Pagan Teachings Near Me Pagan teachings are spiritual practices and beliefs that are rooted in ancient traditions and nature worship. These teachings often focus on honoring and connecting with the natural world, as well as embracing a diverse range of spiritual practices and deities. If you are interested in exploring pagan teachings near you, there are likely to be several options available. Many communities have pagan or Wiccan groups that meet regularly for rituals, discussions, and workshops. These groups can provide a supportive and welcoming environment for individuals seeking to deepen their understanding and connection with pagan teachings. It is important to note that pagan teachings can vary widely depending on the specific tradition or path followed by individuals or groups.
I am a part of both the Reclaiming Pagan community, as well as the Quaker one, because they both offer fellowship around truths or values that speak to my soul, and experiences that embody those values.
When I am at witch camp, the week-long summer retreats where I spend most of my time in Reclaiming community, I am less hesitant to share about my Quaker experience, but I still have concerns. One attender said that she found that you do not need to have any certain Christian beliefs to be a Friend, but you are expected to be conversant in biblical language about spiritual experience.
It is important to note that pagan teachings can vary widely depending on the specific tradition or path followed by individuals or groups. Some pagans may focus on the worship of specific deities, such as those from Norse, Celtic, or Egyptian pantheons, while others may center their practice around nature-based rituals and ceremonies. In addition to community groups, there are also a wealth of resources available online to learn more about pagan teachings.
Allow Me to Introduce You, Witches and Friends
I have struggled with becoming a part of the Quaker community, while also being a Pagan-Animist-Witch at heart. Deep down, I believe these two spiritual traditions have important core values in common, which is why I am drawn to both of them. On the surface, however, there are multiple points of tension that I encounter in Reclaiming (the magical activist tradition of which I partake) and the Religious Society of Friends.
When I “come out of the broom closet” in Quaker circles, there are usually plenty of Friends ready to reassure me that I am welcome; they tell me that there are plenty of Pagans within Quakerdom and that Spirit moves as It will, paying no heed to the borders and boundaries of religious sects. It is not these Friends that I am concerned about when I hesitate to share this important part of my identity and spirituality. I am concerned about those who are not familiar with Pagans or who have more orthodox Christian leanings.
I think about how, as a member of the local youth committee, I help teach “First-day” school, because the founders of Friends of Truth did not approve of naming the days of the week after celestial deities. Sometimes when I hear “First Day,” or especially if I say it, I cringe a little. It feels like part of me is being condemned—the part that does worship the Sun, giving thanks for the nourishment and warmth it (he? she?) provides. On the other hand, I am not comfortable with “Sunday school” either—partly because it sounds too much like programmed church services for kids, and more importantly because I want to honor and respect this spiritual tradition and the choice to use different words intentionally. A neutral phrase I sometimes resort to is “children’s program.” I doubt those around me realize how much thought I’m putting into this, nor do I know if or when they might want me to share about it.
When I am at witch camp, the week-long summer retreats where I spend most of my time in Reclaiming community, I am less hesitant to share about my Quaker experience, but I still have concerns. We say that we are each our own spiritual authority, but does that extend to partaking in a Christian tradition, the Christianity that persecuted our spiritual ancestors and persecutes us to this day? Will I be judged or understood if I mention the words “worship” or “God”? This brings me back to the matter of deep truths being obscured by language. At a meeting for worship at the Pendle Hill conference center outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a Friend gave ministry about using language to point to the meaning behind the words. This ministry, in fact, changed the way that I am approaching this very piece of writing, and it is also what I often find myself doing in any sacred context, including translating across dialects about Spirit—or Goddess, Gaia, or Great Mystery.
After last summer’s Pacific Yearly Meeting and then a week at Free Cascadia Witch Camp, I visited Humboldt (Calif.) Meeting for the second time. After worship, I brought up this difficulty I face with being Pagan and, perhaps, Quaker. The conversation turned to the more common questions: Do you need to be Christian to be a Quaker? If so, how Christian do you need to be? One attender said that she found that you do not need to have any certain Christian beliefs to be a Friend, but you are expected to be conversant in biblical language about spiritual experience. For example, one is expected to know what the word “ministry” means and to relate the Bible to personal experience, even if in unorthodox ways. I don’t mind this so much, although many people in the world have an aversion to biblical language because it is used to justify atrocities. I can differentiate between the language itself and how it is used, and identify the contexts for meaning.
I am a part of both the Reclaiming Pagan community, as well as the Quaker one, because they both offer fellowship around truths or values that speak to my soul, and experiences that embody those values.
In the Reclaiming community, we sometimes say, “You are your own spiritual authority.” This statement gives me a sense of trust that I am being honored for my autonomous relationship with Mystery/Spirit/Gaia/Whathaveyou, without any other human being trying to mediate or otherwise interfere. The idea of being one’s own spiritual authority is different from some traditional Quaker language about “being obedient to the leadings of Spirit.” I think these two approaches are actually quite similar though, in that Pagans aren’t necessarily referring to being independent from the source of spiritual inspiration and guidance—whatever that is—but to other humans in a way that doesn’t introduce hierarchy into religious affiliation. (I have heard some talk from Reclaiming Witches about “negotiating” with deities. For example, if Kali comes to you in a meditative vision and tells you to burn down a Walmart, you may want to consider asking a few questions before taking this advice. We are always responsible for our actions, even when they are Spirit-led.) Again, the language use diverges from the traditional so that there may be cultural misunderstanding when there is not a deeper experience of what these words mean. Ultimately, what we are both saying is that we have direct access to the Divine.
Intricately tied to the idea of direct access to the Divine is the value of egalitarianism. Friends and most of the Pagans I know use some form of consensus to make group decisions. In Reclaiming, we usually use a more formal, activist-style consensus, while Quakers prefer to say that we are seeking unity. Quaker business meetings are often called meetings for worship on the occasion of business. When a difficult subject arises—or at the beginning of the meeting or consideration of an agenda item—we take a moment of silence to drop down and listen for what Spirit is calling us to do on this matter. I think any type of meeting can benefit from this practice, which embodies the testimony of equality, and everyone’s insight into a matter and his or her connection with Spirit’s leading is equally important.
Both Reclaiming and Friends communities practice spiritual traditions in which, at least officially, no one is any more or less a priestess (used gender-neutrally) or minister than anyone else (the respective terms used in each community). Some may take the role of leader more than others, but everyone has the opportunity to do so. In Quaker meetings, anyone sensing a message from Spirit can stand and speak, giving ministry; in Reclaiming rituals, everyone is usually invited to take part in designing and carrying out the ritual. Ritual planners go out of their way to find volunteers for different parts of the ritual (grounding, invoking elements, teaching a song) so that it isn’t a show put on by the elite but rather a participatory community event.
Both of these traditions share another element of “walking the mystical path with practical feet” by encouraging spiritually alive and inspired work for change and justice in the world, both social and environmental. Reclaiming is explicitly called a “magical activist” tradition. Many of the causes backed by Quakers and Pagans are the same. In my experience, however, these communities tend to employ different strategies for change. Quakers are more likely to do community presentations, lobbying, and vigils. Pagans seem more apt to get out in the streets and do civil disobedience: blockading banks or the Democratic and Republican conventions. Earth Quaker Action Team (EQAT, pronounced equate) is an example of Friends doing what I would love to see more of in Quaker world. At a recent Quaker Earthcare Witness conference, I was so inspired by the stories of EQAT members holding ministry in the lobbies of banks that finance the devastation of mountaintop removal.
This brings me to the question of how these traditions and communities differ and why I enjoy having both in my life. As I mentioned, Pagans are more likely to employ civil disobedience as a political tactic. This is in keeping with Pagans embodying wildness: letting our bodies run free during witch camps, dancing naked in the fields while laughing and screaming and singing. At my first yearly meeting session last summer, I entertained the notion of such activities taking place there, and it was an amusing thought. I thrive on this acceptance and honoring of my animal essence. And although there is a strong focus on social justice within Reclaiming, ecojustice is always integrated. We would never need a separate earthcare committee, because the whole tradition is an earthcare committee.
On the other side of the scale from wild abandon, I find peace, solace, and wisdom in the stillness that Friends bring to worship. While we have some of this in quiet visualizations or trances at witch camps, Paganism doesn’t cultivate listening. We may listen through nature signs (seeing a rabbit or a lizard cross our path), tarot, or rune readings, and these are invaluable ways to receive important messages. I cannot speak for all witches, because many meditate more than I do, but I have not experienced nearly as much silence in Pagan settings. When I think about Quaker silence and some of Quaker activism as well, the phrase “slow and steady wins the race” comes to mind. If I could combine the best of both worlds, I would gather my beloved community together for outdoor worship and listen to the scrub-jay ministry, the squirrel ministry, and maybe even flowing-creek ministry, as well as the human ministry, including that which is given for guidance on business and political strategy.
So now that you have met each other, Friends and Witches, maybe we can all spend time together. Maybe we can be allies for social and ecological justice. Maybe we can see past the different words we each use and learn to understand one another’s experiences, both in the ways we are different and the ways we are the same. And maybe it will be a little easier for me to embody more fully in each community the ways these paths live in me. May we hold each other in the Light, and blessed be.
Friends Journal author chat:
Websites, forums, and social media groups can provide a platform for discussing and sharing information about different pagan traditions, practices, and experiences. If you are curious about pagan teachings near you, consider starting by researching local pagan or Wiccan groups in your area. Reach out to these groups to inquire about their activities and events. Attending a gathering or meeting can be an excellent opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and learn more about pagan teachings. Remember, exploring pagan teachings is a personal journey, and it is important to find a path and community that resonates with you. Take the time to explore different traditions and philosophies, and be open to new ideas and experiences. By embracing pagan teachings, you may find a deeper connection with nature, spirituality, and yourself..
Reviews for "Learning and Growing: Pagan Teachings in Your Neighborhood"
1. Emily - 1 star - I attended a pagan teachings event near me and I was thoroughly disappointed. The speaker seemed disorganized and lacked a clear message. They were constantly going off on tangents and it was hard to follow along with what they were trying to convey. Additionally, the atmosphere was not conducive to learning or growth. It felt more like a gathering of self-proclaimed experts who were more interested in showcasing their own knowledge rather than genuinely teaching others. Overall, it was a waste of time and money.
2. Jason - 2 stars - I had high expectations for the pagan teachings session near me, but unfortunately, it fell short. The instructor seemed knowledgeable, but their teaching style was dry and monotonous. It was difficult to stay engaged and I found myself zoning out frequently. Furthermore, the material covered was quite basic and didn't offer any new insights or perspectives. I was hoping for a more in-depth and enriching experience, but I left feeling unsatisfied and unfulfilled.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I attended a pagan teachings workshop in my area and was disappointed with the lack of organization. The event was poorly coordinated, with the schedule constantly changing and activities not being properly explained. It seemed like there was a lack of preparation and effort put into the event, which made it difficult to fully immerse myself in the teachings. Additionally, the venue was cramped and uncomfortable, making it hard to focus on the content being presented. Overall, I was left feeling frustrated and let down by the experience.
4. Michael - 1 star - I found the pagan teachings near me to be quite underwhelming. The presenter lacked charisma and energy, which made the sessions feel dull and uninspiring. Additionally, the content covered was too simplistic and didn't offer any real depth or substance. I was hoping to gain a deeper understanding of pagan beliefs and practices, but instead, I felt like I was attending a beginner's guide. Overall, it was a disappointing experience and I wouldn't recommend it to others seeking more profound teachings.