Weekly Question
|
The Rules
| Note: The opinions posted on the Pagan Perspective pages are those of individuals and are not neccessarily shared or endorsed by the Witches' Voice inc. |
For Further
Discussion
Visit The
WitchVox List
of 242
Communication
'Net Sites:
Chat Boards
Email Lists
IRC Channels
| Author: Posted: Nov. 17, 2002 | This Page Viewed: 3,839,481 |
Question of the Week: 75 - 1/14/2002 So What Do YOU Think of the Pagan Web? What changes did you see in the Pagan Web last year? Were these changes good or bad? What do you hope to see happen or evolve on-line this year? What would you recommended to budding Pagan web weavers? |
| Reponses: There are 43 responses posted to this question. | Reverse Sort |
| I Came Online In 1999 And The First Website I Made Was... | Jan 14th. at 9:49:30 am EST |
| V (Grand Island, Nebraska US) | Age: 23 |
|
I came online in 1999 and the first website I made was dedicated to posting original pagan-related content. Now, two years later, I see the same content on hundreds of sites. Literally... it is my content that I see on other sites, stripped of all credits toward myself as the author. I think that the biggest change in the pagan web that I've seen is actually within myself. It used to bother me greatly to have my work taken and posted without credit or permission, but now I welcome it. In fact, I am currently working on another site for this explicit purpose: quality original content, with a message at the bottom of every page that says... "Feel free to take or use this content as you see fit." It really feels good to let go of copyright. Saves a lot of frustration. Spreads information which you know is valid and good. |
| The Only Thing Wrong, For Lack Of A Better Word, With The... | Jan 14th. at 9:44:17 am EST |
| Alexa (Westboro, Massachusetts US) | Age: 14 |
|
The only thing wrong, for lack of a better word, with the pagan web, is they all have basically the same stuff. few go beyond Wicca/Paganism 101 etc. |
| I Have Seen More Crafting Sites Emerging This Year. I Am A... | Jan 13th. at 12:54:26 pm EST |
| Becki (Bremerton, Washington US) | Age: 41 - Email |
|
I have seen more crafting sites emerging this year. I am a crafter as well as a witch and it looks as though more crafty witches are coming out the broom closet. I personally don't care for web sites that advertise handcrafted items and only carry what everyone else has or simple to make products that they want an arm and a leg for. I think that the community is coming together more and using the web to do it. I belong to 2 different pagan crafting lists and I love sharing my ideas with my fellow crafters. I have noticed that there are not as many "fluffy bunny" sites as there used to be. I think the "being a witch is cool" phase has run it's course. More of the personal sites seem to be more earthy and less flashy. In the coming year, I hope to see more of this trend, were we share ourselves more than just having the same things over and over. Blessings |
| Like Many Other Pagans, I First Learned About Paganism Through The Internet... | Jan 12th. at 11:28:44 pm EST |
| Mary Najmowicz (Johnston, Rhode Island US) | Age: 18 - Email |
|
Like many other Pagans, I first learned about Paganism through the internet, actually in a chatroom on mIRC. In the 4 years since then, I have seen many changes in the "Pagan Web, " mostly in the area of participation. In 1998 when I began my studies the Pagan Web was fully alive, quickly-moving, full of excitement. Now it is becoming more *and my vocabulary is slipping away on me...* I suppose formalized is as good a word as any. (One of the wonderful things about the old Pagan Web was how ANYONE could make a wonderful website explaining their own journey, it didn't have to be associated or listed on one of the more popular main Pagan sites, like this one, to be considered legitimate.) One thing I've seen on the Web is people coming to the Internet to start their learning, then they feel the need to find people *tangible people in their own areas* to follow through with. Those who stayed online longer (I'm speaking specifically of chatrooms now) were labeled "posers" and "web-witches" and were thought of as less legitimate, less of a Pagan than someone who was, say, a part of a circle or coven offline. Many people I know were turned away by this. Now I see that those negative people have found a new group of people to bother and for the most part the members of the online Pagan community are very eager to help, share their own experiences, and learn more. In the end, I'd say that the Pagan Web is taking a turn for the better. The negativity and confusion I've seen (from about 99-00) has dissipated and the true seekers (and teachers) are left standing. I have a lot of hope for the future of Pagans online. |
| I Agree With Quite A Few Of The Above Responses. "here Is... | Jan 9th. at 7:29:11 am EST |
| Rayven (Burlington, Ontario CA) | Age: 23 - Email |
|
I agree with quite a few of the above responses. "Here is a list of spells" is much too overdone. There is so much more to learn beyond that! I started my own amateur *grin* site and although it's slowly building, my goal is to list a lot of applicable 'not-spell' information. I think back to when I began. What problems did I encounter? What questions did I have with no answers to be found? For example, the idea of meditation and trancework was always foreign to me. I thought, I can blank my mind but how do I see pictures in a crystal ball? Obviously, a bit of education needed. That is the kind of articles I would like to see more of. Simply written, offering help to new or experienced ones. |
| I Have Noticed That Many Of My Favorite Pagan Sites And New... | Jan 8th. at 8:13:47 am EST |
| Wendy Sheridan (Rahway, New Jersey US) | Age: 45 - Email |
|
I have noticed that many of my favorite pagan sites and new (and some old) e-zines have either dissappeared or haven't been updated in a long time. Mamawitch's Pagan Parenting Page and the Music for the Goddess band website are still going strong after 5 years, with updates every sabbat. I will admit it's very difficult to get "volunteer" content from the community, and that making the time to work on the website is getting more difficult. Blessings, Wendy (Mamawitch) http://www.musicforthegoddess.com/parent and http://www.musicforthegoddess.com |
| One Thing I've Found Is That A Lot Of The Sites Are... | Jan 8th. at 6:15:56 am EST |
| Anonymous3.14 (Oldbury, England UK) | Age: 19 |
|
One thing I've found is that a lot of the sites are very traditional and slightly snobby to beginners. Maybe it's just me misinterpreting. |
| I Tend To Agree With Many Of The Other Posters--new And... | Jan 7th. at 10:34:10 pm EST |
| Lupa (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania US) | Age: 23 - Email |
|
I tend to agree with many of the other posters--new and improved! Wicca 101 is overdone; it's time not only for Wicca 201, 301, etc. (at least what is allowed to be given publicly per tradition) but also more sites on other trads--paganism, traditional witchcraft, Asatru, Druidism, and so on. Too many people think pagan equals Wiccan all the time, when that is hardly the case. I also think it would be a good idea for surfers to start looking at less-travelled sites. I've found many gems just by typing in random combinations of paganish words in Yahoo or other search engines. If you find a site you like, spread the word! This goes not only for struggling commercial sites that could use the extra business, but little-known wealths of information about traditions you may never have heard of. Here's to the little pagan! ;) Lupa http://www.athenasunwolf.com |
| What I Saw On The Pagan Web Last Year That Moreand More... | Jan 7th. at 10:19:59 pm EST |
| moonbeam (lakecounty, California US) | Age: 15 |
|
What i saw on the pagan web last year that moreand more sites were integrating more history and information instead of all spells and no education sitesthat seems to be made for the kids that have seen "the craft " too many times. i thought this is good because in order to reaffirm our selves in non-pagans minds as a positive religon is to put out as much info as possible. Thsi year I'm hoping to find more information on the Old religon and more information sites on how to's and stuff like that. I suggest to the newbys is go out and get involved in groups that are based aroun learning and do as much resaech as you can on the web. bright blessings, moonbeam |
| I Haven't Noticed Much Difference In The Past Year Other Than What... | Jan 7th. at 7:43:29 pm EST |
| Akima (Gorham, Maine US) | Age: 30 - Email |
|
I haven't noticed much difference in the past year other than what Fritz noted, but I think that the fact that most sites are no longer updated is the biggest and most obvious observation. One of the larger carriers, FreakyPlanet, was up, down, and sometimes half visable, which was a big damper on some rookie website designers. They offered alot of very easy editing tools, message boards for members, etc. But unfortunately, they are gone (atleast from my PC) I believe that some website failure is caused by a lack of support from various expected sources. It takes alot of money to do a good job, AND keep an interest, and even more so, it takes ALOT of time, more than most people with full time jobs can fit in a week. The only recommendations I have for any budding developers are 1. Determine what you want out of it, either money, or personal warmth knowing you are making a difference, or what have you. 2.If it is for money, my advise stops here, I have no experience there, but if it is because you want to help the Pagan community, as a whole or in your area, just take it one day at a time until you are tired of it, and once you have become tired of it, get some of your inspiration back (I choose to look at the beautiful job these people here do - wink) and get your fingers typing again. The Pagan web is what WE make of it, no one else :) Brightest Blessings! |
| Well, I'm One Of The "newbie" Website Owners, Having Just Started My... | Jan 7th. at 4:37:10 pm EST |
| Daven (Nashville, Tennessee US) | Age: 34 - Email |
|
Well, I'm one of the "newbie" website owners, having just started my website in June of 2000. That means that it has been in existance for about 18 months, with massive changes to it in that time. Lets see, it has original content, written by me and articles for those looking for more expanded info. It is a "Wicca 201 and 301" site, taking the basic information and continuing on with it to a logical conclusion. I have my lessons that I have been giving on the Internet in the last two years posted to the site. It's updated every month, sometimes every two weeks. There is interactive content available, a mailing list so the people can talk to each other, along with my sending out updates. You know what, with all that, with all the work I have put into my site, it seems that I can't PAY visitors to come to my site. There are tons of interactive things to do, or there were, but they were not used and so I got rid of them. I had a guestbook, I had a classroom (message board), I was going to go even farther and host my own message board but didn't for space considerations. I don't have ads, I don't beg for money, I don't sell anything, but you know what? No one is coming or using what I have put there. I get about 4 emails a month from someone going "Good job" or "Love your site" and visiting it regularly. You all want updated content, well, the content that is there needs to be looked at and visited and used to get that. And an email every once in a while telling the webmasers that you like their site and you found something useful in their content will make their day. http://davensjournal.com |
| My Hope Is To See More Politically Proactive Sites On The Web... | Jan 7th. at 3:05:03 pm EST |
| Jason Pitzl-Waters (Champaign, Illinois US) | Age: 28 - Email |
|
My hope is to see more politically proactive sites on the web that move beyond the "pentacle at school" stories, and address some of the bigger issues that should worry people coming from a pagan point of view. Some sites have done so including both Starhawk's and Issac Bonewitt's personal pages, and the newly formed Pagan Unity Campaign are definate steps in the right direction. My own site MythWorks is an attempt to find the political pagan voices of all stripes that are missed by the understandable urge of most sites to avoid controversy. The next step is making our opinions and voices heard on not only civil liberty cases (which I am not downplaying the importance of) but on the social and political issues that shape our nation (and the worlds) future. MythWorks http://www.wildhunt.org/myth/ |
1
2
3
4
|
|
|
|
|
Copyright 1997-2013 The Witches' Voice Inc. All rights reserved
Note: Authors & Artists retain the copyright for their work(s) on this website.
Unauthorized reproduction without prior permission is a violation of copyright laws.
Website structure, evolution and php coding by Fritz Jung on a Macintosh G5.
Any and all personal political opinions expressed in the public listing sections (including, but not restricted to, personals, events, groups, shops, Wren’s Nest, etc.) are solely those of the author(s) and do not reflect the opinion of The Witches’ Voice, Inc. TWV is a nonprofit, nonpartisan educational organization.
Sponsorship: Visit the Witches' Voice Sponsor Page for info on how you
can help support this Community Resource. Donations ARE Tax Deductible.
The Witches' Voice carries a 501(c)(3) certificate and a Federal Tax ID.
Mail Us: The Witches' Voice Inc., P.O. Box 341018, Tampa, Florida 33694-1018 U.S.A.