This is my mind on dissertation. It’s even in my dreams.

As I study Witchcraft in the Middle Ages by Jeffrey Burton Russell, I came across a great quote that seems to align the struggle that happened then with what is happening in the chaotic world now. Because I am learning that as much as European witchcraft, and all the academic issues with its origins and…   Read More

Update: 10.31.17:  Here is a relevant podcast discussing the phenomenon of human psychopathy from one of my favorite scholars Michael Tsarion, whom I quoted in my dissertation. Unslaved Podcast: Sage Vs. Psychopath (How to the Tell the Difference) *** This is somehow relevant to my work because I am now completely consumed by it, but…   Read More

A Theology of Necessary Intolerance In a historic event, the US Supreme court announced this month that it will decide two cases regarding the legality of same-sex marriage its 2013 session. These cases include the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) that forbids federal recognition of same-sex marriages allowed by individual states, and California’s Proposition…   Read More

MRI images of a woman’s brain throughout an orgasm.

As I work on my introduction chapter, I am coming across some deep layers of imbedded patriarchy in myself. When I catch this tendency, I find myself going back to Mary Daly. Now she is not sexy (read here threatening) to patriarchal culture. She is a broom-riding dyke who speaks like a Druid Bardic adept…   Read More

I’m trying to get a definition of religion, as opposed to spirituality, for my glossary. You’d think that’d be a simple task. But alas NOT. “Religion” is a term like “shaman” which is an anthropological term imposed on “native” subjects of study – So then Chad, why are you walking around a circle with a…   Read More

I am working on my section in my dissertation that is an overview of shamanism. I am finding that the research is bringing to light the problems of Western academics as it attempts to pin like a living bug that is now dead onto the board of Western scientific assumptions the ancient and living tradition…   Read More