This past year was an exciting though somewhat rocky one too, so I’m quite ready to move on to bigger and better things. Between the bitter sweet goodbyes of graduation, some major progress on the book I’m writing, and a bought of homelessness followed by moving into our new (and very lovely) apartment in the area I’ve spent years pinning for it’s been an emotional roller coaster. I’ve loved every minute of it.

The one thing I really took away from 2011 though, was the way in which I managed to endure all the stresses without loosing hope. I started a regular mediation routine, and spent a great deal more time at my altar (especially as we headed for the homeless stage). It’s through trials that we learn more about ourselves, and I have to say I was surprised at what came out during this particularly trying time in my life. Rather than succumb to a fresh bought of depression or lash out at my loved ones, I found myself sitting down to meditate or work a ritual with a calm and completely hopeful outlook on the situation.

One simple image kept me going through it all: I pictured myself at the center of a swirling tornado. Time and time again I asked the divine to help me stand calmly and firmly in the eye of the storm, and my desire was granted. Through all the chaos job hunting and the stress of moving out with no idea where we would end up next, I remained optimistic. My partner and I took everything in stride, living day by day and managed to bond rather than lash out at one another.  It was an amazing experience, and it’s left me hungry for more.

If I were to hope for only one thing in 2012, it would be to find myself permanently housed at the eye of the storm.

First of all I’d like to thank you all for being loyal readers, especially those of you who have been with me since the beginning – you know who you are. Thank you! You’ve witnessed it all unfold, and I can’t say what that means to me.

What began as a spiritual log in a community project has become an independent blog talking about pagan lifestyle through examination of holy days and rituals, magick and charms. While I can still feel it’s personality unfolding, I’m beginning to see that this has become more about education and discussion of basic practices and concepts. I like that theme, but I’d like to provoke something a little deeper in all of this, and I’ve already touched on this a little in the past. I’d like to give you all the chance to explore not only paganism, but your spiritual side in general. In some of my posts I have mentioned other traditions, and I think it’s time to bring in more of that.

I am a firm believer in the power of exploration. Being eclectic myself, I have found that by challenging established beliefs and opening myself up to a variety of traditions one strengthens their faith in fundamental principals. It becomes possible to see the underlying patterns, the threads which connect every faith tradition, indeed every individual, to one another. It is in this overlap, in the similarities found while exploring the differences, that we find absolute truth.

So let this blog be a guide for you in exploring a new path, a more open and diverse path. If nothing else, consider this a chance to embrace curiosity. Truly though, I hope you will find the same sense of universality as you embrace contrast.

Happy Anniversary!

I’m a little tempted to do it again actually, but I’ll have to make some modifications if I do because my taste in chocolate runs quit a bit darker these days. Otherwise it would be fun! Not only to relive an old memory, but to celebrate chocolate! After all, that’s one major reason I’ve always loved this Sabbat (even back when I still called it Halloween).

If you’re interested, I’ll post the ritual below. Or you can follow this link: http://www.widdershins.org/vol3iss5/s9709.htm

Now, I’m taking a direct copy and paste here, so I take no credit for the below. Please take note this is not my ritual but belongs to John L. Shepard. Also remember, that while this does appear to be written and endorsed by practicing pagans, the intent is humors. The ritual’s primary purpose is to be fun! So enjoy:

The Chocolate Ritual

by John L. Shepard

humor

Materials required (place on the altar):
brown candles,
a Tootsie Roll (the great big one – as the athame),
a large glass with milk in it (the chalice),
a small dish of Hershey’s Syrup and a spoon,
a small dish of chocolate sprinkles,
a plate of cupcakes,
some Yoo-Hoos along with a goblet,
and small dish of chocolate ice cream.

The Celebrants:
Handmaiden (Henceforth known as Swiss Miss),
High Priestess (Henceforth known as Betty Crocker),
Page (Henceforth known as Pillsbury Dough Boy),
High Priest (Henceforth known as Mr. Goodbar).

Cleanse the Sacred Space:
Pillsbury Dough Boy takes the small dish of chocolate sprinkles and says:
Chocolate sprinkles where thou art cast
No calories in thy presence last.
Let no harm adhere to me
And as I will so mote it be!

Swiss Miss takes the small dish of Hershey’s Syrup, spoon and large glass with milk and says:
Hershey’s Syrup where thou art cast
Turn this milk to chocolate, fast.
Let all good things come unto me,
and make my milk all chocolaty!

Cast The Circle:
Betty Crocker, using a Tootsie roll as athame, walks around the circle three times.

Mr. Goodbar intones the invocation:
In the beginning,
there was the word.
And the word was Chocolate.
And it was good.
Confections: 1.5 oz., 240 cal.

Call the Quarters:
Betty Crocker calls:
Mousse of the East, Fluffy one!
Great princess of the palace of dessert!
Be present we pray thee, and guard this circle from all moochers
approaching from the East.

Pillsbury Dough Boy calls:
Fondue of the South, Molten one!
Great prince of the palace decadence!
Be present we pray thee, and guard this circle from all diets
approaching from the South.

Swiss Miss calls:
Cocoa of the West, Satisfying one!
Great princess of the palace of thirst quenchers!
Be present we pray thee, and guard this circle from all carob
approaching from the West.

Mr. Goodbar calls:
Rocky Road of the North, Cold one!
Great prince of the palace of crunchy comfort food!
Be present we pray thee, and guard this circle from all cheap imitations
approaching from the North.

The Main Ritual:

Pillsbury Dough Boy says:
Listen to the words of the Mother of Chocolate, who was of old called: Godiva, Suzy-Q, Little Debbie, Dolly Madison, Fanny Farmer, Sara Lee, and by many other names!

Swiss Miss says:
Whenever you have one of those cravings, once in a while and better it be when your checkbook is full, then shall you assemble in a great public place and bring offerings of money to the spirit of Me, who is Queen of all Goodies.

In the mall shall you assemble, you who have eaten all of your chocolate and are hungry for more. To you I shall bring Good Things for your tongue. And you shall be free from depression. And as a sign that you are truly free, you shall have chocolate smears on your cheeks, and you shall munch, nosh, snack, feast and make yummy noises all in my presence.

For mine is the ecstasy of theobromine, and mine is also the joy on earth, yea, even into high orbit for my law is “melts in your mouth, not in your hand.” Keep clean your fingers, carry Wet Ones always, let none keep you from Me.

For Mine is the secret that opens your mouth, and Mine is the taste that puts a smile on your lips and comfy padding pounds on your hips. I am the gracious Goddess who gives the gift of joy onto the tummies of women and men.

Upon earth, I give knowledge of all things delicious, and beyond death, well, I can’t do much there. Sorry about that.

I demand only your money in sacrifice, for behold, chocolate is a business, and you have to pay for those truffles before you eat them.

Pillsbury Dough Boy says:
Hear now the words of the Goodie Goddess, She whose feet are covered in the dust of cheap imitations, whose body graces candy racks and finer stores everywhere:

Betty Crocker says:
I, who am the beauty of chocolate chips, and the satisfying softness of big bars, the mystery of how they get the filling inside truffles, and fill the hearts of all but Philistines with desire, call unto thy soul to arise and come unto Me.

For I am the soul of candy, from Me do all confections spring, and unto Me all of you shall return, again… and again… and again… and again.

Before My smeared face, beloved of women and men, thine innermost divine self shall be enfolded in the rapture of overdose. Let My taste be within thy mouth that rejoices. For behold, all acts of yumminess and pleasure are My rituals.

Therefore let there be gooeyness and mess, crispness and crackling, big slabs and bite size pieces, peanut butter and chocolate covered cherries all within you.

And you who think to seek Me, know that your seeking and yearning shall avail you not unless you know the Mystery: “We shall sell no chocolate until you pay for it”

For behold: I have been with you since you were just a baby, and I am that which is attained at nearly any shop in the land.

Messed be.

Pillsbury Dough Boy says:
Hear now the words of the Chocolate God, who was of old called: Milton Snavely Hershey, 3 Musketeers, Fudgesicle, Devil Dog, Mars, Willy Wonka and by many other names:

Mr. Goodbar says:
I am the strength of the candy rack, and the piece that fell on the floor but looks like it may not have gotten too dirty, and the deepest bitterness of dark chocolate.

No matter how you try to resist the call of chocolate, I will hunt you out, and I will become your sacred prey.

I am warmth of hot cocoa in the dead of winter, and the call of the road that leads you to that really expensive Godiva store downtown.

I give you My creatures, the fire of love of chocolate, the power of jaw strength to bite off a piece of that frozen Milky Way bar and the shelter of Haagen Dazs when that big date didn’t work out.

You are dear to Me, and I instill in you the power of a piece of chocolate that you had forgotten you had hidden, and the power of vision and magickal sight with which you can spot a candy counter a mile away.

By the powers of the half melted bar in the glorious sun, I charge you, by the darkest depths of the bottom of the cocoa pot and lingering smell of bittersweet chocolate, I charge you, and by the beauty of a perfectly formed Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, I charge you.

Follow your heart and your instinct, wherever they lead you. The wealth in your pocket can buy you treats that a Mayan king would envy. Take joy in that first bite of lecithin emulsified cocoa, and in the last satisfying slurp of Yoo-Hoo.

Yet you must be wary of deceit. Eat not of that which is called “baking chocolate,” for it is vile and bitter.

Lastly, always remember to leave some chocolate behind you. Be not greedy, but let yourself be known as a connoisseur. Leave a little for someone else.

I am with you always, just over your shoulder, or around the next corner.

I am the Lord of Chocolate, and when you have reached the end of you hoard, I will never be further away from you than that 7-Eleven on the corner.

I am the spirit of the wild child, the inner child who can never get quite enough. If you are a true chocolate lover, then your soul and mine are intertwined.

Cupcakes and Yoo-Hoo:
The Blessing of the Yoo-Hoo:
Mr. Goodbar says:
Be it known that milk chocolate is not better than dark chocolate

Betty Crocker says:
Nor is dark chocolate better than milk chocolate

Pillsbury Dough Boy says:
For both are better than the falsely named “white chocolate”

Swiss Miss says:
And neither one is carob

Mr. Goodbar says:
As the frosting is to the cupcake
Betty Crocker says:
So the creamy nougat is to the Milky Way bar

Pillsbury Dough Boy says:
And when they are eaten, they are yummy in truth,

Swiss Miss says:
For there is no greater snack in all the world than one made of chocolate.

The Blessing of the Cupcakes:
Mr. Goodbar & Pillsbury Dough Boy say:
Frosting is keen

Betty Crocker and Swiss Miss say:
And frosting is neat

Mr. Goodbar, Pillsbury Dough Boy, Betty Crocker & Swiss Miss say:
Great Goddess! Let’s eat!

Feasting and Drinking

Dismiss the Quarters:
Betty Crocker says:
Oh, ye mighty goodies of the East, we thank you for attending our rites and guarding our circle, and ere you depart for your sweet and sticky realms, we say unto you,

All participants say:
“Choooooooc-laaaaate”

Pillsbury Dough Boy says:
Oh, ye mighty goodies of the South, we thank you for attending our rites and guarding our circle, and ere you depart for your sweet and sticky realms, we say unto you,

All participants say:
“Choooooooc-laaaaate”

Swiss Miss says:
Oh, ye mighty goodies of the West, we thank you for attending our rites and guarding our circle, and ere you depart for your sweet and sticky realms, we say unto you,

All participants say:
“Choooooooc-laaaaate”

Mr. Goodbar says:
Oh, ye mighty goodies of the North, we thank you for attending our rites and guarding our circle, and ere you depart for your sweet and sticky realms, we say unto you,

All participants say:
“Choooooooc-laaaaate”

After all quarters have been dismissed, Mr. Goodbar gives a final satisfying belch to the East.

Open the Circle:
Pillsbury Dough Boy says:
Go now in perfect love, perfect trust, and perfect chocolate.

Copyright 1993 by John L. Shepard.
Minor additions by S’BAT Chapter made with the author’s permission.

~

Me again! You might also want to check out the rest of the site where I found this. There home page is: http://www.widdershins.org/index2.html It seems like a pretty cool group from what little I’ve read so far.