Reasons for the season

Okay, now this is what I intend to do as an Anglo-Graeco-Roman pagan revert from Roman rite Catholicism for the following days:

• Tonight (also the new moon, by the way): give birthday presents to the baby saviour gods (Jesus and Dionysus, or Dion-esus if you will)
• Light and frankincense for Baby Jesus
• Wine and grape juice for Baby Dionysus
• Honour ancestral mothers (Matronae) with milk, and agricultural gods with bread or grain for past week of safe and joyful Saturnalian festivities
• Feast with family, wishing strength to saviour babies 
• Watch Jim Carrey play Grinch and miss father
• Have LOTR movie marathon
• Tomorrow morning: greet dawn goddess, then greet baby sun god (Sol Invictus) and invite him to bless planet for another year, wishing him long life
• Tomorrow evening: greet celestial gods of the night sky
• Have an awesome last week of the year
• Clean house on or a day before eve of New Year
• Make sure shrines, threshold, and hearth are at their best, festive condition
• On eve of New Year (also the kalends of January): light fire at hearth shrine (both the last for 2011 and the first for 2012), use fire to light sacrificial fire at threshold shrine, offer goods symbolising happiness and health of family for next year (sweet fruit, butter, rice, flour, milk, honey, and oil preferably), have both fires meet by lighting candle from sacrificial fire and bringing it inside house, hearth first then dining table
• Music and lights at maximum
• Feast with family, wishing all auspicious and fortunate things to dominate the incoming year (top blessings are happiness, health, peace, bounty, and long life) for family, friends, and larger community
• On dawn of New Year, perform very first offerings and prayers to hearth goddess, threshold god, border gods, storage gods (all household gods, to be brief), land spirits, and ancestors - make sure ritual etiquette is observed for full auspiciousness
• Have super awesome start of 2012 for entire year
• Live excellently for self, family, and fellowmen

Why are we so obsessed with who's gay?

Perhaps because we are a hapless bunch, insecure of our own sexual and/or gender identities? Perhaps because we aren't amongst the most comfortable when it comes to the topic of sex, nor amongst the most educated? In fact, we're so ignorant that we've piled up everything we can't define about gender and sexuality into one word: baklâ.

Hapless, indeed, to have only one word (a bad word, not to mention) for everything else we are unwilling to introduce to decent society.

This is for my old phone and the ruffians who took it

When you find something that isn't yours, with information readily available for you to return it to its owner, you return it. Else you are a petty thief, deserving of neither anger nor sadness, but indifference.

Nonetheless, may you perish for an afternoon.

Three poems in Esperanto I wish I had made but did not

I've been too focused on French lately, that I've forgot(en) I'm learning Esperanto, too. Fortunately, my friend/language partner is still up to it. He's just made three poems, much to my envy.

With his permission, since he is blog-less, I am reposting all three. Comment away, amikoj. (As you can see, I did not even have the patience to write this introduction in la lingvo.)



mi supozis ke ĝi estis vi
starante trans la fervojo
sed ĝi estintus nebulo nur
estintus fumo nur
estintus mia penso nur
estintus io pli
trajnoj faras ankoraŭ
nebulo sternas ankoraŭ en la funga cielo
fumon spiratas ankoraŭ, pulmo al pulmo
pensojn pensatas ankoraŭ


la dioj
la dioj marŝintis ekster de aĵoj jam
ni estas iliaj piedoj kaj manoj, okuloj kaj nazoj
Mi, mi ĝuas estanta la lipa angulo de unu dioj
kaj la pubvilaro de alia

mia poŝtelefono
Mi preterlasis mian poŝtelefonon ree
sur la tablo?
sub la seĝoj?
ĉu vi povus alvokas min? rrrring rrrring!!!
ahh, tio bonfartigas min.

'Wag kang haharang-harang sa daan ko.

Lalaki ako. Mahal ko ang titi ko. Sapat na 'yun para maging lalaki. Hawak ko ang kasarian ko, hindi mo o ninuman. Iiyak ako kung gusto ko, at uurong ako sa inuman kung kailan ko gusto.

Desisyon ko ring hindi mag-asawa kung gugustuhin ko; hindi ito kabasawan sa pagkalalaki ko. Kung babae man o lalaki -- o pareho -- ang hilig ko ay wala na kayong pakialam dun. Sino'ng sira-ulo bang may sabi na ang lalaki ay para lamang sa babae?

Wala nga palang kasarian ang tela. Lalaki pa rin ako kahit ano'ng isuot kong damit. Hindi malalaglag ang bayag ko kapag nagpalda ako o headband; kaya pa rin kitang upakan (at kaya ka ring upakan ng lola ko -- ang kakayahang umupak ay walang kinalaman sa kasarian o edad ng isang tao).

Hindi kita mapipigilang tawaging akong bakla kung 'yun lang ang konseptong kaya ng makitid mong utak. Wala rin akong pakialam kung utos ng relihiyon mong bano na kamuhian mo ako. 'Di ko kasalanang tanga ka. Basta, ako, lalaki ako -- isang taong pinanganak na may titi, at nagmamahal sa kanyang titi. Kung 'di mo ako kayang igalang, bahala ka, buhay mo 'yan. 'Wag mo lang akong pagkaitan ng karapatan kong pantao para pagharian ang sarili kong kasarian at pagkakakilanlan. 'Wag kang haharang-harang sa daan ko.



Siya nga pala, kahit sino pwedeng uminom ng Colt .45, mapababae o mapalalaki.

Hocus Pocus turns 18

Watching Hocus Pocus on its 18th year, on the same night the movie was set in, on the same night I first saw it when I was 7. A tradition I shan't break.







































I had really hoped for a sequel.

AVE MERCVRIVS

Today is the third Wednesday from the Kalends (Noumenia) of October, and the third day of my three-day thanksgiving to Hermes-Mercurius as god of commerce and travel. I have so far already offered white chocolate mocha on the first day, hot chocolate with cinnamon and nutmeg on the second day at our house herm, and green tea latte today (though, I did originally promise strawberries and cream).

I joyfully consumed them all in his honour; but, of course, not without a symbolic libation (our business areas are carpeted).

As someone who depends on sales, wit, and cunning for a living -- not to mention being in a business that involves travel and hospitality -- I owe him heaps. So, be thou well, Mercator! Agoraios! Fortunus! Beloved lord and friend!

As you will recognise, this is the prayer I offer you before beginning every work day:

Hear thou Mercury, full of luck,
Who guides the traffic of merchants and travellers:
Praises I pour out to thee,
O champion of commerce, silver-tongued god.
Open my day today to all things auspicious and fortunate,
To joyous business and prosperous sales,
As you have always done, faithful friend.
Be thou increased in power, o god dearest to mankind,
So that we may be increased in joy.

If you like it, please continue to bless my path, my words, and my business -- and that of my kin -- every single day.

Die, Gumby

This green bastard used to scare me. I'm still a little freaked out looking at him. Happy 90th Birthday, Art Clokey! We can take down the little green goblin now, thanks.

National Coming Out Day

Today is National Coming Out Day. I am coming out to all of you in behalf of those who cannot.

Let it be known that I am gay. And lesbian. And trans, queer, pan, and bi. Also intersexual, asexual, pomosexual, questioning, unlabelled, and undecided. I am everything this intolerant, ignorant society cannot accept. But I am a human being and I shall not stand by as others tell me I do not deserve the same rights that they enjoy.

I am here. I will not be bullied. I deserve the same humanity.

If you can, I hope you can come out with us, too. For equality and awareness, may we achieve victory in doing so.

Reality disagrees with the CBCP... as usual.

As if President Aquino's halfbaked support for LGBT rights wasn't sad enough, a certain Fr Melvin Castro had to make it all worse. Here, he says: "Essentially we don't believe that same sex attracted people are discriminated upon in the Philippines. What we do not agree is for them to have marriage."

Erm, what? In what alternate universe is denying marriage equality not discrimination? In what fucked up cosmos is all the shite that gay men and women have to put up with in the Philippines not discrimination? Can somebody give this priest back his brain?

I refuse to believe that these people speak for Jesus.

Fr Melvin Castro probably left his at the door



Bastos?

Siyá: Ikáw ba, hindî ka magagalit kung lagyán ko ng titì ang picture ng tatay mo?
(Him: Wouldn't you get angry if I placed a penis in your father's picture?)

Akó: Hindî. Hindî ko namán tatay 'yan e. Walâ namáng titì sa mukhâ ang tatay ko e.
(Me: Nope. That's not my father. My father doesn't have a penis on his face.)

Sapagkát ang larawan mong pinapangit ay hindî mo na larawan... kung hindî ka talagá pangit.
(Because a defaced picture is no longer your picture... if you don't actually look that way.)

Christ or Mickey Mouse?
Neither.
This is Chrismouse.

An oath is fulfilled

To Hermes
Ever our friend and ally
A holy herm now stands before our door
Wine and honey stain the stones
As sweet gifts to our Vigilant Apotropaios
So that He may guard over our garth
Our pass and paths
Averting all evil and ill
Misfortune and mischief
From hearth and hall
And kindred
Today
And ever more.

Mia klopodo po esperanto

Saluton! Ĉi tio estas mia klopodo blogi en esperanto.

Mi estas Aldriko Lŭis, sed Aldrin estas mia angla nomo. Aldriko estas mia primara nomo; Lŭis estas la nomo de mia patro.

Mi loĝas en Imus kaj laboras en Manila. Ambaŭ estas bela urboj kaj tre maljuna. Vulgara, mi vojaĝas por du horojn. Ĝi estas tre laciga!

Verbojn uzis:

• esti - to be
• blogi - to blog
• loĝi - to live
• labori - to work
• vojaĝi - to travel
• uzi - to use

Adjektivojn uzis:

• angla - English
• primara - primary
• maljuna - old
• laciga - tired

Vi povas korekti min nun.

Conformity

Do not let the seemingly uniform world stop you from being who you are. You'd be surprised by how different we all are. Most of us just try too hard to be like everyone else (whatever that means).

If I don't get to sleep tonight, I am going to start killing bears.

Yesterday, I napped at around 2:30 in the afternoon. I woke up at around 4. I ate nothing but a piece of sausage. I worked out at around 7:30. I finished just a few minutes before 10. I ate a slab of tuna with chili, some Doritos, and dark chocolate for dessert. Then I had a glass of cold milk. I surfed the Intarnetz. I went to bed a few minutes before 1. I stared at the darkness. I stared some more. It went on for some time. I counted sheep. It wouldn’t work. It was already 1:30. I abused myself. I took a cold bath. I was cold and exhausted. I thought I could sleep. I couldn't. I stared at the darkness some more. I recited a mantra to fall asleep. I beat the mantra. I read a book. I drank some milk. I could not sleep. It was nearing 3. I shat and drank more milk. I gave up at 4. I prepared for work. Now, I’m at work. I have been awake for 24 hours now and will have to stay for another 4. I am expecting a good night’s sleep tonight or else I am going to start killing bears.

The kid makes an excellent point.

Friend: Anó 'yan? (What's that?)

Friend's 8-year old: Si Jesus na-a-attract sa apoy. (That's Jesus, getting attracted to fire.)

Friend: Anó ibig sabihin niyán? (What does that mean?)

Friend's 8-year old: Walâ. Drawing lang. Kailangan ba laging may ibig sabihin? (Nothing. It's just a drawing. Do drawings always have to mean something?)

 

Might be blogging in Esperanto from time to time

Okay, so I'm learning Esperanto. Just thought I'd leave you anglosaksoj a warning that I might blog in pure Esperanto from time to time. I believe this will help me learn faster as my lazy arse will be forced to study more frequently. Consider this self-blackmail. 

If you speak Esperanto, though, I would appreciate it if you could comment on my grammar and vocabulary if you spot anything wrong or inappropriate.

Dankon.

Blasphemy in polytheism?

The ancients had no qualms about portraying the gods in humorous or irreverent ways: that kind of freedom is one of the great joys of polytheism, and the deep and profound reverence we also show the gods is an important and powerful paradox. Our gods are not humorless tyrants. They can take a joke.

Conrad Deitrick via Polytheism

Being 'just friends'

Nothing does the greatest disservice to the sacred bond of friendship than the ubiquitous phrase "just friends". Just friends? Just friends? Are you bloody mad? Have you any idea how hard it is to maintain true friends these days? It takes a lot of love to be a true friend. And if you're not a true friend, then you're not a friend at all.

It's the cake that matters in the end, not the icing.

A romanticist approach to life is nice and sweet and pretty. But at the end of the day, we have to be realists. There's nothing more precious, more valuable than raw, unveiled truth: the basis for a bullshit-free world. That's where you should take root, not in short-lived conveniences.

Jesus doesn't need your repetitive rhetoric.

I just saw this in my News Feed today and I thought I'd tear it up for Christ's sake (you can take that both ways).

 

Greatest man in history...

Speak for yourself. Nobody ever gets to declare the greatest man in history.

...named Jesus

Hardly. More like, Yeshua bin Maryam.

...had no servants, yet they called him Master.

Master can also mean 'adept' (which he was) not just 'lord of servants' (which he also was if you consider all his yes-man disciples).

Had no degree, yet they called him Teacher.

You're speaking in contemporary terms. No, he did not receive a degree from university; nobody else did. All you needed to do was to study the scriptures or the law, which all rabbis did (including Jesus).

Had no medicines, yet they called him Healer.

So could a witch-doctor.

He had no army, yet kings feared Him.

What were their names? From where? There is a story about one king who feared his coming; he was paranoid.

He won no military battles, yet He conquered the world.

If you consider the popes and the bishops and the vast papal armies part of Jesus, then yes, he did conquer most of the known world in a span of two thousand years -- quite forcibly and with a lot of blood.

He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him.

Actually, he did: He was executed for blasphemy and sedition, grave crimes at that time for both Jews and Romans.

He was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today.

Okay, look: Historically, we don't even know for sure if he was ever born. Aside from the gospels we have -- which, by the way, were strategically picked from 20 or so other gospels of the time, written at least a hundred years after the supposed time of Jesus of Galilee -- we have nothing else but ambiguous archaeological clues.

Re-post if you believe.

When has believing ever trumped actual doing? Even if I did believe, it doesn't really prove anything, and it won't help the cause of christian love and hope, in the same way that posting a photograph of your favourite cartoon character helps stop child abuse. If you really love Jesus (I know I do), go out there and share that love with actual people. Make it practical and relevant instead of passing on some meme on Facebook about how lucky you are to be a "Christian".

Dweller-in-the-Centre

Hestia as I see Her:

Hestia sits at the centre. She makes Her dwelling in the hearts of all things. Her most popular and, presumably, most relevant function in human civilisation is that of a hearth goddess. She guards and protects the home and the frith of families, as well as the cores of entire communities. She is the light, warmth, and heart of domestic life. Where her cult is established, familial relations are well.

In the past, her cultus was tended solely by women, especially maidens, because of her association with purity, which in turn comes from her association with benign fire (fire being the only element that cannot be polluted by any external substance). Hers are the first and last portions of offerings, but never of meat or blood or other items that have been “polluted” by violence. Where she is disrespected – i.e. if the hearth is untended – domestic life is put at peril, as is bound to happen in any circumstance where family relations are taken for granted. Naturally, in myth, she remains unwed and ever-benevolent.

The mythos of her being the first and last-born of her god-siblings comes from her role as receiver of offerings (hearth fires were not only seen as places where dinner was prepared but also as places where prayers were uttered by family members). As a living metaphor for community building (the family being the most basic unit) and fire domestication, she is undoubtedly one of the first gods to be worshipped by Man and definitely one of the most important.

“Shining One, 

She who dwells within,

sitting at the centre,

Guardian of family and home and frith:

Beat strong and pure in the heart of our home, [1]

And burn within our hearts no less,

Shining bright for those who gather around You, [2]

Granting grace to pray before Your pure fires.”

I missed last year's Magdalene karakol; I shan't miss it this year and for ever.

Something I wrote for Her several years back.

Mayo a veinte ocho nanamán.
Simulâ na ng pagbuhos ng ulán.
Dalá ng lakambining nangantimugan.
Magdalena ang kanyáng pangalan. 

Aba at Junio na.
Nagbalik na ang Magdalena.

Maryá Magdalenang dalá ng dayuhan
Salamín ng bathalumang nakalimután.
Ngayó'y sa amin nang nanahan
Naibsán ang pagtangis sa nakaraán.

Sakáy ng alon saami'y nakaabot.
Kamí'y isukob sa iyóng salakót.

Kulóg at kidlát ang kanyáng dalá
Ulán para sa nangansaka.
Pagkaing tubo mulâ sa lupà
Siyáng biyayà ng Magdalena.

Halina at kamí'y basaín.
Dingín itóng aming dalangin.

Papuri't galák sa lakambining Maryá
Sayáw mo sa amin ay ligaya
Ulán mong buhay sa amin at paritó
At sa susong-lupang inalayan mo. 

Aba, aba! Poón naming Maryá.
Amen; siyá nawá ang wikà nilá.

Yes, I know, she's not at all like the biblical Mary Magdalene. This is pure polytheistic love.

So, the world's going to end in 7 days?

So says familyradio.com. It's disgusting, really. Every time a natural disaster comes our way, a bunch of crazies claim it's part of some ancient desert prophecy. Really now?

These doomsday-mongers should really just calmthefuckdown. All these natural "disasters" are only omens of a living and breathing world, not its final destruction. A real doomsday sign would be green rain or cold fire; but why would that even happen?

Of course, the world will surely end. It's a probability supported by science. All things die. A creature's death is the end of its world, after all. Stars and planets are no different. Our planet is no different. Our species is no different; no matter how convinced others are that we're something special. There is no preexisting reason why things live or die. We just do.

But if you think a major catastrophe happening sometime soon makes these bible-thumping crackpots right, think again. "The End of Times" is something that nature determines; not man or scripture. If you're the type to identify god with nature, then yes, god determines the expiration date. But who is privy to the mind of such a god? No one. And especially not these nutters.

Why should it even matter, anyway? Should our world begin to crumble on the 21st of May, suck it up and survive. Cease your whining; it's not about us. It wasn't about the dinosaurs when it happened to them. The world is simply reshuffling, and it's best to play her game and dance her rhythms; because that's the only thing we can do.

This is a test post. Jai Devi Mata!

via exoticindiaart.com

This is a test post. Jai Devi Mata!

Thor is an opportunity. People will seek out Pagans due to this film, silly as that may sound.

via patheos.com

Rather than concern ourselves with whether or not the film is disrespectful, whether it’s appropriate for Heimdallr to be played by a black actor or wonder why on earth they made Sif a brunette, we should focus on the practical fallout from this film. We know what happened with The Craft, we know Heathenry is growing leaps and bounds and we need to expect this film to be significant.

I think we should look at this film as if we are a spiritually and culturally hungry person. As if we are a 16 year old young woman considering a military career and in need of a warrior ethic. As if we are a homemaker taking her kids to an action-flick who is suddenly overwhelmed by Frigga. As if we are a man with a newborn who stumbled across Asatru looking up info on the film and is looking for a spiritual tradition for his family. Because those are the people who will be coming to us with questions. We shouldn’t dismiss them for referencing Thor like so many seekers were dismissed for coming to Wicca by way of The Craft. Maybe Thor will lead folks to their path, and maybe there will be folks who need to be gently dissuaded, but they all deserve positive, straightforward and enlightening answers.

Thor is an opportunity. People will seek out Pagans due to this film, silly as that may sound. When they come we should greet them with answers and hospitality, especially if we weren’t received that way. Thor can mark a change not only for seekers, but for how our communities interact with them.

Read the rest of the quoted article here.

I wish to use the genuine love this Hallmark holiday has generated to wish all mothers the best of fortunes!

May Maia, the Good Mother, the Nurturer, mother of Swift-footed Hermes, bless all mothers on this day and for ever; my mother, grandmothers, aunts, grandaunts, sisters, cousins, and friends no less.

Happy Mothers Day!

The question of the nature/nurture of gayness is getting old and irrelevant.

Does a gay man really need to be "born that way" to be respected and to share equal rights with heteronormative citizens? Of course not. Genetics is beside the point. If it were entirely genetic -- and I highly doubt it is -- so what? You can't use that reason alone as a basis for human rights. We all deserve to walk our own paths, regardless if we've been "this way" since we were 5 or 50.

I've got an amazing boss.

I know it's too early to say for sure, and I'm sure a few things will come up in the future where we'll disagree with each other; but, right now, I think he's a really awesome guy.

He's Bengali, by the way, and I made sure I pointed that out on my first day at work (I just love their language). Naturally, he was surprised I knew. How many young non-Indians do you meet everyday who can tell a Sindhi from a Bengali Indian. He was also amazed at how I know about bhajans and said he was touched to know I believe in Ma Durga. I told him I've got a few Hindu friends, but what I really wanted to say was: "Yes, I know, I'm smart".

He's definitely one of the best foreigners I've met. On his first day, he already learnt a few useful words in the local language and he refuses to eat hotel food because he prefers to eat where the natives do, claiming you have to acquaint yourself with the spirit of a place every time you visit another country. Amazing, isn't he?

Anyway, I'm really excited to be under his guidance. He's really smart, very cultured, and he has an amazing way of telling stories where he just goes on and I don't get bored or sleepy.

I pray for his genius that it may bless him, his family, and all his endeavours for all the days to come. Nômoshkar!

Still my favourite Bengali song: Beautiful voice, language, song, scenery; beautiful everything.

via youtube.com

English lyrics:

The same stream of life that runs through my veins night and day runs through the world and dances in rhythmic measures.

It is the same life that shoots in joy through the dust of the earth in numberless blades of grass and breaks into tumultuous waves of leaves and flowers.

It is the same life that is rocked in the ocean-cradle of birth and of death, in ebb and in flow.

I feel my limbs are made glorious by the touch of this world of life. And my pride is from the life-throb of ages dancing in my blood this moment.

Bengali lyrics:

Bhulbona ar shohojete
Shei praan e mon uthbe mete
Mrittu majhe dhaka ache
je ontohin praan

Bojre tomar baje bashi
She ki shohoj gaan
Shei shurete jagbo ami

Bojre tomar baje bashi
She ki shohoj gaan
dao more shei gaan

Shei jhor jeno shoi anonde
Chittobinar taare
Shopto-shindhu dosh digonto
Nachao je jhonkare!

Bojre tomar baje bashi
She ki shohoj gaan
Shei shurete jagbo ami

Bojre tomar baje bashi
She ki shohoj gaan

Shei shurete jagbo ami
Bojre tomar baje bashi
She ki shohoj gaan
dao more shei gaan

At dahil masokista akó ngayón, pinápanuod ko nanamán 'to para magngúngumawà akó.

via youtube.com

Waaaaaaaah!

Beltane: Where exactly is this happening in the Philippines?

Today is Beltane! At this sacred time of the year, we nature-worshipping bumpkin-wannabes gather once more to honour the fertility of the land and the vibrance of life, symbolised by the courtship and marriage of the divine powers behind nature. Joy once more returns as life conquers death; oak defeats holly; summer overpowers winter. All the earth is alive again! From plants to animals to humankind! Let us all celebrate the vital passion that now gushes forth from the womb of the earth!

Can you feel the surging force of this joyous sabbat yet? Take a look at some photos I took recently to celebrate this vibrant season of life.

See the full gallery on Posterous

Can you feel the loving embrace of drought now? Truly, the return of summer is celebrated the same way across countries. After all, if it's happening in Britain -- home of 25,000 year old Wicca -- it should be the same in the Philippines, yes? Right? Right?

See the full gallery on Posterous

In case you're daft today, I was being sarcastic. The tomatoes seem to be fine, though. Who's in for a tomato sabbat?