Positive Change, Social Networking & The Media By Starrfire Price

[Starrfire Price]

www.paganspace.net/profile/starrfire www.myspace.com/starrprice Recently, I was asked some interview questions relating to Social Networking and also my thoughts and goals for what can bring a positive public effect to the Pagan, Witchcraft and Occult Community via media. I thought I would share my response with my friends in hopes of gaining an insight into my thoughts. I believe the social networking sites, events and different places to connect are very positive and have brought many people together whom would have likely never met or crossed paths otherwise. For me, I have seen so much unity and education since the beginning of Paganspace.net, and my other sites. Further, I have been privileged to meet so many wonderful people that I would have never known otherwise. Although, as with any place where many people come together in a social interaction, we have problems occur from time-to-time. Sometimes, it's just differing personality clashes, other times, some show up only to create havoc. Further, as with any belief system known to humanity, you always encounter those who show up, full of themselves, greed and/or their own arrogance; which in my opinion is always the beginning of the end and has hurt all forms of beliefs throughout history. Although, believe me, the good has far outweighed the bad but I like to portray things accurately which is why I brought the not-so-wonderful times up as well. For me, I have never seen myself as being above anyone just because I may be adept or skilled at something. I'm always learning, changing and growing. I believe, if one assumes they know it all; is to show nothing less than the depth of their own ignorance. I think there is much to learn from every belief and everyone, especially those just beginning as they always remind us of the beauty and excitement of finding one's way and feeling the magic for the first time. My goal is and has always been unity and education. I believe by allowing people to see that no matter what they believe, we are all people living in the same world; we all eat, sleep, work etc. and a belief system does not make a person good or bad, only their actions/motives create that. I'm a Witch but that is only one facet of myself; I'm a mom, I go to baseball practice and birthday parties at Chuckie Cheese :-) I do housework, gardening and all the fun, mundane things everyone else does. Years back, I did ABC News during the Harry Potter uproar, and I received so many thankful emails from Pagans, but more importantly from Christians who said they had no idea we "looked" like I look (no costume..lol), most even spoke about how happy, funny and upbeat I was. I felt that was positive change and it allowed people to see inside our world without all the stereotypical-hype commonly associated with us. I own robes, a pointy hat and I have an awesome broom... but I don't gear up like it's Halloween to go to the grocery store..lol As for my practices, I'm a polytheist (Greek Pantheon), I work magic, it's just a part of my life. I am a spirit communicator and researcher, among many other things. Each day, holds magic for me, whether it be working, researching or gardening. I follow my muses, ancestors and deities; for they have been with me and guided me each day for as long as I can remember. I know that magic is alive, I see it everyday both online and off. I believe when people put their heart and soul into something that they can do anything. I started 12 plus years ago following the path laid out in front of me; and I've never looked back because it is simply who I am, this is what I am meant to do in this life and I will continue to do so until this life ends. I hope that my work will continue in the next life as well. I believe there is a happy medium between our magical and mundane that could be found, if the media could just publicly focus on us outside of solely, the stereotypical hype or ritual practices. Which might I add we all do not do what is shown on television. I truthfully believe, if we were portrayed in the context as magical people with real, normal lives, it would help with understanding and education of not only what we believe but who we are as people. To boil it down, we are professionals, business owners, parents and we're your next door neighbors, who mows their grass on Saturday, have back yard bar-b-ques and unload groceries from our trunks just like everyone else. Personally, I don't judge people on their beliefs, be it Christian, Buddhist, Atheist, Satanist or Pagan etc. I have friends in all belief systems; I understand that it's what's inside of us that makes us who we are, not what we wear or what deity if any, that we follow. There are good and bad people in this world; none fall under any one belief, nor does the following of a religion or belief guarantee a good and genuine hearted person.