Welcome to Gaia! :: View User's Journal | Gaia Journals

 
 

View User's Journal

Random Rants, Thoughts...
A collection of my most random rants, thoughts and inner workings.*Warning: I cuss worse than a sailor!*
Wicca and Paganism
For the past couple of months, I've been thinking about coming back to Wicca/Paganism. I use to practice all the time when I was younger, but now I can't stop thinking about it. I think now that I'm older, it's easier for me to understand. I want to share with you my thoughts and questions about Wicca/Paganism.

What I know:
- There are many traditions to follow, including the Solitary Path.
- Wicca and Paganism are polytheistic.
- Paganism is older (hundreds of years old). Wicca is younger (a few decades old).
- Wicca and Paganism have nothing to do with Christian religions and Satanism, which are completely different entities.
- There are laws and they should be upheld.
- There are Esbats and Sabbats that are celebrated.
- Astrology, numerology, trees/plants, animals, stones, colors and the four elements are all connected.

A bit about my past:
It's really stupid and cliche to say that Harry Potter opened my mind to it all. But it's true. I started to do research back in 1999-2000, just when I was able to start reading them. I gravitated towards wands instantly. Then I found the cauldrons and athames. It was a snowball effect.
I found some books and a few websites to help with research. Silver Ravenwolf's "To Ride a Silver Broomstick" was the first book I ever bought (the original!). I really wanted Ravenwolf's "Teen Witch Kit".

Anyhoo, it's been a few years since I got rid of my original Book of Shadows. I can't believe I literally threw it out. Like, in the trash threw it out. sweatdrop I didn't know that I was going to need it again. But, I'm back now and I claim this new period in my life a do-over.

I know, now, that I am completely novice in all of this. I just can't get away from what I already know about Wicca.

To me, Wicca and Paganism are very spiritual and organic. I believe that both make sense to me because there are four (well, five) main elements than make up everything on this earth. Everything has a map leading to something else -it's all connected. You can't find the connection they share in other religions.

What I want to know:
- How has Wicca and Paganism changed in the past 10-13 years?
- What is considered the "norm" nowadays?
- Are people more accepting of practicing Wicca and Paganism?
- Is it acceptable to call Wiccans and Pagans witches and/or wizards?
- What are some authors I should read up on? (I know the Internet might be a bigger source because of first-hand experience, etc.)
- How has the Internet changed the way Wiccans and Pagans practice? Has it improved or worsened the religion?
- Is practicing solitary still acceptable?
- How often does worship happen at home and in the coven?
- Do you have to follow a particular deity?
- I’ve been reading a lot about people not being Wiccan until they are initiated.
- What if you are Solitary? Is there even such thing as being a solitary witch anymore?
- Do you have to be initiated if you want to practice solitary?
- Is it okay to have a full time job and practice Wicca?

There are so many more questions I have. It's just hard for me to get answers in person since I don't know anyone. If I have more questions, I will ask. lol

If you are reading this, thank you for reading. 3nodding





 
 
Manage Your Items
Other Stuff
Get GCash
Offers
Get Items
More Items
Where Everyone Hangs Out
Other Community Areas
Virtual Spaces
Fun Stuff
Gaia's Games
Mini-Games
Play with GCash
Play with Platinum