In the fine Hermetical tradition of good artists borrowing and great ones stealing, I lifted this Pagan questionnaire from the fabulous blog written by Peter Helms' who, I believe, nipped it from Hellenismos.us, where it was originally snagged from Songs from the Wild Wood. Even if all of these questions don't apply to you--such as the ones about vampires having absolutely NOTHING to do with my spirituality--there are several in there that are important for all Pagans to answer so as to clarify their spirituality in their own minds. At least that's what it did for me.
Do you have a magical/Pagan name?
No. I believe very strongly in the importance of authenticating your spiritual intentions by using the name you’ve used all of your life--the name that has the most “you” in it so that your spiritual practice is truly yours and does not belong to some fairy tale self you’ve concocted out of silver moons and raven’s feathers.
What does it mean?
My actual name, Michelle, means, “Who is like God?” Whether there should be a question mark or a period at the end of that is much debated. I prefer the question mark as I feel there is so much more depth there.
How did you find Paganism?
I found Paganism by way of two magnificent books: The Red Book and The Body Sacred. Those led me to Wicca which, in its due course, led me to Hellenism.
How long have you been practicing?
I have been practicing since December of 2006. Crazy that it has been over four years already.
Solitary or group practitioner?
Mostly I celebrate my Hellenism alone or with my fiance, but I do often get to celebrate just general Pagan grooviness in small groups.
What is your path?
I consider myself a modern American Hellene--which is to say that I take all the fabulous information and diversity of culture to which I am privy as an American and mix it together over a base of solid Hellenic revivalism. I am much more a “spirit of the law” person than I could ever be a “letter of the law” type.
Are you out of the broom closet?
Being as I’m pretty sure I’m not a witch in the neo-traditional Wiccan sense, I see no need to be in a broom closet.
Who is your patron God?
I am a Hermes girl down to my bones.
Who is your patron Goddess?
I have a very special and unique relationships with Hestia, Demeter and Hera.
What Gods do you worship?
I worship the Gods of the Greek pantheon.
Do you fear darkly aspected Gods/Goddess, or rather respect them?
I believe all Gods/Goddesses have aspects both dark and light. I worship my Divine Family in all their aspects.
Do you worship the Christian God?
I respect Yeshua as a teacher and great one in spirit, but I do not worship him as a God.
Do you ever worship animals? Or plants?
No.
NATURE
Do you regularly commune with nature?
I listen to the world around me and love to watch the stars. Not sure though if that counts as communion.
Ever walked barefoot in the woods?
No. Too afraid of hookworm and other boogies my eyes are too poor to warn me of.
Taken a camping trip just to talk to nature?
No. Although Demeter and I have a beautiful relationship, I am not, by nature, a nature girl.
Describe the moment you felt closest to Mother Earth?
Lying on the floor of my last apartment and trying to stay so still I could feel the earth move.
Do you have a familiar?
Yes, in a way my oldest dog DannyBoy is like a familiar--but more like a guide and protector as any good dog should be.
Have you ever called upon the powers of an animal in ritual? Or a plant?
No.
Do you hug trees? Give them gifts?
I have touched the bark of a tree and offered libation to the dryads that resided there.
What is your favorite flower to work with?
Can’t say I’ve ever worked with flowers.
What is your favorite tree to work with?
I haven’t really worked with trees themselves, but again, have offered libations to dryads.
WHEEL OF THE YEAR
What is your favorite holiday?
Halloween, though I keep it entirely secular. The actual cross-quarter is on November 7, so I do my last harvest rituals then and keep my Halloween for just out and out fun.
What is your least favorite holiday?
I have never really connected with midsummer celebrations.
Have you ever held a ritual on a holiday?
Many.
Ever taken a day off work to celebrate a Pagan holiday?
No.
Do you celebrate Yule on the 21 rather than the 25?
I celebrate the Winter Solstice on the 21st and I celebrate a secular Christmas with family and friends on the 25th. That’s right, I’m lousy with holidays!
Have you ever felt the veil thin?
Often. This feeling is more tied to prayer than any specific holiday.
Ever danced the Maypole?
No.
Know what the Maypole symbolizes?
As with just about everything in Paganism, it’s a phallus of course.
How do you usually celebrate the Pagan holidays?
With ritual, feast and celebration.
DIVINATION
Do you use Tarot?
Not very often anymore, though at one time I practiced daily.
Do you use runes?
No.
Do you use a pendulum?
No.
Do you use dowsing rods?
No.
Do you use astrology?
I’m not sure how one “uses” astrology, but I do know a good deal about it and am eager to learn more.
Any other form of divination?
I have been given the gift of lucid dreaming which often contains oracle for both myself and others.
SPELLS
What was the first spell you did?
I believe it was a spell for breaking with the past. It didn’t work.
What was the latest?
I really don’t remember. It’s been three years or so since I did my last spell.
Ever done a love spell?
No. I don’t really believe in spells as they are commonly understood. I believe any magic we experience comes from our own psychological efforts.
A job spell?
No.
A healing spell?
No, though I have sent healing energy to friends and loved ones in need.
What was the most powerful spell you’ve ever performed?
I did a money spell once that completely backfired so as to teach a very important lesson about my relationship to that art.
What deities do you usually call on?
In anything I do, I ask for the aid of all my Divine Family.
CRYPTOZOOLOGY
Do you believe in Vampires? Werewolves? Shapeshifters? Elves? Faeries? Dragons? Nymphs? Sprites? Mermaids? Satyrs?
I believe in Nymphs, Dryads, Naiads and Nereids as representative of the spirit of the natural world.
Ever “seen” any of the above?
No.
Ever talked to any of the above?
Yes. I used to talk to the dryads in my tree, but I think of that more as a form of prayer.
Ever used any of the above in magic?
I don’t “use” members of my Divine Family.
Do you have one of them as a personal guardian?
No.
RANDOM
Do you see a rabbit, a man or a woman in the moon?
A woman--the Goddess Selene.
Own a cat?
Two.
When you meditate, what does your happy place look like?
A beautiful breezy farmhouse filled with family and love.
Do you work with Chakras?
Sometimes.
Do you believe in past lives?
Yes, but I believe in future lives more--go figure.
If so, describe a few briefly:
...
Do you believe in soul mates?
Absolutely--and I have found mind.
Do you have a spirit guide?
Hermes has always been my good guide and close companion.
Is it always love and light?
No--and I am grateful that it is not because, if it were, love and light would be a lot less precious.
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