The start of Paganicon, was three weeks ago, tomorrow. Pagonican is a large gathering of Witches, Wiccans, Druids, and an assortment of others – including Hoodoo practitioners – in the heart of Paganistan, as it is affectionately referred to by the local Pagans in the Twin Cities region. Now, this wasn’t my first kick-at-the-can; I’ve been to Paganicon before, and I have traveled to other Pagan events such as Pantheacon.
So why attend? First, as a Christian researcher and author on worldview issues, I take that task seriously. And like any other profession, it’s imperative to stay abreast of issues and changes. I happen to cover a wide swath of subjects, from transformational culture (think Burning Man) to transhumanism, global governance and world federalism, interfaithism, new religious movements, and Paganism. Therefore, attending events in these categories is an essential part of my work, with the information and knowledge gleaned being used in a variety of ways.
Secondly, when possible, as an Ambassador for Christ I want to engage in meaningful conversations. Not all events are conducive to this, but it does play a major role in my engagement at Burning Man and at the Parliament of the World’s Religions, and it’s happened at Paganicon and elsewhere. Although I normally travel as a solitary researcher, my time at Burning Man and the Parliament – and at this year’s Paganicon – has been with a small team of dedicated and like-minded friends.
What then, are some of the takeaways from this latest venture? Keep in mind that I sat through eleven workshops and panel discussions and observed other aspects of the event, so to relay everything would require producing a small book… In any case, here are a few important points that were reinforced from this trip to Paganicon:
1) The rise of neo-Paganism is, in many respects, a reflection on the state of the Christian community and a microcosm of what John Daniel Davidson, senior editor at The Federalist contends is America’s Stunning Embrace Of Paganism Signals The End Of This Country As We Know It. From the standpoint of the Christian community, it would be safe to say that a majority of the participants have a church background. During the course of the event – from beginning to end – we bumped into former Lutherans, Methodists, Baptists, Pentecostals, etc. Some had been pastors, youth leaders, or held other church positions. This is routine, and the reasons are predictable: church wounds & hurts (sometimes self-caused, sometimes not), leaders who wouldn’t take hard questions seriously, pastors who blew off disturbing paranormal experiences. Sometimes they left the church because of moral issues or social positions, but this often seems secondary once you scratch deeper. Rather, the desire remains for community and spiritual experiences, and Paganism promises to take you down that path.
2) The search for authenticity and the acceptance of silence: For decades, the Pagan community has been prying loose historical roots & rocks, looking for older realities to authenticate modern spiritual practices. There’s precious little to work with. Yes, ancient mythologies are drawn upon – and there are esoteric and folklore influences from the past few centuries – but today’s Paganism is really a “new religious movement.” Hence, one of the shifts I’ve witnessed is that while Pagan leaders and scholars continue to wrestle with the question of lineage, there is a growing acceptance of the silence… so now we’re guessing, we’re reconstructing with bits and pieces and fragments… but “we really don’t know” seems to be the consensus. Nevertheless! Although the past is disconcertingly quiet and the roots are shallow, it’s agreed that today’s collective stories and individual experiences are how authenticity is to be found as they create their own folklore. This may be a reassuring thought to the postmodern mind, but it creates its own set of problems.
3) Personal pursuits rather than structure: A few times, it was mentioned that this isn’t the 1980s anymore. Those were the days when structural forms of Paganism were the standard: covens, degrees, and prescribed practices. To be sure, this is still part of the movement; however, it was acknowledged that individuals are steering away from earlier systems in pursuit of personally tailored experiences and expressions – “what works for you” is now the norm. Welcome to the convergence of postmodernism with re-enchantment. Ironically, in a workshop I attended, one individual practitioner had created his own elaborate system of deities, symbols, and practices – pulled largely from his imagination and now codified into a semi-rigid structure. But again, “whatever works for you” – until it doesn’t.
4) Outreach: Over the course of Paganicon, our little team had opportunities to have conversations. Some went deep, sharing the overlap between John 1 and Genesis 1, bringing forward Bible prophecy as a touchstone to what is authentic (and, in doing so, landing on the Gospel). Sometimes, it wasn’t about the conversation per se but about respectfully asking probing questions during workshops. In a few cases, and one that happened at the end of the last session on the final day, it was about building a relationship.
For myself, I didn’t have any direct conversations, but rather found myself acting in a support capacity, which is always interesting in its own way. 🙂
Much more could and should be said about our time in the Twin Cities, but I trust this gives you a glimpse – and no, Pagans are not scary people; they are neighbors and co-workers and maybe a member of your family. So, as we engage in the culture, we do so with respect, hopefully exhibiting grace and truth.
Finally, in all of this, thank you for your prayers as our rag-tag group went to the center of Paganistan!
P.S. The picture above is some of the literature I returned home with.
Carl Teichrib is the author of Game of Gods: The Temple of Man in the Age of Re-Enchantment. Excerpts, research reports, and articles can be read at Forcing Change
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Very informative. Thank you for posting this and sharing your experiences and understanding of the movement.
Thank you Carl, you said: “P.S. The picture above is some of the literature I returned home with.” But.. when they turn to the Lord…”And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds.
Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.
So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.” And so, it is also true, ” The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.
Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us.” Eccl. 1:9-10. I recently met a woman who is working for a government agency who said she became a Chrisitan on 1 yr. ago. She said she practiced everything. Witchcraft and all sorts of paganism, and she said she burned all the books. We work for that government agency doing landscaping. This agency promotes Yoga and other pagan ideas, it is a wellness agency supposedly helping those who have depression, been abused, they even house them. They help with pain, etc. Anyway, this previous witch accused by employee of sexual advances toward her. I was so upset. My employee has worked for me for years and I am a woman, and he has never done such a thing. No one has ever complained. I would say we need to be careful, very careful about those who say they have come out (Fruit).