The second in a 4-part series, originally published at The Woven Song. III. The Mythic Ecology of Ancestry (Water) “There was a time, the myths tell us, when the link between animals, humans and the land was fluid, magical. The…
Sacred Place-making, Part 1
Earth’s crammed with heaven, And every common bush afire with God, But only he who sees takes off his shoes; The rest sit round and pluck blackberries. ―Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Aurora Leigh I believe in the grounding, nourishing power of the earth beneath my feet, wherever I may be. My fast and dirty way of grounding… Continue reading Sacred Place-making, Part 1 →
“The Dead Can Dance: The Totemism of Evolution” by Mathieu Thiem
The first in a 4-part series, originally published at The Woven Song. I. Falling Towards the Ancestors (Sacred Space) “When the leaves fall, the bones are laid bare. Old scars are revealed.” – Émile Wayne Hauntings of autumn are carried…
What Makes a Ritual “Successful”?
John Halstead over at Humanistic Paganism has published a rather sharply-worded piece about “10 Signs You’re Half-Assing Your Ritual”. It’s well worth a read, and in general, he’s right: there is a lot of ho-hum ritual out there and many, if not most of us can do a better job of preparing and enacting our … Continue reading What Makes a Ritual “Successful”?
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10 Signs You’re Half-Assing Your Pagan Ritual
I have been fortunate to have attended some great Pagan rituals. But, gods know, I have suffered through a lot more rituals that were just terrible. A lot of you probably know what I’m talking about. I know fellow-Patheos blogger,…
My Religion is Rooted, Literally.
My religion is rooted. In fact, it is a religion of roots…and of tubers and worms and actinobacteria. I am a dirt worshiping Pagan. My gospel is the gospel of compost.
Why Atheopagan Principles?
I am excited to announce that a new Facebook group has arisen for Atheopagans in the UK! Congratulations to Debi Gregory for starting the group. Those applying to join the group are asked to answer a short questionnaire, which originally asked for a commitment to abide by the 13 Atheopagan Principles. Some were puzzled by … Continue reading Why Atheopagan Principles?
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Les Cafés Mortels, by Renee Lehnen
The aspects of dying that these two people shared taught me more than a library of reading could. We plan to hold another Death Café in winter 2018 if only to chase away the cold with cake, hot beverages, and intriguing conversation. Naturalistic Pagans are most welcome.
The Wild Hunt for Justice: At the Intersection of Ritual and Protest
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. 
Three Stones for Samhain: A Silent, Solitary Ritual
“We build on foundations we did not lay. We warm ourselves by fires we did not light. We sit in the shade of trees we
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