Pagan How Long? (Re-Visited)

[mol]

Another thread i would like to see continue...have at it...

[richardcranium]

3 almost 4

[Lynnaea]

For me it was a gradual awakening, I think I have been pagan all of my life, I have always been interested in magic, it just took a long time to find the right path. When I was a child I was taken to the Christian Science sunday school by my grandparents where I learned healing; there are many Christian fundies that consider that religion pagan, or at least Gnostic. Then in my 20s (that was 1968) I discoved a guru from India named Kirpal Singh and was initiated into that tradition. It was a good experience for me, I was taught to meditate, leave the body, go to higher realms. But I found the tradition way to restrictive for a young person and kept looking. I studied all religions, and would probably have ended up a Unitarian if I hadn't discovered Scott Cunningham's books. That was in the late 70s. I would do charms and little spells for years, but did not really call myself a witch until about 6 years ago.

[richardcranium]

Scott cunninghams books are the greatest. I have searched high and low trying to find all of his books. They are just so informative.

[Mairwen]

Have you been to half.com?

[mol]

Ebay.com
e-witch.com

hmmmmm...

[eaglewolf]

half-witchbay.com

...sorry. :p

~ew

[mol]

Originally posted by eaglewolf
half-witchbay.com

...sorry. :p

~ew

What in the Earth is wrong with you tonight? Too much coffee or not enough? ;)

[eaglewolf]

Originally posted by mol

What in the Earth is wrong with you tonight? Too much coffee or not enough? ;)

I was wondering when you would say something...

...I am soooooo tired it is rediculous. I cannot go to bed because my 3 year old wont go to sleep! I hate to be such a pain in the butt here on the boards, but I really have no where else to go. :(

~ew

[mol]

I have been there...many...MANY times. So dont sweat it. ;)

[Mariposa De La Luna]

I can't say when I became Pagan.
Iwas raised Catholic but was always interested in the different god/dess.When i was in hs my friend,now husband. gave me some reading mateiral. It sounded cool but not like a religion. So I let it go.
Then after afew years I took it up again and read alot.I finally decided to dedicate my self to the Lady about 4 years ago.
I'm definitely Pagan and not too far advanced in my estimation but learning more each day.
BB

[Mairwen]

SAHM, I am, I do not like green eggs and ham ....

[mol]

How long have I been a pagan?
Well, perhaps I am the "babiest" of all! I started studying wicca and paganism about 4 1/2 years ago, but I have only considered myself a "pagan" or a "wiccan" for less than a year. I guess I needed more than the "year and a day" to decide if I was really on the right path for me.

Even though I feel I've learned a lot in the past few years, I am still at the very beginning. So does that put me at the few-minutes-old baby stage? teehee!

Blessed Be, all,

Wyrdsister


__________________
~~~
.stories.from.the.broom.closet.
broomcloset.diaryland.com
~~~

[mol]

Originally posted by mol
How long have I been a pagan?
Well, perhaps I am the "babiest" of all! I started studying wicca and paganism about 4 1/2 years ago, but I have only considered myself a "pagan" or a "wiccan" for less than a year. I guess I needed more than the "year and a day" to decide if I was really on the right path for me.


I commend you on taking your time to search for your Path. I wish more people would make this kind of committment.


Even though I feel I've learned a lot in the past few years, I am still at the very beginning. So does that put me at the few-minutes-old baby stage? teehee!


Nothing wrong with that...we were all babies once...more than once actually! :)

[Kaylara]

I've been Wiccan for about six years now, pagan my whole life. (with stints of Christianity in here and there)

BB,
Kaylara

[Sleeping Ghost]

I actually think i'm the newest of all.... I started about 2 years ago (I was 14) when my friend told me that she was pagan and she gave me some informative books... but warned me that it is a predominately female religion but just 'cause i'm a male doesn't mean anything. I enjoy it thoroughly and i appreciate sites like these...

[enwyn]

but i don't really put much stock in how long because time in this sense doesn't matter to me. every morning when i wake up i feel like i'm starting new again because we are all forever learning new things...

*Brightest Blessings!*
enwyn

[Semele]

Originally posted by Mairwen
SAHM, I am, I do not like green eggs and ham ....

Try them I say
Try them and you might

Semele

[Mairwen]

Try them I say
Try them and you might
[/B]

I do not think that I might
Care to try and take a bite
of these here green eggs and ham,
SAHM I am.

[Semele]

Why Mairwen, my dear, are you a vegan???
LOL!!!
Semele

[Kaylara]

I wouldn't say that I'm Pagan/Wiccan yet, but I have been reading anything about Wicca I can get my hands on for about 3 years. *thinks* yea since I was a freshman in HS (I'm a junior now *dances*) :D I've always been interested in the Wiccan beliefs and I've always been fascinated with the moon, especially when it's full. *sighs* and, I've been thinking that I might join a coven, which I heard about courtesy of Kaylara. :)

[mol]

Originally posted by ☼Mar☼
I wouldn't say that I'm Pagan/Wiccan yet, but I have been reading anything about Wicca I can get my hands on for about 3 years. *thinks* yea since I was a freshman in HS (I'm a junior now *dances*) :D I've always been interested in the Wiccan beliefs and I've always been fascinated with the moon, especially when it's full. *sighs* and, I've been thinking that I might join a coven, which I heard about courtesy of Kaylara. :)

I applaud you for the time you are spending in study...I have said this before, but i wish more people would.

Welcome to the Community!

[Lynnaea]

Originally posted by mol
How long have I been a pagan?

Even though I feel I've learned a lot in the past few years, I am still at the very beginning. So does that put me at the few-minutes-old baby stage? teehee!
Blessed Be, all,
Wyrdsister


I think when it comes to magic, the more you learn, the more you find there is to learn, so we all are at the baby stage.

[mol]

Originally posted by Lynnaea

I think when it comes to magic, the more you learn, the more you find there is to learn, so we all are at the baby stage.

And will continue to be for many lifetimes to come...

[mol]

I thought I might revive this thread...post away.

[Kalima]

*looks furtive*

I have been studying and practicing for four years or so now ... and, against the flow of popular opinion, I jumped right in, and started doing mini-rituals from almost the first day.

*raises her umbrella for any hailstones that get sent her way*

Whilst I can see that encouraging studious behaviour in those who are interested is a very good thing (to discourage those wannabe witchlings who are thinking it's all about the dark and spooky thing ... and yep, I've come across a few who lost interest soon enough), it disturbs me that this trend also seems to be breeding a new generation of Pagans, who are virtually afraid of ritual/spell/energy work.
Just a random thought :)

[mol]

Originally posted by Kalima
this trend also seems to be breeding a new generation of Pagans, who are virtually afraid of ritual/spell/energy work.
Just a random thought :)

Where are these people!? I only seem to see tons of people that thinks thats all its about! Thats all they want to do...how do I do a charm spell? ... how do I light a candle like on Practical Magic?

Yikes.

[Kalima]

Heheh. You're thinking the dark and spookies ;)

I can count three people I know (of) off the top of my head who are almost 'afraid' to do spells - one RL and two from a mailing list I'm on.

[snappyglitz]

I just started reading Scott Cunninghams book "Guide For The Solitary Practitioner" on 1/1/2001....couldn't put it down. Then started looking for informational Wiccan sites online....found many. WOW...this is where my heart has been my whole life! Was raised by Protestant parents....dabbled in bahai for awhile but found it more administrative than spiritual.
I am truly blessed to have found my Path!...and to have found this truly outstanding Mysitc Wicks Community!

Gentle Breezes,
snappyglitz

[mol]

Originally posted by snappyglitz
I just started reading Scott Cunninghams book "Guide For The Solitary Practitioner" on 1/1/2001....couldn't put it down. Then started looking for informational Wiccan sites online....found many. WOW...this is where my heart has been my whole life! Was raised by Protestant parents....dabbled in bahai for awhile but found it more administrative than spiritual.
I am truly blessed to have found my Path!...and to have found this truly outstanding Mysitc Wicks Community!

Gentle Breezes,
snappyglitz


And we are grateful to have you here, snappy...

I want to know a little about bahai...i dont think I have ever heard of it!?

[Lilu]

I was christened Catholic, but it wasn't really enforced. I was very into Catholicism for a while there, did my reconciliation (first confession) and communion, was very involved with the church, and then I was going to do my confirmation (reaffirming the vows taken by your godparents at christening) and forever be Christian, but I just couldn't reconcile a lot I was reading in the bible with basic common sense. So I pulled out of the confirmation. I was about 12 years old.

I then did the new agey thing which my Mum was into, reincarnation, crystals, meditation, louise hay and lots of other information. When I was 14 I read a book called "Wilderness Moon". It's a fictional book - written about a pagan matrifocal culture in prehistorical Siberia, and there was just something in it about Goddess worship that called out to me. One night on the full moon, after reading some of this book, I took a sheep skin rug of mine and went outside at like 1 in the morning and sort of unofficially dedicated myself to Her through a song that I just composed instantly. I called Her, Ahne Amwe, which was the name that was used in the book for the moon, their goddess symbol. I've never forgotten that early morning, even down to the frosty dew on the grass...

At age 16 I began my first real studies. I got a hold of Cunningham's "The Truth About Witchcraft Today" - up until then I had had no idea that there was a Goddess religion! I devoured it. Then there came out a magazine called "Witchcraft" which I bought. It came out every 6 months, though now I believe it's every 2 months (though I can't get it because I'm in America now). I probably studied for a couple of years, dabbled in a few spells and things, then when I was 18 I dedicated myself to Her fully in a Mabon Sabbat Ritual.

So I've been studying, and *known* I was pagan for 8 years, but been an official and practicing witch/pagan for the last 4 years. I recently incorporated some new age ideals, and some other things into a spirituality which I call Earth Mysticism.

So that's my story.
BB
Lilu

[mol]

Originally posted by Lilu
I took a sheep skin rug of mine and went outside at like 1 in the morning and sort of unofficially dedicated myself to Her through a song that I just composed instantly.

Actually sounds pretty Official to me. Beautiful story...thx for sharing.

[Lynnaea]

Originally posted by Lilu

..............
One night on the full moon, after reading some of this book, I took a sheep skin rug of mine and went outside at like 1 in the morning and sort of unofficially dedicated myself to Her through a song that I just composed instantly. I called Her, Ahne Amwe, which was the name that was used in the book for the moon, their goddess symbol. I've never forgotten that early morning, even down to the frosty dew on the grass...

........
So that's my story.
BB
Lilu

Y'know, I have met several people that were drawn to the Goddess in a similar way. When She knows someone is ready She calls Her own to Her. She gave you Her blessing that night.

[Nyxee]

Like many Pagans, I feel I have been following this Path my entire life, but have only come to full understanding and acceptance within the last six years. That is, I have been dealing with (since 'worship' isn't exactly the right word) a Goddess (feminine divine force) since I was eleven. Precocious child, I know. I have been using the term 'Witch' for the last three years, after picking up 'The Spiral Dance' by Starhawk and 'Wicca' by Vivianne Crowley in a bookstore. I now refer to myself as a solitary, eclectic, dianic rationalist Pagan Witch. Or Mellee. Whatever suits ;)

Blessings

Mellee.

[Moondragon]

Tough one I was always around it with my parentsI would guess I originally seriously picked up a mix of shamanism/witchcraft along with my own personal twist around 15 yrs ago. I dabbled earlier than that but I hadn't really accepted it as my own prior to that.