With the rapid rate of growth in the broader Pagan community change is inevitable. This requires a new model of Pagan leadership. That being said, what qualities will these transformative leaders possess? It seems it becomes necessary to define the qualities of a transformative Pagan leader and establish the dynamic of organizational change a leader must manage, in terms of Pagan culture, structure and the community of individuals that make up an organization. Today’s Pagan organizations need leaders who are... Read more

Over the past few years we have witnessed dozens of examples in the mainstream media of attempts to brand our community as the “other” different and apart from society. Generally these issues arise when an individual who has some form of a Pagan or Wiccan connection is arrested for some misdeed. Many writers in our community rightfully point out that the so called ‘Pagan connection” is tenuous at best and is an attempt to brand an entire community with the... Read more

Generally birthdays come and go, as we age the importance of these events diminish. Today, however, our community has the opportunity to celebrate the 16th birthday of a very well mannered young Wiccan. So why should you care? Is he exceptional in maturity, intelligence, insight or character? Yes I believe he is. Yet these things are not the reasons we should celebrate with this this young man. Recently, I was visiting his parents on a short stop over in Florida... Read more

There are those who say people are Sheep or Wolves. It’s best to be a wolf in sheep’s clothing Use your instincts to protect others, be strong yet compassionate, avoid violence, act instead with strength of character. There are those who cling to the rules. Life requires that we all follow some blueprint for acceptable behavior. At times you will be confronted with the choice of following the rules or doing what is right, blindly following rules can lead to... Read more

As a Pagan I am often aware of deeper meanings and consequences then those around me. Recently this was driven home by an invitation to a thank you dinner given by the Santa Clara Pueblo for fire fighters at the Los Conches fire in New Mexico. Deep inside I knew there is great tragedy attached to the fire and that the idea of a hearty round of congratulations for all was deeply unsettling to me. Over the course of the... Read more

Terrible Beauty Through eyes filled with sleep I glance up and see the massive column of smoke continuing to boil off the mountain. After more than a week of 16-hour days my body speaks to me via aches and pains. “Slow down, you can only take so much” Yet I know that homes, sacred sites, and possibly lives are at stake. As the fire continues to consume acres we make plans to contain the monster, deprive it of its food... Read more

Leaving PSG this year there was much discussion of the transition back to the “real” world. After an entire week of open hearts, open communication, ritual experience and embracing the divine we return to our daily lives. In this discourse there is also a myth ingrained in our community that it is within tribe that we find our fullest spiritual insight and expression. As we packed our gear many also seemed to be metaphorically packing away the experiences of the... Read more

PSG 2011 has been a great success despite rain and cool temperatures. Rituals have had great meaning, evoking tears from some, conversations abound that warm the heart and Pagan organizations have taken the opportunity to engage in networking that will surly benefit the entire Pagan community. With a plethora of opportunities to attend workshops, rituals, and discussions there is much to choose from. Leaders from Circle Sanctuary, Witch School, Firefly House, Pagan Educational Network, Lady Liberty League, Covenant of the... Read more

Welcome Home! PSG 2011 Cheerful reframe of “Welcome home” greeted me as I arrived at this years PSG. Suddenly immersed in a community of tolerance, open mindedness, joy and a sense of family I find my self struggling to keep up with the shift in paradigms. Smiles are sincere; hugs are warm and friends new and old envelope me in a cocoon of perfect love and perfect trust. This community, temporary as it is, provides a living example of how... Read more

Fire, it brings us warmth, safety and pushes back the darkness that we inherently approach with caution. This element that provides humanity so much is also a terrible and destructive force that can cause intense suffering and hardship when when invoked with reckless disregard. More than three weeks ago two campers temporally walked away from their camp fire with little thought put into the force they had unleashed. Today the Wallow fire in Arizona has scorched more than 400,000 acres,... Read more