The Graying of the SCA
Why do I continue to drive hours to attend events? What’s the magnet and appeal for a Golden-ager, like me?
For over 20 years, I’ve loved the SCA for encouraging wholehearted learning and skill growth. You saw this in the quality hand crafted largess presented at an event. Carved wood, needlework, weaving, clothing, and pottery, to name a few. That couldn’t be the attraction, as I made many of these myself since I joined in 1991.
The SCA is attractive for its fun and spirit. It is a place where, no matter your age, size, shape, gender or color you can wear a coronet, hat or wreath in your hair and feel beautiful. You can flirt and tease the guys your son’s age because it amuses you.Or, if you choose, a woman can put on armor and do combat with large, sweaty men. Whatever your current mania you learn from leaders, compete and feel pride in your prowess.
For guys, it’s a place the nerdy (who are most of us) train, compete and feel like warriors. Important, superior. Where bragging-rites are expected and made into songs.The SCA, especially Calontir, is a place of kindness and acceptance, that respects you for being you. I often see a first-row seat forfeited so that another did not have to do auditorium steps. I receive kind assistance to stand after sitting on the floor during a presentation.
The SCA strives for medieval ambiance, omitting things like the plaque. Even so, you don’t notice glasses on faces. Your mind somehow factors them out. With the graying of the Society, there are more things to mentally gloss over, like mobility scooters and walkers.
It feels good to escape to where you are accepted, feel beautiful, and strong. A form of magic moment in which you are young again, if only at heart. Why wouldn’t you return to it as often as possible to experience the joy?
Categories: SCA
An Itinerant Scribe 
1 Comment »