Ravens at the Crossroads

Look who’s flown in ready to begin Season 2 of our pagan podcast! I know, it’s hard to believe that 2 years ago, almost to the day, we’ve been fairly quiet. We’ve been busily distracted by the unexpected twists and turns of life as we now know it since 2020. Believe it or not, we recorded this episode several times over the past two years but the previous recordings weren’t quite right. In between life kept us incredibly distracted. Many changes occurred, losses and gains. Thankfully, we’re finally back in a place where we are able to go forth. In this episode, we discuss some of the changes we experienced as well as our plans going forth this year. We also discuss the topic of community and where or how to find it. Expect more interviews with some amazing pagans and witches, some travel and on-site event coverage, and of course, more Ravens Discuss episodes. We also wish to thank our fans who’ve reached out during this time. Thank you so much for your support of our pagan podcast! If you aren’t already, you can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Look where we began in 2019… here’s our first episode, an interview with Tommie Starchild. If you would like to hear us interview someone specific or cover any pagan-related topics, you can always email us at [email protected] *EDIT: Not Laguna Beach, but Long Beach. I know this, but for some reason, I still said Pagan Pride LA was in Laguna. Twice! Maybe because we were talking about Rainbow Lagoon? Also, “THE” TikTok? When did I turn 80? “You kids get off my lawn!” *shakes fist in the air* I’m not THAT old! 🤣

Ivo Dominguez, Jr. has been active in Wicca and the Pagan community since 1978 and has been teaching since 1982. Ivo is a founding member and High Priest of Keepers of the Holly Chalice, the first Assembly of the Sacred Wheel coven, for which he currently serves as an Elder. Ivo has been published in numerous periodicals and is the author of Keys to Perception: A Practical Guide to Psychic Development; Casting Sacred Space: The Core of All Magickal Work; and Spirit Speak: Knowing and Understanding Spirit Guides, Ancestors, Ghosts, Angels, and the Divine, among other works.  Ivo Dominguez Jr.Website: ivodominguezjr.comFacebook: facebook.com/ivodominguezjr/

Laura Perlin is a tarot reader and practitioner of the ritual arts. She supports people in ancestral reclamation practice, crossroads navigation, and resolving challenges rooted in the spirit world, as well as working through any patterns and problems that block people from living their brightest lives and bringing their much-needed gifts into full manifestation. Her practice has an animist orientation and combines her skills and training as a ritualist, counselor, herbalist, bodyworker, and teacher. She works within an anti-oppression framework and centers the intersections between personal and collective healing. Laura’s family migrated to the US from the Soviet Union as settler/refugees, and she grew up on Ohlone lands in the San Francisco Bay Area. She has been reading cards and practicing her familial lineage traditions since childhood. Laura is of Ashkenazi & Mizrahi Jewish, Sakha, Roma, and Karelian ancestry. She shares her time between San Francisco and her ancestral lands of Sakha Republic, Siberia. She recently collaborated on a translation of indigenous Sakha folktales – Ый кыыһа – Лунная девушка – The Moon Girl – and is currently working on a translation of a book on Sakha shamanism, due for publication in late 2020.  Connect with Laura lauraperlin.comwildhearttarot.orgFacebook: laura.perlinInstagram: laura_perlin New book available now Ый кыыһа- Лунная девушка -The Moon Girl at 

This is the conclusion of our short series of interviews regarding Pantheacon. Each previous episode featured an interview asking about their experiences at PCon and their feelings regarding the conclusion of the convention. Glenn Turner co-founded the New Reformed Orthodox of the Golden Dawn (N.R.O.O.G.D.) tradition. With N.R.O.O.G.D. she helped to co-found the Covenant of the Goddess (CoG). She organized the Ancient Ways Festival for many years. Until she retired this January, she also owned the Ancient Ways metaphysical shop in Oakland for over 31 years. Glenn organized the now-concluded PantheaCon Pagan conference. Glenn discussed her life and the many ways she was instrumental in helping to create community and spaces for Pagans. We are grateful to have the opportunity to hear her first-hand accounts.

This is a continuation of our short series of interviews regarding Pantheacon. Each episode features an interview asking about experiences at PCon and feelings regarding the conclusion of the convention. This an abridged version of our interview with Captain Starwise, focusing specifically on his thoughts about the final PantheaCon. The full interview will be released after this series is complete. Captain Starwise is an astrologer with a unique flair; his style of reading natal charts uses nautical references to better explain the relations of houses and the interactions based on where they are on a person’s charts. You can find Captain Starwise at thecelestialseas.com

This is a continuation of our short series of interviews regarding Pantheacon. Each episode features an interview asking about experiences at PCon and feelings regarding the conclusion of the convention. John Hijatt is an inclusive Heathen and writer who’s worked with runes for over a decade. He hosts the Gifts of the Wyrd podcast with topics and interviews about inclusive Heathenry. In this episode John sent us a voice recording to share his feelings about Pantheacon. John’s podcast can be found at giftsofthewyrd.podbean.com and platforms. Links: www.GiftsoftheWyrd.com Facebook: giftsofthewyrd Instagram: @wyrdgifts1 Twitter: @wyrdgifts

This is a continuation of our short series of interviews regarding Pantheacon. Each episode features an interview asking about experiences at PCon and feelings regarding the conclusion of the convention. In this episode, the Ravens interviewed Coyote (Shawn Carlino) of Sacramento Pagan Pride regarding his experience with Pantheacon. The Sacramento Pagan Pride takes place annually in mid September. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sacpaganpride/Email: [email protected]

This is a continuation of our short series of interviews regarding Pantheacon. Each episode features an interview asking about experiences at PCon and feelings regarding the conclusion of the convention. In this episode, the Ravens interviewed Christopher Fregosi and Tracey Faulkner during the final Pantheacon. Each has a been long-time volunteer for the Pantheacon convention.

This is a continuation of our short series of interviews regarding Pantheacon. Each episode features an interview asking about experiences at PCon and feelings regarding the conclusion of the convention. In this episode, the Ravens interviewed Paula (ButterflyMoon) and Jay (Runesmal) onsite at PantheaCon. ButterflyMoon spent years exploring her own beliefs; trusting science and her own intuition, “Atheopagan with Woo” is the best way to describe her current pathway. Often found with a hammer or torch in her hand, bending metal to her will, she is no polite little butterfly. She uses these skills to make spiritually unique jewelry for any path that does not preach hate. Preach hate and she will likely run you down. You can identify her by the butterfly tattooed rubber butt on her mobility device. ButterflyMoon is also the alter ego of Paula Meier, a down-to-earth Tarot reader and teacher with more than 40 years’ experience using the cards. A Psychic Sensitive, artist, and ordained spiritual advisor, Paula shares her empathic and intuitive insights with friends and clients. Using a personal approach to both reading and teaching the Tarot, she uses the cards as spiritual signposts to help us make choices on the path of life. Jay started exploring Wicca and light work around age 24, but found it was not a good fit. Upon discovering the Runes and being spoken by the Vanir, he became a Freyasmannr, before subsequently being claimed by Freya’s father, Njord, whose direction he now primarily serves. Jay says of his current path, “I am not a gothi (priest) nor a spokesman for Norse religion. I weave spells, tell stories, and try to make as little mischief as possible.”

The Ravens wish to express our gratitude for our patrons this month:Korin – from California Henry – from CanadaJohn – from TexasThank you for your support! Meg Elison is an American science fiction author and feminist essayist whose writings often incorporate the themes of female empowerment, body positivity, and gender flexibility.  Her debut novel, The Book of the Unnamed Midwife, won the 2014 Philip K. Dick Award; her second novel, The Book of Etta, was a finalist for the Philip K. Dick Award. Meg is a James A. Tiptree Award honoree (now known as the Otherwise Award, an award encouraging the exploration & expansion of gender) and also a producer of the Cliterary Salon, a monthly Bay Area performance celebrating inclusive female sexuality in all its forms. Meg shared her very honest opinion about both PantheaCon and its final event. Our dear friend Red Dragon also joined us during this interview. We will hear more from Red Dragon in a later episode.