Tessera

John Beckett @utaodruid.bsky.social · 3d ago

Framing an argument as “my church teaches…” is an attempt to evade responsibility. So is “people have always believed…” and “it’s just common sense.” You wouldn’t be appealing to those authorities if you didn’t believe the arguments yourself. So own it. www.patheos.com/blogs/johnbe...

Own Your Beliefs

Framing an argument as “my church teaches…” is an attempt to evade responsibility. So is “people have always believed…” and “it’s just common sense.” You wouldn’t be appealing to those authorities if ...

patheos.com

John Beckett @utaodruid.bsky.social · 2w ago

I wasn’t planning to do a Mystic South post, but apparently I have more to say about it than I thought - starting with how much I enjoyed this year’s conference. Mystic South’s tagline is “theory – practice – play”: I did all three and had a great time doing them. www.patheos.com/blogs/johnbe...

Mystic South 2026: Good On So Many Levels

I wasn’t planning to do a Mystic South recap blog post this year, but apparently I have more to say about it than I thought. And that starts with how much I enjoyed this year’s conference. Mystic Sout...

patheos.com

John Beckett @utaodruid.bsky.social · 3w ago

When parents follow a fear-based religion and then pass it along, they traumatize their children. No eight-year-old should live in fear of eternal damnation, for themselves or for anyone else. I no longer have any fear around this. But I have plenty of anger. www.patheos.com/blogs/johnbe...

Putting The Remnants Of Toxic Religion Where They Belong

When parents follow a fear-based religion and then pass it along, they traumatize their children. No eight-year-old should live in fear of eternal damnation, for themselves or for anyone else. I no lo...

patheos.com

John Beckett @utaodruid.bsky.social · 4w ago

The Wild Hunt has existed in many forms in many places throughout history. In this new Pagan Portals book, author Morgan Daimler presents the folklore around the Wild Hunt and also gives recommendations for interacting with it here and now. Or not. www.patheos.com/blogs/johnbe...

The Wild Hunt

The Wild Hunt has existed in many forms in many places throughout history and in our contemporary world. In this new Pagan Portals book, author Morgan Daimler presents the folklore around the Wild Hun...

patheos.com

John Beckett @utaodruid.bsky.social · last mo.

Let’s study our history. Let’s acknowledge both what went wrong and what went right. Let’s celebrate the progress that has been made. And then let’s keep working to build a more perfect union. www.patheos.com/blogs/johnbe...

A Pagan On The Fourth Of July

Let’s study our history. Let’s acknowledge both what went wrong and what went right. Let’s celebrate the progress that has been made. And then let’s keep working to build a more perfect union.

patheos.com

John Beckett @utaodruid.bsky.social · last mo.

Many UUs don’t pray because of bad experiences in a previous religion, or simply because we’ve fallen out of practice. But prayer can be meaningful and helpful to us no matter what our beliefs. www.patheos.com/blogs/johnbe...

Pray Like A UU

Many UUs don’t pray because of bad experiences in a previous religion, theological disagreements, or simply because we’ve fallen out of practice. But prayer is one of the oldest and most universal spi...

patheos.com

John Beckett @utaodruid.bsky.social · 2mo ago

A local couple has been charged with fraud after scamming people out of over $2 million for “curse removal”. Scammers are a danger, but sometimes curses are real. How do you know if someone is a legitimate magical practitioner or a scammer? www.patheos.com/blogs/johnbe...

Curse Removal: Scam Or Legitimate Magic?

A local couple has been charged with fraud after scamming people out of over $2 million for “curse removal”. Scammers are a danger, but sometimes curses are real. How do you know if someone is a legit...

patheos.com

John Beckett @utaodruid.bsky.social · 2mo ago

The loudest voices in our society insist that their God stopped speaking 2000 years ago. The second loudest voices scream that there are no Gods. Meanwhile, those of us who have experienced the many Gods know that they are alive and they are speaking. www.patheos.com/blogs/johnbe...

The Gods Are Alive And Speaking

The loudest voices in our wider society scream that there is only one God and he stopped speaking two thousand years ago. The second loudest voices scream that there are no Gods and that anyone who th...

patheos.com

John Beckett @utaodruid.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Author, podcaster, and chaos magician Gordon White has died. Gordon and his work were very important to me as I was moving into public Paganism. And then things changed and I distanced myself from him. I think that story is worth telling. www.patheos.com/blogs/johnbe...

RIP Gordon White

Author, podcaster, and chaos magician Gordon White has died. Gordon and his work were very important to me as I was moving into public Paganism. And then things changed and I distanced myself from him...

patheos.com

John Beckett @utaodruid.bsky.social · 3mo ago

In recent years Walpurgisnacht has become a solitary observance for me, a time for meditation and journeying. At this year’s Walpurgisnacht, I heard five messages for me and my spiritual practice, but that I imagine will be relevant to many others. www.patheos.com/blogs/johnbe...

Five Messages On Walpurgisnacht

In recent years Walpurgisnacht has become a solitary observance for me, a time for meditation and journeying. At this year’s Walpurgisnacht, I heard five messages for me and my spiritual practice, but...

patheos.com

John Beckett @utaodruid.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Ivy Corvus’ new book “Chaos Magic: A Complete Beginner’s Guide” is a good, short, easy to read introduction to chaos magic. It's the book I wish I had when I first heard about chaos magic and wanted to give it a try. www.patheos.com/blogs/johnbe...

Chaos Magic – A Complete Beginner’s Guide

Ivy Corvus’ new book “Chaos Magic: A Complete Beginner’s Guide” is a good, short, easy to read introduction to chaos magic. It's the book I wish I had when I first heard about chaos magic and wanted t...

patheos.com

John Beckett @utaodruid.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Earth Day is an opportunity to celebrate how far we’ve come in cleaning up our environment, and also an opportunity to look at the stories we tell ourselves about the Earth, Nature, and our relation to it all. www.patheos.com/blogs/johnbe...

Earth Day – A New Story

Earth Day is an opportunity to celebrate how far we’ve come in cleaning up our environment, and to remind ourselves what we can accomplish when we work together. It’s also an opportunity to look at th...

patheos.com

John Beckett @utaodruid.bsky.social · 4mo ago

I can’t pretend all this doesn’t bother me and I question the ethics of those who say they can. I will remain an engaged citizen, but I don’t expect politics will save me. What I can do is to be the best Pagan, polytheist, witch, and Druid I can be. www.patheos.com/blogs/johnbe...

The Future Is Uncertain: Be The Best Pagan You Can Be

I can’t pretend all this doesn’t bother me and I question the ethics of those who say they can. I will remain an engaged citizen, but I don’t expect politics will save me. What I can do is to be the b...

patheos.com

John Beckett @utaodruid.bsky.social · 5mo ago

Sometimes you can’t see what’s coming. Sometimes you can’t plan your way around trouble. Sometimes you just have to trust that you’ll be able to handle whatever comes up, because you’re intelligent and competent and you have resources you can draw on. www.patheos.com/blogs/johnbe...

Sometimes You Just Have To Trust Yourself

Sometimes you can’t see what’s coming. Sometimes you can’t plan your way around trouble. Sometimes you just have to trust that you’ll be able to handle whatever comes up, because you’re intelligent an...

patheos.com

John Beckett @utaodruid.bsky.social · 5mo ago

I’ve participated in some excellent rituals led by others, and I’ve participated in some truly bad rituals. I’ve learned from all of them. Based on that experience, here’s what it takes to make a good ritualist. And also, here are the best ritualists I’ve seen. www.patheos.com/blogs/johnbe...

What Makes A Good Ritualist?

I’ve created and presented a lot of rituals. I’ve participated in some excellent rituals led by others, and I’ve participated in some truly bad rituals. I’ve learned from all of them. Based on that ex...

patheos.com

John Beckett @utaodruid.bsky.social · 5mo ago

Proto by @lfspinney is the story of the origins of the Proto-Indo-European language and how it spread and evolved into one of the major language groups of the contemporary world. It’s also the story of humans doing what humans do: move. www.patheos.com/blogs/johnbe...

Proto: How One Ancient Language Went Global

Proto is the story of the origins of the Proto-Indo-European language and how it spread and evolved into one of the major language groups of the contemporary world. It’s also the story of humans doing...

patheos.com

John Beckett @utaodruid.bsky.social · 6mo ago

No equivocation. No psychological jargon. No fear you might be rejecting the materialist assumptions of the mainstream world and someone might accuse you of believing in “woo.” Do you believe we can create change in accordance with will? www.patheos.com/blogs/johnbe...

Do You Believe Magic Is Real?

No equivocation. No psychological jargon. No fear you might be rejecting the materialist assumptions of the mainstream world and someone might accuse you of believing in “woo.” Do you believe we can c...

patheos.com

John Beckett @utaodruid.bsky.social · 6mo ago

I’ve lost track of how many times someone has told me “something feels off.” The progress we experienced for decades has reversed, and every time we think we’ve adjusted, something else happens. But humans don’t just adapt to our conditions. We also change them. www.patheos.com/blogs/johnbe...

Of Course Things Feel “Off” Right Now

I’ve lost track of how many times someone has told me “something feels off.” The progress we experienced for decades has reversed, and every time we think we’ve adjusted, something else happens. But h...

patheos.com

John Beckett @utaodruid.bsky.social · 6mo ago

If you want a faithful adaptation of Bram Stoker’s novel, or if you want something new and original, this isn’t for you. But if you want 2 hours and 9 minutes of gothic fantasy you’ll find Luc Besson’s new Dracula movie quite enjoyable. www.patheos.com/blogs/johnbe...

Luc Besson’s Dracula Is Better Than The Critics Say

Here’s the bottom line on Luc Besson’s new Dracula movie: it’s beautiful and fascinating, and it’s a good though flawed story. But it can’t compare to the

patheos.com

John Beckett @utaodruid.bsky.social · 6mo ago

Less background noise from the dominant religion will make it easier for us to hear our Gods and spirits. Let’s use this opportunity to build a Paganism that serves our Gods, respects our neighbors, and supports us as we live deep and meaningful lives. www.patheos.com/blogs/johnbe...

More Organic Paganism, Less Protestant Envy

Less background noise from the dominant religion will make it easier for us to hear our Gods and spirits. Let’s use this opportunity to build a Paganism that serves our Gods, respects our neighbors, a...

patheos.com

John Beckett @utaodruid.bsky.social · 6mo ago

Our predictions for the future of Paganism have always carried an unstated assumption: that we would be living in a multicultural and multireligious society. And that’s looking increasingly unlikely in this era of Christian nationalism. www.patheos.com/blogs/johnbe...

Paganism In An Era Of Christian Nationalism

Our predictions for the future of Paganism have always carried an unstated assumption: that we would be living in a multicultural and multireligious society. And that’s looking increasingly unlikely i...

patheos.com

John Beckett @utaodruid.bsky.social · 7mo ago

When I see people saying “2026 is the new 2016” my first reaction is “that’s not really a good thing.” Still, I had a great 2017 in large part because of the foundational work I did in 2016. I’m confident that pattern will repeat for me ten years later… and for you. www.patheos.com/blogs/johnbe...

Is It Really 2016 All Over Again?

When I see people saying “2026 is the new 2016” my first reaction is “that’s not really a good thing.” Still, I had a great 2017 in large part because of the foundational work I did in 2016. I’m confi...

patheos.com

John Beckett @utaodruid.bsky.social · 7mo ago

Announcing a new 4-week on-line class from Under the Ancient Oaks: “Tarot For Spellcasting” begins January 29 and registration is now open. Details are in Module 0 on the Courses page. www.patheos.com/blogs/johnbe...

Tarot For Spellcasting

Announcing a new 4-week on-line class from Under the Ancient Oaks: “Tarot For Spellcasting” begins January 29 and registration is now open. Details are in Module 0 on the Courses page.

patheos.com

John Beckett @utaodruid.bsky.social · 7mo ago

Our culture has flattened. It’s become plain, bland, similar, and boring. And what’s happening with our stuff influences us as people. As Pagans and witches we can show the mainstream a better way to live, simply by being ourselves as loudly as we can. www.patheos.com/blogs/johnbe...

Banish Minimalism – Embrace Maximalism

Our culture has flattened. It’s become plain, bland, similar, and boring. And what’s happening with our stuff influences us as people. As Pagans and witches we can show the mainstream a better way to ...

patheos.com

John Beckett @utaodruid.bsky.social · 7mo ago

We can move through life mindlessly. We can be afraid of losing what we have and settle for good enough. Or we can build on what we’ve accomplished, wait until the time is right, and then act with the wisdom and skill of a Queen and set ourselves up for great things. www.patheos.com/blogs/johnbe...

Divination For 2026

We can move through life mindlessly and end up getting hurt. We can be afraid of losing what we have and settle for good enough. Or we can build on what we’ve accomplished, wait until the time is righ...

patheos.com

John Beckett @utaodruid.bsky.social · 7mo ago

The Top 10 posts of 2025 on Under the Ancient Oaks: being a Pagan in challenging times, dangerous magic, and what happens when the Gods show up. “Willful childlessness.” And I read the worst book of the year so you didn’t have to. www.patheos.com/blogs/johnbe...