What do newcomers need to know about Paganism when they’re just starting out? That’s an incredibly broad question – it’s why we have so many Paganism 101 books. Here’s some general information, some resources, and what you need to know if you decide to practice the particular form of Paganism I practice.

What do newcomers need to know about Paganism when they’re just starting out? That’s an incredibly broad question – it’s why we have so many Paganism 101 books. Here’s some general information, some resources, and what you need to know if you decide to practice the particular form of Paganism I practice.

This is the story of a new devotional painting of Manannán mac Lir by Pagan artist Ashley Bryner.

This is the story of a new devotional painting of Manannán mac Lir by Pagan artist Ashley Bryner.

Myths are more than fictional stories and they aren’t intended to be read literally. Oftentimes we have to look past the obvious to get to the truth, and what seems to be contradictory is simply two or more lessons embedded in the same story.

Myths are more than fictional stories and they aren’t intended to be read literally. Oftentimes we have to look past the obvious to get to the truth, and what seems to be contradictory is simply two or more lessons embedded in the same story.

Hospitality is among the greatest of Pagan virtues, and it means more than offering food and drink. People come to us looking for a community where they can learn sacred traditions and explore the deepest questions of life. What will they find when they arrive? Here are seven things we owe newcomers to Paganism.

Religion is ultimately about relationships: with our families and communities, with the natural world, with our virtues and values, and with our Gods and spirits. Building relationships with other persons requires communication. There are ways we can talk to the Gods, and there are ways we can hear from Them.

Imagine, if you will, a conclave of cats gathered to discuss and debate the true nature of humans. It is much the same when we humans discuss and debate the true nature of the Gods.

Over the past few days many of us have descended into our own personal hells, reliving our worst days over and over again. What is done is done and cannot be undone. We can only work to dismantle the patriarchy and oligarchy that invests unworthy men with power over the lives and bodies of women, people of color, the poor, and others they deem inferior.

There is no shame in fear and doubt – they’re part of being imperfect humans who have to make decisions with imperfect information. But fear and doubt can be overcome, and TV preachers can be banished into irrelevance.

Your main thing isn’t everyone else’s main thing. People who try to manipulate others into supporting their causes are behaving exactly like street corner preachers who are certain everybody who doesn’t believe like them is going to hell. You don’t have to listen to them.

Xenophanes said that horses would worship Gods that look like horses. But some of our Gods are not in our image. What does it mean that some deities have chosen to reveal Themselves in other-than-human form?

We’ve all heard someone say “funerals are for the living.” No. This is sacrilege. This is a Protestant and humanist idea that has no place in Paganism and polytheism. Funerals are for the community, which includes both the living and the dead.