A Shinto practitioner shares a basic prayer for beginners. One visitor to the Michigan Pagan Festivals reports on it afterward. And portable shrines for traveling Pagans make their debut. It's Watery Wednesday, our weekly segment for news about the Pagan community. All this and more for the Pagan News Beagle!

A lot of religions feature prayer as a part of their tradition, but not ever faith has the same kind of prayers. Shinto prayers, for example, are fairly unique in their style. At Patheos, Shinto-Pagan writer Megan Manson shares a basic form of a Shinto prayer (aka norito) for beginning Shintoists.

What makes a Heathen? As Germanic polytheists argue over theology, race, and tradition, some have gone so far as to question their opponents' religious affiliation. At Hüginn's Heathen Hof, the "Rational Heathen" takes a look at the question of what defines a Heathen.

Many Pagans often describe their religion as "nature-based" or "Earth-based." But does that translate into environmental activism? Should it? Pagan writer and academic Wayne Martin Mellinger describes how nature-centered spirituality might fuel activism for a more ecologically sustainable future.

It's summer and that means festival season is here! Returning from Michigan Pagan Fest in Belleville, Set worshiper and frequent Pagan blogger G.B. Marian shares his thoughts about the festival and those who attended.

A lot of Pagans, particularly those of a polytheist bent, like to keep shrines they dedicate to one or more deities, where they pray or make ritual offerings. But it can be difficult to keep up such traditions while you're traveling. It's not impossible though: The Twisted Rope takes a look at one "portable shrine" for Pagans on the road.


Top image by Chris Nas