What is Paganism and being a Pagan Mean?

I often get asked about what is Paganism and what constitutes being a pagan.

I find Wikipedia a great source of information. Here are some snippets I took to help you understand what the word Pagan and Paganism really means.

Incidently (or maybe not so) the growth of Pagans and Pagan religions is at an all time high at this point in time.

Remember too that whilst it is accepted by many that witches and pagans are synonomous. That Witchcraft exists in ALL religions - not just Pagan ones


Paganism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: "Both 'pagan' and 'heathen' have historically been used as a pejorative by adherents of monotheistic religions (such as Judaism, Christianity and Islam) to indicate a disbeliever in their religion. 'Paganism' is also sometimes used to mean the lack of (an accepted monotheistic) religion, and therefore sometimes means essentially the same as atheism. 'Paganism' frequently refers to the religions of classical antiquity, most notably Greek mythology or Roman religion, and can be used neutrally or admiringly by those who refer to those complexes of belief. However, until the rise of Romanticism and the general acceptance of freedom of religion in Western civilization, 'paganism' was almost always used disparagingly of heterodox beliefs falling outside the established political framework of the Christian Church. It has more recently (from the 19th century) been used admiringly by those who believe monotheistic religions to be confining or colourless.

Christianity itself has been perceived at times as a form of paganism by followers of the other Abrahamic religions[3][4]because of, for example, the Christian doctrine of the Trinity, the celebration of pagan feast days[5], and other practices [6] - through a process described as "baptising" [7]or "christianization". Even between Christians there have been similar charges of paganism levelled, especially by Protestants[8],[9], towards the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches for their veneration of the saints and images.

Pagan religions

The pagan religions are divided into two great groups: the American Paganism and the European (or classic) Paganism.



* Ancient Greek religion
* Ancient Near East Paganism
* Celtic polytheism
* Baltic paganism
* Finnish paganism
* Germanic paganism
* Paganism in the Eastern Alps
* Slavic paganism
* Egyptian Paganism


Neopaganism

In another sense, as used by modern practitioners, Paganism is a polytheistic, panentheistic, or pantheistic religious practice, often nature-based. Most Pagans consider themselves to be religious, however some others use the term for a form of Atheism, Agnosticism, or philosophy. Neopaganism includes reconstructed religions such as Hellenic polytheism, Celtic Reconstructionist Paganism, and the many Germanic revivals such as Ásatrú, Heathenry, Norse paganism and Theodism. Due to the fact that Reconstructionist religions are polytheistic revivals and elaborations based on surviving cultural practices, many Reconstructionists prefer to be called Pagans, not Neopagans. It might best be assessed that they inhabit a grey area between Pagan and Neopagan.

Also categorised as Neopagan are religions such as Forn Sed, Neo-druidism, Longobardic Odinism, Lithuanian Romuva, and Slavic Rodoverie that also claim to revive an ancient religion rather than reconstruct it, though in general the difference is not absolutely fixed.

Modern eclectic traditions such as Discordianism, and Wicca and its many offshoots are Neopagan, although Wiccans and Wiccan-influenced Neopagans may also refer to themselves simply as "Pagan".

Modern nature religion

Many current Pagans in industrial societies base their beliefs and practices on a connection to Nature, and a divinity within all living things, but this may not hold true for all forms of Paganism, past or present. Some believe that there are many deities, while some believe that the combined subconscious spirit of all living things forms the universal deity. Paganism pre-dates modern monotheism, although its origins are lost in prehistory.

Never Divine Against Another's Free Will - Rule of Three!

I received this letter for a member of our community that I wanted to share with you - whilst protecting their identity.

It is a great reminder of the importance of NOT divining against another's free will. The Law of Three - Click Here for more info on it - does come into play - every time!

Dear Ms. Arabella Jolie,

I have received many of your emails talking about love spells. I've been a witch at that time for about four years. The reason I decided to follow the wiccan faith was at first desperate for love in my life.

Not just anyone to love me but, to gain the favor of a particular person, the father of my children.

I too became a witch because I fell in love with the love that the goddess had to offer.

How ever in due time I became to understand the importance and the depth of what it means to be a witch.

I understand the great power that comes along with being a witch which frankly scared the living pants off of me.

When I did spells to help me keep my home and it worked ( I had to fight in court). It was great but too, kind of scary.

The love spells were the real kicker. I understand the 3 fold law but I was so desperate to have that man, I didn't care what happened. I bound him too me: two weeks later I got pregnant.

I did a lust spell on him. He wouldn't leave me alone but it wasn't a good thing all we did was argue because we clashed as we were not meant to be together.

Because of the lust spell, 3 days later our sex was so different. He was way too into me, it was as if he needed to me drink me in tearing me, biting me. I liked it but it was obvious to me that it was the lust spell that was making him do this.

Yes I had him, sometimes it was great, other times a living hell as he became controlling.

Sometimes he would say to me "I don't even know why I came". In my head I said, "I do".

I've found that a person has to have a strong sence of moral to be a witch, to be really responsible. In witch craft you're dealing with the good and bad and it takes a strong person to be able to balance that.

This is a letter from a real person - and it tells a real story of the heart ache they caused themselves by divining against another's free will in their desperate attempt to get love.

What I admire about this person is their ability to learn and not repeat mistakes - I take my hat off to them, and hope that you reading this do not end up learning the hard way (and it's pretty awful) like they did.

BB

Arabella

Don't Worry So Much About Spell Casting!!!

Don't Worry So Much About Spell Casting in Witchcraft!!!

I remember the first time I cast a spell -- at least I remember worrying about the first spell that I cast!

The particular spell I chose had to be done at night in the light of a full moon. I remember that I had to either raise a chalice of a potion that I mixed together up to the moon for 15 minutes, or leave the open chalice beneath the moon's light for the night, retrieving it before daylight.

I chose the latter, as my neighborhood was rather congested, and I didn't want to attract attention. I followed the directions, feeling the power of the moon in the night and blessing the Goddesses for their gifts.

The next day before dawn, I retrieve the chalice and buried it per instructions for thirty days.

During those thirty days, I worried that I hadn't gotten the measurements correct for the potion, didn't have the chalice in exactly the right location to receive the moon's direct beams for the longest period of time, and on and on and on. I did exactly what I shouldn't do when spell casting -- I doubted myself.

My spell was cast with an open heart. That belief was all I should have been concerned about. The universe understands intention and meaning, and after a spell is cast, it is time to leave the rest to the universe.

The spells that I cast after that first spell were done have been more successful because I have cast them, then let them go, knowing that they will be fulfilled to the good of the recipient.

Discover Your Personal Power Through Witchcraft

Blessings,
Arabella Jolie

Don't Worry So Much About Spell Casting in Witchcraft!!!

My Spell Didn't Work - So Witchcraft Doesn't Work!

"Witchcraft doesn't work - so my spell didn't work!"

I sometimes receive emails from people saying exactly that to me. They cast a spell yesterday, last week, a couple of weeks ago and it didn't produce the results they desired.

A couple of things I say consistently in response to that are:

The foundation of witchcraft is based on belief – believing that something you desire can and will happen. Like attracts like.

So the key is for you to be in that position of believing that you have the power to create what you desire, and the spell is your vehicle to do this. Otherwise, no amount of spell casting or magick making will work.

The power comes from the witch themselves – and everyone has that power.

When you decide you have that, then you will see spells working for you very quickly.

So that is how you begin, then when you have cast your spell...

If you are waiting (think fingers drumming on the table top, or waiting expectantly for it to materialize) for the spell to happen - your energy and focus is actually on that it 'might not happen' - whereas the key to casting a spell is to know with absolutely certainty it will happen for you and then you let it go. Waiting is not a factor as you know it is going to happen.

You do not cast a spell and then expect it to happen overnight or within a week - as again that is telling that your energy is on fear, anxiety and that it may not happen.

YOU are the key to the spell working - and it is about you having that certainty of what you want to have happen will - you can feel it as if it is your reality now.

I can promise you that when you fully, truly and deeply believe that what you want to have happen will - to the point that you can see, feel, touch and taste it - it will eventuate.

Because...LIKE ATTRACTS LIKE - the energy you put out will come back to you in like. If you focus on hoping, worrying or wondering if it will happen - you will stay in that state - it wont eventuate. When you trust, know and accept it as a certainty - so it becomes.

Discover Your Personal Power Through Witchcraft

Arabella

"Witchcraft doesn't work - so my spell didn't work!"

Protecting Your While Working With Witchcraft

Here's another little spell I wanted to share with you when working with magick and spell casting:

Protecting Yourself While Working With Witchcraft Magick

There are other things that you will need to do in order to keep yourself safe. All spell work should begin with some ritual to cleanse and protect the space you are working in. Some call this “Casting the Circle.” There are an endless number of variations on ways to prepare your space. Some are more complicated than other. The important thing is to find a ritual that works well for you personally. Below are two options, the first being more simple.

To Prepare and Cleanse a Sacred Space Spell I

Tools and Ingredients

Alter or Sacred Space
Salt

Step 1. Lightly sprinkle salt in a circle around yourself while speaking the following words: I consecrate this place/ for the Goddess within and without/ Only love and good can remain/ hate and evil are cast out.

To Prepare and Cleanse a Sacred Space Spell II

Tools and Ingredients

Alter or Sacred Space
Ceremonial knife
One white candle
One red candle
One blue candle
One black candle


Step 1. Imagine your space as a circle and set the candles around it. Place the white candle at a point facing East, the red candle at point facing South, the blue candle at a point facing West and the black candle at a point facing North. If you are using an alter, it is best to position it in the Northern corner.

Step 2. Carrying the knife, go to the Eastern corner and light the candle. Rise and remain facing East. You will now trace a pentagram (five-pointed star) in the air using the knife. Begin at the top of the pentagram and go down to the left, continuing until you return to the top. As you trace the pentagram, speak the following words: I invoke the East and Power of Air/ I call on the Breath of the Goddess/ Protect and guide me.

Step 3. Carrying the knife, go to the Southern corner and light the candle. Rise and remain facing South. You will now trace a pentagram in the air using the knife. Begin at the top of the pentagram and go down to the left, continuing until you return to the top. As you trace the pentagram, speak the following words: I invoke the South and Power of Fire/ I call on the Flame of Her spirit/ Protect and guide me.

Step 4. Carrying the knife, go to the Western corner and light the candle. Rise and remain facing West. You will now trace a pentagram in the air using the knife. Begin at the top of the pentagram and go down to the left, continuing until you return to the top. As you trace the pentagram, speak the following words: I invoke the West and Power of Water/ I call on the Water of Her womb/ Protect and guide me.

Step 5. Carrying the knife, go to the Northern corner and light the candle. Rise and remain facing North. You will now trace a pentagram in the air using the knife. Begin at the top of the pentagram and go down to the left, continuing until you return to the top. As you trace the pentagram, speak the following words: I invoke the North and Power of Earth/ I call on the Earth that is Her body/ Protect and guide me.

Step 6. Complete the ritual by stating, The circle is cast and consecrated/ in the name of the Goddess within and without

Arabella