Off The Grid

Happy New Year! 

Since my very first post on September 7, 2013, Vermont DeadLine has received 224,212 "hits" as of today.  In the right hand column under "DeadLine's Athenaeum" is a list of topics which contain the buzz word for the 228 posts (to date) that I have written.  Also, check out the rotating world on the same side.  It is fascinating to see that people from all over the world have visited this site!    Thank you for your support, and I hope you continue to drop by in the coming year. 

Today's post is about Living "off the grid".  This is a lifestyle choice, in which one truly unplugs from their dependency on traditional energy sources.  It is a means of becoming self-sufficient without relying on public utilities or municipal [water/sewer/electric] supplies.  The advantages of this lifestyle are multiple as you consider the money that you save and your contribution to the reduction of the notorious carbon footprint.  (Links to external websites will appear in purple).

image credit: motherearthnews

This way of life, is not for everyone, because it can be a lot of hard work; however, as I have said, for those who do chose this lifestyle, it can mean that they leave their dependency on energy on the proverbial doorstep.  Fortunately for us, there is an overwhelming wealth of information available for anyone who is considering this change, or even if you are thinking about ways to go "green".   We are recycling and reusing more, and upcycling is now a huge trend. 

The "Tiny House" movement is also alive and growing, with a television show dedicated to individuals and couples who want to go "small".  It is an interesting study and you can read about how to do it, here: concept.

For less than $7,500.00, Lowe's can sell you this tiny house.

For a measly $3K, you can also buy this at Lowes.

When you think of it, living off the grid, or the tiny house life style is almost like permanently camping. 

These tiny houses are often mobile, so you can hook your vehicle to it and travel any where you wish!  As an alternative to a gas-guzzling RV,  you will make a statement rolling into any town.   I like to think of the tiny houses as kind of a gypsy caravan!

image credit: trib.com

Another term that we are hearing today is "homesteading".  Currently, there are several television programs showcasing people (mostly in Alaska) who are true home-steaders.  You have probably seen at least one of them.   wikipedia provides this definition: 

 "Homesteading is a lifestyle of self-sufficiency. It is characterized by subsistence agriculture, home preservation of foodstuffs, and it may or may not also involve the small scale production of textiles, clothing, and craft work for household use or sale. Pursued in different ways around the world—and in different historical eras—homesteading is generally differentiated from rural village or commune living by isolation (either socially or physically) of the homestead. Use of the term in the United States dates back to the Homestead Act (1862) and before."

If you chose to be stationary for any length of time, there are important decisions that must be made.  If your goal is to become independent of your reliance of public utilities (such as water, sewer, natural gas and/or electricity), then you must consider the many options and consequences of living off the grid.  You would be responsible for complete self sufficiency, and a complete life-style change. 

Here is a list of questions and answers that I have compiled, if you are considering moving to off the grid living.  I have provided many links to the answers from the most reliable sources I could find (and relying very heavily on offthegridnews.com): 


How will you heat your home?  One of the most common ways the off-gridders choose, is to burn wood.  One must be responsible for cutting, stacking and hauling their own wood.  Here is something I didn't know, from tinyhousedesign.com:

"Burning wood is actually a carbon neutral way of heating a home. When a tree grows it absorbs carbon. When we burn it it releases that same carbon. If we use a highly efficient wood stove in a small living space we can actually get through the winters with little environmental impact and effort. The problem with burning wood for heating a large home is that it would take acres of trees to make it sustainable. Heating a small home requires less energy input which in turn reduces the cost, impact, and effort needed to stay warm in winter."

If you are truly off the grid, you must locate and haul your own water into your home if you have not figured out a way to have it pumped indoors. 

image credit: offthegridnews.com

Which brings up another very important topic, as we are civilized humans:  

How and where do you go to the bathroom?  

Will you have an outhouse or an indoor toilet?  There are interesting options such as utilizing composting toilets.  

And.... how will you properly dispose of the waste?

offthegrid.net explains how to construct a small sewer system here. 

Do you want to generate your own electricity? 

offthegridnews.com offers 4 options here.  

Do you want to become self-sufficient in the sense that you would raise your own livestock - to sell and for your own consumption - or both?  I know that people frequently purchase chickens because they are a multi-purpose beast.  

They are raised to maturity, produce eggs to eat and/or sell, and then slaughtered for food.  There is no cost to reproducing them, so you can maintain a rather economic plan.  

Image credit: Activist Post

Other than chickens, there are many other options such as raising goats, cows, pigs, ducks and so on.  

I have neighbors who have young children and raise chickens and ducks right in their back yard, here in the "city".  The parents encourage this, as the children all participate in their keeping.  They all are rewarded with an education, as it teaches them about self sufficiency.  

Fortunately, there is a ton of information available online, here are a few helpful links:

Livestock

Chickens for meat and eggs

Livestock

Raising animals for milk

Chickens

Image credit: theprairiehomestead

Will you grow your own vegetables to can?  

How and where will you store your goods?  More great links:

Survival gardening

Growing vegetables indoors

Preserving vegetables

Winter vegetables

image credit: homesteadfocus.com

Before the days of modern refrigeration, a root cellar was necessary to keep vegetables such as  carrots, turnips, beets, parsnips, potatoes, and other root vegetables fresh throughout winter months.  The Farmer's Almanac has a great "how to" which you can read here. 

image credit: offthegridnews.com

How do you plan to light your home?  Will you use candles or kerosene lanterns?

Of course there are safety concerns when using either candles or kerosene, so placement of these items should be scrutinized.   Off The Grid News.com has a great article for making your own survival candles here. 

image credit: Giphy

Will you consider alternative energy such as the utilization of solar panels or a wind turbine, or even a hydro ?  thomasnet.com gives some great options here. 

If you decide that you leaving the working world behind, but own land, how will you pay your taxes?  
Your survival concerns the root of all evil, as everyone still needs some money to stay alive.  

Farm stands - selling vegetables, canned fruit and vegetables, jams and jellies, home-made candles. 

image credit: pinterest

Real self-sufficient off-the-gridders may want to consider bee-keeping as a means to produce honey and beeswax to make their own products to use personally or to sell.  

offgridworld.com lists some ways in which you could make money and still maintain your off the grid status.   And here is another link providing earning potential from offthegridnews.com. 

Helpful and Informative Links:

http://www.motherearthnews.com/

http://www.offthegridnews.com/

http://www.tinyhousedesign.com/how-to-move-yourself-off-the-grid/

http://rurallivingtoday.com/sustainable-living/want-grid-living-can/

http://www.motherearthnews.com/homesteading-and-livestock/going-going-gone-off-grid-zbcz1409

https://homesteading.com/homesteading-skills-every-homesteader-should-know/

http://www.theeasyhomestead.com/what-is-homesteading/


http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/homesteading

Familiars a.k.a. Animal Spirits

Do you have an animal spirit?

Today, we are able to boast about our beloved pets through social media, posting pictures and videos of our four-legged friends.  It is also not uncommon for people to post pictures of spirit animals, fantasy creatures and beasts.  You may believe that you have an animal as a spirit guide, or perhaps you may think that you have a  spiritual connection or a deep bond with your pet.  It is believed that a familiar can be corporeal (flesh and blood) or incorporeal (a spirit body).  

Your familiar can be your closest companion, offering emotional support, knowledge, or aid in physical healing.   It can be an insect, a mammal, a reptile, a bird, or anything else to which you find comfort (or fear).

Through Medieval times, (and before) the belief that familiars existed for good or bad reasons, were broken down into two categories: Those that served witches; and those that served "cunning folks".  

Witches were thought to produce evil forces, and their familiars were often classified as demons.  (Think of the quintessential witch with her black cat, or flying bats or pet wolf).  Every witch was believed to own an animal that served as some type of malevolent familiar.  The familiars were shape-shifters that could easily turn from human to a demonic-like creature at the witch's whim.  The witch's familiar was considered to be as threatening as the witch, perhaps even more so, with its ability to be a supernatural being who shift its form without notice.  They were natural spies or perceived as a danger because they could easily cause harm - or raise hell - when least expected.

Cunning folks were those who practiced what was called White Magic, were healers who concocted herbal healing potions, created charms and were served by benevolent creatures who conjured fairies to aid them.  They commonly were sought to expel evil spirits, and drive out black magic.   They were useful people who kept under the radar of authorities because they were known to be "good".  Their familiar was the otherworldly spirit helper who could shapeshift between human and animal form.  Cunning folk were also known as blessers, charmers, wisemen and wisewomen.

Kaaren Christ of Llewellyn Journal explains, "A “familiar” is simply a living creature having personal and spiritual meaning to you, and the experience is available to anyone who seeks it. No need for otherworldly experiences or altered states of consciousness."

Since the 20th Century, a revival of having a familiar or an animal spirit or guide has occurred, and the concept of having a pet or an invisible spirit is actually quite common.

Personally, I have only owned cats.  Sgt. Pepper (a.k.a. "Kitty") was a [mostly] black female that was rescued from a horse farm and our family had her for 17 years.  Sebastian, I bought at a local animal shelter.  I brought him home because his paw stuck out of the cage and touched me several times... there were over a dozen cats from which to choose, but I thought that his reaching for me meant something.  He was a 23 lb. cat, that was a true character, a real man of a cat, and I had him for 14 years.  Now, we have the stray "Puddy McGillicuddy Goodwin" and she's been here about 2 1/2 years.  I don't know her age or from where she came, but she is the most loving cat I've ever owned with the sweetest disposition and she is very social.   All of my cats have been black and white. 

In this respect, I have a handful of creatures to which I am drawn.
From his book, "The Once Unknown Familiar", Timothy Roderick breaks down the traits and characteristics of these animals.

CAT:  Mysterious, independent, intellectual, inventive

Influences:  Magical visions, independence, strengthens one's psychic potency, ability to move between the worlds with ease.

Personality - the cat personality carries over into the entire cat family - lions, tigers, cougars, etc.  So apply the powers and the personality traits listed here to the entire feline family.   The cat personality is highly independent.   Cats have ways of getting what they want, one way or another.  The won't often thin of how their actions affect others, but they generally don't intend malice.  Cats are born mysterious and can evoke spiritual aid without much trouble.  They are trickster-teachers who might just take a swipe at others in order to teach them a lesson. They can revert to being wild creatures without much notice.

BEAR: Nurturing, loving, maternal, strong willed.

Influences - Promotes healing, motherly love, guardian of emotional strength and mental stability

Personality - Bears can't help but intimidate others who may not know them,, but in truth is that they can be very nurturing, open-hearted and playful.  Bears are highly intelligent and their curiosity is easily piqued.  A bear always knows what everyone's weaknesses are and will strike in the soft underbelly if threatened. 

DRAGON:  Powerful, grand, wise

Influences:  Magical adeptness, mastery of self-control, reveals the hidden knowledge of ancient mysteries, evokes aid of salamanders, mastery of the element of Fire.

Personality - The dragon is a very wise being.  Usually the person with the dragon personality seems like an "old soul" capable of inspiring those who are seekers of higher truth.  The dragon guards it jewels of wisdom jealously, giving them only to those who prove themselves worldly.  

ELEPHANT:  Justice-oriented, people loving, dominant

Influences: Longevity, memory enhancement, restful sleep, impervious

Personality - Elephants are wonderful individuals.  They are just in their dealings and can't stand situations of imbalance.  They will go out of their way to correct an out of kilter situation.  They are take-charge individuals and frequently take positions of leadership either in their field of work or in their community.  

RAVEN:  Innocent, playful, joker

Influences: A prankster, begins new ventures, success, power to make the right choices, reveals future lives

Personality - Animal equivalent of the Tarot Trump card, The Fool. Ravens can be quite profound in their philosophical thinking, yet they present themselves in such an unassuming way that it is difficult for others to get the raven's message.  They are life-affirming and prefer simplicity in all matters. They are problem solvers and can handle even the most difficult people with success. 

Though, I don't recommend it, you can go online and take a quiz to find out who or what your animal spirit is.  I don't recommend it because everything I looked at was fluff and foolishness.  If you wish, you can find out what your animal spirit is, by thinking about to what creatures you are attracted.  

It is as simple as that.  Have you dreamed of a certain animal?  Are you frightened by it or do you love it?  What is it doing?  Is it your companion or a threat?

Just think about what animal you are drawn to, or perhaps dreamed of or love to look at, I personally do not believe that I have a "familiar" or an animal spirit that guides me, that I know of!  But, it is a very personal choice!