Pagan symbols have a long history and are still prevalent in everyday life today. These symbols can be found in various forms, such as jewelry, artwork, and even on clothing. While many people may not be aware of their origins or meanings, these symbols hold significant importance to those who follow pagan or occult traditions. One of the most well-known pagan symbols is the pentacle, a five-pointed star enclosed in a circle. This symbol represents the elements of earth, air, fire, water, and spirit, and is often associated with protection and connection to the divine. It is commonly used in pagan rituals and is often worn as a talisman or amulet.
Valpo Changes Name from "Crusaders" to "Beacons"
Interesting times for sporting nicknames on this continent.
In the last year or so, we’ve seen the Washington Redskins, Cleveland Indians, and Edmonton Eskimos change their team names. Even the Radnor Raiders got in on the action, adopting the “Raptors” moniker instead (it’s the bird version of the ‘raptor,’ not the dinosaur version).
Another name change that flew under the radar was Valparaiso University, the private Lutheran school out there in Indiana.
Valparaiso University announced Tuesday that it has adopted the Beacons as its new team name, replacing the Crusaders, a term school officials dropped this year after saying it had been embraced by hate groups.
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School officials announced in February that they had retired the Crusaders name following input from students, faculty and alumni.
That decision came after a decades-long debate that has recently intensified because groups such as the Ku Klux Klan began using the words and symbols of the Crusades, which were a series of bloody religious wars starting in the 11th century between Christians and Muslims.
“Crusaders” has always been an intriguing discussion when it comes to “problematic” names. It’s a popular moniker for religious schools and is somewhat pervasive, though it might not seem that way since a lot of these institutions are generally smaller. Holy Cross, which plays Lehigh and Lafayette in the Patriot League, goes by Crusaders. And in the high school ranks, Lansdale Catholic uses Crusaders, and has a mascot that looks like this:
(cropped photo from the school website)
It’s one thing to debate whether or not the name itself is “offensive.” I guess we’d have to get a religious scholar in here to tell us more about the Crusades, because my knowledge begins and ends with the movie Kingdom of Heaven. Bunch of guys fighting for ‘The Holy Land’ because “God wills it!”
In Valpo’s case, it seems like they were compelled more by the fact that the KKK and other unscrupulous groups were co-opting the symbolism used by the school, and decided to make that change to distance themselves from the losers. Fair enough.
Valparaiso University Unveils New Nickname
Aug. 10, 2021 – Valparaiso, Indiana – Valparaiso University announced today that it has adopted Beacons as its new nickname.
“Our new nickname directly connects to the University’s motto, ‘In Thy Light We See Light,’ and represents the Valparaiso University community in many ways,” said José D. Padilla, J.D., University president. “We are beacons of light and hope in our communities. We are beacons of change on campus, in our region and in our country. We are beacons of knowledge for our students’ academic, social and spiritual growth. Above all, we are beacons of God’s light around the world. We light the way for our students, so that once they graduate, they shine their light for others. We are all Beacons at Valparaiso University.”
Beacons was chosen after a months-long process that included nearly 1,000 suggestions and input from dozens of students, student-athletes, faculty, staff and alumni of the University. During this process, two themes emerged that were most important to Valpo constituents: Honoring the University’s history and character and emphasizing the light Valpo graduates shine wherever they land after graduation.
“Beacon” has a strong historical tie to Valpo. It has been the title of the University’s yearbook for the last 80 years, and it is also the name of its newest residence hall. Beacons is a nickname that honors our past, present and future.
Valpo’s prior nickname, Crusaders, was permanently retired in February 2021, following input from a variety of Valpo students, faculty and alumni. The new nickname, Beacons, reinforces the University’s commitment to ensuring that all feel welcome and represented at Valparaiso University.
Many of Valpo’s marks and logos, including its colors and the “Shield of Character,” will remain part of the University’s brand. The new nickname, new mascot and related imagery will be phased in during the 2021–2022 academic year. Valpo intercollegiate athletic teams will immediately be known as the Beacons.
CAFÉ CON UN PROFESOR
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Beacon Blog is collaborating with a Hispanic student-run blog, HispaValpo to bring you a special edition: Café con un Professor. Alberto Lopez-Martin, Assistant professor of world languages and culture and faculty advisor for HispaValpo, gives us some insight into studying Spanish at Valpo, Spanish culture, and, of course, how he takes his café.
Professor Lopez-Martin is originally from La Mancha, Spain, which is two hours away from Madrid. His hometown, Puertollano, is in a very dry region, not densely populated, but is quite industrial according to Professor Lopez-Martin. It is a small town, but it has a big reputation as it’s the setting for one of the most famous pieces of literature known all around the world, Don Quixote.
Many faculty members and students at Valpo have taken it upon themselves to take Spanish in one form or another, whether it be a cultural studies class, or learning the language itself. At Valpo, our Spanish faculty is comprised of native Spanish speakers from several different areas of the world, creating a more immersive, rich learning experience.
“All Spanish faculty are very approachable, and we have several native Spanish speakers. One of the faculty members is from Peru, and two of us are from Spain,” Lopez-Martin said. “Professor Hoult-Saros has been teaching a class on LatinX studies that is very important for those who want to understand the Hispanic impact on the culture of the US.”
HispaValpo is Valparaiso University’s Spanish blog that explores everything from Spanish culture and norms to political and social happenings in Spanish-speaking countries. Professor Lopez-Martin suggests that students check it out if they are considering taking a Spanish course or want to know about events that are happening on campus.
And for those who are beginning their journey with Spanish, professor Lopez-Martin has some words of advice. “Enjoy the journey, be patient with yourself,” Lopez-Martin said. “It’s impossible to learn a language overnight, but through the journey, you will change so dramatically and you will widen your views on the world, and other cultures in ways you could have never imagined. You will also form an emotional attachment!”
Speaking of emotional attachments, one of the differences between American culture and Hispanic culture is the connection between extended family members. Professor Lopez-Martin mentions that familial bonds are a big part of Hispanic culture that transcends borders. “I think we have this extended notion of family that is very important for Hispanic people. Typically, here it’s like the mom, dad, and the children, but for a Hispanic household it’s everyone, the uncles and the grandparents.” Lopez-Martin said. “It’s messier, but I think it’s richer too. It’s very important to us and, of course, it’s not a criticism, because every culture is different. But there is less individualism in Spanish culture, it’s more about the collective well-being.”
That sense of “collective well-being” is what drew Professor Lopez-Martin to Valpo. The connection between our faculty and students really appealed to him and allowed him to pursue his passion in an environment that encourages the success of our students through the success of our faculty.
“The original plan was to study for my Ph.D. and go back to Spain, but here I am,” said Lopez-Martin. “I really liked what Valpo had to offer and that it’s so focused on the students and it’s not a cliché or something that we just say. We really do care about our students. Here at Valpo, we can always make the time to meet with students, regardless of how often they need to meet, we are here.”
Of course, it is not cliché that our faculty care about our students, but it’s an interesting coincidence that some of Valpo’s smartest minds are also comic book fanatics. Professor Lopez-Martin shared his favorite Hispanic comic book El Eternauta by Francisco Solano Lopez. Perhaps one day we can get all of our comic book-loving faculty together and witness a true collaboration of the brightest minds.
As is typical for HispaValpo, we asked Professor Lopez-Martin to introduce us to his culture through his favorite food, his favorite way to take coffee and his personal recommendations for outings in Spain that are not in your tourist handbook.
“My favorite dish is black rice,” Lopez-Martin said. “We typically cook it with squid ink, seafood, and garlic, which I love. And in regards to coffee, nothing can rival coffee. It’s impossible. Coffee in Spain is way darker and stronger than here in the States, though. And something that is very dear to Hispanic people is cortado — which is Cuban coffee. And I take my coffee with honey, milk, and a little bit of cinnamon.”
In regards to places to visit in Spain, we got the inside scoop. “Cuenca, that’s a city in La Mancha that is really, really beautiful. It’s one of those cities that is old enough that you have the beautiful old neighborhoods that you can explore, but also spectacular natural surroundings, with breathtaking views of houses that seem to be hanging off a cliff,” Lopez-Martin said.
If you are looking for Professor Lopez-Martin, try checking the third or fourth floor of the library by the fireplace, or out on the terrace. And if you’d like to chat, you now know how he takes his café.
Be sure to check out HispaValpo to learn more about Hispanic Heritage Month, or to expand your understanding of Spanish culture and language.
It is commonly used in pagan rituals and is often worn as a talisman or amulet. Another pagan symbol is the triple moon, which consists of three distinct phases of the moon: waxing, full, and waning. This symbol is closely associated with goddess worship and represents the triple aspects of the goddess: maiden, mother, and crone.
It is often used to signify femininity, intuition, and the cycles of life. The triskelion is a pagan symbol that has been used for centuries and represents movement or flow. It consists of three interlocking spirals, symbolizing the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit. This symbol can be seen in various forms of artwork and is often associated with personal growth and spiritual development. The ankh is an ancient Egyptian symbol that is commonly associated with life and immortality. It resembles a cross with a loop at the top and is often depicted in the hands of deities or used as a hieroglyph. This symbol has been adapted by various pagan traditions and is often used to represent the eternal cycle of life and death. The tree of life is another commonly used pagan symbol that represents interconnectedness and the cycles of nature. It is often depicted as a tree with branches reaching towards the sky and roots reaching into the earth. This symbol is associated with growth, fertility, and the connection between the physical and spiritual worlds. These pagan symbols, along with many others, can be found in everyday life, often without people fully understanding their meanings or origins. They continue to hold significance for those who practice pagan or occult traditions, serving as reminders of their beliefs and values..
Reviews for "The Significance of Pagan Symbols in Personal Altars and Sacred Spaces"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Pagan symbols in everyday life." The book failed to offer a thorough examination of pagan symbols and how they have influenced and appeared in our daily lives. Instead, it felt like a shallow overview with no depth or analysis. Furthermore, the book lacked proper references and sources to support its claims, which made it difficult to trust the information presented. Overall, I found the book to be underwhelming and would not recommend it to others seeking a comprehensive exploration of pagan symbols.
2. Sarah - 1 star - "Pagan symbols in everyday life" was a complete waste of money. The book's content was poorly organized, with no clear structure or flow. It jumped from one topic to another without providing any meaningful connection or explanation. Additionally, the writing style was dry and lacked enthusiasm, making it difficult to stay engaged. The writer also seemed to have a biased perspective towards pagan symbols, presenting them in a negative light without considering their historic and cultural significance. Save your money and look for a better book on the subject.
3. Mark - 2 stars - As someone interested in learning about different cultures and their symbols, I was excited to delve into "Pagan symbols in everyday life." Unfortunately, the book fell short of my expectations. The content was superficial and lacked depth, often only scratching the surface without delving into the true meaning or significance of these symbols. The illustrations and images used were also of poor quality, making it challenging to understand the symbols being discussed. Overall, this book failed to provide the in-depth exploration I was looking for, and I would not recommend it to others seeking a comprehensive understanding of pagan symbols.
4. Emily - 1 star - I found "Pagan symbols in everyday life" to be highly misleading. The title suggests a comprehensive examination of how these symbols are incorporated into our daily lives, but the book failed to deliver on this promise. Instead, it offered a basic overview of common pagan symbols without providing any real-life examples or explanations of how they are used in contemporary society. I also noticed several inaccurate statements throughout the book, which made me question the author's credibility. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied and would not recommend this book to anyone seeking a thorough exploration of pagan symbols in everyday life.