As a Pagan, what do *you* do?

[mystic_peacock]

First, I didn't know if I should post this in here or in general pagan. I decided to post it in "Paths" but it can be moved if that is the will of the mods :)

I'm having problems actually *doing* things related to Paganism other than just studying. I don't know if it's just that I don't need anything badly enough to cast spells for them, if I'm afraid of messing up, or what. So I'm asking the forum: As a Pagan, what do you do to practice your religion? How do you put your studies into practice? How do you find the time?

Thanks!
--Serra

[Karma Chameleon]

I make a toast of mead to the gods.

But I think studying is very important, and you should continue to do so. You don't need to cast spells or do magic rituals to be Pagan.

[StormVixen]

i dont do magic... i have an altar for my gods... and elements... i just pray... and talk to my gods... i also go out into nature.. and sit under "my" yew tree... hes cool! he gives me lots of stuff!

[dark witch]

I have an altar that I use to say a daily devotional to the gods and goddesses. I try to do this daily, but sometimes life gets in the way. Usually it is a quick little ritual, with no bells and whistles, so to speak. Sometimes I will be more elaborate, using a charcoal tab and burning home made incense and combining the devotional with meditation/astral travel. This can take up to a couple of hours, it just depends on my time limitation.

I do work spells ocassionally or use some form of chaos magic. Since I am a cyclist, I tend to ride more rural paths to keep in touch with nature, and communing with the deities. Sometimes it's a better effect than meditation! I also spend some time outside at night doing a bit of stargazing and planet watching.

I just fit this in when I can. Luckily, I work from my home so my schedule tends to be more flexible than most. Also, when you are on boards like this or other Pagan based websites, you are thinking about your path and talking with others about it. I would guess that's more time spent with your spirituality than most "mainstream" religious folks spend thinking about theirs......

Lastly, whether books or internet, most Pagans I know spend a lot more time reading about Pagan paths or issues. Another way to celebrate your devotion to Paganism!

[Gyda]

: As a Pagan, what do you do to practice your religion? How do you put your studies into practice? How do you find the time?

Thanks!
--Serra


I keep up my reading/studies. As well as I have an altar in my bedroom, which I keep a bowl for the Cofgodas who get there offerng once a week, only take a few minutes. I tyr to live by the NNV ( i know for the heathens who may read this, they're a modren thing) as well as doing things like embroidery when watching tv, and listening to music, honour my Idesa when I do this, as well as once a week lighting a candle for all the ancestors.

I find if you keep it simple things like that they're no problem finding time.

Gyda :viking:

[mystic_peacock]

Thank you for your replies :)
I guess I'm just sort of stuck... I have only been studying but I feel like that's not enough, that I'm not doing things "right". I have a hard time doing ritual, it usually feels forced if I do it at all just because it's something I was told by many books that a Pagan should do. I usually feel sort of guilty when I don't do things like rituals or spells, I feel like I'm letting the Gods down. I guess I just need to sort things out and decide what kinds of things I want to be studying that I would actually do: if I got more confident in my spellcasting I might do it more, and the same with divination. I'm on the tip of being a beginner and being more advanced, but I think I've been too scared to move on from being beginner. I feel like I should have everything understood and memorized or at least known well before even thinking about moving on...
I am a Pagan Basketcase! :)

--Serra

[dark witch]

When I first started doing magick and rituals, I felt the same way, it seemed "manufactured". I think it's just a combination of first time jitters and the worry that you are doing something wrong. Trust me, everyone has plenty of goofs when they are getting started. That continues no matter how long you have been doing it...

Keep in mind that if you read 10 books on how to do rituals, you will get 10 different ways of doing them. Of course there are basics in every path, but there is no exact way to do these things. Eventually, you will develop your own personal flair. I always took comfort in the thought that I was amusing the deities when I was tripping over myself in my first workings.

If you are solitary, then how and what you do matters only between you and your deities. I tend to cast a circle when doing magic, but if I don't have the time, I don't. I seriously doubt witches who did lots of magic in "days of yore" cast a circle everytime they did some magick.

Like the Nike ads say, just do it. Look, as well as spiritual, witchcraft should be fun. It's fun to be different than your neighbor, to cast spells, to make incense, to work with essential oils, to grow and work with herbs, to feel a supreme connection with nature. So start with some minor spells or rituals. Just practice casting a circle, then give your deities thanks for guidance, then release the circle. Have fun, and stop fretting, it'll be ok!!

[mtpathy]

my "practice" in mysticism/sorcery is primarily meditaiton.
but i also practice passivness,detachment,and indulgence
through being a aura reader and a empath,theres a time and
place for all three but imo the key to my whole practice is moderation.
life is where i practice magick,and people,thought,and emotions is imo
where magick exists.
salutations

[Ishtara]

I'm having problems actually *doing* things related to Peopleism other than just studying. I don't know if it's just that I don't need anything badly enough to cast spells for them, if I'm afraid of messing up, or what. So I'm asking the forum: As a People, what do you do to practice your religion? How do you put your studies into practice? How do you find the time?

Thanks!
--Serra

Another thing is that not every path requires that you cast spells or do divination. You may simply find with time that the best way for you to worship is not what other people or books told you it would (or worse, "should") be.

When I started on my Pagan path, I did not know about reconstructionist religions and I first tried my hand at Wicca. I quickly found that it was not for me. Casting circles or spells never felt natural or comfortable to me and I really had to force myself to do ritual.

So I set out to find other books with a wider scope, in order to learn about other paths than Wicca. I discovered the Kemetic faith and realised that not only did it fit by beliefs to a T, I was actually looking forward to spend time daily praying and talking to my Gods. Finding time to do ritual is not a problem, because it is something that I really feel like doing, so I always find ways to fit it into my schedule.

I hope that you will soon find a way to worship that feels right for you and your deities. In the meantime, keep studying as knowledge is always a good thing, but do not be afraid to break a few rules here and there and to trust your instincts!
Best of luck! :)

[Evendusk]

I don't do rituals because they feel forced to me as well so I talk to the moon, sun and earth when the mood hits me. I appreciate nature for what it is and rejoice in a beautiful day or a wild thunderstorm. I try to be observant and experience the changes in the seasons. I do what feels right in the moment. I don't follow anyone else's proscribed path or ritual but make it up as I go along and as my belief grows.

[Élistariel]

Nothing.
Unless you count believing.
I have tried spells... I can do with or without those. I don't have a pantheon really. I do feel drawn to celtic and norse dieties though.

[Pandoras]

I guess I'm just sort of stuck... I have only been studying but I feel like that's not enough, that I'm not doing things "right". I have a hard time doing ritual, it usually feels forced if I do it at all just because it's something I was told by many books that a Pagan should do. I usually feel sort of guilty when I don't do things like rituals or spells, I feel like I'm letting the Gods down. I guess I just need to sort things out and decide what kinds of things I want to be studying that I would actually do: if I got more confident in my spellcasting I might do it more, and the same with divination. I'm on the tip of being a beginner and being more advanced, but I think I've been too scared to move on from being beginner. I feel like I should have everything understood and memorized or at least known well before even thinking about moving on...

I sympathize. When I first started doing magick and rituals, it felt a little forced. That was mostly due to insecurities about whether I was doing things "the right way" and also because I was basically following other people's models. I grew more confident over time, figuring out my ideology and developing my own style.


As a Pagan, what do you do to practice your religion? How do you put your studies into practice? How do you find the time?

I don't "practice" my religion per se. It's a part of me, so it's just there everyday, not something I have to find time for. I have my beliefs and they spill over on to everything -- my politics, the charities I support, the purchases I make, etc. I have a Pagan business and Pagan friends. Other than that, I read and study, maintain an altar, work on my BoS, observe the Sabbats and Esbats.

[Mòrag Elasaid Ní Dhòmhnaill]

I'm another one who doesn't do magic, so spells never factored into my religion. I pray, a lot, with specific prayers for specific parts of the day. I make offerings to my ancestors and to the Mighty Ones. And I honor the feast days with events that are related to them. For me the feast days aren't just a ritual that I do that may use up a couple hours out of my day, but can span days. For example, at Lunasdal (Lughnassadh for those more familiar with that term), my family and I go out to a pick your own farm and pick berries since it celebrates the harvest. We have a picnic, and we make foods from the berries such as pie, jams (working on that one), etc. The feast days usually involve more elaborate offerings - particularly to the land spirits for anything left unharvested after Samhuinn belongs to them and is untouchable.

Really though, your religion should be what you are comfortable with. I am a Gaelic Reconstructionist, so all my practices revolve around the Gaelic deities and what we know of the relgion of the Gaelic people because this is what makes sense to me.

[mystic_peacock]

Thank you all so, so much!! I was feeling so alone and very lost, because I didn't know what was going on in my path. I had beliefs, but like I said I wasn't actually doing much in the physical sense. And I thought I was a rare breed. So thank you for piping up and letting me know that I am not alone, that I don't have to do things the way books tell me to do them. I very much appreciate all of your replies :)

I suppose I just have to find the path or practices that call to me. I know my deities are Greek, but I just have to figure out what is the most comfortable for me in the way of what I do to honor my faith. I am just glad that I am not alone in feeling the way that I am feeling.

:abanana:
Feels Better,
Serra

[Kudzu]

Mostly, I worship! I pray frequently. I have daily devotionals. I go to circles with other Pagans and worship the Gods within them.