While the Word Pagan May Raise Red Flags for Many

While the word Pagan may Midwifery, Astrology and raise red flags for many. Let me take Astronomy, Psychology and Faith Pagan Pride a moment to dispel some of the Healing, Geology, Chemistry and propaganda and misconceptions Alchemy, Biology, Divination, concerning our beliefs and practices. Mathematics, and the list goes on. Day Allow me to begin with some Such "Occult" (hidden) knowledge vocabulary words: Terms that when that is now commonly taught to To Learn More; See the World Wide Web listings for Pagan Pride International taken out of context, out of their place modern grade school aged children @ www.paganpride.org or and time, misunderstood and misused, was once considered a burning The Witches Voice @www.witchvox.com have been applied as labels to slander offense. and persecute many as well as the 3. The question of Satanism- Pagans justification of hate crimes throughout Are Not Satanists. We acknowledge approximately 1500 years of recent no such being. The Christian history. Adversary "Satan" has no place in any 1. The word "Pagan" derives from the Neo-Pagan Pantheon, either Latin (paganus) meaning simply mythological or theologically. We do peasant or country dweller. Any not believe in any devil, nor do we person whose livelihood depends on give power to such a being in our agriculture might be referred to as lives. Enough said. Pagan. This term is also now 4. What God do Pagans worship? Inland Empire commonly used to describe any Generally Pagans believe in one person whose spiritual path is one Ultimate Genderless Creative source. Autumn Harvest Faire wherein customs and traditions "The All". However, this Devine pre-date modern Christian practice. creative source is most often See also, "Heathen" visualized as taking on a feminine, 2. "Witch" derives from the Anglo nurturing mother like persona such as Saxon (wicca-masculine) or (wicce- the most familiar Mother Earth or feminine) pronounced "wee-cha" Mother Nature, giving life to all Blessed Be meaning to bend or twist. Used to things. But has been known by define anyone, male and female, who countless other names such as Diana, Booklet Provided By; The Pagan Inland Empire (PIE) Fellowship practice the Arts and Sciences of Demeter and Aphrodite. Pagans also PO Box 3644 Witchcraft. Including, but not limited believe in perfect balance (duality) in Hemet, California. 92546 to; Herbology, Holistic Medicine, all things. For there to be balance, there must also be a masculine Native American or Afro-Centric another, returns to you three fold, representation. And so Divinity is practices infused with modern good or three fold bad. Not all Pagans also visualized as a strong loving American Paganism. As well as a are Wiccan, but all follow a code of protective, providing, male persona. mixture of other ancient cultural moral, ethical, social and religious Such as Father Sun, Hern (The customs. This is known as Eclectic behavior. Most Pagan ethical creeds Horned One), Pan, Paganism. Gathering the best of all teach lessons of personal Lugh. And again by countless other traditions into one modern spiritual accountability such as the afore names. The Sacred Couple, Goddess basket. mentioned "Three-Fold Law". and God. God, the Mother and Father. 8. Spells- Now we get down to the 10. Paganism and Children- Although 5. Pagans celebrate the changing of nitty-gritty. "A spell is a prayer we seek, just as any culture seeks to the seasons and strive to achieve folks." A story told to find a desired teach and share our rich traditions and greater harmony with nature through state of being. Most often spoken in worldview with our own children. We rites that recognize and honor those rhyme and cadence. Some simple and do not proselytize, nor do we seek seasonal influences, such as the direct. Others epic and obscure. May converts. No one truth is right for celebration that you are witnessing involve ritual, scenery and the use of every person. No one path is the one here today. The Autumn Equinox symbolism and tools. A working to fit for all to tread. We encourage (light waning to the darker tides of the cause change to occur within the sincere study and meditation before year) celebrated by the sharing of the constructs of the natural world. "As choosing a religious path. This abundant fruits of the harvest, that Ye Sow, So Shall Ye Reap.” We requires maturity. No respectable "None May Hunger". Often public believe that you must do the physical teacher would accept an under-aged celebrations are preceded by clothing work so that you draw to you the student without parental consent or and food drives, the benefits of which desired results. Methods by which we participation. Be aware at all times to be donated to local non-profit seek to cause change to occur are whom your children are spending charity organizations. many. But all results, miraculous their time with. And for the best 7. Modern Paganism comprises many though they may seem, are natural, results, keep an open mind, open lines 21st century "Living Traditions". not super-natural. of communication and an open heart. Evolving to embrace new cultural 9. Ethics & Morality- Yes, we have standards and structure while still ethics. The Wiccan Rede is a fine honoring the old ways. Customs are example of an ethical practice Home of Hemet/Inland Empire Pagan most often drawn from Indo- structure "An It Harm None, Do As Pride Day European cultures but are flavored by Ye Will". "Harm None" being the key a merging of modern influences and phrase. Based on the Wiccan teaching http://home.darkcastle.net/hemet local heritage. You may find some that all one does in this lifetime or