To understand the practices of the Norse Religion, we must identify its main purpose: to secure the survival and regeneration of society. Because of this very reason, neither in Pre-Christian Scandinavia nor in modern times, practices and rituals weren’t homogeneous, although there are certain elements in common. They may combine deities from Celtic, Norse, and Greek pantheons, or use a Wiccan ritual structure combined with a Heathen sacrificial rite and concepts from Hindu tantrism. Each week, there are stories in the news of people who believe they have been discriminated against or treated unfairly by other people because of their religion. In some cases, lawsuits are even filed. However, what many people fail to realize is that (a) you, as a Pagan, are entitled to equal protection under the law, and (b) you can stop others from treating you unfairly. In this lesson, we'll talk a little about what exactly people mean when they say "discrimination." We'll also look at the rights of Pagans in school, at work, and in the military, and how you can protect yourself from religious discrimination. Of course, this isn’t a necessary part of everyone’s craft, but I was one of those people. Now, this is probably the most important part for me.

For our first study session, we're going to talk a little bit about just what Paganism and Wicca really are. We'll look at the differences between Wicca, witchcraft, and Paganism (because they really ARE different), as well as the basic concepts of Wicca. We'll also talk about different interpretations of the Threefold Law, one of the most common tenets of modern Pagan religions. It’s very important to avoid conflating the practices of a religion with the use of magic. As an example, the Rule of Three is part of the Wiccan religion, not a set of rules for casting spells. Unless a witch is Wiccan, the Rule of Three has no bearing on their practice. There are many different values embraced by Pagans, but the ones described above seem to be the most widespread. Have I missed any? Let me know in the comments. Further reading The Charge of the Goddess, written by Wiccan priestess Doreen Valiente, says that “All acts of love and pleasure are [Her] rituals.”You might be tired of being told this, and I know it’s beaten into people’s heads when they first start out, but there’s a reason. Wicca, witchcraft, and paganism are separate (but sometimes combined) spiritual paths, and therefore you need to read to determine what’s what as far as the basics go. If you come to a FaceBook group or live coven and ask what’s the difference between Wicca, Witchcraft, and Paganism, they’ll almost always tell you that you haven’t done enough preliminary research. The information is out there. I promise. Use Google. It is your friend. The resources available to you for free are ENDLESS. When I first started, I didn’t have the internet. I had books from thrift stores. And I had my own drive and will to practice and forge my own path. The internet makes it SO easy for the beginner pagan! Beginner Wicca Books

Initiation, or self-dedication, as a solitary practitioner can take many forms. It can be as simple as lighting a candle and stating your commitment. Writing a poem for the occasion is common. Other Natural Items (FREE): feathers, branches, flowers, shark’s teeth, bones, roots, seashells, pinecones, acorns, seed pods, etc.To name just a few of these possibilities: those who die in battle or combat are either taken to Folkvangr (Freyja’s home) or Valhalla (Odin’s hall), while those who die of old age make their way to Hel (the realm of the goddess by the same name, very different from the Christian hell). Each god has their own dwelling place, and those who are devoted to a particular deity may find their final rest in the home of said god.

One of the great things about Wicca is that it’s not a unified club you must get admitted to. If you decide to become Wiccan, that decision alone is enough to start calling yourself Wiccan. Others are “soft” polytheists, in that they believe in a single (or male and female) divine entity that presents itself as multiple deities when it chooses.

History

If you live below the equator, your moon phases will be a little different than the standard Neopagan ones. Here's how to figure out what they're called in your region.