Pagens, Wiccan, etc....?

Question

I am FACINATED by your beliefs and have tons of questions! But I will only ask 2 or 3 now since space and time is limited: if I decide to follow this path, what do I need to do? Is there a difference between Pagen and Wicca? If I "become" one of these, are any christian beliefs that I "may" still have out the window?? Serious replies please as I am very serious in my questions! Thank you so much!

Answer 1

hi there. as people have mentioned, wicca and paganism are 2 different things. from what you've written, you're certainly not ready to "become" either, since you don't know enough about them, but that just comes with time, reading, and listening to others who walk the path. as someone said, anyone charging you money, steer clear of. also, anyone who tells you that you need to be naked or do something sexually to get into their group or coven, run away from, because their full of crap (but this doesn't happen often so don't worry) you seem young, and if so, adult covens won't accept you anyway

a great beginner book is scott cunningham - wicca a guide to the solitary practitioner. stay away from silver ravenwolf.

paganism and wicca isn't something to be taken lightly. it would be the same if you were converting to any other religion - you don't do it on a whim because it seems cool. it takes a lot of energy, time and commitment.

check out this link, it tell you about many different religions. find the one that truly fits who you are. good luck on your path

http://www.religioustolerance.org/

Answer 2

First of all, it's Pagan, not pagen. Paganism is basically an umbrella term for all pre-Christian beliefs, including Wicca, although since Wicca is a new religion (circa 1939) it is classified as neo-pagan (new pagan).

Other Pagan faiths include Asatru, Druidry, Traditional Witchcraft (non-Wiccan/common historical), and some New Age paths. They usually entail god/goddess worship, earth/nature worship, lunar/solar worship, rituals, magic, herbology, divination, etc. Some stress one thing over another, for example, one may stress goddess worship and another may stress magic and meditation.

Wicca is a blend of Thelema, Golden Dawn, Fremasonry rituals, with goddess worship thrown in. It is *not* Witchcraft in its truest form.

Real (Traditional--also known as heathen, pagan, pre-gardnerian, non-wiccan, or common/historical) Witchcraft is the oldest form of paganism and goes back roughly 28, 000 years. Therefore, at least in my book, Wicca (or fluffy bunny witchcraft) is in no way a valid Witchcraft Path. Don't let other people or books/sites confuse you.

Paganism, Wicca, or Witchcraft have absolutely nothing to do with Christianity. There are some people out there who try to mix it, but the Bible strictly forbids these things, so their "blend" is a contradiction, and therefore does not work.

Answer 3

Here are some websites that are very helpful.
I'm an Eclectic Pagan which in a nutshell means I have my own beliefs that are a collection of other beliefs as well as witchcraft. Wicca is a fairly new religion since the early 20th century. Not all Wiccas are witches nor are all Witches of Wicca. Same thing with Pagans. Not all pagans are witches or perform rituals and vice versa.
Here are some good sites to read on.
http://www.controverscial.com
http://www.paganspath.com
www.witchvox.com - This is a free site like the others. You can read articles written by pagans and wicca alike. You can find others in your area that you might be able to talk to about your beliefs and get info. Also book recommendations, websites, stores, ect in your area.
If you would like more websites I can send you some other things I keep just for reference.
Blessed be and Peace on your new journey!

Answer 4

If you decide to follow this path, all you need to do is follow it.

Pagan is a more general term, and Wicca is the name of one specific path. I prefer being a generic pagan because Wicca is a bit too structured for me, I could never get into all the ritualistic stuff. I'm more practical about things.

If you 'become' one of these, it's because that's what you are. You believe what you believe, and you should not go about throwing something you believe out the window because it doesn't fit a mold you're trying to get into.

I think it's important to be honest with yourself and find a path that accomodates what you really honestly in your heart believe. Fortunately, pagan and wiccan paths are both pretty flexible and there is a lot of room for different thoughts.

Edit: To clarify, I am an atheistic pagan. I view deities as being symbols and archetypes, not real beings. My spiritual views are more Taoist. Thus I frequently refer to myself as a pagan Taoist.

Answer 5

Is there a difference between Pagan and Wicca?
Yes. All Wiccans are pagan, not all pagans are Wiccan. I am Asatru/Heathen, Norse pagan. We are also considered Reconstructionalist.

If I "become" one of these, are any christian beliefs that I "may" still have out the window??
Your path is yours and yours alone. We ARE polytheist. That is what makes us pagan. Whether that is simply the God and the Goddess or you have an entire pantheon (like me)

hit paganspath.com or message any of us. We are generally willing to answer questions if asked politely.

And double what Matt said. Be careful with mentors and "teachers". There are many out there who wish to take advantage of people. I recommend reading as much as you can from good sources before even looking for one. That way you can see through the bull **** easier.

Answer 6

Well, your first two statements are true and your third statement is marginally true with qualifications... Wiccans, Pagans and Christians may fall under these first two statements, but that doesn't describe ALL religion. Buddhism, for instance, carries no belief in deity. Essentially, however, I believe that the same seed of truth lies at the center of almost every religion, even if the fruit around it is different. I can't tell you exactly what it is, but I think the same mystery can be unraveled by following different paths. -Scarlet

Answer 7

OK dear that's *alot* to take in in one question.
lols, relax alright?
first off, you're almost gaurenteed to get *many* different answers.

For one, there is no "set" path so to speak. Each person has their own that is indefinatly, at least in some small way (if not in a very big way), different than the next person's path.

yes there is a difference b/w Pagans and Wiccans...
at least there can be.
Paganism is more of a blanket term, so to speak.

If you do decide this is where your path lies, you can still have some Christian Ideals. But you can't actually "mix" the two.

It's great that you're so enthusiastic about this, and I understand wanting to get started. But first try to read everything you can, and don't just accept any writer or website's word as absolute truth.
Also, as a bit of general advice, I'd avoid the writings of Silver Ravenwolf altogether.

Here's one site that's excellent if you want to look into various paths and if you're very committed to the idea. You can start a free, one year course && look at *many* paths, histories, etc. as well as find some people of various practices to talk to;

http://www.magickaschool.com/

Good luck on your path, whatever you choose it to be!
Blessed be!

[[p.s. don't let anyone tell you that you *have* to join a coven, many people work better as solitaries and there's absolutely nothing wrong with either choice.]]
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*edit*
i noticed one ignorant answerer mentioned something about needing to participate in rituals (I'm assuming that's what he meant...) nude. This is absolute crap, many Wiccans and Pagans recognize nudity and sex as something beautiful and natural- something not to *have* to hide. But that by no means suggests that you NEED to share that aspect with those in your coven, etc.

Answer 8

You should just go to a pagan or wicca group and try it out, just like you would visit a new church. There are just as many kinds of pagan and wicca as there are churches (lots and lots). Each is a little different. Get some of starhawk's books and start doing altars and rituals and stuff. see if it works for you, if it meets your needs. basically start practicing the religion. you really don't have to give up or have any certain beliefs to participate in anything. start learning about it and see if you like it.

Answer 9

Well I know the difference between Pagan and Wiccan is that Wicca is a Pagan religion but a Pagan religion is any religion that isn't Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism. It's basically any that aren't practiced by a large enough number of people.

Answer 10

Hello, although I'm not Wiccan, please allow me to answer one of your questions:

"Is there a difference between Pagan and Wicca?"

Yes. While Wicca IS a pagan religion, a pagan isn't necessarily a Wiccan.

You see, a pagans are anyone who do not believe in the Christian or Jewish God.

Example: Both Hinduism & Buddhism are pagan religions because they do not believe in the Christian God.