Well....that was fun! And we made a lot of money, too.
The Pagan Garage Sale was last Saturday and it went really well. Our people love shiny things. They especially love shiny things on sale.
I loved working with Molly& Wyrd Sisters. Molly is so organized and she' great fun. The room really looked great. Molly and I both use Office Depot as our Church of Choice. We firmly believe that if you have enough color coded stickers and paperclips, the universe will finally make sense.
For sale that we were CD's, Ritual Items, Jewelry, Costumes & Clothing, Nicknacks, Puzzles, Crafting Supplies, Incense & Candles, Sculpture & Art, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Housewares, Paperbacks & Pagan books. Really great stuff, overall. (1)
It went so well, that we are doing it again. And this time, we will sell one or two tables to other groups.
People were at the door before we even opened, and we stayed longer to accommodate them all.
The one thing we had to actively prevent was negativity. When Pagans come together (which for some Solitaries, is very seldom indeed), they often like to gossip and bitch about this Coven or that Priestess. It's a very human thing to do, but it does make for a negative room and it's no fun for any of us to be around. So whenever the staff heard someone airing their dirty laundry, we gently interrupted them and asked, "Tell us what you liked about that group/person/experience?"
That often caused these folks to pause - their minds needed to make a left turn. The answers were sometimes long in coming, but we did get answers from them. These were very often enlightening.
"Well then," we said, "what can you do to re-create this or find it somewhere else?"
Again, the answers that came were interesting for us, and (hopefully) empowering for them.
We felt that it was important to turn conversations from something negative to something more positive whenever we could. This is a small space, after all, and grumbling can really bring down the room. People came to shop and enjoy themselves, not listen to Pagan whining. Frankly, when the gals from Wyrd Sisters and I get together to put on such an event we don't want to listen to it, either. We've worked hard for weeks to make something like this, and we are excited about the event and meeting new people. We can hear Pagan shit anytime. Too much of it, in fact. (2)
Can you image if you are new to Paganism and you walk into a room full of Pagans bitching? Here you are, fresh as a daisy and just that vunerable to trampling. You show up wanting to meet these new and amazing people, and all you encounter is kvetching and moaning and complaints. I wanted to spare the new people that. So, we kept the conversations positive and light hearted. If someone really has a problem (and not just some silly Witch War), I send them over to Dj at Spiral Steps.
We've had the same challenge at PantheaCon every year we've gone there. When certain people find out that we are with FCE they take this as their big chance to complain, not about us, but about other groups! Very strange. (and who, I wonder, died and made us Goddess?).
Other people want only to talk gloom and doom politics, or spread nasty gossip around (all of which we've heard, thank you, and we keep this stuff to ourselves unless we need to directly intervene between parties.)
We go to Pagan Conventions to see our friends and find our true Tribe, and we're not looking to find yet more flakes, big egos or bitterness. So, we've all gotten really good at changing the subject.
However, there is a certain type, a damp washcloth of a person, who just comes and lays their negative/needy energy on top of anyone who will stand still. This sort of person isn't negative in an active way, they are negative the same way a black hole is negative, and they can suck all the energy out of a room. If that type walks up and begins to jabber, suck or seep, my colleagues and I make a polite excuse and leave the area, thus removing the temptation for them to go on and on and on. That way, we haven been rude, but we haven't been victims of their personal problems, either.
Overall, everyone who came to the Pagan Garage Sale was pleasant, courteous and good to be around. I especially enjoyed seeing the children there, and all of these kids were very well behaved.
Only two people really stood around complaining, and they quickly turned the conversation to a more positive note when I asked them two. (I like both of these women and they "got it" because they are both smart - it's a hard habit to break, after all.)
Only two real "Problem Children" showed up (out of 60+ people) and we kept their energy from hurting the room. One of these was a new guy who felt that he had found at last found "the Truth" in Wicca. Now he wanted to share his knowledge with everyone else. More than that, he wanted to question the staff about their practice. I guess he wanted to get all the "right" answers from the source.
He was very sure that there was a right way and a wrong way to do everything. Basically, he'd been a fundamentalist Christian, and now he wanted to be a fundamentalist Wiccan. The poor guy was rather put out when the Eclectic types and the Kitchen Witches told him how they did it. The idea that you could a spell without all the trappings really seemed to bother him. I gave him some contacts that would suit that mindset, and he went away happy.
Meanwhile, I've sent this note over to Snakemoon for the newsletter.
Pagan Garage Sale:
Wyrd Sisters would like to thank those friendly folks who came out for the Pagan Garage Sale last Saturday. We all had a great time visiting and shopping. some of us left with new friends and contacts, many found new treasures. Some of the newcomers also got some practical advice and the email address for our Networking Coordinator, Scoutghost.
The room looked lovely and was very well organized, which made shopping pleasant and easy. The doors opened at 9:45 to an Early Bird crowd (early for Pagans, that is) and it stayed busy for most of the day. Overall, we made over $400 for Full Circle. This money will go to pay for the FCE website and office costs.
We had so much fun that we are going to do it again in May. At that time, other groups, circles or Covens will be able to purchase a table and clean out their own closets. It's fun and it leaves your house oh-so-much neater.
Stay tuned for more information from Wyrd Sisters, our organizing group.
Sia
Full Circle
Honor the Past, Celebrate the Present, Create the Future
(1)
(2) Mind you, I can bitch with the best of them. But I do it quietly, out of the public eye and with a select group of wise friends who know what's going on and can give me a reality check and grounded advice. Every Pagan Organizor needs to know the Pagan Gossip Of The Day - how else will we avoid the Problem Childen? - we just don't need to pass it on.
Monday, February 28, 2005
Friday, February 25, 2005
Never give a Bullhorn to a Looney
I got a note today from the man who runs the Wildhunt Blog. It came as a bit of a shock. I never think that anyone reads this thing. I really keep it as a safe Port for the ships that sail into my conscousness while I'm writing essays and building FCE. Later on, I use these notes to build those essays. I"m not sure that I like having a link posted from that one blog, since the essay isn't done, but we'll leave it for now.
Still, it was a nice note, and he's a thoughtful guy, so I answered it.
Part of our correspondence is noted below.
----- Original Message -----
Subject: Sia's Blog @ Full Circle Central
Sia,
Just writing to say that I have been enjoying your blog. Few Pagan blogs take the time to write thoughtful and informative essays. Stangely (or maybe not so strangely) I have been thinking about many of the issues you bring up in your latest entry "Tis a Mystery". First off, do you think that this tendency to go underground is a mainly Wiccan/Witchcraft phenom or is this something you are seeing with other Pagan groups like Asatru, Druids, Reclaiming, etc.
Thank you so much :-)
Actually, this Blog is simply my way of posting random thoughts and keeping up to date on the growing process at FCE. I then use these notes to create full fledged essays later on, usually for our Full Circle newsletter or The Witches' Voice.
To answer your question: As I noted in "Tis a Mystery", I've talked to Pagan organizers all across the country these last 6 months, and I'm hearing this across the board: all Paths, many teachers and types. Most of us have been Pagan for 10 - 20 years. What's happening now is very different. I meant it when I said this is a "sea change".
I myself could be considered "underground" since I don't participate in community building for Pagans since my own community fizzled out after a nasty spate of "witchwars".
That's what usually happens. And then none of the Pagan Organizers can find volunteers. Then good events and Circles close down for lack of staff & support.
But then I am maintaining a online blog, writing for New Witch,
Nice folks over there. Anne Niven (the publisher) is a friend of mine. Now *there's* a practical Pagan.
and going back to school to get a Masters in Divinity so I can serve better.
Good for you! You might want to check out the Gnosis Cafe run by Ann Hill. Anne has worked to build Pagan community for many years now. She just got her MA degree from the University for Creation Spirituality, and is a full fledged Pagan Reverend. She also owns Serpentine Music. Anne is very creative, highly ethical, real world and funny. She is also a great mom.
I suggest that you also read books on conflict resolution. I've noted my reasons for that in my essay on "Pagan Doers" over at FCE's essay page.
Which begs the question in my mind, are we going underground or are we simply regrouping and preparing to do things better.
I'm about to address that question, thus the interviews. I believe it is the latter and I'm hearing some very interesting ideas. I've even got one or two of my own.
Also, check out The Year of the Rooster essay, February newsletter. It speaks to this re the energy that's out there right now.
I sometimes think that we (the collective modern Paganism we) got too big, too fast and we weren't prepared for the explosion of popularity and what it would entail. There was simply too much to do and so the void was filled with crackpots, charlatans and creeps more than happy to pick up the slack. Maybe we are taking a rest for the big job ahead, forging a future for our family of faiths. Its a theory at any rate.
Yeeeees. I think that's part of it. Some of the new folks did bring this energy, and much of the chaff has either drifted away or been seen for what it is. That's exactly how it is supposed to work. After all, none one ever said that this Path was easy, just rewarding. Truly, it's not for everyone, nor should it be.
and yes, some of the Old Guard continue to bicker and waste precious energy on ego fights. Let them. The rest of us have work to do.
I still get letters from new Witches though who've been burned by the b.s from certain "High" Priests and Priestesses. Vigilance is going to be the watch word for a very long time to come. It needs to be maintained on all sides.
Any organizer worth their salt has a list of "Problem Children" - part of doing this work is finding out who you can really count on. Newcomers also have to use an ounce of common sense when choosing a teacher or a group. The Notes to a New Witch post (which is later to be a full essay) addresses this.
To my way of thinking that bit about "Perfect Love and Perfect Trust" is a crock and an open invitation to a con. Why on earth are we setting ourselves up for a "perfect" anything? Our Christian brothers and sisters found that this sort of thinking just engenders guilt and shame. They are trying to change that focus as we speak. As for love and trust, these things are powerful, they are precious, and they are earned. They don't just get handed to you when you walk in the door. So, let's stop trying to be a club, and start teaching what's real.
Oddly enough, I just had this very conversation yesterday with a great gal who closed down her Coven several years ago in order to rest. It is very difficult to share power because we have to be:
a) confident enough in our own power and willing to do so and,
b) we have to find those we can trust.
We then spend an awful lot of time training setting standards and then keeping quality control and finding staff. It helps if we are willing to set an example! Pagans need to be responsible enough to show up on time and be organized, something a great many of our people just don't want to do.
Many of the people drawn to modern Paganism don't have all the tools they need in their toolbox to get along in the world. The good news, as Myss notes, is that this has lets them escape the cultural trance. The challenge is that these folks then come to Paganism bearing a sacred wound and wanting to be fixed. Some people are really screwed up, and they come in wanting power, power they aren't ready to use either fairly or well. If they achieve authority without having wisdom to temper the use of power, they then go on to abuse others.
The Old Guard had the same damn problems and they passed it on, and new people come in the door with these same issues. So, let's give the Old Guard the credit for what they really accomplished during very hard times and let's appreciate the enthuriasm the new comers bring to it. Then, let's move forward, carrying only what works along with us.
Carolyn Myss addresses this problem in her book "Sacred Contracts" in great detail. I recommend it to you.
Dj also addresses this in a very real way via Spiral Steps:
Right now, I'm working on an essay with Dj on Dysfunctional Pagans, what that looks like and how they effect the community. This is part of a series we'er doing. Read The Shadow Knows and The Bard and the Poser here:
Anyway, just thought I would let you know I enjoy what you are contributing to cyberspace.
I have been for quite a while now :-) But it's always nice to be acknowledged. Thank you very much for the kind words and the link.
Good job on your Blog, by the way- I can see that a lot of work and thought has gone into this. I look forward to seeing more of your work.
Oh, why no comments on entries,
Take a look at the comments section in Wren's Next at the Witches' Voice and you'll see why I don't want a comment section in my Blog. Frankly, I'd prefer to receive a thoughtful note privately from someone nice like you then hand a bullhorn over to sillies who just want the attention. I've teased Wren about the comment section over at Wren's Nest over the years becuase so many of the posts are simple minded. (To be fair, it is very useful sometimes and many thoughtful types do post there, as well). That said, Wren keeps the loonies from posting hate speech. It's time consuming for her, though. Bless her for doing it.
I admire Wren's desire to create an open forum without wanting to emulate it. You'll note that TWV does not offer a chat room and this for a very good reason: too many loonies posting rants and insults. Then the thoughtful people run away (ah..we're back to our original topic, I see). As a result, few Pagan sites offer such boards nowadays. Those that tried it watched with mounting horror what happened and then quickly closed their boards down. It's either that, or spend all your time as a Playground Monitor.
and have you considered adding a blogroll of Pagan-related blogs you like?
I don't use my Blog that way. For me, it's an issue of focus and time. I prefer to have my links list over at FCE.
You've done a very nice job of compliling these blogs, I notice. You've found some very interesting writers. I'll get lost in it some more this weekend .
My links are at the Full Circle webpage. If and when I have the time, I'm going to be updating that particular links page, but right now I've got other projects in hand.
I've sent your Blog's url over to Snakemoon, the Editor-in-Chief of the FCE newsletter. I think she'll like it, so you should see this posted in a newsletter soon. Again, thank you for the timely and interesting information and for the nice note.
Go well, stay well,
Sia
Full Circle Events
Honor the Past, Celebrate the Present, Create the Future
Note to self: There is a nice site on the Culture Trance (from an anti-war perspective, here)
Still, it was a nice note, and he's a thoughtful guy, so I answered it.
Part of our correspondence is noted below.
----- Original Message -----
Subject: Sia's Blog @ Full Circle Central
Sia,
Just writing to say that I have been enjoying your blog. Few Pagan blogs take the time to write thoughtful and informative essays. Stangely (or maybe not so strangely) I have been thinking about many of the issues you bring up in your latest entry "Tis a Mystery". First off, do you think that this tendency to go underground is a mainly Wiccan/Witchcraft phenom or is this something you are seeing with other Pagan groups like Asatru, Druids, Reclaiming, etc.
Thank you so much :-)
Actually, this Blog is simply my way of posting random thoughts and keeping up to date on the growing process at FCE. I then use these notes to create full fledged essays later on, usually for our Full Circle newsletter or The Witches' Voice.
To answer your question: As I noted in "Tis a Mystery", I've talked to Pagan organizers all across the country these last 6 months, and I'm hearing this across the board: all Paths, many teachers and types. Most of us have been Pagan for 10 - 20 years. What's happening now is very different. I meant it when I said this is a "sea change".
I myself could be considered "underground" since I don't participate in community building for Pagans since my own community fizzled out after a nasty spate of "witchwars".
That's what usually happens. And then none of the Pagan Organizers can find volunteers. Then good events and Circles close down for lack of staff & support.
But then I am maintaining a online blog, writing for New Witch,
Nice folks over there. Anne Niven (the publisher) is a friend of mine. Now *there's* a practical Pagan.
and going back to school to get a Masters in Divinity so I can serve better.
Good for you! You might want to check out the Gnosis Cafe run by Ann Hill. Anne has worked to build Pagan community for many years now. She just got her MA degree from the University for Creation Spirituality, and is a full fledged Pagan Reverend. She also owns Serpentine Music. Anne is very creative, highly ethical, real world and funny. She is also a great mom.
I suggest that you also read books on conflict resolution. I've noted my reasons for that in my essay on "Pagan Doers" over at FCE's essay page.
Which begs the question in my mind, are we going underground or are we simply regrouping and preparing to do things better.
I'm about to address that question, thus the interviews. I believe it is the latter and I'm hearing some very interesting ideas. I've even got one or two of my own.
Also, check out The Year of the Rooster essay, February newsletter. It speaks to this re the energy that's out there right now.
I sometimes think that we (the collective modern Paganism we) got too big, too fast and we weren't prepared for the explosion of popularity and what it would entail. There was simply too much to do and so the void was filled with crackpots, charlatans and creeps more than happy to pick up the slack. Maybe we are taking a rest for the big job ahead, forging a future for our family of faiths. Its a theory at any rate.
Yeeeees. I think that's part of it. Some of the new folks did bring this energy, and much of the chaff has either drifted away or been seen for what it is. That's exactly how it is supposed to work. After all, none one ever said that this Path was easy, just rewarding. Truly, it's not for everyone, nor should it be.
and yes, some of the Old Guard continue to bicker and waste precious energy on ego fights. Let them. The rest of us have work to do.
I still get letters from new Witches though who've been burned by the b.s from certain "High" Priests and Priestesses. Vigilance is going to be the watch word for a very long time to come. It needs to be maintained on all sides.
Any organizer worth their salt has a list of "Problem Children" - part of doing this work is finding out who you can really count on. Newcomers also have to use an ounce of common sense when choosing a teacher or a group. The Notes to a New Witch post (which is later to be a full essay) addresses this.
To my way of thinking that bit about "Perfect Love and Perfect Trust" is a crock and an open invitation to a con. Why on earth are we setting ourselves up for a "perfect" anything? Our Christian brothers and sisters found that this sort of thinking just engenders guilt and shame. They are trying to change that focus as we speak. As for love and trust, these things are powerful, they are precious, and they are earned. They don't just get handed to you when you walk in the door. So, let's stop trying to be a club, and start teaching what's real.
Oddly enough, I just had this very conversation yesterday with a great gal who closed down her Coven several years ago in order to rest. It is very difficult to share power because we have to be:
a) confident enough in our own power and willing to do so and,
b) we have to find those we can trust.
We then spend an awful lot of time training setting standards and then keeping quality control and finding staff. It helps if we are willing to set an example! Pagans need to be responsible enough to show up on time and be organized, something a great many of our people just don't want to do.
Many of the people drawn to modern Paganism don't have all the tools they need in their toolbox to get along in the world. The good news, as Myss notes, is that this has lets them escape the cultural trance. The challenge is that these folks then come to Paganism bearing a sacred wound and wanting to be fixed. Some people are really screwed up, and they come in wanting power, power they aren't ready to use either fairly or well. If they achieve authority without having wisdom to temper the use of power, they then go on to abuse others.
The Old Guard had the same damn problems and they passed it on, and new people come in the door with these same issues. So, let's give the Old Guard the credit for what they really accomplished during very hard times and let's appreciate the enthuriasm the new comers bring to it. Then, let's move forward, carrying only what works along with us.
Carolyn Myss addresses this problem in her book "Sacred Contracts" in great detail. I recommend it to you.
Dj also addresses this in a very real way via Spiral Steps:
Right now, I'm working on an essay with Dj on Dysfunctional Pagans, what that looks like and how they effect the community. This is part of a series we'er doing. Read The Shadow Knows and The Bard and the Poser here:
Anyway, just thought I would let you know I enjoy what you are contributing to cyberspace.
I have been for quite a while now :-) But it's always nice to be acknowledged. Thank you very much for the kind words and the link.
Good job on your Blog, by the way- I can see that a lot of work and thought has gone into this. I look forward to seeing more of your work.
Oh, why no comments on entries,
Take a look at the comments section in Wren's Next at the Witches' Voice and you'll see why I don't want a comment section in my Blog. Frankly, I'd prefer to receive a thoughtful note privately from someone nice like you then hand a bullhorn over to sillies who just want the attention. I've teased Wren about the comment section over at Wren's Nest over the years becuase so many of the posts are simple minded. (To be fair, it is very useful sometimes and many thoughtful types do post there, as well). That said, Wren keeps the loonies from posting hate speech. It's time consuming for her, though. Bless her for doing it.
I admire Wren's desire to create an open forum without wanting to emulate it. You'll note that TWV does not offer a chat room and this for a very good reason: too many loonies posting rants and insults. Then the thoughtful people run away (ah..we're back to our original topic, I see). As a result, few Pagan sites offer such boards nowadays. Those that tried it watched with mounting horror what happened and then quickly closed their boards down. It's either that, or spend all your time as a Playground Monitor.
and have you considered adding a blogroll of Pagan-related blogs you like?
I don't use my Blog that way. For me, it's an issue of focus and time. I prefer to have my links list over at FCE.
You've done a very nice job of compliling these blogs, I notice. You've found some very interesting writers. I'll get lost in it some more this weekend
My links are at the Full Circle webpage. If and when I have the time, I'm going to be updating that particular links page, but right now I've got other projects in hand.
I've sent your Blog's url over to Snakemoon, the Editor-in-Chief of the FCE newsletter. I think she'll like it, so you should see this posted in a newsletter soon. Again, thank you for the timely and interesting information and for the nice note.
Go well, stay well,
Sia
Full Circle Events
Honor the Past, Celebrate the Present, Create the Future
Note to self: There is a nice site on the Culture Trance (from an anti-war perspective, here)
Tuesday, February 22, 2005
Tis a Mystery
I spent about two hours talking to Wren on the phone the other day. I wanted to know if she was seeing the same sea change in the Pagan community that I was seeing. We had a very interesting talk.
I then had this same talk with other Pagan organizers from around the country via emails and by phone. Had it again with a great many others at PantheaConn. Everyone agreed.
It seems that a great many Pagans (at least the healthy ones) who were active in the community have gone back underground. In effect, we are once again a Mystery Religion. By this I mean that you know have to really look or know someone in order to find good teachers. As for Circles, well, nowadays most of us make our own Circles out of people we've known for years. Many open Circles have now closed or are closing.
Fritz, Wren's wonderful partner, wrote this just recently on their website:
"Over the past few years, some of the most giving and honorable Pagans we know have bowed out gracefully from our community. To say this is a tragedy would be an understatement. It's never a 'dramatic departure' with this type... They simply stopped helping out. Many speak of 'burn out' and we sure hear that... Personally, we no longer give any energy to those looking to pick fights or with a bitch/zero solution agenda. Rude, demanding or baiting email is deleted on sight."
There's been a sea change of late. Most of the functional Pagans I know are going back to being Solitary. They tell me the loonies and flakes have spoiled the Community for them. As a result, many healthy folks are backing away from public Pagan events.
In this area of California we've found that those who supported Pagan events in past years have moved out of state in order to find jobs, so an solid, responsible employed Pagan base has been lost to us, as well.
It's the end of an era, really, a 13 year period when the energy called on us to get out there and be proud Pagans in public - to support one another and to build something meaningful. In some cases we Pagans succeeded and in others we have failed.
Many organizers are finding new, creative ways of working in community. It's exciting to see what's out there. I heard a number of plans at the Con which I will watch with interest. One group bought land recently and another rented a Victorian house in the area. Both will open their doors to Pagan groups, teachers and events and the Pagan community can come IF they pay a subscription as members. These particular Pagan organizers are saying "We put our money, our talent and our time into this, now you support or not. But if you want to come, you need to support it, as well." It's a brave move. The rent for that Victorian house is $5,000 a month, and the subscription membership they set per person is only $10.00/month. That's really not a lot to ask.
In this way, they hope to build the Pagan Community Centers and Pagan Owned Land sanctuaries; things that others have talked about for over 20 years. I wonder if it will work? They are putting a lot of their money where their mouths are. Will the community support it?
In the meantime, others who have worked in community for many years are pulling back, regrouping and seeing what's next. I recently told a friend that, "Yes, we are indeed a Mystery Religion. The mystery is how we ever find any other healthy, functional Pagans to hang out with." She laughed. She knows how it is.
Overall, I find that Pagans are leaving many of the established Pagan groups entirely because they are tired of the drama and trauma they find there.
The irony is that dysfunctional groups go on and on and on - they just find new victims. As my friend, Magpyre says: There's a natural law at work here: "Entropy requires no maintenance".
Those who got burned in dysfunctional Pagan groups now choose to do their volunteer work with mundane groups, like the Humane Society. Most now keep their Pagan identify under wraps, so their skills are lost to us for now. At least they continue to do good somewhere.
Ironically, we have an entirely different issue here at Full Circle. This has always been a Cauldron of Changes for everyone involved. After working with over 30 different core staff and hundreds of volunteers, I can say that FCE truly empowers people. In fact, we do this so well, that the core staff work with us for a year or two, learn what they needed to learn, gain new powers, confidence and experience and friends, and then go on to fulfill their dreams. This leaves me with a immense sense of satisfaction, fulfillment, and pride....and the problem of replacing really good, hard working people.
I now find that it is now much harder than ever before to find responsible Pagans to work with. More and more Pagans are laying low, or focusing on their work and family. Many of our old friends and allies have left the state to find work elsewhere. Others, just don't have what it takes.
At PantheaCon I heard that even FireDance was canceled. This shocked me, since it seemed like that they had no problem with either funds or support. But after 5 years of offering a festival that packed in 500 people each time, they say they are closing down because of a) costs and b) the lack of responsible, senior staff to keep their event going. It's sad. A lot of people I know really loved and supported that festival.
Meanwhile, the dysfunctional Pagans, those who don't want to heal or be empowered, but just want to act out and show off' don't seem to volunteer for much or feel a need to give back to the community. Those "problem children" that do volunteer make a royal hash out of anything they touch. That was always the case, but it seems to be worse now.
Too many people think that this Path is about getting something for nothing and showing off. "Give me a love spell, but don't ask me to be kinder or more lovable." or "Give me a money spell, but don't ask me to work hard or update that resume." . They see Paganism as a selfish way to get what they want, without working too hard. The idea of empowering themselves so that they can then become a force for good in the world doesn't even seem to occur to them. Few teachers teach that, either - you'll make more money telling people what they want to hear.
They never seem to ask themselves, "What are Witches' for?".
Meanwhile, good people have been sacred off by the flakes and loonies they've met in other groups. "If this is Paganism" they say, "we want no part of it". But it isn't Paganism, damn it. Paganism is a place where you find your Best Self. That's hard work. Then you go on to use that power for the betterment of all. That's even harder. It's also joyful, and empowering and creative and deeply fullfilling...and it takes courage and a willingness to change in order to get there.
Organizers tell me that too many of the people who come forward either don't have healthy ways of relating to others, or lack the skill sets and the commitment to do this work. We all want to hang signs that say "Enthusiasm is no substitute for Competence."
So it goes.
The time for being "out there" in the world as a Pagan seems to peaked in the mid to late 90's. It seems to some that our chance to build community has come and gone, lasting only a brief time. As one Witch said, "It's as if the Goddess tried an experiment, and then decided it was over". So my earlier statement stands: Paganism in this century has gone back to being a mystery religion in the old sense of that word.
But good people are out there, now, and they know one another. I wonder what they'll make in the coming years, and how they'll do that. Like I said, I've heard rumors and I've seen some new things being tried that might just work. I've got a few ideas of my own. So I listen and I plan and I wonder.
To each Organizer, I've given three questions:
What matters?
What works?
What's next?
and I am asking these same questions of our own group.
Sia
I then had this same talk with other Pagan organizers from around the country via emails and by phone. Had it again with a great many others at PantheaConn. Everyone agreed.
It seems that a great many Pagans (at least the healthy ones) who were active in the community have gone back underground. In effect, we are once again a Mystery Religion. By this I mean that you know have to really look or know someone in order to find good teachers. As for Circles, well, nowadays most of us make our own Circles out of people we've known for years. Many open Circles have now closed or are closing.
Fritz, Wren's wonderful partner, wrote this just recently on their website:
"Over the past few years, some of the most giving and honorable Pagans we know have bowed out gracefully from our community. To say this is a tragedy would be an understatement. It's never a 'dramatic departure' with this type... They simply stopped helping out. Many speak of 'burn out' and we sure hear that... Personally, we no longer give any energy to those looking to pick fights or with a bitch/zero solution agenda. Rude, demanding or baiting email is deleted on sight."
There's been a sea change of late. Most of the functional Pagans I know are going back to being Solitary. They tell me the loonies and flakes have spoiled the Community for them. As a result, many healthy folks are backing away from public Pagan events.
In this area of California we've found that those who supported Pagan events in past years have moved out of state in order to find jobs, so an solid, responsible employed Pagan base has been lost to us, as well.
It's the end of an era, really, a 13 year period when the energy called on us to get out there and be proud Pagans in public - to support one another and to build something meaningful. In some cases we Pagans succeeded and in others we have failed.
Many organizers are finding new, creative ways of working in community. It's exciting to see what's out there. I heard a number of plans at the Con which I will watch with interest. One group bought land recently and another rented a Victorian house in the area. Both will open their doors to Pagan groups, teachers and events and the Pagan community can come IF they pay a subscription as members. These particular Pagan organizers are saying "We put our money, our talent and our time into this, now you support or not. But if you want to come, you need to support it, as well." It's a brave move. The rent for that Victorian house is $5,000 a month, and the subscription membership they set per person is only $10.00/month. That's really not a lot to ask.
In this way, they hope to build the Pagan Community Centers and Pagan Owned Land sanctuaries; things that others have talked about for over 20 years. I wonder if it will work? They are putting a lot of their money where their mouths are. Will the community support it?
In the meantime, others who have worked in community for many years are pulling back, regrouping and seeing what's next. I recently told a friend that, "Yes, we are indeed a Mystery Religion. The mystery is how we ever find any other healthy, functional Pagans to hang out with." She laughed. She knows how it is.
Overall, I find that Pagans are leaving many of the established Pagan groups entirely because they are tired of the drama and trauma they find there.
The irony is that dysfunctional groups go on and on and on - they just find new victims. As my friend, Magpyre says: There's a natural law at work here: "Entropy requires no maintenance".
Those who got burned in dysfunctional Pagan groups now choose to do their volunteer work with mundane groups, like the Humane Society. Most now keep their Pagan identify under wraps, so their skills are lost to us for now. At least they continue to do good somewhere.
Ironically, we have an entirely different issue here at Full Circle. This has always been a Cauldron of Changes for everyone involved. After working with over 30 different core staff and hundreds of volunteers, I can say that FCE truly empowers people. In fact, we do this so well, that the core staff work with us for a year or two, learn what they needed to learn, gain new powers, confidence and experience and friends, and then go on to fulfill their dreams. This leaves me with a immense sense of satisfaction, fulfillment, and pride....and the problem of replacing really good, hard working people.
I now find that it is now much harder than ever before to find responsible Pagans to work with. More and more Pagans are laying low, or focusing on their work and family. Many of our old friends and allies have left the state to find work elsewhere. Others, just don't have what it takes.
At PantheaCon I heard that even FireDance was canceled. This shocked me, since it seemed like that they had no problem with either funds or support. But after 5 years of offering a festival that packed in 500 people each time, they say they are closing down because of a) costs and b) the lack of responsible, senior staff to keep their event going. It's sad. A lot of people I know really loved and supported that festival.
Meanwhile, the dysfunctional Pagans, those who don't want to heal or be empowered, but just want to act out and show off' don't seem to volunteer for much or feel a need to give back to the community. Those "problem children" that do volunteer make a royal hash out of anything they touch. That was always the case, but it seems to be worse now.
Too many people think that this Path is about getting something for nothing and showing off. "Give me a love spell, but don't ask me to be kinder or more lovable." or "Give me a money spell, but don't ask me to work hard or update that resume." . They see Paganism as a selfish way to get what they want, without working too hard. The idea of empowering themselves so that they can then become a force for good in the world doesn't even seem to occur to them. Few teachers teach that, either - you'll make more money telling people what they want to hear.
They never seem to ask themselves, "What are Witches' for?".
Meanwhile, good people have been sacred off by the flakes and loonies they've met in other groups. "If this is Paganism" they say, "we want no part of it". But it isn't Paganism, damn it. Paganism is a place where you find your Best Self. That's hard work. Then you go on to use that power for the betterment of all. That's even harder. It's also joyful, and empowering and creative and deeply fullfilling...and it takes courage and a willingness to change in order to get there.
Organizers tell me that too many of the people who come forward either don't have healthy ways of relating to others, or lack the skill sets and the commitment to do this work. We all want to hang signs that say "Enthusiasm is no substitute for Competence."
So it goes.
The time for being "out there" in the world as a Pagan seems to peaked in the mid to late 90's. It seems to some that our chance to build community has come and gone, lasting only a brief time. As one Witch said, "It's as if the Goddess tried an experiment, and then decided it was over". So my earlier statement stands: Paganism in this century has gone back to being a mystery religion in the old sense of that word.
But good people are out there, now, and they know one another. I wonder what they'll make in the coming years, and how they'll do that. Like I said, I've heard rumors and I've seen some new things being tried that might just work. I've got a few ideas of my own. So I listen and I plan and I wonder.
To each Organizer, I've given three questions:
What matters?
What works?
What's next?
and I am asking these same questions of our own group.
Sia
Monday, February 21, 2005
Aeron's Passing & After
Today it is four years to the day since Aeron passed on.
I left PantheaCon early when I heard she had gone into the hospital for the last time. I got on a plane and was at her bedside in Arkansas a few hours later. My parents were there and so was her husband and the Priestess who was her friend and who helped her to cross over. Aeron died two days later. Her Priestess and I performed a ritual at Sunset to help her spirit home.
7 months later, I was working a ritual for the people who died in September 11th and I saw Aeron's fiery spirit leading people across. I've never felt anything like that in all my workings before or since. I can't describe it the experience except to say that the overwhelming feelings I sense were fear, confusion, love, courage and finally, joy.
I asked my friend Dotti at the Center for Living with Dying to help me understand what I had seen in that meditation. Dotti and her Circle had done rituals for many days to help those who had died, as I was doing. She explained that some of the people who died that day thought that the fire and explosions they had witnessed meant that they had seen the Hell they heard about in church, and they were afraid to cross over. Spirits like my Sister, those who knew that element and weren't afraid of it, were there to help them over to the other side.
I called Aeron's Priestess a week ago and we talked about her. We still feel her presence at certain times and in certain ways, and she sends messages from time to time, when she needs to or when we need her to.
I saw Abby Willowroot at PantheaCon again this year. We hadn't spoken since Samhain, so it was good to catch up. Abbey was a great support when Aeron was dying. She had given me one of her wonderful goddess pendants to give to Aeron when I saw her. After Aeron died, I gave this pendant to her Priestess. I have the twin of it, and Aeron's Priestess and I wear these in her honor.
I thanked abbey again for her kindness during that time. We've worked together since, on the Pagan Voting Project, among other things. I was able to be there for Abby when her own sister died. It's nice when you can pass it forward. This year, out of the blue, abbey gifted me with her Bridget pendant. "For new beginnings", she said. I wore it for the entire Convention and it sits on my altar as I write this. Bridget is a Goddess I close to, and so this pedant has great meaning for me.
Aeron's Priestess raises dogs for tracking and she uses them in police work. As a Witch, she has a special connection with them; something she doesn't explain to the police or to the families of the missing persons. All they know is that her dogs can find people and bodies that other trackers can't. When I spoke to her on the phone the other day, she told me that Aeron has left her some of her ashes to use in training the dogs to trace burned bodies. A year later, they found a boy who had been murdered out in the woods. The dogs found the remains, which were only ashes and teeth. The police did DNA test, confirmed the identity and once they knew the location, were later able to find witnesses who saw the murderers leaving the scene. So Aeron helped to solve a murder after she died.
Today is a day to remember and honor my sister. We miss you, girl.
No more words.
I left PantheaCon early when I heard she had gone into the hospital for the last time. I got on a plane and was at her bedside in Arkansas a few hours later. My parents were there and so was her husband and the Priestess who was her friend and who helped her to cross over. Aeron died two days later. Her Priestess and I performed a ritual at Sunset to help her spirit home.
7 months later, I was working a ritual for the people who died in September 11th and I saw Aeron's fiery spirit leading people across. I've never felt anything like that in all my workings before or since. I can't describe it the experience except to say that the overwhelming feelings I sense were fear, confusion, love, courage and finally, joy.
I asked my friend Dotti at the Center for Living with Dying to help me understand what I had seen in that meditation. Dotti and her Circle had done rituals for many days to help those who had died, as I was doing. She explained that some of the people who died that day thought that the fire and explosions they had witnessed meant that they had seen the Hell they heard about in church, and they were afraid to cross over. Spirits like my Sister, those who knew that element and weren't afraid of it, were there to help them over to the other side.
I called Aeron's Priestess a week ago and we talked about her. We still feel her presence at certain times and in certain ways, and she sends messages from time to time, when she needs to or when we need her to.
I saw Abby Willowroot at PantheaCon again this year. We hadn't spoken since Samhain, so it was good to catch up. Abbey was a great support when Aeron was dying. She had given me one of her wonderful goddess pendants to give to Aeron when I saw her. After Aeron died, I gave this pendant to her Priestess. I have the twin of it, and Aeron's Priestess and I wear these in her honor.
I thanked abbey again for her kindness during that time. We've worked together since, on the Pagan Voting Project, among other things. I was able to be there for Abby when her own sister died. It's nice when you can pass it forward. This year, out of the blue, abbey gifted me with her Bridget pendant. "For new beginnings", she said. I wore it for the entire Convention and it sits on my altar as I write this. Bridget is a Goddess I close to, and so this pedant has great meaning for me.
Aeron's Priestess raises dogs for tracking and she uses them in police work. As a Witch, she has a special connection with them; something she doesn't explain to the police or to the families of the missing persons. All they know is that her dogs can find people and bodies that other trackers can't. When I spoke to her on the phone the other day, she told me that Aeron has left her some of her ashes to use in training the dogs to trace burned bodies. A year later, they found a boy who had been murdered out in the woods. The dogs found the remains, which were only ashes and teeth. The police did DNA test, confirmed the identity and once they knew the location, were later able to find witnesses who saw the murderers leaving the scene. So Aeron helped to solve a murder after she died.
Today is a day to remember and honor my sister. We miss you, girl.
No more words.
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
L’art de vivre
Well, the February newsletter is done. I had a great time writing it, especially the Lunar New Year essay (The Year of the Rooster). That essay fleshed out rather well at the end. My talks with Owlmoon helped.
...and I already found some slight errors I need to fix tonight. Damn. I really missed having an Editor this time around (I'm dyslexic and while I can read without any problems, I can't edit my way out of a paper bag). However, the staff should be back full force by March, along with some new volunteers.
I just got a splendid email from Snakemoon (see below). I think she did a great job here, because she makes us all feel like a team and she gives very good directions to the new volunteers.
I love this bit, in particular:
HAVE FUN. We are not doing this to inflict pain on ourselves ...This is an opportunity to write to an intelligent and interested audience, to share information that is both intriguing and often valuable, and to occasionally share bits of our experience, wisdom, and world view
This comes from many a conversation between Snakemoon and me on the subject of volunteering and L'art de vivre. Our talks tend to range all over the map (she's well read and has a lot of life wisdom) and I enjoy these chats a great deal.
One thing we emphatically agree on is this: While it's good to do work for the community, it's vital that this work enhance and serve our spirits. If we burn out, we do no one any good. At the same time, we need to feel that our Muse is well served by our work, and indeed, the newsletter has led both of us to write more essays and think more deeply about what we believe.
The fact that we both listen to each other and learn from each other is key. We also work hard to keep stress to a minimum. We do this by communicating frequently, compromising when necessary, being organized, being honest, and by having high standards.
I choose to work with Snakemoon for several major reasons.
1) Her professionalism
2) Her belief that the work comes first (and ego comes last).
3) Her creativity
4) Her sense of humor
5) Her desire to learn and grow, which keeps her insights fresh and her Muse functioning at a very high level.
6) Her commitment to keeping her life in balance.
We've learned a lot from each other, and we make a good team.
So, now that the February newsletter is out, I can get back to the other parts of my life. Today I will do more cleaning for Imbolc, study for a test, and celebrate Feb. 9th by taking a day off, and working in the garden.
Next week: preparation for PantheaCon!
--------------------------
Hail, Beloved Contributing Writers and (incidentally) Pregnant People!
(Okay, so that got your attention!) Let me introduce you to one another:
* Arianna (the pregnant person of the greeting) is both a monthly contributor and our proofreader; she is currently incubating in the Bay Area (where Sia and I also live);
* Julia is a contributing writer in Washington, DC;
* Cynthia is a new contributing writer from Washington (State);
* Claudette is also a new contributing writer from North Carolina;
* SnakeMoon, the FCE Editor-in-Chief, and a person who was once able to misspell "often" three different ways in the same paragraph; also accused by a college professor of having a secret bag of commas that I sprinkled like fairy dust on each page. Shockingly enough, I actually make my living tinkering with text.
* Sia, FCE's founder and publisher, a very patient person with a expansive vision and the courage to share it.
I will be sorting through my collection of links this week and sending thematically linked segments to you all, along with deadlines. Here's some basic guidelines:
Read a few of the previous newsletters to get a feel for our style and tone, as well as the physical format. Receiving things that are close to the correct format really helps me. When possible, use Verdana 11 point; use bold for the "title," that sort of thing.
I'm assuming that you use Microsoft Word. Yeah, they may be the Evil Empire, but they are ubiquitous and we just need to surrender to that ..
.
When possible, insert the link into the text. This is really easy: Highlight the most logical place for the link, click the Hyperlink Icon on the Toolbar or Select Insert/Hyperlink from the Menu, then type in (or simply cut and paste) the link into the address field at the bottom of the Insert Hyperlink dialog box. Click OK, close the box, and revel in your own cleverness!
It's okay to bundle related several links into one segment: Busy Bees: Beekeeping is more popular than you may think (my last neighborhood boasted not one but two apiarists). Metroactive sends writer Sara Phelan into the heart of the hive to learn more about this interesting hobby. If you are considering starting a bee community, you might want to consider planting foliage that bees find attractive (and take a few tips on plant shopping from the Santa Cruz Sentinal).
Humor is a plus; also feel free to add a bit of personality. Just be careful not to let your personality overwhelm the information. For example: The love of letters: Writing is a solitary life. Late nights spend hunched over the keyboard, staring at the screen, hoping inspiration will strike before unconsciousness does. (Okay, enough about me … ) But now I’ve found Writers Write … or SEX (and now that I have your attention): It is confounding that while we are bombarded with images of sexuality ...
Use your grammar and spelling checker so that you can send me the cleanest text possible.
Embrace the serial comma: it's not Tom, Dick and Harry (a married couple and their straight friend, Tom), but Tom, Dick, and Harry (three guys on the town looking for a fun).
HAVE FUN. We are not doing this to inflict pain on ourselves (most of us already have designated family members who take care of that!). This is an opportunity to write to an intelligent and interested audience, to share information that is both intriguing and often valuable, and to occasionally share bits of our experience, wisdom, and world view.
SnakeMoon
Editor, Full Circle Newsletter
www.fullcircleevents.org
info@fullcircleevents.org or snakemoon@comcast.net
...and I already found some slight errors I need to fix tonight. Damn. I really missed having an Editor this time around (I'm dyslexic and while I can read without any problems, I can't edit my way out of a paper bag). However, the staff should be back full force by March, along with some new volunteers.
I just got a splendid email from Snakemoon (see below). I think she did a great job here, because she makes us all feel like a team and she gives very good directions to the new volunteers.
I love this bit, in particular:
HAVE FUN. We are not doing this to inflict pain on ourselves ...This is an opportunity to write to an intelligent and interested audience, to share information that is both intriguing and often valuable, and to occasionally share bits of our experience, wisdom, and world view
This comes from many a conversation between Snakemoon and me on the subject of volunteering and L'art de vivre. Our talks tend to range all over the map (she's well read and has a lot of life wisdom) and I enjoy these chats a great deal.
One thing we emphatically agree on is this: While it's good to do work for the community, it's vital that this work enhance and serve our spirits. If we burn out, we do no one any good. At the same time, we need to feel that our Muse is well served by our work, and indeed, the newsletter has led both of us to write more essays and think more deeply about what we believe.
The fact that we both listen to each other and learn from each other is key. We also work hard to keep stress to a minimum. We do this by communicating frequently, compromising when necessary, being organized, being honest, and by having high standards.
I choose to work with Snakemoon for several major reasons.
1) Her professionalism
2) Her belief that the work comes first (and ego comes last).
3) Her creativity
4) Her sense of humor
5) Her desire to learn and grow, which keeps her insights fresh and her Muse functioning at a very high level.
6) Her commitment to keeping her life in balance.
We've learned a lot from each other, and we make a good team.
So, now that the February newsletter is out, I can get back to the other parts of my life. Today I will do more cleaning for Imbolc, study for a test, and celebrate Feb. 9th by taking a day off, and working in the garden.
Next week: preparation for PantheaCon!
--------------------------
Hail, Beloved Contributing Writers and (incidentally) Pregnant People!
(Okay, so that got your attention!) Let me introduce you to one another:
* Arianna (the pregnant person of the greeting) is both a monthly contributor and our proofreader; she is currently incubating in the Bay Area (where Sia and I also live);
* Julia is a contributing writer in Washington, DC;
* Cynthia is a new contributing writer from Washington (State);
* Claudette is also a new contributing writer from North Carolina;
* SnakeMoon, the FCE Editor-in-Chief, and a person who was once able to misspell "often" three different ways in the same paragraph; also accused by a college professor of having a secret bag of commas that I sprinkled like fairy dust on each page. Shockingly enough, I actually make my living tinkering with text.
* Sia, FCE's founder and publisher, a very patient person with a expansive vision and the courage to share it.
I will be sorting through my collection of links this week and sending thematically linked segments to you all, along with deadlines. Here's some basic guidelines:
Read a few of the previous newsletters to get a feel for our style and tone, as well as the physical format. Receiving things that are close to the correct format really helps me. When possible, use Verdana 11 point; use bold for the "title," that sort of thing.
I'm assuming that you use Microsoft Word. Yeah, they may be the Evil Empire, but they are ubiquitous and we just need to surrender to that ..
.
When possible, insert the link into the text. This is really easy: Highlight the most logical place for the link, click the Hyperlink Icon on the Toolbar or Select Insert/Hyperlink from the Menu, then type in (or simply cut and paste) the link into the address field at the bottom of the Insert Hyperlink dialog box. Click OK, close the box, and revel in your own cleverness!
It's okay to bundle related several links into one segment: Busy Bees: Beekeeping is more popular than you may think (my last neighborhood boasted not one but two apiarists). Metroactive sends writer Sara Phelan into the heart of the hive to learn more about this interesting hobby. If you are considering starting a bee community, you might want to consider planting foliage that bees find attractive (and take a few tips on plant shopping from the Santa Cruz Sentinal).
Humor is a plus; also feel free to add a bit of personality. Just be careful not to let your personality overwhelm the information. For example: The love of letters: Writing is a solitary life. Late nights spend hunched over the keyboard, staring at the screen, hoping inspiration will strike before unconsciousness does. (Okay, enough about me … ) But now I’ve found Writers Write … or SEX (and now that I have your attention): It is confounding that while we are bombarded with images of sexuality ...
Use your grammar and spelling checker so that you can send me the cleanest text possible.
Embrace the serial comma: it's not Tom, Dick and Harry (a married couple and their straight friend, Tom), but Tom, Dick, and Harry (three guys on the town looking for a fun).
HAVE FUN. We are not doing this to inflict pain on ourselves (most of us already have designated family members who take care of that!). This is an opportunity to write to an intelligent and interested audience, to share information that is both intriguing and often valuable, and to occasionally share bits of our experience, wisdom, and world view.
SnakeMoon
Editor, Full Circle Newsletter
www.fullcircleevents.org
info@fullcircleevents.org or snakemoon@comcast.net
Friday, February 04, 2005
Can You Feel It? Imbolc!
Note 1/09 This was written when we still lived in California. Things are a bit different here in Oregon, and I'm building a new, native habitat and learning new plants - Sia
Can you feel it?
I notice the changes in the neighborhood every day now when I walk our dog. The birds are singing (my Rhododendron sounds like a wildly popular cabaret) and everywhere we go the trees are in full bud. New leaves are coming out on the rose bushes, the bulbs in the ground are about to pop with daffodils, tulips, and Jonquils (1) and the weeds have overrun my garden.
Drat those weeds.
Since the sun came out, I see my neighbors again. They are all outside trimming and mowing and planting and generally running amok in their haste to put in some flower beds, and get some color back into their world. It's time to clear out my own bed of weeds before it's too late and we become a scandal and a hissing.
February 9th marks the Lunar New Year in 2005. The frosts are usually over by then and so this is when I traditionally plant my seeds, put out something x-tra special for the birds, and celebrate my own version of Imbolc, which involves learning from the past and looking towards the future. (2)
I plant a wild garden, using mostly native shrubs, herbs, and Mediterranean plants. It tends to look more free form than most other gardens, especially this time of year, but I know what I've put there, and what it will look like soon, so I can afford to wait, knowing that color and scent and great beauty will soon be mine again, along with butterflies, and bees and birds and the lower water bill that is my reward for planting draught tolerant species. All this wonder will soon be mine, if I can just get those rotten weeds out of the way.
Ah....metaphor. Ain't it grand?
There is a sweeter feel to the air, just now, a tingle and a tang, a sensual vitality. Can you feel it? The energy? It makes me think of a great artist standing backstage, warming up for Her big aria.
It's still a bit brisk and chilly out where we are, especially at night, and the stars sparkle and dance in their turning, making a splendid spiral for those willing to leave their TV sets long enough to go out and take a look. It's a sacred time, a time betwixt and between, a time of immense possibility. Gods, I so love this time of year.
Don’t let it fool you, though. There’s more harsh weather to come. Even so, it’s a good time to plant the hardy varieties, clean closets, and take a walk outside, and it’s an ever better time to rest and relax in front of the fire with a good book or a loved one. There’s nothing dark about this time of year, really. If you only look around you’ll see the life coming up and about to spring out all around you. If you have the courage to look inside, as well as outside this season you’ll see the promise this Path holds for a truly authentic life. This is our birthright. Along with that right comes the call for self creation and renewal. This is our our greatest challenge.
Blessings of the season to you and yours,
Sia
(1) Jonquil - isn't that a lovely word? It sounds like the name of a medieval dance or a rare Amazonian bird.
(2) My celebration of Imbolc is done as my personal New Year. It has four main features to honor the four directions: Gratitude, Cleansing, Planting (and/or Planning, if you prefer) and Giving (In my case, most often, to the birds, animals and wild spirits in my home and garden, but also to others in need). I generally foster some kittens this time of year, and donate items to a domestic violence shelter , a homeless shelter, or our local thrift store for charity. This year, many of my metaphysical items are going to the Pagan Garage Sale.
This day also involves the use of three colors for meditation and inspiration: the White of milk and stars for wholeness and balance, the Yellow of sunlight and flowers for inspiration and joy and Green of Gaia and for growth and renewal. The Goddess I most invoke at this time is Bridgid, along with two other deities who protect our house and hearth. My friend Reed uses a blended Pantheon of both male and female deities. Others I know work with the spirits of the land or use no pantheon at all or work with Christian, Jewish or Buddhist avatars - it is best if you find your own way.
This is also a time for us to use fire, candles, and water in our rituals and we honor the Green Man (also known as the Horned God) who strides the land in his role as protector, death God and progenitor.
Sia
Art: Lady of the Water by Brian Froud
Thursday, February 03, 2005
Cons and Volunteers
Spending this week cleaning for Imbolc and getting ready for PantheaCon (Feb. 18th - 21st).
I've attended this Con since it started and I've Vended there for ..what? almost 10 years now. I opened my store in 1996, and the Con started before that.
It's a fun Con, overall. As long as one avoids the Problem Children and some of the more pompous rituals, it's a good time.
The PantheaCon website finally has their program up. As usual, they are ill served by some of their web design team. The listings are ponderous and very difficult to read on-line. When you ask someone new to shill out $35 to attend an event, you need to show it's worth their while.
All the staff there had to do create a calendar box, with a link to detailed program descriptions - it would have been more readable across the board. I think that they were trying so hard to get a print ready page that they didn't take into account the needs of their website.
A good website design can do a great deal to enhance excitement about an event and create buzz" but these folks always miss the boat, here. It's a shame, really, becuase the Event Organizors work very hard to put on a good Con.
Alas, Pagans often choose anyone who puts their hand up first, instead of choosing the best people for the job. Of course, finding the good people unbelievable hard which is why so many overworked, busy organizers do too much - it's just easier to do it yourself sometimes.
I've been told more than once that a problem with this or that volunteer kept a particular group from doing better. Once someone has done a job for a while, they get to feel that it is their territory, and they often won't ask for help or allow fresh talent into the mix. I've seen this sort of thing happen with so many Pagan groups over a long time, and it's always sad, because it keeps them stuck in place. I've got a chapter in the book I'm writing (working title: "Herding Cats") on choosing, rating and working with volunteers, and there's a good reason for that. I wouldn't believe some of the stories I hear if I didn't know the people involved....
As Thalassa says, we are often too tolerant as a People. Being tolerant and accepting of others does not mean that we put up with laziness, cluelessness, dropping the ball, being late or bad behavior. I'm including a chapter on "Developing Standards" as well, so that Pagan folks will have a guideline to hand out to Chairs and Volunteers.
Two tricks to staging a successful event are a) choosing good people work with and b) training them well as to your needs and expectations.
As for choosing good people, I abide by this mantra: Enthusiasm and Good Intentions do not take the place of Competence and Hard Work.
In other words, I'd rather work with a professional, functional types than an eager well meaning "artiste" any day of the week. The issue here isn't creativity (most Pagan people are creative) it's follow-through.
In any case, I'm taking my usual table at PantheCon with Magpyre, which puts as at the center of all the action (and the gossip, too. Vendors are like theater people when it comes to juicy gossip).
I closed the store last Fall when my father died, so we are taking a single table this year and brining only collectibles and close out items. We decided to go because we like to support this Con and because it's a great way to see Pagan friends who come in from all over for this thing. It's often the one time some of us get to see each other and the Vendor room of often the best party going, so I'm glad that we're not going to miss it.
I recommended this Con to the New Witch and she is coming along with 3 friends from southern California. Good for her. She'll have fun.
I sent her Issac's latest article on Pagan types, so she'll know what to look for (and what to watch out for, as well).
I've attended this Con since it started and I've Vended there for ..what? almost 10 years now. I opened my store in 1996, and the Con started before that.
It's a fun Con, overall. As long as one avoids the Problem Children and some of the more pompous rituals, it's a good time.
The PantheaCon website finally has their program up. As usual, they are ill served by some of their web design team. The listings are ponderous and very difficult to read on-line. When you ask someone new to shill out $35 to attend an event, you need to show it's worth their while.
All the staff there had to do create a calendar box, with a link to detailed program descriptions - it would have been more readable across the board. I think that they were trying so hard to get a print ready page that they didn't take into account the needs of their website.
A good website design can do a great deal to enhance excitement about an event and create buzz" but these folks always miss the boat, here. It's a shame, really, becuase the Event Organizors work very hard to put on a good Con.
Alas, Pagans often choose anyone who puts their hand up first, instead of choosing the best people for the job. Of course, finding the good people unbelievable hard which is why so many overworked, busy organizers do too much - it's just easier to do it yourself sometimes.
I've been told more than once that a problem with this or that volunteer kept a particular group from doing better. Once someone has done a job for a while, they get to feel that it is their territory, and they often won't ask for help or allow fresh talent into the mix. I've seen this sort of thing happen with so many Pagan groups over a long time, and it's always sad, because it keeps them stuck in place. I've got a chapter in the book I'm writing (working title: "Herding Cats") on choosing, rating and working with volunteers, and there's a good reason for that. I wouldn't believe some of the stories I hear if I didn't know the people involved....
As Thalassa says, we are often too tolerant as a People. Being tolerant and accepting of others does not mean that we put up with laziness, cluelessness, dropping the ball, being late or bad behavior. I'm including a chapter on "Developing Standards" as well, so that Pagan folks will have a guideline to hand out to Chairs and Volunteers.
Two tricks to staging a successful event are a) choosing good people work with and b) training them well as to your needs and expectations.
As for choosing good people, I abide by this mantra: Enthusiasm and Good Intentions do not take the place of Competence and Hard Work.
In other words, I'd rather work with a professional, functional types than an eager well meaning "artiste" any day of the week. The issue here isn't creativity (most Pagan people are creative) it's follow-through.
In any case, I'm taking my usual table at PantheCon with Magpyre, which puts as at the center of all the action (and the gossip, too. Vendors are like theater people when it comes to juicy gossip).
I closed the store last Fall when my father died, so we are taking a single table this year and brining only collectibles and close out items. We decided to go because we like to support this Con and because it's a great way to see Pagan friends who come in from all over for this thing. It's often the one time some of us get to see each other and the Vendor room of often the best party going, so I'm glad that we're not going to miss it.
I recommended this Con to the New Witch and she is coming along with 3 friends from southern California. Good for her. She'll have fun.
I sent her Issac's latest article on Pagan types, so she'll know what to look for (and what to watch out for, as well).
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