Q

Don't get me wrong, I understand that the official designation is "anyone who considers themselves to be outside of the heteronormative and cisgender framework," but do you honestly think of it that way? If someone said the word "queer," would you have any particular image in your mind? I feel like anyone who isn't simply "gay" can't properly exist, which I suppose I'm fine with. I used to consider myself asexual, but I'm reconsidering that, even though I still have no interest in sex. (Choosing a label confines you, and that one leaves you with no options at all. I want to be open-minded to every possibility.) I've also always thought of myself as genderqueer/gender neutral, but I'm fine with being thought of as male, as long as you don't expect me to play the part well.

I suppose what I'm saying is that I don't fit in anywhere, which is fine; I never have and I'm content that way, but I'm curious about exactly what the labels I halfheartedly choose might convey to other people. If you don't know me, and I say that I'm "queer" and nothing else, how do you think of me?

It's never been a big deal, because I have a lot more going on than just my gender and sexuality, but it is a part of me that I'd like to explore and play with more. Forgive me if this post sounds confused or ranting.

I'm curious if anyone out there sees a dash of heterosexism in contemporary Neo-Paganism? I know that Pagans today pride themselves on their inclusiveness of people of every sexual orientation and gender identity, but I've been wondering about this. One person in the radical faerie section of my dated copy of "Drawing Down the Moon" insinuates that there is a bit of this, and I'm curious if you perceive it to be true.

Even though there are few or no Pagans (at least mainstream) who disavow queerness, Wicca is the dominant voice in Paganism, and it espouses a strong male/female symbolism and depiction of divinity, and some Pagan groups go as far as to offer totally different roles for men and women. There is, of course, nothing inherently wrong with this, and it shouldn't be criticized in and of itself, but I've always been a bit curious--if you're not straight or not cis-gendered, wouldn't that be a touch alienating?

I'm honestly just wondering how individuals may have seen this dynamic play out, and I mean know offense by it. I respect everyone's path.

I could swear that, at some point in my comparative religion class, a tradition was mentioned in which the mundane, every-day world of the material as "the dust." I feel like this was part of a minor tradition like Zoroastrianism. Or, maybe I heard of it somewhere else. Either way, I feel the urge to go around saying it, and I'd like to be able to know where the phrase comes from so that I don't sound totally ignorant.

Thanks!

This is all terribly strange, I know, but once when I was in a shop named Esoterica, the cashier was telling a customer about a figure she said that she preferred to invoke over the goddess Kali. I meant to note her name, but I quickly forgot it. . . She said that she was a medieval saint, or at least a woman recognized as a local saint, who, the cashier reported, was later recognized by the pope as a demon.

I know this is a long shot for Yahoo! Answers, but perhaps there's an expert on medieval saints reading this who could point me in the right direction, just for the sake of curiosity. . .

I'm not Wiccan, and I don't have any special interest in witchcraft, but I do understand the numerous magical forces that affect me, and I choose to be aware of everything. I hear many people referencing the magick circle, and I've never raised one, but I've always considered doing it, because I'm so sure that it must create a certain sense of ecstasy. Since it's the creation of a sacred space, I imagine that it would give an intimate sense of the presence of the divine, so I've always wanted to cast the circle for prayer and meditation. I've seen many detailed, practical instructions on casting the circle, but no one ever seems to want to discuss the immediate affects that the circle has. How do you feel when casting it? What exactly do you believe is occurring?

I frequently see that on the labels of hygienic products--body wash, shampoo, soap--it says "Product intended for adult use only." I find this rather disturbing. Why?

Are many people in India superstitious? Do the majority believe in auras? About what per cent?

I live in the central time zone. When will I be able to see it?

In 2009, what is the date of Midsummer?

It the TV sitcom Sabrina the Teenage Witch, why was Jenny removed after season 1?

This is actually a poll, as I'm rather curious about the opinions of others.

Phookas are, as you surely know, generally portrayed as being unseelie.

However, I choose to disagree. Most of the phookas' evil is targeted at the drunk, and they never even kill. at least not since the days of High King Brian Boru. They don't seriously harm anyone, only terrify them. Personally, I believe the drunk well deserve this punishment.

Then, there's the good that the phookas do. It's not written about in many publications, since they've been popularly dubbed as "evil faeries," but they often worked on human farms, rather like brownies.

The only act they've ever been known to do that is truly unforgivable is their torment of livestock, but as often as it is an aspect included in their description, it isn't written about in the lore very often.

So, what is your opinion? Please justify, include sources, and feel free to discuss any other aspects that you wish. Thanks!

My teacher read this to us in first grade. It is a variation of the kind and unkind girls story (Aarne-Thompson tale 480).

In it, there is a girl who comes upon the cottage of an old woman, whom she agrees to help. First, while the woman is making dinner, her head falls off her shoulders and the kind girl picks it up and puts it back on her shoulders. Next, the kind girl must milk the woman's two headed calf. After that, the girl gets to collect a basket of egg's from the woman's chickens. Some eggs are plain and white, others are gold and adorned with jewels. The woman tells her to take only plain eggs, as those are filled with blessings, and no good comes of the fancy ones. The kind girl takes her advice and when she leaves, she cracks open some of her eggs and gets a beautiful dress, a carriage to ride home in, and a handsome prince to escort her.

At home, her stepmother asks her where she got these things, and of course sends her own child, the unkind girl, to get these blessings for herself.

The unkind girl laughs and puts the woman's head on backwards (I believe), laughs at the cow, and takes the fancy eggs despite the woman's advice, and is chased home by wolves and bees that came from her eggs.

I don't know the country of origin of this fairy tale, or even if it is a traditional tale or if it was merely a picture book made (relatively) modernly. However, the thought of it has been driving me insane, and I must know its name.

There's this hobgoblin. He thinks someone, probably human, is trying to destroy him. Does anyone know any spells for protection on another entity?

I DESPERATELY want a five inch tall, white gloomy bear with red eyes and no blood. I saw one, but one hand was missing its claws. Are these hard to come by? If they are, I may go back and buy it anyway, but I would highly prefer one in better condition. . .

I live in the U.S., by the way. . .

I was reading a faerie book once and it listed a different name for lemon balm, but I'm unable to go back and find my source. . . Does anyone know the name for lemon balm and the metaphysical attributes assigned to it?

Can anyone tell me the metaphysical properties of goldenrod? Any myths or folktales it is mentioned in? I already know all about from a medicinal and botanical viewpoint, I need only learn its metaphysical attributes.

I went out to look at the full moon tonight, but it was a normal moon. It wasn't the beautiful golden color attributed to the Harvest Moon at all. . . It was beautiful, but not golden. The Autumnal Equinox is next week, though. This is the full moon closest to the it. Why wasn't a it a golden harvest moon? I'm so confused. . .

Every time I attempt to ally with a tribe, I can only score a six or seven. What am I doing wrong? So far I only have maracas and digeridoos.

The folklore of Europe tells of many songs stolen from listening in to the music coming from the underground homes of the faeries. I've heard of known songs coming from faeries such as trows and Twyleth y Teg, both of which I find especially interesting. Can anyone give me links to sites that will allow me to listen to the songs stolen from the fey?

The three of them sit next to each other at a crossroad and look at me as my car drives by.