all new posts will be at Charmed and Enchanted (http://charmedandenchanted.blogspot.com/)

I am merging all my blogs into one, I want to stop splitting myself up into a million pieces to please others. This is who I am, like or hate

So sorry for the trouble 

A is for Art

Self Painted portrait by my Granny

Second week of the Pagan Blog Project and second week of the Letter A

I chose to do Art, because it is something near and dear to my heart. I myself am not an Artist, but many people in my life are. I first learned of art from my wonderful Granny. She was an amazing Artist. I remember pouring over my Granny's art books as a child, imagining what it would like to step into the worlds of others imaginations.

For many people art is an expression of the soul, a way of expressing things that the words cannot. It is art that has taught us the most ancient cultures and it is art that will teach future generations of us. For many art is a voice and simply something they need as they would also need air, food and clothes.

It is wonderful way to for people of spiritual and pagan communities to connect together. It can be used as a way to teach, and to heal. There are many wonderful Pagan artists. But the Pagan art and artist don't always seem to get the support or attention, they truly deserve. I have found a few groups that are working to help support the art and artist of the our Pagan communities.

For those wanting to help out and get involved with the Pagan arts, here are some links to pagan art groups
Links of Pagan art groups:
Pagan Artist of Facebook
Pagans Arts Initiative
Pagan Artist Network


Though this next link is of obviously Christian. But I felt it was too spectacular not to add. As most of us will never get to actually visit the Sistine Chapel, it is nice to be able to at least see it virtually
Virtual Sistine Chapel 

A is for Athena
I am participating in the Pagan blog Project, this week is A

I have never been one to truly align myself with a certain God or Goddess. I tend to view God in a more generic, non gender version. But I do have a special connection to Athena. One of the things I use to do when I was first getting serious about spirituality and my spiritual self, was to take mini pilgrimages to the Parthenon in Nashville Tennessee.  We would spend the whole day going to various shops, events, places of a spiritual nature. Our hometowns are smaller and have a heavy Christian following, so new age and pagan business don't seem to last and public events don't generally happen. So for us, our trips to Nashville were spiritually a breath of fresh air and a sort of rejuvenation.

Athena is a warrior Goddess, born from the head of Zeus. She is the Goddess of wisdom, reason, purity, wise counsel, war, weaving and pottery.

My impressions of her has always been that of someone of power, who is a fierce defender and of extreme intelligence. Granted standing by that 18 foot statue it's hard not feel an immense sense of power.

Every time I have been to the Nashville Parthenon, has been a magical experience for me.  For me its was like stepping back to ancient history. There is a power I feel when I am there. Not just from the statue and presence of Athena. But from the whole place. For me it has been an major aspect my spiritual being and growth.

If you are ever in Nashville I do highly recommend visiting. There is a museum and gift shop below, and outside are ducks to feed and lots of area for picnic.

Pagan Reading Challenge

Yet another challenge! With this one I am hoping to at least get to Initiate read, would love to get higher, going to get started pronto!
my good reads list

2012 Pagan Reading Challenge
This challenge will begin January 1, 2012 and end December 31, 2012.

Books read between now and January 1, 2012 will not count.

Books that can be counted will include nonfiction books that are about spirituality, magick, the occult, nature, myths, or the paranormal. They can be reference, how to, informative, encyclopedias, or memoir. Fictional books that can be counted are anything that has to do with the paranormal, magick, witchcraft, or have a distinctly pagan flavor to the story such as The Divine Sisters of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood by Rebecca Wells.

You may include books of any format including traditional  books, ebooks, or audiobooks.

You may reread books.

Reference books are not usually read cover to cover so I will bend the rules here. You do not have to read the book from cover to cover, but you do have to look at EVERY page in the book.

Choose a level. Levels may be changed throughout the year.
Novice  Read 1 - 5 books
Initiate Read 5 -10 books
Beginner Read 11 - 15 books
Intermediate Read 16 - 20 books
Advanced Read 21 - 25 books
Adept Read 26 -30 books
High Priest/Priestess Read 31 - 35 books
Elder Read  Read 36 - 40 books
God/Goddess Read 41+ books

Witchy Books Reading Challenge 2012

Well I am starting this new year with a bunch of new challenges. the next challenge I am going to to start is the  Witchy Books Reading Challenge 2012.  I am hoping to at least get to Bookish Darling-13 books, but would love to get to the lunar book lover level. My book list.  Can't wait to get started.

As this new year begins so does a new study into my spiritual side. I have always been a deeply spiritual person. But in truth I have never been very serious about it. I was in so many the perpetual dabbler. But this year I plan to do a deep study into my self getting to truly know myself. So I have joined the Pagan Blog Project 2012. I have various books to read and things to study. I am very excited with new year to get underway. I am so hoping to meet many new wonderful people and learn new things on my new journey. I have no idea where my new journey will take me, but I truly can't wait to find out.