Dorm Pagan?

My name is Amy, and I'm a dorm pagan. Paganism in the dorms takes on difficulties and rewards different from any I'd encountered before, even when I was in the closet. First and most important (for me anyhow), is the forbidden candle. I like candles... in fact, I'm addicted to candles. My shelves at home are filled with candles and candle holders; I swear, I could light the entire town I live in during blackouts! This, to me, is a huge limitation on my practice. I had to learn other ways to meditate as well, as before I moved to the dorms I had always meditated on a candle flame.

Another adjustment I had to make when I moved into the dorms, is the lack of ritual tools. Now, tools aren't a huge thing for me. I didn't use them half the time when I did live at home, but it was nice to have the option. Here there is a) a weapons clause and b) not room to store tools.

Speaking of not having room, finding space for rituals is also a problem for me. I am not comfortable doing rituals in parks or other public places, at least as a solitary, so I am left with the option of preforming rituals in my room, where there is very little space, and the chance that my (very) Greek Orthodox roommate will pop in, which, to me, isn't the greatest option either. I've gotten around this one by altering my idea of ritual. Before I moved into the dorms, my rituals were all very formal, ceremonial, and traditional. I've become much more open to natural witchcraft since I've come and now think of any repetitive actions of worship as rituals.

Don't get me wrong here, being a dorm pagan isn't all bad. In fact, getting around the limitations imposed, and figuring out new ways to approach rituals and meditations has been kind of a reward in itself. Being the official 'dorm witch' is fun sometimes as well!

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