I’ve been visiting other sites and forums for some time now and something I keep seeing disturbs me. A great many sites offer pages of commentary on how awful the state of Wicca is becoming due to the influx of “fluffy bunny” pagans. These sites explain just how awful these fluffies are and how they must be stopped.

For those that may not know what a fluffy bunny is, you probably still won’t know by the end of this article. You see, everyone seems to have a different answer. Many people spout that a fluffy is someone new to the Wiccan path who hasn’t taken the time to learn anything about their path but “preaches” it nonetheless. Others state emphatically that a fluffy is defined as anyone who is not “serious” about Wicca. I’ve heard phrases like willful ignorance, lack of scholarship, and role-playing bandied about as definitions. I’ve heard them likened to “holiday Christians”. Some include anyone they deem as “playing” at being pagan. But what it all seems to boil down to, is that everyone knows what a fluffy is and can point their finger while scoffing at one. A fluffy is someone who isn’t doing it right.

Meanwhile, the Liberals – the Fluffies and their Followers – spend their time reading books by authors on the Conservative Banned List. Authors such as Silver Ravenwolf and Scott Cunningham. They might read a little or they might have voracious appetites. They might try spellcraft or they might not. They pick and choose what works for them and they don’t mind if anyone calls their path into question. They identify as Wiccan even though they may not entirely understand that title and they proudly wear their jewelry and crystals and burn incense at every opportunity. They’re happy in their hearts and they love to share their newfound joy with all who will listen. They certainly don’t understand all the fuss and frothing of the Conservatives; after all, what’s wrong with being a Solitary Wiccan Eccentric? 

That leaves us with the Moderates, which is probably where I fall. These folks understand the joy and fun the Liberals are having and they don’t care if they are doing it right, wrong, or oddly. In the minds of these folks, everyone is doing it right so long as they are happy with their choices and are not harming anyone else. When Conservatives foam that Liberals are ruining Wicca for everyone, the Moderates chuckle and wonder how that could possibly be if everyone practices in their own way and the “Ten Commandments of Wicca” were never exactly set forth by the Wiccan Moses. When Liberals come begging for spells, Moderates gently explain and point them in the right direction for learning how to write their own. Moderates seem to operate under the live and let live rule and see no harm in role playing, jumping on the fashion statement or rebellion bandwagon, or dipping a wondering toe into things. These folks seem to understand that these people need something like this in their lives at this moment for whatever reason. Some will hop the rails and ride only to the next town while others will ride the rails for the rest of their lives and grow in the process. The Moderates are happy to give them a hand up as needed and jaunty wave when they depart.

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