Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR ENLIGHTENING AND COMPASSIONATE DISCUSSION!!religion post

I'm pagan. I really hate using that vague of a term, so I mostly refer to myself as a Witch, although that can be misconstrued too, and really refers more to a different part of my spiritual practice (yes, I'll get to that) than the actual beliefs. But I'm not strictly Wiccan, so I guess if I want a label, I have to go with what's almost-right instead of just-right.

At the core of my belief system is the feeling that Deity is all-encompassing... that is, that you & I & my cats & all the trees that grow in our yard & so on are all manifestations of a Higher Power. We all have that within us. I do believe in G-d - well, specifically, multiple goddesses and gods - but they are more "human" than the Christian concept of G-d. More powerful, but not ALL-powerful, and not even perfect, just like we are not.

I don't go to church. (Obviously!) My faith requires of me more of an "everyday mindfulness" than a once-a-week meeting. I don't have a set routine for that - some days I bust out the altar and do a full-fledged ritual (observance), other days I just go outside and fully take in the holiness around me. Pagans tend to be more nature-oriented than most, because we have a separate set of holidays that revolve around "the wheel of the year", or the changing seasons. These correspond with traditional farming milestones - the harvest, the planting - but there is also a parallel between the seasons and the God & Goddess.

The "witch" part comes into play when you talk about spells. Yep, I cast spells - but it's not what you think! Drawing a parallel between Christianity and paganism, spells are more like prayer than anything else. You focus on your intent, you send that intent into the universe. That's it. Just like prayer, it's a way of making yourself heard to the Deities, requesting that the powers that be help you along with whatever it is you're trying to do.

I'm really simplifying and skipping over a lot here, but if anyone wants to know more, or wants me to clarify anything, of course you can just ask.

I don't mind questions at all. I'm used to it, hehe. I should also add that paganism has a lot of different belief systems within it, just like Christianity is the "umbrella" term for Protestants, Catholics, etc... so if you bump into another pagan, it's likely that they won't believe *exactly* what I believe. I'm definitely not speaking for all pagans here.

I wasn't always a witch. I was born and raised a Jehovah's Witness until I was 17 or so. When I started dating my first husband, I also started going to his church - Presbyterian - and continued to go until he and I split up. That's when I "discovered" Wicca, paganism, etc in my early 20s, and the nature-centric beliefs really resonated with me in a way that Christianity just never did.

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