Laura Perry's Blog, page 18
September 23, 2015
Happy new year!
No, I haven't lost my mind. The Autumn Equinox is the agricultural new year in Mediterranean climates. This fact had an important effect on the ancient Minoans' calendar, for both their farming and their religion. Click through for the full article: Happy new year! (No, I haven't lost my mind.) No matter what season you're enjoying now, I wish you a lovely one! 
September 16, 2015
Ecstatic Body Postures: a book review
Today on the Minoan Path blog I'm reviewing a unique book: Ecstatic Body Postures by Belinda Gore. The short version is that I recommend it as a great resource for shamanic practice. But you should read my review to get all the details about this fascinating book: Ecstatic Body Postures: a book review 
September 14, 2015
Seasonal specials: online shopping fun
We talk a lot about supporting independent businesses instead of ‘big box’ stores and huge online corporations, but that’s not always easy. Small businesses, especially those that cater to niche audiences like the Pagan/Wiccan community, aren’t terribly visible online or on Main Street. Today I’m sharing some information with you to help combat that lack of visibility. I mean, if you're going to spend the money anyway, doesn't it feel good to know you're supporting independent local business
September 9, 2015
Capitalism and Evil
Does capitalism encourage evil? That’s a thought that occurred to me after my daughter asked me about my personal definition of evil. So first I had to solidify that definition. Even though I grew up surrounded by Christians, I never quite agreed with the idea that there is some sort of disembodied evil ‘out there’ waiting to corrupt us. As far back as I can remember, all the nasty stuff in the world came from selfish choices human beings made, on a small or large scale. So my definition
September 2, 2015
Shake your tree!
One of the stranger bits of Minoan religion that turns up in art from ancient Crete is the activity known as a 'tree-shaking ritual.' Weird, right? Nothing like it is known from anywhere else. In the process of examining the Archanes seal ring (above) closely for an art project, I had an idea about what those 'trees' might actually be and what the activity might really mean. Details and more pictures of tree-shaking fun on the Minoan Path blog: Shake your tree! In the name of the Bee - And
August 31, 2015
Long Spoons of Compassion
About 16 years ago, when I was organizing a 'new millennium' community ritual through the Goddess 2000 Project, I happened upon a story called the Allegory of the Long Spoons. I used it to introduce that community ritual, and in the years since then I've told it a number of times to small and large groups. It always touches people, and I think it's an important story to keep telling. The Allegory of the Long Spoons Adapted by Laura Perry This story is usually framed as a vision of
August 26, 2015
Thou art god/dess
During the winter holidays each year I choose a short saying that will be the focus of my meditation practice for the upcoming year, a bit of a twist on the idea of a new year's resolution. Every year I have found a great deal of meaning and depth in these simple sayings, from 'All life is one life' to 'Wherever you go, there you are.' This year I chose a sentence that is often repeated in the Pagan community: Thou art god/dess. (In other words, 'Thou art god' or 'Thou art goddess,'
August 19, 2015
A few spokes shy of a wheel?
Today on the Minoan Path blog, a few thoughts about the ancient Minoan sacred calendar - what we can know about it from archaeological evidence and how it relates (or doesn't) to the modern pagan wheel of the year. A few spokes shy of a wheel? 
August 12, 2015
Are we ecstasy deprived?
The modern world is full of wonderful inventions, but one thing the ancients had but that is largely missing from our lives today is ecstasy. What does this mean and what can we do about it? I've shared my thoughts on the subject here: Are we ecstasy deprived? [image error]
August 5, 2015
What are we harvesting?
Here in the northern hemisphere, it's the beginning of harvest season. We've just passed Lammas, the seasonal festival that is considered the First Harvest in several traditions. Where I live, that doesn't mean grain so much as watermelons, fresh herbs, and more zucchini than anyone knows what to do with (as well as the not-yet-mature hazelnuts you see in the photo). But of course, the concept of harvest is symbolic as well. It's common for people who follow earth-oriented spiritual traditions
