Some advice needed...

[Credence]

Yep, im new here ;).

Ive been raised as a catholic by my parents. But now questioning my own beliefs, as i do not agree with its principles and what it stands for. To say the least, i hate the catholic religion.

Of all the different religions ive read about, and seen, Pagans and Wiccan (or withcraft) are the ones that really seemed to grab my attention.
I really agree with alot of its core values and beliefs. And some of them just directly relate with how i am and how i feel about things.
So naturally i started reading about it.
And id like any expeirenced people in the religion here to give me any advice on which books(or links) to read or what i should/who i should be talking to. As i know tehre are alot of misleading people out there. Also, alot of people seem to make withcraft out to be evil(?!).

Id like to be a part of it and maybe even one day consider my self Pagan or Wiccan (what is the difference between the two?)

Any help would be apreciated for a newbie at this stuff :).
I hope i get a good response, seems like alot of intelligent people in this forum :D.
Thanks in advance.

[Moonwillow]

These are good books to start with if you are serious:

"Wicca: A Guide to Solitary Practioners" by Scott Cunningham

"Living Wicca" by Scott Cunningham

"What Witches Do" by Stewart Ferrar

"A Witches Bible" by Janet & Stewart Ferrar

"Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft" by Raymond Buckland

"Drawing Down the Moon" by Margot Adler


You can never read too much....

[Tigerwallah]

I started life much the same way. Catholic school all my life, forced into making a confirmation I did not agree with, etc. I too hated the Catholic church. Now I just see it for what it is, political - nothing more, nothing less.

I suggest that you take yourself on a journey of different religions to find the philosophy that is a closest match of your own. I found my path through the Bible and Catholicism. I clued into things like Yahweh tells Adam and Eve that he is the only god, and not to pray to false gods. That just seemed so weird to me. If Adam and Eve had such intamate contact with Yahweh, and he was indeed the only god, then why would they worship something false. Something that they had never seen themselves? That lead me to believe that Yahweh was false. Then there are the mentions in Exodus of Astarte as Astoreth. Again, where did this goddess (reffered to in the masculine to hide the fact that she is a female deity) come from? Why would these people only a few generations away from Adam and Eve have invented another god? These were only a few of my questions.

So, I set off to find answers. And I did!!! I found out that the first time in history that anyone believed in a single deity (or that there is a record of anyone believing in a single deity) was the mid 1300's BC. This history search led me to my personal pagan beliefs and the Goddess. Let it happen naturally for you. Don't worry too much over what to read. When you read something that is true, you will feel it. You will absorb it. When you read something that is not, you will disregard it. Just keep searching until you find what you are looking for. When that happens, you will know.

Welcome to our community. Merry Meet!!!

[rantnraven]

First of all, welcome to our family. Have a seat up on the porch and we'll all talk awhile.

Search your heart and Meditate. You will find your path but it will take time. I read a real good book for starters called Paganism - A Begginers guide. Sounds cheesy but it was full of good information. Find your path before seeking a mentor.

You will know it when you arrive. It's a little like running into tree, or a wall.

Blessings,
RnR

[aquinnah]

welcome credence - I was raised Catholic, too. My parents are deceased so I don't have to come out of the broom closet to them but my partner is from a very strict Catholic upbringing. We are considering getting handfasted (Pagan wedding) and married in a church ceremony as well, more out of respect for his family and his aging parents' peace of mind. What I really have trouble with is baptising our children.... but we're not even pregnant so I don't have to worry about that. I had been Pagan for a few years when my partner and I got together. I began accompanying him to family weddings and a few other religious ceremonies. I was happy to see the Goddess all around me in the guise of Mary. I just smile and laugh inwardly... if they only knew who they were praying to ...

[vocis noctis]

Id like to be a part of it and maybe even one day consider my self Pagan or Wiccan (what is the difference between the two?)

I'd like to know that too... from different points of view..

[bluecat]

Have a seat in one of Kaylara's comfy couch/chair thingies and have a glass of lemonade.

What aquinnah said rings very true. Just smile and know what you know about Mary, even though the church is a very male dominated place.

Read the articles and books that have been offered and study them. Also know that on all sides of the issue you will hear many distortions, but eventually your spirit will carry you to where you will be.

Blue :cool:

[SahuaDjet]

Em Hotep (in peace),
Greetings! Good advice on books....some of my fav links are http://www.witchvox.com, http://www.amysticalgrove.com, http://www.iamawitch.com and of course my page *wink wink nudge nudge* http://www.geocities.com/thehallsofamethyst/Start.html
try my links page....

Good Luck!
Sahu Djet

[Credence]

Really, thats all i do, i found that alot of the wiccan core beliefs relate closely to what i WANT to believe in. So i figured its the best religion for me.
Christianity is no longer a religion, it almost seems as if its not something personal anymore, its a big public thing, and i dont know about you, but i dont want to have to pay to see or talk to my God.

Paganism and Wiccan have amazed me ever since i was younger, but i never really thought of getting into it.
But now that i have internet im able to research on it. And i love it, I love learning about it. And i love not being restrained by what we can only see. Being wiccan is almost like being free. There really are no rules except the ones you make for your self.

Thats the way i see it, thanks for your help by the way, ill take a look at these :)

[Credence]

er
also
would a male witch be considered a Warlock? Or is that a Male Wizard
or is there a difference :D

[rantnraven]

Originally posted by Credence
er
also
would a male witch be considered a Warlock? Or is that a Male Wizard
or is there a difference :D

Ithink we are all just witches. :)

RnR

[bluecat]

A warlock is an OATH BREAKER ... not the term for male witch ... that is HOLLYWOOD and modern literature talking ...

[reanna]

:)

[Kaylara]

Yeah.... I have known a few Warlocks, both male and female. It's a really dergatory lable to give someone.

Also, there are some rules that are more or less common between pagans. Respect for fellow creatures, Love of Nature and protection of Nature, not just going out and doing magick with no regard for who gets hurt... stuff like that. (Feel free to refute this.)

Just my thoughts on it.
Kaylara

[Credence]

Yes, im aware of those certain rules that come with being pagan.

What i meant more or less are personal things.

[Mariposa De La Luna]

Merry meet and welcome! :sunny:

The difference between Pagan and Wiccan, as someone else put it, is that Wiccans are oranges and Pagans are the fruit salad.

Wiccans more commonly follow the Rule of Three and the Wiccan Rede BUT that is a whole other argument that does not need to be started in a welcome thread. I think I saw it elsewhere though.

[Dria El]

Originally posted by Credence
Yep, im new here ;).

Ive been raised as a catholic by my parents. But now questioning my own beliefs, as i do not agree with its principles and what it stands for. To say the least, i hate the catholic religion.

Of all the different religions ive read about, and seen, Pagans and Wiccan (or withcraft) are the ones that really seemed to grab my attention.
I really agree with alot of its core values and beliefs. And some of them just directly relate with how i am and how i feel about things.
So naturally i started reading about it.
And id like any expeirenced people in the religion here to give me any advice on which books(or links) to read or what i should/who i should be talking to. As i know tehre are alot of misleading people out there. Also, alot of people seem to make withcraft out to be evil(?!).

Id like to be a part of it and maybe even one day consider my self Pagan or Wiccan (what is the difference between the two?)

Any help would be apreciated for a newbie at this stuff :).
I hope i get a good response, seems like alot of intelligent people in this forum :D.
Thanks in advance.

Welcome Credence!!!

Here's a list of some of the books I've read...

A Witches Bible Complete by Janet and Stewart Farrar*
The Witches Goddess by Janet and Stewart Farrar
The Witches God by Janet and Stewart Farrar
What Witches Do by Janet and Stewart Farrar
An ABC of Witchcraft by Doreen Valiente
Spiral Dance by Starhawk
Sea Priestess by Dion Fortune
The White Raven by Diana Paxson
The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell**
Witchcraft Today by Gerald Gardner
Creative Visualization by Shakti Gawain
Drawing Down the Moon by Margot Adler
The Mabinogion by Evangeline Walton***
*combination of The Witches Way & Eight Sabbats for Witches
**also can be found in video form
***actually a series of 4 books

The difference between being Pagan and being Wiccan is simply explained this way. Calling someone Pagan is alot like calling someone Christian. While calling one a Wiccan is like determining which 'branch' of Christianity they're specifically talking about (ie. Catholic).

I hope this helps.

Helpingly,
Dria El

[Silverwitch]

Originally posted by Credence
Yes, im aware of those certain rules that come with being pagan.

What i meant more or less are personal things.

Hi Credence, you'll find lots of info and friendship around here. Regarding Wicca, I always recommend The Beginners Guide to Witchcraft by Teresa Moorey. It covers all the basics you want to know about and is an excellent introduction. Meanwhile, I concur with the others who've commented. Take things easy, gain knowledge and understanding, taking on board that which feels right, and discarding that which doesn't. Always ask 'why' and if the answer doesn't satisfy you, or feel 'true', don't go along with it, however 'important' or 'knowledgable' the other person seems to be! Above all, love what your doing, and the rest will follow.

[Tigerwallah]

Originally posted by Credence
Yes, im aware of those certain rules that come with being pagan.

What i meant more or less are personal things.

Paganism is freedom. It's the law of three, not the rule. That's just basic consideration for your fellow creatures. I consider it a no brainer that if you do something bad it will return to you threefold, and do something good, and it will also return to you threefold.

It's not about the rules, though. It's about following your heart. It's about a search for the truth. It is the freedom to ask the questions and seek the answers. It's freedom to be yourself without being judged for it. Rules have no place here out side of "Do as you will as long as it harms no one."

But it is not all fun and games. Unlike Catholics, we pagans take responsibilty for our own actions. There is no higher power making us do good or bad. It is all us. And there is no 10 minute confession with a couple of prayers to absolve us from our wrongs. We willingly take on the burden of being responsible to the universe for our actions. - Other than that, it's all lemonade, banana bread, and comfy chair thingies.

[Silverwitch]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Tigerwallah
[B]

Paganism is freedom. It's the law of three, not the rule. That's just basic consideration for your fellow creatures. I consider it a no brainer that if you do something bad it will return to you threefold, and do something good, and it will also return to you threefold.

Have to disagree with you there Tigerwallah. Yes, Paganism is (or should be) about freedom, but it's not necessarily about the law of three, which is a Wiccan concept. Not all Pagans believe or follow the three fold law, ie Druids, Northern Traditions, Magi, Shamanism, and so on, but they do all take self responsibility, which I think must be a general theme among all Pagans. ;)

[Tigerwallah]

Originally posted by Silverwitch
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Tigerwallah
[B]


Have to disagree with you there Tigerwallah. Yes, Paganism is (or should be) about freedom, but it's not necessarily about the law of three, which is a Wiccan concept. Not all Pagans believe or follow the three fold law, ie Druids, Northern Traditions, Magi, Shamanism, and so on, but they do all take self responsibility, which I think must be a general theme among all Pagans. ;)

You got me there ;) You're right, Silverwitch.

[gunner]

i agree with most if not all of the above, "being a pagan" is a very personal thing that you come to yourself, you sound as if you're already better than halfway there.accepting responsibility for what you do and what you are is a major step. accepting that responsibility leads you to a sort of freedom many people cannot handle which is a reason "pagans" will never be a "major religion" but we will always exist. by the way, i've noticed in more than just the marian cult how many ways christianity resembles the greco-roman religions it supplanted

[Credence]

Thats one of the main reasons i like paganism.
You get to be your self
Im so sick of seeing all these people hiding behind lies and making them selves out to be something they arent just to fit in with the majority.
Its really sad actually.
Of course, i am made fun of, and bashed on, for my individualistic (is that even a word?) ways.
I refuse to be average, and to fit in with everyone else, i dont want to hide me. I want to do whats good for me, not whats good for someone else. I want to live on a life built in truth with my self and the others around me, not one built on lies and fake friends.

Which is why paganism stands out from the rest.
Its an individual religion. Its a personal thing, there are no set guidelines or rules. You make them up for your self.
You get to BE. Something that you dont get in any other religion.
Basically, its to each his own really.

Thanks for the help guys :)