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Joined: Apr 2003
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Zebra
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Zebra
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LOL!

Well, you know, the ideas of spells and such seemed so darned foreign to me at one time. How in the world could I be a Pagan, I thought?

But some of the New Age isn't really "me"...like channeling aliens and paranoia, for example. (Not all, but some. As "airy" as I am, I can't get into airy fairy stuff that has little or no bearing to my personal reality. Not bad, I guess, for one deficient in the Earth element!)

I've always felt close to nature and my family and I speak to trees...and convey what they "say" to us. (It's so normal I guess it never occurred to me this could be Pagan. Talk about missing the proverbial forest for the trees!)

So the other day, I listened to an excellent CD by Caroline Myss called Your Primal Nature--where she discusses the First Chakra or "Pagan Point". Boy, did her visualization ground me! Then, I began reading a book I've had on my shelf for months: Exploring the Pagan Path - Wisdom From the Elders. I read "What is Paganism?" by Oz while in the bathtub and it dawned on me: OMG...I'm a Pagan!

While I'm still not big on formal rituals, I at least now understand that spells are merely intentions that have been "physicalized". Kind of a touchstone, if you will. And gods and goddesses? Well, while I feel there is only one Divine, so to speak, it has many faces. Whether these "faces" are archetypes that are empowered by belief or are actual entities are really irrelevant to me. So I use my Doreen Virtue Goddess deck, have a little altar on my shelf, am now reading more Pagan and Wicca books...

Isn't it hilarious how far and wide we can journey on our spiritual path?!

I'd probably call myself an eclectic Neo-Pagan solitary, but hey! I'm still Janet. HAHAHA! <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

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~ Rae ~ Offline OP
Elephant
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Elephant
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I've always had so many of my own ideas, it doesn't surprise me that I'm solitary. However, I do enjoy attending larger rituals where people are open to the diversity of the pagan community. I like to see how else people talk to Spirit and how they honor the Divine in us and around us.

I think my article on Spell Crafting and Ritual Magic was really popular because it talked about magic as a focused intention, and not just eye of newt and all that rigamarole.

I often think when I say that I'm a Pagan, that I'm saying more about what I'm not than what I actually am. Most of my magic is done wherever I am at the time, with whatever is on hand. I have friends that can't do anything without the proper setting, robes, and accoutrements, but that just isn't my brand of magic.

- Rae

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Parakeet
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Parakeet
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Rae,
Great article. I am a solitary practioner and the path of being a Pagan and a Witch was born out of a deep spirotual need. It's funny Janet, but I remember reading about Paganism and Wicca and then, in the middle of the night, it dawned on me that that was exactly who I was!
I feel most comfortable being solitary because to me, my spirituality is a private experience. But I will say that I think sharing my spirituality with those in this forum is wonderful.
Janet, I have Cunningham's book and he writes it with such gentleness and love. Get it, you will like it very much.


"Allow your dreams to become your plans."

Kristen

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Zebra
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Zebra
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I read that article after I posted, Rae, and it was very synchronous! (LOL @ eye of newt). You're absolutely right. I guess I was *so* ingrained by my religious upbringing that I held a narrow vision of "spell casting"...seeing it as superstitious and "backward". But then, even prayer is a form of "spellcasting". When the Apostle Paul "charged" a handkerchiefs in the NT and individuals took them to loved ones who were ill--and miracles occurred--it was a form of spellcasting. Same way with putting cards featuring Scriptures around the house to "remind" of a prayer or intention and so on.

Gosh, it's weird how the mind blocks out information it's not ready for and can't see obvious correlations and/or similiarities! Maybe that's why the world needs more Yin/Feminine Energy/Divine Feminine: the Yin side of the brain/spirit is receptive and sees where we have commonalities whereas the Yang/masculine sees where we are different.

Yeah, I can't imagine having to have a particular herb, scent, crystal, etc. to spell cast. No matter what the spiritual tradition, it seems that some are more comfortable with formality and ritual (and getting it "right"?) while others are more informal in their path.

Hi Kristen! Thanks for your recommendation. I'll definitely be getting that book then. (Heads off to Amazon.com) I've heard many good things about that book!

How interesting that you had a "dawning" very similar to mine. Maybe we're born again Pagans...? HAHAHA! ^_~

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~ Rae ~ Offline OP
Elephant
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Janet - I have heard people say quite proudly that they are born-again Pagans... LOL....

To me, when you make a wish, cast a spell, say an affirmation, or pray, you're doing the same thing in each instance, but maybe the context and intensity is a bit different in each case. Now, that's a really solitary viewpoint, that's for sure.

I enjoy being solitary, but from time to time, I check out various groups and covens to see how they are working. I know if I found a group and the energy felt right, I might work with them for a while to see how it goes, but so far I've always found some element that encourages me to continue doing things on my own.

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Zebra
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Zebra
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LOL!

I'd love to check out a group sometime but I'm having a hard time locating any that's local. Ah, well. If I'm supposed to hook up with any groups--even for just occassional contact--I'm sure it will happen when it needs to. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

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Parakeet
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Janet... did you check on www.witchvox.com? They have a lot of listings fro pagans all around the country

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Zebra
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Zebra
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Hi Fiona!

Yes, Witchvox is the first place I went to, actually. The only listing I could find was a pre-teen boy interested in networking with other Pagans.

I found a Pagan Yahoo group from my state, but none of them seem to be from my area.

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~ Rae ~ Offline OP
Elephant
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You might also check out http://www.tribe.net There are a lot of groups from all over there.

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Zebra
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Zebra
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Thanks, Rae. I tried to navigate that site but found it very confusing...

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