This Week In Heresy

This week we talk with Joe Decker, photographer and co-creator of the website God Hates Shrimp. We not only talk about how the website came to be, but we also talk about the role of humor and satire in social commentary. Where is the line between free speech and hate speech? How do we navigate tragedies like the Charlie Hebdo shootings when one has problems with the content the paper was producing?

This episode was recorded in front of a live audience on February 13, 2015 in the st4r.org/Circle of Cerridwen suite at Pantheacon.

Joe Decker is a nature photographer, author and educator living in Northern California. His work has been exhibited across the country from the Smithsonian to LACDA in Los Angeles, and he has been awarded artist residencies in Petrfiied Forest National Park, Iceland, Svalbard, Antarctica and Greenland. He is the author of The Tuesday Composition, published by Flatbooks Publishing. He is also the co-creator of the website God Hates Shrimp with the late Ryland Sanders.

Links

God Hates Shrimp

God Hates Shrimp Facebook Group

Joe’s Photography Site: Rock Slide Photography

In this third episode that coincides with Pantheacon, we talk to P. Sufenas Virius Lupus about the evolution of gender in regards to Deity. Do the Gods really care about their, and our, gender? Can we create new deities that are inclusive and that work for us? How have we evolved in our thinking around gender? How does pagan isolationism contribute to issues of gender and inclusion? We also talk about how sharing and listening to the stories of people can put a human face onto the “other.” (And there’s some Buffy spoilers for the uninitiated.)

P. Sufenas Virius Lupus is a metagender person, and the founding member, Doctor, Sacerdos, Magistratum, and Mystagogos of the Ekklesía Antínoou (a queer, Graeco-Roman-Egyptian syncretist reconstructionist polytheist religious group dedicated to Antinous, the deified lover of the Roman Emperor Hadrian and other related gods and divine figures), a contributing member of Neos Alexandria, and a Celtic Reconstructionist in the traditions of filidecht and gentlidecht, amongst other spiritual pursuits. Lupus’ work (poetry, essays, and fiction) has been published in many of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina devotional volumes, and in the anthologies Datura and Mandragora edited by Ruby Sara, When the Lion Roars edited by Galina Krasskova, Etched Offerings edited by Inanna Gabriel and C. Bryan Brown, Rooted in the Body, Seeking the Soul edited by Tara Miller, Bringing Race to the Table edited by Crystal Blanton, Taylor Ellwood and Brandy Williams, and the periodicals Witches & Pagans, Abraxas, Circle Magazine, Eternal Haunted Summer, Walking the Worlds, and Air n-Aithesc...and, there's always more on the way! E has also published a book of poems, The Phillupic Hymns (2008), and the book-length poem All-Soul, All-Body, All-Love, All-Power: A TransMythology (2012), and also several other monographs: The Syncretisms of Antinous (2010); Devotio Antinoo: The Doctor's Notes, Volume 1 (2011); A Garland for Polydeukion (2012); A Serpent Path Primer (2012); and Ephesia Grammata: Ancient History and Modern Practice (2014). Lupus used to write the "Queer I Stand" column at Patheos.com's Pagan Channel, and currently writes the "Speaking of Syncretism" column at Polytheist.com.

Links

Lupus’ blog: Aedicula Antinoi: A Small Shrine of Antinous (Which includes a link to eirs books): http://aediculaantinoi.wordpress.com/

Lupus’ Email: [email protected]

Gender and Transgender in Modern Paganism

In this bonus TWIH episode, we welcome Sister Krissy Fiction, a Sister of Perpetual Indulgence from Portland, OR. We talk about what it takes to be a Sister, what the sisters do, and how Sister Krissy Fiction came to be. We also delve into gender non-conformance, theology, and how the pagan community is evolving.

This is second in a series of interviews that coincide with Pantheacon.

Sister Krissy Fiction, the nun that got nailed, is a Gnostic, Pagan, drag clown nun. In the past she has been a minister in the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Church and in the United Church of Christ. These days she is a practicing Gnostic, a devotee of Antinous and a member of an Alexandrian Witchcraft coven. She has been a fully professed member of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence for 8 years and is the Prioress of the Order of Benevolent Bliss in Portland, OR.

Links

Sister Krissy’s Facebook

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @sisterkrissy

Blog: http://promulgatethis.wordpress.com

Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence: http://thesisters.org

Circle of Cerridwen’s Account of their Gender Activism

This week we are joined by Emily Carlin to talk about the intersectionality of paganism and race and how the modern witchcraft movement is just beginning to really address it’s “whiteness.” How do we navigate the intersections of religion and race? Is secrecy inhibiting the conversation? What is the difference between responsible use of another culture’s magickal practices and cultural appropriation?

Emily Carlin is an eclectic witch and attorney based in Seattle, Washington. She specializes in defensive magick, community building, and pop culture magick. Emily blogs at blacksunmagick.blogspot.com and teaches online at Shadowkrafting.com and at Pagan events in the Puget Sound area.

This episode is part of a series of episodes that coincide with Pantheacon held in San Jose, CA over President's Day Weekend. Click here for the complete Pantheacon schedule. Also, be sure to stop by the st4r.org/Circle of Cerridwen suite in room 966 to say hello!

Links

Emily's Website: http://www.e-carlin.com

Emily’s Class Website: http://shadowkrafting.com

Emily’s Blog: blacksunmagick.blogspot.com

Emily's email: [email protected]

This week I had the privilege to interview Janet Farrar and Gavin Bone, who I consider elders of my own witchcraft tradition. In this extended episode we talk about the evolution of witchcraft from its roots with Gerald Gardner to modern times. We also talk about why secrecy isn’t necessarily a good thing, the differences between witchcraft in the US and Europe, how to do syncretism responsibly, why lineage doesn’t matter, why gendered polarity isn’t necessary, and what it means to be a priest of any tradition.

Janet Farrar: Janet was initiated by Alex and Maxine Sanders in 1970. Janet Owen (later Farrar) became involved in the Craft after a friend started regularly visiting the Sander’s. Janet, being from a Christian background, went along to dissuade her friend from becoming involved, but was impressed by the moral structure that Wicca had and joined the Sander’s Coven. It is here she met her husband to be and co-author, Stewart Farrar, who initially became involved around Alex Sanders as a reporter for the Reveille, and was then asked to write What Witches Do. With her late husband she has written over a dozen books on the Craft to date. Titles which include Eight Sabbats For Witches’, The Witches’ Way (one of the first books to suggest the southern hemisphere turn for festivals in Australia), The Witches’ Goddess, The Witches God, Spells and How They Work. Janet has also had one book published jointly with Virginia Russel, The Magical History of the Horse, and with her current partner Gavin Bone, three books; The Pagan Path, The Healing Craft, The Dictionary of European Gods and Goddesses, and their latest work The Inner Mysteries. Their books have become some of the most influential in Witchcraft and have set the mould for modern Craft writers worldwide.

Since her initial introduction to the Alexandrian Craft with Stewart, she, with Gavin Bone has developed her own unique brand of Witchcraft and have been honorary initiations into several other traditions, including traditional Italian Strega. She prefers just to be called witch rather than be considered of any specific tradition. In 1999 she became ordained as third level Clergy with The Aquarian Tabernacle Church.

Gavin Bone: Born in Portsmouth, Gavin Bone was originally initiated into Seax-Wicca in 1986. He trained as a Registered Nurse, is a practising Spiritual (naturally empathic) Healer and a trained Reflexologist. He met Janet and Stewart Farrar in 1989 at the Pagan Link conference in Leicester and moved to Ireland in 1992 after accompanying them on a tour of the United States. He co-authored The Pagan Path, The Healing Craft and The Complete Dictionary of European Gods and Goddesses with Janet and Stewart.In the UK he was both a Pagan Link and Pagan Federation contact in early ‘90’s and this led him after his move to Ireland to set up the Pagan Information Network; a contact network for pagans in the Republic and the North of Ireland. Like Janet, he is an honorary member of the Strega tradition, and ordained third Level Clergy with the Aquarian Tabernacle Church.

Both Janet and Gavin tour regularly doing intensive workshops in the United States and Europe, as well as past tours in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. They have study groups in the US and Italy. They believe strongly in the idea of Wicca being both progressive and dynamic in nature, while remaining a clergy of those dedicated to serving the Gods and Goddesses. Their book The Inner Mysteries is their most radical work to date emphasizing the non-dogmatic creativity of Wicca, and was re-released as a second edition in 2012. This has now been eclipsed by their newest work, Lifting the Veil: A Witches' Guide to Trance-Prophesy, Drawing Down the Moon and Ecstatic Ritual which focuses on their 20 years of work in promoting, and teaching deity connection, Trance-Prophesy and possession. They are responsible for creating The Alliance of Progressive Covens (APeCs) a network of like-minded covens with groups in the US, Uk, Ireland, Netherlands, Belgium, and Italy.

Links:

Janet and Gavin’s Website

Janet and Gavin’s Facebook

Pagan Spirit Gathering

Books:

Fifty Years Of Wicca by Frederic Lamond

Books by Doreen Valiente

Lifting the Veil: A Witches' Guide to Trance-Prophesy, Drawing Down the Moon, and Ecstatic Ritual (May 2015)

A Witches' Bible: The Complete Witches' Handbook

The Healing Craft: Healing Practices for Witches and Pagans

Progressive Witchcraft

Other books by Janet and Gavin can be found here.

This week we have Rev. Mark Townsed, author of several books including “Jesus Through Pagan Eyes”. We talk about his journey through both the Church of England and Druidry, and being a multi-faith practitioner.

(Apologies for the Skype noise. Trans-atlantic Skyping has it’s issues!)

Mark Townsend is a magician with a difference! He is a Priest, though he NEVER pushes his religious or spiritual beliefs onto others. Rather, he uses magic to awaken people to their own inner ‘spark of magic’ - their own beauty. Mark served as an Anglican Priest for over a decade but more recently decided to resign his membership of the Church of England so he can offer his services in a broader, more eclectic and independent way. He is now a member of the Progressive Christian Alliance and, in 2011, will also be transferring his Priestly Orders to an Independent Episcopal Church with a fully inclusive and open ethos.

With regard to his magic, Mark combines mind-bending effects with mythology, storytelling and a dose of zany humour. He has an inner belief that enchantment is a necessary (and oft missing) ingredient for all people to live healthy lives. However most have forgotten how to experience it. He therefore sees his role as 'Bringing Wonder Back to Life'. Through many years of performing Mark has discovered that his unique approach touches people deeply and not only brings joy and laugher, but also leaves them with a deep feeling of their own inner self worth.

Links

Mark’s Facebook page.

Mark’s Website: Magic of Soul

Books

Saving Jesus from the Church: How to Stop Worshiping Christ and Start Following Jesus by Robin Meyers

Jesus Through Pagan Eyes: Bridging Neopagan Perspectives with a Progressive Vision of Christ

The Gospel of Falling Down: The Beauty Of Failure In An Age Of Success

Diary of a Heretic: The Pagan Adventures of a Christian Priest

Jesus Outside the Box: Twelve Spiritual Tales of the Unexpected

The Path of the Blue Raven

The Wizard's Gift

A bit of a rant to start off the new year. The progressive movement has its problems, and the worst one is alienating those who are changing their minds....and alienating each other. 

In this week’s interview, we talk with Connie McEntee, a good friend of mine and a transgender woman about her process of transitioning. We talk about how the impact of her transition changed her life and her relationships with her family and children. Her transition also empowered her spirituality, not only in her own spiritual path, but in her spiritual communities. We also discuss how community and place can determine how smooth a person’s transition can be, and how not all communities are supportive.

(Apologies for the cat meowing. My cat Bitta is old and didn’t like the closed studio doors, apparently.)

Connie McEntee is a second degree Wiccan priest and first year Christian seminarian at the Pacific School of Religion. Born and designated male in San Francisco then raised in South San Francisco, she began gender transition at age 41. She's the author of the queer young adult novel Waking for Hours, and hopes to have her second YA novel published in late 2015.

Links

Connie’s Facebook

Connie’s Tumblr

Connie’s Blog - Double Invert

Susan’s Place Transgender Resources

Accidentally Gay

Bioware - Dragon Age: Inquisition

In this episode, Chris Hockley talks about his new ministry, “the found altar,” which is an online support for progressive small churches and clergy. How can we connect with each other instead of being in competition with each other? How do we work within our differences instead of fighting over doctrine?

Chris Hockley is the founder of the found altar, a ministry dedicated to progressive spirituality and progressive spiritual practice. Originally from Laramie, WY Chris graduated from Dakota Wesleyan University with a double degree in Theatre and Religion/Philosophy. Chris is currently a student at the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, CA where his spouse Tammy is also pursuing an MDiv.

Links

the found altar

the found altar Facebook page

Chris’ Email: [email protected]

Chris’ Facebook Page

Thank you all for making the first 6 months of This Week In Heresy a success! 

Due to file limitations, iTunes and other places will have only the audio version of this episode. But you can watch the video on YouTube here: http://youtu.be/KAJH4Zxdbv0