Unless you live under a rock, you know that hurricane Harvey brought Texas-sized climate change to Texas last week, with much of Houston and surrounding counties under water. You can help. I’ve donated. Every little bit helps. 
The Birth of Human-Pig Hybrids
Now, the reason they’ve chosen pigs is due to the similar size and appearance of organs we share, even though there’s a bit of a gap between our evolutionary history. But there’s more we share with pigs than just anatomical organs. Throughout world mythology, we have deities that either depicts pigs, are associated with them, ride them, or are partially pig themselves like Varahi from Nepal. In Greek mythology, Hercules captured the Erymanthian Boar for Eurystheus, as his Fourth Labour. Pigs were also a favorite sacrificial animal of various cultures and are used as a main festive dish for several religious holidays.
Eclipse Afterglow (aftershadow?) [Stardust, Contemplating]
Breathless. Words seem so pointless – those who saw it know what I mean, and I know that it can’t be expressed in words, photos or video. The eclipse was stunning – a sudden and ineffable realization of the deep…
The Great Eclipse is Upon Us! Here is a Ritual for it. [Stardust, Contemplating]
Whether you celebrate in the path of totality, far from it, or at some other time, may your celebrations be blessed.
Potok and the Hundred-Thousand Year Fire—A Campfire Tale, by Mark Green [an Atheopagan Life]
One night, meat was plentiful. A man named Potok had killed a cave bear after a fierce battle. Our bellies were full and grease hissed in the fire, and when we had eaten, Potok stood and told his tale: how he had lured the bear and crept upon it, how his spear went deep, and then he leapt upon the bear with his flint knife. The bear’s fangs hung, fresh and bloody, from a thong about his neck.
Book Review Special: Malala Yousafzai and Maajid Nawaz by Megan Manson
“Extremists have shown what frightens them the most: a girl with a book.” – Malala Yousafzai On May 22nd, Salman Ramadan Abedi bombed the Manchester Arena following a concert by Ariana Grande. He used a nail bomb, designed to maim and mutilate….
A New Contraceptive for Pagan Men
Sex and health are important topics for anyone, but maybe more so for us Pagans. Being an earth-based belief system, we tend to favor and embrace a more natural and holistic approach to our health; steering away from chemicals that can harm the Earth and us, and pills that may contain multiple side effects. And when it comes to sex, we don’t usually attach cultural taboos, and restrictions like other religions do but encourage that which gives our bodies pleasure when performed in mutual enjoyment. We don’t always wish to produce more children, however, so we use contraceptives to prevent this from happening.
Fasting for Naturalistic Pagans, by Renee Lehnen
In early August, many Pagans will celebrate Lammas or Lughnasadh. As I type these words, raspberries are ripening on canes, sweet peas rest in their pods, the first tomatoes are blushing, and bees are buzzing in the lavender. There is so much goodness in our gardens, orchards, and farms. Fasting is a time-tested, spiritual practice that can help Pagans to receive these summer gifts in health, joy, appreciation, and thanks.
Naturalistic Pagan Pilgrimage – [Stardust, Contemplating]
Wherever you go, whatever you do, may this practice be as powerful for you as it is for me. In addition to all the details here, I’m interested to hear some of your stories.
If You Break The Law To Stop Free Expression, You’re Just Being Lazy by Megan Manson
Every now and then, something happens that acts as a sad reminder that there’s a minority of people who do not accept my religion, and want to go out of their way to see it crushed. And sometimes, they’ll resort to illegal actions to achieve this.