There are a few people who are, let's say

"There are a few people who are, let's say, personality-challenged, who would like to set up a cult, but in large part they fail due to the innate stroppiness and independence of their fellow pagans." – Liz Williams

Hear now the words of Liz Williams, a writer of wit and wisdom, whose gaze pierces both the folly of the proud and the strength of the free. In this reflection, she speaks not only of pagans, but of all people who hold fast to the sacred spark of independence — that inner fire which resists domination, no matter how cunningly it is cloaked in charisma or creed. Her tone is playful, yet beneath her humor lies a truth as ancient as the mountains: the truly independent spirit cannot be enslaved, not by fear, not by charm, and not by the glittering promises of false prophets.

The meaning of her words unfolds in two great lessons. The first is a warning — that there will always be those who seek to lead not out of wisdom, but out of hunger for control. The second is a celebration — that the strength of individuality, when rooted in self-awareness and courage, can shield a people from such manipulation. Williams calls these would-be rulers “personality-challenged,” not merely to mock them, but to reveal their lack of true leadership. For the wise leader seeks to inspire others toward self-discovery, while the false one demands worship to fill the emptiness within themselves.

Her mention of the “innate stroppiness” — that stubborn, spirited defiance — of her fellow pagans is no insult, but a hymn to freedom. In the old ways of the world, paganism was not merely a set of beliefs, but a celebration of diversity and autonomy. There was no single prophet, no one creed, but many paths through the forest of the divine. It is this variety, this refusal to kneel to one authority, that preserves its integrity. When each soul follows its own rhythm, the rise of tyranny becomes impossible. Thus, Williams praises that obstinate streak in humanity which says, “I will not surrender my mind, even for comfort.”

History bears witness to the wisdom in her words. Consider the tale of the ancient Greeks, who once resisted the lure of despots by enshrining debate and dissent as sacred duties. Though their city-states often quarreled, this very independence of thought birthed philosophy, democracy, and art that still endure today. It was not unity of obedience that made Greece great, but the harmony of free minds, each striving for truth in their own way. Likewise, whenever a people have guarded their independent spirit, they have kept tyranny at bay — for no cult can thrive where individuals think for themselves.

Yet Williams’ reflection is not merely about religion or politics; it is about the human heart. She reminds us that to remain free, we must cultivate both courage and discernment. The world is ever filled with voices that seek to guide us, to convince us, to make us follow. Some speak from love, others from ego. The challenge is to listen without surrendering, to learn without losing one’s essence. Independence, in her sense, is not rebellion for its own sake, but the quiet strength to stand firm in one’s own truth, even when surrounded by persuasion.

From her words, let us take this lesson: guard your freedom of mind as you would guard your life. Be wary of those who demand devotion rather than understanding, for devotion without reason is the seed of bondage. Be stubborn when conscience calls for it, for stroppiness — that unwillingness to bow to what feels wrong — is not a flaw but a shield. Surround yourself with others who cherish their own freedom, for a community of independent souls cannot be conquered; it can only grow.

So, O listener, let your independence be tempered by wisdom, and your wisdom by humility. Follow no leader who forbids you to question. Seek no truth that asks you to abandon yourself. For as Liz Williams teaches, the truly free spirit cannot be herded into cages of control or made to worship false idols. The independent soul is the guardian of light in every age — defiant, discerning, and, yes, a little “weird.” And from such spirits, the world renews its liberty again and again.