Agree with you on messaging before calling. But what really gets me are the people who message on Teams:
"Hello John. How are you?"
and then wait for a reply. How am I? I'm annoyed that I have to engage in small talk in chat. Just tell me what you want.
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...
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...
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...
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...
True. And I still enjoyed it, for the reasons explained in the review, despite the shortcomings called out in the review.
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...
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...
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...
It was a one-of-a-kind gift from a fellow Morrigan devotee. Sadly, it got damaged and had to be ceremonially retired a couple years 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...
Thanks for the kind words...
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...
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...
Things are a lot better than they used to be when it comes to race and gender. Less so for sexual orientation, much less gender identity. But there is still a strong preference for extroverts in managerial and executive roles.
This is necessary - you won't get promoted without it - but it's not enough. I've spent 40 years in corporate environments. The people who get promoted are the ones who look and sound like the people already in the higher level slots.
Fun deck that reads much better than I expected.
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...
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...
Divination, reincarnation, the divinity of Nature, and the need for life-long learning. These are topics I thought would be popular, but for some reason they weren’t very well-read. If you missed them the first time, I encourage you to read them now.
www.patheos.com/blogs/johnbe...
Subaru has been marketing to lesbians since the 90s. They make really good cars, but I prefer Hondas.
Creative reimaginings of Dracula and Carmilla. A Spanish novel from Argentina. An unexpected invitation to a hidden magical school. The most unique vampire novel I’ve ever read. And proof that the book is almost always better than the movie even if it’s 90 years old.
www.patheos.com/blogs/johnbe...
“Fairy is a real place that humans may interact with and which is the home of many different beings that may come into the human world.” So says Morgan Daimler in their 2024 book Fairy: The Otherworld by Many Names – and I agree.
www.patheos.com/blogs/johnbe...
Groups based on regular practice, inquiry, and a deep desire to be as good as they can possibly be will succeed and grow. How big they grow isn’t important. What’s important is that they will be here for those who need and want them for generations to come.
www.patheos.com/blogs/johnbe...
There is no shortage of holidays and holy days to celebrate at this time of year. I’m a Pagan – I celebrate the Winter Solstice. This is why and how I celebrate.
www.patheos.com/blogs/johnbe...
I’m seeing a steady stream of posts by Evangelicals trying to “debate” atheists and doing a very poor job of it. They present weak arguments based on weak evidence, but they’re 100% certain that they’re 100% right.
www.patheos.com/blogs/johnbe...
Yes, it makes sense. Ultimately we don’t know.
Different Pagans have different callings and different areas of interest. Unlike the followers of some religions, we understand that no one way is best for everyone. This is what I mean when I call myself a Pagan.
www.patheos.com/blogs/johnbe...
Statistics show that people fear death less as they grow older, and that Catholics fear death far more than Protestants, Others, or Nones. What does that mean for us as Pagans? More importantly, do you fear death?
www.patheos.com/blogs/johnbe...
