Curiosity and the ABCs and 123s of Paganism
Readers, please enjoy this guest blog post by Debra DeAngelo, author of The Elements of Horse Spirit the new Pagan Curious.
It all began with some very curious friends, sitting around a table at the monthly tarot gathering I host. Most of them arrived there via my massage practice, where their curiosity was first piqued. I had a bookshelf in my office, filled with tarot decks and books, and my lovely massage peeps seemed drawn to that bookshelf. They’d point to a book or deck, and ask, “What’s that about?” I’d tell them a bit about tarot and why I love it, but I’d carefully phrase it in a way that wouldn’t make a non-Pagan run away screaming like their hair’s on fire.
None of them knew a single thing about Paganism, and I could just imagine worry lines squeezing between their eyebrows if I mentioned witchcraft or Wicca, so I’d just sidestep that facet. Some may declare that cowardly or disingenuous, or both, however, I see it differently. If the word “witch” or “occult” triggers someone to immediately mentally shutter out every word that follows, I’ve lost all opportunity to share any insight about my spirituality and Pagan practices. They seemed okay with “Pagan,” though. I described myself that way. If they asked what “Pagan” means, I’d explain that it’s a nature-centric, goddess-based spirituality. That answer satisfied even the most skittish of my mainstream friends. Everybody loves nature and goddesses!
A couple of my friends were particularly, persistently intrigued with tarot, and were hungry to learn about it. So, I formed “Third Thursday Tarot,” and invited them over each month to learn about the cards and how to read them. But more than mere learning evolved. The group grew into an interwoven circle of kind, caring, and supportive friends, each of them blossoming as their own insight and intuition was coaxed out into the open.
As our groups went on, I started including spreads for the sabbats, and I’d explain the meanings behind each one. Just like Alice said of Wonderland, they got curiouser and curiouser about more than just tarot, asking where they could learn about these wondrous things, and I realized… I didn’t have a good answer. There are eight gazillion books on Paganism, Wicca, and witchcraft, but for a complete mainstream beginner, those books are too high of a step. They’d see “witchcraft” and recoil in fear.
Boom.
Shuttered out.
They weren’t ready to take that step. They had to learn to crawl first. Meanwhile, their curiosity about Paganism simmered. As I was lamenting with the group that I couldn’t think of the perfect beginner book for them, one of them said, “Then you should write it!”
Epiphany!
And so, I did. I crafted a “Pagan preschool” book, where newbies can learn their ABC’s and 123’s, in a warm, welcoming, non-threatening atmosphere. Just like real preschool, Pagan Curious prepares them for what they might learn later. No experience required, save for one: Curiosity.
If you’re curious about Paganism, no need to linger at the door! Welcome! Come on in! I’m happy to show you around!
Our thanks to Debra for her guest post! For more from Debra DeAngelo, read her article, “Are You Pagan Curious? 10 Hints that You May Be Searching for the Pagan Path.”
