Just a note to make peeps aware - most of the site is closed to casual visitors, but this (Starter's orders - basics) and the Creative Corner are the only ones which are open.

Just in case anyone wants to post their deepest, darkest secrets - it might be better to choose one of the other pagan/magic sub-forums for that!

Please don't reply to this, it's a demo post for the thread about FAQs.

Starters Orders FAQ

Pagan Pride

For use in educating schools about Paganisim.

Runes 101, The Elder Futhark

Celebrating sabbats, What do you do?

Magic(k)

Skyclad or Not

What's it take to be a proper witch?

Is a magical name important?

Candles, What to say, and who to?

Pagan for starters

Mixing pantheons, Gods for differing pantheons?

Beginners ritual

Guide to Heathenism

So what do I actually do?

Circles

What kind of pagan am I?

Fluffy?

Explaining paganism... to those who are scared

What's my path?

Tarot

How Do You Perceive The Ultimate?, Spirits, God or both?

What's the difference between wiccan and witch?

Ceremonial Magic

Meditation for beginners

Imbolc

Witchcraft, errr what is it exactly?

Useful Diagrams For The New And Forgetful, various shapes and uses

Crystal cleansing

Spells

Protections, essential for everyone

The Elements, Air, Fire, Water, Earth, Spirit

Animism

Okey dokey, so all you lovely guys out there, after reading my intro, all know that I'm new to Paganism and I have no idea what direction I'm going.
I was wondering if any of you guys could give me some of your thoughts on some books or websites that might explain the different paths and their beliefs. I don't even know half of the different paths and I want to know if there may be a few out there that might be along my line of thinking. I've currently ordered Pagan Paths, by Pete Jennings so I'm hoping that it might give me some ideas.

If you don't mind me asking, are there many paths out there that believe in creationism? I myself am a creationist believer. In my own opinion, the big bang and evolution may have happened but, to me, the matter that created the big bang and start evolution has to have come from somewhere and it can not have created itself. (I mean no disrespect to anyone. Those are just my beliefs and everyone else is free to believe what they wish )

Thank you all in advance for your help.

** Shimmering Stardust **

I'm new to this and still exploring what my path is. Tonight, just as dusk was settling, I went to sit in my garden with a cup of tea. I'm fortunate to have a garden which backs onto a wood and it was very pleasant just listening to the breeze in the trees. It seemed as though all the birds had gone to sleep, the only sound was the gentle wind and there were no birds flying around. During the day, the garden is full of birds of all types. Just as I was feeling a sort of connection to the trees and the fading light, a wren landed on my shed about 3 or 4 feet away. It stayed for a few seconds, seemingly looking at me, before flying off. There were no other birds around. It was also unusual because during the day I've never seen a wren in my garden. I'm sure it's just a pleasant natural coincidence, but it got me wondering if birds have any specific significance in the pagan world, particularly wrens. Any comments and wisdom but be gratefully appreciated.

So Ive read the book Pagan Paths, theres a lot of interesting things in there but nothing that jumps out to me and shouts HAI.

I have a list now of other lovely books to read, but was wondering if theres anything else that I can do to help myself find my path?

For example, those who have personal deities, how did you find them or how did they find you?

Is the world tree/tree of life important in any particular path, as Im very drawn to the idea..

Im trying to not over think matters but I do feel that if I dont ponder on the subject then I will just wander along doing the same old nothingness Ive been doing for years.. Im trying to place things I feel drawn to down in a way that will make sense.

Hi, Im new, you might be able to gather that

Ive been checking out a lot of links on here already but there seems to be SO much choice involved.

I know one thing, Im not interested in casting spells, magic or dressing up.

Are there any particular paths that will rule out? Save me researching them and realising it all involves spells and magic when I could be researching something I would enjoy instead?

Im unsure really what Im asking, Im completely new to this all and dont know where I belong.

Thanks

Hi all. I've been a member here for a while but I haven't posted anything before as I've been reading and learning. I'm still very new to Paganism and as such I'm still finding the path that's right for me. From what I've read so far I feel closer to Odinism and the religions of ancient Egypt and the Celts - it makes "sense" to me and i feel comfortable with it, if that makes sense?

I'm a trained first aider at work and ubfortunately an incident occurred where I had to give CPR to someone. They are currently in ICU at the local hospital. I'd just like some advice - is there something anyone can suggest that might help give me some comfort? A lot of the people at the scene are Christian so were praying, and I'd just like to be able to carry out a ritual or read something that can comfort me, or maybe something that could help her and her family in this time. As you can imagine, I'm a bit shocked so any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated

I'm new to all this, but wondered how Feng Shui 'fiitted in' with Paganism. It's something I've used - and seems to work - but would this be a 'Pagan' tradition or have I missed the point?

Hi there, I have just joined and must say this looks like a great place! Hopefully I'll learn a lot and won't feel so confused by the end of it.

I have copied some of this from my profile so that you can gather a little about me...

I was brought up as a Christian (Church of England) but never really believed in any of it's principles, and so could never follow it wholeheartedly.

I have always been interested in magic, tarot, healing and crystals, the afterlife, spirits etc and seem to have a 'sixth sense' where other people are concerned. My Grandfather passed away 10 years ago this year, and several years ago he appeared to me in the family garden at a birthday party... my christian religion would not believe or accept this.

I love nature and being at one with it, leave me sitting alone in my garden with my plants and I am happy.

I recently met someone who is a Pagan Witch (though not Wiccan) she calls herself a Herbalism mainly, but she is also a psychic medium and is extremely good at reading tarot, so we got talking and I found myself being more and more drawn in.... and here I am!

Everything I read about Paganism just draws me in, but I really am getting very confused about all of the different paths. I have read about Gods and Goddesses, but really do not believe in it... does that make me not a Pagan, or just definitely not Wiccan?

I would like to delve more into it all but feel I can't because I do not know which path I should be on. My friend has said that I should be on the path that 'jumps out' at me... but reading about it online has simply confused me...

From what I have written about, can anyone recommend paths that I should look into? Am I a witch from what I believe and am interested in?

I really do feel quite lost!

If you've read my profile, you'll know that I am a big newbie and haven't a clue about lots of things and haven't a clue what to do/where to start etc. so please do excuse me if I waffle and seem to talk utter nonsense.

Where I'm at now: - I've always been interested in paganism/wicca and seem to be drawn to it.

I don't think some of the things I do are 'pagan like' whatever that may be! For one thing I've recently been drawn into reading about angels. Do angels have a place under the pagan umbrella? What about medium ship? What is the pagan view of this or is there none?

I sincerely think we should all honour our planet and look after it and be as one with it. I love nature, I love working in it, growing it, walking in it, sitting and just 'being' in it.

I am currently studying books about crystals (of which I now own some of) and about the chakras, and psychic intuition.

I'm also doing reiki 1 and have been attuned and practise healing on family.

I feel like there is so much more 'out there'
So much more I could be seeing and doing and people to meet, places to go. But where, where do I start???

As before, sorry for the waffle!