This is a compelling article about the plight of Pagans in the Middle East. I urge everyone reading this to pray for these folks. They're the hope of their homelands, a nascent seed holding the promise of a future free of monotheistic domination. Pray that they are safe. Pray that their numbers increase. I'd include, as my colleague T. Dawson reminded me, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, and the Palestinian Territories in those prayers. Those areas too are troubled.
Engaged as some of us are with fighting the system that privileges the Christian right here in America, it can be a shock to realize how much better we have it than Pagans elsewhere. As frustrating as it is here, most of us are not risking torture and death to practice our religion. I think on that sometimes when I grow frustrated in this fight.
Anyway, here is the link:
http://pncminnesota.com/2013/01/17/in-syria-and-egypt-pagan-voices-fall-silent/
and here is a powerful prayer to the Goddess Ishtar *in Arabic*. There is something incredibly compelling about hearing Her praised today in the language of those who helped destroy Her veneration. We are still here. To every monotheist out there who would like to believe their victory complete: we're still here, you sons of bitches. We are here. our ancestors are here. Our Gods are still here. You have not won at all and one day, we *shall* overcome.
http://www.witchesandpagans.com/Pagan-Paths-Blogs/a-chant-to-ishtar.html
There is also an excellent blog that I frequently follow on contemporary Canaanite polytheism. I recommend it here:
http://www.witchesandpagans.com/Baal-s-Cedar/Blogger/Listings/natibqadish.html
Tess Dawson was kind enough to provide me with a few other links that might be of interest. Thank you, Tess!
Firstly, there is 'Alexandria 415' (the blog):
http://alexandria415.wordpress.com/
It is in Arabic, but Google Translate can help with that--they cover everything from Yoga, to Buddhism, to Wicca, to pretty much anything "alternative". They also have an FB group, with posts in English and /or Arabic: https://www.facebook.com/groups/116771911743235/
Next, here is a shop in Israel for Wiccan/Pagan/New Age/Polytheist needs, and Tess notes that even in Israel this is a brave thing to do: http://www.natalie-shop.com/ (the page is in Hebrew).
Here is another shop in Israel, with a blog in Hebrew: http://www.tapuz.co.il/blog/net/userblog.aspx?foldername=medea as well as an FB page in English: https://www.facebook.com/Ardensarcnum
Tess Dawson's own page may be found here http://tessdawson.blogspot.com/ . This blog is in English. There are also a number of links down the right side column on her blog that provide helpful information on Near and MIddle Eastern polytheism. Please check out her book at amazon.com "Whisper of Stone." I believe it is the first book available on contemporary Canaanite polytheism. Here's a link:
http://amzn.to/UBjDLK
note: please avoid pork as an offering to these Deities. Tess was kind enough to remind me that ancient polytheistic Canaanites, Mespotamians and Egyptians did not use pork in offerings and viewed it as inappropriate. thank you, Tess!
Engaged as some of us are with fighting the system that privileges the Christian right here in America, it can be a shock to realize how much better we have it than Pagans elsewhere. As frustrating as it is here, most of us are not risking torture and death to practice our religion. I think on that sometimes when I grow frustrated in this fight.
Anyway, here is the link:
http://pncminnesota.com/2013/01/17/in-syria-and-egypt-pagan-voices-fall-silent/
and here is a powerful prayer to the Goddess Ishtar *in Arabic*. There is something incredibly compelling about hearing Her praised today in the language of those who helped destroy Her veneration. We are still here. To every monotheist out there who would like to believe their victory complete: we're still here, you sons of bitches. We are here. our ancestors are here. Our Gods are still here. You have not won at all and one day, we *shall* overcome.
http://www.witchesandpagans.com/Pagan-Paths-Blogs/a-chant-to-ishtar.html
There is also an excellent blog that I frequently follow on contemporary Canaanite polytheism. I recommend it here:
http://www.witchesandpagans.com/Baal-s-Cedar/Blogger/Listings/natibqadish.html
Tess Dawson was kind enough to provide me with a few other links that might be of interest. Thank you, Tess!
Firstly, there is 'Alexandria 415' (the blog):
http://alexandria415.wordpress.com/
It is in Arabic, but Google Translate can help with that--they cover everything from Yoga, to Buddhism, to Wicca, to pretty much anything "alternative". They also have an FB group, with posts in English and /or Arabic: https://www.facebook.com/groups/116771911743235/
Next, here is a shop in Israel for Wiccan/Pagan/New Age/Polytheist needs, and Tess notes that even in Israel this is a brave thing to do: http://www.natalie-shop.com/ (the page is in Hebrew).
Here is another shop in Israel, with a blog in Hebrew: http://www.tapuz.co.il/blog/net/userblog.aspx?foldername=medea as well as an FB page in English: https://www.facebook.com/Ardensarcnum
Tess Dawson's own page may be found here http://tessdawson.blogspot.com/ . This blog is in English. There are also a number of links down the right side column on her blog that provide helpful information on Near and MIddle Eastern polytheism. Please check out her book at amazon.com "Whisper of Stone." I believe it is the first book available on contemporary Canaanite polytheism. Here's a link:
http://amzn.to/UBjDLK
note: please avoid pork as an offering to these Deities. Tess was kind enough to remind me that ancient polytheistic Canaanites, Mespotamians and Egyptians did not use pork in offerings and viewed it as inappropriate. thank you, Tess!
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