Menstruation and SkyClad Groups

A good article for the most part, but I have some remarks to make:

The one time I’ve ever seen a discussion concerning practical techniques for dealing with menstruation during skyclad ritual appear on a Wiccan e-mail list, the inquiring woman was told (by a man) that the topic wasn’t appropriate.

I'll take 'Things That Never Happened' for 200, Alex.

If menstrual blood and talk of periods makes you uncomfortable, you might, frankly, reconsider your interest in Wicca.

And if you’re uncomfortable with me talking about my own period, then I’d like to take this time to inform you that I’ve been having one for years and am only just now mentioning it. I’d also like to use the word “vagina” at you again.

Vagina.

The actual point of the article was sound and I imagine it would be encouraging for some women in such a precarious position, but I wish its author had gotten to the point sooner rather than spending four paragraphs giving male witches the back of her hand. Unless you're of the Dianic persuasion, Wicca does not prioritize the feminine divine over the male. We are a religion of duality, and of equals.

I am a man and have been a pagan for nigh-on four years, now. During that time I've met a lot of wonderful people who have treated the dualistic nature of the religion with due deference. These, I've found, are the vast majority. However, I have also met a lot of female witches who are derisive towards men, or who harbor the mentality that "males just don't get it," or hold the feminine aspect perpetually in higher esteem than the masculine. I have gotten into arguments with witches who insist that Wicca is an inherently matriarchal religion and that the feminine should take precedent over the masculine. I have heard in person and read on forums males being demoralized, demonized and even excluded from certain events, and I'm not talking about Dianic Wicca where that sort of action is par the course. The article's insinuation that men in general find simply uttering the word "vagina" uncomfortable, or find period blood disgusting, or are in any way adverse to talking maturely about natural bodily functions, is an offensive conjuration. My mentor is a man, many of the witches in my coven are men, we often work skyclad; none of us are averse to this kind of discussion. Wicca is inherently neither masculine nor feminine -- it is both -- and Pagan men are not basement dwelling ignorants, so please give us some credit.

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