So, November 5th happened how it happened. I needed a few days to process my bigger feelings and gather my thoughts. As did most of us, I think. Americans left of center are currently in varying stages of grief, despair, rage, and hope. Much of Europe seems to be right there with us on the “America, what the fuck?” train.

This isn’t a “political” blog in the sense that I write extensively about the goings-on in American politics. The goal and focus of my writing is to offer resources to those who wish to begin or continue a heathen praxis. However, it is foolish to think that any body of work dealing with religious identity is apolitical. The very act of having a religious identity is a political act in the United States, especially a non-Christian one.

One of the things I did after the election results rolled in was spend time in prayer with Frīg. I was so angry going into that conversation, but her energy was calm. It was almost frustrating how serene it felt. The message she had for me was clear, even if it wasn’t what I’d wanted to hear at that moment: Stop. Breathe. Think critically.

For me, I believe I was being told to practice good judgment and direct all that rage energy somewhere productive. As much as it might feel good, responding to every dumb right-wing thing I see on FB with “Are you a fucking moron?” won’t be helpful. There is work to be done in building and sustaining my communities so we can weather the storm. There is work to be done to help de-program the people in my life who have fallen for the propaganda. These are the areas where my focus will be in the coming year.

I also think the message of “think critically” is one I’m supposed to share. There have been many, many things posted online since leading up to the election and in the wake of the results. Some of them are true and should be shouted from the rooftops. Some of them are not true. It is vital that we discern the difference. We absolutely must fact-check things before we spread them. We do harm when we share untruths and distract from the real threats.

I don’t know what religious freedom in the United States is going to look like in a year, two years, four years. It feels as though the foxes are well and truly in the hen house right now. But for now, I will still be here, being proudly pagan.