Which Path Do You Follow?

[Iollan]

The site is for all Pagans and Heathens. Which path do you follow? Myself, I've studied Druidry for several years and I've recently added Asatru to the mix. So I guess you can call me a bit of an eclectic.

[Cel]

Hellinic Wicca Here. Just always had an undeniable attraction to the Greek Pantheon.

[johnna]

I am wiccan but not any direction specifically.. like not garnerian or helenic or any of the other things I've heard but don't know much about.... lol.. I just kind of believe the same things I used to believe but with a new perspective. I still believe in the god and goddess, as equal aspects of the whole.. but I also believe that all of the goddesses and gods that have ever existed in mythology or ancient religions are real aspects of the everything. if that makes any sense. it does to me. *re-reads* yeah. yeah. that makes sense. Now, I am just trying to learn more, as much as I can, and struggling to find time, energy, and opportunity to do so.

[johnna]

oh and what's a heathen? I thought a heathen was like what old people call you when you're a little kid running around all wild and crazy like..

[Iollan]

Heathen is basically another term for Pagan used by people who don't like the word Pagan. The word Pagan actually has its own origin that many feel don't apply to them so they choose to go by Heathen. You'll find this most common among the Asatruers/Odinists.

[johnna]

wow. even more words I never heard.

[Cel]

Just a slight revision. You can all laugh at me if you want. I have been reading the Silmarillion and the whole idea behind Eru and the Valar from that book so clicks with me. Eru is like "The All" to me and the Valar are the many Gods and Goddesses created by the All as earthly incarnations. Very intersting and it seems to make a LOT of sense to me. Perhaps that is just cuz I like the Elves but somehow I think not. Anyway just thought I would add a random thought in to the convo hehe.

Isilmė

[Iollan]

Pagan originated from the latin for paganus mean rural, rustic, or of the country. Basically it was originally the same as calling someone a country bumpkin or a hillbilly. Pagan wasn't used as a positive term til much later. Heathen itself comes from the Old English for "Not Christian or Jewish". Because of that, different people choose to go with Heathen oven Pagan. Asatru/Odinism follow the Norse pantheon of Gods (Odin, Thor, Frig, etc). If you ever have any questions, feel free to ask.

[johnna]

I have so many questions that I wouldn't even know where to start.. lol.. you start talking about stuff and when I get lost, I'll raise my hand....

[johnna]

It totally wierds me out though that pagan used to mean what I understood heathen to mean and that because of that people use heathen in place of pagan when all along pagan was used in place of heathen and now I don't know who I am.. *cry, cry, cry*

[johnna]

Honestly, I'm a little confused. I have studied very little of the actual religious beliefs of anything... I like to learn about the origins of holidays and how the celtic and egyptian gods/esses relate to them.. but I am really more into following the things I discover and "see" on my own. I do follow the wiccan rede and absolutely believe in karma and magick, which I practice, but I don't have a specific set of gods(esses) I follow. I incorporate some of them into my craft, when they relate to what I'm doing.. (as I do believe that they are all valid aspects/energies of the same duality) but even then it is really the energy of the universe that I am calling upon.. What does this make me? Am I simply wiccan, a witch? as I have been calling myself.. maybe I am a gnostic witch... hmm... any ideas?.. lol

[Cel]

Sounds sorta like an eclectic pagan. That is what I truly consider myself. I take different aspects from a LOT of paths and blend them together. If I feel something has a certain connection with me then I incorporate it. Hope that helps.

Isilmė

[johnna]

That does help alot actually. It gives me something to look up.. you know.. somewhere to go from this point. I mean, I have never tried to morph my beliefs to fit one religion.. I have just been trying to narrow down which religion fits me and so far I have gottan as far as wicca and from there haven't narrowed it down much more..

[johnna]

of course I can't look it up until I'm done reading oh my gods! lmao. I'm up to the 1 yr anniversary.. loving this strip..

[Cel]

I am glad you find it enjoyable. I always have.