I read Mrs B’s Pagan Prompt over on her website – Confessions of a Pagan Soccer Mom – this morning. She wrote:
Today, think about what the most frustrating part of being a pagan is. Being “in the broom closet”? The cost of gathering appropriate tools? Finding the time to actually get out in nature? Not being able to find other pagans in your area? Then consider what you can do to change that thing.
I’ve spent the rest of the day pondering over the prompt and considering whether to use it as a topic for my blog today. Or not.
You see, I don’t think I have one particular thing which frustrates me about being a Pagan. There are definitely things which irritate me from time to time but I don’t have any one major issues. So I’ll share with you my little annoyances.
Here goes:
- The library doesn’t have a good selection of Pagan books.
I trawl through our local libraries on a regular basis, looking for anything in ‘my section’. I think I’ve checked out all the available books and they don’t seem to get new titles in. I also have to search in peculiar places as it’s only the bravest of libraries who actually put anything Pagan or to do with the Craft under religion. Usually I find books in psychology, conspiracy theories, reference, MBS, mythology and, the least likely of category, business. - Sometimes it’s hard to find things amongst ‘the fluff’.
There seems to be a good market for mass produced witchy/new age products. Good for the manufacturers, I suppose, but for Pagans looking for the personal touch it can be annoying. For example, we went to Glastonbury at the beginning of the year because I wanted a new pentagram for my birthday. We went in all the shops and there was nothing hand made or different. It seemed like they were all using the same supplier
- I get fed up with the stereotypical witch.
The wart infested, green skinned, heckling old hag is still used in the media and that does frustrate me. Unless it’s Halloween you’d be hard pressed to find a real life witch like that. Just a couple of weeks ago, Paul and I were watching Living TV’s Four Weddings (I can’t help a bit of reality TV from time to time…ok, every week) when they featured a Pagan wedding. It was great to see on national television but the commentator kept making stupid witch jokes. It got old after a short while. Not funny.
I’m quite fortunate that being ‘in the broom closet’ isn’t really an issue with me. I work at home so I have no colleagues to ask probing questions. My family are distant. And since we moved we haven’t really been out and about socially (this is something I do want to remedy though especially as Tabitha is getting older).
I’m blessed to be married to my best friend who follows the same path as I do. That makes life so much easier – I have an inhouse support system! I don’t think paganism is the easiest path, mainly because of other peoples misconceptions, but it’s my path. Warts and all 
I live near the sea in the south of England, but I dream of living in the country with sheep and cows for neighbours. I write, blog, craft, and feed my terrible tarot addiction. I love the magical, mystical and spiritual side of life, and believe everyone should let their inner magical sparkle shine!
It's an interesting subject.
Yes, it is difficult to get books, but then many "new" books go over the same ground. I don't tend to use libraries either but head towards any new age / standard bookshop that typically have a better range.
I also agree with the "stuff" comment, although I suppose a good pagan would be someone who would create their own (a challenge in itself). Even at a recent pagan event, I was disappointed with the number of stalls selling fairly bland stuff. The challenge though (to present the flip side) is that in some cases the home-made personalised stuff is very expensive or (frankly) looking home-made.
The stereotypical witch has ceased to bother me. Again, having met a few at a recent event, they are quite normal looking – and not the sort of thing that TV would be interested in; it is the eccentric that interests. Sadly, like many "alternative lifestyles" these are the exceptions rather than the norm and so (apparently) deserve to be held to public ridicule.
Like yourself, I have little problem with my beliefs; I have had to "come from the broom closet" so feel the need to prove that we are normal. However, I also recognise that some of my beliefs and interests would cause my immediate family some concern; just from being a good host (and not wanting to deliberately force the issue) I have just let it lie when I can,
I faced the same frustrations, being shown the way by my father and grandfather I was told to "HIDE", do nothing, and tell no one what you are.!!!
It wasn't till I had children that I "came out of the broom closet" and I'm glad I did. My husband was not a witch, but he didn't care if I was…. so I was free to raise my kids in my way.
Now, my daughter is raising her kids that way, and they are waaaaaay out of the broom closet. My 5 year old grandson told his whole class he was a witch…… so everyone knows now….. and she believes they are not treated any different then the other kids…. so I'm happy.
I was never ashamed to follow my goddess, but I was shown how by the older generation that had all that fear in them….
I would go up to the library and say ….. "Look, pagans are a legal religion now, just like the catholic and others…. and I would like more books about it here…" then add…"maybe I can help you pick out some to order so that people get "real" books not the fluff stuff." You may be surprised how they respond!!!
.-= Judit´s last blog ..OK, I've had enough!!!!!! =-.
When I first started out I did go to the library for books, but mostly found mainstreamy stuff that I got bored with pretty fast. I bought some of my own books and borrowed some from other coven members. I pretty much learned on the fly by finding folks of like mind. Where I am there are lots of us so I am lucky.
I'm also lucky I don't have to be in the broom closet. While I don't flaunt it in my parents' faces I don't hide it either. At work I freely wear my pentacle and have an "altar" in my cubicle – which has received very curious and interesting compliments.
Being a part of Ozark Avalon Church of Nature is also one of the very good perks of living where I do. It is a large Pagan land sanctuary and a legally recognized church. I love the place and the caretakers are great friends of ours for many many years.
Being a Priestess, I take it on myself to correct misconceptions and am always open to honest and sincere questions. I even managed to convince a serious Bible thumper that we are NOT devil worshippers…and at the end of the conversation he had a lot more understanding than he did before. I felt please I could put a good face on our religion for him, and I know he will take that back to his church.
Cheers! And Blessed Be
.-= Moon HalloranLeady´s last blog ..I’m looking, I’m looking, I’m blogging ~ aka how I hooked up with a bunch of long lost folks on Facebook on my 44th birthday =-.
I had the same issue with books at the library when I started out. Thankfully, my library did have some great books on mythology from around the world, great books on herbs, and a great astronomy section. I think I got more out of those than I did a lot of pagan themed books!
I don't mind the green faced hag thing too much anymore. It used to make me crazy! As an "out of the broom closet" witch, I like to think that I make a difference, at least in my community, in breaking down the stereotypes, since I'm such a "regular person" as opposed to what so many people think a witch should look like, lol!
Thanks for sharing!
.-= Mrs.B.´s last blog ..New Giveaway Today! =-.
Last year my daughter came home from school with history lessons regarding religion. Unfortunatley, ours was not mentioned. She said at lunch some other girls got into the conversation about beliefs. She was asked what her religion was, she said she had no comment and the girls began to press her. When one of the girls flat out ask if she believed in God and angels. She refused to answer and the girl said to her you don't believe you are going to hell.
The major issue is our beliefs are taught through church as devil worship and not as it really is. So explaining to others is not that simple. I feel if one religion is taught all should be taught. They refer to it as a history lesson, pagan is very historical.
Needless to say, we live in a small town (25000) and the girls in her group could not wait to tell everyone. She still has not fully told anyone her beliefs (ones she has been taught since she was born).
Another thing is we are having a very hard time finding a group in our area. How do we find one to share our goodness with?
Belladonna
I think my only frustration is that my ex friends from my 'born again' days truly believe I am the Devil's Daughter and give me a very wide berth. As for the rest – when you reach a certain age things don't matter quite so much. As I approach the big 60 (two more years to go! Oh no!)I love to be eccentric. If I feel like it I will die my grey locks red and paint my toenails black – if I can manage to see what I am doing! Lol! I burn my candles and sing my 'spells' and if I want to hug trees I do that too. I collect feathers and pick up windfall fruits and branches. I talk to the birds and the cats and they talk back. As a Solitary very few people know or care what I am or do. I am blessed. I know things would be so much harder if I was younger and still had a social life! My kids are grown and flown (apart from my eldest son who has mild Autism) and they and their partners indulge me as batty old mum. Hmmm….
i am a new entry into the pagan world but thinking back too my mother i am sure she was into the ways with her spititual healing,rosicrucians and such like i do wish i had asked her more but it is too late now…
so many coincidences have happened too me in the last few months i must have been a witch in the waiting room and now have seen the light..