Livejournal's Pagan Community

Handfasting

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 13:51:55 GMT

So my lovely fiance and I have been doing the whole wedding plan thing, and we've come to the conclusion that we want to have just a small spiritual event, close family and friends. And the conversation has come in the direction of handfasting.

The question, to any pagans here, and especially to any in the Chicago area, is where would we go to look for a priest that could sanction it?

Good Press for Minnesota Pagans

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 14:17:38 GMT

This is from the UMPA - Upper Midwest Pagan Alliance - a group I am involved in. I was not a part of the highway clean-up...but am pretty proud of the work this group does. Thought I would pass along this news article. Perhaps other Pagan groups around the country would like to do something like this?

Hi UMPA Activists,
If you doubt that "no good deed goes unnoticed" please read the very
positive article in the editorial section of todays Star Tribune about the
UMPA highway cleanup effort. Online at:
http://www.startribune.com/opinion/letters/24538494.html?location_refer=$urlTrackSectionName

Thanks again to all who have already helped, and we'll see the more of you in late September!

Sweet blessings, and clear visions
Nels and Judy
http://umpaganalliance.com

Editorial shorts: Desire for clean highways shared by many faiths
Last update: July 12, 2008 - 11:31 PM

Most of the time, those blue "Adopt-A-Highway" signs barely merit a glance. But the latest one to go up along a busy stretch of Hwy. 10 in Coon Rapids has a sponsor with an eye-catcher of a name: the Upper Midwest Pagan Alliance.

The group is the same one that garnered headlines in Minnesota a few years back with a rally in support of putting pentacles on Wiccan soldiers' tombstones. Its president, Nels Linde of western Wisconsin, said adopting the highway is part of the group's effort to give back to the community, in the same way that other church groups have service projects. It's also a "hands-on approach" for those in the earth-centered religions the alliance represents.

Recent clean-up efforts have proven to be a challenge. So far, members have put in about 150 hours, and they're only two-thirds done because there was so much garbage.

Among the things they've found: cell phones, church bulletins, pornography, tires and just about every kind of container possible. There were so many cigarette butts that members assigned to picking them up spent hours on a small stretch of roadside.

Litterers in the area can rest easy. Asked if the group might consider spells on offenders, Linde laughed, then noted members' strong, do-no-harm ethic. Instead, he politely requests that drivers dispose of their waste properly no matter where they may be. Said Linde: "It's all one earth.''

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 02:44:26 GMT

I was just wondering if there was anyone in here from Boston?
Or if anyone knows a good way about finding other Wiccans.
I had been studying, but really fell behind and would like to have some other people that I could actually talk to face to face to help keep me focused and to help answer questions.
I guess I'm kind of looking for a mentor since I'm still really new to this.
Any suggestions?
Thanks so much.
Blessed be.

Trying to find a website [Solved!]

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 02:44:11 GMT

About a year ago I stumbled across a lovely website devoted to Freya. Unfortunately, all I remember is that it had a professional and elegant light pink design, a neat little applet where you could "pray" to Freya via the net, and that it was maintained by a man. My Google-fu is weak at the moment, and I can't "re-find" it, which is weird because I'm sure I found it via Google in the first place.

Does anyone here know the site I'm talking about and where I can find it, or if I even still can?

Thanks!

ETA Thanks to some people's memories (better than mine), it's confirmed that the website I was thinking of (www.freyja.com) is no longer around. Carry on with your business.

BLOG: Intuitive Tarot: The Morning Lesson

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 04:34:56 GMT

Quite often, I get this question:

"What would you suggest to a beginner who wants to learn to read the tarot?"

And my first answer would be....

I just posted a blog titled "Intuitive Tarot: The Morning Lesson." This is for those who might like to see how I teach my intuitive tarot class. It is an expansion of one of the exercises. I hope you will let me know what you think of it. Would love to hear about your own ways of learning a new deck.

Tarot By Arwen Blog.

Gemstones

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 04:34:09 GMT

I know this is kind of OT, but does anyone know what type of stone this is? Or is it just glass?

.

I know, they're AWFUL pictures. I need a better camera.
But it sheens in the light, and has lighter blue stripes through it.

Thanks in advance for any and all guesses!
Rosel

Seeking a broad Pagan response to a strange philosophical idea that has come up.

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 04:33:32 GMT

Hello. My name is Aedan. I can't recall whether or not I've posted here before. But if I have it was probably 2 years ago (been out for a while) asking if anyone had had similar experiences to me or if they might know what was happening to me.

If so you may remember being asked to read a journal post called Description of The Field and The Lights or The Bubble Experience.

This time my guides told me something a few years ago, that has recently worked itself up to being a very useful technique for clearing or getting in touch with buried issues.

As with the other communities I have asked to look at the new post, I do hope others may be able to adapt this to their own use and be helped as much as I have been. But of you I also particularly ask to please tell me what the principle named says from the viewpoint of a Pagan belief system. I am very curious about this because I can't deny what happened to me or what effect it has had. But I am also learning about Paganism and want to know from more seasoned Pagans how this idea would fit into their world view. What it would mean to them if it were true.

If anyone is interested, you're looking for a post on my journal called: "The past and future are just scenarios we spin to make the present make sense in a linear time frame.

Thanks for your time and help....just in case :)

Aedan

[XPOST] Send Gwen Zak a Pony!

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 18:35:17 GMT

This is not strictly on topic, but many people in the pagan and druidry communities know Gwen Zak through her song "Circles," covered by all manner of pagan musicians including Isaac Bonewits' band Real Magic. I know Selena Fox taught it to people at Circle Sanctuary in the 80s. Anyway, if you'd like to brighten the day of an immensely talented woman who has given much more than just one song to many people, read on.

Some of you may know, either through ladyat's note and updates here and here or from wulfrich's two posts, here and here that well-loved artist, filker, and all around beautiful and shiny person Gwen Zak suffered a moderately serious heart attack in mid-June. If you don't know or remember Gwen, chances are you have heard her song "Circles", one of those filks that has actually become more popular than the song whose tune it borrows. I first heard that song in the pagan community, ten years before I had ever even heard of filk.

Gwen is a lovely person who loves lovely things. She loves, for example, My Little Pony (not unlike some other very shiny filk persons on my friends list), and she really likes to rescue old My Little Ponies by buying them at garage sales (although she appreciates new ones in the box, as well)! I know things are tight for everyone out there, but I also know how much even one My Little Pony will brighten Gwen's day. Suppose you have a few old ones lying around in your garage or your attic, or you're a collector and you have some duplicates. Or suppose you're passing by a garage sale (boot sale over here, and yes, apparently MLPs are different in the UK) and you see a couple of shiny ponies for sale on someone's table. What if you, yes, you, whether or not you know Gwen Zak personally, picked up that pony and put it in the post to the address I'll put at the bottom of this message? Imagine what a boost to her day it would be if she got just one My Little Pony in the mail from a thoughtful person miles away, just to brighten up her day. Imagine the smile on her face if one day she received two My Little Ponies from two different people. Gwen needs our strength and love, good thoughts and good energy, and she loves those ponies. When things are rough, it can often help to see a physical representation of all those good wishes. With each pony (or, you know, each shipment ;>), please write a little card to Gwen. Send her a good wish.

I'm reluctant to put their home address here, so I'll give you the post office box for Gwen's husband, noted science fiction author Michael Kube-McDowell:

Michael P. Kube-McDowell
P.O. Box 22066
Lansing, MI 48909-2066

It's OK to pass this message around to your friends and other groups and communities, and you emphatically do not have to say where it originated. Gwen's the star here, not me.

Athiest/Pagan wedding anyone?

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 16:09:22 GMT

Hello all, I'm in need of your ideas!

My fiance and I are trying to plan our wedding, and I'm having trouble coming up with ideas which respect and include both of our beliefs (or lack there of). I want something discreetly pagan, not at all christian, and with little mention of gods and goddesses and all that sort of thing, because he doesn't share my beliefs (yes we have worked that out in other areas). Any and all ideas/links/info are much appreciated!

Many thanks and Blessings,
Rosel

x-posted to solitarywiccans and witchsisters

When Death Comes Calling, How Do You Answer?

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 16:09:10 GMT

Woody Allen said, "I am not afraid of death, I just don't want to be there when it happens." While it is very funny, it is also very true for most of us. It's one of those subjects that we'd rather not think about. And if we do have to talk about it, we use a euphemism.

Musings On The Tarot blog.

Drop by and tell me what you think of the Death card.

Where Did You Start?

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 00:10:59 GMT

After fumbling around in the dark for a bit, I've realized that christianity et.al. are not quite my thing. So that's leads me over to paganism - but there's so much information out there, and I'm not entirely sure where a good starting point is.

I guess I want to know ... how did you figure out your right path? Did you just know, did it sort of hit you in the face one day? Was there a certain person you spoke to, a particular book you read? I feel a bit overwhelmed with all the different paths that could be followed, and I'm trying to figure out how to narrow my focus somewhat, and decide what the right path for me would be.

Is She Kidding?

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 16:13:45 GMT

So, it would seem Kathie Lee doesn't like us pagans, it would seem.....

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/25365895#25368216

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 16:36:00 GMT

I need some type of healing/taking your power back ceremonies. And also ceremonies for adopting a new name. Thanks.

Patrons

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 16:35:53 GMT

The concept of patrons deities (or other divinities such as Daemons, spirits, ect…) is an interest of mine for some inexplicable reason. As such I was wondering if some of you wouldn’t mind answering these questions I have and perhaps spark a dialog on these topics as well.

1. How do you define the patron deity relationship within the confines of your individual path?
2. How do you feel the average pagan defines the patron deity relationship if it differs from 1?
3. What is your opinion on the place of the patron relationship within the greater context of both your path and paganism in general
4. Why do you feel patron relationships are popular within paganism?
5. Do you feel that this type of relationship is over emphasized, neutral, or under emphasized?
6. Do you personally have a patron deity, what type of relationship do you have with this “entity”, and how important is this relationship to you in your daily life.

I thank you for your time and thought ahead of time. Also if you feel you can only answer one or two of these feel free just to answer those or if you have ideas not relating to these questions as well. I want to gather as much information possible!

x-posted in various places, I apologies if you see it more than once.

Storm Energies

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 16:35:45 GMT

I posted the other day about feeling disconnected.

The following I posted in my Lj, but I wanted to share it with you guys here.

I just had one of the most amazing spiritual experiences of my life.

I heard/saw a storm coming across the lake and thought to myself that it would be nice to go watch it as it came closer.

I went out on the balcony and watched the storm and fog come across the lake and found myself staying even as the rain started to fall.

The energy from the storm as it passed right over my building was amazing, I saw lightening strike two spots about 200ft from where I was standing, and saw the sparks fly. I felt the vibrations of the thunder roll through my body as the rain fell so hard at points it felt like it was ice falling rather then the rain.

I can't even describe how it felt to stand out there in the rain the storm coming closer and then enveloping me, feeling the energy, the rain. I cried, I laughed, I felt the energy make it's way across and through and around me.

I can't wait to do it again.

I want to thank the person who told me to just go outside, they were the reason I did go out.

Pagan-built Home for Sale

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 16:35:36 GMT

My friend Joanna Powell Colbert and her husband have moved out of the lovely straw-bale house they built on Lummi Island (near Bellingham, Washington) and will soon put it up for sale. If anyone is interested in buying it, or wants more details, let me know and I'll put you in touch. It's a gorgeous place; I've seen pictures and articles about it. Perfect for Pagan or other Earth-loving people.

totem animals?

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:41:23 GMT

Hi everyone ^_^

I've had a couple animals pop up in dreams in noteworthy ways and just wondered if anyone knew what their full meanings might be because I think I was being told what my totem animals are. If anyone wants to hazard interpretation of the dream I'd be very interested. I'm not sure if this kind of post is okay so I'll put it under a cut (if it's not, sorry)...

The first dream was last summer and I dreamt a Great Horned Owl entered my bedroom. Scared, I ran into my bathroom and tried to slam the door just as it flew at me - it's beak wedged between the door and I had to grab it by its beak. When I did, I pulled it in, only to find it had become a piece of carved wood like what you see on totem poles.

The second dream was only a couple weeks back. I was walking outside the university I will be transferring to in about another year and saw a reflecting pool, except the path led straight into it and it had no boundaries. Step by step I actually walked into the water (which was dark and highly reflective but calm) and saw floating on it a carving of a whale - again, wooden, and again, carved like a Native American fetish *hopes that's the right word*. At first I think it's something someone lost so I go towards it but the water gets deeper so that I have to swim for it; I get ahold of it and when I do, I look around to see if it belongs to someone else, but since there is no one around, I keep it.

At this point I should mention that I am a pagan and have been in the process of trying to reconnect spiritually to the universe; surprisingly I don't remember my dreams very often or have animal imagery in them so when I did I made sure to pay attention. Does anyone have info on what the significance and purpose of these two animals - the Great Horned Owl and the Whale - would have? Also, my mother has repeated dreams with two specific animals - the Eagle and the black Jaguar and is also extremely spiritual so if anyone knows what those are too I'd aprpeciate it....

Much thanks in advance.

Please think good thoughts

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 21:48:41 GMT

On the 16th, Rose's step-mom is going into open-heart surgery. Everyone think good thoughts to get the good mojo goin' please.

Thank you!

Spread: House Of The Geisha and Geisha Fan Spread

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 21:48:27 GMT

Someone on a tarot forum I love requested a Memoirs of the Geisha spread. I kept thinking about it and finally came up with two spreads. I haven't tried them out so if anyone does, please leave me a comment on my blog and let me know if you came up with a better way!

Two Geisha Spreads this way.

Weird realization

Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:45:07 GMT

Gods... I am such a temple pagan.

I just read a suggestion that the most pagan act is just going outside and sitting in communion with nature. Does this sound like a good idea? Yes, yes it does. Do I love climbing (and consequently getting stuck in) my tree? Love it! However, it's not my first thought when I think of what I do to get plugged in.

So what do I do? I meditate with prayer beads (which I carry with me at all times). I pull out my medicine bag and contemplate the meaning of the items within it. I do shiatsu, read some tarot, play with my kitties, all things that can be done in doors!

I like going to the outside place. It's fun, for visits... I mean, sitting up in my tree and watching the full lunar eclipse was quite possibly one of the most amazing spiritual experiences I've ever had, but once it was over and I realized that the ants that live in my tree had decided that I was fun to climb on, I squeaked and scrambled down to the relative safety of my desk.

It's not a bad thing... It's just a thing.

Anyone else find themselves in this situation?

Feeling lost-

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 17:29:21 GMT

Let me introduce myself, my Pagan/Wiccan name is Luna, I've been calling myself pagan for a good 5-6 years now, and I'm in Canada.

I say calling myself pagan because I don't feel pagan. I'm taking steps to remove things from my life, chemicals mostly, attempting to de-clutter, and trying to make and follow a pagan path. I've read books, not many, but a few, but I feel that I have no time.

I am attempting to limit my computer time, but I work so often and most of the time find myself just turning the computer on and browsing. I don't write entries on LJ hardly anymore, and I hardly ever if at all comment.

Lj was a big part of my life, but it too started to slowly fall away. I'm attempting to get back into writing on it, even if it's just some random thoughts that go no where at least once a day.

I'm feeling lost. I want to do all these things but I feel so lazy all the time after working, two jobs at that, that I never want to do anything. I'd love to have a garden of my own, lavender, mint, cat nip, sage, thyme, parsley, dill, (to name a few) but I can never get my arse in gear!

I also have a hard time with Time. Cycles of the moons, holidays. It seems like I remember it's a holiday on the holiday, I don't have many plans for them, and they usually pass without even a candle lit.

I fell like I'm in a slump, and I'm here asking a favor.

How did you all find this path that you walk? How did you incorparate it into your life?

I think the biggest problem I have is that I have very few friends on this path, which gives me no one to get information and guidance from.

I'm feeling cluttered, and looking for advice on how to get organized and on a pagan path.

Blog: Fairy Tale Tarot -- Snow White

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 17:28:46 GMT

First as a child, I dreamt of unicorns and dragons and witches and princesses thanks to these tales my mother read me. As I grew older, I revisited them from a feminist perspective and found them to be lacking. But now that I am older, I find myself back at the doorstep of the old storyteller again. And this time, I am looking at them with a more discerning eye. I am looking for the lessons that I see in them and pulling those lessons out to transform them into fairy tales.

In today's blog I revisit the Grimm Brothers' version of Snow White. Did you know the Queen wasn't after Snow's heart?

Visit http://tarotbyarwen.blogspot.com and discover another way to utilize the Tarot through Fairy Tales.

Here's a question, with a real outcome.

Tue, 27 May 2008 01:28:24 GMT

Let's say you work in a bookstore, and you are asked to stock up the new age section with books that people look for, and that people will buy, but also a few books that are overlooked, but important, engaging or fun.

You can choose 5-10 books, including tarot/divination sets. Please help me, because I know what I like, but this will help me stock what the people like in general.

Thanks!

New community..

Mon, 26 May 2008 21:26:55 GMT

Hey all!
I wondered if there were any metalheads around here? I guess among +2,000 members there should at least be some ;)

You're most welcome at my new community heathenforay!

Paganism & Metal...
Probably two of the most important things in my life; and I often find that many people share that opinion. A lot of metalheads seem to be interested in the ancient religions & mythologies, and more & more metal bands seem to get their inspiration from that direction.
There are quite some metal-related communities at Livejournal, as well as paganism-related ones, but I haven't found a single community that covers both (in English at least). And since they so often seem to go together, I decided something had to be done =)

Read through the profile page and the welcoming post
& don't hesitate to join!
(Membership is moderated)

Hope to see some of you there!

Slayer Tarot anyone?

Sun, 25 May 2008 22:31:05 GMT

Buffy fans, have you heard? The Slayer Tarot from Rachel Pollack & Paul Lee is coming!