We have over 15,000 members in our Care2 Pagans group, from all walks of life and I'm sure each with their own unique story to tell. I'm pretty certain we have nearly every Pagan Path represented here and people who are just starting their journey as well as quite seasoned veterans of their particular path. I don't think there is any one right answer that can possibly fit every person,but I have often been asked this question by new members. "Am I a Pagan?" It just occurs to me that every time I answer this, my answers are never quite the same.

My response to their question......

Your question is one we all have to answer. It's as easy and evident as it is complicated and complex. Your basic question is... My question Jerry is this.. Am I a Pagan? The simple answer is yes from the things you wrote and the fact you are even questioning it. The definition of Pagan would probably be described 100 different ways by 100 different people. Pagan is a large umbrella covering many different beliefs. Ideally we accept each others views as valid as our own. In structured religion as in Christianity, Jewish, Moslem, do you realize they all worship the same God? Yet each faith tells them how, when, where, what you must do. And each is interpreted so differently that their believers have waged wars for thousands of years in the name of their religion. This very day Jews and Moslems are fighting and dying in Gaza. Christians and Moslems are fighting in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan. Many more countries are at the brink of war everyday because of their religion and disdain at the others' religion. Yet their core beliefs are all the same and when researched further each of those religions is founded and based in Pagan roots. Paganism was around long before any of those religions. At least many if not nearly all of the stories in the Old Testament are stories told of much older Pagan beliefs passed down from one generation to the next. The power mongering "new" religions found it easier to convert and conquer people to their faith by incorporating their ancient customs and beliefs into their new system of religion as a means to dominate.

I could probably go on and on about that but that isn't exactly what you asked. Paganism is a religion of nature, in other words we revere Nature. Pagans see the divine as the whole of life and the universe; in every tree, plant, animal and object, man and woman, and in the darkness of life as much as in the light. Pagans live their lives attuned to the cycles of Nature, the seasons, and life and death. Paganism is not just a nature religion but a natural religion. To be a Pagan is to live in harmony with all of the Earth. You need to feel in your heart, that is where your own spirituality is leading you. Only you know if you are a Pagan in your heart. Most rituals honor the Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit as represented by the points of the pentacle. Most Pagans celebrate 8 Sabbats according to the solar cycles of the Earth as illustrated on a Pagan Wheel. Are you a Pagan? The answer lies in your heart and what is sacred to you. I hope I have started to answer your question. I'm honored that you ask me. Although my opinions are simply my own interpretation and not always the same as another’s might be. Which particular Pagan path is yours? That is for you to decide too. That doesn't need done today. You will know it when you see and feel it. It may be an eclectic mix of many paths. It's all good. Just enjoy the journey!

Jerry (JSun G) is the Host of Care2 Pagans you can also visit him on Myspace