Interviewed by Gwinevere Rain
Can you explain the central concept behind your book Spirited? Why did you decide to address the social aspects of the path rather than tackle a basic 101 format?
In the foreword of my book I explain briefly how I came to be inspired to write Spirited in the first place. I was frustrated and disappointed at the lack of valuable intermediate and 'beyond' Pagan reading material and so I decided to write the book I craved. Quite a few authors find this type of situation to be stimulating to the literary genius! In a nutshell there are a vast quantity of great 101 books out there - I didn't need to write another. Thus 'Spirited: Taking Paganism Beyond the Circle' was birthed.
In Chapter 3: Schooling Pagans, you discussed young pagans at school. You even mentioned Christian students became aware of your path. What advice do you have for a teen weighing the option of "coming out" at school?
Coming out as Pagan, whatever your path/tradition, at school is always a tough choice to make - especially when you may end up sacrificing friendships in the long-run. If anyone at all is considering the options in regards to this issue one really needs to be level-headed, grounded and open to the wisdom of the Gods at all times.
I explain in the Schooling Pagans chapter how I never intended to 'come out' when I did; it was discovered that I was Pagan when a Christian student noticed my pentagram and asked about its significance. I explained to her the symbolism of the pentagram as any Pagan worth their maypole would, and yet the information just seemed to go in one ear and out the other. Immediately the satanic remarks and stereotypes surfaced. The whole encounter actually caused quite a bit of emotional unrest in my life. The moral of this story I believe is that one needs to be absolutely 100 percent certain of who, when, why and how they will 'come out'.
Coming out is such a big issue for so many minority groups in this world. It's a strange and often unwelcome fact that people find they have to come out as anything in the 21st century. Everything is questioned - sexuality, religion, ethnicity, creed, political preference. Questioning is great! However when the motive is to draw lines and imprison people via labels questioning becomes a relic of the various Inquisitions that plagued Europe back in the day. We should all be proud heretics (those who choose)! I think ultimately the (Neo)Pagan community can gain a lot from observing and interfacing with the GBLTIQ (Gay, Bisexual, Lesbian, Transgender, Intersex, Queer) community in that the Queer community embraces 'Pride' as our avenue towards greater freedom of expression - freedom of being! I am Pagan and I am proud - once you reach that point, coming out becomes more of a right rather than a privelege.
You seem to have a very close group of pagan friends and community. Some even wrote passages enclosed in spirited. Have you ever had infighting? How do you address squabbles between individuals?
