I was having a conversation with someone yesterday at our community Beltane ritual about that tricky thing that happens to us as we get further along in our recovery process… you know, when you start questioning whether you actually ARE an addict or alcoholic? When you remember the innocent pleasure of just that ONE glass of wine, or brownie, or bump? Maybe we could engage in those behaviors in a normal way. Oh, the beautiful maybe! Read more
Five is a powerful number; there's the five pointed star, of course, and the additional power that is brought to a ritual when you call five elements (earth, air, fire, water, and spirit), not to mention the unique group dynamic that is present among circles of five. So raise a glass (or five) today to the force of this number, and the magic of this birthday. I'm so grateful to be a part of this thriving, vibrant community, and it's a pleasure to say happy anniversary and bon fortuna, Patheos! Read more
The problem with choosing a favorite post is they're all my favorite! Actually, all the funny ones are my favorite. Never let it be said that I don't appreciate my own sense of humor. So, for your reading pleasure... Pagan light bulb jokes, the art of forthright speech, Nimue, and a matter of ir/reverence. Read more
Part of my struggle is knowing that how I frame my involvements with family, covens, and Family Covens taints how I experience and then describe the energy of those groups. What I delineate as “family” is inexorably linked with parents who consistently abused me. For me, “families” are not units where you go to be safe, nurtured, or unconditionally loved Read more
When we've violated our own principles, either consciously or even inadvertently, we become directly responsible for restoring our honor the best we can. This requires an honest objectivity, self-awareness, and willingness to make any necessary amends. Read more
Devotion can look like fitness, or music, or making chairs, or updating a web page. Don't try to change your nature to fit a specific model of worship; that just leads to failed resolutions. Instead, choose the model of worship that best suits your nature. Read more
The second of the nine “pure choice graces” is the grace of voice. While the grace of voice could refer to ordinary speech, Brighid’s association with poetry makes it especially appropriate to cultivate this grace through singing aloud in a pleasant tone. Read more
Like Zen and like Paganism, readers will take away from this book whatever matters most to them, and that’s a powerful thing. As Swiss reminds us, “it is the key to meditation, shamanism, and magic in all their forms: change your mind, change the world” (pg. 113). Read more
Why charging a small fee for events and workshops is actually of benefit to Pagans who are less wealthy than others, and how important community effort is for the greater good of the group. Read more
We may choose not to play with others because we are resentful or fearful. But there are other reasons why we might do things differently. We may hear another need calling out to us. Sometimes that looks like being way-away from the herd, or maybe just up the river a bit. Just far enough to where we can do our own thing and still hear the singing of our kin. Read more
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