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If you have been here before, you might remember this page as being much different than it is now. I consider this essay to be an improvement. Hope you will too.

How do you know that you are a Pagan, witch, Christian, etc? What defines your spirituality?
If you walk into the home of a Christian (I'm sure everyone has been in the home of someone who claims Christianity) there might be evidence of that person's beliefs sitting around the house. You might see a Bible, maybe a concordance, or even some computer software that is Bible-related. You might see a cross or a picture of a cross, you might see a picture of Jesus. Maybe there will be reminders on the refrigerator of upcoming events at church. Usually, a Christian will have some type of evidence of his/her faith sitting around.
What about a witch or other Pagan? If you walk into the home of a Pagan, you most likely will find some evidence of his/her faith. You might see an altar if he or she uses one. You might see books on a shelf that are Pagan-oriented. You might notice pictures with Pagan symbols. You might see many candles or incense, depending on the path this person follows. You might see reminders on the refrigerator of upcoming Pagan events. Then again, there may be no evidence of this person's spirituality anywhere visible to you.

These things we see do not make a person a Christian or a Pagan. The items sitting around the house, the website they keep, the books they own- these physical items do not define a person's spirituality. These things may suggest that a person is knowledgeable about the spiritual path they are putting on display, but do they suggest what is in that person's heart?

You say you are a Pagan, but what are you really doing about that? What separates your life from that of a Christian, Muslim, Jew, or even someone who follows no spiritual path? Can anyone really see a difference unless you mention your spiritual preference? Or, more importantly, can you tell that there is an honest difference in your life? Paganism is in your head, but is it manifesting itself in your soul, in your heart, and in your life? You might feel the need to hide your beliefs for whatever reason, but are you really experiencing the spirituality that exists in your head?

Christ once said, "By their fruit, you will recognize them." (Matthew 7:16) This is a wise observation. The fruit of your knowledge is what defines your life, not just the knowledge you possess. If you have read every book about various forms of Paganism that you could find, heard Pagans that you know speak about their beliefs and practises, and read online all the different traditions that exist, I would say you harbor some significant knowledge. But does this knowledge make you a Pagan? Certainly not. However, when you apply this knowledge to your life and begin to reap the benefits of your knowledge...then yes, you are a Pagan.....or whatever you claim. This is true for any belief system, religion, or faith.

So, how do you become a Witch, Wiccan, Pagan, Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Shaman, etc? Yes, you learn. Yes, you gather all the information you can. Yes, you read. But, until you live your life in conjuction with the beliefs you have adopted, until you apply your knowledge, claiming that particular spiritual path may never truly mean anything to you.

How do you live life in conjuction with the beliefs that are in your head? Well, you have the knowledge....use it!