John Beckett - Page 3 of 154 - Musings of a Druid, Pagan, and Unitarian Universalist.

Vote!

October 28, 2018 By John Beckett

This is the moment we can do something that will make a tangible difference over the next two years and set the tone for 2020 and beyond. Or we can continue to allow 26% of the country to drive us off the cliff. If we turn out, we win. Read more

Rethinking the Big Tent of Paganism

October 25, 2018 By John Beckett

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I originally thought the value of the Big Tent metaphor was its bigness. Now I think its value is its portability. We can set it up where ever we need it and do what we need to do, then go back to work on the things we’re really passionate about. Read more

Trickster Gods, How Magic Works, Magic For Yourself, and More

October 23, 2018 By John Beckett

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Why do some Pagans blame Trickster Gods for bad things like Christians blame their devil? How does magic work? Can you work magic for yourself? Can you pay someone to work magic for you? Responses to eight questions for Conversations Under the Oaks. Read more

Called by Problematic Gods

October 21, 2018 By John Beckett

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What’s a woman to do when she feels called by a God whose stories include rape? This is a question I feel very unqualified to answer. So I turned to ADF priest and fellow polytheist Rev. Lauren Mart. This is Lauren’s response. Read more

The Wheel of the Year in the Era of Climate Change

October 18, 2018 By John Beckett

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The Wheel of the Year is central to modern Paganism because it’s an accessible connection to both our ancestors and to Nature. Our changing climate will demand changes to our celebrations, lest we become proper English ladies and gentlemen giving ourselves heat stroke from wearing London fashion in Jamaica. Read more

8 Things to do for Samhain as a Solitary Pagan

October 16, 2018 By John Beckett

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Many traditional activities for Samhain are designed for large groups, but many Pagans are solitary practitioners, either by choice or by necessity. Here are eight things you can do to celebrate Samhain as a solitary. Read more

So You Want To Be A Pagan – A Guide For Pagan Newcomers

October 14, 2018 By John Beckett

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What do newcomers need to know about Paganism when they’re just starting out? That’s an incredibly broad question – it’s why we have so many Paganism 101 books. Here’s some general information, some resources, and what you need to know if you decide to practice the particular form of Paganism I practice. Read more

Devotional Art for Manannán mac Lir

October 11, 2018 By John Beckett

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This is the story of a new devotional painting of Manannán mac Lir by Pagan artist Ashley Bryner. Read more

Gods Behaving Badly? Myth, Virtue, and the Limitations of Modern Thinking

October 9, 2018 By John Beckett

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Myths are more than fictional stories and they aren’t intended to be read literally. Oftentimes we have to look past the obvious to get to the truth, and what seems to be contradictory is simply two or more lessons embedded in the same story. Read more

7 Things We Owe Pagan Newcomers

October 7, 2018 By John Beckett

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Hospitality is among the greatest of Pagan virtues, and it means more than offering food and drink. People come to us looking for a community where they can learn sacred traditions and explore the deepest questions of life. What will they find when they arrive? Here are seven things we owe newcomers to Paganism. Read more