Witchvox Article

Author: Heg
Posted: October 24th. 2010
Times Viewed: 2,822

I love the diversity in Paganism, the constant flow of energy that challenges us to look at our viewpoint and consider if our position is written in stone or in water, the different perceptions that let us continue to seek out answers as we grow and learn more about who we are as people, where we come from and what we will do next.

It is my opinion that we cannot do this unless we have each other. Many groups continue to try and reach out, to share their thought and to listen to others. Some stand and judge the people coming to seek out their answers; some open their arms with love and compassion.

I feel this is all needed. I think we need the folks who challenge us because now we can consider other ways. I see the judgmental ones as a catalyst to a true understanding of love and acceptance. They try some Pagans’ patience; they poke at every piece of fabric we try to build in order to bring us all together but I still see them as a catalyst. We need these beautiful Pagans to keep us questioning and growing, to challenge us to grow farther.

Such questing can lead to the people who open their arms and discuss beliefs in a loving caring manner. They remain strong in what they think and believe but they also enjoy the role listening and taking in others’ perception. Most Pagans try to reach this stage; this stage is when we have truly bonded with who we are spiritually and emotionally. We don’t fear the current; we grab a board and ride it or we let the current roll.

Neither way is right or wrong. both are necessary. so having said all of that, in the future I would love to see a park full of Pagans on Samhain. Each group with their own circle or each solitary with a spot to practice, coming together in one area but practicing as they see fit.

A unity in the way the rest of the world thinks is ridiculous for us. The fabric of Pagan belief is our diversity. Even if you don’t love it, it is probably one of the reasons you looked in this direction. You loved that you were able and encouraged to find your own way in a vast and complicated spirituality. I love it too, so maybe Pagans will one day involve each other in a large celebration where we all practice our beliefs with unity but still giving each other room to be ourselves.

Some may say that is why we have Pagan Pride Day. yes I still see the validity in this day. Can you also picture this? A circle in the middle of all the other circles, big or small, private or open, where there is dancing, food, shops and singing. The largest of spaces in the largest of circles, where we have the drumming, around it we have the dancing around that we have the circle of tables and chairs for the chatting, around that we have food vendors with vendors selling their handmade goods.

I see it like this: some people laughing and some people vying to get their point across both right in their perspective at the tables, people walking around the vendors buying food or goods that interest them or resonate with their style of practice, so that we can support each other. We would have an ebb and flow of constant conversation that reminds us that we all look at our practice differently and this is one of the things that bind us together.

In the middle of all of that we would have your drummers and dancers celebrating the lives that have come before us in order to have the freedom we so cherish. They may be dancing to their own life or the life of their ancestor, the drummers feeling the beat of each other and loving that there is no one leader in the group, but the sound blends in beautiful harmony. The reminder in this crowd of Pagans is that we all have a place to lead, to follow and yes, even to challenge.

I began this with the single thought of how far we have come, how much we continue to grow as a spiritual path and how far we still may be able to go. This is to challenge me as a person, to challenge you as a Pagan. You see, I have always skulked around the edges, never really taking any responsibility. I thought that I had nothing to share.

I spent time trying to find a group I fit in with and trying to conform to the style I was being taught. Never challenging myself or the people around me, I got offended when someone said something I felt was negative. I didn’t realize it was a catalyst for growth. I didn’t see the diversity as the positive. I saw it as a negative. Perspective can be blinding in so many ways. Our own perspective challenges us all and yet sometimes we grow from it. I would like to see us all ride the wave, to see where the diversity can lead us.

This takes patience and love, but it also takes a challenge. It takes all pagans agreeing to disagree, whether you call yourself Wiccan, Pagan, witch or heathen. It takes each of us trying to understand that not all of us look at every cycle in the same manner. We will all have similarities and we may want to challenge our differences.

For example, I have never been comfortable using a wand; instead I use the athame. Some Pagans will always use the wand for practicing. Some use nothing at all. This diversity is to be cherished in so many ways.

I wrote this with the thought in mind that we can all come together and, instead of having one big circle, I thought celebrating each other’s diversity would be something for the world to see and take notice of. To celebrate every part of our beliefs, even the differences, wouldn’t that be something for the world to notice? That even though we don't all practice the same, we all honor each other’s spiritual beliefs. We all stand together in our belief that we have the right to practice as we see fit.

Maybe I dream too big. Maybe it’s already being done. And still maybe at Yule, this may be the way to start off a rebirth for all of us.

Many Blessings and love to all of you. May we continue to grow love and be ourselves. So mote it be.

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Heg

Location: Laurel, Maryland

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