Divination For 2020: Our Most Intimate Goals and Our Deepest Fears

Last updated on: December 31, 2019 at 8:36 pm By John Beckett

We are still in Tower Time, but this year’s emphasis is on us: our dreams, our fears, our willingness to work diligently and effectively, and our commitment to fight with all the weapons at our disposal. What do you want most of all? Is your desire greater than your fear? Read more

The 4 Best Posts of 2019 You Didn’t Read

Last updated on: December 18, 2019 at 7:19 pm By John Beckett

While I’ve come to accept that sometimes the Pagan community just doesn’t care about something as much as I do, there are times when I find myself screaming “this is important! Why are you not reading this?!” Read more

What a Decade It’s Been: A Spiritual Retrospective

Last updated on: December 12, 2019 at 8:57 pm By John Beckett

We’re ten days away from a new decade, so before I do my usual year-end features it seems appropriate to do a retrospective on 2010 – 2019. This is a personal retrospective of the 2010s. It may be too personal, but it’s my story and I want to share it. Read more

Building a New Myth – A New On-line Class

Last updated on: December 18, 2019 at 4:29 pm By John Beckett

Announcing a new on-line class from Under the Ancient Oaks: “Building a New Myth: Scientific, Animist, and Polytheist Foundations For the Future.” Registration opens January 2; the class begins January 23 and will run for seven weeks. Here are the details. Read more

Paganism in the 2020s – What to Expect in the Next Decade

Last updated on: December 12, 2019 at 7:39 pm By John Beckett

The end of one decade is a good time to look forward to the decade ahead of us. This isn’t divination or prophecy so much as it’s projection. This is what I expect the next decade will bring to the Pagan movement. Read more

Winter Solstice and the Pagan Restoration

Last updated on: December 10, 2019 at 8:58 pm By John Beckett

The Winter Solstice may be humanity’s oldest holy day. It’s a reminder that long nights don’t last forever, and neither do difficult times. Whatever else the Winter Solstice may teach, it teaches us hope and persistence. And you don’t have to be a Pagan to see and feel that. Read more

6 Things To Do On Your Winter Break

Last updated on: December 12, 2019 at 11:30 am By John Beckett

Adults in our society have very little time that’s truly free. But many of us have a day or two or twelve between the Winter Solstice and the day after New Year’s. Let’s make the most of them. Read more

Strategies and Tactics for The Storm

Last updated on: December 6, 2019 at 7:48 pm By John Beckett

Unprecedented metaphysical changes. The crumbling of power structures, and extreme efforts by those with power to cling to it. A growing interest in magic and witchcraft, with resulting magical effects. Increased encounters with Otherworldly persons. This is the environment in which we work. Now, what are we going to do about it? Read more

Dealing With Religious Uncertainty: Hold Loosely But Practice Deeply

Last updated on: December 5, 2019 at 7:08 pm By John Beckett

Nothing in the realm of religion and magic can ever be known with certainty. If new experiences or new lines of thinking demonstrate that our beliefs are wrong, we are ethically obligated to change them. But while we hold them, it’s best if we explore them as deeply as we can. Read more