Any Pagans? Thinking of taking that path

[Fadeaway]

First of all, I totally get where you are coming from. When I first started I swore one I figured out how to find my path I was going to write a book on how to do that. Now I know why there aren't many books on how find your path.

So you have a clear idea that Wicca isn't for you but you want ritual. I can relate to this.

This is going to turn into a real long post as you gave great answers, so give me a bit to fully respond.

 

[Fadeaway]

was told that these were the main differences between the two... Wiccans believe "Harm none, do what thou will" and Pagans believe in "Do what thou will" period.

This is not true, who ever told you that had very little understanding. Not all wiccans are pagan and as far as pagans being "do what you will" is utter B.S. as pagans may not have a standard moral code like the 10 commandments or the wiccan rede, they are big on perdonal responsibility and stewardship of the earth. Do what you will was Aliester Crowelys(sp?) thing. He wasn't pagan.

Remember that no individual or group can say they represent paganism as a whole.

 

[Lionheart]

Thanks for clarifying @Fadeaway ,

I always wondered if that were true or not. I appreciate you correcting me, I was obviously misinformed. Please forgive my ignorance.

I will bow out of the conversation.

 

[Freida]

I have a book called What's Your Wiccan IQ that is really informative about the basis of Wiccan. Maybe worth a look?

 

[Ronin]

Do what you will was Aliester Crowelys(sp?) thing. He wasn't pagan.

On another hand, Aleister Crowley is very topical on us being a trauma forum.
That with him concretely being quite (documented) abuser, who mostly misused religion as a fancy cover / stole from who he could and made up lineages to lure his victims easier in.

Charming only in an Ozzy song, he.

 

[Friday]

I am curious as to what a non-anthropomorphical higher power would be?

Animals
(just a few well known individuals & general regions listed below, rather than then their parent religion, esp as often shared betwixt individual religions... like Judaeism, Christianity, & Islam all share the same god, most of the angels, and some prophets, but are very different religions and have very different sects within the religions).

- Coyote the Trickster (N America)
- Anansi the Spider (W Africa/Caribbean )
- Quetzalcoatl (Aztec, although feathered serpents date to Olmec)
- Jörmungandr (Norse, also not the only serpent encircling the world)

Geographic Features & Meteorlogical & Astronomical
- Mountains, oceans, rivers, volcanos, etc.
- Storms, snow, spring wind, etc.
- Sun, Moon, Stars

Everything
- I’m thinking Kami, here, from Shintoism. Everything has a kami. Pick a noun, or concept. And then there are whole other levels and layers; Gods, Oni, Yokai, Spirits, etc.
- But it would also probably include the meta everything instead of individual everything, like Nirvana / Source/ etc..

Both Anthropomorphic & Not
- Hinduism, Hawaiian, & Ancient Egyptian religions are a blend of anthropomorphic and not (think elephant headed Ganesha, Tutu Pele the volcano goddess, falcon headed Horus).
- Many many many religions include both anthropomorphic dieties/spirits as well as not. Loki for example was people shaped, but his kids were a wolf (fenrir) a snake (jörmungandr), as well as a girl (hel)... Hinduism is another, Shintō another, etc.

***ETA*** I’m taking pagan to mean polytheistic, rather than the New Age movement

 

[Ronin]

what I have been seeking is more about ritual?

If it helps any...

You already *have* rituals, too, though.
Every time you wake up. Open your eyes. Brush your teeth. Walk your dog. Go to work. Open one specific door, or another. The steps you take. The routes you do. The things you look at. The... everything.

Just because that is not thought of as ritual(istic) so often because oh, just another day, does not mean it aint profound. :D Or something that can be expanded on.

So maybe to look for people who see ritual in where you do / similar opportunities & schedules?

And that means I am not going to be pursuing shamanism as it's not my culture in anyway.

Makes sense, though also: Some define shamanism, as simply spirit / nature work.

The specific shamanisms varying by culture(s) & their methods are theirs to live by / invite or called into only, but the work itself, is not (mighta say might find you) :)

 

[Eagle3]

Just wanted to reiterate what Ronin said. I don't have any specific cultural framework for my pursuit of shamanism. I have done some cultural-specific reading, but the practices I follow are the ones Nature and the spirits give me themselves. My shamanic practice is wholly my own. I may observe the rituals and practices of others, but that doesn't mean I adopt or incorporate them unless I'm invited to.

Your path is your own. Make it something you love, that fulfills you.

 

[Fadeaway]

@Ronin, hence why I was upset by his principles being used to lable all pagans.

@Friday beautifully donated post. Although I wasn't referring specifically to pollythiesm. I personally consider myself an animist who wishes they could connect with deity. I do however believe in a universal life force that can have a working relationship with, that isn't confined to any archtype or afinty but can be worked with as such.

@Muttly I can understand why you would feel that shamanism could be cultural appropriation. It does occur, but shamanism is a world wide practice found in almost every culture.

I am trying hard to come up with books to recomend to you, it is difficult because there are a thousand and one different traditions and paths. It really is frustrating in the beginning.

I will throw this one out to you just because I just read it. Besom, Stang, and Sword. It is one of the better ones that breaks everything down for that specific tradition. At the same time it is meant for individuals to put their own twist on. With all books take what you like, leave you you don't.