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Author Topic: Dos and Don'ts for Public Pagan Events?  (Read 1706 times)

Kodi R.

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Dos and Don'ts for Public Pagan Events?
« on: August 08, 2013, 10:20:21 am »
Hi. Sorry if this is in the wrong place. I figured this was the best place to put it.

I might just have convinced my mom to take me to Chicago Pagan Pride fest this year so I can learn more (they have a Paganism 101 workshop) and experience the community for real. Also so she can realize that it's not all dark magic and crazy stuff, etc. etc. (She's really worried about that stuff >.>).

I read over the Teen Paganism FAQ thing Do's and Don'ts but I wanted to make sure there weren't any more that would make me look like a complete disrespectful/bumbling fool if I accidentally did something.

Could anyone help me out?

What are some major dos/don'ts for going to a Pagan Pride fest?

Or am I just worrying about this too much being a newbie like myself.

Thank you. :)

Jenett

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Re: Dos and Don'ts for Public Pagan Events?
« Reply #1 on: August 08, 2013, 11:27:57 am »
Quote from: Kodi R.;118387

I might just have convinced my mom to take me to Chicago Pagan Pride fest this year so I can learn more (they have a Paganism 101 workshop) and experience the community for real. Also so she can realize that it's not all dark magic and crazy stuff, etc. etc. (She's really worried about that stuff >.>).


Pagan Pride events are really good for both of those!

They're also totally designed for people who aren't sure what they're doing. The big piece of advice is don't handle people's personal jewelry or anything that looks like a ritual tool (divination decks, etc. too) without asking. Which is really good practice whether it's magical or not.

There's also information on my website at http://gleewood.org/seeking/reaching-out/ that you might find handy (specifically the Public Events header.)

The other big advice is that you shouldn't take any one person's reaction to you too personally: Pagan Pride gets a lot of different people, and some of them are there because they're excited about public education and information and helping people learn more about Paganism, but some of them are there for a specific reason (seeing friends, doing a specific ritual) and aren't necessarily going to be as chatty to random strangers.

(And some people will be chatty, but be people you don't mesh with, and some may be chatty and sort of clingy, because they're also new and they feel nervous. And some people's paths will make you go "Yeah, not for me." fairly quickly, and so on.)

If someone makes you actually uncomfortable, find the event organisers and let them know, but otherwise, it's fine to just have something in mind to say like "Nice talking to you, but I want to go check out X workshop/the vendors/listen to the music right now." and then go do what you wanted to do. (I find it a lot easier to extricate myself when I have something planned in advance to say.)

I also see Shauna Aura Knight's doing a workshop - the actual topic isn't maybe hugely useful/interesting to you starting out, but I'll vouch for her as an interesting presenter, and someone who knows a lot of people in the Chicago community: if you want someone to talk to who can point you at other good contacts, she'd be a person to talk to. (She'd know me through Paganicon.)
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Kodi R.

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Re: Dos and Don'ts for Public Pagan Events?
« Reply #2 on: August 09, 2013, 09:48:20 am »
Quote from: Jenett;118398
Pagan Pride events are really good for both of those!

They're also totally designed for people who aren't sure what they're doing. The big piece of advice is don't handle people's personal jewelry or anything that looks like a ritual tool (divination decks, etc. too) without asking. Which is really good practice whether it's magical or not.

There's also information on my website at http://gleewood.org/seeking/reaching-out/ that you might find handy (specifically the Public Events header.)

The other big advice is that you shouldn't take any one person's reaction to you too personally: Pagan Pride gets a lot of different people, and some of them are there because they're excited about public education and information and helping people learn more about Paganism, but some of them are there for a specific reason (seeing friends, doing a specific ritual) and aren't necessarily going to be as chatty to random strangers.

(And some people will be chatty, but be people you don't mesh with, and some may be chatty and sort of clingy, because they're also new and they feel nervous. And some people's paths will make you go "Yeah, not for me." fairly quickly, and so on.)

If someone makes you actually uncomfortable, find the event organisers and let them know, but otherwise, it's fine to just have something in mind to say like "Nice talking to you, but I want to go check out X workshop/the vendors/listen to the music right now." and then go do what you wanted to do. (I find it a lot easier to extricate myself when I have something planned in advance to say.)

I also see Shauna Aura Knight's doing a workshop - the actual topic isn't maybe hugely useful/interesting to you starting out, but I'll vouch for her as an interesting presenter, and someone who knows a lot of people in the Chicago community: if you want someone to talk to who can point you at other good contacts, she'd be a person to talk to. (She'd know me through Paganicon.)

 
Thank you for all of your advice!

Enid

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Re: Dos and Don'ts for Public Pagan Events?
« Reply #3 on: August 09, 2013, 04:08:24 pm »
Quote from: Kodi R.;118387


Could anyone help me out?


 
So, I have a bit of practical advice for you.

1. Bring a water bottle. You will be walking around a lot and you will need to stay hydrated. Not getting enough water will make you cranky and tired.

2. Wear something comfortable. I usually wear long skirts to these events because they are adaptable to being cold or hot. Bring a light jacket, if the weather might be cold or the event has indoor components. Don't wear new shoes.

3. Bring a small snack, a small first aid kit, and sunscreen if outdoors. It's better to be over prepared than not prepared enough.

4. Don't let yourself get overwhelmed. Plan out some time to just browse and socialize.  Make sure you plan out ahead of time what events you want to attend. If you don't feel comfortable with a ritual, feel free to ask if you can observe.

5. Don't feel alone - I promise you are not the only new, first timer at the event, and there are plenty of other folks there who are as nervous as you are.
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Jenett

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Re: Dos and Don'ts for Public Pagan Events?
« Reply #4 on: August 09, 2013, 04:34:58 pm »
Quote from: Enid;118515
So, I have a bit of practical advice for you.

 
Ooh. Excellent practical advice.

I'll add my own: it really helps to take a look at the layout of the space when you get there. (I always figure out where the bathrooms are, where the other maybe less busy bathrooms are, if they exist, where there might be a water fountain if there is one, and where there's a spot that I can sit and not do anything out of the way if I need to.)

I very rarely need any of those urgently, but knowing where they are is reassuring.

Also, because I'm off to the Southern Maine Pagan Pride tomorrow - pen and paper (or equivalent tool) is a very handy thing. (I always have my phone, which is great for 'let me email you later' but not so good for notes in a class setting.)
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Kodi R.

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Re: Dos and Don'ts for Public Pagan Events?
« Reply #5 on: August 09, 2013, 09:44:20 pm »
Quote from: Enid;118515
So, I have a bit of practical advice for you.

 
Excellent advice, as Jenett said.

Quote from: Jenett;118522
Ooh. Excellent practical advice.

Also, because I'm off to the Southern Maine Pagan Pride tomorrow - pen and paper (or equivalent tool) is a very handy thing. (I always have my phone, which is great for 'let me email you later' but not so good for notes in a class setting.)

 
Pen and Paper--will bring those! Especially because I'm going to go to the Paganism 101 workshop!

Thank you!

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