Ask a Pagan

[Caitlin.ann]

Thought I'd jump on the bandwagon as well, however, as opposed to this just being a "Sacredsin" thread, I thought I'd open it up for all pagans in the area to post their answers as well.

So let the questions fly.

 

[Jane_the_Bane]

What kind of (neo-)pagan are you?
A reconstructionist? An Asatru? A Wiccan?

 

[Rascaduanok]

A bit a–lemon–tree, I mean elementary, I suppose — but what IS paganism (to you)? I’ve always associated it with ‘backwards’ pre–religion type superstition and animism, etc. I know it means something different to neo–pagans.

 

[sidhe]

What kind of (neo-)pagan are you?
A reconstructionist? An Asatru? A Wiccan?

Recon here. I've got an academic interest in CM as part of the history of the rebirth of paganism, but I've drifted away from any practice.

 

[Secundulus]

Recon here. I've got an academic interest in CM as part of the history of the rebirth of paganism, but I've drifted away from any practice.

You are possibly the most enigmatic person on this forum; and I say this respectfully as a fellow Georgian.

 

[sidhe]

You are possibly the most enigmatic person on this forum; and I say this respectfully as a fellow Georgian.

Thank you.

 

[Alizera]

What do you think of that Gerald Gardner guy?

 

[Caitlin.ann]

What kind of (neo-)pagan are you?
A reconstructionist? An Asatru? A Wiccan?

Hehe, well...

To be honest, I'm still very much finding my way. Technically I'm just an eclectic with leanings towards green/cottage witchcraft, however lately, I've also become greatly drawn towards Heathenism. I don't think I ever could become a recon. but even so I'm going to do my best to not butcher any ancient path.

I believe in:

1. Observing the seasonal changes
2. Folk magic (focusing on simple works in the home and garden)
3. Honoring the ancestors
4. And much that Heathenism offers.

Which is 'spose you don't have to be a recon. in order to worship the Vanir or Aesir, nor to take some aspects of my ancestors' religion in order to make it my own...without butchering the religion. Which is why I say I'm searching/learning towards Heathenism and won't say I'm Asatru or any other recon. religion. I'm also researching some of what was written down from my Irish side, such as Ogham.

A bit a–lemon–tree, I mean elementary, I suppose — but what IS paganism (to you)? I’ve always associated it with ‘backwards’ pre–religion type superstition and animism, etc. I know it means something different to neo–pagans.

Well "paganism" is an umbrella term for any religion that is non-Abrahamic. However, "pagan" also commonly refers to ancient peoples who practiced a non-Christian faith; whereas, "neo-pagan" is used to refer to those who are attempting to recreate the faith of the ancients. I've also heard "pagan" to refer to reconstructionists and "neo-pagans" to refer to Wiccans and more recent pagan paths.

 

[Caitlin.ann]

What do you think of that Gerald Gardner guy?

Gardner? He was alright. I don't know a great deal about him because as I'm not Wiccan I've never had the urge to read much about him. I think he was needed at the time to open peoples minds to alternative religion and weave a path way for other neo-pagan paths, however he had many problems as well.

 

[Druweid]

What kind of (neo-)pagan are you?
A reconstructionist? An Asatru? A Wiccan?

I have a VERY wide variety of influences, but mostly tend toward Druidic and Shamanic practices of philosophy, theology, and spiritism.

-- Druweid

 

[sidhe]

What do you think of that Gerald Gardner guy?

Gardner was important in the grand scheme of the return of paganism as a viable religious construct, but he liked to make stuff up as he went along.

 

[Jane_the_Bane]

Gardner was important in the grand scheme of the return of paganism as a viable religious construct, but he liked to make stuff up as he went along.

Who doesn't? As long as you don't butcher ideas or reduce them to a meaningless popcorn fluff tasting faintly of plastic...
Problems only arise once you start to sell your ideas as dogma, and pretend that they're 10,000 years old at the VERY least.

 

[sidhe]

Who doesn't? As long as you don't butcher ideas or reduce them to a meaningless popcorn fluff tasting faintly of plastic...
Problems only arise once you start to sell your ideas as dogma, and pretend that they're 10,000 years old at the VERY least.

*gasp* You mean Wicca didn't exist in prehistory with organized covens and a set of working tools designed around ceremonial magick?

 

[Minty]

*gasp* You mean Wicca didn't exist in prehistory with organized covens and a set of working tools designed around ceremonial magick?

You mean that you didn't know Next you'll be telling me that you didn't get your info about your path from your grandmother, either (cos everyone knows that only grandma's can pass that kind of knowledge on!! )

And there was me thinking that you were the "All Knowing, Sidhe...Mistress of the Universe" (and best prices given for second hand clothes )

 

[sidhe]

You mean that you didn't know Next you'll be telling me that you didn't get your info about your path from your grandmother, either (cos everyone knows that only grandma's can pass that kind of knowledge on!! )

And there was me thinking that you were the "All Knowing, Sidhe...Mistress of the Universe" (and best prices given for second hand clothes )

Grandmas and mysterious old women who sleep with you at an early age (yeah, I'm looking at you, Victor Anderson). That's the root of all modern paganism.

 

[Minty]

To all of my Pagan friends:

How long have you been following the path you're on?

Were you ever Christian?

What made you change your mind about it?


Tropical Wilds: Can you tell me more...I'm very interested in learning more about Christian Witches

 

[Minty]

Grandmas and mysterious old women who sleep with you at an early age (yeah, I'm looking at you, Victor Anderson). That's the root of all modern paganism.

The author of "Thorns of the Blood Rose" and Feri Trad guy?

And there was me thinking that the root of modern Paganism was Silver Ravenwolf!

**ducks for cover to avoid being pelted with rotten vegetable matter**

 

[sidhe]

To all of my Pagan friends:

How long have you been following the path you're on?

Were you ever Christian?

What made you change your mind about it?


Tropical Wilds: Can you tell me more...I'm very interested in learning more about Christian Witches

1) Around 14 years.

2) Depends. I'm baptized, but I never really really believed any of it. Jesus was pretty cool, though. I'm friends with a couple priests, including the one who did my baptism ("But I don't actually believe in the theology." "Don't worry about that. I say 'All are welcome,' and I mean it. This is just to demonstrate that I'm serious. I'm baptizing a witch!").

3) N/A

 

[sidhe]

The author of "Thorns of the Blood Rose" and Feri Trad guy?

And there was me thinking that the root of modern Paganism was Silver Ravenwolf!

**ducks for cover to avoid being pelted with rotten vegetable matter**

Yeah. I actually really like Feri Trad, but Victor was just utterly inventive.

And his poetry = the awesome.

...I know someone who gathered most of their info from $ilver Ravenwallet. I used to throw things at him.

 

[Caitlin.ann]

To all of my Pagan friends:

How long have you been following the path you're on?

I've been an eclectic pagan/cottage Witch since 10th grade, so approximately four years now. I've just gotten into Heathenism (learning, etc.) For the past few months though. Though I can't claim Heathenism yet, it is becoming important to my overall path.

Were you ever Christian?

Yep. *nods* Raised Christian, accepted Christ through prayer many times throughout my life, and was baptised in a non-denominational church when I was 12.

What made you change your mind about it?

Christianity was my parents religion. I realized that I was so devout, had followed it because I was taught it was the right thing to do, not because I believed in it. I was also a Christian (personally) because I was afraid of Hell. Hell is not good enough to stick to a religion which doesn't hold your heart, IMO.

So in my sophmore year of high school I met a girl named Alicia who would later become one of my best friends. She had dabbled into goddess religion and wicca and introduced me to it. Granted I was receptive to it in the first place anyways. So after that I began to search and learn some more on my own until I developed my own path and knowledge separate from hers.