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"Those who dance are considered insane by those who can't hear the music." Tell us about your favorite Pagan-related book, cartoon, CD, periodical, play, film, curriculum or other publications
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| Museum Exhibits
Brooklyn, NY, Brooklyn Museum Exhibitions: |
Pagan
Blogs |
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MRS. STEVENS HEARS THE MERMAIDS SINGINGbased on the novel of the same name by May Sarton Directed by Linda Thornburg reviewed by Khrysso Heart LeFey, PIR contributing editor and Mrs. Stevens Productions publicist
The Muse Ripples the waters, opens doors, Lets in sunlight, dazzles and delights ... There is no way to make it happen by will. No muse appears when invoked, dire need Will not rouse her pity.
She comes when she can, She too, no doubt, rising from the sea Like Aphrodite on her shell when it is time, To play a difficult role she has not chosen, To free a prisoner she has no reason to love.
--May Sarton, "#9" (1)
May Sarton wrote novels, poems, diaries, and memoirs and was a popular lecturer. She was an out Lesbian and a Unitarian Universalist. And she constantly made references to Greek mythology.
Sarton spent a lot of time contemplating the Muse. The above poem was published in 1984, but twenty years earlier she, in the guise of her autobiographical character Hilary Stevens, was saying,
As an artist myself, I experience accountability to the Holy most clearly in terms of my own relationship to The Muse. It is for this reason that I was attracted to and transformed by Sarton's novel Mrs. Stevens Hears the Mermaids Singing back in the early 1990s.
I was introduced to the book by my friend Linda Thornburg, a Lesbian Buddhist in Columbus, Ohio, whence I hail. Linda owned the movie rights to the book, a fact which I thought was very cool: I hadn't known anybody associated with a feature film before.
It is the nature of independent film that it can take a long time to produce, and so it was with this one: It took 22 years for Linda to premiere the film, which made its debut on Beltane this year at the Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival.
Sarton has written elsewhere about Aphrodite and Medusa:
THE RETURN OF APHRODITE
Under the wave it is altogether still, Alive and still, as nourishing as sleep, Down below conflict, beyond need or will, where love flows on and yet is there to keep, As unconstrained as waves that lift and break And their bright foam neither to give nor take.
Listen to the long rising curve and stress, Murmur of ocean that brings us the goddess. From deep she rises, poised upon her shell. Oh, guiltless Aphrodite so long absent! The green waves part. There is no sound at all As she advances, tranquil and transparent, To lay on mortal flesh her sacred mantle. (2)
THE MUSE AS MEDUSA
I saw you once, Medusa; we were alone. I looked you straight in the cold eye, cold. I was not punished, was not turned to stone. How to believe the legends I am told?
I came as naked as any little fish, Prepared to be hooked, gutted, caught. And I saw you, Medusa, made my wish, And when I left you I was clothed in thought.
Being allowed, perhaps, to swim my way Through the great deep and on the rising tide, Flashing wild streams as free and rich as they Though you had power marshaled on your side.
The fish escaped to many a magic reef; The fish explored many a dangerous sea. The fish, Medusa, did not come to grief But swims still in a fluid mystery.
Forget the image: your silence is my ocean, And even now it teems with life. You chose To abdicate by total lack of motion, But did it work? For nothing really froze.
It is all fluid still, that world of feeling, Where thoughts, those fishes, silent, feed and rove, And fluid is also full of healing, For love is healing--even ruthless love.
I turn your face around! It is my face. That frozen rage is what I must explore. Oh secret, self-enclosed, and ravaged place! This is the gift I thank Medusa for. (3)
Sarton's work has been quoted in Gods and Mortals: Modern Poems on Classical Myths, edited by Nina Kossman and published by Oxford University Press (2001). The publisher comments, "For centuries, poets have looked into the mirror of classical myth to show us the many ways our emotional lives are still reflected in the ancient stories of heroism, hubris, transformation, and loss that myths so eloquently tell."
As is not uncommon in the development of Greek mythology, the original nine Muses described by Ovid have, for writers such as Sarton (not to mention the author of this article), have been syncretized into one grand Muse. For the purposes of scholars of classical Paganism it is not incidental that Aphrodite and Medusa were not among those original nine ladies, Aphrodite being an Olympian and Medusa being a Gorgon.
However, for purposes of 20th-century literary studies, it could fairly be argued that for any classical myths to have survived in popular culture at all is itself deeply significant.
"Mrs. Stevens" is a great story--for poets and other artists, it is significant because of the way it explores inspiration and growth and discipline; for queerfolk it is significant because of its portrayal of Lesbian life pre-Stonewall; and for women over 50, it is significant because of the way it affirms a journey that has transcended the invisibilization of women inherent in western society.
“The story of Mrs. Stevens is not about ‘coming out’ but about embracing the whole self,” says Thornburg. “For Sarton and many women, that includes personal life and work, love and art, the discovery of personal power that equates with being ‘unmasked, vulnerable’ that is being completely, honestly oneself, and loving that self.
“The book and the movie are really about the universal journey to embracing and loving oneself as one is. It is always about embracing the particular self: one’s strengths, weaknesses, what we like about ourselves, what we don't, and the moment-to-moment changes that come with being alive.”
Thornburg is a Buddhist, and for her "Mrs. Stevens" resonates throughout with the most important truths of Buddhism. But as is so often the case, that which resonates with spiritual truth in one tradition also resonates with the important truths of others: notice that Thornburg's language here, in a Pagan context, translates as "magick."
This tenth novel of Sarton's is a tale of a poet whose work re-emerges on the literary world’s radar-screen after a lengthy absence following bouts of renown and outright notoriety.
The title character became famous in the 1920s for a daring Lesbian-themed novel (alluding to Radclyffe Hall’s controversial 1928 book, The Well of Loneliness).
In the ensuing years, Mrs. Stevens’ occasional collections of poetry garner attention for her, and following her most recent work, she is roped into granting an interview in which she is put on the spot as to the identity of the “Muses” who have inspired her poetry.
The Muses, she confesses to herself and her interviewers, have been women--and lovers.
Thornburg's screen adaptation is very faithful to the novel, taking into account post-Stonewall sensibilities when a director can be more open than Sarton was able to be in 1965. Thornburg makes beautiful use of the flashback sequences that advanced the story in the novel. It is a thoroughly absorbing and thought-provoking way to spend two hours of one's life.
The picture will be appearing on the Film Festival circuit through late 2005. Distribution plans are in the works, though it has not been released in theaters anywhere yet.
The film's web site is http://www.mermaidssinging.com
(1) May Sarton, Letters from Maine: New Poems, "#9". (New York: Norton, 1984). (2) May Sarton, Collected Poems (1930-1973). (New York: Norton, 1974). (3) ibid. |
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Don't Panic:
Religion, Science Fiction and Everything May 2, 2005 Religion Newswriters Assn. Two films in theaters in May have cosmology at their hearts. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith are wildly different from each other in perspective and approach, but they both deal with questions about faith, practice and the meaning of it all. These and other science fiction films create alternate realities with their own belief systems. In the case of the Star Wars series, The Force - which contains elements of several real-world religions - has become a metaphor in popular culture for the life energy of the universe. Fans sometimes take these "invented" religions for their own, and occasionally it's difficult to discern the line where fandom and genuine faith intersect. For the general audiences who read the books or watch the films, these fictional worlds are a modern extension of a long human tradition: storytelling as a way to express larger truths. All cultures have their narrative myths, and religion is often an essential element (think Greek mythology). Princeton's WordNet defines cosmology as "the metaphysical study of the origin and nature of the universe." In this context, sci-fi films and popular speculative fiction are more than just escapism; they can contain messages that confirm deeply held convictions, or they can open new windows to understanding for their readers and viewers. Why it
matters Questions
for reporters THE HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY STAR WARS Sources
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| "I Still Worship Zeus" has again been positively interviewed, this time in Ozus' World Movie Reviews. Read the review here http://www.sover.net/~ozus/istillworshipzeus.htm |
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| "What the [Bleep] Do We Know?" Reviewed by Moirha I can not express how much I recommend this movie, especially to Witches/Pagans/users of Magick. The film shows how ideas of quantum physics, spirituality, and personal responsibility weave together and intersect. At least in the coven I'm in, our coven leaders are intending on making the DVD required viewing. I haven't seen a better movie that has looked at what we would call real magick. In many large cities, it has been running since September. If you want more information, check out http://www.whatthebleep.com |
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Fantastic Four movie |
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| Last
Unicorn Remake!!! Peter Beagle's fantasy novel, The Last Unicorn inspired an animated film; a live-action version is in pre-production and will be released for Christmas '05. Christopher Lee plays King Haggard. Pre-production publicity is at http://www.the-last-unicorn.net/ |
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| King
Arthur Reviews http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2004/07/07/DDG987G6M11.DTL http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2004/07/04/PKGSP7C6HC1.DTL |
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Disney's
King of the Gods Wasn't that the Aesir? Hollywood,
etc., can't resist using our timeless traditional tales, and -- perhaps
out of fear of Xian
reprisals -- they can't bear to present them
faithfully. We can expect the same kind of distortion of our
religious
heritage that saw the demonization of Hera, and for that matter, most of
the Gods in Hercules
and Xena. For example, Ken Sorbo's
Hercules' character was closer to that of Hector, than to anything
the
ancients wrote about Hercules or -- as the Greeks called him -- Heracles.
Each episode opened
with the propaganda/disclaimer that "the gods
were vengeful and cruel." |
The Reincarnationist For those of you looking for a light read coming from a Pagan perspective, I highly recommend this thriller by nine time novelist, M.J. Rose. Set in the Rome of 391, 1898 and 2007, as well as the U.S. of the common era, this novel covers the exploits of a photographer as he struggles to understand past life flashbacks as a Pagan priest at the close of the Pagan era in Rome. Desperate for answers, Josh Ryder turns to the In this novel, M.J. Rose has created a crackin’ good plot that hinges on the interlocking past-life revelations of three principle characters. She also feeds us the rare treat of a Pagan Rome at the point in time where Christianity became, by force, the predominant religion. I could not help but feel that the author was passing some rather astringent commentary on our present American era, as I read the sections set in Roman times – which I appreciated enormously. A page-turner to the last, it concludes with a lovely Pythagorean allusion – for those of you who know your Hermeticism. The language is fairly pedestrian, and rife with over extended, confusing passages. I’d also figured out who the ‘villain’ had to be by the first third of the book. But those are mere niggles. Read it for the thoroughly enjoyable handling of the Reincarnationist theme, as well as for the expose of Early Christianity and its continuing resistance to Pagan ideas. A good read for the bus and waiting rooms. I give this one a solid “B.” ~ Mira Books is an imprint of: This title can be ordered online at www.eharlequin.com |
Pagan Anthology wins Eppie Award!Press Release from Oestara Publishing Pagans and Ghosts Tie for the 2006 Eppie for Best Poetry: Key Biscayne, FL (PRWEB) March 29, 2006 --
The Oestara Anthology of Pagan Poetry edited by Cynthia Joyce
Clay, Delight Clay, and Raymond T. Anderson is the 2006 Eppie
winner for Best Poetry. |
Wild Girls: By Patricia Monaghan |
Lovers
Legends Unbound: The Gay Greek Myths: book and CD Book
and Audio Review Of course, the appearance of women avant-toilette (or, as we might say these days, pre-coffee) is not an issue in the discourse of Queer Theory, and Calimach acknowledges the same. In the cover notes, he explains, "G In
other words, male-male love, then as now, was not about what men rejected
but about what they embraced. KHRYSSO HEART LeFEY |
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Incense: Crafting and Use of Magickal Scents
Carl F. Neal
Lllewellyn. $15.95 c. 2003
149 pgs including index, bibliography, glossary, a very helpful ingredients chart, and buyers guide. 0-7387-0336-2
Reviewed by Christa Landon This
is by far the most detailed, helpful, and clearly written guide to
making and using incense I have ever encountered. It's sure to be the classic
textbook!
With this book, common kitchen equipment, and no other prior knowledge or training in chemistry, you will be able to make your own incenses for yourself or even for sale. You can make FAR superior products, including products which are less irritating to people with allergies and chemical sensitivities. Neal guides you step by step to manufacture sticks, spiral, and cone forms as well as the simple loose powder types. Even if you somehow resist following the easy directions, you will never buy incense in the same way again. The magickal dimension of incense
production is addressed, as well as purchase and storage of
ingredients. I was a little confused by the recipe section: the
category "aromatic" doesn't specify whether the item is the
simple (powdered leaf, for example) or essential oil. (Elsewhere
you find that the Allspice incense recipe is asking for allspice powder, not an essential oil, and the blending section refers to mixing powdered aromatics. Perhaps future editions will specify the form of the
aromatics in the recipes more clearly.)
Downside: You really should resist using this as a cookbook until you've taken it to Kinko's, pay them a couple bucks to strip the cover, laminate it, and spiral or comb bind it. Otherwise, the "perfect binding" will fall apart with heavy use. |
Religion and the Gods |
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Pagan Writer Publishes Novel About A Dark Future in Western Minnesota Rev. Chuck Waibel, an “out” Pagan in Milan, Minnesota, has published a novel about the dangers facing Rural Minnesota. “Phoenix, Minnesota,” concerns the fictional town of Asyl, as its residents face Climate Change, Terrorism, and the triumph of Agri-Business over Agri-Culture. Asyl’s decline and eventual bittersweet triumph are seen through the eyes of Jody Neihaus, a teacher and artist, Karl Mueller, a dot-com millionaire who gives up on urban life, and Jimmie Olson, a city-bred freelance writer. “Karl is an overtly Pagan character,” said Waibel. “He brings fresh ideas to Western Minnesota, but finds that they harmonize well with the deep values of the people there. “I’m fortunate to live in a town with many thoughtful and progressive people. They got me thinking. When I was teaching at the U of M Morris in 2000, I started looking seriously at the threats to our rural culture. The situation is worse than I’d imagined. Huge agricultural monopolies are gobbling up family farms, the basis of our way of life. Big outfits like Wal-Mart are doing the same with our small businesses. The social ideas promoted in the Media are those of consumerist urbanites, which just don’t work out here. We’re becoming colonies of the Metros just as much as Africa and Central America were colonies of the Europeans. Add to that Climate Change and the War on Terrorism, and we’re an endangered culture. I had to write about where this could lead. Our hope lies in decentralization, and the spiritual focus that Paganism and the Creation Spirituality movement bring.” “Phoenix,
Minnesota” is available for purchase in the bookstore section of Chuck Waibel writes for PAGAN INSTITUTE REPORT. |
Voluntary
Association/Economic Democracy: Art Tells the Story of Working People. |
| D'arcy L. Designs: Stained glass, water colors. Commissions accepted. |
| art
grounded in Jungian Alchemy http://www.bluelantern.org/ |
New Pagan/Paranormal Internet Radio Talk ShowJuly 3, 2008. On July 6, ISIS Paranormal Radio Show will air its first official show; Dayna Winters and Patricia Gardner will interview successful film director Michael Baker, the director of 14 Degrees: A Paranormal Documentary, which has sold in every state and in 16 countries around the world. The format of ISIS Paranormal Radio merges the topics of paganism and the paranormal to allow for discussion of some topics of incredible interest including topics pertaining to Wicca, the occult, hauntings, electronic voice phenomena, ghosts, spirits, and a variety of topics related to the unexplained. The tagline of the show is “break free from the fear, pierce the darkened veil of mystery.” Guests and listeners are invited to a show in which people can discuss highly controversial topics with an open mind and without fear of ridicule. The show won’t be all doom and gloom simply because the paranormal is part of the show’s format; plenty of positive aspects about pagan spirituality, and spirituality in general will be discussed too. The co-hosts of ISIS Paranormal Radio welcome queries and requests for specific show topics. If there is something that you would like discussed on the show, or there is a topic that truly interests you and it is suitable to the show’s format, the co-hosts are more than happy to take requests and to attempt to arrange a show based on requested topics. Dayna and Patricia are currently booking authors, people with extensive experience in the paranormal field, and people that are active members of various Pagan communities. If you are an active member in the Pagan or paranormal communities, you may well be just the type of guest that ISIS Paranormal Radio is looking for! Contact Dayna and Patricia for more information! For questions, queries, comments, feedback or show information, contact: ISISINVESTIGATOR@aol.com How to Tune In ISIS Paranormal Radio is being featured on blogtalkradio.com, a site that has expanded the traditional blog and allows bloggers to host a talk show based on the topic of their selection. |