Where my story as a pagan began

With this being my first article on this brand new blog, it seems that the best place to start is at the beginning. How did I find the pagan path? What has it taught me so far?

The answers to those questions, plus a few others I’m sure that you have, will become clear as we go on. Shall we get started?

Learning through the tarot

If there are any university students reading this, then I’m sure you can relate to feeling homesick or lost at some point during your university experience. For me, that happened throughout my first year but it was in my second year that it really exacerbated. At the same time, I discovered the tarot.

I remember getting my first deck – the traditional Raider Waite - all too well. I was wandering around what was a WH Smiths close to my university accommodation, not looking for anything specific, just... wandering.

Eventually, I ended up in the spirituality section, where I came across the Raider Waite deck I mentioned on the bottom shelf; its box slightly bent and buckled and a price sticker slapped haphazardly in the top right corner where some of the plastic wrapping had come away. Not exactly the most pristine condition but I was instantly drawn to it. Connected.

As our bond developed, I started to draw on the tarot to help me understand why I was feeling at a crossroads. The cards didn’t hold back, but as hard as the lessons were, I needed to hear them. I learnt that I needed to focus on myself, not what my coursemates were doing, but perhaps more importantly, that I had support around me, not just in the form of friends and loved ones, but from the cards.

The cards also opened my eyes to the practices of witchcraft and paganism.

And so my journey had begun.

Finding my identity as a pagan witch

Paganism covers a wide scope. It has taken a while for me to find the identity that is a true reflection of me and my unique craft. Part of that has been exploring various practices and learning about them as best I can, from Wicca to Norse paganism, and finding which elements resonate, but also exploring my own self.

Eventually, I discovered the path of witchcraft and everything connected. Instinctively, or perhaps more accurately, intuitively I knew it was the path for me. From there, I also learnt more about paganism as a whole - the concepts of respecting nature and having the freedom to explore my own beliefs had a particular resonance – and as time progressed, I knew it was a path I wanted to continue on. And I don’t just mean I knew in my mind; I knew in my soul.

So how exactly would I define my identity? The answer is a pagan male eclectic witch!

Where I am today

I believe that my journey as a pagan is far from over. In fact, I don’t think it’ll actually have an ending. One of the great strengths I have discovered along this path is that I am always learning something new or different, and unique practices are everywhere. These have inspired me to explore similar practices that are aligned to my own craft.

I missed out a word when I described my pagan identity in the last section. That word is solitary. Whilst I have a great respect for witches who are in a coven, for me personally, the solitary way is what I’ve always been drawn to.

That, in a roundabout way, is what inspired me to start Arcane Unveiled. My intention through this platform and in other ways is to give pagans, witches, and practitioners of individual crafts a collection of resources to support their own journeys. I hope that this article has inspired you to join me along the way.

Sign up for articles, podcasts, and more!