Pagan Pen Pals

Edit 5/8: I am adjusting the sign up/send by dates a bit, for a few more days. I scheduled wrong. :( I apologize for that.

This is an International swap, and you will have 1 partner to write an Introductory letter to.

If you like swaps like this, please check out the Pagan Community Centre here on SB!

Yes, this is a long description, but I think I have answered everything, so read carefully!

Please address the envelope clearly following USPS standards! You can find their instructions here: USPS Delivery Address Please be sure to use your name/address in the return address area on the envelope.

To join this swap, though, you must be "pagan". If you are alternative in your beliefs, non-christian, Wiccan, Druid, etc, you probably qualify. This definition is from the Merriam Webster dictionary:

"Pagan is derived from the Late Latin paganus, which was used at the end of the Roman Empire to name those who practiced a religion other than Christianity, Judaism, or Islam. Early Christians often used the term to refer to non-Christians who worshiped multiple deities. In Latin, paganus originally meant “country dweller” or “civilian;” it is believed that the word’s religious meanings developed either from the enduring non-Christian religious practices of those who lived far from the Roman cities where Christianity was more quickly adopted, or from the fact that early Christians referred to themselves as “soldiers of Christ,” making nonbelievers “civilians.”"

The Swap - Write a letter to your partner introducing yourself to them - please go beyond what your profile says - take a look at their profile, see what you have in common, interests, crafts - things like that. Your letter should be at least 2 pages long (paper size about A5/5x8 in size, 1 page = 1 side of a sheet of paper, front & back of the sheet = 2 pages). You do not need to use stationery or have pretty decorated paper - the swap is about the LETTER not the decoration. :) Letters can be handwritten or typed.

List the swap title and your swap-bot ID on the letter! Don't forget your swap-bot user ID!

That is the swap. No envelope decoration required, no tuck ins required (if you wish to send them stickers or such as an extra, please check their profile - some people don't like tuck ins.)

The purpose for this swap is to find a new pen pal that you hopefully have something in common with! But I cannot make a reply a requirement of the swap. I do feel that it is good karma to reply to the letter a person sends you, at least once. You never know when you'll find a new friend.

Not sure how to write a letter? Check THIS SITE

Not sure what to write about? Check THIS SITE for some letter prompts.

Who can join? This IS a newbie friendly swap, so new swappers may join.

Your profile MUST be WELL FILLED OUT - this shows the swap host that you are invested in being a member of swap-bot, and it gives your partner something to read, prompts of what to ask you or write about. You profile should contain several sections, and include topics about your likes/dislikes, interests, hobbies. If you have pictures on your profile, they don't take the place of actual content - this is a writing swap, so your profile should show me that you liked to write!

The send by date is not a suggestion! It is a requirement! You should be ready to send no later than the send by date. This is a simple, flat mail swap, so have a stamp ready and a card, and you should be all set. If you cannot mail on time, you MUST contact your partner and swap host. That is courtesy, and communication can solve a lot of problems.

Ratings You MUST rate your partner. If you receive a letter - and with the swap title and swap bot ID & sent on time, you should rate a 5. If there are any problems, please message your partner, and your host!

Yes, mail is moving slowly but don't use that as an excuse for not sending on time.

I will angel this swap, once communication has happened and you have rated a 1. Please contact me with any problems.

If anyone knows of a problem swapper who is signed up for this swap, please feel free to tell me in a Private Message - please do not leave comments below. I will check forums and lists, but I'm not perfect, so I welcome constructive information from other swappers.

IF you have ANY questions about this swap, please SEND ME A PM. Do not leave comments below - I won't see them, and I won't have time to respond.

Assigning partners For new swappers - the Swap Bot system assigns partners, not the host. You can find more information about it in the 'help' tab at the top right side of the screen. I cannot control who you are partnered up with, and you will be required to send to whomever you are paired up with.

Sign up ends at midnight of the day listed. I am located in the Pacific North West of the USA (Pacific time), and I try to assign partners by noon, my time, the day after the sign up deadline.

I start vetting swap members before sign up ends. If I send you a message with a question, and you don't reply by the time I assign partners, I will remove you from the swap (I don't like the word 'ban' - that is the swap-bot word) and will leave you a reason. Once partners are assigned, you are required to send to your partner and on time. I will use a manual rating filter on this swap, but if your rating is below a 4.98 be sure your 1's or 3's are explained. No un-resolved 1's or 3's, and no late sends on your dash.

This is a PAGAN pen pal swap, so if you are Christian or are members of Christian groups, I'm going to ban you from the swap.