[stylist] Bridgit and others

Tue Jun 4 20:20:45 UTC 2013

At this point, I say post any writing, grin.

I agree that most religions are misunderstood due to pop-culture, and a
lot of half-truths and misinformation is prevalent because of
pop-culture. My husband gets his religious *knowledge* from SouthPark,
and this is a pretty common occurrence.

I get a little obsessive when researching if the subject interest me. I
will find as much info about it and peruse as many sources as I can.
When it comes to religion, I try to learn about it from that particular
point of view. Obviously learning about Wicca and paganism from a
Christian POV will be completely different than learning it from a
practicing witch or pagan. Likewise, learning about Catholicism from a
Baptist POV will be vastly different than from a Catholic POV. And so
forth and so on.

I'm on this whole witch thing right now, so I've visited a lot of the
online resources provided in Drawing Down the Moon, and I've been
reading other books. It's fascinating to me. I'm very interested in the
concept of religion, and I read a lot of books on the subject. I have
considered going back to university to get a degree in religion.

I recently was on a Renaissance kick and was studying and pouring
through books and online info about the 1400's and 1500's.
Unfortunately, it can be difficult finding accessible books. BARD and
NLS are great, but they don't have near as many choices as there are
books out there. I miss having all info at my fingers and finding any
book, free or not, ASAP. Still, this does not deter me from researching.

I somehow managed to read four books during my entire weekend. Needless
to say, I didn't get much sleep, smile. Once Baby was down, I pressed
play on my Victor. I also read at a pretty quick speed, which helps.

Okay, off to chores now, frown.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jacobson,
Shawn D
Sent: Tuesday, June 04, 2013 2:03 PM
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [stylist] Bridgit and others

I just ordered "Drawing Down the Moon" yesterday and hope to have it
from the library soon.  I recently read "The Reason for God" by Timothy
Keller and firmly believe that pop culture misunderstands Christianity
as much as it misunderstands Wicca.  Any great religion has deep truths
and pop culture is too shallow to really understand.  I also just read
"Among Others" by Jo Walton; this is an excellent book about magic
(emphasizing caution in its use) and with a very life affirming ending.

I am reading "Endpoint" a book of poems by John Updike.  I'm hoping this
inspires me to start up the poems again.

I don't think I'm going to tackle the Salem Witch trials directly for
the writing prompt, but one of the poems I'm thinking of writing will
touch upon them tangentially.

Shawn

-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Bridgit
Pollpeter
Sent: Tuesday, June 04, 2013 2:50 PM
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [stylist] Bridgit and others

It is a long book, and some of it is pretty far-out, though some of it
does resonate with me. I really like the environmental conservation
element many pagan traditions get behind today along with the creative
expression.

Since most pagan ideals revolve around the natural world, many
contemporary groups emphasize the importance of conservation and not
destroying the natural world around us. I'm a little bit into this and
the whole organic thing, so I like a religion that believes this a key
part of worship and life in general.

The end drags a bit as she gets a little redundant and includes a lot of
info about specific groups, festivals and other resources. If anyone is
interested in learning more about Wicca and neo-Paganism, this is
definitely the book to read.

I finished Witch Hunt: Mysteries of the Salem Witch Trials during the
weekend. It uses actual documentation from the trials to attempt to
figure out why people accused others of such heinous acts. It's written
for teens, so it's not very long, and it doesn't delve into the subject
as much as I would like, but it was informative and interesting
nonetheless.

That people may have or may not have been witches doesn't disturb me,
but that people could have behaved in such a way as the accusers did is
incredibly disturbing to me, especially considering the Puritan culture
and mindset.

It may take some time, but I still want to try to post something for the
prompt. This is a fascinating subject, and I want to explore it in my
writing.

For now I better go. The baby is suppose to be sleeping, but he's
playing in his crib, smile. Better make sure the diaper is okay. I
wouldn't mind some magical powers to instantly switch his diaper from a
dirty one to a clean one, grin! I actually don't mind changing diapers,
but Little Man hates to be confined, and he squirms, twists and does
high-pitch shrieking  whenever his diaper is changed. I hope this is a
phase, frown.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of justin
Sent: Monday, June 03, 2013 6:42 AM
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [stylist] Bridgit and others

I've read that book; it's pretty good.  Long though.  You are right
about how across the board, creative expression id a big part of
neopaganism.

-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Bridgit
Pollpeter
Sent: Monday, June 03, 2013 1:27 PM
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List'
Subject: [stylist] Bridgit and others

I've actually been reading various texts and books on the subject as a
whole. I'm finishing Drawing Down the Moon: Witches, Druids,
Goddess-worshippers and other Pagans in America Today, by Margot Adler,
a journalist and Wiccan, or witch, as she states the two are synonymous.
Next I plan to read a book detailing the actual trials during the Salem
witch trials that has actual documentation from the hearings. All very
interesting.

Like Eve, I want to do justice to anything I attempt. Even though just a
simple exercise, I try to put my best into whatever I create. And I go
back and forth on nonfiction and fiction ideas. Though much of what is
documented in Addler's book I find difficult to get behind, one
interesting fact that is almost across the board with neo-Pagans, as
they are called, is the importance placed on artistic expressions,
music, dance and poetry being emphasized. Many find spiritualism through
their art, and many believe these artforms are transformative and
transcendent. Personally, whether it be music, dance, acting or writing,
whenever I create, I feel alive, a sense of being something bigger than
myself. It's like I'm on the verge of discovering something truly grand
and big and beautiful. I've observed this predominatly when dancing,
singing and certain types of writing, particularly when adopting a
poetic voice. Hmmm... This could make an interesting article for S & S.

And BTW, Beltane is actually May first (what is referred to as May Day
in modern culture) and celebrates fertility by the joining of the god
and goddess to usher in life with the coming of spring.

Bridgit
-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Eve
Sanchez
Sent: Friday, May 24, 2013 10:45 PM
To: Writer's Division Mailing List
Subject: [stylist] Bridget and others

I have been thinking of Bridget's prompt and must opt out of responding
to it. I think it is a wonderful prompt and is actually something I have
been thinking of writing on for quite some time now. It is for this
reason that I can not write at the moment, but I am not saying never. I
just feel for me, that it is too important a subject for me to do a half
ass effort on. I do not have the time at the moment to devote to such a
project, but will someday. I hope that others will write on this prompt
though and I look forward to reading the pieces. On this beautiful
Witchy night though, I send blessings. Go out just after midnight and
enjoy the magick of the lunar eclipse and the Beltane full moon. The
veil is thin at this time, so who knows
who you might see.  ;)      (I am trying to figure out how to write
"Oooooo-ooo-oooooo." for you to get the spooky effect I intend. Eve

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