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Author Topic: Salutations from Ontario, Canada :)  (Read 2743 times)

Kraken

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Salutations from Ontario, Canada :)
« on: August 07, 2015, 03:52:57 pm »
Not sure where to start, but I am interested in exploring more about Paganism. I come from a Christian background but have not been practicing for some time though I still attend services once in a while (I also work at a church, go figure!). From the few pagan events I have participated in my local community, I have very much enjoyed the tradition so far! I am a novice so I do not know much but I am very interested to learn more :) thank you!
"you have risen from the ashes, with outspread arms, face to the sun, eyes closed, full of radiance..."

theharmoniouscrow

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Re: Salutations from Ontario, Canada :)
« Reply #1 on: August 08, 2015, 06:08:25 am »
Quote from: Kraken;178374
Not sure where to start, but I am interested in exploring more about Paganism. I come from a Christian background but have not been practicing for some time though I still attend services once in a while (I also work at a church, go figure!). From the few pagan events I have participated in my local community, I have very much enjoyed the tradition so far! I am a novice so I do not know much but I am very interested to learn more :) thank you!

 
I am also a beginner and a novice and new to this forum as well - welcome and we can all learn together :)
"It\'s often a person\'s mouth that broke their nose." - Old Irish saying.

RecycledBenedict

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Re: Salutations from Ontario, Canada :)
« Reply #2 on: August 08, 2015, 07:24:49 am »
Quote from: Kraken;178374
Not sure where to start, but I am interested in exploring more about Paganism. I come from a Christian background but have not been practicing for some time though I still attend services once in a while (I also work at a church, go figure!).


Some churches do a great service in order to alleviate hunger. I feel a deep respect for that. I also have a very positive impression of Anglicans, liberal Quakers, Liberal Catholics and Unitarian Universalists (although the last denomination stopped identifying as Christian in the 1960's).

Quote from: Kraken;178374
From the few pagan events I have participated in my local community, I have very much enjoyed the tradition so far! I am a novice so I do not know much but I am very interested to learn more :) thank you!


Please, just remember that pagan is an umbrella term for several religions, which may be different from each other in many regards. Just because someone is a witch or a druid, none of them necessarily need to have much in common, or in common with someone who practice, let's say, Baltic Reconstructionism, Sumerian Reconstructionism or generic Pantheism.

Kraken

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Re: Salutations from Ontario, Canada :)
« Reply #3 on: August 08, 2015, 09:29:03 am »
Quote from: FraterBenedict;178394
Some churches do a great service in order to alleviate hunger. I feel a deep respect for that. I also have a very positive impression of Anglicans, liberal Quakers, Liberal Catholics and Unitarian Universalists (although the last denomination stopped identifying as Christian in the 1960's).


Yes, I love the little community at my work, everyone is so wonderful :) I do work for an Anglican church, grew up Catholic and went on to explore Protestantism (Evangelical/Apostolic mostly) but I'm finding that I'm getting whiplash from everything, anxious for living a lifestyle that doesn't necessarily jive with Christianity in general. So it is very difficult to step away from that and delve into something completely different but I can't be afraid all my life...so here I am. This is a small but significant step for me.

Quote from: FraterBenedict;178394
Please, just remember that pagan is an umbrella term for several religions, which may be different from each other in many regards. Just because someone is a witch or a druid, none of them necessarily need to have much in common, or in common with someone who practice, let's say, Baltic Reconstructionism, Sumerian Reconstructionism or generic Pantheism.


Yes I know that much about Paganism...it's an "umbrella" for several religions, just like Christianity is a blanket terms for many different denominations etc. I've tried looking up what those religions might be but I haven't really found anything. And I have no idea where to start. Any good book or article suggestions?? I'm not sure I want to practice magic or spells quite yet but perhaps participate in rituals...and whether that involves magic, I don't know ^_^.

Thank you for your introduction, it is very nice to meet you!!
"you have risen from the ashes, with outspread arms, face to the sun, eyes closed, full of radiance..."

Kraken

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Re: Salutations from Ontario, Canada :)
« Reply #4 on: August 08, 2015, 09:29:53 am »
Quote from: theharmoniouscrow;178392
I am also a beginner and a novice and new to this forum as well - welcome and we can all learn together :)


Welcome and thank you!! That would be great ^_^ what brought you to where you are now, exploring and all?
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Re: Salutations from Ontario, Canada :)
« Reply #5 on: August 08, 2015, 10:11:43 am »
Quote from: Kraken;178401
Yes I know that much about Paganism...it's an "umbrella" for several religions, just like Christianity is a blanket terms for many different denominations etc. I've tried looking up what those religions might be but I haven't really found anything. And I have no idea where to start. Any good book or article suggestions??

 
I have some information on my website that might be useful to you: http://gleewood.org/seeking/basics/ covers basics like terms, things Pagan groups sometimes have in commmon and things they often don't, and so on. The "What is Paganism" link touches on the broad kinds of Pagan religions out there.

The rest of the site focuses more on religious witchcraft (my general path), but also may be useful to you.
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Kraken

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Re: Salutations from Ontario, Canada :)
« Reply #6 on: August 08, 2015, 10:16:54 am »
Quote from: Jenett;178404
I have some information on my website that might be useful to you: http://gleewood.org/seeking/basics/ covers basics like terms, things Pagan groups sometimes have in commmon and things they often don't, and so on. The "What is Paganism" link touches on the broad kinds of Pagan religions out there.

The rest of the site focuses more on religious witchcraft (my general path), but also may be useful to you.


Thank you, I appreciate this :)
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Gabriel

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Re: Salutations from Ontario, Canada :)
« Reply #7 on: August 08, 2015, 10:40:36 am »
Quote from: Kraken;178374
Not sure where to start, but I am interested in exploring more about Paganism. I come from a Christian background but have not been practicing for some time though I still attend services once in a while (I also work at a church, go figure!). From the few pagan events I have participated in my local community, I have very much enjoyed the tradition so far! I am a novice so I do not know much but I am very interested to learn more :) thank you!


Welcome!

Lots of new folks here who are still exploring their paths, myself included. So much wonderful acceptance, openness and positivity. These are fertile fields of collected knowledge and experience for anyone with an open mind and a willingness to learn.

Enjoy your stay and I'm looking forward to exploring along with you :)
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RecycledBenedict

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Re: Salutations from Ontario, Canada :)
« Reply #8 on: August 08, 2015, 12:36:01 pm »
Quote from: Kraken;178401
I've tried looking up what those religions might be but I haven't really found anything. And I have no idea where to start. Any good book or article suggestions??


Any book suggestions are dependent on exactly which subject you want to read about. Under the Pagan umbrella in the most broadest sense* you will find:

  • Those who practice philosophical/spiritual interfaith Druidry of the Georgian-Victorian and/or Counter-culture type, open for Deists, Christians, Jews, Pantheists, Pagans, Buddhists, Agnostics...
  • Those who practice folk-magic Witchcraft (often simultaneously members of Christian churches)
  • Those who practice folk magic, and don't self-identify as Pagans (it is imposed from the outside)
  • Those who practice ceremonial magic, and don't self-identify as Pagans (it is imposed from the outside)
  • Those who practice folk-magic and self-identify as Pagans
  • Those who practice ceremonial magic and self-identify as Pagans
  • Thelemites
  • Initiatory Wiccans (Gardnerians and Alexandrians belong to this group)
  • Non-initiatory Wiccans
  • Feri practitioners
  • Those who practice the 1734 tradition or are members of Clan of Tubal Cain or Ancient Keltic Church
  • Those who practice another sort of Witchcraft they identify as a religion
  • Those who practice polytheist Druidry
  • Feraferia
  • Discordians
  • Church of the SubGenius
  • Church of All Worlds
  • Covenant of Unitarian-Universalist Pagans
  • Other eclectic Neo-Pagans, many non-organized
  • Sumerian reconstructionists
  • Egyptian reconstructionists (aka Kemeticists)
  • West-Semitic/Syro-Lebanese reconstructionists (Hebrew polytheists are closely related to this movement)
  • Celtic reconstructionists
  • Norse/Germanic reconstructionists (aka Asatruar, Heathens, Fornsi∂r-practitioners)
  • Greek reconstructionists (aka Hellenists, Dodekatheists)
  • Roman reconstructionists (aka Cultores Deorum)
  • Slavic reconstructionists
  • Baltic reconstructionists


I have no information if any attempts to reconstruct Illyrian (Albania), Thracian (Bulgaria) or Dacian (Romania) religions are going on.

Each movement consists of several denominations or local/regional units, which may take very different positions concerning various issues. The rift between inclusive reconstructionists and segregationalist/racist reconstructionists is very deep.

Quote from: Kraken;178401
I'm not sure I want to practice magic or spells quite yet but perhaps participate in rituals...and whether that involves magic, I don't know ^_^.


Its a matter of definition. Gareth Knight (who happens to be an Anglican ceremonial magician himself) use the term celebratory magic about such festive rituals which include visualization and a subtle sensation of non-empirical 'energy' (I don't like the last word, since it has the ring of pseudo-science. There must exist a better one, in order to speak about the designated personal experience). Reconstructionist rituals are lacking in this 'magical' aspect more often, than eclectic/wiccan/mesodruid rituals are.

* I write 'in the most broadest sense', since some persons and groups who are perceived as Pagans by outsiders, not necessarily self-identify as such. Some of them are devout Christians.

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Re: Salutations from Ontario, Canada :)
« Reply #9 on: August 08, 2015, 02:15:34 pm »
Quote from: FraterBenedict;178411
Each movement consists of several denominations or local/regional units, which may take very different positions concerning various issues. The rift between inclusive reconstructionists and segregationalist/racist reconstructionists is very deep.

 
I would also like to point out that some of us who are x polytheist (I am a Norse and Slavic polytheist) are more reconstruction-derived rather than pure reconstructionist. We don't fit the recon label and a lot of people would rather shunt us into the "eclectic pagan" category even if we don't identify as such.

RecycledBenedict

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Re: Salutations from Ontario, Canada :)
« Reply #10 on: August 08, 2015, 03:02:24 pm »
Quote from: Tom;178413
I would also like to point out that some of us who are x polytheist (I am a Norse and Slavic polytheist) are more reconstruction-derived rather than pure reconstructionist. We don't fit the recon label and a lot of people would rather shunt us into the "eclectic pagan" category even if we don't identify as such.

 
Thank you for this addendum. I suspect that the pagan 'scene' in your part of the world is very different from the one in mine, although internet fora, websites and blogs are drawing us all closer. Reconstructionists over here allow considerable segments of UPG, and some of them would probably qualify under the label 'reconstruction-derived' where you live. I am not into Fornsi∂r myself, but from what I hear from the Fornsi∂r-practitioners, although they are reconstructionists now, they were quite influenced by eclectic Wicca at the time when they began the movement 20-25 years ago, and the structure with eight blót is a leftover from that early phase of Norse recon.

As an afterthought, I noticed that I had forgotten to mention the Dianics as a separate group. They would probably not prefer to be lumped together with the Wiccans. I have hereby mentioned Dianic religion. Please add it mentally to my list.

SunflowerP

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Re: Salutations from Ontario, Canada :)
« Reply #11 on: August 08, 2015, 08:22:48 pm »
Quote from: FraterBenedict;178414
Thank you for this addendum. I suspect that the pagan 'scene' in your part of the world is very different from the one in mine, although internet fora, websites and blogs are drawing us all closer. Reconstructionists over here allow considerable segments of UPG, and some of them would probably qualify under the label 'reconstruction-derived' where you live. I am not into Fornsi∂r myself, but from what I hear from the Fornsi∂r-practitioners, although they are reconstructionists now, they were quite influenced by eclectic Wicca at the time when they began the movement 20-25 years ago, and the structure with eight blót is a leftover from that early phase of Norse recon.


I'm not surprised to hear this is the case with Fornsi∂r; I find it fascinating how neoPagan the Icelandic organization Ásatrúarfélagið (founded in 1972) is, by North American Heathen recon standards, and it follows that it'd be similar with other culturally-embedded iterations of Norse/Germanic reconstruction. I'd surmise it's because they have no need to 'reconstruct' Icelandic, or Swedish, or Danish (etc) culture; they already live its modern form every day.

Quote
As an afterthought, I noticed that I had forgotten to mention the Dianics as a separate group. They would probably not prefer to be lumped together with the Wiccans. I have hereby mentioned Dianic religion. Please add it mentally to my list.

 
I assume you're referring here to Budapest/Feminist Dianic - they might or might not object to that lumping; certainly they still often use the word 'Wicca' to refer to themselves and their tradition. But, yes, they are definitely distinct from other uses of the word. Since they also use 'Witch' and 'Witchcraft', though, it might make sense to count them under 'those who practice another sort of Witchcraft they identify as a religion', since that category also includes others who do, or who have in the past, use the word 'Wicca' to refer to themselves - at one time, many people treated the two words as synonymous or interchangeable (or saw them as distinct but drew the distinctions quite differently).

And then there's the McFarland Dianic tradition, which is a whole 'nother thing (but which, again, sometimes self-identifies as Wicca). But if we attempted to sort out the longstanding Which Witch Is Which? conundrum, your already-lengthy list would be twice as long!

I could quibble, as well, that IME, many Church of the Subgenius folks don't consider it to be pagan per se, so a 'may or may not self-identify as' disclaimer might be in order there.

Probably there are other omissions and points of arguability, as well, but rather than seek them all out, possibly the best approach is to simply note that your list, though extensive, is still an overview, and isn't (and possibly can't be) an exhaustive list of all the variations and how they relate to the word 'pagan'.

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Re: Salutations from Ontario, Canada :)
« Reply #12 on: August 08, 2015, 08:29:29 pm »
Quote from: Kraken;178401
Yes I know that much about Paganism...it's an "umbrella" for several religions, just like Christianity is a blanket terms for many different denominations etc. I've tried looking up what those religions might be but I haven't really found anything. And I have no idea where to start. Any good book or article suggestions?? I'm not sure I want to practice magic or spells quite yet but perhaps participate in rituals...and whether that involves magic, I don't know ^_^.

 
Hi, Kraken, and welcome to TC!

If you are new to paganism, you are not alone. Everyone has to begin somewhere and everyone has questions. You've already gotten some great suggestions (a couple of which are repeated below), but here are a few more ideas to help you get started:

TC's Pagan Primer: This is a resource designed as an introduction. It includes basic information and links to more specific info on a variety of pagan topics, including "Common Questions About Paganism".

TC's Teens and Paganism FAQ: This resource was originally intended to address the kinds of questions teen pagans struggle with, such as talking to parents about religion. However, the final product turned out to include a lot of great info that is useful to new pagans of any age, including many links to very useful resources.

Seeking: First Steps & Tools:  This is a well organized and user friendly resource dedicated to providing the kinds of information and explanations that many new pagans don't even know they need.  The author, Jenett, is a long-time Cauldronite and experienced practitioner of a small religious witchcraft tradition.  (You can read more about Jenett's background in the "About Me" section of her site.)  The Seeking site includes detailed discussions of:
the basics of paganism
reaching out to other pagans
specific practices that are found in many pagan paths
some of the common questions asked by new pagans
a suggested reading list
a description of Conscious Awareness of Religious Environment (CARE) -- a method for evaluating pagan and magical groups for problematic behaviors
Each section includes numerous links to additional relevant material.

TC's Religious Special Interest Groups: In addition to folders on a wide variety of paganism-related topics, this forum also includes Special Interest Groups (SIGs) dedicated to the discussion of specific pagan paths, including practices based on the traditional religions of specific cultures. There are "sticky posts" on resources specific to each path at the top of the SIG folder, so you can easily find additional, in-depth information.

As you probably know by now, TC is a discussion and debate forum. That means posters are free to challenge assumptions, correct faulty facts, and generally disagree. This can be a bit intimidating for people who are new to paganism. So we have created three areas specifically intended as "safe spaces" for beginners, where you can ask questions about any related topic and receive answers from posters who understand that you are not yet as experienced in paganism as many Cauldronites. The beginner-friendly folders are:
Paganism for Beginners
Books and Other Resources
Magic and the Occult for Beginners
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Demophon

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Re: Salutations from Ontario, Canada :)
« Reply #13 on: August 08, 2015, 09:46:02 pm »
Quote from: Kraken;178374
Not sure where to start, but I am interested in exploring more about Paganism. I come from a Christian background but have not been practicing for some time though I still attend services once in a while (I also work at a church, go figure!). From the few pagan events I have participated in my local community, I have very much enjoyed the tradition so far! I am a novice so I do not know much but I am very interested to learn more :) thank you!

 
Welcome aboard, fellow Ontarian :)

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Re: Salutations from Ontario, Canada :)
« Reply #14 on: August 09, 2015, 04:11:50 pm »
Quote from: Kraken;178374
Not sure where to start, but I am interested in exploring more about Paganism. I come from a Christian background but have not been practicing for some time though I still attend services once in a while (I also work at a church, go figure!). From the few pagan events I have participated in my local community, I have very much enjoyed the tradition so far! I am a novice so I do not know much but I am very interested to learn more :) thank you!


Welcome, fellow Canadian. :)


Coming from a Christian background can sometimes be daunting. This might be helpful: http://ecauldron.com/forum/showthread.php?10852-Christo-paganism&highlight=christo-pagan

The two books recommended in the first response in that thread are really helpful, I found, and I don't even have a Christian background. :)

Jennet's Seeking website is AMAZING and full of information. I keep going back, a year after first finding it, and I'm not even Wiccan.
 

I think the best way to find your path is to read about what's out there and then find what speaks to you. I knew I needed a nature-based path and I was drawn to Druidry because of it. But I was drawn to the Norse gods first and foremost, so I did research along that path.  I've spent a LOT of time reading since then. :)

Don't be afraid to ask questions. The people here are wonderful and so full of information. I've learned an incredible amount of stuff just by reading old threads.

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