A Letter to My CUUPS Sisters and Brothers,   The title of this letter is bound to cause some discomfort. Such a statement, if held as true within our culture, shatters many of the beliefs in fairness and justice that we were all reared embracing.   Let me invite you to sit with that discomfort for a moment. Imagine that your experience of life is fully reflective of the above statement.  In this moment of reflection attempt to accept that... Read more

Many of my friends have asked me why I have moved towards CUUPS as a central part of my Pagan identity?  Most view the organization as “Pagan Lite” somehow lacking substance.  My experience however is exactly the opposite; within the CUUPS community I have found the deepest expressions of Pagan values I have ever witnessed. For years I have participated in “major Pagan organizations”, been in service positions and stood at the forefront of attempting to manifest a Pagan ethic... Read more

Once again I am subjected to post after post about the emerging conflict between hard polytheists and those who see deity as an archetype manifestation.  My dirty little secret is that I just scan these tirades’ that seek to make arguments on one side or the other of the argument.  You see, while I support  individual’s commitment to deities, as they perceive them, I am a little too busy attempting to live my faith through my actions, words and commitments.... Read more

Yesterday in a news conference, Donald Trump stated that Americans pay “the highest taxes in the world”, which could be true of one discounts all of Europe and Canada as not “part” of the world.  This individuals loose grasp on reality and tendency toward exaggeration have endeared him to a conservative base that, lead by Fox News, gave up any attachment to reality long ago. Conservatives, over and over, state that they like him because he “speaks his mind”; frankly... Read more

Aggressive walls of flames roar across the landscape and 30,000 fire fighters stand their ground. Here, within the firestorm, there is heroism, individuals band together to achieve herculean tasks beyond mortal ability.  First among them are the local volunteer Firefighters who with limited training, funding and resources face the elemental monster encroaching on their own homes and communities. I am in awe at the efforts of my brother and sister Firefighters. Nature is so out of balance that the element... Read more

Dawn at the Hayfork Fire Camp It is pitch black in Fire Camp and I am awake at 0415 a.m.  All is silent; the firefighters sleep just as they were doing five hours ago when finally I lay my head upon the ground. In this space I can connect with the sacred, slowly and intentionally I am able to sense my place as just a single note upon a magical sheet of divine music. Up early I sacrifice an extra... Read more

We awoke to great news The Boy Scouts Of America (BSA) have reversed course and have voted on a new policy that allows members of the LGBT community to be scout leaders.  From far and wide leaders of social justice focused organizations have published statements in support of this profound change in BSA policy. BUT WAIT— HOLD ON  — WE HAVE BEEN DUPED Upon close inspection the new policy does not require troops that are excluding LGBT leaders to change... Read more

Being in Alaska is disorienting, living with 22 hours of sunlight brings one to appreciate what feels like a relentless Solstice.  Surrounded by boundless expanses of green it feels as if Gaia herself is holding onto the light; letting summer continue to hold sway upon the land in a never ending dance of joyous divinity. All that grows stands at the foundation of mighty glaciers that remind those that behold the sight of a basic truth of nature, that the... Read more

Gazing around the circle in my local CUUPS group I see an amazing diversity of ages represented. Young people fully engaged in seeking truths that transcend the values of our over culture. My heart is warmed Paganism is growing, with each generation more people become engaged in the many paths that encompass our collective identity. Young leaders emerge and set their sights on a spiritual life that has meaning beyond the experiences’ of their parents.  These seekers embrace our non-hierarchal... Read more

My mind is muddled with images as I drive through Willow Alaska on my way to a new assignment. Images of lost Pagan land and all the energy expressed there affect me deeply. While I never visited what local Pagans call “the land” I know well the deep and sacred connections our communities develop with these sites that are filled with the energy of rituals and drum circles manifested by our honored ancestors and current community members.  The sight of... Read more