Pagan Youth News

A Pagan E-Newsletter for Teens by Teens Issue 2, January 20, 2011

(i, nngjng, he xnrn/Love, Peace, and Trust)

Paganism: A Brief Introduction By Orion Guardian-Elm

[Editors Note: Disclaimer] This article consists entirely of my own views and about modern Paganism. By no means is this article intended to present the beliefs and practices of all who self-identify as Pagan; rather I hope to present the common threads between different Pagan traditions and within Paganism as a whole.

In recent times there has been an influx of interest in the Pagan religions of pre-Christian times. Beginning first with the compiling of European mythologies by Christian monks and an appreciation for the artistry of the ancient Greeks and Romans, and later with the formation of various Masonic, Druidic, and occult orders such as the Golden Dawn, Paganism has been becoming generally more accepted in modern society as a genuine and legitimate spiritual path one which many people alive today have decided to walk. Paganism is once again capturing the minds of hundreds and thousands of individuals worldwide, with legal churches and clergy in some countries and states.

What has influenced this seemingly sudden surge of interest in Paganism and the occult? The answer to this question is quite simply, many things. Films and books such as The Wizard of Oz and J.R.R. Tolkiens The Lord of the Rings were some of the first to depict witches, wizards and magic in a positive light (although The Wizard of Oz does depict the Wicked Witch of the West in the stereotypical way green skin, warts, pointy hat and all!) and were swiftly followed by films and television shows such as Harry Potter, The Craft, Charmed, and Practical Magic. Since the removal of the last anti-Witchcraft Act in 1951, Pagans have been becoming more and more accepted in society although a thousand years of superstitious denigration cannot be discarded overnight! Unfortunately there will always be some who see us as the green, hideous old hags who brew deadly potions in a large cauldron under the light of the full moon. The truth, if not quite so dramatic, is most certainly much more profound.

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I will begin by defining the word Neo-Paganism according to my own understanding of the term: Neo-Paganism is an umbrella term for a number of non-Abrahamic religions and traditions which practice a modern version or reconstruction of historical (or paleo-) Paganism. An exception to this would be Christo-Paganism and Judeo-Paganism, both of which could be considered Abrahamic. Pagan religions remain decentralized and are generally organized into small groups or practiced by individuals, sometimes called solitaries. There is no central authority within Paganism, and therefore no one individual or group can claim to represent or even understand all the many facets of Paganism.

The word Pagan comes from the Latin paganus, meaning a villager. The English word villain also came from the same term: someone who lives in a village or the countryside. One theory behind how this term came into usage is that when Christianity first became a widespread religion, people living in the cities and large towns were converted first whereas those who lived scattered among the countryside or in villages, the pagans, took longer to embrace the new religion. Another theory as to where the term Pagan came from is that it derives from the Greek pagos, meaning stone monument or menhir. This theory is based on the fact that many ancient Pagans centered their worship around stone monuments such as Stonehenge, although in my opinion the first definition is more likely. The truth is we dont really know where the term Pagan comes from and it is certain that whatever its original meaning was, the meanings we apply to the word now are much different from what it originally meant.

Another term which should be mentioned in brief is Heathen, which means a person living in a heathenry area. This term can be used interchangeably with Pagan, though is often used to describe Pagans who follow a Germanic or Northern European tradition of Neo-Paganism, such as Asatru or Odinism.

So who or what is a Pagan, and what does the term mean nowadays?

Today the word Pagan is used by those who self-identify with one of many Pagan traditions and paths, both pre-Christian and recent. It is incorrect to refer to Paganism as a single religion; the most common usage by modern Pagans is as an umbrella term to identify a large group of independent religions and traditions, as well as solitary practitioners.

Many people have attempted to identify a common defining factor for those who define themselves as Pagan. Some would say that we are all Nature-orientated, others that we are all polytheistic (meaning worshipping or believing in more than one deity), or that we all practice some form of magick or spellcraft. Others yet might say that we all base our spirituality on the beliefs and practices of the ancient pre-Christian religions of Europe, or that we are attempting to reconstruct those practices.

Though these definitions may be true for some, I personally dont feel they correctly define Paganism as a whole. Despite what many seem to think, we are not all Earth-based. Many I would say most Pagans are Nature-orientated or venerate Nature and the Earth in some way; however there are many Asatruar and other Reconstructionists who dont consider themselves to be Earth-based at all.

So what common factor applies to all Pagans? What do we all have in common? In answer to this question: the one thing all Pagans have in common is the word Pagan. All Pagans call themselves Pagan. Everyone who identifies as Pagan is in the Pagan circle.

So if Pagans are such a diverse and varied lot how can we accurately define the term to include everyone? I am going to offer a definition which I feel is appropriate to the term though it is not expected that everyone should agree with it. However, from my experience the majority of Pagans agree with this definition, and so I will use it for the purpose of this article: a Pagan is someone who calls him or herself a Pagan.

The philosophy behind this is that a person should know better where they belong than anyone else does. If you feel that Pagan is the right term for your beliefs, then by all means use it. There is no Universal Pagan Council to present you with a certificate of membership; no Pope or Church to approve or disapprove of your spiritual practices. The term is yours to claim, should you so wish.

What are some common Pagan beliefs? Many, though not all, Pagans are Earth-based meaning that they are in tune with the cycles of Nature (the seasons, lunar cycles etc). Most Pagans are also polytheistic, believing in many different gods and goddesses. Some Pagans

(such as myself) are eclectic, meaning that they draw from more than one source or religion in their spirituality. Most Pagans support free will and are against blind dogma, instead practicing their spirituality in a way that works best for them.

Where to go from here: As a Pagan there are many different paths you can explore. Maybe you feel drawn to the rituals and seasonal celebrations of Wicca, or maybe you are more drawn to the philosophical nature of the Druids. Perhaps you are interested in exploring the complex rites of Ceremonial Magick, or in the simple down-to-earth practice of folk magick. Dont think that you must begin following a specific tradition right away if at all! It is perfectly okay to just be a generic Pagan without adhering to any one tradition or path.

Wherever you decide to go from here I will leave you with one final piece of advice: read, read, and read some more! When I first started walking the Pagan path I read every book I could get my hands on and I would encourage you to do the same. Read a range of books on different areas of Paganism and form your own opinions on what you believe about life and death, this world and the next, gods and goddesses or the lack of such. Dont be surprised if you come across vastly differing opinions between Pagan authors we are a wide and varied bunch after all! It is important to realize that such difference in opinion is not necessarily contradictory; rather the authors have just developed their own views on Paganism as you too will in time. Our diversity is a gift, not a curse, and it should be seen as such.

For those of you who are receiving this newsletter on a regular basis: over the next few issues I will writing articles on a number of Pagan paths and traditions, so if you find yourself interested in a certain facet of Paganism be sure to receive a copy of the next issue!

I hope you have found this article to be of some use to you in your journey, and I wish you luck wherever your travels may take you!

Recommended reading and links: The Complete Idiots Guide to Paganism by Carl McColman The Practical Pagan: Commonsense Guidelines for Modern Practitioners by Dana Eilers The Pagan Path by Janet and Stewart Farrar

A Discussion of Some Neopagan Religions and Their Ethics http://www.angelfire.com/mi3/diyao/PaganEthics.html

Fiction: Delete Prayer By Meniskos Moon

Athena was crouched over the computer, eyelids heavy and low as she pressed the down arrow key with slow, languid tick...tick...tick. A small thought of a plant resided near the monitor, eking out a sad existence of pleading attention. Athena felt her head slip in a telling bob of drowsiness. Her hand smacked the screen, slipping from its delicate position of cradling the side of her forehead.

She frowned at the computer.

How things had changed. It hadn't been nearly as boring centuries ago, doing this job. With a grimace, she shut off the monitor and leaned back in the too-firm chair, all plastic and breakable. Ares had already broken a few this month, as well as Dionysus. Though, she supposed, Dionysus could be forgiven for that instance...

How had they gotten like this, trapped in an office building doubling as a strange living arrangement? It seemed like it was only a decade ago that they had all packed their most precious belongings and stumbled out into the new world. One in which they were quickly shipped off to the new superpower and given super fast computers, beauty supplies that would surpass any of the Goddess' needs, and elegant rooms with four poster beds and decorations fit uniquely to them. No, they hadn't fallen in prestige or honor, and the other deities still waved hello and sent holiday baskets when someone was having a birthday.

But, still, on days like this, when the prayers were filling up the inbox, there were the fallen warriors flooding in--with their own requests that, while Athena gladly fulfilled, were none-theless tedious--and Hermes had been squawking all day about how she had to turn in her hours so they could allot her the proper energy pay and avoid the stupid stink Minerva had kicked up the month before, oh, on days like this Athena wished she'd run off like Artemis had, into the woods where she wouldn't shave her legs or wear clothes or have to deal with the oh-sotechnologically advanced supercomputers that had taken to crashing every Thursday.

What had happened to the good old days, where she could peer out of statue at her people, watch them in their own little soap operas? Hadn't they all once been surrounded by nature, been able to be everywhere at once, attending to prayers and pleas and requests with a simple thought? Yes, she sighed, they had. Once upon a time, she'd had a whole city where she could run, warriors she could lead, men and women she could teach the secrets of war and wisdom to.

Well, she still did, of course. But she scrunched her eyes and tapped her foot, all irritation. Their way of requesting her was simply different now. No, that was still wrong. There were people who still burned offerings, still called up the old prayers, even if it was in a different tongue. No, it was the way she received them. No more was she holding the hand's of mortals, Nike close by her side. Instead, she was cooped up in an office building, stuck pressing tiny buttons that she swore would break under her fingers. Filing thousands of prayer requests and pleas and curses, so many her eyes blurred and half the time she forgot which ones she'd granted. No, it hadn't been like that before.

A loud creak from the door made her jump and topple out of the chair, regaining her dignity only by slamming her feet down and grabbing the desk. She whipped her head around, wideeyed.

"Jesus, you scared me!" she snapped.

"Sorry, sorry," the young man replied, smiling laxly at the older woman. Athena straightened and pulled down on her shirt, feeling the adrenaline slowly flowing out of her system. Jesus smiled wider and stepped into the room, glancing about at the hanging plants--dying, from lack of attention, since the nymphs had been out partying--and intricately carved walls of the office. "It's pretty late for you to be working. I heard Nyx across the hall, in the break room. She's getting ready to start her shift."

Athena brushed back her hair, a mess from her hands repeatedly running through it, and eyed the old prophet delicately. His eyes were an open brown color, and his skin hadn't paled from its brown even since they had cooped him up in a private room. It was no wonder he wandered

the halls, smiling and greeting any god he came upon. To be isolated all day--Athena gave a little grateful thought that, even if they were difficult to work with, she had her old friends near her. Jesus, well. After the schisms and fights with his followers, it'd been decided it be better if he was away from the saints, away from his mother, away from everyone else. Did he even return to his office, to look over the countless prayers? Athena doubted it. If she'd had her teachings so brutalized, and such violence condoned, well, she would rather wander the halls too.

"My inbox got a bit backed up. I had to clear it out. At least, clear some of it," she explained. Her eyes flew to the various clocks hung on the wall. Yes, it was a bit late for her to be up. Sometimes she envied Nyx and Hypnos. Sure, they worked all hours of the night, but their job was simply pressing a button. They didn't have to check on anyone save for the insomniacs!

"Oh, oh. Ha, I bet you wish a few of the wars would stop. Might give you a break sometime," Jesus said, glancing again at the room. Maybe his was minimalist, sheltered, bland, cold, lifeless...maybe that was why he meandered everywhere, looking for beauty and style and life. She smiled tightly.

"So do you. So do all of us." She stretched, and Nyx walked in silently with a small dark smirk, her eyes staring endlessly at Athena. She yawned and nodded to the older goddess. "I'll be heading to my room. You should sleep too, Jesus. No point staying up every moment of the day."

"No worries, I'll be heading to the dorms soon. Goodnight. And, Nyx, I've been wondering..."

Athena stalked out of the room purposefully, mind set on her comfortable bed and small trinkets of mindless entertainment. How good it would feel, falling into the covers and snuggling under them, her soft nightgown wrapping around her tightly, her mind blank for a few hours. She yawned again, wider, and pumped into a firm body.

Oh, her eyes had been closed. Oops.

"Asleep on your feet, Athena? Maybe I should walk you to bed."

She knew that voice, and her eyes opened slowly, blearily. A gold, pale mane of hair filled her vision, and then large shining eyes and glowing face. Apollo was, always, much too bright to be allowed, especially when she was so tired. And what was he doing up anyway? He got as much beauty sleep as Aphrodite.

"Apollo, hi. I, uh," her brain fizzled with sleep. "Uh, busy with work. Where are you...?"

"Oh, nowhere."

Her eyes narrowed, and she almost grabbed his arm to hold him back and make him talk. But she didn't. No one had gotten that close to Apollo recently, since he'd taken to staring out the window of his room and sighing. The boy may as well have lost his greatest love--again--for the way he behaved. Even Dionysus hadn't been able to get Apollo to participate in group drinking hour or feast. Dionysus had even offered simply walking around the gardens with the sun god. But Apollo had just shook his head and continued to stare out the window, at the woods. At the moon.

Of course he missed his sister. She had run away, careless of his feelings, directing a vulgar bird at her whole family as she sprinted away. Apollo played the uncaring brother, unaffected by her abandonment. But the boy had broken, slowly. His sister hadn't called, hadn't even shot an arrow into his room as a way of saying, 'I'm here, I'm alive, I remember you'. Always taken to melodrama, all of them. Apollo was wearing on them all now, though, and if he didn't pick himself out of the slump he would slowly fade away.

It wasn't her problem, not directly, Athena reflected. But they were related, and he was suffering, and--she was so damn tired.

She pushed open her huge double door, letting them slam shut and isolate her from the world. Isolation--so good when one was tired. She collapsed on the bed and drew her covers closer, sighing against them.

Oh well. Dionysus would visit Apollo again, bringing booze and saying, silkily, "Hey baby. Let's go get laid." That was good enough for now. It'd always worked before. Belief: The Tiers of Devotion By Kylie For many beginners who pursue an understanding of the divine, its unclear on how to begin. Its nice to think that this will be a simple and formulaic process, but the truth is actually the opposite. Its long and unpredictable and never-ending. Each of us who are called to this need to have own starting point.

Polytheists first have to answer a simple question: who? Who is it that you are trying to get to know, for lack of a better phrase? It shouldnt be a casual decision, but rather a very personal choice. If youre drawn to a particular deity, you might want to start there and see where it takes you. Its just important to note that this pursuit takes a lifetime to those who fully commit. You may realize after a few weeks that this isnt what youre meant to be doing, and thats fine. The choice of who forms the foundation of each of the tiers, or layers, of devotion.

The First Tier -- Research

Youll need, first of all, the most basic understanding of the deity. Simple things: how to pronounce their name right, what theyre associated with, their relatives, symbols, epithets. Who they are in a nutshell. Finding this information should be easy, but try to find reputable sources. (This applies to any kind of research, of course.) Another kind of information you should gather for the first tier is the deitys cult. This means customs, festivals, and offerings associated with the god. The importance of this varies among polytheists, but I believe that even non-Reconstructionists can benefit from this knowledge to form the foundation of the second tier.

The Second Tier -- Worship

The second step is tangible devotion. This means a regular practice of offerings and libations, starting with ones youve learned about in research. My advice on this is to begin a schedule as soon as possible. Its very easy to get stuck in the first tier, becoming what is known as an armchair pagan and doing nothing more than reading about the gods. Another piece of advice is to begin the devotion in silence. For beginners, the act of saying a hymn aloud is surprisingly awkward, even if there arent any people around. Silence will allow you to accustom yourself to simple ritual, so that when repetition has been built, you can start using simple and then formal words.

The Third Tier -- Communication

Assuming the god doesnt show up at your ritual and strikes up a conversation, you may be wondering how to go deeper into devotion. This is the third tier: communicating with the deity. Just to let you know, this is quite possibly the most frustrating and rewarding level. Its difficult for many people to find a method that works best for them. These methods usually take the form of divination tools, such as Tarot, runes, pendulums, and scrying surfaces. They are used to ask questions and obtain the answers. When looking for methods of communication, its important to make it as personal as possible. For example, creating your own deck of cards for divination is not a bad idea.

There are other forms of communication beyond the ones I listed here. Many polytheistic traditions have their own type of oracular trance. In these modern days, some people take up this practice and commit themselves to bridging the gap between humanity and the otherwordly. These oracles can be consulted for messages or sometimes spiritual guidance. Taking up oracular trance yourself belongs on another tier entirely, however.

The third tier is where many people begin to question their faith. Am I really talking to Someone here? Is this actually real? Its important to continue searching for answers. Understanding is what youre seeking, after all.

The Fourth Tier -- Message

This tier deals with message. What is the gods message to the world, and what does s/he want? The gods are widespread and extremely varied. Some value honor and bravery, loyalty and family, creativity and wisdom...the list goes on. Following the gods means bringing them into your life, learning from them, living them. The fourth tier is about how your relationship changes your life. It can begin with small internal changes, how you see your surroundings, then your habits, your activities, your choices. What you end up with is a domino effect of change. It can be frightening to think about it, that much chaos and uncertainty. Its a bit like puberty, I would imagine.

The Fifth Tier and more

So what lies beyond all of this? The Fifth Tier is Regular, Direct Contact. At this point the line of communication becomes stronger. Its not perfect all the time. There are still dry periods and times of doubt. The purpose of the fifth tier is to evolve and build the relationship. There is always more to discover, more revelations, and more mysteries. That is why this path takes a lifetime, and is the root of ones religious practice.

(There might very well be a Sixth Tier. Enlightenment, perhaps?) Fiction: The Witch By Orion Guardian-Elm The noontide sun illuminated the tranquil world below, veiling both tree and beast alike in another worldly glow. Shining rays cast the vibrantly colored countryside in an even brighter radiance, as if the land itself shone like polished gold. Nearby, mighty oaks stood proud, twisted limbs stretched toward the blazing disk above in a seasonal salute, like aged veterans of war. Rested on their outstretched arms, the winged inhabitants of the wild tweeted joyously, their sweet song a revelation to the peace and beauty of the grove. Flowers in full bloom added their own colors to the vast array of bright green grass red and purple, white and yellow painting the countryside in a broad selection of summer shades.

All around the buzzing and chirping of insects competed with the singing of birds. The mingling scents of lavender and wild rose filled the countryside with a drowsy and yet somewhat calming fragrance. Set aside from the outside world of structure and politics, the country was ruled only by the continuous cycles of nature.

A solitary woman made her way through the tall, lush grass, her hand gently brushing against the tall trees as she passed. Every now and then she would stop and observe a plant or wild animal, delighting in the simple and yet magnificent beauty of nature. She felt the heat of the midday sun on her back and turned for a moment, eyes closed and arms open as if she would embrace the radiant rays of sunshine. Here in the midst of nature she felt alive; all around her it was as if the secluded countryside was pregnant with life.

Continuing on her way, the woman opened her eyes to the clear, blue skies above, and felt as if she were looking upon an immense and never-ending ocean of azure, remote and yet so real. No blobs of white or grey stained the cobalt sea above; no distant roar of thunder broke its tranquil peace. The silver pentacle around her neck reflected the light of the blazing sunbeams as she walked, swaying on its chain with each step. Returning her gaze to the world around her, the woman realized that she was approaching the copse of oak trees.

She did not enter straight away; instead she paused, listening to the voices of the trees. May I enter? she asked. For a moment all was silent. Even the tweeting of the birds and the buzzing of the insects seemed faraway, part of another reality, a distant dream. The witch waited, spellbound by the enchanting ambience she felt emanating from the primordial trees. Then suddenly the trance was broken, and in unison the ancient oaks gave their reply: You may. And so, with another step, she entered the grove.

The woman froze, awestruck by the utter majesty she beheld. Her vision was filled with deep shades of green and brown, which were contrasted by the dazzling colors of the various flowers which spotted the dark soil of the fertile earth.

Sacred to the Mother Goddess, the grove had been the centre of ritual and holy rites since time unknown. In the days of old Druids would gather here at the Summer Solstice to appease the gods with offerings and to ask their blessing over the coming harvest. Yet they were times long

past, now forgotten by most. Only one person continued to uphold the tradition; only one of the Old Religion remembered the power of the hallowed grove.

She sunk to her knees, her palms flat on the ground before her. She let her mind go still, releasing all the stress and worries of the outside world into the verdant earth beneath her, knowing that there it would be recycled for better purposes. None of that mattered anymore. All that mattered was right now, right here, at the one place she felt alive. *** A light breeze penetrated the stillness of the grove, scattering the fallen leaves and bringing a piercing chill in its wake. The leafless oaks stood naked, their barren limbs seemingly lifeless in the dead of winter. There were no birds to sing their sweet and blessed songs now, no bright flowers in bloom. All was still.

Though even in the dreary winter, the promise of new life was evident. Slate-grey skies would soon give way to stabbing rays of sunlight, and the sun would be reborn. Soon the Holly King would pass over his scepter to the Lord of the Oaks, until winter came once again. The wheel of the year was turning, its cycles a revelation to the perpetual ways of nature.

Only one person dared to face the icy cold of winter; only one person ventured to break the deathly silence of the grove. The witch made her way through the long grass now wet with dew delighting in the silence she found only here.

The chill in the air reminded her that she was still capable of physical feeling, and she smiled. The coppice was different in the winter; there were no shining beams of light in which to lose all awareness of time and being.

Sinking to her knees in the centre of the grove, the woman felt the damp moisture of the grass beneath her hands. Here she could be herself; here she could acknowledge the sacredness of her Being without shame or disgrace. The woman wept, allowing the tears to stream down her face and join the dew upon the ground. She wept not for sorrow, but for joy for even in the dead of winter she could feel the spark of the Divine within her very soul, warming her heart

with a comforting peace. And as she raised her face to the rising sun, she knew she had never been so thankful to be alive. Book Review: A Solitary Wiccans Bible by Gavin and Yvonne Frost By Meniskos Moon There's a lot of controversy over the Frosts' and some of their earlier work, which you can read about at places like the Wild Hunt blog and with simple Google searches. I'm going to just say that they got in hot water with the larger Pagan community at that time, but since then most people consider them to be more media hungry than actually dangerous. I was gifted The Solitary Wiccan's Bible a few months earlier, for my birthday. (If given a preference, I almost always chose books over other gifts, save for ritual items or statues.) It seemed interesting, with talk of pilgrimages and connecting with guides. At this time, I did know the back-story of the Frosts. I was interested in reading their work for my own critique. It was awful. Now, there are some people who will constantly harp on Doreen Virtue, New Age big names, and while some of these people I do believe need to be reminded that Hekate isn't a nice little lady who brings you cake on Fridays, I still find them to be producing higher quality work than the Frosts in their Solitary Wiccan's Bible. The history was atrociously wrong, with flat out lies and way too much self-glorifying. The magical theory was, while sometimes interesting, mostly idiotic. While plenty of authors try to give magic a scientific outlook, and many succeed, the Frosts destroy the thought of any mystical element to magic at all. They're extremely soft polytheists, so any hard polytheist wouldn't enjoy this book. The actual work provided in the book is sparse and useless, nothing you can't find ten times more of in books half as pricey. Their condescending tone is enough to drive any intelligent reader mad. I would especially not recommend this book to teens. I would also not recommend it to solitaries! The magical theory is awful, with random statements that seem pulled from thin air. While the Frosts say time and again that, as being the founders of the Church and School of Wicca, they have the best information available for magical formula, their magic ceases to carry the mystical element and flippantly disregards widely held beliefs about magical theory. I'm irritated that I forced myself to finish this book. Don't read it. Contributors:

Orion Guardian-Elm is an Eclectic Pagan Witch from Auckland, New Zealand. He is a founding member of Guardian-Elm Circle, an Eclectic Pagan circle for local teens. He can be reached on his website at http://www.guardianelmcircle.webs.com or by e-mail at wellofmimir@hotmail.com Kylie is a teen pagan living in San Francisco, California. Shes been interested in paganism for years, but has only been practicing seriously for several months. Although she is very much a beginner, she has had a lot of free time last summer to take in as much as she could, to tackle obstacles and make this a big part of her life. She is contributing to Pagan Youth News to share her insight, opinions, and creativity. Meniskos Moon is a seventeen year old gender queer pagan who loves writing. She grew up pagan and has studied witchcraft and Wicca for five years. He also teaches others about Wicca and witchcraft. His expertise is in spirituality and faith, though she does know how to use magic. His path is Wiccan-influenced with Feri/Reclaiming leanings as well as a new Celtic ting and she focuses on environmentalism and social justice.
Everyone at Pagan Youth News would like to thank you for subscribing to the newsletter. We hope you enjoyed this issue and are looking forward to the next! Find us online at http://paganyouthnews.webs.com

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