What are some of the issues that Pagans face?

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Lord_of_Nightmares
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Re: What are some of the issues that Pagans face?

Post by Lord_of_Nightmares »

NW94: you're right. The "harm none" isn't even a rule. It's advice. Valiente specifically said it's not a call to be a pacifist. People have twisted it over the decades.
I am the Earth, The Sun and the Stars
And I am the also the Moon
I am all animal and birds,
And I am the outcast as well, and the thief
I am the low person of dreadful deeds,
And the great person of excellent deeds
I am Female. I am Male and I am Neuter.
- Devi
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Re: What are some of the issues that Pagans face?

Post by Newbiewitch94 »

Lady_Lilith wrote:NW94: you're right. The "harm none" isn't even a rule. It's advice. Valiente specifically said it's not a call to be a pacifist. People have twisted it over the decades.
Agreed I always viewed it as way to make us think before we go around causing harm on other people. People really have twisted that sentence I agree especially as I'm sure many wiccans will agree with me if I have to cause harm to a not so nice person to protect a loved one (I'm thinking more the domestic violence/sexual abuse or murderer types) then so be it.
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Re: What are some of the issues that Pagans face?

Post by SpiritTalker »

I deal with occasional hostility on an individual basis, and shielding :annoyed:

How I deal with the unseen world is: veeery carefully :evilwitch:

And I deal with lack of community by joining EUTM :mrgreen:
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Re: What are some of the issues that Pagans face?

Post by Shireside »

Sometimes I feel lonely in it all...those I live with (NOT my family) are very welcoming of my ways, but they don't really share any of my animist beliefs or express any interest beyond intellectual curiosity in my practices. It's fine and we'll, I know, and it's true that there is a lot of practicality to be had in being truly solitary, but here in the thick of the Bible Belt, I get to craving a sense of community.

I circumvent the isolated feel by engaging in online communities, for one, and also by driving over to a trad witchy shop every so often to shoot the breeze with the fine folks who run the place.
The map is not the territory, the facet is not the jewel.
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Re: What are some of the issues that Pagans face?

Post by MsMollimizz »


Online communities are fine and quite supportive...
Not having a Pagan/Wiccan/Witch in your area is
tough. Its always nice to have someone there to do
a ritual with(that helps my focus). My only Pagan
friend here is off in her own trials and tribulation...
I'm saddened this has occurred but I'm pulling for
her to find peace of mind and stability that she
hasn't had since her hubby died 2yrs ago.
That being said Pagans aren't the only ones that
have trouble with negative interactions. Pagans
just have to deal with people differently.
With all that's happening in the world now I
believe us Pagans need to pull together now
more than ever for Mother Earth...
Gentle Light
MsMollimizz

Until one has loved an animal,
part of their soul remains un-awakened.

"The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance,
it is the illusion of knowledge." Steven Hawkings
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Re: What are some of the issues that Pagans face?

Post by SpiritTalker »

Maintaining a balanced earth-centered life style amidst modern mechanical and electronic gadgetry is a serious challenge. I refuse to use a cell phone - had one before they switched to WW digital and made less than 10 calls in 2 years. Danged expensive. Now that we know how they are used for illicit spying on the private sector, i dont regret not wanting one. I don't want a microwave. I've been gifted 2 from well meaning individuals and passed them on to someone else. I don't watch TV &' gave that up as mindless idiocy 30 years ago, particularly the news, and now we know how it's been used to program the masses and control the narrative per Project Mockingbird. I do like the internet. However Id mentioned a favorite old TV show My Favorite Martian on this website and the next day dozens of MFM episodes miraculously appeared on my youtube menu. The Algorithm at work. Doh :shock: TVs digital electronic wave patterns can hypnotize the brain into accepting commercial sales pitches & subliminal messages slipped into tv programs. MK Ultra taught us that. I use this iPad to stay involved with the WC community, for research & electronic books. I'm thinking of giving it up...but I've got 350 books stored!
Challenged indeed.
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Re: What are some of the issues that Pagans face?

Post by corvidus »

SpiritTalker wrote:I'm thinking of giving it up...but I've got 350 books stored!
Challenged indeed.
I like to reverse the technology and see how I could use it to my advantage.

The only way humanity can progress nowadays is to transmute current technology into something spiritually uplifting.

As a Wiccan in the Age of Technology, I see this as one of the major issues to face.
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Re: What are some of the issues that Pagans face?

Post by SpiritTalker »

Good points.
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Re: What are some of the issues that Pagans face?

Post by Tornadofire-Sylva »

Nazis. White supremacists claiming to worship deities that would put a boot up their racist butt the instant they met. Open communities being guarded by gatekeepers that judge based on race such as "oh you can't worship him you're not white." Buddy what the heck
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Re: What are some of the issues that Pagans face?

Post by Tylluan »

I have many of the same issues you all have lack of community or understanding from strangers. Friends thinking I'm bonkers for wanting to hang round graveyards at 43. Lack of shops looking like Diagon Alley, which frankly would be my dream!

But we have this marvellous place and I've noticed more and more Pagan Pride events are popping up here and there.
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Re: What are some of the issues that Pagans face?

Post by Lord_of_Nightmares »

Misinterpreted Wiccan rede, is not a call for pacifism. Three fold law is also misinterpreted. And don't get me started on karma. I don't really believe in karma or the 3 fold.

The idea that Wicca is right belief instead of right practice.

The lack of worship of Aradia. She is barely mentioned by solitaries. Cernunnos or the God is also heavily ignored by modern solitaries.

The idea that Wicca is gender binary, ignoring the drygten or the one which is similar to the element of akasha where it is the source of all, all genders, and none. It's been excluded for some reason among solitaries. But even Starhawk has talked about it.

The bad revisionist history that gets passed around as facts and something something burning times.

The watering down of Wicca. Like demons aren't entirely against Wicca or Lilith wouldn't be worshiped. Heh.

The athame being excluded by many people. It's a weapon against evils and very powerful. But is barely used by solitaries or not given much prominence. Even though it's more important than wands.

Sorry if this is Wiccan specific. :/
I am the Earth, The Sun and the Stars
And I am the also the Moon
I am all animal and birds,
And I am the outcast as well, and the thief
I am the low person of dreadful deeds,
And the great person of excellent deeds
I am Female. I am Male and I am Neuter.
- Devi
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Re: What are some of the issues that Pagans face?

Post by Tylluan »

I'm noticing a huge issue for Pagans is the lack of respect to other Pagans. I think everyone forgets that even though we have books and ideals as to how to practise they aren't set in stone. Its still a path that you make your own whether you are on a formal path, or your own.

The idea that we can all practice in the same way is impossible. I wake up and my scenery is completely different to a lot of yours. We've heading into Autumn, but some of you are coming into Spring. My path HAS to be personal to me because at the heart we are nature based. Nature is different everywhere. We need to celebrate and rejoice in our differences. I don't want something who has never visited standing stones to tell me what I should feel around them. It doesn't work. What I would LOVE is someone to own their path and tell me how they worship/work in their area. I live in a small country. You can drive from the top to the bottom in a day. Therefore I just cannot understand how enormous the earth is. If you live in a vast state/county you'll always see more sky then I ever could. My mind is blown thinking of some of the states a lot of you live in and how you can drive all day and still not cross your state! There is power in that.

I always struggled with deity. Who was mine? I'm told it should be a, b, c. That's all rubbish. Its who connects with me.

This isn't a lecture at how you should be. Just a request to do things your own way a little more and to show tolerance to those who have the courage to. A lot of people join scared of doing the wrong thing and they get shouted down and that's it ruined for them. Well a) how do you learn if you don't make mistakes, and b) no one really knows the definitive right or wrong so back off. Its personal. Boundaries are personal. Ethics are personal. Your path is personal, whether you are in a group or a solitary practitioner.

I've matured enough to no longer care what people think of me. I have to live with myself, they don't so I stick to what I am and how I work.
My soul is awakened, my spirit is soaring. And carried aloft on the wings of the breeze. For above and around me the wild wind is roaring. Arousing to rapture the earth and the seas.
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Re: What are some of the issues that Pagans face?

Post by Juniper »

Christians!!
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Re: What are some of the issues that Pagans face?

Post by Tylluan »

Juniper wrote:Christians!!
:wink2:
My soul is awakened, my spirit is soaring. And carried aloft on the wings of the breeze. For above and around me the wild wind is roaring. Arousing to rapture the earth and the seas.
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Re: What are some of the issues that Pagans face?

Post by Florenna »

Lady_Lilith wrote:NW94: you're right. The "harm none" isn't even a rule. It's advice. Valiente specifically said it's not a call to be a pacifist. People have twisted it over the decades.
Lady_Lilith wrote:Misinterpreted Wiccan rede, is not a call for pacifism. Three fold law is also misinterpreted. And don't get me started on karma. I don't really believe in karma or the 3 fold.
This is really, really interesting to me, as these are the things I have issues with, about Wicca... (Being new here, I actually wanted to ask about this and was wondering where I could do it, but I guess it's probably better to join an ongoing conversation than start a whole new thread?)

I'd love to know it is indeed possible to be a Wiccan and yet not believe in the Rede (as an absolute life rule) and especially the 3 fold law? (I haven't seen much evidence of karma around in the world - bad things do happen to good people and vice versa...) I don't call or consider myself Wiccan (just Pagan), at least for now, but I do relate to so much of it, besides these, so would love to have some clarity on this issue.
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