On Christmas Eve a Pagan Writes Something Pithy About Divorce

As a child of divorce, I had two of every holiday: two birthdays, two Thanksgivings, two Christmases... That’s sort of what being a current Pagan, benevolent ex-Christian is like. I’ll happily sing the Jesus songs and make a joyful noise about it, but I’ve also got my eyes peeled for nature spirits darting in and … Continue reading On Christmas Eve a Pagan Writes Something Pithy About Divorce

Where HAVE I Been? Death, Agony, and the Flame that Won’t Die

I was posting regularly, getting Temple Mercury off the ground, and then I just up and disappeared on you. Here’s what happened: It has been a rip-roaring six months, let me tell you! In mid-February my mom, with whom I lived and whose caregiver I had been for three years, had to go to the … Continue reading Where HAVE I Been? Death, Agony, and the Flame that Won’t Die

On Godly Gifts: Life Is Hard When You Don’t Believe in Giraffes

When I was 19, I took piano, violin, and music theory from an eccentric Hungarian musician who liked to talk a lot about escaping communism. He also liked to tell Hungarian jokes. In a book of translated Hungarian poetry, (by the poet Miklos Radnoti—seriously, check him out. He’s awesome), I read in the translator’s notes … Continue reading On Godly Gifts: Life Is Hard When You Don’t Believe in Giraffes

Those Who Lack: A Pagan Meditation on Love and Dentistry

Taken outside my mother’s board and care facility while she was recovering and my teeth were falling out. I remember my friend Jeana at the bar in Nashville, Tennessee, or actually on her way to the bar saying that her teeth may be crooked, but at least they were all in there. She was referring … Continue reading Those Who Lack: A Pagan Meditation on Love and Dentistry

Classic Imbolc Tale of My Epic Social Fail

Happy Imbolc everyone! Gather here with me around the temple hearth where today we celebrate Hestia/Vesta, goddess of hearth and temple flame, and also Brigid, goddess of poetry, the forge, and myriad other bright and blessed things. Sit here with me, the goddesses amongst us, the soft flickering flames inspiring our mystical vision. As the … Continue reading Classic Imbolc Tale of My Epic Social Fail

Unsolicited Spiritual Advice: Getting the God Feeling

Aldous Huxleyphotographer unknown “…the place of mind in nature and the relationship between brain and consciousness.” -Aldous Huxley, The Doors of Perception I’ll tell you what: Right now my brain is starting a headache looking at this quote while my consciousness is in Aldous Huxley’s pants. Such a a spiritual hottie. Great big juicy brain. … Continue reading Unsolicited Spiritual Advice: Getting the God Feeling