What can I expect to experience by going to a Pagan meeting/group/church?
Curiosity...Are they like hippies. Thinking about trying it
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There are many different types of Pagan gatherings. One thing that is common at all of them is food. You should certainly bring something, as it's polite. It will likely be healthy food, with vegetarian options as many Pagans go organic and many are also vegetarian or vegan.
Any kind of ritual usually involves people sitting or standing in a circle. If you are in the circle, you will be expected to participate. If you are not comfortable with this, it is usually perfectly acceptable to sit outside the circle and observe. Some groups do not allow people who have not been trained or initiated inside the circle.
Rituals generally begin with invocation of Gods and/or elemental or ancestral spirits, though there may be some talk time before hand where everyone shares their troubles or things they are thankful for to be included in the intent for the ritual. Candles are usually lit in honor of the spirits or Gods and remain lit throughout the ritual. Rituals often involve prayer, singing, chanting and dancing, usually around in the circle. There may be drums and rattles involved. Bread and wine or cakes and mead are often shared at the end of the ritual as a symbol of hospitality, union with the Gods and each other and to "ground" the group, or bring them all back to reality.
Most groups do not require any sort of special clothes, though you may see alot of folks wearing robes, period garb or fantasy garments. Anything that makes you feel special is suitable. Kind of like dressing up for church on Sunday, but you can choose whatever you like without worryinag about the fashion of the day. Some folks are most comfortable and jeans and simply choose a piece of jewelry or something along those lines to make them feel special for the ritual.
Some Pagans feel they are best suited to come before their Gods in the most natural way possible, that is, nude. These gatherings will be billed as skyclad or clothing optional. Look for these words if you aren't comfortable with nudity. Generally, however, these gatherings are closed to the public for obvious reasons. Going before the Gods nude is one thing, having strangers look on is quite another.
Pagan festivals might last a whole weekend or a whole day. They usually involve one or more rituals, lots and lots of food, various workshops on crafts, dance, healing, gardening, divination, etc. and often culminate with a drum circle. Drum circles are fun whether you dance or drum or just watch. If the weather is nice and there is an outdoor area, this usually takes place around a bonfire.
Of course we do have balls and dinner dances and things too. But those usually don't involve rituals with the exception of a meal blessing, but this is no different than saying grace anywhere else. Dances may include a Spiral Dance, which is fun and involves everyone holding hands and dancing in a circle that then spirals in and out. It's hard to explain if you've never seen it. Music is usually a popular blend with some world music thrown in. Clothes for balls and dances will be less fashionable than you might see at a secular gathering and more opulent and are more likely to include period or modern goth garments.
Some etiquette:
Remember these are religious gatherings and while drinking is usually not forbidden, drunkeness is generally frowned upon. The whole area is generally designated as sacred space, so you shouldn't litter and even if you're outside, you should put your cigarette butts in the proper receptacle and never throw them on the ground. Never throw anything into the fire, as it may be designated as sacred, unless you are given express permission to do so and then don't assume an hour later that it's still okay.
After you enter the Circle it will be closed, stay until the rite is over and the circle is opened again. Make sure you go to the bathroom first. Don't inturrupt the leader. Of course after the rite is over you can argue all you want. Pagans generally spend most of their time they aren't worshipping in deep debate and generally welcome fresh viewpoints. Don't worry if they get all loud though, just cause we're yelling doesn't mean we're angry. It just means we're passionate about our subject. Just be sure to discuss and not preach or folks will just stop talking to you.
And don't worry if you think you offended someone, just apologize. We are, as a whole, a pretty forgiving lot.
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