A Witch’s View
Lyn Thurman June 1st, 2010
Do you often wonder what the rules are to being Pagan? The Pagan path gives you such freedom and flexibility to worship and connect with the Divine in a way that feels right to you. But it’s also comes with no guide book, no official buildings and no main deity. You really are on your own – even if you belong to a group of like minded people there are no official rules.
I popped on over to dictionary.com and looked up the word ‘pagan’. Here are the definitions:
one of a people or community observing a polytheistic religion, as the ancient Romans and Greeks.
a person who is not a Christian, Jew, or Muslim.
an irreligious or hedonistic person.
Hmmm…interesting. But no help whatsoever. When you think of the whole world then minus the said Christians, Jews and Muslims you’re still left with a whole bunch of Pagans. And they’re all very different. Pagans can be, by definition, Buddhists, Sikhs, Hindus and other people, you know, the ‘Pagan’ Pagans.
I often ponder on what exactly makes me a Pagan and witch. Just for the record it isn’t hedonism – having kids sort of makes that impossible! But seriously, what is that vital spark or criteria which puts you firmly into the Pagan category? What are you rules you follow?
When I have to break it down, these are my 4 rules to being a Pagan:
- Finding the Divine everywhere and in everything
- Reconnecting with the Divine feminine
- Taking a step back from modern day life and looking towards our ancestors for guidance
- Being tolerant and accepting of others
But those are my logical, left brain statements. When I connect with my heart I’m Pagan because it feels right and, as an added bonus, I love to make my own rules!
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I think only some Pagans reconnect with the divine feminine. Others at least appreciate gender egalitarism among the deities.
I think Pagans have more of a reverance for Mother Nature and her creations. Since we aren’t necessary living just to procure a place in Heaven, we actually want our Earth to be Heavenly. I find that to be fairly constant through the Pagans and Witches I meet.
We also believe in energy and spirits more than others
Hails!
As for me, I don’t really have any set ‘rules’ to being Pagan, I just am.
Being aware of the sacredness of all things is a big thing for me though, and so is respecting the Earth and Nature. Increasing spiritually and gaining knowledge and wisdom are also big factors for me, though it is different for every Pagan.
I tend to see Deity as equally male and female (the God and Goddess), rather than more feminine or more masculine etc. I believe that energy can be ‘manipulated’ in order to change things for the better, and that this is called magick.
I am also animistic, believing that everything in Nature has a spirit – every stone, plant, animal, and human – and bears the spark of the Divine within themselves.
This is just my view though, and I understand that Pagans are many and vast – which is a great thing in my opinion. If we were all the same it would be pretty boring
We don’t need any set rules to be Pagan, being able to follow your own path and connect with Deity in the way that feels best to you is one of the greatest things about Paganism!
If you feel Pagan then you are, and that’s all that matters.