Shaily Patel
@vox-magica.bsky.social
historian of christianity | scholar of magic & heresy | critic of empires | neurospicy | unabashedly hopeful and generally sincere | author of magic and heresy (https://bit.ly/4mo1fY4) and smoke & mirrors (https://bit.ly/43ygshX) | she/her
ahhh, i get to shelve myself next to these folks. i’ll tell y’all what, skyline: i’m never getting over being an author. i don’t think i’ll ever get used to it.
hope i never do, tbh.
hope i never do, tbh.
November 28, 2025 at 3:26 PM
ahhh, i get to shelve myself next to these folks. i’ll tell y’all what, skyline: i’m never getting over being an author. i don’t think i’ll ever get used to it.
hope i never do, tbh.
hope i never do, tbh.
new roadside heresiology found on my coffee run.
my orthodoxy/heresy seminar would love discussing the collection of such pics i’ve taken.
my orthodoxy/heresy seminar would love discussing the collection of such pics i’ve taken.
November 26, 2025 at 2:39 PM
new roadside heresiology found on my coffee run.
my orthodoxy/heresy seminar would love discussing the collection of such pics i’ve taken.
my orthodoxy/heresy seminar would love discussing the collection of such pics i’ve taken.
OMG look what was on my doorstep! i haven’t seen the print version yet, but it’s prettier than i expected!!
November 25, 2025 at 8:18 PM
OMG look what was on my doorstep! i haven’t seen the print version yet, but it’s prettier than i expected!!
listen, SBL, i’m beginning to take this personally.
November 17, 2025 at 6:11 PM
listen, SBL, i’m beginning to take this personally.
this does not bode well.
November 7, 2025 at 1:22 AM
this does not bode well.
today’s the day!!
November 4, 2025 at 9:56 AM
today’s the day!!
finally, we're continuing our tradition of paneling a session on an ancient city -- this year, we're talking about the invention of christian rome.
and again, we got an amazing slate of panelists! i realize the monday 4pm slot is tough, but if you're still there, come!
and again, we got an amazing slate of panelists! i realize the monday 4pm slot is tough, but if you're still there, come!
October 27, 2025 at 1:49 PM
finally, we're continuing our tradition of paneling a session on an ancient city -- this year, we're talking about the invention of christian rome.
and again, we got an amazing slate of panelists! i realize the monday 4pm slot is tough, but if you're still there, come!
and again, we got an amazing slate of panelists! i realize the monday 4pm slot is tough, but if you're still there, come!
next up in the program book is our "open session" on the invention of christian culture in the 2nd/3rd century. and when i tell you we have an all-star line-up, well, we definitely do!
look how many of our faves are presenting:
look how many of our faves are presenting:
October 27, 2025 at 1:43 PM
next up in the program book is our "open session" on the invention of christian culture in the 2nd/3rd century. and when i tell you we have an all-star line-up, well, we definitely do!
look how many of our faves are presenting:
look how many of our faves are presenting:
our "signature" session this year is a celebration of the work of elizabeth a. castelli. we're lucky to get some stellar panelists *and* prof. castelli as a respondent.
we're sending a special invite to our late ancient besties at NAPS; please join us for all our panels, but this one's for you!
we're sending a special invite to our late ancient besties at NAPS; please join us for all our panels, but this one's for you!
October 27, 2025 at 1:38 PM
our "signature" session this year is a celebration of the work of elizabeth a. castelli. we're lucky to get some stellar panelists *and* prof. castelli as a respondent.
we're sending a special invite to our late ancient besties at NAPS; please join us for all our panels, but this one's for you!
we're sending a special invite to our late ancient besties at NAPS; please join us for all our panels, but this one's for you!
ooooooh, look what arrived! can’t wait to write in this.
September 27, 2025 at 12:50 PM
ooooooh, look what arrived! can’t wait to write in this.
friends, it's an incredible honor to be part of the elizabeth a. clark lecture series at UMW. thanks so much to @jennisifire.bsky.social for the invite! i hope to see some of you VA folks next week.
September 24, 2025 at 5:33 PM
friends, it's an incredible honor to be part of the elizabeth a. clark lecture series at UMW. thanks so much to @jennisifire.bsky.social for the invite! i hope to see some of you VA folks next week.
everyone please stop what you’re doing and admire this exceedingly stylish pen.
September 17, 2025 at 7:22 PM
everyone please stop what you’re doing and admire this exceedingly stylish pen.
came downstairs, and yep, i’m right next to ambe maa. not sure i warrant all that, but i’m so happy about how proud they are.
September 5, 2025 at 12:27 PM
came downstairs, and yep, i’m right next to ambe maa. not sure i warrant all that, but i’m so happy about how proud they are.
on the one hand, i’m super delighted by this roadside heresiology. on the other, i wonder who has money to pay for billboard updates in this economy.
August 31, 2025 at 1:57 PM
on the one hand, i’m super delighted by this roadside heresiology. on the other, i wonder who has money to pay for billboard updates in this economy.
the first batch of “bespoke mediocre department merch” just arrived. merch wars aside, maybe everyone will leave this AY with random RLCL pencils and the like. and maybe they’ll take our in-joke merch to their next department. maybe, that’s enough.
August 30, 2025 at 2:08 PM
the first batch of “bespoke mediocre department merch” just arrived. merch wars aside, maybe everyone will leave this AY with random RLCL pencils and the like. and maybe they’ll take our in-joke merch to their next department. maybe, that’s enough.
they’re here! i only need like 3 of these. CUP sent me 10. so, how about this: i’ll mail the others to the first 7 contingent faculty and/or grad students who email me their mailing address.
August 5, 2025 at 1:20 PM
they’re here! i only need like 3 of these. CUP sent me 10. so, how about this: i’ll mail the others to the first 7 contingent faculty and/or grad students who email me their mailing address.
pure North Carolina.
July 24, 2025 at 9:13 PM
pure North Carolina.
guess what arrived on my doorstep *right* as i was leaving for vacay @rhigarthjones.bsky.social!! congrats!!!
June 12, 2025 at 1:46 AM
guess what arrived on my doorstep *right* as i was leaving for vacay @rhigarthjones.bsky.social!! congrats!!!
i need y’all to know i turned around, stopped in an empty lot, and then got *out* of my car to document this roadside heresiology. research. 😎
June 5, 2025 at 6:07 PM
i need y’all to know i turned around, stopped in an empty lot, and then got *out* of my car to document this roadside heresiology. research. 😎
ah, i was waiting for these; they're finally here. this mini-monograph needs a final proofs check, but it's coming soon - like in a few weeks soon. and it'll be free to download for about two weeks once it's released.
June 2, 2025 at 5:51 PM
ah, i was waiting for these; they're finally here. this mini-monograph needs a final proofs check, but it's coming soon - like in a few weeks soon. and it'll be free to download for about two weeks once it's released.
ngl, i have anxiety *and* excitement about these proofs. that said, it's really good to have these in hand.
May 24, 2025 at 1:16 PM
ngl, i have anxiety *and* excitement about these proofs. that said, it's really good to have these in hand.
i don't mean to brag, but this essay is one of my favorite things i've written. and i can't wait for it to be out!
but for today, it's our favorite day - proofs day!
but for today, it's our favorite day - proofs day!
April 28, 2025 at 12:33 PM
i don't mean to brag, but this essay is one of my favorite things i've written. and i can't wait for it to be out!
but for today, it's our favorite day - proofs day!
but for today, it's our favorite day - proofs day!
today’s silver lining: my copy of JECS was waiting in my campus mailbox. and the cover alllllllmost matches my jacket!
April 3, 2025 at 11:57 AM
today’s silver lining: my copy of JECS was waiting in my campus mailbox. and the cover alllllllmost matches my jacket!
today’s seratonin: this sheet of betty white stamps.
April 2, 2025 at 1:28 PM
today’s seratonin: this sheet of betty white stamps.