Tweet, tweet, tweet....

I've been sucked back into the Twitterverse.  Damn you, Sunfell!

https://twitter.com/WiccanTexan

Pagan "elevator speeches," continued

What would you include in your elevator speech? Reminder, you've only got 30 seconds average, about 1-2 minutes max to make your points. So what would you feel is important to share? Pick whichever Pagan-related topic you tend to get asked about the most. Word your comment as if you were speaking directly to the non-Pagan.

Here are some of my "elevator speeches:"

On Paganism -  “Paganism is the umbrella term for non-Abrahamic religions and beliefs. It’s primarily used now for earth-based or nature-based spirituality.”

On Wicca - “Wicca is a Pagan religion originating from Britain in the early 20th century by Gerald Gardner. It is an initiatory Mystery faith that has 8 basic elements: Creation of sacred space, belief in the duality of the Divine as God & Goddess, the Threefold Law, use of four primary magickal tools, initiation, the sacred feast, the Wiccan Rede, and celebration of 8 Sabbats or holy days.”

On the Goddess - “The Goddess is half of the Divine whole; all creation comes from the union of male and female. I believe that the Divine is within all things, so the feminine part of that is manifested as the Goddess.”

Blogging Serenity Now!

As anyone who has known me for any length of time has figured out, I’m a social media joiner. I like to play with the latest forum that everyone has flocked to (except Google+, which for some reason repels me). This has become a stress inducer, as I felt compelled to update all my blogs when that profound (or even remotely insightful) thought hits. So in the spirit of stress reduction, my social media venues are going to be limited to Facebook and this Blogspot.  Blogger seems more broadly accessible and user-friendly. The only place I ever share photos is Facebook, so that is more easily monitored.

WordPress blog - begone! LiveJournal - I’ll keep that up while I go through posts and save what I want to, but it’s been having enough security issues that I’ve become wary. The paid account just expired, so it’s now just a free account. Whatever other forum accounts I have floating around out there will be dealt with as I have the time. Any non-Facebook forum communities I’ve set up (no snarky comments from my LJ cohorts) will also go by the wayside.

Note: This does NOT include web sites that I maintain. It’s only blogs that are getting the axe.

How to answer a non-Pagan's question

Pagans should develop, each for themselves, an "elevator speech" for various topics such as Paganism, Wicca, the Goddess, etc. It would make things easier if you didn't have to scramble for the words. If the non-Pagan wanted info past that, then the conversation would have gotten off to a good start.

"Minority religion?" Just say No.

How do we make Wicca and other Pagan religions more respected and accepted in mainstream society? What we need to do is not just kvetch about it; we need to LIVE it. Refuse to use the words "minority," "alternative" and "other" in relation to our spiritual paths. That very action says that we accept another is superior over us. Act as if we are already equal, and stop asking for validation from others as if it's a privilege that we are needing them to bestow.

Texas pentagram-carving loon

I’ve been searching through various news stories about the guy who carved a pentagram on his young son’s back due to the 12/12/12 “holy day.” Horrifying as that was, I must admit to being pleasantly surprised at how unbiased (in general) the reports have been in relation to this. For example, CNN’s report states, “A pentagram is a five pointed star that has associations with many different religions and belief systems.” No specific comments about Satanism, Paganism, Wicca etc. Aka, not an automatic “those New Age loons, here’s another one.”

The boy has been released from the hospital and should suffer no permanent physical injury, as the cuts were not deep. I hope they get him some psychological support, as well as the mother. There was blood smeared on the sides and the top of the home’s door frame doorway as well (shades of Biblical Passover), which means the father did more than just cut the child; he was being ritualistic on a larger scale.

An excerpt from the attached article:

“His stepfather said he had been searching for his spirituality. “He is deep into the Old Testament,” said John Ponce, his stepfather, in the telephone interview from Portland. “There’s a possibility with all of this pain and marital strife and such, he may have resorted to Old Testament references and then convoluted them. If you know about the Old Testament, there’s the Passover marks on the doorframe were done with a sacrificial lamb, definitely not sacrificial children.”

http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/12/12/4479867/richland-hills-father-accused.html

Shielding in social situations

I don't know if I could call myself empathic. But if I'm in a hypersensitive mood with a low tolerance for people, but have to deal with a social situation, I envision a sphere around me in a calming color and do an improvised chant along the lines of anyone's negativity bouncing off it, as well as letting positive energy in and flowing through me, using it to my advantage and the overflow going into the ground. I take what I need and let the rest go, rather than just let it overwhelm me, and mirror the negative away. So far, so good. :)

Minority, shminority....

GOP strategists, etc are now toting the “Republican party needs the minorities” line. Here’s a novel idea. Get rid of the “minority” label altogether, because it still implies that there is a superior majority. This is a big part of the problem as to why people are still so divided in this country. How about, we’re ALL Americans, regardless of ethnic, racial, religious or cultural background (or any other “minority” label out there)? I know, it’s rose-colored optimism on my part, but that’s just the way I roll. :)

the birth control issue

As contraception is used for a variety of women's medical issues besides birth control, the primary reason for the birth control flack is based on religious doctrine. This is NOT a theocracy. If your faith doesn't agree with birth control, then you don't have to use it. I'm sure there are plenty of items within an insurance coverage that religious doctrine would be against. Trying to cherry-pick morality upon others using the Government as a front is, to me, morally reprehensible. For a party that supposedly wants "smaller Gov't," they sure want to legislate quite a few personal choices through said Govt.

Exclusive domain - NOT!

Hope, comfort, noble virtues and a solid foundation that sustains in hard times are not the exclusive domain of ANY one religion. I cannot buy the notion that a Divinity capable of creating this complex universe of ours could possibly be pigeonholed into one religious dogma.

Pagans for Obama on Facebook

The "Pagans for Obama" Facebook group has been re-activated for the 2012 election year! Please feel free to share.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/pagansforobama/

Pagan Coming Out Day, some thoughts

I've been "out" since the early '80s, and can say from personal experience that, for the most part, people are generally politely curious or accepting. I can count on one hand the number of actual negative reactions I've encountered. This is including the fact that both our children (one now 29, the other a teen) have been raised in an openly Pagan household, and I have been open at with family/friends, at work, at their schools, and in the general public. I love this "Pagan coming out" movement in the spirit of having a visible support group for those who may not be in environments that are as accommodating as some of us have been blessed with.

The Z Factor

Doreen Valiente (1922-1999) rewrote Gardner's original Charge of the Goddess, and her prose version has been modified and reproduced by the Pagan community throughout the years.  There's even a mirror "Charge of the God."  To my knowledge, Doreen never said a thing about wishing harm to her spiritual community, or even making claim to having sole authority over her version.  She understood, I'm sure, that Pagan practices evolve over time, and religious wording must do the same if needed to avoid becoming stagnant. 

Intellectual property issue aside (because the argument is a murky legal nightmare), I wonder if Z. has contemplated the consequences of her adversarial approach?  Doreen's legacy remains honored and respected.  Z. was a pioneer in the modern Pagan movement, but as they say in the military, one "Oh Shit" can wipe out years of "Atta Boys." 

For those who have no idea what I'm talking about, go here: 

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/agora/2012/04/we-all-come-from-the-horned-god-possibly-but-dont-sing-it/

Pagan Coming Out Day, May 2

This wonderful movement was started in 2011.  PCOD is held officially every May 2.  Here's the official site; it's got a lot of information and advice. 

http://pagancomingoutday.org/

If you're on Facebook, here's our local San Antonio page in support of those transitioning from private to public.  Whether you are a long-time Pagan or a newbie, this forum will be open year-round to help you make the changeover.  Please join us, and we hope that some of you out there decide to take that step next week, Wednesday, May 2. 

https://www.facebook.com/#!/PaganComingOutDaySA

Though we're not having a local event this year, San Antonio Pagan Outreach is planning to have a community social in late April/early May 2013 specifically for this.  Go here to keep up with details on next year's event. 

http://sanantoniopaganoutreach.wordpress.com/pcodsa/

Seshen.us has a new home

I've just published my personal web site through its new host, A Small Orange. We've had good service with the Lycian Wicca site, so looks like this Pagan-friendly host is a keeper.

Once we had everything in place, the uploaded site was live in less than 3 minutes. Go check out the new look! I already see a few things to fix, but that will be easy to manage. Thanks, A Small Orange!

http://seshen.us/

Nat'l Donate a Pagan Book Day, April 9

National Donate a Pagan Book Day  will occur on April 9, 2012, during National Library Week.  This year's National Library Week theme is "YOU belong @ your library".  By donating Pagan themed books, NDPBD hopes to show that Pagans also belong in the public library.

NDPBD was established in January 2012 to encourage those who love books to directly donate a Pagan or Pagan friendly book to their local public library or Pagan community center.  Donations towards the purchase of books will also be collected in the near future.

Read all the details here:

http://paganbookday.blogspot.com/p/about.html

the first SAPO picnic was amazing!

What a wonderful time we had at our first SAPO picnic!  I estimate around 40-50 people showed, and we had plenty of food and water donations.  The location worked well, even though it was pretty humid; the entire area was pretty well shaded.

The “Ask Me” labels generated many good conversations. There were quite a few folks who found us online, that were new to San Antonio and/or Paganism. Hopefully the connections made will help them along the way.

Starting fresh

I've been a LJ blogger since 2004, but it's had a lot of problems recently, and I am looking for a new home.  Trying out Blogspot and WordPress, so my posts will be mirrored on both.  More than likely, I'll keep both to reach different audiences.

I've kept one post from 2007 that was worth saving; otherwise, this blog is doing a complete restart.  So... welcome!

Why did I become Wiccan after being born-again?

I was asked this question on a Christian forum. The original question and my response are below.
__________________

Q: What made you become a non-Christian out of curiousity? Not trying to attack you but based upon my experience I don't think I could ever leave the presence of the Lord. I may get angry at God but to leave makes me wonder if you really gave your heart to the Lord. The wiccan group is such a different spirit than that of the Holy Spirit that I am afraid you have been deceived by something when you "first gave your heart to Christ". Again just curious ...

A: Nerohdam, thanks for asking. It was the hypocrisy of the institution that led me away from Christianity. When I first proclaimed myself to Jesus Christ, I had an inner emotional shift that has never been equaled to this day. It put me on very solid footing, even in my darkest hours, that there was a Divine presence in the world. The love was so pure, so powerful, so intense, I cannot begin to describe it in text. However, the church itself left me cold. So I asked, “where do I go where my questions will be answered, where this experience makes sense when shared with others?” And here I am today. Through study and experience, I have found a serenity in Wicca that was not found in the earthly church. I never got angry with God, I never left the presence of the Divine. I simply realized that, seeing and understanding the profound complexity of the creation around me and within me, that God having many paths to the center made perfect sense. The Holy Spirit is the divine spark that illuminates us with the wisdom and knowledge of the Divine. How each person walks with that knowledge is personal. That’s a very basic answer to a complicated journey, but it’s a summary.