Naturalistic Paganism
A New Contraceptive for Pagan Men
Sex and health are important topics for anyone, but maybe more so for us Pagans. Being an earth-based belief system, we tend to favor and embrace a more natural and holistic approach to our health; steering away from chemicals that can harm the Earth and us, and pills that may contain multiple side effects. And when it comes to sex, we don’t usually attach cultural taboos, and restrictions like other religions do but encourage that which gives our bodies pleasure when performed in mutual enjoyment. We don’t always wish to produce more children, however, so we use contraceptives to prevent this from happening. Read More
Fasting for Naturalistic Pagans, by Renee Lehnen
The Buddha fasted. Jesus fasted. Shamans and Mormons fast. In June, Muslims observed the month-long, daylight fast of Ramadan, a test of faith in northern latitudes. Along with ritual, adherence to core beliefs and values, and reflective practices such as prayer or meditation, most religions advise periods of abstinence from food. Naturalistic Paganism offers no specific direction on fasting. However, fasting is a powerful spiritual practice that Pagans may wish to adopt for several reasons. Here are six of them: Read More
Can we derive a secular spirituality from the seasons? by Bart Everson, in Standing Room Only
![Spinning in Place: A Secular Humanist Embraces the Neo-Pagan Wheel of the Year by [Everson, Bart]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/4163oG%2BV32L.jpg)
Naturalistic Pagan Pilgrimage – [Stardust, Contemplating]
But how could it feel safely enclosed, with so many missing stones and open spaces? I wondered as I looked out from within Stonehenge. The ancient stones gave a clear feeling of sacred space, of a timeless, dimensionless spot, an enchanted circle rooted in the land of the Salisbury plain, from which the wider Universe could be observed. Even with most of the stones gone, and many of those that remained felled by time, the Romans, or others – the feeling was still there, with both enclosed protection and a feeling of expanded vision and clarity outward. That vision grew with the growing light, and suddenly, someone called out. I don’t remember what was said, but all eyes turned to the Southeast, from where the first orange rays of light came as the Sun now peeked over the horizon. The Sun’s position was Read More
Naturalistic Pagan Toolbox: Worship
This column was conceived by Rua Lupa, who proposed gathering practical resources for Naturalistic Pagans in one place. It is dedicated to sharing ideas for religious technologies which we might use or adapt to deepen our Naturalistic Pagan practices. It includes the ideas and experiences of others, as well as some of my own, and I welcome you to send me your ideas for sharing in future posts. If you have discovered a ritual technique which works for you that you would like to add to the Naturalistic Pagan Toolbox, click here to send me an email.
A Call to Humility
I was having dinner with a friend recently who attends the same Unitarian congregation I attend. He remarked that something is missing from Unitarian Universalist “worship” that is present in Christian worship: humility. The Seven Principles of Unitarian Universalism do not call UUs to humility in the same way the Christian creed does. And the UU style of worship does not usually express or evoke humility.
This is no accident. Many people come to Unitarianism because they are tired of the “bowing and scraping” of traditional religion. Simply put, Unitarians don’t kneel. (They also can’t dance, but that’s a subject for another post.) And the same could be said of many, if not most, Religious Naturalists, including Humanistic Pagans. We share an aversion to anything resembling humbling oneself before a higher power.
It is for this same reason that many Religious Naturalists don’t use the word “worship” when referring to their own spiritual practice. “Worship” usually refers to some kind of act of religious devotion, and devotional practice is not usually found naturalistic contexts. Some Religious Naturalists might even go so far as to say that naturalistic practice is defined by its non-devotional nature.
Yet, devotionalism is an increasingly popular form of practice among Pagans in general. Is it possible for a Religious Naturalist to have a devotional practice? If so, what is to be the object of the devotion? And what offerings would a naturalistic devotion make? Read More
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