Everything Under the Moon

Hello,
As I mentioned in my post in the introduction thread, I'm just now seriously exploring my path. I understand that reading and researching is a good way to narrow things down and to see what branches or types of things resonate with my beliefs, but WOW!...there is sooo many different types and branches to all this! I sometimes feel overwhelmed in my reading about it all. I've always had pagan leaning beliefs but never really practiced any certain creed. I guess I've always felt all paths will get us to where we are going. I have recently been feeling the call to narrow down and join others of like mind however. I'm just having trouble doing so.
Lately I've been noting several signs that have spurred me on to knowing that I should do this. Here are a few of those things I take as signs -

• - My husband, who is Christian (although he is he open to other paths), purchased a pentacle necklace for me a few months ago. I had not mentioned my recent longings to practice a craft in any sort of way so I found this curious. When I asked him why he chose that, he said it just seemed like me.
  - I have recently been drawn to certain leaves and often pick up certain ones I find on the ground because they make me feel "better" for some reason. Maybe others wouldn't see this as a sign, but I've never been a leaf collector before although I've always loved nature.
  - I love to cook and bake. I especially enjoy baking bread (I have always shunned bread making machines, I like the process of doing it myself). Although I hadn't made bread in months, I had the sudden overwhelming urge to make bread the other day so I did. That evening while reading I discovered it was Lammas!!!
  - I enjoy drawing and painting. While painting an abstract, the title Brigid came to me. I thought it was just a title I made up for the piece, until I started reading.
  - Crows. Everyday. One while I type this, perched on a lightpost near me. He caws and caws. I know crows are usually considered a bad omen or a trickster, but I don't view these crow interactions I've had lately to be a bad thing.
  - I've been dreaming alot!! I dreamt of fire recently and the thought of it keeps coming to me through out everyday.

While I know that no one else can tell me what to focus in on as far as my path, but considering some of the above signs can anyone point me toward something relevant to the signs I've noticed that I could start with? Some things I find especially interesting are sigils, Ozark magic (I always lived in the Ozark until a couple of years ago), and touching an object and feeling emotions others who used it before felt (does that even make sense?). Can someone help me not feel so "scattered" about it all?

Yeah before I started walking in my current path, I received signs too that had got me wondering. Yes, sometimes the spirits who choose to guide us put a thought into someone (if it's a person) or something (if it's an object, animal or an event) for our benefit. Most people ignore this and view this as just coincidence or something, they have no clue that those signs become the Oracle of Delphi. It's good you have paid attention!

Yep, you're right that no one else can tell you what to focus in as far as your chosen path goes. Like you said, there are many roads in Paganism, and I don't think that any of us can really point you to the right way as to what is and isn't a part of your journey to Paganism. Our journeys are highly individualised and subjective adventures that it's down to the pathwalker as to what road they will go and will not go.

But here's some relevant stuffs to ponder and consider:

My husband, who is Christian (although he is he open to other paths), purchased a pentacle necklace for me a few months ago. I had not mentioned my recent longings to practice a craft in any sort of way so I found this curious. When I asked him why he chose that, he said it just seemed like me.

Some people believe (the Gnostics to be specific and some say even the Pythagoreans) that ancient folks designed the pentagram in a way to illustrate the relationship among the elements according to classical Western wisdom: Fire, Water, Air, Earth and Spirit. I think the elements are calling you and the other planes of existence too as all of these points out to the development of the five elements in us - spiritual (spirit) astral/energetic (fire), emotional (water), mental (air) and physical (earth).

Another thing to consider is that, the pentagram, before being transformed into a elemental symbol, also means the sacred feminine. This might explain why your hubby told you that it just seemed like you. Maybe, she's seeing the sacred feminine within you.

I have recently been drawn to certain leaves and often pick up certain ones I find on the ground because they make me feel "better" for some reason. Maybe others wouldn't see this as a sign, but I've never been a leaf collector before although I've always loved nature.

Now probably the nature is calling you. I've experienced something like this too before I started studying herbalism. My interpretation to it is that the nature wanted me to distance from the people and the things, even just for a day, that sap my energy and stir my equilibrium just to hear her out. To listen to her message. There's nothing like the leaves of the plants to clear my head of cobwebs or to find one's core once more. That is nature's gift, after all -- she has a way of centering us, of helping us find our center when the demands of life become a bit too much. It's also good to know what specific herbs you're attracted to and find their properties and correspondences and realize if they somehow resonate with your life or journey.

I love to cook and bake. I especially enjoy baking bread (I have always shunned bread making machines, I like the process of doing it myself). Although I hadn't made bread in months, I had the sudden overwhelming urge to make bread the other day so I did. That evening while reading I discovered it was Lammas!!!

Could it be the seasons are also calling you? I advise you to research more about the Pagan Sabbats and Esbats. These pagan holidays and feats are annual commemorations of some important (both historical, mythological, esoteric, spiritual and natural) events in the past. They arent arbitrary days, in the way that, some Modern holidays we have. Sabbats and Esbats and other pagan festivals for me carry the power of the originals events that occurred before, and each year we get to re-experience those events. Like for instance, the Lammas, there is the energy of "fruitfulness or harvest" in the world. This gives each of us the power to appreciate the fruits of our hard work.

I enjoy drawing and painting. While painting an abstract, the title Brigid came to me. I thought it was just a title I made up for the piece, until I started reading.

The Goddess too is calling you, I reckon! Brighid is one of my Goddess. She's a thrice-blessed goddess of the Sun and keeper of the sacred flames. In countless years the Divine force that resides in Her has reached cultures far and wide, taking many forms and known by many names: from the great empire of Rome, to the perilous New World and to my beloved home. For me, along with Kerridwen, she is mother of my artistic inspiration, of my creativeness, and watcher of home. She is also considered a Celtic triple-goddess of arts and crafts, poetry, healing and smithcraft. I believe, she's guiding you while you enjoy doing your paintings and drawings.

I usually give my Goddes Brighid offerings like cradle and cross to keep us safe from harm. Some bread and milk to keep Her fed, and incense and candles to keep Her warm.

Crows. Everyday. One while I type this, perched on a lightpost near me. He caws and caws. I know crows are usually considered a bad omen or a trickster, but I don't view these crow interactions I've had lately to be a bad thing.

Crows are always associated with mystery and magick. Some considered them as messengers of Deities like Hekate, Lilith, The Morrigan, Odin to name a few.

There could be a number of reasons why you're seeing Them - maybe a Deity, is wanting you to be their follower; or maybe they are animal guide of yours or a totem animal.

I've been dreaming alot!! I dreamt of fire recently and the thought of it keeps coming to me through out everyday.

Symbolically, fire is the desire to strive and accomplish something you really want to achieve, to reach great heights, to lead or take responsibility. I believe what your dream is telling you is, "What the are you waiting for?! Go and reach you goal!"

Remember this just my own thought and interpretations, you could have a different perceptions about this and it's definitely alright! I also advice you not to jump to conclusions too quickly or believe all to what I've said here, take your time and if They are really calling you it will become clear as time goes on. Try to meditate on Them (the elements, the nature, the seasons, the Goddess, the crow and the fire) and see where that takes you.

Thank you both for your replies! I've been extra busy so I didn't want to reply hastily; I wanted to think about your comments.
I often want to do/explore things but don't begin in full earnest because I think I can't give it my full attention. I get wrapped up in the whole "all or nothing" way of thinking and that doesn't accomplish much! I'm going to work on not feeling like I have to be "super witch or super pagan" in order to give as well as get the experience I'm seeking on this path. I'm going to enjoy an be thankful for the process of learning. I plan on exploring more about Brighid and the Sabbats and Esbats to begin.

A special thanks to you Seraphin Murmur. My thoughts felt all jumbled up and you helped me feel more focused.

It sounds like you're getting at least some nudges along a path. I tend to not believe in coincidence, so my thought is that you're being called by one or more deities. Each one has things that he or she will do to get your attention. Our job is to recognize recognize and act on the call, which may not always be straightforward. Listening to your gut is often key to understanding. Please keep us posted on your journey. Learning from each other is an important part of our journeys.

SnowCat

Good luck on your journey and I think you have a fantastic beginning!