Month: July 2009

“Pagan” Values: or, Pax gets something off his chest

On By PaxIn everyday, Food for Thought, Pagan Values Blogging7 Comments

So I have finished the major work on the Pagan Values page, compiling links to  as many of the posts from the International Pagan Values Blogging Month as I can track down.   This compiling has been delightful because it has forced me to re-read the many posts and blessed me with finding some essays I missed the first time around.  I suspect I sill keep finding a few more until next years event, as I re-read and tweak the page and links.

I am also reading the excellent book The Other Side of Virtue by Dr. Brendan Myers, and a Penguin Classics collection of the writings of Cicero.  So the topic of Pagan values is still very much present in my mind and life right now.  I am also processing some ideas, and feelings, raised over the course of the IPVBM event.  I have been having some trouble with, and having a realization about,  the reactions that some folks had to my use of the word “Pagan”; and with my pairing the word “Pagan” with the word “Values”.

Cavalorn seemed to think that by using the word “Pagan” I was trying to imply that there is, or should be, or historically was, some sort of over-arcing “Pagan” religion?!   I tried to address this in a previous post, but as I say I’ve had a further realization.  Patti seemed to think that by merely discussing  the virtues, values, and ethics of the many forms of contemporary Paganism that it was implied or suggested that we should (or must) all have the EXACT SAME values, virtues, or ethics.  Labrys seemed to be of the opinion that in claiming certain values as being inspired by or present in contemporary Paganism some how ripped them out of the hands of other faiths or paths, or denied the fact that these paths have values (or value) themselves.

What I have realized is that what these articles and, coincidentally and deliciously, all of those tired old “our form or branch of Witchcraft/Heathenry/Hellenismos/Paganism/etc… is better/purer/right(as opposed to wrong) than yours” agruments… what ALL of them have in common is that they are firmly rooted in the dualism and dichotomy mindset of monotheism!

This is to be expected as most of us are currently residing in over cultures of monotheism, but still… ( Note to Self: what Sannion said…) Now that we’re Pagans do y’all think you could at least start examining pluralism,  as a world view?!? …

This is to be expected as most of us are currently residing, and have been raised, in over cultures of monotheism, but still I am of the firm belief that Paganism in its many forms is more naturally inclined towards pluralism!

As Deborah Lipp wrote in one of her contributions…

“Fundamental to our values, I believe, is pluralism. Everything we believe, even the lines we draw in the sand, must be rooted in plurality. There are many gods, many paths, many truths.” ~ Pagan Values Month: Putting the “poly” in polytheism

Many Gods, many paths, many truths, many values, and many Paganisms!

(Pax heaves a happy and breathy sigh)

“I feel SO much better now!”

Notes on the Journey (or Getting off my fanny once more…)

On By PaxIn Notes on the JourneyLeave a comment

Dear Friends,

I took a walk today, for the first time in a long time.  Just a few blocks.  A few hot and sweaty blocks, even on an overcast afternoon.  Even though there are scrub pines throughout our neighborhood I was surprised at the scent of pine needle in the air.  I shouldn’t have been, but then again I have been so much of a slug since moving to Orlando, compared to all the walking I did in Anchorage.

I keep writing about, and thinking about, physical exercise and metaphisical/spiritual practice.  Yet when it comes to actually doing it I am making what I like to call intermittent progress.  Like the walk today, and the efforts I’ve been making to at least do a few laps in our pool each day.  And writing this entry…

I need to be writing regularly, especially if I am hoping to make some money off of this skill.

I did the first interview in what is going to be a regular series for the Thorn magazine website, and am getting to work on the next interview for the site, and my next column for the September issue.  I have been puttering away on different pages of the site.

I have not been getting scheduled very many hours at all at the cooks job at the park, no hours the last 3 weeks in fact, and have been filling out the applicable applications and looking at ways to improve my situation.  I am getting a food handling certification next month, or at least taking the class for it.  I am also going to be revamping my resume, and trying to arrange some informational interviews at companies I am interested in working for.

I will be writing here more regularly, now that I have a functioning computer and am in rehab for my recent encounter with the new version of Sid Meier’s Pirates…

Peace,

Pax

We Have Dreams Too…

On By PaxIn Gay Pride, Highest Ideals, Pagan Pride, Religio-AmericanaLeave a comment

So I was mucking around on Facebook and was turned onto this by Willow Witte from Join The Impact.  It’s a portion of a speech given by President Barack Obama at the NAACP’s Centenial Convention…

Some folks commented on the Facebook some things along the lines of “Why not now?”

I responded with…

“Presidential, or High Court, rulings are meaningless until we can get a clear majority of support across the Nation. Not that it wouldn’t be NICE mind you…. but still…. head to head, heart to hear, one on one until Freedom truly rings for us as well.”

I truly believe that.  The struggle for Civil Rights, whether for GLBT rights, or for Freedom of Religion, is not one that will be won solely through the declarations or rulings of law; Civil Rights and Equality will come about when our neighbors and friends and co-workers have an understanding of who and what we really are.

Whether the “we” is Queer or Pagan Truth is our sword and our shield in this struggle.

In looking through the net about Obama’s Speech I have also just found out about the National Equality March

Our One Single Demand:

Equal protection in all matters governed by civil law in all 50 states. We will accept no less and will work until it is achieved. Equality Across America exists to support grassroots organizing in all 435 Congressional Districts to achieve full equality.

Equal Protection encompasses many issues, including:

  • Repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) so that every marriage in every state has the same federal rights.
  • Repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell so that LGBT persons may serve in the military openly and with the same rights as their straight counterparts.
  • An end to workplace discrimination for everyone with an Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) that protects everyone.
  • The right to adopt children and raise families like any other parents.
  • Hate Crimes legislation that includes LGBT people and protects us like any other targeted group.
  • Immigration reform that recognizes same-sex couples and ends the needless separation of families.

Our philosophy:

As members of every race, class, faith, and community, we see the struggle for LGBT equality as part of a larger movement for peace and social justice.

~From the Equality Across America website

Veritas, Justitia, Libertas,

I Invoke You,

Uncle Sam and Columbia,

I Summon, Stir, and Call Ye Forth,

Let Freedom Ring with the words

“Equal protection in all matters governed by civil law in all 50 states.”

So Mote It Be!

Blog Consolidation and Opening to more topics

On By PaxIn everydayLeave a comment

So I am thinking of consolidating my GLBT Civil Rights Blog Gay Marriage (or something like it) into Chrysalis…. I am also realizing how one dimensional my blogging has become, I need to bring all of my interests and passions to bear here, and IRL if I am to achieve my goals and dreams.  So expect some things on GLBT rights, and on Culinary Arts, and Unitarian Universalism, and Paganism and Community Building and all sorts of stuff…. right here.

I tend to focus on this blog, which was my first, anyway and I feel like if I write everything here I will end up writing, and thinking about all of my passions and interests, more.  So Heads up People!

Peace,

Pax

There’s a reason it’s called “Practice”

On By PaxIn spiritual practice, Unitarian Universalism1 Comment

An not just because it helps us to perfect ourselves either, it’s because you have to keep doing it.  Whether it’s meditating in silence, or deep effective breathing, or going to the U.U. services, or Circling, or chanting, or praying… you’ve got to keep going at it and doing it… even on the days when you are tired or when time or money make it difficult…

Which is to say that this last Sunday I had to hammer down parts of myself and just GO to service.  I know I keep talking about it, but I think tomorrow is the day I stretch some of my spiritual muscles again.

…

The biggest hazard of the Solitary path is that the encouragement and example and inspiration of other grove members or coveners or church members is absent.  There’s this mix of eagerness to share and sense of responsibility with spiritual work in a group; it just makes it easier to get off one’s butt and DO!

At least it does for me, so expect more than a few posts of ramblings about my practice… in addition to my meditations on community, and some expansions into my other passions and interests….

Peace,

Pax

“Being part of a community involves building relationship.”

On By PaxIn Community Building, everyday, Notes on the Journey, Unitarian Universalism6 Comments

So I’ve started attending a Unitarian Universalist Church (info about the U.U.  here, here, and here) in my area.  They have a Pagan group but not a CUUPs Chapter.  There’s another U.U. Church in the area that has an active CUUPs chapter, but I know folks at the first Church through local Pagan events already. I’ve needed some real-world spiritual fellowship for a while now, and I hope that the U.U. will help me find it… so far I’ve been enjoying the experience.

I’ve tried finding that fellowship in my local Pagan community, in part through a local Pagan church / community organization; but while there are a number of good folks involved in that organization I really just haven’t found a good fit for myself in that group.  So I am still seeking fellowship.

I’ve tried attending a local meet-up or two but haven’t had much luck.  Some of the problem has been that my school and work schedules haven’t left me much time for anything else, now with the hard times hitting the theme-park industry I am being scheduled one or two days a week, if at all; and I have to very carefully pick and choose what I want to attend.  Some of this has also been due to the fact that all of the meet-ups in my area are of the ‘let’s-attend-a-lecture’ style of meet-up or social, which I cordially dislike.

The title for this essay comes from a sentence on the website of my chosen “local” U.U. church’s fellowship page.  I’ve been thinking about it a lot in the last week or so.  I have attended a few of the U.U. Sunday services and was made to feel welcome by everyone I encountered and it was obvious that there was a lot of thought and effort put into the newcomers experience of the service for those attending and for welcoming new folks.

I haven’t always encountered the same level of welcome, and ease of interaction, in Pagan venues.  This has me thinking about how we in the Pagan movement seek to build community.  It sometimes seems that building community or group relationships is one of the biggest challenges we in the Pagan movement have in creating Pagan community.

This sentence has me thinking about Paganism and the communities I have been in and encountered and of the building of relationships.

More on this theme soon…

Peace,

Pax

Notes on the Journey Wednesday, July 8 2009 10:41pm

On By PaxIn everyday, Notes on the JourneyLeave a comment

Hello all,

So I am settling into the new computer nicely adding all my required programs and geeking out on a couple of new obsessions… Sid Meier’s game Pirates, and the Web Comic Girl Genius. I’ve also recently discovered the Steam Punk subculture and think I have found a true aesthetic home….

Other than wallowing in my own personal geekery I’ve just sort of been slacking for the last week or so… partly because I had a lot of stuff go on in a short amount of time and partly because my doctor has put me on Blood Pressure medication and I am just beginning to get myself sorted out from that.

It’s been an interesting ride actually, there generally I just feel much more relaxed and a touch light headed… there are a occasional dizzy spells, and other time where I feel like I am a glass of wine away from some fabulous hallucinatory experience….  so uhm, yeah I’ve been a little distracted as of late.

I have also, in the last couple of weeks been attending a local U.U. church and enjoying / being challenged by the experience.

More soon,

Pax

Celebrating the Spell of Democracy

On By PaxIn everyday, Food for Thought, Honoring the Heroes, Religio-Americana3 Comments

Happy U.S. Independence Day everybody!!!!

The 4th of July, as we in the States also know this beloved National Day, commemorates the adoption and publication of the U.S. Declaration of Independence.  (Fun History Fact: Historically and Legally speaking the U.S. separated from Britain on July 2nd 1776, when the Continental Congress agreed to adopt the resolution for seeking independence!)

ReligioAmericana

I will be pouring libations and making offerings of incense unto the Gods and Heroe’s on my nation as will many of my fellow Pagan practitioner’s of the Religio Americana.  I have written of the Religio Americana previously, so I won’t bore you with the background ~ suffice to say it’s a natural outgrowth of my idealism and patriotism!

I will be pouring libations of water, and wine, and good New World rum, to the Founding Father’s (and Mothers like  Betsy Ross the semi-legendary seamstress of the first U.S. Flag) and the Gods of my Nation.  Perhaps you are wondering at my phrase ‘the Gods of my Nation…’?

Well, how about Truth, Justice, Lady Liberty (in her ancient and modern forms), and of course Uncle Sam and Columbia?

Today I will be honoring all of Them as I celebrate the founding of my Nation.

~~~

Oh, and if you are wondering about the title… well, when you look at the circumstances and procedure of the Declaration of Independence (and in some of the same ways  the Constitution), you have a pretty darn effective spell working now don’t you?  Now I’m not saying that it was done AS such, but it certainly follows the same basic rules… framing and forming ones intentions (the decision to split from Britain), symbolic acts (writing the Declaration), empowering it (signing it ~ effectively their death warrants had the Revolution failed!) and acting in accord… (the Revolutionary War)

Funny how magic works, huh?

Peace,

Pax

~~~~

Others posting on Religio Americana, or in it’s spirit, on The 4th of July, or during the month of July 2009…

Executive Pagan ~ The Feast of Libertas

Owls’s Wings ~ Let Freedom Ring

Full Circle ~ Lady Liberty Goddess of Democracy &  Thomas Paine 3.0

Politics and Polytheism ~ Independence from Politics

Notes on the Journey July 2nd, 2009 4:29 pm

On By PaxIn Blame Sannion, Notes on the Journey2 Comments

Hello my dear friends, and fellow Pagans,

A Month of Values, A Month of Change

What a month June turned out to be!  I had declared International Pagan Values Blogging Month in part as a whim a sense of needing to do something about feeling as if certain factions within the more dominant religions were always painting themselves as the one to invent, and the only ones to live with, Values and Ethics and Virtue.  I was worried folks wouldn’t notice, as it turned out, I had trouble keeping up with all the responses and posts, and in the coming month, or two, I will be creating a page here at Chrysalis to link to all of the wonderful essays I encountered in the last month.  This month has at once re-enforced some of my own values and virtues and ethics and forced me to examine and rethink some things.

June has also proven to be a month of interesting changes and challenges.

I transfered to a new job within the theme park I work at and it has proven to be even more part-time than my previous permanent part-time job there!  Now while this has given me free-time, it has also increased my economic stress considerably.

So I did some serious thinking about prosperity and my needs and prayed and did magic for some prosperity.

And my familly came through in an unexpected way!  With my brother’s advice, my father has decided to give me an allowance, made up of the money that would have been/is my inheritance.   It makes more sense for him to help me now when I need it than for me to fall flat because of the bad economy and my poor timing for entry into the Hospitality and Restaurant industry.   This monthly stipend will help me pay my share of the bills, help me to pay off my Student Loans, and to help me better compete in the job market!

Two of my room-mates who were hunting for work recently found it within days…

Now I try to take such things with a grain of salt.  While I won’t take credit for the current wave of prosperity I will be thankful for it, so have been offering incense like mad of late!  Whatever it’s true cause this current wave of prosperity has come just in time, in a number of ways…

My old computer died on me a couple of weeks ago!  I got a new one yesterday and am learning Vista (it doesn’t really seem as confusing or horrible as so many people seem to think, so what’s the deal I wonder?) and also fine tuning this new computer with downloads of favored programs and transfers of my files and music and such.  Luckily I have the money to get the new one!

In the profits column of the ledger, my Editor at Thorn magazine has also green-lighted a new series of articles/interviews for the website… so keep your eyes peeled here and there!

I also went to my first U.U. service this last Sunday.  It’s a local church where they have a Pagan group and I actually know some of the folks from other events in the Orlando MetroPagan community.  This has triggered some more thoughts of fellowship and community in my mind, to rattle around with thoughts on Virtues and Values, and living Magicly, and on relating to the Gods and to those who strive for excellence and…

Well, I have a lot of new thoughts and experiences rattling around my head and heart and will be writing more upon them as I am able… I have to go wade through a few days worth of e-mail back-logs on my personal and job-search/professional e-mail accounts now…

Peace,

Pax