A New Spiritual Community... and Tears for a Homeland

[goatoverlord42]

I know I've been bad about updating this place, though I guess 2 times a month is an improvement. Also not sure how many of my friends are still active, got alot of friend's paging to read around here. :P I may start a blogger journal too, probably cross post everything. I'll update people once I set it up.

Comments

[goatoverlord42]

I assume you're referring to the more reconstructionist groups like Hellenismous? (are you still involved there, by the way?) I just popped an email to Pastor Phil, and sent him my blog in case he'd like to jump in the discussion. He has done some research on Salem on various neo-pagan/pagan strands (I've been saying reconstructionist pagan for your movement, figured its more in line with your preferences).

My understanding from our many talks, (for those who don't know) is that your strand sees itself as more focused on reconstructing genuine historical practices, and overall less focused on magic. It would be great if you could post some links too Dan, my pastor might be dropping by and I'm sure he'd be interested.

If you'd like to join our email list, your perspective would also be a wonderful addition, bring some of the diversity in the pagan world into it.

[goatoverlord42]

Thanks for the links bro, I'll look into them and pass them on too. I didn't mean to imply you were trying to do everything exactly as in the past, but always had the impression there was more a of a historical spirit to it (whereas many Wiccans admit Gardiner probably made up at least a fair amount, for them the fact magic works is more important, though there are still often attempts to research history too).

I would be curious to know how magic works out in your circles too. I've been doing some reading on magical practices both in the ancient Greco-Roman and Israelite worlds, interesting stuff.

I suppose my big question is where you would see the differences that made you "wince" at neo-pagan or how you differ from groups like Wicca. I tried to express my understanding from past discussions, but always have much to learn. ;)

[goatoverlord42]

Awesome, thank you. Poke me if I don't reply in a day or two, I have to escape back into Freud for a bit, but look forward to reading some more. :P

[goatoverlord42]

Thanks bro. It helps, alot actually. :)

Have a half-spring break sorta happening soon, (taking clasess at two schools, with different schedules, fun fun :P). I'll try and read up a little more and get back to you as promised.

I'm TRYING to finally start up my blogger account, but will still cross post back and forth. My pastor's doing this wacky thing on "neo-monasticism," with people blogging at the same time from across 4 continents, awesome. And my friend whose an assistant pastor at the Gathering has started doing live-blogs of services to give glimpse of what we're doing. I'll try and add the link here too.

[goatoverlord42]

Well, I plan to keep working here too, but alot of the churches I'm working with are over there and I'd like to do a fresh start of sorts. Might tweek the name here too, amusing as my goatish inside jokes are, the direction I'm taking things in seems to call for something a little more contemplative. :P

[goatoverlord42]

While I can't speak to your strand's demographic, in general the Salem community is somewhat "unique" even in Pagan circles. Phil warned me to not be surprised to see people dressing up in "witchy" regalia at bars, many of literally "go to work" that way because various divinations public services are their field of work! Its a really interesting sociological experiment. The people I met last week were less showy this time of year, but proudly displayed their faith identity in t-shirts and/or jewelry

[goatoverlord42]

My understanding is Salem's neo-pagan movement tried to cultivate a certain image in the 1970's, and this has probably influenced the groups who came there and the image it continues to project. But I honestly don't know how the numbers break down.

I would love to see others brought into the broader discussion. If you'd like to pass anyone my email who you think might be interested that would be awesome.

The email list, btw is here: http://salemgathering.com/Gathering_Web/NewPages/pagan_talk_signup.html
Its a pretty interesting group of people, including some from England/Druidism! The only request is that people have some degree of Pagan, Christian or hybrid identity (cocern with people coming in and wanting to talk about pagans as satanism, I think). I've really enjoyed it so far.

[goatoverlord42]

Certainly, feel free to share my whole post or the links directly. It'll be wonderful to have more voices on-board.

Things come and go in spurts, its been quite the last week, but earlier in the month we had about 12 messages a day around some fun topics. Feel free to introduce/say what you'd like about yourself, and people will be happy to say hello, might get some dialog going just there.

[anonymous]

Hi Daeron and Kieran,

The fact is that most of those I am hanging out with are non Wiccan. Back 10 years ago this was not the case. Things have evolved to dealings with Druids, eclectic Witches, a hand full of Wiccans, and numerous other sorts too eclectic to list. But that's the face of modern Paganism methinks.