7 Things I Wish I Knew Before Becoming Pagan
1: There isn’t one way to do things
When I was starting out it was pretty overwhelming as there is so much variation in pagan practices. I was kind of hoping that I could find one book or one teacher that could show me how things were done - but it doesn’t work like that. As a Pagan you have to decide which path and traditions resonate with you and the way you do things might be completely different from other pagans.
2: Labels often don’t mean anything
When I was starting out and meeting other pagans I would occasionally meet people both online & in person who said they were a high-priest or a high-priestess. I initially found this really exciting but the truth is anyone can call themselves a high priest or priestess so take everything you hear with a grain of salt. There is no formal hierarchy or system of granting titles so you need to be cautious about taking people at their word.
3: My Practice would evolve
I started out as a Wiccan but over time my practice has evolved away from Wicca and more towards Pagan-reconstructionist practice. While I used to do lots of spells and Wiccan rituals, now I focus on reviving Pagan traditions and understanding their origins. Don’t be surprised if your beliefs and practices also change over time.
4: The Amount of Research Involved
Building a Pagan practice takes a lot of research and reading. In my view a large part of Paganism is learning about ancient history and figuring how we can bring that historical knowledge and beliefs into the modern day. This takes a lot of digging into old manuscripts and texts so get ready to spend lots of time with your nose in a book. To be honest, I’m a bit of a history nerd so this is really one of my favorite aspects of Paganism.
5: Pagans are often Anti-Organization
Getting a group of Pagans together can often be like herding cats. Most pagans are uncomfortable with rules and hierarchies and this is most likely due to the fact that many pagans grew up in a Christian household and are looking for a religion that is opposite from what they grew up with. While absence of rules and structure can be liberating this aversion to organization also isolates us a bit. It’s no coincidence that solitary Pagans are now the norm.
6: Being Pagan can be Lonely
Unlike more mainstream religions, most Pagan groups do not meet very regularly and can sometimes be tricky to connect with. There are a ton of paid witchy and pagan workshops you can attend, but it’s tough finding events that are free. For me, I’ve definitely felt lonely from time to time and one of the reasons I created a YouTube channel is so that I could connect with other Pagans.
7: It would profoundly change my life
Paganism has inspired and helped me in so many ways. It’s helped me connect more with nature and the cycles of the seasons. It’s helped me connect with my ancestors and learn more about their history. And most importantly, it’s provided a greater sense of meaning and purpose in my life.
What things do you wish you knew before becoming pagan? Share below in the comments! ✨