The summer solstice is nigh and the sun is waxing in strength. Everyone I know is in the process of scurrying off to festivals to bask and delight in both the heavenly sun and in the light of each other’s company. So here’s a different kind of post to celebrate the fulsome light. Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth. – Buddha I can find in my undergraduate classes, bright students who do not... Read more
Remember my writing about going through a crisis of faith? Yeah, that’s still happening. It’s been several months now, and no sign of getting better yet. A good story has an arc, a progression, and a satisfying conclusion. This isn’t proving to be a good story. What happens is first you begin by denying that you’re going through a crisis of faith. You brush it aside and plunge forward regardless. Eventually it reaches the point where it can no longer... Read more
I read a lot of news and opinion, and reading for leisure hasn’t been a big priority in the past couple of years. I have had a strange week though, and it afforded me some offline downtime. So I read two books, one a recent Kindle purchase, and the other a book that I’d had in my “to read” pile for months. Both are by Thelemites who happen to be active leaders in the Ordo Templi Orientis. Low Magick: It’s... Read more
We’re once again broadcasting what is essentially a 30 min weekly Pagan talk show on the web. If you can’t watch live (we can see your comments and questions during broadcast and respond to them) then never fear, it will be available on Youtube for your viewing convenience. I’ll be embedding the video here so you can open this page in a tab as a reminder to watch later. We’ll start at 11 AM EDT broadcasting every Wednesday, and here’s... Read more
Have you ever read the Nicene Creed? It’s an affirmation of the theological concepts of one type of Christian orthodoxy. What about the Shahada? It’s an affirmation of the principal theological concept in Islam. The Shem Yisrael is yet another creedal affirmation of a theological concept. We don’t generally have an equivalent in Paganism. Theology isn’t as important to us as action, as practice. We don’t generally tolerate people telling us we believe wrong. We are more than happy to... Read more
I was angry this morning. I read M.J. Lee’s post over on Humanistic Paganism and I found myself really pissed. It cheesed my grits. It got my goat. And then I thought “Why are you pissed Star? This isn’t even your religion she’s talking about.” That thought caught me by surprise. I have never before thought that way about another person who considers themselves Pagan. A different tradition, yes. Different nuances, different culture, different emphasis, but always with the same... Read more
I’ve tried to write this post several times, and simply haven’t felt I could rise to the subject matter, because it’s quite personal, not merely for me, but for many of my dear friends. Before I took my blog off in a new direction, I told my roommates I would write this, and they gave their blessing. When I originally told my roommates I was going to write about this, I joked that it would be in the style of... Read more
It’s not unusual to see Pagans joking about the “cannibalism” of the Christian eucharist. While the concept of transubstantiation is unique to Christian worship, eucharistic ritual is not. What do you think those ancient sacrifices were about? Why do you think women baked cakes for the Queen of Heaven? And when the officiant blesses the cakes and ale/wine in a Wiccan ritual, isn’t that a eucharistic style of worship as well? One of the most important things for a human... Read more
Work In Progress [I started this and then realized it’s going to take some time to finish it. I’ll keep this on the blog as a permanent resource, and one that will likely evolve and change.] My friend David Dashifen Kees helped put together a list of essential Pagan books over on HuffPo Religion. You should go check it out. There are some good books on there to be sure, and authors I admire. But there’s a problem with lists.... Read more
I’m creating what is essentially a 30 min weekly Pagan talk show on the web which has the novelty of being broadcast live. It’s all through the magic of G+ and the first broadcast is today. If you can’t watch live (we can see your comments and questions during broadcast and respond to them) then never fear, it will be available on Youtube for your viewing convenience. I’ll be embedding the video here so you can open this page in... Read more
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