Uncategorized
-
Summer Nature Meditation
This is one of the first meditations I wrote for myself, when I first began practicing a zillion years ago, and it’s one I try to do every summer. It’s based on the Song of Amergin in Irish mythology. Amergin was a leader of the Milesians, one of the ancient tribes that conquered Ireland around 1500 B.C.E., removing the Tuatha de Danaan from power. One of three Druids who spearheaded the takeover, Amergin is referred to as the First Druid of the Gaels in the Irish Book of Invasions. Thought to be the oldest poem in the Irish language, Amergin’s song is lyrical and narrative, evocative of the strength and…
-
Bona Dea, Roman Fertility Goddess
In ancient Rome, Bona Dea was a goddess of fertility. In an interesting paradox, she was also a goddess of chastity and virginity. Honored originally as an earth goddess, she was an agricultural deity, and was often invoked to protect the area from earthquakes. Unlike many Roman goddesses, Bona Dea seems to have been particularly honored by the lower social classes. Slaves and plebian women who were trying to conceive a child might make offerings to her in hopes of being granted a fertile womb. Her name comes from the Latin for “good goddess.” Although her principal temple was on the Aventine hill, secret rituals and rites were performed in…
-
The Greek Plynteria Festival
The city of Athens, Greece, is named for its protectress, the goddess Athena, and at the top of the hill called the Acropolis, there is a great temple in her honor. This temple, the Parthenon, contained a giant statue of Athena, made of ivory and adorned with gold, as a tribute to her magnificence. The residents of Athens took their relationship with their patron deity quite seriously, and every year held a spring festival in her honor, called the Plynteria. The name comes from a Greek word that means “to wash.” The Plynteria, like many other Greek festivals, spanned two to three days, around May 25th (fun fact: the Greeks…
-
Pagan Living on a Shoestring
In tight economic times, people are cutting way back on their spending. Most folks are eliminating the expenses that they consider unnecessary or frivolous. After all, no one wants to have to choose between paying the electric bill or buying food. One of the first places that Pagans tend to cut back during a financial crunch is on their magical supplies. After all, how can you justify spending money on a new set of Tarot cards or a pretty new piece of jewelry, when you don’t know how you’re going to afford your car payment next month? Fortunately, it is possible to still maintain your comfort level of supplies without…
-
Creating Gods from Literature and Pop Culture
A reader asks, “I’ve been reading a very popular series of novels, and really connecting with some of the characters in the story. In addition, the books include a fictional religion that gives me a strong sense of belonging–it’s not a real religion, with gods that aren’t real, created in this author’s head… but it actually WORKS for me, on a spiritual level. Is it possible to consider something a religion that’s just made up for this series? Is this even valid? What are your thoughts on this?” Well for starters, some people would argue that all religions are made up by someone, at some point, in history. It’s the…
-
Magical Aromatherapy 101
Ask any Pagan what they enjoy about working with herbs, and chances are good they’ll tell you how much they love the smell. Herbs contain small glands that hold their essential oils, and when these oils are extracted they release scent molecules. The science of aromatherapy takes advantage of this natural phenomenon and expands it just a bit–because olfactory sensation stimulates parts of the brain connected to memory and emotion. Ever catch a whiff of a stranger’s perfume and suddenly be reminded of your aunt who passed away when you were twelve? Have you suddenly caught a touch of magnolia on the breeze, and remembered the time you and that…
-
Pagan Standard Time and Why I Hate It
Pagan Standard Time, or PST, is the practice often found in Pagan communities of people showing up anywhere from 20–45 minutes late for everything, and it’s considered rude by anyone who’s trying to organize event or host a ritual. Honestly, it drives me absolutely nuts. While people may joke about PST, those who continually show up late may find themselves no longer invited to attend events, workshops or celebrations. Seriously, arriving late is not a habit you really want to fall into. Obviously, there are some things we have no control over which may cause tardiness–there was heavy traffic, your car wouldn’t start, or whatever–and I totally get that. If…
-
Teaching Minors About Pagan Spirituality
Here’s a quickie preliminary disclaimer: Keep in mind that for the purposes of this discussion, we’re NOT talking about teaching your own kids. This is a question about teaching spiritual principles and practices to someone else’s child. Anyhoo, away we go. One of the emails I get a LOT goes along the following lines: “I’m really excited to learn about Paganism, but no one will teach me! By the way, I’m thirteen–can you help me?” There are some pretty important implications of teaching Pagan religions (or any other religions, for that matter) to someone who’s underage, and a number of points that need to be addressed. Particularly when it comes…
You May Also Like
Pagans and Monogamy
Keep a Dream Journal
Time Blocking: Magical Project Management
-
Plan an Event for Pagan Kids
So the other day I posted about why sometimes your little darlings might be persona non grata at Pagan events, and sure enough, I got a couple of snippy emails telling me what a dick I am because people can’t go anywhere without their kids and it’s just not fair that their kid can’t come because THEIR kid is good and doesn’t eat crystals and blah blah blah. But seriously, if there’s no one with kids involved in the planning or execution of an event, having children there might not be an option. In fact, sometimes having an activity that’s specifically for kids is a really great option instead. In…
-
Folklorist James Frazer and the Golden Bough
Sir James George Frazer is perhaps best known for his collection of folklore and mythology, The Golden Bough, published in 1890. The work details legends and myths from many different cultures throughout history. Frazer theorized that human belief systems had begun as primitive magic, which was then replaced by religious dogma, which has now been replaced by scientific knowledge. Frazer was one of the first anthropologists to analyze the link between myth and ritual ceremony, so his writing is a fascinating bridge between the past and the present. The Golden Bough is a study of legend and myth and how they are interpreted into ritual and celebration. Frazer’s interpretation of…
