PLSC, and the Atlanta Pagan Community

[justben]

So the past month has been dominated by PLSC. There’s been preparations to make, then going to the conference itself, and then recovery and fallout. It’s been a wild ride, and I think it’s only starting.

The conference itself was wonderful. radiantbaby and I learned some excellent information about group dynamics, and we met some fascinating, dynamic people

Comments

[freakchylde]

You've got my support. Just know, I'm not terribly big on the "insert various subculture group name" pride stuff. Otherwise I'm up for the other discussions.

[justben]

Personally I see PPD as networking opportunity. It’s a chance to see old friends and maybe meet some new ones. But also as a big believer in open public ritual, I see it as a chance for people seeking groups and activities and events to find them, and as a chance for those groups to learn about eachother’s special interests so they can refer seekers and begin cooperating on community‐wide goals.

Thank you for the support. Any of those three things in particular grab your interest as something you’d like to help with? Any of them spark any particular ideas?

This is all MHO. :)

[dv8dgrrl]

PPD is one of the few times where you can see a lot of the community veterans come out in droves. Makes for a good opportunity to open up communication pathways

Re: This is all MHO. :)

[justben]

Thanks for the thoughts. I hadn’t noticed the particular connection with 9/11; that’s an interesting insight

Re: This is all MHO. :)

[dv8dgrrl]

I definitely would love to see change... and yes, I would love to contribute as I can. The past couple of years I have moved my personal focus away from the pagan community and more towards the burn community. Recently, I was given one of the positions of Co-Regional contact for Burning Man. I sucks my time a lot, but I am sure I could balance the two things. Or at least, I like to think I can. Let me know more projects are going, and I will see what fits well for me to help on. :)
I know a lot of the problem is people saying they want change, but are unwilling to be the one to step up. I don't want to be that person. But I do want to make sure what I am doing fits well with my personal philosophies, if that makes sense.

Re: This is all MHO. :)

[justben]

Certainly it makes sense. If people are going to spend their time supporting groups, then they should spend it on groups that mesh well with their own goals. If you don’t mind sharing, I’d love to hear what’s drawn you personally more toward the burn community in recent years.

[ydnic]

Hmmm, fascinating. I'm not a big fan of huge public rituals, but other than that, I would be interested in participating a bit more, seeing as how I have enjoyed pagan community events in the past.

[justben]

Awesome! Does “participate” mean you want me to let you know when we’ve got something planned, or that you want to help out? :-)

[ydnic]

Depending on schedule, I'd like to help out, as I can. :)

[justben]

Awesome. Thanks for helping!

The big thing I’m looking for right now is leaders of active pagan ritual groups in Atlanta, either holding open rituals or openly meeting with prospective new members for closed ritual. I’m starting up a newsletter for the local pagan community, and one of the things I want to include as a service to the community is a list of open or semi‐open groups and details on open rituals. If you could pass the word along and have anyone in either category contact me at ben@sehellenes.org (I’ll have a more newsletter‐appropriate address soon), I’d appreciate it.

I’ve got a meeting tonight to help crystallize plans for the newsletter; I’ll be making another post in the next couple of days with exactly what help we’re looking for.

In the meantime, if you know anyone who might want to help organize any of these three projects, send those people my way!

Thanks again!

[kaymyth]

Happy birthday!

Congratulations, you've moved from being 30 to being in your thirties. How does it feel? ;)

[justben]

At the moment incredibly tired. It seems I’ve picked up a few new social commitments, though, so it’s probably that rather than the birthday that did it.

[kaymyth]

Now, in regards to the post proper

[justben]

That’s a good thought; thanks. I know a few years ago I ran into a few CUUPS folks around here somewhere. I’ll hafta see if I can dig ’em up and see what that group are up to locally.

Gaia UU seems pretty nifty. I remember when I was first starting to look into paganism ages and ages ago, one of the major online FAQs was from someone in KC. I’d love to hear what else you guys have going on up that way, even if you haven’t personally seen too much of it yet :-)

[kaymyth]

If there is a paganish UU church in your area, the CUUPS people are the most likely to know about it.

The thing about pagan circles is that they have a natural tendency toward cliquishness. "You must be of this mindset and this tradition to be part of us, blah blah blah." I've even heard stories about people getting quizzed heavily about idiotic details before even being allowed to visit a ritual, let alone join a circle. And it's insular mentalities like this that keep the pagan community as a whole fractured.

What I love about Gaia UU is that it's completely the opposite. Classic Wiccan? Sure, we can always use more of those. Druid? You're in good company. Discordian? Hooray, chaos! Pastafarian? Well, y'know, the Flying Spaghetti Monster was in the God Auction one year. And it goes on. Our diversity, I think, is our greatest strength.

KC had its own Pagan Pride day this past weekend. I didn't go, though. Even I start to wilt in 100-degree heat, and games at Jen & Andy's in the nice air conditioning was rather more appealing.

[justben]

There’s some funny dynamics there. There are closed covens, and there are open covens. Both are good for different things. I’ve seen a bunch of public and semi‐public groups down here in Atlanta, just most of the ones I knew several years ago seem to be either on hiatus or else not talking loud enough for me to hear. Which makes me sad: I worry that if I can’t hear them, then probably some random newbie seeker can’t either, and in my eyes that’s a major loss for the community.

One of the larger UU churches down here had a moderately active CUUPS group a couple of years ago, though I’ve heard rumors that they’re not very active these days either. I’m going to try to dig them up again and see if I can find anyone as things progress with my various projects. If anything can be said for the UU, it definitely tries to be open to newcomers of all types.

Jen & Andy as in from Rolla? Are they in your neck of the woods? How the hell are those two doing? Say hi to ’em for me.