What are your personal reasons for wanting to practice paganism/wicca? What brought you to this place in your life? What are a few of your personal beliefs..ex.death, life, god/esses, love, ect.? My reasons foe wanting to practice wicca is that I LOVE NATURE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.......... Sorry about that. I love wicca because it is a one of a kind religion. With very little dogma, if you want to chant and you are a wiccan, you can chant, if you want to practice reiki and you are a wiccan then you are free to do so with out fear that you may be "breaking" a religious law. It is a very free religion. My two main problems concerning wicca are 1. Wicca is primarily (for reasons unknown to me) practiced by scary gothic people 2. Wicca is turning in to a mixing pot of different "practices"...for example...Pretty soon we may see a book on Egyptian Kabbalistic Wicca at barnes and nobles pretty soon, i know that people like to mix beliefs but stuff like "Christian Wicca" and "Luciferian Wicca" are absolutely absurd....sorry for rambling What brought me to this place in my life was my hatred for the disease that IS christianity! And my unfailing love for nature. My personal beliefs are 1. Reincarnarion...which explaines some of my past life memories in Ireland 2. I believe in Free will, but i also believe that the powers that be have unchangeable plans for our lives down the road 3. I believe that all religions sprang from the same seed and that we are just practicing aspects of that "ultimate" unknowable religion 4. I believe that ALL of life is divided between male and female and thus i believe in a goddess and a god from which all other goddesses and gods which are merely aspects of the god and the goddess. I cant think of anything else so..bye bye
HA! I think i may like you more than i thought. lol, sounds like my type of complaint. You seem to have your heart in the right place little brother, you just need the refinment of time. You are farther along then i was at 16, so you have that at least. I think, with age and learning, that you will make a fine pagan man. Sorry for being a prick, its like an initiary thing with me i guess. To explain the Irish reincarnation, the Celts, and others, believed in the split soul idea. That there was the conscience, which is who we are, in the head, and the spark, the piece of life in us all. The two were seperate, but equally needed. The conscience becomes our fetch (spirit) after death, and goes to the otherworld, or one of the ancestoral realms. It can die in the Otherworld, and be reborn here. It is also done along family lines. Not the same as the Eastern reincarnation. But most of the reincarnating is the transmigration of the soul or spark part (the soul/spirit terms are used interchangebly) to other things upon death. It can be in a tree, an animal, or rock. Most of our "memories" of past lives comes from here, and some affinities to certain animals i would think too. But it is a collective shared memorie between our mind and the soul, because though we are ourselves, we are the things that the soul has been as well. I wanna comment more on what you said later, but have to go now. Will add an edit later. Take care lil bro.
I took a break from religion to learn about different cultures and belief systems. During that time (as you know) i had "flings" with Hinduism, Shamanism, Trensendentalism, and Budahism. I went to a monistary in Woodstock, NY yesterday to get a book on Budahism for teens...but it is really not "for me". I tried to do the shamanic visualization exercizes described by Michael Harner but my mind kept on wandering. I tried to pray to shiva but felt that no one was listening. Budahism seems interesting but i need to stick with my european/germanic background. I love paganism/wicca my only problems with them are, as i had said before they have become a mixing-pot of sorts for new-age fanatics and spiritual wierdoes who pervert perfectaly untainted religions to meet their own needs instead of practicing the religion as it was initally ment to be practiced. If Gerald Gardener were here todat i'd bet that he'd be disgusted with the wiccan/pagan society as it is today. It was nice hearing from u heron...continue to write, as your intellect is unmatched so far as paganism is concerned
I'm a subjectivist. I do not believe that all religions are different ways of looking at the same thing. I think they really are completely and totally different from each other, and that people only interpret other people's beliefs in light of their own which is what makes it appear to them to be the same. I think that each and every one of us has our own Truth which lies inside, and which is ours and ours alone, not to be shared with anyone else. My relationship with the divine is a very personal thing, and not something I care to expose to people for their ridicule. I have had some very strong religious experiences throughout my life which for me are self-validating and proof enough that what I believe is true for me. I'm not out to prove to anyone else that what I believe is true for them, because it isn't. They have to find their own truth, inside themselves. I do believe in reincarnation, only because I have very vivid memories of my most recent life, and have had recurring dreams of this person's death all my life. I used to not understand how I could possibly remember something from a past life, if the brain stores memory, and it dies with the body. But now I see it a little differently, that memories are part of our mind, the brain is just a vehicle for them just as the body is the vehicle for the soul. I no longer believe in the dualistic nature of the universe, good/evil, male/female (but I once did). I totally think that is a human invention, just as organized religion is a human invention, with the intent to oppress the people it claims to serve. I believe in anarchy, politically as well as spiritually. I think humans are perfectly capable of living productive, peaceful lives without some institution telling us what to do or how to act or what to believe. And lastly, I believe that human language is not adequate to discuss spiritual matters. I believe that the best we can do is metaphor. And when people take those metaphors literally, it turns the statements about those beliefs into lies. I think this same thing has happened with all the world's religions, with disastrous results.
I'm going through a spiritual shake up of sorts, they seem to happen every eighteen months or so. Am clearly not destine to just stick with something for a long time or at least it must be constantly evolving. Doesn't bother me really, it's all about the journey. What are your personal reasons for wanting to practice paganism? I consider myself Pagan because that philosophy best encompasses my world view which will influence my attitude and life in subtle ways. Am definetly not one for 'practising' by the standard definition; have certainly never cast a spell. I do things because they feel right and make sense, not because some book says to. To be honest it's never really occured to me to question the motivations and such. This is just the way I live my life honesty and intergrity and really what more can you ask. What brought you to this place in your life? I've always felt a draw toward spirituality and studying religions, took a long time to find this path but it was worth it. My parents baptised me in the Anglican church; but otherwise never bothered with religion (they're humanists in denial). Have a very vivid memory from when I was about seven or eight of being stood outside as a thunderstorm broke over our school yard. All the other kids were cowering or whatever, but I just stood there completely alone but feeling such awe and contentment. From then I knew on some level there was a divine power, but was agnostic for years because nothing fitted my understanding and experience. Over the years have felt a draw to certain beliefs, and adopted them to varying degrees. Whilst it clearly didn't work out long term was able to part ways on very amicable terms. There is nothing wrong with any of them, they just aren't for me. Still managed to retain the key lessons from them, in summary ... Jesus Freak/Christianity = It is just is what it is; not the route of all evil or 'one true way' ™ but something at once both and neither. Am sure we'd get on a whole lot better if everyone wasn't such a dick about the whole thing. People who criticise Christianity always come off more of a bigoted jackass (IMO) because they are intentionally or otherwise trying to claim moral/intellectual higher ground but always fail. Humanism = Never swallow anything whole, if you bother to look there is madness and bullshit in everything. There is also a lot of wonder and beauty in life that can be so easily missed if you close yourself to it. Life is to be lived, not rationalised. Nobody has the monopoly on morality. Buddhism = Spirituality should be measured by your mindset and beliefs, not outward pomp and ceremony. I'm still a 'sympathiser'; do agree with the essence of the philosophies, but it still doesn't quite fit me. Wicca = See all of the above, seriously. Guess I just needed a reminder, and a crash course in [forum] debating. What are a few of your personal beliefs..ex.death, life, God/esses, love, ect.? I figure ultimatly we cannot know and explain any of those huge concepts, so really everyone's ideas have equal validity, if only to them personally, and that's OK. We can only do what's right for us. An excellent article that I agree very much with (regarding the druidry aspect) and explains things more cohently that I can right now is this one http://davensjournal.com/DaWaC.xhtml Afterlife There is a Buddhist koan that goes something like this ... "A monk says to his master 'what is the afterlife like?', to which the master replies 'I don't know, I'm not dead yet' " Now I have some theories, but am not going to make outright declarations. We'll all know soon enough. Ancestry Don't get me wrong here; I respect the Greek pantheon, adore Norse mythology ... but they aren't 'mine'. I am British [back to the Anglo-Saxons at least, going by my surname], England born and raised. It just doesn't quite feel right to be worshipping Gods of far off people with a land and culture I've never truly experienced. May not be a Celt by direct lineage, but there is something to the 'collective unconcious' of a place and its people. I can walk the same land, see those sacred plants grow wild, the yearly cycles still turn as they did back then. We are each others people. Fate I think to a degree we make our own fates; there is a logic to the cause and effect of almost everything if you analyse it, and much of that is in our own hands. Will do divination, but it's probably all rather subjective and more of heads up to chains of events already in place then we act on those influences. If you're told your soulmate is a brunette then you're not going to bother dating blondes, right? Am also not very superstious, for similiar reasons. Life Is there to be enjoyed, as a learning experience, and that everyone has some inherent purpose. Perhaps there is a sense of predestination (as much a social construct as anything else), but ultimatly everyone makes their own choices given the circumstances and should therefore be fully accountable. Love Is everything it's cracked up to be. Have never knowingly been romantically 'in love' but there are many other kinds that get a bit neglected. Morality I try to live by the Celtic virtues [Honor, Loyalty, Hospitality, Honesty, Justice and Courage], and have a deep conviction in the 'law of return' (equal and opposite, ala Einstein, where is te logic to being threefold?). I can only truly apply the Wiccan rede in philosophical matter (which is just being open minded really), as a lifestyle thing isn't not cutting it. Who gets to say what is 'harm' anyway? Besides life is not that clear cut, Godamn it some people fucking need a bit of 'harm' now and then. Oh and what if it's a 'them or me' thing with this 'harm' who wins out, we aren't seriously supposed to lie down and let them walk over us because fighting back 'wouldn't be very nice'. Fuck that, give me an axe and let me at 'em. LOL, can you tell I decend from a proud war-like people. Nature Do apparently have pantheist tendencies. Have a great reverence of Gaea [as in the Gaia theory, rather than Goddess per se], will take time to consider and care for nature. I am vegetarian; as a boycot the meat industry really. Honestly not sure I could look an animal in the eye and kill it. Though have respect for those who do, out of necesity and with compassion and respect. Am a suppourter of animal rights, because I cannot see the logic and need behind the inhumanity we bestow on other creatures. In the eyes of the Gods my rabbits and I are equals. Religions [in general] People really need to get over the Marxist consipracy thing, jeez. Yeah maybe religions do have an element of 'repression'; they do deny people their [inalienable I'm sure] right to kill, screw around and work all week. Seriously though, run by me why that's a bad thing. Centuries ago virtually every nation was a theocracy to some degree. It might not have been all wonderful but it happened, so let's all get the hell over it. In light of events recent or otherwise religion has lost it's stronghold on politics, and fills a diffrent need in peoples lives. I have enough faith in humanity to consider them generally intelligent and decent enough to understand the messages, they have the free will to take or leave it, and really aren't so bad. Sex It's a very private personal thing, unless you wanna go on a chat show about it or something. Honestly don't care what people get up as long as all parties give their prior knowledge and consent. There are certain things that squick the hell out me, but ultimatly that's my problem (incest not withstanding because that really is illegal). Don't seriously expect people to censor those any more than I should have to censor mine [though relevant warnings never go amiss]. The Gods I have yet to establish true solid bonds with them, it's still early day. Even so am polytheist. To me the Gods are seperate personalities in their own right. I've never been convinced of this 'all facets of one divine' thing, makes about as much sense to me as saying that seeing as my housemates and I all happen to all be 20 year old female students we must be the same, virtually interchangable, all equally capable of any task set... which is of course total bollocks. Am sure I'll add to this later, but that'll do for now.
you have no idea how much we over hear long for that. You are lucky beyond words sister. I envy you much. Loved your words btw.
What are your personal reasons for wanting to practice paganism/wicca? I started out with Wicca because my girlfriend at the time( who is now my love again) was practicing and I really liked it and I guess it is sort of a thing to get you thinking outside the box... I was 15 and I am about to turn 18. I dont consider myself wiccan anymore... Although she does and I am perfectly fine with that. I have always had a pasion for the woods, nature, and for gardening, ever since I was little I would love to go in the woods with my dad and him tell me all the names of the trees and some of the wild things you can and cant eat. And a lot of Cherokee tales. I feel like I am sort of torn between my Cherokee beliefs and Celtic beliefs because I have almost equal heritage in both... they really dont contradict each other much but I would have to look into it What brought you to this place in your life? Like I said earlier it was probably my girlfriend that really introduced me into all of this. Before her I was just an average country boy Christian type and then I started thinking for myself... Another very "religious" experience for me was in some woods a few miles away. It is a national forest and there is this huge water fall back there off of a cliff. Me and some friends went up there and I sat up there just looking at the beauty of the natural world. And then I jumped off the cliff and when I hit the water it was like I felt completly at home. Like I had been there swimming before and everything(the place was once really populated by Native Americans). What are a few of your personal beliefs..ex.death, life, god/esses, love, ect.? Death... I believe in a life after death where you probably get to re visit your life experiences if you want. I think I will be going to the happy hunting grounds and get to visit my Native American ancestors, but I would also like to see my others. Life... I think evolution for the most part is true.... but I dont worry about anything before humans evolved.. or at least I try not to, because it really doesnt matter. we are here now and thats what should be important. I think there is a meaning in life and I believe in fate. God/esses... I believe in a great spirit that I usually just refer to as the mother even though I think it is genderless... but I think of the earth as female(as most cultures always have) because I feel from the earth similar energy I felt around my mother as a child... that safe secure warm feeling. I am a Pantheist but I do have my prayers to the divine. I am also an animist I believe strongly in local nature spirits and such. Love... is real. I think love is the greatest thing about being a live. That could sound like a bunch of fluff or whatever but thats just the way I see it. Other Religions... I agree with some other people that everyone must find the truth within them... I just really dont like ignorance sometimes when it comes to the Bible... I dont think I am better than anyone but some things people say just get to me and I feel the need to have a debate, but usually thats just useless because people are set in their ways. I dont try and change people's religious beliefs but I think people should become more tolerant to other's.
Thank you For a long time I wanted to emigrate, still want to travel and experience the world but am sure it's what I truly want/need. 'Home' is a state of mind, and for now at least this is where I belong.
You all seem to be on the right path...i am proud of my fellow pagans, my brothers and sisters of the earth
I agree on the nature part totally. I don't feel quite the same anywhere as when I am sitting outside under the stars or walking across the fields by my house. I love watching the seasons pass (right now I am waiting in antisipation for the warmth of spring and the leaves beginning to sprout on the headges!) I came across Paganism not very long ago really (almost a year I think) by accedent. Christianity had never felt right yet I still thought there must be something for me. Also, the freedom and acceptance of Paganism really appealed to me. As for my personal beliefs... well... I believe that all religions can be valid if they are right for a particular person: I am a great believer in religious freedom (unless the religion insites hatred about others). Reincarnation also makes much more sense to me than a simple afterlife where the good are rewarded and the bad punished. Basically, It feels right I have alot to learn and a long way to travel on my path still, but I am happy with the way I am going.
I agree on the nature part totally. I don't feel quite the same anywhere as when I am sitting outside under the stars or walking across the fields by my house. I love watching the seasons pass (right now I am waiting in antisipation for the warmth of spring and the leaves beginning to sprout on the headges!) I came across Paganism not very long ago really (almost a year I think) by accedent. Christianity had never felt right yet I still thought there must be something for me. Also, the freedom and acceptance of Paganism really appealed to me. As for my personal beliefs... well... I believe that all religions can be valid if they are right for a particular person: I am a great believer in religious freedom (unless the religion insites hatred about others). Reincarnation also makes much more sense to me than a simple afterlife where the good are rewarded and the bad punished. Basically, It feels right I have alot to learn and a long way to travel on my path still, but I am happy with the way I am going.
