The Field of Folk Pagan Dreams

I confess, I tend to believe that potentially all of us can be chosen--by whatever one wants to call it... the gods, fate, ancestral spirits, or the universe--to deliver a certain message(s) in response to a larger collective folk endeavor. When Raven Grimassi put Aradia's words in print, I tend to believe that he was performing a special function for a larger collective. Her energy came alive in those words! This may be due to the fact that a particular individual is more suited for a certain task. Feelings like this may be partly based on our own personal ego, but think of the wealth of riches that many authors, researchers, and a few academics have contributed to this movement(s). Since the old ways were destroyed so thoroughly centuries ago, it takes a tremendous amount of extraction of information from many sources to produce a synthesis of traditions from a distant past.

I tend to believe that mystical experiences can also be part of that idea. At the least, they should be compared to the data that we do have; is the visual perception reflected in congruence with the known facts and evidence? Among many other things, Guido von List was a mystic; and I would have less faith in that if I had not had experiences of my own. I believe that he was--in part--tapping into ancient traditions that existed prior to the arrival of the Teutonic people... the Proto-Europeans. Even he pondered this concept from all of his research... but as far as I know, never openly stated that there may have been more than one historical sub-cultural tradition in places like Lower Austria.

From the film 'Field of Dreams'--which I have not viewed since it came out--the vision of the baseball field in the middle of a massive cornfield comes to mind. I remember little of the film, except that magical field; particularly its unusual location. It was seemingly on the edge of forever; where time and space didn't exist. Unlike other sports, the outer perimeter of a baseball field possesses a strange ambiguity where the play could theoretically extend beyond the wall or fencing. Also, baseball is the only sport that I know of where the geometry goes so far beyond the rigid grid of squares and rectangles. For example, triangle, semicircle, diamond, small circles, square, triangle, small boxes, and even a pentagon! There are even numerous raised platforms of several different shapes; the bases and the pitcher's mound. Also, there is the interaction of shapes within shapes. It's almost set up like a complex altar, such as the grid of Washington D.C. The general consensus is that baseball was invented in 1839 by Abner Doubleday...... yes... a Freemason.

There is much material regarding baseball's Masonic connection, and I have not even looked into any of it. I wanted to go in a different direction with this; something more in line with the Proto-European connection. In other words, not tied to Freemasonry, Alchemy, Rosicrucianism, Western Ceremonial Magic, etc. For once, the spirit of the native believer! Half of the reason that I describe these things is because I want to encourage other folk pagans to look more closely around them for hidden gems within the local landscape; and the other half of this is that I tend to believe that I experienced something of an imaginative reality vision. Something that I had seen in my mind many times... and then it unexpectedly was just "there."

Thursday was a warm day here, and I left the house to get a large cup of iced sweet tea at a nearby establishment. Being a clear evening with an almost full moon, I couldn't resist the temptation to explore a location where I had not actually walked on before. As strange as it sounds, sometimes we can drive by a location hundreds of times... but not truly see it. It is located on one side of a small but well formed valley. It was a baseball field that sits all alone on the side with pleasant rolling hills of dry grass above it. There were lights in the distance which gave it just enough light to illuminate it a bit, but it was still a dark field.

I walked out onto the large field, and out to the edge of the outfield. Just a little bit beyond the fencing was a fairly steep drop... but not a cliff. Below--in the flat valley plane--were the streets, lights, trees, shadows, and modest structures of an old industrial area. Beyond that was the other side of the valley; a much more dramatic black mass of mountains covered with mostly heavy shrub. Above that were the moon and stars. Something looked oddly familiar about this environment, but I was more immediately interested in the sweet tea and not thinking about complex or spiritual things. Slowly however, the basic geometry of the landforms around me came into focus.

Surrounding me--with a 360-degree panoramamic view--was what one could imagine to be a mountain altar. The outfield was a semicircle sitting well above the the flat industrial plane below, but equally well below the grassy hillsides, and still low enough to look up at the mountains on the other side. Now add the clear dark sky, the moon, the stars, the black abyss of the mountains, along with the occasional sounds of coyotes and owls.... well, it was just about as perfect as perfect could be. It reminded me of a scaled-down version of how I imagined what my pagan ancestors saw when they traveled north deep into the Alps to celebrate the eight seasonal festivals and full moons.

Pagans, as late as the seventeenth century, would travel north from the three Brescian valleys and connect with pagans who had traveled south from Valtellina and Val Chiavenna. They celebrated on the mountain passes in between, and certainly must have observed the moon during night rituals. Of course, there likely were permanent locations and altars... or perhaps even one permanent central location. They may have sung and performed time honored rituals from clear back into the ancient past. On a few occasions, I have heard people ask others what event or time period that they would visit from the past... as if they could travel back in a time machine. For me, it would be to partake in one of those mountain rites. Perhaps this experience jogged something deep within my ancestral memory. It was so very perfect: the moon, the stars, the clear evening, the warmth, the mountains, the valley, the coyotes howls, the hoots of an owl, and the semicircle outfield altar.

The grass carpet was so thick and lush that you could just lay down and fall asleep if you wished to. It would not be hard to imagine the plane below as wooded, the night much darker minus the lights, a fire pit upon that semicircle, and of course no fencing... just an altar resting high above the dark abyss below and in the distance. I can imagine people of all ages, some carrying torches, singing and venerating the Goddess under her magical moonlight. The Alpine tribes once made up a Proto-European nation of Rhaetian people; before Germans, French, Italians, or Slavs. However, I don't want to pigeonhole this concept to one particular people, tradition, or landscape. For some, their ancestral altars may have been something more like the outfield from "The Field of Dreams"... or some other natural environment; upon water or woods. It may have been more tied to agriculture, hunting, or fishing.

If we take this particular concept of a semicircle altar and landscape, it would encompass four basic levels of elevation: the mountains, the less physically imposing hills, the lower plane, and of course the altar in the middle. One of the surnames from our village history is "Mitterpergher"... which basically translates to "a person from the middle elevation of the mountain." There would be additional features, such as the moon and stars. All of this could be laid out upon a diagram, in the same general manner as Freemason Abner Doubleday's baseball field. We could have our own version of "as above, so below"... with a half moon and the semicircle altar... or a full moon and perhaps a full circle altar constructed with stones or bricks. A five-pointed vehmic symbol could be added, which would produce a different "as above, so below" along with the perception of a "star" (five-pointed).... or a star with a different number of points.

To be blunt... folk pagans have just as much impetus to form our own symbology--"occult" or otherwise--as those wacky Masons do!

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Ancestral Window Ritual and Crafting Intergenerational Continuity - Part 1

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Ancestral Room Ritual

We can all think of times when we were alone inside of a house or structure, and we may have sensed that the window held some sort've magical purpose and meaning. Then we soon likely dismissed the notion as silly. Depending on the structure itself, our own connection to it or the general area, the surroundings themselves, the time of the year, the day of the week, the time of the day or night, or other factors of the environment... the possible energetic experience may differ. Still, we most likely censored our feeling, perception, or intuition. Just like planetary bodies, mountains, bodies of water, or mirrors; windows can be energetic portals of or between time and space.

If we are in an area which is dark at night, sitting in say a dimly lit room with a window, we can look at it and see the pure darkness... almost like a portal into the abyss. Varying degrees of light all have certain energies; from total blackness, to some degree of light source(s), to perhaps urban lights or the moon illuminating the landscape. The window at twilight, with no lights on, has a powerful connective energy. Also, of course, the varying degrees of daylight possess the same types of energetic effect upon us. The morning naturally comes to mind, as we can connect to the feeling of the blessing of the rising sun though our ancestral memory.

It doesn't take a lot of imagination to recall some of those various experiences. I think an open window can heighten the energetic connection, but not necessarily always. For me, the more rural the location, the more heightened the experience would tend to be; however, I'm certain others would see an urban setting as more energetic. Just off the top of my head--for me--being alone, in a home in a smaller town, with a lot of hills and open spaces, from a second story open window, on a warm summer evening at twilight, with no lights on... would give me the energetic connectivity. But energetic connectivity to what?

The practical concept of a window has been with the human race for a very long time. When our ancestors were rooted in a place--and ultimately "places"--there was an energetic tie-in with these windows... and of course other things. The window is like an eye, watching history take place from a stationary position. Energy stamps are tied to those places, and they don't just disappear when a particular clan moves on to another place. A window can serve as a symbolic object of focus during a ritual. The spirituality of a diaspora probably has less power and meaning since the advent of air travel; but when the challenges and risks of long voyages to settle in far away places were great, it was much more remarkable.

The DNA-connection is the most powerful energetic connection over time and space, especially a connection of direct bloodline. The "window ritual" has everything to do with ancestral ties! The ritual can consist of whatever heightens its symbolic power. I would think that standing or sitting--not lounging--would be essential. At night, a candle and symbolic object could be used, although I think a powerful environment would be enough. Singing, meditating, or perhaps openly speaking a few trigger words, phrases, or names of favorite ancestors would help make an energetic connection. Holding a crystal or stone might aid in the process, but I think the window as the object of focus is sufficient.

Being alone isn't a necessity, as another person or small group might work. Whether it's personal ancestry or more of a collective ancestry, this objective would seem to determine how you would craft the ritual. I tend to think the night is best, as the darkness symbolizes the abyss of the unknown, the aether of time and space, the Ur. I tend to think that being alone and focusing on a particular favorite ancestor holds special magickal power, perhaps even holding your hand outside the window at a certain point. Even when someone reincarnates, part of their being--the main part--remains at source. Certainly it may be an ancestor whom you never knew; in fact, that may be even more powerful.

This isn't like playing with a Ouija board, and you have no idea what is coming through. You are already energetically tied to your ancestors over time and space. You may trust them... because you are them... and they are you.

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'Vikings' Nov 29 - #19 most popular program on television

Vikings: Who Will Rise? Teaser Trailer | Season 5 Premieres Nov. 29 | History

History

Check out this new tease in anticipation of the season five premiere of "Vikings." HISTORY’s hit drama series “Vikings” returns on Wednesday, November 29 at 9 PM ET/PT with a two-hour season five premiere. Season five begins with Ivar the Boneless asserting his leadership over the Great Heathen Army, while Lagertha reigns as Queen of Kattegat. Ivar’s murder of his brother Sigurd sets the stage for vicious battles to come as Ragnar’s sons plot their next moves after avenging their father’s death. Bjorn follows his destiny into the Mediterranean Sea and Floki who is suffering from the loss of his wife Helga, takes to the seas submitting himself to the will of the Gods. This season is full of startling alliances and unbelievable betrayals as the Vikings fight to rule the world. #Vikings

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HISTORY®, now reaching more than 98 million homes, is the leading destination for award-winning original series and specials that connect viewers with history in an informative, immersive, and entertaining manner across all platforms. The network’s all-original programming slate features a roster of hit series, epic miniseries, and scripted event programming. Visit us at HISTORY.com for more info.

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Vikings = Asatru and more

With the popularity of this historically accurate (mostly) program, comes an increased interest in the spiritual traditions--dare I say "religion"--of the Vikings. First, I believe that things should be put in proportion. The Vikings were indeed the last great European power which followed the old ways, their "native beliefs." Asatru, Odinism, Heathenism, or whatever name one wants to call it, was once widespread across at least half of northern Europe and elsewhere. In other words it's not a "Viking religion," or a Scandinavian-only tradition. There was an Asutrar story in Austria, Russia, Spain, etc. Academics sometimes refer to it as "Germanic neopaganism," which is accurate if "Germanic" is used in an international Teutonic context. It probably should be noted that Asatru is not glamorized in this series, despite the newfound fascination with the Vikings and their culture.

I think it would be fair to state that it originated with the ancient Teutons, and it's a primarily northern European tradition.... although there are some grey areas. For example, the British Iles, Gaul (France), nations east of Germany, and the Mediterranean nations were spiritually impacted by Asatru, but they weren't Asatrar by-and-large. In addition, there was a lot of crossover and conflation with other European spiritual traditions. Asatru was still making a dramatic impact after the others had largely been run into oblivion. Asatru, like anything else, can be gently merged with any area of one's life. "Native

belief" in general, usually makes a person a better woman or man. I'm not specifically "Asatru," but I understand the concept. There's most often at least some Asutru influence in any European earth-based tradition....

'Odin worship of the Lombards and Benevento': Part I

'Odin worship of the Lombards and Benevento': Part II

My hope is that the increased interest in Asatru will also translate to an increased interest in other European spiritual traditions, of which there's quite a few... including multiple for the same nation or region. For example, someone asked me online what the "native belief" of Ireland was. I responded that there was Druidism and Gaelic Polytheism which were both heavily connected to Irish history. Also, there were several forms of ancient witchcraft which existed there deep into the ancient world; as well as the impact of Asatru. That impact wouldn't be just from the Vikings, but from other sources. There were earlier Teutonic movements. Also, there has long been a cultural linkage between Ireland and Iceland. Of course, this is just one of many regional examples.

Think outside the box! Using the above example of multiple regional traditions, or for those who have multiple European heritages, one could decide to describe themselves as "Asatru with Gaelic influences" (or Druidic). I could describe myself as "Stregheria with Asatru influences" (or Etruscan, Gaulish, Roman, Druidic, Cernic, Aradianist, etc.). Everything doesn't absolutely have to be one-thing! Some Freemasons in the UK over the years, have considered themselves something unofficially as "Druidic Freemasons." I also believe that one should really only accept one primary path. Another phrase describing the beliefs of a native-believer is "radical traditionalism."

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Aristocracy vs. Ancestral folkways

"It is said that blood is thicker than water. It is what defines us, binds us, curses us. For some, blood means a life of wealth and privilege. For others, a life of servitude." -- Barnabas Collins in the opening scene of the film 'Dark Shadows' (England 1760)

Right up until America established itself as a supreme world power, most of the world was ruled by deep-rooted semi-despotic aristocratic systems. Systems in which nation states, and right down to small rural impoverished territories, were dominated by a privileged few based on their direct family lineage. These systems conflated with the power bases of a society; generally monarchy, religion, banking, economics, and the institution of law. Once established, it was extremely difficult to wrestle power from their powerful grip. It should be noted that many of these aristocracies became disgenic and inbred over time.... aka "genetically unfit" in the eyes of nature. False evolutionary struggle.

Underneath these established choke points of a nation were the aristocracy of large cities which ruled over the provinces. For example, the Brescian Council of the Middle Ages was clearly a regional aristocratic oligarchy. There were too many aristocratic families involved to be considered a monarchy; however, for example, the fine reputation of your great-grandfather was literally a requirement for membership. That is not an exaggeration. In fact, certain legal and necessary businesses were shunned because they were just too dirty or harsh in their activities. Are we so much better today? Many snobby urban "intellectual" conservatives and liberals totally dismiss "farmers" or people who merely live in rural areas as somehow "beneath them."

Even within an impoverished rural province, such as the Swiss Canton of Ticino in the nineteenth century, who your father was dictated your upward advancement in that society. Not surprisingly, after living generations amid that type of social restriction, Ticinese immigrants became very industrious in capitalist-friendly California, Australia, or Britain. Capitalism can be either a blessing or a curse within this concept; although more often it removed the invisible shackles of aristocracy. If not kept in check however, it can coalesce into an oligarchic defacto-aristocracy with bloodline merely replaced by money.

Communist dictatorships create a type of aristocracy even more than Capitalism does, because it will always be the few ruling over the many. "The intellectuals" who led the revolution now become the new dictators.... usually worse than the old ones. Cubans in south Florida dominate many of those economies, but only after initially living under a Communist dictatorship. Even to use a religious example, the Mullahs who now rule Iran are at least just as despotic as when the Shah was in charge. The Shah was only brutal towards anyone who opposed him, the Mullahs are full on religious tyrants.

Digressing to the original concept of "aristocracy" based on the bloodline, those family bloodlines have a terrible track record in terms of how they treat the people of their own culture. In other words, their concept of a bloodline ends outside of their monarchical circle. This has been proven time and time again, over centuries. In my opinion, it was their very worst trait! At times, they acted almost as though they hated their people. Only during times of war did the scoundrels start talking "we and us." I think that can hold equally true in Capitalism, Communism, monarchies, and religion.

Outside of the realms of the usual aristocratic suspects, native folkways provide for a love of one's people and the land. Although one can find some historical elements of brutality, much more often they displayed the qualities of 1) love for one's people, love for the land, love for animals, the divine masculine (law), the divine feminine (justice), and fairness; and 2) respect for nature's laws, including accepting the concept of evolutionary struggle and the necessity of defending their communities.

Law and justice worked together! Everyone within a community was cared and looked after; however if someone was destructive upon their society, there would be consequences. Pulling one's weight to their ability was a requirement. People like the Koch Brothers or George Soros wouldn't last very long. Activities which would harm society would not be tolerated in the tribal-minded society. Had those societies been allowed to ascend in the world, there wouldn't be poisoned water from fracking or sex parades in front of children.

If patriarchal societies based on wealth, aristocracy, and Abrahamic religion is "traditionalism," then ancestral folkways represent "radical traditionalism." Aristocracy wasn't "bloodline" as much as just greedy selfish families in control. Folkways are the love of one's people and respect for nature's laws. The real struggle isn't "Left vs Right," which are just two expressions of the same thing ("opposames"), but the aristocratic mindset vs. the ancestral folkways... true opposites.

I think mankind is at it's best when we are energetically humble. Not the disempowering type of humble, but the type of humble such as when someone is a gracious guest. I'm enriched when raccoons, foxes, skunks, hawks, and owls come out've the nearby mountains and woods and travel across the hillside where I reside. I like that I can share the earth with them, while still understanding and respecting nature's laws and evolutionary struggle. 

I don't think we are served best when society attempts to make us "totally safe." I like to hear coyotes howling in the darkness of a nearby canyon at night. Awhile back I saw all sorts of white feathers outside my window. Several ravens were attacking and killing a sea gull. Nature is both beautiful and harsh. We are part of that.

One common feature amid the sewer of modern politics is a prevailing attitude that "everything is about ME!!" We're a good fifty years into the era of bad people making decisions for us, so I would have some sympathy for that problem; but everything is not about us. We already had it right thousands of years ago. Nobody can explain why technology is rising so fast, but not as fast as IQ scores are plummeting! People are being killed walking into heavy traffic, across train tracks, or off of cliffs because they can't take their eyes off of their devices. Everything is completely out've balance in human society.

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New Steve McNallen interview on Red Ice Radio - "ancestral roots & metagenetics"

This is a new interview, posted on YouTube two days ago. Steve McNallen goes deeper into the spiritual and scientific side of things. “Synchronicity” was tied into the discussion as well. I wrote down a few points and observations. He compared death to a “curtain,” in which messages can occasionally get through from both directions. He brought up an interesting example as far as the disconnect between individuals and their roots; a present day family at the dinner table, and nobody is speaking to each other, as they’re too busy checking their cell phones, tablets, etc. Henrik, the host from Sweden, brought up a recent book that is said to show evidence between the ancient Norse and the ancient Greeks; I think partly due to the similarities between the two mythologies. Steve asked for the information on that, but didn’t comment on it.

One interesting pattern and I’m not suggesting any specific person or organization is that Guido von List is never mentioned that I can see. In this interview, Friedrich Nietzsche and Carl Jung  were discussed, but not List. “Metagenetics” is a bio-spiritual scientific belief that ancestry and metaphysics are systemically tied together. In so many spiritual traditions, especially in the east, there is no need to even mention this item because it isn’t even considered a part of wisdom. It would be like insisting that one should breathe oxygen. In the West however, and only within European/north European traditions, this passes as “controversial.” Since those traditions were genocided long ago, apparently the “guilt complex” doesn’t apply here. When someone delivers “controversy” to your doorstep, and only to your doorstep, it’s not easy to just ignore it.

Red Ice Radio

Stephen A. McNallen is a prominent religious leader of the native European path called Asatro. McNallen established the first legally recognized Asatro organization in the US in 1972 and quickly became a prolific writer and speaker on the subject on Germanic Paganism, which broadly includes the ancient tribes of Northern Europe. He believes that spiritual fulfillment is best achieved by following the ways of one's ancestors. In the first hour, Stephen addresses the importance of venerating our ancestors. He explains how discovering our ancestral past is vital for our future. We'll talk about what happens when one is cut off from their ancestral roots and how powerful interests rely on it. Stephen discusses how the "world managers" work to get the masses to lose their impulse for something deeper. They belittle honor, courage and heroism for reasons of control as these pose a threat to the system. Later, Stephen talks about the falsification of Europe's history, which always portrays Europeans as the evil ones, and people disown their ancestors because of it. In the member's hour, we'll hear about metagenetics and the idea that ancestry matters - that there are spiritual and metaphysical implications to heredity. He ties together varied topics as Jung's theories of archetypes, rebirth in the family line, psychic links between twins, and the Norse concept of the soul to support that statement. We'll also talk about how biology is being ignored to push egalitarianism. Later, McNallen talks about reigniting the spark, reconnecting to that which is in us. We're the outcome of all who have gone before us and their decisions up until this point. The hour ends on Odin's model of evolution.

 

Supermoon huddle

I thought I would add this here since Steve McNallen has mentioned many times the importance of retreats. Again, I’m not an Odinist. However, this past “supermoon” three days ago, a few of us gathered in a special location at the base of the northern Santa Cruz mountain chain. It was at a spot that we had not used before. It was at a location that was not hard to get to, but secluded, making it a perfect place to take a mini-retreat. A retreat doesn’t have to take a whole weekend, with lots of planning. I can’t stress it enough, sometimes you need to be physically distanced from it all, with no distractions; something a little more than a backyard retreat.

It was 9:45 PM, and a stream of clouds traveling in one direction blocked out the bright moon most of the time as we sat on a wide gravel trail at the base of a hill. We usually go for a location within the trees, but this was a nice alternative. An occasional breeze of warm yet cool air blew against my face during the otherwise still night. The dark mountains stood majestically against the dark blue sky. There was enough moonlight through that endless stream of clouds to illuminate the trail and hillside. The hazy light was beautiful, almost ethereal. For a moment, I recall thinking why can’t we do this more often?

When we first arrived, an owl flew up upon a branch about forty feet high. It stayed there for about five minutes. I tried to take its picture, but it was too high for the flash to be effective. It felt special to have an owl do something they rarely do. It was a special evening, with the clouds continuously swirling around the moon’s bright light. At one point I got up from my chair and walked down the wide trail for a while, beer in hand. I enjoy just thinking about what I want to think about in this type of location, and not what someone else thinks I need to be thinking about.

Sometimes, and not just because of a buzz from several beers, a special location can enhance certain emotions, and everything and everyone past and present seems timeless and together… and with the better of it all rising in spirit. Especially as I looked at the swirling clouds around the moonlight like sparks. Maybe the nearby mountains are like a spiritual antennae at night; opening that curtain between worlds of time. A large raccoon suddenly appeared walking across the trail, bringing me back to earth, and I returned to the camp.

There are two more "supermoons" left this year (August & September), and one more blood moon in October.

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"Yule walk" - an individual tradition

Last evening, I engaged in what I have come to call my annual "Yule walk" after the defacto Winter and the approaching Yule. I started it some years ago without even thinking of it as a "thing" in of itself, or any type of annual "tradition." It can be whatever someone wants it to be, but for me it's a very individual tradition. It's an opportunity--two or three weeks before the chaos of Christmas and New Years--to take a reflective walk on a cold night by yourself. It should be a personal spiritual endeavor to connect with the past, present, and future at this dramatic weather-shifting time of the year. A time of the year that strongly feels like an "ending"... with a new "beginning" intuitively "visible" in the distance.

Several years ago, amidst some very negative issues for me, I took this reflective walk which resulted in a powerful spiritual experience... which then cemented the concept for me of actually naming it and making it an annual tradition. Last evening I had somewhat of an upset stomach... and somehow the spiritual sparks didn't happen for me. You cannot force it. I did enjoy it, and I did reflect on some of the things that I wanted to. Of course I could just go again, but somehow once in December feels right.

I hike all the time, but there's a difference here in that.. you should feel free to just stop at certain points when you see something that you would like to gaze at or when you want to complete an important thought. It isn't a walk in the woods, the foothills, or at the beach. You should be able to see some homes in the distance, which are lit up against the cold dark sky... and which may remind one of holiday seasons past. For me, I see some old homes in the distance, against the mountain slope. I have roots here, so I feel the full connection to the past; but that specific geographical element isn't entirely necessary as I will explain.

The brightest "star" in the sky is actually the planet Venus

I just wanted to describe what a perfect Yule walk is to me. For me, a Yule walk is like a December Samhain, therefore choosing the right time is important. Generally--Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday--are the best nights. Friday and Saturday are "busy evenings," Sunday evenings are filled with the pressure of starting a new week, and Monday evenings have a certain pressure associated with them. Mid-week just feels right... with Wednesday or Thursday usually perfect. Unlike Samhain, I think the mid-evening, 7-9 PM is best.

I recall many years ago, of a joyful experience when we were hit with an early cold season in November; so I wouldn't rule out--for myself--of having a November Yule walk. However, mid-December really seems most appropriate. I think a nice clear cold dark evening is best! It's best to choose a place which has special significance for you. I think a place that is neither remote nor too bustling... and relatively quiet. If you don't live in a place where you have roots... then perhaps a semi-urban setting at the base of a nearby mountain or high point. The mountain can then become your antennae to the world.. and the past. Also, an industrial section or a business park should be quiet at night; and they are well-lit in case you don't like to walk in a place that is too dark.

I remember back in the 90s, a movie called 'Beautiful Girls' which really brought up the issue of people from a small town coming back home for Christmas. In other words.... the polar opposites of--on one side--the image of a warm home with all of the relatives together on a cold Winter night during the holidays... and of--on the other side--people living far away from their roots for any number of reasons, usually economic. This issue is like a question which doesn't really have an answer. I remember I worked with a young woman from South San Francisco, who moved to New York City to be with a boyfriend from there, and six months later she came back saying "there's no place like home!" South City wasn't so bad after all.. within that idea. This concept is part of the Yule walk I think. 

There are certain issues that I like to ponder during this walk, and they usually relate to "the past" in relation to the present. Perhaps even things before your time, but within the basis of a certain continuity. However, all of this is tied to the personal perspective... your place in the world, over time. Not "ego," but how you fit into larger concepts over time. I mean, if you think about it, for example, "1890" really wasn't so long ago! There are many houses from that time still around. Your great grandparents, or two or three greats, were alive then... and they probably were with many relatives by the fireplace during the holidays... some "place." That long forgotten "place" is part of you, and part of the Yule walk.

Although my Yule walk didn't pan out exactly as I had hoped, I did have one experience which is worth mentioning. As one point, as I walked along a moon-lit trail on the outskirts of the city, I came to a fork in the trail. In one direction, a trail led to an old train tunnel; beyond which there was total darkness, and a place that one would not want to walk in at night. In the other direction, the moon-lit trail continued. In some ways, it could have represented the choices of fate that we make in life. As I stood there for a moment at this remote spot, an owl came by and landed on an awning above the ramp of a loading dock of a small well-maintained old-fashioned commercial building which was nettled against the trees of a lower mountain slope.

The large fluttering wings certainly got my attention, as well as a second owl  then landing next to the first one. After about ten seconds of staring at the owls' backs, which were slightly illuminated by the moon and distant lights, the owl on the far side of me leaned over and looked directly at me. Never before has any animal looked at me with such intensity as I looked upon it's slightly illuminated face... into those burning eyes. After a moment, they suddenly took off in my direction and flew off almost directly in the sky above me. If this was an animal messenger, then what was the message? The owl is a powerful ancient symbol of wisdom; and to me, it somehow represents the character trait of "firm but fair." Perhaps it was to share the spirit-wisdom of my Yule walk with others?

This walk should be crafted to fit your individual-self. It's a time to ponder different times and places in relation to your life; and it should be at a time where you don't feel rushed. It's a time where you should feel free to conjure up creative thoughts about time and place without having to ask for some special permission. Allow your mind to run free. Think about a favorite ancestor that you never knew. Look into the dark sky--at the moon, the mountaintop, or at Venus--and say their name out loud!! That person is still alive, because they are you. They may even hear you. Maybe they even see you if they're between lives and if the spirits open the door; and you may add the title of their relation to you or vice-versa, or anything else, out loud as well. The Yule walk is about spiritual-grounding, creativity, and connecting to the best of the past.... leading to hopefully bringing out the best in you in the coming year.

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Bresciani nel Mondo

In the last entry, I discussed the value of the many regional and provincial sub-groups around the world. I mentioned that I would probably be too busy with the PAL to do this myself, but I changed my mind. I plan on founding "Bresciani nel Mondo."

You almost have to do a little research online to see what the status is for whatever it is that you want to be a part of in this area. Some areas are largely represented, and this even includes provincial heritages! For example, Bergamo and Brescia sit sit by side in Lombardia, have similar historties, yet there is a large Bergamaschi nel Mondo, yet no Bresciani nel Mondo. In other words, you may have to just go ahead and "found" something if it doesn't exist. Also, some Italians are hard-asses about Italian-Americans. They have this belief that we are "Italian wannabees," which usually isn't true.

In the previous entry, I mentioned not really knowing if there was a local presence of heritage of Liguria, Genoa, Tuscany, or Lucca. I still don't really know. If not, someone is really missing out. The root stock Italian-Americans of the Bay Area still don't really understand that this area was really the only one with this type of Northern Italian heritage. It's unique here in America. Maybe you could point to parts of Michigan or Pennsylvania, but nothing like here. I know Lucca in northern Tuscany, and South San Francisco, are "Sister Cities." This is due to the many Lucchesi who settled there long ago.

I have mentioned, more than once, of how Italian-Americans, especially around here, have completely lost their sense of heritage. I was at my parents home during last years World Cup. This is the exact same location where I was in 1982 during Italy's world cup victory then. I can recall very clearly that there was a lot of noise as the clock ticked down then! When I say noice, I mean noise outside! It was eerie in 2006, in the same location, that there was NO noise at all. Am I expected to believe that we have disappeared? Obviously the demographics in that neighborhood have changed in those 24 years, but that doesn't explain everything.

As you may have noticed, the website was ruined due to a glitch in angelfire's system. This was a big disappointment, because it was being redone and was between a save. Even if it was saved, all the code would be lost. Seems we're all just one virus or glitch away from humility in terms of this electronic communication we depend on so much. The link for the new PAL website is at the upper left hand corner of this blog. I'll just put it here.

Before I close out here, I just wanted to mention one more time, how fun it can be to start this type of local group. You have a reason to contact many people all over, as you could have a website, are writing and doing research. I remember I called someone once and said that I was writing an article, before I asked a few questions. If the person knows that you're writing a newsletter or something, they will respond a little better. It's not just that, it may foster a little more connection between the two of you.