All things Pagan. A Druid's guide.

Paganism is an alternative to the Abrahamic religions, namely Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. Yes, all of those religions espouse a tie to Father Abraham, and they have been twisted over the ages to incorporate an incomprehensible system of beliefs. It shouldn't be that way.

Being a Druid, I've researched over the years, wallowing back in time, and I've seen how religion has morphed into the mess it is now.

I'm not here to correct the mess, I'm simply here to offer an alternative.

Paganism incorporates any belief system outside of the Abrahamic Tradition. Safe enough to say, you can be a Jew, a Christian, or a Muslim. Outside of that, you are Pagan. (Yes, there are difficulties with this, I know, so I hope someone will address this later in the thread.)

Needless to say, Pagans have certain things they do to affirm their beliefs, most of which are hinged upon a solid grounding with Mother Earth. We believe, and honor, the earth upon which we live. There's no need for heaven or hell, only respect for the world around us.

However, Druids study, and learn about the aforementioned link. Our ancestors created Runes to talk to us.
RUNES:

That is a handmade set, on my casting cloth.

Hopefully in this thread we can discuss the esoteric meanings. For now, I am only posting pics.

ATHAME and SCRYING MIRROR:


An Athame is a ritualistic dagger, used for many esoteric purposes. The Scrying Mirror will yield years and years worth of insight.


MY BOSEM:


It's a broom. Mine is made from cinnamon sprigs. When I cleanse a room, it smells nice afterwards. Witches ride such things? Naw, that's a myth.

MY FAMILIAR:

Then I must get into the core of my beliefs. Every Wizard/Druid/Witch has a familiar. Usually they are crows or owls. That's a myth. A familiar is like a spirit guide in the flesh, allowing you to focus energy. That energy is love. A familiar is a pet you take care of. You bond with it. That said....

I summoned my familiar, a pure white husky/shepherd/wolf mix. (Dunno about the wolf, it sounds cool, and yet, for 65 USD I can send for a kit that includes a swab, and get his genetics tested, and find out exactly what percentage of what he is.)

Fact is, the night I did the ritual summons, I logged online to craigslist, and he was listed as a one year old husky, for free, a 45 minute drive, and I went and picked him up. The pure white, with blue eyes, simply was a sign for me. I've had him with me for three years now, bred him, and have his son as well. My familiar's name is Storm, and his son's name is Demon. Notice the harness, as I won't collar my dogs. They all have harnesses. A collar is inhumane in my book. Harnesses let you guide, collars make you control.


I am not advocating anything here, just a personal preference. (Right-click and view image.)
BRANDING:
The brand from '09.

Two minutes after.

Three weeks later.

Tonight's pic.

I must stress that branding is NOT a part of being Pagan, that it's only a kinky preference I have. Every four years I renew my commitment to Paganism through that method. Branding was a technique used in the olden days to identify slaves, usually on the back of the neck. I place a scar on my right breast to denote my slavery to this system we have, yet it is a pentacle, open and free. Everytime I get a shower, I see my commitment in the mirror.

Being Pagan is a path. It's not any one way. It's your OWN way. It's knowing, and sharing, and finding friends who are searching as well. It has nothing to do with an Abrahamic Religion. To each, our own. Peace.

I'm leaving the rest of this thread open to your comments.....

That is a lot of nipples yo!

Druids were Celtic and Runes are Germanic, Celts and Druids utilized Ogham which is similar to Runes. The Germanics, Norse, Germans, Danes, and Swedes utilized Runes.

What's your scrying mirror made of?

Got any crystals?

reply to post by Ghost375

The Scrying mirror is simple plate glass, a rectangle, much like a modern LCD flatscreen for me. I painted it flat black. Four coats of paint. Any piece of glass, painted black on the back, will work.

Originally posted by TheFool
That is a lot of nipples yo!

edit on 31-10-2011 by TheFool because: I hope that isn't your wife

edit on 31-10-2011 by TheFool because: I am agnostic...that is outside any organized anything.

edit on 31-10-2011 by TheFool because: You are not off to the best start. Maybe talk more about the whys and hows first?

edit on 31-10-2011 by TheFool because: Or maybe just the fundamentals...

edit on 31-10-2011 by TheFool because: Happy Samhain!

You either like nipples, or you don't, Aye?

reply to post by Druid42


I like nipples...



Just not hairy ones...especially if they are hairy girl nipples (believe me it is possible). Shave that #!

I'd like to say thanks for sharing, informative and with the images as well. s&f

Happy (late)Halloween!

reply to post by Ghost375


My crystals are in another state, Oregon to be exact. They are in safe keeping. If you ask how I am in Ohio, and part of my craft is clear across the US, I'll start talking about telepathic bonds. Do you want to go there?

How about true friendship, and trust, and safekeeping?

In Paganism, crystals are primarily used for focusing. I have a network.

reply to post by dreamingawake

You are welcome. Thanks for reading.

Sorry to spoil things....anyways...tips.

What is paganism?

What does it mean to you?

How did you come about it?

How is it different than other religions?

How is is different than wiccan?

What is it?

Why is it?

Why do you practice it?


Etc etc....


Go now explain. The masses are waiting. Samhain only lasts so long

Blessed be all,
First Thank you Druid for starting this thread.

I am a Witch ( I will explain this in a bit ).
I follow the Goddesses Gaïa ( our True Mother ) and Khali ( the Bringer of Chaos, Protector of Innocence, Judge of the Unjust, Keeper of Dreams and Death ).
Yes, I follow a Dark Goddess, but that is acknowledging that every living being has a bit of Negativity in them. It also means that I have acknowledged and accepted that I will die, it is unavoidable and nothing to fear.

Witch = Some one who holds Knowledge and teaches others what he/ she knows and in doing so gains Wisdom.
This is important as = Knowledge without Wisdom is deadly.

I follow the Wiccan Reed and the Wiccan Laws.
Wiccan Reed =
THE WICCAN REED (the long teaching format)



Bide the Wiccan Laws we must

In perfect Love and perfect Trust

Live and let live

Fairly take and fairly give

Cast the Circle thrice about

To keep the evil spirits out



To bind the spell every time

Let the spell be spoke in rhyme

Soft of eye and light of touch

Speak little, listen much

Deosil go by the Waxing Moon

Chanting out the Witches' Rune



Widdershins go by the Waning Moon

Chanting out the Baneful Rune

When the Lady's Moon is New

Kiss the hand to her times two

When the Moon rides at her peak

Then your heart's desire seek



Heed the North wind's mighty gale

Lock the door and drop the sail

When the wind comes from the South

Love will kiss thee on the mouth

When the wind blows from the West

Departed souls will have no rest



When the wind blows from the East

Expect the new and set the feast

Nine woods in the cauldron go

Burn them fast and burn them slow

Elder be the Lady’s tree

Burn it not or cursed you'll be

When the wheel begins to run

Let the Beltane fires burn

When the wheel has turned to Yule

Light the log and the Horned One rules

Heed the flower, bush and tree

By the Lady, Blessed Be



Where the rippling waters go

Cast a stone and truth you'll know

When you have a true need

Hearken not to other's greed

With a fool no season spend

Lest ye be counted as his friend



Merry meet and Merry part

Bright the cheeks and warm the heart

Mind the Threefold Law you should

Three times bad and three times good

When misfortune is enow

Wear the blue star on thy brow



True in love ever be

Lest thy lovers false to thee



Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill :

An ye harm none, do what ye will.


The Wiccan Laws ( And I follow these quite literal ) =
All what you cast forth into the World, you will recieve thricefold ( multiplied by 3 )
Harm no living thing ( and that I take to be everything, Rocks, Trees, Flowers, etc. )

As you probably have read, it takes quite some Discipline to adhere to these Laws as I do, but I stress I am not Perfect, I am only Human and I do slip up sometimes. And the only person to blame for that is Me.

If you have questions, please feel free to ask and I will answer them as best as I can.
I am not trying to convert, just teach.

Namasté

reply to post by KhaliWitch


Just pointing out, you may know this, but the Wiccan Rede is not a law, and it's not advice that all Pagans follow.

For instance, I do not follow it, nor do I believe in the Threefold Law.

'An it harm none, do as ye will' does not restrict you from doing something that could harm someone- it's just saying that, if it doesn't harm anyone, do what your true self wishes to do. That's not the same as forbidding you from doing harm. That is left totally up to your discretion.

Originally posted by TheFool
Sorry to spoil things....anyways...tips.

What is paganism?

Pretty much any belief system that doesn't follow the Abrahamic Traditions. Islam, Judaism, and Christianity are all based on father Abraham. Paganism pre-dates all of them.

What does it mean to you?

It means to learn, and share whatever I can, with others. It means not to harm any living thing. It means to go outside, listen to wind, and hear the birds singing. It means many things. It means to enjoy life.

How did you come about it?

I developed a high contempt for brain-washed Christians. I chose my own path, and followed it. I studied Wicca for a while, then also decided that was not my way. You don't simply "come about it", you live it.

How is it different than other religions?

The refreshing difference is that there is no particular dogma to follow. No set of rules that say do this or do that on a particular day of the week. If you meet someone, and they say they are Pagan, a whole set of guidelines are instantly telepathically communicated. We don't try to convert others to our way, but we do help them find their path. There's no place of fiery torment after this life, and there are no virgins waiting in heaven. We don't wait for a Messiah to appear to help us, so we are not helplessly bound by believing in foolish things. We see life as a way to interact with the world around us.

How is is different than wiccan?

Wicca is a branch of Paganism. So is Atheism, Agnosticism, and others. Many different beliefs all under one roof. Your question is like asking how is the engine in your car different from the car itself. They are both integral parts of a whole.

What is it?

Why is it?

Why do you practice it?

Those are questions I hope we can answer within the pages of this thread.

reply to post by KhaliWitch


Hello Khali, and thanks for joining. The one thing I truly liked about Wicca was the beautiful rhymes incorporated into spells.

Poetry has a way of speaking beyond just simple words.

Only a few posts and already a fascinating read. I hope to learn much here.

We all walk our own paths, yes? Because we walk our own does not mean we cannot and/or should not learn of the paths that others walk.

Knowledge should be freely shared. This thread, friend Druid, is a wonderful beginning.

Peace

Thanks for the interesting thread. When I first came to this site, I was pleasantly surprised at how many "like" minded people where here.

reply to post by cetaphobic


Thanks for joining.

Hey, I followed the link in your sig, and I'm pretty impressed. Eclectics are a smart bunch, very keen minds.

I do have a question for you, though. What got you interested in Paganism, and where did it start for you?

reply to post by TNTarheel


Hello, TNT!

Yes, sharing our paths is what makes life interesting.

Of course, I do have a question: What path/beliefs do you adhere most to? Methinks you'll have a very interesting answer.....

reply to post by chiefsmom


Thank you for joining in.

You're right. There are many like-minded people here on ATS, but also a few, er, how do I say it? "Trollish" type individuals?

But hey, what would life be like if we all acted the same? It's the variety that seasons what could otherwise be a very boring existence.