http://unitedpagans.com/ YOUR Pagan Start Page! Wed, 15 Oct 2008 12:47:56 -0600 http://backend.userland.com/rss/ XOOPS Whatsnew Whatsnew mark@unitedpagans.com (Ash) mark@unitedpagans.com (Ash) Copyright (c) 2008, Ash en http://unitedpagans.com/ http://unitedpagans.com/modules/whatsnew/images/xoops_logo.gif 144 78 http://unitedpagans.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=29 THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT NEW PALTZTHE NEW PALTZ ORACLEBy Nikki Werthiem, Copy EditorThe Pagan Student Union is seeking to improve their image and gain membership.The term “Pagan” actually refers to a religion in tune with nature. According to Pagan.com, “Paganism is a spiritual way of life which has its roots in the ancient nature religions of the world.” This is the message that the Pagan Student Union is trying to send: that it is not a religion of simply witchcraft or devil worship ... Sun, 12 Oct 2008 08:54:21 -0600 http://unitedpagans.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=29 Pagan News Blog THE NEW PALTZ ORACLE
By Nikki Werthiem, Copy Editor

The Pagan Student Union is seeking to improve their image and gain membership.

The term “Pagan” actually refers to a religion in tune with nature. According to Pagan.com, “Paganism is a spiritual way of life which has its roots in the ancient nature religions of the world.” This is the message that the Pagan Student Union is trying to send: that it is not a religion of simply witchcraft or devil worship, but a welcoming group to students with all faiths and beliefs. ]]> Mark http://unitedpagans.com/modules/xhnewbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=254&forum=28&post_id=1345#forumpost1345 Autumn,It is very nice to finally meet you and see you about. Welcome aboard! Mystical Sun, 12 Oct 2008 08:07:47 -0600 http://unitedpagans.com/modules/xhnewbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=254&forum=28&post_id=1345#forumpost1345 Community Forums It is very nice to finally meet you and see you about. Welcome aboard!


Mystical ]]> Mystical http://unitedpagans.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=28 A day after asking a teacher if she was a witch or believed in witchcraft — following a history lesson on early-America’s Salem witch trials — an adult-education student tossed a liquid on a teacher, then pulled out a cigarette lighter, police said. Thu, 09 Oct 2008 09:20:57 -0600 http://unitedpagans.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=28 Pagan News Blog Mark http://unitedpagans.com/modules/xhnewbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=251&forum=1&post_id=1340#forumpost1340 They are in my album. I have also posted many more on my myspace. Yes, it has been quiet, but not for long... Thu, 09 Oct 2008 09:13:53 -0600 http://unitedpagans.com/modules/xhnewbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=251&forum=1&post_id=1340#forumpost1340 Community Forums Mark http://unitedpagans.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=27 Calcutta News.NetWednesday 8th October, 2008 (IANS)In a bizarre ritual that took place midnight last on the outskirts of Raipur, three women known as the 'Navratri witches' and claiming to be blessed by goddess Durga, slapped people while chanting the names of the goddess to rid them of dreaded diseases like AIDS and cancer. Wed, 08 Oct 2008 21:44:22 -0600 http://unitedpagans.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=27 Pagan News Blog Wednesday 8th October, 2008 (IANS)

In a bizarre ritual that took place midnight last on the outskirts of Raipur, three women known as the 'Navratri witches' and claiming to be blessed by goddess Durga, slapped people while chanting the names of the goddess to rid them of dreaded diseases like AIDS and cancer.

]]> Mark http://unitedpagans.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=26 Posted on: Tuesday, 7 October 2008, 15:00 CDT BRUNSWICK - Marilyn R. Pukkila, who identifies herself as a Quaker witch in the Reclaiming Tradition, will give a talk on modern witchcraft at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 15, at Bowdoin College. Wed, 08 Oct 2008 21:40:31 -0600 http://unitedpagans.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=26 Pagan News Blog
BRUNSWICK - Marilyn R. Pukkila, who identifies herself as a Quaker witch in the Reclaiming Tradition, will give a talk on modern witchcraft at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 15, at Bowdoin College.
]]> Mark http://unitedpagans.com/modules/xhnewbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=201&forum=25&post_id=1336#forumpost1336 hi and what a great topic, always important for the pagan, the maintaining of traditional pagan rituals. My point is however that when Christianity came to attempt to impose its religious festivals on the pagans sometimes they succeeded, sometimes they failed and sometimes they had to compromise, christmas lets never forget is a compromise. i would suggest that 90% if not more of a traditional christmas is adapted pagan celebration, as i have asked on many occassions what has a fir tree, fairy l ... Wed, 08 Oct 2008 06:34:43 -0600 http://unitedpagans.com/modules/xhnewbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=201&forum=25&post_id=1336#forumpost1336 Community Forums As the darkest day of the year, the turning point from Winter to summer the winter solstice was a time of celebration, a time to pull all your loved ones close, family and freinds and celebrate. it was a time to give thanks for survival through the harsh necessity and dreary days. A time to remember the everlasting nature of mother earth and nature and of course spirit.
Father Christmas is not a Christian invention, and this form of rewarding the good and punishing the bad was around way before that all over the world, the one i like best is Frau Holle but only because she is a woman!!!Giving presents is a natural part of Yule, in my opinion and an expression of gratitude and love for the existence of the people you love in your life for another year and their survival through the long dark days of winter, when many perished of hunger or cold.
However, whatever my beliefs about the winter solstice I must say that the growing monster of consumerism within society is despicable and could not agree more, that is not what christmas or Yule should be about. i also agree that charity and giving to those in need is the not only an important part of showing gratitude for all our blessings at this time of year but also a great lesson to teach our kids, its about more than just the stuff!
I have for many years celebrated the Winter Solstice on the winter solstice with my family who find it convenient for us all to come together on not christmas, when they often have other things to do. My kids then can go to their dads who is not a pagan for christmas.
One suggestion i have is that many charities offer special packages for subscription, a couple of years ago i subscribed to the World Wildlife Fund for my nephew and niece, they received a cuddly toy of the animal they had adopted a certificate and some information about their animal. There are also these packages for adults. Another idea is the charity where you can pay for the education of a child in the third world, they don't ask for much, a small monthly contribution, often these charities let children write to the children out there to find out how they live etc. i can't give you a name but they shouldn't be too hard to find. I should also say that a lot of charities do have christmas gift catalogues which have loads of great idea's some green stuff and all profits go to the charity. I like the greenpeace one, great.
This year however i am going for the green option, i am buying green gifts for everyone, of which there are loads on ebay, solar powered mobile phone chargers, solar powered battery chargers, solar powered fairy lights, wind up alarm clocks, loads of stuff to help people cut down their co2 emissions.
I hope you can take away something here, what a great topic of discussion and so many great suggestions, oh and well done for not having a car either.
Brightest blessings
Sky. ]]> Sky http://unitedpagans.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=25 Greetings from Black Mesa Indigenous Support,We are excited to inform you that we are currently putting together efforts to bring a caravan of work crews that will be converging from across the country to support residents of the Big Mountain regions of Black Mesa who, on behalf of their peoples, their sacred ancestral lands, and future generations, continue to carry out their staunch resistance to the efforts of the US Government, which is acting in the interests of the Peabody Coal Company to ... Mon, 06 Oct 2008 13:36:02 -0600 http://unitedpagans.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=25 Pagan News Blog We are excited to inform you that we are currently putting together efforts to bring a caravan of work crews that will be converging from across the country to support residents of the Big Mountain regions of Black Mesa who, on behalf of their peoples, their sacred ancestral lands, and future generations, continue to carry out their staunch resistance to the efforts of the US Government, which is acting in the interests of the Peabody Coal Company to devastate whole communities & ecosystems, and greatly de-stabilize our planet's climate for the profit of an elite few. ]]> Mark http://unitedpagans.com/modules/xhnewbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=113&forum=26&post_id=1332#forumpost1332 Ok, in my boredom I've read everyone of these posts and in my study I've never come across a way to cleanse a Grimoire. Any suggestions, sites, books on how to do so? Wed, 24 Sep 2008 15:09:14 -0600 http://unitedpagans.com/modules/xhnewbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=113&forum=26&post_id=1332#forumpost1332 Community Forums Seul http://unitedpagans.com/modules/xhnewbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=247&forum=1&post_id=1330#forumpost1330 Those are my thoughts but I just wanted to concider what others thought. I do find her books interesting though. Wed, 24 Sep 2008 11:48:09 -0600 http://unitedpagans.com/modules/xhnewbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=247&forum=1&post_id=1330#forumpost1330 Community Forums Seul http://unitedpagans.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=8&com_id=18&com_rootid=13&#comment18 Good point, Dragoness, and very well put! Thu, 17 Jul 2008 08:49:53 -0600 http://unitedpagans.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=8&com_id=18&com_rootid=13&#comment18 Comments WoodSprite