Paganism In Depth – A New Book

Last updated on: February 6, 2019 at 7:05 pm By John Beckett

My second book “Paganism In Depth – A Polytheist Approach” is now available for pre-orders. It will be released on June 8. Here are some more details about what’s in the book, how it came to be, and an on-line class to go with it. Read more

A Farewell to Dark Mornings

Last updated on: February 5, 2019 at 7:49 pm By John Beckett

We’re seven weeks past the Winter Solstice. I’ve picked up almost an hour of light a day where I am – Spring is on its way. And while the coming of Spring is generally a good thing, I bid farewell to dark mornings with a bit of sadness. Read more

What It Means To Work With The Gods

Last updated on: February 7, 2019 at 8:52 pm By John Beckett

Some polytheists find this phrase insufficiently reverent: “you don’t work with a God, you worship a God!” Others find it too deferential: “I do my own thing for my own reasons.” Regardless of how you feel about “working with” the Gods, it’s worthwhile to examine this phrase and its theological implications. Read more

The Hierophant: There’s the Easy Way or the Hard Way

Last updated on: January 29, 2019 at 8:27 pm By John Beckett

While I’m fond of order, I don’t like arbitrary authority any more than the next Pagan does. I don’t like seeing The Hierophant show up in my readings. But The Hierophant isn’t always a sign of abuse. Sometimes it just reminds us that we have to deal with reality, whether we like it or not. Read more

Druid Reading Recommendations: A Revised List

Last updated on: February 3, 2019 at 11:30 am By John Beckett

These are the handful of books that are most helpful to seekers as they try to figure out if modern Druidry is right for them, and to beginning Druids as they learn the history and heritage of our 300 year old movement. Read more

The Morrigan Calls People In Different Life Situations

Last updated on: January 26, 2019 at 2:56 pm By John Beckett

I see Her calling people who are young and inexperienced – and a few who are old and inexperienced – who’ve never been in a fight in their lives. But with study and practice they can grow into warriors, or people who support warriors. Read more

The Witches’ Pyramid, My Favorite Pagan Book, and More Toxic People

Last updated on: January 28, 2019 at 2:10 pm By John Beckett

Here are the final questions for this month’s Conversations Under the Oaks: Stoicism and the Witches’ Pyramid, dealing with toxic beliefs in the Pagan community, my favorite Pagan book, and my toughest experience as a Pagan leader. Read more

When You Return To The Mundane World

Last updated on: January 19, 2019 at 4:45 pm By John Beckett

Our time together as Pagans is sacred time, but eventually it comes to an end and we return to the mundane world. I rarely make it to lunch before something happens to screw up my hopeful Pagan afterglow. We don’t have to like this, but we do have to deal with it. Read more

Daily Devotions, Seasonal Deities, and Losing Your Pagan Faith

Last updated on: January 19, 2019 at 5:23 pm By John Beckett

Today we continue with more Conversations Under the Oaks. What are some things you can do to build a system of regular ritual devotions? What do you do when a deity stops talking to you? And how can we embrace darkness and shadow in our lives – even if we don’t like those terms? The pattern of seasonal devotion – the eight festivals – is thoroughly documented. What about weekly or daily rituals? Is there a working example of a... Read more

8 Things to do for Imbolc as a Solitary Pagan

Last updated on: January 21, 2019 at 9:40 am By John Beckett

Many traditional activities for Imbolc 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 Imbolc as a solitary. Read more