Uriel's Gifts
Videocasts of a special sort, including spiritual calisthenics for people who are willing to think. Mass For The Shut-out is an omni-de...Religion & Spirituality
Video Episodes:
160 Views
16:50:20 03/25/12
Mass For The Shut-Out: Ostara 2012
[LESS INFO] 160 VIEWS | ADDED 16:50:20 03/25/12
Ostara is a celebration of fulfillment! Not that all of the promises made at Samhain have been fulfilled, but a special assurance that they will be. The next celebration, after all, will be of The God/ The Lord coming of age. And this one, we celebrate the fact that he is advancing toward that. In many ancient societies in which child mortality was common, a celebration at this point was appropriate.
And here we also celebrate and make a point of something I keep repeating about because it is so important: fulfillment is a fact! The next Sabbat is Beltaine, and we know when it is going to be - you can mark it on your calendar. And, what is celebrated does not depend on anyone's will, either.
Blessed Be!
172 Views
21:40:40 02/19/12
Mass For The Shut-Out: Tempest Smith Day, February 20, 2012
[LESS INFO] 172 VIEWS | ADDED 21:40:40 02/19/12
February 20th is Tempest Smith Day, and she deserves a day to mark her short life. On February 20, 2001, Tempest Smith died as a result of the relentless bullying she received from her classmates. She was shy, she liked to wear black "Gothic" clothing and, she was studying and following Wicca.
She was also highly intelligent and talented. She wrote poetry, played the flute, and in general showd more depth to herself that most folks would expect in a middle-school girl. Had she lived, she would be entering her mid-twenties today. One can only imagine the young woman she might have become!
Many of us have endured bullying, and perhaps most of us who would find interest in a podcast such as this. It could be said that Tempest Smith was one of so many, but she is also one who represents ever-so-many. A look at the Tempest Smith Foundation web site reveals photographs of many more.
And so, perhaps let us see her as a patron for those who are the victims of bullying. And if we keep Tempest in mind, we might be able to put an end to bullying.
And this is a special ritual done in her honor to celebrate her life and mark her day.
Blessed Be!
167 Views
01:59:14 02/13/12
Thinking about Tempest Smith Day February 20th - In A (very different) Pastor's Study, February 12, 2012
[LESS INFO] 167 VIEWS | ADDED 01:59:14 02/13/12
Tempest Smith Day is February 20th. Tempest Kayne Smith died on February 20, 2001. She was twelve years old. She was shy, she liked to wear black "Gothic" clothing and she was studying Wicca. Because of that, she was the subject of years of daily bullying in school until the time when she could not take any more. She died by her own hand. When her classmates realized what their bullying had resulted in doing, many of them expressed apologies. And, of course, the faculty and administration at her school "expressed regret" and "extended condolences."
Not only is bulling wrong, religious bullying is one of the most spiritually dangerous deeds a person might do! I would expect Christians to be especially wary, since their Bible gives so many reasons not to!
On Febraury 20th, I will be exercising what authority I have to try and make some sort of permanent honoring of Tempest Smith. To begin with, she will be officially declared a martyr and her day will be permanently a part of a calendar.
Blessed Be!
170 Views
20:26:35 02/05/12
Mass For The Shut-Out: Imbolc, February 2, 2012
[LESS INFO] 170 VIEWS | ADDED 20:26:35 02/05/12
Imbolc in some places is a Sabbat greeted with a feeling of relief. We've had winter with us for a while, the brightness and merriness of Yule is in the past, and what's been left to many of us is simply cold and perhaps a bunch of snow, too! At Imbolc, we celebrate the first stirrings of spring, with the first shoots of the heartier crops pushing their heads through the snow to be seen!
We were made a promise at Samhain when we celebrated the life of the old year. That promise was re-stated at Yule, as the sun began its return to us. And Imbolc gives us the first tangible evidence that it is actually happening. We have the first actual evidence that spring is actually going to be!
Other paths, including the Christian, have flattered us by adopting our Sabbats, and this one is no exception. However, you sometimes might feel forced to dig deep if you want to learn about more than "Ground Hog Day". But that's OK, there is something very significant - and it gives an extra perspective to help us see the full importance of what Imbolc means!
And so, let's celebrate!
Blessed Be!
171 Views
22:47:59 12/17/11
Mass For The Shut-Out: Yule December 21, 2011
[LESS INFO] 171 VIEWS | ADDED 22:47:59 12/17/11
It's Yuletide, and here's our Yuletide celebration, in our special chapel where all join in, no matter where you are!
Yule is a special time, for so many reasons, not the least of which is its prominence in the Wheel Of The Year. After all, it is the first visible fulfillment of the promise made at Samhain. There was a death then, but also a promise of a new birth. And that's what we have here, and we celebrate it.
In fact, most paths at the time of their Winter Solstice celebrate it, and for good reason. It was the beginning of the sun's return. There were wintry days ahead, but a promise had been made, and this is its first sign of fulfillment, no matter if it's December in the Northern Hemisphere or June in the Southern Hemisphere. And since I'm in the Nothern Hemisphere, we have this now.
And if you look at it, there's something special. And perhaps we can look at it here.
But above all, it's Yule and a good time to celebrate and enjoy fellowship!
Blessed Be!
159 Views
20:44:18 11/27/11
Universal, Universalism And All Of Us - In A (very different) Pastor's Study, November 28, 2011
[LESS INFO] 159 VIEWS | ADDED 20:44:18 11/27/11
The words "universal", "unity", and "universalism" get batted around a lot, as if they were something major and profound. And, of course, there are a number of people who use those words with the definition which they have come up with for themselves. How often have we heard someone speak of "unity" or "The Universal Church", and find that they are actually talking about an ostensibly grown-up version of the supposedly long-abandined childhood logic that says "playing with my ball in my yard equals my rules"?
So then, what does it mean? And how do we deal with the existence of more than one path, each claiming to be "the" path to The Divine"? And how do we deal with the fact that so many of us are not on the path we started on?
There's something here that most of us will need to explore.
Blessed Be!
171 Views
01:35:45 11/13/11
Mass For The Shut-Out: Veterans' Day, November 11, 2011
[LESS INFO] 171 VIEWS | ADDED 01:35:45 11/13/11
In the United States, November 11th is set aside as Veterans' Day, a day to honor those who have served in the armed forces of the United States. Most countries have such a celebration, and well they should. Personally, I honor all veterans, including those who would have once been my enemies.
It was originally called Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of hostilities in the First World War. And even then, there were honors to those who had served in that war. In in the early 1950's, we had been through one other (and bigger) war and we were in the Korean conflict, and so Armistice Day was re-named to Veterans' Day in honor of all veterans.
All veterans began their lives as ordinary people leading ordinary lives. For some, military service was considered a rite of passage on the way to adulthood. Others were given no choice, they were drafted. Some volunteered. Others chose the way they enterd because the alternative was to be drafted. There are no limits to the possibilities of their motivations. One rather well-known test pilot and fighter ace became an aviation cadet to avoid the duty roster. Another fighter ace who won the Medal of Honor joined to get off of the farm.
Once in uniform, there was yet another occasion for fate and fortune. Some were needed to fill jobs behind desks and in supply warehouses. Others were needed as leaders, and others needed to be led. Some earned more rank and medals than others, but in the final analysis that is not much of a distinction. After all, would the heroic fighter pilot or the decorated hero of the battle have accomplished what they did without support from the supply clerks, the cooks, the medics, and ever-so-many others? The Army once estimated that it takes fifty people in other jobs to support one soldier in the field.
And so, we take this occasion to give thanks for them all!
Blessed Be!
168 Views
23:08:47 10/29/11
Celebrating Samhain! Mass For The Shut-Out October 31, 2011
[LESS INFO] 168 VIEWS | ADDED 23:08:47 10/29/11
It's Samhain! The wheel of the year has completed another cycle, and so here we are.
We are at the end, and we are at the beginning! This is, after all, the Celtic New Year. We can look back at all that we've accomplished this year, and look forward to what we want to accomplish in the new year just beginning!
For some of us, just having made it through in some semblance of health can be looked upon as an achievment. And there's more, for those who look for it. Each Sabbat can be found in every other Sabbat until the year comes around to Samhain again, and there we find the greatest of Samhain's promises: fulfillment.
And, of course, the veil between the worlds is at its thinnest, and this means that now is the best opportunity to spend some time sharing with those we've known and loved who have crossed the Rainbow Bridge. They still love us and care about us, after all.
And for those of us new to such things, this is the perect time to become more aware. There is much hear that we can all make use of throughout the entire year.
And, we have our celebration.
Blessed Be!
189 Views
00:32:11 09/25/11
A Mabon Celebration! Mass For The Shut-Out September 24, 2011
[LESS INFO] 189 VIEWS | ADDED 00:32:11 09/25/11
It's Mabon, and here we are in Mabontide ready for a celebration! Some call this the last harvest, Lammas being the first. Some call it the second of three with the final being Samhain. Either way, this is Mabon and we do celebrate the harvest at this time.
Not only do we celebrate the harvest, we give thanks. In fact, it can be said that Thanksgiving as people in the USA celebrate it is Mabon transplanted to later in the calendar. And yes, we give thanks. Not just for the good things that are apparent, but also for those that might not be apparent. There are those things we've been too busy to notice. There are some things which we might have come to take for granted. And yes, there probably are some blessings which we simply haven't realized. And this is the time for that.
This is another one of those Sabbats where the emphasis is on fulfillment. Those who feel as if they are in exile from other paths can take comfort in that. The Wheel Of The Year is about a promise and its fulfillment. There's no talk of "God's will" here because the will of The Divine is our fulfillment, happiness and well-being. There is no talk of "God's time" because each and every Sabbat can be marked on the calendar. As for "God's higher plan," this is indeed that "higher plan", and woe be those who stand in the way!
And so come, join in this celebration!
Blessed Be!
162 Views
00:04:30 09/20/11
An Answer For So Many Issues - In A (very different) Pastor's Study, September 19, 2011
[LESS INFO] 162 VIEWS | ADDED 00:04:30 09/20/11
"Non nobis Domine, non nobis sed nomine toa da Gloriam." And before anyone uses their pre-conceived notions to dismiss this, let it be known that virtually every spiritual path has someone (or a few someones) who might be addressed as "Lord" or "Lady" and unto whom people ascribe all honor, including the ones referred to as simply "The Lord And Lady."
"Not us Lord, not us but to your name give glory". And that is a pretty good solution to just about anything which I have to criticize about religion, organized or otherwise. It's basically a call to humility, and for some humility seems to be actually the subject of bragging rights. As in: "There isn't anyone more humble than me, and I date you to disagree with that." And that problem is not limited to the clergy.
And the problem is not limited to the level of the individual follower. How many people and movements are there where someone believes that they are of "The One And Only True Way (R)".
And so, let's look at this and see what we can do for ourselves with this!
Blessed Be!
170 Views
23:37:10 09/12/11
The People I worry About The Most - In A (very different) Pastor's Study, September 12, 2011
[LESS INFO] 170 VIEWS | ADDED 23:37:10 09/12/11
Last time, I spoke about what I was going to do to accept my own challenge. And, it made sense to do so. I had offered a challenge to others, so am I going to also accept the challenge? Of course! Not only should I, but I want to!
And, I spoke about some people I want to reach out to. This time, I want to expand that and point out three kinds of people that I am concerned about the most. They present us with a challenge and an opportunity. On the positive side, meeting their needs means that we will grow in numbers and strength.
Yes, I see them as having the most need. But I also see that once those needs are met, they will have the most to give others. In The Havamal, Allfather Odin says that a gift deserves a gift, and this is a situation in which those who are given gifts pass on gifts, with the result being the enrichment of us all!
You see, those who have been successfully ministered to often become the most successful ministers. And the healed become healers.
Blessed Be!
156 Views
00:32:20 09/07/11
Picking Up My Own Gauntlet - In A (very different) Pastor's Study, September 6, 2011
[LESS INFO] 156 VIEWS | ADDED 00:32:20 09/07/11
Time before last, I offered a challenge. In essence, the challenge was to figure out what we can do for ourselves and for the betterment of our spiritual paths and the people who pursue those paths.
That's not all I talk about this time, but it's the main thing. I'm answering my own challenge by investigating what I might be able to do, and coming up with something resembling a plan.
We have a lot of people, both regular and reserve, on active duty right now, and a number of them are deployed without their families into some areas which are less than hospitable. Add to that the number of tours over there that some have served, and you have a situation which can breed a lot of stress. In my day (the VietNam era), someone would probably have to serve one tour and a few people in critical specialties might have to serve a second tour. And, we knew when we left when we were coming home. A fifth tour for us would be unthinkable, yet now fifth tours are not unusual. Add to that for one of us the likelihood of spiritual isolation. Even some Christians face that, but as a Pagan, Wiccan or Druid it can be all the more.
So, what to do? I remember some of the ways I found comfort, such as listening to the BBC. And so, I'm looking at something that I might be able to offer that's part of what I'm offering now. What do I mean? Tune in and see!
Blessed Be!
162 Views
21:57:12 08/27/11
Celebration So We Can Celebrate! Mass For The Shut-Out August 27, 2011
[LESS INFO] 162 VIEWS | ADDED 21:57:12 08/27/11
It occurred to me that this would be a good time to have a celebration just for the sake of having a celebration. Just for the sake of seeing all that The Divine has done for us and giving some thanks, even if it isn't one of those marked-on-the-calendar appointed times for such a celebration.
Many years ago, someone who I have come to venerate had some advice for people who were going to The Divine with prayers because of specific needs: "Give thanks in advance", he was known to say. And in at least one place, someone quoted him as saying "When you do that, you have them over the barrel and they have to do something for you, because you're thanking them!" Some would question such a statement, but it works. And, he was able to pull off some amazing stuff in his lifetime.
And, come to think of it, why not! And why not from time to time take a step back and look at the blessings you and I have and give some thanks. And who knows? Like in a retail business where it seems that the happy customer seems to get better service, in life it seems that people who give thanks wind up having more to give thanks about!
And in this, I'll reveal something to you which some of you might find to be the clue to inspire a quest. But, that is for you to see. Just as you'll see here that this ritual and celebration was spontaneous and unrehearsed (as mine normally are). But then again, I'm not the Pope at St Peter's Square at Christmas or Easter. I'm just a priest (and a mortal) who wants to spend some time giving thanks to The Divine for some wonderful things.
Blessed Be!
168 Views
00:00:55 08/24/11
A Modest Proposal And A Challenge - In A (very different) Pastor's Study, August 23, 2011
[LESS INFO] 168 VIEWS | ADDED 00:00:55 08/24/11
A famous (or infamous) English author once wrote an essay with a title which began "A modest proposal...." which raised a stir in its day and still does. And here, I wish to offer a proposal about some of the things we can do. In fact, some of the things we once did to survive might be the way for us to be able to thrive. What is it? Doing for others in ways which they cannot do for themselves, or helping in ways which those who are supposed to help them just don't seem to be able to. Our herbs and other natural remedies offer comfort and healing where sometimes doctors just can't. Divination offers answers to questions which people might not even know how to ask. And so much, much more. Isn't there!
And so, we have an opportunity. And I'm going to tell you about the idea that is coming together in my mind's eye about what I would like to do along those lines. I'm not an herbalist, I don't know enough about divination to offer my services beyond a small circle of friends, but I am a priest and I can do something there.
And that's the challenge! Do what you can do best, and in the best way. And see what might come of it!
Blessed Be!
158 Views
00:17:56 08/16/11
Offending vs Enlightening - In A (very different) Pastor's Study, August 15, 2011
[LESS INFO] 158 VIEWS | ADDED 00:17:56 08/16/11
Sometimes, to get a point across you might have to say something that won't be liked by everyone. Yet, there are some people who seem to put such a high priority on not offending anyone that they also avoid accomplishing very much.
My favorite example is what I so often experienced in the Air Force. There were even some denominations who made such an effort at "inclusiveness" that they would overstep boundaries of their own denomination. And then there was the denomination which worried that the traditional reading for Easter might offend another group, as if that other group were going to attend! And, for that matter, the particular reading had been scripture for longer than that denomination had existed, so what's the deal?
Somehow, it has to be possible to reconcile enlightening and the possibility of offending.
Blessed Be!
153 Views
00:14:36 08/09/11
Three Tactics To Grow! - In A (very different) Pastor's Study, August 8, 2011
[LESS INFO] 153 VIEWS | ADDED 00:14:36 08/09/11
Some folks call us "marginalized", but that doesn't have to be and it can easily be said that the time for that is over!
Every religious movement has a time when it wasn't in the mainstream. At one time, Buddhism consisted of Gauthama Sakyamuni Buddha and his followers, of whom 12 were especially close to him (does that sound familiar?). And yes, Christianity began as Yeshua Bar-Joseph and his 12 disciples. And Yeshua was Jewish, a movement which began with only Abraham and his wife Sarah. The Mormons were once a small group of followers of Joseph Smith who were forced out of Nauvoo, Illinois.
And what of us? There are certainly enough people - and even corporations - who seem to be able to make a living supplying the material goods to help our spiritual needs, such as books and magickal tools. So, it seems to me that if we all stood up and let ourselves be counted, we'd be in the mainstream - and perhaps larger than some of the groups who try to marginalize us.
And what might we be able to do to bring this about? More directly, what can each and every one of us individually do that will help bring this about? Three things - and they are within the grasp of each and every person who sees this vidcast!
Blessed Be!
12/17/11