Here is where I share my monthly musings.
As Samhain, the Celtic New Year (Halloween), approaches it feels as if the winds of war are blowing again. A group of Pagan leaders recently issued a historic joint-statement expressing our mutual desire for peace.
We sent it out to major news media such as The New York Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Boston Globe, The Miami Herald, The Washington Post and the San Francisco Chronicle, as well as to major Pagan media outlets such as Witchvox.com and The Wiccan Pagan Times. So far we have been ignored by all these media. Apparently we Pagans have a lot of work ahead before we are taken seriously regarding ethical statements! Here is what we sent out:
Press Release
Pagans Oppose Military Intervention in Iran
We are an ad hoc group of Americans who practice diverse Earth-based religions. We affirm the wisdom of peace, tolerance, and justice. These principles are consistent with the values and beliefs of our Pagan religions. We seek to exist in goodwill and fellowship with all peoples, cultures, and nations. In so doing, we express our love for the Earth and acknowledge our interconnectedness with all living things.
In the face of escalating international tensions regarding Iran, we urge the use of diplomatic actions for a peaceful resolution of differences. We reject any rush to military action, since we believe that diplomatic means will lead to a safer, more just, and more constructive solution. Therefore, we call on our political leaders to use diplomacy to create goodwill, peace, and harmony among nations, religions, and peoples.
Respectfully:
Maureen Duffy-Boose, Rainbow Chalice CUUPS Salt Lake City, UT Board of Trustees, Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans (CUUPS)
Ellen Evert Hopman, Co-Chief, Order of the WhiteOak Massachusetts
Nancy Machin, Pagan Educational Network Indiana
M. Macha NightMare, P&W San Rafael, CA
Cairril Adaire, Founder, Our Freedom: A Pagan Civil Rights Coalition Bloomington, IN
Rev. H. Byron Ballard, Coalition of Earth Religions (CERES) Asheville, NC
Jo Carson Fairfax, CA
Phyllis Curott New York, NY
Max Dashu Oakland, CA
Gus diZerega, Ph.D. Sebastopol, CA
Ivo Dominguez, Jr., Elder, Assembly of the Sacred Wheel Delaware
Holli S. Emore Columbia, SC
Cerridwen Fallingstar Forest Knolls, CA
Celia Farran Ashland, OR
Kenaz Filan, Managing Editor, newWitch Magazine
Rev. Sean W. Harbaugh California
Caroline Kenner, Board Member, Chesapeake Pagan Community & Sacred Space Foundation Washington, DC
Lady Passion, High Priestess & *Diuvei, High Priest, Coven Oldenwilde Asheville, NC
Rev. Robert Lee (Skip) Ellison East Syracuse, NY
Sabina Magliocco, Ph.D. Northridge, CA
Rev. Patrick M. McCollum, Director, Our Lady of the Wells Church Moraga, CA
Michael McDermott, M.D. Black Earth, WI
Katrina Messenger, Founder, Connect DC Washington, DC
Nava Mizrahhi Oakland, CA
Ariel Montserrat, Editor, Green Egg Zine Tennessee
Anne Newkirk Niven, Editor in Chief, PanGaia Magazine California
Penny J. Novack, Elder, Step by Step Tradition Buckland, MA
Rev. Rayna Ardren Owens, PhD. Miami, FL
Beth Owl’s Daughter, The Dragon’s Cauldron, Reclaiming Durham, NC
Lynn Pacifico New York, NY
Ludmilla Pavlova Amherst, MA
Lauren Raine Tucson, AZ
Angela Roberts Reeder Baltimore, MD
Vibra Willow, P&W, Reclaiming California
Rev. Rose Wise, Ozark Avalon Church of Nature Boonville, MO
Michael York, Ph.D. San Francisco, CA
Oberon Zell-Ravenheart, Church of All Worlds Cotati, CA
“The opinion expressed by the above named leaders of the Pagan community does not necessarily represent or agree with the organizations with which they are affiliated.”
Druidic Peace Statement
I am pleased to add that the Druid Order to which I belong, The Order of the Whiteoak (Ord na Darach Gile) has also issued a statement and we welcome you to sign on;
Statement on the Build Up to a Possible War with Iran
The Druids of old were known as peacemakers and were once so respected that when they stepped onto the battlefield all hostilities immediately ceased.
It is in the spirit of reverence for these ancient ways that The Order of the Whiteoak (Ord na Darach Gile) wishes to affirm its support of peace and justice in the world.
War is properly the option of very last resort and pre-emptive war is both immoral and unethical. We urge our political leaders to use diplomacy to create goodwill, peace and harmony between nations, religions, and peoples.
Signed:
Ellen Evert Hopman (Saille), Co-Chief of Order of the Whiteoak, Massachusetts, USA
J Craig Melia (Mhaille), Co-Chief of Order of the Whiteoak, Lancashire, England
Dr. Kenneth Proefrock, Surprise, Arizona, USA
Justin Fisher, USA
Cairril Adaire, Founder, Our Freedom: A Pagan Coalition, Indiana, USA
Daniel Greywolf (Spiritunicorn), Hastings, East Sussex, England
Dr. D.J. Gainey, Greenville, SC, USA
Edwin Vanmontfort, The Netherlands
Raven Finley, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Robert Bestwick, Massachusetts, USA Anakooomk – Peace (in Mic Mac)
Diane L. Gaw, Worcester, MA
Tricia Gill, Brighton, England
Rev H.C. Kamerman, Druid Resident of the Netherlands
M. Macha NightMare, San Rafael, CA
Lady Vivien Alba, Hps/Elder of the Avalon Moon Circle, Gainesville, FL.
We welcome Druids from all Orders and other friends and supporters to co-sign this document. Should anyone wish to add their name to this Peace statement please email your details to membership@whiteoakdruids.org.
The Tara Road
Another concern of the moment is the hideous road that the Irish government is attempting to build right through the heart of the Tara landscape. The road will only bring tolls, light and noise pollution, and urban sprawl of the kind that we have so sadly had to endure here in the United States. All at a time when oil is on the way out and priority should be given to rail lines, not roads.
Those who are opposed to the road in Ireland will be lighting beacon fires on the hill tops on Samhain eve, to express their love for Tara. We who are in other countries can also participate by lighting fires at home. Here is a beautiful ritual you can do from anywhere on the planet (if you read this too late for the October 31 fire lighting why not do it on November 11 which is the date of Old Samhain?)
Take the time to write a letter to the media and to MEP (Member of European Parliament, representing South Ireland) Kathy Sinnott.
Write letters to the editor of the Irish Times.
I wish peace, health and happiness on all Celtic Pagans and their friends in the Celtic New Year.
“Today’s mighty oak is just yesterday’s nut that held its ground”