The Path to Paganism
By Livehorn
In my younger days I did not feel a deep connection to my Modern Religion. I was part of the “Holy” Roman Catholic Church and although I learned much of Spirit and the Virtues of the deeper Ancient teachings of the Bible, I did not see my path following the present-day Church and it's interpretations of such Wisdom.
Later in my mid-teens after I completed my Confirmation in the Catholic Church I was given the blessing by my Mother and Father to seek a path of Spirituality in the ways that I wished so long as it was still one that was Sacred.
In College I met my first Love. She was amazing and she introduced me to her friends who like her and I were brought up in more Traditional Religions but now sought something more fitting as we needed to Foster our Intuitive curiosity. Together we explored Tarot, opening up Chakras, and exploring new practices of Meditation.
After College my girlfriend and I broke up and I became Solitary again. In this time I looked further inward with reading, writing, and meditation. These practices were Pivotal to give weight to keeping on this path I felt so drawn to. I esoterically pulled the information I had learned and connected it with the feelings I had so I could make sense of it all and understand what I was being attracted to. “Know Thyself” had new meaning.
After three years of Solitary studies I knew I needed to connect again with a group of like-minded individuals. I felt the path of the Hermit was so vital but it needs it's counterpart of Community. I saw that a group was needed to kindle with, to grow with in Heart and in Spirit.
Listening to your Intuition is the key to understanding where your Soul wants you to Lay. Through three visits to California I knew it was where I needed to move to, I felt my best sense of being in San Diego. After these three trips I dreamt of walking along my path and getting to a crossroads, the two intersecting street signs said 23 and October respectively. With Courage and Flair for adventure I moved to San Diego on October 23rd of 2007.
Once I settled in I Googled for groups who were interested in Mysticism. A Wine Tasting event for the Pagan Community called San Diego Pagan Pride came up in my search and I got a ticket for the event. I had never considered myself Pagan, and I knew very little of what it meant to be Pagan. So I went to the San Diego Pagan Pride Wine Tasting night in 2008 and upon arrival I felt a glow from the people. They were inviting, caring, and most importantly free thinking. Great feelings of gratitude came over me as the night went on and I knew this was a Truly Magickal Community in which I could Flourish in Spiritually. Through the event I met new friends and through these new friends I was introduced to the groups the Village Witch, Chalice Circle, and the Coast Oak Grove. These groups later introduced me to Pagan Rituals of the High Days, New Moons, and Full Moons and today I am still involved with the San Diego Pagan Community.
Today looking back at all of this I have Faith again in the value of collective Worship and how reintegrating more Ancient ways creates a beautiful path of learning for understanding self. I see now that through Paganism there is a self-empowerment for today's rapidly changing World and is and will be a vital key in where we're all headed. Today I am proud to say that I am Pagan.