Pagans, since stepping out on the pagan path, how has your approach or beliefs changed?

Question

When I first started out I persued a wiccan path, mainly because at the time that was the only one I could find anything about. I met some really lovely people and learned a lot, but after about 5 years I came across druidry, which spoke to me much more, although it is very similar in many ways. I have now followed the druid way for about 10 years, and of course as I have learned more I have changed my practices slightly but I believe most of us change as we grow anyway.
How has your path changed, or has it stayed the same all along?

Answer 1

Diane, I began my Wiccan life as a Gardenarian, in a coven setting. I found that to be TOO similar to what I had experienced as a Christian. Someone in authority, dictating what and how I should believe and practice my Worship. I left coven craft and explored a lot on my own, Yes, even druidry *smiles*.

I Always felt the attractin for worship within and among the Natural world. When I discovered Green Witchcraft, it spoke directly to my spirit. It and I clicked right from the beginning and as I progress more and more along this path I find that I am and have ALWAYS been a Green Witch. My relationship with the natural world and my familiarity with herbs and minerals makes me a perfect fit for Green Magick and it for me. From the time until today, I have become closer to the Earth and to Goddess and God and all of the plant and animal spirits that exist. I have learned to work WITH them rather than force them to work with and FOR me. My relationship with ALL of creation has become so strong that I am unable to visualize myself as following any ohter path.

BB,
Raji the Green Witch

Answer 2

Just like you, I started on the Wiccan path and for the same reason. It was the only one readily available to the public, while other Pagan Paths were being kept within smaller communities and written about on the same level. After I go into my 20's I moved on from Wicca and started studying individual paths of Paganism: Egyptian, Greek, Celtic... it was the Celtic Path that called to me moreso than any other. Recently I've made a connection with another Path that is very much like my present one... but I don't like "jumping the gun" on these things, so I will study some more and see where this connection goes.

My approach to these things has never changed. I have always believed in being Honest with myself and I try not to take things for granted. I study what I can, refer to Historical references and writings and I try not to get caught up in the more modern mixtures of these things - as they aren't always directly from Historical writings or the research isn't done completely. A good example is a lot of people seem to think the Maypole was done in places like Ireland and Scotland.... connecting it with all things supposedly Celtic, yet History has shown me it was mainly only done in England. (I still like the Maypole though lol) But this is what I mean by being Honest with myself... I don't include it by saying it was Always part of the general Path, when it wasn't. =)

Answer 3

Since becoming a pagan some years ago, I have tread lightly on Mother Earth, and have been walking the walk not just talking the talk, about protecting Her.

I stuck my little toe into Wicca and then withdrew it. It has too much of what I can't wrap my brain around, and that is what FEELS like a belief in deities that are separate, named entities. I went to traditional Witchcraft, and eclectic Witchcraft, and hedgewitch craft, all of which I study and follow. The path veered for me to the Craft, but it had to be real to me, and it is what I make it.

Bright Blessings,
Lady Morgana )0(

Answer 4

I went from "Old Ways" to Wicca to Deist over a 10 year period. Druidism was something I thought was really cool until I realized that neither Druids nor Ovates wrote anything down before the roman Catholics wiped them out. In fact, the only thing we really know about them is what was written by roman soldiers and what the soldiers said wasn't very nice. (evidence of human sacrifice and such) It led me to understand that modern day people who claim they are "Druids" are frauds at best.

I fell out of love with Wicca for the same reason I hated Christianity - The Wicca people I met almost always did the opposite of what they supposedly believed. Fluffy bunnies aside, the core environmentalist groups basically believe humankind are a cancer to the planet. It makes aspects of the God and Goddess pointless if you consider such a banal existence.
I dunno if this is a helpful answer but, that is how my path changed.

Answer 5

did no longer understand Pagans try this. yet as for me I say confident I do settle for the different pagan paths. Sound like some pagans been had spend too lots time listening to Christians and that they think of their course is the impressive course. there no such ingredient as a real non secular course. You the two choose to be Pagan or no longer. all of it as much as you. i've got self assurance interior the Greek and Roman gods too. i are conscious of it is the impressive course for me yet is it the impressive course for all people who's conscious of. i do no longer rather care if human beings have an identical perspectives as me or no longer. As long they do no longer call my gods demons or say they are evil then i might won't get indignant. I chosen to no longer choose I tutor comprehend while comprehend is due. as long they comprehend me i would comprehend them . I purely isn't chaging to delight absolutely everyone the two. no longer even they burn me at stake which could be unlawful now.

Answer 6

Since I started on the Asatru/Forn Sidr path years ago, I have slowly divested myself of the Wiccan and Hermetic influences in my practices to return to a purer form of the Northern European ancestral religion.

This is not to be derogatory to Wiccans or Hermetic practitioners. Their path is equally valid for them, and I applaud their search for truth and enlightenment, and I did try to work a compromise when I was at gatherings with them. However, my religion is not Wiccan. Moreover, I find a better connection to my ancestors if I do things their own true way.

Answer 7

Diane:
I started out as you did, because, when searching for info on such things, you either get the really "bad" books or general Wicca books. Scott Cunningham was one of the very first I read alot of. Ove the years, my own wisdom, motherhood, comming into adulthood,& experiences have shaped my Beliefs & now I simply consider myself an Ecclectic Pagan. THe beliefs are strongly there, but I do not find myself practicising much, if at all. I think as I grow older, I will become more intimately intwined w/ my beliefs & ideas & will pursue such things then, such as a Pilgrimage to Avalon/Glastonbury. For now, my comfort in my beliefs & the Goddess are all I need. Thanks for putting this one out there! Brightest Blessings!

Answer 8

I find that I'm actually coming full circle. When I first got into paganism over a decade ago, one of my main interests was shamanism. Over the years, while I primarily focused on totemism and animal magic, I also explored (briefly) Wicca, Chaos magic, and several other areas of study and practice.

These days, as I feel the need to settle down, I'm coming back to (neo) shamanism, and am in the process of creating a more formalized path for myself. (If you're really curious, you can see my progress at http://therioshamanism.com )

Answer 9

i don't think of my beliefs have changed as much as evolved. i started out with wicca just like a lot of people, but never really embraced it fully. as i've grown and learned, i've refined my beliefs and they don't fit into any established tradition, so i refer to myself as just 'pagan'. i used to use the term 'witch', but have stopped out of respect to the real witches who have a much deeper knowledge of their lore than i could ever acheive. i still use a lot of wiccan ritual practice because i find it effective, and because the greater majority of my friends use wiccan ritual forms. many people i know from other paths participate in wiccan ritual with us when we're all together because everybody knows the wiccan system, so it's something we can all share despite our various beliefs.

Answer 10

Greetings!

The Path does not change, only ones view from it.

/!\