Frequently Asked Questions

   Collated by Rhiannon NosTylluan
   

FAQ for July-August 2005 Of the many different paths to follow that are earth-based traditions, what is the path that you chose, or chose you; why did you choose this path and what about it appealed to you?            I was running away from my Christian Evangelical side and stumbled across Alexandrian Wicca. Initially it appealed because it had rules and rituals - a degree of familiarity there. The coven I was with were fairly paternalistic in some ways too. Plus it, Wicca, was the boogeyman for my family - and I was a very angry person at that time. So I became Alexandrian for the wrong reasons - to get back at my parents. I think that had a lot to do with it not working too well. Partially it was the wrong path (and I admit I didn't take my time to learn which path might suit me better) but a lot was the load I carried. The excess baggage that influenced everything I did. It took some time to realise this wasn't my path - but it was definately a parallel one. So I parted ways with my coven (amicably too!) and embarked on a new voyage of self-discovery. I knew I was Wiccan still, just not Alexandrian. Then I read some fragmentary details of Continetal Celtic deities and I was hooked. I started to study Continental Celtic history - archaeology, the Roman and Greek reports, legends, and stories. The more I read the more I knew this was the path. But I was very confused at the same time. My Alexandrian experience addicted me to the niceties of detail and structure; of having it all laid out before you. My studies were nothing like that though. I was alone and at times it seemed I was making it up as I went along. And I had no idea if that was right or wrong. Then I met Katya - this incredible Dianic witch. Suddenly I didn't know with someone else. At that point I realized that my path was right - it was my fears and insecurities about walking it alone that generated the feelings of "wrongness". Over the last few years (okay, it's at least a decade by now) I have created my own structure. It is fluid enough that when I work with Katya our paths mesh well, yet strong enough to support my solitary style. And I've come to realise I really am a solitary at heart - all my childhood I walked within a crowd and became afraid of being alone. Now I know we are all lone, yet connected - physical proximity means little. ~ Josh P.    My path as a Druidic Animist found me. In fact, it didn't happen quietly either. It was more like someone screaming loudly into my ear. Being raised in the Episcopal and Presbyterian Churches (quite different from each other as well), I KNEW something was not right. As I began really accepting what i believed in I realized it was more of a remembering the past than it was trying to find a faith. Part of me "remembered" a life-time that I have no memory of. Part of me longed for a time and place that no longer existed - that of the pre-christian Celts. My path of Druidic Animism chose me as the dreams and vision cames on more strongly; ones of Irish Celtic deities I had never even heard of before. Then I found a teacher who asked me all the right questions. She helped me understand why I believe what I do. I like that my faith is not an organized religion. I like that the only person I answer to is myself. I LOVE that justice and honour are two of the principles I try to adhere to. I love that my faith allows me to express myself for who I am - not for what i think I am or who I try to be. No one tells me what to think or how to behave. I don't have anyone telling me how to worship or being the medium between me and my creator, it is only me and the earth and the sky, the water and fire. It is me and the stars. It is me and the trees, the flowers, the animals, my children, my spouse, my friends. We are all one. I have been able to rediscover all these things in this lifetime, and I feel at home. ~ Heather P.    Odd as it sounds, this is the path God directed me towards - and, yes, I mean God-as-in-Christian-version. I was a practicing Christian but it all felt so empty. So I did the good Christian thing and prayed about it. The response I got to my very devout prayer was a burning desire to reread the Bible. I figured this was God telling me to go back and find my faith in the Book. Boy, was I wrong. I read it and came away thinking "What a good story...story...Oh!" The word story seemed to echo in my head and I 'heard' a voice laugh and repeat 'story'. At this point I decided God didn't want me as a Christian, so I should go out and find what He did want. What I learnt over the following years was that the divine didn't 'want' me to do anything aside from find my own way. Which turned out to be Druidic-Celtic inspired, but with hints of a few other paths thrown in for good measure. It doesn't feel empty, and neither do I. And it appeals because it demands I be responsible and take action for myself. It challenges me in ways Christianity didn't and I have grown so far beyond where I was as a result. And, ultimately, it makes me happy. ~ Catherine M.

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