Pagan Coming Out Day, some thoughts

I've been "out" since the early '80s, and can say from personal experience that, for the most part, people are generally politely curious or accepting. I can count on one hand the number of actual negative reactions I've encountered. This is including the fact that both our children (one now 29, the other a teen) have been raised in an openly Pagan household, and I have been open at with family/friends, at work, at their schools, and in the general public. I love this "Pagan coming out" movement in the spirit of having a visible support group for those who may not be in environments that are as accommodating as some of us have been blessed with.

The Z Factor

Doreen Valiente (1922-1999) rewrote Gardner's original Charge of the Goddess, and her prose version has been modified and reproduced by the Pagan community throughout the years.  There's even a mirror "Charge of the God."  To my knowledge, Doreen never said a thing about wishing harm to her spiritual community, or even making claim to having sole authority over her version.  She understood, I'm sure, that Pagan practices evolve over time, and religious wording must do the same if needed to avoid becoming stagnant. 

Intellectual property issue aside (because the argument is a murky legal nightmare), I wonder if Z. has contemplated the consequences of her adversarial approach?  Doreen's legacy remains honored and respected.  Z. was a pioneer in the modern Pagan movement, but as they say in the military, one "Oh Shit" can wipe out years of "Atta Boys." 

For those who have no idea what I'm talking about, go here: 

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/agora/2012/04/we-all-come-from-the-horned-god-possibly-but-dont-sing-it/

Pagan Coming Out Day, May 2

This wonderful movement was started in 2011.  PCOD is held officially every May 2.  Here's the official site; it's got a lot of information and advice. 

http://pagancomingoutday.org/

If you're on Facebook, here's our local San Antonio page in support of those transitioning from private to public.  Whether you are a long-time Pagan or a newbie, this forum will be open year-round to help you make the changeover.  Please join us, and we hope that some of you out there decide to take that step next week, Wednesday, May 2. 

https://www.facebook.com/#!/PaganComingOutDaySA

Though we're not having a local event this year, San Antonio Pagan Outreach is planning to have a community social in late April/early May 2013 specifically for this.  Go here to keep up with details on next year's event. 

http://sanantoniopaganoutreach.wordpress.com/pcodsa/

Seshen.us has a new home

I've just published my personal web site through its new host, A Small Orange. We've had good service with the Lycian Wicca site, so looks like this Pagan-friendly host is a keeper.

Once we had everything in place, the uploaded site was live in less than 3 minutes. Go check out the new look! I already see a few things to fix, but that will be easy to manage. Thanks, A Small Orange!

http://seshen.us/

Nat'l Donate a Pagan Book Day, April 9

National Donate a Pagan Book Day  will occur on April 9, 2012, during National Library Week.  This year's National Library Week theme is "YOU belong @ your library".  By donating Pagan themed books, NDPBD hopes to show that Pagans also belong in the public library.

NDPBD was established in January 2012 to encourage those who love books to directly donate a Pagan or Pagan friendly book to their local public library or Pagan community center.  Donations towards the purchase of books will also be collected in the near future.

Read all the details here:

http://paganbookday.blogspot.com/p/about.html