Being Pagan isn't about putting on a show. It's really a very personal thing, a choice you might keep to yourself forever or reveal to your family or friends. They call it coming out of the broom closet cause that's kind of cute. But, you were never in a closet. Being Pagan is about being free, living with the Earth and respecting our history/ traditions. How can those be bad? Why would you have to keep that under wraps?

I think people think they have to prove a point or show off when they yabble on about how Pagan they are. In the case of craft names especially, those were meant to be secret, from everyone! But here and there you can find Pagans using their craft names more than the name on their birth certificate. Some rationalize it and say that's their public craft name and they keep a secret one, privately. So, why the show?

Can you be yourself and be Pagan too? I think that's what it really comes down to.

If you have to dress a certain way, display certain objects around you and change your name to fit in, where do you really fit in? Being Pagan should be comfortable, part of who you already were. It should add to you, not reprogram you.

Think about your own Pagan or Wiccan lifestyle. Are you putting on a show or are you just being Pagan cause that's part of who you are? If you have all the toys and gadgets chances are you're really missing something. If you've copied tons of spells from the web but never written any of your own, chances are you're missing the point. Reorganize, rethink and stop to breathe, find out what part of yourself is Pagan and relearn. Get back to the essentials, rediscover being Wiccan and have fun again. You can't be having fun if you're always trying to catch up to some ideal of what being Pagan should be. You are Pagan, you made that choice, so just go ahead and be Pagan. No song and dance required.

Witches don't believe in hell, or devils or satan, none of that Christian stuff of nightmares. (Note: I'm sure there is someone who is thinking even now... "that's not true, I believe in devils, imps and the like". In my opinion, that's your choice but most Witches wouldn't agree).

Anyway, if Witches don't believe in Christian baddies, is there anything evil that we do belive in? Or is everything all light and good and pure with the world?

No, we do believe there are consequences to your actions and choices. There is the three fold law, there is karma and there is the Wiccan Rede. But, that doesn't really answer the question, does it?

I do believe there are bad things out there. I don't trust that everything around us is goodness and light. But, I tend to seldom think about anything negative in that way. It's not a focus in my day to day doings. If you don't dwell on evil (whatever word you would call it) it won't notice you either.

To me even talking about evil sounds a bit looney toon. In the end, people make choices and that is what brings consequences to themselves and the rest of the planet/ people. The evil comes from ourselves, not so much from an outside source. Yes, I think there is an outside source but it's only as strong as we ourselves make it.

Each day is a new day and you have to choose who you will be, what you will believe in and what you will do.

There are so many choices to make once you decide you are a Witch. First, what kind of Witch are you, are you even a Witch at all? Some prefer to call themselves Wiccans. To me, Wicca is the new religion based on ancient witchcraft. We don't know a great deal about witchcraft, the old ways. Things weren't written down they were instead passed along from mouth to mouth. Many things were lost along the way, of course. Some were never passed along at all I'm sure. So, modern Witchcraft is only based on what the Witches were doing a hundred or a thousand years ago.

Still, I consider myself a Witch, not a Wiccan. I like to think my beliefs are the older ways, rather than based on the revamping of the older ways which was started with Wicca in the 60's and 70's. I don't put Wicca down as not being true to the old ways or some how not worthy as a Pagan religion. It's just not right for me, personally.

Once you get past the Witch versus Wiccan stage you look at all the flavours in being a Witch/ Wiccan. There are so many. Some are based on different cultures like German, Italian, Egyptian, Irish, Celtic, and Native Indians. Others are based on different elements like water, fire, and ice. Then there are traditions based on mythical things like unicorns, dragons, mermaids and fairies. Don't assume being a myth to our modern culture makes it a myth in reality. People who believe in dragons and fairies and follow that style of Witchcraft are not just playing around, they believe.

Here are some of the basic flavours and styles of witches to help get you started. You should find out at least a few things about each one. That way you will be making an informed choice when you pick which path you will follow.

Alexandrian

British Traditionalist

Celtic Wicca

Caledonii (Hecatine)

Dianic

Eclectic

Gardnerian

Pictish

Seax-Wica (or Saxon) Wicca

Strega

Teutonic (Nordic)

Hedge Witch

Solitary

Asatru

Druidism

Shamanism

Faery

Originally posted to 'BackWash: Where the Wild Things Are' newsletter, July, 28, 2003.

First of all, I'm going to change the name of this newsletter. My personal Pagan-ness is that of Witch and Wiccan. So, as they say, write what you know. That doesn't mean this will become a guide to spells for turning people into frogs, etc. Of course not, I don't even dignify that with an answer. I hope to find ideas and links that will interest people with a range broader than Witchery. I think we should have enough range to keep up with any new ideas, agreeing with them doesn't matter. You don't have to agree with everything you read you just have to keep reading and forming opinions as you go.

Anyway, that's the news for the newsletter. I've been an irregular publisher lately. A lot of things are happening at once for me. But, if you miss me you can always let me know on the Pagan messageboards at BackWash. If you have a site to promote submit the link to BackWash or just email it to me. (My email should be back up soon, I was hoping this week but no sign of life yet).

That's about it for now. Kind of short, no revolutionary ideas or anything of huge interest this time. Take care,

Laura

Some Pagans believe in brownies, fairies, and assorted little people. I'd like to. But, the practical side of me just can't quite let me. How cute it would be to see little elven creatures frolicky around in your garden if you woke up early enough some fresh morning.

But, what would those creatures do the other 23 hours of the day? Could you imagine turning over a wheelbarrow to find several fairies sheltering under it from the heat? Then, that really practical side of me gets into the mess angle. Where do fairies sleep, pee or bury their deceased? Every living thing makes waste. Some more than others, look at all the pollution people make compared to animals in general.

So, though fairies would be sweet, magical and all that, I just can't accept them as more than a pretty fantasy. I like them for desktop wallpaper on the computer.

What do you believe? Don't let me knock your convictions if you feel otherwise. I'd like to hear from someone who believes and has answers for my practical questions.

Originally posted to 'BackWash: Where the Wild Things Are' newsletter, June, 28, 2003.