Old Richard's Blog (14)

Wild, Weird, Wired, and Wyrd Misrule

Of course Wise Folk live by the old maxim of being careful what you ask for, and, my stars and chipmunks, it is SO true! Talk about Misrule! Just since the Hallows, we've been hit with finding a house and moving, another major car repair, and my step-daughter and her 5-month-old moving in with us. Chaos reigns supreme, and poor Elf is beside herself. Of course we're delighted to have our fair Autumn and our grand-daughter returning from self-imposed exile on the far side of the Moon (OK, Utah.… Continue

Added by Old Richard on November 6, 2009 at 12:15pm — 3 Comments

Thoughts on Oaths

While I was re-writing the content for my web site, I had a discussion with the Elven Girl about the direction we were taking the Mountain Ash Grove, and the subject of oaths came up. I was reminded of Joe Wilson's thoughts on the subject viz-a-viz his 1734 teachings, to the effect that oaths of initiation or secrecy are unneccesary because if you can't take a fellow cunner at their word, why are you even talking to them? There is much wisdom in that idea. Truly, one's word of honor should be… Continue

Added by Old Richard on October 23, 2009 at 7:00am — 4 Comments

Look Homeward, Angel

Do forgive me for borrowing the title of the Thomas Wolfe's immortal classic, but the sentiment befits the season. Here's why: As the Hallows approach, it would be well to reflect on the role our personal ancestors play in our cunning lives. All of the modern streams of Western mysticism now pay heed to this once-overlooked part of what we know as the Old Ways. For some of the fluffier ones it is little more than lip-service, just a simple acknowlegement or thanks. For others, like the 1734, Ro… Continue

Added by Old Richard on October 21, 2009 at 6:52am — 3 Comments

The Master's Cunning Fire

Back from Autumn Fires at Wisteria, and despite the cold weather and a somewhat uncooperative pig it was awesome. I took the opportunity to do a bit of wyrd-working by way of the clay-firing, and the result was rather positive. I've been toying with the idea of fully integrating the Mountain Ash Grove into the general 1734 stream, and I sought the word of the Master through the outcome of a talisman I had fashioned. Lo and behold, said token brought a clear message so now I have even MORE work… Continue

Added by Old Richard on October 19, 2009 at 7:19am — 2 Comments

Blotmonath Tidings!

Ooooh...I just love this time of year. So much power in the air, so many portents of Misrule's coming. The anticipation alone gives me a rush. It's very cool that Blotmonath's opening crescent will fall during this weekend's Autumn Fires gathering. I'm hoping for a really strong kick-off to the Blood Month that reaches it's crescendo of power with the Hallows and leads into Foreyule and the Mother Nights. We've had a long, difficult year but the effort has worked out better than we could have… Continue

Added by Old Richard on October 14, 2009 at 7:00am — 1 Comment

The Joys of Bumpkinhood

The other night, as I was taking in the full flood of a gorgeous full moon, I was reminded of a remark by an old writer friend who was good-naturedly chiding my predeliction for rural living and old-fashioned country folk magic. He found my fondness for Hoodoo, Pow Wow, etc. to be "quaint rustic provinciality". I've encountered the same sort of arrogance, in a less friendly setting, from others who seem to think that ceremonial complexity and archaic language somehow make for a more valid or po… Continue

Added by Old Richard on October 9, 2009 at 6:52am — 3 Comments

News of the World (at least my little corner of it)

It's been waaay too long since I've had both the time and web access to update all and sundry about my recent misdeeds and misdoings, but this morning my boss has the day off so my cubicle is joyfully free of prying eyes. Since moving to the Shenandoah, Cindy (Elf) and I have been having a great time meeting people and doing a bit of wicked working on the banks of Cedar Creek. We're looking for a house around Winchester now that the weather is turning cooler, and need to "winter in" our menager… Continue

Added by Old Richard on October 6, 2009 at 6:52am — 4 Comments

A Joyful Harvest Home/Winter Finding to All!

Got on the 'Net for a few minutes this morning, and just wanted to wish all our friends and extended family a happy Winter Finding (or Mabon, if such is your way). The Elf Girl and I will be celebrating the harvest festival Saturday night in conjuction with the dark moon, replete with corn dolly sacrifice. We've got some important spellbinding to be done in the run-up to our favorite season, the Time Between Times (or Misrule if you prefer) between the Hallows and the 12th Night. We're definite… Continue

Added by Old Richard on September 18, 2009 at 6:30am — 3 Comments

What a long, strange trip it's been...

...as Jerry Garcia once penned, and so it has been. Cindy and I are finally getting organized here in our new environs, the beautiful Shenandoah Valley, and I even have limited internet access again! Camping next to Cedar Creek for the summer has been fun (and inexpensive) but now its time to set up housekeeping before Frau Holle starts shooting her ice bolts up the well. It's been a chaotic summer, what with moving, job hunting, Elf's kids having some adventures, and something on the RV break… Continue

Added by Old Richard on August 26, 2009 at 6:39am — 2 Comments

My Last Word on Witch Wars

I've grown weary of the whole Clan of Tubal Cain thing spilling over into my personal friendships. It never ceases to astonish me that so many people of erstwhile wisdom and good repute can generate such an inexhaustible wellspring of bile and bad blood. I refuse to take any side in the matter. It is none of my damned business, so leave me out of it. I hate the thought of losing friends over this; it is a tragic and unnecessary loss. But Fate will have it as She will, and all is as it must be.… Continue

Added by Old Richard on May 10, 2009 at 10:02am — 3 Comments

Imagine My Surprise

Alright, so I've been away from public involvement for awhile. OK, quite a while. Whatever, it doesn't matter except that it's really disconcerting when the first news I get from the webosphere is that one of my favorite websites, Peter Paddon's Crooked Path podcast, is about to fall victim to another round of silly "witch wars". As me mum would often utter at such annoyance, "Bloody hell!" As some of you well know, ever since the crossing of Evan John Jones there has been a certain amount of d… Continue

Added by Old Richard on May 9, 2009 at 5:14pm — 1 Comment

Wayland's Smithy

I've just started a Group on PaganSpace called Wayland's Smithy. The idea is to have a specific forum for people to talk and learn about The Blacksmith, one of the most powerful initiators in the European traditions as well as reflexes in other cultures too. It is meant to be for discussion of both the historical/cultural side as well as the deeper sorcerous mysteries surrounding The Reforger. As I've explained before, the mell in my signature salutation is an archaic Old English spelling of ma… Continue

Added by Old Richard on November 29, 2008 at 9:00am — 2 Comments

The Rabbit and the Hare - Reposted

Once upon a time, in a little pumpkin patch, a little fluffy bunny rabbit asked a ragged old hare what made it so special to be a hare. The old hare replied, "You see the pumpkin patch around us? It is your whole world, but only part of mine. We both draw life from it and enjoy the beauty of it, but I understand the unseen powers in the other parts beneath it that make it so.” The rabbit asked the hare, "Where is the other part of your world?" The old hare scratched her head and replied, "You… Continue

Added by Old Richard on November 26, 2008 at 7:24pm — 1 Comment

The Groundskeeper - Reposted

The old Head Groundskeeper was up early. She gazed across the field, newly regrown after the last match, and smiled at the way the low sunlight glistened in the morning dew. Each lovingly-tended blade of grass was a friend to her, each new sprout her child. Soon the foolish crowds began arriving, filled with visceral fanaticism for their teams. This week it was the Jerusalem Zealots versus the Mecca Martyrs. There were many teams in this league, with the Bethlehem Crusaders being the reigning c… Continue

Added by Old Richard on November 26, 2008 at 6:30pm — 1 Comment