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Occasionally I wandered in where I was not wanted and gave truthful answers.
Sometimes I even did it deliberately. A little disruption now can prevent disaster later.

Pardon me while I blink in the winter sunlight and get my bearings

It's true! It's true! The crown has made it clear.
The climate must be perfect all the year.

A law was made a distant moon ago here:
July and August cannot be too hot.
And there's a legal limit to the snow here
In Camelot.
The winter is forbidden till December
And exits March the second on the dot.
By order, summer lingers through September
In Camelot.

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Practical thingamabobs

This is a page from the third version of Technopagan Yearnings. There are some formatting differences. Originally published at www.neowayland.com/C1325529963/E20091015080006
Cross posted at www.teknopagan.com/files/TPY-Thingamabobs091015.html

Pagan stuff you didn't think was Pagan.

Sometimes I think that Crow and Magpie split all the franchises on Pagan shops. There's all the bright shiny things. And the soft silky things. And the exotic strange things. And all the rest that hints at Mysterious Lore Only Revealed to the True Seeker. It's romantic, it's unusual, it's meant to catch our attention and our credit cards.

Today I want to tell you about some useful items that aren't necessarily "Pagan" but that I've found useful.

Once I volunteered to help run a Sunship Earth program. That's when I learned about "hard tools." Hard tool is another name for a Sierra cup, one of those massively useful implements that you'll soon wonder how you did without. Forget finding a "portable cauldron," a good Sierra cup is almost made to order for small scale spellcasting. Just make sure you get at least two, one for "working" and one for you to eat and drink from.

"Soft tools" are another legacy of my experience with Sunship Earth . It's another name for a bandanna. I buy them by the dozen in my favorite colors (I love sweatbands in turquoise) from Trader's International. I give a lot away because I do get unusual colors. Besides wiping up sweat and small spills, in a pinch a bandanna can cover a small unconsecrated work area. And it lets you protect the expensive cloths and weavings.

Many Pagan shop sites have mortar & pestle sets, especially if they sell herbs. I have three, one in laboratory ceramic for salts and minerals, one in marble for organics, and one in stainless steel for consumables. The one in stainless steel is food grade and lives in my kitchen away from the other two. If you haven't found a science supply place, try American Science & Surplus, their prices are great. There's Edmund Scientifics, known to generations of American junior high and high school science students and garage tinkerers, but their prices are higher.

A Leatherman, a Swiss army knife, or a good multitool is an absolute must. It's never the "perfect" tool, but it can substitute for many other tools to get the job done quickly. Some people bless theirs and use it an an athamé, I prefer to keep my ritual tools separate.

Muslin tea bags are incredibly useful for small charms and potpourri. I get mine from a tea speciality place in North Carolina.

Cotton and silk thread can be found almost anywhere that sells sewing supplies. The silk is more expensive, but certainly worth it for some spells. Whatever you do, avoid polyester. it doesn't hold a "zap" as well and it smells terrible when burned.

For more substantial needs, go for the satin cord. It's one of the few things I buy from Azure Green. While the cord also comes in 1 yard lengths, I find it's useful to keep a larger spool on hand, at least at home. It's also useful for amulets and pendents. I used to use leather cord for that, but human sweat is mildly salty and acidic. The combination eats the heck out of leather, especially if it's worn daily. I still keep my grandfather's key on leather, but these days the only thing I use leather cord for is wrapping handles on my staves. Leather and satin both hold a "zap" about equally I've found. I have a homemade tool from satin cord to quickly mark circles, from the end of each end loop it is six and a half feet. There are additional loops to mark one and a half, two and a half, three and a half, four and a half, and five feet.

Parachute cord is cheap and rivals duct tape for sheer usefulness. The best and strongest grade, 550 lb test, is only available in limited colors. You won't be swinging off any buildings with this stuff, but it's great for tying things securely, wrapping tool handles, and at least a hundred and eleven other things. Some people keep about fifteen feet or so woven into a bracelet so it's always handy. I've seen the more wild colors and patterns used as shoelaces and walking stick handles. I've had no luck in getting paracord to hold a "zap" for more than a few hours at best.

I use parchment paper and a little sealing wax for packets of herbs and incense I throw in the fire. I prefer to use parchment stationary cut to size and folded into a packet, but cooking parchment will work in a pinch (and is cheaper too). Commercial candle wax has additives and beeswax burns much too hot. Sealing wax has a lower melting temperature. Some people will tell you that you need a signet, but I've found a little spit and a thumbprint works just as well. Plus, you always know where your thumb is.

For someone who's been known to trip over the edge of sunlight and shadow, small glass bottles aren't always the best idea. Recently I've found these plastic test tubes. These actually are two liter soda bottle blanks before they are heated and vacuum molded to full size. Very durable and waterproof, the test tubes work for keeping supplies sorted as well as sample collecting. My mother wants to use them when she collects wildflower seeds. The neighborhood kids absconded with about 3/4's of my first shipment (I was in a good mood that day). And um, truth to tell, these are the closest practical equivalent I've found to the cylinder things on a certain famous utility belt.

Sometimes you need to poke something without touching it and without discharging the "zap." Wood toothpicks work, but if you really want to get the job done, try bamboo skewers. You can probably find them in your local grocery store

I don't smoke, but a lighter is extremely handy. Of course you can get a cheapo Bic from thousands of stores, but you might think about the classic Zippo. It won't blow out in wind, and it stays lit if you set it down. That's handy when you're sealing the end of your paracord, among other things.

Finally, don't overlook the simple pad of paper and a pencil. Very few things work better to sketch, write, and plan. I prefer graph paper myself, but that's me. Just get something where it's okay to make a mistake and scratch stuff out. Leave the fancy papers and the custom BOS for the final version, after you're tested it.

Posted: Thu - October 15, 2009 at 08:00 AM

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On commitment

droolworthy and then some

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Measure that!

This is a page from the third version of Technopagan Yearnings. There are some formatting differences. Originally published at www.neowayland.com/C1325529963/E20100928130052

Cool way to measure tablespoons, teaspoons, and ounces.

One site I follow regularly is Cool Tools. I'd call it a must for a technopagan or someone with a tool obsession. Like me on both counts.

So last week I was reading about this Mini Measure Shot Glass. I wasn't driving into Flagstaff, but I knew someone who was and I asked her to pick me up two (one for the kitchen and one for the sanctum) . They cost all of $3.50 each in Bed, Bath, and Beyond.

This is one of the best commercial alternatives I've seen to measuring spoons. My hands aren't quite as steady as I would like them to be sometimes.

Posted: Tue - September 28, 2010 at 01:00 PM

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Meant to be used

This is a page from the third version of Technopagan Yearnings. There are some formatting differences. Originally published at www.neowayland.com/C550866538/E20100922133520

Gifts from the gods

No matter how beautiful the form, god inspired crafting is meant to be used. It's dishonorable to receive a gift from the gods and put it on a shelf just to look at on special occasions.
Okay, so yes, it's self-referential.

Doesn't mean it's not true though.

May you find your own god-gifts this equinox.

Posted: Wed - September 22, 2010 at 01:35 PM

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Are you paying attention?

Sometimes I don't make the connections right away.

Sometimes.

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Okay, rain break over

We're people, not legends.

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On that Pagan community thing

If you promised to be someone else’s “one and only,” you’re off limits. Honor demands nothing less.
— NeoWayland, sex rules
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Remember this

This is a page from the third version of Technopagan Yearnings. There are some formatting differences. Originally published at www.neowayland.com/C1982366546/E20100903124219

On a quote binge

Power has to be shared. It is the key to survival.
Andromeda TV series
Sometimes I shouldn't be allowed in my quote file.

In this context, I meant that the magick should be sent back into the world as soon as possible.

Notice I did not say a thing about the lore…

Posted: Fri - September 3, 2010 at 12:42 PM

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Witchy stuff in the pockets

Sometimes passion is obsession

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Do you know what part of the problem is?

“”The

Approaches

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Beyond the details

“”The

Essays on writing have me thinking and remembering

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Just One

Hopefully the first article under the NeoWayland byline

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Right or Write

Another reason why the peace-love-freedom-happiness bit annoys me

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Last night she bet me I wouldn't do it

Playtime

I'm not yet ready for sex beyond the physical

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I'm going to leave it alone

Even when we are nude, we hide our bodies in shame. Every minute of every day.
Why Be Socially Nude? from Family Skinnydippers
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Gnosis Journal

Just what was revealed?

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On the Threefold Law of Return

Looking for Pagan fiction? I may not be the guy to give it to you.

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A Rule of Three

I lost a bet, so now I have to share

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Good Journey Isaac

It's Monument Valley! It's amazing clouds!

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On Pagan Rights

An idea worth exploring

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Community and being a Proper Pagan

Refuge

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See the Robot

Thought germs are memes

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Eyes open and watching carefully

Public face of Paganism

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Characters

Thinking by blogging

The decline of the written language

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Yesterday's news…

h4 class="blurb">I don't have a stake in that fight. Or the other three either. Read More...
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In which body modification technology catches me by surprise

Sometimes I forget

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hums softly

Playtime

Fog & snow at my home

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“What knife?”

Playtime

Determined to use my weaknesses against me

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Future

Stuff to hold us together

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In Defense of Technology and Nature

Do you really need them?

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Pagans against sexual abuse

Evil spelled backwards is live. And that's what I do.

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On Pagan Leadership

A rare political rant on my Pagan blog

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Yeah, it got quiet here

Most of the "self-initiated" aren't. We need to find ways to recognize that.

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A funny

My journey to and from a funeral reminds me of the world outside artificial light

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A sun worshiper welcomes summer

"all of that sunshine,
all of that sweet golden sunshine,
that thrills me and fills me and…"

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One of my better short efforts I think

Life is just a chain of moments strung together by spirit and will.
— Juliaki, In the moment
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Mark time

You can tell she's a witch by her pendant.

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My Earth Day

Individuals have rights. Groups have power plays.
— NeoWayland, On Pagan Rights
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The Authority Problem

Juliaki wrote an pretty good piece on teachers and students in the Craft

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Perverted

Would you know a pagan if he stood next to you?

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Good reasoning

Part of a IM conversation I had with Juliaki.

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Fingers in the hair

Playtime

One of the few style questions that I will answer

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Sort of

Moon phases and sabbats on a rainy night

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Progressively regressive

I may be needing these in a bit.

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Maiden

Ranting

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Do you believe

doesn't touch tomorrow's promise

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The roots of the Old Breed

We have the future we make, nothing more and nothing less

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Myth ruminations

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“I dare you to do it better!”
or
Adventures in Mythmaking

Isaac Bonewits is calling for spells to change the outcome of the Senate vote on judicial filibusters.

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Poking around and organizing

“I haven't found Jesus, but I haven't lost Him either!”

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Why do I do it? Internet debates, emails, and online Pagan groups

This is a page from the third version of Technopagan Yearnings. There are some formatting differences. Originally published at www.neowayland.com/C65989237/E20100218113503

I am what I am - updated


Let's face it, getting involved in these prolonged internet debates isn't exactly the healthiest behavior out there. When it comes to relieving frustration, not only to I have perfectly reasonable poly-resin skull to talk to, I have bed companions who are more than willing to let me indulge my odd tastes. Perhaps not as much as I would like, but certainly more than occasionally.

I wrote about it some in Almost the last advocate at Pagan Vigil.

Live and let live works mostly. When that doesn't work, KYFHO comes through. But usually there is no one else willing to make a stand. Unpopular religions? I'll defend them to the end until they impose on someone else. Same with political groups. Or rights groups.

The one thing I insist on is that free choice is a cornerstone. Including the rights of the members to walk away if they choose. As long as they do that and don't force themselves on any others, I believe that they are free to do what they want.

ARE, not should be.

Because that is the right I expect for myself, and it's not a right unless everyone else has it too. Otherwise it's a privilege taken at someone else's expense.

Even though it means that I end up defending ideas and practices that I find questionable at best, I can't do anything else and stay true to myself.

I won't kid you, there's a part of me that grooves on taking someone down a notch or two using nothing more than logic and their own arguments. I've also been known to go searching, well, not exactly for fights but for places where someone is likely to trip over their own words and pretensions and fights will break out. It's sick, unhealthy, and I try to find other ways to handle frustrations these days.

I also know that it's unhealthy to use kinky sex as a substitute, but them's the breaks.

But when it comes to Pagans and small "L" libertarians, I take it personally. Particularly if I care about the group. If anyone should know about the dangers of scapegoating, it's Pagans. We know that Pagans aren't crouching naked in the bushes, waiting to rape your kids or sacrifice your cat under the next full moon. Or maybe it is the other way around.

But we also know that there are more than enough people who believe that Pagans are there to do exactly that. And it doesn't help that some of us are casual about nudity and sex to begin with.

I don't believe that modern Pagans can let ourselves become that which we might fear. Just because someone calling themselves a Christian did something horrible 1739 years ago doesn't mean we can afford to label someone else a monster today.

The thing is, if we insist that someone is innocent until proven guilty, that's a sword that cuts both ways. It means that we can't allow ourselves the luxury of scapegoats, even in the secret places where they will never know we did it. We'll know, and that will be enough to undo our goals.

I've given up internet debates these days unless it is in a REALLY Good Cause. It's not that I don't want to, the gods know that I want it bad. And I am very very good. My own weird sense of ethics and responsibility insists that I tell my opponents I am good. Or maybe it is just my Coyote-warped sense of humor. Let me share something I wrote in a private email.

By insisting that everyone be judged by their actions, I'm also invoking civilized behavior. If I show fair play and they don't play nice, I'm under no obligation to respect their rules as I deal with them. Civilized means that no one can threaten force or try to intimidate someone. Depending on how mischievous I'm feeling, I might even insist on no insults. If they can't compete under those conditions, that doesn't say much for their opinions or their cause.

I just stacked the odds heavily in my favor. I already know I can probably argue most people under the table and three times on Sunday, and that is at even odds.

If someone doesn't "play nice," they just ceded moral authority and I am justified in my actions. No one watching could say otherwise. After all, I dealt with them fairly at first.

Even then, I probably wouldn't "defeat" them or "destroy" them. I wouldn't want to create martyrs. Instead I would defuse them, defang them, render them harmless.

It's hard to scare someone if they are busy chuckling

I know, it doesn't say much for my character and desires that I indulge in these confrontations, even if it's only occasionally.

But wouldn't you rather me do it in support of honor than wily-nily? It's a tradeoff.

I am what I am
And the man that I am
Demands what I dream
I am what I am

Yes, that is one of mine. Great for last stands or True Beliefs. For maximum effect, plant your feet, flex your knees, and face things head on. Say it out loud.

When all your choices are bad, sometimes the only choice is to listen to your heart and embrace your dream.
_____
Update - Yes, the Otherkin thing is an example of how I didn't follow these principles. It's also a mild example of what happens when things go wrong. Lesson learned.

Posted: Thu - February 18, 2010 at 11:35 AM

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Several rewrites later…

This is a page from the third version of Technopagan Yearnings. There are some formatting differences. Originally published at www.neowayland.com/C550866538/E20100213150023

Dealing with life - updated


I can't be politically correct on this one and writing it has been frustrating. I think the only thing that would be more frustrating would be to shelve it.

So here goes.

Back in 2006, I wrote about Pagans and victimhood. Recently online and IRL, I've been talking with Pagans who believe that Christianity* is a Big Bad Evil that must be confronted.

Here's the thing.

Drawing your power from your victimhood depends on the other recognizing the wrong done and expressing guilt. Without the "oppressor" doing both those things, your victimhood has no power. It also only lasts as long as the Big Baddy feels guilty.

Here's the real scary bit.

As long as you embrace victimhood, you can't possibly be as "worthy" as the person who made you a victim. You'll always need "help."

And yes, you should recognize the abuser/abused pattern here.

I put it simply in my Quick notes to a new seeker.

Beware of anyone who tells you power comes through victimhood. That power can only be borrowed and only at the sufferance of another.
But the real power is not in victimhood. Overcoming victimhood can be the first gate to power because that is your power that you discover.

Do you really want to give the Christians that much power over you?

Find yourself. And remember that like calls to like.

_____
*Okay, so I forgot the word Christianity in the original post. Sorry about that.

Posted: Sat - February 13, 2010 at 03:00 PM

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Redux: Christians & Pagan Tolerance

A musical interlude because I have a song that won't get out of my head

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Where did I stick that?

Organizing my books

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Avalon Cares redux

This is a page from the third version of Technopagan Yearnings. There are some formatting differences. Originally published at www.neowayland.com/C1939071231/E20100201133009

Corrected web address


I should have double-checked and updated this, but I didn't. I missed updating the web address on my previous entry (fixed now).

Avalon Cares is the ongoing non-profit relief effort organized by the Officers of Avalon. It's a benevolent association of Pagan emergency professionals. They've got an effort going for earthquake relief in Hati.

If you want to support the Pagan community and help others, this is a good way to start.

Posted: Mon - February 1, 2010 at 01:30 PM

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Last night…
I dreamt I walked as a bear

Playtime

New category and new idea. Occasionally Neo reveals his fun side

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Strange Thinkum

Is he like, a good legend, a bad legend, or legendary in his own mind?
— NeoWayland, The need for mystery
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Lost in the story

You should find it easier to navigate the site

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On Christians and Pagan tolerance

Bet you thought I wasn't going to get one up today. I almost didn't.

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Sunfell Tech Mage Rede Nine Words Serve The Tech Mage Best Keep What Works Fix What’s Broke Ditch The Rest

A narrow slice of life, but now and again pondering American neopaganism, modern adult pagans & the World.

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