The Pagan Pride parade in Grand Rapids (GR) is an annual event that celebrates and showcases the diversity and culture of the pagan community. The parade, which has been taking place for several years now, aims to promote acceptance, understanding, and tolerance towards pagans and their beliefs. The **main idea** of the Pagan Pride parade is to create a safe and inclusive space where pagans can freely express themselves and educate others about their faith. It serves as a platform for pagans to come together, celebrate their spirituality, and break down stereotypes and misconceptions that surround their beliefs. The parade is a vibrant and colorful event that features participants from various pagan traditions, including Wicca, Druidism, and Shamanism, among others. People dress up in elaborate costumes, representing different mythological and cultural figures, and march through the streets of GR, attracting both pagan and non-pagan spectators.
References and further reading
Drew, K.M. (1949). Conchocelis-phase in the life-history of Porphyra umbilicalis (L.) Kütz. Nature, London 166: 748-749.
Guiry, M.D. (1989). Uses and cultivation of seaweeds. In Alghe e loro Utilizzatione Convegno Nazionale. (Anon., editors), 21-56. Camera di Commercio Industria Artigiantoe Agricoltura; Universit? Degli Studi, Lecce.
Guiry, M.D. & Blunden, G. (1991). Seaweed resources in Europe: uses and potential. pp. xi + 432. John Wiley & Sons, Chichester (currently out of print and very expensive on the second-hand market).
Guiry, M.D. & Hession, C. (1996). Seaweed. In Science, Technology and Realism in Environmentally Friendly Development. Proceedings of the Conference Blueprint for the 21st Century held in the Royal Dublin Society 20-21 October 1994. (Moriarty, C., McCloskey, B. & Power, C., editors), 121-128. Royal Dublin Society Seminar Proceedings, Dublin.
Guiry, M.D. & Hession, C.C. (1998). The seaweed resources of Ireland. In Seaweed Resources of the World. (Critchley, A. T. & Ohno, M., editors), 210-216. Japan International Cooperation Agency, Yokosuka, Japan.
Mitchell, M.E. & Guiry, M.D. (1983). Carrageen: a local habitation or a name? J. Ethnopharmacol., 9: 347-351.
Indergaard, M. (1983). The aquatic resource. I. The wild marine plants: a global bioresource. In Biomass utilization. (Cote, W. A., editors), 137-168. Plenum Publishing Corporation,
Indergaard, M. & Minsaas, J. (1991). Animal and human nutrition. In Seaweed Resources in Europe: Uses and Potential. (Guiry, M. D. & Blunden, G., editors), 21-64. John Wiley & Sons, Chichester.
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Morrissey, J., Kraan, S. & Guiry, M.D. (2001). A guide to commercially important seaweeds on the Irish Coast. pp. 66. Bord Iascaigh Mhara, Dun Laoghaire.
Ohno, M. & Largo, D.B. (1998). The seaweed resources of Japan. In Seaweed resources of the world. (Critchley, A. T., Ohno, M., Largo, D. B. & Gillespie, R. D., editors), 1-14. Japan International Cooperation Agency, Yokosuka, Japan.
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Tseng, C.K. (1981b). Commercial cultivation. In The Biology of Seaweeds. (Lobban, C. S. & Wynne, M. J., editors), 680-725. Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford.
Tseng, C.K. & Chang, C.F. (1983). Chinese seaweeds in herbal medicine. Proceedings of the International Seaweed Symposium, 11: 152-154.
Tseng, C.K. (1984a). Common Seaweeds of China. Science Press, Beijing.
Tseng, C.K. (1984b). Phycological research in the development of the Chinese seaweed industry. Hydrobiologia, 116/117: 7-18.
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Studies in mice have shown that fucoxanthin induces expression of the fat-burning protein UCP1 that accumulates in fat tissue around the internal organs. Traditionally, it has been enjoyed very simply spread on thin toast with oatmeal or malted vinegar, and accompanied by fried or grilled Welsh-cured bacon.
People dress up in elaborate costumes, representing different mythological and cultural figures, and march through the streets of GR, attracting both pagan and non-pagan spectators. In addition to the parade, the Pagan Pride event includes workshops, rituals, and performances that showcase the diversity and depth of pagan practices. These activities provide an opportunity for participants to learn about different pagan traditions, engage in discussions, and deepen their understanding of paganism.
Remarkable Discovery of 1 Billion-Year-Old Green Seaweed Micro-Fossils in China
(Click image for full view.) In the background of this digital recreation, ancient microscopic green seaweed is seen living in the ocean 1 billion years ago. In the foreground is the same seaweed in the process of being fossilized far later. Image by Dinghua Yang. Credit: Dinghua Yang
Virginia Tech paleontologists have made a remarkable discovery in China: 1 billion-year-old micro-fossils of green seaweeds that could be related to the ancestor of the earliest land plants and trees that first developed 450 million years ago.
The micro-fossil seaweeds — a form of algae known as Proterocladus antiquus — are barely visible to the naked eye at 2 millimeters in length, or roughly the size of a typical flea. Professor Shuhai Xiao said the fossils are the oldest green seaweeds ever found. They were imprinted in rock taken from an area of dry land — formerly ocean — near the city of Dalian in the Liaoning Province of northern China. Previously, the earliest convincing fossil record of green seaweeds was found in rock dated at roughly 800 million years old.
The findings — led by Xiao and Qing Tang, a post-doctoral researcher, both in the Department of Geosciences, part of the Virginia Tech College of Science — are featured in the latest issue of Nature Ecology & Evolution. “These new fossils suggest that green seaweeds were important players in the ocean long before their land-plant descendants moved and took control of dry land,” Xiao said.
A photo of a green seaweed fossil dating back 1 billion years. The image was captured using a microscope as the fossil itself is 2 millimeters long, roughly the size of a flea. The dark color of this fossil was created by adding a drop of mineral oil to the rock in which it’s embedded, to create contrast. Credit: Virginia Tech
“The entire biosphere is largely dependent on plants and algae for food and oxygen, yet land plants did not evolve until about 450 million years ago,” Xiao said. “Our study shows that green seaweeds evolved no later than 1 billion years ago, pushing back the record of green seaweeds by about 200 million years. What kind of seaweeds supplied food to the marine ecosystem?”
Shuhai said the current hypothesis is that land plants — the trees, grasses, food crops, bushes, and even kudzu — evolved from green seaweeds, which were aquatic plants. Through geological time — millions upon millions of years — they moved out of the water and became adapted to and prospered on dry land, their new natural environment. “These fossils are related to the ancestors of all the modern land plants we see today.”
However, Xiao added the caveat that not all geobiologists are on the same page – that debate on the origins of green plants remains debated. “Not everyone agrees with us; some scientists think that green plants started in rivers and lakes, and then conquered the ocean and land later,” added Xiao, a member of the Virginia Tech Global Change Center.
There are three main types of seaweed: brown (Phaeophyceae), green (Chlorophyta), and red (Rhodophyta), and thousands of species of each kind. Fossils of red seaweed, which are now common on ocean floors, have been dated as far back as 1.047 billion years old.
“There are some modern green seaweeds that look very similar to the fossils that we found,” Xiao said. “A group of modern green seaweeds, known as siphonocladaleans, are particularly similar in shape and size to the fossils we found.”
Geobiology professor Shuhai Xiao (right) and postdoctorate researcher Qing Tang in their Derring Hall lab. Credit: Virginia Tech
Photosynthetic plants are, of course, vital to the ecological balance of the planet because they produce organic carbon and oxygen through photosynthesis , and they provide food and the basis of shelter for untold numbers of mammals, fish, and more. Yet, going back 2 billion years, Earth had no green plants at all in oceans, Xiao said.
It was Tang who discovered the micro-fossils of the seaweeds using an electronic microscope at Virginia Tech’s campus and brought it to Xiao’s attention. To more easily see the fossils, mineral oil was dripped onto them to create contrast.
“These seaweeds display multiple branches, upright growths, and specialized cells known as akinetes that are very common in this type of fossil,” he said. “Taken together, these features strongly suggest that the fossil is a green seaweed with complex multicellularity that is circa 1 billion years old. These likely represent the earliest fossil of green seaweeds. In short, our study tells us that the ubiquitous green plants we see today can be traced back to at least 1 billion years.”
According to Xiao and Tang, the tiny seaweeds once lived in a shallow ocean, died, and then became “cooked” beneath a thick pile of sediment, preserving the organic shapes of the seaweeds as fossils. Many millions of years later, the sediment was then lifted up out of the ocean and became the dry land where the fossils were retrieved by Xiao and his team, which included scientists from Nanjing Institute of Geology and Paleontology in China.
Reference: “A one-billion-year-old multicellular chlorophyte” by Qing Tang, Ke Pang, Xunlai Yuan and Shuhai Xiao, 24 February 2020, Nature Ecology & Evolution.
DOI: 10.1038/s41559-020-1122-9
(Click image for full view.) In the background of this digital recreation, ancient microscopic green seaweed is seen living in the ocean 1 billion years ago. In the foreground is the same seaweed in the process of being fossilized far later. Image by Dinghua Yang. Credit: Dinghua Yang
The event also includes vendor booths where participants can purchase pagan-themed items, such as artwork, jewelry, and ritual supplies. Significantly, the Pagan Pride parade in GR is not just for pagans. It welcomes people from all backgrounds, whether they are pagan or not, to come and learn about paganism. This inclusivity and openness reflect the essence of the event, which is to foster understanding and dialogue between different belief systems. By organizing the Pagan Pride parade in GR, the pagan community aims to create a visible presence in the local community and strengthen the bonds among its members. It serves as a reminder that pagans are an integral part of society and deserve respect and recognition for their beliefs. In conclusion, the Pagan Pride parade in GR is an annual event that celebrates the diversity and culture of the pagan community. It aims to promote acceptance, understanding, and tolerance towards pagans and their beliefs. The event includes a parade, workshops, rituals, and performances, providing an opportunity for participants to learn about different pagan traditions and engage in dialogue. The main idea of the event is to create a safe and inclusive space where pagans can freely express themselves and educate others about their faith..
Reviews for "The Pagans of GR Unite: The Pagan Pride Parade"
1. Sarah - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with the Pagan pride parade in Grand Rapids. The whole event felt disorganized and chaotic. There were very few actual pagans participating, and it seemed more like a gathering of people looking for an excuse to wear strange costumes and make a scene. I was expecting a celebration of pagan beliefs and traditions, but it just felt like a circus. I would not recommend attending unless you're just looking for some cheap entertainment.
2. Mike - 1/5 - The Pagan pride parade in Grand Rapids was a complete waste of time. I went with an open mind, hoping to learn more about pagan beliefs and maybe even connect with some like-minded individuals. But all I found was a group of people parading around in ridiculous outfits and chanting incomprehensible slogans. It was more like a bad cosplay convention than a serious celebration of any spiritual practices. I left feeling frustrated and disillusioned. Save yourself the disappointment and skip this event.
3. Jessica - 2/5 - I attended the Pagan pride parade in Grand Rapids with high hopes, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The event seemed to lack a clear focus or purpose, with participants and spectators alike not fully understanding the significance of the parade. There was very little educational or informational content available, leading to a missed opportunity for learning and understanding. Additionally, the overall atmosphere felt more like a party rather than a sincere celebration of pagan beliefs. Overall, I left feeling unfulfilled and would not recommend attending unless you're solely interested in the spectacle.