Gaian Tarot Artist's Journal

PSG: Unplugged

Photo found here.
Craig and I returned home in the wee hours this morning from Camp Zoe, Missouri in the Ozark Mountains, where we spent nine days at Pagan Spirit Gathering. It was a true “time out of time,” a time between the worlds. Even though some people had access to the internet (though not cell phone coverage), not much news from the world beyond us trickled down. And that was just fine with me.

I discovered that I love being unplugged, both from the internet and the phone.  Nine whole days. What happens when you unplug?  It’s all about slow time, natural time, as my friend Waverly Fitzgerald so often writes about. The days at Camp Zoe were divided into sections that reminded me of medieval Hours:  Waking; Morning Meeting; Noontime Meal; Noontime Concert; Workshop 1, Workshop 2 (or, River Play Time); Evening Meal; Evening Concert; Evening Ritual; Drum/Fire Circle; Bedtime.

Tarot Cards in "The Wheel" by Roseanne Cash

Mary Greer posted this video of "The Wheel" by Rosanne Cash on her blog.  It is seriously delightful to recognize so many living, breathing RWS Tarot cards in it!  How many cards can you find in it?

Rosanne Cash - The Wheel (Official Music Video) 

Advent-of-the-Sun Calendar: Solstice Day!

And on Solstice Day, my true love sent to me . . .

A song & slideshow from our family to yours.

Click here to play a Quicktime movie (high res version) or click here for the YouTube version.

“In the Deep Midwinter” performed by Craig Olson

Music by Gustav Holst (1906)

Lyrics by Christina Rossetti (1872), revised by Craig Olson (2006)

Photography Credits:

Snow scenes by Catherine Kerr and Joanna Powell Colbert

Interior scenes by Paul Bingman, Chele Eva Armstrong and Joanna Powell Colbert

Advent-of-the-Sun Calendar: Day 20

On the twentieth day of Advent, my true love sent to me . . . 

"In Praise of Christmas," one of the most beautiful Yule carols ever written, with revised lyrics by Helen Farias.

My friend Helen, founder of the Beltane Papers back in the early 80's and creator of the original Lucia parties, had a knack for revising lyrics to beloved melodies.  I first heard this song from her before Loreena McKennitt recorded her own well-known version.  Here is a video of Loreena's version (hauntingly beautiful).  Here are the songsheet and traditional lyrics.  And if you'd like to learn the song to sing for your own revels, here are Helen's revised lyrics.  Blessed be.  (Photo of an island maple taken by me a few winters ago.)

"To Drive the Cold Winter Away" (or, "In Praise of Christmas")



Melody: 17th century English traditional

Lyrics by Helen Farias

When Christmas’s tide comes in like a bride,

With holly and ivy clad,

Her candles aglow, her mantle of snow,

Shall make our weary hearts glad.

Your door open wide to call her inside

To brighten the gloomy day.

Our wassail is blest, our carols are best

To drive the cold winter away.

This time of the year is spent in good cheer

And friends together do meet 

To sit by the fire, with magic conspire

To make their holidays sweet.

The Lady and Lord with circle and ward

Will bid the good spirits stay,

And at our behest they’ll banish the rest

To drive the cold winter away.

So these are the days we joyfully praise,

Despite the darkening year.

We trust that the Light that shines in the night

Dispels all sorrow and fear.

The stars in the sky that sparkle on high

And here comes the Good Dame, plum pudding aflame

To drive the cold winter away.

Advent-of-the-Sun Calendar: Day 17

On the seventeenth day of Advent, my true love sent to me . . . 

"Firedance," a lively song to celebrate the Return of the Sun by Canadian group Jaiya.  (It's only a clip, not the whole song, sorry! But you can hear how lively it is.)

You can buy the CD or download it here.  

"Yule is come, now beat the drum,

and light the Solstice flame . . .

Tonight we raise a hymn of praise,

for the Sun returns again!"

Advent-of-the-Sun Calendar: Day 15

On the fifteenth day of Advent, my true love sent to me:

Fabulous revised lyrics to a favorite carol:

Lady Greensleeves

Lyrics by Lady Isadora

Midwinter Moon is shining bright

The Yuletide log is burning

Good people gather round tonight

The Sabbat Wheel is turning.

Joy, mirth, the Sun’s rebirth

Now as of old we greet thee

Gladdening the songs we sing

Of praises to the Lady.

‘Twas at the feast of bright Beltane

When we were all a-Maying

Sweet minstrel queen in her gown of green

Swing round, a lay was playing

And though now robed in snow

Her wintry garb deceives

For bedecked with holly and mistletoe

She is still our Lady Greensleeves.

So drink ye wassail everyone

Good pagans all make merry

With wine as red as the reborn Sun

As red as holly berry.

Dance, sing, come join the ring

As her Yuletide spell she weaves

Fair Queen the Evergreen

Sweet lovely Lady Greensleeves.

Advent-of-the-Sun Calendar: Day 11

On the eleventh day of Advent, my true love sent to me:

John Gorka's version of "Christmas Bells."  

Love this song.  I can even overlook the God/Christendom/men lyrics by mentally translating them.  If you sing it, you can change the lyrics too:

"God is not dead, nor doth She sleep . . . "

"Peace on earth, goodwill to all."

The poem was written in 1864 by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow during the Civil War, according to Wikipedia.  It's still as moving as it ever was.

Advent-of-the-Sun Calendar: Day 8

On the eighth day of Advent, my true love sent to me:

One of my favorite Winter Solstice albums, "Beautiful Darkness," by Jessica Radcliffe, Lisa Ekstrom and Martin Simpson.  I love the quiet, magical mood this album evokes.  You can read a review of it here, and listen to all the tracks on the CD Baby site.  I'm especially fond of "Give Me the Moon."  

Advent-of-the-Sun Calendar: Day 4

On the fourth day of Advent, my true love sent to me:

Jennifer Berezan's "Goddess Gospel" song, She Carries Me. It's not technically a holiday song, but is a devotional hymn to Mary, Kwan Yin, Tara: "She Who Hears the Cries of the World."  It always brings me a sense of deep, deep peace.  What more could we want at this season?

(Push the arrow button for the song "She Carries Me"):

She is a boat, she is a light

High on a hill in dark of night;

She is a wave, She is the deep

She is the dark where angels sleep

When all is still and peace abides

She carries me to the other side . . .

(The MP3 is truncated, but enough for you to hear how beautiful it is.  I've had this album for ten years or more. The other side is perfect for meditation and trancedancing.)

Advent-of-the-Sun Calendar: Day 1

On the first day of Advent, my true love sent to me:

A soul-stirring song for the season by Melissa Etheridge, "Glorious." (Oh how I love this song!)

This video has great sound sound quality but a static image.   This one has Melissa singing it live, but the sound is pretty bad.   I recommend the first.  Just close your eyes.

Blessed be.