Brave: The Movie

Pixar Makes Magick

Though I know the movie has come and gone from theaters, I felt it deserved mention here. And it was one of my Christmas presents. :) I read many reviews that absolutely hated this film. I couldn't understand the ugliness and anger. They ranged from things like "The whole movie reeks of feminist fantasy" to "weird politically correct preaching, overdone action scenes, and generally random and weird plot." They called Merida whiny, petulant, and selfish. It really made me wonder what was behind all the vitriol.

The movie I saw was a beautifully animated, well told story that stands with the best of Pixar as an equal. The mother-daughter relationship, which is rare in a Disney film that usually opts for single fathers, was wonderful and complex, like real life. It was a bit more serious than most Pixar or Disney and lacked musical numbers to lighten the mood, but that doesn't make a lesser story. What some saw as petulance was a typical teenage girl rebelling against parents who had her whole life planned; an arranged marriage and being a "proper lady" like her mother. The major difference with Brave's heroine was that her act of rebellion had dangerous consequences for which she had to take full responsibility. I also loved that the witch who supplies the potion that creates the main conflict of the story isn't evil or playing with dark magick for her own purposes. She warns Merida of the abuse of magick, that it doesn't always work how you want. Personal responsibility is an important message.

With all the magick in the story (and not of the evil variety), I wonder if some of the negative reviews weren't fueled by fear. Certain organizations don't take kindly to telling girls that they don't necessarily need to find a husband and settle down to have a great life. They have the power within themselves to be great.

The added bonus to this fabulous movie was the enchanting short film "La Luna." It was a simple little story of a boy going with his father and grandfather to learn the family trade; cleaning up all the loose stars on the surface of the moon. It was one of the most Pagan things I'd ever seen from Disney (until I saw the Tinkerbell movie). That six minutes alone was worth the ticket price to see in 3D.

The Need to Connect - Ancestors

I recently came across a wonderful group of bloggers participating in something called the "Pagan Blog Project." The idea is that they send out prompt suggestions for each letter of the alphabet and ask bloggers to write about something in their magickal life that starts with the corresponding letter (each letter is used two weeks in a row; 26 letters, 52 weeks) and share that blog with the group. It seems the perfect way to motivate me to focus more on my spirituality and post regularly. It is also my hope this will push me to step outside my safe little comfort zone and take a few risks. Okay, explanations over. On to my first post. :)

My mom (right) with her older sister and younger brother.

Though I don't have children of my own, family has always been important. But it never occurred to me while growing up to ask questions about the people who came before. I knew I was part English and part Italian on my mother's side, which I thought explained the love of Italian food and my preference for tea (with cream) over coffee. I never even though to ask my Gram's maiden name. It wasn't until I found an old photo album that thoughts of great grandparents ever entered my mind. My mom told me the pictures were of her grandparents and their relatives. I suddenly felt this connection, this need to know all I could find about these people; my family. Starting out, I made a list of all the names and began to grill my mother for information. Then I asked Gram as well. Though it would take me years to figure out the right questions to ask. I will always regret that my maternal grandfather passed away before I could talk to him too. So many of our old photos are of the Terni-Diekmann line, his Italian-German roots, and many of them don't have names. The most prominent figure in his family was his mother, a strong person despite many losses, including her husband and younger sister.
 
My new obsession began in earnest in 2001 when I posted my first tree on Ancestry, pitiful though it was. I would spend the next 12 years digging through death records, census records, and marriage licenses to track from Texas, back to Missouri, Louisiana, then England, Germany, France and Austria, going back 5 generations so far. Suddenly I was no longer just a Texan. It was no longer just my immediate family. I have a history. I am a part of history. And a recent DNA test showed that future generations will lead me back to two main regions; Southern Europe (specifically Spain and Italy) and Scandinavia (specifically Norway and Sweden). The more I search, the more I want to know. Do I have an affinity for the Greek pantheon from my Southern European roots? Is my long line of strong female figures from my Scandinavian roots? What in my blood pushes me to love nature, to seek it as my spiritual choice? Do I have any wise women in my past? My Samhain rituals are so much richer for all the family I can now celebrate as mine.

The many interpretations of the Rede

The beauty of the different forms of Paganism is that the beliefs are open to interpretation by the individual. Disagreeing doesn't make the believer wrong. Unfortunately, it also leaves us open to interpretations from those who don't follow Pagan ways. The Wiccan Rede is a prime example of a belief that means one thing to the Pagans that follow it and something else entirely to many monotheistic followers. The long version of the Rede talks of ways to celebrate nature and its many cycles. Here are a few lines to illustrate:

Deosil go by the waxing moon, chanting out the joyful tune.
Widdershins go when the moon doth wane,
and the werewolf howls by the dread wolfsbane.

When the Lady's moon is new, kiss the hand to Her times two.
When the moon rides at Her peak then your heart's desire seek.

Though most of the discussion about the Rede come from the final line, eight small words that inspire a not-so-small debate.

If it harms none, do what you will.

For many Christians, this is interpreted to mean that we have free reign to do whatever we want regardless of what others think. I recently came across an article at http://www.7162.com/essays/wiccanandchristiandoctrine.htm that at first glance, and in the interest of religious tolerance, talked of how the line compares to the Golden Rule of "do unto others as you would have them do unto you". Though that tolerance only lasted for so long. The author came to the conclusion that where the Golden Rule was an active choice to treat others well, the Rede only says not to harm. We supposedly have no obligation to others.

"The act of merely doing whatever you please, but making sure

you don't hurt anyone in the process, is certainly not a negative concept in itself.

But it also doesn't spur anyone to do unselfish deeds for others."

What this author fails to recognize is that inaction that cause harms is no different than actions that harm. If I see someone in need and know I can help, but choose to do nothing, that is harm as well. Harming none encompasses so much more than choosing not to do something harmful. Though we don't need a rule or law to tell us this. Everyone with a compassionate heart, regardless of their faith, recognizes that we should treat everyone and everything with respect.

Separating personal and business

I realized this weekend that most, if not all, of my posts on the LG blog were not appropriate for the purpose of that blog. It should be focused on spirituality and how the website can bring like minded individuals together. And it will represent the culmination of my dream for simple, elegant, and occasionally humorous greeting cards for Pagan celebrations. The old posts, transferred here, we're of a more personal, individual nature and not at all professional. Family losses, plans for school, and fan fiction ideas don't belong on a company blog. While I didn't want to leave them on the LG blog, I didn't want to lose them either. So this blog went from 9 posts to 68 immediately. :) Enjoy the older posts and check out lunasgathering.blogspot.com for future Luna's Gathering news, views, and card designs. News on upcoming fan fiction and personal obsessions will live here. Coming soon? Psych stories and finishing my SPN stories!

You know you're a geek...

when you choose your next car from a television show. I haven't bothered to share this "embarrassing" little factoid with my family. They already think I'm nuts as it is. No, I didn't get the '67 Impala I've been dreaming of for over 6 years now. I WISH! That would require winning the lottery or credit I will never have. My "new" car is a 2009 Toyota Yaris (or an Echo if you live in Canada), the same car driven by Gus on Psych. It is much more practical and way more ME than any other car I've owned (or the Impala I lust after). And SO cute!! I wasn't able to get in blue, so it isn't exactly The Blueberry. But that's ok too. I have The Blackberry instead. While the Blueberry carries Shawn and Gus all over Santa Barbara, solving crime and loving the eighties and pineapple smoothies, my humble Blackberry travels Fort Worth, rocking the seventies and Chai lattes, channeling its inner Dean Winchester. Though I do call it my Gusmobile. :)

Crisis...

...mostly the mid-life type I think. I've made several MAJOR changes and/or decisions that just have to be the forties finally weighing on my mind. Or maybe it's simply the hormones talking. :D Whatever the cause or outcome, I have only myself to blame (or thank?). I've taken on more responsibility at work, opted to take three classes instead of two, and managed to isolate myself from pretty much all but one or two friends. This will either totally backfire or light a fire under my ass to at least make something positive come of all the changes. So far it's been wallowing, feeling sorry for myself, or shutting out the whole world. Up next? Maybe just finding positive things on which to focus.

Dreams

For a very long time now I've talked about all the big plans I have for my site and my store. And I've yet to show any real progress. I'm great with the big ideas and grand schemes; not so much on the follow through. Also, there is that flaw in my genetic make-up, the ability to focus on one thing at a time until it is complete. Of course life outside of the business hasn't exactly been kind either.

I haven't given up on my dream, not even a little. I just know I need to be more realistic. And to depend solely on myself for now to accomplish my goals. Luna's Gathering is about to come full circle and become what I wanted it to be from day one; a store for Pagan greeting cards. I want to give the community a line of cards that, as I've told a few non-Pagan friends, are like the typical Hallmark cards but for the Pagan holidays and sentiments. Simple, clean illustrations and wonderful words to express our feelings instead of the usual fantasy art. Don't get me wrong though. I like the cards with the beautiful and detailed artwork. That's not quite my style (well, won't be once I've developed mine). And I know I could never compete with that. I'll find my niche and we can all offer something unique and magickal.

I've recently acquired several tools that will assist and a possible avenue for selling locally to test my marketability. It also gives me a deadline. This may be the motivator I need to finally reach for that long sought after dream.