There are various Pagan meetups that take place across the world, including near me. Paganism is a spiritual path that embraces nature, celebrates the cycles of the seasons, and reveres the divine in all its forms. Meetups are gatherings where like-minded individuals come together to share their beliefs, practices, and love for Paganism. These meetups provide a sense of community and support for Pagans, especially those who live in areas where their beliefs may be considered unconventional or stigmatized. They offer a safe space for Pagans to connect, learn, and grow in their spiritual journeys. The nature of Pagan meetups can vary greatly, depending on the organizers and attendees.
Reading this was also saddening because we’d be shown how single women were treated during those times, especially women like Maria, who was skillful, knowledgeable and most of all, knew the art of healing. Life for women like Maria, wasn’t easy, all because they were different.
Maria was born with a star tattoo on the inside of her arm, marking her as a witch , making her a natural in healing and curing , while being guided by her kind, adoptive mother, Hannah Owens , who was a master of the Nameless Art and green magic , but whose life met with a tragic end. Heresies The Greek word hairesis carries the idea of a group of people who adhere to the same doctrine or who ardently follow the same leader and are sectarian.
The nature of Pagan meetups can vary greatly, depending on the organizers and attendees. Some meetups focus on educational workshops, where participants can learn about different Pagan practices and traditions. This can include topics such as herbology, divination, spellwork, and mythology.
Broomless, cauldron-less witches bring hope
Witches have been portrayed fictionally within pop culture, Halloween decorations, halloween costumes and even some music. Because imagery of witches is so extremely common, I was far from surprised when I saw people claiming to use witchcraft on my TikTok For You page. Although I may not have been surprised to see it, I was very confused upon closer inspection. The video featured a user claiming that the witchcraft they were performing was, in fact, real.
I was dumbfounded and immediately went to the video’s comment section to confirm my disbelief. I discovered an entire community I had never known existed — the comments were filled with other self-proclaimed witches cheering the user on. From that moment forward, I have been engrossed in books and books of research on the topic. My research soon revealed the naturalistic beliefs and simplistic unifying nature that belongs to a global community of people using Wicca to soothe their fears and drive their lives.
The topic I found myself researching wasn’t “witchcraft in 2020,” but rather I began researching “Wiccans in 2020.” Wicca is a predominantly Western movement whose followers practice witchcraft and nature worship and who see it as a religion based on pre- Christian traditions of northern and western Europe, according to Britannica . The Wiccan religion focuses on giving back to nature and involves natural practices implementing those ideas similar to the woman in the video I saw.
The witchcraft that the witch claimed to be doing was not anywhere close to what I had imagined witchcraft to look like. The TikToker filled a small bottle with different herbs, crystals and oils, and sealed it with candle wax. I had always assumed that witchcraft was uniform and all it included was women on brooms, bubbling cauldrons and levitating objects. Current day witchcraft truly is formed off of the belief that nature can be used to impact one’s life.
Spells, like the one that Tik Tok user was showcasing, are made by Wiccans and are created with natural ingredients and peaceful mantras. Post my extensive research, I decided I would visit a witch store in Chicago, again something I had previously not known existed.
When I entered I was hit with the strong smell of burning incense, and as I looked around, I saw colorful tapestries, decorations and an entire section filled with different crystals. I was amazed by the selection and a bit overwhelmed at the same time. I ended up buying a couple of beginner items like an incense holder, incense, a couple of crystals and some different colored candles. As I was leaving with my little bag full of new treasures, the store owner said “so mote it be.”
The moment I returned home, I Googled that term and found that it functions as a positive blessing or as a Wiccan way to wish blessings on somebody, according to an article on the Learn Religions website . As I continued on with my night, I set up my new materials and found some more TikToks on beginner’s guides to modern witchcraft.
It was a bit confusing at first, but some of the incense sticks I bought claimed to get rid of stress and negative feelings. I found myself constantly cleansing my room with burning incense and I honestly started to feel a lot better. I discovered this subcommunity back in July and have been using incense and crystals ever since. With the coronavirus bringing on more stress than most people can handle, I found peace with connecting to nature.
There’s an upward spike in those practicing witchcraft whenever trust in the “establishment” falls and instability rises, according to an Atlantic article . I quickly related to what Bianca Bosker wrote as she found through different interviews that oftentimes when there’s a rise of mainstream witchcraft some large event is simultaneously occurring as people are searching for hope or new answers.
Currently, the coronavirus has proven to correlate with a rising interest in witchcraft, not only on TikTok, but within many popular commercial chains. Urban Outfitters has started selling tarot card kits, magic books, astrology guides and palm reading guides; it’s among many other stores, like Anthropologie and Sephora, that have taken notice of a growing interest in witchcraft and in response created products catering to those interests.
While I have taken more interest in the researching and reading aspect of Wiccan culture to subdue some of my coronavirus and school-related stress, there has been some backlash from the Wiccan community regarding people treating their practices as a trend. Many practicing witches feel that newcomers should get true experiences with learning about witchcraft instead of buying a mass-produced retail version of the real thing, according to an article in Vox magazine .
I’ve only bought my materials from Chicago witch shops like Alchemy Arts , located in Edgewater, but I am continuously learning about Wiccans and their different practices from a respectful perspective. While modern witchcraft has brought me some peace of mind during these trying times and a better connection with nature, I don’t see it as a trend. Rather, witchcraft has begun to reach more popular platforms, educating more people and bringing light to a topic often misconstrued in different facets of pop culture.
Be warned. This isn’t a happy book. It’s about sadness and spells, loss and love, deaths and despair, crushed hopes and dreams, and yet for me, the pages flew by and I didn’t want the story to end. Like a spell, I was enchanted by the writing and storytelling. I mean, what can I say, it’s Alice Hoffman, and I’m already a fan of the Owens after reading Practical Magic and Rules of Magic, both of which I loved.
Others may center around rituals and ceremonies that honor the seasons or specific deities. These rituals may involve dancing, singing, chanting, and communal feasting. Pagan meetups can be found through various avenues. Online platforms, such as social media groups and websites, often serve as a hub for Pagan communities. Local metaphysical or spiritual shops may also host or advertise these meetups. Additionally, there are Pagan festivals and gatherings throughout the year that attract Pagan practitioners from all over. Attending a Pagan meetup can be a transformative and enriching experience. It allows individuals to connect with others who share their beliefs and to deepen their understanding of Paganism. It provides an opportunity for personal growth, as participants can learn from others' experiences and perspectives. For those new to Paganism, meetups offer a welcoming environment to explore and ask questions. In conclusion, Pagan meetups near me are an exciting and essential aspect of the Pagan community. They provide a sense of belonging and support for individuals on their spiritual journeys. Whether you are a seasoned practitioner or just curious about Paganism, attending a meetup can be a rewarding experience..
Reviews for "Finding Your Tribe: Discover Pagan Meetups Near You"
- Jennifer - 2 stars - I was really excited to attend the Pagan meetups near me and connect with like-minded people, but I was highly disappointed. The organization was poor, and it felt like the event was thrown together haphazardly. The speakers were ill-prepared and didn't offer any valuable insights or information. Additionally, the atmosphere was not welcoming or inclusive, making it difficult to feel comfortable and engage with others. Overall, I was left feeling frustrated and unsatisfied with the experience.
- Alex - 1 star - I had high expectations for the Pagan meetups near me, but unfortunately, they fell incredibly short. The event was disorganized and poorly structured, making it difficult to follow along and actively participate. The content presented was shallow and lacked depth, and I felt like I didn't gain any valuable knowledge or insights. On top of that, the atmosphere was clique-ish, and I struggled to find common ground with others. I wouldn't recommend attending these meetups if you're looking for an enriching and inclusive experience.
- Sarah - 2 stars - I attended the Pagan meetups near me with an open mind, but I left disappointed. The event lacked structure and direction, making it hard to follow along and stay engaged. The discussions were shallow and didn't provide any meaningful insights. Additionally, the organizers seemed more interested in showcasing their own opinions than fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment. I was hoping to connect with like-minded individuals, but unfortunately, the atmosphere was unwelcoming and exclusive. Overall, the experience fell short of my expectations.