Pride and Paganism in the 21st Century

Pride and Paganism in the 21st Century

Author: Melanie Marquis 

As one of the fastest growing and multi-faceted religions in America, Paganism has lately enjoyed more understanding and awareness from the mainstream community. Today, more Pagans than ever before choose to openly express their beliefs and practices. But what led to these changes?

I talked to many of today’s most notable Witches and Pagans, those who have been legends for decades, and those on the cutting edge of the modern Craft, to find out where the magical community stands today in terms of openness, expression, and public understanding, and to shed some light on how we got here.

“Hiding one’s magickal inclinations can be detrimental, ” says Raven Digitalis, Neopagan Priest, Gothic DJ, and author of Goth Craft (Llewellyn 2007) and Shadow Magick Compendium (Llewellyn Sept. 2008).

“It can be mysterious to a point, and perhaps manageable if someone only dabbles in charmery or kitchen witchery, but for someone who lives the magickal lifestyle, hiding and denying this part of one’s constitution can reinforce ideas of shame and insecurity, which builds up and can become suffocating over time. I have never hidden my beliefs, practices, or lifestyles; I simply see no need to do so unless the self-protective necessity is absolutely dire, which is the case for a handful of individuals.”

Considering that handful used to be a gigantic armload or two, we’ve come a long way.

Gwinevere Rain, college student and author of Llewellyn titles Spellcraft for Teens, Moonbeams and Shooting Stars, and Confessions of a Teenage Witch, is the founder and Editor of Copper Moon, http://www.copper-moon.com, an ezine for Wiccan and Pagan young adults. “I think that my generation and those younger than myself are more open about being Wiccan, ” she says. “I hope that ‘staying in the broom closet’ is a fading custom, but I guess, only time will tell.”

Early Pagan leaders like Circle Sanctuary’s Reverend Selena Fox, who organized one of the U.S.’s first officially recognized Wiccan churches, and spearheaded the ultimately successful effort to get the U.S. military to recognize the Pentacle as a religious symbol that can be used on military graves, have been catalysts in the evolution of modern Paganism, speaking out about their beliefs in a time when doing so entailed a lot more risk and a greater amount of boldness and bravery than it generally does today. They’ve witnessed firsthand how Paganism has transformed over the years, and they offer insight into the forces behind that change.

“Since its revival in the mid-20th century, ” says the Reverend Selena Fox, “Paganism has grown in size, scope, diversity, maturity, and visibility. The quest for equal rights for Pagans in the USA and in some other countries has had many successes through the years due to the combined efforts of those of many traditions.”

Carl “Llewellyn” Weschcke, current Chairman of Llewellyn Worldwide, the U.S.’s largest and oldest New Age/Occult/Magick publishing house, has been a major force in educating our communities about Paganism for decades, through the countless books published by his company, and also through his own willingness to be a Pagan in the public eye in the 1960’s and 1970’s, his magical and metaphysical practices and beliefs being the focus of media attention for many years. Commenting on the changes he’s seen regarding the Pagan community, Carl points out that even the word “Pagan” has much different connotations today than it did in the past:

“People may challenge our beliefs, ” he says, “but there is far more respect today for ‘alternative spirituality’ than 50 years ago, and when we use the word ‘Pagan’ today, most people know what we’re talking about. The basic change is that “Pagan” no longer means just ‘non-Christian, ’ or worse, ‘anti-Christian, ’ but is more often recognized as “alternative spirituality.” Paganism shares very little with Indian or Japanese Buddhism, for example, as non-Christian religions. On the other hand, Japanese Shinto does compare comfortably with European and American Paganism.

As a further point, ” he says, “modern Paganism is much more than Celtic spirituality and more and more is inclusive of Nordic, Germanic, Spanish, Italian, Greek, and on to Egyptian and African Spiritism, to Mayan and Afro-Caribbean, and native American traditions. “Paganism” has become a word for Earth-based spirituality – with nurturance of Nature and non-human life, visible and invisible, as key principles. Not all non-Christian religions share that with Paganism.”

“There are obviously several factors at work, ” says Ray Buckland, who is known as The Father of American Wicca due to his enormous role in introducing Witchcraft to the U.S. “Number one is probably the education that people of today have, both in general and specifically regarding paganism. They are more inclined to think for themselves and to take an interest in and express that interest regardless of what others may think or say. With the knowledge of what paganism – and especially Neo-Paganism – is, there is not the fear of being branded as a tool of Satan! There seems to be more of a thirst for knowledge these days, than in earlier generations. All of this, in turn, has led to the openness of mass media to previously occult subjects that, in turn, have led to more seeking and enquiring about what is presented.

“In the past there has always been a general fear about this whole field; that fear due to ignorance as to what was involved. It is by examining and learning all about a subject that such fear is erased. With today’s Internet access, among other things, there is the ability for anyone to research anything. In the “early days” of Neo-Paganism, Wicca, and the like, a few “pioneers” set out to straighten misconceptions and to show what was really believed and practiced. I think that started the ball rolling and today, with computer access so readily available, the ball (of enlightenment) is now traveling at very high speed!”

Brian Ewing, Membership Coordinator of the Pagan Pride Project that organizes large public gatherings, reports that their events are growing in popularity, with tens of thousands participating in activities each year around the world. Like Ray Buckland, he also credits the Internet with helping to facilitate some of that growth. The Pagan Pride Project’s website at http://www.paganpride.org serves as a source of information and a means of communication for people interested in the project.

“The Internet and email lists greatly facilitated the growth of the Project, ” he says. “Being able to connect quickly, despite living in different cities, and finding out about each other’s plans and existing events, helped us band together.

“The Internet also helps us advertise our events more widely, and for less money, than was possible in the past. In this way, we attract more people to our events. I also believe that Pagan events, including our own, are growing rapidly because our religion is now growing rapidly. We reached some kind of critical point, when there was enough practicing Pagans that they wanted to hold larger events where they could practice and worship together.

“Lastly, Pagan Pride events, and probably other events, were partly galvanized by the election of George W. Bush, and the fear that a neo-conservative administration would adversely affect our movement. I remember in 1999 George W. Bush and Congressman Bob Barr were both making some pretty negative comments about Paganism. People responded to that by writing to newspaper opinion sections and starting events such as Pagan Pride Days.”

Thriving and ready to take action, it seems that today’s Pagan community has undergone a lot of positive changes in recent years. Of course, not all the changes are seen as positive.

Flash Silvermoon, creator of The Wise Woman’s Tarot, a matriarchal Tarot deck, describes some of the negative changes she’s seen in the Pagan movement.

“One of the main differences that I see in the changes within and without this movement if you will is the fact that most of the movers and shakers in the early 70’s were powerful women, and most specifically, the Dianic branch of Wicca.

“This rising tide of Women’s Spirituality blended a Goddess centered Spirituality with Feminism, which is really humanism when you get down to it. The Womanspirit Movement swept through the country like wildfire, creating a more fluid and anarchistic style of Goddess Worship than some of the more traditional Wiccans.

“One of the problems that I have seen with the new mixed Pagan groups is that most are not at all really reverent of the Goddess or women. The talk is there but the walk is not, and most of the Pagan fests that I have attended bear the same old world sexist practices of male domination and sexual objectification of women. I realize that this can’t be totally true of all the new pagan groups but it sure seems to predominate. Even the women in some of these groups can tend to be very hierarchical.”

However, the Pagan faiths still generally enjoy a reputation of equality and respect for both sexes. Copper Moon’s Gwinevere Rain explains, “I was first attracted to Wicca because it was very empowering. It showed women being equal to men; additionally, the idea of magick was so appealing to me. The religion represented everything I wanted: to be equal, empowered, and spiritually comforted.”

So where do Wicca and the other branches of Paganism stand today? Have we really moved past a need for secrecy and concealment?

“I have had mail from guys in prisons who are openly allowed to practice their craft, ” says Ly de Angeles, outspoken environmentalist, screenwriter, and Australian author of Tarot Theory and Practice (Llewellyn 2007) and the collaborative work, Pagan Visions of a Sustainable Future (Llewellyn 2008). “I have also had a long connection with another guy who is in the US army, and I am very aware that Wicca (not Witchcraft) is a recognized religion and yet … the open expression of Paganism is still seen as fluff and twaddle by most; a bunch of very evil people by others.”

Gwinevere Rain agrees that negative and false stereotypes still exist. “I hope that the stereotypes about Wiccans and Witches are changing, ” she says. “It used to be that people’s vision of a witch was a green old hag; now that that has subsided, other images are at the forefront of people’s minds. It seems that one of the persistent false stereotypes is of real witches seeking to hurt people by casting hexes and curses.”

Because of such myths, some Pagans are deterred from expressing their beliefs openly. Christopher Penczak, teacher of magick and author of the popular Temple of Witchcraft series published by Llewellyn Worldwide, explains, “I think we are blessed to live in a time and place where more Pagans feel comfortable being out of the broom closet. While it’s important to be grateful for great strides we have taken in the recent decades, it’s also important to remember that not all Pagans and Witches have the same freedom, both across the world, and even in more conservative areas of the United States. Thankfully, most of us can live openly if we desire, and I think most pagans who can do so safely, do live an open life.”

When I asked Carl “Llewellyn” Weschcke if he feels that Pagans today are more open about expressing our beliefs, he also pointed out that where we are has a lot to do with it. “The best I can do for a short answer is to presume that today most of us are relatively comfortable in speaking about being Pagan in most selective social environments, ” he explains. “In other words, we can’t be particularly comfortable as Pagans at a Baptist convention, but we are comfortable doing so in our family and familiar social environment.”

The Pagan Pride Project’s Brian Ewing states, “The rapid growth of Pagan events, including Pagan Pride Days and many others, has allowed people to reveal their practices in public. But there are still many Pagans who practice in private, because there are occasional, but very real, instances of discrimination in the workplace or among neighbors.”

Brian reports that their events have been fairly well received by the public. He recounts only one protestor that he’s personally seen, at an event in Los Angeles. The protestor simply held a sign that read “Jesus Saves” on one side, and something about “You’re going to Hell” on the other side.

Raven Digitalis, who likes to host community worship circles in his hometown of Missoula, Missouri, reports that his gatherings have not attracted serious protest. “We are getting quite an outer circle going on! We have even performed some circles in the yard, ” he says.

“Living on a busy street, many cars have witnessed this; the reactions have been varied. Most people in this case simply drive by and look strangely, while others stop their cars to watch. It hasn’t escalated beyond that, luckily, though nearly all of our circles are now held in private places because the ‘public’ energetic exchange should only be reserved for certain times, places, and intentions.”

Tierro, lead guitarist and producer of the international Pagan tribal psychedelic rock band Kan’Nal, recalls an incident where his band encountered “polite” discrimination:

“Kan’Nal was booked to play a high end ‘Captain Planet’ fund raiser in Atlanta last year. The booking agent delicately requested that we not do anything ‘Pagan Like’ on stage in fear of offending the guests. We all laughed as if of course we would behave, but never said we would not… As far as I am concerned, the act of being born is a pagan act; it proves our equality and connection to the animals, plants, and the mysteries of the universe. To breathe is a pagan act, for we breathe together with the trees, fish, birds and bees. To experience joy, love, sorrow and loss is a pagan act, for all these emotions are reflected in the animal and plant kingdoms. So to show up and rock out a Kan’Nal set … well that alone is definitely a pagan act.”

So what is it about our religion that stirs our passions to the point that we want to speak out about it, wave our wands in the face of dissent and proclaim our magical faith to a world that, despite an increase in public awareness of what Paganism truly is, still couldn’t hardly care less? Says Christopher Penczak, “The more witches we have out and open, the more it becomes ‘normal’.”

Raven Digitalis expresses a similar sentiment. “It shatters commonly-held notions for a person to see a ‘Witch’ looking and behaving like a (relatively) ordinary person, ” says Raven. “When people learn about the validity of the modern Craft, it brings a modern and more realistic context to an antiquated stereotype. People see us operating and functioning and being progressive in our own lives, and not choosing to hide ourselves (and not having many adverse responses as a result), which can encourage others to do the same.”

Gwinevere Rain first started writing about Paganism when she was 14 years old, publishing articles in Cauldrons and Broomsticks. “I wanted to show others that young Wiccans can be as serious about religion as adults, ” says Gwinevere. “At the time there were many stereotypes about young practitioners just practicing Wicca to be ‘cool.’ I wanted to help counteract this misconception. For me, it’s worth being open or ‘out of the broom closet’ because Wicca is a part of who I am. I don’t want to hide a significant part of myself.”

Of course, not everyone wants to be open about his or her Pagan faith. Says Gwinevere, “It is important to do what is best for yourself and not succumb to any pressure within the magical community. Just remember that everyone moves at their own pace and you may not be ready to become an outspoken figure of this beautiful religion.”

Christopher Penczak stresses that the individual’s chosen path should be respected: “We should respect our sisters and brothers who wish to be secretive, as the spiritual path is a personal, and sometimes secretive, path. We cannot decide to out someone who wishes to remain private.”

Raven Digitalis emphasizes that the ways we express our beliefs to others should be appropriate for the person we are talking to. Says Raven, “There is always a balance. I believe that people should be communicated and interacted with based on their own levels of understanding. Whereas it might be appropriate to call oneself a ‘Witch’ to someone familiar with magick, it might be better to call oneself a ‘Wiccan’ or ‘Pagan’ or even ‘Earth-honoring Healer’ to someone else, who instead understands the definition of that vocabulary.”

So, what does the future hold for Paganism? How can we publicly express our beliefs in a way that ensures the well-being and growth of our community? “One of the best ways of showing Wiccan/Witch pride is to be a good person, ” says Gwinevere Rain. “Society will catch up with us if we make a collective effort to be kind, healthy, and smart people.”

Ly de Angeles also says that responsible actions are key. Ly explains, “The open expression of Paganism and magical beliefs, in my opinion, needs to be backed with very real and credible behavior, as I have seen way too much hubris and listened to way too much jargon and sheer wankery. I apologize to those who are not that way (and you are many) but the rest really need to look to what you wish to achieve for the greater community of Paganism in the future. Education and knowledge in diverse areas is the key. Acting on that is a way through. I suggest we enter the sciences, politics, the education system, as well as the Green movement.” She also shares a warning: “I am disturbed by the rising tide of radical right-wing fundamentalism, in the USA in particular, and suggest it may be very necessary for openly expressed Pagans to watch their constitutional backs in the future. This is not paranoia but prophecy, darling.”

The Wise Woman’s Tarot creator Flash Silvermoon comments that respect for women is integral. “To my thinking, ” she says, ”one earns their position through study, dedication and commitment, and if one truly loves and worships the Goddess, then women must be more empowered and respected as Her surrogate.”

Raven Digitalis is hopeful about the future of modern Paganism. Says Raven, “I think Neopaganism is becoming more and more personal and personalized every day. As more and more people are drawn to the ways of magick, self-empowerment, and mysticism, personalizing one’s own beliefs and practices will serve to allow the Pagan movement to grow and establish itself with much fuel and dedication behind it.”

The Reverend Selena Fox of Circle Sanctuary puts it in a way that resonates throughout the heart of Paganism: “It is important that Pagans of many paths and places continue to find ways to work together in our quest for freedom and in bringing more health and balance to the greater Circle of Nature of which we are all part.”

Perceptions of Pagans: What Are People Afraid Of?

Perceptions of Pagans: What Are People Afraid Of?

Author: Ares Hearthfire 

It is amazing to me that 30-plus years after the late Dr. Leo Martello won his right to hold a ritual in Central Park we still have to come back to discussing how we are perceived. The public at large is not afraid of our religion. No, most of them tend to let us be and mind their own business. I say that with certainty since that is human nature. However, there are still those that fear…or do they?

It seems that every few weeks there are more stories mentioning Witches, Wiccans or Pagans in general. While most of the articles are now positive and informative, there are still those that report that so and so of blah blah blah church held a meeting that people are going to the devil. In listening to them talk we find that they really do not fear us. They fear the loss of their own voice.

One reason why many see the Christian extremists in this country demanding that laws be made to support the Judeo-Christian belief system is that they can feel the changes coming. Just like us, they open the same papers and do the same Internet searches and find so many articles and sites discussing Pagans. We are all humans after all; it is not like we have different sources of news and information!

They, like us, can plainly see that there has been a rise in articles and hence, a rise in the amount of Pagans there must be. While many complain that these people see the devil in all things not Christian, I feel that is very much another reason that they perceive us differently. They do not care about reading what Pagans believe. What we believe does not matter. It is not our beliefs that bother these extremists. It is the fact that we exist and breathe. There really is no logic in this.

The goal of these groups and people is not to slander our paths. That actually is just a means to an end. They simply want to make sure that people keep following their ideas. They have been brought up in regions where there has been nothing more than pure homogeneity. Almost everyone in their communities was the same in terms of race and religion. In reality, they simply fear change. For some reason they are just resisting the tides of change that are happening in the communities. It is the change that they truly fear, not us.

In general, most people are very accepting of our beliefs. There have been Pagans serving with and even as heads of interfaith organizations for over ten years. The organizations that they have sat with and chaired accepted their membership. From this it can be implied that clergy of many other religions have absolutely no problem with the Pagan path. Indeed, many are intrigued and want to learn more about it themselves. This type of inclusion would have been impossible to dream of several decades ago. This shows a great deal of progress. After all, if you can gain acceptance of some shepherds you also gain the acceptance of their flocks.

During Samhain season, it seems that almost every newspaper in America interviews a Witch. Most of these reports are positive. While some still include words like “warlock” and may describe some practices as “hokey,” we cannot let that blind us as to what is truly being said. Since many of the journalists do not read books on Witches or Wicca they would not know what “warlock” means to us. Since they do not tell us every word they are using, we cannot correct them ahead of time.

Behind the semantics, they still report normal people doing things a little differently. They may seem hokey to those that do not practice our faiths, but they do see that we are not harming anything and have fun doing what we do. That is the point! The general public is not stupid. They do not care what we do, as long as they see we are open to people watching and reporting they will begin to trust us.

In some parts of the country being a Wiccan is not even a big deal. Here in New York the Covenant of the Goddess used to have a local council, however the “Gotham” council was disbanded. Simply put, the community here is accepting of us already so the need is not there. Pagan shops operate without opposition, festivals happen in major parks with no protestors showing up at all. While this may not be the case in some areas, things do take time!

Remember, a long time ago it was the cities that converted to a new faith and the country dwellers were slow to follow. Now times are changing, history is repeating. The cities are becoming more accepting of their Pagan residents and the rural folk are coming around, but slower. We can see plainly through the media and the interviews in these more rural locations that the general consensus is favoring acceptance. The majority will only grow larger over time.

All we need is to do what we are currently doing and a lot more of it. We need to take ourselves seriously. We should indicate our religion when the census is taken. We should take part in political campaigns and send letters to the elected officials. Whenever we see an article that is not positive, we should send letters to the paper…even if it is not a local one! More than everything else we should make Pagan Pride Day every day of the year. Always be proud of who you are as a person and as a Pagan. For every voice that is willing to speak there is always a larger audience of people that are willing to hear.

In conclusion, the people that fear us do not fear us for what we believe or how we practice. This information is readily available to anyone that wants to read it. The general populace is becoming more and more accepting of our beliefs. Interfaith groups are accepting Pagans as members and leaders. We as Pagans always talk about the past; we remember the burning times and the witch-hunts. We should also remember that those in the country come around slower to new ideas, but after a time they will begin to accept them.

Ares Hearthfire

For Those Seeking Further Info on the Indigo Children…

I have to truly thank the lady that asked me about the Indigo Children. I scanned over the articles as I was posting them and I learned quite a bit. So thank you, my dear lady.

I ran across two sites that might be of interest to those seeking information on the Indigo Children. Oh, one more thing, when doing research on the Indigo Children, you might want to do a search on Star Child also. I remember reading on the Skeptic’s Dictionary that they were associating the two together. Might be worth checking out.

Below you will find the two website. I hope I have been of some help to you or at least pointed you in the right direction.

 

The Indigo Children’s Website

 

the Skeptic Dictionary

 

If I can offer assistance in any other way, please let me know.

Excerpt from the Current Wikipedia Article & The Changes That Need To Be Made To It…

CURRENT WIKIPEDIA PAGE (March 6 2009)

In the New Age movement, indigo children are children who are believed to represent a higher state of human evolution. The term itself is a reference to the belief that such children have an indigo-colored aura.Beliefs concerning the exact nature of indigo children vary, with some believing that they have paranormal abilities such as the ability to read minds, and others that they are distinguished from non-indigo children merely by more conventional traits such as increased empathy and creativity.

There is no scientific support for these claims.

The term indigo children originates from the 1982 book Understanding Your Life Through Color, by Nancy Ann Tappe, a self-styled synesthete and psychic, who claimed to possess the ability to perceive human auras. She wrote that during the mid 1960s she began noticing that many children were being born with indigo auras. Today she estimates that 60% of people age 14 to 25 and 97% of children under ten are “indigo.”

The idea of indigo children was later popularized by the 1998 book The Indigo Children: The New Kids Have Arrived, written by the husband-and-wife team of Lee Carroll and Jan Tober. According to Carroll he learned about the concept of indigo children while channeling a being known as Kryon, Master angelic energy. Tober has said that she and Carroll do not talk much about Kryon in interviews because they see this as being a potential barrier to reaching more mainstream audiences that exist outside of the New Age movement.

Further reading

Redman, Deb (2001). “Investing in Adult Understanding of Special Children.” Chicago: Project Legacy.
Lancaster, Dianne (2002). Anger and the Indigo Child. Boulder: Wellness Press.
Carroll, Lee and Tober, Jan (1999). “The Indigo Children.” California: Hay House, INC.

———-

DESIRED CHANGES:

The indigo children are children who are believed to represent a higher state of human evolution. The term itself was generated by a woman (Nancy Tappe), a synesthete who saw the indigo color as part of her synethesia. Beliefs concerning the exact nature of indigo children vary, with some believing that they have paranormal abilities such as the ability to read minds, however this is not what the authors of the original books have indicated. The original information indicates more conventional traits such as increased empathy and creativity, as well as conceptual thinking as apposed to linear thinking.

There is no scientific support for these claims.

The term indigo children originates from the 1982 book Understanding Your Life Through Color, by Nancy Ann Tappe, a synesthete who claimed to possess the ability to perceive human energy through color. She wrote that during the mid 1960s she began noticing that many children were being born with indigo colors surrounding them. Today she estimates that 60% of people age 14 to 25 and 97% of children under ten are “indigo.”

The idea of indigo children was later popularized by the 1998 book The Indigo Children: The New Kids Have Arrived, written by Lee Carroll and Jan Tober. Tober has said that she and Carroll do not talk much about his channelling abilities in interviews because they see this as being a potential barrier to reaching more mainstream audiences that exist outside of the New Age movement.

 

Further reading

Redman, Deb (2001). “Investing in Adult Understanding of Special Children.” Chicago: Project Legacy.
Lancaster, Dianne (2002). Anger and the Indigo Child. Boulder: Wellness Press.
Carroll, Lee and Tober, Jan (1999). “The Indigo Children.” California: Hay House, INC. / (2000) “An Indigo Celebration.” California: Hay House, INC. / (2009) “The Indigo Children Ten Years Later.” California: Hay House, INC.

 

Source:

The Indigo Children’s Website

If You Search on Wikipedia for the Indigo Children Be Warned

Wikipedia Warning!

An editorial Blog from Lee Carroll

Co-Author of “The Indigo Children,” “An Indigo Celebration,” and “The Indigo Children Ten Years Later.”

The interactive on-line encyclopedia called Wikipedia
is not representing the Indigo Children subject accurately.

The whole idea of on on-line encyclopedia is actually a very good one, for the concept is that a collective informational base would always be better than even the best expert. That’s what WIKIPEDIA is. It’s an idea that has merit, in that there are many people who know a whole lot about things that others wouldn’t know. The whole enclyclopedia is interactive, in that anyone can make changes to hopefully facilitate a greater knowledge-base for the planet. I celebrate the courage of those who have put this very popular website together.

Unfortunately the implementation of the editing process is filled with flaws. There is no way to verify the edits. In addition, if you are a knowledgeable person with good factual changes, others might have a bias that then erases the changes and creates an “editing war” of ideas. Some of these Wikipedia volunteers have nothing better to do than scan the pages of their bias interest, and constantly change things back to what they want them to say. They spend hours a day doing just that.

It would be great if Wikipedia had some kind of place where you could go to be validated as an expert, or an author, or to be checked out, but they don’t. The logistics of this would take thousands of hours and the cost would be prohibitive. So we get what we get, and Wikipedia becomes a place that almost all educators know is flawed, and most teachers never recommend it for students, and will not accept it as a source in educational study or student reports.

If you reference “The Indigo Children” on Wikipedia, you will get a page filled with misinformation and bias… the first being that they have placed the subject as “New Age” information. It isn’t, and never was.

The page goes on to give classic misinformation, the very thing we placed on the back cover of our last book as a teaser to help people understand what Indigo Children really are, and are not:

“The Indigo Children? Oh yeah… I know about them!
They’re those special kids who do psychic things and who have dark blue auras, right?”

 

Wikipedia says they are… you guessed it… psychic New Age kids with dark blue auras… the very misinformation that we have been trying to correct in mass media for a decade.

The Indigo Children are a main-stream issue. They were named by a woman (Nancy Tappe) who is a synesthete (one who has synethesia), and not by a psychic who saw an aura. In fact, auras have nothing whatsoever to do with Indigo Children. We believe these children are the beginning of a new consciousness, an actual change in Human nature, and many around the world are also seeing it. Educators, day-care workers, and parents are all stepping up to the plate to become advocates of this phenomenon. In the last 10 years, the Indigo Books have sold almost one million copies in 24 languages… humanity is obviously relating to this issue in very large numbers.

ADD and ADHT continue to rage and grow in an exponential way, indicating even to the medical community that “something is different.” But truly, there is no science behind it, and it’s all experiential. We know that, but there is so much real life evidence that we also believe that we are seeing a shift in Human nature that is very real.

When I tried to change the Wikipedia page, I was gentle. I only changed the aura part, didn’t touch the biased criticism, and didn’t change the part where they said it was very commercial, and very New Age. I wanted to… (big pharma is where the real commerciality is… with Ritalin) but that would add bias. I also added our last book to the references. So it was a mild, factual edit, given by the author (me) who introduced Nancy Tappe to the earth, and championed the term Indigo Children.

My changes were rejected, not once but three times. Even the new Indigo book listing was removed (like it doesn’t exist?) The second time, I gave my references, asked them to email the publisher Hay House (for verification that I was trying to change the page), giving them the URL of the official Indigo web site, and asking them to even contact this very website and get validation from those listed on the site as contacts. Even so, the page kept being reverted. They were not interested in the facts and obviously didn’t want to do the checking.

So therefore this warning:

Wikipedia is not a fair representation of the Indigo Children subject, and has volunteers who are biased and will not even allow for gentle editing from the author, to create factual informational updates. Based on our experience we feel it should therefore not be used as a source for anything meaningful. There are too many biased hands in the pot of editing, and the information is therefore suspect.

 

This is sad for the Indigo Children subject, since it keeps many from looking at it and helping the children who obviously could care less about an “editing war.” They only know they are different, and are looking for guidance. Again, our goal is not to sell you a book, but rather to help educate those who are dealing with children of new consciounsess.

Tell your friends. Perhaps there is some Wikipedia wizard out there who can actually change the page to be accurate, and who won’t get buried under the flow of those who don’t want it changed? You never know.

Wikipedia information below. Current and desired.

Thank you!

LEE CARROLL

 

Source:

The Indigo Children’s Website

So What Actually Is An Indigo Child?

What is an indigo Child?

As a summary, here are the ten attributes that best describe this new kind of child, the Indigo Child
  • They come into the world with a feeling of royalty (and often act like it)
  • They have a feeling of “deserving to be here,” and are surprised when others don’t share that.
  • Self-worth is not a big issue. They often tell the parents “who they are.”
  • They have difficulty with absolute authority (authority without explanation or choice).
  • They simply will not do certain things; for example, waiting in line is difficult for them.
  • They get frustrated with systems that are ritually oriented and don’t require creative thought.
  • They often see better ways of doing things, both at home and in school, which makes them seem like “system busters” (nonconforming to any system).
  • They seem antisocial unless they are with their own kind. If there are no others of like consciousness around them, they often turn inward, feeling like no other human understands them. School is often extremely difficult for them socially.
  • They will not respond to “guilt” discipline (“Wait till your father gets home and finds out what you did”).
  • They are not shy in letting you know what they need.

    and… just in case you heard otherwise from other “indigo” sources, the designated word “Indigo” has nothing to do with the color of an aura! It is the result of scientific observations by a woman who has the brain disorder called synesthesia.

 

Source:

The Indigo Children’s Website

How to Recognize the Indigo Child

How to Recognize the Indigo Child

The Indigo Child is recognizable by his or her aura and by certain other traits, according to The Indigo Children website (owned by Kryon Writings).

They come into the world with a feeling of royalty (and often act like it)

They have a feeling of “deserving to be here,” and are surprised when others don’t share that.

Self-worth is not a big issue. They often tell the parents “who they are.”

 They have difficulty with absolute authority (authority without explanation or choice).

They simply will not do certain things; for example, waiting in line is difficult for them.

They get frustrated with systems that are ritually oriented and don’t require creative thought.

They often see better ways of doing things, both at home and in school, which makes them seem like “system busters” (nonconforming to any system).

They seem antisocial unless they are with their own kind. If there are no others of like consciousness around them, they often turn inward, feeling like no other human understands them. School is often extremely difficult for them socially.

They will not respond to “guilt” discipline (“Wait till your father gets home and finds out what you did”).

They are not shy in letting you know what they need.

(For some examples of a few parents in the Houston area who have identified their children as Indigos, see Krider 2002. The children don’t necessarily agree with the parents’ assessments.)

One can understand why many parents would not want their child to be labeled as ADD or ADHD. The label implies imperfection. Some may even take it to mean the child is “damaged.” Specifically, it means your child’s behavior is due to a neuro-biological condition. To some, this is the same as having a malfunctioning brain or a mental disorder. Understandably, emotions run high here. Treatment of children with problems is a hot button issue for the mass media, attack lawyers, talk show hosts, columnists, and others not known for their role in clarifying complicated scientific or medical matters. Many jump on the bandwagon and attack the drug industry and psychiatrists for overdrugging our children. Opposition is fruitless, because few will listen to those who would defend those who “abuse” children. Fewer still will bother to investigate to see whether the critics know what they are talking about.

The National Institute of Mental Health says that ADHD is the most commonly diagnosed childhood disorder. It affects some 3 to 5 percent of all school-age children. (David Kaiser says 10% of school-age children have been diagnosed with ADD/ADHD and that in some parts of the country 50% of the children are so diagnosed.) With so many children affected, it should be easy to find cases of misdiagnosis, inappropriate treatment, adverse drug reaction, and so on. Anecdotes of abuse, however, should not substitute for scientific studies or clinical observations by the professionals who treat these children on a daily basis. But we all know that an anecdote told on Oprah or Larry King Live by Arianna Huffington or Hilary Clinton is much more powerful than a controlled scientific study. Yet, those scientific studies must be done. Ritalin has been around since 1950, yet there are no long-term  studies I am aware of that show it is safe, effective, or better than any alternative. The support for its prescription comes mostly from those in the trenches, the practitioners who treat the millions of children and adults with AD/HD. Support also comes from Ritalin’s manufacturer, New Jersey-based Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp., which says the drug “has been used safely and effectively in the treatment of millions of ADHD patients for over 40 years,” attested by the results of 170 studies (Donohue). However, Novartis is hardly a disinterested party.

In any case, no matter how many long-term studies are done that find nothing spectacularly wrong with Ritalin, there will always be the possibility that the next one will find something horrible. For example, “researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, say their study, tracking ADHD youths into adulthood, has found a connection between Ritalin use and later abuse of tobacco, cocaine and other stimulants” (Donohue 2000). Is the connection strong enough to warrant worry? How can we be sure it wasn’t the ADHD, rather than the Ritalin, that was the main basis for the connection?

The hype and near-hysteria surrounding the use of Ritalin has contributed to an atmosphere that makes it possible for a book like Indigo Children to be taken seriously. Given the choice, who wouldn’t rather believe their children are special and chosen for some high mission rather than that they have a brain disorder? 

Source:

the Skeptic’s Dictionary

 

Indigo child

Indigo child

The term “Indigo Child” comes from psychic and synesthete Nancy Ann Tappe, who classified people’s personalities according to the hue of their auras.*

Usually each universal age is accompanied by a preponderance of people with that life color. For instance now most adults are either Blue or Violet, the two colors with the attributes most needed in this the Violet Age of transition. During the next age, the Indigo Age, Indigo colors will be the norm (Understanding Your Life Through Color 1982).

According to Tappe,

The Indigo phenomenon has been recognized as one of the most exciting changes in human nature ever documented in society. The Indigo label describes the energy pattern of human behavior which exists in over 95% of the children born in the last 10 years … This phenomena is happening globally and eventually the Indigos will replace all other colors. As small children, Indigo’s are easy to recognize by their unusually large, clear eyes. Extremely bright, precocious children with an amazing memory and a strong desire to live instinctively, these children of the next millennium are sensitive, gifted souls with an evolved consciousness who have come here to help change the vibrations of our lives and create one land, one globe and one species. They are our bridge to the future.*

According to Peggy Day and Susan Gale, the emergence of the Indigo children was foretold by Edgar Cayce long before Tappe’s aura labeling.

The Indigo Children is a book by Lee Carroll, a channeler for an entity he calls Kryon, and his wife Jan Tober.

Carroll was an economics major who ran a technical audio business for 30 years until a visit to a psychic prompted a New Age midlife crisis. He found religion and started traveling around the world giving “self-help” seminars. Accompanying him was Tober, a practitioner of metaphysics and hands-on healing as well as a jazz singer who had toured with Benny Goodman and Fred Astaire (Krider 2002).

Kyron has revealed such important messages as “love is the most powerful force in the entire universe.” Carroll and Tober travel the world putting on Kryon seminars. Kryon has many interests, including the Universal Calibration Lattice and EMF Balancing (empowerment through knowledge of your electromagnetic nature, i.e., how to manage your energy field which consist of “fibers of light and energy”).

One thesis of The Indigo Children seems to be that many children diagnosed as having attention deficit disorder (ADD) or ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) represent “a new kind of evolution of humanity.”* These children don’t need drugs like Ritalin, but special care and training. The book consists of dozens of articles by authors from many walks of life. It is, accordingly, inconsistent and uneven in quality of analysis and advice. Nancy Ann Tappe is a contributor. One of the authors is Robert Gerard, Ph.D., whose piece is called “Emissaries from Heaven.” He believes his daughter is an Indigo Child. He also thinks “Most Indigos see angels and other beings in the etheric.” He runs Oughten House Foundation, Inc., and sells angel cards. Another contributor is Doreen Virtue, an advocate of angel therapy who has found an even further evolved generation of children is now emerging: the Crystal children.  

Not all the contributors are on the fringe of New Age metaphysics, however. For example, Dr. Judith Spitler McKee is a former preschool and elementary teacher and retired Eastern Michigan University professor. She spends her time trying to interest children in reading.

Source:

the Skeptic’s Dictionary

 

Indigo children

A while back I had someone ask me about “Indigo Children..” I hate to admit it but she stumped me. But I don’t claim to know every either (witchcraft is a continuous learning process, remember). But I did tell the woman if I ever run across any information I would share it on the site. Since that time I have always kept an eye out for any information on these children. Today, while goofing off (yeah right!) I actually ran into some on material on these children. I was delighted and totally surprised. As much as I search the internet and just now finding this info, it is fabulous. I hope the lady that asked me about the Indigo Children is still here. Hopefully, these articles will help her out with her questions and I know I will definitely learn something. I hope you enjoy the up-coming articles.

A Little Humor for Your Day – Life Before the Computer

Life Before The Computer

 

Memory was something you lost with age

An application was for employment

A program was a TV show

A cursor used profanity

A keyboard was a piano

A web was a spider’s home

A virus was the flu

A CD was a bank account

A hard drive was a long trip on the road

A mouse pad was where a mouse lived

And if you had a 3 inch floppy ..

… you just hoped nobody ever found out!

 

Source:

JokesWarehouse.com

Daily Feng Shui News – ‘National Tourist Appreciation Day’

On ‘National Tourist Appreciation Day’ I just want to remind once again that if you bring home a trinket or some other souvenir from your travels then you must be sure to cleanse the memento before using or displaying it. The fastest and easiest way to cleanse energies is to use the smoke from dried sage or incense. Simply let the smoke waft over and around the piece and then you can consider it completely cleansed and good to go.

By Ellen Whitehurst for Astrology.com

Your Charm for Tuesday, May 6th is The Buckle of Isis

Your Charm for Today

 

The Buckle of Isis

Today’s Meaning:
Someone who will, or has told a lie about you regarding this aspect will be discovered and the truth will come out. They will suffer for their injustice and you shall prevail.

General Description:
The blood of Isis, the virtue of Isis, the magic power of Isis, the magic power of the Eye, are protecting this the Great one; they prevent any wrong being done to him. Thus reads a portion of the 156th chapter of the Egyptian Book of the Dead, which was engraved, often with other invocations, on the Buckle of Isis amulets. Great faith was placed in the magic power of this buckle, or tie. It was believed that the wearer would be protected and guarded from every kind of evil for ever and ever.

Your Animal Spirit for May 6 th is The Horse

Your Animal Spirit for Today
May 6, 2014

Horse

When Horse came back to the Americas, he brought with him the ability to move rapidly from place to place—and it’s this rapid movement that he brings to you today. Get up, get out of the rut you’ve created. Grab Horse’s mane, pull yourself onto his back and let him carry you across the plains of your life. The time for being stuck is over

Your Ancient Symbol Card for May 6th is Venus

Your Ancient Symbol Card for Today

Venus

Venus represents those qualities we commonly associate with the female/yin persona. Venus traits include fertility and the drive to create, unblemished beauty, love, passion, and togetherness. The occurrence of Venus denotes the dominating presence or need of the qualities listed above. While often very subtle, Venetian influences may have a negative impact unless they are balanced with an influence that can temper the drive of Venus.

As a daily card, Venus suggest you should allow your more feminine traits to guide your actions through this period. Subtlety, efforts to bring people together and allowing your creativity to run free are likely to serve you well at this time. However, like Mars, the powers of Venus are very strong and can do more damage than good if not balanced by other influences.

Your Personal Daily Tarot Card for May 6th is Justice

Your Personal Daily Tarot Card

Justice

Justice signifies the principle that although things sometimes seem askew the Universe is ultimately fair. We may not see or understand why things happen, but most of us sense there is in fact a reason and that balance exists even when it is beyond our vision. Justice denotes fairness regardless of who you are. At its purest the forces embodied by Justice give us the power to see without bias, and the courage to be accountable for our actions. These powers also test our faith at times. These powers give us the tools and strength to fight injustice in our everyday life. All we have to do is use them.

Get A Jump on Tomorrow, Your Horoscopes for May 7th

Although life might seem more enjoyable with the Moon traveling through lively Leo, there are still complications that can set obstacles in our path. We may be feeling the electric buzz of nervous energy since cerebral Mercury aligns with shocking Uranus this morning. As if things weren’t moving fast enough already, Mercury jumps into jittery Gemini at 10:56 am EDT. However, a sobering Venus-Saturn aspect cools us down and delays satisfaction.

Aries Horoscope

(Mar 21 – Apr 19)

Your mind may wander in so many directions all at once that it’s challenging to concentrate today. You are so optimistic now that you might actually believe you can successfully juggle everything you have in process. But even your enthusiasm has its limits. Stop for a moment and take careful inventory of what you’re doing. Considering what could be temporarily eliminated enables you to fully focus on those tasks that should be top priority.

Taurus Horoscope

(Apr 20 – May 20)

You could miss your chance if you don’t take immediate action today. You have been waiting for the right moment long enough and further analysis won’t likely bring you any more clarity than you already have. Although you cannot stop the thoughts from going in circles, you can lessen the noise by boldly moving ahead, even if you aren’t one hundred percent sure of your choice. Nearly any movement now is better than none at all. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Gemini Horoscope

(May 21 – Jun 20)

Your message could get lost in a flurry of too many words today even if you have lots of clever ideas to share. Examine your motives closely; chatty Mercury’s yearly return to your sign can make you even more loquacious than ever. If you want to be understood by others, slow down your delivery; keep your presentation short and to the point. However, if your goal is just to amuse yourself, you really don’t need an audience at all.

Cancer Horoscope

(Jun 21 – Jul 22)

The universe is giving you permission to escape today, even if only in your mind. Luckily, you can use your imagination to travel anywhere in time and space, for your thoughts seem as if they are almost real. Tread carefully; don’t make the mistake of believing that fantasy is a replacement for real-life experiences. Visualize all the amazing possibilities before choosing where to go next. The sky is the limit

Leo Horoscope

(Jul 23 – Aug 22)

There just doesn’t seem to be enough time in the day to connect with everyone on your mind. Your popularity feels quite lovely, but it also distracts you from the work you should be doing today. However, you could have the best of both worlds now if you concentrate on enjoying your interactions with others while you further develop your business contacts. Networking can be fun as you continue to establish your place within the community. You don’t have to be the star of the show to have a good time.

Virgo Horoscope

(Aug 23 – Sep 22)

Although you might appear to be overwhelmed at work today, you’re a lot calmer than others realize. Your current strategy involves keeping your options alive because you think that following multiple paths is your most efficient way to reach a specific goal. Don’t worry about what anyone else thinks of your plan; it has an excellent chance of coming together just as you imagine as long as you aren’t sidelined by doubt. Believe in yourself and trust the process.

Libra Horoscope

(Sep 23 – Oct 22)

You’re more than willing to go along with someone who presents a good idea, even if it isn’t part of your original agenda. However, you might be quite concerned now because you’re beginning to realize that this new opportunity may be much bigger than you expect. You must make a critical decision that could have a significant impact on the direction of your life, so take your time before choosing your path. Fate is in your own hands today; you don’t always have to say yes to please others.

Scorpio Horoscope

(Oct 23 – Nov 21)

You’re often the one who turns over every stone when searching for an answer because you are more afraid of what you don’t know than what you might actually find. However, you are tempted to take a shortcut today and jump to conclusions instead of investigating every possibility. Fortunately, a spontaneous and creative approach can still provide you with exactly what you need and enable you to enjoy yourself in the process. Embracing the unknown is an adventure all on its own.

Sagittarius Horoscope

(Nov 22 – Dec 21)

It’s annoying today if someone repeats what you previously said, even if you are given full credit for the idea. But instead of criticizing others for their lack of originality, just be appreciative that your message was taken to heart. It is often said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, so simply accept the compliment and move on. Seeing your ideas come to fruition is all that really matters

Capricorn Horoscope

(Dec 22 – Jan 19)

Although it feels refreshing when your mood lightens today, it might also make you a bit anxious because you believe you should be more productive. But it’s challenging to let go of unfinished business, even if it’s only for a temporary escape. The truth is that a little bit of relaxation can be quite rejuvenating. Taking some time off now gives you extra energy to accomplish your ambitious goals later on. Cultivating a healthy balance is a big step toward creating a happier life.

Aquarius Horoscope

(Jan 20 – Feb 18)

You might feel as if you’re fighting an uphill battle today, especially if there are unpleasant or boring tasks to complete. But if your job is enjoyable, then you should be able to find your groove and create some magic. It’s your choice; no matter what you’re doing now, you can turn it into a game. It’s not the activity but your attitude that makes the difference between work and play.

Pisces Horoscope

(Feb 19 – Mar 20)

You are highly animated today, which makes others assume that you want to be a part of the fun. However, your words may be misleading, hiding your current need for solitude. Fortunately, you can have your cake and eat it too; if you burn off some of your mental energy with your friends, it will be easier to settle down for some quiet contemplation in the evening. Just be sure to add your creative touch to everything you do.