Introduction to Atheopaganism

My goal with this blog is to write about issues at the intersections of identity and religion as pertains to my life. I consider myself an Atheowitch, or a witch of the Atheopagan variety.

From Mark Green's site:

Atheopaganism is a supernatural-free, godless tradition of celebrations, observances, meditations and other meaningful practices, the goal of which is to increase happiness both individually and in society, and to foster the development of a more sustainable, just and kind world.

https://atheopaganism.wordpress.com/atheopaganism/

Here you can find the 13 Principles of Atheopaganism:

https://atheopaganism.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/the-atheopagan-principles.pdf

Atheopaganism stresses the importance of ritual - removed from the supernatural - in accordance with scientific findings that ritual is good for the "soul". (I'm not here to debate whether or not the soul exists. I'm simply attempting to say that ritual has been proven to have a beneficial psychological effect for participants, regardless of the tradition(s) from which they came. Therefore, even atheist rituals have meaning - that which we imbue ourselves - and can increase our happiness, health, gratitude, etc.)

Sometimes I consider myself a "bad" atheopagan because I find it difficult to completely detach myself from some supernatural leanings. I like the idea of Goddesses. Maybe that's just the part of me that's drawn towards myths. Maybe it's the feminist in me. Either way, I sometimes beseech Brigid while showering or cooking, asking for her blessing. I figure it won't do any harm and sometimes I even find it elevates my mood. Maybe that's okay. Maybe that's normal. Maybe I'll ask in our Atheopagan Facebook group someday, if I ever work up the nerve to do so, but for now, I guess I'll just go with "bad".

There are so many things I need to get "better" at: ritual, kindness, vulnerability, gratitude. It's going to be quite a journey, but I think I *need* this. I crave community [without the unnerving group-think found in so many religions]. I want to help out, locally and globally, and to do that I need to be willing to invest my time and energy. I think awareness of climate change, the importance of biodiversity and protection of endangered species, and promoting environmentally friendly farming practices are the most important issues I am capable of tackling.

Those are some hefty goals, and I'm not afraid to say it's entirely overwhelming. But, unless I take action, unless I try, I can barely look at myself in the mirror, let alone look other people in the eye. Because, if I'm not fighting the good fight, then I've already given up. If I'm not contributing to the solution, then I'm part of the problem. And I refuse to let my light be snuffed out before its even had a chance to really shine. I know I can do so much more than I am. I just have to work harder, or, at the very least, try. If I don't, well then it's worse than failing, it's not even attempting to live up to my own expectations. Giving up before I've even begun is not an option.

I have a lot of health issues that make me feel even more worthless and useless. I can't let them stand in the way. Despite the ongoing invasive examinations and tests, I need this: to do, to make, to be, to contribute...

I need something more and I'm hoping this is it.

Mark Green's writing (which I highly recommend) goes into much more detail about what Atheopaganism is, what our core pillars and principles are, what our why is. 

Please check out his blog if this at all interests you.

As for me, I'm currently struggling to get ready to run a booth at the local Pagan Pride event in October. I need to figure out how to balance other people's expectations as pertains New Age woo and traditional Paganism with who I am, and remaining true to myself, all while working my butt off trying to finish more jewelry. Ugh. This is super stressful and I don't really know what to do. I don't want to pretend to be something I'm not (a Wiccan or New Age-r) but I want to appeal to those who may be. I don't know what to expect. I've never been to this event as a participant and don't know what the crowd will be like. This is not helping my already strained nerves. I may not get the chance to write very much because I'm so stressed/anxious/busy, but I'll try to pick this up again when I can.

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