If you are interested in paganism or are a practicing pagan looking to connect with like-minded individuals, you may be interested in finding pagan meetups near you. Paganism encompasses a wide range of belief systems and practices, including but not limited to Wicca, Druidry, Heathenry, and other forms of nature-based spirituality. Attending pagan meetups can be a great way to learn more about different pagan traditions, engage in discussions with others who share similar beliefs, and form connections within the pagan community. These meetups may take various forms, such as study groups, ritual circles, workshops, or social gatherings. To find pagan meetups near you, you can start by conducting an online search using keywords such as "pagan meetup" or "pagan circle" along with the name of your city or region. This can lead you to local pagan organizations or groups that host regular meetups or events.
This can lead you to local pagan organizations or groups that host regular meetups or events. Social media platforms such as Facebook also have groups dedicated to pagan communities and events, where you can find information about meetups near you. Additionally, you may consider reaching out to local metaphysical or occult shops, as they often have bulletin boards or may be aware of pagan events happening in the area.
Salem Witch Trials
A perceptively produced and engaging historical drama, "Salem Witch Trials" is buoyed by its powerful performances. That is, if you can get past the first five minutes.
Plus IconLaura Fries
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A perceptively produced and engaging historical drama, “Salem Witch Trials” is buoyed by its powerful performances. That is, if you can get past the first five minutes.
Director Joseph Sargent makes the confounding decision to begin the mini at the zenith of accusations of witchcraft as young girls, overcome with fear, face the accused who suddenly morph into screeching, green-faced demons.
In the ensuing four hours, however, it is obvious that scribe Maria Nation went to great pains to instill a sense of historical accuracy, weaving in subplots about community infighting, sexual politics and religious oppression in 1691 Salem, Mass. For the most part, her script offers many possible theories as to why a group of young girls would willingly play a part in 19 gruesome deaths without spoon-feeding viewers the answer. So why make with the “Scooby-Doo”-like antics?
As the mini flashes back to impetus of panic in the colony, the mini regains credibility. Night one introduces viewers to the dire circumstances of the time and place. There is no charter from England, so basically there is no written law. The oppressive Puritan religion is used to shame and scare its parishioners into good behavior. Indians, starvation and exposure are also a daily threat.
Even under such harsh conditions, a pall is cast on the community one particular winter. Ann Putnam (Kirstie Alley) gives birth to a third stillborn child. A neighbor’s barn is destroyed by fire and Ann’s husband Thomas (Jay O. Sanders) has lost a good deal of his wealth and standing in the community to some forward thinking businessmen.
With his job and reputation on the line, Rev. Parris (Henry Czerny) seizes on the notion that dark forces are abound in Salem and gets the rapt attention of his congregation. As his sermons become more stern and condemning, all of this fear, shame and stress is absorbed by the children of the town, in particular Annie Putnam (Katie Boland).
Annie, deeply disturbed by the death of her baby brother, senses the tension between her parents and the town. Her father shows more affection to the dog than to his own children, and the more Annie acts out, the more attention is granted to her.
Before long, a whole group of girls, frightened and confused by the mixed messages they receive from the adults, start behaving oddly. The accusations of witchcraft start flying, and with them come a sense of power for the girls.
In night two, panic grabs hold of the town. At first, the girls accuse the women with the lowest social standing in town, including Tituba (Gloria Reuben), beloved servant to the Parris children. Then it becomes anyone who speaks out against the trials. Rev. Parris gains new power with one of the leading roles in the witch trials, even if it further alienates him from his sickly wife, Elizabeth (Rebecca De Mornay).
New Massachusetts Gov. Sir William Phips (Alan Bates) sends his Deputy Governor William Stoughton (Peter Ustinov), a rigid Puritan, to preside over the hearings, but instead of bringing the town back to its senses, he calls for more hangings.
Soon the town is purged of Thomas Putnam’s enemies, as well as formerly respected community elders such as Rebecca Nurse (Shirley MacLaine). It isn’t until Ann, racked with guilt over these deaths, draws Phips back to Salem that order is restored.
Nation should be credited with creating a provocative account of such a shameful and confounding event in history — visual witchcapades notwithstanding. And for the most part, Sargent actualizes her story by creating a plausible climate and inducing believable performances from his actors.
Alley gets top billing as she’s given the biggest and most dramatic role; if this indeed marks a comeback, it’s a worthy start. MacLaine gives a surprisingly restrained effort for most of the movie but really shines when she becomes one of the accused. De Mornay also offers a strong turn as a voice of reason as does Bates as the showy William Phips.
While historically interesting and thought-provoking, the ugly hallucinations and difficult subject matter restrict the mini’s use as any sort of educational entertainment. Technically, the production is very well done. Nancey Pankiw’s sets reflect the cold and foreboding realities of the times while costumes offer viewers a glimpse of Puritan life beyond the big white collars and sacklike black dresses.
If you're comfortable, you can also ask fellow pagans you may have already connected with for recommendations or information about local meetups. When attending a pagan meetup, it's important to approach with an open mind and respect for others' beliefs and practices. Paganism is a diverse and personal spiritual path, so expect to encounter a variety of ideas and perspectives. It's also a good idea to communicate with the meetup organizers or members beforehand to ensure you understand any guidelines or expectations for participation. Remember that pagan meetups are intended to be inclusive spaces for pagan and pagan-friendly individuals, so it's best to avoid attending with an intention to debate or criticize others' beliefs. Instead, focus on learning, sharing experiences, and building connections within the pagan community. Overall, pagan meetups can provide an enriching experience for those interested in pagan spirituality. They offer opportunities to learn, discuss, and celebrate pagan traditions in a supportive and understanding environment. Whether you're new to paganism or have been practicing for years, attending a meetup can help you deepen your spiritual journey and connect with others who share similar beliefs and experiences..
Reviews for "Embracing Goddess Spirituality: Discover Meetups Near Me"
1. Bob - 2 stars - I attended one of the Pagan meetups near me and I was extremely disappointed. The whole event felt disorganized and lacked structure. There was no clear agenda or activities planned for the evening, which made it difficult to engage with others. Additionally, the atmosphere was not welcoming or inclusive. It seemed like a tight-knit group that was not interested in making new connections. Overall, I left feeling unsatisfied and will not be attending another meetup in the future.
2. Emma - 1 star - I had heard great things about the Pagan meetups near me, so I was excited to join. However, my experience was far from enjoyable. The event was poorly attended and lacked the promised variety of activities. I felt like I wasted my time and money attending this meetup. The lack of organization was evident, and it didn't seem like the organizers had put much effort into making it a worthwhile experience. I would not recommend this meetup to others looking to connect with fellow Pagans in the area.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high hopes for the Pagan meetups near me, but they fell short of my expectations. The meetup felt cliquey and unwelcoming to newcomers. It seemed like most attendees were already well-acquainted with one another and were not interested in including newcomers. The lack of structure made it difficult to engage and connect with others, and I left feeling disconnected and disappointed. I hope the organizers can work on creating a more inclusive and engaging atmosphere in the future.
4. Mark - 1 star - The Pagan meetups near me are truly a waste of time. I attended one and found it to be poorly organized and lacking in substance. The event seemed more like a social gathering than an opportunity to explore and discuss Pagan beliefs. The lack of structure and depth left me feeling unsatisfied and uninterested in attending future meetups. I would not recommend this meetup to anyone seeking a meaningful Pagan experience.
5. Lisa - 2 stars - I attended a few Pagan meetups near me and I was not impressed. The events felt disorganized and lackluster. It seemed like the organizers didn't put much effort into planning engaging activities or discussions. The atmosphere was also not very welcoming or inclusive, which made it difficult to connect with others. I had hoped to find a community of like-minded individuals, but the meetups fell short of my expectations. I won't be attending any more of these meetups in the future.