GENERAL IDEA

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Heather V. on January 11, 2009 at 2:52pm

Hmmmm. Gosh Cara...this is a very broad question. This is the most often asked question, also, unfortunately, and there is no short answer. There are many forms of Paganism. Paganism is a form of spirituality that encompasses old beliefs and practices way before Christ, such as Shamanism, and Native or Tribal Magick, Lore, and Medicine. Animals play a huge part especially in that type of spiritualism. Sympathetic magick was some of the first magick we have recorded as being used. There are very old cave drawings inside caves in France from about 32,000 years ago
that depict an animal / human like figure. It was most likely a representation of the animal they were to soon hunt, and they were probably using the likeness on the wall in a ceremony asking it for it's spirit, so that they could kill it in their hunt, and feed their tribe. There are also many forms of paganism that have had to be revived from old on just tiny shreds of what was left over from what we call "the burning times". Those were the times both in England and here in America (Salem Witch Trials) that wiped out many of the practitioners of these types of craft, majick, or spiritualism, leaving very little knowledge remaining. These people had skill with plants to be used as medicine, channeling, healing, and more. When they died, their knowledge died with them, and for a long time after that anyone who practiced these types of arts was very quiet and secretive about it. So there was old information we had to piece together, and we have formed many new and beautiful healing arts on top of what we could salvage. Eventually we were able to start openly publishing books and gathering together once again during the Victorian Era without fear of death or imprisonment. There was a resurgence of interest in the occult, all things supernatural and spiritual. If you are interested in some starter materials, some of my first books were by Raymond Buckland...so look him up and take your pick. You are so fortunate now, to have the internet...it's so easy!!!! Anyway, there is much more to tell, going into divination with Tarot, Runes, Crystals and other methods, and also some of the Eastern religions (Hinduism, Buddhism) and how they all tie in. ..but you would do well to find out on your own. And I am speaking only from the range of my interests and experience, of course, I'm sure that there are quite a few people here with plenty of knowledge about a vast array of subjects pertaining to Paganism and all of it's wonderful branches. I hope this has helped some. Also, any books by Joseph Campbell are great to start off with, in my opinion, as well. Bright Blessings on your journey!


Cave painting - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Official web site of Raymond Buckland, author of over forty books ...

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by BlueMoonWater on January 11, 2009 at 3:43pm

HI Miss Carabella, me personally (as u already know, lol) am new to paganism. I honestly think that somehow all religions in some way or another came from the same source, I myself do believe they branched off from paganism. In my understanding paganism is older than christianity even. The natural side, I think the way I could explain it is to meditate and be true to yourself and be open to every possibility that there is and you will connect with your "natural side". There are alot of meditations that have helped me by simply letting myself let go, let your mind go where it wants, just let go of everything and see where your thoughts end up. I think there can be a dark side but the darkness is created by the person I think paganism is a religion that you put your true self into and if you are filled with darkness then that is what you get. I think it comes down to the simple saying that you get what you put out. I do know that there are some people that I have met that do say they follow a "dark path" but I still think they create that within themselves. Animals can play the part of being your "familiar" but honestly I do not belive true paganism does harm to any living creature. I know that you are an openminded person and ther is absolutley nothing wrong with the fact that you haven't been "educated" on certain religions, I think as long as keep an open mind about others and thier beliefs and keep a common respect for what others feel i right for them nobody could really ask for more. Then again I guess I could be a lil bias sense you are my bestest friend!! Welcome girl, be blessed.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by erthgoddss on January 11, 2009 at 6:10pm

I follow a very basic form of Paganism. I am solitary and prefer it that way. Paganism as stated in previous posts is the oldest belief system. I veer from calling it a religion as it is more than that.. it is a way of life for most of us. I am not sure what you mean by getting in touch with the natural side... as this is pretty much subjective. A general love and respect for nature is common for most pagans. Again, animals and their role in my belief system are important. Though recently I have decided I despise squirrels. (twice now they have eaten the wiring out of my car... costing me big bucks to have repaired!) My sister calls them furry tailed rats... I am beginning to believe that. lol

For myself I would have to say that Paganism is a natural way of life. I pay little attention to material things (though my sister says it is my "hippie side" coming out. lol I have an innate love of nature and anything that comes with it... good or bad.

I am not sure if this answers your questions or not... but welcome to the site!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Alexandra Iris on January 12, 2009 at 11:54am

Hello, great "general" questions. Athiests and agnostics would say that all religions stem from a deep psychological need to explane the un-explaned, to comfort ourselves against the fear of death and what may or may not(i.e. nothing) come after, etc... As for the "dark side" it's a case of perspective, some considering any magical acts involving blood(human or animal) as being dark while others might prick a finger to infuse personal power into a charm or seal a pact(like the act of becoming blood-brothers). Without knowing it you have already begun to get in touch with the natural side, for it is natural to want to know what you don't, or seek affermation for things you feel. Again, psycological and physical benifits have been proven from the companionship of animals so why not spiritual? The art of devining omens from the flight of birds and such goes WAY WAY back to when cave-men were primarily hunters. Those who haven't educated themselves haven't done so YET. You have some wonderfull and some (perhaps) frightening discoveries ahead of you. Prepare your self to muddle through all the negative hype that other religions(i.e. Christianity) have tried to cover up the trueth with. I commend you for begining this quest for knowledge, I started mine at 12, and the funny thing is...there's always more to learn. As I conclude my lil post here I pray that there be
beauty and strength
power and compassion
honor and humility
mirth and reverence within you. Blessed Be.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Taylor on January 13, 2009 at 6:21pm

Lots of general questions, and I can list them! (I like lists. =] ) I'll answer as they apply to me, since others may (and probably will) have different answers.
- Do they all stem from the same source?
That's debatable. I haven't seen any evidence either for or against that point, so I'll refrain from picking a side there.

- Is there a dark side to it?
To my own personal practice... not really. There are no real "sides" to my faith, "light" and "dark" flow together, kind of like a black and white picture.

- How do you get in touch to the natural side?
Go for a walk in the woods. (I have other ideas about what to do in the woods, but I don't know how old you/the other people here are and I'm sure none of you are that familiar with me.) Climb trees, plant a garden, get earth on your hands, burn stuff, wash things in running water, drink from a wild stream. (That last one is fun.) Think about nature and what you can picture yourself doing with it. Close your eyes and say the word "nature" out loud; where ever you picture when you do, go there. Spend some time just listening. You might be surprised at how many birds are in one spot at a time.

- Do animals play a role at all in any of it (good or bad)?
Not so much in mine personally, though I don't leave them out. My family has four dogs and three cats, I have to be around animals sometimes, heh. And I do like them (mostly), though I do run into problems with familial tension over that issue and...let's not go there. I do plan on having my own pets, just not nearly so many, and I love watching animals in their natural homes, like out in the woods.

- What do you think about people (like myself) who just haven't educated themselves on this matter?
They're missing out, on a little bit of knowledge if nothing else. I don't think I'd classify you there because you want to learn and you're researching and trying to find out stuff. I think that's good. Learning is a great thing, in my opinion, and more people should devote more time to it.

• ▶ Reply