I just wanted to wish all my Pagan friends here a blessed Solstice...

[hootinholler]

Mother Earth cradle us to your breast and sustain us. Grant us the power to sustain you.

Father Sky watch over our safety and guide us to act honorably.

My hope is that tonight is a turning point for our society and my own life.

My hope is that our society will remember we live in the heartland, not a homeland.

So burn the log and watch the shadows on our longest night lest the darkness overtake us for another year.

-Hoot

[Arugula Latte]

1. Thank you -- beautiful post.

Solstice is the true Reason for the Season.

[hootinholler]

33. You're very welcome!

:hug:

-Hoot

[JuniperLea]

2. Blessed be!

That is the most beautiful thing I've read here in ages. Thank you so much for this.

[hootinholler]

35. That mean a lot to me :D

That peace sign is so stolen by me ;)

-Hoot

[defendandprotect]

3. Happy Winter Solstice to All -- Return of the Light -- !!

[egoclothes]

4. Yes, each day now will be longer-minute by minute and that

is indeed very welcomed here in the frozen upper midwest.

[Larkspur]

5. Thank you!

Blessed Be and Season's Greetings to you.

[Tansy_Gold]

6. Blessed Be to All!

[opihimoimoi]

7. I'm a Bi...both Pagan n Heathen.....I wish for the ALL....to bring Peace to Earth

[B Calm]

8. Another Pagan holiday that the christian faith has stolen. Historians

are saying the man Jesus was born in April.

[BrklynLiberal]

21. The only way to bring the pagans into the fold was to steal from their religion and make it a

part of the new belief system

http://www.exposingchristianity.com/New%20Testament.html

http://mysticbanana.com/is-it-christian-bashing-to-say-that-christians-stole-pagan-holidays.html

[Beaverhausen]

9. Blessings to all

welcome the coming of the light!

[rko_24550]

10. thanks!

[TBF]

11. Solidarity. nt

[foxfeet]

12. Thank you , hootinholler!

And a Blessed Solstice to all who celebrate the return of the light.

[social_critic]

13. Do you guys worship these mother earth and father sky you mention?

I'm an atheist, and I've devoted quite a bit of time to researching major religions, but I don't know much about pagans. This Mother Earth bit sounds interesting. Do you guys think Mother Earth has a conscience? What about this Father Sky, is that supposed to be some sort of spirit living up in the air somewhere?

Also, do you dance around some sort of totem like I've seen in the movies?

[Beaverhausen]

23. ask 100 pagans that question, you will get 100 different answers

:hi:

[hootinholler]

24. I can only answer for myself.

Which might be why you are having trouble researching paganism. I'm not a formal Pagan (if there is such a thing, possibly those who call themselves wiccan are) and it's a very personal thing.

I view Mother Earth and Father sky as metaphorical representations of the mystical forces humans are wired to perceive. As to sentience of the physical earth and sky, it is an interesting question and has been pondered by greater minds than mine. I know that I perceive there to be something sentient or at least a balance of natural order that needs maintenance.

I generally don't use totems (unless you consider a fire a totem) or dance unless there's a really good drummer, but I do lie naked on the ground to gather the energies I perceive and to reflect the energies onto my wishes. I do carry talismans at times.

The sky has guided humanity since there was a human, which is where my Father Sky comes from. The earth has provided sustenance as well. Having spent time in hunter-gatherer modes I've had some interesting experiences in the outdoors which have guided my perceptions.

-Hoot

[defendandprotect]

41. All major religions are based on or have usurped pagan holidays, traditions....

"worship" is the wrong word -- it is respect for nature -- the very opposite

of organized patriarchal religion's "Manifest Destiny" and "Man's Dominion

Over Nature" -- which are the licenses to exploit nature, natural resources,

animal life - and humanity.

The earth is a living thing -- and it is harmed in the same ways that our

own bodies are harmed.

What questions do you ask of organized patriarchal religion?

What would claims of male superiority be without it?

Why it has such a long list of those it considers enemies?

[Mojorabbit]

14. Thanks!

and my wish for the same to you! May you have a Blessed Holiday Season.

[logosoco]

15. Beautiful!

I wish that for us all. I do want to believe that we are going to be moving into a good phase. The last decade has really been not so positive .Except for becoming a grandma to two wonderful little boys. I want them to know a life of peace and love.

And I love being on this side of the winter solstice!

[roguevalley]

16. Happy Yule to all.

[kctim]

17. Merry Christmas

[xchrom]

18. Blessed Be. Happy Solstice to All. Nt

[BrklynLiberal]

19. Wonderful post. Thanks for a moment of coherency & sincerity amidst the insanity.

[Ernesto]

20. Solstice

The actual historical reason for celebration!

[blondeatlast]

22. Amen (So be it, for those of you who don't know that's what it means). Beautiful--

and back to you, my friend!

[kestrel91316]

25. Blessed be!

[undergroundpanther]

26. May Bast's show tonight

be incredible..oh and have fun..you fellow DU heathens:toast:

[Uncle Joe]

27. Happy Solstice.

Thanks for the thread, hootinholler.:)

[Eyerish]

28. Blessed Be to all!

[Pathwalker]

29. Lovely. A Belessed Solstice to everyone.

Amen.

:party: :hi:

[silverweb]

30. Thank you, hootinholler!

And a very Happy Solstice to you.

Happy Solstice to all here, who solemnize this longest night and celebrate the return of the light.

[Raine]

31. Blessed Be & THANK YOU! nt

[Withywindle]

32. So mote it be.

My wish is for the return of warmth and light to all, starting with those who have been hurt by the cold and darkness the most. Peace on earth and good will to all beings.

[Tsiyu]

34. Blessings back atcha hootinholler

B-) May the future days be so bright, we all have to wear shades...





B-) B-) B-) B-) B-) B-) B-) B-) B-) B-) B-) B-) B-) B-) B-) B-) B-) B-) B-) B-) B-) B-) B-) B-)

[nemo137]

36. This atheist wishes you a good Solstice, as well.

I'm having some mead and enjoying the holiday. Something about celebrating the solstice feels right to me, what with it being an observable, natural phenomenon, and a good excuse to drink and light a fire in a cold, dark time of year. Pity about the weather and not being able to see the eclipse up here in Illinois.

Good Yule, I guess.

:hi:

[hootinholler]

37. Be careful my friend

That's how it starts ;)

:hi:

-Hoot

[Ernesto]

38. Enjoy............. Wid ya in Nor Cal........ nt

[eridani]

39. Blessed be! n/t

[FrancisTreptoe]

40. Such a beautiful post!

[TheKentuckian]

42. Non-pagans are pro-Solstice as well. Great blessing to your fellow children of the universe.

[Octafish]

43. Blessed Solstice to You and Yours.

Thank you, hootinholler. May tonight be the Beginning.

[hootinholler]

48. Thank you my friend

Good to see you.

-Hoot

[Canuckistanian]

44. Nice!

Blessed be to all Wiccan/Pagan friends.

[Mudoria]

45. Merry Christmas

[Xenotime]

51. Do Pagans celebrate that?

[DirkGently]

46. Very nice.

[OneGrassRoot]

47. Lovely. K&R :) n/t

[hootinholler]

49. Thank you!

:hug:

-Hoot

[OneGrassRoot]

50. ...

:hug:

:hi:

[Ignis]

52. Yule'll be sorry now!

:hide:

Happy Solstice to all. :hi:

BB&93