Merry Meet

It’s hard enough being sensitive. I’m not talking paranormal sensitive–I’m talking compassionate to the plight of others. On top of that, I’m sensitive to changes in season, temperature, and even the moods of others. I am apparently affected by fluctuations in EMF and temperature. It’s probably not surprising to find that I am sensitive to paranormal occurrences. Dreams, in particular. This isn’t anything I haven’t touched on before…but I want to throw it out there that when I say I’m ’sensitive’ I mean all of the above.

I’m terribly observant emotionally, though not entirely observant in other ways.

I’ve noticed in the paranormal community and on television, ghost hunters find it strange that some people consider themselves sensitive, or perhaps more attuned to the spirit world because of their spiritual alignment. It’s like the moment someone says ‘I’m Wiccan,’ they are rejected by the community (at times). I think that some Pagans find their spiritual path in part due to sensitivity (paranormal and otherwise) — so instead of taking advantage of this talent to possibly sense or connect with the paranormal, why do some spurn it? (more…)

During the holiday season, discussions of Paganism seem to increase. Talk of the Pagan origins of Christian holidays often spark debate.

This year, the New York Times published a full feature article on the increasing presence of Paganism in mainstream culture, academia, and the military.

Additionally, the Birmingham Paganism Examiner Freeman Presson reports that counseling is available for Pagans connected to the Fort Hood tragedy.  (more…)

Nothing in this report is surprising, really. I am sure it happens all the time to people of all backgrounds and religions and spiritualities. That doesn’t make it right, though–so more power to this guy for standing up to it. I am doing everything in my own power to be my own boss, mostly because of potentially craptastic situations like this one.

The author of The Squarest Peg put forth the notion that religion is LARP (live action role play).

I agree that most religions (including religions which are not structured or organized) involve some sort of live action role play. In fact, I think this is one reason why certain sects and religions get a bad rep. Ever witnessed a Catholic mass as a non-Catholic? If you don’t know what’s going on, it’s just plain bizarre. If you do not understand (on an academic, psychological, or spiritual level) the components of mass, it would look pretty archaic.

In Wicca in particular, a woman can embody the Goddess. This can be done through everyday spirituality and/or in a specific ritual. I have no doubt that a non-Wiccan coming across such a ritual without understanding the consent and symbolism involved might also find it to be archaic and maybe even profane.

Read more about Goddess feminist ritual practices here.

The speaker here also happens to discuss a shift of energy, similar to what I mentioned in my last blog entry here. So, while the rituals themselves may involve live action role play for a sacred and/or theatrical purpose, the effect of a spiritual shift is very real to the participant.

What is the source of this energy and shift? Whether it is divine or produced by other worshippers makes no difference to me. It is there and it is not physical, but metaphysical–intriguing and worth exploring without getting totally lots on the journey.

So yes–there is LARP in religion, but religion can be about more than just live action role play.

What do you think?

Back in January, I wrote about paganism and 2012. Jen of Your Dark Passenger commented on empaths reporting a shift of energy–some feeling negative energy followed by positive energy.

This prompted me to speak about something that happened to me back in 2005.

I worked in an office complex next to a major international airport. I was sitting there with five or six coworkers when I experienced this sudden shift. It was like an earthquake was happening, but the earth wasn’t shaking. I realized it was internal and something the others didn’t feel, with exception of the woman sitting across from me. She didn’t want to talk about it more and I understand why–it was a frightening experience, and she has different spiritual beliefs than I do. (more…)