What form of paganism do you practise?
By Raevyn1972
@Raevyn1972 (275)
Canada
January 9, 2007 6:47am CST
Just as there are a myriad of Christian denominations, so too are there of pagan practises. Which one do you adhere to? Wicca? Druidry? Asatru? Kemeticism (Egyptian)? A mixture?
Personally I have been studying paganism as an umbrella faith for about eight years, was studying Wicca for the first five of those years and have settled into the study of Druidry in the last year or so. I joined ADF (an internationally recognized Druid Grove association) about six months ago and love everything about the program. I'd love to hear from any other pagans here!
5 people like this
13 responses
@lecanis (16647)
• Murfreesboro, Tennessee
15 Jan 07
I have a bit of a hard time defining myself. As a child I learned elements of both Native American and Celtic religions from family members. I tend to lean more one way or the other at different times, though the Celtic has been the larger influence for a few years now.
I'm finally coming to terms with the term "Druidry". My great-grandmother never used it when I was learning as a child, because "Druids" were people ordained to a specific purpose in a society in which we do not live today.
But over the years as I've had more and more contact with people calling themselves "Druids" or their religion "druidry" I have come to accept their right to use the title if they wish. I've even been to known to describe myself thus to simplify an otherwise long explanation.
I'd love if you can tell me some about ADF! I've read a couple books by Isaac Bonewits, and thus heard about the organization.
5 people like this
@otshock (271)
• United States
12 Jan 07
I started practicing Native American spirituality about 12 years ago and then started studying Wicca about 4 years ago.
I combine the two. They have many things in common, so it's easy. I'm also a solitary. It seems like when there is a group of people, egos start getting in the way and messing things up. People start telling others that they're doing things wrong, etc. I think we just need to follow what our hearts tell us is right.
5 people like this
@Ravenladyj (22902)
• United States
9 Jan 07
I am Pagan myself *waves* and my personal path actually consists of many different paths blended together...old Witchcraft/Buddhism/Vodou/N.Am Spirituality to name a few...
4 people like this
@auburndreams (838)
• United States
9 Jan 07
There's an easier way to state that. It's called Eclectic Pagan. Or in my case Solitary Eclectic Pagan. There are a lot of us. Most of us are allergic to organized religion, which is why we are not wiccan.
@Raevyn1972 (275)
• Canada
10 Jan 07
LOL Allergic to organized religion...I love that!!!
3 people like this
@Ravenladyj (22902)
• United States
17 Jan 07
Oh I'm aware of the term "eclectic" and used to use it myself on occasion but I have this thing with labels being misunderstood...I found that whenever I would say I was eclectic ppl automatically assumed I was Wiccan and I'm far from it so I'd have to break it down anyway for them, now I just skip the middle part and go right to breakin it down...its easier ;-)
3 people like this
@wyrdsister (584)
• Canada
15 Jan 07
Hey lady! :) Great topic!
These days I have a hard time defining what type of paganism I practice. While I still feel that Wicca is the best description of what I do rather than some generic banner of "paganism," I don't really have a tradition to call my own. So I guess I'd have to say Eclectic Wiccan with Egyptian and Dianic influences. :) That's probably the best thing I can come up with!
~Wyrdsister
@oceangirl (170)
• United States
16 Jan 07
Add me to the "eclectic pagan" mix. I combine things in my own way as a solitary. :)
@Wolfsbayne (314)
•
18 Jan 07
I've always leaned towards the celtic side of paganism although as I am still trying to find the niche I truly fit into, I would probably describe myself as eclectic.
3 people like this
@dnatureofdtrain (5273)
• Janesville, Wisconsin
26 Apr 07
I am very eclectic. I have a mix of both Pagan and Non - Pagan beliefs in my personal tradition. However, Heinzism my personal path which learns from all religions paths and traditions... Is more Pagan oriented. It is often mistaken for Wicca, Hinduism, of Native American Spirituality.. This is because elements from all these paths stand out the most in my tradition.
Shamanism and Shamanistic, Wicca, Native indigenous cultures and spirituality, and spiritualism, seem to stand out the most in my personal form of Heinzism.
I do alot of work between nature spirits and people. I do alot of divining through vision and dream... I look for common grounds and teachings in many faiths and do my best to help people see eye to eye on these common grounds...
We worship The Mother of Mothers, Father of Fathers, and Spirit of All ascended masters.... or Spirit.. Is how I often shorten it all. So sometimes I can be confusing...
As I will say Spirit Meaning God, Goddess, a spirit guide, a spirit friend, and ancestor, or an adopted spirit relative...
- Dana C. L.
"DNatureofDTrain"
http://www.heinzism.zzn.com
@GnosticGoddess (5626)
• United States
15 Jan 07
I've been studying paganism for about seven or eight years now. First it was Gnostic Christianity - through Sylvia Browne then about 3 years or so ago I started studying Wicca. I really love it though. How knows what I'll study next. I love learning about religons even if I don't intend to use it in my own life. I think it's facastinating to learn what other people believe and feel. I read really anything from Druidry yet. I call my belief system Gnostic/Wiccan.
3 people like this
@xParanoiax (6987)
• United States
31 Jan 07
I'm like Auburndreams, solitary eclectic heh. I've been practicing about two years..so I'm still pretty 'new' I guess heh.
2 people like this
@FrancyDafne (2047)
• Italy
30 Jan 07
Ehy Raevyn, compliments for the Pagan way you choose.
I'm involved in Mediterranean Potnia religion.
@Raevyn1972 (275)
• Canada
31 Jan 07
I consider myself a student of religion, and I have not heard of Mediterranean Potnia (though if one were to look at the word 'potnia', one might giggle a bit if one weren't educated). Care to share a little about it?
2 people like this
@AdalieM (1134)
• United States
15 Aug 11
I have been learning about other religions for a few months now. My great uncles were witches. But I don't know much about their way of life since, they are no longer here with us and the family is against it. Lately, I have always been drawn to the ancient Egyption Gods and Goddesses and belief system, so you can say that I am Kemetic all the way with a mixture of other beliefs.