2
Narrative Summary
Interview with Pat Allgeier by Tami Mishevski
Pat was born in 1943 in the state of Missouri where she was raised by her mother and father. She has been involved with the Pagan and Wiccan Church for the majority of her life. Pat spent two years at Missouri University before she decided to drop out of school to get away and explore life. She spent two years (1962-1964) traveling on foot, with her dog for a companion, throughout Canada, the United States, and Mexico. When she returned, she attended Drury University where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and was awarded a Doctor of Divinity from the School of Wicca. She spent her years working as a QMRP, which since then the federal government has changed the title to QIDP (Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professional). She has also worked as a Psychiatric Technician. She is now retired, but is still very active in her coven which is located in Springfield, MO. Pat enjoys practicing Tai Chi and playing classical piano music. She considers her spiritual music Chopin, and also plays honky-tonk on the same old upright Grand piano she has in her home. She has raised two children and is now enjoying her grandchildren, who have all been raised in the Pagan faith.
Pat grew up in a household which was open to her exploration of faiths. Her parents did not take her to church, but they had many books at home and she was encouraged to search for information. She did attend church several times growing up either with her Christian grandparents or her Christian friends and their families. She did not feel drawn in any way to the Christian faith. Her mother had brought home books to read that would greatly affect Pat’s search for her own spirituality. Author Sybil Leek’s book The Complete Art of Witchcraft brought about a connection Pat could relate to. When Pat set off to travel on foot, she would meet people and experience circumstances that would impact her search for a religion. One of the greatest impacts was The Don tribe she spent time with after crossing the border into Mexico. Pat recalls being struck by the generosity of these small village people who had nothing, yet fed her, gave her shelter and did not eat her dog (even though they said they would have liked to). At this point in her life Pat did not claim to be a part of a specific religion. The person of greatest influence to her spiritual journey has been the Dalai Lama with his abilities to accept and forgive. She knew she wasn’t Christian, but thought from her studying she might be Buddhist or Taoist. She did practice meditation, but found herself not sure that a Deity existed. Although when she spent time lying down on the beaches, gazing at the stars in the sky, she felt this hard to deny.
Pat came back to Missouri and married her high school sweetheart. They started a family and having children gave Pat a determination to find her faith for both herself and her children. In 1974, she formed the Ring Coven and joined the church of Wicca. She later formed her current coven, after the dissolution of Ring, which is named Greenleaf. Pat shared her Pagan beliefs with her children as they held sabbats with their community to celebrate the Mother Earth. Sabbats mark the changing of the seasons as dictated by the Wheel of the Year. During solstice celebrations they will gather and have a potluck dinner, light candles saying affirmations for good health, healing, etc…, they sing songs and chants, and might have a glass of wine to celebrate. Pat stressed the importance of only sending out positive energy when lighting a candle and to not be too specific, as in naming a certain person, when wishing for what you want to come in to your life. When the moon is full or new you will find the coven drumming and chanting in their backyard. Pat does not believe in a Heaven or Hell, but believes in the cycle of life and death through reincarnation. When asked what advice she would give to others seeking a spiritual path; she says to gather as much information as you can from books and people and take what works for you from them and feel confident in leaving the rest.
Missouri State University Spring 2014 Religious Lives of Ozarks Women