Why the secretiveness?

[folkwitch]

Out of curiosity, I decided to check out some profiles and learn more about the people who post on this BB. Didn't check them all, of course, but most of those I looked at are are very vague and/or downright secretive. Why? Am I being naive by letting you know who I am and where I am? What is there to be afraid of? Are you people afraid of each other? Should I be afraid of you? What's up?

[mol]

We didnt start out with this nice board! We started with a board that was pretty lousy and always had trouble. When I purchased the license for this board and moved everyone over here...the only thing that was kept was names and passwords...and a lot of people just havent bothered with putting all that information back into their profile!

And for the few that do it on purpose...they just want to I guess! ;)

[Selenelucina]

Hi Folkwitch,
As a neophyte to the community, but a Crone with lots of motor-mouth experience, I can tell you that until you know your community really well, it is best to keep your real identity and specific whereabouts to yourself. Even among Pagans there are some real wyrd ones out there, who will develop a need to keep track of you, to ask you for favors, to give more information about themselves than you'd ever want to know, and to demand the same from you. Plus, most people have another life, and can't always be on-line, and that does anger the wyrd ones, when they can't "talk" to you.

You can't spend your life in fear, constantly looking over your shoulder for a cyberstalker, but you would be naive if you didn't believe that they are out there. Get to know individuals first, months, if necessary, and then when your gut tells you it's okay,
ask questions or start revealing things about yourself. It's better to be safe than sorry, especially since we are Who we are.

I have lots of info in my profile, but there are firewalls there too, and if someone scared me, I'd disappear easily.
Meanwhile, relax and enjoy the ride. Peace, Selene

[folkwitch]

Thanks, both of you. Selene, you've given me a lot to think about. I've never turned anyone away who needed my attention though so I'll have to think long and hard about that one. It doesn't "feel" right somehow.

[mol]

Originally posted by folkwitch
Thanks, both of you. Selene, you've given me a lot to think about. I've never turned anyone away who needed my attention though so I'll have to think long and hard about that one. It doesn't "feel" right somehow.

Just be you. I dont have a lot of stuff in my profile...but I think you could ask everyone here if I am always willing to help...they'd probably say yes...

[folkwitch]

Thanks Mol. I don't have much experience with bulletin boards. This is only the second one I've participated in. I think yours is very user friendly and well thought out. Ya done good. :)

[Selenelucina]

I have been described as a nut-pie magnet, so maybe I'm coming from a different place. I'm also a burned out mental health therapist. Upon retirement, when I was mentoring newly interested pagans of any path, a young man wrote to me, asking for email addresses of any young women I knew who had been sexually molested or abused. He said he was a "psychic vampire" and if he could reach them, he could "suck out their pain". Was he an angel in disguise? Not from my experience, or gut feelings. I told him that I didn't want to be involved in his "quest", and he wrote to me, on and off, for a year, until I got rid of his attention by other means. Was I prejuding someone with absolutely pure motives?
Did I prevent some woman from a pain-free existence? Hmmm?
But I stand by my first post. If it feels right to you, as this community does to me, go for it. If not, do what thou willst.

I'm always willing to help, to mentor, to teach. I offer open forums on my business website. But there are those who are beyond us, and my naivete at times has gotten me into situations where I was astounded when someone for whom I had a deep affection turned around and knocked me on my keister. Because I wasn't picking up the cues and didn't listen to Maggie, who is on the Druid boards now, and has the most accurate "Twinkie Alarm" I've ever known. Some of us get too soon old and too late smart.
It was just an observation, and perhaps I ought to keep quiet for a while. Peace, Selene

[folkwitch]

Selene, I do know what you mean now. I totally understand needing to back off and regroup from time to time and making wrong judgements about people you trust. (After all, it's really hard to be taken advantage of by someone you never trusted in the first place, yes?) That experience drains you, I've been there and in fact am just coming out of just such a relationship. He didn't break my spirit though, just my bank account! It sounds to me like you've got really good judgement about the nut cases and if the 'vampire' is an example, I'd see through it too so I guess I'm OK. Hang in there. I think the hardest thing to recoup after such an experience is your sense of humor. I miss being able to laugh at life.

[Selenelucina]

Okay, so I'm not shutting up just yet. But I have to say one thing to you, Sweetie - don't EVER stop laughing. At everything. The Goddess gives us anger to energize us and give us strength, and laughter to allow us to regroup, and take back whatever was taken from us.

Trust your heart and laugh at the one who let you get away, the fool, and you'll be just fine. Peace, Love & Rock&Roll, from an old GypsyWitch. Selene

[folkwitch]

Hey, Pal - Peace, Love, Rock & Roll? Sounds like you're from my era so stop calling yourself 'old' will ya? :)

.......or was that SEX, DRUGS and ROCK 'N ROLL? I forget.....

[Selenelucina]

Now, that depeneded on how many kids you had hanging off you at the time! I was lucky enough to be "Earth Momma" during the early 70's. Never even did a doobie, but now, legal pharmaceuticals are among my dearest friends! Keep smiling!
Selene

[mol]

Originally posted by Selenelucina
Now, that depeneded on how many kids you had hanging off you at the time! I was lucky enough to be "Earth Momma" during the early 70's. Never even did a doobie, but now, legal pharmaceuticals are among my dearest friends! Keep smiling!
Selene

Selena, my dear, I was about to email you and make sure you were doing all right..good to see you on..

[folkwitch]

I love it here! Glad I found you guys.

[mol]

Originally posted by folkwitch
I love it here! Glad I found you guys.

And we love you being here! :D

[Wyrdsister]

Glad you found us, folkwitch! I think I've only been here for a week, but I'm loving it and I feel right at home.

Looking forward to seeing you around the boards!

:)

Wyrdsister

[Selenelucina]

I'm lurking around, most of the time forgetting to log in, Mol, but it means a lot that you care. Thanks. This IS a real community, isn't it?
I keep reading, but don't always have the time and/or the ability to respond. I also run that internet business, wearing all the hats. And have an insane Cocker Spaniel on her last legs. And a mostly self-maintaining husband......

Feel free to email me whenever. Just don't put "VIAGRA FOR WOMEN NOW!" in the subject line, LOL, or I'll delete, delete, delete. <big GRIN>

Sometimes Psycho Selene

[Lady Tana]

Originally posted by Selenelucina
Sometimes Psycho Selene

arent we all sometimes ?? I know I am most of the time...lol

sometimes psycho... always Freaky!! haha
:D

[Yvonne Belisle]

This is the only message board I've ever felt comfortable saying anything on. As you may or may not have noticed I list a lot about myself but my husband Naillosotarrain says almost nothing. It's all in the person.

[Shatav]

*darts out of her darkened corner to peer at the man across the street, just long enough that he sees her as she darts back into the shadows*

;) If you think these people are secretive, you should try talking to schooled mages sometime. Mph.

P.S. Before anyone jumps me, that was a grand blanket statement and not meant to insinuate anything on a personal level.

[Mariposa De La Luna]

Nice way to cover your butt Shatav! It never hurts to be politicaly correct on some boards even if your not normally.

As for being secretive ------

There are alot of people on this board that are not a true part of this community. OK that isn't the exact right words, I believe whether they know it or not they do send their energy across the boards. But you can't know much about them because they sign up and then just lurk and may never respond to anything. There are over 200 members and they don't all respond. I used to do that on this other one till recently but I left it cuz I felt too much the newbie and couldn't catch up.

Too all you LURKERS, please come out of the shadows. I really feel this board is a very good and understanding one. I've never heard of such a one. I've heard alot of others who play the "I'm a know it all pagan/witch/magickian/etc." so don't come around here with your newbie questions. This board has a New Pagan room and I think that is so great.

I don't know where to end or where this is going but I'm stopping now.

Frazzled and my train of thoght is derailed,

Michelle

[Shatav]

Originally posted by SAHM
Nice way to cover your butt Shatav! It never hurts to be politicaly correct on some boards even if your not normally.

:D It's not a matter of being politcally incorrect, it's just a matter of being very opinionated. I can't help it, I was just born that way.




Too all you LURKERS, please come out of the shadows. I really feel this board is a very good and understanding one. I've never heard of such a one. I've heard alot of others who play the "I'm a know it all pagan/witch/magickian/etc." so don't come around here with your newbie questions. This board has a New Pagan room and I think that is so great.


So very true! This board is one of the best I've seen to date!

[folkwitch]

Guess I'm guilty of lurking too. I like to read the posts but don't neccesarily feel the need to participate in every conversation.

[mol]

Originally posted by folkwitch
Guess I'm guilty of lurking too. I like to read the posts but don't neccesarily feel the need to participate in every conversation.

And that is understandable...I sometimes myself even lurk around (hehe...sure i do) and read all the posts and such and then go back and reply where need be...

But it seems I always have a question. Maybe that is just me. I just read something I want to share with the Community:

"He who asks is a fool for five minutes, but he who does not ask remains a fool forever."

Keep that in mind...

[BrightStar]

Hi all,
Of course,there's a flip side to that one,mol.
"Better to keep one's mouth shut and be thought a fool,than to open it and remove all doubt.(:
Peace and love
Rain BrightStar

[folkwitch]

I always go with, "There's no such thing as a stupid question."
Also, since most of you are smarter than the average person, if you think of a question - ask it- because the idiot sitting behind you (and we won't mention any names *blush*) wants to know too but is afraid to ask or didn't think of it. OK?

[Trevi]

I love this place!

I have a lot of info in my profile, but I too can dissappear fast if I need to. And I have needed to in the past.

I agree with Selene. I also think you are very funny! I may not be as old as you (I was BORN in 1970!) but I am an old soul, and can relate somewhat to being a "nut-magnet".

I've attracted them all! I dated a man who thought he was Jesus, and another who thought he was the "devil". My husband LOOKS like (the atypical) Jesus and my mother thinks my youngest son's possesed!

Ain't Life Grand!?!? :)

[folkwitch]

Well, I think I'm a witch - can't think of anything nuttier than that so I guess I won't call anyone else a nut!

[mol]

Well, I just want everyone to know that there is no reason for hiding here. I have been amazed, myself, at how helpful and friendly everyone is...you know, we have had our arguments and etc...but in the end we still are here as friends, as teachers, and as students.

You couldnt ask for a better group of people.

[Yvonne Belisle]

Trevi if you think it would help I could loan you my 4. Your Mother would most likely think he's an angel. My 2 oldest boys have ADHD and they are a handful but I love them.

[Semele]

If your needing monsters to make your kid look like an angel you can take ours for a week or two. That's all it would take!!

Semele

[Trevi]

I cannot believe I actually found someone else who uses that term!!! All my friends uses that term to describe me!!

I do have a lot of info on my profile, and it's all true, but I could dissappear in a heartbeat too.

I've had way to many run-ins with nut-pies!
(hee hee hee!) ;)

[samoanshark]

Originally posted by folkwitch
Guess I'm guilty of lurking too. I like to read the posts but don't neccesarily feel the need to participate in every conversation.

I really like this community and I can only respond/comment when I
come to work because my modem is screwed up at home (got fried
during our last thunderstorm). I try not to "LURK" but sometimes
like folkwitch I don't feel it neccesary to participate in all the discussions..
sometimes I feel inadequate to comment on a certain topic...
I do feel good with this community though and I believe I've spoken
more here than I ever have. Thank you for a wonderful pagan community!
Blessed Be!

[Selenelucina]

Trevi, You've got it! You don't have to be old to have an old soul, or the reverse or criss-crossed. (I lost myself for a moment).
It would be wonderful to think that everyone who registers and posts and gives lots of information is a good person, but it has been my experience that it just isn't so. This board seems to be attracting (and by Mol's intuition; gotta take that into consideration), smart, good hearted people who really want to keep learning, whatever their age or title. Maybe it's just my Gypsy genetics, but whomever it was who said "always leave yourself an exit" sounded right to me.

I like it here. I like to read, I like to "lurk", and I like to answer those with whom I feel a connection. I don't think I'm quite ready to resume teaching or mentoring yet, but the amazing thing is that no matter what, life goes on, the sun comes up, and there are bills to pay. I'm not feeling too amusing today. I'm going to start a new thread, with the reason why. All replies are welcome.
You all feel like family already: there's the in-your-face cousin, the pc sister, the Patriarch who loves us all and Mom, who is always beaming at him, and all the different kids, relatives and in-laws.
You don't always get to choose 'em, but in some way, you've gotta love them all. You just don't always have to be home when they call.
Sad Selene

[Trevi]

I used to be a preschool teacher and I had to quit when I had the two little ones. They are 8 months apart (you DON'T want to know!) and they are a handfull on their own, thank you very much! :)

It's like having twins! My mother was spoiled because there are 6 years between the first and second so she only had ONE grandchild for quite a while. Now, however, she doesn't know what to do! :)

Now she has three grandsons and a step-grandson that she loves just as much, and she's overwhelmed! But, it's still fun.

[Dagda Moon~Lily]

Originally posted by Trevi
I cannot believe I actually found someone else who uses that term!!! All my friends uses that term to describe me!!

I do have a lot of info on my profile, and it's all true, but I could dissappear in a heartbeat too.

I've had way to many run-ins with nut-pies!
(hee hee hee!) ;)

That's a new one! My girlfriend and I think we are just "Flypaper for Freaks". Don't get me wrong, I give guys every chance to prove they aren't from planet zurog or something.....but we tend to attract all types! It's just that the freaks always find a way of sticking in my mind when I'd rather they'd go! lol

Dagda

[Litha]

you know I don't discount "lurking" whatsoever
you may not be posting, but your vibe is FELT

really now, just feel the energy here at this community

that's you (:

[Summer Solstice]

I am in my mid 30's and I do not care anymore what people call me behind my back.When I stated my job at the phone company ,due to my long dark hair one of my coworkers came up to me and asked me if I was a "practicing witch" . I looked at him and asked " why does it matter?I wish I was " . Some people are just NAIVE. He was .
They soon noticed that I do not like taking pills for pain and try to do oils or herbs,NOW when they feel Ill the ALL come to ME !!!
with patience and understanding people learn. same on this website ,some people are still leery of the way they have been treated by others(not on this site)..have patience .

Summer Solstice

[Yvonne Belisle]

It's nice to know sometimes that there are a lot of terrors out there that are children. Thankfully with love most of them grow out of that. Yes this is a blatent plea to those that watch that mine be some of those kids. My sitter just went from the attitude that spankings are never warrented to well maybe for your kids..... At least she isn't scared to return. My kids used to be really bad when I left the older ones dad. The first sitter they had after that was a college trained daycare worker. After 1 day with my kids then ages 3,2,and 1 she wanted to know if I had checked them for 6's on their heads and if you put them togeather were they the anticrist. I am so glad that they are better! Sometimes people don't believe they were that bad that young but they were. They are still a handfull though so the next time someone thinks your kids are tuff remember they get better. Besides has anyone literally checked their heads? That first sitter checked my kids and was suprised no 6's anywhere :D

[Naillosotarrain]

Throughout history there has always been secretiveness as you have putten it. Government cover-ups, conspiricies, societies; just to list a few. It's part of human nature; some people don't mind being open and up front with others, while other people like to remain a mystery. I personally fall somewhere in between. I like being upfront with people, but I still like to keep that air of mystery about me. The only ones who truly might know who or what I am are the gods themselves, and even I don't think they know my true potential and capabilities; no one does, not even myself.

[bluecat]

Originally posted by Selenelucina
I have been described as a nut-pie magnet, so maybe I'm coming from a different place. I'm also a burned out mental health therapist. Upon retirement, when I was mentoring newly interested pagans of any path, a young man wrote to me, asking for email addresses of any young women I knew who had been sexually molested or abused. He said he was a "psychic vampire" and if he could reach them, he could "suck out their pain". Was he an angel in disguise? Not from my experience, or gut feelings. I told him that I didn't want to be involved in his "quest", and he wrote to me, on and off, for a year, until I got rid of his attention by other means. Was I prejuding someone with absolutely pure motives?
Did I prevent some woman from a pain-free existence? Hmmm?
But I stand by my first post. If it feels right to you, as this community does to me, go for it. If not, do what thou willst.

I'm always willing to help, to mentor, to teach. I offer open forums on my business website. But there are those who are beyond us, and my naivete at times has gotten me into situations where I was astounded when someone for whom I had a deep affection turned around and knocked me on my keister. Because I wasn't picking up the cues and didn't listen to Maggie, who is on the Druid boards now, and has the most accurate "Twinkie Alarm" I've ever known. Some of us get too soon old and too late smart.
It was just an observation, and perhaps I ought to keep quiet for a while. Peace, Selene


I think you did the right thing in not helping him on his so-called "Quest". IMHO all he wanted to do was find someone vulnerable he could possibly take advantage of and hurt even more.

BlueCat

[gunner]

in another thread you were wondering about "trusting your magick" reading a number of your other posts i'd say you own a good supply of plain old fashioned common sense that will not lead you wrong often, if ever, trust your instincts. b.b.
"gunner"