Naturalistic Traditions: All Things February

snowcandles

Welcome to the first post of Naturalistic Traditions, a new column exploring naturalism in Pagan ways.  This column will cover seasonal celebrations, historical and contemporary movements, and ritual practices. Natural cycles February 4th is a Cross-quarter.  That is, it is the midpoint between the previous solstice and the upcoming equinox.  As such, it is one of eight stations in our planet's annual journey around the sun. For those in the Northern Hemisphere, the claws of winter … [Read more...]

Politicians Confused About What Makes A Minority

Tim_Scott_(politician)

The Wild Hunt reports that Rep. Tim Scott seems to think Christians are a minority in the US: If Rep. Scott were clear-eyed on the issue of religion he’d see which religious groups were truly struggling in his state. He’d see a Wiccan ostracized and harassed when she objected to sectarian government prayer (and later held up as an example of Christians being denied their freedom of religion), he’d see Pagans in local interfaith groups fighting to be recognized as something other … [Read more...]

Oral Roberts’ Grandson is a GLBTQI Activist

Randy Roberts Potts

That guy on the streetcorner cooking stew and hanging out with his boyfriend isn't homeless: he's the performance art activist grandson of famous (or infamous) televangelist Oral Roberts: It's a vaguely subversive idea—the antithesis of the "We're here, we're queer, get used to it" ethos, a strategic divorcing of homosexuality from sexuality, a tent-revival effort to de-fabulize gay stereotypes. Yet the subversiveness extends far deeper than that. If any of the onlookers look closely … [Read more...]

Imbolc Candle Ritual

Teelicht_2009

Patti Wigington, over at About.com, shares a candle ritual to honor Imbolc: Hundreds of years ago, when our ancestors relied upon the sun as their only source of light, the end of winter was met with much celebration. Although it is still cold in February, often the sun shines brightly above us, and the skies are often crisp and clear. As a festival of light, Imbolc came to be called Candlemas. On this evening, when the sun has set once more, call it back by lighting the seven candles … [Read more...]

Lovely Beeswax Goddess Candles

candles

I love natural candles and these curvy little Goddess candles are super cute! By PeaceBlossomCandles on Etsy: … [Read more...]