Author Topic: Opening ceremony speech (Read 1817 times)

Aubrey_Rose · « **on:** August 28, 2012, 06:10:34 pm »

SO. I am involved with one of the local Pagan Pride Day groups in my area. I have been chosen to give the opening speech/ blessing. I am so nervous, because I haven't ever done something like this before. It's not stage fright, as I am an actress, and have been on stage my entire life. But I haven't done a public blessing before.

Any advice on things that I should say/ shouldn't say? Any simple general blessings you might know?

Thanks!

veggiewolf · « **Reply #1 on:** August 29, 2012, 10:38:18 am »

Quote from: Aubrey_Rose;71186

SO. I am involved with one of the local Pagan Pride Day groups in my area. I have been chosen to give the opening speech/ blessing. I am so nervous, because I haven't ever done something like this before. It's not stage fright, as I am an actress, and have been on stage my entire life. But I haven't done a public blessing before.

Any advice on things that I should say/ shouldn't say? Any simple general blessings you might know?

Thanks!

Here are my $0.02 - try to make your blessing as non-path-specific as possible. Many public Pagan events (PPD, cons, etc.) use blessings based in Wicca/Wiccanoid paths and, for those of us that don't follow those paths it can cause discomfort.

Alternatively, you could leave a space between the speech and the blessing so that people who want to (or need to) can opt out of the part that doesn't fit them.

YMMV, as always.

Aubrey_Rose · « **Reply #2 on:** August 29, 2012, 10:05:47 pm »

Quote from: veggiewolf;71309

Here are my $0.02 - try to make your blessing as non-path-specific as possible. Many public Pagan events (PPD, cons, etc.) use blessings based in Wicca/Wiccanoid paths and, for those of us that don't follow those paths it can cause discomfort.

Alternatively, you could leave a space between the speech and the blessing so that people who want to (or need to) can opt out of the part that doesn't fit them.

YMMV, as always.

Thanks!

Yeah - I understand that. I'm not Wiccan either, so I know its going to be different than they might be used to, but a big part of our even this year is trying to focus on the differences. Which I like.

ashleyzelda · « **Reply #3 on:** August 30, 2012, 07:01:56 pm »

Quote from: Aubrey_Rose;71186

Any advice on things that I should say/ shouldn't say? Any simple general blessings you might know?

I think it's so cool that you even have Pagan Pride stuff where you live! The best I get is a small occult shop downtown that sometimes hosts circles on sabbats.

I think it's good that you're not Wiccan, because you know what might make some people uncomfortable.
I'd suggest writing your own blessing, and trying to keep it general. If they picked you to do it, they must believe in you, so don't be nervous!