Don't forget to visit Garden of the Gods Gourmet Shop! They have AWESOME spices for sale! Their Tri-Pepper, Lemon-Pepper, and Southwestern blends are complete awesome! And their fresh breads are superb!!

2528 W. Cucharras Colorado Springs, CO 80904 | 719.471.2799

Manitou Springs is an awesome place!! I keep going back every year or so. BTW, don't forget that there is a Pagan Circle at the USAF Academy. Its not readily accessible to the public - but the Chapel folks are always willing to escort you up to the top of the hill where its located (there are motion sensor systems for security purposes all throughout the area).

"Yes, they are people and as most people they have their differences and sometimes don’t get a long but most of them believe if you’re not harming them then they will accept you for what you are and Co-Exist with you."

Of all the things you noted here....this is the one that strikes a hard, resonating chord in me. So many times, I've come across the mindset that Pagans are something different from everyone else. And from both sides of that dividing fence-line too.

There are the Christians that hold the Pagans as an example of everything that is sub-human in the world - a belief system with adherents that are treated with disdain and viewed as not connected with the real world. And then there's the other side of the fence - Pagans that look down on other Pagans that don't achieve some lofty standard that's been setup - those folks can't be Pagan because they don't do things the same as we do, they can't be Pagan because they don't do rituals with the frequency that we do...

In both instances, the point that those folks that are being skewered are people is missed. They have lives beyond their belief systems. They have bills to pay. They have children that need to be looked after and taught right from wrong under their own values and beliefs. They have spouses and lovers that need to be communicated with. In short, they are people too, and should be accorded the same deference and understanding handed to any other individual.

To be completely honest, I see a lot more of this charitable perspective in my Pagan community over the last few years. And it does my heart a great deal of good to see it. I can remember when it wasn't like that - but I am happy to see that type of attitude and perspective being pushed into the background of History past.

$.02 --T

I have so much more I am going to say on this...but your TV preacher...Gene Scott!! Used to watch him late nights when I was stationed at Carswell AFB and working the switchboard. And Robin Williams has it right: "..then there's Gene Scott - I will compare and contrast Jesus and Spiderman..." LOL I have more to say on other stuff...but I want to eat lunch now... :)

I follow something similar for the start of my day. Well, not nearly as intricate...but its a ritual of sorts for me.

Every morning, I wake up - head downstairs and get the coffee pot started on its journey. Then I step outside into the backyard (unless its raining), and water my three trees. After giving them their morning drink, I change the water in the bird-bath, and toss out some more bird-seed and deer-corn (for the squirrel). Then I head back inside - pour a cup of coffee...sit down in my chair...and ground and center. For me, its a great way to start off the day - and keeps me firmly in place with my immediate environment. Of course, with a new class starting on Monday -- my routine and ritual will be somewhat different Monday through Thursday. But I'll adapt...

Yeah -- its not quite "Pagan" in its flavoring...but its precisely what has worked for me, keeps me on an even keel during the mornings...and as odd as it sounds, I feel far more creative when I'm writing shortly after this. At least far more than I do in the mid-to-late afternoons...

Hopefully, some other folks will chime in with how they start their days....it would certainly be interesting to hear/read....

--T

Yeah - I'm there with you on the "not great with newcomers" grouping...LOL I'm probably trying to reinvent the wheel with this suggestion -- but what about doing some kind of a Pagan Night Out?? Find a friendly establishment where folks can gather for food, fun and talk...but like I noted, I'm probably way behind the curve on that point.... There's a lot of reasons I named the podcast "From the *EDGE* of the Circle"...LOL

--T

Interesting. I did attend the 2010 event. It was my first Pagan Pride Day...despite the fact that I've been living in the DFW area for close to twenty-plus years now. To be completely honest -- if you stood outside the UU church the event was held at -- it certainly did have the feel that it was a vendor-oriented event. There were booths setup everywhere. But not every booth was selling material that was to be bought. One booth (I stood in front of it conversing with an old friend - David P. - whom I had not seen in close to fifteen years at that time -- and a blogger whom I had never met until that time John B.), was for a local podcast, and many of the show's listeners wandered through - along with a lot of folks who had never heard of the podcast either. (Which made the moment interesting - because three local podcasts were all there standing less then fifteen feet away from each - but I am diving off into a tangent here)

But let's be a bit more honest here...yes, the event outside had the feel of a vendor-oriented event. Inside the church, there were a handful of lectures and classes that were held. John gave a wonderful talk that I attended - and lots of questions were tossed around the room concerning not only his practice, but the practice of others who attended the presentation. No offense intended to anyone -- but when the area is densely populated with Pagans, its just a matter of stopping someone and asking questions. Most Pagans are polite enough to stop and answer questions -- or if they aren't in a position to answer questions, are kind enough to provide introductions between the seeker and someone who is in a position to answer questions. I understand how difficult it can be to approach people out of the blue on a topic that is as sensitive as religion -- particularly in the Dallas/Fort Worth area...I find myself reluctant to do the same thing at times... But this begs a different line of thought (here's where the tangent becomes a ride)....

Thinking back to the event...and I will be honest, my memory can be fuzzy regarding stuff that is...what...600+ days in the past?? Perhaps its not the idea that it seemed vendor-oriented...but rather that they didn't feel welcomed. I know Pagans can get cliquish when placed in large gatherings...so I wonder if the real issue here is not the vendor-orientation of things....but rather how Seekers and Newbies can be made to feel welcome at an event...

Just a few thoughts...I threw all that against the wall...not sure what's going to stick and what's going to slide....

--T