The Atheopagan Calendar of Moons: an Optional Set of New Observances

September 1, 2020September 1, 2020Mark Green 3 Comments

In the Atheopagan Saturday Zoom Mixer conversation this week, the group came up with a fantastic idea: to correlate the 13 Atheopagan Principles with the 13 cycles of the Moon each year, and observe each Moon as a time to contemplate and celebrate that particular Principle.

This is optional, of course. You don’t have to observe them that way if it doesn’t work for you. But I was excited about the idea and I know the rest of the group was, too–it’s a way to add a celebration of lunar cycles to the Solar cycle of the Wheel of the Year in your Atheopagan practice.

Each 28-day cycle of the Moon can be thought of as a period for reflection on the appropriate Atheopagan Principle, adding theme and meaning to your observances for that Full Moon night at least, and perhaps for that whole nearly month-long period.

I propose that each such cycle begin on the night when the new Moon is visible as a thin crescent before sunset, and be celebrated at its height on the full Moon. The cycle begins in December, when the Wheel of the Year begins.

I’m excited about this idea because it’s a great example of how we are co-creating Atheopaganism together. If this idea works for you, know that you can thank a group of thoughtful and interesting people who have been joining us on Saturday mornings (Pacific Time) for a visit, chat and discussion.

Coming up tomorrow: the PLEASURE MOON, on Sept. 2!

Atheopagan Full Moons 2020-21

SKEPTIC’S MOON

REVERENCE MOON

GRATITUDE MOON

HUMBLE MOON

LAUGHTER MOON

RITUAL MOON

INCLUSIVENESS MOON

LEGACY MOON

RESPONSIBLE MOON

PLEASURE MOON

CURIOSITY MOON

INTEGRITY MOON

COMPASSION MOON

December 29, 2020

January 28, 2021

February 27, 2021

March 28, 2021

April 27, 2021

May 26, 2021

June 24, 2021

July 24, 2021

August 22, 2021

Sept. 2, 2020

Oct. 1, 2020

Oct. 31, 2020 (Blue Moon, Halloween)

Nov. 30, 2020

All dates shown are GMT. Dates may change by one day depending on time zone.

Because I Cannot Be Silent

June 3, 2020Mark Green 5 Comments

“George Floyd! George Floyd! George Floyd! SAY HIS NAME!”
Protesters in my city, June 2, 2020

There is nothing I can say that has not been said, more articulately and with more authority.

There is nothing I can add that doesn’t come through a filter of privilege.

There is nothing I can do but fight for justice.

But I have a forum, and I will not be silent on this.

Police murder of black and brown unarmed civilians is a pandemic in the United States. It is a means that entire communities are kept under the sometimes literal boot of white privilege. It is the perpetuation of oppression dating back 400 years.

Atheopagans oppose this.

We are explicit about this in our Atheopagan Principle #7: Inclusiveness. We are all equal in value, we humans, and we all deserve equal respect (at least until our behavior dictates otherwise. NOT because of race, color, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, body shape or size, disability or any other human variation).

I am appalled that there is anyone in my country who would not agree that Black Lives Matter. They matter enormously, and they must be treated as such.

White supremacy is an insidious, poisonous mockery of human pride. It is a revolting attitude. It must be eradicated.

As for the nuances of this, and how this is to be accomplished, I turn—and urge you to turn—to black and brown voices who speak with an authority I cannot.