Particles of fluff...

[gemmagic]

Since the last thread in this community, I have realised more than ever that many people seem to have different ideas and opinions regarding what actually constitutes being fluffy. I'll cite a few examples (feel free to bring up your own examples) and ask "WDYT

Comments

Two words

[pierceheart]

Willful ignorance.

[cactus_rs]

Nailed it.

[kittysaysno]

Yep, exactly what I was going to say.

[freakchylde]

I don't think it's "fluffy" to have new age interests or anything, as long as you can remain grounded in the fact that not everyone is going to agree with you, nor are they going to see the benefit that you see. Also, maintaining the cultural relevance is helpful, too (like Ayurvedic uses of crystals and metals - but understand the training that goes into knowing how to use them and for what purposes).

As for the deity issue, if you are going to pick/choose (be picked/chosen) deities that span different pantheons, the least that can be done is to be familiar enough with each one to know its own cultural relevance and not mix and match based on "what feels good".

As for being open, when you look at our stereotypes, it's not a wonder why we're thought to be closet cases, it's a slow process to be seen as a "regular" in-the-world group, but it is happening. Running around in medieval garb for no reason doesn't help, but you could just be having fun.

[cygninae]

"and while the eyeliner really worked for Nefertiti, unless you are a Thelemite in a ritual that is drawing down an Egyptian deity,..."

Hehe, that made me laugh out loud because yep, I am and I do! Even then, I certainly don't think it's necessary, I use it as more of a "stage makeup" and also as part of putting myself into the appropriate mindset for that role.

[cygninae]

Absolutely - am totally with you on that! I've got my own pre-ritual ritual which involves bathing, clothing, make-up, and as soon as I hear my entrance music, I'm there! (Amusingly, I got my head messed around and goose bumps when it was played during a break in a bellydance class, and I was due to peform the ritual the next day! It's really not that common a piece, especially not in bellydance circles. But I'd also been very nervous about the performance the following day, so it helped by being a great kick up the backside for me.)

Also, those folks haven't yet realised that keeping silent needn't simply be about words. We speak as much with our appearance and manners as we do anything else!

[twisted_times]

I tend to stick Scientology in the file marked "Cuckoo as a Swiss clock." I'm sure Eris approves. :)

[wilhelmina_d]

In general I agree with that, but I will say that when I was much newer to the Pagan community and had just moved to a new town I had someone see my (small, about a half inch across) pentacle necklace and say "blessed be". It made a huge difference to me and helped introduce me into the local community. I think that there can be situations outside of ritual where those phrases can be appropriate. (Not that I advocate random throwing around of the words or hollering them across the mall at your friend, for example. :)