Paganism

You Say Tomato, I Say Druid.

May 11, 2012 By Teo Bishop

Ever since I took the name, Teo Bishop, and made it my own -- both in a religious sense and through the proper legal channels -- I've had cause to explain what it is that I do on this blog. My writing, as well as my deepening engagement with my own spiritual work, are both major influences on my decision to undergo this transition. Identity is interesting, and something that often goes undiscussed. What we are, how we identify, is often more experienced than it is questioned. That is, this … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Druidry, Paganism Tagged With: ADF, Bishop In The Grove, Christianity, Drew Jacob, Druidism, Druidry, Identity, Interfaith, Name, Paganism, Practice, Rogue Priest, Teo Bishop

WAKE UP, PAGANS! The End is Here!

May 8, 2012 By Teo Bishop

I think "eschatology" is a funny word. Speaking it out loud makes potty-jokes come to mind. Say it, and I remember being 5. The definition of eschatology, "the part of theology concerned with death, judgment, and the final destiny of the soul and of humankind," is much less funny. It, one might say, is a party pooper. (Too easy.) Seriously though, when thinking about the End of the World it doesn't hurt to throw in a dose of humor. Severity has its place, but I don't think it belongs in … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Community, Paganism Tagged With: Community, End Times, Environmentalism, Eschatology, Fear, Inspiration, John Michael Greer, Leadership, Michael York, Opinion, Paganism

The Problem of the Pagan “Us and Them”

April 30, 2012 By Teo Bishop

When I questioned the place of compassion in Pagan and Polytheist philosophy a couple of weeks back, I got an interesting response from one of my readers, "LaurelhurstLiberal". She wrote, "Now, about compassion: as a Heathen Reconstructionist, this is one of the big questions I'm still trying to puzzle out. Right now, it seems to me that a Heathen should be a good neighbor and a good citizen, but isn't necessarily supposed to have capital-C Compassion for everybody in the world. There are … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Community, Paganism Tagged With: Community, Compassion, Ecology, Interconnectedness, Othering, Paganism, Philosophy, Reconstructionism, Steven T. Abell, Us and Them, Walls

What is the Point of Your Religion?

April 17, 2012 By Teo Bishop

Last week I asked, "Where does compassion belong among Pagans and Polytheists?" Beneath this first question there is another, more relevant question; one that has been nagging at me for several days: What is the point of your religion? I think this is a valuable inquiry, and no one has asked me this just yet. Yesterday I enrolled at Marylhurst University, the first step in a course of study that I hope will one day lead to a Masters of Divinity. I trust that during that course of work … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Paganism Tagged With: Christianity, Dialogue, Identity, Interfaith, Marylhurst University, Paganism, Polytheism, Religion, Universality

Where Does Compassion Belong Among Pagans and Polytheists?

April 9, 2012 By Teo Bishop

I'm having a hard time with compassion. So far, I've developed a daily ritual at my altar, I've reconciled (for the time being) my differences with my Christianity, I'm working to hold the tension between my Druid Revival leanings and my ADF approach, and all of that feels good. I feel like I'm developing a balanced, sincere, honorable religious practice. And yet, I'm uncertain about compassion. By saying that I'm uncertain about compassion I don't mean to imply that I don't feel … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Community, Paganism Tagged With: Blogosphere, Compassion, Gods, Kindness, Orthopraxy, Paganism, Polytheism, Right Action

WARNING: Call on a God, and He just might show up.

March 21, 2012 By Teo Bishop

I drove an hour to Malibu for my Spring Equinox ritual. The location was a secluded, public beach called "El Matador." The site opened at 8, and I arrived just a few minutes after the top of the hour. I followed the dirt trail down the edge of the cliff side, wearing jeans and work boots and too many layers. I’d overdressed, fearing that the ocean would bring a chill to my skin, but the sun was already up and it was plenty warm. Once at the bottom, I started searching out a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: High Days, Paganism Tagged With: ADF, Brighid, California, CooR, High Day, Malibu, Mannanán mac Lir, Offerings, Paganism, Ritual, Solo, Spring Equinox

I, Teo Bishop, am Coming Out as Teo Bishop

March 13, 2012 By Teo Bishop

It was my first time being fingerprinted and I couldn't stop giggling. I wasn't drunk. I wasn't being arrested, either. I was in the police station by choice, and the man who was gently rolling my inked fingers across the regulation fingerprint-card was taking it all in stride. "You know," I said, "this action, when taken out of its normal context, is totally neutral. It typically has so much stigma attached to it, but it's really nothing!" (giggle) "This is actually kind of fun!" I don't … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Coming Out, Gender, Paganism Tagged With: Coming Out, Gender, Name, Name Change, Pagan, Paganism, Teo Bishop, Transformation, Transgender

Yes, but what do we NEED from our Pagan leaders?

February 28, 2012 By Teo Bishop

The discussion around the post, What do we want from our Pagan leaders? was enlightening for me. Admittedly, I have a close, personal connection to the subject, as I'm seeking to discover what it might mean that I am, as a friend told me, "called to lead" in some way. This comment really stood out to me: I think that's one of the basic yardsticks of spiritual maturity: can what you offer to others be about what's needed rather than all about self-promotion? Or self-effacement, or … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Leadership, Paganism Tagged With: Community, discernment, Leadership, Paganism, Religion

What do we want from our Pagan leaders?

February 27, 2012 By Teo Bishop

In this last week of post-Pantheacon decompression, I've discovered a few things about myself. First, as much as I am invested in my online work, either through blogging or social networking, nothing compares to real-life, skin and sweat, handshakes and hugs interaction. You can imagine all you want about how great it would feel to dance, but that isn't the same as dancing. And, I love to dance. Pantheacon, my first large Pagan gathering, provided me with the opportunity to embody my … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Leadership, Paganism Tagged With: ADF, Dedicant Path, Leadership, Marylhurst University, Paganism, Pantheacon, Religious Studies, Study

Oh my Gods, I’m at #Pantheacon.

February 17, 2012 By Teo Bishop

I'm buzzing. Vibrating. I know that sounds New Age-y, but that's really what it feels like to be in my body at this moment. I'm sitting in the lobby of the San Jose DoubleTree Hotel, and Pantheacon is exploding all around me. There are men in skirts, women in top hats, people whose gender is a complete mystery, elders, newbies (like me), and a general spirit of something happening. This is the place to be, and I'm here. *grin* Oh, and did I mention that there is a strong corseted … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Pantheacon Tagged With: ADF, Candace Kant, Cherry Hill Seminary, Conference, Gathering, Ivo Dominguez Jr, Jacki Smith, Jim Dickinson, Lon Milo DuQuette, Mary K. Greer, Medb Olson, Orion Foxwood, Paganism, Pantheacon, Raven Grimassi, San Jose, T Thorn Coyle, Weiser Books