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| Author: Posted: Sep. 8, 2002 | This Page Viewed: 9,204,151 |
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 |
| Born That Way, Too! | Feb 25th. at 12:01:20 pm UTC |
| Kat (Kentucky, USA) | Age: 38 - Email |
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I have always been inclined to the spiritual and the mystical. I was raised in a Christian culture (of course, what American isn't?) . But Christianity never fit me. Even when I was a little kid, I'm talking second grade here, I knew that I was a pagan (of course, I didn't know there was a word for it) . I feel such an intense connection to the land, the universe, my fellow travelers on the Life Path. So, I first decided I was a witch when I was 8 years old. Then, I came and went on the Wiccan path, sometimes feeling devoted to the religion, sometimes ignoring it all together, but "hearing" it in the back of my brain. Finally, at the age of 38 I rededicated myself to the Goddess. My life has been so good since then. I am much calmer, more at peace with myself, more accepting of others, more willing to take career- and education-related risks (as well as other types of risks) . With the help of the Great Mother, I am even making a move to another state to take up writing full time. The meditation and ritual that are inherent in Wicca have led me to be more focused, more trusting of myself. I have become a better, less selfish "seeker". |
| Born That Way | Feb 25th. at 12:39:51 pm UTC |
| Siara (Annapolis, MD, USA) | Age: 42 - Email |
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I'm another "born that way". Spirituality had always been very important to me, but my family's beliefs (Christianity) didn't work for me. It was like there was no connection between the universe as I personally perceived it, the universe I learned about in science classes, and the spiritual structure in which my family believed. I still remember the first time I stumbled upon the Pagan movement. I was surfing the net and there, on a web site whose address I don't even remember, were many of the things I'd worked out on my own. The whole room seemed to become lighter-- I realized my pupils were dilating in an effort to see more. Of course, when I talk about "things I'd worked out on my own" I don't mean the legends of the specific belief systems. But the general concept that the natural world was a reflection of the spiritual world and vice versa has always been central to my understanding of reality. I hadn't realized that someone like me could share the pleasure of sharing sincere philosophical beliefs. What a joy. It makes me wonder, though... how can someone be *born* with religious beliefs so firmly intact? |
| The Right Harmony | Feb 25th. at 1:00:05 pm UTC |
| Anjie (North Dakota) | Age: 20 - Email |
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Why am I a wiccan? It seems lots of people are asking that question lately, or maybe I've just been noticeing it more. I won't get into the whole long story of events that led to me becomming a wiccan. I'll give you the shortened version of it. I loved magic. I learned every trick I could, but it wasn't enough. I wanted the real stuff. I wanted what I now call "instant gratification magic". I was in a book store one day when I found the book "Witch: a magickal journey" by Fiona Horne. I got it and read it by flashlight at night, when I wouldn't be disturbed. I knew my fairly strict Lutheran parents wouldn't like this book. It took me all of a week of nightly readings to read the book from cover to cover. I was facinated. It didn't give me the instant powers I had dreamed of, but it gave me something far better than "pick a card, any card". The ideas in this book spoke directly to my inner logic. This religion fit my "inner song". Let me explain my "inner song". I'm a musician and an artist (not an extreamly good one of either) , and see myself and others in a mixture of song and color. It's wierd, but that's how I see them. For myself, I see my colors change with my age and my moods, but my song is much slower to change. My song, as I see it, explains my world, and the logic that governs it. Anything that fits in with my logic, and thus my world, has a song that is in harmony with my inner song. (I hope that that makes sense) . The religion that I read about in this book had a near perfect harmony with my song. I changed to it privately, and have heard a richer song ever since. Unfortunately, I am a broom-closet witch, and have been for about a year and a half now. My family is fairly strict in their ways, and I don't think they're ready yet to accept having a witch in the family. |
| Choice | Feb 25th. at 2:16:04 pm UTC |
| The Sweeper (OK) | Age: 48 - Email |
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I am what I am by birth and by choice. I have no control over the factors of my birth. I selected neither my failings nor my gifts. However, how I chose to overcome these failings and how I chose to use these gifts of birth is mine. I could hide, cowering from the vengeful God of Christianity, terrified by his mysterious ways. I could refrain from fulfilling my purpose in life because in his eyes I am evil. Or, I could consider what makes this particular God better and more real then any of the others in our Deity strewn History. I have concludes the answer is quite simply, better public relations. When I looked past the public relations I see just another God, and I saw the truth. The truth that, I could look into myself, I could find the center of my spirituality. And find Her there. And once I found Her there, I found Her everywhere. And with Her I find Peace. The Sweeper |
| Pagan/ Heathen | Feb 25th. at 2:40:54 pm UTC |
| Star Devil (Glendive, Montana) | Age: 22 - Email |
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When I was 14 I was introduced in the world of pagainsm. The kids at my high school who were my friends thought it was cool and wanted to learn how to "levitate" and to "cast spells on people." Well, while they had their ideas I went and picked up a book call Wicca: A guide for the Solitary Practioner. I loved it and I realized that the things that they wanted to do and their preconceived notions on paganism were wrong so I started to read more and more. Well 8 years later I consider myself to be Pagan (solitary ecletic witch) . It has been not only a religion or an art but a way of life. I incorporate the ideals into how I take care of myself, my son, my husband, and how I treat others. It has helped me deal with deep seeded issues of my own and helped me learn more about myself as well as the world around me. Regardless of the constant critcism and the fact that my parents still believe that it is "a phase" I finally found something that I can believe in that helps me believe in myself. Love and Light to you all... With Love, Star Devil |
| Family | Feb 25th. at 2:48:05 pm UTC |
| Brenna (Vancouver, BC) | Age: 20 - Email |
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I think I chose to become Pagan because of my family. My father's side has always had an interest in the Occult, so I grew up learning about witches, magic and things that go bump in the night. My mother's side has always had an affection for the Celtic mythos. I decided to learn more about it, and about current witchcraft, and it led me to Wicca. From Wicca, I learned that there are other paths, and many involve the Celtic deities and heroes. So that's where I am now, and I blame it all on my parents. ~_^ |
| I Am Me | Feb 25th. at 2:57:40 pm UTC |
| Dragon (7 W Baseline Rd Tempe, AZ) | Age: 26 - Email - Web |
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I am a "pagan" as it is commonly used to cover all non-mainstream religions. I was raised catholic, and in high school, I started questioning the ideas the church was founded upon. I did not understand them. I did not understand why I got yelled at by a teacher, a catholic, for being prochoice, she said I had to be prolife as I was catholic. THat is when I decided to not be anything. About a year ago, I decided to practice witchcraft. It called to me, reminded me of childhood past where things happened that I cannot explain very well. I had been talking with friends of mine, a wiccan and a solitary eclectic, and well I just decided it was time I did it. I do not know if I am a "pagan" really, as I just don't know. I work with energy, and I work well with it, I have my deities that I work in a partnership with when I need to, I have my friends that help when I need them. I am me, and that is all. I let others define me if they need to fit me into a category, but I do not try to fit into a category anymore. Thank You Dragon of Magickal Paths |
| It Came From A Book...or Two | Feb 25th. at 5:00:28 pm UTC |
| Ratguppy (Honolulu, Hawaii) | Age: 41 - Email |
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Since I was little, I have always been drawn to nature, animals, the moon, the sky, and what was considered "fanciful" daydreams of fairies and other beings. When I learned to read, my favorite stories were fairie tales and mythology from different lands. As I grew older, I also took an interest in astrology, tarot cards, astral projection and other metaphysical leanings...and yet, I considered myself Buddhist, like the rest of my family. I also attended various religious services with friends--Christian, Mormon, other Buddhist sects--but none of them called to me. Maybe it's because I came of age in the "I am Woman, hear me roar" era, but all of these religions just seemed too patriarchal. An epiphany came when I read "God Herself" by Geraldine Thorsten. (I don't think it's in print anymore; my copy is very dog-eared.) This book explained a lot of the Old Religion to me and actually made me feel envious of our ancestors who lived so in tune with the Goddess! Then I began to read more and more books about Paganism and especially Wicca, and by 1998 had decided to become a Witch by self-initiation. To this day, I feel right about my decision and consider myself an Ecletic Solitary Wiccan. I feel as though I've finally come home and that the Gods and Goddesses are my family. I wear my pentacle with pride and though I get my share of rude looks and snide remarks, there are also those who ask questions and lucky for me, most of my family is fairly open-minded, especially my mom. My 19 month old daughter may actually be more pagan than I am...she loves animals (especially cats) and being outdoors, and has been to a few circles with me. She's made friends with our pet rabbit and the chicken and cat next door, communicating with them in a way that I no longer can. I am proud to raise her with the love of the Gods and Goddesses, as well as with some Buddhist teachings (the two religions have some similarities, such as the concept of karma) . Love and Light to All, Ratguppy and the little Ratling |
| Why I Am Pagan | Feb 25th. at 5:21:52 pm UTC |
| Lillian Shipp (Vallejo, CA) | Age: 47 - Email |
|
It started with my great-grandmother she was a witchdoctor in her community. What she did was passed down through the ages to me. I am the one to keep it alive. I have 4 children and two of them have decided that it is the only way to keep sane in a crazy world. I can't say enough about being pagan except I no longer feel compelled to follow with other just for the sake of trying to fit in. |
| Why I Am Pagan | Feb 25th. at 5:38:39 pm UTC |
| Alana (Strawberry Plains, Tennessee) | Age: 23 - Email |
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Becauce I don't agree with Christian or Catholic beliefs. |
| Because It Feels True | Feb 25th. at 5:43:07 pm UTC |
| Lawmage (Louisiana) | Age: 32 - Email |
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I'm Pagan because it is what feels true to me. I believe that the world contains Magick and the Divine is both Male and Female, if not in person than in nature. I believe we are all inescapably linked to the world around us and are responsible for both what we do and what we fail to do. I spent many years as a Seeker and still consider myself to be one. I guess I would be "categorized" as a Solitary-Eclectic Pagan. Still I'm not truly solitary as my wife shares many of my beliefs and I don't really consider myself eclectic so much as I think others are unnecessarily limiting their options...Still, my own personal visualation of the Divine is best expressed in the Greenman and in the "traditional" Goddess. I consider myself to be moderately well educated and by no means a crackpot. To me, many of the fundamental underpinnings of Paganism, Wicca, Heathenism and what have you are "more true" than traditional religions. The Earth is alive, we are part of the Earth, we are responsible for ourselves, the Divine is both masculine and feminine. These things ring true, and they are at the heart of what it is to be Pagan. |
| Because Its Me | Feb 25th. at 6:46:18 pm UTC |
| Brian Coover (Suffolk, Va USA) | Age: 20 - Email |
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I am pagan because almost eleven years ago I found my Aunt's Book of Shadows. I asked her what it was, I was only ten at the time. And I found out she had been a "in the closet" witch most of her life. As we sat down and she was explaining all this about the goddess and about magick, she had told me that she always thought that I was a natural witch. She told me I was a natural empath. I didn't know what that was at the time but she explained, and she was right I felt all those things. This was more then interesting to me. And as she taught me more and more, it felt more right for me. I was orginally a puritian before that. My whole family is, which explains why she was a "in the closet witch". So I already knew what that was, and it did nothing like this did in my heart. I've been pagan for almost eleven years and loving it! Its just hard to find any other pagans in my area. lol The most satisfying part about paganism is its openness, to me anyway, and you can interpert it anyway you like. No overly strict laws. Just the rede (by the way I'm a witch noturnal tradition) . The bliss I find in doing magick and the part inside me that smiles a big grin when I help someone with my magick. And lets not forget about worship! I love to worship my own soul don't you? :-P |
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