Hi Miniar;
I'll get to marketing later but I kind of want to waffle for a bit if that is ok... I don't get many to speak to about this and feel free to completely ignore me....
I know how difficult it can be and I can see how you could have that feeling especially in regards to certain branches of paganism (it isn't just the marketing that is female centred). I know that for me to feel comfortable I've had to forge my own eclectic path. However, I think it depends on the tradition you are closest to. For instance, Dianic Wiccanism would be a challenge (I know silly example) but Norse-based Asatru has never had a one-sided femine feel to me (I'm in North America and that might make a difference?). Depending on what aspects of paganism speaks to you, I could see being of some comfort whether the interesting gender issues in some of the stories around Loki and Odin, shape changing is found in other stories too, there is a strong warrior female tradition (depending on whether transition is in your plans), but also the whole plethora of male figures with varying talents. I don't know why I just assumed that it would be this branch that you would be connected too... How odd...
Apologies if I'm wrong.
A lot depends on what speaks to us of course. I've found that certain stories, gods, goddesses, etc. speak to me. I don't ignore the rest, it is just that I go to what calls me. I think it does for a reason and that is what I need(?) or am being guided toward. It often feels unsettling to me and I certainly don't feel at home practicing in a group because what touches me is usually not quite in line with everyone else.
For myself, I merge the more feminine and soft ritual aspects that I find in Wiccanism and view of the aspects of the Goddess, with techniques learned from Shamanism that again help me get in touch with what I need, along with Norse stores of shape shifting, the female warrior aspects, that sometimes you have to battle and Odin often reminds me that it is necessary to fight the good fight even though it might be still that you'll lose (Valhalla for you
). Some might consider it cherry-picking and ravaging religions and spirituality. In which case, I'll just smile and say so be it. See, I said I would waffle...
The marketing and calendars... Hmmmm.... Well, you could go with say one of the Ciruelo datebooks that are dragon oriented (I think they are 16 month date books starting in September 2011). They look amazing and would certainly be less femme but I think would still be inspiring. I think you could probably turn it into a little celebration for yourself and add the key dates in the pagan year in it. If not, maybe a really beautiful but plain datebook would work. We often do this with our calendars and datebooks at home. We find what we like and then spend a few hours to get the key dates that we need for the pagan year.
I hope your search goes well and if you find something particulary cool in the way of alternative datebooks let me know.
