Naturalistic Paganism
[Musings of a Pagan Mythicist] “A Life-Sustaining Way″ by Maggie Jay Lee
It is heartbreaking to read about all the plastic trash in the oceans and to hear about the birds and other animals that die of starvation with a belly full of the stuff. It is heartbreaking to read about Wen’an, China, a once vibrant land of peach orchards now a poisoned, deadened place from the recycling of plastic trash without even the most minimal health and environmental protections. It is deeply troubling to learn about the chemicals that leech out of plastics into the environment and into our food often harming the most vulnerable, the young of our and other species. I feel angry when I hear about the ways in which industry has distorted and covered up the truth about the health and environmental problems of these plastics in the name of greater profits. Read More
[Starstuff, Contemplating] “Winter Solstice: Axial Tilt is the Reason for the Season” by Heather (& Jon) Cleland-Host
When we first started creating a family holiday tradition together, we did not yet have children. We were not even married. We were discussing holidays and seeking a common ground between us. I loved the Celtic calendar with its seasonal holidays. For me, it connected me to my Scottish ancestors, my Anglican faith, and also to the natural cycle of the year. I did not do anything for these days, but then I met Jon who practiced one single, holiday tradition: every year he watched the Sun rise on the Winter Solstice. I was awed, and I said right then, we should celebrate the Equinoxes and Summer Solstice too. That was the beginning of our family traditions together.
Winter Solstice
For Neo-Pagans in the Northern Hemisphere, the solstice is celebrated as Yule. This year, the date falls on December 21st. The precise date and time for the cross-quarter can be found at archaeoastronomy.com.
At the Winter Solstice, NaturalPantheist of the Nature is Sacred blog performs a ritual which begins with this prelude:
“As I stand here on this celebration of Yule, the sacred wheel of the year has turned once again and it is now midwinter. As my forebears did, I do now, and so may my descendants do in time to come. It is the Solstice, the longest night and shortest day. Today I celebrate the return of the Sun. Since the summer, it has gradually become colder and darker, but from this time forwards, the days shall get longer and lighter and warmer again. The Solar year has run its course and completed its cycle and a new year begins, bringing light, life and hope to the earth.”
[Mid-Month Meditation/De Natura Deorum] “What is a God?” by Jason Silva
Editor’s note: This month, we are combining our De Natura Deorum column with the Mid-Month Meditation. De Natura Deorum is a monthly column where we explore the beliefs of Naturalistic Pagans about the nature of deity. This month, we celebrate of the winter solstice and the return of the Sun from its apparent “descent” toward the southern hemisphere. In recognition of this astrological events and the symbolism of the winter solstice, HP offers this video by performance philosopher, Jason Silva, which proposes that the Sun is the closest thing we have to a god.
We encourage our readers to use these Mid-Month Meditations as an opportunity to take a short break from everything else. Rather than treating these posts the way you would any other post, set aside 10 minutes someplace quiet and semi-private to have an experience. Take a minute to relax first. After listening to the recording and/or reading the lyrics, take a few minutes to let the experience sink in. If it feels right, leave a comment.
[Starstuff, Contemplating] “Celebrating Meaning in our Lives through Family Holidays” by Heather and Jon Cleland Host
We are assemblages of ancient atoms forged in stars – atoms organized by history to the point of consciousness, now able to contemplate this sacred Universe of which we are a tiny, but wondrous, part.
A little over a month ago, we piled our kids into the car to go watch a partial eclipse of the Sun. Our oldest son created homemade viewing glasses from safety glasses and foil wrappers, as we drove with our eyes on the horizon. When we arrived, the Sun was hidden behind a patch of clouds, but there was an opening just beneath. The kids climbed up onto the roof of the car, and we waited faithfully for the event that terrified our Ancestors to unfold. We watched as the Moon took a bite out of the Sun, and instead of screaming and huddling in fear, our children pointed and grinned and exclaimed at the marvel before them.
It does not get much better than that. Meaning is something humans seek deep within our souls. It’s a powerful gift for our children and each other. Even more importantly, meaning that is real and true is priceless. Above all, this is one of the things that we strive to give our children. It is a daily practice, learning about the Universe in all its incredible power, meditating and practicing gratitude for our part in it, and connecting deeply with the Universe, our Ancestors, our community, and especially our future.
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Pagan Coming Out Day – May 2nd
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