The religious traditions of ancient Egypt were based in cult, not belief. They were demonstrated with action, ritual, and daily observances. That is the difficulty for contemporary people adopting these traditions, because our modern concept of religion is belief and book based. The Netjeru (Gods) expect these actions to be repeated (wehem) in a sustained manner, so cult and offering are key. It's not what we believe or read that the Gods receive, it's what we DO, and HOW we do it. Cult is the language, the dialogue our actions are transmitted through.

I am an adult survivor of childhood incest. I've been raped, and I've been sexually exploited for the gain of others, and I want you to know, if you've been where I've been, that you can walk away from it as a whole human being and do amazing things with your life. Don't give up! I had no choice but to endure what was being done to me, and build myself up from the inside out. I became a survivor, because I wanted to outlast the trauma, to prove to myself that life could be my own choice. I look back on what I went through and know that it doesn't own me.

Our icon of Padmasambhava or Guru Rinpoche, the 9th century master responsible for establishing the tantric tradition in Tibet. Renowned for His occult powers and subjugation of demons and land spirits, I regard Him as the greatest magician who ever lived. Padmasambhava was not a monk or hermit, but a master of the sexual yogas and the most subtle teachings and practices of what became the foundations of Buddhism in Tibet. He had numerous consorts, and His list of magical exploits fills volumes.

In the tradition I follow the temple is the House of the God, literally. The cult images, arrangement and type of offerings, and Daily Ritual are given for the pleasure of the Gods. Temple is not OUR space. We are not the focus. That space belongs to the Gods. Whenever I enter temple I do so in a state of purity and humility, knowing that this is the Divine House of my Gods, and I am a visitor. I am only there at the boon of Their hospitality, and I am there to serve Them- because They are the Gods, and I'm only human.

I came out of the closet in 1992, the same year Madonna released her Erotica album and Sex book. I was a very angry, frightened young person with gender identity issues and low self esteem, and I needed to see that what I was feeling was genuine and worthy of love. So Madonna's (at that time) revolutionary album and Sex book, and her outspoken message of self-acceptance and self-empowerment was what I needed to hear. It saved my life. I wasn't turned on by her book, I was liberated by it. I saw images of people like me.

In my household we have Lord Ganesha as Protector of hearth and home. Remover of obstacles and Bestower of boons to all who call upon Him, Ganapati has always answered our prayers and welcomed our sorrows. He overlooks conditions of gender, race, and identity.... And He opens His arms to all people because He is truly the embodiment of the Supreme Reality. Ganesha grants Darshan to all, and His way is through kindness and compassion, which makes the devotee realize how much more we have to give others, how much higher our service can be

I feel I need to stand up and say that in terms of religions and religious ideologies, I firmly believe that there is room for every religious experience, provided that plurality and diversity are respected and preserved. There cannot be peace or civility between religious communities or societies if one religious community is asserting its doctrine or views above others, and attempting to silence other views. I believe firmly in pluralism, diversity, and personal freedom to choose.

My life as a devotional polytheist is not centered on what others are doing or not doing, but rather on what I'm doing and need to do. How do I put my Gods first? How am I serving the and establishing right relationship with Them at all times? How can I improve my devotion? When I browse social media I see so much finger pointing, discouragement, and endless dissection of what others are doing or how others are going wrong. For my own part I choose to focus on what I need to do for my Gods in order to be a just and productive human being.

My life as a Polytheist changed the first time I prayed in a Hindu temple, because I was in a living temple where the Gods were present and Their worship was genuine. I received darshan from Ganesh, and I felt a blessing I had never felt in any other holy place. The devotees surrounding me were primarily from India, but I was still welcome to worship with them. Their focus was on the Deity and on receiving darshan, which is the purpose of going to temple. Western Polytheists need to look at Sanatana Dharma as our guide and role model.