Summer Solstic

June 20th is the longest day of the year also known as the Summer Solstice.  For our family, the celebration will be simple.

We will rise as the sun's rays begin  to show over the horizon.  We'll sit outside in the quiet of the morning and I will walk my family through a simple, mindful meditation... deep breathing, focusing on a candles flickering flame.

Next, we will work together to make a yummy sun smoothie for breakfast.

That evening will grill corn, pineapples, and burgers.  I'll probably make sunshine eggs as well (aka... deviled eggs).  I'll serve solstice punch to drink.

Before bed, we will read The Sun Egg.  We will thank the sun for all that it provides to us in the ways of nourishment, energy,heat, and light.

That's it!  Simple but meaningful.

Brightest blessings on a happy Solstice.

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Outdoor Games for Kids

More Ideas for the Summer Solstice

Sharing Your Beliefs With Your Children Incognito

I have mentioned before that living in the bible belt does not make it easy to be open about paganism with your children.  I have worked out ways to sneak it in with minimal effort.

• Celebrate the earth in small ways daily: recycle, grow a garden, look at the stars, take a nature walk, discuss the changing of the seasons.
• Pray before dinner and bedtime.  We use the words Mother Earth, Luna, or no title at all when referring to the goddess.  Check out the post here and here for a few sample prayers we use.
• Spend time outdoors as much as possible: swimming, hiking, collecting herbs, playing with your animals, feeding the ducks, etc.
• Read pagan or nature themed bedtime stories.  My boys' favorites are Grandfather Twilight, The Sun Egg, Christopher's Harvest Time, Woody and Little Pip, etc.
• Discuss your child's beliefs about god with them without inputting too much information.  I am always amazed at how similar my boys' beliefs are to my own.  Children discuss god at school more than we think.  Their friends go to church and your kids wonder why you do not do so as well.  All these things and the little things you do at home and during the Sabbats plays a part in how your children perceive "god".  I try to inform my boys about many different belief systems without opinion as to which is right or wrong.

I am sure there are tons of more ways to share paganism with your children than what I have listed.  If you have any other ideas to share, please leave a comment.

Rhythm of Family

The Rhythm of Family: Discovering a Sense of Wonder through the Seasons

I have discovered the most wonderful resource for pagan families.  I am not even sure of the spiritual belief system this family follows, but their way of life is perfectly in tune with nature and the ever changing world around them.

The newest book, The Rhythm of Family, by Amanda Blake Soule and her husband, Stephen is phenomenal.  The text is written from the heart and full of the love they share for their family and the earth. The text goes through an entire year with the family.  Each chapter focuses on one month of the year and contains:

• thoughts fom mama
• thoughts from papa
• something to make
• something to do
• and possibly a little bit more.

I must admit after reading Amanda's forst two books I was a bit on the fence about having her husband as co-author to this book.  Boy, was I wrong.  He writes in much the same manner as his wife.  You can feel the family connectedness from the mere words he writes upon the page. 

This family lives in a way that is inspirational to all.  If only, I could do the same.

My Attempt at a Promise

Wow, it has been a long time.  I don't know what my problem has been except maybe having too much to do and so little time.  I am suppose to be updating at least once every two weeks the following blogs:

Why would I do this to myself?  I can't fathom either.  Blogging has become so overwhelming to me because I spread myself so thin.

I guess what I am trying to say is this:  I am going to try to post something of interest at least once a month.  It could be a craft, recipe, thought, story.  Anything I fancy really.

I hope you begin checking back to see what I have to offer. 

Falling to the Wayside

I am having such a hard time focusing on those things in life that should be most important.  It seems the last year has just thrown loopholes into everything and I spread myself too thin.  Things start to become routine and smooth out and then something else happens.

I know everyone deals with these things all the time, but when I get overloaded I tend to let go of those things are are not absolutely essential.  Unfortunately, my spirituality is not a matter of day to day necessity, so it always seems the first to go.

How do you make the Goddess a part of your daily life in simple ways that are meaningful? 

Honoring the Goddess

What can you do to bring your child closer to the Goddess? 

If you are able to be open and honest with your beliefs, this should be fairly easy.  If you are in the broom closet, things can become a bit tricky.

I feel like my boys (especially the nine year old) are more in tune with Christian beliefs than my own.  The children at school are very open in this regard.  It saddens me to think that I cannot be as open with my children as Christian parents.

Technically, I could.  The consequences to my children though are not worth it.  I know the Goddess understands and is accepting in my hesitancy. 

My boys do ask periodically about why we do certain things and I explain that we are honoring Mother Earth.  Eventually, I would like to refer to the Goddess as Earth Mother when they are a bit older as I feel it is at least closer to truth.  When they are old enough to make decisions for themselves, I will finally use the term that is rightfully Hers, Goddess.

I am not a technical, ritualistic or formal pagan in the least.  I do not believe I need to cast circles or preform elaborate spells to believe the way I do. 

I am very simple and natural.  If I look outside on a sunny morning and view a beautiful sunrise, I stop at that moment and thank the Goddess for all she is and all she has given.  On Sabbats, we say a blessing, light candles in significant colors, and preform some sort of task based on the time of year.

Simple, yet effective.

All of these little things bring my children closer to the Goddess...

• walks in nature
• growing a garden
• learning about the uses of herbs
• being thankful for the world around us
• and understanding natures yearly cycle.

How do you bring your children closer to the Goddess?

Pagan Summer Camp

Patrick McCleary is hosting a Pagan Summer Camp over at his blog, Pagan Dad.  You will receive weekly newsletters with great activities.  The first four weeks will focus on the elements and the last week will focus on Deity.

I am already signed up to receive the newsletter via email.