I always hear everyone talking about how they came to their path in life. So I decided I would share my story... 

 I was raised in a very strict Southern Baptist home. We did not just attend church on Sunday mornings. We were there for Sunday morning service, Sunday evening service, youth group on Wednesday, and any other functions we could fit in. Not to mentioned from as early as 1st grade we were put in Christian based schools. My little brain was always running on spiritual overload, never finding a release from it.

By the age of 13 I knew the stories inside and out, but I could never connect to them. Why was it that I was damned? Because I am a woman? How is that fair? The curse of Eve just didn't sit well with me. I needed to know more. I needed to understand why.

I continued to get in trouble in my Sunday school classes because I dared to question. Why is it this way? Always hearing, because Eve in her sinful ways tempted Adam. Well why did God create her knowing she would do this? Why did God give us the freedom to choose if he already knew? Always hearing, you do not need to question "Gods word" you must accept things as they are. WHY??

One Sunday morning our father decided we would try a church one of his friends told him about. We all got ready that morning and when we walked in we couldn't believe our eyes. There were people dancing in the isles, shaking a tambourine, shouting out words I couldn't understand, and celebrating. I was amazed, this place was more like it!! It took my father a little time to get use to the "spirit filled" church. At first he thought it was "of the devil" but it eventually grew on him.

For a short time I could not have been happier. Until it all started over again...the curse of Eve. I just couldn't make sense of it. Why did she have to give Adam the apple? Why did she listen to that snake anyway? WHY??

My path stayed the same up until college where my roommate and I were sitting around "studying" one night, I must tell you, our study sessions consisted of more wine than studying, and we got on the topic of religion. After listening to me try to make sense of what I believed he finally came out and told me....I am Wiccan. Wiccan?? What is that? At that time, I had never hear the word. Listening to him talk about how he honored a balance between the masculine and the feminine and how the Goddess has been hidden over time. Written out of the teachings to create a male dominated belief system. How it was a way to control the masses. All this, and coming from a MAN! I needed to know more. I wanted to know more. I had never been exposed to anything other than the Baptist/Assembly of God teachings. I had no exposure to Pagans of any kind growing up.

I started out just studing more into the Christian Mythology I had grown up with. That eventually led me to other cultures and other Myths. Surprisingly these new myths sounded very familiar. It took me awhile to get a grasp on all of this, several years actually. There was a battle going on inside of me. I had been conditioned to believe this was a one way ticket to eternal suffering.

I finally got the courage up to reach out to several Pagan groups in the area representing many different traditions. Then one day, I met with a Gardenarian HP and HPS. I felt an instant connection to them and we decided that we would meet again. After a few meetings in public they finally invited me to come circle with them. The only way I can explain the feeling I got when I stepped into circle for the first time is by saying...I was home. I know that sounds so cliche, but for all of you who have been there, you know exactly what I am talking about.

Since that time, I have never looked back.