St Patrick’s Day and Pagans

The story is believed by many to be a metaphor representing St. Pat chasing the Pagans and Druidic priests (the snakes) out of the country. 

Even though many Pagans won’t celebrate this day, we have chosen to celebrate in defiance, because we survived and St Patrick was defeated.

Yeah, we’re still here.

Agora - The Movie

In ancient Egypt under Roman rule, AGORA tells a story about astronomer Hypatia who is fighting to save the wisdom of the Ancient World, as violent religious troubles find their way to Alexandria. 

In the last days of the Roman Empire, the Egyptian city of Alexandria has a decision to make between the aristocratic Pagan society and the Christians. 

While there will be those uncomfortable with Agora's depiction of early Christianity, the movie accurately describes religion vs. the spirituality of science.

Regardless, Agora is a compelling film by Alejandro Amenabar starring Rachel Weisz.

The film presents the life of the Roman philosopher/mathematician/scientist Hypatia, a neo-Platonist philosopher of 4th century Alexandria who is working on a theory that explains the orbits of the planets in contradiction to the accepted beliefs at the time.

The question was, do the planets travel around the earth, or the sun? 

Hypatia struggles with this question as the early Christians have gained strength and begin to challenge the Pagans.

It all gets ugly and the Christians gain power, they silence any differences of belief with violence.

Without giving away the movie, let's just say the story reflects the challenges we face today.

Is it good to question and doubt?

We think so, that's the only way we can uncover the truth.

“Walpurgisnacht” is performed by the Pagan Folk band Faun

“Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by the rulers as useful."

As you know, Christians in power began persecuting Pagans in an attempt to destroy the old religions, a practice that continued well after the empire had fallen, and there were new kingdoms in its place. 

One of the ways of ridding out the religion and culture of Paganism, besides a torture and death here and there, was the Christianization of Pagan holidays. 

The Celtic holiday of Samhain became the Catholic holiday of All Hallows’ Eve, now known as Halloween. 
Ostara became Easter. 

For those of you wondering what painting eggs has to do with the return of Jesus, it symbolized the return of Spring, which is what Ostara was about. 
One of the Pagan holidays was May Day, which is the day after Walpurgisnact.

    

The Video by Faun just goes to show that Paganism is alive and well, despite two thousand years of attempts at Christianization.

May Day, still celebrated is all about welcoming Summer. The Germanic Pagans celebrated the night before by lighting a bonfire, and dancing around a Maypole which symbolized a big throbbing Schwanz.

The night before May Day, known as Walpurgisnacht (Walpurgis Night) is celebrated by German Pagan Folk band Faun, and they do I beautifully.

Faun’s “Walpurgisnacht” of German Pagans coming out to celebrate goes like this:

“In den Abendhimmel steigen 

Heute Nacht die Zauberweisen

Wildes Volk und Liliths Art

Lauernd Winde heimlich fahrt

Lasst uns zu den Feuern streifen

Raunend nach den Sternen greifen

Gutes und auch böses Wort

Tragen wir heut fort und fort”

In the sky tonight

The witches rise

Wild Folk and Lilith's kind

Lurking, secretly riding the winds

Let us wander to the fires

Whispering, reaching for the stars

Both the good and the bad word

We carry on and on tonight

An English translation really doesn't do justice to how poetic this sounds in German. But as you listen you can feel the music.

    

The very beginning has this nice drum rhythm that lets you know you’re in for something special. Then after the vocalists do some beautiful harmonizing, they move into the chorus.

“Hört die Geigen, hört die Geigen,

Die Feuer sind entfacht

Folgt dem Reigen, folgt dem Reigen

In der Walpurgisnacht”

Hear the violins, hear the violins

The fires are ignited

Follow the dance, follow the dance

In the Walpurgisnacht

Faun’s ode to Paganism is definitely about the pre-Christian Pagan celebrations bridging  the past with the present.

Pagans and New Year

Pagans Are The Largest Non-Christian Faith In Iceland

The Ásatrú Society (Ásatrúarfélagið) is still the largest non-Christian denomination in Iceland, and has also grown in numbers through December 2020 and July 2021. 

This was made public in a new data dump from the National Registry.

The Norse paganism flourished in Iceland until 1000 AD when it was overthrown and uprooted by the spread of Christianity. 

The last major temple dedicated to the Norse gods in Northern Europe was the Temple at Uppsala, in Sweden built by the Vikings in 1070 AD. 

It was also dedicated to the Gods Thor, Odin and Frigg. 

The Asatru temple in Iceland attains significance when it is understood from the perspective of wider Pagan revival movement in Europe.

The construction of the Pagan temple in Iceland marks an important step in the revival of European paganism that will help Europeans to reconnect with their ancestral culture and traditions as well as celebrate their beliefs and reclaim their heritage.

Know Your Circle

  

An interesting article about joining any Pagan group by Patti Wigington:

So you think you've found a group or coven that might be the right group for you. Great! 

Ideally, a coven will allow you to attend a few open meetings, in which you can observe the goings-on and meet all the members, without intruding upon the secrecy of any oathbound ceremonies or rites. After attending a series of open meetings - usually three, but that varies from group to group - members of the coven will vote on whether or not membership should be offered to you.

Remember, though, there are a few things you should watch out for in any prospective group.

1. Members that don't seem to get along with each other. If you have a group of eight people, and four of them are snarking at one another constantly, it may not be a coven you want to be a part of. 
2. They may be offering you membership in hopes that you'll take sides, and you'll find yourself caught in the middle of a squabble that existed before you even came along. Stay away.
3. Covens whose ideas strike you as silly or foolish. You want to be part of a coven, but if you think worshiping a pink sparkly dragon or wearing Star Trek uniforms to Sabbats is goofy, then don't join covens that have those requirements. 
4. If you don't genuinely believe in the coven's principles, it's not the right group for you, and both you and the other members will gain nothing from your membership. 
5. Likewise, if the group's requirements include things that make you uncomfortable, like ritual nudity, then this may not be the group for you. 
6. Find one that more closely aligns with your existing beliefs and comfort level.

1. Leaders who are on a power trip. If the High Priestess (HPs) or High Priest (HP) is the only one who knows all the secrets, and is the only one who will EVER be privileged enough to know all the secrets, then they're on a power trip. 
2. These are the people who like to boss coven members around, they don't let any one member have too much information, and the coven is for their own personal gain. 
3. Don't bother joining, because you'll be as miserable as everyone else.
4. 
   

For the rest of the article:  Click Here

Being a Pagan in Ireland

The word “pagan” carries many preconceived descriptions.

Pagans throughout history were condemned as heretics and persecuted.

But the pagan community in Ireland is larger than many people might realise. Morgane Stereden Lahidji (above photo) and a small group of pagan students have been gathering signatures for the establishment of a pagan society on campus. 
They are now set to be granted provisional recognition from the Central Societies Committee (CSC).

Originally from Paris, is among the youngest of her fellow pagan students, who she says are mostly PhD candidates. 
Her devotion to paganism, and commitment to establishing a space on campus for pagan students has led to the formation of Trinity’s newest society.

Lahidji wants to create a space where pagans can gather and talk among one another and recreate this culture”. 
This seems to speak to a society in which pagans feel excluded: “It is still quite a great taboo.”

It must, then, at times, be difficult being a pagan in Irish society. Lahidji says, “it depends a lot on your own luck, the sort of family you were born in. On an institutional level, it’s not too bad. 
But you can see that we don’t have any recognition whatsoever, and on a cultural level, there’s a lot of defiance.”

Lahidji was surprised at how positive a reaction she and her fellow pagan students received in Trinity. In the process of talking to students and trying to get signatures for the creation of a pagan society, Lahidji’s own conception of what the society was changed. 

Initially, they felt the purpose of the society would be to “set a space for people who are already confirmed pagans, just so they could talk about things that they are not free to talk about elsewhere. But it’s actually more than that.” 
She says lots of students with no previous interest in paganism want to learn. 
If the Pagan Society are ever assigned a room, one of the first things she would do is “invest in a few bookshelves and get a study space going”. 
Newcomers can expect the society to be “totally welcome” to people who know nothing about paganism and just want to learn more. 
Her dream for the pagan society is “a place where someone can just pass by and ask a question”.

What does it mean, then, to be a pagan in the 21st century? Lahidji describes the word “pagan” as a “bit of an umbrella word for basically any spirituality before the dominance of monotheism”. This includes everything from the ancient Greek pantheon, the Roman pantheon to the old Celtic religion. 
In this part of the world, at least, the latter seems to form much of the basis of the everyday practises of paganism. 
The festivals Lahidji celebrates include Samhain, the basis of what we would know as Halloween, the winter solstice, Yule at Christmas time and Imbolc. 
For the founders of the new society, Imbolc in particular has a special significance. 
Celebrated in Christianity as St. Brigid’s Day, Imbolc marked the day on which a pagan society learned they were likely to receive provisional recognition from the CSC.

For Lahidji, the effect that paganism has had on her life is undeniable. 
Her personal beliefs are what she describes as “eclectic”. 
She has taken from many different beliefs and formed her own “patchwork”. 
Her spirituality has transformed her life. She says that through paganism, “I just discovered myself, it’s just as simple as that. 
I rediscovered the world and everything in it."

Trinity News

You can check out DU Pagan Society on Facebook.

The Holiday Tree

Thanksgiving

Despite the common belief, the Pilgrims have almost nothing to do with the beginning of Thanksgiving and in fact,  were not associated with the holiday for well over 200 years after the so called "First Thanksgiving". 

For the most part, Thanksgiving came from a pagan harvest celebration called Harvest Home, which originated in England. This was combined with the religious act of "days of thanksgivings" that were practiced in the Church of England. Both the Pilgrims and the Puritans. The Religious practice set aside a religious day of worship to "give thanks to God".

But the big difference between the harvest celebration and the religious one is that the harvest thanksgiving was an annual celebration during the harvest season (autumn) and a religious thanksgiving was set aside any time of year, in according to divine intervention. But as time passed, these two events, merged into a combined annual autumn celebration that combined religious worship services, large family gatherings, dances and a large meal. 

So, we give thanks to Mother Nature, providing us with the harvest, our home and our loved ones.

Paganism

Being Pagan

Channeling God

Recently we were accused of believing strange and dangerous things because as Pagans we are "spirituality ill'.
In comparison, here's a collection of evangelical channeling of God.

Violence Against Pagans in Brazil

The above scripture was given to us recently as a warning to us Pagans.

We thanked them for telling us, even though we immediately dismissed it.

But in Brazil, some are taking matters into their own self righteous hands...

Is Saying Pagan a Bad Thing?

We believe that the Old Religion is the magic of the Earth itself. It is the essence which binds all things together.

The Earth and nature has been here from the beginning with answers to all our questions and it will be here long after

the time of men.

Pagans

 

All Our Ancestors Were Pagan

 

Pagans

 

Pagan Kitchen Playlist

If you are looking for Pagan music, be assured, it's out there.

We asked the Pagan Kitchen circle who they currently have on their playlists.

This is only a sample of the music our group is listening to right now, we know there's a lot more, but for now, here's a short list, it's diverse, just like our circle.

The Pagan Wedding

Handfasting is either an engagement the wedding ceremony itself, so to be handfasted is equivalent to being married or at least being promised.

In the Middle Ages, Handfasting rituals were used as an engagement ritual.

As time went forward, Paganism began to grow and Pagans wanted marriage rituals that had an authentic significance without being religious. 

So, Handfasting and the jumping of the broom was included in the ceremony.

The ceremony can be conducted by Pagan clergy, someone in your circle, a friend, or by yourselves.

If a legal official who also happens to be Pagan conducts the ceremony, that's all you'll need, it's legal and official. 

But finding such a Pagan legal official can sometimes be difficult to find a clergy member who is also a legal official.

Pagans who want to become legally married will often have the legal paperwork and requirements completed at the local clerk's office or official government office.

If the legality, and paperwork fuss isn't required, anyone you desire can perform the ceremony.

We know giving the bride away is sentimental and traditional, but we have a problem with it.

A bride isn't property to be given away, no one owns her, she is free to make this decision all by herself, with her free will.

Celtic Wedding Vow by Morgan Llywelyn

"You cannon possess me for I belong to myself

But while we both wish it, I give you that which is mine to give

You cannon command me, for I am a free person

But I shall serve you in those ways you require

and the honeycomb will taste sweeter coming from my hand.

I pledge to you that yours will be the name I cry aloud in the night

and the eyes into which I smile in the morning

I pledge to you the first bite of my meat and the first drink from my cup

I pledge to you my living and my dying, each equally in your care

I shall be a shield for your back and you for mine

I shall not slander you, nor you me

I shall honor you above all others, and when we quarrel we shall do so in private 

and tell no strangers our grievances.

This is my wedding vow to you.

This is the marriage of equals."

So in our Pagan Kitchen world, no one gives the bride away, but that's just us.

Once all that's decided, there's the ceremony itself.

Vows will need to be decided upon, maybe a white dress with a veil, this practice goes back to ancient Pagan Rome, when brides wore brightly colored veils to protect themselves from evil spirits.

Perhaps the sharing of wine by the couple. 

Vows can be anything you want to say.

Here's are a few examples:

I promise to be faithful to you.

I promise to treat you with kindness, respect, appreciation and love.

I promise to participate in our relationship, even during hardships.

I promise to make humor and laughter an integral part of our family.

I promise to love you with all of my heart, honor you with all of my actions, and treasure you. 

I promise to keep you warm when you get cold, and to stand in the way of the sun when it gets hot.

And wherever we go, I promise to be there, holding your hand and telling you, “I love you.”

You’re my best friend.

Let’s get really old together, thank you for marrying me.

Here's a Celtic Wedding Vow

“I pledge my love to you, and everything that I own.

I promise you the first bite of my meat and the first sip from by cup.

I pledge that your name will aways be the name I cry aloud in the dead of night.

I promise to honor you above all others.

Our love is never-ending, and we will remain, forevermore, equals in our marriage.

This is my wedding vow to you.”

Pagans like to stand during weddings, some stand or sit in a circle for Pagan ceremonies.

Sometimes there is the blessing of the area where the ritual is being conducted with the burning of incense, ringing bells, banging drums, casting a circle In order to eliminate any negative energies from wherever they may come.

The elements of Earth, Air, Water, and Fire are usually included, both in words and physically present.

The earth we stand upon for this ritual, the air we breathe, the water can be displayed in any kind of vessel and the flame of candles to represent the element of fire.

These elements are the ingredients of life and creation, how wonderful at a Pagan 

As mentioned earlier, Handfasting is the binding of a couple's hands and or wrists together as a unity ritual within the ceremony. The the couple themselves may tie the knot, maybe it would it the official or by friends or a family member.

The couple decides how long to remain tied in Handfasting, but usually they remain this way during the vows and exchange of the rings.

Handfasting Ceremony Vows

Do you, < >, take < > to be your wife, 

To be her constant friend, 

her partner in life, and her true love?

To love her without reservation, 

honor and respect her, 

protect her from harm, 

comfort her in times of distress, 

and to grow with her in mind and spirit?

Do you, < >, take > >to be your husband, 

To be his constant friend, 

his partner in life, and his true love?

To love him without reservation, 

honor and respect him, 

protect him from harm, 

comfort him in times of distress, 

and to grow with?

The Giving of Rings Exchange 

I take you my heart

At the rising of the moon

And the setting of the stars.

To love and to honour

Through all that may come.

Through all our lives together

In all our lives,

May we be reborn

That we may meet and know

And love again,

And remember

The jumping over the wedding broom Is common in Pagan weddings.

The broom represents a new threshold, a new beginning into married life. 

As brooms are used for cleaning and sweeping, it can symbolize the sweeping away of the old from your past to start fresh. The handle of a broom is somewhat phallic in shape and the brush is shaped somewhat like a woman's skirt, so these two things combined can symbolize fertility and union. 

A broom also symbolizes the daily life of being married; caring for one another.

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Job Seeking Advice for Pagans

Great advice for Pagans seeking employment, by Twila York 

"Job searching is a dreaded responsibility which all of us have had to face at some point. When you are Pagan the dread increases. Many of us do not hide who we are (and we shouldn’t have to) - and part of that is wearing symbols which represents our faith. Whether our symbol is the Pentacle, Ankh, or Mjolnir (Thors Hammer), or some other symbol of belief, we wear them throughout our daily lives. However, how does that affect the interview process? Can you openly wear a pentagram or any other symbol of your faith and still get the job?"

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