New Pagan, help a brother...:p

[enteef89]

Hi! I'm pretty brand spankin new to paganism/wicca/whatever term you want to use.. Anyways, I need some advice in pointing me in the right direction. And the right direction is the well educated and ritual performing guy(in my viewpoint anyway.) So, with that said, let me tell you some stuff that I have/know. I know that I want to mainly focus on Greek gods/goddesses. I know a little on that, but some links on that wouldn't hurt. I have a couple books. Maiden Moon (its a free book you can print off online), Another book by Scott Cunningham (heard he was a good author, so I got it) and then another book by someone else, its not as good, but has some good history on witches. So thats about all. Also I don't want only Greek, but thats my main interest. I would also like to learn of Egyptian, Norse, and whatever else. Thank ye!

[angle kitsune]

the best advice I can give you is to go to google or where ever and just put in what your lookin for and look through what comes up. you know what type of info you are looking for and I think you will know the best sites with the info you need when you see them. it will take some time. hope some one can help you find some sites,all I have are sites about myths

[Sage Rainsong]

Personally I think that you should probably get a good overview of the many Pagan religions so you can determine which one is right for you. This site is pretty good: http://www.faqs.org/faqs/paganism-faq/ Also since you seem to be interested in Greek, Egyptian and Norse Paganism I suggest these places to start: Egyptian- www.kemet.org Greek- http://hellenion.org/ Norse- http://www.religioustolerance.org/asatru.htm
Wicca: http://www.religioustolerance.org/wic_intr.htm

Many people also worship the same Gods in a Wiccan context so don't get confused. Also could you share a link for that Maiden Moon book?

[Amelserru_halqu]

Guess, what? I know where whywiccanssuck is again, so I get to recommend it to you, aren't you happy? At the very least there are lots of intersting useful links you can go through.

http://web.archive.org/web/20050318062630/http://www.whywiccanssuck.com/

Also I would suggest reading mythology for some information on how the gods opperate.

I also suggest you take a peak at the classics, found in various places, a great many on www.sacred-texts.com

In addition don't limit yourself to what the books say, there are millions of possibilities and ways to do things so practice and find out what works. Personally I like sock puppets, maybe you will too.

[Ryd Firedreamz]

Hi! I'm pretty brand spankin new to paganism/wicca/whatever term you want to use.. Anyways, I need some advice in pointing me in the right direction. And the right direction is the well educated and ritual performing guy(in my viewpoint anyway.) So, with that said, let me tell you some stuff that I have/know. I know that I want to mainly focus on Greek gods/goddesses. I know a little on that, but some links on that wouldn't hurt. I have a couple books. Maiden Moon (its a free book you can print off online), Another book by Scott Cunningham (heard he was a good author, so I got it) and then another book by someone else, its not as good, but has some good history on witches. So thats about all. Also I don't want only Greek, but thats my main interest. I would also like to learn of Egyptian, Norse, and whatever else. Thank ye!

Pray. Pray to the gods that interest you most. Pray hard, and mean it. Youll be surprised at what could happen.

[Amelserru_halqu]

Pray. Pray to the gods that interest you most. Pray hard, and mean it. Youll be surprised at what could happen.

Ummm... I'm going to say don't pray to anything unless you know quite a bit about it... at the very least study said diety before you start praying to it.

[Ryd Firedreamz]

Ummm... I'm going to say don't pray to anything unless you know quite a bit about it... at the very least study said diety before you start praying to it.

Im assuming that he atleast read the wikipedia articles for the gods.

[enteef89]

Im assuming that he atleast read the wikipedia articles for the gods.

Yeah, you're right. And I am currently reading the Oddessey. Yay!

[Ryd Firedreamz]

Yeah, you're right. And I am currently reading the Oddessey. Yay!

Oh me too! just took it out a few days ago.

[serenarian]

Seek out books by Ronald Hutton, especially the Triumph of the Moon. It's mostly based on Britain but it's an interesting and academic read.

[RainInanna]

You know, I think you are already on the best possible course. The fact that you know educating yourself and practicing are important means you already know just what to do. There's recommendations on books in our Books forum, there's info about various paths over in our Paths forum, and there's lots of info for beginners here in New Pagans. We can help you find specifics if you like but it looks like you're well on your way to learning and doing.

Ok, a little more advice? It depends on what you want to practice, but there are some basic exercises you can do. You will be able to find threads by using the search feature of the forum. Learn to meditate and practice it every day. This will help you focus, relax, and open yourself to the Sacred. Then learn how to ground and center, and raise energy as well as directing it by casting a circle (this is probably covered in your Cunningham book too). You can go on to charge objects and work with your chakras. Go ahead and celebrate the sabbats if you like and try the rituals in Cunningham's book - you may decide not to stick with Wicca, but it will give you experience in magical work. You needn't dedicate yourself to one path to practice it and see how it goes for you.

As you learn more you'll be more able to decide what you want to keep and what you don't want.