I've noticed that whenever I feel sad or lacking inner strength I seem to attract cats and birds. I have no doubt that it's a deity trying to speak to me.
But I'm curious, does anyone else find that they attract certain animals if they're going through a particular high or low point?
I've always been very fond of the use of prayer beads as a meditative tool, (I find it hard to meditate due to fidgeting and having something to use my hands for is very helpful,) and was wondering if anyone had any short, easily-memorized prayers that could be repeated while counting along a string of beads. (I haven't decided what religion is right for me so I don't really care what path it's from. If anything, the more diverse my options the better.)
There has recently been a very interesting thread on the Asatru Lore forum regarding the nature of deities.
what is a god -- a workable model
I thought it may be interesting to discuss this model in a more general “pagan” environment.
As far as I understand it, (and if I’m interpreting this incorrectly, please feel free to point out my errors) the main idea is that a deity is NOT a universal being. Instead, a deity is a local wight/spirit/kami with a particular “function”. Different deities in different locations may share certain characteristics, and it is possible for us to use the name of a deity to refer to a “type” of very powerful regional being.
To give an example, “Thor” would not be a singular being with influence throughout time and space. Instead “Thor” would be a title, a “job description”, if you will, that refers to local wights concerned, in “Thor’s” case, with storms, thunder, rain and fertility.
Therefore, there would be “Thors” all over the world, wherever there are powerful local wights concerned with the above mentioned phenomena. In that case, my “Thor” in Western Canada would be a different being than the Northern European “Thor”, but they would share certain characteristics.
I first encountered this idea in an Heathen context, but I wonder how it would be perceived by people who practice other “pagan” traditions.
Is there a difference between a deity that you pray to and your patron deity? Are there different levels of relationships with deities? How do you know if the deity you pray to is your patron deity? (Asking?) Is it alright to not know? What does it mean to be god-bothered or thwapped?
In a hypothetical scenario where there is an absence of human life on planet Earth, would the Gods still exist?
Why/why not?
What are your favorite "popular" celtic books? By "popular", I mean books that are not scholarly tomes. For instance, I kinda like what little of Frank MacEowen's stuff I've read. It's in no way historically accurate, but it's interesting.
And what are your least favorite? Besides that Witta book that everyone hates. I do own a copy, and am not about to burn it or recycle it (not that I necessarily recommend it to people), and I can at least credit it for starting my push to learn about more authentic forms of Celtic spirituality.
I’m wondering how many Cauldronites keep their spiritual life separate from the rest of their life, especially when it comes to online communications.
Do you keep separate Facebooks, blog accounts, emails, and Twitter accounts, ect – one for your pagan self and one for your meatspace self?
What considerations prompted your decision in how to manage your online life? What factors should be taken into account?
Do you use music when doing your spells or a ceremony (magical, religous, or inbetween)? If so, what types of music do you use and why do you use it? Does it change depending on what your doing or do you use the same music everytime to put you in the right state of mind?
Resolutions I tend to make at other times, so instead I thought it might be fun to ask people what they predict, hope and plan for the coming year.
I predict things will change. I'll give it more thought and possibly come back later with something more specific.
I hope to broaden my horizons and make more connections in the local and online pagan communities. Maybe find a mate or a fling or something else. I hope to learn new things.
So far, I've planned my PBP topics for the year and that involves visiting several shops and venues as well as participating in some activities. I am nervous about drum circle, but I will do it!
Anybody have anything they want to share?
I think that the whole embalm, coffin, bury thing is rather wasteful, in money and space, so I'd like to be cremated and scattered across a beach or in a forest.
I don't know if any pagan paths say what should be done with a body after death. I'm just curious to everyone's responses. Does your faith influence what you want done?