In the cool of the evening
They used to gather
‘Neath the stars in the meadow
Cirlced near an old oak tree
At the times appointed by the seasons
Of the Earth and the phases of her Moon

In the center often stood a woman
Equal with the others
And respected for her worth
One of the many we called the witches
The healers and the teachers
Of the wisdom of the Earth

And the people grew
With the knowledge she gave them
Herbs to heal their bodies
Spells to make their spirits whole
Hear them chanting healing incantations
Calling forth the wise ones
Celebrating in dance and song

Isis, Astarte, Diana
Hecate, Demeter, Kali, Inanna (x4)

There were those who came to power
Through domination
They were bonded in their worship
Of a dead man on a cross
They sought control
Of the common people
By demanding allegiance
To the Church of Rome

And the Pope he commenced
The inquisition
It was a war against women
Whose power they feared
In this holocaust
In this age of evil
Nine Million European women died

And the tale is told of those
Who by the hundreds
Holding hands together
Chose their deaths in the sea
While chanting praises
Of the mother Goddess
Their refusal of betrayal
Women were dying to be free

Isis, Astarte, Diana
Hecate, Demeter, Kali, Inanna (x4)

Now the Earth is a witch
And the men (we) still burn her
Stripping her down with mining
And poisoning her wells
Still to us the Earth is a healer
A teacher and a mother
A weaver of a web of light
That keeps us all alive
She gives us the vision
To see through the chaos
She gives us the courage
It is our will to survive

Isis, Astarte, Diana
Hecate, Demeter, Kali, Inanna

By: Charlie Murphy ©1991

Written by Mama KellyTags:pagan song

Please visit this older post in which I share the lyrics to the song “Every Woman Born” by Ruth Barrett.  Not only was I pleased when she found my post but I was thrilled when she herself was pleased to see me sharing it with you our readers.

I have fixed a lyric line and added a little background as to how I first came to hear the song.

I hope you enjoy it

Blessings

Mama Kelly

Written by Mama KellyTags:music, pagan

OK so this week’s Pagan Video Tuesday post is not only late but not all that Pagan in flavor.  But, let me explain.  My oldest Miss Artistic starts high school tomorrow.  As a result I keep finding myself flashing on that time period in my own life.  Who my friends were and what I was “into” and what music I was in love with at the time.

This is particularly nostalgic as she is attending the school (one of a total of three high schools I wound up attending) I graduated from.  So as of tomorrow she will be walking halls that I once walked.  Now granted, 20+ years later, the school is larger than it once was and I doubt I’ll remember much of the “landmarks” of it when its time for back-to-school night in a couple of weeks, but still I can’t help but feel more deeply connected to this moment in her life than I might otherwise.

Anyway … I thought for this week I’d share some of the top 100 hits if 1983, the year that found me entering my own high school career (albeit at a different school in a different state).  And while I never settled on one particular genre of music (and frankly never have) these are the ones off the list that I can most vividly remember singing along to (at that age it would’ve been in home in Staten Island, in the basement, at the top of my lungs).

At her age I was a voracious reader and had already read a number of titles that I can only describe as New Age – thanks to the wonders of Scholastic Books (who are not nearly as progressive I guess as they once were) and had “played around” with seances and the whole “light as a feather” thing more times than I could count. By the end of my 2nd year of high school I was already reading tarot cards and had met the boy who would grow up into the man I would one day marry.

As a woman who remembers that time of her life I know that these next years are the formation of the woman she will become. I know that these next years are where she discovers her own identity, her goals, her dreams, her deepest desires. I am happy for her, more than I can say. While not all of high school was easy for me … while I never really found a clique to belong to (larger than an intimate circle of friends) until my Senior year when I fell into the whole choir/band/drama mix … it sure beat the heck of of Junior High and, especially with the ability to reconnect to friend from that period through Facebook I find I remember it fondly overall.

But, as a parent (especially with all we have been through) all I can do is look at her and see that my little girl is gone forever, replaced by a beautiful young woman who’s had a really rough time in Junior High, and hope and pray (and plead and beg) that the next 4 years are easier for her than the last 3 were.

Blessings

Mama Kelly

Written by Mama KellyTags:80's, daughter, high school, music, parenting, video

I love the internet!  You can find anything … literally anything … that you might want to read, watch, or learn.  For example, last night I found a video highlighting the title song of a musical based on a woman who comes out of the closet as a lesbian after her divorce, finds love with a Wiccan woman, rediscovers her own faith, and eventually marries in a ceremony that draws on both their faiths.  I mean seriously, how many plays like that are out there?

“My Mother’s Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding” is a 60 minute long musical by David Hein.  According to it’s creator MMLJWW is “a new musical comedy based on a true story featuring hilarious songs, a live band, and hot lesbian action.” More seriously it is the story of how Mr. Hein’s mom “came out to (him), met her partner and got married.”

The title, while chosen I’m sure for shock value, is not a joke.  As you will hear in the introduction to the song Mr. Hein’s mom is Jewish, her partner is Wiccan and when they decided to marry well it was a “lesbian Jewish Wiccan wedding.”

I have to say that the reviews made me wish the play was here in my neck of the woods:

“David Hein turns autobiography into musical theatre as the story of his two moms is told through songs like “You Don’t Need a Penis” and “Straight White Male,” … an awkward dinner date at Hooters and a sidebar on gay rights in Canada… genuinely moving and well-executed … an all-ages lesson in tolerance”
- EYE weekly

“Director Andrew Lamb skilfully squeezes a live 3-piece band and a gifted seven-member cast onto the small stage while keeping the action fluid and fun, and the audience cheers wildly through 18 witty songs.”
- NOW

“David Hein and Irene Carl have created a very sweet and endearing love musical for his mothers. The crowd fell in love and how could they not”
- Dead Sexy Magazine

It was performed at the The Toronto Fringe Festival, July 1-12.

Enjoy!

Mama Kelly

Written by Mama KellyTags:musical, pagan, video, wiccan

One of my favorite movies is The Color Purple
. I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve seen it, but the most recent viewing was the most special as I watched it from beginning to end with Princess Nibbles. She had requested it for one of our cuddle on the couch evenings as we’ve caught snippets of it here and there on cable and she was intrigued.

The above scene makes me cry every time I see it. In fact, I viewed this Youtube video again before posting it here and sure enough my throat tightened and tears rolled down my face. It is a scene I can count on when I need a good cry.

I love it because, if you’ve never seen the movie, it is a scene of redemption. The character who comes into the church, Shug Avery (played by the phenomenally voiced Margaret Avery), is hugged by her father after years (decades) of his being unable to accept her “sinful ways.” It is a moment that serves not only as a balm to Shug’s soul after years of torment but, as I always imagine watching the face of the preacher, is a balm to her father’s soul also.

I love it because, Pagan or Christian, there is something about the musical genre of gospel/spirituals that can move me. Raising ones voice in song, regardless of whether or not you can carry a tune, has a long time-honored tradition in the worship of the Divine. And while once, as a young Witch, I would’ve been unable to see past the Christian language in order to relate the hymn to my own faith I no longer have that particular stumbling block.

And so I share this here, no insult intended to my Christian readers (I know I have at least a few) because we all need redemption at some time or another. We all need to be reminded that in the darkest nights of our soul that the Divine (call it God, call it Goddess, call it Lord & Lady, it matters not) can and does reach out and speak to us.

If I were you, I would say yes, speak, Lord. Speak to me.
Oh, Speak, Lord. Won’t you speak to me?
I was so blind, I was so lost until you spoke to me
Oh, speak, Lord. Speak, Lord. And hear my mind,
Oh, with your word, heal my soul
Oh, speak, Lord. Speak to me. Speak, my Lord.
I love you, Lord. Save my soul

Can’t sleep at night and you wonder why
Maybe God is trying to tell you something
Crying all night long, something’s gone wrong
Maybe God is trying to tell you something

written by Andrae Crouch, Quincy Jones,
Bill Maxwell & D.Del Sesto

I want to thank Sherry, Kathy, and Brahnamin for their kind words on my last post. This blog is a blessing in my life because it allows me to connect with wonderful people like you.

Blessings

Mama Kelly

PS If you need a laugh instead of a good cry I recommend this, though you may still find tears rolling down your cheeks, just for a different reason.

Written by Mama KellyTags:video

Well the birthday and graduation celebrations are all finally done.  What began with a lovely outing to the Well Sweep Herb Farm at the beginning of the month (and way too many presents) ended* with the Celtic Woman concert on this past Monday.  Now Lady Rose already shared her own thoughts on that evening, but let me tell you that we all had a fabulous time.

Seeing a concert in a suite setting is a truly once in a lifetime experience, especially if you are someone (like me) who detests crowds and loud noise with a passion.  I got to be a part of this wonderful group experience, enjoy the energy of a live concert while feeling as secure as if I was in my own living room.  Additionally, being able to sit in a lounge and eat dinner while chatting with friends (old and new) before the show and during intermission was simply delightful.

The show itself was simply wonderful.  The women’s voices (Chloe, Lisa, Lynn, & Alex) were truly angelic.  The drummers stirred my blood and the Celtic violinist, Mairead (who btw has her own solo album Raining Up), was simply amazing.  The show was not fully appreciated by Princess Nibbles (give her time to grow into it) but Miss Artistic loved it.  Now, granted, I don’t expect her to ask for the CD for Yule or anything, but it was great to see her give a different genre of music a fair try and groove on it enough to clap her hands and sway a bit.

While I will say that I enjoyed the more traditional tunes (Danny Boy for one) to the covers they performed (though their rendition of Cyndi Lauper’s True Colors was quite lovely) I enjoyed each and every song they performed. I only wish I had jotted down notes during the show (I was too busy having fun) or at least had purchased a program so I could remember the names of some of the pieces they sang that I wasn’t previously familiar with …. but the one that stuck with me the longest (that took a bit of work to find since I only remembered the theme and not a scrap of the lyrics) was “At The Céili”

“And me I made my choice as well
And in no way was it easy
But I’d rather have a man for love
Than be a rich man’s lady”

Graduation (which we attended in the hours preceding the concert) went off without a hitch and I can’t believe Miss Artistic will be attending high school in the fall (and will be working a real job over the summer). I am proud of her, for all she overcame in the past year and a half, and all I can see her achieving throughout the rest of her life as I know she can truly go far as she is so bright and talented. We gave her a mix of smaller gifts instead of one larger one (art stuff and a disposable cell phone) and took her out to eat at a local Japanese Buffet restaurant with plentiful and varied sushi which was just what she wanted and was really very very good (even Mr. Grumpy enjoyed himself and he can generally always find something to complain about).

Things are still busier than usual here in Mama Kelly’s household. Work has been trying, Saturday is belt testing for the girls in their Taekwondo class, there is cleaning to do for my friend “E” coming in from out of state for July 4th and tomorrow night will find me attending a Mary Kay party.  I am not one generally speaking for the make-up, tupperware, lingerie, or other type of parties.  I am not one for social gatherings with people I don’t know to be perfectly honest.  But, I am going because I was invited by the step-mom of one of Miss Artistic’s best friends and as they host a number of sleepovers (more than we manage) it seemed like the right thing to do.

So anon my dear readers. A little more time for things to calm down and we should be back to your regularly scheduled Pagan programming soon.

Blessings

Mama Kelly

PS links to youtube “videos” that share the audio of the songs from the same performance we attended:

Goodnight My Angel
Dulaman
When You Believe
Fields of Gold
Isle of Hope, Isle of Tears

* I have one more birthday outing coming.  In the latter half of July I will be going to Atlantic City for an overnight with my friend “M2.”  This one is to celebrate her birthday as much as mine as she will have finally caught up and hit the big 4-0 as well.  I am looking forward to it as an opportunity to spend an evening being just Kelly … not wife, not mom, just me.

Written by Mama KellyTags:birthday, concert, music

..

One of our readers, Autumn, was so touched by the other weeks week’s Pagan Video Tuesday post that she highlighted it on her own blog. That’s a wonderful compliment for any blogger.

After reading her post I went over to Youtube looking for other signed Pagan content. I cam across videos by Gwideonleu but I do not understand enough sign to interpret them. I found this video which shows a Tarot reading being given in ASL (which is given by Ocean of Deaf Pagan Crossroads), again I don’t understand enough ASL to follow along, but a transcript of the video is available at Ear of My Heart). I also came across a disturbing amount of search results which were put out by fundamentalist Christians.

In the end, I settled on this “signed singing”* video of one of my favorite songs, Let It Be, which for me has always felt hymn-like. In my teens I sung it in praise of the Virgin Mary, now I sing it in praise to the Mother Goddess.

When I find myself in times of trouble, mother Mary comes to me,
speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
And in my hour of darkness she is standing right in front of me,
speaking words of wisdom, let it be.

Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be.
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.

And when the broken-hearted people living in the world agree,
there will be an answer, let it be.
For though they may be parted there is still a chance that they will see,
there will be an answer. let it be.

Let it be, let it be, …..

And when the night is cloudy, there is still a light, that shines on me,
shine until tomorrow, let it be.
I wake up to the sound of music, mother Mary comes to me,
speaking words of wisdom, let it be.

Let it be, let it be, …..

Lenon/McCarthy

The refrain “let it be” for me has always been a call to worry not, to leave your troubles in the lap of the Lady. The song itself reminds me that the Divine is ever present, always there for me, and real enough to commune with if only I allow myself to believe.

Blessings

Mama Kelly

* This song is signed word for word with the lyrics as opposed to using ASL grammar format.

Written by Mama KellyTags:ASL, sign language, videos

Inspired by Morgana’s Blog I put off a planned post for today and instead decided to share a different video instead.

I discovered “Playing for Change” on Youtube in late 2008, through a compilation video showing musicians from around the globe contributing on the song Stand By Me.

(BTW I so love how Youtube has unshackled me in terms of what music I can listen to, what music I love, and what music I am willing to discover … music that might not make it to radio play, music I might never otherwise hear, music I might have otherwise forgotten or never gotten around to)

I’ve loved this song, ever since the movie of the same name came out in 1986 and I fell in love with it again. It was the spirit of global connectedness that the video portrays, and the feeling it expresses of us all being one people.

And if we are all truly one people then color shouldn’t matter, race shouldn’t matter, gender shouldn’t matter, religion shouldn’t matter, sexual orientation shouldn’t matter.

Anyway, Morgana asked her readers to post a video and to feature “Playing for Change” on their blogs to shine a light on the work this organization is doing which includes ” (bringing) musicians from all over the world … together to perform benefit concerts that build music and art schools in communities that are in need of inspiration and hope.”

“That until there is no longer first class
And second class citizens of any nation
Until the colour of a man’s skin
Is of no more significance than the colour of his eyes
Me say war”
– “War”, Bob Marley

“(We don’t need no more trouble)
Make love and not war! ‘Cause we don’t need no trouble.
What we need is love (love)
To guide and protect us on. (on)
If you hope good down from above, (love)
Help the weak if you are strong now. (love)”
– “No More Trouble”, Bob Marley

What we all need is love …. love for ourselves, for our families, for our communities, for our nations, for the globe and everyone and everything on it.

While I was a young Witch, not long after my 2nd degree Initiation (if memory serves), Gamer Dude (in the ranks at that time of first love, ex-boyfriend, turned friend, for whom I still had feelings for on a level I didn’t understand that well) was a Marine serving overseas in the Gulf War.

During this period my boyfriend at the time (I think it was while we were living together and still engaged – again if memory serves … it was a long time ago) led a circle in our/his(?) living room for peace. After we hit the peak of the spell and sent our energies out into the Universe …. suddenly the room was filled with music …. real audible music.

Of course it was coming from the downstairs neighbors radio. But as the radio turned on the first vocals trumpeted out the words “what the world needs now, is love, sweet love” which we all took as a nod of assent from the Gods above and a reminder. And, sadly, that reminder more needed now than then.

I’ve joked (sadly, darkly) that the people living on this plant (our little blue and green marble swimming in a swirl of stars) probably wont get it right until we discover, without room for doubt, intelligent life on another planet. Until then we will probably remain blinded, unable to see that “we are all Earthlings” (gotta love Sesame Street). We fear each other .. we fear what we don’t know … what we don’t understand … what we can’t control …

What’s a Witch to do in a world like this …. in a time like we live in?

Send love …. there is no such thing as too much. Send it to the whole globe …. see it blowing on the wind and traveling through the rains into the rivers and growing like weeds through the earth and pulsing like lava at its core. See that love touching every living creature … every person … see it bringing with it compassion and understanding and tolerance and joy.

Can love change the world? Can music? Can it hurt to try?

Love!

Mama Kelly

Written by Mama KellyTags:music, playing for change, video

Pagan Circle Casting Song (M. Harper/N. Harnett)

A meeting place of Love and Joy,
a shield that None would dare destroy,
a rampart to contain the power,
within Our Lady’s Hidden Bower,
and so by all the elements be,
consecrated and by me,
in the Names of Kerridwen & Hearne,

All: so mote it be!

This Circle into into Earth shall fade
by power Of these holy blades,
yet all things are not quite the same,
by Life and Love and Old Ones’ Names,
for we have been the worlds between
and Magick’s Mysteries we have seen,
in the Names of Kerridwen & Hearne,

All: So mote it be!

Written by Mama KellyTags:pagan song

One of my favorite songs is George Harrison’s “My Sweet Lord“. It is, to my knowledge, the only popular American song that references Hindu deity, with the exception of the soundtrack of Hair. I love it for the cry of wanting to commune with one’s God (or Goddess), the desire to know the Divine, to experience the Divine, and the knowledge that attaining that connection “takes so long, my lord (and lady).”

Hm, my lord (hallelujah)
My, my, my lord (hare krishna)
My sweet lord (hare krishna)
My sweet lord (krishna krishna)
My lord (hare hare)
Hm, hm (gurur brahma)
Hm, hm (gurur vishnu)
Hm, hm (gurur devo)
Hm, hm (maheshwara)
My sweet lord (gurur sakshaat)
My sweet lord (parabrahma)
My, my, my lord (tasmayi shree)
My, my, my, my lord (guruve namah)
My sweet lord (hare rama)

The background singers are chanting elements of two prayers and give praise to Hindu deities, who from what I have read are different aspects of the same Ultimate Source:

• Brahma – creator of the Universe
• Vishnu – supporter and maintainer of life
• Shiva – destroyer of evil

It also gives praise to:

• Rama (the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu)
• Krishna (the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu)

“Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna, Krishna, Hare, Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama, Rama, Hare, Hare.”

and

“Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnu/Gurur Devo Maheshwaraha/Gurur Saakshat Para Brahma/Tasmai Sree Gurave Namaha”

I know little about these prayers, the Deities they praise, or even the religion that uses them. But I know that the song itself speaks to me, moves me and touches me. I am not sure how George would feel about my lumping it in the category of Pagan music, but wherever he is I hope he understands.

Blessings

Mama Kelly

Written by Mama KellyTags:music, video