Tag: events

What Witches Want

Posted on by paganinitiative

Image-1We had our second Pub Pagan Social meet up last night at Seven Hills. The topic for discussion was ‘Samhain’ however we quickly dealt with that and moved on to discuss next fortnight’s topic of ‘Community’ and what that might mean to those attending. Don’t worry, we’ll continue the conversation next fortnight too!

In short, what we discovered is that for many of us, our idea of what the pagan community’s need (and yes, there are multiple because it’s not just one community anymore), is dated. Many of us have been in private practice or well out of public circulation for many years so we figured what we need to do now is listen. We need to listen to what  *you* want.

So, what *do* you want in a pagan event in Western Sydney? What will inspire you to attend something in the flesh? What’s important to you? And why?

A few factors which might inspire your response:

  • Location – close to home or easy to get to? Need public transport?
  • Cost – free or low cost?
  • Child or family friendly – do you want to bring your kids? Or ensure that there won’t be any children attending?
  • Specific approach or path? Witchcraft, Egyptian, Heathen, Occultist, Ceremonial Magick, Wiccan, Eclectic Pagan?
  • Accessibility – for many reasons, is the venue accessible?
  • Public or Private location – maybe you’d feel more comfortable in a public location? Or private?
  • Lack of familiarity – new to the scene, don’t know anyone…
  • Opportunity to learn something unusual or something that just cannot be taught from a book
  • Celebratory – I want to celebrate the Sabbats with someone!
  • Etc etc etc – what will inspire your response?

How do I make my voice heard?

  1. Contribute to the Facebook discussion over here
  2. Email us! paganfringe@gmail.com
  3. Leave a comment here on the blog
  4. Phone us! Yes, we mean it. Maybe pop us through and email and we can arrange to give you a call and we can chat.
  5. Come and see us face to face at one of our events. The Coffee Collective or the Pub Pagan Social would be best for these kinds of discussions, but really, anytime, anywhere is good. Just reach out and make contact. We want to hear from you!

Come along and join us at the next Pub Pagan Social 4th May 6:30pm-8:30pm Hotel Seven Hills.

Pagan Pub Social

Posted on by paganinitiative

On the suggestion of one of our regular attendees, we thought that we’d start something casual, and on a weekday and see if it gathers much interest. So we’ll just kick it off! Come and join us!

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Pagan Pub Social 

This is a casual social drop in session to meet other pagans in the Western Sydney area – maybe pop in on your way home from work, grab a tasty meal from the bistro and catch up for a chat.

We’ll introduce regular topics and additional dates if this is well attended. Potential to expand and rotate to other locations around Western Sydney pending feedback.

What: The Pagan Fringe hosted social meet up
Where: Hotel Seven Hills
When: Thurs 6th Apr 6-8pm 2017
Who: All welcome
Cost: Free to attend, all meals and drinks at your own expense.
Kid friendly?: yes – there is a play area for 3-10yr olds adjacent to the bistro tables, however given the timing, we don’t expect many children to attend with their parents.

Contact: 0473 467 685 or 0411 525 413

What is ‘The Pagan Fringe?’

Posted on by paganinitiative

 

15541953_602028436670287_645502483116857434_nYou might be wondering – who are The Pagan Fringe? What are you on about? Why the goat skull? Read on!

Who are we? 
We are The Pagan Fringe. We are the pagan folk who live, work and play on the fringe of Sydney. Based in Western Sydney, we find ourselves meeting others in the Lower Blue Mointains, Nepean, Blacktown and Hawkesbury regions and beyond, stretching North, West and South. We’re also fringe-dwellers when it comes to our religious and magical practice. This is an effort to create and in some cases revive old connections of witchy/pagan/magical folk in this region in Sydney, NSW Australia.

When do you meet?
Regularly, once a month or so. In 2017 we’re starting a new regular meet up called “Last Sunday Coffee Collective’ to be held on, you guessed it, the Last Sunday of the month. Sometimes we’ll change this if it clashes with something like Samhain in April.

Like our main page  on Facebook The Pagan Fringe for further updates!

So, why the goat skull? We typically bring a goat skull to our events so we’re easy to find in a restaurant. There’s no mistaking him. We also like the imagery of the goat (related to the goat-foot God Pan) and also associated with hardy survival in tough terrain. Pagans don’t tend to stay pagan for very long without some thick skin in that regard 😉

Who can attend? 
Generally everyone, we run family friendly events too. Most of our events are free to attend, or may have the option for you to purchase your own drinks or meals.

Are you affiliated with any other organised groups? Do I have to ‘join’ you? 
No we’re not a part of other groups and no, there’s no requirement to ‘join’ anything other than us for a drink/chat.
We’re primarily a social group, however we may facilitate introductions to covens, teachers, share information about upcoming workshops or host the delivery of learning or training opportunities.

Who will I meet? 
Witches. Occultists. Pagans.
Many of us are experienced practitioners who have spent time teaching, presenting, running groups, events, circles and covens over the last 20yrs. Combined, we have well over 50yrs+ experience practising magic and witchcraft.

Event review: Samhain 2016

Posted on by paganinitiative

Thanks to everyone who joined us for our first Samhain event! It was in two parts – a drinks and nibbles meet up in the early evening and then the ghost tour following at St Bartholomew’s Church as Prospect.

We started off with dinner in The Piano Room, which incidentally is the most haunted room in the venue! How fitting! When our group got too large for the limited seating in there (there’s only room for 12), we relocated outside to the beautiful beer garden to continue chatting and socialising in the mild Autumn weather.

Following dinner, those who had tickets continued over to meet up at St Bartholomew’s Church at Prospect for the evening’s ghost tour.

It was quite a mixed group with almost 40 participants (including 16 of our own) and the trout as run by a rather eccentric and very passionate volunteer by the name of Hazel. She had many a story to tell (some tall you might say) about the hauntings and apparitions that have been experienced at the location. In addition to the paranormal reportings, Hazel was also full of loads of facts and info about the history of the church and cemetery.

If there’s interest, we may book another private ghost tour later in the year.

Thanks to everyone who came along and made it a great night. We look forward to seeing you at our next event in May!

 

Things to do in Autumn

Posted on by paganinitiative

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Are you a pagan family looking for things to do in Autumn, in and around Western Sydney? Here is a short list of things to consider:

  • Go fruit picking with your family or coven
    • Check out this list here of places to go within a short drive from Richmond NSW. Teach your kids that fruit doesn’t come from the shops! Most places are free entry and they then charge you per kg for the fruit that you’ve picked. Try apples and chestnuts and bake them up when you get home into delicious Autumn dishes.
  • Pretend you’re in Scotland for a day
  • Or the middle ages
  • Attend an Autumn Harvest Festival
    • Check out Leura Harvest Festival  early in May or get your foodie hat on and explore some of the region’s finest at Rouse Hill farm at the end of May – maybe pack a picnic?
  • Get cooking or baking at home
  • Play in the Autumn leaves
    • Not quite Western Sydney, but a short drive to Leura in the Blue Mountains. Everglades is truly spectacular in Autumn and is easy to access with kids and prams.
    • Spend some time meditating amongst the trees and take in the cool Autumn air.

Hopefully there are some fun ideas here for you and your family. Happy Autumn!

 

Autumnal Equnox Picnic

Posted on by paganinitiative

The weather has really turned in the last week! To celebrate, we gather together for a wee picnic on the banks of the Nepean River.

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Weir Reserve – Penrith NSW

What I’m really enjoying the most is establishing the building blocks for a lovely little pagan community in Western Sydney. So many people are solitary, or aren’t entirely comfortable turning up to a time and space for ritual with others, so what we aim to offer is social events and opportunities to mix with others, without the pressure of taking part in ritual.

It doesn’t mean that we won’t offer rituals or other events like that in future, however what I’ve learned over the years is that it’s a slow process to build a cherished bunch of people who are comfortable to gather under those circumstances.

Amongst us as it is, we have a small coven, some solitary folk, incredibly experienced teachers with over 20yrs experience, and others who are just finding their feet. Come and join us at one of our future public events 🙂