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| Author: Posted: Sep. 8, 2002 | This Page Viewed: 7,120,442 |
Question of the Week: 79 - 9/29/2002 Have You Switched Pagan Paths? Did you perhaps start out as a Wiccan and now follow a different Pagan or Heathen path/religion? Have you changed from self-identifying as a 'Witch' to something else? If you have changed how you self-identify under the Pagan/Heathen umbrella, why did you change? Did your beliefs change? Did the Pagan/Heathen community change? What do you think of folks who have switched? Is there currently a real shift into more diverse or selective Paths/Religions within the communities? Will Wicca remain the dominant Pagan religion that it now is? Why or why not? |
| Reponses: There are 110 responses posted to this question. | Reverse Sort |
| The Turns In The Path | Sep 30th. at 12:56:26 pm EDT |
| Floering Desert (Reno, Nevada) | Age: 36 - Email |
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I view my walk through my spirituality the same way as I view a walk through my gardens. The path turns, vistas unflod, the the traveler discovers something new and delightful around earch turn. There are aspects and elements of such great diversity within neo-pagan traditions, that to not learn and incorporate elements of the things you discover is akin to turning aside from a gift freely give out of love from the gods themselves. You court stagnation and entrophy. You could possibly feel as through changing paths is a sort of betrayal, I suppose. While I haven't actually changed my persception of myself or my practices, I have learned, and grown, a great deal. For me, paganism will always be my glowing light as far as my interpretation of spirituality goes. Whether or not it will be dominated by the teachings of Wicca, Shamanism or some other facet of the jewel of neo-paganism, only the gods know for certain. I can tell you, though, that neo-paganism delights in growth, learning, tolerance and the lack of stagnation. In this respect it will endure simply because it will not stand still in it's growth as so many other philosophies around the world have. Walk the Path in light and love! Flowering Desert |
| Yes... Not Really... Um... Sort Of ;) | Sep 30th. at 1:26:14 pm EDT |
| Accuracy (Dollar Bay, MI) | Age: 21 - Email |
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My beliefs have developed and changed over the years a lot, but recently I found that they have always fit a certain path. I didn't choose this path from reading anything, and in fact had no idea that it was my path... this path was Chaos Magic. I have been following it as long as I've been thinking for myself, and yet have changed my path within the bounds of it many times... hence my above answer ^^. -Accuracy |
| Religion Divides,spirituality Unites. | Sep 30th. at 3:00:19 pm EDT |
| Carlos (Tampa,Flordia) | Age: 20 - Email |
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I am going to make this simple.I'm not here to offend anyone,just making my voice heard.I have been studying shamanism for alittle while now.For those who know of shamanism,know that shamanism is not a "religion" but is a spiritual form.Since Shamanism does not define itself by religion,Shamanism can blend in with any religion,regardless of tradition.I once heard someone say,"religion divides,Spiriulaity unites."Shamanism also be the oldest form of any spirituality period of humanity,that says quite alot.The way I view witchcraft is like this.I see all these different traditions under the "wicca" path.Wicca is supposely the "religion of Witchcraft".Witchcraft itself is a spiritual practice.Witchcraft is Mother Natures gift to humanity.I just simply refer Wiccans as Witches for that is what they truly are.Regardless of what path or tradition we all may follow in life,remember,all the roads lead to the same destintation.Dont look for the differences bewteen different paths,looks for the simliarity.9 times out of 10,you will find that most earth based/pagan traditions have more in common than they do differently.Bless Be to all. |
| Personal Growth | Sep 30th. at 3:16:09 pm EDT |
| watrfae (Maryland) | Age: 24 - Email - Web |
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Personally my sense of religion, worship and deity has evovled through my reading, personal experiences and personal relationships. Studying the craft as a pre-teen and learning astrology/divination from my mother I labeled myself as a 'wiccan.' Then as I did more reading and worked with several covens I regarded myself as a celtic-pagan. Now that I work at women's spirituality workshops and am rediscovering my own wise-women lineage I might call myself a kitchen witch and pagan. But these are all words that can barely describe the whole. |
| I'd Call It Evolving More Than Switching. | Sep 30th. at 5:07:15 pm EDT |
| Nightcloud (Minneapolis, MN USA) | Age: 48 - Email |
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Way back in 1972, when I started on this, most of the pagans I knew called themselves Witchs, the word Wicca hadn't been used to the extent it has come to be known today. There weren't any books on Wicca per se. There were books on Witchcraft, Astrology, Magic, theTarot, Metaphysics and a host of Eastern practices. I, like most folks, was in the searching phase, looking for that "something" that would make me say, "Oh, yeah! that's how it is," a light bulb moment if you will. I was looking for a way to open up new worlds of mind and spirit, to go beyond the place humans were at back then, for me, doing this without drugs was important. For a few years I was in order; a witch, a metaphysist, a catholic, (with occultist leanings) and an occultist. None of these things fit right though, they all lacked the personal relationship with deity. Finally, I became a witch that worshipped first Anubis, and then Apollon, about 1981-82 I added Dionysus as well. By the time Wicca had become a much talked about religion, I'd already been dedicated and worshipping for many years. As more and more Wiccans came out of the broom closet, I started calling myself a Pagan, (yeah I did it to differentiate myself from Wiccans). Still I studied and read many of the books on Wicca, Drawing Down the Moon, Spiral Dance, almost everything written by Scott Cunningham, a couple by Raymond Buckland, as well as any thing else that seemed to be interesting. Those things that struck a chord somewhere in my heart and/or mind became incorporated into my personal system. A system which is based first on integrity with honor being of the highest value. I've recently discovered a group of Hellenic Reconstructionists, many of their beliefs and thoughts seem to be much like my own. I've joined this group, however this does not mean that I will abandon those things I've come to enjoy in my religous life, not in the least, I will find more new things which is what I want and I'll add them to my personal system. Always growing, always evolving; this is the basis I think for our time in this life. I think this is the reason many people turn to any form of Paganism in the first place because there isn't one answer for everyone, religion and religous practice to me is like love or even like hate. I firmly think that there is something inside humans that drives them to seek that 'something' outside of themselves, outside of each other, fill some as yet un-named emotional niche. And like our ideas and acceptance of love and hate, religion also evolves, changes with the times, with circumstances, with social evolution and growth. I think there is a very real increase in the number of paths/religions within the pagan community. I think the pagan community is changing, I believe this is a good thing. I think there will be growth pains, there always are. I'm hoping that as Pagans we will not fall into the traps that have plagued the Abrahamistic religions for so long. I think Wicca will continue to be an important part of the pagan community, if for no other reason than it's been here longer, it's been in the news and part of the collective conciousness of the US and other countries for quite a while. However, I think there is a definite growth in non-Wiccan paganism, and I see this as being a wonderful new decade of learning and further enlightenment among pagans. Looking toward an ever brighting future, Nightcloud |
| So Many Choices! | Sep 30th. at 7:52:11 pm EDT |
| Storm's Feather (Russellville, Arkansas) | Age: 16 - Email |
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When i first started studying Wicca and Paganism, it was because i was unsure that what i knew what right. Magick wasn't my intent, but understanding was. I think that is where i turned to Reconstructuralism: Ásatrú, Celtic, Druidism, Hellenismos, and Kemetism Gods and Goddesses are my main focuses. When i talk about Paganism, i usually refer to myself as a Witch, probably because it's an easier term for people to understand than Reconstructuralism. I've changed since i've studied Paganism; now i understand why i've always felt Christians were wrong. A few of my friends and colleagues are Wiccans, and more have open minds now that they understand a little more about it, but Christianity will remain dominate in my community, but not in my heart. |
| No, I've Switch From Using The Term *Pagan* Tho | Sep 30th. at 7:56:38 pm EDT |
| Mave (Oklahoma,USA) | Age: 54 - Email |
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I hid it for a long while. The only other occult practice was when my mother tried to make me a Catholic. Does that count? |
| A Rose By Any Other Name | Sep 30th. at 7:56:51 pm EDT |
| lilith (los angeles) | Age: 33 - Email |
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i am a witch now, and always was, even when i didnt know it, and always will be. the word witch encompasses so much and for me anyway cannot be outgrown. i do not consider myself a pagan, or a wiccan, or a heathen. of course my mother considers me a heathen, but she's a fundamentalist christian, so thats not entirely unexpected. ;) i dont think of what i practice as a religion. religion strikes me as something to believe in, and belief is not my strong point. i practice the craft, i dont believe in the craft. spirituality is experienced, and experienced in completely different ways from person to person. i dont think people who "change" paths are doing anything except evolving and refining their own perceptions. if i had come to my place as a witch indirectly as opposed to how i did come to the point of realization [that is, waking up one day and quite literally looking at myself in the mirror and saying oh my, im a witch!] i would still reach the same place. as it happens i didnt, but there's nothing wrong with making those changes to get to where you want or need to be. |
| Change? | Sep 30th. at 8:00:36 pm EDT |
| Emrys Wledig (Yuma) | Age: 40 - Email |
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Is changing paths really the issue? Or what you may be really looking for is have any of you gown in your faith. Many posting here and all of them make sense, but then doesn't the argument for any religion? Change is an inevitable part of life. The only true constant. Often people seek change for change itself. If one finds the path too rocky, he/she may seek an easier one, or if one finds the path too easy, a more challenging path may be sought. Some of us need our freedom while others require a guiding hand. But regardless of where we are at now, betcha bottom dollar, we ain't gonna be here next year. Like that old popular Soap Opera said: "Like the sands in the hour glass, so are the days of our lives.: |
| Switched From Catholic Craft To True Wiccan | Sep 30th. at 8:36:47 pm EDT |
| April (New York) | Age: 41 - Email |
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I always worshiped Mary, even when I was raised Catholic. I never prayed to Jesus, just God and Mary. Finally I realized I was pagan but continued to follow the Catholic calendar and practice a catholic form of Wicca, I guess you would call it. It has been a long path, one riddled often with guilt and fear. But I have finally come to a peaceful time where I can honor the Goddess and God without fear of retribution. I have also come to truly understand my own pagan views and am able to pass these on to my children |
| Change Is Good | Sep 30th. at 8:48:30 pm EDT |
| Aravan Windwalker (Saco, Maine) | Age: 37 - Email |
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When I started studying pagan paths, I gravitated towards Wicca, as it is the dominant path that most see and relate to these days. But recently I discovered a new path, one that calls me with a very strong voice and great strength. The Order of the Mithril Star, a Druid oriented path, has become a wonderful place of self-discovery for me. I have taken the class they offer and am getting ready to perform the self initiation rite. I have found my home, I have found my place in the scheme of this universe. May You Never Thirst Aravan Windwalker /|\ 1st Degree Druid OMS RDNA |
| Change Is Good - Correction | Sep 30th. at 8:57:43 pm EDT |
| Aravan Windwalker (Saco, Maine) | Age: 37 - Email |
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The link didn't work on my post, so here is the link for more info on Mithril Star. www.mithrilstar.org/index1.htm Thank you Witchvox for such an awesome forum! |
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