Final-- Slice-of-life Profile

I wasn't sure if we were supposed to include source information (source of idea and contact information for sources), so I'm putting it here. Cathy Eikenberry was a source for my religion story about Castle Brooks Spiritual Supply. She is really involved in the Lafayette Area Pagan Alliance, but also a house-wife and seamstress. She was very interesting to talk with about the shop, and I also learned about her personal life. She didn't seem like the average, run-of-the-mill soccer mom. She wore tight, bright-colored clothing that she made herself, and either wore heels or was barefoot. I got many details and interesting information, but I decided to go with the sewing angle because it was a good metaphor. I spent Monday (April 30) afternoon with her and her family at their home, and followed up with a phone interview to clarify a few things on Wednesday (May 2). Her phone number is 423-4474. When I called to schedule the in-person and phone interview, I had to start talking to the answering machine first, and then she picked it up. So if you call to verify the interview, make sure to leave a message. Her e-mail address is lavendarmoon@insightbb.com. Here's the story:

Local Pagan sews fabric of life with spirituality

The ironing board in Cathy Eikenberry’s dining room is covered with stacks of brightly colored fabric. A scarf for a Day of the Dead celebration, a doll for the African sea goddess Yemeja, and a tie-dyed pair of pajama pants are among the sewing projects she is working on.

Four altars honoring African deities watch over Eikenberry’s work area. They offer inspiration for the projects, helping her decide what colors and patterns to use.

Eikenberry first started sewing because she had problems finding clothes that she and her family liked and fit into. Today, sewing plays a larger role: being a seamstress offers a way to connect her personal and spiritual lives.

As a mother of five, it is hard to find time for personal study and quiet reflection. Eikenberry usually awakes before the children and the sun to enjoy a bit of time to herself.

Like many stay-at-home moms, her day is full of errand running, from school and scouts, to the grocery store and taking her husband, Mark, to work. However, in between scheduled activities, she keeps busy sewing and studying Pagan religions. She is currently working on numerology and the tarot, which her children find fascinating. At the tarot course she teaches, her son Justin, 13, often chimes in with his own insights.

After coloring a picture of the Goddess, her daughter Alyson, 6, who sports colorfully wrapped dreadlocks, asks if they can all attend Catholic mass when her older siblings come to visit over the weekend.

“I have friends that go to church, and it’s fun to meet new people,” Alyson said.

Eikenberry encourages the children to follow their heart and be open-minded to different religions.

“I don’t care if they’re Pagan, or Catholic, or Buddhist or whatever, as long as they don’t judge or harm others with their worship,” she said.

Eikenberry feels that she is on her right path because there is no separation between her spiritual and personal life. Every time she tries to take a job outside the home, something happens and the children need her to stay home and be more involved.

Finding a way to appreciate spirituality in her every day life keeps her going when she is busy shuttling the family, sewing and helping with homework. Even a trip to the fabric store can be a spiritual experience.

Eikenberry’s Pagan spirituality helps her to sew the many pieces of her life as a seamstress and mother together.

“No matter what I do, it always brings me back to caring for my kids and sewing.”