The Snakes of Ireland

I saw him, and immediately I panicked. As he passed me on the busy street, he smiled and nodded, completely oblivious to what I was feeling. Why should he care, though, when he was likely unaware of who he was?

I smiled back nervously and tripped, sending my purse flying. He stopped to see if I was okay. I cringed instinctively from his hand as he helped me back to my feet.

"Thank you for your help." I said. He handed me my purse.

"You're welcome. Are you sure you're okay? That was quite the tumble."

"Yes, I'm fine." I pulled my purse against my body, hoping he would just leave. Thankfully he did, somewhat reluctantly, and I escaped the street. Ducking into a cafe, I hoped the caffeine would stop my trembling hands. I had an important presentation today, I didn't need him to destroy it.

"Patrick?" The barista called. My head shot up, searching the crowd. A middle-aged man claimed his drink. My heart-rate lowered. It wasn't him. I retrieved my coffee, and pulled out my phone. Dialing, I heard a familiar, comforting voice on the other end of the line.

"Hello?"

"Annie, it's me. I saw him. Maewyn. He's come back."

Silence, then finally, "is he aware?"

"No, I don't think so. He was wearing a collar though. He's a priest."

"Always with the priests. I suppose his job isn't done yet."

"We can't keep this up. It's been centuries, and he still comes back. I refuse to die again, because of him."

"You won't."

Annie hung up. I took a deep breath. Annie always had a plan, and this one had been in the works for over a decade. This time, we'd get him first.

*****

She looked so innocent, so young. Such a shame, really, that it always came to the same patterns. The snakes had to be eradicated, though.

She was the first. Always the first. I suppose switching it up would keep things interesting, but ritual was important. Killing was unfortunate, but necessary. Those who wouldn't convert had to be killed. God demanded it. Or, at least His earthly representatives did.

I flipped open my phone speed dialed. Two rings, and the line was open.

"Found one. The Blue Robin, east side of town. Approximately five minutes."

The call ended. I began to backtrack leisurely, following her as she exited the cafe and spoke on the phone. I smirked. It was always the same game. After centuries, they should have learned, but alas, simple minds for simple folks.

Her call ended, and she rounded a corner. A taxi pulled up beside her as I came up on her, and the door opened. She looked at me moments before I pushed her into the car and shut the door. Terror splayed across her pretty face before a black-gloved hand pressed a cloth to her face.

"The pit awaits you, Snake."




This is a work of fiction. It does not reflect the ideas or views of the contributors to the Dreamers Imaginarium. In fact, there is an awesome article that explains why the Snakes=Pagans idea has no actual basis, despite attempts to connect symbolism.

'Tis the Season to Trash-Talk Christianity.

As a proud pagan, I really enjoy the time before the Winter Solstice. I just love everything about this season. Making preparations for the rebirth of the sun, wrapping gifts for friends and family, baking cookies, listening to festive music, and my personal favorite holiday activity: Christian Bashing.

This glorious tradition has been gaining popularity over the years as Paganism is becoming a recognized and accepted religion in many parts of the world. Combined with freedom of speech and a misguided need for Pagans to "put Christianity in its place" (for all the wrong its done to us over many thousands of years), Christian Bashing seems harmless enough to most, who tend to see it with humor and bringing holidays "back to their REAL roots".

Let's take a look at some of the cheerful things that I, as a Pagan, will have to endure on all social media for the next month as we prepare to love our neighbours, celebrate new life, and share joy and happiness throughout our communities.

The "your story isn't as original as you think, you copyrighting cult!" argument aid. 

The ever lovely breakdown of common days through the calender, complete with mixed-cultural origins.

Possibly the only one of these that is actually not bad.

To the new or particularly wounded Pagan, these images are empowering and a way to deal with deep-seeded issues Christianity brings up. After all, most pagans these days are converts from Christianity, and what better way to show full support of a new religious choice than to actively trash-talk the previous one followed?

Before some of you jump down my throat for being insensitive, let me say this. Yes, historically, Christianity has done some crappy things to Pagans, and we are not their only "victims"- if we go back to the very beginning, Judaism was really their first target.  Every religion has suffered at their hands, either through crusades, missionary works, or blatant slaughter.  Some pagans have a more personal issue with Christianity, like I do, and choose to work out their issues negatively instead of constructively. 

The biggest flaw in the Pagan plan to Christian Bash society is also what makes Pagans just as hypocritical as some of Christian, and indeed any other religious, zealots. The trait that Pagans are most proud of is their downfall and takes away all credibility to their complaints about Christianity.

Our faith prides itself on accepting individual spiritual paths. It even, to some degree, encourages eclectic practices to customize spirituality for each person as much as possible. But within this, we are facing HUGE faults.

Firstly, honouring everyone's individual spirituality INCLUDES faiths that are not pagan at all. Every faith deserves the same respect, that includes Christianity. That includes Judaism. That includes Islam, and Shintoism, and Hinduism, and any other religion the world has. You cannot expect the world to respect your spirituality and spiritual rights if you cannot respect theirs in turn. 

Secondly, Christianity did nothing to Paganism that it didn't do to itself first. What, you may say? Back before Paganism became the umbrella term for all polytheist faiths, each "sect" of paganism belonged specifically to one culture, and we are naive to believe that these cultures got along without issue. Pagans killed, raped and plundered other pagans long before the Christians came about. Christianity stole our holidays? We stole holidays from each other. Christianity stole our myths? We stole and interchanged deities from each other long before they did.  Christianity stole our symbolism? Please. There's a reason a lot of animals and symbols share meanings cross-culturally, and it isn't because pagans held conferences and decided on them. 

The term "Eclectic" itself should shame any pagan who uses it and still insists on Christian Bashing.  As the Calender meme above pointed out, the days of the week are named mostly after Norse Deities. However, the generic "Moon" and "Sun" are in there with no specific ties, and just to mix things up a little, lets throw in "Saturn"- a decidedly Roman deity. Talk about stealing for convenience.  Add to that Valentine's Day accusation, and suddenly Christian-bashers have no legs to stand on without being hypocritical to the core (For those unaware, Imbolg is a Celtic term for a holiday in early February that celebrates newborn lambs, and the Goddess of Light/Fire, Brighid. Where does the Valentines association come from then? A Greek/Roman 3-day Festival of Love, totally unconnected to the Celtic tradition in every way.).

As if Christmas wasn't bad enough, here are my "favorite" Christian bashing memes that take this lovely part of the Holidays above and beyond Christmas:

First up, we have the Easter meme. It isn't even trying to be passively aggressive, especially since Easter takes place the month after Pagans celebrate our "Sex day" (also known as Ostara).

I don't even know what to add, this speaks for itself.

The one below is possibly the best one I've seen yet. It points out that America shouldn't love Christianity as much as it does simply because its modeled after Ancient Greek politics, and at the time, those the Greeks were pagan. Good job, whoever created this useless meme. This is REALLY the way to gain respect for our religion.

Pointing out that no matter what, America is wrong for being primarily Christian.

All I've really got left to say is that for the upcoming holidays, be it Yule, Christmas, Ramadan or Hanukkah, I wish everyone the joy and happiness that this season inspires, and I hope that one day, the love at the centre of all religious teachings will surpass the hatred and distrust, and we can all appreciate each other's spirituality without judgement or preconceptions.