I'm so not a "typical" Pagan......

[[Enlightenment]]

Hey guys!

I hope you don't mind me telling you this little "story" but it's been on my mind since I found my Spiritual Path. So here goes

From what I've seen in books, on the net, other Pagans I've met and in general, etc. I'm so not like them, not in a Spiritual way or anything like that, and this may sound very shallow or stupid or whatever, I don't know, but it seems your "typical" (I hate that word but can't find a better one) Pagan dresses in a certain way, their hobbies and interests (apart from the actual Craft) are totally different from mine, and in general they don't really seem like the type of people I would mix with (that sounds so horrible but I'm being honest with you guys). You know how at school, the Goths mixed with the Goths, the "cool" kids mixed with the cool, etc, etc, etc. well I think we all have certain types of "groups" we mix with who share our hobbies, interests, personalities, etc. and I really want to make some (even one) Pagan friends who I can fit in with, share my Spiritual Path with and do Magic with, I'd LOVE to have a close friend who I could share spells with etc, but I feel they wouldn't accept me as I'm different to them, but at the end of the day I'm not different to them really because we would both have our religion to share. I am open to mixing with other Pagans even if we don't share anything else in common apart from The Craft, but would they be open to mixing with me and making a friend of me, I'm not sure! I would stick out like a sore thumb and something as minor as appearance can often make a person get "outted" by the croud.

I'm a typical girlie girl, I have blonde hair, blue eyes, love the colour pink, love all the designer labels, (a bit of a Barbie lol) well that's what the kids across the road shout at me when I'm walking my Bichon Frise` (my Dog, Dougle) No one in the World would ever guess I'm a Wiccan or Witch, I'm so far from Goth it's untrue, and even though my beliefs are very "New Agey" you would never guess I am, never lol.
I can't change the way I am, it's me and I'm very happy this way, I just wish I could find another Pagan who is like me too.....
I could never imagine me having a Goth as a friend, not because I don't like them, far from it lol, but our interests, hobbies would be so different (you need these thing's in common to make a good friend) if not then you don't match and it ends-up with you going your own way. It's hard to be friends when you don't want to go to their clubs, pubs, concerts, listen to their music, talk about what their into, it's hard, you know what I mean?

I'm sorry for the rant, I sound like some mad teenager lol, but it's something that plays on my mind like crazy. Do any of you feel the same or are you a "typical" Pagan (sorry for that word).

Blessings!

Kristy x

[Sobek]

i understand exactly, except i wouldnt be caught dead with a Bichon Frise(no offense) but it's hard to relate to other people. life goes on, you'll find a friend who accepts it eventually, who knows there may already be one going through the same thing in your circle.

and i dont believe thier is any such thing as a "typical" pagan.

[[Enlightenment]]

Thanks for those words Sobek!

I suppose I don't really mean "typical" Pagan (I don't like the word) it's just all the other Pagans I've come across are different to me.....

No offence taken re the Bichon Frise`, men hate being seen with them

Blessings!

[Sercee]

Well, Enlightenment, I also hate Bichon Frise, but then again I hate any dog the size of a football LOL
Just picking on you

There is definately no 'typical' pagan... though I've met a few people now who are typical within their coven or tradition but that makes sense. Anyway, now that I've been out and about and meeting them and going to events with them a lot more are like you than you think. It's just that they're the ones that don't advertise, they're secure or comfortable in who they are and their lifestyle that they just keep on going and you wouldn't know unless you asked or saw them at a nude swim or something. Most (but by no means all) 'goth pagans' aren't, not around here. Just cause the kid in the cool boots is wearing pentacles everywhere doesn't mean he's got a clue what they mean.

Anyway, I guess what I'm saying is that it goes both ways: your dress doesn't say who you are. I think that if you want to meet Pagans in your area start looking for locally published magazines and newsletters, spiritual or new age shops and online meetup groups. I was lucky, it turns out that my city has the largest Pagan community in Canada, but still you'll be surprised at how you network after you meet just one person.

[IceDragonX]

I think typical is just stereotyping in general. Look however you want to look and what feels most comfortable to you. I am a metal head, but look FAR from it. My friend told me once, "If I didnt know you, I would never have guessed you liked metal."

I don't dress stereotypical metalhead chick because, I dont want to. If you like the way you look, you don't need to change for anyone nor feel different. I am sure there are wiccans that dress similar to you as well (or at least non-goth), just much harder to find becuase they are harder to spot!

What is more important is your commitment to the faith, I believe, and how you feel about it inside.

[Broadsword]

Sweetie if you think being a pink girlie makes things harder try being a forty something heavy metal chic that likes swords and knows how to use them.

We all have a "difference" and I for one am happy 'bout it. Embrace your girliness and next thing you know someone will come along that loves you for it.

Gods' Bless

Leslie

[Sercee]

Mmm... swords.....
Mmm... heavy metal...

See? There ya go. Good examples: nobody is typical.

[LaFiamma]

Hey guys!

I hope you don't mind me telling you this little "story" but it's been on my mind since I found my Spiritual Path. So here goes

From what I've seen in books, on the net, other Pagans I've met and in general, etc. I'm so not like them, not in a Spiritual way or anything like that, and this may sound very shallow or stupid or whatever, I don't know, but it seems your "typical" (I hate that word but can't find a better one) Pagan dresses in a certain way, their hobbies and interests (apart from the actual Craft) are totally different from mine, and in general they don't really seem like the type of people I would mix with (that sounds so horrible but I'm being honest with you guys). You know how at school, the Goths mixed with the Goths, the "cool" kids mixed with the cool, etc, etc, etc. well I think we all have certain types of "groups" we mix with who share our hobbies, interests, personalities, etc. and I really want to make some (even one) Pagan friends who I can fit in with, share my Spiritual Path with and do Magic with, I'd LOVE to have a close friend who I could share spells with etc, but I feel they wouldn't accept me as I'm different to them, but at the end of the day I'm not different to them really because we would both have our religion to share. I am open to mixing with other Pagans even if we don't share anything else in common apart from The Craft, but would they be open to mixing with me and making a friend of me, I'm not sure! I would stick out like a sore thumb and something as minor as appearance can often make a person get "outted" by the croud.

I'm a typical girlie girl, I have blonde hair, blue eyes, love the colour pink, love all the designer labels, (a bit of a Barbie lol) well that's what the kids across the road shout at me when I'm walking my Bichon Frise` (my Dog, Dougle) No one in the World would ever guess I'm a Wiccan or Witch, I'm so far from Goth it's untrue, and even though my beliefs are very "New Agey" you would never guess I am, never lol.
I can't change the way I am, it's me and I'm very happy this way, I just wish I could find another Pagan who is like me too.....
I could never imagine me having a Goth as a friend, not because I don't like them, far from it lol, but our interests, hobbies would be so different (you need these thing's in common to make a good friend) if not then you don't match and it ends-up with you going your own way. It's hard to be friends when you don't want to go to their clubs, pubs, concerts, listen to their music, talk about what their into, it's hard, you know what I mean?

I'm sorry for the rant, I sound like some mad teenager lol, but it's something that plays on my mind like crazy. Do any of you feel the same or are you a "typical" Pagan (sorry for that word).

Blessings!

Kristy x

my favorite color is pink too. though I don't do the designer label thing. Though, i think I'm a little closer to the stereotypical "hippie pagan". I have almost no black clothing, you get the idea.

I am friends with a few eh, more gothy pagans. It doesn't bother me. We may not be into the same thigns, but we are still friends...it's just like any other subset of humanity. I was on the tennis team in high school, but wasn't one of the jock-chicks. I had nothing in common with the other members of the team, besides tennis, but it was never a problem. Same idea.

If you talk to people that have different interests, there's always the possibility of sharing somethign new with each other. Taking your already used example of goth...You might not like goth music in general, but they might introduce you to a band that you end up loving. And maybeyou participate in a hobby that they've always been interested in but were afraid to pursue because it wasn't "goth"...you never know.

[[Enlightenment]]

Thanks for the words of advice folks, they are much apprecited!!! I am gonna have to be a little more patient and hopefully a good Pagan friend will come along *fingers crossed*...

It's nice to know I'm not the only one who is slightly different, has made me feel a little better knowing there are all sorts of Pagans out there, we're just a little harder to spot.

Thanks again, you guys are stars

Blessings!

[Sercee]

I just realized... you're in the UK. There's TONNES of people from this board that live near you (well, in a manner of speaking... where I live a 6 hour drive is nearby lol) and are probably a good representation of the rest of the pagan population there. I know there's someone nearby that you'll run into soon!

[Eretik]

Broadsword, you could have been describing me!lol. I stay away from the swords these days, too many kiddies in the house, I prefer staffs, anyway! I dress in black - reflects my sunny nature. I also have tattoos and a piercing or two. I go to 'gay' clubs with friends and they seem to like me ok, I have many interests, some you would not expect from'someone like me' - I love to play with stereotypes, I've been in many an amusing situation because I do the unexpected, in regard to how others think I am going to behave, once, at a party, someone thought he'd have a little fun at my expense, in public, shame he never realised that appearance is NO indicator of intellect, needless to say I turned the tables, he'll think long and hard about his snobbery in future. Hey, Enlightenment - pink and girly is what my daughters do, they rebellled against me by being' normal'. lol.I tend to meet Wiccans when I socialise, with the odd Goth witch,Satanist or Vampire[ fetishist] I 've had many interesting conversations with them. Appearance should not be used as an indicator of who you are. Look at Keith Flint of the Prodigy, for instance, well liked by his neighbours as 'quiet and gentle natured', he breeds birds as a hobby, finds it relaxing. He looks really scary in the vids.

[Broadsword]

Eretik, That all sound strangly familiar. My husband and I mostly use staffs or bokken since he gave me a lovely new scar. It was all my fault for not blocking properly, but he felt a bit gilty 'bout it.

Enlightenment, thought about it a bit. Have you any intrest in the arts? Lots of pagans at our local art fairs.
I like to play spot the pagan using their jewlery as a clue. One of my few girl intrests.

Luck to you

Leslie

[Eretik]

Ok, I'll 'fess up - I can embroider beautifully - no kidding, detailed pieces, flowery and cute etc. I find it very relaxing, Dosen't quite fit with my look, but hey ho. I know all kinds of people who have different loooks and ways to me, they interest me because of who they are, that's a good idea, going to places where like minds will be. Don't ever change to fit in,we need pink loving people, vive la difference! I 'm rambling now, like I didn't before!lol.

[TheFireWithin]

I guess I'd have to agree. No one will exactly be the same. There is no "typical" pagan. Some may like goth, you may not.

[[Enlightenment]]

I just realized... you're in the UK. There's TONNES of people from this board that live near you (well, in a manner of speaking... where I live a 6 hour drive is nearby lol) and are probably a good representation of the rest of the pagan population there. I know there's someone nearby that you'll run into soon!

HeHe, my best friends in the whole World moved to the US (New Hampshire) with her adopted mum (she didn't adopt the mum, the mum adopted her) when she was 14, she comes back over here every year and she always says the exact same thing you've just said "near by to me is like 4 or 5 hours" lol. That must be real hard if your friends are not in your town or whatever. I should be happy lol. God I miss that girl sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much, sorry *emotional moment* lol.
*Goes off to search members list for locals*