Mystical Mundane

This post has been a long time coming. Not that this means it will be a very well written post, so please don’t get your expectations too high. It’s been a long time coming simply because I’ve never really found the words to express how I feel about this – but I’m going to give it an attempt anyhow. So, my path has been winding. Sometimes way off in one direction, and then a seemingly folding in on itself, coming back to centre only to go past the fulcrum and off again the other way. Drawn to different ideas, feelings and thoughts. Sometimes feeling scattered, sometimes completely focussed. I’ve never strongly been drawn to a female deity — though have had an interest in Hathor for quite a number of years. But I have had a draw to a masculine deity. The Horned God in Wicca was always easier for me to connect to than the Lady. Perhaps simply due to the fact that in life I often get along better with men than women. I think that I am somewhat uncomfortable or not in touch with...

Although I have been in the Pagan community for the past ten years  (and more of a lurker prior to that) I’ve never seen such a huge level of hostility in regards to (edit) ‘Ecclectic’ Wiccans. Wicca became a recognized religion in the states. There are some ‘legal’ Wiccan churches in Canada. Wicca as first brought forward by Gerald Gardner, has found its way to North America and taken on a new life. Albeit many strains that have sprung up are Wiccan by name only, resembling little the practice of the Traditional Wiccan groups that got this all started. Understandably, those who have learned and been initiated from a verifiable lineage find it irritating that anyone can grab a book, read about Wicca and say ‘Hey, yeah, I’m Wiccan’. However it is was only a matter of time before that happened. When something so beautiful and appealing and new catches the eye of one who has ever really had exposure to the Abrahamic faiths or a new non-dogmatic esoteric approach makes itself known ...

Not too long ago I wrote a post ” One Path, Two Tools, or Confessions of an Anglipaganostic“. It seemed to make so much sense. Simplifying this inner battle. Things are never that simple it would seem. I have so much faith and hope in the Progressive Christian Movement. I especially have great faith and hope in the Progressive Episcopalian Church and what it is they are doing to make this accessible and inclusive.  I really believe in it – so much that I have wanted nothing more to work on my little Sacred Path Fellowship and offer a new variety of Christianity to the locals. To put it out there, let people know it exists. Then in a debate over my blog post at the WiccanTogether.com website I really got a good glimpse of how the majority seems to understand Christianity. Namely “Accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour”, and accepting the bible mindlessly (something that isn’t that common to Christianity actually, though the general public seems to think so) I was honestly ...

Coming back from Harrison My oldest son turned 25 Currant from Galiano Island Asian Pear in Bloom Boys and Dog Yay Spring! Zoe

I think I'm probably too tired to write this post, however I'm going to do it anyhow. First of all I want to thank the Universalist Fellowship of the Sacred path - my fellow clergy and friends there who are supportive of me and my journey (as I am equally supportive of them). It's amazing how we have all been on such spiritual pilgrimages. We exchange stories and thoughts and ideas - as varied as we are in our own religious convictions, we share in one thing - we don't easily fit into a predetermined religious framework. My biggest thanks to Bishop Mansell Gilmore who does such an amazing job of supporting us all. I go through cycles of varied beliefs and understandings. It looks on the outside like a complete 360, however each time I come round in that circle I have something new I've learned that I've brought with me. I don't know why it should surprise me that I go in circles. After all, our life is a spiral that circles inward, and circles outward...

I'm glad they all seem to get along.

As spring slowly buzzes and clicks and grinds into motion, I am reminded of how I looked forward to these times when on a pagan path. Puttering with 'witchy' things, creating, celebrating, crafting... felt in tune with nature. At the same time however, I felt a disconnect from Spirit. It felt more about the rituals, the tools, and 'being an individual'.  Oddly. For me, the  usual God and Goddess bit didn't work for me. I wasn't moved by Pagan lore . Church bells though - oh boy, those could stir my soul. I felt myself gravitate away from the Pagan Path and drawn toward the Church. If I feel down and depressed, Psalms can calm me much as the same way the motion in the trees can when the wind dances in the branches. Using the tools of contemplative prayer, writings by Thomas Merton or Cynthia Bourgeault   can pull me out of darkness and back to my inner light. And, of course, the Lore. Stories told to explain the nature and circumstance of mankind. Much like t...