The Search is On!

When I first made the conscious shift to paganism, I really wasn't too interested in getting in a local group. I was quite happy to read books and converse with others on computer bulletin boards and later on, the internet.

Joining a witchcraft coven was definitely something that I had thought about. But, from what I had read, there were things that sort of bothered me about a coven. A coven can have the same kind of system as a clandestine cell system. In a clandestine cell, if the cell gets too big, it splits and a developed leader becomes the leader of that cell. In a coven everyone is working on becoming a priest or priestess. When a coven gets too big, it's not unusual for a developed High Priestess and High Priest hive off and form a new coven. And that's fine, but, I have no interest in being a priest let alone a high priest. If synchronicity had brought a coven into my life, I'd probably have joined though.

When I first started thinking about hooking up with local pagans, I attended a local psychic fair. I didn't really make any pagan connections. But, I did make connections for taking Tai Chi and later into being initiated into first level Reiki. When I was practicing Reiki somewhat regularly, I was involved in a couple of healings of minor things such as a sprained ankle. I didn't really do anything but allow things to happen that I wasn't in control of. It was like getting shocked, (I'm an electrician), except it was like the electricity was leaving me instead of entering me.

Eventually in one of my searches on the internet, I came across an article on Unitarian Universalism and about Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans (CUUPS). I couldn't find a local CUUPS group, but, I did find a local UU church. I found the UU Principals to be something I could agree with and met other pagans at the UU Church. Later, several of us started a local pagan UU church group which is still in existence. Time went by, my work schedule and the location of many of the events came into conflict. It became evident to me, it was time for me to move on.

On two occasions, I have had the opportunity to take part in the discussion of forming a local coven. I withdrew from both when it became apparent I wasn't a good fit. I participated with one more local group, at first it was pretty informal. Times change, the leader took the group to another level. Again, it was time for me to move on.

I belive in the concept of a pagan church and had been involved in the discussion of forming one on one occasion. There is a church in a town close by that is very pagan friendly in practice and in belief. I had been wanting to give them a try on and off for several years, my work schedule had changed such that I could attend. So, off I went. At times, they are a little too Christiany for me. But, not so much that I can't deal with it. I was quite content to stay in their outer court. But, alas, life changed again and Sunday mornings have become a challenge. I like to continue to think of the church as my pagan home. I would be happy to start attending regularly again, but, my fiancee also has time constraints that have to be considered even if my situation was to change.

To be honest, their church is the closest model to how I like to express my religious beliefs. I'd just prefer it to be a 'pagan' church and one that preferably stated a real belief in the old gods. I think small groups and covens are great. But, if paganism is going to have an impact on the world we live in, it is my opinion that we need pagan churches. We need buildings. We need pagan schools. We need outreach programs. We need to show the world we are indeed a part of this world and a part of the solution.