Getting a Second Life
January 6, 2008
by Jeffrey Pierce
Last week, I received an email from one of the folks who read Old Ways. Not everything that hits my inbox makes Magickal Correspondences. I get requests to repost materials, offers to review products or artists through the site, and invitations to join different groups and organizations.
This one began, "I am very active in a virtual world called Second Life, where there are over 1 million 'residents' and most days have 40,000 to 50,000 online at any given time. I've been involved with the pagan/wiccan community there for well over a year. Just in the last year, there has been an increase in the pagan community. More people are coming into 'world' and looking for groups to join. There's been an increase in spiritual groups and sims (simulated areas with a theme)."
I was vaguely aware of Second Life, mostly through references in industry journals. (I'm a computer geek by trade.) At its heart is a world where everything from the landscape and locations to the avatars (virtual representation of the individual user) is created by the users themselves.
The email continued. "I am one of the hosts for a group called 'Anam Turas' (Soul's Journey) where we meet and have many activities in a calm, natural setting. We have meditations, book reviews, campfire chats(open forum discussions), and recently had our first virtual ritual celebrating Yule (two, actually, at different times to suit all those from different parts of the globe.) This global community is growing quickly. Many of the groups are starting to share with each other."
It sounded interesting, so I decided to check it out.
A group of pagans gathering together in the online world.
What I found was a collection of warm-hearted, accommodating, kindly individuals from around the globe. I've experienced other online communities and they are a reflection of the people who gather there. Amon Turas is certainly a place where a respectful seeker would instantly feel welcome and a sense of kinship.
I have very little free time in my schedule, but their Sunday morning gathering coincides perfectly with my "free" morning. It was a joy to hang out with other pagans for a time and I look forward to going back there again.