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| Author: Posted: Sep. 8, 2002 | This Page Viewed: 7,123,149 |
Question of the Week: 100 - 2/24/2003 Why Are You A Pagan or Heathen? Why are you a Pagan or Heathen? What first attracted you to the Pagan/Heathen religion or path? How or where did you find out about Paganism? How long have you considered yourself to be a Pagan/Heathen? What is the most satisfying or meaningful aspect of the Pagan/Heathen religion, path or lifestyle for you? |
| Reponses: There are 142 responses posted to this question. | Reverse Sort |
| IT'S WHAT I AM | Mar 2nd. at 12:46:14 am EST |
| Peggy Cunningham (Versailles, KY USA) | Age: 46 - Email |
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There was no choice. I was raised Christian, but never felt it made any sense or was right for me. I found out there was a religion called "Wicca" three years ago, and after intense reading and studying ever since have concluded that I am some type of Pagan, probably a Kitchen Witch who leans heavily toward all things Celtic. I can't help it. It's like being born with blue eyes - it was never a choice for me. I simply found out that what I believe does indeed have a label. The Great Creator is alive, an energy force including all, male, female, all the elements and surrounds me 24/7. (My opinion) . I experienced deep satisfaction when I discovered that other people felt as I ded and made friends through some of the Pagan web sites. "Perfect love and perfect trust", and for me, "complete satisfaction". Krystall |
| On The Right Path | Mar 2nd. at 2:25:57 am EST |
| Storm (Michigan) | Age: 24 - Email |
|
I was raised catholic kind of. At least my family was catholic, but the only time I went to church was when I visited my grandfather, or one of the major events came up. (Wedding, Funeral, or Baptism.) My mother never really wanted much of an influence on me or my younger brothers faith. She did however dictact what was right and wrong in the real world. Tried and teach us some sort of common sense. Never knew much about Witches or Witchcraft except for superstition or what was taught about Halloween. Until I was about fifteen. When I was fifteen I discovered a group of my friends had started a small coven, and where researching various aspects of the craft. I took interest and they initiated me as a "grey" witch. One of neutral interests as they said. I later came to the personal beleif that color had no representation of your path, however there are a few paths to this day that still use color. This coven I initially joined was kind of childish I think, and most the others thought too. For the coven didn't last very long. Some of the actions they took weren't very witch like, I'd be comfortable saying. But some of the herbological studies, and interests in nature or enhancing one's psychic abilities were quite strong ammongst some of us. But once I had moved away from the area, months after my initiation, the coven collapsed. Most converted back to christianity, some just went independant thinking as I mentioned before. One of the members who converted back to christianity was so convinced he allowed Satan into his soul that he commited suicide a while later. My studies continued quietly and independantly for several years after. The only time I ever exposed myself was to a Wiccan woman of interest. Which backfired, she thought I was saying it just to chase tail. It was a year after that, that I let any of my dearest friends know. And here I am now, with a few friends who are Wiccan and/or Pagan interested in starting a coven. |
| It Was Magick! | Mar 2nd. at 3:07:10 am EST |
| Dana (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) | Age: 35 - Email |
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Raised hypocritical Roman Catholic, failed miserably in religion class at Catholic school, shunned by the church congregation and school officials ... these were my experiences growing up seking faith. Thankfully the goddess wrapped me in her embrace when I was young as her guidance provided me with a way to survive childhood. I have been proclaiming my heathen ways for 15 years now. It is such a relief to belong. It is so empowering to worship as I see fit. Paganism is not only a spiritual choice but a complete lifestyle. It's a beautiful thing! |
| Paganism Always My Path | Mar 2nd. at 8:10:10 am EST |
| Foxheart (NH) | Age: 23 - Email |
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First of all I guess I am a Pagan because I consider myself Ecclectic Wiccan and as far as I know most Wiccans consider themselves Pagan even though lots of Pagans don't consider themselves Wiccan. So here goes my story. As a child I was always very creative and had a vivid imagination (still do) . I had tons of imaginary friends (besides real ones of course) and would talk and chat with them just like real people. I also spent a great deal of time out doors pretending to be Wonder Woman (remember the series, her real name was Diana) , She Ra, Princess of Power, and various and sundry animals including deer and wolves. Sounds like I'm crazy, no? Well maybe I was a nutty child but it gets better. When I got a bit older and could explore the trails behind my neighborhood I would make "cures" and "concotions" from things I found in nature. I would never eat them but I would pretend they cured my imaginary friends. Also I was always picking up sticks and rocks and using the sticks as magical wands. I hadn't the faintest idea what Paganism was at this point. I was still going to CCD classes at my parent's Catholic Church and still learning about Jesus from my grandmother. Then I became a rebel. I don't remember exactly how it came about but I remember taking home a booklet from my middle school about the Salem Witchcraft Trials. Inside it had a shortened version of Arthur Miller's "The Crucible." Well I read this over and over until I wore the booklet out. I just had to learn more! Always an avid reader I hied myself to the bookstore and wandered. Lo and behold they had a New Age section. I picked up a book on Celtic Magic by DJ Conway. I read this. It seemed cool but didn't make much sense to me because it used all these terms like widdershins, athame, and censer that confused me. Later I got a deck of tarot cards and did a reading for one of my 8th grade teachers. She told me that it was uncannily correct. At this point my parents were somewhat aghast at the idea of their Catholic-raised daughter dabbling in things the Church found "unholy." Then I found Dan and Pauline Campanelli's "Circles Groves and Sanctuaries" and I was in heaven. Holy Mother of God there were people out there that actually did this magic stuff on a daily basis! It was not until many years later that I actually decided Wicca was my religion. Only recently have I had a personal relationship with Goddess and God but it is very satisfying and beautiful to me. Luckily my parents have accepted the fact that my religious path gives me all the strength and comfort that their religious path gives to them. My mother still wishes I was a good little Catholic girl but I think she feels better knowing that I at least believe in something and have a spiritual life rather than believe in nothing at all. |
| I Am What I Am | Mar 2nd. at 8:29:56 am EST |
| Glenn Farquhar (Massachusetts) | Age: 37 - Email - Web |
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Because I have been all my life, i Have looked at other beliefs, i have wondered about those people who go to church every week, i've even ventured into their churches trying to see, to feel, or just get a glimpse of what they see. but their reality is scary, they are trapped within theirselves, their energies don't flow, their belonging is only chaneled through one person, who tells them how he thinks they should be and live. they are blind to the energies, the animals, and the conection they have to their surroundings, blind faith. Being who I am I feel the flow of energies every second of the day, I am never lonely for nature whispers to me assuring me I am never alone, This is why I am pagan. |
| Friends | Mar 2nd. at 8:53:13 am EST |
| Pauline Vos (The Netherlands) | Age: 14 - Email |
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Two years ago I became a Pagan. At least, I began to study Paganism but I did not perform many rituals or spells, because I think it is dangerous for me to perform rituals that are beyond my skill. The actual reason why I became a Pagan is the fact that some of my friends were Pagan. Well, that is what they called themselves because they thought witchcraft was 'cool' actually they did not know much about it. One day I went to my best friend's house and she said we should watch The Craft, a film about wicca, because she thought it would be cool to get involved with witchcraft. I did not like the film much, I must admit, because it all seemed quite fake to me, and I still think that it is not possible for people who performed witchcraft for about half a year, to light a candle with a clap of their hands...=| But Kirsten (my best friend) insisted on studying wicca, so I joined her. Her interests were mainly going out to the envoking of spirits and more of the dangerous things. After a while I read a lot about the fact that witches were involved with nature and I thought that was very good, and I began to read books. I recognized stuff I read in the books when I walked outside and I began to feel the magic, and see it around me. I noticed also, that from the moment that I began to believe in Paganism, I felt very happy and relaxed and I was less stressed than I used to be. But unfortunately, because of all the schoolwork I have to do, I have not had much time to study Paganism for a while. Then I noticed that my happiness began to wither away drastically. Until one day I had to do a report about life in the Middle Ages and my thoughts immediately went tom witchcraft. That was a very, very good turn. I feel more happy now than I have had in quite a while, and it brought me back to my religion. So now Paganism has caught my interest for the second time, and this time I will not let it slip. |
| Wanderer Finds What She Was Looking For | Mar 2nd. at 9:49:53 am EST |
| Heidi (Port St. Lucie, Florida) | Age: 29 - Email - Web |
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I was raised by Atheist my parents. My mother was raised as a Catholic and my father's parents rejected their own Catholic upbringing so Dad wasn't raised as anything. As a child I was baptised Lutheran to make my maternal grandfather happy. I went to church with my God parents one time. I was not impressed. Long and boring is all I remember of the experience. So upon moving to Florida at the age of 8, I no longer had anyone wanting to take me to church. Religious beliefs were never discussed by my parents, except to make fun of one group or the other. As a teenager, I started to wonder what it was all about. My best friend at the time was a Fundamentalist Christian. So I fell into Christianity for a few years. I found it stiffling. So I started studying Buddhism. This didn't feel right either. Then I turned to Hinduism. Still didn't feel right. By this time I was no longer a teenager. I had heard about "Witchcraft" when I was a teenager but was afraid to look into it. I had almost bought Raymond Buckland's Completer Book of Witchcraft but something told me not to. I know believe that I wasn't ready for it. My first Wiccan book was Raven Grimmasi's Wiccan Magick. I devoured it in a few days. Next I moved to Scott Cunningham. After reading his books I knew that I had found what I was looking for. Now I have been studying and practicing Wicca for 6 years. I have never felt more complete and in tune with the Universe. Sounds a little goofy but is absolutely true. Thanks for the opportunity to share. Heidi a.k.a Mist |
| Poet2poet | Mar 2nd. at 10:08:54 am EST |
| Joyce (Arizona) | Age: 54 - Email |
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I was raised a Catholic and never could GET IT! When I grew up I searched for a long time for a faith, a feeling that i was connected to the universe and all it's creatures...........ones you could see and ones you couldn't..........and it wasn't until I started looking into Wicca that I felt really at peace, like I was truly one with all living things. I feel accepted as a beautiful person, a woman with gifts to give to everyone and especially myself. I find paganism to be the answer to ALL! I have friends, a lover, a fabulous life. I am at one with ALL. The Goddess ia alive and well and lives within my heart! Blessed Be! |
| Practicing Wiccan | Mar 2nd. at 12:48:11 pm EST |
| Tricia Akins (Abilene Tx) | Age: 28 - Email |
|
I love being wiccan, I mean I love everything about it. I was raised baptist and I really never felt comfortable sitting in church. I was always antsy I never could sit still. It made my mom so mad at me, but I couldn't help it .I couldn't wait to get out of there. I pretty much had religion cramed down my throat all my life. So when I heard about wicca I decided to study and learn about it and I love it. I love that I don't have to sit in a church to worship. I can be at home skyclad or what ever I feel comfortable with and never think about what sin Im commiting or not.I can focus my energies on something else.More worth while things like nature and astrology. Infact my husband is just starting to learn more and more everyday and he loves it just as much as I do. |
| Practicing Wiccan | Mar 2nd. at 12:50:13 pm EST |
| Tricia Akins (Abilene Tx) | Age: 28 - Email |
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I love being wiccan, I mean I love everything about it. I was raised baptist and I really never felt comfortable sitting in church. I was always antsy I never could sit still. It made my mom so mad at me, but I couldn't help it .I couldn't wait to get out of there. I pretty much had religion cramed down my throat all my life. So when I heard about wicca I decided to study and learn about it and I love it. I love that I don't have to sit in a church to worship. I can be at home skyclad or what ever I feel comfortable with and never think about what sin Im commiting or not.I can focus my energies on something else.More worth while things like nature and astrology. Infact my husband is just starting to learn more and more everyday and he loves it just as much as I do. |
| It Came Naturally | Mar 2nd. at 1:26:34 pm EST |
| Kathleen (Dayton, OH) | Age: 47 - Email |
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I suppose I have been a Pagan all my life...my parents never really tried very hard to keep me "in the church". My grandmother seemed to take on the resposibility for my "religious" affiliation, and yes, she occasionally took me to church - and pointed out all the beauty in the stained glass, the wall hangings, the gardens. The gardens were our favorite. She had extensive gardens of her own, flowers and herbs and vegetables. She taught me how to nurture life, care for its needs, and admire and utilize all its beauty in the spaces of her gardens. She also taught me to respect nature and honor the earth...she told me stories of her mother's home, Ireland, the faery, the leprechaun and the spirit...and in her garden sat a statue of a beautiful woman, surrounded by the most glorious of her flowers and vines. My grandmother was a Wicca - never out of the broomcloset, not even to me. She passed me onto a friend who taught me the basic Rede and Rule when I was old enough to understand. She threw in a bit of divination, protections, kitchen witchery and cats before she passed into the Summerlands. The rest came naturally to me as I grew in the ways of respect for the Old Ways, and with a lot of study, learning (because they are definately two very different concepts!) and practice. I have grown into a Solitary, just as my mentors were, and the Path is beautiful and rewarding to me. The calm of my own gardens gives me ease. The beautiful Lady is no more a statue, but Someone with Whom I choose to share my life and to love and worship, as well as the Lord she loves and brings forth. I practice Ritual, Sabbat and Esbat in privacy and peace and love...and as my grandmother, honor those who have gone before and still remain. I use my Power to heal, all life with which I am presented. And in Healing, with Power, I find my greatest joy. Blessed Be! |
| To Love And To Obey??? | Mar 2nd. at 1:32:20 pm EST |
| mary (ohio) | Age: 26 - Email |
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I was raised a fundamentalist Christian.... but i always had ideas and theologies of my own... i stiffled them to avoid confrontatin with my dad (and i still do) . I followed the Christian pat as a normal American teen would, meaning i went to church with my parents... didn't have sex, drink or smoke because i was afraid i would go to hell. i never understod why my mom, who was almost raped by a pastor, was beat in the name of Jesus and was so submisive to my dad but she still went to church. Then i went to a Christian University. At the University, my first semester was filled with Church, prayer groups and being "filled" with the holy spirt. I fell in love, he was/is a Christian, but like me, he was raised by the same kind of parents but his parents were worse, at least mine treated me like they loved me. But it's not the Churches fault and thankfully i know more "good" Christians than "bad. We began having sex and got married I even said "to love and obey" because i knew how the family would feel if i didn't. I've always thought the woman should be equal with the man, not better, just equal. I'll my life i have watched submissive woman and i could never understand why they let someone else control them. I grew up on a farm and have always been close with nature. And i've always wondered why Eve was punished for wanting to know the truth, when the Bible always preaches of knowing the truth. one day, bored at home, i was surfing the net, i'd lost all faith in just about everything. And somehow i ended up on a site... like i was lead there... it had a link to the Celtic connection and i began to read (in 2000) ... feeling my hope and faith rise up in me like it was ment for me. I studied for a year.. diging threw good and bad sites, learning... finally one day we were having some serious money problems like we had always had and our prayers to the Christian God just werent and never were answered. I did a spell... it worked miricles it felt good and i didn't feel that submisivness i had always felt when i prayed as a Christina... i was finaly working With God not begging him to do something for me.....and i never looked back. Looking back... i never recall having any of my Christian prayers answered.... most of my "spells" work.... not that it's about getting what you want... but it's nice to worship someone who listens. Even mom and dad say yes every now and again if they think you know best for you. |
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