Working on Behalf of the Gods?

Earlier today, I read an email from a friend who mentioned in passing the idea that, if we need the Gods, it might also be true that the Gods need *us*. This comment was in response to my whining about feeling somewhat deserted by, or at least disconnected from Brighid lately because some things in my life have tanked (or it seems that way at the moment, anyway).

I've been thinking all evening about what She might need from me. It doesn't seem like She particularly needs offerings (of food anyway -- although I think offerings in the form of donations or volunteer work for related causes might be a good thing).

What do you think? Do the gods need us, and if so, for what? I know Shad, f'ex, has a theory that we are the eyes and hands of the gods. What does that mean in practice? Are there specific activities or things that you feel you are encouraged or even required to do for your god/dess(es)? What happens if you don't do them? How do you know what you're supposed to do?

For Cill members and others who have a relationship with Brighid: Do you feel Brighid needs you/us to do specific things? If so, what? Are they *required* or just encouraged?

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Wiccan Warriors?

I've heard this term tossed around a bit, but I'm at a loss as to what it entails exactly. I've searched the forums but couldn't come up with anything real specific. Is there anyone out there that knows about this?

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Wiccans, Do you Prefer Coven or Solitary?

Just curious... do you prefer solitary work or coven work if you're Wiccan? Just curious what other people's experiences with covens were. I've heard positive and negative, but I've always been a little nervous about seeking out a coven. Plus I like the freedom of solitary work. But I also feel a bit isolated, cause I know no one who is pagan. If you are solitary, how do you keep from being isolated? How have you found other pagans to associate with in your area?

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Half Moon aspect of the Goddess?

As I've been reading different books on Wicca they all talk of the importance of the Goddess in Her Full Moon aspect and New Moon aspect, as well as the importance of the waxing and waning portions of the lunar cycle. I was musing on these things one night when it occurred to me that I haven't read if the Half Moon holds any special meaning. To me, it would seem that it may stand for balance, symmetry, justice, or anything number of things. I've looked around a bit but I haven't been able to find anything substantial on this topic either on the web or in any books.

Does anyone know of any literature that may address this issue?

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Speaking/Singing in Tongues

I have some totally random questions about speaking in tongues in a pagan context. (As opposed to the Pentecostal Christian context) Specifically I’m talking about Glossolalia: speaking in a ‘holy language’ composed of what appear to be non-sense syllables that nonetheless sound much like some sort of fluent language and the sometimes incorporated Xenoglossy: spontaneously speaking in a real language which is completely unknown to the person speaking it.

I got curious about the topic after seeing a documentary that discussed it recently and looked it up on Wikipedia (not the most impressive of sources, I know). At the bottom of the entry, they noted that this sometimes shows up in pagan and shamanistic faiths (also possible in voodoo).

Have you ever had experiences with either? Is speaking in tongues a part of your path? If so, how do you use it and why? Does it have a historical basis in your tradition or is it a modern/UPG add-on?

On a related note, if you do speak in tongues, do you consider what you say a product of purely Glossolalia or do you suspect it might be Xenoglossy, that is to say, do you believe the language you are speaking is or was at one time a real language (such as an unlearned or undiscovered language you cannot identify)?

If you don’t speak in tongues, what do you think of the practice? Have you ever encountered it outside the Christian faith? Do you believe it can serve a purpose or do you see it as nonsense?

And although I’m not specifically talking about constructed languages or ‘Conlangs’ in this post, I could see how the topics might be related and wanted to throw that out there too. Do you think there is any relationship between speaking in tongues and inventing fantasy languages? Why do humans feel the need to do either?

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Do You Believe in Reincarnation?

So do you believe in reincarnation? Why or why not? I'm wiccan, but reincarnation is one of those things where I know the basic principle, but I don't really have the whys for the belief or lack of belief in it... Does anyone have suggestions for some good books/websites that might give me a more detailed philosophy on it? I don't want to believe anything I'm not very informed on, and I figured this might be a good place to get some ideas/opinions.

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Finding the Right Rituals for Me?

I've been doing some research on the Wheel of The Year and now that I have my dates figured out, my problem now is Where can I find all the Rituals I need? I'm not a Wicca, I consider myself an Earth-Based Pagan. I have viewed your Rituals link and found a good Ritual for Samhain, but do I have to make an alter of some sort for this? I'm a little confused, but I'm not impossible.

If someone out there could give me something brief or even step-by-step instructions (if your not busy), because I'm just starting with the Rituals and I'd hate to do them incorrectly.

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I'm solitary.
I love being solitary.
It is not that I feel I need to 'play' coven or something, but I do feel, that I need to take another step. If I want to grow, that is.

Last year I've done a kind of meditation workshop for close friends and co-workers and they really liked it. But I really need to achieve some more self-assurance when dealing with real life people.

And besides that, it just would be nice to do ritual sometimes with others.

This is not a thing that will take place within the next few weeks, not even months.
I know that I have to write some material as a starting point for a group, from which things can be adjusted.

How would be the best way to go about this? Any ideas? Problem is, I don't want to start with strangers, but then sometimes friends can be too close to.

How did you go about this, if you ever started a group? I'd be interested in hearing your experiences.

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Your Name, Your Avatar, and Your Sig?

I see so many interesting names, avatars, and sigs. I'm just wondering about the stories behind them. I would just like to know why you chose what you did to help define you. Everyone has a story!

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Out YouTube Me!

So here are the rules: post your weirdest, silliest, freakiest musical act (from YouTube or any other publicly-available site, as long as it's streaming and doesn't require download). Here's my first entry. As you can see, I'm setting the bar high...and so very low...

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