Dorm Survival for Pagan Students

Sooner or later, you're going to have to figure out where your broomstick will fit in a dorm room. When a pagan goes to college, things are often more complicated than they are for our more mainstream friends. In addition to worrying about what classes to take or how to make friends, we've got to figure out how to worship in an itty bitty space without candles! Luckily, pagan practice can survive the move to college.

The biggest issue in a dorm room is space, particularly if you have a roommate. At home, you may have been able to take up an entire corner with your altar; now you essentially have a corner for all of your worldly possessions. If you're lucky, you may have an extra bookshelf that you can construct your altar on. More likely, you will need something that can easily be stowed away. One option is a "shrine box" that holds all of your ritual supplies. A small altar cloth can be doubled as wrapping for fragile items. When in use, the box becomes the altar table. Attractive boxes can be purchased from online pagan shops, import stores (think Pier 1), or you can buy a plain box at a craft store and decorate it yourself. You may also want to consider a "mini shrine." These have been growing in popularity and are made from things such as Altoids tins. You can decorate the tin inside and out (perhaps with an image of your patron deities on the inside) and then use miniaturized versions of normal altar tools - a strong twig for a wand, a pentacle painted on a small stone, etcetera.

The other major issue in dormitories is the fire code. These codes can be frustrating, and while it is tempting to try to find ways around them, don't - they exist for the safety of the students. To replace candles, the best option is to turn to that wonderful modern invention - the electric light. Companies like Brookstone sell electric candles that produce a flickering light very much like that of a candle. Alternatively, you could always just use an attractive lamp. Replacing incense can be trickier. Some simply set out incense without burning it, but that might still cause trouble in some dorms. Better options might be to use wildflowers, potpourri or perfume. If you place a dab of perfume or essential oil on a light bulb, the scent will be pleasantly diffused throughout the room.

No matter what, remember to be considerate of your roommate, as your happiness over the course of the academic year depends on it. Try to do your ritual work when they are out of the room - ask for their class schedule and offer them yours, so that you can each have private time. Don't use strong-scented oils or perfumes if they have allergies (or just plain don't like them). If your practice makes them uncomfortable, don't flaunt it.

Through a combination of ingenuity and respect, you can be a successful dorm-dwelling pagan. Just don't forget to go outside and say hello to the sun from time to time.