Staff of Asclepius
Each Samhain I review my life from the year before and ponder my own death and contact my beloved dead. Read more
Each Samhain I review my life from the year before and ponder my own death and contact my beloved dead. Read more
This is the second of a three-part series written by Staff of Asclepius contributors on death and rebirth, in honor of the Samhain celebration. In his post, Nornoriel discussed the many funeral rituals available to various Pagan groups and traditions, and the contrasting lack of rites for the dying. In college, I had the disastrous impulse to attempt a sociology minor. The only class I did well in was Sociology of Death and Dying. It gave me a perspective on... Read more
This is the third, and final part of my series on ancestors, the dead, and inheritance. First let me apologize to those of you following this series who expected this piece on Sunday. We honor our ancestors every year, at Samhain. Sometimes, it is more often than that. It makes me think about how I want to be remembered. What do I want my legacy to be, and how do I want to be honored? It’s interesting to think about.... Read more
I know the dead, know how they are and why they are that way. If you die tomorrow, what do you want people to remember about you? Read more
This is the first part of a three-part series I am writing this weekend, focused on ancestors, the dead, and inheritance, both magical and not. Despite the fact that I cut ties with my blood family, family as a concept is very important to me. I have a spiritual family, and I look forward to a partner, children, grandchildren, of my own. I want my own descendants to carry my legacy, whatever that may be, as long as it is... Read more
Many years ago, when I was in my twenties, I began to dream of a young woman my age. She had long stringy dirty hair. She had black eyes set deep into a sunken face. Her nails were long and pointed and she wore tattered clothing. She was all grey like a wraith and she screamed as she came closer and closer haunting me throughout the night. Read more
I finally got back on anti-anxiety and anti-depression medication on Tuesday. They also drew blood because of past problems with hypothyroid, and because I am suspicious of a problem with low blood sugar. I am working on being accepted for a charity healthcare program here in Champaign, since I make just slightly too much to qualify for Medicaid. And the anti-biotic’s, plus my Prozac, only cost like eight bucks total, without insurance. That’s pretty nice. It’s a relief that I... Read more
All in all, CI Pagan Pride was a success. I was too exhausted to come up with a solid post on Sunday, but I’m sure some of you out there wondered how it finished up. We ended up running late. It was a combination of late arrivals to the pre-departure meeting at my house and a family emergency with one of the members. The upshot is we blew into Normal five minutes before my first event was supposed to start.... Read more
I have this problem that when I become stressed out or depressed I get narcoleptic. All I want to do is sleep instead of doing things around the house or facing what it is that bothers me. It’s just too easy to lay down, close my eyes and drift off into another reality. This doesn’t solve anything though and I end up in a circle of anxiety and I chastise myself. Why didn’t you do the dishes? Why didn’t you... Read more
It’s five A.m. This is how wonderful, and kind of insane, my life has become. I am awake this early because I need to prepare myself. For what, you might ask. Today is Central Illinois Pagan Pride Day, hosted by Pagans out of Bloomington-Normal, Illinois, where I’m originally from. I have not one, but two, workshops there today. The first I have done many times. This is a crystal workshop. I take everyone through choosing, caring for, understanding, and the... Read more
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In