I am Curious?

[Skye]

Hello everyone,


I have been a traditionalist for as long as I can remember....All my family( except for a very few devients) have folowed, what I chose to call a Heathen existansce. Sorry, but I believe Wicca was created, maybe out of couriosity, or bordom, or the wishful thinking that they could KNOW the old ways.

I don't want to effend anyone, but what do you believe, and why?

[Skye]

Sorry, my spelling was sooooo bad!

[Rævyn Cigány]

I suppose I'll say that I am Wiccan, and I agree, Wicca was 'created' but from stuff that has been taught and practised for thousands of years. I would consider myself an Avalonian/Druid cross. I take a little of both practises and encorporate it in my life. I don't think I could be a full Druidess though...I haven't the patience (or the time for the years of intensive study!)!

BB

Rae )0(

[Skye]

I turely love talking on this form. I can say what I like(or need) and I always get an honest respose.
thanx

[rantnraven]

Couldn't vote in the poll.

I am an Eclectic Solitary Shaman-Witch-Heathen thingy, if you will. I saw that "All of the above" was not an option. That would be my choice.

I cannot stick to one-or-the-other. I find it all applicable to a degree. And love you all for what you are.

Blessings,
RnR

[rantnraven]

So, I voted "Other", I guess.

RnR

[MistOfTheSea86]

I am confused about myself. I am a faery Wiccan and happy but also I have a bit of Shaman and Hedge-witch in me. I am confused. can anyone help?

[Mairwen]

I'm an Elder in The Gwyddonic Order, which is Welsh Traditionalist Paganism. I'm a Gwyddon. :D Within the Order, I'm currently studying in the Druidic Priesthood, so I'm a Druidry Student, as well as a College Priestess. (oy) :cool:

The usual response I get when I tell someone I'm a Gwyddon is, "What's a Gwyddon?" ~ then they want to know what branch of Wicca that is; that's when they get thumped on the noggin! :rolleyes:

[Lady Tana]

Originally posted by rantnraven

I saw that "All of the above" was not an option. That would be my choice.

I am with RnR on this one.... so I voted "Other" as well....

im a Heinz 57 all the way around I guess :)

[Skye]

Maiewn,
I am of Welsh- Scot desent....
Lots in common!

[Skye]

see there,
still can't spell!

:o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o

[Mairwen]

I don't know. Could be. Couldn't be. :)

[Skye]

Maiwen,


That means ....What?

[Armitage]

I've had a lot of time to think about this lately...I'm not sure of what I am anymore, but I am very close to nature and believe in different deities, not just aspects, but separate Beings, as well as spirits, fae, angels...
I'm a mess. :D

[rantnraven]

Originally posted by Armitage
I've had a lot of time to think about this lately...I'm not sure of what I am anymore, but I am very close to nature and believe in different deities, not just aspects, but separate Beings, as well as spirits, fae, angels...
I'm a mess. :D

You are not a mess. How say you. You are appearantly as eclectic - with a leaning - as I. I consider myself more Shaman then anything but, that could change tomorrow - for all I know.

Blessings,
RnR, NrN, Rant, Whatever. Go with the heart,
Me (there you have it!). Me.

[Lavender]

Pagan herbal (or hedge) witch with a bit of druidism & shamanic influences but not wiccan! A lot of times when someone asks, I just say I follow the Old Ways...it saves a lot of explaining. People always assume that if you say you're a witch, you must be wiccan.

[Aventurine]

I didn't vote in the poll (at least, I think I didn't) but ...

My answer is, yes. :)

I was baptised and confirmed Roman Catholic, and I jumped straight from there to Wicca - and although it felt right in many ways, I used to have trouble understanding why I didn't feel comfortable with it. It took me awhile to realize that as long as I tried to shut myself into one 'religion' and adhere strictly to what I was told were its practices, I wouldn't be satisfied with what I was doing.

Call it a cop-out if you will, but I have a hard time believing that any faith, Pagan or otherwise, is wrong. It's all just different ways of viewing the same thing, right? I suppose I could have answered 'Wiccan' in the poll, but ...

I'm a mutt, and I think a lot of people are. My Catholic grandmother swears by tarot, and just recently we had a discussion about astrology and reincarnation. It was nice to find out that even Christians can muck around with their faiths ... ;)

But I digress. My answer is yes.

- Aventurine

[Rævyn Cigány]

Originally posted by Aventurine
I didn't vote in the poll (at least, I think I didn't) but ...

My answer is, yes. :)

I was baptised and confirmed Roman Catholic, and I jumped straight from there to Wicca - and although it felt right in many ways, I used to have trouble understanding why I didn't feel comfortable with it. It took me awhile to realize that as long as I tried to shut myself into one 'religion' and adhere strictly to what I was told were its practices, I wouldn't be satisfied with what I was doing.

Call it a cop-out if you will, but I have a hard time believing that any faith, Pagan or otherwise, is wrong. It's all just different ways of viewing the same thing, right? I suppose I could have answered 'Wiccan' in the poll, but ...

I'm a mutt, and I think a lot of people are. My Catholic grandmother swears by tarot, and just recently we had a discussion about astrology and reincarnation. It was nice to find out that even Christians can muck around with their faiths ... ;)

But I digress. My answer is yes.

- Aventurine

*Thunderous applause* Well said, Av!!! I couldn't have put it more eloquently myself. I was the same way...I was raised R.C....I was even an alter girl, but nothing ever seems to ring true to me...so when my brother came home wearing a pentacle and a serious lack of hair, and he explained to me what it was he was into (being a good Catholic girl~or so I thought ;)~ I immediately assume he'd become a satanic deviant), and the more I read, the more I knew I had 'come home'. Geez, don't I just have the knack for run-on sentences!!!

BB

Rae )0(

[Aventurine]

Originally posted by Rævyn Cigány


I was raised R.C....I was even an alter girl

Hooray for former altar girls! Me too. Sometimes I wonder, was it just that I liked it a little -too- much and decided to get an altar of my own ...? ;)

- Aventurine

[Xois]

*sigh*

Even HERE I am "other" :(

how about a tick for Pagan...

:)

Xois

[sherry]

:) I was raised baptist in a family with natural born gifts. For over
15 year I followed everything they threw at me but had a hard time believing most of it. I was the little kid that LOVED the word WHY :) :) I am sure they all went WHEW when I was no longer a member!!:D The question that got me thrown out of the church I was raised in was " How do we know we are right with so many other people following so many different religions?"

I read 100's of books and follow a Pagan path. I do like many Wiccan ideas. I had even studied Corrilian Wicca until I looked ahead into the advance study material and found the area on sacrifice, initiations, and how to become a preistess. This to me was farther than I am willing to go!! Frightening

I have a strong respect for and enjoy studying about Voodoo I am not sure where this is coming from but I do love it, most interesting stuff to read. And it makes you laugh at HOLLYWOOD even more They have a big misunderstanding. Go Figure!!

Right now I am learning to develope my Borne gifts into more than parlor tricks. I am currently learning as much as possible about meditation due to anger and the cost of lightbulbs!!
they tend to not like me much with anger.:( And I am learning much more about why I have always been able to see spirits/ghosts whatever you want to call them!!Most of my family have things like this they were born with and just chose not to develope and understand what they have and how to use them.

So I guess OTHER would be me !

[Faery-Wings]

I started out on my Path studying Wicca. And now I am just confused :confused: I mean, Wicca has a lot of things I really like and feel so "right" in the core of me, and then there are some things that just are not right for me. I would like to continue my Wiccan studies, but don't know if I feel totally comfortable calling myself a Wiccan, even an Eclectic one, if I take a lot of the "stuff" out of it. I am studying Kitchen/hedge witch paths too. That feels very right to me.

I am trying to resist the pull of having a "label" for myself and it isn't easy!
So just call me a "Confused Seeker of Somewhat Wiccan Tendencies and Somewhat Not"
:confused: :confused: :confused: :D :D :D

Chris

[Emerald Sky]

Chris,
If you don't mind me asking, what is it about Wicca that doesn't feel right? I'm just curious.

I seem to be leaning toward the Green branch of Witchcraft.

[mol]

I follow my own personal Path. It is Nothing and Everything. ;)

[Semele]

Originally posted by mol
I follow my own personal Path. It is Nothing and Everything. ;)

I'm riding with him!!

Seriously I just call myself a pagan. I am very ecclectic and I love the theology behind many paths...have found my own but it has no name.

[Kaylara]

Molism and Semeleism

Hee hee...

Kaylara

[idusty88]

I ticked other too.
Plain 'pagan' would've been a good category. I think that would've worked for me and probably a few others too. Saved having to seperate ourselves out with all those qualifiers, too many of those to list anyway.

[Skye]

Yeah, I should have included just plain Pagan....but really there is to many paths to list.

Soryy, I tried:D :D :D :D :D :elf:

[Greenthumb]

It's so nice to know that so many are so "unstructured". No need for me to feel like odd girl out around here!!!

Thanks guys
greenthumb

[Mairwen]

Originally posted by Skye
Maiwen,
That means ....What?

You said we had a lot in common? How do you know?

[Mairwen]

Originally posted by Greenthumb
It's so nice to know that so many are so "unstructured". No need for me to feel like odd girl out around here!!! Thanks guys
greenthumb

I didn't choose "other" because I'm unstructured, so to speak. I chose "other" because people don't know to put "Gwyddon" on polls like these. We're very far and few in between. :D

[clef0628]

I mostly follow Celtic Shamanism, but I don't follow every about it.

[Tanna]

i was gonna ask if maybe there should be a seeker listing, but then i saw it put so nicely about mutts. really, this
Call it a cop-out if you will, but I have a hard time believing that any faith, Pagan or otherwise, is wrong. It's all just different ways of viewing the same thing, right?
is exactly right.

when i run into something new, i listen to it, and it always seems that i can equate this entity/concept/belief to that one, and it's all pretty good except when someone screws up in semantics. this goes on until it all turns into a puddle in my head, with the niggling little things that don't overlap quite right making me wonder what kind of hurt in the progenitors of that particular system of belief could have caused them to twist the pure simplicity of the universe out of shape in however small a detail.

...blah, blah, blah...

[Skye]

Originally posted by Mairwen


I didn't choose "other" because I'm unstructured, so to speak. I chose "other" because people don't know to put "Gwyddon" on polls like these. We're very far and few in between. :D

I did not put Gwyddon on this poll, simply because many traditions specifically do not want to be named....mine included.

Sorry if I could not included all forms of paganism....that is what other is for!

[rain]

Merry Meet Skye,

It has been quoted often that "All witches are pagans but not all pagans are witches". I personally would go along with this quote, I am a hereditory witch, my spirituality is based on paganism. I think of wicca as the whole concept of witchcraft, and tend to call myself wiccan. Unfortunately the word "witch" which originally meant "wise" has become so corrupted by the media etc to have deviated so drasticaaly from it's original roots.
Folk now seem to generally accept the terms wicca and wiccan, and are more aware and enlightened, whereas using the terms witch and withcraft, still have a stigma attached to the uninformed.

Brightest Blessings
rain

[Greenthumb]

perhaps "unstructured" was not a good word. I did not mean to imply that folks here don't have organized beleif patterns, rather that many-myself included have, or are in the process of establishing those patterns from a variety of sources. Yep, that's what I meant.

Hope no one was offended
greenthumb

[rantnraven]

Much like the term Pagan or, Pagani which is Latin for People of the country. Another word often erroniously linked with Satanism.

RnR

[Wyrdsister]

MM all,

I'd say that I'm Wiccan, primarily Dianic, and definitely Ecclectic! :D I have no problem calling on both the Goddess and the God when in open, public rits, but I find that when I am working by myself or with an intimate group, I work solely with the Goddess.

Just adding my voice to the wonderous chorus! :)

Wyrdsister

[Celtic_Angel]

I'm a Catholic. Not really all that traditional, but my basic beliefs and faith are most definately Catholic. :) I think that what EasternPriest has as his status is probably also the best description for myself as well: Independant Catholic :)

[Shy Hawk]

I'm a Pagan. Specific names for it I do not have. I've said it once and I'll say it again. I'm interested in all forms of Paganism...and take pieces of anything that I believe. Including Shamanism, Wicca, Buddhism (and zen), Hiduism, Traditional Paganism, Toaism, Shintoism, and Heathenism. It just just depends on what we're talking about. In view of death, my ideas are very close to Hindu. When we are talking about values and ethics, I combine Heathenistic "truths" and Wiccan principles.
I do practice magick...but that comes from my family, not from my religion --->persay. My mothers family is Santerian, and my fathers family is Sufist Muslims (basically a small mystical sect, plus he's a gypsie, so....).
If I had to give a quick label, I say Pagan...ecclectic Pagan maybe. heh...anyhow, I said other.
ShyHawk

[Socharis]

I consider myself a Shamanic Wiccan.

I follow both paths.

[MammaStar]

I chose other too. I consider myself Pagan with Celtic leanings. I guess that makes sense, at least to me. Plus I am interested in Strega. My family heritage is English/Irish/Italian. Which is why I think I chose to pick both paths.

[Branwen]

I'm definatly an other.
There are to many things and thoughts in the world that just click with me. It hard to deal with people who don't know you labeling you, It gets even harder when you label your self. It's like tieing your self in to a package and not leaving room to breath and grow.

[Mythrel]

I answered other to this poll, due to the fact that I am very much ecclectic. I pull from whatever feels right at the time. I can honestly say I have worked in some form or other for almost every choice on that poll...hehe I'm psycho
Mythrel

[Shy Hawk]

Mythrel, I like your avatar, where's it from?

[Myst]

I'm into Hellenic Paganism, Faerie Paganism, Native American Shamanism, Druidry, Stregheria, Wicca, and traditional Witchcraft.

:p

[LaDaya]

I think your poll is a little limited... There are too many variations to just limit it to those.

[Skye]

Originally posted by LaDaya
I think your poll is a little limited... There are too many variations to just limit it to those.

Very true:)
But in order to cover all possible paths,
I'm not sure there would be enough room:D

Other was put here to allow all those I could not cover, to explain their own particular craft (path).

[mol]

If you get right down to it...we are all Other...because even though our Path might adhere to a certain set of guidelines that compare with other Paths...our spirituality is so personal that there is no WAY someone could put a label on it.

Of course...my opinion...

[Skye]

Thanx Mol

So true.

[Mythrel]

Originally posted by Shy Hawk
Mythrel, I like your avatar, where's it from?

Believe it or not Shy Hawk, but I got it off this web site.
Hope I could help...
Mythrel

[ladyrowan]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by mol
[B]If you get right down to it...we are all Other...because even though our Path might adhere to a certain set of guidelines that compare with other Paths...our spirituality is so personal that there is no WAY someone could put a label on it.

Ageed Mol.

It's one of the things i've always liked about being a pagan - it doesn't commit you to following one set of rules.

I am a member of the British Druid Order, am interested in Wicca, have loads in common with Native American friends, have attended spiritualist churches in the past, and love to learn about all other paths.
I think of it as a very personal religion/way of life; guidelines i can take, rules about what i should believe - never!

[solwicca]

Merry Meet,
I'm solitary and self taught for the most part. Generally I guess I'd have to say that I'm Wiccan/Green Witch but if I find something in a tradition that I like and it works for me then I incroporate it into what I do. So really I'm just an other.
Bright Blessing Solwicca

[Myst]

mol I think you think too hard sometimes :p :p :p

Ok can anyone tell I'm trying to avoid doing homework. The funny thing is I finally bit the bullet and went to start but the prof's server is down so I can't anyway. Hah! How's that for a "subliminal" message to stay here :p

[Sunday's Child]

okay, I'm a little of this and a little of that....other....other... and still other.

[Myst]

hehe that's an interesting way to put it... :p

[Sunday's Child]

you can say weird, if you want to. I don't mind being called weird.

[Tanna]

as far as i'm concerned, weird is a very high compliment!

[Sunday's Child]

Thank you very much, Tanna!

[Tanna]

welcome!

[Twig]

But the path I follow is unique to the nth degree. You see, I follow the basic tenents of druidism but, I am also being taught by a spirit guide that is a prior incarnation of myself. Through this guide I recieve guidance in the things I do everyday. I don't know why I do things until I actually DO it. But I find they are right in the end.

My views are not always PC and, my path is a hard one.

For it is the Path of Peace.

Twig
:elf:

[ladyrowan]

Originally posted by Twig
, I am also being taught by a spirit guide that is a prior incarnation of myself.
Twig
:elf:

I have heard about this before, but find it very difficult to understand how it can be.
Of course I believe in reincarnation, but you, Twig, are your higher self or soul. Your previous incarnation was also that same soul.
So how can you have two souls here at the same time?
Hope you know what i'm trying to say! haha

[Tanna]

i'm not very old, so i haven't had the chance or a real reason to do any regression, but my mother did a few years back, and at that 'time' (i don't really believe in time where these things are concerned) she was four different people in different parts of the country/world. i don't think you can stuff your entire soul into one little body; so there must be some part of you always knowing what's going on, and if part of you wants to talk to another part of you, why shouldn't it, in whatever guise it chooses?

...just a thought...

[Twig]

I have heard about this before, but find it very difficult to understand how it can be.
Of course I believe in reincarnation, but you, Twig, are your higher self or soul. Your previous incarnation was also that same soul.

THIS is the hardest thing to describe. I am scared at every turn because I am NOT in control. I am "stepping and then looking". [which is a 180 degree turn from my usual life]. But here goes.

The way I found that Druidry was my path was due to a series of events. Look back at the druid forum posts and I think you'll find the details as to the specific events.

Anyway, at the apex of my discovery, I had a dream/vision. I was standing at the west end of Stonehenge in Washington State. I was looking east into the rising sun. A figure stepped out from beside one of the outer stones. I couldn't see his features due to the sun behind him. I was scared! My very soul was bare to him, and myself.

At this point, I had a choice. I could have woken up and forgotten it. [A strange dream]. Or stay and listen. The choice was MINE! I chose to listen and stay. The next 1 minute changed my life forever!

This person looked INTO me and said "You are ready. It is time. GO NOW."

I awoke crying. 25 years of searching came together into a viable vision of what was to be for me. All the disjointed things I had been learning,for no apparent reason [I thought] suddenly conjealed into a plan for my future. I had been guided the whole time and was too arrogant to see it until then.

I knew that this spirit was my guide. What's more, this guide was ME! One of my prior incarnations had made a promise to his [future]self. To lead him/me in the mysteries that he/I had learned over 2000 years ago. He had no teacher other than trial and error and made a promise [to the FUTURE!] that I shouldn't have to go through the same pain he did, by making the wrong choices in ritual and learning, should I choose the same path.

Instantly, I accepted what was offered to me. Now, I make medicine bags with no knowledge of why I put the things in it or tie the knots like I do until AFTER it's done. I give advise and have to reread what I typed over and over again because I go into a "fog". I'm NOT the one writing it but, have to learn the lesson of what's written myself! :crazy:

People leave impressions when they die. When a spirit has enough conviction and purpose, it carries on. I am certain of this. There is a LOT more to this than I can write at one sitting. No, it's not the same soul as mine but, it is [or was] me. I'm still trying to figure this out myself.


but you, Twig, are your higher self or soul.

:eek: GODS No! This "spirit" is just a guide. I pray to the Water, the Earth, the Air and Fire. Who with the Mother and All Others make up the One. Enough preachin'. Heheheh

You know, I didn't plan on going this far in depth about this. But I thought you all might like to know where I'm coming from. I have chosen the Path of Peace. Or, it chose me.:confused: I am just glad to be able to share what few things I've learned with one person.

Thanks for listening. :)

Hehehe, Peace!
Twig
:elf:

[ladyrowan]

Many thanks for sharing that with me, what an experience!
I've not had anything as instantly recognizable as that; with me, things have happened slowly over many years.
I've always been pagan, but was prevented (or allowed myself to be prevented) from really exploring it more deeply by certain people in my life. Those people now have no control over me, but even after they exited from my life, I carried on in the same way that i had been conditioned to for the previous 25 or so years.
During that time I had many messages that i didn't recognise, until i finally received what a friend calls 'a cosmic kick up the bum'!
For about 6 years I had ignored many lessons which were becoming increasingly difficult and more frequent, until I had a very serious breakdown 4 years ago. This eventually made me look at my life and what i was doing; I changed my way of life and some of my friends, and really took stock. I finally realised that i must pay more attention to my spiritual needs, something that had been sadly neglected since my early teens.
It's only in the last year or so that i have made real headway, after admitting to myself that i had been 'closed' for too long.
I am learning about druidry now because it just feels right. I don't know for certain that it's the right path for me, but that doesn't matter. What matters is that i am learning to open up, to accept my sprituality. I am more at peace than i have been for many years; i spend a lot of time with nature and that has helped me more than anything. It's been like going back to my childhood when all my happiest times were when i was in the woods behind my home, or by the sea. I can now see how often my guides have tried to get through to me and failed because i wasn't listening (until they forced me to!).
I don't know why i've told you all this - it has nothing to do with my original question!
Sorry to have rambled on, i'll close now!

Blessings

[Ravenhart]

I'm a Scottish Celtic nj Wiccan, and proud of it..... except for the new jersey part.

However, I am still trying to sort everything out.

Blessed Be!

[Twig]

I don't know why i've told you all this - it has nothing to do with my original question!

Because you nedded to say it my dear.;) And Thanks. Nice to know I'm not so wierd and unique. :)

Peace,
Twig
:elf:

[Draeconin]

I agree that Wicca is a modern religion with barely a scrap of anything that goes back further than the 19th century. It was originally meant to be another charter of the Ordo Templii Orientalis, but Gardner changed his mind. However, it was Doreen Valiente that trimmed out most of the OTO teachings, resulting in modern Gardnerian Wicca. You can find a few articles on the subject at http://draeconin.tripod.com/htm/articles.htm

For myself, I started out very ecclectic indeed, not knowing that formal pagan religions existed. Then at 32 I joined a Brit Trad Wiccan coven. That lasted for a bit over two years. I then joined a group of Gwyddons (now called Trefn Gwyddoniad). That was about 12 years ago. I suppose I can still loosely be called that.

[Swanspirit]

Merry Merry,
What else can I loosely call you besides
NEVER late to supper ???
HUGS
Swannie

[Draeconin]

Originally posted by Swanspirit
Merry Merry,
What else can I loosely call you besides
NEVER late to supper ???
HUGS
Swannie

Nice oriental dragon. :) What else can you call me? Anything you like, so long as I don't hear you doing it! ;) :D

To paraphrase: "Don't get the dragon mad, for you are crunchy and taste good with catsup." ;) lol

But if you're serious, you need to ask a more concise question. :)

[Swanspirit]

perfectly well I wasnt serious :>
you nice oriental dragon you .
Those are my favorite kind BTW the five clawed variety.......
Love and HUGS
Swannie

[stormyray]

Ecletic Egyptian Pagan

[Rubi Waters]

I voted other.
I'm still finding my path
I'm learning different paths and taking parts to blend with what fits me.
so I'm definatly Ecclectic wicca + whatever else grabs my fancy.

[Flar's Freyja]

Other. I began with and am formally studying Wicca. I participate in both traditional Wiccan, Norse and Native American ritual, including shamanism. As a solitary, I practice according to the guidance I receive. I am currently strongly drawn to Asatru and am also studying that path.

[WandererInGray]

I started as a Wiccan.

Then got smacked by the goddess Kali-Ma....*rubs at the bump that's still on her head*...about a year ago.

Have been exploring the Hindu path ever since. And just recently had a dream about Hanuman (the Monkey-faced god of Hindu spirituality)

It's been an interesting ride....and I don't doubt the best is yet to come.

[Flaire]

:huh: Well..Right now I'm calling myself pagan, but I'm leaning more into wicca the more I read.. :)

[MidnightSun]

I am Wiccan pretty much. I take what i can from a lot of different traditions though.

[Windsinger]

...still Wiccan after all these years.....

[Niamh]

As someone stated earlier... I'm still finding my path. But at the same time, I think lots of us grow and change so much over time!

I started studying Wicca, and am now studying various Celtic traditions.

[Dalia]

oh, well, I really dont know what I am. I was raised catholic- my mom is very catholic but I dont agree with many things such like god is a male. I believe that there is one force neither male nor female cause giving it a specific sex might limit it:rolleyes: I believe there are other forces, call them angels, faires, spirits, You see, I am still searching for my own path. Kind of confused. I havent been able to read any book cause if my mom finds out she´ll kill me! But I really want to! Anyway, I know I am a mess. . .

[WtchyChick13]

I am an Eclectic Solitary Shaman-Witch-Heathen thingy Rantnraven, I LOVE this quote!!! :)

This is an interesting topic, I must say! I myself am and Eclectic/Celtic/Solitare/Witchy Woman. My father (who I just came out of the "broom closet" with) calls me "Wise Witchy Woman" since I told him what the word 'Witch' means! I'll take it!
LOL

Both of my parents were brought up as strict Catholics--my mother much more than my father, but he was ALWAYS involved in some sort of church activities. Personally, as a child, I always felt that it was forced on me and never enjoyed any of it.

In high school, I went through an almost "born again" stage (LdyStarlite can attest to this!) and was soooo devout that I even skipped lunch periods to go to mass. At one point, I was going 9 times a week! On the flip side of that, I was also partying my butt off! (Ldy?) hehehe

When I was 20, I was kicked out of the youth group that I had so loved being a part of for many years due to a stupid argument that became blown out of proportion. I then started to re-think the whole church atmosphere. I didn't agree with MANY of the teachings at this point in my life. Because I was getting more politically aware as I was growing up, I REALLY didn't agree with a lot of the 'Christian' way of thinking.

By the time the summer of 1993 came around, I honestly didn't know what to believe. I knew that I was searching for something, but didn't know exactly what.

That summer, my mother decided to take me to Boston for the first time. While we were shopping (have to shop!) I made a comment on a salespersons ring. When I asked where she got it, she mentioned a store in Salem, Massachusetts. We didn't realize that it was so close to Boston and my mother and I had always been curious about it. We decided to check it out the next day--a total detour from what we had planned.

Well, when I got out of the car and looked around, I knew I was home! The whole area was like walking into a time warp and I've always loved the whole "Old New England" thing. I didn't know about the Witch/Wicca thing until we started to walk around the village and go into the stores.

At first, the pentacles everywhere made both of us a little uneasy. (Usual reaction from former Catholics!) But the more we looked around and started to ask questions and learn a few things, the more at ease we both felt. I was so comfortable with the whole thing--it was like a lightbulb had gone off! THIS WAS IT---THIS IS WHAT I'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR!!! And what a place to discover all of this out--almost like a great cosmic stereotype! LOL

The rest is pretty much history (so-to-speak). I started reading everything I could get my hands on. My boyfriend at the time was friends with a girl who was Wiccan and it turned out that I had visited a "Witch" shop that her cousins owned. She taught me a lot and even hooked me up with some herbs and candles to get myself started.

My mother bought me tons of books and even started to get into a bit herself. (She too has abandoned the catholicism that she grew up with.)

My father was the one I was the most worried about and only this year did I tell him about everything. He was fine, much better than I thought he would be! His quote was, "It's so great that you found something that makes you so happy--I wish I had that."

Needless to say, I've been trying to move to Salem ever since. I'm hoping by the summer that I will be there. The signs are everywhere--even as I write this, the History Channel is running an hour show on Salem!

I've rattled on enough. The main point is, you never know what will lead you to your path. There are no "accidents" so I know that it was meant for me to see that saleswoman's ring. If I hadn't, I might still be searching! It's nice to know that almost 10 years later, there are so many of us out there and that we can be a bit more open about our beliefs than in years past!!!!!

I wish all of you many blessings and all the happiness in the world!

Salem in 2002!!!!!! (Get those candles working folks!) LOLOL

[Psyche Ague]

I'm a Buddhist, but I still believe in many Pagan ideas. I don't believe in limiting myself, though, so...

[Angelwulfe]

i voted the ever popular other option. i consider myself an eclectic pagan. i lean towards celtic shamanism and feary wicca.

[myristica]

i guess that you could say i'm an eclectic wiccan. I've only looked into wicca but i'm sure that some of the things i do and believe come from other paths. i voted wiccan

[cybadiva]

There's a fabulous mosaic of beliefs and paths here - I think its fab!! This thread is also comforting to me 'coz I was worried that because I really couldn't 'label' what I believed - not that I even wanted a label! - that it made me just a superficial dabbler of sorts. It's good to know that a lot of other people are also Heinz 57 varieties so to speak, yay!!

This link has been posted before, I'm sorry I can't remember who originally posted it - but thank you anyway, it was fun! But here it is again for anyone who's interested:

http://www.beliefnet.com/features/beliefomatic

Its a quiz to work out which beliefs you're own beliefs most closely match - I wouldn't take it too seriously tho' !! But its an amusing little exercise if you've got the time to spare!

I turned out to be 100% Neo-Pagan, but I couldn't fully agree with the little write up it gives you about each belief - the site warns you that you mightn't totally agree with your top match - but then how can that be 100% match?? Duh?:D

[Myst]

Originally posted by cybadiva
the site warns you that you mightn't totally agree with your top match - but then how can that be 100% match??

Presumably because the quiz might not have covered on every aspect of your beliefs or the beliefs of the match, or that it's impossible to have every question in depth enough to exactly match necessarily, or because there's a lot of leeway in some paths and religions (such as Paganism) :D :p ;)

[Witchy Cowgirl]

OK....cybadiva's post with the link to beliefnet.com is the main reason I decided to join-up....just so I could reply on this thread! I couldn't resist and it was no suprise that my reselts were 100% liberal proteatant....however I still believe myself to be a witch. It also was no surprise that I was 90% Neo-Pagan! (and I'm fully prepared for a bashin' over this! :smash: as I've heard that most Christians - and most pagans and witches; don't believe you can be a Christian Witch. (If your wondering how you can be 100% one thing and 90% something elese is they ask questions about your beliefs and then match them as how they best match with the general belief system of many different relgions, so it's based on what % you match up with each listed relgion. I know I made that clear as mud.)
As in Aventurine's post when she said that she has a hard time beliveing that any faith is wrong....I believe that too. (Except for :evilway:Satanist...and yes I do believe in an evil higher power.) And I love Mol's quote, "I follow my own personal path." And after all, isn't that what relgion is for all of us cause even people of the same believe will interpurt things differently.
I'm sure your asking, "What makes you think your a Witch?" A defination I found on Autumn Crystal Grey Wing's site (www.geocities.com/Athens/4177/), "A witch follows the cycles of the seasons. Wiccan holidays follow what is called the Wheel of the Year. A witch feels a direct connection to nature and divinity because he/she recognizes we are connected to all of Nature and the divine is all of nature and ourselves. A Witch knows the power in all things and is able to use this power to his/her advantage, but never to do harm." And I feel I fall into that defination.
Anyway it makes me kinda nervous:2G: explaining this to ya'll as I'm new and ya'll are the only people I've explained my path to other than my husband and kids. OK, even though I don't feel like I've stated my feelings very well....there they are....finally, out there for everybody to read! And this is kinda givin' me a headache :ahhhh: So let me go and hide back in my Christian Broom Closet :nonono:!
Brightest Blessings to Ya'll :sunny:


P.S. Oh, I forgot to tell ya'll I've also got a thread of Native American beliefs going for me too as my husband is from the Creek Tribe. As a matter a fact it was my mother-in-law who suggested I might be a Witch as she is very open-minded when it comes to relgious beliefs and takes what she can use from many different paths....would be very Electric.
You know it's kinda what ever it takes to get you through the day and where you need to be.
Again, Brightest Blessings :sunny:

[Witchy Cowgirl]

:bigredgri I'm so happy to realize that I fit in here and that for the most part ya'll don't have a problem with my beliefs! I would've known this in the beginning had I figured out the search button and done a little research in the first place.8O Again, just happy to fit in!:bubbles:

[cybadiva]

Warm welcome W-Cowgirl!!:sunny:

I don't think it matters *what* you believe as long as you're not hurting anyone, and you're happy n' healthy - read the sig!:D

[Witchy Cowgirl]

Cybadiva, Thank you! And I appreciate your sig. It has a lot of meaning!

[Empress Kerigan]

I am an Animist. I have just a very basic belief in the supernatural and "spirits".

[FelixFire]

I picked "other". I call myself a "green" or "kitchen" witch when I'm asked what my path is, but I just really consider myself a Pagan Witch and that's good enough for me.

I'm not a traditionalist by any means, am not wiccan, druid, shaman, or "officially" Native American. I do have genetic roots in most of these areas, and borrow bits and pieces from everything. But I won't claim any of those paths as my own out of respect, mostly - since I don't practice any of their paths the way they are I don't feel right calling what I do any of the above.

Mostly, I'm just a practical Witch. :)

[someone else]

i guess that i belive wicca, mainly because its pretty free and open. i just got out of that chrisitan church (as im sure your all sick of hearing) and im learning to open myself up. wicca let me do that. im still exploring all of the other possibilitys as much as possible, but yeah, wicca is pretty much it for me...

[Starry Di]

I am a pagan :$ That just isn't up there though :S

[LadyWinter]

Life long student of Irish Druidry would have to be what I am.

Slan Astar
LadyWinter

[Jazzmine]

I consider myself an eclectic witch/pagan. I like a lot of the practices of the green witchcraft tradition, but I use some of my own ideas in it as well. I just am what I am. ;)

[indigo rain]

i picked wiccan. i'm really a wiccan egyptian shaman with a little bit of everything else thrown in for flavor, but most of it's wiccan... i think...

[Mistiblue]

Couldn't vote in the poll.

I am an Eclectic Solitary Shaman-Witch-Heathen thingy, if you will. I saw that "All of the above" was not an option. That would be my choice.

I cannot stick to one-or-the-other. I find it all applicable to a degree. And love you all for what you are.

Blessings,
RnR

This pretty well describes me as well. Kind of a Witchy Shaman thingy. :)

[Ahautenites]

Kemetic (ancient Egyptian) here. :)

[Athena-Nadine]

Hellenismos.

[Brenners]

I'm an ecclectic witch for the most part. I loosely follow Wicca, I'm reading more about Druidism. Honestly I just haven't found a better defintion for my path yet. I want to have a pantheon, but I'm still learning. Maybe in the end I won't have one, but I'm just trying to grasp as much as I can till something feels right and right now that's ecclectic witch.

[aefentid]

I'm a Heathen,or to be more specific I'm Vanatru and I'm a witch.

[Seren Mara]

I'm a Christian. Finally. I started off as a Christian, and then went on a very long and winding path through the cavern of paganism, came out the other side, and ended up a Christian again.

I don't think I'm a very conventional Christian. I'm actually scared to go to church because I know my views will NOT be the same as many other people's.

[Psyche Ague]

Hey, I remember this thread. I'm still a Buddhist Pagan, but I have a lot more Druid outlooks now.

[WandererInGray]

I started as a Wiccan.

Then got smacked by the goddess Kali-Ma....*rubs at the bump that's still on her head*...about a year ago.

Have been exploring the Hindu path ever since. And just recently had a dream about Hanuman (the Monkey-faced god of Hindu spirituality)

It's been an interesting ride....and I don't doubt the best is yet to come.
*wry smile* Well that's no longer true.

I was an atheist for a while after an extremely difficult length of time.
I'm mostly Buddhist, like the term "Buddhist Pagan" that Psyche used.

Only now feeling a little friendlier toward the Hindu gods again, put some statues back out the other day.

[Aidron]

I voted other.

I was born agnostic. My mother exposed me to many religions. I have been baptized under Christian practices, and my mother was a Catholic during the time I was actually concieved and born.

I strayed from Christianity around age 12 or so. I began practicing Wicca, then moved off to Native American spirituality. I soon began to simply incooperate anything and everything that made sense to me.

So far, I am a melting pot of various cultures and religions. I incooperate many practices and/or beliefs from Wicca, the various Voodoo (or Vodou) traditions, Buddhism, Taoism, Druidism, and well, the list is rather extensive.

The only thing that may shock anyone is that I incooperate a bit of Satanism into my beliefs, such as (And I'm not quoting this word for word, mind you):

If you enter someone else's domain (home, website, etc.) you should treat them with respect. If they do not treat you with respect, tell them you do not appreciate it and/or leave.

If someone wrongs you, take to the higher road. If they continue to do it, remove them from your life. If they continue, take action. Fair is fair.

I have met many pagans who looked their nose down on me for that, but I make no apologies. I follow and apply whatever seems logical/appropriate to me.

[Sparrow]

I went ahead and said "agnostic" because I usually refer to myself as an agnostic witch. Basically, I don't believe that whatever "created" everything was any type of sentient being. But I do believe in respecting the masculine and feminine aspects of the energy forces I believe spurned creation, so I sometimes say "goddess and god" to refer to that, and celebrate wiccan/pagan holidays.

[Radocs]

I'm an athiest.

[Skrette]

Shamanisme is the path, animism/paganism is the faith

[wickedlizard]

What I believe in, sort of a bit of all of the above and it is very complex to explain. ´I will as soon as I can explain everything properly.:fishsmack

[Equinox]

Hi-

I call myself a Pagan Humanist. In short, I'm a humanist because I don't believe anything without good evidence. Science has done so much to show us the universe we live in, from atoms to whales. I stand in awe of the world we live in, and experience it through my nature based spirituality. I celebrate the 8 sabbats, and see Prometheus as my favorite God. I see all Gods/Goddesses as archetypes.

One comment about Wicca being a "made up" religion - while I see that as true, that's like saying you don't like english because it is a "made up" language. Like languages, all religions are "made up", either a long time ago or more recently. Wicca is as respectable as any religion (and in many ways, more respectable).


-Equinox

[Eos of the Eons]

I don't believe in anything. No gods, no afterlife, no creations, no spirit or spirits, no ghosts, no ghouls, no devil, no angels, etc. Boring hey! I read up on the Brights, and I guess that's the closest I've been to being a part of a recognized group.

[Cricket]

I suppose I would have to check 'other' ~ I'm kind of like the pot of soup on the stove that follows no recipe, but has a little of this, a little of that, a pinch of this, a smidgen of that.........you get the idea *S*

Blessings
Cricket

[Hippywitch]

I class myself as wiccan and have done for as long as I've known the word. I'm a solitary/ hedge witch by personal inclination as well as situation.
I agree wicca is more or less a made up religion but as others have said I feel it is more akin to a rediscovery of old practices and beliefs. Being of celtic descent it feels natural to me.
You can see why they call me HippyWitch eh?!! :lol:

[Marchosias]

You forgot to add Satanism. ;)

[Rae ShadowWolf]

I'm an Eclectic Witch with Celtic and Wiccan Influences. :) I follow only one Deity - Gaia, only because I don't see Gods and Goddesses, I see essence and Gaia fits for me.

I'm a little bit of everything I guess. ;)

[Shadowolff]

I sometimes describe myself as a heretic Christian with Buddhist tendencies, a beloved child of the Great Mother -- definitely "other". I don't "worship nature" but I do find the Sacred in the in the places S/he has made.

God/dess is a Presence , not a concept. (I said that on some other post but it bears repeating.) I find many concepts useful, but all, in some way, limited. I'm more interested in honoring whatver Truth resonates within me than choosing this-and-not-that. I've found meaningful fellowship in sharing worship with others of various traditions who believe, as I do, in a loving Creator, but I'm not affiliated with any group.

My father is an Episcopal priest. I was raised in a devout and loving Christian environment in all the best senses of the word (and none of the negative ones). Although I only rarely share in their religious practices, their true spirituality has been a gift to me beyond measure.
Even if they don't really comprehend where I'm coming from.

[Skye]

Hello everyone,
I have really enjoyed rereading this thread after two years, There really is so much variety within this community. Please keep posting, and enjoying!

Just a quick note-I reread my original post, and I feel a need to apologise for my apparent rudness, I do not believe two years ago I had the proper skills necessary to communicate approprately in this cyber space environment. As many have pointed out, all paths were created at some point, be it recent or many years ago, my appologies.

[skatha_mare]

I consider myself to be an eclectic Celtic- Wiccan-Witch-Pagan persoon. I've had this discussion with a friend who doesn't like the term witch, but I find that it suits me best. :broomride Besides my step-daughter likes to introduce me as the "wicked".

[Darkstaff]

I voted "other" and here's my explanation.

I don't follow one path or the other as I feel that limits you in what you can do! Now, I don't want to offend anybody, this is simply how I practice the Craft.

I call myself Wiccan, Shaman, and psychic warrior. Ecclectic Practicer of magick! One heck of a hunk of man! (just checking!)

Seriously, I gather a little here and a little there. I am comfortable doing this.

And that is why I chose "other"

[SylverStar]

Yeah I guess I would fit anywhere form Atheism to Satanism. I really enjoy all religions and the only one thing I set on is the power of belief itself.

[moonchild]

i think i am pretty much doing my own thing. i spent quite a bit of time in High school reading about different native american beliefs so i still draw from that experience. i've been studying more of the wiccan/pagan path over the last 3 years(wow 3 already!) which seems to fit me best right now. i'm pretty eclectic.

[WingedTigerChild]

I am an Eclectic Pagan, or as I like to call it, a “meist.” (pron. me-ist). I take what I want or what I like from a bunch of different religions and create my own path, religion, whatever. I am someone who is quite hard to satisfy and I could never be happy with any organized group, religious or otherwise.

[nomadicdragon]

I am an eclectic solitary.. :)

[Myrddyn Emrys]

Druid, nothing less, always more...

Have followed this path for about fifteen years out of thirty-eight. Without going into a long tome on how or why, I'll just say it was shown to me that this was the right path for me.

Myrddyn Emrys

[Rain Gnosis]

I'm panentheistic and henotheistic, I see the Gods as archetypes and individual spiritual entities composed of abstract energy, I draw on Chaos philosophy, Wicca, Kemeticism, Thelema, and Satanism at the moment.

That's the short answer ;)

[GoddessViviane]

I clicked "wiccan" but I also follow Native American paths too. Its all mixed in there. :)
Have a skippy day.

[Pesha]

I am a Wiccan witch. The principles of Wicca are to me my lifestyle and relgion. It may have been created for other reasons but in my trad, my practice it is the Old ways I rever. I am from a jewish backround and also incorporate a bit of Kabbala in my ways. I find that being open to all trads is a very beneficial thing.

BB
DS...also known as....

[Twig]

Druid, nothing less, always more...

Have followed this path for about fifteen years out of thirty-eight. Without going into a long tome on how or why, I'll just say it was shown to me that this was the right path for me.

Myrddyn Emrys

Took your sweet time posting I see! Hehehehe

Peace,
Twig
:elf:

[Myrddyn Emrys]

Took your sweet time posting I see! Hehehehe

Peace,
Twig
:elf:

Well, dear Brother, I actually have (...what is it called? Hmmm, been so long since I've had any of it...sex?... No, I remember what that is...OH Yeah! That's it!!!) FREE TIME!!!

Now that I'm only working 40 hours a week instead of 80, and only have a FIVE MINUTE drive to work instead of an hour, we might even catch each other online now and then!


Myrddyn Emrys

[Nyte Wulf]

I dont have a set path One I am not wiccan I am pagan of the old ways I dont know how to explain it any other way I fill at home on the hunt. I have attended to the Great Rite hunted with the hunter in me around me. Never have i killed more that I needed and only with a dirk have I killed my stag

[Crystal_Raye]

I consider myself a Wiccan but I do tend to follow things from other faiths, religions, and practises if they feel right.

[Calzaer]

I'm Wiccan, although I'm not sure it really fits me... I struggle with the concept of interventionist deity. My priestess says "Tell me that after your dedication ceremony" with some sort of frustrating little mona lisa smile, which makes me wonder. But anyway, I'm Wiccan... which certainly looks better on a census form than "LaVey Satanist", anyway. :)

[SilentStarWolf]

For now, I follow a Christian path (was raised Episcopalian) but don't really attend and all that anymore.

[WingedTigerChild]

First and foremost, I consider myself a Unitarian Universalist because I find Unitarian Universalism to cover the basics (the frontal layer) of my beliefs; Freedom, peace, equality and so on. Next to that, I consider myself (an eclectic) Pagan because I draw from a number of different religions, most of which are Pagan to begin with. (Not Christian, Jewish, or Muslim).

Here (http://www.cuups.org/) is a website in tune with my beliefs, though I find its deffinition of “Pagan” a bit flawed because Satanism, Hinduism, Buddhism, etc., are Pagan religions. Paganism is not restricted or limited to Wicca, Druidism, Asatru and any others I may have missed.

[ann]

i belive tht what is knew as a witch is some1 who has alot off time to dedicute themsels to the old ways,and wiccan is some1 who maybe has got kids and a full time job and just dose not have the time,i mayself am a confused wiccan as i have shaman & buddims in me,so for this reason i belive that it is all just about how you live your life, it is all just different ways off viewing the samething

[mato]

Thankyouthankyouthankyou!!!
Finally some one split shaman and native american on this board! Oh bless your heart!!! You are so great!!! I dare say I LOVE YOU!!! :bothsides

As you can tell I am the one Native American guy.

[amberwolf]

iI am a hedgewitch I wouldnt call myself wiccan as it is too structured and I dont agree with some of the rules..

[argento_occhi]

I call myself kemetic pagan, and i aim to follow the ancient egyptian religion, though with a bit of poetic licence. I worship netjeru in my own way, while still adhereing to the traditional prayers, rituals etc. i have looked into kemetic orthodoxy, but i feel like it is too restrictive for me. this doesn't mean it isn't wrong, or anything, but it isn't for me. Each to his or her own, i guess. I actually started out wiccan, but i see it now as more of a starting point for me, rather than as something i was destined to follow. my love of kemet was too strong to be restrained, if that's the right word, to wiccan practice. i am happy now, serving Djehuty, Aset and Sobek.
bright blessings
argento_occhi

[Lamoondove]

Couldn't vote in the poll.

I am an Eclectic Solitary Shaman-Witch-Heathen thingy, if you will. I saw that "All of the above" was not an option. That would be my choice.

I cannot stick to one-or-the-other. I find it all applicable to a degree. And love you all for what you are.

Blessings,
RnR


Yep this is me to as well ......
So i guess i vote other to ,,,:)
I Also,,, as i am learning,,, applying what is applicable,,,, to my path and journy,,,
I also Love everyone for who they are as they are !!!!!


~~~~~~~~~~~Bright Light ~~~~~~~~~~BB ~~~~~~~~MP

[Lamoondove]

Thankyouthankyouthankyou!!!
Finally some one split shaman and native american on this board! Oh bless your heart!!! You are so great!!! I dare say I LOVE YOU!!! :bothsides

As you can tell I am the one Native American guy.

I am happy for ya ,,,
BTW .....
I do see what ya was saying on the other thread ...
{ Sorry for the misunderstanding,k,}

~~~~~~~~~Hugs Love and Light ~~~~~~~~~~~BB~~~~~~~~~MP

[Kalika]

I consider myself an eclectic, or spirtual if you will, witch. Why? None of the "defined" religions seem to suit me well enough, but certain aspects of various pagan paths fit my spiritual and moral belief system. The word "witch" because I practice magick. "Spiritual" or "eclectic" because I worship a goddess (Kali) and because I have no easily defined path.

Blessings,

Kalika

[Lamoondove]

I consider myself an eclectic, or spirtual if you will, witch. Why? None of the "defined" religions seem to suit me well enough, but certain aspects of various pagan paths fit my spiritual and moral belief system. The word "witch" because I practice magick. "Spiritual" or "eclectic" because I worship a goddess (Kali) and because I have no easily defined path.

Blessings,

Kalika


When i first started out i was reading WICCA solitary practishner by Scott Cunning Ham ,,
Then started Where to park your "Broom Stick" after that ,,, Then "Appentiship to Power" after that ,,, Then I found this Wonderfull Site!!!!!! (((((((( Parden the spelling)))))))))

As I grew and learned more of other Paths and other ways ,,,,
I Became confused at a point,,, as to "what am I" really "who I am" ,,

I like to Worship ,,{ Diana ,,Raihannon,Devine Lovely Goddess's }, and {My Lord Pan,},,,
I relate to all they are about and worship them,,,

I had taken religon test quiz in a thread here ,, it came out that i am 100% Neo-Pagen,,,
But i use lots of different things,,[ That suits me and my thoughts and beleifs...]

To me it dont matter what one calls me or what religon i am really,,,
as what ever they may call me,,, or what ever i am concidered ,,,
I will continue to praise my Lord and Ladies,,, Continue Living,,,, Loving And "Learning"
All I can ,,,about All I can till i pass on to be reborn again ,,,,:)


There ya have it ,,,,,LOL,,,, That is me on my path ,,,:) Hugies ,, Love and Light ....BB MP

Bad enough i cant spell but to misspell a word ya know how to spell that is bad ,,,,lol,,

[Faelon_Moon_Hawk]

Hello everyone,


I have been a traditionalist for as long as I can remember....All my family( except for a very few devients) have folowed, what I chose to call a Heathen existansce. Sorry, but I believe Wicca was created, maybe out of couriosity, or bordom, or the wishful thinking that they could KNOW the old ways.

I don't want to effend anyone, but what do you believe, and why?
i am a traditional witch,t ho i have a wiccan influence cause thats wehre i got my start. I'm on my path because...well, this is where i'm meant to be. this is where my path has taken me. I am a witch, i know and feel it in all of my being.

[Happy Shrew]

Theistic agnostic. I'm one of those odd ducks who had a spiritual epiphany while reading a science book.

[Kudzu]

I'm just a Pagan. I am a seeker of Traditional Wicca, but I will not consider myself Wiccan until after I am properly Initiated.

[Elderbush]

I'm Wiccan and belong to the UEW tradition. As for why, I'm a believer because my gods speak to me. It is a religion that makes perfect sense to me.

[StormVixen]

oooh reserectionness... interesting...

[Elderbush]

I didn't notice that the thread was from 2003!

[Rin Daemoko]

I am a practicing Buddhist. I believe what I believe because through the practice of meditation and mindfulness, I've verified to be true much of what the Buddha taught. Which is what a Buddhist is supposed to do. The Buddha taught that one should never accept his teachings just on his authority, but that you should test them to see if they hold true.

[sidhe]

Thelemic pagan.

Though I'm in a TBW coven.

One day, I'll slip up and say the wrong names during circle, instead of just thinking them. :)

[Anita]

Christian Druid. I voted for other. I believe there are other gods, but they're not all part of the "one god". However at the same time I think Yaweh the only one who's ever said anything to me. I was brought up Anglican (not roman catholic). I'm on a blended druidic path because the idea of awen appeals to me and divine inspiration and learning are things I understand well. Also because I need the Pagan approach to help me accept aspects of myself that Christianity just can't deal with.

[KiNoRonin]

Christian Druid. I voted for other. I believe there are other gods, but they're not all part of the "one god". However at the same time I think Yaweh the only one who's ever said anything to me. I was brought up Anglican (not roman catholic). I'm on a blended druidic path because the idea of awen appeals to me and divine inspiration and learning are things I understand well. Also because I need the Pagan approach to help me accept aspects of myself that Christianity just can't deal with.


That is Perfectly Correct!

Anita-San sees things in a way that Most People of the World should see things. If all People looked at Theological Proglems like Anita-San, then there would be a lot more Peace and Harmony within the Circles of Humanity.

KNR

[gurlygurl2004]

I chose Christian, because I'm a Christian witch. I don't mind choosing Christian because lately I felt more Christian than witch. My spirituality paths aren't 50/50.

[gurlygurl2004]

Christian Druid. I voted for other. I believe there are other gods, but they're not all part of the "one god". However at the same time I think Yaweh the only one who's ever said anything to me. I was brought up Anglican (not roman catholic). I'm on a blended druidic path because the idea of awen appeals to me and divine inspiration and learning are things I understand well. Also because I need the Pagan approach to help me accept aspects of myself that Christianity just can't deal with.


Wow, I never heard of a Christian Druid before.

[gurlygurl2004]

Christian Druid. I voted for other. I believe there are other gods, but they're not all part of the "one god". However at the same time I think Yaweh the only one who's ever said anything to me. I was brought up Anglican (not roman catholic). I'm on a blended druidic path because the idea of awen appeals to me and divine inspiration and learning are things I understand well. Also because I need the Pagan approach to help me accept aspects of myself that Christianity just can't deal with.


That's how I feel about my pagan path. Christians can't discuss things like psychic/astrological/etc phenomanons(sp), and sexuality without thinking it's super wrong.

[Luminessence]

I'm miscellaneously spiritual. I'm a monotheist, and see the different gods as different faces of God, meant to make God more accessible to us. (So in the poll, I voted for "Christian, or other One God traditions.") I take a lot from Ceremonial Magic philosophy, and some from New Age philosophy as well.

[DoktorSick]

Well let's just say
i believe in the trinty of moe,larry and curly
and the power of the triple slap.

[Hangatyr 13]

I went with "Traditional Heathen", though I prefer to call myself an "Asatruar" because most of the Folk Without have a pre-concieved notion of what the word "Heathen" means.

[Fire's Shadow]

I guess you might say I'm more of a shamic pagan than anything right now. I do have some tendencies of incorporating witchcraft because that was the first path I walked here. Sooo... I'm errr.... an eclectic shamanic witch? I've also read a bit on chaos magick and some of that is now seeping in too.

[azapolya]

OK, I chose other basically because I haven't quiet decided on what path to follow yet. As soon as I figure it out, I'll let you know! :hahugh:

[TaysatWesir]

I am Kemetic Ancient Egyptian religion!

[Meabh23]

Wicca is a modern creation.

So is every religion out there today, even if some of them have ancient roots or precedent.

Not one religion that is practiced today is exactly the same as when it started out. Not Christianity. Not Buddhism. Not Islam. They all want you to think they are the same, but offer no reliable proof.

Wicca is different now in that not many Wiccans believe in the "old religion" myth anymore. New religions and new ways of seeing things are not invalidated because they don't have an ancient practice that has been handed down for hundreds or thousands of years. (Any religion that does claim that is deluded.)

I looked into 'traditional' Pagan religions (like Asatru or various ethnic witchcraft sects) and I can't find evidence of any of them existing much back before the 1960's.

My realization: A lot of Pagans are either lying or have been lied to and don't want to admit this. Why not? As if we need our religions to be as ancient as the big bad monotheist ones? Isn't that falling prey to the same sort of trap that made us search for Pagan religions in the first place?

Does a belief or a practice's ancientness say anything about it's validity?

(By my question you know I don't think so.)

[Skye]

My realization: A lot of Pagans are either lying or have been lied to and don't want to admit this. Why not? As if we need our religions to be as ancient as the big bad monotheist ones? Isn't that falling prey to the same sort of trap that made us search for Pagan religions in the first place?

Does a belief or a practice's ancientness say anything about it's validity?

(By my question you know I don't think so.)


All you need for validity is you!

I don't consider my practices to be a religion, and I do not believe I have been lied to.
Not all pagan practices are of a religious nature and I do not think that ancientness or lies are the reason people are following the paths they are on.



One another note.....I can't believe this thread has been ressurected after....how many years?....
It is still interesting to read everyones entries......Keep posting
Thanx:wave:

[Silver Nightfire]

I'm a nature-loving, tree-hugging Green Witch with a Celtic (Irish, Welsh) twist. And I've recently been drawn to the Germanic (Anglo-Saxon) side of things.

Also, I have become extremely interested in Druidry.

So I chose 'Other' :hahugh:

[AkashaW]

Wicca is a modern creation.

So is every religion out there today, even if some of them have ancient roots or precedent.

Not one religion that is practiced today is exactly the same as when it started out. Not Christianity. Not Buddhism. Not Islam. They all want you to think they are the same, but offer no reliable proof.

Wicca is different now in that not many Wiccans believe in the "old religion" myth anymore. New religions and new ways of seeing things are not invalidated because they don't have an ancient practice that has been handed down for hundreds or thousands of years. (Any religion that does claim that is deluded.)

I looked into 'traditional' Pagan religions (like Asatru or various ethnic witchcraft sects) and I can't find evidence of any of them existing much back before the 1960's.

My realization: A lot of Pagans are either lying or have been lied to and don't want to admit this. Why not? As if we need our religions to be as ancient as the big bad monotheist ones? Isn't that falling prey to the same sort of trap that made us search for Pagan religions in the first place?

Does a belief or a practice's ancientness say anything about it's validity?

(By my question you know I don't think so.)

If your definition of a religion is limited only to its practices, then you're right. Every religion is evolving as the culture evolves. My definition, however, has more to do with the ideas and beliefs being expressed than with actual ritual form. By that definition, I'd have to state that you are very, very wrong. The core ideas of the Craft I was initiated into DO go back to the pre-Christian beliefs of ancient, native European shamanism. The Old Religion is no more a myth than are the beliefs of Native Americans, or Native Africans, or Native Asians. As I stated, the rituals forms may be modern - though there, too, many of the *kinds* of things done in ritual have truly ancient roots. But that doesn't make these religions 'modern' any more than a Catholic mass done in English rather than Latin means that the mass itself is no longer connected to the 2000 year old Catholic roots.

[lonewhitewolf]

I am a polytheist pagan with leanings towards shamanism/animism. So I chose other.

[Halstrom]

I'm a Hellenic Polythiestic. So I choose other.

[IndigoNightSky]

I am just a simple pagan with pantheistic tendencies. I am also a Unitarian. I associated myself with the Wiccan religion for many years, but got tired of all the garbage.

[lonewhitewolf]

Sometimes I label myself as a confused pagan. :lol: The two main pantheons I connect with are Egyptian and Norse. I also feel drawn to the Celtic goddesses Epona and Morrigan, plus other deities from different cultures such as Gaia, Pele and Kali. Just call me eclectic. Maybe that's easier.8O