Into The Green: Where To Begin

A compilation of articles that first appeared in "SageWoman".
by Elizabeth Barrette

Where does it begin? The fall of a golden leaf in a green forest. The sound of a waterfall calling your name. A meteor shower. A classmate's comment. Stonehenge. An invitation to attend a friend's ritual. The search for a truly distinctive term paper topic. A book that catches your hand as you trail your fingers along a library shelf ...

Something led you to the rambling path we call Paganism. Something prompted you to surf this Website, to read this article, to think about the choices you make. You wonder where to begin, but you have already begun. By allowing your curiosity to bring you here, you have taken the first step. To study the gods and goddesses of your ancestors is to set out on a journey that will unfold in front of you, endlessly rewarding.

Many Pagans today practice more than one tradition, or blend ideas from several origins into their own unique tradition. This flexibility strengthens modern Paganism, which tends to be more eclectic than its historic origins. On the down side, we lack "hard and fast" meanings for words, which can make it challenging to discuss matters of interest such as magic and spirituality. Therefore, you might want to investigate our =glossary= so you’ll understand how we use common terms. Whenever you read about these topics, check the author's definitions. They may make a difference in how you react to the ideas presented.

Don't feel overwhelmed by the diversity of Paganism. You don't need to dedicate yourself to a specific path right away. If you feel called to a particular system, fine; follow your instincts. If not, study a variety of cultures and their religions. Some people believe that you can choose your religion and patrons, while others believe the interested entities will choose you. You might begin with a culture that piques your curiosity, or one belonging to your ancestors. Find out what the people and their deities were like. Also, think about what you want and need in a religion. Keep this in mind as you read on.