Like this:

If you haven’t already, you should check out the latest post on the Wild Hunt, which has conveniently collected the most recent statements on what happened, the larger issues it sparked, and where we all might go from here.

Thanks to all those who offered commentary and discussion on the previous post, particularly those who maintained a respectful tone. From reading every comment as it appeared, I gleaned that a lot of hurt, anger, and fear has been brought to the surface. While these are part of what make us human, they can sometimes cloud us from seeing other perspectives or finding a real way to make things better. The most inspiring things I’ve read–both in the comments here and elsewhere–have been those that offered ideas for future rituals and gatherings. I pray that we can keep this line of discussion open.

For myself, I’m going to continue to follow what happens in the aftermath of PCon and post important updates here. If you missed it, “Ladybug,” a member of Amazon Priestess Tribe, respectfully shared her perspective in the comments to the last post. I asked the following questions of her:

1. What aspect(s) of the Lilith Rite determined the decision to limit attendance to cisgendered women?

2. Were members of the planning group aware of the “transgendered” elements of Lilith’s own origin stories and lore (hermaphroditism, androgyny, transgressing limits of gender)?

3. Were members of the planning group aware that Lilith has a special affinity with transgendered people?

4. If no to #2 or #3, would that knowledge have affected the attendance limits?

5. Would it have affected the choice of Lilith for a cisgendered-women only rite?

She has assured me that the Amazon Priestess Tribe list has started a discussion on these questions, and that she will present their answers. I will definitely post (or link to) those answers here. As a priestess of Lilith, I have a particular interest in these answers.

Finally, for those previously unfamiliar with this blog, you should know a few things.

First, I’ve added widgets to the right side of this blog to more easily allow people to subscribe via RSS feed (to the posts and/or the comments) and via email.

Next, I screen comments for spam only. All comments are posted, regardless of my opinion of them. They should not be taken as having any personal endorsement by me unless I’ve commented in reply to them saying so.

Next, I tend to be a very “hands-off” moderator. I will let a conversation run its course and leave it to the posters themselves to manage. This means you, the posters, are responsible for the rhetoric, tone, and relevance of your response. I would ask that you remain mindful of those things, as well as when the back-and-forth comments have ceased adding anything productive to the conversation.

Finally, we need to keep in mind that although we may identify with various gender groups, political groups, and spiritual groups, we’ve all somewhere under the big pagan umbrella. That doesn’t mean we all need to be one, big happy family or that there aren’t substantial differences in our practices. It does mean that we are all part of this minority group, and we are stronger when we find ways to work through our own issues by listening and expressing ourselves thoughtfully.

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