What We Are Drawn to

We do not control that which we are drawn to. Nor does it control us. Witchcraft is a symbiotic relationship between Witch and World, Living and Dead, Universe and Spirit. Growing on one another, feeding off Dreams of Ancestor and dying in the Shadows. Voices always carry where eyes cannot follow, and there you are in Echo… facing Self again, blind to your own words and yet recognising the cadence with which they fall.
Together, alone, alone together, Witchcraft is not for the doubters who will never understand the connection between All.
Raven, alone, will remember the faces of those who fed him, but Raven, in his Unkindness, will use the group’s collective memories to find that person and leave gifts of tools they made.
So the Witch, alone, will remember those who wished them harm, but Witch, in Symbiosis with Raven, will use language and techniques to find and follow, to send an arrow in the Darkness of Nightmares…
Echo waits, hissing quietly, gently swaying off walls and returning, ripples pushing Air this way and that, all words hidden for now.
Spells, incantations, whether made in the throat of human or Corvid carry on those same ripples until they find the shape that fits the Intent, nestling, aligning.
Speak only of those things you wish to change in this place, lest a misunderstanding leads to loss.
Everything around us is touched when we Craft. We change the Energy within Self, and those around us who aid us respond in kind, which strengthens the Magic, and bonds us all. Symbiosis.
Magic can be found long before we even open our mouths, in the cup of a moss bloom, and the hairs on a venus flytrap. Tiny symbols scratched in Lichen catch our eye for seconds, but we forget as soon as we register, such is the strength of the Fae Charms.
Magic is in the cycles of the Moon, and Her tides that define our coasts, and Magic is in the life cycle of both Butterfly and Wolf. How each responds to the world of Shadows and Light is a Dance we have seen ourselves do, and Bear counting the ripples on water tells Moon how close Salmon lies. Everything is Spiral, and everything is vibrating.
When something DOES go wrong, retrace your steps, because you will find that moment when you looked away, that second when something much deeper in the house shifted and fell. Your Energy changed, and with it, the Intent in your words…..
YET, Magic is also those spontaneous moments when you see Thrush with her head buried deeply in her baby’s throat, transferring food in a complicated refueling process. Those words you speak in that moment is the proof of your symbiotic relationship with Life, and the fledgling hears you, his tiny heartbeat strengthened by your unintentional Intent.
Remember our relationships are what define us, and how we nurture them is how fast we grow.
Remember, our Magic affects Spiral, and how we are seen within. Whether Dark or Light is inconsequential, as only our honesty is recorded.
Fight for your place within your life or be pushed out by those who smother you with their own ideas of what Magic is, or was, and how you must respect them.
Walk with Raven, but fly within Self.

Rage under The Morrigan

There is so much rage in the world now, and much of it is justified.

The problem is that the rage in people becomes misdirected, lashing out wheresoever annoyance can be found.

You’re allowed to be annoyed.

But attacking someone out of your annoyance is a misdirect of power.

It breaks sovereignty.

It waters down your own power… because rather than being true to what is actually boiling your blood (or causing fear within you) you have aimed your spear at something inconsequential.

It’s easily done when our inner rage boils over in so many directions, with the world in chaos and pain.

But to try and control those around you is only breaking from the power in yourself.

I am moving in silence whilst I absorb these lessons.

I allow the lessons of others to fall on their own heads, and don’t interfere. No good has ever come from interference – even if I believe my intentions to be good.

I move in silence, trying to learn all that I can, and see what I can do from that place. I sense the real danger all around, and I move through the most painful time of year for me – alone in the dark, screaming at the night sky, shaking and brittle. But moving.

I note the things that annoy me, and write them down. Then I take note of them – what lies underneath that annoyance. How tired we all are, how angry, how unsure.

I donate, I educate myself, I move without it needing to be inspected. I do what I can, and leave the rest. Leave the pressure to skip to someone else’s expectations.

And when words do not match actions, I give it back to the wind.

It will whistle it where it needs to be heard.

Just not from my lips. I move beyond needing to voice injustice – the injustices will be all known.

I will move into healing, and what action I can take.

And let the rot be burned down by The Morrigan.

The way of the witch was never meant to be easy

Witches do not walk in straight lines, in fact there are no lines, there are no rules to bind us, for we are free flowing entities of Nature.

Walking in the peripherals has never been for the faint of heart, for within shadows there are shadows.

Our own Shadow self may be our ally or our foe, we need to identify which witch, is which witch, when working with Spirit, spirits, and the Fae.

Wisdom comes at a price. Every ritual, each spell, even your own protection takes your energy, your youth, and sometimes your life.

Think of those who came before.

The centuries of persecution.

The testing which herbs and/or mushrooms cure or kill.

Yes! Being a Witch takes its toll.

Standing at the crossroads is beautiful in a dark kind of way, primal to its very core, but which path to take?

That old adage “practice makes perfect” yeah! That doesn’t apply to the Witchcrafter, for we are never going to reach perfection.

Our Magic comes from the imperfect, our magic comes from us.

Who among us IS perfect?

Putting in the effort needed to create ritual, or spell, is hard work and you can’t expect magic or healing to work if you try to cut corners, and actually it doesn’t always work, but we are persistent…

You can’t cheat and use someone else’s words for your magic. They have no power for you, or your own kind of magic.

You can’t send strength and healing energy if you don’t understand it, or how it works, for it could easily side track and become something you did not intend.

Practice is key, understanding nature, and the world of nature, is vital to understanding the vibrational energy you invoke to send any intent over the ether remotely.

Witch Crafting takes practice, time and energy.

Ground work is key to your magic, think of that:

Ground work!

Connection to everything.

Connection to the vibrations, and the energy.

Connecting to the Elements, the Elementals and the very Universe.

If you have side tracked over the years from your own childhood ability to do this, then my advice is to reconnect to find your way back to the vibrational energy.

Allow your guides to find you.

Allow Ancesters to protect you.

Allow Spirit to guide you.

Many have the ability to heal in so many ways. Healing energy is our life essence, and using it for others needs a steady practitioner, who is happy in their own skin so to speak.

Healers have practiced and honed their craft, they have ventured onto the darkest paths to understand and learn about themselves, the herbs’ true nature, and the fungi’s power.

They understand that this path can feel lonely, deep, soul churning lonely, because most do not understand, or are simply afraid of you.

But that’s OK, they still come even if it is with trepidation…

Healing takes practice, time, energy, and can leave you exhausted, mentally and physically.

It is the practitioners responsibility to care for themselves first.

Think first aider.

Look after your own energy safety first, you are no use if you are incapacitated, or dead!

Practicing long line healing is a special skill, sending your own energy can be dangerous if you are not practiced or protected.

Be aware, there are also others that practice their skills on the ether, and you must be careful to ensure you have properly created enough protection.

Learning how to protect yourself before you start on the path of this wonderful journey of witchcraft is an essential first step.

For there are those who are a danger to you, they can smell your lack of skills.

I’m not just talking other, darker, more sinister witches, although they are a nuisance and may also be dangerous, I also mean the creatures, or entities, that reside in the realms between.

They are timeless energies that wait for a light to show itself…

Time, as you know, it does not mean a jot on the ethereal…

Don’t be that light!

Practice protections, create a bubble, practice going dark in your bubble, do not draw attention to yourself whilst out there.

Create a tether to the real world.

For If you get lost, how will you know where to come back to?

Have you found you ‘collect’ things with out really thinking or asking yourself why?

Isn’t it wonderful?

There you are with your little collections of twigs, acorns and bones, natural items found along the way, or a little vile of bloody tissue collected from your last wound, a jar of herbs thats just waiting for you to add the last ingredient for something specific, for when the vibration feels right.

Oh yes, and don’t forget the old withered ivy stem that now surrounds a small glass vase that sang your name as you almost passed it by!

The part-used smudge bundle, or those little rocks from the beach that you’ve painted an invisible sigil on to create your unique water connection in the comfort of your own home!

And of course, the mortar and pestle with remnants of black salt or herbs …

Do you see?

You are already part way there my friend.

When you put the work in, when you have made those beautiful sometimes painful connections, there is no going back.

Once you have found your way to the “between here, and there” you won’t want to, to be fair.

You will know when you connected to that energy, believe me it’s like nothing that can be put into words.

It’s between shadow and light where the air is musty and so thin it cuts like a blade.

Once you know this, you will be drawn to it again and again on those nights your dreams are seeking cure or curse.

We are not the pretty witches who play at “magick” we are the witches, the shamans, the seidr, the real deal my friends, and we are so much more than what you read on other pages, so much more than a pretty crystal or a glorious cloak of many colours.

We are the healers, the comforters.

We are like whispers on the edge of others reality.

Always remember we are creatures of this Earth, and we are the same organic creatures as every other animal that exists, or has existed.

Flesh and bone dear ones!

With an edge, for we understand…

We are the creatures who can travel between realms.

We put in the work, we learn the craft, we give up the mundane world for a greater understanding.

But no one gets anywhere through sloth and avarice.

Know who you are, and from where you came. I don’t mean bloodline, I am speaking of evolution from amoebas and ferns, only then can you know where you are going!

The Magic of the Divine Masculine

Today’s “culture” (look up the etymology) invests so much time and energy toxifying masculinity, that the balance needs to be redressed.

What do YOU think…?

“The Magic of the Divine Masculine:

What is divine masculine energy?

Divine masculine energy is the energy of the universe that is responsible for manifestation. It is the active, creative force that brings essence into form. In other words, it is the “do-er” energy. Divine masculine energy is often associated with qualities such as strength, protectiveness, and assertiveness. This energy can be channeled in many different ways, but it is ultimately about embodying these qualities in a way that is authentic and helpful to others.

In its highest form, the divine masculine embodies wisdom, compassion, and strength. It can also manifest as assertiveness and someone that goes after what they wants without being forceful or aggressive.

In the spiritual awakening process, the Divine Masculine can represent the energies of transformation and healing.

When awakening the Divine Masculine look to the gods of all the pantheon to find the archetype of the Divine Masculine, for they are often to whom we look to for guidance and answers for balance

The following part is adapted from an article by Lonewolfer on Divine Masculine energy 2018

If boys are brought up with the belief to suppress their own divine feminine energy, their intuition, their creativity, being connected to the flow of things and love leads to a lack of understanding that Divine Masculine energy is as important as the Divine Feminine energy

Both men and women need both for balance

Society has created a division of this polarity which has created a society in decline

The truth is that no man will ever be complete without his Divine Feminine

And no woman can be complete without the Divine Masculine

So you see this applies to the energies within him and his Divine Feminine partner in life.

Modern society is built upon the idea of separation and competition

This means that everyone’s belief system is based upon the thought that they are supposed to „make it alone“, to be better than someone or have more. This belief system has been proven to be wrong.

His Creation Powers – A natural force of nature

A man, firm in his Divine Masculine and Divine Feminine energies, can build anything in this 3D world without competing with anyone, because he is the creation force. He must embrace both energies in order to build empires for him and his Divine Feminine partner. If his mind is rooted in competition and separation, he will not become whole within, and hence never reach the level of consciousness necessary to build his empire in 3D.

However, one thing must be said: A competitive mind can build empires in 3D as well, but remember that this journey will be paved with suffering and pain for himself, his family and everyone involved. A man, rooted in competition, will never create but rather take away from others, hence making others suffer, hence making himself suffer. Nothing will ever be enough. He thrives to have more and more. Notice that his desires are purely external factors, e.g. more money, more fame, more attention.

Men who suppress their Divine Feminine energies are crippled in their ability to become whole, to trully live their life in abundance and to build a life together, with their Divine Feminine partners

Divine Masculine: 10 Ways to Awaken Your Inner Shiva

Adapted from an article by Aleithiea Jan 15, 2024

Divine Masculine energy is something we all possess, no matter what gender (or lack thereof) we are. Also known as yang, shiva, or solar energy, the Divine Masculine is ruled by the elements of sun (fire) and sky (air).

As the sacred counterpart of the Divine Feminine, the Divine Masculine is an active force that is responsible for order, structure, passion, willpower, and courage.

1- Examine your wounds surrounding the Masculine

2- Take self-responsibility Look after yourself. Own your actions, stop seeing yourself as a victim

3- Contact your inner FatherWe all possess many sides of our nature known as inner parts or subpersonalities. Psychologist Carl Jung called the different faces of our psyches, The Father is a universal archetype that we all carry inside, regardless of whether we’re male or female

4- Deconstruct your conditioning

What have you been conditioned to believe about “what it means to be a man”?

5- Find a masculine teacher/guide/figure you admire

6- connect with your inner warrior

Your inner Warrior isn’t interested in dominating, killing others, or “fighting for peace.” Your inner Warrior supports and protects you. He takes no bullshit. He will defend your rights peacefully but assertively. He will cut through the lies and see with clarity. He values truth, courage and inner strength

7- be assertive and stick up for yourself, of you are introverted or quiet you may find this difficult

Take little steps towards the courage needed and that is somewhere inside of you

8- show self confidence

Straighten up, improving your posture will help to send biological signals to your brain that you’re confident, calm, and secure in yourself. This is an amazingly simple way to get in touch with your Divine Masculine side.

9- stop being passive, instead be an active participation

Become a giver in relationships

10- work with nature

Spend time in nature. Observe how male birds, dogs, and other animals in your surroundings behave. Reconnecting with primal masculine energy can teach us a lot about the true nature of the Divine Masculine.”

Sacred Geometry

SACRED GEOMETRY MEANS different things to
different people. The artists of the
Renaissance period discovered the
Golden Mean – a ratio which helped them to

construct a perfect picture, calculated as
1:l.618034, an ‘irrational’ number. This concept
is still valid today.
To the architect, that same ratio – this time
called a Golden Section – is used to calculate a
standard proportion for width in relation to
height, as used in facades of buildings, in
window sizing, in first storey to second storey
proportion and at times in the dimensions of
paintings and picture frames – in fact,
wherever a pleasing proportion is desired.
For the botanist or zoologist this same
proportion is seen in nature in the spiral of
flower and leaf growth or in the symmetry of a
shell. Here we have the best arrangement so
that each leaf gets the maximum exposure to
light, casting the least shadow on the others.
This also provides to falling rain, so the rain is
directed back along the leaf and down the stem
to the roots. For flowers or petals, it displays
them to insects to attract them for pollination.
In fact, nature has developed a way of working
in an optimum fashion, and so too can we, if
we so choose.
We can learn to use geomancy, Sacred
Geometry, Feng Shui and indeed even old-style
medieval geomancy, to learn and understand
the currents within the earth and to divine how
best to live in peace and harmony with the rest
of the world.
There has always been something magical
about mathematics, and indeed, the ancients
thought that it showed Divine intention.
Platonic solids, which still fascinate today, were
used to prove various theories and to form
‘perfect’ shapes. The magical art of
manifestation pays homage to this in many
ways. The dodecahedron (a twelve-sided
shape) is potentially the most beautiful, but at
the same time most unstable, solid – surely a
magical figure.
Man’s efforts to understand the inexplicable
have led him down many highways and
byways. Perhaps the most fruitful initially for
the spell worker or magical practitioner
nowadays is to understand magical principles.

Geomancy

THE WORD GEOMANCY (from the Latin geo,
‘Earth’, mancy ‘prophecy’) had a different
meaning in ancient times from that it has
today and we shall deal with that aspect first. It
was a method of divination used to interpret
markings on the ground or how handfuls of dirt
landed when you tossed them, and was therefore
the reading of patterns or signs. Geomancy
seems to have appeared as a word in the
language used by the common people in 1362,
and was one of the most popular forms of
divination throughout the Middle Ages. It was
apparently suggested to the Pope of the time that
it should be integrated into Catholic teachings.
In this form geomancy was – and indeed still
is – a practice which involved marking sixteen
lines of dashes either in sand or soil with a
wand, or, as practised nowadays, on a sheet of
paper with a pencil. This is similar to other
divinatory methods. The English version of
geomancy involved grouping the marks on the
ground into ‘constellations’ with names like Via
and Puer, which could then be interpreted.
Once used by commoners and rulers alike, it
was probably the basis for the Oraculum said to
have been used by Napoleon Bonaparte. This
was also known as the Sibylline Leaves, and
consisted of a set of instructions, which show
the user how to reduce their question to a set of
asterisks laid out in various patterns. The
answer is divined from these patterns.

Today there are those who have redefined
geomancy and taken it away from divination to
a point where human consciousness meets,
understands and appreciates the energies of the
earth. By understanding the interaction
between humankind and the earth on which
we live, it enables us to live harmoniously with
Gaia (Mother Nature) as a complex entity
involving the earth’s biosphere, atmosphere,
oceans and soil.
Geomancy is actually the practice of
identifying the subtle energies of the earth that
directly affect our health and well-being. It
involves pinpointing those energies that are
disruptive to our lives and balancing them. It
encompasses, as knowledge spreads, the art of
the proper placement of both public and
spiritual structures, places where we pray, work,
play and live. Now, geomancers can find and
shape spaces in harmony with both the physical
and the spiritual environment of a place. We can
do this through Western knowledge of Sacred
Geometry or through the Chinese art of Feng
Shui (literally meaning ‘wind and water’).

Norse Paganism: Its Fascinating Origins and How to Practice Today

First, What is Norse Paganism?
Norse paganism is a type of modern paganism based on what we know about old Norse religion. When we say Norse, we are referring to the people who lived in Northern Europe who spoke the Old Norse language from ancient times through the Early Middle Ages. Now, you may hear Norse paganism isn’t a correct term, but it should be Norse neo-paganism, which means Norse “new” pagans. I don’t see a reason to sweat over labels in this way. Call yourself what you’d like.

A sort of misnomer that’s been perpetuated by modern popculture is calling Norse pagan beliefs the “Viking religion”. To clear up some misunderstandings, “Norse” doesn’t necessarily mean “Viking” and vice versa. A viking was actually a person who sailed the seas and often attacked or pillaged various destinations through Europe and the Middle East. The term Viking was actually akin to the word Pirate in the actual Viking Age. Yes, it is true that Norse people made up the bulk of what were “Vikings”, but the religion doesn’t originate with these seafarers. It comes from their lands of origin – various regions within Scandinavia. However, it is also true that the Vikings left their lands during the Viking Age to find new places to settles. Which also means they brought their religion with them.

Vikings were seafaring people from the Northern parts of Europe.

The Norse Pagan Pantheon: Realms of Spirits
The Norse people held an unique belief in the gods which was unlike many other ancient cultures of the time. Where the Romans and Greeks worshiped and “fell at the feet” of their gods, the Norse didn’t…necessarily. However, they did hold a deep respect and reverence for the gods and spirits.

They saw the gods as spirits that permeated nature, and they knew that they walked alongside these energies on a daily basis. Moreover, an ever-present underlying fear permeated life for many. Why? Because this was an age incredibly unlike our own. Advances in science and medicine did not exist, and the land and forces of nature were dangerous and unpredictable. The Norse people associated their environment with the gods. Therefore the gods and spirits could also be dangerous and unpredictable.

For instance, when the crop failed and people died, they didn’t know the scientific causes…they believed it was the spirits within the land that were angry with them. They were not un-intelligent. It was just a different time. So we have to keep that in mind when we read the Sagas and Eddas and learn of some of the “barbaric” acts performed. And consider, if you lived then and had a god that is angry and seems to be punishing you, you’ll do anything to regain that god’s favor and save yourself and your family, right?

Many Kinds of Spirits
The Norse pagan pantheon consists of multiple types of spirits. The spirits attached to place and family include the Landvaettir, Disir, and Alfar. Then we have the the two classes of gods, the Vanir (an Elven race of earthly gods) and the Aesir (the sky gods). In addition, there are giants known as the Jotunn and dwarves called Dvergr. And, as we travel up and down Yggdrasil the Norse World Tree, we meet even more spirits and entities like The Norns who control the fate of the gods. And monsters like Níðhǫggr, a worm that gnaws at the roots of Yggdrasil. If you make it to the realm of the goddess Hel known as Helheim (or Niflheim in some legends), you’d also meet the souls of the dead.

Some of the major deities Norse pagans frequently honor in their practice include Odin, Thor, Freyr, Freya, Frigg, Heimdall, and Baldr. There are also Norse pagans who work with the Jotunn and gods like Loki, Hel, and Angrboda. Honoring and working with one’s ancestors is important including one’s Disir (female ancestors) and Alfar (male). As well as working with the landvaettir (land spirits) that are local to your area. Whether you actively invoke the Norse pagan gods and spirits or simply study them is entirely up to you!

Perhaps one of the most significant ancient Norse pagan sites is located in Uppsala, Sweden. The modern city once housed a Temple that is believed to have once been a major pagan site attested in Sturluson’s Sagas and Adam of Bremen’s historical treatise from the 11th century AD. At Uppsala, there were statues of three major gods sitting on a triple throne, according to Adam of Bremen’s work. Thor, Odin, and Freyr. People came from all over to pray and sacrifice to these gods. That being said, there are scholars and archaeologists who dispute Adam’s claims that the Temple at Uppsala was ever pagan to begin with. But actually Christian but were resisting the Sacred Roman Empire and therefore painted in a “evil” pagan guise.

What we know for sure from Uppsala archaeological digs, as well as others, is that Norse pagans were fond of feasting together which likely included the sacrifical “blot” or the pouring out of blood in honor of the gods. This could have included the sacrificial boar at Yule, which has carried over in modern tradition in the form of the Christmas ham. Archaeological evidence shows great pagan halls or “feasting halls” at ancient and Viking age sites throughout Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.

Other Pagan Temples and Burial Mounds
According to ArchEurope, “The remains of a pagan temple have been excavated at Ose, Ørsta, Norway. The building was about 14 meters long, 8 m wide, and up to 12 m high. It is thought to date from the end of the eighth century. ‘This is the first Old Norse temple found in Norway’, said archaeologist Søren Diinhoff of the University Museum of Bergen. ‘We know them from Sweden and we know them from Denmark. … This shows that they also existed in Norway.’ He said. ‘This is probably something to do with a certain class of the society, who built these as a real ideological show.”

Runestones and burial mounds are common archaeological marvels throughout Northern Europe that give us a glimpse into the past. We can glean some understanding of the Norse peoples from these stones, mounds, and remains. But truly our ultimate resource and look into old Norse paganism is through the Eddas and Sagas written by Snorri Sturluson in the twelfth century AD.

Stone circles and burial mounds tell us a bit about Norse paganism of the past.

Ways to Learn and Practice Norse Paganism Today

There’s something to be said about pagan religions and practices that are on the rise today. Quite a lot to be said, actually. What we recommend is to study and practice on your own before joining a group or church or coven. The reason is this – some of these Norse pagan groups and organizations may seem to have your best interest in mind, but they turn out to be deviant, racist, and some might even have cult-like tendencies. Please be careful and follow your intuition/gut above all else. For now, here’s what we recommend when diving into Norse paganism today on your own accord:

1. Read the Eddas and Sagas
I have found the most fulfilling means of learning about Norse paganism is to study the Norse Eddas and Sagas. Don’t rush this process. Take one legend at a time, read it slowly, try to absorb the material. Take notes. And then research different interpretations to get a thorough understanding. Other helpful modern resources include The Viking Spirit by David McCoy, Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman, and The Lore of Old Elfland by Linda Raedisch.

2. Form Your Own Opinion
The great thing about being a pagan is that you can form your own opinion, beliefs, and practice. There is no pope, no pastor, no reverend. I’m sure if you join a coven or group, there might be a leader or priest/priestess, but again…be careful with these groups. Form your own personal gnosis first.

3. Altars for the Gods
I always say, if you’re actively seeking to work with the gods, altars are helpful in starting those relationships. And making those divine connections. We know many of the old pagan altars were outside. So if you’re can erect an altar outside for any of the Norse pagan gods, that is perfect! But if you don’t have access to an outside area, inside altars are common practice too. If you don’t know how to build an altar, we detail the process here.

4. Explore Belief in Disir, Landvaettir, Etc.
There are many spirits in Norse paganism. The gods are only a few. Explore the stories and your own personal beliefs in the Disir, Alfar, and Landvaettir. The Disir are protective maternal ancestors who also control our fate. The Alfar are also ancestors but in a deified form. And the landvaettir are spirits of the land on which we reside.

5. Celebrate/Honor the Norse Holidays
In modern pagan/Wiccan practice, there is a series of seasonal holidays that span the entire year. This model is called the Wheel of the Year. There are three sabbats on the Wheel of the Year that are inherently or Norse/Germanic origin including Ostara (Spring Equinox), Litha (Summer Solstice), and Yule (Winter Solstice). In addition to these three sabbats, there are more Norse Germanic holidays and festivals to observe. Including Disablot, Alfablot, Walpurgisnacht, Winter Nights, Krampusnacht, Modraniht, Disting, Wife’s Day and Husband’s Day. There are many others.

6. Connect with Norse Ancestors
If you’re unsure as to what gods or deities you’d like to work with in the Norse pagan pantheon, at the very least reach out to your Norse and Northern European ancestors. You don’t have to view them in the light of Disir or Alfar, just simply your ancestors. Learn how to connect with ancestors here.

7. Take up the Runes
Not every Norse pagan works with the runes. The process of connecting with, understanding, and bonding with the runes is a lifelong pursuit. It is not one to take lightly, and so I don’t recommend it unless you feel you are being called. Think of it like this – not every god in the Norse mythos had access to and used the runes. Odin himself hung from Yggdrasil for nine days with no food and no water in order to be gifted sight of the runes. It is a journey, not a trend or hobby. If you do feel called, start learning the basics of the Elder Futhark here.

8. Go On a Norse Pagan Pilgrimage
If you have the ability, take a Norse pagan pilgrimage to the lands of your ancestors. Norway, Iceland, Denmark, Sweden and Germany. Even England is appropriate. Why is England appropriate? Because the Angles and Saxons originally came from Germanic lands.

9. Consider Practicing Seidr
Seidr is a Norse magical practice from ancient times that involves sorcery, shapeshifting, and prophesying. The practitioners of this craft were known by different names depending on the region and people including Volva, Seidrkona, and Hellerune. If you lean towards the witchcraft aspect of paganism, consider studying Seidr if you feel drawn to do so.

Journey to the Four Directions

Journey to the Four Directions – Pointers in Sacred and Shamanic Work

East, West, South, North
In sacred space I ask you forth
Bring your power and your grace
Live within this sacred space

To the East, where the Sun rises, where inspiration and originality are born, please join us so that we may get to know and honor you. We welcome you. To the South, where the jaguar swims, where playfulness and relaxation come from, please join us so that we may get to know and honor you. We welcome you. To the West, where the Sun sets, where intuition and dreams come from, where the harvest is collected, please join us so that we may get to know and honor you. We welcome you. To the North, where the cold comes from, where wisdom and clarity lie, please join us so that we may get to know and honor you. We welcome you. To Father Sky, to Mother Earth, to the creator, the center of all things, please join us so that we may get to know and honor you. We welcome you.

The four directions are spirits, advisors wise in the ways of this world. They deserve the greatest respect, for they came to us at the time of creation and established time and space. Without the four directions, our world would not have a framework within which to function. The Sun would not rise and set at predictable times, our planet would not be hospitable; nor would there be order to our universe. These four spirits anchor the universe that we know. They rule the seasons and our days. The rising and setting of the Sun gives us time, defines our days; the poles define our space. The seasons set the calendar, the year. We plant in the spring; in the summer our crops mature; we harvest in autumn and in the winter, the fields lay dormant, resting for the new life in the spring.

Each direction offers a lesson for each phase of our lives. Master these lessons and become the master of your life. Any problem we might encounter relates to one of the directions. Everything in this world comes from these four directions. They also represent the four sons of Tate, the wind. The other directions are Above, Father Sky; Below, Mother Earth; and the Center, the Creator. Worthy of all the respect of the four cardinal directions, we will address them in a future article.

When doing any sacred work, it is advisable to begin by calling in the support of the directions and focusing your intent by repeating your plea for assistance to each of the directions. At the beginning of this article, you will find an example of how to call in the directions. You are welcome to use this form; it is our gift to you. But as you get to know the directions yourself, we advise that you find your own ways to call and honor them. Ritual is not a static medium of expression. To maintain its power, it must regularly be changed, renewed and updated to fully reflect your current relationship with Spirit.

To be relevant, ritual should also be created by the individual practicing it. How many sad souls monotonously repeat catechisms that, for them, have no meaning? Your communications with Spirit must be as fresh and original as Spirit made you to be. Do not surrender your powerful relationship with Spirit by mindlessly adopting someone else’s form.

Following are four meditations, or journeys, that will help you begin to form relationships with four of the different aspects of Spirit. This is only an outline, a suggestion. As always, we recommend you remain open to changing things as Spirit guides you. The directions may also present themselves to you differently than we describe here. We offer only guidance; you must find your own truth. We do provide, however, a description of the directions as most people will come to know them.

The directions can mean different things to different people. Most tribes indigenous to the Americas honor the directions, and many tribes have different colors and animals to represent each direction. There is beauty and strength in diversity. In nature, diversity is the key to survival.

Honor the directions by respecting the unique ways they present themselves to you. Perhaps in your diversity you will find new ways to bring balance to our world. Let us journey now to the pillars of our reality, the four directions.

Breathe deeply, close your eyes and relax. Picture the Sun rising, a new beginning, a new day lit with the fire of new possibilities. As the Sun climbs in the sky, a jaguar swims across a lush green swamp, then lounges on a warm rock. The Sun sets now; the day is complete. The world’s worries melt away, and the harvest is collected. As the Moon rises in a clear night sky, a cold wind blows, chilling the landscape. A peaceful knowing enters your being as you sit waiting again for the Sun to rise.

East

Light a candle for the East, for it is the direction of the element of fire. The East is the direction of birth, new life, creation, originality. East Eagle rises with the Sun on its wings, welcoming a new day. The morning Sun illuminates, brings forth the birth of a new beginning, a new day, a new life. Vision is the gift of the East. As Eagle can see the ground clearly from great heights, so you, too, will be granted the genius of foresight and discernment if you but ask for the East’s assistance.

There is freedom, expansiveness here, for traveling to the East encourages you to let go of your old patterns; the sky is the limit now. The East can infuse dense energy with its light, raising vibrations and consciousness. When this happens on a personal level, it can bring new perspective. The East invites you to live in the moment, to be fully present for your renewal. It signifies the springtime of your soul, Easter. In healing, the East relates both to diagnosing an illness, the first step to finding a cure, and the resurrection, the final step in overcoming an illness.

As the Sun rises, greet the East with great respect. Notice the colors that present themselves and the first images that come to your mind. Ask what gifts and teachings the East has to offer you at this time. Ask the East how you can honor it. If you have any questions for the East about new beginnings, original creations or inspiration, ask them now. If you have any issue that relates to the East, ask for support and guidance now. Thank the East. Focus now on the Sun, high in the sky, and a spreading feeling of warmth.

South

The South is sensuous, playful and vulnerable, the direction of emotions and water. If you are having difficulties with trust and faith, visit the South. The South will teach you the strength of vulnerability. Allow the warmth of the Sun to relax you as you explore the situations and emotions surrounding your vulnerability. Your feelings will alert you to potential problems before they arise. In that there is strength. Trust your emotions. For healing, the second step is to go to the South to shed your oppressive ideas about yourself: who you are and what you do. Like Snake, begin letting go of your old skin, your disease and limitations, and embrace the joy of the South.

As you look down from the sky, greet the South with great respect. Notice the colors that present themselves and the first images that come to your mind. Ask what gifts and teachings the South has to offer you at this time. Ask the South how you can honor it. If you have any questions for the South, about relaxation, growth or trust, ask them now. If you have any issue that relates to the South, ask for support and guidance now. Thank the South. Focus now on the Sun, dipping below the horizon.

West

At sunset, honor the West by letting go of a limiting perspective. Like Caterpillar, go within a cocoon where the past can be shed. In the morning, you will be reborn like a butterfly into the sunshine. Like Bear’s cave, the West is where our fears, limitations, stale patterns and addictions must be faced alone in the dark and conquered.

The West rules completion, the harvest, maturity, the physical body and the element of earth. If you have problems with aging or your physical body, visit the West to greater understand your physical limitations and the appropriate way to deal with them.

Twilight is the time of the West, when the veils between the worlds are the thinnest, a time when we can look to Spirit to strip us of all the things in our lives that deceive us, that are antiquated or ready to be harvested. For healing, it is necessary now, after shedding the old skin, to dare to dream and create the blueprint for your original self, your natural state of health and beauty. Like Phoenix, the West is always consuming itself, always ready to change. The West helps you to surrender, devour ego and become a hollow vessel for Spirit to work through.

As the Sun sets, greet the West with great respect. Notice the colors that present themselves and the first images that come to your mind. Ask what gifts and teachings the West has to offer you at this time. Ask the West how you can honor it. If you have any questions for the West about physical challenges, endings or fears, ask them now. If you have any issue that relates to the West, ask for support and guidance now. Thank the West. Focus now on the dark night sky and a coolness enveloping your body.

North

By the light of the Moon, look into a quartz crystal. See the clarity, wisdom and knowledge held in this ancient stone. The East is the direction of the element of air. Sages, wisdom, wolf and whale live in this icy realm. If you are in search of clear, articulate knowledge or guidance, get to know the North. This is the cut and dry realm of the mental plane, the home of the teachers of truth. If you are seeking, you will always find an answer in the North.

Winter is the season of the North, a time of severity and silence for reflection. In healing, the North is the place where you will mentally assimilate all you have accomplished on your road to health. Embrace the change and pass unharmed, without fear, through the valley of death. Prepare for the resurrection and rebirth of the East.

As the Moon rises, greet the North with the utmost respect. Notice the colors that present themselves and the first images that come to your mind. Ask what gifts and teachings the North has to offer you at this time. Ask the North how you can honor it. If you have any questions for the North about miracles, knowledge or the records of ancient wisdom, ask them now. If you have any issue that relates to the North, ask for support and guidance now. Thank the North.

Closing the Directions

Making allies of the four directions will help you move with greater purpose, strength and guidance through your life. Most importantly, like all shamanic work, the primary benefit to working with the directions is to bring much-needed balance to this world, your world and your lives.

When you are finished with your work in the spirit realm, it is important to offer thanks and close the directions. Invite them to stay, but release them to do what they must in the world. This will provide more focus for your intent and add closure to your work.

To the East, where the Sun rises, where inspiration and originality are born, thank you for letting yourself be known to us. Please go if you must, stay if you will. To the South, where the jaguar swims, where playfulness and relaxation come from, thank you for letting yourself be known to us.

Please go if you must, stay if you will. To the West, where the Sun sets, where intuition and dreams come from, where the harvest is collected, thank you for letting yourself be known to us. Please go if you must, stay if you will. To the North, where the cold comes from, where wisdom and clarity lie, thank you for letting yourself be known to us. Please go if you must, stay if you will. To Father Sky, to Mother Earth, to the Creator, the center of all things, thank you for letting yourself be known to us. Please go if you must, stay if you will. 

Witchcraft is Not a Religion

Witchcraft is not a religion. Witchcraft is an Essence formed out of it’s own Shadow, and it’s only calling is to protect everything that relies on it for Balance, in whatever manner is deemed necessary.

Witchcraft has Practitioners, not followers, and those people worship nothing, they WORK WITH everything.

Witchcraft has no laws, no boundaries, and no rules. A Witch might have many Gods names on his or her lips for the same thing, just varying degrees. For example, when the storm is exciting I will thank Thor for the show, and when it is all thunder and no party I will ask Taranis to stop scaring the animals.

However, when it is furious and threatens homes and lives in MY area, in MY land, I ask Tāwhirimātea God of weather and storms to ease up and remember how fragile we are beneath His father, the Sky God Ranginui.

Witches honour everything in the Shadows and the Light.

Witches do NOT behave like many of the actual religions, in that we do not force ourselves upon others, nor do we verbally or physically attack those who follow a different path with different Gods. We do not have only One God or Goddess, like some other forms of “witchcraft” and we do not invade the comments sections on a pleasant discussion about Elementals to quote Leviticus. Or Gerald Gardner.

Witchcraft is equally at home with Hekate and Baron Samedi or Frigga and Anubis.

Witches are Sideways focused, and our Spells reflect this in that we understand Death is a Dance not a destination, and Life includes the mites living in our eyelash follicles.

We do not state that we are Storms. We do not need to, for our Energy reflects those pieces of Spiral the Churches fear the most. Freedom.

Anger is the domain of Crones and Greybeards, and the masses of “The Greatly Offended” that see our very existence as sinful or against the TRUE laws of organised religion including many Pagan ones can just watch as we go by. Sucking on a beer made from Hops growing in a fucking cemetery with broken vaults and rotten crosses.

Anger often gives way to sadness for some of the Elders, for we have fought so incredibly hard to preserve the ways from Ago, back before the new Gods and Witchcraft, which insult Universe by only seeing one piece of it’s vastness in a likeness designed by themselves…

Goddess Worship at the exclusion of all Gods. Light work at the exclusion of Shadow. You may have seven wives, beat them into submission, and God will reward you. You can call yourself a Witch and attack those who dare say the enforced sevenfold kiss is abuse.

What you CANNOT do, is ignore that the Soul of the Witch who bears scars from fighting Evil YOU created through stupidity, has earned a place alongside the Elements that KEEP ALL LIFE TOGETHER.

Our shield against your “magic” is our anger, and our shield against your delusional “gospel” is the fact that your children are safer around us, the outcasts who literally protect you from yourselves.

Witches shouldn’t need to explain themselves TO themselves, or to other religious groups. Since when did the newly born have sovereign rights over the Guardians? Since when did the words and opinions mass produced on paper by printers overrule the deepest scratches on rocks in circles that HUM with a power YOU WILL NEVER FEEL THROUGH YOUR OBTUSE SKULLS?!

Witchcraft. Truth is in the Tasting. You ain’t no Storm sugar, you’re worth more than that.

Flourishing

Flourishing is the process of attracting positive energy, love, light, whatever you want. This is generally done as a last step after cleansing, protecting, banishing, and warding…but we’re leaving this house, so protecting/banishing/warding is something that the new residents need to do for themselves. If your place is having new residents, anyway.

Personally, I use air fresheners as flourishing sprays! They’re easy to pick up, cheap, and easy to hide if you’re in the broom closet  I use the Ferbreeze Lavender scent but you can use whatever you’d like, have some fun! What kinda energy do you want to invite in this place? Lots of vitality and energy? Try orange. Calmness and Tranquility? Lavender or Fresh Linen.

You can also make Your Own Flourishing spray, in which case it can be as simple as:

Sun or Moon water
peppermint essential oil
dried flowers or herbs that correspond with the energy you want
Mix it up and sprinkle it wherever you’d like, boom you’re good to go and the Ritual is over! You can dismiss the Elements now and put away your materials!

What is a High Priestess?


In this day and age of social media and the internet, one can call themselves anything without it holding much weight. Too often, people promote self made titles, without much merit. So what is a High Priestess? What role do they play in a coven and in witchcraft in general?

The High Priestess has dedicated her life to The Craft. She has studied, trained and walks the path, incorporating witchcraft tradition into her daily life. She is often gifted in the Esoteric and fluent in the Occult. She has been groomed for many years by other witches, often in a Coven, to become a High Priestess. The High Priestess earns her title with formal initiation. She does not need to be ordained and is never bound by religion. Her role is to follow the traditions of the Coven and Craft. With this title, she is also granted the authority and formal titles of Healer, Teacher and Leader. Teaching and ceremony are taken very seriously. The High Priestess is entrusted to teach the authentic and genuine truths of ancient Witchcraft. She is also granted the jurisdiction to perform Handfasting and other traditional ceremonies and rituals.

The High Priestess is seen as the Goddess Incarnate. She is the Spiritual Center and the energetic force of her Coven and within the Witchcraft community. She wears many pointed hats! First and foremost she must be a healer. She offers emotional, spiritual and mental healing. Quite often you will find that a High Priestess works in a caring profession in her daily life such as a Nurse, PSW, Social Worker, ECE, etc. Her main role is to provide guidance to the members of the coven as they journey on their own spiritual path. She is generally (but not always) considered a crone. She is a woman who leads others to find their truth. She is supportive and never judgemental, especially where it pertains to her members journeys.

In addition to the formal rituals that the High Priestess leads, another role of the High Priestess is to perform Dedication Ceremonies for witches ready to commit to their craft. Many new witches seek guidance and approval from the High Priestess. She runs formal classes and workshops, passing on her wisdom and knowledge. She believes there is no silly question. If she doesn’t have the answer, she will seek it out. She learns and walks her path daily. She realizes there is no room for competition when it comes to her work. As much as she is in charge of her own community, she will always welcome the support and advice of other High Priestesses who share the same path. She understands the importance of all paths and knows we all work together for the benefit of Mother Earth.

Occasionally the coven will have a High Priest as well., depending on the size of the coven. However, even if the coven has a High Priest, the High Priestess will always be the one in charge. The High Priestess often assigns the role and title of Elder to a coven member. The Elder takes her direction from, and assists the High Priestess. The Elder is not a teacher but is often seen as a way of learning the role of High Priestess. The Elder is never a teacher, as they are (by the same name) in Indigenous tradition. Their role is “helper.” An Elder is given tasks by the High Priestess such as setting up and tearing down ritual.

Not everyone is cut out to be a High Priestess. It can be a hard road to travel. Often, the person most qualified doesn’t want the title due to the amount of time and energy it can take. Quite often the unqualified are eager for the role. Most newbies only notice what they believe is glamour and power of the position. They ignore or forget about the years of training, the hard work and the tireless dedication the High Priestess has endured to hold the position. The High Priestess is the flame of the coven and witchcraft community. The coven and community is the candle. If good leadership is not shown, the ritual will be cold and lacking in heart. With too much control, the covens work will be burnt away. As with life, balance is always the key.

Witches to Be

Not every witch is wiccan or believes in the threefold law
Wicca is not the only religion that has witchcraft
Some witches curse and some witches don’t, if they do curse how about we don’t shame them or insist that they will bring accidentally curse themselves or that bad luck will come back around
Some witches use materials like blood, bones, or decaying or rotting items but it’s their craft so they are free to do so
There’s no right way to practice your craft
You do not need an expensive, fancy grimoire or book of shadows, using a binder/notebook or an online grimoire is okay
It’s okay to take a break from magick or witchcraft if needed
Low budget witchcraft is a things so you don’t need to buy expensive tools to be a “real witch”
There are no qualifications to be a “real witch”, if you practice witchcraft boom you’re a real witch.
You don’t have to be in a coven
Witches can be male, female, or anything they identify as. Witches can also be mentally ill, disabled, POC, or LGBT+
Just because a spell doesn’t work for you doesn’t mean it won’t work for everyone else
It’s okay to write spells you’ll never use
Stop telling other witches how to practice their craft, simply mind your business and worry about your craft
Pop culture spells, bath magick, or emoji spells are totally valid forms of magick stop telling people other wise
Not all witches are able to perform spells or rituals but you guise are still valid witches

A Pledge to Pagan Spirituality

I am a Pagan and I dedicate Myself to channeling the Spiritual Energy of my Inner Self to help and to heal myself and others.

I know that I am a part of the Whole of Nature. May I grow in understanding of the Unity of all Nature. May I always walk in Balance.

May I always be mindful of the diversity of Nature as well as its Unity and may I always be tolerant of those whose race, appearance, sex, sexual preference, culture, and other ways differ from my own.

May I use the Force (psychic power) wisely and never use it for aggression nor for malevolent purposes. May I never direct it to curtail the free will of another.

May I always be mindful that I create my own reality and that I have the power within me to create positivity in my life.

May I always act in honorable ways: being honest with myself and others, keeping my word whenever I have given it, fulfilling all responsibilities and commitments I have taken on to the best of my ability.

May I always remember that whatever is sent out always returns magnified to the sender. May the Forces of Karma move swiftly to remind me of these spiritual commitments when I have begin to falter from them, and may I use this Karmic feedback to help myself grow and be more attuned to my Inner Pagan Spirit.

May I always remain strong and committed to my Spiritual ideals in the face of adversity and negativity. May the Force of my Inner Spirit ground out all malevolence directed my way and transform it into positivity. May my Inner Light shine so strongly that malevolent forces can not even approach my sphere of existence.

May I always grow in Inner Wisdom and Understanding. May I see every problem that I face as an opportunity to develop myself spiritually in solving it.

May I always act out of Love to all other beings on this Planet — to other humans, to plants, to animals, to minerals, to elementals, to spirits, and to other entities.

What Paganism Does And Doesn’t Mean…

Being a Pagan has a variety of meanings, many of which are often misunderstood.

What Is Paganism? What Being A Pagan Really Means
The term “Paganism” may conjures up images of witches or other occult practices.

Maybe you’re like me and had only heard Pagans referred to in religious school classes, or perhaps you’ve been hearing more of Paganism and Pagan practices mentioned on TikTok or in the numerous Viking-themed shows that have are popular on Netflix, Hulu and other streaming services, like “The Last Kingdom,” “Vikings,” and “Vikings: Valhalla.”

If so, learning more about the history of Paganism, as well as its modern forms, is probably a good idea right about now.

What is a Pagan and what is Paganism?
A sort of unconventional approach to religion, Pagans believe in several gods and goddesses and the interconnection of nature and human beings. Paganism has a rich history, holidays, and practices proving that being a Pagan is a unique religious experience.

According to the Pagan Federation, Paganism is defined as a polytheistic or pantheistic nature-worshipping religion; therefore, a Pagan is a follower of this religion.

Simply put, Paganism, the Latin word for which is pāgānus, was a term created in the fourth century Roman Empire, used to describe people who practiced a polytheistic religion, or the belief in multiple deities. The Latin pāgānus was originally meant as a term to refer to a “country dweller” or “civilian.”

The term was primarily used by Roman soldiers, who thought of themselves as soldiers of Christ in the Christian religion, to describe anyone who wasn’t in the army; therefore, Paganism originated as military slang.

Pagans practiced polytheism, the opposite of monotheistic religious practices like Christianity, Judaism or Islam. Early Christians referred to Pagans as heathens or gentiles.

According to Christianity.com, polytheism is “the belief in and veneration of multiple gods or goddesses… both male and female, who have various associations and embody forces of nature, aspects of culture, and facets of human psychology.”

Considered to be more relatable than the “perfect” higher power of other pre-Christian religions, these deities find wisdom within their human faults. Pagans chose to incorporate this aspect because it allows for expressing humor.

Their other belief of pantheism involves seeing the divinity as inseparable from nature. This shows that Pagans have a holistic worldview that the universe is interconnected, and deities can be found all around us within trees, flowers, water, even the sky.

Due to the manifestation of divinity within nature, Pagans will actively search for answers and signs from their deities. As an example, the Pagan Federation states that Pagans may cast “stones to read the geomantic patterns into which they fall.”

It’s also important to note that while there are ancestral beliefs within Paganism, it tends to take on domestic elements. That being said, it is not so much a public religion, but rather one that is more private and varies from person to person.

How did Paganism come about?
Some forms of Paganism are rooted in the 19th century C.E. European nationalism. However, contemporary Pagans have traced their roots to the 1960s. Modern Paganism focuses on the spiritual interest and connection to nature, and archetypal psychology.

Described as being both a prehistoric and postmodern religion, Paganism has heavy ties to spiritualism.

With the development of science, the Greeks and Babylonians wanted to understand nature and the patterns among it that are hidden from us. With the cultivation of human industry and the well-roundedness of culture, Renaissance thinkers began to write about Pagan ideals.

Many Pagans lived on Mediterranean lands in the countryside. According to the Pagan Federation, “with parks, gardens and even zoos, all re-introduced into modern Europe, not by the religions of the Book, and not by utilitarian atheists, but by the Classically-inspired planners of the Enlightenment.”

Their beliefs and ideas were unlike anything that had been seen at the time. In fact, the Pagan religion was one of the first religions to make way for an individual connection with the divine or their deities.

Modern Pagans emphasize the importance of the “individual psyche as it interfaces with a greater power.” They are creative and playful, not tied down by the customs of an established religion.

With respect for all life, Pagans usually desire “to participate with rather than to dominate other beings.” The hope is that all of creation live in harmony with each other.

Forms of Paganism Throughout History

Norse Paganism
Dating back to the Germanic people of the Iron Age, between 400-550 AD, Norse Paganism was a religion based on polytheism, the worship of ancestors, belief in fate and the afterlife, and that spirits were present in animals and nature.

Norse Pagans held religious festivals that focused on farming and agriculture, and made blood sacrifices timed to the phases of the moon and the seasons.

Viking Paganism
Viking Paganism followed Norse Paganism, beginning around 800 AD and lasting until 1050 AD. In Scandinavia, the Norse Pagan religion was practiced during the Viking Age, until the Vikings converted to Christianity in the 10th or 11th century.

Viking Pagans were polytheistic, and had many groups throughout Northern Europe. It’s believed that in order to trade, Vikings, also known as Norsemen, adopted Christianity gradually, as Christians couldn’t trade with Pagans.

Celtic Paganism
Celtic Paganism was the religion of the Celts in Western Europe during the Iron Age (500 BCE-500 CE). A polytheistic people, Celtic Pagans believed in the afterlife and practiced rituals like burying their dead with food and weapons.

Their ceremonies were held in forests, rather than churches, which appeared during the Gallo-Roman period (1st century BC to 5th century AD). Celtic Pagans also took part in human sacrifices.

Paganism in Ireland and Scotland
In Ireland and parts of Scotland, Paganism began around the 1st century, until around the 9th century when Vikings invaded and settled in the area, assimilating to Gaelic Ireland. Before Christianity in Ireland, its religious beliefs influenced Scottish Gaelic culture.

Gaelic Ireland was Pagan, had an oral culture to pass down its beliefs, was polytheistic, believed in an afterlife and animism, and celebrated four main festivals yearly.

Modern Paganism
Also referred to as neopaganism or contemporary Paganism, modern Paganism shares similarities to the Pagan religion of the ancient past; however, scholars have equated modern paganism to the New Age movement.

Modern Paganism focuses more on magic and witchcraft rather than the worship of gods and goddesses. Neopaganism centers on celebration of the changing seasons and animism, and are inspired by 19th century Romanticism.

Roman Paganism
Before the collapse of the Roman republic, Roman Pagans were individuals who were said to have lived in the countryside, practicing non-Christian beliefs. However, Roman Pagans worshipped gods, though didn’t agree with “other” Pagans on certain practices.

After the collapse, Christianity began to influence the population (30-40 AD), and Emperors condemned any non-Christian beliefs by implementing laws, some of which were punishable by death. Despite this, Paganism continued to be practiced into the 5th century.

Pagan Holidays and Celebrations
It makes sense that with a high importance of nature within Paganism, their holidays and celebrations center around solar and seasonal change.

The Wheel of the Year is a symbol of the eight religious festivals that Pagans celebrate.

According to the World History Encyclopedia, Pagans noticed that “the seasons changed, people died, but nothing was ever finally lost because everything returned again — in one way or another — in a repeating natural cycle.”

Their appreciation for nature’s predictability is observed eight times a year. These festivals are “designed to draw one’s attention to what one has gained and lost in the cyclical turn of the year.”

The Wheel of the Year includes eight holidays celebrated by Pagans:

1. Samhain: October 31
Marking the beginning of the year’s cycle, Samhain means “summer’s end” and commences the season of darkness.

As you’ve probably noticed, this festival takes place on Halloween. It is a Pagan belief that during this time, the veil between the living and the dead is at its thinnest.

2. Yule: December 20-25
Yule celebrates the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year, where the days grow longer. It symbolizes rebirth, growth, rejuvenation, and the renewal of life cycles.

At Yule, a tree is decorated to honor the home of deities. It also commemorates the birth of the new sun god.

3. Imbolc: February 1-2
Meaning “in the belly,” Imbolc celebrates rebirth and purification between the Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox.

As it references pregnancy, this festival is linked to fertility, hope, and the promise of the future.

4. Ostara: March 20-23
The Spring Equinox, or Vernal Equinox, is observed with celebrations and feasts, often involving flowers, rabbits, chicks and colored eggs.

A time of birth and renewal, the goddess Ostara is believed to re-emerge from beneath the earth and become pregnant with the sun god who will be born the next Yule.

5. Beltane: April 30-May 1
Bonfires, dancing, and colorful strands of ribbon are used to observe the coming of summer.

Beltrane represents light and fertility, while Pagans show their passion and set aside inhibitions in order to indulge their desires.

6. Litha: June 20-22
The days become shorter during the celebration of the Summer Solstice at Litha.

It acknowledges “the triumph of light over darkness,” and involves fresh fruits, honey cakes, and feasting.

7. Lughnasadh: August 1
Lughnasadh is named after the Celtic hero-god Lugh who is linked to order and truth. It is also known as Lammas.

This is a harvest festival that ceremonializes the transition from summer into autumn with a harvest of fruits offered to the gods and goddesses.

8. Mabon: September 20-23
Celebrating the Autumn Equinox, Mabon is the beginning of the second harvest, focusing mostly on grains, specifically wheat. Mabon is the day when darkness reigns over light until springtime.

Mabon is named after the son of the Earth Mother Goddess. The belief is that the Earth Mother Goddess will eventually return, bringing life and prosperity to humanity.

Books That Explore Paganism
If Pagan ideals are something that interest you, it might be beneficial to do some research. Anyone can become a Pagan and begin to practice their rituals.

Soe great books to start with include these:

1. “Paganism: A Beginner’s Guide to Paganism” by Sarah Owen

2. “Paganism: An Introduction to Earth-Centered Religions” by Joyce and River Higginbothom

3. “The Path of Paganism: An Experience-Based Guide to Modern Pagan Practice” by John Beckett

4. “Pagan Planet: Being, Believing & Belonging in the 21 Century” by Nimue Brown

However you decide to take in this information and potentially follow Pagan ideals, you will become closer to nature and see the importance of individualism.

an innocent, care-free pagan race

“Look back a little and see what has happened. Nineteen hundred years ago you were an innocent, care-free pagan race. You worshipped countless Gods and Goddesses, the spirits of the air, of the running streams and of the woodland. You took unblushing pride in the glory of your naked bodies. You carved images of your gods and of the tantalizing human figure. You delighted in the combats of the field, the arena and the battle-ground. War and slavery were fixed institutions in your systems. Disporting yourselves on the hillsides and in the valleys of the great outdoors, you took to speculating on the wonder and mystery of life and laid the foundations of natural science and philosophy. Yours was a noble, sensual culture, unirked by the prickings of the social conscience or by any sentimental questionings about human equality. Who knows what great and glorious destiny might have been yours if we had left you alone.

But we did not leave you alone. We took you in hand and pulled down the beautiful and generous structure you had reared, and changed the whole course of your history. We conquered you as no empire of yours ever subjugated Africa or Asia.

We made you the willing and unconscious bearers of our mission to the whole world, to the barbarous races of the world, to the countless unborn generations. Without fully understanding what we were doing to you, you became the agents at large of our racial tradition, carrying our gospel to unexplored ends of the earth.

Jewish artisans and Jewish fishermen are your teachers and your saints, with countless statues carved in their image and innumerable cathedrals raised to their memories. A Jewish maiden is your ideal of motherhood and womanhood. A Jewish rebel-prophet is the central figure in your religious worship. We have pulled down your idols, cast aside your racial inheritance, and substituted for them our God and our traditions. No conquest in history can even remotely compare with this clean sweep of our conquest over you.”

Stop Doing These Things if You’re Pagan

Most people who are Pagans didn’t start out that way – and sometimes, it’s easy to fall into the trap of negative habits. Here are ten bad habits you may be engaging in, and why you should drop them if you want to have a positive experience with Pagan spirituality. Not all of these will apply to everyone, but if you find that you’re doing any of them, you may want to reconsider how you engage.

1. Stop Trying to Fit Your New Religion Into Your Old One

Most people who come to a Pagan belief system didn’t start out that way. Simply because of the numbers, the majority of people who are now Pagan were once Christians or some other religion. There’s nothing wrong with that. However, sometimes, people have trouble letting go. It’s not uncommon to meet folks who swear up and down that they’re Pagan, and yet they live by the dogma of their old religion – they’ve simply changed the names of the deities.

Sandra, who follows a Greek reconstructionist path, says, “I had been raised Southern Baptist, so it was hard – really hard – for me to adapt to this idea of a god and goddess that didn’t make any demands on me. I was raised to believe that there was one god only, and to find deities that not only didn’t mind sharing me with others, but who wouldn’t punish me for it — well, that was a big thing. I had trouble with it at first, and was always wondering, “Well, if I honor Aphrodite, can I still celebrate Artemis, or am I going to get caught in some kind of deity war, and cause trouble?”

A South Carolina Pagan named Thomas is now a Druid. He says, “My family is Catholic, and once I realised that the gods of the Druid path were calling me, I had no trouble walking away from Catholicism. Except for the idea of sin. I still kept finding myself feeling like I needed to go to confession every time I had sex with my girlfriend or used swear words.”

Don’t try to put Paganism – of whatever flavor – into a Christian (or other kind of) box. Just let it be what it is. You’ll be much happier in the long run.

2. Stop Assuming All Pagans Are the Same

There are lots of Pagan traditions. They’re not all the same. In fact, some are vastly different. While there may be some common threads that bind MOST Pagan religions together, the fact is that every tradition has its own set of rules and guidelines. Are you someone who insists that all Pagans must follow the Law of Threefold Return or the Wiccan Rede? Well, not all groups have those as a mandate.

Look at it this way: if you’re not Christian, you don’t follow the Ten Commandments, right? Likewise, if someone isn’t part of your tradition, they’re not obligated to follow your tradition’s rules and laws.

Accept that each person – and group – is capable of thinking for themselves, and that they are able to create laws, guidelines, tenets, and rules that work best for them. They do not need you to tell them How To Be Pagan.

3. Stop Ignoring Your Instinct

Got a feeling something is going on, but can’t quite put your finger on it? Believe it or not, most people have some degree of latent psychic ability. If you’re interested in developing your gifts and skills, then stop ignoring those messages. You may find that they’re telling you some pretty important stuff. Magic happens, as does psychic phenomena. But if you keep rejecting it as “Oh, there’s no WAY that just happened,” then you may be missing out on a very valuable tool and resource.

4. Stop Being Silent

Many Pagan traditions follow a guideline that includes the idea of keeping silent. In that circumstance, keeping silent refers to the idea that we shouldn’t go around blabbing endlessly about our religious beliefs, our magical practice, or the people we’re standing in circle with.

That’s not what we’re talking about here.

No, instead, when we say “Stop being silent,” we’re talking about a lack of speaking out when injustice is done. There’s a common thread in our society in which no one really wants to get involved when things are going on that do not directly impact us. However, as Pagans, we’re in the minority, in the United States and in most other countries. That means that when things happen to other minority groups – even those that are not Pagan – we should still be standing up for those other groups.

Remember that old saying attributed to a German pastor, who was saddened by the failure of the intellectual community to speak out during the Nazi reign? He said, “First they came for the communists, but I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a communist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a Jew. Finally, they came for me, and there was no one left to speak.”

If we don’t speak up when other groups are treated unfairly, who’s going to speak for us when we ourselves face discrimination?

5. Stop Accepting Mediocrity

There are literally thousands of books and websites about modern Paganism. One of the things people typically find themselves asking is, “How do I know what books are reliable?,” followed almost immediately by “Which authors should I avoid?” As you learn and read and study, you’ll learn how to separate the wheat from the chaff, and you’ll eventually be able to figure out on your own what makes a book credible, or worth reading, and what makes it one that should probably only be used as a doorstop or paperweight.

But here’s the thing to remember. As long as people keep buying books that are awful, or at the very least, academically suspect, the authors of these titles will continue to repackage and publish them.

Demand more. Patronise publishers and authors whose work is credible, and not those who simply slap a cover with a pentagram and some glitter on a new version of the same garbage you’ve been reading for thirty years.

6. Stop Neglecting the Natural World

If you’re someone who follows a nature- or earth-based religion, it stands to reason that the natural world should be, at least to some degree, sacred. While it doesn’t necessarily mean we’re all out in the forest worshiping rocks and stumps, it does mean that we should have the decency to treat our natural world with some respect.

Become environmentally conscious and aware. Even if you simply focus on the patch of earth you live on, or your immediate area, rather than on a global level, it’s a start. Take care of the land on which you live.

7. Stop Wasting Time

“I want to be Pagan but I just don’t have time to study!”

How many times have you caught yourself saying or thinking that? It’s an easy rut to fall into – we’ve all got jobs, families, and lives, and it’s easy to let ourselves fall into the habit of not making time for our spirituality. However, if you think about some of the ways we waste the twenty-four hours a day we DO have, it’s not so hard to re-prioritise. If you feel like you don’t have the time you need to work on your spirituality as much as you’d like to, then take a long and hard look at how you are spending your days. Are there ways you can save time, that you can then dedicate to your spiritual journey?

8. Stop Judging

Christians are all such jerks.”

“Wiccans are a bunch of fluffy weirdos.”

“Those Heathens are way too aggressive.”

Ever overhear any of those from someone in the Pagan community? Unfortunately, judgemental behaviour is not limited to the non-Pagans. Remember how we talked about how each Pagan path is different, and they’re not all like you? Well, part of accepting that people are different includes not being judgey because they’re different. You’re going to meet a lot of people who are not like you. Don’t stereotype anyone based on misconceptions – instead, base your opinion of them upon their merits or flaws as individuals.

9. Stop Letting Others Think For You

If you’re ready to be part of a non-mainstream religious group, you’ll notice really quickly that the Pagan community is full of free thinkers. It’s full of people who question authority, and who try to make right decisions based upon their own moral codes, rather than what may be popular or fashionable. Don’t take things at face value – ask questions, and don’t accept what you’re told just because someone tells you to. Take the time to find a good teacher – and realize that the best teachers will want you to ask questions.

Sorcha is a Pagan from Maine who says she has learned not to accept dogma from other Pagans. “I met this high priestess who really wanted everyone to do things her way – not because her way was necessarily better, but because she wanted to be in charge. Everyone in the group was blindly following along, never stopping to say, “Hey, maybe we could try it this other way instead.” They were like a bunch of sheep, and I had to walk away. I didn’t become Pagan so I could have an authority figure making my spiritual decisions for me. I became Pagan because I wanted to continue thinking for myself.”

10. Stop Making Excuses

“I don’t have time to study.”

“I don’t have the money to buy supplies.”

“I live in a town that’s really religious.”

“My spouse doesn’t want me to be Pagan.”

Are you making excuses for all the reasons you can’t practice your Pagan faith? Aleister Crowley once said that to perform magic is to express dissatisfaction with the universe. In other words, if you’re happy with the way things are, then there’s no need for magic. While Crowley may have said a lot of things that people disagree with, he’s spot on with this one.

If you’re a Pagan who accepts that magic can happen, and that change can occur, then you have no excuse for not making things different where they need to be. Don’t have time to study? Sure you do – you have the same hours in your day as everyone else. Change how you spend those hours. Set goals to make things change for you.

Don’t have money to buy supplies? So what? Make magic with what you have on hand.

Live in a town that’s religious? No big deal. Keep your beliefs to yourself and practice in the privacy of your own home, if that what you think is going to work best for you. No need to be in your neighbour’s faces about it.

Got a spouse who doesn’t want you to be Pagan? Find a way to compromise. Interfaith marriages work all the time, as long as they’re built on a foundation of mutual respect.

Stop making excuses for all the reasons you can’t, and start making changes so that you can.

Pagan Revival

Paganism has enjoyed a grassroots revival over the last forty and more years. How do the seekers find an authentic expression of a deeper, older religious feeling? Today’s seekers automatically look to books to find what they’re looking for, but these often lead to more questions rather than to provide any real answers. This article will tell you how to find the deity that is right for you, which will clarify your path.

The best way to start finding one’s true pagan path is by meditation — and I mean serious meditation. If you, my reader, are not familiar with meditation, here is the basic method: Set aside some time each day when it’s quiet, but you are not so tired that you might fall asleep. Start with a ten minute session; you can extend the time if you need it as you gain experience. Sit comfortably in a chair if you are not practiced at yoga — trying a lotus position or something equally exotic if you are not used to it only causes distractions. Dim or turn off the lights; the goal is muted light, not darkness. Burn an unscented candle if you want to do so. Unscented because, remember, at the beginning scent is another distraction.

Focus on controlling your breathing. Start with a breath in to the count of three, then hold for one count, then breathe out for four counts. Do this for a minute or two until it becomes more natural for you. As you get your breath under control, use that time to quiet your mind and clear it of all those random, fussy thoughts. It often works to blow them out with your four-count breath. When you are able to do this basic exercise smoothly and easily, move on to the next step.

Begin your meditation and get to the point where your mind is clear and calm. Now you can ask yourself, “What is it about [insert your childhood religious doctrine here] that causes me to feel skeptical? Why don’t I believe in it anymore?” Be open to receiving the answer and your deeper self will give you the answer. You are clarifying for yourself why there are changes in your outlook. This exploration may take more than one meditation session, which is fine. (Anything worth having has to be worked at, and this is the perfect example of such work.) Your first step is understanding why you no longer believe what you were taught while you were growing up. Write down your thoughts when you are finished with your session(s). It’s a good idea to look back on your work so you can refresh your mind for your next meditation.

The next step, of course, is to figure out what you do believe, and this has to come from within yourself, as well. Never mind reading some books to figure it out. Trust yourself enough to get the answer and you will have your own truth. The process is the same. Get into a meditative state and ask yourself something like, “What do I really believe about the sacred? What is my reason for my new belief?” The answers you arrive at may surprise you but you will know it is true for you. Only after you have reached this point are you able to understand which deity is the one you will be serving.

Yes, you read that right: Serving. A deity is exactly that — a very powerful, mysterious but knowable entity who will recognize you from His or Her side of reality. They are not our servants or pets; we serve Them and we perform the rites They expect of us.

Meditate on which deity is the one for you. You may be surprised. A god or goddess who reveals itself to you probably won’t be connected to your personal preference, cultural heritage, or genetic makeup. In other words, just because you like Isis or Taranis, or you’re of Irish-French descent, or you live in Italy, Romania, or America does not necessarily mean you will be connecting to a deity that is Egyptian, Irish, Italian, or whatever. This is about making that connection to a sacred being who may be interested in you or has already chosen you to serve Him or Her. If it is the latter and you’ve been chosen, it is usually one you never expected to end up serving.

At this point your pagan spiritual path is pretty much decided. You have put time and energy into serious thought about these things and have received your answers. Ideally, initiation is the next step which properly connects you to your deity, and this is the hardest part because, as the saying goes, “It takes a witch to make a witch.” Initiatory Mystery traditions will accept sincere seekers who have worked out their beliefs, show a dedication to the work involved, and are doing their best to practice their faith. Often an initiated practitioner will approach the seeker to determine if they want to be initiated. If the answer is “yes,” the process begins so the seeker becomes a Novice Initiate and begins training in that tradition’s methods of ritual and worship, tools used, and the path for its members, including how to work with one’s deity. This is generally part of a High Priestess’s and/or High Priest’s responsibilities. These traditions are often oathbound, which means you are required to keep the information and training to yourself. Such knowledge is not for everyone; you must earn the right to be part of such a group. Therefore, you must be trustworthy enough to train without revealing the information to non-initiates. Hence the name — Mystery tradition.

Young seekers often become curious about popular paths, such as Wicca (the path largely created, and made public, by Gerald Gardner), Asatru (a Norse path cobbled together from the bits and pieces of mythology and available lore), Egyptian, and other “flavors” of pagan spirituality which might strike the fancy of those looking to shock their parents or strike back in some way at whatever authority figure with whom they happen to be angry. Others will follow an alternative path because the religion (or absence of one) in their lives doesn’t suit them anymore, yet they don’t know how to go about finding the way that is right for them. These people try on different beliefs to see what might fit. Once they have become disillusioned enough or have learned enough about it they often decide it isn’t right for them and they go on to the next thing (this is called “dabbling”). Fans of psychology tend to see the deities as parts of their subconscious (i.e., as archetypes), and pagan religion as a form of sociology.

Some people use paganism as an excuse to do what they perceive as naughty things, such as using drugs (drugs are used by pagans about as often as they’re used by non-pagans), engage in group sex (and, perhaps, call it the “Great Rite”), or to find easy sex partners — to them, it’s a lifestyle that will serve until they become bored, find the next lifestyle fad and move on. Some use paganism to take advantage of the naïve or gullible.

On more than one occasion so-called seekers have laughed in my face and said to me, “Oh my God! You actually think this stuff is real?” I look them in the eyes and tell them, “Yes. Not only do I ‘think’ it, I know it’s real, beyond any doubt.” Their next question is usually, “How do you know it’s real?” I will tell them, “I experience it.” The person before me then either tries to laugh it off or gets nasty, but because of their own inner doubts and lack of faith/belief, they quickly end up flustered and/or confused. I have watched them walk away trying to be scornful in order to cover their own spiritual discomfort.

As well reading some books about paganism isn’t going to make you a witch; it isn’t going to make you pagan. It’s fine to read them later but not as a means for finding your personal answers. Initiation is the process which makes a witch. It is a rite performed by one who has gone before you, a keeper of the Mysteries who has been through the experiences and training necessary and who can pass that knowledge on to you in the correct manner so you may be part of something that is truly alive and vital. It is not a fad, it is not a joke, and it is not a lifestyle to be tried on and tossed aside like a shirt you no longer feel like wearing. It is not an easy way of life. It is as enriching as any seeker could hope for, and the only way to find the real thing is to put away the books for the time being and begin with personal meditation on what it is you believe.

Paganism: Relevant or Non Relevant Science

String theory, which was first proposed in the 1970s, suggests that the universe is not composed of particles as we think of them, but of very small loops of string that vibrate at certain frequencies.

As Brian Greene, a string theory physicist, says in his book The Elegant Universe, the universe consists of “loops of strings and oscillating globules, uniting all of creation into vibrational patterns that are meticulously executed in a universe with numerous hidden dimensions.

These dimensions are capable of undergoing extreme contortions in which their spatial fabric tears apart and then repairs itself” .

The frequency at which the strings vibrate determines what the string is; that is, electrons vibrate one way, photons another.

These strings are so small that we currently cannot see them, being only 10–33centimeters long also called the Planck length.

String theory postulates that the Planck length is as small as things get in this physical universe.

String theory does not attempt to describe what might exist below the Planck length.

Our study of string theory has not yet revealed how it explains non-locality(i.e., simultaneous communication between separated particles that seems to exceed the speed of light) as proven in Bell’s theorem, nor does it directly address the hierarchy of levels proposed by Bohm.

This may be because string theory is silent on these points, or because we have not studied string theory long and hard enough.

However, our initial impression of string theory is that it does not conflict with either non-locality or Bohm’s hierarchy of levels since both of the latter are postulated to occur outside of space-time, or below the Planck length.

String theory may one day address these deeper levels, as Brian Greene tells us on page 387 of The Elegant Universe:

“We have seen glimpses of a strange new domain of the universe lurking beneath the Planck length, possibly one in which there is no notion of time or space.

At the opposite extreme, we have also seen that our universe may merely be one of the innumerable frothing bubbles on the surface of a vast and turbulent cosmic ocean called the multiverse.

These ideas are at the current edge of speculation, but they may presage the next leap in our understanding of the universe.”

Paganism: Views of Satan

This is a question not easily answered since every Pagan has his or her own opinion on the subject.

Most Pagans will agree that whatever else Satan maybe, he is at least a Deity of the Judeo-Christian-Muslim pantheon.

Because Satan is specifically a Judeo-Christian-Muslim Deity.

Since many pagans choose to retain no connection to the Judeo-Christian-Muslim pantheon unless they consider themselves Christopagans or Judeopagans, most Pagans do not believe in Satan or give him any energy or homage.

Since most Pagans do not believe in Satan, they do not worship him. 

Pagans don’t necessarily describe their relationship with Deity as one of worship, so the idea of worshipping Satan is a foreign concept for many Pagans in any case.

Do Pagans believe Satan exists or not?

Again, a Pagan’s point of view is going to reflect his or her view of Deity in general and will derive from where he or she puts him or herself on the God Map.

Remember that, as it is used by many pagans, the term Deity can refer to any supernatural or spiritual being, force, or power.

Therefore, Pagans generally consider Satan a Deity.

If a Pagan believes that Deities are anthropomorphic beings, for example, then he or she will view satan as an anthropomorphic being.

If a Pagan believes that Deities are archetypes, then he or she will view Satan as a psychological or energetic pattern.

If a Pagan believes that Deities are currents of power, then he or she will probably view Satan as one or more specific energy currents.

If a Pagan views Deity as a thought form, then he or she will likely take the position that even if satan didn’t exist before, he does now because of all the energy that millions of minds have fed into him over the centuries.

Paganism: You are what you believe

Ideas are powerful.

What you believe about yourself and your world determines to a large extent the kinds of experiences you will have and how you will interpret them.

The ideas you accept as true are your beliefs.

Beliefs act like a filter through which information passes before it reaches you.

The belief filter acts so strongly that it usually allows in only information you already believe to be true.

Contradictory information is either ignored, explained away, or rejected.

What you decide to accept or reject as your beliefs will literally create your world.

If you believe you cannot be a certain kind of person, then you won’t.

If you believe you must have only certain types of relationships, then you will never experience others.

If you think you can’t go to college or learn a skill, then you never will.

If you believe that God is one way, then you will never experience God any other way.

If you think that certain topics and questions are forbidden, then you will never explore them.

One of our favourite sayings about beliefs comes from Henry Ford, who said, “Whether you think you can, or whether you think you can’t, you’re right!”

Power such as this is awesome. It mobilizes nations, creates religions, begins and ends wars, and defines new civilizations.

On a more mundane level, it can even influence the kind of toothpaste you buy!

Advertisers understand the power of getting you to believe what they want you to believe.

So do politicians, governments, and religious leaders.

Beliefs set a vision around which people take action.

What is your vision?

What kind of life do you want to live?

What kind of world do you want to create?

What beliefs are best going to get you there?

These questions are not annoyances to rush through so you can start “being a Pagan.”

These questions are the heart of the matter.

They are so central, in fact, that the first principle of Paganism addresses the issue of beliefs.

This principle states,“You are responsible for the beliefs you choose to adopt.”

Because beliefs set a vision around which people act, the second principle flows directly from the first states that,

“You are responsible for your actions and your spiritual and personal development.”

These two principles, then, are a beginning point for spiritual and personal growth.

They address the two fundamental issues of responsibility and empowerment.

Your empowerment begins with an acknowledgment that you are able to choose those very templates, or beliefs, around which you build your world, starting with your self-image and moving on to your relationships, culture, politics, and religion.

Without a sense that you are in control of choosing those ideas you adopt as your own, or that choice is even possible, you may not begin to move forward in your development.

You may believe you are stuck or trapped in the way things are, or in the way you have always been.

You may believe you are not capable of growing or changing.

You may believe growth is possible but is dependent on something outside yourself, such as a holy text, a spiritual practice, or a teacher.

We suggest that the journey of self-discovery and development as a Paganbegins by becoming aware of the power of belief, by acknowledging your power to choose the ideas you will accept as true, by accepting your responsibility for that choice, and by taking responsibility for how you act on your beliefs.