I Am A Pagan

I am a Pagan. I am a part of the whole of Nature.

The Rocks, the Animals, the Plants, the Elements, are my relatives.

Other Humans are my sisters and brothers, whatever their races, colors, or sexual preferences.

The Earth is my Mother and the Sky is my Father. The Sun and the Moon are my Grandparents, and the Stars my Ancestors.

I am a part of this large family of Nature, not the master of it. I have my own special part to play and I seek to play that part to the best of my ability. I seek to live in harmony with others in the family of Nature, treating others with respect not abuse.

I am a Pagan.

I celebrate the changing seasons, the turning of the Wheel of the Year, with music, feasting, rituals, and celebrations.

Samhain, or Halloween, is a time for paying homage to my ancestors and friends who have passed into the Spirit world and a time for gazing into the future.

Yule, the Winter Solstice, is a festival of Peace, Light, and the Celebration of the new Sun, and my home is filled with lights and Holly, Mistletoe, Evergreens, and other herbs sacred to the season.

Candlemas, Imbolc, or Groundhogs day at the beginning of February, is a festival of purification, a time for clearing away blockages to prepare for the coming of Spring and new growth.

At Ostara, the Spring Equinox, I celebrate the greening of the Earth by dressing in green myself and sharing colored eggs with friends.

Beltane, May Eve, is a festival of fertility and creativity, and I decorate myself with bright colors and flowers and dance the Maypole to bless gardens and projects in the growing season.

Summer Solstice, Litha, is a grand gathering time when I meet old friends and greet new ones, and celebrate the change of the Sun by burning the Yule wreath made six months before.

Lughnassad, Lammas, is a celebration of the height of Summer, and I give thanks for the herbs and other blessings that are starting to come to fruition and pray for the continued abundance.

Fall Equinox, Mabon, is the time of Thanksgiving for all the harvests I've reaped during the growing time.

At Samhain, the Year starts again.

I am a Pagan.

I pay attention to the seasons within myself And others. --- of beginnings, growth, fruition, harvest, endings, rest, and beginnings again. Life is a Circle with many cycles.

I am a Pagan.

I work magick by the Moon to help and to heal myself and others. I activate beginnings in the Waxing, energize manifestations at the Full, clear away obstructions with the Waning, and experience the wisdom of transformation at the Dark.

I take part in Circles at the New and Full Moons, and I know that my Circles are part of the whole web of Circles that meet at these times around the Planet.

I am a Pagan.

With every Death there is a Rebirth. For every problem there is a solution and an opportunity for growth. I create my own reality with my thoughts, feelings, and actions.

Whatever I send out always returns. I seek to abide by the Rede: An It Harm None, Do What You Will.

When I work magick, before I raise and direct energy I seek always to look at the larger picture of which my needs are just a part.

When problems come my way, I seek to understand their cause and messages as part of my finding a solution.

In doing healing work, I seek to correct the underlying cause, rather than just treat symtoms.

I am a Pagan.

I acknowledge that the Divine is everywhere in the energy of life. I am Animistic. I sense the life force in the Oak tree on the hill, in the Herbs in the garden, in the Birds singing at my window, in the Boulders on the hill, in myself, and yes, even in things such as my car and computer.

I understand that everything has its physical and non physical aspects, The physical and spiritual are deeply intertwined, not separate, and one is not better than the other.

I am a Pagan.

I know that Divinity has many facets and I Experience this through a variety of Goddesses and Gods.

I also honor Divine Oneness, the Unity of All. My personal encounters with Pagan Goddesses and Gods have transformed and enriched my life.

Hecate appeared at a Death to teach me of Release and Rebirth, As a young child, Artemis flowed through me to scare off a rapist, Selene of the Bright Moon brings me visions and my name.

I have heard Pan play his pipes in the glade, and Cernunnos has appeared to me in the forest as a young stag. I've experienced the union of Goddess and God while making love to my mate in the fields on Beltane Eve. Bast has helped me deepen my connections with my cat friends. Isis has spoken to me in bursts of radiance in the deep of the night and in flows of energy through my hands in doing healings.

I am a Pagan.

My worship is one of communion, not groveling. I share my views with others when I sense it is right, but I do not proselytize ---- there are many ways, not one way, of spiritual growth.

My holy places are under the open sky ------in the Stone Circle, in the Oak grove, on the top of the mound .------ on the Vision Rock on the high cliff ------- in the Garden, in the fields ------ in the Sweatlodge by the Stream------by the clear pool of the Sacred Spring ------ in the Rainbow Cave in the valley.

Yet my worship can be anywhere ------- my magick circle is portable.

I can call to the four quarters, to the Earth and Sky, and to the central Spirit point wherever I may be.

I am a Pagan.

I journey into the Otherworld in my dreams, My Meditations, my Rituals.

I use magickal tools to aid me in my journeys and my magicks - - incense, cauldron, candles, chalices of water, pentacles of salt, crystals, feathers, bells, rattles, drum, wand, staff, blade, and mirror.

I fly with my consciousness through time and space. I return with insights. I go between the worlds for healing, growth, and transformation. Psychic perception is a natural, not supernatural, part of my daily life.

I am a Pagan.

I attune myself to the four elements of Nature - - Earth, Air, Fire, Water - - and to the fifth element, Spirit, which is the force that connects all. I see these elements as parts of my Self - - my physical Body is my Earth, my Intellect, my Air, my Will, my Fire, my Emotions, my Water, and my Inner Self is my Spirit. I endeavor to keep myself healthy and in balance in all these parts of Self.

I am a Pagan.

I hear the cries of Mother Earth. I see the pollution of the air, the soil, the waters. I see the games being played by nations with the fire of nuclear weapons. I see the spiritual pollution, too - - selfishness, hatred, greed for money and power, despair. I sense these things, but I sense, too, a cleansing, healing energy manifesting on the Planet at this time. I know that I can help bring the Planet into greater balance by seeking balance in my own life. I know that my attitudes and my way of living can make a difference. I endeavor to be a channel for healing and balance.

I am a Pagan.

by Selena Fox, Circle Sanctuary