The Middle-Aged Baby Pagan

Jim Two Snakes (episode 16) was tasked by the universe to give me the hardest homework of the season. Nothing would stand in my way - not fear, not family obligations, not even a busted thermostat. So what happened? I sat down on the cushion, played a tune... you gotta listen to find out the rest!

Check out Jim's podcast "Around Grandfather Fire" (https://anchor.fm/around-grandfather-fire)

The song mentioned in this episode is "Sloan Shore" by Kaki King (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wG08jSFdw8w)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/middleagedbabypagan Instagram: @middleagedbabypagan. Email: middleagedbaby@yahoo.com Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/aaroncoveypodcasts

Karen Quicker (episode 15) suggested I continue working on my rune reading after our divination session during the Spirit Fair Roundtable. So I did, reading for myself and a few friends. But getting better at readings may not have been the point.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/middleagedbabypagan Instagram: @middleagedbabypagan. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/aaroncoveypodcasts

Dale Frampton (episode 7) and Mike "Hollywood" Tomasek (episode 4) both gave homework that suggested giving offerings. But what does it mean to give an offering? Does it have to be an object? And how hard do you have to work to create an offering? Dale was able to answer these questions for me, and all of us!

Don't forget to submit your "Altar Stories" to middleagedbaby@yahoo.com

Dale's Contacts - ADF Website: https://www.adf.org ADF Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/adfdruidry Protogrove website: https://www.whisperingspirits.org Protogrove Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/whisperingspirits/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/middleagedbabypagan Instagram: @middleagedbabypagan. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/aaroncoveypodcasts

Time for Summer School! This is where we take all the homework assignments given throughout Season One and put them to practice! But before we get into that, here's a brief recap of all the guests and their assignments.

Don't forget to submit your "Altar Stories" to middleagedbaby@yahoo.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/middleagedbabypagan Instagram: @middleagedbabypagan. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/aaroncoveypodcasts 

Wade Mueller is a Tyrsman from Central Wisconsin. He is also the founder of Deeply Rooted Church, an off-grid, nonprofit Pagan church located on 160 acres of Pagan Homeland in Athens, Wisconsin. Wade and I talked about his Pagan origins, as well as the origins of Deeply Rooted, how they survived the pandemic, and their future plans for an on-site cemetery.

Wade's contacts: Website: https://www.deeply-rooted.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeeplyRootedChurch Instagram & TikTok: @deeplyrootedchurch Email: deeplyrooted75@gmail.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/middleagedbabypagan Instagram: @middleagedbabypagan. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/aaroncoveypodcasts Email: middleagedbaby@yahoo.com

Jim Two Snakes is a Peruvian Shamanic practitioner from Michigan. He is also one of three hosts of the Pagan-themed podcast "Around Grandfather Fire". Jim and I had an incredible discussion about the origin of his name, his "Spiritual Dad" wellness service, whether elder and novice Pagans should reach across the perceived divide, and I am given the hardest homework to date, full stop.

My Recommendation: "Gods and Lies" Podcast. https://www.realm.fm/shows/gods-and-lies

Jim's contacts: Website: https://www.jimtwosnakes.net/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jimtwosnakes/ Instagram & TikTok: @jimtwosnakes "Around Grandfather Fire" Podcast: https://anchor.fm/around-grandfather-fire

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/middleagedbabypagan Instagram: @middleagedbabypagan. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/aaroncoveypodcasts Email: middleagedbaby@yahoo.com

It's our first roundtable! I welcome back former guests Dante and Karen Quicker, and we're joined by my wife Andrea Covey, who happens to be the founder and head organizer of the Sheboygan and Fond du Lac Spirit Fairs, which we all are involved with. We talk about what makes good (and bad) spirit fairs, how the pandemic changed the whole dynamic, and why spirit fairs are beneficial for the Pagan community. We also consume many drinks and even do some divination! This whole episode was an absolute blast, and I really hope you enjoy it as well!

Andrea's Contacts - Main Spirit Fair Website: https://spyralevents.com Massage & Energy Work Website: https://andreacovey.com/spyralhands/

Dante's Contacts - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DanteTarot Email: tarotbydante@gmail.com

Karen's Contacts - Website: phoenixrisingenergywork.weebly.com Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/PhoenixRisingNCW

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/middleagedbabypagan Instagram: @middleagedbabypagan. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/aaroncoveypodcasts Email: middleagedbaby@yahoo.com

Celia Farran is a singer-songwriter-comedienne, as we discussed in the previous episode. But she is also a Certified Laughter Yoga Teacher who, not coincidentally, trained *me* in Laughter Yoga! The benefits of Laughter Yoga are discussed in great detail, including using Laughter in energy work, the importance of the breath, and how Laughter can genuinely change your life. Watch out for what happens at the 28:37 mark!

Celia's contacts: Website: https://www.celiasings.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/CeliaOnlinedotcom Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/celiaonlinemusic

Celia's Laughter Phone call: (605) 475-3200, extension 523391#

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/middleagedbabypagan Instagram: @middleagedbabypagan. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/aaroncoveypodcasts Email: middleagedbaby@yahoo.com

Simon Jay ("Shaman Jay") is a Reiki Practitioner/Sound Vibration Therapist from Chicago. Jay and I talk about his early years in the Philippines, his grandmother's spiritual wisdom, and his current gong wash practice. We also discuss the problems with ayahuasca retreats, and his newest musical/community endeavor, The Thundersirens. 

Jay's contact: Website: https://www.harmonicwaveshealing.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/harmonicwaveshealing https://www.facebook.com/thundersirens Email: simon@shamanjay.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/middleagedbabypagan Instagram: @middleagedbabypagan. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/aaroncoveypodcasts Email: middleagedbaby@yahoo.com

Caitlin is a Heathen Witch from Northern Wisconsin. Our discussion ran the gamut from starting a coven to how the Pagan community has adapted during the pandemic, with plenty of stops in between. Also, I got my first Patron!

Caitlin’s recommendation: “Coven Craft: Witchcraft for Three or More” by Amber K (https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/coven-craft_amber-k/327903/#edition=3550392)

Caitlin's contact: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/barefootandgothic

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/middleagedbabypagan Instagram: @middleagedbabypagan. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/aaroncoveypodcasts Email: middleagedbaby@yahoo.com

Sharon Stewart is a ordained Pagan minister with Circle Sanctuary and a death midwife. Sharon and I talk about the ins and outs of death midwifery, as well as sharing our stories of honoring dead loved ones. CW: This is a very in-depth discussion of death and dying with numerous personal reminiscences.

Sharon's recommendations: Go Wish cards (gowish.org) and the Death Deck (thedeathdeck.com)

My recommendation: WeCroak app (wecroak.com) available for Apple and Android phones.

Sharon's contacts: Website: http://www.spiritknoll.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpiritKnoll Email: sharon@spiritknoll.com Phone (608) 574-2997

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/middleagedbabypagan Instagram: @middleagedbabypagan. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/aaroncoveypodcasts Email: middleagedbaby@yahoo.com 

Blessed Imbolc, everyone! Dante returns to tell us about the various quarters and cross-quarters, with a timely emphasis on Imbolc. We discuss the history of the Sabbats, our simple traditions (Sabbats and otherwise), and Dante's homework hits me right in the feels! 

My recommendation for Black History Month: "Anti-Racist Pagan Resources" by Althaea Sebastiani (https://www.ladyalthaea.com/resources.html)

Dante's contacts: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DanteTarot Email: tarotbydante@gmail.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/middleagedbabypagan Instagram: @middleagedbabypagan. Email: middleagedbaby@yahoo.com

Jason ("J-Man") Mankey is an author with eight published works through Llewellyn, with more on the horizon. He also writes a blog for Patheos called "Raise the Horns". Jason and I discuss his earliest pagan memories, how he got involved with Llewellyn, and why he doesn't write fiction, Plus, we plug other podcasts. He also makes a big announcement!

Recommendations regarding the Capitol Invasion: 

"Horns of Dishonor: Conspiracy and Racism in Pagan Spaces" by Jason Mankey (https://www.patheos.com/blogs/panmankey/2021/01/horns-of-dishonor-conspiracy-and-racism-in-pagan-spaces/) 

"Episode #126: Insurrection" from the "3 Pagans and a Cat" podcast (https://open.spotify.com/episode/7LH9lJOFc6oTOokbOuojoX?si=HYn118ADRIqk2I-9ptRc6A)

My recommendation: "Inward" by Yung Pueblo (yungpueblo.com)

Jason's contacts: Website - https://www.panmankey.com/ Blog: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/panmankey/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RaiseTheHorns

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/middleagedbabypagan Instagram: @middleagedbabypagan. Email: middleagedbaby@yahoo.com

Dale is the Druid representative for the Northeast Chapter of the ADF, a Druid fellowship, as well as a founding member of the Protogrove of the Whispering Spirits. Dale and I talk about his extensive spiritual journey, from Wicca to Ireland to ADF. He also shows off his altar and gives me my most in-depth homework yet.

My Recommendation: Tuatha Dea (tuathadea.net)

Dale's Contacts - ADF Website: https://www.adf.org ADF Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/adfdruidry Protogrove website: https://www.whisperingspirits.org Protogrove Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/whisperingspirits/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/middleagedbabypagan Instagram: @middleagedbabypagan. Email: middleagedbaby@yahoo.com

As we escape 2020 far from unscathed, I look back on what happened this year, both on this podcast and life in general. I also take a brief look at what is planned for the Baby Pagan Community for 2021. Plus, a recommendation for all of you.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/middleagedbabypagan Instagram: @middleagedbabypagan. Email: middleagedbaby@yahoo.com

It's Hollywood! From Chicago! During our Thanksgiving episode, what starts as a simple Q&A about Stregeria (Italian Witchcraft) becomes a weighty discussion on cultural appropriation and Paganism in modern times before coming back around to a simple-yet-complex homework assigment. My Recommendation: Down at the Crossroads podcast (www.infinite-beyond.com)  Hollywood's Contacts - Personal website: mftomasek.com Treibh Na Tintean website: joliettnt.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/middleagedbabypagan Instagram: @middleagedbabypagan. Email: middleagedbaby@yahoo.com