Ways of pagan worship that are non wiccan?

[LittlePerson]

Can any of you who are on a non wiccan path enlighten me as to how you worship or practice your religion in ways that are non wiccan? I ask because I lack direction but have intention. I honer the Lord and Lady, no specific god/dess. I go to a uu church and have now joined in the local pagan community here. Any suggestions or advice would be welcome. I'm just not sure that Wicca is right for me. I've only done one wiccan ritual and I am not really desirous to try/practice anymore right now. Oh, and I do have an altar made. But I still want to be pagan, I just don't have direction. Thanks all.

[charmedkisses1]

You can be a witch and not be Wiccan. That's what I am. Wicca is good for some, but wasn't right for me. You can do spells, honor the holidays, even have a BOS. :broomride Whatever works for you.

[TYRRHENUS]

Hello LittlePerson.
I think dividing nature into masculine & feminine is actually Wiccan.
Being a Roman Reconstructionist and lacking a temple, I usually worship at home. No circles, no quarters, none of that. Just myself, a statue and a lot of incense.
Perhaps you should ask why you want to be a pagan, and that will help you find out which religion is yours.
Anyway... good luck.

[SylverStar]

Well outside of Wicca there are many, many ways to worship and practice and there are many other pagan religions that you could be part of as well. I myself practice magic, meditate, spend time in nature, as well as do daily devotions and libations to my gods and the elements.

[Lady Jade]

It really sounds like you need to find yourself! Wicca is only one path of a pagan. It did not take me long before I realized that I was not Wiccan either. I simply worship by meditating, calling energies and entities to me. Read lots of books and you will find what isnright for you. Everything is too new to you now, just take it slow!

[Mòrag Elasaid Ní Dhòmhnaill]

Oh my. You are asking a big, big question. I'm a non-Wiccan, so I can give you a little info on my path, but it would take whole series of books to really explain it to you. I'm a Scottish Reconstructionist, which basically means that I attempt to reconstruct the practices of the pre-Christian Scottish people. Most of my practices are very much the same as any CR, I tend to focus on Scotland, and the Western Isles/Outer Hebrides in particular.

Some of the big differences for me are that I only celebrate four holidays; Samhuinn, Imbolc, Bealtainn, and Lùnasdal. The others, while I recognize them as important, are not celebrated with a large ritual. I do not cast circles. And were I to be a member of a tribe or tuath I would worship in a Nemeton (grove of trees), though some will create a Nemeton for themselves by worshipping at a central support fir the house if indoors, such as creating an altar at the hearth, the chimney being the Nemeton. The traditional four elements of Wicca have no meaning for me. Instead I see the cosmos as Three Realms; Land, Sea, and Sky. There is no realm for fire, but it is still very important. It reprsents inspiration and creativity, the presence of deity, amongst other things. When you hear CRs disussing elements, they are referring to the duile. Depending on their outlook, there may be 7 or 9 duile, though 9 makes more sense as it was a sacred number. Additionally I do not live by the Wiccan Rede, but by a code of ethics; Honor, Justice, Courage, Loyalty, Hospitality/ Generosity, Piety, Wisdom, Eloquence, and Gentleness. The following, spoken by Fionn is a good exlination of Celtic values/ethics, and far more eloqurnt than I am:

"If you have a mind to be a champion, be quiet in a great man's house; be surely in the narrow pass. Do not beat your hound without cause; do not bring a charge against your wife without having knowledge of her guilt; do not hurt a fool in fighting, for he is without his wits. Do not find fault with high-up persons; do not stand up to take part in a quarrel; have no dealings with a bad man or a foolish man. Let two-thirds of your gentleness be shown to women, and to little children that are creeping on the floor, and to men of learning that make the poems, and do not be rough with the common people. Do not give your reverence to all; do not be ready to have one bed with your companions. Do not threaten or speak big words, for it is a shameful thing to speak stiffly unless you can carry it out afterwards. Do not forsake your lord so long as you live; do not give up any man that puts himself under your protection for all the treasures of the world. Do not speak against others to their lord, that is not work for a good man. Do not be a bearer of lying stories, or a tale-bearer that is always chattering. Do not be talking too much; do not find fault hastily; however brave you may be, do not rise factions against you. Do not be going into drinking-houses, or finding fault with old men; do not meddle with low people; this is right conduct I am telling you. Do not refuse to share your meat; do not have a niggard (i.e. a fool) for a friend; do not force yourself on a great man or give him occasion to speak against you. Hold fast to your arms till the last fight is well ended. Do not give up your opportunity, but with that follow after gentleness."

Most of our information comes from mythology, history, contemporary writings (Ceasar, Pliny, etc.), and archaeology. Seeing as we really have very little information to go on, many also rely on comparative religion. It is also generally considered important for a CR to learn at least one of the languages of the Celtic peoples. Reconstructionism is very heavy on research and knowledge, and while UPG (Unverified Personal Gnosis) is acceptable, it is important to differentiate between what is UPG and what is historically verifiable.

Also look around the boards for more in depth descriptions of other non-Wiccan paths. There are quite the strings going on here in the Paths forum on Traditional Witchcraft, Shamanism, Egyptian religion/Kemeticism, and there is a great FAQ on Satanism. Aefentid is currently teaching a very informative course on Heathenry, usually known as Asatru, which is the reconstruction of Germanic religion.

[scaerie faerie]

One way to learn a little more about different traditions would be to read the threads in this 'paths' forum on different paths, traditions and beliefs, and learn a little from each. If any seem of particular interest, do some further reading from there. :)

[LittlePerson]

Thanks all. I hope to keep learning and gaining wisdom. Blessed be.

[cheddarsox]

I am a non wiccan pagan. I also attend a UU church and am active in the CUUPS group. I consider myself a panentheist, I believe the divine is that which exists in all things and makes all matter and energy interact.

I practice both a private solitary path and in groups. Because I follow a path that recognizes the divine in all things, I don't cast circles, but instead, when preparing to worship, open myself up to this awareness and acknowledge the sacredness of the place, beings and situations of the moment.
I so spontaneous chant in response to this acknowledgement/awareness.

My two big holidays are the Days of the dead and may day (fertility festival) because I think sex and death are two of the most powerful motivators in life. I hold large group events for these holidays that involve both a spritiual and social aspect.

I also hold a Winter Solstice event, to honor community in the darkest, coldest part of the year.

My CUUPS group is of mixed trads, but most of our group rituals are wiccanesque, we call quarters, cast circle etc.

I do not recognize gender or human traits in the divine. I do not have a god or godess as such, nor an image of the divine.

I practice both inside and outdoors.

cheddar

[spirit wind]

Um...

What is a UU Church?

I have seen that being mentioned a few times around the boards and have no idea on what it is.

SW

[Mòrag Elasaid Ní Dhòmhnaill]

Um...

What is a UU Church?

I have seen that being mentioned a few times around the boards and have no idea on what it is.

SW

Unitarian Universalist. Lovely non-denominational church. Usually open to any religion, many also have cuups groups. Can't remember exactly what it stands for, but cuups are pagan organizations. I personally don't attend because at least the one I went to here was too politcal in it's sermon for my taste. But my wedding was there and the service was beautiful. Several people told us it was the most beautiful and meaningful wedding ceremony they'd seen. And this from a bunch of Catholics. Then again they pretty much let us write the whole thing ourselves.

[spirit wind]

Thank you for that information :)

[LittlePerson]

Spirit, if you go to www.uua.org, you can find a lot of information there. We are Unitarian (not trinitarian) Universalists (Everyone is inherently good, no need for a savior or everyone including non christians are saved. That part can be a little confusing. I found a website to help with this a little, but it's really for christians. www.tentmaker.org) Cuups stands for chapter of uu pagans. They have a web site too. I think you can find it from uua. We don't have a chapter here though so I am lucky that I found some people to gather together with anyway who have started their own group of pagans.
UU started in Transylvania a long time ago when it was only unitarianism. It came to the U.S. although many unitarians were persecuted and some were killed. The first Universalists formed out of a dislike for the structured and damning preaching of calvinism and puritanism. Unitarianism and Universalism later combined into one church. The uu church started out very christian in form without the christ part, just the structure, ritual, liturgy and grew from there. Today uu churches house many types of worshipers from Buddhist, and Christian to Earth based and agnostics. There are even athiests and all others in between. We use a flaming chalice as our main symbol and ritual tool. There are no formal biblical readings except what is mentioned in the actual sermon, and that only happens occasionally. Our sermons are usually intellectual, humanitarian topics that range from civil rights to spirituality. Parishoners, for lack of a better word do a lot in the actual service including giving the sermon.
I hope that helped and it's one place where I feel comfortable enough to express myself. It truly is a safe and happy place to be.

[spirit wind]

Thank you Little Person. :)
It all sounds very interesting. But with being in Australia, we have nothing like that over here. There are a few that have tried to get regular meetings going under one name or another but always fail due to the ritualistic approach that many people do not want. Oh well, maybe one day.

[Mòrag Elasaid Ní Dhòmhnaill]

http://www.anzua.org/

That is the website for UU in Australia and New Zealand. They have a listing of congregations you can find there. Hope that helps.

[RubyRose]

Thank you Little Person. :)
It all sounds very interesting. But with being in Australia, we have nothing like that over here. There are a few that have tried to get regular meetings going under one name or another but always fail due to the ritualistic approach that many people do not want. Oh well, maybe one day.

Hhhmm!? I believe we do have a Pagan Church in Western Australia ... in Perth somewhere ... *sorry the name escapes me*

*goes off to do a internet search*

[RubyRose]

Aha! Found it ...

Church Of Wicca
6 Market St Fremantle WA 6160
ph: (08) 9337 7006

Another reason to make the trek down to Fremantle ... :lol:

[RubyRose]

Or not ... I did a little further research and it seems that that particular church has collapsed due to financial difficulties ...

see the link for more...

http://www.ccgm.org.au/Articles/ARTICLE-0061.htm

[spirit wind]

Thanks RR, i have heard of that one. But it has the name "Wicca" in it and i am not Wiccan. And for some reason, the word "church" does not sit well with me. Unless it means a clearing in the bush??? :lol: But i am still gonna have a look at the website!!!

And thanks again Morag. I will have a look at that website and look into it. :)

[RubyRose]

Thanks RR, i have heard of that one. But it has the name "Wicca" in it and i am not Wiccan. And for some reason, the word "church" does not sit well with me. Unless it means a clearing in the bush??? :lol: But i am still gonna have a look at the website!!!

And thanks again Morag. I will have a look at that website and look into it. :)

Well, yeah I realise you're not Wiccan ... okay so it had sorta slipped my mind when I went searching ... :lol:

As for the Church connotation ... it doesn't sit well with me either ... makes me think of funerals ... and I've been to way too many of those in my lifetime.

Thing is, some of em are so beautiful ...

[Phae Talon]

Can any of you who are on a non wiccan path enlighten me as to how you worship or practice your religion in ways that are non wiccan? I ask because I lack direction but have intention. I honer the Lord and Lady, no specific god/dess. I go to a uu church and have now joined in the local pagan community here. Any suggestions or advice would be welcome. I'm just not sure that Wicca is right for me. I've only done one wiccan ritual and I am not really desirous to try/practice anymore right now. Oh, and I do have an altar made. But I still want to be pagan, I just don't have direction. Thanks all.

Well, I am non-Wiccan ... and I suggest reading the Traditional Witchcraft thread here in the Paths Forum ... also, if you find yourself interested, you may want to check out a book by Marian Green called A Witch Alone.

Good Luck in your search ;)

--Phae

[LittlePerson]

Thank you Phae for your advice.:thumbsup:

[Faeawyn]

I'm not Wiccan either. I guess you would call me a witch, as I do spells. I'm actually looking in to following the path of the kitchenwitch, because home and family are my path :). The god I worship is what most would think of as the christian god. But for me, he's more the creator....the life source....I believe that he is made up of light and energy, and put that spark in each of us....and that we have the god given ability to manipulate that energy if we can learn to. That is what I'm attempting to do thru spells, meditation, reiki healing, etc...I also feel a strong connection to Gaia/Mother Earth. So I look to her as well :) I feel that the earth is another spirit, as are we all. But I am grateful for it's sacrifice to care for us and provide for us.

[Phae Talon]

Thank you Phae for your advice.:thumbsup:

You are most welcome ;)

--Phae

[Midorianne]

I practice the Verbena Tradition that is based off of Ann Moura's 2nd style of Green Witchcraft. This variety of Green Witchcraft as a Natural Witchcraft elevates the "Mahnu" or the Self to union with the Universe, enhancing the personal power of the Witch, through the energies of herbs and objects of nature and directing this to accomplish a goal. Religion plays no part, for the Witch and the Unnamed All work together through Nature with honestly, instinct, and intuition. To follow the Verbena Tradition you must know you are a part of nature and the universal energy flows through you. Verbena is nature, attuned to the green, the moon, sun, and stars. Our magic calls upon the elements - Earth, Air, Water, and Fire, we work directly with the Power without worship to any deity.

[LittlePerson]

Thank you, Midorianne. I followed your link on your website to Ann Moura's and read her information.:floating:

[Mòrag Elasaid Ní Dhòmhnaill]

Little Person and Midorianne, I thought I'd mention that Ann Moura has her own board here at MW where you can talk with her. It's in the Author's Circle.

[Midorianne]

Little Person and Midorianne, I thought I'd mention that Ann Moura has her own board here at MW where you can talk with her. It's in the Author's Circle.
Thanks for the info! We have chatted in a few yahoo groups and emails.

[sincerebliss]

http://www.witchvox.com/xtrads.html
Okay..here is a link. Click on the left column for different pagan traditions and beliefs.
Hope this helps!

[edenbolake]

MM,
well dear I don't know if I can enlighten you but I can tell you about myself and how I learned. I was born into the old ways and all my life I was taught by my grandmother and other elders and I was in my 30's before I ever heard the word wicca. I was always told that I was pagan and or a witch. I do not adhere to the wiccan rede but, I do adhere to clan laws in my family BOS which are similar in many ways to the rede but I am not wicca.
I honor the seasonal rituals and do full moon rituals. I pray to the Lord and lady but I was taught that there is a male and female force also over all the Gods and Goddesses because that force is where they all came from and the male and female force have names.I do however refer to my patron Goddess as Mother God and the Male deity as Father God. But, I can also tap into the male and female higher force the ultimate power when needed. I really don't know that there is anything different with the wiccan faith and the way I believe other than my clan laws dictate a certain way for me to do things and the wiccan rede dictates a certain way for the wicca to do things. All faiths have a structure and I think it is the structure that we should look for to see if it fits our need. The only thing that I can say to you dear is to say a prayer for guidance and then close your eyes and follow the light in the darkness because it is there and if you really and truly want guidance you will see it . I hope I haven't confused you more but this is the only way I know to show you that all people and their religions are different "just like everyone else " .

blessings edenbolake




Can any of you who are on a non wiccan path enlighten me as to how you worship or practice your religion in ways that are non wiccan? I ask because I lack direction but have intention. I honer the Lord and Lady, no specific god/dess. I go to a uu church and have now joined in the local pagan community here. Any suggestions or advice would be welcome. I'm just not sure that Wicca is right for me. I've only done one wiccan ritual and I am not really desirous to try/practice anymore right now. Oh, and I do have an altar made. But I still want to be pagan, I just don't have direction. Thanks all.

[Ron]

Hello LittlePerson.
I think dividing nature into masculine & feminine is actually Wiccan.
Being a Roman Reconstructionist and lacking a temple, I usually worship at home. No circles, no quarters, none of that. Just myself, a statue and a lot of incense.
Perhaps you should ask why you want to be a pagan, and that will help you find out which religion is yours.
Anyway... good luck.
What? No? This "dividing nature into masculine & feminine" is part of anthroprocentrism (believing that other things think like humans). Unlike scientotogists, I quite agree with it. Also, most all ancient and middle age languages had no nuter "it", just "him" and "her" - for example Welsh, or French. It is "le crayon" "la télévision" "le ballon-panier" "l'arbre (fem)" "l'ecole (fem)" "la forêt"... all things have a gender. This goes hand in hand with the belief that all things have a spirit that feels, you cut down a tree, you harm him or her. These beliefs and things are CLEARLY not invented in the 1930s, or if they were I have been subject to a worldwide conspiracy.

just in my opinion - I really don't mean to offend

[LittlePerson]

Thank you for the responses. Charles, I have seen the gender difference when studying languages too.

[Peri]

Um...

What is a UU Church?

I have seen that being mentioned a few times around the boards and have no idea on what it is.

SW

"UU" is short for Unitarian Universalism, which is a non-dogmatic religion that supports each person's right to search for their own truth. UU congregations are diverse and include people who also consider themselves Pagan, Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, athiest, agnostic, Taoist, humanist, etc., etc. What binds UUs together are the 7 UU Principles of belief, which include valueing peace, democracy, and justice; honoring the interconnected web of life of which we are all a part; opposing all forms of oppression, etc.

If you're interested, you can read more about it at the Unitarian Universalism Association's website, at http://www.uua.org . I was raised UU and I love it!

CUUPs is Covenent of the Unitarian Universalist Pagans. Many larger UU congregations have CUUPs groups that meet to celebrate the holidays.

[Raiden]

There are many paths other than Wiccan. I agree with everyone else, look around at the many threads and if you would like you can check out a group that I belong to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/animistfellowship/
I will be putting a thread about this on here, but haven't gotten around to it.

There is a path for everyone, and sometimes, no specific path fits us, so we may have to walk our own, breaking trail, so to speak. Just be true to yourself, and you'll never go wrong.

Blessed Be

Aset (Raiden's wife) :broomride

[MorningDove030202]

Um...

What is a UU Church?

I have seen that being mentioned a few times around the boards and have no idea on what it is.

SW
I'm also a UU member but we have no CUUPS group here. UU stands for Unitarian Universalist and it's a church for seekers who realy don't want to be told what to belive, but want to fellowship with others of alike mind. The services are protestant looking, but we drawl upon many different religions for our teachings. Our hymnal has jewsh, chrisitian, native american, hindu and even pagan hymns in it, and the UU is big into civil rights. We are the first church to ordiain women ministers, and openly gay minister and we are the people doing all the same sex wedings in boston, Mass. We have 7 principles that guide out line our shared beliefs. (I don't know them off the top of my head but I can post them later.) You can check out www.uua.org for more information.

I would say that Druid rituals would be a good example of a non wiccan neo-pagan practice.

Dove

[LittlePerson]

Thanks dove. I find I am being directed towards Judiasm. Not really in the orthodox sense. There are people called Noahides. I'd done some studying and research into the religion for several months last year and again I feel directed there. In fact so much I've started up conversations on belief net. Reform Judaism has always fallen in my top 5 and the last time I took the test there it came out on top.

I plan on calling our reform synagoge here Temple Emanu-El to see about visiting for Shabbos.

I had thought about Druidism. I have a semi-co-worker who is one. I told him about our local pagan group since he didn't know about it. I went to the library and checked out a couple books on it, but only read about two pages. Some information I already knew. And then somehow I lost interest in studying it.

Thanks again Dove and Blessings to you.