Embracing the Change: A Reflection on 25 Years of Paganism

Honoring the Seasons Through Community

I sat quite in awe during a recent event. I found myself reflecting on how much life has changed with paganism over the last 25 years. These women weren’t pagan or witchy; they were just normal women wanting to honor the seasons. They gathered to hold a women’s day circle to mark the wheel of the year.

Last weekend, on Imbolc, I was invited as a guest to hold a ritual for Brighid at a women’s circle. My invitation came because I had shared a ritual to spread Brighid's flame of peace from Kildare, Ireland, at a fellow doula's mother blessing ceremony when I was her doula. She recently began holding seasonal women's circles and invited me to share the ritual.

The Ritual of Peace

The ritual I shared involved the flame of peace from Brighid's sacred flame in Kildare. This is a special place where nuns tend to the flame, ensuring it remains lit for peace. I had lit my candle from this incredible flame during a pilgrimage a few years ago at Solas Bhride. Visitors can light a candle from this sacred flame to carry peace into their lives.

The central altar last Saturday at the seasonal women's circle with my flame from Kildare following the ritual

Celebrating Change

As I sat in the women’s circle, I reflected on how much being pagan has changed. It's comforting to be open without feeling like a "weirdo." People are recognizing the importance of working with the seasons and cycles, and it feels normal now.

Twenty-five years ago, when I first became aware of paganism, I wouldn't have labeled myself as such. I was intrigued by the rituals and the honoring of Sabbats through the cycles of the year. I tried my best to mark these occasions with my children in small ways. Then I discovered witchcraft and considered joining a coven. I found Shamanism and began my training, which eventually led me to Druidry.

Initially, I hesitated about Druidry, feeling it was male-dominated and unsure about the white robes I saw them wear in Avebury during a solstice gathering in 2001. The allure of Avebury captivated me, and my secret love for these practices blossomed once I discovered friends who shared my interests. My father even joined me at rituals, revealing that he too had a love for nature and the seasonal changes. The seeds our grandmother and step-grandfather had planted in us during childhood grew into this beautiful connection with the earth.

A pic taken by my daughter in the early 2000's on the way to our Druid open ceremony

The Circle of Friends

Many friends I met back then kept quiet about their growing connections and beliefs. They often set up private Facebook pages just to be part of pagan groups without family or work knowing. It felt like being in a closet; coming out to speak about these things publicly was a significant step. However, in these circles, I felt at home. I cherished the marking of seasons and the magic of ritual.

Today, it feels like these practices are becoming mainstream for many. I still find myself within a small bubble in the UK, surrounded by doulas, holistic therapists, and others who appreciate a deeper connection with nature. However, I definitely sense the shift. Twenty years ago, women's circles and seasonal gatherings only existed within pagan circles or Steiner education. Now, they are everywhere, with beautiful events celebrating the changing seasons and rites of passage. It's heartwarming to see this normalization for our children.

Nature's Awakening

I believe a lot of people's connections to nature blossomed during the lockdowns. Nature provided a sanctuary when everything else felt chaotic. We began to notice wildlife returning to our gardens, countryside, and coastlines. Numerous individuals had significant life realizations and made positive changes in their lives. Interest in spirituality, connection, and nature increased during this time. The Order of Bards Ovates and Druids reported many new members during this period. According to the UK Census, the number of people identifying as pagan rose from 17,000 in 2011 to 71,000 in 2021. I can only imagine how it has increased since then!

While discussing paganism, I see a surge in love for nature, not just among self-identified pagans but also among many individuals from diverse backgrounds. This flowering of respect for the earth is remarkable!

Drum Making and Community

Last weekend, the Sunday following the circle, I held a drum-making workshop, again with a group of women. Each woman had her own understanding and way of marking Imbolc. Once again, I left feeling inspired. The dream of normalizing the Sabbats and acknowledging the cycles of life is becoming a reality for many.

I often think to myself that if everyone could honor the Sabbats and understand their connection with nature, the world would be a better place. It feels as though this awareness is growing, even as it sometimes seems like humanity is struggling.

A Lasting Honor

It was such an honor to honor Brigid last Saturday. It felt like a beautiful act of service, recognizing my long journey along the pagan path with all its changes and explorations. When I light this flame at various rituals and teaching sessions, I keep those friends who have shared this path in my heart. It is an absolute gift to share the beauty of this journey with interested souls, especially for the sake of our planet.

I have no direct connection to Native America, but I’d like to share a teaching from Wallace Black Elk, mentioned in "Black Elk Speaks." He described how when humans lived in round houses, they understood their relationship to the land. Children learned stability through rites of passage and their connections with nature, which was never separate. He emphasized the importance of caring for our future generations and forming connections with the land around us.

We truly need to remember this way of being, and I believe we are slowly but surely reconnecting with it.

Blessed be.

The Wheel of the Year by Yuri Leitch