Cat

Planning my last polytheism day of the year

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:17:43 GMT

I am in the process of planning a 6-8 hour polytheism workshop on Sunday, Dec. 13. If you are interested in participating, email me or leave a comment with your email(comments are screened) and I'll send you the basic info. I want to get a rough count of people interested in making a semi-firm commitment by Nov 22, so I know how large a space to make arrangements for.

2 more lectures to finish out the year (Julian that is)

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 19:37:19 GMT

I have set the dates and titles for my last 2 polytheism lectures this year.

Saturday, November 14th, 4PM to 7PM
It ain’t easy seeing many: living in a polytheistic universe and doing it well!

This will be 2 hour (or so) lecture on living in a polytheistic universe, focusing largely on the moral and ethical side of being a literal polytheist. As usual, there will be theoretical as well as practical elements.
We’ll be using the Atlanta Polarity Center again. I’ll send out directions with a reminder as we get closer.

Sunday, December 13th-
Living in a world of many: a day of connection and reflection in a polytheistic reality

The exact time and place for this lecture are TBD. I am looking for the right spot. The goal is to have a longer seminar (i.e. 6-8 hours total) that will focus on tying together a number of elements from earlier lectures, as well as meditative and ritual practices to encourage and enhance our connections to the multiplicitous universe we live in. Some of the meditations and rituals will be extensions of ones I’ve used for many years, others will be brand new.

I’ve asked some friends to spread the word as widely as they feel comfortable doing. One caveat i gave is that I do assume those attending are interested in literal polytheism. I have no problem if people have other views, but I don’t want to waste time arguing about it.

2 friends broached the idea last time of asking for a donation to help cover costs, and I want to follow up on that. So for the first lecture I will have a donation box and a suggested donation of $5. I’m not counting it as folks come in, nor will I be looking to see who donates and who doesn’t. It’s completely up to those attending.

For the December seminar, I may have to set a fee to cover the cost, since a larger space for a longer day costs a lot more, but I’ll figure that out once I find a spot.

Second Polytheism lecture and ritual - rescheduled

Sat, 20 Jun 2009 17:31:19 GMT

I have rescheduled my second lecture on Polytheistic theology for July 11th, from noon to 5pm at the Atlanta Polarity Center, 566 Pharr Rd NE, http://www.atlantapolaritycenter.com/. I'll give a talk for the first 2 hours, then we'll take a break and come back for a ritual based on the things I discussed in the lecture.

Lecture is postponed

Thu, 14 May 2009 17:08:27 GMT

I am postponing the lecture I had secheduled for Saturday. Due to variety of issues, I am not prepared well enough and will likely be less prepared by Saturday.

I want to make sure I present this information in the best possible manner, so I will be moving the date to sometime just after Midsummer. At that time I will be giving a lecture in the afternoon and coordinating a ritual in the evening. The ritual will be an extension of the ideas presented in the afternoon.

I apologize to anyone who was planning to attend. I hate to do this on short notice but everything came to a point last night, and when the one I dedicated these lectures to agreed I shouldn't do it, it was time to make the change.

If you want to be emailed with details on the Midsummer lecture and ritual, leave your email address in the comments. I will set them to screened so no one else can see them.

2nd lecture on polytheistic theology

Sat, 18 Apr 2009 20:38:41 GMT

I've scheduled my second lecture for Saturday, May 16th, from 1-5PM. I probably won't talk that long, but just in case.

The title is "Reality is many: how the multiplicity of divinity shapes the matrix of life". I'll be looking at the concept of multiplicity of divinity as it influences the life of the individual, the group, the community and the world. If divinity is multiple, then reality is multiple and thus our lives are made of, and influenced by, a multitude of interactions and
influences.

The lecture will be at The Atlanta Polarity Center at 566 Pharr Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30305. There is parking on site. You can see more info at http://www.atlantapolaritycenter.com/.

This is the 2nd lecture in a series. For a little more background on the series, take a look at my first post here.

Lecture on Polythestic Theology

Thu, 05 Feb 2009 03:58:04 GMT

I'll be giving a small lecture on Polytheistic Theology on Sunday, Feb 15th at the Atlanta Polarity Center from 1PM to 4PM.

This the first of what I hope will be a series of talks, and possibly rituals, growing out of my experiences and work with the theological basis of living as a literal polytheist.

This lecture will focus on the underpinnings of polytheistic religioning - the relationship between our existences and those of the other beings within the universe that surrounds us. By perceiving the multiplicity within the whole of existence, and in particular the multiplicity of divinity, the polytheist moves within an ever changing landscape of diversity in every sense of the term.

I will be speaking for approximately 90 minutes, though I tend to sometimes go long when talking. I am leaving time for discussion and talk after I finish. The space is a shoe-free area with no chairs and lots of floor cushions. If you need a chair, please bring one with you.

The Atlanta Polarity Center is at 566 Pharr Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30305. There is parking on site. You can see more info at http://www.atlantapolaritycenter.com/.

This lecture is a another spot on my own road to understanding the world around me. I have spent many years wondering about the nature of existence, specifically in terms of how do I exist within the larger reality. My own religioning has expanded my understanding of this wider reality, especially when I get pushed along by my other than human friends and teachers.

I am giving these lectures as a way to explain to others some of what I have found, as well as engage other people in a dialog on other ways to perceive. Over the years I have had different people ask me to write or talk about the understandings that ground my teachings and my rituals. Now is the right time for that.

I'm looking to help you understand more about your own place in existence, and help myself get a clearer view of not only what I believe, but also what others believe. In several years of lecturing in university classes, I found that sometimes trying to explain an idea to a room full of people who come from other perspectives can be the best way to get that idea fully clear in my own mind. So now I want to try that with ideas and teachings much closer to my own heart.

So, I will present 4 lectures this year. I may do more, but no less. Each lecture will revolve around one element of the theological perspective I have developed, and will be aimed to help those listening increase their own understanding of their place in existence. The first lecture will delve into the basic nature of existence and of the other than human beings who share it with us. I will speak especially of my understanding of divinity, and how that understanding underpins my religioning, and how my religioning helps me to gain more understanding.

If there is interest, and I feel the timing is right, (and the whole 2 year old son with another little one on the way thing leaves me the free time) I may hold some ritual workshops to help demonstrate how these teachings can be used to enhance an individual's sense of self and connection.

I feel it incumbent on me to state flat out that this is not a "culmination of year's of research", nor is it the ancient teachings given only to me. This lecture will revolve around the theories, understandings, relationships and religioning that I have lived and developed over many years. This is in no way an endpoint of that development, it is simply a good time to stop and tell other people about my experiences and understandings. If I don't share it at some point, then a lot of the power is lost and the question of why I worked so hard to understand comes up. Knowledge for it's own sake is fine, but wisdom is knowing the proper use and sharing of that knowledge. I could use some wisdom, so I'll try sharing.

Thu, 01 Jan 2009 03:39:43 GMT

Oh, and
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I'm Gonna Fu*(in Die!

Wed, 19 Apr 2006 02:06:26 GMT

Short, humorous and with bunnies"

Ok, so its linked to a corporate group, but the amusement factor outweighs that.

Tue, 14 Mar 2006 22:12:40 GMT

A job that requires counting up the number of headless bodies in a shipment should really be more interesting.

The Tailten Games

Fri, 02 Sep 2005 03:15:19 GMT

I have to say that last weekend was one of the best I've had in many years. There was strife and difficulty, but in part that is because the Tribes were acting like people, with all of the good and the bad. But in the end there was more of the good and the honorable. I won't go over the entirety of the weekend here, but as the voice of the land and the gods, I would like to publicly list those who earned honors for their efforts, be they efforts of body or mind or voice, or some combination of all three.

The Heroes of the Tailten Games:

Athletic Hero - Preston of Boar

Bardic Hero - Rob of Stag

Arts Hero - Tam of Stag

Honor Rings were given to those who actions brought them to the attention of the Green Man. These were not awards for specific contests, but rather awards for acting in a way that brought honor to themselves and all the people.

Astrid of Horse - Best Kill

Puck of Boar - Best Death

Boomer of Stag - Good Sportsmanship

Preston of Boar - Concern for the people

Tyr of Stag - Valiant Warrior

Heather of Boar - Solo valor in combat

Mark of Stag - Valor in Battle

The contest winners are listed by Tribe, with Horse Tribe first since they won the most Contests.

Horse Tribe - 12 wins

Spear Kill - Kurik

Sprint - Kurik

Obstacle Course - Joshua

Relay Race

Head Ball - Sean

Solo Accompanied - Joshua

Instrumental - Kurik

Comedic Music - Vaylor

Photography - Joshua

Mixed Media - Holley

Painting - Anne

Costuming - Green

Stag Tribe - 8 wins

Spear - Mark

Log Toss - Mike

Improvisation - Rob & Becca

Spoken Word - Rob

Sculpture - Maggie

Textile Arts - Luna

Best Decorated Campsite

Best Hospitality

Boar Tribe - 7 wins

Solo Acapella - Ben

Improvisation - Puck

Ensemble

Ritual Theater

Storytelling - Heather

Beading - Twilight

Charcoal - Preston

Thu, 28 Jul 2005 17:01:47 GMT

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LOVER!!!!!

I love you!!

Yep, a little late, but since Ais had to fight with the cable company this morning about our internet access, this is the first chance I've had.

Anonymous Question #1

Thu, 30 Jun 2005 14:40:53 GMT

OK, I actually have a moment to answer one of the anonymous questions.

"We see Aislinn all the time. Why don't we ever see you?"

It depends on when and where you're talking about. In general it comes down to time, energy or interest.

If you mean why don't I show up for the Emory Pagan Lunch or the picnics, it's because I have to work during the day and when I occasionally have a day off I have too many other things to do. So I rarely ever make it to any of those events.

I am assuming, though, that you mean in a more general sense. The places people generally Aislinn and not me are at parties or at rituals.

So I'll take them one at a time.

There are very few parties that I attend for a very simple reason. I find parties boring. If it's mainly a group of people drinking a lot, or otherwise adjusting their chemistry, and molesting each other, I find that boring to watch and unpalatable to indulge in. Even when I did still drink I found drunks very boring and/or annoying. I don't drink to excess and haven't since I was much, much younger. The list of people I enjoy physical contact with is very short (5 at most), and the list of people I tolerate physical contact with is almost as short. So the group gropes hold no interest for me. And no, this not some "issue" I need to "get over". I am very much myself and I know why this aversion to casual physical contact exists and it is not a problem for me. If it is for others, oh well.

My idea of a good evening involves getting together with interesting people and actually talking to them, maybe with a drink or two but no drunks. I enjoy having a good conversation with people I like. Parties rarely offer a chance for that.

As far as rituals go, I have been withdrawn from most public ritual work for a while now. The places I walk in the Otherworld right now take my attention and energy and I rarely wish to redirect myself to participate fully in public rituals. And if I am not participating fully, I don't go at all. For me, ritual is real and it is important. It is not a social event or just something to do.

That leads to the second reason you rarely see me at rituals. Right now there are no rituals I know of that interest me. There are people doing group work that is exactly what the majority of the participants want or need, and I like to see that. But they hold nothing for me, so I don't participate. In the future I will return to public ritual work, probably by organizing a small group of ritualists to present open public rituals. My theology and my ritual working style lend themselves well to public rituals that focus on connecting to the Otherworld and the other than human people there for the purpose of changing the world and the people in the circle. So I find organizing public rituals to be a good way to also fulfill my own need for working with my co-religionists.

If I find a group that has a deep level of religious devotion and expression that I can sync with, I will be happy to join them for rituals. Since you are asking this question, I assume that if you see Aislinn at rituals then you are part of the groups she enjoys working with, so me finding a group to work with probably won't change how often you see me.

In the end, I am not a particularly social person and many times I just don't want to be around people, for a myriad of my own reasons. So that is why you rarely see me.

I must be worn out...

Tue, 28 Jun 2005 03:25:07 GMT

I am actually stealing a meme and posting it. Hmmm, wonder if I have a fever? Ehhh.

Stealing the idea from darkfirewolfe and feygirl:

Ask a question anonymously you wouldn't necessarily ask in person, or would want others to know you're asking, to me. I'll answer it in another entry, and you'll have your answer without having to admit you wanted to know it. I promise to try to answer all questions, although I do not promise it will be in an unlocked post. ;)

Remember to post anonymously! I've allowed anonymous posting and turned off IP address tracking for the time-being. After about a three days or so, I'll turn anonymous posting back off. I'm even going to tempt fate further and leave this a public entry. I screened the comments, just to see if there is any repetition of themes, etc. I don't want anyone to not ask their question because they think it has already been asked!

P.S. Post a rude question or nasty comment and it will go away.

Sat, 18 Jun 2005 16:18:10 GMT

Last night was super hero fun at kleinerkolibri's party. I decided at the last minute to go and I'm glad I did. It was fun seeing Sarabug and the elusive darkfirewolfe and darkdweller. It's amazing just how well some of Sara's friends can whip up a costume. Oddly enough for me, I only got a couple of photos.

So,

First and foremost was our lovely hostess, Booster Gold.

This has to be my favorite photo of the night. I love having a shot of two of the most interesting women I know (who also happen to both be gorgeous) looking over my work. I brought along some prints for Sara, and they both had to look.

Notice how all three of them pose as soon as they see the camera come up. Obviously graduate students at the Adam West school of Instant Posing.

Harley Quinn seeks a new target. I wish I had gotten a full length shot of this. Harley in a nightie is just too perfect. And she looks really good in it.

Again with the posing. This is the quintessential Julious expression.

This is how you know a true super hero geek when you see one. The attention to detail is exact and nothing less will do . Nate did a great job becoming Star Man.

And here we have the requisite crowd shot. What is amusing to me is that this scene doesn't look unusual for Sara's parties, costumes and all.

So that's all I got. I really want to combine a super hero party with a photo party. Think of the fun with pairings and fights. Maybe next year.

Sat, 11 Jun 2005 12:23:35 GMT

The Pagan Prom Pics from Dreaming are now online. There are two galleries. The first contains pictures from the Goblin's Ball, and the second has pictures of Mark spinning fire poi. I have shots of a few other folks spinning, but I don't have their permission to post them publicly.
So, on to the pictures.

Yep, that is my wife's ass :)

Thu, 05 May 2005 17:37:52 GMT

I'm stealing this link from someone else, but it is too fu$%ing funny.

Fun with old patterns. Be sure to check out the craft section and the hand puppets.

Thu, 17 Mar 2005 20:00:14 GMT

The world of Sc-Fi and Fantasy has lost a great author.

RIP Andre Norton

Sat, 12 Mar 2005 01:38:57 GMT

Hee. This is really amusing. And I really want to get some of these for future rituals.

http://www.chocolatedeities.com/deities.php

Oh, and turn your sound off first. It has one of those really annoying midi files running and no way to turn it off. I hate that.

DragonHills work days

Sun, 27 Feb 2005 20:59:16 GMT

The work day yesterday was good. We got more done on the great hall and we scheduled the work days for the next few months.
March 5th
April 2-3 is a work weekend. People can come camp out for the weekend and we will have an April Fool's party on Saturday night.
April 23rd
May 7th
June 11th
July 9th
July 30th

You can keep up to date with the scheduled work days and festivals at http://atlanta.paganstudies.org

Mon, 21 Feb 2005 21:12:51 GMT

Pagan Events Calendar Atlanta has been updated. Thanks to Green, who suggested trying the Mambo content management system. So, check it out anew and let me know of stuff to add.

http://atlanta.paganstudies.org

EDIT: I have added the ability for people to create their own log-in and when logged in they can add calendar items to the site. This way you can add your events to the calendar without waiting for me to add it.

Fri, 18 Feb 2005 16:46:04 GMT

I've put together the basic calendar page for now. Its not in a calendar format, but I'm working on that. It'll be a little while until I have time to change it.

For now, I need help filling in events. You can go to http://atlanta.paganstudies.org and see what I have added so far. There is a link to a form to submit other events. Let me know what's happening and I'll share it with the community.

Thu, 10 Feb 2005 16:36:31 GMT

There will be a work day at DragonHills on Saturday Feb. 26. Sorry about the late notice but there has been some communication problems in setting this up. We will probably be working from 10AM until sunset. I think this will be a general prep of the site for festival season, so dress warm and bring your work gloves.

Wed, 09 Feb 2005 20:52:13 GMT

So, I'm going to be develpoing a web-based public calendar of Pagan events in Atlanta. It will be a open to everyone and I'm hoping it will provide a place to not only check on events you migth want to attend, but also will give event planners a place to go when trying to pick dates.

Which do you guys think would be better - a calendar view or a listing by date?

The calendar view would look like a regular calendar with a link to more info on the event. It would probably look a bit sparse since there aren't that many events each month.

The list view would be a list of dates with the event name as a link to more info (similar to how Witchs' Voice does their listings). I think the list style looks a bit more abstract, since you don't have a series of blocks marked out to help you immediately see that an event lasts for 4 days and includes a Monday, for example.

And yes, it has been suggested that I do both, but I want to get this up ASAP and I think starting with one view will be easiest. I have access to a ready built calendar view database system, but I have to see if I can modify it, 'cause the default looks like crap.

Hopefully I'll have the site up in a week or so.

Sun, 23 Jan 2005 03:14:36 GMT

I'm trying to plan the February work day at DragonHills and I need some imput on the date. I'm thinking either Feb. 19 or 26. So, if you might be interested in joining me for the work day, give me your thoughts on which Saturday to choose. Or if you just happen to know of something going on on one of those days that would interfere, let me know. I'm going to have to make a final decision pretty soon, once I hear back from a few other folks.

Thu, 06 Jan 2005 14:33:59 GMT

Cat