So what makes the Blue Moon Resource different?
You have no doubt come across many Pagan websites in your search for more information. When I initially began to explore Paganism, the internet was the first place I turned to.
Unfortunately, almost every website provides the same information with the same mistakes and common modern myths in the same dark, black, poorly designed fashion. Also, every site seems to provide information that pertaines mainly, if not soley, to Wiccans (of course, your average website will neglect to explicitly enlighten the reader to the particular Pagan path that the site was relating to, leaving them a little more than confused). To make matters worse, the rituals seemed long, laborious and complicated, the spells required hundreds of ingredients that I as a young and relatively new Pagan had never even heard of before, and the guidance on altar arrangement seemed far too strict and specific. Then there was all the talk of covens, initiation ceremonies and peforming these rather daunting rituals skyclad. I don't know about you, but I was certainly overwhelmed.
It's easy to see how many genuinely interested young hopefuls could be knocked from a potentially enlightening spiritual path before they've even begun, only to be replaced by the gangs of "wanna-be" goth-pagans who want to learn how to perform curses and start their own cult (yes, I have actually had young Pagans ask for advice on these subjects!).
Is this what Paganism has become? What would our ancient forebears think? Would they even recognise the Pagan religion that we practise today? Something that started out as a basic and fundamental way of life, living within the natural framework of the earth, has within the past century become full of pompous ritual and rigid hierarchical systems. The form of religion practised now seems to bear almost no resemblance to original Pagan religions at all. Wiccans seem to dominate the religious literature and cloud the modern Pagan movement. Have we lost sight of what our beliefs are all about?
The Blue Moon Promise
This is precisely why Blue Moon was created. This website exists to share with people a very different kind of Paganism that still exists away from the internet. I like to discuss the historical and archaelogical evidence for early Pagan beliefs to give us a grounding for moving forward. I openly examine our social and personal behaviours in an attempt to better understand the truth behind what we worship. I'm not afraid to use my website to question common preconceptions that we as Pagans often have of our community and the commonly errant information that we all seem to take for granted.
All the photos here are my own amateur attempts to give you a glimpse into the life of a real Pagan. This website will allow you to see into my own home and will hopefully show you that a Pagan lifestyle is possible to achieve while living in a modern city apartment. My articles have all been researched and written by myself. The craft project ideas are all ones that I have done myself. Even the website design is of my own creation, using my own artwork. his website will hopefully show you a side to Paganism that you have never before encountered online.My Own Paganism
In this website, I only present my own personal form of Paganism. The Paganism I follow is basic, wholesome, and down to earth. It is a way of life. To celebrate festivals I like to make a special effort to cook a meal using what is seasonally available and sit down with my loved ones to enjoy it together, perhaps with a toast at the end. My altar is a natural focus in my home - the fireplace - and I change the decorations seasonally. I have ornaments made from natural materials because I like a natural magic to fill my home. I believe he focus of my Paganism is to be more aware of the world around me and to celebrate the natural world. Paganism is a natural part of my lifestyle, as it has been for generations of Pagans.
Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against Wiccans or those that choose to include a strict form of religion and belief in their lives. Some find that such forms of worship can be very rewarding and spiritually fulfilling. I also see nothing wrong with people expressing their faith through the medium of the internet and sharing what it is they have learned on their journey so far. In fact, I would actively encourage any such sharing or information.
I simply believe that the alternatives are under-represented online and that new Pagans are given little choice in the way in which they practise their beliefs. We are at risk of creating a generation that have all but lost the meaning of the religion they so devotedly follow. I think we need to promote more theological debate, discussion and dissection of our beliefs as a community in order to gain a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of ourselves and our spirituality.
I refuse to lose touch with what's outside my front door just because of the internet, city living and general modern life. I also want to present what I believe to be a beautiful and grounded religion to the world. So please, simply remember what it is to be Pagan and to live as a Pagan.
