Druid Thoughts: Of Sex and Druids

Last updated on: June 3, 2013 at 1:07 pm By Nimue Brown

Before I start, let me point out this post is not going to be X-rated. Relationship is at the heart of Druidry. Now, aside from relationship with land, ancestors, spirit and all the other esoteric options out there, this also means we have every encouragement to think about relationships with each other. Generally speaking, paganism is a sex-positive spiritual approach. Even where you get folk dedicating themselves to chastity (I recall one article by a priestess of Vesta), it’s not... Read more

We All Weather These Storms: Pagan Hurricane Relief

Last updated on: November 5, 2012 at 2:31 pm By T. Thorn Coyle

.“There is Magic in helping others that creates a ripple effect. Each act of service creating ever wider circles of acts of service and compassion. One small act each day is all it takes to change our world.” – Peter Dybing We all weather these storms. Right now, Peter Dybing is helping to move trees from roads so rescue vehicles can get resources to trapped people. Right now, the people of Occupy Sandy are organizing volunteers, blankets, food, water, and... Read more

The Worship of Strange Gods

Last updated on: December 27, 2014 at 7:24 pm By Adrian Monogue

Humanity is capable of many great things. One of the things that I place on that list is the ability of humanity to believe. It is upon our beliefs that we build the foundations of our everyday existence. From the small to the grandiose, everything we do is affected by the simple, constant fact that we believe. Everything we interact with is based upon this. Don’t think this is correct? Maybe you’re right. However, I would like you to think about all of the small... Read more

Naturalistic Traditions: All Things November

Last updated on: January 19, 2015 at 10:44 pm By B. T. Newberg

What can a naturalist celebrate in November? This post is part of Naturalistic Traditions, a column exploring naturalism in Pagan ways. This column will cover seasonal celebrations, historical and contemporary movements, and ritual practices. Natural Cycles For places in the northern hemisphere with four seasons, autumn is giving way to the coming winter. The last leaves cling to the branches or fall, and the harvest is near completion. As for lunar cycles, the 13th will see a new moon,... Read more

Samhain: Blessed Be All Souls

Last updated on: December 31, 2014 at 9:18 pm By Elinor Prędota

This week many Pagans celebrate Samhain, popularly known as Hallowe’en. It is the ancient, and modern, festival of the dead, of remembering and honouring those who have gone before us. In pre-Roman times, there is evidence that the ‘Celtic’ peoples of the British Isles would leave doors and windows open to invite the spirits of their dead loved ones and their ancestors to join them for the evening. This is still a practice that some modern-day Pagans follow. In the... Read more

State of the Pagan Channel address

Last updated on: June 2, 2013 at 7:31 pm By Christine Kraemer

Patheos Pagan readers and bloggers, I am delighted to be serving you all as the new Managing Editor of the Pagan Channel. Patheos provides an important space for interfaith dialogue between Pagans and other religious practitioners, as well as among our own community. I look forward to great conversations about the role of Paganism in the twenty-first century, particularly as we contemplate the potential advantages and dangers of building infrastructure. As I’m (ever so slowly) familiarizing myself with the software and back... Read more

ANNOUNCING: New Managing Editor of the Patheos Pagan Channel: Christine Hoff Kraemer

Last updated on: June 2, 2013 at 8:31 pm By David Charles

Dear Readers, We are pleased to share with you some exciting news: Effective immediately, Christine Hoff Kraemer is assuming the responsibilities of Managing Editor of the Pagan Channel at Patheos.com. Christine holds a PhD in Religious and Theological Studies from Boston University. An accomplished writer, editor, and teacher, Christine has published widely on literature, popular culture, and Paganism. She has books forthcoming from Routledge and Patheos Press. Christine is also an instructor at Cherry Hill Seminary, where she did pioneering work on... Read more

Naturalistic Traditions: All Things October

Last updated on: January 19, 2015 at 10:42 pm By B. T. Newberg

What can a naturalist celebrate in October? This post is part of Naturalistic Traditions, a column exploring naturalism in Pagan ways. This column will cover seasonal celebrations, historical and contemporary movements, and ritual practices. Natural cycles For places in the northern hemisphere with four seasons, it is now well into autumn. The temperature is cooling and the leaves are changing color and falling. The harvest is being hauled in, and winter is not far off. There is a sense of... Read more

Naturalistic Traditions: All Things September

Last updated on: January 19, 2015 at 10:40 pm By B. T. Newberg

Summer has waned, and those in a four-seasons climate are now moving into autumn. In those climates, this is also often a time when fields begin to turn gold with ripened grain, ready for harvest. An equinox, when the length of day and night are equal, will arrive on the 22nd. Read more

Naturalistic Traditions: All Things August

Last updated on: January 19, 2015 at 10:40 pm By B. T. Newberg

What can a naturalist celebrate in August? This post is part of Naturalistic Traditions, a column exploring naturalism in Pagan ways. This column will cover seasonal celebrations, historical and contemporary movements, and ritual practices. Natural cycles A month of blazing heat for those in the Northern Hemisphere, August follows the Summer Solstice. It is therefore a time of declining length of days, even though the temperature is at its peak. As for lunar cycles, the month kicks off with a... Read more