Signs & Portents
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Pagan News Beagle: Watery Wednesday, June 1
An explanation of how to blót. A stunning archaeological discovery in Ukraine that provides a glimpse of ancient Europe. And an examination of what it means to be devoted to a deity even if you aren't "feeling" it. It's Watery Wednesday, our weekly segment for news about the Pagan community! All this and more for the Pagan News Beagle!
Ritual offerings and ritual sacrifice have a long tradition in many religions. The particular practice native to Heathenry is often called a blót and generally occurred as a ritual animal sacrifice followed by a scared feast. But how does one practice blót in the modern era? Hüginn's Heathen Hof provides some tips.
To a large extent, the idea of an ancient, utopian matriarchal society in old Europe before the Iron Age has been widely discredited in academia. But it may yet be entirely without merit. A new (or rather very old) temple uncovered in Ukraine points to a religious hierarchy headed at least in part by women.
When people think of witches they probably also think of a few stock props: a broom, a black cat, a pointy hat, and a wand. But what's so special about wands? Sable Aradia explains over at Patheos.
When we talk about modern feminism in America it's hard not to mention Beyonce, the African-American pop star who over the course of her career has gradually become the new face of black feminism. But what's that got to do with magic or Paganism? Quite a bit argues Crystal Blanton.
A lot of Pagans are attracted to the idea of devoting themselves to a particular deity. But what if you do so and just don't end up feeling passionate about it? The Twisted Rope takes a look at "devoted without devotion."
Top image by Berig
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Mr. Hengwis,
Thanks for sharing! There's just so much we don't know about Bronze Age Eurasian societies.
It saddens me to think that once upon a time, in the library of Alexandria, there might have been a set of scrolls discussing this temple in the Ukraine and the history of the people who built it.
Oh, well. The glass being half full, I'm sure that the archeologists will learn all that they can.