It’s Thursday, which means I have three things to share with you. Three Things Thursday is becoming my way of highlighting people and causes in Druidry, Polytheism, and the overall Pagan community. I have some new content about my own life, spiritual practice, and writing to share with you next week, but I’m going to work to keep TTT a place where I continue to elevate diversity as often as I can. Of course, I will continue to share info and books from many Pagans and artists, but I need to do a better job of looking outside my usual circle. Druidry and Irish Polytheism is my path, and I know many of my readers are here for that… but we don’t exist in an isolated grove. Just as forests are diverse, we must be aware of the many voices around us. We’re in this together, after all.
Uncomfortable Conversations
Like many of you, I’ve been studying books, articles, and other content by BIPOC on race, privilege, policing, and, because I’m a teacher, education. Due to the nature of my job, this isn’t the first or the last time I’ll engage with such materials. This impacts my students all year, every year! But I decided to dig into it with some Polytheist peers. I keep wondering about how to help create a more inclusive, SAFE environment in the greater polytheistic and Pagan community. This video, which is specific to the herbal community, really got me thinking. My grove is predominantly white. Whenever I go to Pagan Pride or similar events, it’s mostly white. The presenters and entertainers are mostly white. We have work to do. I hope you are having these uncomfortable conversations within your own circles. It’s an important part of the process. If talking is too much for now, I hope you’re reading, listening, and thinking about it.
Black Witch Resources
This article, Black Witch Resources: Getting Started, came across my Twitter feed a few days ago. Originally from Spiral Magazine back in 2017, author Donyae Coles outlines the basics of Black witchcraft and working within the traditions of the African diaspora. I know my usual readers may scratch their heads and wonder why I’m sharing this. Well, some of my readers may be Black and seeking information! It’s so easy to assume that anyone seeking info on Druidry is automatically White. I’m also sharing it because I think that even if we aren’t going to engage with those practices, we should know about them. Just as it’s useful as a ritualist and human being to know the similarities and differences between Greek polytheism and Irish, it’s just as informative and inspiring to learn about other world religions. The more we know, the more we can recognize our brothers and sisters in the greater Pagan and Polytheist communities. On that note, I must admit a great deal of ignorance about the traditions of the African diaspora. I’m very excited to get this new book: Orishas, Goddesses, and Voodoo Queens: The Divine Feminine in the African Religious Traditions by Lilith Dorsey later this year. At the very least, I’ll be more prepared with facts when people make dismissive or racists comments about the traditions.
Call for Submissions
Hagstone Publishing is once more open to submissions! Issue 4 of Stone, Root, and Bone magazine will be out in August, and they’re looking for stories, poetry, and articles related to animism and polytheism. They are especially interested in content from BIPOC, queer and trans writers, and writers with disabilities because, as they recently tweeted, “Nature is for everyone!”
I will not be submitting anything this round because of my publishing schedule (more on that in a post for another day), but I’ve had such a positive experience with Hagstone. Working with them to publish three short stories truly felt like a collaboration. As fellow animists and polytheists, my writing was respected and understood.
Author M. A. Phillips 