HATE AND FIRE

                                     ARE BOTH

                           FOUR LETTER WORDS

                                     C. S. Roberts, 2026 all rights reserved                                                      

 

Like arson hate begins as a targeted thing.  But, like a wildfire, hate will spread until it consumes the innocent. Like fire, hate often overtakes unintentional targets. Let’s talk about that.

Hate usually chooses a target while natural Fire does not choose.

Hate grows and spreads, so does Fire.

Hate causes flashovers that consume all it can devour as does Fire.

Hate will suck all the oxygen in the area so that bad decisions are made, Fire does that too.

Hate will smolder as does Fire, making both easy to restart. Once hate becomes its own, living thing, it too no longer chooses.

Hate’s intense, deep-seated biases and prejudices are the feelings that fuel the fires of this too often unrestrained emotion. It is driven by anger, contempt and disgust for anything or anyone that is perceived as different. These things can be a lifestyle, a belief, an action (usually misunderstood, misinterpreted or an unfounded assumption.) All of this is usually drawn from someone’s past. Whether born of abuse, manipulation, a toxic environment or devaluation, the stage is set for those persons to attack from their damaged past. Some folks realize this and strive to become better people but, more and more often, they do not.

To try to make themselves feel better they strike out in much the same way they were hurt in the first place, quite frequently not even realizing exactly what they are doing or why they are doing it. Soon, they meet others of like mind and heart, thus the smoldering embers of resentment burst into a conflagration of ugliness that will soon burst into the flames of unbridled hatred. As their coalition grows, the flames (of hatred) get hotter and less controlled.  This is as large a problem as a raging wildfire bent on consuming as much acreage as possible. It doesn’t choose what or where it burns, it just consumes. Hatred does the exact same thing. It is a conflagration of the mind, of the heart and, here’s the clencher, it also destroys the vessel in which it is housed. That vessel being you, the person holding all that hate.

This brings us to the question of how to stem the rampant spread of the stuff. With fire it is a relatively easy thing to remove one or more of the things that keep it going, fuel, oxygen and/or heat. With hate it becomes a very personal battle.

The dissolving of this oh so toxic emotion starts from within, down deep where it first began. Hate is not an emotion that is born with us, it is taught. This damaging lesson is brought about by many different things such as how we are treated as well as what we hear and see as children. The treatment we endure as we become thinking people. What we see as love. If we grow up in a hurtful, malignant unhealthy environment we can be deeply damaged.

The initial damage is not truly on us, however, to grow and learn enough to realize that it was such is, most definitely ours to recognize and do something about. From our deepest heart and mind most of us feel that something is not right, something is off and needs looking into. This is where healing starts because once you become consciously aware of these things, you CANNOT become unaware of them. Your job then is to figure out what is going on. Aks yourself where it came from and why do you think you hold on to it. Does it make you feel better to hurt others? Does it give you a sense of control? A sense of power over someone you see as less than? If so, I strongly suggest you find a therapist to help you see how to heal those feelings. Why? Because they breed hatred.

Here are some guidelines to give you some ideas of how to help yourself and turn the broken parts into healthy, helpful thoughts and actions. WARNING; DON’T TRY ALL OF THESE AT ONCE. You will overwhelm yourself and fail. Take what time you need. You didn’t get in this situation overnight, you can’t solve it quickly.

As I said in the paragraph before this one, Educate yourself about you. Go ahead and ask yourself the hard questions. Pull your demons (kicking and screaming) into the light, that’s where they dissolve. Is it painful? Yes, AND it is healing because once you realize you aren’t alone in what feels like a hole you can’t get out of, you start to see light where you thought there wasn’t any.

Learn compassion and true caring for yourself as the miracle of life that you are. Most of us (especially women) were taught self- deprecation and to always put ourselves last in all things. How familiar is this, “Take care of your family first and then, if you have anything left, take care of you.” I tell you here that you can’t serve from an empty vessel. You MUST fill yourself so that you have strength and stamina for others. If you feel good about you, then this feeling shines out to others. Learn gratitude and appreciation for all that you have and all that you are. This lifts your spirits and the spirits of everyone around you. This positivity and gratitude crowd out feelings of resentment, jealousy and envy which are the building block of hate. Practice mindfulness about everything you do. Being mindful focused on good things rather than things that make you feel anxious.

Own your mistakes and learn from them. That is how we, as thinking people grow, learn better and do better. Without mistakes we would never know what went wrong in any given scenario. Own what is yours and don’t try to blame others. Blaming others is a sure way not to learn anything.

STOP DOOM SCROLLONG

Next, look long and hard at your personal biases and prejudices. Understand that these are learned behaviors. Anything learned can be unlearned, redirected and retrained, therefore, retrain yourself. This works because, if you understand others and why they are different, they aren’t seen as an obstacle to your safety and happiness. Learn about other cultures and their traditional behaviors as well as their learned ones. Just because we are different colors, have different religions, different celebrations, ways of dressing and different outlooks do NOT make us enemies. Consider this, we celebrate divergence and differences in other species, why not our own. Without them we would be extremely boring.

Teach kindness and discuss the rightness of allowing others to be themselves. It isn’t your job to control the world. All you have to control is you.

As you accomplish these steps you will be another mechanism in the ongoing effort to cool hatred, calm fear and restore peace and sanity to a very troubled species, the human race.

Do Peace, Be Love.

 

                                

 

 

 

 

                                   THE JULBOCKEN

                      Researched and copied from resources I take no credit                                        

The Yule goat's origins go back to ancient Pagan festivals. While a popular theory is that the celebration of the goat is connected to worship of the Norse god Thor, who rode the sky in a chariot drawn by two goats, Tanngrisnir and Tanngnjóstr, it goes back to common Indo-European beliefs. The last sheaf of grain bundled in the harvest was credited with magical properties as the spirit of the harvest and saved for the Yule celebrations, called among other things Yule goat (Julbocken).

This connects to ancient proto-Slavic beliefs where the Koliada (Yule) festival honors the god of the fertile sun and the harvest. This god, Devac (also known as Dazbog or Dažbog), was represented by a white goat, consequently the Koliada festivals always had a person dressed as a goat, often demanding offerings in the form of presents. A man-sized goat figure is known from 11th-century remembrances of Childermas, where it was led by a man dressed as Saint Nicholas, symbolizing his control over the Devil.

Other traditions are possibly related to the sheaf of corn called the Yule goat. In Sweden, people regarded the Yule goat as an invisible spirit that would appear some time before Christmas to make sure that the Yule preparations were done right. Objects made out of straw or roughly-hewn wood could also be called the Yule goat, and in older Scandinavian society a popular Christmas prank was to place this Yule goat in a neighbour's house without them noticing; the family successfully pranked had to get rid of it in the same way.

The function of the Yule goat has differed throughout the ages. In a Scandinavian custom similar to the English tradition of wassailing, held at either Christmas or Epiphany, young men in costumes would walk between houses singing songs, enacting plays and performing pranks. This tradition is known from the 17th century and still continue in certain areas. The group of Christmas characters would often include the Yule goat, a rowdy and sometimes scary creature demanding gifts.

A 19th century Christmas card

God Jul by Jenny Nyström.

During the 19th century the Yule goat's role all over Scandinavia shifted towards becoming the giver of Christmas gifts, with one of the men in the family dressing up as the Yule goat. In this, there might be a relation to Santa Claus and the Yule goat's origin in the medieval celebrations of Saint Nicholas. The goat was then replaced by the jultomte (Father Christmas/Santa Claus) or julenisse during the second half of the 19th century and early 20th century, although he is still called the Joulupukki (Yule goat) in Finland, and the tradition of the man-sized goat disappeared.The modern Yule goat

A Swedish Gävle goat (Gävlebocken).

The Yule goat in Nordic countries today is best known as a Christmas ornament. This modern version of the Yule goat figure is a decorative goat made out of straw and bound with red ribbons, a popular Christmas ornament often found under or on the Christmas tree. Large versions of this ornament are frequently erected in towns and cities around Christmas time – a tradition started with the Gävle goat in the 1960s. 

 

 

                         

                        YULETIDE CELEBRATIONS

                           C. S. Roberts and multiple sources

We celebrate Yuletide. It originally began way back in the day when I wanted to celebrate Yule instead of Christmas in order to learn more about and embrace that part of my heritage.

From the sagas, we encounter the terms jólablót (Yule sacrifice) and midvinterblót (Midwinter sacrifice), prompting a scholarly puzzle—whether they represent the same observance or distinct rituals. While caution prevails among scholars, I lean towards viewing them as synonymous. We also know Yule wasn’t always twelve days long. Today, the high holy tide is celebrated for twelve days. Whether this was because in some areas it was celebrated for that long originally or was perhaps some odd creation that came from blending old pagan time-keeping methods and calendars with the modern ones together the end result is the same. In contemporary times, the Yuletide is commonly observed by Pagans and Heathens from around December 20 to December 31, although variations exist. Many choose this period to align their rites with the astronomical winter solstice for simplicity. However, historical accounts, such as those from the German missionary Thietmar of Merseburg (born 975 – a xdied 1018 CE), reveal that in Denmark, Yule was situated in the month of January, even after the country's official conversion to Christianity several decades earlier.

It is customary NO work is done during this time; however, we are not offered this luxury in modern times.

MOTHER’S NIGHT – THE START OF YULE

Mother's Night, or Modraniht in Old English, is an ancient Germanic celebration held on the eve of the winter solstice, marking the beginning of Yule. It's dedicated to honoring the Matronae, ancestral mothers and goddesses. This tradition has historical roots among Germanic tribes, including the Anglo-Saxons. Mother's Night is considered a time to express gratitude to maternal figures and seek blessings for the upcoming year. It serves as the precursor to the twelve days of Yule, a festival observed during the winter solstice.

Mother's Night is associated with the female divine forces, symbolizing fertility, protection, and ancestral ties. It was a time when communities gathered to pay homage to their female ancestors, seeking their guidance and blessings. Offerings, prayers, and feasts were common during this celebration.

With the arrival of Christianity, Mother's Night became intertwined with Christmas Eve in some regions, adapting to the new religious context. Despite this, traces of the original pagan customs persisted, blending with Christian traditions. 

Yule, following Mother's Night, typically spans twelve days, each day representing a month of the year. It was a time for feasting, gift-giving, and various customs, contributing to the festive spirit during the darkest days of winter.

While Mother's Night may not be widely celebrated in contemporary times, it holds historical significance as part of the rich tapestry of winter solstice traditions and the cultural heritage of Germanic peoples.

THE END OF YULE – TWELFTH NIGHT & THE WASSAILING TRADITION

Twelfth Night marks the conclusion of the Yuletide season and falls between January 1st and 6th, depending on the tradition. It's the final night of the Twelve Days of Yule, culminating in festive celebrations.

One notable tradition associated with Twelfth Night is wassailing. Wassailing involves toasting and celebrating the health and prosperity of orchards and fields. Participants often move from tree to tree, singing songs and offering blessings to ensure a bountiful harvest in the coming year. The term "wassail" itself originates from the Old English phrase "Waes hael," meaning "be well" or "good health."

Wassailers typically carry a bowl of spiced ale or mulled cider, known as the wassail bowl, and pour some of it at the roots of the trees or on the ground. This act is symbolic of sharing good fortune with the land and encouraging fertility. The remaining drink is consumed by the participants, fostering a sense of community and camaraderie.

Twelfth Night is also associated with various customs, including the removal of Christmas decorations and the Twelfth Night cake, which might contain a hidden bean or pea. Finding the hidden item in the cake traditionally brings luck or designates the "Lord" or "Queen" of the night's festivities.

Overall, Twelfth Night, with its wassailing tradition and other customs, serves as a lively and symbolic conclusion to the Yuletide season, blending both ancient and more recent festive practices.

THE ‘MEAT’ ~ ESSENTIAL COMPONENTS

The Coming Light, Fire and the Yule Log:

While bonfires are commonly associated with solstice celebrations, in the Northern Tradition, there are unique folk customs involving the yule log and the ashen faggot, particularly in modern England. The ashen faggot consists of bundled branches burned in lieu of a traditional yule log.

BONFIRES hold significance in Yuletide celebrations for several reasons, rooted in both historical and symbolic elements.

Winter Solstice Celebration: Yule marks the winter solstice, the longest night of the year. Bonfires are lit to symbolize the triumph of light over darkness as the days begin to lengthen after this point. The fire represents the sun's returning strength, bringing hope and renewal.

Pagan Traditions: In ancient pagan traditions, especially among Germanic and Norse cultures, Yule was a festival celebrating the Wild Hunt, a supernatural event led by deities or spirits. Bonfires were lit to ward off evil spirits, ensuring protection during the darker months and inviting the return of light.

Cleansing and Purification: Fire is often associated with purification and cleansing. Lighting bonfires during Yule is a symbolic act of purifying the old and welcoming the new. It represents a fresh start and the cleansing of negative energies.

Community and Unity: Yuletide bonfires historically brought communities together. People gathered around the warmth of the fire, fostering a sense of unity and shared celebration during the cold winter nights. The communal aspect of bonfires strengthens social bonds.

Continuation of Ancient Customs: The tradition of Yuletide bonfires has persisted through the ages, adapting to various cultural and religious shifts. Even as Christmas replaced many pagan practices, the use of fire in celebrations endured, connecting modern festivities with ancient roots.

In essence, Yuletide bonfires serve as a powerful symbol of light, warmth, and community, reflecting both the cyclical nature of the seasons and the enduring human desire for hope and connection during the darkest time of the year.

YULE LOGS have a rich history and hold significance in Yuletide celebrations for various cultural and symbolic reasons:

Pagan Origins: The tradition of burning a Yule log has pagan roots, particularly in Germanic and Norse cultures. The log symbolizes the sun, and burning it during the winter solstice represents the triumph of light over darkness, with the promise of longer days ahead.

A Symbol of Life and Renewal: The Yule log is often chosen from a tree that represents life and vitality. Burning the log is a symbolic act of releasing the stored energy of the tree, allowing it to be transformed into warmth and light. This process signifies the cycle of life, death, and rebirth.

Warding off Evil Spirits: In medieval times, it was believed that the Yule log had the power to ward off evil spirits and bring protection to the household. The act of burning the log was seen as a way to ensure good fortune in the coming year.

Continuity and Tradition: The Yule log is often selected with care, and a small piece of the previous year's log is sometimes kept to kindle the new log. This continuity symbolizes the cyclical nature of the seasons and the connection between past, present, and future generations.

Feasting and Celebration: The Yule log burning was accompanied by feasting and merriment. Families and communities would gather around the hearth, sharing stories and celebrating the return of the sun's light.

Christian Adaptation: As Christianity spread, the Yule log tradition was adapted into Christmas celebrations. Some would place a large log in the fireplace, while others would create a smaller version, often made of wood or even cake, to be burned ceremonially.

The Yule log is a powerful symbol of the winter solstice, embodying themes of light, life, and continuity. Its burning is a ritualistic and festive practice that connects people to ancient traditions and the cyclical nature of the seasons.

LIGHT holds profound significance in Yuletide celebrations, rooted in both historical and symbolic contexts:

Winter Solstice Symbolism: Yuletide marks the winter solstice, the longest night of the year. The use of lights, including candles and fires, symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness as the days gradually lengthen. This is a powerful metaphor for hope, renewal, and the promise of brighter days.

Pagan Traditions: In pagan traditions, especially among Germanic and Norse cultures, the Yule festival was a time to celebrate the Wild Hunt and the return of the sun's strength. Lighting candles and fires during this period was believed to aid the sun's renewal, ward off evil spirits, and ensure protection during the dark winter months.

Christian Adaptation: As Christianity spread, it incorporated various pagan customs into its celebrations. The symbolism of light, representing the arrival of Christ as the "Light of the World," became integral to Christmas traditions. The lighting of candles on an Advent wreath and the use of lights in Christmas decorations continue this tradition.

Saint Lucia’s Day: The pre-Christian practice of bringing light to the darkest night is seen in Saint Lucia’s Day. Celebrated in various cultures, this day involves the use of candles and lights to honor Saint Lucia, embodying the theme of spreading light during the longest night.

Decorative Illumination: Beyond symbolism, Yuletide lights contribute to the festive atmosphere. Decorative lights, both indoors and outdoors, create a warm and celebratory ambiance, fostering a sense of joy, community, and togetherness.

Candle Traditions: Specific candle rituals, such as the Advent candles or the lighting of the menorah in Hanukkah celebrations, have become integral to Yuletide customs. Each candle lit represents different aspects of the season, adding layers of meaning and tradition.

In essence, the importance of light in Yuletide celebrations spans cultural, religious, and historical dimensions. It encapsulates themes of hope, renewal, and the enduring human desire to find warmth and illumination during the coldest and darkest time of the year.

Some Heathens, though not a practice I personally follow, observe a ritual structure as outlined below (variations exist, with some emphasizing different gods on different nights rather than virtues):

1 ~ Mother’s Night

2 ~ The Winter Solstice/Yule

3 ~ Virtue – Courage

4 ~ Virtue – Truth

5 ~ Virtue – Honor

6 ~ Virtue – Fidelity

7 ~ Virtue – Hospitality

8 ~ Virtue – Discipline

9 ~ Virtue – Industriousness

10 ~ Virtue – Self-Reliance

11 ~ Virtue – Perseverance

12 ~ Twelfth Night

I choose to celebrate the following:

1 ~ Mother’s Night

2 ~ Yule

3 ~ Earth ~ the Element & Freyr (prosperity, sunlight, fertility of the land), Freyja (love, beauty, fertility), Sif (fertility, the Earth, guardian of family), Nerthus (fertility, the Earth, agriculture), Gefjon (fertility, plowing, agriculture), and Gerðr (beauty, the Earth).

4 ~ Air ~ the Element & Sunna/Sól (personification of the Sun), Máni (personification of the Moon), Dagr (personification of day), Nótt (personification of night)

5 ~ Fire ~ the Element & Loki (associated with fire), Surtr (fire giant), Bragi (passionate God of poetry and eloquence)

6 ~ Water ~ the Element & Ægir ) associated with the ocean & sea), Rán (associated with the more unpredictable and dangerous aspects of the ocean), Rán's Daughters/Nine Wave Maidens (associated with the ocean's beauty and allure), Jörmungandr (the Midgard Serpent)

7 ~ Ancestors. Night PJ/Movie Night, when the children were young, we used to let them open one gift each (PJs) and then one gift the family would enjoy together (movie). We look thru photographs and watch family videos.

8 ~ Healing ~ Eir (associated with healing and medicinal arts), Mímir (knowledgeable of medicinal herbs and remedies), Thor (protector for the health of a community), Sága (associated with history and storytelling = mental health) Cookie Night, make and deliver cookies to friends and family.

9 ~ Norns ~ Urd/Wyrd (associated with the past), Verdandi, (associated with the present), Skuld, (governs the future)

10 ~ Wintertide ~ Skadi (associated with winter, mountains, and skiing), Kári (associated with the wind). Ornament Night, when the boys were small we used to make ornaments for our friends and family)

11 ~ Álfar ~ Dökkálfar (Dark Elves), Ljósálfar (Light Elves), Magickal Creatures (Dwarves ~ skilled magickal craftsmen, Hulder ~ female forest spirits, Níðhöggr ~ dragon, Valkyries, Fylgja ~ supernatural entity or spirit associated with an individual, Nokk ~ water spirit known for its ability to shape-shift and often appearing as a horse

12 ~ Twelfth Night

I hope this gives you incentive to embrace the true meaning of the season!

 

FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION

 

                      FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION

                                          © C. S. Roberts 2025 

 

It has been said that we should do the following things in order to be productive, however  I feel that as we attempt to keep our eyes on the road, our nose to the grindstone and our shoulder to the wheel, all while putting our best foot forward, we lose our perspective about where we truly want to go.

If all we concentrate on just what is in front of us we miss the wonderful things around us. If we are always busy, we miss out on what life can truly be.

 I challenge you to look up once in a while and remember to be grateful and to love.

Bright Blessings, Do Peace, Be Love C. S. Roberts

Here's to, awakening unto yourself Or, The Old Man and the Begger

 

 

               Here's to, awakening unto yourself

                  Or The Old Man and the Begger

 

I am not sure where I found this but felt it worth sharing, Here's to, awakening unto yourself;

...."There was an old man who lived in a hut. Every morning, he went to the street for alms. He never complained about his situation or his struggles. He took what was given without question.

One day, when the old man returned from his routine, he saw that the hut was taken by somebody else. That somebody else was eating his food and putting what little money he little saved into his pocket.

The Old man, with compassion, went inside the hut.

The young beggar asked, "Who are you?" wrapping his hands around the food he found.

The Old man replied, "I am you but in a different body." Old man then took his robe and gave it to the beggar as well.

The stranger, instead of looking upon this as compassion, took The Old Man as a meager fool. The young stranger snatched the clothes from the old man's hands and stripped him from head to toe and took every bit of everything the old man had left.

"Is this everything you have?" he asked.

Old man replied humbly, "When you have everything you have nothing, and when you truly have nothing left you have everything."

The boy was confused. The old man smiled and said, "Dear ignorant child, you are trapped in an illusion that you can't see, feel or touch and are bound by invisible chains. Unless we realize who we truly are it won't matter what you own." He added, "even if you become richest of rich you will always be bound by suffering."

The young beggar froze and felt that he understood a little of what old man was saying.

Old man chanted "Gate Gate ParaGate ParaSamGate Bodhi Svaha.". "No treasure can compare to it, no money can buy it, no wealth can occupy it, no pleasure can satisfy it, no eyes can find it, no ears can hear it, no tongue can taste it, no hands can feel it, no mind can imagine it. Oh, dear child, what is this treasure?" Then Old man said. "You will not find this for we are born only to realize this."

With that, the young man's illusory world shattered, his face grew face bright and awakened.

Old man bowed to him, said "know thyself and then vanished." Shared from anon by C. S. Roberts

No date for this is timeless

 

 

Channeling in Meditation from my Guidance Peeps

 

Channeling in Meditation from my Guidance Peeps

"I come in love to bring peace to your troubled mind. In the stillness you will hear me and in your love you will share me. You are we and we are you, allow this truth and you will be where you want to be.

I do not demand, I do not dictate, I wait for you to find me, see me, feel and hear me. I do not shout my voice is as quite as your breathing I am here always. To help you, all you have to do is listen and allow. I will come back, I have much to share with you, Seekers of the light."

This is a guided meditation from my personal guides during one of my meditations. Peace, Love and Bright Blessings

(c) C. S. Roberts 2019

I Am Tree

 

                                        I Am Tree

                                       © 2015 C.S. Roberts

I struggle and push,

The skin cracks and I grow.

I am reaching for what is above

I am reaching for what is below.

 

I find nourishment and drink

Still I push up and down

I reach and stretch

I search and grasp for what is there

What is meant for me

 

I finally feel the sun on my face

I find the depths with my roots

They beckon me to continue.

I feed from both above and below and am strong

I spread my branches to the sun and my roots to the Mother.

 

I embrace the life within me

I offer shelter and succor to the life outside of me.

I breath with you, we share breath, light and life.

My bark becomes pathways for life to travel.

Parts of me are for medicines to heal and sustain

 

My leaves for cover and

And my limbs for homes.

My fruit and leaves for food and fertilizer

My pollen and seeds for renewal.

I grow, I live, I produce, I flourish and die.

 

I take only what I require and I give all that I can

When I finally fall

I make room for more to live

I return to the soil that has sustained me

And become one with it

 

I am life I am tree

#CSRoberstAuthor