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Fertility Magic

Beltane is a time that's chock-full of sexual energy. It's a time of year associated with lust, passion, and fertility.

Spring Fertility Magic

Paganism / Wicca Spotlight10

Paganism and Minors

Tuesday April 26, 2011
At least once a week, I get a very sweet email from someone who wants to learn more about Paganism, they're very excited about their newfound path, and can I please teach them everything I know, and ohbytheway they're thirteen.

I'm thrilled for you that you've found something you're interested in! I truly wish I had connected with my spiritual path at that age -- but because you're thirteen (or fourteen, or fifteen) the answer is, unfortunately, no. I can't won't teach you anything beyond what's available publicly on this website.

Here's why: when it comes to teaching religion -- ANY religion -- to minors, as an adult you can find yourself entangled in all kinds of problems. Getting into a private relationship -- whether by email or in person -- with someone who is underage and whose parents do not know me, could cause some sticky legal situations and worse yet, can open the door to accusations of inappropriate behavior even when there is none taking place. Equally important, I don't want anyone teaching my children about spirituality without my express consent and permission -- so I would never presume to teach the children of another person.

Obviously, there are exceptions. For instance, if a shop offers a Teen Wicca class, and parents have to sign off on their child's attendance. Or if Pagan A asks Pagan B to help with a child's spiritual education. But in general, it's a bad idea for everyone involved.

If you're a teen or underage Seeker and you're having trouble finding a coven, class or group that will accept you, it's not personal -- it's because we old fogies have some pretty valid reasons for not accepting underage students. Read more to find out why: Minors and Paganism

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TX BOE Looks at Creationism in Science Textbooks

Tuesday April 26, 2011
I know, the headline itself is a bit of a weird paradox, isn't it?

But yes, it's true -- according to Lauri Lebo over at Religion Dispatches, the Texas Board of Education is getting ready to review some proposed science textbooks, which include all kinds of hilarity related to making Intelligent Design happen as a valid scientific theory. Nuggets of wisdom include:

  • Religious claims such as "life on Earth is the result of intelligent causes"
  • Misrepresentations of Darwin's 150-year-old writings in an attempt to discredit modern biology
  • Arguments that "intelligent design" is a "legitimate scientific hypothesis" or even "the default position" in science--even though the scientific community and a federal court have concluded that Intelligent Design is creationism and has no scientific basis whatsoever
Why is this a big deal? Well, because everything's bigger in Texas, including their school districts -- and because of the size of their student population, they're (along with California) one of the biggest purchasers of textbooks in America. This means that what Texas approves may well appear in your school district's textbooks -- no matter where you live. What's really interesting is that back in February, a big conservative thinktank called the Thomas Fordham Institute came out and said Texas had screwed things up pretty badly with the school curriculum.

Former Texas BOE President Don McLeroy said in 2009, "Creationism and intelligent design don't belong in our science classes. Anything taught in science has to have consensus in the science community--and intelligent design does not." Apparently no one in 2011 got that memo.

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Samhain Countdown: The Witch Bottle

Tuesday April 26, 2011

Make a witch bottle for protection.
Make a witch bottle for magical protection.
Image © Patti Wigington 2009
If you're one of our readers below the equator and you're observing the Samhain season, this may be a good time to do a little bit of protective magic and create a witch bottle. The witch bottle is a magical tool that has been reported in use for centuries. In early times, the bottle was designed as a way to protect oneself from malicious witchcraft and sorcery. The general idea of the witch bottle is to not only protect yourself, but send back the negative energy to whoever or whatever is sending it your way: Make a Witch Bottle

Sign up for the Samhain Seven Day Sabbat Class, Get Ready for Samhain!

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Beltane Countdown: Hold a Bonfire Ritual

Tuesday April 26, 2011

Get ready for Beltane
Hold a Beltane bonfire ritual!
Image © Getty Images
Spring is underway and the greening of the earth has returned as Beltane approaches. The Beltane bonfire is a tradition that goes back hundreds of years. The fire was more than a big pile of logs and some flame. It was a place where the entire community gathered around -- a place of music and magic and dancing and lovemaking.

It was customary to light the fire on the evening before Beltane, and then let it burn through the next day. The bonfire was lit with a bundle made from nine different types of wood and wrapped with colorful ribbons. Once the fire was blazing, a piece of smoldering wood was taken to each home in the village, to ensure fertility throughout the summer months. Hold a Bonfire Ritual for Beltane

Don't forget to sign up for the free Seven Day Beltane Class!

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