Category: philosophy/religion topics
Geia sas/hello. I'm wondering if there are any other pagans here. I myself am a Hellenic Polytheist, meaning that I follow the religion of Ancient Greece and have many gods/goddesses (think Greek mythology). I'm a reconstructionist, though not as much as I'd like to be, and am closest to Hermes. I never proselitise and respect everyone's beliefs, but if you'd like me to post a little about us, I can. Anyway, are there any other pagans around here? Any other recons from other faiths, Hellenic Polytheists or those following the Hellenic tradition in some way? Anyone in or near New Jersey?
I promise that this will be the last time I post in this thread if no one responds. I just figured maybe someone missed it or something. I honestly can't believe I'm the only pagan of any kind on this board... Wow. Not that it upsets me, I'm just surprised. So if there are any of you who are open etc, say hello. *smile*
Hi, I identify as Dianic pagan. I've always felt a connection (probably since I was in grade school) but have only recently found a community to talk and circle with. It's funny: I casually mentioned to one of my younger sisters that we were having Candlemas ritual a few weeks ago, and she laughed in that uncomfortable, unsure what to say, kind of way. I've been joking to people that somehow, coming out of the broom closet is so much scarier than coming out of the traditional one. I guess it's good that I'm pretty used to being "different".
Anyway, it's early days, and I feel like I don't know enough, write enough, practice enough to be "good enough" but it feels real, right, and I'm going with that until the rest catches up. I was a part of a large public ritual last summer and have circled with a variety of people and faiths. For me, the Goddess just feels right.
Good to meet you!
*smile* You've got to do what feels right, so long as you're not harming anyone or yourself. And if you feel drawn to this goddess and she makes you feel whole, then you follow her! And don't worry about not feeling adequate. I've been in my religion for at least five years and I still feel like I need to learn more and don't practise it properly. *hug*
This religion sounds, but I am protestant.
Woops, I meant this religion sounds interesting.
Now that I think about it, I wonder if I should've posted here. It's a small technicality, but wiccan, pagan, I lump us because generally, we all face the same lack of understanding.
What I found out yesterday is that we're everywhere. I sometimes think that I say pagan because it feels like a less hated word. If you say wiccan, witch, there's bound to be some evil satanic accusations thrown at you. I don't much care as long as I'm not kidnapped in an attempt to reprogram me into a straight god-fearing nice young lady. Te he.
Back to the comment about yesterday though, my friends have a bookstore/women's center. I went last night to hang out and make sure they were safe leaving really late after a spoken word event. There were women from so many towns and cities near me - black and white - who were just out of their minds with happiness over all of the ritual supplies, books and homemade incense. It's amazing to really see how connected and out we're all becoming. I really think the pendulum is finally swinging back.
That's cool there's so many of you. Glad you're happy. Oh, you'll only be forced by extremests. No one should though.
Hmm, some how I missed this topic coming through the boards. LOL. I'm currently studying the different Pagan religions. I do believe that I'm Pagan, the beliefs feel more right and comfortable to me than any other religion I've looked into. However, I don't know enough to even say which Pagan religion. Though, I've gotten some ideas; I feel a lot more study is needed before I can feel completely comfortable saying I'm one specific religion. *smile* Hope this all made since...Just waking up.
It made total sense. Some people find their religions right away and others need to look into various ones before figuring out which feels right to them. There are even some who mix pantheons. I say follow your heart. It''s the best guide and will know what's right for you. Good luck and feel free to chat with me any time and ask questions.
Thanks. *smile* I do appreciate the offer. I was raised in the bible belt, and hesitate to find out if anyone local is even looking at Pagan. For those who don't know...As far as I know, this part of the US is called the bible belt do to the percent of the people who are Christian that are here.
here here, tifinitsa! I've just started looking into this, but the Goddess definitely feels right to me, too.
I just wish there was more out there for reconstructionists of the old religions. No offense to those who follow Wicca, but it kind of seems like you guys steal the spotlight sometimes. That, and so many people hear the word pagan and automatically think Wiccan. It's like Christian = Catholic. It can get a little annoying at times. But I feel really good that so many people are choosing alternative paths and that they're bonding and finding happiness there. That's what it's really about, feeling good within yourself, and if you can share that with others why not do so?
Aw, this thread hasn't been updated in over a year? That's too bad, makes me wonder if I should go somewhere else. Anyway I'm Pagan. I guess you could say I'm ecclectic, in that I don't have a main panthion or diety, but love learning traditions from all over. I also identify with the term witch. Although I don't practice currently, I do honor and respect, and am open to magic and believe it is everywhere. I'd love to have some other witches/Pagans to talk to here!
Wow, i didnt know this was here. I am looking in to a pagan path, found an irc server, kinda sat there listened to there radio station and branched out from there to doing some research. I was really confused so looked up on our great friend google the difference of wicca and paganism, i thought there was a difference. Learned better. So, about.com has a great page, with an intro course you can study over. I subscribed to the course. its on all sorts of things, teaches ya about wicca mainly but links ya up with other resources. its an interesting place, and this feels way better than chrstianity does to me. I just cant see the bible not being messed with, i need the orginal tablets and such. and the parts that the church of rome and other people left out. there is a lot btw. find me on twitter.com its lights_rage. hth peace
dianic, or how ever that is spelled, a firm goddess worshiper... and proud of it. someone who likes doing her magic at night, even though, I do much of my things astrally, it's hard to explain... but i've been doing it like that for the past seven years...
Ah, very interesting! I'm not Dianic, (I believe in both male and female energies, although I pay more attention to the female aspects), but I'm intrigued by any kind of astral activity!
There is a difference between Wicca and Paganism. IE, Wicca is a form of Paganism. Paganism is the warship of multiple Gods, and Wicca is the warship of (I believe it's) 3 gods/goddesses. LOL, sorry, not Wiccan; though I looked into it a few years back. :) There is as many (if not more) different forms of Paganism as there is Christianity. Though I agree, since I discovered Paganism about 10 years ago, I feel much more comfortable with it than Christianity. I personally lean more toward Helenic Paganism, (Think Greek panthion), but I haven't completely made up my mind on what is most comfortable.
Not wanting to start any fights; just wanting to clarify. Wicca is indeed just one of many forms of Paganism. For the mostpart, it worships a god and goddess, although there are variations within Wicca. The goddess, and this is where you may have gotten this from, has 3 aspects. The maiden, who represents youth and fresh new life and love, the mother, who is the giver of life and the nuturer and provider, and the crone, who is the keeper of wisdom. She is also seen as the darker energy, as she teaches us about the cycle of life by dying and coming back as the maiden. I believe she is represented by winter, when everything is baron.
At least, that is my interpretation. Hope this helps.
Yes, it clarifies. LOL, as I said, I studied it a few years back, and it didn't feel right to me, so, I moved on. :) Thank you for clarifying.
No problem; glad to help! And Wicca's not the right fit for everyone. I do firmly believe that everyone needs to find their own path. I see myself mostly as ecclectic Wiccan. I do share most beliefs with Wicca, but also have other influences.
for me, i don't follow any particular form of paganism
i'm pagan, just don't follow any particular path
Rose Hathaway and I are co-mod-ing a list for those interested in pagan paths. If interested send an email to:
BlindWitchesandPagans-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Actually, the word pagan originally meant something like country bumpkin and then was made to mean simply anyone who wasn't Christian. Not all pagans are polytheists and not all practise magic or believe in an Earth-nature-centered religion.
Hi,
I am back.
I know i mentioned this irc server i went on.
They have a site with stuff related to paganism and they also have forums. If you need help signing up, let me know, i can get ya some help or somethin.
I like these people because even if ya come in thinking you will be treated bad for being a christian they wont give ya crap about it.
I originally was a bit akward with them, because while i was interested in paganism i was too shy to ask, so i just started to listen to them talk. It was very interesting.
The link on a look at geneusus was interesting.
so here is the url.
http://whitetrinitywitch.co.uk
feel free to drop by
if you use irc you can point your fave irc client at
irc.surrealchat.co.uk
they have ssl but no chan that i am aware of requires it.
I go by jenni on there ya will find me on the chan
#whitetrinitywitch
you auto-join 3#reception but thats no biggy just hit control f 4 on that.
feel free to come drop by
if ya have issues with the captia which many of you are bound too, just let me know, you will have to give me your email, but i can get it to the admin or one of his helpers but they will get ya signed up and the chat is awesome.
and they have a radio station as well.
gretings all. i can't believe it took me so long to find this post. i'm pagan, i guess i'm eclectic too, but i don't know. my path is sort of a dianic/natural mix, so i work with the goddess only because i feel more comfortable with her energies then that of the god, sinse i was raised christian and still think of the god as this angry being, which is probably wrong but anyways. i work with stones and herbs and very rarely use candles. i know everyone says you should use them but sinse i can't see the colors and am a little scared of fire, i would rather not use them. well think i'm done now. Blessings
Hi Fire-Walker, glad to see you here! I remember seeing your profile and thinking, "That's someone I might like to get to know," but you hadn't been on in a while. I'm the same way, not really liking the idea of working with candles. I don't really do much in that area anyway; I keep saying I will when I find people to practice and do rituals with.
Hey, guys! Well, I'm pagan as well. I guess I'd most closely identify myself as a Kemetic polytheist--think Isis and Thoth and Horus--but I'm by no means orthodox.
I prefer not to use any candles, stones only on rare occasion, and primarily use faith, secrecy, imagination and will for my spell casting.
Well, that's it for now. :)
i may be odd i have a well not large collection of stones, but a good sized one. but in magic i say it's your imagination and your strength of will and your intent that matters. so you don't really need spoken spells or words. goes with the saying actions speak louder then words. but that's my view on things.
I'm an eclectic pagan for the moment until I find exactly where I fit. I have been since September of 2007 but not completely hard core, I tend to drift a bit back and forth but have looked into Correllian Wicca as a branch but still am just good old eclectic, whatever feels right to me.
I am Wiccan - Correllian Wicca.
Please forgive me for saying so, but I'm very impressed this topic hasn't devolved into a mindless debate yet. I say this only because many religious discussions on this forum seem to eventually go down that path.
I myself, while Christian, follow a branch of Christianity which suffers from a great many misconceptions portrayed by the media. I feel I can somewhat identify with some of you in that regards. I believe in God the Father, his son Jesus CHrist, and the Holy GHost. But I also believe there is a heavenly Mother, though we know next to nothing about her. I am fascinated by many of the concepts in various "pagan" faiths and believe many of them have aspects of truth to them. It's both amazing and frustrating that there are so many different religions out there. While some are obviously man-made for the purposes of humanity's gain, so many others have rich histories and elaborite rituals which must have come from more than just someone wanting to "make a religion".
Depends on one's definition. The word "pagan" by itself means village dweller.
Well, I grew up in the Bronx, and right now I'm a college dweller, lol.
Really, "pagan" has always been used to refer to non-Abrahamic religions, and possibly though I'm not sure about this, non-Christians at certain points in history.
I'm glad to see this thread come back to life, and I look forward to getting to know you all better!