There are so many issues in the world that can raise my ire. In just the last week we have been bombarded with: • Numerous reports of the Komen vs. Planned Parenthood debacle • A dishonorable effort to tarnish the Girl Scouts with demagoguery • News that a small-minded news outlet, The Daily Mail, is now the most popular in the world • The DC police eviction of Occupy protesters • A Fundamentalist assault on science in primary education Each... Read more

Occupy and the L Word In General Assemblies across the country it is continually made clear that we are a movement without leaders. In response to this there have been multiple calls from the 1% for us to name leaders who can negotiate in the name of Occupy. This is a clear attempt to defeat Occupy by co-opting its leadership. We are well served by continuing our focus on the consensus process in any and all decision-making. It is time,... Read more

Once again It will be my pleasure to host a National Pagan Coffee Night. Over the past two weeks members of the Tucson community have been working to obtain a space for this event. If you are in Tucson please join us at 5:30 p.m. on February 7, 2012 at 22nd St./Columbus Library In Tucson, AZ. This is an opportunity for Pagans from all paths to gather and express their aspirations for the National Pagan Community and share concerns or... Read more

The national Pagan community is undergoing a rapid transformation from fragmented, unorganized and unilateral action to a more focused approach to the challenges that face the community. Recent events like the unified response to discrimination in Georgia make it clear that the future of our actions will be cooperative in nature. This new model of “Transformative Pagan Service Leadership” presents an opportunity for the community to achieve substantial progress in the pursuit of Pagan rights. It also will present some... Read more

As candidates have dropped out of the race for President of the United States they have generally endorsed those who have continued to run. This phenomenon got me thinking about the significance of these endorsements. Are the former candidates saying they will vote for their new choice; not necessarily. With each new endorsement candidates experience an increase in funding, recognition and ability to have a voice in the national dialogue. So if an endorsement does not commit your vote, only... Read more

Desiring the warmth of the returning sun we set out for Fredericksburg Texas. Driving in west Texas requires the ability to see the beauty in stark flat landscapes; Mile upon mile of open space, each small hill teasing us with the expectation of a new vista only to encounter more open country. I once had a teacher who claimed “you can find the Zen in everything except driving across Texas”. I find myself soothed however by the knowledge that here... Read more

Time and distance had eroded my memory of the glory of the sleeping Earth, a mother drawn into her self, nurturing the turn of the wheel, waiting for new growth, cradling the children of the Goddess. Cold winds blow and I am reminded of how the cycles are healing to my spirit, there is a time for proliferation and explosive effort, yet this time is for introspection, holding those I love close, nourishing my inner self with silence, love and... Read more

Leaving Florida with its warm winds and sunny skies amounted to an epic journey into the rhythms of Gaia; with each passing mile the skies grew darker and the earth ever more brown and restful. Our drive across I-10 was a transition back to the seasons, a coming home of sorts that left me feeling invigorated about our planned yearlong adventure. Arriving at our first destination in New Mexico just served to reinforce my growing sense that I was returning... Read more

More than six years ago I set sail for the Virgin Islands in a 34-foot Sail boat named Bacchus. Obviously the choice of boat names reflected my intent to spend some time wallowing in wine, mirth, and adventure. As I set sail a new connection was born with the entire cross-cultural pantheon of water deities. Palaemon, Lir, Yam, Poseidon, these and many more became central to my sense of sacred place. Once one lives on the water there is a... Read more

This is my highly subjective list of Pagans who “Walked the Talk” in 2011. As I write this I have a list of dozens names sitting next to me, what a great community. Most of the people on this list you will know, some maybe not. All have created a lasting impression on me during 2011. Being the list author this year I have used my discretion and, however tempting, not selected any of those named last year for this... Read more