[stylist] Bridgit and others

Wed Jun 5 17:59:46 UTC 2013

Eve

Thanks for the heads-up.

What you say does not surprise me in the least.  The pagan I knew in college gave me the impression that pagans are true pantheists, all Gods of all the religious traditions are manifested in the higher planes of existence.  This would give a lot of room for disagreement and differences in practice.  The Iron Druid series by Kevin Hearne (a contemporary fantasy series I would recommend to anyone interested in that style of writing) is very true to this spirit.

Good reading.

Shawn

-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of 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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