The Return To Innocence

Here, we have the ultimate expression and meaning of the winter holidays.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyQz8jWAl7s

I have been singing "Soft Kitty" to myself for a while. There is technically only one reason to sing that song, but I have at least three, all of which were mentioned by Penny in the episode where Sheldon had to care for her. I have also been attempting to sing it as a round with myself.
*PAIN SADFACE*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqSmzGj_sQc

Seriously, though. Yesterday was the beginning of the six-day Roman celebration Saturnalia. Yay Saturn, blah blah blah. I'm going to leave a little tiny something for each Greek and Roman god, be it a physical offering or a psychic offering. And then when Winter Solstice and Yule come around, more offerings to Gaia and the rebirth of the Sun God.
http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/saturnalia/a/saturnalia.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturnalia
http://www.earthwitchery.com/yule.html
http://wicca.com/celtic/akasha/yule.htm

Also, once more for clarification, I am not Wiccan at all and never will be. Wiccan is a very specific, very young religion, which took bits and pieces of old pagan faiths and mixed them up until Gerald Gardner felt satisfied. Wicca has unfortunately become the main path new pagans turn to when they have no idea what to do, and such become "fluffy bunny" pagans, focusing only on the "light" and "good" stereotypes of magic and witchcraft, which is very cute and laughable. Unfortunately, Wicca's reputation has mostly been taken over by fluffies, I think; I haven't paid much attention. Any Wiccans here want to set the record straight, please?

I am eclectic pagan with firm faith in polytheism, pantheism, natural magic, elemental magic, personal magic, chthonic magic, shamanism, animism, and humanistic paganism. Which is funny, because humanistic paganism would probably cancel out the magic part, but there are a few humanistic pagans who practice magic with a scientific bent, like my husband.
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/wildhunt/2012/08/guest-post-humanist-paganism-on-the-rise.html

I forget my main point... but I wish everyone a Happy Hanukkah, Blessed Yule, Io Saturnalia, Merry Christmas, and Blessed Solstice. I am one of those people who just won't care what you you believe in or worship as long as you don't shove it at me, attempt to convert me, or proselytize at me. And oh, yes, that does include paganism, Wicca, and other nature-based faiths. There is a reason I am so eclectic.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra's Christmas songs are the ONLY winterholiday songs I am willing to listen to voluntarily on a constant basis.

http://community.livejournal.com/fibromyalgia/1861970.html
Cheered me up rather nicely, though!

We've been helping Charlotte prepare food and gifts for her family since this morning. Charlotte and I went to the mall so Charlotte could buy gifts for her young cousins. I got a gift for my husband to share with me. Or for me to use when he's not around. It's very pretty, with a blue marble color pattern. Charlotte and I got separated for about twenty minutes, and since she doesn't have a cell phone, she called me from a pay phone so we could meet at the food court. I still hate malls. However, I always love shopping with a girlfriend.
Tomorrow, Adam and I will be here at Charlotte and Billy's again, to hang out with their cousins and aunts and uncles for a while.
I just found out that Billy loves "A Christmas Story." You know, the classic movie that goes on and on and on in marathons from tonight until tomorrow night. But he'll only watch it once on Christmas Eve. Which is good, because that's about all anyone can take. So that's what we're watching. Pizza should be here soon. We ordered from Pizza Boli's: Extra large thin crust, half black olives ad green olives, half pepperoni and fresh tomatoes. And mozzarella sticks. I'm drinking a bottle of Bom Dia Acai Berry With Pomegranate Juice.
My attitude toward the $winter holiday$ has gotten so casual. I refuse to participate in the rampant commercialism, so I mostly stay at home, or at a friend's home, doing non-holiday things. When we buy stuff for each other, it's simple and sentimental and usually we let the person pick what they want.

I enjoy meditating on the spiritual aspects of the season and not the commercial aspects. I love being with friends and family more than I love buying gifts, honestly.

Appropriately enough, the amber pentacle pendant was waiting in the mail when I got home tonight.
Adam had come home early, and when I got home Charlotte greeted me at the door. She and I discussed new personal rituals I could do with my new pendant, and I opted for a very personalized, private ritual that turned out to work perfectly due to the circumstances. There is a huge amount of power in this pendant now. I love feeling the edge of the veil so close, and I hope to keep it with me once the night is over.

We've already had several kids come trick-or-treating, but Adam has taken care of them so far. I'm not really up for it right now. We made spaghetti with browned beef, mushrooms, and marinara, and after dinner I may just take a shower and get ready for bed.

Tired.

Adam made whole wheat pizza from scratch. He started baking the bread at noon (today was his day off). Oh yes, it's good.

Also, I found this link in various forums and journals.
http://www.turoks.net/Cabana/SantasWisdomTeachings.htm
It's beautifully touching. I used to know people like this -- both the daughter and the mother. And I also knew people like the Santa character.
To be honest, it confirms my own feelings. I cannot stand the crass commercialism of holiday madness... but I still enjoy and celebrate the heart, no matter what the religion, name, meaning, or interpretation.