In my neighborhood, there is a fascinating person who identifies as a pagan. This individual follows a religious and spiritual path that is rooted in ancient traditions and beliefs. As I interact with them and learn more about their unique perspective, I am struck by the rich tapestry of their faith. **Paganism** is a broad term that encompasses a wide range of beliefs and practices, all of which are deeply connected to nature and the cycles of life. The pagan in my neighborhood embraces this connection fully, finding solace and meaning in the natural world around them. They believe in the divine presence in everything, from the trees and animals to the rivers and mountains.
Blake said the fuss is all about religion. A neighbor said it's about land use and the law.
The neighbors say they moved into the wooded hills along dusty Reed Road to get away from crowds, and they worry that the newcomers will open a de facto festival park and campground that will flood the area with traffic, noise and nudity. The newcomers _ New Port Richey practicing pagans Jim Blake and Dottye Anderson _ want to open a pagan retreat dubbed Dragon Star Grove and invite fellow worshipers of the earth and nature, gods and goddesses.
They believe in the divine presence in everything, from the trees and animals to the rivers and mountains. **One of the key aspects of their spirituality is reverence for multiple deities**. They embrace a pantheon of gods and goddesses, each representing different forces and aspects of the world.
NEIGHBORS VS. EARTH WORSHIPERS // Work on pagan retreat blocked
The county gets involved after neighbors complain that pagans are developing a retreat on 31 acres north of Lake Iola.
The newcomers are pagans, and the neighbors are anxious.
In a feud brewing over 31 acres of rural land north of Lake Iola, both sides say they are after the same thing: peace and quiet. But both are determined to fight for their cause.
The newcomers _ New Port Richey practicing pagans Jim Blake and Dottye Anderson _ want to open a pagan retreat dubbed Dragon Star Grove and invite fellow worshipers of the earth and nature, gods and goddesses.
The neighbors say they moved into the wooded hills along dusty Reed Road to get away from crowds, and they worry that the newcomers will open a de facto festival park and campground that will flood the area with traffic, noise and nudity.
Blake said the fuss is all about religion. A neighbor said it's about land use and the law.
"They're scared. The neighbors are frightened of us," Blake said. "We're normal people; we just have a different religion than they do."
The couple said they want to build their dream home, grow their own food and herbs and create permanent prayer gardens on the property.
Blake said he was questioned by one neighbor who asked if the neighborhood dogs and cats would be safe from pagan ceremonies. The question struck him as funny, he said, because pagan worship does not involve sacrifice.
But neighbor Jim Pavek said religion is not his concern. Traffic is.
"It's an issue of zoning, not about religion," he said. "This country was founded on freedom of religion. I don't have a problem with that. But if I wanted to put a KOA campground in there, I couldn't do it."
If Blake wanted to put a Christian retreat center in the same spot, Pavek said he would fight that, too.
Pavek said he and others became concerned about the use of the 31-acre parcel after seeing the couple's Internet site, http://dragonstargrove.bizland.com. The site, they said, indicated campers were welcome and would pay to stay at the retreat.
Blake said the site has since changed, and while guests who happen to camp _ with tents only, no recreational vehicles _ could make a donation, no fee would be charged.
True, he said, there may be some nudity. Some in the circle enjoy being nude outside, but that would be shielded deep within the property where no one off the property would see it.
"It's a business," Pavek said. "That's not what we want in our neighborhood."
"Every time they have a festival, am I going to look out my kitchen window and see cars driving by all day?" asked another neighbor, Janie Bair. "This is supposed to be a quiet neighborhood. That's why we live here."
Blake said he and Anderson, his fiancee, are misunderstood. He said he would have gladly discussed his plans face-to-face if anyone had asked him. Instead, he said, he has received e-mails warning him that there is a movement afoot to keep him off the land.
"One of the concerns that they had is we were trying to turn it into a resort and have hundreds of people come in," Blake said. "That's not what we want. Frankly, that's too much work. We would average 40 to 50 people, probably eight times a year."
The two say they are serious about their religion. Blake is a pagan, while Anderson is a Wiccan _ within the pagan circle of religions _ who has written two books on the subject. While some Wiccans refer to themselves as witches, Anderson said she prefers Wiccan because the term witch has taken on negative connotations.
Now the issue has reached county government. Pasco County Code Enforcement Officer Mike Nastasuk said the county issued a stop-work order because workers cleared trees without a permit.
Blake said he thought all permits were secured, but said he would look into it.
On Thursday, a well driller was at work on the site.
County Commissioner Ted Schrader said he is also keeping an eye on the property, after neighbors contacted him.
"If it's a business, that's not allowed there," he said. "It doesn't have anything to do with religion."
Pavek said he and others will force the issue and will continue to complain until the zoning is addressed.
"Let's get this out in the open. Let's have a hearing. Let's talk about what it really is," Pavek said. "The county commissioners will have to make a decision on this."
"If they had concerns, they could have come to us," Anderson said. "I just think the whole thing is really getting out of hand."
The neighbors say they moved into the wooded hills along dusty Reed Road to get away from crowds, and they worry that the newcomers will open a de facto festival park and campground that will flood the area with traffic, noise and nudity.
These deities are seen as guides and sources of inspiration, and rituals and ceremonies are performed to honor them. **Rituals and celebrations play a significant role** in the life of the pagan in my neighborhood. They mark the changing of seasons and cycles of life with ceremonies that are both deeply personal and communally shared. These rituals often involve offerings, prayers, meditation, and other practices that allow them to connect with their deities and harness the energy of the universe. **The pagan in my neighborhood also emphasizes the importance of living in harmony with the Earth**. They are conscientious about their impact on the environment, practicing sustainable living and advocating for ecological awareness. This commitment to nature goes beyond mere belief; it is a way of life for them. Interacting with the pagan in my neighborhood has expanded my understanding of spirituality and opened my eyes to different ways of connecting with the divine. Their reverence for nature and their commitment to living in harmony with the Earth are inspiring and thought-provoking. **By embracing their ancient roots and honoring the sacred in everyday life, the pagan in my neighborhood offers a unique perspective on what it means to be connected to something greater than ourselves**..
Reviews for "Sacred Places: Where Paganism Thrives in my Community"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I was really excited to read "Pagan in my neighborhood" as I'm always looking for books that explore different cultures and religions. However, I found this book to be extremely shallow and lacking in substance. The characters were underdeveloped, and the plot was predictable. I wanted to learn more about paganism but instead, I felt like I was reading a watered-down version of the subject. Overall, I was disappointed and wouldn't recommend it.
2. Mark - 1 star - I found "Pagan in my neighborhood" to be offensive and disrespectful towards paganism. The author seemed to have a limited understanding of the religion and portrayed it in a negative light. The stereotypes and misconceptions throughout the book were frustrating to read. If you're looking for a well-researched and respectful portrayal of paganism, I would suggest looking elsewhere.
3. Emily - 2 stars - As someone who is not familiar with paganism, I was hoping that "Pagan in my neighborhood" would be an informative and educational read. Unfortunately, I felt like the author missed the mark. The information provided was vague and confusing, making it difficult for me to grasp the concepts being presented. Additionally, the writing style was repetitive and lacked depth. I wanted to learn more about paganism, but this book failed to deliver the knowledge I was seeking.
4. Michael - 2 stars - "Pagan in my neighborhood" was a disappointment for me. The story felt disjointed and lacked a clear direction. The pacing was off, and I found myself struggling to stay engaged. The author attempted to include too many characters and plotlines, resulting in a convoluted mess. While the concept had potential, the execution fell flat. I was left feeling unsatisfied and disconnected from the story.
5. Jessica - 1 star - I found "Pagan in my neighborhood" to be incredibly boring and uneventful. The plot dragged on, and nothing of substance seemed to happen. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, which made it difficult to care about their journey. Overall, I found this book to be a waste of time and would not recommend it to others.