Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

LightNews

Ryan Smith

@rysmith.bsky.social

2.4K followers 1.9K following 1.8K posts

(he/they) Heathen anti-fascist, author of "The Way of Fire & Ice" and "Spinning Wyrd", host of the Wayward Wanderer Pagan podcast Patreon: patreon.com/waywardwanderer Classes in Inclusive Norse Paganism: onblackwings.com/classes

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

Ryan Smith @rysmith.bsky.social · Nov 12

Hi everybody!

I'm an antifascist, inclusive Norse Pagan (or Heathen) author and podcaster. My books are "The Way of Fire & Ice" and "Spinning Wyrd". My podcast is "The Wayward Wanderer," which is at wherever you get your podcasts! I also do divination.
#PaganSky
#HeathenSky
#WitchSky
#Spirituality

Ryan Smith @rysmith.bsky.social · 5h

I thought Christianity was supposed to save you, not the other way around.

Seems suss.

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 6h

Eric Trump: "We're saving Christianity. We've saving God. We've saving the family unit. We're saving this nation. I mean, DEI is out of the window, Benny. You no longer have Colin Kaepernick kneeling for the national anthem. You no longer have Budweiser going woke as hell. All of this is dead."

Ryan Smith @rysmith.bsky.social · 5h

A wild MAGA Communist has appeared!

Ryan Smith @rysmith.bsky.social · 1d

For Spooktober, we will be doing a meditation which helps you commune with the dead.
#HeathenSky #WitchSky #PaganSky #DruidSky #Religion #Spirituality #Meditation #Podcast #Halloween #Spooktober

Meditation - Reaching Into the Mound

For Spooktober, we will be doing a meditation which helps you commune with the dead. It helps for this meditation to have a picture or possession of the dead

www.spreaker.com

Ryan Smith @rysmith.bsky.social · 1d

Hægl finishes the reading with the promise of the "cold grain" of the hailstone. Hailstone ravages fields while irrigating the earth with new possibility, reflecting that sometimes destruction or great upheaval is needed to unleash the new.

Ryan Smith @rysmith.bsky.social · 1d

Fehu, as the rune of wealth, immediately follows & suggests an underlying tension between these forces. Wealth, in Nordic myth, is often a source of strife & its pursuit can be at odds with law & rightness. In this case, it suggests a similar conflict is at work in the present.

Ryan Smith @rysmith.bsky.social · 1d

The runes lay out the major tensions which must be confronted through this process, beginning with Tiwaz. As the rune of justice, it represents both the ideal of what is right & the sacrifices necessary to realize these ideals.

Ryan Smith @rysmith.bsky.social · 1d

This divination suggests we must turn towards whatever resources we have to overcome our conditions. It begins with the Magus, a card that represents the self-transformation which initiates the journey of the Major Arcana. We must take steps towards realizing our own agency so we can change it.

Ryan Smith @rysmith.bsky.social · 1d

Today's divination pull:

The Magus from the Thoth Deck, signifying self-fulfillment
Tiwaz of the Elder Futhark, the rune of justice
Fehu of the Elder Futhark, the rune of wealth
Hægl of the Anglo-Saxon Futhorc, the rune of the hailstone
#HeathenSky #PaganSky #WitchSky #Spirituality #Divination

Reposted by Ryan Smith

Max @paisleystars.bsky.social · 1d

Welcome back to the 'don't look now but the sky's doing weird shit' part of the year

The aurora borealis (northern lights) as two distinctive shapes over a mountain. One purple spike into a more diffuse green wave. Both very clear and strong.

Reposted by Ryan Smith

The Serfs (youtube.com/theserfstv) @theserfstv.bsky.social · 2d

Fascinated how the guy who made superstars of Matt Walsh, Candace Owens, Jordan Peterson, and Michael Knowles thought that unfettered racism and every phobia in existence wouldn't eventually include anti-semitism

Ben Shapiro warns that conspiratorial right is taking over social media

Ryan Smith @rysmith.bsky.social · 2d

This looks like a great way to mobilize, agitate, & call needed attention. Pass it on!

Molly Knight @mollyknight.bsky.social · 2d

Whistling when ICE is about to kidnap someone for no reason is incredibly effective. They know what they are doing is wrong and will scatter in the wind when too many witnesses gather.

FORM A CROWD
STAY LOUD
PROTECT EACH OTHER
CODE I:
ICE NEARBY
BLOW QUICKLY IN A BROKEN RHYTHM:
PRE-PRE-PRE!
→ ALERTS THE COMMUNITY THAT ICE AGENTS ARE IN THE AREA.
ROGERS PARK WHISTLE PROTOCOLS
WHY A WHISTLE? ON THE STREETS
• A SIMPLE TOOL FOR FAST ALERTS.
• LOUD.
RECOGNIZABLE.
IMPOSSIBLE TO IGNORE.
• OUR VOICES ARE
STRONGER TOGETHER.
WHISTLES GUIDE
PEOPLE TO:
• FOLLOW ICE CARAVANS
• CATCH UP WITH THE CROWD
• ALERT NEIGHBORS
TO JOIN IN
NOISE = VISIBILITY.
CODE 2:
CODE RED
BLOW THREE LONG BLASTS:
PREEEE-PREEEE-PREEEE!
→ ICE IS DETAINING SOMEONE.
FORM A CROWD, STAY LOUD.
DON'T STAY SILENT. STAY NONVIOLENT.
WHY IT WORKS
• INSTANT ALERT
SYSTEM
• FASTER THAN SOCIAL MEDIA
• TURNS SILENCE INTO COMMUNITY
ACTION
ORIGINAL FLYER CREATED BY:
WHAT YOU CAN DO
• WEAR YOUR WHISTLE AROUND YOUR NECK
TEACH FAMILY
EIGHBORS TH
CODES
• USE IT WHEN ICE IS
SPOTTED
• PROTECT EACH OTHER, ALWAYS
TOGETHER, WE KEEP OUR COMMUNITY SAFE.
FORM A CROWD, STAY LOUD.
THIS FLYER DISTRIBUTED BY:
PROTECT RP
• @PROTECTRP_

Ryan Smith @rysmith.bsky.social · 3d

One thing I hate about current events is how they transformed, "somehow, Palpatine has returned" from the laziest twist in recent film history into a plausible plot development.

Reposted by Ryan Smith

Micah @rincewind.run · 3d

the list of things that needs to be done to repair this country is extensive but high up on it is breaking the power of the tech lords

they are convinced they are untouchable feudal barons whose money allows them to dictate everyone else's life and they must be disabused of that notion

Mike Masnick @mmasnick.bsky.social · 3d

Being a billionaire must really fuck with your mind. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/10/u...

Marc Benioff Says Trump Should Send Guard Troops to San Francisco

www.nytimes.com

Ryan Smith @rysmith.bsky.social · 3d

Do you want to learn more about modern Norse Paganism & Heathenry? Then sign up for Intro to Nordic Paganism class by @karaunndis.bsky.social. In it, you'll learn what makes Heathenry tick, integrating it into your life, & more! Sign up while space is available.
#HeathenSky #PaganSky #WitchSky

Classes | On Black Wings

Classes in inclusive, Radical Heathen spirituality and mystical practices. Topics include introductory classes in Heathenry, runelore, seidr mysticism, and more!

www.onblackwings.com

Reposted by Ryan Smith

♿🏳️‍⚧️ Need Dental Funds ASAP! @wylder.bsky.social · 8d

Can someone please donate?
PayPal.me/MousePounder
Venmo.com/u/MousePounder
Cash.app/$WishMage

I know something big is going on but don't (wanna) know what.
We have no car & are $700 overdrawn.
Didn't make rents.

🚨NEED to get to the dentist tomorrow ASAP as the abscess sitch is BAD.

Ryan Smith @rysmith.bsky.social · 6d

Mannaz, finally, reinforces how this work helps us become more human. Community & shared experience, in the lore, are essential to what makes us most ourselves.

Ryan Smith @rysmith.bsky.social · 6d

Cen, the torch, urges patient cultivation should be sustained by striking a light for all to see. Making what is hidden visible makes it easier for others to duplicate, experiment, & improve the work of relationship.

Ryan Smith @rysmith.bsky.social · 6d

This logic of interconnection casts the runes as the best ways to make connection into a nurturing system for all, beginning with Ingwaz. Seeds take time, careful cultivation, & the right conditions to sprout & grow. The same is true of nurturing sustainable connections.

Ryan Smith @rysmith.bsky.social · 6d

This reading suggests we should consider what builds connection & how to nurture them. It begins with the Universe, a card which reminds us how all things are inherently connected. No one is an island & what impacts one is felt by all.

Ryan Smith @rysmith.bsky.social · 6d

Today's divination pull:

The Universe from the Thoth Deck, signifying unity
Ingwaz of the Elder Futhark, the rune of the seed
Cen of the Anglo-Saxon Futhorc, the rune of the torch
Mannaz of the Elder Futhark, the rune of humanity
#HeathenSky #PaganSky #WitchSky #Divination #Runes #Tarot

Reposted by Ryan Smith

Meredith Shiner @meredithshiner.com · 6d

Bridging my current life in Chicago and my past life in D.C., I argue today at @newrepublic.com that Democrats should ~never~ vote to fund this government. Make John Thune blow up Senate rules and Republicans wholly own the U.S. extra-military military doing war crimes against us, funded by us.

The Case for the Forever Shutdown

Senate Democrats actually allowing the GOP to stop funding the government is only the first step. Now they have to make the case that Trump’s government is illegitimate.

newrepublic.com

Reposted by Ryan Smith

Matthew Remski @matthewremski.bsky.social · 6d

Today's the day! If you search "antifascist dad" in your pod app you'll find Ep 1 with singer and activist @nathanevansfox.bsky.social, laying out the word and spirit of "yallidarity."

Reposted by Ryan Smith

Juno Rylee Schultz @junoryleejournalism.com · 8d

i think it is fair to request a statement from @jay.bsky.team on TRANS PEOPLE and where we fit in on @bsky.app.

i think as a transgender journalist, it's acceptable and makes sense for me to ask this

and so, the question, am i not a person as a trans girl and do i not deserve to feel safe here?

Reposted by Ryan Smith

RavenRissy @rissy.ca · 8d

We still have a few spots left! Come join us and learn how to understand heathenry a little deeper!

#heathensky #pagansky #witchsky #occultsky @rysmith.bsky.social @karaunndis.bsky.social

Ryan Smith @rysmith.bsky.social · 8d

Are you a new Pagan who is exploring what is out there? Are you new to Nordic Paganism & want to learn more? Then sign up now for classes with the Frllowship of Fire & Ice as taught by me, @karaunndis.bsky.social, & @rissy.ca!
#HeathenSky #PaganSky #WitchSky #Religion #Spirituality

Registration is Open for October 2025 Classes!

We, the members of the Fire & Ice Teaching Collective, are happy to announce our new class offerings for October 2025!

www.onblackwings.com

Reposted by Ryan Smith

Ryan Smith @rysmith.bsky.social · 8d

Are you a new Pagan who is exploring what is out there? Are you new to Nordic Paganism & want to learn more? Then sign up now for classes with the Frllowship of Fire & Ice as taught by me, @karaunndis.bsky.social, & @rissy.ca!
#HeathenSky #PaganSky #WitchSky #Religion #Spirituality

Registration is Open for October 2025 Classes!

We, the members of the Fire & Ice Teaching Collective, are happy to announce our new class offerings for October 2025!

www.onblackwings.com