The Forest at Night

What makes you tick? Is it clowns, cats, smiley-face boxer shorts? Or are your thoughts a measure of your perspective on the things which happen around you? Join me for a discussion on perspective and why it's important to see the world in shades of grey, talk to those whose opinions differ from yours, and keep an open mind to what you discover as you explore your surroundings. Processing information without pigeonholing your perceptions into black-and-white shoeboxes takes some practice, and I hope I can give you some tools to open the doors to improving your perspective. The World of Night poem is courtesy of Silverlyn and Late at Night by Parnassus is played by kind permission of Mojo over at The Wigglian Way. Check out the Chalice and Blade/Parnassus website (and buy their CDs) at http://www.chaliceandblade.com/. SUPPORT YOUR PAGAN ARTISTS! Want to shout at me? Fire me an email to theforestatnight@gmail.com, visit me at my PaganSpace page at http://www.paganspace.net/profile/Eric, or my Covenspace page at http://terestai.covenspace.com/. The show's official website, http://www.theforestatnight.com, now has content, but not yet the ability to leave comments. Look for that to change in the future! The music that is NOT Parnassus is Port Saeed by Midnight Peacocks and Aquarium by David Kempers, both from the Podsafe Music Network at http://music.podshow.com/.

This episode, thanks to an email from Stacey Tallitsch (author of Bare Naked Truth: on the Religious Right), I discuss the 300-pound gorilla that even my closest friends and I don't talk about -- Columbine. What were my experiences there and how did those experiences shape me; also, what lessons can we glean about how to act when under pressure to conform either physically or spiritually? And what DID happen to this little town (ha, ha) that I grew up in? So whether you want to bash Tom Tancredo, hear me get politically charged for the first time, or find out what happens when ritual instructions are not clearly stated, this episode is for you. The fantastic websites mentioned in tonight's episode are: * Wraith Studios (Mario's website): http://www.wraith-studios.com/ * Proud Pagan Podcasters: http://www.paganpodcasting.com/ Please visit me at my PaganSpace page at http://www.paganspace.net/profile/Eric, my Covenspace page at http://terestai.covenspace.com/, or my actual website at http://www.theforestatnight.com (though be warned that the latter does not yet have any real info on it). And if you have any questions, comments, criticisms, corrections, or suggestions, shoot me an email at theforestatnight@gmail.com. Music this week is (in order) Sacred Ground by Jon Schmidt, Exit 286 by I/O\I, and L'Avventura by Ian and I, all from the Podsafe Music Network at http://music.podshow.com.

Thanks to an email from Courtney, I discuss a few books that I've found helpful and one that wasn't exactly helpful or constructive (nor do I offer constructive suggestions for what to do with that book): * The Goat Foot God by Dion Fortune * The Sea Priestess by Dion Fortune * Moon Magic by Dion Fortune * A Witch Alone: Thirteen Moons to Master Natural Magic by Marian Green * Celebrating the Seasons of Life: Samhain to Ostara by Ashleen O'Gaea * Celebrating the Seasons of Life: Beltane to Mabon by Ashleen O'Gaea * Positive Magic by Marion Weinstein * The Scole Experiment: Scientific Evidence for Life After Death by Grant & Jane Solomon * The Astral Body by A.E. Powell * The Apple Branch by Alexei Kondratiev Some of the brilliant websites mentioned in tonight's episode: * World ITC: http://www.worlditc.org/ * Pagan Radio Network: http://www.paganradio.net/ And since I gave the world's worst explanation of video instrumental transcommunication, here's a site where you can find a diagram and better instructions for setting up your own ITC recording system. PLEASE read the warnings on protection first: http://www.worlditc.org/k_06_video.htm I mentioned in the episode that you should take everything with a grain of salt, and that includes every word I say! So do you want to throw salt at me? If so, email me at theforestatnight@gmail.com or visit my Covenspace page at http://terestai.covenspace.com/. A real page for the show is still on its way! Music this week is Attache-moi by The Cavaliers from the Podsafe Music Network at http://music.podshow.com.

Happy 2008!! This topic was brought to you by an email -- the first I've received for the podcast (thanks to Kinoc)! I endeavor to explain how it is I came to Paganism, my spiritual background, and what the future might bring. Do we ground ourselves to this Earthly plane or do we focus on the cosmic? Can a balance be struck between the two? Can those who worship beyond elements of this world be called Pagan? Any more ideas you wish me to spin 'round this crazy wheel? Email me at theforestatnight@gmail.com or visit my Covenspace page at http://terestai.covenspace.com/ (I assure you, that URL is correct even if I couldn't remember it in the episode). Special thanks this week to Emerald Deepwater of Pagan Living for the plug on her show! Remember to visit her at http://paganliving.libsyn.com/. Music this week is The Death of an Equestrian by Savium from the Podsafe Music Network at http://music.podshow.com.

In this, the third... erm... first episode of the show, I explain the psychological concept of cognitive dissonance and how to make it work for you at home and on the job. Alright - so cognitive dissonance isn't exactly a good thing, so I describe its relation to Paganism and the workplace, how to avoid it, and why it drove me into this podcasting biz. Please be merciful; this is my first-ever show so there's nowhere to go from here but up. At least, that's what I hope. ;) If you have any questions, suggestions, or just want to say hi (or not-so-nice things if you feel so inclined), shoot me an email at theforestatnight@gmail.com or visit my Covenspace page at http://terestai.covenspace.com/. A real page for the show is forthcoming. Music is Longboard Flamejob by The Delstars from the Podsafe Music Network at http://music.podshow.com. Why surf music? Why not!