Finally started the Girls Underground blog - this is where I'll be posting all the various examples of the archetype. First few will probably be more in-depth, but some may just be briefer descriptions, as I have something like 60 examples saved up before I catch up with myself and can start just posting as I find new ones.

Please read if you're interested! :)

Today I am grateful to have had several hours of uninterrupted schoolwork time, thanks to Aaron taking Z most of the day. Time to get started on dinner. I am cooking tonight, but not the traditional Feast of the Consumption.

Since many will be feasting today with family and loved ones, I figure this selection of quotes relating to the greatest feasters of all time might be in order.

Shock and awe, Egyptian-style
“But Cleopatra having met Antony in Cilicia, prepared a royal entertainment, in which every dish was golden and inlaid with precious stones, wonderfully chased and embossed. And the walls were hung with cloths embroidered in gold and purple. And she had twelve triclinia laid; and invited Antony to a banquet, and desired him to bring with him whatever companions he pleased. And he being astonished at the magnificence of the sight, expressed his surprise; and she, smiling, said that she made him a present of everything which he saw, and invited him to sup with her again the next day, and to bring his friends and captains with him. And then she prepared a banquet by far more splendid than the former one, so as to make that first one appear contemptible; and again she presented to him everything that there was on the table; and she desired each of his captains to take for his own the couch on which he lay, and the goblets which were set before each couch. And when they were departing she gave to all those of the highest rank palanquins, with the slaves for palanquin bearers; and to the rest she gave horses, adorned with golden furniture: and to every one she gave Ethiopian boys, to bear torches before them. And on the fourth day she paid more than a talent for roses; and the floor of the chamber for the men was strewed a cubit deep, nets being spread over the blooms. Antony himself, when he was staying at Athens, a short time after this, prepared a very superb scaffold to spread over the theatre, covered with green wood such as is seen in the caves sacred to Bacchus; and from this scaffold he suspended drums and fawn-skins, and all the other toys which one names in connection with Bacchus, and then sat there with his friends, getting drunk from daybreak, a band of musicians, whom he had sent for from Italy, playing to him all the time, and all the Greeks around being collected to see the sight. And presently, he crossed over to the Acropolis, the whole city of Athens being illuminated with lamps suspended from the roof; and after that lie ordered himself to be proclaimed as Bacchus throughout all the cities in that district.” - Sokrates the Rhodian, History of the Civil War Book 3 [Quoted in Athenaios, 4.29]

Venus has come to revel with Bacchus for the good of Asia
“Though Kleopatra received many letters of summons both from Antony himself and from his friends, she was so bold as to sail up the river Cydnus in a barge with gilded poop, its sails spread purple, its rowers urging it on with silver oars to the sound of the flute blended with pipes and lutes. She herself reclined beneath a canopy spangled with gold, adorned like Venus in a painting, while boys like Loves in paintings stood on either side and fanned her. Likewise also the fairest of her serving-maidens, attired like Nereïds and Graces, were stationed, some at the rudder-sweeps, and others at the reefing-ropes. Wondrous odours from countless incense-offerings diffused themselves along the river-banks. Of the inhabitants, some accompanied her on either bank of the river from its very mouth, while others went down from the city to behold the sight. The throng in the market-place gradually streamed away, until at last Antony himself, seated on his tribunal, was left alone. And a rumour spread on every hand that Venus was come to revel with Bacchus for the good of Asia.” - Plutarch, Life of Antony 26.1-3

The Society of Inimitable Livers
“For they had an association called The Inimitable Livers, and every day they feasted one another, making their expenditures of incredible profusion. At any rate, Philotas, the physician of Amphissa, used to tell my grandfather, Lamprias, that he was in Alexandria at the time, studying his profession, and that having got well acquainted with one of the royal cooks, he was easily persuaded by him (young man that he was) to take a view of the extravagant preparations for a royal supper. Accordingly, he was introduced into the kitchen, and when he saw all the other provisions in great abundance, and eight wild boars a-roasting, he expressed his amazement at what must be the number of guests. But the cook burst out laughing and said: ‘The guests are not many, only about twelve; but everything that is set before them must be at perfection, and this an instant of time reduces. For it might happen that Antony would ask for supper immediately, and after a little while, perhaps, would postpone it and call for a cup of wine, or engage in conversation with some one. Wherefore,’ he said, ‘not one, but many suppers are arranged; for the precise time is hard to hit.’” - Plutarch, Life of Antony 27,28

The incident with the pearl
“There have been two pearls that were the largest in the whole of history; both were owned by Cleopatra, the last of the Queens of Egypt--they had come down to her through the hands of the Kings of the East. When Antony was fattening himself every day at decadent banquets, she with a pride both lofty and impudent, a queenly courtesan, disparaged his elegance and sumptuous display, and when he asked what magnificence could be added on, she replied that she would spend ten million sesterces on a banquet. Antony was curious, but did not think it could be done. Consequently, with bets made, on the next day, on which the trial was carried out, she set before Antony a banquet that elsewhere would be magnificent, so that the day might not be wasted, but that was for them quite ordinary, and Antony laughed and exclaimed over its cheapness. But she, claiming that it was a gratuity, and that the banquet would complete the account and she alone would consume ten million sesterces, ordered the second course to be served. In accordance with previous instructions the servants placed in front of her only a single vessel containing vinegar, the strong rough quality of which can melt pearls. She was at the moment wearing in her ears that remarkable and truly unique work of nature. Antony was full of curiosity to see what in the world she was going to do. She took one earring off and dropped the pearl in the vinegar, and when it was melted swallowed it. Lucius Plancus, the judge of the wager, put his hand on the other pearl since she was preparing to destroy it also in a similar fashion, and declared that Antony had lost, an omen that later came true. With this goes the story that, when that queen who had won on this important issue was captured, the second of this pair of pearls was cut in two pieces, so that half a helping of the jewel might be in each of the ears of Venus in the Pantheon at Rome.” – Pliny the Elder, Natural History, 9.119-121

We all die - but not all know how to die well
“However, none of these things greatly disturbed him, but, as if he gladly laid aside his hopes, that so he might lay aside his anxieties also, he forsook that dwelling of his in the sea, which he called Timoneum, and after he had been received into the palace by Kleopatra, turned the city to the enjoyment of suppers and drinking-bouts and distributions of gifts, inscribing in the list of epheboi the son of Kleopatra and Caesar, and bestowing upon Antyllus the son of Fulvia the toga virilis without purple hem, in celebration of which, for many days, banquets and revels and feastings occupied Alexandria. Kleopatra and Antony now dissolved their famous society of Inimitable Livers, and founded another, not at all inferior to that in daintiness and extravagant outlay, which they called the Society of Partners in Death. For their friends enrolled themselves as those who would die together, and passed the time delightfully in a round of suppers.” - Plutarch, Life of Antony 71.2-3

I want to wish all of you, my LiveJournal family, a very happy Thanksgiving!

I made a trifle bowl of banana pudding last night for dessert today, and in a little while, Richard and I are going down to the home of my childhood friend Meg and her husband Nick, and their two kids, Kristin and Benjamin, whom I affectionately refer to as my "neice" and "nephew". They have graciously invited us to Thanksgiving dinner at their house, and we gratefully accepted. Had they not, I'd have likely made something akin to turkey sandwiches and we wouldn't have done much in the way of celebration since we really don't have the fundage or the time - Rick worked last night, and he has to work tonight as well. Hotel workers don't get holidays off. But I'm off today and tomorrow, and I'm excited!

Last year, we went to my coworker MK's house, and my other coworker BRS and her hubby joined us, and we had a fabulous time.

Tomorrow morning, after Richard gets off work, we're headed up to Hickory, NC to visit his mum and dad. We went there this same time last year - it seems that Thanksgiving weekend is the weekend to see them annually - and I'm looking forward to it. We'll stay overnight, and then head home on Saturday because, although Rick has Friday night off, he has to work Saturday night. I thought about attending a Cuddle Party on Saturday night but we probably won't get home in time for me to get ready for it and get over there, as it's in Gwinnett County.

I also got to speak to someone VERY VERY special to me on the phone this morning, and I will talk about that in the appropriately filtered post.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Enjoy! Don't eat too much turkey - you'll sleep the rest of the day!

Today I am thankful for ...

* several members of my family who are wonderful people.
* friends far and near.
* being able to line the walls of my house with books.

What are some things you are thankful for?

I hope everyone enjoys themselves with friends, family, lots of food and the last few moments of peace and sanity in the world until Christmas has passed.

For myself, it is a beautifully foggy morning here, thick enough that the building across the street is pretty well obscured. Which of course is putting me in a wonderfully spiritual mood and I'm looking forward to getting to go out walking in it in an hour or so to go pick up our obligatory turkey dinner. So hey, already something to be thankful for. :-)

War should be an option of last resort. It's ruinously expensive and wasteful of lives, land, goods, and funds. Sometimes there is no other option, but usually there is. I am frustrated by America's persistence in dumping resources down a rat hole in this regard. It's foolish enough fighting two wars at once, on terms we really can't win. But to throw in our last reserves? That's stupid. Reserves are held back for emergenices, or opportunities of surpassing fortune. They are not for regular combat. Neither is the National Guard, which is already scattered far and wide; that's supposed to be for managing internal disasters such as hurricanes, or the unlikely but real chance of invasion. What soldiers we have are already strained to the fraying point; they cannot sustain this pace, let alone increase it. And if we foolishly use them up in these inane wars, they will not be available if we really need them.

Jason Leopold | Obama's Plans to Increase Afghanistan Troop Levels Would Leave US With No Reserve
Jason Leopold, Truthout: "President Barack Obama intends to announce next week that he will deploy tens of thousands of additional US troops to Afghanistan, according to numerous published reports citing unnamed administration officials, to fight an eight-year-old war that a majority of Americans do not support and numerous Democratic lawmakers say is no longer worth waging."

A while back, I used to post a quote about ancient Greco-Egyptian polytheism each day. People seemed to find it fun and educational, and it had the added effect of keeping me focused and mindful. (I am a firm believer in you become what you surround yourself with, a teaching that has been powerfully driven home recently.) Therefore I think I'll bring the custom back. To start off I'd like to share one of my all-time favorites, and a very relevant quote to boot.

Temple regulations
“Remember to ... shrine, to fumigate with incense and to offer water in a jar in the early morning. Remember [to bring] fat r-geese, trp-geese, and ducks and to offer god's offerings to the gods. Remember to chew natron and to prepare white bread; a man [should do it] on the day of wetting the head. Remember to erect flagstaffs and to carve offering stones, the priest cleansing the chapels and the temple being plastered (white) like milk; to make pleasant the odor of the horizon and to provide bread-offerings. Remember to observe regulations, to fix dates correctly, and to remove him who enters on the priestly office in impurity of body, for that is doing it wrongfully, it is destruction of the heart” – The Admonitions of Ipuwer

The more I see of President Nasheed, the more I admire him. He's a little guy from a little nation hardly anyone heard of until recently, but he will not shut up about climate change and the need to stop it. Go, brother, go!

NOW | Drowning Nations
NOW: "The Maldives, a nation of roughly 1,200 low-lying islands in the Indian Ocean, could be underwater by the end of this century if climate change causes ocean levels to rise. On the eve of the big climate summit in Copenhagen, the country's president, Mohamed Nasheed, is warning of a massive exodus from the Maldives if drastic global action is not taken."

Once upon a time, I was told by a certain Reclaiming person that I was conceited and expected people to treat me like a "big witch," or something to that effect. That was, no coincidence, shortly before I left Reclaiming. From time to time over the years I have sensed a "who the hell does that bitch think she is?" vibe wafting in my general direction.

Look...I self-initiated at 20. Later I was told by a Alex-offshoot priestess that the rite I'd come up with by myself was very similar to the one she used for her 2nd degree initiations.

I helped run a group that met every week for two years and did not implode. In the process I helped introduce several people to witchcraft who either went on to become leaders in the community or came back to me later and told me I'd changed their life. That was when I was 25.

I built connections between the Pagan communities in Chattanooga and Atlanta with local African Traditional Religions and Native Americans, enlisting said Pagans in activism directed by the latter and thus putting our money where our mouths were in a way that counts.

I was in a Pagan band. I wrote music for the Goddess 2000 Project in Atlanta. I gave a public prayer representing the Pagan Cluster at a SOAW protest in front of 10,000 people. I've been involved in more projects and public rituals and outreach and general Pagan shenanigans than I can list here.

I started a Reclaiming group in Atlanta. (That one did implode, but I brought teachers down and sponsored and taught classes and generally got that ball rolling.)

I worked as a professional psychic off and on for ten years, and taught classes on Tarot and psychic development all over the Southeast, in venues large and small.

My Feri teacher has been practicing for thirty years. He wrote a lot of liturgy and exercises the rest of the trad uses, wrote an essay which Margot Adler quoted extensively in the updated edition of Drawing Down the Moon, and is one of the most intelligent people I know. (I know a lot of bright people). He is extremely selective about who he teaches. To my knowledge, he has only initiated one person in the last ten years. That's me.

So yeah, I do think I'm the shit. Nor do I think that devalues the contributions of other people, or other approaches. Rather the opposite. Just because you haven't heard of someone already, or don't know everything they've been up to, doesn't mean they don't know what they are talking about. They may have trod paths you are unaware of. I know what I know, and I do what I do. I'm proud of that.

So, the second Twilight movie has come out and made obscene amounts of money during it's opening weekend, surprising absolutely no one. Although I detest everything about the series and its fandom, I do confess that I find the whole phenomenon disturbingly fascinating. Particularly what it says about young people today and where our society is heading. In keeping with that, here is an interesting meditation on the whole trainwreck by one of my new favorite bloggers. (She started off writing about feminist themes in comics and has recently branched off to explore more spiritual topics relating to pop culture such as this, this and this. Good stuff.)

She references an excellent post by Christopher Knowles in which he waxes philosophical about the annoyance felt by con attendees when rabid Twilight fans descended upon them. His point is well worth consideration:

"And of course Twilight has brought armies of young girls into cons, infuriating the older male fans. Almost as if armies of Christian families had descended on formerly Gnostic or Neoplatonic shrines in the Roman era. It's fascinating how many of those aging male fans are objectivists or militant atheists and/or skeptics, and how many of them are unmarried and childless."

I find the parallels compelling - and disturbing, knowing what I do about history.

And, to cap this post off, I leave you with the account of ace Cracked reporter Chris Bucholz who bravely went undercover as a Twilight fan to the opening of New Moon. Kudos to you, Chris. I'll be praying for a swift recovery.

Mama squirrel wins. Do not mess with the mama.

Ok, I just have to post this, a special thanks to a special person that I am not naming has taken care of my renewal for ADF. Tears of gratitude are forming and Lester's response, "Wow, you mean people actually care? It is so nice!" I know people care and this was unexpected. I feel so blessed right now! Thank you my friend thank you!

I feel so alive and happy, so loved and blessed. Thank you, more than I can express, to everyone who has given me so much support and energy and kindness this year. I am overjoyed to still be among you, and wish you all an abundance of blessings!

Now that I've seen someone, someone I care about deeply, give birth, the stories below resonate with acutely profound horror. I am sure that for those who have actually given birth, this resonant horror would be orders of magnitude greater.

My wife often refers to wanting to invoke the "oh come on" police, as in someone comes to you worrying about a woman in labor or who has just given birth escaping, and you say "oh, come on."

---

Some snippets from Pregnant Inmates Give Life Wearing Shackles and Chains:

• She was well into her ninth month of pregnancy... Before she left for the hospital, Ms. Pinckney said, a corrections officer wrapped a chain twice around her waist and handcuffed her to it. Then he covered the handcuffs with a locked black box to further limit her range of motion. Finally, her ankles were shackled...
  
• "...right after I pushed him out, the guard shackled me to the bed rail,” Ms. Knox said. “I had to push the placenta out with the shackles on. That was the worst.”
  
• “I was cuffed through the entire C-section,” Ms. Graves said.
  

And from Prisons Often Shackle Pregnant Inmates in Labor:

• ...a prisoner at the McPherson Unit in Newport, Ark., had been in labor for more than 12 hours when she arrived at Newport Hospital on Sept. 20, 2003. Ms. Nelson, whose legs were shackled together and who had been given nothing stronger than Tylenol all day, begged, according to court papers, to have the shackles removed... The experience of giving birth without anesthesia while largely immobilized has left her with lasting back pain and damage to her sciatic nerve...
  
• "Here this young woman was in active labor," Ms. Simpson wrote, "handcuffed to the armed guard, wearing shackles, in her orange outfit that was dripping wet with amniotic fluid. Her age: 15!"
  
• Merica Erato, serving time for negligent homicide after a car accident, went through labor with chains around her ankles in Fond du Lac, Wis., in May, her husband, Steve, said in an interview. "It is unbelievable that in this day and age a child is born to a woman in shackles," Mr. Erato said. "It sounds like something from slavery 200 years ago."
  

Well, let's see, having to fight for my unemployement benefits. No job yet. Money is gone and well, something needs to give somewhere. That is my life.

I have been fighting depression and the need to sleep all the time. Seems to be the only thing I want to do, but I know I need a job. So I get up and go look.

Tomorrow I get to see my family and am glad. My favorite cousin is coming in town.

I have a database that I am working on so I can keep up with the prison letters. I wish I had the money to just do that all the time and work on the rest of my ADF stuff, but that is dreaming. Good dream though!

I almost have my clergy intent letter done with the updates. I want to send that and the initiate intent letter in by two weeks top, then will start making my way through the courses.

You know what, life is good. Even with the bad going on, it is good. Depression is something not of my doing but my body. I have my home still and my hubby. We will get through this hardship.

I just wish it did not mean thinking of a. filing for food stamps and b. considering asking for compassionate membership till I can pay it back. Kinda humbling and also feel humiliated to ask. Though I don't want my membership to lapse and I don't want to go with out food coming in. Well, that is where I am right now. Sucks going from one who had money to donate and buy extras to none and wondering how the bills are going to be paid.

My offerings are made, I have said my prayers, may the Kindreds provide and the job be found! May the bless you and may the bless me.

More books, who would have guessed? At this rate I will beat last year's total.

#81: Mortal Love by Elizabeth Hand
A friend recommended this to me. This is the author who wrote Waking the Moon, which is one of my all-time favorite books. My friend said she liked this one even better. So I went into it with high expectations. Maybe too high. I liked the book, but it was no where near as captivating as Waking the Moon. It took about half the book for me to sort of figure out what was going on and piece together who fit with who. The story jumps through time several times with some characters being the ancestors of other characters. Similar names and places in both times confused me. Then it all clicked and I was able to follow along and enjoy the story. I liked it, but it's no where near my top 10 list.

#82: Carrie by Stephen King
Yes, another one. And no, it's not a reread. I've never seen the movie either. Still, this is one of those stories that everyone just knows whether you've read/seen it or not. It's about what I expected. Not my favorite of his, but a quick, easy and entertaining read. The one thing that bothers me about a lot of his books is he seems to take about half the book to set up the story and the first half is filled with a lot of unnecessary detail. The stories are good once all the pieces are in place, it just takes a while to get there.

#83: The Margarets by Sheri Tepper
I haven't read much by this author. In fact, the only other book of hers that I remember reading is Beauty (which I loved and still own). My friend (same as above) loaned me this one and I'm glad she did. She said it took a little while to understand the concept and get into the story. I understood this one a lot quicker than I did Mortal Love. It's a futuristic story where one woman is split into seven versions of herself. Each live on a different planet and have completely different experiences. There is a reason why she was split, which wove together quite satisfying in the end. All around a really clever book, in my opinion. This one might be one of my favorites for this year.