Needing an outsiders view!!!

[Glowingsun]

For those that have gotten to know me or are getting to know me, Would you say I'm a pantheon pagan? i usual call my self pagan till a few months ago when I discovered a pantheon definition and it sounded like my way of belief but I'm not sure if I am that and would like an outsiders view.

[TygerTyger]

Sorry, but what do you mean by 'panthenon'?

[Agaliha]

I'm a little confused as well... I'm not familar with that word and according to the dictionary it's not a word...

Pantheon seems close to "panthenon" though I don't know if that's what was meant. Pantheon, if it was meant usually just refers to a set of deities-- the Greek pantheon, the Roman pantheon, etc. So if you honor say, Egyptian gods in your practice, one could say you are honoring a pantheon, thereby in some way making you a "pantheon" pagan. Though I haven't heard it said in that way before. Most Pagans worship a pantheon of gods, some worship many. So that in of itself isn't a path, it's just a way to describe one's worship of a particular set of gods.

Pantheism, which this sub-forum is for is totally different, even though they both have "pan" in them. There is also Panentheism, which also means something else. Both of these are ways of describing a view of deity (much like monotheism, polytheism, henotheism, atheism, etc). They are than incorporated into a path, practice, etc.

With all these words with "pan" in them it's hard to know which one you're referring to ;)

Perhaps if you listed your beliefs, those that are Pantheists could help you out?
There's also some sites that'd be helpful, here lists many Pantheist beliefs:
(for scientific Pantheism): http://www.pantheism.net/paul/beliefs.htm & http://www.pantheism.net/paul/faqs.htm are good places to start...

There's also the threads:
What is Pantheism? (http://mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?t=138994)

Hope those help!

[Glowingsun]

O.k I'll break it down you guys :ahem

i don't do a whole lot of wroshiping with an altar or cast spells. I pretty much have my views on my beliefs (Which I'll explain). I like learning chants and sing them to myself and to my daughter. I teach her to respect the planet and teach her morals that I live by. Mostly morals from Aesop's fables, but they're good morals to live by. I wish I could do more with my beliefs. I wouldn't say I'm a religious type. But it would be helpful to find a coven or meet other pagans ro wiccan in my city so I can learn better by observing. That's the best way I learn too. I have a few books on different parts of paganism and witchcraft.
I have the book The Beginners guide to Witchcraft by: Teresa Perry
Life Magic The Power of Positive Witchcraft: by Susan Bowes
The Wiccan Wellness Book: by Laura Perry
Magic Spells For a Happy Life Essentials: by Cassandra Eason

I haven't really read the 3rd book fully.
As for my beliefs, I believe in the male and female principle and that nothing can exist without both principles creating it. I believe in the moon goddess and I am strongly drawn to the moon. I think it's one the most beautiful things we can see with the naked eye in the sky. I am fully aware in how everything goes in cycles and circles. I don't believe that anything just ends.
But I also take into account science before beliefs. I am always catching up on discoveries around the world and in space. I'm always looking for answers.
I believe in Jesus and Mary and Joseph. But I thinkthe actual story of how Mary got pregnant is a little more cockeyed than it appears we have been lead to believe. I also think that Jesus was a healer and possibly a magician much like Criss Angel. I have no other beliefs in christianity, let alone the bible.

So I'm wondering if there is a specific path that fits all that in.

[spiral]

By pantheon pagan did you mean pantheist pagan?

The basic element of pantheism is: God = everything

By everything we mean nature - the universe and it's laws, the earth and everything on it. Many of us believe that nature itself is the only divinity we need, and don't really believe in supernatural beings (gods etc) except as metaphorical constructs - that is, they represent qualities we value.

I'm not sure from your description if that describes you, probably only you can tell that! The 'What is Pantheism' thread that Agaliha suggested is a good place to start. You could try wikipedia's (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantheism) entry as well for a decent overview.

Also, if you could show us the initial definition you found and how it explains you, that might help as well.

[Glowingsun]

Also, if you could show us the initial definition you found and how it explains you, that might help as well.


uh, this is going to make me sound really stupid... but I got from a quiz result.:weirdsmil

[brigidrose]

O.k I'll break it down you guys :ahem

i don't do a whole lot of wroshiping with an altar or cast spells. I pretty much have my views on my beliefs (Which I'll explain). I like learning chants and sing them to myself and to my daughter. I teach her to respect the planet and teach her morals that I live by. Mostly morals from Aesop's fables, but they're good morals to live by. I wish I could do more with my beliefs. I wouldn't say I'm a religious type. But it would be helpful to find a coven or meet other pagans ro wiccan in my city so I can learn better by observing. That's the best way I learn too. I have a few books on different parts of paganism and witchcraft.
I have the book The Beginners guide to Witchcraft by: Teresa Perry
Life Magic The Power of Positive Witchcraft: by Susan Bowes
The Wiccan Wellness Book: by Laura Perry
Magic Spells For a Happy Life Essentials: by Cassandra Eason

I haven't really read the 3rd book fully.
As for my beliefs, I believe in the male and female principle and that nothing can exist without both principles creating it. I believe in the moon goddess and I am strongly drawn to the moon. I think it's one the most beautiful things we can see with the naked eye in the sky. I am fully aware in how everything goes in cycles and circles. I don't believe that anything just ends.
But I also take into account science before beliefs. I am always catching up on discoveries around the world and in space. I'm always looking for answers.
I believe in Jesus and Mary and Joseph. But I thinkthe actual story of how Mary got pregnant is a little more cockeyed than it appears we have been lead to believe. I also think that Jesus was a healer and possibly a magician much like Criss Angel. I have no other beliefs in christianity, let alone the bible.

So I'm wondering if there is a specific path that fits all that in.

I have raised my family to honor all those things too, we are a bit eclectic in the belief system area. I explained that we are all part of the "whole".
I dont really do spells, I try, I "feel" like I'm doing them correctly, but since I'm not studied in the rituals I don't feel ready to do alot of them.
I'm also not sure its the path for me, not all of it. Its confusing, I know the ruituals are there for a reason, to give more intent, but I prefer to use my mind only and visualize. Some would call it lazy, I dont know.

:)

[Glowingsun]

I have raised my family to honor all those things too, we are a bit eclectic in the belief system area. I explained that we are all part of the "whole".
I dont really do spells, I try, I "feel" like I'm doing them correctly, but since I'm not studied in the rituals I don't feel ready to do alot of them.
I'm also not sure its the path for me, not all of it. Its confusing, I know the ruituals are there for a reason, to give more intent, but I prefer to use my mind only and visualize. Some would call it lazy, I dont know.


Maybe I'm one of those people that are just in the generalized column. i'm pagan........actually what is the big difference between pagan and wiccan?

[Agaliha]

Maybe I'm one of those people that are just in the generalized column. i'm pagan........actually what is the big difference between pagan and wiccan?

Quite a bit actually. Wicca has a structure, belief system, tradition, etc.
It's not exactly, I-can-do-whatever-I-like --there are parameters, from what I understand, even in eclectic Wicca. You might want to check out the Wiccan sub-forum here to learn more. Like here: Core Beliefs of Wicca (http://mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?t=151625)

Paganism is an umbrella term, where many paths go under, including Wicca. One can be Pagan and believe a wide range of things, from eclectic to reconstructionalist. Calling yourself "Pagan" would be just fine and if later you need to specify you always can...

[brigidrose]

I think, Pagan is the original non christian, farm folk, not sure, so dont yell,lol. Wicca is the more modern form. I'm still learning, I always have been drawn to witchcraft, but when I was younger it was a bad thing.
I like taking bits of things that feel true, putting aside other things that don't. I know some here will not agree, which is fine. I respect most beliefs or at least what they used to stand for.

[brigidrose]

Quite a bit actually. Wicca has a structure, belief system, tradition, etc.
It's not exactly, I-can-do-whatever-I-like --there are parameters, from what I understand, even in eclectic Wicca.

Paganism is an umbrella term, where many paths go under, including Wicca. One can be Pagan and believe a wide range of things, from eclectic to reconstructionalist. Calling yourself "Pagan" would be just fine and if later you need to specify you always can.

Ok, I would consider myself Metaphysical/Pagan.

[Glowingsun]

O.k I think I'll stick to just pagan then till I know more about the path I'm going.
Thanks for all your help!

[Philosophia]

Neopaganism vs Wicca

Neopaganism (or Neo-Paganism or Paganism) is a broad designation that refers to any nature-based or earth-based religion, most of which pattern themselves on ancient western pagan religions.

Wicca is one form of Neopaganism. Thus all Wiccans are Neopagans (or Pagans), but not all Pagans are Wiccans.

From http://www.religionfacts.com/neopaganism/terminology.htm

Here are some other links:
Wicca vs Paganism (http://www.paganlibrary.com/introductory/wicca_vs_paganism.php)
Paganism versus Wicca (http://numenweb.org/thought/pagwic.html)

I don't know how reliable these sites are but they do give some information about the differences.

[Agaliha]

O.k I think I'll stick to just pagan then till I know more about the path I'm going.
Thanks for all your help!

Sounds good :thumbsup:

[Teresa]

Wicca is a specific type of Pagan, just like Heathen is a specific type of pagan. They follow a certain set of beliefs and practices. Many people that are not aware of terms do assume that if you are pagan you are wiccan but that is not always the case.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wicca

http://www.wicca.com/celtic/wicca/wicca.htm