When we look around us we see so much diversity in our communities. People express themselves in so many different ways. Outwardly, they do so by the way they dress, hairstyles, tattoos, piercings, and makeup, for starters. We can tell a lot about that person from these alone. Often, we pick up more about other people when we can’t help but hear the music they enjoy, like when in an elevator with someone playing an iPod extremely loud or when a car goes by with an obviously expensive sound system rigged in the trunk. Closer still, we overhear conversations between others while walking in a mall, eating at a restaurant, or riding a bus. We can tell a lot about people based on the style of conversation and the language chosen for the dialogue.

Despite all this, our preconceived notions of who these people really are inside are still limited. We don’t know if, for example, a young woman dressed in Goth clothing with facial piercings and red-dyed hair isn’t a medical student by day. Or a burly, bearded denim-clad man riding a Harley-Davidson on the weekends isn’t really an insurance adjuster during the week and married with children. We can assume that a well-dressed couple riding in a Mercedes has an arrogant disposition about them, but how do we really know of the way they treat people in their community? After all, they could be two of the most kind and sincere people you’ve ever met.

The only way to know who any of these people are, obviously, is to get to know them.

This Pagan is no exception. You wouldn’t be able to tell a whole lot about me just by looking at me (my friends take exception to this �" they say my animated expressions, for one thing, make it as easy to read me like a book). I dress unassuming, preferring to wear jeans and a casual shirt or T-shirt when not working. As part of management in my office I must dress more business casual. No problem…just playing the role of a supervisor. I keep my hair shaved close, but not to make a statement. At my age, my hair is thin and keeping it shaved yet fuzzy on my scalp makes it appear, strangely as it sounds, that I’m not losing my hair! It’s also low-maintenance and practical for me. I hardly ever wear sunglasses and never carry an iPod with a headset listening to music when out and about.

The only things about me you might be able to make assumptions from are my tattoos. My choices for body art are personal. In other words, I never choose a tattoo “just because” and I do not have a full body suit of color like others chose to have. Of my thirteen tattoos, two are symbolic of my sons, one is a tribute to the men and women who died in the 1993 conflict in Somalia (I fought as an infantry soldier in those battles then), two are expressions written in the Irish language, and eight are Pagan symbols.

Two of these Pagan symbols, displayed prominently on each of my forearms, often catch people’s attention �" the ancient Celtic triple spiral on my left arm and the triquetra on my right. More often than not, someone’s curiosity will get the better of them and that person will approach me and to ask about the meaning of these. My good friends know exactly what they mean and how they relate to my inner spiritual beliefs. I reserve explaining in detail to strangers until my intuition determines whether or not they will be receptive to my beliefs. Most of the time I simply explain they are ancient Celtic symbols which have different meanings for different people: for me, however, the triple spiral is symbolic of reincarnation and is considered to be roughly 10,000 years old based on archeological evidence; the triquetra is symbolic of eternity, although others view this as the three phases of womanhood (I accept that as well, really).

One of two responses, or questions, invariably come up after I finish explaining. “Are you Irish?” Yes, I reply, on my father’s side. Or, “Are you into witchcraft?” To which I ask why they ask this and I look at them skeptically. The most common response to this is something like, “It’s the symbol they use in the TV show, Charmed” (if anything, that tells me a lot about those people!).

Occasionally, a Led Zeppelin fan will remark, “Right on, dude”, “You like Zeppelin? Cool!” or some variation of appreciation for having John Paul Jones’ symbol tattooed on my arm. Though Led Zeppelin is one of my favorite bands, sorry, fans, that’s not the reason for tattooing the symbol on my arm.

However, every once in a blue moon, someone will say, “So, you’re into Wicca, huh?” So far, I’ve found that the people who ask this question are either Wiccan themselves or are at least familiar with and accepting of Wicca. Without a doubt, I end up in good to great conversations with these people, sometimes showing off my other tattoos (can’t be seen unless I take off or pull up my shirt!) which include a Celtic dragon with the triquetra in its body, the Wicca symbol for protection, the triple moon, a tribal version of the sun, and the Awen which means “poetic inspiration” in Welsh but the symbol was designed by an 18th Century Neo-Druid, Edward Williams (a.k.a., Iolo Moranwg).

Not one to keep his conversations short and simple, I find myself explaining all this, although only to people I feel would be receptive in a positive and respectful way. These situations do not happen every day, but often nonetheless. I have no problems at all explaining who I am; I am not embarrassed at all. It’s no different than, say, a devout Christian talking about his god openly and freely in a restaurant. Although, if I feel a “conversion attempt” coming on or some sort of ridicule, I politely decline conversation and leave.

A big curiosity…

When walking down the street or anywhere public a lot �" and I mean a lot �" of eyes are drawn to my triquetra. Most people regard the symbol curiously. Some nod with appreciation. Others look up at me with subtle, and sometimes very obvious fear! The first time I noticed this I got the impression that thanks to the show Charmed I’m immediately being branded as a witch and therefore evil. Of course, I know the three witches in the show were not evil, but, that’s not necessarily how it’s regarded (remember the backlash from when the Harry Potter series was proposed to be taught in literature classes in public schools?). There have been a few times, even, when people actually walked a wide path around me!

Whether or not the popular TV show imprinted the symbol on people’s minds, I really don’t know. The fact that there are many people familiar with the symbol being associated with witchcraft is apparent. Regardless, it makes going about my daily business interesting, to say the least. As I pass people walking in public, I smile pleasantly despite what their reactions might be. But that’s what I expect having chosen to express myself in my own unique way. It’s their loss if they don’t take the time to get to know the real me.

Normally, I’m not the first to make the move in order to get to know someone, but I certainly always make time for those who do with me. As a Pagan, expressive and often vocal about my views, I expect to have all sorts of reactions ranging from extremely negative to extremely positive. One of the greatest moments I had with someone’s form of expression happened one day when I was staring at a young man full of tattoos and piercings in every imaginable place, hair spiked and colored, and wearing black leather from head to toe. I was particularly drawn to and fascinated with a serpent-like dragon that entwined around one of his arms. He saw me and sneered, “What are you lookin’ at?” Without batting an eyelash or even a second’s hesitation, I replied, “Just admiring the way you express yourself.” He stopped mid-stride, and paused for a second, mildly surprised at the unexpected response, before nodding “thanks” and continuing on.

Self-expression begets expression from others. As Pagans we appreciate the diversity of individuality and choice. We may not always get respect from others, but more often than not when we give respect, it is returned in kind. On a daily basis, life is rarely dull for a Pagan, at least this one.

Kevin “PJ” McCauley, has been practicing Wicca for over 3 years, though he’s been pagan for closer to 10 years. He’s lived in Costa Rica for 3 years, and has two BA degrees - Political Theory and Education. Feel free to visit him at MySpace and to email him at peterjohnevan@gmail.com