Men Who Love the Goddess
Drake Spaeth, Patrick McCollum, Michael York. River Higginbotham, Don Lewis

PART OF THIS PRESENTATION WAS LOST DUE TO CAMERA FAILURE

Panel Discussion
Notable among contemporary Pagan traditions is the reawakening and re-emergence of the Goddess as a feminine manifestation of the divine. While Pagan women have undeniably been instrumental in bringing the Goddess back into common awareness and spiritual practice within contemporary western cultures, Pagan men have a unique perspective on the divine feminine, as well as a variety of ways of connecting with Her as She manifests to them. The panellists, all Pagan men of different traditions,
will discuss their experiences, ideas, perspectives, and practices with regard to the Goddess and will respond to questions and facilitate discussion among audience attendees. This panel presentation welcomes audience members of all faith traditions.

Drake Spaeth, PsyD is program faculty in the MA Clinical Psychology Department, Counseling Specialization at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. He is also an ordained minister of Circle Sanctuary and is affiliated with Gaia’s Womb and Earth Traditions. His interests encompass contemporary Paganism, shamanism, mysticism, Western esotericism, Jungian psychology, Humanistic-Existential psychology and Transpersonal psychology. He is intrigued by the places where psychology, religion and spirituality converge.

Patrick McCollum is the Director and Chair of the National Correctional Chaplaincy Directors Association and statewide Wiccan chaplain for the California Department of Corrections. McCollum has taught Pagan Chaplaincy Training at the Leadership Institute, part of Circle Sanctuary’s annual Pagan Spirit Gathering. He is the National Coordinator of the Lady Liberty League Prison Ministries Program and a member of the National Advisory Council of Americans United for the Separation of Church and
State.

Michael York is a Professor of Cultural Astronomy and Astrology with the Bath Spa University’s Sophia Centre. He directs the New Age and Pagan Studies Programme for the College’s Department for the Study of Religions. He co-ordinates the Bath Archive for Contemporary Religious Affairs, directs the Amsterdam Center for Eurindic Studies, and codirects the London-based Academy for Cultural and Educational Studies. He has authored several books.

River Higginbotham is active in teaching, networking, and promoting Paganism and other earth-centred religions, on a local and national level. He is a founding member of the Council for Alternative Spiritual Traditions. River is an Eclectic Pagan and has been involved in spiritual exploration and earth-centred religions for the past fifteen years. He is a mechanical engineer with a dual degree in solar engineering. His interests include travel, history, aviation and community building.

Rev Donald Lewis-Highcorrell is First Priest and Paramount High Priest of the Correllian Tradition. Don received his training from Rev Krystel High-Correll, Chief Priestess of the Correll Mother Temple. Don also received training from the blv Lady LaVeda, the blv Lady Gloria, and Lady Bitterwind, Elders of the Correllian Tradition. In addition Don has studied both formally and informally with a variety of teachers from many Traditions.

Don Lewis, Men Who Love the Goddess parliament world religions Drake Spaeth, Michael York. River Higginbotham, Patrick McCollum

By Ed Hubbard

(PNC, Melbourne Australia) On December 8, 2009, The Obama Administration officials from the Justice and Faith-Based Initiative offices, met with select members of the Parliament of the World’s Religions. It was a small meeting of approx. 50 members from various faiths. Patrick McCollum, of Circle Sanctuary and one of the principal advocates of Pagan based ministry, was invited to partake and speak during this meeting. He was among religious and spiritual leaders from multiple faiths including Native American, Australian Aboriginals, as well as contingents from Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu and Buddhists communities.

According to Rev. McCollum, the meeting was about how the Obama Administration can advance Interfaith relations in the United States. After McCollum’s discussion, officials from the White House sought him out, to have him meet top officials of the administration to discuss how to limit discrimination and promote Interfaith education in the United States as well as internationally. Upon his return to the states, Patrick McCollum may be able to meet with members with the Justice department as well as the Offices of Faith Based Initiatives to discuss the many outstanding situations that are currently within the American court system.

This has been an advance forward for the Interfaith cause and for Pagans everywhere.

Ed Hubbard, Pagans at the Parliament, Parliament of the World's Religions, Patrick McCollum