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

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I won’t drag this out because I have a very long guide on it already: elemental magic for beginners. Tarot/Divination In solitary practice, you’re not committing to a group or coven, so many newcomers don’t know what to commit to. 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. What rights do Pagans have in the workplace? Can your employer treat you differently just because you're not part of a mainstream religious group? Learn here about the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and how it applies to you. Handfasting bonfires are a popular part of many ceremonies. Benedicte Vanderreydt/Cultura/Getty Images

Nature as Teacher, by Selena Fox – another great piece of writing about Pagan values that we can learn from Nature. One definition of paganism is a religion native to a place. Under this definition, Buddhists, Hindus, and practitioners of indigenous American religions would be pagan — as much as they might disagree with the appellation!Wicca is personal, so you can make it whatever you like. Some people choose a deity and formally declare their dedication to this aspect of the divine. The Book of Shadows (BOS) is used to store information on your magical tradition. Many Pagans have one, and consider it a sacred tool. Copy spells and rituals into your BOS, along with information on herbalism, deities, gemstones, rituals, and more. You can make your BOS as elaborate or as simple as you like. Although there are common Norse pagan practices across countries and traditions, there isn't “one true” way of doing things. Some heathens will focus on just one or two of the dozens of deities and spirits in the pantheon, while others honor them all. In addition to talking about how magic works - or doesn't - this week we're going to look at the basics of candle magic, crystals and gemstones, herbs and incense, and more. Remember that Book of Shadows we started in Step 3? A lot of this information is worth keeping in there. Feel free to print things out and keep them in your BOS - after all, that's what it's for! Let's start off with a couple of the most commonly asked questions about magic, and then we'll talk about poppets, candles, oils and herbs as well. The name we give the divine, in my opinion, is really irrelevant. Provided we show honour and pay respect, the label we then attach has nothing to do with the end goal, it’s just used as an excuse for people to kill people. With ‘humanity’ as bad as it is, I don’t think the divine entity(s) that created this world are concerned with triviality of the human word, when mankind, being too preoccupied with fighting each other over land and what word to label the divine with, has lost all sight of what should be a unified goal. When mankind eventually decides to stop, the thing he is so fiercely fighting over will be beyond repair. The planet on which we live is slowly being killed and destroyed by the very beings that are supposed to protect it.

Bowls and Baskets: to hold offerings on your altar or to use when you harvest herbs and other natural items (Dollar Store and thrift stores or what you have on hand); bowls can also hold water and salt (to represent elements water and earth for Wicca) 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. It’s a reconstructionist religious movement that is animistic in nature, worships the Norse pantheon, and honors its deities with food and libations. Forn Sed, Ásatrú, Vanatrú, and Fyrnsidu are all examples of specific Heathen traditions. EclecticismOthers prefer a looser interpretation. All druid paths place an emphasis on education, history, ancestor veneration, and creativity — many druids are also artists, poets, and musicians. Pagans generally do not believe in the concept of eternal damnation, though some may believe in a Hell-like realm. Pagans vs. Witches This is one of the oldest pieces of knowledge to humankind. People have been using herbal tea to heal or stimulate or relax for as long as people have been cooking. So… when can you consider yourself a Norse Pagan? Again, I won’t give you an exact answer (sorry!): you shouldn’t depend on another person to decide your spiritual path and give you a label, especially if they are a stranger on the internet.