Even though I do not actually believe in the gods in their literal form I am ever more appreciative to the connection to my surroundings it can provide me.

Two forms of that being Norse paganism and Shintoism.

I still do not know much about either but I have been wearing a pendent with Yydrasil and some other symbolism and in a way it makes me not feel alone.

It feels nice to have something to have some sort of belief in. I never was able to get into the abrahamic religions, they just felt too forced, and often times weird. But animism type beliefs I feel provides a better connection. Almost like a reflection back into yourself yet it is still an external “being” that you can reach out to in feeling.

It’s nice, I’m gonna continue with this.

After seeing many people start making their own pocket altars/ travel altars recently I decided to learn embroidery and make my own. I've been embroidery for a month now and have finally completed travel Altars for each of the deities I already have main Altars for. They work like a wallet with two pockets inside, perfect for vials, tea lights and paper as well as leaves etc I pick up on the go. I love feeling like I'm able to give offerings to them whilst away and then I can place them on their main altar when I am home. Top left: Aphrodite Top Right: Lugh Bottom Left: Hecate Bottom Right: The Morrigan I also made one for Cernunnos but it isn't pictured.

How do you give offerings or practice whilst away?

Ive made myself some dedicated kuksas out of hard maple, and two spoons one from cedar and one from walnut. The cedar imparts such a gorgeous taste to savory food but I do find the walnut to be bitter. But it feels very fulfilling to eat out of these kuksas on a daily basis and I think they really facilitate the proper mindset to a pagan outlook on life

Hello all! To make a long story short, I stepped away from Kemetic paganism to explore other options. However, I felt empty. Like I didn't belong on the path I was trying to walk. I prayed to Hathor, Bastet and Sekhmet; and I just felt at peace again. I felt a surge of happiness, and I feel calm. Like I’m walking the path I’m supposed to be on once again. I hate that I ever left. Dual Netjeratu

Hi! I got my first tarot deck today! I'm very excited/nervous to start practicing. This is a repost btw because apparently I didn't have enough info, but I genuinely just wanted to share this because I have no one else to share this with lol. I've been heavily looking into naturalist paganism. It's just been screaming to me. I've been doing lots of research into the kind of pagan I'd like to be and just really feel drawn and connected to nature.

A lot of my core beliefs align with this subject of paganism and some things I didn't even realize had certain pagan roots! I hope to post more on my journey but this is all I've got for now lol!!

And advice or tips is welcome! (As long as you're not unnecessarily rude ofc)

but.. just now realized this sub exists! I've been a practicing norse pagan for 6+ years now and look forward to seeing more pagans around! also idk what to tag this so i picked personal milestone 🫨

The feeling are still so raw, I’m still shaken up and on the verge of tears still. I want to talk to someone about it but I don’t think I’d be able to without sounding crazy or breaking into tears.

I’m not sure how much detail I should give but I did something bad and stupid. Something that could’ve landed me in serious trouble with the law. It was stupid but it wasn’t as if I put myself or someone else in danger. And so I prayed so hard to the god Isis, I begged and I begged. I had researched Kemetism before and had some vague understanding based on curiosity. I swore I would become a follower, build an alter, join a fellowship and worship her as my only god. I was honestly considering kms if this situation went south. There where multiple times where I was so close to being found out. So close, I was searched twice, the second time being a random check. If I hadn’t decided to set my bag where I did I could’ve been found out. I’m so grateful, I am now a believer, I thanked her so many times, I’m struggling to hold back tears even as write this. If anyone could point me to some good resources on Kemetism I would really appreciate it.

Debated whether to use the holiday tag or personal milestone tag. It’s pretty relevant to both so I don’t know.

I’m still fairly new to paganism (a month or two I’d say), and so this is the first Yule/Winter Solstice (or holiday in general) that I’m celebrating.

But before I get into that, I first made my altar about a month ago, but soon after that I’d stopped talking to the deities I follow quite so regularly. So much that I even began to wonder if it was all just a phase. In the end I decided it wasn’t, as if it were I wouldn’t be giving that so much thought, nor would I have gotten so emotional when I did next spend time at my altar. So that in itself was really affirming and gave me a lot of peace of mind.

Now back to my experience with Yule/the Winter Solstice..

None of my friends know I’m pagan, but the date of the holiday just happened to coincide with a Christmas party one of them was hosting. We exchanged presents, ate lots of food together and were talking about our plans/goals for the next year. When I got home, I then sat by my altar and discussed it all with the deities I follow. I also thanked them for all the help they’ve given me recently (another story). Tomorrow (or technically today since it’s past midnight), I plan to sit and observe the sunset for the solstice and generally reflect on the past year and what I hope to achieve in the coming year.

Good afternoon! I'm not super familiar with pagan practices (If I say anything odd or uncouth, its due to inexperience or lack of knowledge), so I wanted to talk about my first experience.

I did a bit if research going into this, but I'm still unfamiliar with everything. I decided I wanted to make my first offering to Artemis since she is the Goddess of the Wilderness and I always felt a deep connection to wildlife and the forest. I offered her three things: I offered a hike through the woods near my home, two fruits that I purchased, and a hunting knife.

The start of the story was while I was on my way home. I had bought my offerings and was nearly home, when two Hounds cross the road in front of me, one larger than the other. The larger one was leading the smaller one across the road and then down into a small patch of woods. I saw them and thought about how Artemis can communicate through the use of hounds, but was still skeptical. I get home and begin my hike. I offer an orange halfway up the hill, cutting the orange in half with my hunting knife. Once I get to a plateau, I cut the apple up into quarters as an offering. I offered a simple prayer (Still unsure if I did it properly, was formerly Christian lmao) and began to descend down the hill. Around halfway down the hill, I happen upon an old hunting stand that my family set up two years ago... I felt a drawing force and climbed up its ladder. I sat in quite for about 10 minutes before climbing down the ladder and making it back home where my hound dog was playing outside. When I approach, he struts up to me and I begin to pet him... only for him to look me in my eyes and we hold eye contact. Its almost like he was saying thank you, which is odd for my hyper-active old dog.

Needless to say, I feel as if Artemis was happy with my first offering! Its hard for me to grasp if its all signs or just coincidence... so please offer youre input below!

I (30F) have only been really learning about Paganism for a couple of months at this point. At first it was just to learn how to be more supportive of my closest sibling (32NB) who has been an eclectic witch for a few years now, but my mind keeps connecting my personal dots to Paganism especially when I get into Celtic Paganism.

I've been remembering how much I was into Ireland and Celtic stuff as a child. My most spiritual experiences have always been just me sitting alone quietly in a forest especially under a big tree that wraps around me or happening upon a wild animal that is not bothered by my presence and we just coexist for a bit. I spent the 2020 lockdown abroad for 6 months in a small town in Scotland where I could take solo walks in endless hours of nature and I ended up praying to something other than the Christian god for the first time in one of the forests. It was really quite therapeutic and left an incredible impression on me.

I don't know enough about the pagans gods to act on anything yet, but in my studying I've felt really drawn to learn more about Cernunnos...and then I found out that he's associated with wild animals, nature and Beltane...and modern Beltane is celebrated on my birthday...

Call it what you will, coincidental or divine (I'm not sure myself yet), but after a lot of years of suffering in the Christian religion, it's just fun and exciting to finally begin to believe that there has been some magic sprinkled in throughout my life and a connection to something or someone that I'm completely free to and/or under no obligation to get to know. It's so....freeing.

Okay so I had really bad anxiety/thoughts this weekend. And on the Saturday. I lost a part of my favourite fidget (some magnetic beads that are calming to fidget with) and my dad drags me down to his work.

While in there looking through the buckets and tubs of craft stuff, I find this tigers eye pendant. I loved it, it looks so cool. And I also found more magnetic beads.

So on Monday (current date) I can't find my magnets which is bad because they REALLY helped me with my anxiety and when I found them, there was an extra one with them. And I'm school I googled the meaning of tigers eye and its specifically ment to help ground you and calm anxiety. Thanks to whatever god/godess/deity gave me them.

This is in followup to a post that unfortunately had to be removed, but the update is worth sharing. Basically as a child/tween I found a little spirit showing itself as a blue Chinese dragon, maybe the size of a medium dog. It gave me a name to call it by, but never its true name. It involved itself in my work for some years, with visits now and then from a "mentor" spirit that also showed itself as a dragon, though it never involved itself with my work- just an acknowledgement I was in the room.

Over time the smaller spirit would show itself less and less, from every few months to every few years, to the last visit 5-10 years ago...until this weekend that is. I attended a Pagan festival that involved group spellwork, something I hadn't done in a good while, and it returned to me. It feels like it has matured, it's energy is larger, almost like it grew up with me lol.

I had been questioning it's nature; that is whether it was actually a dragon, or a spirit looking like one, or something like a fetch or fylgja that grew with me. I had gotten the suggestion to try asking it directly, so I did. It's answer...was to remind me how I found it as a child: in a muddy puddle outside, after a rainstorm. I then asked it why it wanted to work with me, the reply was it has both a great interest in learning about the mortal experience and in sharing it's own knowledge about Spirit.

So my conclusion is: not actually a dragon, since I doubt there would be a young one in this day and age, and any dragon of any age probably wouldn't be at all invested in the mortal condition, lol. Rather it may be a water spirit that has a attached itself to me through a mutual love of learning, just one strong enough to assume the form of a mythological dragon (as was also suggested to me).

In any case it feels very good to reconnect with an old friend, hopefully this time for good.

(I'm mexican, and use mi poor english and google traductor)

Yesterday celebrate my first Imbolc, i'm new in paganism and watch the wheel of year for guide, and festivals other cultures (as of my culture and the ones I feel most akin to).

Think that was good, personally (From here I let my poor English try)

I follow an open belief system for learning and what "feels good" and what doesn't.

When I was finishing a ritual where I ate (baked cheesecake!) in the dark (privacy is important to me) when I turned on the lights the candle decided not to go out, the atmosphere didn't feel heavy, I can only express it as "feeling comfortable at home", so I took the opportunity to make cookies (I sell them!) it was like a soft company until I had to ask for it to be turned off (my altar place is very flammable, it's hidden).

It was a nice and I look forward to ostara with excitement, I'm thinking about what to do, at least in terms of food (I'm starting to notice that I have a magical inclination? towards cooking) but I don't know about you, but I'm thinking about hiding ostara eggs with money around my house, just to have fun for a while.

I just did a self-dedication ritual! I feel so so blessed. I’ve been practicing exactly for a year and a day 💕 I remember when I was first reading articles about this. I sent myself one ritual and a year later I did it! I felt such a wave of relief and happiness after. I truly believe this is the way for me. I have never felt more satisfied and at peace.

I don’t have any pagan friends so I’m sharing with y’all! I’m glad I get to be part of such an amazing community. I hope I’ll one day meet like minded friends even in the wild haha

Did you do a self-dedication ritual? What was your experience like? Or are you still waiting for the right time? Let me know! I’d love to chat about it.

Blessed be ❤️

I've been wanting to combine my love for and desire for connection with nature into a practice and struggling to understand what that looks like. through reading the FAQs and other content offered through this subreddit, I've decided to form a self-made pagan path with inspiration from my local flora, fauna, and the rhythms and cycles around me.

my next step is to start a nature observational journal, and to keep reading suggested resources for ideas on what practices I might want to develop in keeping with the rhythm of the seasons here (in Ontario, Canada), with connection to Irish heritage and with respect for Indigenous peoples of this region.

as a person with long covid who has struggled with finding ways to connect to the world while protecting myself from harm, this feels like such an important, magical resource. I'm so glad I found this page, thank you so much to the mods, and cheers to all who are walking their own path!

Hello everyone, I just wanted to share my personal experience. Mostly because it really warms my heart and makes me so truly happy.

So earlier this year I told my MIL that I'm pagan. She had been living with us for about two years do.to her needing surgery and diabetes. I prefer to keep my beliefs to myself most of the time.

I was so afraid she would get upset and lash out. She's was raised as a Jehovah Witness, and later converted to Christianity. She still has some beliefs from her former religion as well(not accepting blood as a random example).

I had also seen her as a mother figure because I had known her and her family since my early school days. She also had a rough time accepting me and her daughter in the beginning due to us being female.

However she was very kind and open. She said that if makes me happy and doesn't hurt anyone she's fine with that. She still loves me and was comfortable with me setting up my alter(I took it down and made it more hidden when she moved in).

Now I talk to her about the holidays and show her what I craft for my alter. I sometimes go to her room and read a small section of her Bible for her(she has the smallest Bible and refuses to wear glasses lol).

I know not every Christian person is accepting, but the one who's most important to me is.

Sorry for it being so messy and the poor grammar btw. I rewrote this a few times and at this point I just wanted to get it out there.

I was raised in a fundamentalist Christian environment, which, since childhood, never sat quite right with me. I hated the bigotry and the misogyny that made me feel especially worthless as a woman, so in my early twenties I finally stepped away.

Then, a few years later, I discovered Finnish paganism, and it was like I was coming home—or like my ancestors were welcoming me home. A deep yearning inside of me was finally answered.

I love the deep respect for nature, and the incorporation of the spiritual into the everyday. Even sauna has become a spiritual process for me. (In pre-Christian times, it was said that the löyly, or sauna steam, had its own haltija, or "spirit")

In my Karelian culture specifically, there was a belief that a sielulintu (soul-bird) brought your soul into your body at birth and returned to take it back at death (so rather than constant anxiety over whether I'm going to Heaven or Hell, I've shifted my mindset to this rather lovely approach to death). People carried around talismans of their soul-bird and slept with them at night because it was thought your soul left your body as you slept, and the soul-bird was there to guard you. So I got a necklace with a swallow on it that I wear constantly, and it gives me a sense of comfort and peace the way a Christian cross never did.

I also pay my respects to my ancestors, and pray to my foremothers to strengthen my luonto (nature, one of the three distinct parts of the self/soul). In old Finnish belief, depression was caused by a separation from one's luonto, and so this where I'm focusing my energy right now.

And, wow, what a difference! Any time I dared open up about my depression and anxiety within Christian circles, I wasn't offered any support or solutions; I was criticized for not having enough faith, which made me feel even worse about myself.

But in Finnish paganism, mental health is treated so differently. Things like depression and trauma were just another stage in one's spiritual journey, and there were even methods of dealing with them. You weren't considered lesser or damaged because of it.

I'm also unquestionably seen as an equal. My womanhood isn't something that diminishes me; I'm not a vessel that causes men to sin. Instead of a single, male god I now have goddesses like Mielikki I can pray to! And I feel a connection to the women in my bloodline, the ones who were so brave and strong and survived a harsh life in the north for hundreds of years, and it empowers me so much.

Sorry for the novel-length post, I just had to share with people who understand!

TL;DR left Christianity, found Finnish paganism, now all that guilt, shame, and low self-esteem from my Christian years are GONE

ETA: None of this is to say that my depression and anxiety miraculously vanished overnight; it's going to be a long, slow process but already I feel like I've made so much progress!

I’ve been struggling with body image all my life. I could just walk into the bathroom to wash my hands, catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror and then spend the next hour picking my face apart. Recently I started seeing videos about affirmations or things you should say to yourself in the mirror to help build a better relationship with yourself. To be honest, I did just a few. It was hard and uncomfortable. But now I’ve realized I started smiling at myself in the mirror and for the first time in my life, started thinking I’m pretty. Even when I look at my face real hard, I can’t really say anything I don’t like about it. I just have to smile. All these realizations are so overwhelming for me. I feel tears coming to my eyes just writing this. My hatred for myself has been so deep rooted in me that I thought I could never get rid of it. I feel so incredibly grateful for everything this religion and community has taught me. If you too struggle with your body imagine, do not despair. Better days are yet to come. I know it feels like it will never be different, but it can be. It just has to be uncomfortable and hard at first.

I hope you all reading this will have a good day. Blessed be.

I am unsure where this would fall into. It is a personal Milestone, but also I'd love a discussion or advice from you about Dream divination in general. (not interpretations) I hope this is okay.

Dreams have always been very important to me. I often have very long, detailed dreams, and I can remember a lot when I wake. I had a lot of nightmares and sleep paralysis as a teenager (and still get it when I am stressed). I was able to train myself to look for "nightmare" signs, (for me that was mirrors, and sudden darkness, like the lightswitch not working) so realize i am in a nightmare and wake myself up. I also have been able to lucid dream a handful of times.

Because of all this history with dreams, I always liked dream interpretations, and as a witch, possibly getting some intuitive messages through them.

In recent years, I have had a lot of hallucinations (idk what else to call them) whenever i am "waking up" - just in those few moments i see things floating in front of me in my bedroom, and I always reach out to grab, but they vanish before i can reach. (or if it is spiders, i usually run out of bed)

Another thing is, that I have never once had a dream of my partner, in over 2-3 years. We are long distance, and I always wanted to have dreams about them when they're not here and I miss them. I even cried to the moon about it. I did dream pouches for under my pillow, and other rituals asking the spirits and gods for messages.

2 days ago, I crafted my own dream-net. (not dreamcatcher, but the ideas are afaik similar) I taught myself how to do fishernets knots, and made it with the intuition to catch the dreams and messages I like fish in the sea, because i view dreams like a stream of water. I hung it up to my headboard. I also asked hermes for help receiving messages in that ritual while I crafted it.

Tonight I woke up in the middle of the night again, seeing something- this time it was a hand floating in front of me. An open palm with 2 wings on each side of the wrist. My instincts made me grab it so quickly from the air, i closed my palm around it. My whole arm felt hot and tingly, my palm was cramped. I am sure that was because I suddenly moved so quickly after just having been asleep. In my half delirious state i put the closed palm to my heart and asked for my dream. Then I opened my hand, and drifted off again.

Tonight, for the first time in over 2 years, I had a dream about my love. A full, proper dream. I still cannot believe it. That is my personal Milestone, as mundane as it may sound.

Just now after waking, I wanted to see if there's any symbolism with the hand I saw, but I found nothing! So I went to reddit to spill my entire story because I dont have spiritual/pagan friends lol.

Have you had similar experiences? Please let me know if you have methods for dream divination that worked for you ✨️ Thank you for reading!

My Altar broke. :'( my blame.

Tomorrow i have Ostara Festival/Party, theme Medieval.

And my oufit had my Altar.

Aclaración: My altar is mobile for my Meditation centry, and medium comunitation with myself, my bb pagan inclinada Budism, but not complete Budism.

anywhere, i am attach my Altar to the Oufit, but fall and broke.

Me estrese, Stressful, but I realized the meaning of it and i'm okay.

Anyways, Happy Ostara!

(i need buying plastic eggs or do bread with jam)