I feel like paraphrasing Tammy Wynette, sometimes it’s hard to be a Pagan. Doo de do de doo. I visited Chester cathedral last week and while it is very impressive, I have to say I’m glad to be part of a faith that can find the Deity in a forest. Obviously, a lot of money had been spent on building and decorating from when it was first built in the 16th century. Supposedly it was built for the glory of God, but it was more like it was built for the glory of the people who threw a lot of money at it. For the pomp and circumstance of the thing. However, it was refreshing to see that the whole space is being used. One side chapel has been turned into a very good cafe. I had a delicious Welsh rarebit there. Another was used for an art exhibition which, ironically, included a beautiful painting of Rhiannon. It makes me very glad to be Pagan and that I can go out into my garden and there is the Goddess. I don’t have to seek Her in highly-decorated building and I certainly do not need someone to intercede for me. I can speak directly to Her.

Later, I was in the little gift shop and I saw the most lovely, bright yellow flowered cover, journaling Bible. I was sorely tempted, it was that gorgeous. And I thought oh why don’t we have something like that for Pagans? Again, I realised it’s about money. Christians spending money on fancy books that they really don’t need. And I don’t need it either. I have googled the subject and there are lots of online shops who will sell you Bibles in the most beautiful covers, in all versions. And special pens for journaling as well as special paints, tags, oh so much stuff. You could go bankrupt being a Christian and wanting to take part in all the really cool trends. People actually paint pictures in their Bibles, and hand letter calligraphy verses and affirmations. I wondered, isn’t the Word of God enough for them? It’s all about the performance, not the message. Make your Bible pretty enough and that’s all you need to do to get a golden ticket into Heaven.

Nonsense! A second-hand copy of the late Scott Cunningham’s “A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner” is all I need. All that art stuff makes me anxious anyway. I get panic attacks even thinking about colouring books. Hard to be a Pagan? Yes, but it’s worth the extra effort.