Wiccans and other pagans, what are some of the most basic things?

Question

that YOU feel that someone practicing your faith should know and be adept in? What theology do you feel is most important for someone to learn? I’m looking for a priority list of what you think would be the foundation of your path. Things such as: a connection with your gods and/or nature, ethics, history, ritual, magic, mythology, trance, healing, divination, offerings, elemental forces, herbal and/or stone knowledge, learn a language, creation myths, beliefs about what happen to a soul after death, etc.

Answer 1

First, different people will have different priorities.

1) I would have connection with the Gods first,

2) Then an understanding of the Mythology including the lessons in ethics that are included in the stories of the Gods.

3) As a Hellenic Reconstructionist, I would need an understanding of history/philosophy (which is NOT the same as Mythology -- The Dialogs of Plato and Hesiod's Cosmology fill DIFFERENT roles)

4) Ritual is something that is a visible symbol of faith but of lesser importance. Offerings are something separate as they can be spontaneous.

Magic, trance, divination, healing, herbal/stone knowledge, learning another language..... These are all good things but are not things that are BASIC things for someone practicing my faith.

For a good beginners text about my faith see the following link

Answer 2

I think the most important thing is to read everything you can get your hands on, and meet other pagans. The more points of view you hear, the better able you will be to choose what resonates with you. Never adopt a practice or belief just because someone tells you that you "have to do it this way." You choose your own path, whether it agrees with everyone else or not. Any honest pagan will respect your right to seek your own answers and to honor deity in your way. Each one of us has an aspect that appeals to us, you must find yours. I enjoy numerology, the tarot, gardening, a connection with nature and the earth. I don't know much about crystals, healing, or meditation. Find what calls to you. Don't get into a pantheon just because someone else tells you that Celtic gods are the best, or Egyptian, or whatever. Find the gods that you feel a connection or affinity toward. Read! Think about things. Reading from other religions' texts can also broaden your way of thinking. All learning is good, it helps you to discern what you believe. Good luck and blessed be.

Answer 3

Well i like the 13 goals of a witch.......



1. Know yourself
2. Know your Craft
3. Learn
4. Apply knowledge and wisdom
5. Achieve balance
6. Keep your words in good order
7. Keep Your thoughts in good order
8. Celebrate life
9. Attune with the cycles of the Earth
10. Breath and eat correctly
11. Exercise the body
12. Meditate
13. Honor the Goddess and God.


And i think we need to know our deitys first and establish a connection.( offerings come with this)
Then i think we should get our rituals right.
After that i think we should follow where our souls lead us!
BB
Ariel

Answer 4

Good question. Speaking as a Wiccan...

1) The Wiccan Rede. It's a lot more complex than it appears on the surface: "If you harm none, do what you will."

2) Connection with, and comfort with, the loving and sexual aspects of the Goddess and the God, the dance of Whose love gives life to the universe.

3) A dedication to celebrating the seasonal festivals, or at least acknowledging them; since the universe is the body of the God/dess, being in tune with its rythyms is a profound way of connecting with Them.

4) Understanding the mechanics of ritual, and being able to function effectively as a priest/ess. This includes learning techniques of ritual theatre and trance induction, as well as energy work.

5) History. Understanding where Wicca came from and letting go of the fallacy that in order to be valid, it MUST be ancient.

6) Truly practicing acceptance and even-handedness. This means letting go of hatred/resentment towards Christians or any other faith/ethnic group.

7) The practice of witchcraft, which is a way of working with God/dess and our own will to bring about change.

8) A questioning attitude, and a dedication to learn, even if it takes you outside of your "comfort zone".

Everything else, in my opinion, is interpretation.

Answer 5

It is nice to find someone open to learning. Both terms, Pagan and Wicca encompass many beliefs and paths. I am Wicca and believe in the Deity being a many faceted being. Primarily female in nature. My style encompasses Druid, Celtic, American Indian and Correllian. I feel closer to the Deity through nature, meditation and ritual. Yes, I do spells on occasion, usually directing energy towards healing or occasionally prosperity/money spells. Yes they work because I believe in the out come. I have felt more at peace since I became Wicca in 94. Hope this helps... (I have another ID on this site, Rev. Kaldea) and you can contact me on either if you have more questions.

Answer 6

Here's my basic checklist:

-Learn the mythology behind the seasonal changes (maid, mother, crone, holly king, oak king etc).
-Know the Rede and Law of Three.
-Know the real history of the religion.
-Be able to perform a basic ritual, but more importantly know the REASON behind some of the ritual things.
-Understand the concept of reincarnation+summerlands.


There's tons of other things, but I'm too lazy to type every minute detail.

edit: this is for Wicca by the way, not paganism in general.

Answer 7

Celtic cosmology/worldview, terminology, and reconstructionist methodology are probably the first parts, followed close after with mythology, connection with the gods, and rites/offerings. After that, it's pretty much whereever their interests take them - learning a language (or, at least, giving it a try) is helpful, but not mandatory.

Answer 8

As a Norse "Folktru" Reconstructionist Heathen, I think the main things for us are history, worldview, lore, virtues, cosmology, culture, and thew.

Worldview is the big one. Everything else on the list contributes in some way to "thinking like a heathen."

Answer 9

I believe I can help in one small area(stone knowledge)