Pagan Hospitality: 15 Effective Ways to Give Back to the World
The Rescue (1890) by John William Waterhouse
Many traditions of Paganism share a focus on nature and community.
One concept that is often left out of the conversation is the idea of ‘giving back’. In other words, showing hospitality to our community and the world at large.
What is Pagan Hospitality?
In ancient Greece, the concept of sacred hospitality was known as xenia, ruled over by Zeus Xenios the protector of strangers.
The power of Xenia is demonstrated in The Odyssey (700 BCE), as well as the consequences that occur when people abuse it!
The ancient idea of hospitality overlaps with the modern concept of ‘giving back’.
Modern spiritualities tend to be very self-focused.
It’s very much, what can you do for me? Rather than, what can I do for you?
Why Giving Back is Impotant
As a society we’ve also moved away from trusting our neighbours and our local communities.
Instead, it’s every man/woman/person for themselves.
I definitely feel like embracing community and giving back is an important part of being Pagan.
I also believe that the environment is a vital part of the local community and should be included in any charitable work.
The environment is the very thing keeping us alive and to ignore it seems like the height of hubris.
Taking climate change and sustainability seriously is everyone’s job.
In this post you’ll find fifteen simple ways to give back to the world as a Pagan.
You can choose one that most calls to you, or you can choose ones you might be able to implement regularly.
1. Donate Money to a Registered Charity
Gifting to charities is a wonderful way to show hospitality and to support causes you care about.
2. Donate to a Food Bank
In Britain, the supermarkets all have a food donation box that’s part of a nationwide food bank programme.
When my husband and I go food shopping we buy a few extra things and put them into the donation box.
Find out where your local food bank is and donate some non-perishable food items and personal care products such as toothpaste, deodorant, soap, toilet roll, nappies and menstrual products.
Regular donations will make a huge difference to people in crisis.
3. Donate to A Women’s Shelter
Many women leave deeply unsafe situations without anything but the clothes on their back.
Many women’s shelters accept unused donations of personal care products, clothing and makeup.
4. Donate Your Time By Volunteering
Many of us are time poor, so this option isn’t for everyone.
But if there’s some small way you’d like to give your time to an organisation that you care about, do it!
Whether it’s volunteering at a phone service that involves ringing elderly people who want some company, or helping out at an animal shelter, donating your time can be an in incredibly rewarding experience.
5. Give Blood
If you’re physically fit enough and don’t mind needles, you might consider giving blood.
Especially if you have a rare blood type.
This is such an important thing to do as the blood you’re donating could help to save someone’s life.
6. Check On the Elderly
As younger people it’s very easy for us to get caught up in own ‘stuff’ and to forget the older people in our lives.
If you have elderly neighbours make a point to check in on them, especially if they’re living on their own.
Even just making the time to have a brief chat when you see them can help stave off the loneliness that many older people feel.
7. Buy From Local Independent Businesses
Rather than buying your coffee from a large chain, support your local independent cafes instead.
We’re lucky to have an old independent book shop in our town, so I purchase most of my fiction books from there.
By spending your money in independent businesses you’re helping them to stay afloat in a world ruled by faceless unethical corporations.
Vote with your money.
8. Buy Pagan Supplies From Sustainable Sources
As a Pagan it’s important to know that you’re buying your supplies from reputable, sustainable sources.
Part of giving back to the community and to the environment at large is by making ethical purchasing decisions.
Candles
Candles made of soy wax and beeswax are biodegradable and come from a renewable source.
Paraffin wax can’t be composted and is derived from non-renewable fossil fuels.
This is a super simple swap to make and you’re telling companies you want to see more sustainable candles.
Incense
Incense is a common tool used by Pagans.
If you purchase resins such as frankincense, only support companies that extract it using sustainable methods.
Frankincense is at near threatened status and could go extinct within the next twenty years.
Sandalwood is also on the endangered list and Palo Santo is conservation dependant.
If a particular oil, resin or wood isn’t important to your practice it might be time to ask yourself if it’s something you need to purchase at all.
Essential Oils
Essential oils require huge amounts of resources and plant matter to produce just a few drops of oil.
It takes around 3kg of fresh rose petals to produce a mere 1ml of rose oil.
We also have to consider all of the resources (land, water, pesticides) that go into growing and producing essential oils.
Many essential oils are also harmful to pets, wildlife, land and waterways which is why you shouldn’t just pour them down the drain.
Allow them to safely evaporate in a bowl for a few days away from children and animals.
Limit the amount you buy and only purchase from sustainable manufacturers.
Alternatively, replace essential oils with organic plant matter.
9. Pick Up Litter
This is one is easy and very rewarding!
Once a week my husband and I go for a walk with a bag and some gloves and pick up litter.
See if there’s anywhere you can pick up litter, whether it’s a local park, your own street or any other wild areas accessible to you.
If for health reasons you’re physically unable to do this. Consider organising a litter picking gathering with willing members of your family.
Spend the morning cleaning up an area and then reward them with a trip to an independent café or have a picnic afterwards!
10. Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
There’s a reason that the first word of this phrase is ‘reduce’.
The single best thing we can do for the planet and it’s inhabitants is to consume less.
In a capitalist society it’s important to vote with your money.
By not purchasing from businesses that harm the planet, we’re telling those companies that we don’t support them and their planet-destroying practices.
Look at areas in your life where you can replace single use items with reusable ones and seek to reduce your overall consumption, reuse what you can, mend things and recycle as a last resort.
11. Use Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products
White vinegar is an amazing natural cleaner both physically and spiritually!
White vinegar is naturally antifungal and antibacterial but must be left on surfaces for around thirty minutes to fully take effect.
This all-purpose cleaner can replace kitchen, bathroom, and toilet cleaner.
Fill a glass spray bottle with pure white vinegar or dilute slightly with water.
12. Compost your food
If you have access to outdoor space, it’s time to get in touch with your inner hippy and try composting at home.
We bought an outdoor composter. With the almighty Google as our guide, it’s now a party in my compost and every worms invited.
We put all of our cut flowers, food scraps, cardboard and paper into the compost.
The idea is to have the correct ratio of green (vegetable/fruit food waste, grass cuttings) and brown matter (paper, cardboard, twigs).
They’re easy to keep up with and you’re doing the planet a solid one as composted food waste emits reduced methane gas than food rotting in landfill.
Approximately, 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions come from food waste.
13. Rewild Your Garden
Let your weeds grow and allow your garden to get a little wild around the edges.
Here are a few simple ways to go wild:
Participate in No Mow May.
Plant native plants.
Stop using pesticides.
Start composting.
Collect rain water and water your garden with it.
Use the no-dig method.
Install a bird box and insect hotel.
14. Use Less Water
Whether you’re washing up, having a shower, or watering the garden.
Use less water.
Fresh water is a finite resource that’s seriously under threat from climate change and poorly managed water sources.
Recent reports state that global demand for water will exceed supply by 40% by 2030.
Avoid multiple small loads of clothes washing.
Have short showers to reduce water consumption.
When washing up, avoid washing up under a running tap.
Instead, fill the sink with a small amount of water (don’t forget a squirt of the detergent) and wash up in the sink.
Only turn on the tap for a quick rinse.
Rather than wasting water using a hose, install a water butt to collect rain water and use that to water your garden.
15. Eat Vegan
The meat industry is highly polluting and accounts for around 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
To put that in perspective, a study found that the meat industry accounts for 60% of all total global food production emissions.
Which means farming meat is far more intensive than plant based farming.
I’ve been vegan for nearly nine years. It can be a steep learning curve if you’ve eaten meat and dairy all of your life.
Luckily for you, things are getting easier thanks to all of the meat and dairy alternatives.
The following are all cheap vegan recipes that are easy to prepare:
Even just starting with meatless Mondays, or going vegetarian can help reduce harm to animals.
A recent report from the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), recommended that the best way to individually curb climate change is through the adoption of a plant based diet.
As the demand for meat and dairy declines the more we can potentially reduce the impact on our planet.
Let me know which of these you’d like to try in the comments section below!