Over the last few months I have often told the story of having a conversation with a young lady that I have a parental relationship with. This conversation includes an extensive review from her about all her friends at college, their likes, dislikes, personalities and strengths etc. After this discussion had continued for nearly an hour I began to realize that while I knew much about the people she has meaningful relationships with, I had no idea of their racial... Read more

Over the past couple of decades I have been involved in many service activities both within my home country and around the world. What this has taught me is that my connection to divinity is most pronounced when engaging in service to others. In fact, it is in providing “Extra Communal”, (service beyond my spiritual community) that I have been most touched by the Goddess. Such service is very rewarding and also fraught with lesions and risks. How do I... Read more

There is a storm brewing, a conflict featuring the forces of capitalism, power, profit, and human excess.  Each of us has been unwittingly recruited as part of the legions of consumption through our participation in the wider economic system. Who will stand in opposition to this tide of environmental degradation? How will the forces that will defend our incredibly diverse eco system manifest a credible challenge in this battle for the future? The answers to these questions start with you!... Read more

Much had been made of the connections between mental health disorders and recent mass shootings in our nation.  Members of the gun lobby would have us believe that there is no connection between the guns chosen by shooters and mental health.  First let me point out that mental health is a broad field and any attempt to paint all those with mental health issues as potentially dangerous is absurd and with out evidence to support it. That being said,  there... Read more

“Through Service to humanity, without consideration for race, religion, gender, age or political affiliation I have often been able to touch and understand the essence of divinity!…  On this National Day of Service may we all remember that service manifests positive change in the world and in those providing the service!” These words flowed from me this morning in response to the National Day of Service being observed by many Americans. While the words are new, they are indicative of... Read more

OK, I have had enough of the silly argument that assault weapons and large ammunition clips are necessary to insure that some future tyrannical government will not subvert the freedoms of the people. The preamble of the constitution clearly states its intent. “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and... Read more

It is tempting to wade into the discussion about a prominent individual disavowing the label Pagan. There is, however, significant evidence that such decisions are commonplace within our community. Over the last couple of years we have heard from T. Thorn Coyle that she will no longer teach Feri Tradition courses, We have witnessed this author (Peter Dybing) announce the decision to withdraw from Pagan Leadership. Well-known Witch M. Macha Nightmare eloquently announced her resignation from Reclaiming tradition after decades... Read more

http://www.paganliving.tv/index.php?option=com_youtubegallery&view;=youtubegallery&Itemid;=299 It is January 6, 2013 and I started my day watching the first episode of “The Pagan Voice” a new program produced by “Pagan Living TV” It is tempting to begin with a review of the show, being new the staff could benefit from viewer insights right?  Maybe not, this show represents progress in our community, a voice for our community reaching out into new media horizons. If we as a community begin our traditional approach of armchair quarterbacking... Read more

Today I am surfing the Internet prompted to thinking about the big themes of world peace, social justice, community building and personal growth. Each year millions make resolutions to bring about change both personal and global. Each year we make these promises in the face of little change over the past year. Such statements are certainly a testament to human optimism. What all this has me wondering is what are the real results of making resolutions?  Is there intrinsic value... Read more

Like most people, I have used language that establishes where “I stand” on issues of social importance. While this has served me well in my ability to make friends and associates who hold the same worldview, little has been accomplished in engaging with those of differing views on critical issues. Recent gun violence in our country has convinced me that a more integrative approach is going to be necessary if we intend to provide for the safety of our children,... Read more