About Upstate Pagans & Witches

Upstate Pagans & Witches

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What We Are

This group is primarily to bring local pagans together for fellowship and to share knowledge and wisdom. Often people who do try to join our local pagan community have been looked down upon and chased away. This will not be the case here. Any pagan who is respectful of other's beliefs, and who can understand that everyone has been new at it at some point can join. My aim is that this group will feel warm and welcoming- and everyone should feel included. We will have fun and make friends, and learn some new things while we are at it!

What We Will Do

As any other group, we will get together to have fun and get to know each other. In addition - we will begin having classes and workshops available to anyone interested. These classes are available to everyone to learn or teach, and are not mandatory. (YOU WILL NEVER HAVE TO PAY FOR A CLASS.) We will also get together for the sabbats/esbats. Any group rituals will be very general to make sure as many people are included and comfortable as possible, unless stated in advance that we are following a certain study for that specific one. The rituals/gatherings will be planned in a prior "Ritual Planning" meeting, that anyone interested in helping can attend. All the meetups will be free, unless we decide to do an optional meetup at a restaurant that you will have to pay for your own food. In this case, we may ask for volunteers to help cover costs if some members want to come and cannot afford it. We will also do some charity drives and such to help our community which we are all a part.

Who Are Our Members

The members of our group are local pagans that do not look down on others and their own personal decided path or belief system. Some of us are old veterans, in our path for many years- and some of us are just starting out, looking for some resources and wanting to connect with others. We are witches, wiccans, shamans, druids, ritualists, magi, and so many other things. We are here to learn, and to teach, but never to tell others what they should follow or that they are wrong. We are, many of us, pagans who have been solitary but are looking to be a part of something with others as well. As pagans we know that we are all connected, and it would be nice to know more of the people we are connected to.
I approve all members to join, and as this is certainly not fool-proof, I will not let someone join that will bring negativity to our group or gatherings. This is not a way to make it elitist or make others feel left out, but if they ask to join to learn how to help hurt someone or are coming to convert us, they will not be welcome.

What Will Get You Kicked Out

As much as I hate to put something negative, the main purpose is that everyone will feel comfortable and welcome. So, in order to keep things fun and civilized, there have to be a few ground rules from the very beginning.
First off, debate can be fun and teach us knew things, but it has to be respectful and never insulting. If a debate gets to be too heated, the members involved may be asked to leave that specific invite, but would be welcome to come again with no hard feelings. This would cool the air, and prevent things from getting out of hand and ruining it for the other members.
The following are the no-no's. These are the rules that if broken, will get you removed from the group, and you will no longer be welcome.
1. There will be no intoxication at a gathering. This includes showing up under the influence of any drug, or alcohol. There may be wine at group rituals, but this will be limited and there will be grape juice for those who prefer or are under 21.
2. There will be no harassment. Unwanted advances/etc can make one uncomfortable, and if it continues, you will be removed.
3. There will be no selling of your own product. If someone asks or it comes up in conversation as a resource, that is one thing- but do not come here to make money.
4. There will be no insulting, looking down, or treating others like "newbies" or like they should follow the same thing you do. Everyone's path is their own and is what works for them. Obviously, everyone can ask questions and learn, but you should take from it what works for you and the rest is there as knowledge. (If you want to become someone's student or take on a student of your own, this is more than welcome, as long as it is not a ploy to make money.)
5. There is power here, and this power will not be used to hurt others in any way. No harmful spells will be done at any gathering or group ritual. This is first and foremost a place to enjoy yourself.