This is dedicated to my best friend, Debbie. I love you. These ornaments are getting old and the bow is a bit wrinkled but I can’t help but feel joy when I look at them. There’s a bit of a story to these, so I hope you will indulge me. About 16 years ago, my husband left me, so it was just me and my son together. He also racked up a considerable debt before leaving the state, and I... Read more
Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday in December we will be asking people questions about Paganism and Pagan religions and culture. Want to weigh in? Find the next question at the bottom of this post! We’ve talked a lot about the devotional path here at Patheos but there are many Pagans who feel strongly that other relationships with the Gods are more appropriate. If all paths are valid, is there such a thing as a wrong relationship with the Gods? Morgan... Read more
Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday in December we will be asking people questions about Paganism and Pagan religions and culture. Want to weigh in? Find the next question at the bottom of this post! Intentional religious community is a North American tradition older than the US Constitution. Would you ever consider participating in building a permanent Pagan village from the ground up? Wes Isley responds: Good question but I’m afraid the very thought of a “pagan village” frightens me. I... Read more
I am about to brave the perils of holiday traveling and my mantra shall be “If Baba Yaga can fly through the air in a mortar and pestle, I can fly to Denver in this really sad school bus they call an airplane.” Here’s some holiday travel cheer for those of you hopping in cars and bustling through airports in the coming days. Read more
Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday in December we will be asking people questions about Paganism and Pagan religions and culture. Want to weigh in? Find the next question at the bottom of this post! Assuming you are a convert to Paganism, how has your relation to, and perspective of, your former faith evolved? Talena responds: My faith view has been developing over many years. Basically there is a greater deity beyond our comprehension/understanding. It has both a male & female... Read more
Yule is one of my favorite holidays. Perhaps this is simply because it’s so commonly associated with Odin and the Wild Hunt within Heathenry and I love Odin dearly. Perhaps it is because I treasure the dark time of winter, the emotions evoked by the decorations and festivities of this time, and the sense of solitude that for me, comes with the shortening of the days. Perhaps it’s a combination of the two. I don’t know. For whatever reason, however,... Read more
Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday in December we will be asking people questions about Paganism and Pagan religions and culture. Want to weigh in? Find the next question at the bottom of this post! There is a rather firm ideological and almost tribal divide between many of our traditions. Wiccans and Heathens, for example. Does this division serve a positive purpose? Or is the division harmful? This so far has been an uncomfortable question and some people did not want... Read more
The Yuletide is just around the corner… and for those of us in the Northern Tradition, this is one of our most sacred holy tides of the year. Now that Thanksgiving is behind us, many of us are gearing up to Deck the Halls and Hearth. As a child, I recall helping my mother make all sorts of 100% natural decorations. One of the staples were applesauce & cinnamon ornaments. They are deceptively easy to make, and can be used... Read more
Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday in December we will be asking people questions about Paganism and Pagan religions and culture. Want to weigh in? Find the next question at the bottom of this post! We tend to pick and choose what we reclaim from ancient and not-so-ancient traditions. Do you tend to try to make the ancient ways fit into your modern lifestyle, or do you feel the modern sensibility needs to be retooled to accept ancient traditions? P. Sufenas... Read more
I have a very important rule: I make up on my mind about someone based on my experience with them, not on gossip. It’s served me well over the years, and lately even more so. I’m not an “important” person, but working at Patheos is a unique thing. I sometimes get information I wouldn’t have otherwise and I have good reasons to contact important people from time to time. Which is awesome. I also sometimes get unsolicited gossip, which is... Read more
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