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Friday, June 28, 2013

Sunna


Sunna



suna


Appeal: Sun, Light, Solar Panels, Growth, Sunny Places, Warmth




Sunna s (Sol) is the Sun personified in Norse mythology.  She is described as the sister of the personified moon, Manni, the daughter of Mundilfari and is foretold to be killed by a monstrous wolf during the events of Ragnarok.  She was a human who rose to the rank of Goddess due to the Gods.  Sunna has blonde hair with golden curls that looked like rays of sunshine. Sunna like the ‘sun’ was always kind and generous to her people brining light wherever she went.

Rudolf Simek stated that Nordic Bronze Age archaeological finds, such as rock carvings and the Trundholm Sun chariot, provide evidence of the Sun having been viewed as a life giving heavenly body to the Bronze Age Scandinavians and that the Sun likely received an amount of respect.

The Sun is approximately 4.5 billion years old.  As the largest object in the sky, the Sun is the source of light, heat, and life.  It can also be a symbol of destructive power.  Since earliest times, people in all parts of the world have observed the position of the Sun and its rising and setting throughout the year.  Many cultures have created solar calendars to govern such things as the planting of crops and the timing of religious festivals.  They have also given the Sun a major place in their mythologies, often as a deity.

When the world was created from the body of the dead giant Ymir by the triad Gods of Odin, Vili and Ve - the Sun, Moon and Stars were made from the gathered sparks that shot forth from Muspellsheim, the Land of Fire.  Sunna drives the chariot of the Sun across the sky every day.  Pulled by the horses Allsvinn and Arvak, the Sun chariot is pursued by the wolf Skoll.  It is said that sometimes he comes so close that he is able to take a bite out of the Sun, causing an eclipse.

On Midsummer Eve, Sunna's strength begins to decline, and those who honor her gather to celebrate this passage.  For the Pagan religions of Northern Europe, this is the Sabbat of Midsummer.  Songs are sung, poems are read, libations and toasts fill the air.  In honor of the strength of light and warmth that are Sunna's blessing, fire is a central part of the celebration at this Sabbat.
Despite the wolf Skoll catching and killing Sunna, not all is lost.  Like the other Gods at the end of Ragnarok, light still shines on the Earth.  Before her death, she gives birth to a daughter as beautiful as her mother and she shall ride her mother's road.  The daughter survives with the Sun to aid and guide humanity after the destruction of the world as we know it.  She heals the world, knitting together the fragmented pieces of life after the chaos of Ragnarok. 

 

Sunday (Sun's day) is a day of rest in most Western countries, part of the weekend.  Sunday is associated with the Sun and symbolized by its symbol . 

Sowulo s rune represents the power of the Sun. In almost every religion in the world, the Sun is held most sacred.  To the Norse, the sun was known as Sunna or Sol and was considered feminine. The sun’s light and warmth symbolizes life, nurturing, growth and all that is good.  In some Northern cultures, they start their day at sunset and usually begin their year in the winter months.  (This is why many Sun and Moon images show the Moon ahead of the Sun)

 

Come out into the light!

You are meant to shine!
 

Saturday, June 22, 2013

Love

Give out Love and let it come in.

lEwe





Principles and Guidance: Love may be understood as part of the survival instinct, a function to keep human beings together against menaces and to facilitate the continuation of the species.  It is an emotion of strong affection and personal attachment.  In philosophical context, love is a virtue representing all of human kindness, compassion, and affection. Love is central to many religions, as in the Christian phrase, God is love.  Love may also be described as actions towards others (or oneself) based on compassion or as actions towards others based on affection. 

The word love can have a variety of related but distinct meanings in different contexts. Often, other languages use multiple words to express some of the different concepts that English relies mainly on love to encapsulate; one example is the plurality of Greek words for love. Cultural differences in conceptualizing love thus make it doubly difficult to establish any universal definition. Religious views on love vary widely between different religions.    

Different cultures have deified love, typically in both male and female form. Even though in monotheistic religions, the God is considered to represent love, there are often angels or similar beings that represent love as well. Freya, Goddess of love, fertility and war in Norse mythology.  Mihr, spirit of love in Persian mythology.  Venus, Goddess of beauty and passionate love in Roman mythology.

 



The Eight Wiccan Virtues come to us from Doreen Valiente, considered by many to be the mother of modern Wicca. These eight virtues were first revealed in her writing, "The Charge of the Goddess." They are presented in pairs of complementary opposites which balance each other and reflect a dualism that is commonly found in Wiccan philosophy. The Eight Wiccan Virtues are listed in the line, "Let there be beauty and strength, power and compassion, honor and humility, mirth and reverence within you."

Compassion allows you to have true love, not only for others, but also for yourself. It allows you to forgive yourself when you make mistakes. It's also the ability to have deep feelings and concern for the misfortune and suffering of others. Compassion allows you to share another's pain, gives you the desire to relieve it, and the willingness to act on that desire.

The virtue of reverence refers to having profound respect and devotion for the God and Goddess and all things sacred. But, it also means to have love and regard for all of life, including ourselves, all of Nature, and our planet Earth. Reverence is expressed in the choices you make in your life in caring for and loving your body. It is also shown in the respect you give the Earth by doing things such as recycling, planting trees and gardens, or cleaning up beaches and streams.
 
 



The Asatru moral code of conduct is known as the Nine Noble Virtues. The Nine Noble Virtues represent the distilled wisdom and ancient Germanic moral code gleaned from various ancient sources including the Poetic Edda, the Icelandic Sagas and Germanic folklore: courage, truth, honor, fidelity, discipline, hospitality, industriousness, self reliance, perseverance.

Hospitality is the willingness to share what one has with one's fellows, especially when they are far from home.  We rely on the strengths and love that are forged by blood and oath...what good are such things when we can't otherwise? We must be ready and willing to lend help and assistance where we can, when it is needed- what good are we to those that we are bound if we cannot depend on one another?

Self Reliance is the spirit of independence, which is achieved not only for the individual, but also for the family, clan, tribe and nation. It is not a concept of denying ones interconnectedness with others, but of ensuring that one can take care of oneself first, then ones family and loved ones.  Only freedom can strengthen our love for life, and we cannot allow ourselves to be enthralled by need or want, which in turn enthralls our children and folk.

 

Some of the qualities we hold in high regard are strength, courage, vigor, and the revering of our ancestors. To express these things in our lives is virtuous and we strive to do this.  These convictions of personal honor are well described by the Nine Noble Virtues and the Six Fold Goal.  The Six Fold Goal is a statement of those things for which we are willing to live and die.  The Six Fold Goal is: Right, Wisdom, Might. Harvest, Frith, Love.

When most people hear love they assume it to mean the romantic love between two people, or maybe the love of an adult for their child. And while these are beautiful and worthy things, the love referred to here is the vitality and lust for life embodied in Freyr and Freya. It is the erotic thrill of life itself, the lust of passion and the senses, the enjoyment of pleasure. This is natural to our people and right for us to enjoy.
 




One last thought, an early example of the Golden Rule that reflects the Ancient Egyptian concept of Maat appears in the story of The Eloquent Peasant, which dates to the Middle Kingdom: "Now this is the command: Do to the doer to cause that he do thus to you." An example from a Late Period papyrus: "That which you hate to be done to you, do not do to another."

Wiccan morality is largely expressed in the Wiccan Rede: 'An it harm none, do what ye will'. While this could be interpreted to mean "do no harm at all," it is usually interpreted as a declaration of the freedom to act, along with the necessity of taking responsibility for what follows from one's actions.

Many different sources claim the Golden Rule as a humanist principle:  Trying to live according to the Golden Rule means trying to empathize with other people, including those who may be very different from us. Empathy is at the root of kindness, compassion, understanding and respect – qualities that we all appreciate being shown, whoever we are, whatever we think and wherever we come from. And although it isn’t possible to know what it really feels like to be a different person or live in different circumstances and have different life experiences, it isn’t difficult for most of us to imagine what would cause us suffering and to try to avoid causing suffering to others. For this reason many people find the Golden Rule’s corollary – “do not treat people in a way you would not wish to be treated yourself” – more pragmatic.

 

Frigg p, Goddess of romance, marriage, sex and reproduction, married women, household duty, and divination.  She is said to be the wife of Odin, and the Queen of Asgard.  Frigg appears primarily in Norse mythological stories as a wife and a mother. 

Freya f, Goddess associated with magic, shamanism, sacrifice, war, death, and sexuality.  Freya is the daughter of Njord and Nerthus, as well as the sister of Freyr. She was once married to Odr, but he disappeared. She is the principle female fertility Goddess of the native Germanic religion.

Freyr q, worshipped as a phallic fertility God, he was said to bestow peace and pleasure on mortals.  Freyr is a leading member of the Vanir, the Lord of the Earth and a God of fertility.  Freyr gives up his sword for love.

Sjofn, Goddess associated with love. Sjofn is the Goddess of marital bliss, she stops fights between husbands and wives. Sjofn is one of Frigg's attendants.

 

Laguz l rune represents Water in all its forms. Water is an essential ingredient to life. All living creatures rely on it to survive. Water is associated with emotions of all kinds, but predominantly with healing, peacefulness, love, truth, compassion, intuition and forgiveness .

Inguz q rune is concerned with male fertility, gestation and internal growth. It is all about common sense and simple strengths, the home and love of the family, caring and human warmth.

 

Friday, June 21, 2013

Midsummer


Merry Meet all those who bring light, joy and love!







William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream is filled with magic, fairies and sprites, thereby keeping alive the ancient pagan belief that it is easier than usual to communicate with the otherworld on the Sabbats.
 

The Sun Sunna rose at 5 am, with a grand display of orange, purple and blue.  The sky is clear and warm.  I had some red mead for her offering and the four elements.  The Moon Manni is starting to become full as he ready's for his supermoon display in a couple days.  I plan to be in the sun, cleaning the yard and have the windows open to let the fresh air in the home.  On Sunday, is the Midsummer Celebration at Old World Wisconsin in Eagle.  They will have a bonfire, flower crowns, dancing and food.  And Wednesday, is the Summer Solstice Labyrinth Walk at UUCW in Brookfield.  Plus many more events going on in many areas.

 

Sing of Sunna, golden glory,

fiery Goddess of the sky.                                                                                                                

Radiant splendor and Skoll's quarry.

Dag's companion, flying high,

Sunna, shine throughout the heavens,

Sunna, shine till Manni's rise!

Mundilfari's fairest daughter,

shine until the end of time.

So may it be!

 









 

Have a Blessed Midsummer!


Saturday, June 15, 2013

Summer Solstice


The gardens are blooming and summer is in full swing. Fire up the barbeque, turn on the sprinkler and enjoy the celebrations of Midsummer! Also called Litha, this Summer Solstice Sabbath honors the longest day of the year. Take advantage of the extra hours of daylight and spend as much time as you can outdoors.  In ancient times, the Sun was believed to be the center of the universe, the core of existence.  Sunrise in the Midwest USA will be 5:13 am on June 21.
The Summer Solstice or Midsummer was second only to Yule in importance to the ancient Northman. It is a time for general laughter, bonfires, food and dances. The day is dedicated to Baldur, God of Light and in honor of Sunna, Goddess of the Sun. A fire is lit in honor of a solar deity and the Sun, jumping through the flames will purify and renew energies. As we pass through the longest days and the shortest night of the year, it is appropriate to meditate on the good things of life.

The Sun is one of many objects in the sky that has been used in Wicca practices.  Early people believed the Sun was a symbol of the divine force that gave us life on Earth.  To physically feel the power of the Sun beating down on our skin, warming us, have it determine the length of the day and provide the light we need to survive under has made it an influential force.

Depending on your individual spiritual path, there are many different ways you can celebrate Litha, but the focus is nearly always on celebrating the power of the Sun. It's the time of year when the crops are growing heartily and the Earth has warmed up. This is the traditional time for Pagans to clear crystals and gather supplies from outside because the solar energy is at its strongest on this day. We can spend long sunny afternoons enjoying the outdoors and getting back to nature under the long daylight hours.

 

The Feast of St. John the Baptist

Solstice festivities in Europe were Christianized when the church set June 24th as a holy day celebrating the birth of St. John the Baptist. Jesus referred to John as "A burning and shining light" and so traditional pagan customs of lighting bonfires were easily appropriated for the Christian holiday.








Celebrate Fathers

By welcoming the God of your tradition, you can honor the men who have impacted your life - whether they raised you, loved you or are being brought up by you.  This simple rite also offers your boys a chance to get out there and dance, and to celebrate the masculine within themselves.









Invocation of the Four Directions

East: Welcome East, the power of air, of dawn, of Spring, of new beginnings. We welcome your return with your fresh breezes and flowers bursting forth. Let our imaginations soar like the eagle. Inspire our thoughts as we dream of a bright future and plant the seeds of hope.

South: Welcome South, the power of fire and summer. Bring back the strength of the Sun, but temper it with life giving rain. Help us to put our dreams for a better world into action. Give us strength and courage like the lion.

West: Welcome West, the power of water and evening. We are grateful for cool evenings and rains that keep our land green and help seeds to grow. We are grateful for loving families and the time we share with them each day.

North: Welcome North, Power of the Earth, winter and midnight. As we wake from our winter dreams and burst forth into spring, keep us grounded in the Earth. Help us remember to walk gently on the Earth and treat her with kindness, for she is our mother.

 

Norse Paganism

In Icelandic folk beliefs this shortest night of the year is filled with magical powers. Alfs and Vettir come out in the night and party and dance around the bonfire together with the people. Young women roll naked in the morning dew to become fertile. This probably connects with this day being a popular wedding or handfasting day.
 








Honor the Season

Many ancient cultures marked the Summer Solstice with rites and rituals honoring the Sun. Many congregate at Stonehenge in England, or other parks, on this day to watch the sunrise. The Sun generates warmth and keeps life on Earth moving.  Celebrate the significance of Midsummer with ritual and prayers that recognize the Sun and its magnificent power. Set up your Litha altar with symbols of the season - solar symbols, candles and Midsummer fruits and vegetables.

 

Clean Things Up

Clean your house. Take advantage of the warm weather to have a garage sale and get rid of all those things you don't want. You can also organize a swap with your friends or donate all your stuff to charities like Goodwill or Salvation Army. You've got plenty of daylight at Litha, so you can accomplish a lot in just a short period of time.
 
 

A Prayer to the Sun

The Sun is high above us shining down upon the land and sea,
making things grow and bloom. Great and powerful Sun, we honor you this day
and thank you for your gifts. Ra, Sun, Helios, Sunna, Svarog,
you are known by many names. You are the light over the crops,
the heat that warms the Earth, the hope that springs eternal,
the bringer of life. We welcome you, and we honor you this day,
celebrating your light, as we begin our journey once more into the darkness.

 







The Strength to allow one to achieve in the face of opposition.