The goddess is an important part of everyday life to paganism. The goddess protects, heals and assists in all facets of life.

Aphrodite: Goddess of love, passionate and caring, she aids in drawing love to you
Aradia:child of Diana, the huntress, protectoress of Pagans
Arianhod:Kelt:Goddess of the night skies, stars and past lives. .
Astarte:Grecian, fertility Goddess
Astraea:Greek: Goddess of Justice.
Bast:Protectoress and Goddess of cats, she aids in travel.
Brigid: Keltic: She is a warrior Goddess protectoress of children
Cerridwen: Welsh, Moon Goddess, Goddess of the full harvest.
Diana, Goddess of the moon, the huntress, mother to pagans
Fides:Roman, Goddess of faithfulness.
Freyja: Norse: Moon Goddess, she commands the female warriors known as the Valkyries.
Fortuna:Roman, Goddess of Fortune or good luck.
Holda:Norse One of Three Goddesses of the underworld.
Hel: The second of Three Goddesses of the Norse underworld.
Hera: Grecian: Goddess of the mating and handfasting. Hera is wise and strong but has a jealous side as well.
Isis:Egyptian:Goddess of the earth and of married love.
Kali: Indian: Goddess of Creation and Destruction. Mate to Shiva, she protects women
Morgan :Kelt: Goddess of the Water and all magicks. She was lover to Merlin
Nemetona-Goddess of the oak groves,or the nemeton, usually depicted with a ram and a staff.
Norns: Keltic: Three sisters of Fate or Wyrd, they weave together the past, present and future. .
Venus:Goddess of Love.

THE GODS

No less important than the Goddesses,
the Gods are the male counterbalance that are found in all of nature. One was not neglected in favor of the other.

Adonis: Mate to Aphrodite. God of the flora
Cernunnos: Keltic: The horned god, god of the forests, consort of the Lady
Eros: Grecian: God of passionate love .
Frey, Mate to Freyja, God of earth and nature.
Heimdall:Norse, son of Odin, God of light.
Loki, Norse, God of tricks , discord and playful wickness.
Lugh: Celtic god of the sun.
Odin: Norse: Odin hung on the Tree, Yggdrasil to obtain the second sight, which was given to him in the form of the runes. He speaks through the Raven, and the wolf.
Osiris, Egyptian God of the Sun.
Pan: God of nature and the forests, he is also the God of laughter and practical jokes.
Poseidon: God of the Waters.
Shiva:Mate to Kali, god of the endless circle of birth and death.
Tan Hill: Celtic, Fire God.
THOR:” Norse: God of the skies, thunder, his hammer protects the common man

Pagan Deities – List Of Pagan Gods And Goddesses

There are many festivals of the different pagan religions. Each faith has their own. Not all Pagans are Wiccan. Druidism, Norse, Kemet Orthodox are just a few of the pagan religions.
I have given but a sampler, it not meant, by any means to be seen as complete.
I have included, to the best of my knowledge, bits of lore with them, as well as special months from the runic calendar which have been gleaned from other pagan reference materials over the years..

Festivals of January

Jan 13-Celtic Feast of Brewing
*Jan.21-Celtic Tree month of Luis, Agnes Day, a time of divination by fire
Jan.25-Disting: Feast of Distir, celebrates the old Norse guardian Goddess
*Jan.31-Imbolc Eve, or Brigatia, Sacred to the Valkyries, and the Nords, who sit by the well or Urd under the tree Yggdrasil and decide the fates of Gods and men

Festivals of February

*Feb.4- Imbolc:Fire festival between yule and the vernal equinox, also Brigantias day, Celtic goddess of the seasons
Feb.4- Celtic King Frost Day
Feb.9- Feast of Apollo, god of the sun
Feb.12-Runic half month of Sigel celebrating good over darkness
Feb 14-Feast of Vali, Feast of Juno Februa, goddess of love. On this night, if you decorate your pillow with 5 bay leaves you will see your love in your dreams

Festivals of March

*Mar.2- Sacred to Ceadda, Celtic God of springs and healing waters, he is symbolized by the Crann Bethadh, the tree of life, on this day the behavior of birds is considered prophetic.
Mar.4- Feast of Rhiannon Of Celtic origin
Mar.8- Welsh, Witches Day
Mar.14-Half month of Beorc begins, Goddess of Birch trees and rebirth.
*Mar.19-Celtic: Nemetona, Goddess of the Sacred Grove is revered today.
Mar.21- Ostara, celebrating the increasing light of the sun, the altar is decorated with spring flora .
Mar.25-Druidic Festival: Alban Eiler:meaning light of the earth.
Mar.26-Mabon ap Modron, Celt deity of youth.

Festivals of April

Apr.10-Celtic tradition says the sun dances today
*Apr.11-Ystre, or Oestre, The Goddess Ostara’s day, protector of fertility and children, this festival was taken by the Christians as their own, to become Easter.
Apr.22-Sigr Blot, a day to honor Odin
Apr.28-Festival of Floralia, Roman, traditionally a day of sexual license and experimentation.
Apr.29-Runic half month of Lagu, or water begins.
* Apr.30-Walpurgis:Norse:Sacred festival of witches, bonfires of juniper and rosemary are lit , Birch twigs are placed in windows and doorways to protect the home.

Festivals of MAY

*May.1- Beltane, or in the Celtic, Cetsamhain:Celtic festival celebrating the union of the Goddess with the Horned God, a time of mystic union, and great celebration for Wicce and Druidics alike.
*May 24-Festival of the three mother Goddesses, Celtic,Roman Festival of Diana and Artemis, Goddess of the Moon and of the forests, she is sacred to Wicce.
May 30-Sacred to Frigg, consort to Odin

Festivals of JUNE

*June 1-Hamadryads day, honored by placing an offering at an oak tree, the most revered tree of Celts and Druids
June 4 Pagan fest of Whitsunday, celebrating spring and fertility
*June 5 Domnas day, Celt Goddess of stones and coves.
*June 10 Celtic tree month of Duir, honors the oak tree,.
*June 16 Silver Chalice Night/Wicce: Traditional Wicce share a chalice of wine tonight in honor of the God and Goddess//Night of Tears/Egyptian:Isis mourned her murdered husband Osiris on this day by the shedding of her thousands of tears.
*June 20 Midsummers Eve:Cerridwen is celebrated, Goddess of love and fertility, by burning the herb Vervan.
*June 21 Midsummer: Traditionally the longest day of the year, the sun is at its peak, and at the height of its power.
The altar and circle are decorated with summer flowers and herbs.
Bonfires are lit to symbolize the height of the suns glory.
Now is the time to gather herbs and plants, as they will be at their most virile during this time
, Druidic feast of Alban Hefin

Festivals of JULY

July 8 Sacred to the Goddess Sunniva, Goddess of the Sun
*July 15 honors Rowana,the tree goddess, patroness of knowledge of runes.The Rowan is the tree of protection and amulets cut from it this day will be particularly effective/Egyptian God Set, God of darkness is honored this day
July 31 Oidche Lugnasa, in honor of the Celtic Sun God Lugh, patron of Sorcery and poetry.//Also festival of the Norse God Loki, trickster, and his consort, Sigyn

Festivals of AUGUST

*Aug 1 Lammas, festival of the first harvest, Wicce traditionally weave corn husks,make offerings to the Goddess, by burning the weavings of the previous year.//Norse, sacred to Frigg and Odin//Gaelic:Lughnassadh, the games of the Sun God.
*Aug 5 Druidic tree month of Coll, Coll is the hazel tree which embodies wisdom and Druidic practices.It encompasses regeneration and growth through the spirit, and the divination of unseen things.
*Aug 15 Festival of Arianrhod, Celtic Great mother Goddess.
***Aug 17 Marks the Day Odin began to hang upon the tree Yggdrasil to secure the knowledge of the runes .//Roman celebration of Diana

Festivals of SEPTEMBER

**Sept 15 Traditionally the first full moon after thsi date is celebrated as the harvest moon, A time of power for those involved in witchcraft, divination or fertility magick.
**Sept 22 Autumnal Equinox, the time when darkness overtakes light, Druidic festival of Elban Elued, the “light of water” when the sun begins to descend into the ocean of wintertime.
Sept 29 Festival of warrior gods, sacred to Heimdall, son of Odin.

Festivals of OCTOBER

**Oct 18 Celtic, Wicce, Welsh, Druidic: Festival of Cernunnos, also knows as Herne, Atho, Hu Gadern, The Horned God of the forests , is celebrated today.
Oct 24 Feast of the Spirits of the air.Incense is burnt in honor of the slyphs, the spirits of the air.
**Oct 31 Samhain Eve.Marks the end of the last day of light.

Festivals of NOVEMBER

**Nov 1 Samhain, the joining of summer to winter, the word Samhain comes from the Celtic words Isam Fuini, meaning summers end.Cailleach, the Celt Goddess is to strike the earth with a hammer, rendering it cold and hard until Imbolc.The breach between the living and dead is small at this time of year and the spirits may walk more freely to speak to the living. Bonfires are traditionally lit this eve to usher in all souls day.
Nov 7 Night of Hecate, Queen and patroness of the witches
Nov 22 Festival of Artemis, and Ydilar, Norse god of archery

Festivals of DECEMBER

Dec.11 Sacred day to Arianrhod, Celtic Moon Goddess
Dec 18 Celt Goddess EPONA is honored, Goddess of horses.
Dec.21 Yule: the celebration of death and rebirth, winter plants are used to decorate the altar and circle.
Dec 27 Norse Goddess Freyja is honored on this day. Freyja is a lover of felines.
Dec 31 Traditional new Years Day

Pagan Holidays and Festivals – Druidism – Wiccan – Norse – Kemet Orthodox

The Nordic Rede.

In all that you do, consider what befall your own, your children and your people.
All that which you do will return to you, sooner or later, for good or for ill.
Thus strive always to do good , or at least strive always to be just.
Be honest with yourself, and with others.
Humankind has the spark of divinity within it.
Protect and nurture that spark.
Give your word sparingly, and adhere to it like iron.
In the world, your first trust and responsibility should be to your own people.
Yet, be kind and proper to others whenever possible
. What you have, hold firmly.
Speak to others only those words which you have personally verified.
Be honest with others, and expect honesty in return, always.
The fury of the moment plays havoc with the truth;
to keep one’s head is difficult, yet virtuous.
Know which battles should be fought, and which battles should be avoided.
Know when to break off or avoid a conflict.
There are times when the minions of chaos are simply too strong or fate unavoidable.
When you gain power, use it wisely and use it well.
Courage and honor endure forever.
Their echoes remain when the mountains have crumbled to dust.
Pledge friendship and your services to those who are worthy.
Strengthen others of your people and they will strengthen you.
Love and care for your family always,
and have the fierceness of a wolf in their protection.
Honor yourself, have pride in yourself, do your best and forgive yourself when you must.
Try always, without losing your sense of self,
to be above reproach in the eyes of the world.
Those of our people should always attempt to settle any differences
among themselves quietly and peaceably
The laws of the land should be obeyed whenever possible and within reason,
for in the main they have been chosen with wisdom.
Have pride in yourself, your family and your folk.
They are your promise for tomorrow.
Do not neglect your mate and children
Every one of our people should work according to the best that they can do,
no matter how small or how great. We are all in this world together, thus we must always help each other along.
We advance individually and collectively only by living in harmony with the natural order of the world.
The seeking of wisdom is a high virtue.
Love of truth, honor, courage and loyalty are the hallmarks of the noble soul.
Be prepared for whatever the future brings.
Life with all its joys, struggles and ambiguities is to be embraced

Nordic Rede – The Norse Pagans – Similar To Pagan – Wiccan – Druid

Wicca also teaches the practitioner responsibility. The foundation of all that is done in Wicca is based on intent. We live by the rule of karma and The Law of Three. What ever it is that you put out into this world you will get back times three. What ever it is that we get, we know that it is because of something that we have done. Blaming others is not a practice of any Wiccan. Wiccans face the consequences of their actions.

That is why the sanctity of life is dear to Wiccans.

An introduction to Wicca must also include the fact that what is celebrated in Wicca is are the cycles. These cycles include the cycles of nature, solar phases and lunar phases. These celebrations are a harmonious act done to encourage living in balance with all things. There are 8 Sabbats and 13 Esbats. The Sabbats are celebrations of the solar cycle and the Esbats are celebrations of the 13 full moons in a year.

Just as important to learning Wicca as knowing what the Sabbats are, is why they are celebrated. These celebrations are used for each and every person to find within ourselves, the cycles that correspond to the natural cycles. While there is no holy one to lead the all Wiccans, there are trees and rivers and mountains and animals that teach as well as others that have treaded this path before.

The spirits of the elements are also worshipped by Wiccans. The elements water, fire, Earth and air offer us insight into the rhythms of the nature. These four elements also create life.

Wrapped up in the mystery of Wicca is the witchcraft spells, are they real, do Wiccans really perform spells. The answer is yes, to all questions. The spells are usual for protection, healing, wisdom, harmony and creativity. While it is true that anyone can cast a spell, there are certain things that you must know in order to cast a spell effectively. Such as being very clear on the intent behind your spell.

To be Wiccan means that you take responsibility for your actions, you do all that you can to live in harmony with the world around you. You are clear on the intent behind every action that you take. When you do decided to cast a spell you are doing so to help, constantly aware of the Law of Three.

This is but a brief introduction to Wiccan. Blessed Be.

Introduction to Wicca – Witchcraft Spells – Wiccan Worship

As man moved to the new stone age area or the Neolithic area, the hunt was not as important as farming. Being a nomad was not as important as being a farmer. As the settlements were created it, people began to notice the moon and seasons. The people began to focus more on Earth and agriculture. They have found carved antlers that display the phases of the moon dated back to 7500 B.C. E in Europe. The menstrual cycle of woman had an apparent correlation with the moon. This became associated with the Earth Mother or the Goddess.

If you notice the moon has three phases, waxing, full and waning. The Goddess is also depicted in three phases the Virgin, the Mother and the Crone. Each and every living thing can be associated with these three phases, birth, life and death. As time passed so did the idea of the Gods. As people began to migrate and mix with other cultures, societies beliefs were merged and shared. Gods were married to Goddesses who then had offspring and they were Gods.

Wicca’s influence comes from the Celts. In about 450 B.C.E. the Celts were the dominant race in Europe. While much of what is known of the Celtic culture and religion is written by the Romans, there is a great debate over the how accurate that depiction really is. What we do know for sure is that the Celtic Priesthood used an alphabet, however much of the Celtic traditions were passed down through the generations orally. We also know that four Major Wiccan celebrations are from the Celts. These celebration are Samhain, Imbolic, Beltane and Lughnasadh.

While Wiccan and Pagan religions flourished for many centuries, history tells us that less tolerant religions would do there best to rid people of these beliefs, claiming that they were Satan worshippers. I would like to interject here that anyone who knows anything about Wicca knows that it is as far from Satanism as you can get. The vast majority of people that claim Paganism and Wicca are forms of Satanism say that out of ignorance.

Now we can go through how Christianity tried to convert people, what those that did convert publicly did in the privacy of their own home was another story. It is also said that the Virgin Mary was an attempt to show those that were converting that Christianity also had a female deity.

Jumping to the 13th century witchcraft was officially declared heresy as were all Pagan and any other alternate Christian practice. In 1484 Pope Innocent II issued a Papal that denounced Witchcraft, which was anything none Catholic, as heresy. This led to the persecution of “witches,” the “Witch Finders Bible” that lead to a wave of terror that flooded Europe and then crossed the ocean to America. With Church sanctioned slaughtering of many accused of witch craft, it is believed that this process was encouraged due to the fact that those that were convicted lost all of their belongings, and those belongings were then distributed between the persecutor and the accuser.

Wicca began to re-emerge again in the 15th century and it continued to grow through the Illuminati, Freemansons and Rosicrucians. Theses societies were known as the “Secret Societies.” Then in 1899 the “Ariada” or more commonly known as the “Gospel of Witches” was published by Charles Leland. It was said that this book contained the traditions of Italian witches.

Now modern Wicca was greatly influenced by an antrolpology entitled, “Witch Cult in Western Europe,” written by Margaret Murray. With the claims of both books, it was not until the 1950’s that any public display of the Old Religion was still in practice within certain circles in England.

That then brings us to Gerald Gardner, who in 1939 was initiated in to the craft by Dorothy Clutterbuck. Mr. Gardner’s view were different then those of current wiccans. Wiccans overall still feel tht secrecy is important to the practice, where as Gardner was more for public displays so that the Witchcraft Laws could be repealed. He later wrote “Witchcraft Today” in 1954 and then “The Meaning of Witchcraft” in 1959. Those that follow Gerald Gardner are known as Gardnerian Witches and they are one of the major branches of the Wiccan tree. The other big branch is the Alexandrian Witches, and the members of that group were initiated by Maxine and Alex Sanders.

History Of Wicca – Wiccan Beliefs – Wiccan Schools

What is Wicca?

Wicca is a type of Paganism, which has its own rituals, seasonal observances such as lunar phases and cycles of nature, and magical, religious and ethical precepts. Wicca is also known as “The Craft of the Wise” or just “The Craft” and is a nature-based religion. A lot of Wiccans call themselves Pagans but not all of them, since Paganism encompasses many faiths and not all Pagans believe in the Wiccan God and Goddess deities.

There is no central Wiccan organization, so individual followers might vary considerably in their beliefs and practices. The main religious beliefs, ethics and core rituals tend not to vary.

Wicca is about 60 years old, with roots in Masonic practices, ceremonial magic, and the Romantic era’s ideas of classical religions. Its founder was a British civil servant named Gerald Gardner.

Wicca Beliefs

The central concept of Wicca is the Wiccan Rede:

“If you harm none, do what you will.”

This might sound simple but can take a long time to master and fully understand. Wiccans also believe in the Rule of Three, also called the Three-fold Law:

“Whatever you do, for good or ill, will come back upon you three times over.”

Wiccans usually go through a dedication ritual at the beginning of their training where they announce their intent to study the craft. Wiccans engage in rituals either alone or with other Wiccans. Their goal is to attain personal spiritual growth.

Wiccans do not have religious buildings like churches. They create their own sacred spaces, preferably outdoors, by casting “circles of energy”. Once inside the circles, they invite the God and Goddess, or at least the Goddess, and the elements of fire, water, earth and air. They will then perform their rituals.

Wiccans have celebrations according to both the lunar and solar calendars. The lunar festivals are held at the full moon and sometimes the new moon. The solar festivals are held at the equinoxes, the solstices and there are another four celebratory events in between them.

Repression and discrimination are not practiced in Wicca. As long as you follow the rule “harm none,” you can live your life as you see fit. Homosexuality and bisexuality are accepted. No race or gender is discriminated against. Instead, everyone who wants to follow the path of Wicca is accepted into it.

What Wicca is Not

* Wicca is not Satanism. Wiccans do not acknowledge the existence of the devil.
* Wiccans do not cast spells or hexes on people. The central rule of Wicca is “harm none” so they do not interfere with other people’s free will. Actually, not all Wiccans practice witchcraft.
* Wiccans do not sacrifice animals or humans because that would go against their law of “harm none”.
* Wicca is not a cult. There is no forced conversion or recruitment. People come to Wicca if they feel ready and if they decide to do so.

Wiccan Deities

A lot of Wiccans believe in an unknowable deity, sometimes called “The One” or “The All”. They consider the deity to have both male and female aspects and might commune with “The God” or “The Goddess”. They might link with Pagan deities, such as Athena, Diana, Isis, Venus or Brigit instead of “The Goddess” or Apollo, Thor, Zeus, Adonis or Dionysus instead of “The God”.

Wicca for the Beginner – Wiccan Deities – Wicca Beliefs

Book of Shadows

In Wicca, a private journal, core religious text or history is kept by practitioners. In some groups, the book’s contents are kept secret from other people. There are various versions of this book and most will contain the Wiccan Rede and the “Charge of the Goddess”. Some Wiccans prefer to create their own Book of Shadows and keep the contents private.

Wiccan Altar

The Wiccan Altar can be any table or chest, as long it is not used for any other purpose. It is usually covered with a plain or elaborate altar cloth. Wiccans often place sea salt in the north of the altar to represent the earth element. In the northeast will be a sacred pentacle. In the east is incense to represent the air element. There will be a censer in the southeast area, a fire candle in the south and the Athame (Wiccan knife) in the southwest, with the black pointing to the east. There is a chalice of water in the west and a cauldron in the northwest.

There are more Wicca tools but the novice usually just sticks to these. Some Wicca practitioners might choose a more simplified altar but almost all will have a sacred altar in their home somewhere, where they can respect the Goddess, perform rituals and use it as a concentration tool.

Wicca Basic Symbols

Wiccans use symbols for many things, such as rituals, ceremonies, spells and in day to day life. There are various symbols with a range of meanings. Each Wiccan symbol has a basic meaning but they can represent different things to different people.

Wicca Elemental Symbols

The most commonly used symbol in wicca is the pentagram within the circle. This is a five-sided star and is used to identify yourself as a Wiccan or Pagan. The five points represent the spirit and the four elements. The circle symbolizes a connection between them all.

The seven pointed star (or septagram) is another Wiccan symbol. The number seven corresponds to the spirit realm. The points are sometimes labeled above, below, within, earth, fire, air and water. Other times there are no set representations for them. The classical view of the sky comprised seven planets so the septagram is associated with astrology too.

Another Wicca symbol is the triple moon. This is a circle with a crescent moon either side, symbolizing the maiden, mother and crone as the waxing, full then waning moon. It is associated with psychic ability, female energy and mystery. This symbol is often found on head-pieces such as crowns, especially those worn by High Priestesses.

An Ankh is an Egyptian hieroglyphic which is used as a symbol for love, life and reincarnation. It looks like a cross with a looped top.

Wicca Alphabet Symbols

The Wiccan alphabet or “Theban” alphabet has been used as a code to protect Wiccan writing from prying eyes for many years. Its exact origin is not known. To use the Theban alphabet, Wiccan practitioners substitute the Theban letter for each English letter.

Wiccans use spells to request divine help in various aspects of their lives. It can be compared to prayer in other religions and most Wiccan spells are a combination of ritual and prayer. A Wiccan can either use an existing spell or create their own. The main thing is that the intention has to be there.

Every spell has to adhere to the Wiccan Rede (“and you harm none, do what you will”) so spells used to dominate, control or manipulate others are forbidden in Wicca. Not all Wiccans even practice witchcraft but those who do must only cast spells which adhere to the Rede. Wiccans call spells “magick” (with a k) to set themselves apart from illusionists and magicians.

Wicca Candle Spells

Candle spells have been around for a long time and many have to be repeated over the course of several days. Most candle spells are accompanied by the burning of incense. Incense symbolizes the spell being carried on the air up to the God and Goddess. Wiccans cleanse the candle by bathing it in sea salt brine before use and praying to the God or Goddess to purify it. A Wiccan would then rub oil onto the candle to assist with the spell, matching the type of oil to the spell and perhaps also inscribe it with their wish.

Wicca Love Spells

Although Wiccans adhere to the Rede, there is a way around this when it comes to love spells. Obviously they are not allowed to control the thoughts or desires of others. In this instance, a Wicca practitioner might perform a spell to open themselves up to love, rather than a spell to make Mr (or Miss) X fall in love with them.

Wicca Spells to Increase Concentration and Memory Spells

Spells can be used for just about anything and increasing concentration and memory power is a popular one, as is receiving inspiration for a creative project. Making a spell such as this is not thought of as cheating but more as asking the divine power to guide you and help you to follow your spiritual path and achieve your goals.

Wicca Binding Spells

Binding means to bind yourself to someone else. Wiccans need to think carefully about who they are binding themselves to before performing such a spell. Spells can be undone but this is often more difficult than performing the original spell.

Wicca Spells for Fertility

Wiccans use spells to encourage fertility and to promote a healthy pregnancy. They might use various candles and oils and pray to the Goddess for strength and assistance.

Wicca Spells to Get Rid of Negativity

The Wicca Rede, “if you harm none, do as you will”, encourages Wiccans to progress along their own personal, spiritual paths without harming others. Removing negativity can be encouraged with the use of Wicca rituals and prayer and the Rede reminds them not to let others stand in their way or to harm others on their path. Negative feelings can affect everyone but Wiccans realize when it is having a negative impact on their lives and will perhaps decide to use a spell to dispel negative influences.

Wiccan Spell Essentials

For a spell to work, Wiccans depend on the following:

* The correct supplies and materials
* The right spell
* Confidence and belief in the spell they want to perform
* The right moon phase
* The will of the universe
* Adequate experience and knowledge
* The magical energy they have built up
* A healthy mental condition

Spells and Castings – Wiccans Druids Pagans – Wiccan Rede

To go slightly further into the dangerous territory of describing beliefs, we can include animism -the belief that all life, animate or inanimate, has a spirit or soul.  Pagans have a deep reverence for the earth and every creature that inhabits the earth, believing that the divine resides in all things.  Many believe in multiple gods and goddesses (polytheist) but since Paganism is such an individualistic religion, you’ll find polytheists (many), monotheists (one) and even atheists (none)!

Even if the variety of beliefs within Paganism is manifold, one thing that you can be sure of is that they are NOT devil worshippers.  Abby Willowroot says it beautifully, when answering the question of are Pagans devil worshippers?  “Most Devil worshipping groups are not Pagan, because they are centered on a Judeo-Christian supernatural being, namely Satan. These devil worshippers are a sect of Christianity, even though Christianity does not want to claim them.”

The Occult is also different from Paganism, although Pagans and members of any other religion can deal with the Occult.  Wikipedia defines “The word occult comes from the Latin word occultus (clandestine, hidden, secret), referring to “knowledge of the hidden”.   But for many people involved with the occult, they are simply studying a deeper spiritual reality than that which we can see with our human powers of reason and the physical sciences with which we measure and quantify things.

How Do I Become A Pagan?

When a person comes to the conclusion that the things they have always believed in now need a name different from that which their family or their community has given, they may want to somehow “become” a Pagan.  Here the dilema begins.

Paganism is a very individual and personal journey of spiritual discovery and Pagans generally do not seek converts, nor do they feel a duty to share or guide the novice “into the faith” as many conventional religions do.  Finding a path to like-minded people can be difficult and will be different for each locality in which you may live.  The agreed starting point is to first gain knowledge. 

Find out if you are truly in sympathy with Pagan beliefs, are you committed to living in harmony with the Earth and caring for and honoring all of her creatures?  Will you strengthen your understanding of your role in the whole scheme of things, no longer taking for granted all that the Earth offers you?  By reading the books and periodicals available and looking at websites that explain Pagan beliefs, you can explore your own beliefs so you really understand what they are and discover why you want to follow the Pagan path. 

It is important you clarify things for yourself before trying to join a group.  Once you have answered these questions, you need to explore the various groups within Paganism to determine which group – Wicca, Druidry, Shamanism, Witchcraft, Asatru, Heathenry, Hedgewitchcraft, even Hinduism, among so many others – you wish to attach yourself to. 
Once you have looked into your own heart, gained greater knowledge of yourself and found your connection with the natural world around you, you can look to join others. 

In America, to find a group of like-minded people talk to people in new age or pagan bookstores, check their bulletin boards. Many books and periodicals give information on how you can find contacts in your area. Check out online groups, but be wary – there are many unsavory characters out there.  Alternatively an updated guide to pagan groups  is now available by mail-order from the Circle Network, based in Wisconsin.

If you are in Great Britain, some of these and other ways can led to you finding like-minded people.  Look for “moots” – these are advertised, regular gatherings usually held in pubs or perhaps the organizers’ homes.  There is usually a contact number, so phone the organizer before the event and get enough information before hand so you know what to expect.
You can also check out egoups on Yahoo, other web-based forums, Pagan conferences or camps and ritual that are open to the public and of course, contacts obtainable through the Pagan Federation and other reputable Pagan organizations.

However I do suggest a certain modicum of caution – although pubs and the web are public places, you must trust your intuition; don’t share more than you are comfortable revealing.  Please keep in mind not everyone is honest.

Although it may be frustrating, don’t be in too big a hurry to find a group or even a spiritual teacher.  Many Pagans will follow a solitary path to greater enlightenment, perhaps for a lifetime.  It can even be said that a time of studying on your own is far better because you will find what works for you without the potential confusion or pressure others’ beliefs may provide.  Knowing your own beliefs and the basics of rituals will show any group you may wish to join, that you are willing to learn and serious.  It is also a good idea to have explored what you want from the group you join.  Will you be able or willing to meet their expectations, etc.?

You may find that because Pagans are still so much in the minority, your spiritual path will continue to be a solitary one because there aren’t any folk living near you to physically guide or share Pagan rituals with.  In such a case, or as an adjunct to your own growth, joining organizations such as the British Pagan Federation or the Reformed Druids of North America, the Order of Bards or the Rowan Tree Church, among others, could be the best way to enlarge your training or contact opportunities.

According to legend, the word “Rune” means a whispered secret.
It is from ancient Norse culture that the runes originate,
and in fact were the very heart of life for those peoples.

After many centuries of disuse, and being confined to some dark
recess, the runes are reemerging as a gift from our forebears,
to be used to impart wisdoms of the ancients.

As Christianity spread, erection of the runestones eventually died
The church made it the business of the moment to outlaw the
use of runes, and to destroy all evidence of them.
This total eradication of a culture was achieved by the insidious
overtaking and usurping of its tenets

Churches were placed strategically on the holy or sacred sites
Existing pagan festivals were taken as the churches own.

Ystre(Easter) and Saturnalia(Christmas) were summarily
borrowed for the Christians own use.

The early Christians engaged upon a conscious and stubborn
campaign to wipe out loyalty to any God but their own deity
There would be no celebrations, no festivals, no worship
of any kind, unless it was sanctioned by,
and for, the Christian church
The Christian church was, in the main, albeit after many years,
extremely effective in eradicating cultures
(witness our own native american cultures)
While the church eradicated the use of the runes themselves,
it did not manage to control use of the actual runic symbols
In medieval times, the people responded to the churches
intransigence by incorporating the runes into
the timbers of their homes
in obvious runic configurations, so that they were effectively
empowered by the runes, even given the churches forbidding laws.
Today there are still many homes in Europe in which runic designs
are visible

The problem with any culture being passed down via “word of mouth”

is that when the culture fragments, as is inevitable in such society,

the history of that culture is fragmented as well
Owing to a lack of historical materials regarding the
use of the runes there is much conjecture as
to how they were a part of everyday life.

It is assumed they were used for magical purposes,
or as talismans.
It is very difficult to tell from the slim documentations
left to this age,why the Norse and Saxon peoples believed
so fervently in the powers of the rune as a talisman,
although it is known they were also used for mundane
writings, as any other alphabet, they were ascribed
as well a magical presence
The simple truth is that much of the history,
and associated myth was taken
away by a too fervent Christian church
in its effort to kill a culture.
We do know that they were in common use across all
of Northern Europe,from the Bronze age
until the middle of the seventeenth century.
The extent and scope of use is lost to antiquity .

We know, that after the Norman, Kelts,& Saxons were joined
with the Germanic tribes, the runes affected not only the
warrior culture,
but the morals, artistry, poetry and literary works as well.

Some of these works have survived until today.
The belief in the magickal,
spiritual power of the runes to bring goodness to everyday life
is the stone upon which the artistic culture was built
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The runes are derived from natural forces,which can be
seen everywhere that the eyes of one who wishes to see will look.
It is apparent in the shape of a stream or creek as it
flows through a woodland,in the forked branches of the trees,
and the shape of the stones on the path.

The forces of nature speak to us directly, if
we will but open our mind and listen.
The knowledge they give is all around us, so long as we see
with our inner self, with the inner sight,
and not with the eyes alone.

The runes do not and will not impart amazing magickal powers,
do not give unearthly success, nor great material gain
to the holder, nor will they give wealth or political powers.
They are as pragmatic as nature itself, grounded
firmly in the natural world.
To this day, our language bears witness to the
underlying philosophy of the runes,
by a number of little sayings, such as,
“What goes around comes around” and “nothing comes for free”

The peoples who used the runes, Celtics, Normans, Saxons,
Germanics, all were grounded firmly in the earths ways,
knew that there is always a price to be paid for any gain,
and that all of life is a circle.
Because of this they took a less demanding approach
to life than does modern mankind today

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Our ancestors viewed the world in a holistic way
witnessed by the adage”As above, so below”.

It is such a sad commentary on our world today that such an
approach is met with disbelief and derision, that the practioners of
paganism are so widely discriminated against in a modern world
which protects religious freedoms.

The established churches have aided in the erosion of this concept
as they perhaps have too much to lose if an
individual can actually communicate well with their God without
being involved in an organized religion and
offering tithe to the officials who manage that organization.

Anyone considering using the runes needs to
aproach them from this holistic point of view
and to meditate and understand the flow of
energies through the universe.

Without this basic understanding, at best the runes are little
more than a neat trick, at worst, can be dangerous.
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Murray Hope says, in his book entitled The Ultimate Energy
“The non-linear time that exists beyond
the confines of our own little corner of the universe, I refer to
as outer time. Outer time, not subject to the physical,
also embraces timelessness and those subtle dimensions
that are not concerned with the worlds of matter.”

Further he explains”Once we have done so, vast energy
fields the nature and breadth and depth
of which we have not dreamed will be available for our use”

In his book, The Runes, Horik Svenson states”It seems quite
clear that we do have the capacity to move into
this timeless, energy filled world,and to
move beyond the everyday normal perception of time.
Svenson further says”If we think of time as a ball,
and cut a cross section of it.. all of time
past, present, and future will be visible.

This view gets to the heart of what is needed.
It allows us to view time in terms of quality,
rather than movement of hands.
In other words, the cross section of time we cut
out would have its own special qualities,
dependent not upon the hour of the day, but

upon the universal energies running through that section

I feel that the energies and the time meld in that cross section..
Time: past, present, and future are available for us
to walk through, with all the given energies to utilize.

The runes simply reflect those energies, and the rune caster,
the agent ,through which the energy is visible.

The runes, from first tradition have been made of natural materials.(wood, leather, silver,)

Each one contains a series of meanings, and the runecast will create
a logical connection between each meaning,even where the conscious mind sees none

The runic symbols talk to the mind through universal energies,
in a way that words cannot do. All of life contains an essence, a spirit
whereby it lives. In each blade of grass and each rock is a form of life to celebrate.

The powers of
the runes lies in their very “earthiness” the connection to all thing natural.

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Anglo-Saxon in origin, which was translated by monks from the Old English into Latin

It appears this translation was not without bias, in that many Christian

references appear in the translation, yet despite this the meaning was still essentially clear.

As you handle each rune, concentrate your energies on the meaning of it..
concentrate your thoughts on the old Gods and teachings, on nature and the spirit
making it reveal its own meaning