How do people know what path is correct for them, if indeed any. I've read lots of books and stuff but mostly the rituals seem not to fit with me or they seem too complex and such...

So how do you work it all out?

It takes time to find your path, and in my case it is an ever evolving one.

It can be a bit like trekking through the rainforest with a machete, there are plenty of paths but you have to clear the way.

Yes read all sorts but don't forget the most important step of experiencing what there is out there, get out and connect with the world around you weather its out in the middle of nowhere or slap bang in the middle of a city, feel whats around you and eventually a path will show itself to you.

You carve your own path. You read all and everything you can get your mitts on, make a decision for yourself whether you are comfortable with the concepts, then do it your way.

The trick for me is making an informed decision, not just blindly accepting what others feel *is right*. You may find you don't want to be confined to any one particular ethos, or you may find one "named" path that fits you like a glove.

Either way, you will know within yourself what path makes you feel comfortable and which do not. And don't worry too much about trying to give it a label - that will simply confuse you all the more.

When I was a little girl and I found out we weren't Christian, I asked what 'pagan' meant, and my mother only ever offered a very simple explanation:

"It means you respect the land upon which you were born, and the spirits which dwell upon that land'.

That's it, that's all you need to know. All the rest is icing. If it's in your gut, if it's in your blood, that's enough.

Problem with picking paths and such is that it gives you a crutch to lean on when you should be standing on your own two feet. Use your noggin' and open your eyes - you'll know and see all that you need to.

Sorry, I’m sounding like the best of the fluff in Waterstones LOL

But seriously. Don't worry about it. Spend plenty of time outdoors, talk to the people you meet and enjoy. It'll come to you.

Best wishes,

Marion.

A lovely way of defining it, I quite agree.

I agree

you simply follow your path making up your own mind imo......it sort of opens up in front of you and helps you find a way

Well said. I couldn't agree more with your wise statements. However, as much as i don't feel the need to label myself or anything i do wonder what it would be like to work within a group and how that would advance my experience. The question that i end up coming back to is "how do people find other people that they can work with".

The paradox is this. I feel no need to affirm my beliefs or anything else like that its just that it would be nice to be acknowledged and find other people in the world that are like me. Being unique is one thing but then it is kind a lonely. And i feel a void that grows within me.

I'll second that. Ioften stand on the bridge near ouf home and watch the water. I love seeing butterflies in summer. Watching the bats flying about at dusk, the tadpoles turning into frogs.

I love animals, but am not allowed to have any pets.. sob sob.. Will just have to move!!!

Will stop there or I will go on all night.

Catrina

Join a local coven, take out an add in a pagan mag, post a message on a forum, go to your local moot. Moots are good for that. I met a guy at one years ago and we discussed becoming magical partners. Unfortunately I then left the area.

There's no great mystery to it. Go out, meet people, work out which ones you get on with and which you don't, stick with the ones you do

Best wishes,

Marion.

you're never alone - that's why you're here on this forum with other like minded people. I'm a solitary too and can be found reflecting, dancing, waving my arms around in the air in my own quiet spot and if I need to talk or share my feelings there are plenty of people here who will listen, share and guide if necessary. Being a solitary is ok - but i do understand your need to be part of a group.

blessings to you - just remember you're never alone with pagan valley

ps: I lived in your neck of the woods for a while and i'[m pretty sure there are other people/groups around. if in doubt just check out the moots and events boards

Network. And then network some more! Go to local moots, get your face and name known, build up trust with other pagans and groups. Let it be known that you are looking to join a coven or regular group.

Unfortunately, as with all things in life, unless YOU make the effort to find it, very rarely does lady luck simply drop that which we desire into our laps! But you CAN enhance your success of finding what you are looking for by putting in a little effort by getting out there.

Plenty of websites lists local moots. The Pagan Federation has regional moots listed on each district's page, and if not, you can always contact each disctric manager for help. Another site I came across with a comprehensive moot listing is the Oakleaf Circle (Oakleaf is an annual pagan camp held up north):

http://www.oakleafcircle.org.uk/MootsEngland.htm

Sometimes, when we want something badly enough, we have to bite the bullet of feeling shy or anxious at meeting new folk or joining new groups. So don't worry if you feel any of those things at first - it's normal! Most of us feel a little reserved when meeting new folk, but if we don't take a little risk, we'd all end up very solitary and isolated pagans! Good luck with your endeavours .

I suppose my path found me. and has taken me off in some interesting directions. Theres plenty of things going on everywhere! or there soon will be! the local organic food shop will have a notice board magazines or even flyers for whats going on check it out!

As for being unique we all are so get used to it!

If your YFS and dont have a job your chained to join something like WWOOF http://www.wwoof.org/

I would just like to say that the moot listed in Derby at the Flower Pot no longer meets there due to a hostile land lord but instead meets at the Liversage. There are also 2 other moots at the same pub which is run by Pagan landlords. One on the 3rd tuesday in the month run through thr PF and another every 2nd sunday run via Derbyshire Pagans. If anyone wants contact details PM me and I will put you in touch with the organisers.

Practicing one's beliefs needs no set rules; the important thing is to just live. Live, love and laugh and just be.

Johanna

Agreed. You don't need to follow any particular path unless you feel particulaly drawn to one of them. You can just be who you are and do what you do.



Caruma

for a long time I thought I had to follow a particular path (ha! that's a good one) like as if there was a path out there I was supposed to find. But I've come to the conclusion that we're already on a path whether we know it or not. From my point of view, its what you do on the path that makes it interesting, rewarding and fulfilling or not. cor, where's this stuff coming from - I'm on a roll here today. I don't really want to follow a particular prescribed path anymore I'm having too much stuff happen and its really exciting - and its pagan and that's where I'll stay.


wow I've had an ephiphany (too many letters I know)

fizzy.

I read lots of things until the path I'm on "spoke" to me. It was as if something in side said "yep, this one" and everything slide into place.

I realised I was pagan when I was working in a bookshop back in my early twenties and it just clicked in my mind.