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What are your views on Paganism, Neo-Paganism, and Witchcraft in today's society? How do you think it's viewed now as opposed to say 10 years ago or even longer? What do you think lies ahead for 'us'? As a member of any of the above mentioned, are there certain things that you are pleased about or on the other hand nervous or scared about in today's pagan/witch community? Feel free to discuss anything that incorporates this topic, just keep it friendly. We are all adults here so some light debate and/or venting is fine, but please remain respectful.

It's almost hard to find a place to begin with this topic as there is so much I could go on and on about.

I suppose I will start with with how paganism and witchcraft are viewed by other religious groups and communities.

On a whole I'd say where you live has a great deal to do with it. Of course in small communities it's going to be met with misinformed stereotypes, assumptions, and perhaps even fear mongering. And with larger towns, it's sort of a only a slightly higher chance that it's more accepted, or at least not as discriminated against.

I also think age has something to do with it as well, and on some level can accept that notion more than others. Now, myself when I was younger, I still had a very good grasp on my spirituality. However, I will also admit being a little older and not having as many life experiences at the time, there was a lot of which I THOUGHT I knew, but really had no clue about or not to the extent that I understand now. Most people see a 13 year old kid walking around with a pentacle about their neck the size of a tea saucer and think, 'It's just a phase.' or 'They are just rebelling and wanting attention.' and while they may or may not be correct, I can sort of at least understand why they think that. Teenagers are going through so many things and exploring so many different things. Some things that will stick with them for the rest of their life, and some that will pass with in months or even weeks. And although I try to keep an open mind, honestly, if your sitting between a teenager, and a person of middle age discussing spiritual beliefs, who are you willing to bet has a better understanding of what they are talking about? Not always, but more than likely the older person. Simply because they have had more time and experiences to build and shape my spirituality. I've noticed as I've grown up, even if some people disagree, they are at least more willing to hear me out and try to understand where I'm coming from on spiritual matters, than say when I was 15. I think this is just something that, although may be very annoying for the younger generation of pagans and witches, it's something that I don't think will ever change and in a way it's sort of an initiation period if you will. If you are really comfortable in your path, stick to it, and prove that it's not just a phase or something your doing for attention.

Part of not just discrimination from those who really do not know much about pagan religions or witchcraft but as well as just inaccurate information is largely due to the internet I'd say.

In all seriousness 99.9% of the time, when I tell someone I am ether pagan or a witch, they're response is along the lines of, "Oh, so you're Wicca or Wiccan or whatever?" *sigh*

I am decidedly not Wiccan for a number of reasons but why is this the first thing most people think of? Try doing a search for Witchcraft on the internet and I guarantee you, on the first page with in at least the first five top searches, Wicca will be there somewhere. Now, nothing against Wicca, but my I use this as an example because there is a lot of false information out on it and somewhere along the line someone decided Wicca= Witchcraft in general as a synonym. There are just SOOO many sites out there with false or misleading information, and other media doesn't help ether. Now, don't get me wrong, I love movies and books like Harry Potter, The Craft, and so on and so forth, but I've explored the subject enough to understand the difference between Hollywood magic and real magic. However, sadly there are people out there, who cannot differentiate. Or are just under the notion that you can just cast a spell and get what you want- sure just through some herbs together, light some candles, and say some mumbo jumbo you read of the interwebs and sit around and wait for it to work. confused

*takes a breath*
Now onto my views on the pagan/witch community as a member of it...

I will say I am very pleased that it does seem that there are a lot more people looking into it alternative religions and practices these days.

However, it almost seems as if it's come with a price. Politics and discrimination amongst ourselves. There seems to be this very snide, arrogant, demeanor present at least in most places I've been online and in real life. Everyone has to 'prove' themselves. Now, I give credit to tradition, don't get me wrong. If you are claiming to be something, such as Wicca, or any tradition that abides by a set of morals, practices, standards or what have you, by all means be knowledgeable of them and what you speak of. It seems to me though, those who do not abide by any specific set traditions, such as myself, or those who use the term pagan in it's definition of an umbrella term for any other religion not originated of Abrahamic faiths such as Christianity, Judaism and Islam, are looked down upon. Religion is something established, you do what others have done for generations in specific ways to show your reverence. I think faith should be instinctual and personal.


Granted, I can understand frustrations with ignorant people. Perhaps like those who think they can just name off some random deity to help with with a problem that may be completely unrelated to any stories or properties associated with that particular deity. That is very rude in my opinion a waste of time and this is not what I'm condoning. Furthermore, I know a lot of people get really touchy about 'closed' cultures. Now, I'm not saying that this wrong. There are cultures that are in fact, as in non-debatable historically 'closed' We will never know to any full extent all of their exact practices. We will never know the full extent all of their beliefs unless we are apart of it or come from it, but if what we do know of those cultures calls to us, and we find a connection there, I do not think it is right to tell someone that they cannot worship those deities or follow those traditions simply because their blood line is not directly descended of said culture. Like I said before, if you are claiming knowledge of something in a historical or even mythological sense, know it well and know how to tell reliable sources from those that are not so accurate, but even still just because you know these things better than some, it doesn't mean that others experiences or less valid.

Especially in the practice of Witchcraft, it baffles me to see so many people argue about how things HAVE to be done because THIS person said so or they got it from this source. I don't know if it's a fear of self exploration and possible failure, or a need to make oneself feel special by doing it 'this' way the way 'this expert' works. Now if you are comfortable with that or doing it the way a teacher or priest/priestess has shown you or perhaps that's the only way you've gotten something to work, that's fine. To each is their own, but that's exactly my point, everyone works differently. It just really irks me when someone else's experiences and practices are null and void because they didn't hear it or read it from some famous or well known teacher or priestess or source or because it's something that they came up with on their own. THAT is bullshit. Sure books and guides can give us good references, correspondences, and suggestions, but ultimately, for spellwork to work and fulfill it's purpose, it has to come from the practitioner doing what works best for them in accordance with the situation. I refuse to listen to some one tell me that because I didn't cast Circle this certain way, or I didn't follow So-and-so's ritual format, that what I just did was all a bunch of nonsense, especially when I can FEEL the energies I worked with or that were present. I think that is what really irritates me the most because it's no worse or less close minded than religions or traditions that are so against 'us' and here we are doing it amongst ourselves. I think it's fair to say discrimination with-in our community rattles me more than that from those of different views.

Wow, I suppose I've ranted enough for the current time being.

I agree completely, but sadly you are correct some would think such a thing an atrocity and I bet you get a bit of slack about that.



I've never thought of you as such. Perhaps that bit came out a bit different than I intended. More so, I just wanted to point out to younger witches/pagans, that although this sucks, is not fair, and not always accurate, they need to look at it from an older more experienced persons view and hang in there because it'll get easier as they get older. But even with myself, there will always be someone older and wiser and more experienced. Doesn't make them more 'right' but for them to take me serious I have to acknowledge that I have still lots to learn. But I would think it a rather sad thing if there was nothing more to learn honestly.