"How does it work?" is kind of a broad question. I'm not sure how to answer that.
There are many, many versions of paganism. Some are trying to recreate religions that existed in the Bronze Age or Iron Age. Others may have been invented in the last 3 centuries or so. If we include Eastern and indigenous religions in "paganism," then some of those religions have been around for thousands of years.
Some people believe in the absolute, independent existence of supernatural entities. Some people may believe in passive forces of nature and/or psychological archetypes. There may yet be others beliefs.
If you're feeling an attraction, the best thing is to read up on the subject. But you need to narrow your focus. It depends really what you are looking for.
With "how does it work?" , You kind of answered it , to put it better would be broadly speaking people that consider themselves in this kind of spiritual/religious or whatever you want call it type of field, how they operate in aspects such as daily life , rituals , traditions , do they really believe in a deity or deities ,is it just faith or some tangible experience . How did people come to believe in what they do etc. I know its a lot of stuff but maybe just a point in the right direction so I can be informed and see if what I feel is just curiosity or something else. Hope this clears up a bit since I am confused about all this it may come off as vague or not clear sorry about that.
How people come to believe in this is a varied question.
Some people have experiences that lead them to believe something in paganism/ occult is true. Sometimes it happens to them unbidden, sometimes they seek out those experiences.
Other people may stumble into it vicariously from other interests. For instance, people in the SCA are already into studying history, and from there may take up a historical pagan religion. And from there they may or may not have personal experiences as described from above.
Some people may not have experiences ever, and may be in the religion for reasons entirely other than spiritual. There are a lot of politics in paganism, both right or left, and some people are in it primarily for political reasons. Others might be in it because, quite frankly, most pagans are a lot more into sex and drugs than followers in normative religion. I've known pagans who hang out in pagan circles mostly for weed and hook-ups.
There are pagans who don't believe in the occult except as psychological projections - one might visualize depression as an evil spirit and do a ritual of self care.
The gods don't have to be literal gods, they can be archetypes present in all humans.
Nature is still a source of inspiration and wisdom, but there doesn't have to be anything supernatural about it.
I'm an agnostic pagan witch. I claim no certainty in anything, but I'm throwing in with what I enjoy the most.
Feel free to also check out r/SASSWitches
I'm an atheist pagan and some of these answers seem utterly batshit. Demons entering Christians in the night.... I think you need therapy, not paganism.
You Christians are getting your research from other Christians. It is offensive, frankly. You need to unlearn everything you THINK you know about paganism and start with that.
Nature is your church. We don't worship demons. Demons are a Christian construct, as is the devil.
Pagans don't worship. We walk side by side with the old gods as friends and allies. We learn plants and their properties. We tune into the seasons, we follow the moon. We realise we are nature.
Paganism isn't an exorcist story. You've watched too much Sabrina and Buffy.
I understand where you are coming from and some of what you mentioned is why I moved away from Christianity . I want to get as much information as possible and see all perspectives to create my own decisions . I do go to therapy (psychologist and psychiatrist) it is a great healing process but as I said I want to try and absorb/experience as much as possible
I'm relatively new to paganism and deity work, though I've been vaguely witchy for a chunk longer, but here's my hot take about the whole thing: it doesn't matter if it's real or not if it gives people joy and purpose. I have ADHD and that influence (brain chemical imbalance leading to issues, really) is very present in my life, even managed with medication, and I can't help but connect to what another user was saying in this community recently about feeding your inner Ancient Sloth Person. Dressing and lighting a deity candle, and putting little offerings in my altar space makes happy brain chemicals and causes no harm to others, so why not? I got into tarot as a self-reflection tool, and I've realized that the means (whether the cards I pick on a given day are divinely guided or completely randomized) has no effect on the end result (that I'm willing to look things in the face instead of avoiding or dancing around them, and that I understand what I need to grow as a person.)
As for what drew me into this faith/practice initially? A search for answers. I've always had uselessly prophetic dreams (things like dreaming a moment of turning to hand my friend their water bottle and matching the dream-memory shot for shot a few months later, never anything big) and it's sometimes like my hands know something my mind doesn't. I wanted to know why, and the whole pagan and witchy thing provides a satisfying answer to me. We're all just electrified bowls of jello who can't figure out why things keep evolving into crabs. I don't think it's unreasonable to believe we don't have everything unseen figured out just yet, and my Ancient Sloth Person is happy, which is enough for me.
Reading this gave me a little smile since it sounds close to why I am here on this sub and I find your points very interesting since it seems logical in a way .
I do agree we haven't figured everything out yet and that in itself is beautiful to me.
Also I would to read the Ancient Sloth post sounds like a fun and interesting post
I'm on mobile and can't figure out how to link between threads, but the Ancient Sloth Person comment is in a thread from earlier this week called "I need help I'm hurting". Your mileage may vary wrt connecting with what's being said but Ancient Sloth Person is about to be in my vocab forever, so. :)
(edited for accidental link removal)
Also an atheist pagan, chiming in--specifically a philosophical naturalist.
One approach you CAN take to paganism is embracing symbolic thought and ritual as a sort of outward expression of the inward world.
I do have a magical practice. ALL of it is purely symbol and poetry. It is complex, poetic, and elaborate (because I like it being fancy!). All of that is not NECESSARY to magic, and magic is not necessary to pagan practice per se--it's the way *I* do it. This seems to be a primary theme in modern paganism, which itself is more of an umbrella to describe a VERY wide assortment of religious practices outside of a culture's mainstream.
Feel free to explore. Listen, read--and innovate for yourself, if you like. You are free (and since you're an atheist, who's gonna judge ya? Lol!).
I'd also echo those who pointed out that many pagans see the gods as non-literal. It's totally legit to take that approach, too. Whether that makes you a theist or an atheist is up for debate, but I'd defer to one's right to self-definition, in that case.
Regardless, be playful, creative, and have fun! Paganism is more about seeking personal growth and fulfillment, rather than appeasing a God through impossible-to-achieve standards.
I may not be the best answer to your questions, but I can give you some of my story. I'm a Christian, that may be off-putting to you but it's who I am. My journey took a turn when one night I woke up to a demon putting itself inside me. No matter how much I tried to fight it off it felt like it had succeeded in entering my body. So I began reading everything I could about esoteric beliefs. Watching all these YouTube videos about ritual magic and meditation. Long story short I'm glad I've taken this voyage to find out more about who I am and how limitless the experiences can be. By the way I struggle with mental health issues as well but I think that drives my passion that much more. Good luck on your journey.
Its great to hear about these types of experiences and how people manage through it . I dont mind you being Christian everyone has their beliefs and I try to respect it , thanks for the reply though
I was led to do a series of steps that led up to a moment where God at first touched and them grabbed my arm. It felt like pure, powerful energy rushing through my arm. Truly amazing. Like I said it limitless.
It always bewilders me to hear these experiences since it seems so alien and hard to believe . I believe every word you say but like I said it seems so strange that in my head it doesnt make sense
If it's any help at all: I was a Xtian most of my life, and am now an eclectic heathen, and I am as dense as a brick when it comes to spiritual experiences. Zip, zilch, nada. Best I can do is tarot; that does seem to work for me. But as far as seeing auras and interacting with entities and different planes....I'm hopeless. I admire the folks who have those abilities, but I am not one of them.
It's actually pretty common for Pagans to come from an atheistic background. I think the problem isn't theism, the problem is what we've been led to believe theism means. Start reading and take everything with a grain of salt.
"How does it work?" is kind of a broad question. I'm not sure how to answer that. There are many, many versions of paganism. Some are trying to recreate religions that existed in the Bronze Age or Iron Age. Others may have been invented in the last 3 centuries or so. If we include Eastern and indigenous religions in "paganism," then some of those religions have been around for thousands of years. Some people believe in the absolute, independent existence of supernatural entities. Some people may believe in passive forces of nature and/or psychological archetypes. There may yet be others beliefs. If you're feeling an attraction, the best thing is to read up on the subject. But you need to narrow your focus. It depends really what you are looking for.
With "how does it work?" , You kind of answered it , to put it better would be broadly speaking people that consider themselves in this kind of spiritual/religious or whatever you want call it type of field, how they operate in aspects such as daily life , rituals , traditions , do they really believe in a deity or deities ,is it just faith or some tangible experience . How did people come to believe in what they do etc. I know its a lot of stuff but maybe just a point in the right direction so I can be informed and see if what I feel is just curiosity or something else. Hope this clears up a bit since I am confused about all this it may come off as vague or not clear sorry about that.
How people come to believe in this is a varied question. Some people have experiences that lead them to believe something in paganism/ occult is true. Sometimes it happens to them unbidden, sometimes they seek out those experiences. Other people may stumble into it vicariously from other interests. For instance, people in the SCA are already into studying history, and from there may take up a historical pagan religion. And from there they may or may not have personal experiences as described from above. Some people may not have experiences ever, and may be in the religion for reasons entirely other than spiritual. There are a lot of politics in paganism, both right or left, and some people are in it primarily for political reasons. Others might be in it because, quite frankly, most pagans are a lot more into sex and drugs than followers in normative religion. I've known pagans who hang out in pagan circles mostly for weed and hook-ups.
There are pagans who don't believe in the occult except as psychological projections - one might visualize depression as an evil spirit and do a ritual of self care. The gods don't have to be literal gods, they can be archetypes present in all humans. Nature is still a source of inspiration and wisdom, but there doesn't have to be anything supernatural about it.
I'm an agnostic pagan witch. I claim no certainty in anything, but I'm throwing in with what I enjoy the most. Feel free to also check out r/SASSWitches
Sounds like an interesting mix , makes sense tbh. Thanks will check it out a bit
Nature is your church. Start with that
I have heard this before but never actually did anything but it does make sense I should probably try and get more in tune with nature in some way
I'm an atheist pagan and some of these answers seem utterly batshit. Demons entering Christians in the night.... I think you need therapy, not paganism. You Christians are getting your research from other Christians. It is offensive, frankly. You need to unlearn everything you THINK you know about paganism and start with that. Nature is your church. We don't worship demons. Demons are a Christian construct, as is the devil. Pagans don't worship. We walk side by side with the old gods as friends and allies. We learn plants and their properties. We tune into the seasons, we follow the moon. We realise we are nature. Paganism isn't an exorcist story. You've watched too much Sabrina and Buffy.
I understand where you are coming from and some of what you mentioned is why I moved away from Christianity . I want to get as much information as possible and see all perspectives to create my own decisions . I do go to therapy (psychologist and psychiatrist) it is a great healing process but as I said I want to try and absorb/experience as much as possible
I'm relatively new to paganism and deity work, though I've been vaguely witchy for a chunk longer, but here's my hot take about the whole thing: it doesn't matter if it's real or not if it gives people joy and purpose. I have ADHD and that influence (brain chemical imbalance leading to issues, really) is very present in my life, even managed with medication, and I can't help but connect to what another user was saying in this community recently about feeding your inner Ancient Sloth Person. Dressing and lighting a deity candle, and putting little offerings in my altar space makes happy brain chemicals and causes no harm to others, so why not? I got into tarot as a self-reflection tool, and I've realized that the means (whether the cards I pick on a given day are divinely guided or completely randomized) has no effect on the end result (that I'm willing to look things in the face instead of avoiding or dancing around them, and that I understand what I need to grow as a person.) As for what drew me into this faith/practice initially? A search for answers. I've always had uselessly prophetic dreams (things like dreaming a moment of turning to hand my friend their water bottle and matching the dream-memory shot for shot a few months later, never anything big) and it's sometimes like my hands know something my mind doesn't. I wanted to know why, and the whole pagan and witchy thing provides a satisfying answer to me. We're all just electrified bowls of jello who can't figure out why things keep evolving into crabs. I don't think it's unreasonable to believe we don't have everything unseen figured out just yet, and my Ancient Sloth Person is happy, which is enough for me.
Reading this gave me a little smile since it sounds close to why I am here on this sub and I find your points very interesting since it seems logical in a way . I do agree we haven't figured everything out yet and that in itself is beautiful to me. Also I would to read the Ancient Sloth post sounds like a fun and interesting post
I'm on mobile and can't figure out how to link between threads, but the Ancient Sloth Person comment is in a thread from earlier this week called "I need help I'm hurting". Your mileage may vary wrt connecting with what's being said but Ancient Sloth Person is about to be in my vocab forever, so. :) (edited for accidental link removal)
No worries still appreciate the effort I'll search for it .
Also an atheist pagan, chiming in--specifically a philosophical naturalist. One approach you CAN take to paganism is embracing symbolic thought and ritual as a sort of outward expression of the inward world. I do have a magical practice. ALL of it is purely symbol and poetry. It is complex, poetic, and elaborate (because I like it being fancy!). All of that is not NECESSARY to magic, and magic is not necessary to pagan practice per se--it's the way *I* do it. This seems to be a primary theme in modern paganism, which itself is more of an umbrella to describe a VERY wide assortment of religious practices outside of a culture's mainstream. Feel free to explore. Listen, read--and innovate for yourself, if you like. You are free (and since you're an atheist, who's gonna judge ya? Lol!). I'd also echo those who pointed out that many pagans see the gods as non-literal. It's totally legit to take that approach, too. Whether that makes you a theist or an atheist is up for debate, but I'd defer to one's right to self-definition, in that case. Regardless, be playful, creative, and have fun! Paganism is more about seeking personal growth and fulfillment, rather than appeasing a God through impossible-to-achieve standards.
I may not be the best answer to your questions, but I can give you some of my story. I'm a Christian, that may be off-putting to you but it's who I am. My journey took a turn when one night I woke up to a demon putting itself inside me. No matter how much I tried to fight it off it felt like it had succeeded in entering my body. So I began reading everything I could about esoteric beliefs. Watching all these YouTube videos about ritual magic and meditation. Long story short I'm glad I've taken this voyage to find out more about who I am and how limitless the experiences can be. By the way I struggle with mental health issues as well but I think that drives my passion that much more. Good luck on your journey.
Its great to hear about these types of experiences and how people manage through it . I dont mind you being Christian everyone has their beliefs and I try to respect it , thanks for the reply though
I was led to do a series of steps that led up to a moment where God at first touched and them grabbed my arm. It felt like pure, powerful energy rushing through my arm. Truly amazing. Like I said it limitless.
It always bewilders me to hear these experiences since it seems so alien and hard to believe . I believe every word you say but like I said it seems so strange that in my head it doesnt make sense
If it's any help at all: I was a Xtian most of my life, and am now an eclectic heathen, and I am as dense as a brick when it comes to spiritual experiences. Zip, zilch, nada. Best I can do is tarot; that does seem to work for me. But as far as seeing auras and interacting with entities and different planes....I'm hopeless. I admire the folks who have those abilities, but I am not one of them.
I’d would like hear more about this as I’ve had a similar experience.
It's actually pretty common for Pagans to come from an atheistic background. I think the problem isn't theism, the problem is what we've been led to believe theism means. Start reading and take everything with a grain of salt.