What it's All About:
In this episode of Music from the Goddess' Vault, I dive deep into the fascinating world of Generation X Pagans. We'll explore how this unique cohort, born between the mid-1960s and early 1980s, has embraced and shaped modern Paganism. From their formative years amidst the cultural revolutions of the late 20th century to their current roles as leaders and innovators in the community, Generation X Pagans have a distinct perspective that blends traditional beliefs with contemporary influences.
I'll also discuss how technological advancements and cultural shifts have impacted paganism. Whether you're a Gen X Pagan yourself or simply curious about their contributions to the Pagan landscape, this episode is packed with insights and inspiring tunes that you won't want to miss.
Songs Featured:
Spirit Guide Background Music by Jean Angius from Pixabay
Dream Symbol Background Music by Agera Beatz from Pixabay
Myth Background Music by Nate Loper from Pixabay
Links Mentioned:
Polls:
Polls:
Old Episode Poll for July
Get in Touch Through Social Media:
Spirit Guide of the Week:
Ayida-Wedo
Dream Symbol: (There are three)
Page
Paparazzi
Transcript:
(06:40)
Welcome to another episode of the Music from the Goddess’ Vault Podcast. I am your host, Midnight Starr. You just heard Alexander James Adams sing Daughters of Angels. Today’s episode is all about Generation X Pagans. Let’s kick off this show with a quick rundown of announcements and updates. Help shape next month’s content! I’m running a poll for you to choose which classic episode you’d like to hear. Click the link in the show notes or scan the QR code on the blog and Substack page. Go and make your choice now or after this show. I’ve also prepared two questionnaires for you to answer. First, I have created a questionnaire that explores the benefits of Redcircle and Patreon. I used Patreon before, and I am thinking of going back to look at it and Redcircle's benefits. However, I’m unsure about the offerings for various membership tiers. Your input and suggestions would be greatly appreciated! The second questionnaire invites your suggestions for future show topics, including ideas related to Spirit Guides and dream symbols. You’ll find the questionnaire links in the show notes. Alternatively, feel free to connect with me on various social media platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, X, Mastodon, Threads, Bluesky, or visit my blog at goddessvault1.wixsite.com/home. I look forward to your thoughts! Stay updated with my latest episodes by joining my newsletter at musicgoddessvault.substack.com. Choose from monthly ($7), annual ($70), or free subscriptions. Now for the topic: Generation X Pagans. This is something that I am familiar with because, I, myself, am a Gen Xer. I might not sound like I am or look like it when you see me, but I am. We were the first generation to have our first computer and internet services. And thus, spreading Pagan information all around the world. Can anyone still remember dialing up the internet using the phone line? I know that most of you who are listening to this podcast are Gen Xers yourself. This is for you. As for the Boomers, Millennials, and Gen Z Pagans, - Well, you can still listen to this podcast and learn a thing or two. But I won’t be bashing anyone because of what generation they were born into. I’ve seen that happen a lot on TikTok. I remember this, but do any of you Gen Xers out there remember those in the older generations calling us Slackers when we were in our 20s? Yeah, this isn't really anything new. Older generations have been calling younger generations lazy for eons. I know that there are many Millennials and Gen Zers who are hard workers. Anyway, let’s return to the music: Pagan Revolution by Elvenking.
(12:52)
Depending on the source, people born from the early to mid-60s up to 1980 are considered Gen Xers. This is the first generation where both parents typically worked, leaving us to go home and watch TV without parental supervision. That’s how Generation X earned the moniker of latchkey kids. Gen X was also called the MTV generation, as MTV launched in 1981 and played music videos until the mid to late 90s. What does this have to do with Paganism, you might ask? According to Jason Mankey, who wrote the article Generation X Pagan, there was a growing interest in witchcraft during the 1990s. This period saw a significant rise in Pagan practices and beliefs among some Gen Xers. I’ll go into more details about this topic after you enjoy Cernunnos Rising with The Witches Tree (Elder).
(17:23)
Time for another Spirit Guide of the Week. I’m back talking about the Africian and Caribean Ioa spirit, Ayida-Wedo. She is the rainbow serpent. Ayida-Wedo is also a water snake. She also symbolizes fertility, wind, water, fire, wealth, thunder, and snakes. Ayida-Wedo is often depicted as a snake devouring her own tail. She protects creation and people seldom call upon her unless she is accompanied by her soulmate, Damballah, the Sky Father. The symbol of a snake coiling around a cosmic egg represents their union. They are so inseparable that, according to some interpretations, they both share Damballah’s mistress, Erzuli Freda. She embodies protection, kindness, and fertility You can invoke both Ayida-Wedo and Damballah if you want a happy relationship. For your altar to Ayida-Wedo, you can present offerings such as white-colored foods, like eggs, milk, rice, whipped cream, and rice pudding. Additionally, Ayida-Wedo is fond of cafe au lait due to her love for milk. If you opt to give her gifts, choose items featuring rainbows, snakes, or anything with a rainbow theme. That is it for now. Stay tuned for another spirit guide of the week.
(21:34)
That was Brian Henke with Searching for Rainbows. I did read Jason Mankey’s Article about being Pagan in the 90s. By the way, the link is in the show notes. There, he talks about two Witch’s Bubbles. The first one was in the 90’s, which was when paganism was slowly growing in popularity thanks to the movie The Craft and the TV show Sabrina the Teenage Witch.
Back then, the Internet was in its infancy, and social media wasn't even a thing. CDs were still the main way to listen to music. Streaming services, as you know them, didn't exist back then. You had to go to a record store to buy vinyl, cassettes, or CDs. It wasn't until the late 1990s, thanks to the peer-sharing website Napster, that music became mostly online. To be a pagan in the 90s meant that you either had to know one or find a coven at your local metaphysical shop. Mankey also mentioned the music, which wasn’t much back in the 90s.One of the musicians he mentions is Loreena McKennitt, a Canadian singer known for her beautiful Celtic melodies and lyrics about nature, who isn't pagan herself. However, her music resonated with many witches in the 90s, and you might even hear some of her songs, like Mummer's Dance or All Soul's Night, at pagan rituals today. He also mentioned some of the Gen X Pagan writers of the era, such as Silver Ravenwolf, known for her books on Wicca, and Scott Cunningham, author of numerous books on herbal magic and pagan practices. As for myself, I didn't come to paganism until the 2000s. Back then, I was unsure about exploring Wicca because some books mentioned being "skyclad," as a requirement. Thankfully, a pagan friend clarified that this wasn't necessary. But eventually, I found paganism on my own terms. So, when was this second Witch's Bubble Mankey mentioned? Well, according to him, we're smack dab in the middle of it thanks to social media. Again, the link to the article is in the show notes for you to read whenever you have time, or you can always reminisce about the good old days. I'm going to play a cover of one of Loreena McKennitt's songs. This one is from Chronilius, called The Mummer's Dance.
(28:11)
Here's another dream symbol to interpret. Once again, there are three: Page, Paparazzi, and Parents If you dream about reading or seeing a page, it symbolizes an overview of your life. Being a page in a dream implies a lack of drive. A blank page in your dream is a symbol of inactivity. Dreaming of paparazzi signifies a need to concentrate on a specific topic. If you dreamed that you were being sought after by paparazzi, it meant you felt that your private was violated. Dreaming that you are one of the paparazzi indicates that you are pursuing and craving attention. A dream in which you see your parents represents authority, security, and affection. Dreaming that your parents have died suggests you are experiencing a major transition in your life. And seeing your friend's parents in a dream, even if you’ve never met them, reflects your desires for how you wish your own parents to be. If you want a dream symbol to interpret and maybe have a dream symbol featured, I will mention the contact information at the end of this show. So keep dreaming.
(32:17)
Back to storytelling time and back to worldoftales.com. This one is a Native American Tale called The Boy who Set a Snare of the Sun.
(00:00)
Before the story you heard A Book of Shadows Pt. 1: A Story Yet Untold by Dragonland That is it for this show. Again, I am your host, Midnight Starr. Alright everyone, that's it for today's episode! But before you hit that stop button, I have something exciting stuff for you. There's a whole month to pick an old episode to revisit next from a poll that I have created. So, head over to the show notes or scan the QR code on my blog or Substack page to cast your vote and help choose which episode gets another listen! You got the power! Help me out by answering two short questions in the show notes, blog, or Substack page. One focuses on Patreon perks you'd love, while the other seeks your suggestions for awesome episode topics, including specific questions about spirit guides or dream symbols. Plus, connect with me on social media (Facebook, TikTok, Instagram...) - I'm excited to hear your ideas! Get the latest episodes hot off the press! Subscribe to my newsletter for early access at musicgoddessvault.substack.com. And to wrap things up, I have Epona’s Wild Daughter by Leslie Hudson, a perfect track to end this show. Blessed be.
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