Clearing Up the Wiccan and 'Pagan' Faiths...

[Maleficent13]

It's really hard to answer anything for a group that is quite diverse.

So then I'm unclear what the point of this thread is, if you actually can't clear anything up?

 

[Ariel Mae]

So then I'm unclear what the point of this thread is, if you actually can't clear anything up?

We can clear up what is possible. What is able to be answered. Such as personal belief systems, and misconceptions about them.

 

[Ariel Mae]

It's like with any religion. Take Christianity for example. There are many denominations in that belief system/group, and many sects to those denominations. I've found that asking one Pentacostal something will often vary from asking the next Pentacostal something. But what is clarified in asking both Pentacostals the same thing is that there is a varying belief system, but there are core tenets/regulations/rules to be followed.

It's the same here, with Wicca and Paganism.

 

[mickeyfan2]

We can clear up what is possible. What is able to be answered. Such as personal belief systems, and misconceptions about them.

So then what it the Pagan belief system? I am trying to understand but am just getting more confused.

How did you pick your God/Goddess to worship/follow?

 

[irishbosoxfan]

I have friends that are Pagan. I was invited to several of their holiday parties-they have one on Winter Solstice and they usually have one for Summer Solstice as well. One of the couples had a ceremony where they were, for lack of a better word, "bound". They used a ribbon or cloth to tie their wrists together as a symbol of their joining as a part of the ritual. The whole thing was very pretty. I know that they are very into the earth, conservation and they believe in the power of the elements. I have seen their circle rituals and they are very reverent and sacred. Now, I don't know if this is common, but their group also places a high value on meditation and the flow of energy throughout the body. They spoke about chakras and energy blocks that can cause physical problems. Isn't that more Eastern philosophy?

What you attended was a HANDFASTING ceremony--unlike Christian marriage where they are locked together "till death do us part"--Wicca is "for so long as love shall last"--when there is no longer love between them they are free to go their seperate ways

Each sect has their own belief sysytems and incorporate many things into it--I have never heard of the chakras as part of Wicca but that's me--But if they are using it-it is as a tool for healing

It's like with any religion. Take Christianity for example. There are many denominations in that belief system/group, and many sects to those denominations. I've found that asking one Pentacostal something will often vary from asking the next Pentacostal something. But what is clarified in asking both Pentacostals the same thing is that there is a varying belief system, but there are core tenets/regulations/rules to be followed.

It's the same here, with Wicca and Paganism.

This IS true--Covens are varied and each has it's own way of following the beliefs and practices

So then what it the Pagan belief system? I am trying to understand but am just getting more confused.

How did you pick your God/Goddess to worship/follow?

This is hard to answer--it depends on what ritual you are performing--There are different rituals,festivals and even different names for the Gods--notice different names not different Gods

The "Ultimate Deity" is a genderless force which is so far beyond our comprehension that we can only have a vague sense of understanding--This Supreme Power is equated with both male and female

 

[Crankyshank]

There's a site that I feel is a very good resource for anyone looking for information on any level. It also has local resources if you want to check out shops, classes, rituals, etc... in your area

http://www.witchvox.com/_x.html?c=basics

If you scroll down to 2000 there's some basic info, FAQ, clearing up any myths, etc...

 

[Ariel Mae]

So then what it the Pagan belief system? I am trying to understand but am just getting more confused.

How did you pick your God/Goddess to worship/follow?

See the following...

This is hard to answer--it depends on what ritual you are performing--There are different rituals,festivals and even different names for the Gods--notice different names not different Gods

The "Ultimate Deity" is a genderless force which is so far beyond our comprehension that we can only have a vague sense of understanding--This Supreme Power is equated with both male and female

The term 'Pagan' is an umbrella term, covering a lot. It's impossible to name all the Gods/Goddesses of a "Pagan". From Hecate to Pan, and Demeter to Zeus...they're 'Pagan' Dieties.

There's a site that I feel is a very good resource for anyone looking for information on any level. It also has local resources if you want to check out shops, classes, rituals, etc... in your area

http://www.witchvox.com/_x.html?c=basics

If you scroll down to 2000 there's some basic info, FAQ, clearing up any myths, etc...

Thanks for the link!

Oh, MickeyFan...how I chose my Goddess...well, believe it or not, I had a 'vision' of Hecate. She came to me in my Meditations, enveloping me in her arms, deeming me a Daughter...and, from there, I felt this 'binding connection', as if I were 'hers' and she 'mine'. And as for Gaia...the more I research Ann Moura's Faith, the more I find it hard not to believe in Gaia, Mother Earth.

 

[Laura]

So then what it the Pagan belief system? I am trying to understand but am just getting more confused.

There are numerous religions that fall under the Pagan umbrella; it's really not like Christianity, as they are far more different from each other than the Christian denominations. They are often the native, Earth-based religions of certain areas of Europe, but they also can be the religions of the Native Americans, Ancient Egyptians, etc. Many of the European pagan traditions were adopted/incorporated into Christianity as the pagans were converted. So things can be rather muddled and disorganized for a particular religion's history. Some neo-pagans incorporate some elements of pagan religions into a new one, or try to reconstruct an old religion.

A partial list:
http://paganpedia.mind-n-magick.com/wiki/index.php?title=List_of_Pagan_religions

 

[Ariel Mae]

Laura: That is an interesting link! I thank you for it! I have never seen or heard of paganpedia. Gratzie!

 

[Laura]

Laura: That is an interesting link! I thank you for it! I have never seen or heard of paganpedia. Gratzie!

Thank Google!

 

[Miss Jasmine]

As I said, my belief 'revolves' around the tenets of Green Witchcraft, yet I am no witch, no magicmaker/performer. I do not believe in magic. Ritual and meditation, yes, but magic, no. The realm of magick...maybe. I'm still uncertain as to that. Hecate as my Patron Goddess, and Gaia as the Mother. That's my viewpoint, though, and, quite honestly, it's very Eclectic. I draw my beliefs from the ancient Celts/Druids/Egyptians.

I meditate, every day, if possible, as it is not only calming, but it soothes the unbalanced chakras. After a meditation, I always ground myself, which is a Wiccan practice, the only Wiccan practice I attune to thoroughly.

Sounds like you are making up your own belief system. Is this usual for pagans?

 

[Ariel Mae]

Sounds like you are making up your own belief system. Is this usual for pagans?

It's not 'making up' anything, Miss Jasmine, it's 'blending like faiths'....Eclecticism, quite common in the 'Pagan' belief system. I'm not 'making up' Hecate...I'm not 'making up' Gaia...I'm 'blending two like terms'.

The Christian Faith is a blend of Christianity and ye olde Paganism...the Wiccan Faith is a blend of 'Paganism' and Spirituality...etc. Same application.

 

[fabshelly]

I had such high hopes when I opened this thread.

I will do no harm, but can I just say that it really ticks me off when someone says "witch" instead of b***h? It's insulting to decent witches everywhere.

PS: I know a couple of warlocks. Depends upon your branch of the tree and they are DEFINITELY not WOW types. At all. More like, old and cranky (by one's own description of himself!)

 

[Miss Jasmine]

It's not 'making up' anything, Miss Jasmine, it's 'blending like faiths'....Eclecticism, quite common in the 'Pagan' belief system. I'm not 'making up' Hecate...I'm not 'making up' Gaia...I'm 'blending two like terms'.

The Christian Faith is a blend of Christianity and ye olde Paganism...the Wiccan Faith is a blend of 'Paganism' and Spirituality...etc. Same application.

Not all Christian faiths "blend in" paganism. In fact I don't really celebrate Christmas or Easter because of the pagan ties.

Blending...sounds like you are making a smoothie.

Fabshelly, I think many people don't realize there are real witches out there and thus the comment seems harmless.

 

[phillybeth]

So, as I see it, there is no "Pagan" denomination; it seems to be a catchall for varied pantheisms/monotheisms/goddess worship/Gaiaisms- basically anything other than the well-known world religions like Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism. I'll include Wicca in that as it seems to be well-organized with central unifying principles.

So one person could explain their own little piece of their particular pagan beliefs- but an Egyptian 'pagan' has very different beliefs vs. a Norse 'pagan', who is not even on the same page as someone who reveres the Roman gods.

IMO, I think Wicca needs its own thread separate from the "Pagan" thread. I doesn't seem like Wiccans are Pagans, and almost insulting to include them and their beliefs.

 

[Laura]

So, as I see it, there is no "Pagan" denomination; it seems to be a catchall for varied pantheisms/monotheisms/goddess worship/Gaiaisms- basically anything other than the well-known world religions like Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism. I'll include Wicca in that as it seems to be well-organized with central unifying principles.

So one person could explain their own little piece of their particular pagan beliefs- but an Egyptian 'pagan' has very different beliefs vs. a Norse 'pagan', who is not even on the same page as someone who reveres the Roman gods.

IMO, I think Wicca needs its own thread separate from the "Pagan" thread. I doesn't seem like Wiccans are Pagans, and almost insulting to include them and their beliefs.

Wiccans are pagans.

 

[RealMickeysGirl]

Quote:
Originally Posted by mickeyfan2
So do I have this correct.

Age to 12 your religion is not stated
Age 12 - Wiccan
Age 13-19 - Pagan

Correct. I was raised into an Atheist family.

Interesting. Did you feel that something spiritual was missing from your life when you were 12 and started to meditate or did you have some friends that were into Wicca? What I am trying to understand is what spurred your search for a religion - and how did you pick this one? What did your athiest family think?

I know a few athiests - some who used to be believers but now aren't and some who have always been athiest.

The "Ultimate Deity" is a genderless force which is so far beyond our comprehension that we can only have a vague sense of understanding--This Supreme Power is equated with both male and female

That is the way it was explained to me once. The Deity is both male and female - two halves of a whole. Not two separate gods. Like Father, Son, Holy Spirit make up one in the Christian faith (the Godhead) - not three separate gods.

I have done a lot of reading about different religions - kind of a hobby. I have read a good bit about Wicca and Druidism and Pagan beliefs. As well as Hindu, Islam and the branches of Christian faiths. I always like to learn about other people's beliefs and how they came about them. Sometimes it is from a good teacher and sometimes it is from books they have read and sometimes it is something totally different - everyone of us is different so why shouldn't we relate to spirituality differently.

 

[phillybeth]

Wiccans are pagans.

So Wiccans are pagans, but pagans are not wiccans.

Those who believe in the old Norse gods have quite different beliefs than those who worship the gods of the Mayas (just to list two examples), but yet I'm being told that they are both pagans. Color me confused. I've seen comparisons to Christianity, that there are many beliefs that fall under the umbrella of Christianity- like Catholics, Baptist, Mormon, JW, etc- but all Christians believe in the divinity of Jesus (at a bare minimum), so they are unified in that. What is the unifying principle behind Pagans? Is there one, or like I said is it a catchall category?

 

[Crankyshank]

Your goddess is Hecate, the Greek goddess of sorcery and the crossroads but you utilize Celtic and Egyptian beliefs and don't practice magick? That's very odd.

Normally those following the Hellenistic tradition and practice magick have an affinity towards Hecate/Hekate.

 

[PrincessTiff]

Correct. I was raised into an Atheist family.

As an atheist myself, I can't help but wonder why in the world would you decide to become Wiccan/Pagan?