by Porsha Williams   "Thou hast obeyed the Law. But mark well, when thou receivest good, so equally art bound to return good threefold.” – ‘High Magic’s Aid’ by Gerald Gardner   DISCLAIMER:  This story in no way advocates lying curses on people or doing drugs The first time I ever laid a curse on someone, I was completely unaware that what I was doing would reverberate through time, seemingly never-ending. You thought I was going to say I was completely unaware that … [Read more...]

Samhain is coming.  It is one of my favorite times of year and holds a lot of memories for me, all the way throughout my childhood.  I was raised in a home that celebrated Halloween, decorated for the holiday, purchased candy and celebrated it like all the other popular holidays of the year.  My mother’s birthday is on Halloween, so it was a special day for many reasons. There was no idea in my childhood that I might grow up to be Wiccan but when I realized my path there was no surprise … [Read more...]

by Clio Ajana Quinquatrus Six in the evening on a quiet rainy March Saturday in St. Paul can be dreary, even with a partly visible moon. The bare US Bank parking lot across the street from the Sacred Paths Community Center and the slow foot traffic into the corner liquor store said it all. The distinct smell of Nag Champa and the sound of brass bells permeated the room as I opened the heavy glass door. “Our Lady of Celestial Fire?” the dark haired woman, dressed in … [Read more...]

This is a hard post to write. I don’t know how to unload the thoughts I have around the remembrance of events such as today, 9/11.  I honor the dead, I honor those who have sacrificed for this country and I am sad at the loss of lives and the grieving of friends and family. I do not want to take away from this event nor the events today in honor of those who were taken from us so unjustly and unfairly.  Instead, I want to add to it. When these events are brought up in remembrance, I … [Read more...]

Disclaimer:  Prior to reading this post I would like to point out that this is a introspective post that has more to do with my ability to evaluate who I am and who I want to be.  It is a chance to look at my feelings of being judged, seeing others judged and times when I have also been judgmental.  If you are wondering or thinking whether this is about you, the answer is no.  What I would encourage though is to consider why you might think that, if you find that you do.   I … [Read more...]

This blog is being reprinted, with permission from the writer, as a way to continue to spread the varying experiences of Pagans of Color.  What I liked the most about this piece, outside of it being well articulated, was the diversity in voice that it brought to the table.  It is not like any other I have read per say and it is not from someone that is African American. Enjoy!  And leave her a comment, if you are inspired to do so, on her blog … [Read more...]

Guest Post Poem from Porsha Williams   I’m in a phenomenal place There is no sound, no feeling, no smell or taste It is the darkness – Soulless Pit, the Abyss! How could you not know, however could it be missed? This is the reality, the finalized and discovered – You know me, Now! This is the Darkness, the place where nightmares play; Unbound! This is the dusk, the Twilight of my soul – It is the breaking point, where I am undone and no longer whole It’s here that I … [Read more...]

I often feel like it is easy to pass judgment on people, make assumptions and even force opinions onto others when it is but an ideal.  Often generalizations are blown when faces can be put in front of the issues, opinions or assumptions. Society teaches us to dehumanize one another and thus it is that much easier to discard the responsibility we really hold for our community. These thoughts become ever present for me when I hear of politicians speaking about women’s rights and making … [Read more...]

The many faces of the ourselves are often the same faces that we see in the Gods; complex, layered and distinct.  It is with this understanding that I know that my ability to completely understand myself is just as complicated, if not impossible, as the ability to completely understand divinity.  To think that I know all of myself is somewhat ridiculous and ego filled. So who am I? I ask myself this question all the time.  Sometimes I feel I know the answer and other times I question … [Read more...]

While the internet continues to buzz around conversations of Pagans and obesity, I can't help but contemplate how that is just a dot on the canvas of concerns within the lives of many people.  I have always struggled between moments of concern over health to sheer anger that others in society take the liberties to have an opinion about my outsides.  It makes me reflect on generations of my family and the layered levels of life that manifest into extra pounds and an assumption that healthy … [Read more...]