Witchvox Article

Author: Chris K Underwood
Posted: February 4th. 2007
Times Viewed: 1,798

Special. Every one wants to feel special! In modern psychology, we understand these concepts much better than in times past. It�s just human nature that within the framework of a world filled with billions of people each one of us needs to feel that we are special in some way. This is a good thing since it helps promote ambition, creativity, and a desire to better ourselves.

One concern I have with these basic psychological needs is the fact that some in the Pagan community go too far and either alienate others or become outright psychotic about it. Another problem are those who become Pagan only because they are looking for the means to feel special in some way. There is nothing wrong with the latter except that many are Pagan in name only. Then they may do or say things that cause confusion and problems for the rest of us. Their desire is to feel special, not necessarily to study or understand the system they have embraced.

When talking about the �scary� ones, I�m referring to those who really embrace the supernatural to the extreme. Not that I have a problem with people believing and using supernatural forces, just the ones who get out of control with their beliefs.

I have spoken to Pagans who are absolutely convinced that demons and other evil supernatural forces are either controlling them or in some way destroying their lives. There are also the ones who insist that other Pagans are casting spells and charms that are causing not only problems for them, but also for their families and even friends. I�ll bet many of you have spoken to people like this.

I�m not putting them down or making fun, instead I am concerned that these folks are consumed with these thoughts that really do not help them in the real world. I am a witch and do believe in such things, but I would have to say I am a practical witch rather than a mystical one.

If they are having a string of bad luck I would suggest that it�s more to do with themselves and their attitudes than any spells some enemy may be casting.

Many I have spoken to in groups and blogs demand spells from us to stop these supposed attacks when, asking about their situation in a lot of cases, a simple mundane solution would solve the problem.

Another group are the Pagans who outrageously embrace elements of popular fiction to advance their beliefs in the extreme. Being a person who is active in the local pagan community and entirely out of the closet, I receive a lot of e-mails from seekers. Quite a few have been from those asking me of things that I just had no knowledge of.

When they were claiming to be �White Lighters� and born to fight demons, I was at a complete loss. That is until my friends informed me that these were elements of a popular television show. It seems so strange to me that people who really should know and understand seem to think it�s all about the twitching of a nose.

We also have a category of Pagan out there that I like to call the �Lord high and mighty�. I hate to admit that at one time I was one of these who would brag about all the teaching and training I had received over the years. I was doing this in much the same way as the others in an attempt to feel special.

These people are very prevalent on the net and in local shops. They spend a lot of time convincing people how superior they are and how their advanced knowledge makes them so powerful. I hate to point it out, but many supposed hereditary pagans are like this as well (Don�t jump me; I said many, not all!).

These people are marked by their instance of how powerful they are, that they hold secret knowledge that you will never have access to, and some with an overwhelming demand that you believe how respected they are in the pagan community. In my experience, the more you demand that you are to be respected, the less you are. This harkens right back to the point about how we all have the need to feel special in some way.

Many of you may be thinking that I am simply ranting about the attitudes of some people I have run across, and that I really have nothing more to say on the subject than putting them down. This is not true; in fact, my hope is that just like in my own experience, they will calm down and even mature a little. It is certainly normal to want to feel special in our world; there is nothing wrong with that. Someday, I hope to completely rid myself of the need as well.

It�s only those who take things to such radical extremes that worry me. Many in the Pagan community moan and lament over certain Christians who persecute and go after Pagans with a single minded and, from our point of view, unfair manner. These people are called extremists for a reason. And we are not immune to this anymore than they are although it�s only a small percentage that take this route.

So, what is the answer? Well, for most people, I would say: stop and take a deep breath. Patience and wisdom will come as you move along your path.

We all need to realize that we have this deep-seated need to feel special and that it is through our actions and intentions that we achieve it. The claims of super powers and enemy attacks do not make you special, but instead just one of the many who are demanding something they never had to begin with. Extremists may feel special to themselves, but its really a false sense of empowerment since those around you are stepping back worried that you might go over the top and hurt somebody.

If we want to feel special, and be respected by our peers, we should focus our energies on the things that we can accomplish in this life. Be a friend and listen. Help a friend when you can. Learn something from someone even if its something you already know.
Take up a cause in your community and help others in some small way. Even just go out and clean the street you live on during your day off.

Simply being a friendly person to those in our lives make us special and stand out in a world full of other people.

Believe me, if you do any one of these things, you will be respected and deemed special to those around you.

And if you took the time and bothered to read this, then I certainly think you�re special! ;-)

(This article is dedicated to my friends and coven mates primarily because they did not like it. Their constructive criticism is more valuable to me than they will ever realize. I still wished to put it out there, but I know I would not be able to do many of the things I love with out them.)

Written by: Chris K Underwood

Copyright: Permission to freely distribute is granted as long as the original content and credit is maintained.

ABOUT...

Chris K Underwood

Location: Palm Beach County, Florida

Author's Profile: To learn more about Chris K Underwood - Click HERE

Other Articles: Chris K Underwood has posted 6 additional articles- View them?

Other Listings: To view ALL of my listings: Click HERE

Email Chris K Underwood... (Yes! I have opted to receive invites to Pagan events, groups, and commercial sales)

Home - TWV Logos - Email US - Privacy

News and Information

Chapters: Pagan/Heathen Basics - Pagan BOOKS - Traditions, Paths & Religions - Popular Pagan Holidays - TV & Movies - Cats of the Craft - Festival Reviews - Festival Tips - White Pages (Resources) - Issues/Concerns - West Memphis 3 - Witch Hunts - Pagan Protection Tips - Healing Planet Earth

Your Voices: Adult Essays - Young Pagan Essays - Pagan Perspectives (On Hold) - WitchWars: Fire in the Craft - Gay Pagan - Pagan Parenting - Military - Pagan Passages

Pagan Music: Pagan Musicians - Bardic Circle at WitchVox - Free Music from TWV

Vox Central: About TWV - Wren: Words, Wrants and Wramblings - Guest Rants - Past Surveys - A Quest for Unity

Weekly Updates: Click HERE for an index of our weekly updates for the past 6 years

W.O.T.W. - World-Wide Networking

Your Town: A Link to YOUR Area Page (The largest listing of Witches, Pagans, Heathens and Wiccans on the Planet)

VoxLinks: The Pagan Web: 8,000 Listings

Your Witchvox Account: Log in Now - Create New Account - Request New Password - Log in Problems

Personal Listings: Pagan Clergy in Your Town - Adult Pagans - Young Pagans - Military Pagans

Events: Circles, Gatherings, Workshops & Festivals

Covens/Groups/Orgs: Local Groups Main Page

Other LOCAL Resources: Local Shops - Regional Sites - Local Notices - Global/National Notices - Local Skills & Services - Local Egroups - Political Freedom Fighters

Pagan Shopping: Online Shops Index - Original Crafters Sites - Auction Sites - Pagan Wholesalers - Pagan Local Shops

Web Site Content (including: text - graphics - html - look & feel)
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.

Witches, Pagans
of The World

Current Topic
Editorial Guide

NOTE: The essay on this page contains the writings and opinions of the listed author(s) and is not necessarily shared or endorsed by the Witches' Voice inc.

The Witches' Voice does not verify or attest to the historical accuracy contained in the content of this essay.

All WitchVox essays contain a valid email address, feel free to send your comments, thoughts or concerns directly to the listed author(s).