Interactive Interview
Sat ,06/03/2010A good morning to you all! I had a bit of a crazy night, as I ended up falling asleep on the couch with my netbook on my lap. I ended up waking up around 2:30am and getting settled down more appropriately and finishing up my night’s slumber. Oddly enough, I just received my horoscope for the day, and the time I woke up was just as the Moon began to enter Sagittarius. Perhaps it’s not relevant to anything, but I DO find this interesting. VERY interesting.
I believe those who regularly comment are all in with their questions at this point, and I’m itching to answer! First however, in a nod to the title of the previous post, I thought I would share the video for the song on which it was based. From the 1956 film version of the Rodgers & Hammerstein musical, The King and I, the song and video for “Getting To Know You.”
And with that, on to the questions!
Erin asked: “Barring Neil Gaiman, because I already know what you think of him, what author, living or dead, would you like to be able to invite to dinner and have a discussion? Why?”
Ah Erin, my love of Neil Gaiman you know well! But despite the fact that he’s one of my three favorite authors, the author I would MOST like to invite to dinner and have a discussion with would in fact be Patrick F. McManus. In fact, it’s been a long standing life goal of mine to go fishing with him. Pat McManus writes humorous articles and short stories about the outdoors, be they categorized as fishing, hunting, camping, etc. His humorous take on everything from outdoor sport to childhood has always made me laugh, long and hard. Through the humor however, there is a love of the outdoors that shines through, and meshes well with the same love I have held since my own childhood. My father first introduced me to this author, and it’s been a long running “gag” that I get him a Pat McManus book every Christmas. Sometimes I would even let him read the book first! LOL. For my money, there could be no higher honor, than a fishing trip with this wonderful author and outdoorsman.
Mary asked: “How did you decide on following the Celtic path? Had you had experiences with other paths prior?“
Good question! I had little or no experience or knowledge with Paganism before a year or two, when I suddenly was introduced to the concept by somebody I had an enormous amount of love and respect for. This forced me to really stop and look at the topic honestly. At the time, she said I was one of the most truly Pagan people she had met, and in retrospect, she was right. Prior to this time, I had begun to open the doors of my spirituality to the teachings of other faiths beyond Christianity, and was finding both similarities in the teachings, as well as other teachings that I found meshed well with my understanding of what was both good and divine. After taking the time to open my ears and eyes to what Paganism was really about, I didn’t so much choose, as Herne/Cernunnos chose me. I realize he’s not reliably a Celtic God in the terms of the Irish Celts, although there remains a question as to if he may be so to the Gaulish Celts. I also adopted Brighid during this time, which explains the more Irish Celtic views. I find the druidic love of nature and lore to fit really well with my own personality. I feel a strong, deep affinity for the natural world, and this path seems to best represent and nurture that bond. At the end of the day however, I don’t follow a strictly Celtic path. It’s what I’m learning at the moment, but my personal path is actually an eclectic blend of Christianity, Buddhism, Paganism, Taoism, and will continue to grow and expand as time goes by. I think the best term one could use to designate my path, would be a path of mysticism and divine spirituality. I however, just choose to refuse to really label myself at all.
Moonwolf asked: “Of the four elements, which one are you most drawn to and why? Is there one, or does it change? If it changes, why?“
Another really good question, and one that I have been pondering since your comment hit. I also have been considering adding the fifth element, of “Love” or “Spirit” or even, if you follow the Discworld series of books, “Surprise”. Hehe. But you’re asking about the more common four, Earth, Wind, Fire, and Water. I think the element I am most drawn to is Fire. There is something hypnotic and powerful about fire. Its energy is readily felt, and is highly transformative. I work well with fire, and have a deep and unyielding respect for it. That said however, sometimes it seems as if Air is drawn strongly to me, often matching my moods and whims. Soft playful breezes, gale force winds, I love them all. Water has always kind of scared me. I’m not a strong swimmer, and have a hard time with water. However, when in its frozen state, I love and work well with water. Earth of course, is one that is always there, and is so necessary I barely even notice. Burying my toes in the sand, and enjoying all the gifts that grow from Earth. So yes, I suppose my favorite changes, depending on which element I am currently facing. I love them all, and I think this really helps balance and strengthen that fifth element inside of me, Spirit.
Mother Moon asked: “Besides people, what is the one thing that lifts your spirits most and why?“
One of the most uplifting things, besides people, in terms of my spirits, is something that is fast approaching. For me, the Springtime is something I am STRONGLY connected to. When the temperatures get into the 50’s, when the earth is damp, when the grass starts getting green, when the flowers start to poke out of the ground, when things start to grow, when the breeze plays across my face and tousles my hair, I experience such a state of euphoria that is nearly undescribable. When Spring comes, I feel the most alive, the most energetic, the most positive and upbeat. I walk around with a damned silly grin on my face, and I can’t concentrate on much at all except how fantastic I feel. This is the time of year I most enjoy walking through the woods, welcoming nature as it comes back to life. And I respond in kind, welcoming back life, vitality, positive energy. For me, besides people, THIS is the thing in life that most makes my spirits sing.
Rue asked: “I would like to hear about the kids. What are they like? What do they like to do? Climb trees, tea parties, camping? What’s your favourite part of being a dad?“
I have two children. A 5 year old son named Milo, and a 2 year old girl named Erin. Milo is a serious sort of boy, though underneath this he has a silly and crazy side that can be rather … rambunctious at times. So it is with ALL five year old boys though. Erin is a model of calm and cheerful, except when she is tired. She has always been the most peaceful of children, in terms of getting along with. They both like playing outside, though Milo’s love of insects terrifies Erin. Milo is insanely into dinosaurs, and knows more about them now than I ever did or probably ever will. I tell him he should be a paleontologist when he grows up, and he agrees. Erin has all the makings of a tom boy, though she also already has a major shoe fetish. I don’t know where that comes from. In a world of post divorce, the kids only really ever have each other on a constant basis, so while they get into their fair share of bickering and other assorted sibling rivalries, they are very close to each other. I love them both to death, though of course, they can wear me down so fast. I am trying to nurture more positive behaviors in them, and am looking forward to getting out the wagon and taking them on walks in the woods again. It’s something my dad always did with us as kids, and is something I want to do for my children as well. They’re both intelligent, and highly inquisitive. Milo thrives on fact based information, and has had an astonishing vocabulary and grasp of word usage since he was very young. Erin has a mind that is suited to complex problem solving skills with little information, and always amazes me with what she can figure out on her own. My favorite part of being a dad, are the moments when the kids are well behaved, and attentive. Receiving such a strength of love and adoration from my children, makes ANY and ALL of the more difficult parts totally worthwhile. There is no greater feeling when one of them will come up to me out of the blue, give me a hug, and tell me how much they love me. That’s really what makes parenting all worthwhile for me.
And so, with that, I’ve exhausted the questions for today. Please feel free, any of you, new readers and old alike, to ask questions. I found this experiment to be very uplifting and meaningful, and I enjoyed it a lot. I hope you will too. Now if you’ll all excuse me, there are some Jehovah’s Witnesses at my door, offering me even more literature to broaden my spiritual horizons with. ;) Wishing you all a blessed Saturday!