Pagan Organization Offers A Welcoming Setting

By: Brittany Dorn

Posted: 9/26/07

For two hours every Thursday night, an unassuming room on the third floor of the Student Union plays host to a very unique gathering.

At first, it's difficult to find a common theme among the participants at these weekly meetings.

Some are college-aged, others are older. Some are clad in all black while others wear bright colors and glittering prints. Some dress plainly, others positively drip with bracelets and jewelry, beaded bracelets and feathers.

But all have one thing in common - a curiosity or connection to Paganism and the desire to explore and celebrate this spirituality.

The Pagan Organization for Diverse Spirituality - affectionately nicknamed "PODS" by its members - is not your average religious group. Members vary greatly in their beliefs - although some do consider themselves Pagan, others tend toward different religions, such as Christianity, Judaism and Buddhism.

Others still have yet to align themselves with a religion and are taking time to explore their spirituality.

In another setting, this uncertainty might be looked down upon. Here, it is embraced.

"We are very non-exclusionary," said Heather Richter, a 5th-semester actuarial science major who is the group's co-president and external affairs officer. "No one in our group will preach to you about their religion. We're all about accepting everyone."

"It doesn't matter if this is your first time here," she said. "It will feel like you've been here forever."

While she is positive about the group's atmosphere and mission - to promote acceptance and learn about all religious and spiritual paths - Richter hesitates when asked to define Paganism, or what it means to be Pagan.

"It's different for everyone," she said. "It's really hard to codify what 'Pagan' is."

She said the dictionary defines Paganism by explaining what it isn't: Christianity,

Judaism or Islam.

"The monotheistic religions got together and said, 'that's the other,'" Richter said.

She instead defines Paganism as a nature-based, sometimes polytheistic religion usually based on pre-Christian ideals. Often, she said, Pagans worship many gods, energy or nature instead of one supreme spiritual being.

As in Christianity, there are different sects within Paganism: Wicca, Druidry and Asatru, to name a few.

According to Richter, most club members are "eclectic Pagans," or "a little bit of everything."

PODS has changed a lot over time, she said. Years ago, members in the group - which was at that time more stereotypically Pagan - would run naked around Horsebarn Hill.

"Now we don't do that," she said, smiling.

Today the group observes moon rituals with guided mediation and crafts, celebrates equinoxes with ceremonies and feasts and attends special events such as Pagan Pride Day. Members also spend time together off campus, usually in a natural setting - apple-picking, a corn maze and pumpkin picking are yearly traditions.

Although people are generally accepting of Pagans, Richter said group members have experienced prejudice, including people trying to convert them. Usually, this happens off-campus - for example, at this year's Pagan Pride Day.

The public's perception of Paganism is a "cross between not knowing and kind of being almost scared," Richter said. "They might think black magic or the bad connotation of Voodoo. I think someone once even asked if we sacrificed small children."

She encourages fellow Pagans to respond to these questions kindly.

"Listen. Don't be mean," she advised. "Even tune them out a little. Don't be confrontational."

Members of PODS heed her advice, both within and out of the club setting. Get-togethers are free-flowing and open. Everyone takes turns planning events and incorporating different religious aspects. Participation in ceremonies and prayer is voluntary, with members encouraged to take part as much or little as they want.

This flexibility is what drew many members to the group.

"I came to PODS because I was looking for a spiritual group," said Jessica Sulkowski, a 7th-semester ecology and evolutionary biology major who joined the group her freshman year and is now co-president.

"I wanted someone to listen to me, not change me," said Sulkowski, as the collection of bangles and bracelets she wears on each wrist jangled. "PODS is perfect."

Christa Grenier, a 5th-semester communication disorders and psychology double major who just transferred to UConn from the University of Hartford said PODS has helped her adjust to her new surroundings.

"I immediately knew this was the right place for me," said Grenier, who calls herself "open," and not exclusively Pagan.

Although she has belonged to the club for less than a month, she has already created a niche for herself and made friends.

It is this welcoming environment that keeps students coming to the club week after week during their college careers - and beyond.

UConn alum Eric Hohlfeld, 27, graduated four years ago but still frequents club meetings and events. He said he returns for the community.

"The only time you can be you and not be accepted by this group is if you're offensive," said Hohlfeld, who is affectionately called "Eric the Elder" by fellow group members.

Hohlfeld said he practiced Paganism for about a decade but now considers himself Buddhist, a change which didn't alter his loyalty to PODS.

"As long as you stay [in PODS], you'll be part of it," he said. "I've disappeared for a semester or really half a semester at a time and every time I come back, it's like I never left. How do you beat that?"

Last Thursday, club members celebrated Mabon - the fall equinox - by performing a mythological skit, reciting prayers, making yarn protection dolls and feasting on homemade apple cider and stew.

This Thursday the group will hold an astral projection workshop, the objective of which is to essentially bring your spirit to a different plane of existence, Richter said.

The workshop will take place at 6:30 p.m. in room 324 at the Student Union.

Contact Brittany Dorn at

Brittany.Dorn@UConn.edu.