What is distinct about Paganism is that we have no litmus test for belief entry. Personally, I'm not deeply invested in what anyone believes, not my editor Jason Mankey or my fellow writer John Halstead. I am far more interested in what someone knows. I want to know about how you come into your magical experience. How you document it, break it apart and put it back together. Read more
Wednesday night I facilitated a memorial service for a Pagan community leader, David Quinn. I didn't know David, but I had been scheduled to offer a chanting workshop for his group, Sacred Bridges CUUPs, in Des Moines, Iowa. Monday when I woke up I received a message that David had passed away Sunday night. Read more
Land spirits are an important part of paganisms around the world. These are spirits associated with places, whether they might be as small as a stream, or a tree, or as large as a mountain, a village, or a country. Read more
Now, this is not going to be one of those “When I was your age I had to walk 10 miles through a blizzard every day to go to school” lectures. But I would like for you to understand why our eyes glaze over and we wander away going “Eep! Gloik!” when you attempt to tell us what you know about Wicca. What you know about Wicca and what we know about Wicca are poles apart. Read more
"I never had any large respect for good spelling. That is my feeling yet. Before the spelling-book came with its arbitrary forms, men unconsciously revealed shades of their characters and also added enlightening shades of expression to what they wrote by their spelling, and so it is possible that the spelling-book has been a doubtful benevolence to us." ~Mark Twain Read more
Prayer is one of those contentious topics in the Heathen community that often stirs up more trouble than good. A lot of Heathens don't believe in praying at all, while others prefer almost liturgical forms of worship. Read more
The Rev. Melissa Hill shares a journey toward compassion and the goddess Sigyn. Read more
Some people do see the Gods as anchored in one terrestrial space. Others think the fairies are similarly limited to Ireland and historically Celtic lands. This has not been my experience. Read more
Every Heathen's reasons for staying a Heathen are different: Alyxander Folmer argues that Heathenry is a "religion of questions" and supports a skeptical, questioning attitude; Molly Khan talks about how the Heathen worldview supports her connection to the land, the ancestors, and the Gods. As for me, I have a ton of reasons which I will gladly tell you about--that is why I call my column "Happily Heathen", after all. Read more
Walls are being built high and strong in the Pagan community as our component parts struggle to establish their distinct identities. Will our Pagan village have room for everyone who wants to live in it? Read more
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