Activism – Page 2 – NaturalPagans

Rituals Are Important. But They Aren’t Activism.

June 21, 2018 Mark Green Activism, Atheopaganism, Practices & Rituals

In times like these, those of us who are of sound mind and values know: we must do something. In Atheopaganism, we believe in the power and necessity of human ritual. We understand the science about why rituals work, and why they are important to us. We celebrate the turning of the seasons and personal and familial … Continue reading Rituals Are Important. But They Aren’t Activism.

The Pitfall of Consumer Paganism

June 15, 2018 Mark Green Activism, Atheopaganism, Opinion

I don’t buy “pagan stuff”. No crystals (mined destructively from the Earth), no chalices or blades or wands or new Tarot decks. Sometimes I’m tempted, but I don’t do it. Well, other than candles. I already have enough incense to last the rest of my life, stored carefully so as to remain fresh and pungent. … Continue reading The Pitfall of Consumer Paganism

Children of the Earth Tribe, WAKE UP

February 3, 2018 Mark Green Activism, Atheopaganism, Pagan Community, Politics

Back in September of 2015, I asked, is Atheopaganism political? Go ahead, read it. It lays out why I believe that any religious path that is truly about this Earth—any path of integrity—must, in days such as these, be one of activism. Since, I’ve had plenty of opportunity to consider the Pagan community generally through this … Continue reading Children of the Earth Tribe, WAKE UP

Paganism, Food, and the Element of Terroir

January 2, 2018 lupa Activism, Environmentalism, Food, gardening, Naturalist Paganism, Nature Spirituality, Paganism, Plants, Science, Seasons, Sustainability, The Green Wolf

In case you didn’t know it, I am a minor-level foodie. I haven’t run around to every single pricey restaurant in Portland, but I am an unabashed locavore who loves to cook. And as an environmentalist I’m keenly aware of where my food comes… Continue Reading

The Wild Hunt for Justice: At the Intersection of Ritual and Protest

November 6, 2017 John Halstead Activism, environmental, LGBT, Natural Pagans, pagan, Protest, racial, ritual, The Allergic Pagan, Wild Hunt

I was recently invited to the New Orleans Pagan Pride Day this year to lead the opening ritual. This was my attempt to bring together elements of Pagan ritual with elements of political protest.

A Clarification On My Last Post

September 7, 2017 lupa Activism, Environmentalism, Ethics, Health and Healing, Naturalist Paganism, Nature, Paganism, Psychology, Rituals, Skepticism, The Green Wolf

Regarding my last post where I speak of my grief, anger, and frustration over the fires in the Columbia River Gorge, first of all I want to thank everyone who read, shared and commented on the post, helping to get that information out there…. Continue Reading

Fight Fire With Fire, Not Prayers and Rituals

September 6, 2017 lupa Activism, Anthropocentrism, Bioregion, Cosmology, Death, Environmentalism, Ethics, Magic, Naturalist Paganism, Nature, Nature Spirituality, Paganism, Rituals, Science, Skepticism, Sustainability, The Green Wolf

In case you aren’t aware, the Columbia River Gorge is on fire. Over the weekend, a group of teenagers setting off fireworks in the Eagle Creek canyon set dry brush ablaze, and as I write this over 20,000 acres are now burning, to include… Continue Reading

The Spirituality of Protest

September 5, 2017 John Halstead Activism, marches, marching, Natural Pagans, Protest, spirituality, Starhawk, The Allergic Pagan

“There is nothing more radically activist than a truly spiritual life, and there is nothing more truly spiritual than a radically activist life.”

Start With the Animals and the World Will Appear

September 1, 2017 lupa Activism, Animal Totems, Animals, Bioregion, Cosmology, Environmentalism, Fungus Totems, Naturalist Paganism, Nature, Nature Spirituality, Plant Totems, Science, The Green Wolf, Totems

Last weekend I presented my Nature Spirituality From the Ground Up workshop at FaerieWorlds. It’s one of my favorite topics, because I’m helping workshop participants connect with their bioregion through the animal, plant, fungus and other totems there. It’s also frustrating as there’s so… Continue Reading

Spirituality Without Politics Is Lame

August 14, 2017 John Halstead Activism, Natural Pagans, Politics, Spiritual Naturalist Society, spirituality, The Allergic Pagan

A politics without spirituality is blind, but a spirituality without politics is lame. And that is why I worry about an apolitical spirituality. I worry that individual spiritual practice in isolation from engagement with the world will never lead to real personal development and thus never lead to positive social change. And I worry about an apolitical spirituality which tells us that we need to accept the world as it is because we are powerless to change it. Finally, sitting back and practicing equanimity and a contemplative attitude is a privilege that many people do not have. It is not a option for many people of color. It is not a option for many gay, lesbian, queer or transgendered people have. It is not an option for many poor people or for many women.