My name is Raegan Shanti (interesting story, I will get to that in a bit) and I am an Eclectic Pagan. I have been on the path for over a decade and I have finally decided to follow in the footsteps of several of my witchy friends and favourite authors in starting my own blog.
So, we'll start with the name. I started out as a Wiccan in my teen years, so I went with the aspect of having a pseudonym for my magickal writings. The name I selected for myself was Shanti: growing up in an Indian household, I wanted my name to reflect some part of my heritage given that the religion I was born into just didn't resonate for me. Shanti, as some people may already know, means "peace". I selected this word because that is one thing that I always wished for in some shape or form: peace of mind, peace between friends, peace between relatives and, of course, world peace.
As for the Raegan part? No magickal meanings there, I just really loved the name. I went through a period in my teens where I really disliked my name. Looking back, I'm not entirely sure why. But I came across the name Raegan and I thought "that's a pretty awesome name" and decided that, when I turned 18, I would legally change my name. Obviously, that didn't stick- I got that out of my system by writing a book series (Anamchara- still a work in progress, available on Lulu.Com and Amazon) and naming one of the title characters "Raegan" and basing her partially on myself. Why is it still my magickal name? It's my screen name on the Children of Artemis forums and I can't change it to just Shanti, so that's what has stuck. The name tells a story (evidently- I didn't intend to write this much about my name!), so that's how it will stay.
What will this blog contain? Well, I'm not entirely sure yet. With all new endevours, we shall make a start and see how it develops and grows. As time goes, if you want me to shed some thoughts on certain topics, just drop me a comment.
Primarily, my area of study is dance. Mostly because this is what I do outside of my practise as a witch and I find it to be a very spiritual thing. So I greatly enjoy looking at how ancient Pagan rituals used dance as a religious practise and how it can be used now. I recently did a talk and workshop at the Artemis Gathering (held by the Children of Artemis) on this subject. My first ever talk, in fact. I have plans to narrow my focus on the subject for a workshop at next year's Gathering and developing my research and ideas into a book. Again, we build a foundation and see what happens.
I'm sure I will also add some random witchy musings that I have that I would like to open for discussion.
I hope everyone enjoys my blog!
Blessings,
Raegan Shanti