Raven's Reflections: The Adolescence of the Pagan Community

The Adolescence of the Pagan Community

If you're wondering how, or if, this might effect 9LMM, the answer is, Yes. Such a change in my life can't help but be reflected in my art. Does that mean I'm suddenly going to get all baby-soft and lovey cuddly?

If anything, it only reinforces for me the feelings and opinions that led to the creation of 9LMM: That the various Pagan communities are going through an ugly adolescence, and the decisions that current Pagans make about what our religion means to us, how it relates to the rest of the (non-Pagan) world, and how we transmit those convictions to neophytes will have a profound effect on Pagan religions in the future. I think it is a foregone conclusion that most won't survive in their present forms; the question is, what forms do we want them to take?

Will Pagans continue to primarily focus on superstition, seeking to impose their wills on the universe for their own, often self-gratifying, ends? Or, will we seek to be part of, and act with, the unfolding, evolving Cosmos, which is the manifestion of the Divine? Do the Gods serve us, or do we serve the Gods?

The things that burn me up the most, if you haven't figured it out already, are hypocrisy, willful ignorance, and the complete narcissism that underlies both. Specifically, I abhor the ways that more experienced Pagans take advantage of neophytes for their own selfish ends. Not only is this wrong in and of itself, but it inculcates ignorance and selfishness in the newer folks, which they will in turn pass on to the next generation.

While the Mi'nerwens are probably realistically harmless, and truly laughable, their so-called regent is, indeed, the moderator of a large list directed towards beginning, particularly young, Wiccans. Now, his comments seem to be generally ignored, but I wouldn't want my kid getting religious instruction from such a nutball, and his works are the first listed on the reading list for the group.

Oberon is even worse. Here's a guy who's undoubtedly a community elder, a (continuously self-appointed) Big Name Pagan, who's written a book that says that the world of Harry Potter is true, that young wizards should escape into the world of dreams.

The world is in pretty dire straits right now. Granted, that's perhaps always been true, but I'd argue that we're in a period of particular instability with the potential for major political and societal change, especially in the US. Despite what Raven Grimassi and others like him think, the answer is not to burn some pieces of paper. The answer is not to flee to a comfortable dream world, whether derived from too much D&D or too much Harry Potter. The answer is to get out there and do something about it. Vote, at the very least. But not every day is voting day.

Speak your mind. Argue, not for the sake of debate, but so that strong ideas become stronger, and the weak are discarded. Then take those ideas out and manifest them. Magic and ritual are tools, and they are not always the most effective ones. Do work outside of circle. If you want a better world, don't just wish for it -- make it.

It's my way of taking a weed whacker to the tangled undergrowth of self-serving, sanctimonious, superstitious bullshit that threatens to choke the Pagan communities. This isn't just about fluffy bunnyism, although that's part of it. It's about the beliefs and practices that support and encourage the anti-intellectual, feel-good, escapist crap that passes for much of Pagan theology and custom.

There is a fantastic, powerful, transformative core to many Pagan traditions, and there is a minority of passionate, dedicated Pagans who really walk their talk. Some of these folks are community leaders, some are authors, and some are just doing their thing in smaller ways. But they are in constant danger of getting drowned out by the spell-book addicts and dream-world divas who clog the online and offline communities. Not only drowned out, but burned out, because it's this minority who does most of the work for the rest. Too often, the only payment they get is disrespect. Or worse.

I want to show, not so much that the wizard has no clothes (I've been to Starwood enough to know that the wizards prefer not to wear them anyway) but that the wizard has no soul. By laughing at these self-appointed Great Names, and showing them for the selfish, pathetic creatures they truly are, I want to decrease their power.

If, because of 9LMM, one person doesn't buy the latest grimoire, or questions bad history or dubious practice, that's a victory, as far as I'm concerned. Not for me, but for everyone -- not the least of which is my child.

When my kid grows up, if they choose to follow Paganism, I want there to be traditions and communities where they will be safe, and of which they can be proud. And, hopefully, fewer individuals and communities that make them cringe with embarrassment and quiver with rage.