...At least that's the impression I've gotten from the local pagan community, which seems the most visible/accessible one, unless it's just that fluffy bunnies are the most visible pagans
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I was pretty much going to say the same thing. Given that the media immediately drifts to the most "sensational" individuals who identify themselves as Pagan (as they tend to make for a much juicier story), many are tired of the image portrayed and of those who claim to speak for us. It isn't surprising for them to identify as "not THOSE" and to be quite exclusive about it.
Other reasons for exclusivity include the numbers of pure whack jobs who happen to identify as Pagan merely to become involved with a group, then reveal that they are only there to suck the group dry of energy, sell their latest snake oil, or "pick up chicks" (or guys, as the case may be). I recall one who attempted to integrate by thrilling us with his "ability to speak Dragon, control lightning, and commune with faeries."
Yeah, sometimes it's lonely, but preferable to being surrounded by crazies.
I don't think I ascribe to "fluffy" and "nonfluffy" as such binary terms. On the spectrum of, let's say, 1 (supah-fluffy with "I Love Tabitha" bunny slippers and pewter wizards on the book case, not to mention perpetually stoned) to 10 (scowling dark brow and bookcases full of primary sources in the original Latin and whatnot) I'm probably somewhere between 3 and 4. With that caveat:
It makes sense that the Fluffies would be the most visible and accessible. My guess is that by virtue of being less skeptical, they're more accepting of alternative expressions of belief. If I understand what people mean when they say "fluffy" I would venture to guess that fluffy pagans congregate around commercial venues as well, which makes them easy to find. The non-fluffies are all hidden away in libraries and caves, checking footnotes and verifying lineage and whatnot.
You know, giving the matter some thought, what if you had someone who wore "fluffiness" in the spirit of chaos and irony - pink bunny slippers and Hello Kitty ritual garb - and another person who was So Deadly Serious and so busy researching and checking footnotes, and learning Latin, that they never actually practiced anything. It's just an interesting to think about.
Are you in NorCal? Southern California's not much better in terms of my locality, and there's more Witch Wars here (gossip, tending towards the slander/libel variety, and I really do mean that). I'd get into detail but this is too public a forum. Let's just say that we have a lot of speshul elven fae vampyre were-unicorn princesses out here, and apparently Wicca means one has to dress like a goth at all times, with 18 pounds of eyeliner and no less than 5 20-pound pentacles worn at any given time. I really have no desire to attract drama and mentally unstable people into my existence. *sigh*
I feel kind of horrible for saying this, because it makes me sound like a snob, but yeah, I'm pretty isolationist and most of the Pagans I'd want to be in contact with are 1. scattered around the US and a few other countries, 2. not saying "HERE I AM, I'M SPESHUUUULLLLL!" and thus attracting attention to themselves.
I'm pretty isolationist and most of the Pagans I'd want to be in contact with are 1. scattered around the US and a few other countries, 2. not saying "HERE I AM, I'M SPESHUUUULLLLL!" and thus attracting attention to themselves.
Same reason I stopped going to local meetups. Kept meeting the misfits of science there and got the distinct feeling via short, to-the-point conversations and body language that I was not very welcome there. Therefore, I'll remain solitary.
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Other reasons for exclusivity include the numbers of pure whack jobs who happen to identify as Pagan merely to become involved with a group, then reveal that they are only there to suck the group dry of energy, sell their latest snake oil, or "pick up chicks" (or guys, as the case may be). I recall one who attempted to integrate by thrilling us with his "ability to speak Dragon, control lightning, and commune with faeries."
Yeah, sometimes it's lonely, but preferable to being surrounded by crazies.
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OK, I've had a really crappy week, and this comment made me giggle*snort.
I'm trying to figure out what a dragon would have to say besides, "Fry, fucker!"
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Hahaha thanks for that.. and you in turn have brightened my day.
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http://www.thelema.org/college_of_thelema/index.html
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They're also the most prone to jump up and down in their altogether waving "look at me, look at me".
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It makes sense that the Fluffies would be the most visible and accessible. My guess is that by virtue of being less skeptical, they're more accepting of alternative expressions of belief. If I understand what people mean when they say "fluffy" I would venture to guess that fluffy pagans congregate around commercial venues as well, which makes them easy to find. The non-fluffies are all hidden away in libraries and caves, checking footnotes and verifying lineage and whatnot.
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Are you in NorCal? Southern California's not much better in terms of my locality, and there's more Witch Wars here (gossip, tending towards the slander/libel variety, and I really do mean that). I'd get into detail but this is too public a forum. Let's just say that we have a lot of speshul elven fae vampyre were-unicorn princesses out here, and apparently Wicca means one has to dress like a goth at all times, with 18 pounds of eyeliner and no less than 5 20-pound pentacles worn at any given time. I really have no desire to attract drama and mentally unstable people into my existence. *sigh*
I feel kind of horrible for saying this, because it makes me sound like a snob, but yeah, I'm pretty isolationist and most of the Pagans I'd want to be in contact with are 1. scattered around the US and a few other countries, 2. not saying "HERE I AM, I'M SPESHUUUULLLLL!" and thus attracting attention to themselves.
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Same reason I stopped going to local meetups. Kept meeting the misfits of science there and got the distinct feeling via short, to-the-point conversations and body language that I was not very welcome there. Therefore, I'll remain solitary.
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