Requirements for joining wiccan or other pagan groups vary. Some groups can only be joined through a ritual initiation, which typically occurs after a period of study. Other groups, such as the druid organization Ar nDraiocht Fein, are membership-based: one joins simply by submitting an application. Some groups have a dues structure; others ask for pledges; others do not require financial contributions but expect members to shoulder their share of group-related work.
Groups typically engage in educational and ritual work: elders teach younger and newer members the theology and spirituality of Pagan religion in general and of their tradition in particular; communal rituals help the group members to put their spirituality into practice. Groups also often will engage in fellowship and community-building activities, as well as service projects, often oriented toward environmental preservation.
As mentioned above, some Pagan individuals and groups own parcels of land that function as nature preserves as well as gathering places for the community at large. For many Pagans, retreating from urban settings to forest or wilderness environments, even if only for a weekend or a week, can be an important aspect of nature-oriented spiritual practice. Such Pagan nature preserves might be used only by one particular group or tradition, or might be more open to a broad cross-section of Wiccan, Pagan, nature-centered, occult, and goddess-oriented groups. Large-scale gatherings, known as Pagan festivals, can attract anywhere from fifty to a thousand or more participants. Participants generally camp on the land, offer and attend a variety of classes and workshops, engage in rituals, tend a communal bonfire, engage in communal music-making (usually involving a hand-drum circle), and purchase Pagan books, jewelry, and other merchandise. For many Pagans, attending a regional or national gathering is the highlight of the year.
Finally, it should be noted that many Pagans are active online, and that numerous groups, mail lists, bulletin boards, blogs, meet-up groups, and other online resources are devoted to the learning and practice of Paganism. The relative anonymity of the internet allows newcomers to explore Pagan spirituality without necessarily committing to it. The wealth of resources online enable interested parties to learn about different traditions within paganism - and even study one particular tradition in-depth - all from the safety and comfort of one's computer. Although some practitioners may "graduate" from online engagement with the Pagan community to in-person involvement with a group, for many the online dimension of their religious practice remains an essential part of their spiritual life.
Books You Might Enjoy:
Ro Winstedt - Shaman Saiva And Sufi
John Yarker - The Anglo Saxon Chronicle
John Alan Halloran - Sumerian Lexicon
John Yarker - Arcane Schools
