What did you do first.

[Danustouch]

When you first got introduced to your path, did you first get interested by the History of it, or the Practice of it. In other words, did you make sure you learned the history of the religion, before attempting to learn the practical side?

[Myst]

For me I studied the theology and philosophy for years before doing spells too often (I think I did one about 6 months into it, then didn't do one again for a long time), and I also got into the history quite a bit. Even now I am constantly examining pagan and wiccan philosophy and the history and myth behind them.

I think doing so gives someone a solid basis in their beliefs which can only make their magic (when they do it) work better - with more focus, intent, and understanding of how something works and why the spell's efficacy can only exponentiate.

[Danustouch]

ditto that. Personally, i dabbled with spell work back before I even knew what the term "Wiccan" meant. Once. But..the spell didn't work..and I just went about my life, without further delving into it for years. At the time I had done this spell..i was a pretty screwed up kid, with alot of problems, but was basically Christian. Anyway...Then all of a sudden, I went through a spiritual crisis, or you could say, Catharsis, in which I began to question the beliefs of the Christian Religion. It was at that time that I discovered Wicca. So for me, it was very much a part of the religious and philosophical, as well as historical, aspect of Wicca, rather than the magickal one. I first started practicing the magick part, through observances of Full Moons, and Sabbats. Then, when I became familiar with how to do a circle, and the magickal tools, and the principles..THEN I started to move onto actual "spells".

It's not that I don't think anyone has a "natural" ability as a witch...or that I necessarily condemn anyone who starts off doing spellwork early in their path. I just think that people should get a clear picture of the history, and religious implications of the path, before becoming to emeshed in practicing spell work. I see too many people who are only "Pagan" or "Wiccan" because they think Magick is cool. And to me, Magick is tapping into some really amazing, intricate, and sometimes confusing energy in the Universe. And to me, if your heart is not in the right place, or if you haven't grown enough spiritually, and knowledgeably, to deal with that energy, understand it, and it's effects (which can be done through the study of history, as well as other things..), you're A)missing the greater lessons B)not going to be as effective magickally and C)possibly getting in way over your head.

Just my .02

[WolfWoman]

Interesting... I was raised Catholic, school and all and from as far back as I could remember I questioned EVERYTHING. I was always in trouble for it too. I would go around and say that I was a pagan just to piss people off... as I got older tho I knew that I'd have to find faith in SOMETHING, cuz athiesm wasn't really for me. I studied on my own about several different religions; was a practicing voudon for about 5 years and decided that wasn't for me either. Kept on reading and then I met someone who's taught me much at the same time I was reading up on Wicca. It just kind of fell into place all at once when I was desperate for it.

[BrightStar]

Hi all!
Good topic!
I studied the history for a day or two,then tried spells.But I'm fascinated by the history of Paganism and Witches,along with the spiritual path.It's a hard question,really.I'd studied the Greeks and Roman pantheons in college,but didn't connect it with Magick.But,as soon as I got info,I did spells.Yet a main reason,for me,to try WitchCraft was the spiritual side.Spells and magick were the fun side.They kind of go together for me.
BTW,I'm kind of a speed reader,so maybe that was it.I did get burnt a time or two,but my 1st spell worked!
(hope that makes sense?)
Peace and Love
BrightStar

[Twilight Garden]

For me, I've been doing religious magick since I was a little child. My mom taught me candle magick to help me focus my prayers and the energy I had. She also taught me to meditate pretty young. As I got older she taught me other things.

My whole family is very nature oriented. We had a summer cabin in the mountain of north GA for many years. We went hiking as frequently as we could.

My parents had a lot of odd thoughts on deity. I was sort of told to form my own opinion of what a God is. My mom just said that "Always know that God is inside you and part of everything in this world. And that makes you part of everything in this world." (something like that.)

I've always had magick in my life. Paganism came later. I guess I found it by studying the philosophies, histories, and scientific aspects of Pagan religions.

[Lavender]

I guess for me, it was the practice first. I guess most of you know what I do is usually centered around herbs. :D I started studying the usage of different herbs & started growing them myself. Our neighbour, at that time, had her grandmother staying with her. A very nice Mexican lady. She was very much interested in my herb garden. Well, to cut a long story short, she's what's called a curandero...a Mexican healer. Over a course of about 3 years, she taught me how to use my herbs not just for it's medicinal values but to know the spiritual values of them as well. She taught me how to make herb bags, to make charms & fetishes & how to infuse my concoctions with magic. At that time, I never really tied it in with witchcraft or even thought of myself as a witch. It was just something I did to make my herbs & teas more effective.

Edited to say that having thought this over, I guess it was pretty much practice & history at the same time. For my path, the folklore that I've collected along the way is the history of my craft.

[Epona44]

I didn't grow up in a mainstream, Judeo-Christian household.

My parents did, but they later turned to Eastern religions.

I was in my late teens when I discovered Wicca, and I just read and learned about it first before attempting a spell-craft.

What mattered most I think to me was to express thanks.

[Masquerader8]

This is a facinating topic, it is very intresting for me to see to many different paths to truth, as it were. As for me I think it would be safe to say I went in for the history and idealoism...yes I'm explaining. I ws raised Catholic and Jewish (yes not only am I good at guilt trips, but I could apply them to myself...no I'm not bitter...) and after a happy childhood believeing what I was tught I relized that I was going through the motions and I didn't actually BELIEVE any of the things I was proffessing to...after the typical renouncing and denial of belief, I found that it just isn't in me to not have faith, and so I went on a search through libeary and internet to find something that didn't strike the hollow and shollow coard that left me thinking of "religon" as a dirty word. I found sevral sights and books on Wicca/Witchcraft and was suddenly floored. The concepts inherent were what I already believed...like my soul's truth put into words it was as if a light I had thought died long befor was brought to new brightness with an understanding of the fact that I could believe what my heart knew to be my truth and not have to give up faith and my deep set spiritually. I read everthing I could find...went broke on books and caused my family to have a collective anurisim...but when the smoke cleared I had finally found an immage of myself to the world that matched my inner visson, I finally found a manifestation of my soul that though I still can't stand to call religon is a spiritulism that surpasses my expecttions and fullfills my needs. Magick--I don't Practice magick, it was never a motivatiog factor to faith for me, and though I believe that there are forces and energies that can be contolled through conscious projection I was never one for ritual (recovering cathoilc?), I perfer to use my good will nd positive energy to promote goodness and only use a feat of will on rare ocations, and even then it is more a matter projection that control...My most elaborate rituals constist of a metative circle to give thanks and energy to the divie...other than that I am content to make life my magick, for in itself all mysteries anr experenced and revieled...if you you try and truly see...
And I see I have been rambling, and not really on topic at all...Forgive me? and sorry, I have a problem with stream of consciousness and a spilling of mind to paper...many thanks for sharing my thoughts and sticking trough babble.
Luv,
Phoenix SilverMyst; The Impish Elf :elf:

[Danustouch]

I thought your post was wonderful Masquerader, not rambling at all:)

Glad to have ya aboard.

[Masquerader8]

thanks:)