Cliff July 17th, 2008
Thanks again to everyone from Brazil for the opportunity to speak at the 4ª Conferência de Wicca & Espiritualidade da Deusa. Here are some pictures from my session, as well as an awesome t-shirt and book I got as “thank you” presents! Sweet!
Cliff June 10th, 2008
Saturday I was picked up from the airport by friends and we went to see Margaret Cho at the Tabernacle; as always she had me laughing so hard I had tears in my eyes. We then went out dancing, and finally got to sleep at about 2:30am (a great way to round off a day of international flights!). After a few hours of sleep, we woke up early and drove back to Valdosta so that I could speak to the 4ª Conferência de Wicca & Espiritualidade da Deusa. I gave a speech on Karma and Responsibility via Live Messenger. Rose and Lulu did a great job of translating for me, and Claudiney (as always) was excellent at coordinating the presentation. Although I was unable to see the audience, they were able to see me, and luckily some of my jokes successfully translated. There were great questions after the presentation, and I hope that one day I will get to meet all these great Pagans in person!
Cliff April 5th, 2008
My bad luck in commercial flights appears to be congenital, because one flight was cancelled and another delayed. Luckily, I’ll be able to make the whole conference this time (unlike IL2006). But I think this journey will be quite interesting for other reasons as well.
First, I’m going to be teaching Sunday School tomorrow. I’ll be staying in DC with my friend Sarah. The Sunday School class that she teaches (with her masterful M.Div. degree) is doing a series on world religions. When she first asked me if I’d be willing to teach about Paganism, I had that knee-jerk reaction:
“Are you guys learning how to convert Pagans?”
“C’mon Cliff, it’s me. Hello.”
“I know, I know, just checking…”
Given Sarah’s strongly liberal religious leanings (she and I agree on most metaphysical concepts), I know that I have nothing to fear. So I plan on going in and sharing some of the basics of Paganism, the major branches, and the few unifying themes of the Pagan religions (taken from a well-timed episode of the Deo’s Shadow podcast). From Sarah’s description, I have nothing to fear and lots to look forward to. I’ll promise not to hex them if they promise not to stone me.
After that I’ll be spending Monday - Wednesday at CIL2008! I’m looking forward to seeing some old friends, meeting some new friends for the first time, and meeting in person folks that I’ve been trading blog posts with for a while (here’s hoping I don’t go all geeky fanboy on that last group!). Thursday through Sunday will be time spent with Sarah, Jason and their St. Bernard dog Bruno, as well as visits with friends who live in the DC area.
Cliff January 10th, 2008
Chas Clifton is one of the premier scholars of Wicca and Paganism in the US, so when I heard about this book, I was truly excited. Clifton’s work is a complimentary volume to Ronald Hutton’s Triumph of the Moon, an exploration of Wicca and Paganism in the UK. By exploring historical, textual, oral and literary resources, Clifton paints a picture of Wicca’s development and transformation as it traveled from the UK to the US, and then around the world.
At the same time Clifton explores Wicca’s transformation from a small mystery/magical religion into “nature religion.” He does this by outlining three types of “nature”: Cosmic, Gaian, and Erotic. By making the cycles of nature, the planet, and our bodies holy, the religion of Witchcraft was transformed. The author goes on to explore the growth, change, and popularization of religious Witchcraft throughout the 60s, 70s and 80s. Additionally, he briefly covers the history of the Church of Aphrodite, Feraferia, the Church of All Worlds, the Psychedelic Venus Church and Druidism in the US.
In some places, the author repeats facts (which made me wonder in if I had lost my place), but this is done to aid in clarity; the history of Wicca and Paganism in the US is as sprawling a topic as the religions themselves. The author is forced to cross-reference himself in all directions to paint a larger picture, a challenge which he handles well. For those already familiar with the topic, new analysis of historical figures and themes will enlighten and deepen your understanding of this history. For those new to the topic, the book’s glossary will prove invaluable; understanding will be further aided by copies of the texts Clifton cites in the glossary (such as Adler’s Drawing Down the Moon and Bonewits’ Real Magic) for further context.
Clifton’s brilliant analysis of the words “Wicca” and “Witch” are worth the price of the volume alone. Her Hidden Children will be required reading for my students.
Cliff July 26th, 2007
With hundreds of social networking sites out there, it’s no suprise that a few will be dedicated to religion. Ones that I have seen before (such as MyChurch, Schmooze, MuslimSocial, and CovenSpace) typically center around a single faith. Today I happened upon CircleBuilder, which is open to all faiths. I was interested to see the two categories “Pagan & Earth-based” and “Reconstructionist.” Reconstructionist Pagans (if they use the term “Pagan” at all) are typically not represented in the larger religion community. After that pleasant surprise, I was half expecting to see a listing for “Amish.”
According to Mashable, it only appears to have around 100 members at this point in time. I’m curious to see if it remains a small niche network, or if its inclusiveness will allow it to expand and/or serve as a space for interfaith dialogue. Like all social networking sites it revolves around people, so only time will tell if it catches on via word-of-mouth.
Cliff June 13th, 2007
Apparently Wicca can finally be removed from the realms of Psychology (BF). In the future you can look for it in BP605 .W53 , in the section of “Islam, Bahaism, Theosophy, etc.” So now it’s right after stuff on the White Brotherhood. What a treat! This is amusing given Wicca’s history. And if you think librarians don’t have a sense of humor, check out the LCC subclass for The Bible.
Enjoy your newfound recognition, Wicca! You’ve earned it!
(via Chas)
Cliff March 13th, 2007
The funny thing is, I know family that sound like this…
Just because your whole family is Pagan doesn’t mean that you all get along harmoniously (pardon the pun). Enjoy the parody, I sure did!
Cliff March 7th, 2007
I was very amused and pleased with Jason’s recent coverage of a Witch themed fashion show. I have often wondered about my “display” of Paganism, since I neither wear a pentacle nor dress dramatically (although I must admit, I wear plain black shirts a lot). When I meet Pagan students and faculty on campus, they usually make some comment about how they “never would have guessed.”  I get the same thing about being a librarian. Apparently I’m breaking stereotypes left and right by not wearing the right insignia. Someone needs to get me some orthopedic shoes and a pair of horns, stat!
Although I’m not itching to wear a metal breastplate to my next library instruction class, I would like to see what this designer would cook up for a men’s fashion line (for the Professional Pagan Man).
Cliff January 10th, 2007
So I mentioned before that I went to a Dance Meditation winter retreat/monastery/movement workshop. It was a week long, and held at the Margaret Austin Center outside of Chappel Hill, Texas.
I started my journey by traveling to New Orleans, to split up the trip at my friend Kryss’ house. I must say, that I was both shocked by the detestation that New Orleans is still in, and heartened by how much people are working to get things back to normal. Kryss’ apartment is functional, but the houses on both sides of her were still under reconstruction. However, the French Quarter was business-as-usual for the most part, so we did a little shopping while we were there. The city is mostly in desperate need of tourism, so if you get a chance, go to New Orleans soon, while they need it most. I know folks are talking about going to NOLA when things are “back to normal,” but they won’t get that way if folks don’t go back now. (end preaching)
We swung by Baton Rouge to pick up Shamsi, another bellydance instructor and member of our little chosen family, and then headed off to Texas.
Each day started off in silence, with a simple breakfast of oatmeal. The morning session lasted for four hours, and consisted of several exercises (with short nap times in between!). Lunch was another simple vegan meal, with evening session a few hours later (for three hours) and then dinner. It was an easy routine, with quiet in the mornings, socializing in the afternoons & evenings. There was plenty of free time, and I took full advantage of all the opportunities for napping.
Honestly, the first few days I had trouble quieting down, and at one or two points I thought to myself, “Gah! I’m surrounded by hippies! I need a computer! Let me go caress my jump drive!” But on day three I finally settled down and relaxed. A couple of times I got into really deep states of meditation while I was moving, which was awesome. I also had the opportunity to meet some amazing people, with wonderful life stories.I took some photos and video, most of which were done the last day (once I knew folks weren’t going to think I was some creepy voyeur with a camera at a dance workshop).I will be going to New Orleans again to do another Dance Meditation workshop in April. I hope to see a lot of my new friends from this time, and to meet some new friends as well!
Cliff January 9th, 2007
I have a tendency to over-commit myself. I get excited about various projects (with attached deadlines), and of course I want to do everything, so I say “Ok!!!”
I just got a message from the folks in Brazil that they won’t have enough funds to fly me down this year to present at Conferência de Wicca & Espiritualidade da Deusa. My response? “Whew!”
I was looking forward to going down to present, teach, eat, drink, party, and relax (yes, all at the same time). However, I think it might serve everyone (and my nervous system) if I put this presentation off until 2008, and spend at least part of 2007 relaxing.
Without this hanging over my head, I’ll feel much better about focusing on book chapters, courses, library instruction sessions, etc. etc. etc. I’ve already bowed out of teaching hooping this semester for the Student Recreation Center, so with a few more cut-backs, I think I’ll be back to a manageable life!
PS–how lucky am I that I have so many great opportunities that they’re overflowing to the point that I have to say no?!?! My life rocks!!!