My journey to Wicca, like that of many people, began in childhood. I thought from an early age that I was a witch. My mother was psychic and I found she often communicated with me through telepathy. I thought that this was normal, but I soon learned that it was something that was best not talked about. I lived in a rural area and spent long hours playing in the woods, where I learned to tune in and communicate with the trees and I started to make altars and to create simple circle ceremonies to honour the spiritual presences in nature. I was discovering for myself what I call 'natural religion' - the innate desire of human beings to honour the Divine that is within and beyond the physical universe that we see around us.

In my quest for the spiritual, I explored the Catholicism of my Irish family and found that the Latin rituals could create a mystical sense of oneness with the Divine that was similar to what I found in nature, but I could not accept Christian beliefs. It was only when I was initiated into Wicca in my teens and found a magickal religion that honoured Goddess as well as God that I found my spiritual home. As well as Wicca, Kabbalah and Buddhism are strong influences on my personal practice, and I could describe myself as a Pagan Neoplatonist.

I am excited about teaching for the first time Master's level programmes with groups of Pagan students. I hope that the programmes that I teach at Cherry Hill will help students to deepen their understanding of religious practice and the dynamics that influence Pagan groups. Psychology of Religion is an important discipline for religious leaders and clergy of all faiths in understanding their own spiritual journey and that of those whom they serve, and the issues of Death and Dying are some of the most sensitive and important that we care called upon to deal with in our ministry.

I looked forward to working with you all and hopefully meeting some of you face to face in the future.

Vivianne Crowley

February 4&5, 2012

Claremont, CA

For this conference we are contemplating the concepts of Identity and Community. What is our broadly defined community thinking, researching, or feeling about these concepts?

For some of us, entering into communion with this identity, this way of being in the world, is in part the divine work we essay if we dare: in what way can I manifest my identify into my life, into the world, with responsibility, integrity, passion, and compassion? In what way does this being in the world reveal and manifest the telos of my existence?

For others of us there may be other visions. What are you doing as a part of the community? Where do you think our energies should be directed in building a future? Are we part of making this world a better place to be? How is our work shaping academia or being shaped by it?

We are looking for papers from all disciplines. A community needs artists, teachers, scientists, healers, historians, philosophers, educators, thinkers, activists, etc.

As usual, we are using Pagan in its most inclusive form, covering pagans, wiccans, witches and the numerous hybrids that have sprung up as well as any indigenous groups that feel akin to or want to be in conversation with Pagans.

Abstracts should be no longer than 350 words and are due by October 15, 2011. Go to our website for advice on presenting papers. Please submit all papers via e-mail.