Paganism for Beginners: The Complete Guide to Nature-Based Spirituality for Every New Seeker

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Let's face it - magic isn't something we can sit down and explain with a pie chart and a graph. It's not something we can correlate with facts and figures. It's something that exists, but we can't prove how or why. In fact, there are even different types of magic - all of which work within their own spheres of energy. Learn a little bit about different theories on the science of magic. A Pagan may or may not be polytheistic, and a few are even secular, preferring a kind of philosophical veneration that isn’t focused on a deity or deities. So, you’ve chosen a name, dedicated yourself to a diety, and done some spells. This gets you through Wicca for beginners. If you’re a new pagan or witch, you might be wondering why is it necessary to have an altar. It’s not required, first of all. But secondly, if you choose to have an altar, there’s a few reasons. Altars serve as sacred space where you can meet and commune with spirits you might work with including: gods and goddesses, ancestors, elementals, the dead, etc. If you’re not one to work with spirits, you might choose to see it as sacred space for Universal energy or “source” energy. Or just a space to honor Mother Earth. Most forms of Paganism are polytheistic, but belief doesn’t necessarily equate to worship — some Pagans may choose to pay tribute to a single patron deity. Pantheism

So far, we've talked about some of the basic foundations of a solid practice of Wicca and other forms of Paganism. We've discussed the deities and how to interact with them, principles and concepts of Pagan religions, as well as magical tools and theory. Now it's time to really get started on the hands-on stuff. Depends on who you ask, but most Pagans will tell you they accept magic as part of their daily life. Most people don't practice magic at all —why on earth not, if it's real? Some of the reasons might be simpler than you think. Come May 1, the earth and everyone on it is fertile and ready to bloom! The old custom of May Day lives on in our modern Beltane festivals, which celebrate the greening of the earth, and the fertile land which is ready to be plowed. Got a parent who's wondering about your newfound interest in Wicca? Are you a parent who's trying to figure out why your kid is always looking at the moon and has started wearing weird jewelry? Either way, this article is for you. I’ll end this section by reminding you that experimentation and exploration are key parts of the Wiccan way. This makes Wicca for beginners a bit harder than other religions.

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One issue that comes up often for people learning about Pagan spirituality is the concept of appropriate worship. There tends to be some question about what, exactly, is the right way to honor the gods or goddesses of one's tradition. You can take ancient druidic practices and perform a knot-tying ceremony. That knot can then be placed so that you’re reminded of your commitment. What am I committing to? After Gardner popularized Gardnerian Wicca, many of his students and followers branched off to create their own schools and covens. This gave rise to practices like Alexandrian, Dianic, eclectic, and solitary Wicca.

An altar is where you meet with the Divine and re-connect, it is NOT necessarily a bragging tool for social media. Also remember, your altar will grow and change with time. Items will be gifted to you from friends or family and nature will send you gifts along the way. How often should you cleanse and charge your altar?Paganism, as a concept, is an ever-changing target. Originally, the term came from the Latin “paganus,” meaning a rustic country-dweller, and was used as a pejorative. Sometimes called Midsummer, this Sabbat is in direct contrast to the long nights of the Yule season. Litha is the longest day of the year, and it occurs around June 21 in the Northern Hemisphere. Covens are a great place to begin Wicca because it makes passing down long traditions of knowledge and spells easy. You will be a part of maintaining a line of ancient knowledge. Pagan history—Paganism is one of the world's oldest religious movements. You'll read about the roots of Paganism and how it's evolved to serve modern practitioners yearning to reconnect with themselves and find more wonder, depth, and meaning in the world.