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To the pagan's out there... I have a couple of questions, DH and I are becoming increasingly interested, but dont really know where to start
How/why did you turn to this 'religion'
Where did you find your information?
Do you meet with other pagans, attend events?
How does it affect your day to day life?
Thanks :)
Hi Sammiejane! :)
The answers to your questions are as varied as the people who practice! But I will give you my POV. There are many different forms of paganism so there will be more people I am sure who can give some answers ( I am sure Punkin will be in here at some stage! :))
How/why did you turn to this 'religion'
I think I found this path very early. Most other things/religions/beliefs just didnt make sense to me. There was so much hypocracy in the Christian system I was educated and raised in that I found myself (quote unknowingly!) searching for something else. I met a group of people who belived very differently to the things I had been exposed to and this led me to the same place you are now actively seeking alternatives.
Where did you find your information?
I found my information through various 'teachers' that came in and out of my life, through books and through the internet. There is soooo much out there, and so many variations, that it really came down to what felt right to me
Do you meet with other pagans, attend events?
I used to when I lived in Melbourne...not anymore since moving to perth I am yet to find anyone who is Druid, or who I can meet with like that. There are many covens etc that you can find though, I think mostly through PAN (Pagan Awareness Network) on the web if nowhere else. where do you live? Many esoteric bookshops and the like may be able to point you in the right direction. Again, it is about finding people that worship the same way you do, how deeply you wish to participate in rituals in a group setting and about what you are prepared to do in those rituals (they again vary wildly)
There are many many rituals that you can observe in your own home, alone, like your own alters and observances of Sabbats etc.
How does it affect your day to day life?
Again, this is something that will vary from individual to individual, but for me it affects the very essence of who I am, therefore how I conduct myself, to how I treat other people and the world we live in. It can often lead to VERY unacceptable approaches to different issues and certainly the way I choose to raise my daughter.
It will help you though if you and your hubby are on the same page with your beliefs. I know many pagans or all varieties who celebrste holidays according to ancient traditions, do not observe Christmas etc and many that still keep to the social norm of Santa etc whilst still maintaining their own beliefs.
As I said, there is soo much information on the web. There are many different books on the subjects too. It is about what you are comfortable and in tune with.
There are also forces and people adn beliefs within the "pagan" spectrum who are not good, not helpful and lead down very dark paths. This is something you must be aware of.
If you are truly interested though, look closely at those around them and begin to question them, you may just find you have your teacher already waiting in the wings for you to realise your path.
HTH....If you have anything else, let me know :) Feel free to PM more of MSN me if you dont wish to post here...as with any religious persuasion, these issues can often be highly personal :)
Best of luck with your quest too
Hi!
As LS says there are so many different facets of paganism (wicca, druidism, Celtic paganism etc) & so many different ways to practice it.
I was drawn to Wicca in my early teens - I think a lot of teenage girls are, as it is so empowering for women & can be interpreted in whichever way suits you.
I devoured everything I could read on the subject, the best book I found was by Raymond Buckland, covered everything you could ever want to know, but I also enjoyed the more fluffy pop-wicca type books of Fiona Horne, I think she's beautiful!
What I like about Wicca & paganism in general is it's roots in nature & the earth. You can choose to believe in gods & goddesses or you can just choose to trust in nature, which is what I do. I may choose a goddess image to focus my thoughts or intentions but I do not actually believe I am praying to a goddess, just putting out my energy in a more direct way.
I used to get the PAN newsletter (thanks for reminding me about it actually LS, will have to look into that again!) & attended a couple of pagan events when I lived in Sydney but I really prefer to practice as a solitary witch - no rules, no right or wrong way... some branches of paganism can be just as steeped in tradition and process as organised religion and that doesn't appeal to me at all.
As for paganism in every day life, well, I have to admit I have been VERY slack in observing any kind of ritual for a very long time... I observe the waxing & waning of the moon & try to tread lightly on the earth, but, I don't even have an alter here (we've moved a bit in the last couple of years) & haven't cast a circle in, if I am honest, years, but I don't feel any less pagan because of that. It is just part of who you are, in my opinion, just as people can still believe in God but not go to church, you can still be pagan & not draw down the moon. Of course it gives you a higher sense of spirituality & awareness when you DO do it, but it's not the be all & end all.
All in all I think LS explained everything perfectly, I just thought I'd share my personal choices with you too.
Good luck with your journey & blessed be.
How/why did you turn to this 'religion'.
Life seemed empty and the christian religion seemed so hypocrytical. I turned atheist, then agnostic, I looked at other religions hinduism, buddism, islam, hari krishna. In the end none of them seemed right. I was on a bus trip to canberra and I found a book in a bookstore. Power of the Witch. by Laurie Cabot. I picked it up and then put it down due to the price $18 was alot for a book when your 16yrs old. I picked up the book again not knowing why. I ummm and ahhhh about the price. I put it back down. I said to my sister if this is still here when we are due to get back on the bus and I have the money left over I will make it my last purchase. I walked out of the store. As soon as I put foot out of the store, something made me go back to buy it. I have never looked back since. When I read its pages it was like coming home!!! This is it this is who I am!! I was so happy and overjoyed.
Where did you find your information?
I am lucky I found books to read, I got information over the internet. And by chance saying Blessed Be on a chat site it lead me to my High Priestess. In a round about manner I said it to her ex and then he said you would love to talk to my ex wife. And well its a long story since that fateful day.
I would recommend Scott Cuningham to read. And if your advanced any book by phylis currot. There is a damn wealth of knowledge contained in her books if you know and recognise what she is writing. I will buy any of her books.
Do you meet with other pagans, attend events?
I used to meet with pagans in sydney. At the pagan gatherings. Somehow it dwindled down I think I haven't heard of it in awhile.
How does it affect your day to day life?
It has been shaping my life ever since. I try to live by its principles. Sometimes its hard but I try. I haven't done a ritual in ages. :doh: I know I should. Maybe I should again.
BB
Redlady
How/why did you turn to this 'religion'?
I was raised in a pagan family, although it was subtle and I didn't realise until my early twenties. Looking back I can remember my mother casting spells (although a lot of it could be considered old wives tales and superstition - the simple act of blowing out a candle on a birthday cake and making a wish is actually a spell if you think about it) and my father telling me not touch his tarot cards but as with most kids, I didn't think much of it. I was raised in the UK so celebrating the pagan undertones of common festivals like Christmas and Easter felt natural. We also as a community, and at school, celebrated May Day (Beltane) (I loved dancing round the maypole) and harvest festival (Mabon). So a lot of regular, traditional pagan festivities that were just a way of life for me.
Where did you find your information?
See above. I grew up as a pagan. When I realised my belief system had a name (I stumbled across it online) I joined some forums and talked to other pagans for advice. Some suggested books to read and I found other books at the library. There are a lot more around today than there were 15 years ago!
Do you meet with other pagans, attend events?
No, I'm very much solitary. Apart from family of course, though we are spread all over the world. My mother and father don't discuss it with me. I suspect because back then it was still considered with suspicion and perhaps they were reluctant to come out of the broom cupboard as it were. For fear of repercussion maybe. The Witchcraft Act was repealed as late as 1951 in England. Anyway, I discuss things with my brother who aligns with Asatru or Norse Pagansim. My sister claims to be agnostic. I also have a couple of friends who are pagan but we don't really get together. I don't really feel a need to.
How does it affect your day to day life?
Affect is not really the right word because it's part of who I am, it's my belief system. I don't do anything special. I observe the sabbats and esbats and I cast spells but mostly it's something I carry inside of me.
Hope that helps.