Like any other niche religious movement, paganism attracts cult personalities. Any leadership position is going to be appealing to these narcissists, and our community is not immune. Learning how to spot cult groups should be included in any basic 101 education for new Pagans.
The first lesson is coming to terms with the fact that intelligent, reasonable people get drawn into cults. It's not weak or gullible people that fall for it, it can happen to anyone. It can happen to you. Accepting that is the first step toward protecting yourself. Here's a link to a good list of red/green flags to look out for:
If I could get rid of one concept I see in modern paganism, it would be the erroneous idea that older = better. Humans have proven many times over that just because something has been done a certain way for centuries, doesn't mean it's the “right” way to do it.
Of course, that doesn't mean it's the wrong way to do it, either. Each practice should be evaluated on its own merit, and whether or not it works for the people that we are now, in this era.
Hi! A bit of an introduction here. I’m Dawn (she/her). I’ve always loved nature but recently discovered #paganism and I’m currently on a path to try and incorporate it into my life. I’m reading ‘Path of Paganism’ by John Beckett and it’s such a refreshing read. I’m also a beginner Tarot reader. So happy to be here on this server. Looking forward to getting to know new people! Have a wonderful day.
I've been a #Pagan for a long time and I've been asked lots of questions over the years. There are a few different types of questioners that you run into:
The scientism atheist: It's a trap, they only want to argue with you cuz they've convinced themselves they're smart. Their questions are basic one-liners that show the only religion they know anything about is christianity.
The curious hippie: They smoked some pot or did LSD in their youth, and are aware of alternative spiritualities. Their info might be a few decades old, but they are genuinely interested.
The youth: Look, I know it's annoying having to answer the same beginner questions over and over again, but we all have to do our part. They might not accept your answer because it wasn't in that one book they read, but try anyway.
The Interfaith Christian: Surprisingly, they're patiently curious and congenial. They understand that you love your gods the way they do theirs, and they accept you. It's weird.
The seeker: Their questions are targeted and specific, because they've done a little research already. They are usually just looking for some validation, and to know they aren't alone in their practice.
The dudebro: His question is a joke, he doesn't actually want to know about curses or sex magic or anything. Ignoring or joking back is the best option.
Whilst you walk, thank the landscape for its beauty. Speak to the spirits that inhabit the space. Respect those who have come before you and listen deeply, for they might have a lesson or two ✨️
Please, #bookstodon and everyone else , recommend your very favorite books and other #information to me. I'll read anything, audio or ebook or maybe even paper #book, #website or recurring graphics or whatever.
Feed me.
Missing from this vanilla article about "#paganism" in the UK armed forces are any mentions of the fact that all of these #Pagan faiths are rooted in #whiteSupremacy, and are adopted by #whiteSupremacists looking for a way to hide their hateful ideals from the greater public. Clueless articles like this play the role of useful idiot. Whenever you hear about someone in the 21st century adopting paganism, it's almost always a white supremacist hiding in plain sight.
Menhit-Nebetuu the Divine Eye.
She is a large, primordial deity. Her consort is Khnum/Khnum-Ra. She has connections to the fields, plants, stars, and time. She is a combination of two goddesses, Menhit and Nebetuu. Just like Hethert and Sekhmet, these two are a angry and pacified combination.
I have been looking through this all day. It is the most thorough reference material for Egyptian (and affiliated) deities. It’s perfect for so many types of people! High recommended! #kemetic#pagan#polytheist#paganism#deities
1/3 Happy #Easter! 🐰🥚🌼 #DYK the holiday has its roots in a #pagan festival celebrating the #springequinox (when the length of nights & days become equal) in the Northern Hemisphere.* The equinox happens when the Earth’s axis & its orbit line up, giving both hemispheres an equal amount of sunlight.
We use an astronomical calculation to work out which day Easter lands on ✖️➗🔭
*Note that this is the autumn equinox for us down under 🌏
Excited to share!
I worked on this book! A lot of love and care went into this. It has a lot to give! Anyone who is interested in the ancient Egyptian deities, this is for you. A life long reference. buy here: https://www.llewellyn.com/product.php?ean=9780738770796
Spring has truly come in (even though the chill is sticking a bit longer). Flowers, trees, animals, elements and more dance the season into being. What's more, the old teachers I had thought were done with me have returned. The support being offered to me by the spirits and deities at this time is deeply felt. However, the internal animal part of me wonders what this could all about. I hope this year is a good one.
Jaguar (and black panther) were one of my first teachers/protectors when I was just starting out. I find them coming back into my life and bringing with them a fierce inspiration and new lessons to learn.
The ancient world is a magical place. From the ziggurats of Sumeria to the temples of Crete and the pyramids of Egypt, the ancients call to us.
Magic never dies, but only slumbers, awaiting discovery by those who would once again revel in its beauty and respect its power.
These spells speak to the many human needs and desires of protection, prosperity, romance, fertility, healing, and divination. Each spell is described in detail, complete with step-by-step instructions as well as background information about the deities involved, encouraging the reader to develop a relationship with these ancient deities who are still very much alive in our world today.
More info on my website (link in bio). Be the magic you want to see in the world!
I finished reading "John Dee and the Empire of Angels" by Jason Louv, and wow. This book took me in a direction I did not expect, and contextualized Western occultism in a really coherent and important way.
There are actually three books within this volume. The first examines the life of John Dee and his political contributions to England in the early 1500s, as well as the overall cultural and political context within which he existed. The second examines and summarizes the angelic conversations themselves, and provides some analysis that links them to the overall apocalyptic eschatology that was described in the introduction and first book. The third book examines Dee's contemporaries and influences, including the Rosicrucians, Freemasons, and Crowley & Parsons, and analyzes especially the latter two's relative roles within this overall cosmology and influence in Western occultism.
Overall, this creates an historical narrative that deeply contextualizes a significant amount of modern Wicca, witchcraft, neopaganism, and Western occultism. It doesn't aim to define these, of course, but it explains the steps through which our modern view of spirituality and its practice were shaped. While at first I thought I might be reading an interesting and yet somewhat distant and irrelevant historical narrative of this interesting occultist from the Rennaisance, I found myself instead reading of the events and people that shaped the "modern" esoteric schools, as well as dominant Christian eschatology in America and how that influences our politics.
Louv does a great job of playing fair with historical figures: contextualizing them in a nuanced way, outlining their faults and being critical of the cults of personality they've built over the decades while not disregarding their important role or influence over history.
I would dare say (and I wouldn't say this about many things) that most neopagans or self-proclaimed occultists should absolutely add this to their reading list and try to read and comprehend the entire tome.
Thanks to another discussion that I accidentally dragged off-topic on @jepyang 's TL (sorry), there is this book which I remember from over 30 years ago and which still exists, and maybe you all should know about it: