Toward a Common Polytheist Theology

Last updated on: May 28, 2018 at 7:25 pm By John Beckett

In the last post I said that over time, modern Paganism will settle into three main groupings: polytheism, traditional witchcraft, and non-theistic Nature worship. That’s more of a guess than any sort of prediction, much less an oracular proclamation. But it’s a reasonable guess based on where I see energy, enthusiasm, and deep commitment in the Pagan movement. Of those three I am most personally involved with polytheism. While I love Nature and I have a life-long interest in magic,... Read more

Paganism Doesn’t Need Unity

Last updated on: May 25, 2018 at 6:09 pm By John Beckett

We need to stick together where we have common interests, but not on matters of theology and ritual. Let the Gardnerians be Gardnerians. Let ADF be ADF. More importantly, let the rogue witches and experimental polytheists do their things and see what happens. Read more

Paganism in the Dry Season

Last updated on: May 24, 2018 at 6:46 pm By John Beckett

Dry seasons come to all of us sooner or later. The realities of life intrude on our plans, and so we deal with them, as we must. Accept reality, take care of yourself, do what must be done, and then be the Pagan you are. Read more

Magic In The Office – 3 Things I Do At Work

Last updated on: May 19, 2018 at 2:10 pm By John Beckett

I don’t work magic to get results for my employer. I work magic to keep me safe and in the proper frame of mind. If I can do what I need to do without unnecessary stress, the company will get what it needs from me in an honest exchange of labor for money. Read more

A Very Careful Prayer

Last updated on: May 17, 2018 at 7:13 pm By John Beckett

“Be careful what you ask for – you just might get it.” I’m overloaded right now. The Gods I serve are neither capricious nor cruel, but They are not divine helicopter parents – I need to be very careful what I pray for. Read more

Immigration and Emigration – Where Could You Go If You Had To Leave?

Last updated on: May 12, 2018 at 4:51 pm By John Beckett

A million Irish people left their homeland during the Great Famine. Some of them are my ancestors, and possibly yours. But the world of 2018 is very different from the world of 1848. Where could you go if you had to leave? Read more

Trump, Jeffress, and the Jerusalem Embassy – This is Why We Need Separation of Church and State

Last updated on: May 14, 2018 at 8:06 pm By John Beckett

When an fundamentalist preacher represents the United States at the dedication of a new diplomatic building in a foreign country, the First Amendment is violated. For Donald Trump, this was a political payoff that didn’t cost a dime out of his own pocket. Read more

Animism, Personhood, and Killing to Eat

Last updated on: May 11, 2018 at 6:20 pm By John Beckett

Do you mindlessly eat what you’ve always been told to eat and mindlessly ridicule those who do otherwise? Or do you consider your place in Nature and make a conscious decision based on your needs and desires? Most importantly, do you acknowledge the sacrifices required to keep you alive? Read more

Conversations Under the Oaks: May Q&A

Last updated on: May 8, 2018 at 7:37 pm By John Beckett

We have lots of questions this month. How to handle theological disagreements. How to tell if a Pagan group is healthy or not. Being a visible Pagan in a small community. Leadership transitions in Pagan organizations. And much more. Read more

The Value of Chaos

Last updated on: May 4, 2018 at 6:41 pm By John Beckett

I don’t like chaos. I don’t like risk. Taking risks can make things better, but it can also make them worse. But what I want doesn’t matter. Chaos is real, it can be delayed but it cannot be prevented, and in the right situations, it can be a good thing. Read more