Following on from the Opinions thread, not becasue of it precisely, but because of UKP has anyone's views practises of Paganism changed since they have either become a Pagan, or joined UKP.
Is this a natural evolution, which may have occured spontaneously, or has UKP contributed, if there has been any change.

For myself, a year ago I didn't know a Pagan, I knew I was a Witch, a sort of mild mannered wotsis face Witch, who was worried about breaking the Wiccan Rede, was a healer, and I'd guess fluffy, New age.

Since then I've been the cause of an ecoven breaking up, (which was bloody good)am part of another ecoven which has helped me on my way, and I've joined here, and learned most of my Paganism here. The only thing which has remained the same is that I'm a healer.

Since becoming a member here in The Valley alot has happened to change me, my character, my outlook on life and my opinions.

Thats all I wish to say at the moment though.

Hmm. Well amongst other things, it has contributed to reassuring me that wicca really is not the way to go for me and to metaphorically throwing most of the rede out of the window. Its helped confirm and reaffirm a lot of things that I was thinking and feeling anyway, some things I really feel are true and some things I feel are utter bollocks. . Its allowed me to be much more vocal ( bet youre all dead pleased eh ) and feel more comfortable and confident about talking about my beliefs amongst like minded people than I ever did on the old UKP. I really am an anti social sod so this is an unusual level of sociability for me. It probably does me good on some level, like porridge

Since trawling through the Valley I am aware that I'm not as odd as my friends think I am, and whats more I dont care what they think anymore... Cheers

I've known i was different since about 19 or 20 years old and over the last 15 years i have come to understand what makes me different (I give a damm). I used to be happy doing my own thing and being me now i'm slowly interacting with other pagans online and face to face. Heres to the next 20 years...

Looking back at the relatively short span of time that I have been at the valley I would say that it's the most delightful place to have a chit chat about all sorts and meet people with the same general area of interest.


I think I got some very good impulses and was able with input from some of the discussions to further develop my own thoughts. I would say, though, that naturally the discussions we are having in a web forum like this are somewhat limited and don't penetrate deep enough to really change the actual core of an established belief or even the practices associated with it.

But then I would be surprised if this was ever intended.

My views and practices have definitely changed since I became a pagan. I started out with some very vague, but strongly instinctive, feelings which shaped my basic beliefs, and ever since have been considering my approach to ritual, to deities, to ideas such as totems, guides and spirits. I've learned skills such as pathworking which have changed my way of thinking about certain elements of my beliefs, learned to look at my surroundings differently and how to allow myself to either be drawn into or remain removed from certain situations. In short, yup, change a-plenty, and I'm not in the least afraid of whatever changes come next...

As for changes since joining UKP, its so difficult to answer this! I've been a member of the Valley pretty much since the start, and was a member of the old UKP site as well. During the time I've been a member yes, some of my views and little elements of my practices have changed, but since I've also been talking to pagans offsite, reading, contributing to other sites and reviewing, meditating on and rethinking my ways of doing things on my own.

I don't doubt that my time in the Valley has changed things - but something as tiny as a single word or image can spark a change without you knowing what the trigger was, or where an idea came from. Someone could post a poem or an account of something they've experienced, or ask a question which leads you (often indirectly) to question your own approach to your beliefs, and changes will happen sometimes without you even realising it.

Well I have been aware of UKP for a while but was hesitant to join. I am not very good at the whole practice of rituals. I don't really notice the solstices. I am very primitave really simply because I don't know a whole lot. Joining UKP has frustrated me a little. Sometimes there are huge leaps and bounds that I don't get. I like to invoke questions and don't have problems asking what may seem a silly question. I seem more hooked on the learning part. It has encouraged me to ask questions with friends and thus get back into it a little more despite how unresponsive I can be on UKP

Like LCC I've definitely thrown out the rede and instead gone down a path that is more me and intimate and personal to me - if I must label, then Witch and my chosen path is Witchcraft.

The Valley has helped me to solidify thoughts and feelings about various issues, its certainly opened my eyes to the pagan community and helped me to feel a part of that community; and yes wiped away a few prejudices - and I've learned quite a bit form other people on here, different lifestyles, practices etc and its given me different avenues to have a nosey at eventually.

So far, apart from a few times at a Teaching Circle, I haven't actually been to any moots or pagan gatherings; so for me at the moment the Valley is where I come to be with similar minded people and friends - although I am really looking foward; once the house is sold, to truly get out there and meet more of you guys in the flesh!

My path has changed in many ways since I first set foot on it 7ish years ago. I have been on many tangents and dead ends but each time I have found a way forward that at times has meant going back.

My worldview has changed, my perception of deity has changed (meeting your gods can do that I suppose) even the way that I feel about other religions has changed (for the better I hope).

Some of that is down to being a member of UKP both now and before. Certainly interacting with people who have totally different views about their beliefs has opened my eyes and my mind to some new and previously unexpected directions.

But then I think that is something that is part of a healthy spiritual path - change is growth and that is something we all need.

Coz

I was a complete fluffy when I first came to this site a few years ago and learned much by this forum. I wasn't too sure about magic and spells etc because I tend to feel really really silly when I tried it before. I've gotten over that somewhat and have found time for meditation and learning to scry. I've actually started on a book of shadows with one or two mutterings of mine. I also go out into the world wide web to search for specific Pagan issues to study and have bought a book or two based on recommendations found here.

Yes, I think this site has been very enlightening and I so enjoy the incredible sense of humor everyone here seems to have at any given moment and the colorful remarks of El, Drach and Oxon and others are priceless.

Since I joined here four years ago my path changed so drastically it's not really recognisable and the site and its members really taught me that just because a book is published it does not mean it is any use whatsover. Some of the people who most influenced my choices I no longer hear from but that is the way of life. People move in and out of it as part of lifes lessons. I used to be (dare I say it) very love and light, very text book wiccan and soon brought up to life with a good, short, sharp shock. After that my path went from being wobbly and uncertain to determined and destined, once I realised how disrespectful it was to be call upon Gods who had not come to me, and to mix them from different pantheons, then things suddenly really started to work for me and the Gods started to come through. It's not been easy but nor has been understanding that all I thought I knew was utter tosh. My path and beliefs became my own, my Gods joined me, and lessons learnt were harsh ones, which is how it should be most of the time.

So yes, this site so drastically my path and thoughts that I cringe to think how appalling wrong i was yet felt I was sooo right

Well I've only been here 2 weeks so I would be lying if I said UKP had any worldshaking effect on my beliefs. Its given me a few laughs and confirmed what I think and feel about a few human stereotypes.

As for the other, well I feel I have always " been " a pagan, so when I started concentrating and focussing on it all that happened was a natural increase of my learning curve. My beliefs have grown, taken more solid yet flexible shape, slotted more naturally into my life & that of my family. I suppose what surprises me is the amount of people for whom their belief system seems to be such a brow furrowing knotty problem so much of the time. Just let it be part of your life and don't get hung up on details so much

nyah ha ha.....give us time...........




Now those are very wise words and ones worth remembering.

The Valley has been great for me because I've been able to explore ideas with other people, and meet other pagans. If nothing else, it makes me think, even if only so much as "no, I don't agree with that, and this is why...".

Also the people are mad, which I like!

Oh, and the jokes!!!

I know that come September I won't be around so much, so I'm making the most of it while I can.