As a public representative of Paganism, I frequently talk to people who feel drawn to Pagan religions but aren’t sure if Paganism is the right fit for them. As minority belief systems, the specifics of Pagan beliefs and practices are not well-known in wider society. Additionally, the incredible diversity of Pagan religions means that although... The post You Might Be a Pagan If… appeared first on Glasse Witch Cottage.| Glasse Witch Cottage
In what should not be a surprise for anyone who knows me even a little, I am a former theater kid. Where some families are focused around sports, my family of origin was focused around the arts. I have been a performer my entire life. As a member of a theater family, this meant that as I was growing up, my wheel of the year – the anchors that helped me connect to the passage of time – took the form of theatrical productions. | Glasse Witch Cottage
There’s a funny quote that circulates around the internet from time to time. It’s been attributed to lots of people, up to and including Sigmund Freud, but as far as I can tell it originated from a random person’s Twitter feed many years ago now. The quote reads: “Before you diagnose yourself with depression or...| Glasse Witch Cottage
I find myself continually grateful to live in Western Maryland. For someone of Pagan faith, whose spiritual practice is oriented toward aligning with the cycles of nature, it’s hard to imagine a better region in which to make a home. The cool rains of springtime fell heavily this year. Now, as we turn toward the summer solstice, the longest day of the year and the official “start” of summer, the green and growing spirits around us are bursting forth with wild abandon. Our lush, burgeoni...| Glasse Witch Cottage
I was a lonely child. I am now and have always been a bit of a too-much person. I have big feelings, an abundance of natural energy, and I’m very smart. I also fall into the neurodiverse world when it comes to how my brain works. I have some sensory processing issues that can cause trouble if they get too close to the surface. I know now that some of the behaviors and lashing-out I experienced as a child were a response to hitting neurological overwhelm. It’s easy to analyze all of that n...| Glasse Witch Cottage
One of the aspects of Pagan culture that can seem unusual to newcomers is the names that some Pagans take as part of our spiritual journey. Many times, these names are unfamiliar and identifiably not part of the larger culture from which we hail. Some of us only use our spiritual name in religious spaces like ceremonies and Pagan gatherings, but as taking a different name becomes more common in the wider culture, more and more Pagans are feeling empowered to legally change their name to their...| Glasse Witch Cottage
Depending on the metric you use to sort generations into categories, I am either one of the youngest members of Generation X or one of the oldest members of the Millennial generation. My birth year is 1980, which means I occupy a weird overlap between generational lines. One of the big ways both generations struggle involves money and property. According to the Schroders 2023 U.S. Retirement Survey, over 60% of non-retired Gen Xers do not think they will be able to fully retire. Based on conv...| Glasse Witch Cottage