many strong men thrived. Though they boasted solitude, God was at their side. Nor the dreamer in his cell, nor the captain on the hill: Magic is alive! Though His death was pardoned 'round and 'round the world, The heart would not believe! Though laws were carved in marble they could not shelter men; Though altars built in Parliaments, they could not order men; Police arrested magic and magic went with them, ah! For magic loves the hungry.... But magic would not tarry, it moves from arm to arm, It would not stay with them; it cannot come to harm: Magic is afoot! It cannot come to harm. It rests in an empty palm. It spawns in an empty mind. But magic is no instrument: magic is the End! Many men drove magic, but magic stayed behind; Many strong men lied. They only passed thru magic and out the other side! Many weak men lied. They came to God in secret and though they left Him nourished, They would not tell Who healed; Though mountains danced before them, they said that God was dead! Though His shrouds were hoisted, the naked God did live! (more) 2317 God Is Alive; Magic Is Afoot (cont.) God is alive! Magic is afoot...God is alive... God is alive... Magic is afoot... This I mean to whisper to my mind: This I mean to laugh with in my mind: This I mean my mind to serve 'Til service is but magic, moving thru the world And mind itself is magic, coursing thru the flesh And flesh itself is magic, dancing on a clock, And Time itself, the magic length of God! God is alive...Magic is afoot...Magic is afoot...God is alive.. Magic is alive...God is afoot...Alive is afoot...God never died. Many strong men lied. They only passed thru magic and out the other side! This I mean to whisper to my mind: This I mean to laugh with in my mind: This I mean my mind to serve 'Til service is but magic, moving thru the world And mind itself is magic, coursing thru the flesh And flesh itself is magic, dancing on a clock, And Time itself, the magic length of God! 2318 * *************************** THAT REAL OLD TIME RELIGION *************************** THE ENTIRELY ARBITRARY CATEGORIES OF THE VERSES ASATRU AND ODINISM:..................................Pg.2317 BRUJA:...............................................Pg.2317 BUDDHISM:............................................Pg.2318 CARGO CULT:..........................................Pg.2318 CHRISTIAN:...........................................Pg.2318 CLASSICAL PAGANISM:..................................Pg.2319 CONFUCIANISM.........................................Pg.2321 CTHULHU: (a fictional deity, but well-known).........Pg.2321 (THE ALMIGHTY) DOLLAR................................Pg.2322 DISCORDIANISM:.......................................Pg.2321 DRUIDS:..............................................Pg.2322 EGYPTIAN:............................................Pg.2322 FICTIONAL GODS, DEMONS AMD HEROES:...................Pg.2323 HINDU:...............................................Pg.2323 ISLAMIC:.............................................Pg.2323 JEWISH:..............................................Pg.2324 KAHBAHLA:............................................Pg.2324 KRISHNA:.............................................Pg.2324 MIDDLE EASTERN PAGAN:................................Pg.2324 MITHRAISM:...........................................Pg.2325 MOONIES:.............................................Pg.2325 NEW AGE:.............................................Pg.2325 NEW WORLD PAGAN:.....................................Pg.2325 SCIENTOLOGY:.........................................Pg.2326 SHINTO:..............................................Pg.2326 THELEMA:.............................................Pg.2326 VOODOO:..............................................Pg.2326 WICCA AND GENERAL NEO-PAGAN:.........................Pg.2327 ZARATHUSTRIAN:.......................................Pg.2328 UNCLASSIFIABLE VERSES AND UNKNOWN GHODS..............Pg.2328 NEW VERSES NOT YET CLASSIFIED:.......................Pg.2328 2319 * THE REAL OLD TIME RELIGION tune: "Old Time Religion" (Chorus): Give me that real old time religion (3X) It's good enough for me! ASATRU AND ODINISM: I hear Valkyries a-comin One-eyed Odin we will follow In the air their song is comin And in fighting we will wallow They forgot the words! They're hummin! Till we wind up in Valhallow But they're good enough for me! Which is good enough for me! We will drive up to Valhalla It was good enough for Odin Riding Beetles, not Impalas Though the tremblin' got forbodin' Singing "Deutschland Uber Alles" Then the giants finally strode in, And that's good enough for me! But it's good enough for me! It was good enough for Loki Shall we sing a verse for Thor, It was good enough for Loki Though he leaves the maidens sore? He thinks Thor's a little hokey They always come back for more, And that's good enough for me! So he's good enough for me! Shall we sing in praise of Loki, It was good for Thor and Odin Though he left poor Midgard smokey? It was good for Thor and Odin Oh, his sense of humor's hokey, Grab an axe and get your woad on! But he's good enough for me! and it's good enough for me! All the Gods tore into Loki We will worship now with vigor Saying Deicide is hokey! The goddess known as Frigga And they threw him in the pokey! Tho there are some who don't dig her And that's good enough for me! She is good enough for me! Good old Thor's the god of thunder If you wanna worship Odin Really helps us get our plunder You don't have to have a coat on Tho his head's still truly dunder Grab a sword and slap some woad on He is good enough for me! And that's good enough for me! In the halls of Frey and Freyja We will sing a verse for Loki All the priestesses will lay ya He's the old Norse god of Chaos If you're good enough, they'll pay ya! Which is why this verse don't And that's good enough for me! rhyme or scan or nothin' But it's good enough for me... BRUJA: Let us sing for Brujaria Though the blood's a lot less cleaner; It's not Christian Santaria So it's good enough for me! 2320 BUDDHISM: We will all go to Nirvana Oh we all will follow Buddah So be sure to mind your manners Oh we all will follow Buddah Make a left turn at Savannah And we'll eat no food but Gouda And we'll see the Promised Land! Which is Gouda-nuff for me! It was good enough for Buddha, We will go and sing "Hosanna" As a god he's kinda cute-a, To our good ol' pal, Gautama, And he comes in brass or pewta' He will never flim or flam ya', So he's good enough for me! And that's good enough for me! No one wrote a verse for Buddah We will all go to Nirvana Tho I think they really coulda We will all go to Nirvana And I really think they shoulda Make a left turn at Urbana 'Cause he's good enough for me! And you'll see the Promised Land! CARGO CULT & PACIFIC ISLANDS: To the tune of Handel's "Largo" If you get too tired We will hymn the gods of Cargo And you need to get up higher 'Til they slap on an embargo Just have Pele light your fire! And that's good enough for me! From her island in the sea! You can keep your saints with halos, Your hosannas or dayenus: Let's throw virgins in volcanos! And that's good enough for me! CHRISTIAN: We will worship with the Fundies There are those who worship Satan With their itchy hair-shirt undies And are just anticipatin' If they don't bring "Mrs. Grundy," Armageddon's conflagratin' Then it's good enough for me! That ain't good enough for me! It was good for old Jehovah Let's all listen up to Jesus He had a son who was a nova! He says rich folks like old Croesus Hey there, Mithras! Move on ova'! Will be damned until Hell freezes Another resurrection Day! And that don't sound good to me! Jerry Falwell thinks he's sav-ed Oh we'll all be Fundamental In a lamb's blood he's been lav-ed And be Holy Testamental And HE thinks that I'M deprav-ed And never Trancendental But that's good enough for me! And that's good enough for me! That Bob Larson shrieks and hollers We will finally pray to Jesus Fighting demons in his callers From our sins we hope he frees us Save his program: SEND YOUR DOLLARS! Eternal life he guarantees us And that's good enough for me! And that's good enough for me! Tho J.C.'s into fish, too, Anytime that I start hearin' He's an avatar of Vishnu "Jesus loves you" I start leerin' So he is welcome here, too, Maybe so, but not like Brian * And that's good enough for me! Which is good enough for me! 2321 Brother Jerry is a cretin Brother Oral's in his tower, But with all the cash he's gettin' Trusting in the Lord's power Lotsa folks'll be forgettin Getting richer by the hour, It's the "Land of the Free!" Now he's got the ransom fee! Brother Robert's church is Crystal Brother Earnest is a healer But all the Bible that he's missed'll And not QUITE a wheeler-dealer -- Make you "hotter than a pistol" More a jumper and a squealer But he's good enough for me! So he's good enough for me! Brother Jim and Sister Tammy Then there's good ol' Brother Billy Had a show that was a whammy Bringing souls in willy-nilly. But now they are in Miami All his trips are kinda silly, Tryin' t'get back on TV! But he's good enough for me! Whether Low Church or it's High Church And the Romans said of Jesus Or it's Pie-Up-In-The-Sky Church "Lets kill him, he don't please us" Come on down and visit my Church "But the Atheists will tease us" 'Cause it's good enough for me! And thats good enough for me You could join Jehovah's Witness And let's not forget Pelagius Running door to door for fitness Though some call him outrageous Well if you've been blessed with quickness, He is pious and courageous Then thats good enough for me And he's good enough for me! CLASSICAL PAGANISM: We will go to worship Zeus You can dance and wave the thyrsos Though his morals are quite loose And sing lots of rowdy verses He gave Leda quite a goose Till the neighbors holler curses, And he's good enough for me! And that's good enough for me! We will pray to Father Zeus We will sing for great Diana In his temple we'll hang loose Who will teach of love and honor Eating roast beef au jus, But you really gotta wanna! And that's good enough for me! 'Cause she's tough enough for me! Shall we sing a verse for Venus, We went off to worship Venus Of the Gods she is the meanest, By the Gods! You should have seen us! Cause she bit me on my...elbow! Now the Clinic has to screen us... And it's good enough for me! But that's good enough for me! We will venerate old Bacchus It was good enough for Sappho Drinking beer and eating tacos With her lady on her lap-o Til you've tried it please don't knock us She put Lesbos on the map-o 'Cause it's good enough for me! With her pagan poetry! Let us raise a toast to Bacchus, When we worship Bacchus We will raise a royal ruckus, The ethanol will sock us Then we'll lay us down and f**k us We'll all get good and raucous That's good enough for me! And that's good enough for me! Diana is a little spikey We'll sing praises to Apollo; And she is a little dyke-ey Where the Sun God leads we'll follow You don't have to be a Psych-e ('Though his head's a little hollow) To know that's right for me! He's good enough for me! 2322 We will worship with Poseidon Don't neglect that shrine of Zeus' We will meet him when the tide's in Tho he's lost his vital juices All the maidens he will ride in The old boy still has his uses Then he'll give 'em all to me! And he's good enough for me! All the hunters start convergin' We will all bow to Hephaestus When Diana is emergin' As a blacksmith he will test us It's too bad she's still a virgin 'Cause his balls are pure asbestos But there's still hope left for me! So he's good enough for me! And what about this Bacchus, There is room enough in Hades Who lives just to raise a ruckus? For lots of criminals and shadies Loosens women so they'll f**k us, And disreputable ladies, Well, that's good enough for me! And they're good enough for me! We will all see Aphrodite And to help things get real racous Though she's pretty wild and flighty The priests of Pan and Bacchus She will meet us in her nightie Will hold a f***ing contest! And she's good enough for me! And that's all right with me! Oh we will go and worship Pan, 'cause he just don't give a damn! Grab a woman or a man, And that's good enough for me! Was a time, so I've heard tell, a We all worshipped Dionysus Fine and promising young fella 'Till we ran into a crisis: Gave his all to serve Cybele The bar had raised its prices; But that's damn well not for me! That's not good enough for me! We'll sing praises to Apollo There's that lusty old Priapus Where the Sun-God leads, I'll follow He's just itching to unwrap us. From Ionia to Gaul-o (He'd do more to us than tap us And that's good enough for me! And that's good enough for me!) We will have a mighty Party Pan's pipes got plugged last summer In the honor of Astarte And it really was a bummer Grab your chiton - don't be tardy Finally had to call a plumber! 'Cause she's good enough for me! But he's good enough for me! In his dancing Pan will lead them Now Danae was sweet as flowers, When his pipes call we will heed them She was into golden showers; In truth tho, he don't need them And that showed her Zeus' power He's more than enough for me! And that's good enough for me! It was good enough for Venus We will sing our staves to Venus She'd have sighed if she'd of seen us We will sing our staves to Venus Letting morals come between us Tho I think this rhyme is henious And she's good enough for me! But it's good enough for me! There's one thing that I do know Let us dance with Dionysus Zeus' favorite is Juno And get drunk on wine and spices She's the best at doing...you know! The Christians call them "vices" And that's good enough for me! But they're good enough for me! It was good enough for Cupid We will venerate old Hermes It was good enough for Cupid With his staff entwined with wormies His wings look kind of stupid Warding off the nasty germies But that's good enough for me! And that's good enough for me! 2323 Let's all drink to Dionysus We will all bow down to Venus Wine and women beyond prices! As we dance upon Mt. Zenos He made a Maenad out of my Sis! We will worship with our....voice And that's good enough for me! And that's good enough for me! There are those who, when they've got e- Normous problems that are knotty They just take them to Hecate We all worship Aphrodite, And that's good enough for me! And Her sister bold Astarte, They both throw a lovely party, In the church of Aphrodite And that's just fine with me! She's a mighty righteous sightie, The Priestess wears a see through nightie And she's good enough for me CONFUCIANISM Let us read works of Confucius We used to study old Confucius As we walk thru Massachusetts As we sat there on our tushes In white robes that freeze our tushes We're learning but don't push us But it's good enough for me! And thats good enough for me CTHULHU: We will worship mighty Cthulhu We will worship Great Cthulhu, H. P. Lovecraft's big old hoodoo We will worship Great Cthulhu, (1930's fiction voodoo....) And we'll feed him Mr. Sulu But that's good enough for me! 'Cause that's good enough for me! Let us sing to Lord Cthuhlu We will sacrifice to Yuggoth Don't let Lovecraft try to fool you We will sacrifice to Yuggoth Or the Elder Gods WILL rule you Burn a candle for Yog-Soggoth And that's good enough for me! And the Goat With a Thousand Young Of the Old Ones, none is vaster Well it's good enough for * Even Cthulhu's not his master He's a mighty kinky master I refer to the unspeakable * When you pray he goes much faster and that's good enough for me! And that's good enough for me! And for those who follow Cthulhu Let's go worship Great Cthulhu, We have really got a lulu: And run naked like a Zulu, Drop a bomb on Honolulu! You and me and Mr. Sulu, 'Cause that's good enough for you! And that's good enough for me! * - well, do YOU want to say it? DISCORDIANISM: Let us sing to old Discordia Of Great Murphy much is spoken Cause it's sure she's never bored ya For his Law shall not be broken And if she's good enough for ya It's not pretty when he's woken Then she's good enough for me! Things go wrong for you and me! If your rising sign is Aries If your god of choice is Squat You'll be taken by the Fairies Well then trendy, man, you're not! Meet the Buddah in Benares But you'll get a parking spot! where he'll hit you with a pie! And that's good enough for me! 2324 We will sing a verse for Eris Let us do our thing for Eris (Golden apples for the fairest!) Goddess of the discord there is Though she sometimes likes to scare us Apple's golden, it's not ferrous But she's good enough for me! And that's good enough for me! Let us praise the Holy Fool For he's breaking all the rules Holds you up to ridicule, And that's good enough for me! (THE ALMIGHTY) DOLLAR Oh, the dollar is our Saviour There are those who scream and holler If we spend Her or we save Her And get hot under the collar She controls all our behaviour For their god, Almighty Dollar, There's not enough for me! Who is good enough for me! Call Him God, or call him Allah The priest will take your dollah Easy living from -your- follah- -wers, but sorry, -not- from me! DRUIDS: We will worship like the Druids, In Pwyll's hall you will be welcome Drinking strange fermented fluids, But he's not at home too often Running naked through the woo-ids, Spends all his time in Annwyfn Coz that's good enough for me! And that's good enough for me! I'll go get my golden sickle And I'll wear it where it tickles It ain't used for cuttin' pickles! And it's good enough for me! EGYPTIAN: Let us sing the praise of Horus When we all bowed down to Nuit As our fathers did before us There was really nothin' to it We're the New Egyptian Chorus (Alex Sanders made me do it...) And we sing in harmony! But that's good enough for me! We will venerate Bubastis We will pray with those Egyptians We will venerate Bubastis Build pyramids to put our crypts in If you want in, then just ast us! Cover subways with inscriptions, 'cause that's good enough for me! which is good enough for me.....! Let us all now worship Ra We will all do praise to Horus And take care of our Ka In an old Egyptian chorus We'll all sit round and go "Ah-h-h!" If there's something in it for us Which is good enough for me! Then it's good enough for me! Here's an invitation for us We will venerate Bubastis All to go and worship Horus Cause my cat walked up and ast us Doff your clothes and join the chorus (Now the cat box is DISASTROUS!) And that's good enough for me! But it's good enough for me! 2325 FICTIONAL GODS, DEMONS AMD HEROES: Here's to those who copy Conan We will sing of Foul the Render, Here's to those who copy Conan Who's got Drool Rockworm on a bender They're just Followers of Onan In his cave in Kiril Threndor-- And that's good enough for me! They're both too much for me! There are followers of Conan. Of Lord Shardik you must beware; And you'll never hear 'em groanin' To please him you must swear; Followed Crom up to his throne(in) 'Cause enraged he's a real Bear, And it's good enough for me! And that's good enough for me! Azahoth is in his Chaos We will sing of Iluvatur, Azahoth is in his Chaos Who sent the Valar 'cross the water Now if only he don't sway us To lead Morgoth to the slaughter That is good enough for me! And that's just fine with me! We will worship Holy Ford We will sing the Jug of Issek, Beta, Delta, Gamma, Lord And of Fafhrd his chief mystic, But the Alphas might get bored Though to thieving Mouser will stick, A Brave New World for you and me! And that's good enough for me! Let us note the might of Ils We'll invoke the blessed Camber With a thousand or more quills And the Unicorn of Amber By the light that from him spills And the wizard Deliamber He is good enough for me! They're good enough for me! The late return of the Prophet Zarquon It was good enough for Cthulhu Caused his followers to hearken Who'd eat me and who'd eat you, too; As the Universe went dark on If it's good enough for Cthulhu All of you and me! Then it's good enough for me HINDU: There are some that call it folly We will go to worship Kali When we worship Mother Kali. She will help us in our folly She may not be very jolly She'd be quite an armful, golly! But she's good enough for me! And she's good enough for me! As the goddess Kali dances I will wait till four-armed Kali With her worshippers in trances Drags me thru that lonesome valley You can learn some Hindu stances She's disgusting act-u-all-y And that's good enough for me! But She's good enough for me! ISLAMIC: We will all bow down to Allah Warriors for Allah For he gave his loyal follow Are sure to have a gala Ers the mighty petro-dollah Time in old Valhalla And that's good enough for me! And that's good enough for me! 2326 JEWISH: If you think that you'll be sav-ed Some guys have a circumcision If you think that you'll be sav-ed On account of their religion, If you follow Mogen David An embarrassing incision Then that's good enough for me! Cut just ENOUGH from me! Let us worship old Jehovah Let us celebrate Jehovah All you other gods move ovah Who created us "ab ova" Cause the one God's takin' over He'll be on tonight on "Nova" And it's good enough for me! 'cause he's good enough for me! KAHBAHLA: We will read from the Kabahlah We will read from the Cabala. We will read from the Kabahlah Quote the Tree of Life mandala It won't get us to Valhalla It won't get you in Valhalla, But it's good enough for me! Yet it's good enough for me! KRISHNA: We will all sing Hare Krishna Hare Krishna gets a laugh on We will all sing Hare Krishna When he sees me dressed in saffron It's not mentioned in the Mishna With my hair that's only half on But it's good enough for me! But that's good enough for me! I was singing Hari Rama With my friend the Dalai Lama 'Til they dumped us in the slammer But that's good enough for me! MIDDLE EASTERN PAGAN: I'll sing some songs to Lilith, We will have a mighty orgy Not so young, and not so girlish, in the honour of Astarte and She's always PMS-ish, it'll be a mighty party but She's good enough for me! and it's good enough for me! Lilith wears a lacy nightie We will sing to Lady Isis And She is a little flighty She'll stand by us in a crisis She will get you all excite-y And She hasn't raised Her prices She's wet-dream enough for me! And She's good enough for me! We will all bow down to Dagon We will all bow down to Enlil We will all bow down to Dagon We will all bow down to Enlil He still votes for Ronald Reagan Pass your Cup and get a refill! And that's good enough for me! With bold Gilgamesh the Brave! Let us worship sweet Eninni Oh the ancient goddess Nerthus Let us worship sweet Eninni From herself the Earth did birth us In a skimpy string bikini And I wonder: are we worth us? And that's good enough for me! But she's good enough for me! We will go to worship Lillith Well Dimuzi's on vacation Grab your cup, step up and fill it He'll be back when spring awakens Tho 'ware she don't make you spill it! There will be such recreation And that's good enough for me! There will be enough for me! 2327 Oh the Phillistines abound Oh the Phillistines abound They had the biggest Baals around And that's good enough for me! MITHRAISM: We will sing a song of Mithras We will all be saved by Mithras Let us sing a song of Mithras We will all be saved by Mithras But there is no rhyme for Mithras! Slay the Bull and play the zithras Still he's good enough for me! On that Resurrection Day! MOONIES We will worship Sun Myung Moonie Though we know he is a goonie All our money he'll have soonly And that's good enough for me! NEW AGE: Oh, our Spirits will awaken Well I'm tired of Ronald Reagan, Oh, our Spirits will awaken He's too square to be a pagan, Watch the Universe a-quakin' Let's all vote for Carl Sagan! Which is Gurdijeff to me! He's good enough for me! Timmy Leary we will sing to I'll arise at early mornin' And the things that he was into When the Sun gives me the warnin' (Well, at least it wasn't Shinto) That the Solar Age is dawnin' And that's good enough for me! And that's good enough for me! In the sky I hear a hummin' Just like Carlos Castenada It's the UFO's a-comin' Just like Carlos Castenada That's not banjos that they're strummin It'll get you sooner or later But it's good enough for me! And that's good enough for me! NEW WORLD PAGAN: Thanks to great Quetzacoatl Some folks pray to the Great Spirit And his sacred axolotl Most folks just cannot get near it And his gift of chocolatl So they hate it and they fear it And please pass some down to me! But it's good enough for me! Praise to Popacatapetl Some folks worship the Kachinas Just a tiny cigarette'll Some folks worship the Kachinas Put him in terrific fettle They look like "deus ex machinas" So he's good enough for me! But they're good enough for me! Now watch out for the Maya's, Montezuma liked to start out They might really try to fry ya, Rites by carrying a part out Sacrifice people, not papaya's, That would really tear your heart out, Just as long as its not me! But it's good enough for me! Quetzacoatl's flyin' And when old Quetzacoatl With the Toltec and the Mayan Found a virgin he could throttle And the mushrooms he's been buyin' And put her heart into a bottle Are good enough for me! It was good enough for me. 2328 We will worship Xochipilli We will worship Xipe-Totec Though it might be a bit silly Tho it is a little lo-tek * Running naked makes me chilly It is not a bit ero-tek (erotic) But it's good enough for me! But it's good enough for me! * "low - tech(nology) Oh, there's none like Huizlipochtli The Kachinas of the Hopi For destroyin' people tot'ly Dance about and some act dopey Best to worship -him- remotely! They don't leave you feelin' mopey But he's good enough for me! So they're good enough for me! I have gotten in the way-o Walkin' with the Monster Slayer He is worthy of a prayer And he's good enough for me! SCIENTOLOGY L. Ron Hubbard liked precision In matters Dianetic And he founded a religion You need not get frenetic That has caught a lot of pigeons Make your Engrams copacetic And it's good enough for me! And that's good enough for me! SHINTO: There are some who practice Shinto I don't really go for Shinto There are some who practice Shinto It's just something I'm not into There's no telling what WE'RE into! Tho I guess I could begin to but that's good enough for me! 'Cause it's good enough for me! In Japan they thought it neato When they worshipped Hirohito But that didn't sit with SEATO So it never more will be! THELEMA: Uncle Crowley was a dreamer When the clouds they are a'rumbling At the Abbey of Thelemer And the thunder is a'grumbling But his magic is a screamer, Then it's Crowley that you're mumbling So it's good enough for me! And it's good enough for me! There are those who follow Crowley Let us call an Elemental Tho the stuff that he held holy For a temporary rental Turn your your brain to guacamole Just as long as it is gentle But he's good enough for me! It is good enough for me! It was good enough for Crowley With his sacraments unholy Who smoked pot and ate some moly And it's good enough for me! VOODOO: There are people into voodoo There are people into Voodoo Africa has raised a hoodoo There are people into Voodoo Just one little doll will do you I know I do, I hope you do! And it's good enough for me! And it's good enough for me! 2329 If you're really into dancing And you wanna try some trancing Then the Voodoo gods are prancing And that's good enough for me! WICCA AND GENERAL NEO-PAGAN: Well, she raised an awful flurry When old Gerald got it goin' When she made the scholars worry When old Gerald got it goin' Thank the Gods for Margaret Murray! All that hidin' turned to showin' She is good enough for me! And that's good enough for me! It was good enough for Granny It's not good enough for Reagan She could throw a double-whammy It's not good enough for Reagan That would knock you on your fanny He's too square to be a Pagan! And she's good enough for me! And that's good enough for me! With the aid of my athame Meeting at the Witching Hour I can throw a "double-whammy" By the Bud, and Branch and Flower (And can slice and dice salami!) Folks are raising up the Power So it's good enough for me! And that's where I want to be! There will be a lot of lovin' We will worship with the witches When we're meetin in our Coven 'Cause we're rowdy sons-of-bitches Quit yer pushin and yer shovin' And they scratch us where it itches So there's room enough for me! And that's good enough for me! Well the Christians all are humming We will gather at our saunas Cause they say their God is coming, When the spirit comes upon us Our God came three times this evening To perform the Rites of Faunus And that's good enough for me! And that's good enough for me! Some folks worship all of Nature Tho they love to taunt and bait-cher They're just funnin', they don't hate-cher And they're good enough for me! ZARATHUSTRIAN: We will pray to Zarathustra It could be that you're a Parsi And we'll pray just like we usta It could be that you're a Parsi I'm a Zarathustra boosta! Don't need a ticket; you get in free And that's good enough for me! And that's good enough for me! I pray to Ahura-Mazda I can't rhyme Ahura Mazda, He's one god who sure won't pause ta I'll praise the man who tries ta Pound some heads when given cause ta Then I'll wait for Barak Raz ta Which is good enough for me! And that's good enough for me! UNCLASSIFIABLE VERSES AND UNKNOWN GHODS: We will go down to the temple There are those who worship no gods Sit on mats woven of hemp-le For they think that there are low odds Try to set a good "exemple" That the god-seers aren't drunk sods And that's good enough for me! But they're good enough for me! Let us watch Ka-ka-pa-ull Where's the gong gone? I can't find it Frolic in her swimming pool I think Northwoods is behind it! Subjecting chaos to her rule For they've always been cymbal-minded And that's all right with me! And they're good enough for me! 2330 They revered ancient ENIAC Some folks pray to the Orishas And sacrificed to UNIVAC Tho their humor can be vishas Now we sing our chants on VAX pack When they grant your stupid wishas And that's good enough for me! But they're good enough for me! When you worship Rusto There are those who worship science Treat your friends with lust-o And some would send 'em to the lions Pursue your faith with gusto! Without 'em we'd have no appliance And that's good enough for me! So they're good enough for me We will all bow down to Gozer Priestess did it with that Joser Cross the streams, and there she goes, sir And that's good enough for me! We will worship Christian Jesus Drink to FUFLUNS he's just fine And do just like John Paul pleases The Etruscan god of wine That we will... when Hades freezes! This verse doesn't really rhyme And that's good enough for me! But it's good enough for me! I have got a strange religion John, Paul, George and Ringo I will worship Walter Pidgeon We will worship playing Bingo Is he sacred? Just a smidgen! We will listen to them sing-o But it's good enough for me! And that's good enough for me! THE OBLIGATORY LAST VERSE It's the opera written for us! We will all join in the chorus! It's the opera about Boris, Which is Godunov for me! ---------------------------------------------------------------- 2331 ------------------------------------------------------------------ I suppose that this last song has turned you into a newt by now. You may not realize that it happened, 'cause that's just how that sort of thing seems to work. You need to put a carrot on your nose and find a duck, and weigh it. Then you'll be OK again. * THE HIGH HOLIDAY SONG -Melusine (Tune "The Serving-Girl's Holiday") I've waited longing for today Spin the bobbin and spool away! In joy and bliss I'm off to play Upon this high holiday! CHORUS: And spin the bobbin and spool away! Oh joy that it's a holiday! This night of (name) now we greet Hail my friends, and merry meet! Strike the harp; the drum we'll beat Upon this high holiday! The wine and cakes we've bought and made Found a spot in a moon-lit glade Our love and trust will never fade Especially on this holiday! In forst glade we've built a fire Symbol of our heart's desire Within Her Love we'll never tire Wit thee well this holiday! Cast the Circle, we're within Let the Spiral Dance begin! Invite the Lord and Lady in Upon this high holiday! Dancing, spinning to the tune The Piper plays beneath the moon We chant as one the Witches' Rune Upon this high holiday! * 2332 By: Lucie Re: Labelling Wiccans Hello. I'm the academic that Khaled mentioned. sigh... I've read the thread on definitions and I can see the trouble you have gotten into: prescriptive definition versus descriptive definition. Let me explain: I am currently working in the Dept of Religious Studies of the Univer- sity of Ottawa as a graduate student studying contemporary religious movements in Canada, especially women centered or women defined. This, by definition,includes Wicca/Witchcraft/Neo-Witchcraft/Neo-Pagan- ism/Women's Spirituality/Women's Urban(Neo) Shamanism...etc... I'm not the only one there involved in this research (we have an actual "Centre for Research in Women and Religion"). We also have a number of women (and one man) researching collateral aspects of the above mentioned religious phenomena. We have had to come to some working definitions so that we can talk to each other and to other religion- ists. Personally, I have also had to come up with some minimal definition of Wicca/Witchcraft that I can use as a representative of said phenomena (yes, I am using the plural form) when I am asked to present/explain/ explicate said phenomena to forums such as the Canadian Council of Churches or the Canadian Association for Pastoral Education (CAPE). It is as a result of this need, that I have devel- oped a minimal inclusive descriptive definition that can be used to differentiate Wicca/Witchcraft from other religious phenomena. What is a minimal inclusive descriptive definition you ask? Ok. Minimal = smallest number of characteristics Inclusive = includes rather than excludes Descriptive = what is actually there rather than what should be there (prescriptive) Definition = what can be used to define, ie. to draw a line around, to know relative to what is left undefined/unknown I'm using a technique common in Anthropology: componential analysis, ie. the identification of discreet analytical features (components) that can be seen as occuring or not. A set of these which minimally defines something is seen as its descriptive paradigm. A descriptive paradigm is unique in that it can only be used to define the phenomenon it describes and no other. Ok? Just so you know what kind of language I'm using. Yes, I consider myself 'Wiccan'. No, I am not a member/init- iate/follower of any specific 'tradition'. I'm too much of an anar- chist at heart for that, and anyways, how can I swear secrecy if my only stock in trade as an anthropologist is the knowledge I have gained by experience? Sort of defeats the purpose, doesn't it? Ok. So here goes....Relative to any other faith system,Wic- ca/Witchcraft (I won't seperate them yet) can be minimaly defined as consisting of these five necessary components: 1) faith system is nature based 2) divinity is conceived as inherent 3) divinity is apprehended as gendered and as minimaly female 4) the locus of decision is the individual 5) the locus of action is the individual in the present 2333 What does this mean? Remember, this is to distinguish this faith group relative to any other type of faith group. It does NOT include variations, only COMMONALITIES. 1) nature based: as far as I can tell, all forms of Wicca/Witchcraft (WW for short?) are based on humans being part of and in nature rather than apart from. Also, seasonality and elements (air, earth, water, fire) are central to the human apprehension and interaction with nature. 2) divinity is inherent: divinity has manifested in all that is, all that is is an aspect of divinity, we are all manifestations of divin- ity..... 3) divinity gendered and female: divinity in one of its most apprehen- dable forms knows itself in the specificity of gender and that gender is at least female "The Goddess". All groups, whether they acknowledge the God or not,know divinity in its female form. 4) locus of decision: morality is a personal, individual thing and responsibility for choices is also a personal, individual thing. No one can (successfully) impose a set morality on any one else. Ost- racism seems to be the only -effective- means of moral cohersion used by adherents to this faith. Its the other side of "Do what thou wilt, An it harm none" and the Law of Karma. If a person acts contrary to the community norm, this person will be shunned, ostracized, severely criticized, and may as a result,leave the community. No matter the behaviour which the community wishes to refuse to accept, the in- dividual will not be 'punished' or told that they may not continue to behave in their chosen way. Again, even community norms (and community may be read as 'tradition') cannot be imposed or dictated. Even in oath bound traditions, oaths are taken freely and as freely adhered to or broken. 5) locus of action: nothing is differed to the 'ever after', nor is the past fully responsible for what occurs in the present. This is it, this is all there is for anyone, make the most of it. Again, no predestin- ation, no fatalism, no 'heaven' or 'hell', this is not a prelude. Secondly, no congregation, no group, no church, no polity has any more importance and certainly far less immediacy than the in- dividual as the believer and the definer of what is believe. Faith is lived within the individual, as an individual. Ok. Remember, this describes ONLY what all forms of WW share, NOT what deferentiates them from each other or what is defined within a tradition as what constitutes the whole of THEIR tradition. It is a minimal, inclusive, descriptive definition..... (part 2 follows) 2334 Whew....So what use is this type of definition? It allows me to compare WW to other faiths such as Christianity, Shinto, Islam, etc. It allows me to talk about beliefs and practices without getting mired in the specificity of traditions. It also allows me to speak of Gardenarians and Dianics in the same breath. They have more in common relative to other faiths than they have different relative to each other... I was asked what defined WW relative to other Pagans and to nature based faiths such as Shinto. It took some thinking but I think I've been able to do it: WW is 1) focused on the human (rather than nature or divinity) 2) divinity always takes a human form (at least) 3) WW works according to principles (fundamental underlying realities which inform behaviour) 4) WW is law driven (there is a 'right' or 'proper' way...) 5) bel ievers need to rationalize and to make scientific their faith (just think of tables or correspondences and our explanations of 'why it works') I was also asked what distinction I made between Pagan, Wicca and Witchcraft. I do make a difference. Pagan: from paganus (latin) for of the country side as opposed to "civitas" of the city Neo-Pagan: post 196o's revival of country cum nature based spiritual- ity -seen in opposition to Christian/Mainstream church -logical spiritual outcome of the 'back to the land' and 'experiential experimentation/mystical quest' of this same era Witchcraft (revival): British phenomenon dating from the 1950's. Wicca is used in Gardenarian texts but not used as a lable of the faith group or practice. Wiccan NOT used. Wicca/Wiccan: preferred terms adopted by many North American developed Traditions of WW to differentiate themselves from British Traditions (Gardenarian, Alexandrian) Witch/Dianic: terms of self definition used by many North American women to acknowledge their mythopoethic/political reclaiming of woman centered / woman defined spirituality. Often expressed as: Women were burned as witches in the Middle Ages, well, I'm a witch and you're NOT going to burn me! May or may not express the adherence to a specific tradition (Reclaiming, Dianic (Z. Budapest), etc) but is always an indicator of woman centered / woman defined experience and self definition. Neo-Witchcraft: all forms of contemporary Anglo (ie of English lan- guage,not an ethnic or nationalistic lable) witchcraft to distinguish from Ancient, Middle Eastern, Midieval, or non-European forms Wicca versus Witchcraft: as it seems to be used by most people today. Wicca is a type of religion and witchcraft is a technology (ie spell crafting,craft of the wise, nature magic....) 2335 By: Randronoth Re: JudeoPagans 1 *** Iyyar: A Menopause Ritual Penina Adelman A time to keep and a time to cast away This month's ritual has been designed with an awareness of our moth- ers, grandmother, and great-grandmothers who were earlier inhibited--- even in the community of Jewish women--from marking the cessation of menstruation, of derech nashim (the way of younger women as in Genesis 31:35) and the release from the physical tasks of childbearing and childrearing. Now wholly freed, our female ancestors would have been ready "to give birth" to their personal creativity, to dip into Miriam's Well without the distractions and responsibilities of family. We hope to convey a positive tenor to this life cycle event which has been feared and misunderstood by so many men and women in the past. Once a woman has reached the age beyond which pregnancy ceases, her gender identity is often blurred by society. She is in a transitional state, experienced by those interacting with her as being full of power and danger. During the tumulous fourteenth century when the Black Death struck in Europe,those women who managed to survive the disease and live to old age were thought to be witches. In interviewing post-menopausal woman to arrive at an appropriate ritual marking their "change of life", I found unanimous reactions. All indicated they would forgo any ritual ceremony that emphasized menopause, fearing a societal backlash which might discriminate against them as they advanced in age. Most said they did not feel very different physically after menopause. The aging process itself was their emphasis; the gradual body changes. These were linked not only to menopause, but to the entire process of aging. Whether these same feelings and attitudes will persist when contemporary young women reach their menopause is now being speculated. Some women may choose to mark the end of menopause with a "mature age bat mitzvah" if they have never had one as an adolescent. Setting a goal such as learning to read and speak Hebrew, to read Torah, to lead a prayer service, teaching a Jewish text within the forum of a bat mitzvah, at an age well beyond 12 or 13, is the way many older women are choosing to reenter the tradition after years of alienation from, or passive appreciation of, Jewish ritual. Others may wish to invite friends who experience menopause already or are presently undergoing it. My own mother has said that she could not imagine participating in a menopause ritual, but would have liked to get together with her friends to share experiences of those important years of change. Hithbagut Bring: The book of Ruth (several copies); a group for the mithbogeret. (As preparation, read the Book of Ruth.) Setting: Home of the mith- bogeret, the menopausal or post-menopausal woman, here named Tamar. We are in a sitting room. Have pictures of the woman as a baby, young girl, young woman, bride, mother, grandmother. Flowers and greens of the season decorate the room. Attending are all the female relatives of the mithbogeret who can be present--sisters, daughters, mother, aunts--as well as her good friends, including members of the Rosh Hodesh group. 2336 Themes of Iyyar Keeper: Iyyar is a transitional month which falls between two major holidays--Pesach, in the month of Nisan, and Shavuot, in Sivan. From the second night of Pesach, we count forty-nine days (seven weeks) until Shavuot, the Feast of Weeks. This period is called the Omer. When the Temple still stood in Jerusalem, each family would count a sheaf offering of grain to bring to the Temple on the pilgrimage festival of Shavuot. The purpose of this may have been partly a way of blessing the Spring harvest which would also be celebrated on Shavuot. In the act of counting, the Rabbis saw an opportunity to keep track of inner harvest of spiritual qualities. Every week of the Omer was to emphasize a particular attribute of God. Each day of the week then represented a different permutation of the divine attributes. In the context of this Rosh Hodesh Iyyar marking Tamar's hithbagrut, one may think of the counting of years and deeds and events which make up a woman's life. given are seven distinct stages of life corresponding to the seven weeks of Omer: conception, pregnan- cy, birth, childhood, womanhood, motherhood, and maturity. In the seven-week counting of the Omer, we find the sugges- tion of seven ritual activities which may be performed during the Rosh Hodesh celebration for any given month. We take as our impetus the Rabbis' notion of seven divine attributes to be explored and emulated for the purpose of healing the ills of the universe. We have desig- nated these activities: meditation, ritual immersion, (mikveh), singing, prayer, storytelling (midrash), text study (talmud torah). eating and drinking. Omer as Period of Mourning Keeper of Iyyar: The period of the Omer which includes the entire month of Iyyar is considered by observant Jews to be a time of mourning. Wedding ceremonies, hair cutting, and playing music are prohibited. The reasons for this are unclear, ranging from a plague said to have killed the disciples of Rabbi Akiba in the early centuries of the Common Era, to the influence of a Roman superstition which held that during this time of year, the souls of the dead wander into the land of the living. We do not view menopause as a time to mourn the "end of fertility", as have many in the past. Our purpose in coming together today is, rather, to understand and recognize the meaning of menopause for women who have experienced it or will soon enter its phases. Today we have an opportunity to think of new ways for women to mark this time in future years. Sign of Iyyar Keeper of Iyyar: The astrological sign of the month is the Bull, Shor. Nisan is the month during which seeds are planted. The bull ploughs the earth, bending its broad neck to the ground, dragging a heavy load. The bull tends the change from the new Spring growth of Nisan to the first Spring harvest of Sivan. The rhythms of the earth reverberate throughtout the strong body of the bull. Kavannah Keeper of Iyyar: In some cultures, once a woman has passed the age of childbearing, she is known as the "Wise Woman" of the com- munity. In her reside the knowledge and values of her people which she transmits to the young. Hers is the status of a venerated elder. This contrasts sharply with the devalued status of the aging female in our own culture. Today we intend to question this and to learn about the experience all have had during menopause in order to instill new and 2337 positive expectations in our children and grandchildren. One of the major misconceptions we need to address has to do with sex and the older woman. In Judaism, sex has never been linked only to procrea- tion. On the contrary, in addition to procreation, sex exists for the sake of pleasure, wellbeing, and harmony in a marriage. Therefore, when a woman has passed the age of childbearing and even earlier, she is encouraged by Jewish law to enjoy sex with her partner. Are there any other kavannot? Each woman voices her own intention for the ritual. Woman: To mark the passing of physical fertility and to rededicate ourselves to a greater focus on spiritual, intellectual, and artistic creativity and fertility. Woman: To say good-bye to the womb, rechem, the center of childbear- ing. Woman: To praise and give thanks for the cycles of life which pulsate through our bodies. Woman: To say good-bye and good riddance to tampoons and sanitary napkins and pads and foams and jellies and diaphragms and pills and anything else I've left out--forever! Tamar, the Mithbogeret: I would like this to be a ritual of transmit- ting wisdom, hokhmah. In Greek, the word for "wisdom", sophia, was identified with a female figure. In Hebrew hokhmah is a word of the feminine gender. The connection between wisdom of Tekoa and Abel in 11 Samuel 14 and 11 Samuel 20, respectively, are examples of what seemed to be a conven- tion in Isreal at that time--a woman of the community who knew how to choose her words wisely and communicate the desired message. She was perhaps a female counterpart to the Hebrew prophet, God's instrument of communication with the people of Isreal. More examples are found in Proverbs 14:1 and in poem recited to the woman of the household on Sabbath evening, "A Woman of Valor." One of the last lines speaks of her mouth, which "opens with wisdom." In fairy tales, the woman with special powers, with the knowledge of creation and destruction, is either an evil witch or a good fairy godmother. Both are frequently characterized as older women. In this hithbagrut ritual, we teach and lead a discussion based on two stories of mother and daughter figures where the mother passes on her life's wisdom to her daughter. they are stories of Naomi and Ruth in the Bible and Demeter and Persephone from Greek mythology. Storytelling All should have a copy of he story of Ruth and Naomi, or should have read the story in preparation. Tamar, the mithbogeret, then tells the Greek myth in her own words. Demeter and Persephone Once there lived a goddess who ruled over the earth. She had power over agriculture, causing aboundant growth of cereals and grains. In this way she echoed Naomi and Ruth, women of the land. Demeter had one lovely daughter, Persephone, as fair as the first flower of Spring. One day Persephone wandered far from her mother to pick flowers which 2338 beckoned. Steeped in the fragrance of those blooms, she was startled by Hades, the dark god of the Underworld. He seized her and pulled her down to his cold, damp kingdom beneath the earth. Demeter sank into despair when her beloved daughter did not return. She entered into mourning, forgetting to bring new buds into being. She grieved for her daughter, even refusing to eat or sleep. Thus, the earth was allowed to wither. When at last she sought aid from the gods to find her daughter, she was told that if Persephone had not eaten food in the Underworld, she could return unharmed to this world. Though Persephone had not been tempted by food, Hades was able to break her resolve with a single ruby seed of a pomegranite. Knowing that if he could induce her to nourish herself in his domain, he could have her as his wife, he strove to make her taste food. Because of that one seed, she would now have to divide her time equally between Hades and Demeter, between the land of darkness and death and the land of light and life. That is why the Greeks say that the earth blooms half the year and withers during the other half. When Persephone descends to her hus- band, Hades, Demeter forgets to bring the buds into being. Tamar describes the link between these stories in which an older woamn passes down special knowledge to a younger woman, and the onset of menopause in which the transmission of wisdom amoung the members of a women's community is crucial. She tells of her own experience of menopause and asks other women to share theirs. The younger women who are present share their fears and fantasies of menopause and ask questions of the older women. Meditation and Movement Woman: Since menopause involves a new relationship with one's body, we now meditate on ending that segment of our live characterized by an active womb. This meditation begins with a movement excercise called "Aura- Brushing." The "aura" is the psychic field arond an individual. This aura may be affected by fatigue, illness, depression, isolation. The purpose of "brushing the aura" is to symbolize making a fresh start by discarding the cobwebs which drain one of energy. We start by forming groups of threes, one woman standing in the middle, one on each side of her. Now the woman in the middle should close her eyes. the other two will begin to whisk the air upward from her feet as they whisper her name repeatedly. They whisk from her feet, her legs, her trunk, up to her neck and head, whispering all the while. Each woman in the group takes turns standing in the middle while the other two brush her "aura". Woman: I composed this meditation especially with you in mind. Tamar, as you and I have been working together, I know the kind of imagery you might use for yourself. It is important to note here that the process just mentioned is a crucial one for the Rosh Hodesh ritual. As pioneers in new ritual, we continu to scrutinize our conceptions to create meaningful ceremonies. 2339 In this case, Tamar asked for help in saying good-bye to her once-act- ive womb. another woman might require a different image journey. Woman: While we composed the following for Tamar, all may participate, even those not yet at menopause. But do not feel you must participate. You may wish to close your eyes sending healing energy to Tamar. Or, you may wish to start with this visualization and then let your own imagination take over. Some of you may want to leave the room. How you decide to participate is your own choice. Now, begin by finding a comfortable position. Close your eyes and focus on your breathing deeply in and out... See yourself carrying your womb in a crystal jar. Look at it care- fully. take the jar with you to Jerusalem. Carry it carefully up to the Mount of Olives. Find a spot on the Mount of Olives and begin digging a hole with your hands. Dig deeply, and when the hole is deep enough, place the jar containing your womb deep into the Jerusalem earth. Cover the jar carefully. Know that your womb is buried safely, forever. Before leaving the spot where your womb is buried, thank your womb for all that it has given you. Thank the earth for protecting and housing your womb. Cover the spot with a smooth, white Jerusalem stone. Walk to a nearby waterfall. Stand beneath it and feel yourself cleased from within and without. Retuen home knowing that you will continue to be creative and productive. Feel yourself strong and in perfect health. When you are ready open your eyes. When the mediatation is over, some of the women share what they felt. Others remain silent, choosing to listen. Tamar is very peaceful, talking about what this ritual evening has meant to her. Gift the women present Tamar, the mithbogeret, with a gift, one they have made or bought. The Keeper of Iyyar invites all to partake of the food and drink on the table. 2340 The Blot Copyright (C) 1991, 1992 Lewis Stead The Blot is the most common ritual within Asatru. In its simplest form a blot is making a sacrifice to the Gods. In the old days this was done by feasting on an animal consecrated to the Gods and then slaughtered. (The word blot itself is related to the Norse words for "blood" and "sacrifice.") As we are no longer farmers and our needs are simpler today, the most common blot is an offering of mead or other alchoholic beverage to the deities. Many modern folk will be suspicious of a ritual such as this. Rituals such as the blot have been falsely interpreted by post-Pagan sources in order to denegrate the ritual or trivialize it. The most common myth about ritual sacrifice is that one is buying off a deity e.g. one throws a virgin into the Volcano so it won't erupt. Nothing could be further from the truth. In Asatru it is believed that we are not only the worshippers of the Gods but that we are physically related to them. The Eddas tell of a God, Rig, who went to various farmsteads and fathered the human race so we are physically kin to the Gods. On a more esoteric level, humankind is gifted with "ond" or the gift of ecstasy. Ond is a force that is of the Gods. It is everything that makes humans different from the other creatures of the world. As creatures with this gift, we are immediately connected to the Gods, we are part of their tribe, their kin. Thus we are not simply buying off the Gods by offering them something that they want, but we are sharing with the Gods something that we all take joy in. Sharing and gift giving was an incredibly important part of Norse cultur (and of most ancient cultures) and had magical significance. Giving a gift was a sign of friendship, kinship, and connection. By sharing a blot with the Gods we reaffirm our connection to them and thus reawaken their powers within us and their watchfullness over our world. A blot can be a simple affair where a horn of mead is consecrated to the Gods and then poured as a libation, or it can be a part of a larger ritual. A good comparison is the Catholic Mass which may be part of a regular service or special event such as a wedding or funeral, or it may be done as a purely magical-religious practice without any sermon, hymns, or other trappings. The blot consists of three parts, the hallowing or consecrating of the offering, the sharing of the offering, and the libation. Each of these is equally important. The only tools required are mead, beer or juice, a horn or chalice, a sprig of evergreen used to sprinkle the mead, and a ceremonial bowl known as a Hlautbowl into which the initial libation will be made. The blot begins with the consecration of the offering. The Gothi (Priest) or Gythia (Priestess) officiating at the blot invokes the God or Goddess being honored. This is usually accomplished by a spoken declaration with ones arms being held above ones head in a Y shape, in imitation of the rune elhaz. This posture is used for most invocations and prayers throughout Asatru. After the spoken invoc- ation an appropriate rune or other symbol of the God or Goddess may be drawn in the air with the finger or with the staff. Once the God is invoked, the Gothi takes up the horn. His assistant pours mead from the bottle into the horn. The Gothi then traces the hammer sign (an upside down T) over the horn as a blessing and holds it above his head offering it to the Gods. He then speaks a request that the God or Goddess bless the offering and accept it as a sacrifice. At the 2341 least one will feel the presence of the deity; at best one will be able to feel in some inner way the God taking of the mead and drinking it. The mead is now not only blessed with divine power but has passed the lips of the God or Goddess. The Gothi then takes a drink of the horn and it is passed around the gathered folk. Although it sounds like a very simple thing, it can be a very powerful experience. At this point the mead is no longer simply a drink but is imbued with the blessing and power of the God or Goddess being honored. When one drinks, one is taking that power into onesself. After the horn has made the rounds once, the Gothi again drinks from the horn and then empties the remainder into the hlautbowl. The Gothi then takes up the evergreen sprig and his assistant the hlautbowl and the Gothi sprinkles the mead around the circle or temple or onto the altar. If there are a great number of the folk gathered, one may wish to drop the drinking and merely sprinkle the various folk with the mead as a way of sharing it. In a small group one might merely drink as the blessing. When this is done the Hlautbowl is taken by the Gothi and poured out onto the ground. This is done as an offering not only to the God invoked at the blot, but it is also traditional to remember the Earth Mother at this time, since it is being poured onto her ground. Many invocations mention the God, Goddess, or spirit being sacrificed to, and then Mother Earth, as in the Sigrdrifa Prayer "Hail to the Gods and to the Goddesses as well; Hail Earth that gives to all men." (Sigrdrifumal 3) With this action, the blot is ended. Obviously this is a very sparse ritual and if performed alone could be completed in only a few minutes. This is as it should be, for blots are often poured not because it is a time of gathering or festivity for the folk, but because the blot must be poured in honor or petition of a God or Goddess on their holiday or some other important occasion. For example, a father tending his sick child might pour a blot to Eir the Goddess of healing. Obviously he doesn't have time to waste on the "trappings" of ritual. The intent is to make an offering to the Goddess as quickly as possible. At some times a full celebration might not be made of a holiday because of a persons hectic schedule, but at the least a blot should be made to mark the occasion. However, in most cases a blot will at least be accompanied by a statement of intent at the beginning and some sort of conclusion at the end. It might also be interspersed with or done at the conclusion of ritual theater or magic. Our kindred, for example, begins the ritual with a chant of "Odin, Vili, Ve" which connects us to the Gods of creation. Between the invocation of the God or Goddess and the actual Blot we usually add a meditation or something else which acts as a focus of the ritual. Once, for example, we made mead in the middle of a ritual to Aegir. As part of our blot we also pass the horn three times. The first time around is a taking in of the power of the charged mead and all offer a toast to the God(s) of the occasion. The second and third rounds are open to toasts to other Gods, toasts to the kindred, the hosts, to pledges, boasting and anything else on wishes to say. It is essentially a "mini sumble" in the middle of our blot. Always of course, we remember the purpose of our ritual. We would never toast one of the Jotnar during a ritual to Thor for example. We have also added a few steps at the end which are a private affirmation of our groups kinship with each other and with the Gods. Basic Outline of the Blot Ritual: 2342 I. Sanctify space with the Hammer rite II. Invocation of the Deity III. Secondary Activities supporting the blot: meditation etc. IV. Load mead by offering it to the God V. Pass mead for blessing or sprinkle on folk VI. Other activities, prayers, etc VII. Thank the deity VIII. Pour the libation to the Earth THE NECKLACE OF A THOUSAND STRANDS In the beginning that ever was and ever shall be, there was only Night. She lay sleeping. In Her sleeping, She dreamed. In Her dreaming, She sighed. In Her sighing, She turned and in Her turning, She awakened. In Her awakening, She saw naught but Herself, and found Herself beautiful. Long did She delight in Her beauty, Her perfection. Her softly rounded limbs, full body and flowing hair were so magnificent that She wished to adorn Herself. She captured Her thoughts, each a brilliantly colored speck of light, and strung them together to form a Necklace of a Thousand Strands. This She donned and was pleased. Each speck sparkled with its own hue and brilliance, creating spectacular scenes of Night in Her many attitudes and postures. When Night moved, so did the Necklace of a Thousand Strands. This created a living, moving mosaic of Night - each image acting and reacting with other images of Herself. Though this was beautiful and pleasing to Night, it created in Her a loneliness. Loneliness to have companionship, loneliness to have another admire Her great beauty, loneliness to experience love outside Herself. Not know how to create this Other that She longed for, She sought to amuse Herself through movement. She began a stately dance, slow and measured. As She turned in the figures of the Dance, wind was created in Her passing, and in it She visualized a partner, a counterpart. She sent all Her love and longing into the whirlwind She had created, and a shadowy form began to take shape. She turned and spun ever faster, thinking more upon the shape of Her desire. The form became more solid. It began to take on substance and reality. It was like, yet unlike, Night. She felt drawn to it and it was impelled toward Her. She gloried in Her creation of the form, and it adored Her great beauty. The Two danced together. The longer They danced, the stronger and brighter did the fierce spirit of longs and love grow between Them, Night and Her Shadow. Her Shadow became all that Night was not, out of Her longing to be fulfilled, and She was called Day. Day and Night danced furiously together, and finally, no longer able to keep apart, made love to one another. In Their wild, 2343 passionate turnings, the Necklace of a Thousand Strands began to break, a strand at a time. The specks of light went flying off to become the Stars, to swim about the divine couple, in beautiful precise patterns, as if to remain a part of Love's Dance. Thus began the Ages of Loving. All but one strand broke, and it remains together to this day. It is seen in the sky, brilliant, breath-taking and awe-inspiring. We call it the Milky Way. Dawn and Dusk are the sacred times and places where Night and Day merge in love's ecstasy. Keep them holy. - ZS-1-SB - HOW THE WORLDS AND PEOPLES CAME TO BE Night and Day danced lovingly and long, through the spectacular, blazing bits of thought that had flown away by the breaking of the Necklace. Not long can such love exist with creating of Itself images that reflect this Great Love. Many of the bits of brilliance grew heavier and more solid throughout of passing of the Ages of Loving. These bits were called Worlds, or Planets. The Lady and the Lord, Her Consort, looked upon their Worlds, delighting in each one, and decreed that there should be life upon them. Life that re-created the Love and Harmony that They and the Universe shared. So, They began to form upon these Worlds, rivers and streams and bodies of water to quench the thirst of the plants and animals that would henceforth live upon the nurturing breasts of these Worlds. These Worlds They called "Little Mothers," for from their soil would spring all manner of life and it would be sustained by the "Little Mothers." Near each of the "Little Mothers" there was always placed a particularly bright thought-speck, called the "little Fathers." For Night and Day knew, as we do, that Life must have warmth and light to truly grow and reproduce. All Worlds They did not make the same, for diversity and combination serve to further the Great Love of Themselves. Having then seen to the Planets and Suns, and too, to the seeding of the Worlds with all manner of vegetable and animal life, the Divine Ones rested. But the Great Goddess was not content. She felt the work was yet unfinished. She spoke to Her Consort and told Him of a plan. He agreed, knowing that the Lady knew what was best for Her Creations - for was She not the Progenitor of All? Thus, they began to make and mold a people for a World. They made them in twos, male and female, to reflect the images of Themselves, and so that the re-enactment of Their Great Love 2344 might take place. Now we know what people transpired upon this World, but we, as yet, know not what people were designed to populate other Worlds, or which Stars they are under by which they flourish by the Lady. Though we would wish in our hearts to be the only objects of reflection of their Love, we must never think to believe that Their Infinite Love, burgeoning across all the Universe, had created none but Ourselves. Nor that the Divine Ones are so limited that They have not created many peoples on many Worlds, though unbeknownst to us. And they - these people of other Planets, like us, are perfect reflections of that immense, Divine Never-ending Love. LIGHT OF THE WOMB In the warm Womb of Her Mother, She rested and dreamed. She felt through the membrane all that had passed, did pass, and would pass with Her Mother. She knew that Her Mother was reckoned to be beautiful, kind and giving; yet too, She know that those Her Mother would succor had no thought of her Gifts, and would not repay kindness with kindness, but rather with rapine and disregard. Light-of-the-Womb knew that She had been seeing future dreams; that the ugliness and cruelty of Her Mother's foster-children was yet to come. And so, She resolved in Her heart to become beautiful but uncaring to those who would grasp at her beauty - unreachable, yet so desirable that Her Mother's foster-children would ache in their hearts for desire of Her. The day of Her birthing came, and as Her Mother shuddered in the agonies of labor, Light-of-the-Womb cared not for Her own pains, nor for those of Her Mother - but thought only of Her imminent freedom that would at last allow Her revenge on those-yet-to-come. With a heaving surge, She tore free from Her Mother's thrashing body, and screamed in triumph at Her escape. Now even as the Daughter knew of all that passed with the Mother, so did the Mother know of that which passed within the heart and mind of the Daughter; and She set up a great travail. The waters of Her Womb crashed and hissed in torment; Her bones creaked and trembled; Her flesh rent apart in pain and suffering. Yet in Her great Agony, the Mother cried out to Her Child, "Oh, Daughter! Light-of-My-Womb! Why do you betray your Heritage?" And in coldness, did the Daughter answer, "I would not be as You, Mother, to be ravaged by the uncaring; to be ignored by the lesser who have no sense of what they do; who see not beauty in its truest form!" And She placed Herself a distance from Her Mother; away from the warmth of Her embrace - yet within the reach of Her low, gentle voice. Long ages passed, and the uncaring Child danced Her empty dance about the abode of Her Mother, growing more delighted with Her 2345 own frozen beauty; more strongly determined to exact revenge upon those who would bring pain and sorrow and disgrace upo