I've been looking into paganism as I'm quite drawn to its beliefs. Does anybody have any advice or info?

Answer 1

For starters I am huge on religious tolerance and I am appalled at how little of it I see associated with the answers to your question here concerning the response of the “Good Christians”.

I do not like to stereotype people or groups, but I have to say IF I were a Christian I would be totally ashamed at how condescending and unchristian like most of the answers above are! I honestly thought that Christianity taught to be loving of thy neighbor, to treat others as you would be treated and that it was GOD that was the one to do the Judging and condemning. I am amazed at how many that have posted have elevated themselves to the status of their God and have so easily sat in judgment on the mere fact that this person asked a question and showed an interest in a different spiritual path?

Why do I think that if it were a practicing pagan that was inclined to learn more of Christianity that the Pagans would not have been so totally condescending or judgmental?

Ladette 2 Lady asked: I've been looking into paganism as I'm quite drawn to its beliefs. Does anybody have any advice or info?

Well for starters dear Ladette 2 Lady, most Pagans do not believe in the concept of hell or original sin, but we do believe in taking responsibility for our actions, good or bane(bad). We also tend to be less judgmental of other religious groups because we are often taught to take responsibility for our actions… and in so doing; we are not taking responsibility for the actions of others…

Your question is very vague or generic because there are so many different Pagan type religions. I think that some advice would be to narrow it down to one specific or a group of Pagan faiths that you might research and then find what “Feels” right in your soul.

If you are interested in Wicca, or Witchcraft some of the first advice I give to those that I teach is:

So, you want to be a Witch or you think that you are a Witch? Well, before you can be a Witch you have to know what a Witch really is, right? Well honestly, no, you don’t, but it really does help! It also helps to have a general understand on what Witchcraft is and is not.

So, let us start by addressing the question ‘what is a Witch?’ It seems that there are many definitions of what a Witch really is, and even what types of Witches there are. So, how do you figure out what is right, what is wrong and just what kind of Witch you want to be?

Well, for starters if you are looking for someone to tell you what is right or wrong, then you are in the wrong place because that is something this book is not going to do. “Shadows of A Witch” is not a book that will tell you what to think, or feel, or believe. It has been created as a guide to help you find and create a solid foundation in Witchcraft or Wicca. Only you can discover what is right or wrong or even if there is a right or wrong.

What I will tell you here is to do the research, ask the questions and listen to your instincts, and to what your gut is telling you. Never follow blindly, and always look before you leap. You have a brain, use it. You have natural instincts, we all do, listen to your instincts.

What is a Witch?

There are many definitions of what a Witch is, or is thought to be. If you ask every Witch on this planet what the definition of a Witch is then chances are that you would not get the exact same definition.

What a Witch is, is something truly special, unique and different to each and every Witch. A few most commonly accepted of definitions of ideas of what a witch may be are listed below.

Adrienne Audentia Vanora defines a Witch as:

“A Witch is not of evil pretense or Satanism, but rather one who is in sync with nature, its powers and connections. One who uses magick only for the purposes of good. To learn more or our world and its mysteries. A Witch pays honor to the Goddess and God, who’s Moon and Sun we follow as the Sabbat’s we hold. One who holds the Pentagram sacred and knows of its elements. Fire, Earth, Air, Water, Spirit. Of which all things are. A Witch is someone who respects all around, life people, earth and abides by the one law most important”

Scott Cunningham defines a Witch in his book Living Wicca, a Further Guide for the Solitary Practitioner as

"Anciently, a European practitioner of pre-Christian Folk Magic, particularly that relating to herbs, healing, wells, rivers and stones. One who practiced Witchcraft. Later this term’s meaning was altered to denote demented, dangerous beings who practiced destructive magic and who threatened Christianity. This latter definition is false.”

Another definition of a Witch could be any male or female that practices a religion that has both a Goddess and a God and incorporates magic with in the ritual and in daily life.


Did you know that the Webster’s dictionary definition that was published in 1828 claimed the definition of a Witch is:
•A woman who by compact with the devil, practices sorcery or enchantment.
•A woman who is given to unlawful arts.

Do you realize that the Webster’s dictionary definition that was published in 1913 claimed the definition of a Witch to be: “One who practices the black art, or magic; one regarded as possessing supernatural or magical power by compact with an evil spirit, esp. with the Devil; a sorcerer or sorceress; — now applied chiefly or only to women, but formerly used of men as well. And do you realize that as of 1998 that the exact same definition of a Witch was still in print as was in the 1913 publication of Webster’s dictionary? That is a truly scary thought!

Follow this link to read more: http://thepathofshewolf.homestead.com/072beaWitch_cont.html

Below are some reading resources and links hope they help?

Answer 2

I know this answer is going to be WAY down on the bottom of the list. I do want to apologieze for all the harsh comments you will no doubt recieve.

Here is what i'd suggest. Go to your local barnes and nobles or other book store and pick up a book by either Scott Cunninham or Angela Ly De ( Witchcraft Theory and Practice) Next, Write down what intrigues you about paganism. If "Feminine power, worship of mother earth and the moon" are not on the top 3 Just avoid anything with "WICCA" on it. it will save you time. Next - get on some social networking site, Livejournal Myspace etc... and look for groups of pagans, and see whats going on.

Answer 3

Lovely. Paganism is a broad subject, my dear, and usually encompasses an eco-centric look at religion. I would suggest you go to your local library and browse. Because of the diversity of the subject, you could be anything from Wiccan to a non-denominational eclectic Pagan such as myself. Actually, anything that isn't mainline Big Three (Judaism, Christian or Islam) is technically pagan.
The most imfortant piece of information I *can* give to you though, my dear daughter, is for you to trust your feelings and to trust that of your gut over what your head and heart say. The head and heart will lead you wrong at times but the gut never. It's that nagging feeling that doesn't go away. That something doesn't feel right (or does feel right) thing. That's what you need to listen to when you doubt, not another higher power or a spirit guide , but your own inner voice. Too many paths can lead by deception or fear. That voice will let you know. Even the Big Three are know to lead by fear.
Blessings to you, Dearest, may you find your path.

Answer 4

If I could understand what purpose that Christians serve by trying to convert or stop people from joining other religions I would be able to understand them. But they can't tell you why or what reason they have, so I guess it falls into the blind faith department.

Paganisn or Neopaganism is a growing section of religions that are getting all the people that Chrisrianity scares off. People have had it with the hypocrisy and all the hate speech and they are turning to other religions or becoming Atheists. You have to ask yourself what you want to embrace in your beliefs and then you can follow that to the religion or philosophy that you want.

Are you interested in magick? If so then you can become Wiccan. If you don't want to be part of an active/shared experience then you can become a solitary. There are many many many paths and once you discover your starting point you can follow your own personal path to enlightenment.

The best way to see what you are interested in is to visit the Witch's Voice and find their listings for your state and city's groups and go visit these groups. Go searching the web and see what catches your eye.

Good luck.

Answer 5

LOLOLOL... I love "People Against God And Normalcy" the most.... that's truly the best one I've heard.... too bad there isn't an H is there so they can throw in "Hell" somewhere... LOL

OK... the advice you've been given is actually excellent advice... read, research, and ask questions and you'll find your true path. Good luck on your journey.

Hmmmm... just found I'm not supposed to shave and I'm supposed to dress up like a Jedi Knight. I didn't know that before.... *wondering what a Jedi Knight actually IS*

Answer 6

Look for God in Nature the Cosmos and your Spirit. One God, The One, with many faces. Harmony is the key. Read for yourself the Gnostic Gospels and you will see Jesus had more to tell but the rulers and bishops couldn't stand the competition. So let's burn the books. Oh! or we'll call them forgeries etc.

Wicca is one God/Goddess with many faces but primarily personified with the sun as Father Sky and Mother Nature, The Earth as our mother.

Tend her and her children and she rewards X 3 cause hate and intolerance, disharmony in relationships, society etc. and you receive the same X 3. I see it work all the time.

Read what the church forbids, see what heresies they fought and why. There is where the real answers lie; perhaps lies is more appropriate.

Peace and Understanding

Answer 7

Wow, eleven answers and only two so far WEREN'T "you'll burn in Hell! Read yore Buybull instaid!"? Doesn't anyone know how to live and let live, or at least mind their own business around here?

To actually *address* the question you *asked,* I always recommend starting with the pre-xian beliefs, practices, and myths of your own ancestors, and working out from there. I do regard the godhs of ALL our ancient cultures as real, personally, but the important part is that the stories are what WE tell . . . and the ones that arose from within your own people are likeliest to speak to YOUR heart.

Paganism is a broad umbrella term for almost any form of non-JCI spirituality, and is tolerant of people's individual journies toward revelation and personal truth. Starting with where your ancestors lived and what they believed will give your search focus, and a logical starting place.

Answer 8

Several good websites for learning about Paganism and/or Wicca in particular are:
http://www.witchvox.com
http://www.beliefnet.com
http://www.religioustolerance.org

Also, several authors I would recommend for a wide spectrum of reading to learn more about Paganism, in no particular order, are:
Scott Cunningham
D. J. Conway
Patricia Telesco
Margot Adler
Silver Ravenwolf
Raymond Buckland
Ted Andrews
Migene Gonzalez-Wippler
Sandra Kynes

Best of luck in your learning.

Answer 9

Follow your instincts. Do what feels right for you. Calm your mind, notice your breath, and allow all thoughts to flow. Find the still, quiet voice within and simply listen without judgement, acceptance or rejection.
Breath slowly and deeply.

Your intuition can be trusted. Follow that at all times. Only you can know your true path.

When you trust your instincts, you will find the peace and wholeness you are searching for.

Blessed be!

Answer 10

There are many different belief systems in paganism today. Research. Read. Study the different ideas. Some are completely different from others.