I am a pagan magnet.

My momma always said that "God puts people in your path for a reason."  So, when pagans started popping up, I took notice.  For years now, everywhere I've turned, I have come face to face with pagans.  I've been stationed with them from Boston to Baghdad.  I run into them at work and at school.  The on-call locksmith?  Pagan.  The guy refinishing the counters?  Pagan.  It seems that I couldn't throw a stone without hitting a Druid, bouncing off two Wiccans, and landing at the feet of an Asatru (who would, inevitably, pick up the stone and hurl it right back at me).  This earned me the nickname of "Pagan Ambassador" with quite a few of my friends.  We would joke about mine being the face of Neo-Paganism... not a pretty picture!!!

Over the past few months, however, a new phenomenon has been occuring.  Non-pagans have been flocking to me, begging to know what it is, as a Pagan, I do and believe.  It's gone way beyond the normal "You-dont-worship-the-devil-do-you?" that we normally get.  It's not even that they are asking for basic beliefs and practices.  I've been fielding questions about the structure of ritual, lunar phases, and which Deity has which associations and why.  I've been asked for recommended reading for people who are trying to get a feel for the religion.  Basically, I'm meeting more and more "seekers".

Now, meeting established Pagans was fun.  These are people who have their path; they don't need your guidance.  There was no work involved.  And when I was new to the path, I took these people for roadsigns that I was on the right track.  These new people, these "seekers", they are work.  But, as the God and Goddess saw fit to put open pagans on my path, it isn't much of a surprise that They would put me into the path of newbies. 

You see, I'm a bit... how would you put it?... boisterous (*Understatement!*).  There was no way that I was ever going to be able to hang out in the broom closet.  And while I might not be able to help my volume, I can certainly try my darndest not to be annoying.    Being an initiated Priestess in the Desert Moon Circle, putting my best pagan-foot forward is especially important as I wouldn't want my behaviour to reflect poorly upon my coven.  Since I am an outgoing, apporachable, fairly-as far as public appearances go-normal, it appears I am a draw for those who want to learn more.  For them, I am what they think when they think "Pagan".   If you are out of the broom closet,  for those people you encounter, YOU are the face...  You are the "Pagan Posterchild".  The "Distinguished Ambassador from Pagan".

It has been a pet project of mine since I dedicated myself to this path to give a good name to Wiccans everywhere by living my path, being honest and knowledgeable, being as normal as I can be, by being on time...  Let's face it.  While there are oodles of us out there, and our numbers keep growing, there are many of us who do not have the luxury of being out of that old, murky broom closet.  That leaves precious few of us to shoulder the responsibility of "Pagan Posterchild".  Don't think that matters?  Well, how many times do you get asked about the lady who drove the sword through her foot casting a circle??  I know people around me wouldn't shut up about it.  When there is an entire church at your back, it's easier to disavow the weirdos.  For example:  When there is some FLDS sect making news, don't you think the mainstream Mormons catch flack?  You bet.  But they have the entire LDS church to back them up, saying "Hey!  That's not what we are.  That's not what we do."  For many "civilians", I am the only Pagan they know.  Anytime they hear of or meet some weirdo who calls him/herself a "Pagan", I'm the person they ask about it.  I don't have a church to disavow the freaks.  It's just little ole me.

"Okay, Delphy, get to the point."  Want to know what I'm getting at?  Well, here goes. You may have noticed that I primarily refered to myself in this blog as "Pagan" instead of specifically as "Wiccan", which I very proudly am.   We are, Each One of Us, the Roadsignt-Teacher-PosterChild-Public Relations Department of not only our own traditions, but Paganism at large.  And it's time we start bloody acting like it.  If we are going to start gaining respect, it can't just be a "Wiccan Revolution".  It is time to start backing each other up.  We have to make an effort be better reserached (no one likes an un-read pagan, yo), more patient, more respectable, and even more punctual.  Remember:  If you are out of the broom closet, no matter what tradition you associate with, you represent me.

At a recent dedicant ceremony, we did something rather beautiful.  Each initiated priestess lit one lantern "In rememberance of the day I chose this path" and one "To illuminate the way for those who come after me."  Don't you think its time we take that to heart and let our lanterns burn bright?  I do.

Pánta eteléutêsan.

Delphy