Nels A. Linde

Nels Linde is  co-editor of the PNC-MN Bureau. Without formal training as a journalist, I  have written for publications, website development, editorials, and the ‘Pagan public’ for several years.

I pursued a studio arts degree for two years at the University of Minnesota, before becoming a full-time ceramic artist in Wisconsin in 1975.  I exhibited nationally at art shows and galleries in California, New Mexico, New York, Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. I continue to sell my work and the work of other artists, imported drums and costuming, through my website, Hawkdancing.com.

I was introduced to Pagan experience at the Pagan Spirit Gathering in 1986, and have participated in that event for the last 25 years.  I have coordinated the Men’s ritual at PSG three times, and contributed to the community ritual design, production, and ritual prop development for several years at that festival.  I presented at PSG 2011 as part of the Circle Leadership Adjunct Faculty.

I am currently a Council Member at Large, and have been a member of Harmony Tribe for twelve years, and served on its Council for 10 years.   I draw much of my spiritual experience from festivals, and time spent in the woods of Wisconsin, but am also an initiate of the Glenn, Alexandrian tradition, and the Crystal Blue, Blue Star tradition and currently practice within that tradition.

I have a long history of community involvement and service.   I am a past member of the Carpenters and Joiners Union. I have established and hosted many area email lists, events, workshops, and groups. I have offered workshops in hand drumming and building throughout the Midwest and am community adviser to the UW Stout Hand Drumming Club. My wife, Judy Olson-Linde, and I called for a meeting in January 2007 that established what would become the Upper Midwest Pagan Alliance. As President and Action chair, we guided that organization in support of the Pentacle Quest, and through February of 2011.

I am currently a member of Harmony Tribe, and UMPA.  I contribute website development and support to both those organizations. I am co-moderator of many area email lists and groups, but rarely am needed in that capacity. I am co-host and founder of the Sacred Fire Circle in Paradise.

I believe in the organizational principles of the PNC . I am

“committed to the development of non-hierarchical and anti-authoritarian relationships, from interpersonal relationships to group dynamics. Therefore, we shall organize ourselves collectively and be committed to the principle of consensus decision-making and the development of a direct, participatory democratic process that is transparent to those involved.”

I believe one of the most important tasks of this generation of Pagans is to develop organizational structures that serve us best, and as spiritual beings. I believe it is imperative for humans to learn how to respectfully communicate directly with each other, to progress. I continue to learn.