Phoenix Song, my coven, has had several inquiries over the spring from people interested in learning more about us (and possibly joining us.) This is always a tricky process, but we’ve been through the initial stage enough times now that I want to talk about it here – and why we picked the initial process we did.
Our process is described over here and our introductory letter information is here, if you’d like to see specifically what we talk about.
So, why email?
There are a number of reasons I wanted to start with email. While I recognise that it’s not a perfect communications tool (and that some people will be more familiar with it and comfortable with it than others), I felt that the advantages more than make up for that.
Ever wanted to know what’d make me show up for coffee with a stranger? It’s all about asking thoughtfully for me. Well, and being in the (relative) neighborhood. . . . → Read More: Harps and conversation
A number of groups or teachers ask some variant of “What do you bring to this group/trad?”. She found it hard to answer – and in talking about it, I admitted I found it hard to answer too, back when I got asked it. (And yet, it’s on one of our lists of interview questions for prospective members, because it really is an interesting question.) . . . → Read More: What do you bring?
It can seem overwhelming to find Pagans or others of like mind: here’s a thought or two on how that actually works in practice, and how to find what’s right around you already. . . . → Read More: We are here, right here among you…
Part four of my thoughts about seekers and what I pay attention to is attention to detail.
This is the one I wanted to talk about last (go see the others over here, earliest stuff at the bottom) because it’s the hardest to talk about. Sometimes, when someone starts talking about this particular aspect, it’s really easy to get locked into minutiae and details, and people feel oppressed and crabby because they don’t match up to some standard that’s not clearly defined.
So, first of all, I want to say: I do not expect anyone – not seeker, not friend, not covenmate I’ve been working with for 6+ years – to get all of this right. I do not expect myself to get every detail right. People are human, our memories are flawed, we have other things going on in our lives, and we will forget details every so often. Someone messing up on one is generally not the end of the world.
On the other hand, I don’t think that’s any excuse not to try.
