Mystic South

Many modern Pagans consider nature to be sacred and prefer to practice in natural settings. However, Pagans who live in urban or suburban areas might have little or no access to natural areas in which to practice. The few natural spaces that are available are often unsuitable. For example, even a large backyard might still be visible to neighbors, and city parks typically offer even less privacy. Because the latter tend to close at sundown, night-time practices are not possible. For about a decade, Athens Area Pagans, Inc., has been working to provide outdoor spaces for Pagans to use. In 2020, AAP procured a little over 48 acres of land to that end, calling the land and the project AllWays. This land is inside the city limits and on the bus line, therefore accessible to most Pagans in the area. Herein we report the many obstacles, the occasional successes, and the current status of this project. Topics covered include choice of site, purchasing options, business model, community involvement and interest, city ordinances, zoning, taxes, and insurance.