Rosewicket Wicca Coven

Greetings everyone!

I was wondering if anyone here would mind sharing what they feel makes someone Pagan. Personally, I feel that self-identification with the term is enough to make someone Pagan. There is no secret handshake, all that matters is that you are doing what feels right to you.

I have only been Pagan for a little over a year, though I am proud to be Pagan, and have met many great people within the Pagan community. I am Pagan because I identify with the term, and that is all that matters.

What are your opinions on this?

Thanks for sharing!

Blessings,

Orion

well if it's just yourself in your terms then i would say that its between you and our God and Goddess

I believe you're pagan if you identify as pagan...I mean, the word has changed a lot, so it's mostly just depends on who identifies that way, now.

I had a lengthy reply all typed out and my computer lost internet. >.< Oh well, it gives me a chance to cut it down and make it shorter.

The definition of Pagan has changed a lot, and most definitions define what Pagan is not rather than what it is, sometimes falsely, or at least not spot-on.

I don't think I really believe you're Pagan if you claim to be so. Don't get me wrong, I have respect for what people call themselves, and I have never been one to call out and say "You're not Pagan/Wiccan/witch/druid/What-have-you, you poser" as I think it is very insensitive; However, I do think there is another vital component.

(When dealing with complex abstract conversation, I often revert to metaphors. Sometimes it's the only way I can make sense, it's one of my worst flaws.) For example, I think I'm Pagan the same way I think I'm an Artist. Now, to clarify, I do not make money or a career off my art, though I would like to someday. I have had little formal training. I am also terrible at getting my art out on the web, and am limited to local student art shows. Not only that, but I have been an artist all my life. I am an artist when I paint. I am an artist when I'm not painting. I am an artist when I view the world, process it, re-mold it into a piece, convey emotions through colour, and command lines to explore space.

But, if today I made an oath never to create a piece of art, I would still be an artist for the rest of my life.

This is because being an artist is not dependent on talent, skill, training, or even art at all. It is about some part of me that has always existed and demanded to be recognized. It is a label I gave myself and has been given to me by others, but even if no one ever called me an artist or if I never did either, I would still be an artist at the core of my being.

As a side note, further fitting in with the metaphor, some people think I'm an artist and some people think I'm not. I have my list of qualities that I think makes me an artist, and the qualities that make other people think I'm an artist - they overlap but are not the same. And I do not hold other artist to my standards or list of things that 'make an artist'.

Anyway, back to how this related to being Pagan. Yes, calling yourself Pagan is a big step. consciously practicing pagan faith is a huge component. Acknowledging things like The Rede, threefold law, the sabbats, care for the earth, or some other equivalent, are important. But there is also something that makes you Pagan at the very core of your being that has always been there an irremovable part of yourself. That is the first thing that makes you pagan. That said, for social purposes, to me if you say you’re pagan, that is how I will think of you. But in the end, being pagan is something you feel with every fiber of your being.

I feel Wiccan / Pagan because it's part of my blood line / heritage and I feel it in me every day, I can't really answer for what makes others feel Pagan. It's also important to remember that Paganism is not your only identity and perhaps don't get too caught up in the whole who or what am I thing. Just feel what you feel and embrace it and the beautiful people you can meet along the way. x

Meniskos at July 16, 2010 at 12:24 AM

I believe you're pagan if you identify as pagan...I mean, the word has changed a lot, so it's mostly just depends on who identifies that way, now.

Thanks Meni!

Indeed, one of the things I love most about Paganism is its diversity. I mean, it would be boring if we were all the same right? XD

I'm going to copy this question onto Guardian-Elm Circle as well so that other members can answer also - so feel free either to copy your answers or to ignore it lol.

Chi at July 16, 2010 at 1:20 AM

I had a lengthy reply all typed out and my computer lost internet. >.< Oh well, it gives me a chance to cut it down and make it shorter.

 

The definition of Pagan has changed a lot, and most definitions define what Pagan is not rather than what it is, sometimes falsely, or at least not spot-on.

 

I don't think I really believe you're Pagan if you claim to be so. Don't get me wrong, I have respect for what people call themselves, and I have never been one to call out and say "You're not Pagan/Wiccan/witch/druid/What-have-you, you poser" as I think it is very insensitive; However, I do think there is another vital component.

 

(When dealing with complex abstract conversation, I often revert to metaphors. Sometimes it's the only way I can make sense, it's one of my worst flaws.) For example, I think I'm Pagan the same way I think I'm an Artist. Now, to clarify, I do not make money or a career off my art, though I would like to someday. I have had little formal training. I am also terrible at getting my art out on the web, and am limited to local student art shows. Not only that, but I have been an artist all my life. I am an artist when I paint. I am an artist when I'm not painting. I am an artist when I view the world, process it, re-mold it into a piece, convey emotions through colour, and command lines to explore space.

But, if today I made an oath never to create a piece of art, I would still be an artist for the rest of my life.

This is because being an artist is not dependent on talent, skill, training, or even art at all. It is about some part of me that has always existed and demanded to be recognized. It is a label I gave myself and has been given to me by others, but even if no one ever called me an artist or if I never did either, I would still be an artist at the core of my being.

As a side note, further fitting in with the metaphor, some people think I'm an artist and some people think I'm not. I have my list of qualities that I think makes me an artist, and the qualities that make other people think I'm an artist - they overlap but are not the same. And I do not hold other artist to my standards or list of things that 'make an artist'.

 

Anyway, back to how this related to being Pagan. Yes, calling yourself Pagan is a big step. consciously practicing pagan faith is a huge component. Acknowledging things like The Rede, threefold law, the sabbats, care for the earth, or some other equivalent, are important. But there is also something that makes you Pagan at the very core of your being that has always been there an irremovable part of yourself. That is the first thing that makes you pagan. That said, for social purposes, to me if you say you’re pagan, that is how I will think of you. But in the end, being pagan is something you feel with every fiber of your being.

Your post really made me think, Chi, and I feel like I understand my spirituality a bit better as well as how to explain it to people.  (I'm a person that does better with metaphor too, haha.)  So, thank you.  And that was a really beautiful explanation.

Thank you! I was sort of afraid that since it was sort of long, no one would read it. I hope I didn't ramble too much.

Oh my goodness, I always love reading what you say, especially because it's long!  Haha, but I thought it was very on-topic.  It actually helped me make sense of my own jumbled thoughts a bit.

Its the way you think, act and live each day. Weather you practice huge rituals or meditate it doesn't matter. If you follow the rede and live by it and feel it in the very core of yourself you are pagan

Um, if by the rede you mean the Wiccan Rede, not ever pagan follows that.  It's even a bit sketch to say that you're a Wiccan if you follow the rede alone; you definitely have to feel deep inside you that you are 'Pagan' or 'Wiccan' or what say you.

i agree