Members of Pagan Groups...

[karmachallenged]

Here's a random question... what do you LOVE about your current group and what do you HATE about it?

For those of you who aren't in a group, but would join one if the perfect one came along... what would you be looking for in a group?

[Faelon_Moon_Hawk]

Here's a random question... what do you LOVE about your current group and what do you HATE about it?

For those of you who aren't in a group, but would join one if the perfect one came along... what would you be looking for in a group?


I'm not in one...but my ideal group would be one that either was a similar Path to me, or a group that was more a study group type deal. Though regarudless I'd want the people in it to be geniuine, to be my friends, to be absolutely trustwrothy and nice people.I'd want my group to be open to change and willing to have some fun. I'd want it to be supportive both for magickal and mundane things.

[RoseKitten]

I tried out a group, but there are lots of things I don't like, so I'm not really with them anymore LoL. My biggest issue was that they met in a room that had lots of stuffed (real) animal... it was too sad, I cried everytime I looked that way. *sigh* But, they're also not very... organized? They're really nice, but the group just talk about what people need, spread energy, but don't actually teach anything. Then the do a money dance.. *sigh* I don't do too well with organized religion anyways LoL :toofless:

[Alanea]

I'm not personally in a group, but I'm decently open to joining one. I really haven't declared what my path is, so ideally it would be a group with a lot of different practices involved. Not so much because I consider myself eclectic...but more for the fact that if I were drawn to something, there would be someone there to give advice. Most importantly the group would have to have a lot of people with experience. If there's no one to learn from - with actual experience in what they're talking about - I don't know if I can take the whole thing seriously.

Group work could be fun, but I think I'm more solitary. For now anyway ;)

[Sylvan]

The current group I circle with is all right. It's very relaxed, open, and made up mainly of family members (cousins and such), so it's nice. We do new stuff alot, and anybody who wants to lead, can. I like it because there's no rules, not strict, not uncomfortable at all.

But the down side of that is that there's no structure at all, either. Every time we get together, there's a new ritual script that gets passed out, we never do anything the same way twice. There is no teaching, which is all right, but there are children under age 10 at every circle, so nothing "serious" can be done, ever. Just once, I'd like a childfree circle with maybe a meditation or something. Most of the time it feels like ritual is just something to get out of the way quickly so the eating and chatting part can start. The circle boundaries are never respected... If someone decides they want to go into another room, it's stated that "Oh, when we cast circle, we cast it around the whole house... yeah."

I miss the days when I first got involved, when there was at least a *little* structure to things... When there were no little ones underfoot...

[Dawa Lhamo]

I love the fact that they're family (literally and figuratively), and that we click so well. Until I went to college, I hadn't ever really worked with anyone but my coven, so I didn't realize how well we clicked. I love the fact that we're all friends, in addition to being magical partners. I love how open we are to new things, while having strong traditions and structure.

I hate. Well, I don't *hate* anything about it. I'd say I have some things I dislike or that I'd rather we did better. I'd rather it not be so laid-back, at times, with regard to planning events and with regard to advancement. Actually, I would just prefer it if it ran more like it did 10 years ago. But you know, that's all fixable.

Tashi delek!
Dawa Lhamo

[9-2-2]

I try to avoid Pagan or occult groups. I've been in only a few, and each time everyone seemed more serious about politics and being a freakin' petty idiot with only a superficial and passing concern for truth, wisdom, and knowledge. I've only been in a single group that wasn't that way, but the mentor just cut out after everyone started spilling their life problems about everything. I believe that mentors are there to help, but they're not freakin' therapists, and they're not their to hold hands.

The only "group" I'm in consists of myself and my fiance. We work out the b.s. just fine, and we work well together magickally to learn, explore, or to get things done. A lot of magickal groups are going to have a big beef about our beliefs, and there'll be more arguing about that than time spent on doing things. So I try to avoid groups, except when I want to join for entertainment value.

[cheddarsox]

In my group, I love the beauty and energy that we create when we do a group ritual, program or discussion. People really bring themselves authentically to the table, and share their energy.

What I hate is everyone using the excuse "I don't know enough to lead a program or help with a ritual" As if there is some expert or professional who will swoop in and do for our group.
People won't accept any responsibility for the group, they just want to harvest the goodies.

cheddar