Author Topic: How to Introduce Myself? (Read 1838 times)

Aiwelin · « **on:** September 25, 2013, 03:40:25 pm »

I'm currently involved in three pretty separate traditions: ADF Druidry, Heathenry, and Wicca. I am a student in all of these traditions, and use each separately in my home practice to honor different spirits.

I recently attended Pagan Pride Day in a nearby city, and I had no idea how to simply describe what I do without being incredibly vague (Pagan) or sort-of-but-really-not-accurate-at-all (eclectic). "I'm a Druid, a Heathen, and a Wiccan" is very accurate, but is not really simple enough for people to be like "oh, okay" and move on.

Should I just give up? Is it impossible to simply describe my practice to other Pagans?

Jack · « **Reply #1 on:** September 25, 2013, 04:21:31 pm »

Quote from: Aiwelin;123094

I'm currently involved in three pretty separate traditions: ADF Druidry, Heathenry, and Wicca. I am a student in all of these traditions, and use each separately in my home practice to honor different spirits.

I recently attended Pagan Pride Day in a nearby city, and I had no idea how to simply describe what I do without being incredibly vague (Pagan) or sort-of-but-really-not-accurate-at-all (eclectic). "I'm a Druid, a Heathen, and a Wiccan" is very accurate, but is not really simple enough for people to be like "oh, okay" and move on.

Should I just give up? Is it impossible to simply describe my practice to other Pagans?

I dunno, I find that using a multi-prong description is a great way to estimate how people would respond to knowing more about what you do. I used to introduce myself as a "heathen Buddhist" in Asatru circles, and I immediately knew who I was probably better off not talking to.

If you feel like there's one that best sums up what you're doing, you could use that. "Norse-flavored druid," or something like that, though it doesn't also incorporate the Wiccan influence. Would you say all three are equal parts of what you do? How do you want other people to relate to you?

Liadine (dragonflyeyes) · « **Reply #2 on:** September 26, 2013, 07:47:55 am »

Quote from: Aiwelin;123094

Should I just give up? Is it impossible to simply describe my practice to other Pagans?

I like what Jack said about basing it on how you want other people to relate to you - that's how I go about it.

If you're just mingling/getting to know people, saying that you're eclectic pagan but draw from three distinct paths is a little vague, but it also gives curious people a conversational starter if they want to go there/if you're willing to go into it a little more. If you're putting out feelers for other like-minded people to talk to, "I'm a Druid, a Heathen, and a Wiccan" might be a little cumbersome but it's also more likely to put you in contact with other people following those paths.

I think 'ten words or less' is about as simple as you can get for accurately describing more eclectic paths, and it's also good to remember that you're not in charge of how people respond. They're completely free to say "oh, okay" and move on - if someone described themselves to me like that, I'd either say "okay, cool" and mentally file them, or ask more questions if the situation was appropriate for that.

Aiwelin · « **Reply #3 on:** September 26, 2013, 09:38:01 am »

Quote from: Jack;123101

I dunno, I find that using a multi-prong description is a great way to estimate how people would respond to knowing more about what you do. I used to introduce myself as a "heathen Buddhist" in Asatru circles, and I immediately knew who I was probably better off not talking to.

If you feel like there's one that best sums up what you're doing, you could use that. "Norse-flavored druid," or something like that, though it doesn't also incorporate the Wiccan influence. Would you say all three are equal parts of what you do? How do you want other people to relate to you?

Hmm, Heathenry and Druidry are pretty equal for me; though I do big rituals (not daily devotions) for the Heathen Deities in an ADF syle, so I suppose that's more Druid-y. I mainly do my Wiccan work to participate in the local community and face-to-face learning, but I do honor the Lord and the Lady every two weeks or so as each Deity I honor has their 'day', and I have taught and occasionally do Wiccan ritual with my children, since I wanted them to have a paradigm that's easy to relate to the larger Pagan community with.

So perhaps Heathen Druid is the best descriptor, with a caveat that I'm also a student of Wicca?

Aiwelin · « **Reply #4 on:** September 26, 2013, 09:39:22 am »

Quote from: Liadine (dragonflyeyes);123221

I like what Jack said about basing it on how you want other people to relate to you - that's how I go about it.

If you're just mingling/getting to know people, saying that you're eclectic pagan but draw from three distinct paths is a little vague, but it also gives curious people a conversational starter if they want to go there/if you're willing to go into it a little more. If you're putting out feelers for other like-minded people to talk to, "I'm a Druid, a Heathen, and a Wiccan" might be a little cumbersome but it's also more likely to put you in contact with other people following those paths.

I think 'ten words or less' is about as simple as you can get for accurately describing more eclectic paths, and it's also good to remember that you're not in charge of how people respond. They're completely free to say "oh, okay" and move on - if someone described themselves to me like that, I'd either say "okay, cool" and mentally file them, or ask more questions if the situation was appropriate for that.

I like the idea of "ten words or less". I'm not out to confuse people! But I also want to have people to talk to, since that's the main reason I go to pan-Pagan gatherings; I don't want to scare anybody off

Liadine (dragonflyeyes) · « **Reply #5 on:** September 26, 2013, 10:34:40 am »

Quote from: Aiwelin;123237

I like the idea of "ten words or less". I'm not out to confuse people! But I also want to have people to talk to, since that's the main reason I go to pan-Pagan gatherings; I don't want to scare anybody off

I think the only time you'd get into 'why are they telling me all this' territory is when you start to go really in-depth without prompting - just saying 'I'm x, y, and z' shouldn't be a problem for most people.

It's likely that a lot of people are there for the same reasons, so knowing things isn't likely to scare anyone

Besides, if someone is scared off by a short description, they're probably not worth talking to.

Jack · « **Reply #6 on:** September 26, 2013, 11:07:58 am »

Quote from: Aiwelin;123234

So perhaps Heathen Druid is the best descriptor, with a caveat that I'm also a student of Wicca?

I think that "Heathen Druid" will serve you just fine in 90% of contexts, so that sounds great.

Aiwelin · « **Reply #7 on:** September 26, 2013, 01:49:06 pm »

Quote from: Liadine (dragonflyeyes);123241

I think the only time you'd get into 'why are they telling me all this' territory is when you start to go really in-depth without prompting - just saying 'I'm x, y, and z' shouldn't be a problem for most people.

It's likely that a lot of people are there for the same reasons, so knowing things isn't likely to scare anyone Besides, if someone is scared off by a short description, they're probably not worth talking to.

Haha, you're probably right

Quote from: Jack;123243

I think that "Heathen Druid" will serve you just fine in 90% of contexts, so that sounds great.

Thank you Jack!

Laveth · « **Reply #8 on:** September 27, 2013, 08:33:58 pm »

Quote from: Aiwelin;123094

I'm currently involved in three pretty separate traditions: ADF Druidry, Heathenry, and Wicca. I am a student in all of these traditions, and use each separately in my home practice to honor different spirits.

I recently attended Pagan Pride Day in a nearby city, and I had no idea how to simply describe what I do without being incredibly vague (Pagan) or sort-of-but-really-not-accurate-at-all (eclectic). "I'm a Druid, a Heathen, and a Wiccan" is very accurate, but is not really simple enough for people to be like "oh, okay" and move on.

Should I just give up? Is it impossible to simply describe my practice to other Pagans?

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Author Topic: How to Introduce Myself? (Read 1838 times)

Aiwelin

How to Introduce Myself?

Jack

Re: How to Introduce Myself?

Liadine (dragonflyeyes)

Re: How to Introduce Myself?

Aiwelin

Re: How to Introduce Myself?

Aiwelin

Re: How to Introduce Myself?

Liadine (dragonflyeyes)

Re: How to Introduce Myself?

Jack

How to Introduce Myself?

Aiwelin

Re: How to Introduce Myself?

Laveth

Re: How to Introduce Myself?

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