While
your ability to perceive the Truth will grow and change, the Truth will
not . . . for the Truth is the Truth.
Pagan,
Neo-Pagan, Wiccan, Solitary Eclectic Witch . . . all are titles
that I have been called and/or used. My belief encompasses
many, my views are my own.
Paganism is a very broad, nature-centered form of spirituality, a religion.
We try to work with Nature - Mother Earth
- andnot against Her, nor do we try to dominate Her.
This form of spirituality can, and oft does, cover many shamanistic and
magickal religions; there is almost always a strong desire to develop
the Self and one's own personal belief systems. We tend to
believe quite strongly, in freedom and power of the individual - in other
words, explore the paths that appeal to you as an individual, those that
give you the most help, don't simply conform to a specified code of beliefs
because everyone else is. Or, to coin a phrase I strongly
believe in : An it harm none, do what ye will. - Wiccan Rede.
Paganism was, at one time, listed as a primitive religion. It was later
changed to New Age - after counterculture, back in the 1970's or so.
New Age alludes to spiritual age dawning, where a
newer, higher, spiritual Self is realized. So, you may wonder,
exactly who is the main Pagan? I am -- and you are.
We each value the rights of all to choose their own path, to define
their own belief system. We work independently - even in
a group - by our own beliefs, yet many of us have strong similarities
in our own beliefs and path.
As a Pagan, and practioner of magick (okay Mom, I'm a Witch as
well as a Pagan. *grins*) I do believe in the ThreeFold Law.
Good or bad, what I send out, returns to Me. So, wouldn't
it be in My own best interest, to try to always send out love, generosity,
respect and genuine caring? Which leads into my next point.
. . . Paganism
is nothing more than Satanism, right? Wrong!
Satan
was created (and is believed in) by Judeo-Christian beliefs.
Possibly around the time Christmas festivities were sanctioned by the
church, approximately 274 - to counter Pagan Winter Solstice festivites.
Witches do not seek power, via the suffering of others (remember
the ThreeFold Law?) as Satanists are attributed to. Most
Witches are healers - whether for broken bones, or broken spirits . .
. we do not accept the concept of a personification of evil . . . we are
respectful of the right to believe in whatever diety others choose, the
right to freedom of worship.
Perhaps I should mention the pentagram, briefly. Many, it
seems, associate this symbol - the five-pointed star - with evil.
In fact, the pentagram has been known since Babylonian times, representing
protection, the human body, the hand, the element of Earth, and perfect
balance, just to name a few.
Pagans do not believe in a dualistic viewpoint of absolute opposites;
of "good versus evil". Most Pagans believe in reincarnation.
Deity - both imminent and transcendent - is perceived as both male
and female. In most Pagan religions, each individual is a
Priest or Priestess in his or her own right. Pagans do not
"worship" trees or rocks . . . however, they do revere the divine force
which is contained within trees and rocks and every part of the universe.
Ultimately, the practice of Paganism is a voyage of self-discovery,
and the discovery of one's own place within the divine realm. Hmm,
time to insert a random thought . . .
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