Naturalistic Paganism

Spiritual Experiences: Fuel for Action [Starstuff, Contemplating]

It’s been refreshing to read the current discussion on spiritual experiences, most recently restarted with John Halstead’s post about American Gods.   In response to that, Rua Lupa warned against “emphasizing Pleasure as a pinnacle of religious practice” and how that could result in problematic hedonism (pleasure as the sole goal).  John also pointed out some important benefits of spiritual experiences (with some of his own experiences), and Mark Green described both his own experiences and how the benefits and potential excesses of spiritual experiences need to be balanced.  All of these raise important points, and I agree with all of them.  While trying to avoid repetition, a couple additional points come to mind. Read More

Hail, the Magnificent Sun!, by Mark Green [an Atheopagan Life]

These are the kindest and best of days. The evenings grow long, the air is mild. Here where I live, anyway, life is good.

For our ancestors, too, these were good days. Planting and early tending of crops were over. Early lambs and hunting of spring animals were abundant. After the long, anxious wait of winter, this was a time to enjoy life.

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The Summer Solstice is just two weeks away!

The Summer Solstice approaches!  Ready?

The Summer Solstice is known in Contemporary Neo-Paganism as Litha or Midsummer. Neo-Pagan mythology often marks this as the moment the sun god meets his death, though sometimes that event is reserved for the cross-quarter in August or the autumnal equinox in September.   This is the last Solstice before the eclipse – something that can be part of this year’s Summer Solstice ritual if you choose.  A bunch of ritual and celebrations ideas can be found here, Read More

Cyanobacteria: R-E-S-P-E-C-T by Brock Haussamen

We owe cyanobacteria our respect. And they might deserve our fullest gratitude as well if it weren’t for one nasty trait.

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[Dead Ideas] “The Balance of Power”, by B. T. Newberg

https://player.megaphone.fm/ADL8210145890?

History lovers: Our new series explores the balance of power system which led up to World War I. It was meant to prevent a great war from ever happening again. Then what happened? Not just any great war, but THE Great War. What was this system and how was it supposed to work?

From here on out, there’ll be just one post here for each series, so be sure to go to http://www.deadideas.net if you want more!

Episodes released/planned:

  • I. Never Again a Great War!
  • II. Frederick the Great, Cabinet Warrior
  • III. Nationalism Arise!
  • IV. Uh-oh, the Balkan Situation
  • V. Oops, A Great War

Be sure to support the show at www.patreon.com/deadideaspod to get your portrait drawn!

 

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