Tuesday, August 3, 2010

CHUCK NORRIS IS NEVER BORED...HE ROUNDHOUSE KICKS APATHY IN THE PENTACLES

A swirling vortex of inertia. That is what the community seems to be when it comes to younger pagans events in the local area here. Even at chat nights, often it seems the same people break into the same groups with no inclination toward welcoming new comers or under 30 set.






I have even observed multiple lap tops utilized in the midst of these gatherings, the owners more interested in cyberchat than the one in which they are allegedly taking part. They seem to have forgotten what it was like to be the new face in the place, shiny new Llewellyn book covers with the uncracked spines.





Factions form in cafe alcoves and a pall of that legendary siege mentality that denotes the Detroit area pagan permeates the air. No newbies need apply. " I have athames older than you, sonny " is the tone. Aging heads sneer down at tousled or moussed ones and the newcomer is dissuaded.





The few events that do take place seem to require either one be a child or an older 20 something. TeenWitch need not apply. Goth culture is tolerated with a smathering of barely concealed disdain in many circles. Or else patronized. If you do not want to study higher arts, your basic studies or lightwork preference while you find your path is dismissed into the land of Fluff and fluffernutter.





There is so much talk of self work, but no support system for the young pagan or witch, coming out or hiding in the broom, closet in high school. It seems to be forgotten that before you can use the tools, you have to know how to use them. That means the apprentice cannot be shunned by the teacher at every turn.





If your parents aren't spending money at one of the events, you are ignorable. Push the youngins to the fringe and wait until they can get car insurance and a room in their names for the festivals. Take your Hot Topic necklaces and begone, even though that is the only place they can get to for their jewelry. When Scott Cunningham found a sacred stone, the community said "wondrous". When the young pagan finds a sacred stone, the community says "oh, how cute....".





No resources for the skaterwitch. No Moon Parties. No Mojo picnics. No Healing Raves.





Well, I guess that's why they don't come out much, huh?





If I were them, I would look at our wondrous stones and tell us to





"Kick Rocks with no socks!"





".......talking bout my gen-er-ation....."





(p.s. if you are old enough to recognize the lyrics, you probably are old enought to remember that old snootyfaced witchs SUCKED when you were young!)





Remember what it was like to be young and free!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eKu5Pc6ybE

CHUCK NORRIS IS A MOJO BAG....HE IS THE HOODOO GANGSTA OF LOVE...WHY CAN'T WE ALL BE?

Why, oh why, did I just have a conversation with someone over coffee and breakfast regarding how messed up the situation is in Metro Detroit when it comes to communication and posturing in the community? They specifically stated that it is too confusing to keep up with up here, with our factions and what not, and that they prefer the plain talk of Ohio (or insert your state here) tribes.


I propose a Mojo Love Picnic!


Like stone soup, the community and all of its factions can get together and make a big ass bot!tle of 4 thieve's vinegar, think gallon size, and fill it full of all the crappage in the community we don't like.


Then we dispose of it in some water and party on!


Or, we could each bring our own individual bottles and do it that way in a massive ceremony!


Come on, let me see you shake your tail feathers!


Who's with me?!



Let's give the bad vibes a Roundhouse Kick of Change!



(Hootchie Cootchie Man plays in background......)

CHUCK NORRIS NEVER SLEEPS...HE WAITS IN THE CHECK OUT LINE

C.R.E.A.M. = cash rule everything around magick ... nowadays.






As I navigate all the pagan notifications and invitations sent to me on facebook, I cannot help but to feel that the community has be come taken over by commerce and self promotion.





Every event seems to be less and less about fostering a sense of community, and more about how many vendors the respective group can garner.





Trinkets are fun. But what I am observing is the trinketing of a movement that fought long and hard to establish its legitimacy in the greater society of this country.





If it is all about commerce, then maybe we should just hang it all up and become a merchants' guild.





How dreadfully disgusting and base.





Money, money, money.





If you don't have a book deal, you don't have legitimacy.





If you don't charge for your classes, they must be worthless.





If you appear at the engagement, then they had better pay you to be there. And let you sell your book, spell kit, etc..





Surprisingly, the same group of self-declared sacrosanct individuals who condemn the greater society for its shortcomings are self-blind where it comes to themselves.





Where would we be now if Starhawk had stopped to break for a commercial message or run her vendors' booth in the middle of the critical consciousness raising moments.





How sad if the community had lost the group momentum in the observance of announcements regarding upcoming workshop registration fees.





Granted, money is needed to put on events. But vulgar commercialism is just that, vulgar.





Let us be tasteful in our fishwifing online and in person please.





Hail the power of paypal. Charge if you will, Debit if you must.



All acts of lucre and booty are the new rituals.