'doing' paganism?

[cybadiva]

I'm fairly new to Paganism and I just wanted to know what do you have to DO to be Pagan/Wiccan? This might seem like an odd question but I was thinking about Lunarwind's poll on discrimination, and personally I can't see me being tormented for choosing this path as there's nothing that really marks me out from anyone else (with regard to beliefs anyhow).

I've started learning about/working with crystals, I've decided to grow herbs and use them for health purposes, I'm getting reaquainted with my tarot cards, I believe in the powerful energy of the Earth, Sun, Moon etc, but I'm not doing any spellwork or anything like that - I don't feel prepared/informed enough for that anyway, I may consider it in the future tho'.

Is this enough to be a Pagan? Am I just a superficial dabbler? Or was I just a closet Pagan all along and didn't realise it until I started studying it more closely? I think I'm having a crisis of identity!!

:eek:

[Mercuria]

You really don't have to do any formal rituals to be pagan. I myself haven't been doing any or practicing magick for awhile now. I think that paganism is more about feelings and beliefs than it is about ritual.

Ritual is simply a helpful way to affirm your beliefs in the real world.

Some paths in paganism emphasise ritual more than others (wicca for instance), but it's still not absolutely necessary to call yourself a wiccan.

Just do what comes naturally to you, and don't force yourself to do rituals if you don't feel the need for them. You may find that meditation etc. is more helpful to you.

Mercuria

[Myst]

Paganism is a religion (or group of religious paths). It means (strictly) you follow a religion that isn't Christian, Jewish, or Muslim , and therefore that you "worship idol Gods". In essence if you don't believe in the God of some, you must be tempted by Satan. For some, it's just a matter that you are different. Loosely, it means you work in a religion that is usually positive and earth based, and can often include new age componenets. Either way that is why you are persecuted.

Incidentally Paganism and Wicca are two different things, so you have to "DO" different things to be Wiccan then to be Pagan. Wicca is a religion based on duality and balance, recognition of seasonal cycles and time, some ceremonial ritual and spells, some principles (the Rede and threefold law), and often one male and one female God. The discussion of what you "DO" to be Wiccan has been going on at MW for awhile, so you might want to use the search function (top, between F.A.Q. and Home) to try to find some threads.

Paganism isn't spellcraft, nor is Wicca, but they *are* religions, so they do require more then just a few non religious practices.

[cybadiva]

Cheers!

I've trawled thru' about 400 posts after doing a search (with still many more to read!), and I've concluded that its pointless to worry about whether I'm doing the 'right' things or not. I'm just gonna carry on learning/reading/experimenting and see where it takes me! After all, the journey's always more exciting than the final destination!

[Myst]

Right on.

[Lavender]

Originally posted by cybadiva
Cheers!

I've trawled thru' about 400 posts after doing a search (with still many more to read!), and I've concluded that its pointless to worry about whether I'm doing the 'right' things or not. I'm just gonna carry on learning/reading/experimenting and see where it takes me! After all, the journey's always more exciting than the final destination!

Heh! Good for you! :thumbsup: I was just going to recommend the same thing! I've been searching for over 20 years & I'm still plugging along...learning, experimenting. I've stopped worrying about whether is "right" or "wrong" or what others think...as long as it's right for me.

[Storm]

I'm late in coming into this thread but I am right there with you. I have always been scientifically spiritual and I figured out the whole energy thing out on my own. My science experience is biological and I never read anything on Metaphysics so I thought I was alone in my beliefs. Well a bizarre twist of events stemming from a bad tarot experience which I PAID for(gasp!) sent me into learning it for myself and snowballed into my first purchase of a magick book on Feb 18. I have since read about 10 books and have more coming. My studies are branching so much further than I ever could have imagined. I marked Feb 18th on my calendar and have made a commitment not to practice magick for a year and a day. I am collecting various tools and such slowly as I can afford it and studying and reading at a furious pace. Right now I am working on meditation, astral and chakra pursuits. The temptation to do magick is great but I feel clumsy and not ready yet...so I wait. But I spend time in my space, light candles and contemplate everything I am learning. It has been enlightening and fun!
Bright Blessing,
Storm Thuderhawke

[Mythrel]

what a great post!

I myself have been at this for roughly 4 years now and admit I rarely do spell work anymore other than for Sabbats. I am truly greatful that I was shown this website and have many, many more like minded people to help me grow, learn and have fun together...all the advice in this post so far in my opinion has be extremely well put and I will be the first to thank you for always being there to help people out and answer any questions that arise to the best of your abilities...Thank you again

alright, I'm stepping down from my soap box...
Thanks again to all of Mysticwicks and all the mods who help and work hard to better this community and the people who subscribe to it!!! Thank You!!!

Really, I'm done now....

[Sequoia]

I've been learning my whole life, and don't plan to stop anytime soon. . . ;) ever, if I can help it hehe. Once you stop learning, why live? :D

pagans - eclectics of the world, unite! ;) I think we're all just finding our own paths. . .

ah I"m rambling. Welcome to the wonderful world of "huh. . . what did I just do? I liked it, though. . . hmm. . . . *go research to figure out what just happened*" :D;;

[cybadiva]

Couldn't agree with you more Puma!

The pursuit of knowledge has and always will be one of my favourite hobbies. Trouble is I can never stick at one thing for long enough or consistently enough to become a specialist of any kind. My head's always full of half remembered facts and half arsed ideas;)

Jack of all trades and master of none - thats me alright:D