Hallowed Pagan Halls

In an imaginary world I envision a grand structure that stands the test of time. A multi acre plot of land that hosts some of the grandest art, books, spaces, classes, and people who wish to learn about the Pagan way. A grand hall where everyone is free of the missionaries and fundamentalists, able to exercise their faith as they please without regret or fear. A monument to the earth and its blessings, a Pagan concept for Pagan people, what a place it would be.

A place where greenery flourishes for those seek a natural atmosphere, atop the expansive roof they may go to practice their rituals and celebrations, have outdoor parties and gigantic gatherings. No one would have to worry about taking up too much space, with the enormity of the area many rituals can be held at once. For those seeking a more private experience they can go to any outside area on the grounds and meditate as they wish. Surrounded by trees, bushes, and edible plants, they can have a great time in blissful solitude as long as they want.

For those who want a more urban flair the inside of the building will be perfect for them. With a delightfully ominous glow, the inner sanctum is laid with stone so if they wish to draw chalk circles for magickal use they may. If it happens to be stormy out green practitioners may also go there to meditate supplied with cushions so they aren't hurt by the stones. They will also be allowed to bring music so long as it doesn't interfere with other practitioners and worshippers. Beyond use as a meditative area, the inner sanctum serves as a study area for those who want to read and study via side areas with desks and chairs. The main area where meditations occur also allows for group worship and a place for workshops, speeches, what have you.

Shops would also have a presence, selling candles, crystals, ritual tools, everything one would need at affordable prices and with knowledgeable staff to assist them if needed. There would also be a multimedia room complete with books, computers, and a projector room so the community will be free to access the internet and look at movies free of any type of religious pressure. Pagan faithful would gather, but they wouldn't be allowed to pressure anyone.

Daily food drives would take place to help the community as well. Visits to homeless shelters to give food and volunteer services where people in need will also be given. Charity will be a must to being there so that everyone will help their fellow man and be a blessing to the less fortunate. For people who have homes but are in dire straights, a community food bank will be available to save them from possibly going hungry or doing illegal practices just to put food on the table. As the money pours in, there will eventually be organic shops that are pesticide and cruelty free, which helps save money in the long term by offsetting health and emergency room costs. There would perhaps even be classes held by licensed holistic healthcare doctors to teach all who come ways to safely administer natural medicinal foods without needing to constantly pop pills.

This is just an idea of mine, but something I've always wanted to do sometime in the future, I hope one day that I or someone else is able to build it so we may have a large-scale temple to call our own. The idea is incomplete, but a project I mentally work on every now and again.

Is Paganism For Me?

Congratulations! You've made the first step of free thought by wondering if you truly belong in your hone taught faith! Even though it sounds like nothing, its something that plenty of people have to deal with on a daily basis. Feeling that even though they're making their parents and family happy that they are really lying to them, putting on a mask to hide their identity. The fact that you have made this first step in wondering if another faith is for you shows that you are becoming more self aware and brave enough to consider the unknown. Few are brave enough to think such thoughts, even fewer leave the faith they grew up with, feeling as if they are in a prison they can't escape from.

You must ask yourself why Paganism? Of all the faiths out there that are more popular and well known, what made you choose this hidden and oft misunderstood spirituality?

Before I left my native Christianity for eco-Paganism I was terrified, all the thoughts that were ingrained in my head made me reluctant to leave, fearing the worst. I was but a teen then, in tenth grade to be more precise, and boy was it a momentous occasion. I had it with Christianity and felt that I got no spiritual fulfillment being on my knees praying to a God I was told existed but never felt. No matter how I prayed I always felt restrained, held back by family tradition of going to church, praying, all that jazz Christians are supposed to do. Adhering like a robot to its commands, not thinking, not questioning, just acting- I had it.

You may or may not be at this point, but if you are, I heavily stress that you weigh your options carefully and not make rash and knee-jerk resopnses. We have enough people old and young who jump into esoteric faiths like Wicca or witchcraft just to make a statement, not for real spiritual reasons.

Do you think you could put up with your family if they somehow found out about your conversion? Even if you're really secretive that doesn't mean that its impossible for them to find out. All it takes is to see one Facebook post, one journal entry, one little finding to unravel all the secrecy you cloaked yourself in. You need to know that without a doubt you can handle whatever they throw at you no matter how negative it may be. "But DeShadara",you may say, "my parents love me and wouldn't do anything to make me feel bad or ashamed." I'm glad you feel that way, and you know your parents better than I, so you can speak of them more accurately than I,but remember that things aren't always how they seem. If they have strong religious convictions and you come to them talking how you're involved in another faith then things may not be as strawberry and roses as you think.

This goes even farther though. Do you think you could deal with the pressure given to you by others who will try to convert you to Christianity?

I'm not trying to scare anyone out of wanting to be Pagan, whether that be Wiccan, witch, Druid, Asatru or what have you. I'm trying to make sure that you, the perspective convert, know what you're getting yourself into, there's no point opening the door if you have no idea of what's on the other side. To make that next step into conversion means that certain things will change and could change if you decide on actually doing it, I just want to give you forewarning.

So once you figure out if you want to be in the faith you need to figure out why you want to. What sets paganism apart from your current faith? What rules, traditions, way of thinking, customs make things so unworldly terrible that you feel the need to leave it? Now is a perfect tine to consider these things because you can really give yourself a reality check. Everyone has their own reason, and you don't have to explain yourself to anyone, but you will soon question why you made this life altering choice in the first place. Better prepare yourself by packing up everything you will already need than to go into the journey wishing you had.

Once you've crossed that hurtle, plus whatever else you think you need to address, you need to do your reasearch. There are plenty of good and bad sites out there just as there are good and bad pagans, you just need to have the discerning eye to question everything. I like to say walk in with the highest and strongest question mark on your face, ask why something is the way it is and the history/story behind it. ALWAYS QUESTION even the most mundane of pagan topics because everything has a story tied to it. Never just take things as they are because of customs, that's taking the easy and ignorant way out. Even though I could tell you sites that I personally liked I used on my journey up until now, that would be taking away the thrill of the search, so if you think you're ready to take the plunge then its time to start hunting!

Paganism and Death

Death is not the enemy, Death is a friend. People and faiths all around the world act as if it is something to be avoided, to be hated, but through the pain it causes there is a blessing, a gift that could not be attained by any other means.

It is the great equalizer, a force that takes all things and is a blind smiter, ignorant of color, religion, money, nationality or social standing. It is feared because it can come at any time for any reason and cannot be fully controlled. With our laws and treaties we stop one another from bringing death and harm to each other. Death is not so timid, coming with the strength of a hurricane, the devastation of a bomb to cover borders far and wide.

Everyone has a place they would like to go when they die, a place of peace is what's generally considered, where death is nonexistent and joy is full and reigns supreme. My personal belief goes counter to all of this because I see all of these heavens as simple wishful thinking. We have no idea of what happens when we die beyond us going into the ground, because of this I just incorporate that into my faith. As we are embraced by the numb grip of the earth, our minds as well as our body are taken; the spiritual (mental) death and the physical (bodily) death comes and we are gone.

We may be gone from this world, but as our cells and energy are broken down into the earth we come back as part of the driving force behind the clouds, animals and food that helps give rise to another life. In this sense we are all living embodiments of our ancestors, everything that we touch and will ever touch will be made out of some of their energy. When I look in the mirror I need not cry, I see my grandmother, my ancestors, everyone who has ever existed before me in me.

My personal faith and outlook towards death is very centered in doing things naturally as well. Once I figured out the process of embalming I was mortified. Why in the world would I allow my body to be returned to the earth full of poisons and preservatives? Each person has their own beliefs and desires, but for me, it equates to desecrating a gift given to me. I understand the impact that it could have as people who care for me get their last view of me, but I couldn't allow for such a thing.

If I were to die right now I'd rather a natural one without the poisons and sadness. What a great occasion it would be for me to return to my home! To go back to the reservoir that brought the whole of the land into existence. I want oils, flowers, torches, I want my burial to be a ritual in itself as my lifeless body goes to be used for another purpose. People will miss me, but I am happy to think of the day where I cross into the unseen world, back into the ether.

Odd isn't it? A young twenty year old thinking about what will happen when he dies, without a care in the world? It may seem idiotic, but death is the ultimate end and start, the very foundation of life. Why fear something that grants so much life? The soil, oil, and trees themselves depend on the breaking down of dead and dying matter to survive. Without death there would be no life.

Can You Be Atheist And Pagan?

Its not everyday that the Pagan Association *made up* actually gets an atheist showing up at its doorstep. Considering that they reject all forms of deity and divine figures while we embrace the polytheism (though not always) its almost unheard of, though not really.

So, can you actually be pagan while not believing in the God(s)/dess(es)? Well, yeah.

Even though paganism, or to put it more accurately, eco-Paganism, or neopaganism (however you choose to label it) is usually known for its poly-, mon-, duo- theism, that's not the sole indicator of what makes an eco-Pagan an eco-Pagan. The identifying feature of the faith is to celebrate nature in all of its changes, and to seek to restore our connection with the environment.

This isn't the official definition of what it means to be neo-, or eco-Pagan, its just the definition that I feel best describes that sect of Paganism. If you want broader definitions and correspondences make sure you do your research.

So how, why can an atheist assume the ranks within the Pagan world? Well its because of the simple fact that we welcome everyone no matter where they are or who they may be. We are very loose on our membership conditions, so as long as you respect us then come right on in. It may be odd to be the minority of a minority within a minority, but like I said, we're very welcoming and accepting people. How hard is it really when all you're doing is not speaking about any deity figure? To me, it seems like an easy fit since we don't even really push a specific Deity, or Deity in general, on anyone.

So what is an atheist pagan to do within the faith? Besides free access to all of our practices you can really just read books, attune to nature, take in all of its blessings, and become more in touch with yourself and the forces that surround you. Spiritual practices such as yoga, divination, tai chi, meditation are great tools to connecting better with yourself, just keep an open mind and you can reach a new awareness.

Spiritual freedom and enlightenment aren't tied to any one people or group, but a blessing we are all free to reap, so live, research and welcome!

Is Deity Really Perfect?

As a child I always heard that God was the perfect being, that he (coming from a Christian worldview) was capable of no wrong and all from him was righteous. As I grew up and started questioning such premises I began to realize why perfection was such a bad thing.

Even though these experiences and beliefs are solely my own and far from the only way of thinking, its a truth that is right for me at this time. As far as I can tell, with all the wars, disease, poverty, injustice and general negativity, I've come to the conclusion that an active God/dess cannot be perfect. If he or she is so intricately tied to the functions if the universe and earth in specific then he/she/it is a lazy ass and isn't worth my time. *to put it bluntly* However, when one considers the imbalances we see in the world, however bad we may see them to be, the truth is that with life you get a mixed bag of good, bad, terrible and terrific. Because we have this dynamic cycle of deficit and excess, life is able to grow and contract accordingly.

Imagine it like this, if you were to move your arm with five pounds pulling upward, yet gravity was pulling you down with the same force you wouldn't be able to move that arm. Or if the universe were to come forth with a perfectly even distribution there would be no life or beauty; just a stale mix of nothingness.

To have perfection is to have staleness because nothing ever needs to change, everything is always marching with its own monotonous drum. Nothing is ever truly perfect because that's nit the concept with which our universe is based upon. And if there truly is a deity attached to the fabric of the universe then it too is as imperfect as its creation.

You always have people who want to project their vision, hopes and dreams in other people and concepts. This is why American culture has the issue of Deifying athletes, celebrities and politicians to such inhuman standards, they expect too much from so little. The same is especially true in religion, where you have billions of people who are free to adopt, alter, make up, or push on others any way of thinking for their own gain. They're some who are victim card holders and adopt a God who will always take care of any harm or wrong done in the world. When things don't go right its because of some outside force and almost never a misjudgment on their part. You also have people who are independent and acknowledge both the good and bad done as being their own responsibility. Having a religious beluef just gives more hope to them as they live their life.

This is the great imperfection of life, not having a cohesive mix of ideas and belief structures, which fuels debate, yet another product of imbalance.

We are graced with the gift and curse of imbalance, never having enough or just the right amount, but through this constant turmoil of need and want, have and have nots, change is able to occur. The fierce explosion of change may occur where we do our damndest to ensure that things are done to their best, which will never be, but that's not the point. The point of this crazy imbalanced world is to try and bring change when we see it needs to be done. To have the honor and civility to say that even though things aren't right that doesn't mean it has to stay that way.

This, my friend, is what I mean by perfect imperfection, chaos is the beginning and end, we just try to adjust to it. By this constant adjusting, we thus prove that Deity in whatever form cannot actually be perfect.

Pagan Beliefs On Homosexuals

A lot of faiths out there have different views on everything, for some you can't seem to do anything without getting some type if reprimand, with others the rules are a bit more relaxed, however slight. But what beliefs does Paganism hold about homosexuality?

That depends on what you define as paganism. There are two 'types' of paganism, at least that's what it seems like when the faith group is being talked about. The first form is the actual definition if paganism, which is essentially any non-Christian faith; this covers a wide swath if religions. When you use the typical application of Paganism as any nature-based faith that believes in the practices of communing, protecting, and celebrating the changes of the earth, then we're talking about my crew.

So what does nature-based Paganism say about homosexuals? Good question, we say, "WELCOME!!" The thing one must realize about eco-Paganism is that we're very accepting to the LGBTQ community, even if you don't see all of us having rainbow flags on hand. Its not like other faiths where being LGBTQ is a strange foreign thing, instead, you're more likely to get weird looks if you don't believe in gay rights. It impossible to be a practitioner of nature while denying the most basic form of it, which is sexuality. It's perfectly natural to feel however you may feel about sexual orientation because unlike what others may say, transvestism, bi-sexuality, and homosexuality exists extensively throughout nature.

Freedom, love, independence, and ALL natural rights are things that we as a faith value highly. And even though we aren't as perfect as we wish we were, having our own squabbles, all out brawls and what have you on occasion; we do our best to ensure that all who take the Pagan banner are free to do as they wish.

The God Is The Goddess

            All is one and one is all

Everything that we see is made of the one creative force that existed since the beginning of the universe. The transfer from the formless but fertile mass of the darkness to the zest and dazzling shine of the light.

There may or not be a God/s,Goddess/es, of spirit/s, but whether there is or not is irrelevant because we will be working from the premise of there being one or more.

When many think of the God and Goddess, however they may be thought of, there is usually the distinction between what associations are in the God's realm and what is the Goddess's. This division, in my eyes, is incorrect for the simple fact that it limits one form or another to a singular aspect, which is in contrast to the nature of the universe.

Of course, each practitioner of nature is free to believe what they choose, my opinion is of my own just as yours is of you.

I take the usual God and Goddess astrological correspondence of the Moon being of the Goddess and the Sun being of the God. Why is this so? Why can't the God be of the Moon, emotions, magic(k), dreams and occult practices and the Goddess be of the harvest, Sun, the wild and nature? We sometimes get so wrapped up in what we're told is the "right" thing to think that we start making a dogma, which of itself is dangerous.

We see enough of this in other faiths, where one is told not only what to believe, but also considered not of the faith if they stray from the traditional teachings. This is something that I advocate against, especially in more eclectic pagan faiths where tradition is bent to fit the individual's wants and needs. By opening your mind and questioning the the things that you're taught, you allow for a more diverse practice and spirituality. My practice for example is unique to me, not being centered on usual pagan beliefs but instead on all. Anything can be used to represent anything and I do my best to ensure that I limit as little as possible when I do things such as ritual. Some things I do that are in conflict with most spiritual teachings and pagan practices (one of the most known being Wicca) comes with how I do ritual.

My invocations are done counter-clockwise, my elemental directions aren't the usual earth=north, air=east, fire=south, and water=west. For me, earth=south, fire=east, air=north, and water=west. The sun and moon don't have fixed gender correspondences in my eyes since they are one the same.

God and Goddess, just gender terms to describe archetypal forms, they are of and beyond gender, part of the cohesive mix that ties the knot keeping the universe whole. Once you open your eyes to mixing both forms and see their mark in all that you see will you gain new insight.

All in all, don't be afraid to think out of the box, Deity is a very bendable concept that can fit into any person's imagination. All you need is faith and the will to think outside the box, then like a blind who sees for the first time, you will see beauty in the most mundane things.

What Holiday Is In November?

So my manager finally asked the question I was dreading for so long,"What holiday is in November?"

Seems like an innocent question, right? In many respects it is, but to a Pagan who like many is suspicious and weary of those of different faiths- primarily Abrahamic faiths since its harassment galore with some in that faction- its not. We were in the managers' office with me and her sitting down opposite one another discussing my requested days off. As with the day I took off for Mabon and Samhain, which my manager lost in his usual busy haste, I expected no issue when I turned in *again* the request to take November 1st off.

As soon as I saw her squint in confusion at the date I knew I had a situation on my hands. "Mmm, November? What religion is that for?"

Immediately I was going to go ahead and say the reveration of the ancestors, celebration of the dead, thankfulness for all we have...but I'd be wrong. She asked what religion that was for, we didn't get to the meaning yet.

A flash through my head, 'should I tell her that I'm Pagan?' Then my mind snaps back to the time where she said a few weeks ago how she's trying to stop cursing to get closer to her Christian faith. Innocent enough, but still my paranoid red flags start waving, then I think about my present situation. I'm in my very first job surrounded by people I don't even know, people very well (though I have little proof) may gossip every now and again. Do I really want to hear whispers in the dark about DeShadara being Pagan? Do I really want someone to get pissed via their religious convictions to start the bullshit? Or if someone gets angry someday to look up pagan and come to my job with lies and ignorance being railed against me?

Again, let me stress that I don't know these people, they don't need to know my faith, they just need to respect it.

"I'd rather keep that private." She now thinks I'm just wanting a day off under two months from now for the hell of it, but that's okay because she puts in the request anyway, approved.

Even though that's all over, I still have to put in another holiday, Yule, and before that even happens I still may get the question of what exactly my faith is. By no means am I afraid of the question, I already know that if pressed I'll stone wall them and respectfully ask that they leave the issue alone. I've gone through a lot worse than someone being innocently curious, though the fact that I work with Christians and Muslims who may be -could be- like ones I've had to stare down online, at school and even in my own home makes me wary.

I don't like problems, and I know I'm grasping at strings at this point, but I'm pessimistic, I always think about the worst first.

Prominent Pagan Protest

Even though our numbers are small, I hope for a day where our religious and environmental protests are heard and actually noticed. Though this is a popular thought of many a Pagan, I wonder how many actually take part in the things that they protest against.

If you have the gall to speak up against something then of course you should be able to back it up with action. Now, many of the things we're against are so far reaching and invasive in our culture that its nearly impossible to avoid. GMO's, pollution, abuse of slaughter animals, deforestation, the list is extensive and avoiding all of these involves being an essential hermit.

So what can we do? Many of us are middle class and are without enough funds to finance a healthier, Earth- friendly lifestyle, so we have to take part in the environmental atrocities we are so against. That's no cause of shame, because it just intensifies the gravity and immediacy of the situation.

But how are we to make change?

Well, the way that I'm planning to make change is by getting into politics, a path that though boring will allow me to stress on vitally important issues for our and the Earth's sustainment. Even if I were somehow successful in getting the power needed to start making changes, I will of course be sensible in its implementation.

The shift toward a greener tomorrow will require a gradual shift. When it comes to the entirety of a country, nothing should be swift and rapid because that only opens the door for reckless behaviors and a knee jerk response, acting without thinking. This will empower opponents to point the finger at how swift footed the changes were, instilling fear in those who want the green way but are more economically focused.

Speaking of the economy, if we were to act in speed, the economy will likely be shocked, radical change with little time to adjust and adapt to it will be the end of the green cause for years to come.

I emphasise the need for slow haste because the reality that even if there were an environmentally focused politician, the slaughter, disrespect, and inhumane abuse of animals will have to continue for the greater good. What is the greater good? We as people of the earth will have to hold knowledge of countless animals and natural areas being violated for the possible outcome of having a sustainable way of living down the road. Its a terrible truth but something that must be dealt with, though with a heavy heart.

Of course, change occurs only when people push politicians to act. On their own I don't believe any politician would risk his or her office for a cause they believed in, especially of it were an unpopular one. With a groundswell of support by people across America, politically minded, green minded, parents, corporations, and religious leaders, change would come swifter than ever. To do that though there would have to be a cultural shift within these areas with precision timing.

The likelihood of this happening is low, unless there is a tragedy, which seems to be the only bell that gets heard in our culture. In any case, on both a religious and secular level, we need to get involved, send letters, sign petitions, take part in activism groups, the like. In other words:

Be the change you want to see in the world

A Minority In A Minority

Picture Source

As an African-American Pagan, sometimes I feel the pressure of discomfort as I celebrate my faith. Its not as if I feel alienated by others within my faith because of my skin color, not by a long shot. The discomfort stems from having very little contact with other pagans who happen to be black as well.

Its odd that so many people who have pagan ancestry are vastly detatched from that spirituality in my eyes. Within my own community I see plenty who honor their African ancestry with the garb and regalia and sometimes speech, yet once you try and go into the spiritual aspects that went along with the clothing suddenly they flatline.

I understand that during the time of slavery we were heavily indoctrinated with the Christian mindset, either that or be erroneously punished; but now that we don't have to worry about such a reprimand, we as a people seem to blackout that religious time period.

As I look at the people who are around me I sometimes feel the insecurity of feeling like the "other", as if I don't belong with the swaths of red, brown, blonde and black hair. As if I'm unwelcomed, not by others' actions or deeds, but by having no one to relate to me on a cultural perspective of being a black Pagan. I have no issue with my brothers or sisters of European descent, I just wish there were more African-Americans like me who know how it feels to leave the predominantly Christian culture.