New Yahoo! Groups

I’ve recently joined several Yahoo!Groups that I’ve found interesting and full of information.

• Cunning_Folk@yahoogroups.com. Created by Yngona and is described as “Flag, Folk and Family, Flax, Fodder and Frith. The cunning art of hearth and home.” It was started Aug 14, 2010 and, as of this post, has over 150 members. Lots of good practical information. Recently there was discussion on what ways people use spell craft in their fiber craft.
• SeidhrStudy@yahoogroups.com. I’m not sure who first established this group but it’s been around since 2003 and have 450+ members. It’s a great place for Seidhr practitioners to share insights and ask questions. I’d recommend it for new-comers too.
• vanatru@yahoogroups.com. This group is very active with a range of experiences and knowledge. If you’ve an interest in the Vanir, check it out. The group was established in 2007 and only has 120+ members, but they’re an active membership.
• If you’re looking for a Heathen podcast and you’re not listening to Ravencast, dude fix that

The Norns, Seiðjallr, and a Chair

I attended Trothmoot 2010 this year. A wonderful time was had. I’d encourage attending if you can. Next year Trothmoot is in Arkansas.

One night Seiðjallr, Diane Paxson’s seið group, did a session. Another experience I would recommend if you get the opportunity. The session begins with those in attendance journeying to the gates of Hel with the seer. You journey around Yggdrasil to the various worlds. And this is when I had my own personal experience.

As we journeyed under Yggdrasil’s Asgard root, we found Urd’s Well. I also found the Norns. Two stood waiting for me, with the well within touching distance behind them.

I should say this is not the first time I’ve seen the Norns. They are participants in my journeys more often than not. I typically see 2 of them, waiting for me expectantly. This journey was no different. At Urd’s Well, I was greated by two of the three, one standing on each side of a Roman-like throne. It was obvious to me that they expected me to sit in the chair.

Did I sit? Nope. Seems they want me to fill a role that I’m pretty sure I’m not ready for. Though in hind-sight if they think I’m ready then who am I to argue? But hind-sight being what it is…

I shared this with my Sister’s after hearing Cindy talk of seeing Frey sitting on a throne in her second trip to Vanaheim, though she doesn’t talk in detail about it in her blog post. She too described the chair/throne.

I mentioned previoulsy in this post that it was Roman-like. That does not mean it was full of images of Roman deities. What reminded me of a Roman throne was it’s dimensions. It had a slightly wide seat so that when seated there was extra room between the body and the chair. It was deeper too, as if the back of the throne wasn’t intended to be used but could be. Once seated a person is intended to sit straight, only resting arms on the square, wide arms that met the ground/floor at a 90 degree angle. The throne at Urd’s Well was a porcelain white with no discernible blemishes or engravings. It was solid and looked as if it had been chiseled out of rock where it stood but couldn’t possibly have been.

I didn’t touch the chair but could sense that while the chair was white enough to give the impression it would be cold to the touch, I knew that it wouldn’t be cold. Nor would it be hot. Warm as is someone had been sitting in it but had gotten up yet the warmth would feel deeper than that, as if the origin was from inside. The chair remains as clear in my memory today as it did in June. I still see those hands resting gently on each side of the back.

I’m continually amazed at the like experiences reported not just by our group but also with others. If others have seen this chair, I’d love to hear the stories. I’d also love to hear from others with whom the Norns have shown interest in.

Vanaheim

I came out of the fog standing on a wide, level dirt road just at border of a forest. Trees rose up tall and arched.  The trees appeared to be evenly spaced and equally aged as they all stood the same height with branches creating a gothic style arch where they met the neighboring tree. The narrowness of the tree trunks accentuated the sense of height.

I noticed no undergrowth. Instead grass that seemed maintained. Not that it has been recently mowed, but that it wasn’t particularly tall, maybe just over ankle heights. Few other plants broke up the grass carpet.

The forest was quiet and relatively still. The trees did not blow in the wind yet I felt a gentle breeze. There was a distant sound of birds singing as if playing in flight. I saw no one else but could sense I was being watched. Not maliciously, but being observed.

I walked a ways down the dirt road. While I traveled the scene didn’t alter really. The road gently curved now and again and at one point I heard ocean waves off to the left. But the forest basic structure remained consistent. Tall, thin trees making gothic arches.

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I’ve spoken with the other Catskin’s about this. The consensus was that we all experiences cultivated nature and we all sensed being observed. The lesson learned…offerings create other experiences

New Research in Ancient Healing

http://historyoftheancientworld.com/2010/07/ancient-drinks-had-anti-cancer-properties/

Ancient drinks held properties that affected lung and colon cancer.

We knew this, but it’s nice to have it confirmed.  Let’s hope they continue this line of thought, I would love to see more research into ancient healing modalities and their usefulness in todays society.  Confirmed by scientific research, because even though I am a Seidhkona, I still use the scientific method to confirm my findings.

Over the past two years, researchers working on a unique joint project, “Archaeological Oncology: Digging for Drug Discovery,” have been testing compounds found in ancient fermented beverages from China and Egypt for their anticancer properties. Several compounds—specifically luteolin from sage and ursolic acid from thyme and other herbs attested in ancient Egyptian wine jars, ca 3150 BCE, and artemisinin and its synthetic derivative, artesunate, and isoscopolein from wormwood species (Artemisia), which laced an ancient Chinese rice wine, ca 1050 BCE—showed promising and positive test tube activity against lung and colon cancers.