Two Problems With Paganism
1. Title proliferation:
As paganism moves forward into the next century, and the big changes it will bring, I think it important for all of us to contemplate the place and meaning of titles in our various religions.
Terms such as, Druid, Archdruid, Grand Archdruid, High Priestess, High Priest, and many others have become so commonplace as to be virtually meaningless. What do these titles mean? Do they reflect personal spiritual experiences or spiritual and educational experience. Do they simply reflect membership in a certain belief system? If these titles only reflect religious affiliation they will remain subjective titles that really contribute nothing to a wider understanding of paganism to society at large. And “Grand Archdruid”? As if the term “Archdruid” was not enough! 
When we use ancient cultural terms like these with such impunity it really robs the word of any meaning. Imagine if every Jew called himself a Rabbi? At some point it really means very little. Words must carry meaning in order for them to convey a concept and subsequently contain power of intention. There is, and should continue to be, much debate about honorifics in the pagan world.
2. Health Concerns:
One of the least talked about issues in the pagan community today are issues of physical health. I know that many people struggle with weight gain, and that these struggles can lead to a lot of personal self deprecating. I do not wish to add to that. It remains a sad fact, however, that the pagan community deals with obesity issues, diet, and lack of exercise. These are not positive problems for us as we move forward. This will contribute to high instances of heart conditions, diabetes, and many other potentially deadly ailments.
If we started writing and speaking more about these issues individual pagans will respond. Exercise, diet and general physical health are just as important as full moon esbats, Beltaine ceremonies, and visualization techniques.
It has been my experience that the better I feel, the more powerfully affected I am by ritual, meditation, etc. When I neglect to eat well (which happens, unfortunately, all too often) or neglect to exercise, it becomes harder to do even the simplest things, like grounding.
Our bodies are just as much part of our spiritual makeup as any other. It is a struggle to find ways of honoring our bodies in a balance of pleasure and discipline. But what’s a pagan path without a bit of healthy struggle?
Our bodies are our temples, no matter what faith, we should all make the effort to keep our bodies in the best health they can be in. I think the issue of health, at least in America, goes well beyond the Pagan community, with obesity even being called and epidemic. One would think other people dedicated to respect of nature and Mother Earth would eat wholesome foods and not processed garbage things that could harm her, but that is not the case.
I think this leads to the biggest problem with a lot of American Pagans, or Americans on a whole, there is so much talk and then no action. Laziness is not a virtue in any circle.
As for definitions and heirachy… I think they are subject to change over time and I do not worry about them. As long as the people I care about and love know who I truly aim, I can face anything.
Thanks for bringing this up.
When I hear pagan names the include “Lady” or “Lord,” I silently snicker. I can’t help it. While I’m sure it happens in other countries, I’ve seen these “titles” used a lot here in the US. It’s kinda ironic that a country of people that have historically eschew titles (of nobility) would take up faux titles for whatever reason. Using titles like this doesn’t bring a person respectability.
The whole health issue has been something that has confused me for a long time. Even with many pagans talking about how they have to do “no harm,” they don’t seem to include themselves in that equation. You’re doing harm to yourself when you don’t take care of your body and your health.
Good post.
Thank you so much for speaking up about the problem of health (or lack thereof) in the Pagan community! I take great pride in my physical health and appearance, and because of that, I have actually been told by others in the Pagan community that I am “not being Pagan.” Not being Pagan, because I workout regularly, spend a lot of time outdoors, and don’t eat junk food. I hope that we can turn this issue into a community wide discussion because I’m tired of being the only one in my group of pagan friends who is healthy enough to actually spend time outside with Mother Earth.
Sojourner and Jera both mentioned the lack of interaction with nature. I could not agree more. It seems that the current trend, not only in paganism, is about spending more and more time interacting with others online (here we are blogging
) and not walking the land.
So much energy floods your body and gives healing just by taking a walk. There has been a tremendous amount of emphasis on reading books, casting spells, and crafting ritual. Very little emphasis has been placed on physical well being and contact with nature as a source of inspiration and learning. The *body* has been ignored.
This has to change.
I began my pagan path as an obese person. For me, it is not as easy as just reaching the epiphany that my body is a temple. After many years, I find I am *still* struggling with accepting the fact that, as a woman, I am Divine in my own right (my Christian teachings made me believe I was not), and I need to treat myself as such. Add in a history of sexual abuse and eating disorders, and the challenge of treating my body as a temple becomes even greater.
With all the body issues I came into paganism with, it was a relief for the first few years to find that I was accepted “as is”– a woman, and a fat one, at that. But I know I need to move forward. Just because the pagan community has been more accepting of my size, doesn’t mean that it is okay for me to stay this way. I often feel that if I can just open myself to the idea that I truly am Divine, I can overcome the self-neglect…
I know that many people sincerely struggle with weight. Each and every pagan has something that gives them a great challenge. I really believe that. For some it is anger, physical handicaps, depression, poverty, etc. I think that one of the most important things we can do as pagans from any tradition is be cognizant of the health of our body.
One of the ways to foster this is for pagan groups to start exercising and working out together. Supporting each other when it is hard, and praising each other when we make strides in personal health.
For over two-thousand years Christianity and western civilization has been obsessed with the body as “evil”. The body is not seen as a teacher in and of itself but an *obstacle* to wisdom. Paganism, IMO, teaches quite the opposite. The body can warn us of deep spiritual and emotional problems by manifesting cancer, ulcers (something I have had to struggle with), and many other problems. I do not want to put people down for the way they look. I just would like to see more of us talking about the “wisdom of our body”.
I am not talking about the “perfect 10″ form here either. But an overall confidence with the body. Feeling the power of your muscles as you work. Feeling the confidence and power in your lungs to pull air into your blood when you run or exercise. And thanking your body by giving it good food, and pure crisp water.
Another thing that people have to consider regarding health, weight, and how people look is that health should not be defined as being “skinny.” For example, I know people that have a few extra pounds that can make it up a steep hill without any breathing problems; I know a few skinny people that find they can’t breath less than half way up that same hill.
We have to find a new definition of what being “healthy” is.
Most people don’t know what it feels like when their muscles are at work. They are then surprised the next day when they are so sore that they have trouble getting out of bed. They are out of touch with how their body works, how their body feels, etc. This is unhealthy no matter what your outward appearence is.
Turtleheart – You make a good point when you say that it has been a difficult transition to regard your body as sacred after being taught otherwise. I appreciate that you mentioned your perspective.
Colorado Celt,
thank you. It is so nice to find that I am not the only one who is noticing this. I see it all of the time in the Germanic Heathen community. Here we are, celebrating what was in many ways , a “Warrior Culture”, yet most of the people I have seen lifting horns rarely go outside, and seem to be hard pressed to stand for 5 minutes at a time without collapsing.
I feel the greater “Pagan/Heathen” community has a tendency to neglect the ecstasy which can result from healthy exercise, as well as dancing, drumming and meditation. Instead, there is a widespread tendency to rely upon drugs and alcohol to “connect with nature.” Instead of getting out into the forests, the plains and the ocean, we sit behind our keyboards, or roam vast cities.
Aw, Hel. I’m rambling. ANyway, glad to find I’m not alone in feeling this way.
Byron
I think the “titles” issue relates to the general problem of superficiality- concern with spiritual trappings. Who has the best robes/Tarot/book collection etc. A pagan version of the consumerist mentality that plagues our society.
Re: health- I remember my dad, when he once came to Pagan Pride to pick me up, commented “Gee, there sure are a lot of overweight people here” I replied with, well so is the rest of America. Still, I have begun to see a few people note this problem, and when I see passersby on the street, on my campus, on the bus and compare them with folks at pagan gatherings, I must say that I see more heavyset people at pagan meetings. A major solution is that we need to make exercise *fun* encourage activities like dance and martial arts, hiking, biking etc. not only in groves/covens etc. but just start a general pagan biking club or whatever, as there are so many solitaries. Also cook delicious nutritious natural food as a group. Problem is so many of us were nerds who got picked last in gym class, and who love reading/movies/computer/video games etc.
Greetings, ColoradoCelt ~
First of all, thank you for a well-written and thought provoking post. I do agree with what you have to say. I too (much like Sojourner) tend to snicker when I hear of someone using the term Lord or Lady as their spiritual name. And when it turns out that individual is just some pimply adolescent trying to sound impressive, those chuckles have a way of evolving into guffaws. Such titles should be reserved for those who have rightfully earned them.
That being said, I must confess that I have on occasion let it be known that I myself am a Third Degree High Priestess. I don’t do this to put on airs (okay, maybe a little bit!) but rather to show representation within the Pagan Community of my culture. I happen to be culturally Deaf, and to the best of my knowledge, the only Deaf ordained High Priestess here in the USA. That’s an achievement of which I am quite proud. My title was not pulled out of a hat, or achieved thru some mail-order certification. It is the culmination of several years of study, including an intensive year and a day study where I was the only Deaf individual in the group, many of whom did not sign themselves, and for which I had limited access to interpreters. It was damn hard work, and there were times when I was ready to give up in frustration, but I stuck with it and am proud of myself for doing so.
So when I state on my own blog site – Deaf Pagan Crossroads – that I am an ordained High Priestess, it is not just to banter the title around…but to hopefully encourage others, both Deaf and hearing, to not be afraid to set goals and go after your dreams, no matter how challenging they might seem.
But yes…when I think about the hard work I did put into gaining the right to use that title, and then look at the folks who throw such terms as High Priest, ArchDruid, Witch Queen, yadda yadda yadda around with nary a thought to what they should represent, I do get irritated.
You make a good point about physical wellness as well. I must bow my head in shame and admit that I need to get off my butt more often and spend more time communing with nature. I struggle with my own weight, and that’s to be expected when I spend more time indoors in front of my computer than I do outside in the midst of the forest.
Thanks for giving me some inspiration – it’s a beautiful day out there… I think I’ll shut off this gizmo and go take a walk.
~ Ocean
I’d like to recommend a book – Thinking Body, Dancing Mind: Taosports for Extraordinary Performance in Athletics, Business, and Life
by Chungliang Al Huang (Author), Jerry Lynch
I think you’d quite enjoy it.
Excellent comments all around. One of the advantages of having a pagan spirituality that it not so bogged down with dogma is that it leaves so much room for innovation and creativity. One of the disadvantages is that it makes it easy for just about anyone to come along and claim just about whatever they like.
I know that there are folks out there, like Ocean, who have taken on a serious task of education and have come out better for it. When I meet a Rabbi I immediately know that that person had to have gone to a Rabbinical school to earn that title. Therefore the title still has meaning.
To what extent will paganism try to move towards an emphasis on education? Go take a look at what the requirements are to become a Jesuit. The amount of school and community service will astound you. Wouldn’t it be great if the title of Druid held that save kind of prestige?
Thanks again for all the great comments.
Greetings ColoradoCelt and others…
Excellent writing. I relate to Ocean in that I am overweight and still struggling. I came to this spiritual path with the extra baggage and have recently felt the need to find balance in my physical as well as spiritual life. Broce, I will look for the book you recommend. I recently picked up “Complete Guide to Pilates Yoga, Meditation and Stress Relief” with the desire to gain control over my body, rather than my body controlling me.
Thank you for your insight. I enjoy reading your blog! And I appreciate the stepping on toes and challenges!
Funny you mention health issues. I´ve always been aware of the lack of physical exercise in the pagan and occult communities. Personally I´ve more or less exercised regurarly since my teens (I´m now 32): martial arts, body building, yoga, running, walking, dancing & physical theater training – and not to forget: sex (which requires a lot on all levels if you want to share yourself for more than a couple of minutes). All this exercising has made me combat all the ‘body trashing’ common throughout all ages. But it´s a tough fight. The essence of body repression is always the same, but it takes various forms. This makes things tricky, as something that seems free the body from its prison could just be another form of jail. Our bodies are intelligent if we just let them instead of trying to control and shape them all the time. They (we) are a source of joy, beauty & intelligence, even if they don´t live up to ideals that changes faster than the seasons. A so called ‘fat’ woman carrying her body with pride, expressing its sexiness, is far more inspiring to look at than a dysfunctional body builder desperately looking for ways of flexing his or her muscles. If you want to take up exercising, do something that your body & mind enjoys doing, do it with friends or alone, & don´t be afraid of putting some pressure on your body (yourself) as it releases a lot of endorphines (which feels nice and can be used in meditation & ritual – recommended reading: ‘The Endorphine Effect’ by William Bloom – http://www.williambloom.com).
Brilliant post re: obesity and paganism…..I’m glad I’m not the only person noticing this and it’s rife in the Australian Pagan Community as well.
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