Catnip Brew

Episode 9 - Creating Original Traditions

Fortuna — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 12:14:24 +0000

Why do some Pagans create their own traditions? When is it necessary and when is it for the ego? Big thanks to Firemage and Foxfire of Pagan Parents on the Edge who wrote spectacularly considered responses. I talk a little about what I have been up to since the last show, I revisit the underlying question of this podcast: Can ritual, magic and witchcraft be separated from the religion?, and Fluffy gives pompom readings for two voters of The Wigglian Way at the Podcast Awards, Tammy and AquaTaz.

A reminder that we will be discussing your thoughts about initiation in Pagan traditions in the next show. Is Neo-Paganism better off as a non-mainstream religion and maintain its secrets among its followers, or initiates, or should we work to ensure that it has a future as a strong representative among other world religions? Please send your letters to fluffy@catnipbrew.com, preferably before Saturday, 22nd November, but even if it’s later, to give me some time to gather my notes.

This show’s musical feature is Anne Davis, with her song Come a Little Closer, courtesy of the Podsafe Music Network. (I keep hearing 34 seconds in as “Han Solo” when I think it should be, “it hung so low”!)

Episode 8 - Online Paganism Schools

Fortuna — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 02:24:22 +0000

I enrolled with The Firefly Academy this semester and got more than what I bargained for. Why are online schools (or websites and podcasts even) such fertile ground for ego-growing? Why did I not disenrol despite the dramas? Can we really get something out of them anyway?

Heartfelt thanks to HedonsDog, Celestite (my favourite Pagan blogger) and Auriane who emailed me about this show’s topic. My podcast would just be Fluffy scratching himself if it wasn’t for your contributions.

For Episode 9, I would be keen to do an episode on creating original traditions and paths. I have been overwhelmed with the number of traditions up on Witches’ Voice and just read Lupa’s path, Therioshamanism, over breakfast this morning. If you visit my own magical journal, you will find that is an area of great interest to me. It is not difficult to attribute the desire to create one’s own path to egoism, but I am interested in hearing your deeper thoughts on the matter, and whether or not it has ever been something you considered. Please send your comments to fluffy@catnipbrew.com before Saturday, 8th November to give me time to organise my notes for the next show.

Marc Enfroy’s beautiful piece, Mare Nostrum, was the feature this episode and is courtesy of the Podsafe Music Network.

Feedback - Online Paganism Schools

Fortuna — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 05:07:21 +0000

I am planning an upcoming episode on online Paganism schools. We all know (and abhor) the less-than-ethical ones that sell unsuspecting victims with low self-esteem a promise to make them all powerful for exorbitant prices.

However, for my next episode, I am interested in hearing your thoughts, opinions and experiences with good online schools on Paganism (if any). What is good about them? What could be even further improved? If they do not exist to your knowledge, tell me about what an ideal online learning community for you would look like.

Please send all your comments to fluffy@catnipbrew.com, or simply comment in this blog post, before Saturday, 25th October, 2008 to give me ample time to collate my notes. I await your responses with bated breath!

Episode 7 - Apathy and Disillusionment

Fortuna — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 14:16:05 +0000

In this episode, I talk about the periods where one can feel tired of or sceptical of the Craft. What do you do when you feel there is something missing? Why do some Pagans treat the spiritual journey as a 24/7 costume party? What are my deepest dreams and aspirations? I talk about Australian author, musician, Witch and reality TV host Fiona Horne and may or may not have mentioned Deborah Gray.

To offer fresh perspectives, I invited your comments for the first time, and received three very refreshing ones. Thank you immensely to Sylvia, Celestite and HedonsDog for sharing your experiences and insights and letting me use them on the show, and also to Thea and her husband for writing in and sharing with us your beautiful Spooks.

Music on today’s episode featured The Divine Madness with The Sorrow and If Tomorrow Comes and The Sleeper’s Opera with Old Death, all courtesy of the Podsafe Music Network.

Episode 6 - Generation Y-tches

Fortuna — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 08:12:52 +0000

Generation Y is what Australian, British and North American researchers are now generally calling those born between 1980 and 1994. So what does this mean for the Pagan community? What will this new cohort of Pagans likely desire in their practice and community?

Just a reminder to send your comments and ideas for my next show’s topic on doubt, scepticism or disillusionment in Pagan practice to fluffy@catnipbrew.com before next Saturday, 4th October, to be discussed in our episode.

This show’s beautiful musical feature is Ceili Moss, with their song Suil A Ruin, courtesy of the Podsafe Music Network.

Episode 5 - Pompoms and Paganism

Fortuna — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 03:43:51 +0000

An issue even more pertinent to Pomo Paganism is that of the crucial yet tenuous role of pompoms. Fluffy shares with you his divinatory technique, while I share some concerns I have had with mine. The remainder of the show then degenerated to mindless shout outs, in addition to those we mentioned in our recent last show, Jomo & Eagle from The Wigglian Way, The Fae and Celestite (who is part of a super exciting podcasting project coming to your mp3 players very soon, The Pointy Hat Society), and also those of you who have voted for us on Podcast Alley.

Just a reminder to send your comments and ideas for my future show’s topic on doubt, scepticism or disillusionment in your practice to fluffy@catnipbrew.com. We would love to hear your experiences.

I apologise for any sawing you will hear in the background. I have builders at the back of my apartment currently fitting in for us a new window frame, so please excuse the noise.

This episode’s bard is Damh the Bard with his song Lady of the Silver Wheel, courtesy of the Podsafe Music Network.

Episode 4 - Postmodernist Paganism

Fortuna — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 15:15:45 +0000

An intended relaxing mini-cast that turned out to be my most intellectual episode yet.

Have you ever wondered why we as human beings evolved from the more ancient civilisations of polytheistic religions, that is, religions that acknowledged the existence of multiple deities, to monotheistic religions, religions that recognised the existence of one deity, and now with the emergence of Paganism and Wicca, back to polytheism again? Have you wondered why despite the obvious benefits of presenting a rigorously managed, unified front, we have attracted so many people who prefer to walk their own path?

Thank you to HedonsDog and Coty for your encouragement to get us out of our rut, as well as Mojo and Sparrow for your kind mention on your show. This episode’s music feature is Emma Wallace (again), this time with her song For You, courtesy of the Podsafe Music Network.

Episode 3 - Wicca and Paganism for the Future

Fortuna — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 12:42:29 +0000

So what if we know the truth about Wicca’s inception? What does this mean for us as Wicca and Paganism enters the 21st Century? Can we separate ritual, magic and witchcraft from the religion? Should we?

Thank you to Kes, Barbara, Coty and TommyElf for your encouraging and heart-warming kind words.

This episode’s talented singer/composer is Kira Fontana, courtesy of the Podsafe Music Network.

Episode 2 - Disgraces to the Pagan Community

Fortuna — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 05:48:06 +0000

Goth emo’s dressed in tight, see-through black clothes and heavy silver pendants, pasty Medieval reenactors in Lord of the Rings costume and Mists of Avalon extras on Wife Swap. Why do they exist? What can we do about it? Why am I not expounding the truism that, “We are not all like this”?

This episode’s talented musician is Emma Wallace courtesy of the Podsafe Music Network.

Episode 1 - Pagan Podcasting and Introductions

Fortuna — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 08:25:04 +0000

On the very first episode of Catnip Brew, Fluffy and I discuss Pagan podcasting, what we believe is its value and what we feel we offer. We also take a little time to introduce who we are. We are very excited to be able to bring this to you and we encourage all listeners to send their questions, feedback and suggestions to fluffy@catnipbrew.com. If you do email Fluffy, please let him know if we can read your email on our show. Alternatively, you are more than welcome to comment on the show notes on the blog and Fluffy will do his best to reply to everyone his little paws can handle.

The song heard in this episode is Bliss, by Rob Costlow. His music can be found on both his official website, and the Podsafe Music Network.

Links to the Pagan podcasts that I sent my props out to can all be found on the sidebar to the left. I fervently recommend you to check them out.