Seeker's Questionnaire

devised in 1987 by Elsa Die Löwin, HPs
Circle Dragonmist
Version 3.5, May 2002

(Circulate freely, but if you make changes, note them as such. Suggestions for changes are welcomed. Send them to elsa@draigsffau.org)

These questions are asked not to make judgment of you, but to see where you are, on what path, and to get an idea of your style. Take your time. You may choose to answer most questions on separate sheets, on computer disc, audio tape, or in person.

Part One: Background - definitions

  1. How do you define "Pagan"?
  2. How do you define "Witch"?
  3. How do you define "Warlock"?
  4. How do you define "Heathen"?
  5. How do you define "Heretic"?
  6. How do you define "Shaman"?
  7. How do you define "magic"?
  8. How do you define "occult"?
  9. How do you define "New Age"?
  10. Do you include any of the above in your spiritual path (1-9)? If so, which ones?
  11. Do you wish add any of the above to your spiritual path(1-9)? Which ones? Why?
  12. Do any of the terms (1-9) turn you off? Which ones? Why?
  13. How long have you been interested in "this sort of thing"?
  14. What sparked your interest?
  15. Do you know what is meant by the term "feminine deity"?
  16. Do you know what is meant by the term "polytheism"?
  17. Do you know what is meant by the term "pantheism"? "Panentheism"?
  18. Do you know what is meant by the term "karma"?
  19. Do you know what is meant by the term "free will"?
  20. Do you know what is meant by the term "animism"?
  21. Which of these concepts (15-20) do you include in your own spiritual path?
  22. What other religions have you explored?
  23. Is there a particular Tradition that you identify yourself with? If so, which one?

Part Two: Lore

  1. How do you correspond the elements to the quarters (directions)? Why? What are the attributes of the quarters?

  2. What names do you give to the Sabbats and what does each one mean to you? If you use different dates than these, please note what they are.
  3. What are the significances of the phases of the moon?
  4. What are the attributes of the aspects of the Goddess? Who are your favorite Goddesses?
  5. What are the attributes of the aspects of the God? Who are your favorite Gods?
  6. Which Pantheon attracts you most? Are you familiar with Their myth cycle?

  7. Are you familiar with the "Wiccan Rede"? The "Law of Three-fold return"?

Part Three : Technique

  1. Do you know what is meant by the terms "ground" and "center"?
  2. Do you know what is meant by the term "cast a circle"?
  3. Do you know what is meant by the term "call quarters"?
  4. Do you know what is meant by the term "invoke deities"?
  5. Do you know what is meant by "raise a cone of power"?
  6. Do you know what is meant by "work to be done"?
  7. Do you know what is meant by the term "Great Rite" (both "actual" and "symbolic")?

  8. Do you know what is meant by the term "cakes and wine"?
  9. Do you know what is meant by the term "open the circle"?
  10. Do you know the significances of these things (1-9)?
  11. Have you done any of them? If so, which ones?
  12. Do you feel capable of doing any that you haven't already done?
  13. Are you proficient with any of the following systems of divination? Which ones?
  14. Do you know the uses of the following tools?
  15. Have you any training in astrology?
  16. Have you any training in Cabbala?
  17. Have you any training in weather working?
  18. Have you any training in candle magic?
  19. Have you any training in healing?
  20. Have you any training in herbalism?
  21. Have you any training in midwifery?
  22. Have you any training in counseling?
  23. Have you performed or participated in a Wiccaning or baby blessing? A Coming of Age? An initiation? A handfasting? An ordination? A Croning or Saging? A memorial?

Part Four: Background - books, magazines, films, music

Mark whichever of the following books that you have read with a plus if you generally liked them, a minus if you generally disliked them or a circle if you didn't feel much either way. Mark the books you have started but not finished with an "S" and either a plus or minus as above. Mark the books that you haven't read yet but would like to read with an "I". Feel free to make brief annotations. We will discuss the books in greater depth later.

Recommended:

May also be of interest:

And what did you think of these:

Not recommended:

Are there related books that you consider important that are not on this list? Please list them.

Which of the following Pagan periodicals are you familiar with? Mark those you subscribe to with an "S", those you read occasionally with an "R", and those you browse or have only seen one issue of with a "B". Feel free to make brief annotations.

Are there related magazines that you consider important that are not on this list? Please list them.

Which of the following films have you seen? Mark them the same way you marked the books. Feel free to make brief annotations. (These are not necessarily recommended.)

Are there related films that you consider important that are not on this list? Please list them.

Which of the following Paganistic music/musicians are you familiar with? Mark those you own to with an "M", and those you have heard with an "H". Feel free to make brief annotations.

Are there other musicians that you consider important that are not on this list? Please list them.

Part Five: Personal - Values and Ethics

You may choose not to answer any of these questions, but you should know that the significance of that choice will be recognized as well.

  1. How do you feel about the concept of Motherhood?
  2. How do you feel about the concept of Fatherhood?
  3. How do you feel about your own parents?
  4. In general, do you like children? Why or why not?
  5. Are you open about sexuality in general? Are you open about your own sexuality? How do you feel about observing sex?
  6. Do you feel that either pre- or extra-marital sex are wrong? Why or why not?
  7. What do you consider the most important factor(s) in determining the appropriateness of sexual activity?
  8. How do you feel about the idea of casting spells to benefit yourself? Would you do such a thing? Why or why not?
  9. How do you feel about the idea of casting spells to benefit others, without the others knowing about it? Would you do such a thing? Why or why not?
  10. How do you feel about the idea of accepting payment for casting spells? Would you do such a thing? Would it make a difference if the payment was "in kind" or in services rather than in cash? Why or why not?
  11. How do you feel about the idea of accepting payment for services such as tarot readings or psychic consultations? Would you do such a thing? Would it make a difference if the payment was "in kind" or in services rather than in cash? Why or why not? Would it make a difference if the payment were a donation to an organization rather than given to you? Why or why not?
  12. How do you feel about the idea of accepting payment for providing services such as wiccanings, handfastings or funerals? Would you do such a thing? Would it make a difference if the payment was "in kind" or in services rather than in cash? Why or why not? Would it make a difference if the payment were a donation to an organization rather than given to you? Why or why not?
  13. How do you feel about the idea of casting curses? How do you define cursing? Would you do such a thing? Why or why not? If so, what circumstances would make it justifiable? If not, what action, if any, would you take instead?
  14. How important is it to you that promises be kept? Why?
  15. Do you make a distinction between your spirituality and reality? If so, why? If not, why not?
  16. How do you feel about the idea of using herbs or drugs to alter your state of consciousness for magical or religious purposes? Would you do such a thing? Why or why not?
  17. Positive/negative, light/dark, and good/evil are polar pairs. How are the pairs different from each other? Do you see differences between "negative", "dark" and "evil"? Do you see differences between "positive", "light" and "good"?
  18. Do you believe in a particular or personified malevolent force? If so, what do you consider to be the cause of that force?
  19. Do you consider psychic phenomena to be real? Do you have experience in dealing with it? Do you consider yourself to be psychic?

Part Six: Feedback

  1. How confidential do you want your responses to these questions? (May I discuss them with my co-HPs? My circle? Anyone I feel like? Nobody but you?)
  2. How do you feel about this questionnaire? Its style? Its level of nosiness?
  3. Are there questions that you think should be included in this questionnaire that aren't? What are they?
  4. Are there questions that you would leave out? Which ones? Why?
  5. Describe how you are feeling right now, physically and emotionally.

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© 1987-2001 Elsa Die Löwin

Permission to reprint freely is granted if authorship is acknowledged and changes are marked as such.