How to become pagan? (Was: I'm new)

[Viridis]

Yello everybody. I've only just been introduced to paganism and I really have no idea how to become a pagan. Is it as simple as saying outloud "I am a pagan"? Is there a ceremony I need to participate in? Or am I pagan already when I have acknowledge the God and the Goddess?

And then, if that's not enough, I really have no idea what a pagan actually does everyday. I guess you do normal stuff like have a job and take out the garbage right? But what makes you a pagan? Rituals? Worship?

Thanks for reading.

[cowdragon]

I'm still new too! My family just "converted" actually a couple months ago. We are not sure about any dedication rituals. Some seem to think they are important while others put little importance into them. I'm finding that the more we learn, discuss, and think of ourselves as Heathens... the more we actually ARE Heathens. It sounds funny, but I feel more Heathen today than I was just a week ago.



The Cowdragon _wiz_

[Nitefalle]

Well Viridis, you ask some really good questions!!! The kind of questions that people spend years answering for themselves, for that's really the crux of this crazy thing we call Paganism - it's made up of a lot of things that have meaning for you (and only you, in some cases). I think the only thing I can say that most pagans have in common (for you see, there's ALWAYS an exception when it comes to pagans) is that they follow an earth-based path, meaning they tie in their respect for nature and/or the Earth into their spiritual path. Which naturally leads into your next question as to what pagans "do". Yes, we do things like pay mortgages and take out the trash (well, the cleanly ones do, anyway) and have jobs and lives. But as to what sort of rituals one might follow or actions one might incorporate into one's path, that goes right back to what is meaningful for you. Which is precisely why these are the kinds of questions that it can take years to answer. For now, I have only two pieces of advice for you.

1) If you are only just introduced to paganism, I would suggest investigating some more, putting more effort into the idea before thinking of becoming one.
2) I reiterate, investigate and read!!! I cannot stress this enough. Studying and sifting through the vast sea of pagan knowledge is just about the only way to weed out the things that make sense to you and/or resonate for you.

I wish I could give you a neat, trite answer that was all wrapped up in a bow, but unfortunately there's no such thing when it comes to paganism. I wish you luck! Please PM me if you have any specific questions.

[kal]

:welcome::thewave:

[morningstar2651]

Yello everybody. I've only just been introduced to paganism and I really have no idea how to become a pagan. Is it as simple as saying outloud "I am a pagan"? Is there a ceremony I need to participate in? Or am I pagan already when I have acknowledge the God and the Goddess?

And then, if that's not enough, I really have no idea what a pagan actually does everyday. I guess you do normal stuff like have a job and take out the garbage right? But what makes you a pagan? Rituals? Worship?This can be a hotly debated topic. First of all, what differentiates a Pagan from a non-Pagan? Here are some definitions of Pagan (http://www.google.com/search?q=define%3APagan&sourceid=mozilla-search&start=0&start=0&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official) (and Neo-Pagan (http://www.google.com/search?hs=sZi&hl=en&lr=&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&q=define%3Aneo-pagan&btnG=Search)) that can be found online. Not all Pagan religions are Earth-centered or Nature-centered, but a good portion of them are.

There is no ritual requirement to become a Pagan, but there may be initiations or rituals involved with joining specific Pagan religions.

[Aidron]

Yello everybody. I've only just been introduced to paganism and I really have no idea how to become a pagan. Is it as simple as saying outloud "I am a pagan"? Is there a ceremony I need to participate in? Or am I pagan already when I have acknowledge the God and the Goddess?

And then, if that's not enough, I really have no idea what a pagan actually does everyday. I guess you do normal stuff like have a job and take out the garbage right? But what makes you a pagan? Rituals? Worship?

Thanks for reading.

Pagan has nothing to do with honoring the (a) God and Goddess. That would be Wicca, which is a sub-division of Paganism. To be Pagan you must simply adhere to Pagan beliefs and practices, but what are those beliefs and practices? It depends upon which branch of Paganism you choose to follow. Hellenic reconstructionist, Satanism, Wicca... take your pick.

[Kalika]

Yello everybody. I've only just been introduced to paganism and I really have no idea how to become a pagan. Is it as simple as saying outloud "I am a pagan"? Is there a ceremony I need to participate in? Or am I pagan already when I have acknowledge the God and the Goddess?

And then, if that's not enough, I really have no idea what a pagan actually does everyday. I guess you do normal stuff like have a job and take out the garbage right? But what makes you a pagan? Rituals? Worship?

Thanks for reading.

Paganism is a faith just like any other... its a part of who you are, though its not always visible. :)

To take your questions in order:

To consider yourself a pagan, it can be as simple as saying "I am Pagan". Or, you can do a self-dedication ritual, in which you dedicate yourself to your path (I believe most folks do this after a year and a day of study).

Acknowledging the God and Goddess is a good first step on your path, though there are likely many more that will come.

As for what a pagan does on a day to day basis... well, I believe that its different for everyone. But, for me, I'm your average Jane. I work full time, have a child, go to school... at night before bed, I pray to the Goddess for the safety of my family and friends, well being, etc. I communicate with spirits, practice divination and healing... though not all on a day-to-day basis. :) For me, its become more ingrained into a part of my morals and standards... I don't shout from the rooftops that I'm a pagan... but quietly live my life according to the standards and beliefs I have set forth for myself... and for me, that's enough.

[sidhe]

The way you become "pagan" all depends on the path you choose to take.

In Traditionalist wicca, you may be pagan before your initiation, but you're not wiccan until afterwards. Some eclectic branches allow for self-initiation. You're a Thelemite once you decide to make the commitment to Thelemic law.

But, as has been said before, the most important thing is to read and do research. And when you're done, read and do more research, until you find something you're comfortable with.

[Platinum Dove]

Pagan has nothing to do with honoring the (a) God and Goddess. That would be Wicca, which is a sub-division of Paganism. To be Pagan you must simply adhere to Pagan beliefs and practices, but what are those beliefs and practices? It depends upon which branch of Paganism you choose to follow. Hellenic reconstructionist, Satanism, Wicca... take your pick.

Satanism is Paganism? Please explain that.

[Kalika]

Satanism is Paganism? Please explain that.

Paganism is often a broad term used to encompass all religions that are not "mainstream", Satanism would be included under this broad description.

[mtpathy]

Satanism is Paganism? Please explain that.


instead of calling it satanism lets call it by a more accurate name which
would be luciferanism,which is a sub-set of kabbalahism if i remember
correctly.which set i couldnt tell you though.
luciferanism has gotten alot of bad rep by people hearing the phrase
satanism and automaticley believing that there baby killers,and all they
do is "black" magick on others for $hits and giggles when MOST every
luciferanist ive ever met has been very highly intelligent and caring
individuals,not to mention some of the most advanced practitioners i
have ever had the honour to cross paths with.
i personally dont practice luciferanism,but i do practice left-hand and
from conversing with alot of people that have come to the conclusion
of these methods being "bad",simply by the opinions of others instead of
looking into these things themselves and forming there own opinions firsthand.
salutations

[farm girl]

In my humble opinion, you do not "become" pagan. You just are. For me, it was simply being introduced to the path. I then thought to myself, yes... that's it. There is a title for my beliefs! Thus, I called myself pagan. Simple as that.

Now, there are certain paths under the umbrella of paganism that require an initiation of some sort. To become Pagan though, you simply have to follow/believe in the path.

[LostSheep]

Yello everybody. I've only just been introduced to paganism and I really have no idea how to become a pagan. Is it as simple as saying outloud "I am a pagan"? Is there a ceremony I need to participate in? Or am I pagan already when I have acknowledge the God and the Goddess?

And then, if that's not enough, I really have no idea what a pagan actually does everyday. I guess you do normal stuff like have a job and take out the garbage right? But what makes you a pagan? Rituals? Worship?

Thanks for reading.
Hi, have a cake. :blowcandl
See, you might get wafers in church, but do they give you cake?
Anyway. I've only realised that I'm a pagan this year, and i think i didn't so much 'become' one as just realise that that's what i was, or at least where I felt most at home. For me, that's what appeals to me about it... you don't have to be ordained or converted or whatever, it just felt right. It's an instinctive thing i think ... if you feel that it's right for you, and you don't feel guilty or sinful any more, (and it was a gradual process, for me at any rate), then i think you are a pagan.

There's a lot of different paths you can take, as people have said; but you can just choose to follow whatever feels right for you, or none at all specifically for that matter. Rituals? Again, if you feel that's right, but you don't have to. At Yule, which was my first time at a pagan celebration that I've actually felt pagan, I just went out at midnight and watched the moon, then the next evening I went and watched the sunset. For me, that was enough.

(besides, my dad has no idea and I have to be fairly discreet; I think doing rituals skyclad might raise a few eyebrows.)

basically, i think, you just need to do whatever feels right for you.

Now you've had the cake you can have one of these too. :cheers:

[Aidron]

Satanism is Paganism? Please explain that.

Satanism as Paganism can be tricky. First you have to consider how you define Paganism and there are many options.

First and foremost on my list is any faith or religion that does not belong within the Judeo-Christian group of faiths. That would include things like Satanism and Hinduism, but I feel it would be inappropriate to shove the title of Pagan upon people who find it unflattering, thus the respective Hindu or Satanism would have to decide if they were Pagan by this definition.

Secondly, it is defined as any faith or religion that emphasizes a strong attunement with and a reverence for, nature. As such, Satanism wouldn't fit into this grouping.

The only solution I can come to is that if a faith or religion is not aligned with all the definitions of Paganism (such as Satanism, but not Wicca since it aligns with all definitions of Paganism save for country-dwelling [a non-necessity in a religious context]) then it is up to individual practitioners of those respective faiths or the faiths as a whole to accept or shun the title. As such, Paganism for Satanists is up for grabs.

[Aidron]

instead of calling it satanism lets call it by a more accurate name which
would be luciferanism,which is a sub-set of kabbalahism if i remember
correctly.which set i couldnt tell you though.
luciferanism has gotten alot of bad rep by people hearing the phrase
satanism and automaticley believing that there baby killers,and all they
do is "black" magick on others for $hits and giggles when MOST every
luciferanist ive ever met has been very highly intelligent and caring
individuals,not to mention some of the most advanced practitioners i
have ever had the honour to cross paths with.
i personally dont practice luciferanism,but i do practice left-hand and
from conversing with alot of people that have come to the conclusion
of these methods being "bad",simply by the opinions of others instead of
looking into these things themselves and forming there own opinions firsthand.
salutations

I'm no expert on the topic, but I was referring to Satanism, as is defined by the Church of Satan (opinions of the church for good or for ill aside), not Luciferanism, which as I've read on Mystic Wicks is highly different from Satanism. If anything the two seem to often be confused with one another due to similarities, but are also strikingly different in many aspects.

[Kalika]

I'm no expert on the topic, but I was referring to Satanism, as is defined by the Church of Satan (opinions of the church for good or for ill aside), not Luciferanism, which as I've read on Mystic Wicks is highly different from Satanism. If anything the two seem to often be confused with one another due to similarities, but are also strikingly different in many aspects.


I agree with this as I thought Luciferanism had to do with the Christian Devil... whereas Satanism does not. But... I could be wrong. :p

[morningstar2651]

I agree with this as I thought Luciferanism had to do with the Christian Devil... whereas Satanism does not. But... I could be wrong. :p
LaVeyan Satanism is more about satan than Satan. That probably sounds very confusing, but it makes a bit more sense when we take into consideration that satan is also a verb in Hebrew. (linkage (http://www.blueletterbible.org/tmp_dir/words/7/1135719038-2873.html))

Also, when taking into consideration Anton's love for theatrics, it was also probably called Satanism just to be shocking. His house had halloween decorations year-round.

[LostSheep]

isn't it that LaVey deliberately chose the name Satanism just to be provocative? It's nothing to do with Satan as in the biblical devil, from what I know of it, it's all about self-actualisation, isn't it?

[Kalika]

LaVeyan Satanism is more about satan than Satan. That probably sounds very confusing, but it makes a bit more sense when we take into consideration that satan is also a verb in Hebrew. (linkage (http://www.blueletterbible.org/tmp_dir/words/7/1135719038-2873.html))

Also, when taking into consideration Anton's love for theatrics, it was also probably called Satanism just to be shocking. His house had halloween decorations year-round.

So, satanism is more about the meaning... not the diety (for lack of a better word). That's kind of what I was getting at. :D

[Aidron]

isn't it that LaVey deliberately chose the name Satanism just to be provocative? It's nothing to do with Satan as in the biblical devil, from what I know of it, it's all about self-actualisation, isn't it?

Satanism, at the core, is about the opposition of Christianity and all religions where a professed sheep mentality is perceived. It is about thinking for and putting oneself first, rather than submitting to the will of divinity.

The name was chosen to reprsent the contrasting nature of Satanism towards its main source of rebellion, Christianity, for after all Satan is the ultimate evil and the contrasting concept for the Christian god, thus it makes sense.

[MoonRat]

The term "Pagan" is an umbrella term that encompasses earth based religions that tend not to be Judeo-Christian (by my definition, leaving is very inclusive). It doesn't have to be about gods and goddesses, you don't have to be a Witch, you don't have to be a Shaman or worship the Moon or prance about in Druid robes...

Think of it more like a journey, an adventure if you like and learn about what aspects you're drawn towards. Take everything people tell you with a pinch of salt... It's nice to hear people's ideas but at the end of the day it's what's right for you and how you feel comfortable that counts.

You'll go out there and meet all sorts of Pagans, from Thelemites to Discordians to Wiccans to Shaman's to the ecclectic type. They probably all have something interesting to share.

But yeah... Read and listen, not just to other people but to nature. be happy, be yourself and you'll find your way.

Hope this helps.

[Viridis]

Thank you everybody for your input and help. :) So I know now that the best thing to do is find my own, personal path. Thank you again.

[oakowl]

There is a quote Iread somewhere that rings true for me. many of the worlds religions are like a fine dining establishment. You set down and everything is brought to you. Paganism is like a buffet. You have to get up and go get it. There are lots of books and groups out there. Have patience and you will be alright.

[Dragonladyofwater]

I think when you are new to the path the choices can sometimes seem overwhelming. Reading and investigating your options is a great way to narrow down what you want from your faith.

The best advice I could give you would be to sit down and write all that you want out of faith, what do you want to do, who do you want to be, what are you willing to give it and what do you want from it? Once you are able to decipher a few important questions to you then it will be easier for you to know where to go from there.

If I can ever be of help to you please let me know.

[Morr]

Read read read.

Books, internet sites, ask on this forum -- There is a wealth of knowlege here on MW. Many people from many paths of PAganism, different backgrounds and much experience whom can help you and guide you.

Dont be afraid to ask a question.

Absorb as much knowlege as you can before you decide what works for you and what doesnt. Paganism is such a broad term.

Its like saying "Christianity".
But within Christianity there are many different branches with differing faiths and only several big foundations of the Christian faith that holds them in the "Christianity" category.

There is a mentoring program here on MW, I am sure you could get hooked up with a more experienced member whom would love to help you out.

If you have any questions, feel free to PM me.

Good luck!

[cartweel]

While I agree wholeheartedly with those posters who have championed reading and study as you begin your journey, I'd point out that actual practice is an equally rewarding tool. How do you know whether you like chocolate ice cream or not before trying it? How will ou know whether you prefer setting the altar in the North or the East without trying both? One must manipulate the knowledge they gain in order to appreciate it fully.

I'd compare it to a scientist who studies data all day but never performs her experiment: it lacks first-hand experience and the possibility for new, personal revelation.

That's just what I think =P

[Harmony Aurore]

Satanism, at the core, is about the opposition of Christianity and all religions where a professed sheep mentality is perceived. It is about thinking for and putting oneself first, rather than submitting to the will of divinity.


so basically satanists are really nihilists?

[AlleyCat]

What beliefs do u hold at the moment about this that and everything inbetween? Maybe if you write a list about what values and beliefs you hold to you you may be able to narrow your search down a bit and see if anything feels right to you path wise, I dunno just a suggestion..

[Tranquility]

Yes, that is a great idea Alleycat. I made a list of everything I want to learn (a while ago), as well as traced my genealogy which brought me to my current path. The path of the Druid has been an incredible coming home for me :).

[MorningDove030202]

This might be fun, and help point you in a direction:

http://quizfarm.com/test.php?q_id=11726

Also check out www.wiccaforbeginners.com for a great intro on Wicca!

And some words of wisdom: While on the search for a path, even by rulling differnt paths out and narrowing down the list, you are still drawling closer to the answer!

You might also want to consider reading some mythology to see what types of Gods and Goddesses you are drawn to and might be a Patron Diety for you, if that's your thing.

Dove