General Chat

Marian Green and Ann Moura are 2 other good witchy authors.

A great first book which is a veyr basic introduction to PAGANISM (rather than the paths under that umbrella) would be

Paganism by Vivianne Crowley (published by Thorsons First Directions)

Blurb on the back

" Paganism... is the worship of the ancient pre-Christian gods of our ancestors and of our lands"

Again, you'll always find somebody who practises slightly differently to how it's described in here, but it's a great general intro.

Laura

I like the idea of the more original path which I believe is Paganism as opposed to Wicca. So I think that will be where I would start from .

Laura any suggestion of a first book for me to read please? I Haven't the funds at the mo to buy more than one at a timexx

Don't worry Alkopaghuntas - I agree 100%
There are others who point out similarities that's all

So, what are your views on paganism then?

Thanks Laura :-)

I'll make a note of those authors too lol

I think Laura was drawing parralells rather than saying the two are the same Alko....

Laura i am not a Pagan, I am a catholic, They are two seperate enterties.

Wicca was 'created' by Gerald Gardiner in 1950s but there are roots that go further back, though how much further back is disputed. He was here in Britain, but Raymond Buckland was more in the states.

It is paganism, most definitely, but not for everyone.

Living Wicca is one of the first books I read, along with Cunningham's Wicca for the Solitary Practicioner.

Depends which side of the path you're into.

'Wicca' would be looking for authors like Janet and Stewart Farrar. Not my path though, so may be more appropriate things.

Authors I have books by and enjoy - Emma Restall Orr, Phillip Carr Gomm, Phillip Shallcrass, Scott Cunningham, Vivianne Crowley, Ralph Harvey, will have a look on my bookshelf for some more :)

I can completely understand time contraints with uni etc, I got into paganism just before starting my degree. What is useful though is meeting up with local people at a 'moot' (gathering). MOst areas have one a month, and you can find details on those websites- Pagan Federation is a good one to start.

Pagan festivals are much older than christian ones the christians used the original festival , and adopted them as christian

Isn't Wicca relatively new, invented in the states, and not real pagansism at all?

I would like to know more about paganism, I've noted those sites you've mentioned Laura. It's just finding time at the moment with all the reading I have to do for my degree, plus the big pile of books I have for my own personal pleasure.

Laura as well as the websites you've mentioned are there any books that you could recommend?

I have no problems with it being outside the Christian church whatsoever as am not a follower of any religion or philosophy.

Also don't like the idea of Satanism so that all sits well with me.xx

ONE OF MINE
LIVING WICCA BY SCOTT CUNNIMGHAM

Teresa you've hit the nail on the head!

Caz - you do get people who call themselves Christian Witch or Christian Druid, though I struggle with this concept personally.

Part of the attractiveness of this path though, is that you can almost create your own path and beliefs within a certain structure.

Some would say Roman Catholicism is VERY close to paganism. You may see Mary as the Goddess etc

Laura

I think most Christian festivals were set to coincide with existing pagan and celt festivals, mostly to make it easier to incorporate a Christian life into the communities they had converted.

It's a fascinating subject I must admit, and I especially like the idea of total respect and cohesion with all of nature, something amiss within most Christian beliefs, in that it is widely felt that we are superior to all other living things.

Not really, it's pretty open. The word Pagan covers a LOT of branches!
One thing I would point out is that most pagans would not class Satanists to be Pagan.

Joan - I as a pagan would not feel comfortable being a christian godparent. In pagan families there are 'naming' ceremonies and such like where you may ask friends to be like guides for your children, but it's not quite the same as christenings.

Was she a godparent before she realised she was pagan?

Mostly it's that we honour the earth and ALL it's inhabitants, try not to do harm to others, work with the earth, many believe in god and goddess, the balance of female and male rather than a male God only. Others believe in 'spirit' (a more druidic thing I think), some are pantheists and believe in many gods and goddesses (like the ancient celts/greeks etc)

Laura

Paganism is definitelyt OUTSIDE the Christian church

Muffles,


I strongly believe in God but am also attracted to the earthiness and nature loving of paganism,


Would love to know more,


Cazzles xxx

Mainly fiction so far Laura.......but they have fired my interest as they are written by a historian and are broadly historically accurate xx

Yes I'd read that most Christian festivals coincide.

Are there any specific no no's for you...by that I mean is there anything specific you have to do or not do? xx

Can i ask which books Muffy?

x