Saw a fellow pagan today...

[Fireheart]

Usually when I go into the "New Age" section of Books A Million, I'm the only one there (I live in a really conservative section of SC, so big surprise there). But today, I was almost knocked over by a guy who was looking at the witchcraft books as well...it was surreal. I'm used to being the odd man out lol. Anyone else fairly alone in their area?

[Gypsyballad]

Jeez, I'm so alone it's pathetic! Lol. I usually buy my books from Amazon.com.

[aranarose]

I get most of my books from Amazon too, but go to Borders occasionally. I like being able to browse through books before I buy them, and it's easier to see them on the shelf and say, "Oh, that's new!" than it is to try to find all the books on Amazon. I'll often make note of the books at Borders that I was interested in, then see if I can get them cheaper online, which is usually the case.

Seeing anyone in that section at Borders is so rare. And usually, when I do see someone else, it's giggling teenagers chittering over Silver Ravenwolf, and how they'll cast the spell to get so-and-so boy to like them.

[sidhe]

I see a fellow pagan almost every day...

...but not counting my partner, only when I go to the grocery store at the right time and pass the cashier with the pentacle.

(barring public rituals I go to...as far as day-to-day life, that's it)

[LostSheep]

Well, I suppose the fact that these big chain bookstores have sections on those subjects means that there must be some demand for them.

[Toby Stimpson]

Nope :).

But I live in Toronto during the majority of the year where everything udner the sun lives. In my building there were a bunch of people from Kazakhstan living there. So I never feel alone :)

[Tanya]

When that happens I always make sure to smile and say "Hi"

Along that line, my belly dance teacher has a pentacle watch and wears an ankh.

how does one introduce one self to the subject?
"Hey I notcied your jewlery, and know what it means. Are you part of a local coven around here?"


that seems a little... agressive...


however... witches have identified themselves to me similarly....when asked once about my tattoo, I said "Well its a really spiritual thing...." (thus not inviting further discussion

but the person said, "Is it because your a pagan? I'm a pagan too...."

which in fact I was quite pleased and surprized to hear

[aranarose]

When that happens I always make sure to smile and say "Hi"

Along that line, my belly dance teacher has a pentacle watch and wears an ankh.

how does one introduce one self to the subject?
"Hey I notcied your jewlery, and know what it means. Are you part of a local coven around here?"


that seems a little... agressive...


however... witches have identified themselves to me similarly....when asked once about my tattoo, I said "Well its a really spiritual thing...." (thus not inviting further discussion

but the person said, "Is it because your a pagan? I'm a pagan too...."

which in fact I was quite pleased and surprized to hear

I just say something like, "Nice necklace," and smile sweetly at them. It lets them know that I know what it means, and gives them the opportunity to engage in discussion if they so desire.

Now, imagine my surprise upon meeting the wife of one of my professor's and seeing a gorgeous pentagram necklace!

[LostSheep]

When that happens I always make sure to smile and say "Hi"

Along that line, my belly dance teacher has a pentacle watch and wears an ankh.

how does one introduce one self to the subject?
"Hey I notcied your jewlery, and know what it means. Are you part of a local coven around here?"


that seems a little... agressive...


however... witches have identified themselves to me similarly....when asked once about my tattoo, I said "Well its a really spiritual thing...." (thus not inviting further discussion

but the person said, "Is it because your a pagan? I'm a pagan too...."

which in fact I was quite pleased and surprized to hear
That's a good point. I do think that things like that can be useful in recognising people, but I don't know what the recommended procedure is if you do. Should you jump out at them and shout "Blessed be!" or something? That would make me a little alarmed.

:-/

[sidhe]

When that happens I always make sure to smile and say "Hi"

Along that line, my belly dance teacher has a pentacle watch and wears an ankh.

how does one introduce one self to the subject?
"Hey I notcied your jewlery, and know what it means. Are you part of a local coven around here?"


that seems a little... agressive...


however... witches have identified themselves to me similarly....when asked once about my tattoo, I said "Well its a really spiritual thing...." (thus not inviting further discussion

but the person said, "Is it because your a pagan? I'm a pagan too...."

which in fact I was quite pleased and surprized to hear

Usually, if I see someone wearing a pentacle (or any other clearly pagan piece of jewelry) I just say, "Like your necklace/ring/tattoo/forehead branding" with a smile, and pull mine out from under my shirt.

My partner does the same, but points to the huge pentacle tattooed into her sleeves.

Usually, that's well received.

[Phoenix]

I got lucky in moving to Halifax. A couple girls around my age (26) who work at the local new age shop (little mysteries) started a facebook group called Nova Scotia Pagan Alliance. We meet up once a month and have a discussion on various topics that usually lasts around two hours and have done a couple of rituals together. We have a wide range of people both in age, experience and beliefs and we are never at a loss for topics (next week is magickal tools).

[Ladybug1258]

My town is small old and rather narrow in its views, as well as under-represented by book stores. The only game in town is the local Walmart! Needless to say there are very few opportuniteis to meet and greet fellow pagans, so I never see anyone. I usually order my books like a few others....from Amazon or Pentacle Press. PP has much lower prices than Amazon in many cases, but less in selection.

[Caitlin.ann]

Usually when I go into the "New Age" section of Books A Million, I'm the only one there (I live in a really conservative section of SC, so big surprise there). But today, I was almost knocked over by a guy who was looking at the witchcraft books as well...it was surreal. I'm used to being the odd man out lol. Anyone else fairly alone in their area?

Hah, I run into a pagan practically every time I put on my pentacle. It still makes me really happy to run into others. The other day I was completing a transaction for a lady at work and as I was giving her the total of her purchase she said "Nice Cernunnos pendant". I was like "what? Most people have no idea what it is, they like it but they have no idea!" She was like "There are a lot more of us around than you may think". Hehe I was so happy I had to froth at the mouth about it to another pagan lady I work with. So far that I know of there are two other pagans and a gnostic that I've talked to about it..oh and one of my bosses who is a pantheist and goes to ren faires (and who also loves my Cernunnos necklace). I feel like I can be so open its great. I've had several customers who recognize my pentacle as well and it happens now more than ever. It does always give me a boost of energy and happiness when that happens. :)

[Crysiira]

I've run into exactly zero around here. This is a very churchy town; I think pagans probably hide themselves well, and for a good reason! There is a place in town that does "spiritual cleansing," but ... That just sounds a bit too new-agey for me. There's also a New Age section in the local book store, but it's mostly crystal healing and other super-new-agey type stuff. Oddly, there's a handbook on how to self-initiate into the Correllian Wiccan tradition. ?? Whatever.

I try to go to the metaphysical shops in Madison, which is about an hour away... and the nearest group that has regular meetings (at least that I know of) is Circle Sanctuary which is at least an hour and a half away....

If I were to see another pagan in town, and not the "scary kid" kind or the crystal-swinger kind, I'd be very pleasantly surprised.

[Gypsyballad]

I get most of my books from Amazon too, but go to Borders occasionally. I like being able to browse through books before I buy them, and it's easier to see them on the shelf and say, "Oh, that's new!" than it is to try to find all the books on Amazon. I'll often make note of the books at Borders that I was interested in, then see if I can get them cheaper online, which is usually the case.

Seeing anyone in that section at Borders is so rare. And usually, when I do see someone else, it's giggling teenagers chittering over Silver Ravenwolf, and how they'll cast the spell to get so-and-so boy to like them.

Great idea!

[_Mo_]

Ugh, I'm in Kentucky, in a small rural town no less. It's outside a bigger city (Louisville), though, so I don't have long to travel if I get really lonely. I've never met another Pagan, though (that I know of). Our town bookstore doesn't have a New Age section, unfortunately. :(

[LostSheep]

I get most of my books from Amazon too, but go to Borders occasionally. I like being able to browse through books before I buy them, and it's easier to see them on the shelf and say, "Oh, that's new!" than it is to try to find all the books on Amazon. I'll often make note of the books at Borders that I was interested in, then see if I can get them cheaper online, which is usually the case.


that seems a good idea. The trouble with buying anything over the net is that it's a bit of gamble; you're relying on other people's opinions, you can't leaf through it before you buy, and I like to check anything thoroughly before I commit myself. I like to see what they smell like, but then, I am odd.
:hrmm:

[aranarose]

I've run into exactly zero around here. This is a very churchy town; I think pagans probably hide themselves well, and for a good reason! There is a place in town that does "spiritual cleansing," but ... That just sounds a bit too new-agey for me. There's also a New Age section in the local book store, but it's mostly crystal healing and other super-new-agey type stuff. Oddly, there's a handbook on how to self-initiate into the Correllian Wiccan tradition. ?? Whatever.

I try to go to the metaphysical shops in Madison, which is about an hour away... and the nearest group that has regular meetings (at least that I know of) is Circle Sanctuary which is at least an hour and a half away....

If I were to see another pagan in town, and not the "scary kid" kind or the crystal-swinger kind, I'd be very pleasantly surprised.


Corellian Tradition=Witchschool.com Actually, they're a pretty decent tradition, with legal ordinations, an actual physical campus, and a worldwide support network. If you're a newbie, and want to learn, it's a good way to go. Last I knew, the First Degree is free. Been awhile since I've been there, though I do have a lifetime membership.

[Catiana]

When that happens I always make sure to smile and say "Hi"

Along that line, my belly dance teacher has a pentacle watch and wears an ankh.

how does one introduce one self to the subject?
"Hey I notcied your jewlery, and know what it means. Are you part of a local coven around here?"

that seems a little... agressive...


however... witches have identified themselves to me similarly....when asked once about my tattoo, I said "Well its a really spiritual thing...." (thus not inviting further discussion

but the person said, "Is it because your a pagan? I'm a pagan too...."

which in fact I was quite pleased and surprized to hear

Actually this has happened to me twice in the past two weeks. The first time, I walked into a store a lady came up to me saw my pentacle and straight out asked if I was a solitary and the second time was at work, someone came up to my desk, saw my triple goddess necklace and straight out asked me if I worshipped the triple goddess.

[BlackLili]

My tattoos don't come out on display as often as they used to, but I tend to have other Pagans gravitate towards me when they do. One is a pentacle among other symbols, but they seem to see that one most.

The weirdest time was when a girl at our Community festival came up to me, touched my tat (which is really sensitive and went zing!), backed up, pointed to her pentacle necklace, held it out towards me, put her fingers to her lips as if to shush me, and then skittered off without a word.

Kid was probably on LSD or something but man it was the weirdest one.

[sidhe]

I once thought I'd met a kindred spirit when I was at work. I turned out to be very wrong. Guy was talking about how he wanted to buy Boleskine, and I mentioned that I wanted to visit, as it had been owned by Crowley and all.

He asked if I was in the OTO, so I honestly answered "No..." and was about to continue into my personal path with Thelema, since obviously this guy was familiar with the construct...when he said...

"Good, but you probably dabble in satanism anyway. That's why I carry my Bible with me everywhere, to protect me from people like you."

...he then held up his Bible between us and backed out the door.

Were I not at work, my reaction would've been to snatch the Bible from him, hiss, and say "Look. I touch it, and it does not burn me. We do not fear you, and you cannot hurt us. Run. Now."

...but I'm melodramatic like that.

Isn't living in the Bible Belt fun?

[Crysiira]

Corellian Tradition=Witchschool.com Actually, they're a pretty decent tradition, with legal ordinations, an actual physical campus, and a worldwide support network. If you're a newbie, and want to learn, it's a good way to go. Last I knew, the First Degree is free. Been awhile since I've been there, though I do have a lifetime membership.


Oh, I know. I'm sure it's useful to some. I'm just extremely unstructured, and I like it that way. Corellian Tradition is a bit too much structure for my taste. I just found it odd that there was a book on self-initiation when so many Wiccan traditions would prefer if you join a coven... But they're not all the same, so who knows...

[MoonBreath]

hmm, the only people i met in the flesh who i knew where pagans was a couple at college who where pantheists. My boyfriend though and a few of of his friends are atheists.

[Flux]

The weirdest time was when a girl at our Community festival came up to me, touched my tat (which is really sensitive and went zing!), backed up, pointed to her pentacle necklace, held it out towards me, put her fingers to her lips as if to shush me, and then skittered off without a word.

How odd!

I honestly haven't run into any!

[Astara Seague]

Im surprised it freaked you out so..
I run across them now and again..
even here in Utah:hehehehe:

the thing to remember is to each thier own just cause they are pagans doesnt mean they follow your path..:smile:

[Louisvillian]

Anyone else fairly alone in their area?
There's only, like, two or three other Wiccans/Pagans that I know, and are good friends with. I rarely saw them outside of school, although one of them I talk to on MSN frequently. Apparently, there are some Wiccan covens in Louisville, but they're all hardcore Gardnerian and I have no desire to look for them; though, there is a free Pagan Pride festival in Louisville every year that attracts a broad spectrum of paths.

Oh, and on the subject of books- I usually go to Half-Price Books. They have a decent-sized Occult/Pagan/New-Age section, and at good prices, too. :uhhuhuh:

[Caitlin.ann]

There's only, like, two or three other Wiccans/Pagans that I know, and are good friends with. I rarely saw them outside of school, although one of them I talk to on MSN frequently.

Oh, and on the subject of books- I usually go to Half-Price Books. They have a decent-sized Occult/Pagan/New-Age section, and at good prices, too. :uhhuhuh:

Oh there are A LOT of pagans in Louisville. TONS.

[Astara Seague]

ours are mostly in the closet here...

[Louisvillian]

Oh there are A LOT of pagans in Louisville. TONS.
I know. But I don't know any of them. :p
I'm planning on going to the next Louisville pagan festival they have. Try to meet some other like-minded pagans in the river city.

[Caitlin.ann]

I know. But I don't know any of them. :p
I'm planning on going to the next Louisville pagan festival they have. Try to meet some other like-minded pagans in the river city.

Oh I hope I can go too. I missed it last year but I hear it was great. Go to Moon Struck or other local pagan stores. Moon Struck has a celebration every sabbat. :)

There seem to be a lot concentrated in the highlands. :)

[Miss Dana]

I once thought I'd met a kindred spirit when I was at work. I turned out to be very wrong. Guy was talking about how he wanted to buy Boleskine, and I mentioned that I wanted to visit, as it had been owned by Crowley and all.

He asked if I was in the OTO, so I honestly answered "No..." and was about to continue into my personal path with Thelema, since obviously this guy was familiar with the construct...when he said...

"Good, but you probably dabble in satanism anyway. That's why I carry my Bible with me everywhere, to protect me from people like you."

...he then held up his Bible between us and backed out the door.

Were I not at work, my reaction would've been to snatch the Bible from him, hiss, and say "Look. I touch it, and it does not burn me. We do not fear you, and you cannot hurt us. Run. Now."

...but I'm melodramatic like that.

Isn't living in the Bible Belt fun?

:hehehehe: Too bad you were at work.

I've moved around a lot and have met a couple friends who are pagan, but I have yet to find any in the area I live in now. It's one of my goals to find a pagan community closer to me. My friend Jacob found a little new age shop out by where he lives/I used to live. They run a wide range of activities, and nicely welcomed us to a sabbat celebration. It's too bad I don't live in that area anymore. We met some nice people.

[MoonBreath]

Mentioning pagan festivals helped me to remember that a city near to where i live, Columbia, has a pagan pride day festival every year. I think the one this year is in September. I'll have to see if i can drag my boyfriend along :smile:

[Bettie]

I once thought I'd met a kindred spirit when I was at work. I turned out to be very wrong. Guy was talking about how he wanted to buy Boleskine, and I mentioned that I wanted to visit, as it had been owned by Crowley and all.

He asked if I was in the OTO, so I honestly answered "No..." and was about to continue into my personal path with Thelema, since obviously this guy was familiar with the construct...when he said...

"Good, but you probably dabble in satanism anyway. That's why I carry my Bible with me everywhere, to protect me from people like you."

...he then held up his Bible between us and backed out the door.

Were I not at work, my reaction would've been to snatch the Bible from him, hiss, and say "Look. I touch it, and it does not burn me. We do not fear you, and you cannot hurt us. Run. Now."

...but I'm melodramatic like that.

Isn't living in the Bible Belt fun?

I wish I met people like that... much lulz to be had with them, I think... :lol:

[LostSheep]

The weirdest time was when a girl at our Community festival came up to me, touched my tat (which is really sensitive and went zing!), backed up, pointed to her pentacle necklace, held it out towards me, put her fingers to her lips as if to shush me, and then skittered off without a word.

Kid was probably on LSD or something but man it was the weirdest one.

_inabox_ , I think.


I wish I met people like that... much lulz to be had with them, I think...

Sheep, too, never meets anyone likethat. he feels that it might be amusing.

[sidhe]

I wish I met people like that... much lulz to be had with them, I think... :lol:

I get the creme-de-la-creme of crazy at work. I was once quietly getting some stuff done in the back room, and suddenly heard whooping, hollering, and speaking in tongues out front. The spirit had moved some people to have a little revival near the Childrens' DVDs.

[SacredWithin]

Every time I go to the bookstore, I make sure to hang out in those sections just in case I notice the jewelry or something that they're wearing. That always strikes up the conversations. And oh yeah, we must not forget about the book they've picked up as well. :-) I usually don't buy the books in the bookstores. I'm all about bargains and I usually go to chill out or check out the latest goods. :hehehehe:

[Solya]

I think we have a fairly active pagan community over here where I live, but I am generally speaking quite the loner and prefer online contacts instead. :) I am mostly active within communities of young pagans and meet up with some of their members every once in a while. It's always great fun, but I am also always glad I can go home afterwards and do some solitary work.

[SacredWithin]

I am mostly active within communities of young pagans and meet up with some of their members every once in a while. It's always great fun, but I am also always glad I can go home afterwards and do some solitary work.

I agree. :-)

[Miss Dana]

I get the creme-de-la-creme of crazy at work. I was once quietly getting some stuff done in the back room, and suddenly heard whooping, hollering, and speaking in tongues out front. The spirit had moved some people to have a little revival near the Childrens' DVDs.

:rotfl: I wonder what got them so inspired in the Childrens' dvds.

[Fireheart]

Were I not at work, my reaction would've been to snatch the Bible from him, hiss, and say "Look. I touch it, and it does not burn me. We do not fear you, and you cannot hurt us. Run. Now."

...but I'm melodramatic like that.

Isn't living in the Bible Belt fun?

Ha. Hahahhahahaha. I wish I were that clever. :giggle:


I get the creme-de-la-creme of crazy at work. I was once quietly getting some stuff done in the back room, and suddenly heard whooping, hollering, and speaking in tongues out front. The spirit had moved some people to have a little revival near the Childrens' DVDs.

Veggie Tales. Does it every time. :hahugh:

[Meadhbh]

God is in the children's DVD section don't you know?

[sidhe]

I think it's the "Hermie the Caterpillar" DVDs.

Though the time a prayer-and-praise session got going over "Avatar: The Last Airbender" was the point where I realized these people were utterly mad.

[lunatala]

I live in a small GOD fearing community. I don't think that there are very many pagans near me. Most of the friends that I hang out with in Louisville are pagan though, which so helps keep me from losing my mind. The Pagan Pride Day in Louisville that I went to was the first one and was kinda small but very cool. Someone said that there are several pagan stores on bardstown rd. I have only been to Moonstruck there, I mostly hang out at Widdershins in the Lyndon/LaGrange area.

[Deb13b]

Not many pagans that I know of round here. I'm usually the only one in the MBS department at waterstones lol.

[Louisvillian]

I mostly hang out at Widdershins in the Lyndon/LaGrange area.
I've driven past that shop before, but never gone in. It looks pretty cool.

[Cake-eating_Moth]

I've met a good few, and that's WHEN I put my pentacle on, which is only 1/3 of the time I'm out. So that's a good statistic if you ask me; I think many of them are walking around like me wondering if somebody they pass has a pentacle on or under their shirt. Wow, we need some organization, don't we?!

Without a pentacle, you could never tell I was Pagan. Honestly, I LOOK like a 'good-ol' Christian girl'... You know.... well, you know what that looks like. Frustrates me, but atleast I'm not Gothic - might annoy the mature Pagans away :hehehe:

I met a Pagan at a local gas station the other day. There seems to be more downtown in my city. Maybe I should go there more often. It makes me feel good to know I'm "not the only pagan in this city of 1,000 churches"... Okay, so I'm exaggerating, but there really is a church on every corner - some back to back on a piece of land. A bit overdone if you ask me.

I'm friends with one pagan - she's much older than me, though, but atleast she's celebrating Litha (which I've been annoyed about for the past couple of weeks because I realized there were no pagan groups in Arkansas that were celebrating Litha, except for the Asatru group which I'm not well acquainted with enough anyway to think about attending.) It honestly frustrates me to celebrate a holiday alone - I mean, what kind of holiday is that, right?! But to each their own.

I said to myself when I found out about her celebrating, "Thank goodness for this person. I'll be able to spend some time on the holiday with someone who thinks as I do!"

[Fairywolf]

I have people ask if my pentacle is an Eastern star or a Star of David.

[Miss Dana]

I have people ask if my pentacle is an Eastern star or a Star of David.

Now that's just silly. We really need to get some pagan awareness in this country. Or at least general non-christian awareness.


So I read a couple of you MWers have gone to pagan pride festivals. I'd love to go to one, maybe I can look into it for Michigan.

[sarabethv]

ours are mostly in the closet here...

I know there are a bunch of them/us around here, but I'll be darned if I know where they are. Hiding probably. No, seriously there are many meet ups and get togethers and even a pagan day thing here in the Phoenix area - doesn't make it any easier to meet people to be friends with though.

[SphinYote]

Every time I go to the bookstore, I make sure to hang out in those sections just in case I notice the jewelry or something that they're wearing. That always strikes up the conversations. And oh yeah, we must not forget about the book they've picked up as well. :-) I usually don't buy the books in the bookstores. I'm all about bargains and I usually go to chill out or check out the latest goods. :hehehehe:

Heh. Bookstores can be fun.

I needed a book from the christian section once, but there were people talking who wouldn't move out of the way even when I said "excuse me" politely. I guess they didn't want me to read the word of God.

So off I goes to find a book in the Pagan section with WITCHCRAFT in big bold friendly letters, and trot back to the Christian section to browse in the one corner that was left and talk to myself (I was only muttering titles out loud) until they noticed me, nudged one another and all fled rather quickly.

And I (mostly) harmlessly retrieved the book I needed, and quietly put the witchcraft book back.

Yote

[SphinYote]

And more in keeping with the topic of the thread, it was rather amusing tht I found out who the Pagans were only after one of my high school teachers coerced me into joining a Christian youth group. We kept her fooled when she made her appearances, and had our fun in the "Christian" group when she wasn't around...

[Miss Dana]

Heh. Bookstores can be fun.

I needed a book from the christian section once, but there were people talking who wouldn't move out of the way even when I said "excuse me" politely. I guess they didn't want me to read the word of God.

So off I goes to find a book in the Pagan section with WITCHCRAFT in big bold friendly letters, and trot back to the Christian section to browse in the one corner that was left and talk to myself (I was only muttering titles out loud) until they noticed me, nudged one another and all fled rather quickly.

And I (mostly) harmlessly retrieved the book I needed, and quietly put the witchcraft book back.

Yote

:lol: Nice tactics.

[Lorrie]

:hehehehe: Too bad you were at work.

I've moved around a lot and have met a couple friends who are pagan, but I have yet to find any in the area I live in now. It's one of my goals to find a pagan community closer to me. My friend Jacob found a little new age shop out by where he lives/I used to live. They run a wide range of activities, and nicely welcomed us to a sabbat celebration. It's too bad I don't live in that area anymore. We met some nice people.


Silverleaf will be coming up in July!:boing::boing::boing:

[Lorrie]

Now that's just silly. We really need to get some pagan awareness in this country. Or at least general non-christian awareness.


So I read a couple of you MWers have gone to pagan pride festivals. I'd love to go to one, maybe I can look into it for Michigan.


Grand Rapids has one of those, but that is probably quite a ways out from you.

[SacredWithin]

I have people ask if my pentacle is an Eastern star or a Star of David.

Yeah, people get mixedup. I used to wear mine all the time openly. It turns out a lot of people simply don't know what it is or pretend not to notice. Maybe I simply don't get too many reactions because I don't live in a Bible belt. hehe

[Windsmith]

Silverleaf will be coming up in July!:boing::boing::boing:Oh, man, I miss Silverleaf. It was one of the highlights of my summer. Also the only place where I was ever sold into slavery....

[childofbast]

I used to think I was the only serious Pagan in my area. When I was in high school, a friend dappled but never really committed herself. A couple other girls liked to wear pentacles for show but didn't know anything about Wicca or pentacles in general besides the stereotypical.

When I got to college, things changed a lot. I discovered that there were local groups and some of them were even open. There was a Pagan Pride event that I was able to go to. I eventually joined a couple of groups and... voila! Not only do I no longer feel alone, but I sometimes feel a little stretched!

~Melanie

[patch]

By sheer fluke I bumped into another pagan who lives a few miles away on LJ!
Besidesthat, I don't think there are any round here. Perhaps my friends moms sister xD But I'm not sure if she actually lives locally (she's a neo-shaman...*sigh*)

[thought_on_a_wind]

lol

Every time I used to go to Barns & Noble in Albuquerque there'd always be that type of person with 20 different peircings, Slipknot 666 shirt, bondage staps, enough chains to form a decent lightning rod, and a huge amount of stature invested to physically announcing that they were different by walking around the New Age section... you'd ask them if they were Satanists, and they'd say stuff like "Yeah. I worship the devil." I usually would go farther, "Which aspect? Do you agree with LaVey or follow the more ritualized theism that's popular today?"

On one occasion the dude just looked at me funny and said "I follow Satan, I'm not into that God shit..." or summat general persuasion...

OMG, are you for real?

[LostSheep]

Ah, a fluffy Satanist.

[thought_on_a_wind]

Ah, a fluffy Satanist.
nothing more entertaining right?

[Miss Dana]

Grand Rapids has one of those, but that is probably quite a ways out from you.

A bit yes, but that could be the road trip me and my friend Jacob take this summer. My boyfriend and I went to visit his friend who goes to Grand Valley over the winter and I think the drive there was about 3 hours or so. It's a bit of a hike, but I may look into it. Thanks :smile:

[PrincessKLS]

Usually when I go into the "New Age" section of Books A Million, I'm the only one there (I live in a really conservative section of SC, so big surprise there). But today, I was almost knocked over by a guy who was looking at the witchcraft books as well...it was surreal. I'm used to being the odd man out lol. Anyone else fairly alone in their area?


I'm sowewhat alone in my small conservative Virginia town/region but I like it that way:lol:

[PrincessKLS]

nothing more entertaining right?


Seriously could someone please describe a fluffy Satanist to me? How do they differ from hardcore ones.

[hitsuzen]

I am friends with only one pagan. She is absolutely lovely. <3 When I met her she was wearing an Oh My Gods! shirt.
Though one of my other good friends is slowly developing very pantheistic views.
I haven't met a lot in my town... there was a Wiccan who was in some of my classes in high school. She looked like a normal high school girl and you couldn't tell unless she wore her pentacle. I didn't really like her, though. She was too... prissy. You know, in that teenage girl way. :P
There must be others in my area because we have a very nice pagan shop that hasn't gone out of business!
One of my boyfriends friends is one, but I hardly talk to her. Her boyfriend hangs around her pretty much 24/7 and I can't stand him! haha
I know that there are others on campus but I haven't met them.

And yeah.. the jewelry thing doesn't usually work for me. I've seen quite a few people sporting pagan themed jewelry. I will usually say "Nice necklace" and smile. Without fail I always get a "Thanks" and that's about it. If it is a specific figure I recognize (Brighid, for example) I will sometimes say "Oh, Brighid, right?" or something. And I always get something like "Yeah, it's Celtic." and then it is dropped.
*shrugs*
Either they don't want to talk about it, or have nothing to talk about. Maybe they just think the necklace is pretty. Whatever.

[thought_on_a_wind]

Seriously could someone please describe a fluffy Satanist to me? How do they differ from hardcore ones.
I think the question more is, how do they differ from regular ones...

They have that facade about them, they don't accept the beliefs, priciples etc. solely for their own personal growth or acceptance.

In the examples I mentioned I met a rather "elite" lot that put more emphasis into appearing the part and saying they are "devil worshippers" than they did actually reading the Satanic Bible... which to me seems a contradiction in terms... not necessarily even stacked up against the "hardcore" crowd either... I'm sure if I asked them what God of the underworld they served (which if I remember the Satanic Bible correctly is a fallacy of it's own except for the inherent "melodrama/dogma" needed to help reinforce principles to the sub-conscious) they'd probably just stare at me blankly, or anwer some cloudy non-inclusive answer, or bring up Diablo, Baal, or their other brother from D2... point being that they are what is commonly reffered to as "posing".

[LadyLuthien]

I just moved to Minneapolis from Seattle, WA. (I grew up in Seattle.) There was a lot out in Seattle and I believe there is here in the twin cities. I am just not really sure where to start. I worked at Borders actually, and I never saw any one buy witchy books. Maybe I had bad luck with it, but still. I really wish there was some one around here to talk to. x.x;

[kaosxmage]

My all time favorite bookstore encounter was many years ago. I was just a teenager, and I happened to be looking through something by Crowley thatr made it's way to the bargain bin in front of the store. I found it interesting that Crowley's work would be nestled in between The 20 pound Egypt book, and 101 cooking secrets of the Amish. Those are moments worth cherishing.

Anyway, I'm flipping through the pages when a nice man walks up to question me.

He wanted to know if I read Crowley often. Nope. Do you know what he called himself? Yep, I replied, the Great Beast. This man took this as his cue to save my soul. He went on a ten minute diatribe on the errors of Uncle Al's ways, and concluded with the dire warning that Crowley died a terrible death solely because of his life and all who follow down Satan's path will suffer the same.

Hmmm, thank you nice man. May I remind you that your saviour Jesus Christ died a terrible death, easily more terrible then Crowley's. Now riddle me this, is that the end you can expect for following in his shoes. Good day, Good night, and please work on your material.

That's truly an abbreviated tale, but I hope you all get to experience such joy as I did when I saw the dumbfounded look on this youth minister's face.

Do a lil dance & make a lil love,

--Kaos :smoke:

[WitchJezebel]

He wanted to know if I read Crowley often. Nope. Do you know what he called himself? Yep, I replied, the Great Beast. This man took this as his cue to save my soul. He went on a ten minute diatribe on the errors of Uncle Al's ways, and concluded with the dire warning that Crowley died a terrible death solely because of his life and all who follow down Satan's path will suffer the same.

Hmmm, thank you nice man. May I remind you that your saviour Jesus Christ died a terrible death, easily more terrible then Crowley's. Now riddle me this, is that the end you can expect for following in his shoes. Good day, Good night, and please work on your material.

That's truly an abbreviated tale, but I hope you all get to experience such joy as I did when I saw the dumbfounded look on this youth minister's face.

Do a lil dance & make a lil love,

--Kaos :smoke:

That's just CLASSIC! Gods, I hope I get to use it someday...

There are pagans all over NYC, I don't know too many of them, but I see pentacles around - I usually notice someone else's as they're noticing mine. I went to the Barnes & Noble by my job yesterday with a friend of mine who was getting a coffee from the Starbucks and the girl at the register kept looking at me, looking at him and then I think she wasn't too sure what to say so she just said 'nice necklace' and smiled at me. I smiled back and that was it.

[NeoNomad]

That's just CLASSIC! Gods, I hope I get to use it someday...

There are pagans all over NYC, I don't know too many of them, but I see pentacles around - I usually notice someone else's as they're noticing mine. I went to the Barnes & Noble by my job yesterday with a friend of mine who was getting a coffee from the Starbucks and the girl at the register kept looking at me, looking at him and then I think she wasn't too sure what to say so she just said 'nice necklace' and smiled at me. I smiled back and that was it.

I've always been amused at just how popular the New Age/Metaphysical sections are at nearly every bookstore in Utah (Mormon Central - of all places...) Standing room only. I just stand and stare and smile. Score one for the good guys... lol

[la tortuga]

It's an odd situation here in San Antonio, TX.

I know there are pagans about, and I know exactly where to find them... but I don't want to go searching. I dearly love it when you go to certain places that interest you (such as book stores) and they seemingly pop out of the woodwork. Although I, personally, carry no talisman of my faith and bear no outward symbol of it, the people I usually venture out into the social world with do... and they're the ones who catch other people's attentions. However, I've had a few approach me merely based upon the interesting selection of books I happened to be carrying. Neither of these encounters took place in the Pagan section of the book store, but rather Literature, Mythology, and Barnes and Noble Bargains (I was perusing some Thoreau for that one and carrying a copy of The Poetic Edda, totally either a literature student or a seeker, right?)

[PrincessKLS]

I think the question more is, how do they differ from regular ones...

They have that facade about them, they don't accept the beliefs, priciples etc. solely for their own personal growth or acceptance.

In the examples I mentioned I met a rather "elite" lot that put more emphasis into appearing the part and saying they are "devil worshippers" than they did actually reading the Satanic Bible... which to me seems a contradiction in terms... not necessarily even stacked up against the "hardcore" crowd either... I'm sure if I asked them what God of the underworld they served (which if I remember the Satanic Bible correctly is a fallacy of it's own except for the inherent "melodrama/dogma" needed to help reinforce principles to the sub-conscious) they'd probably just stare at me blankly, or anwer some cloudy non-inclusive answer, or bring up Diablo, Baal, or their other brother from D2... point being that they are what is commonly reffered to as "posing".

Thanks

[thought_on_a_wind]

... hee hee hee... I just remembered, when I used to get out a healthy amount I was more typified as that stoner/metal dude... I've never done drugs, and do carry talismans to my beliefs (although they did peg me on the metal front)... oh well...

[Miss Dana]

My all time favorite bookstore encounter was many years ago. I was just a teenager, and I happened to be looking through something by Crowley thatr made it's way to the bargain bin in front of the store. I found it interesting that Crowley's work would be nestled in between The 20 pound Egypt book, and 101 cooking secrets of the Amish. Those are moments worth cherishing.

Anyway, I'm flipping through the pages when a nice man walks up to question me.

He wanted to know if I read Crowley often. Nope. Do you know what he called himself? Yep, I replied, the Great Beast. This man took this as his cue to save my soul. He went on a ten minute diatribe on the errors of Uncle Al's ways, and concluded with the dire warning that Crowley died a terrible death solely because of his life and all who follow down Satan's path will suffer the same.

Hmmm, thank you nice man. May I remind you that your saviour Jesus Christ died a terrible death, easily more terrible then Crowley's. Now riddle me this, is that the end you can expect for following in his shoes. Good day, Good night, and please work on your material.

That's truly an abbreviated tale, but I hope you all get to experience such joy as I did when I saw the dumbfounded look on this youth minister's face.

Do a lil dance & make a lil love,

--Kaos :smoke:

That's a beautiful story. Maybe you should have also reminded him that Satan is a Christian deity. So many Christians seem to forget that fact...

[Windsmith]

I just moved to Minneapolis from Seattle, WA. (I grew up in Seattle.) There was a lot out in Seattle and I believe there is here in the twin cities. I am just not really sure where to start. I worked at Borders actually, and I never saw any one buy witchy books. Maybe I had bad luck with it, but still. I really wish there was some one around here to talk to. x.x;Dude! Dude! Dude! Come to Pride this weekend (http://tcpride.org/index_splash_2008.php). Look for the Twin Cities Pagan Pride booth. There will be folks a-plenty to talk to and get some contact ideas from. Seriously, the people who organize Pagan Pride know everyone.