I’ve formed yet another set of forums. Yes, yet another thing to take time away from my blogging, unfortunately. This one is for those interested in “warrior” spirituality, and the closely related subject of pagan event security. It is found at www.paganstronghold.com. I invite anyone interested in emergency preparedness, martial arts, and security from a pagan point of view to come join us there.

There are actually a few pagan warrior groups out there, but they are all local in scale and are devoted to specific pagan faiths. This forum is intended to be common ground for all of them, and is not associated with any specific pagan religion, faith, or organization. My introduction to the forum reads:

We are modern pagans of various faiths who follow a “warrior path” of spirituality. We find it spiritually fulfilling to serve our communities by preparing ourselves, mentally and physically, to put ourselves in harm’s way should the need arise. This forum offers support to those who want to serve the Pagan community as protectors and where such people can coordinate with each other and with Pagan event organizers.

Modern paganism has reached a point of critical mass at which we have caught the attention of the mass media and the general population. Among many other issues this creates for us is a more evident need for security at our events — a task we still have good reason not to trust to third parties such as off-duty police who may not be sympathetic to our ways. Our public events and large gatherings are attracting more and more unwelcome attention and a wider variety of people in general. This means that altercations, confrontations, accidents and other minor emergencies are more and more likely.

In our member forums, you will find discussions and debates about the finer points of “warrior” pagan spirituality and philosophy, strategy, martial arts, tools and equipment, and event security coordination. If you would be interested in such discussions, or in talking to us about how members might be of assistance with your upcoming event, you are invited to join us.

Part of my philosophy is being prepared for violence. The way of the warrior is one of protecting one’s self and one’s family from harm of all sorts: natural disaster, emergencies, and the threat of violence from others. Phil Elmore, founder of the Martialist, has an approach to martial “arts” training that I concur with: self-defense is not a sport. It is not a game. The objective is to neutralize any threat with minimal risk to oneself and others. In other words: it is not about fighting “fairly.”

Phil is an ordinary guy who seeks out the most pragmatic, sensable solutions to self-defense issues. His website is quite a trove of useful information along those lines. I’ve already paracord-wrapped my “tactical flashlight” using advice from one of his articles. Purusing his e-zine and associated forums is time well spent.