Pagan Blogs

Following up with yesterday’s post  of #WeAreAradia (also be sure to also check out Storm’s post here), I was inspired to create a modern tradition-inspired charge of Aradia.  The translation I was working from didn’t rhyme, and despite my Italian roots, I can’t say with confidence the original Italian did either. But as I worked [Read More...]

Tarot reading on the state of the nation in the aftermath of the electionThe post Oracle in the Aftermath appeared first on A Word to the Witch.

In Part 1 of Diana’s Moon Rays I explore the goddess Diana’s importance in Italian witchcraft, and her place in Charles G. Leland’s 1899 The Aradia.  Read Part 1 first < This article was first published in 2013 in the anthology The Faerie Queens.  I am currently revisiting some of my research on Diana, the influences [Read More...]

Do you dream? I bet you do. Do you try to elucidate them? I would be surprised if you didn't. Here's a method, and an example, of how to go about it.

This past weekend, my family and I joined a half million people in Washington, D.C. for the Women's March. I was there first and foremost for my daughter. I wanted her to see the power that women can manifest. And I wanted her to see men supporting women who were manifesting that power. I wanted her to see what democracy looks like -- and what better place than in Washington D.C.?!

If you are going to ask me what does it MEAN to dream about talking dogs, Christ, an ancient symbol in black paint on the living room wall, and being strangled by an androgynous child - well I am going to nod sagely “Ah, yes: A two-headed goat has been born in Peru."

Ethics are a contemporary question. How to build a system of ethics suitable for a polytheist Pagan? For me, the ethical center of my life is Thelema. But as a free-range thelemite, so to speak, I interpret Thelema in an idiosyncratic manner. First, I’m only interested in the ‘Class A’ documents and generally leave Crowley [Read More...]

So you might see the kitchen as a wonderful creative space or you might loathe it completely and only ever use the microwave (gasp). But it is still a kitchen; it is still a space that you have to make food in. So how about making it a magical space?

Too Wyrd is is a fabulous romp that is at times funny, exciting, and even a little scary, that comes across something like Jim Butcher's The Dresden Files meets American Gods.

I'm learning the hard way that the only step toward healing from burnout isn't a step at all. It is letting go of taking step after step after step and taking the time to sit down and rest.The post Coming To Terms With Burnout appeared first on Born Again Witch.

Last week I wrote an article about my personal practice and how it’s evolved over the years. In that article I made a point that: “At the end of the day, it’s all just Witchcraft and the only thing that matters is that you’re happy and can get results. If all you’re doing is bitching [Read More...]

A new Antichrist assumes the throne now. And for months the media and populist frenzy has salivated, transfixed by all he pledges to undo.

As we work on our New Years Resolutions and plan our year here's some ideas for how to incorporate the orbit of Venus into devotional practices.

I’ve said it before and I’ll saw it again: my grandmother was devoted to God. She honored him in the ways that spoke to her spirit and in the ways that she deemed good. By her summation, Hoodoo was anything but good. Long after my grandmother passed away, my mother told me stories about college [Read More...]

The wheel turns, and the longest night of the year begins. 2016 has been a challenge on many levels, but the warmth of family and friends is a balm to the troubled spirit.

It’s not easy being the psychedelic sheep of the family–especially during the family-oriented, conformist-rewarding celebration of Christmas. How to cope? Right now, I’m having what I’ll consider the best part of the family holiday. Yesterday I flew from the Midwest to my sister’s house in Seattle, where our family’s psychedelic sheep have gathered together. I’m [Read More...]

The original intent of whoever created the statue is irrelevant. You can feel it, this statue is of your deity. There is no doubt about it.

Many Heathens and Pagans are celebrating the return of the sun this Yule; but don't forget there are other options!

As I have said before, I am primarily a poet, not a preacher or prophet. I believe (or at least would like to believe) that my poems are the most important work I do. I hope you might enjoy them.

The historical intertwining of the Church's fantasies of Satanic opposition with the remnants of Paganisms and the real continuing tradition of occultism continue to produce plenty of discussion. Is occult work with the demons and 'Satanic' spirits of early-modern occultism legitimately 'polytheist and animist' or does it's Christian overlay disqualify it?

In this time of the year, winter self-care magick can serve as a steady light that will help you to find your way home to your body. Even a few minutes of tending to your internal fires can help you increase your peace of mind, and enjoy being present in your body. Even those of [Read More...]The post Simple Winter Self-Care Magick to Banish Your Winter Blues appeared first on Lasara Firefox Allen.

Stop allowing your desires to make you a puppet on a string.

Too many of us buy into this nonsense about the “Bible Belt” and then don’t even bother looking because we’ve already defeated ourselves.

Today it is becoming clear that this was a major strategic error on their part. The heart, soul and moral compass of democratic principles lives within the beating hearts of the left.The post Dear Democrats, An Invitation Home appeared first on Pagan In Paradise.

Hopefully by now you’ll have some sense of what, exactly, you are called to do. Some ideas will have had you nodding along, others will have elicited puzzled frowns or feelings of discomfort. That’s fine. We are not all called to do the same thing, nor do we all end up doing them in the [...]

What do the Goddess Brigid and the Japanese Jizo have in common - and what can they teach us?

I loved John Beckett’s post on purity, even if I did flinch uncomfortably on at the phrase “Purity is overrated.” I pretty much agree with most of his post, but I want to emphasize an aspect of this discussion I feel is missing from his post: safe space. I believe in all things in moderation, [Read More...]

Now that traditionally minority groups in the USA are becoming equal in population and probably will become the new majority, the racist propaganda has increased and has gone to the point of being politically acceptable rhetoric. Leading to an openly racist nominee to be elected President.

A Deed Without a Name: Unearthing the Legacy of Traditional Witchcraft Written By Lee Morgan, Illustrations by Brett Morgan.  Published by Moon Books. The Tradition of Witchcraft Those of us who claim to be traditional witches or identify with the idea of pre-modern traditional witchcraft, enjoy our scholarly books with research done by academics using primary [Read More...]

Lately I find myself very reluctant to post on Facebook about Rilke, or anything about my spiritual life. For the last couple of weeks we have been living in a fragile democracy where the president elect is appointing white supremacists as advisers. It’s scary. It demands action to protect the weak and disenfranchised among us, and it demands vigorous, loud, continuous protest. ... So how can I talk about grounding our actions in the promptings of Spirit when our society is in such a moment of crisis?

Jason Jason, quite contrary, how does your library grow? With history books and Witchy spells, and Wiccan books all in a row.

So, here I am in the midst of writing stories about a world aflame, and what should happen in real life but the state I’m in is literally on fire. There are some 100 wildfires in the region right now. It looks from the map that 23 of them are currently considered “large fires”. Driving [Read More...]

This book would definitely be of interest to queer Pagans and open-minded heterosexuals, as it is not only about queer Paganism, but is about an inclusive practice.

Thor's forest, tectonic plates, Icelandic knitting, and more!

One. When women are in charge the world is more peaceful. The march was a gentle moment, just people walking. We can credit this to the fact that it was organized by and around women. Of course there are hawkish women leaders who have authorized war acts, criminal women who have committed assault and murder, [Read More...]

May we be empowered in this turning. May we shine like the stars we are. May the brilliance of each of us, sparkling in the constellations we form together, be a guide to those who seek freedom and safety.

2015 has been a big year. There have been amazing, wonderful moments tempered by terrible things, but on the balance, for me at least, I would say it’s been a good year.

Many have been hearing the call to stand against the darkness. Gather round and light your torches so that we can find our way through the night.

Here are a few ideas on how to use snow, ice and winter weather in your own magic practice. You can start very simple by working with Sigils. Using snow to write sigils is a great use of winter water magic. Simply use your finger to indent the snow with your sigil or power symbol. Depending on the time you Snow Magic choose to draw them, you can bring added intent and correspondences. You can focus on drawing them during the snowfall to bring a light peaceful energy that is softer. Or you can draw them during the snow melt for banishing or releasing.

So much trouble and heartache could have been avoided for dear Dorothy Gale, if only the Good Witch had said, “Well love, click those shoes together and they will take you home”. But she didn’t.

Hundreds of thousands of protesters will be gathering to march in Washington, DC on Saturday, and similar marches will be taking place in cities across the country. Some of the largest events will be in New York City, Los Angeles and Boston, but smaller cities are also planning similar events. The energy being galvanized by [Read More...]

Captain America explicitly takes a stand for free speech over Nazi punching, saying "Don't you realize that in your attack, you've attacked your own freedom as well?"

With over 1000 new articles this year alone choosing "the best" of Patheos Pagan in 2016 was close to impossible, but we gave it our best effort anyways!The post The Best of Patheos Pagan 2016 appeared first on Through the Grapevine.

Imbolc reminds us that spring has always followed winter and so our work is not in vain. Spring will follow winter this time too… no matter how long winter lasts.

The people rising up are proud and courageous, but in my sincerest heart of hearts I also hope they are protected.

Blood feud. Bloodlust. Blood revenge. My friend Emad says that Americans will never understand conflict in the Middle East without grasping this basic concept.

This Beltane, we brought both the pomp and ceremony of High Witchcraft plus the nitty-gritty, bare feet, howling at the moon, fire dancing and drumming into the night, of old-fashioned, tree-hugging, dirt-worshipping paganism. We rang the bell at the apex of Spring so loudly and proudly that there are Genus Loci all over eastern North Carolina still tingling with twitterpation, and looking for a smoke. Shazam, I tell you. SHAZAM!