PDX0 exists outside the confines of structures and memberships and welcomes occultists and non-occultists alike (we're kinda fluffy like that). Come one, Come all!

As it stands now the collective humor leans towards the controversial and the gut punching. Nothing is sacred, especially not our own damned selves, so be prepared to be faced with those who hail Satan [or worse!] with gleeful expressions of mischievous mirth. Only a fair warning for those exposed to our propaganda of cognitive dissonance, but note that even if you find some of our curmudgeon comrades as ill suited to your personal tastes, feel free to make use of this website as a resource and networking location for your very own meetings and schemings.

PDX0 is a bit more niche, and bit more broad than most anything else out there right now, and we too, have no real idea what that means. Help us figure out, but we may not care when it comes down to it.

Teh intarnetz already has many a cybernetic hall for neopagan and wiccan interests, so this website will likely under represent that a bit. Witchvox.com is a good resource for that, check em out.

Just as a memetic milestone, most everyone who comes to PDXocculture has some sort of familiarity with Chaos Magic, Church of the Subgenius, Discordia, The Invisibles, and all that other stuff you heard about in the 90's.

The website is an attempt to bring together all the diverse occultic elements of Portland, in hopes of creating an offline network of mutants.

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Gathering.

Not an Occult group, but a group for Occult individuals.

The above has served as the simplest tenet behind PDXocculture.

There was a time when Occult groups served as the only place in which
to find a network of quality subversive peers, but nowadays given
advances in technology, they serve as a specific network to find a
focused approach to particular styles of thought and schools of
magical aesthetics.

Problematic issues with that setup are numerous, but there are those
few examples which are doing it right, so I wont waste time
disparaging the concept. The bigger question to ask is what the
individual seeks out of their community.

PDXocculture began because there was the desire to have casual social
situations in which people could mingle and discover one another,
without any particular focus. With this scenario, good discussions are
had and friendships naturally evolve.

After that point, it becomes more comfortable for individuals to
gather and practice magick, not as an order, but as friends. Even
while that goes on, magick or a philosophy does not push itself into
main focus of the group. Beyond that, PDXocculture splinters off into
many different subgroups, from swordfighting syndicates to loose
confederations of vandal artists. Starting out open and undefined may
be critical in how it has developed into a multifaceted and healthy
community.

An interesting development is how online community factors into our offline community at this point. But thats a whole topic in itself.

A few tips:

- Set up an online presence in a variety of locations

- Find local communities [on or offline] to flier yourself in, general
city forums, pagan, gothic, ect.

- Meet in the same location weekly. This makes it easier for people to
make it whenever it is convenient, and not have to remember that its
on the third tuesday after a full moon or something. If no one comes
for three months, just keep at it! Make sure to be visible in your
occulty intent, make a sign or have your tarot cards about you, ect.

- At first it may help to bring books of interest or other things to
try and start up conversation. Do it just because. Occultists like
books.

- Try not to be too much of a jerk, and try to engage every single
person. Be a good host, after a time, everyone will be the host.

- If all else fails, get boozy.

- Be wary of folks who want to play games and "infiltrate" your group,
be a nuisance, or source your group their sleazy and/or racist cult.
Its best to take these situations head on and talk to these
individuals in private, and the problem usually solves itself. Or have
fun with them if its worth it. Usually folks just come up with reasons
why your group sucks when their agenda isn't taking, like it's not
isnt magicky enough or whatever it is. This is the easiest way to
handle these kinds of situations.

- Try to befriend a staunch Atheist to keep you honest.

- Find shit to do.

---

"Bob" says:

* "You'll PAY to know what you really think."
* "They may be Pink, but their money's still green!"
* "Don't just eat that hamburger, eat the HELL out of it!"
* "You know how dumb the average person is? Well, by definition, half of 'em are even dumber than THAT."
* "Relax in the safety of your own delusions."
* "Pull the wool over your own eyes."
* "Fuck 'em if they can't take a joke."
* "'Too much' is always better than not enough."