Every time I hear the word "Pagan", it is usually used in a derogatory manner. It is uttered in a half whisper, as if you were going to throw goat’s blood on them and make a sacrifice to the nearest gods if it was said too loudly. By general definition, the word “pagan” can be defined broadly to encompass any religious traditions outside the tribes of Abraham, who believe in one god, (Abrahamic monotheistic), which are Christianity, Judaism and Islam. Pagans believe in more than one goddess or god, which is called polytheism. Religions included in this definition are Hinduism, Folk Religions, Shinto, Shamanism, and Spiritualists, just to name a few.

The word pagan is from the Latin word paganus, an adjective originally meaning "of the country”, "rustic", or “rural”. When used as a noun, paganus meant "country dweller” or “villager”. I am proud to be defined as this type of person. I love the country!! I was blessed to grow up in the country on our little family farm. Nature has so much to teach you if you just open your senses to it and be willing to acknowledge what is there. Wicca is a nature-based religion, following the cycles of life and the seasons. It focuses on birth and growth, fulfillment and stability, and wisdom and endings. Just like the changing of the seasons.

So many of our modern day medicines have been derived, over time, from natural remedies used by primitive civilizations. By accident, and trial and error, our ancestors discovered things in nature that cured a headache, helped a cut heal faster, eased muscle pain, and anything else they needed. Modern day pharmaceutical companies just placed these things in a pill form and put then in a little bottle and charged too much money for them. I guess that makes it civilized and therefore acceptable. I prefer to use natural remedies to ease the effects of everyday life. An herbal bath or scented candles to get rid of stress or a little honey to help heal a cut sounds and smells a lot better than chemically altered drugs.

As in any religion, there are tools or items used in worship. There is an Alter, Prayers and Spells, and yes, the Book of Shadows is a real item. You could call this our prayer book. It is a personal “journal”, if you will, of a Wiccan’s journey and discovery of their religion. There are no two alike. The Book can contain key rituals that a coven uses and would be contained in all the member’s books. A Coven itself can have a master Book of Shadows that is used for gatherings and for initiates to copy from. For solitary practitioners, the Book can contain rituals or spells found through research in addition to their own creations. All of this follows the same script as that of any religion. There are rituals, prayers, sacred items, and rules to live by. I think some so called practitioners use the pretense of Wicca or Witchcraft to intimidate others and therefore create a negative effect for a beautiful faith.

I am a very spiritual person, in my own odd way. My choice of religious label is that of Wiccan. Call me pagan if you wish. My philosophy is to live each day as best I can. I have a great respect for all things of nature and try to live in harmony with it. I try to have respect for all people, no matter what race or religion, because I know we all were put here for a reason and none of us are the superior race. I realize that for everything we have, something has been sacrificed for it. Mentally I send out a general “thank you” each day, in appreciation for what has been sacrificed. The universe has it’s own life energy and what you put out into it, will come back to you. This is one reason I keep things like anger and hate to a minimum and not waste precious energy on it, preferring to send out good energy in the hope of drawing good karma back to myself.

I am a Wiccan because it is a celebration of life and nature. Simple as that! I am blessed with many skills where I can use the resources of the Earth. I am a Chef by trade, creating delicious food from the bounty of Mother Nature. I can craft items from raw materials and textiles; sewing, handcrafting, drawing, writing, carpentry. I am an amateur gardener; enjoying the little gifts my container garden gives me each year. Harmony is my main goal in life; with myself, with other people and with nature. Not always succeeding everyday, but everyday trying.