A Gem of a January

January is starting out quite interestingly. Because I did not receive a bill for my medical insurance co-pay (the Company insist that I still live in North Brunswick), all my medical coverages have been canceled! I have filed an appeal – and notified my lawyer – and have hopes for reinstatement. In the interim, I have to make sure I stay flu free, and generally healthy...or I am right properly intercoursed!

Ah well. I live in interesting times.

I wanted to do something special with the blog this year, so I've decided to dedicate one post, per month, to the gem stone associated with that month. I'm not talking birthstones per astrological signs. I've never been an astrologer. I'm speaking of the month's traditional stone –something we can all utilize if it suits our needs. The stone for January is garnet.

I love garnets. I love any rich red gem (but it does come in other colors). The name derives from the Latin “granatus” which comes from pomegranate seeds. They are similar in shape, size and color to garnet crystals. Garnet has been used for thousands of years. It is a warrior stone, as well as a stone of love. That sounds conflicting, does it not? But think: all is fair in love and war, and that is because they are very alike. There is the struggle, the conquest, the engagement and the victory. Winning battles is similar to winning hearts, after all!

Garnet was reported to be one of the 12 mystical stones in the Breastplate of Arron, wore by the High Priest for Temple rites. It was considered sacred.

 

For centuries soldiers have carrier garnet as a talisman against injury and death. It also has healing properties in that it was said to stop the flow of blood. It can bring victory, peace and tranquility.

Garnet was thought to contain its own light, and could illuminate the dark. It was a protective stone that would turn murky or break should the wearer be in danger. When put under your pillow, it will even ward off bad dreams.

Beyond being protective, it also enhances your sense of confidence, your self-esteem, your popularity, and boosts your energy. If given as a gift, it generates loyalty. Feeling depressed? Wear a garnet. Being tormented by vicious remarks, teasing, lies and deception? Wear a garnet; it will reflect back the negative vibrations to the senders. Business not going well? Wear a garnet, or place a few loose stones in your cash box or around your shop, office, or desk. It will attract money.

Finally – and my favorite property – meditate with this stone. It will help you remember past lives and hidden information. But, be prepared. The stone is one of love and truth, even if the truth hurts. You will discover what you need, but it may not be what you want!

 

Rufus has been a real Mama's boy these days. Even in the evening, when I try to elevate my leg on the sofa, he is glued to my side...or my lower leg.
 

 

I finally had Gary hang my Sherlock framed prints. The house is slowly taking shape, which makes me feel more comfortable and cozy.

 

 

 

 

 

Gods help me, I even ordered a Sherlock and John doll from SewCoolBows on Etsy. I haven't gotten them yet, but they are adorable.

 

 

 

 

One of the things I want to look into this year is Shamanism. There is a history of it in my family, but I've always steered towards the Irish practices. Now, I want to blend those rituals with those from my Native American ancestors. The situations that dominated my life last year, and some of my spiritual experiences, have led me to that decision. To that end, and as a touchstone, I purchased a Shaman doll from Rhinestone Gypsy on Etsy. What can I say? It spoke to me.

 

 

 

 

And so it goes. My friend Goldie got me turned on to the Oscar Wilde mysteries (thanks, Goldie!) and so I have raided the library for the four that they have. I'll probably purchase the fifth. In checking out the books, I ran across the following Wilde quote which really touched me. I will use it as my close. Next post, I will include a little of my own poetry. Gods help you all! At one time I was an award winner, but my muse has been on hiatus, so it may be a bit creaky. I'm sure you'll let me know!

So blessings to all, and keep a good thought for my insurance situation. Without your prayers, my next operation may be on my dining room table!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Elementary

Today, January 6^th, is the 159^th birthday of Sherlock Holmes (he was born in 1854). You won't find this date in the “canon” or in any of Doyle's writing, but we Sherlockians know. We have our ways..

 

In London, New York, and various other large cities, the Baker Street Irregulars and scion groups will be having lectures, special viewings of films, and dinners. Unfortunately, I'm not healed enough to get around the big bad City, so I will celebrate here.

Below are a few of my favorite pieces of fan art, borrowed from Tumbler and similar sites where mad fans meet and share their talent. Hope you enjoy:

 

Sherlock, a la "Fairly Odd Parents"

Someone did a beautiful job blending Sherlock and John with Victorian style photography

We need more of these PSAs

Our new Sherlock confused by the statue of the old

 

Note the shadow

 

Perhaps my favorite: Sherlock and the bee

                                                 Blending S. Paget with our current heroes





Unworldly Inspiration?

 

Even Google got on board for Sir Arthur's birthday

Sherlock a la Harry Potter



I would also like to thank all the actors who brought Holmes to life. How many do you recognize?

 

Hans Albers, Joaquim de Almeida, Alexander Armstrong, James D'Arcy, Tom Baker, John Barrymore, Keith Baxter, Jeremy Brett, Nicolas Briggs, Clive Brook, John Cleese, Peter Cook, Benedict Cumberbatch, Peter Cushing, Robert Downey, Jr., Rupert Everett, Hugo Fink, Matt Frewer, William Gillette, Sterwart Granger, John Gielgud, Guy Henry, Charlton Heston, Anthony Higgins, Carleton Hobbs, Ronald Howard, Frank Langella, Roger Llewellyn, Peter Lawford, Christopher Lee, Vasily Livanov, John Longden, Patrick Macnee, Algimantas Masiulis, Raymond Massey, Clive Merrison, Keith Mitchell, Nis Bank-Mikkelsen, Jonnny Lee Miller, David Mitchell, Ron Moody, Roger Moore, Alan Napier, Alwin Neuss, John Neville, Leonard Nimoy, Eille Norwood, Peter O'Toole, Reginald Owen, Michael Pennington, Christopher Plummer, Jonathan Pryce, Basil Rathbone, Robert Rendel, Ian Richardson, Nicholas Rowe, Richard Roxburgh, George C. Scott, Mack Sennett, Paul Singleton, Tod Slaughter, Robert Stephens, Ben Syder, Fritz Weaver, Robert Webb, Alan Wheatley, Geoffrey Whitehead, Paxton Whitehead, Nicol Williamson, Douglas Wilmer, Arthur Wonter, John Wood, Edward Woodward and Igor Petrenko.. 74 in all, and who knows how many more in the future?

 

Finally, thank you, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, for giving us a genre, an icon, and a damn good read. Below is one of the last interviews Sir Arthur gave before his death in 1930. He offers his insight on Sherlock Holmes and Spiritualism.

 

                           So happy birthday, Mr. Holmes. The game is still afoot!

Those Were The Days

A new year usually results in resolutions. This practice actually dates back thousands of decades. It didn't matter when the new year was set to begin, be it October 31 for the Celts, or in March and the beginning of the planting season for Rome, when the calendar began anew rituals were observed.

It was a time for paying off debts and making amends. The new year was to be successful, and so offerings were made to Janus, the two faced God. No, he wasn't gossiping behind his followers' backs, he literally had two faces, one looking back and one looking forward. January is named for him.

This concept was so well know, even the Irish have their own version.

 

Two versions of Janus-like Irish statues

So, before I talk about my goal going forward, I'd like to take a look back at my family, in all their unique characteristics.

On my mother's side, I am a product of Ireland. My grandfather's people raised racing ponies for the English and, in this way, lasted through the famine into the early 20^th century. Some family went to England. My grandfather worked there for 8 years in order to make passage to America. Eventually he brought over his younger sisters, and he became one of the countless Irish to work the railroads until his death. He met my grandmother in New Brunswick, NJ. She was a “Bridget” for the Johnson family (as in Johnson & Johnson). When my mother was born, they gave her a cradle. The family still has it.

Grandmom came from Crossmaglen, County Armagh...Bandit country. Her cousin fought in the original IRA, and there is a memorial over his grave, in Irish, erected by the people of America.

St. Patrick's, Crossmaglen

Mom married Dad, a divorced protestant with three children. THAT''s a whole 'nother story. Dad wasn't into his heritage, but it was both illustrious and diverse. On Nana's side, the original family name was Scott. We are descendant from the first Earl of Buccleuch.

Here is a painting of the 3rd Duke. I don't see a family resemblance. I told Claude; she laughed at me. He had ginger hair and a dog...so?

Per legend (and the writings of another relative, Sir Walter Scott) John Scott (the 1^st Earl) followed the king's royal hunt. The king chased a deer down a ravine. John went down, broke the deer's neck with his bare hands, and dragged it up to the king. Per the poem:

"The King did wash into a dish 
And Galloway John he wot; 
He said "Thy name now after this 
Shall ever be called John Scott." 


"And for the buck thou stoutly brought 
To us up that steep heugh 
Thy designation ever shall 
Be John Scott in Buckscleugh." 

(“Heugh” is a hill, and “leugh” is a ravine. 

“Bucksleugh”, or “Buccleuch” as it's become, 
 loosely means “deer ditch”. Could be worse.)

The Buccleuch coat of arms

Some Buccleuchs went with Mary Queen of Scots to France, in 1558, where she married Francis, and some got involved in Dutch politics. From there, they came to the New World. One ancestor, Peter Buccleuch, is considered the father of Staten Island. Some were sheriffs in Perth Amboy, or wealthy land owners in North Brunswick. One fought in the Revolution (yes, I am a DAR member) and another – James Buccleuch – had a town named for him: Jamesburg.

On the other side of the family we have Carsons and Thompsons. Kit Carson is a cousin.

  So is a little lady known as Levinia Warren. She worked for P.T. Barnum and eventually married General Tom Thumb. Lincoln gave them a reception at the White House. 

A Thompson relative married Barnum's oldest daughter. When the circus came to town, everyone got free tickets! (No, it doesn't happen now – don't ask me.) ...And my great-grandfather Frederick Thompson was called “The Radish King”. He developed Thompson radishes.

The Burke family gave birth to the tall man of the Monmouth Circus, and the Meseroles came from France on the “Spotted Cow” in the 1600s and settled in Brooklyn. Streets are still named for them. Also on that side of the family there are many wealthy Dutch. Of the 9 or so founding families of New Amsterdam, I am directly descendant from 8 of them. And finally, through the Burke line, I am the several times great granddaughter of a Lenape Shaman. His daughter fell in love with a white man, who “kidnapped” and married her. She adopted the Burke name thereafter.

So, there it is in a nutshell...and I do mean nuts. All of the above, plus around $5.00, will get me a peppermint mocha frappuccino light blended at Starbucks.

Yummm....better than genealogy

My point is this: I have lots of weird people behind me. Circus acts, pioneers, Indians, landed gentry, patriots and Irish freedom fighters, and parents who defied their families and deep rooted prejudices to go get married. (Only death separated them for a brief while). One thing they all had in common – they were their unique selves. They were bold. They were courageous.

  A 19-year-old setting off alone from Northern Ireland, a little person wanting to sing so badly she joined a circus, a tribal woman willing to marry a white man for love...a catholic marrying a divorced protestant. One of my Dutch ancestors in New Amsterdam was a strong willed woman who owned her own property on Brewers Street in Manhattan (unheard of!). She was so sick of the water rising to her front steps causing mud, she paid to have stones put down along the whole street. It became known as “Stone Street” and is an historic district to this day.

  All of them were true to themselves. They were bold and took a chance, promoted by their inner voice. I can do no less. So no matter what the barrier or the infirmity, the disability or the nay sayers, I'm going to work towards my dreams this year. That means more writing and teaching, but also trying something new. I'll let you know how it goes as we all move through 2013.

And, oh yeah, loose weight, improve my diet, exercise, watch my finances...yes siblings, I haven't forgotten. (sigh).

Happy New Year, everyone. Health and Blessings to you all.

Janus, we lay our flowers at your feet.

I Saw Mummy Kissing....well...

Dear Apocalypse: You missed us, you missed us, neener neener neener!

I didn't get my hair done for nothing!

 

 I KNEW Mayans were extinct for a reason!

Anyway...On to mistletoe.

Mistletoe is an amazing little plant. It can exist on it's own, but is more likely to be found as a parasite, living on a host tree. Because it draws its nutrients from its host, it also absorbs the magical properties from the tree. It is no surprise that mistletoe growing on the sacred oak would be the most magical and powerful of all. It is a plant associated with the sun, as it is green with berries even as the host tree is bear of leaf. It is the symbol of the rebirth of the sun at Yuletide. It was associated with Taranis, a sun deity, and the white berries are formed from his sperm. (OK, so there is an obvious fertility aspect to the mistletoe which has lead to current customs.)

Mistletoe was considered a protection against fire, lightning, and cured poison (even though the berries, themselves, are poisonous. Keep away from pets and children, weird spouses and peculiar significant others...you know who you are...) It was called “all heal” in Medieval Times (Applebees, Olive Garden..sorry, bad restaurant joke.)

If you hung a sprig in the barn, or a sprig over a baby's crib (minus berries, I hope) it warded off fairies. If a sprig was anywhere in the house, love would dwell within. It gave rise to the English superstition that if a single person was not kissed under the mistletoe at Solstice (or Yuletide) they would remain unmarried for the coming year. I guess it inspired this Sherlock fan art I found on Tumblr.

 

 

 

 

 

Druids were said to harvest the mistletoe by cutting it with a gold blade and catching it in a white sheet of linen. It was not to touch the ground. As it grew on the oak, and not from the soil, touching earth would ground all its powers.

 

 

  As a thank-you to the gods for this magical gift, one or two white bulls would be sacrificed. This is interesting because it may hearken back to Mithra. We do know that the Romans had a rite of purification called the Taurabolium. In this rite, a white bull was sacrificed, held over the heads of the faithful (or they passed under it via a pit) and the blood was allowed to drip upon the believers and thus “cleanse” them. This rite has been associated with Mithra by many (and the time of year would correspond with the date of his birth, as I explained in a prior post), but some claim this is a misunderstanding. You can draw your own conclusion.

In Victorian times, the mistletoe was hung in the doorway as a round clump called a “kissing ball”. Sprig or ball, the same custom applies. According to some, when a couple kiss under the mistletoe, a berry should be removed. When there are no more berries, there can be no more kisses. So if you see a bare kissing ball, move off to another to get lucky. All the kisses have been taken (or else the hostess is plotting to spike the cider with a merry dose of death...sorry. Sherlock overload.)

If you think no one cares abut the mistletoe in this day and age, please see the following video. It's slow starting. It also proves that the Brits – gods bless em – have no native sense of rhythm. See the dance at the end, for example. Riverdance it ain't.. but they love their mistletoe.

 

As for me.. I've been unattached for too many years. This time, I am taking no chances.

I think 2012 has seriously screwed with my mind (sigh). Gary wouldn't come anywhere near me until I took the damn thing off.

Have a happy, everyone!

 

Here Comes Shaman Claus

This...

Is “amanita muscaria” or “fly agaric”. It is bright and festive, and highly hallucinogenic. In fact, it puts the “fun” in fungus. BUT.. what is it doing hanging on a pine tree next to an image of Santa Claus? You might be surprised.

 

You see, these special mushrooms grow under pine trees.

 

 

 Siberian shamans collect them, wearing the colors of the mushroom – red and white.

Once collected, they return to their yurt (a circular tent with a smoke opening in the top), climb in through the smoke hole with their sack of 'srooms, and proceed to string them for hanging. When they are dried, they are ready for consumption. AND... they aren't the only ones who eat these mushrooms. Have a look at this clip from the BBC:

 

No wonder the green of the pine tree, and the red and white of the mushrooms, have become the colors of Xmas, and other red and white decorations – from satin balls to candy canes – follow suite.

Next time: mistletoe.

I saw my surgeon on Monday. Good news! It will still take quite a long time to recover, but so far I have dodged the bullet. He thinks my foot has come along fine, and that I don't have to report back for 6 months. I can't do any marathon shopping or walking – in fact, I should use a scooter or wheelchair when ever possible, but I should be able to progress from walker to cane in time. He also wants me to do gastric bypass. No. Absolutely not. I would consider Lap-Band, but will consult with my primary physician this Spring. Gastric bypass scares the bejesus out of me. I've had enough thrills and chills for a while.

So, my prediction has come true. I said my foot would recover enough for me to “run” from the world holocaust with the rest of you. Perhaps I won't have to worry about the Lap-Band after all.

Until next time, enjoy the holidays. Here's a nice little video celebrating the fly agaric in music and pictures.

Tick Tick Tick...

The Yuletide season is upon us. If certain prophesies are true, this should be a Yule for the ages, the last grand Circle before the lights go out for good. Yes, here comes Armageddon. However, should we all awaken on the morning of the 22^nd, and find that the world hasn't been “Arma-got-done”, festivities will resume as planned.

I thought it would be nice, over the next few weeks, to talk about some of the traditions associated with the celebrations and trappings of this “most wonderful time of the year”. Let's start with the date of Xmas itself: December 25^th.

Those of a Pagan persuasion know that the Winter Solstice (around Dec 21st) or Yule marks the shortest day of the year. This is a time when darkness seems to be conquering the light. Magic was done and rites performed to assure that the sun would rise in the morning – a sign that the light had been re-born. (All the more reason, this year, to burn those premium peppermint striped candles you've been saving for a “special” Yule!)

Christmas is celebrated only a few days later. Most folks do realize that no shepherds were watching any flocks on the hillsides in December. The most likely time of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth is March or April. What we did have on December 25^th was the birth of a god named Mithra. Roman soldiers brought the belief in Mirtha back to their homeland from their billets in Eastern lands. Mirtha appealed to soldiers because he was a warrior himself, come to earth to establish his kingdom. In the case of Mithra, this was conceived of as an actual kingdom, not the spiritual “kingdom of God” professed by Jesus.

"Mithra or Mitra is...worshiped as Itu (Mitra-Mitu-Itu) in every house of the Hindus in India. Itu (derivative of Mitu or Mitra) is considered as the Vegetation-deity. This Mithra or Mitra (Sun-God) is believed to be a Mediator between God and man, between the Sky and the Earth. It is said that Mithra or [the] Sun took birth in the Cave on December 25th. It is also the belief of the Christian world that Mithra or the Sun-God was born of [a] Virgin. He traveled far and wide. He has twelve satellites, which are taken as the Sun's disciples.... [The Sun's] great festivals are observed in the Winter Solstice and the Vernal Equinox—Christmas and Easter. His symbol is the Lamb...." Swami Prajnanananda, Christ the Saviour and Christ Myth

Obviously, there are many points of similarity between the Mithra and Jesus back stories.

The belief flourished, and almost eclipsed the new Christian faith, except for one incredible event – the fall of Rome. With the disintegration of the Empire went the power of the Roman Legion. However, there are always elements of the Pagan which can not be eradicated from the Christian. Obviously the date of the birth of Christ is one of them.

We should not forget that the Roman celebration of the Saturnalia takes place during this period (usually December 17^th to the 23^rd). During this time, the statue of Saturn was filled with olive oil (he was a god of vegetation) and his feet – usually bound with wood – were freed. There was a public sacrifice at the temple, the giving of gifts (even gag gifts!) and decorating with wreaths and garlands. The Lord of Misrule was in evidence (and survives as an English Christmas custom. This is a person selected to preside over the feasting).

Now THAT'S an office party!

Taking December 25^th and making it Christian, and absorbing many other Pagan traditions along the way, makes the Church's observance of Xmas suspect. To misquote Dickens, there is more of gravy than Holy Ghost about it.

Next time: Mushrooms and Xmas trees.

As for me, I'm just happy to be home and able to celebrate with my family. It was December 18^th last year when I ended up in hospital, struggling to survive sepsis and facing multiple surgeries. I am starting to walk with a shoe and brace, but I'm taking it slow until after the holidays. If the ankle is going to break down (which means amputation) I'm making sure it is after the holidays. I just want to have a happy memory. I will be seeing my surgeon on Dec 10^th, so hopefully the news is good and I can relax a bit.

Rufus is getting accustomed to being home again. I think I've convinced him to stop marking and use his papers. (Today was a good day.) We even had our Holiday picture taken. Claude was the photographer.

My article “The Tie That Binds” was published last week as a special on-line article for Sage Woman subscribers. My blog activity really picked up after that. Welcome, new readers! Feel free to comment.

Finally, for the Sherlock Fans, filming of Season 3 has been pushed back until March. Benedict and Martin are so busy these days that other commitments have caused the delay. Good for them, crappy for us. So, for the time being, Sherlock is still “dead”. But remember what happened last time. You just can't kill Sherlock Holmes.

One final thing: My dear friend, Goldie, was kind enough to read my Sherlock manuscript. In my story, both he and his sister play the Moonlight Sonata on the violin. Goldie pointed out that it was usually done as a piano piece. I advised her to try and hear strings playing it. Well, this isn't the best example but, below, is a string quartet doing the Sonata. Enjoy!