Principles of Druidism
A Druid is a professional invigilator of spiritual mysteries using Celtic forms of cultural expression. What this means and what its implications are for those who would follow a Celtic path, we shall see. After (very briefly) sketching out the history of the Druids from iron-age Ireland and other places to today, a sustained exploration of nine central ideas present in Druidism: the "Sacred Truth", the "Well of Wisdom", the "Mist of Manannan", and others. Discussion of these ideas are made in reference to some of the literary and mythological sources that have survived to the present day.
Chinese Thought
A survey of Confucious and his ideas on social order and the "Sage", or
great person. This is followed by a lengthly look at the Taoism of both
Chuang-Tzu and Lao-Tzu. These are the two 'heavyweights' of Chinese
thinking. Concluding remarks on Ch'an Buddhism and the attempt to
integrate the mysticism of India with Taoism.
Philosophy in the Pagan World
The discipline of philosophy, as a mode of inquiry, develops in the
mediterranean world, esp. Greece, in the 4th century BC. That's long
before Christianity. This seminar introduces people to the ideas of
the pre-socratic philosophers, with an eye to which among them were
assumed by Christianity, and which among them are at all compatable with
current Pagan practices. This is, of course, animated by the ongoing
questions, "What is philosophy", and "why should pagans care about it?"
Indian Symbols
A look at some Hindu and Buddhist ideas, via texts, and also especially
via symbols and temple art. Why Tantra has nothing to do with sex.
Paganism and the anti-globalisation movement
The anti-globalisation movement, as it has unfortunately come to be called, is the movement of environmentalists, workers, and others to oppose the spread of international capitalism and promote democracy and justice in the world economy. It has manifest in numerous strikes, rallies, and protests, which since the late 1990's have become increasingly repressed by media silence and police brutality. In non-obvious ways, the movement is implicitly a spiritual activity, which we will explore. This workshop will look at the several ways in which Pagan principles can be effective foundations of value and method in the pursuit of human rights, social justice, labour standards and environmental controls. Paganism may even demand some degree of social or political activism, especially for environmental purposes.