Buzz Coil: June '11

A look at some posts of interest from our blogroll and sometimes beyond:

Association for the Study of Women & Mythology: The June 6 post, "Goddess. Women. Cloth: Mary Kelly’s Keynote Presentation" is a report about the recent ASWM 2011 Midwest Symposium. The post begins with a look at Siberian textiles from 400 BCE. With pics.

Veleda: In her June 6 post, "A non-definition of ‘shamans’," Max Dashu writes that the cultural variability of "shaman" makes the word hard to define, and that the discussions about shamanism in various cultures are influenced by the prejudices against women’s participation. She continues:

This shamanic background is why “priestess” calls up ecstatic associations that authoritarian religions regard as illicit and even demonic, and why so many of these religions excluded women from priesthood. Some went so far as to bar women from the altar, from temples or their inner sanctuaries, or from other shrines. The patriarchal lens has also twisted interpretation of sacramental dance and entranced spirit mediums, claiming that they exhibit the “natural,” allegedly “passive” province of women (and queers, and colonized peoples, and other Others)....

Max also discusses socio-political factors involved. She then gives her description of "shaman" and discusses the shamanic initiation experience and shamanic practices.

Hecatedemeter: The blog formerly known as Hecate has moved to Wordpress and is titled "Hecatedemeter." Blogger Hecate’s June 23 post at her new digital home is "Potpourri," which includes thoughts about her Litha celebration, including which day she’d rather have off from work, the day of the holy day ritual or the day after. She also reports on Pagans who fight fires, her relationship with Goddess Columbia, Starhawk’s newest film project, and other news.

Dirt Worship: In "On Turning Sixty," her June 17 post, Starhawk writes about her latest birthday and about working on a film version of her novel, The Fifth Sacred Thing.

The Wild Hunt: "The Wild Hunt Joins Patheos," Jason Pitzl-Waters announced in his June 15 post, and explained why. The old url now will take you to his place on Patheos.com, but if you have a link to the Wild Hunt, you might want to change it to the new url just for the heck of it.

Panthea: Blogger Lisa’s June 22 post, "Dear Goddess" is a prayer "to end the suffering of children" and speaks about mothers, men, boys, fathers, gender stereotypes and "the souls of those who have been born unwanted and unloved by unhealthy parents." She bases her June 15 post, "Values of the Goddess," posted as part of "Pagan Values Month," on "the values I believe are taught to us by the Goddess as a living force of nature" as understood through the imagery of the Triple Goddess.

Driving Audhumla: In her June 8 post, "Coming Together, 50 years later," Victoria Slind-Flor writes about the 50th reunion of her Roman Catholic girls’ high school class in Seattle, including how things were back then. With an amazing grace towards the end.

Z Budapest Blog: Asking, "Will you be there?" in reference to the memorial service planned for the late Merlin Stone, Z recalls a visit to Susan B. Anthony’s home and then writes of the accomplishments of feminists. She wonders about the present and possible future, writing "There is not even a centralized mail list where we can reach all of us at once."

Glaux’s Nest: In her June 22 post,"So, Glaux...you like owls huh?" blogger Glaux writes about her close relationship to owls beginning in high school and continuing into her 30s.

Full Circle: Blogger Sia writes of caring for her ill mother as spiritual experience in her June 5 post, "Caregiving and Truth Telling,"

The Village Witch: In her June 9 post, "Talking About Prayer...right after church this morning," Byron Ballard writes about the continuation of a discussion about the the views and prayer practices of various members of Mother Grove Temple in Asheville NC. The discussion also included the pros and cons of being open about your spirituality.

Walking on Fire: Blogger Myfawnwy published in her June 21 post, "You Me Religion Blog Interview," an interview about her religious affiliations and views. The interview is also scheduled for publication later this year on another blog.

Did we miss an item you think is important? We’d like to know about it, so please leave it as a comment.