Pagan Code version 1.0

(dated March 27, 1999)

by Uva Ursi ([email protected])

 

Geeks, Goths, Bears, Grrls, Ceremonial Magicians… they all have their codes to ID them on the net and place in their signature files. But what about Pagans? So, the geeky nature of my pagan personality has finally decided to create something appropriate for us. Welcome to Pagan Code v1.0 – shorthand for describing who you are for the sake of networking within the Pagan Community. Put it on your web page or in your .signature file. Have fun!

This is a first pass at Pagan Code so it will probably benefit from improvement. Please email me if you notice any spelling mistakes, grammatical errors, conflicting codes or suggestions to improve these codes. This version has been heavily influence by both Geek Code and Goth Code.

Creating your Pagan Code

Although I am a programming geek too, I haven’t yet had a chance to write a form-based Pagan Code generator or a Pagan Code decoder. None the less, you shouldn’t have much trouble creating or reading Pagan Code. Just print out this file and follow along. Remember that Pagan Code is case sensitive (a isn’t the same as A). Make sure that you add a space every time you see this little circular knotwork button.

Global Modifiers

Pagans often don’t fit neatly like pigeons in holes so here are some global modifiers to help you express what your situation really is. Please use sparingly otherwise your code will require a High Priestess of Pagan Code Keeping to decipher it.

X(XX)

I vary between X and XX

[X]

I was once an X but I have since moved on to other things

X{XX}

I am an X but aspire to become or I’m working on becoming an XX

X?

I am not really sure about this code but hey, what can I say?

X@

This code changes with the phase of the moon (varies widely)

!C

I do not what to comment on this category

?C

I’ve never heard of this and have no idea what you are talking about

 

If this seems cryptic to you right now, don’t worry. I’ll give examples as we go along.

Designating code and version

Since this is Pagan Code version 1.0, start off by writing (without any spaces):

Pagan.Code1.0

This lets someone know that you are using Pagan Code (rather than Geek or Goth) and that it is this particular version, 1.0. Pretty straight forward, eh?

Kinds of Pagan

Start of by writing a "Pa" and then follow it with the kind of pagan that you are. If more than one category fits, list in order of significance, most significant first, putting a "/" between each category. I realize that for some of us this could be quite a long list here so use global modifiers as need be and try not to write a novel in this section. If you use the (X) global modifier to denote a tradition / religion that you use to belong to but don’t anymore, do not use it here for the religion your parents raised you in – we’ll cover that in another section. Also, if you work with a couple of different pantheons, there is a code for that coming up. (Meaning: if you are a Celtic Wiccan, just choose the code for Wicca here and then pick up the code for the Celtic pantheon later on when you get to the pantheon codes).

If you wish to denote your specific tradition within a Pagan religion, use the following modifier:

Example 1: Dagda is a Celtic Pagan so his code is: PaCe. DarkRaven is a Gardnerian Wiccan so his code is: PaWt-tGardnerian.

Example 2: I am a Norse Heathen and I also work with an established Wiccan tradition. A long time ago I was a hard core ceremonial magician. I have also spent a lot of time practicing Celtic Paganism / Druidism, have fond feelings toward that path and feel perfectly comfortable in a Celtic Pagan ritual. So, my code is: PaAsWiCe[Cm].

Example 3: Rowan is an Eclectic Wiccan who aspires to join and train as an Alexandrian Wiccan. Her code would be: PaWe{Wt-tAlexandrian}.

Note that two of these examples make use of global modifiers. Hopefully if they seemed confusing before, global modifiers now make a little more sense to you.

Pantheon

Write down a "P" and then follow it with the pantheon that you work with most often. I realize that for some pagans this is repeat information (obviously a Roman Pagan would focus on the Roman pantheon) but for others it is not. Also, some pagans work with more than one pantheon.

Now consider adding the following modifiers in the following order, leaving out modifiers that do not apply to you:

 

Example 1: Kali works with the Dark Goddess archetypes and is mostly inspired by Hindu and Celtic pantheons. Her code would be: PDgHiCe.

Example 2: I work (almost) exclusively within the Norse Pantheon, Nordic/Scandinavia variant. I am dedicated to Freyja and sometime after that, Odhinn decided that I also should work with him. Therefore, my code is: PGen-dFreyja-cOdhinn.

Theology

What is your theological stance? Start by writing a T and then follow it with one of:

Some examples: A devout Muslim would be TMo (but they probably wouldn’t be writing up their Pagan code, now would they?). A Wiccan who believes that the Goddess and the God are unique and all encompassing divinities ("All goddesses are the Goddess, all gods are the God") would be TDu. Someone who believes that the entire universe itself is a responsive sacred being would be TPa.

One more example: As for me, well, I am a theological mess and that’s probably because I have thought about this all too much. I am: T[At]ArPo@Pa@ (meaning I used to be a plain vanilla atheist but later adopted an archetypal approach to theology and sometimes I am a true polytheist and sometimes I wax pantheistically… go figure. Well, at least it gives you an excessive example of using global modifiers although maybe it’s too excessive. I think I’ll just use TArPo@ instead).

Year you became Pagan

When did you decide that you are Pagan? Write a "Y" and then follow it with mmyy where mm is the month (01 – 12) and yy is the year (yes, this isn’t Y2K compliant ;-). If you don’t remember the month, substitute "??" and if you don’t remember the exact year, aim for a decade with "y?"

Examples: Someone who got involved in May of 1995 would be: Y0595. Someone who got involved sometime in 1987 would be: Y??87. I determined that I was definitely Pagan sometime in the mid-late 1970’s so I am:Y??7?.

Religious upbringing

What religious background did your parents expose you to? Start off by writing a "U" and then follow it with one of:

Add the following modifiers if need be:

Examples: Someone brought up in a Pagan household would be: UPa. Someone who was a devout Catholic throughout childhood and into college and who didn’t have any knowledge or exposure to any other religion would be: UCa--.

Out of the Broom Closet

Pick which one best indicates how public you are about being a pagan.

 

Examples: Isaac Bonewits would be: B9. Someone who has be quietly in the broom closet but is planning to come out would be: B3{7}. I usually don’t go out of my way to say that I am a Pagan but people tend to figure it out so I must be doing something obvious; sometimes I run local workshops and I am public on the net so I am: B6(7).

Historical influence

Some pagans are hard-core about historical accuracy while others follow their own inspiration. Pick the level of traditionalism that is most appropriate for you.

Personal Pagan Library

Pagans tend to be rather bookish people, probably because we have to double as both researchers and practitioners of our religion. Rate your personal Pagan-related library.

Clergy/Practitioner Status

Paganism in general tends to be non-centralized and it keeps hierarchy to a minimum. Unlike many of today’s "mainstream" religions, Paganism encourages us to each cultivate our own personal relationship with the divine. Religious rituals are usually centered around home and small group practice. Therefore, the line between clergy and practitioner is blurred. None the less, we are each recognized for our abilities. How do you (and other in your community) see yourself? (Yes, you can use C8 or C4 or any other inbetween state if you are one of those borderline cases :-).

Feel free to add the following modifiers:

Example: A third degree Wiccan would probably describe her/himself as: C9d3.

Involvement with Community – Solitary/Group Status

Some Pagans are solitary practitioners by choice, some are involved with a community, and others are looking for a group to practice with. Start by writing a "G" and then follow it with any of these codes:

Feel free to add the following modifiers (after all, Pagan code is here to help us introduce ourselves and network):

If you are a multi-traditionalist, you can use any of the Kinds of Pagan codes in parenthesis to denote who you are working with. This will be useful to people who are active in a generic Neo-Pagan or Wiccan community but keep solitary practice a very specific tradition.

Finally, if you want to say where you are, use:

Example: A solitary pagan living in Houston, Texas and is looking for a group to join would be: GSg-aHoustonTX. I am actively involved with my local Pagan community, a member of a (Germanic/Celtic) Wiccan coven but I practice Norse Heathenism/Asatru as a solitary and I am on the lookout for others to work with. This makes me: GLC(Wi)S(As)l(As).

Observances

How do you observe pagan holidays? Start by writing an "O" and then follow it with one or more items from this list:

Then add any of the following as a suffix:

Kinds of Practice

What kinds of practices form an important part of your Paganism? Start by writing down a "K" and then follow it with one or more items from this list:

Divination / Oracular Work

Many Pagan traditions encourage training in divination or oracular work but we often have different opinions of how it all works. Plus, there are so many different kinds of divination. So, start off with your opinion:

Then add any of the following as a suffix for methods that you practice:

Ethical Codes

Ethical codes are a part of religion. Which do you subscribe to? Start by writing down an "E" and then following it with one or more of:

Internet Pagan participation

Ok, if you are figuring out your Pagan code, you are probably on the net. Start by writing an "N" and then add any of the following that apply (list adapted from GothCode3.1):

Mundane day to day stuff

What do you do with yourself? Let us know that you are a well rounded Pagan by writing an "Mp" and then following it with up to three of the following:

For each one you add, you can add the qualifier:

Add a "$" after each category in which you hold paid work.

Example: I’ve been in the university system way too long but at least I also make money at it. My Mundane Pagan code is: MpCS7{8}$SS6Au2 meaning that I am working on a Ph.D. in Computer Science, in which I both hold a masters and make my living; I hold a bachelors in the Social Sciences and I am yet another aspiring writer.

Appearance and personality

There are many flavors of Pagan out there. Tell us a little something about your outward appearance and associated personality. Start by writing an "a" and then follow it with any of (but please pick no more than three):

 

Age

Well, this is all about networking, isn’t it? Write "A" and follow it with your age. You can use the following modifiers if you want to be less specific (or not have to worry about updating your Pagan Code every year):

For example: A44 if you are 44 years old. A30s if you are a 30-something. Someone who isn’t going to tell their age would state !A.

Height

Are you a tall Pagan or a short one? Write an "h" and then follow it with your height in centimeters. There are 12 inches to the foot and 2.54 cm per inch.

Example: I am 5’4" so that’s (5 x 12) + 4 inches = 64 inches. To go metric, 64 inches x 2.54 = 162.56 cms. Rounding to the nearest integer is 163. So, my height is h163.

Body Build

Are you a round Pagan or shaped like a willow twig?

Body Art

Many pagans decorate themselves. Start by writing a "b" and then follow it with where you are pierced and the number of piercings on that body part:

Add which of the following best describes you:

 

Example: Only my ears are pierced and done so in the most conventional manner. I have a large (long) tattoo that covers my upper back, shoulder-area and neck so I am: bEa2@M.

Gender, Sexuality and Relationship Preferences

Jot down an "s" and follow it with one of:

Now, work out what your percentage of heterosexuality is, then divide it by ten and round this figure to the nearest integer. Add this to your code.

Choose from the following:

Relationship Status

Not like we are trying to create personal ads here a Pagan is just as likely to wonder about another Pagan’s status, so… add the following to the end of your Pagan Code (again, much thanks to GothCode3.1a, although modified).

Then add the following suffix:

Add to this an additional suffix from the following:

And add to this suffix:

And one more thing: