Someone once told me that science couldn’t thrive in religion.
On the contrary; I think it thrives in Paganism just fine.
(Source: noxdesign.deviantart.com)
Reblogged from horabarris (Originally from jape-art)
Thor’s Hammer Approved For Veteran Headstones and Markers →
In 2007, after a decade-long struggle, Pagan and Wiccan organizations succeeded in getting the Pentacle approved for military veteran headstones and markers. After that victory, in July of 2007, a rally was held to start the push for two more symbols: the Druid Awen and the Heathen Thor’s Hammer. Two Heathen organizations, The Troth and the Asatru Folk Assembly, were represented at that rally, and from it a wider movement to get the Thor’s Hammer approved emerged. Now, after a six-year journey which included some inter-organizational tensions within the Heathen communityand a U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs rule change, it appears the symbol has finally been approved.
May 2nd was International Coming Out as Pagan Day (and I missed it)
I am already an “out” Pagan, but how I missed it was that I was going to write an advice article on how to come out, and if you should come out.
My first advice on coming out is think of your safety. If you are still a minor or in school, and you know your family is going to react strongly, as in your overly religious parents might hurt you, kick you out, or lock you away in your room as they burn everything you own, then don’t. Period. If they are abusive to begin with, get away from that situation first either by moving out on your own or reporting them to proper authorities.
On the other hand, I once had a 24 year old male who still lived at home with his Pentecostal mother ask me how he should come out to her because he knew she would react badly. I told him if he is able bodied, get a job and move out, because if he hated his living situation that much, grow up and change it. Even if he wasn’t able bodied, there are agencies that will get him into a group home or his own apartment if he is on disability/social security. That would be my advice to any of you if you are in the same situation. My sister has Cerebral Palsy and she lives on her own, so it’s possible. =/
Now that is said, and you know that your safety isn’t in jeopardy by coming out, let’s get to some practical advice.
1.) Never come out in a confrontational tone. “Well, I’m Pagan, and you are just going to have to accept me.” is the wrong thing to say. You can be confident, just not confrontational. Give respect to get respect.
2.) Anger is usually a response to something someone doesn’t understand. Use terms they can relate to in their own religion that work along with your own beliefs. Think of similarities between their faith and yours, and use those examples.
3.) Explain to them that this doesn’t mean you are going to stop going to their family gatherings on their holidays. You still love them, and you’re going to be there for Easter (or whatever they celebrate) dinner. In return, maybe have a dinner for one of your sacred days, and just invite them to that, and save ritual or your spiritual practice, for after they leave.
4.) Be prepared to answer questions about your faith and come armed with some information on it, also. I suggest printing up a small little “pamphlet” of your own to tell them what your faith is, and what it isn’t. Keep it short and simple, the basics of what you believe. You don’t have to go into mechanics, but the basic fundamentals is a good idea. If you’re Wiccan, an example would be “I believe that life comes from a male and female deity, or energies, and we use different names from mythology to identify them better.” etc. It doesn’t have to be overly complicated. A good place to get ideas is from http://www.religioustolerance.org/ as their articles are aimed to inform the uninformed (exactly what you want to do).
Merry Beltane!
I know this is late, but I wanted to post a few ideas of things to do.
- Have breakfast for dinner, especially whole wheat pancakes, waffles, etc.
- Make little offerings to the fairies if you believe in such things.
- Have a bonfire, or light a small candle, jumping over it and making a wish.
- Make love! It is the season of fertility, but even if you are in a gay relationship still make love! It’s all symbolic. This could even include self love.
- Later tonight shut off all the lights and light as many candles as you can. The ambiance of it all just makes it seem magical.
- Burn Patchouli for luck and abundance.
Pagan E-Books for Free →
A group I belong to on Facebook that lists all the Pagan e-books Amazon is giving away for that day only in Kindle format.
If you don’t have a Kindle, Amazon has a cloud reader that you can read them online using your Amazon accounts. There are literally dozens everyday.
Free Kindle e-book for those interested in beginning lessons in Wicca.
I have not read it, but it has a 5 star rating and it’s free today only 4/24:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006ZQG2UU?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creativeASIN=B006ZQG2UU&linkCode=xm2&tag=httpwwwfa0ce5-21
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B006ZQG2UU?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creativeASIN=B006ZQG2UU&linkCode=xm2&tag=httpwwwfa0ce5-21
Use the .co.uk if you are in the UK because the .com link won’t work for you.
If you don’t have a Kindle, Amazon does have a cloud reader.
The Happy Heretic: otherkin should all die →
otherkin are the most pathetic souls out there,
they say they have superpowers,
and when you tell them why not use it for the greater good,
or…
First of all, you poor, misled child, you do not have freedom of speech on a website, just on the internet to create your own domain in which you say whatever the hell you want on it, and no one can take that away from you.
I worked in IT, specifically web development, and you thinking tumblr has to abide by your “freedom of speech” or you being a hateful asshat, is wrong.
They have the right to tell you what you can say and what you can not. They pay their server and upkeep cost. This is their “house” and personal property. You can walk into your neighbor’s house and say whatever you want and they can’t kick you out. Hell no, they can throw your hateful ass out and they wouldn’t be impeding on your “rights”.
The same goes with tumblr, m’dear.
Am I an otherkin? No. Do I go around and pollute the internet with my hate and stupid over it? No. They aren’t hurting you, leave them the fuck alone.
The only one coming away looking like an ass is you.
(Source: the-blaize-of-nyx)
Reblogged from happyheretic (Originally from the-blaize-of-nyx)
