​It not only demonstrates how much of an effect we really have on nature, it is pretty evident that nature can get along very well without our interference.  Without us, the balance began restoring itself and the Earth began to heal.  It’s a reminder, and a warning that we are not apart from nature, but that  we are a part of nature.

Sightings of strange creatures have been the source for tales and legends for thousands of years.  Books, TV shows and movies have been based on these legends that stem from every corner of the world.  While many of these sightings can be explained as misidentifications or hoaxes, that leaves a multitude of reports that can’t be explained.  People from all walks of life have offered theories as to what these beings may be, and they range from the fantastical to the scientific.   Though dismissed as a joke by many in the conventional sciences, cryptozoology is a very real field of study.  In fact, some stories of these unknown animals, known as cryptids, have been found to be quite real.  In a previous post, I mentioned the orangutan and the platypus.  Both were subjects of legends and stories told by those who encountered them in the wild, both were dismissed as fanciful creatures that didn’t exist, and both were eventually found, documented and have become well known members of the animal kingdom today.  So don’t dismiss all these stories out of hand, people are seeing something, it just hasn’t been identified yet. 

​The best evidence of course would be an actual Sasquatch and many question the fact that one has never been captured alive or dead, and no Sasquatch remains have ever been found.   It should be taken into account that sightings are usually in very remote regions where humans have only started to explore.  Even in well-known and travelled areas of wilderness, it is extremely rare to find remains of animals.  Between predators, scavengers, insects and other natural forces, bodies are swiftly consumed and scattered.   Another theory is that Sasquatch bury their dead, humans are not the only species on this planet to mourn lost loved ones.  It has been well documented that other animals appear to have some sort of funeral rites, and elephants have been known to mourn and bury the bodies of other elephants, and even the bodies of other species. 

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​If all the tales were all coming from one region, maybe it could be dismissed as local legend, or genetic aberrations such as gigantism and hypertrichosis.  But stories of this creature are told around the world:  Sasquatch in Canada, Bigfoot and the Skunk Ape in the USA,   Yowie in Australia, Yeti or Abominable Snowman in the Himalayas, Almas in Mongolia, the Yeren in China, the list goes on.  People from all around the world are seeing something, so what is it? 

Other theories suggest that Sasquatch is a dimensional traveller, or spirit being that guards the forest.  Yet another theory proposes that he is an alien being.  Until we find conclusive evidence of Sasquatch’s existence, we’ll just have to watch, and wonder…
​

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​Possibly a giant sturgeon?  These are bottom feeding fish that haven’t changed much since the Triassic period.  These are big fish, most averaging 7-12 feet in length with the largest on record measuring an incredible 24 feet long!  The reptilian look of the bony plates on their backs match some of the descriptions that have been recorded. 

​Interestingly, many reports compare the animals sighted in the water to real creatures that are familiar to most people.  Dinosaurs!  The descriptions of Nessie are very similar to something from the plesiosaur family.  Mokele-mbembe bears a striking resemblance to members of the sauropod category.  Other accounts seem to describe a mosasaur.  

​I’m sure you’re thinking, “Dinosaurs? Seriously?” Actually, yes, seriously.  This is a big planet.  And most of it is uninhabited.  That leaves lots of room for big creatures to hide in.  Is it so out of the realm of possibility that there were a few survivors of the mass extinction event that killed off the rest of the dinosaurs?  It wouldn’t be the first time that an animals believed to have gone extinct 65 million years ago, turned up alive and well in the modern age.  In 1938, a fisherman found something strange in his net.  It turned out to be a coelacanth, a fish thought to have been long extinct.  Since then, there have been many more of these ancient fish found in the ocean off the South African coast.  Who knows what else is down there?

​Or perhaps there is a more imaginative explanation for Nessie and creatures like her.  Some propose that they are actual dinosaurs, travelling through some kind of portal through time.  It would explain why people aren’t seeing colonies of these creatures; there wouldn’t have to be a breeding population, animals would come through singly or in small numbers.  If not a time portal, how about a Vernian lost world, deep inside the planet?  The hollow earth theory has been part of mythology and folklore throughout the ages and around the world.  Maybe there is some truth to it after all…

We live in an astoundingly complex world.  I’m not just talking about the convolutions of human society, I’m talking about Nature; how each piece fits together and becomes essential to the workings of the planet, whether we realize it or not.  Even though our understanding of the universe is in its infancy, it is enough to fill us with wonder.

For me, a large part of paganism is the openness to the unknown.  Exploring the world believing in endless possibilities.  Think of what you may learn if you stop saying “That’s impossible!” and start asking “What if?”

The study of the unknown has always been relegated to the fringes of science.  In the past, people faced censure by the church, imprisonment and even death.  Today those brave enough to delve into this field are regarded as eccentric at best and crackpots at worst.  That is until they’re proven right.  It takes a lot of courage and conviction to be able to withstand the onslaught of disparagers.  

​When I say the study of the unknown, well, that can mean a lot of things, since there is a lot of the unknown out there!  Though I am interested in the discoveries of mainstream science, I have always been more passionate about the ‘fringe’ sciences.  Cryptozoology, ESP and psychic abilities, ghosts and the spirit world, UFOs, and all manner of things that are unexplained.  It’s way too much to cover in one little blog post, so I’m going to break it down into a series.  For now, just a brief introduction to some of the things that go bump in the night…

How about mythological animals?  Dragons, unicorns and gryphons – oh my!  Some people put them in the cryptid category, some don’t.  The main difference seems to be that the reports of these animals are generally much older.  Did the ancients find the bones of a dinosaur and come up with a dragon?  Did a sighting of a rhinoceros or an antelope with a missing horn generate tales of the fabled unicorn?  Or did they see something that no longer exists?  Evidence of new species of extinct and modern animals are discovered all the time.  Are you really ready to say that something is impossible? ​

​Ghosts, spirits and other incorporeal entities have been the subjects of many a campfire tale designed to scare and horrify listeners.  But are they just elements of a story or is there some kind of truth behind it all?  This has to be one of the more fascinating beliefs to explore because most people want to know what happens to us after death.  I’ve had many of my own experiences, which has just intensified my interest in the subject.  The popularity of paranormal research shows such as “Ghost Hunters” and “Ghost Adventures” have resulted in soaring interest in the field.  There are different types of hauntings, different entities that are encountered and of course, many misunderstandings and counterfeits to be debunked.  If you are reading this post and you have your own experience you’d like to share, I’d love to hear it! 

​Unidentified flying objects, aliens, abductions, cattle mutilations, straight out of science fiction right?  Very true! But science fiction has a habit of eventually becoming science fact.  If you’re not a Star Trek fan, you’ve probably heard of the show at least.  There are at least a dozen gadgets from this science fiction television series that now exist in the real world.  While you may not run into any Klingons walking down the street anytime soon, something like that may not be far off.  Think about it, the Universe is massive beyond imagination, maybe even infinite.  Billions of galaxies containing trillions of stars.  If even a fraction of those stars have a planetary system, and a fraction of those systems have a planet suitable for life as we know it, that still leaves countless Earth type worlds.  In fact NASA has already discovered rocky planets situated in the so called “Goldilocks” zone, far enough from the star to be cool enough, but close enough that it’s not frozen.  Some of the right conditions to find life as we know it.  

​There is so much of the unexplained to investigate. Time travel, dimensional portals, mass disappearances, anachronisms found in archaeological digs, mysterious people, places and things showing up throughout history. So many questions, so few answers! And it all leads me to one obvious conclusion: the Universe is filled with mystery and magick and that makes it a fascinating place to explore.

Like many people, I found that I was unable to reconcile myself with many of the tenets of mainstream organized religion, specifically, Christianity.  I found too many contradictions and inconsistencies in the teachings I was exposed to during Sunday school and church sermons.  So I began my search.  I looked at different sects of Christianity, Buddhism, Ba’hai, Hinduism, Jainism, the list goes on.  I found it very interesting to learn about the different religions and their beliefs, but though I found many of them had elements that felt right, none of them spoke to me saying “this is your path”.  

When I started looking into paganism, it felt like I’d come home.  This is where I belonged!  And yet, there were still things that just weren’t lining up for me.  There were so many different pagan paths, which one was the one for me? 

In the first half of the 20th century, a man named Gerald Gardner claims to have been initiated into an ancient pre-Christian witch coven.  He is generally credited with reviving the religion by borrowing ideas from different sources such as Freemasonry and Aleister Crowley to enrich the coven’s rituals.  Thus began the Gardnerian tradition of Wicca, one of the most well known traditions today.  It is a mystery religion, requiring initiation and years of study to achieve the 3rd degree. 

Shamanism is a very old religion, dating back at least 10 000 years and quite possibly much longer.  The word shaman is thought to come from Siberia, and the literal translation is “he/she who knows”.  Shamanists believe that there is a world full of both benevolent and malevolent spirits.  The shaman is the bridge between this world and the spirit world.  By altering their state of consciousness, they can travel to this other world and interact with the spirits.  

Everything is sacred to the Native American culture, the land, the animals, the plants, everything.  There is a purpose and a lesson to be learned in all experiences and there are totems and spirits to help guide the way.  They recognize that humans are a part of nature, connected to all things.  They honour and respect the land and all who live on it. 

There are polytheists, who look to multiple gods, often from specific cultural pantheons.
Hellenism honours the ancient Greek gods.  This includes the Olympians, nature deities, chthonic deities and the heroes.  It is mostly a devotional type of worship, exchanging gifts and offerings for the blessings of the gods.
The Germanic gods are honoured by Heathens, Asatruar and Odinists.  The main difference between the three seems to be which subset of gods are worshipped.
Kemetics look to the gods of ancient Egypt.  I could list hundreds of other pantheons, but these are the main ones that I looked into during my search.

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Ancient Celtic Druids were the eminent professionals of their time.  Mostly remembered as religious leaders, they were also lawyers, judges, historians, archivists, doctors and political advisors.  Most modern Druids focus on promoting harmony and reverence for the natural world and practice ancestor worship.  
 

​Pantheism is the belief that the Universe is God, therefore God isn’t a creator, God simply IS.   Because all things are God, everything is connected and should be considered one entity.  A human may be different than a mountain or a tree, as a hand may be different from a leg or a brain, but ultimately all are part of a greater whole.  Unlike many religious belief systems, pantheists embrace science.  If God and the universe are the same thing, then understanding the universe is the path to understanding God. 

​Animism proclaims that you’re not the only being with a soul.  Everything has its own spirit and is alive in its own way.  Animals, plants, rocks, rivers, forests, hurricanes; all possess their own spiritual essence.   Humans are neither above nor apart from Nature, but are simply a part of it.  If you see similar beliefs in other religions, I'm not surprised.  It is the world's oldest belief system, and some think that all current religions and beliefs spring from this ancient well.

Witchcraft is a considered more of a practice than a religion.  Those who practice witchcraft use herbs and cast spells to achieve their goal; calling upon deities and spirits isn’t necessary.  It is possible to be a member of just about any religion and still practice witchcraft.  Witches can be male or female, and there are many different types: 

• Secular witches understand that the materials and energies used in practice come from the natural world, but generaly don’t consider them divine or spiritual.
• Ceremonial witches are all about the details and the rituals.
• Dianic witches focus on feminism.  No males need apply.
• Green witches connect with Mother Earth and works with Nature’s energies.
• Hedge witches venture into the Otherworld to communicate with the spirits.
• Kitchen witches take a more practical approach to their rituals and magick, and like to make their homes and surroundings sacred spaces.

I’ve said before, there are so many different traditions in paganism, it may take a while to find your own.  And if you found yourself drawn to more than one, as I did, then I encourage you to research and learn and above all else listen to yourself.  You may identify as one of these types of pagan, or with a tradition I haven’t mentioned, or you may choose to identify with none of them.  Though some may disagree, I don’t feel that there is any right or wrong here.  There is only what is right for you.

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​So which path have I chosen?  I am an Eclectic.  I call myself a pagan and I've also called myself a witch.   I don’t subscribe to any one tradition, instead I have built my own belief system stemming from my research into other paths.  I’ve learned to listen to my heart and soul, to incorporate pieces of other traditions that resonate with me, and to add my own contributions as the need arises.  My path may have a few more twists and turns than some, but that’s what makes it mine. 

A friend of mine has recently been exploring paganism, trying to determine if it’s the right path for her.  I’m answering her questions as best I can, and directing her to sites and books that I’ve found useful in my path.  She recently made a comment that really stuck with me, reminding me of some of the reasons I was attracted to paganism myself.  I can’t remember what she said word for word, but the idea was that she really wasn’t all that attracted to the spirituality aspect at this time.  The notion of gods, goddess, spirits and other beings didn’t really interest her; it was the connection to nature that drew her, and that’s what she wants to explore.

Most of my posts so far have been about the sabbats, information for rituals and other esoteric subjects.  While all that is important to my path, it was nice to be reminded of the simpler things, connecting and learning to work with nature.  Since paganism is mostly considered an earth centered belief system this seems obvious, but humans tend to get caught up with more complex ideas, and we all need a gentle hint now and again, to go back to the basics.

This year I found great joy in having my first garden.  Digging my hands into the dirt, watching things grow and produce food for my own table, not to mention for a variety of wildlife!  The vegetables and fruits I’ve grown myself taste much sweeter than the ones from the grocery store and the feeling of accomplishment and gratitude are indescribable. 

Now that the vegetables I planted are done for the year, I have to clean out the garden and plant the winter crops.  And I’m already looking forward to spring, fixing mistakes that I made this year, planning new techniques and anticipating next year’s harvest.   As an urban dweller, I know in my head that the seasons change and each season brings new tasks and opportunities, but this is the first time in a long time I’ve really felt it in my soul.

The weather became more interesting to me thanks to the garden as well.  I found myself keeping a closer eye on temperatures, winds and precipitation.  And because I was watching the weather more closely, I found myself appreciating the complexity and interconnectedness of the ecosystem more fully.  While I’ve always loved the power and beauty of a thunderstorm, I’m also more aware of the benefits of a gentler rain.  This year was very wet, so I’ve also been reminded to bask in the warmth and light of sunny days.   I’ve become more perceptive of the shortening days and longer nights.

I’ve been more conscious of scents, the smell of the coming rain, the flowers blooming in the yard, the aroma of freshly picked tomatoes; heaven for the senses.  Sounds are more prominent; birdsong, the buzzing of insects, the patter of rain and the rustling of wind in the trees.  It seems all my senses are sharpened and focussed.

My growing connection to the soil and the plants brings the reminder of my connection with the animals as well.   I’ve been feeling the urge to reconnect with the wild, and delve into the teachings of my non human kin.

I am very grateful to my friend and I'd like to thank you for your inspiration, intended or not.  You reminded me that whatever rituals I hold, whatever magick I wish to perform, whatever deities I wish to honour; I shouldn't forget the simple act of living in the world.  Living with the world.  Feeling the energy of the earth with your body.  Witnessing the beauty, savouring the scents. 

Most religions are centred on living your life in accordance with a certain set of guidelines which encourage a particular lifestyle. These guiding principles have two goals; living in a way which pleases a deity which in turn accomplishes the seemingly more important goal of determining where you’ll end up when your life is over. 

For most Christians, it’s a choice between an eternal paradise in Heaven, and eternal torment in Hell.  In some denominations there is also Purgatory, which is where you might end up if you’re not good enough to go the Heaven, but not bad enough to go to Hell.  In Purgatory, you would suffer in penance for your sins; until they were ‘purged’ from your soul and you could enter Heaven.  Other Christian sects believe that there is nothing after death, until Judgement Day comes and the dead are resurrected.

The concept of a Heaven and a Hell is not unique to the Christians however.  Ancient Greeks believed that the souls of the virtuous and the heroes went to a paradise called Elysium, while the wicked were sent to be tortured in the depths of Tartarus.  They even had a purgatory of sorts, the Fields of Asphodel being the destination for souls who did nothing really bad, but didn’t attain real greatness either.

Many of the Eastern religions include the concept of reincarnation; the belief that after death, a soul will begin a new life in a new body.  Most people who embrace the idea of reincarnation agree that the purpose is education.  The soul learns something from each life lived, until the education is complete and the soul ascends to the next level of being.

In Egyptian mythology, the soul had to undertake a perilous journey through the underworld, dealing with terrifying creatures and gods.  Once past these obstacles, they would plead their case to Osiris, but the final decision was really made by weighing the heart of the deceased against the feather of Ma’at.  If the heart outweighed the feather, the deceased was devoured by Ammut and blotted out of existence entirely.  If the heart and the feather balanced, they would be sent on to the Field of Rushes, a place which mirrored the life they had just left, with sky, land, water, crops to plant and harvest and gods to worship.

In Norse culture, the three most widely recognized locations for the dead are Helheim, Valhalla and Fólkvangr.  Valhalla is ruled by Odin, and his valkyries choose those who enter.  Freya selects those who enter her domain of Fólkvangr.  All others apparently go to Helheim.  There is some debate about the differences, as it seems there is only one Old Norse text that clearly distinguishes between the halls of the dead;  the Prose Edda.   This is a collection of Norse mythology, written by Snorri Sturluson, a thirteenth-century Christian scholar.  In this book, he states that Valhalla is a home for those who fall in battle, while Helheim is the home of those who die in other ways, such as sickness or old age.  Most other accounts agree that there is very little difference between the Norse lands of the dead.

I’ve mentioned more than once that pagans don’t necessarily believe in the same things.  This applies just as much in how the afterlife is viewed.  It seems that every set of beliefs comes with a different spin on what happens after the body dies.  Reincarnation is popular among pagans, as is the concept of a place to rest between lives.  Many call this place the Summerland, a kind of paradise where the soul can reflect on the lessons learned during their time on the Earth plane. 

Believers in reincarnation may also believe that during this time of rest and reflection between lives, the immortal soul chooses what lessons to learn in the next incarnation.  In order to arrange events to learn these lessons, they are also able to choose when and where they are born, and who their parents will be.  This knowledge is unavailable to the conscious mind of the physical body, making the experience and the lesson that much more valid.  Other believers in reincarnation also have faith in the concept of karma; that your actions in the previous life determine the events of the present life.

The time of rest and reflection between lives is not a vacation for the soul.  On the contrary, the soul needs to take the time to fully assimilate the experience gained during the physical life, consider the ramifications of their actions and integrate the lesson learned into their understanding of the universe.  In some beliefs, this is also the time that the soul does penance for any wrongs or injustices performed during life.  Though the conscious mind does not have complete access to the soul’s full memory, the soul will remember every word and action from life and will now be able to see the full impact those actions had on others.  All the masks fall away to reveal the truth behind any of the rationalizations or excuses the conscious mind used to sanction any wrongdoing.

The amount of time spent in the Summerland between lives is variable.  For some, rebirth to a new life may be almost instant.  Others may spend weeks, years, decades, or even centuries to fully absorb the lessons they’ve learned.  Some older souls may also choose to spend longer periods in the Summerland as teachers; helping younger souls who are struggling.

When a soul has finished their education, they may become teachers and guides for younger souls, and many believe that they eventually ascend.  Again, there are many beliefs about what this transcendence actually means.  Some believe that the soul becomes a being of pure energy, able to go wherever they wish in space/time.  One variation of this belief is that the soul may take on physical form on occasion and are the gods and angels that interact with physical beings.  (Ghosts are another subject entirely, one that I will talk about in another post.)  Others think that the soul leaves the physical universe and begins an existence on a purely spiritual plane.  Still others believe that the soul gives up its individual identity to become one with the universe, or to merge with and enrich the consciousness of the Divine. 

All in all, the afterlife is a touchy subject for many, as beliefs vary widely.  I haven’t even scratched the surface with this post.  I can’t tell you what comes next, no one can.  I can tell you what I believe and what I think, and that’s it.  I can point to evidence and circumstances that may validate my beliefs, but it’s a very subjective thing.  Another person may use that same evidence and circumstances in support of contradictory ideas.

I do believe that there is life after death though I don’t think it’s the black and white view that so many religions teach with a paradise for the virtuous and eternal torment for the wicked.  Life is complicated and messy, just because the physical part is over, doesn’t mean the power behind it has changed. 

I don’t believe that there is a deity waiting to judge us and mete out punishments or rewards.  Our souls see the naked truth of what we were in life, and we judge ourselves.  A person who was evil in life won’t suddenly become saint like in death.  The soul of that person will see the truth of what they did in life, and then have to face consequences of their own device.  This is how the soul learns.  But no punishment is forever, no crime deserves eternal damnation or destruction.   When that soul has come to terms with their wrongdoing, then they go to the Summerland, to rest and reflect, and choose what lesson they wish to learn when they are reincarnated.

Obviously then, I do believe in reincarnation.  I believe that the soul is a being of energy, and it uses physical incarnations as a sort of school.  The circumstances and experiences of each incarnation are chosen by the soul before birth.  That does not mean that the person’s life is scripted from beginning to end.  Rather, some events are chosen, but how the person reacts to it, the decisions they make from that point on, that is what determines what experiences they have next. 

I believe that as the soul grows and gains knowledge, the more spiritual an incarnation will become, the more in tune a person is with their soul and the more access they may have to the full knowledge of their soul.  These may be the people that claim to remember details of previous lives and those that seem to be wiser and more mature than their years.  Often, these are also the people that display psychic gifts such as empaths, seers and so on.

I am also one of the few that believe souls can reincarnate in non human forms.  It depends on the lessons to be learned and quite frankly, I think that humankind can learn a great deal from those so called “lower life forms”.

I believe that the paths of souls can become entangled as well.  The same souls may run into each other life after life after life.  Perhaps the souls are attracted to one another, becoming soul mates, and so choose to encounter each other whenever possible.  In some case, the opposite has occurred and souls encounter each other until they can learn to resolve whatever conflict has arisen between them.  Or perhaps they are just on the same path for a time, learning the same lessons and have chosen to be with each other for support.  Though the conscious mind may not realize it, the inner soul will see the truth.

The oldest souls that still choose to reincarnate do so more as guides and teachers.  These souls tend to spend more time in the Summerland in the same roles.  These souls are on the verge of ascension.   When a soul is ready, they exist as pure energy.  What the soul chooses to do at that point is up to them.  They may leave this universe, or stay and become those we know as gods or angels.  Or they may choose to merge and become one with the Creator. 

So because I believe there is life after death, that must mean I’m not afraid of death, right?  Yes and no.  I’m not afraid of death; I believe with all my heart and soul and mind that it’s a transformation, not an end.  Do I want to die?  No of course not!  The belief that death isn’t the end does not mean that this life is any less precious, or desirable.  There are things in THIS life that I still want to experience, tasks I still want to accomplish.  I feel that this is a mistake that many religions make; they teach that the only purpose of this life is to secure your place in the afterlife.  The purpose of this life is to live!  To experience!  To feel!  If you spend your life only worrying about where you’ll end up after, then what was the point of living at all?  Though I may not get it right all the time, I want to live life until the day Death comes, and then I will look forward to another type of adventure.

Do I mourn when loved ones leave this life behind?  Of course I do!  I’ll meet them again somewhere, sometime.  But here and now, it hurts and I grieve just as much as anyone else. 

Death is not a comfortable subject to talk about, I understand that.  No matter what your beliefs, it is never an easy thing to lose a loved one, or to face the thought of your own mortality.   But I don't believe that it is something to be viewed as the ultimate enemy, something to be hated and feared.  It is the end of one thing, allowing something new to begin.  

In my first few posts I tried to explain what a pagan is and what a pagan does in hopes of dispelling some of the myths and common misconceptions surrounding pagan practices and beliefs.  I think now is as good a time as any to bring a few more into the light.  Here are some of the most popular:

1. Pagans worship Satan.
2. Paganism is a cult.
3. Pagans all dress in Goth.
4. Pagans cast spells and curse people.
5. Pagans practice animal and human sacrifice.
6. Drug use is common.
7. Pagans dance around in the nude all the time.
8. All rituals and celebrations involve sex orgies.

Let’s have a look at each of these and separate fact from fiction.

I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again.  The devil is a Christian concept to which most pagans do not subscribe.  It’s hard to worship something that you don’t even believe in!  But let’s take a closer look at it anyway.  When you think of the devil, what image comes into your head?  A great horned beast with cloven hooves, a forked tail and great bat wings?  Many believe that this common visual image of Satan is actually derived from descriptions of ancient pagan gods.  Pan comes to mind, with horns and the legs of a goat.  Pan is actually a Greek nature god, musical and lusty; he is also a symbol of fertility.   As Christianity became more widespread, pagan gods were demonized and their worship condemned in order to encourage conversion.  As Pan was such a widespread and popular god, his likeness was perverted into the frightening devil image we have today.  So, do pagans worship Satan?  No.  We don’t even believe in Satan.  But, many do honour the Horned God, a symbol of life
​ and fertility.

Well, it depends on which definition you use.

Merriam-Webster - a system of religious beliefs and rituals.
Yes, I guess it is a cult.  And so is every other religion, including Islam, Judaism, Hinduism and Christianity.

From a Christian context – a religious group that denies one or more of the fundamentals of biblical truth.
So, anything not in the bible is a cult.  Yep, I guess pagans qualify.

Free Dictionary – a religion or sect considered to be extremist or false, usually with an authoritarian, charismatic leader.
Now we’re getting somewhere.  Though the word “cult” has different definitions depending on the point of view, this is the one that resonates with most people.  What else springs to mind? Vulnerable people snatched from their friends and families, living in a rigid commune setting and brainwashed into a state of virtual enslavement to a leader with a Messiah complex, and eventual death or imprisonment all due to a programmed set of crackpot beliefs?

​Let’s have a quick look at some of the more famous cults:

There are plenty of other examples, but these are terrifying enough. So do pagans belong to a cult of this variety?  Sadly, in all religions, including paganism, there are those few with an unfortunate blend of deluded, extremist belief and enough charisma to pull others into their madness.  And people of any faith are vulnerable to the mesmerizing power of such individuals.  However, the majority of pagans value their independence and hold their own beliefs too dear to subjugate themselves in this fashion.  And the majority of pagans value the concepts of freedom and individuality too much to become the type of leader who wants to bend others to their will.  ​

​Pagans all dress in black, with black hair, pale skin, black nail polish and heavy makeup (usually black).  Pagans value individuality and do tend to be non conformists.  We are also very tolerant of how people express their individuality, as long as it doesn’t harm anyone.  During ritual, many don garb of a type that you don’t see everyday; medieval dresses, tunics, cloaks and the like.  It’s a way of separating from our workaday lives and focusing on our spiritual sides.  As for our everyday existence, sure some pagans embrace the Goth look.  But for the most part, we look just like everyone else.    

Pagans are in collusion with the devil and his minions to perform the dark arts of witchcraft.  Ahem.  See point # 1.
This propaganda was a pretty successful effort by Christians to discourage pagan practices by making it evil and thereby swell their ranks with new recruits.  Yes, some pagans practice magick, but if you read my post “What is Magick?” you’ll know just what that means.  Of those pagans that practice magick, sure some do it for selfish and harmful reasons.  Pagans are human; we have our rotten apples just as other religions do.  But many pagans also believe in something called the Threefold Law.  It’s a lot like the Golden Rule.  It states that whatever you send out, you will receive back threefold.  Meaning if you send out some negative, harmful energy, it will seriously come back and bite you in the behind.  The Wiccan Rede is also revered, and it states clearly;  “An ye harm none, do what ye will.”   This is not a license to do whatever we wish to do.  This quite clearly states, do what you want to do, as long as it doesn't harm anyone. “Harm” can be physical, mental, or emotional. A love spell may seem an innocuous thing, but consider the effects it may have. The subjects' free will has been subverted and that causes harm to that person. The caster may suffer harm consciously or subconsciously by knowing that the love is false. And what about the family and friends of the subject? What will happen to them when he/she turns away? Not so simple or harmless now is it?  Magick is a serious thing, and its consequences must be carefully considered before any spell is cast. 
​You might be surprised to learn that there are probably more pagans that don’t practice magick than those that do.  For many, paganism is a spiritual path and a way of connecting with the universe. Magick doesn't really play a part in their belief system.

What exactly is a ritual sacrifice?  If you’ve ever watched a TV show called “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”, one episode centred on Thanksgiving celebrations brings up an interesting point.  The conversation went like this:

Anya – “I love a ritual sacrifice”
Buffy – “Not really a one of those.”
Anya – “To commemorate a past event, you kill and eat an animal.  It’s a ritual sacrifice.                   With pie.”

Though considered barbaric by today’s standards, animals and people were offered up on sacrificial altars to appease and honour gods from many different cultures.  Don’t start thinking it was just the pagans doing this though!  Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism; all called for sacrifice, and some still do.  Like other religions, paganism has evolved through the years, and many of the common practices of the past have changed or been discarded to correspond with changing ethos. While some pagans do indeed still practice animal sacrifice, most do not.  Some actually hold the belief that all life is sacred and are appalled at the idea of killing an animal.  Most of these have embraced vegetarian or vegan lifestyles.  I believe that most pagans fall between these two extremes and this is the category that I fit into.  I believe in nature.  A wolf, bear, eagle or lion isn’t evil when it hunts and kills prey to survive.  It’s natural, it’s necessary for life to continue in balance.  It is not natural or necessary to kill something purely as a sacrifice however, and that makes all the difference.

There are those traditions that regularly use hallucinogenic substances to trigger or enhance spiritual experiences by altering their state of consciousness.  Many pagans would tell you though, that with patience and practice, that altered state can be reached without the use of chemicals.  Working hard for something makes the achievement all the more special.  There's also the addictive nature of drugs to think about. Paganism is about freedom, not enslavement. Or imprisonment, given that drug use is also illegal.  Consider the Rede that I mentioned a few paragraphs before.   “An ye harm none, do what ye will.”   Who is harmed by using drugs? The user, obviously.  The drugs were likely supplied by a dealer, so the user is supporting the dealer, who then will go on to sell drugs to others.  All kinds of people being harmed in that scenario. How about the violence that so often comes with drugs?  Users, dealers, suppliers, law enforcement, innocent bystanders, they all suffer.  Family and friends?  They come to harm watching the user self destruct.  Seeing a pattern here?  It all boils down to one simple thing as far as I'm concerned:      Don't do drugs!

If someone mentions a pagan ritual, I think there are a couple of images that spring to mind for many people.  One is probably a bunch of people in black robes with their faces hidden in cowls, standing next to a blood soaked altar lit by candles.  This scene is straight out of countless horror films about devil worshippers and I’ve already dispelled that one to death.  The second image is of a bunch of people, especially women, dancing naked around a bonfire. Well, this one isn’t really that far from the truth.  Pagans don’t see the human body as something that needs to be hidden at all costs.  It is considered as sacred as any other form and nudity isn’t the big taboo that it is in many other religions.  Many go nude, or “skyclad” during ritual.  That being said, not all pagans are quick to strip and dance with joyful abandon.  Nudity is a choice, it’s not mandatory, and everyone’s sensibilities are taken into account.  

I think this idea stemmed partially from the nudity involved in some pagan rituals.  I mean, if men and women dance together naked, then sex naturally follows right? Remember that above all else, paganism is a nature based belief system centred on the cycles of life and death and rebirth.  Ancient pagans were farmers, lives depended on the fertility of the land and the animals, so many of the rites were meant to ensure that fertility.  Hmm….what is natural and calls fertility to mind…sex! Pagans don’t think that sex is a dirty, disgusting act that should be shrouded in darkness and secrecy.  Sex is, and should be, a powerful, beautiful union between two consenting adults.  Now that does not mean that we’ll just get busy whenever and wherever the mood strikes us.  We are as private as most people are when it comes to intimacy with our partners.  Public performances are exceedingly rare, but the primal and potent nature of sexual energy is invaluable for use in ritual.  Most sex in ritual is conducted in a symbolic fashion, however.  Uniting the feminine and masculine by plunging the athame into the chalice for example. 
Some of you are wondering about this thing you’ve heard of called the Great Rite.  Isn’t this an example of the debauchery going on in pagan gatherings? If you’ve seen the movie “The Da Vinci Code”, you’ll probably remember the part where Sophie witnesses her grandfather performing a sex ritual, causing her to flee the house and opening a rift between the two.  This scene is an example of how the Great Rite may have been performed hundreds of years ago.  It is meant to be a celebration of the union of the God and the Goddess.  Today, instances of public intercourse during the Great Rite are so rare as to be a myth in itself.  The rite is usually performed by the High Priest and High Priestess, who would ideally be in a secure, intimate relationship already.  It is usually performed symbolically as I said before, or acted out but without actual skin to skin contact.  If the tradition calls for actual intercourse, it is done in private, between two consenting adults.  So, while sex does have its place, if you come to a ritual hoping for action, you’re going to be sorely disappointed.  

Hopefully I’ve shed a little bit of light on some common misconceptions, and dispelled some of the many myths surrounding paganism.  The misinformation and half-truths that have been circulated by competing religions has cast a long shadow on what is at heart, a loving and peaceful religion.   Until next time, blessed be!

For those who are unfamiliar with pagan ritual and terms, here's a fuller explanation of some of the sections I listed in the “Outline of a Ritual” post.
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Casting the circle serves two main purposes.  It is meant to contain and focus the energy that is raised and gathered for the purpose of the ritual or magickal working.  It is also meant to act as a protective barrier between the participants and the ‘other’ world. The energies raised during a ritual or magical working are going to attract entities of all kinds.  The circle ensures that the spirits and other ethereal beings that are within the barrier are limited to the ones that you invited in.  Though most pagans do not believe in the Christian devil or demons, we do recognize that there are beings out there that are mischievous and will try to mislead and misdirect you.  There are also those that are outright malevolent and will seek to interfere and even harm you.  And then there are those that are attracted by the energies and will disrupt the flow or syphon off the energy for themselves.  This category of beings will make up the majority of the number that the circle is meant to keep out.  They are neither good nor evil themselves, they just want the energy. So how do you cast the circle?  The leader of the ritual will use an athame, wand, sword, staff or just a finger to trace a circle around the space that is to be enclosed.  The circle is drawn in a clockwise direction, deosil ( JE-shill ).  While tracing the circle, they envision a wall of some kind being raised along the path and are probably reciting an incantation.  Personally, I envision and draw a full sphere so that I’m in a protective bubble. Once the circle has been drawn, it should not be breached.  If someone must leave or enter the circle, a doorway must be opened and then closed once more.  Breaching the circle may cause disruptions in the energy flow and allow unwanted guests into the sacred space. Opening or releasing the circle should be one of the last things you do when the rite is done.  The circle is released by doing the opposite of how it was created.  At the same starting point, trace the circle but in a counter clockwise direction, widdershins.  At this time you should be envisioning the wall coming down,

The quarters refer to the four directions and their elemental associations.  North is associated with earth, east with air, south with fire and west with water.  Each quarter is thought to have a ruler, keeper or guardian.  Sometimes they are named; sometimes they are referred to as “guardian of the watchtower”.  Each quarter is also considered to be home to certain types of beings.   

Calling the quarters is a way to bolster your protection in the circle as well as inviting these guardians to add their energy.  It also is a sign of respect.  To call the quarters, face the proper direction and extend your invitation.  If the ritual has a specific purpose or requires the energy of a specific element, I’ll call that quarter first.  If it is a more general call, I usually start in the east then south, west and north.  Others start in the north…I think it is just a personal preference. I’ll examine each quarter in more detail in another post. To dismiss the quarters, remember, this is more of a release than a dismissal.  You don’t want to treat them as servants and then toss them out when you’re done.  You won’t get too far that way, and they won’t take such disrespect lightly.  They may just stop helping or they may actually start actively work against you.  Dismiss the quarters in the same order as you called them.  Thank them for their presence and their assistance. If you want them to leave, be polite and explain your reasons.  Otherwise just let them know they are free to hang around or free to leave.  It’s their choice.  
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As I stated before, purification is the process of getting rid of unwanted energies.  Consecration is a way to attract the type of energy you want to fill the void left by the purification.  Both of these processes can be done for people, places and objects. The more something is exposed to outside forces and influences, the more often these two steps should be taken.  Especially when a ritual is to be held.  You may not realize it, but those outside forces can leave a stain or residue just as surely as smoke, smog or a spilled coffee does.  I’m sure almost everyone has walked into a room and immediately knew that something had happened.  The phrases “cut the tension with a knife” and “charged atmosphere” come to mind.  Though that strong feeling may dissipate, that energy is still there.  Just like the smoke from a campfire can be smelled on your hair, skin and clothes long after the fire has gone out.
So, how do you get rid of that smell?  You could just try to mask it with perfume or a fabric freshener, but that just covers it up, it doesn’t eliminate it.  The best way is to shower and wash everything with soap and water.  In the spirit of that analogy, if the shower and wash are the purification process, then whatever is done after can be considered a consecration.  Perfume, body lotion, conditioner for your hair, fabric softener or a dryer sheet for your clothes; all are adding something to replace what was washed out.   
How do you do this with energy?  No matter what method you use, it’s largely symbolic.  The real effort comes from your mind.  The ritual bath, the smoke from the smudging, sweeping with the besom; these are the tools used to help you envision and focus your mind on what needs to be done, whether it’s washing away the old or inviting in the new.
How often should it be done? As I said, the more often something is exposed to outside forces, the more often it should be done.  For a person, this can be almost daily.  Let’s face it, it can be a nasty world out there and even on a good day, some of that nastiness is going to stick to you.
Locations are also subject to that same nastiness, but maybe not to the same degree.  Your own home may see some conflict and negative emotions, but not as much as a prison, or a hospital for instance.  As a general rule, I do a complete home cleansing at least once a year at Samhain, but more often if the situation calls for it. I purify and consecrate a ritual space whenever I wish to have a ritual.
When speaking of objects that need to be purified and consecrated, I’m referring mainly to tools used for rituals.  In theory, once the tool has been through these processes, they will only be handled by people who have been purified and consecrated in a space that has been purified and consecrated.  This means that the objects shouldn’t be exposed to these unwanted energies I’ve been talking about and should only need to be done when new tools/objects are introduced.  In theory.  But we all know that theory and the real world can be two very different things.  To be blunt – stuff happens.  So go ahead and re-purify and re-consecrate whenever you feel it is warranted.
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Here is a step that I didn’t mention in the “Outline of a Ritual” post.  This can be done for a person or place, but it’s most commonly done for objects and tools.  When you dedicate something, you are making a vow that the person, place or thing in question will be used ONLY in the service of the deity to whom it is being dedicated.  This is not something to be taken lightly.  If you break that vow, you risk losing credibility with and the favour of the otherworld beings.  
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Communion
Pagans take part in communion in two different ways. During a ritual, participants are usually offered a sip of consecrated wine from a chalice. For some occasions, food is also shared, each person having a small bite. Feasts are a large part of pagan practice and is the second way communion is shared.  It’s more than just food, drink and good times shared with friends and family though.  Feasts are a celebration of life; a means of expressing thanks and appreciation for the bounty of the harvests.  Deities and other beings are generally invited to the celebration and are served a portion along with the other guests.  The spirit portion is left uneaten and usually placed outdoors after the celebration is done.  The creatures that eat the food (human or otherwise) are seen as agents of the deities and are welcome to the portion.  

Offerings
Offerings are gifts specific to a deity or other being.  It can be food, drink, or some other object that entity favours.  It is given as a sign of respect; as a means to placate an angry or upset being; as an enticement or payment for a favour or simply as a thank you.  It is personal to each giver and receiver and you should make sure it is something that will be found acceptable.  I once left an offering of fish at the convergence of 3 roads.  This was in thanks to Hecate for her assistance in a ritual and to show my respect. I made sure that the offering and the way it was given was sacred to her.

I didn’t go into any detail in “Outline of a Ritual” and I really can't go into much detail now. This is the section that is most unique to every occasion.  Whether it’s a prayer, dance, re-enactment, recitation, spell or other magick, this part is the whole purpose behind everything else you’ve done.  

Hopefully I've been able to answer some questions about rituals. Feel free to ask questions if there's something specific you wish to know. I can't promise an answer, but I'll do my very best! Goddess bless!

I keep emphasizing the fact that you should write your own rituals in order for the feeling and intent to be genuine.  However, for those just starting out that don’t know what to do, I suggest you do some research and read some of the rituals that others have posted online. The important thing is to find out how to accomplish the purpose of your ritual.  Don’t just parrot those other rituals though, try to make them more personal to you.  In time, as you learn to trust yourself, those rituals may trace their roots back to other sources, but they will be all you!
The content of the ritual will change depending on the purpose,  but the basic outline is reasonably consistent.  This outline is especially helpful when doing rituals with a group, but most of it can apply to either group or solo work.

Preparation
This step happens long before the ritual takes place.  A thorough prep will minimize  disruptions.

• Safety first!  Make sure your ritual space is cleaned up and free of hazards.
• Gather your items – make sure you have all your tools, libations, offerings, feast items, etc.  It’s a pain in the neck to have to stop in the middle of a rite to run and get a forgotten item!
• Inspect and test your items.  Is your script easy to see and read?  (Remember, you’ll probably be reading it by candlelight)  Your candles and incense are in good shape and your matches/lighter are in working order?
• Rehearsing the ritual may be a good idea, especially for groups. Everyone should have a good idea of what their role is and when they need to perform it.

Welcoming – for groups

• Introduce everyone, and let the group have a pre-rite chat to get to know each other a bit.
• Give a brief run down of the ritual, and let everyone know what to expect, and what is expected of them.
• Go over some do's and don’ts of ritual etiquette.  This will be especially relevant for newcomers, but it never hurts to remind everyone.
• Encourage questions now.  The middle of the rite may not be the best time for a Q&A session.

Purification of Participants
The method of purification is really up to the participant.  Some prefer to fast, or have a ritual bath.  Others meditate, or perform a smudging.  Often, in a group setting, participant have done their own purification before arriving, and a smudging is done for everyone before the ritual.

Opening Bell
The bell is rung to focus the attention of the participants, and to signal that the rite is about to begin.
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Merging – for groups
Merging is the process of getting the group on the same wavelength. Everyone needs to be concentrating on the same idea.

Statement of Purpose – for groups
This is a verbal affirmation that all are acting together in the process and are on the same page.  This statement should be very clear and detailed, no room for any ambiguity.

Consecration of Participants
This step can be done at the same time as the purification as well. Purification removes any unwanted or unneeded  energies, consecration brings desired energies in to fill the vacuum.

 Purification and Consecration of Elements and Tools
This step is not necessary to perform before every ritual.  This is meant for new items, or items that have been subjected to some exterior force.  For example, the item may have been exposed to unwanted energies such as anger, hostility or fear.  Perhaps someone else has handled the tools and disrupted the energy. Or maybe it just hasn’t been used in a long while and it needs a recharge.

Purification of the Ritual Space
Just as the participants and the items need to be divested of unwanted energies, so does the space.  Clear as big a space as you think you may need,  better too large a space than too small.

Cast the Circle

Call the Quarters

Invocation/Evocation of Deity/Deities​

• An invocation should only be done by an experienced practitioner. When you invoke a spirit/deity, you’re inviting that being into yourself.
• An evocation is inviting the being into the space, but not into yourself.

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​Communion, Offerings and Libations
This is the time to share food, drink and gifts with your guests, corporeal and ethereal.  This can also be done after the main rite.

Perform the Main Ritual
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Releasing the Deity/Deities
Thank them for their attendance and their attention.  Don’t just dismiss them, they’re not your servants.  The message you want to send is “Thanks for coming.  Our work is done and I know you’re busy, so if you have to go, feel free.  If you want to stick around, that’s good too!”

Dismiss the Quarters

Open the Circle

​If you're new to ritual or magickal works, you're probably wondering what some of this stuff means. What's the circle for? What are the quarters? How do I purify and consecrate tools? And so on..... I'll discuss those things in more detail in future posts. Until then, blessings be yours!

When you do have your tools and other items, what you place on your altar is your choice. That being said, there are several common items, used in almost every type of ritual, such as the athame, some kind of representation of the elements, a chalice, candles, an altar cloth, paten, symbols of deities, BOS and others.
As for the layout, it should be arranged and designed as fits your wants and needs and the ritual/working being done.

Some divide the altar by feminine and masculine:

Some use a directional and elemental setup:

If you Google pagan or wiccan altar layout, you’ll find plenty of examples to guide you. As always though, do what works for you and don’t be afraid to change it up as you add more tools or find something that works better for you!