Finding a religion

[novimarra]

Just as a short intro, I'm a very new Pagan. I know what I believe and don't believe, and I consider myself an eclectic Wiccan, by this only. In other words, I don't have very much time, and even less space, for ritual.

So I ask, in what ways do you practice your religion (whatever it might be) that do not require elaborate rituals, other Pagans, tools, space, etc.?

Unfortunately, I work 9-5 and live with my Catholic family, who are always around. You know... :weirdsmil

[Brigid Rowan]

You can do ritual..amazing, complex, bells n whistles ritual in your head. I think its fine to do it like that. You can have a simple candle on a dresser or shelf in your room, and light that, as your alter. You can collect things of nature..shells, rocks, a leaf, a pine cone, and have those as part of your alter. How about a small statue of a Goddess? I have a bronze Athena in my family room, that everyone simply thinks is a pretty greek looking lady warrior. Place runes done in marker or pencil or crayon over your door. They can be small, no one would see them. Sprinkle salt lightly over the window sash, or doorway..cleanse and scent the room by having fresh growing lavender, sage, or rosemary in pots by the window.

Buy a pretty dish or bowl, place in it crystals you admire or are drawn to, or add some natural potpourri, or wear a special piece of jewelry. It needn't have OCCULT written all over it. My ring, bracelets, necklaces are all mundane looking enough. (Trust me, I dont think David Yurman was thinking witchy thoughts when he designed his stuff, lol) But those pieces have been charged, empowered, and wrapped in love by working with my Gods. But they LOOK mundane. I dont actually even own a pentagram, though I find them lovely.

Buy a special rug, something you love, and has a design with nature in it..and use it to meditate on. To others, its a vine and flower covered rug, to you, its part of your sanctuary.

Good luck, hope this helps!

[novimarra]

Thanks a bunch, Brigid Rowan. I like the idea of having normal-looking things around that really mean something to you. It would be great to get a hold of some things to spice up my tiny space a bit, I think it really would make me more comfortable with practicing in it, instead of feeling like a half-arsed Pagan stuck between four walls every day.

All replies are welcome, guys, thanks!

[Brigid Rowan]

The other thing is BOOKS. The big blue book is good, fr'instance. Look into Shekhinah Mountainwater and Starhawk, too.

[Windsmith]

Anything you already do can be a ritual or spell, if you take a minute to set intent and focus before you start. For instance, when I make dinner, I can just get out my pots and pans and ingredients and get to it, and it's "just" dinner. But I can also take a minute before I start to center and focus, and to set the intention of creating a meal that nourishes the spirit as well as the body. I can really notice what I'm doing while I'm doing it, and maybe even think about magical associations I have for particular ingredients that I'm using, then it becomes a cooking ritual.

Ritual doesn't have to be separate from what you're already doing. It can be incorporated pretty seamlessly.

[BlackLili]

Jeeze, Brigid and Windsmith, you two are a tough act to follow! :fpraise:

What I have is mostly agreeing with these other fine ladies. I grew up in a Catholic family, and found that curtains and windowsills were my best altars and camouflage. I had a window that I set the head of my bed right up against, and I could light a couple candles, look out at the moon and sky, light a stick of incense and stick it out the window, and just - be. Sometimes, the simplest rituals can be the most effective, and the things that look mundane to others can have a deep significant meaning to us.

Good luck and remember - much witchcraft has been disguised as Catholic piousness for a long time in this country. ;)

[LadyofVenus]

Hi
I think that being wiccan is more of a lifestyle and a change of mindset then anything to do with rituals, tools, or the like.

Think about what is means to be wiccan. You help the planet by recycling and using green cleaning. You are kind to your neighbors and helpful to strangers, because the goddess is part of everyone. I live in an area with a lot of homeless people and my favorite way of giving food offerings is buying a taco for the guy sitting on the corner on my way to work. After handing it to him I offer him genuine blessings on his day.

As far as a home alter I would set aside a table for your "knick knacks". Put stones, a pretty tealight holder and maybe some of natures treasures to remind you of the natural cycles.
If you have your own room it is pretty simple to do a quiet ritual in the late evening. If not maybe a quiet corner of a park during the day. Or even a quiet corner of your local coffee place (because we want to support small business) while having a latte.

Good luck on your path.

[Shanti]

I'm not Wiccan nor have advice...I just wanted to say this is really a nice thread. :)

It made me smile!!!! :)

[novimarra]

It's nice to know others think about these things too. I mean, of course I knew it before, but now I *know* it! Sometimes it's quite lonely, when you need a bit of advice or have a teenage moment like, nobody understands me!

Everything I've seen here so far is practical and creative - thanks all!

[LadyofVenus]

you are welcome :)

[RoseRhythm]

Sometimes, especially lately, I feel too busy to be a pagan the way I want to be. It's sad and for a while I became greatly depressed over the matter. Until I realized something - I can feel the wind against my skin so wonderfully while walking to my campus classes. On the rare occasion that the sun is out I concentrate as I walk and try to feel it's warmth through the cold. I try to meditatively walk everywhere - focusing on as many elements as I can experience. I try to pick out bits of nature, watch the trees and whisper a greeting to them under my breath or even in my head. I saw two campus cat strays (well fed by the student population) chilling out under a tree in the snow and just stood to watch them for a bit because no one else was around. We're surrounded by so much so often that we forget to notice sometimes! At least, I do. So I try to do this as much as possible and I know it's helped keep my from getting depressed about my lack of pagan state.

-Rose

[Eleisawolf]

I love the peaceful times for having impromptu, unplanned rituals. I'll set my alarm even just a half-hour early, sit in the lotus position, and do a candle focus exercise. Or watch the sunrise. Or I'll stay up with a lit candle until I've hit the first brief moment past midnight, bathing in the moonlight--or even in the dark of the moon.

I agree with what others here have said so far. Ritual is a state of mind. It's bringing awareness to every little thing you do and, as a friend on the Pantheist board who is very wise says, Live every moment like an altar to what you believe.

Peace