I want to become a pagan..wow that sounds horrible doesnt it?

I have become very interested in paganism but don’t know where to start...I’m sure there is no book called "how to become a pagan" but I really want to explore this more...I was raised a catholic and just never felt right about it, for the past 2 years I have just called myself agnostic but with my personality and the ideas and beliefs I have I think paganism is for me but I don’t know a whole lot about it..I read the FAQ's but those weren’t any of the questions I had...can anyone help me out here? (Maybe sites to look at...books to read)
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I’m like a sponge with no water here
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I appreciate it so much
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~Desiree'~
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Hello


It sounds fine, we all have to start somewhere.

Here are some links to threads on this forum that are a useful starting point...
http://www.hipforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=114715
http://www.hipforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=109669
http://hipforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=105987

There are so many books in the stores about paganism. Wouldn't really recommend them though. They just say the same stuff over and over, and such a waste; you can find out basically everything just reading on the net and listening to your instinct (learnt that the hard and expensive way).

Any questions feel free to ask.

 

Thanks! that helps..espcially the second one..

I do have a question though...Where can I find info on rituals...I have found some spells I want to look into..just things for confidence or anxiety...but I want to know about times in the year to celebrate and things like that..I know of a store in boone I plan to visit this weekend, and im sure they have a book or calander on it but to be honest im gonna have $30 spending money and plan to buy a carton of cigarettes, also I would much rather spend the money on white candles and inscence than a book if I can find it online....

Thank you so much!!

 

best thing to is to read anything by Scott cunningham, his books give this basic to make you own rituals and spells. its best if you come up with you own stuff.

 

Pagan Gaian 101

that is a real good site.

 

Go in the woods, look around, that is the path to become pagan. Worry about knowledge later.

 

What Heron said.

Boone? Did you say Boone? Tell the guy who sells drums in front of the coffeehouse that Iguana says hello. He's cool.

 

indeed, get in touch with nature.

 

If you can find running water such as a stream or creek, in a forest, and then just sit there with ur spine against a tree and close ur eyes and take in all the sounds, it will completly overtake you.

 

lol ok, Ill do that for you

as far as the nature stuff that sounds like a great idea...especially since ill be in boone...Ill just go to valley cruisis (sp?) again and sit outside with skye...

thanks for the advice!!!

 

I find the best way to "become pagan" or learn what paganism is, is to study the source... the pagans themselves.. I.e. the Greeks, Romans, Egyptian, Norse, Celts, the true old pre-Xian pagans.. Stay away from literature that is too new agey and will just give you a highly deluded form of "playganism".

Become familiar with the beliefs, practices, and cultures of the ancient pagan world, no doing sloppy rites in your room butt naked with plastic cups, orange juice, and a butter knife. Have some dignity, look for authenticity.

And yes, getting back to nature is good.

 

HAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHA


well said man, kick ass.

Great advice btw.

Someone the other day was asking for books on
animism. I suggested doing academic research
rather than spiritual, as far as building knowledge
goes, and find the spiritual aspects through
thought and experience.

Anthropology is a great angle to take.

 

you forgot Native Americans!!

 

I like Laurie Cabot's, "Celebrate the Earth" for a good explanation of the dates on the wheel to celebrate. And I like Scott Cunningham's "The Magical Household" for simple rituals and such.

 

"dates on the wheel" refers to the modern day mushing together of older
European holidays. They arent a good starting place for someone
wanting to know paganism, seeing that they are only of two cultures,
and celebrated in a very modern "neo-pagan" way.

I would say ignore anything modern, Cunningham included.

 

^Different strokes for different folks. I've found both books to be helpful. My beliefs don't need to be validated by you, thankfully!

 

who said anything about validation? I was offering advice.

 

WELL all i can say is, make sure u want this realy bad, i have the most awful time choosing between wicca and christian, i am mixed ( lots of ppl say its impossible but alas it isnt!) its easier when u know wat u really want, cause once ur into it, u dont want to let go, but its sounds like u have a start to somewehre!! good luck!

 

Here's couple of my favorite sites:
http://www.ecauldron.com/articlelibrary.php
http://www.winterscapes.com/sannion/
http://www.winterscapes.com/kharis/

You will find Paganism is a broad term for numerous faiths and that some of them share little in common except the nomenclature. What one person loves another will hate; heck, Cunningham rubs me the wrong way and one of the above weblinks mortally offended someone on these lists once upon a time. Just explore, both what's out there in Nature, in books (and websites) and in yourself.

 

Precisely. Scholarship is the way to go. Read the Iliad, Oddissey, Upanishads, Bhagavad Geeta, Classical Mythology, Egyptian book of the dead, Norse Eddas, Saga of the Volsungs (norse), things of this nature.