R.L. Geer-Robbins's Blog, page 2

Uncovering the Truth: The Real Meanings of Heathen and Pagan

Friends,

Words have meaning. We have all heard the saying a thousand times, but have you ever stopped to really think about what it means? How many words in our language have started meaning one thing, only to morph into something completely different?

For example: Paganism. Heathenism. Barbarian.

When these words are used to describe someone, they usually invoke a mental picture of men and women running around the forest, naked, howling at the moon. In other cases, they might conjure up pictures of an old woman standing over a cauldron, brewing a spell that will turn an apple into a sleeping pill. Or maybe, you think of a prehistoric man or woman without access to definable language or tools.

Sadly, the word is often used derogatorily to describe someone who is uncultured or uncivilized. Right now, if you search the word ‘Heathen,’ Oxford Languages has a warning sign on its website that categorizes it as ‘derogatory.‘

Cambridge.org states that it is an ‘old-fashioned disapproving offensive.’

The Webster Dictionary in 1828 defined Heathen as ‘a rude, illiterate, barbarous person.’

All three websites agree on something else- a Heathen is someone who belongs to a religion that is not Christianity, Judaism, or Islam.

When we jump to the word Pagan, we find roughly that same definition- someone who belongs to a religion that worships many gods, especially one that existed before the main world religions. (Cambridge.org)

With that many sources all saying the same thing, it must be true, right? Haven’t I always preached the theory of three for historians? If three different sources, at three different times, all allude to the same thing, it must have happened?

This is where the gray area rears its ugly face and throws a wrench into the foundation of history.

It’s not true.

Heathen likely comes from the term for a ‘country inhabitant’, or a ‘heath dweller’. The Latin root pagan initially meant ‘country dweller’. The word Heathen is of old Germanic origin and means ‘inhabiting open country.’

So, when did the word start morphing into something more sinister? I would love to say that is an easy answer, but it isn’t. What I can say is that we see the word used by Ulfilas in the first translation of the Bible into the Germanic language.

It has also been noted that the Roman military used the word paganus to describe a civilian or incompetent soldier.

With so many translations running amok, it is no wonder that the words have multiple meanings and have transformed from a description of where someone lives into someone who doesn’t believe in the core religions of this world.

And why would that happen? Now there is an easy answer. As religion began its force march into unknown lands, soldiers and religious men would have found themselves running into people who still believed in the ‘old gods.’ There would have been no easy way to describe the different belief systems because the practices would have been different in various parts of the world.

Can you imagine explaining the different gods found in northern Europe versus those found in Rome or Greece? Sure, the gods have some similarities, but not enough to be able to describe them all easily. And we must remember that paper, pen, and the cost of having mail delivered were astronomical.

Therefore, they needed one word to describe them all. And that’s how Heathen became what it is known today.

The bottom line is that mainstream religion decided to use the words Heathen, Pagan, and Barbarian to describe a group of people who didn’t believe in their faith. Sad really to see how the word has transformed into something evil, sinister, and uneducated in modern society.

Now, as always, this is not to belittle anyone who practices the main world religions. History often makes us uncomfortable and puts us on edge. It highlights the good and the bad of mankind. It forces us to acknowledge that there were things we didn’t understand and had to find a way to make it make sense.

If we give an idea a word, then it’s easier to explain to the masses.

And in this particular case, Heathen was used as a catch-all.

So next time you hear that someone identifies as a Heathen or a Pagan, give them some grace. Understand that it means they have found their spirituality in something that doesn’t have a singular idea.

Spirituality is different for everyone.

Some believe in multiple gods because it gives them peace to know they can talk to different gods for different problems. Maybe being removed from ‘main-steam society’ helps them focus on their inner growth rather than running the rat race with everyone else.

Some believe that there is only one god who controls everything, and it is easier for them to have one thing to turn to in their time of need, like having a best friend whom they turn to for everything.

Neither is right nor wrong. Both accomplish the same goal- inner peace and growth.

However, words have meaning. We must all remember that. It is wrong to make someone’s spirituality a source of insult, no matter what you believe in.

Until next time, Keep Reading and Stay Caffeinated.

If you’re looking for your next favorite read, I invite you to check out my book, The Raven Society. This spellbinding historical fantasy series takes us on a heart-pounding journey through forgotten legends and distorted history. Uncover the chilling secrets of mythology and confront the horrifying truths that transformed myths into monstrous realities. How far will you go to learn the truth?

The Writer and The Librarian (Book 1):

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Signed copies at:

https://rlgeerrobbins.com/product/the-writer-and-the-librarian-the-raven-society-book-1/

The post Uncovering the Truth: The Real Meanings of Heathen and Pagan appeared first on R.L. Geer-Robbins / Author.

Pope Leo’s Election: A New Era for the Catholic Church

Friends,

We have a new pope—an American one at that. Before you say anything, yes, I know there was a South American Pope. But in my defense, Pope Francis was a Latin American Pope, not born in the U.S., and because it is commonly known that citizens of the United States are referred to as ‘American’- I will continue to say that he is the first American Pope.

Regardless, Chicago has something to celebrate.

I did get to watch Pope Leo’s introduction. My husband thankfully called me when the white smoke bellowed from the Sistine Chapel, and I was able to spend the next hour listening to the many predictions of who would be the next to lead the Catholic Church. Talk about mixing politics and religion—I had no idea how much effort went into climbing the mountain to become the next religious leader. It’s impressive if you take a moment to think about it.

The tight rope of balance that a Pope must dance across is exhausting. He must be a leader, a politician, pious, caring, educated, a diva, perform miracles, balance the checkbook, make sure the paintings get dusted, collect and preserve historical artifacts, travel, pray, confess, heal the sick, lead meetings, write services, pray, and still find time to eat and sleep. Did I mention praying? I think the Pope does a lot of praying.

It was an amazing moment. Let me tell you why. Although I am not Catholic, nor do I have any real knowledge of how the present Catholic church runs itself, historically speaking, the church has been involved in some of the most pivotal moments of our past, regardless of which country you come from. This means that, as a historian, I have spent a lot of time learning about its leaders, its rise to power, and, of course, its murky descent into ruin.

A lot of my curiosity did, of course, rise from Dan Brown books and my love of secret societies- but in all my research, I can say beyond a shadow of a doubt that the Fates have a soft spot for the religion. Somehow, the Catholic church has managed to pick itself up, dust off its robes, and continue to lead a religion that commands the respect of all world leaders. No matter how far it falls from grace, it is a world power that should be respected.

And even through all that gray, thousands of people flocked to the courtyard to await the announcement of who their next new ruler would be. Think about it, in a time when the world is falling in on itself, people still look time off of work and flew across the world to stand for days and wait for one man to appear.

It was a world celebration. I saw flags from almost every nation. I listen to the chants of national pride and excitement. Hell, even I got caught up in the less talked-about, but very lucrative business of betting on who it would be. I’m not going to lie- I didn’t put money on the American- but I secretly hoped it would be him. I liked his background and the fact that I could understand him. No offense to anyone, but prayers are a little more powerful when you know what the Pope is saying.

It was a moment when the walk of life came together. In every country, bells were rung, masses were held, and a new hope was born. The hope that a single man could help bring the world together under one umbrella of unity and lead us into a brighter future. Regardless of what religion you practice, selecting a Pope affects us all. He is a key player in world events. He is a voice of reason when the elected officials go off the deep end.

It’s a heavy burden, and I truly wish Pope Leo the best. I hope he has a long and effective reign. I hope that he is able to be everything to everyone and that pillar of strength that this world needs.

Until next time, Keep Reading and Stay Caffeinated.

If you’re looking for your next favorite read, I invite you to check out my book, The Raven Society. This spellbinding historical fantasy series takes us on a heart-pounding journey through forgotten legends and distorted history. Uncover the chilling secrets of mythology and confront the horrifying truths that transformed myths into monstrous realities. How far will you go to learn the truth?

The Writer and The Librarian (Book 1):

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Signed copies at:

https://rlgeerrobbins.com/product/the-writer-and-the-librarian-the-raven-society-book-1/

The post Pope Leo’s Election: A New Era for the Catholic Church appeared first on R.L. Geer-Robbins / Author.

Mythology and Modern Life: Understanding Our Ancestral Roots

Friends,

Beltane is over. I walked my little garden early this morning, wondering- ‘Now what?’

Usually, when I get bored, I find new things to research. New links between mythology, or sometimes, I trudge through American history. Mostly, I find obscure stories that are trending on social media and try to see if they have any historical facts to substantiate them.

Rarely do they.

Lately, most of my research has centered on religion. Not modern religious doctrine- no, that would be too easy. No, I want to discover what really happened to our ancestors’ belief systems.

Paganism, magic, heathens, witchcraft, druids- everyday explanations for the unexplainable.

I hate to admit it, but we are losing our past. Why? Because we are unable to fundamentally believe in anything unless it is written down.

I call it the curse of three. For most historians, proof only comes in three. An event or idea must be found three separate times, in three separate texts, before it is considered a ‘possible truth.’

As a society, we have also lost the ability to believe in something unless there is scientific or historical proof that something exists. We no longer trust our gut, so to speak. I think this is why there has been such a rise in popularity of ‘old age’ ideas in a modern form.

Amazon is full of books that center on holistic approaches to wellness. The reemergence of lost religions such as Asatru, Druidism, Kemetic Paganism (ancient Egyptian religion), Hellenic Polytheism (following the Greek pantheon), Kitchen Witchery (popular among Pagans and Wiccans), Religio Romana (based on ancient faith or pre-Christian Rome), or Stregheria (the ‘Old religion’ of Italy).

Unless there is a book or website to guide us, it can not exist.

There is just a teeny, tiny problem with this thought process. Our forefathers didn’t write anything down. I think it’s because they were too busy trying to survive. The luxury of time sitting at a desk with ridiculously expensive ink, drawing pretty picture, and transcribing someone’s journal into a language no one could read wasn’t even a thought.

This is why Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and Hinduism have flourished. The leaders of these religions cracked the code to survival: convince the general population that they ‘need’ to support their daily lives in order to ‘work’ their way closer to salvation. Think about it. Back in the day, you had to pay to go to heaven. There was a price to attend church, a cost to talk to religious leaders—either by coin or food.

Even monasteries and convents relied on the ‘generosity’ of others to survive. Of course, no one mentions that this generosity was portrayed as the only pathway to salvation.

For the most part, ancient religions didn’t work this way. Religion was a community belief, a set of rituals and events shared and passed down by storytellers and elders to teach the younger generation how to survive.

A majority of ancient rituals (minus the human sacrifice) were based on techniques to ensure the success of each family or village. Each ‘celebration’ marked a new season when calendars and the concept of ‘time’ didn’t rule lives. It was a physical reminder of the changing seasons, kind of like a ancient alarm clock.

Beltane? Time to plant seeds. Mabon? Is the harvest in? Samhain? Is everything ready for winter? It all makes sense when you look at it that way.

Now, this is not to chastise anyone who believes in ‘modern religion.’ I fully support people finding their own truths and peace. As the saying goes- ‘Do you boo.’ But I have reached the point in my life where I am looking for a better understanding of our past. Call it the Odin curse. I want to know the secrets of our ancestors to understand better why we are where we are.

Could my family survive if something happened to modern society? If we really did implode, could I grow my own food? Would I know how to cook dinner without using my electric stove? Could I keep my family warm in winter? Would I have faith in myself and the knowledge that there was something greater than me somewhere in the universe?

The answer would be maybe right now. But I am open enough to admit I don’t know enough. I haven’t spent enough time understanding how the world works or the gifts Mother Nature gives us to survive. I haven’t opened myself to listening and watching. I have wanted to control and manipulate to suit my needs and wants.

And as we all know, when you try to control something- you end up losing control.

So here is to my journey: to better understand mythology and our ancestral beliefs.

Until next time, Keep Reading and Stay Caffeinated.

If you’re looking for your next favorite read, I invite you to check out my book, The Raven Society. This spellbinding historical fantasy series takes us on a heart-pounding journey through forgotten legends and distorted history. Uncover the chilling secrets of mythology and confront the horrifying truths that transformed myths into monstrous realities. How far will you go to learn the truth?

The Writer and The Librarian (Book 1):

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Signed copies at:

https://rlgeerrobbins.com/product/the-writer-and-the-librarian-the-raven-society-book-1/

The post Mythology and Modern Life: Understanding Our Ancestral Roots appeared first on R.L. Geer-Robbins / Author.

The Surprising History of Maypole Ribbons

Friends,

I had envisioned the perfect Maypole setup for my backyard. I was heading to Home Depot to get the right size pole (it’s frowned on to cut a perfectly good tree down) and then on to Michael’s to get an array of ribbons—blues, greens, reds, yellows, and purples—something to distract the eye from the horrible yellow and green that my house is currently painted when I was stopped in my tracks.

Ribbons scream spring if you ask me. From Easter to the 4th of July, ribbons and fresh-cut tulips are the staples of our transition out of winter. You can find them on Easter baskets, in crowns of flowers, on every baby chicken, puppy, or kitten, tied in the perfect bow. Hell, even Home Depot ties them around pots of flowers to entice unsuspecting buyers into paying $75.00 for a $20.00 basket of annual flowers.

And finally, you can’t have a Maypole without ribbons.

But then again….

I was surprised to learn that ribbons were never part of the original Maypole celebration. Now, before everyone starts throwing their leftover Easter eggs at me, I have proof based on eyewitness reports. The first recorded evidence of Maypole dancing in Britain dates back to 1350, when a tall birch pole was reportedly erected at Llanidloes in central Wales. However, it is important to note that historians have suggested the Maypole celebration might have originated in Germany and traveled to the European Isles with the invading forces.

But even before that, Anthropologist E.O. James suggests that the Maypole originated in ancient Rome. He suggests that trees were stripped of their leaves and limbs and decorated with ivy, vines, and flowers as part of the Roman spring celebration—the festival of Floralia.

Sounds like fun? Great! I agree. It was so much fun that Puritan religious leaders HAD to come in and tear down the Maypole not only in the U.K. but also in the U.S. There is a story that in 1627, Thomas Morton erected a Maypole in his field, brewed some mead, and invited the whole town to come over for a party. It didn’t go as he expected. Neighbors were appalled and called Myles Standish, a Plymouth leader, to come break up the party.

The Puritan parliament banned celebrations with the Maypole in 1644, along with Christmas (assholes), and none of the traditional pagan celebrations were reintroduced until 1661.

I feel it is important to bring all this up because, while ribbons have a long history, they were a specialty garment, not typically bought in massive rolls from the local art and craft store. They were so scarce and expensive that during the 16th century, the English Parliament attempted to restrict the wearing of ribbons to the nobility only.

In other words, no excess ribbons were lying around to decorate a 30-foot pole.

It wasn’t until 1836 that ribbons on a Maypole appeared in JT Haine’s play Richard Plantagenet at the Victoria Theater in London. As we are all aware, when our favorite actors do something, we tend to follow suit. The ribbons on a Maypole were seen as a way to recreate the “nostalgic make-believe land of ‘Merrie England.'”

Children of Stadhampton School performing at Chiselhampton House, Oxon, 1st May 1904

That brings me to my final thoughts—if you want a Maypole but don’t want to spend $200 on ribbons, then consider putting up your own Maypole. It doesn’t have to be 30 feet tall, fancy decorations, or expensive final touches. Hell, for the sake of argument, in this economy, you don’t even need to buy a pole.

All you need is your passion, belief, and open-mindedness to dance in your backyard and say, ‘Welcome Spring.’

Until next time, Keep Reading and Stay Caffeinated.

Subscribe below to stay up to date on myths, legends, mysteries, and the chaos I call my life.

Subscribe

If you’re looking for your next favorite read, I invite you to check out my book, The Raven Society. This spellbinding historical fantasy series takes us on a heart-pounding journey through forgotten legends and distorted history. Uncover the chilling secrets of mythology and confront the horrifying truths that transformed myths into monstrous realities. How far will you go to learn the truth?

The Writer and The Librarian (Book 1):

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Signed copies at:

https://rlgeerrobbins.com/product/the-writer-and-the-librarian-the-raven-society-book-1/

The post The Surprising History of Maypole Ribbons appeared first on R.L. Geer-Robbins / Author.

A Maypole with no ribbons?

Friends,

I had pictured the perfect Maypole set up for my backyard. I was heading to Home Depot to get the right size pole (it’s frowned on to cut a perfectly good tree down) and then on to Michael’s to get an array of ribbons—blues, greens, reds, yellows, and purples—something to distract the eye from the horrible yellow and green that my house is currently painted.

Ribbons scream spring if you ask me. From Easter to the 4th of July, ribbons and fresh-cut tulips are the staples of our transition out of winter. You can find them on Easter baskets, in crowns of flowers, on every baby chicken, puppy, or kitten, tied in the perfect bow. Hell, even Home Depot ties them around pots of flowers to entice unsuspecting buyers into paying $75.00 for a $20.00 basket of annual flowers.

And finally, you can’t have a Maypole without ribbons.

But then again….

I was surprised to learn that ribbons were never part of the original Maypole celebration. Now, before everyone starts throwing their leftover Easter eggs at me, I have proof based on eyewitness reports. The first recorded evidence of Maypole dancing in Britain dates back to 1350, when it appears that a tall birch pole was erected at Llanidloes in central Wales. However, it is important to note here that historians have suggested that the Maypole celebration might have originated in Germany and traveled to the European Isles courtesy of the invading forces.

But even before that, Anthropologist E.O. James suggests that the Maypole originated in ancient Rome. He suggests that trees were stripped of their leaves and limbs and decorated with ivy, vines, and flowers as part of the Roman spring celebration—the festival of Floralia.

Sounds like fun? Great! I agree. It was so much fun that Puritan religious leaders HAD to come in and tear down the Maypole not only in the U.K. but also in the U.S. There is a story that in 1627, Thomas Morton erected a Maypole in his field, brewed some mead, and invited the whole town to come over for a party. It didn’t go as he expected. Neighbors were appalled and called Myles Standish, a Plymouth leader, to come break up the party.

The Puritan parliament banned celebrations with the Maypole in 1644, along with Christmas (assholes), and none of the traditional pegan celebrations were reintroduced until 1661.

I feel it is important to bring all this up because while ribbons have a long history, they were a specialty garment, not usually bought on massive rolls from the local art and craft store. They were so hard to come by and so expensive that during the 16th century, the English Parliament attempted to make the wearing of ribbons a right of only the nobility.

In other words, no excess ribbons were lying around to decorate a 30-foot pole.

It wasn’t until 1836 that ribbons on a Maypole appeared in JT Haine’s play Richard Plantagenet at the Victoria Theatre in London. As we are all aware, when our favorite actors do something, we tend to all do it. The ribbons on a Maypole were seen as a way to recreate the “nostalgic make believe land of ‘Merrie England.'”

Children of Stadhampton School performing at Chiselhampton House, Oxon, 1st May 1904

That brings me to my final thoughts—if you want a Maypole but don’t want to spend $200 on ribbons, then put up your Maypole. It doesn’t have to be 30 feet tall, fancy decorations, or expensive final touches. Hell, for the sake of argument, in this economy, you don’t even need to buy a pole.

All you need is your passion, belief, and open-mindedness to dance in your backyard and say, ‘Welcome Spring.’

Until next time, Keep Reading and Stay Caffeinated.

If you’re looking for your next favorite read, I invite you to check out my book, The Raven Society. This spellbinding historical fantasy series takes us on a heart-pounding journey through forgotten legends and distorted history. Uncover the chilling secrets of mythology and confront the horrifying truths that transformed myths into monstrous realities. How far will you go to learn the truth?

The Writer and The Librarian (Book 1):

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Signed copies at:

https://rlgeerrobbins.com/product/the-writer-and-the-librarian-the-raven-society-book-1/

The post A Maypole with no ribbons? appeared first on R.L. Geer-Robbins / Author.

Beltane Reflection: Balancing Life and Nature’s Rhythm

Friends,

Just so you know, I did buy a lawn mower. It took me three hours to debate the price difference between a 120-horsepower and a 121-horsepower model, and whether I wanted ‘assist’ or not. However, in the end, I opted for the upgraded model and then had my husband cut the yard.

On the other hand, I decided to stain our weathered porch into something that didn’t look like a scene from a horror movie. It took three hours to rehome all the spiders and snails, and hours of kicking myself in the ass for taking on the project- but by the end of the day I had passed on the paint brush to my oldest and told him to finish it.

Really- I think it was a very productive day!

It is a race to the finish line. What finish line? I’m glad you asked. The Beltane festival is approaching on 1 May, and this year, instead of merely wishing to participate in the traditional ways of celebration, I am making myself do it.

It is a time of year when our ancestors believed the veil between the living and the dead was at its thinnest, allowing spirits to visit for a quick visit.

I’ll be damn if my home is a mess when they show up.

While Beltane is not necessarily my favorite—I prefer the darkness of Mabon—I am intrigued by its basic principles. This is the time of year when the earth is fertile, flowing with life and color, and you can physically watch Mother Nature take control.

It’s a busy time of year—cleaning, dusting, planting, mowing the lawn—but it is also the time of year when you can put down the phone and think. I was staining my deck yesterday. There was no music, no distractions, just me and the spiders discussing new living arrangements. But in those quiet moments, I also thought about what I wanted to do this summer.

Not necessarily projects around the house, but what did I want to do to better myself? Beltane celebrates the arrival of summer and new beginnings. It reminds us that we all must embrace life, a beautiful cycle of giving and taking, sharing and consuming, living and remembering the dead.

Some people might balk at the idea of making a spell jar, but for me, it is an intentional action that focuses on a desired outcome. This year, I would like to work on relationships. Not necessarily my marriage, but with my friends and family. I’m not great at wanting to go out, nor do I remember where I put my phone half the time, so I often miss out on phone calls and text messages. However, I do want the people in my life to know that I care.

At the same time, I feel that I need to slow down and take time to reengage with nature. It’s been a weird year of constant sensational news, civil unrest, and general hatred between people- I don’t want to focus on it anymore. I want to walk the forests and hear the wind blow through the trees. I want to sit by the ocean and watch the tide ebb and flow. I want to drink coffee in my backyard, watch the sunrise, and sip rum when the stars come out to play.

In other words, I want to rediscover the beauty of life.

Isn’t that what Beltane is about? It’s about finding your center, your personal May Pole, and grounding it. I hope these next few weeks of preparation for spring center you. I hope to spend a little more time discussing my first true Beltane experience, but on the other hand, I may want to stay in the moment.

Until next time, Keep Reading and Stay Caffeinated.

Subscribe below to stay up to date on myths, legends, mysteries, and the chaos I call my life.

Subscribe

If you’re looking for your next favorite read, I invite you to check out my book, The Raven Society. This spellbinding historical fantasy series takes us on a heart-pounding journey through forgotten legends and distorted history. Uncover the chilling secrets of mythology and confront the horrifying truths that transformed myths into monstrous realities. How far will you go to learn the truth?

The Writer and The Librarian (Book 1):

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Signed copies at:

https://rlgeerrobbins.com/product/the-writer-and-the-librarian-the-raven-society-book-1/

The post Beltane Reflection: Balancing Life and Nature’s Rhythm appeared first on R.L. Geer-Robbins / Author.

Getting ready for Beltane

Friends,

Just so you know, I did buy a lawn mower. It took me three hours to debate the price difference between a 120-horsepower and 121-horsepower model and whether I wanted ‘assist’ or not, but in the end, I went for the upgraded model and then had my husband cut the yard.

On the other hand, I decided to stain our weathered porch into something that didn’t look like a scene from a horror movie. It took three hours to rehome all the spiders and snails, and hours of kicking myself in the ass for taking on the project- but by the end of the day I had passed on the paint brush to my oldest and told him to finish it.

Really- I think it was a very productive day!

It is a race to the finish line. What finish line? I’m glad you asked. The Beltane festival is coming up on 1 May, and this year, instead of saying I want to participate in the traditional ways of celebration, I am making myself do it.

It is a time of year when our ancestors believed the veil between the living and the dead was at its thinnest, allowing spirits to visit for a quick visit.

I’ll be damn if my home is a mess when they show up.

While Beltane is not necessarily my favorite—I prefer the darkness of Mabon—I am intrigued by its basic principles. This is the time of year when the earth is fertile, flowing with life and color, and you can physically watch Mother Nature take control.

It’s a busy time of year—cleaning, dusting, planting, mowing the lawn—but it is also the time of year when you can put down the phone and think. I was staining my deck yesterday. There was no music, no distractions, just me and the spiders discussing new living arrangements. But in those quiet moments, I also thought about what I wanted to do this summer.

Not necessarily projects around the house, but what did I want to do to better myself? Beltane celebrates the arrival of summer and new beginnings. It reminds us that we all must embrace life, a beautiful cycle of giving and taking, sharing and consuming, living and remembering the dead.

Some people might balk at the idea of making a spell jar, but for me, it is an intentional action that focuses on a desired outcome. This year, I would like to work on relationships. Not necessarily my marriage, but with my friends and family. I am not great at wanting to go out, nor do I remember where I put my phone half the time, so I miss out on phone calls and text messages, but I do want the people in my life to know that I care.

At the same time, I feel that I need to slow down and take time to reengage with nature. It’s been a weird year of constant sensational news, civil unrest, and general hatred between people- I don’t want to focus on it anymore. I want to walk the forests and hear the wind blow through the trees. I want to sit by the ocean and watch the tide change. I want to drink coffee in my backyard, watch the sun rise, and drink rum when the stars come out to play.

In other words, I want to find the beauty of life again.

Isn’t that what Beltane is about? It’s about finding your center, your personal May Pole, and grounding it. I hope these next few weeks of preparation for spring center you. I hope to spend a little more time talking about my first true Beltane experience, but then, on the other hand, I may just want to stay in the moment.

Until next time, Keep Reading and Stay Caffeinated.

If you’re looking for your next favorite read, I invite you to check out my book, The Raven Society. This spellbinding historical fantasy series takes us on a heart-pounding journey through forgotten legends and distorted history. Uncover the chilling secrets of mythology and confront the horrifying truths that transformed myths into monstrous realities. How far will you go to learn the truth?

The Writer and The Librarian (Book 1):

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Signed copies at:

https://rlgeerrobbins.com/product/the-writer-and-the-librarian-the-raven-society-book-1/

The post Getting ready for Beltane appeared first on R.L. Geer-Robbins / Author.

My Journey to The Perfect Fantasy Garden.

Yesterday was one of those beautiful spring days that lured you into thoughts about Saturday barbecues, outdoor chores you ignored all winter, and planning a garden.

Now, if you know me, you know that I will spend $500 on books about sustainable gardens, seeds, potting soil, and containers and still have nothing to show for it by July. I am the type of plant owner who invites my sister over for dinner so she can perform the monthly maintenance on my indoor plants, which are slowly dying from neglect or overwatering.

Really- someone should save them.

I digress. Honestly, I want a backyard fairy garden more than anything—the type of garden that would make Martha Stewart green with envy. My mother and sister do it every year. I visit their homes and am transported to another world when we enter their backyards—the kind of space that invites you to put down your cell phone, grab a drink, and relax. And my sister lives in an apartment with a 20×20-foot concrete patio for her ‘oasis,’ for Pete’s sake.

Me? I feel pretty good about myself when I remember to mow the lawn. Every once in a while, I cut back some tree limbs and call it a win.

This year will be different. You’ll see. I plan on making my garden my domain. I will conquer the 1/4 acre and turn it into a showcase. What is my inspiration, you might be asking?

Simple – I figured out that the more flowers you plant, the less you have to mow.

The real reason? I recently have shifted my exploration of mythology into more unexplored territory for my newest book, and came across a Serbian tale that caught my eye.

Once upon a time there lived a maiden who was not born from mother and father but made by Vilas out of snow gathered from a bottomless pit under the light of St Ilija’s sun.

The wind breathed life into her, mountain dew suckled her, the forest dressed her in leaves and the meadow adorned her with flowers. She was whiter than snow, her cheeks rosier than a rose, she was more radiant than the sun; she was such as the world had never seen before nor shall it ever see again – ‘The Maiden Who Was Faster Than A Horse.’

Naturally, I had to do some more research. The passage was eerily similar to the description of Snow White and somehow reminded me of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1. You remember the lovely Veela’s that show up for the Triwizard Tournament? The one’s dressed in silky blue dresses, laugh like the angles, dances like fairies, and entrance all the men from Hogwarts? Yup- I think they were based on this folklore.

Back to how this all connects to my future garden.

It doesn’t- truthfully. I was doing research and decided that I was inspired to create my own ‘Secret Garden.’ I mean, Snow White had a garden. Of course, I think the Seven Dwarfs are the ones who cared for it, and I don’t have a team of gardeners to help me. But really? How hard can it be? A few hours of hard work for a season of enhancement?

I have no idea what I am doing. I spent two hours this morning researching how to start a garden. I got caught up in testing my soil for Ph levels and iron deposits. Then, I learned about the deforestation of the PNW redwoods, which led me down a very sad road about the state of our salmon fishing. I finally landed on a page that discussed the remarkable work scientists were doing to conserve local sea life, especially in support of the Killer Whale’s migration route.

Nothing about what flowers I should plant alongside my fence line- which is where I had originally started my research.

Now it’s 0730 and I just remembered I don’t even have a lawn mower to start this project. Guess I am going to Home Depot to get one.

Or…. I can just buy some goats. I heard they do a good job of cutting the grass.

Until next time, Keep Reading and Stay Caffeinated.

Subscribe below to stay up to date on myths, legends, mysteries, and the chaos I call my life.

Subscribe

If you’re looking for your next favorite read, I invite you to check out my book, The Raven Society. This spellbinding historical fantasy series takes us on a heart-pounding journey through forgotten legends and distorted history. Uncover the chilling secrets of mythology and confront the horrifying truths that transformed myths into monstrous realities. How far will you go to learn the truth?

The Writer and The Librarian (Book 1):

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Signed copies at:

https://rlgeerrobbins.com/product/the-writer-and-the-librarian-the-raven-society-book-1/

The post My Journey to The Perfect Fantasy Garden. appeared first on R.L. Geer-Robbins / Author.

Gardening will be my downfall…

Yesterday was one of those beautiful spring days that lured you into thoughts about Saturday barbecues, outdoor chores you ignored all winter, and planning a garden.

Now, if you know me, you know that I will spend $500 on books about sustainable gardens, seeds, potting soil, and containers and still have nothing to show for it by July. I am the type of plant owner who invites my sister over for dinner so she can perform the monthly maintenance on my indoor plants, which are slowly dying from neglect or overwatering.

Really- someone should save them.

I digress. Honestly, I want a backyard fairy garden more than anything—the type of garden that would make Martha Stewart green with envy. My mother and sister do it every year. I visit their homes and am transported to another world when we enter their backyards—the kind of space that invites you to put down your cell phone, grab a drink, and relax. And my sister lives in an apartment with a 20×20-foot concrete patio for her ‘oasis,’ for Pete’s sake.

Me? I feel pretty good about myself when I remember to mow the lawn. Every once in a while, I cut back some tree limbs and call it a win.

This year will be different. You’ll see. I plan on making my garden my domain. I will conquer the 1/4 acre and turn it into a showcase. What is my inspiration, you might be asking?

Simple- I figured out that the more flowers you planted, the less you have to mow.

The real reason? I recently have shifted my exploration of mythology into more unexplored territory for my newest book and came across a Serbian tale that caught my eye.

Once upon a time there lived a maiden who was not born from mother and father but made by Vilas out of snow gathered from a bottomless pit under the light of St Ilija’s sun.

The wind breathed life into her, mountain dew suckled her, the forest dressed her in leaves and the meadow adorned her with flowers. She was whiter than snow, her cheeks rosier than a rose, she was more radiant than the sun; she was such as the world had never seen before nor shall it ever see again – ‘The Maiden Who Was Faster Than A Horse.’

Naturally, I had to do some more research. The passage was eerily similar to the description of Snow White and somehow reminded me of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1. You remember the lovely Veela’s that show up for the Triwizard Tournament? The one’s dressed in silky blue dresses, laugh like the angles, dances like fairies, and entrance all the men from Hogwarts? Yup- I think they were based on this folklore.

Back to how this all connects to my future garden.

It doesn’t- truthfully. I was doing research and decided that I was inspired to create my own ‘Secret Garden.’ I mean, Snow White had a garden. Of course, I think the Seven Dwarfs are the ones who cared for it, and I don’t have a team of gardeners to help me. But really? How hard can it be? A few hours of hard work for a season of enhancement?

I have no idea what I am doing. I spent two hours this morning researching how to start a garden. I got caught up in testing my soil for Ph levels and iron deposits. Then, I learned about the deforestation of the PNW redwoods, which led me down a very sad road about the state of our salmon fishing. I finally landed on a page that discussed the remarkable work scientists were doing to conserve local sea life, especially in support of the Killer Whale’s migration route.

Nothing about what flowers I should plant alongside my fence line- which is where I had originally started my research.

Now it’s 0730 and I just remembered I don’t even have a lawn mower to start this project. Guess I am going to Home Depot to get one.

Or…. I can just buy some goats. I heard they do a good job of cutting the grass.

Until next time, Keep Reading and Stay Caffeinated.

If you’re looking for your next favorite read, I invite you to check out my book, The Raven Society. This spellbinding historical fantasy series takes us on a heart-pounding journey through forgotten legends and distorted history. Uncover the chilling secrets of mythology and confront the horrifying truths that transformed myths into monstrous realities. How far will you go to learn the truth?

The Writer and The Librarian (Book 1):

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Signed copies at:

https://rlgeerrobbins.com/product/the-writer-and-the-librarian-the-raven-society-book-1/

The post Gardening will be my downfall… appeared first on R.L. Geer-Robbins / Author.

What the TikTok Ban Revealed About Americans: A Cultural Reflection

Some would say leave a good thing alone.

Some might even caution me to stop watching the train wreck.

But I can’t tear my eyes away.

Now, in the less than 24 hours that TikTok was ‘dark’, I got a lot accomplished. Not because TikTok was inaccessible but because I had a gallon of paint sitting in my laundry room for over a month, and it was time to tackle the eyesore of my guest bathroom.

While painting the walls a lovely shade of ‘It’s a Boy’ (my son’s choice, not mine), I had a few hours to reflect and do some soul-searching. With an open calendar of not doom scrolling for half a day, what did I want to do to fill the hours? I came up with a list of potential activities- gardening, obviously finishing the three books I am currently working on, take up painting again, maybe even reading some of the more controversial books on the market to see what all the fuss is about.

Shit, I even thought about maybe going to a yoga class. In person. I obviously had the time.

Then I thought about what today brings—the official end of the last nine months of social unrest. There is no going back. We have a new President and will have to look forward to our future instead of backward toward what has gone wrong. I am personally not too heartbroken about it.

Without TikTok, I wouldn’t have to listen to the insults about golf swings and mental agility tests. There would be no more outlandish claims that one side works solely for the American people while the other side is trying to dismantle the country from the ground up.

Then TikTok came back online. Surprise, surprise. Now, it was in the politicians’ best interest to ensure that the most significant worldwide app had access to cover the big day.

How else would anyone know that we had a new president?

In case you missed the news- today is inauguration day. President-elected Trump will take the reins of this country once again, and, like all presidents before him, he has vowed to ‘fix the mistakes’ of the last four years.

This claim blows my mind whenever I hear a president make it. Let me explain why.

Four years is only 1,460 days.

A total of 48 months.

Most people can’t even afford car loans for only 48 months. It takes most of us at least 72 months to pay off a $40,000 car (if we can find one at that price).

But this isn’t about President Trump, the state of the American financial institution, or the fact that most people would be hard-pressed to start a small business in four years- let alone turn a country around.

I want to talk about the videos I watched from other countries celebrating the fact that the U.S. was no longer on TikTok. Everything from our metrics system to our educational priorities to how we talk was open for discussion. It was like watching ‘Mean Girls- only this time, it was directed at a whole country.

I didn’t know that we were so hated.

I mean, honestly, I thought we were sitting at the cool kids’ table only to find out we were the school playground bullies.

Apparently, our neighbors to the north really don’t like us, which is strange because they are always coming over to borrow a gallon of milk or some gas. I see more Canadian cars on I-5 in the middle of the day heading to Costco or the outlet mall than I do Washingtonian.

England is obviously still holding a grudge over the Revolutionary War. Everything from apple pie to moonshine was open for analysis on how uncultured and petty we are. Personally, I think they are just mad that we shipped the tea back and kept the coffee for ourselves.

Australia is mad because we keep making fun of them over the Emu War, where they got their ass handed to them by a flock of flightless birds. All joking aside- I do feel bad for those farmers. Can you imagine waking up in the morning to see a flock of 6’3, 80-pound birds eating your livelihood? How do you chase them off?

The whole continent of Asia got together, and surprise, surprise, body shaming was their go-to. Now, let me not lie—we are a country of big-boned people who do door-dash more meals than try to cook at home. But in our defense, fruits and vegetables haven’t been affordable since World War II, and the message gets a little confusing when gyms are promoting Pizza Night.

But what hurt the most was the general assumption that we are all idiots.

I mean, why wouldn’t they think it? We were the country that started the social media trends that are cringe-worthy at best and downright dangerous in many cases.

The worst ones? The nutmeg challenge where people swallow a spoonful of nutmeg to get high. Of course, nutmeg naturally contains a compound called benzodioxole, which is proven to enhance the effectiveness of insecticides and has a hallucinogenic property. Totally safe!

Then there was the Benadryl challenge, where kids (and some adults) were taking more of the prescribed amounts of the allergy medication to enjoy a couple of hours of hallucinations. Now, granted, the challenge did leave more than a handful of teenagers hospitalized, and one death did occur, but according to the internet- it did make for some great 1-minute videos.

And can we forget the Tide Pod challenge? I don’t even know where to start with that four-month run. I mean, talk about taking the saying ‘I’m going to wash your mouth out with soap’ a little too far.

Just like the TikTok ban opened our eyes to our politicians’ backhanded dealings, I think the ban also opened our eyes to how the rest of the world views Americans.

From where I am sitting, it doesn’t look good for the home team.

Until next time, Keep Reading and Stay Caffeinated.

Subscribe below to stay up to date on myths, legends, mysteries, and the chaos I call my life.

Subscribe

If you’re looking for your next favorite read, I invite you to check out my book, The Raven Society. This spellbinding historical fantasy series takes us on a heart-pounding journey through forgotten legends and distorted history. Uncover the chilling secrets of mythology and confront the horrifying truths that transformed myths into monstrous realities. How far will you go to learn the truth?

The Writer and The Librarian (Book 1):

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Signed copies at:

https://rlgeerrobbins.com/product/the-writer-and-the-librarian-the-raven-society-book-1/

The Under Covers Bookstore (UK):

The Writer and the Librarian | The Under Covers (theundercoversbookstoreandcafe.com)

The post What the TikTok Ban Revealed About Americans: A Cultural Reflection appeared first on R.L. Geer-Robbins / Author.