Quick Thought: On Addendums

Recently, I was criticized - lightly but somewhat fairly - for my supposed 'selective' reading of a blog post for episode 5 of Inciting A BrewHaHa. Allegedly, and I haven't gone back to listen to the show to verify (but it really doesn't matter), I did not end the entire diatribe against Project Pagan Enough and ire over 'mainstream' pagans with two words:

I joke.

Quite simple in their syntax. There's a subject and a predicate. It's a complete sentence, and I am told that it would have changed the entire tone of the previous paragraph. In that paragraph, Project Pagan Enough is criticized as an attempt to mainstream paganism; WitchesBrewHaHa, the Pagan Hooligans, and many other high audio quality shows are derided as trying to throw how normal they are in everyone's face, and then the whole thing is ended with a heavy-handed attempt at humor by saying the blogger would put up a PPE banner if there were a banner about Project Pagan Weirdos.

So, 'I joke' was supposed to have changed all that. It was supposed to lead us to believe that those sentences were merely humor, and we should take it as such. 

But, I have a question, Rioters. How is adding the addendum of 'I joke' to a snide comment any different than saying, "God, you know you look really fat in those jeans... I'm just kidding,"? The comment is made. You said what you really thought, or at least enough to make yourself feel superior, and then you believe you can wipe it all away with 'just kidding.' This is no different. 

In Texas, growing up, women had 'Bless her heart'. If they wanted to gossip about somebody, they could say something like, "Bless her heart, that woman has gotten so fat and you know her husband is running around on her." And, of course, saying 'Bless her heart' at the beginning absolves the gossiper of anything remotely malicious. The addition comes at the beginning, however, and makes it sound like there's an air of concern rather than trite rumor mongering. 

Not that I intend to create some feud between myself and the blogger in question, but there was a reason I left out the two words 'I joke'. They didn't change a thing about that statement. If anything, they were an attempt at absolving the writer of any guilt or responsibility for the statements they made. When I say, "I'm sorry, but if you are one of those people that think Islam is a terrorist-breeding religion, then you're an idiot," I realize that is an unbelievably strong statement. It puts people off, and it, at least in one case, cost me a subscriber to the show. But, you'd better believe I'm going to stand by my statement. Yes, you can always alter your opinion and look back with regret after the fact, but don't attempt to change the tone of what you said by adding such an addendum.

In my opinion, statements such as those - Bless her heart; I joke; Just kidding - only make the comment more derisive, more snide. They ridicule and then say, "Come on, don't get upset by that. Just let me say what I want, and let's get over it so I can say some more!" Or, "You should have more backbone/not be so sensitive." They don't take away the sting of the statement any more than a Band-Aid would applied to a verbally-inflicted wound. 

But, I could be wrong. Rioters, what do you think of addendums such as these? Is it unfair of me to not have included 'I joke' in my reading of the statements? Would those two words have, indeed, changed the entire tone of the paragraph and, thus, my interpretation? Or, are those two words merely an attempt at lessening an already dealt blow? 

Love and Lyte,

Fire Lyte

Episode 42: Inciting An Annual Riot

Episode 42 of Inciting A Riot the Podcast finds Fire Lyte in a reflective mood as he Incites An Annual Riot.

I take a look back on the last year and update (in a rambling kind of way) my views of paganism. (i.e. What does it mean to be 'pagan', and how do we define 'paganism'?)

Please continue to vote for the show on Podcast Alley, vote, subscribe to, and rate the show on iTunes, join the TwitterRiot by following me @IncitingARiot, enter the Swag Contest through a donation or purchase of swag through the CafePress.com swag shop, take a gander at my articles on Examiner.com, and send your questions, comments, gripes, or complaints to IncitingARiotPodcast@gmail.com

Love and Lyte,

Fire Lyte

Home Page: http://www.IncitingARiot.com

Podcast Alley: http://www.podcastalley.com/podcast_details.php?pod_id=86829

Examiner: http://www.examiner.com/x-43503-Chicago-Pagan-Activism-Examiner

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Twitter: http://twitter.com/IncitingARiot

Swag Shop: http://cafepress.com/IncitingARiot

Project Pagan Enough: http://www.incitingariot.com/p/project-pagan-enough.html

1 Year Podiversary - THANK YOU RIOTERS!

I would just like to say an enormous THANK YOU to all of the podkin and Rioters that have allowed me to be a part of their (nearly) daily lives through Inciting A Riot. 1 year ago today I turned Inciting A Riot the blog into Inciting A Riot the podcast, and my life has been all the richer ever since.

Through podcasting I have made wonderful friends in the podkin community, and my life has been enriched by the amazing, encouraging, and thought-provoking feedback I've gotten from you all, the Rioters. I could never have guessed how well the show would do, nor would I have imagined the response I've received.

So, THANK YOU! Be looking for a 1 year podiversary show to come out later today. I'll be discussing my year in podcasting, and updating a few of those Inaugural Riot topics for 2010. If you have never listened to the show, or if you've not listened to the back episodes, I strongly encourage you to hop onto iTunes and download Inciting A Riot: the Podcast. It's a fabulous addition to the Riot, and it's been a pleasure raising pitchfork and torch with you this past year.

May the next one be just as challenging, just as fun, and just as Riotous as the last. Thank you all, again, for the ebullient reception and for keeping me bent on learning more about paganism, sociology, current events, and all the rest that life has to offer. I love researching each and every show, and I'm so glad you all seem to like it as well.

Love and Lyte,

Fire Lyte

Did anybody check their resumes?

With voting right around the corner - just a few days - in many states, I have been remiss in mentioning a few of the candidates here on the blog. Perhaps it just comes with getting older and keeping myself more informed of current events, or maybe it's true, but it seems like there's an overly large number of individuals making a mockery of this elections process.

Chief among them, or the best example I should say, is Levi Johnston. He's currently running to become the next mayor of Wasilla, Alaska - a position his pseudo-not-really-mother-in-law once held. However, as it has become completely apparent in the news circuit lately, he doesn't know what the hell he's doing. When grilled Levi admits that he really had no views on any political issues or current events of note. You'd think after his first terrible interview he would have used some of that 15-minutes-of-fame money to hire a groomer (a la Sarah Palin) to train him in policy, current events, and how not to sound like a complete dumbass on camera.

And this guy is getting national news coverage and becoming more famous, which I'm sure was his intention. I'm not really sure what other motivation he could have other than pulling another 'LOOK AT ME!' stunt so as to perhaps get a 16th minute of fame. Who knows, maybe Playgirl will want to give him another go 'round. Mayor McNaked anyone?

But it's not just him. If it were just him then it might be forgiven. It might be expected that the fame whore, almost son-in-law of Sarah Palin - herself a political dunce and famewhore - wouldn't want to give up being a household name without attempting a joke of a mayoral campaign. But no... Sadly there are more.

Sharon Angle of Nevada, the infamous Christine O'Donnell of Delaware, Carl Paladino of New York, and a host of other folks around the country are making bids for public office, and I'm starting to wonder if they're doing it out of care for making the world a better place, or to simply secure themselves a well-paid spot on the Tea Part/Conservative public speaking circuit.

I could write an in-depth analysis of each candidate, citing insane political tactics and outrageous statements made by each, but I'm sure you're sick of hearing about them. They're everywhere! shhh.... Maybe even here!!!

Rioters, make sure you're voting for a candidate based on a balance of qualifications, experience, passion for the position, common sense, and - where possible - a lack of horribly negative advertisements. I think it shows a great lack of personal conviction and belief in your own campaign to so greatly attempt to tear the other candidate(s) down simply to make yourself look better. That's middle school politics, quite literally. This isn't a lunch table.

But, back to my point. When did it ever become okay to get a job that you are so wildly unqualified for and, furthermore, make the position/institution look bad by simply being there? I can't go in and apply to run Apple or Best Buy or NBC or Burberry just because I want the job, and then actually believe that I will get the job, and then actually get it. That's sort of what's happening, except these people aren't just running a company, they're running a country. They're wanting to criminalize abortion ('make lemons out of a lemonade situation' as Angle has said), privatize social security, keep DADT in place, possibly criminalize homosexuality - and masturbation, and the list goes on. It's a list that sounds like a joke, but it's a collective set of agenda points.

And they're scary. Pardon the double negative, but don't not vote for someone simply because I criticize them or their talking points here on the Riot. You should not be voting because of any set of talking points. You should vote because of the aforementioned criteria.

Who are YOU voting for, dear Rioter, and why? Who's your favorite political loony this election cycle?

Love and Lyte,

Fire Lyte

The Lost Abbey Debacle

Broken by The Wild Hunt about a week ago, the controversy over The Lost Abbey's Witch's Wit label has definitely hit full steam. I had intended on commenting about this little matter earlier in the week, but life and all. So, let's start from the beginning.

First, there was the label itself that looks a little like this:

Well, actually it doesn't look quite like that. There's an apostrophe in between the 'h' and the 's', making it possessive instead of plural. But, who's being grammatically picky? Huh? Anyone?

This little label caused quite a controversy, headed up by the blog Deaf Pagan Crossroads. There are many complaints heard 'round the interwebs. The biggest seem to be in a procession: 

1. The label is highly insensitive to the modern pagan movement who still own a piece of the Burning Times myth. 
2. For those that don't quite appropriate the label with burning witches, there is the anti-feminist stance. Grr... The label doesn't give credit to the strides women have made.
3. For those with less of a historical bone to pick, you have the ones arguing that the label is merely poor marketing strategy.
4. Then, finally, there's some sort of equating the image with terrible genocides of the past - the Holocaust or slavery chief among them - and saying it either makes bad art or bad marketing (and that sort of puts us back at either 2 or 3, depending). 

In typical Riot fashion, I shall...ahem...discuss these in order.

It's really about time that we got over the Burning Times, folks. If any witches - real witches - were murdered by the Inquisition, it is in small percentage comparison to the thousands of individuals killed for their land or wealth or political or social power. It is dwarfed by those burned, hanged, pressed, or drowned due to the mob mentality created when rumor and fear rule uneducated communities. The academic community resoundingly deny the biggest untruths: 9 million women were burned at the stake for being members of an ancient witch cult in western Europe that subversively survived an underground railroad style war against the Church. It's bunk, largely. Pagans, at least pagans in the way we think of pagans today, were not the major target of the Inquisition. The majority of those killed were Christian or Christian affiliated. We are not the owners of this piece of history.

The image depicts a time when women were lower on the social rung than they are today. I am quite confused, however, as to how simply depicting the image takes anything away from the strides women have made. It is the duty of art to reflect life, ugly or bold or wrong. Ignoring this part of history doesn't make it go away, nor does rejecting its imagery or idea make the modern day status of women any greater. If it were glorifying the 'rightful' deaths of women at the hands of patriarchal society the artist could have chosen many other images rather than the stoic priests in front of a cathedral. It does not promote the issue, it simply examines the issue. If we'd like to see the strides of the feminist movement, we may simply turn on the television, look at a billboard, head to a bookstore, or switch the station on the radio. It's everywhere. One bottle of beer from a microbrewery takes nothing away from those successes.

The marketing argument is counterintuitive. The point of marketing is to get people talking about a product. There is truth to the idea that there is no such thing as bad press. The more we talk about the Lost Abbey line of beer, the more people will hear about Lost Abbey beer, the more people will look up Lost Abbey beer, and the more people will seek out Lost Abbey's line of beer and purchase them - either for the novelty of it or the curiosity. Lost Abbey's name is quickly pervading an entire subculture through the internet due to this marketing strategy, whether it was their intention with the image or not. One commenter said the image was shocking, striking, or something to that effect. It makes you turn your head and take a second look, and then a third, and then possibly you turn the bottle over and read the rest of the label, which tells a very different story than what some bloggers might have you believe.

On a quick side note, I had one respondent tell me they had a rule called the 'One Second' rule. They believe it takes exactly one second to form an opinion. Psychologists are unsure of exactly how long it takes for the human brain to create a first impression - an initial, yet lasting opinion - but the best estimates are around 7-10 seconds with the full range going from 3 seconds to 32 seconds. Either way it goes, it is pretty much agreed that you have more than 1 second to make a first impression. More than enough time to turn the bottle over and read the story on the back condemning the Catholic church for killing 'healers' who were never really witches. More than enough time to convey that this bottle is brewed in honor of those killed for their beliefs and convictions.

Finally there's the, "You can't show a picture of a Jew getting led to the ovens and call it a statement against the Holocaust, because it glorifies their death," argument. The only way the 4th argument against this label has any validity is if you don't understand the function or method of art. That's what this is, Rioters; it's art. Art is subjective, and while a microbrewery might not be considered fine art it is an artisan craft. Everything from the beer to the bottle to the label and story on the back. Everything is part of the artistic creation. It tells a story. Just as I said earlier, nobody is glorifying the death of this woman - or any of the women or men that died in this manner.

If anybody is a target of this label it's the Catholic church. The art seems to be a pretty scathing commentary on how the church brutally murdered individuals with malice and careless abandon to good reason and societal justice. Also, when both the label on the front and the story on the back is considered, what little connection there is with the modern pagan community seems to lie with the word 'witch' on the front - despite those individuals that want to claim ownership of the Burning Times.

To be upset about the Inquisition as a modern day practitioner of magic or pagan practice is like modern African American children hating white people for slavery in 2010. The white folks these days didn't own any slaves, nor did their parents or - probably - grandparents. Likewise, African Americans these days aren't slaves, aren't the children or - probably - the grandchildren of slaves. We are so divorced from that time period that it is ludicrous to hold the grudge based on a history that is not and was never yours. You and I can subjectively and objectively look back and say 'shame' on those that committed the atrocities and feel sorry for the loss of life of the victims, but we don't own either end. It is not ours, not in 2010.

But...sadly...it doesn't seem to matter. The New York Times got wind of the story and is reporting that the brewery is changing its label due to the public outcry. I cannot believe this. According to this new story, it seems as though the owners of the company are trying to slowly back away from their original intention of this being a scathing finger pointed at the Catholic church and, instead, are trying to make it appear as 'gentle satire.' Monty Python is gentle satire. Saturday Night Live is gentle satire. A woman being burned as a victim of the Catholic church's early quest for domination is not gentle in any sense of the word. Stick to your convictions and intentions and stay with them.

Rioters, what do you think about this continuing controversy?

Love and Lyte,

Fire Lyte

Want to win this...?

Behold! The prize for this month's swag draw, painted by yours truly. Whatcha think? If you'd like to make this yours, make any donation - any amount at all - to the Riot by clicking the Donate button on the left. This month is my podiversary, which means I'll have to renew all the little domains and podfeeds, and that's going to cost a pretty penny. You can help alleviate that cost - and get a spiffy painting - by donating to your favorite Rioter!

While you're at it, you might as well go vote on Podcast Alley, as well!
Love and Lyte,

Fire Lyte

Hey Rioters! Your feedback is appreciated.

What do you think of this article?

I'll leave my response until you all have a chance to read it and respond. Is the label offensive? Was the pagan reaction appropriate or overreacting? Do you feel the letter sent by the brewery properly addressed all issues, or was it - as the initial article suggests - a 'flimsy excuse'?

Can't wait to hear your thoughts!

Love and Lyte,

Fire Lyte

Swag Winners & Swag Givers!

This is a post long overdue, and my sincere apologies for not letting you all know sooner, BUT...

SWAG CONTEST WINNERS have been chosen!

Without any further ado, the second prize winner - who will get the smaller Book of Shadows donated by Witchy Wearables - is...

Tia Rockwell 

Congratulations, Tia! Your donation to the Riot entered you to win, and I am so grateful for your generosity! 

And the first prize winner, who went out of their way to purchase something from Witchy Wearables in Midlothian, IL and was therefore entered 5 times into the contest, is.... 

Kelli Creighton 

Congratulations, Kelli! Kelli and her handsome hubby came all the way from Cincinnati, OH to enjoy the wares at Witchy Wearables. 

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Buy Pagan Swag Contest. I am so pleased that it inspired so many of you to venture out to your local metaphysical shop and show some love. Remember, if we don't support these witchy shops when the economy sucks, they won't be here when it's booming and we're more able to do so.

Winners, if you could email IncitingARiotPodcast@gmail.com with your mailing address, I can get your prizes to you in a timely fashion.

One quick thank you: At the Pagan Podkin Supermoot, so many businesses donated amazing swag to the event. We were all so grateful for the beautiful and interesting products, and I wanted to list the businesses here for you Rioters to check out! I encourage you to purchase from these phenomenal pagan businesses, and let me know what you bought! 

• Coventry Creations provided some beautiful, witchy candles for our swag bags. You can find their line of products at CoventryCreations.com, or email Dan with any questions about the products: Dan@CoventryCreations.com.
• Twilight Alchemy Labs provided some excellent oils. Alchemy Labs has both a fragrance line - Black Phoenix - and ritual oils - Twilight. I encourage you to check out their collection at TwilightAlchemyLabs.com.
• Wicked Witch Coffee is just one line of products from noted pagan author Dorothy Morrison. She has an enormous line of ever-growing products at WickedWitchStudios.com.
• Magical Omaha donated gift bags with all sorts of goodies. Magical Omaha is Velma Nightshade's local witchy shop, so stop in for a spell and you might just see your favorite witch in there. Their web presence can be found at MagicalOmaha.com.
• Compass and Key magical oils and mojo bags were provided by Compass and Key Apothecary, run by Cory from New World Witchery. Check out his full line, or send an email with a special request, through the etsy shop found here.
• Green Witch Tea - the sponsor of Inciting A Riot - provided a fabulous blend of teas. Find her etsy shop at R0sered1ster.etsy.com.

Check out these fabulously witchy products, and share your own favorites in the comments below!

Love and Lyte,

Fire Lyte

Episode 41: Inciting A Witchy Riot

Episode 41 of Inciting A Riot: the Podcast finds us Inciting A Witchy Riot! The show is presented in an indexed mp3 format, so you can listen along to your favorite Riot while being able to forward ahead through the parts you don't like.

(2:58) News: Texas Board of Education is Islamophobic, that dang Religion Survey, the Witt Standard, some DADT news, Christine O'Donnell and the I Am You campaign, and the miracle of the 33 rescued Chilean miners.

(47:11) WOTD: amok

(49:35) Tips & Tricks: How to Gain Superpowers

(57:57) Sociology: Gay teen suicide

(1:09:43) Music: Run by Snow Patrol, sung by Leona Lewis

(1:15:48) Gripe Department: Escalators are not theme park rides!

(1:21:43) Sociology: Discussion of Unions

(1:34:34) Spirituality: What is a Witch?

(1:54:52) Book Review: Dirty, Sexy Politics by Meghan McCain

(2:03:21) Music: Powerless by Nelly Furtado

(2:08:52) Promos

(2:12:05) Poetry: Untitled poem about Christian perception.

(2:14:32) Feedback

(2:27:13) Swag Draw winners and Conclusion of the show!

Please continue to vote for the show on Podcast Alley, vote, subscribe to, and rate the show on iTunes, join the TwitterRiot by following me @IncitingARiot, enter the Swag Contest through a donation or purchase of swag through the CafePress.com swag shop, take a gander at my articles on Examiner.com, and send your questions, comments, gripes, or complaints to IncitingARiotPodcast@gmail.com

Love and Lyte,

Fire Lyte

Home Page: http://www.IncitingARiot.com

Podcast Alley: http://www.podcastalley.com/podcast_details.php?pod_id=86829

Examiner: http://www.examiner.com/x-43503-Chicago-Pagan-Activism-Examiner

iTunes: http://www.itunes.com/podcast?id=337689333

Twitter: http://twitter.com/IncitingARiot

Swag Shop: http://cafepress.com/IncitingARiot

Project Pagan Enough: http://www.incitingariot.com/p/project-pagan-enough.html

The Problem with Unions

Oprah, in typical fashion, has brought to light a fabulous new movie: Waiting for Superman. (Trailer below) It highlights several problems with our education system and how they are negatively affecting our youth. From the fact that our current student body will be more illiterate than the last generation, to the fact that our students are increasingly testing lower while their confidence is getting higher, to so many more issues dealing with teachers and parents, etc. Then, there are the unions.

Believe me when I say that I will be doing a full write-up of Waiting for Superman the moment I get my grubby little paws on either a movie ticket or the disc through Netflix - love Netflix. But, I wanted to take a moment and talk about Unions.

I come from a state where Unions - at least for the most part, as it's a big state - are sort of rare. Growing up I didn't even understand what a Union was, honestly. All I really knew about them was that Sally Field really, really wanted one. Now, I say that I come from an area of the country where Unions were sort of shunned, as we were an at will state and most employers would just go hire somebody else if you tried to unionize. However, I also have the unique advantage of having been in a Union. And, let me just say...

Unions = #Fail

Having a Union is sort of like having tenure at a college. When a professor has tenure, he or she is afforded certain advantages. One must have 'just cause' - which can be interpreted in a myriad of ways in some cases - to be terminated from your job. Being in a Union provides tenure-like protection against being fired. You are guarded by rules and guidelines put in place by the Union through negotiations with the employer. You never have to deal with management, in a perfect world, and are rarely in serious trouble of being let go.  

Advantages to be sure. Those that work in Unions typically get paid at least 11% more than those not in a Union doing the same exact job. Their hiring and promotion procedures are determined more by those that get promoted than by those doing the promoting. You typically get more time off and work shorter shifts for greater pay when working with a Union. Benefits such as medical and dental are typically negotiated to be better as well.

Though, to be fair, life is not all rosy with a Union. Labor forces must follow these Union rules as well. If you are the young, smart upstart, learning quickly and doing your job impeccably, you might as well slow down or change jobs, because it could very easily be 5-10 years before you have an opportunity for promotion. Also, you pay the Union out of every paycheck, whether you like the work they're doing or not. But, the biggest issue is when your Union goes on strike. If you want to enjoy the benefits of you Union, you must also enjoy the time when everyone is out of work, because your stewards are negotiating with the employer.

But, back to my problem with Unions, though you've probably already guessed it: Everybody keeps their job. Everybody! (Yes, that is an over-exaggeration. Not everyone remains employed, but most do for the most part.) It is so difficult to be reprimanded, written up, or terminated when under Union protection that even the laziest, most incompetent employees can remain employed. The ones that could care less about the job they're there to do are the ones there the longest. It breeds a culture of people that feel overly entitled to a shorter work day, extra money, and the ability to skate around trouble. 

And, in some industries, this might not necessarily be a problem. In retail situations, or really any situation where one is engaging in capitalism, consumers can simply choose not to hire or patron an establishment where those working are lazy, incompetent, and overpaid for simply being there. If you know the plumber does a bad job, then hire someone else. There are resources online now where you can look up businesses and see customers' reactions to the services provided. 

But what about our school system, fire department, justice system, medical system, etc.? What happens when you're dealing with a police force that is tenured? What about teachers that don't have to worry about being fired for doing a bad job? In my own experience, I recall a few individuals that could care less about the reason we were helping kids in trouble and more about the swag. The sheer amount of vacation time one can accrue in some Unions is so unbelievably ridiculous as to be laughable. One guy I worked with literally only worked 9 months out of the year. The other 3 months were spent on vacation due to the vast amount of vacation time he received. Likewise, he really didn't care too much for the job. 

And, it's frustrating hearing about situations like this, because we have no choice in the matter. What about the educator that is 'tenured' by the Unions and doesn't get terminated despite ever-lowering test results by his or her students? What is the bigger tragedy: that someone is out of a job or that a generation of children are becoming illiterate?

I think it is fantastic that Unions are able to get a better wage for their members. People work hard all day and very few of us get paid enough for doing so. We scrimp and scrape by and save what we can, and it just never seems like some of us get ahead financially. Better healthcare and vacation time and sick leave and bereavement all mean that we are more content clocking in and clocking out everyday. But...what about the flip-side of those benefits? Are we really okay with having subpar employees creating subpar education, justice, healthcare, and safety systems? We're really just fine with having a Union employee getting paid thousands of dollars more per year to do half the job of a non-Union employee who has to work their ass of to get ahead? 

What do you think? I see the benefit of Unions, but I'm not sure their downfalls outweigh the benefits. Let me know your thoughts via Twitter, email, or a comment below! 

Love and Lyte,

Fire Lyte

Finally, a party.

Back in Texas I never really had to worry about sabbat plans. I had a just-big-enough-for-me sized group of pagan-y friends - or friends that were completely fine with my spiritual path - that gathered together for (nearly) each spoke on the Wheel of the Year. After moving from there to the Chicagoland area, however, I fear I don't have that anymore.

But, it's more than just a lack of pagan friends; I haven't made too many 'friends' in Chicago at all. We moved here and haven't really been able to put down roots. Until recently, that is.

It's an odd thing to try and make social connections outside of typical social settings like school or work. Now, though, I am finally resting. Or, at least, getting comfortable.

Today marked my 90th day with my company. That, for some odd reason, is the magic number of days it takes for me to officially work there. Like, for permanent. Since I moved here I haven't worked at any job past the 90 day mark. I served coffee, waited tables, worked back in the juvenile system, worked at a lower-end designer shop, and all of this in the last year. But, now I'm reaching a 90 day mark somewhere. I'm putting down roots.

And I have a party coming up!

That's right! I have planned my first party for a few friends from work - and a few from what amounts to the shreds of my social life - on October 30th, a Saturday. This is my first time truly entertaining at our new place. Partner and I need this. It sort of completes a process of nesting in the new place. Once you've made your house your home, you've gotten comfortable in a job, you deserve to have a life.

So maybe, just maybe, this is a sign that I might be on the path to gaining a pagan friend. I don't really know why having non-magical friends means that I'm any closer to having a pagan buddy, but perhaps. I think if you put it out in the universe, if you've prepared a space in your life and psyche for someone, then maybe...just maybe...you'll be rewarded for that. Oh wait, I busted the Law of Attraction. 

What are your Samhain plans? Do they include a get together with like-minded pals, or trick or treating with the kiddies? Let me know!

Love and Lyte,

Fire Lyte

What is a Witch?

Halloween is right around the corner, and it's about this time of year when being a witch becomes less of a counter-cultural, subversive life choice and more of an out in the open 'meet the freak' kind of thing. Walking through my local Barnes & Noble, I found a table of 'Horrific Halloween' ware. It included your usual horror story fare, but also a few books by Judika Illes, some vampire-themed tarot cards, and other items pointing towards truly magical happenings. And, it's gotten me thinking about the definition of a witch.

What makes one into a witch? Is it a birthright or something to do with a wand and a pointy hat? Is it being a priestess or a Druid or a worshipper of a 'pagan' deity? Or, is being a witch just another overly used term that now applies to so many different kinds of people that it is now meaningless?

Depending on which continent you're on, the definition of a witch changes, but what I've typically found through folklore is that a witch has a set of powers attributed to her by the society she is in. In Africa, the witch summons and controls spirits, but is feared for his/her ability to spread diseases such as AIDS. There are lesser degrees of African witches, though, and they pretty much correlate to various categories of witches around the world.

So let's look, quickly, at a few categories of witches - both from folklore and mundane life:

• The Malevolent Witch: She is the witch that uses powers - typically given by the Devil or an equally malicious spirit - to harm the community around her. She might be a shapeshifter in the Appalachian mountains that runs around to the neighbor's house to kill the cattle or snatch the breath out of children's bodies. She might be a European spirit summoner, calling upon malevolent beings from the beyond to terrorize the dreams of the villagers and blight the crops. She is the stereotype of the witch on her broom singing, 'Come little children, I'd like to eat you and use your bones to divine the future.'
• The Benevolent Witch: She is the opposite of the Malevolent Witch. The source of her powers is less clear, because nobody hates the Benevolent Witch (so we don't have to attribute her magic to the Dark Lord). She typically is used in folklore to combat the evil done by the 'bad' witch. her remedies and spells help heroes and townsfolk negate the effects of the green-faced, devil-lover. For some odd reason, her magic isn't seen as powerful or as mighty as the negative kind. Wonder why that is...
• The Healing Witch: This witch is pretty self-explanatory. She uses knowledge of herbs and simple charms to fix the problems of her community. She heals the sick - both human, animal, and plant. She gives remedies for crop failure and broken limbs. Some don't even categorize this witch as a witch, because she rarely - if ever - casts spells. 
• The Divinatory Witch: This is another witch who may or may not be a witch - by some standards. She doesn't necessarily cast spells, but she might just summon a spirit or two to foretell the future. She's the tarot reader peering into the tea leaves at the bottom of the cup while gazing into a crystal across from a candle flame. She might have natural gifts, but definitely knows a thing or two about telling you what to do and why.
• The Religious Witch: This seems to correlate with what some people these days think of as a witch. They worship so-called 'pagan' deities, and are sometimes gifted with gifts correlating to that deity. For them, the path of the Witch is one tied to faith, belief, and religious practice. It has a foot in this world while the other is stepping into the next. 
• The Spellcaster Witch: She is the witch who is a witch simply because she does spells. She knows how to light a mean prosperity candle or sweep clouds into a nasty little rainstorm. 

Most witches these days seem to be a combination of several of the above, if not all of the above. And, while you can easily categorize these different types of witches, the classifications only bring up more questions. How many spells means that the curious girl with a votive candle is now a witch? Is it when she's done 5 or 10? Is it when she believes that she's done her first successful spell, real magic? 

Is there a correct qualification for someone to be the Divinatory or Healing witch? Does the latter need a degree in natural medicine or the former a certification from some national organization? 

What do YOU think? What makes a witch? Is it spellcasting or the ability to summon and control a spirit? Is it combating another's magic or a belief in a pagan deity? Is it something entirely different? Also, share your favorite bit of witchy folklore! What are witches like in your part of the world, and what does being a witch mean to you?

Send your thoughts to IncitingARiotPodcast@gmail.com or leave a comment here for all to see!

Love and Lyte,

Fire Lyte

A Drill in the Dark

65 days ago the world heard about a mine collapse in Chile. 33 miners working in a copper/gold mine near Copiapó, Chile have now set the world record for length of time trapped in an underground mine...and surviving. That's right, folks, all 33 of them - as far as I am aware - are still alive and doing okay. (As far as one can be ok after being trapped for over 2 months in an underground pit.)

One could discuss this issue by railing against the mining company who did not reinforce the mine properly, but instead I'd like to just focus on these 33 beautiful people who have somehow remained sane during this time. Initial estimates put rescue at Christmas, meaning 4 months in a mine. So, relatively speaking, they're rather lucky.

After 33 straight days of drilling, the rescue drill has now reached the area of the collapsed mine where the workers are huddled. Now, estimates for rescue range between 3 and 10 days. Once the newly drilled hole is properly reinforced - unlike the mine - a doctor and rescuer will be lowered to assess the miners and the rescue situation. And then, hopefully, 33 men will be brought back to their families.

Now, obviously, their ordeal isn't over. Luckily, early on, a small hole was drilled down to them so that small bits of protein packs and other essentials could be lowered down to them. These men haven't really eaten nutritious, solid food in months. Also, to keep them from going crazy, small things like playing cards were sent down to keep their minds occupied.

This is a triumph of the human spirit. This is a good thing. 33 men trapped in a dark collapsed mine have survived and remained sane and - according to reports - in good spirits. This is a modern day miracle. Use this story as an impetus to continue to value life, your family and loved ones. You never know when a mine will collapse around you and the only thing keeping you sane is the promise of a small hole, a small beam of light, meaning you can finally be saved.

Love and Lyte,

Fire Lyte

Verizon returns $90 million for mystery fees!

Verizon, in a fun little turn of events for a phone company, is going to be giving a refund to the tune of around $90 million. See, what happened was that about 15 million people didn't quite get the memo that anytime you connect to the internet - for any reason whatsoever - you get charged $1.99 per MB of info downloaded. This includes, apparently, demo apps that require internet use.

Luckily, someone was astute enough to start bitching about the extra $2-$6 (on average, per account) extra charge on their bill.

So, Verizon stepped up, admitted they handled the situation poorly, and is now refunding all of that accidentally charged money.

To the tune of $90 million dollars.

In related billing news: The FCC is examining whether they should vote on October 14th to instate laws requiring phone service providers to alert you when you're approaching your minute/data/etc. usage limit. Because, as of right now, most companies have rules charging quite large fees - when added all together - the moment you begin use of data or talk time that isn't included in your plan. They call this 'bill shock.'

You know the feeling. We've all had it. We were pretty sure we stayed in the limits of our plan, but were unsure of whether those last couple of quick lunchtime calls the last few days of the month were covered. 'Oh well,' you think. 'Surely it can't be more than a few dollars. After all I only talked for 10-15 minutes at the most!' And then you get slammed with an extra $50, $75, or $100+ fee - or, in some cases, a set of fees.

My vote, just in case the FCC is wondering, is YES!

The bigger picture that should be looked at here, though, is one of the mysterious fees on phone bills anyways. I mean, goodness, I have one phone and I'm not only paying the monthly bill, but there are a mountain of fees and taxes added on to it. And, these are taxes for things I've never heard of, nor thought about being taxed.

I get that we should all pay our fair share, but...at some point it has to stop. Two people conservatively using one phone plan should not be paying $175 for said phone plan. ESPECIALLY not $175 for a plan with a company whose cell service sucks balls. And not in a good way, either.

I propose a pseudo-credit card solution. For customers who routinely pay their bill on time, never go over their monthly minute usage, and generally don't make too much of an issue for phone companies, they should lower your bill. Now, if you start becoming an almighty pain in their asses by using minutes or data you didn't pay for, calling to bitch about said shitty service, or otherwise don't abide by the general agreement of service provider and recipient, then you can pay the regular outrageous fees. But, for the rest of us, we should get a break. Surely they could allow for a gradual $50+ deduction in monthly fees for this sort of thing, right? I mean, the bills are certainly high enough to allow for that size of an amount.

Right?

But, that won't happen. It won't. I know it. You know it, and yet we still engage in using the cell phone. In fact, cell phones have replaced home phones as the main means of telephonic communication in this country. Home phone service is around $20-$40. Cell service for a household of 2??? $175. There seems to be a disconnect in treating your customers as though they have enough sense to know you're screwing them.

What do you think of cell companies and their outrageous fees, sub-fees, taxes, and extra fun charges thrown in just for extra fun?

Love and Lyte,

Fire Lyte

Dabble Dabble, You're in Trouble!

Christine O'Donnell - a Republican/Tea Party candidate for Senate in Delaware - has quickly become famous in the news media in the last month. Every corner of the news media. Even the pagan news media. Christine O'Donnell, on the surface, seems to be your typical fringe, right-wing ultraconservative candidate:

• She's anti-abortion, even in cases of rape and incest.
• She opposes stem cell research.
• She really hates government spending, wants to reduce taxes, and basically doesn't understand how taxes = money for governmental agencies and programs.
• She wants to drill as many new oil wells as humanly possible. 
• She loves herself some anti-immigration reform.
• She doesn't like health care or Social Security.

And on and on and on. To be perfectly honest, if these were her only qualifications this wouldn't be fodder for The Riot. She would be yet another in the sea of John Boehner's and Sharon Angle's, a funny joke on a left-leaning political show, but nothing more. However, the things coming out of her mouth have just gotten so dang funny you almost can't ignore her. It's Palin/Bush-esque in the sense that you find yourself waiting to hear what she has to say simply to get a good laugh. 

Then there came what the interwebs (and by the interwebs, I mean The Wild Hunt, as a handy Google search proved) are calling Dabble Gate. (Why, whenever there's a political controversy, must we reference Richard Nixon?) Dabble Gate comes from a comment that recently resurfaced concerning Ms. O'Donnell appearing on a late '90s episode of Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher. The quote is as follows:

Let's examine that quote just a bit, because a looooooot of pagan folk - and some news media - have been attempting to say when she said she dabbled in witchcraft, that's what she meant. She said she hung out with witches and they told her what they did.

I'm sorry, I don't know how everyone turned this into more than it was, but it sounds like one time at Starbuck's she was sitting close enough to some goth kids and overheard them talking about their plans to worship the Goddess at the full moon. She went on a date and found out later it was on a supposed 'satanic altar.' Really? I mean... REALLY?!


As far as I knew only a few folks on the interwebs and a few of the newscaster jokesters (like Jon Stewart or the Colbert Report) were harping on this at all. It certainly hasn't 'dominated' the coverage of her campaign. Comments such as believing scientists have created human/mice hybrids or that China is secretly planning to invade America - and she knows all the classified secrets about it - THOSE are comments that punctuate her news coverage. This thing has flown under the mainstream radar so well it was pretty much off the news cycle, if it was ever really on.

And then the dumb chick had to go and make this ad:

I'M YOU?!?!?!?!?! SERIOUSLY?!?!?! THIS IS HER NEW BIG CAMPAIGN?!?!!? I'M FRIGGIN YOU?! 

Oh, and by the way, I'm totally, completely, unbelievably NOT a witch. I just... I am at a loss. I'm no expert in political science or campaign managing or anything, but I think it was possibly the dumbest thing one could do to publicly acknowledge this drivel. It's not like this is even a good 'gotcha' moment! The girl is so uber-Christo-conservative she thinks masturbation is adultery. Ya know, all that sex you're having with...umm...err....nobody....

To acknowledge this as important enough to create an entirely new ad campaign? The manager of her sham of a campaign should be fired, but - sadly - this chick might actually win the state. Her campaign went from barely able to get by to a multi-million dollar affair. 

But to briefly discuss the content of this new campaign, I have to also take issue with the confused message. 'I'm you.' Not 'I'm like you,' or 'I relate to you,' or 'I'm the same as you,' or anything remotely resembling a metaphor. No.... That's too big of a concept for this wing-nut. She said she is 'you.' What kind of message is that?  

I have to give a LOT of props to Bex over at the Bex's Hexes blog. She's started a great new 'I am you,' campaign. Through her article and accompanying video, she reminds folks that being a witch is merely one teeny tiny aspect of what makes a whole person, and that it's not relegated to the fringes of whacked out/fairy wings and glitter society. You can be a moderately normal person and still be a witch. 

While I haven't made an official 'I am you' article or video, you can bet one is coming your way, as well as an appearance by Bex on my next show (hopefully) to discuss the importance of discussing these political and social issues in a meaningful context. Catch Bex's video below and leave a comment over this whole controversy. Does it have substance, or is it baseless? 

Love and Lyte,

Fire Lyte

Episode 5 of Inciting A BrewHaHa: Magic and Damn Good Pizza

In this episode, Fire Lyte and Velma talk about the Pagan Podkin Supermoot along with magic. Because, as always, we're light on the deep topics and heavy on the sass.

Though, we might have gotten a bit heavy on both this time.

Oh, and we probably piss off Jay O'Skully.

Praise The Nog!

FL & VN

Pagan Podkin Supermoot pt. 2 (Things Podkin Do)

Here's a fun pictorial journey of all the podkin doing some metaphysical shop hopping - and meeting some SuperFans along the way!

Love and Lyte,

Fire Lyte

Pagan Podkin Supermoot pt. 1 (Things Podkin Say)

Just in case you're ever in a room with Isaac of the Pagan Hooligans podcast, and you'd like to make him laugh until he pees, you should probably say the following:

Pyrokinesis is better than no kinesis at all, I always say.

Also, just a heads-up, Gillian of Iron Powaqa radio has a grandfather named PapPap that REALLY needs you to hear the following message:

M4I3L7!!!! MOON MOON MOON!!!!!!

Then, of course, one cannot even speak of that first night of the podkin Supermoot without discussing the Nog. We cannot even talk about the Nog fully in this setting for fear of pissing it off and causing it run amok in people's pantries, but just know that you must...under any and all circumstances

#FEARTHENOG!!!

The first evening of the Pagan Podkin Supermoot was an unbelievable success! These people truly bring so much joy to my life, as I'm sure they do to yours. Their intellect and insight is tempered so naturally and easily with humor and knowing how to have a good time. Should this kind of evening never happen again, I am grateful to have been able to spend at least one night with this undeniably magical group of people.

Remember!! TODAY at 11am all of your favorite Supermoot attendees will be at Witchy Wearables in Midlothian, IL. You can Google or Mapquest those directions. Come by and enjoy the fabulous craft fair and fabulous podkin. I cannot wait to meet all of you!

But, remember, #FeartheNog.

Love and Lyte,

Fire Lyte