Greetings to all. Thank you to our host for opening this space for discussion on the subject.
I've been deeply concerned how recent events will impact the changing religious landscape and the possibility of a new "anticult" movement. in my county the Neopagan scene is small, but present, and unfortunately it leans to the left (I've learned to keep my trap shut whenever politics come up). If there are conservative, libertarian, or moderate Pagans and occultists in my area they're not in the local Neopagan scene as far as I can tell. There's going to be a monthly meetup tonight, so I'm going to see what the vibe currently is. There is some young blood, but most of the movers and shakers are Boomers and Gen X.
On a tangential note, I've noticed the local Goth scene is pretty Woke as well. Every time I attend the local Goth festival I frequently see groomer flags and Satanic sigils. Not a good sign of their survivability.
I don't know what the local Christian response has been to recent events. I live in a largely Hispanic area with an aging and moribund Anglo culture, and I know there's a couple of botanicas in town.
I am encouraged to see more traditionalist and conservative Pagans and occultists emerging on social media (although the folkish aspects aren't my cuppa, and I can do without the explicitly racist and antisemetic nonsense).
I've also been thinking of how to preserve alternative spirituality. Three things I'd like to do are these: 1) in the short term I'd like to start an ecumenical/interspiritual book club dedicated to Platonist, Pythagorean, and Hermetic spirituality, and gradually introduce lodge elements like simple quarter calls and representations of the elements present. This could serve as an outer court to a society dedicated to the Path of Return. 2) I would like to start a nonprofit dedicated to the conservation of rejected knowledge, which would include alternative spirituality in addition to practical skills. It would be modeled on groups like the Theosophical Society and Christian Science reading rooms. 3) as a Christopagan occultist who's spent years on and off in discernment towards ordination (previously with a mainstream church, now in the weird world of independent esoteric churches) and if I ever do become ordained I would like to open a ministry or parish to those of alternative beliefs and practices and provide them sanctuary and "respectable" cover. As long as they're comfortable with Christian symbolism and abide by a standard of magical ethics.
I'm just spitballing ideas and seeing what sticks. I could also be babbling. Thank you for hearing me out, I would appreciate any feedback. Have a wonderful weekend.
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branchandroot
(no subject)
Date: 2025-09-26 10:03 pm (UTC)I've been deeply concerned how recent events will impact the changing religious landscape and the possibility of a new "anticult" movement. in my county the Neopagan scene is small, but present, and unfortunately it leans to the left (I've learned to keep my trap shut whenever politics come up). If there are conservative, libertarian, or moderate Pagans and occultists in my area they're not in the local Neopagan scene as far as I can tell. There's going to be a monthly meetup tonight, so I'm going to see what the vibe currently is. There is some young blood, but most of the movers and shakers are Boomers and Gen X.
On a tangential note, I've noticed the local Goth scene is pretty Woke as well. Every time I attend the local Goth festival I frequently see groomer flags and Satanic sigils. Not a good sign of their survivability.
I don't know what the local Christian response has been to recent events. I live in a largely Hispanic area with an aging and moribund Anglo culture, and I know there's a couple of botanicas in town.
I am encouraged to see more traditionalist and conservative Pagans and occultists emerging on social media (although the folkish aspects aren't my cuppa, and I can do without the explicitly racist and antisemetic nonsense).
I've also been thinking of how to preserve alternative spirituality. Three things I'd like to do are these:
1) in the short term I'd like to start an ecumenical/interspiritual book club dedicated to Platonist, Pythagorean, and Hermetic spirituality, and gradually introduce lodge elements like simple quarter calls and representations of the elements present. This could serve as an outer court to a society dedicated to the Path of Return.
2) I would like to start a nonprofit dedicated to the conservation of rejected knowledge, which would include alternative spirituality in addition to practical skills. It would be modeled on groups like the Theosophical Society and Christian Science reading rooms.
3) as a Christopagan occultist who's spent years on and off in discernment towards ordination (previously with a mainstream church, now in the weird world of independent esoteric churches) and if I ever do become ordained I would like to open a ministry or parish to those of alternative beliefs and practices and provide them sanctuary and "respectable" cover. As long as they're comfortable with Christian symbolism and abide by a standard of magical ethics.
I'm just spitballing ideas and seeing what sticks. I could also be babbling. Thank you for hearing me out, I would appreciate any feedback. Have a wonderful weekend.
Sincerely,
Sanctuary of the Rose and Chalice.