Pagan Community Notes

Pagan Community Notes: Sockeye Wildfire, Christopher Blackwell, Charleston and more

By |

On Sunday, June 13, a wildfire exploded in Willow, Alaska, about 80 miles north of Anchorage. According to reports, the wildfire went from covering 2 acres to 6,500 acres within a matter of hours. Gov. Bill Walker has declared the region a “disaster area,” with an estimated 1700 people displaced from their now-destroyed homes. Along with residents, firefighters have had to rescue hundreds of sled dogs, as wells as goats, sheep, horses and many other local animals. Making its home in Willow and now nestled within that devastated region is the Alaska Pagan Community Center (PCC). Fondly called “The Land,” the PCC is a “non-profit Nature Sanctuary and Earth Retreat Center … where people can come out to … celebrate the changing of the seasons and create a relationship with others and the earth that sustains us.” It was purchased just over 5 years ago and has served the local Pagan community ever since.

Living

Including children in Pagan practice

By |

OAKLAND, California — For a variety of reasons, children of Pagans, Heathens and Polytheists are not always included in the practices of their parents. Some feel that children should be given the freedom to choose a path, rather than have one imposed upon them. Others may be trying to keep their faith private, or avoid conflicts with non-custodial parents. Many Pagan religions are rife with oathbound rites that cannot be shared with the uninitiated, including members’ children. Whatever the reason, the values and traditions of these practices are often not passed down to the next generation until they are adults themselves.