Blogging Vacation

I will be going on vacation* next week so I have been busy trying to line up a few guest bloggers. This is what is being planned:

1. Three bloggers from different traditions.

2. There will be two or three featured topics that all the guest bloggers will write about.

3. Each blogger is also going to be able to post on topics of their interest.


I will be introducing each of the bloggers as they agree to be a guest blogger, so be sure to welcome them. Also, be sure to join in on conversations!


*If you can count grad school visits as vacation!

The Full Moon

I found myself drawn to the full moon tonight and was constantly looking at it while on my nightly walk. I watched a few sparse clouds pass in front of it, with the light shining through. It was beautiful. It made me think about another warm summer’s night, 11 years ago now, that I had also walked under a full moon.

I was walking near a big lake around with a friend discussing Paganism - what we knew about the religion and friends we knew who claimed Paganism as their religion. We were also discussing one other thing – whether I considered myself Pagan. I don’t remember exactly what was said, but I know that I was close to calling myself Pagan at the time. That’s a story for another time.

Our conversations tended to turn our walks into two to three hour affairs, walking along the lake, into the neighborhood surrounding it, and back to the lake. We finally passed one of my favorite houses, the one that I looked forward to walking pass – a huge, white Victorian with an impressive flower garden.

That night, the house was brightly lit as there was a lively party inside, even though it was about 2 am and every house around them was silent. The garden in the front of the house was also bright, but with candlelight. I stopped to look as it was a beautiful sight. After a few seconds of following the pattern of candles with my eyes, I realized that that they had set up a giant pentagram of candles on their front lawn! I remember feeling amazed that the owners were so comfortable with the possibility that their neighbors would know their religious path, especially since it was such a conservative town.

As I walked tonight, I found myself wondering if the same people still live in that house, now a few hundred miles away, and if they are having a similar party this evening with the front yard brightly lit by a particular pattern of candles.

Scribe Jamboree

A few days ago, a new feature of the Daily Scribe was launched. It is called the Scribe Jamboree and its purpose is to highlight some great posts by some of the other Scribes. Even though I am two days late, I would like to point out some of the posts that I have enjoyed over the last week.


Clyde Grubbs of A People So Bold! asks whether the UU carnival is a vegetarian plot because of the meaning behind the word "carnival."

Making Chutney talks about ministry and what it means to be a minister - and concludes it's not only about formal training. Clyde Grubbs and Scott Wells of Boy in the Bands put their two cents in on the subject. Okay, make that 25 cents when you include the comments.

And Green Clouds, the Daily Scribe's second Buddhist blog, joins the roster.

A Storm Is Coming

I hear the storm rumbling in the distance. It's supposed to be big one with lots of lightning and judging by the sound already - a lot of noise. I love storms and I can't wait for this one to hit my area.

I love hearing the rain on the roof, hitting the window, the side of the house just as I loved hearing the rain on my tent or the metal roof of the trail shelters when I hiked the Appalachian Trail. The sound has always been rather thrilling to me. I never realized how much it meant to me until I lived in a first floor apartment a couple of years back. I will never live in a first floor apartment again.

I don't know what it is about a storm that I find so appealing. Maybe it is because for once, everything slows down - there is nowhere to go but to sit and listen to the storm progress as I don't like driving in storms. Or maybe it the energy in the air coming from the charge of the lightning. Or maybe it is just the way the earth smells at the beginning or the end of the storm. Or maybe it is because I can feel the change in the air. There are so many reasons; I can not think of just one.

Every year, I look forward to spring when the rains are frequent. I sometimes stay up late with a cup of tea resting on the table next to me and sit and watch the lightning and listen to the thunder. Tonight, I am going to do the same thing. I will be enjoying the sounds of something that is much more powerful than me.

Teaching Minors About Paganism

In the last misconception that I talked about, I mentioned the issue of teaching minors about Paganism and feel that more needs to be said about it as it is a much debated topic. Should people be allowed to teach minors? Why or why not? Each person has his or her own reasons for teaching or not.

My first reaction would be to say, why not? Every other religion is expected to teach their children about their religion. If a minor walked into a Christian church, as an example, that child would not be turned away and there would not be many that would find anything wrong with the situation. As I write this, I remember that when I was eight, I walked to and attended a church alone without my parents or any other adults and I was never turned away.

Unfortunately, there is more to consider, as some writers have pointed out. As a minority religion, Pagans have to be careful as there are still many misconceptions. Although it is a recognized religion, people still react negatively when they hear the word Pagan. Remember the family from Illinois?

In the current issue (#44) of PanGaia, 4 people discuss their views on whether Pagans should teach minors. Two say no, two say yes. However, three of four, including both of the people that say “no,” point out that if they are approached by minors that that they will point them in the direction of what they should study. My first thought was “But that is teaching them, just in a different way – it’s guiding.” It may not be standing beside them telling them information directly, but guiding is still teaching.

One of the debate contributors in PanGaia, talks about this issue in terms of the “mystic arts” saying that it is not a good idea to teach kids magic and the kids should not be taught the Pagan religion. But teaching kids about the religious side of Paganism doesn’t necessary include magical training.

I think that there needs to be a distinction between the religious side and the practice of magic. Yes, Pagans often include magic as part of their religion, but it is just one aspect. There are still so many things that are available to teach. Almost all the people in the PanGaia issue mentioned that they would direct kids who wanted to learn to some subjects such as anthropology, history, mythology and astronomy while they are waiting to turn 18. While all of these subjects are great to know, they still don’t teach people about the morals and ethics that a Pagan follows.

Although I can understand some of the reasoning behind not teaching minors about Paganism, especially when it comes to the magic aspect, if you deny kids the right to a teacher, they will always find a way to learn. And it might not be a way that is conducive to themselves or the Pagan community. As one writer in PanGaia mentioned, there are some out that will prey on the young and will use any means to do so. Some even use the guise of Paganism.

So, should minors be allowed to learn? I really think that they should be allowed to learn, but with certain limitations, especially when it comes to magic. However, I would agree that if the child is not their own, the parents should be contacted and what will be taught, with permission from the parent, should be discussed.

Here are what others have to say about teaching minors:

Kyriea at Witches Voice
Why arent' we raising our Children as Pagans?
Pagan Parenting

Lughnasadh

Happy Lughnasadh!

Today is Lughnasadh, or Lammas, in the Pagan yearly cycle. This is a time to honor the corn god, Lugh and celebrate the first harvest.

Here are some other Pagan blogs to illustrate what Lughnasadh is and what it means to that individual.

The Gods are Bored
Property of a Lady
Solidly Average
Turtleheart Cove