(Cross posted to Pagan Parents & Proud Pagans)
Okay first off, for those who either don't know me that well or have only recently begun reading my journal, let me start off by saying that I am very openly Pagan. Being that I live in southeastern Georgia, this can pose some problems at times. Let's just say that the buckle of the proverbial bible belt is not very friendly to Pagans in general. Savannah has made some positive strides in the past few years since they started having a Pagan Pride Day (which is coming up pretty soon, I'll have to check my calendar again but I think it falls on Summer Solstice this year). But still, although I'm "out of the broom closet" as it were, I usually tend to keep religious matters to myself. I have a Goddess symbol tattooed on the back of my neck that I make no attempt to cover up, and I wear my pentacle every day. I just don't preach, and when people ask I generally say that it is a religious symbol and leave it at that unless asked further questions.
So I was kinda floored this morning when I came into the office. I hadn't even poured my first cup of coffee yet, much less consumed it. I was talking to our receptionist while I sliced up some baked goods I had brought for the office, and she said "Oh I love your necklace, it's beautiful .... is that Wicca??"
I was stunned! After a second or two to recover my wits, I said "Yes, it is." And then we got into a great discussion about nature religions in general and how she loves how in tune with nature they are, and she said "it isn't just a religion, it's a lifestyle!" I wanted to hug her. Really. Because it's so rare down here to have someone who, even though they aren't a follower of nature religions themselves, they still GET it. Granted, I'm not exactly Wiccan, although I am openly Pagan, but still, she was close enough to the general idea that it made my entire day better.
So I was kinda floored this morning when I came into the office. I hadn't even poured my first cup of coffee yet, much less consumed it. I was talking to our receptionist while I sliced up some baked goods I had brought for the office, and she said "Oh I love your necklace, it's beautiful .... is that Wicca??"
I was stunned! After a second or two to recover my wits, I said "Yes, it is." And then we got into a great discussion about nature religions in general and how she loves how in tune with nature they are, and she said "it isn't just a religion, it's a lifestyle!" I wanted to hug her. Really. Because it's so rare down here to have someone who, even though they aren't a follower of nature religions themselves, they still GET it. Granted, I'm not exactly Wiccan, although I am openly Pagan, but still, she was close enough to the general idea that it made my entire day better.