Reading time: 5 – 8 minutes

August 28

**disclaimer: The statements here are my own interpretations of what I have read and in no way should be take as authoritative. If you find my thoughts interesting, do your own research and find out if these paths interest YOU as you interpret the knowledge you find**

The night I learned about my uncles dire diagnosis, a friend in chat mentioned there faith and that it had a much gentler view of the afterlife than more mainstream religions or faiths. It turns out she is Wiccan, though she does not practice the magical spell casting side of the faith. I did a quick Google search and found some interesting thoughts on the afterlife in neo-pagan practices.

I’ve always been fascinated by those faiths based on what we know of ancient times but never did much research into them. For the past few days I have spent countless hours reading varying internet and a few books on Wicca and a few on other neo-pagan paths.

What I am finding is that most of the tenets and beliefs follow things I have said for years. While I am not much of a nature person, I do appreciate the beauty of the world around us. Most of the paths are based in part on respect and communion with the natural. Many worship a dual godhead and each side has three natures corresponding to various natural cycles. Most seem to be Goddess based, though the male nature of the dual godhead is equal the Goddess is side is most often implored (possibly because a majority of practitioners are female).

The most fascinating is that one of the basic tenets is that as long as an action, thought, or other deed does no harm, then you should do as you will. This aligns very well with what has been my own personal belief for many years. Also the fact that most of the faiths/paths I have read about also do not believe in a heaven or hell or in Satan as portrayed by Christian and possibly other faiths is dead on for me. I have never been comfortable with any religion being the ONE TRUE WAY to eternal happiness. I have never been comfortable with the idea a person who had been kind and good there entire life could perish into fiery torment just because they’d not been exposed to or accepting of a particular religion.

I like that these paths are accepting of every person’s right to believe and worship as they choose. There is no set in stone for any of the paths, but general guidelines for lack of a better word. I like so much about these paths that I will continue to study and maybe even develop my own way of practicing these beliefs. Though I am sure many in my family and quite a few of my friends would be surprised if not appalled by this, in the end I will do what feels right for me. Will I practice the magical side of these paths…Maybe.

I am sure I will be adding a resource section of good websites I have found to begin ones own learning of these ideas very soon. Until then I am going to add a few links here so those who would like to start reading now or to see where I am getting my information may do so.

Older courses on various subject at MystiWicks : an index of closed courses on all kinds of reading on neo-pagan subjects. The ones I have looked at have some good information and even some good exercises.

Sacred Texts: A site with many old texts on a plethora of subjects. Good reading here even if you are just looking for histories of various cultures

FAQ at Witchvox: A short FAQ. There is a good bit of info at this site that I’ve not looked at, but it seems to be a very straight forward neutral site.

Also you can do a Google search and find a deluge of information. Some will focus exclusively on the magic aspects of Wicca, but that is only a minor part. The magic and rituals should be grounded in a strong belief of the over lying thoughts and principles of the path.

One book that I am finding to be very informative is The Craft by Dorothy Morrison. I got this from my local library and have two similar books on reserve. Wicca:A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner and other works by Scott Cunningham are also considered to be good information, should you run into those. I have also be told the Idiot’s Guide and For Dummy series have decent starting points for those interested in Wicca. I am not sure about other neo-pagan paths for these however.

I hope you enjoyed my thoughts on this increasingly popular faith, and will do your own research even if you intend to continue whatever faith you follow now (if any).

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