Needing some help on pondering where to start

[Tranquility]

Paganism seems like such a diverse and special religion, there is so much i would like to learn, but i've no clue where to start, i only recently found this site and until then i have been just practicing my meditation, and strengthening my mental senses, since i already do Tai Chi and kung fu ( martial arts) which already require meditation and deep breathing. So i have been browsing a particularly excellent pagan site name Wyldkats pagan palace. I have been practicing some of the things on his site and trying a few, only the basics, and until most recently i found my animal guide, the Grizzly Bear. BUt now i have no clue where to go... and i have a lot of wierd questions to ask.. For example, when should i start learning runes? Just lots of litttle things like that, and wierd things happen to me, and i don't want to say im chosen because i doubt i am, but things like me being able to seek my animal guide so fast, and being able to learng things in life so fast, and being able to speak with animals and trees within almost only a week of practicing... And my name is also protector of mankind, which is all of earths inhabitants including Humans..... its alexander.. so i feel chosen and put on this earth for some reason but i don't think that I am... something is calling me though and i do not know what, and i think paganism will help me find that meaning

[Storm]

Merry Meet
First of all most of us check all the forums. You only need to post a question once and it will be answered in time. If you are wondering where to begin check out the WHERE TO START thread at the top of the New Pagans forum. I would post a link but I don't know how. Or I am not supposed to. ??? Anyway Myst put together a great list of things to think of. Once you start reading books you will be surprised how far your interest will branch out.
Bright Blessings and best of luck,
Storm Thunderhawke

[Raevyn]

You can do runes or other forms of divination whenever you want. You're lucky to get your animal guide so soon, but it's not that unusual - for some of us Paganism is very natural and comes very easily when we start meditating etc. This would especially be true if you've practiced techniques from your martial arts for focus and control. Just keep studying, don't worry too much because you have all your life to learn. You will find lots of people of like mind here and are welcome to ask specific questions. Welcome to MW :)

[Pan]

http://www.mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?threadid=12840

There's the Where to Start thread. :D I just started where it was most well-known: Wicca. Then I fleshed out from there! Now I work with Faeries and Herbs mostly.. hence Green Room is my fave. ;)

[Sequoia]

*smiles* welcome!!

The thing about paganism, is that in general, it means finding your own path. My advice to you would be. . . well, for one, keep it up! Never stop asking questions! Secondly. . . follow your heart. If you get that urge to learn runes right now, go for it! Read, write, study, ask ask ask! If you don't feel comfortable with something right now, then you don't have to. I don't think there's so much of a sequence - I myself learn things in bits and pieces. And the puzzle reveals itself to me, slowly. But I've also realized something - there are infinate pieces. The picture just keeps growing!

Don't worry about how long it takes, or what you do first. To most ends, it's not terribly sequencial. (unless we're talking about being initiated in a clergy of some sort, in which case it's probably best to go step-by-step :) )