Kally's Cauldron

I'm glad to see I've "stirred the cauldron" a little with my post about International Pagan Coming Out Day. I think it's great to get people thinking and talking.

I wanted to clear something up quickly though. While I haven't gone over the IPCOD website with a fine-tooth comb, I don't think "coming out" in this instance requires anything like signing up on their website saying "Hi, I'm so-and-so and I'm a Pagan." I think what they're really trying to accomplish is encourage those who are ready to come out to do so and lend support while they make that transition.

That being said, I can certainly understand why many people are decidedly in the closet. Everyone's circumstances are different. I'm lucky enough to live in an area where most people are relatively accepting or, at worst, indifferent. The people who immediately surround me though don't all fall into the category of either accepting OR indifferent. Knowing their personal beliefs, to admit that I was Pagan to them would render most of them downright hostile. This is why I remain "in the closet". I could care less if the greater world knew of my faith, but it's certain people close to me that I need to keep it from.

This leads to something of a catch 22 though, because I also know that a lot of this fear and hostility is caused by a lack of understanding and knowledge (with a little close-mindedness for good measure). While I don't know that we require an official day to "come out", if you're prepared to deal with the bad as well of the good of that choice, it can be beneficial to the Pagan community as a whole for people to stand up and say "Yep, I am Pagan and I'm not going to be treated like I'm evil because of it". Some of us have to remain in the closet because our lives could literally be destroyed by coming out, but for those of us who really DO have an option *raises hand*, I don't think it's a bad thing to open up about our faith to those around us.

Despite all that, I likely won't be coming out just yet, but for me personally, it's not a question of "if", but "when".

I am a self-proclaimed blackthumb. I'm pretty sure I've killed just about every plant I've ever had in my care which doesn't speak well for someone who's supposed to be close to nature. Boo and I have been working on making something of a garden since we moved here 2.5 years ago. We did manage to pretty up the garden area and plant a beautiful pink something or other (that we're pretty sure ain't coming back this year despite being a perennial). We planted a raspberry bush last year and so far it looks like it might be coming back so this will be a first for us.

For a birthday gift (did I mention it was my birthday earlier this month?), my mom gave me a bunch of seed packets, some new gardening gloves and a gardening magazine. So sweet but such a waste.....or maybe not. I took the plunge with Munchkin 2 weeks ago and planted some marigold seeds in pots to try and get them growing to transplant once the final frost date has passed here. And guess what?








Ta da! Houston, we have sprouts. Maybe there's some hope after all!

So, May 2nd, 2011 is International Pagan Coming Out Day. I was actually a little surprised to find out this even existed but it sounds like a great idea. Unfortunately, I have my doubts that I will be a "coming out" participant this year, though I'm certainly planning on sending positive energy to those who are!

Don't get me wrong, I definitely contemplated it (heck, I won't make an actual decision until the day of) but, I know that when push comes to shove, I won't do it. Problem is, there are people around me that I know beyond a shadow of any doubt that will cut me out of their lives because of my Paganism. True, this doesn't have to stop me from telling one or two people but I never really felt like sitting down and having "the talk" with someone. Velma Nightshade from Witches BrewHaha worded it best when she said "I'm in the closet but the door is open". Annoucing my personal beliefs to the world is a bit much for me, but if someone asks, I'll normally tell them the truth (unless of course they are one of said people mentioned above).

It does bother me though that I can't be openly Pagan. I would love to "Like" all sorts of Pagan groups/magazines/websites on Facebook, but to do so would pass the word on to those who I'm not ready to tell. Granted, I have the Facebook account for my blog persona (in case anyone hadn't guessed, my real name isn't actually Kally and oddly enough my children aren't actually named Munchkin and Bean) but it's just not the same. I want to be one person, not two.

Are you out? What made you decide it was time and how did you go about it?

Phew, it's been forever!! Boo went back to work three weeks ago and I had forgotten just how much work my two boys are, but we've been having a lot of fun, so it's all good :) Unfortunately, it means I have zero time to blog because I occupy the boys all day and do the chores at night. Weekends are spent doing family things so the little "me" time that I do get, I like sitting down with a cup of tea and reading a book.

Let's see:

I ended up missing out on the last two weeks of my global sadhana with Spirit Voyage because of that stomach flu I had (ok not a great excuse...it started as a good excuse but ended when I started being able to eat normally again...I just never got back on the bandwagon). But never fear, a new 40 day sadhana is starting on May 2nd so I've ordered this from the website and will be praying the Japji every morning for 40 days.

I recently decided to give up red meat in my diet. Sure a filet mignon is yummy but the pros of NOT eating red meat seemed to outweigh the cons so I took the plunge. So far it's been really easy but it's only been a little over a week so I know that they will come. In looking for some vegetarian meal ideas, I came across the PETA website. I'll be honest, I've never been a huge fan of PETA although in recent years I've started to realize that like every other group on the planet, it has it's extremists and maybe I shouldn't be throwing the baby out with the bathwater. Anywho, they essentially issue a 30 day challenge of attemping veganism and I decided to accept with one condition....I would become vegetarian for a month rather than vegan. I know myself and I know it would be hard enough to drop meat cold turkey (pun intended) so to drop ALL animal products might last for all of 2 days before I gave in to some cheese.

I discussed it with Boo since he would obviously be affected and he's ok with being supportive so long as we keep some meat around for him when he's tired of all the "rabbit food". Boo is decidedly an omnivore (if it weren't for me, I'm quite sure he'd be a borderline carnivore). In any case he won't be giving up meat anytime soon.

I'm still trying to figure out what made me decide to do this. Although I certainly think animals should be treated far better than they are, animal rights in general are not a passion of mine. Actually what sold me on the challenge was an article that talked about how being vegetarian can greatly reduce your carbon footprint which IS a passion for me.

At any rate, I'm hoping that these new challenges that I've set up for myself will improve my health and well-being as well as get me blogging regularly again!