I don’t want this blog to become a moaning, venting vehicle, but sometimes one does need to just let out what annoys them!
As of late, I have noticed that one of my biggest annoyances within Paganism, is the Pagans themselves – not all of them. But the few that, I honestly feel, make the rest of us look stupid.
Firstly, the Pagans who use silly names – but in everyday life. Our Coven members have ‘Craft’ names, but this is purely to protect our identity, and to use within circle. However, people who have their names on Facebook, on their e-mails, and as authors of books, really annoys me. So, Pagans wants to be taken seriously, yet we have Julie ‘Moonbird Astral’ Jones and Bob ‘Hooded Willow’ Smith wandering around the ether! Please, just be Julie Jones, or Bob Smith! Having a mystical sounding name doesn’t MAKE you mystical. If anything, it makes you look like you wants to be playing WoW or something. Seriously – whether you like her or not, you have to admit ‘Silver Ravenwolf’ is a little silly sounding!
Secondly – robes. Now, I don’t mean wearing robes in a Coven ritual, or on your own. But wearing robes to go shopping, or to have a TELEVISION INTERVIEW! Please, no! If one wants to wear robes during magical practises, then fine, thats a good reason. But when Pagans lower themselves to being dressed up for the media, or wearing robes and cloaks around the streets, is very embarressing. It makes Pagans seem, by outsiders who don’t understand, look….well, silly. Like people who think Gandalf is real or something. Its not good.
We want to be taken seriously, and for Paganism to ever be truly accepted by wider society, we need to show that ‘normal’ people can be Pagan. We have full time jobs, we are mothers and fathers, we have qualifications, we own a house, we go on holiday, we pay tax, we have a car…..we are not all crazy Cat ladies, sat in a crushed velvet dress, stirring a cauldron with a name like Mary ‘Mongoose Magic’ Martin, who doesn’t work, doesn’t drive, and doesn’t have a, what wider society would call, a ‘normal’ life.
This is my rant – I feel better now! 
Anaiya xxx