Newbie!

[Equinox]

Hi!

It has been fun to find this board! I'm pretty busy with work and a kid, but I hope to visit from time to time.


I was celebrating the winter solstice for years before I even heard of Wicca, and now I incorporate many of the 8 holidays into my life. My wife is descended from Scottish highlanders, so meeting her accelerated my drift in that direction. I’ve put a little of my past history on my web page, along with some essays.

As a Pagan Humanist, maybe I’m a minority within a minority. Oh well – I don’t have to agree with everyone all the time for us to have a good time talking! Blessed be!

-Equinox

[Ben Trismegistus]

Welcome aboard! Can you tell us what a Pagan Humanist is?

[Mithrea]

:welcome: to Mysticwicks!

[Equinox]

Thanks for the welcomes, Ben and Mithrea!


Sorry about not explaining that better. Humanism is basically just rationalism or naturalism – the belief that the natural, observable world is what we have to work with, and that we should focus our energies on this life, not on some hypothetical heaven or hell. “Focusing on this life” includes enjoying this life, nurturing family connections, and helping to make the world a better place for future generations. Many scientists are humanists. A common criticism of rationalism is that it can be too cold because the focus on naturalism leads to a belief that things like a great bearded guy in the sky or “magic” don’t exist.

Here is a link of definitions of humanism:
(http://www.americanhumanist.org/humanism/definitions.htm)

That’s where my paganism comes in. I feel that much of paganism complements and enriches my life. I see the wheel of the year a beautiful way to honor each stage of our lives and to be with family – not to mention being able to celebrate another year of our lives together. I think that revering gods is good as a way to acknowledge archetypes of humanity (my personal favorite is the titan Prometheus). I see spells as a way for us to symbolically focus our mental energies on specific needs.

I also think it is important to recognize places where science doesn’t have an answer – such as the nature of our consciousness, or whether or not worms are conscious. It’s hard to put all this in a nutshell, but basically, I’m nature-centered. That’s “nature” including the stars, planets, people, and indeed, our entire universe – this I revere. Does any of that make sense?

Equinox

[Ben Trismegistus]

I see - fascinating. I was aware of "secular humanism" but was unaware of its pagan counterpart.

This makes perfect sense to me and sounds great!

[fairyofthefountain]

:welcome:

I am fairly new here myself but I really enjoy it here I hope you do too

[Siarlas]

Greetings and :welcome:!

[SylverStar]

Welcome to MW

[April]

Hi :welcome:

[Bef]

Velcome... and by that I mean Welcome.
Muah

[mol]

Welcome home!

[Equinox]

Hi-

Thanks! It’s great to be in a place where I’m not accused of heresy!

To answer Ben – I’m not surprised you hadn’t heard of it. I have to admit I kinda made it up myself – though it is a logical outgrowth from the term “secular humanist”. It just struck me one day that both Paganism and Humanism are focused on this life, are nature based, and recognize that people are more important than creeds.

Brightest blessings to all!

--Equinox.

[Pesha]

Welcome and blessings. I like your name it is unusual.

BB

D'S....also known as....

[Psyche Ague]

Hello and welcome! :wave:

I very much understand and agree with your idea of Pagan Humanism. I consider myself a humanist in many fields - psychology in particular, though not strictly. I suppose this one may not be different. Maybe I'll just add that to my already hefty title of Buddhist Pagan. *grins*

[~ Monk ~]

Welcome aboard! :thumbsup:

[MoonDust]

:wave:

[Autumn]

Hello and welcome, I hope you enjoy it here! :chattin:

[Pan]

Welcome to MW! I hope you like it here as much as the rest of us. :)

[vespertine]

Welcome to MW hon :D hope to see you around more!

*leaves a mango on the porch for you and skips off*