Category Archives: Paganism

The Passing of a Pagan Legend

Posted on August 13, 2010 by Carl McColman

I am sad to learn of the death of Isaac Bonewits yesterday, of cancer, at the age of 60. Isaac was probably the single most influential American in the revival of pagan druidism over the last forty years. He was … Continue reading →

Posted in Paganism, interfaith dialogue | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

Quote for the Day

Posted on July 29, 2010 by Carl McColman

The idea of memory was very important in Celtic spirituality. There are lovely prayers for different occasions. There are prayers for the hearth, for kindling the fire, and for smooring the  hearth. At night, the ashes were smoored over the … Continue reading →

Posted in Celtic Christianity, Paganism, Quotations, interfaith dialogue | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Divine Light

Posted on May 31, 2010 by Carl McColman

Divine Light: The Theology of Denys the Areopagite By William Riordan San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2008 Review by Carl McColman To fully grasp the beauty and complexity (and some would say, the challenge) of Christian mysticism, sooner or later you … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian mysticism, Mysticism, Paganism, Reviews, theology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The Mystery is Solved!

Posted on May 1, 2010 by Carl McColman

Thanks to the reach of the Internet — and Facebook — I have discovered the identity of the photographer of the image that is being used for the cover design of The Big Book of Christian Mysticism. The photographer is … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian mysticism, Christianity, Paganism | Tagged , , , , , | 11 Comments

Of the Equinox and the Spirituality of the Earth

Posted on March 20, 2010 by Carl McColman

Twice this week, on two separate occasions coming from two different individuals, I have been invited to participate in Spring Equinox rituals that will take place this weekend. Ten years ago that would have been nothing remarkable, as I was … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Paganism, interfaith dialogue, nature | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

The Snakes and the Slaves

Posted on March 17, 2010 by Carl McColman

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day. As I ponder on this day, I am reminded that it, like Columbus Day, can elicit a radically different response from people, based on their world-view and value system. Columbus Day for Euro-Americans was traditionally a … Continue reading →

Posted in Catholicism, Celtic Christianity, Ireland, Paganism, interfaith dialogue | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

How Little We Know, How Much We Miss

Posted on January 2, 2010 by Carl McColman

I’m entering into 2010 reflecting on the limits of knowledge and the challenges facing anyone interested in interreligious dialogue or interfaith spirituality. If we are not humbled by how little we know, we are in trouble. Ali of Meadowsweet & … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Paganism, interfaith dialogue | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments

Grace and the Goddess: AVATAR as a Christian/Pagan Parable

Posted on December 27, 2009 by Carl McColman

James Cameron’s new film, Avatar, tells a story we’ve all heard before; as I commented on Twitter last night, it is Dances with Wolves meets Star Trek: Insurrection, with elements of The Matrix and Whale Rider thrown in. But Avatar … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Paganism, Reviews, movies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 30 Comments

A New Pagan Blog

Posted on October 12, 2009 by Carl McColman

My friend Laura, who is one of my cohorts from back in my Pagan days — and who, despite being a former Catholic herself, was one of the most supportive of my friends when I was called to abandon Neopaganism … Continue reading →

Posted in Other people's blogs, Paganism | 1 Comment

After the Magic (Four Years Later)

Posted on January 8, 2009 by Carl McColman

This evening, Google Alerts alerted me to the following critique of my conversion to Catholicism. It comes from a blog called Meanderings Along Ancestral Pagan Paths, by someone who goes by the handle of “Ancestral Celt,” and includes a quote … Continue reading →

Posted in Other people's blogs, Paganism, interfaith dialogue | 10 Comments

In Honour of Nature

Posted on October 23, 2008 by Carl McColman

In Honour of Nature: The Sacred Well in a New Time By Mary Shanahan Ballyheigue, Co. Kerry: Lumenium, 2007 Review by Carl McColman I love Irish holy wells. The sacred wells dedicated to St. Brigid in Kildare and Liscannor; Tobernault … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Catholicism, Celtic Christianity, Ireland, Paganism, Reviews, spirituality | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

In Between the Worlds

Posted on May 18, 2008 by Carl McColman

Yesterday while working at the Abbey Store I got a surprise: a man came in whom I recognized, but couldn’t quite place. We spoke, and he reminded me who he was. I knew him years ago, when I was active … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Mysticism, Paganism, interfaith dialogue, spirituality | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Quakers and Pagans

Posted on April 27, 2008 by Carl McColman

I’m briefly quoted in an interesting article on Neopagans who embrace Quaker spirituality. Cat Chapin-Bishop, who frequently hangs out at this blog and who is herself a Quaker Pagan, is featured in it as well.

Posted in Christianity, Paganism | Tagged , | 8 Comments

A Druid’s Final Resting Place?

Posted on February 15, 2008 by Carl McColman

My dear friend Judith alerted me to this fascinating news article: Possible Grave of a Druid found in the United Kingdom My only quibble with this article is its calling this archaeological find the “first” such evidence of a druid … Continue reading →

Posted in Current events, Paganism | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Pagan Christianity?

Posted on February 4, 2008 by Carl McColman

Pagan Christianity? Exploring the Roots of Our Church Practices Revised and Updated By Frank Viola and George Barna Carol Stream, IL: Barna (An Imprint of Tyndale House Publishers), 2008 Review by Carl McColman For years now, Neopagans have been joking … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Paganism, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , | 22 Comments

Magic and Miracles

Posted on January 3, 2008 by Carl McColman

Recently I was bemused by a review of one of my Neopagan books in which the critic, in panning the book, accused me of “not believing in magic.” I thought, “Well, if she means I don’t believe in magic the … Continue reading →

Posted in Paganism, spirituality | Tagged , , | 12 Comments

The Eve of Yule

Posted on December 21, 2007 by Carl McColman

Tonight will be longest night of the year. The exact solstice moment occurs at 1:08 AM Saturday morning, Atlanta time. So happy winter solstice, everyone! This means that at Newgrange in Ireland, probably starting yesterday and running through Monday, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Paganism | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Double Blasphemy

Posted on December 2, 2007 by Carl McColman

I went to see Beowulf last night. I thought it was pretty mediocre. Sure, it renders Grendel’s Mother as the hottest thing in a catsuit since Seven of Nine, but that’s hardly a commendation. Really, there’s not much to say … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Paganism, Reviews | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Pagans in the Pews

Posted on October 8, 2007 by Carl McColman

Here’s an encouraging report from theooze.com about an evangelical church in Salem, Massachusetts, that is working hard to create meaningful dialogue between Christians and Neopagans: Beyond the Pall

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