Daily Pagan News

A Look at Interfaith Marriages

There’s a nice little feel-good piece from the Shreveport Times, taking a look at how a Christian and a Wiccan can still manage to find the balance required for a happy marriage. The article profiles Michael and Cindy Diaczynsky. She’s a Christian, and when they married, he was too - but eventually he began studying Wicca, and realized that his spiritual journey was leading him away from his Christian roots.

Cindy says her friends and family have come to accept that she’s married to a practicing witch - Michael is an ordained high priest in his local coven - but what I find really telling are the comments made by the couple themselves. Michael says, “I always tell people, I’ve never met a better Christian than my wife… She is what true Christianity was meant to be.”

Read more at About.com

Helen Ukpabio Cancels US Visit

The President and founder of the Liberty Gospel Foundation Church, Lady Apostle Helen Ukpabio says she has indefinitely cancelled her scheduled visits to the USA which where billed for March and May this year.

Speaking through her attorney, Victor Ukutt, Esq., the Pentecostal Pastor and Nollywood actress, who has her church branches spread all over Africa, said her decision to cancel her trip was based on the series of death threat she received from organisations like Stepping Stones Nigeria a based in the United Kingdom which claimed to work as a charity to protect witch children in Nigeria.

Ukpabio is internationally notorious as a proponent of the belief  - not found anywhere in the Bible – that personal misfortune can be caused by child witches, and that children identified as witches require “deliverance”. While Ukpabio asserts that she cures children afflicted in this way through a harmless ceremony, the doctrine has caused great harm to children and families.

Read more at Bartholomew’s Notes on Religion

Teenager convicted for harassing Pagan

Generous Magic: An Appeal

Sometimes our friends call to us in need. We offer what we can. Thus are the tears in the fabric of Being repaired. The Whole is strengthened, the Community blessed, and each individual gains something. When we work with the magic of generosity, we can manifest so much.

I’m writing today because the American Magic Umbanda House of Oakland – having worked hard themselves for the last year to recover from a devastating fire that burned their sacred Lubisha – have asked for help to rebuild. They are asking for the very modest amount of $450 to help pay for the structure itself – one donor has already graciously fronted the cost, but cannot afford the whole amount. Anything raised over that will go toward the other many expenses incurred by the fire: replacing their blessed drums, pavilion covers, and some continuing clean up. So far, one month into their appeal, the donation site registers $67.

Read more at Agora

Scottish faith groups call for right to hold gay marriages

Faith groups in Scotland have united in support of gay marriage as Christian opponents launch a new campaign against the plans.

A coalition of faith groups and religious leaders met in Edinburgh today (30 April) to launch a new campaign to lift the ban on religious same-sex marriages in Scotland.

The Faith in Marriage group, which includes the United Reformed Church, the Quakers, Buddhists and the Pagan Federation, handed over an open letter to MSPs demanding the right to conduct same-sex marriages.

As the law stands, all faith groups are prohibited from solemnizing same-sex marriages regardless of their religious beliefs.

The Faith in Marriage coalition says this is discriminatory and ‘an unacceptable infringement by the state on our freedom of religion and belief.’

Read more at GayStarNews

African-American Culture and the Trickster

Poet Kevin Young’s book The Grey Album: On the Blackness of Blackness (Graywolf Press, 2012), reviewed in The New York Times Book Review last Sunday (“Race, the Remix,” by David Shields, April 22, 2012, p. 15) is not a Pagan book per se. Rather, it is about Black Cultural-Life in the United States- with the idea that Blacks have been forced to adopt the stratagems and postures of the Trickster, in order to navigate and manage an oppressive White Culture, intent upon controlling and exploiting Black art, literature, and music.

Read more at The Juggler.

A Merry Beltane

Tonight and tomorrow (in the northern hemisphere*) are the traditional dates for many of the major spring/summer festivals in modern Paganism. Beltane, Bealtaine, May Day,Floralia, Protomayia, and Walpurgis Night, to name just a few. This fire festival heralds the coming of summer and is a high holiday, a liminal time when the barriers between our world and the otherworld were thin. In many traditions and cultures it is a time of divine union and fertility.

Read more at The Wild Hunt

Peter Dybing Retires from Public Paganism

On Saturday, Peter Dybing, current president of Officers of Avalon, and former First Officer of the Covenant of the Goddess, announced that he was resigning from all, quote, “organizations, positions, posts and responsibilities in the Pagan community.” In a statement posted to his blog, Dybing expressed a desire to return to anonymity, saying that his very public role was causing him to neglect his partner and engaging in behavior that he personally disapproved of.

Read more at The Wild Hunt

Being Queer-identified and Heathen: Safe Spaces

sinnsreachdheathen:

Let me first say thank you to everyone who submitted their experiences to me, you were an excellent help! They were a great inspiration and though they will remain anonymous, this post is built on their personal experiences from the perspectives of Heathen and Reconstructionist LGBTQ+ people. I will write this solely from a Heathen perspective as well. Let me also say, before anyone proceeds that there is going to be a:
(Trigger Warning: Instances of homophobia and bigotry, mention of)

Now we shall continue,
We live in 2012. Lots of people are out as LGBTQ+. Contemporary Heathenry exists in this era with us. Many people are raising their children as Heathens or any myriad of other Reconstructionist ethnic traditions. Many of these children may grow up to be LGBTQ+ Heathens and yet, there was one constant running thread through every submission to my inbox that caught my eye and that was the worry of not having a safe space with Heathens to feel safe and safely associate with others like themselves. I am going to write about safe spaces for LGBTQ+ people(though there is some cross over for POCs as well) as my topic of real life experiences in Heathenry and real life applications because this is something that is at the forefront of the lives of many and it should be considered with practical applications.

This is a problem, a huge one, especially since contemporary Reconstructionism has gotten to the point where there are more than one generation growing up Heathen and there is the possibility that many of them will grow up to be LGBTQ+. As if the outside world wasn’t already hard enough for queer-identified folks to exist in the world without being of an “alternative religion” but we even have among our ranks certain individuals who would aim to make it unsafe for LGBTQ+ folks to practice their own religions and cultures in peace. We have racists and homophobes and misogynists in our midst, and that is just the reality with any group but as Heathens, we have to worry about what mingling our Wyrd with theirs will do to us.

We must “keep frith” inside the frithyard, inside spheres where it is required that we “drop our weapons” and keep civil but unfortunately this is not always easy to do in certain public spaces, especially the internet. Many of these people want to force their bigoted opinions on innocent folks and fill the space, take power of it and ultimately remove that safe-space and power from the people they are trying to marginalise, and in this case, that is often LGBTQ+ people. We need to make safe spaces for everyone, especially the marginalised. Luckily there are sources out there that will provide safe-spaces for queer-identified people, be they gay, asexual, trans* or anything else they identify as. 

When looking for a group to connect with(we are social animals and Heathenry and Recon are often very social-driven practices) we need to be aware of those who are in the group. We need to be aware of who we are going to be mingling our Wyrd with. We also need to have the courage to speak up for those who can’t against those who would seek to hurt them. This is not about politics, or one’s personal UPG. It is about providing a SAFE SPACE and the full rights to enjoy a space and feel safe in it, and the right to refuse to share a horn or mingle Wyrd with someone who would seek to poison it or otherwise hurt you.

This bigotry is not based on the lore and it isn’t based on historical views of our Ancestors on “queerness”. They lived in a different time, their views depended highly on their own experiential knowledge and lived experience in a very different society. Besides that, we see many instances in the lore where the Gods genderbend or otherwise commit “ergi” acts(Odin’s practice of seidr, Loki’s many instances of changing sex and giving birth, Thor’s genderbending to get mjöllnir back(depicted above)). That being said, I will not be quoting much lore as this is not a “What is Heathenry 101” blog and that is not the purpose of this post. Our Ancestors had very many different beliefs and “ergi” is just one but it cannot and should not be compared to modern society and how we view things. We live in a different world. Plain and simple. It is perfectly acceptable to be LGBTQ+ and a Heathen or Hellenist or Gaulish Polytheist, or whatever else you may be. Not only is it acceptable but it is encouraged that one embrace who they are and stand up for it. Anyone who thinks otherwise is definitely not worth mingling Wyrd with. In many societies, bisexuality was encouraged. Any modern views imposed upon a Reconstructionist religion should be scrutinised quite highly. Today, being LGBTQ+ can alter the relationship one has with no just their kin and kith but with their gods as well. It fully encompasses their lived experience as a queer-identified Heathen. Being able to relate to not just your gods but your people is spiritually healthy. It is part of growing up, growing into yourself, accepting who you are and feeling safe to do so.

Everyone deserves a safe place. Everyone deserves to practice in peace, be social in peace, and to fully embrace who they are in peace. No one should ever have their experiences erased, whether they be gay, trans*, a woman, a transwoman, or a person of colour, or of mixed race. Everyone deserves a space where no one is going to screw with that. There is a reason we have Heathens Against Hate and Caorann. I won’t hyperlink those just yet. If we are at the point of raising children in these religions, we need to make sure we provide a place to mingle Wyrd with non-toxic people. The name of my blog is Seledreamas. The word describes a concept in Anglo-Saxon Heathenry, particularly in the context of symbel wherein a space is considered a safe space, a place of peace. It is translated simply “hall joys” but the word goes much deeper than that. It speaks to a very social aspect of Heathenry and to the importance of keeping people together and keeping your people safe. Today, that includes LGBTQ+ people in our modern practice. 

It is important that one know where to go to keep safe in Heathen spheres. If anyone expresses bigotry, report them to whoever is leading the space immediately. If you are leading a space, make sure those entering it know exactly how to behave(do not out someone who wishes to remain anonymous for their own safety for example) and remove anyone who expresses bigotted ideas. They have no place in a frithyard and you can expect people to refuse to drink from the horn of a bigot, especially if they have a history of spewing vitriol. This is typical Heathen etiquette and it should be upheld for everyone. Expressing bigotry or vitriol violates a very basic and very important code in Heathenry, and that is the one to make Luck and healthy Wyrd with your kin and kith. If one does this, they are essentially poisoning the collective well of their people and it should never be expected or accepted. Be aware of the groups individuals are organised and affiliated with, the basic accepted etiquette of a social forum. Check the main websites of Heathen organisations and read their manifestos. Look for key words or symbols that strike you as unsafe(nazi code, rightwing “family” rhetoric). Many of these groups are not Heathen at all but use it as a veneer for bigotted views. I should leave a disclaimer. If an individual is conservative in their views of the lore, or with reconstructing from historical documents, it is NOT the same as expressing bigotted and dangerous views towards marginalised people. From a Heathen point of view, making accomodations for bigotted people is unhealthy spiritually, physically and for your Wyrd and the health of your people and their future. It is downright dangerous on many levels.

There are safe spaces, and there are decent people who wish to nourish you spiritually and keep you safe physically. When you have a safe space to socialise in, you will be able to speak with your gods and have a healthier social and spiritual life, and you deserve it. Period.

I am going to leave some “safe space” links for people to look at with explanations about them below:

CAORANN(Celts Against Oppression, Racism and Neonazism. Run by Celtic Recon elders) 

Heathens Against Hate(An organisation that seeks to speak out against oppression and bigotry)

A Gay Rant from a Gay Heathen(A great post by Freyrsman) 

AsatruQ Yahoo Community(A safe space for LGBTQ+ Asatruar. Must have a yahoo account) 

Queer Heathens(closed facebook group. A safe space) 

Pagan Hot Showers(an organisation wherein people offer “hot showers” and shelter to Pagans in need, including those who need shelter from abuse or trans* folk who need somewhere to go. Excellent group and very helpful. Definitely a safe space. Reconstructionist friendly.) 

GLBTPagans Meetup Page (currently seems to only be in America)

Homosexuality from a Hellenic POV(article written by a Hellenist, deals with contemporary and Reconstructionist views on LGBTQ+ issues)
 
A Heathen View on a Touchy Subject(a Heathen perspective on transgender issues) 

I will reserve my own blog as a safe space, as I wrote in my disclaimer. Again I would like to thank the people who bravely shared their experiences with me and gave me the inspiration to write my post for the individual who asked for it. I have not quoted anyone or named anyone except freyrsman as his post is already public. Everyone else is remaining anonymous, including their details for their own personal safety. 

(Source: wyrdwulf)

Pagan Library Opens in D.C.

Read more at Lez Get Real

Two Kinds of Witchcraft? Resisting Cynicism, False Dilemmas, and Moral Panics.

For several years I’ve been asking the question of what do we do when the men and women accused of “sorcery” and “witchcraft” are no longer “over there” in Africa or the Middle East, and are instead at our doorsteps.

“If this trend isn’t seriously addressed soon, we may find this madness turning its eye towards “safe” occultists and Pagans in places like America, the UK, Australia, Brazil, and Canada.”

Now, with the UK still reeling over the murder of Kristy Bamu, who died while being tortured under the auspices of an “exorcism” at his sister’s home, and British police being trained to spot cases of sorcery among immigrant communities, some Christian writers have seized on a largely constructed controversy over religious education in Cornwall to cynically launch attacks on modern Paganism. First out of the gate was  Catholic Telegraph columnist Christina Odone, whose anti-Pagan screed I recently highlighted on this blog.

“God, Gaia, whatever: school children are already as familiar with the solstice as with the sacraments. In pockets of Cornwall, children will point out a nun in her habit: “Look, a Druid!” Their parents will merely shrug — one set of belief is as good as another. How long before the end of term is marked by a Black Mass, with only Health and Safety preventing a human sacrifice?“

To Odone’s credit, she doesn’t explicitly conflate the recent sorcery and exorcism-related deaths and attacks with modern Paganism, though she does bemoan liberals “who spy covert imperialism or racism in every moral judgment.” It took Beliefnet Senior Editor Rob Kerby’s insulting and sloppy article to do that. Interweaving Odone’s opinion piece with recent stories on witch-hunting and killings in the developing world, Kerby joins the imaginary dots.

“In 2005, Sita Kisanga was found guilty of torturing an eight-year-old in London, believing the girl to have kindoki. She told the court that, “Kindoki is something you have to be scared of because in our culture kindoki can kill and destroy your life completely.” But officials in Cornwall, England, say there’s nothing to fear. […] It seems that the politically correct Cornwall Council regards Christianity as no better than any other superstition.”

Beliefnet’s sole Pagan blogger, Gus diZerega, has posted his own response to Kerby’s piece, hinting that his time at the religion portal may be coming to an end soon if nothing is done. But even if Kerby does ultimately walk back his statements, the connection has been made, and Catholic columnist Christopher Howse has decided to use it to hammer on Cornwall’s curriculum.

Read more at The Wild Hunt

Katrina “Foxglove” Kessler 1989 – 2012

On April 21st, Katrina Kessler, known by many in the Pagan community as Foxglove, passed away after a car accident in San Diego, California. An up-and-coming figure in our community, Kessler worked at the World of Witches Museum in Salem, starred in, and helped produce, “The Young Witches of Salem,” did reporting and production work withMagickTV, and hosted the video series “Foxglove’s Lost and Found.” Shortly before her death she was working with a community service organization called The Circle in California.

Read more about Katrina from those that knew and worked with her at The Wild Hunt.

Should Fatal Encounters Fill in the Blanks on Witchcraft Slaying?

Through 2010, and into the beginning of 2011, I covered the case of Angela Sanford, a Wiccan who killed Joel Leyva in what some media described as a ritualistic sacrifice. While Sanford initially said the killing was in self-defense after Leyva tried to rape her, that story started to unravel when evidence surfaced that the violent encounter may have been premeditated. Ultimately, Sanford plead no contest to second-degree murder, and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Now, the story is being dramatized for the show Fatal Encounters on the Investigation Discovery (ID) cable network, and local press are worried that ID may be stretching the truth to make good TV.

Read more at The Wild Hunt

Female Gladiators? Tantalizing New Evidence From Ancient Rome

Female-gladiator fights appear to have been rare spectacles in the Roman Empire. But new analysis of a statue in a German museum adds to the evidence that trained women did fight to the death in ancient amphitheaters, a new study says.

The bronze statuette is only the second known representation of a female gladiator, according to study author Alfonso Manas, of Spain’s University of Granada.

The roughly 2,000-year-old artwork, which resides at the Museum für Kunst und Gewerbein in Hamburg, shows a bare-chested woman in a loincloth brandishing a scythe-like object in her left hand.

Manas believes the woman is holding a sica, a short, curved sword associated with a type of gladiator known as a thraex, or Thracian. Thraexes typically fought in plumed helmets, with small shields and metal leg guards called greaves. Their unarmored backs were particularly vulnerable—and were likely ripe targets for sica.

Experts had previously interpreted the curved implement as a strigil, which Romans used for scraping the body clean.

The woman’s pose, though, doesn’t support that explanation, Manas said.

See a photograph of the statue and read more at National Geographic