Pondering Archives - Ponderings & Pathways

A rustic wooden table displays symbolic items of barter and money: a feathered dreamcatcher, a tarnished chalice, two brown eggs, three white pillar candles, and a twenty-dollar bill, arranged side by side to contrast traditional trade with modern currency.

Chickens, Chalices, and Cold Hard Cash

By Papa Onyx August 22, 2025Blog, Musings, Reflections, Trickster Wisdom

There’s a curious quirk in modern Paganism that always makes me grin. We’ll gladly accept a handwoven dreamcatcher for spell work.We’ll happily take a bottle of homemade mead for energy healing.We’ll even nod approvingly if someone mows our lawn…

The Silence Between Two Bells

By Papa Onyx August 17, 2025Blog, Musings, Reflections

There is a space the world seldom notices.A moment stretched thin—where one bell has ceased its ringing,and the next has not yet begun. The air still quivers.The ear still listens.The body still waits for what is not yet here.…

Brave to Burn, Strong to Fly: The Wisdom of Doing After the Fire

By Papa Onyx June 20, 2025Blog, Musings, Pondering, Reflections, Trickster Wisdom

You must be brave enough to burn, but strong enough to fly. This post explores how we can honor the lessons of pain without getting trapped in them—by embracing sacred action as a form of spiritual wisdom.

A mystical digital artwork featuring an open box dissolving into radiant light, symbolizing the illusion of limitations. In the background, a spiral path extends into the cosmos, representing growth and evolution beyond opposition. Ethereal, unbound chains float in the air, signifying self-imposed restrictions that can be removed. A mysterious figure stands at the threshold of the scene, gazing forward rather than back, embodying the journey of self-definition and transformation. The atmosphere is rich with deep blues, purples, and golds, evoking a sense of mystery, reflection, and spiritual awakening.

The Box That Was Never There

By Papa Onyx February 25, 2025Blog, Home, Musings, Pondering

"The first step to thinking outside the box is realizing there is no box." Sit with that for a moment. Let it settle in your bones. What if the walls you’ve been pushing against were never there? What if…

When the Grass Turns Blue: Wisdom in the Age of Untruth

By Papa Onyx January 22, 2025Blog, Musings, Pondering

Discover the wisdom of the fable where a tiger, a donkey, and a lion teach us about truth, discernment, and the power of silence. Learn how to counter untruths, balance speaking up with preserving peace, and navigate life’s 'blue grass' moments with clarity and wisdom. Perfect for seekers of truth!

The Power of Inclusivity: Honoring Every Thread in the Tapestry of Life

By Papa Onyx January 21, 2025Musings, Pondering

Discover the power of inclusivity through the metaphor of a tapestry, where every thread matters. Explore how diversity strengthens our collective humanity, the consequences of exclusion, and how small acts of connection can transform division into unity. Embrace the Sacred Dance of life and honor the beauty in every thread. #Inclusivity #UnityInDiversity

Painting the Divine: The Numinous Mystery of the Ineffable

By Papa Onyx January 16, 2025Blog, Musings, Pondering

Explore the ineffable Divine through metaphors, myths, and personal reflections. Discover how the Gods, Goddesses, and Fae illuminate the sacred dance of existence.

Reframing Gatekeeping in Spiritual Growth

By Papa Onyx January 15, 2025Blog, Musings, Pondering

Explore the transformative role of gatekeeping in spiritual growth and wisdom. This post redefines gatekeeping as stewardship, guiding seekers to meaningful growth while protecting the depth of sacred traditions. Discover how to overcome the challenges of instant gratification, build bridges between seekers and teachers, and honor the climb of spiritual development. Packed with practical insights and reflective questions, this blog inspires patience, partnership, and purposeful progress on your spiritual journey.

The Wisdom of the Elders: Bridging Generational Divides in the Pagan Community

By Papa Onyx January 2, 2025Blog, Home, Musings, Pondering

In the sacred circle of our Pagan community, every voice holds power. Yet, the voices of our elders—the keepers of wisdom and tradition—are at risk of being overshadowed. How can we honor the roots of our practice while nurturing the branches of innovation? Join Papa Onyx in exploring the wisdom of the elders, the challenges of generational divides, and the sacred dance of connection that strengthens our spiritual forest. Together, let’s build bridges and ensure that every thread in our tapestry, no matter its age, weaves a stronger future.

The Shadow’s Gift: Embracing What Lurks Within

By Papa Onyx December 31, 2024Blog, Home, Musings, Pondering

Discover the hidden dance within as we explore the shadow self. By the fireside, learn to embrace the parts of you often left unseen, transforming fear into growth and darkness into light. Shadow work isn’t about fear—it’s about rediscovering wholeness. Are you ready to meet the teacher within your shadow?