Really, Star? Really?

Are you seriously asking these questions?

" Do eclectics practice in such diverse and idiosyncratic ways because it fits their beliefs? Or, and yes I know this is a touchy idea, does a lack of consistency in practice perhaps denote a lack of belief?"

Let me answer that for you.

"We believe in the four classical Western elements, and that fifth which is spirit, and so we have to take them seriously. If we did not believe in these things, we would not practice the way we do."

Funny. I believe the same things and I am not a trad witch. Though not every eclectic believes the same as I do, that does not mean that they don't believe. Just because you lack belief in the eclectic path, doesn't mean those who practice it do. You wonder why trad witches come off as elitist when you post crap like this. Let me ask you this: what is this lack of consistency in practice of which you speak? Where do you feel that eclectics are inconsistent and why do you feel that way? Where is this coming from, Star? Keep in mind, not every eclectic practices like a trad witch does, or even like you did before you were a trad witch.

My two cents: take a World's Religions course. You'll find that every practice has its own symbolism and rites that may or may not be "consistent" with your own. You'll find that every religion hinges, ultimately, on belief!

Here's the original article: http://www.patheos.com/community/paganportal/2011/11/03/because-we-believe/

The Satyr's Thicket Episode 5- Patron and Matron Deities

Today on the show I have Ashlee and NRia, guests from the Pagan Centered Podcast

• Introduction
• Ads for the Pagan Centered Podcast and the Proud Pagan Podcasters
• Question from askapagan.com about worship of patron deities
• Discussion of non-patron deities
• Our Samhain experiences this year
• Hail Columbia and the NAR
• Dragonball Z, Selena Fox as Vegeta and Peter Dybing as Piccolo
• Final Thoughts

"PCP retreat from new age section" by Pagan Centered Podcast (PCP) and TreborLocke
"Pagan Podcasting Promo" by Dave of the PCP and uziwave


Photos are of my Samhain 2011 altar, taken at Huntington Beach Central Park, Huntington Beach, CA.


P.S. Cara Schulz, you're not one of those at patheos that I take offense to.

Samhain Ritual

A blessed Samhain to all!

So, Samhain is once again upon us. A time once again for honoring our dead and continuing our internal work to better ourselves. I'm going to be doing a personal ritual tomorrow probably some time around the afternoon. My mother will be at work and my sister will be at her dad's house, so that would be the best time for me. I don't have every single tool some might say I need, but that's ok. The most important magickal tool of all is the one inside your skull. I have a wand and an athame, candles for the Lord and Lady, and for my ancestors. I have items representing the four elements for the quarters. What I can't quite figure out is what I want to say for the quarter calls or for casting and closing the circle itself. For my ancestors, I believe each particular speech will flow when the time is right. I'm not even sure where I'm going to be doing this. I'm planning on doing it at Huntington Beach Central Park in Huntington Beach, CA, but I must acquaint myself with local fire safety laws beforehand.

P.S. Dave of the Pagan Centered Podcast has given me leave to discuss a few topics from the Ask A Pagan forum on my show so, expect a new episode soon! :-D

Wiccan Prison Chaplain facing criminal charges

A Wiccan prison chaplain has been charged with several criminal offences after an incident on August 10th of this year. Jamyi J. Witch is reported to have trafficked drugs, delivering contraband to an inmate, and sexually assaulting an inmate. The reports are serious and could cause setbacks to the gains made by the pagan community. I also do not believe them to be true, or at least not seen in the proper light. The article says that she was facing increasing opposition from her coworkers. They weren't the only ones she had faced opposition from.

In 2001-02, Witch was the focus of now governor Scott Walker (then a Wisconsin State Assembly member and chair of the Assembly Committee on Corrections and Courts)and Representative Michael Huebsch, in what is known as the Wisconsin Witch Hunt. Walker had objected to her hiring by the Wisconsin Department of Corrections saying:

"Witch's hiring raises both personal and political concerns. Not only does she practice a different religion than most of the inmates -- she practices a religion that actually offends people of many other faiths, including Christians, Muslims and Jews."

Also, spoken by Huebsch,"Taxpayers shouldn't be forced to accept this hocus-pocus."

Because of this unwanted publicity, Witch began receiving hundreds of emails and phone calls placing death threats. These two men who hold public office, who are supposed to be defenders of the public trust, used their positions in an attempt to fire a woman simply because of her religion.

This woman who spent years attaining her master's degree in theology, then a decade in public service as a prison chaplain after having been chosen as the most suitable for the position, faced overwhelming adversity from her coworkers and the political powers that be, is just going to throw it all away to run drugs and get her rocks off? And I'm supposed to believe that? I don't think so. Given the fact that there have been previous attempts from high officials to have her fired, I think it likely that this is another such attempt. All we can do now is lend our support and pray that the courts see the truth of the matter.

Episode 1- Introduction

This is an intro to the podcast. I discuss what I want to do with the show.

People mentioned in the show:

Aiden Odinson at http://secrets.libsyn.com

Taleah at geekwitch.org

Tommy Elf from the Edge of the Circle Podcast

the crew of PCP: Pagan Centered Podcast at www.imbleedingprofusely.com

The View in the Broom Closet

   Right now the only reason I am able to be on this computer and bring to you another post, is because I have not the eyes of another who would see this and immediately ask what I am doing or bring about a dry spell of this blog. I yearn for the day when I can speak to such people freely about certain things and it not come to ill consequence. I always speak the truth but I do not always speak freely. I cannot, at this time, do anything that may jeopardize the relationships around me.  Hopefully some day I will be able to converse in free tongue with my family about who and what I am, but as for now, I simply wait. I am a pagan currently in the broom closet. I will simply have to learn in secret and I will continue to share with you my knowledge and opinions. I will try to make a new post at least once a week, but I can't make any promises for the time being.

First Post

As this picture and title shows, this is my first post. This is a blog of an average man going through life. I welcome any feedback, negative or otherwise, that you may have. I am pagan and my blog will reflect who I am. Yes I realize the above picture is one of moses. I don't really care. lol