Questions for Pagans Pt. 3
Living with a Community of PagansIs it easy finding a community of like-minded Pagans?
I haven't traveled all over the United States, but browsing through The Witches' Voice, it doesn't look like there are many places without Pagans. We might be scattered and we might be hiding, but we're out there, pretty much everywhere, and most of us are looking for friends.
Many Pagans have unrealistic expectations. I hear a lot of Pagans say they can't find others who hold the same beliefs. Well, of course not. You are a unique individual. You may come close, but you will never find someone, much less a group of people, who believes the exact same things you do. What's important is that you like each other, respect the diversity of beliefs and practices, and be able to agree what do to.Are there any local Pagan communities where you live, and was it easy to integrate into your community? Perhaps it took a while to find a community that met your needs?
For nearly ten years, I was naive enough to think there was only one layer of Pagan community here in South Florida: the public Pagans that hold classes, public circles, psychic fairs, etc. It's made up of a few people that have set themselves up as authority figures and who are followed by a revolving door of young people. I went to some of their events, but never got involved because it's expensive and just wasn't fulfilling.
When I found and joined my coven two years ago, I discovered that there are two other layers to the Pagan community here. I belong to one of them now. EMLC is a network of covens and Solitaries focused on personal growth and transformation, teaching, serving the community, and political and social action. A third layer of the community is the Gardnerians, which are hidden and difficult to penetrate.Do you find your community to be a group of loving people who deeply care for others, especially outcasts in society?
Yes. One woman in our community, Jan O'Rourke, took a needy family shopping every year at Christmastime. After her passing, we started a fund to maintain this tradition in her memory. We've also taken collections for a women's shelter for a couple of years. And we're friends and are available for one another.
Is there a kind of leadership? Or are some members considered to be more authoritative than others without any rigid kind of leadership structure.
EMLC, as an organization, runs on consensus. Officers are elected to conduct the business aspects like paperwork, maintain the website, the accounting, etc. Like in any group, some people are dynamic, natural born leaders and others play supportive (but equally important) roles. I think we are pretty well balanced and run very well.Is everyone encouraged to play an active role in the community, and look after those members that need more care and attention?
People that ask for help and encouragement will receive it regardless of whether it's a personal matter or a community project. I think that, as Witches (and adults), we believe everyone is responsible for communicating their needs.Perhaps you are a solitary Pagan, or your only connecting with Pagans on the Internet, how does that work for you?
I'm in a coven, I do a lot of solitary work, and very much a techno-Pagan. There some good advantages to the Internet. It allows us to find each other, end a sense of isolation, exchange ideas, etc. However, I've participated in many forums and online Pagan communities and I don't think that the Internet is an honest representation of the community out there in the "real world." It can be incredibly superficial, the mysteries and experiential aspects of the Craft can't be replicated, and we can't tap into the wisdom of our elders because many of them are not plugged in.How do non-Pagans react upon learning you are Pagan?
I have no idea. Almost all my friends are Pagans and my family is accepting and supportive. I don't remember the last time I told a cowan that I was Pagan.
Questions for Pagans Pt. 1
Questions for Pagans Pt. 2
Questions for Pagans Pt. 3
Questions for Pagans Pt. 4
Questions for Pagans Pt. 5
Questions for Pagans Pt. 6
3 comments:
I like your discussion of the different levels of the Pagan community in your area. It reflects my own initial thoughts on how there are different levels of involvement I might have with certain people. For example, there are large segments of our community that I would be more than happy to socialize with or join with to work towards a common goal (such as greater religious freedom). However, if I were to talk about people I would wish to actively hold circle with, work magic with, or discuss deeply personal aspects of my spirituality, I'd have to draw a much smaller circle within our community. And it's not that the people that don't make it in that smaller circle are bad people or anything. They're just not people with whom I'd find the kind of fit necessary for that sort of thing. And that's okay, because they might feel the same way about me.
Of course, I also think it's important to note that every community also has its nuts and less than savory people too, and Pagan communities are no exception (at least not in my experience). Fortunately, you eventually learn to identify them and focus on the many wonderful people out there instead.
I've got two comments really. First, I'm surprised by how many pagans are out there. Not just in the states either. This past week, I became acquainted with a pagan in China which is not a place off the top of my head I'd associate with paganism.
The other comment is that sometimes I wish there were more organizations and opportunities to really learn about the craft and advance in it. As a solitaire I keep having questions and not always a place to turn too. The internet has helped because sometimes I can drop an email to someone for help where I imagine even a decade ago that wouldn't have been much of a tool.
On the other hand, I'm worry if there were more organizations pagans would to some degree begin to resemble other organized religions and I certainly would be opposed to that. So, I guess it's a catch-22. Nice discussion on the blog though.
Jarred: You're so right about having different levels of involvement with different people. And yes, there are plenty of nutjobs in our community too.
Jett: At the rate that Paganism has grown, and continues to grow, there aren't enough teachers for all the incoming seekers who want training (there are many that don't). It's a widely discussed problem.
I don't think you have to worry about Pagans getting too organized to the point of organized religions. It's pretty much one of the hallmarks of Paganism to be somewhat anarchistic. Even in organizations like CoG, covens and Solitaries retain full autonomy.
Thanks for all your comments!
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