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I'm tentative because I fear too many people coming along who have... maladaptive opinions, or poorly developed social skills. Also that nobody will come at all, that everyone will hate me etc.
Some more suggestions, Quants:
Talk to your friends - get them enthusiastic - there's nothing like shared enthusiasm, in my experience anyway, for building up a head of steam. Besides, if you can get at least one or two friends to agree to come and sit with you whilst you're waiting for the oddballs to pour out of the woodwork, you won't be so lonely. Also, it might be useful for you to pop along to moots that are already in existence (are there any open moots in Brighton?) to see how they carry on. I've been to some pagan moots where the atmosphere seemed to be very "clique-y" - i.e. people sat around in little groups elbow-to-elbow and more-or-less ignored newcomers or people who they'd tagged as "newbies". Equally, I've attended moots where folk were very welcoming - although this too can have its downside - I remember a self-appointed "facilitator" barreling up to me and saying "Hi, what are you into, then?" - which at the time, I found a bit scary, as I really didn't know. But I later appreciated that the guy was not being challenging, but was trying to steer me towards other people in the room that I'd have some point of reference with. It's always worth bearing in mind that at public spaces you're going to potentially attract people with a wide range of interests, experience, and opinions. And, whilst I can understand your worries regarding maladaptive opinons or poorly developed social skills I don't think you can "police" this, if only 'cos you're not necessarily going to find out about people's opinions on any given matter until the subject comes up in conversation. And that could take some time, particularly if you consider that people in public spaces tend to be very concerned with image presentation, at least 'til they feel comfortable with each other.
....everyone will hate me etc.
It's a distinct possibility that, yes, some people might not look upon you kindly. Pagan/magical "scenes" tend to be hotbeds of gossip & rumour. It's not unusual, for example, for organisers of existing moots to feel that newcomers are trying to encroach on their "territory". In my experience, anyone who pops up and starts trying to organise stuff will attract "attention". Sad yes, but there you go. Remember, Notoriety isn't as good as fame, but it's heaps better than obscurity.
Then there are more practical considerations such as finding an appropriate venue and setting a regular time & frequency for the moot, & advertising it. Sticking flyers into Brighton's crop of (awful) New Age shops is obvious, but any place where there's a notice board which is frequented by alternative types (i.e. Bills) is worth considering. Don't forget Pagan Dawn's moot directory pages either, or the various GLBT glossies around Brighton. It might be an idea to start off small - and if the moot grows in time (which hopefully, it will) move to a bigger venue (or even book a room in a pub if you can find one) and maybe think about having speakers/workshops/debates. If you want to go down this road, it might be worth popping over to London to ask the advice of some of the people who run talk-oriented venues such as the lovely Christina at Treadwells Bookshop or Michael Bingas who runs "the Secret Chiefs". |
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