Generation Pagan

Do We Really Need Magical Names?

2009-11-10T15:22:00.001-05:00

Hi everyone! Hope it's been a good week for all. Mine's been okay, lots of ups and downs. But in the words of the illustrious Joe Dirt, "Just gotta keep on keepin' on." Right? So here I am, keepin' on!

I wanted to discuss the use of magical (I'm sorry, I refuse to spell it magickal. That is not the correct spelling, and it's annoying. People know what you mean when you spell it magic.) names in Pagan communities. People use them a lot, sometimes as only a private thing for when they spellcast, while others have gone so far as to make them their legal names.

Some people make their magical names the same names as various gods and goddesses (Artemis, Zeus, Odin, Kali), others will use the names of people based in famous literature (Merlin, Morgan le Fay, Arthur), some have used the names of gemstones, flowers, or animals (Amber, Dahlia, Raven, Wolf), and some will take words or names from different languages and cultures (Avalon, Fiona, Doyle, Taliesin). Some give themselves Native American sounding names, like Runs with Deer or Jumps over Brooks. And others will use a combination of all these types of names, slap a "Lord" or "Lady" at the beginning, and call it their magical names.

Now, I know there are some people who may have received their names from dreams or visions, and it's not my place to discredit those claims or say that they didn't have a spiritual connection. Nor is it my place to dismiss those people who thought long and hard about their magical name, and then chose to use it only in private situations.

It's just that sometimes those names can be, well, silly.

One of my main issues are people who use the terms "Lord," "Lady," "Sir," "King," "Queen," etc. One of the reasons that it bothers me is that, though we don't use those terms here in th states, there are other countries (England comes to mind at this point) that actually use those titles, and take them very seriously. I just find it annoying when people use Royal Titles as part of their spiritual, magical name. It just seems very presumtuous and egotistical, in my opinion.

I also dislike it when people try to use Native American "sounding" names, or when people try to incorporate Native American spirituality in general, when they are neither Native American themselves or taught by someone who is Native American. I think that the bastardization of another culture's belief system to use for yourself is disrespectful, and from what I've gathered, the Native American population typically gets very offended when some New Age hippy claims to follow their path or takes a Native American name.

I feel like I've said Native American way too much in that paragraph. Native American.

I can understand some people's desire to use craft names. For those who are not out of the broom closet, it can be a way for people to address you without having to use your real name, should that make you uncomfortable. There's also the belief that craft names got started during the so-called "Burning Times" (note the quotation marks) as a way to be secretive and protect oneself from being found out by the witch hunters. Do I think that it's true? Nah. I feel like it was used as a tool during the creation of Wicca and the Modern Pagan Movement to facilitate a "Me vs. Them" type attitude between Pagans and Christians, as a way of demonizing those who are Christians (though I'm not saying that those feelings aren't justified, given history) and giving an air of secrecy to Wiccan and Modern Paganism.

I personally don't have a magical name. I just go by what my mother named me, Alexandria White. Maybe it's because I like my name. Maybe it's because I'm out of the broom closet (obviously) and I don't see any reason to use an alias. I also don't really practice magic, so perhaps that's the main reason. Maybe it's also because I find the whole idea of using magical names publicly to be silly. Maybe I'm just close-minded, but if someone named Lord Gaelon Elfdragon (I'm not making this up; this is a real name from someone) says that they are experienced in the "craft" and want to teach me its secrets, I'm just going to laugh. I can't take that person seriously. I just can't. Even as I typed the name, I giggled.

Please also don't confuse my diatribe against magical, or craft names, with those who use internet handles. If you go by Summerstar on the internet, that's one thing. I mean, it's probably safer than me using my real name. However, those people who ask their friends to call them Summerstar, or those people who even go so far as to change their legal name to Summerstar, those I see no need of. It feels a bit too role-playing-esque for my personal tastes.

People who use craft names in private, either during rituals or circles or spells, I don't really have a quarrel with you. I don't think people like that could be accused of doing anything wrong. But I feel like people who insist on using their magical names in public, especially those who use terms such as "Lord" and "Lady," are nothing more than immature attention-seekers who must shove their alternative spirituality in everyone else's face.

But, then again, that's only my opinion.
Alex

EDIT: People who use the names of Gods, Goddesses, Merlin, or Arthur, are also egotistical and sound dumb, because you're insane if you think that some t-shirt wearing, ipod owning, cheeseburger-eating American comes even clsoe to being "god-like," no matter what your bedroom skills may claim ;)

"But Pagans Can't Do That!"

2009-11-03T00:58:00.001-05:00

Hello, everyone! I hope that I've managed to get at least a couple of my listeners to transfer seamlessly to the blog from the podcast. I've had some mixed reviews so far, some pledging to read faithfully and others telling me so long, and thanks for all the fish (there's a Douglas Adams joke for you Hitchhiker fans). To those of you who have decided to bravely soldier on beside me, Willkommen! (My roommate's currently taking German. Sometimes it tends to stick in my head more than I'd like.)

So, onto the topic at hand, the one I've been trying to get to for what, a month or more now? :-P sheesh, finally.

Pagan Stereotypes. Right.

Well, the biggest one that I've run into is the idea that we're all supposed to be gothic, emo teenagers who wear tons of black and jewelry and listen to heavy hardcore metal while playing D&D in our parent's basement and starting suicide clubs. I mean, come on, surely we've all come a long way past that! I know there are kids out there who totally fit into that stereotype, but that definitely doesn't mean we ALL do. I've never played D&D in my life, though I have had the guilty pleasure of playing an occasional game of WoW or Guild Wars (that'll be our little secret-shhhh!)

Another stereotype is focused more towards the older crowd, with the idea of long-haired post 60's hippie freaks with Birkenstocks and huge pentacles and free love gatherings in the park. You know, kinda semi-cultlike? I've heard those too.

I remember one of my Pagan acquaintances here in college one time had someone tell her, "But you're too nice to be Pagan!" I still laugh when I think about that. I mean, really, how the heck is a Pagan supposed to act? Scary and ill-tempered? Psh. Lame.

There are also a lot of things that aren't usually what people think about when they think of stereotypes. When we usually think of stereotypes, we usually think of negative connotations, right? Well, technically, there can be stereotypes that aren't necessarily debasing or mean. Sometimes they're just generalities about a group of people.

What you talkin' bout, Alex?

Well, like the fact that most people see Pagans as liberals, pro-choice, environmentalists, educated, middle class, caucasian, avid readers, pacifists, vegetarians, and so on and so forth. The list goes on and on.

Though these might not necessarily be hurtful or libelous, they're still untrue factors with many people who ascribe to be Pagan. Okay, so for me I actually do fit under most of those generalities, but that's not the point! I am definitely not a vegetarian, cause I LOVE me some meat! No dirty jokes, you perverts ;) I am also not a pacifist. I do believe that senseless violence is unnecessary and horrific, but I strongly believe in using physical force if that's what's necessary to defend yourself. Maybe it's because I'm a woman and I don't plan on fighting off a would-be rapist with my words. I'm going to kick the son of a bitch right in the balls and poke his damn eyes out, then follow it up with a left hook right in the temple.

Well. Got a little heated just then didn't I?

The point is, there are tons of stereotypes out there about Pagans that even WE assume to be true. There is no governing law of who can/can't be a Pagan. You can have a Pagan who litters and doesn't believe in Global Warming, and you can have a Pagan who is a die-hard Republican and voted for Bush twice! Granted, if there's any Pagan out there who fits under either of those categories, I would LOVE to hear your story...I'm sure it's a fascinating one...

So, I don't want to hear stereotyping from my fellow Pagans! Susie can be Pagan and enjoy red meat! James can be Pagan and serve in the military (a comment complaint I hear from nay-sayers)! This also lends itself to the debate about whether someone can be Pagan but still believe in Jesus and the Christian God. Let me say this, one more time, clearly.

There is no ultimate guide on who can, or cannot, be considered Pagan.

Therefore, you have no right to turn your nose up at people because they may not fit your perfect mold of how a Pagan should look/be/act/etc.

Get it? Got it? Good!

I hope everyone's adjusting okay to this transition. I know it's making my life a TON easier, so it at least brings me happiness :) Which I suppose is what matters!

Until next time, hugs and kisses to all,
Alex

“Any change, even a change for the better, is always accompanied by drawbacks and discomforts.”

2009-11-01T21:31:00.004-05:00

Hello my loyal fans!

By now you've stumbled upon the realization that the Generation Pagan Podcast that you have fallen in love with has now been transformed into the Generation Pagan Blog. Why did I do this? you may be asking. Well, I have several reasons for you!

1) Blogging is a lot more convenient for me, time-wise, than creating a 30 minute or so podcast. Creating a podcast takes a lot of energy and manpower that I am currently not capable of, considering that I'm pulling yucky 12 hour or more days.

2) Blogging allows me to post more frequently, since I don't have to spend hours scripting, recording, and editing. I can blog whenever the mood strikes me, instead of having to be on a tight schedule. I can also post short things that may catch interest, instead of having to amass a lot of information all in one go.

3) Blogging allows more writer/reader interaction, which is what I wanted in the first place. You all know how much I love listener feedback and getting information from my listeners. Leaving comments on a blog is a lot more interactive (at least, in my opinion) than sending me emails to read on the air.

I know that a blog is probably not as cool or convenient for you all, who may not have time to sit down and read all my crazy thoughts, but this is something I've been thinking about for awhile. It's become so much more difficult for me to get my shit together to create podcasts, and frankly, I have neither the energy nor the time when I finally crawl through the door at night. However, I definitely did NOT want to simply give up and feebly wave that white flag of epic fail. So, a blog seems like the appropriate compromise.

If you hate the idea, I'm really sorry, and there are tons of other Pagan podcasts to listen to if you'd like. If you love the idea, or if you're just grateful to find out I wasn't murdered and stuffed in a trunk somewhere, then welcome to the new Generation Pagan blog!

The email for the site is still the same, generationpagan@gmail.com, so don't worry about that. My next blog will be where I left off with the episodes, "But Pagan's Can't Do That!" where I tackle the basic Pagan stereotypes out there. I should be posting that tomorrow while spending my evening at Joyner Library, studying until my brain turns into jelly. :P

Until Next Time,
Alex