Etsy Introduces Restrictions that May Impact Pagan Sellers

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eBay isn’t the only online marketplace laying down new law that can affect Pagan business owners. Etsy, a site for producers of handmade goods, introduced a new set of restrictions on August 8 that prohibits making medical claims about products. While FDA regulations regarding these products already establishes restrictions as they apply to purveyors of aromatherapy, cosmetics, and herbs, Etsy’s enforcement may extend to objects with folkloric associations, such as stones.

Says Lauren Engelheart, an Etsy Policy Manager in the Etsy forums, “A seller may not make claims that using their product (whatever the item may be) correlates with the cure or relief of a health condition or illness. This includes historical, folklore or “time-tested” claims that make a correlation between the product and the cure or relief of a health condition or illness.”

This does not mean, per Engelheart and the Etsy blog, that these items are   banned. According to the blog post announcing the policy change and  explanations from Etsy administrators in internal site blogs and forums, sellers of items such as tinctures and tea mixes  will simply be asked to rewrite their product descriptions so as to remove any medical claims.

Herbal-based product business owners are expressing concerns about the new policy within Etsy and on Facebook pages. Says PhoenixBotanicals in the Etsy forum, “As an herbal crafter, I find the idea of being banned from listing traditional uses and folk lore of plants quite disheartening.”

The most frequently repeated concern by sellers in Etsy forums involves how the new policy will be enforced.

Alexis [who declined to be identified by a surname], owner of WortsandCunning Apothecary, says, “[Etsy’s] answer to sellers has been not to offer clarification but to tell us that they will remove listings and possibly shut our shops down if we are not in compliance. The only way most of us will find out if we are in compliance is if are listings are removed and we are threatened to be closed by Etsy.”

Etsy management did not respond to  inquiries regarding this article.

Update 8/20/2012 1:08 pm

Etsy officially declined to comment on this article.

 

Disclosure: Diana Rajchel is a former Etsy seller, and ran a perfume oil and aromatherapy business on the site from 2006-2011.

Follow the Moon: Astrology of intention and mindfulness

by Teri Parsley Starnes

Teri’s interest with astrology lies with helping people see how following a practice of intention and self-awareness leads to a fuller relationship with Mystery. Astrology is a wonderful tool for this. Her weekly column orients readers to the seasonal energy of
each month’s Sun sign in order to set magical/mindful intention for the lunar month beginning at the New Moon.

Each week Teri will write about the unfolding energies that support and challenge our intentions. The ebb and flow of the lunar cycle resides deep in our souls. Through following the phases of the Moon, we remember the natural cycles that guide us.

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Kirtan from the Heart – Gift to Sacred Harvest Festival

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A Kirtan in Sanskrit means  “praise, eulogy” . It originates in India and has spoken only forms and the more “liberal” Eastern Indian sung forms.  It is a call response form of expression of devotion, and is at its essence a ritual to the Gods.  It is from a world of 100’s of millions of Hindus and some forms of Buddhism, who celebrate their spirituality through the Kirtan. Alliances between these forms of spiritual Pagan expression are flourishing on the West Coast of the USA. Polytheists find more similarities in their worship than the vast cultural differences between Eastern practice and Western Pagans. Relatively new to Midwest Pagans, but becoming increasingly popular in “New Age” and Yoga based communities, the Kirtan movement is growing. Neo-Pagan connections to call and response, and voice based devotional ritual seems a logical extension in the range of Pagan practice.

Sacred Harvest Festival guest, Yeshe Rabbit, brought this workshop as a taste of this form of expression. The workshop guided participants through, “… a magical progression to align body, mind, and spirit.”  I was drawn in and enthralled by the magic of this workshop.  The power of Rabbit’s voice was inspiring to festivants as the sound drifted through the village. The workshop participants were ecstatic afterwards, and bliss enveloped the village for the week. Jai Maa!  *

Gift yourself seven minutes, close your eyes and join in the song as you hear the culmination of what was  over a 90 minute ritual Kirtan.

Listen to Kali Mata – Kirtan From The Heart

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Jai Maa : This is a call to the Divine Mother, ‘Maa,’ a singing of Her glory. Literally, ‘jai’ means ‘victory,’ although we often translate it as ‘hallelujah’ or ‘praises.’ Speaking ‘Jai Maa’ in puja (worship ceremony) is an affirmation of the Divine Mother’s blessings, a chant of gratitude for all Her gifts and the challenges She provides that help us grow spiritually.

Nels Linde

Sacred Harvest Festival – rebuilding, changing, and staying the same

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Harmony Tribe, the group that produces Sacred Harvest Festival (SHF), a Pagan camping festival held in SE Minnesota, celebrated their 15th year last week.  While the festival experienced ups and downs over the years, most recently a split in Harmony Tribe in 2010 resulting in the board resigning en masse, it appears to be back on the upswing with higher attendance and new and returning merchants.

In 2011 the festival faced several challenges.  A wounded community tired of drama, a new zoning restriction on the park which limited night time drumming, and lack of board continuity and experience.  These challenges showed in the attendance numbers.  Approximately 150 people attended SHF in 2011.

To meet these challenges the board brought in Crystal Blanton, author, mental health counselor, and High Priestess in California to hold a Restorative Justice circle and begin the healing at the 2011 SHF.  The success of that move, which rippled out through the community after last year’s festival, can be seen in this year’s festival numbers.  Although final numbers won’t be out until Sunday, Harmony Tribe Council Officer Judy Olson says the numbers topped 200.  Ms. Blanton returned to SHF this year to continue the community healing that was started in 2011.

Crystal Blanton, Cara Schulz, Judy Olson, and Heather Biedermann

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