What It’s all About:
In this episode, we return to a discussion from 2020, revisiting the intriguing topic of Humanistic Paganism. I explore the nuances of Humanistic, Naturalist, and Secular Paganism, shedding light on their unique perspectives. I am excited to guide you through this insightful discussion. Tune in as we uncover the depths of self-discovery and reconnect with the natural world. This episode promises to spark introspective conversations.
Songs Featured:
Ghost of John by Kirsten Lawrence
Yule by Threefold
Links Mentioned:
Polls:
February Choose a New Music from the Goddess’ Vault Podcast Logo Poll:
Choose Your Favorite Past Music from the Goddess' Vault Podcast Episode for March:
Spirit Guide of the Week:
Gaia
Dream Symbol:
Ghost
Transcript:
(03:17)Â
Welcome to another episode of the Music from the Goddess’ Vault Podcast. I am your host, Midnight Starr. You just heard Get Well Soon by Skaly (I hope I pronounced your name correctly). Skaly recently reached out to me via social media, requesting that I play one of her songs. She also mentioned that she creates handmade jewelry available for purchase on her Etsy store, Genderless By Skaly. If you're interested, you can find the link to her store in the show notes. Before we get started with today's episode, I have a few quick updates and exciting announcements to share. First off, have you voted in either of my polls yet? I've created not just one, but two of them for you to weigh in on. The first one revolves around selecting a new logo for the show. Consider it as the ultimate showdown for a new logo, where your votes decide the winner. But here's the catch: The winning logo must stay undefeated for three months to claim its place as the new face of this podcast. Consider it as the ultimate showdown for a new logo, where your votes decide the winner. You can find the links in the show notes, or simply scan the QR codes on the blog and Substack page.
Here's the latest on this poll: We have a new winner, and there are four new contenders. Just a reminder, it must remain unbeaten for three months to become the new logo.
Now, onto the second poll. You have the chance to vote for which past episode we revisit in the upcoming weeks. Your top pick could stage a comeback! It's the same process – follow the links and make your choice. These polls are open for just a month, so make sure to act quickly! I'm inviting you to subscribe to my newsletter at musicgoddessvault.substack.com. You can choose the $7 monthly plan, the $70 yearly option, or the free membership. Do you have ideas for upcoming show topics, spirit guides, or dream symbols? Feel free to contact me through Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, X, Mastodon, Threads, or visit my blog at goddessvault1.wixsite.com/home. I'm looking forward to hearing from you! Now for the topic: Revisiting the Humanistic Paganism Episode. I made a mistake in last month's poll. That's because I didn't produce many Imbolc episodes. The Humanistic Paganism Episode aired in either December 2020 or 2019. However, SoundCloud's date mentioned that it was four years ago. Thus the confusion. So, you'll hear songs about Yule.Note, this was before the pandemic. So, you'll hear me mention some past events here. Nonetheless, enjoy listening to this episode once again.
(10:57)Â
Welcome to another episode of the Music from the Goddess' Vault podcast. I am a Host Midnight Starr. What you heard was Damh the Bard singing On Midwinter's Day. If I sound any different right now, it's because I am getting over a cold. So, bear with me. Today's topic is all about Humanistic Paganism. But first, have you checked out the Midnight Starr YouTube channel yet? If not, go there. And Star is spelt with two rs. While you're at it, please leave a comment on YouTube, and let me know what you think of this show. For all you loyal listeners out there, please share this podcast via YouTube, Twitter, Aminos, Facebook, SoundCloud, or wherever you can with everyone you know. I'm still looking for more fans to join the Music from the Goddess' Vault podcast Amino community. You can download the app for free on Apple and Google Play. Plus, I'm still looking for new show topics,spirit guides, and dream symbols to talk about. If you have a suggestion, you can contact me through the Facebook page, the Amino group, YouTube, or tweet me @goddessvault. Now for the events coming up, hopefully in your area. Three are old and one is new. I finally did find an event happening in Canada. If you live in and around Oshawa, Ontario, the Durham Region Crew will be hosting a witches dance on Wednesdays, starting on January 8th at the Zen Shop. It's a five week course, where you'll be learning a choreographed dance.
This dance was first performed in 2016 in Germany by women of Wolfsburgendhexenbiest. It's $159 plus HST to join. For more information or to register, visit thezenshop.ca and click on the events tab. You can also visit their Facebook page to find out more. If you live in Georgia, in the United States, Pagan Fest Augusta will be hosting their very first Witches Ball 2020 on Saturday, February 1st, in the Mezzanine at the Legends Club in Augusta. This is a formal event, so you do have to wear a creative black tie, traditional formal or pagan attire. There will be a meal, deejay, contests, silent auction, voting for a King and Queen Witch, and more. Tickets are $35 for individuals, or 60 for couples. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit ancientpathsaugusta.com/the-wytches-dash-ball.html. If you live in the U.K., on Saturday, March 7th, 2020, Pagan Phoenix Southwest will be hosting a Pagan conference at Enstone Manor in what I believe to be North Cornwall. You can correct me if I'm wrong there. There will be lots of things to do there. Plus, there's music by Damh the Bard. Advanced Tickets are £20 before January 31st, 2020. After that, it'll be 25 until February 29th. For tickets or for more information, go to paganphenixSW.com. You can also check them out on Facebook. If you live in Australia, the Pagan Temple of God's will be hosting a community gathering on Saturday, January 11th, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Northy Street City Farm in Brisbane, Queensland. It's a way for all Australian pagans to come together in a casual and relaxed atmosphere. It's for all traditions, and kids are welcomed too. For more information, check out their Facebook page. All the links will be in the show notes. Now for the topic Humanistic Paganism. They are another group in the pagan continuum of beliefs that I just found out about online. And yes, I would like to talk about them. I do love to talk about the different pagan beliefs. For all of you who are new to the path and maybe you want to explore them in more detail, I will be talking about who these humanist pagans are.
First, let's hear some more Yuletide tunes. Here's the Darkest Time of the Winter by Mother Tongue.
(16:33)Â
So what is a humanistic pagan? They also call themselves Naturalists Pagans. They are a bit like AtheoPaganism. They do not want to recreate ancient religions in every detail. However, unlike Atheist Pagans, they would rather draw inspiration from the old ways while, at the same time, embracing modern life. They find that ancient traditions speak to us, like those did with our ancestors. The worldview of Naturalists begins to vary, as with all of us. But they believe that natural causes affect the universe. Otherwise, nothing supernatural. In other words, Humanist or Naturalist believes in a more scientific explanation of the world around us. But that does not mean that they do not believe in the divine or magic. They do, but they tend to be more realistic. Humanist or Naturalist pagans do meditate and do rituals just like the rest of us. However, they do it to affect their own psychology. This is what they find magical about paganism, since they do believe that shaping human minds motivates change within ourselves and the planet. Humanist and Naturalist pagans view deities as metaphors, or in some cases, psychological and independent of us in real life. An example would be that they view thunder as independent and external, but not Zeus or Thor who both represents thunder in their pantheons. Naturalists and Humanists believe that magic manipulates the world through the person's own psychology. Otherwise, using the energy to help someone with ADHD, or depression, or to motivate them to exercise, for example.
And Humanist and Naturalists believe in the long evolutionary process. They do not believe that we all go to Summerland when we pass through the veil. I don't think that they would believe in reincarnation either. Since these pagans want scientific proof, they are more focused on the body and life here on Earth. I'll talk more about Humanists or Natural pagans later. First, let's hear another song. How about Winter Solstice Sunrise by Kiva?
(21:01)Â
It's time for the spirit guide of the Week. I have another spirit guide from Greece for this week. And she is none other than Gaia. She is the goddess and she is the Earth. She is literally the Earth herself. Gaia is also the spirit of the wild. She is the sacred earth who holds untold treasures and potential. However, Gaia is not an agricultural goddess, that is Demeter job. Her most famous myth is the beginning of Greek mythology. Before anything, there was chaos. Or you can call it the void.Gaia soon emerged from chaos and created the sea and the sky from her own body. Now, doesn't that sound a little bit like Stephen Hawking's The Big Bang Theory? Gaia did fall in love with Uranus, and they both gave birth to the Titans and the Cyclops. After they separated, she then became lovers of Pontus and created more children. Gaia is so devoted to her children, that she would go into battles with the gods for them. What can you offer Gaia on your altar are the following barley cakes, honey, and libation of pure water. Basically, any plant or fluid that comes from her will do. You can make the offerings inside your home, or you can go outside in your garden to take a small hole for Gaia. That is it for now. Stay tuned for another Spirit Guide of the week.
(24:59)Â
That was Mama Gaia's Going through Menopause by Mama Gina. I just found out that another word for Humanistic Paganism, besides Naturalist, is also Secular Paganism. Again, the same idea applies to what I just said about Humanistic paganism. However, I just came across an article by John Ralston on Patheos with the title Atheist Pagan does not equal Secular Pagan. Now, the wording is tricky, and I don't want to get into debates about it because it depends on the individual and how they define themselves as pagan. As we all know, the only time I would have a problem is when a pagan says something racist, sexist, or homophobic. Just today on a pagan Facebook group, there was someone who did try to post a symbol of Tir's ruin or Thor's hammer on there. However, the people who work for Facebook had an issue with it because of some pagan or heathen groups who are openly white supremacist on the site. Now, I know this person who wanted to post these symbols is not racist. And again, I know that not all heathen are pagans who worship Norse mythology are racist, sexist or homophobic. But there are a few bad apples that spoil the bunch. If the people who work for Facebook sees any Norse symbol or even a swastika, they would automatically ban that post immediately without any questions. I am happy that there are moderators of all the other pagan Facebook groups that do keep an eye out for these bigots and kick them out. I congratulate you for doing that. To me, paganism should be a faith that embraces every culture and every body, regardless of the color of their skin, gender, sexuality, or age. I wrote to that person and told them not to blame Facebook for banning those posts, but those white supremacists who made those symbols into something that those images shouldn't be in the first place. Here's a secular, yet environmentally friendly holiday song by Nellie McKay called Christmas Dirge.
(31:29)Â
Here's a dream symbol to interpret. Today's dream symbol is ghost. Ghost in dreams usually means that you're feeling disconnected from life and society. Or that you want something in your life that is not attainable or within reach. To dream that you touch a ghost, however they soon disappear, signifies that you're acknowledging some repressed or painful thoughts. If you have a dream, you are haunted or stalked by a ghost, it means that you do not want to face your own issues from your past that are affecting your life right now. If you have a dream that the ghost is trying to murder you, that means that you want to face your repressed emotions and your past, no matter how painful it might be. If you dream that the ghost is choking you, then that implies that a past event is not letting you fully express yourself. If you dream that you see a ghost of a dead relative or friend, it represents regrets and guilt of the past relationship with that person. If the ghost in your dreams that you see, is a living friend or relative, that indicates that you are in danger of some sort of hostility by that person, To dream that you turn into a ghost means that you really are desperate to escape from a real life situation. And to see your own ghost in your dreams, it's letting you know of an aspect of yourself that you are scared of. That is it for this week's Dream Symbol. If you want a dream for me to interpret and maybe have the dream symbol featured, the contact information will be mentioned at the end of this show. So keep dreaming.
(37:41)
Here is another myth. This next folktale comes from PITT.edu. It's another Aesop's Fables. This one is called Brother and Sister.
(41:39)Â Â
That was Sister Moon, Brother Sun by Elaine Silver. That is it for this show. Again, I am your host, Midnight Starr. I hope that you enjoyed listening to Humanist Pagan Episode of 2020. I’m inviting you to be a part of something exciting! I've got not one, but two polls going on, and I'm really eager to know what you think. So, come on board and vote! I'm on the hunt for a new logo, and I need your help to pick the perfect one. Head over to the show notes for the links, or simply scan the QR codes on my blog and Substack page. After tallying up the votes, I'll reveal the winning logo. But wait, there's more! It'll go head-to-head with four new contenders. I'm counting on the logo that resonates most with all of you to become the new face of the Music from the Goddess’ Vault Podcast. The chosen design will undergo a three-month showdown, and if it comes out on top, it'll be the ultimate winner. Now, let's switch gears and get into the second poll – revisiting one of my earlier episodes. The drill stays the same – you can find the links in the show notes, and the QR code is right there on both my blog and Substack. Plus, keep in mind, this poll will be open for a while longer than the first one I mentioned. You've got a whole month to make your choices. Don't wait around – seize the moment and click away! Do you have a show topic, a spirit guide, or a dream symbol you're itching to share? Don't hold back! Head over to my website at https://goddessvault1.wixsite.com/home or spread the word on popular social media platforms like Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, X, Mastodon, and Thread. I can't wait to hear all your fantastic ideas! To get the scoop on the newest episodes before anyone else, make sure to subscribe to the newsletter at https://musicgoddessvault.substack.com and stay in the know! Wrapping up today's playlist, I'll treat you to Yule by Threefold.
Blessed be.