Free Spirited by Gede Parma Page B

persuasive speech on the validity of Paganism as a modern spirituality
    â€¢ A portrait of a Mother Goddess
    â€¢ An essay on the New Age revolution
    â€¢ A website about Wicca
    â€¢ An artistic appraisal of Francisco José de Goya’s “The Sabbat”
    â€¢ Creating, marketing, and selling “spell boxes”
    â€¢ Film treatment and storyboard with Pagan theme
    â€¢ Oral commentary on Witches in the media
    â€¢ “Chapter One” writing task—Pagan fiction
    â€¢ Community feature article on local Paganism
    â€¢ A series of paintings based on the myth of Persephone
    Regulation Jewellery
    Most schools have regulations restricting the wearing of excessive jewellery on the body. At the school I attended, the regulation was female-specific and listed what could be worn. A signed parental note was necessary for the wearing of religious jewellery for both males and females. Though not all teachers actively enforced these rules, there were occasions when students were asked to remove non-regulation jewellery or have it confiscated. On several occasions, I was asked to remove my spiritual jewellery. To ensure you are never bothered about the wearing of Pagan-related imagery, simply follow the standard procedures set down by your school, i.e., retrieve a permission note from your parents, and keep it on you.
    There is no discrimination here, simply an unawareness of the implications and meanings of Pagan-related spiritual symbols. While I was hanging out at the front of the school with my friends, my maths teacher noticed my bind-rune pendant and politely asked me to remove it. I simply replied that it was of religious significance. I knew what would come next and told her that it was a Pagan symbol. A sceptical look came over her face, and she quipped, “That’s a bit old, isn’t it?” Luckily enough, an older student who was fairly respected during her time at school stepped in and explained to my teacher that Paganism was alive and well in the modern world, and after a few short moments she seemed to accept the fact.
    I am well aware, however, that there are many cases in which a student may be asked to remove jewellery because it is seen as dangerous, inappropriate, or satanic. This is where it is essential that you step in and inform your teacher that your jewellery is of spiritual relevance to you and that its stereotypical associations are outdated myths. It is important that you also apply the educational techniques you learnt earlier in this chapter when confronting teachers about your right to wear Pagan jewellery. Be kind, patient, and assertive, and respect for your rights should follow.
    There are many Pagans who share differing opinions on the matter of jewellery and enforcing the right to be able to wear it. Some say it isn’t worth fighting for, and if asked to remove jewellery at school, then you should comply. It is really up to you. You may even feel that wearing Pagan jewellery is more of a fashion statement or attention-seeking method than anything else, and you are entitled to believe so. In cases such as these, it is important to remember Paganism is not rigid and does not require you to believe certain things—or wear them, for that matter.
    Wearing spiritual jewellery is an act of devotion and connection to one’s traditions. Currently I am wearing the triskele, as it is a symbol of my Celtic ancestors and my gods. It also allows me to feel a part of the Pagan community. The adrenaline rush you get when another Pagan recognises your symbol and approaches you is truly magickal.
    Responsibility comes with wearing Pagan jewellery. Whether we ignore it or not, there are certain individuals who wear the pentagram to induce shock and to frighten others. People like that are best left to their own insecure psychological worlds. Wearing overbearingly large pentagrams is not recommended either, as chances are you will be seen to be trivialising