Beginner's Circle - RealPagan- Paganism for the Real World

Your thoughts

2015-02-16T21:14:13.013Z

I have a few books that I picked at random from amazon based on stars, and I want to know if one you have read/heard about them and two what you think of them.

First book is To Walk a Pagan Path by Alaric Albertsson. Second book is A Witch Alone by Marian Green.

I'll go ahead and tell you I kind of like these books, because they don't push you to believe exactly how they want they are more guide books from what I can tell. I am open to any comments about them though, so if you hate them it's not going to hurt my feelings. I just want other peoples honest reviews.

When To Cleanse?

2015-01-08T15:51:51.263Z

Good Day All,

In short, the back story.

Before, I did personal cleansing on a 'as needed' bases. But for this year, my goal is to be more in sync with the rhythm of the celestial bodies; to have a cleansing routine that corresponds with the moon phase and day; one which isn't so sporadic - I try not to be stuck in this rigid guideline according to planetary alignments, however it just seems like that's the way I roll. :P

My original thought for a cleansing routine is to be held during a waning moon on Saturdays. As both times are good for banishing. That's my line of thinking. Anyways Saturdays I feel is the best, where I can really devout the slotted time and be focused.

Then the issue of doubt arises when I check my resources/correspondences and some state that personal cleansing should be done on a Full Moon or New Moon. Now my mind is on information overload with too many choices. Even though my instincts tell me that I might want to stick to my original line of thought. However, I still want to throw the question out there, to see how others are routinely doing this and the reasoning behind it.

I appreciate any feedback. It would help narrow down the options, in order to tailor a functional and sensible routine; one in which it's easy for me to remember and follow.

Thanks so much!

Many Blessings .....

- Flammeous

Moon Magic?

2015-01-07T04:41:42.424Z

It's the day after the Full Moon and I was outside this evening about an hour ago. I started looking at the Moon and then started really focusing on it.

I realized something by focusing on the Moon. Most people look up at the Moon and see just the Moon. Those of us who are Magical can look up at the Moon and see its aura. It's amazing really. If you look at it long enough, the Moon itself starts to flare up, almost as though it's on fire.

Also, the shape on the Moon surface starts changing a bit. Sometimes it resembles a Wolf. Another interesting thing that starts to happen is you start to see a Brownish/Grayish substance coming off the Moon that has a Red/Blue ring around it.

What I'm curious about is Moon Magic in general. Do these particular happenings mean anything? Does that mean that I'm a Moon Child? That I have an affinity to the Moon? Or is this just common place for all Magical People?

Also seeking a Mentor/Teacher

2014-11-21T20:48:44.939Z

I'm currently looking for a Mentor that I can connect with. I apparently have lost contact with my Previous mentor...unless there is a way to tell whether or not she's testing me. When she changed her number, she got in contact with me on Facebook to let me know, then we talked a few times since then, but I have not heard anything from her in a while and she won't answer her phone.

So, I'm kind of in a bind here really. Not sure what to do, not sure where to turn. If you've read my introduction, you'll know that I'm a Spiritualist in training. I hope to work with my own bodies energy in conjunction with other energies around me to accomplish many things. I have strong feeling that's what I was meant to do...achieve great things by thinking outside the box...literally.

I hope to utilize my Chakras, Healing Energies, Blue Fire, and what ever other powers I have lying dormant. I could also use some pointers on keeping a pure heart. I'm told that's why I can use Blue Fire, but I'm not sure many people really know about Blue Fire or really understand it.

I'm not even sure if this is the right community to be asking for a Mentor such as that which I'm seeking. I need to be more resourceful I'm sure, but we all need guidance too. So, if you feel like you're up to the task of Mentoring or Teaching me, then I welcome anyone willing to take a chance on me.

You just might be surprised at what I can do. I know I was surprised by some of the stuff I managed to pull of in the past. Or if you think you can help guide me as what I should do about my current mentor...whether or not I'm guessing correctly, I welcome your input as well. Though I really do need more resources. So, I feel that it's time to branch out.

I am looking to learn/Teachers?

2014-07-23T16:43:08.020Z

I am looking for teachers, friends with knowledge or guidance. Or just friends.. Chat for a while on here get to know you better and then maybe share emails to chat.

There isn't many Pagan folk in my area so it's difficult to get to know someone.

How did your patron deity/spirit guide find you?

2014-05-01T02:50:42.782Z

It's a very interesting idea, at least for me. Growing up in a Roman Catholic household, I never really found myself really connected to God. I was raised basically in fear and believed God maybe because I didn't know I couldn't. I've always felt very spiritual, though, especially around nature.

As I find myself reading about casting circles, daily devotionals, and Pagan philosophy and ethics, I wonder how it is for those of you whose patrons have made themselves known to you. Have you always had signs, or did one just out of the blue surprise you? Was it someone you knew all along, or was it the last deity you ever expected? I find it interesting, too that the deities that one finds as patrons are actually deeply connected on a personality and world-view level; if you tell me about your deity, you are simultaneously telling me about you.

So how did you find out? And when?

looking for more advanced Wicca books to read/beyond 101

2014-04-21T12:50:46.607Z

Hello all,

I have been studying on and off about Paganism (NeoWicca) for about four years now. I have read:

Simple Wicca

Wicca for the Solitary Practitioner

Living Wicca

The Magical Household

Drawing down the Moon

The Spiral Dance

Witch crafting and Book of Shadows by Phyllis Curott

the Meaning of Witchcraft by Gerald Gardner

The Witch's God and Goddess

read some of the Complete Book of Witchcraft by Buckland

I know about the Wiccan Rede, Law of Return, the sabbats, esbats, elements, the basics of grounding and centering, casting a circle, rituals, etc.

What I am searching for now is a somewhat structured plan of study that goes beyond the basics. Something that talks about ethics more or explains why we do certain practices, something that really makes you think about your beliefs and how you fit into the path. Any suggestions or advice would be appreciated. Thank you.

General questions

2014-01-18T06:03:52.717Z

I am relatively "new", and I have some questions...

Do Wiccans worship a specific god/goddess OR do they worship the god/goddess in general (in a collective form)?

And if it is the former, how do you know what tradition to take (Celtic, Norse, etc)?

When it comes to handfasting, is it possible to perform a ceremony by yourselves as less of a marriage and more of a "promise"? I have been with my fiance for three years, and marriage is currently not plausible due to deployments and college.

And because I have been having some issues (note: a lot of issues) with my body, many of which stem from my diet, I am curious: do any Wiccans or Pagans follow a specific diet due to their spiritual path?

I have been wanting to try vegetarianism because of how sick bread, meat, and other products make me, but I haven't done any research yet. Any advice?

Invoking Gods and Goddesses, how does it work?

2014-01-09T01:49:54.642Z

*Edit 'Right now, as I was about to post this thread since I forgot to add the lyrics, the song 'Never surrender' from, yet again, Triumph started playing, Google the lyrics... Seriously?! '

So, I'm not sure if it's just my imagination or if it actually worked...

5 minutes ago, I lit an incense and asked for any Gods or Goddesses who cared for those who want to learn more, and know adventure, I tried to draw some blood but the knife was blunt so I let it be. But I mentioned that I was serious and about a second or two later the song Magic Power from Triumph started playing*!
*Shuffled playlist with 1028 numbers from which only one is that song.

The lyrics , for those who don't know them, they're posted at the end of my post, are describing almost to the point as to how I'm feeling and to what i want....

Could this have been something or am I hallucinating?

Triumph - Magic Power

Something's at the edge of your mind, you don't know what it is
Something you were hoping to find, but your not sure what it is
Then you hear the music and it all comes crystal clear
The music does the talking, says the things you want to hear

I'm young, I'm wild, and I'm free
I've got the magic power of the music in me
I'm young, I'm wild, and I'm free
I've got the magic power of the music in me

She climbs into the bed, she pulls the covers overhead
And she turns her little radio on
She's had a rotten day, so she hopes the DJ's
Gonna play her favourite song
It makes her feel much better, brings her closer to her dreams
A little magic power makes it better than it seems

She's young now, she's wild now, she wants to be free
She gets the magic power of the music from me
She's young now, she's wild now, she wants to be free
She gets the magic power of the music from me

You're thinking it over, but you just can't sort it out
Do you want someone to tell you what they think it's all about
Are you the one and only who's sad and lonely, you're reaching for the top
Well the music keeps you going and it's never gonna stop
It's never gonna stop
It's never gonna, never gonna, never gonna, never gonna stop

The world is full of compromise, the infinite red tape
But the music's got the magic, it's your one chance for escape
Turn me on, turn me up, it's your turn to dream
A little magic power makes it better than it seems

I'm young now, I'm wild now, I want to be free
I've got the magic power of the music in me
I'm young now, I'm wild, and I'm free
I've got the magic power of the music
I've got the music in me

I've got the power
I've got the magic
She's got the power
She's got the magic
...

structured study tips for a solitary pagan

2014-01-02T18:31:31.391Z

Hello all,

I have been studying on and off about Paganism (NeoWicca) for about four years now. I have read:

Simple Wicca

Wicca for the Solitary Practitioner

Living Wicca

The Magical Household

Drawing down the Moon

The Spiral Dance

Witch crafting and Book of Shadows by Phyllis Curott

and I am currently reading the Meaning of Witchcraft by Gerald Gardner

read some of the Complete Book of Witchcraft by Buckland

I know about the Wiccan Rede, Law of Return, the sabbats, esbats, elements, the basics of grounding and centering, casting a circle, rituals, etc.

What I am searching for now is a somewhat structured plan of study that goes beyond the basics. I am getting ready to read the Witch's God and Goddess books and have no problem reading as much as I need to but I feel like I need some structure because my studies have been kind of all over the place. I also want to put what I am reading into more practice but I am in a wheelchair and have physical limitations and don't get outside much. Any suggestions, advice, guidance, resources or anything else would be much appreciated. Thank you in advance. :)