posted November 22, 2008 01:17 AM         

Thanks for providing this link. I first came across with Paganism by reading a book about Central American Shamanism, and I thought it was awesome. Then I embraced the studying of Wicca/witchcraft, also by reading as a layperson. I am a Pagan, but the terms "Paganism" and "Pagan" are too broad and tend to be generalizations. Pagan beliefs vary from individual to individual.

I am really interested in Wicca/witchcraft but I do not plan to become a witch/Wiccan. However, I am a Pagan.

ListensToTrees, how did you first come across with Paganism, or shamanism, for that matter? How would you identify yourself when it comes to religious or spiritual beliefs?

posted November 22, 2008 01:13 PM         

We were sitting on a table together, just by ourselves, being shy and not talking to anyone. But I was just itching for something to happen. I saw these other goths sitting across on the table opposite. Being an eccentric sort of person, I just went up to one of them, this guy, with my friend, and blurted out "do you know any goths?" (That was a sort of joke between me and my friend, I lived in this tiny town for a while where I worked, and was desperate to meet fellow goths so I would get bored and go to the pub on my own and ask people).

Then, the next thing I asked was "have you ever heard of Wicca?".

It turned out he was a High Priest and ran a Wiccan coven!

So, later on he gave us his number and that was how my friendgot involved with Wicca...her High Priestess felt intuitively that I wasn't ready yet....but in the end I decided it wasn't for me anyway as I sensed it was just more dogma, which I wanted to be free from really.

What do I believe?

I kind of make my own beliefs up as I go along, and take what I want from various sources, that which resonates with me.

I think magic works because of "The Law Of Attraction". I think the symbols and stuff are not as important, except for being a focus for the mind. We can make are own up.

I liked the article on Shamanism a lot though, I agreed with what it said.

The best bit of information I have ever come across in my life has to be this, which I just finished watching the other day:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6151699791256390335&ei=7jEUSfzB PKf22gLky9iCDQ&q=Nassim+Haramein

posted November 23, 2008 10:42 PM         

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