RealPagan- Paganism for the Real World

Do you call it hidden in the Broom Closet or do you call it Respect for others?

2013-12-26T15:13:04.620Z

Recently one night, I found myself in a discussion, that focused on being able to practice ones beliefs openly, yet, not causing fear in others. I wondered if many would have walked away feeling as I did.....

A witch, who lives her life within an environment that includes, a Christian and an individual who hold true to many of the Old Tribal Ways. We have been blessed, with living in the same space, for numerous years, and found that respect is a key to this successful blend.

We are lucky enough to live in an environment that allows us each our own space(bedroom)and we keep our respective religious items within the same. The main house, is decorated with odd bits and pieces of everyone, yet none of these items are of a religious tone.

As a unit, we share when questioned about our own practices/paths, yet , do so in a way that yields a level of respect for each other as individuals. We have learned to joke about the differences, and relish the knowledge gained from one another. The influences that bind us are many, and yet, the differences, are equally, as varied and important.

We live in a society that is quick to make judgements and assumptions based on fear of the unknown. Yet, at the same time,when information is provided, we often are unwilling to hear what is said, disguising it by saying," I listened to you".

It would be wonderful if the world was filled with only rainbows and unicorns, however, reality, has a way of rearing it face. Judgement of someone, due to a difference, based on religious practices/journeys, always leads to anger and hurt. It is, in effect, no different than, using skin color, heritage, sexual preference, or a disability, to ostracize a person from the community, in which we expect them to function.

But it is important to remember one fact, above all, the level of respect you wish to receive for being true to yourself, you must also be willing to give to others. Thus, it is possible, to remain true to one's own beliefs, while living in an atmosphere that is not filled with fear and hatred, nor are you hidden within the Broom Closet.

Greetings

2013-12-17T18:34:24.781Z

I am Morgan and I am here for community. I gave an introduction in my profile and I will copy/paste it here.

Hello, I'm looking for a community that isn't about making money and popularity. I am hoping to find love and growth here. I've been practicing paganism for 10 years now and I've always been alone in it. I'm ready to reach out and embrace others. I would like to learn more about traditions and maybe one day be formally initiated.

Other than that, thanks for letting me join.

Lets band together and save horses!

2013-12-16T05:04:01.645Z

Hey all,

Join me and save some horses lives today! Please go to the link below and sign this petition to save the horses! Keep us and them safe! It literally only takes a minute or two and is completely free! Please comment below and share the link with others!

https://secure.humanesociety.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=5933#.Uq6IlbCA3IU

hello everyone, from India

2013-12-09T01:39:36.229Z

This is Eudora, I'm 22 and in my final year at college. I'v had it going rough for the pastfew years, which is why I'm probably here. It would be really nice to meet and talk to new people. Hopefully I'll be able to get my life on track as well. This is my first time at a pagan forum, looking forward to it. :)

Void of Course

2013-12-05T04:31:24.490Z

Lately I have been trying to learn about and employ cord magic and astrological alignments in my spellcraft largely due to a very interesting discussion posted by Lark on cord and knot magic. I have eagerly awaited the waxing moon as there are a few serious things we need in our lives right now that I intend to do workings for. I thought I had figured out the perfect days to cast these spells, using the moon phase and the zodiac house in which it sat at the time. Then I came upon the "void of course" concept. Apparently, the moon is considered void of course when it has completed its last planetary aspect in one sign and begins to move into another. There is some debate as to when this phase begins and ends, and it seems to be considered a bad time to cast any sort of magic as the energies of the moon are confused at this point. So in order to be safe, I suppose it would be better to avoid casting on void of course days altogether. Does anyone else know anything about this concept and do you avoid casting at these times? Can anyone explain this phase to me and exactly when casting should be avoided? I have searched this site and found nothing on this subject. Any information or help would be greatly appreciated. :)

Introduction.

2013-11-17T16:29:02.221Z

Hello everyone, I am new to this site, I came here after bad experiences at another site and hope things go well here.

"Blessed Be" In Public

2013-11-12T02:49:16.615Z

Its not very often that I wear my pagan jewelry in public, but here recently the response I've gotten has been really really positive. I'm not used to it, and not really sure what I was expecting. Maybe I thought that people would be less accepting of me if they found out I was out of the broom closet so to speak. And I'm really thankful and glad that I have not received any negative feedback or societal pressures. I guess my question is, what do you say to someone who says to you "Blessed Be..." as they are sending you off with the server to set at a table? Honestly I was so surprised by it all I could manage was thank you. And then I thought should I have said Blessed Be as well or something like may the god/goddess bring you light and love and happiness? It was the first experience I've ever had like this, and I'm trying to make sense of it all and be prepared for the instances to come in the future situations. Any advice or comments or situations similar you have experienced would be really helpful. Thanks!

Hello from Melbourne, Australia

2013-11-08T04:26:38.052Z

Hello.

I am new to my path, I like to call it Eclectic Pagan, and I am always learning and looking for new things to learn. :)

At the moment I am trying to work with Tarot and see it as probably my top 5 things I fall back on. I am also working on charming pendants at the moment, and mirrors. I am celebrating the Sabbats as they come, learning about then while it is the time of year, as I work full time at the moment and am also in the middle of partime study, but I do what I can. When school finishes this year, I plan to focus my spare time of learning more in my path.

Nice to meet everyone. Feel free to talk if you are from Melbourne too. I don't know much of the pagan community here, so it be cool to meet people.

Crafting tools

2013-10-31T11:20:07.253Z

Hey there...

So this is my first thread. And I couldn't find this topic anywhere on the forum... But if I overlooked it, I'm sorry.

But I'm looking for crafting tools.

Think of Athame, Chalice, Wand etc.

In my younger years I used a homemade wooden Athame, and a letter opener in the shape of a sword.

But now I want the real deal. I know there are a lot different kinds of Athame's.

Silver, Copper, Stainless steel. And then there are the handles. Wooden, Bone, Leather...

And in some cases there can be symbols etched on the blade and or handle.

I also know that the different kind of metals and handle materials are used for different kind of magic.

And then there are wands... Which I do not really know a lot about.

And a Chalice... Is the material it is made of important? Like; glass or crystal or tin.

I'm eager to learn about your experiences with these tools!

Blessed be!

Sveiki (Greetings)

2013-10-31T06:32:37.524Z

It is nice to find a friendly forum online for the Pagan community. I am on a journey to learn as much as I can about other people's paths and their 'spin' on paganism.

I was born into a Dievturi (Baltic pagan) family, who migrated to Australia. Growing up, my family time consisted of gathering home grown herbs and vegetables for our meals and medicine, feeding and caring for wildlife and street animals, making sacred geometry arts and crafts and songs of Baltic folklore. My grandmother is 102 years old and still actively practicing her paganism.