Hello everyone. I am very interested in becoming a pagan, and I know the basic ideas behind paganism. However, I am a little overwhelmed and I don't know where to begin. Also, I am very confused about which path to take. I sorta like the idea of witchcraft, but the thought of it (and the word 'witchcraft') is kind of intimidating. In addition, I'd prefer to be quiet about this, I'm a little scared of what people, mostly my family, would think. So, does anybody have any tips or resources? I'd love a good website on the topic. Thank you so much for your help!
yeah tip: dont tell the christians they have a nasty habbit of burning people alive when they arent fundamentalists. burning being literal and metaphorical
I don't think it's wise to just wake up one day and decide "I want to be pagan." No one should be able to point you in any direction, paganism is just too diverse. You can't just pick and choose a pagan faith and hope it works for you. You have to ask yourself a lot of questions if you want to go down this route. Paganism is a personal recognition of your own philosophy. So what do you believe in? Wiccan, witchcraft, bleh. It's all fluff to me. I'm not a fan of group gatherings and alike, coven behaviour. I only want to experience my spiritualism by myself, in my environment, with my energy and emotion. I don't think it's practical to reach a higher level of consciousness by participating with other people when their energy and karma are most likely directing negative energy through everyone else. Though I'm aware of the Wiccan theory of "if we get more people saying and hoping the same thing then there's more chance of it happening. Quick let's hold hands and pray for some magic.." ..
I'm currently in the same boat. I've been studying and trying to find out as much as I can about the Wiccan Religion. I agree with Irminsul, I want to do this by myself, not with a group. I don't know a single person in my community that is Wiccan so I'm really on my own in this, but that's the way I like it. I think being in a group or in a coven would be even more intimidating. I want to find my own spiritual path and find my own way. I know this may not be much help to you but sometimes doing things on your own is the best way. Also like Irminsul said, you have to put alot of thought into this. I'm still thinking and researching and asking around, it takes alot of energy from the individual for this kind of thing and you have to ask yourself if you're up to it, and if you really want to do this. Find out as much as you can before you decide.
to know, to feel, to think, to do, to be silent. silence is good. What do you already believe? Once you find that out, don't compromise on it. my advice: meditate on some tough questions. if you find at least a partial answer that appeals to you, write it down. if you must label it, then research it. your path is yours alone; though some sections may be well worn, there will come a time when you will have to blaze your own trail.
In my part of the US, pagan is an established religion with clergy that can legally perform marriages. A "Church" is called a coven and you must display yourself a functional fit to be accepted by the group. A coven is a profoundly intimate association, and they have regular observances scheduled around the cycles of the moon. A person navigating nature alone is ,more of a mystic than a pagan.
I've spent 6 years bumbling around in Paganism. End result was a period of time where I honestly couldn't figure out the difference between what I believe, what I want to believe, and what I have been told is true. Save yourself some time and write a list of things you believe. Afterlife, number and nature of gods, morality etc. If it fits in a religion, cool. If not? Whatever. In my opinion, you CANNOT pick a religion. You can only fit into one.
