fairly new to this thing...

[Jenkwater]

I think I am an eclectic when it comes to this pagan stuff, and I wanna start doing magick, what should I do?....

[Phoenix]

Well for starters what have you done up until now? What sites have you visited, what books have you read, have you tried any magickal workings yet? This place is a wonderful starting point. Learn all you can and I promise you there will always be more!

[Laiste]

Welcome and Merry Meet!:sunny:

I would suggest studying different aspects of Paganism to see where you are most comfortable. I would not suggest you just start doing magic! Find your place and the answers will come to you..when you are ready. If your looking for spells and such and think you are ready for that well, there are a lot of books out there on the subject.

[Myst]

You might want to try reading "Help for New Pagans" and "Where to Start", they're threads stuck at the top of this forum. "Lesson 1 - Visualization, Grounding, and Centering" at the top of the forum helps you start out with basic magical techniques. http://www.witchvox.com/ has some great stuff. I'm sure there's another thread around here with links to start out with. You could also check out our "Books" forum to find out what's recommended.

[Jenkwater]

I've tried moving thigns with my mind, and controlling a flame......I have visited many sites...and I have read a bit of the book of thelema...

[Jenkwater]

when you say 'find your place' what do you mean?
you mean like a wizard or a druid or a mage, that kind of thing?

[Myst]

I think it's more along the lines of Shaman, Druid, Witch, Wiccan. Mages don't really exist except in role playing (nor wizards usually). Magic is usually used in correspondence with a belief system or religion, usually some form of Paganism. Thus, what I think she means is that you should study theology and philosophy, history and other practices such as herbcraft, divination, etc. If you really want to be Pagan then you should study Paganism, not just magic. And once you do so you'll have a more solid basis for your magic.

[Laiste]

Thanks Myst...that IS what I meant!:)

[Lavender]

Originally posted by Jenkwater
I've tried moving thigns with my mind, and controlling a flame......I have visited many sites...and I have read a bit of the book of thelema...

Some people can do that right off the bat, others (like me) can spend forever trying & not be able to do things like that. Myst's threads on grounding & visualizing is a good place to start. Also, have you checked out the Book Forum? There's a list of books that others have recomended. Not to say that you have to read them all. But nice not to limit yourself.

[Jenkwater]

you say that most of the time wizards dont exist?
well there are sure a lot of people out their practising a non existant for of paganism...
why do you say that wizardry doesn't exist?

[Myst]

Someone who calls themself a wizard practices magic. Personally I've never met someone who called themself wizard outside of roleplaying.

Paganism is a group of religions including Wicca, Shamanism, Druidry, etc. that tend to highlight work with the cycle of seasons, various deities, and the balance of masculine and feminine. Each of them is a path with theology, history, belief systems, principles, deities, practices, etc. Again, you can practice magic in CONJUNCTION with Paganism, but in itself it is not Paganism.

[Jenkwater]

can you be a druid etc without being a pagan?

[manstranger]

No, by deffinition of the word Pagan alone. Pagan is a huge blanket term encompassing probably thousands of religions. Look it up.

[icedrop917]

Originally posted by Myst
You might want to try reading "Help for New Pagans" and "Where to Start", they're threads stuck at the top of this forum. "Lesson 1 - Visualization, Grounding, and Centering" at the top of the forum helps you start out with basic magical techniques. http://www.witchvox.com/ has some great stuff. I'm sure there's another thread around here with links to start out with. You could also check out our "Books" forum to find out what's recommended.

How do you control flames? Is there a website i can read up on that?