Here’s the official press release:

The Pagan Newswire Collective continues to grow and expand as new local bureaus take root all across the country and group blog projects bring together the experience and expertise of Pagans from a wide variety of traditions and communities to share their insights into subjects from politics to pop culture, and everything in between. The most recent addition to the PNC is No Unsacred Place: Earth and Nature in Pagan Traditions.

No Unsacred Place explores the relationships between religion and science, nature and civilization from a diversity of modern Pagan perspectives. With climate change ever-present in today’s cultural and political discourse, and the realities of ecological destruction increasingly impacting our local communities and daily lives, questions about how we live as members of this jeweled, blue-green planet are no longer merely abstract philosophical musings or theological exercises. While cultures throughout history offer us examples of human beings in relationships of worship, stewardship, domination and exploitation of the Earth, modern Paganism is unique in drawing together the wisdom and ecocentric focus of ancient religions with the insights into the physical world afforded by modern science and technology.

No Unsacred Place draws inspiration for its title from the contemporary American poet and environmentalist, Wendell Berry, who wrote: “There are no unsacred places. There are only sacred places and desecrated places.” Berry confronts the assumption that “the sacred” can be cordoned off and separated from the mundane, and challenges us to examine our relationship to those places we consider to be “unsacred” — whether they are untamed forests and barren deserts, or human-made landscapes of metal and concrete — to discover how our attitudes and actions lead to desecration and destruction. Pagans today face the challenge of reconciling the lessons and influence of “dark green religion” environmentalist and conservation movements in contemporary society, with an ambivalence towards the wildness and wilderness of the Earth that is as old as Western civilization itself.

This blog features coverage and analysis of environmentalism and ecology in the news from a Pagan perspective, as well as essays and personal reflections about the role of science, environmental ethics, eco-friendly lifestyles, and an awareness of the land and its seasons, both in religious community and in the personal spiritual lives of modern Pagans.

Monthly columns include “Fur and Feather,” in which Juniper Jeni draws on her extensive background in homesteading and animal rescue to explore issues of animal rights, and “The Sacred in Suburbia,” in which John Beckett confronts the challenges of living sustainably and cultivating sacred relationship with the earth in a land of manicured lawns and strip malls; in addition, Ruby Sara writes on earth-based liturgy and ritual in her column, “Earthly Rites.”

Other participants of note include Alison Leigh Lilly, a Druid essayist, poet and author of Meadowsweet & Myrrh who writes on issues of deep ecology, environmental justice and earth-centered peacemaking; Pagan geologist and environmental scientist Meical abAwen, who teaches with Blackberry Circle; and Cat Chapin-Bishop, who writes on the practice and purpose of her environmental witness at her blog, Quaker Pagan Reflections.

At approximately 4pm yesterday, March 9^th, notice was given of an impending “special committee” hearing, by Republican Senators in Madison, of a bill to separate state worker collective bargaining rights from budget issues. A budget issue needs a 2/3 quorum where non fiscal issues only require a majority in the Wisconsin senate. The 19 Republicans met at 6pm, and by 6.45 the vote had been taken, eighteen to one, to approve the ‘plan’.

I called Dennis, a Madison Pagan and state employee, and AFT union steward, for his thoughts.

What is your reaction to tonight’s Republican action eliminating collective bargaining for State workers?

” The Republicans admitted tonight that was their goal. They clothed real intent in their budget repair bill, but it is pretty obvious what they were after from the beginning. I can’t say I am surprised. I am surprised it took them this long to do something. They were using the budget bill to provide themselves with cover, but it was pretty transparent. “

View to Speaker Podium – file photo

What do you think will happen going forward?

” There are 2000 (supporters, 200 tractors) tractors lined up to come to town. Family Farm Defenders is organizing that. They realize that there are a lot of farmers that are on Badgercare (Wisconsin Health Program),  and Walkers budget is going to decimate that. A lot of farmers are depending on this health care and don’t have anything else.  It is not just about the unions, its never been just about the unions. There was so much bad policy in that budget repair bill, you hate to even call it that. It is just a phrase. Koch industries, one of their biggest things is energy, and the Governor has the authority under that bill to accept a no bid contract from anyone. I am not saying it is going to be Koch… but ya know… We aren’t talking just big power plants, there are a lot of state facilities, like prisons, that generate their electricity. Some of the big UW campuses have their own power plants. Twenty or thirty of them, they are all small, but hey,  if you can tap a vein. The billionaire vampires have a clear path to suck more for themselves. Sucking off the body politic.”

Do the unions workers have a specific response plan?

” I know that in southern Wi. the AFL-CIO has put out some word about a general strike. I don’t know what that means. My current contract says I cannot strike. We have is a contract extension that put all the existing contract terms, extended into the future. We signed that with Doyle. We bargained for a new contract. I was on the bargaining committee. I tell ya, you know which side has power, the side which looks at you and says, “I think your asking too much”, not interested at this time”. “not interested” to every proposal. We had 18 months of that shit. Anyone who says that unions are big powerful entities is just plain wrong. We have been without a contract since July of 2009, and working out of continuing contract extensions. Last month Walker sent notice the extensions would no longer be honored after March 13^th. The unfortunate thing for him is there is provision in state and federal law, the ‘evergreen’ clause, that should apply here, mandating a continuing contract. Well unless he somehow abolished that in the budget repair bill, too.”

“There are sixteen recalls going on, for both Democrats and Republicans. In fact the ones for the Democrats started first. There is a lot of energy focusing on them, by those that want to recall Republican right now. A group out of Utah has started all the petitions against the democrats. They are a group that is against immigrant rights. (The group filed electronically with the GAB between Feb. 18 and 21, calling itself theAmerican Recall Coalition. It lists the founding organization as Americans Against Immigration Amnesty. ) “

Why this acceleration in conflict right now?

” Over $600,000 dollars was dumped in the Green Bay area for advertising just before the budget came out, its funded in part from that Americans for Prosperity, the Koch front group. It’s not just in Wisconsin, its in Idaho, Indiana, Ohio. They are all trying to pull collective bargaining rights. This is the ‘big guys’ saying, ‘It is time. We just don’t want to screw around with this democracy thing anymore. We’ll just get rid of it, and then it will just be us’. ”

” I’m a state employee, so I can’t go on strike. One of the things in Walker’s bill is if you go out on strike, then you get fired. But, I can go on a long vacation, damn it. I’m just so irritated with those Republicans. Doesn’t that just sound so Wisconsin? There was a little old Norwegian looking woman down at the State Capitol on Saturday. Her little eight and a half by eleven sign just said, ‘I’m a little upset’. ”

When Wisconsinites get ” a little upset”,  you know it is serious!

Later today, interviews with more Pagan State employees …..

* Note: Conditions are changing rapidly at the Madison Capitol. Protesters swarmed into the Capitol as the bill was passed last night, Shouting for a “General Strike!”  and ‘Shame!” . They remained overnight in defiance of court order.  CNN currently reports protesters are being forcibly removed from the area of the Capitol Assembly hall area, where this measure will be voted on by the State Assembly, shortly.  Democratic Senators are meeting to consider a ‘open meeting law’ violation lawsuit over yesterdays vote. The building is on ‘lockdown’ , allowing no one to enter or leave. A Democratic Senator and Jesse Jackson have been denied access.

Some resources to track events in WI

TheWheelerReport.com links to relevant documents, press releases, and resources.

AFT WI. Recall, rally, and busing information

AFT – Outstate links to outstate events and schedules

EVENT: Speakout at Barrymore – 7pm Saturday – a Speak out for worker’s rights
speakers:
Tammy Baldwin
Jim Hightower
Dennis Kucinich
& more
Sponsored by the Progressive Magazine & WORT

One of the first events of Sacred Space 2011 was hosting the first event graduation ceremony of Cherry Hill Seminary. Six students graduated from the ceremony with three in attendence. We had the chance to sit down with Cherry Hill staff and talk about the importance of the graduation and their work moving forward in the field of higher education for Pagans.

]]> http://pagannewswirecollective.com/cherry-hill-seminary-2011-graduation/feed/ 0 http://pagannewswirecollective.com/sacred-spaces-celtic-temple-part-1/ http://pagannewswirecollective.com/sacred-spaces-celtic-temple-part-1/#comments Tue, 15 Feb 2011 19:26:53 +0000 jpitzl http://pagannewswirecollective.com/?p=54 [Reprinted from the Pagan Newswire Collective Minnesota bureau. Article by Cara Schulz.]

Many Pagan groups share the dream of building some type of sacred space.  A temple, a community center, a permanent altar.  It remains a dream because they lack the information, skills, and experience to bring it into reality.  Yet other groups have accomplished what can seem, at times, impossible.  They have learned how to raise funds, deal with city inspectors, and overcome challenges that have stymied the rest of us.  We can learn from them and they are eager to share their successes and mistakes so that more Pagans can have their very own Sacred Space.

In part one of this series, PNC-Minnesota looks at a Celtic temple in Northeast Minneapolis.  The temple priest explains why the group wanted to build a temple, how they were able to work within city building codes, and why doing things by the book is a step forward for the Pagan community.

All this week Sacred Spaces continues with more from Drew Jacob of Temple of the River.  Next week we talk to Sacred Paths Center about how to create a sustainable Pagan community center.

Our own Jason Pitzl-Waters and tech coordinator David Dashifen Kees assist Cara on the executive committee for International Pagan Coming Out Day. You can read more about IPCOD in our reprinted article from The Juggler. We also welcome you to read their web site, follow them on Twitter, or friend them on Facebook.

Full disclosure:  I am on the executive committee for IPCOD so I have some bias.  Arthur is also a dear friend of mine so I am grateful to him for helping me promote the Pagan Coming Out Day Mission.

You may have heard the buzz.  International Pagan Coming Out Day, spearheaded by PNC political blogger Cara Schulz, is May 2, 2011.  I wanted help spread the word far and wide, but it felt disingenuous for me to promote a cause I am so passionate about here on The Juggler without a pop-culture tie in with which to do so.  Enter musician Arthur Hinds.  You might know him best from the band Emerald Rose.  Arthur is also a solo musician and released an album titled “Poetry of Wonder” in 2008.  The album features empowering Pagan themes including the songs “Circle of Love”, “Never Underestimate” and “Pantheon”.  Arthur kindly agreed to answer a few questions in regards to International Pagan Coming Out day and so I am pleased to share that exchange with you here at The Juggler.

PNC: Poetry of Wonder has a lot of very pagan themes. Since you are clearly “out” as a musician are there any aspects of your life that you would rather keep religion out of?

Arthur: Well you are right, I am currently very out as a musician, but in every way actually. Anyone who spends 5 minutes on the Internet will know who I am, and what I believe. My religion is fully integrated into my life; there are no aspects of my life that faith does not take part in. Almost everything I do is moved by it. That doesn’t mean that I stick my faith out there in people faces, but it does mean it is central to my being.

PNC: What do you think of having a formalized Pagan Coming Out day?

Arthur: The idea of a formalized pagan coming out day I think I has two edges. First of all, I hope that, for many people, it may give them strength or the moment to speak of who they are. I also hope that they have the wisdom not to speak it where it doesn’t belong. I do not believe in rubbing it in people’s faces anymore that I enjoy having another faith splashed in mine. I also hope that eventually the purpose for the day will simply fade away entirely and Pagans need not feel imprisoned by the secrecy they fear is necessary.

PNC: Do you plan to honor May 2nd as Pagan Coming out day this year and if so, how?

Arthur: I am looking to release a new song in honor of the day. It is about the path of being Pagan.

PNC: I reserve the right to review your new song for the Juggler upon its release. I am so excited that you are doing that!

For some people, coming out is a very definitive moment in their lives. For others, it is simply organic. Would you be willing to share your “coming out” story? I know you were raised Unitarian Universalist, so I imagine you had a higher level of religious freedom growing up than many others experience.

Arthur: Well, as you say, I was raised Unitarian Universalist. I was taught that there are many paths up the mountain to God. I was also taught how to find what I believe, so coming out to my parents was nowhere near as difficult as a great many folks find it. Because I was raised UU, I have never really had a chip on my shoulder about Christianity, and that makes my integration into the larger religious world, I think, less difficult.

In truth, there are many “coming out” experiences. I never go out of my way to “preach,” but just in conversation, questions will come up. I never dodge issues when asked, but always answer them truthfully, so there are sometimes difficult moments. I would be lying to you, if I said I never get a tingling or lump in my stomach in those encounters.

But, these moments gift me with a wonderful chance to calm fear and educate. Fear is our enemy, not the people who are afflicted with it. How can we expect the uniformed or misinformed to understand? Also, often a seeker discovers themselves at such a time.

PNC: What lessons have you learned over the years being a prominent Pagan musician?

Arthur: As I have traveled and shared songs and danced and played with Pagan musicians specifically, but with Pagans generally, I have learned that indeed there are many paths up the mountain to Goddess/God. I have learned that there is a constantly expanding course of ways to learn, and new/old mysteries to explore. I am in awe of the great diversity of power and creativity that we as Pagans generate. I am proud to wear that label “Pagan Musician.”

PNC: If there is one piece of advice you can give to someone who is currently on the fence about opening up to a loved one, what would that be?

Arthur: In many a vision, there is written over the portal to advancement, “Know thyself.” I would suggest anyone who is contemplating coming out to a loved one to examine why they want to. Will good come of it? Do you really need to tell your 83 year old grandmother who you are sure would be horrified?

Once you are sure that is it the right time to explain your path, I vote for slow and gentle faith comparisons one on one. Announcing at the Christmas dinner table, “Hey Y’all I’m Witch” would not be the path of wisdom in my opinion. I am, however, a quadruple Pisces so that may color my response.

PNC: You, sir, are amazing. Thank you so much for this! I owe you a beer, at least.

There is no act more political in nature than making an oath of citizenship to a nation. On Tuesday, Melissa Gold, a Pagan living in Canada did just that.   Like many new Canadian citizens, she did so with her hand resting on a book containing stories, poems, and hymns sacred to her religion.  What makes this event extraordinary, and possibly a first in North America, is that the book wasn’t a Bible, a Torah, or a Koran – it was a text containing Hesiod and Homer.

Melissa Gold (right) holding a Canadian flag, her certificate of citizenship, and her copy of Hesiod and Homer.

Melissa agreed to speak with Pagan+politics about about her experience and what it meant to her.

PNC: Melissa, first off, congratulations on your new citizenship status.  I know this was very exciting for you and your family.  But how did a nice American girl like you end up in Canada?

Melissa: Yep, I’m a Canuk! Got a flag pin and a little paper flag along with my citizen card and welcome letter from our Prime Minister.

I came to Canada from North Carolina, right after I graduated from UNC Chapel Hill in 1972.  Although this was the era of Viet Nam draft dodgers, I came because of a young Canadian man I’d met on a university exchange program between my school and the University of Toronto.  We married that same year.

I’ve lived in Canada for 38 years, my entire adult life, so it definite feels more like ‘home’ than where I was born.  But more, Canada as a society embodies more of my principles than the US: Canada is more liberal and believes in social support systems to a greater degree.  I’m sure I couldn’t afford to live in the US any more.  Canada doesn’t have the divisive partisanship and religious extremism of the US.  Canada was one of the first countries to embrace same sex marriage and to have a cultural conversation of diversity—not a perfect one but more inclusive and accepting than in the US or Europe.  I’ve already decided to assist our local Member of Parliament when elections are next called, so that I can ensure that the progressive agenda of environmental and social concerns is maintained and forwarded.  Now I can be wholly and fully involved in every aspect of the country where I have been living.

PNC: OK.  Let’s switch over to religion.  Hellenion, which you are a member of, is a recognized church of Hellenic Pagans that use reconstructionism as a tool to revive the pre-Christian religious practices of ancient Greece.  How long have you been a Pagan and how did you end up in Hellenismos?

Melissa: I’ve been in the Hellenic movement for almost eight years.  I loved Latin and Greek when I was in high school but my father encouraged me to study something more “practical” in university, so I went into biology.  However, when my outdoor education position ended ten years ago, I decided to return to university and chose Greek, which I had had to abandon when younger.  I studied many aspects of antiquity but felt especially attracted to philosophy and religion.  When my Greek hair dresser told me that there were people in Greece who actually worship the gods, I nearly fell out of the chair with excitement!  I had no idea such a thing could be.  As soon as I got home, I went on to the computer and found both YSEE and Hellenion and applied to Hellenion immediately; that was in 2003.  I had been searching for a spiritual home and knew I had found it, even though much work remained to be done.  Hellenic practice has been my only involvement in pagan communities.

PNC: How do your family and close friends feel about your religion?

Melissa: My closest friends are in the religion, in my Hellenion Proto-demos.  I’ve drifted away from friends in my former religion, Judaism, and haven’t talked to them about it.  Because my Hellenic group is beginning to get media attention, some of my former friends will hear about it eventually and they may refuse to associate with me, but I would never refuse to associate with them.  All my immediate family know about my new spiritual practices and group, and it helps that my family are not particularly “religious.”  As the oldest person in my family now, I’m not looking for approval: I give approval.  Again, because Canada is so open and tolerant, I’m not concerned about how the wider society might react.

PNC: I have to tell you, I’m extremely impressed with your Proto-Demos and what you all have been doing.  Your rituals are  beautiful and are drawing quite a crowd.  The Solstice celebrations were amazing, both of them.  The ritual to honor Ares and the Heroes was something that was commonly practiced in our religion long ago, but many modern Hellenics are slow to revive.  Your religion is obviously something that is an important part of your life and it’s exciting that you were able to bring that into the citizenship ceremony.  How did it come about that you were given an option to choose a holy book for your swearing?

Melissa: As it turns out, Canada adapted its citizenship ceremony to be workable for the vast number of different cultures from which its new citizens come.  In fact, we don’t swear allegiance, we affirm it, a word choice that avoids problems for many people.  We also have the option to use any holy book we wish or nothing at all.  My group of candidates included 68 people from 26 countries.  We stood in a group facing the citizenship judge and raised our right hands and repeated the oath.  No one observed or cared whether our other hand held a holy book or not.  In fact, most people had not brought anything with them.

PNC: OK. Affirm, I’ll remember that.  Can you tell me a bit more about what the ceremony was like and what it meant to you to be able to honor your religion while you affirmed an oath?

Melissa: I described the moment of affirming above, but I can add that the ceremony included formal and legal procedures as well as a warm welcome by all the officials present.  Much time is taken to confirm that we are who we are but the judge was personable and welcomed each one of us as we received our certificates of citizenship.  In the background, mellow music mixed with the sounds of Canadian nature was playing.  The judge welcomed us to the “family of Canada,” which informed the entire process.  I am fortunate that I didn’t have to act defiantly in order to honor my spiritual practice, although I was prepared to do so.  That I didn’t have to is typical of Canada and is yet another reason why I choose to live here.

PNC: This gets to something that may be a bit controversial in our wider religious community, the idea that Pagans could have a holy book and why we would swear or affirm an oath on one.  Which book did you choose and why did you choose that one?

Melissa: I wanted to make a point that Hellenic texts could logically be part of a citizenship ceremony in lieu of touching an altar of Zeus, which was a traditional way to make oaths in antiquity.  I had brought a Loeb volume containing the works of Hesiod, the Theogony and the Works and Days, and the Homeric Hymns.  Those texts represent some of the earliest writings about Hellenic spiritual practice and mythology, which underlie most of what was done in ancient times along with the epic poems and give us inspiration and direction today.

PNC: Did it give you pause to be choosing a book, knowing you may be setting an example or precedent for Hellenics?

Melissa: Yes and no.  While I realized that some people might regard my particular choice as a precedent, I suggest that anyone in a similar position choose whatever is of importance and significance to them.  If it helps anyone to have the works of Hesiod and the Homeric Hymns be known as a precedent, that’s great; but polytheism is inclusive and therefore many other choices would be just as good.  There is no one right choice as in monotheistic societies.

PNC: I’m curious, how did the officials react to your book choice?

Melissa: The officials did not ask or attempt to observe what any one of us brought or failed to bring to the ceremony.  In a way, that seemed too easy.  On the other hand, it represents an approach that is the most inclusive of the diversity of religious practices within this country; no one need feel uncomfortable or unacceptable because of their choice.  It is one more reason why I love my adopted country of Canada.

PNC: OK, yeah, that was easy.  Canadians, like Minnesotans, are known for being nice.  I think this interview is going to make American Pagans long to cross the border like you did.  I have one more question for you.  You may be the first Pagan in North America to affirm or swear an oath of citizenship on a Pagan sacred book – can you tell me how you feel about that?

Melissa: I don’t imagine that oaths of citizenship among Pagans happen very often, especially in the US.  Obviously, in Canada, it’s not an issue.  I don’t know what the process involves in the US, but if it empowers anyone there to know that, in Canada, at least one person is known to have affirmed an oath of citizenship while holding Hellenic texts, then I’m happy to be the first!  The whole ceremony was wonderful and will remain a treasured memory for me.

PNC: Melissa, thank you so much for taking the time to talk with me.  And again, congratulations on gaining Canadian citizenship.

PNC contacted Hellenion, the religious group Melissa is a member of, to get their reaction to Melissa being able to affirm her oath of citizenship on Hellenic texts.  Here is what they had to say:

“Hellenion is delighted for Melissa Gold, who was recently able to undertake her Canadian citizenship ceremony while holding a volume of Hesiod and Homeric Hymns. We celebrate with her that she was able to mark the moment of being able to participate fully in her country’s democracy while maintaining her Hellenic principles. In these times all of us are regularly reminded how precious the rights of religious freedom and tolerance are, and salute the government of Canada for their on-going commitment to these principles. We hope more countries will soon enact laws to extend religious freedom to all their citizens. All the best to Melissa and her family.”

Addendum: YSEE, the Supreme Council of Ethnikoi Hellenes, also wanted to congratulate Ms. Gold.  YSEE is an umbrella organization for Ethnic Hellenic religious groups in Greece and seeks the morale and physical protection and restoration of the Polytheistic, Ethnic Hellenic religion, tradition and way of life in the “modern” Greek Society.

YSEE salutes Melissa Gold’s swearing the oath of Canadian citizenship in the name of the Hellenic Gods.  It was a good proof of our known thesis that Hellenism is a matter of mind and heart and that the Hellenic Ethinic Religion is the religion of all humanistic and logical men and women of the Globe, the religion of the ones that know how to honour both the beauty of Cosmos and human nature.

Robert Clark, moderator of Hellenic Recons and considered a leading proponent of a more traditional form of Hellenic Paganism, noted that swearing oaths was taken very seriously in ancient times and Melissa has followed in that tradition.

Congratulations Melissa for swearing on Hesiod’s Theogony and Homeric Hymns and for leading the way with right action, conviction, and piety! May blessings go with you and may the Gods watch benevolently over you and guard you with favorable fortunes.