Fall Changes

This fall has been seriously wiggy. It's been one thing after another, which is enough to upset my OCD, but I understand that the gods have spoken so I'm doing my best to go along with the changes in order to best serve Them.

Currenly, we are working on two networking groups here in Phoenix. One is for GLBT Pagans, and the other is for those of us who just don't fit well with the general Pagan population. We are not your standard, European wiccan-celtic types, we don't use a Celtic calendar for holidays, and we don't put air in the north or fire in the south. We don't fit in. So we need our own networking group. I must say that the GLBTs are coming together quicker than the others. How to refer to the other type.... hmmm...... The 'others' have been solitary for so long that I think there's a lot of mistrust, not to mention ego, getting in the way of setting up a networking meeting. Not to form a new group; just to network. Well, one thing at a time.

The gods will lead the way, so I listen.

I've also been hearing things to do with organizing the Pagans. Again. People, I was listing to this argument 20 years ago, the concept isn't new. It's also not workable. All the arguments for organization are coming from the Wiccan quarter. "We're already fractured, why create a separate group for the gays and lesbians? We need to come together." This is the argument of someone who has no understanding of how the basic wiccan-type ritual stands against someone GLBT. And yes, no matter what pantheon you are following, if you are calling quarters, using Lord and Lady, going clock-wise and putting elements north-air, east-air, south-fire, west-water, and doing the whole knife in a cup thing, you are doing it wiccan-style. Or should I say Masonic-style.... And the people arguing for this so-called unification are the ones who assume that everyone else does their rituals this way and that any other way isn't right. How Christian of you....

I'll give you an example of what happens when people try to organize a group: ADF members are told they can only use certain books, on an approved list, for their reference material when planning and teaching their groves. Members must pass written exams. Members must submit reports on their rituals. Members must get prior approval from the ADF mothergrove if they want to change something in the ritual. Members must pay an annual membership fee. Organized? Sure. It also describes a cult.

Our greatest strength, as a Pagan community, is our diversity. We can't afford to create rules that govern the entire community. Let it go, folks, and live your life in the glowing love of the gods. It isn't your place to tell someone else how to worship. Pagans should be the last people to ever tell someone else how to worship. Or who to worship. Pay attention to the lessons of history.

Back to writing my sci-fi story. Sorry, but I have a starship commander on the operating table and his partner is getting antsy about it.

BB,
Michele