The Book of the Great Queen

Last updated on: June 4, 2015 at 5:05 pm By John Beckett

The Morrígan is a fitting Goddess for our times, and The Book of the Great Queen is the most complete and thorough guide yet written to honoring Her and taking up Her great work. Read more

You Have A Destiny

Last updated on: June 2, 2015 at 5:01 pm By John Beckett

The future is not fixed. I’m not a special snowflake and neither are you. But you still have a destiny. Actually, you have two. Read more

A Skeptic’s Guide to Gods and Spirits

Last updated on: May 30, 2015 at 9:28 am By John Beckett

We live in a thoroughly materialist culture – many of us are reluctant to discuss our spiritual experiences for fear of being dismissed, ridiculed, or even shunned. Yet these experiences are real, powerful, and waiting for us to figure out what they mean. What can skeptics do when they counter Gods and spirits? Read more

The Obligations of Religion

Last updated on: May 27, 2015 at 5:53 pm By John Beckett

The freedom of Paganism is a great thing, but let’s remember that good, strong, meaningful religion also carries obligations. Read more

A Pagan at Donner Pass

Last updated on: May 25, 2015 at 3:20 pm By John Beckett

We treat Nature as something other, something to be conquered and exploited, never remembering that like the Donner Party, our ill-informed actions have very real consequences. Read more

The Authority to Initiate

Last updated on: May 11, 2015 at 6:32 pm By John Beckett

Without the lineage and heritage of a recognized group, is an initiation valid? There are two sources of authority by which a group of non-lineaged Pagans can perform initiations. Read more

Initiation

Last updated on: May 14, 2015 at 5:38 pm By John Beckett

Previously I’ve written about how to plan and compose initiation rituals. This is how we actually did it in 2012. Read more

Composing Initiation Rituals

Last updated on: May 14, 2015 at 5:37 pm By John Beckett

A member of your Pagan group has asked you for an initiation. You’re not part of an organization that has an established initiation ritual and a policy on who can be initiated. Now what do you do? Read more

Planning Initiation Rituals

Last updated on: May 14, 2015 at 5:36 pm By John Beckett

What do you do if someone asks you for an initiation? My first questions are always “why?” and “what do you hope to gain by initiation?” Read more

Initiation in Today’s Pagan World

Last updated on: May 14, 2015 at 5:36 pm By John Beckett

It is possible to live a deeply spiritual life and to serve the Gods, humanity and the rest of Nature without ever experiencing initiation, but the initiations I have experienced have been very helpful to my spiritual growth. I see four reasons why initiations are helpful. Read more