Pagan Blogosphere Roundup – April 2016

A list of posts and articles that I have read this month (but may have been written ages ago) and have stood out as memorable to me.  Usually in a good way, but not necessarily.  I don’t necessarily agree with everything in the posts I am linking to, I sometimes just feel they are thought-provoking – and that alone makes them worth reading.

The Well of Galables: A Wind That Tastes of Ashes
John Michael Greer focuses on the political kerfuffel in the Pagan blogosphere and what it might actually mean, especially in regards to the slow decline of NeoPaganism. 

The Well of Galables: The Twilight of the NeoPagan Era
From last year, a look at how fad movements, especially in politics and spirituality begin, grow, peak and then decline into dust.  According to the timelines of historical movements, NeoPaganism is nearing its end.

Gangleri’s Grove: Asshattery is Afoot
Galina draws our attention to a farming family who is under attack by animal rights activists because the family will, one day, kill their dairy cow and eat it, as farming families often do to survive.  The fact the leader of the attack suggested the family go buy their meat from whole foods (because I guess that meat is not made out of slaughtered factory farm animals), is the most telling part of this latest bit of ridiculousness from certain ARAs.

Raise the Horns: The First Witch Wars and Why it’s Different Today
Jason Mankey explains the difference between older kerfuffels within neoPaganism and Witchcraft and the likes and the ones that are happening right now (such as with Polytheism and Atheism).

Raise the Horns: When Did Witchcraft Become a Pissing Contest
The title is pretty self evident I think, and it’s a good question.

Under the Ancient Oaks: What I’ve Learned Blogging This Year
John Beckett does of a bit introspection and self-reflection and suggest the same of us.  It was a thoughtful break from the rest of the blogosphere.

The Chaos Witch: New Age Cybertrash Experiment
Lee Pike shares the results of a little online experiment she did involving, of all things, a rather lovely leaf mandala.  An interesting look at how the internet works and makes you question the things you share on the internet and social media.

Agora: Happily Heathen: A Cat Story
Be careful what you wish for.  An amusing look at what can happen when you pray to a deity who just might be listening to you.

Jon Upsal’s Garden: They Have an Umbrella, We Have a Hall
Jon speaks a little on Heathenism and neoPaganism, and why they are not actually the same thing.

Jon Upsal’s Garden: You’re Doing it Wrong
Why do Pagans insist they have the right to dictate to Heathens how Heathenry should be, what’s best for Heathens and their Gods?  

Common Tansy: The Nightmare of Gods
Why are some people non-theistic Pagans? Well, we get one answer here and it’s a pretty full on one as Pat Mosley shares his experiences of the Gods and why he cannot, now, believe in them.

Baring the Aegis: Awesome Spartan Quotes
I can’t really expand on the title, it is what it says.

Baring the Aegis: 2400 year old Katadesmoi Uncovered in Athens
Again, the title really speaks for itself.  An interesting anthropological find in Athens, involving some curse tablets.

Dowsing for Divinity: How to Become a Naturalist
Yvonne gives some advice on how to actually learn about the plants around you, how to tell one from another, beginning with flowers.  A handy beginners guide, wherever you are.

Golden Trail: Maybe You Should Reconsider
Helio discusses diversity and its inevitable place in polytheism, and suggests some people may want to reconsider their polytheist label because of this fact.

And of course we cannot ignore the politics stuff…. But there are so very very many of them, I cannot link to all of the ones I have read, indeed I have trouble remembering where I read what at the moment.  So much.. So. Very. Much.

If you want them, you will find a large amount over on Gangleris Grove, Jon Upsals Garden and Son of Hel, as well as on Patheos Pagan by various blogs there. And of course Gods and Radicals and PaganArch.  You will also find links to many many other posts about the issue on the posts of the few blogs I have linked, and those posts will link to more posts and those… It’s basically a never ending trip down a rabbit hole that is like to end up with our heads on a block as the Queen of Hearts laughingly proclaims that Monarchies are the best policy.  Still worth the risk though.

This is only a small number of the posts I have read this month, but these are the ones that stuck in my mind the most.

Do you have any favourite Pagan posts you have read this month? Share them in the comments so I can have a look!