Pagan Book Shelf - Nicole McAlister Voices on the Path

Voices on the Path-

A Collection of Interviews

Pagan Book Shelf

Nicole McAlister

Email: paganbookshelf@gmail.com
Website: www.paganbookshelf.org
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PaganBookShelf
First can you briefly tell us about yourself? What is your profession? Any special hobbies?Ok, so let me start with my profession, Currently I am a domestic Goddess. For those of you that don't know what that is, let me explain. I clean the house, do the wash, tend the garden, take care of the fish, dogs, cats, spiders, shop for and prepare nearly every meal, care for the children and entertain as well as transport them to where ever they need to be. I became this about six years ago. I've taken an occasional part time job to make ends meet here and there...but otherwise my 'Domestic Goddess' duties are my priority.

Prior to that I'd done retail, apartment management, call center, collection, etc. I've also attended approximately two years of colledge for Journalism, and taken a course on Law enforcement and Criminal Justice. Yes, at one time I fancied I'd be a cop and newspaper reporter.

Some of the things I enjoy doing …. writing obviously , as well as painting and just being creative. Sometimes, and I rarely get to do this as often as I should....I enjoy sitting out on my rocker on my front porch just looking at the sky, the trees, the birds, the plants, and the geese as well as just enjoying the kids playing in the yard.

When did you begin your path? What inspired you to walk this journey? I remember around ten hanging out on the playground talking about Myths with my girlfriends. I remember the first time I was introduced to the Greek Mythology in Language arts, and how liberating it was to realize that there wasn't just one God to fit all. No offence, I've always been a plus size girl and that one size fits all tag is a load of crap.

Around seven I had a neighbor I hung out with, her mother was Thai and I remember her Budha room, which on alternate days served as a wash room. I remember how lovely her shrine was and wanting one myself. I never guessed you could have such things in the privacy of your own home.

As a young girl I remember going to both the Catholic and Protestant churches with my mother and father alternately. I had friends who were Mormon who on occasion would invite me to events. I was not allowed in the temple, but the gardens were so lovely. I loved learning about other peoples belief and was always open and accepting. However I never committed.

Can you tell us a little about your path? How would you describe yourself?I've been called by many labels. Wicca, Witch, and many things in between. However my choice...if you tied me up and threatened me with torture, would have to be Darkling. Some people claim to work in the light, some drawn to the dark. I believe we are all shades of Gray. The Darker spectrum is not a 'evil' place to be. The Dark is a reference to the under/other world, the other side of the veil. It is also a reference to living outside the ordinary and enjoying things other people might find 'different'.

Does the path you've chosen affect your profession? If so, how?
My number one job is Mum. The oldest profession in the world, also a very magickal profession. Who else kisses the boo boo's better. I include my children as much as possible in my lifestyle while encouraging them to experience their own journeys.

Is community important to you, or do you prefer to express your beliefs as a solitary?

Being there to support my community, building a network to help others new on the path, and sharing friendships is extremely important to me when it comes to my beliefs. Which is why I made my facebook page and website. However, my beliefs and practices tend to be very personal.

As a note, as my way of helping those new on the path and sharing with my community, I'm working on a course that will be free called 'Just the Basics'. This course shares very basic information that I wish I'd known in the beginning. It is thirteen weeks with daily exercises. As one works through it works like a personal journal as well. Information about this can be found on my website and facebook page.

Are you associated with any organizations, volunteer work, or groups that support your spiritual beliefs? My facebook page is my link to the Pagan Themed World.

Would you say your path has been an easy or difficult journey? Any advice for someone new to this path?
I'll be honest, it's been both. The difficulty lies in the struggle for acceptance especially by close friends and family. As well, in finding direction in the path, the ongoing search for a mentor is definitely been a uphill journey. On more than one occassional I'd met people I thought could lead me, and they'd end up following. So many of us are searching for a teacher, and at one point I thought I'd found her, and then she disappeared off the face of the earth. In the beginning my self confidence in my beliefs and practices felt lacking and insignificant because of this. Then I awoke to a realization, I was meant to learn intuitively. There was much I was born knowing and I needed just to trust myself. We are our own teachers, and our potentials are limitless. Accepting that I may never find the right mentor, and learning to rely on my gut feelings was an incredible boost along the journey and made things a lot easier.

Finally, what three books would you say most influenced your path?

There are so many choices here, it's hard to narrow down:

Mists of Avalon – A work of fiction reflecting many Pagan beliefs. Reading this I fell in love with this story and book. It also helps to understand that stories are told from perspective, and ones perspective in the story can be different than another. And what is life about....but perspectives.

Finn MacCool by Morgan Llywelyn – Demonstrates how events and actions shape Myth. This is one of my favorites.

A Kitchen Witches Cookbook – This was one of the few 'spell' books I'll refer to. Cooking is the ultimate casting....When I'm referring to this book I feel like I'm the Witch, stirring her cauldron in secret, working the deepest of Magicks.

Norse Student - Olaidi Voices on the Path

Voices on the Path-

A Collection of Interviews

Norse Student

Olaidi

Email: Private

I do a lot of volunteer work, I'm a honor roll student in the seventh grade at this point. Hobbies, well I'm a heavy gamer, avid reader, and building building my natural habitat.

I started along my path when I was about 5. My mother had a eclectic clan she was in and I would go to the meetings, most of the people there were pagan. Somewhere along the lines I met with a Nordic family and he gave me a book filled with storied of the Nordic gods. I never met the man again. I believe it was a sign that I was supposed to be Nordic. So i adopted it into what i already believed in.

I don’t know what to call myself but I'm a follower of Nordic paganism, the path has been difficult because I'm used to groups, but I've met with another Nordic man and we are talking about it.

I don’t think my religion will affect me becoming a pilot in the Air Force, but you never know.

A community is important to myself but I've been fine being solitary.

Right now no, but in the MMORPG World of Warcraft I'm in a guild called the Mystic circle were we discus are beliefs. They accept all religions. Olaidi is my user name on World of Warcraft.

The path has been difficult for me. To someone new I say talk to as many other people you can.

Three books hmmm, There’s the Rites of Odin and Nordic Gods and Heroes but other then those two I've not read many other Nordic books .

Celtic Path - Sarah Marie Voices on The Path

Voices on the Path-

A Collection of Interviews

Celtic Path

Sarah Marie

Email: sarahmarie02@gmail.com
http://donethisbefore.com

First can you briefly tell us about yourself? What is your profession? Any special hobbies?

I am a 30 year old woman who grew up most of her life in the Pacific Northwest and felt a deep connection to nature.  A few years ago, I moved to the metro area of Minnesota and really fell in love with the area.  I currently work for a video game distributor as the lead of the data department while returning to college for a degree in business information systems.  As for hobbies, I read... A LOT.  I also garden, make jewelry, blog, cook, and any other number of things. 
When did you begin your path? What inspired you to walk this journey? 

I can't pinpoint an exact date that I began my path.  I always had a reverence for nature as I grew up and felt a connection to the natural world around me.  I was raised Christian but even through the Sunday school classes, Bible studies and various other church activities, I felt a disconnect with what I was being taught and trying to live religiously.  I felt that the things I was being taught didn't mesh with what I felt internally, even if I didn't have a way to identify what I believed at the time.  It wasn't until I was in my early 20's that I had a name for what I believed, and learned about paganism from a co worker.  At that point in my life, I felt a type of freedom that I'd never felt before in my life.  I began to research various pagan paths and kept an open mind as I began to research the various paths of paganism.  For the first time in my life, I felt physically and religiously whole. 
Can you tell us a little about your path? How would you describe yourself? 

At this point, I still don't affiliate with any one pagan path.  I find inspiration in my spiritual life in various pagan paths but tend to feel the most connect to Celtic traditions.  My altar takes inspiration from nature, the seasons of the year, and the different pagan paths that I find connections with. 
Does the path you've chosen affect your profession? If so, how? 

I don't find that at this point in time, my path affects my profession.  I am openly pagan in the workplace and find that the people I work with are very accepting and a little curious about my beliefs.  If anything, by being different, I would say that the respect people have for me is more encompassing.  I refuse to allow my beliefs to affect me in the workplace or be a source of conflict.  I also don't like the idea of using my personal beliefs as a way of getting further in the workplace.  The only real way it affects my profession is that I am a happier person and much easier to be around now that I don't feel so conflicted with my religious beliefs. 
Is community important to you, or do you prefer to express you beliefs as a solitary? 

Currently, I practice as a solitary.  I am not a crowd person and find that for where I am in life right now, it works for me.  Having a community is also important and just knowing there is a strong one where I live is comforting, should I ever feel the need to call upon community for anything. 
Are you associated with any organizations, volunteer work, or groups that support your spiritual beliefs? 

Not at this time.  Due to a busy work and college schedule, my time is already spread very thin. 
Would you say your path has been an easy or difficult journey? Any advice for someone new to this path? 

For me, the path has been difficult.  I think that much of that difficulty is of my own making however.  I tend to focus on what others think and as a result, I am still in the broom closet to much of my family.  One sister knows I am pagan and while much of my family knows that my fiance is pagan, I simply do not bring up my beliefs.  There is a lot to the reason I do this and choose to remain in the broom closet, but it is much to detailed to get into unless you wish more information.  I am slowly coming into my own, as I keep the door on the broom closet open a little more and don't fight to hide my beliefs so much.  I find that the peace I've had since the beginning only deepens and evolves as I do this and slowly allow people to discover my spiritual path and religious beliefs. 

My advice to anyone new to the path is to most importantly, remain true to yourself.  Don't let others tell you that the way you are doing something is wrong or that the path your following does something differently than the way you do it.  The glory about paganism in the modern world is that there are so many facets and niches that can be filled.  It is important to paganism and to yourself that you listen to the world around you and within your own heart and be true to what you hear. 


Finally, what three books would you say most influenced your path.

Out of the Broom Closet: 50 True Stories of Witches Who Found and Embraced the Craft by Arin Murphy-Hiscock  This book taught me a lot about accepting your beliefs before you can expect others to do so as well as about remaining true to myself.  

Pagan Ways: Finding Your Spirituality in Nature by Gwydion O'Hara

A Pagan Testament: The Literary Heritage of the World's Oldest New Religion byBrendan Cathbad Myers

I am openly pagan on my blog, donethisbefore.com and while its not all about paganism, it is about my daily life.  I do blog about my beliefs from time to time, as well as various other subject matter as I see fit and have the time to.  

Taoism - Frederick Hermann Jr Voices on The Path

Voices on the Path-

A Collection of Interviews

Taoism

Frederick Hermann Jr

FB address:  http://www.facebook.com/frederick.herrmann

First can you briefly tell us about yourself? What is your profession? Any special hobbies?

I'm a multimedia designer for a major US defense contractor. I follow a mixture of philosophical and spiritual ideals mostly centered around Taoism.

My 'special' hobby (or I would say favorite hobby) would be that I paint Chinese Shui-mo paintings.

When did you begin your path? What inspired you to walk this journey?

I was born Christian Methodist but abandoned it at a very early age deciding that it felt empty; hence, my search began.

What inspired my path? I guess it would be the desire to find truth and meaning behind existence - that there is some method to all the madness and beauty in our world.

Can you tell us a little about your path? How would you describe yourself?

I dabbled in multiple religions/philosophies while searching for my path; though for a long part of my life I followed (and still follow) Hedonistic philosophies, Asatruar religion, and Agnostic ideals. 

Still, change is the only constant and those paths have begun to merge with Taoism which I discovered through researching the ideals behind Chinese painting a few years ago.

I'm currently learning of the Action and Karma School of Taoism.

I am Taoist about life and Agnostic about the afterlife. 

Nature is a great teacher, look to her lessons and you can find serenity.

Does the path you've chosen affect your profession? If so, how?
It doesn't affect my profession directly, but I have learned to try to let go of the stressful moments and move more with the flow of situations.

Is community important to you, or do you prefer to express you beliefs as a solitary?
Both! I'm a relatively private person, but experiencing other person's perspectives can be a great way of learning.

Are you associated with any organizations, volunteer work, or groups that support your spiritual beliefs?
Currently, no.

Would you say your path has been an easy or difficult journey? Any advice for someone new to this path?
My path is a mixture of what feels right to me, for me; so easy or difficult doesn't really apply.  :)

Advice: 

Follow your heart, listen to your instinct, be tolerant of others, and take nothing at face value.
You are your own person, let no one tell you otherwise or decide your path for you.

Finally, what three books would you say most influenced your path.

Only three? Hmmmm.  :)

The Tao Te Ching and I Ching, Snorri Sturlson's Edda, Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft...

Honorary Mention:

Way of the Shaman, Entering the Tao, Ovid's Metamorpheses, The Rites of Odin, 777

Native American Spirituality/Kitchen Witch -Gina Elaine Voices on The Path

Voices on the Path-

A Collection of Interviews

Native American Spirituality/Kitchen Witch

Gina Elaine

email: simoriah_angel@yahoo.com

Facebook address: http://www.facebook.com/gina.elaine

First can you briefly tell us about yourself? What is your profession? Any special hobbies?

35 year old single female working in a call center for Customer Care. Aside from attending as many Pagan events as I can, I like camping, the outdoors, and music festivals (when I have the cash).

When did you begin your path? What inspired you to walk this journey? I found a book at a friend's house called, "Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft" by Raymond Buckland. Reading those pages made me feel something for a religion I have never felt before. I certainly never felt this "welcome" in a Catholic church.

Can you tell us a little about your path? How would you describe yourself?
Definitely eclectic kitchen witch, mostly focusing on Native American Spirituality. (I tend to stay away from the word "Shaman" for a reason.)
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Does the path you've chosen affect your profession? If so, how?

I can't say it has totally affected my job. It has made me a more patient person by a mile. It also helps in preventing burnout at my job. Then again, I'm naturally good at Customer Care.

Is community important to you, or do you prefer to express you beliefs as a solitary?

About 6 years ago, I started to go to different Pagan groups. Though I do a lot of work as a solitary, I love to celebrate different holiday rituals in a group.

Are you associated with any organizations, volunteer work, or groups that support your spiritual beliefs?

I circle with a local coven, along with the groups "Hands of Change" and "Red Oak Grove".

Would you say your path has been an easy or difficult journey? Any advice for someone new to this path?

It wasn't always easy. I have been harassed in public over my beliefs; I have been told to take off my "Devil's pendent" in public and "Why did you paint a "Devil's Star" on your work desk? For me, what always works is killing people with kindness. Oh, and eventually you learn a) not to care what other people think and b) what situations you choose to reveal your Paganness and how much. Oh, I would love to look like a Hippie Dirt Worshiper all the time but people judge. And is it work losing a job over?

Finally, what three books would you say most influenced your path.
Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham (actually both this and the "Further Guide")
To stir a Magick Cauldron by Silver Ravenwolf (I was more advanced when I finally discovered Silver Ravenwolf as an author).
The Circle Within: Creating a Wiccan Spiritual Tradition" Dianne Sylvan. I HIGLY recommend "The Body Sacred" for any female witches.

Reiki Minister/Dragon Majik - Tina Cheverie Voices on the Path

Voices on the Path-

A Collection of Interviews

Reiki Minister/Dragon Majik

Tina Cheverie

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Email: Silverowl36@yahoo.com
Website: http://thecovenofthegreciandragon.webs.com/



First can you briefly tell us about yourself? What is your profession? Any special hobbies?

I'm a homemaker . I have a wonderful family which have been through their ups and downs. As most know I love plants,even the ones you call weeds,and grow and do spells with them. I love doing spells in the kitchen. I love being creative and keeping things green . Most of all I like showing people how to make things all nature for a affordable price .I crochet and make hats for children in need . I am an ordained minister from The Universal Life Church and was ordained August 20th 2009 .She has taken some law, has a Reiki 1 degree and is working on getting her Reiki 2 soon . She has managed to get her GED after years of living the life of a Pagan single mom. May 30th 2009 she married the love of her life Rev. Joseph F. Cheverie.

When did you begin your path?

I started my serious studying at the age of 24 years old but had been doing meditation and other activities since my teens . The first place I went was Angels Loft in East Bridgewater .I learn there about the different traditions and the basics . It was hard  at first to find a group or someone willing to teach their tradition at first .I used to meet with a few of the newer folks and we would try to learn together .We used to do our full moons together and so on . Then we decided to try to form a coven because no one was taking new people at the time .We had a small coven and no I was not the HPS . In fact , I bowed out of the position feeling as though it was not my time .After this coven broke up because of drama . I became a member of the coven Ravens Light . I learned about straga there and loved the people there .I met a special person there and we fell in love . We studied together and he was a great man . He was the dad of my daughter . The reason I say was is because he died from a drunk driver hitting him . After his death I decided to leave Ravens Light . I tried to start a family group but put that on hold because I had to help my special needs son . Do I have any anger about that ? No. Yet , I was still wondering about dragons and dragon majik . I toke the time to look but not many books out there . Finally after years of looking I met my husband which knew about dragon majik and a man named Alan . They helped me understand about dragons and how they are . I learned to love dragon majik . This is my path .
 What inspired you to walk this journey?

I followed my heart and believed in the Goddess . It was the Goddess that inspired me and the flame within my heart to move on . It was she that helped me through my ups and downs .
Can you tell us a little about your path?

Dragon majik is very old and good luck finding it in the book store . We can not point out a year when dragon majik started . We can tell you alot comes from within you . Some of the history of dragon majik is in Celtic stories , you can find stories about dragons in Japan and other countries . Transylvania and parts of Europe . We do have codes of honor in which we follow . We are about healing and protection . 

 How would you describe yourself?

I am a listener . I listen then speak when needed . I good teacher told me listen much and talk less . Ask questions when needed . I try to help when I can but do not like pushy people . I do not like drama and only believe in solutions . I am kind but not easy to read . I believe in team work not ME work .
Does the path you've chosen affect your profession?
No

Is community important to you, or do you prefer to express you beliefs as a solitary?

The community is very important but do not get together enough . I do like being around them because there is so much to learn from each other .
Are you associated with any organizations, volunteer work, or groups that support your spiritual beliefs?

No , not at the moment but would love to help .
Would you say your path has been an easy or difficult journey? Any advice for someone new to this path?

It has been a hard journey but has made me stronger and my family . Lets just say , we went through alot of people judging us .My children where even bullied over the family being Pagan . My son hurt a few times by other kids .

Celtic Wiccan Author - Miles Batty Voices on the Path

Voices on the Path-

A Collection of Interviews

Celtic Wiccan Author

Miles Batty

Email:battymiles@yahoo.com.

http://www.facebook.com/miles.batty

First can you briefly tell us about yourself? What is your profession? Any special hobbies?

My name is Miles Batty. I’m 49, British, left-handed, and an occasional stutterer. I live in North Carolina, but after many years of living in the US I still have my British passport and citizenship. It’s a personal choice. If I were an American citizen, you could easily label me a Democrat.

In my professional life, I work for a neon sign company. Specifically, I program and operate a machine that cuts shapes out of metal, plastic, etc,  that are used in the manufacture of neon signs. I’ve also worked as a hotel banquet chef, asphalt-paving assistant, bookstore clerk, live model for college art classes, renaissance festival ‘hawker’, and author.

Hobbies… I enjoy online fantasy games. I regularly attend, and work for, our local renaissance festival. I make costumes for myself, usually of fantasy figures and pagan deities. I collect dragons. And I memorize Monty Python skits. J

When did you begin your path? What inspired you to walk this journey?

I think a more accurate question would be, “When did I NOT walk this path?”, to which the answer would be, “never”.  While I was baptized by the Church of England, I like to say that the baptism didn’t “take”, and that I have never thought of myself as a Christian. I’ve always been attracted to nature, mysticism and the like, and when the family went to church on Sunday mornings I always wanted to stay outside and play in the cemetery.

My “real” introduction to witchcraft, however, was in 1974. My older brother had gotten a job at a local metaphysical shop, and when I saw some of the things he was bringing home , like candles and pentagrams, something inside me went “Hey! This is important. Pay attention to this!” So I did.

From 1974 to 1985, I collected Witchcraft-related trinkets, the odd book or chalice, without any serious understanding of what it meant, other than the notion that I should have it. In 1985 I met my first real witches, introduced by a friend in Maryland. That year I went to a pagan festival, and it felt like coming home and finding myself, all at the same time. From 1985 onwards I’ve always been active in the pagan community.

Can you tell us a little about your path? How would you describe yourself?

All my ‘active’ pagan life, I’ve called myself Wiccan. I’ve studied druidry, heathenry and the like, but I’ve never felt the need to be anything but a garden-variety Wiccan. My principal deities are Cernunnos and Pan; and Gaia and Aphrodite.

My Wiccan ‘flavor’, if you will, is Celtic; I feel a closer connection to the Celtic pantheon than any other. Probably due to being British. Having said that, though, I don’t feel as much of a kinship with the Morrigan, as a Dark Goddess aspect, as I do with Kali. Another diversion, hm.

I’ve never help to the notion that a ‘path’ is one route, unchanging. That’s monotheism talking. Many witches, myself included, are constantly rediscovering our paths as we go, and it changes with each step. So the path I was on thirty years ago is not the same path as today; my path now is more focused and intimate; I regard Cernunnos as a friend who ‘walks with me’, to borrow Christian terminology, than some vague omnipotent figure in the sky.

How would I describe myself? I presume you mean magickally.

I am a neo-Celtic eclectic Wiccan (That’s too many ‘ec’ sounds!) who practices 21-st century North American Wicca. I am ordained clergy, published pagan author, ritual and event facilitator, and counselor.

I am necro-empathic (I can talk to ghosts). I read Tarot cards in a non-traditional style. I commune with the spirit inherent in animals and stones, and I recognize that I am one small part of a cohesive magickal ecosystem.

Does the path you've chosen affect your profession? If so, how?
Um, not exactly.  In my professional life, I work for a neon sign company. My boss’s wife is pagan, and it is through her that I found out about the job at all. Ironically, though, the company is owned by a Christian family, and we have many Christian clients who use our work because of the owner’s “faith-based professional preferences.” (I use quotation marks to emphasize a business practice as opposed to favoritism.) But the owners and all the employees know I am a witch, and they don’t care. I *have* lost jobs in the past because of my faith, and I’m grateful for the understanding of my current employers.

Is community important to you, or do you prefer to express your beliefs as a solitary?

Community, and my involvement in it, are vitally important  to me as a witch. I am retired coven Priest, ordained clergy, past-director of our local Pagan Pride Day, and director of an open pagan community called Carolina Grove. We held open-to-the-public Sabbats, workshops, dinners and such.

I care deeply about the health of the local pagan community; I don’t think I could be a solitary if I tried.

Would you say your path has been an easy or difficult journey? Any advice for someone new to this path?
I think that all-in-all, it’s been very easy for me. I never had to deal with the doubt and stress of converting from a different religion, because I’ve never called myself anything but pagan. The most stressful experiences involved dealing with my father, who is a retired college professor and the local church choir director. For a long time he refused to acknowledge my faith, and we have had heated discussions on the matter. It wasn’t until the publication of my textbook on witchcraft that he finally accepted my faith as legitimate, and now we discuss it openly.

I invite you here to share any information you find important that we may have missed in our questions.

One thing that sadly gets looked over, I think, is the influence and legitimacy of UPG’s. (Unverified (or) Unverifiable (or) Unsubstantiated Personal Gnosis.) That is, knowing in your heart and soul that something is real, but you cannot prove it, or convince others of its existence. Two excellent examples are knowing that the piece of amethyst in your hand is making your hand tingle, but you cannot get others to believe you; or being convinced that the scorch marks in your tortilla resemble the face of a prominent deity and you are convinced he is talking to you, whereas all anyone else sees is a bunch of scorch marks in a tortilla.

The recognition and acceptance of UPG’s is what drive a lot of people to paganism. When the real world cannot explain their UPG’s, but they know they will go mad if they try to deny the existence of them, they find themselves drawn to a path that accepts, understands and re-affirms. It’s sort of a similar journey when one tries to deny and overcome, or accept and embrace, their sexual orientation.  

Finally, what three books would you say most influenced your path.

I have to confess that the one book that influenced me the most is my own, “Teaching WitchCraft: A Guide for Students and Teachers of the Old Religion”. I say that not because I want to pat myself on the back or indulge in self-promotion, but because I learned so much more in the course of writing it, and developed a greater understanding of and appreciation for, my faith, than before I began.

Two other books that had great influence on me are “When, Why….If?”, a book on pagan ethics by Robin Wood, and “Magickal Rites from the Crystal Well,” by Ed Fitch. Robin’s book addresses a lot of questions that everyone else ignores, and Ed’s book was one of the first ones that spoke to me on a spiritual level.

Books! I can do books. I’ve published two so far.

“Teaching WitchCraft: A Guide for Students and Teachers of the Old Religion”  is a sourcebook for anyone who wants to teach a Wicca 101 class. It offers a comprehensive lesson-by-lesson class syllabus for students of Wicca, complete with study questions, interactive classroom modules, hand-outs, a mid-term and a final exam.

The other one is “The Green Prince’s Father”, a very short book written for children. It explores the significance of the Sabbats and the wheel of the year, and the birth, growth and sacrifice of the Green Man.

Anyone wishing to contact me further can find me on Facebook (one advantage of having a rare name, I’m easy to find on there), or email me at battymiles@yahoo.com.

Thank you!

Priest Empath Astrologer - Rev. Scott Carpenter Voices on the Path

Voices on the Path-

A Collection of Interviews

Priest, Empath, Astrologer

Rev. Scott Carpenter

FaceBook address: http://facebook.com/revscott.carpenter

Email: who.am.i.astrologer@gmail.com

First can you briefly tell us about yourself?
Rev. Scott Carpenter, Wiccan priest living in Austin, TX; 49 years old & married



What is your profession? Computer Salesman/Programmer



Any special hobbies? Astrology and tropical fish (cichlids) aquarist

When did you begin your path? 12 years ago, but I was always curious about world mysteries



What inspired you to walk this journey? A little rebellion and the concept of magic

Can you tell us a little about your path? It is a type of eclectic Wicca, but I call it Celtic-Vedic Wicca



How would you describe yourself? A Wiccan priest, empath, & astrologer

Does the path you've chosen affect your profession? Not really, but empathic abilities are useful in selling

Is community important to you, or do you prefer to express you beliefs as a solitary? Community is important to me.

Are you associated with any organizations, volunteer work, or groups that support your spiritual beliefs? Yes, local Pagan meetups, open circles, and local astrology groups,National Council for Geocosmic Research & the International Society for Astrological Research

Would you say your path has been an easy or difficult journey? Easy, because I live in a place that is very open and accepting of esoteric ideas
Any advice for someone new to this path? Get in touch with your roots and find a patron God & matron Goddess. Move to a place that is open to allowing Pagans to live openly. Read, read, read. Never stop learning.

Have no fear and follow your path wherever it leads you...

Finally, what three books would you say most influenced your path.

Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitionerby Scott Cunningham

Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom: A Book of Tarot by Rachel Pollack

Many Lives, Many Masters by Brian L. Weiss

Reincarnate - Marie Stang Voices on the Path

Voices on the Path-

A Collection of Interviews

Reincarnate

Marie Stang

http://www.facebook.com/marie.strang
Email: starbringergallery@gmail.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Starbringer/80550233043?sk=info

First can you briefly tell us about yourself? What is your profession? Any special hobbies?
I've been happily monogamously married for over 23 years. My husband and I have one wonderful daughter who is just about to start her second year of college. I have red hair and green eyes. My profession was supposed to be graphic designer, but I never found a job in that field. Currently, I'm doing some housecleaning and I would like to get more clients. If I don't then I'll apply for a job at the mall, which I'm not looking forward to but will probably have to do since I can't get a job doing what I'd really like to do. 


I'm also an artist and would loved to have made money at that but I haven't so it's just a hobby. I do have a Web site and a shop at Cafe Press, for what it's worth.


www.starbringergallery.com
www.cafepress.com/starbringer
I paint, draw, write, sew, and embroider. I love to read. I'm interested in fantasy, sci-fi, mysteries, and Celtic, Scandinavian, and Asian Mythology.


I'm also a martial artist. I don't put this in the category of "hobby", though, because it's a lifestyle (or compulsion) and not a mere hobby. I am a black belt in tae kwon do and karate. Several years ago, I studied hapkido, but currently I do karate, Japanese swordsmanship, and tai chi.



When did you begin your path? What inspired you to walk this journey?
I lived out in the country when I was a little kid, in a little town called Unadilla. Our neighbor was a grandmotherly woman who had forty acres of pine trees with paths among them. I would go out there by myself and wander among the trees. Beyond the pines there was a hill and more paths and other trees and a marsh. I had a really profound experience out there in the woods one day when I was about six. I went to the hill overlooking the trees and just sat quietly for a long time. I felt something from the trees and plants, something spiritual, as though they were "talking" to me. When I went back home I told my mother that the woods was my church! I've felt that way ever since.


Also when I lived out in the country, we neighborhood kids used to play on these two ancient oaks that we called the Grandmother Tree and the Grandfather Tree. They were huge and easy to climb. There were books and toys stashed in them by who knows how many kids. I don’t think the adults knew about them at all. The grandparent oaks were a special, secret place only us kids knew about. Those trees also added to my feeling of the woods and nature as a sacred place.


My parents raised me Christian, but I never felt comfortable with that religion and never really believed it. I couldn't stand the sexism that seems to be inherent in Christianity; the Bible is rife with sexism. I also didn't like the contradictions in the Bible and I just couldn't make myself believe in a God that told his soldiers to rape women and kill babies. The Biblical God seems so immoral to me. And the Bible has been copied and translated so many times, who knows what the original really said? I think it best to base my beliefs on Nature, not books written by men.


In many ways, I have always been a Pagan, I just didn't know that was what my beliefs were called until I was about 18, when I began reading books about Paganism.



Can you tell us a little about your path? How would you describe yourself?
I'm not much into rituals, so I don't consider myself Wiccan, although there are things I like about that path. I just call myself a Pagan, and my definition of Pagan is one who bases their spirituality on Nature. I am also interested in Buddhism and Tao and find both to be very compatible with my Pagan beliefs. I may or may not believe in a deity (the Buddhists understand this) so I'm sort of an Agnostic Pagan.


I'm also interested in Druidism. I was with a Grove for a while and although I loved Druidism, I didn't like many of the people in the group. Asa Tru is interesting, but I haven't found any kindred among the Kindred, either.


My rational mind (logos) tells me that there is no god, but another part of my brain wants to believe in something (mythos.) The ancients had these concepts of logos and mythos, logic and myth. The physical structure of our brains seems to reflect this. Rationally, I know there is no god of any kind, but there is part of me that wants and needs to believe something, some story, some myth and that part doesn't care if the myth is true or not. It doesn't matter if it's true or if the gods and goddesses are real or not. Their stories still serve a purpose. I think that purpose is mostly psychological. They function as role models and archetypes. Because of the sexism promoted in the monotheistic religions, I often feel a need to see Deity as female, to provide a balance. The basic family unit is Mother, Father, and Child and that makes sense to me to have that as a Trinity. Religions that see god as exclusively male inherently exclude and devalue the feminine.


The "mythos" part of my mind also wonders if the gods, goddesses, and spirits are real in so far as I believe that we all have a soul and the gods and goddesses were once human but their souls did not reincarnate but became Deity. Nature spirits seem to be some sort of energy, perhaps soul energy. I'm not sure, but I know I feel something from nature that is more than the sum of the parts of the plants and animals. I feel and sense something when I sit in a forest or meadow and wait and listen. 
"Deity" is that thread we all have in common, the light we all share, the bond that connects us to each other and nature. "Deity" is the tiny particles that everything is made of: it is the Mother, giving birth to the Universe; it is the purest form of Love. Maybe Frank Lloyd Wright said it best: "I believe in God, only I spell it Nature."


Reincarnation is also part of my beliefs. I like the idea of the Summerland a lot--growing young again and reincarnating. I think there's something to that, although I also feel that after we die, we go where we think we're going to go, at least at first. I have feelings and impressions of some past lives, and very definite and clear memories of others. 


I remember floating in space. I remember feeling trapped and lonely (in the womb?) 
I have this one particular memory. A few years ago I finally asked my mom about it because I had always had the memory but couldn't figure out how old I was at the time. I remember looking at my parents. They are outside. There is some snow on the ground. They go into a house and down into a basement where someone is having a party. My mom takes her coat off and she is wearing a blue dress. I sense that she is uncomfortable. I couldn't figure out how old I was when I remembered this. If my parents were at a party, wouldn't I be home with a sitter? So I told my mom all this and she went pale. She said the only time she went to a party, in a basement, with my dad in the winter and wore that blue dress was in December of 1967. I was born in 1968!


I also have a memory of being born, or rather, just after I was born. I'm looking down on my mom from above then I'm lying on my side, looking over her leg. There is a bright light and I sense other people in the room. That's it, just a few "snapshots."


As for past lives, I have always had feelings and impressions of what is familiar, things half-remembered, but then there are other things that are more definite. One night, back in the early '90s, I had one of the most profound and memorable dreams of my life. Although I was deep asleep, I did not realize that I was sleeping. I felt fully awake, although I was disoriented. I wasn't sure where I was. Hot, dry sand and a few short, scrubby plants surrounded me. The sun was bright in a cloudless sky. As I looked around, I couldn't recall if I was in Kemet (Egypt) or what is now called the Middle East. I heard someone call my name: Anen.  


As soon as I heard my name, I was no longer disoriented. I knew I was in Egypt. As I stood on the edge of the desert, a messenger came up to me and told me that the king wanted me to assassinate Ajeh. I was upset. Just the mention of Ajeh upset me. I hated him, I was jealous of him, but I was also upset because I didn't want to kill him. I was torn. The king wanted me to kill a man I hated, yet I knew I couldn't do it. The king's command caused me great anguish.  How do you tell a king that you don't want to obey his command? I walked from the edge of the desert back to the temple and I stood there, agonizing.


I was in this state of anxiety when I woke up. Suddenly, the hot sun and sand and blue sky were gone. I didn't know where I was. Imagine my surprise when I looked down and saw white skin and breasts, of all things! How did those get there? Where was the king, the messenger, the desert, the temple? Why wasn't I a man anymore? It took me a several minutes to realize that I was a white woman living in a small town in the U.S. in the 20th century. I was stunned. When I was dreaming, the dream felt just as real as it feels as I sit here now.  


Once I finally came back to this world, this reality, I wrote down my dream. Then I went to my bookshelves and searched through every book I had on Egypt. None of them had any information on Anen, so the dream wasn't inspired by anything I had seen in those books before. I searched everywhere for information on Anen. I went to a museum in Ann Arbor that had a collection of Egyptian artifacts, but still no Anen. I hadn't seen anything on TV about him, either. We didn't have a computer or internet service back then, so I couldn't do a search. My local library didn't have any books that mentioned him. I found nothing that could have influenced my dream; I found nothing to explain it.


Months went by. My husband and I decided to go on a little day trip to Pelee Island. We were sitting on the ferry boat on our way there, when I noticed that someone had left a magazine on the seat. The front cover was face down and I was looking at the back cover. I snatched it up immediately. On the back cover was an advertisement for an exhibit at the Cleveland Museum of Art. The exhibit was of the artifacts of Amenhotep III. I had to go! I knew I had to be there!  


When we got back home, I looked through my books again, but found nothing about Amenhotep III except for a mention of his name in a timeline.  I only had a few books about Egypt at the time, despite my lifelong interest, and they were mostly about Tutankhamun, whom I had always been curious about. Amenhotep III was either the father or grandfather of Tutankhamun. There is some confusion because Amenhotep III's first son, who was born Amenhotep IV but changed his name to Akhenaten, caused a revolution and great upheaval by becoming the world's first, true monotheist and trying to destroy the religion of his ancestors, but that's another story. Tutankhamun was either the son or brother of Amenhotep IV (Akhenaten.) I saw an exhibit on Akhenaten, too, but that was later (and again, another story. . . .)


More time passed and finally the day came when we decided to go to the exhibit at the Cleveland Museum of Art. My husband took a vacation day and we headed down there. One of the first things I noticed in the exhibit was the giant stone head of Amenhotep III! I stared at that in awe for a while, then moved along, looking at all of the figurines, glassware, murals, and so on when I came to a statue on a plinth. The statue itself was roughly my height (not including the base) and made of a flecked black stone. I was immediately drawn to this figure. I stared in amazement at his stance, his face, the star covered leopard skin he wore. I looked down at the sign that bore his name: Anen.

That was just how I spelled the name when I wrote down the dream that I'd had about a year before. I have never been so stunned or awestruck in my life. I stared at the statue for the longest time.  
Everyone around me, my husband included, was completely unaware of the miracle I had experienced. It always happens that way for me. The only times in my life when I've experienced something miraculous, I've either been alone or the people around me have no clue as to what happened and there's no way for me to make them understand. I told my husband about the dream and the statue and so on, but he didn't know what to make of it all. He was bewildered.


I learned that Anen was a priest, an astronomer priest in particular. He was also the brother of Queen Tiye, who was Amenhotep III's primary wife. So Anen was the king's brother-in-law. I saw a bust of Queen Tiye in the exhibit and her parents were represented as well. Anen died before his nephew, Tutankhamun, was born.


A few years later, in 1995, I went to a convention of non-mainstream religions called ConVocation. Actually, the convention was open to people of all faiths but when the mainstream religions realized that non-mainstream faiths would be there, they backed out. So it ended up being people of faiths that are in the minority in this country, like Gnostic Christians, Buddhists, various Pagan faiths like Wiccans, Witches, Druids, and so on.  


At this convention were people of the Kemetic faith. The head priestess, Tamara Siuda, is an Egyptologist who has re-created the ancient Egyptian religion and runs a temple in this country (in Chicago, I think.) Kemet is the original name for Egypt; the word "Egypt" is Greek.


I talked to Tamara and the other priests who were with her and they listened to the story of my dream. They said I knew details that only an Egyptologist would know. They verified that it was not uncommon for a king to ask members of his court to assassinate someone. Assassination was very prevalent among royal and noble families in ancient Egypt. I told them about the confusion that I had at the beginning of the dream—was I in Egypt or the Middle East? They said that it is believed the Queen Tiye and Anen came from the Middle East; they were probably Hittites.  


Just seeing the statue of Anen after having that dream was a profound experience on its own, but it was really confirmed after I met with the Kemetic priests. Although I have tried, I cannot put into words how deeply this experience has touched me. The experience was subjective, so I cannot prove it completely to anyone but myself, but for me it serves as absolute proof that we reincarnate.


Although this particular experience had the biggest impact on me, I’ve had others, too. I’ve had bits and pieces of memories, impressions and feelings. I recognize people and places, sometimes it’s definite, at other times it’s almost intangible. I know I’ve had lifetimes as men, as women, as all different races in various time periods.  


Before the dream I related above, I had another dream where I saw many, many incarnations of myself. I was in a place filled with light and I looked through portals in the mist and saw myriad versions of me—from the palest albino to the darkest-skinned African and everything in between.  
I had many lives in Egypt: in addition to Anen, I was a prince who died young from a fever, I was a scribe, and more. The Egyptian lifetimes were short. I was also a knight, a Quaker school teacher, a Druid, a witch/herbalist, a samurai, a sailor, a pirate, a gangster’s moll, a Greek sculptor, and on and on.


I believe that I've been nearly every race, color, and nationality and that belief has made me a more tolerant person. I think knowing about all these past lives is one reason that I can’t stand racism or sexism or any kind of discrimination. It’s always been easy for me to put myself in someone else’s shoes and see things from their perspective.


And the concept of reincarnation fits with my Pagan beliefs; nature goes in cycles, so do our souls.
Some people don't like the concept of reincarnation because they believe that it leads people to not value their current life, but that is untrue. Although I have lived many lives and will continue the cycle, I value my current life just as much as any other because I will never have this body, this life, or these particular experiences ever again. 



Does the path you've chosen affect your profession? If so, how?
I don't think my past has affected my profession, or my attempt to have a profession. 



Is community important to you, or do you prefer to express you beliefs as a solitary?
Community would be nice, but I've had to do without. I just haven't found a group of kindred spirits. 



Are you associated with any organizations, volunteer work, or groups that support your spiritual beliefs?
No.



Would you say your path has been an easy or difficult journey? Any advice for someone new to this path?
Some things have been easy in that I've never abandoned the core beliefs I've always held within myself and known to be true. Sometimes it has been difficult to have beliefs different from the mainstream and to not be part of a community of like-minded individuals.

I have a life long interest in herbalism and have used herbs and home remedies to successfully treat a variety of ailments. 



Finally, what three books would you say most influenced your path.
When I was about 18 I read Women's Spirituality by Diane Stein and The Spiral Dance by Starhawk, then in my 20s I read Tarot for Yourself by Mary K. Greer. These books helped me put a name to the beliefs I had always had.