Questions to ask myself?

[ferretowner96]

Hello. I am looking into other forms of Paganism. I learned about Wicca from a very good friend of mine and thought it was the path for me. I was wondering how you chose your path and what questions I should ask myself to help choose mine?
Thanks so much,
Rick

[Fireof9]

Hello. I am looking into other forms of Paganism. I learned about Wicca from a very good friend of mine and thought it was the path for me. I was wondering how you chose your path and what questions I should ask myself to help choose mine?
Thanks so much,
Rick

 
I found my path here. But its was really done by reading and being honest with myself. When I first started looking at pagan religions I had no idea what I was looking for. I was expecting a clap of thunder and an earth shattering revelation. So I was really bummed when that did not happen LOL. I started posting here, and did even more reading things that people were posting. I found a few people that made a lot of sense to me. I can think of three in particular. So I started looking into their paths. I finally ended up on the one that spoke to me the most - though both the others still make a lot of sense to me.

I would say this. Scrutinize with your head and follow your heart. Don't be scared to say "Hey that makes sense" even if it does not agree with the particulars of the path you are currently on. Keep your mind critically open.

[wadjet]

Hello. I am looking into other forms of Paganism. I learned about Wicca from a very good friend of mine and thought it was the path for me. I was wondering how you chose your path and what questions I should ask myself to help choose mine?

 
I've found there's two sides of finding one's path: a sort of 'intellectual' side, and a more 'intuitive' side.

The intellectual are the things that effect how you behave in life, your morals and values. Do you believe it's important to be part of a group, or would you rather be independent? Do you believe in pacifism, or is violence sometimes necessary? These things can vary individually withing specific paths, but I've found they do tend to group together.

The intuitive side is more about what "feels right". Most people look back at their childhoods or hobby interests. Did you spend your early years in your grandmother's kitchen helping her cook, or outdoors talking to trees? Are you enchanted by any mythology or period of history? Take a look at what speaks to you.

If you have at least a general idea of what you feel about these two things, you'll have an easier time finding paths that are appropriate.

[Abgeneth]

I was wondering how you chose your path and what questions I should ask myself to help choose mine?

 
Hey Rick,

I actually stumbled over my path when I was researching something very different on the internet. What followed was a strong fascination that only increased in intensity over the years and is still present, although no longer omnipresent in my life.

That seems to be a starting point pretty different from many others, so my questions are pretty different as well. Questions I ask myself from time to time are these (among others): what is it precisely that is calling to me? Is it the people I met? Is it some of the teachings? Is it the female deities part as opposed to a solely male concept of divinity? Is it magic? Is it the in-group effect that comes from initiations? Is it some calling I feel? Is it being "special"? Am I simply delusional and mindf***ing myself? What does this all do with my life, my perception of myself, my relationships, my idea of fulfillment? What does it inspire me to do? Am I making things better by following this path/calling/tradition/whatever? Does it help me to be a better, more grounded, more healthy, more sane, more loving, wiser, more *insert desireable quality here* person?

Wow, this has become quite a list! And although I'm not exactly new to my path, these questions are still relevant to me

Hope this helps

Greetings
Abgeneth

[MarieBay]

I was wondering how you chose your path and what questions I should ask myself to help choose mine?
Thanks so much,
Rick

 
I wish you all the best in your walk, Rick!

One really important thing I've learned over the past year is this: don't be afraid of change. You've got to start somewhere, but figuring out where you are, spiritually speaking, doesn't always mean you'll stay in that spot. The ultra-condensed version of my walk is I stared out hating gods, dabbled in Buddhism, and finally realized I'm a witch of some stripe and always have been since I was a little girl. My relationship to deities and spirits is just as varied. All of the things I've learned and all of the experiences I've had thus far have all contributed in some way to help me define what the heck it is I believe in.

You might run into a lot of dead ends before you find the path that feels right, your path might be meandering and frustrating, but once you get to a place that speaks to you, it's a whole lot of hard work (and fun, too!) digging in and spreading your roots.

My only advice is RESEARCH, MEDITATE, ASK QUESTIONS, AND TRY NEW THINGS. Grow. Don't stop growing. And don't be afraid to do the difficult things.