Paganism

Paganism for a New Age

This course provided a good review of many different Pagan practices and traditions, but for me only touched on the heart of Paganism, which is the interconnectedness of all of creation. We are, each of us, tied to all that is – the earth, sky, wind, rain, planets, plants, trees, all earth’s creatures and each other. What happens to one affects all, however subtly. Recognizing and honoring our interconnectedness, being in tune with that is the true celebratory act of worship of the Creator.

Rituals may help us to remember to honor the God and Goddess, but the true power of Paganism is in stepping on the earth and touching a tree or stone, feeling the wind or rain, and feeling the flow of universal energy around and through us.

As in any religion, ritual is a double edged blade. It can be a focus for reverent worship and spiritual connection with the creator or it may become a routine, acted out, but without life. I was raised in the Roman Catholic Church, and the richness of its rituals and symbolism still speak to me. But it was immensely illustrative of how true spirituality can get easily laid aside in the familiarity of ritualistic practice. I saw many around me going through the motions, but precious little real spiritual experience.

I have been a practicing solitary Pagan for most of my life, having searched for answers that organized religion did not seem to address in any real and meaningful way. Although for some ritual creates a powerful focus and mind set of entering into communion with God, for many ritual provides only an easy excuse to avoid actually DOING THE WORK. Rituals, tools and symbols can be powerful prods to focusing our minds and hearts. But the critical piece is in actually making the spiritual connection. The experience is as real as we make it be.

The author I think tried to convey this fact for she frequently advised us to research and find paths and methods that we were drawn to. It is important to use what we find as a starting point in finding what practices make the connection real for us. Simply going through the motions of someone else’s ritual is a place to begin. But we must each struggle to find our own real way of honoring God or Goddess in a manner that allows a true spiritual experience. For some this may entail developing precise rituals, consecrated tools and rich symbolism. For others this may be as simple as stepping out onto the earth with an open heart.

Rev. Cynthia Boelens

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.

The Universal Life Church offers handfasting ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and free minister training.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge selection of Universal Life Church  minister supplies. Since being ordained with the Universal Life Church for so many years and it's Seminary since the beginning, I've watch the huge change and growth that has continued to happen.

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