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Article Specs
Article ID: 14085
VoxAcct: 394444
Section: words
Age Group: Adult
Days Up: 33
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The Economy and Pagan Living: A Time of Trial and Renewal
Author: MorningOwl
Posted: August 1st. 2010
Times Viewed: 1,019
As a Pagan who has felt the crisis of the economy hit home, I give a greater thanks for all the small things that I had not given thought to before. As I watch a national poverty and unemployment line go from bad to worse, I am more thankful to have a roof over my head. There is no choice for many but to stretch their already savvy shopping habits. Many feel the pinch in the world. In this essay I will share my personal experience, perceptions, and creative resolutions in dealing with the sinking economy.
First of all, this essay is not about Pagan demographics or the arguments surrounding the “Pagan equals’ poverty” stigma. Such as a denotative message associated with a term, for example “poor pagan”, to mean poverty and Paganism go hand-in-hand. Secondly, my objective is to share how spiritual and personal growths renew the inner self during times or trial or difficulty. I have personally suffered from economic misfortune, and have found purchasing needs for rituals and spiritual enjoyment hard to afford.
Simple things like purchasing herbal tea mixes, driving to the local Pagan/Heathen shop, buying incense and even soaps add up as big expenses. The dollar doesn’t stretch as far as it use to. I didn’t think a recession could get this bad, but it has. Daily I regularly see new homeless people of all ages pushing their possessions inside shopping carts, and even more shoppers over crowding the local second-hand goods boutique. I use to buy items from the local metaphysical stores and my favorite online shops, but have had to change my old shopping habits. A budget crisis is nothing to take lightly and here I look back on my not- so-savvy shopping techniques. Never did I buy new Pagan/Wiccan products just because they were new or trendy, but because I happened to go through a lot of supplies.
In response to this financial change, creativity has become a new necessity for me as I have adopted the “Do-it-yourself” mentality. Thus, saving a little change, and making a little difference for the wish list. A wand stand can get expensive, but with some clay ($2 on sale) and an oven, I somehow managed to construct an unusual wand stand. It’s not going to be displayed as a masterpiece in a museum, but it’s the intention and will to use it that counts.
I also have plans to make a ritual cloak, one I won’t grow out of so quickly, and that tailors to my size. I now believe that if you put your mind to it, even if you don’t have the strongest creative talent, you can make it happen. Otherwise, I would have to go without. Even making my own soaps, has saved me a lot of time, gas, and cash. They aren’t molded into pentacles or moons, but at least I know what materials and products go into them. Most of these ideas I had help from self-learning websites, with videos, and instructions that show you how to make crafts with everyday materials.
Another avenue I found for saving money is a small garden. Growing herbs for teas, smudge sticks, and offerings has brought me a new respect for garden care. Up each morning to water, and up late at night to do the same thing. It gets me closer to nature, it’s organic, and it won’t break the bank. I placed a Green Man over this very garden and now I have more sprouts than I have space for. “Jungle-garden” sums it up very well. I’m waiting for a Toucan to nest in my sage bush.
Besides learning new creative ventures, my low cost living has also led me to adopt a “living green” lifestyle. It is as if a form of divine intervention has drawn me away from my books and said: “here look! Now I want you to participate in it instead of reading. Not that hard is it?” Nothing goes to waste. I have a giant organic compost pile, recycling is now a must, and I use rainwater for various needs. I was also given a solar powered radio as a gift from my loving husband. Batteries not needed. It’s a start.
Learning to rarely go out to eat anymore is a plus too. I am glad to have been able to learn to walk away from coffee houses and eating out for lunch. Being a vegetarian is a plus, but I am not doing it strictly because of finances. I have seen the prices of meat products skyrocket into space. No matter if it was either prepared or uncooked.
The prices are incredibly high now for many foods. What I use to call “staples” are more like luxuries. It’s awful to find cereal or milk costing as much as, or more than, a gallon of gas. Never thought I would see that happen. The dollar store is a new friend, and it is often where I buy ritual cakes and juice. I don’t want to imagine the difficulties many families, especially those with children or the elderly, must go through. Many food banks and charities are struggling to feed a larger number of people staggering through their doors every week. A family friend, whose aunt volunteers for the local food bank, says even lawyers and bankers are commonly in line for a plate of food.
Having been close to being in line myself, I have yet to swallow my pride and go do the same. Not wanting to have to go to the closest church, and tolerate through the Jesus praise and scripture to wait for a meal at the end. I think I could just stay at home and ration what I have and pray to the goddess to please grant me a greater bounty.
I certainly am not an analyst or economic predictor of market values. It’s obvious with businesses closing, job losses, and inflated prices, there is practically no wiggle room for the little guy or gal. The advertising world has seen the rollercoaster of purchase sales crawl. It’s not about pitching, baiting, and reeling in that buyer. Shoppers are learning to go without that extra wand or crystal pendulum.
Out of the difficulty I am given strength, or at least hope, in why I am experiencing my own trouble for a reason. Some people rise up from an economic crisis like a flame-covered phoenix bathed in light and renewal. Some people might not feel the effects at all and continue their day-to-day lives. Others in the world feel absolute distress or agony, and reach the very end of their lives and die hungry.
We are in unbalanced times, like a rocking boat in an ocean of uncertainty. It’s great for me to have discovered about creative self-reliance, but it doesn’t solve the big problem. The world is in a bad financial place today. My goal now is to make better financial, ecological, and spiritual practices. It is a hardy lesson. Grateful I am for the chances I am given to better myself and discover new paths away from hardship. Each day is a chance for creating new strengths, experiences, and connections with my spiritual ways.
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MorningOwl
Location: Tucson, Arizona
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