I don’t really know what to say to the pagan world, but the theme seems to be telling your story, so I’ll start with that.
I’m 15 years old, and in October 04 I became a Pagan. I had never really believed strongly in the Christian teachings, and for a long time I was feeling something, but it was a lot stronger since about February of that year.
Since the age of 1 I have been tagging along with a local Morris side. I always enjoyed the companionship and the music, but in the last few years I have begun to feel something more. Something more mysterious and deep, like tiny shreds of a forgotten time. I can’t describe it, but I’m sure people will know what I mean.
I didn’t know what this was, but I could sense it in the beautiful countryside of the Mendips and the still waters of Chew Valley Lake as well as in the Morris.
Probably around late summer03 I was reading the stickers on a friend at the Morris side’s drum case. One sticker caught my eye: “Pagan and Proud”. The word Pagan just jumped out at me, and I realised that’s what I could sense in the Morris, what I could feel from him.
It wasn’t until February 04 that I started to seriously think about Paganism. It took me until October to finally take that seemingly huge, but actually tiny step onto the path.
I would never have taken that single first step without my wonderful friends and pagan sisters River Daughter and The Curious Bat. We guided each other to the beginning of the path, and we’ll walk it together. We were initiated together on the 6th February 05. We had a small ceremony, at River Daughter’s sacred oak. It was a really magical and emotional time, and such a release. I’d like to say another thank-you to my gorgeous friends for sharing this with me, I love you!

The God and the Goddess are here in this earth and in us, their followers. There’s a little bit of them in us all. I’m so glad I can feel them now, live in their light and protection.

I feel that Paganism is still grossly misinterpreted by today’s society. Sometimes you read things or people say things that hurt, but you have to ignore it. They don’t do any damage to my faith in Paganism, only my faith in human kindness.

In other aspects I’m just a teenager with all the usual school stuff going on. I love all things musical but can’t play a thing. The Morris is still a special part of my life. That’s me!

Well, I could waffle on forever, but I’ll spare you that! If you have anything to say, or would like to find out about a Morris side in your area etc, email me! My address is: fkheathman@chewvalleyschool.co.uk

Blessings of the noble stag, Deerheart