The Closing of a Pagan Community Center

Last updated on: May 10, 2012 at 9:09 am By Jason Pitzl-Waters

Sacred Paths Center, a Pagan community center serving the Minneapolis/St. Paul area (aka “Paganistan”), recently announced their imminent closure, a decision that came in the wake of a rocky 2011, one that featured an emergency fundraising campaign, and being temporarily closed pending internal and external financial audits. PNC-Minnesota reporter Cara Schulz has just posted a lengthy and informative exploration of exactly what happened, talking with several individuals involved in running the center. “At 6:25 pm (April 25th) the Executive Director dissolved the board of... Read more

Christianity and Marriage Equality

Last updated on: May 9, 2012 at 12:25 pm By Jason Pitzl-Waters

“Absorbing the blow from last night is hard. If a victory for marriage equality happens, straight couples can go about their lives and nothing will change. If a defeat occurs, gay couples must live in fear of retaining joint custody of children, access to hospital rooms, health insurance, and on and on. Our families and friends, our children and nieces and nephews, come to realize that their family members are beneath civil equality – and that their inferiority is written... Read more

Lightning Medicine Cloud, Omens, and American Indian Issues

Last updated on: May 8, 2012 at 10:58 am By Jason Pitzl-Waters

On April 30th a very rare, non-albino, white buffalo calf was found dead, slaughtered by unknown individuals. The calf’s mother was also killed, poisoned by whoever killed the calf. The calf, Lightning Medicine Cloud, born at the Lakota Ranch in Greenville Texas, was considered sacred, and a reward has been offered for information leading to the capture of the perpetrators. “There’s now a $45,000 reward for information leading to those responsible for the death of a white buffalo, “considered sacred by its Lakota... Read more

Quick Notes: Cady McClain’s Goddess, The Doctrine of Discovery, and Ernest Callenbach’s Final Statement

Last updated on: May 7, 2012 at 11:35 am By Jason Pitzl-Waters

Here are a few quick news notes to start off your Monday. Cady McClain Discusses Porn, Wants a Goddess: Actress Cady McClain, perhaps best-known for her roles on daytime television with All My Children and As the World Turns, writes an opinion piece for PolicyMic about violence and degradation in adult films, and sees patriarchal religion lying at the root of the issue. “I believe we can look to patriarchal religions for one part of the answer: in a society where the god we... Read more

Michael York: Being Upon the Brink of Catastrophe

Last updated on: May 5, 2012 at 7:01 pm By Jason Pitzl-Waters

[The following is a guest opinion piece from Michael York, author of “Pagan Theology: Paganism as a World Religion.” Michael York’s interests are in polytheism, pantheism, animism and shamanism. He taught in the Study of Religions department of Bath Spa University in England and ended up as Professor of Cultural Astronomy and Astrology before retirement. He sees paganism as a missing piece of the religion jigsaw puzzle and believes it to be central in today’s recognition of the ecological peril the planet is facing as well... Read more

Unleash the Hounds! (Link Roundup)

Last updated on: May 5, 2012 at 10:46 am By Jason Pitzl-Waters

There are lots of articles and essays of interest to modern Pagans out there, sometimes more than I can write about in-depth in any given week. So The Wild Hunt must unleash the hounds in order to round them all up. – T. Thorn Coyle has issued an appeal to help raise money for the American Magic Umbanda House of Oakland, to help rebuild their sacred Lubisha, destroyed last year in a devastating fire. Thanks to generous donations, including one from Thorn’s Solar Cross Temple, they’ve already reached their... Read more

Guest Post: Sharon Knight Reviews Paganfest America

Last updated on: May 4, 2012 at 9:37 am By Jason Pitzl-Waters

[The following is a guest post from Sharon Knight. Sharon Knight is a nationally touring musician in the mythic-Celtic vein, and also front person for gothic-tribal-folk-metal band Pandemonaeon. With her partner Winter and Anaar of Tombo Studio, they produce Hexenfest, a festival dedicated to magick and Paganism in music and the arts. She has a lifelong fascination for the places where magick and the arts intersect. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area and can be found at http://www.sharonknight.net, http://www.pandemonaeon.net.] San Francisco,... Read more

Guest Post: Hunt for Charity and Sound Arguments, Not Witches

Last updated on: May 3, 2012 at 9:22 am By Jason Pitzl-Waters

[The following is a guest post from Paul Louis Metzger and John W. Morehead. Paul Louis Metzger, Ph.D. is Professor of Christian Theology and Theology of Culture at Multnomah Biblical Seminary/Multnomah University; Charter Member, Evangelical Chapter of the Foundation for Religious Diplomacy. John W. Morehead is Director, Western Institute for Intercultural Studies; Director, Evangelical Chapter of the Foundation for Religious Diplomacy.] Rob Kerby, Senior Editor at beliefnet, wrote a recent article titled “What can the Third World teach us about witchcraft?.” This has resulted in the concern of... Read more

International Pagan Coming Out Day

Last updated on: May 2, 2012 at 10:01 am By Jason Pitzl-Waters

Today, May 2nd, is Pagan Coming Out Day. An even initiated “to achieve greater acceptance and equity for Pagans at home, at work, and in every community.” Check out IPCOD’s Guide to Coming Out authored by Drake Spaeth, PsyD. You may also wish to read endorsements from Pagans like T. Thorn Coyle, Phaedra Bonewits, Arthur Hinds, and many more at the IPCOD site and IPCOD’s official Facebook page. httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqfJ5Tv-x0o “Recently I have re come out of the closet. I’ve been rebranding my core business... Read more

Pagan Community Notes: Sacred Paths Center, Maetreum of Cybele, Touchstone Advocacy, and More!

Last updated on: May 1, 2012 at 11:32 am By Jason Pitzl-Waters

Happy May Day everyone! Pagan Community Notes is a series focused on news originating from within the Pagan community. Reinforcing the idea that what happens to and within our organizations, groups, and events is news, and news-worthy. My hope is that more individuals, especially those working within Pagan organizations, get into the habit of sharing their news with the world. So lets get started! Sacred Paths Center Announces Closure: Sacred Paths Center, a Pagan community center serving the Minneapolis/St. Paul area... Read more