Paganism: Legends and Lore of Bees

For those who are interested in Paganism. As Beltane approaches, we become more aware of the signs of Spring. When the flowers bloom, out come the bees. Patti Wigington explains the connections of bees to magick. Enjoy! 

Peace & Love - 

Tater

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Legends and Lore of Bees
By Patti Wigington
About.com Guide

Bees have been the subject of myth and lore for ages.

Image © Martin Rueggner/Getty Images

In the middle of spring, a magical thing begins to happen outside. In addition to the greening of the earth, we notice a change in the local wildlife. Suddenly, squirrels and chipmunks are everywhere. Birds are twittering away madly in the trees, worms are popping up right and left in the soil, and everywhere you look, life has returned. In particular, you'll see bees buzzing around your garden, partaking of the rich pollen in your flowers and herbs. The plants are in full bloom at this time of the spring, and the bees take full advantage, buzzing back and forth, carrying pollen from one blossom to another.

In addition to providing us with honey and wax, bees are known to have magical properties, and they feature extensively in folklore from many different cultures. These are just a few of the legends about bees:

• In some areas of New England and Appalachia, it was believed that once someone died, it was important for the family to "go tell the bees" of the death. Whoever kept the bees for the family would make sure the bees got the news, so that they could spread it around.
• Ancient Egyptian pharaohs used the honeybee as the royal symbol, during the period between 3000 b.c.e. and 350 b.c.e.
• The Greeks believed that a baby whose lips were touched by a bee would become a great poet or speaker.
• If a bee flies into your house, it means that someone is coming to visit. If you kill the bee, the visitor will bring you bad news... Full Article

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News: Superman Renounces U.S. Citizenship

He has not, however, renounced wearing underwear on the outside! Enjoy!

Later!

Tater Scot

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Superman Renounces U.S. Citizenship

By Albert Ching,
Newsarama Staff Writer

Superman has renounced his US citizenship, and for a character long-known for "truth, justice, and the American way," that's big news.

Though DC's promotion of this week's 96-page Action Comics #900 centered around the main story — the conclusion of the year-long "Black Ring" saga starring Lex Luthor — it was a back-up written by David S. Goyer and illustrated by Miguel Sepulveda that's making headlines.

In the story, Superman is scolded by a member of the president's security staff for appearing at a protest in Iran, with the notion that Superman's actions reflect the positions of US government as a whole. As a result, Superman chooses to renounce his US citizenship, rather than have his deeds be construed as a statement of any one entity's policies.

Unsurprisingly, the story has been picked up by several national news outlets since the issue's release on Wednesday. The New York Post called it a "shocking pronouncement," and quoted DC Entertainment co-publishers Dan DiDio and Jim Lee as stating, "In a short story in Action Comics #900, Superman announces his intention to put a global focus on his never ending battle, but he remains, as always, committed to his adopted home and his roots as a Kansas farm boy from Smallville."... Full Article

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Paganism: Altar Maypole Centerpiece - Make a Beltane Maypole for Your Altar

For those who are interested in Paganism. Patti Wigington shares a creative way for you to make your own May Pole for Beltane. Enjoy! 

Peace & Love - 

Tater

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Altar Maypole Centerpiece - Make a Beltane Maypole for Your Altar
By Patti Wigington
About.com Guide

Altar Maypole Centerpiece - Step 1

Image © Patti Wigington 2008

For many people, a Maypole Dance is the best way ever to celebrate the fertility holiday of Beltane… but let's face it, you may not have the ability to do that. Not everyone can stick a 20-foot pole in their yard, or you may not even know enough other Pagans (or Pagan-friendly non-Pagans) to have a Maypole Dance in the first place. If that's the case, there's a much smaller alternative. You can easily make a Maypole to put on your Beltane altar.

For this simple craft project, you'll need the following... Full Article

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News: Ohio DUI suspect keeps cop waiting at drive-thru

I'm pretty sure this lady wasn't thinking "outside the bun" on this one! Enjoy!

Later!

Tater Scot

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Ohio DUI suspect keeps cop waiting at drive-thru

 
April 28, 2011 (NORTH ROYALTON, Ohio) -- Police in Ohio say a woman insisted on picking up some fast food before she allowed an officer to charge her with drunken driving.

The Plain Dealer newspaper of Cleveland reports police in suburban North Royalton got a call about a car weaving and going off a road at a little after 1 a.m. earlier this month. A patrolman tracked the vehicle to the drive-thru of a Taco Bell restaurant and pulled up alongside.

The police report says the driver had sunglasses on and ... Full Article

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News: Masked marauder preys on golfers' purses

The thief has been unmasked...sort of! Enjoy!

Later!

Tater Scot

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Masked marauder preys on golfers' purses
By Todd Wright
NBCMIAMI.com

Authorities have finally discovered the identity of a thief that is stealing purses at a South Florida golf course, and they didn't have to go far to find the bandit.

He is living right on the golf course — in the bushes.

Groundskeepers at Sandridge Golf Club in Vero Beach say that a raccoon is snatching up women's purses and sneaking into players' bags and stealing golf balls, WPTV.com reports.

The furry bandit was stashing his pilfered goods in the bushes, and when officials found the animal's hideaway, they found two purses, an assortment of golf balls and empty food wrappers.

But catching the animal is proving to be as difficult as getting out of a sand bunker. So far the animal hasn't fallen for the bait of food set in a trap.

Maybe they should try putting a purse in there.

The raccoon was recently spotted by a male golfer sitting on a golf cart and it ran off when it was approached. The golfer looked at his bag and saw that it had been unzipped.

The man said his wallet and a few golf balls, which were inside the bag, were on the ground... Full Article

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Magick: Popping Pills and Magical Practice

For those who are interested in Magick. Does taking prescription pills affect your magick? Deborah goes into her own experience on this subject. Enjoy! 

Peace & Love - 

Tater

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Popping Pills and Magical Practice
By Deborah

Since writing my latest article for WitchVox on Magically Cleansing Your Home, I've been getting the same question over and over:

Do you think that taking medication affects your magical practice?

My short answer would be: No.

For those of you interested in a discussion, I will share my thoughts with you here. Firstly, I'd like to say that I really dislike it when people are made to feel like they need to engage in secrecy and shame. If that happens, something has really gone wrong in my opinion. The fact that apparently a lot of Pagans/Magical Practitioners feel that they can't talk about taking prescription medication -- and need to hide the reality that they do take medications from the community -- makes me really sad. Taking care of your health and taking advantage of modern medicine shouldn't be something you have to feel shame about in spiritual circles.

So let's start kicking down some walls and lay it all out there. I have depression, anxiety, anemia and fibromyalgia. I currently take the following medications to make it so that I am a productive member of society: Prozac, Xanax, Remeron, Savella, Celebrex, Vitamin D, Multi-Vitamin and Birth Control. In the past, I have: gone to therapy and tried Kava and St. John's Wort to help.

The therapy helped immensely, the Kava and St. John's Wort significantly less so. In addition to my medication I use yoga, stress management techniques, japa/self guided meditation, massage, journaling and talking to loved ones to manage my conditions. I see my doctor regularly. She is very tight fisted with all the "fun" meds and I don't think I could get a Vicodin out of her if it meant she could retire on an island of her own. But at the same time, she treats my conditions very aggressively.

Even with good coping mechanisms, good medication and a good support structure, I still have days where I'm anxious and can't sleep and I occasionally have days when I am depressed for no reason. Sometimes my fibromyalgia causes me so much fatigue and pain still that I can't get out of bed... Full Article 

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Paganism: Spotlight on Walpurgis Night

For those who are interested in Paganism. On the eve of Beltane is the celebration known as Walpurgis Night or the Night of the Witches. How will you celebrate it? Enjoy! 

Peace & Love - 

Tater

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Spotlight on Walpurgis Night
by Elysia
Llewellyn Unbound

                  
Witches and Wiccans around the Northern Hemisphere are gearing up for Beltane, or May Day, this coming Sunday. Falling on Beltane Eve is a holiday called Walpurgis Night, which has long been regarded as the time witches would gather on a rocky mountain in Germany known as the Brocken. While Walpurgis and Beltane have similar timing and some common themes, Walpurgis Night has traditions, lore, and correspondences all its own, and happily, Llewellyn has just published a book devoted to this interesting topic: Night of the Witches: Folklore, Traditions & Recipes for Celebrating Walpurgis Night. In honor of Walpurgis Night on Saturday, I interviewed the book’s author, Linda Raedisch, to find out more.

First things first – Walpurgis Night falls on April 30, or Beltane Eve. How is it different from Beltane? What is its significance?

The oversimplified answer would be that Beltane is the Celtic observance and Walpurgis Night the Germanic. When you look back into history and prehistory, the line between Celtic and Germanic and even Slavic are not at all clear, especially in Central Europe. It was a long time before the Roman designations caught on and the peoples concerned realized that they were supposed to be different ethnic groups. If you could go back to Roman times, I don’t think you would see so much difference between these peoples’ celebrations of May Eve. Since then, the so-called “Germanic” version has evolved into a night that’s first and foremost about witches. In the Middle Ages it was about driving them out. Now it celebrates them. Among the general public, kids dress up as witches and devils just as American kids do at Halloween, but it’s also about today’s German Witches celebrating their identity. Unlike many holidays, Walpurgisnacht has a geographic epicenter: a mountain called the Brocken in northern Germany. Nowadays, Witches gather there openly, but they were believed to gather there in secret since the time of Charlemagne and probably before.

Night of the Witches is a rather out of the ordinary book for Llewellyn to publish, as it does not deal with modern Wicca in the least! That said, do you think Wiccans will still enjoy it and find something of value in it? Can witches celebrate Walpurgis Night too?

One of my few friends who actually read the book asked me, “Wow, how do you know all that arcane stuff?” For Wiccans it’s not arcane stuff at all. Some of the content is for the general reader who has never heard of runes or besoms or valkyries. But then again, since Wicca is essentially an English religion, Wiccans might find something new in the book’s European slant. It’s possible that some Wiccan readers may not yet have run into an Alraune or a Bilwis or a Drude. And of course, the crafts and recipes are there for everyone. I’ve noticed that modern Witches always seem to be on the lookout for gifts for one another – is it all those Sabbats? You can use some of the craft ideas in the book to make gifts... Full Article

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News: Argentina: bus drivers sought, no men need apply

There was a time when women were considered the bad drivers but not anymore! Enjoy!

Later!

Tater Scot

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Argentina: bus drivers sought, no men need apply
A town near Buenos Aires, wary of the screeching stops and careening turns it says typifies male drivers, has hired exclusively women to shuttle its passengers around.

The 28 female drivers hired for the new bus service in Vicente
Lopez Photo: AFP

"With women driving, the bus line is more family oriented, more friendly," said Rafaela Nuyl, 34, one of 28 newly hired drivers for the new bus service in Vicente Lopez.

The bus line in the town of 270,000, which has been operating since the beginning of the month, makes frequent stops at local primary schools, elder day care centres and a maternity hospital, said officials in Vicente Lopez.
They underscored the importance that drivers need to use kid-glove care when chauffeuring sometimes frail or very young passengers around the town.

"As a bus line that transports children and elderly people, we wanted to have drivers who drive in a gentle manner," said Luis Fusco, the town's top transportation official.

Officials in Vicente Lopez said there is no fare to ride the bus, which was conceived as "a public service" for residents.

It is relatively rare in Argentina to see any female bus drivers, let alone a town where women exclusively drive a city's buses, but Nuyl said her customers don't appear to have any objections.

"So far, I have not been on the receiving end of any macho behavior," she told AFP... Full Article

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Paganism: Floralia - The Roman May Day Celebration

For those who are interested in Paganism. Floralia, the Roman May Day Celebration is all about the flowers and fertility of Spring. Enjoy! 

Peace & Love - 

Tater

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Floralia - The Roman May Day Celebration
By Patti Wigington
About.com Guide

The Romans had a celebration for just about everything. Certainly, any deity worth their salt got a holiday of their own, and Flora was no exception. She was the goddess of spring flowers and vegetation, and one of many fertility goddesses. In fact, she was so well respected as a fertility deity that she was often seen as a the patron deity of Roman prostitutes.

Her holiday originated around 235 b.c.e. It was believed that a good festival ensured that Flora would protect the blooming flowers around the city. However, at some point the celebration was discontinued -- but it clearly took its toll when wind and hail did some serious damage to the flowers of Rome. In 173 b.c.e., the Senate reinstated the holiday, and renamed it the Ludi Floralis, which included public games and theatrical performances... Full Article

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Blog: Get Tater back-on-the-road Fund

For those of you who would like to help, I have set up a "Get Tater back-on-the-road Fund". 

 

I have been unemployed since August 2009. Since that time, I have used up all my savings and now my beloved 1995 Jeep is having some mechanical difficulties. It has been out of commission for more than a week. I have set up this fund for anyone who might wish to assist me in getting my car back on the road so that I can find work. 

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News: Termites 'eat £130,000 in notes from Indian bank'

Here's a story for your to chew on! Enjoy!

Later!

Tater Scot

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Termites 'eat £130,000 in notes from Indian bank'

Police in India are investigating claims by bank staff that termites had ‘eaten’ more than £130,000 in rupee notes from a strong room in a State Bank of India branch.

By Dean Nelson, New Delhi

Local officials initially sought to cover up the loss, but the disappearance of more than ten million rupees – known in India as a ‘crore’ – was discovered following the arrival of a new manager.

The notes had been kept in a ‘currency chest’ at the branch in Barabanki district, Uttar Pradesh, and officials were reported to be ‘horrified’ to have found most of them reduced to dust by termites when they inspected the contents.

Senior officials from the state headquarters and local detectives were called in to investigate the claims. Police officers, however, said they have not yet ruled out ‘foul play’ in the disappearance.

Geeta Tripathi of the State Bank of India said it did appear that the notes had been eaten by termites.

The amount missing could turn out to be significantly higher – each ‘currency chest’ usually contains up to 50 ‘Crores’ of rupees – more than £6 million.

Sunil Dwivedi, the branch manager, said the branch had been infested with termites. “We have been trying our best to keep currency notes safe but the termite problem here is so enormous that it would be better to move the branch elsewhere,” he said.

"I am not sure where the termites came from, but as you can see this building is quite old. Anti-termite treatment is now underway." Full Article

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News: Church Embraces Bribery To Draw Easter Audience

When chocolate bunnies aren't enough… Enjoy!

Later!

Tater Scot

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Church Embraces Bribery To Draw Easter Audience

One church in the Minneapolis area is taking an unconventional approach to recruiting new people to their services this Easter weekend -- bribery.

The Crossing, based in Elk River, Minn. is offering the chance to win a 3D television or a new Nintendo 3DS gaming system to those in attendance at the church's Easter worship service. The Crossing's pastor, Eric Dykstra, has no qualms about using the promise of prizes to attract a greater audience.

"I have no problem bribing people with crap in order to meet Christ," he says.

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Paganism: Easter Symbolism

For those who are interested in Paganism. N.E. Chenier gives us a great history lesson on the symbolism of Easter from the name to the customs enjoyed by both Christians and Pagans. Enjoy! 

Peace & Love - 

Tater

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Easter Symbolism

By N.E. Chenier
San Diego Symbolism Examiner

The word “Easter”

“Easter” is derived from the name of a Saxon goddess named “Eostre” or “Eastre”, a goddess of fertility and dawn.  The name recalls the words “east” and “shining”.  The primary source for the connection comes from the Christian scholar Venerable Bede, writing in the 8th century about pre-Christian pagan practices.  He found that the pagan calendar’s “Eosturmonath” (Eostre’s month) lined up approximately with April.

Other cognates of the name (including Astarte, Ishtar, and Ostara) all refer to dawn or spring (the dawn of the year).

Why is Easter so late this year?

Many are baffled by the shifting placement of Easter.  The Bible puts Christ’s resurrection the Sunday after the Jewish Passover, and Passover is determined by a lunisolar calendar that predates our strictly solar calendar by a thousand years.

Because the Christian resurrection is in synch with the Jewish holiday, Easter attaches itself to both the lunar and the solar cycles.  It falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the vernal equinox.  In 2011, Easter is particularly late.  This year’s equinox falls on March 20, one day after the full moon, so we have to wait at least 28 more days.  The next full moon is on April 17th, on a Sunday, but Easter is the first Sunday afterthat full moon.  So, we arrive at this year’s Easter on Sunday the 24th of April, just about as late as it ever gets.  

April 25th is actually the latest possible Easter, which can happen when the spring equinox falls on the 21stof March.  The last time that happened was in 1943, and it won’t happen again until 2038.  The earliest possible date for Easter is March 22.  The last time that happened was in 1818, and the next time won’t be until 2285.  We got close in 2008, when Easter fell on March 23.

Easter Customs

Easter dovetails with many other spring rites celebrating the rebirth of the earth after a cold, dark winter.  Goddesses figure prominently in such ceremonies. The pagan ceremonies still echo within the modern celebration of Easter.  The goddesses like Astarte, Ostara, Ishtar, whose names are derived from that source goddess Eostre, bring many of their symbols to today’s celebrations... Full Article

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News: #@*! Swearing really is a powerful painkiller, study shows

Finally somebody gets it! Enjoy!

Later!

Tater Scot

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#@*! Swearing really is a powerful painkiller, study shows
By Melissa Dahl

No pain, no gain, right? Actually, your favorite swear word really can help you fight through painful stuff, a new study shows.

Cameron Whitman / Getty Images/Vetta

Next time you stub your toe, go ahead and let those four-letter words fly. Cursing actually does help dull our perception of pain, research suggests.
In the study, researchers from the UK's Keele University asked participants for five words they'd likely use after hitting their thumb with a hammer; the first word listed would be their go-to profanity during the experiment. (They were also asked to list five boring words -- ones they'd use to describe a table.)

Participants were then instructed to submerge their unclenched hand in a container of 41-degree water, and keep it there -- while repeatedly cursing -- for as long as they could. Before and after plunging their hands into the chilly water, their heart rate was recorded. And after they could no longer stand the cold temperature, they were asked to rate the amount of pain they were in, too.

What's surprising is that the researchers had thought that swearing would make the cold water feel much colder, lowering the participants' tolerance for pain and... Full Article

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Astrology: Sun Enters Taurus, 2011

For those who are interested in Astrology. Anna shares with us all about the sign of Taurus. Enjoy! 

Peace & Love - 

Tater

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Sun Enters Taurus, 2011

by Anna
Llewellyn Unbound

Taurus, The Bull
April 20 to May 21

Modality: Fixed
Element: Earth
Ruler: Venus

Keywords: Stubbornness, perseverance, stability, dependability, sensuality

As a bull, you are known for your determination and willpower, but, taken too far, these traits can turn into stubbornness. You are stable and find security in routine, which can often make change difficult. Be careful to not let your unease with change rule your life. Possessions are important to you, with Venus as your ruler. While it is nice to enjoy the finer things in life, be sure to donate or sell old items that serve no purpose—it is always possible that your love of possessions is tied to an emotional insecurity.

Your friends know that they can always count on you, and you are sensitive to the needs of others (though the latter can make you prone to gullibility; be careful at times when helping others out). You feel complete when part of a couple; even though you are highly selective of your partners, once you find the one you will be highly devoted. Family is highly important to you; you have strong ties to siblings and your extended family, and you are proud of your children (show them encouragement and give constructive criticism, as you often have high expectations of your kids). Full Article

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News: The Gaga Saga

"Weird Al" Yankovic records a great new parody of Lady Gaga, who appreciates the “weird” but does not apparently have a sense of humor. Enjoy!

Later!

Tater Scot

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THE GAGA SAGA

By "Weird Al" Yankovic

I was really hoping that this blog entry would be all about me announcing the release date of my new album.

Sadly, it’s not.

In a metaphorical nutshell, here’s what happened.

I wrote and recorded what I thought was going to be the first single off of my new album: a parody of “Born This Way” by Lady Gaga called “Perform This Way.” But after hearing it, Lady Gaga decided not to give me permission to release the song, so… it won’t be coming out commercially anytime in the near future. Sorry.

Okay, now the long version.

I had written, recorded, mixed and mastered 11 of the 12 songs for my new album and was just waiting to come up with that one elusive “big idea” for a parody that I thought I could turn into the lead single and video. I was well aware that “Born This Way” was coming out, and I thought that just might be the pop culture juggernaut I had been waiting for… but after hearing the song, I was reluctant to tackle it. Because it was such an earnest human rights anthem, I thought some people might consider a parody to be in poor taste. Plus, I was really kinda predisposed not to do a Lady Gaga parody anyway because, well, that’s what everybody in the universe was already assuming I would do, and I hate to be so predictable.

But a few weeks later, a parody idea popped into my head, and I thought it had a lot of potential – enough to warrant telling my record label that I’d finally found my next single. Based on my concept, I was reasonably sure that my parody wasn’t really going to offend anybody… but I still decided, as an act of good karma, that I would donate all the money from sales of the song and music video to the Human Rights Campaign... Full Article

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Paganism: Beltane Countdown - The Green Man

For those who are interested in Paganism. It is a time of rejoicing, a time of new birth! The Green Man brings life! Enjoy! 

Peace & Love - 

Tater

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Beltane Countdown - The Green Man

By Patti Wigington
Paganism & Wicca - Pagan and Wiccan Religion

The Green Man represents
nature's fertility.
Image © Patti Wigington 2008

For our ancient ancestors, many spirits and deities were associated with nature, wildlife, and plant growth. After all, if you had just spent the winter starving and freezing, when spring arrived it was certainly time to give thanks to whatever spirits watched over your tribe. The spring season, particularly around Beltane, is typically tied to a number of pre-Christian nature spirits. Many of these are similar in origin and characteristics, but tend to vary based on region and language. In English folklore, few characters stand out -- or are as recognizable -- as the Green Man.

Strongly connected to Jack in the Green and the May King, as well as John Barleycorn during the fall harvest, the figure known as the Green Man is a god of vegetation and plant life. He symbolizes the life that is found in the natural plant world, and in the earth itself. Consider, for a moment, the forest. In the British Isles, the forests a thousand years ago were vast, spreading for miles and miles, farther than the eye could see. Because of the sheer size, the forest could be a dark and scary place.

However, it was also a place you had to enter, whether you wanted to or not, because it provided meat for hunting, plants for eating, and wood for burning and building. In the winter, the forest must have seemed quite dead and desolate... but in the spring, it returned to life. It would be logical for early peoples to have applied some sort of spiritual aspect to the cycle of life, death and rebirth... Full Article

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News: McDonald's grimaces at Happy Meal lawsuit

Mom, can I have a Happy Meal? NO! But don't worry sweetie, we are going to sue them and see how much money we can get! Enjoy!

Later!

Tater Scot

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McDonald's grimaces at Happy Meal lawsuit

SAN FRANCISCO

(Reuters) - A lawsuit that seeks to stop McDonald's from selling Happy Meals must be dismissed because parents can always prohibit their children from eating them, the hamburger giant said in a court filing.

The lawsuit claims McDonald's unfairly uses toys to lure children into its restaurants. The plaintiff, Monet Parham, a Sacramento, Calif. mother of two, claims the company's advertising violates California consumer protection laws.

The Happy Meal has been a huge hit for McDonald's -- making the company one of the world's largest toy distributors -- and spawning me-too offerings at most other fast-food chains.

But lately it also has come under fire from public health officials, parents and lawmakers who are frustrated with rising childhood obesity rates and weak anti-obesity efforts from restaurant operators, which are largely self-regulated.

Parham, who filed suit last December, is represented by the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a nutrition advocacy group.

In the lawsuit, Parham admits she frequently tells her children "no" when they ask for Happy Meals, McDonald's said in a court filing late on Monday.

"She was not... Full Article