Over the past few months, I've started using the term paganism or paganisms on this blog more often — when I'm not using polytheist or theist, with theist my preferred term. A few blog posts from others have led me to understand that this term is under discussion (or under renunciation?) again, and I want … Continue reading The “P/pagan” ship has sailed, I guess
The Path to the Summit
I wish to communicate something exciting that has its origins in a conversation with a few people about the Platonic Theology (in which I learned that @barefootwisdom has memorized a lot of Proclus' hymns) and the way that the soul experiences ascent. After that conversation, I went back to the commentary and translations of Proclus' … Continue reading The Path to the Summit
Windows Can Be Mirrors
Last night, I came across a paper by Edward Watts, "The Lycians are coming: The career of Patricius, the father of Proclus," in Proclus and His Legacy. As someone who always loves personal and interpersonal anecdotes in commentaries, and who absolutely loved Damascius' Life of Isidore/Philosophical History fragments, I clicked on it, and I started … Continue reading Windows Can Be Mirrors
To Ray-Formed Belesama
Belesama, ray-formed, laughing sunlight,Child of Light and Water, holy Aletheia,compassionate and regal, still and flowing,your crown is the gleaming solar corona,your garments the unmoving light of truth,your adornments the quickening fire of wisdom.You surge forth with the solar wind,you break upon the mountain waters,you take the path through stream and river,you weather away all that … Continue reading To Ray-Formed Belesama
Why I No Longer Call Myself a Hellenic Polytheist
This blog post gets into our desire for authenticity and how self-reflection and being challenged pushed me to confront unhealthy thoughts, behaviors, and assumptions over the past few years, culminating in dropping the label Hellenic polytheist in favor of describing myself as theistic — I worship Gods. It uses three interwoven things — the article … Continue reading Why I No Longer Call Myself a Hellenic Polytheist
A New Lunar Month
On the new-sliver Moon,I wipe away the dust of daysthat waned as time swelled,spent incense, and wax drippings.I light the candle hungeringfor the fire to quicken it. I eat chocolate-date rice toastand drink morning matcha and cleanand come to still prayer at lastwhile the summer light brightensthe blinds and plants curl up,my waking too late … Continue reading A New Lunar Month
July 2022 Update: Nonstop Summer
This past month has been a whirlwind of activity — primarily in my professional life, which has nearly been as busy as August's orientation season. Now, as we close out the month, I'm relaxing this evening while on a new laptop (my old one was from 2015; it was time) listening to Seikilo and looking … Continue reading July 2022 Update: Nonstop Summer
There is a Difference Between Paganism or Polytheism, on the One Hand, and Occultism or Witchcraft, on the Other, and This Illustrates One Aspect of That
Occasionally, I write blog posts that decompress about growing up in modern Neopaganism, and this is one of those. The title, “There Is a Difference Between Paganism or Polytheism (on the one hand) and Occultism or Witchcraft (on the other), and This Illustrates One Aspect of That” is a good summary of what you are … Continue reading There is a Difference Between Paganism or Polytheism, on the One Hand, and Occultism or Witchcraft, on the Other, and This Illustrates One Aspect of That
The Love of Ambition and Reputation
In a recent blog comment, someone mentioned the struggles that come about from a desire for social approval and feedback, and I admitted that I do check blog stats and that I do feel pleased when I come to know that something I've done are meaningful to someone else. This "instinct to check for approval" … Continue reading The Love of Ambition and Reputation
KALLISTI 