Paganism, Wicca, Druidism, etc

Heh...."I definetly would be terrified to be the object of my vengeance." I love that. =)

 

Pagan-ish music . . .

Anybody familiar with anything good available on CD?

Or any good sites to peruse where a search on that actually turns something up?

I have a few things I've stumbled on in New Age & Native American categories, but I found them by accident. And I'd like to find more stuff that's specifically PAGAN.


Oops. Meant to make this a new thread, but what the hell? It'll do here.

 

Eh, whatever. New thread, old thread, who cares? =)

http://www.avatarsearch.com/

For all your occult needs. This is a handy reference tool.

 

Cool! Thanks

 

I went through Paganism, among all of the other many religions I looked into/experimented with. I was into Wicca for a good 3 or 4 years, Buckland, Crowley, Merry Meet, Blessed Be, all of that crap. I think there's a lot to be said for being conscious of nature and how it relates to and enhances general spirituality, and most religions, including Christianity have incorporated pagan elements into themselves, but ultimately, I think Americans who call themselves Wiccan are hiding from reality and sort of confused. Same goes for Buddhism, Hinduism, and a lot of other religions that people in this country dabble in or profess to be a part of. The bottom line is that religions evolve to suit and are influenced by the culture surrounding them, and you can never truly belong to a religion unless it corresponds to your own culture (this is why I think it so silly when Christian missionaries minister in Asia and stuff like that). Paganism is completely geared towards agricultural (aggrarian?) societies. The worship is all about the growing seasons and harvests, and applying personal traits to natural elements so as to be able to focus on and tune into them and their life forces, all of which is part and parcel and necessary to societies that depend on farming and things like that. I believe we're too far removed from that for it to be of use to people in the US, and people who profess to be of such religions are really just expressing a dissatisfaction with the limits and judgementalism often imposed by Christianity and other religions they may have grown up around, and wishing for a simpler time. It's also used by feminists to rebel against what they perceive as the male dominated religions (though I don't think Christianity is actually male dominated; it's just misinterpreted and misrepresented as such, particularly by Protestants).

I think there's definitely something to the magick and divination associated with paganism, but it has nothing to do with religion. Candleburning, tarot, spells, charms, etc are all just tools that people can use to focus their energy on and work thorugh, the same way Christians use prayer. We have a lot of untapped energy inside our minds and bodies, and ritual is an effective way to externalize that energy and put it to work.

I will say this about pagan traditions, though. They, unlike Christianity and Islam, are seldom used to justify physical aggression, and that in and of itself is a positive.

 

Yes, it is most certainly geared toward agricultural/agrarian society. And I think it's crucial that those of us in highly industrialized societies not lose touch with that. Well, we have . . . but I think it's very important that we regain that awareness of the cycles of nature.

And I also believe that we all need to be aware of the natural balance of yin & yang, male & female . . . .

These are fundamental truths. Just because our culture has largely lost touch with them doesn't mean they're any less important. It just means our society (as a whole) is less able to cope with a huge disaster that wipes out modern technology.

Well, yeah. Prayer is talking to God & focusing thought/energy in a particular direction. Meditation is listening to God/the universe. It's all very similar, regardless of the external details.

 

Although I know several people who profess to be "pagans","wiccans" or "witches"...I tend to take it more as a fashion statement than a religious one?


They are usually also Goths or associated in some way with that genre.

Maybe I'm wrong and they actually take it seriously.

 

A lot of younger people who actually call themselves "Goth" and turn around and say they are wiccans and/or pagans are usually doing it for trend purposes. I haven't met anyone IRL that's Goth and a serious pagan.

Look up paganism and wicca. They are both religions.

 

Some do; many don't. My daughter always referred to those "fashion pagans" as "wannagoths," which I still feel is a very apt description.

Their attitudes can really get on my nerves, if I let them. But I try to remember how I was in my teens--very ungrounded & insecure, & desperately searching for SOMETHING to believe in, some workable identity for myself.

Most of these people will abandon paganism in time. That's okay--they need to find whatever works for them.

I hope I do a little good by (1) being knowledgable about, & recommending things for them to read & make their own decisions--across the board, not just my own beliefs; (2) presenting myself as an example of an ordinary, middle-aged, good-hearted woman who also happens to be an avowed pagan--hopefully dispelling some ridiculous myths; & (3) exhibiting respect for those whose beliefs are different from mine, & encouraging others to do likewise--hopefully opening some dialogue.

I work in a bookstore. As it happens, the section I am responsible for includes "New Age" & "Religion." Kismet I see a lot of evangelical Christian tracts inserted into stuff in the Magick/Wicca area; & a lot of stuff pulled from New Age/Occult stuffed into the Christianity area. Bullshit tactics on both sides. I try, in my work & everyday life, to rise above all that shit & just help people of all faiths--or no faith--to find what they seek.

 

Sorry girls, I wasn't trying to denigrate or snipe, just my experience?

I am also well aware that both are religions, I dont need to look it up.

I live in country where both are widely practiced, and know several serious practioners of the religion.
I guess I am tryiing to say that these type of religions attract a specific type of individual?

I actually know a woman who is a white witch, that she is considered "eccentric" by many is a byproduct of her beliefs.


Can either of you define Pagan and wiccan?
I have heard many different definitions and am curious as to how you define it?