A Couple Blog-Round-tables

For a while, I’ve known about the Kemetic Round Table, a group of bloggers that share/respond writing prompts about Kemetic Reconstructionism/Revivalism- that is Egyptian. Though not Kemetic myself, I appreciated the idea of open discussion that welcomes people of differing views within the same religion, or spiritual spectrum- there are folks who participate who are not recon, but honor Egyptian deities.

Their current topic is- What about modern priesthood? What does being a priest mean in the modern era?

Deadline March 18th, 2015 Be sure that your post is tagged #Kemetic Round Table.
We look forward to your responses!

So I was pleased to see that there is now also a Celtic Round Table (which makes me think of King Arthur!) Like KRT, it welcomes both beginners and experienced practitioners from throughout the Celtic polytheist umbrella. They are also on Tumblr here.

The March topic will be: What, if anything, is your view of the afterlife? How much of this view comes from mythology? Entries should be submitted or tagged by March 28. #celticroundtable and #celtic round table

Another one is for Pagans of any flavor with non-binary gender identities such as: agender, genderqueer, demigender, neutrois etc. Non-Binary Mysteries #NBMysteries

“This month’s theme is Solar and Lunar Symbolism.

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Optional questions to answer:

Who are the sun/moon deities that make most sense to you? Are they even from your tradition?

What bugs you most about the way solar/lunar symbology is constructed or described?

Do you have sun/moon UPG that integrates your identity?

If you don’t work with or honor sun/moon deities/energies at all, why not?

What does your solar/lunar magic look like? How much of it did you have to build by yourself from the ground up?

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Responses will be collected on March 31st.”

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Project Pagan Enough

Various places, I see people who are new to Paganism, particularly after they’ve been studying it awhile and then actually meet other Pagans ask, “To be Pagan do I have to be (identity x) dress this way, listen to this music?” While there are various hobbies, types of fashion and political opinions that are popular among many Pagans that does not mean you need to participate. You do not need to buy the “Pagan Lifestyle Combo Pack”! Now, as your spiritual path develops, you might end up questioning some types of mainstream values and social norms, or for that matter, norms and values you find among Pagans! That’s a natural part of spiritual growth.

I came across something called Project Pagan Enough a while ago, ironically from someone who was complaining that it would lead to more watering down of the definition of “Pagan”. At this point, I think a much bigger threat to our communities is all the division and in-fighting. Yes, it’s very tricky to define “Pagan”, and using more specific labels is often a better idea, and people identify with them more. But we are all such small minorities, that sometimes we do need a broader concept to band together, especially when dealing with institutions like the jail/prison system and the military. A Discordian parent faced with losing their kids in a custody dispute, a Heathen who loses their job, and a Gardnerian witch who is outed in a political race might not seem to have much in common, but they will not get very much help if they insist on only sticking with people like themselves.

Personally, I’ve had my own ups and downs with my local Pagan community, but while Druid groups came and went- or were started in places I couldn’t get access to by bus, Pagan Pride, Paganicon and the Covenant of the Goddess Northern Dawn Chapter were still there. I’ve never felt excluded for not being Wiccan, polyamorous, a cat-owner, or whatever else some may think is “required”. I know some polytheists, and various other types of people have felt excluded in their communities, and that’s wrong. I won’t deny other people’s experiences, I am just sharing my own.

1. You are Pagan Enough, because you try fervently to explore what it means to be pagan and apply it to your life, despite your physical appearance, personal tastes, level of experience, or other factor that others might use to say you are not pagan.
2. You recognize others are Pagan Enough despite how they may look, act, or believe, as long as that person feels they are fervently seeking the divine on a pagan path.
3. You attempt to debate those that have opposing viewpoints, learning from one another despite how passionate the debate becomes, instead of simply writing others off for not being up to your standard of ‘pagan’.
4. You welcome, befriend, and encourage others in the pagan community despite their physical appearance, level of experience, age, or other physical or superficial characteristic.
5. You promise to treat members of other religions and spiritual paths with equality, fairness, and grace, setting a good example for the Pagan community both in and out of the community, not judging the individuals based on fringe members of their same faith.