Pagan Pyjama Party Episode 5: Start as you Mean to Go On

Episode 5: Start as You Mean to Go on (January 2019)

We got together on New Year’s Day and looked back at all our Pagan shenanigans in 2018. We also looked at our current practice, and shared what we are looking forward to in 2019. Some of us almost fell asleep. Everybody drank a lot of tea.

Music this episode was Little Red One by William Elm, from the album Between The Dawn and the Day.

Hosts this episode: Josephine Winter, Mark Hills from Dancing Hare Grove, Ryan McLeod from Queer Pagan Men Australia and Witches of Oz, and Sarah Morgan and Seumas from The Pagan Collective of Victoria’s Monthly Hills Pagan Coffee Meets.

We discussed these Pagan gatherings, groups and initiatives this episode:

• Combined Covens (Western Australia)
• Dancing Hare Grove (Victoria)
• Hot for Joe Morris (South Australia)
• Mount Franklin Pagan Gathering (Victoria)
• Oak, Smash and Thorn Pagan Morris (Victoria)
• Silver Birch Grove ADF (Victoria)
• Sovereigns of the Golden Path (Victoria)
• Spiral Dance (South Australia)
• The Australian Wiccan Conference (we will be hosting this in Victoria in 2019!)
• The English Ale (South Australia)
• The Monthly Hills Pagan Coffee Meets (Victoria)
• The Pagan Collective of Victoria (Victoria)

…and here is a list of the books we talked about: 

• The Bast novels by Rosemary Edghill
• Traditional Wicca: A Seeker’s Guide by Thorn Mooney
• The Path of Paganism: An Experience-Based Guide to Pagan Practice by John Beckett
• The Chronicles of the One trilogy by Nora Roberts
• A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
• Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
• Take Three Girls by Simmone Howell, Cath Crowley and Fiona Wood
• Blood Song and the Raven’s Shadow series by Anthony Ryan
• The Kingkiller Chronicle and The Slow Regard of Silent Things by Patrick Rothfuss

(Click on the episode cover image to listen!)

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Psst! Support the Pagan Collective of Victoria on Patreon and get early access to episodes along with bonus Pagan Pyjama Party content…

Pagan Pyjama Party Episode 1.02: Floating on a Biscuit at the Bottom of the World

This month we’re joined by Sarah Morgan of the Belgrave Pagan Hillsmeets as we wrap up our bumper review of Thorn Mooney’s Traditional Wicca: A Seeker’s Guide, discussing covens, outer courts, initiations and more! Our featured song this month is by those gods of Pagan rock, Spiral Dance.

(Click on the episode cover image to listen!)

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Psst! Support the Pagan Collective of Victoria on Patreon and get early access to episodes along with bonus Pagan Pyjama Party content…

Pagan Pyjama Party Episode 1.01: Keen Beans

Blast off! We begin our review of Thorn Mooney’s Traditional Wicca: A Seeker’s Guide, using it as an anchor for discussions on covens, initiation, lineage and hierarchy within a Traditional Wiccan framework along the way. This episode also includes spiffy music from Matt Chapman.

(Click on the episode cover image to listen!)

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Psst! Support the Pagan Collective of Victoria on Patreon and get early access to episodes along with bonus Pagan Pyjama Party content…

Meeting Minutes: June 2018

Thanks again to our secretary Mark for putting these minutes together!

20180602 minutes

 

Community Safety Month 2018: Pagan Ethics and Etiquette

March is Community Safety Month for the PCV. Throughout this month we will be promoting safe, sane and inclusive Pagan community for all through the sharing of information, discussion topics and more.

This month we’ve shared important advice for new Pagans, along with tips and suggestions for finding and joining a group. We’ve also looked at the need for a consent culture within our community, and how that can be achieved.

Our final topic for Community Safety Month is Pagan Ethics and Etiquette. These articles have been collected and discussed by the PCV committee: some share some common-sense views on ethical issues within our community, while others offer advice on how to mind your manners in the public Pagan scene.

Building Fences – Vouching, Communities and the Internet: In this piece, US author Thorn Mooney discusses the online Pagan community, and how the advent of the internet has changed the vouching process for lineaged/initiatory Pagan traditions.

Should You Pay for Online Spellcasting Services?: There are lots of people out there on the internet offering all kinds of spells, but US Pagan Patti Wigington points out there are better alternatives that won’t leave you hornswoggled.

How to Spot a Terrible Coven: Thorn Mooney shares some important, no-nonsense advice for anyone joining a new coven or group.

Your Responsibilities in Ritual: In this piece, US writer and high priest Jason Mankey discusses the responsibilities of all ritual participants, from the fluffiest bunny to the crustiest elder.

Screw Your Aesthetic: Despite what witches on Instagram might have you think, “real” witchcraft does not have to be blood, skulls and sex. Thorn Mooney explains.

Spiritual Treatment is No Substitute for Mental Health Care: It seems all too common for Pagans to treat their spiritual practice as an alternative to mental health care. US author and Druid John Beckett points out the dangers and fallacies of this.

Five Signs You Shouldn’t Run a Pagan Group: Thinking about starting your own Pagan group? Thorn Mooney has put together a few things about yourself you should consider first.

The Witch’s Guide to Etiquette – Avoiding Witch Wars:  For our final Community Safety Month resource for 2018, we chose this gem by author and witch Laura Tempest Zakroff.

Community Safety Month 2018: Consent Culture and Dealing with Abuse

March is Community Safety Month for the PCV. Throughout this month we will be promoting safe, sane and inclusive Pagan community for all through the sharing of information, discussion topics and more.

So far this month we’ve shared some important information for those new to Paganism, as well as some handy advice on looking for and joining a group. Now we move on to consent culture. For many Pagans, sexuality and the body are sacred. Unfortunately, this is not always enough in and of itself to prevent sexual harassment and abuse.

As well as the resources listed below, we strongly recommend anyone involved with the public Pagan scene read the Pagan Consent Culture anthology, which is edited by Christine Hoff Kraemer and Yvonne Aburrow.

Promoting Consent Culture in the Pagan Community: This is a summary of a model outlined in the Pagan Consent Culture anthology, which is edited by Christine Hoff Kraemer and Yvonne Aburrow. It outlines some preventative measures, as well as strategies for creating consent culture.

We recommend anyone involved in the Pagan community take a look at this book when they get a chance.

Pagans, Hugging and the Fine Art of Consent: An important reminder from Thorn Mooney about consent and touchy-feely Pagans at festivals.

The Curse of Pagan Niceness: (Content Warning) This piece from Canadian witch Sable Aradia looks at the pitfalls of Pagan “niceness” and how attitudes such as this are detrimental to creating a consent culture in our community.

Abuse Happens in a Culture that enables it: (Content Warning) Yvonne Aburrow has written widely on creating consent culture within the Pagan community. In this piece, she discusses some of the cultural changes that need to take place within the scene to minimise the risk of abusers and abuse.

Responding to Abuse in the Pagan Community: (Content Warning) Psychotherapist Cat Chapin-Bishop discusses what the Pagan community can do to protect victims, and to keep perpetrators from using our communities to find and access victims.

Do our Stereotypes Keep us Safe?: This article by Aussie Pagan blogger Bekah Evie Bel examines just how safe modern Pagans are in today’s society, pointing out that we may be doing more harm to ourselves as a community by staying “hidden”.

Community Safety Month 2018: Advice for New Pagans

March is Community Safety Month for the PCV. Throughout this month we will be promoting safe, sane and inclusive Pagan community for all through the sharing of information, discussion topics and more.

We decided to start by sharing advice and information for people new to Paganism. These articles have been shared daily on our Facebook page.

PAN Safety in Circle Pamphlet: This brochure, by our friends at The Pagan Awareness Network, is essential reading for any Pagan new to face-to-face events and groups. It covers basic personal safety within the Pagan community and what to do if you witness or become the victim of illegal or unethical behaviour. PAN is one of the longest-running groups dedicated to Pagan networking, fellowship and education in the country, and we are proud to share this as the first of our Community Safety Month resources.

The Pagan Community – A Survivor’s Guide: In this piece, UK musician and storyteller Damh the Bard offers some pearls of wisdom for those new to the Pagan community. He also discusses the ideal motivations for seeking community in the first place.

Truth and Tales about Paganism: This is another excellent brochure from our friends at The Pagan Awareness Network. This one busts some commonly believed myths for newbies to Paganism and Pagan Community.

Pagan Pathways:  Continuing on with our overview before we delve into more complex subjects, this brochure by the Pagan Awareness Network explores and demystifies many different Pagan traditions. Essential reading for anyone new to the community or to Paganism in general.

Wicca and Witchcraft – Which is Which?: The last PAN brochure we looked at explored and explained a variety of Pagan paths. This one sets out to define the differences between Wicca and witchcraft, which are two very different labels that are often confused with one another.

Paganism for Beginners – Controversies: UK Wiccan Yvonne Aburrow’s Paganism for Beginners pieces are all wonderful, but this one is especially useful to anyone just discovering the Pagan community and all its intricacies.

Sacred Ground and Acknowledgement of Country: Pagans in Australia are practicing on a land already rich with spiritual history. In this brochure, the Pagan Awareness Network discuss the importance of acknowledging the land’s traditional custodians, as well as other ways we as Pagans can show respect.

Sacred Knives: Athames and other sacred blades are used in rituals by some Pagans. But what are they used for exactly? Is it legal to carry one or use it in a public place? Our friends from the Pagan Awareness Network have got the answers in this handy brochure.

Five Things I Wish I’d Known as a Beginner: In this article, US author Thorn Mooney has some great advice for anyone new to Paganism or the Pagan community.

Skyclad – the Bare Facts: Some Pagans practice naked, or Skyclad. This brochure from the Pagan Awareness Network contains important information about the whys, the hows, the shoulds and the should-nots of ritual nudity.