Things I Don't Get about the Pagan Community

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[rose]

yes, heavier people are more likely to get hot easily, as compared to cold, although this is not a universal constant, some of that seems to be controlled by hormones, I went from very warmblooded to the reverse without a weight change, because I got pregnant.  And I've been freezing ever since.

 I went from freezing all the time pre-preg. to boiling all the time (with a weight change, but not that significant). And now I am in my mid 40s and flash from time to time, and have temperature crashes as well. Wheeeeee!!

[dragonfly_high]

Sorry, this is completely off topic, but Rose, what is  Shakti Wiccan ?  I've never heard of that.

[rose]

Sorry, this is completely off topic, but Rose, what is  Shakti Wiccan ?  I've never heard of that.

I am an initiate in the Sha'can tradition, which is a combination of Wicca and Hindu Tantra. On the Maa Batakali website, it's defined this way

"Sha'can is an authentic lineage tradition given to us through blood-right and initiatory blessing. With origins in the Craft (commonly referred to as Wicca) and the Shakta marga (way or path of Goddess-worshiping Hindu Tantra), we weave together the paths of both the Shakta Tantrick and the Witch. At its core, Sha'can expands Tantrick Mother Worship and sanctifies earth-based embodied spirituality by bringing Kalika Devi to life with relevance for our circumstances today on Western shores. In our tradition, we celebrate the commonalities of thought and practice that bring the marginal to center."

here is the full article:
http://www.maabatakali.org/shacan/

[dragonfly_high]

I am an initiate in the Sha'can tradition, which is a combination of Wicca and Hindu Tantra. On the Maa Batakali website, it's defined this way

"Sha'can is an authentic lineage tradition given to us through blood-right and initiatory blessing. With origins in the Craft (commonly referred to as Wicca) and the Shakta marga (way or path of Goddess-worshiping Hindu Tantra), we weave together the paths of both the Shakta Tantrick and the Witch. At its core, Sha'can expands Tantrick Mother Worship and sanctifies earth-based embodied spirituality by bringing Kalika Devi to life with relevance for our circumstances today on Western shores. In our tradition, we celebrate the commonalities of thought and practice that bring the marginal to center."

here is the full article:
http://www.maabatakali.org/shacan/

Thanks, I looked at the site (bookmarked it for more exploring later).  It's interesting, but I need to really dive into it.  I'm still exploring how I feel about things, I like seeing these sites and hearing about others beliefs.  It's a good way to figure out exactly what you believe and how you feel about things.  At least, that's what I think.

[rose]

Thanks, I looked at the site (bookmarked it for more exploring later).  It's interesting, but I need to really dive into it.  I'm still exploring how I feel about things, I like seeing these sites and hearing about others beliefs.  It's a good way to figure out exactly what you believe and how you feel about things.  At least, that's what I think.

ITA. That's one of the nice things about TC, lots of different paths here 
The Maa Batakali site is the best one, I think, but there are others that are a bit more on the indopagan side than the tantric side.

[Collinsky]

The following is a list of things I just seriously don’t get about the Pagan Community. I'd love some feedback.

FWIW (which isn't much  ) I read this thread when I first joined TC a year ago, when I was just beginning to explore Paganism. This thread was around then, and I remember feeling total relief reading it. I had several preconceived notions about "what Pagans were like" - the stereotypes, the assumptions, the feeling that it was not "for me". I was intrigued enough by the ideas I was hearing/reading to poke my head in anyway... and the fact that my good friend who is a Pagan just wears jeans and is otherwise perfectly normal (LOL  ) helped... however, still, those ideas lingered.

So this thread reassured me - because the OP brought up some of my actual preconceptions, and even though some of the replies were "Yeah, that's me, so what?" what it overall demonstrated was that there was no homogeny. Yes, some people like to wear crushed velvet; some feel pretty neutral about it, and some can't imagine ever wearing it. This thread brought the diversity right out into the light. AND it also seemed to me that many of the responses were along the lines of "finding that negative is subjective" and "not for me, but if people like it then they should go for it!" which showed an open-mindedness and tolerance for differences in lifestyle and tastes that really made me feel relaxed - that I didn't need to want to wear a cloak to be a part of "Paganism."

 



 

[Matrinka]

that I didn't need to want to wear a cloak to be a part of "Paganism."

Nope.  Don't have to wear a cloak, but why wouldn't you want to swish around now and then in a big swooshy cloak?  Not every day, because then it would lose the coolness factor.  Walking across camp with my cloak flying out around me in the light of a fire that can be seen from space, with drums beating late into the night.  That, my friend, is fun.  It's festival fun.  I don't traipse around town in the giant cloak.  I have, but only when appropriate to do so.  Like on Samhain.  I always dress for Samhain.  The cloak, ritual robes, the Shoes.  It's just too much fun to have people say "Nice witch costume" and be able to look at them and say "Nope.  It's the one day a year I get to wear my normal clothes without attracting attention." and wink. 

Life is too short to take it too seriously. 

[Tana]

Nope.  Don't have to wear a cloak, but why wouldn't you want to swish around now and then in a big swooshy cloak?  Not every day, because then it would lose the coolness factor.  Walking across camp with my cloak flying out around me in the light of a fire that can be seen from space, with drums beating late into the night.  That, my friend, is fun.  It's festival fun.  I don't traipse around town in the giant cloak.  I have, but only when appropriate to do so.  Like on Samhain.  I always dress for Samhain.  The cloak, ritual robes, the Shoes.  It's just too much fun to have people say "Nice witch costume" and be able to look at them and say "Nope.  It's the one day a year I get to wear my normal clothes without attracting attention." and wink. 

Life is too short to take it too seriously. 

You are sooo right! I love it *lol*.
Usually when there is Halloween/Samhain or Fasching (Carnival) I always dress up as myself 
Aaaah, taking the stereotypes and rubbing them under the 'normal' folks noses is soo much fun.
The looks you get, priceless 

[Matrinka]

You are sooo right! I love it *lol*.
Usually when there is Halloween/Samhain or Fasching (Carnival) I always dress up as myself 
Aaaah, taking the stereotypes and rubbing them under the 'normal' folks noses is soo much fun.
The looks you get, priceless 

I love it when someone really looks at my "costume" and realizes that this is not costume wear but clothing that is meant to be actually worn, frequently, to be tossed in the washer and dryer often and has been.  You don't get that patina of wear without wearing it.  My cloak is over six years old, and I wear it almost every night during HPF, and often all day, if it is raining (it is a rain-cloak, made of awesome material that is waterproof and looks like silk).  It has honest stains from all that wear. 
Costumes never attain that feel of "real" clothing, do they?

[Tana]

Costumes never attain that feel of "real" clothing, do they?

Nope 
Neither does the way I do my hair and make-up.
Most people do not mistake it, I just don't look disguised.

Last year on one of the carnival days we sometimes dress up at work, I just felt like putting some crow feathers in my hear - nothing fancy, it was done within 10 minutes. And one of my co-workers stated: oh, you're a witch! *lol*

[JamieG103]

The following is a list of things I just seriously don’t get about the Pagan Community. I'd love some feedback.

- 2. Costumes (particularly crushed velvet and circlets)

I know the OP is gone but I just wanted to throw my 2 cents anyways.

I love my ritual robes. I only get to wear them a dozen times a year or so and I just love the idea of have this garment that only is used for my most sacred of rites. It is a powerful thing. And it is just so cool to offer praise with the big billowy sleeves hanging down.

As for dressing up for festivals, there is certainly is a historic practice to this, going back at the very least to medieval times. Many people would dress up as animals or fools or other costumes for festivals and holidays. It is also very likely that ancient Pagans dressed up as their Deities. It is fun, silly, exciting, and all of that. I suggest more people give it a try!

[Play_Dough]

Hello, I'm Wren, I'm 22 from the UK. Ive been Pagan for seven years.
Not much to say really. Im happy to be here.
The following is a list of things I just seriously don’t get about the Pagan Community. I'd love some feedback.

CRINGE
-   1. The lack of young, sexy, straight, (available), men
-   2. Costumes (particularly crushed velvet and circlets)
-   3. The ‘High Priest’ and ‘High Priestess’ thing
-   4. Pagan books
-   5. Strange dirty old men
-   6. ‘Live Action Role Play’ geeks
-   7. Meat eaters
-   8. Crystals
-   9. Pagans who rave about ‘Fluffy Bunnies’
-   10. The constant complaining about Christianity
-   11. Beards and long hair
-   12. The prevalence of people who need more exercise
-       13. Swords

So very few individuals ever fully realize that they are in a hologram of their own consciousness.

You are discussing 'entry level' pagans...  the full blown self-actualized Pagan is stunningly beautiful, wealthy, well versed in Tantra, commands the universe, has attained eternal life, dresses smartly, is athletic, is most-probably a genius, is kind to deserving children, generous, extremely healthy, dashing, and loyal.

Perhaps you can post an actual photograph of yourself and we can attempt to discern why you seem to be having this problem.

.

[HeartShadow - Cutethulhu]

So very few individuals ever fully realize that they are in a hologram of their own consciousness.

You are discussing 'entry level' pagans...  the full blown self-actualized Pagan is stunningly beautiful, wealthy, well versed in Tantra, commands the universe, has attained eternal life, dresses smartly, is athletic, is most-probably a genius, is kind to deserving children, generous, extremely healthy, dashing, and loyal.

Perhaps you can post an actual photograph of yourself and we can attempt to discern why you seem to be having this problem.

Is this sarcasm or serious?  I'm hoping sarcasm ....

[Tana]

Is this sarcasm or serious?  I'm hoping sarcasm ....

It's a bit early and my sarcasm sensors are still in snooze mode, but I'd guess it is sarcasm.

[RandallS]

Is this sarcasm or serious?  I'm hoping sarcasm ....

I sure hope it's sarcasm.

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