Being pagan is hard at first.

[Toxikmynd]

If you aren't born pagan, or you have a short attention span and move on quickly like myself, then becoming a pagan and flourishing as a pagan is very difficult because I'm constantly moving onto new things. Does anyone else know where I'm coming from?

 

[Iti oj]

If you aren't born pagan, or you have a short attention span and move on quickly like myself, then becoming a pagan and flourishing as a pagan is very difficult because I'm constantly moving onto new things. Does anyone else know where I'm coming from?

Yes and no. I've wondering in and out of the path often.

 

[Quintessence]

Yes and no. The thing is, contemporary Paganism can be related to just about anything, so having many interests and studies is not a problem. For a time, you might be really into studying botany and getting to know plant spirits. Then you might want to gain some competency in a divinatory system like astrology. Whenever you read a fiction book, you're diving into an otherworld. It can all be related to one's religion.

 

[Riverwolf]

Yes. All kinds of yes.

Without a strong community to help keep things consistent, it's hard to keep from meandering around, believing and practicing things based more on fleeting whims rather than traditions.

There's merit to that kind of thing, but it's not really appropriate in reconstruction/revival Paganism.

 

[Quintessence]

Honestly, the difficult things about embracing contemporary Paganism for me were different than what your issue seems to be. I loved Neopaganism precisely because it somehow mashed together all of my diverse and far flung interests into a common framework. What was really difficult was theology. To really get non-monotheistic theology, I had to do some serious mental deprogramming.

 

[Toxikmynd]

To really get non-monotheistic theology, I had to do some serious mental deprogramming.

THIS. I was always sort of on the fence about it, but it's still difficult since I have Catholic grandparents.

 

[bain-druie]

For me it was never hard to *be* pagan, since I believe I was in a way born as such. I did have my gran to teach me druidry, but I also had my parents with their fundamentalist christianity, and they won by default for a long time.

What's been really hard for me is un-learning the Judeo-Christian Monotheist anti-pagan propaganda, stumbling around figuring out what it is I really recognize as truth, without the bias of fear and lies spread by churches etc. It doesn't help that there's a TON of what I perceive as neo-pagan garbage out there, which I could never respect or embrace. There were times I wanted to dissociate entirely because of being linked with some of that due to unfortunate labels.

Essentially I found it healthy to be solitary as I found my way, with the exception of some social occasions marking pagan holidays. That's not the case for everyone, I'm sure; just my own experience.

But yeah, I think we can all relate to your post in some ways.

 

[Sees]

You can definitely take breaks in focus and the "trying" part - keep learning about all sorts of things, all the time. Learning and experience is never not-pagan.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

If you aren't born pagan, or you have a short attention span and move on quickly like myself, then becoming a pagan and flourishing as a pagan is very difficult because I'm constantly moving onto new things. Does anyone else know where I'm coming from?

I know exactly where you coming from. For me, it makes it hard to stay in a routine of practice. It also makes it hard to be firm to my beliefs because I'm every whichaway even though my beliefs don't mirror that diversity of thinking.

Maybe listening to some tips from other posters about how to strengthen ourselves as pagans and maybe exchange ideas on what works well could help. I don't know. I hate winging it.

 

[nickateenrapper]

Ah, I honestly didn't find it too difficult. Yes it took some time but I had a pull of sorts to my ancestor's ways of spiritual guidance. The only thing I am personally having trouble with is un-learning all the Christian ways and study and practice the faith I have chosen. Its extremely difficult to do that on your own with nobody in the same path to share and learn with. But I must say as a Heathen of roughly a year and a half, I have never felt better and more comfortable and also proud of myself at what I have learned.

 

[Toxikmynd]

I just made a thread on how I'm adding the main gods of the Hawaiian pantheon to my own, including their family guardians. It's under comparative religion if you want to check it out.

 

[Midnight Rain]

I personally see a lot of people move in and out of paganism and specific pagan paths all of the time. I think there is some kind of presupposition that many have when entering this kind of community and belief system that is shattered upon realization of what actually is. I have seen people who are disappointed with their pagan path and I have seen people who felt like the magic of it was lost once they had learned about it. Its also difficult on a personal and societal level. Christmas time especially its difficult as everyone has their holidays and Christmas is shoved in your face constantly. I don't think its a negative thing but it makes it difficult for ex-christian pagans who have fond memories of Christmas. I still celebrate it (albeit in a secular manor) with my christian family.

 

[Sees]

I personally see a lot of people move in and out of paganism and specific pagan paths all of the time. I think there is some kind of presupposition that many have when entering this kind of community and belief system that is shattered upon realization of what actually is. I have seen people who are disappointed with their pagan path and I have seen people who felt like the magic of it was lost once they had learned about it. Its also difficult on a personal and societal level. Christmas time especially its difficult as everyone has their holidays and Christmas is shoved in your face constantly. I don't think its a negative thing but it makes it difficult for ex-christian pagans who have fond memories of Christmas. I still celebrate it (albeit in a secular manor) with my christian family.

I still celebrate Christmas, with a heavy focus on highlighting all the pagan aspects...pretty much everything except the Nativity scene and certain songs It is officially Christmas and Yule to the kids. North American Christmas is basically continental Germanic paganism out the wazoo. The stockings, trees, lights, cookies and milk, colors, clothing, parts of popular songs, meals, and on and on.

 

[The Emperor of Mankind]

If you aren't born pagan, or you have a short attention span and move on quickly like myself, then becoming a pagan and flourishing as a pagan is very difficult because I'm constantly moving onto new things. Does anyone else know where I'm coming from?

I can relate since I wasn't born Pagan and my attention span sucks. It affects my ability (and self-motivation) to engage in any consistent daily rituals. I've found what I'm pretty sure is my path but I make it harder than it needs to be to develop and mature my practise to the point where I'll be confident enough to reach out to other gods.

At the end of the day, however, I'm heartened by the fact that I have the power to make this better myself.

 

[Cassandra]

Christmas time especially its difficult as everyone has their holidays and Christmas is shoved in your face constantly. I don't think its a negative thing but it makes it difficult for ex-christian pagans who have fond memories of Christmas. I still celebrate it (albeit in a secular manor) with my christian family.

Christmas is a truly Pagan fest I love to celebrate. The Christmas tree, the lights, the way the house is decorated, Father Christmas (Originally Wodan on his eight-legged horse Sleipnir), the atmosphere of peace is all Pagan.

That is what made me realize I am Pagan. I like to celebrate the happy natural events of solstices, not the sad events of infanticide, torture and Crucifixion. I still set up my Christmas tree with pleasure knowing it is a direct connection to the tree worship of Germanic people. And Eastern is celebrating spring time and coloring and eating eggs. I can do that in the company of Christians, no problem. They pray to Jesus, I send my greetings to the Sun and Mother Nature. I can even celebrate the rebirth of Jesus after three days, knowing it really this is the ancient belief of the rebirth of the Sun after three days in the Netherworld. Jesus with his thorn crown is noting but the Sun with its rays. He is the light of the world. For me it is all Sungod worship I happily share.

Christmas and Eastern and Sunday are proud Pagan remnants. That is why many Evangelicals want no part of it. And I personally still have to meet Christians who spend more than an afterthought about Jesus on these celebrations except maybe in church. Most simply enjoy the family reunion, the nice food, etc. But some hate it for the same reason and see it as the once a year false pretense of family union.

But for me the memory of sitting under the Christmas tree as a child while it is snowing outside is the still a magical moment. By the way, the Christmas tree was reintroduced by Protestants in the Northern Countries, Less than a century ago Catholics only had a cradle with Jesus in it.

We are so lucky that Christianity kept the Pagan celebrations but simply put their Jesus-sticker on it. Removing the sticker is all we have to do and then we have a true unbroken connection with our Pagan ancestors.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

I know exactly what youre saying. For me, its always "a change of plans." I want to do this. I plan to that later. I drop the two and add something else. Its a lot of discipline and consistancy. Especially, if youre eclectic. Maybe define what you feel it means to be pagan? What are your core beliefs? Type them and frame them so you cant redefind them.

Its hard to live a spiritual life and I feel paganism is based on practice; so, devotion is hard in itself. What or who are you devoted to? Probably ask questions here and get some tips for keeping structured in your belief system.

If you aren't born pagan, or you have a short attention span and move on quickly like myself, then becoming a pagan and flourishing as a pagan is very difficult because I'm constantly moving onto new things. Does anyone else know where I'm coming from?

 

[Unveiled Artist]

Yes and no. The thing is, contemporary Paganism can be related to just about anything, so having many interests and studies is not a problem. For a time, you might be really into studying botany and getting to know plant spirits. Then you might want to gain some competency in a divinatory system like astrology. Whenever you read a fiction book, you're diving into an otherworld. It can all be related to one's religion.

Oops. With the like..wrong button. So true

 

[Whiterain]

It happened naturally for me. I don't see it as hard as much as having to deal with idiotic ridicule from other Religious parties, mostly monotheists.

Just take rest in know they don't know what the hell they're talking either.

I mean, God forbid the crap they talk about is real and you go to the lake of fire for being skeptical.

It's just sick the more you learn. There's truth in Paganism and their Legends, rest in knowing that it's not all fairy tales for children.

 

[Cassandra]

If you aren't born pagan, or you have a short attention span and move on quickly like myself, then becoming a pagan and flourishing as a pagan is very difficult because I'm constantly moving onto new things. Does anyone else know where I'm coming from?

Hi Toxikmynd,

As I see it, it is basically connecting with Nature, spirits, ancestors, people, your own body and soul.

It is not a belief system. Pagans think free of doctrine. I like to leave questions open. Aristotle said: It is the mark of an educated mind that that he can entertain a thought without accepting it.

Devotion hard? I start the day with a simple ritual and that is it. I change it at times, to have different experiences. If I have little time, it is done in a minute, or even on the go in my mind. On occasion I like to do something special. I really enjoy those private moments.

I know there are religious types that turn it into some kind of Olympic sport, or philosophical pursuit, that is not for me. Nor do I think our Pagan ancestors did any of those things. True spirituality is rather something you weave into your life, not some dress you put on.

 

[Toxikmynd]

Thanks for the opinions everyone!