To Pagans and Wiccans...I'll try not to make this too long...?

I think most of us have been through something similar.

Even still after 15 years I sometimes get to a point where I feel I've "stalled out" on my spiritual path. Sometimes it's just that we need to take a little break from our studies. Usually, for me, this is due to being solitary and lack of outside stimulation from others who share similar interests, and this is when I'll reach out and go to an open circle or attend a workshop or something like that. I prefer to be solitary myself, but I still do enjoy some time with others in the pagan community.

If you're not ready to seek out others locally yet, or don't find anything that appeals to you right now through the networking site others have already recommended - then perhaps you could join an online Wiccan or pagan discussion/study group.

Mostly I've found that even just getting into a discussion with another pagan on a related subject of interest, whether it be in person or one of my online pagan friends, or taking a workshop or a class and meeting some other people/gaining a few different viewpoints, usually provides me just enough stimulation to get my juices flowing freely again, and then I continue to move forward on my journey. Maybe it'll help you too.

Blessings.

Oh, certainly. I don't think it comes on/off like a switch for all of us.

For me, transitioning from Christianity to Wicca took place over a year from when I first heard about Wicca... it was a gradual change in thinking, attitude, as more of my Christian beliefs/attitudes that didn't serve me any more began to fall away and the Wiccan/Pagan ones began to take root.

After a while, things began to fall into place naturally. Prayers spilled easily from my lips, the Wiccan Sabbats began to feel like holidays rather than Christmas/Easter, I began to grow as a person and as a Wiccan.

All I can advise is, don't force it, and don't rush it. If you're in-between, be in-between. The Great Spirit won't care if you say God/Jesus, or God/Goddess. I agree though, it's wise to keep this private until you feel ready to share it (and possibly defend your choice if someone concerned jumps on you).

I don't think there is anything wrong with reaching out to local Pagans, either-- not saying jump in and join a coven, however there are many groups that hold open Sabbats and Esbats that anyone can attend-- no one is going to ask for a committment or anything, they're usually pretty casual. It wouldn't be much different than someone going to a new church they were interested in.

Blessed be...

I think we all have to some level or another. With me it was a lightbulb went off when I discovered paganism. it made sense and fit what I couldn't find in Christianity. I kept exploring paths in paganism and found Heathenism - that was like getting hit by a searchlight and I remember tears on my cheeks when I connected with the deities.

Just keep reading, reach out a little at a time. Perhaps not to anyone locally but on-line like you're doing here. Do some meditations and some exploration of yourself and the paths.

Good luck and don't let anyone sway you - this is YOUR journey. Religion shouldn't be about guilt or fear. If you find Christianity is your path, search out some of the gentle denominations - Quakers or Unitarians. If paganism is your path - welcome and be blessed!

I know what you you're talking about; I'm still going through it. First of all, dont try to force any beliefs into your life. You may be tempted to force yourself to believe certain things that you find in Wicca or Paganism, but because of the many traditions and paths in these, it's hard to pick just one. Usually it will just come to you, one way or another, so keep studying all the paths you can.

Secondly, if you want to "reach out" to other Pagans, try witchvox.com. You can search by area to find people, events, and more in your general area.

Lastly, just keep moving down the path any way you can. The more that you learn, the more opportunities are opened to you. You may find your beliefs changing (while still staying in Wicca, most likely), just like mine and many other peoples' did, and you'll suddenly realize that you're more mature, religin-wise. Just keep working on what you're practicing and things will start to fall into place (although it'll never all be perfect ;)).

Good luck! )O(

Who hasn't gone through this? Let's face it, there are a lot of 'weirdos' out there... even bookstore owners (who are supposed to be community hubs).

Your privacy is going to be one of your most precious things, so, start with websites.

Search the established pagan/wiccan community boards for answers.

Suggestions include: Selena Fox's, Circle Sanctuary site; Witchvox;

Circle Sanctuary can give you realistic pictures of how the pagan/wiccan community should behave, and Witchvox can 'hook you up' with other local pagan/wiccan individuals & groups... you can even research them before contacting them.

This way, you can be sure of who/where/what before stepping blindly off the edge.

Bright blessings & good luck.

Yes I did but I never considered myself Wiccan. I was just plain ole pagan. I studied a lot, talked to as many pagans as I could and learned what I could. Every single one them said, "When you find your trad, you'll KNOW".

I remember getting very frusterated with that. I am not a patient person and I wanted to study something that spoke to me more the just paganism in general.

Then WHAM! Got called by Frigga. LOL And they were all right. When you know, you know. There is no mistaking it what so ever.

I think we've all been where you are. :-D Pagans are such a diverse group that most people either a) never encounter another pagan of the same religion or with similar interests and thus end up solitary with maybe a few diverse friends b) meet a few people who are interested in the same things and want nothing to do with them c) find a teacher or group that embraces them and helps them grow or d) gives up because the path is too individual and doesn't give them guidance to where they want to go.

Honestly, it's up to you to reach out and see if you want to try the community thing, or if you are comfortable being solitary. No one is going to walk into your living room and volunteer to help you out. :-D (It would be creepy if they did.)

http://www.witcvox.com/ has local listings of events. That's a fairly low pressure way to see what groups are in your area.

Edit: Thanks!

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You may or may not even have local Wiccans or pagans. Or at least none that you can easily find.

When you think you are ready, you might want to go to

http://www.witchvox.com/

to see whether there are any groups close to you.

There is nothing wrong with studying on your own and absolutely nothing wrong with worshiping on your own.

If you are interested in an on-line teaching coven, email me and I will send you the relevant information.

Yes I went through exactly that, so don't feel like it's not normal or anything, I think that this happens to pretty much everyone :)

The only advice I can give you is to stay the course and eventually you will get more comfortable and will be able to talk with others more easily.

And don't forget that we are all here whenever you need to talk, don't feel lonely we are here for ya! :)