The Pagan Activist

Ever since the early 1970’s when I first became aware of such concerns, there has been talk of forming a pagan community. To my mind there has always been such a community though it has not always been publicly evident as such. For the most part it has been due to the repressive policies of the Abrahamic belief systems that have necessitated a hidden and thus a secret society.

Since the beginning of humankind, pagans have been about and quietly practicing their craft. Some have engaged themselves as solitaires and others have thrived within small and secluded covens or similar gatherings. In all reality this is what constituted a pagan community. Regardless of what approach one chose, the magickal arts have always been preserved and studied as such. Spiritual growth has continued to flourish in spite of the obstacles that it has had to overcome.

And depending on what era one lived in, these obstacles could well prove to be fatal.

And now with the indignation of religious/spiritual censorship being slowly cast aside, and with the advent of the Internet as a means of mass communication, there has been a call for an open pagan community.

This call for such a community has in essence been the first step towards establishing such a public entity.

However over the years it appears as if those who have expressed a desire to achieve such a goal have started to spin their wheels per se.

Granted there are small groups here and there who immerse themselves in their local projects, however there is little if any connectivity beyond their particular locales with other such like minded groups.

On occasion someone from the so called pagan community will be invited by one of the Abrahamic groups to participate in a meeting or a short lived council if you will. And these individuals will state that they are representing the so called pagan community at large.

However, in all reality this is a fallacy for the umbrella of paganism is far too diverse to be represented by one individual or one style of pagan related belief. And at the end of the day they are in all reality simply representing their own particular group and/or project without any authentic endorsement of the majority of those who call themselves pagan.

Folks will peripherally say that what these folks are doing is a good thing and then will go about their lives without any actual involvement in the process of the moment. And such involvement by the majority is crucial if such claims are to be seen as valid and not as the chest thumping that it invariably is.

And also in all reality there is no pagan community as envisioned by the Neo pagans of today’s society. In fact the words “pagan community” is euphuism for identifying those who have a similar interest in the magickal arts. But then that is where the similarities end. For the magickal arts encompasses a wide and divergent system of beliefs.

And this is where the lack of fruition in developing such an envisioned pagan community begins.

There is a fallacy in place amongst neo pagans that a pagan community can be fashioned after the same mold as used by the Abrahamic religions. As long as this fallacy is endorsed, I seriously doubt that there will ever be a realistic pagan community established as such.

I personally believe that this fallacy is a result of the huge and rapid influx of folks from the Abrahamic belief systems into paganism.

This is one of the setbacks of the Internet, for in all reality, the craft is not for everyone who seeks it.

To truly embrace paganism and to fully realize all of its potential offerings and rewards, takes discipline, patience and a deep desire to learn. In short it requires a dedication that is not very widespread in today’s society.

As we have seen from the multitude of bloated egos amongst those who call themselves pagan, there is a resistance to these time honored qualities. And yet, instant gratification is an unrealistic tenet of paganism.

With human nature being what it is, it is very difficult to divest oneself of one’s former beliefs in favor of a belief system that was previously foreign to them.

Within the Abrahamic belief systems is a centralized authority, a concept that will never work with pagans. There is an authoritarian rule that is male dominated that also will not work in paganism. And finally, though the various branches of Abrahamic belief systems may have slightly different approaches, their collective belief systems worship one male God. And this absolutely will not work in a viable pagan community.

And so why do pagans continue to embrace an approach that is destined to fail from the start?

Perhaps it is because of the familiarity of such an approach that originates from ones former comfort zone in the form of their previous religious/spiritual beliefs?

And so how do we collectively as pagans get to step two if at all?

I wish that I had the answers but as one individual pagan all I can offer is a personal perspective for what its worth. I personally believe that the closest that neo pagans will ever come to a pagan community is at best a loose federation, a gathering of the tribes if you will. Such a federation may want to consider a round table of representatives consisting of members from all of the various pagan disciplines. This would mean a loose collaboration of sorts amongst Witches, Druids, Voudon, Asatru, Wicca, Native American, Yoruba, Santeria, and so forth.

Is such collaboration possible amongst such a diverse group of beliefs? I really don't know, but without such collaboration all that is left is step one, where small groups of folks do their own thing without any tangible concept of community outside of their own local locales. And even within the same locales there will continue to be a lack of realistic cohesion, for each group inevitably wants to be “it”.

This is another aspect of human nature which seems to be amplified in today’s society.

Or worse yet we will have certain elitist groups and/or individuals claiming to represent all other pagans as a whole. Sound familiar?

Or another thought may be to stop putting so much idle talk into creating a pagan community per se and instead put our efforts and energy into our individual groups in the form of teaching the tenets that are necessary to fully embrace paganism for what it can really be.

Perhaps by these worthwhile efforts we will create a pagan society by way of accomplishing that which is more readily attainable.

In effect, changing the mind set that is our own worst enemy and which may eventually lead to our downfall as a societal accepted belief system.

Such an approach has worked for centuries prior to the onset of neo paganism. Why change that which is not broke in favor of something that may well be unattainable and which is for the most part based upon a concept that doesn't work for paganism?

The Magickal Power of the Spoken Word:

By Crick

Since most folks who identify themselves as pagan these days came from other belief systems, I have to wonder about the awareness of some of the basic aspects of magick. One of these basic aspects is the power of the spoken word.

What, you may ask, the spoken word carries power?

Well, think about it. When we do ritual we use the spoken word. When we do invocations and evocations we use the spoken word. When we cast magickal spells (energy work) we use the spoken word. And in fact, in some Circles folks enhance the spoken word by using what is known as the “God voice”. This is a technique where we draw a well of power from deep within our souls to forcefully convey the spoken word. This technique is similar to what a martial artist does when they draw their “chi” or “ki” forth.

For those who engage themselves in witchcraft, we use the spoken word to cast forth a curse or a blessing. I’m sure that other magickal paths probably do so as well, but I am writing from my own personal area of knowledge or comfort zone if you will.

And so obviously the spoken word contains a great deal of power within a magickal setting.

And the belief in the power of the spoken word is not confined to just the current New Age thinking, but is in fact an ancient and accepted tenet of magick.

One example in support of this belief which can be found from times of old is in the Lebor Gabala Erren (Book of Invasions).

As a rather brief background; during the first battle of the Magh Tuiredh, Nuada, the High King of the Tuatha De Danann lost his right arm in battle against the Fir Bolg warrior, Sreng mac Sengainn. The Tuatha De Danann had a code of honor in place that stated when a king became blemished he had to abdicate his position, for he was no longer considered fit to rule.

As a result, the half Tuatha De Danann, half Fomorian prince, Bres mac Elatha, was elevated to the position of High King. It was hoped that because of his mixed heritage that he would bring a lasting peace between the Danann and the Fomorians. However he turned out to be a very oppressive and spiteful king of the Tuatha De Danann.

After a short period of time, the Tuatha De Danann whom was suffering from the injustice of their High King turned to a trained Satirist named “Corbre“. The Druids of the time (and perhaps even to this day) had certain Druids who were trained in the magickal arts of the spoken word (satirists). By way of this magickal art they could inflict emotional, mental and even physical damage to their intended victims, regardless of their position in life.

As a result, Corbre was able to successfully inflict such damage on Bres, thus forcing him to abdicate his throne. While these events were taking place Nuada had his missing arm replaced with one made of silver by the Tuatha De Danann physician known as Dian Cecht. The son of Dian Cecht; “Miach” then transformed the silver arm back to flesh, thus allowing Nuada to regain his position as High King of Ireland.

And so as you can see from this proffered example, the spoken word does in fact have magickal powers. And if it can be used to bring down a High King of a noble race of Gods, how does this power affect the average person?

Many conversations these days almost always touches upon on how the world village is spiraling ever downwards. It is no secret that we are inundated by an ocean of negative energy which by all accounts is of our own making and is thus our problem to own.

I personally believe that much of this negative energy comes from the frequent and irresponsible use of the spoken word.

Think about it, how many times a day will you be the recipient of someone’s negative comments?

How many times in a day, a week, a month will you direct such negative energy at someone else?

And how often do folks stop and think, wow, perhaps I shouldn’t conjure up and direct such words of power without giving some thought as to the consequences of ones actions?

Judging from the ocean of negative energy that is choking the life out of society, I would presume that such careful considerations does not happen nearly enough.

The world village has descended to a level where instantaneous use of such a basic, yet powerful magickal tool is now the norm. For the most part, folks simply do not hesitate to vocalize a disparaging comment at someone else. Sending this negative energy out without any consideration of responsibility and/or awareness of what such energy, once manifested, might do to the recipient.

Now, as pagans, it is our responsibility to be aware of such a basic and yet powerful form of magick. It is our responsibility to use such power in a manner that is beneficial to both ourselves as individuals and to those around us.

We often pontificate about wanting to set a higher example by way of our spiritual pursuits and to make a difference in this worn out world of ours. Well, this is one basic way to do just that.

Just by being aware of the power of the spoken word and by applying such awareness and knowledge, we can stop just talking (sorry about the pun) about it and actually contribute some positive energy to a world village that is crying out for such a change. By being keenly aware of what we say to others and how we say it, we are in effect taking some simple and yet effective steps towards setting a higher example for others to follow. By showing such responsibility, we are exhibiting an alternative to the self centered, “it’s all about me” quagmire that our society has slipped into.

Of course as a simple Irish witch I realize that such an obvious and yet challenging change won’t happen overnight. But as a diehard optimist, I firmly believe that each journey begins with the first step. And who better to start such a journey then those who strive to understand and thus effectively use the magickal arts within their lives?

Isn't this is what individual responsibility is supposed to be all about?

Writers Bio:

Crick is the founder and High Priest of Whispering Woods, a Celtic/Faery witchcraft coven. Master Geomancer, certified Master Herbalist and 3rd. Level Usui Ryoko Reiki and Sechim Master. Crick frequently writes articles for Green Egg, Witchvox and Celtic Whispers.

Magick and Society:

by Crick

When two or more folks get together, the conversation inevitably turns to modern society and how decadent it has become. It’s no secret that since the early 1980’s the morals and principles we once took for granted are now nearly non-existent. This decline is not limited to the United States, though the US is the standard bearer for such a decline, it is now clearly evident all around this world of ours. We now live in a world society that is extremely self centered and in many aspects is quite artificial in relation to spiritual reality. The human population has raped much of Mother Earth to the point where she is starting to fight back by such means as global warming and of the dreadful consequences that such an adverse reaction brings. We as a species have become extremely arrogant and self serving in many different aspects in regards to the me, me, me, society that we now endure.

As a witch, I am constantly in search of answers to such a downwards spiral in societal values, which are no longer limited to a certain geographic area or population, but which now affect what is in essence a world-wide village.

Having practiced mysticism for nearly five decades, one would think that one possible solution is self evident. And that is that in general, Pagans should consider using magick or energy work as it is known by some to help counter balance the massive amount of negative energy that our self indulged human population has brought upon this weary planet. However this lends itself to several wakeup calls as it were.

The most obvious is the fact that a society has to have certain influences in place for it to go one way or the other. The Roman Empire found this out when they went down the path of self absorption and personal satisfaction at any cost. To my mind the two most obvious influences in place during their rapid decline and indeed during our own times were and are politics and organized religion. I personally see both of these institutions as the same animals but with different names. In my view, I see both of these concepts as implements of control over the population. And when such devises are allowed to proceed unfettered, well the results are fairly evident.

A simple example of this is trying to drive down an interstate anywhere in the world while doing the posted speed limit. You will need more then two hands to count the number of middle fingers that will be directed your way. Or else you will be gritting your teeth as some moron attaches themselves to your rear bumper. Which may in some cases, prompt you to return the gesture of the ever popular middle finger.

Such a decline in self respect and indeed, respect for others has come about because in part, these two institutions, which affect virtually every aspect of ones life are themselves in rapid decline. The power of the few has become the focus and priority over the needs of the many.

And in most instances, these institutions work side by side. There is no realistic separation of the two. You may have doubts about this but ask yourself this, can someone who is openly pagan ever become a president or prime minister of a country in our life time? Or even in two lifetimes?

The next thought that comes to mind is far less apparent and again it is in part because of the overt influences of these two institutions.

We now find ourselves in a period that some call the New Age. Where there were once small covert groups of folks quietly and secretly practicing their mystical spirituality, there are now droves of folks who for the most part find them seeking a level of spiritual satisfaction that was unattainable in conjunction with their former beliefs.

What was once for the most part a secret society practicing under a repressive and at times a dangerous state of organized religion and its partner, politics, has now become available to everyone. The internet has of course been the main contributor to opening the floodgates.

And as an undesirable side effect, we now have a deluge of 20 and 30 something’s who crow to the world about how they are masters of this or that discipline. It is the lack of discipline in a society that thrives on instant gratification that concerns me the most.

After 2000 years of blatant repression and a concerted effort by organized religion and their political partners to cloud the minds of folks to the mystical arts and all of its possibilities, well, I seriously doubt that there are any true masters of the mystical arts left in this world. This is not to say that there are not Adepts around who have devoted their lives to the magickal arts. They are around, but I personally think that for the most part they shy away from the pagan community in general. There are far too many issues such as bloated egos and drama for such adepts to take an interest in anything outside of their own comfort zones. And this is quite understandable.

These folks focus on what really matters in their lives to the exclusion of all of the emotional detritus that so many folks seem to savor in place of a more meaningful reality.

And so if my personal assumptions are correct, that there are no masters of the arts, currently living and that the small number of adepts that are around tending to avoid the morass of drama that characterizes the pagan community, what does that leave us?

The pseudo masters who have lived but a third of their expected lifetimes?

The reality may upset some folks, but many folks who now call themselves pagan, continue to put artificial material needs ahead of the reality of spiritual growth.

After some twenty plus years of teaching the mystical arts the one thing that stands out clearly is that many folks do not have the patience and/or discipline to apply themselves to the demands of the mystical arts. And this lack of substance affects the quality of magickal and/or energy work. An example of this is visualization. This is a basic tenet of energy work. And yet after two centuries of suppression, it is one of the most difficult aspects for a new comer to the magickal arts to learn. Reading auras is another basic tenet of the magickal arts which at one time was as basic as taking a breath. And yet I have personally met very few folks who can see that which is present quite clearly in their minds eye.

But then the purpose of this treatise is not to judge or criticize folks. Rather it is to raise awareness of where we are today as a mystical community.

Even if we could put aside our numerous ego issues and myriad differences, could we as pagans make a difference in the world using magick as we currently know and understand it?

Do we have the inner strength to admit that perhaps we don’t know all there is to know about the Craft and to find the discipline to get back to where we were prior to the predatory intervention of organized religion and its ever present arm of enforcement known as politics?

Can we attain the level of maturity necessary in time to make a difference in this decadent world society that we so often lament about but then do nothing of substance to change it?

In closing I would like to say that as an old man and old witch, I don’t see this change taking place in what is left of my life in this realm. But like many of you I also have children who will have to endure the spoils of our bitter crop. And while I don’t have the answers to the questions asked here, I do have hopes for your children and mine. And that hope is that enough of our children will wake up and see what is happening to Mother Earth and her denizens by the hand of her very own children. It is my hope that those of us who raise our children in the pagan ways will inspire them to seek a deeper sense of understanding then what we now see in the world village.

And that they will find the discipline and patience to become effective tools of such a badly needed change in the current waves of negative energy that is sweeping us ever closer to repeating the mistakes of the ancient Romans and indeed other ancient and perhaps not so ancient civilizations.

If not, then what is the alternative?

Of course there are some individuals who do make small contributions to try and balance the ocean of negative energy that grips this world, such undesired energy that we ourselves are responsible for. But when one takes a look at the insanity that passes for society, it obviously is not near enough. It will take the concerted effort of many, many more folks to bring us back to a semblance of sanity and quality of life for ourselves and our children.

And of course there are those who will sit on their laurels and say that such self imposed insanity is the natural way of humans. And to that lame assumption I once again point to the unfettered amassing of power by politicians and their partners, organized religion. These two institutions simply love such apathy by the very folks they seek to control. And so the downwards spiral continues…

Writers Bio:

Those Insightful Greeks - 1:

by Ishamael

The Greek mythology has many facets. It entertains us with its picturesque details. It inspires our poets and story tellers. It explains the mysteries of the universe through the beautiful stories. But most importantly, the Greek myths give us an insight into our own nature. They teach us how to act, and not to act, in order to be happy. The following series of articles purports to analyze, from an unconventional, and at times humorous, standing point, several Greek ideas which are still relevant in the modern times.

Breaking the Patterns

Uranus, Zeus’ grandfather was a very bad parent. He put his personal happiness above that of his family and incarcerated all of his children in his body. He was afraid to allow them any autonomy, so that he wouldn’t be deposed from his lofty position of a ruler.

Chronos, which many sources mention as Zeus’ father, and Uranus’ offspring, became a tyrant in his own right. He, who suffered from parental abuse and should have known better, repeated the mistake of his sire. Worried about his continuing leadership he chose to meticulously control his own children. He ate all of his sons, and was planning to keep them inside for all eternity.

Zeus, a son of an abusive father, and a grandchild of a tyrant, broke the chain. A few unflattering comments can be made about his character, but one thing was clear. Among the uncountable numbers of children he had, he loved everyone. Not once has it crossed his mind to limit their freedom out of fear for his own leadership. Even though his male side of the family trained him in the tradition of abuse, Zeus found inside the courage to rise above the circumstances. He judged his children according to their behavior, rather than the perceived threat. His relationship with the two godly children sufficiently illustrates this assertion. The ruler of gods disliked his son Ares for his militant character, and favored his daughter Athena, even though she objectively posed a greater threat to Zeus’ own dominion aided by her unfathomable wisdom.

From a numerological point of view then, Zeus' primary number is 6. He in many ways represents the ideal parent, who gives his children exactly what they need, rather than what they want. Ares, the god of aggressiveness, always demanded some kind of war from his father. Most parents would be too worried to refuse the requests of their beloved offspring. To them, denial of the child’s desire might indicate their failure in the parental duty. The case is different for those who have a 6 in their number. They wisely conclude that sometimes temperance is the best method of education. Zeus came to this conclusion during the Trojan War, when his blood thirsty son required more and more casualties to satisfy his enormous hunger for pain. The elder god knew that total freedom would ruin Ares, encouraging him in the unhealthy appetite until it was too late to turn back, and so he refused his request. Even while concerned about the tension between himself and Ares, the greatest of gods still made the right choice, as the ‘6’ archetype of parent often does.

In his actions, Zeus hence exemplifies the most balanced approach to breaking the patterns. He went away from the automatically negative attitude towards his children, but he equally rejected the temptation of overindulgence. Many a parent, raised in strict families themselves, will compensate for it by extreme lenience towards their children. Not so the master of the gods. He escaped the tyranny in himself, and the possible weakness. He didn’t have any role models among the elder gods, and yet, managed to develop a well rounded and utterly balanced personality.

None of us, regular mortals, can ever hope to match the divine entity with its numerous powers. But his most significant, emotional strength is in our hands. If we choose to use it. This is indeed the crucial factor. While we yearn for the freedom of choice and are willing to fight for it, we are often afraid to make the really important choices, if they differ from the familiar.

The choice doesn’t have to imply any physical action. It might be just an inward decision to change. A simple resolution to act differently would do, if it is likely to improve the situation. It is an incredibly great feeling to believe that we can change our own position. Why wouldn’t we do then just about anything to bring an improvement?

Possibly, because the deviation from the standard is emotionally uncomfortable. That is the reason we would rather perpetuate the bad habits and pass them from generation to generation, than stop and objectively consider them. In fact, many of us use our upbringing as an excuse to keep making the mistakes. We are only humans, so it is understandable, we claim to our inner critic and to others. We are right too, on both accounts. But wouldn’t it be better, in spite of our mortality, to embrace the greatest power of an immortal god, and change ourselves for the better? After all, our greatest right is not provided on a golden platter by our heavenly or earthly father, our government, or the United Nations. It is the right to be happy. We have this right from birth, unconditionally, no matter who we are, and only we ourselves can exercise that greatest of rights.

In the long run, Zeus’ emotional discomfort at getting away from the tradition was only momentary. His happy relationship with his children lasted forever and it was the direct result of his actions. He made sure, all by himself, to satisfy the strongest of his needs. His greatness, therefore, didn’t depend on any supernatural, undeserved powers. Essentially, he is as strong as we are, or as weak as we are, for he represents the human ideal. And if he broke away from the negative patterns, so can we.

The ancients teach us to roll with the changes:

By Nyna Shtern

As a metaphysical worker and healer, I work closely with stones and crystals. To me they are wise beings who know much more than we mere mortals as they've been around for so very long.

I wanted to share a special story with you all about an amber elder friend of mine. He was given into my care by a very good friend who has cats. She was afraid this lovely elder would get knocked off a table and broken so passed him to me. I was totally awed and flattered. He is magnificent! He's a freeform shape, highly polished, and about 5 or 6 inches long by three inches tall by roughly 2 and a half inches wide! He is a real breath taker! I was totally happy to have him in my home, and he has been a great friend. Still, he's taught me a wonderful lesson. I am not sure if I should say taught, as I already knew it, but as it is a tough one, it helps to be reminded, and he is a living reminder. It is about breaking/changing, and how it gives us new opportunities. How something may seem bad, but it depends on how you look at it. The thing may instead be a good reason for many new opportunities and adventures.

When I first got him he arrived in this lovely leather bag with tassels on it. I kept him wrapped in it to keep him from breaking. I wished to treat him with the best care. As often I tend to do when I go out somewhere I wanted to take an earth elder along with us when my sis and a few friends went to the mall. I took this amber in his bag where he should've been safe. I was walking across the parking lot of the mall with his bag in my hand, when suddenly and somehow I still don't know how it happened, he jumped out of the bag or slipped out or something, and crashed onto the sidewalk. Needless to say I was quite upset and blamed myself for unusual carelessness though I didn't see how it could've happened. Only a small sliver of him broke off, but I still felt awful and apologized to him over and over. He was fine about it, though. Didn't seem shaken at all. I made a pendant for a friend out of the small sliver that came off and a jeweler friend of mine smoothed down the jagged bit so he looked as if nothing had happened to him.

Well that was 3 years ago, and after that, as he was okay, I thought nothing else of it. Nothing save I didn't risk taking him out again. I kept him in his bag still, to keep him protected. I still took other elders out, but not him after that scare. Of late has been a quite busy time for me. We had some friends down for the holidays from out of town. It was quite fun, but during the visit a table of earth elders got knocked over. You all surely know how fragile fluorite is. There was a green fluorite point elder there that did not suffer a scratch. He was in no protective bag, but was fine. So were all the other elders. Only my large lovely amber, still in his protective bag, broke cleanly. I was shocked and dismayed. He is still rather large, though. He broke in a way that 2 thirds of the large bit is there so one third broke neatly off. Still the one third is a big enough chunk to hold in a fist and then some. I was crying and holding the pieces and apologizing to them for not moving the table into my bedroom from the front room. The guests had accidentally knocked it over, but I felt it was my fault for not moving the bloody table when I'd thought of it. I simply didn't think any mishap would happen. *sighs* But once more the amber felt fine. One bit was a bit more chatty than the other, that was the one third, but the other one just felt naturally more quiet, but still well enough. They both then wanted to be standing pieces instead of a large lying down amber. It worked as the way it broke left flat bits that they could stand on end. Tonight my husband, my sis, and I went out for smoothies at a local doughnut shop. It is a nice little walk as it is near our apartment complex so I took the smaller bit of the amber along in a pocket as he expressed the wish to tag along. He told me that breaking gave him more freedom. He is no longer in that protective bag, and he gets to go out. He seemed rather smug. *smiles* So it made me wonder if perhaps he'd meant to jump out of that bag years ago as well. Took two breaks to give me the message or to get it done right or whatever. I am not so sad about it now. The amber never was. On the day a few weeks ago when he broke and I was crying, he told me not to fret. He said he'd already been taken from the tree he grew in. He said, "This is not my original shape anyway. My original shape was being part of the tree. I was cut from it so what is being broken again? Not a big deal at all. I lost nothing, so do not be sad."

He feels that his situation allows him more opportunities and now I understand that. When I have something happen that tosses me on an ear, he'll be a standing memory to that lesson. I always know it to be true, but it is hard to remember when you're in the midst of something bad. I write this in hopes that it speaks to you in the way it spoke to me.

In love,

Nyna Shtern

The Magic of Making Space:

by Clea Danaan

I wanted him so badly, it was like my heart strained from my ribcage, trying desperately to hold him to me. Yet somehow my intense desire and love for this man lead me off the cliff of everyday want. I stepped into the void of being disconnected from the outcome: I loved him, but he was not mine to claim. He was his own person, with his own fate. I loved him so, I emotionally let him go, to follow whatever path might bloom before him.

Today I am married to him.

I wanted so dearly to find a home for my book. If only I could find a publisher! If only all my hard work, love, and desire to bring healing into the world could manifest in the form of a real life book. I sent off the manuscript, again, again, and because I wanted an acceptance so badly, I just let it go. My desire snapped the strings of control. It was out of my hands.

Today my published book sits next to my desk.

Whenever I saw a pregnant woman or a baby, my womb hurt, like a cavernous ache, a longing to be filled. My arms ached to cradle my own babe. My partner was not sure he wanted children. My moon blood came month after month. Again, my desire broke my clinging to a certain outcome like a diva’s tone shatters a glass.

My daughter just celebrated her second birthday.

Most of the time I am not very good at letting go. Terrible, in fact. I plan obsessively, lying awake at night, thinking. I write lists. Journals. Emails. I rearrange the living room in my mind, draw up plans for the remodel we cannot currently afford. I decide what I’ll cook for dinner at nine in the morning. I get an idea, I research it online till my eyes hurt.

But when I really desire some thing that I absolutely cannot control, yet cannot bare the thought of its not manifesting, I let go. I wrap my dreams into a mental balloon, and send it off to the Goddess to take care of. When I fell in love with my husband, I made a little shrine to partnership in the Love and Relationship corner of my bedroom. I left it vague – I wanted a partner. The Right partner. I knew it wasn’t really up to me if that partner were this man I happened to adore. I had to let go of the outcome, simply because I wanted one thing so badly, but could not control what came to be. So I put two red candles and pictures of lovebirds in the corner. I nestled hope and trust in my heart next to doubt and longing.

When I wanted a baby, I held in my future mind two equal possibilities: holding my child, and never conceiving. I made myself not buy tiny t-shirts, but I let myself look, and dream.

With my book, I knew that many writers never find a home for their work, yet giving up did not feel like an option. So I kept sending it out, and asking for guidance, and revising, and trusting, and fearing all at the same time.

Somehow holding the dialectic of possible outcomes, and trusting that what will be will be, is what is required to manifest something. To manifest, we walk a razor of All Possibilities. It is not up to me what happens, really. It is up to me to put the desire out there, and do whatever I can to open to possibility on my end. I went on lunch dates with my man. I repeatedly sent out my manuscript. I took prenatal vitamins. But in order to retain my sanity, I had to let the happening, the details of outcome, be filled in my the Powers that Be. In my letting go of the details, I made a space in my life for something to enter: love, book, baby.

Wanting, planning, and clinging to control must take up a lot of space in one’s energy field. The lists pile up, the plans take up whole rooms of mental space. They keep me awake at night, fill the car with words as I drive down the street, and hang off my body like extra shopping bags. When desire gets strong enough, though, those bags get too heavy. The chatter gets too loud. Enough! I scream, and drop the bags in River Letgo. Suddenly I have all this room in my energetic body, room for something new to step in and say hello.

The act of letting go is never easy. Certain things feel a little stickier. I want very much, for instance, to pay off my credit cards. How can I possibly let go of an attachment to paying them off? Letting go of the possibility of Paying Them Off seems irresponsible. Was letting go of a possible partnership with my love irresponsible? Not really. Then why is it so different with something like debt? It seems to have something to do with love. I could let go of this man, the baby, my manuscript, because I loved those things. I could entrust them to the Goddess. Can I learn to love debt? To love money, which for most of my life has just caused worry and pain?

It seems I must, on some level. Learn to love my demons. I must learn to love, not fear, the possibility of financial success, for example. If I can learn somehow to love my debt and my debtors on a deep level of acceptance and flow, perhaps then I can let go of my energetic attachment to that debt, and miracles will manifest to eliminate those bills. When I make room for love of money, instead of fear of money, perhaps then I can live in trust, and love, and all will fall into place. I admit, however, that I am not there yet. Perhaps letting go of berating myself for not figuring it all out is part of the equation, too.

Space, love, acceptance, release. These seem to be the tools of manifestation. Yet when we want something, those are often terribly diaphanous qualities, dancing just out of reach. Some magic of trust must occur. All will be well. All will fall into place.

How do we reach that space? My best guess is by becoming still, and tapping into immutable love within. That is my connection with Goddess, and from that space I can accept, and trust. The paradox is that by reaching for trust, I fall into the trap of trying to grasp at trust. Instead, I have to let go of planning and following directions. I have to just leap. Step off the cliff of wanting, and let the wind take me where it will. This is why we do ritual when we desire something, whether that be a lover or a new outlook on life. Dancing in sacred space brings us into intimacy with the Goddess and our own inner wisdom. From there we can let go of control and make space for the numinous to dance with us.

***

Clea Danaan is the author of Sacred Land: Intuitive Gardening for Personal, Political & Environmental Change (Llewellyn, 2007). She lives in Colorado with her daughter, husband, and two spoiled cats. Visit her at http://www.IntuitiveGardening.net.

Knecht Ruprecht, Saint Nicolaus and Santa Claus:

The development of German Christmas Customs from Pagan times to Christianity and beyond

We all know about the 12 holy nights. But the customs connected with them are very different. In England I saw for each of those 12 nights love verses.

The German custom is very different. The 12 holy nights were dedicated to Wotans wild hunting’s. And that goes back to pagan times, but people feared the wrath of Wotan far into Christianity, so this custom and belief lingered till recent times. Even in my family it was followed so long my grandmother lived, and that was until far into the second half of the 20th century.

Wotan had all knights who dyed during a fight taken up to Walhalla by the Valkyries. There they lived together with the Nordic Gods and Goddesses (the Asen) and the war maidens (Valkyries) the same life as they were used to on earth: Feasting, drinking, combats and all the merriments that was enjoyed during their lifetime on earth, only at a more grand scale and they were immortal. But they all knew, they would have to fight Ragnaröck at the end of times, the last fight of Good against Evil. The outcome of this fight was and is uncertain, pagan Gods were not all-knowing as in later times the Christian God proclaimed for himself. All these knights enjoyed Walhalla with the knowledge, that in this last fight they would perish.

German Christmas customs are connected with one of these knights. So Knecht Ruprecht, a rather stern and serious man, brought gifts at Holy Eve to good children, the bad ones received some hits with the twig of a tree.

Legends tell us how that happened. One of the greatest merriments for Wotan and his knights was the yearly big wild hunt during the 12 holy nights. And nothing was permitted to block their ways, so the putting up of washing lines during these 12 nights and days was forbidden because the horses could stumble over these lines. I remember that in our family we never washed anything during those 12 holy nights, even when our lines were in the attic and not like in past times on poles at the back of a house or at the village green. After the war that was a real challenge, as we had really not enough clothes to change, when they were dirty. But somehow we managed. Even in these modern times it was calling bad luck into a home, if one washed and put up the wash for drying. And to be honest, I follow that custom till today. I have a washing machine but no dryer, so I dry my wash on lines in the bathroom, and I would never dare to do that in these 12 nights.

I told already, that any man, who died in a fight, was taken to Walhalla. Men who died in their beds of old age or disease went into Hel's empire that could be compared with the Greek underworld and was a sad place to stay. So most of the inhabitants of Walhalla were knights. But as each man who died in a fight went to Walhalla and in those cruel times also serfs or craftsmen died fighting for their homes or against the enemies of their Lords or the attack of marauders, who were numerous, so they too were fetched by the Valkyries to Walhalla.

For one year’s wild hunt during the 12 holy nights, Wotan included a man named Ruprecht. I suppose he was no knight. (The word Knecht means serf in English). As he did not enjoyed the hunt very much, he fell behind ever more and so lost Wotan and his hunters completely.

He more stumbled than rode forward and felt miserable. It was a harsh winter, without the excitement of the hunt he began to freeze, asked himself how he ever could find the way back to Walhalla and how Wotan would react to his failing during the hunt. When his misery was nearly unbearable he suddenly saw a light from a lonely small farmhouse. He looked into the window and saw a fire in the stove, a young couple – the husband mending some farm gear, the wife preparing a meal - and a small boy playing with some of the logs, that were ready besides the stove to feed the fire.

The peaceful scene was luring him and he entered the small house. Of course the couple was terrible frightened. They knew he could be only one of Wotan's hunters, as nobody dared to go outside during these 12 nights. But the small boy was not terrified, but excited. The hunter looked gorgeous to him: The armour, the weapons and the unearthly power he radiated. So like any child, he was attracted. Ruprecht politely told the couple, that he had lost his way, was cold and hungry and asked if he could stay for a time to recover. Still afraid the couple invited him to share the fire and their meagre meal and the hunter accepted grateful.

But the night was long and Ruprecht got bored. So he took his hunting knife and a log and began to carve: horses and wagons and knights and gave his finished work to the boy, who never before in his life had a toy. Maybe Ruprecht was a carpenter before he joined Wotan and his knights at Walhalla.

The couple forgot their fright, tea was cooked and they spent together some amiable hours. They as well as Ruprecht just forgot about Wotan.

Suddenly the door was pushed open, Wotan stood at the threshold, full of wrath. Cold wind blasted into the room, horses whined, knights shouted and the couple fell onto their knees, awaiting and fearing the punishment for not being asleep during the night as was demanded too, so that nobody could see Wotan and his hunters.

But the hunt was good; Wotan was in high spirits and intended to go back to Walhalla as quick as possible, so that the spoil of the hunt could give them all a splendid feast. He came only to fetch back his lost hunter, Ruprecht.

Wotan was a just God most of the time and he had known, that Ruprecht was not really happy in Walhalla, feeling lost among all those fierce knights. That was the reason; Wotan had decided to take him along for that years hunt.

So he looked over the room, saw the frightened couple, the excited child surrounded by his carved toys and Ruprecht, who had just began to carve another horse, with a happy smile on his face. The first smile Wotan had seen from Ruprecht.

I told already, Wotan was most of the time a just God so he told Ruprecht, that he will have a different task in the future. He will give him a craft shop and for 1 year he has time to fashion toys for children. putting them into bags and during the holy nights he has to go from home to home and distribute the toys from his bag to children, who had behaved good during the year, the others were to be punished with some light hits from a tree’s twig and than had to prove that they had learned at last something in the past year and after that were to receive their gifts too.

Till today, the father or another family member in some families dress up as Knecht Ruprecht and hear the poems, songs, music, children perform under the Christmas tree and will get a slight hit with a twig, if some errors are made, before they receive their gifts.

I remember all of our families Holy Eves like this.

So this was the custom in Germany for many centuries. Christianity came rather late into these parts of the world and even than pagan customs lingered on in the Nordic countries, taken over as part of Christmas.

Holy Eve is the main day of Christmas in Germany till to day. Christian people attend a festive church service and after this the Christmas tree is lightened, children are admitted into the closed room with the Christmas tree, but cannot even look or opening their gifts before they give proof that they have learned something in the past year by singing a song, recite a poem or play on a music instrument.

And as I told already, in some families Knecht Ruprecht till to day is *visiting* and presents the children’s gifts.

This custom, added with some different Christian ones were followed generally in the Nordic part of Germany till some decades after WW II, when American ones by aggressive marketing and greedy merchants were slowly forced on us.

But many families, mostly the Lutheran ones, follow these Christmas customs till to day. Northern people are very stubborn, they were late in taking over Christianity, but one of the first to accept Luther's teachings, that was more to their taste than Roman Catholicism.

What was added by Christianity to these customs, especial in catholic parts of Germany, and how it came that we have Saint Nicolaus too, I will tell in Part II of this story.

A picture of Knecht Ruprecht can be found in the book *Struwwelpeter* from the children doctor Heinrich Hoffmann (1809-1894). To help the suffering children in his hospital ward, he wrote and painted a children book, and in one of the stories Knecht Ruprecht played a role. That book is loved by children till today.

Saint Nicolaus Day, 6th December, is a day, eagerly awaited by children in most German provinces. Before they go to sleep in the evening of the 5th, children put their careful cleaned shoes besides the door of the house or flat they live in. And I think no child ever oversleeps in the morning of the 6th of December, because they are impatient to know, what Saint Nicolaus has put into their shoes. Of course, these are small gifts, sweets mostly, of the special kind that is eaten only during Christmas times, and some small toys maybe. That has to fit into the shoes.

The custom is not limited to children. In many families all put out their shoes to be filled. 1 shoe for every person. Since the near past one can by special Nicolaus boots, made out of different material, from cardboard to porcelain. They are stored with the Christmas decorations and used only for this one special day.

The custom and the legends about Saint Nicolaus developed gradually, based on the life stories of 2 bishops with the Name of Nicolaus, both leading a truly saintly life and especial caring for the poor people in their surrounding. Folklore and miracle reports put them together and in peoples minds and believes they melted together into one person, despite both are in the official Saints calendar with their different biographies and about 200 years difference in their life times.

The first bishop Saint Nicolaus lived about 270 – 345 BC in Myra (today Demre in Turkey); he is too one of the 14 helpers in need and patron of seamens. Many tales about miracles, caring and helping are connected with him, but his real life is unknown and shrouded in mystery. Already 50 years after his death his fame as miracle worker spread, especial in the Eastern Church, that developed later into the Greek Orthodox Church.

He maybe died on the 6th of December as listed in the Saints calendar, and so this day evolved into our custom.

He existed as a historical person as well as bishop Nicolaus of Pinara in Lycia, who died on 10th December 564. The miracles told about him happened during the life of emperor Justinian (527-565) who ruled the Byzantine Empire successful, when West Rome already had broken down, conquered and sacked by barbarians.

Some of the legends tell about Saint Nicolaus love and caring for children, of saving a town from famine, of saving 3 young girls, giving each of them a golden ball, so they could avoid prostituting themselves to earn their dowry, as their father had demanded of them. He too resurrected a young man after he drowned and helped communities to prosper.

There is no possibility anymore to say precise, who of the two bishops did which miracle. Many countries made Saint Nicolaus patron of very different and divergent things and works. In Greece and all the Slavic countries, including Russia, Saint Nicolaus is the most worshipped Saint besides the Madonna.

East Rome with Byzanz as capital already formed about this time their own kind of Christianity and as both bishops lived and dyed inside that Empire, their worship is concentrated more in the Greek and Russian Orthodox Church.

Since the middle of the 8th century Saint Nicolaus acquired fame inside the Roman Catholic Church too, namely in Italy. So seamen from Bari in Italy robbed the tomb in Myra in April 1087 and brought Saint Nicolaus’ body to Bari, where Pope Urban II reburied him in the crypt of the Basilica San Nicola. So Bari evolved into the goal of pious pilgrims and the town profited hugely.

The cult of Saint Nicolaus spread transalpine through Europe, sponsored mainly through Teophanu, the Byzantine wife of the German emperor Otto II. Especially in merchant towns Saint Nicolas gained fame, as he was worshipped here too as protector of merchants as well as seamen. Till today about 4oo catholic churches in Germany are named after him, an exceptional famous one in Berlin, Capital of Prussia and now of Germany, where a whole quarter surrounding this beautiful church was called Nikolai-Viertel after this Saint. This is one of the oldest parts of my hometown.

Even the Russian town Minsk asked for a small relic of his body and received the gift this year from Switzerland. Which of the Saints body that came from is not so clear anymore. As I told, the legends melted together and made one person out of the 2 bishops.

The traditional exchanging of gifts at Christmas time is based on all the tales about Saint Nicolaus. It started about the 12th century around the 5th or 6th of December.

After Luther’s reformation some of the customs changed. Luther himself was against that tradition and replaced Saint Nicolaus with the Christ-Child as gift bringer, who too had this task in some parts of Christianity already. Luther eliminated Saint Nicolas as concurrence for Jesus and switched the date for the bringing of gifts to Holy Night, 24th of December. At first that happened only in Lutheran provinces and countries. The Roman Catholic Church with regional exceptions kept Saint Nicolaus. But even Luther could not prevent the continued worship of Saint Nicolaus, so the date of 6th December was given over to the custom of small gifts in 1 shoe for children.

In the middle of the 19th century his dresses were changed. From the saintly bishop with mitre and bishops wand, he now was clothed into a long coat with a kind of night-cup. That was partly based on a painting of Moritz von Schwind, called *Mr. Winter*.

A later painting, a caricature, done by Thomas Nast with the title *Merry old Santa Claus* was published at 1st January 1881 by Harpers weekly.

Christmas in Germany has more to offer than St. Nicolaus day with gifts put into shoes and Holy Night for another day of exchanging gifts with the pretext for children, that either the Christ-Child or Knecht Ruprecht brought these presents.

The 4 weeks before Christmas are called Advent (arrival) and starting with the 4th Sunday before Holy Night some special customs aroused too.

For these 4 weeks the Christian Church advised fasting, not so harsh as before Easter, but nonetheless it was done out of custom. So the Sundays were special, as for these the fasting was not valid.

In nearly every household we have an Advent Wraith; this is braided out of fir and adorned with ribbons, small Christmas balls, small angel figures etc. Each one adorns it to the own taste, even ready made bought ones, real fir or artificial ones, provide us with a real astonishing variety. The main feature that share all of them, are 4 thick candles. Starting with the 4th Sunday before Christmas family and/or friends gather for a small coffee- or tea party. Christmas music is played on the recorder, or if possible, there are songs or the playing of instruments. During this time one of the candles is lightened and burns for the time of the gathering. At the 3rd Sunday before Christmas the same happens, but besides relighting the first candle, a second one is lightened and both burn till the gathering ends. And so on over the second Sunday till the last, when all 4 candles are burned down.

In the last years one can buy equal wide but different high candles, so that at the 4th Sunday all have the same height and can burn out. The exceptions are the provinces Bavaria and Thuringia. There Christmas Pyramids are used; they have at the top 4 wings a scene from carved wood in one or two levels and 4 candles as well. The smoke of the candles turns the wings and so the whole pyramid is turning around. Some even play a Christmas song. These pyramids are hand carved, very expensive and often handed down over generations already. These very old pyramids are today very sought after collector items.

Another item we have in Advents time is an Advent calendar. In the past it was an elaborate printed piece of cardboard with a winter scene and 24 small numbered doors. For each day one door. These were gifts for children. Beginning with the 1st of December the first door was opened and behind them was a small scene, from winter mostly or something already a little bit connected with Christmas. Each day another of the doors was opened and another picture displayed. On the 24th December, Holy Night, the biggest window in the middle of that calendar, No. 24, displayed a nativity scene. This kind of calendars is very seldom now and mostly reprints of old ones, from about the turn of the 19th to the 20th century. Today’s calendars of course have not only pictures behind the windows. The calendar is thick; a box in reality and behind each window is a sweet or another small gift. Children today are not anymore content with looking at a beautiful picture.

Last year I found a very special reprint, a folding out calendar, with angels, Saints, animals behind each window, hanging on a cord and a kind of stand-up-3-D-nativity for No. 24, the Holy Night. We gave it to my partner’s granddaughter, and like in past times it is kept with the old Christmas ornaments to be used once more in the coming years.

And some more information you maybe not know. The first Christmas tree, without candles or adornments was used in Germany shortly after the 30 years religious wars ended. Later that custom spread, the first adornments were sweets or cookies, later in Lauscha in the province Thuringia a glass manufacture began to produce the first glass ornaments. The old ones are very sought after and fetch very high prices now. But even the products of today from Lauscha are very expensive, the glass ornaments are hand-blown and hand-painted.

In many families, where no bombs destroyed the homes during the war, these ornaments are handed down from generation to generation like the pyramids.

The first Christmas tree in Berlin was put up by Bettina von Arnim in her Salon, where the educated society met regularly for interesting discussions.

During a visit in the home of her husband in Germany, Queen Victoria saw one of these trees and brought the custom over to England. So it spread over the whole world, but the origin was in Germany.

Something more had its origin in Germany. The famous Christmas Song:*Silent Night, Holy Night*. For the Christmas Service in a small and poor village church in Bavaria the priest, Joseph Moor, born 1817 near Salzburg, and his organ player, Gruber, born 1787, looked for something special that would cost no money. So the priest wrote a poem and the organ player composed the music to that. They just intended to have a special song for their service and never dreamed that these simple words and melody would first spread over Germany into any church and home and from there with immigrants and visitors out into the whole world.

III

I intend to tell you now, how a pagan legend and the lives of 2 truly saintly bishops were used or better misused by Coca Cola to change folk legends and folk customs into a big advertisement hoax.

I told about German customs, but I know each European country had and in rural places has till to day similar or related customs. Town populations and of course shop owners, big or small, are very eager in merchandizing any feast to enhance their profits.

The population of rural parts in any country in contrast cling to their old customs and habits more fiercely. The question one has to ask is, how long will they or their children are able to protect all these different feasts against the greed of all the international companies, who made over each feast, being it local or international, into one mix in the big cauldron of money making.

It is so profitable to delete local customs, so that the entire world will buy only a limited variety of festive ornaments and foods for each feast and not anymore the manifold local specialities. 1931 designed Haddon Sandblom for the advertisement of Coca Cola an ugly fat grinning Santa Claus, based on Thomas Nast's caricature *Merry old Santa Claus*, published 1st January 1881 in Harpers Weekly. All following pictures are based on Sandblom’s design.

Knecht Ruprecht, the serious knight of Wotan, who knew he would have to endure the last fight of Good against Evil, Ragnarök, not sure if he will live to see the better and peaceful world, that in this pagan legend will replace our war ridden civilisation after a hart won victory; 2 truly saintly bishops, famous for their good works and helping people to overcome poverty, for miracles during their lifetime and more miracles after their death, are now replaced by a caricature created for the sole purpose, to attract more customers for a soft drink.

And it did not stopped with that. In the wake of the American occupation troops came the supermarkets and department stores, which destroyed not only our shops but even more customs, which belonged to our Christmas.

It is surely not known in other countries, especial overseas, that in Germany nearly all shops are closed on Sundays. Exceptions for a limited sale of some merchandizes are only in airports, train stations and petrol stations for gas.

In connection with this law we had another Christmas custom. During Advent time the last 3 Sundays before Christmas, shops were permitted to open from noon to 8 p.m. These Sundays were called: Copper Sunday, Silver Sunday and Golden Sunday.

The most important one was Copper Sunday, 3 weeks before Christmas. The reason? Another custom that was never broken for almost 1 century. Copper Sunday was the first day before Christmas, when shops adorned their shop windows for Christmas and began to sell all Christmas related items. I remember as a child and even as a young woman, I could barely await that day. At noon, some minutes before opening time, shadows and curtains were drawn back from the shop windows and we could admire the fanciful Christmas decorations each shop had. There was no merchandize in these windows, only beautiful decorations, as each shop tried to outshine the neighbour shop. There were old and cherished nativities in the windows, fairy tale scenes, Knecht Ruprecht, angels, the precious glass Christmas balls and figurines from Lauscha, placed on a small or big Christmas tree, depending on the windows size, together with electric candles. Real trees, nobody of us had ever seen a fake one at that time. All these decorations belonged to the shop owners, who kept them safe year after year. This too was the first day when it was permitted to sell all the special Christmas sweets: Spekulatius, Dominosteine, Printen, heart sized Lebkuchen, chocolates formed like Knecht Ruprecht, wrapped in glitter paper simulating his clothes, Lebkuchen too formed like Ruprecht with a picture of him pasted on that cookie and Dresdner Stollen. (Sorry, there is no possibility to translate the names of these sweets).

Most bakeries made their own. Expensive shops bought them in Nuremberg, the town that is famous for the best tasting Christmas sweets and equal famous for the best Christmas market in Germany.

Of course, the Christmas markets opened on Copper Sunday too. Each village, each town, small or big, had its own Christmas market. Advent songs were played in the shops and at the market.

The real Christmas-Songs like *Silent Night, Holy Night* and some more, were only played at Holy Night and the 2 following days.

That was all really like heaven, the first bite into a Spekulatius after one year of abstinence, all the beautiful things to see and the careful choice, what to buy, because money was scare, but anyone had saved to buy something on these 3 Sundays.

And the Christmas market, filled with music, stalls with more of the sweets added by mulled wine or tea for the children. Old merry go rounds with hand carved and hand paintend horses and coaches, dragons and other fancy animals, hand organs, little games to win small Christmas gifts, and the stall owners let the children win, even if they were not so lucky to have a hit with a ball or at another game.

I loved Christmas And now I hate it!

The change came slowly, but each year we lost more. Christmas sweets fill the shelves of Supermarkets already in the first days of September, window decorations from plastic, which goes into the trash. But most supermarkets have pasted their windows closed with advertisements, they have no space anymore for a beautiful display. Christmas songs blaring already in November so loud, one cannot understand one word anymore. That fat Santa Claus is everywhere, pictures of him pasted besides the merchandize he tries to lure people to buy.

Students in disguise, with cushions to make them fat, trying to herd people into supermarkets and department stores, all kind of Kitsch decorated with Santa Claus, even bed linen.

When Christmas is there at last, adults as well as children are fed up with all of it.

No wonder so many Germans now travel over Christmas into warm countries, preferable Islamic ones, to escape that nightmare, which once was a cherished and eager awaited holy feast.

We were never used to such aggressive marketing and advertising. It came above us in the wake of the American occupation troops. Why could they not keep their customs for themselves instead of destroying ours year by year ever more?

Christmas is turned over into a big money making event to feed the profit greed of shareholders.

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