The Informed Pagan

Summer Camp 2013 Path Descriptions

Wed, 22 May 2013 00:26:07 +0100

Summer Camp 2013 Path Descriptions:

This year Spiralheart is pleased to offer 4 different paths at our Summer Intensive Witchcamp (if you haven’t registered already, do so now— space is limited!) The paths being offered this year are:

Shape-shifting: Finding our Right Size (facilitated by Willie, Shiela & Puddles)

Shadow Path: Know Yourself in All of Your Parts (facilitated by Brook & Joan)

The Infinite Song: Sacred Sound (facilitated by Crystalline & Watersong)

Elements of Magic (facilitated by: Emily)

For full descriptions of each path, just click the title.

I look forward to seeing you all there!

fornsed: Vårkväde: Spring Song. A Heathen song celebrating...

Mon, 20 May 2013 12:47:56 +0100

fornsed:

Vårkväde: Spring Song.

A Heathen song celebrating spring.

An attempt at translation from Swedish:

“Vanirs lord and king of Elves,Sap is rising in the tree trunk, Frey stands proud and spring time young, Hail thou warm time, Lust and life from Sunnas light,Sap is rising in the tree trunk, Gifts of Gods to mankinds homes, Hail thou warm time, Song of birds and mankinds choirs, Sap is rising in the tree trunk, Born is that which never dies, Hail thou warm time, Hail to Aering Hail to Frith, Sap is rising in the tree trunk, Hail to this our custom is, Hail thou warm time, “

Needs some tweeking to fit better with the melody, but..

Reversing a Soul Binding

Sat, 04 May 2013 22:55:39 +0100

I have a difficult situation. My ex who is Wiccan was showing me various types of rituals and spells throughout our relationship. One of which was a “soul binding” spell which was intermixed with a handfasting. He explained it in brief to me and I was…

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Video

Fri, 03 May 2013 13:46:34 +0100

earth-paths-green: Spirit of Samhain by ~dark777fairy

Sat, 27 Apr 2013 19:57:54 +0100

earth-paths-green:

Spirit of Samhain by ~dark777fairy

inatt: Baldur-Blot, Ostsee 01.05.2009 by Asatru Hamburg on...

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 23:19:51 +0100

inatt:

Baldur-Blot, Ostsee 01.05.2009 by Asatru Hamburg on Flickr.

Asatru: Misconceptions and Resources

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 15:11:00 +0100

I could not find where to specifically ask a question, so I apologize if this winds up attached to someones blog. So I have been Shaman for a long time, but an atheist one. I did not believe in any gods or goddesses. The last few years Odin and Freya…

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Easter vs Eostre

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 08:51:07 +0000

Easter vs Eostre:

earth-paths-green:

Great article

Pan and the Nature of Gods

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 19:13:21 +0000

Hi, i’m new to paganism and am wondering about Pan, and if he is a loving deity. I think our culture has stereotyped the idea of the devil so much that searching for understanding/differences/alternatives is difficult. I’ve heard of the green-woman but…

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earth-paths-green: Tonight’s reading

Sat, 16 Mar 2013 13:36:07 +0000

earth-paths-green:

Tonight’s reading

Energy Manipulation 101: To Keep Silent

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 12:18:14 +0000

stsathyre:

Warning: This might contain an unpopular opinion.
This is a pagan post.

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Magic: Energy and Cursing/Hexing

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 13:31:00 +0000

Hello there!
I was curious about something I have heard of in pop culture as well as many ancient stories from around the globe, the usage of curses or “dark magic.” I have heard from many pagans that dark magic doesn’t exist and from others that it does exist but it is a double edged sword. the ones who say it exists say that if you tried to curse or hex someone you would also curse/hex yourself because the energy gathered to preform the curse/hex would first flow through yourself. The others say that it is impossible to use magic in that way. What are your thoughts?

It never fails… spend enough time browsing around any sort of Witchcraft related book, site, forum, etc… and eventually you will come across comments that describe magic in terms of color. While there are a variety of shades that might come to mind, the most commonly seen tend to relate to “black” and “white” magic - which of course (more often than not), leads one into the “dark” vs. “light” conversations as well.

While labels are sometimes useful - in that they can help us to understand an idea or concept at a glance; the converse is, that one word rarely conveys everything, which then leads to misinformation or misunderstanding. In this case, the truth is that assigning color to magic, shows a fundamental lack of understanding of exactly how magic works.

It probably shouldn’t be surprising that this happens, so many books out there are trying desperately to cater to the “rainbows and ponies” world vision when it comes to the Craft. So long as it’s presented with glitter and sparkles, then how could it possibly be wrong, or hurtful? After all, white/light is good, and black/dark is bad - right? Ehh… not so much, as both are genuinely necessary “forces” in the universe.

At its most basic, magic is simply manifesting a desired goal, or affecting a desired change through force of will. The fundamental lack of understanding that I mentioned above comes in, right about here - magic has almost entirely to do with the intent of the person casting it. This means that a spell which might typically be considered “white”, can absolutely be used to cause harm, while one that could be considered “black” can be used to heal. A good example of this is magic that can be used when working with someone who has cancer, in which banishment spells (considered “black magic” by many) are often used.

The point in all of this, is that magic is colorless, and if one is going to do magic (be it witchcraft, or any other form that one might choose), then it’s something that we all need to accept. Magic is what it is, and the only thing that really matters at the end of the day, is how we use it. And while there may be many people who will never cast a hex or curse in their life (or even consider the thought), the fact is that there may be times when one is justified, and in most cases there is nothing that prevents anyone from doing so, if they should choose to.

As to energetic issues resulting from cursing/hexing, there is always the potential for backlash (of a sort) if one doesn’t ground properly, but that is true of any magical working. In the same way that magic is colorless, when you are raising energy, it’s just “energy” - it hasn’t been shaped or focused to any particular purpose. When you do purpose it, it’s being directed into (or at) something/someone else, so even though the energy comes from you, or as a result of your actions, you are only the channel for that particular component, not the actual mixing bowl (so to speak). Sort of like baking - you gather up your ingredients, and mix them all in a separate container. So even if the milk comes from a jug, the jug doesn’t get dirty because you’ve poured just the milk you need into the bowl, and then sealed the jug back up to use next time.

Only real instance where such a thing could be plausible, would be if you ask deity/spirit/entities, etc… to work through you, or to use your body as a conduit of a sort - which potentially could leave “residue”. But it’s still more of a grounding/shielding issue, which typically isn’t lasting (unless you somehow manage to screw something up big time). Guess too though, it would depend to what degree (if any) someone holds to the Three-Fold Law, or similar concept. I could see where someone could find themselves regretting a curse/hex, and it probably causing them to feel like they were cursed instead (by the guilt).

Along with that though, if one does hold strongly to a concept like the TFL, (or something like the Eclectic interpretation of “an it harm none”) there could potentially be actual backlash if one verbally incorporates it as an oath in a working. If you always invoke some such as a part of your ritual language, for example, it will become a part of your magical practice that actually has impact. You would then have given this idea power to affect you through your own words and actions.

So… long story short, it really depends on the person, the Tradition/Path involved, and any number of other factors. It’s just not one of those things that is going to be the same for everyone, which is really somewhat typical of many things related to Witchcraft, and even Paganism in general.

Oh, and thought I should add in to my last comment- in defense of Anonymous, Silver hadn't deleted my posts, but also didn't answer any of my questions, either, that were in a similar vain to what anonymous mentioned having asked her. :)

Thu, 10 Jan 2013 02:12:02 +0000

I had a seemingly similar experience to your last post by anonymous, but asked Silver directly what was going on, and if she had, in fact, deleted my posts, and she got back to me to let me know that wordpress had had them on hold for approval, and that's why they hadn't gone through. I can't speak for other people's experience on being banned or blocked from her blog, but, for me, personally, that was not the case, and I was satisfied w/her response. Communication is important. :)

Thu, 10 Jan 2013 02:10:56 +0000

True true. I think Anon was talking about the forum on her website, rather than her blog, but you’re very right, communication is important and often we jump to conclusions on that sort of thing. For what it’s worth, when you’re interacting with her directly she seems perfectly polite. It’s when you disagree with something that matters change. My impression, and I may well be far off the mark, is that she likes to be in charge, and have followers, so questions that dig a little deeper than “what colour candle should I use for this spell” don’t engender a positive response.

SRW does have a forum, or she used to, at least - I joined once for a laugh, and brought up the subject of Changelings, and a bunch of people called me racist. Apparently I was a bigot and had bought into Christian anti-faerie propaganda. It was absolutely bizarre. I was booted not long after, apparently for shit-stirring. Shit-stirring and disagreeing with someone obviously being the same thing ;)

Thank you for your comments in September, on Silver RW. Particularly this: "deletes or outright banned people from her forums for daring to disagree with her politely." Though I have long understood her to be "hazy" ethically -as well as non factual/very into cultural appropriation - I do, sincerely, also find that she has useful info on a nuts and bolts level, so decided to do her year end release program, and was 1st ignored, then banned, when I asked her to clarify some of her victim-blaming.

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 04:28:23 +0000

Wow, that’s really bad form. It’s difficult to have an interesting conversation when dissenting views, or even the curious seeking further explanation, are removed from them. Thank you for sharing your experience.

Happy New Year!!Our sincerest apologies for not posting the last...

Thu, 03 Jan 2013 02:52:13 +0000

Happy New Year!!

Our sincerest apologies for not posting the last month or so. Seems like the last Mercury…

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They're stealin' our holidays!!

Sat, 29 Dec 2012 19:51:03 +0000

lokavinr:

A little piece of religious studies education.

Some world holidays from late autumn to winter:

Diwali: The “festival of lights.” Hindus celebrate the rescue of Sita by her brave husband Rama, lighting candles to guide them home through the dark night. Feasting and family gatherings abound.

Chanukah: The “festival of lights.” Jews celebrate a miracle of YHWH that allowed the Menorah to burn for eight nights during the re-dedication of the temple. Feasting, candles, gift giving, family time, etc.

Saturnalia: A Roman feast dedicated to the fertility deity, Saturn. Celebrated as the Dies Natalis of Sol Invictus, the Sun God, during the late Roman period. Gift giving, partying, feasting, and wax candles.

Mōdraniht: An Anglo (Celtic?) midwinter festival mentioned by Bede. Probably a time of making sacrifices to the Matronae asking for their blessings and warmth during the long nights. Feasting, community and family time, and probably lights, since, you know, there’s a pattern going here.

Yule (traditional): A Germanic/Scandinavian Midwinter festival honoring fertility deities such as Freyr and Thor. Feasting, lighting fires, community merrymaking, swearing oaths for the new year, and possibly an increase in spiritual activity between the realms of the living and the dead (Odin’s Wild Hunt).

Alban Arthan: “Light of Winter.” A Celtic/Welsh winter solstice celebration marking the longest night and subsequent return of light (the clash of the Holly King and the Oak King). Feasting, mistletoe, and, in Welsh tradition, the birthday of Pryderi by Rhiannon. Sometimes called Meán Geimhridh (Midwinter).

Soyal: A festival celebrated by the Hopi and Zuni nations to welcome back the sun into the world after the longest night. Community blessing, singing, dancing, feasting, and sometimes gifts of kachina replicas for children. A time of setting intentions for the coming season.

Goru: A celebration of the Dogon people of Mali honoring the arrival of humankind via the sky God Amma who arrived in the “Ark of the World.” Offerings to ancestors, feasting, and community gatherings.

Yalda: A Persian winter solstice celebration with Zoroastrian roots. A time of eating special foods, lighting candles, and gathering together with one’s family. When celebrated as part of the religion of Mithraism, this morning after the longest night was believed to be the birthday of Mithra, the angel of light and truth.

Feast of Rozhanitsa: A Russian/East Slavic feast in honor of the antlered winter goddess, Rozhanitsa. Offerings of sweet honey and bread, the making of colorful embroidery, and the gifting of white, deer shaped cookies.

Ziemassvētki: A Latvian/Baltic festival celebrating the birth of Dievs, the high God of light in the Latvian religion. The lighting of fires, community singing and celebration, and a feast for the spirits of the dead believed to arrive on this night in a sleigh.

Şeva Zistanê: “The Night of Winter.” A Kurdish festival honoring the rebirth of the sun. Later seen as a day of victory for God and the angels. Feasting, candles, and the giving of sweets to children.

Christmas: A Christian festival celebrating the birth of Jesus, the son of God, and the star that shone over his birthplace in Bethlehem guiding travelers to him. Feasting, family gatherings, singing special festival songs, lighting candles and trees, and gift giving.

Mawlid: A late winter festival celebrated in some regions of the Islamic world commemorating the birth of the Prophet. A nighttime festival celebrated with community gatherings, feasting, and public sermons. Earlier celebrations in regions with Sufic influence included animal sacrifice and the lighting of torches.

Kwanzaa: An African American holiday celebrating the blessings of the harvest season and a renewed sense of shared cultural heritage. Decorating the home, lighting candles, feasting, music, and giving respect and offerings to the ancestors.

Yule (Neopagan): A winter solstice celebration commemorating the birth/return of the God (of Light). Feasting, the lighting of the Yule log, and enjoying the warmth of the community during the longest night.

Festivus: For “the rest of us.” A Seinfield-inspired festival for celebrating the winter holiday without the pressures of religion or commercialism.

And many, many more that I have regrettably missed (and hopefully not too many that I have buggered up here).

The long nights of winter and promise of the returning sun inspired countless cultures to gather together, celebrate the warmth of their community through feasting and partying, and light fires to sustain them through the long night. Some customs have influenced others, but nobody owns the rights to this season. There are countless unique cultural celebrations inspired by the astronomical phenomena of the winter season.

Nobody is a “thief” for celebrating their traditional or chosen winter holiday (and believe me, I’m not just talking to the Christians when I say this). Likewise, nobody is trying to “be different” or “ruin it for everyone else” by celebrating something less mainstream during this season. These are all holidays. There are tons of them. They have similarities, and they have differences.

But they’re all equally valid.

I just adore devotional objects and travel shrines. Does anyone have any to show-and-tell?

Sat, 08 Dec 2012 07:12:33 +0000

I just adore devotional objects and travel shrines.

Does anyone have any to show-and-tell?

Dealing With Being Shunned/Disrespected

Tue, 13 Nov 2012 14:02:00 +0000

Hello. I find myself in a number of a tough spots concerning my spirituality.

I am a male eclectic who tends to consult the female divine before the male, with an emphasis on the Norse gods of my ancestors, though I also worship Lilith.

But this has created a number of problems for me, as I live in a strongly christian family and community.

My worship of Lilith has led to me being likened to a virtual satanist by members of my parent’s church, and I am often ignored completely by those people, even when I volunteer my time and effort to help them set up sound or computer equipment as an act of good will. Nobody speaks to me unless they have no other choice, yet when I was a christian, they were the nicest possible people to me.

My parents are a little better, but they still repeatedly try to convert me to Christianity by trying to guilt me, or worse yet by calling the stories of my Norse ancestors, which I cherish as much as any christian cherishes the word of Christ, “fictional tales”, which I find deeply insulting on a number of levels. I love the gods and stories of my ancestors, and I wish that my parents could respect that, if only when I was around, at the very least.

It’s sad, because I feel I should be able to speak to my own parents about spiritual matters without facing constant ridicule.

Despite my friends who are all supportive of my path, I feel very alone, and I would like to know how I might approach these situations in a manner that is kinder and more respectful than how I have been treated so far.

Not sure how old you are, and if you are still living at home then I’ll speak to that as well a bit later on, however if you’ve tried being nice and/or the “smile and nod” approach whenever they start denigrating your beliefs, then it’s probably time to be more forceful about it all. Make it very clear that if they can’t respect you and your beliefs, that they need to either keep it to themselves, or if they can’t manage that, then (if you feel strongly enough about it) you need to tell them that you want nothing to do with them - at least until they can stop being rude and disrespectful to you. It may seem harsh, but if you don’t - they will likely keep harping at you over it. It’s understandable, as in their minds they are attempting to save you from “Hell”, so on the one hand, we should (in some small way) appreciate their concern. Of course on the other, we aren’t in need of that “saving”, so it’s annoying at the very least, and at worst abusive and hurtful.

The flip side, would be to continue trying to educate them, so that they can understand that you aren’t a Satanist (or that even if you were - that’s not a bad thing). I would also maybe make it clear as well, that there is very little difference between the Bible, and something like the Eddas and other Sagas - in terms of provable facts (certain things may have basis in history, but on the whole, not so much). So if they feel that your sacred texts, are just a bunch of stories, turn the tables on them, and see how they like it. If they complain that you are being disrespectful to them, or about their beliefs - mention that they’ve been doing the same to you, and if they don’t like how it feels, then at least now they know how you’ve been feeling. Hopefully they will get the point and stop.

Of course in the end they still may not stop, and unfortunately there’s just not much that can be done about it, other than to (as I mentioned previously) limit contact. Personally if I was helping out at a church, and they were being rude or disrespectful to me, I’d stop volunteering my time there. There’s no need to put up with that sort of thing. It’s probably worth mentioning as well though, that this is one of the unfortunate pitfalls of being open about our beliefs. So once we’ve made that choice to tell others, then we have to accept that it’s probably going to be a bumpy ride - at least for a while.

If you are still living at home, or are underage, things are a bit more tricky. The key is to be really calm and respectful about it - since it’s their house… their rules, however I would explain to them how the way they’ve been treating you makes you feel, and that you would appreciate it if they would please stop. If they are not open at all to being understanding of your situation, you may seriously need to consider going back into the “broom closet”. There is a point where it’s not worth it to be open, and if it’s negatively impacting your life, then that may be the best option. It’s definitely not fair to us (I’ve had to do it before), but if it makes things a bit more manageable, then it’s something to think about. This doesn’t mean you have to turn around and pretend to embrace their beliefs either - we definitely do not advocate lying to one’s parents, but if you remove any outward signs of your beliefs/practices, then whatever assumptions they want to make are up to them.

morgandria: Welcome Winter, waning season, Now with night the...

Thu, 08 Nov 2012 04:17:36 +0000

morgandria:

Welcome Winter,
waning season,
Now with night the New Year comes.
All who honor elder kinsfolk
Dance the dead to earthly drums.
Souls respected safeguard living;
House we’ll hold and hallow hearth;
Blessings be on those who bide here,
blessings be on those who bide here,
And indeed on all the Earth.