New to Paganism - Don't know where to start.

[Edith Puthie]

Hello!
Like my title says, I am new to Paganism and I don't really know where to start.
I've been looking for the recommended books at my library but I just can't seem to find any, except a few. Alas my library fee is unpaid so If I was to do that I would have to spend all day at the library, I don't have that luxury.
My college library does However have Two Scott Cunningham Books and a Raymond Buckland book, I have read Scott's books. (I probably should re-read them).
I just don't know where to start. I know the easiest way would be online research, but then since I am new I don't know how to separate the "fluffy-ness" from the non-fluffy.  

[saint dreya]

Paranormal Zombiiie

Hello!
Like my title says, I am new to Paganism and I don't really know where to start.
I've been looking for the recommended books at my library but I just can't seem to find any, except a few. Alas my library fee is unpaid so If I was to do that I would have to spend all day at the library, I don't have that luxury.
My college library does However have Two Scott Cunningham Books and a Raymond Buckland book, I have read Scott's books. (I probably should re-read them).
I just don't know where to start. I know the easiest way would be online research, but then since I am new I don't know how to separate the "fluffy-ness" from the non-fluffy.

welcome to the guild!

well, what aspects of Paganism are you trying to learn about? is there a specific path you feel called to, or just want to learn more about?

some of the books you might need to take with a heaping dose of salt - particularly Scott Cunningham. sadly, i would not recommend Raymond Buckland, as he does not truly cite reputable sources.  

[Edith Puthie]

Hmm, I heard Buckland is good. Ahh well.

Sadly, when I say new, I do mean new. I don't know many of the paths, and some of them I have heard of, but don't know anything about. SO I don't know what path, but I am willing to learn about them. :]  

[Shearaha]

Then you should check out the pathways forum. You may find something in there, but remember some members belong to closed traditions.  

[saint dreya]

Paranormal Zombiiie

Hmm, I heard Buckland is good. Ahh well.

Sadly, when I say new, I do mean new. I don't know many of the paths, and some of them I have heard of, but don't know anything about. SO I don't know what path, but I am willing to learn about them. :]

definitely agree with Shearaha.

what do you know of paganism right now? what paths have you heard of?  

[Edith Puthie]

Err.
Wicca (I assume that is one, right?)
Eclectic paganism
Shamanism?

And then I know there are a few people that kind of go off and do their own thing. I also know a few people choose dieties related to their ancestors, like Celtic, Greek, Roman, Mythology things.  

[saint dreya]

Wicca is one, yes. as is Eclectic Paganism. Shamanism, i'm not very schooled on it, so, i will leave someone better versed to discuss that with you.

otherwise...hmm, let me see. for a general idea, take a look at Drawing Down the Moon: Witches, Druids, Goddess-Worshippers, and Other Pagans in America Today by Margot Adler and Being a Pagan: Druids, Wiccans, and Witches Today by Ellen Evert Hopman, Lawrence Bond.

more specific, i'll go ahead and take this to PM.  

[maenad nuri]

Paranormal Zombiiie

I also know a few people choose dieties related to their ancestors, like Celtic, Greek, Roman, Mythology things.

Some of these are anscestor or even ethnically bound, but not all. You'll find that the Greek and Roman gods care not one inch if your are Greek or Roman.  

[Edith Puthie]

maenad nuri

Paranormal Zombiiie

I also know a few people choose dieties related to their ancestors, like Celtic, Greek, Roman, Mythology things.

Some of these are anscestor or even ethnically bound, but not all. You'll find that the Greek and Roman gods care not one inch if your are Greek or Roman.

Yes, I have heard that. I am welsh / Celtic. Well, and Part native american but I don't know what tribe I am from.  

[Violet Song jat Shariff]

One of the reasons Buckland isn't considered a good source (among others) is that he cites himself as a source in his books. How pompous is that, ya know?

If you happen to find a pantheon that interests you, I would recommend reading the myths of that particular pantheon 3nodding . I wouldn't rely too heavily on "Beginners Guide to -insert pantheon-" books. I mean they're good for getting a general feel for the gods and getting an idea of some of the myths...but I don't think they should be the bulk of the reading wink .  

[RubyLight]

The Germanic gods (most commonly referred to in their Norse form), don't care who you are or where you're from.

Is there a particular pantheon of gods that interests you?  

[Collowrath]

Paranormal Zombiiie

maenad nuri

Paranormal Zombiiie

I also know a few people choose dieties related to their ancestors, like Celtic, Greek, Roman, Mythology things.

Some of these are anscestor or even ethnically bound, but not all. You'll find that the Greek and Roman gods care not one inch if your are Greek or Roman.

Yes, I have heard that. I am welsh / Celtic. Well, and Part native american but I don't know what tribe I am from.

Croeso! Ugh... I wish I could remember more Welsh - I was very interested in my dad's ancestry for a while. The resounding message I got from their Gods was "No thanks," though. Might have something to do with being raised by my mother's Slovak immigrant family?

That being said, Slavic mythology is rich and quite interesting. I wouldn't be in a position to say whether Slavic gods have closed themselves off - however, I think it might be difficult to quite understand the myths if you aren't at least familiar with Slavic languages.  

[TeaDidikai]

Violet Song jat Shariff

One of the reasons Buckland isn't considered a good source (among others) is that he cites himself as a source in his books. How pompous is that, ya know?

ninja I don't condone that bit... but I have bigger issues with him. sweatdrop  

[Violet Song jat Shariff]

TeaDidikai

Violet Song jat Shariff

One of the reasons Buckland isn't considered a good source (among others) is that he cites himself as a source in his books. How pompous is that, ya know?

ninja I don't condone that bit... but I have bigger issues with him. sweatdrop

-nod- I know.
I figured that you could expound on those issues better than I could so I would let you have at it ^^.  

[TeaDidikai]

Paranormal Zombiiie

I've been looking for the recommended books at my library but I just can't seem to find any, except a few. Alas my library fee is unpaid so If I was to do that I would have to spend all day at the library, I don't have that luxury.

Depending on what traditions you are searching for, we may be able to provide links to electronic source texts.

Vi>> I was going to limit my bitching to a single line. sweatdrop