I have been studying Wicca for the last 6 months, but I am not sure it is for me. I do not have any specific god and goddess, I would like to know about some animal gods and goddess'. I do not really want to perform spells but I love nature and would like to learn more about the tarot, runes and crystals. These are what interest me most. So I am confused. Am I Wiccan or a Pagan. Please I would love some insight and your thoughts on this. Thank you all.

Pagan.

Wicca is a Western Mystery Tradition that is usually initiatory, that is, you have to be asked to join a coven and initiated by a High priest/ess.

If you just want to learn more about various divination methods, gods & goddesses, and other practices without joining a group or being set certain work then you are neo-pagan.

i would say you are proberbly on a eclectic path
use what is right for you
i started off like you and have become a heathen (northern trad)
don't let anyone bully you
and try lots of things to find out what suits you

Hail and frith
moj

Thank you both for your thoughts. Do any of you know any Animal God's or Goddess' as I love animals especially cats.

Kemetic paganism is probably your best bet but you may wish to consider which pagan path to follow as gods can be quite jealous if you start mixing them up.

Egyptian Deities

Good link!

Hi Ali

There are lots of books and websites which list "animal" deities. Or deities with animals associated with them.

My advice would be to read up on both the mythologies of the world, and read up/ learn about the animals which interest you in particular - it's amazing what gems you can uncover through your own interest and research - I find the gods have a way of making you interested in the things they want you to know about

I thought so too! It's surprising what you can find with a swift Google.

Oh, and I agree with Pomona. I suggested Kemetics as the gods are overtly animal, but there are many pantheons linked to animals. Only the OP knows for sure what speaks to her when she looks around.

Thank you for that. I have always been interested in Egypt and their gods so I think you may have found exactly what I am looking for.

I agree with Pomona reserch

in norse mythology Freyja drives a chariot pulled by Cats .
i believe Cats appear in most mythologys and are usually considered quite powerfull

hailsa

Moj

PS if you can get to it Pagancon could be of help to you

Thank you all again for your help.

A suggestion as regards path apart from reading up on the different mythologies, I'd strongly suggest reading Pagan Paths by Pete Jennings, it will give you a good basic knowledge of the main paths, however don't be to quick to decide on your path and as has been said don't let anyone bully you into one path or another, if it is valid for you then it is the right path for you even if it is the Most Ancient and Venerable Path of Alitree (MAVPA).

Storm Raven

I agree with all the great advice given here, but my little piece of advice to you would be not to worry about putting yourself in a box with a label on the front. Just enjoy what you're studying and keep learning new things, and try not to worry about pigeon holeing yourself

I think the most important thing to remember is that whatever label you choose to wear, eg Wiccan, Pagan, etc, you are you! What you are at the moment will not be who you are in 10 years, but you will always be you! So if you are a High Priestess of Wicca or a Shaman, it doesnt matter, unless you know who you are!
So just enjoy your path and see where it leads!

Thank you Storm Raven, I have just ordered this book from Amazon.

Word of warning - if you decide on one particular path to investigate, such as Egyptian/Kemetic, then get a few scholarly books rather than specifically pagan ones. For example, some of the lighter books will list Sekhmet as a goddess of cats, which she is, but there is some evidence that cats were sacrificed to her, so you might not want to invoke her as a protector for your pet when he goes wandering.

A lot of the ancient gods have huge provisos hanging over them when looked at from a modern perspective - for instance, there are a lot of good reasons why Aphrodite should not be invoked to assist in a love spell !

Enjoy - there's a whole heap of information and exploration ahead of you. have fun!

Rhiannon

I read once the reason cats are seen as being so powerful is because cats walk with 100% of their power in their stride.

They embrace what they are fully and it shows.

Never a wiser word spoken. Do what you do and have fun doing it.

On an interesting side note - Cats in japanese culture are viewed the same way most westerners view rats - so it's all a matter of perspective ^^

Explore, try things, read, and speak ot people, but remember at the end of the day things have got to seem right and feel right to you and you alone. The beauty of spirituality is thats it's a personal experience, you don't have to wear the suit that fits the best, as you can always find one that fits perfectly

Good luck in your search, it's an exciting and rewarding experience.

I personally consider myself Wicca, although in practice I'm probably more of a general eclectic pagan, but I use wicca as my jumping off point with anything I've come across.