Someone wrote to me today asking about the difference between Humanism and a Green Tradition, which is my personal Path.
I gave him the short answer (the long one is very long and requires that one sit up with friends far into the night, preferably in front of fire, with chocolate, cats, good reference books and a beverage close to hand).
I wrote:
This might help: Visit Full Circle and read the first page, which discusses the Pagan Path.
In brief:
A Green Tradition involves working with plants, Gaia's energy and animals. We believe that these are sacred, that each has different energies and needs that connect with the larger planet-as-Gaia, and that each requires our protection when threatened. People are a part of that, but not the only part and not always the most important part.
Living on earth is not about command and control, but connection and communion. Common Sense helps. Perhaps because it is not so common.
Most of us are involved in the environmental movement or in companion and wildlife rescue. Many of us also work with children, who are threatened, as well. As Terry Pratchett says "A Witch speaks for those who cannot speak for themselves".
We like people (more of less) but we think that we, as a culture, pay far too high a price for making man (or woman) "King Baby" and indulging his worst appetites and excesses. I say this as someone with a degree in Renaissance Literature who respects the fundamentals of Humanist thinking :-)
That's the short answer. I hope it helps.
Sia
Thursday, April 28, 2005
Monday, April 18, 2005
No Good Deed Goes Unpunished
Lately, I've watched one Organizer struggle to build a Pagan Community Center in her town. She is using her own money, time and resources to do this. She is willing to take a 5 year lease on a building that cost $5,000 a month to rent. She hired a lawyer to help her work with the city (which is wary and suspicious of her intent, to say that least). She will offer teaching space and ritual space and a place where out people can connect and learn from one another. She will not take a salery, either. And in order to fund this Pagan Community Center (a thing which Pagan teachers, writers, ritual organizers and individuals out here have always wished for and claimed they needed) she has asked that the Pagan community purchase a center membership on a reasonable and sliding scale to help cover the costs. And you know what's happening? While she works to build this, certain others in the Pagan community mutter on snidely behind her back, saying things "How dare she charge for membership?" and making nasty remarks about a "Pagan County Club".
If this isn't your thing, fine, but don't tear her down for trying to do something good. And don't try and make this about money. I know what our people spend on CD's and shiny things, so I'm not impressed by cries of poverty. No, this is horseshit of a different color.
This Lady has means, yes, but she isn't rich. She could spend this money on herself. She could be sunning at a villa in Tuscany, right now, instead of fighting city hall. But she is trying to build something for her Pagan community (where she has studied, worked and taught for years), and she is using her own funds to do it. If she is willing to build it, and she is doing it with good intent, why aren't we willing to help maintain and support it?
How do these Pagans think things are created in the mundane world? Who pays for them? Fairies? Good grief! The YMCA charges for membership. Churches pass the collection plate. Museums charge a slight admission and parks and schools are paid for out of our taxes. Even Pagan Circles ask for donations to help cover costs nowadays.
Sorry. My bad. Wrong question. The truth is that some Pagans don't think at all. These particular types just mutter and moan and do nothing themselves. The right question is this: How can we build anything at all with types like this? The answer is that we can't. There are always going to be those who build and those who tear down. Every day, we choose which kind of person we'll be. This woman has chosen to be a Builder and I admire her for that. And I am putting her in touch with other Builders so she can realize her dream.
It's a Bookstore Not a Bar! (And Even Bars have a Cover Charge)
She has a tough road ahead of her. Many Pagans use independent bookstores as local community centers. (And then, sadly, they buy their books from Amazon.com. And they wonder why these bookstores close) All too often Pagans lounge around these places for free, waste the staff's time, expect (and get) free counseling above and beyond what is right and fair. Many don't think to support that classes and other events offered at these places. Folks, if you are going to chat in the store, at least buy a candle or three. Honestly! (1)
Sia
(1) I should point out that this Lady is not competing with these (few, remaining)independent stores. In fact, she wants to work with them. After all, she used to own a metaphysical bookstore herself, and she loves them dearly.
If this isn't your thing, fine, but don't tear her down for trying to do something good. And don't try and make this about money. I know what our people spend on CD's and shiny things, so I'm not impressed by cries of poverty. No, this is horseshit of a different color.
This Lady has means, yes, but she isn't rich. She could spend this money on herself. She could be sunning at a villa in Tuscany, right now, instead of fighting city hall. But she is trying to build something for her Pagan community (where she has studied, worked and taught for years), and she is using her own funds to do it. If she is willing to build it, and she is doing it with good intent, why aren't we willing to help maintain and support it?
How do these Pagans think things are created in the mundane world? Who pays for them? Fairies? Good grief! The YMCA charges for membership. Churches pass the collection plate. Museums charge a slight admission and parks and schools are paid for out of our taxes. Even Pagan Circles ask for donations to help cover costs nowadays.
Sorry. My bad. Wrong question. The truth is that some Pagans don't think at all. These particular types just mutter and moan and do nothing themselves. The right question is this: How can we build anything at all with types like this? The answer is that we can't. There are always going to be those who build and those who tear down. Every day, we choose which kind of person we'll be. This woman has chosen to be a Builder and I admire her for that. And I am putting her in touch with other Builders so she can realize her dream.
It's a Bookstore Not a Bar! (And Even Bars have a Cover Charge)
She has a tough road ahead of her. Many Pagans use independent bookstores as local community centers. (And then, sadly, they buy their books from Amazon.com. And they wonder why these bookstores close) All too often Pagans lounge around these places for free, waste the staff's time, expect (and get) free counseling above and beyond what is right and fair. Many don't think to support that classes and other events offered at these places. Folks, if you are going to chat in the store, at least buy a candle or three. Honestly! (1)
Sia
(1) I should point out that this Lady is not competing with these (few, remaining)independent stores. In fact, she wants to work with them. After all, she used to own a metaphysical bookstore herself, and she loves them dearly.
Saturday, April 16, 2005
If Wishes Were Horses: The Myth of Pagan Community
If Wishes Were Horses:
Many Pagans say they want events, circles, centers and groups, but only a handful of Pagan individuals will do the work to make these things possible.
Other Pagans will work hard on their own events or circles, but they won't work with other groups, not even on charity events. We didn't take that line - we invited every other group in a 200 mile radius to work with us because we like working with others. Happily, a few groups did get involved and they had a great time. Some attended as groups and some helped get the word out, bless them, and others helped with volunteers.
Challenges:
These are some of the challenges you'll face when working in the Pagan "community".
Assuming you have a good group (and not just a collection the Lost and the Loony) you will find that you can't work with everyone. When emotionally healthy people begin to do this work, they often try to connect and work with others. But support for new projects and ideas is often lacking. You will also come into contact with a great many dysfunctional groups and leaders. I was surprised by that in the beginning. I'm not surprised anymore. I hear this sort of thing from Pagan organizers all over the U.S. It helps to keep the good people in mind, though, and we know lots of those.
But do keep your guard up and use common sense. There is no such thing "Perfect Love and Perfect Trust" - Trust and Love are are never perfect and they must be earned.
Keep This in Mind:
* Some Pagan groups and leaders are just too dysfunctional or unreliable to work with.
* Some groups are great, but they have been burned in the past by other, dysfunctional groups and/or leaders. They are understandably wary of new or unknown groups for just that reason.
* Some groups just do their own thing, without networking, helping others or asking for help. It doesn't matter what you do, they won't work with you. Move on.
* Others groups may copy an event et al, without giving fair credit to the ideas of others. Or they get help from others, but never say "Thank you".
* Some groups try to do their own events without proper organization or preparation. Some lack reliable volunteers. They then find out, to their great surprise, how hard it is to do good, well organized events.
* Other groups will put down what other groups do, no matter what it is or how well it's done because it wasn't done by them.
* Some groups or leaders have problems sharing power. Or they have Big Plans but lack the basic skills to do things well. Some groups are filled with Ditzy Divas, who want power but are lousy leaders. (Come on, folks! If you are going to have control issues, at least be good at what you do).
* Some people have never learned that power comes with responsibility. If you see that they don't understand the duties of power and only want privileges, move on.
* Some groups love drama and trauma. Some are constantly embroiled in Witch Wars. Stay the Hel away from these.
That Thing You Do:
Try to work with people who walk their talk.
The trick is not to listen to what they say, but to watch what they do. People put their attention where their hearts are and their actions tell you what they really value.
Pagans talk about building community a lot, but do little themselves to make it happen. We need commitment to build community and in most cases, that just isn't there. It's one thing to have "community" at a festival that lasts only a weekend, it's quite another thing to work with people over the long haul. The only thing we can do at this point, is model how it's done as best we can (including admitting our mistakes when these occur) and hope others will work with us and inspire us, as well.
Oddly enough, the best "community" we've built out here is composed mostly of Solitaries and a loose confederation of healthy groups. These people who do their own thing but will come together for a cause. That seems to work well, because the Solitaries and the smaller groups are often the most sane ones among us. Go figure. (1)
On the whole, Pagans tend to drift in and out of both groups and circles, which is fine for them but it's no way to build a culture. If you just leave when you don't like something, then nothing ever changes. To be fair, some things can't be changed. It's all depends on how open the Priestess (or group) is to making things better and how healthy they behave in that process.
For some, the Craft is all about playing dress up and showing off. So, when the going gets hard, they go away. (And then, too of them many bitch and gossip to even who will listen.) Others with good hearts may want to grow, deepen and learn, but they don't know how, and there are few teachers who can show them that.
As for Organizers, well, too often they run off to do their own thing, without attempting to work with one another. So they re-invent the wheel every time. It's too bad; such a waste of energy and time.
Sometimes this behavior is due to jealously. Sometimes it's poor organization. Sometimes it's cluelessness or control issues or a desire to stay within a particular "clique" that feels comfortable to them. With certain ones, I have to wonder. Pagans often say that they were lonely and felt left out or "wrong" as children. Do they now want to be in the some secret, magical club and then reject others as a form of revenge? Can they only be important in their own little pond? If so, they are poisoning the waters and they don't even know it.
When we started we decided to reach out a hand to everyone, and work with the ones we can. If we don't work with them directly we help them promote their events. Learn who you can and cannot count on and then get on with you are doing. And don't let it make you grumpy and cynical; life is far too short for that.
Sia
-------------
(1) Meanwhile, back at the Ranch: Yet more groups have written in to Full Circle asking for our help, now that the Witches' Ball has been canceled. They want us to run (or fund) their event, even their own Witches' Ball. (Where do they think we'll get the army, the time and the funds to do this?) I suppose it's a compliment to how well our own Witches' Ball was run....so, we'll give them advice, but we can't do it for them.
We have shown them how to find more volunteers, but declined the request for funds (if I had more funds, folks, we could have hosted our charity ball this year). I politely explain that Full Circle is busy with other projects in hand and then send them on to our Networking Coordinator for further support. If they want free promotion they can use our calendar and/or send in a well written blurb to our newsletter (and no, I won't write it for you!)
Many Pagans say they want events, circles, centers and groups, but only a handful of Pagan individuals will do the work to make these things possible.
Other Pagans will work hard on their own events or circles, but they won't work with other groups, not even on charity events. We didn't take that line - we invited every other group in a 200 mile radius to work with us because we like working with others. Happily, a few groups did get involved and they had a great time. Some attended as groups and some helped get the word out, bless them, and others helped with volunteers.
Challenges:
These are some of the challenges you'll face when working in the Pagan "community".
Assuming you have a good group (and not just a collection the Lost and the Loony) you will find that you can't work with everyone. When emotionally healthy people begin to do this work, they often try to connect and work with others. But support for new projects and ideas is often lacking. You will also come into contact with a great many dysfunctional groups and leaders. I was surprised by that in the beginning. I'm not surprised anymore. I hear this sort of thing from Pagan organizers all over the U.S. It helps to keep the good people in mind, though, and we know lots of those.
But do keep your guard up and use common sense. There is no such thing "Perfect Love and Perfect Trust" - Trust and Love are are never perfect and they must be earned.
Keep This in Mind:
* Some Pagan groups and leaders are just too dysfunctional or unreliable to work with.
* Some groups are great, but they have been burned in the past by other, dysfunctional groups and/or leaders. They are understandably wary of new or unknown groups for just that reason.
* Some groups just do their own thing, without networking, helping others or asking for help. It doesn't matter what you do, they won't work with you. Move on.
* Others groups may copy an event et al, without giving fair credit to the ideas of others. Or they get help from others, but never say "Thank you".
* Some groups try to do their own events without proper organization or preparation. Some lack reliable volunteers. They then find out, to their great surprise, how hard it is to do good, well organized events.
* Other groups will put down what other groups do, no matter what it is or how well it's done because it wasn't done by them.
* Some groups or leaders have problems sharing power. Or they have Big Plans but lack the basic skills to do things well. Some groups are filled with Ditzy Divas, who want power but are lousy leaders. (Come on, folks! If you are going to have control issues, at least be good at what you do).
* Some people have never learned that power comes with responsibility. If you see that they don't understand the duties of power and only want privileges, move on.
* Some groups love drama and trauma. Some are constantly embroiled in Witch Wars. Stay the Hel away from these.
That Thing You Do:
Try to work with people who walk their talk.
The trick is not to listen to what they say, but to watch what they do. People put their attention where their hearts are and their actions tell you what they really value.
Pagans talk about building community a lot, but do little themselves to make it happen. We need commitment to build community and in most cases, that just isn't there. It's one thing to have "community" at a festival that lasts only a weekend, it's quite another thing to work with people over the long haul. The only thing we can do at this point, is model how it's done as best we can (including admitting our mistakes when these occur) and hope others will work with us and inspire us, as well.
Oddly enough, the best "community" we've built out here is composed mostly of Solitaries and a loose confederation of healthy groups. These people who do their own thing but will come together for a cause. That seems to work well, because the Solitaries and the smaller groups are often the most sane ones among us. Go figure. (1)
On the whole, Pagans tend to drift in and out of both groups and circles, which is fine for them but it's no way to build a culture. If you just leave when you don't like something, then nothing ever changes. To be fair, some things can't be changed. It's all depends on how open the Priestess (or group) is to making things better and how healthy they behave in that process.
For some, the Craft is all about playing dress up and showing off. So, when the going gets hard, they go away. (And then, too of them many bitch and gossip to even who will listen.) Others with good hearts may want to grow, deepen and learn, but they don't know how, and there are few teachers who can show them that.
As for Organizers, well, too often they run off to do their own thing, without attempting to work with one another. So they re-invent the wheel every time. It's too bad; such a waste of energy and time.
Sometimes this behavior is due to jealously. Sometimes it's poor organization. Sometimes it's cluelessness or control issues or a desire to stay within a particular "clique" that feels comfortable to them. With certain ones, I have to wonder. Pagans often say that they were lonely and felt left out or "wrong" as children. Do they now want to be in the some secret, magical club and then reject others as a form of revenge? Can they only be important in their own little pond? If so, they are poisoning the waters and they don't even know it.
When we started we decided to reach out a hand to everyone, and work with the ones we can. If we don't work with them directly we help them promote their events. Learn who you can and cannot count on and then get on with you are doing. And don't let it make you grumpy and cynical; life is far too short for that.
Sia
-------------
(1) Meanwhile, back at the Ranch: Yet more groups have written in to Full Circle asking for our help, now that the Witches' Ball has been canceled. They want us to run (or fund) their event, even their own Witches' Ball. (Where do they think we'll get the army, the time and the funds to do this?) I suppose it's a compliment to how well our own Witches' Ball was run....so, we'll give them advice, but we can't do it for them.
We have shown them how to find more volunteers, but declined the request for funds (if I had more funds, folks, we could have hosted our charity ball this year). I politely explain that Full Circle is busy with other projects in hand and then send them on to our Networking Coordinator for further support. If they want free promotion they can use our calendar and/or send in a well written blurb to our newsletter (and no, I won't write it for you!)
Sunday, April 10, 2005
Now That You're Free
I received an email recently from a Pagan group leader the other day. It said, "Now that you aren't doing the Witches' Ball any more, could you help us get a foothold in your area? We want to do events there."
Tactless, I know. We're still in mourning over here for our wonderful Witches' Ball. An acknowledgement of that loss would have been kind. When I read that email, I felt like a rich widow who has just buried her beloved husband and who now has someone trying to fix her up with their brother at the gravesite. Oh, well.
This Lady has been supportive of our work in the past and she wants to do good work out here. I can help them, and I did. (1)
Sia
(1) I gave them info on finding halls, contacts, et all and offered to send out notices to our general volunteer list. The Organizer was shocked to find how much halls cost to rent out for classes and events and how few Pagan or New Age stores are left standing after the dot.com crash. And few of these stores have space for classes or rituals. Even the parks out here are expensive.
Yep. We've been saying it's expensive out here for some time now....and people still ask why a ticket to an event couldn't be $5 - $10.00. I've learned over the years that some people will always complain about something. We could offer an event for free with food and entertainment and some people would still find fault.
Tactless, I know. We're still in mourning over here for our wonderful Witches' Ball. An acknowledgement of that loss would have been kind. When I read that email, I felt like a rich widow who has just buried her beloved husband and who now has someone trying to fix her up with their brother at the gravesite. Oh, well.
This Lady has been supportive of our work in the past and she wants to do good work out here. I can help them, and I did. (1)
Sia
(1) I gave them info on finding halls, contacts, et all and offered to send out notices to our general volunteer list. The Organizer was shocked to find how much halls cost to rent out for classes and events and how few Pagan or New Age stores are left standing after the dot.com crash. And few of these stores have space for classes or rituals. Even the parks out here are expensive.
Yep. We've been saying it's expensive out here for some time now....and people still ask why a ticket to an event couldn't be $5 - $10.00. I've learned over the years that some people will always complain about something. We could offer an event for free with food and entertainment and some people would still find fault.
Friday, April 08, 2005
Exit, Stage Left
The April newsletter is up. It contains the essay canceling the Witches' Ball and stating what we'll do from here on out.
It's so long, it even has chapters.
--------------------------
Answer Me These Questions Three - Changing Times and the Witches' Ball
The Three Sisters * The Transit of Venus * The Way You Wear Your Hat * Dunka Shane * The New World Order * Three Questions * Grounding & Closing the Circle * The Way You Look Tonight * What We Did After 9/11 * Who Does She Think She Is?
----------------------------
I took out the bits most of the staff liked. Frankly, I was worried that telling the truth in the newsletter about some of the challenges involved in producing events like the Witches' Ball, could be seen, not as a warning or as a teaching tool, but as anger. The gossip mongers would then go off on a tangent, and that would be all people remembered. Advisors I trust thought the same thing. So, those bits are out. I know that the Decorating Committee, in particular, liked the blunt honesty in some of those earlier paragraphs about Pagan volunteers, but these notes will have to wait for the book.
They say that Solon left Athens with a warning, and that the Athenians took it as a curse. I didn't want that to happen here. Our staff deserve to be remembered for what they've achieved - that had to come first. Teaching can come later.
So, we've left the stage on the highest note possible.
The essay is far too long, of course, and I have to wonder how many people will actually read it. But the bit of Pagan history we've made is now on the page. At most, it honors our volunteers. At the very least, we can point to it to correct the usual rumors.
We started something wonderful. It's up to other groups to see if they can match it.
The bio on me is in there just so people know that I've done this sort of thing before and might actually know what I'm talking about. It is subtitled "Who Does She Think She Is" and I've tried to keep the pompous to a minimum.
Give me a year. By that time, I will be rested and I can bring the
funny. Many of these stories can be humorous and instructive, but until I get my swing back, I shouldn't try and write them.
Sia
It's so long, it even has chapters.
--------------------------
Answer Me These Questions Three - Changing Times and the Witches' Ball
The Three Sisters * The Transit of Venus * The Way You Wear Your Hat * Dunka Shane * The New World Order * Three Questions * Grounding & Closing the Circle * The Way You Look Tonight * What We Did After 9/11 * Who Does She Think She Is?
----------------------------
I took out the bits most of the staff liked. Frankly, I was worried that telling the truth in the newsletter about some of the challenges involved in producing events like the Witches' Ball, could be seen, not as a warning or as a teaching tool, but as anger. The gossip mongers would then go off on a tangent, and that would be all people remembered. Advisors I trust thought the same thing. So, those bits are out. I know that the Decorating Committee, in particular, liked the blunt honesty in some of those earlier paragraphs about Pagan volunteers, but these notes will have to wait for the book.
They say that Solon left Athens with a warning, and that the Athenians took it as a curse. I didn't want that to happen here. Our staff deserve to be remembered for what they've achieved - that had to come first. Teaching can come later.
So, we've left the stage on the highest note possible.
The essay is far too long, of course, and I have to wonder how many people will actually read it. But the bit of Pagan history we've made is now on the page. At most, it honors our volunteers. At the very least, we can point to it to correct the usual rumors.
We started something wonderful. It's up to other groups to see if they can match it.
The bio on me is in there just so people know that I've done this sort of thing before and might actually know what I'm talking about. It is subtitled "Who Does She Think She Is" and I've tried to keep the pompous to a minimum.
Give me a year. By that time, I will be rested and I can bring the
funny. Many of these stories can be humorous and instructive, but until I get my swing back, I shouldn't try and write them.
Sia
Monday, April 04, 2005
Bob the Butterfly
So, the month of March was interesting. Bit of a cancer scare. The threat runs in the family. Beautiful eyes. Mordant wit. Cancer.
So, we did the usual dance. Inconclusive. We danced again. Nada. Then We
TANGOED!
I got my "get out of jail free" card last week. And any cells that were even
thinking about being cancer are gone now.
yeah.
The good news came on Thursday. Friday was our tenth wedding anniversary.
There was much rejoicing.
We drove to Santa Cruz on Friday and saw what was, I swear, the very last
Monarch butterfly left in the nesting grove near the beach. The ten thousand
others have gone to Mexico by now.
We called him Bob.
We think that Bob was left behind to lock up.
Bob was quite the wild guy in his youth but he's very responsible now. I
worry that Bob has become too responsible. In fact, he's headed into
earnest and he's approaching grim. I've advised him to travel, see some
friends. Lighten up. You don't have to help *every* flower, Bob. Just be
decorative for a while.
To my credit, I think, I *had* worked on the stress quite a lot before the
Doctor got that funny look on her face. I wrote the notice officially
canceling the Witches Ball, prior to that, really I did. In fact, I wrote
it over and over and finally took out the flinty bits that were sticking out, like caltrops, in certain paragraphs. These were made of earnest. And a bit of E-goo. Sharpened by Feeling Let Down by Certain People Who Should Have Known Better. When I go all Victorian capitals like that, it's not good. Not good at all.
The staff deserved a celebration and public thanks. I'm glad we could end it that way.
So, we did the usual dance. Inconclusive. We danced again. Nada. Then We
TANGOED!
I got my "get out of jail free" card last week. And any cells that were even
thinking about being cancer are gone now.
yeah.
The good news came on Thursday. Friday was our tenth wedding anniversary.
There was much rejoicing.
We drove to Santa Cruz on Friday and saw what was, I swear, the very last
Monarch butterfly left in the nesting grove near the beach. The ten thousand
others have gone to Mexico by now.
We called him Bob.
We think that Bob was left behind to lock up.
Bob was quite the wild guy in his youth but he's very responsible now. I
worry that Bob has become too responsible. In fact, he's headed into
earnest and he's approaching grim. I've advised him to travel, see some
friends. Lighten up. You don't have to help *every* flower, Bob. Just be
decorative for a while.
To my credit, I think, I *had* worked on the stress quite a lot before the
Doctor got that funny look on her face. I wrote the notice officially
canceling the Witches Ball, prior to that, really I did. In fact, I wrote
it over and over and finally took out the flinty bits that were sticking out, like caltrops, in certain paragraphs. These were made of earnest. And a bit of E-goo. Sharpened by Feeling Let Down by Certain People Who Should Have Known Better. When I go all Victorian capitals like that, it's not good. Not good at all.
The staff deserved a celebration and public thanks. I'm glad we could end it that way.
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