Naturalistic Paganism
Tripping With the Gods – On Entheogenic Spirituality:, (Part 5 of 5) by Wayne Martin Mellinger, Ph.D. [The Dionysian Naturalist]
CLOSING WORDS
The scientific studies of entheogens demonstrate that all humans possess the ability to experience profound mystical experiences. These experiences of Ultimate Realty can be interpreted as direct contact with the Divine, which some might call “God”. Whatever the spiritual belief system used to make sense of these experiences, the experiences themselves are powerful and intense mystical experiences. For 72% of those who ingested psilocybin mushrooms mystical-type experiences occurred which had sustained personal and spiritual significance (Pahnke 1963; Doblin 1991; Griffiths et al. 2006, 2008).
The Fall Equinox Approaches!
In the Northern Hemisphere, the Fall Equinox is celebrated in three weeks (it is September 22nd this year) as Mabon, also called Harvest Home. (Those in the Southern Hemisphere celebrate the Spring Equinox, Ostara, at this time.) While every year we celebrate and are thankful for the many good things around us, this year the presidential election reminds us to be thankful of all of the good checks and balances in our government, which have prevented us (so far) from becoming an absolute dictatorship. It’s especially important to recognize these (and the many other good aspects of our imperfect system), because they are extremely valuable and also easily lost.
Growing Darkness…….
Mike Nichols writes of the day: “Mythically, this is the day of the year when the God of Light is defeated by his twin and alter ego, the God of Darkness. It is the time of the year when night conquers day.” The metaphor for the natural solar cycle is perfectly clear, and easily appreciable by naturalists – as is the promise included within the metaphor that the darkness is temporary, and the light will return. Likewise with the agricultural myth of John Barleycorn, personification of the ripened grain: Read More
The Next 70 Days are Critical – What can you do to help? by Starstuff, Contemplating
We stand at an historic time, and the upcoming election will determine a lot about the world we will leave to future generations. As Naturalistic Pagans, our focus is on this real world, and we can put our spirituality into practice over the next two short months to help those future generations.
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Pagan Coming Out Day – May 2nd
