Seeing all the different surveys in the other forums, I thought it would be nice to make a pagan survey. Let's answer some question people.. and maybe add 2 new questions each time you answer? 1. What path do you follow? 2. Do you have another name (apart from your birthname/forumname) that you use for 'divine' purposes (just a yes or no will do )? 3. What is your favorite method of divination? 4. Which God(dess) fascinates you the most? 5. What is your favorite tool? 6. If you had absolute power, what would you do with it? 7. What is your most divine experience? 8. What is your most scary (topic related) experience? 9. What is your favorite pagan holiday? Why? 10. What is your favorite (related) symbol? 11. Is there a (related) website you'd like to share? 12. How do you see yourself in about 10 years? 13. Did you ever summon someone/something? Who/what? 14. Have you ever used magic for personal gain? 15. What kinds of topics would you like to see more in this forum? 16. What are your views on the fae people? 17. ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, Otherkin? 18. What is your totemanimal (if you have one)? 19. What kind of natural environment do you prefer (sea, dunes, meadow, forest, mountain, etc. etc.)? 20. If pagans had one Holy Book (like the bible), what would you want to include? Don't forget to add a few questions of your own!
Let me start with responding 1. What path do you follow? For now I'm pretty new to all of this.. but I think I'll end up as somewhat of a solitary, eccletic kitchen witch 2. Do you have another name (apart from your birthname/forumname) that you use for 'divine' purposes? No.. I don't. 3. What is your favorite method of divination? At the moment Tarot.. sometimes in combination with Runes 4. Which God(dess) fascinates you the most? I think my knowledge is too little to pick one yet.. 5. What is your favorite tool? Is a candle a tool? In that case, a candle If not.. I'm searching for an athame.. I have a thing for knives/daggers 6. If you had absolute power, what would you do with it? I'd be very, very scared to have so much power.. since no human is perfect and all. I think I'd make everyone see the consequences of their own behavious more clearly and give everyone the same level of concious/guilt. That way people might be a little more nice towards eachother and other livng things. 7. What is your most divine experience? Just small, silly things.. like feeling bad and crying and then having this amazing looking little bird come and sit right outside my window and sing the most beautiful song. Basically things that have to do with nature I guess. 8. What is your most scary (topic related) experience? I get scared when hearing 'ghoststories' or firsthand voodoo stories etc.. but that's more a 'thrill' kinda scare.. other then certain nightmares I haven't had any scary experiences (yet). 9. What is your favorite pagan holiday? Why? So far I think it's Ostara.. I'm a Spring person.. Beltane is favorite as well 10. What is your favorite (related) symbol? At the moment the Othila (rune) symbol.. which represents 'homeland'. I've been searching for a 'home'.. emotionally as well as spiritually. Also the Ehwaz rune.. because of it's relation to horses and duality. 11. Is there a (related) website you'd like to share? For some fun: a cartoon 12. How do you see yourself in about 10 years? Probably like some kind of kitchen witch.. hopefully with some kids that I can teach the wonders of nature to and tell 'magical' stories before bedtime. 13. Did you ever summon someone/something? Who/what? I tried to get into contact with a dead friend of mine (he commited suicide) by placing down a pencil and paper etc.. years ago.. never tried doing it by ouija bord or anything.. kinda scared of that 14. Have you ever used magic for personal gain? In a way I think everything you do is for personal gain.. if you help someone else you do it because you'd feel guilty or worried if you don't (remember the episode of Friends where Phoebe tries to do something nice without personal gain?). Other then that.. I don't think I have. 15. What kinds of topics would you like to see more in this forum? Maybe some more personal experiences.. it's like we mostly exchange theoretical information, whereas we could have somewhat of a 'cyber coven' with all of the pagan interest going on here.. I think we could learn more from eachother and our views than we are doing at the moment. 16. What are your views on the fae people? I'd like to believe in them but I never really saw any evidence.. and I really like to be openminded towards people who claim to see and communicate with them but.. I dunno.. maybe I'm a bit too down to earth for that. 17. ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, Otherkin? Again.. I try to be as openminded as possible.. and I do believe in past lives and everything.. but a lot of people that claim to be some sort of Otherkin just sound like a whole lot of 'teen angst' to me to be honest. 18. What is your totemanimal (if you have one)? Horse. Not a specific one.. just horses in general I guess. I have dreams with them very often.. sometimes I'm riding a horse (with sadle or bareback, a tame or very wild hore) or sometimes I just encounter them in my dreams. 19. What kind of natural environment do you prefer (sea, dunes, meadow, forest, mountain, etc. etc.)? I prefer a forest.. the ones with little streams, open patches of grass, undergrowth as well as different kinds of trees.. 20. If pagans had one Holy Book (like the bible), what would you want to include? That thinking for yourself and following your gutfeeling is more important than anything else, including everything state in the book itself. I think I'd also like to include the buddhist eightfold path, as well as the 'harm none' thingie and the threefold 'law' warning.
1. What path do you follow? An eclectic path that embraces green witchcraft, Celtic druidry, shamanism and a tad of Norse paganism. 2. Do you have another name (apart from your birthname/forumname) that you use for 'divine' purposes (just a yes or no will do )? Yes 3. What is your favorite method of divination? Astrology, 2nd would be tarot. 4. Which God(dess) fascinates you the most? Hecate. 5. What is your favorite tool? Mortar and pestle. 6. If you had absolute power, what would you do with it? I would not want absolute power. Diety has power, we are merely vessels. 7. What is your most divine experience? Healing ritual after the loss of my daughter. 8. What is your most scary (topic related) experience? Facing the shadow self for the first time. 9. What is your favorite pagan holiday? Why? Litha. I rededicate myself to the Goddess and God every year on that date. 10. What is your favorite (related) symbol? Triple Goddess. 11. Is there a (related) website you'd like to share? www.spiritualitea.com (Friend of mine) 12. How do you see yourself in about 10 years? Giving back what I have learned through teaching. 13. Did you ever summon someone/something? Who/what? Summon? No. Invoke/evoke, yes. Elements, diety. 14. Have you ever used magic for personal gain? Yes. House finding spells, healing rituals. 15. What kinds of topics would you like to see more in this forum? Discussions about the Gods and Goddesses, personal experiences with such. 16. What are your views on the fae people? I enjoy working with this energy when using herbs, and they tease my cats mercilessly. 17. ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, Otherkin? Not sure what this is exactly. 18. What is your totemanimal (if you have one)? Wolf, birds. 19. What kind of natural environment do you prefer (sea, dunes, meadow, forest, mountain, etc. etc.)? Forest by the sea. =) 20. If pagans had one Holy Book (like the bible), what would you want to include? I would hope that dogma would not creep into paganism, but if there was one book akin to the Christian bible, it would include the Charge of the Goddess. Don't forget to add a few questions of your own![/QUOTE] My questions: 1. Skyclad or clothed? 2. What has been your biggest lesson learned? Fabulous thread velvet! I look forward to reading other peoples replies. Blessings~
1. What path do you follow? Wicca (ecclectic) 2. Do you have another name (apart from your birthname/forumname) that you use for 'divine' purposes (just a yes or no will do)? not usually... although I'm searching for one 3. What is your favorite method of divination? Tarot... 4. Which God(dess) fascinates you the most? I favour Celtic dieties 5. What is your favorite tool? No favourites yet 6. If you had absolute power, what would you do with it? Clean up the environment (it's in terrible condition!) 7. What is your most divine experience? Divination via dreams 8. What is your most scary (topic related) experience? being contacted via ouija board 9. What is your favorite pagan holiday? Why? Samhain - it's when I can be my most spookiest and there's tons of candy! 10. What is your favorite (related) symbol? no favourites... 11. Is there a (related) website you'd like to share? www.bewitchingways.com 12. How do you see yourself in about 10 years? raising children in Wicca, passing things along... 13. Did you ever summon someone/something? Who/what? a Goddess during particular spellwork, esp for self confidence 14. Have you ever used magic for personal gain? a couple times, when in need for money 15. What kinds of topics would you like to see more in this forum? more spells and rituals... it's why I created my own forum, to post such things and share 16. What are your views on the fae people? I think it's interesting, I've dabbled in a little of that 17. ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, Otherkin? don't know much about that 18. What is your totemanimal (if you have one)? n/a I don't know yet 19. What kind of natural environment do you prefer (sea, dunes, meadow, forest, mountain, etc. etc.)? desert! 20. If pagans had one Holy Book (like the bible), what would you want to include? more on Urban witchcraft - I think Chris Penczak's City Magick is a great book
oh I forgot to respond to Forests' -1. Skyclad or clothed?- Skyclad is so much more fun! (sorry I can't think of my own question to add)
1. What path do you follow? born pagan...right now i'm more closed in to myself...i follow my own path...i dont need little spells and what not to bring out the abilities i was born with. 2. Do you have another name (apart from your birthname/forumname) that you use for 'divine' purposes (just a yes or no will do )? Saige 3. What is your favorite method of divination? runes 4. Which God(dess) fascinates you the most? artemis 5. What is your favorite tool? my mind 6. If you had absolute power, what would you do with it? nothing. 7. What is your most divine experience? too long to tell 8. What is your most scary (topic related) experience? when i realized the full extent of my abilities 9. What is your favorite pagan holiday? Why? beltane...just a great time for me. 10. What is your favorite (related) symbol? my own that came to me in a dream. 11. Is there a (related) website you'd like to share? nope. 12. How do you see yourself in about 10 years? still oin the run 13. Did you ever summon someone/something? Who/what? eh too painful to tell 14. Have you ever used magic for personal gain? yes. plain and simple. 15. What kinds of topics would you like to see more in this forum? dont care. 16. What are your views on the fae people? hah. 17. ,, ,, ,, ,, otherkin? yeah. 18. What is your totemanimal (if you have one)? the frog 19. What kind of natural environment do you prefer (sea, dunes, meadow, forest, mountain, etc. etc.)? i prefer a small pond with a nice big tree i can sit in. 20. If pagans had one Holy Book (like the bible), what would you want to include? hah. dont get me started there.
1. What path do you follow? Green Witch/Kitchen Witch Ecclectic 2. Do you have another name (apart from your birthname/forumname) not really, I've thought of a few but they just havent spoke to me yet. 3. What is your favorite method of divination? Dreams/tarot 4. Which God(dess) fascinates you the most? Hecate and Pan 5. What is your favorite tool? myself 6. If you had absolute power, what would you do with it? You mean I don't have absolute power? 7. What is your most divine experience? Being in the middle of the atlantic in the place of my ancestors. 8. What is your most scary (topic related) experience? Scary no, I should have been scared 9. What is your favorite pagan holiday? Why? Samhain, with Yule up there. I love the falling leaves and the cool weather change. 10. What is your favorite (related) symbol? 5 pointed star 11. Is there a (related) website you'd like to share? not really 12. How do you see yourself in about 10 years? dancing 13. Did you ever summon someone/something? Who/what? the dead 14. Have you ever used magic for personal gain? Yes 15. What kinds of topics would you like to see more in this forum? herbs, book recs, astrology 16. What are your views on the fae people? I'm sure there are lots of things I don't know about. 17. ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, Otherkin? mmhmmm 18. What is your totemanimal (if you have one)?Wolves come to me in my dreams alot, Monk Seals swim with me in the ocean, snakes and lizards have always been good company. 19. What kind of natural environment do you prefer (sea, dunes, meadow, forest, mountain, etc. etc.)? I would love to live near the ocean with many redwoods or even a tropical inviroment 20. If pagans had one Holy Book (like the bible), what would you want to include? I don't like the idea of one true book, since we are all so different as is. To be defined by one book would draw so many different view on it anyway.
1. What path do you follow? My own ecletic mix, mostly wicca with celtic touches. 2. Do you have another name (apart from your birthname/forumname) that you use for 'divine' purposes (just a yes or no will do )? Sort of, I didn't pick my [chosen] name to be specifically 'magic' but fits the bill. 3. What is your favorite method of divination? Tarot by default, never tried but want to have a go at scrying. 4. Which God(dess) fascinates you the most? Cerridwen of course, Gaea, Aine, Freya, Lilith too. 5. What is your favorite tool? Wand 6. If you had absolute power, what would you do with it? Make the world a better place 7. What is your most divine experience? Feeling total calm and almost being comforting during a storm, whilst everyone else was afraid. I was about seven at the time and it's only really 'divine' with hindsight. 8. What is your most scary (topic related) experience? Hasn't happened yet. 9. What is your favorite pagan holiday? Why? Ostara, always loved easter even before finding paganism. 10. What is your favorite (related) symbol? the Phoenix 11. Is there a (related) website you'd like to share? museumofwitchcraft.com 12. How do you see yourself in about 10 years? Hopefully knowing what the heck I'm doing, and being a healer of some sort. 13. Did you ever summon someone/something? Who/what? No 14. Have you ever used magic for personal gain? Not really, never felt the need yet. I've done some simple healing things for my Mum. 15. What kinds of topics would you like to see more in this forum? Not sure 16. What are your views on the fae people? Like the idea of them, but am fairly agnostic. 17. ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, Otherkin? Ditto 18. What is your totemanimal (if you have one)? Apparently a deer, but that was ten years ago. Might have a new one now. 19. What kind of natural environment do you prefer (sea, dunes, meadow, forest, mountain, etc. etc.)? The sea, or forest. I have always lived close to both. 20. If pagans had one Holy Book (like the bible), what would you want to include? I honestly don't feel there could be a definitive book. I think it should include a true history of paganism, not some daft scaremongering.
1. What path do you follow? I guess I'm a solitary ecclectic. 2. Do you have another name (apart from your birthname/forumname) that you use for 'divine' purposes (just a yes or no will do )? No. 3. What is your favorite method of divination? Dreams, but I'm learning Tarot. 4. Which God(dess) fascinates you the most? I'm still learning. 5. What is your favorite tool? My hands or a candle... 6. If you had absolute power, what would you do with it? I honestly don't know. 7. What is your most divine experience? divination via dreams. 8. What is your most scary (topic related) experience? divination via thoughts/feelings. 9. What is your favorite pagan holiday? Why? don't know yet. 10. What is your favorite (related) symbol? the pentacle and the phoenix. 11. Is there a (related) website you'd like to share? nope 12. How do you see yourself in about 10 years? I have no idea 13. Did you ever summon someone/something? Who/what? no 14. Have you ever used magic for personal gain? not really. 15. What kinds of topics would you like to see more in this forum? I'd like to get to know more of you 16. What are your views on the fae people? don't know yet. 17. ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, Otherkin? ditto. 18. What is your totemanimal (if you have one)? cats, I guess. 19. What kind of natural environment do you prefer (sea, dunes, meadow, forest, mountain, etc. etc.)? I've always lived by the sea but it kinda scares me... I've always felt great climbing mountains and entering forests. 20. If pagans had one Holy Book (like the bible), what would you want to include? "Harm none" would be my '2-word Holy Book' 1. Skyclad or clothed? Skyclad unless I'm cold, heh. 2. What has been your biggest lesson learned? To know I have some control of my life.
1. What path do you follow? I am a solitary ecclectic pagan w/kitchen witch leanings 2. Do you have another name (apart from your birthname/forumname) that you use for 'divine' purposes (just a yes or no will do )? Indeed 3. What is your favorite method of divination? Tarot 4. Which God(dess) fascinates you the most? I'm rather fasinated w/ the Green Man at the moment. 5. What is your favorite tool? Are herbs a tool?... if so, herbs 6. If you had absolute power, what would you do with it? Eeeek.... I wouldn't want it. 7. What is your most divine experience? I've experienced some pretty devine things while in trance or reading tarot... 8. What is your most scary (topic related) experience? I encoutered a very malicious prescence while reading tarot for someone a few years ago, what made it scary was that everyone around me felt it too. 9. What is your favorite pagan holiday? Why? Samhain, I don't know... I just like it. 10. What is your favorite (related) symbol? The star of Babylon 11. Is there a (related) website you'd like to share? Can't think of any right now. 12. How do you see yourself in about 10 years? I hope that in ten years I will be in a more pagan friendly environment with little pagan babies. 13. Did you ever summon someone/something? Who/what?Not intentionally no. 14. Have you ever used magic for personal gain?Nope, that's bad juju 15. What kinds of topics would you like to see more in this forum? I would like to know more about raising pagan children in society. 16. What are your views on the fae people? They are everywhere and deserve to be honored and respected. 17. ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, Otherkin? Them too. 18. What is your totemanimal (if you have one)? A red-tailed hawk 19. What kind of natural environment do you prefer (sea, dunes, meadow, forest, mountain, etc. etc.)? mountain/forest , I'm from the Black Hills (South Dakota) it's beautiful. I miss it. 20. If pagans had one Holy Book (like the bible), what would you want to include? I don't think we could ever had a book. Having a book is so rigid its like making rules it would kind of go against everything I stand for. 21. Skyclad or clothed? Skyclad of course 22. What has been your biggest lesson learned? That intolerance is everywhere and I just have to live my life despite that. Here's a couple of new questions 1. How long have you been a pagan? I have been pagan for 13 years. 2. What religion if any were you raised with? I was raised in a strict Catholic home.
1. What path do you follow? Ummm... Solitary ecclectic... leaning quite strongly towards Wicca, although I'm not so much into the whole magic thingie. 2. Do you have another name (apart from your birthname/forumname) that you use for 'divine' purposes (just a yes or no will do )? Yes, indeed! 3. What is your favorite method of divination? Dreams... And Tarot sounds cool too, I'm planning to read up a bit mor on that in the future. 4. Which God(dess) fascinates you the most? I'm really at the very beginning of my path, so I don't really know... But "earthbased" would be my first choice for Goddesses (Cerridwen and Gaia sound fascinating) and maybe sun Gods, but I'm flexible on that. 5. What is your favorite tool? Do candles count? If yes, definitely candles! Love them! 6. If you had absolute power, what would you do with it? Be scared and give it away as quickly as possible! And if I absolutely HAVE to do something... Well, reduce hate and poverty I guess. That seems to be a bit too large for me though. 7. What is your most divine experience? Some moments in nature and the week in Taizé this summer...so beautiful! 8. What is your most scary (topic related) experience? Haven't experienced anything scary yet... Not that I remember! 9. What is your favorite pagan holiday? Why? That's a tough one! I like all of them, but if I have to pick Litha, Samhain and Yule. 10. What is your favorite (related) symbol? Pentagram and triple Goddess. 11. Is there a (related) website you'd like to share? There is one, but I can't seem to find the URL. I'll post if I've found it. 12. How do you see yourself in about 10 years? Let's see... At the age of 25... Studying somewhere, probably English and/or something drama/media-like, probably still in the broom closet, but maybe with a tolerant and interested bf with whom I can share my beliefs... Oh yes, and hopefully more experienced and familiar with paganism. Of course there's also the possibility that I'll be looking down on my "teenage pagan phase" then...who knows. 13. Did you ever summon someone/something? Who/what? Not really. Oh, I have used a pendulum a few times, but I believe it's got nothing to do with ghosts (didn't summon anything either), it's all about subconsciousness... 14. Have you ever used magic for personal gain? Apart from the fact that I have only used magic to send "positive energies" to loved ones (and I don't know whether that counts as magic at all, guess not) I go with Velvet - everything you do is for personal gain in a way, and if it's only that you feel great about helping. 15. What kinds of topics would you like to see more in this forum? Don't know... Maybe more posts about personal experiences and discussions about beliefs in general and detail. 16. What are your views on the fae people? Nothing's impossible... But frankly spoken, I don't really believe in them. Guess I would if I had a proof. 17. ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, Otherkin? Even more improbably than faeries. I do believe in mulitple personalities as a pssychological disorder caused by trauma, but I honestly don't believe in half-humans or anything like that. (I'm referring to the article naming both MPD/DID and half-humans Velvet posted here...in my opinion there's quite a difference between the two.) And on being a soul in a body of the wrong species - I think souls are universal, there are no "bird souls" and "human souls" and "dog souls", there are only "living souls". 18. What is your totemanimal (if you have one)? I'm not sure, but I think it's a little bird. There's also this black stallion, but I don't know whether it's a totem animal. I'm really really scared of it because it's the symbol of the terrible anger I have inside of me. I'm so afraid of myself when the horse starts galopping around in my chest... But that's another story. 19. What kind of natural environment do you prefer (sea, dunes, meadow, forest, mountain, etc. etc.)? Forest and sea! I love the wide sea, and forest are also great, especially with a nice little fast-flowing stream. ) 20. If pagans had one Holy Book (like the bible), what would you want to include? One sentence: Pagans don't have a holy book of ultimate truth. Find your own path. *lol* 21. Scyclad or clothed? Umm... I like the idea of being skyclad (the word is great! *lol*), but I'm a little shy about my body and don't feel really comfy naked, even if I'm alone. 22. What has been your biggest lesson learned? How much influence we have on our lives... It's amazing! And "all Gods are one", which I came to really experience in Taizé. You know, not only believe or know, but FEEL. 23. How long have you been a pagan? Veeeerrry short time. I've discovered paganism as such this spring and call myself pagan since Litha. Real newbie! 24. What religion if any were you raised with? Protestant, but very liberal. 25. How did you discover paganism? Well... Congrats to you all - over this forum! I was reading a lot in the Philospophy and Religions Forums and saw the "Pagan" forum. I didn't know the word pagan at all due to lack of English vocabulary, checked in the dictionary and found out what it meant. I found it interesting and started reading a bit, discovering the term Wicca (which I had never heard of before!) So I did a little Google search and tada! - Here I am.
Here's my my 'footnote' 21. Skyclad or clothed? Clothed, the thought of my folks interupting is hard enough to cope with and being skyclad would just make it worse. Beside I like my ritual outfit. 22. What has been your biggest lesson learned? Not to stop questioning. There are no set rules, just go with your instincts. 23. How long have you been a pagan? At heart, probably years. Have only been outright practising rituals and such since samhain. Did plenty of research before hand, it's hard to tell, but I'm not really that fussed. 24. What religion if any were you raised with? I was baptised Christian, and had those influences. Otherwise it was a pretty liberal, almost humantist, thing. 25. How did you discover paganism? I went to the museum of witchcraft and felt such an amazing connection and curiosity. My own question... 26. What is your favourite book on paganism? Mine is the encyclopeadia of witchcraft. Just because it contains info on practically everything connected with the subject.
1. What path do you follow? gaian witchcraft. (not wicca) 2. Do you have another name (apart from your birthname/forumname) that you use for 'divine' purposes (just a yes or no will do )? yes. 3. What is your favorite method of divination? natural omens. followed closely by tarot/playing cards. i also swing a mean pendulum, and read the dice. skrying as a last resort. (migraines) 4. Which God(dess) fascinates you the most? gaia (duh)/horned one (pan-dionysius). artemis-diana/orion. hecate/hades. psyche/eros. aradia/lucifer. baphomet. 5. What is your favorite tool? found objects. stones in particular. 6. If you had absolute power, what would you do with it? right now? i would bake a really good pie. 7.What is your most divine experience? hmm, tough call. first starwood bonfire? first drum circle? 8. What is your most scary (topic related) experience? facing personal demons. 9. What is your favorite pagan holiday? Why? imbolc, hands down! i like the focus on healing, on new beginnings & fresh starts, as well as the emphasis on hearth, home and family. even if spring cleaning is a drag! and the candle-lit altar is so pretty! it's a very special, meaningful time for me. if it weren't so damned hot and sunny, lughnasadh would be a close second. the baking of bread has sacred meaning to me. 10. What is your favorite (related) symbol? the pentagram, the earth cross, the sign of the horns, and the rune wunjo. the yin/yang also, but for me the horned cresent moon is more familiar illustration of a very similar concept. 11. Is there a (related) website you'd like to share? has anyone mentioned witchvox? avatarsearch? i have several. i'll edit to post the links when i can dig up the bookmarks. 12. How do you see yourself in about 10 years? i'd be a powerful witch indeed if i knew that. but, hopefully i'll be on my way to "nanny ogg"-hood. 13. Did you ever summon someone/something? Who/what? yes. i don't kiss and tell. 14. Have you ever used magic for personal gain? yes. i make no pseudo-moralistic pretenses that that is not precisely what it's for. 15. What kinds of topics would you like to see more in this forum? like a lot of people, i'd love to see people sharing personal experiences. pathsharing. book reviews, of course, especially those that go beyond the llywellyn-mass-marketed-beginner level. there seem to be a lot of newbies here seeking, so it would be great if the more experienced pagans would post their early experiences/mistakes/personal stories to help these "kids" along. broom closet experiences - not everyone's "out" and there are both benefits & drawbacks to it. the sabbats are often dealt with at length - well, they're fun - but i'd like to see discussions on esbats, initiations, & rites of passage, as well as on the use/correspondences of tools, etc. because there are a lot of solitaries here and opinions vary widely. we could learn from each other. discussing dieties is a little too personal for me, but i'd love to see discussions on shamanic/trance/ecstatic witchcraft/magick. are there any ceremonial magicians here? wicca/witchcraft owes much to the ceremonial magicians in regards to the development of ritual structure and tool usage - i'd like to see those commonalities explored. finally, cerridwen's posting of craft ideas & humor are great. i'd like to see more discussion of pagan culture - festivals, resources, and music (does anyone post about pagan music? i'd love some reviews, please.) our beliefs and practices vary so widely; it's the culture that binds us together. i promise to post more if i see others doing so too. 16. What are your views on the fae people? under-recognized, misunderstood, and under-estimated. and probably quite happy with that arrangement. 17. ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, Otherkin? sure. why the hell not? 18. What is your totemanimal (if you have one)? this word is frequently misused; it actually refers to a rather specific shamanic concept. but, i get the gist of what you're asking. mine would be the cat. 19. What kind of natural environment do you prefer (sea, dunes, meadow, forest, mountain, etc. etc.)? forested mountain, complete with a gurgling, fossil-lined brook, a meadow full of daisies, and lots of blackberry bushes. 20. If pagans had one Holy Book (like the bible), what would you want to include? hell no!(bad pagan. no mead!) 21. Scyclad or clothed? skyclad. 22. What has been your biggest lesson learned? we're all here because we're not all there. 23. How long have you been a pagan? 14 years this yule. 24. What religion if any were you raised with? (Adult Child of Recovering Fundamentalist Christian Nutjob.) 25. How did you discover paganism? long story. i'll post it if anybody's really dying to hear. my questions: 26. ever been to a pagan festival? share your festival story. here's one of mine: my very first starwood, the farrars (a witches' bible compleat) has traveled from overseas to present workshops. the last day of the festival, i was taking down my tent, when i found a 4-leaf clover (i have a knack). as i was taking the clover to show my friend, i ran smack into janet, who just smiled and gave me a big hug. 27. pagan music reviews! let's have 'em! here's mine: my first introduction to pagan music was gypsy's enchantress album. it's old, don't even know if it's still in print. but i was amazed - at the time pagan music was stereotyped as mainly cheaply produced cassettes of hokey nature poetry peppered with D&D/fantasy/SCA references & set to amatuerish folk music. i had no idea it was anything like this! my favorite song was "bring back the light", winter solstice ritual music. you could feel your consciousness shift with the rhythm, & the invocation was amazing! this album is probably considered a "classic" of pagan music, it was certainly popular at the time, and changed pagan music dramatically by showing it's (at the time) full potential. i played mine till it literally wore out, and dearly wish i could find it again.
1. What path do you follow? Some would call it eclectic, i just call it willworking, plus in keeping with the shamanic traditions of my ancestors. 2. Do you have another name (apart from your birthname/forumname) that you use for 'divine' purposes (just a yes or no will do )? No. 3. What is your favorite method of divination? Inducing dissociative trances using DXM or just cast runes. 4. Which God(dess) fascinates you the most? To be concise, the Hindu paradigm. 5. What is your favorite tool? My own body. 6. If you had absolute power, what would you do with it? Smile. 7. What is your most divine experience? My Awakening. 8. What is your most scary (topic related) experience? Feeling the rage and anger of a forgotten god in middle of the forest. 9. What is your favorite pagan holiday? Why? Dont really have one. 10. What is your favorite (related) symbol? 11. Is there a (related) website you'd like to share? Mysticwicks.com 12. How do you see yourself in about 10 years? Ageing nicely, still being a student of this class called reality. 13. Did you ever summon someone/something? Who/what? No. They speak and come and go as they please, I dont call the timeless. 14. Have you ever used magic for personal gain? No. 15. What kinds of topics would you like to see more in this forum? People simply speaking their minds and heart. 16. What are your views on the fae people? One seems to have claimed me as a charge. This is all I really know, though she does tend to steal my weed. 17. ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, Otherkin? Um, look, the best evidence that we have they exist is that they remain hidden. 18. What is your totemanimal (if you have one)? The Stag. 19. What kind of natural environment do you prefer (sea, dunes, meadow, forest, mountain, etc. etc.)? The blue mountains.... 20. If pagans had one Holy Book (like the bible), what would you want to include? All the Veda.
1. What path do you follow? eclectic wicca 2. Do you have another name (apart from your birthname/forumname) that you use for 'divine' purposes (just a yes or no will do )? not yet 3. What is your favorite method of divination? tarot and other cards; mostly i just dream things though 4. Which God(dess) fascinates you the most? Brighid 5. What is your favorite tool? cast-iron cauldron 6. If you had absolute power, what would you do with it? no thank you 7. What is your most divine experience? i have two separate (by 9 years), but similar experiences: coming to know the Lord (as a new christian), and meeting the Lady (as a new pagan) 8. What is your most scary (topic related) experience? a misunderstanding between a few of the fae and myself, but we've since worked it out 9. What is your favorite pagan holiday? Why? Samhain; i'm not sure why, i just love it 10. What is your favorite (related) symbol? pentacle 11. Is there a (related) website you'd like to share? i can't think of any 12. How do you see yourself in about 10 years? answering all kinds of questions, as my children begin to discover what their own paths are; hopefully by then i will also be (comfortably) out of the broomcloset 13. Did you ever summon someone/something? Who/what? not that i'm aware of, though i have had some interesting visitors 14. Have you ever used magic for personal gain? yes, in the same way that Christians pray for personal gain; never anything i didn't need though 15. What kinds of topics would you like to see more in this forum? personal experiences! 16. What are your views on the fae people? hahaha, i could write a book on that one; there are naturally some tricksters in the bunch, but they really can be friendly too 17. ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, Otherkin? i'm not sure; seems unlikely 18. What is your totemanimal (if you have one)? mama bear 19. What kind of natural environment do you prefer (sea, dunes, meadow, forest, mountain, etc. etc.)? forest, without a doubt 20. If pagans had one Holy Book (like the bible), what would you want to include? oy, no thanks, haha, that's where the trouble starts; besides, i wouldn't trust a single person to guide my own spirituality, or that of my children 21. Skyclad or clothed? clothed!!! 22. What has been your biggest lesson learned? i don't always know what i'm ready for 23. How long have you been a pagan? actively, for about 10 months 24. What religion if any were you raised with? Christian (Baptist) 25. How did you discover paganism? my husband drug me in, kicking and screaming, lol, and then i realized that's what i've believed all along 26. What is your favourite book on paganism? i don't have one favorite right now 26. ever been to a pagan festival? share your festival story. sorta? My husband took us to a pagan camp to meet a Druid friend and his family; there was a Coven meeting up the hill, so while we were not a part of the festivities, we did meet some cool people 27. pagan music reviews! let's have 'em! i don't listen to specifically pagan music
i forgot rain in summer's question! my favorite book on paganism would be starhawk's the spiral dance. currently i'm reading progressive witchcraft by janet farrar & gavin bone and it's remarkable to see how much the religion's changed over the years, even within the 14 i've been practicing myself.
1. What path do you follow? wicca 2. Do you have another name (apart from your birthname/forumname) that you use for 'divine' purposes (just a yes or no will do )? yes 3. What is your favorite method of divination? cards 4. Which God(dess) fascinates you the most? isis 5. What is your favorite tool? pentacle 6. If you had absolute power, what would you do with it? read minds 7. What is your most divine experience? i puplic samhain ritual 8. What is your most scary (topic related) experience? nothing yet 9. What is your favorite pagan holiday? Why? beltane coz thts wen love is in the air and the trees blossom 10. What is your favorite (related) symbol? the pentacle 11. Is there a (related) website you'd like to share? the wiccan garden look it up on google 12. How do you see yourself in about 10 years? being a holistic vet 13. Did you ever summon someone/something? Who/what? a God or a Goddess 14. Have you ever used magic for personal gain? not rele 15. What kinds of topics would you like to see more in this forum? wiccan 1s 16. What are your views on the fae people? the little nature spirits 17. ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, Otherkin? ??? 18. What is your totemanimal (if you have one)? a dog 19. What kind of natural environment do you prefer (sea, dunes, meadow, forest, mountain, etc. etc.)? forest 20. If pagans had one Holy Book (like the bible), what would you want to include? stuff from the wiccan garden
I'm still trying to define the spirituality I have fostered and Paganism is something I have found through you good people so bear with me. 1. What path do you follow? North American Indian + some Hindu 2. Do you have another name (apart from your birthname/forumname) that you use for 'divine' purposes (just a yes or no will do )? No 3. What is your favorite method of divination? from me - smoke offerings, for me - psychic readings 4. Which God(dess) fascinates you the most? Indian god of the direction west - Coyote 5. What is your favorite tool? Crystal 6. If you had absolute power, what would you do with it? Nothing, don't want it 7. What is your most divine experience? Having a shaft of light appear in the sky after a major decision making 8. What is your most scary (topic related) experience? Edit: Forgot about the Oiuji Board thing when I was 14 ish. That's some scary stuff. 9. What is your favorite pagan holiday? Don't know yet 10. What is your favorite (related) symbol? Ying and Yang 11. Is there a (related) website you'd like to share? 12. How do you see yourself in about 10 years? Moving to be more self sufficient and less dependent on making money to live. 13. Did you ever summon someone/something? Who/what? Yes, I try to invoke the gods of the directions in my and mine's behalf: north - buffalo, east - eagle, south - coyote, west - bear, father sky, mother earth. 14. Have you ever used magic for personal gain? Yes, healing spells and thanks giving. 15. What kinds of topics would you like to see more in this forum? More info about the specific gods and goddesses. Also more spells. 16. What are your views on the fae people? I believe 17. ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, Otherkin? Don't know? 18. What is your totemanimal (if you have one)? I believe it is horse 19. What kind of natural environment do you prefer (sea, dunes, meadow, forest, mountain, etc. etc.)? forests for sure 20. If pagans had one Holy Book (like the bible), what would you want to include? Dont' know 21. Skyclad or clothed? Skyclad 22. What has been your biggest lesson learned? To relinquish control 23. How long have you been a pagan? Don't know, but embraced the term about 3 months ago. 24. What religion if any were you raised with? Disciples of Christ 25. How did you discover paganism? The term? Through this site! But, in general it has been a life journey of learning. 26. What is your favourite book on paganism? Don't know - suggestions please! 26. ever been to a pagan festival?share your festival story. Dont' have one but, would love to go to one 27. pagan music reviews! let's have 'em! Don't know - suggestions please! Mine. 28. How do you go about finding like minded people in your area?
1. What path do you follow? Admiring the gods of the german-slavian pantheons, also serving as a shrine guard of Perun. 2. Do you have another name (apart from your birthname/forumname) that you use for 'divine' purposes (just a yes or no will do)? Yes, of course, but I'm not restricted only to one... 3. What is your favorite method of divination? Conjuring natural spirits to guide me, or asking the plants. 4. Which God(dess) fascinates you the most? There are two: Perun and Holda. 5. What is your favorite tool? A dagger. 6. If you had absolute power, what would you do with it? Force the world into my own secret plans... but there's no reason to fear :X 7. What is your most divine experience? Interaction (or at least the illusion of interaction) with my Filhwern Holda and Perun. 8. What is your most scary (topic related) experience? The feeling of having no chance to prevent the devastation of my forest. 9. What is your favorite pagan holiday? Why? Jul, because of Julklapp! 10. What is your favorite (related) symbol? Yggdrasil. 11. Is there a (related) website you'd like to share? Paganforum (german) 12. How do you see yourself in about 10 years? Alive. 13. Did you ever summon someone/something? Who/what? Normally natural spirits, but sometimes also urban ones (the latter are scary I think). 14. Have you ever used magic for personal gain? If you think that using magic for philantropic gains is a good thing then all magic is for personal gain. 15. What kinds of topics would you like to see more in this forum? I like it how it is, there are other forums outside to discuss other topics... 16. What are your views on the fae people? Neoceltic creations. Maybe they exist, but I don't care. 17. ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, Otherkin? Why not? But I don't care at all... 18. What is your totemanimal (if you have one)? I would not call it totem, but I identify with ravens. Don't know why. 19. What kind of natural environment do you prefer (sea, dunes, meadow, forest, mountain, etc. etc.)? Forests... deep and green. 20. If pagans had one Holy Book (like the bible), what would you want to include? All pagans cannot share the same book, or it would become too small or too large. Everyone should enter his path himself, not filled with dogmas. 21. Skyclad or clothed? Clothed, it's too cold outside now. 22. What has been your biggest lesson learned? To listen to the nature and how the gods are revealing themselves in this physical mystery. 23. How long have you been a pagan? About 25% of this life. Many moons... 24. What religion if any were you raised with? Nada. 25. How did you discover paganism? I didn't discover paganism, I discovered the gods while doing work for the environment. 26. What is your favourite book on paganism? As far as I know there are no english books that are about the paganism I call paganism (I'm quite conservative, you know?) 26. ever been to a pagan festival? share your festival story. Never, except rituals around the shrine I'm serving. So nothing magnificent. 27. pagan music reviews! let's have 'em! Nope, sorry.
