Do you regularly use "escape clauses" in your spellwork, like "with free will to all, and harm to none" or the like? Why do you use or not use them? Do you think they work? Do they even mean anything?
For example, if you really hate someone and want to harm them and you do a spell powered by those emotions is adding "and with harm to none" at the end of the spell going to override your emotional power and intent?
I was talking with Bastemhet on one of my more recent blog entries about being "brutally rebuffed" by gods when you approach them. She mentioned that she's never heard an instance in which the netjeru have done this (and neither have I, actually). I've heard, however, that some of the other gods aren't quite as polite about things like this at times. So, with that in mind...
1. Have you ever been rebuffed by a god/spirit/OTHER(tm) before?
2. Was it polite or impolite?
3. Would you care to share the experience? If so, please do!
It seems to me that morality is intimately connected to some religions but is less apparent with others. I know this is a very broad question, but how is morality related to your faith? Are your moral beliefs guided and sustained by your religion? Or did you pick a deity based on pre-existing moral beliefs? Some combination? Neither? The omnipresent other?
According to Proinsias MacCana, the Morrighan is a sort of pan-Celtic goddess: "that they are known throughout the Celtic world is virtually certain." But the name is Irish, and all the references are to Irish stories.
Is there in fact any significant support for the Morrighan as a figure in Welsh mythology and hence, polytheistic practice centered on Welsh culture? In a casual review, I can't really find any.
I wish there were a Welsh Simek.
Next month it will have been a year since I found this site and really decided to set off on paganism after studying a bit off and on for several years. I always knew it was a vast landscape but I really had no idea. It's beautiful and I love it.
With that being said, I know I'm still a baby and ill practiced but I feel like I've grown an exponential amount. I know that one can hold the beliefs that they choose and we have a vast array of people on here but I still feel like I'm doing something wrong. I don't know why. I've found that no matter what I try I'm still an atheist in the ways of deities. Not that it's a bad thing and I know there are atheists on here who practice different things. I think there's some sort of "spiritual" energy in ourselves and the world and that's how magic is done. I also think that plant energies, rivers, forests etc..have their own energies that have been seen as fairies and the like. But I can't for the life of me put my head around deities. I find it an interesting concept. I feel like I can't believe in other spiritual forces if I can't believe in deities.
I hold the belief that anything is possible but I don't personally believe it. I don't mock or scorn others for it. I find it highly interesting and informative. I have celebrated the different seasons with little rituals here and there and have practiced some magic. I feel the energy and spirit in the world and I feel a great reverence to it. I always have. I want to continue my magic practices and seasonal observances. I think I'm getting stuck in my own head. I'm sorry if I'm just rambling.
I want to explore other things but I know I'm holding myself back because of my weird hang up but I feel like I would be betraying that culture or set of beliefs if they hold beliefs in deities. Does anybody else feel this way?
This is sort of a side note but I'm also interested in darker magic in a way. Maybe not so many flowers and love to all. I find a hard time connecting to things like that so I generally edit it. I don't mean darker as in death and hexes and such. Well, death in a "circle of life" sort of way. I enjoy the darker side of life and relate to things like that well. Vodou intrigues me but it's a religion in sorts and I don't want to take and not care about where it comes from. If anybody gets this and can help, that would be awesome. Thank you.
I'm looking for some advice on how any of the pantheists on the forum worship/celebrate their faith. I find myself wanting to borrow the Wiccan Wheel of the Year, but not much else from that particular path.
I've read various books on naturalistic pantheism (I consider myself dualist instead), as well as Dianne Sylvan's The Circle Within, but I'm still stumped on how to come up with my own personal rituals and practices.
To me, the universe has a collective soul, akin to a gigantic interconnected web that is at least somewhat aware. I do believe in separate gods and goddesses that live inside the whole of the universe, but function autonomously. Beyond basic things like taking a walk in nature, or maybe setting up an altar, how do you come up with meaningful practices?
I've been interested in Druidry for some time now and have thought about giving an organization's courses a try. However, I'd like to know the differences between these organizations.
*Order of Bardes, Ovates and Druids
*Ár nDraíocht Féin
*Reformed Druids of North America
*Ancient Order of Druids in America
Having had a look at their websites, they all kinda seem the same to me although I know the ADF is more of a Reconstructionist organization. But I'd like to hear what practicing Druids have to say on it. What are the major differences?
I am new to the forums, and being an individual learning about Celtic Reconstructionism / Gaelic Polytheism I thought this would be the best place to ask the question I wish to pose. I am hoping someone will be able to answer it or give me places to look. I want to make everything about my practice as Irish Celtic as possible, and that means using Celtic (Irish) specific herbs and incenses. I was wondering what people suggested or knew of. I know some things I probably won't be able to find here in the States, but what I can find I would love to use and incorporate into my practice. I have searched everywhere I could, whether it be on the internet or in what books I can, but I can't seem to find anything Celtic (Irish) specific.
So, as some of you may know I'm new to the paganism bandwagon. I have no idea how to approach the gods, or which ones I really want to approach for that matter. So, I was wondering how you all did it? I know some of you had the gods come up to you basically going "wassup! so, you're mine now, let's get going shall we?" but still, I'm sure all of you at some point had to decide which deity you wanted to approach and how to go about approaching them. How did you do this? Any tips for me? Please and thank you.
Does anyone have any suggestions for good meditation music?