How do I tell?

[Élistariel]

Something tells me a pagan or non-christian path is right for me. I still have a strong belief in a sort of "God". Just not the Christian male figure of one. There is no way I could ever tell my family, they wouldn't understand, some even work in the local Baptist church. Which is wonderful, for them. One friend may be somewhat aware that I'm not 100% Christian, but I don't think she's aware of how serious I am about learning about the pagan culture and religion. Certain unnatural/paranormal experiences, which won't be mentioned in this post have lead me to believe this would be the path for me. I'm still facing some uncertanties. How do I know for sure I'm doing the right thing? I don't have any specific deities or rituals. I'm still in the deciding phase. If I go through with it, I'd probably use the ones based on my ethnicities. (I hope that's the correct word). Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Eeluna]

Read, study, think, meditate. Take plenty of time. There's no rush.
Many Pagans take the traditional year and a day to learn all they can, but there really is no time limit. When (and if) the time comes, you will know. There will be a feeling of utter certainty that the Pagan Path is right for you. At that time you may still have lots of questions but you will *know* from the bottom of your heart and soul that Paganism is the only choice that is right for you. Blessed Be.

[~**foxglove**~]

There's not a yes or no answer to this - and I'm sure you'll understand when I say to you that this is something you must realise and decide for yourself. But you talk as if exploring the pagan path more extensively results in instantly 'becoming' one, which isn't so. Don't feel guilty for exploration. If you find that this is not right for you, then it has all been a learning experience for you and you have come to understand yourself better. If you're unsure, it's not time for you to learn. But, from the sounds of it, you have a genuine drawing towards this path, so at least give yourself the chance to learn and satisfy this curiosity you so obviously have.

I think the solution will come to you from your own heart, so don't worry yourself about it at all.

Best of luck sweetheat, blessed be x

[Flar's Freyja]

I agree - take your time and explore all that interests you and is available to you. Whatever is right and true for you will make itself clear in time. I continue to explore all aspects of this path and apply whatever resonates with my own center.

When I explain my path to others, I've found that the best way to describe it is that I have not abandoned my belief in God - but my perception of God has changed along with the way I practice spirituality. When I was a practicing Catholic/Christian, I prayed - but now I take the time to prepare a space and spend deliberate, focused time in ritual and/or meditation and this has greatly enhanced my relationship with the Divine.


Good luck, and don't forget that there's lots of help available here :)

[Mithrea]

I agree with Eeluna: read as much as possible. You can learn alot here too (though don't believe everything you read on the Internet ;) )

I've been pagan for years now and I'm STILL in the deciding phase. I consider this path a lifelong pursuit :)

[TornadoAli]

I also was raised Baptist, and somewhere along the line I began to realize that it just didn't feel right with me. Of course, I was told by my church/family/etc that even looking into other religious beliefs was wrong, that I should not "tempt" myself, since anything except Christianity must be Satanism. For years I was curious yet did not bring myself to study into anything different, because I felt so guilty and terrified of "going to hell." Then I realized that by telling me not to try anything else, they were effectively "blindfolding" me. That always bugged me about the Baptists...you weren't allowed to have your own mind, especially if you are a woman! But knowledge is power! Learn everything you can about as much as you can! I got to thinking about how so many different religions claim to be the "right" way or the "only" way, but how do you know which one is REALLY right? How do you KNOW Christianity is "the only way"? What if you spend your entire life believing what you're told and after you die, find out you were wrong all along??? I got tired of them telling me what to believe, and now I am finding my way along a path of my own choosing. I'm closer to the Divine now than I ever was as a Christian and it is so much more fulfilling!! So go study - learn learn learn!! When I started reading Pagan/Wiccan books I found myself saying "wow I've always felt that way!" or "Hey I knew that all along!" It did not take long for me to realize that this is the path I should have been on all along. Even if you don't agree with everything in a book, you will take something away from reading it, and will grow from it. You will come to KNOW what is right for you in time...just open your heart and mind and the possibilities are endless!

[Witchy Cowgirl]

I'm agreeing with all the above post. And Freyja's is excellent by the way! I feel her answer is mine.

Some folks don't believe that you can combine Christianity and Paganism, Wicca, etc. But I feel I do it sucessfully everyday. Like Freyja said, it's just my concept of God that has changed. And maybe that concept hasn't changed, just evolved.

Read, study, jump in on conversations here. You don't have to make a decision right away, and even if you do, this path has many twist and turns, highs and lows, and sometimes this path might even bring you to a stream you must ford. Trust in yourself, and your Higher Power.....you'll find your way.

[Flaire-FireStar]

I totally agree with everyone here.. I was also a Baptist, but started learning about paganism after watching the Craft. I rented a few books from the library and spent the summer reading and learning all I could cram into that brain of mine. As well, I was taking literally TONS of notes with the little bit of paper I had at the time.

When I got the net I started reading again, and printing a ton of stuff off, when my family wasn't around. I ended up getting a whole binder-full of print-outs in the bit of time when I was reasearching then. Then I turned back to Christianity, all my friends are/were Christian, my mom always took me to church on Sundays, so it made sense to do that at the time. This is what I made of my weekend, this is what I "believed". I started to volunteer at the church, I was a regular at the youth group, then I started going to bible studies as well and then my questions started to rise.

Everyone at the studies believed things that I didn't. I didn't believe homosexual and bisexual people were bad people - some of my closest friends were bi and gay! I couldn't look at them as bad people because they were some of the best friends I had. In another lesson, they compared Christianity to Buddhism one time. Somehow, they got onto the lines of saying "There is only one messiah. Both can't be right, so one has to be wrong". Meaning, to them, Jesus was right and the Buddah was wrong. I didn't think that was right. I though that there could be more than one RIGHT religion. And so I started studying paganism seriously again.

And here I am today. :) Still studying, although nearly 4.5. years later of on-and-off studying, I dedicated myself on Dec. 14. I felt it was time, but I'm still learning. Some days I feel like I've made the wrong choice, but then I go and talk to my trees, or water my herbs and that goes away.

[pythagoras]

I think in instances like this the most important thing is to not be limited by labels. I definitely agree that you should do research so that you can understand what other people feel and have discovered, but the best sorts of insights come from inside. If you adopt a label, you should never be afraid to think seriously about discarding it. After all, people change all the time. :)

Be happy.