Recently I was asked to help out with a senior thesis paper that a friend was working on. She was writing on Celtic tradition and influence and she wondered if I could help her out. At first I was not sure if I was the right person to request help from yet it sounded like it would be fun so I agreed. The help she requested was really quite simple. She only asked that I respond to a questionnaire that she had designed. Set up in somewhat of an interview form, I received the questionnaire a few days back.
When I first saw the questions once again I worried. (You know me, thinking too much). But I began at the top and commenced to answer each one. As I finished I was quite glad that I had accepted. Not only did the questions make me think about what it is that I believe and stand for, they also gave me more confidence in that stance. I decided to share the questions and answers with all of you as a means to let you see once more another side of me. A deeper side of what I believe and also what it is that has brought me to this place. This is somewhat long so I will be breaking it up over the next few days. I hope that you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed completing it. I also hope that sparks a bit of a fire in you to re-examine your beliefs and teachings.
Q: What is your name?
Janie Sheik
Janie Sheik
Q: Can you tell me a little about yourself?
I am a woman of middle age, I live in rural Oklahoma and have done so all my life. I am a mother of three plus one step daughter. I also have the privilege of being a grandmother of three with another on the way.
I am a woman of middle age, I live in rural Oklahoma and have done so all my life. I am a mother of three plus one step daughter. I also have the privilege of being a grandmother of three with another on the way.
Growing up in Oklahoma ie: the Bible Belt had an interesting effect on my spiritual upbringing. My mother was a native German with a spiritual background of strict Lutheran mixed with folk beliefs. My father grew up in a home which observed the Jehovah Witness religion (something I did not learn until I was much older). We were not regular church goers however I enjoyed my early experiences in the "Christian" churches.
I enjoy the out of doors and anything to do with nature. My favorite past time is tending my yard. Gardening is in my blood and its skills were handed down to me from my grandmother and father on my paternal side. They taught me the lessons of tending the earth and giving homage to her for what she returned. I also love to grow and harvest my own herbs and wild flowers. I try to propagate from my already established garden, others gardens, or the wild itself. I find peace in the quiet of nature and it has become my favorite place to go to when it seems that life is going too fast.
Q: What is "Mother Moon's Message" (ei. It's concept and how it came to be)? For as long as I can remember, I have loved to write. The number of journals I have accumulated over the years can attest to this. I have written poetry, short stories, children stories, as well as I aspire to one day write a trilogy. I have always wanted to attempt to publish some of my work yet my timid ways have kept me from doing so. Someone suggested that I start a blog as a means to work on my writing as well as to express myself in an outward manner. I started Mother Moon in July of 2009 and it grew into a love. It was a manner to express many of my beliefs and opinions that before I was unable to do as the audience was more vast than a mere rural country town. It has given me confidence and allowed me to be more firm in my spiritual stance. It has also led me to some wonderful people from all over the world whom I would not have met otherwise. It has helped my mind and views to expand to a much broader prospective allowing me to become what I believe to be a much better person.
As for the name of Mother Moon, I have always been quite fond of the moon especially when she is full. When I was a little girl I had a memory of sitting on the kitchen cabinet, my feet in the sink and gazing out the window at the moon. As I did so, a woman (who for many years I thought to be my mother) would tell me stories about the moon and her cycles and the power and magic she held. As I grew older and I related the story to my older sister she told me such things never happened. I went to my mother and she agreed that she had never stood beside me in the darkness of nighttime and tell me stories of the moon. She did however verify that on many occasions she would find me asleep on the kitchen cabinet in the mornings when she would awake. The moon still calls to me and her glow has comforted me many a time. The stories I remember, still aid me today in life. It seemed only fitting that if I was to start a blog in regards to myself and my writings that it should include Luna, as she has influenced me in so many ways.
Q: How have you come to be interested in the Celtic Culture? The Celtic culture has been a fascination of mine since I was young. It probably began with the kinship to the earth that I was taught by my grandparents, especially my grandma. Yet as I grew, I loved reading the stories of King Arthur and always felt drawn to their lore. It was not until much later in life that I searched deeper into the culture and such.
Q: Have you learned anything that is particularly interesting? If I was to say one thing that stood out particularly interesting to me it was the connection to nature and the effects that it has on everyday life. I think that we as people have become blind to the abilities that were given to us when we embarked on this journey of life and evolution. There was a time when man acknowledged what the earth could do for him, mainly because it was a necessity to prosper. Yet in today's world and with the advancement of technology such ways and things have been lost or even forgotten. Stories and tricks of the trade that were passed down within family and such is no longer as important as it was in years past. It is something that I fear if man does not take heed to soon that there could be many that could suffer due simply to their complacency.
Q: How has Celtic Mythology influenced you? As I said before Arthur and the tales of Excalibur have always been dear to me. I have also always had a fondness for Avalon and the stories of its existence. I liken it to the draw that modern day Christians have to the garden of Eden. It resembles somewhat a place of paradise to me.
As for the many Celtic gods and goddesses I have not felt the draw to follow into more detail on them, that is to the point that I would say I worship any of them individually. There are a few though that I tend to associate with more than others. Brigid, for example. She is the associated most with home and its upkeep. She also has influence in healing, druidic activity, wisdom and so on. She is also a Tuatha De Danann.
The Tuatha De Dananm is referred to as the fairy folk or the Sidhe. The manner and existence of the fae has influenced me greatly and has much to do with my ability as well as progress in regards to my tending of the earth. It is not something I openly speak of often as it brings about odd looks by many yet if asked if I believe in fairies, I would have to say of course.
Ceridwen, the Welsh goddess of rebirth and inspiration also is a bit of a guilty pleasure of mine. Viewed by many as a darker goddess I find her to be a woman with a fierce motherly instinct which lends her to do what she must to protect and further her children. She may not always do what is the best method to eventually come to such conclusions yet her intentions are good. Something I think any mother can relate with in some form.
Q: Are there any stories or themes that stand out? As stated earlier , The fairy folk have greatly influenced me, especially in recent years. It is a relationship that calls for patience and time, something that many people to not have these days or do not make time for. Yet the rewards that one can glean from such activity is beyond what they could imagine. One has to allow themselves to go to a place where most do not believe of its existence. This in itself can be most difficult as what we are thought of by others these days is so very important to some.
I have tended garden alongside the fairies that reside in my area. It has been quite the honor to be allowed to share in their presence. I have received small trinkets as gifts from them as well. Tiny bobbles that I hold quite precious.
Return tomorrow for Part Two of my Interview. Blessings
Return tomorrow for Part Two of my Interview. Blessings
