tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28497959904948333472023-11-16T00:56:19.601-06:00Pursuing a Philosophical PaganismAllechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09835750011234964302noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2849795990494833347.post-2184271303617860162015-01-03T00:59:00.000-06:002015-01-03T01:08:56.956-06:00Gaol Naofa and Trans-Exclusionary Radical Feminism.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.rantplaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Sunset-socialphy.com_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.rantplaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Sunset-socialphy.com_.jpg" height="250" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(<a href="http://www.rantplaces.com/2014/11/04/10-amazing-sunsets-around-the-world/">source</a>)</td></tr>
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This has taken me a while to write. What I am talking about happened over a month ago at the near-end of November. The reason it took me so long to write is that it was very, very traumatic for me. <a href="http://philosophical-pagan.blogspot.com/2014/02/update-im-now-member-of-gaol-naofa.html">I had put a lot of trust into the members of Gaol Naofa</a>. Maybe faster than I should have. I was deeply hurt by how things transpired, especially how the President handled things--as I looked up to her the most. It's taken me a month to fully recover from the broken trust that shattered my heart. But it's time to address it, because unfortunately this is something that may concern future members of Gaol Naofa and I don't want to leave it unaddressed.<br />
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<b>Trigger Warning:</b> Trans-misogyny and rape discussed.<br />
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This all started with something I shared on my Facebook wall:<br />
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Then it just got nasty from here.<br />
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Now I made some mistakes while handling this in-the-moment that I hope to avoid now. One of those was disclosing more information than need be via screenshots. This conversation? It's on my Facebook wall. Anyone can see it. But other conversations between me and others on Private Messages will not be shared, since I gathered that they did not want those posted. (If anyone involved in those private messages wishes to screenshot them and post them in the comments, or post them elsewhere, you have my permission to post my part of the messages.) That said, I will be eventually paraphrasing what happened in those private talks because they influenced mine and others' decisions to leave Gaol Naofa.<br />
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Also, I won't disclose names unless they also appear on <a href="http://www.gaolnaofa.org/about/organisational-structure/">Gaol Naofa's Website</a>.<br />
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"<span data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10152803393521628_10152803630956628:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:0" style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px;"> </span><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10152803393521628_10152803630956628:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body" style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px;"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10152803393521628_10152803630956628:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10152803393521628_10152803630956628:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.0"><a class="" data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10152803393521628_10152803630956628:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.0.$range0:0" dir="ltr" href="http://everydayfeminism.com/2014/02/trans-inclusive-feminist-movement/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://everydayfeminism.com/.../trans-inclusive-feminist.../</a></span></span></span></div>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10152803393521628_10152803630956628:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body" style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px;"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10152803393521628_10152803630956628:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10152803393521628_10152803630956628:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.0"><br data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10152803393521628_10152803630956628:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.0.$end:0:$3:0" /><span data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10152803393521628_10152803630956628:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.0.$end:0:$4:0">This article by the organization I reposted this picture from mirrors my thoughts about trans-inclusionary feminism. And I think the idea that a space that is absent of penis-people isn't in</span></span><span data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10152803393521628_10152803630956628:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10152803393521628_10152803630956628:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10152803393521628_10152803630956628:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$0:0">herently safe. I went to a college with mostly women and I was made to feel unsafe. And that was just with words and actions. </span><br data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10152803393521628_10152803630956628:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$1:0" /><br data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10152803393521628_10152803630956628:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$3:0" /><span data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10152803393521628_10152803630956628:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$4:0">I think a lot about safe spaces, and never has someone's genitals factored into how safe someone is. </span><br data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10152803393521628_10152803630956628:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$5:0" /><br data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10152803393521628_10152803630956628:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$7:0" /><span data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10152803393521628_10152803630956628:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$8:0">This isn't about showering in public--since that's its own issue since people feel uncomfortable showering with people of similar bodies. This isn't about religious ceremonies--since that has a lot of layers of meaning and purpose and tradition behind it that I am not in the position to deconstruct. </span><br data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10152803393521628_10152803630956628:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$9:0" /><br data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10152803393521628_10152803630956628:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$11:0" /><span data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10152803393521628_10152803630956628:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$12:0">But this is about what it means to be a women and why we shouldn't exclude some women over others. And how only making spaces for women who fit a certain category reinforces the ideas that there are certain ways to be a woman, and thus just replacing old gender roles with new ones instead of eliminating them compeltely." (copied from the "see more" right below)</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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Second See More: "But rape is also more likely to happen from someone a person knows. So going to an event with strangers, statistically you are less likely to be raped.</div>
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By your logic, we should not let people with penises into any private space. Checking pants constantly before letting someone onto the bus. Etc.</div>
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You are basing judgement on someone's body, and THAT type of policing is super unsafe in my eyes."</div>
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My friend Jared decided to help by joining the conversation as a non-binary person (though he never stated he was.) He was in the middle of doing finals, but he came to defend trans women nonetheless. Note: Jared isn't part of GN, so Kathryn and Sky weren't his council nor affiliated with him at all. So he had no need to hold back.</div>
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Reflection notes:</div>
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<li>I couldn't find any information on this "dick waving" that happened at "Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival", but I did find a <a href="https://gendertrender.wordpress.com/2011/09/06/who-are-the-males-who-sneak-into-michigan-womens-music-festival/">TERF blogger who posted this</a>. Basically, it was trans women who showered in the women's showers and that got translated into "dick waving" by Kathryn's sources. (She couldn't back up what happened with a source, so unless there was another incident, I am pretty sure it's the same one as described by the TERF blogger linked above.)</li>
<li>Trans women can be lesbians too.</li>
<li>In this conversation alone, I found Kathryn saying 1, 4, 7, <b><i><u>11</u></i></b>, 13, and 16 from this article: "<a href="http://www.transadvocate.com/you-might-be-a-terf-if_n_10226.htm">You might be a TERF if...</a>" That's 6/20 in just one conversation.</li>
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After this, Sky and my fiance talked on both the public forum as well in private messages. It became apparent to me afterwards--and even now--that Sky was having an entirely different conversation from that of me, Jared, and Kathryn. I don't know if she realized it.</div>
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Shortly after Sky and I talked, she posted a passive-aggressive status demeaning me and had other people join in, even though they didn't understand the circumstances. While I was upset that I was being attacked in such a way, I made a grave error of publicizing Sky and I's conversation in which information that Sky saw as harmful to her was made public. I should have just grabbed my part of the conversation to show that I never said what Sky accused me of saying, instead of showing the full conversation and putting Sky in danger (real or imaginary--Sky saw it as danger, and that is all that matters.) I still am apologizing for that because it was still wrong of me.</div>
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But Kathryn and Sky did take pot-shots at me on her status, then claimed I shouldn't be mad because they were "venting frustrations." In the conversation, Sky accused me and Jared of being racists against her--despite the fact that Jared did not know her ethnicity or age (Sky's picture wasn't of herself, neither was Kathryn's.) </div>
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Meanwhile, I had been messaging the President of Gaol Naofa: Annie Loughlin, also the writer of Tairis. Up to this point, I had looked up to Annie. I had come to her twice in the past about issues concerning Gaol Naofa and about Gaelic Polytheism too. I messaged her about feeling unsafe about Kathryn, and that others were feeling unsafe too. She wrote back to me to say that I hadn't made any attempts to resolve the situation with them...despite feeling threatened by them. So, in short, Annie apparently wanted me to resolve the situation with people who I perceived to be very threatening. I was also called abusive, racist, and accused of a bunch of things.</div>
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This probably spawned from talking to my friends on a Skype group, which had 90% GN Members. I was showing them screencaps and leaning on them for support. They all saw the aggression from Kathryn that I saw and they all felt upset about the handling of the situation (eg: just siding with Kathryn without hearing me or others.) This later translated into Annie accusing me of brainwashing everyone against GN, though in reality all I did was show them screen shots and linked them to my public Facebook wall.</div>
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Also, the part of abuse I was accused of by Kathryn, Sky, and Annie was that I called Kathryn and Annie "TERFs." According to them, that word is a slur. <a href="http://theterfs.com/">But according to everyone else, it means Trans Exclusionary Radical Feminism</a>...which, to me, is a sign that you are a TERF if you think TERF is a slur. (Similar to how you are probably a racist if you think calling someone a racist is a slur.)<br />
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In short, a bunch of the problems that arose out of this mess:<br />
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<li>Gaol Naofa leadership demeaning their younger members instead of listening to them.</li>
<li>Kathryn, not once, apologizing for being abrasive, jumping to conclusions, or passive-aggressively talking to me.</li>
<li>The President of an organization claiming I should have "worked it out" with the person whom I felt threatened by.</li>
<li>Members of the GN board view "TERF" as a slur, which is enough by my measure to consider them unsafe for anyone who identifies as trans.</li>
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I do appreciate that Sky did apologize for being passive aggressive and we did figure out where we were misunderstanding each other. This, unfortunately, wasn't possible with Kathryn.</div>
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I didn't post this to extend drama, but because I worry about anyone who is trans who might wish to join Gaol Naofa. I want them to be aware of this conversation and the Board's view of the word "TERF." I don't want anyone to be made unsafe like my genderqueer friend, or even those who empathize with our trans and non-binary friends.</div>
Allechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09835750011234964302noreply@blogger.com48tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2849795990494833347.post-68842286690730200902014-10-19T11:54:00.000-05:002014-10-19T11:54:19.761-05:00If You're Not A Metaphysical Shop, Why Act Like It?<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="118" src="http://nebula.wsimg.com/c0256fdd0724a1ea5d55d321a36c4b15?AccessKeyId=1EEBE6C3751701988AFF&disposition=0&alloworigin=1" width="400" /></div>
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You know, I don't miss updating this blog at all...</div>
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A new shop opened up in Omaha called <a href="http://www.theconjureshop.com/">The Conjure Shop</a>. I held my breath because I don't have a good experience with occult-type shops, but the first visit went rather well with just <i>minor </i>problems. Then the second visit was...well, "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdyin6uipy4">Diet Racism</a>" type of things that are still racist but not necessarily worth boycotting. But on the third visit I saw something that made me contact <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CAORANN9">CAORANN</a>: a book by Momma Starr entitled <i><a href="http://www.oldstyleconjure.com/#!/Blackhawk-Book/p/15546436/category=3659289">Black Hawk: Working with His Spirit</a></i>. </div>
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<a name='more'></a>I messaged CAORANN first about what to do. They wrote back to me, "Well, when it comes to Black Hawk, he didn't much like white people so white people who are using that book and think they communicate with him are idiot. The woman who wrote the book knows nothing of Sauk culture. What she is doing is seriously offensive."<br />
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After further discussion with both CAORANN and my fiance (who is a diplomat trained in the ways of <i>How to Win Friends and Influence People</i>), I draft my message to the store owner:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSPq0bFwdj8uVXs_12xxtjRZBWJ3yEEJJb7Cj5qDAkEwanRbaqlvCtztw9iJy1kJcSqeKFtwFzGZFdbYh28R8UxuvWG5Et4XtLwb3tC4CTywkE7Xmldp0_Neyv71SkzMZKvtPd9SoawmY2/s1600/conjure_shop_01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSPq0bFwdj8uVXs_12xxtjRZBWJ3yEEJJb7Cj5qDAkEwanRbaqlvCtztw9iJy1kJcSqeKFtwFzGZFdbYh28R8UxuvWG5Et4XtLwb3tC4CTywkE7Xmldp0_Neyv71SkzMZKvtPd9SoawmY2/s1600/conjure_shop_01.png" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0O7aUmnOTP2ecFx4N6RkX55nnORRWUVMBezBMtkifX9ocRBjtAAAjL3MfKnMBHiK8WvNGUGhw8-Jlm5Gi3A4EbiJH7OJr2-TqpDx8pwGM-5YJH1oT6ia4DPPQQxvqbJuPqWCS61U9eSqi/s1600/conjure_shop_02.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0O7aUmnOTP2ecFx4N6RkX55nnORRWUVMBezBMtkifX9ocRBjtAAAjL3MfKnMBHiK8WvNGUGhw8-Jlm5Gi3A4EbiJH7OJr2-TqpDx8pwGM-5YJH1oT6ia4DPPQQxvqbJuPqWCS61U9eSqi/s1600/conjure_shop_02.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was sent all as one message but I reposted my name to make it easier to know who is writing.</td></tr>
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She then messaged me back:</div>
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My Social Anxiety flared up when she messaged me that. I have trouble talking on the phones as it is, but talking about such a tender matter as racism and spirituality (two things people tend to get very defensive about) filled me with heart palpitations. But my phone did really die Friday night and hasn't been able to charge since (another, unrelated source of anxiety for me at the moment.) I've never been so relieved that my phone was out of commission than I was after that message...</div>
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Someone suggested that this was the owner's way of trying to get me to back down, but the problem is <i>I won't </i>even in person or vocally which is why I'm anxious about phones. More over, I'm pretty sure she just wanted to talk instead of type, which I don't blame her since she's not part of the Internet forum generation like me.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRH0w0QavEHzqZX_CzyeA1_jkUhmT1ZnWBSvSBhAZ-sUf1lsChl_JtvLc7kLVQ-Lw6Q7jOg00a6ASlwR_x9XypOBMmUi2XJixLVyyX9_5cYta0_3x0PTs6QHhsxFqdLpEFF44nvWlsE-G6/s1600/conjure_shop_04.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRH0w0QavEHzqZX_CzyeA1_jkUhmT1ZnWBSvSBhAZ-sUf1lsChl_JtvLc7kLVQ-Lw6Q7jOg00a6ASlwR_x9XypOBMmUi2XJixLVyyX9_5cYta0_3x0PTs6QHhsxFqdLpEFF44nvWlsE-G6/s1600/conjure_shop_04.png" /></a></div>
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I copied this to CAORANN, and they commented that "The 'Blackhawk Bucket' seems to me to be based on an Ogun Pot. Ogun is one of the warrior Orishas. You set up an altar for him that includes an iron cauldron with iron weapons in it. I think someone just modified that idea to try to exploit Native spirits." The mish-matching of cultures is definitely not something any Native activist has been okay with, and this is some serious mish-matching.</div>
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As for Mr. Roberts, <a href="http://www.oldstyleconjure.com/mr-robert.php">I found the part of the website the Conjure Shop Owner was discussing</a>. The first thing I noticed was that Robert J. Duplantis is/was part of the Houma Tribe, not the Sauk Tribe, and therefore has no more of a cultural connection to Black Hawk than I do. CAORANN confirmed this observation: "Black Hawk was Sauk. No person from one Nation has the right to grant permission for another Nation. That's settler mentality." Then they mentioned calling a person they know in Hauma about Robert J Duplantis (which is why I talk to CAORANN--if they don't know, they know someone who does. They have so many connections within the First Nation communities.)</div>
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They also had this to say about the incorporation of Black Hawk in a "Hoodoo" tradition: </div>
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"The neo-hoodoo community has simply decided it's okay to appropriate a dead indian into their practices. I am sure they are not being respectful and communicating with his in his own language (though he was fluent in english). The fact that hoodoo incorporates christianity and they are using it in conjunction with a man who lived his life traditionally is pretty rude and obnoxious. The fact that they simply don't care that it's offensive to the indian community and the Sauk in particular just tells me that they are extremely selfish."</blockquote>
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Unfortunately, as soon as the owner of the Conjure Shop mentioned she personally "worked with" Black Hawk...all this information doesn't mean anything and is just a way of someone trying to dictate her life. While I respect the owner's ferocity to open her own business, create her own product line, and lead a life she finds fulfilling despite Omaha's Christian climate... She still is not immune to racism and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_bias">Cognitive Bias.</a> To which, CAORANN summarizes what all she wrote back to me comes means: Selfish.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdaTC6pG_qEJMc7njztNbzQGeNYft2tkmGSuBqAAHoM7A46rJk81lMKlqNLhVdbQHL1TXtqjY9lwMO_Qz_OC0djPYZkG01xWxVhnDl3QOihCRkutLVmFpRRfSwWfkRlmaxyJjuaW5IlKmM/s1600/conjure_shop_05.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdaTC6pG_qEJMc7njztNbzQGeNYft2tkmGSuBqAAHoM7A46rJk81lMKlqNLhVdbQHL1TXtqjY9lwMO_Qz_OC0djPYZkG01xWxVhnDl3QOihCRkutLVmFpRRfSwWfkRlmaxyJjuaW5IlKmM/s1600/conjure_shop_05.png" /></a></div>
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From both this message and the message prior about my understanding of Conjure, I am guessing that the Conjure Shop owner thinks if I understood her point more, there wouldn't be a disagreement. Unfortunately, I understand her point very well and it doesn't justify the book, the practice, and the exploitation.</div>
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I am glad it ended on a rather...muted note, rather than turning into something more violent. But that's mostly because I had to give up a battle I knew I wouldn't win. I wish I would have sent her information that CAORANN shared with me, or waited until they heard back from the member of the Houma Tribe they know, but anything I shared would just be--as the owner puts it--"telling [her] whom to honor.'" It'd be a battle I'd lose, she'd lose, and we'd just both end up frustrated.</div>
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I do stand by my last message in that I can't be an ally while supporting someone who thinks exploitation of a Native leader such as Black Hawk is okay and actively participates in it. I understand how Conjure is a mish-mash of Catholicism and African Diaspora practices, but Native spiritualities do not need to be involved. More over, the owner is a white person like myself who needs to listen to the cultures we claim to know about instead of speaking over them. I hope I am still only boosting the Native activists' messages and not talking over them, which is why I make these conversations public. I also think it's important for a store to be held accountable for attitudes and products that are harmful.</div>
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Oh well. So much for having a shop in Omaha I could go to for herbs and candles. I guess that is what the internet is for.</div>
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PS-- I also find it ridiculously cute that she implies this is a problem that Metaphysical Stores don't have. It's a problem in any/all magic-type shops I've been in.</div>
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Allechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09835750011234964302noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2849795990494833347.post-81338597292598560852014-07-15T15:22:00.000-05:002014-07-15T15:22:24.989-05:00Sky's Intervention, UU's Response, and Banning<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://thefeministwire.com/2012/05/what-we-arent-talking-about-when-we-talk-about-white-privilege/"><img src="http://thefeministwire.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/images2.jpeg" /></a></div>
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I may have to hang this picture up on all the UU buildings...</div>
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After <a href="http://philosophical-pagan.blogspot.com/2014/07/im-really-getting-irritated.html">last's post about my conversation with EarthSoul</a>, I messaged both CAORANN and CAORANN Council Member Sky to make sure I was going about things in the proper manner (OKAY so I was paranoid that I was speaking over Native voices and I really didn't want that...) After realizing that the rules of the group didn't exclude people who have never attended a physical Spirit Circle meeting, I invited her (and then she invited her friend Jamez) into the UU Pagan Facebook Group. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTyaqhLjsRHKAkRAmDGhKs3S1NfTB1nWxtWP7kBrvJveZ-oRe2VCdgHxaZQ2im6ctkUGLFnyMvGWj1ZuaiBd9VJowfjqxFpwuGn43yp0b8QGl7gcoqkQRTALJ1XS0rxn4KVh0_x0vfL0GT/s1600/zz+Sky+Intervention+01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTyaqhLjsRHKAkRAmDGhKs3S1NfTB1nWxtWP7kBrvJveZ-oRe2VCdgHxaZQ2im6ctkUGLFnyMvGWj1ZuaiBd9VJowfjqxFpwuGn43yp0b8QGl7gcoqkQRTALJ1XS0rxn4KVh0_x0vfL0GT/s1600/zz+Sky+Intervention+01.png" height="301" width="400" /></a></div>
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I did change the above message to reflect that the group's rules allowed people to be added if they wanted to be part of the discussion, so I did not wait for the admin to add Sky herself. As seen here:</div>
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See that last sentence before the "Goddess Bless"? That's what I'm referring to.</div>
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Also, Ryan (the organizer of the group currently) was told by the Rev. Frank to message Sky, according to Sky. He never did. Whether this was a breakdown in communication between Ryan, Rev. Frank, and/or Sky, or if Ryan just did not want to discuss this with her, is not clear. Either way, it seemed like this could circumvent that block while still honoring Rev. Frank's request.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIpyBz3N_y-pFr7UXixdGttL7u70I80QQDnIzfrp83Ic1RcZ43LP9S6Dtw0NSpeXdu4UgaXs9ZlFQ98VmfTVMtRRtNu3VIdhnq-innm8TKO-HKyGSYbQD52gaG6BEwQ4SucLKsAvaA-FNf/s1600/zz+Sky+Intervention+02.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIpyBz3N_y-pFr7UXixdGttL7u70I80QQDnIzfrp83Ic1RcZ43LP9S6Dtw0NSpeXdu4UgaXs9ZlFQ98VmfTVMtRRtNu3VIdhnq-innm8TKO-HKyGSYbQD52gaG6BEwQ4SucLKsAvaA-FNf/s1600/zz+Sky+Intervention+02.png" height="340" width="400" /></a></div>
Now, the majority of Sky's conversations with EarthSoul I could not see since he blocked me. I did grab Sky's end of the conversation, that included EarthSoul mistakenly thinking that Catholicism "smudges" (they do not call their ceremony that. In fact, the ceremony does not have a name though the incense and instrument to burn the incense have Latin-based names.) (I went to a Roman Catholic Church for nearly 15 years.)<br />
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I didn't screencap her end, since that felt like partial of the conversation. Also, these screencaps aren't necessarily in order since I was following all of this while trying to move into an apartment. I was exhausted and saw everything at 2am.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOqaj3b2L67g6no2sx76gUAikpGl8g5Kvl7TmkKFAUsnHKKuwGLOM2leSzCJqABi0AzJCmKaaYzaYCPYDhqU26i_07ZN9mKfaWtpBHd5i1R7_TBrvm15qQsLxjKvVQ2GQrHhIRorYRFSNM/s1600/zz+Sky+Intervention+06.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOqaj3b2L67g6no2sx76gUAikpGl8g5Kvl7TmkKFAUsnHKKuwGLOM2leSzCJqABi0AzJCmKaaYzaYCPYDhqU26i_07ZN9mKfaWtpBHd5i1R7_TBrvm15qQsLxjKvVQ2GQrHhIRorYRFSNM/s1600/zz+Sky+Intervention+06.png" height="640" width="360" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU57usZZg7zHpy9ZWhHsDMPQVCA1i33QHHBMlyKA3NTxz7iyBJpcE1Tbw59x9CzSYnP8-fhvT-nJz4-AmM3L-0fMxverpMvoEkeh2vO2WIZcRbRgYaRaKymn5tiHeJRGxwGgCX1IjF_jQD/s1600/zz+Sky+Intervention+07.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU57usZZg7zHpy9ZWhHsDMPQVCA1i33QHHBMlyKA3NTxz7iyBJpcE1Tbw59x9CzSYnP8-fhvT-nJz4-AmM3L-0fMxverpMvoEkeh2vO2WIZcRbRgYaRaKymn5tiHeJRGxwGgCX1IjF_jQD/s1600/zz+Sky+Intervention+07.png" height="400" width="315" /></a><br />
(those last two are both from Mrs. EarthSoul.)<br />
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^ I am so impressed with how Sky phrased this, because she is 110% right in calling out this hypocrisy. I did add some more hypocrisy in EarthSoul's post:</div>
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During my time offline, Sky invited Kathryn--an ally to NA communities and a council member of CAORAN. She posted a few links, and also this message (I repeated her Facebook details so that chopping off the message wouldn't lead me to forgetting who was posting):<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghiWxXwrip1ZCh6qF7p-cQayRR2rkeAoeCo5JaxM1TQZXoreY0q_6tnNUzRmkkOUIwfSX6eY095fHFAW1NXDks8Xt_xHSBgN5JkI7N1ttx5Q8-VKO6Gh-AAm_pSCmnV7rrnJ6NZVKSUGRA/s1600/zz+Sky+Intervention+12.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghiWxXwrip1ZCh6qF7p-cQayRR2rkeAoeCo5JaxM1TQZXoreY0q_6tnNUzRmkkOUIwfSX6eY095fHFAW1NXDks8Xt_xHSBgN5JkI7N1ttx5Q8-VKO6Gh-AAm_pSCmnV7rrnJ6NZVKSUGRA/s1600/zz+Sky+Intervention+12.png" height="295" width="400" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8P62D5cWmLDtdr36x4zCYTwP7pL6VfQM_ve3Vfewt7I0wnlk6mOee-jCRm-Qw8H4p4-OR7QY9cvAXmIjMYVE7DtXe3NJ7KHzBrZfFdrKpwPF4xQgIsCqACLy1RZimBkjwkiCxa_zDi6eK/s1600/zz+Sky+Intervention+13.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8P62D5cWmLDtdr36x4zCYTwP7pL6VfQM_ve3Vfewt7I0wnlk6mOee-jCRm-Qw8H4p4-OR7QY9cvAXmIjMYVE7DtXe3NJ7KHzBrZfFdrKpwPF4xQgIsCqACLy1RZimBkjwkiCxa_zDi6eK/s1600/zz+Sky+Intervention+13.png" height="400" width="386" /></a><br />
After this, Kathryn removed herself from the group because she saw what I think a lot of people knew: this was going to result in nothing changing. I am really grateful that Sky wanted to help people understand the NA problems and conflicts with cultural appropriation, but people like the EarthSouls don't want to listen. And it's really, really sickening that someone would tell a person they are wrong or "too biased" when that person is explaining how a behavior is oppression against them.<br />
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Ah, but then Ryan got online and basically flipped verbal tables. I responded to each individually.<br />
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(My mistake in not screenshotting those articles she posted.)<br />
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This really pissed me off--I won't be polite about it. I have done nothing but transparent. I don't appreciate that keeping receipts about this sort of thing is a "waste of time" since I think having evidence is extremely important; especially when the topic is about what someone said. </div>
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And I still am miffed that there was a <a href="http://philosophical-pagan.blogspot.com/2014/05/and-goes-on-and-on.html#more">meeting held about <i>me </i>without myself being present</a>. Yet I get accused of being passive aggressive? Ugh.</div>
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Other messages that were posted, but I never responded to:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWhiy5UJnN7Fx6cGuDJUybskUCyS1-cNi78a-XO_o4ymIJzTlLLIBz6IeHJ50kIfpjqSwArtmphMhFewnE_IlFEzWCt3j4_1_dDklBX5_-A-tyCNUEEkLCBRit1fwN1yPf49MPBYq-XnBt/s1600/zz+Sky+Intervention+11.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWhiy5UJnN7Fx6cGuDJUybskUCyS1-cNi78a-XO_o4ymIJzTlLLIBz6IeHJ50kIfpjqSwArtmphMhFewnE_IlFEzWCt3j4_1_dDklBX5_-A-tyCNUEEkLCBRit1fwN1yPf49MPBYq-XnBt/s1600/zz+Sky+Intervention+11.png" height="315" width="400" /></a><br />
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I imagine Kate is referring to me inviting Sky and Jamez, and indirectly Kathryn to the group? (Again with this non-direct messages...) But again, the group rules encouraged to invite people who wanted to be part of conversation. They wanted to be part of conversation. I don't see how that violated any boundaries?<br />
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Also, whatever Ryan. Whatever.<br />
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Before going to bed, I wrote this post to the group separate of all the other posts (knowing that it would most likely result in me being banned):<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbL7_S6E0shhB98Drt4daarCam4lPSrvcCTlFPOzIjQhljkGirpTEwvObFJGHtQxPNxetd798Pcu4LafdXd5TnKcvuxuLXvcm2scGC53qbGMFo0r1XOslCnCUik-nci5VZEYpFiH-hUslT/s1600/zz+Sky+Intervention+10.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbL7_S6E0shhB98Drt4daarCam4lPSrvcCTlFPOzIjQhljkGirpTEwvObFJGHtQxPNxetd798Pcu4LafdXd5TnKcvuxuLXvcm2scGC53qbGMFo0r1XOslCnCUik-nci5VZEYpFiH-hUslT/s1600/zz+Sky+Intervention+10.png" height="400" width="352" /></a></div>
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And that last sentence is basically the feelings I have about UU at this point.</div>
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I am <i>floored</i> and in drastic <i>disbelief </i>that this UU Pagan Group and even by extension the UU Church are about justice and social justice when they choose to silence voices who stand up to their oppression. Sky is not some armchair activist--she's as real as they come, with attending protests, standing up to appropriators in her area, and so forth. She's so respected in her community and by her peers. I felt so humbled that she wanted to help the UU Pagan Group learn about cultural appropriation with a direct Q&A, as she's such a respected and experienced NA activist. Yet...none of that mattered to the EarthSouls or Kevin (and the person liking the removal of them.) Nothing mattered because she did not budge from the communities' decisions about how outsiders should approach their religion and culture.</div>
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It's really, really sickening. If there was ever an example of bad ally-ship, this church would be it. If they can't understand that the voices of the oppressed come before their privilege views, then they aren't allies. (Separately, an individual of the UU church treated a local LGBTAQ+ activist leader rudely as well as a bisexual volunteer at the local Pride Event. While at the time it seemed like a minor issue, I'm thinking this issue of ally-ship is a widespread UU problem. Talking about activism without discussing privilege and what being an ally is about results in these problems...which is awful, because I know there are probably a lot of people at the church who want to be good allies but aren't being called out when they unknowingly contribute to the oppression because "their intentions are in the right place." Intentions only go so far, and they can't make change if they aren't funneled into beneficial actions.) </div>
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Anyways. This might (probably?) be my last post about the UU Pagan Group. This makes it the second group of Omaha for me to be banned from. The other two Pagan groups in Omaha are the ADF Grove (<a href="http://philosophical-pagan.blogspot.com/2014/06/adf-and-my-final-comments.html">which I will probably never join</a>) and the other is the White Tiger Coven. The WTC is a coven based off Silver Ravenwolf and her teachings, sooo I have never even given it a thought about joining it. </div>
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So as always, please let me know if I stepped over any boundaries in the conversations.</div>
Allechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09835750011234964302noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2849795990494833347.post-48407801107002849372014-07-10T22:29:00.000-05:002014-07-10T22:29:36.680-05:00I'm Really Getting Irritated<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="http://www.adrants.com/images/irritated_baby.jpg" /></div>
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...but I guess I shouldn't try to post information about cultural appropriation, eh?<br />
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Under the cut: Facebook "conversation" about Cultural Appropriation with EarthSoul<br />
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So I didn't know who Vine Deloria is. I'm learning, to be honest, so of course I don't know everyone's names. I think that attitude is rather belittling, to say the least. It's not a show of education or conversation, but dominance. Reminds me of people in nerd culture saying, "Oh, you don't know who Flash is? Then you don't REALLY like comics" and that kinda elitist BS. </div>
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And while I don't think EarthSoul can even begin to speak about allies as he's made no verifiable attempts to even speak one-on-one with a Native activist, I do implore (as I have in the past) for people to tell me if my manner in these conversations is offensive or the mark of a bad ally. As I said, I'm learning. I'm not perfect. But I want to correct myself if someone who is in a position to tell me how I am as an ally (eg: someone from the NA community, not some New Age White Guy.)</div>
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Lastly, yes I know the group is closed. And I block people's names out (as I did with Stephanie) because I understand that religious discrimination is too common in America as much as we pretend it isn't. But EarthSoul changed his last name to..."EarthSoul." He makes a career out of selling spirituality. I don't think he is someone who is in the closet.</div>
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So again: please let me know if anything I did was out of line or in bad taste, or even racist (what would I know?) I wish I could have linked more articles, but he never seems to read them. </div>
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The original article by the way is <a href="https://www.culturalsurvival.org/publications/cultural-survival-quarterly/united-states/spiritual-hucksterismthe-rise-plastic-medicin">linked here</a>.</div>
Allechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09835750011234964302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2849795990494833347.post-19670178220916082752014-06-23T02:18:00.003-05:002014-07-02T18:03:23.557-05:00ADF and My Final Comments<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/b1/%C3%81r_nDra%C3%ADocht_F%C3%A9in_(logo).jpg/200px-%C3%81r_nDra%C3%ADocht_F%C3%A9in_(logo).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/b1/%C3%81r_nDra%C3%ADocht_F%C3%A9in_(logo).jpg/200px-%C3%81r_nDra%C3%ADocht_F%C3%A9in_(logo).jpg" /></a></div>
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I got an email from ADF asking to renew my membership. Since I wasn't going to renew it, they asked if I could fill out the survey instead. So...I did. Here's what I wrote:</div>
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And submit.<br />
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The second question really made me pause. In a way, I <i>think </i>I wouldn't be <i>opposed </i>to joining the local ADF if the tolerance of cultural appropriation went away. It would be something I'd be open too for community, though since I know the local grove is Norse-based anyway, I'm not holding my breath.Allechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09835750011234964302noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2849795990494833347.post-59983879207940058222014-05-17T18:29:00.001-05:002014-05-17T18:29:28.329-05:00It was an experience while it lasted<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUrd1ck1Qz7P3dopRB3OyC9SwL1ES-m1h1aM5IodBF03vEr1hmkjZtIULJZr5FaVV2LY2ZYzg1QEfU5tcr8nwj5ibT07aqTPoyylwG-sKFh360JW1SJN58cIl4q2zyTb_WPhneis4M7FKg/s1600/pagan-community.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUrd1ck1Qz7P3dopRB3OyC9SwL1ES-m1h1aM5IodBF03vEr1hmkjZtIULJZr5FaVV2LY2ZYzg1QEfU5tcr8nwj5ibT07aqTPoyylwG-sKFh360JW1SJN58cIl4q2zyTb_WPhneis4M7FKg/s1600/pagan-community.gif" /></a></div>
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With the UU Group becoming yet another pagan space that permits racism and inappropriate eclecticism, I think I've exhausted all the in-person pagan groups that are available in this area. <a href="http://philosophical-pagan.blogspot.com/2013/05/a-call-to-boycott.html">I won't go near the local occult store</a>, which lead to being <a href="http://philosophical-pagan.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-local-pagan-community-summed-up-in.html">kicked out of Pagans of Nebraska</a>, which means I don't want to be involved with ADF since the person who runs that in this region is part of Pagans of Nebraska. I was part of a pagan group on Facebook, but <a href="http://philosophical-pagan.blogspot.com/2013/08/another-one-bites-dust.html">got banned after I asked for racial slurs to not be allowed</a>. And now, with the entire <a href="http://philosophical-pagan.blogspot.com/2014/02/goodbye-to-uu-group-for-now.html">debacle</a> <a href="http://philosophical-pagan.blogspot.com/2014/04/uu-group-and-cultural-appropriation.html">that</a> is the <a href="http://philosophical-pagan.blogspot.com/2014/04/and-it-continues.html">UU</a> <a href="http://philosophical-pagan.blogspot.com/2014/05/and-goes-on-and-on.html">group</a> <i>and </i><a href="http://philosophical-pagan.blogspot.com/2014/05/continuing-uu-conversations.html">church</a>... What is left? The only other group I knew of is a branch of Silver Ravenwolf's Coven. Not touching that. <a href="http://www.paganpride.org/where/united-states/nebraska-omaha">The Pagan Pride Day in the area</a> was started by Pagans of Nebraska <i>and </i>is sponsored by the local occult shop. I have no reason to want to go to that.<br />
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I don't like being in some antagonist role whenever I go to these groups. I don't want to worry about cringing at something racist. I don't want to silently sit by while people talk about the "Pagan Wheel of the Year" that bastardizes the Gaelic festivals. That isn't fun. It isn't enjoyable. It isn't how I would want to spend my weekend. Every pagan event I have ever gone to caters almost specifically to NeoWiccans. I have to ask to be included in the subculture I am supposedly already part of.<br />
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So... I'm done. Unless something twists my arm or I stumble into it, I am not actively seeking out pagan communities. I think I'll still transverse the online forums and blogs, because I'm not so outnumbered there. In fact, I have spaces designated to my beliefs on sites like Tumblr or <a href="http://ecauldron.com/">The Cauldron</a>. As for in-person spaces though? Bah. Unless I make my own space, I doubt I'll find any.<br />
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Basically, <a href="http://thespiae.oddmodout.com/2014/02/13/on-invitations-and-etiquette/">the I'm suck of living in a house that keeps throwing parties without inviting me</a>. I'll find a new house.<br />
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Therefore, this blog will continue to archive any pagan community news, but I am moving my spiritual and religious posts to a new blog: <a href="http://daughterofthestorm.wordpress.com/">Daughter of the Storm</a> on Wordpress.Allechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09835750011234964302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2849795990494833347.post-7317203518234551972014-05-12T21:10:00.001-05:002014-05-12T21:10:06.561-05:00Continuing the UU Conversations...<br />
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<a href="http://www.firstuuomaha.org/"><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/6ac81d_3610e25c2802f99d2a41d3d29d910a5d.jpg_srz_p_274_382_75_22_0.50_1.20_0.00_jpg_srz" /></a></div>
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Well, I emailed the Reverend of the UU church. Here are the copy and pasted conversations thus far. Feedback about how I am handling the situation is always welcomed.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>On Wednesday, May 7, 2014 at 9:03 AM I sent this email to the UU Ministry Email:<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Dear Reverend Frank,</span><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
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I want to first apologize that this has to be my first correspondence with you. I did intend to become more active in the First Unitarian Church of Omaha but moving forty-minutes away made that goal difficult until I am closer again to the city. (I did manage to see one of your sermons before I had to move, though! I enjoyed your interpretation of the New Testament.) </div>
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However, while I have not been part of the main church, I have been involved with one of its subgroups: the Spirit Circle. In the past few months, there has been internal conflict between social and cultural issues I have been discussing and the members of the group. Ryan Cook, the current organizer of the Spirit Circle, asked me to bring these issues to you.</div>
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Luckily, I have been documenting my experiences talking with the Spirit Circle. These conversations have taken place on Facebook, so you can see the discussions verbatim.</div>
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It began during the February meeting when Ryan Cook threw out some suggestions for the meetings this upcoming year. He mentioned "shamanism", which is unfortunately a very racist-based religion. I emailed him on Facebook to discuss with him why "shamanism" is racist and to not have a Spirit Circle dedicated to the practice of it. However, he declined. <a href="http://philosophical-pagan.blogspot.com/2014/02/goodbye-to-uu-group-for-now.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">The discussion is documented on this link</a>. Ryan is the green-blocks with an "R" in front and I am the lilac blocks (I block out names of pagans because of religious discrimination that can happen today because of it. While rare, I rather not take the chance of someone losing their job because they are part of a pagan group.) Also on the link is a group member who commented on my public remarks on shamanism. I blocked out his name, but his name is Kevin EarthSoul. </div>
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Later on, I posted a link from Jezebel (a fantastic women-ran online news source) about Cultural Appropriation. EarthSoul then posted another link about cultural appropriation. <a href="http://philosophical-pagan.blogspot.com/2014/04/uu-group-and-cultural-appropriation.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">I documented the first part of that conversation on this link</a>, as well as provided the links to both the Jezebel article, EarthSoul's link, and a few other links that came up during the discussion. Again I blocked out names: I am the purple blocks and EarthSoul is the green blocks. The conversation then continued the next day, as well as started a new topic by the moderator of the Facebook group on the UU 7 Principals. <a href="http://philosophical-pagan.blogspot.com/2014/04/and-it-continues.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">That can be found here</a>. I do want to apologize (as I do later in the discussions) for my crude language in one of the responses to EarthSoul. I was angry at the comments he made towards Christianity, European Religions, as well as continuing to support racism. However, I should not have used curse words. </div>
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On the topic of the UU 7 Principals, no one ever got around to answering my question about if the UU 7 Principals supports respecting religions based in racism, sexism, or any other form of oppression. Specific religions I know that do this include Dianic Wicca, who's founder Z Budapest denies that trans women are "real" women (therefore is transmisogynistic and sexist.) Another religion is that of The Frosts' School of Wicca (not Gardner Wicca, which is what you may be familiar with), which in fact teaches <a href="http://robjo.wordpress.com/2011/02/28/the-frosts-pedophiles-in-our-midst/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">pedophilia, rape, and incest</a> (I kid you not.) Or Westboro Baptists who are notorious for insulting families of veterans, send death threats to LGBTAQ+ members, and so forth. Unfortunately, this question wasn't properly answered in the discussion (at least I do not think so) and I am wondering what your opinion on the matter might be. Or if there is someone else in the UU Church who has written about such problems? I do not disagree with coexisting with religions, but I do not agree with tolerating racism, sexism, ableism, and/or any other type of oppression which, unfortunately, can be masked by religious beliefs.</div>
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Anyway, back to the issue at hand: I am being told by Ryan Cook that saying that someone who partakes in a racist religion is a racist is not allowed in Spirit Circle. They had a meeting last Sunday about me and these conversations--without me being present. <a href="http://philosophical-pagan.blogspot.com/2014/05/and-goes-on-and-on.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">This is that recent conversation from yesterday and today</a>, where Ryan Cook asks me to message you if I do think that Kevin EarthSoul is a racist (I blocked out your name as well, but you are the lime green blocks.) And, I do agree that Kevin EarthSoul is partaking in racism and racist actions. I do not think so because I am experiencing racism, but because Native activists have spoken by and large that shamanism is harmful to their culture, spirituality, and community. As an ally against racism and supporter of <a href="http://www.bandia.net/caorann/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">CAORANN</a>, I do not want to be part of a group that allows harmful oppression to go unchecked.</div>
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I'm sorry that this email ended up being very long, but I wanted to make sure you had the full background of what has been going on so that you can have an informed opinion on the matter. Please let me know if you have any questions and I look forward to your response.</div>
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Same day at 11:33 AM, the Reverend emailed me back:<br />
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<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 13px;">
Allec--</div>
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Thanks for writing. You are dealing with deep beliefs on both sides. </div>
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The first thing to do is to gather those involved and decide how you can actually listen to one another and try to work this out. This will help the Spirit Circle not only deal with this conflict, but with future ones.</div>
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If this doesn't work, I can help the group identify a mediator to help the two groups hear each other and reach some kind of resolution.</div>
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Whatever we do, each perspective needs to be heard and respected. Then the group will find a way to negotiate the differences.</div>
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I had to take some days to figure out <i>how to respond to a message like this</i>, and so I returned the email on Friday, May 9, 2014 at 12:47 PM:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Dear Rev. Frank Rivas,</span><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
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Thank you for responding!</div>
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I would agree to this proposition if this was about a difference of opinion. However, it isn't. This is about how Native Elders have stated they do not want their spiritual practices being used by outsiders. How do I know this? Because they wrote <a href="http://puffin.creighton.edu/lakota/war.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">an entire Declaration of War about it</a> (also <a href="http://www.thepeoplespaths.net/articles/warlakot.htm" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">written about here</a>), addressed it in the<a href="http://www.thepeoplespaths.net/history/elders.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Resolution of the 5th Annual Meeting</a>, and formed an activist group to combat this form of oppression at <a href="http://www.newagefraud.org/about.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">New Age Frauds and Plastic Shamans</a>. They have spoken about how it is harmful to their communities:<a href="http://mycultureisnotatrend.tumblr.com/post/13588975996/indian-wannabes" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"> this is how it hurts the cultures on a whole</a>, <a href="http://heelancoo.tumblr.com/post/76097581626/in-a-class-i-taught-we-discussed-the-issue-of" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">here is how it hurts Native women</a>, and <a href="http://this-is-allec.tumblr.com/post/49682410986/culturalappropriationon-fothefox-this-is-a" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">here is how it hurts the individuals</a>.</div>
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<div>
This isn’t a difference of opinion. This isn’t even my opinion. This is the opinion of elders and activists from Native communities as seen linked above. Tolerating EarthSoul's occupation of exploiting the Native communities' ceremonies, beliefs, and traditions supports oppression and continuing harm to the Native people. And as outsiders, we have no place to tell the Native community they are not oppressed by these activities. Just as women know what misogyny is better than men, just as a black people know what black racism is better than white people, and just as trans people know what transphobia and transmisogyny is better than cis people... Native people know when activities done "in honor of" them are actually offensive, rude, and hurtful. Being an ally to any oppressed group is first and foremost is listening to the voices of the oppressed. And here, the Natives have been very, very clear about how they feel about someone like Kevin EarthSoul practicing their ceremonies, traditions, and beliefs.</div>
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As an ally to the Native communities, I do not tolerate any type of racism towards them. Even this type of racism--<i>especially </i>this type of racism. Because people like Ryan Cook will excuse it because it isn't "hateful" and ignore how it is still damaging, oppressing, and tangibly harmful to the communities.</div>
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I hope this is all making sense. I do encourage you to read these links written by various Native communities' elders and activists:</div>
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<ul>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;">"<a href="http://puffin.creighton.edu/lakota/war.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Declaration of War Against Exploiters of Lakota Spirituality</a>" passed by the Lakota Summit V, an international gathering of US and Canadian Lakota, Dakota and Nakota Nations</li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;">"<a href="http://www.thepeoplespaths.net/articles/warlakot.htm" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Article On The 'Lakota Declaration of War'</a> " by Valerie Taliman, originally published in <i>News From Indian Country</i></li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;">"<a href="http://www.thepeoplespaths.net/history/elders.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Resolution of the 5th Annual Meeting of the Tradition Elders Circle</a>" signed by various elders</li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><a href="http://www.newagefraud.org/about.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">New Age Frauds and Plastic Shamans</a>, an activist group of Native people and our supporters</li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;">"<a href="http://mycultureisnotatrend.tumblr.com/post/13588975996/indian-wannabes" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Indian Wannabes</a>", quotes from magazines about "Indian Wannabes"</li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><a href="http://heelancoo.tumblr.com/post/76097581626/in-a-class-i-taught-we-discussed-the-issue-of" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Quote by Andrea Smith</a> on how abused Native women are harmed by shamans like EarthSoul</li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><a href="http://this-is-allec.tumblr.com/post/49682410986/culturalappropriationon-fothefox-this-is-a" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">An art piece on words that dehumanize a Native artist</a></li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><a href="http://www.bandia.net/caorann/arvol.php" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Letter from Chief Arvol Looking Horse on Protection of Ceremonies</a></li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;">and much more resources on <a href="http://www.bandia.net/caorann/resources.php#solidarity" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">CAORANN</a></li>
</ul>
Thank you again for your time and I hope these links help clarify the actual issue.</div>
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Sincerely,</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Marcella</div>
</blockquote>
Again, I got a response the same day at 1:23 PM from the Reverend:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 13px;">
I'm cautious about any kind of appropriation, but I also recognize that the multiple points of view. Your links express one point of view well. There are others. Dealing with conflict requires not only stating your case but being willing to listen to others. </div>
</blockquote>
And sigh. I managed to write back the same day at 7:07PM:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I have difficulty listening to any opinions regarding the cultural appropriation of the Native culture other than the Natives themselves who are being very, very vocal (I linked eight separate declarations written by over fifty community leaders, and I can find you more if you that doesn't suffice) in saying that activities that EarthSoul are hurtful and damaging to their Native communities. I am unable to see how any outsider's opinion can come close to matching that importance to the issue. Especially when that outsider is profiting from the oppression of the Native communities.</span><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
"If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality." - Desmond Tutu</div>
</blockquote>
The next day Saturday May 10, 2014 at 7:42 AM, I got an email back:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 13px;">Marcella--</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 13px;">
Ours is a liberal church. Our mission statement begins with the statement that we "strive to be a diverse, liberal religious community with a tradition of open-mindedness and tolerance." Your emails sound as though you are not open-minded and respectful toward other points of view, at least on this particular issue; so this may not be your religious community. I would come to the same hypothesis if you were quoting Scripture and insisting that your interpretation was the only correct one. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 13px;">
If, on the other hand, you are willing to enter into respectful dialogue, if you are open to broadening your own perspective, then this may indeed be your community. <span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 13px;">
You may need to discern what you want from a spiritual community and choose accordingly.</blockquote>
Again, I sat on this for a while before finally responding today, Monday May 12, 2014 at 1:10 PM:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Reverend Frank--</span><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
It is true that I am not respectful towards points of view that are racist and/or harm others. I have listened to the other point of view, and I don't see how a single white man saying "This isn't racist" can trump several committees of Natives who say it is. This isn't about spiritual views of another person. This is about how another person is harming Native communities. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
I am open to my perspective being changed, but so far no one has addressed the Lakota Declaration of War when discussing this matter. This isn't about my opinion, but the Native communities' opinions and their consistent statements about how this furthers their oppression.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
What I want from a spiritual community is a place that is safe. Safe from racists and racism, safe from sexist and sexism, safe from rape culture and rapists, safe from all types of oppression and oppressors. I want a spiritual community that isn't neutral when an injustice is presented. I want a community that isn't so open-minded it allows in harmful behavior that makes it a safe haven for abusers and unsafe for victims.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
If this community is not capable of being a safe place for victims and those who are oppressed, then no. I do not want part of this community.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Sincerely,</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Marcella</div>
</blockquote>
I have not heard a response back, and I'm not sure I will.Allechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09835750011234964302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2849795990494833347.post-34407318602453583812014-05-07T08:11:00.000-05:002014-05-07T08:23:21.031-05:00And goes on and on...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bandia.net/caorann/images/C-Supporter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.bandia.net/caorann/images/C-Supporter.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I support CAORANN.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Well, after three weeks of silence, I get a message from the UU Pagan group's organizer about a decision they reached about me, my actions, and the issue...at a meeting they knew I wouldn't be at. The conversation isn't done, but I want to post what I have so far have collected so I can show it to the Reverend of the UU church (reasons will be given at the end.)</div>
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This is the continuation of the discussions from <a href="http://philosophical-pagan.blogspot.com/2014/04/uu-group-and-cultural-appropriation.html">this blog entry</a> and <a href="http://philosophical-pagan.blogspot.com/2014/04/and-it-continues.html">this blog entry</a>. (Actually, <a href="http://philosophical-pagan.blogspot.com/2014/02/goodbye-to-uu-group-for-now.html">probably this one too</a> from way ago.) As I mentioned on the last post, I'm not blocking out my name, nor am I blocking out EarthSoul's name, but I will continue to block out others' names since I do not know how public they are about their spiritual beliefs.</div>
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Moving along...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb6MqfZL4xjH1GPOkw2lf7dz62LLLtUyblVFwcwU_j2Y3G8P0ORkWpPjumpg78Wc-iZmDg54dlfYFXHDvNXPjuh7AEl7BLIcK_lSg5vPswrC4VGwlI733KtcQ1ne-_J0dMSAlzQSXI3BQW/s1600/zShaman-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb6MqfZL4xjH1GPOkw2lf7dz62LLLtUyblVFwcwU_j2Y3G8P0ORkWpPjumpg78Wc-iZmDg54dlfYFXHDvNXPjuh7AEl7BLIcK_lSg5vPswrC4VGwlI733KtcQ1ne-_J0dMSAlzQSXI3BQW/s1600/zShaman-01.png" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjixUmD7sjZN5jk-9DYMVC27KR452okhli0iopnKlD1rWnZ-pBtei7QxOz-9p6BEWK58SuOWs7bRJxp_ZxxfXeuuuJnJqmBW6BtOFuWYMUGpHQg_u-7sDTiyz_5JQA5-3J9XUxYAjxlpjlG/s1600/zShaman-02.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjixUmD7sjZN5jk-9DYMVC27KR452okhli0iopnKlD1rWnZ-pBtei7QxOz-9p6BEWK58SuOWs7bRJxp_ZxxfXeuuuJnJqmBW6BtOFuWYMUGpHQg_u-7sDTiyz_5JQA5-3J9XUxYAjxlpjlG/s1600/zShaman-02.png" /></a></div>
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In truth, I had a pretty good suspicion at what he meant by "name calling." He meant when I called EarthSoul a racist. But I wanted to make sure that is what he was referring to first:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE-IiwtOnX9Q3QioHUTO0pqVADh4dXsWpmQkBsL9-0k-BC5Tis77nqDwSlIlBCVIcryFPDn_GRtynOGie4joTSQgeAuw9AsTC2igPuvz78zQ_gYfb6OFxmwTUBubIcZSxy872QqJra6jch/s1600/zShaman-03.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE-IiwtOnX9Q3QioHUTO0pqVADh4dXsWpmQkBsL9-0k-BC5Tis77nqDwSlIlBCVIcryFPDn_GRtynOGie4joTSQgeAuw9AsTC2igPuvz78zQ_gYfb6OFxmwTUBubIcZSxy872QqJra6jch/s1600/zShaman-03.png" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiseuLjQHZQD1DaFy1MIxEQiLtJ3gepR8JGDD-sFu-h0vJX1t9YggO0AMEG_C9OZ9ffN99BgtVA1m7nH36mWvusV5A3w1FGiMX17vsJB6S82BnaS0uxDPSj3NsSF4OiFcfBX7r2wyp2AFCF/s1600/zShaman-04.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiseuLjQHZQD1DaFy1MIxEQiLtJ3gepR8JGDD-sFu-h0vJX1t9YggO0AMEG_C9OZ9ffN99BgtVA1m7nH36mWvusV5A3w1FGiMX17vsJB6S82BnaS0uxDPSj3NsSF4OiFcfBX7r2wyp2AFCF/s1600/zShaman-04.png" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo-lpiRTdYuRQCjP-dOOPWChThm8T7S0P3GfhuKWlh-CSdKeH5QZcfFmfs8h2_bg3yag7ZESgBtpSRqh9ptfKzYYbEL2YjK0m_op3yOnJRJTOnoKUsX7nY10yf0gERP1m98Mydpza-kjW6/s1600/zShaman-05.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo-lpiRTdYuRQCjP-dOOPWChThm8T7S0P3GfhuKWlh-CSdKeH5QZcfFmfs8h2_bg3yag7ZESgBtpSRqh9ptfKzYYbEL2YjK0m_op3yOnJRJTOnoKUsX7nY10yf0gERP1m98Mydpza-kjW6/s1600/zShaman-05.png" /></a></div>
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(Something I didn't address is that the "argument" is almost mostly decided already: ask the people from the culture you revere. That is the crux of avoiding racism and specifically cultural appropriation.)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLjiDSjrc5RQwjj7TDc3qNwN8WYPF7TkkbyeA8N1sM7cad7-wwsWgCazJ4KY6iOyOt7-g5YDIeca92UTcrgkVFr3WIh4l7nzinJndnlA-GWHIV2EQNQOxKU3hA3jd4ZZVmYBpEPGRShlmX/s1600/zShaman-06.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLjiDSjrc5RQwjj7TDc3qNwN8WYPF7TkkbyeA8N1sM7cad7-wwsWgCazJ4KY6iOyOt7-g5YDIeca92UTcrgkVFr3WIh4l7nzinJndnlA-GWHIV2EQNQOxKU3hA3jd4ZZVmYBpEPGRShlmX/s1600/zShaman-06.png" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNrU5IdwaC4dh8iAoL9Sm1dYgsvJsgSrxBNdWX4nWyyopwK0PeeK2CJPwezbI8iGjnDALKCqYfluo4Yg1xOd-BApgGbHS8q7pZ0nmDAzV89dO1JAKRey8Ha6QySzSbi6tS4IFoxUGoqaPW/s1600/zShaman-07.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNrU5IdwaC4dh8iAoL9Sm1dYgsvJsgSrxBNdWX4nWyyopwK0PeeK2CJPwezbI8iGjnDALKCqYfluo4Yg1xOd-BApgGbHS8q7pZ0nmDAzV89dO1JAKRey8Ha6QySzSbi6tS4IFoxUGoqaPW/s1600/zShaman-07.png" /></a></div>
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Links included in the screen caption:</div>
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<ul>
<li>"<span id="goog_219092667"></span><a href="http://mycultureisnotatrend.tumblr.com/post/13588975996/indian-wannabes">Indian Wannabes</a><span id="goog_219092668"></span>" from My Culture Is Not A Trend</li>
<li>"<a href="http://moniquill.tumblr.com/post/32111577252/on-cultural-appropriation-tw-nudity">The Woo of NA</a>" from Blogger and tribe membSeaconke Wampanoag Tribe, Moniquill</li>
<li><a href="http://www.newagefraud.org/about.html">New Age Frauds and Plastic Shamans</a></li>
<li>"<a href="http://puffin.creighton.edu/lakota/war.html">Declaration of War Against Exploiters of Lakota Spirituality</a>" from the Lakota Summit V, an international gathering of US and Canadian Lakota, Dakota and Nakota Nations. </li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxVBAqwopkVEnfhfGHfbr2d0Ti9M5HFVbpJAcplllfy9dF9lbwJqnn4i8Ryvs0QPICKDbjYUdwg2YRQNAy_y_FfzN4l3kQhW9m_MADrtrKXa1V_AcTQXWWfg0YkHzm6jE0roC4Y-Lr2fT4/s1600/zShaman-08.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxVBAqwopkVEnfhfGHfbr2d0Ti9M5HFVbpJAcplllfy9dF9lbwJqnn4i8Ryvs0QPICKDbjYUdwg2YRQNAy_y_FfzN4l3kQhW9m_MADrtrKXa1V_AcTQXWWfg0YkHzm6jE0roC4Y-Lr2fT4/s1600/zShaman-08.png" /></a></div>
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And to avoid further confrontation on the matter, R didn't respond to my points:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-dB8cGRV0ySekfOuFOtqO-ms-ifoHgt_qZk3yDGEFaKSiZXb1WTWc7wAQ3AycAYEFsHcPNItN7XlP_dX9vVPPlUhhpZgbVKD147RD_3ymK6bHsHg062kzKBoxe2MpNevi00boOr0locCZ/s1600/zShaman-09.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-dB8cGRV0ySekfOuFOtqO-ms-ifoHgt_qZk3yDGEFaKSiZXb1WTWc7wAQ3AycAYEFsHcPNItN7XlP_dX9vVPPlUhhpZgbVKD147RD_3ymK6bHsHg062kzKBoxe2MpNevi00boOr0locCZ/s1600/zShaman-09.png" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.bandia.net/caorann/howtohelp.php">Link to the CAORANN website</a>.</div>
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I have been meaning to contact some authority figure in the UU church to ask them about questions regarding the UU Principals that were passively directed at me. Specifically, if beliefs that directly involve a form of oppression should also be respected. Examples I gave at the time included Dianic Wicca, which <a href="http://philosophical-pagan.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-power-of-belief.html">involves transmisogyny as the founder has stated that trans women are not women</a>. <a href="http://www.kansascity.com/2014/04/24/4979358/jewish-community-center-shooting.html">The shooter from the recent Kansas City shooting</a> where the murder's beliefs included antisemitism. One I didn't mention but recently came to mind was The Frosts' School of Wicca, <a href="http://www.bandia.net/caorann/howtohelp.php">which has pedophilia and rape implemented in the teachings</a> (tw: the link includes content on rape and pedophilia.) So, with R's instructions, I guess I'll bring up this entire debacle to the Reverend as well.</div>
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<b>[EDIT </b>Also, I need to write up a post about how frustrated I am that I am being indirectly accused of not supporting religions that I disagree with. To be clear: I do <i>not </i>want to coexist with religions or people who are oppressive, racist, sexist, ableist, and/or harmful in any other way. I share a house with a Jewish family, my boyfriend is a secular pantheist, my mother is Catholic, my father is agnostic, and many of the bloggers I talk to have diverse religions under the pagan umbrella such as Kemetic or Otherfaith. I do not keep company with people who support cultural appropriation such as shamanism, nor do I support transmisogynic religions such as Dianic Wicca, nor do I support religions that involve pedophilia and rape like The Frosts' School of Wicca (which is different from Gardner Wicca, by the by.)]Allechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09835750011234964302noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2849795990494833347.post-8753855582737244672014-04-17T19:46:00.000-05:002014-04-17T19:46:49.736-05:00And it continues... <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well, I got responses from my remarks on the <a href="http://philosophical-pagan.blogspot.com/2014/04/uu-group-and-cultural-appropriation.html">Facebook group page</a>.<br />
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Before I post the screenshots, I want to mention that I changed methods in how I screen-capped these conversations about half-way through the events. Typically, I block out names. As much as I'm for public scrutiny on people who have problematic opinions and practices, I do realize that employers and communities hold prejudices against non-Abrahamic religious beliefs that fall under the pagan umbrella. This Facebook group I am screen-capping is actually private for those reasons. So, I block out names for that reason.<br />
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However, green-blocked guy from all these chats is public about his beliefs. He legally changed his name to reflect these beliefs. So I think Kevin EarthSoul doesn't need this type of protection when he is willing to be public about his ideas, beliefs, and teachings. (This extends to his wife.)<br />
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And in fairness, I also unblocked my legal name (typically hidden with the purple blocks). My online life and offline life are so intermingled that it hardly needs to be a secret. I'm open about my spiritual beliefs too. So after I unblock his name, I also unblock mine. (Spoilers: my legal name is Marcella. "Allec" is my nickname backwards, "Cella.") And I also want to be under scrutiny for my actions. I am a white middle-class person. I am speaking as an ally, not as an oppressed person, in these conversations. Therefore, if I misspeak in any way <i>please </i>tell me.<br />
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First off, he responded to my "smack down" and I got so frustrated that I lost a bit of my temper. I say "a bit" because I still took a day to cool down from the initial anger (which was through the roof) and cooled down to a fuck-you-and-your-fucking-racism.<br />
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There is so much wrong in what he wrote that I will admit right off the bat that I did not address all of it.<br />
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The "professional racist" is a remark towards how he <i>teaches </i>shamanism and Native ceremonies. He gets paid...to be racist. A professional racist. My boyfriend nailed it.</div>
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And to that, he responded:</div>
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After this, I got another message from the admin of the group about UU values and how "we all need to be reminded of them." This passive aggressive criticism really, really irked me. I hate this. <a href="http://philosophical-pagan.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-local-pagan-community-summed-up-in.html">This happened with the other pagan group's Facebook too</a>. If someone has a problem with how I approach a subject or discussion, I would appreciate being told so personally and directly. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGuTLQn54hY9LhZ75rnFSlk4h-LD0Hm4umO46nInSmYv4s242iVDTwmSbg4NkWVe67JrzgTora6DoG330VuscHBFnRkC5RvSArNwoOkRu_6f7inML0UTg9pXLdxsNGnUsLxT7u9Z7zKIl0/s1600/UU+Admin+Post+-+01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGuTLQn54hY9LhZ75rnFSlk4h-LD0Hm4umO46nInSmYv4s242iVDTwmSbg4NkWVe67JrzgTora6DoG330VuscHBFnRkC5RvSArNwoOkRu_6f7inML0UTg9pXLdxsNGnUsLxT7u9Z7zKIl0/s1600/UU+Admin+Post+-+01.png" height="640" width="512" /></a></div>
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Yeah... This is intended for me, I am almost positively sure. It went up almost immediately after I swore at another member. Which, admittedly, I understand why someone would be against swears. There are still debates in the social justice blog circles about whether or not swearing at someone--bigoted or not--is an appropriate response. That's a different conversation, though.</div>
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I responded:</div>
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As you see, I try to figure out if I am suppose to tolerate and/or respect racist beliefs. Perhaps I am mistaken, but I don't think Yellow answered my questions? </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzF2m0dFgJV5DM_p41HLYQeCAMJ_r4nW6p4Irbc7wg2IPQ7sU4yb3MqUJESBBLZ1XTBG0yTWs-qGh318sXAih6Pow0zlW15fOdn7i_hXrCMp0ICsw24nF_0GE1WRzBCPjVM9lOxzTO0Btb/s1600/UU+Admin+Post+-+03.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzF2m0dFgJV5DM_p41HLYQeCAMJ_r4nW6p4Irbc7wg2IPQ7sU4yb3MqUJESBBLZ1XTBG0yTWs-qGh318sXAih6Pow0zlW15fOdn7i_hXrCMp0ICsw24nF_0GE1WRzBCPjVM9lOxzTO0Btb/s1600/UU+Admin+Post+-+03.png" height="296" width="400" /></a></div>
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I haven't yet got a message back from Yellow or Red, but I did get a response from Mrs. EarthSoul:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnKDqltEPdRJXhGzn_wJFlvgo75rd6FQAZ2q5qZ1JFMcQfZUMIXJXRE0wZaIoGNjtW8dT2ZBuN05WlKH538mHCNZp4iqFzoZjqRZhWq3ttigpXJFVfXfG7bMBA2YGUpAUermikRy_os5Zd/s1600/UU+Admin+Post+-+04.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnKDqltEPdRJXhGzn_wJFlvgo75rd6FQAZ2q5qZ1JFMcQfZUMIXJXRE0wZaIoGNjtW8dT2ZBuN05WlKH538mHCNZp4iqFzoZjqRZhWq3ttigpXJFVfXfG7bMBA2YGUpAUermikRy_os5Zd/s1600/UU+Admin+Post+-+04.png" /></a></div>
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That hasn't yet been responded too.</div>
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Meanwhile, Sirrah EarthSoul made <i>another </i>post about cultural appropriation.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSlEjOfyh67hgyAXrDrb9gKs8qBx0okuywmGZDIeOt3CK325l9l3ZCtdg18rCytrvVY64mu6ZEFio0lomifWH_MCw9yHxb4hpNhUNAzxqk7SyQOmxuWcupKjOnkP5OzFmy61SMXxu1iREQ/s1600/Earthsoul+Returns+-+01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSlEjOfyh67hgyAXrDrb9gKs8qBx0okuywmGZDIeOt3CK325l9l3ZCtdg18rCytrvVY64mu6ZEFio0lomifWH_MCw9yHxb4hpNhUNAzxqk7SyQOmxuWcupKjOnkP5OzFmy61SMXxu1iREQ/s1600/Earthsoul+Returns+-+01.png" height="187" width="400" /></a></div>
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The book he bought was <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Talking-About-Elephant-Lupa/dp/190571324X">Talking About the Elephant</a></i>. I then link-dumped all my resources on the issue of cultural appropriation. And then, I even researched the book's authors--since there are many.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLg-bs5VeAbXW17IsYnhCNzw_3vWgDHaWZc3bcxC2tumptnt4ww1GiYanskhWhqOBvsivxuWehf4mF2ykMeMiFt5AtZkhpAdNpn-kig2w8gqfmFfS7kAbapDAzmLznCKiWvJ7W68SznCJw/s1600/Earthsoul+Returns+-+02.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLg-bs5VeAbXW17IsYnhCNzw_3vWgDHaWZc3bcxC2tumptnt4ww1GiYanskhWhqOBvsivxuWehf4mF2ykMeMiFt5AtZkhpAdNpn-kig2w8gqfmFfS7kAbapDAzmLznCKiWvJ7W68SznCJw/s1600/Earthsoul+Returns+-+02.png" height="400" width="370" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKsY0i67jRs0kNb9Oy8tMuDvDMH_rO7mKymrCADF2KmlSlxPijsaPTA2sB6JbzwpwzgIROpT6ML_7lDN5wN6ImYohPKLsjJm0ihustZYoSdeeujgF4s5iTp5sX8CnFYDeeK7J6F6gQDRmd/s1600/Earthsoul+Returns+-+03.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKsY0i67jRs0kNb9Oy8tMuDvDMH_rO7mKymrCADF2KmlSlxPijsaPTA2sB6JbzwpwzgIROpT6ML_7lDN5wN6ImYohPKLsjJm0ihustZYoSdeeujgF4s5iTp5sX8CnFYDeeK7J6F6gQDRmd/s1600/Earthsoul+Returns+-+03.png" height="151" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7hbIYgeCOftfMNobc6JU3hMtDlCQO3PTq6c2Vpx1-eDQaXK3j3rg1vQDk_fY6kUrzQO3mresRIpsrYPFl6O3nmF8nlU2yDKiJ2erz-lfzRIPnuOLLBkEnr8muABDa15lWNh5igoyDAMzl/s1600/Earthsoul+Returns+-+04.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7hbIYgeCOftfMNobc6JU3hMtDlCQO3PTq6c2Vpx1-eDQaXK3j3rg1vQDk_fY6kUrzQO3mresRIpsrYPFl6O3nmF8nlU2yDKiJ2erz-lfzRIPnuOLLBkEnr8muABDa15lWNh5igoyDAMzl/s1600/Earthsoul+Returns+-+04.png" height="353" width="400" /></a></div>
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My concerns about the book's authors being racist were confirmed a bit later when I talked to CAORANN about Lupa and another contributor, Erynn Rowan Laurie. At the very least, the <i>editor</i> is an exploiter which tells me this book is as useful as trash. </div>
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EarthSoul responded, and again really <i>really </i>angered me in his understanding of religions.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHCdioZKVxAlhL2p2AcxZ7DdRMHMrODHijZrhS-C2DbNRBzx1kvI8vNFL6Lafwj9SzkiAsl6hbtBt4sgC1F0WNHLOOtliEudYg2uYRHvFgtm0ZWfFOSahXO-Okx6ONi4rc8A2d7SzNq8Ap/s1600/Earthsoul+Returns+-+05.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHCdioZKVxAlhL2p2AcxZ7DdRMHMrODHijZrhS-C2DbNRBzx1kvI8vNFL6Lafwj9SzkiAsl6hbtBt4sgC1F0WNHLOOtliEudYg2uYRHvFgtm0ZWfFOSahXO-Okx6ONi4rc8A2d7SzNq8Ap/s1600/Earthsoul+Returns+-+05.png" height="257" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaLoqpczWbom6DDIlOYe8lp-F_xmvbrBYC6lwp-GT7yMQl0H4bBVa3Dd0QT2mqZlTxZCOIhaFDUJ3DBHbh25BJmXLAUZG6i8_gToYjUcDXRPXkor8UyK2ZApvrsAL84RZ3YN2s2yQLn86r/s1600/Earthsoul+Returns+-+06.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaLoqpczWbom6DDIlOYe8lp-F_xmvbrBYC6lwp-GT7yMQl0H4bBVa3Dd0QT2mqZlTxZCOIhaFDUJ3DBHbh25BJmXLAUZG6i8_gToYjUcDXRPXkor8UyK2ZApvrsAL84RZ3YN2s2yQLn86r/s1600/Earthsoul+Returns+-+06.png" height="202" width="400" /></a></div>
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So we have generalization of Natives, claiming that an oppressed group somehow stole their oppressor's religion, and that books are superior to other forms of education (which is albeit an opinion held by many people who don't understand technologies' impact on information.)</div>
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I was angry, but I managed to not swear this time:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV6DDYjL0EOMwj2qAoW4NS8y4wOnQ5_fFdZBUvdVgJDYFJ-z7QqNZihyP4hy_xiKZe5QqpyE0k_fo3xfCc9CJ9c4_ZrZJIuoyU08dwZxLxwAbwyNKM122xf150oI-CE2JBBJRUDF9j56qW/s1600/Earthsoul+Returns+-+07.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV6DDYjL0EOMwj2qAoW4NS8y4wOnQ5_fFdZBUvdVgJDYFJ-z7QqNZihyP4hy_xiKZe5QqpyE0k_fo3xfCc9CJ9c4_ZrZJIuoyU08dwZxLxwAbwyNKM122xf150oI-CE2JBBJRUDF9j56qW/s1600/Earthsoul+Returns+-+07.png" height="368" width="400" /></a></div>
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And then I added resources and information I got from CAORANN's board member: </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicFeSjQt4aoGk0CHivJstD7Wvh6YKXm2Or5p5mDwI9_CrFVAt5X6QJIHpAgWekChpkJNW7DJEvy4HXy_yupORAXTxX5ndKScTC7V6Xz8vl-66p-Ghhcw-Q_U-n4wwhqi4ycMEwpsNoIs5o/s1600/Earthsoul+Returns+-+08.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicFeSjQt4aoGk0CHivJstD7Wvh6YKXm2Or5p5mDwI9_CrFVAt5X6QJIHpAgWekChpkJNW7DJEvy4HXy_yupORAXTxX5ndKScTC7V6Xz8vl-66p-Ghhcw-Q_U-n4wwhqi4ycMEwpsNoIs5o/s1600/Earthsoul+Returns+-+08.png" height="395" width="400" /></a></div>
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And I do hope this<a href="http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fpagansofcolor.tumblr.com%2Fpost%2F67546934921%2Fcall-for-writers-bringing-race-to-the-table-an&h=eAQHTStx3"> project about pagans and racism comes to fruition</a>, since it is obviously very <i>very </i>needed.</div>
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Ahh...but he did not respond to what I wrote! Instead, I guess my "civility" was never lost in my swearing, but in acknowledging he is supporting racism:</div>
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This is an unfortunate norm in USAian society. Calling someone racist is considered worst than the racism itself... I fell victim to this too. Being called racist gave me the same reaction EarthSoul gives. "How dare you! I don't hate x-group!" ...but as I learned about being an ally to oppressed racial groups, I learned that being called racist is not an attack necessary but a way to point out my problematic behavior so that I can correct it.</div>
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I thought he would be done with this discussion, since the last two times he ended the conversation when confronted with me pointing out his racism. However, he replied:</div>
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He has points about "shutting down" a conversation and the problems of trying to "win a debate." However, I am not trying to win a debate. This isn't a debate to me. This is akin to claiming the water is polluted. It isn't a debate. I ran a test, it came back positive. Therefore, the water is polluted. I read articles by Native activists and Elders who say that EarthSoul's ideologies are harmful and racist, therefore they are racist.</div>
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THAT is all there is to this clusterfuck. I still haven't been banned, which is surprising. I don't have any hope that any of the 50+ links I shared will change EarthSoul's mind on why he is racist and an exploiter, but I do have hope that the people in the UU group will learn something. Though that hope is slowly crumbling under the support EarthSoul is getting from the admin and others.</div>
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I usually link what I screen-cap, but there are 50+ links. Therefore, <a href="http://www.bandia.net/caorann/resources.php">I'll just link to CAORANN since the bulk of the best resources are from that website</a>. If you want any of the specific links, leave a comment and I will return promptly with the direct link. </div>
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I expect another blog post to come out in the next few days with at least the UU members responding to my intolerance to racism. </div>
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Again, I implore anyone to tell me if my approach to this issue is wrong, misguided, or offensive. Especially if you are Native. </div>
Allechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09835750011234964302noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2849795990494833347.post-60347177787523530122014-04-14T06:29:00.000-05:002014-04-14T06:29:17.965-05:00UU Group and Cultural Appropriation Articles<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--IbtU_D_b--/c_fit,fl_progressive,w_636/1857ph2f7af3npng.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--IbtU_D_b--/c_fit,fl_progressive,w_636/1857ph2f7af3npng.png" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(<a href="http://jezebel.com/5959698/a-much-needed-primer-on-cultural-appropriation">image source</a>)</td></tr>
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While on Tumblr, a person I follow posted a link to a really insightful article on cultural appropriation on Jezebel's website. The article is titled: "<a href="http://jezebel.com/5959698/a-much-needed-primer-on-cultural-appropriation">A Much-Needed Primer on Cultural Appropriation</a>" by Katie J.M. Baker. I thought it had some really informative parts as well as helping people who want to wear Native-inspired clothing. (Hint: you should <a href="http://beyondbuckskinboutique.bigcartel.com/">buy from Native Americans</a>.) I reblogged it on Tumblr, linked it to my Facebook timeline, linked it to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/OPPStudyGroup">OPPSG</a> (which needs to be changed over into PAGBAH, I think), linked it on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/crossquarterly">Cross Quarterly</a>'s Facebook, and finally decided to also link it to the UU Facebook Group.<br />
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Which brings me to this: I haven't been removed from the Facebook group! <a href="http://philosophical-pagan.blogspot.com/2014/02/goodbye-to-uu-group-for-now.html">Even though I have decided to stop attending monthly meet-ups</a>, they haven't removed me from the Facebook group. I would like to go back to the monthly meet-ups once the current organizer steps down.<br />
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Anyway, after I posted that article from Jezebel, the guy declaring he should be able to use the word "Shaman"--whom I've dubbed MoonSpirit--decided to make another post after mine about his views on cultural appropriation:<br />
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(trigger warning: racism below, though thankfully no slurs.)<br />
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I didn't address him right away. The first line immediately filled me with rage. "For those interested in a thoughtful, well-balanced article about cultural appropriation [...]" Not only is he talking about me and the article I posted in a separate comment, but he is blatantly accusing both me and the article of not being "balanced" or "thoughtful." Then, to add insult to injury, several people on the page liked <i>his </i>post and not mine. (Except for Chalice, who did the inverse. Thanks for the support!) So, I left the computer and did my homework until I cooled down from that.<br />
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I came back and read what he had written. <i>Ugh</i>. Next to me was my boyfriend, who was more than "Ugh." He was offended as a Jewish person to see his language misused. He would have commented himself, but the group is closed. So I included his comments in my rebuttal:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Articles linked: "<a href="http://bitchmagazine.org/post/a-comic-about-food-and-cultural-appropriation">Just Eat It: A Comic About Food and Cultural Appropriation</a>"<br />and "<a href="http://this-is-allec.tumblr.com/post/82189248099/whoobin-i-am-so-over-people-thinking-that-leis">I'm so over people thinking leis look like this</a>" </td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td></tr>
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After addressing his post, I then went to the article bracing myself. However, I was pleasantly surprised at <i><a href="http://www.a2u2.org/pictures/pdfs/Wabanaki%20article.pdf">how wonderfully written and helpful the article i</a><a href="http://www.a2u2.org/pictures/pdfs/Wabanaki%20article.pdf">s</a>!</i></div>
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So of course I made another comment using quotes from the article:</div>
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The entire article is quotable--I do mean that. I really resisted quoting the article more. However, my boyfriend was right next to me wagging his finger about "informational overload." So I left in what I thought to be the most concise and potent quote, then paraphrased the rest of the important information with page numbers so he could find it. </div>
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This continues a pattern of "MoonSpirit" that he seems to read what he wants to be there, instead of what is. Or perhaps he didn't read the article at all? I'm not sure how he read through the article, agree with it, then continued to be guilty of the very racism Johnson advocates against. </div>
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I look forward to a response--if any--from him or others on the page. I'm also curious if this will cause me to be banned. I guess I'll have to wait and see.</div>
Allechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09835750011234964302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2849795990494833347.post-51242598416540104362014-03-21T17:35:00.002-05:002014-03-21T17:35:46.451-05:00[Pagan Blog Project 2014] F is for Forgetting...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have NOT been updating this blog, and have especially been neglecting the Pagan Blog Project prompts.</div>
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I have, however, began college again! I am back into thinking I should start my theatre company, while also wanting to take as many "academia" classes as possible. I'm also now living on my boyfriend's parents' farm. I'm soon hopefully going to be reviewing some pagan and occult books I have lying around. </div>
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So hopefully I'll be back to writing blog posts for PBP next week. It's "G", which means I will write about Gaelic Polytheism or Gaol Naofa. Probably GP followed by Gaol Naofa. I have means to write about both in my kinda personal anecdote sorta way.</div>
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Hope you're well!</div>
Allechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09835750011234964302noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2849795990494833347.post-51194788631944228422014-03-01T21:17:00.000-06:002014-03-01T21:18:23.076-06:00[Pagan Blog Project] E is for Everyone's Included!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A little late to post, but I wanted to use the PBP to springboard a project I started thanks to the inspiration from <a href="http://queerpagans.tumblr.com/">QueerPagans</a>. </div>
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<a href="http://pagbah.webs.com/">Pagans Against Gender Binary and Heteronormativity</a> (PAGBAH) began November 2013 and came to fruition February 2014. The movement or slogan started after discontent over the excessive amount of Binary and Heteronormative language within pagan circles and literature. This website aims to help inform pagans on what the Gender Binary and Heteronormativity are, why they are damaging, and how to counteract its presence at pagan events, forums, and other types of communities. </div>
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Ironically, I started this though I'm not sure if I want to consider associating myself with paganism... But, I will probably continue to frequent those corners of the internet, so...erm...PAGBAH!Allechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09835750011234964302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2849795990494833347.post-90507382171335695812014-02-23T12:27:00.000-06:002014-02-23T12:27:50.408-06:00[Pagan Blog Project] D is for Dé Ocus Andé<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I was first tempted to do "D is for Days Late" since I again am making this post late... Oh well. This project is for me; I'll get it done when I can get it done. </div>
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Speaking of how this is for me, I actually just want to discuss the phrase "dé ocus andé" as something I find extremely interesting instead of talking about my relationship towards them.</div>
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Not surprising, <a href="http://www.tairis.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=158:gods-and-spirits&catid=45:gods&Itemid=1#ocus">Tairis has an section dedicated to the dé ocus andé</a> that I am going to be referencing through this. Tairis explains that "dé ocus andé" means "gods and ungods." So right away, <i>what is an un-god?! </i><br />
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The article goes through possible explanations. One suggestion is that the andé refer to the "husbandman" of the dé, and that the dé possess artist skills. Since Tuatha dé Danann is interpreted as a race of people, this could be a division between the holy dé and the laymen andé. Tairis writes: "Of the Tuatha Dé Danann, then, we are led to believe that there were those who were skilled in the arts (dé), and those who were not (andé), but were still of the same race, the same people. Effectively, it is the skill (and resulting status) of the dé that set them apart from their fellow people, and marks out their divine status."<br />
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Another suggestion goes that the dé are the gods, and the andé serve the gods like priests or kings while on earth. Tairis quickly does not favor this interpretation: "The ungods, then, are not divine, but perhaps to be seen as divine-like, or the closest to the divine. The explanation given by the <i>Cóir Anmann</i>, however, if we take it at face value as drawing a distinction between higher, skilled status of the gods, and the lower, unskilled, layman status of the ungods, would seem to contradict this idea. The <i>Cóir Anmann</i>, and the other sources who give similar distinctions, all seem to emphasise the ungods' secular status. In this respect, it's difficult to see any metaphorical idea of the ungods as being husbandmen of the gods, in terms of their being priests."<br />
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The next theory is that the andé are the opposite of dé, so something similar (or exactly like) demonic entities. Again, Tairis doesn't think this theory holds water, since the Christian scribes that recorded about the dé ocus andé would most likely have edited out anything to do with demons, and it is "one thing to talk about the demonic, another to invite blessing from such."<br />
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Tairis doesn't disregard the entire theory, though, and writes: "We might not interpret the andé as being wholly negative in outlook – '<i>enemy of gods</i>' – but certainly it seems that we are not dealing with mere mortals, either. Whatever the <i>andé</i> are, it seems that they are still possessed of some sort of power, and are worthy of respect and blessing. In this sense, we might see them as spirits – perhaps <i>genius loci</i>, nature spirits, <i>daoine sìth</i>, phantoms and ghosts included, and even members of the Fir Bolg and Fomorians – and while they may not all be evil, they are not necessarily all seen as sweetness and light either."<br />
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So the andé is then argued to be meaning spirits, fae, and other entities that fit with the animistic world view but acknowledge that these other beings are not god-status.<br />
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More interesting to me is that translating the phrase gets tricky, because in English "ungods" hardly would mean that if someone wasn't aware of the context. I mean, I'm not a god, so am I an ungod? (Answer: Not in this context!) I don't know where the exact explanation is, but translating dé ocus andé even into modern Irish creates similar problems.<br />
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I love that this phrase exists. It was the first Old Gaelic I learned to pronounce because of how important the words were for their connotation (which one does not get with the English translations.)<br />
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Ahhh Languages! :DAllechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09835750011234964302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2849795990494833347.post-87477039300323259282014-02-19T12:00:00.000-06:002014-02-19T12:03:37.178-06:00Goodbye to the UU Group (For Now)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img alt="Slippery Slope" src="http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/slippery_slope.png" /></div>
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<a href="http://xkcd.com/1332/">xkcd: "Slippery Slope"</a></div>
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I think I've mentioned this before, but I don't like being an instigator for problems. But I am hopeful for resolution and hopeful that if I bring up a problem, others will acknowledge it for its problematic aspects. This...hasn't been the case so far in most of the pagan groups I've visited: (see <a href="http://philosophical-pagan.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-local-pagan-community-summed-up-in.html">here</a>, <a href="http://philosophical-pagan.blogspot.com/search/label/next%20millennium">here</a>, and <a href="http://philosophical-pagan.blogspot.com/2013/08/another-one-bites-dust.html">here</a>.) I was hopeful with the UU group, though, but I've already had a couple of <a href="http://philosophical-pagan.blogspot.com/2013/10/its-not-about-being-right.html">cringing</a> <a href="http://philosophical-pagan.blogspot.com/2014/01/reflections-on-sundays-ritual.html">moments</a>. The remark made by the group organizer towards including Shamanism made my skin crawl. I decided to try to nip it in the bud before it even became a thing.<br />
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It didn't go so well. (Warning: Uncensored slur below. I'll give a warning again when the image comes up.)<br />
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I sent the organizer a message on Facebook:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWwenftdRRMd8w2cLQyQ33oSJWOGt3gNYHHe5Notw3GwlHMQfu0v6EIpIGRE2_wdRRXdnPegFVaFmRkuOJNoGgH9oiK1FoYKqxCxG4oeQz52MVY5N3Aqme9YdlqDgv6t9ctXJOxSj3yIIg/s1600/shamanism-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWwenftdRRMd8w2cLQyQ33oSJWOGt3gNYHHe5Notw3GwlHMQfu0v6EIpIGRE2_wdRRXdnPegFVaFmRkuOJNoGgH9oiK1FoYKqxCxG4oeQz52MVY5N3Aqme9YdlqDgv6t9ctXJOxSj3yIIg/s1600/shamanism-01.png" /></a></div>
Remembering my boyfriend's diplomatic advice, I decided to send another message that had a positive message. The next day, the organizer (green) replied:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjilXXBSlsNe7wSsRJlh7bLK53VU-FXNq2LOPcLKQDfw3NXuo2SWh6M0u1FT_K0zbiVbqe0dvZAbyUw8rRD4REBfDTSflbJr3ufGuDWGL0YjjbDH3_rl2SAegATnTvC2vmhXq-UBKbxV6qa/s1600/shamanism-02.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjilXXBSlsNe7wSsRJlh7bLK53VU-FXNq2LOPcLKQDfw3NXuo2SWh6M0u1FT_K0zbiVbqe0dvZAbyUw8rRD4REBfDTSflbJr3ufGuDWGL0YjjbDH3_rl2SAegATnTvC2vmhXq-UBKbxV6qa/s1600/shamanism-02.png" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_4IF7C3cgWgN9rgvTar48U15Oq6yxrwHpL02qeSm9VGw1ppCaTLY4Tn3WUbjJl0k4u3ezF5mzChmxejBGyhSSEmBa64yY1B_ig_cpJ9x6RFF_44quiGws9F9iHVd1_Fi9Cxw5yfpApfij/s1600/shamanism-03.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_4IF7C3cgWgN9rgvTar48U15Oq6yxrwHpL02qeSm9VGw1ppCaTLY4Tn3WUbjJl0k4u3ezF5mzChmxejBGyhSSEmBa64yY1B_ig_cpJ9x6RFF_44quiGws9F9iHVd1_Fi9Cxw5yfpApfij/s1600/shamanism-03.png" /></a></div>
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Looking back, I got a sickening feeling that he didn't understand that Lughnasa is a Gaelic Festival, not just a NeoWiccan holiday. I was too excited at the time to notice the connotations, though.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9-TSB2fYniNEtYwm2r-2wkoiQiV2N8ps0Qx5taE97j49uc1Ou4jBeNPiaaQ9qZYgDJdROkNfPcsDyJLhZEQGT2OxZdHAEPZZkICbUdPB0uEg_uV7irjz2QciSQHJ-n16NCaXwlyEXsbd6/s1600/shamanism-04.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9-TSB2fYniNEtYwm2r-2wkoiQiV2N8ps0Qx5taE97j49uc1Ou4jBeNPiaaQ9qZYgDJdROkNfPcsDyJLhZEQGT2OxZdHAEPZZkICbUdPB0uEg_uV7irjz2QciSQHJ-n16NCaXwlyEXsbd6/s1600/shamanism-04.png" /></a></div>
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So I was feeling really good. He seemed to understand about the "Shamanism" and I get to do my god's festival properly.</div>
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Then, on the Facebook Group, I see this posted:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh24qhoOe5ffElaXyC4fvQu_a5oidQrfaOwC_a8nRcDa6_VAG3ICVDHkvTDXfmnOzHZAQRCdEe7hTDxrDwZ5hPDBD9w8MuUOQladbYMepz7qw52kpa6ePcEddsZxp4p8nBwZrrTsu701e0h/s1600/shamanism-05.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh24qhoOe5ffElaXyC4fvQu_a5oidQrfaOwC_a8nRcDa6_VAG3ICVDHkvTDXfmnOzHZAQRCdEe7hTDxrDwZ5hPDBD9w8MuUOQladbYMepz7qw52kpa6ePcEddsZxp4p8nBwZrrTsu701e0h/s1600/shamanism-05.png" /></a></div>
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In case you didn't see it:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivNP2vREgOtO2CBtHgVdfBMPYsy8W5B_vjq2E3CxOwjfVVg-qsmB8yrZLIKZI2MHFb7IFihc8UpGa0G4_Ld3Xs5s9xmKEWf-P43UUeCoZfAkvZ50yn1g_SYR8PThRusu8Saeh8GY1EuFdB/s1600/shamanism-05-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivNP2vREgOtO2CBtHgVdfBMPYsy8W5B_vjq2E3CxOwjfVVg-qsmB8yrZLIKZI2MHFb7IFihc8UpGa0G4_Ld3Xs5s9xmKEWf-P43UUeCoZfAkvZ50yn1g_SYR8PThRusu8Saeh8GY1EuFdB/s1600/shamanism-05-2.png" /></a></div>
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Um...?!??? So I talk to my boyfriend, who immediately A) didn't realize <i>that guy </i>was leading the group this year (he met him at the Imbolc ritual), and B) suggested I just leave. I didn't just want to leave...I still had that sliver hope that maybe he would understand. I decided to message him privately again, wondering if he originally missed the first message I sent and only saw the second one.</div>
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Oh, also: Animistic ritual? What? That isn't a religion... That's a type of belief. (As my boyfriend says, I'm a theological nerd, and notice these things!)</div>
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Anyway, I messaged the organizer:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvt2971Ykev2S3qvx42HtGKGDNAjtbcuvqq5CpzlbwbRRljKziTUAfa19af4dyHA_pCV__0_Gg44-RolplZUiYixVPM1Nt8AOjvaavl2BRIOY03elEsKV1JLLU30kaowaWpduo6iUa5mSs/s1600/shamanism-06.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvt2971Ykev2S3qvx42HtGKGDNAjtbcuvqq5CpzlbwbRRljKziTUAfa19af4dyHA_pCV__0_Gg44-RolplZUiYixVPM1Nt8AOjvaavl2BRIOY03elEsKV1JLLU30kaowaWpduo6iUa5mSs/s1600/shamanism-06.png" /></a></div>
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After I sent this, I messaged <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CAORANN9">CAORANN on Facebook</a> for help and advice. I was surprised to get a response back so soon, as well as numerous resources. The CAORANN member wished me luck, and I went back to the organizer's Facebook message to add these sources:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWRCXQBGwJC7F-nhSorhYc4oio31mYYheWOdCw23PXBr1c1eilSgJbyueAG0MrPw7zDQVqMO9lGstP8Z4SG-3DQHM8O7zP_gg_6XLf-hQoMBvy_nDpn9fHkqftZoDMMCcxyMlBPKPBHtJe/s1600/shamanism-08.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWRCXQBGwJC7F-nhSorhYc4oio31mYYheWOdCw23PXBr1c1eilSgJbyueAG0MrPw7zDQVqMO9lGstP8Z4SG-3DQHM8O7zP_gg_6XLf-hQoMBvy_nDpn9fHkqftZoDMMCcxyMlBPKPBHtJe/s1600/shamanism-08.png" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicq552pI75VFdBJE3e8Owccgg7NXQ1Jcv0oh1j6C99NiEVAIAH7vP0v7tzURVDXQ6PRX3PxftbTTy70eSJtB_BayxG4X2L5X4MwSIr3AjyViZYnFokVmY-_LoJvL5nrqP43_e1wJmjIjDw/s1600/shamanism-09.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicq552pI75VFdBJE3e8Owccgg7NXQ1Jcv0oh1j6C99NiEVAIAH7vP0v7tzURVDXQ6PRX3PxftbTTy70eSJtB_BayxG4X2L5X4MwSIr3AjyViZYnFokVmY-_LoJvL5nrqP43_e1wJmjIjDw/s1600/shamanism-09.png" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirz2DG4-iuccaaPPOxFCr6_RGpLYmmSEJBzy-NAoXWJK88_5jr00lt5QdY5uV1uDSczo805ojAkiZC01PJ_WHLTRBBJ7aKqOTHkYIZvhlHUQuKw927emtdxQljGgi_UQJ65gfqI4qPvbGo/s1600/shamanism-10.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirz2DG4-iuccaaPPOxFCr6_RGpLYmmSEJBzy-NAoXWJK88_5jr00lt5QdY5uV1uDSczo805ojAkiZC01PJ_WHLTRBBJ7aKqOTHkYIZvhlHUQuKw927emtdxQljGgi_UQJ65gfqI4qPvbGo/s1600/shamanism-10.png" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpuHBzpXds6yhO1quY_RTyLfFgq_6zPd6XwR23xLCJfNRfXrBm82QG0c4mWEjGmvnzlM-EAUUUFJrXLkuYCYQjFT9ev7X7Pzodna7bzov-VbxMH0GzfdsxgRO2PSKo6jWwQuezHRlqYzDc/s1600/shamanism-11.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpuHBzpXds6yhO1quY_RTyLfFgq_6zPd6XwR23xLCJfNRfXrBm82QG0c4mWEjGmvnzlM-EAUUUFJrXLkuYCYQjFT9ev7X7Pzodna7bzov-VbxMH0GzfdsxgRO2PSKo6jWwQuezHRlqYzDc/s1600/shamanism-11.png" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibNqMGkj_mTF7OBX_Pu5sdoAenb5ZYIk03w8fATIuC7mcxdARcb1YZ1cid70vulEThZTf7-xCe09O0GVkXbcWI_WR9UdAJaMHuSIlQz9XtL3IyeAuezAOUeuKDTca00xHxaLRy2fSZhABF/s1600/shamanism-12.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibNqMGkj_mTF7OBX_Pu5sdoAenb5ZYIk03w8fATIuC7mcxdARcb1YZ1cid70vulEThZTf7-xCe09O0GVkXbcWI_WR9UdAJaMHuSIlQz9XtL3IyeAuezAOUeuKDTca00xHxaLRy2fSZhABF/s1600/shamanism-12.png" /></a></div>
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Looking back, I should have just started with "What you really mean to say: Shaman Edition." I tend to assume people like resources as <i>I </i>like resources, but that wall of text could look offensive. </div>
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I got a response the following morning (warning again: he uses an uncensored slur):</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNqBT1k4aRaL4EFzhGZ2YRBpA65_GKiIOesJHdZkRVxunzCFVoQ3tTPWkX7q-qEGiHC4CtlHud2wZtXfV2joa3uYGX-4kBp46kbxnFIPIWNaxibdOYZWKYR-yLMLpRN-yc0fFlo3SvB0Eu/s1600/shamanism-13.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNqBT1k4aRaL4EFzhGZ2YRBpA65_GKiIOesJHdZkRVxunzCFVoQ3tTPWkX7q-qEGiHC4CtlHud2wZtXfV2joa3uYGX-4kBp46kbxnFIPIWNaxibdOYZWKYR-yLMLpRN-yc0fFlo3SvB0Eu/s1600/shamanism-13.png" /></a></div>
There...was a lot he wrote that made me rub my temples in frustration. Instead, I decided to go with my boyfriend's advice to just leave. But I had to give a final word so that I had some closure:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJQdnm56qKbIMaLSErBTTfaAdf7qS8G6omdRXcVpEHG-dcZ8vFiWojXkAVyDXUupQGODYROqz8PMSHyocND7MT6xHXjToPatupJtMHZ6zDFYWRZUNw-KJgtDZZHLF-PmO-ga883HiueVbz/s1600/shamanism-14.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJQdnm56qKbIMaLSErBTTfaAdf7qS8G6omdRXcVpEHG-dcZ8vFiWojXkAVyDXUupQGODYROqz8PMSHyocND7MT6xHXjToPatupJtMHZ6zDFYWRZUNw-KJgtDZZHLF-PmO-ga883HiueVbz/s1600/shamanism-14.png" /></a></div>
...and that was that with him.<br />
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But I wanted to say goodbye to the group as well as possibly educate others on the problematic word "Shaman." I didn't post under his announcements, but made my own post:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjyCLGmn7_4lL07xT7N4Nb2chVq_o2p_du7PXB-PSzBg4P1hS5Sz9oAA_l1PlMat4J-KkLmWFrC6PHzXkE8lZgQxTstERefUuCdqXb_dR7tK8xcmF0GznEk8B9sPSeEQjXlhRejfdAO2TH/s1600/shamanism-15.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjyCLGmn7_4lL07xT7N4Nb2chVq_o2p_du7PXB-PSzBg4P1hS5Sz9oAA_l1PlMat4J-KkLmWFrC6PHzXkE8lZgQxTstERefUuCdqXb_dR7tK8xcmF0GznEk8B9sPSeEQjXlhRejfdAO2TH/s1600/shamanism-15.png" /></a></div>
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(All these links will be included at the bottom of this blog post.)</div>
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Unfortunately, someone...didn't understand.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVwPNETXDR1C8au9kJMB-BBqZByjwTnNZT1YWjMMSO7dDPJ8iJByKZQW4f2o93HXEVQLaGZU9Q-rRVaxfvI_JTA8pBdhS_jPRngm25HFJw4Y4KpoEgbAeHxT72KO2pzKMc8hWCylmInfZ1/s1600/shamanism-16.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVwPNETXDR1C8au9kJMB-BBqZByjwTnNZT1YWjMMSO7dDPJ8iJByKZQW4f2o93HXEVQLaGZU9Q-rRVaxfvI_JTA8pBdhS_jPRngm25HFJw4Y4KpoEgbAeHxT72KO2pzKMc8hWCylmInfZ1/s1600/shamanism-16.png" /></a></div>
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So I reposted the GN FAQ on the word "Shaman", since it was the most concise:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicC_8vJGYJfEEFEsDWncgBugMeUSLMuYjNw0PPzFwfF_WhYSoUY1FwApc7NuW6i4dg5R38re4MLeMigSr9V7CkD41kTQSqvXA8KmxoXfXzSBsIoSrC2C0QIa59CbeT2cDW4U-np7vJl6L-/s1600/shamanism-17.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicC_8vJGYJfEEFEsDWncgBugMeUSLMuYjNw0PPzFwfF_WhYSoUY1FwApc7NuW6i4dg5R38re4MLeMigSr9V7CkD41kTQSqvXA8KmxoXfXzSBsIoSrC2C0QIa59CbeT2cDW4U-np7vJl6L-/s1600/shamanism-17.png" /></a></div>
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And while I tried to move it to private messages, he continued:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCXsuoqOrehV82AhMud7BNGPH2gYA103jMeTbmXA-EtzBRL6o7lbP99g01KYdKqX0jr5Wf4DKGISAvxmKJC6qPf6qftHmPsGgsuP71qt9bdY7tOk_Ixf8-_ntLh3Qi9WfLlx8k9DMlpndm/s1600/shamanism-18.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCXsuoqOrehV82AhMud7BNGPH2gYA103jMeTbmXA-EtzBRL6o7lbP99g01KYdKqX0jr5Wf4DKGISAvxmKJC6qPf6qftHmPsGgsuP71qt9bdY7tOk_Ixf8-_ntLh3Qi9WfLlx8k9DMlpndm/s1600/shamanism-18.png" /></a></div>
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I know I'm blocking out his name, but it's worth mentioning that his last name is...apparently, legally fluffy. It's the equivalent of "MoonSpirit." Just. Why?</div>
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So I am already convinced he won't listen:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXpkNaLZ_6xkScXGZIBNW8ISnUeRtEk_x4DAJ0BOCJTJTizp2U3CEFqFSmd0Duot0WGety3jLMBDOTGyMXatD9gO7MaymxsjXCgdjrjXTbWIpx_QMJ2K5-MtjjzIo-36JK51vin5AdaL8N/s1600/shamanism-19.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXpkNaLZ_6xkScXGZIBNW8ISnUeRtEk_x4DAJ0BOCJTJTizp2U3CEFqFSmd0Duot0WGety3jLMBDOTGyMXatD9gO7MaymxsjXCgdjrjXTbWIpx_QMJ2K5-MtjjzIo-36JK51vin5AdaL8N/s1600/shamanism-19.png" /></a></div>
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But he keeps going...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlwTkyP8XDMphX5EPyruu-6I_QSdXwOjHXir7hGS2OeAesfPpM3ER2Z-TEvGHwoXH4dRR8etC1MuVAFnSwwhG4SILOfx0NF-UfYz8CY8ipLDZMLRqGDRMCcP-LMPD6u995JK3AxDaqizaq/s1600/shamanism-20.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlwTkyP8XDMphX5EPyruu-6I_QSdXwOjHXir7hGS2OeAesfPpM3ER2Z-TEvGHwoXH4dRR8etC1MuVAFnSwwhG4SILOfx0NF-UfYz8CY8ipLDZMLRqGDRMCcP-LMPD6u995JK3AxDaqizaq/s1600/shamanism-20.png" /></a></div>
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As soon as I posted that, I then came across a very poignant quote:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc6CJ5fj07mW76z5Xy-FsqeEuTNtknlCNIEvWyl1L3VHwN09dFC29xSG8TeTCGuEnRuwcBxJK-rwSGstMHVFf9YDmD4GR15y05VyS4WFrT1Wiw-y-SjJjeh3pe_ccn4FAbPJwOY0Mv3y1B/s1600/shamanism-21.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc6CJ5fj07mW76z5Xy-FsqeEuTNtknlCNIEvWyl1L3VHwN09dFC29xSG8TeTCGuEnRuwcBxJK-rwSGstMHVFf9YDmD4GR15y05VyS4WFrT1Wiw-y-SjJjeh3pe_ccn4FAbPJwOY0Mv3y1B/s1600/shamanism-21.png" /></a></div>
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You may notice that my profile picture is now different, and that is because I had forgotten to screencap that part of the conversation until just now. While on the Facebook page, I also looked to see if the organizer changed the schedule for this year...Nope. Apparently I'm still scheduled to do August? I guess if attitudes about cultural appropriation and other sorts of racism change, I would.<br />
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And that is true. I don't consider this group "blacklist", since they haven't blacklisted me or banned me from the group. I'd like to <i>try</i>...but I won't if I know the organizer is against putting forth any type of critical thinking, or listening when I present problems with rituals. As I've posted before, <a href="http://philosophical-pagan.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-power-of-belief.html">there is such a thing as being "too open" and accepting</a>. There is a difference between being open to people and cultures, but not to harmful and/or hateful ideas. I don't tolerate the latter.</div>
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For reference, here are all the resources linked in the screenshots:</div>
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<li>"<a href="http://akhav.tumblr.com/post/26822719613/shamanism">Shamanism</a>" by Akhav</li>
<li>"<a href="http://www.sacredsites.org.uk/papers/Blain_J-perm.pdf">Shamans, stones, authenticity and appropriation: contestations of invention and meaning</a>" by Jenny Blain</li>
<li><a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/201023665/The-Gaol-Naofa-FAQ">The Gaol Naofa FAQ</a>, page 75 at section entitled: "Celtic Shamanism"</li>
<li>"<a href="http://www.newagefraud.org/smf/index.php?topic=2991.msg25404#msg25404">Plastic Shamans and Astroturf Sun Dances: New Age Commercialization of Native American Spirituality</a>" By Lisa Aldred </li>
<li>"<a href="http://spiritscraft.tumblr.com/post/70320494186/what-you-really-mean-to-say-is-shaman-edition">What you really mean to say is: Shaman Edition</a>"</li>
<li><i><a href="http://www.odsg.org/Said_Edward(1977)_Orientalism.pdf">Orientalism</a> </i>by Edward Said</li>
<li><a href="http://heelancoo.tumblr.com/post/76097581626/in-a-class-i-taught-we-discussed-the-issue-of">Andrea Smith's quote</a></li>
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Allechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09835750011234964302noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2849795990494833347.post-82342638960410073812014-02-18T12:00:00.000-06:002014-02-18T15:19:22.789-06:00Chalice's Imbolc Ritual<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://goldenwoodstudio.com/art/fairies/">Spring by Ruth Sanderso</a><a href="http://goldenwoodstudio.com/art/fairies/">n</a></div>
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I have been neglecting to update this blog with my experiences going to the UU Imbolc Ritual lead by Chalice. She went through a lot of hard work and preparation. I had such a delightful time!</div>
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First things first: Chalice wasn't going to be doing a NeoWiccan Imbolc, but the true Gaelic festival. Or, at least, inspired by the Gaelic traditions. In the UU newsletter, she wrote:</div>
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<img alt="Not the NeoWicca &#8220;Imbolc&#8221; &#8230;but the actual Gaelic Festival!
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As I posted on my tumblr: SO EXCITED JUST CAN'T HIDE IT.</div>
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I invited my boyfriend to come along, because this would be <i>my </i>religious celebration and not something from the NeoWiccan calendar. I got all dressed up too:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj358tZPo5WUz6YuRJA4zyjZrhBT0U1zO1v0X3R8CDc7Vcxj4FkuzLNDDxHf4g76eZLZiccfqd__rBQme-p-0vtUOuo4FXw7Di0K-KxtaslyI_lRY4AjuvbxikfyAqczy1RSJbb3VD4RtSg/s1600/imbolc+selfie+2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj358tZPo5WUz6YuRJA4zyjZrhBT0U1zO1v0X3R8CDc7Vcxj4FkuzLNDDxHf4g76eZLZiccfqd__rBQme-p-0vtUOuo4FXw7Di0K-KxtaslyI_lRY4AjuvbxikfyAqczy1RSJbb3VD4RtSg/s1600/imbolc+selfie+2014.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Hard to see in the picture are my two religious necklaces: the Triskele and Lugh's Spear Talisman. I also put a flower clip in my hair. My boyfriend dressed nicely too, though he doesn't like me to post pictures of him online so you'll have to take me for my word ;)</div>
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We got to the UU church early. I brought milk and cookies, as milk would be a tradition food item and...well, who doesn't like cookies?! We set them down with the rest of the potluck and then took a seat at the craft table. I was going to make Brigid's Crosses with kids. Though...that didn't happen. No one really seemed interested in holiday. Chalice was nervously preparing things. After some wait, I decided to show my boyfriend the Sanctuary of the church, or where they hold Sunday Services. We had a pleasant theological discussion about Catholicism, Protestant, and Judaism services. This also solidified his need to take me to Temple sometime.</div>
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At about 6, we went back down. We mused about by ourselves before joining the bigger group. Not much religious discussion, which was thankful in a way. Prior to going upstairs to look at the other parts of the church, two people were discussing the "gods who were in their life" and how one was an Irish Goddess but "we couldn't figure out how to pronounce her name." Really...? 'cause it took me just a simple Google Search to figure out how to pronounce Nuada and other names. <i>Ugh</i>.</div>
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Anyway. Ritual! We stood around the display of candles and the GIANT brideóg (which I've now lost the picture for...) We then did a grounding meditation based in the Celtic cosmology of Earth, Sky, and Ocean. It was really peaceful and it was probably one of the few exercises that had me feel "grounded." I plan to use it in the future.</div>
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Then poured anxieties into a well of water that Chalice brought, passing the basket of water around. Afterwards, Chalice gave us small candles to light from her Kildare Flame (she's part of an International Flametending Group. That was actually what sparked the ritual in the first place: she wanted to do something for Brigid on the 2nd since she was going to be flametending that night, so I suggested her festival Imbolc.) After lighting our candles, we were to then light the numerous candles on the table with wishes for the upcoming year. I immediately went to the Yellow Candle to make a wish that my relationship with Lugh will strengthen. I also lit a new mother's candle since she was feeding her child and wished for that child's good health. Then we blew out our individual candles and used flash paper to make goals for ourselves. I didn't speak mine, but mine was to complete a semester of school. After we lit the flash paper, we sealed it with Chalice's anvil. Also, one of the little ones went to the anvil to make a promise to share her toys better with her lil sister. We then blew out the candles on the table.</div>
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Before we dug into the potluck, the leader of this years UU pagan group had announcements. They started off good: for one, he announced a Poseidon exhibit in a local art museum. Then he mentioned about how this year would probably be exploring different religious traditions. Okay, good. Then he went through the list...and included Shamanism. I cringed. I hoped he wouldn't actually do that, but I wasn't in a place where I could talk to him about it. Then on a technical level, he said "Animism." ... Which, isn't a religion? So I asked what they meant, since Gaelic Polytheism is animistic. "Oh, but we included the Goddess tonight, so one without it." -twitch- Ugh... </div>
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During the announcements, I made pipe cleaner flowers for the two children attending since they kept wanting to take the flowers that were offerings to Brigid. They then came over and started playing with the pipe cleaners, which--while not cros Brídes--still made me happy to see. </div>
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After the announcements, my boyfriend squeezed my hand to signal he was feeling anxious. Not caring for the discourse afterwards (or rather, fearing it wouldn't be about Gaelic Polytheism or the beautiful ritual we just had), I was more than happy to leave. I said goodbye to everyone and then drove home with my boyfriend, complaining about theology matters along the way. Which had him come to the conclusion that I'm a theology nerd. </div>
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YES I AM.</div>
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Anyway, I'm going to go into what became of that "shamanism" comment in another post. <a href="http://philosophical-pagan.blogspot.com/2014/02/goodbye-to-uu-group-for-now.html">Hold onto your seats</a>...</div>
Allechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09835750011234964302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2849795990494833347.post-3780500821097587872014-02-17T12:00:00.000-06:002014-02-17T12:00:00.364-06:00Update! I'm now a member of Gaol Naofa!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<a href="http://www.gaolnaofa.com/">Gaol Naofa</a> is an community that has produced some really, really wonderful <a href="http://www.gaolnaofa.com/articles/">articles about Gaelic Polytheism</a>. After writing about <a href="http://philosophical-pagan.blogspot.com/2014/02/pagan-blog-project-c-is-for-community.html">Community for the PBP</a>, I applied for membership. I wanted a community that didn't make me feel like I had to worry about racism, sexism, or other types of oppression. Since Gaol Naofa makes a conscious effort against that, I feel really safe in their midsts. </div>
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I don't know what I can offer the community other than being active, but I'm actively keeping an eye out for ways to help out with them near and far. </div>
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This blog obviously is still about <i>me </i>and <i>my </i>practices, and I'm not posting on behalf of Gaol Naofa. But, I haven't shared on this blog about this important life update :)</div>
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Also needing to be updated: I need to blog about the Omaha Irish Cultural Center as well as what has happened recently with the UU Group. Stay tuned!</div>
Allechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09835750011234964302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2849795990494833347.post-79779205762433022062014-02-16T21:39:00.000-06:002014-02-16T21:39:41.094-06:00[Pagan Blog Project] D is for Druid<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A bit late with writing this. I'm in the process of moving and my schedule has been chaotic. Anyway, time to make some people angry!</div>
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<a name='more'></a>Well, hopefully not "angry." But I have changed my thoughts about neoDruidry in recent months. A while ago, I was very enthusiastic about joining ADF and becoming a "druid." John Michael Greer's book <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Druidry-Handbook-Spiritual-Practice/dp/1578633540">The Druidry Handbook</a> </i>shaped a lot of that. And while there are other Celtic Recons out there with harsher views of the NeoDruid organizations, mine are more lax I think because of Greer. And I think that's due to his honest admittance to the roots of the NeoDruid movements.<br />
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Most of these movements attest to the Druid Revival in the 1700s. While not outright stated in Greer's book, this was the first step away from historical accounts of Druidry and into the fanciful imaginations of those who wanted to get in touch with Mother Nature. Greer writes how part of the starting movement wanted to include pantheism, which is a redflag to me that these early revivalists were "reviving" anything historical, but inventing a spirituality.</div>
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But that's the seed of modern neoDruidry. Greer writes: </div>
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But what of the name "Druid" and the imagery that surrounds it? A case can probably be made for finding some other label for the tradition, but there are solid reasons against this. First is the sheer historical fact that the Druids of the Revival took that name, and not another; they were inspired by the ancient Druids and not some other ancient priesthood; and they have been known by that name ever since. For three centuries, the word "Druid" has meant, among other things, a participant in the Revival. Relabeling that movement "British Universalist Post-Anglican Latitudinarian Pantheist Neo-Pythagorean Nature Spirituality" or some other long-winded term is hardly an improvement. (page 37.)</blockquote>
While I disagree that different, more precise name would be a detriment (in fact, I'd say that a better fitting name would save a lot of headaches from those who read about the historical druid class in various Celtic societies), I do agree that the title of "Druid" has been part of the movement since the beginning three hundred-or-so years ago. But I disagree with the continue use of "Revival." The modern NeoDruid movements are not "reviving" anything. At best, they could be said to be "reinventing."<br />
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A clear example of how they aren't "reviving" is the pan-Celtic approach. From talking with a Gaulish Recon, I've discovered that the Druids of Gaul were quite different from the Druids of Gael. Not to mention that it is hardly befitting to assume that just because Gaul did something, the Gael mimicked it exactly, and vice-versa. That is the pitfall of pan-Celtic approaches.<br />
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Also, it is certainly humbris of Greer in his second argument for the movement being titled "Druid." He writes that "Druids" would be obscure and of no importance to historians if not for the Druid Revival. Perhaps, but I would prefer "obscure" to "misleading."<br />
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I don't have focused problems with the neoDruid movement as a whole. I do wish it wouldn't take a name that is rooted in specific cultures but because pretty poetry was written in the 1700s about the position, it's fair game to call their unstructured religious doctrine the same (Greer refers to Druidry having no over-arching structure, but a feel-as-you-go. While a liberating approach to religion, I think the structured historic Druids would be offended.)<br />
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My boyfriend's reaction to the word "Druid" and how it was used today was hilariously on-point. He said, "But if it has <i>nothing </i>to do with the historical druids, why call it that?!?" And...I don't know. I do think that the ideas that came out of the Revival are to blame for the confusion. While not an academic Revival by modern day standards, it was an honest attempt (although perhaps also a biased one.) And even the neoDruidry group ADF who is perhaps most academic out of the rest...still operates with the Druid Revival's philosophy at the forefront. </div>
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IN SHORT: I'm not a druid. I don't have the knowledge acquired to call myself one. I wish to uphold the true and living Gaelic culture, and neoDruidry does not fit in that (best to my knowledge.)</div>
Allechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09835750011234964302noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2849795990494833347.post-57874643782295368302014-02-07T18:23:00.003-06:002014-02-07T18:23:52.789-06:00[Pagan Blog Project] C is for Community<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is going to be about <i>my </i>need for a community, not necessarily about pagan communities at large.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>Last Sunday February 2nd, I had a wonderful experience going to the UU group's Imbolc celebration. This was because Chalice--who lead the ritual--was doing so under the understanding of the Gaelic framework and the festival's history.<br />
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It was a great experience.<br />
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Gaelic Festivals are about community. In fact, parts of how Tairis defines <a href="http://www.tairis.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=87:scottish-reconstructionism&catid=35:home&Itemid=1">Gaelic Reconstruction Polytheism</a> includes the bonds of community. So, it sucks that I'm not in a "Gaelic" community. So far, I have been looking for a community through paganism, but that hasn't <a href="http://philosophical-pagan.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-local-pagan-community-summed-up-in.html">worked</a> <a href="http://philosophical-pagan.blogspot.com/2013/05/update-next-millennium-boycott-and-now.html">out</a> so <a href="http://philosophical-pagan.blogspot.com/2013/08/another-one-bites-dust.html">well</a>. The UU group was proving hopeful, but with a recent event, that hope is on hold. I have the screenshots to document what happened, but it basically came down to the organizer this year wanting to host a "Shaman Ritual" and myself objecting due to how racist Shamanism is. The organizer claimed I was being disrespectful of his beliefs, so I said I'd stop going to the UU group rituals for this year. (I rather not have an argument about this every month, and being silent feels too wrong.)<br />
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So. What do I even want out of a community?<br />
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There was an article I read on patheos a while back about the pagan community. The author of the article was making the argument that the pagan community needed to be nicer to one another and unify. That pagans owed one another kindness, or something like that. I don't recall the exact wording. But one of the first comments really stuck with me. A woman posted about how she--as a pagan--did not consider there to be a pagan community. "Does anyone come over to help babysit my kids? Help me when I'm sick?" My mind then went to Christian communities. While I was never quite part of one, I knew someone who was. That type of behavior is not foreign for those types of church groups. People watch each other kids, have parties, support one another, etc. People helping people who in return help people.<br />
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That's what I want, in a way. I don't know if I can ever have a Gaelic Community, where I can watch daughters parade during Imbolc or share stories at Samhain after dusk. It'd be nice. I might have to settle for something semi-online, which is something I'm unfortunately use to. My friends back in PA are scattered about, so I will always have to have a long-distance relationship with them even if I ever did move back. I am building friendships with other Gaelic and Gaulish polytheists online with a community chat, which is bringing me a great sense of community. And I will have my relationship with my boyfriend for in-person, as well as Chalice.<br />
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Right now, I'm playing on a community server of Minecraft that is so far three "families" myself, my boyfriend, my Gaelic friend, her husband, and another Gaelic friend (who may bring his wife onto the server.) That type of community is also enhancing, because I can welcome people into my "home" and be hospital in the way I'd like to be. It's obviously not real, and doesn't substitute the real thing, but it's a nice medium until I can get that real thing. Maybe. Someday? Who knows.<br />
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I guess the point of all this ranting is that I want an in-person community, but I'd be more than happy for a tightly knit online community as well. A way to share with many people. It's something I miss from being part of the theatre back in Pittsburgh, and something I never really got from my <a href="http://philosophical-pagan.blogspot.com/2014/01/pagan-blog-project-2014-b-is-for-blood.html">blood family</a>. Ideally it'd be nice to share in customs, if not also beliefs, but even just the commonality of "we like each other" would be wonderful too.<br />
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I'm happy for now. And I'm not willing to settle with a group that is problematic. I'll keep tight my personal connections and the bonds I'm forming with people who enrich my life, not add drama to it.Allechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09835750011234964302noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2849795990494833347.post-6281748202196112302014-02-04T11:16:00.000-06:002014-02-04T11:16:43.558-06:00[Pagan Blog Project] C is for Cros Bríde<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu6JPkF6GoSUbPiy0RXjwcdDBPzIdISW0mXY34UFO_ILUGmLrEF3wJoRHlEszIaJqkAyO3WHV3RQKsBDAOXTWgZoH3Vv2dxrhGZiPNtByl_O8nl0DKAv5gpI24U-_mpXIbfUKlZyRebRG3/s1600/c+is+for+cros+br%C3%ADde.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu6JPkF6GoSUbPiy0RXjwcdDBPzIdISW0mXY34UFO_ILUGmLrEF3wJoRHlEszIaJqkAyO3WHV3RQKsBDAOXTWgZoH3Vv2dxrhGZiPNtByl_O8nl0DKAv5gpI24U-_mpXIbfUKlZyRebRG3/s1600/c+is+for+cros+br%C3%ADde.png" /></a></div>
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Wow this is super late. But I made my cros Bríde over the weekend! So I thought I'd share!</div>
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigid's_cross">Cros Bríde</a> is a cross made for Brigid on <a href="http://www.tairis.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=75:st-brides-day&catid=38:festivals&Itemid=1">Imbolc/Là Fhèill Brìghde</a>. Traditionally, they're made with rushes, or perhaps even straw. However, the first one I made was in the heart of Philadelphia where nature was less common than sewer stink. So getting rushes, or even straw, were hard to come by if not a rarity I'd have to scavenge for. But then I looked around my apartment and found something more fitting.</div>
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Newspaper!</div>
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I started to think about the cros Bríde being made by "things of the land." Which, in my urban case, would have been newspaper. Philadelphia Newspaper, to be precise. </div>
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Thus started my own personal tradition with making cros Brídes:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihZoNT-eKIUJlMgOJboxlbdDUrOpq5ZhGBSzLVcjjnXYSqvxLoDAfvrDlHApOKyVwqa9ClEGaw-7ArnE6QOzYDz9SGQEyvB1pelKjUsVMLMw2LHYAK7VpejszqR2tD2MjjUis3V8FjRDp9/s1600/cros+br%C3%ADde+philly+2012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihZoNT-eKIUJlMgOJboxlbdDUrOpq5ZhGBSzLVcjjnXYSqvxLoDAfvrDlHApOKyVwqa9ClEGaw-7ArnE6QOzYDz9SGQEyvB1pelKjUsVMLMw2LHYAK7VpejszqR2tD2MjjUis3V8FjRDp9/s1600/cros+br%C3%ADde+philly+2012.JPG" height="307" width="320" /></a></div>
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This year, I collected a free local newspaper in preparation of making my cross out of it. It didn't turn out as big or as well as my Philly one, but it still is made of "Omaha" materials:</div>
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I then made one out of pipe cleaners to display in William's house's front door, so that it looks a bit nicer and I don't feel so bad asking his mom if I can do it. This one, however, will go over our bedroom door.</div>
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Another bonus to using material "local" to my city I'm in is that I have a direct link to the places I've lived. Moving out of Omaha into the country, I'm may actually make a cros Bríde with straw found in their yard (I might have to, actually, since I don't think the town is big enough to have a newspaper of its own...) </div>
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Anyway. That's what I wanted to share. My own lil take on the Imbolc tradition.</div>
Allechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09835750011234964302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2849795990494833347.post-39643943961390662182014-01-24T12:00:00.000-06:002014-01-24T12:00:01.320-06:00[Pagan Blog Project 2014] B is for Brigid<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I guess I should start by saying how I'm utterly confused at what is the "proper" spelling of Brigid's name. I've seen her name spelled the following: Brigit, Brighid, Bríg, Bride. I tried once to figure out which was what in what language, but it seems the spelling is everywhere. Or, at least, I don't have enough etymology and resources to properly discern which is properly Gaelic and which is British and so forth. </div>
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But anyway. Im going to stick to spelling her name as Brigid.</div>
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<a name='more'></a>If you want to know more about Brigid, check out <a href="http://www.maryjones.us/jce/brigit.html">Mary Jones' Encyclopedia Entry: Brigit</a>. As for this entry, I'm going to share my experiences with her. (Needless to say, this will all be UPG.)<br />
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I first met Brigid when I started my path on Neopaganism. In the Wiccan 101 Book I had, I was told I should find a God and a Goddess. So, I picked from a plug-and-pray list Lugh and Brigid. The ritual actually went really well. Looking back, I think Lugh saw promise in me, since He didn't seem so put off at how insanely offensive the ritual was. But the ritual was asking them both for help with my <a href="http://philosophical-pagan.blogspot.com/2013/11/mental-illness-and-spirituality.html">mental illness</a>. Meanwhile, Brigid was very pleasant too. Very welcoming, but I think she saw that Lugh wanted to help me.</div>
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I didn't really talk to her after that until I celebrated the NeoWiccan-Imbolc at the Wiccan Coven in Philly. We did a guided meditation to see Brigid. She was(is?) gorgeous. I don't recall exactly if she said anything more to me, but seemed pleased to see me. </div>
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Fast forward to last summer when I got my wisdom teeth removed. I did a prayer and spell that asked for Brigid's and Lugh's aid in the surgery and recovery. The next day when I was about to be put asleep, I sensed Brigid's presenced in the surgery room. I realized later that was really nice of her, considering that I hadn't prayed to her regularly as I did with Lugh.</div>
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So when I looked at <a href="http://www.gaolnaofa.com/articles/daily-rites/">Gaol Naofa's Morning Devotion</a>, and noticed that prayers to Brigid were very imbedded in the prayers. After some contemplation, I kept it in and decided to make a space for Brigid on my shrine. When I invited her, she did ask for a certain offering: the pearl necklace my grandma gave me. I wasn't wearing them, so I now have them on her part of shrine. I also made her a candle holder out of a garlic jar (seemed only fair since Lugh has his own candle holder too.)</div>
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I've come to this understanding that Brigid seems to be very hospitable to whomever comes to her, whenever that is. Devotee or not. Thinking on it now, it might be connected to how she is associated with the hearth and therefore also with hospitality. I also hold the belief that Saint Brigid and the Goddess Brigid are the same entity, but I also don't think that Brigid minds being called a Saint and prayed to in that way. Nor do I think she minds when NeoWiccans ask her for help. She just seems to like to help people, be there for them, and welcome them no matter what. I'm sure she has her limits, but I haven't met them yet.</div>
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With Imbolc coming up, I look forward to again celebrating her and giving her homage. Chalice has a wonderful Gaelic-inspired ritual that is going to be about giving Brigid thanks and asking for her blessings. This time as I celebrate her on her festival, I will be a Gaelic Polytheist and not someone who showed up to a NeoWiccan gathering. </div>
Allechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09835750011234964302noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2849795990494833347.post-66495937118429175532014-01-17T18:43:00.002-06:002014-01-17T18:43:35.412-06:00[Pagan Blog Project 2014] B is for Blood-Ancestry<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Even before I narrowed my religion down to Gaelic Polytheism, I still was very interested in Celtic polytheism as a whole while eclectic. One of the first things I read was about honoring the Gods, Spirits, and Ancestors. Coming into Gaelic Polytheism, that three is called <a href="http://www.gaolnaofa.com/docs/gaolnaofa_faq.pdf">The Sacred Three (or Na Trí Naomh in Gaeilge) by Gaol Naofa</a>: Gods, Spirits, and Ancestors.</div>
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As someone who is not close to my blood family, this poses an interesting problem... (tw under the cut: talks of abuse.)</div>
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First off, let me admit that what originally brought my interest to Irish mythology was that my dad's surname is Irish therefore my bloodline--at least in part--is from Ireland. Also truth be told, going with my mom's side of the family may have been easier since her grandparents were recent immigrants from Italy while my dad's family is several generations USAian. But when I met Lugh, the reasons for coming to the Irish spirituality was irrelevant. I wanted to stay for Him.</div>
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Secondly, I am not close to my extended family. I never have been. My mom is part of a large family of six sisters (including herself) and one brother. That's seven total. However, I can name my uncle and one of my aunts...the rest are a blur in my mind. I never really saw them growing up, nor did we ever go to family reunions once I was in elementary school. My mom was distant from her mother for personal reasons, so I never knew my grandma on that side of the family. All in all, it was a lot of family that I have no connections to. </div>
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My dad's family is similar, though his is smaller. He had two older brothers. But, because of the 4+ age gaps, my dad wasn't that close with his brothers. We did end up seeing my grandma a lot (his mom), but I wouldn't say I'm that close to her. I just feel cold around her. </div>
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That is what has been the case for years and years. I have had aunts add me on Facebook or cousins talk to me, and I have always be perplexed. I've been around for ages. Why did you suddenly think to talk to me? Then, they disappear again. Oh well.</div>
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For my nuclear family, things have escalated to the point that I have had to cut people out of my lives. Around the time of middle school, my older brother's sibling teasing turned into verbal and emotional abuse. That continued through middle and high school. He slowly became more and more violent as he could get away with it more and more. He never directly hit me, but he was reaching that point the year after I graduated high school and I ended up having to move out of the house for my own safety. (It's a whole debacle as to why I had to move and he didn't.) My therapist suggested that I got PTSD from the years and years of abuse from him, and I agree. I also contribute his abuse to my social anxiety. Therefore, I have cut him out of my life. I didn't go home for the holidays last winter because he would be around. I have made it a point to not talk to him nor see him best I can.</div>
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Even more recently, my mother has earned the same treatment. With my mental health, she constantly berates my progress while simultaneously not understanding why I can't "just get better." While seeing her has always been stressful, I have finally reached the limit where I know I need to put myself first. I warned her months ago, but with the recent outburst showing she hasn't learned, I told her that I wouldn't be speaking to her again. At least until I can recover to the point where she won't trigger me (which may be years if not decades.)</div>
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Thus, this leaves two people of blood relation: my younger brother and dad. </div>
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All that backstory brings me to this: my blood-ancestry is none existent. To learn about my heritage, I would have to talk to people I don't know anything about and I really don't want. However, I still want to honor ancestors and family.</div>
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This is where it gets tricky. When I think of ancestors, I take a suggestion my friend Rai gave me, which was to think about the people who preserved the traditions I'm reading about. To thank the countless and nameless people who continued oral traditions, continued customs after Ireland was converted to Christianity, to thank the people who came before me to give me the knowledge and experiences I have now. That's who I thank, though I don't know if any of them are related by blood.</div>
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As for family, I still have people who I consider family. I have two great friends, one who feels like a big sister to me and another who is almost like a mom or an aunt (can someone "feel" like an aunt...? 'cause she does to me.) I wrestled with this question almost two years ago with the idea of "home", and that I'm not sure if I have a place that feels like "home." Not a concrete place, anyway. So I made a jar that I call "Home" filled with belongings of those I consider family, since that is what home is to me: a place with family. The most recent addition is that of my boyfriend, who I hope someday will be my husband.</div>
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In short: I don't have blood ancestry that I pay mind to for various personal reasons. But, I do have people I thank. I thank the people who came before me, who laid out ground work, and would carried out traditions. </div>
Allechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09835750011234964302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2849795990494833347.post-82324360319757562822014-01-10T13:34:00.000-06:002014-01-10T13:34:39.938-06:00[Pagan Blog Project 2014] A for Authors<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Specifically: magic, occult, new age, and/or pagan authors.</div>
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<a href="http://philosophical-pagan.blogspot.com/2014/01/reflections-on-sundays-ritual.html">On Sunday</a>, the UU group mentioned having a pagan library. I was really revolted by this idea. As I told them, and as I'll say here, I'm jaded. Perhaps a better word would be "bitter." As I was just talking to the friend who introduced me to Gaelic Polytheism, I went over two years thinking that all Celtic cultures were the same culture--or close enough to be grouped together. And what is truly irritating about that is that I <i>was reading books about Celtic Paganism</i>. I had books, I was in forums, I was talking about it. Never was it mentioned--or strongly, firmly mentioned--that the Celtic Cultures were diverse and different.</div>
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My friend recommended to me to read <i>S<a href="http://criticalpagans.tumblr.com/tagged/SD20S">pecial 20th Anniversary Edition of The Spiral Dance </a></i><a href="http://criticalpagans.tumblr.com/tagged/SD20S">by Starhawk</a>. Linked is so far my review of it, and so far why I haven't picked it back up again. The history that Starhawk postulates is grossly wrong and simplified. In fact, anytime I hear "All ancient cultures..." I cringe. Because that is feasibly impossible 99.99% of the time. And then she also pushes the notion that Witchcraft is a religion, which it is not on its own. There are some Witchcraft-based religions, but I know plenty of secular witches. </div>
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And Starhawk is one of the least offensive authors I have read. At the very least, she is coming out to acknowledge trans* and include women-identifying people into women-specific rituals. <a href="http://philosophical-pagan.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-power-of-belief.html">Other authors and pagan figures are not so open minded.</a> </div>
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We have Edain McCoy,<a href="http://philosophical-pagan.blogspot.com/2013/07/druidry-books-and-reflections.html"> who I originally thought was a pretty Wiccan-focused book about Celtic deities</a>. Ah... but no, she's much worst than that. Not only is her book not founded in any academic research or findings, but <a href="http://www.stopedainmccoy.com/">she is arrogant and feels entitled to any culture she so chooses.</a> The website linked there was truly upsetting to read, both by how Éamonn Kearns is that their culture is being commercialized and how uninterested McCoy is with respecting another culture's wishes. </div>
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Half Price Books is rather close to my apartment and I often like to visit it. The Mythology Section is, sadly, right next to the Occult/New Age/Wiccan section. There is an entire shelf dedicated to "Shamanism", which I have no doubts is filled with racist ideas of what shamanism is. (Hint: If the person is not talking about Mongols or the Turks, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shamanism#Criticism_of_the_term">they are probably promoting cultural appropriation</a>.) There are books about the "Old Religion"...However, the only surviving "Old Religions" are Judaism and Hinduism. Unless the book is talking about reconstructionism (which I have no doubt that it is not), then the title is promoting the wrongful idea that Wicca and Wiccan-like religions existed before Gerald Gardner.</div>
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So I stay away from self-identified pagan or New Age authors. I'm so sick of the generalizations. Books get published without peer review, or published because they "sound" interesting. I have tried to limit my books to history books, but even those can be troublesome. While I have started reading Peter Berresford Ellis' book <i>The Druids</i>, his theory about how to classify the Druids is Pan-Celtic and uses links to the Hindu culture. An interesting approach, but several GPs I know demise the premise.</div>
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I think if someone wanted to learn about paganism, the aren't going to be in much luck with books. I can't think of a single book that encompasses "paganism." Among other problems, there are hundreds of different beliefs. Different theologies. Instead of looking for pagan books, look for what you really want: history, mythology, folklore, herbology, etc. I'm working my way through <a href="http://www.tairis.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=83:the-big-book-list&catid=39:resources&Itemid=1">getting all the suggested books on Tairis' website</a>. The only exception I have is for spell books, since spells and magic can be very subjective. Nonetheless, all books should be looked at <a href="http://www.rogerdarlington.me.uk/thinking.html">critically</a>.</div>
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If the UU group does go through with making a "Pagan Library," I may donate books about critical thinking, confirmation bias, and loads of peer-reviewed history books. I'll buy seven copies of <i>Celtic Gods and Heroes </i>so that people can start to stop pushing Greco-Roman ideals onto Celtic Cultures, and hopefully stop pushing it onto others. ...I may also have to borrow the books and critically sticky-note them with fact checks. </div>
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Allechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09835750011234964302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2849795990494833347.post-81395648112761402862014-01-08T10:47:00.001-06:002014-01-08T10:49:36.379-06:00I have the best boyfriend.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT7pdAD2YeAskmGTR9G6sDAJZkDc5w34kpyf4S2Xn4Sn_0xElS9oCDIwPJnFonJmRMGNNXsLVlCQFv719SiOxB2ulEfn599-I0v-nN3WMjg_ORh0gAGEKVzeEDESt_KvhtxXm6HCepQPzS/s1600/flowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT7pdAD2YeAskmGTR9G6sDAJZkDc5w34kpyf4S2Xn4Sn_0xElS9oCDIwPJnFonJmRMGNNXsLVlCQFv719SiOxB2ulEfn599-I0v-nN3WMjg_ORh0gAGEKVzeEDESt_KvhtxXm6HCepQPzS/s1600/flowers.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flowers I got from William a month ago.</td></tr>
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As I mentioned in <a href="http://philosophical-pagan.blogspot.com/2013/11/mental-illness-and-spirituality.html">this blog article on my mental illness,</a> I have mental illness. Yesterday I woke up with an anxiety attack about how my life is at the moment. I won't get into the details here. William, my boyfriend whom I live with, reassured me about everything then helped me start to make myself an early lunch. Afterwards, his mom called and I surprised him by saying I would like to go out for lunch and even go to the DMV (despite the DMV making me anxious too.) All in all, I managed to come back from a severe anxiety attack to the point where I left my comfort zone to be around 1) his mother and 2) the DMV. (His mother isn't really that stressful, but being around her still can push my social anxiety if I don't have enough <a href="http://www.butyoudontlooksick.com/wpress/articles/written-by-christine/the-spoon-theory/">spoons</a>.) </div>
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I came home at about 4pm. I called my therapist to double check an appointment and my psychiatrist to make one, then I promptly went to bed to detox from the day.</div>
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I woke up today with William saying he had a gift for me. I was confused, because we don't have any money for him to buy me anything. He then gave me this:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNBeQEvb_SbClTLia0GHS3kTHtdULHJtaFB0e1BTkxlA2ySWfTlXtIkZ9ZXunp2dgFPMrANu2h8CXtTWho3zs_jLugQhgFQn0ovc-Aypu8cTBHv3GSB0ufgMoDSRns-uoiFn8D-ojHNLYH/s1600/william+charm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNBeQEvb_SbClTLia0GHS3kTHtdULHJtaFB0e1BTkxlA2ySWfTlXtIkZ9ZXunp2dgFPMrANu2h8CXtTWho3zs_jLugQhgFQn0ovc-Aypu8cTBHv3GSB0ufgMoDSRns-uoiFn8D-ojHNLYH/s1600/william+charm.jpg" height="320" width="200" /></a></div>
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It's an small garlic jar filled with my protection sea salt, sunflower petals, and topped off with his worry stone he carried in his pocket. He gave it to me for protection.<br />
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My boyfriend isn't pagan or "New Age", though. (He believes in pantheistic secular humanism.) He also isn't someone who does magic. This isn't the type of thing he does normally. But he did this for me, because he knows <i>I</i> believe in it and work with it. <a href="http://philosophical-pagan.blogspot.com/2013/11/review-tarot-of-silicon-dawn.html">Just like the gifts he got me for my birthday</a>.<br />
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So. I'm just. Floored by how lovely this is. It's really soothing to look at, which I think is because he gave me it.<br />
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<br />Allechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09835750011234964302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2849795990494833347.post-43894662788546940582014-01-06T11:00:00.000-06:002014-01-06T11:00:00.179-06:00Reflections on Sunday's Ritual<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My <a href="http://philosophical-pagan.blogspot.com/2013/11/early-november-celebrations.html#more">Parshall Cross that I gave the UU's Little Free Library</a> has a new home it seems on the banner! I'm happy it's still able to protect the church. I saw it tonight while attending January's UU pagan group's get-together. First ritual with a different organizer. While I'm still overall enjoying my visits with the group, I still have a bit of a complaint as someone without <a href="http://thespiae.oddmodout.com/2013/11/08/pbp-2013-wiccanate-privilege/">Wiccanate privilege</a>. I don't know how to exactly bring up these sort of complaints... but at least I can voice them on this blog, eh?</div>
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First and foremost, I have some critical thinking errors on the part of the organizer. The ritual he lead was about suffering and basically overcome it... I think? More just to meditate on it. But a few things he said really irked me. </div>
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<li>"Those without suffering you are selfish." What? How? No??? I can think of two people immediately who have a lot of pain and suffering...and are incredibly selfish. Suffering doesn't have a relationship with selflessness. Don't romanticized suffering.</li>
<li>That was the other thing. He presented suffering as something that needed to be done to get somewhere which...I guess...but...no.</li>
<li>All I can think about is my mental illness and how he's romanticizing suffering as something one can "get over" or emerge better from. Not always. Not always.</li>
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Other than the problems I had with how he addressed suffering, then there were generalizations involving how "Every culture has the Hero's Journey." And after he said that, I thought about Gaelic mythology and...couldn't think of a journey that resembled that. I messaged some other Gaelic Polytheists and they agreed. It seems like the problems that arise whenever one tries to look for archetypes in any other culture. If one looks hard enough and bends the cultural figure enough, they'll sure find someone that can fit that archetype--even if, in reality and canon, that figure doesn't.</div>
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SO a bunch of generalizing problems. Ugh. Generalizations. My arch enemy... (archetypal enemy, if you would.) I should add that this is after he invites the 4 Elements, the Earth Goddess, and Odin into our circle. (Which I'm not even sure if he invited Odin or the archetype of Odin.) </div>
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Then we were to meditate in the dark about our suffering. To think about it because "we typically push it away." Again, generalizing... because I don't push my suffering away. I am constantly thinking about it. I am constantly aware of my suffering, my pain, and my problems. I am constantly feeling anxious and worrying and trying to figure out how to minimize my pain. I have to find ways to cope so that I don't think about my suffering. I don't suffer passively. And to assume that I was bothered me a lot.</div>
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I went to the restroom after I thought an appropriate amount of time passed so that I could vent online real quick about how bothered I was about the meditation. Afterwards, I returned to a discussion about doing work for charities involving nature preservation. And again with generalization, this assumes that all pagans are nature worshipers which isn't true. I wish my personal path wasn't so nature-oriented or else I would verbally point that out whenever that statement was made. But I'm fairly sure the Kemetics I know aren't nature-based, nor my friend who works with Death entities, etc etc etc...</div>
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After that, they talked about bringing back the pagan library. I cringed. I cringed physically and visually. I am so bothered by pagan and new age authors that having a section dedicated to them just seems to promote that misguided information. Uuugh. And my disgust couldn't be contained: I told someone how I was jaded towards pagan authors and that I couldn't stand most of them for the misinformation they promote. I stay away and read history books now. I saw one book that instantly hit the radar with "Wicca: The Old Religion in the New Age." I blurted out, "But Wicca was created in the 1950s." I corrected someone else who said "Gardner revived the religion in the 1950s." No, <i>he created Wicca</i>. There is no historical proof to back up his claim that it came from a "forgotten, underground religion." And it also said how "witchcraft is the oldest religion." Noooope. Witchcraft isn't a religion!</div>
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...that's just one book. A library? I cry at the thought.</div>
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<br />But! I did see a book about the Goddess that passed my quick review. It was organized by location, which is a great start. The book wrote accurate things about Brigid while not reducing her to one aspect or alluding that she is some Wiccan Triple Goddess (but referred to her as a triune goddess, which is a phrase I like and is accurate.) The Kemetic goddesses weren't listed with their Greek names but with their actual Egyptian names. I was impressed, especially considering it's an encyclopedia of sorts.</div>
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So if there were more books like <i>that </i>and less books like the first? Maybe this library wouldn't be so cringe-inducing. Maybe. (If I had the time, energy, and patience I would sticky note all the problematic phrases in McCoy books and then send them off into the world. Or go through books at Half-Price-Books and sticky note problems, including how the "Shamanism" shelf is entirely racist.)</div>
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The rest of the night went alright. Chalice drove me (thank you so much Chalice!) and I commented about how much I'm looking forward to the Imbolc ritual, since it'll actually resemble what I practice. It's honoring community, family, Brigid as a goddess and not archetype... I'm excited. No 4 Elements. No "God and Goddess." Just a community celebration with a ritual bent to it (which I'm fine with, because a pure Gaelic festival wouldn't be the same for someone who wasn't interested in Gaelic Polytheism or its values.)</div>
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Tonight, one of the people voiced how they shared their [NeoWiccan] Yule story and it made their Catholic relatives "uncomfortable." She said to them in the story, "Well, how do you think I feel when you're doing prayers that have no relevance to me?" I was tempted to say, "I feel that same way everytime I come to this group, actually!" But didn't, as it wasn't really the time or place to voice it. But it is how I feel...I might as well be going to Catholic Church with how excluded I feel. My prayers, my gods, my religion isn't being acknowledged. Calling myself "pagan" feels like the wrong title because of how NeoWiccan-centered pagan gatherings, events, etc tend to be. As the <a href="http://thespiae.oddmodout.com/2013/11/08/pbp-2013-wiccanate-privilege/">"Wiccanate Privilege"</a> article mentioned, I mainly go in the off chance I find someone of somewhat similar beliefs. I did meet Chalice which, while she doesn't share in my beliefs, shares in my love to discuss theology, sociology, and more. </div>
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All in all, it was a typical Wiccanate-ritual and night, and I continued to be apathetic towards all of the Wiccanate symbolism and meanings. I am looking forward to the Imbolc ritual, though, if only to show others how a non-Wiccanate ritual can be. I don't know if I'll be able to make March's gathering, but if it's another heavily Wiccante ritual I may begin to voice my discomfort. </div>
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Question for the reader: </div>
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How do you see going to local gatherings of people practicing a different religion?</h2>
Allechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09835750011234964302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2849795990494833347.post-17439269004832877062014-01-03T23:18:00.001-06:002014-01-03T23:18:44.539-06:00[Pagan Blog Project 2014] A for Altar<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I suppose it's 'bout time I joined in on the wonderful <a href="http://paganblogproject.com/">Pagan Blog Project.</a> Better than late than never, eh? (Especially considering how late in the day I'm submitting this. Eeps.)</div>
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Anyway, so Altars!</div>
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But, shrines and altars can be one and the same. For me, my altar and shrine area is intermingled. It's an area I have specific candles and symbolism to honor the dé ocus andé. I also use it as an area of worship, performing a morning ritual there.</div>
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What I find important to have on my altar/shrine in terms of Gaelic Polytheism is a few things. For one, I want to have some sort of offering bowl to give offerings in. Currently I have two: one for the dé ocus andé and one especially for Lugh. (Lugh also has a glass dedicated to Him if I offer a drink instead of food.) I also like to have candles to represent the dé ocus andé, spirits, ancestors, Lugh's candle, and Brigid's candle. If I invited a different spirit or entity into my home, I would find another candle to do so with. I don't know why exactly my mind links a candle as a way of inviting in deities, spirits, and entities but it does.</div>
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Recently I discovered my own personal want for a "hearth." While in pre-modern times the hearth would have been a fireplace centered in the home, I decided to take a modern approach and incorporate my coffee maker as my hearth. The reasons for this is that the hearth is related to hospitality, food, and center. I associate all that with my coffee maker (I consider coffee to be very grounding and centering.) </div>
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Other things that aren't really necessities for my altar and shrine but I still like to have on it is a vanity shrine. My vanity shrine includes items that represent me and celebrate myself. I have what I call a "Love Box" full of letters and tokens of friendship from various people. It's a nice box to go through when I'm feeling lonely or sad. I also have items of my family, including my Home Jar and my boyfriend's first Menorah.</div>
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So this entry is a bit discombobulated. In summary: an altar is something for worship or "doing." My altar is combined with my shrine.</div>
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...Ugh. I'll try to make my entry better next week...</div>
Allechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09835750011234964302noreply@blogger.com0