Respect is a large thing in my life.  I find that it is a large concept in many people’s life, especially within my culture.  I was raised to understand that respecting the next person is not something that is a choice but an expectation.  My mother and my father were born and raised in the south (which is the norm at some point in the family tree of Black people) and so respect was engrained and could equate to what... Read more

I find it amazing how many things have been lost from my families culture and our history.  I wish I could have understood how important it was to have written down all the things I saw and heard from my mother or other relatives so that I could have them to pass down to my own children.  It is always frustrating to know that there are so many things that have not been documented and therefore lost to me because... Read more

This is not a political blog. This blog is meant to be a mesh of two worlds that are really one in the hearts and minds of African American Pagans. The dynamics of Blacks in America often have been political and we could argue that even the classifications of race itself is a political statement. How do you separate the issues of a race from the very politics that have been used to classify them within this nation from the... Read more

For thousands of years dance has played an integral role in ritual and religion. For many, it was story telling and theater that led to the formation of their ritualized services. Eventually the origin stories themselves may fade but the dances, emotion, and resonance remain. For African Americans, many of whom have very little links to our ancestral pasts, our own dances and rituals have often been scandalized, sexualized, or out right vilified as unfit for public consumption. Search You... Read more

Name: Clio Ajana Age: 46 Living: Writer and Educator Location: Twin Cities, MN A bit about myself… My life in the Twin Cities includes writing, teaching, translating, dancing, collecting comic books and enjoying craftwork. I consider everything in my life to be touched by my religious practice and spiritual beliefs. What is Hellenic Orthodox/Hellenic Alexandrian? The religion is Hellenic Orthodox;  the spiritual tradition within the religion of Hellenic Orthodox that I practice is Hellenic Alexandrian (as in Alexandria, Egypt).  We... Read more

Some experiences cannot compare to others. I know there are many differences in opinions that lead one to believe he or she has the answers to any given situation and the “rights” from “wrongs” in the world. In reality our personal views on life are build by a variety of elements that create the current take on reality. Reality is not the same for everyone and this is important in the building of understanding and becoming more sympathetic to the... Read more

A Pagan Parenting Astonishment: What? You promote teen abstinence?!   Several years back, I partook of and facilitated a women’s group where we discussed various topics. A topic on teen abstinence came up and members of the group expressed bewilderment that I, a Pagan mother, promote teen abstinence with my children, alluding to the belief that only Abrahamic religion (majority Christianity) holds a monopoly on the concept and word. Yes, I was the only “out” Pagan mother on the page,... Read more

Goddess HERstory : Candid Conversation (video) I’m enchanted to introduce our readers to two wonderful people within our community who is devoted to speak, educate, and provide a sanctuary within our path of the Gods. More precise the path of the Goddess.  Below is a brief introduction by Jawanza Amennum on the latest video blogging, Candid Conversation, on youtube.   Candid Conversations is a not just a talk show! It is dialogue between masculine & feminine divinity in the persons... Read more

Just because Obama is President….doesn’t mean that racism doesn’t exist. Just in case there was any confusion behind the concept that we live in a racially motivated society that has a systematic form of racism that has operated for years in the institutions of this country. It appears to be the non-minority’s answer to societal problems, the fact that we have a Black president… must mean everyone has to stop worrying about whether or not we live in a racist... Read more

This week has been full of moments of reflection for me. You know those times when all the variables start displaying themselves, bringing things to light that create moments of confusion and clarity all at the same time. I have been thinking about Occupy Oakland and the incredible injustices that continue to happen here in the Bay Area and all over the United States. The struggle for equality continues to be a focal point of so many movements and yet... Read more