Anybody have advice?

[amethyst_faerie]

Hi everyone
I'm kinda hovering between paths here. I'm really interested in wicca and holistic therapies like crystal healing, aromatherapy etc., and magick seems to uplift me when I practice it (does anyone else get this feeling?). But sometimes I go to the spiritualist church that I live near. For those of you who don't know, it's a church (with less hymns and preaching!) where a medium works with spirits to communicate with the congregation. I enjoy going there, but on the other hand, I also love wicca! Any guidance?

[amethyst_faerie]

please?

[Ben Gruagach]

There is a lot of variety in the various established Pagan religions that are out there, and to be honest there are lots and lots of people who don't follow just one path anyways but follow their own individual one. It's all a matter of exploring and deciding for yourself what makes most sense and feels right to you. Some people thrive under formal training systems with hierarchies and degrees, and other do best when they're just doing their own thing.

You might find the questionnaire at http://www.selectsmart.com/RELIGION/ to be helpful too. It asks basic questions about your personal opinions on spiritual matters, then gives you a list of the religions that are likely to match up with your opinions. It could suggest some particular paths you might not have considered before.

You might also find that your path takes you through a variety of systems over the course of your life. These days I think it's a wise person who waits to be really sure before committing themselves to a particular path for the rest of their lives.

[Ben Gruagach]

please?

Oh, and sometimes it takes a day or so for people to notice and respond to new threads. Don't be upset if you don't get immediate responses... this isn't exactly "live chatting" on a messageboard. It's closer to email in speed.

[Venndragon]

I agree with Ben, the whole 'solitary eclectic' thing works really well for some people because they can just take things as they believe they are without others telling you what they think is right, on the other hand, if you like the feeling of being part of a group like going to the Spiritualist church, you could consider joining or organising other groups as well where you can discuss different aspects of beliefs and consider how others believe the world works because it always helps to sort things out in your own mind when you have others to discuss things with. Probably just repeating a load of advice you've been given already but i seem to be in a friendly waffling mood tonight! :lilangel:

[Seren_]

Hi everyone
I'm kinda hovering between paths here. I'm really interested in wicca and holistic therapies like crystal healing, aromatherapy etc., and magick seems to uplift me when I practice it (does anyone else get this feeling?). But sometimes I go to the spiritualist church that I live near. For those of you who don't know, it's a church (with less hymns and preaching!) where a medium works with spirits to communicate with the congregation. I enjoy going there, but on the other hand, I also love wicca! Any guidance?

Why is a particular label so necessary? The answer depends on how you perceive both paths, really. Magic itself isn't a religion, and Wicca is just one of those paths that happen to have a religious angle as well a more magical one. You don't have to be Wiccan to practice magic, and increasingly these days, people will define themselves as Wiccan but who don't practice magic or witchcraft.

Is it the magic or the Wiccan angle that attracts you in this respect? The same question for the spiritualist church. Is it the church (and therefore one assumes a Christian aspect) that attracts you? Have you tried a coven or Pagan group experience to compare the two?

What elements attract you to both, or either paths? Ultimately, you need to ask yourself, if it's a choice between the two, which one speaks more truth to you, instinctively? If it's neither, then perhaps a "happy medium" should be looked for. Or you should - or could - consider diffferent options entirely.

If it's just the magic (which is what could be interpreted from your post), then there isn't necessarily a problem...Do you have to fit one path? A lot of people here don't. However, if what you're describing is a choice between two religions...well, there's no rush to commit to any or either, is there? Like Ben said, a lot of people follow their own path.

[PAGANFILES]

Hi everyone
I'm kinda hovering between paths here. I'm really interested in wicca and holistic therapies like crystal healing, aromatherapy etc., and magick seems to uplift me when I practice it (does anyone else get this feeling?). But sometimes I go to the spiritualist church that I live near. For those of you who don't know, it's a church (with less hymns and preaching!) where a medium works with spirits to communicate with the congregation. I enjoy going there, but on the other hand, I also love wicca! Any guidance?

Why not let your path be in the seeking of knowledge? Accept all Lore and become wise in the learning.

Terry

[KimberSly]

For all we know, you could have your own unique path. What's to stop you from doing that? :smile:

[ObsidianShenKa]

Don't try to be Wiccan.

Just be pagan.

[Morr]

Don't try to be Wiccan.

Just be pagan.

ummm.. care to elaborate on that?

[Tea Leaf]

I was raised spiritualist and found wicca when I was 14. I use the label ‘eclectic wiccian’; I practice celtic/arthurian wicca, but I add in some elements from spiritualism, as I agree with their notions (like the idea of personal responsibility...etc.)

[fay]

hey there! is it a christian church? and is it just the magickal elements of wicca that appeal to you (as opposed to the religious elements)? if so then you could explore christian witchcraft.
do the beliefs of what you like about wicca and your spiritualist church clash? if not then i see no reason why they cannot exist side by side and you take the best from each.
blessed be

[equinox2]

Off topic-

In reference to the toast/cat thing on Amethyst's sig. The answer is:

"A perpertual motion machine":
http://www.begent.net/toast.htm

[amethyst_faerie]

i know this sounds shallow here but with the spiritualist church its really just the medium work and the healing which attracts me. I believe the Christian God and the numerous aspects of God in paganism are the same thing, and I also believe in the godess as the feminine aspect of God. So, I think eclectic pagan would be the best way to describe me, that way I could integrate all different paths while I keep learning, and see which ones best fit me! Hey look I answered my own question, but you guys helped so thankyou and big hugs!