Meeting other Pagan Parents

[Arduinna]

ok, as someone still mostly in the broom closet, I was wondering how all you other pagan parents meet others. I'd love to come out of the closet, so my daughter could meet other pagan families. And maybe we would have some other families to share ritual and holidays with. Although my daughter doesn't participate in ritual now.

Also, when did you start including kids in ritual?

[Mooncrow]

so someone please answer this question.

BB


Mooncrow

[Myst]

I was lucky, most of my friends are Pagan and I met them through one of my best female friends - who happens to be my cousin and Pagan too :)

You might also check out the Pagan classifieds and look for Pagans in your area (ie http://paganprofiles.com, or http://www.waningmoon.com/paganclassifieds/, or look for your section in the listings at http://www.witchvox.com/) or pick up the Circle magazine or another Pagan mag in your area to check out the classifieds, or look in your local Pagan or mystic shoppe for listings, OR look in the paper for classes such as Meditation or Healing where you could probably meet other Pagans learning too. Or you could look at the members here at MW, I'm sure there are at least one or two in your area :)

[Arduinna]

I have searched at witches vox and found quite a few listings, I guess I just haven't had the nerve to contact anyone yet.

:rolleyes: chicken


Hey mooncrow, I used to live up by Chico. I really miss northern Ca.

[Hope]

I would suggest that if you have a store that sells, Stones, books, walking sticks (think out of the box here) Pagan kinda stuff. Go in and look around they may offer classes or have postings of events in your area. IE readings, events, socials once a month (you get the idea). Here we have two free papers locally that have Pagan ads in them (not like dating ads, but events, stores etc). And I live in CONSERVATIVE Idaho! Another idea is to go to a street fair, farmers market kinda place and look for someone selling?? I don't know something natural-- herbs, soaps, drums you know. I bet you will find folks in your area pretty quickly. Either way-- know that there are a lot of people in the broom closet and out YOU are not on your own!

Blessed Be!
Hope

[Swanspirit]

Merry Merry,
I have met many local pagans from web sites like witchvox. and local e-lists, and not all of them are what you might consider to be what you want to share parenting with . I am REALLY not trying to be disparaging ,but some people have very different IDEOLOGIES shall we say? I would advise caution in any case, but where children are involved, its doubly wise. I am not suggesting that there are monsters out there, but people can give VERY different impressions of themselves over the internet, and there are some parents that although pagan... have differing ideas of what is permissable with children.
Sometimes I have been so enthusiastic about meeting new local pagans I have thrown caution to the wind, and been unpleasantly surprised to find that some people drink heavily , bar hop a lot..... and do drugs on a regular basis ALL of which are their choice, but not my cup of tea, shall we say .
So word to the wise ...... from the voice of experience........., and I hope you dont need these suggestions in the least.
Love and light
Swannie

[Arduinna]

Thanks so much for the tips.

And Swannie, thanks for the honest appraisal.

Love and light

[Lilu]

Hi MidsummerEve,

I had the same problem just meeting people in my area, it's very rural and so I decided to start up an eGroups list for my area specifically, then I searched out people in my area through the places like witchvox which were listed by someone else above, and I sent invites to the list.

The idea was that we could all get to know each other ONLINE first through the list just chatting, and eventually, when everyone felt comfortable with meeting, set something up. A few weeks ago one of my members mentioned a local metaphysical store that holds bi-monthly discussion groups, so some of the members of the list got together and met there. It was a very nice time! And we're going to do it again next week.

So if you are worried about meeting people, try the mailing list idea, that way you have a better chance of "sussing" out the people first. :)

Lilu

[Arduinna]

What a wonderful idea, lilu. I will do that. And a group setting seems a good way to get to know folks.

:D :D :D

[feywytch]

Mine were always some part of it helping set up.. helping clean my altar or just being there.

No as adults theyhave chosen their own paths my sons are shamnistic one with a more native american way and my other celtic.

But I am open. It may have been different had I been in the closet as a few of my friends are.

[SageMoon]

:) I have the same problem meeting others I have a situation where my husband is not Wiccan and up till 2 years ago i went to a methodist church. I finally realized organized religion was not for me I felt nothing spiritually. My children know I'm a practicing Wiccan but I do not sway them either way. They remember going to church on Sundays and ask why I don't attend anymore. I tell them It isn;t what I believe In my heart and soul and that if they want to go I will take them . I feel that religion is something you have to decide on it toke me 38 years to find my path and I feel they will too when the time is right. This year at Yule we celebrated in both religions so they can see the difference. What do you think am I going about this in the right way or not ? My sons are 9 and 12 years old.

Blessed Be,
Sage Moon:confused:

[Lilu]

Hi SageMoon,

I think that you are handling things exceptionally well. It is not your job to force your religion on your children, and I think it's great that you are letting them decide in their own time. And celebrating both Christmas and Yule is a good introduction to several religions!

BB
Lilu