~~>Please label one of the dividers in your Book of Shadows as "History".

~~>Words shown in red can be found in A Witch's World on-line Magickal Dictionary, which is being built as material is added to the Study-Buddy. These words will only be introduced in red once, so please begin noting them in the "Dictionary" portion of your Book of Shadows for future "off-line" reference.

To really understand Paganism, I believe it is important to know a bit about the history of the human race, and how we evolved in the religious sense. Where our ancestors came from, and what they did, has everything to do with who and where we are today. Believe it or not, most of us have Paganism in our ancestoral history. Before the organization of the newer religions, such as Christianity, Judaism, and Moslem, Pagan religion was the only form of religion there was. The following is a very brief introduction to Pagan History, and offers a starting point for more indepth research.

Modern Paganism has much of its roots in Medieval European times, but through anthropology and archeology, Paganism has been traced back as far as 25,000 years ago, to Paleolithic times. To put it simply, it was discovered that even during this time period, Man and Woman (from this point referred to as Wo/Man) held a great reverence for the powers of nature, and understood, all too well, how this power could effect their survival. It is through this respect and appreciation for nature that Paganism was born.

Imagine the Paleolithic time in history. Man hunted, fished, and brought nourishment to their families, while Woman was the bearer of children and keeper of the home fire. Of course, that's putting it in simple terms, as there is no doubt that it took much hard work from both to ensure their survival. Even though they didn't have bills to pay like we do today, they still needed roofs over their heads, protection from predators and the elements, and a regular flow of food on the table. They experienced hard times with bad weather, and poor hunting, and often moved from place to place to find the ideal location where they could thrive.

As Wo/Man evolved , spiritual practices came into being and evolved with them. They came to feel that there were Great Spirits who were in everything that surrounded them (defined as animism), in addition to these Spirits having a hand in everything they did. Given the fact that Nature had everything to do with their survival, this seems only natural. Wo/Man also began to see feminine and masculine differences in their surroundings, and how these differences were necessary to the life cycle.

Over time, Wo/Man's worship turned to specific Spirits of the Divine to accomplish specific goals. For example, recognizing that life sprung from the Earth, sharing a similarity with Woman who was able to give birth, female attributes were then associated with the Earth, giving acknowledgement to the Divine Earth Mother and Goddess of Fertility. They showed their appreciation by giving thanks to the Goddess to ensure that the lands on which they lived would continue to be plentiful. In the same respect, Man hunted horned creatures for necessary food, thus giving male attributes to hunting, in turn acknowledging the Horned God of the Hunt. When they needed a successful hunt, they often performed rituals dressed in animal skins complete with antlers, acting out the scenerio of what was necessary for them to successfully provide for their families. (This is defined as sympathetic magick...the first known form of Witchcraft.) They also gave thanks to the God of the Hunt, that He may continue to ensure that their aim be swift and strong.

Wo/Man continued to evolve, growing and learning, at the same time finding that their spiritual practices enhanced their existence. As knowledge increased, their religious practices were perfected. Eventually their intelligence allowed them to realize that through the connection between the Divine and the laws of Nature, Wo/Man could learn to alter the very fabric of their exisitence, thus creating a better life for themselves.

Historically, things haven't changed much since Paleolithic times, in that the existence of all living things has always relied heavily on what nature provides. Even today in modern society, with our "concrete jungles", we still owe our existence to what springs from the Earth. Although we now have the convenience of grocery stores to purchase what we need, we still rely on the skills of farmers to ensure that our stores are full so that we continue to thrive. In Paganism, it is essential to realize that even in the process of modern conveniences, we can not put aside that fact that if it wasn't for the very earth we live on, none of our possessions or sources of nutrition would even exist. Hence, mankind could not survive.

Today, Pagan religion, in its many forms, is becoming more and more popular, being rediscovered all over the world. Many who find their way to Paganism often have felt "out of place", or find themselves needing something more than their current religious practices could provide. A common statement often heard among those rediscovering Nature-based religion is that they are "finally home". (I, myself, have said those very words, having searched a long time for that spiritual place that had meaning to me.) You will also find that Pagans do not proselytize. Many seek to educate during the course of reconnecting with Nature and their ancestoral roots, but the journey to Pagan life is a personal one. It is believed that if you are meant to find meaning in this way of living, you will eventually find your own way "home" without a proverbial push from others. Originally, religious faith was born out of a necessity to survive. Today, religious spirituality is a choice.

Excercise: Meditation and Visualization

Over the course of this Study Program, it is important that you continue practicing meditation and visualization. These two skills are vital to the Art of the Craft, and should be made a daily habit. For now, please continue the exercise provided at the end of Lesson I. Through this particular exercise you will eventually learn how to relax and clear your mind at will.

Lesson Assignment

1. Make a conscious effort to find at least ten minutes every day to practice your meditation skills. After each meditation, write in your journal about what, if anything, occurred, or how you felt before during and after. Sign and Date your Entry.

2. In your Journal, write a paragraph on how you see yourself connecting to Paganism. How does the thought of being Pagan make you feel? Do you feel comfortable calling yourself Pagan? If not, why not? Do you recognize any previous occurrences in your life that have brought you to this path? What benefits do you see for yourself by recapturing the ways of our ancestors?

3. Take time to go outside and commune with nature. Take a walk, work in your garden, or simply sit in a safe, quiet place and just take it all in. The smells, the sounds, the feel of the wind on your face...allow yourself to become one with your surroundings. When you return home, write in your journal about how this made you feel. Be sure to sign and date all your journal entries.

BACKSTUDY~BUDDY HOMENEXT

IntroductionStudy OutlineMagical Dictionary

Lesson ILesson II