By Pip
Ok, so you’re pagan. You may have studied for a very short or very long amount of time, but you ahve found yourself thinking “By the Gods, I wish I had someone to share my experiences with who would understand, someone who I can yabber at about paganism under a full moon, someone to dance round the cauldron with…” You may have even passed a couple of people on the street wearing a pentacle and tried to catch their eye or pass a smile.
You may be starting to notice that even though Pagans like to think they are very welcoming tribe, they tend to be very clicky and stay with those they know. Although there is the odd one who will happily return your smile on the street and get into a conversation, this breed is very few and far between. Some even tend to look down on pagans they don’t know.
But there is hope! It is much easier to find fellow pagans then it was ten years ago with the help of technology. Websites, email, forums, Facebook, Yahoo Groups… having the internet or access to the internet is a good start to getting your voice out into the pagan community. If you are in Australia, have a look at Pagan Alliance, Pagan Awareness Network or Witches Workshop websites. Get yourself onto some Pagan forums or into some online Pagan groups and mailing lists. From here an amazing amount of doors will open to you.
Ok, so you’ve made your name known online and you may be starting to think some of the following things: ‘I haven’t really made any friends online’, ‘Some of these conversations are really basic’, ‘Sometimes I have no diea what these guys are yabbering on about!’ or even ‘Wow, there are some really bitchy Pagans online!’ and you’re starting to wonder about meeting some pagans face to face. Time for you attend some events!
You should of have read at least even a couple of global invitations on one of your online websites or groups to gatherings or workshops being held. Most of the time location and timing can be a real problem, but try to at least start attending some. A great place to start is the Pagan Awareness Network Full Moon circles. These are held at different locations around Australia, so check out their website. Pagan Alliance hold some open circles in certain areas of the country too. Open circles are a good place to at least get the feeling of what being part of the Pagan Community feels like.
So let’s pressume you’ve been to gathering. Either made some new contacts or possible friends, or you felt rather excluded or out of your league- Don’t be upset, it happens. But you have to start somewhere! At least attempt to recognise some of the more well known faces in the pagan community like event organisers or group leaders. You don’t have to suck up to these people, just know who they are. You’ll be surprised how handy it is to know who these people are. If you felt a little out of your league you may wish to think about attending some workshops. Here you will meet people at the same level as you and meet some more well known teachers in the Pagan Community. It will also give you the chance to feel what a small pagan gathering feels like under the trained eye of your teacher. You get some great energy work at these workshops and this will help you work in a circle with other people.
So you’re now happily chatting on forums online and receiving a fair amount of emails. Perhaps you’ve found some pagan communities in Facebook and made some connections. You’ve attended some public gatherings and recognised some faes. You’ve been to workshops and felt what working a pagan group feels like and feel a little bit more confident in your pagan knowledge. You’re doing well! Really! Continue doing this for a while longer until you can easily talk to some fellow pagans.
So now what? Events. Thats what.There are a few pagan events held around Australia annually. Sadly, we don’t hold as many in this country as we would like to, but the pagan community here is still only two or so generations on average so we all have to patient here. But you may want to look into the Australian Wiccan Conference, Hollyfrost, the Witches Ball or Magic Happens, just to name a few. Yes, sadly, just like the workshops you have to get a bit of money out of your pocket, but considering the results from the workshop you should of felt for your money, you’ll be learning about now that you usually get what you pay for. (N.B: speaking of paying for pagan services, please be very, very careful of online wiccan training courses.)
Events that are held over a weekend or so are the best. They give you a chance to actually strike up a couple of conversations with fellow pagans and even get a couple of emails and/or phone numbers. There is a good chance you will meet people from your city, and another chance you’ll meet someone your age. This can be a bit stressful the first time if you are going by yourself, but once the nervousness is over, you have a real chance to meet some people. You may even recognise faces and names.
So there we go – the first year of getting into the Pagan Community. sounds scary? Relax. There are people who are more then willing to help you. Ostarian Grove (us – www.ostariangrove.net ) is one group. People who run workshops are always happy to help you too. Be open minded, poliet and have a good sense of humour with no ego or showing off and you should be recognised in the community soon enough. don’t be afraid to voice your opinions. Yes, some people will argue them, but remember that’s just their opiniona nd you have the right to your own. Age means nothing, experience and wisdom does. Someone might be able to quote a well known occult essay, but it doesn’t mean they know or understand what one earth they are going on about. I know young people with huge amounts of wisdom and experience, and older people who have only just started learning. But still have respect for your elders! A lot of pagans are very kind hearted, funny, energetic and exciting people once you get to know them.
Good luck and blessings and feel free to contact me with any questions, or even just for a friendly pagan ear.