Merry Meet

Wiccan Files Lawsuit Against Google

madrigalblue — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 01:54:35 +0000

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.

Live Action Role Play and Religion

madrigalblue — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:26:37 +0000

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.

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?

Further Thoughts on an Energy Shift and 2012

madrigalblue — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:14:09 +0000

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…)

Being Pagan on Halloween

madrigalblue — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 18:09:10 +0000

I find it to be an interesting thing, having my mindset on Halloween. Sometimes it feels like ‘opposite day,’ meaning the things I normally like to do spiritually or for fun are commonly practiced. I remember when I was little and my mother read me a book about aliens who visited Earth–but they happened to visit on Halloween. The thought it was so weird to dress up in costumes and didn’t really understand it.

I guess the message I take from it is this–things are only as weird as you want to think they are. To someone else, it might be normal…even every day kind of normal. I dress up in costumes every month to go LARP. I don’t think that’s normal, but it is fun.

Enjoy your once a year day, everyone!

I’m Pagan…But Not Hippie (Anymore)

madrigalblue — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 04:25:08 +0000

A long time ago, in a decade past, I used to be all about peace and nonviolence. It was then I became interested in the pagan universalist path. This path is accepting of diverse cultures and beliefs and viewpoints. While I would no longer self-identify as nonviolent, I could hardly see myself serving in a war I consider unjust or punching someone just because I’m pissed. I guess now I just feel like sometimes it has to go to violence, even though I would rather it not.

Part of this journey has been spiritual on my own personal path as a human; this is formulated over my own years and my own experiences. The other piece to it is an outwardly spiritual reflection. Some of this reflection is on my ancestors and how they lived–something I always try to consider in my spiritual beliefs and personal practices. How would they act? What would they think of where I am now? (more…)

Pagan News Update: Republicans, Halloween, and Vampires Oh My!

madrigalblue — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:05:01 +0000

In Pagan news today, there seems to be an overall theme of acceptance. Could it be that some people no longer balk at someone who lives out of the broom closet?

Dan Halloran is a Pagan Republican. Yes, even this is apparently possible! Personally, I’m surprised this dude even lived through the Bush Administration, but I’m all for him opening the eyes of his political party.
Halloween expert Lesley Bannatyne offers some candid insight into Halloween and discusses her research. Bannatyne witnessed rituals from a Pagan group local to her and discusses her views on modern witchcraft.
Vampires in New Jersey, USA are performing some Pagan rituals involving blood sacrifice. They also happen to sell fangs. While I believe that vampirism may be an actual medical condition and/or state of being, (more…)

“I Don’t Celebrate Halloween!” … A Rant

madrigalblue — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 21:16:13 +0000

This is a pure rant. Just a warning. I don’t rant too often, but here it is…

Everyone has a right to celebrate (or not celebrate) holidays as they choose! That’s awesome. I love that it is so.

If you don’t celebrate Halloween, that is your choice and I am okay with that. However, don’t get all offended when I want to wear a costume for Halloween. For me, this has nothing to do with paganism or my feelings for Samhain and everything to do with the fact that some people push their pagan-hatred all around during this time of year simply because Halloween comes from a pagan tradition.

Guess what? So do many other things. People did lots of stuff before Christ was here. They had sex and took shits. Does that make procreation and defecation any less important to the survival of humanity? No!

So, to the minority of Christians who spread their hatred for Halloween around…try loving your neighbor and I shall harm none, do as I will. This really means we should be working in conjunction with one another. (more…)

Saying Merry Meet To A Druidic Healer At A Halloween Season Event

madrigalblue — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 21:13:12 +0000

This past weekend, I was able to participate in a festive, Halloween-season event. Sitting at the marketing booth for our group, I was able to talk to many friendly people who showed interest in our live action role playing group.

I got into a discussion with one prospective player. She had a decent looking costume, so I said hello and we started talking. I suppose I appeared open-minded, but I never bring up religion or politics when marketing our game, so for all she knew, I could have been a conservative person or not spiritual at all.

I was discussing combatant and non-combatant roles in LARP and mentioned that I currently play non-combatant roles because of a back injury earlier this year. I got the immediate sense that she would want to play a healer–not because she was female (as many females do gravitate toward the healer role in RPGs), but because it was just very present. I don’t know how else to describe it. (more…)

Pagan Holidays: Mabon and the Autumnal Equinox

madrigalblue — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 20:07:57 +0000

Mabon traditions are centered around the harvest. Much of the thought surrounding Thanksgiving celebrates and reflects the values and traditions of Mabon.

Mabon is celebrated at the Autumnal Equinox. Mabon occurs in late September (in most countries partially populated by those who celebrate it). While the harvest traditions are themselves old, the name of the holiday comes from a Welsh tale and was formalized first by Aidan Kelly — around 1970. (more…)

Pagan Tools: Basic Info About Runes and Rune Magic

madrigalblue — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 19:51:58 +0000

Like tarot cards, runes had a practical purpose in addition to being tools of portent. Runes are symbols of an alphabet, just as we use Roman letters.

Runes are often portrayed in a fantasy context as being used as a means of telling the future for stereotypical witches. Like many aspects of original paganism and magic, the historical details are fuzzy and sometimes up to interpretation.

A general interest in mysticism in the late 1800s/early 1900s sparked a cultural interest in the use of runes for divination. Some assign specific meanings to runes and use the original rune meanings/resemblances for the purpose of divination so that they can be used much like a tarot card.

(more…)

Resources for Pagans on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn

madrigalblue — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 23:41:04 +0000

Social media has proven to be a great tool for pagans and paganism. As a rule, many pagans tend to avoid organized religion or spirituality, with the exception of small covens or groups. In the neopagan world, this was often spiritually beneficial, but difficult for those wishing to connect to like-minded individuals to learn or teach further.

Facebook, Twitter, and even the professional LinkedIn are excellent online resources, providing pagans a chance to connect with one another. There are also many interfaith and universalist resources available for those looking to find peace with members of various belief systems. While connecting any spiritual belief to a professional networking site like LinkedIn might be risky for some, I think it’s valuable if part or all of what you are selling connects to the pagan community. I am a member of these communities because I sell my writing (including this page, which is undeniably pagan). I think people expect writers to be quirky, and I like people to think I am quirky enough to entertain them and professional enough to do the job right.

While these sites are helpful, I don’t think that any of the social media sites quite rival Witch Vox in their capacity for connecting pagans to one another (especially because Witch Vox has implemented search functions such as ‘by type’ which are specifically relevant to certain pagan paths or professions).

Here is a list of resources for those looking to connect to other pagans in a social and professional way using social media:

Connect to me (Tara), the author of Merry Meet: Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter

Facebook:

What Did You Think of ABC’s ‘Eastwick?’

madrigalblue — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 20:52:35 +0000

What did you think of ABC’s Eastwick? Please leave your comments below.

I found the show to be both surprising and disappointing at the same time.

Here’s what I didn’t like:

Too many characters. We were introduced to too many people at once. I read the online character guide and I was still a bit lost.
Campy. It was campy, but not in a cool way like Buffy. It was just a bit cheesy when it could have been racy or heartfelt instead.
No chemistry between the three main witches.
The archetypes of the three witches were pushed a bit too much; the exaggeration made them seem unreal. Believe me, I practically AM the newspaper chick (Joanna), and even she was exaggerated.
That guy’s voice. What the hell…they hired Mr. Moviephone?!

Here’s what I adored: (more…)