Archive for January, 2014

Imbolc Blessings

Posted: January 29, 2014 in Pagan Perspectives, Poetry
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Imbolc

Deep in the belly of the earth life now stirs

Awakening within and shaking free of ice and snow

The Goddess carries the child of promise within her arms

Trailing light and warmth wherever he goes

Slowly the world awakens from its slumber

Pushing shadows back from long cold night

All around

Life abounds

Reaching out towards the growing light

Imbolc Craft: St. Brigid's Cross. By Amber Dorko Stopper

Imbolc Craft: St. Brigid’s Cross. By Amber Dorko Stopper

Imbolc Festival of Light

Welcome to the festival of light

Where springtime lies within our sight

Earth softens and milk flows

Babies are born, seeds are sown

Soon the thaws will flood the streams

And winter becomes the land of dreams

The Crone returns to the land of snow

And all around us light now grows

Hold high your flame, shine your light

Chase back the shadows and shrinking night

Prepare the path for spring to come

And rejoice now in the growing sun!

All text copyright. Romany Rivers (C) 2013. Text will appear within upcoming book: The Woven Word

Old Age in the Modern Age

Posted: January 27, 2014 in Pagan Perspectives, Poetry, Thoughts on Life
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Priviledge of AgeWhen I write or submit articles for magazines, I very often deal with people I have never met face to face, thanks to the wonders of modern technology. On many occasions, the editors have assumed that I am older than my years based upon the content and style of my work. Of course, I tell myself that is not a terrible thing, but I have always suggested one lives their truth – so here is my truth. The first few times it happened, I freaked. I was horrified that people would consider me much older than I am, and darn it I am certainly no Crone! Sure ages catches up with all of us, I am no longer as young as I was, and since having children I certainly feel like I leaped over a few years and rapidly increased in age – but really. I. Am. Not. Old. But even if I were, why should that matter? (more…)

How do we pay for all this? Memberships, Tithing, and Pagans

Posted: January 13, 2014 in Pagan Perspectives, Thoughts on Life
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Creating sustainable Pagan communities that provide services, support and education will require a healthy and manageable system of financial exchange – a topic that many Pagans avoid exploring. Shauna muses on the issues of value, worth, money, classes, courses, training, continual professional development, clergy and commitment. I am very interested in the concept of sliding scale tithing and how this can work with developing Pagan communities. A very thought provoking read.

Shauna Aura Knight

7060151_xxlHow do we pay for the functions of a community organization and services to members? How do we pay for regular classes, clergy, a community center?

I wrote this after reading a conversation among some of the organizers for NIPA, the Northern Illinois Pagan Alliance. They’ve been working for years to bring their local community together and offer services, and doing a great job. And they’re having the conversation many Pagan communities are having.

How do we pay for all this, and how do we make it sustainable?

I’m so excited to see the work that NIPA is doing. There are Pagans all over the country who have no place to go for various reasons, and helping Pagans in one area to have a place to connect and find “home” is such important work.

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Meet Shauna Aura Knight

Posted: January 9, 2014 in Author Interviews, Author Spotlight, Book Promos, Pagan Perspectives
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Shauna Aura KnightAn artist, author, community leader, event organizer, and spiritual seeker, Shauna travels nationally offering intensive education in the transformative arts of ritual, community leadership, and personal growth. She is the author of the Dreamwork for the Initiate’s Path and the ritual facilitation book Spiritual Scents. She’s also a columnist on ritual techniques for Circle Magazine, and her writing also appears in several Pagan anthologies. She’s the author of the forthcoming books The Leader Within and Ritual Facilitation. The anthologies Stepping in to Ourselves: An Anthology of Writings on Priestessing, A Mantle of Stars, and Calling to our Ancestors.

Shauna is also a fantasy artist and author. Her mythic artwork and designs are used for magazine covers, book covers, and illustrations, as well as decorating many walls, shrines, and other spaces. She is passionate about creating rituals, experiences, spaces, stories, and artwork to awaken mythic imagination. (more…)

Lullaby of Astarte

Posted: January 3, 2014 in Images, Pagan Perspectives, Poetry
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The Lullaby of Astarte by Romany Rivers

The Lullaby of Astarte by Romany Rivers

For my daughter, who loves the stars.

Text: Romany Rivers (C) 2013