Hellooo *waves*

Well, I made this thread because I would like some advise, if that's alreet? Sorry if I ramble or start talking nonsense- it's very early in the morning and I can't sleep!

Anyway, ever since I was about 13 i've been interested in paganism and and have read a lot of books (I started on Fiona Horne I'm afraid to say) and surfed the web but most of what I read seems like a lot of trashy, new age, everyone is amazing, i take too much LSD type thing.

I think that's why I haven't really connected with any path because from everything I've read, it all gets very confusing!

I'm 19 now and I just want to root myself in a path that feels right.

I'm just looking for anyone who has some good infomation about paganism(books, websites) without the fluffy 'love and light' nonsense(sorry if that offends anyone).

Also, I would love to learn more about meditation too and grounding myself.

I can't really talk to my friends about this as it would make them feel weird, so I thought that I would ask you guys!

I feel like I am Pagan... or at least would like to be as i dont feel very intune with nature at the moment... in fact make that everything.

I just want to get involved. I want to stop dilly dallying around like a butterfly and actually get stuck in there! hehe


Any advise would be greatly received!

I must go to bed now though- i'm knackered!

Pete Jennings Pagan Paths is a good all-rounder book for the different pagan paths. The only book I have on meditation (after a fashion) is Runic John's Book of Seidr which is heathen journeying and stuff. Outside of the occasional book on heathen matters I don't read pagan books.

HI Sophie

I remembered this thread from not long ago:

Book recommendations

They should be fluff free A couple of Professor Ronal Hutton's books were recommended to me, so they're on my list to buy.

I may well be shot down in derisory flames for suggesting this, but I don't care.

Marian Green's "A Witch Alone: Thirteen Moons To Natural Magic" provides a very basic but gentle introduction to ways to connect with the natural cycles and to the ways you may connect with these.

Of the ones already suggested, I would put Hutton on the "must read" list - his writing is informed academically, and as said, not remotely fluffy.

I'd avoid like the plague anything by Silver Ravenwolf and in fact, anyone with one of those daft pretentiously "majikal" names.

Finding one's Path takes time. It's not something that can be taught from a book - and there are so many ways of connecting that you may well be bamboozled. Take it gently - and enjoy the learning journey!

Whats the rush to root yourself in a path. To be a pagan, you don't need to follow any set path. There are some members on here that have been pagans for much longer than you have been on this earth and still have not found a defined path that suits their individuality. In fact, because they are intelligent, thinking people, they often prefer to cast around, learning and finding their own way, rather than following the flock down some well trodden path.

You will do well to check out in some detail the Bookworm's Feast section of this site, there is a hoard of valuable information lurking in there.
As regards offending the "fluffy 'love and light'" types, we don't tend to get many of them sort on here as they tend to disappear fairly rapidly (in a cloud of fairy dust) when their strange views of paganism are challenged

If you "feel like a pagan", there is a much better than 50/50 chance that you are a pagan at heart. A great many of us within the pagan community have been brought up within other beliefs (christianity etc.) but have come to paganism later in life, realising that we have always really been pagans.

The simple way then, is to get involved. Find a local moot, join in discussions on here, go to some of the many pagan events around the country (check out the Moots and Events section on here, get along to some of the camps where you will meet and become friends with other pagans of different paths.

Woohoo! Thanks so much everyone

I've heard about that Hutton guy before but didn't take much notice. I'll see if my local library has them, if not, i'll buy them online! Thanks for the books link. I'll rummage through it after my dinner is ready.

I'll also look into that Pagan Paths book as it sounds interesting.

The A Witch Alone book, i've heard of too... In fact *thinks back* I think i started to read it at the library a few months ago. I'll rent it out!

Pasher- I think it's because for a while now, my life has been pretty all over the place. I just want something constant in my life which can stable me. I've always loved nature and the times when I feel truely connected with it are the times when I feel most balanced and happy. I'll look into going to some moots (hehe im very shy though!) and i've wanted to go to witchfest for years now as i've heard its a right laugh!


Thanks again foor all the info guys. I really appreciate it

I have to second what Tas Mania regarding Marian Green 'Witch alone' first book that I bought very good to work through. Her other books are quite good but get a bit repetitive.

A rare book that is good but hard to find these days is 13 moons by fiona walker craven, very good for working through the yearly cycle of nature and treading the mill by nigel pearson is a good book with regards to Traditional Witchcraft.

Hope this helps!

Another vote here for Ronald Hutton - "Triumph of the Moon" is well worth purchasing.

I'd also suggest reading mythology of every culture and seeing which ideas resonate with you. It's enjoyable and informative, even if is doesn't ultimately lead to a path.

Take your time, discuss things when you can, get to know the moon phases and the seasons and what they mean to you. Do some gardening Have a go at meditation, or at least have a quiet, reflective period each day and you'll find things occur to you naturally. You're lucky to be self-aware at your age. I didn't figure out what was going on with me till I was 33 or so !!

Here's another vote for "A Witch Alone". It's a great introduction without getting hung up on doing everything the "proper" way, using the "proper" stuff.

As I've said in other places before (and been told off for saying it), the best thing to do is read as much as you can and believe none of it.