My Introduction to Paganism
I had been a Christian, with a lot of questions, a few doubts, and a bit of anger with what I knew of Christianity.
I started researching information about witches. I viewed web sites, read literature, and joined a few online groups. I didn't know much about Paganism in the beginning, and quickly found myself moving into studying Wicca. I had decided that I would study for a year and a day, a Wiccan custom of learning prior to initiation.
I bought first a few, then many books on Wicca, some of them being for solitary witches. Since I'm not a big people person, I at first focused on solitary teachings. I started learning a little about this nature religion, and a lot about how much things would vary between the books that I was reading. I had my start at practicing reviewing the information I was given, and getting a "sense" for what I would determine to be correct.
I was disappointed by some of the materials I found. Some of the descriptions used for Wiccans, as it seemed "not me" and like I just wouldn't fit in. The more I researched, I figured out that I actually "could" fit in as a Wiccan, if that is what I wanted.
Being a witch can involve so many things. There are so many different areas of study, and so many interests to be held. I was truly fascinated with it all, and could not contain myself with only learning one thing at a time. I was focused on 2-3 things at a time. There is never an end to the learning possibilities. That's when I was sure I couldn't fit in as a Wiccan. I had far too many interests in far too many things, and so many different beliefs that made sense or were at least looking into further.
So began my journey, as an eclectic witch. Eclectic, meaning... I choose my beliefs from various sources, not following any one particular path or ideology, believing in what feels "right" and makes sense to me.
I've found this to be the best decision of my life. It has helped me grow spiritually and in many other ways. It has brought me peace and a little understanding of humanity. It has given me so much that I had been lacking, the rest of my life.
Published by Wendy Cheuvront
I am a 36 year old, single mom of two. My childhood and young adult life was a very trying time for me. I am recently learning to cope with and love life in it's fullest. View profile
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3 Comments
Post a CommentTo Adam, Wicca is just one of the many Pagan faiths. To Wendy, great article, as they all are. I consdier myself a Pagan ecletic Wiccan witch. LOL! I, too, do not fit into just one path of Wicca so picking and choosing is easier to me. I pick and choose right down to what spells and rituals I feel are right, some from many different paths. That is what is great about being a Witch. You can use someone else's spells and rituals or you can make your own from scratch. what other religion offers that kind of flexibility? :D
Hi Adam,
Well it's kind of like this... If you would compare Paganism to Christianity, you could say that being Wiccan is like being a Baptist.
There are many forms of Paganism.
No, I don't consider myself Wiccan, just Pagan...an eclectic witch. "Pick-and-choose" as you have said. If I want to study Shamanism I can. Or if I want to apply some of the concepts of Buddism or Christianity, I can.
I can use practices from any belief system to personalise to what feels "right" to me.
Thanks for reading :o)
Hmmm... I'm interested to hear more about Wicca or Paganism, but I'm not sure I understand where you've settled. Are you kind of a "pick-and-choose" Wiccan? What kind of stuff does that entail? And how is Wicca different than Paganism?