[stylist] Bridgit and others

Tue Jun 4 23:29:02 UTC 2013

Yes, Drawing Down the Moon is nonfiction. It's written by a practicing
witch who is a journalist by trade, but she relies on outside sources
and interviews with practicing pagans as opposed to her personal
experience.

It addresses pop-culture ideas about pagans, defines various terms and
groups, introduces the groups and practices around today, provides info
about each group, publication, festivals and much, much more. It
explores past pagan traditions and how, if at all, this influences
contemporary traditions. In a nutshell, it's an introductory guide into
what is termed Neo-Paganism, and provides resources and info for those
interested in seeking out these groups.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Ashley
Bramlett
Sent: Tuesday, June 04, 2013 5:53 PM
To: Writer's Division Mailing List
Subject: Re: [stylist] Bridgit and others

so what is Drawing down the Moon about?
Is this nonfiction? Are you saying it explores paganism as its practiced

today?

Thanks

-----Original Message----- 
From: Eve Sanchez
Sent: Tuesday, June 04, 2013 4:11 PM
To: Writer's Division Mailing List
Subject: Re: [stylist] Bridgit and others

Drawing Down the Moon is a great informational book, but not always a
good read. It does drag quite a bit, but is helpful for learning and
starting an exploration. Not all Pagans consider themselves Neo-Pagans
however and there are other misconceptions in the book that many do not
agree with. Pagan is the blanket term for many many traditions which
includes Neo-Paganism, Druidism, Celtic Paganism, Wiccan, Witchcraft and
so many more. Witches could be Wiccans and Wiccans could be Witches, but
the two terms are definitely NOT synonymous. Yes, Bridget. Beltane is
May 1st. It is a major Sabbatt and the spirit of Beltane carries through
the entire month of May. The first full moon following Beltane is
referred to as the Beltane Moon. I did however have the times all
screwed up that night as to when the eclipse took place as well as the
time of fullness. It was still a beautiful night though. I look forward
to reading your prompt contribution when it comes. Sometimes good things
must be waited for. Eve

On Tue, Jun 4, 2013 at 12:03 PM, Jacobson, Shawn D
<Shawn.D.Jacobson at hud.gov> wrote:
> 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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