Pagan Coming Out And The Storm Of Intolerance

Pitter patter, pitter patter, rain falling while at a Beltane festival, hundreds of Pagans awash in the giving life of spring, Gaia is nourished, while we await the clearing that will inevitably come. Yes! Florida Pagan Gathering is drenched in the blessed moisture that feeds all life upon Gaia.

It is the eventual clearing that has me thinking on this International Pagan Coming Out Day. The storm will pass, skies will lighten and the blessings of the sun will irradiate the attendees. For many Pagans, however there is a dark cloud hanging over their heads, a cloud bursting with hate, misinformation, economic injustice and fear of living their true path in public.

I would put to you that Pagan Coming Out Day provides an opportunity for Pagans who only take a moderate risk in “coming out” the opportunity to be of profound service to the members of our community who are oppressed by an intolerant society to the point of fear.

As each member of our community proclaims their spiritual truth they set an example, provide a conduit for the broader society to learn that our community is like any other, filled with incredible people doing important work in service to divinity. In turn,  these examples set the stage for more community members to take the step towards openly living as their true selves.

So consider these questions today.  Is my broom closet just providing me with a convenient sanctuary and no longer necessary for self-protection?  Will the little risk I take in coming out be worth the rewards that my community will reap?   Will stepping from the shadows bring a more enlightened understanding to my community?

The individual can only answer these questions after self-reflection. To those who choose to come out, I applaud you!  Each of you is contributing to the manifestation of the day when those who still must live in the shadows for safety can step forward and be embraced by their community as “true self”.

One day soon may the cloud of intolerance clear, may the light of divinity be never again covered by an imposing cloud of bigotry that keeps our fellow community members from proclaiming from the highest mountain their truth!