Chicken Dumpling Stew

Ingredients

• 1 chicken, cut into 8 pieces

• 4 medium carrots, sliced

• 1/2 cup chopped celery

• 1/4 cup chopped onion

• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, divided

• 1/4 teaspoons each black pepper and oregano

• 3 medium potatoes, chopped

• 1 1/4 cups chicken broth

• 3 cups all-purpose flour

• 1/4 cup vegetable shortening melted

• 2 large eggs

• 1 cup cold water

• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh parsley, optional

Preparation

• For stew, combine chicken, carrots, celery, onion, 1/2 teaspoon salt, black pepper and oregano in a Dutch oven. Add enough water to cover. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low.

Celebrating paganism with a winter solstice
A solstice is the celebration of the sun’s rebirth. Every year, Sudbury’s pagan community celebrates a summer and winter solstice, noting the longest and shortest days of the year.

Kristan Cannon-Nixon, one of five organizers who helps run both annual events, said its a way for pagans of all denominations to celebrate their beliefs together, and celebrate the shifting of seasons as it’s happening.

‘Goddess Temple’ planned at Wellsprings
ASHLAND — Nearly 20 local women plan to open an Ashland Goddess Temple dedicated to the “sacred feminine” in a dome at Jackson Wellsprings north of town.

The temple, founded by Graell Corsini and 18 others, will open under a full moon on the spring equinox, the women say.

It will enshrine the great goddess mother of ancient times, working in equal partnership with the “sacred masculine” God to “celebrate the divinity in everything,” Corsini said.

‘I’m Not A Witch’ Picked As Top Quote Of Year
Christine O’Donnell’s TV ad declaration “I’m not a witch” during her U.S. Senate campaign topped this year’s best quotes, according to a Yale University librarian.

O’Donnell’s quote is cited by Fred Shapiro, associate librarian at Yale Law School, who released his fifth annual list of the most notable quotations of the year. In the ad, O’Donnell was responding to reports of her revelations that she had dabbled in witchcraft years ago. Read full story from npr.org

Historic Holy Thorn tree cut down in Glastonbury
A historic tree of religious significance in Glastonbury has been cut down overnight, prompting a police investigation.

The Holy Thorn tree on Wearyall Hill is thought to have been planted by Joseph of Arimathea nearly 2,000 years ago.

Wendy Plumtree, who lives nearby, said: “It’s like one of those moments where you close the door again and open it to see if your eyes are deceiving you.” Read full story from bbc.co.uk

The Cancun “Green Dragon” Freak Out!
Remember how I mentioned the invocation of the Mayan goddess Ixchel at the opening of the U.N. Climate Change Conference in Cancun, Mexico? At the time I noted that it would most likely confirm the greatest fears of those conservative Christians who see environmentalism as a stalking horse for Pagan religion, a “Green Dragon” that must be opposed. Read full story from wildhunt.org

Pagan prisoners and press prejudices
The Metro’s news room yesterday must have echoed to the sound of the bottom of barrels being scraped, as the paper chose to put a story about the rights of Pagan prisoners on today’s front page (7 December).

Reindeer ‘cruelty’ slammed by rights group Reindeer are being tormented when slaughtered, according to the animal rights organisation World Society for Protection of Animals (WSPA).

• Dead goat scares recycling depot visitors (31 Oct 10)
• Outrage after rabbit slaughter broadcast (28 Oct 10)
• 17,000 minks set free in southern Sweden (4 Oct 10)

WSPA released a video on Monday that shows reindeer in distress when herded and transported, and while at the slaughterhouse.

Pagan prisoners given time off to worship the Sun God
Hundreds of criminals are to be given four days a year off prison work - to celebrate pagan festivals.

Prison governors have been issued with a list of eight annual pagan holidays and told pagan inmates can choose four to celebrate.

The festivals include Imbolc - The Festival of the Lactating Sheep - which falls on February 1 and is dedicated to the goddess Brighid. Read full story from dailymail.co.uk

A season for everyone
ST. GEORGE - Christmas may dominate the holiday schedule, but December is a special and spiritual month for many local residents, regardless of their religious beliefs.

Cedar City resident Melanie Cottam is clear evidence of that.

Though her Cedar City home is adorned with wreaths, candles and even a decorated tree, Cottam said she doesn’t focus her celebrations on Christmas each winter. As a pagan, she and her family observe a different December celebration. Read full story from thespectrum.com

Happy Friday everyone! Instead of posting just news everyday, I’ve decided to throw something new into the mix. While I like hearing about all the craziness in the world, I need a break from it too. So here you have it…Friday’s Food For Thought.

With the weather being so cold, I’m thinking a good Beef Stew is in order for the upcoming weekend.

Beef Stew with Parsnips

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 pounds stew beef, cubed