This jackal's path is a pretty solitary one. Indeed, I do walk another path that has many others following the same map and we are brothers and sisters in our faith and our temple. But the path which I have been documenting on this blog has been a largely solitary one since I began walking it 12-13 years ago. And I like it that way! Well, most of the time.
Sometimes, I feel the need to reach out and connect with others who might be walking similar paths as mine--paths that are not exactly parallel but are within earshot. I think it's both healthy for the mind and the spirituality to engage with others who have similar, if not the same interests and spiritual goals as yourself. In fact, that's one of the reasons I started this blog! I've met some very awesome people and have come across all kinds of new ideas and challenging questions! But, sometimes, it's also good to meet, commune, socialize, and engage with other like-minded folk in physical space, no? Good thing I live in a big city, right? NOT.
I live in one of America's top 5 most largest and most populous cities and can count on one hand the number of other Pagans I have met in this city. I know many who live around my city (e.g., in the suburbs or the next state over) but only a handful who are within easy commuting distance. What is up with that?
I'm thinking of maybe starting a meet-up or a study group. But I'm not looking to start my own coven or particularly share in rituals with others. Perhaps I will if I get to know this as-of-yet hypothetical group but the point would be more social and communal than fraternal and spiritual. But I bet trying to track down and group together a bunch of Pagans would be much like herding the proverbial cats. I think maybe I'll try to find some people and begin a chill meet-up in a coffee shop and maybe a movie night at my apartment.
Do you have a community in your area? Do you regularly engage them? Is having a community or others of like-mind important to you? Or, are you completely content to keep your spiritual life completely and utterly separate and solitary?
I have been a solitary for almost two decades (Hm, just dated myself, huh) Heck, when you look this good (and are this modest) at 34 you don't have to hide it ;-)
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I've been a solitary forever; there aren't that many people who follow truly eclectic Witchcraft, especially when mostly expressed through storytelling and dancing. But I keep up with my community. I attend a local public drumming circle that is as eclectic as one can be: Pagans, Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, and one Hindu guy who tries to get special treatment because he is the only Hindu guy in the circle (we abuse him by making him dance, so he understands how much we love him).
I had a group while I lived in the D.C. and then another when I moved to the Midwest. I focused the groups around eclectic spiritual reading, dancing, even cooking! We had workshops (when someone requested it, but rarely). We mostly discussed philosophy of religion and had open rituals. I passed the group over after I moved East, but unfortunately it dissolved a few months later (I was told the new organizer labelled herself a high priestess and everything went downhill from there).
In short, groups are nice and fun, but for me there has always been that fine line. I think I'm allergic to covens ;-)
I din't meant to comment-jack your post.
P.S. I hope that write-witchy-stuff spell I put on you is working. Ha!
ReplyDeleteLOL Magaly!
ReplyDeleteI think it is.
I've already started writing something of a Midsummer myth.