Pagan meetups near me are gatherings of individuals who practice or are curious about Paganism. These meetups aim to provide a supportive and inclusive community for Pagans to connect, share knowledge, and celebrate their beliefs. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced practitioner, these meetups offer an opportunity to explore and deepen your understanding of Pagan traditions. Pagan meetups near me typically take place in local community centers, parks, or private homes. Some groups meet regularly, while others have more sporadic gatherings. The format of these meetups can vary, ranging from informal discussions to structured rituals and ceremonies.

They Call Me Magic review – Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson is calm, pleasant and lacking a sense of humour

This drama-free, non-gripping documentary on the basketball star’s career sees him chuckling at banal anecdotes and breezing so easily through life that there’s only one winner – and it’s not the viewer

I n the fourth and final episode of They Call Me Magic (Apple TV+), Earvin “Magic” Johnson – one of the finest basketball players of all time – sits comfortably, smiles widely and assesses his own merits. “All the things I was on the basketball court, I am as a businessman. Disciplined. Focused. Building a strategy.” While these may well be the qualities needed to become a multimillionaire sporting hero, they are not the traits that make for a gripping sports documentary.

They Call Me Magic is a story of obstacles overcome, but Johnson hurdles them all so easily that no drama develops. He grows up in an honest, blue-collar family in Lansing, Michigan, his mother working in a school cafeteria while his father does long shifts at a car plant. Honing his basketball skills in pickup games against grown men, Earvin Johnson Jr soon has scalpers trading tickets outside his high school matches, is given the nickname “Magic” and proceeds smoothly to college level, where he leads Michigan State to the 1979 NCAA championship. The cloud of his unglamorous upbringing clears.

Johnson skips the final year of college and turns pro, joining the Los Angeles Lakers and helping them reach the 1980 NBA finals. When star player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar gets injured and is absent for the crucial Game 6, the 20-year-old Johnson takes over, operating out of position at center instead of point guard and turning in one of the greatest single-game performances in NBA history. The Lakers win and go on to dominate the 1980s, with Johnson coming out on top in his rivalry with the Boston Celtics’ Larry Bird. Meanwhile, Magic enjoys the celebrity lifestyle, refusing for years to commit to childhood sweetheart, Cookie, although in interview this doesn’t seem to have caused Cookie Johnson – so we know how that story ends – any great distress. Magic is worth dutifully waiting for: he’s busy being the best.

It’s not obvious as to how exactly Johnson ruled his sport since, although it has plenty of cracking archive footage of the media hoopla around the Lakers, the series features hardly any basketball action. Perhaps it’s afraid of alienating those with little knowledge of a game that, because it is high-scoring and based on gradually asserted supremacy rather than spectacular moments, is hard to sum up in clips. Combine basketball’s opacity with the blandly pleasant positivity of the interviewees, and you have a documentary where everything seems to just happen naturally.

Johnson is a calm, pleasant presence throughout, often laughing heartily at the end of the most banal anecdotes, in the manner of someone who has never failed for long enough to sharpen a sense of humour. The way serious issues pose virtually no threat to him does, however, border on comical. The NBA at the dawn of the 1980s is a ratty spectacle blighted by violence, scant live TV coverage and racial tensions, but Johnson’s arrival seems to fix all this overnight. The shock of him being diagnosed as HIV positive in 1991 leads only to a brief period of introspection before he cheerfully embraces the challenge of destigmatising the condition. Even the Rodney King riots in LA serve mainly as inspiration for Johnson’s post-retirement entrepreneurialism, giving him the idea to open cinemas, gyms and Starbucks franchises in previously desolate inner cities. This goes so well that he ends up buying the LA Dodgers, who duly win baseball’s World Series. Which is nice.

Any personal demons are soon straightened out, while Johnson’s enemies are charmed or easily vanquished, or both. The closest the Magic story has to an antagonist is probably Isaiah Thomas, the Detroit Pistons point guard who is Johnson’s practice buddy in the off season for years, until the Pistons face the Lakers in the 1988 NBA Finals. Johnson remorselessly smashes Thomas on the court, their friendship ends, and the Magic carnival moves frictionlessly on. You long for him to display the childish inadequacy of Paul Gascoigne, the cold supervillain vibes of Tom Brady or the addiction to conflict of Michael Jordan. Not that Jordan has any conflict with Johnson, despite helping to end his career by succeeding him as the NBA’s most dominant player: they hug after matches and then team up as the USA flatten all comers at the 1992 Olympics.

The makers of They Call Me Magic can essentially get whoever they like to appear, such is Johnson’s pull, giving the show a rich, luxury feel. The Lakers superfan celebrating how the team lit up life in his tough LA neighbourhood? Snoop Dogg. The old guy who remembers how big a deal it was when the NCAA regional final saw his local team, Arkansas, take on Larry Bird’s Indiana side? Bill Clinton. Barack Obama pops up a couple of times to say nothing of note.

Earvin “Magic” Johnson is the cream, the best, on a level above the A list – but when there’s such an overwhelming winner, there’s no sport.

They Call Me Magic

Common Sense Media reviewers include writers, editors, and child development experts. They're trained in creating high-quality parenting advice based on best practices in child development.

Docuseries depicts a superstar's incredible life blandly.

The format of these meetups can vary, ranging from informal discussions to structured rituals and ceremonies. One of the primary purposes of Pagan meetups near me is to create a safe space for Pagans to express themselves without fear of judgment or discrimination. Many people who follow Pagan paths often feel isolated in mainstream society, so these gatherings provide a sense of belonging and validation.

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Positive messages about perseverance, activism, an

Focuses on subjects who show leadership, accountab

Focuses on the men in and around Johnson's basketb

Limited to small incidents on the basketball court

A lot of talk about sex as part of the discussion

Consumerism is limited to promoting the NBA and so

Drinking, drug use, and smoking are not shown, but

Parents need to know that They Call Me Magic is a documentary series about NBA superstar Magic Johnson, from his early days on the Lakers to his evolution into an activist for HIV research. Magic's story, and especially his activism and charitable work, are fascinating and worth learning about, even if the…

Positive Messages

Positive Role Models

Diverse Representations

Focuses on the men in and around Johnson's basketball career, with some attention given to his wife, Cookie. Though there is racial diversity among the interviewees, race is not a topic of discussion.

Violence & Scariness

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Sex, Romance & Nudity

A lot of talk about sex as part of the discussion around Magic contracting HIV. However, sex is not talked about explicitly. Interviewees and archival footage only talk about sex in generalities and focus on implications.

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Products & Purchases

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

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Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that They Call Me Magic is a documentary series about NBA superstar Magic Johnson, from his early days on the Lakers to his evolution into an activist for HIV research. Magic's story, and especially his activism and charitable work, are fascinating and worth learning about, even if the docuseries doesn't go too deep beneath the story's surface. True to Magic's personal brand, the series keeps profanity to a minimum and only vaguely discusses about sex and other edgy topics.

Meeting like-minded individuals allows for the exchange of ideas, experiences, and resources. During Pagan meetups, participants often engage in activities such as exchanging knowledge about different Pagan traditions, discussing relevant books and articles, sharing personal practices, and collectively performing rituals or ceremonies. Some groups may also organize workshops or guest speakers to enhance the learning experience. Paganism encompasses a wide range of beliefs and practices, including Wicca, Druidism, Heathenry, and many others. Consequently, Pagan meetups near me often welcome individuals from diverse backgrounds and traditions, fostering a sense of unity in diversity within the community. In addition to providing a supportive community, Pagan meetups near me also offer opportunities for personal and spiritual growth. They can serve as a platform for individuals to deepen their understanding of Paganism, learn new skills, and develop their individual spiritual practice. Attending Pagan meetups near me can be an excellent way to connect with others who share similar beliefs and interests. Whether you are seeking guidance, support, or simply a space to be yourself, these gatherings can provide a welcoming environment for Pagans to connect, grow, and celebrate their shared spiritual path..

Reviews for "Pagan Meetups and Divination: Learning the Art of Tarot and Runes"

- Emily - 1 star

I attended a "Pagan meet-up" near me and was extremely disappointed. The event was disorganized and lacked structure. There was no clear agenda or purpose for the gathering, and it felt more like a casual hangout rather than a meaningful spiritual event. There was also a lack of knowledgeable and experienced leaders who could guide discussions and answer questions. Overall, it was a waste of my time and I would not recommend it to anyone seriously interested in Paganism.

- Daniel - 2 stars

I recently attended a "Pagan meet-up" in my area, and it wasn't what I expected. The atmosphere was quite chaotic, with attendees talking over each other and no designated speaker or facilitator to guide the conversation. It was difficult to have any meaningful discussions or learn anything substantial about Pagan practices. Additionally, the event lacked diversity and felt exclusive to a certain group of individuals who already knew each other. It left me feeling like an outsider, and I left with more questions than answers. I wouldn't attend another meet-up organized in such a haphazard way.

- Sarah - 1 star

I had high hopes for the "Pagan meet-up" I attended, but it fell short of my expectations. There was a serious lack of structure and organization, making it difficult to engage in any meaningful conversations. The event felt more like a social gathering rather than a gathering for individuals serious about their Pagan practice. Additionally, I found that some participants were not very knowledgeable or respectful of the diverse beliefs within Paganism. It was disappointing and didn't provide the educational and spiritual experience I was seeking. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a more focused and structured Pagan meet-up.

Pagan Meetups and Healing: Exploring Holistic Practices