There's a new show on cable tv called The Dresden Files, based on a series of novels by Jim Butcher. It's a fairly normal private detective series with one major twist...our hero is a wizard.

Yeah, a wizard. Magic, spells, ghosts living in skulls, all the cool stuff. One step off of reality, but a good show.

Made me wonder, how many wizards do we come in contact with on a daily basis? Lets go back to what wizards were historically.

They were the wise ones, the people who had all the answers, or at least made you believe that they did. In a time when people didn't know much about what was beyond the village borders, these people were bearers of news and bringers of amazing trinkets never before seen. Knowledge of basic chemistry could be presented as almost god-like power. Basically, they knew stuff that most people didn't.

Fast forward to our modern age. The average 5 year old knows more about computers and the internet than their grandparents. The pope can't fart without the entire planet knowing about it within 20 minutes. Information is spread so far and so fast that a single person is no longer needed to distribute it. Wizards had to specialize.

In fact, since the religion of science took over the world, the title of wizard has dropped out of common usage. Most people that are wizards in their own field don't even know that they are wizards, unless some media personality gives them the moniker. And they think it's all so clever and original.

Doctors, scientists, computer specialists; the world is populated with what would be referred to as wizards once upon a time. So the next time somebody says "I know this guy who's a wizard with computers" you can truthfully say "I bet he is." And show some respect. If it was simple, everybody would know how to do it.

Peace in the Sanctuary.

Not so long ago, in a galaxy close to ours...( OK, it's our galaxy )
a young boy left the swamps of Backwoodsia and ventured forth into the great, wide-open world. Settling into Lesser Urbania, he began studies which would lead him to his lifelong vocation of wizardry. After establishing Stormhaven Manor, located in the state of Imagination ( sometimes referred to as Delusion ), Lord Kestrel Stormwatcher married the love of his life, Lady Mira~Nise the Unshod, also known as The Shoeless Gypsy. Together they study the Mysteries of the Universe and search for The Perfect Brownie Recipe...

Who's holiday is Christmas, anyway?

Christians claim it as celebrating the birth of Jesus, even though the more knowledgable among them admit that he probably wasn't born around this time of year. Pagans claim it because it originated from their ages old Yule celebration.

Probably the strongest, but most overlooked claim, is that of the great, all-powerful religion of Commercialism, with it's towering god, The Almighty Dollar. Here in the USA, it is the most consistently followed religion around. (Tis the season to spend money...) But even the strong pull to spend all our money on stuff that won't be appreciated a month later doesn't begin to touch who the holiday belongs to.

It's mine.

Wait a minute, don't get your robes in a twist. It's yours, too.

Like many things in life, too much time is spent on who started the practice, till the argument becomes more important than the practice itself. Christmas, Yule, whatever you want to call it is about your interaction with those around you, and ultimately the Divine. Don't give gifts because you expect a return, or because it's expected of you. Give from your heart. Otherwise you've fallen in league with...Commecialism. (Honest, I didn't know what I was doing, I'll never do it again!)

The holidays are an outward expression of the light inside us...whether it is made up of multi-colored LEDs, flickering candles, or roaring bonfires.

So don't worry about who "owns" Christmas. Sit back, kick off your shoes( if you're not already barefoot), and enjoy the holiday with family and friends.

And for those of you who just have to have proof of ownership, send $29.95 (plus shipping and handling) to me at Stormhaven Manor, and I'll print you an official certificate directly from the office of Commercial(ism) Accounts, signed by Jesus himself.( That's pronounced HEY-SUS)

Peace in the Sanctuary.