Another question

[Loki]

I am at a point right now where I am bored with reading books on Wicca and Paganism, they are all starting to sound the same/saying the same stuff.
What can I do to keep the interest up?
What do you do when you reach a stalemate in your studies?

My time alone at home is limited and I try to do things like meditate, but only get to attempt that once a week at the most so progress is slow for some things.

I am looking for new avenues of study for my new found path and would like to hear your opinions.

[loopy]

What kind of books have you been reading? Have they all been geared towards the same tradition? Maybe you need to study a new Path, or a more specific skill, like astral projection or Tarot.

Or perhaps it's a message that you need to look inside yourself for some reason, instead of at a book. :)

[Loki]

I've been trying to look inside but I don't get too far.
I don't get too many opportunities to meditate and when I just try to think about it I get all flustered and aggravated when nothing comes to light.
I go to the library, unfortunately the choces there are limited, and I also peruse the book stores but I'm not sure what I should be looking for?!
I do have some Runes, but haven't tried to use them in years maybe I will try again.


Maybe I'm trying too hard, but I don't want to loose the enthusiasm I have had

[loopy]

I understand what you mean. Maybe you should try focusing on some non-magickal stuff for a while. No matter how interesting, if you study the same thing day in and day out, it's bound to get bland. Maybe a short break will be the thing to renew your enthusiasm.

[Loki]

Slow down alittle huh?

I'm trying, but when I get an idea in my tiny brain it's full steam ahead :)

I will try, but it's hard when you want something bad.

[loopy]

I know, I know. Giving advice is much easier than taking it, lol. ;)

[Loki]

I appreciate any help, opinion or advice I can get.
I don't get to speak face to face with other Pagan/Wiccan people.
:)

[Myst]

Meditation and visualization techniques take time and practice. Meaning getting aggravated when it doesn't work the first time doesn't help, so persevere instead! You can only read so much, and if that's left you empty, try working harder at other stuff such as simple blessing magick and rituals and meditation and visualization stuff. Don't feel too bad tho, all of us sometimes get "stuck". Good luck!

[Dria El]

Originally posted by Loki
I am at a point right now where I am bored with reading books on Wicca and Paganism, they are all starting to sound the same/saying the same stuff.
What can I do to keep the interest up?
What do you do when you reach a stalemate in your studies?

My time alone at home is limited and I try to do things like meditate, but only get to attempt that once a week at the most so progress is slow for some things.

I am looking for new avenues of study for my new found path and would like to hear your opinions.



I'm still wondering what kind of books you're reading.

Also, maybe you should try to 'specialize'. Meaning, (and since you mentioned runes) start working with your runes. Get proficient with them. Then move on to the next thing you're interested in. I've found that as I read and learn about one thing, I either continue with it or lose interest. And usually, when I lose interest in one thing it's because it inspired in me an interest in something else.

Just another suggestion...

[bloodstone20]

buy books on Animal Magick, Element Magick, Runes, and the Tarot. The Tarot is hard to learn, and will take some time to get all the meanings down. :)

[Loki]

Not that the list is long and full of alot of books but here are the few I have at home. This does not include the few that the local library had.

Spirituality for Dummies - by Sharon Janis, yes it looks rediculous but it was actually pretty good.

To Ride A Silver Broomstick - by Silver Ravenwolf

Complete Meditation - by Steve Kravette
Again not a bad book, gives some ideas on easy meditations, I haven't read the whole thing but I'm attempting to work through it.

Pagan Ways - by Gwydion O'Hara, Basic Pagan book, explains what its all about.

Living Wicca - by Scott Cunningham, got the first one out of the library, I am meaning to buy a copy for myself.

The Sabbats - by Edain McCoy
An expaination of the eight Sabbats and ideas on how to celebrate them, lots of info for the beginner.

Ok, so maybe they all don't sound the same, but I have gotten bored with the reading and I need to give it a break for a little while. I have dug out my runes and started to look into them so I have concetrated my efforts elsewhere for now.

I just want some ideas to keep things fresh and exciting, and it looks like I have gotten some, thanks guy's. :D

[stormyray]

What I did when things got like that was reaach out to a few pagan friends and joined study group. Having many points of view seem to refresh every thing and helps get the ball rolling again. :sunny:

[feywytch]

Do not laugh... most of my meditations in the begining was done in the tub!! One place I was undisturbed!!!

[loopy]

fey-- I totally agree; the tub is a great place to meditate! :D Good concentration there. :)

[Myst]

Ideas Brainstorm;

Meditation, astral travel, runes, tarot cards, pendulum, crystal ball divination, wortcunning (herbs and herb magick), faeries, dragons, myth & history, building personal beliefs (ie. creating your own trad or taking time to identify the core of your beliefs), daily (or several times daily - morning, noon, bedtime, meals, etc.) prayers, simple spells for blessing and healing (ie. you could set up a well in the astral to hold healing energy for those who need it) of yourself, friends, family, or mother earth, simple spells to help spread peace, dream analysis, sigils, ancient languages, totem & spirit animals and familiars, angels, spirits, Pagan crafts (ie. decorating your besom or creating candle holders, etc.), reiki, crystals, rearranging your altar, setting up a new altar...

P.S. All those books do sound the same (except for the meditation one they're all about basic Paganism and spirituality), try learning about different types of Paganism, trads and covens - ie. Stregheria, Hellenic Paganism, Druidry, Shamanism, Gardnerian or Alexandrian Wicca, Green Witchcraft, Egyptian Paganism, Faerie Paganism, etc. to learn some new things as well as exploring some of the ideas I've mentioned. It might also be helpful for you to find others of like mind to speak to..

[rantnraven]

One cannot meditate if the mind is going a mile a minute. The Tub is okay. Stop reading for the now. Concentrate on your path. Sometimes, as Loopy stated, slowing down is the answer.

Blessings,
RnR

[story]

ya know, i had a friend complain to me recently about something similar. he's a guitar player, and a good one at that. But he began to feel like he was coming to a plateu(sp?) and wasn't advancing as quickly as he liked. On top of that, he seemed to be losing interest in practicing.
I didn't know what to tell him, and I'm not sure I have much advice for you. But it seems to me that whatever area of interest you may have (be it music, art or magick --- not like theres a distinct boundary there) you can't always expect fireworks. Inspiration flows and ebbs. I wouldn't stress too much about it. It'll flow again.
best of luck
story

[Loki]

for the many thoughts and fresh ideas.
You have given me so many I now have a new problem, where do I start? :D .
Just kidding, But all your ideas will keep me busy for awhile.

I have begun looking at my runes again and I have begun delving into the Norse poetic Edda, lotsa deep stuff there.
I try to meditate in the few free moments I have, but they continue to be few and far between. The most I get to accomplish, when I have more than two seconds, is to relax (which in its self a momentous occasion. :) ).

Like I said before I don't get much spare time but I am attempting to put my spirituality within my life and not keep it separate from it, perhaps then it will be easier to learn and grow.

Thanks again,

Loki