I am interested in finding out about Paganism and Wicca...?

Question

I have just found out about Paganism and that Wicca is an orthodox of the Pagan religion?

I am trying to find the right path, but at the moment I just feel very confused as I have just began researching and there is just so much to take in, how do I know where to stop or how much to focus on at a time?

Could anyone give me any information on Paganism or Wicca and perhaps how the two are related to each other and witchcraft?

Basically I would appreciate any advice or info on the topic.

I would also like to add that I am a definit thiest and that is not going to change.

Thank you.

Answer 1

This video-clip below, is of the ancient British Celtic Obby Oss of Padstow in Kernow - it may not be Wicca but forms part of an ancient Celtic religious fest heralding the start of Summer and in celebration of the May Day - the sap rising, the phalic May-Poll and all that. . . .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_EJTCftT...

The links below will take you to Wicca in UK

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=na...

Stonehenge - Summer Solstice 2008

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=pqPFXaalvB...

The Wheel of the Wiccan Year - Gail Duff : Read reviews and ...The eight Wiccan festivals mark the turning of the seasons. The nature-based beliefs of Wicca ... Pages: 192, Paperback, Rider & Co, £ 7.38, Amazon.co.uk ...

http://www.ciao.co.uk/The_Wheel_of_the_W...

Cards to celebrate pagan wicca celtic solar and traditional ...cards to celebrate traditional solar celtic wicca and pagan festivals ... ORDER DETAILS P&P INC FOR UK ORDERS for all other destinations ADD POSTAGE ...

http://www.sharpe-designs.com/wicca%20fe...

Traditional Welsh Harp Music to calm the soul.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzaTF7Flh...

Well Dressing in Pagan Dorsetshire

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slGrplZf2...

The Cerne Abbas Giant or the 'Rude Man' is the largest hillfigure in Britain, he (the figure's gender is not beyond doubt) is one of two representations of the ...

http://www.mysteriousbritain.co.uk/major...

The Cerne Abbas Giant is the original Celtic Green Giant.

http://www.qype.co.uk/place/176004-Cerne...

Answer 2

"Paganism" isn't a specific school of thought.  It's a term that covers a very wide variety of religions that ultimately have no uniting chracteristics beyond being non-Judeo-Christian.  Thus, there is no such thing as orthodoxy in paganism.

Witchcraft is a magical practice.  Witches can be any religion or no religion.  The only reason witchcraft has ever been linked to Wicca is very bad understandings of history that were exposed and demolished more than 40 years ago.

Basic information:

http://wicca.timerift.com/wicca101

A working definition of Wicca: http://wicca.timerift.com/wiccans.shtml

Answer 3

Kirra has given you a fabulous reply.

You can also look at these websites...

http://wicca.timerift.net/wicca101/index...

http://witchcraft.org/

Hope this helps.

Answer 4

Pagan is a term these days given to people who don't believe in the male dominated monotheistic dogmas. Ask ten pagans what paganism is and you will get 10 different answers.

In a very brief nutshell:-

It is said that when man first started to evolve, he used religion to help him understand the world, the environment, the weather, the cycles of nature. So the great lady and lord came into being. Having this "knowledge" also gave man a sort of power over his environment.

As the human race expanded, those basic ideas grew and developed. All races had their own variation.

Today, there are as many types of paganism as there are pagans. Some pagans remain true to the old religions, some pick and choose parts of many different ones.

Wicca is a religion, that falls under the umbrella of Paganism. It is an earth based religion, honouring the Goddess and God, and the cycles of nature. If Wicca is what interests you, then Wicca, A guide for the Solitary Practitioner, by Scott Cunningham is a good first book to read.

Witchcraft is not a religion, but is more about the practice of magic, using will to change outcomes.

Not all Wiccans are witches and not all witches are Wiccans.

I would also suggest you check out Yahoo Groups, do a search for pagan and/or wicca. This will give you a chance to chat to like-minded people without fear of harassment.

Also keep an eye on the Relgion and Spirituality section, most of the  

Answer 5

There are many different kinds of pagans. For example, I am an eclectic pagan, which basically means that my beliefs come from many different religions.