Paganistan Community Notes; February 7-13

February 7, 2011February 8, 2011

Next Saturday night (February 12) will be the annual Bread & Brew competition at the Sacred Paths Center following their annual meeting. Bread! Brew! Pagans! That sounds like the basic recipe for a good time. http://sacredpathscenter.com/?page_id=1065

TC Pagan Pride normally has a booth at GLBT Pride, however this year none of the leadership is available that day, and they’re busily organizing Paganicon. This means that there will not be a clear representative of the local Pagan community passing out fliers from the myriad of different local Pagan originations (as Pagan Pride has done). Is there another Pagan group who would like to take up the Pagan banner at GLBT Pride? Please contact info@tcpaganpride.org and they will be happy to share all they know about working a booth at GLBT Pride.

This community has a huge Heathen population, but so far no heathen workshops have been submitted for Paganicon. If you’re a Heathen attending Paganicon, and you’d like to present a workshop, please go to: http://tcpaganpride.org/paganicon/programming

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Pagan Coming Out Day – Interview

February 1, 2011February 1, 20113 Comments

Pagan Coming Out Day – Interview with Cara Schulz from Diana Rajchel on Vimeo.

Perhaps the most critical decision a Pagan faces is whether to practice the given faith open, or secretly. To open up even to trusted loved ones can risk loss: loss of job, loss of family, even loss of trust. At the same time, speaking openly “this is my faith” can come with the rewards of relief and freedom. No more praying that no one notices “doctor’s appointments” coinciding with the full moon. No more negotiating ways to avoid church at Easter. No more lying to your grandmother. The day has come, if you’re ready, to speak your truth. That day is May 2nd.

Designated as International Pagan Coming Out Day (IPCOD), and sponsored by an organization of the same name, May 2nd is your day to share your spirituality with someone you love.

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Tattoos: Skin Pictographs of a Journey – Editorial

February 1, 2011January 31, 20111 Comment

We all have seen them, Pagans sport them as decorative badges. Tattoo, (tatu) indelible ink inserted into the dermis layer of the skin to change the pigment for decorative or other reasons.

Artist: Megan Wilson - Picture Machine SF

I had always thought of them as simply body adornment, something added as a whim and often regretted later. A few years ago I had a talk with Pagan friend Brett and heard the story of each of his numerous tattoos. I came to realize for many Pagans, they are the story of their spiritual journey. Each ink addition for him represented a step, or event, revelation or accomplishment along his spiritual path. A constant reminder of his journey.

My Tattoo

Recently I got my first tattoo, at age 57. It was an entitlement of initiation within my tradition. As a craftsman and artist, I have imbued my spiritual inspiration into my work. When I heard of Kore, a spiritual tattooist in South Minneapolis, I knew she could offer the experience I wanted.
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Pagan Coming Out Day Set for May 2nd – Editorial

February 1, 20111 Comment

International Pagan Coming Out Day (IPCOD), a not-for-profit organization, has named May 2nd as Pagan Coming Out Day. The group is organized by an eight person Executive Committee, of which two members are Minnesotans – Old Frisian and archaic Anglo-Saxon language specialist Nick Ritter and PNC’s Cara Schulz. Other committee members include licensed clinical psychologist and a faculty member of The Chicago School of Professional Psychology Drake Spaeth, PsyD, The Wild Hunt’s Jason Pitzl-Waters, editor of SageWoman, Witches&Pagans, and Crone magazines Anne Newkirk Niven, writer and blogger Laura M. LaVoie, webmaster David Dashifen Kees, and CUUPS Board Member Emeritus Dave Burwasser.

As Chair of the Executive Committee for IPCOD, I am proud and excited to be part of this project, which I first proposed on the blog Pagan+politics back in June of last year. The goal of Pagan Coming Out Day is to achieve acceptance and equity for Pagans at home, at work, and in every community. We’ll do this by being more visible and standing together. As more of us come out, the less discrimination we all face. May 2nd, is when individuals, deciding on their own terms, take a step that helps foster a society that truly does tolerate all religions. It’s also a day when our religious community comes together to support those Pagans coming out to a person or group and celebrates the more public emergence of their Pagan identity.

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Midwest Author to Release Pagan Camping Book

January 20, 2011January 20, 2011

Lori Dake, Chicago author and Independent Record Label owner, is set to release a book on Pagan camping by Ostara 2011. The book is primarily focused on camping at Pagan festivals and gatherings, but also draws from years of camping at KOA’s and other non-Pagan camping and festivals. Ms. Dake is seeking one last detail for her book, the cover, and she is willing to pay for the perfect photo.