Actually I can't rightly say how its changed my life as I grew up with a pagan path. Though in my mother's household my younger siblings grew up with catholicism as a base and the choice to follow a pagan path. The difference between the households is great in some ways, and very similar in others. My mother has proven herself to be very open minded as I had been taught to be. She acknowledges that all religion is based off what the people believed themselves before organized religion existed.
My mother and I both believe in a higher power, she has her names for it and I have mine. Though our ways of coming to the same conclusion vary somewhat greatly. In this I state in the fashion I have because the basis of both states of mind come from 2 completely different extremes.
My mother's (and my younger siblings [I'm the oldest of nine] ) base perceptions and understanding of the world come from reading a book (KJV Bible) and attending many weekend sessions of "church", they were taught to question everything except what was in the bible and what their priest tells them. For the bible and priest are right. Over the years this is a form of brain washing or thought control. Which is very popular in the christian realms of life. Thus they spend more time worried about what is right for them through other's eyes than their own.
I was raised by my father (as I was quite a handful in my younger years [imagine that] and my parents were divorced), so I grew up in a completely different household. In the pagan path I came to know, learning and perception was based on question everything regardless of what it was. I was given many, many texts to read. And even subjected to my mother's religion and given a choice. I thank my parents for that choice, and become initiated into my magick path at 12yr. (though more popular to be done at 14yr). I have come to find out that unlike our christian-based counterparts, pagans come to find their belief structures through experience and experimentation. Whereas we are openly allow to accept or reject an ideal based on how it sits with us. We can throw it out completely if it seems illogical. And thats how I felt about christianity.
Now looking back and watching my siblings interact with their lives; I have come to the conclusion that how we approach life differs greatly. I have seen all my siblings pass up extraordinary beneficial situations (ie relationships, jobs, etc) because how they occurred or presented themselves did not coincide with how they were taught to perceive the world around them. Which in fact I am simply trying to state that just because you don't know something or understand it, don't be quick to anger or fear it.
So all in all I can't exactly say how it's improved my life; however I can assume that the difference would have been great, eye opening, and life changing if I had stumbled into this path after the fact.
My practice has taught me to see and to flow, to be and to adapt. This is not what i sought, but even better and unexpected. It has given so much i'm not sure i can want anymore.
To say the least the quality of life has increased dramatically. =)
It has helped me find out who my Guardian Angel is, his name, and how to connect with him. We are having a wonderful relationship and enjoying every single minute in life. Magic has helped me in so many ways that I wouldn't have enough paper to wright it all down on. But I love being who I am and I love doing what I do!:)
I am the first grandchild, my mom is the first born of my grands, and I am an only child in regards to both my parents having kids.. Being forced to church only until I had nerve to speak my mind and question the "book", set me apart as the black sheep of this extensive family quite early on. When my grandma would always tell me the lord blessed me,(i assumed she could see my "star".) I began studying the craft as soon as I fully grasped the concept of reading, meditation(pointing inward), watching people, and even church before I liberated myself.. in short this path has freed me from many hardships, emotional stress, physical pain/suffering.. I feel the mystics are my true older brothers/sisters and likewise learn from them what truth this world contains. I am proud to be what I am. :D
Actually, I am somewhat new to the pagan ways and still learning. Of course the most experienced never stop learning (even in death). Currently I lack the discipline I would like to have in practicing. Juggeling full time school/ work/ and family requires heavy time management on my part. None the less, it is just a "cycle". I have noticed that, when in tune with the elements, the cycle has a smoother flow. I see there is a large group in this site, so I am not sure if this post will go unnoticed. None the less, it is nice to share observations.
I grew up not minding religion for my first years. I was exposed to Christianity (Seventh Day Adventism) by both of my grandmothers, and some more of the extended family. I started going to youth meetings every year (Camp Meeting) simply to meet friends as I never truly accepted or rejected the faith until a few years after. When I was fourteen, I decided to take a leap into Christianity. I almost never prayed and blamed all of my problems on an imaginary 'devil' named Kitsun. I talked to him more than God and it was mostly about problems. Afterwhich, I decided Christianity wasn't right for me and decided to be atheist.
When I was fifteen (well after I started being atheist), I was exposed to Magick in a form. I was told about Wicca by my boyfriend at the time (now fiance) as well as by a close friend and my father. They explained it in terms of Green, Blue, Dark, and Light Wicca. Both my father and close friend made themselves out to be 'Dark' Wiccans who are out to destroy the world as well as 'Light' Wiccans. My mate simply didn't know much about it other than that his sister practiced it before and new of my love for Magick.
Over time, I gradually learned what Wicca actually was. I also peeked at Druidism, Alchemy, and briefly at New Age beliefs. I learned to integrate this in an overlaying Wiccan path. I'll admit that I was enamoured at first, finally learning that what I had held dearly all my life was actually accessable to me. At sixteen, I decided Wicca was my path. That following December, I joined SoM and furthered my knowledge of Magick (also learning to distill what was real and what was not). I was more of a researcher than active practitioner. I'm still more inclined to research, but I do cherish when I practice the Craft.
Also at sixteen, I learned that a certain voice in my head was in fact not an imaginary person, or a split/multiple mind disorder. This was not Kitsun, but someone who has actually changed my life and how I view it. She is my companion on the spiritual level, as well as friend and teacher. I've also come to learn of other spirits and how they help me learn in life. This first spirit though, has been common throughout all of my Magick-knowing life. She is arguably one of the most integral.
When I started working about five months ago, I started to see how people reacted to spirituality. Some are open, some are not. In my place of work, I know of a few Christians, a ChristoWiccan (which I still don't get because those are two seperate religions that quite clearly cannot be properly practiced together), a Wiccan, a Pagan, and a few more spiritually open minded people. I started by telling close friends that I was Pagan so they wouldn't automatically assume I'm just some fling/thirst for thrill type person as many people assume Wiccans are. Once I told them more about it, I revealed that I was Wiccan. One person jokingly scoffed and later threw water on me (I know this was all in good jest as we are friends), another person called it 'wooly-hooly' but accpted me anyways, another person showed me her own interests with Magick, another had an intellectual conversation with me about the spiritualities of the world, another didn't respond, and the last one blinked a lot while being confused.
My own family knows about my religion and at first didn't accept it (my father is another bitter story). Slowly, I explained the different aspects of it to my mother and she know whole heartedly accepts and backs me up. My brother accepted me from the beginning as we are closer than we are with anyone else. My mate was curious. My step father is disgusted by it. My extended family simply does not know my religion or thinks I'm Christian.
Today, however, I have Nakir to thank for inspiring me to be open about my faith to everyone. I know I don't need to hide and if I do, that only makes people think there is a reason I should hide. I'm not taking crap from anyone about being Wiccan anymore, so people had better deal with it.
As for how Magick and the Craft have affected my life...I wouldn't be me if I weren't at the very least within the Magickal community. Spirituality, art, people, situations - they take a precedence in my life that has shaped me and made me more mature. Without them, I would be me, I'd be someone else (probably hopping relationships as well as religions).
Since I began studying Wicca (3 years ago), I've been more positive and upbeat. I've had a much better outlook on life. And I'm more connected to Nature. :)
