Warm Beltane Greetings from the Mistress of the Lair!
It was brought to my attention today (thanks to the Llewellyn FB page) that today is International Pagan Coming Out Day. Um....no. Now, before you take offense to what you THINK I'm about to say, please understand that, in theory, I completely support coming out of the perennial Broom Closet and being honest and open about who and what we are--in a perfect world. Unfortunately, we do not LIVE in a perfect world and our society is not ripe with an overabundance of what some derrogatorily call "fluffy bunnies." People "out there" still have stereotypical attitudes toward our community and our lifestyle/spiritual style. Regardless of what we want to believe, there are still staunch conservatives and extremists "out there" for whom our beliefs are offensive and sinful.
On Beltane, the third of our Spring festivals, we celebrate the fertility and sensuality of the fully-blossomed Season. Why, too, cannot we celebrate our Paths openly? The theoretical aspect of IPCOD is spot-on! As the Season, so should we. The reality is somewhat more complicated than that.
You all, dear ones, know "what" I am...and I you. We embrace each other in mutual respect and mutual love--regardless of our individual Path differences--for we each acknowledge the manifestation of the Divine in the other. She is in each of us...in our own manners. Even if nothing is said, we "know." It's not "enough," but it IS enough. Forced revelation is the "mess" that we see in other belief systems. She is not a forced revelation...She slowly reveals by degrees as the Waxing Moon.
Remember that...and reveal yourself as you see fit. The 19th century poet, Emily Dickinson, might have given us the best outline for such revelations--
Tell all the Truth but tell it slant --
Success in Circuit lies
Too bright for our infirm Delight
The Truth's superb surprise
As Lightning to the Children eased
With explanation kind
The Truth must dazzle gradually
Or every man be blind --
In the softness of the slowly-revealing Moonlight!
As someone who works for the day when we might more openly celebrate our faiths, I nevertheless do understand the pragmatic need for discretion. Goddess willing, our missives upon the interwebs might yet construct some breathing space for those whose beliefs fall outside the common gamut of religion. Until that blessed day, be safe and be well!
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