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The Pagan Inquisition (Questions about Paganism for Pagans)

July 24, 2007 at 6:11 pm by mahud

Questions for Pagans

Ever since I was a teenager (I’m hitting 33 now), when I began thinking about religion, I was also very much entranced by nature, but I never really made the connection. Eventually I became a Christian.

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Now I’m an ex-Christian who is seriously thinking about becoming a Pagan. I have so many questions for anyone willing to share their wisdom, faith and beliefs. I’m not asking everyone to answer all my questions, but if you feel you have something to share with me that might be helpful please don’t hesitate.

Paganism appeals to me on a few levels. I feel a connection with nature. I am suspicious of revelation handed down throughout the ages in written form. I am passionate about mythology, which has given me some second hand insight into Paganism. I feel that the truths of the universe, the real salvation style questions, are no longer important to me, and I believe that Paganism doesn’t place such emphasis on this kind of thing.

Links to helpful websites would also be great, especially blog entries where you might answer any of the questions below, and provide me with some insight into your experiences.

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Choosing a Paganism

Is it OK you be just a ‘Pagan?’

As I understanding it is is an umbrella term used much in the same way as ‘Hinduism’ is used to represent a whole range of different beliefs and practices?

If so, is choosing a specific Pagan path essential?

Nature affirming Pagan

Are you a Pagan because you are drawn or feel a connection with nature?

Do city dwelling Pagans find it difficult to practice in the City?

Living with a community of Pagans

Is it easy finding a community of like-minded Pagans?

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Are there any local Pagan communities where you live, and was it easy to integrate into your community? Perhaps it took a while to find a community that met your needs?

Do you find your community to be a group of loving people who deeply care for others, esp’ outcasts in society?

Is there a kind of leadership? Or are some members considered to be more authoritative than others without any rigid kind of leadership structure.

Is everyone encouraged to play an active role in the community, and look after those members that need more care and attention?

Perhaps you are a solitary Pagan, or your only connecting with Pagans on the internet, how does that work for you?

How do non-Pagans react upon learning you are Pagan?

Pagan Rituals

What is the most basic form of ritual in your Pagan tradition?

How do rituals play a part in your form of Paganism?

If you didn’t practice rituals would you be considered non-Pagan?

Can rituals be a guiding influence both inside and outside of the community?

Do Rituals have a transformative effect on you as an individual and as a group, and can ritual “break through’ to the otherworld, another realm or reality?

Have you ever met anyone, or heard about, anyone become mentally ill by participating in a Ritual.

Can ritual be in any other way dangerous?

Pagan ‘gods’

How do Pagan ‘gods’ have an active role in your life?

Do some pagans create their own gods?

Finally

Are there any more worthwhile things I might need to know?

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41 Comments (Have your say)

  1. Jeff | Druid Journal

    Comment on July 24, 2007 at 7:39 pm

    Dude, Mahud —

    You should CHARGE pagan bloggers for this list! It’s an absolutely AWESOME list of things to blog about!

    In fact, I’m considering taking this list and creating a blog post out of my answers to the questions. Each question really deserves its own blog post, though…

  2. Rick Cockrum

    Comment on July 25, 2007 at 2:30 am

    You might be interested in the book Drawing Down the Moon by Margot Adler. Amazon still carries it. It’s an exploration of modern paganism. It was first published in 1979 and has had several updates.

  3. Allyson

    Comment on July 25, 2007 at 4:43 am

    Yes, it’s okay to self-identify as “just” pagan. Some reconstructionists of older religions will get a bit antsy about the title, but so what? If you have not chosen a particular faith, but are sampling the history and beliefs of many, then the term “pagan” is more than acceptable, in my opinion. I would much rather you honestly call yourself “generic pagan” or “seeking pagan” than “Wiccan” or “Witch,” without knowing what those terms truly mean.

    I don’t believe choosing a particular path is essential… however I do find that a path usually chooses you at some point. You will be studying along one line or another, and soemthing historical will catch your eye repeatedly, or perhaps you hear the call of some God in some way. Suddenly, your path becomes at least partially defined for you.

    I am pagan, am beginning an investigation into Hellenic paganism. I am, at this particular moment, of no particular path. :)

    Nature is important to me, because my Gods are intimately connected with nature and things natural. My love of nature comes out in my garden, my canning and preserving of foods, my raising chickens for eggs and meat, and other such activities. I am not horribly interested in marching on Washington DC with environmentalist groups… it is not my personal priority. I am currently a “rural” girl, but grew up in a city. I didn’t find it that difficult to connect to nature at all. We would go to the park, for rituals, at times… I had a patio garden in one house, and a balcony pot garden in the apartment I lived in. You find your ways to connect… it’s very personal. It need not be “a log cabin in the woods with no running water” as some might claim. :)

    I have never really enjoyed interacting with the larger pagan community. I find there is the usual amount of backbiting and infighting, and it bothers me. But such is the price of organization and mainstreaming. I run a small group called Amber Moon, and we do our own little thing. We have a small community of our own, currently planning on moving en masse to New Hampshire. Long term plans, though… next summer, or the year after. When I was young, I spent a few years amongst the “up and coming” pagans, ran my public rituals, etc… now I only do public things once in a while, usually in response to an invitation.

    Pagan rituals come in as many flavors as paganism itself. The most common one (ie the one that is most published) is the Circle, where one uses a magickal knife or wand to create sacred space that is assumed to be “between the worlds” of spirit and our “real” world. I still use this for group functions, both because it is most recognizable by everyone, and because it simply works well in groups.

    Rituals themselves are not dangerous, per se, although if someone does not ground well afterward (and grounding can be as simple as having a meal immediately after ritual… a common practice), it can cause ticks and twitches. Energy is an odd thing, and some people just get twitchy about it. I know of no one who has been driven insane by ritual of any kind, actually. I do know a few people with metal illnesses (schizophrenia, to be exact) who find a lot of benefit to ritual, because it gives them focus and reality when sometimes that’s hard for them to find.

    The Gods are real, imo. I certainly believe so… although “belief” is not really a part of it. I talk to my Gods and they respond, sometimes quietly in my mind, in the manner of stray thoughts, and sometimes, very rarely and wonderfully, they speak to me directly. This is called “gnosis”, or knowledge, in reference to deity. In particular, my gnosis is “UPG” or “unverified personal gnosis” (no one outside of myself experienced it). However, I back up my personal experiences with research, whenever possible. :)

    There are thousands of things that are useful to know. You’re welcome to look at my wiki, if you wish: http://paladinwiki.cyberpaladin.com/index.php/Wicca:Mainpage
    You may find some of it useful (the media list, for instance grin). Mind’n'Magick is my current “online home” so to speak: http://www.mind-n-magick.com/forum/YaBB.pl

    Email me, if you wish. :)

  4. kay

    Comment on July 26, 2007 at 1:55 am

    In fact, I’m considering taking this list and creating a blog post out of my answers to the questions. Each question really deserves its own blog post, though…

    I second that! I’m considering the same thing. :)

  5. Aquila ka Hecate

    Comment on July 27, 2007 at 3:07 am

    Jeff’s right, you know Mahud- you should bloody charge us for such excellent blog-spiration!

    Since I’m about to take 2 weeks’ leave from work, I’ll use your questions in my next blog post.

    It may take a while, as I have to be absolutely sure that the Fraud Department won’t fall apart while I’m gone (Fraud-what an excellent sphere for a double Scorpio to work in!), but I’ll definitely get back to you on this- and hopefully, shed some light on my own beliefs at the same tume.

    Love,
    Terri in Joburg

  6. mahud

    Comment on July 27, 2007 at 6:35 am

    @ Jeff, Kay, and Terri: Please please PLEASE! blog about these questions. I really would love to read what you have to say :D

    I also want to write some follow up posts, combining everyone’s answers with my own research :D

    I guess I’ve missed a nice little earner here, eh? I didn’t think that these questions could be major blogging material ;)

  7. mahud

    Comment on July 27, 2007 at 6:40 am

    @ Rick: I’ve come across a few references to Drawing Down the Moon on various Pagan blogs. It sounds like it has been highly influential, and I’d love to check it out. It’s a shame that my local library doesn’t have a copy.

  8. mahud

    Comment on July 27, 2007 at 7:23 am

    Hi Allyson. Thanks for responding! You answers have given me deeper insight, and helped me think more about the questions themselves.

    I think before calling myself Pagan, I really need to have a better understanding of what is usually meant by pagans themselves, when they define themselves using that term.
    For now, I’ll identify myself as ‘exploring Paganism.’

    Hellenic Paganism could be an probable option for me, as I love Greek Mythology above all Mythologies.

    I’m both of Irish and Anglo-Saxon descent, so I wonder if I should be thinking more about Celtic or Nordic spirituality. but then again, we are not living in an age where our beliefs and such need to be in accord with our ethnicity, so I dunno.

    It’s good to hear that no one you know has had a bad experience with rituals. My concern is that any activity that has a transforming effect on the mind (and I guess the nervous system and the body), might have a negative or a positive effect. I think the dangers could be heightened if you are practicing alone. I guess this is an area where the need for some kind of leadership and guidance is needed. This is a personal worry for me, as I’m basically on my own.

    Thanks for the links. The forum looks cool :D

  9. Allyson

    Comment on July 27, 2007 at 12:16 pm

    Remember that “ritual” is “something repeated.” Brushing your teeth in the morning is (hopefully! lol) a ritual you do each day. Yes, pagan rituals are designed (as are Christian and Jewish and all other religious rituals) to invoke a sense of awe, and love, and connectedness. One does not need a teacher to appreciate that part of it, nor is there a “wrong” way to do it, provided you are not calling yourself something you are not (a practicing Jew would not call himself a Christian, for instance, and so a Hellenic pagan should not call themselves a Wiccan, etc.).

    Unless one has significant mental or emotional issues, you are unlikely to run into any problems doing the basic rituals you will start out with. The best ritual to start with, imo, is simply to pick a time each day to begin meditation practice. I’m not a morning person, so my devotions are done at bedtime, and I kneel down before my altar, and offer a few sips of wine to Dionysus and Hecate (my Gods). Then I settle in a comfortable position, and relax my mind, trying to clear it of the clutter of the day. There are many books out there on meditation that you can look at. :)

    This is a ritual that has positive physical benefits (doctors everywhere laud the effects of daily meditation on blood pressure and general health) and mental benefits (psychological studies show that people who meditate daily have better retention of information in both short and long term memory). And even better, from my personal point of view, is that you can take that time each day to sift through what you’ve learned about mythology, and to “mentally pick through” it all and see what feels right. Any good teacher will balance personal gnosis (gnosis meaning knowledge, and meaning a personal experience of godhead in some form or other) with much research, and meditation time is the time to set out the feelers in order to spark that gnosis.

    It has been my experience that explorations into Gods and mythologies is best started in a student’s personal, biological and cultural background. So for you, that would be Celtic and Nordic spiritualities, which are actually somewhat related, historically speaking. :) That may not be where you stop… I started learning Hungarian and Scottish mythology, because those are the cultures I was exposed to as a child, but it was the Greek gods that called to me personally. But it gives you a good place to start.

    Good luck to you!

  10. Matt Stone

    Comment on July 27, 2007 at 11:40 pm

    Hi, stumbled upon your blog, found it interesting, and thought I should poke my head up. While choosing to go with Paganism is entirely up to you I should point out that there are nature affirming ways of practicing Christianity. And appreciation of ritual and mythology can also be accomodated, or at least that’s my experience. So personally I would say the deeper distinction is to be found in whether or not one can accomodate polytheism or not - that’s where the two traditions are truly like oil and water.

  11. Hecate Demetersdatter

    Comment on July 28, 2007 at 8:18 pm

    Have you read Drawing Down the Moon by Margot Adler? Her updated version covers a lot of your questions.

  12. mahud

    Comment on July 29, 2007 at 11:59 am

    Allyson

    Thanks for expanding up the ritual question. My fears are because of mental and emotional issues, but you have helped to put things into perspective.

    I really appreciate you taking the time for me :)

  13. mahud

    Comment on July 29, 2007 at 12:15 pm

    Hi, Matt. You are right. Christians can and do revere nature. I think I’m too far gone to return to Christianity, unless something miraculous happens…which it might :)

    Regarding Monotheism and Polytheism, and if the two are compatible or not, I’m putting that question on the back burner for the moment. I’m Panentheistic, but am willing to let go of my current beliefs if my spiritual practice leads me in a different direction. I find Polytheism difficult to understand, but I’m not ruling it out.

    Thanks for stopping by ;)

  14. mahud

    Comment on July 29, 2007 at 12:19 pm

    Hi, Hecate. I haven’t read Drawing Down the Moon, but I intend to, as it seems to be highly recommended as a good place to start :)

  15. Cat Chapin-Bishop

    Comment on July 31, 2007 at 11:33 am

    Whoa! A girl can’t even take a few days vacation without you starting an interesting new thread! I also hope that the several bloggers here who are thinking of doing posts based on your questions will do so–should be interesting (in part because, as my friends like to say, “Put two Pagans into a room together, and you’ll get at least three opinions on any question you ask!”).

    On the monotheism/polytheism question–it’s not as either-or as Matt implies above. That is partly because, like Buddhism, Paganism is more about practice and experience than about shared creeds. I have worked happily and well for many years with Pagans whose pantheons, theologies, and entire orientation towards religion are utterly different from my own. This is partly possible because most Pagans have passed through a “Wicaan phase” at some point–Wiccan ritual winds up being a kind of ritual lingua franca in the Pagan world, sometimes to the not-unmerited resentment of Druids, Heathens, etc–but mainly because, like the polytheists of the ancient world, we don’t believe that everyone must be worshipping the same gods in the same way in order to be “doing it right.” With some tender research and careful collaboration, a supportive Pagan community may well include individuals from many diverse groups from under that Pagan umbrella…and many who term themselves simply “Pagan.”

    As to the question of whether or not ritual can be dangerous to mental health… well, yeah, I think it can, depending on the ritual. I would not recommend, for instance, that someone with a shaky sense of identity take on an ecstatic practice of divine possession, like drawing down the moon or, in some traditions of Heathenism, seidr, without careful guidance and a lot of practice in grounding. Likewise, some people, who trance deeply and easily, will need practice in grounding and perhaps even a companion before taking on prolonged or intense shamanic trance working. The principle here is that it’s important to have firm connections to your sense of self and the here and now before attempting to release them, even temporarily. Of course, many Pagans practice lifelong without undertaking such workings, so that isn’t too much of a stumbling block.

    The big danger, though, is that the gods are real (though to what degree the way we see them is a feature of how we, as individuals, or we, as a culture, view the world, is hard to say) and change happens. Ever hear the old saw, “Be careful what you ask for–you may get it?” Truer words were never spoken! Be advised… don’t pray for strength! You may well get it via the path of the 100,000 knuckle pushups, as assigned by the universe! laughing

    Pagan community is both our great strength and our great weakness as a people. In my experience, Pagans form connections with one another quickly and deeply, but often have a difficult time setting limits and maintaining healthy boundaries in the resulting intimate relationships. That’s partly good–I think most Pagans are consciously engaged in experimenting to find and create new, closer forms of community–and it’s partly terrible. I’ve sometimes joked that there are two sorts of people drawn to creating communities: those with a talent for it, and those with no talent whatsoever for it, but an intense need to be taught how to play nice with others. :)

    Sometimes some really bad things happen in Pagan communities, ranging from the legendary “Witch wars” that happen when two charismatic leaders have a falling out, and yield to the temptation to wage character assasination on each other in public, to the actions of actual predators in community. Because many forms of Paganism draw deliberately on sexual energy to “fuel” magical working, and because most Pagans are sexually liberal, a certain percentage of people are drawn to Paganism hoping, frankly, to get laid… and not all of those people are either nice or ethical. (The story of my own near sexual-assault by Afagddu, told in my Spiritual Journey series in The Fool’s Journey, The Underworld, and Seven of Cups, is not, alas, completely atypical.) Some Pagans are disturbingly authoritarian, and others are so without boundaries that setting limits on wrongdoing can seem “mean” to them, or maybe they just believe that they have what it takes to rescue mean people from being cruel to others. Any way you stack it, the failures in our community relations with each other can be catastrophic, explosive, and colorful. (I have likened the typical Pagan business meeting to a blood sport–as opposed to Quaker business meeting, which I laughingly compare with watching paint dry: dull, but much safer!)

    However, if our blow-outs are terrible, the bonds and connections formed between us can be wonderful. If Afagddu marks one end of my personal spectrum of connections formed within Pagan community, Peter, my husband, is the other end. And not just my husband, but, even after six years of Quaker practice, every single one of my close personal friends is a Pagan I met and bonded with through community building.

    Pagans idealize community, and when we fail at it, we are so often heartbroken. We want to be a powerful, supportive extended family and tribe to one another. Some wonderful things can come out of this, ranging from the typical Pagan Pride day canned goods collection for the local emergency food pantry, to covens that have banded together to drive a member without a car to weekly chemotherapy sessions–and eventually to buy the family a used car–and Pagans across country who banded together to secure tens of thousands of dollars to assist an uninsured High Priestess in raising the money to receive a liver transplant.

    When we are good, we are very, very good. When we are bad… we show clearly that we are a new religion, and that idealism is not always the same as skill. (One reason I write Quaker Pagan Reflections is that I hope that my Pagan people can perhaps begin to borrow some things from my Quaker people to assist with our community process. Quakers have 350 years of practice, after all, and they seem to have figured out a few ways of dealing with the mess of being human.)

    In short, two of the most important lessons I’ve learned about people I learned in Pagan community: 1. Sooner or later, your community is going to fail you, and eventually it will fail you badly. 2. The path to God(s) lies directly through loving our human spiritual communities–flawed and troubled though inevitably will be.

    Laughing

    See, I’ve written a book here, and only handled a tiny number of your questions!

    Seriously, if you haven’t read it yet, you might want to look at my Spiritual Journey series–any of the linked chapters in it mentioned above will get you to a table of contents in the series–which is my memoir of my own explorations in these questions. (I haven’t even started the Quaker piece yet.) And, of course, if no one has yet mentioned it to you, allow me to be the first to recommend the most complete and useful of all Pagan websites, the illustrious Witches’ Voice. I am also very, very fond of Deo’s Shadow, a Pagan podcast that is the product of a funny guy with an interest in philosophy and a terrific show, and Jason Pitzl-Waters’ blog, The Wild Hunt.

    Books I’d recommend (and you may need to explore either interlibrary loan or purchase for some of these) Starhawk’s The Spiral Dance and Adler’s Drawing Down the Moon, Judy Harrow’s Wicca Covens, maybe Laura Wildman’s Celebrating the Pagan Soul–I’m a bit prejudiced there, because essays by Peter and me made it into the book–and, for history and if you are interested, Ronald Huttons Stations of the Sun and Triumph of the Moon.

  16. mahud

    Comment on August 2, 2007 at 11:03 pm

    See, I’ve written a book here, and only handled a tiny number of your questions!

    I wish you had written more actually, hehe. I didn’t want your words to come to an end. I’ve read all of your Spiritual Journey series, and I feel the same way when reading it too. I think I’ve learned more from your series about the spirit of Paganism than anywhere else. It would make a great book ;)

    The principle here is that it’s important to have firm connections to your sense of self and the here and now before attempting to release them, even temporarily.

    I’ve been curious to know what is actually meant by the term ‘grounding.’ I’ve been coming across it a lot, but was entirely sure what it meant. I’m reading about Shamanism at the moment, which also talks about the need for grounding.

    Witches Voice is a brilliant site. I’ve read a few article already. Thanks for the link to that. I already have Deo’s shadow in my feed reader :)

    And thanks for the book recommendations. Our local library has a copy of The triumph of the moon, so I’ve requested a copy.

    I appreciate the time you’ve spent, Cat, on answering my many questions :)

  17. Nobody Expects the Pagan Inquisition! « Pagan Godspell

    Pingback on August 5, 2007 at 4:51 pm

    […] at Between Old and New Moons (a fabulously gorgeous blog title, BTW) has posted a series of thought-provoking questions for Pagans in his search for a spiritual path that appeals to him. The resulting list of questions are, as […]

  18. E

    Comment on August 6, 2007 at 3:48 am

    I also think of Pagan as a generic, umbrella term. However, I don’t thing it’s necessary to choose a specific path. It’s not necessary to choose a specific Christian denomination in order to be Christian, though it might be common to do so. Many, if not most, Pagans are eclectic solitary.

    I am not a Pagan because of a connection with nature. I’m Pagan because the theology makes the most sense to me and touches my heart in a way other paths haven’t. I’m certainly a city witch. Although I do enjoy camp-outs and festivals in the country, my day-to-day practice is in the city.

    I’ve been Pagan for 20 years. Though it hasn’t been too difficult to find other pagans, an actual community hasn’t been as common. I have a couple of groups of pagan friends, Some I’ve know for years, others are new. I live in a large metroplex area with many pagans but don’t have one community that meets all of my needs. In general, Pagans seem to be more open-minded and welcoming in general. However, they are just people. Not everyone fits with everyone. My “community” is a group of various friends, not a coven or a tradition. Thus, there’s not a formal leadership or authority. We do encourage folks to participate as they are interested and able. Generally, people are considerate of other’s specials needs

    Though I am solitary, my community is more in person than on the internet. However, I greatly enjoy the broad community feeling that comes from reading blogs or listening to podcasts from folks all over the country or world. I get great comfort, enjoyment and learning from hearing of the news, thoughts, efforts and experiences of others.

    I am not very “out” as a pagan. Though I will answer truthfully if directly asked. Most non-Pagans, don’t really want to know. I’m comfortable using generic language in public or work situation. The non-Pagans who know I am Pagan were already known to be spiritually open-minded. They might have been surprised but not disturbed.

    For me, the most basic form of ritual would be circle casting or spellwork. Ritual is part of how I community with the Gods, Deity, Spirit, Whatever. It is a focus: both a prayer and meditation, an affirmation and confirmation, an expression and symbol, a giving and receiving. I do know folks identify as pagan but are “non-practicing” or philosophical pagans. It’s not up to me to define someone else’s path.

    In my opinion and experience, rituals can be a guiding influence, can have a transformative effect and can “break through’ to the otherworld, another realm or reality. Even so, I have never know or heard of anyone who has become mentally ill by participating in a Ritual. Ritual dangerous? Possibly. Have you every know anyone to be hurt by any religion activity? It can and does happen in every religion. My suggestion would be to not do anything you are not comfortable with or anything with people you are not comfortable with.

    My Gods are as active in my life as I allow them to be. Is any God of any religion real? I am dedicated to two specific Gods. They are as real to me as “Jesus” is to some Christians. I’ve heard their words a couple times, have followed their guidance at times and have not paid attention at others. Do some pagans create their own gods? Perhaps. I do appreciate the blessings of the goddess Asphalta everything an empty parking space is right where I need it. ; )

    Are there any more worthwhile things to know? Yes, lots more! Keep asking questions. It’s a path of constant learning and growth.

  19. Jane

    Comment on August 7, 2007 at 5:27 pm

    This is such a great idea!

    I’m also a former Christian (Catholic) who’s struggling with similar issues of identification. I don’t necessarily feel a need to “label” myself, but I feel uncomfortable when asked to discuss/describe my beliefs because I don’t know what the words mean to others–only what they mean for me. At this point, I suppose I’d describe myself as pagan because my spiritual practice is earth-based, panentheistic, and Goddess-oriented, and therefore doesn’t fit neatly under any other umbrella. I also feel comfortable using the term “Witch” to describe myself, which (to me, at least) describes HOW I live my spiritual practice (magick and ritual). I don’t feel comfortable describing myself “Wiccan” or any other term that is tradition-specific, simply because I’m not quite sure what those terms mean.

    It’s all semantics in the end, I suppose.

    I look forward to reading more answers to your questions!

  20. mahud

    Comment on August 7, 2007 at 11:13 pm

    Hi, E. Thanks for answering all my questions. I really appreciate it. Everyone’s contributions are really helping me to build a picture in my mind of what Paganism is all about.

    Hi, Jane. Thanks for commenting. I’m looking forward to more answers too.

    Part of the reason why I asked if it was ok to be ‘just a pagan,’ is because no particular path within Paganism really appeals to me, which is strange because Paganism as a whole really does appeal to me. I don’t know how much sense that makes.

    It’s good to know (based on everyone’s answers so far) that I can be considered a legitimate pagan, without subscribing to a particular path :)

  21. The Pagan Inquisition! « Druid’s Apprentice

    Pingback on August 8, 2007 at 3:18 am

    […] 7, 2007 The Pagan Inquisition! Posted by nettle under druid  Mahud, over at Between the Old and New Moons, is exploring Paganism and posted a great list of questions about Paganism for Pagans to answer. […]

  22. Nettle

    Comment on August 8, 2007 at 3:26 am

    Hi Mahud! I gave my answers to your questions over on my blog at http://nettle.wordpress.com/2007/08/07/the-pagan-inquisition/

    I think they’re great questions and you have gotten some fantastic answers. Thanks for giving us an excuse to do this. I understand exactly what you mean by “no particular path within Paganism really appeals to me, which is strange because Paganism as a whole really does appeal to me.” I was that way for years - I knew I was a Pagan but didn’t identify with any of the traditions I found. I was very glad when I finally found something that fit.

  23. The (Executive) Pagan Inquisition « Executive Pagan

    Pingback on August 8, 2007 at 11:17 am

    […] 8, 2007 in paganism, religion Mahud at Between Old and New Moons is asking about paganism (thanks to Sara for the link). He has issued a general request for responses; this is […]

  24. Erik

    Comment on August 8, 2007 at 11:20 am

    Hi Mahud,
    I think you can already see this via pingback, but I wanted to let you know that I’ve posted my response to these questions over at http://executivepagan.wordpress.com

  25. Erik

    Comment on August 8, 2007 at 11:25 am

    Hellenic Paganism could be an probable option for me, as I love Greek Mythology above all Mythologies.

    I’m both of Irish and Anglo-Saxon descent, so I wonder if I should be thinking more about Celtic or Nordic spirituality. but then again, we are not living in an age where our beliefs and such need to be in accord with our ethnicity, so I dunno.

    Sounds a lot like me, actually. I’m half German and another part British in ancestry, so one would think that Heathenism of some variety would be my natural choice… but it was the Theoi who called me, and in the end it’s the best fit - these are the ancestral Gods of our entire Western culture, and this religion has allowed me to reconnect to my culture in a way that I lost when I left Christianity.

  26. Allyson

    Comment on August 8, 2007 at 4:16 pm

    It’s okay not to have a specific path. Many don’t. I know I’d respect someone for searching dilligently while practicing as best they can on their own, much more than someone who picked up the first thing they came across and practiced it without understanding within themselves. Honesty, especially self-honesty, is a part of all the Mystery traditions, and is vitally important, imo, to growth.

  27. Maebius Musing » The Pagan inquisition - questions from another blog

    Pingback on August 8, 2007 at 6:23 pm

    […] by maebius on 08 Aug 2007 at 01:16 pm | Tagged as: Esoteric, Druid Over at Between Old and New Moons, there is a list of questions “for pagans about paganism“. I agree with some of the […]

  28. Maebius

    Comment on August 8, 2007 at 6:25 pm

    Excellent set of questions, and definitely something to really ponder and reflect upon! Thanks for inspiring the rest of us to reply. I’ve tried to answer them to the best of my ability here:
    http://everthorn.net/Musing/?p=46

    Give it a read if you’d like. :)

  29. Maebius

    Comment on August 9, 2007 at 4:43 pm

    Oops, fixed my own site to allow commenting properly now. Sorry mahud (and others).

  30. In the Spirit of Chaos » Blog Archive » The Pagan Inquisition Part 1

    Pingback on August 10, 2007 at 3:14 pm

    […] what has become a very popular post, Mahud at “Between Old and New Moons” has asked a series of questions about paganism […]

  31. Cathy

    Comment on August 10, 2007 at 4:18 pm

    Hi Mahoud, Thank you for asking these questions. I’ve answered them on my blog.

  32. Cynthia

    Comment on August 10, 2007 at 5:52 pm

    As promised Mahud I published my short answers.

    Blessed be,
    Cynthia

  33. Cosette

    Comment on August 12, 2007 at 6:00 pm

    Hi. Great questions. I’ve decided to address them in various entries on my blog. I invite you to read and comment.

  34. Yvonne

    Comment on August 12, 2007 at 7:31 pm

    You may find these sites helpful: http://pagantheologies.pbwiki.com/ - Pagan theologies
    http://metapagan.blogspot.com - the world of Pagan blogs

  35. mahud

    Comment on August 13, 2007 at 11:18 am

    Hi, Yvonne. Thanks for the links. The Pagan Wiki, looks promising. I’m already a subscriber to Metapagan. :)

  36. Jarred

    Comment on August 15, 2007 at 8:36 pm

    I’ve started exploring some of your questions over at my blog. Thanks for making me think. ;)

  37. R.E.

    Comment on August 15, 2007 at 11:42 pm

    Really enjoyed the “discussion” here and those your terrific questions generated in blogland. Thanks much. I took a stab at some answers as well.

    Not sure why my link isn’t working, try http://earthspirituality.blogspot.com/

  38. Tracie

    Comment on August 17, 2007 at 9:57 am

    I’m going to answer some of these when I get home this evening, only I shall post it in my own blog. There’s a lot of information to go into and it’s probably better to just write it all up in my own entry. >grin<

  39. mahud

    Comment on August 17, 2007 at 10:21 am

    Hi, Tracie, I’ll keep an eye out for your post. Looking forward to reading your response :)

  40. Tracie

    Comment on August 17, 2007 at 5:00 pm

    Here’s part of a response for you:

    “What is the most basic form of ritual in your Pagan tradition?”

    Definitely the symbel. The symbel is ritual toasting of the Gods and the heroes and ancestors. Boasting or making oaths over the drinking horn is also part of symbel. It is also used for such occasions as birth, death, naming, marriage, graduation, etc. It’s a very flexible rite that can be adapted to serve any life transition a person would go through.

    “Have you ever met anyone, or heard about, anyone become mentally ill by participating in a Ritual?”

    I’m wondering if by “mentally ill” you are including the winners of the Egil Skallagrimsson “Drink Til You Spew” Award. That DOES tend to happen with people who walk the Northern Way. I have to admit that I personally tend to have a lack of patience with those people who think that symbel is just an excuse to get falling-down drunk. I call them “beeratru” which translates as “true to the beer.”
    Other than that – I cannot say that I’ve met anyone or heard about a person becoming mentally ill specifically from participating in ritual.

    “Can ritual be in any other way dangerous?”

    Once again, in my tradition, only if one is trying to go for the “Drink Til You Spew” award. The tradition I follow is not primarily a magical tradition – it is more properly religious in nature as most non-pagan people would understand a religious rite to be. So for the most part, I’d say no, the rites I usually do (devotionals, votive offerings, symbel) would not be dangerous.

  41. An Unfinished Soul » The Pagan Inquisition

    Pingback on October 13, 2007 at 11:24 pm

    […] what has become a very popular post, Mahud at “Between Old and New Moons” has asked a series of questions about paganism […]

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  1. mahud said in “Procrastinating in a major way over the past couple of months”: Thanks R.E! Yeah, I think the therapy has helped, even after a couple of sessions,...
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