Frequently Asked Questions NOTICE: Before I tackle these let me make one thing clear. I don't speak for all people who claim to be Pagan. As in anything there are always people who don't follow the norm. While my explanation may hold true with a large percentage of Pagans, it does not mean every Pagan believes what I believe. It is after all one of the basic Pagan fundamentals to recognize each of us has our own path to find and follow. Any Pagan path may differ from my own. Do you worship satan? Not even a smidge. In fact Pagans don't believe he even exists. To us there is no "source" of evil, but rather hold ourselves responsible for the good or bad we do. Why do you dress in black? We don't. Well, I should say most of us don't. There are some Pagans that feel dressing one way or another expresses who they are. It isn't strictly a Pagan thing. It's just a person being a person. Not everyone dressed in black is Pagan. Not everyone dressed normal is Pagan. Isn't the Pentagram evil? I thought you didn't believe in satan? The Pentagram is not evil and it never has been. We can thank Hollywood for getting that one all wrong. An inverted (upside down) Pentagram has been related to "evil," but that's a development that's taken place in recent years. Basically the Pentagram represents the elements. Each point stands for earth, air, fire, water, and spirit. It symbolizes the very basic pieces Paganism holds sacred. For more detailed information check out my in depth page on Pentagrams. Do you really believe you have magical powers? Well, I don't believe I can turn you into a toad or move objects with my mind. I do believe there's more to what we are then most people are ready to admit. For many pagans spell work is a form of prayer. I meditate in order to focus my mind and sort out all the jumbled stuff that gets clogged inside during the day. Meditation could also be considered a form of prayer. Working with candles, chants, spells, herbs, and other altar items is symbolic. Following a set ritual or spell is a way for a person to put themselves in a certain mindset. The brain understands pictures and movements better than written word. Think back to childhood. We begin to learn with picture books, song, and hands on projects before we move to reading and writing. No matter how old we get, there is always a part of us that reacts to these simple things. This childlike part of us is one of three we speak to. It's similar to Froid's discovery of the Id, Super Id, and Ego. We refer to them as the Lower Self, Self, and Higher Self. Performing actions that speak to all three of them is a way to create complete focus. This way we know our entire selves are devoted to the moment. No mind wandering. With that being said; I do believe there is a relation to the energy inside each of us and the energies around us. Of course I can't move objects with a thought, but we can have an affect on our surroundings. Using our internal energies to manipulate the energies around us is known as magick. It's like a current. Different things affect how well we manage, just like different things change the current. The cycle of the moon, our own personal thoughts and feelings, the environment, the situation, and our skill level are all factors in the making of a spell. Parts include the power of suggestion; if I believe I can do it I really can. I suggest reading a few of the books I've recommended here if you're serious about learning the Craft. [Index]