| The following subject areas and the questions attached to them may help you to think of an interesting story. I am not looking for direct answers to the questions posed below. Instead, I am interested in stories that illustrate your answers to them, that express your feelings about them, and that will evoke understanding in others. Of course, perhaps the most basic question you might want to address in any real life story is this: How has your faith affected or changed your life? |
** Finding the Path
Pagans typically do not proselytize, so how did you discover this path and what drew you to it?
Did it resonate for you right off or did it take time for you to realize that it was what you wanted?
Was there some event or experience through which you knew this path was the right one for you?
Do you have an interesting story to share about how this happened? Or one you can share about
your initiation into this path?
** Solitary Practice
If you are a solitary practitioner, does that work well for you? Perhaps what some people
consider aloneness, you consider sacred solitude? Many people find support in a religious group,
so how do you find emotional or spiritual support as a solitary practitioner? Is your spiritual
practice itself enough for you?
Maybe you are solitary by necessity, not by choice, and want to find more like-minded people?
Do you have a story that illustrates how you find support in your faith, or how you continue along
your path without the interpersonal support of a group?
** Group Practice
(Note: I have not used the word Coven here simply because it is a rather specific term and it
may not fit everyone’s situation.)
If you have joined a Pagan group, what motivated you to do so? How has being in a group
supported your faith, your practice, or your life in general?
For example, do you have a story about receiving support from others in such a group in a time of
need?
** World View
How has your faith affected the way that you see – and experience – the world?
Do you have a story to share that expresses or illustrates this?
** The Broom Closet
Are you still in the “broom closet?” If so, how is your path being affected by that?
Do you have an interesting story about what it’s like in the closet, or one about coming out of the
closet?
** Reactions from others
What reactions have your family and friends had when they found out you are Pagan? How did
you deal with their reactions? What responses have you gotten from casual acquaintances who
have learned of your faith?
There are many myths about Pagans, which seem ridiculous to us, but which many people have
accepted without question. Do you have a tale to tell about encountering such misconceptions
and how you dealt with them, either successfully or not? (Such a tale might be anything from
humorous to exasperating.)
Do you have a story about an experience that changed a friend or family member’s perception of
you and your path?
As noted above, sometimes even those who accept don't always understand. Do you have a tale
that either illustrates this or that runs counter to it?
** Childhood
What was it like growing up Pagan? Were you taunted by other kids, lonely because you were
different, supported by the grace of an understanding friend or adult, or what? Like the
proverbial Ugly Duckling finally finding a flock of swans, what was it like when you finally found
your “tribe”?
Do you have a story that is especially representative of what any of that was like?
(Note that this story may be yours if you were Pagan as a child, or that of your own children.)
** Sabbats
Would you like to share an interesting experience about celebrating a Sabbat? For example, this
might be a heartwarming tale of your child learning a deep spiritual meaning about Beltane, or on
the other hand, it could be a distressing tale about a Samhain celebration disrupted by Halloween
pranksters.
** Rituals and Celebrations
Was there something about your Hand-fasting / wedding that set it apart as being distinctively
Pagan?
Do you have a story to share about a noteworthy aspect about that experience?
Other than weddings, our modern western culture does not seem to put very much emphasis on
rites of passage. Do you have an interesting story that illustrates the value of a Pagan ritual, like
maybe a coming of age ceremony?
** Relationships.
How does being Pagan affect your relationship with:
Your partner / spouse. Does s/he share your path, understand it, support it, or is s/he totally
bemused by it? Is there a story that illustrates this, for example, one that shows how you grew
spiritually or gained more insight about your faith through his/her support ... or lack thereof?
Your children. Is there a story that shows how your faith has affected your relationship with a
child of yours ... or how your faith has been changed by that relationship?
** Where you live
Many Pagans live in small communities where they don’t feel comfortable being open about their
spirituality / religion. Have you had any interesting experiences in that sort of environment?
Perhaps you have a story about an experience that shows how you your faith gave you strength
under fire, or maybe there is a story about how you received unexpected understanding and
assistance from a neighbor?
** Pagan Support Groups
Are you in a Pagan 12-step program or another type of support group?
Without betraying any confidences, is there an experience – one that is uniquely Pagan – that
demonstrates how a Pagan support group has changed your life?
** Spells and Magic
For many Pagans, spells and magic are a big part of their life, but this is an aspect of their
practice that is often misinterpreted (in various ways) by non-Pagans, anywhere from the
trivialization of TV shows like Sabrina to some people’s fear that a witch will put a hex on them.
Do you have a story about magic in your life that might disabuse people of any such notions?
Can you tell about an example of the power of Magic in your life?
The following comment about magic is from An Alphabet of Spells, by Elen Hawke:
“ ... magic will change you. The moment you choose to take control of your own life by casting
spells to alter your circumstances, you will begin to transform yourself as well.”
Do you have a story that illustrates this?
The following are a few excellent definitions of Spells:
“A spell is a prayer that you put some of your own effort into.”
“A spell is a ritual that you perform to accomplish a specific goal.”
“A spell is a collaborative effort with the Divine, a way to co-create with the Divine.”
Do you have a story that illustrates a definition like one of the above?
Then there is the Threefold Law of Magic, which may be stated as:
“Whatever you do, either for good or ill, will be returned to you threefold.”
Do you have a story about a time when you cast a harmful spell and then experienced the
Threefold Law as a result? Or a similar experience regarding a beneficial spell?
Novices are often warned that there are great dangers in magic if you don’t know what you are
doing well enough, if you open doors (so to speak) that you are not yet ready to open.
Do you have a story about a bad experience you had when working with energies or forces that
you didn’t understand or weren’t yet able to deal with?
** Deity
One of the more unique features of Pagan religions is that they don’t usually have a set-in-stone
orthodoxy -- i.e., there is no “bible.” From what I have observed in other people, and from what I
have read about religious history, the Divine speaks differently to everyone, but while most of
Christian orthodoxy seems to deny or suppress this fact, Pagan religions instead tend to
recognize and celebrate it.
Indeed, this diversity of our experience of the Divine is a profound indication that Deity is
infinitely more complex than any of us can ever understand.
Have you had a vivid personal encounter with the Divine? How does the Divine speak to you?
Do you have a story about an experience wherein Divinity contacted you? How did this affect
your life? What did it feel like? How did it touch your heart? What message did you receive and
how did it change your life?
On a related theme, many people have had personal encounters with other mystical forces or
entities, such as angels, the spirit of someone who had passed away, or some other supernatural
being. Do you have a story about such an experience, especially as related to your Pagan
practice or beliefs?
Pagans typically do not proselytize, so how did you discover this path and what drew you to it?
Did it resonate for you right off or did it take time for you to realize that it was what you wanted?
Was there some event or experience through which you knew this path was the right one for you?
Do you have an interesting story to share about how this happened? Or one you can share about
your initiation into this path?
** Solitary Practice
If you are a solitary practitioner, does that work well for you? Perhaps what some people
consider aloneness, you consider sacred solitude? Many people find support in a religious group,
so how do you find emotional or spiritual support as a solitary practitioner? Is your spiritual
practice itself enough for you?
Maybe you are solitary by necessity, not by choice, and want to find more like-minded people?
Do you have a story that illustrates how you find support in your faith, or how you continue along
your path without the interpersonal support of a group?
** Group Practice
(Note: I have not used the word Coven here simply because it is a rather specific term and it
may not fit everyone’s situation.)
If you have joined a Pagan group, what motivated you to do so? How has being in a group
supported your faith, your practice, or your life in general?
For example, do you have a story about receiving support from others in such a group in a time of
need?
** World View
How has your faith affected the way that you see – and experience – the world?
Do you have a story to share that expresses or illustrates this?
** The Broom Closet
Are you still in the “broom closet?” If so, how is your path being affected by that?
Do you have an interesting story about what it’s like in the closet, or one about coming out of the
closet?
** Reactions from others
What reactions have your family and friends had when they found out you are Pagan? How did
you deal with their reactions? What responses have you gotten from casual acquaintances who
have learned of your faith?
There are many myths about Pagans, which seem ridiculous to us, but which many people have
accepted without question. Do you have a tale to tell about encountering such misconceptions
and how you dealt with them, either successfully or not? (Such a tale might be anything from
humorous to exasperating.)
Do you have a story about an experience that changed a friend or family member’s perception of
you and your path?
As noted above, sometimes even those who accept don't always understand. Do you have a tale
that either illustrates this or that runs counter to it?
** Childhood
What was it like growing up Pagan? Were you taunted by other kids, lonely because you were
different, supported by the grace of an understanding friend or adult, or what? Like the
proverbial Ugly Duckling finally finding a flock of swans, what was it like when you finally found
your “tribe”?
Do you have a story that is especially representative of what any of that was like?
(Note that this story may be yours if you were Pagan as a child, or that of your own children.)
** Sabbats
Would you like to share an interesting experience about celebrating a Sabbat? For example, this
might be a heartwarming tale of your child learning a deep spiritual meaning about Beltane, or on
the other hand, it could be a distressing tale about a Samhain celebration disrupted by Halloween
pranksters.
** Rituals and Celebrations
Was there something about your Hand-fasting / wedding that set it apart as being distinctively
Pagan?
Do you have a story to share about a noteworthy aspect about that experience?
Other than weddings, our modern western culture does not seem to put very much emphasis on
rites of passage. Do you have an interesting story that illustrates the value of a Pagan ritual, like
maybe a coming of age ceremony?
** Relationships.
How does being Pagan affect your relationship with:
Your partner / spouse. Does s/he share your path, understand it, support it, or is s/he totally
bemused by it? Is there a story that illustrates this, for example, one that shows how you grew
spiritually or gained more insight about your faith through his/her support ... or lack thereof?
Your children. Is there a story that shows how your faith has affected your relationship with a
child of yours ... or how your faith has been changed by that relationship?
** Where you live
Many Pagans live in small communities where they don’t feel comfortable being open about their
spirituality / religion. Have you had any interesting experiences in that sort of environment?
Perhaps you have a story about an experience that shows how you your faith gave you strength
under fire, or maybe there is a story about how you received unexpected understanding and
assistance from a neighbor?
** Pagan Support Groups
Are you in a Pagan 12-step program or another type of support group?
Without betraying any confidences, is there an experience – one that is uniquely Pagan – that
demonstrates how a Pagan support group has changed your life?
** Spells and Magic
For many Pagans, spells and magic are a big part of their life, but this is an aspect of their
practice that is often misinterpreted (in various ways) by non-Pagans, anywhere from the
trivialization of TV shows like Sabrina to some people’s fear that a witch will put a hex on them.
Do you have a story about magic in your life that might disabuse people of any such notions?
Can you tell about an example of the power of Magic in your life?
The following comment about magic is from An Alphabet of Spells, by Elen Hawke:
“ ... magic will change you. The moment you choose to take control of your own life by casting
spells to alter your circumstances, you will begin to transform yourself as well.”
Do you have a story that illustrates this?
The following are a few excellent definitions of Spells:
“A spell is a prayer that you put some of your own effort into.”
“A spell is a ritual that you perform to accomplish a specific goal.”
“A spell is a collaborative effort with the Divine, a way to co-create with the Divine.”
Do you have a story that illustrates a definition like one of the above?
Then there is the Threefold Law of Magic, which may be stated as:
“Whatever you do, either for good or ill, will be returned to you threefold.”
Do you have a story about a time when you cast a harmful spell and then experienced the
Threefold Law as a result? Or a similar experience regarding a beneficial spell?
Novices are often warned that there are great dangers in magic if you don’t know what you are
doing well enough, if you open doors (so to speak) that you are not yet ready to open.
Do you have a story about a bad experience you had when working with energies or forces that
you didn’t understand or weren’t yet able to deal with?
** Deity
One of the more unique features of Pagan religions is that they don’t usually have a set-in-stone
orthodoxy -- i.e., there is no “bible.” From what I have observed in other people, and from what I
have read about religious history, the Divine speaks differently to everyone, but while most of
Christian orthodoxy seems to deny or suppress this fact, Pagan religions instead tend to
recognize and celebrate it.
Indeed, this diversity of our experience of the Divine is a profound indication that Deity is
infinitely more complex than any of us can ever understand.
Have you had a vivid personal encounter with the Divine? How does the Divine speak to you?
Do you have a story about an experience wherein Divinity contacted you? How did this affect
your life? What did it feel like? How did it touch your heart? What message did you receive and
how did it change your life?
On a related theme, many people have had personal encounters with other mystical forces or
entities, such as angels, the spirit of someone who had passed away, or some other supernatural
being. Do you have a story about such an experience, especially as related to your Pagan
practice or beliefs?
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