One of the frequent questions I get from budding Heathens is "Where do I start?". After fielding two such questions in the same day, I began this series of articles. More resources can be found on my website.
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One of the frequent questions I get from budding Heathens is "Where do I start?". After fielding two such questions in the same day, I began this series of articles. More resources can be found on my website.
One of the frequent questions I get from budding Heathens, Asatruar and Norse pagans is "Where do I start?" After fielding two such letters in one day from a divination client and a prospective student (who already summons spirits in a Ceremonial framework but wanted to connect with the Norse Gods), I began compiling a page of resources on my website-- and this series of blog posts.
Since Heathenry is a living faith of active practice, the best place is always with a good local group, a kindred of kindhearted people open to teaching you. To find a good kindred, ask around among your pagan community or attend a regional Heathen gathering, a moot. Go to a Pagan Pride Day in your area, stop in at the metaphysical shops and book stores, and look for websites and Facebook pages for nearby groups, especially those who offer teaching and community outreach or participate in larger events.
...One of the frequent questions I get from budding Heathens, Asatruar and Norse pagans is "Where do I start?" After fielding two such letters in one day from a divination client and a prospective student (who already summons spirits in a Ceremonial framework but wanted to connect with the Norse Gods), I began compiling a page of resources on my website-- and this series of blog posts.
From the Wild Hunt: Robert Rudachyk is seeking the nomination to become the Liberal Party of Canada‘s candidate for the federal riding of Saskatoon West. What makes this run for office unusual is that Rudachyk appears to be the first openly Heathen candidate to run for public office in Canada.
In this ritual, you will mirror the actions of the heroine in one of the Grimm's fairy tales, "Mother Holle", (also known as "The Golden Girl and the Pitch Maiden"), offering your cares and worries to the Goddess by dropping them on a spindle into a fresh water "well" and praying for her assistance in resolving them. A traditional Northern European blot, a drink offering, begins the ritual. This simplified rite, suitable to any time of year, is part of a longer Norse Winternights Ceremony I wrote honoring the ancestors and the Wild Hunt during the autumn. An especially ideal time for it would be on Mothers' Night, the evening before Yule. (More information on Holle's symbols and nature can be found within that Ceremony.)
On Fiery Tuesday, the PaganNewsBeagle focuses on issues of activism and the Element of Fire. Today we have stories on civic invocations (aka prayers); crowdfunding site Go Fund Me bans "sorcery," fiery photos from Burning Man; a prominent Heathen speaks out about racism in his community; and the Pagan Environmental Coalition of New York visits fracking sites in Pennsylvania.
Now that "civic prayers" have been ruled legal by the Supreme Court, who gets to give a prayer before government meetings? Patheos blogger "The Friendly Atheist" writes about his experience in this post.
...Happy Faith-Filled Friday -- and 4th of July!
Today we are concentrating on stories of how faith -- Pagan and otherwise -- influences our daily life.
How should "sincerely held religious belief" influence the law? HuffPo religious editor argues against the recent SCOTUS decisions.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paul-raushenbush/sincerely-held-religious-beliefs-and-the-fraying-of-america_b_4847018.html?&ncid=tweetlnkushpmg00000055
Is Paganism in a critical phase of defining itself? John Beckett compares today's Pagan battles to the deliberations of 3rd century CE Christianity and points out that "s/he who shows up, wins."
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/johnbeckett/2014/07/showing-up.html
That most American of music -- jazz -- has a connection with modern Paganism: freemasonry.
http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/jul/02/secret-jazz-freemason-history-duke-ellington-sun-ra?CMP=fb_gu
Is Heathenism naturally multi-racial?
http://eternalhauntedsummer.com/issues/summer-solstice-2014/asgard-as-a-multi-racial-society/
How can traditional Wicca work outside of standard gender models?
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/agora/2014/07/queer-of-swords-oh-what-a-great-rite/