Community: com·mu·ni·ty/kəˈmyo͞onitē/
Noun:
1. A group of people living together in one place, esp. one practicing common ownership: "a community of nuns".
2. All the people living in a particular area or place: "local communities".
To me, a community is a group of like minded individuals that share information, encouragement, hopes and more. I have learned so much from this online community. I’ve been offered encouragement and guidance, learned different belief systems, information on the Gods and Goddesses, herbal remedies, correspondences, places to buy Magickal supplies, spells, and so much more. I’ve been introduced to things that I’ve never seen before and it occasionally leaves me breathless. While the online Pagan/Wiccan/Magical community that I am now a part of only loosely fits the definition above, I believe that strong bonds and friendships are definitely being made across the Internet.
As I have become more involved online I have been welcomed with open arms. While I have occasionally run across an individual or two who acts a little too Self-Important to interact with a newbie blogger like me, overall I have found this online community to be educational, supportive and friendly.
Joining the Pagan Blog Project was one more way for me to not only connect to others like myself, but to learn more about this amazing group of people. It is fascinating to see the diverse subject matter being written about each week.
Currently, as a way of giving thanks to the community, I am giving away a couple of lace butterfly masks on my blog- check out this post for more info, this is a way for me to just say thank you to those who are following – or who choose to follow - my blog and be a part of my online world. The masks shown are only examples, the winners will get to choose their own color mask and will also receive a special little something from me.
When I started this blog last year, I had two purposes in mind, one was to participate in a Yule fitness challenge and the other was to become a part of the greater online Pagan/Wiccan/Magical community. My goals for the year were to become more involved online and locally. I am slowly becoming more active locally and I am happy to admit that my broom closet days are coming to an end. When I read a couple more posts about witches and the broom closet I realized that there are really only a few people in my life who don’t know my beliefs and since I rarely talk about religion or politics at work they very likely will never know and it's OK.
Thank you to this amazing online community, for your knowledge, your support, your friendship and your guidance. I truly appreciate you all.
Autumnwind
The biggest 'closet' problem is internet snooping by current and potential employers. When you're applying for a job, the slightest hint of anything 'weird' or geeky and braaaap! Your resume gets flushed.
ReplyDeleteGiven that, it's probably smart to do online things under a craft name or other handle, though the id-harvesting of Google+ and others makes things harder to separate.
I love this project- it's getting me and others to write about subjects that we wouldn't normally think of doing.
I'm pleased to have found you and your blog through the Pagan Blog Project (what a NEAT way to learn and share with others)!
ReplyDeleteAs a Solitary, there have been many times over the years when I've ached for support and guidance from a group or Coven members, but I am still quite reluctant to join...mostly because I worry that "my ways" will be too conflicting with others or judged harshly if someone feels I am not "doing it right". Silly I suppose, but since I started my Pagan blog about a year ago, I've been able to essentially fill that void and have found amazing friends and support!
Bright Blessings to you - oh, and the masks you've made are gorgeous. I'll be blogging about them soon.
:) I found you through the PBP too! Great post. :) And I love the colours you used on your blog theme!
ReplyDeleteYour masks are beautiful too! :)
Happy blogging!