Pagan interest thread

[MoonFaceMama]

Hello,

As a pagan who practices alone i sometimes find it difficult to mark the passing of the wheel of the year in a secular society which largely ignores there things (ie, i sometimes forget special days ) I get the feeling there might be others on here who feel the same, or who do remember, and that maybe we could support each other in reminders and suggestions for celebrations...

Personally i tend to mark the seasons in ways that feel appropriate and are informal, i'm not big into ritual (but willing to discuss this with those who are). Now that i have a ds i think i'm more concious of helping him to have structure to his year (when i was little i had this through the church) and am considering joining a local pagan group so that i have a community of support in this, which might, in time, be available to him should he wish to access it.

So...a place to discuss pagan celebrations, ideas etc... Any takers?

Happy lammas all.

I haven't really celebrated today as i've been away and just come home today. Stayed at a wonderfull womens holiday home in the yorks dales. A fantastic place. Went with some friends and their toddlers. Much fun.

How was your celebration CoI? Anyone else too?

Belated Lammas blessingS. i didnt do anything special I forgot

Holiday sounds lovely.

What kind of things do you write, coi? I think that sounds wonderful

I usually get inspired to write something appropriate to the season.
I tie in the 8 festivals with the ancient Egyptian religious celebrations. Lughnasadh is the Rite of Geb for instance.

My self and a friend have written loads over the years, unfortunately she's hundreds of miles away these days so we just say a time to link up and e-mail our thought afterwards.

As it turned out I didn't get to do much, but did a meditation in bed that evening. Mind you I do that most nights so don't actually feel as though I've done it justice.

Well met.

Just started on the pagan path, although I've been to the last two pagan pride festivals in Nottingham.

Having family thats predominately christian or that thinks its a joke its been hard finding out things.

What books would you suggest to help me on my way? Thanks in advance.

LithaR I would recommend Triumph of the Moon by Ronald Hutton. It's heavy going in places, and I suggest reading the second half first. It really is a bit of an eye-opener and will give you a good enough grounding to start spotting those who are full of bullshit from those who are genuine. Philip Hesselton's books are good, if you are interested in the history of Wicca, though it is worth remembering he isn't bound by the same scholarly/academic requirements as Ronald Hutton.

Thank you for the quick reply and for the help.

I always tend to get disuaded by the hypocrites and bullshitters so its good to be forewarned.

I'm considering joining the pagan federation but am unsure how helpful it will be seeing as I don't know very much. >_

The Pagan Federation really depends on where you live. It's pretty dire locally for me, but is good in other areas.

I'm impressed by your writing, CoI.

I'm having a bit of a tough time atm - stuck inside most of the time and missing DS terribly. He's been gone for almost 3 weeks and has another 2 to go. I'm not coping very well anymore!

Welcome, LithaR. I tend to keep my head down and stay quiet about my beliefs because most people make broomstick/ Harry Potter comments. I don't think I've ever announced to my family that I am Pagan but they know I have 'alternative' beliefs. My dad is very outdoorsy, scientific & a bit of an ecowarrior so he's generally quite understanding of my belief in Mother Earth & nature.

My DP (exDP? bit complicated!) was very supportive and wanted to know more which was lovely but unusual.

Hello - me again!

I'm having carpets/ wooden floor fitted atm so my house is finally beginning to feel like a home.

I had a bit of a shock yesterday when I saw a consultant re my dizziness. I've been diagnosed with hearing loss which is most likely progressive. It's only in 1 ear atm but there is a 50% chance it will happen in my other ear too and that I will have permanent tinnitus. I wasn't expecting to find out that my problems were likely to be long-term ones so I'm feeling a bit wobbly today. Oddly, being told what I have made all my symptoms much worse last night! I know the key is to be thankful for what I do have and to carry on so I am trying my hardest to do that.

Hi Grockle, I'm sorry you've had a shock with the diagnosis.
Perhaps there's some comfort in having an accurate diagnosis, at least you know what you're dealing with.

Is there anything that you can do to protect the other ear at all.
I think you're right about having a gratefull attitude, it can make the hard days easier.

Can I light a candle for you later on? A bit of positive energy can't hurt can it.

Thank you CoI - that would be lovely. I'm feeling a little perkier now.

How do you all find fellow pagans, locally? I am feeling the need to do something with somebody. I don't know what - I always loved the idea of going to church because I love the community & social aspect but being a solitary pagan is, well, a bit lonely at times.

I'm very much solitary now out of choice.
I've been part of pagan social groups/covens in the past and found the hierachy a bit too stifling.
For me the best bit of paganism is that there's no-one interceding with 'god' on my behalf.
I dislike the 'everyone has to do the same thing' part of of organised religion.

However someone to discuss faith, philosophy etc would be lovely.

Am I right in thinking your in my neck of the woods Grockle?
I'm in north yorkshire.

Forgot to say that I'm glad you're feeling a bit more settled about your situation today.

Thank you.

I'm about as far from North Yorkshire as I could be! I'm in Dorset. I dislike the heirarchy and dogma that comes from formal groups but I'd really like to hve local group of like-minded parents. We had a lovely group where I lived before but there's nothing here. I'm happy plodding along by myself but it'd be nice too have someone to chat to who doesn't snigger and mention broomsticks! I think that's why I like this thread.

I'm sure there must be pagans down in Dorset, there always seem to be 'the type' on River Cottage programmes on C4.

I know - there must be! I think I need to move to the sticks - they must all be hiding there. Actually, I'd love to live in the sticks. My chickens and rabbits make my garden feel like a farm but the rumble of the bus as it passes the end of my road is a constant reminder that I am in suburbia. Close to the sea, close to the Forest, so pretty good but suburbia nonetheless!

WOW, I am so glad that there a many more like minded mums, I think I find it hard as a Wiccan mum, to find stories and activities for me to do with my DCs (both boys) and teach them more about the craft, DC1 already asks a lot of questions and I'll be blatantly honest, I'm not really sure i know how to answer them all, in a few years time I'll have the same issues with DC2, does anyone know of any good books that could help?.

Most of the books I've come across are american so don't always suit our way of doing things.

In the USA Wicca/Witchcraft is a recognised religion, but for them to be taken seriously they've foung themselves having 'churches' of Wicca with ministers and all the rest of the stuff that goes with an organised religion.
This is often reflected in their books for children.

Sorry, that's not much help is it.
Maybe we should write our own!!!

Hi all, my little girl was given a beautiful book for Yule by her Goddess parents a couple of years ago, it's called Luna Moon Hare by Wendy Andrew. I don't know if any of you have it but it really is beautiful, it follows Luna through the wheel of the year introducing the Sabbats and some Goddess'. It's a favourite of my daughter who is almost 5. My friend who gave her the book is a High Priestess and a wonderful artist and I've been trying to get her to write a book for the children of pagans for years. She has finally started one so I'll keep on at her till it's finished but as with a lot of us pagans it'll get done in her own sweet time!
Bright Blessings.xxx

That book looks wonderful but is unavailable now. Shame, it's so hard to find sensible pagan books for children.

Thats interesting, ChildOfIsis - I lived in the US for years and never came accross a 'church' for Wiccans. In fact, the pagans I know were similar to me in that they tended to keep their beliefs to themselves and were, for the mostpart, solitary. Some used to go to the local Unitarian church which somehow encompasses all the major religions but I always felt confused about how they managed that.

Merry Meet!

Quite why it has taken me all this time to find this thread but hooray, I have.

I've trodden quite a solitary pagan path for a while - it's not a journey enthusiastically greeted by family but I do have many pagan friends and now regularly attend open rituals. Although this solitary approach has been lonely at times I think I've learnt more from it than perhaps rushing in and adopting a particular path from the outset. As it is, I now find myself drawn in a direction that is ever more right but which would have surprised me back in the days when I realised the pagan way was the right one for me.

I do find that the organised hierarchy can sometimes have a dispiriting effect on those newer to paganism though. It is very easy to find yourself believing that your knowledge and beliefs count for little since you haven't "worked hard enough" or for long enough and thus, in some strange way, you cannot yet call yourself a "real pagan".

In my view, it is what is in your heart and soul that count and actually, there's no prescribed time limit by which your beliefs can be given credence.

BB.

Hello Pandemoniaa, I agree completely.

I believe we're all capable of amazing, talented actions given the opportunity.
Our age and experience have little to do with our inate ability.

Granted long life and experience can bring wisdom to some, although not always to those who run 'groups'.

Hello pandemoniaa, what a lovely post. And so true.

Hope everyone is well. I'm meant to be returning to the uk tonight but am nervously watching the horror of Hurricane Irene & hopig everyone in it's path stays safe.

The energy in the universe is incredibly humbling.