Safety Tips for the
Pagan Practitioner
When working with spiritual/magical tools, arrange them in such a way that you won't tip over the incense burner, drag your sleeves past the candleflame, or knock the athame onto your foot. On an altar this usually means putting short tools in front and tall tools in back or at the sides, with flammables in the most out-of-the-way place. Likewise, in casting a Circle with a group of people, put the cauldron where nobody will step in it and make sure you have enough room to swing the sword or staff without hitting anyone.
Keep a list of emergency numbers handy. This should include contact info for everyone in your coven/grove/altar circle/etc. and someone else to contact for each of them -- preferably a spouse, parent, or friend who will not freak out if your covenmate has to be rushed to the emergency room in full ritual garb. The list should also include your preferred Priest(ess) in case something dreadful happens and you don't want to be saddled with Christian (or Jewish, Muslim, whatever) clergy. Numbers for Pagan advocacy groups such as the Alliance of Magical and Earth Religions or Witches Against Religious Discrimination would be a good idea too.
When dealing with nonPagan relatives, try to avoid spooking them. Discuss your beliefs, if necessary, in a calm tone and in words that will make sense to somebody not familiar with your tradition(s). Change the subject gracefully if you know that a religious discussion will start a big public argument; suggest resuming the conversation later in private if you wish. Don't make "bombshell" announcements (like "Hey folks, I'm getting initiated as High Priestess next weekend!") over a meal or at family functions like funerals or weddings. Save that for times when people are in a more laid-back headspace.
If something goes wrong, remain calm. Panic never helps and can actively make things worse.
Keep a supply of flyers or pamphlets which describe Paganism in general and/or your tradition in particular accurately and calmly. Hand these out to people if you find that misinformation is causing you problems. Pagan outreach groups have special handouts for things like dealing with relatives, co-workers, and the police. Pick your favorite and carry it in your purse, wallet, or briefcase if you are at all "out" about your beliefs.
Use a post office box for all Pagan correspondence. The world includes some pretty crazy people, Pagan and otherwise, and you probably don't want them to know where you live.
If you live in a region known for serious intolerance, or if you prefer not to be known as Pagan for other reasons, choose a magical name and use that in all your dealings with the Pagan community instead of using your legal name. Yes, you can even receive mail by this name if you write it on your post office box registration form.
Don't mix deities from different pantheons/traditions in the same ritual unless you know exactly what you're doing. They don't all get along well. Likewise, don't cast a spell or conduct a ritual unless you understand it thoroughly.
Take things one step at a time. When practicing new spiritual or magical techniques, work for brief periods of time at first and then gradually extend the sessions. Don't try to cram everything in at once. If you feel tired, lightheaded, or otherwise uncomfortable -- stop what you're doing and go relax. Pushing yourself too far in metaphysical exercises can leave you with a nasty overstrain headache that doesn't respond readily to most remedies. Workbooks with lesson plans that span weeks or months can help you spread out your exploration in a safe, sane, effective plan.
FOLLOW YOUR INSTINCTS!!! I cannot say this strongly enough or often enough. If a person, object, group, or anything else seems to give off "bad vibes" or otherwise makes you uncomfortable -- stay away. Don't get involved with people who set off your mental alarms. Don't handle objects that feel "icky" or have vile histories. Don't linger in places that seem hostile. Don't believe everything you read in books or hear from self-proclaimed experts. If something sounds dangerous or just plain dumb, it probably is. Trust that little voice in the back of your mind when it says, "Get out of here!"
"Safety Tips for the Pagan Practitioner" copyright 1998 Elizabeth Barrette.
Background and dividers on this page are from the "Whiteflower" set, at Winter's Pages. The "ATTENTION" gif is from Barry's Clip Art Server.
The URL for this page is http://www.worthlink.net/~ysabet/spirit/safetytips.html and it was last updated on October 13, 1998.
