One more question, well, two really, but I'm going to put them in the same question.?

Question

Are a heathen and a pagan the same thing? I mean, they said that a pagan was a follower of a nature religion, but then someone used the word heathen and I don't want to use it incorrectly.

And, also, is it okay to say "magic" or is that disrespectful and you need to say "magick" instead? The k looks funny to me, but I could probably get used to it. Or are they the same thing and it's just a preference thing?

(Sorry for all the questions today. I'm up to three already!)

Answer 1

Heathens follow the path of Norse mythology.
The belief can fall under the paganism umbrella.. most heathens prefer that title to the one of pagan, however.

Some ceremonial magicians might be a bit upset at the use of 'magic' versus 'magick' (the k was used to distinguish from stage magic), however, most people are pretty laid back and don't go jumping on newbies or those who don't practice for little things like that, and some of us just use the regular spelling anyway.

No need to apologize, it's called Yahoo Answers for a reason :)
without your questions, we'd have nothing to answer ;)

Answer 2

I personally think that Kallan answered this wonderfully! I just wanted to add a bit to the "Magic" and "Magick" part...

When I teach the basics of magic I cover this in my class and in my book... this is directly from the book okay.

_______
Let me address real quickly, this magic and magick thing. You know the magic with a ‘K’ on the end. It has become something of a common thing to see the magic with a ‘k’ on the end, when reading things dealing with Wicca or Paganism. I am under the impression that this came about to differentiate between real magic; that which is used by mages and sorcerers, over illusion magic; that which is used by great Magicians such as David Copperfield and others of the big stage, with smoke and lights, and scantily clad assistants. The magic of illusion is referred to as simply magic, no k on the end in the Pagan world. The magic that is NOT illusion, but real, and practiced by mages and Witches and many Pagans alike is magick, magick with the ‘K’ on the end. The ‘K’ on the end lets the reader know that it is real magic and not the smoke and mirror type of magic that is being referred to. Well, if you will notice, I have mainly used the magic with NO ‘K’ on the end here, and the reason being, is because I think that you, the reader, is smart enough to know that I am not talking about illusion magic, but of real magic. Also, I have come to note that many more Traditional Witches frown on the use of magic with a ‘k’ on it; they see it as ‘New Age’ and Wiccan, not real Witchcraft. I did not say that I see it that way, or that some, and not even all, Traditional Witches see it that way, but the fact is that some do. So when I speak of magic within this book, unless I am making reference to illusion magic, I am talking specifically about real magic, no ‘K’ needed, all right? You are intelligent enough to know what I mean when discussing magic I will assume.

On a side note, I have also discovered that Alistair Crowley is thought by some to have added the "k" to the word magic, because it changes its numerology and the dynamics of the word with the "k" added. Through my own studies over time, I have also read from time to time that magic with the "k" on the end is actually an old world spelling of the word, and that in modern times the "k" was dropped. This would make it kind of ironic that in our modern day something with the "k" on the end now makes it New Age.

Whether you use the term magic with a "k" or without a "k" on the end makes no difference to me. I found that some of my students prefer the "k" because of the connotation; the feel of the word when they see it with the "k" on the end, there are other students of mine that value the numerological depth of the word with the "k" on the end. Then there were other students that liked the more basic and simple form with no "k". No matter how I see it, the way you use the term is up to you. I believe that as you learn and grow, your reasons may change for whichever version of magic or magick you use in your personal writings. However when actually in practice there is no difference with or without a "k" for nature knows what magic is and has no need with or with out the k.
_________________

Ellis, I have to say that I personally am touched deeply that you asked an honest question and wisehed to learn about this in a respectful and honest manner.

Oh and as for a little more on the Pagan and Heathen thing... this is actually a decent account:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heathen

Warm Blessings

Answer 3

Kallan's got it spot-on. There's a few Celtic Reconstructionists who are favoring the "Heathen" label as well (for pretty much the same reasons), but it's still almost entirely a Nordic/Germanic thing.

And no real worries about the "k" - there's a lot of Pagans (myself included) who don't bother with it either, and just call it magic.

Answer 4

"Heathen" usually refers to Asatruar (Norse heathenism) - my understanding is that the Asatru prefer "heathen" to "pagan".

"Magick" is an affected spelling that some people like to use in order to differentiate what they do from "sleight-of-hand" stage magic. My personal opinion is if the person you're talking to doesn't understand the difference between stage magic and spellwork in the context of a conversation, a "k" isn't going to help any. I personally don't use the "magick" spelling.

Answer 5

Well I was going to answer but, between Kallan and Shewolf, you've had the question answered accurately and beautifully.
)o( Blessed Be!

Answer 6

I think Kallan answered this one beautifully , and just wanted to add......Thank you for your consideration!
Blessed Be!
)O(
Ariel

Answer 7

Your paranoid delusions make for easy conversion to any number of fantastical deity worship scams.
Watch out for religious fruitcakes now..!