The original purpose of The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum was to foster an interfaith community of Pagans and their friends where all members could learn and grow spiritually and intellectually through discussion and debate -- and have a good time doing so. While we have expanded a great deal (for example, this large web site) since we opened our doors in late 1997, this is still our main focus today. We hope you will join us.
Cauldron Custom Pagan Search
The sites included in this custom search have been selected by members of The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum to help you find higher quality sites.
Help Keep The Cauldron Bubbling by donating or by shopping via our links if you can.
A Diety to Grow Old With? Posted Wednesday, July 23, 2008 by Randall
How important is it to you to have a deity that understands aging? Has your pantheon changed or do you think it will change as a reflection of your age advancement?
For me personally, I no longer feel very connected to Goddesses of Beauty & Fertility. This is a bit of a problem because as far as I can tell the Egyptian deities, who I have always felt drawn to, are ageless or forever youthfull and fertile. There isn't one that I am aware of that changes with age. I believe in other pantheons however, this can happen. I have found I have been gravitating to the darker more shadowy beings like Neith.
I don't see my age advancement as needing an underworld deity at my side (yet anyway, I'm not 90!) just one that can be sympathetic and that I can gain strength and comfort from during a new chapter in my life.
I would be happy to hear of any deity recommendations for the second half of life!
Is This Religious Discrimination? Is It Wrong? Posted Monday, July 21, 2008 by Randall
So lets say that someone goes to a new dentist, and while he fixes her teeth just fine, she realizes that all the inspirational/quasi-religious posters in his office and waiting room say "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints" on them. Other than the posters in the office, she is not subjected to any sort of proselytism.
After she goes home, and the Novocaine wears off, she googles the guy. She finds his church's online newsletter archives and find several articles written by him that espouse views completely contrary to her own...on matters such as women's rights, reproductive freedom, and so forth. The dentist is clearly very involved with his church, and claims to give more than the required tithe.
Because of this, she decides to find a new dentist, despite the fact that her root canal was a stunning success. She can't stand the idea that her money is part of a tithe supporting a church with views with which she vehemently disagrees.
Musical Witchcraft? Posted Monday, July 21, 2008 by Randall
I recently stumbled onto the idea of musical Witchcraft, but in my search for additional info, I came short on learning anything that can help me. You see, I am attempting to make a unique form of witchcraft that is personally for my own use, so I'm basing spells, rituals, exercises, etc. on my favorite things. It's a greater challenge especially because I have very few supplies for spells, so I'm aiming to use psychic ability or energy work for a majority of the spells.
So I'm reaching out to my Pagan community for some help, since I trust you guys and girls. Does anyone know anything of Musical Witchcraft? If not, does anyone have any thoughts/ideas to help with my form of witchcraft?
Importance of Scholarship to Your Path Posted Monday, July 21, 2008 by Randall
Unlike many other religious forums, the Cauldron places a premium on research and scholarly understanding of religion. As such, we've amassed a collection of bookworms, archivists, and other people that love learning. What are some ways that you incorporate research into your religious practices?
Follow up Tarot Reading When You Don't Understand a Card? Posted Saturday, July 19, 2008 by Randall
Has anyone ever done a second reading when something in the first one left you puzzled?
How did you do it? Did you do a complete new spread? Did you do a different spread? Did you use a puzzling card from the former one as significator?
More than a week ago I've done a celtic cross spread and had the 5 of swords (Robin Wood deck) in the position of 'near future'. I'm still trying to figure out what it means. The problem is that from what I know about the card it could mean disappointment or gain of something that doesn't belong to you, but it's not clear if I'll disappoint someone or someone will disappoint me or if I'll loose something that belongs to me or if I'll gain something that doesn't.
I also don't know what kind of loss/gain or disappointment it might be. Will it be about relationships, a job or something else? As I've just graduated and will start a completely new job in a completely new city soon it could refer to any loss or gain. I'm confused. Maybe it's just trying to say that I'll be disappointed about something because my hopes are too big. I had the 8 of staffs on the position of 'near past', maybe indicating that I'm going a bit fast and aren't aiming careful enough or expecting too much. But I'd like to know to what aspect of life if refers to. (Maybe I should have phrased the question more specific, I just asked how my new life will be.)
Future Development of Paganism - Seeking vs Being Raised Pagan Posted Friday, July 18, 2008 by Randall
Today and even more in the past 20th century most Pagans came from non-Pagan backrounds and had to go through a search phase before they settled on a path (or became eclectics or continuing seekers).
I wonder if this would change slightly in the next few decades. Do you think there will be more Pagans, more acceptance of Paganism and thus more people raised Pagan? If more people are raised Pagan, do you think Paganism will still contain this element of personal quest or will it become normal that Pagans are just born into their paths?
Would you say this seeking is an integral part of Paganism/specific paths or is it just there because many people come from non-Pagan backrounds and need to seek before they find something else?
The Internet and Spiritual Development? Posted Thursday, July 17, 2008 by Randall
Do you think that the internet aids or hinders spiritual development? Is it a little bit of both, or does it do neither?
Also in what ways, or basically why do you think this?
And last, I will point out that I am asking this question from two ends. On the individual level, as well as on the worldwide level. (Basically how does this relate to an individual person, and how does this relate to humanity as a whole). Feel free to answer either or both (just please let us know which you are referring to, to avoid confusion.)
The Long And Short Of It Posted Thursday, July 17, 2008 by Randall
I blame Koi!
Quoting Koi: "Now I think we need a thread where everyone gives their long, explanatory title ... and what they typically shorten it to."
Well, I have 'Kemetic Feri Discordian' in my short line, which is a decent summation, I suppose; those are three things with names. I actually mostly just say 'Kemetic', as that's the basis of where I'm coming from, but it doesn't help communication much 'cause most people haven't heard of it.
If I were being comprehensively descriptive I'd probably have to go with something like:
Secularly-raised Setian Kemetic neo-reconstructionist ecstatic mystic heretic pledged to Hethert, dedicated to Wepwawet, and beloved of Khnum, student of the Anderson Feri tradition (Morningstar line; hoping to train in Blackheart line as well) with a heavy kitchen-witch and hearth-guardian sensibility, heavily leavened with ancestral influences (particularly Slavic folk customs, some Irish lore, and a ladleful of dwojwierny), part-time disciple of the Discordian saint Sri Syadasti, dabbler in spirit dealings drawn primarily to Bluejay, with half-assed influence from a variety of sources that illuminate my personal understanding of Egyptiana, including particularly a smattering of Judaism, Hinduism (especially Shaivite Hinduism), Shinto, and West African Traditional Religions and the African Diaspora Religions.
With eclectic shared practice with primarily-family, thus heavily neo-recon-Celtic influenced.
If the thing that's distinctly dual-trad at the moment manages to synthesise into a syncretic jobbie, its name will be something like Ab Khem.
And this is why I wrote the Cauldron article on how not to screw up eclecticism!
Can Two Different Beliefs Both Be Correct? Posted Wednesday, July 16, 2008 by Randall
This is something that I have been contemplating for some time now, but unfortunately I feel I am going to be just as incoherent in my words now as I would have been a couple of weeks ago. Please bear with me!
When it comes to matters of religion, people hold very different and often conflicting beliefs to one another. For instance, my MIL believes that Judgement Day is just around the corner and her god is going to choose a select number of people to rule with him in heaven. She believes this to be the absolute truth, and she believes it with every fibre of her being. She even refers to her religion as 'the truth'.
I on the other hand most certainly don't believe this! That belief just doesn't work for me, and thus my religious beliefs are completely different. And thus conflicting. Although my MIL would not be happy to hear what my religious beliefs were and would try to convert me to her beliefs because that's what she believes she is supposed to do, I am fine with her holding her beliefs. I don't care that they conflict with mine. I believe that religion is a very personal thing, and thus would never try to convert anybody to my own beliefs. Just because they work for me, it doesn't mean they're going to work for someone else.
Yet when all said and done, I feel as if this train of thought has a very serious flaw. How on earth can do completely different, completely separate, completely conflicting religious beliefs both be right? My MIL would clearly state that only her beliefs are right, and that everybody elses are wrong. One thing I like about TC is that the majority of people here respect an individual's religious freedom. Including myself. And yet does this mean that I'm secretly thinking to myself; only my beliefs are right, and everyone elses' are all wrong? Because I'm not thinking that in the slightest... but how can I say that two beliefs are both the truth? I can't. To me, it defies logic.
And so, I'm confused.
If anyone has any musings whatsoever on this subject, I'd like to hear them. Sorry for the long-winded post.
The Bits You Don't Like Posted Wednesday, July 16, 2008 by Randall
There are a lot of people who want to walk a pagan path, and want it to be a 'historical' path, but basically disapprove of parts of it and simply discard them. They are usually advised to do this, in fact, with phrases like 'take what you like and leave the rest', 'if it makes you uncomfortable it's not for you', and, basically, 'if it feels good, do it'.
This leaves a lot of paths looking unbalanced, usually towards the 'white light' side, but also occasionally towards the 'dark fluff' end of things. There are Wiccans who reject binding and scourging in initiations, 'shamans' who rail against the use of entheogens, practitioners of sacrificial religions who disapprove of sacrifice. They seldom change the name of what they do, but if one assumes that a person using the name of a religion actually embraces all the parts of it, one is often wrong.
My question is, what have you rejected in your chosen path, and why? Did you spend any time trying to follow the practices you don't like? Do you feel that if you had, you would have understood them as integral and embraced them, or would have ended up excising them anyway? Do you seek to understand the 'uncomfortable' bits before rejecting them, and do you feel your religion is missing that elusive 'something' due to sanitization?
I often find modern religions to be superficial when described by their pratitioners, but I can't figure out if that is because those practitioners have discarded half their humanity (and half of their gods' reality), or because those practitioners simply don't talk about those aspects in public.
F'ex, I read a post on another forum where the person wanted to try augery and wondered if her local butcher shop would be willing to sell her 'a mess of entrails to read'. To me this seemed worse than useless, but suggesting that she ritually slaughter her own bird or beast, with appropriate ceremony and dedication, and read its entrails in the context of the ritual itself, was met with a superior/condescending version of 'ewww, gross!'. As if wanting to read entrails was uber-pagan and impressive, but doing the prep-work oneself was simply barbaric.
How much do you discard as barbaric or uncivilised, and do you feel that it undermines or enhances your authenticity as a modern day pagan?
Featured Stores 13 Moons -- 13 Moons brings you a diverse selection of magickal and ritual supplies, including Athames, books, candles, incense, essential oils, herbs jewelry, spell kits, smudge sticks, tarot cards and boxes, wands, staffs, and so much more.
Amazon.com
International Versions: Amazon Canada - Amazon UK Browse Pagan Books(by subject, publisher, or author)
The Internet's best known and most popular store is known for excellent service and large selection of books, cds, and videos at discounted prices. Amazon also carries other items: computers, clothing, electronics, tools, toys, games, software, cookware, magazines, and much more.
Dreamhost Web Hosting -- Looking for powerful, reliable, low-cost webhosting with a company whose
TOS and policies are friendly to Pagan websites? Take a look at our Webhost: Dreamhost (read why). At $9.95/month, they really are a dream! For more choices, see our Affordable Pagan-Friendly Web Hosting page.
Our Stores Cauldron Ebooks -- The Cauldron is now publishing ebooks. Some are free, some cost money. You can find them all here.
Doxy's Bazaar -- The Cauldron Host's Store where they sell pagan books and reduced prices (usually 50% off), a few collectibles, etc.
Other Stores Allposters -- the world's largest poster and print store
MailOrderComics.com -- Today's comics at yesterday's prices. Up to 75% off new comics.
Pagan Auctions -- eBay is the largest auction site in the world. Lots of Pagan items are listed.
Zazzle -- customizable clothing and prints - some by Cauldron members
If you are looking for the Mike Howards's UK Pagan magazine, The Cauldron, you are at the wrong web site, it's at http://www.the-cauldron.fsnet.co.uk/.
Dreamhost offers high-quality, low cost web hosting with a dedication to free speech.
Dreamhost Features
· 500 gigs web space* · 5000 gigs/month bandwidth** · unlimited email boxes (POP3/IMAP) · unlimited ftp/shell accounts · unlimited domains/subdomains · php4, php5, cgi, fastcgi, ssi · zend optimizer, ruby on rails · unlimited MySQL 5 databases · announcement lists · discussion (aka mailing) lists · Jabber server, Custom DNS · Crontab and Shell access · Web-based Control Panel · One-Click installs of the Wordpress blog & others · 1 free domain name · helpful tech support · and much more!
* approximate -- grows 2 gig per week
** approximate -- grows 40 gigs per week
All for $10.95 a month with a $49.95 setup fee (pay for a year in advance for $9.95 a month and there is no setup fee). Pay two years in advance and the price drops to $8.95 a month. (And there is a 97 day money back guarantee!)
While this web site is designed to work in all major browsers, we recommend Firefox.
Syndicate Board