Albuquerque Pagan Pride Day

What is a Pagan?

The following definition is for the purposes of the Pagan Pride Project. Others may define themselves or their group in different ways, and that’s OK. Some groups that fit the categories we list may not call themselves Pagan, and that’s ok too – that’s why we say that first and foremost the definition of a Pagan is someone who self-identifies as a Pagan. But the following was created in order to have a functional definition to help educate the public about the spiritual paths we cover:

Definition:

A Pagan or NeoPagan is someone who self-identifies as a Pagan, and whose spiritual or religious practice or belief fits into one or more of the following categories:

Honoring, revering, or worshipping a Deity or Deities found in pre-Christian, classical, aboriginal, or tribal mythology; and/or

Practicing religion or spirituality based upon shamanism, shamanic, or magickal practices; and/or

Creating new religion based on past Pagan religions and/or futuristic views of society, community, and/or ecology;

Focusing religious or spiritual attention primarily on the Divine Feminine; and/or

Practicing religion that focuses on earth based spirituality.

 

What is Albuquerque Pagan Pride Day?

Albuquerque’s local event is affiliated with the Pagan Pride Project, a global organization whose mission is to reduce discrimination against Pagan religions. By providing accurate information, and by showing communities that their own neighbors and co-workers practice these religions, they hope to lessen prejudice against them.

The Pagan Pride Day Project is a completely volunteer organization and no one within our organization, including our Board of Directors receives compensation for our time or involvement. It is our dedication to the organization and the success of our events that rewards us. We realize that our organization would not be successful without support of others and therefore, the Board of Directors and the Regional Coordinators would like to thank everyone involved with our past events including but not limited to: our local event coordinators; event volunteers; public sponsors including businesses, covens, churches, groves and groups; merchants at our events; and all the attendees for their support of their local Pagan Pride Day events and communities around the world.

In 2005 there were over 40,000 attendees raising almost $7300 for Hurricanes Katrina and Rita relief on top of our normal charitable collections. Almost 26,000 pounds of food, clothing, water, toys, and other items were collected and sent to either local food banks or hurricane relief. Also in 2005, Pagan Pride NYC broke 10,000 attendees; a record matched in 2006.  More than 115 events are scheduled for this year.

Sunday’s celebration will center on a Pagan ritual observing the Autumn Equinox, a time of thanksgiving in many Pagan traditions. The charity drive is a way to give thanks for the abundance of the year, and share it with our community. The Harvest ceremony will celebrate the diversity of the Pagan community and bless the results of the charity drive before it is given away. Participants are encouraged to bring percussion instruments for drumming.

Modern Paganism, or Neo-Paganism, is a rapidly growing religious movement based on combinations of ancient polytheism, modern eco-spirituality, and reverence for the Divine as both masculine and feminine. Some common traditions found under this umbrella include Wicca or Witchcraft, Asatru, and Druidry. Pagans are found in all walks of life from professionals to homemakers, and hold ethical standards that emphasize respect for nature, humanity, and oneself.

 

For more information about the Event or about Pagan religions, Albuquerque Local info -go to Contact Us on the Home page.

Pagan Pride Project, Inc, http://www.paganpride.org, PO Box 441422, Indianapolis, IN 46244 

 All donations will be given to the First Unitarian Church Food Pantry.