An Open Letter to Mainstream Pagans, Heathens and Witches
Dear normal people of the Pagan movement. First of all let me state that I am very happy to see you, and your adorable children joining up. Witchy Soccer Mom are sooooo cute, and it’s nice to have real professionals (like lawyers) not afraid to call themselves Wiccan, or Druid, or whatever in public now. In no way do I want to chase you out of this big old stone soup of religions and magickal practices.
However, I want to make a few things clear to you.
There is no way in cold, dark Hel I am going to go mainstream myself. So please stop trying to paint all of Paganism with the same white bread, suburban, brush. Please stop pretending that you are somehow better than the goth kid with the giant pentacle, or the naked hippy chick at fest.
Those naked hippy chicks were out there, bare assed naked earning us the right to be naked back in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s … they also lead the way for us to be recognized as real faiths. They build the first Pagan organizations and it’s the now grey haired naked hippy chicks that fight to get pentacles on the gravestones of Wiccan soldiers. So stop looking down your nose at that naked hippy chick with dreadlocks in her hair, stop telling her to put some clothes on, and show a little respect.
Now, about those goth kids out in the world wearing giant pentacles and Thor’s hammers for all to see. While you all were hiding in your broom closets, those goth kids and their giant pentacle were being spit on, beat up and pushed around. It was their tenacity to keep showing up at school or the mall, sporting a giant pentacle and a black eye and spit in their purple hair that made those bullies give up … so that you could feel safe to come out of your broom closet. So please stop acting like those goth kids don’t exist or don’t have the same rights as a Pagan or Witch that you do.
I have just as much of a right to show up at Circle in a motorcycle jacket as you do in pink sweater vest. In fact, it may very well be that because I’m in a biker jacket that those assholes calling nasty names at us from the otherside of the park are staying on the otherside of the park. Cause seriously pink sweater vests make you look like a pussy. But hey, if you like them, then wear them. I would never tell you what to wear.
So please, keep spreading Paganism in the suburbs, I think it’s awesome. Just don’t think you can drive the rest of us away or turn a messy little Hedgewitch into Martha Stewart.
Okay? Thanks!
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All I can say is “WELL SAID!!!”
I wont lie, there’s nothing surprising about my appearance. I wear jeans and sweaters (note: not sweater vests), I wear my pentacles and pagan jewelry discretely (delicate earrings, rings or pendants). My hair isn’t dreaded or dyed any unnatural color, and my makeup is straight out of the cover-girl catalogue. I’d hardly say that qualifies me as “cute,” though, and definitely not a pussy. I don’t feel I need to attend Circle sky-clad in order to be taken seriously by the wilder souls. At least I hope I don’t.
That being said, I have no problem with other pagans being naked/goth/hippies. It’s one thing not to choose that for myself, but quite another to try to choose that for another. I respect people who aren’t afraid to be themselves. MY self happens to be comfortable in jeans and sweaters. I don’t have the patients for the up-keep of a goth look, I personally look stupid in broom skirts, and I don’t have the money to pay for an indecent exposure fine, lol!
But it isn’t just the naked witches with gray dreads out there fighting for pagan rights! I hope you don’t think that all “normal people of the pagan movement,” as people who look down on hippies and goths. I recognize the contributions made by each individual pagan, especially those who have fought for their rights! I’m just happier in jeans
Like I said, I’d never tell you what to wear
Hi Juniper,
I really like this post! I think that while I personally don’t choose to go around with my bare bits in the wind or wear the shiny pentacle hubcap around my neck, those that do have their reasons. As long as they are sincere (which, of course, is a tricky term as a 16 year-old is VERY sincere, even if what they’re sincere about doesn’t last), I have no problem with it. I also feel the same way about folks bashing newbie witches or seekers who come from a “fluffy” background. Honestly, I think about 95% of the witches and pagans I’ve met started with something from Ravenwolf or Cunningham or at least something with a Llewellyn symbol on the spine. And most of them are where they are today because of those foundations, even if they reject them now.
At any rate, I just wanted to say good post! I’m really enjoying the new podcast, too! Please keep up the great work!
All the best!
Juniper, you have nicely summed up my reasons for becoming and remaining solitary.
Great writing Juniper, keep it up!!!!
I get what you are saying Juni, I’ve never looked terribly mainstream – I was on the fringes as an earthy looking neo-hippy in a high school filled with streaked hair, guess jeans and fake tans… sometimes it was hard to get people to take me seriously. That’s kind of evaporated as I got older though… I have no idea what people would classify me as these days. I guess it depends on what day you see me… what does it mean if I own a motorcycle jacket, punk boots, hippy caftans, *and* lululemon yoga wear??? Not all at once tho, mind you
.
I would definitely echo the point made by another commenter above, about not all mainstream *looking* pagans being mainstream *thinking* pagans – how we *look* and what we are *capable of* are two very different things. I’m constantly surprised by people of all ilks – you never know what you are going to get until you open the package!!! Ripping the paper off is half the fun!!!
Now, I am not the sort of person who takes things personally and I often don’t understand why others do (must have some kind of defect).
If I read something and it doesn’t apply to me, then it doesn’t apply to me. So if you are an “ordinary” Pagan or Soccer Witch Mom who doesn’t treat others with disrespect …well … then it doesn’t apply to you does it?
Well said. Can’t judge a book by its cover, but we do get away with wearing really casual clothing out west in business attire…..hehehe…
And the tattoos…..gosh, that is mainstream out here. I feel a little naked, but my health now won’t let me get one. I have already asked a couple of artists.
Liked this post a lot. What is mainstream now anyway!!! I have no idea, I take no notice. I think if your comfortable and happy then so what. You can not judge a book by its cover. Some people shout it out through clothes they where, some people prefer to be more subtle or just plain comfortable. One of my peeves is being judged or people being judgemental.
Thank you! This made my night!!! I can’t tell you how much crap I’ve gotten for being a gothic pagan. Again, thank you!!