This post is inspired by the Pagan Blog Prompts Blog. The prompt this week is, ‘Simplicity‘
A very common thing these days is to simplify our lives, in many different ways and for many different reasons. Has being a pagan/wiccan/druid/etc inspired you to be simplistic? How?
As I’m sitting here, contemplating the prompt, I have to admit, I’m chuckling a bit. The honest truth is, I’m not sure that I know many pagans who have been inspired to ‘simplify’ anything. In fact, most that I come across in groups on any kind of regular basis aren’t going for simple, they make things more complicated than they need to be.
Personally, I think that the complication comes into play because people are so wrapped up in living up the stereotypical label associated with being ‘Pagan’ that they lose sight of everything else. What should be a very personal path to self discovery and uncovering your own truths, turns into living for the label.
First, to be a good Pagan, you have to have the ‘Us Vs Them’ attitude. If you don’t, then you’re not doing it right, and you’re just as bad as all those Christians who burned all of the witches that came before us.
Second, you have to dress pagany, you have to go get lots of flowy dresses and run around looking like an unkempt hippy that smells of patchouli oil and ass, or you’re not doing it right. You get extra points if you go to gatherings with a pair of detachable fairy wings.
Third, you have to spend $100’s of dollars at the local metaphysical shop. You gotta support Llewellyn, Silver Raven Fluff, have 1,000 different rocks and crystals, 18 tarot and other oracle decks, (that you’ve only read the how to book for and don’t really understand) and get involved in hand crafting shinies so that you can have a different wand for every day of the week, if you don’t, you’re doing it wrong.
Here’s a short list of ‘Pagan’ Ideals you have to have.
- Everything that happens to you, is a result of Karma.
- You have to have an unhealthy distrust of all non pagans.
- You must raise your children as Pagan.
- Us Vs Them Mentality (Yeah I know I brought it up earlier, it’s THAT Important)
- Never again the burning times!
Now, I should also add, that you need an altar for every Deity, every day of the Week and then special ones for holidays. Your spells have to rhyme. And you’d better KNOW what phase the moon is in.
So, I have to ask…. Does any of this sound like anyone has done anything to simplify their lives or practices? No… but it sure is a great idea.
You know how I’ve simplified things? I don’t own any ritualistic tools. I have a grand total of 10 shiny stones, and two oracle decks. One for everyday use, and one for special in-depth readings. I honor my deity and ancestors, and don’t give a flying squirrel about doing much more than that. Half the time, I forget that there is a special holiday that’s happening. Why? Because it’s simpler to honor my ancestors and the gods on a daily basis, then if you miss a holiday, it’s not that big of a deal… see, oh shit… that’s actually simple!
So, yeah… simplicity, I has it, I’m not so sure about the other ones though…
