I’ve seen teachers of witchcraft who don’t charge anything. I’ve seen teachers who accept payment, but don’t require it. I’ve seen teachers who have an anonymous tip jar by the door. And I’ve seen teachers who require regular payments on time or they kick you out. I know good people who use all these systems. I’ve heard about bad people who use all these systems. Which one is right for you? First off, British Traditional Witches – Kingstone, Alexandrian, Silver... Read more

While the moon was commonly viewed as female and the sun as male in many indigenous religions, this was not always so. This article explores the Norse God of the Moon, Mani and the Norse Goddess of the Sun, Sunna and what this unexpected juxtaposition of roles might teach us as devotees. Read more

For some people, Mother’s Day is especially difficult. Not all mothers are loving, nurturing or kind. Being the child of an abusive mother isn’t easy, especially on Mother’s Day. All mothers form the character of their children, for better or worse. Having a “dark Mother” can steel your character, much in the same way a “dark Father” can. Remember Darth Vader? The most notable Dark Mother of Pagan lore is Cerridwen. Cerridwen had a fair daughter and ugly son. She... Read more

While not every blogger at the Pagan Portal is a mother, every single one of us has one who made us who we are today! As you honor the mothers and grandmothers in your life don’t forget the mother Goddesses! After all, it’s a mother’s joy that brings the earth to life again every spring! Demeter is the first mother Goddess that springs to my mind. What mother Goddess do you honor today? Read more

Do you believe in omens? Dreams? Portents of things to come? I’ll admit to being a skeptic, but over the years I have learned when to recognize a sign from the Gods. Despite our proclivity for divination, many Pagans I know are very reluctant to trust in portents and signs. In deep meditation I have journeyed to Olympus and been given a gift for a friend, who upon being presented with my tale dismisses it as a dream. I have... Read more

You know that person at the party who is constantly correcting people’s grammar and word usage? “Actually, the plural of octopus is octopuses, not octopi. Octopi came from an incorrect assumption that the word octopus derived from a second declension Latin noun, when in fact it derived from a Latinization of a Greek third-declension masculine noun.” That person sucks. You people who are going around saying 90% of the books in any used book store don’t use the word Wicca... Read more

Ever heard Van Morrison’s “Brown-Eyed Girl” on bodhran and pennywhistle? Then chances are, you’re not an Emerald Rose fan. I just caught their show at Hancock Park in Dahlonega, GA, and once again was enchanted by the joyous good humor that permeates their music. These guys love what they do and they’ll make you love it too if you listen closely. Way back in 1999 there was a little site called MP3.com that let you build playlists from songs artists... Read more

Converting to a new faith is difficult. Regardless of the reason for conversion, there is a whole mess of psychological issues that can come up and this is perfectly natural. Religion is a powerful thing and the religion that we were raised in, whatever that might be, is powerfully ingrained in our psyches. This article looks at the conversion process and ways Pagans and Heathens can use that to one's advantage. Read more