Hey there...if anyone here has coordinated a pagan pride day in a rural area, please post and let me know how it went. I am from Minot, North Dakota, and am looking at the possibility of helping put one together, but I am curious to know about experiences other people have had putting one of these Pagan Pride events on.

Thanks and blessings,

Sparrow 

Wow! We won against the VA! It's not just a victory for the families, though they were the important parties here. Truly what happened is that they were the brave ones who won the victory for all of us. Not only will anyone who wants a pentacle on their veteran memorial marker get one, but it really brought out Wiccans and Pagans as real live populations of people who won't be ignored anymore. 

So, now what? 

I have heard two podcasts in the last week talking about this very subject. Those podcasts would be Secrets in Plain Sight, by Aiden Odinson, and From the Edge of the Circle, by Tommy Elf. These can be found out at pocastally.com or podcastpickle.com, and I highly recommend them. They both recently spoke very passionately about what we should do going forward, amongst other topics. Something Aiden said piqued my interest. He had five points regarding how we should proceed from here, and one of them was to get out of the broom closet. He has a point...(she says peeking out from behind the broom closet door).

Should we all get out of the broom closet? Well, I see his point and I think he is definitely right. The only problem is that we all need to think about how we are going to get out of the broom closet, and be aware that popping out, like Superman from his telephone booth after changing into his super suit, probably isn't the best option for most of us. Most of us have families and jobs to worry about, and coming out sometimes doesn't help us very well that way, especially if you are living in a rural, conservative area. 

I would say this about coming out of the closet: Baby steps! It's ok to let people get to know you before you come out of the broom closet. I can say that it made a difference in my case. Lettings people get to know me before they found out about my spiritual beliefs allowed them to digest the information without freaking out about it.

So, anyone else out there have success stories or advice for others when it comes to coming out of the broom closet?

Blessings and have a good week....

Sparrow 

I have been on a little bit of a hiatus from my pagan group. Well, in all honesty, it's been the better part of a year. Last fall, I just got tired of it all. I got tired of the group thing, I got tired of the drama of some of the people that also belonged to the group...but I also realized I wasn't learning anything new. I just needed to pull back and get a fresh perspective.

I realize that having passed my first degree in the tradition I am trained in, anything else is gravy. I don't have any desire whatsoever to be clergy, and most of the training that follows your first degree centers around the idea that you will lead others at one point. At this time in my life, I don't have room for leading others. I am too busy raising kids, working over time and just trying to catch up on my sleep. Having said all that, it's no excuse for not continuing my studies. I do the best I can as time allows, and that will have to be good for now. As my focus has shifted in a different direction spiritually, that's ok. 

I think the real underlying issue is that I am undergoing a transition. It's hard to quantify, but it's real and has really set me on my ear, and I am in the process of re-obtaining my equalibrium. So, as part of discovering who I am becoming and how I am changing, I will be going back out to the group in the next couple of weeks. It will be interesting to see how my energy has changed and how I feel. It will also be good to see all my friends...I sure do miss them.

LOL...I have heard so much about Covenspace, but just never got the chance to get out here. I'm looking forward to getting to know some people, and hooking up with those who are already my friends. 

 Blessings,

Sparrow