{"id":14799,"date":"2019-06-27T03:00:35","date_gmt":"2019-06-27T09:00:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/admin.patheos.com\/blogs\/johnbeckett\/?p=14799"},"modified":"2019-06-21T18:35:38","modified_gmt":"2019-06-22T00:35:38","slug":"nine-things-i-think-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/johnbeckett\/2019\/06\/nine-things-i-think-19.html","title":{"rendered":"Nine Things I Think"},"content":{"rendered":"<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\">\n<html><head><meta http-equiv=\"content-type\" content=\"text\/html; charset=utf-8\"><meta http-equiv=\"content-type\" content=\"text\/html; charset=utf-8\"><\/head><body><p>I haven\u2019t done a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/johnbeckett?s=nine+things+i+think\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\">Nine Things I Think<\/a> post in over two years. I started the series in 2013 \u2013 I thought it would be a good way to cover things that aren\u2019t long enough for their own individual posts. I stopped in 2017 because they weren\u2019t well read, and because I\u2019ve had no shortage of blog-length topics to write about.<\/p>\n<p>But now I have another list of short things I want to talk about, so it\u2019s time for another Nine Things I Think.<\/p>\n<p><strong>1. <em>Paganism In Depth \u2013 A Polytheist Approach<\/em><\/strong>. My second book was released for sale on June 8. The title is very descriptive of the content \u2013 it\u2019s a \u201cnext level\u201d Pagan book that goes deeper, from a polytheist perspective. It covers the ideas, concepts, and principles on which my Paganism is built. It has a strong emphasis on practice \u2013 all the things we do on a regular basis that build our skills and strengthen our relationships with our Gods and spirits. And it addresses many of the challenges we face in moving from a casual Paganism to a deep Paganism.<\/p>\n<p><em>Paganism in Depth<\/em> is available from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Paganism-Depth-Polytheist-John-Beckett\/dp\/0738760641\/\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"><strong>Amazon<\/strong><\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.barnesandnoble.com\/w\/paganism-in-depth-john-beckett\/1129605154\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"><strong>Barnes &amp; Noble<\/strong><\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.llewellyn.com\/product.php?ean=9780738760643\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"><strong>Llewellyn<\/strong><\/a>, and at selected book stores and magic shops. If you see me at a Pagan gathering I\u2019ll have copies to sell, and I\u2019ll be happy to sign your book no matter where you bought it.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/YSsWbt3BTyE\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>2. <em>Paganism In Depth<\/em>\u00a0\u2013 the on-line class. <\/strong>Do you want to take your Paganism deeper? Do you want to explore polytheism with guidance from a practicing devotional polytheist? Then sign up for\u00a0<em>Paganism In Depth<\/em>\u00a0\u2013 the On-line Class. This will be a six-week class based on the new book. It wasn\u2019t written as a textbook, but I think we can use it for that just fine.<\/p>\n<p>Each week will have a video presentation delivered on-demand. Classes will have reading, practice, and writing about what you experience. None of that is mandatory \u2013 if you don\u2019t want to do the homework that\u2019s your business. But if you go to the trouble of doing it, I\u2019ll go to the trouble of reading what you turn in and offering feedback.<\/p>\n<p>The cost is $50 for the entire 6-week series, and there will be a limited number of scholarships available for those experiencing financial difficulties.<\/p>\n<p>Sign-up begins July 5 \u2013 look for announcements here, and on Facebook and Twitter. The class begins August 1<sup>st.<\/sup><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/243\/2019\/06\/PiD-04a.jpg\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-14826\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/243\/2019\/06\/PiD-04a.jpg\" alt=\"Paganism In Depth - the On-line Class\" width=\"768\" height=\"404\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>3. Mystic South \u2013 workshops.<\/strong> I\u2019ll be at the third annual <a href=\"https:\/\/mystic-south.com\/\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Mystic South conference<\/a> in Atlanta July 19 \u2013 21. It\u2019s quickly become my favorite Pagan conference. Here are my comments on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/johnbeckett\/2018\/07\/15-random-thoughts-from-mystic-south.html\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\">last year\u2019s gathering<\/a>, and on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/johnbeckett\/2017\/07\/5-things-learned-mystic-south.html\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\">inaugural gathering in 2017<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>This year\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/mystic-south.com\/headliner-workshops-2019\/\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">headliners<\/a> are Lilith Dorsey, Sangoma Oludoye, and Jason Mankey, and Tuatha Dea are the musical guests.<\/p>\n<p>I\u2019ll be presenting \u201cConnecting to the Land Where You Are\u201d on Friday at 12:30 in the Azalea Room, and \u201cSelf-care for Priests and Other Pagan Leaders\u201d on Saturday at 12:30, also in the Azalea Room.<\/p>\n<p><strong>4. Mystic South \u2013 conversations.<\/strong> One of my favorite parts of any Pagan gathering are the one-on-one and small group conversations you just can\u2019t have anywhere else. Several of you have approached me via e-mail and on Facebook about something you want to talk about. I have quite a few obligations, and I want to get to some of the other presentations (<a href=\"https:\/\/mystic-south.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/MysticSouth2019Schedule.pdf\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">the schedule<\/a> is really good and really full), but I want to have as many of these conversations as possible.<\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m arriving Thursday and should be in by late afternoon \u2013 Thursday evening is pretty open. After that, it just depends. Contact me when you get in (FB Messenger, text, in-person) and let\u2019s set up something.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/243\/2018\/07\/Mystic-South-2018-04.jpg\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-10174\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/243\/2018\/07\/Mystic-South-2018-04.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"768\" height=\"404\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>5. UU Sunday Services.<\/strong> I\u2019ll be presenting a shorter version of \u201cConnecting to the Land Where You Are\u201d in a UU Sunday service at the <a href=\"http:\/\/dentonuuf.org\/\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Denton Unitarian Universalist Fellowship<\/a> in Denton Texas on July 28, and at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uuvictoriatx.com\/\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Unitarian Universalist Church of Victoria Texas<\/a> on August 25. If you\u2019re in the area, come out and say hello.<\/p>\n<p><strong>6. The kindness of the Gods.<\/strong> Weekend before last I was in Seattle for a private event. I was supposed to fly back to Dallas on Sunday evening, but storms in North Texas caused my flight to be canceled. And because I have no status with any of the airlines, the soonest I could get back was Tuesday evening. Thankfully, I have a paying job that\u2019s understanding, and a good friend who put me up for two nights (Have you seen <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wolfmercuryphotography.com\/\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Joe Perri\u2019s photography<\/a>? It\u2019s awesome). Instead of going back to work on Monday, or hanging out in the airport, I spent the day visiting waterfalls around Mount Rainier.<\/p>\n<p>The Gods I serve are demanding. Sometimes They can be harsh. But other times They can be extremely kind, and for that I am very, very thankful.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/243\/2019\/06\/Seattle-06.17.19-02.jpg\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-14814\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/243\/2019\/06\/Seattle-06.17.19-02.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"768\" height=\"404\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>7. But now I\u2019m out of vacation.<\/strong> My paying job is understanding, but I still had to burn two days of vacation I was saving for other trips later in the year. I\u2019ve got enough left for the late December trip my wife and I take every year, but that\u2019s it. If you were thinking about inviting me to your Pagan Pride Day or other gathering later this year, I won\u2019t be able to get away.<\/p>\n<p>On one hand, that\u2019s disappointing. I love going to conferences and gatherings, like the Southern New Hampshire Pagan Pride Day in 2017 and the ADF Rocky Mountain Retreat in 2018. On the other hand, I\u2019m not exactly young anymore, and it\u2019s getting harder and harder to get home late Sunday night and go back to work on Monday morning.<\/p>\n<p><strong>8. I\u2019m already planning 2020 travel.<\/strong> There are two gatherings on my permanent schedule: the ADF Texas Imbolc Retreat in February and Mystic South in July. And I\u2019m planning a major vacation \/ pilgrimage for May \u2013 where depends on world events. Beyond that, while I have a lot of vacation by American standards (due to 22 years with the same employer) there are only so many trips I can do.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re planning a retreat, convention, or other Pagan gathering and you\u2019d like me to speak, present, and\/or lead ritual, the sooner we start talking the better the odds I\u2019ll be able to attend. I don\u2019t charge an appearance fee \u2013 I do expect travel expenses to be covered.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_14820\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14820\" style=\"width: 768px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/243\/2019\/06\/RMR-2018-160.jpg\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-14820\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/243\/2019\/06\/RMR-2018-160.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"768\" height=\"404\"><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-14820\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">ADF Rocky Mountain Retreat \u2013 2018<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>9. Current thoughts on the 2020 election<\/strong>. Enough about me. Back in April I wrote <a href=\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/johnbeckett\/2019\/04\/the-reasonable-liberals-guide-to-the-2020-democratic-primary.html\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\">The Reasonable Liberal\u2019s Guide to the 2020 Democratic Primary<\/a>. Since then we\u2019ve had even more candidates declare for the Democratic nomination for President. I agree with whoever said that some of them need to drop out and run for Senate, or the House, or even a position in their state legislature. All but one of them are going to lose \u2013 they need to be doing something productive.<\/p>\n<p>Joe Biden\u2019s personal conduct is showing why he\u2019s not Presidential material. He\u2019s better than Trump, but that\u2019s not saying much. The candidates I want to like \u2013 Kamala Harris, Corey Booker, and Tulsi Gabbard \u2013 have done nothing to grab my attention.<\/p>\n<p>Elizabeth Warren continue to impress me with her calm demeanor and her detailed policy proposals. As much as I want a dynamic candidate who can inspire people \u2013 especially the ones who voted for Obama in 2008 and 2012 but stayed home in 2016 \u2013 it\u2019s more important to find someone who can govern well. Warren has convinced me she can do that.<\/p>\n<p>But I\u2019m still listening to anyone and everyone.<\/p>\n<p>The Iowa caucuses are February 3, the New Hampshire primary is February 11, and Super Tuesday (which includes Texas this time) is March 3.<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Paganism In Depth, the new on-line class, Mystic South, travels, and more.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1129,"featured_media":14814,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[2462,1268,4,5,2574,8],"class_list":["post-14799","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-elizabeth-warren","tag-mystic-south","tag-pagan","tag-paganism","tag-paganism-in-depth","tag-polytheism"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v21.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ 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