Paganism & Wicca FAQ

[witch_admin]

Paganism FAQ

Table of Contents
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1) General FAQ

What is Paganism?

What might these branches be?

Wait, you just said Wiccans need to be initiated but I read that I can self-initiate and still call myself Wiccan. Are these authors lying?

So I do need to be initiated to be Wiccan?

But I am an Eclectic Wiccan/Neo-Wiccan, there is a big difference!

Do Pagans worship or believe in the Devil/Satan/Lucifer?

Do Pagans believe in God?

Do Pagans worship the Earth and is Paganism an Earth-based religion?

Do all Pagans believe in magic and cast spells?

Magic, is that like Harry Potter?

Can you teach me how to cast (insert spell)?

What is a Book of Shadows and where can I get one?

Can you be a Pagan and a (insert religion)?

What is a coven/hedge/grove/circle/kindred?

How long does it take to become a Pagan?

Are all Pagans feminists/gothic/hippies/etc?

What is the difference between a Wiccan and a Witch?

Do Pagans really sacrifice animals?

What were "The Burning Times"?

Polytheism, monotheism, pantheism, animism, what's the difference?

Where can I meet other Pagans?

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2) I'm new to Paganism, what should I do?

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3) What books should I read if I am interested in Paganism?

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4) What websites should I go to if I am interested in Paganism?

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5) Wicca FAQ

Coming soon

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6) Heathenism (Asatru) FAQ

What is Asatru?

What does the word Asatru mean?

When did Asatru start?

If this is the religion of the Vikings does that mean that it is violent or not meant for women?

How is Asatru different from other faiths?

What does Asatru say about the afterlife?

Did you just say Hell is a good thing?

You keep using Heathen and Asatru, are they the same thing?

Is it true that Odinism has to do with racism?

Does Asatru have a Bible?

Does Asatru have an apocalypse?

What is the Heathen concept of time?

Do you consider the Norse myths, tales, and sagas to be true?

Does Asatru have a church?

Why is Heathenism being reconstructed, if it went away why should it come back?

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7) Egyptian (Kemetic) FAQ

What are Kemetic religions?

What does "Kemetic" mean?

What does "Netjer" mean?

Aren't Kemetic religions the same thing as Kemeticism?

Do Kemetic religions have scriptures, a holy book, or "Bible"?

Does Kemetic religion express belief in an afterlife?

Does Kemetic religion have a Hell?

Does Kemetic religion have a Satan, Devil, or a similar figure?

Are there Kemetic temples?

How does someone worship the Kemetic gods?

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8) Celtic (Druid) FAQ

Coming Soon

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9) Greek (Hellenism) FAQ

Coming Soon

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10) Hedgewitch FAQ

Coming Soon

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11) Eclectic Pagan FAQ

What is an Eclectic Pagan?

How does one become an Eclectic Pagan?

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12) Left Hand Path FAQ (by Travis Lynch)

What is the Left Hand Path?

What are some groups of LHP practitioners?

But pagans don't believe in the devil!

So you're Satanists, which is just an inverted Christian?

Do LHP practitioners commit ritual abuses, mutilate animals, and sacrifice virgins like I've seen on the news and in movies?

Do LHP practitioners do harmful magic? What about the Law of Three/Karma?

Do LHP practitioners believe in gods/spirits?

What is the difference between Lucifer, Satan, and the Devil?

When did the LHPs start?

What do LHPs believe about the afterlife?

Why is it called "LHP"?

[witch_admin]

This FAQ was compiled by Adam Bean in 2008 from forum posts made on a Facebook group called "Paganism & Wicca". It has been of use to many throughout the 17 years it has existed so it has been preserved here and edited by the admins for formatting only. Given its age, some information may be outdated and some links may be broken.

The webmaster hopes to continue to update this resource with more sections and contributions from members.

[witch_admin]

1) General FAQ


What is Paganism?

It is an umbrella term encompassing many other faiths. Think of it like Christianity; there are many branches of Christianity.

What might these branches be?

There are many. I will just name a few.

Wicca, a nature-based faith made popular by Gerald Gardner in 1954. To be Wiccan, one must be initiated into an already existing lineaged Wiccan coven.

Heathenism (Asatru), a reconstruction of the faith practiced by the Norse people before the Christianization of Scandinavia.

Celtic (Druid), a reconstruction of the faith practiced by the Celts before the Christianization of areas such as Ireland, Britain, and Gaul.

Egyptian (Kemetic), a reconstruction of the faith practiced by the ancient Egyptians.

Eclectic Pagan, a term that describes people who take from many different faiths and combine them into one.

Wait, you just said Wiccans need to be initiated but I read that I can self-initiate and still call myself Wiccan. Are these authors lying?

Sadly, many authors such as Llewellyn, Silver RavenWolf, and Starhawk have caused many people to think that the term Wicca means anything from Pagan to Witchcraft. Authors like this usually do no historical research, tend to make things up, and generally use the term “Wicca” because they know it will sell books. It is also interesting to note that many authors that write about Wicca were never actually initiated into a lineaged coven.

Here is just one example of why these authors are not to be trusted; there are many more. http://www.ecauldron.net/opedtarnishedsilver.php

So I do need to be initiated to be Wiccan?

Wicca is a mystery faith, and without initiation into a lineaged coven, you will never be able to learn the mysteries. Take this quote from Seámus McKeon, a Wiccan High Priest.

"A Wiccan is initiated by a High Priest(ess), and no one else. That is how Wicca operates. An initiation is something that brings the initiate to the doorstep of mystery, and it's how we know that the person has been brought there. It takes someone who knows the mystery to reveal it to someone else. If you're not initiated, you won't even know the names of the two gods the Wica serve, among other things."

It's as simple as that. Without initiation, you are not Wiccan.

But I am an Eclectic Wiccan/Neo-Wiccan, there is a big difference!

You are right in that there is a big difference; one is Wiccan and one is not. If you are going by Eclectic Wiccan, change it to Eclectic Pagan and then reread the above questions. Using the title of Wicca while not being initiated is very disrespectful to those who have actually done the work to be initiated.

Do Pagans worship or believe in the Devil/Satan/Lucifer?

No, Pagans and Heathens do not worship the Devil. Many do not even believe that a devil exists. That is not to say that we do not believe in malevolent forces in general. Various Pagan faiths believe in a natural balance, and with any balance, there must be bad with good. We recognize that this malevolence is a part of nature, but in no way do we adhere to single worship of this darker aspect.

Do Pagans believe in God?

There are many different thoughts about God in different branches of Paganism. Some believe that all the Gods and Goddesses are one and that we are all worshiping the same thing. It’s just that we are all looking at it from different perspectives or worldviews. Others are polytheistic and believe that each God and Goddess is an individual, such as all your friends are different people. These people accept that Yahweh is just as real as Odin or Zeus, yet these Gods are each unique in their own way.

Do Pagans worship the Earth and is Paganism an Earth-based religion?

Like previously said, Paganism is not a religion but rather a group of religions. Some of the religions are Earth-based while others aren’t at all. It varies from faith to faith.

Do all Pagans believe in magic and cast spells?

No, you don’t have to do any magic to be a Pagan or Heathen. Some branches will require it while others don’t stress it at all.

Magic, is that like Harry Potter?

Aleister Crowley defines magic as “producing change in conformity with the will.” This change could be in the form of protection or healing brought about by magic created from things such as chanting, herb use, or other forms to concentrate using one’s will.

Can you teach me how to cast (insert spell)?

Magic differs from person to person due to each person having an individual will. To do magic, you will have to find what works for you. That is not to say that we cannot help you by telling you what we did in the past so that you can also try and see if it works.

What is a Book of Shadows and where can I get one?

It is a book where you write your Pagan-related experiences. This could be experiences such as how you did a spell and if it worked, what kind of herbs you prefer to work with, how you performed your last ritual, etc. You can’t buy one because you are the creator of it. Some people buy blank books and write in them, while other people put the information on their computers. It all depends on what you are comfortable doing.

Can you be a Pagan and a (insert religion)?

This depends on what you want to insert. Faiths such as Buddhism tend to be fine with combining faiths, while faiths such as Christianity have dogma against following other Gods. The important thing is to respect the laws of each faith or religion and not to degrade them by trying to break these customary laws.

What is a coven/hedge/grove/circle/kindred?

These tend to be communal groups that meet to perform rituals, blots, group magic, etc. This once again depends on what branch of Paganism you are looking at. A Wiccan coven will be very different when compared to a Heathen kindred. Just think of it like a town meeting or even church. It is a group of people meeting to practice or discuss a certain item of interest.

How long does it take to become a Pagan?

This varies from branch to branch. Paths like Wicca might take longer considering that you have to be initiated into an already existing coven, while others will just require that you have faith in the Gods and Goddesses.

Are all Pagans feminists/gothic/hippies/etc?

No, while some worship a Goddess exclusively, dress gothic, or are a little too into environmentalism, that does not mean that every Pagan is. Groups are nothing more than a collection of individuals, and that being the case means that you will get all different kinds of people involved in Paganism. Most of them are regular people, but like any other religion, we always have a few exceptions.

What is the difference between a Wiccan and a Witch?

Wicca is a religion, while Witchcraft is a practice. The difference between these two arises from the goal they aim to reach. The purpose of Wicca is to worship the God and Goddess, follow the Wheel of the Year, and practice one’s spirituality. Witchcraft’s purpose is to use spells or herbs to achieve a desired end such as healing or protection. You do not have to be a Witch to be Wiccan or a Wiccan to be a Witch.

Do Pagans really sacrifice animals?

Like many religions, Paganism and Heathenism do have dark sides in their past and even their present. There are a few Pagan branches such as Ifa, Santeria, and Voudoun that still practice animal sacrifice, but most branches of Paganism have given up this practice for various reasons.

What were "The Burning Times"?

It refers to the witch hunts that took place from the 14th to the 18th century. The name is somewhat ironic because most of the killings that took place were done by hanging. While some Pagans will say that nine million people were killed during this time, historical records prove that only 50,000 to 100,000 were killed, most of them being Christian, with very few actually worshiping any Pagan deities.

Polytheism, monotheism, pantheism, animism, what's the difference?

These are all different ways in which people view the divine, soul, and life in general.

Hard polytheism is a belief where there are many Gods and Goddesses, each one different and separate from all the others.

Soft polytheism says that there are many Gods and Goddesses but that each one is only a different aspect or manifestation of a supreme God.

Monotheism believes that there is only one God.

Pantheism is the view that everything is part of an all-encompassing God.

Panentheism believes that God exists in every part of nature, and infinitely extends beyond our current time. Panentheism is different from pantheism in that pantheism believes that God is the same as the material universe.

Monism is a metaphysical belief that all is one. Monism characterizes pantheism, panentheism, and some Hindu concepts of an immanent transcendental God. The concepts of absolutism, the monad, and the "Universal substrate" are closely related.

Animism refers to a belief system that says all animals, plants, and humans have souls or spirits.

Where can I meet other Pagans?

The Internet. There are many online groups and organizations that are willing to give new people a helping hand. You can also check to see if there are any Pagan or Heathen groups near you by going to http://www.witchvox.com/vn/vn_index/xgroups.html or http://www.meetup.com/

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2) I'm new to Paganism, what should I do?

There are many new people coming to our board daily, asking us questions on where to begin, what to do, how to do it, etc. We answer these questions constantly and it seems like we always give the same answers so I decided to make life easier for everyone and compile a list, with the help of the Paganism and Wicca board, on what we think you need to know to get started.

“Read. You can never have enough information. I’ve been reading for years and still have hundreds of books to go through. Knowledge never ends, it never stops growing, and neither should you.” ~Adam Bean

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Don’t be afraid. Chances are people will get up in arms about your beliefs but others will accept you. Don’t run from religious discussions. Talk to the Christians, Jews, Muslims and all the other people that might call you a devil worshiper. You might both end up learning something if you cut out fear.” ~Adam Bean

“Study other religions. I see so many people become pagan and all of a sudden they are Wiccan, just because that’s a popular pagan religion.” ~Julie Naven

“You want the definition of Paganism? Go look in a dictionary then because if you ask everyone you will get a different answer from each. What it isn’t, is force. You should never be forced to think any way as a Pagan. Note how I said Pagan though; if you follow a specific path, there tends to be culture and certain traditions. Know them, live them.” ~Adam Bean

"Any branch of Paganism, be it Wicca, Druidism, Heathenry, etc is not supposed to be an excuse to go around wearing a pentacle. The true Wiccan, the true Druid, the true Heathen, all worked very hard to attain their standing as a practitioner, and it cheapens the whole religion if you begin telling folk that you practice without knowing two cents' worth about the faith itself." ~Daniel Citynski

“If you ever find yourself saying this, “Adam was the one who was imposing historical truth. We like to think that our freedom is more important than history ~Federike Rose-Mele” there is a good chance that you have a lot to learn about Paganism and where it came from.” ~Adam Bean

“We should learn from our history and our past. Know your history and the past of your faith.” ~Adam Bean

“Practice what you say you believe.” ~ Cherie Goulet

“Learn it, know what religion you claim to be. Many claim they are Wiccan when they actually practice shamanism, not Wiccan.” ~ Julie Naven

“Get to know yourself. You will need a solid understanding of who you are and what is important to you before you can go looking for a path. Of course, who you are changes over time, so it's a good idea to do a re-evaluation of yourself from time to time.

Here is an exercise to help with self-awareness.

Make three lists: Personal Interests, Personal Ethics and Personal Cosmology.

Personal Interests is all the things you like and enjoy, be they 'mundane' or 'magical/spiritual'.

Personal Ethics is how you feel about ideas and situations and how you would react. This is everything from the telling of white lies, to the giving of gifts, to murder.

Personal Cosmology is how you view the universe and your relation to it. Is there a god? How do you perceive it? What does it do? Do plants have spirits? What happens when you dream? Etc.

Now go take look at them. Does anything jump out at you? If yes, great, if not that's okay too. The next thing you should do is visit a book store or library. Get books on any and all paths that catch your interest [and maybe some that don’t]. Have your lists on hand as you read these books so that you can readily compare the books ideas to your own. See if your ideas fit with anything.” ~Erin Steacy

“Meditate, most of Paganism is about connection, and in order to achieve certain connectedness, one needs to be centered and grounded.” ~ Aaron Sheldon

”Keep tabs on everything you do/experience/try out for the first, second, however many times.” ~ Aaron Sheldon

“Do not go to every single Pagan message board or group online and say, "Hi, I'm new, what should I do?"” ~ Aelwyn Daeira

“Ask questions but first check to see if there are already answers present.” ~ Joe Shaw

”Keep a journal. I would say that in the initial stages of learning, just journal. Keep records of experiences, rituals, spell work, meditations, divinations, etc.” ~ Aelwyn Daeira

“Information is free if you know where to look.” ~Adam Bean

“Don't take yourself too seriously, do that and you'll wind up arguing with everyone and wasting a lot of energy. Be prepared to change the way you think or to assist others in changing the way they think.” ~ Joe Shaw

"You were never a murdered witch, you were never burnt, beaten, hunted by packs of dogs, etc. Bad things happened in the past. Get over it and move on." ~Adam Bean

‘Let’s not play the reincarnation game. We all want to be epic warriors or persecuted witches in our past lives but you just sound like a joke after too many of these proclamations. Take your past lives seriously.” ~Adam Bean

”Be conscious and respectful of others beliefs, regardless of how whacked out you think they are.” ~ Joe Shaw

“Don't go out and buy all of your Altar materials at once just because you've decided you are Pagan! Your Alter items will come to you when they are the right.” ~ Cherie Goulet

“Research and know what all of the required Altar accruements are, and what they are for. Do not ever touch the working items of another person without their permission.” ~ Cherie Goulet

Note: Some people are very specific about their property and also have certain traditions that they follow to manage their property. Think of it this way. You own a house and so does your buddy. Although you own a house you don’t go over to your friends house and rearrange all of his things just because you understand houses since you also own one.

“Don't put it upon yourself to judge the workings of others, pay more attention to what you should be doing, rather than worrying about what other people aren't doing.” ~Jessica Williams

”There are bad covens out there filled with attention seekers that do not take their beliefs seriously.” ~ Joe Shaw

“Find a group that gets together to discuss Paganism and other religious paths and attend regularly.” ~ Cherie Goulet

“Do not take active part of a ritual until you know what you are doing.” ~Cherie Goulet

”Do not play around with runes or other symbols unless you fully understand what they mean and can do.” ~ Joe Shaw

“Use common sense in everything. If you are doing work with fire understand that you can get burned. Don’t wear flammable clothes that hang everywhere and can easily catch on fire. Don’t think one of your 100 candles won’t tip over and catch your dresser on fire. That common sense rolls over to other things as well. You should not go out and spend all your money on books or magic wands or Heathen swords just because you want to learn or do everything at once.” ~Adam Bean

“Don’t ever allow someone to defame or degrade your beliefs. Chances are you have a culture and traditions. Don’t let someone take them away or try to change them. If your beliefs aren’t worth fighting for than they might not be beliefs at all.” ~Adam Bean

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3) What books should I read if I am interested in Paganism?[/b]

Celtic (Druid):

• A Complete Guide to Fairies & Magical Beings, by Cassandra Eason
• A Guide to the Celtic Dragon tarot, by D.J. Conway&Lisa Hunt
• Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom, by John O'Donohue
• Bonewits's Essential Guide to Druidism, by Isaac Bonewits
• Celtic Gods and Heroes by Marie-Louise Sjoestedt
• Celtic Myths & Legends, by Peter Berresford Ellis
• Celtic Myth & Magick, by Edain McCoy
• Druid Power: Celtic Faerie Craft &Elemental Magic, by Amber Wolfe
• Everyday Sun Magic, by Dorothy Morrison 
• Goddess Initiation, by Francesca De Grandis
• Irish Witchcraft From An Irish Witch, by Lora O'Brien
• Magic of the Celtic Gods and Goddesses, by Carl McColmanand Kathryb Hinds
• The Celts, A History, by Peter Berresford Ellis
• The Druids, by Peter Berresford Ellis
• The Druids, Celtic Priests of Nature, by Jean Markale
• The Mysteries of Druidry, by Brendan Cathbad Myers
• Women of the Celts, by Jean Markale
• Women of the Celts, by Peter Berresford Ellis

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Heathenism (Asatru):

• Elves, Wights, and Trolls: Studies Towards the Practice of Germanic Heathenry: Vol. I (Studies Towards the Practice of Germanic Heathenry), by Kveldulf Gundarsson
• Gods and Myths of Northern Europe, by E.R. Ellis-Davidson
• Helrunar, by Jan Fries
• Myth and Religion of the North, by E.O.G. Turville-Petre
• Nordic Religions in the Viking Age, by Thomas A. DuBois
• Our Troth: Volume 1: History and Lore, by Kveldulf Gundarsson
• Our Troth: Vol. 2: Living the Troth, by Kveldulf Gundarsson
• The Germanization of Early Medieval Christianity, by James C. Russell
• The Way of the Heathen, by Garman Lord
• The Well and the Tree, by Paul C. Bauschatz
• We Are Our Deeds, by Eric Wooening

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Compilation sites:

• This site has a lot of books such as, Drinking From the Well of Mímir, The Road to Hel, Think Again! Thinking like a Heathen in the Modern Era, Beowulf, etc
• http://heathengods.com/temple/modules/library/
• The Eddas, Sagas, Histories, Chronicles, etc.
• http://www.northvegr.org/lore/main.php

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Paganism (General/Witchcraft):

• Animal Magick: The Art of Recognizing and Working with Familiars, by D.J. Conway
• Aradia: Gospel of the Witches, by Charles Godfrey Leland
• Astral Travel for Beginners, by Richard Webster
• Buckland's Big Book of Witchcraft, by Raymond Buckland
• Buckland's Book of Saxon Witchcraft, by Raymond Buckland
• Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft, by Raymond Buckland
• Charms, Spells, and Formulas by Ray Malbrough
• City Magick, by Christopher Penczak
• Dancing With Dragons, by D.J. Conway
• Drawing Down the Moon, by Margot Adler
• Earth, Air, Fire, and Water (more techniques of natural magic), by Scott Cunningham
• Earth Wisdom, by Glennie Kindred
• Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs, by Scott Cunningham
• Gay Witchcraft by Christopher Penczak
• Grimoire for the Greenwitch, by Ann Moura
• Herb Magick, by Scott Cunningham
• Inner Temple of Witchcraft, by Christopher Penczak
• Inside a Witch's Coven, by Kate West
• Jambalaya: The Natural Woman's Book of Personal Charms and Practical Rituals by Luisa Teish
• Magical Herbalism, by Scott Cunningham
• Modern Magick, by Donald Kraig
• Moon Magick, by D.J. Conway
• Mythology, by Edith Hamilton
• Natural Magic, by Pamela J. Ball
• On the Toltec Path: A Guide To the Teachings of don Juan Matus, Carlos Castaneda, And Other Toltec Seers, by Ken Eagle Feather
• Outer Temple of Witchcraft, by Christopher Penczak
• Paganism: An Introduction to Earth Centered Religions, by Joyce & River Higginbotham
• Pagans and Christians, by Gus Dizerega
• Practical Candle Burning Rituals, by Raymond Buckland
• Pure Magic, by Judika Illes
• Rites of Worship, by Isaac Bonewits
• Simply Tarot, by Leanna Greenway
• Sons of the Goddess, by Christopher Penczak
• Spells, Talismans and Amulets, by Pamela J. Ball
• The Craft of the Cup, by Schadwnn
• The Crystal Bible, by Judy Hall
• The Enchanted Candle, by Lady Rhea with Eve Lefey
• The Golden Bough, by James Fraser
• The Mysteries of Isis: Her Worship and Magick by de Traci Regula
• The Nature of Magic: an Anthropology of Consciousness, by Susan Greenwood

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Wicca (Traditional):

• 21st Century Wicca, by Jennifer Hunter
• A Witches' Bible: The Complete Witches Handbook, by Janet and Stewart Farrar
• An ABC of Witchcraft, by Doreen Valiente
• Fifty Years of Wicca, by Fred Lamond
• Heart of Wicca, by Ellen Cannon Reed
• The Meaning of Witchcraft, by Gerald Gardner
• The Triumph of the Moon: a History of Modern Pagan Witchcraft, by Ronald Hutton
• The Witches' Goddess, by Janet & Stewart Farrar
• The Witches' God, by Janet & Stewart Farrar
• When, Why...If, by Robin Wood
• Wicca: The Old Religion in the New Millennium, by Vivienne Crowley
• Wicca Unveiled, by J. Philip Rhodes
• Witchcraft Today, by Gerald Gardner

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Native American:

• Black Elk Speaks, by Black Elk and John Neihardt
• Lame Deer, Seeker of Visions, by John (Fire) Lame Deer

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Mythology:

• Bulfinch's Mythology
• The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Mythology, by Cotterell & Storm

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Other:

• The Everything World's Religions Book

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Celtic (Druid):

http://www.druidry.org/
Order of the Bards, Ovates, and Druids – Devoted to teaching and spiritual development

http://www.paganachd.com/
Celtic Reconstruction FAQ

http://www.imbas.org/
IMBAS 

http://druidnetwork.org/
The Druid Network

http://www.geocities.com/mikerdna/
The Reformed Druids of North America

http://www.keltria.org/
The Henge of Keltria

http://www.adf.org/
Ár nDraíocht Féin: A Druid Fellowship (ADF)

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2221407379
Druids of the World 

http://www.luminarium.org/mythology/ireland 
Irish Literature 

http://www.joellessacredgrove.com/
General Celtic Paganism

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Egyptian (Kemetic):

http://www.netjer.org/
The House of Netjer

http://www.kemet.org/
The Kemetic Orthodoxy

http://www.per-yinepu.org/
The House of Yinepu, the Temple of Anubis

http://www.per-bast.org/
The House of Bast

http://www.hethert.org/
The Domain of Hethert

http://wepwawet.org/wiki
The Wepwa-Wiki

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Heathenism (Asatru):

http://www.asatru-u.org/beginner/asau-b ... utline.htm
Heathen beginners course.

http://thetroth.org/
Well known Heathen organization.

http://www.vikinganswerlady.com/index.shtml
Viking Answer Lady. If you have a question on how the Vikings did anything this is a good place to start.

http://www.asatru.org/
Asatru Alliance of Independent kindreds. See if there is a kindred around you and if there isn't you can get involved and create one. These people are basically a collection of small communities.

http://www.ravenkindred.com/
A good source of information, but take it with a grain of salt.

http://www.englatheod.org/
Anglo-Saxon Heathens

http://www.home.earthlink.net/~jordsvin ... 0Eddas.htm
The Havamal

http://mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?t=174210
A list of links

http://www.sunnyway.com/runes/
Runes

http://www.tarahill.com/runes/
Runes

http://www.youtube.com/user/Vinterulf
Mike Smith's youtube page.

http://www.youtube.com/user/smcnallen
Stephen McNallen

http://www.ragweedforge.com/
Purchasable items of Heathen interest

http://www.jelldragon.com/
Purchasable items of Heathen interest

http://www.badalijewelry.com/
Thor's Hammers, Rune Jewelry, and other items of interest.

http://www.albion-swords.com/
Legit swords. ARMA members and many other western martial artists swear by site.

http://www.asgardgifts.com/
Many items of heathen interest.

http://www.zazzle.com/grimjack99
Hey, support one of our own, Stephen Bergstrom.

http://www.hernescraftes.com/
Wood carved items.

http://www.irminsul.org/aw/aw.html
Finding info/people near you

http://www.lokis-laughter.com/
Heathen Humor
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Hedgewitchery:

http://www.angelfire.com/folk/greenwitch/enter.html
Greenwood Manor:

http://www.hedgewytchery.com/index.html
Hedgewytchery:

http://www.shadowdrake.com/index.php
House Shadow Drake:

http://shadowthreadwitch.wordpress.com
Old Thread Witch:

http://walkingthehedge.net/Hedgewitch.htm
Walking the Hedge:

http://www.scottishpf.org/hedgewitch.html
The Hedgewitch (Hagwychia variegata):

http://www.raebeth.com/
Rae Beth:

http://www.sallymorningstar.com/hed.htm
Sally Morningstar:

http://www.nectw.org/
New England Coven of Traditional Witches

http://ancientkelticchurch.org/
The Ancient Keltic Church 
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Paganism (General/Witchcraft):

http://www.manygods.org.uk/
Association of Polytheist Traditions

http://www.robinartisson.com/artissonindex.htm
The Robin Artisson Index

http://www.witchforum.net/forum/
Lots of info, to post in it you do need to join, and it is very well looked after so you don't often get trolls.

http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/
Tarot website.

http://www.thecuspway.com/
Climbing Up The Spiritual Pathway (CUSP) - Another Pagan lifestyle, with many bits of information for practitioners.

http://www.tarotpedia.com/wiki/Main_Page
TarotPedia - An online resource for new and regular diviners of the Tarot.

http://www.learntarot.com/
Basic Tarot

http://www.littlemysteries.com/
Litte Mysteries - an excellent store for pagans of many types, selling books, CDs, stones, jewellery, and MANY other items. They ship worldwide.
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Personal Recommendations:

http://ohmygods.co.uk/
Oh My Gods - Always good for a pagan chuckle.

http://www.paganradio.net/
Pagan Radio Network

http://www.fullmoonrisingmagazine.com/
Full Moon Rising Magazine:
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Podcasts:

http://youtube.com/user/Vinterulf
What is Asatru?

http://www.deos-shadow.com/
Deo's Shadow

http://www.unnamedpath.com/
The Unnamed Path

http://thewigglianway.libsyn.com/
The Wigglian Way

http://www.druidcast.libsyn.com/
Druidcast
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Wicca (Eclectic Pagan):

http://web.archive.org/web/200401241504 ... ssuck.com/
Why Wiccans Suck. "I have no problem with Wicca, it's the Wiccans I can't stand." basically explains it all. This is the how to guide on what not to do to be a playgan.

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Wicca (Traditional):

http://beaufort.bravepages.com/
Beaufort House's TradList (N.B. - Not complete and not entirely accurate.)

http://www.thewica.co.uk/
Developed and maintained by a British Gardnerian, about the Wica.

http://www.tradwicca.org/
A British Traditional Wica Coven

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Gardneria ... Questions/
Wica Questions

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SwordandCauldron/
Wiccan Coven

http://newt.00me.com/notgard.html
Gardnerian ... or not 

http://amberandjet.spiralpaths.org
Amber & Jet
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What is Asatru?

Asatru is a reconstruction of the faith practiced by the Norse people before the Christianization of Scandinavia. Asatru is the native religion of the people who lived in areas such as Scandinavia, England, Germany, and The Netherlands.

What does the word Asatru mean?

Asatru is old Norse for "faith in the Gods/Aesir".

When did Asatru start?

The modern revival of the Norse beliefs began in the 1970s but earlier revivals can be traced back to the Victorian age. The faith in general though is much older. Historical and archeological facts prove that it began at least around 40,000 BCE and was almost wiped out during the Viking age, 792-1066 CE. It’s just that the belief system was not called Asatru that long ago. The Norse did not have a name for it, as it was their way of life. No name was needed for it in their culture.

If this is the religion of the Vikings, does that mean that it is violent or not meant for women?

No, while most of the information we have on Heathenism comes from the Viking age, that does not mean that it is only a faith for Vikings. There are many strong Goddesses and women within the faith, not to mention that not all the men in it are stereotypical Viking reenactors.

Viking violence is also distorted, considering that most historical descriptions of Viking raiders came from their enemies. Modern historians say that the Vikings were no less violent than any Christian, Muslim, or Jew during that time period. Viking culture also brought about things such as trial by jury, parliaments, Anglo-Saxon common law, and many rights for women.

How is Asatru different from other faiths?

There are many differences, but to just name a few, Asatru is a polytheistic faith. This means that we have many Gods and Goddesses and we see each one as being a separate being. This also means that we believe that your Gods are as real as ours and in no way think we are the only correct path.

Asatru is also a world-accepting faith as opposed to a world-rejecting faith. This means that our goal in life is not the afterlife or heaven but rather this world, Earth. We live in the here and now and want to be the best that we can now. Believing that the world is good also means that we do not accept things such as original sin or other rejections of natural desires, which are just that, natural.


What does Asatru say about the afterlife?
There are many different beliefs within Heathen literature and modern Heathen practice. Life with the Gods in one of their halls such as Valhalla, going to Hel (A good thing in Asatru), life in the gravemound, life under the sea with Ran, or reincarnation through a family line are just a few.

“Cattle die and kinsmen die
thyself must also die;
I know one thing which never dies;
the reputation of each dead man.” ~Havamal

That stanza points out that the important thing to remember is that the afterlife is not the life to worry about. By living an honorable life while still alive you are ensuring that your afterlife is taken care of.

Hell is a good thing?

Yes, and it is spelled Hel for Heathens. Hel is the Goddess of the Norse underworld and our myths point towards this not being a bad place to go when one dies.

You keep using Heathen and Asatru, are they the same thing?

There are actually a lot of different names to describe the reconstruction of Norse beliefs. Asatru, Heathenism, Forn Sed, Odinism, The Elder Troth, etc. The choice of name is mostly a personal preference or nationality situation, but they all basically mean the same thing.

Is it true that Odinism has to do with racism?

While some Odinists or Heathens in general are associated with the Neo-Nazi movement, they in no way represent the Heathen message. In our myths, the Gods and Goddesses are shown to form relationships with others outside of their clans. There is also historical evidence of the Norse people forming families with people of other nationalities when they went to invade or trade. The Norse culture shows no racism but rather acceptance. It’s just that groups of people have tried to distort the message to justify their hatred.

Does Asatru have a Bible?

No, while we do have myths, tales, and sagas, such as Beowulf, to help guide us, we do not have one formal book that we must follow.

Does Asatru have an apocalypse?

Yes, it is called Ragnarok, but it is not like other apocalypses in that it might not happen. Look to the “Heathen Concept of Time” section for more details.

What is the Heathen concept of time?

When most people hear the word fate, they think of predestination. They also assume that Ragnarok, Fate/Twilight of the Gods, has to happen. This predestination is a misconception though if you take a close look at the Heathen concept of time.

There are three Norns, Urth, Verthandi, and Skuld. They aren’t to be confused with past, present, and future, like in many other faiths. The word fate right now is usually only used to describe them, as any other description would cause a lot of confusion.

Urth is how the past actions alter the future, or becoming actions, but more on that in a little bit. Think of your life as a giant web. Each action you do will cause the web to shift and the big actions will make big waves. It is also important to know that each action will affect the parts of the web closest to you. This is why it is important to not only have a good life but to also place yourself around people who are doing the same thing. You could be having the noblest life possible, but if you are surrounded by ill-doers, your web will be shaken up. Urth is the past, actions made apparent, things that have become or are accomplished.

The next Norn is Verthandi. This one is easy because it can simply be called present or in the line of became, become, and becoming, she is becoming. It is what is happening to you right now as you are reading this. The Urth is that you decided to go on this topic and that I decided to type up this document. The Verthandi is you reading it this instant. It is directly affected by the past actions and that is why it is important to always aim to achieve greatness. It is this that will alter the way you live your life. If you have a bad habit, you will have a tendency to continue the bad habit due to your orlog and past actions.

The last Norn is Skuld. Once again, she is not future. As the saying goes, “Tomorrow never comes.” Skuld is becoming, meaning that it is something that now must happen. It is obeying the laws of physics and reality. You did this and that, and now this is the reaction. Take for example the battlefield. Our Urth is that we decided to meet to do battle. Maybe the battle came about due to a disagreement or some other issue. It is all in the past now and affecting us by causing us to be where we are at. The Verthandi is us with weapons in hand ready to fight. Now, say I go for a stab and succeed in making the attack. Take the picture as a frame-by-frame shot. You see the knife going towards you, getting closer and closer. Now, stop right as the knife touches your skin but does not break the skin. Skuld will say that the physics and reality of this situation will be the knife breaking through your skin and traveling into your body a certain distance based on the force that was used in the past. This is your Skuld. There was no fate saying that you would get stabbed, you had every chance to avert what happened to you by either not showing up to the fight or trying to solve out the issues. The fact though, is that your past and present actions are now manifesting into the stab. Reality must make that knife go through you. That is your becoming, there is no tomorrow, only the now and what is happening.

This is all important because it shows how the Vikings thought about fate. Ragnarok is a prophecy. At the time of its telling, it appeared as if it is what would happen, but things could have changed since then and there is no reason to believe that it is the way that the “Fate of the Gods” will actually play out come the end of the day.

Do you consider the Norse myths, tales, and sagas to be true?

Most Heathens will not say that they believe the myths are factual information but rather that they are religious truths. Truths about the nature of the Gods and Goddesses, the nature of humans, and how the two intermingle but we do not accept them as historical truth.

Does Asatru have a church?

Asatru is a pretty decentralized faith. You can practice rituals in kindreds, Heathen groups, but you can also be a solitary Heathen if no other Heathens are around you. There are also a few national and international organizations such as The Troth or the AFA, but once again, you do not have to be a member to be a Heathen.

We also have little dogma and no central leaders such as a pope. Asatru is more communal and will differ from community to community, just as it did many years ago when the Vikings practiced the faith.

Why is Heathenism being reconstructed, if it went away why should it come back?

You will probably get many different answers from many different Heathens for this one, so I’ll just give you my personal opinion.

Historical evidence proves that Heathenism has been around since 40,000 BCE and that it lasted until the end of the Viking age, 1066 CE. Even after this date, many Heathen traditions still remain, from the way people get married to the way Christians celebrate Christmas. Heathenism has deep roots in many parts of our culture and it is starting to bloom once again. People are beginning to realize that the worldview of the ancient Heathens still applies to many situations in our modern era. They hear the call and decide that it is time to go back home to our cultural roots.

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7) Egyptian (Kemetic) FAQ
By: Benny Bargas


What are Kemetic religions?

Kemetic religions are the reconstruction or revival of the spiritual ideologies native to ancient Egypt often focusing on the religion as it existed prior to the Greco-Roman period of the culture's history.

There are a number of different faiths which describe themselves as Kemetic religions. Some of these religions strive to recreate the beliefs and practices of the ancients as reasonably possible and appropriate whereas others interweave modern or foreign beliefs and practices with those of ancient Egypt.

The latter includes traditions like Tameran Wicca (Tameran from "ta-mery", a native word for ancient Egypt) which is more or less Wicca with an Egyptian flavor and the Church of the Eternal Source, a New Age interpretation of the ancients' faith without the aid of texts or scholarship.

For the remainder of this FAQ, "Kemetic religion" will describe the former of the two practices.

What does "Kemetic" mean?

The word "Kemetic" is formed from the transliteration of the ancient Egyptian word "kmt" (the ancients did not record vowels) and the English suffix. Literally, "kmt" means "Black Land", referring to the black soil of the Nile river which provided much of the ancients' livelihood.

What does "Netjer" mean?

"Netjer" is the English transliteration for ancient Egyptian word for "God." The plural of the word would be "netjeru."

Aren't Kemetic religions the same thing as Kemeticism?

Many people who practice Kemetic religions often use the term "Kemeticism" to describe their spiritual beliefs and practices, however, this term has been around and used for some time prior to the revival of the religion of ancient Egypt. "Kemeticism" was created by and largely used by proponents of pan-African, Afrocentric movements.

Do Kemetic religions have scriptures, a holy book, or "Bible"?

No. Kemetic religions today and in antiquity were not scripturally revealed. The Gods revealed Themselves to the ancients and to mankind today in everyday, natural phenomenon and interact with us all the time. The rituals, rites, and festivals were an ingrained part of the cultural heritage and evolution of the ancient Egyptian people.

Does Kemetic religion express belief in an afterlife?

Yes, though, there is little agreement (or need therefore) of what the afterlife is like or if an afterlife excludes the possibility of reincarnation. Some accounts describe the afterlife as a mirror universe for this physical existence while others sources suggest reincarnation might be an option for the newly deceased.

All accounts agree, though, that after one dies one is led to the Hall of Two Truths before Wesir (Osiris in Greek) where one's soul is weighed against the feather of Ma'at (order, truth, justice, righteousness). If one's heart is heavier than the feather, one's soul is eaten by Ammut, the Eater of Souls, and ceases to exist, however, if one's soul is equal to or lighter than the feather, one passes to the next life.

Does Kemetic religion have a Hell?

Yes, but hell is reserved only for non-human evil, demonic spirits.

Does Kemetic religion have a Satan, Devil, or a similar figure?

Kemetic religion does have a figure that is representative of evil, Apep (Apophis in Greek). Unlike Satan, Apep was not created by the Creator, but is a force of Uncreation that seeks to undo the Universe.

Are there Kemetic temples?

Yes, the oldest and most-enduring of these temples is the House of Netjer (http://www.kemet.org/) based in Chicago, IL and recognized by the U.S. as a religious organization. Many of the other groups or temples practicing a revival or reconstruction of Kemetic religion are splinter-groups from the House of Netjer.

How does someone worship the Kemetic gods?

One can worship privately in their own home at private shrines or one can worship in a group or at a temple with officiating priests. Both practices were performed in antiquity with much frequency. Different temples or organizations have different rituals for worship, but the simplest way of engaging in worship is to simply provide water, offering, prayer, and communion with Netjer.

Are Kemetics polytheists?

Some are hard polytheists, some are soft polytheists, and others are monolatrists, believing that the gods (Netjeru) are individuals part of a larger, unifying Divine force (Netjer).

How many gods are there? What gods do Kemetics worship?

Throughout the recorded history of ancient Egypt (exceeding 3000 years), hundreds of netjeru are known to have been acknowledged and worshiped. Many of the netjeru were local deities people of a town or nome worshiped and others, but others were national deities. Today, many Kemetics worship the national deities including netjeru like Wesir (Osiris), Aset (Isis), Yinepu (Anubis), Bast, Sekhmet, and Ra, to name a few.

Are the gods omnipotent, omniscient, or omnipresent?

No. The Netjeru are not said, either in antiquity or today, to be omnipotent, omniscient, or omnipresent. Each term is extremely loaded, so they will be addressed individually.

Omnipotence is the quality of a divine being of possessing limitless and infinite power. While the Netjeru are far more powerful than any human being could possibly fathom, there are limits to Their power: the gods, Themselves, are not exempt from the Law of the Universe, Ma'at. Mind-boggling and unfathomably powerful, They are, and Their displays of power might appear to us to be omnipotence, but in Kemetic faiths omnipotence is not a characteristic of the Gods. Could a netjer turn you into a dust bunny? Sure. Could a netjer avoid the consequences of such an action? Doubtably.

Omniscience is the quality of possessing knowledge of all things, all the time of every time that was, is, and will be; it is having infinite knowledge. The Netjeru are not omniscient, They do not possess an infinite knowledge, however, They do know infinitely more than we do because They were involved in the creation of the Created Universe and because they are also intimately involved with the inner-workings of said Created Universe. They can comprehend the Universe from a perspective unhindered by human limitations and through the nature of Their divinity. They might even see far enough into the future to be effectual because They might better understand the relationships between cause and effect and from Their divine perspective can better see every ripple of an action. After all, an ant may only see two or three dominoes fall, but a man can see the entire pattern destroyed.

Omnipresence, the quality of being everywhere, all the time, is another feature not found within Kemetic religious theology, either today or in antiquity. Being divine beings not entirely of this realm and therefore unfettered by the physical laws of our Universe, They are quite capable of being in multiple places simultaneously and can exist within a space larger (or smaller, or both!) than our minds can comprehend.

If your gods aren't omni-(something), why are they worth worshiping?

A better question is how can any god be omni-(something) and be worthy of worship? If there were a god who was all-knowing, all-powerful, all-present, and all-loving, evil would simply not exist; it wouldn't need to exist! Yet if such a hypothetical god existed, the only answer for the problem of evil is that it is the will of said god, i.e. the god wanted it to happen.

Evil in a Kemetic world is born from Isfet and brought into the Created Universe by its agent, Apep. Being outside of Creation, Apep and its machinations are beyond the scope of the Netjeru's foresight, so sadly, he manages to weasel his way into the universe. But when he rears his ugly head in our lives, it's comforting to know that our Gods love us so much that They will do everything in Their power to help us.

What do Kemetics believe about mortality and good and evil?

Kemetics believe in Ma'at, Who is both a concept and a Goddess. There is no adequate English translation of Ma'at, but it has been commonly rendered as justice, order, balance, and truth. It is believed one should strive to cultivate, uphold, and protect Ma'at and stave off isfet (the antithesis of Ma'at).

Do Kemetics believe in magick?

Yes. Ancient Egyptian history is filled with stories, manuals, and rubrics on magic and how to effectively work it. In the ancient tongue, magic was called "heka."

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11) Eclectic Pagan FAQ
By: Carlos Camacho


What is an Eclectic Pagan? 

An Eclectic Pagan looks at many Pagan faiths and takes what they thinks works, making something new, unlike other Pagan faiths that have standards and traditions they work with and can sometimes build on.

How does one become an Eclectic Pagan? 

The first part is learning about many Pagan faiths. With that knowledge you can take what you think you need and build off of it. Think of it like a lifestyle. You build your faith so that it surrounds and becomes what you are. 

How is creating your own faith a faith at all, especially without standards or traditions?

It is not that Eclectic Pagans create their own faiths. Usually they take already existing faiths and mold them into what they are comfortable with. Something similar would be a Catholic having premarital sex. They decided to take that part out of their faith and add a new part in. It is not a complete breakaway from structure; it is just realizing that some things need to change over time.

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What is the Left Hand Path?

The Right Hand Path (RHP) and Left Hand Path (LHP) are fundamentally different spiritual philosophies. The Right Hand Path seeks to align with greater spiritual forces, often through worship, in order to attain enlightenment and serve those higher powers. In contrast, the Left Hand Path focuses on personal empowerment, breaking societal and spiritual taboos, and developing an individual morality that reflects one's personal understanding of the universe. LHP practitioners aim to ascend spiritually by creating their own path to enlightenment, whereas RHP followers aim for unity with the divine. While the terms aren't about good vs. evil or light vs. dark, the key distinction is the LHP's focus on individualism and personal power.

What are some groups of LHP practitioners?

The Left Hand Path includes a wide range of systems, such as Satanism, Luciferianism, the Temple of Set, Thelema, and the practices of Enochian and Goetian magic. These are just a few examples, as there are many diverse paths within the LHP.

But pagans don't believe in the devil!

Correct, most Wiccans and pagans do not believe in the devil. Some may believe in figures like Lucifer or Satan, but not in the same way that Abrahamic religions do. Many pagans venerate different gods and deities, and their spiritual practices vary widely.

So you're Satanists, which is just an inverted Christian?

Some LHP practitioners identify as Satanists, but not all do. The concept of "inverted Christianity" is a misrepresentation. For example, Anton LaVey's Church of Satan doesn’t believe in Satan or the Christian God, but instead focuses on self-worship and individualism. The term "inverted Christian" is often used as a pejorative and doesn't accurately describe the diversity within the LHP.

Do LHP practitioners commit ritual abuses, mutilate animals, and sacrifice virgins like I've seen on the news and in movies?

No, the vast majority of LHP practitioners do not engage in harmful acts like those depicted in sensationalized media. While some LHP systems may involve ritual animal sacrifice, it is done thoughtfully and for specific purposes, not for sadistic reasons. Human sacrifice is not a practice in the majority of LHP systems, and no responsible practitioner would support such acts. Such behaviors are not reflective of the LHP as a whole.

Do LHP practitioners do harmful magic? What about the Law of Three/Karma?

LHP practitioners often create their own code of morality, which can vary greatly. Some believe in doing harm only in self-defense or to rectify personal wrongs. While many LHPs reject the Law of Three (the idea that harmful actions will come back threefold), they acknowledge that magical workings can have consequences, and those consequences may be mitigated or accepted as part of the process. The LHP sees the universe as a place of constant balancing forces, and magical works are seen in that context.

Do LHP practitioners believe in gods/spirits?

Yes, many LHP practitioners believe in gods and spirits, though their beliefs vary. Some venerate deities from different traditions, such as Hekate, Shiva, and the Morrighan. Some also view Lucifer or Satan as an important figure, while others focus on a pantheon of deities that are not tied to any particular religious tradition.

What is the difference between Lucifer, Satan, and the Devil?

Lucifer is a specific archangel known for rebelling against the Abrahamic God. Satan is a title meaning "the Adversary" or "one who opposes," originating from ancient Hebrew lore. The Devil, as popularly depicted (a horned figure with goat hooves), is a blend of various mythological and religious figures, including Lucifer, Pan, and others. Thus, Lucifer and the Devil are not the same, though both can be referred to as Satan in certain contexts.

When did the LHPs start?

The Left Hand Path likely dates back as far as early paganism, though modern systems began to take shape in the late 17th and 18th centuries. The contemporary movement is often traced to Aleister Crowley and the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn in the late 19th century, with Crowley’s work having a significant influence on the development of LHP traditions.

What do LHPs believe about the afterlife?

There is no single view of the afterlife within the Left Hand Path, as beliefs vary. In general, many LHP practitioners believe that death is not permanent, and that the soul continues to evolve and grow. Some see the afterlife as an opportunity for further spiritual development or even to ascend to godhood. Unlike the Right Hand Path, which often views the afterlife as a place for rest, the LHP tends to view it as another step in spiritual evolution.

Why is it called "LHP"?

The term "Left Hand Path" originates from the 19th-century occultist Madame Blavatsky, who used it as a translation of the Sanskrit term *Vama-marga*—a Tantric practice that emphasized breaking social taboos. It referred to practices like ritual sex, drinking alcohol, and other activities considered taboo in traditional Hindu society. Blavatsky adopted the term to describe this type of spiritual practice, which was later expanded to describe Western occult practices with similar emphasis on personal empowerment and rebellion against conventional norms.