Thoughts on Pagan Study

[eiblyn]

I have been thinking seriously for the last year or so about receiving some Pagan training of some sort in a semi-official capacity. I have never had an initiation. I have self-dedicated myself and that was a very real and moving experience but I feel the call to teach and as such, I really need to get my ducks in a row. Eventually, I want to become ordained. It makes being Pagan much simpler in the military if you are ordained. I don't have to jump through tons of hoops to open a group or anything like that. The problem is that I never seem to find people who are open to teaching me. I'm not exactly sure why. I meet lots of people who ask me questions...even though I largely feel unqualified to answer them. I try to do my best with that and it usually turns out ok. But I'm seriously wanting to find someone to guide me and teach me on a more individual basis. I don't exactly know how to go about finding that. Witchvox doesn't help much when you are living overseas. And I can't seem to find people in the local community. I've run into a few people, but I'm not sure the language barrier wouldn't prove to be a serious problem. I have looked at a few distance learning programs on Pagan study. The problem there is that I know I need some individual interaction and that my life is a bit hectic to devote tons of time every day. I can read for a few hours usually when the baby is sleeping. I can usually meditate. But I really thrive in environments where I have other people to bounce ideas off of. I've been reading my way through the list that elenbarathi posted. *sighs* I don't know. I feel the drive. I just can't seem to find the opportunity. Anyone have advice? Anyone want to volunteer *grins*?

Comments

[oronoda.livejournal.com]

I've been reading through the book you loaned me and there were parts of it that stuck out. One was that usually people who follow the path of Wicca/Paganism do so before they even realize it had a name. I told you know most of what I did was on instinct. My attempt at finding a teacher turned into a cult experience.

Then another part of the book said that you don't have to be part of a coven to be a Wiccan. I'm a solitary person so a coven doesn't appeal to me.

However, I love to discuss. Why not have a Pagan book club XD. I think discussion is best suited for me at least to develop my beliefs.

Anyhoo, I also believe there is the possibility different parts of the path require solitude and others with a group. Maybe it is possibility that you don't find a group, that you stumble upon one serendipitously like one finds their significant other.

I don't know, I'm just shooting ideas. I'm a n00b too. :D