I just got slapped around for talking about the wrong topic on this board (rightfully so) and it occured to me that while I'd like to chatter away and crack my jokes on this board-I just don't know enough about Paganism to do so.
I know it's incredibly diverse, I know it involves polytheism typically, I know that many of its traditions are very old and exciting. I know that the idea of it is sexy to me. I believe it involves lots of things, like rocks and burning things like sage, and invoking goddesses and so on. And I know I'm probably wrong about at least one thing I claim to know here.
So for whoever feels like it (and those of you who know me know my interest is sincere - or it would be plainly clear that it wasn't) please share your practice with me.
Like... how often do you practice, what does it involve? DO you have an altar? What is on it? What gods or goddesses do you try to interact with/invoke/whatever? What experiences have you had? And anything else you'd like to share.
And if my lady friends in this forum blow off my selfish thread here-I'm going to snub you each for a week.
I just got slapped around for talking about the wrong topic on this board (rightfully so) and it occured to me that while I'd like to chatter away and crack my jokes on this board-I just don't know enough about Paganism to do so.
I know it's incredibly diverse, I know it involves polytheism typically, I know that many of its traditions are very old and exciting. I know that the idea of it is sexy to me. I believe it involves lots of things, like rocks and burning things like sage, and invoking goddesses and so on. And I know I'm probably wrong about at least one thing I claim to know here.
So for whoever feels like it (and those of you who know me know my interest is sincere - or it would be plainly clear that it wasn't) please share your practice with me.
Like... how often do you practice, what does it involve? DO you have an altar? What is on it? What gods or goddesses do you try to interact with/invoke/whatever? What experiences have you had? And anything else you'd like to share.
And if my lady friends in this forum blow off my selfish thread here-I'm going to snub you each for a week.
Oh! I see how it is!
Okay, seriously here. Practice is as much my life as breathing. It's just there. Much of the time I don't even think about it.
Now, it comes up when the followers of other religions get in my face, which, since I live in Oklahoma, is more often than I like. Honestly. Six a.m. On a Saturday. By a Baptist. I thought it was my neighbor when the doorbell rang. They have kids. If there was a six a.m. emergency, I would be happy to help them get a kid to a hospitial or let them use the phone to report a fire or whatever. But this was a Baptist who I didn't know, and seemed to think I had never heard of the Bible. Dude, you are in Oklahoma. Get real.
Anyway, as I said, it is just a part of me, so in day to day life, it just sits there, affecting my worldview.
I follow the Norse gods. The reasons I do are fairly simple, though since it involves my own personal UPG, I don't expect it to send you through some sort of conversion or anything. Many here know the story already, but I suppose I should tell it anyway.
I grew up a member of the Church of Christ. That alone should tell you the issues I have. When I was in my late teens, I was having problems. The church is very...male oriented. Even to this day, women are not allowed to do anything in that church. Anything. Well, they can teach nursery school, but since they are just little women, they couldn't possibly have anything to contribute, right?
As I said, issues. Anyway, I have never had any experiences of YHWH. None. This is less of a big deal than it was back then. Back then, I would hear other folks in the church talk of their experiences and it would upset me, because it seemed that "God" didn't want anything to do with me. The few I shared this bit with didn't help, implying that, yes, it was me. That God didn't have time to one little girl, that type of thing.
It got really bad. I became pretty close to suicidal. Finally, when things got to their worst, I yelled at the universe (literally; I was screaming), "Is anybody out there."
That was when She appeared.
"It's about damned time!" I remember she said.
She took me into my house, demanded tea, criticized my tea making abilities, and then we had a long talk. She introduced me to a couple of notions that were radical for me at the time. The first was I didn't have to be a Christian. The second was that not every god has to have a relationship with everyone who wants one. She had chosen me, YHWH hadn't. And there was nothing wrong with that.
Before she left, she told me that if I didn't get my crap together, I would be dead by the end of the year. The word she used, though, wasn't crap.
That was my clue-by-four. I don't expect you to believe it happened, as long as you can believe I believe it happened. UPG is a hell of a thing, isn't it?
Dark Energy. It can be found in the observable Universe. Found in ratios of 75% more than any other substance. Dark Energy. It can be found in religious extremists, in cheerleaders. To come to the conclusion that Dark signifies mean and malevolent would define 75% of the Universe as an evil force. Alternatively, to think that some cheerleaders don't have razors in their snatch is to be foolishly unarmed.
... and here I thought my comment was kids gloves...
Anyway, I am a Gaelic Reconstructionist Polytheist, which means that I am trying my best to reconstruct the worldview of the pre-Christians Gaels (the Irish predominantly) in a modern setting. It is more of a "lifeway" than a set of practices; and like SG, it does permeate all aspects of my life, home, professional and otherwise.
It is a combination of scholarship including: mythography, history, anthropology, archeology and linguistics, coupled with UPG, and adopting the virtues of honour (enech), excellence (febas), hospitality (gart), wisdom (ecna), upholding of customs(bés), truth (fír), to name but a few.
The figures of worship, being divided into three fluid categories of gods, ancestors and spirits of place. As such, my perspective of deity is polytheistic in nature, and the "relationship" to the gods is founded upon a client-patron relationship, based upon reciprocity.
That about sums it up, for my part anyway.
Truth in our hearts, Strength in our arms, Fulfillment in our tongues.
Well, based on the conversations I have had with Bob, I thought he wanted to hear it all, not just the pleasant stuff...
:)
Dark Energy. It can be found in the observable Universe. Found in ratios of 75% more than any other substance. Dark Energy. It can be found in religious extremists, in cheerleaders. To come to the conclusion that Dark signifies mean and malevolent would define 75% of the Universe as an evil force. Alternatively, to think that some cheerleaders don't have razors in their snatch is to be foolishly unarmed.
I have difficulty describing what and why I believe and follow what I follow.
I am a Polytheist, and as SG and Gorn mentioned, it is everything I live, like breathing. I focus on what at first glance probably looks like very different areas.
I focus on and commune primarily with nature spirits and do journey work. My beliefs are entirely based on UPG.
I am not trying to be mysterious just really hard to describe.
A tyrant must put on the appearance of uncommon devotion to religion. Subjects are less apprehensive of illegal treatment from a ruler whom they consider god-fearing and pious. On the other hand, they do less easily move against him, believing that he has the gods on his side. Aristotle Never discourage anyone...who continually makes progress, no matter how slow. Plato.. "A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives" Jackie Robinson
... and here I thought my comment was kids gloves...
Anyway, I am a Gaelic Reconstructionist Polytheist, which means that I am trying my best to reconstruct the worldview of the pre-Christians Gaels (the Irish predominantly) in a modern setting. It is more of a "lifeway" than a set of practices; and like SG, it does permeate all aspects of my life, home, professional and otherwise.
It is a combination of scholarship including: mythography, history, anthropology, archeology and linguistics, coupled with UPG, and adopting the virtues of honour (enech), excellence (febas), hospitality (gart), wisdom (ecna), upholding of customs(bés), truth (fír), to name but a few.
The figures of worship, being divided into three fluid categories of gods, ancestors and spirits of place. As such, my perspective of deity is polytheistic in nature, and the "relationship" to the gods is founded upon a client-patron relationship, based upon reciprocity.
That about sums it up, for my part anyway.
Very interesting-and yes, it was definitely kid gloves, but stories are better if you add drama yes?
So you mentioned "figures of worship" can you elaborate on this? Are these like on an altar or various places or fill in the blanks for me
SG-thank you, I like your story a lot and I wouldn't presume to doubt you believe it. And frankly, while I question certain people a lot (as you know :), I have no questions for you on your UPG. I would mention though-that my favorite part of your story is the part where you yell out at the Universe-very cool, and I'm sure many of us relate to such a burst of that type of energy. I truly believe that only when one is really seeking will they find something-and at times I wonder if one has to be in the depths of hell to actually find it... any thoughts on that would be enjoyed.
I am still wondering though-I understand this practice is constant, but I guess I was more interested in rituals, or things you do on a daily basis where this is your primary and only activity-like for example, I kneel and recite the lotus sutra and chant 2x a day. Anything like this?
I have difficulty describing what and why I believe and follow what I follow.
I am a Polytheist, and as SG and Gorn mentioned, it is everything I live, like breathing. I focus on what at first glance probably looks like very different areas.
I focus on and commune primarily with nature spirits and do journey work. My beliefs are entirely based on UPG.
I am not trying to be mysterious just really hard to describe.
Would you be willing to share one of your UPGs with me? Also, you mentioned "journey work" -does this mean you've agreed to get naked with me in the forrest? Just kidding, I would like to know what it means-would you elaborate?
SG-thank you, I like your story a lot and I wouldn't presume to doubt you believe it. And frankly, while I question certain people a lot (as you know :), I have no questions for you on your UPG. I would mention though-that my favorite part of your story is the part where you yell out at the Universe-very cool, and I'm sure many of us relate to such a burst of that type of energy. I truly believe that only when one is really seeking will they find something-and at times I wonder if one has to be in the depths of hell to actually find it... any thoughts on that would be enjoyed.
I am still wondering though-I understand this practice is constant, but I guess I was more interested in rituals, or things you do on a daily basis where this is your primary and only activity-like for example, I kneel and recite the lotus sutra and chant 2x a day. Anything like this?
Like grounding and centering? That's about the only daily thing I can think of. The rest is on a day by daily need basis.
Dark Energy. It can be found in the observable Universe. Found in ratios of 75% more than any other substance. Dark Energy. It can be found in religious extremists, in cheerleaders. To come to the conclusion that Dark signifies mean and malevolent would define 75% of the Universe as an evil force. Alternatively, to think that some cheerleaders don't have razors in their snatch is to be foolishly unarmed.
