Welcome to our Web page!
President: Mel
Vice-President: Emma
Treasurer: Kathy
Events Coordinator: Lady Artoi
We don't advocate any particular path or faith. Our meetings are an opportunity
for all members to share and educate on topics of Pagan interest such as spiritual paths, occult philosophy, magick, divination, etc. We are an informal, open-minded group who
welcome and value the input and expertise of everyone involved. Because one of our
primary goals is to educate and promote tolerance and understanding,anyone of any path
is welcome at the PSA meetings. Those still seeking or wishing to learn more will be especially and always welcome. The meetings are a forum in which we discuss different
aspects,paths, ideas, and beliefs of Paganism, including (but certainly not limited to) crafts
(we have made our own tarot cards and incense, etc.), historical roots of practices,
different belief systems (Asatru, Wicca, shamanism, etc.), Sabbats and celebrations,
divination methods, use of materials (crystals, herbs, etc.),and much more.
Each meeting is led by a volunteer member with some experience or interest in the topic. Anyone and everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend!
Michael and Kata, owners of Heart of the Dragon.
So if you are Pagan, Wiccan, or into alternative religion and want to support a group that is helping to enlighten the public about Pagan spirituality, please feel free to attend
a meeting and get to know us. We leave the frogs and newts at home.
The club sponsors the Yule Ball, workshops, and movie nights featuring a pagan
themed movie. Our upcoming Spring 2007 activities include a fundraiser during Saturnalia
(Valentine's Day) with love potions for sale; making a wand; writing a ceremony;
and a club retreat in April. Other activities later in the year include
a PSA presence at the Ren Fair in August,the Skala Brae Pan-Pagan Festival
on campus in September, and participating in the MSC campus
clubs Activities Fair, also in September.
Check out our online club store at www.cafepress.com/paganstudent
Thank you for your support and Bright Blessings!
Contact the President at msc_paganstudentalliance@hotmail.com
Photo Album and Links
Member Profiles
Here are some profiles of club members who were kind enough to share their personal
information on the site. We hope this gives you an idea of what we are about and that
we are not evil, lost souls, just folks who see the Sacred in a different way:
From Cassinda:
I don't have a pagan name. I prefer the name given to me at birth
and
can't really understand using a different one. Of course with
a name like Cassinda I really don't need one. I'm Wiccan, though which branch of it I am is still up in the
air. I
like the self-empowerment and peace that comes with being
Wiccan and its openess
that allows a person to craft the faith
to them and their family as opposed to crafting
a family to a faith.
[I got into paganism]Probably (from) my mom. She bought me my first
tarot card deck and always
had me keep an open mind about religion. I've been dedicated
to (Wicca) now for a year but I was off and on for about nine years. I truly want
to become a priestess. I am also working to raise awareness
on campus.
And: I DO NOT WORSHIP SATAN!! Hell, I don't even believe in the guy.
From K:
(K does not use a pagan name.) [I follow] Eclectic Wicca, because it lets me mix and match all traditions and faiths in a way that just feels right. I feel that there is a
deeper truth behind all religions, and Wicca acknowledged this fact right off the bat
with no pretenses of being any better than any other faith. [I've been involved
with Wicca for] three years. [I hope to contribute to Wicca by] taking what I learn from
my studies in various religions and from talking with others and blending it all together
and sharing my ponderings with friends, both to hear what they have to say and to
give them something new to think about that they themselves would might never have
thought of. And: I respect all paths upon which men (and women) find divinity, because I feel that all faiths have something to teach us. I simply wish that others
return this respect, regardless of if they share my beliefs or not.
From Kendra:
I don't have [a pagan name] yet. [I follow} Wicca. After researching
other religions it seemed to be the one religion that was very in tune with nature.
I was always curious about Wicca as a kid and finally decided to research and look into it in college to find a religion to call my own.
[I've been involved with Wicca] only
a few months. [As for contributing to Wicca,]I see myself telling and showing others what Wicca is really about, rather than the negative stereotypes out there.
And:[Non-pagans
should] have an open mind before judging any pagan religion. Wicca is not devil worship
or any of the negative stereotypes out there. Research a religion to find out what it's about
and you will learn a lot and don't be afraid to ask pagans out there about their religion!
From Peachykeen:
Don't have [a pagan name]
yet.
[I follow] Wicca, I'm just
beginning my journey. It called to me, I felt the
need to learn more. Faerie
appeared to me and prompted the purchase of books. [I've been involved since]
Summer '06.
[I see myself contributing to Wicca with] Healing, Environmental
Awareness.
And: [I'd like non-pagans to know] I started out Christian/Catholic, I know
about the Faith, and I studied the Bible more
than the majority of "Christians"
out there. That form of spirituality didn't
work for me but I respect it,
and I expect other religions, especially
Christians, not to judge me by my spiritual beliefs.
From Emma:
I don't find it necessary to use a [pagan] name. I think my mother knew what she was doing when she picked the one she gave me.
I am
an animist, a shaman, and an atheist. Animism and shamanic practice go hand-in-hand,
because both are based on acknowledging that there are beings different from
yourself, whose existence and state of being you may not understand but must
respect regardless. In my opinion, spiritual entropy and apathy develop from a lack of
respect for other lives. I'm an atheist because I don't believe respect for
another being implies divinity, and in fact that worship hinders a relationship
based on mutual respect.
My interest in Paganism began as an interest in philosophy, specifically in American transcendentalism as described by Henry David Thoreau.
The bare bones of transcendentalism explain a spiritual state that one
can only reach through intuition and introspection, where the dogmas and doctrines
of organized religion can only block your progress.
I have been a practicing
Pagan, in one form or another, since 1998. I began shamanic practice in 2000.
Since my practices are by nature solitary and anti-organization, there is not a group
to which they can contribute. I do keep a book of shadows, but that is more for my
own reference than anyone else's. I'm not shy about my beliefs or practices, and I
consider it my duty to share them with anyone who'd care to learn. But I don't think
it would be very exciting for an observer to watch someone else in a three
hour trance.
I am proud of my beliefs and practices, but I'm not "weird" or "scary".Pagans are just like everyone else. We have moral standards and values, they just aren't based on Christian doctrine. We're open-minded and tolerant. Just like everyoneelse, we appreciate and expect recognition and respect for our beliefs. The onlything that separates Pagans from non-Pagans is ignorance on both sides. As long as we can respect each other and are willing to learn, there is absolutely no reason
why Pagans and non-Pagans should be divided.
From Greg:
[My pagan name]is Akkarin.
I follow a Celtic Pagan tradition. [I became interested in paganism because of] lack of confidence in my Christian faith and honoring my heritage. [I've been involved for] a little under two months. At this time [I don't see myself contributing to the tradition as yet].
And: I love the simplicity and directness of the Celtic faith.
From Phillip:
I don't have [a pagan name]. [I] don't really follow [a tradition].
I prefer to find out what's true on my own rather than because it's part
of a tradition or set of beliefs.
My ex was converting so I started reading
about it, I figured that if I were going to show him respect I needed to
understand his religion...turns out I believed a lot of it already.
[I've been involved
with paganism] about 7 months. And: It doesn't matter what
[non-pagan's beliefs] are, we each follow our own path and it's all good.
From Lady Artoi:
My pagan name is Lady Artoi, named
for the forest goddess of the ancient Gauls; the bear was her personification. I am
a High Priestess of old-line Wicca; when I was 16 I realized God was best found
in Nature, not some building. Later I realized there had to be a Sacred Feminine, since all things born come from a female, and soon after that I found a book on
the Craft and discovered there was a name for my beliefs. I've continued
my journey ever since.
I've been Wiccan for over 30 years. I feel I contribute
to the Craft by my practices and by aiding those who are seekers.
Wicca certainly
is NOT devil worship; the devil is a creation of early Christianity. Wiccans strive to follow the Rede--"An' it harm none, do as thou wilt"--which gives us the basis of
our ethical behaviour. We also know the Three-fold Law: that whatever we do
comes back to us three times as much. So, we try to live well and
let people see, by our actions, that we are not evil.
