All Things Pagan

In Paganism, there is alot of learning to do, in fact, you never stop learning. Some people devote their entire lives to it and are still learning new things when they're 80.
This path is not for everyone; you need to be comitted - well, that, or just believe in something you know nothing about. But in my opinion, it's totally worth it.

So, the common question: What is pagan?
Pagan is an umbrella term that covers a range of other religions, such as wicca, druidism, Asatru, Celtic, Shamanism, and many more. You may have read somewhere this phrase: "All wiccans are pagan, but not all pagans are wiccans."
Pagan is a nature loving, peacful religion. Pagans believe in karma, reincarnation, a God and Goddess, energy work, psychics, and much more.
There is a document called "The Wiccan Rede", and although it is refered to as wiccan, many pagans follow it too.

"Bide the wiccan law ye must,
in perfect love and perfect trust.
Eight words the wiccan rede fullful:
An ye harm none, do what ye will.
What you send forth comes back to thee,
So ever mind the law of three.
Follow this with mind and heart,
And merry ye meet, and merry ye part."

What do Pagans do?
Many pagans participate in rituals - though not all. Generally these rituals fall on the sabbats, but there are also those that are performed at any time.
It is frowned upon to cast spells (yes, spells count as rituals) on people to change their will - thats where karma and the three fold law comes in. We beleive that any spells we do don't effect other's will.
So how are you supposed to do that? Well, lets use the common request of love spells for example. If you were looking for romance, it would be frowned upon to cast a love spell on someone so they would fall in love with you; so instead, you do a spell to encourage romance. Or if someone you love is in love with someone else, instead of trying to break them up, do a spell to help you move on.
But Paganism isn't all about spells and such. Its about forming a connection with the goddess, about making a spiritual journy, about getting in touch with the spiritual you. The people I've personally met who have made this journy, are the happiest people I know; they are content with themselves and how their life is. To make this journey, pagans do all kinds of things. Concor their fears, meditate, learn to direct energy, attune themselves with the changes of the earth. It's mastering mind body and spirit.
The goal, in my opinion, is peace of mind.

D.R.