Picking which fork in the road to take is never an easy choice. But it's even harder if you don't even know where the on-ramp is. The road to becoming a Pagan can be hard to find at times. Rumour says one thing, TV says another, a book writes something completely different, and a friend denies everything. To make matters worse, a Druid is this kind of Pagan, a Wiccan is that kind, and an Eclectic is who knows what. There's even disagreement of every kind about who's really a Wiccan, who's really a Witch, and what it takes to become one. We can't even decide if it's a Religion, Belief System, or way of life! With all the contention over even the simplest of things, how is anyone to begin figuring it out and getting involved?

First of all, take a deep breath: this may frustrate you. There is no authority that can explain to you who's right, who's wrong, and what to believe about whom. When you finally get things figured out, a hundred people will be ready to tell you you're wrong. If you join a group, it may easily break up in a few months. What was written a few years ago might be completely out of date. Everybody believes that they have the real truth about the Universe, and it will bear little resemblance to anyone else's 'Truth'. There is rarely any kind of agreement. Some believe in re-incarnation, some in a further existence beyond death, an elevation to a higher level of consciousness or the belief of a Supreme Being. Some worship the Goddess under a specific name while others worship a God. Most however when it comes to the fundamentals can agree that all Gods are but one God and all Goddesses but one Goddess. The names we use are a personal choice whether you call the Goddess, Bridget, Diana, Giai or just simply Lady. The same with the Lord (God). So many different things but nothing which can be said is absolute positively correct.

Each is correct so long as you Harm None.

And this is a beauty of Paganism.

Paganism rests on the concept of free will. As long as you Harm None, you can do and believe whatever you want. Nobody can be wrong, because nobody can be inherently right. Our main law of “Do as ye will an Ye harm None” means that you have to think about the consequences of your actions… not just as they would pertain to yourself but those around you. Should that which you are doing cause harm to another, to the universe or the earth around us it is not to be done for it will cause harm. It is important to remember that what we do returns upon us three fold. good or bad. So much of the world around us depends upon that which we do. Harm or Heal, Good or Evil, Help or Hinder… all these things are what needs to be taken into consideration.

Until we have empirical proof about the afterlife, etc, how can anybody honestly say they know for sure what's really going on? If somebody tells you they have the ultimate truth, you probably want to steer clear, because they won't handle it too well when they discover you have an opinion of your own. Open mindedness is the foundation of all Paganism, the idea that nobody can be wrong. No matter how Pagans may argue amongst ourselves, we always respect the individuals right to find their own truth. It is inherent within us that each of us has to follow the path of our hearts be that person a Christian, Pagan, Druid, Muslim, Buddhist or any of the other religions of the world. It is good so long as that is what grants within ourselves the most peace and beauty in the heart and soul and harms no other.

In this day and age, most refer to paganism, Wiccan and the rest as New age or Occult religions. Implying that these are all new things. It has been recorded that paganism in most forms are older than Christianity. It is the old religion and you will find as you learn more and more that many holidays and ceremonies in the newer religions are based in part upon the holidays and ceremonies of the old religion. This is not that paganism is better than Christianity or any of the others. Each person’s religion needs to fit his or her needs. If it is best for someone to believe that they are once born, that someone died for their sins and so on then that is what is best for them. Also remember within paganism/Wiccan there is no concept of heaven and hell. That is solely a christian idea or at least one formed by the christians.

So, how do you get started?

First, sit down quietly and try to see if you're ready to commit the time it takes to really do some research. The time it takes to read, talk, clip, watch, and surf is nothing compared to the amount of time it will take you to think. Now, bear in mind, there is no time limit: you have the rest of your life. Question your motivations: are you doing this to look 'cool'? Are you trying to feel 'powerful'? Do you just want to 'belong to' something? Are you trying to reflect someone you saw in a movie? Answering 'yes' does not make you a bad person. I would guess that most people starting out feel at least a little of these. But it is important to recognize these forces and face them head on. In all Paganism, you will always have to keep an open mind; and that also means being open to your own.

Second, get as many books together as you can and read them very carefully. Bear in mind, just because it's in print doesn't mean it's accepted knowledge. Some libraries have a 'New Age', or 'Occult' section where you might find information and books. You may find helpful advice in the most unlikely places. Visit Occult/Feminist/Pagan/Spiritual bookstores in your area; you will probably find a contact or advice there. Understand the differences between Paganism, Wiccan, Druidism and the other branches of it. Once you understand what they are you will be able to better pick your path. The path right for you and your heart.

Third, when you understand the basics of Paganism, and you have a general idea of what to expect, you are ready to start facing real people. The easiest way to do this is to surf the Net. The most up-to-date information can be found here, in some places updated every day. Try to get a sense of what people mean, and what that means to you. Argue with everything you see, until you reach a conclusion you honestly believe.

Fourth, trying to find live human contacts. This is the really tricky part. There are alot of really nice Wiccans and Witches out there, who will share everything with you, and always treat you with respect. Unfortunately, there are also a lot of people who call themselves Wiccan, etc; but may not be. There are people who call themselves Witches just to get attention, and there are also people who make claims that frankly defy the laws of physics.

There is a dangerous type, however, that require some discussion. In the past, all kinds of schemes have been used to lure in innocent people, and hurt them. Claiming to be a benevolent Pagan, wise from years of practice, and willing to teach a special student may be a perfect cover. Knowledge is power, and with power comes responsibility. It's an unfortunate part of our society, but don't blindly put your trust in a stranger; you have much more to worry about in the physical world than the astral. It doesn't matter if they call themselves Witch, Wiccan, Christian, Priest/ess, teacher or preacher, if you get an anxious feeling about the group or individual, Leave Immediately. Goddess didn't give you instinct for nothing. If it can happen in a school, a church or a hockey team, it can happen anywhere else.

People will generally be trustworthy will be honest and balanced. They will not tell you that they have the ultimate source of truth. They will not tell you the 'right' and 'wrong' way to do things. A good teacher will ask your opinion, and will encourage you to do your own thought. They will demand your respect, but not your devotion. They will not make you afraid to get information elsewhere. They will generally not charge money (although charging $$ does not make a bad teacher). A good teacher may declare black and white, but will not dismiss the grey. They may have definite opinions, but will not degrade yours. They will respect themselves as much as they respect others. A good teacher will help guide you along the path and be there to offer a helping hand when you stumble, but they will not tell you where you should walk nor the route you must take to get there. A teacher is there to guide you, to answer your questions and to help you along the path of your heart.

If you want to find people in your area can surf the web and find some of the listings of pagans around the world. You should find people at your local Occult store; at least talk to the staff there. If you are brave, you can simply go up to someone wearing a Pentacle or Ankh and ask if they are a Pagan. Or send email to anyone and everyone asking for info. They may be able to point you in the right direction. Many communities have metaphysical stores or ads in the paper which can help point you in the right direction.

There are some other ideas for your study. First, if you have any friends who are also interested in learning more, then form a study group. This is very helpful financially, because one person can buy a book and share it with the others. It is also good for discussion, practice, and ritual. Also, writing your own rituals is a good way to express what you really mean, and making your religion an expression of what's really You. The same with your spells, writing your own spells helps you to focus your desires and wishes more clearly than if someone else writes them for you. There are many sites out there that offer prewritten spells and for starting off this may be a great help. It would be a suggestion however that if you do take some of the prewritten spells you make sure they fit your needs, re-write them in you need to in order to make them your own. It is a good idea to see how other people have written their spells and rituals but it is important that you make them your own. If a pre-written spell feels right and suits your needs then by all means use it. Just remember a spell or ritual that you have created or made your own is stronger and will hold more meaning. If you just copy down what other people say all the time, there's much less meaning in what you're doing. Keep in mind that whatever works for You is what's really important.