I had a lovely end to a shitty day. Who needs symmetry?
I did my first ritual since returning to Celtic Paganism but I changed the way I did it. Instead of trying to use a format that felt awkward and artificial to me (only to me...not saying that this format used by anyone else is) I thought I would pick the things I loved best about Hellenistic Paganism and incorporate that with the aspects I loved best in Celtic Paganism.
It was electrifying. I kid you not.
From the moment I lit the first candle I felt the energy, the electric charge going through me with more intensity than I have ever felt in the past. That feeling could get positively addictive it felt so good.
I also felt such warmth coming from the Gods and Goddesses in the Celtic pantheon, some of whom I had never met before. And strangely, I felt a lot of warmth from the Greek pantheon as well, with an invitation to call upon them any time I felt a need.
What made that so strange to me was the animosity among some of the Greek Reconstructionists toward Wiccans and other Pagans who "co-opt" the Greek Gods and include them in their circle of deities. They are adamant that the Greek Gods despise any form of worship but the one the Recons insist upon. It was very off-putting to me and one of the reasons I left. I did find some Hellenic Pagans who weren't rigid, but that didn't feel like the right path either, similar to my not finding the liberal Christians a valid path for myself.
It felt good to have warm feelings toward the Greek Gods and not feel any bitterness, especially in light of my initial instinct that Zeus was paying me back. I got the distinct impression he was amused by it.
So, what did I do that was different? I loved the way, in Greek worship, they read hymns or prayers to the Gods and then read aloud from various ancient Greek texts. It felt really natural to me but I wasn't sure how to incorporate that into Celtic worship as the ancient Celts didn't write anything down. I found some Pagan prayers online and a few of them really resonated with me, but what to read?
Then it hit me. The Druids were storytellers and poets. I would read poems and books to them. It didn't have to be about Druidry, or nature, or spirituality. Just something that is beautifully written. I chose William Blake initially because I found a poem by him online and liked it very much. After lighting the candles (and I have a different color to represent a different God/dess...it helps me center my devotion better) I read my prayer, then meditated a bit on each of the God/desses I was calling upon (all the time feeling this incredible charge going through my body) and sat beside my altar to read the poetry. It was magical. Truly.
I discovered that the God/desses love to be read to. I felt like I was giving them an offering from the heart instead of obligation. I felt a true connection with them and look forward to making this a part of my daily devotions.
While I was reading, I saw in my mind's eye a thread of Awen weaving itself in the air currents, dancing on the wind. Wow!
This might not be right for anyone else but it completed me, made my spirituality alive and whole. I am so glad I walked down the Greek path for a while and I am so grateful to the Greek Reconstructionists for the things I learned from them. And to the Greek pantheon for the new relationships I've made. I am happiest with Celtic Paganism; Druidry comes closest to my philisophical and spiritual beliefs so I'm glad that the Greeks showed me how I can best worship my God/desses within the Wheel of the Year. And I'm so grateful that the Greek Gods cleared my Celtic path of the distractions and obstacles that prevented me from walking it freely.
Blessed be
I did my first ritual since returning to Celtic Paganism but I changed the way I did it. Instead of trying to use a format that felt awkward and artificial to me (only to me...not saying that this format used by anyone else is) I thought I would pick the things I loved best about Hellenistic Paganism and incorporate that with the aspects I loved best in Celtic Paganism.
It was electrifying. I kid you not.
From the moment I lit the first candle I felt the energy, the electric charge going through me with more intensity than I have ever felt in the past. That feeling could get positively addictive it felt so good.
I also felt such warmth coming from the Gods and Goddesses in the Celtic pantheon, some of whom I had never met before. And strangely, I felt a lot of warmth from the Greek pantheon as well, with an invitation to call upon them any time I felt a need.
What made that so strange to me was the animosity among some of the Greek Reconstructionists toward Wiccans and other Pagans who "co-opt" the Greek Gods and include them in their circle of deities. They are adamant that the Greek Gods despise any form of worship but the one the Recons insist upon. It was very off-putting to me and one of the reasons I left. I did find some Hellenic Pagans who weren't rigid, but that didn't feel like the right path either, similar to my not finding the liberal Christians a valid path for myself.
It felt good to have warm feelings toward the Greek Gods and not feel any bitterness, especially in light of my initial instinct that Zeus was paying me back. I got the distinct impression he was amused by it.
So, what did I do that was different? I loved the way, in Greek worship, they read hymns or prayers to the Gods and then read aloud from various ancient Greek texts. It felt really natural to me but I wasn't sure how to incorporate that into Celtic worship as the ancient Celts didn't write anything down. I found some Pagan prayers online and a few of them really resonated with me, but what to read?
Then it hit me. The Druids were storytellers and poets. I would read poems and books to them. It didn't have to be about Druidry, or nature, or spirituality. Just something that is beautifully written. I chose William Blake initially because I found a poem by him online and liked it very much. After lighting the candles (and I have a different color to represent a different God/dess...it helps me center my devotion better) I read my prayer, then meditated a bit on each of the God/desses I was calling upon (all the time feeling this incredible charge going through my body) and sat beside my altar to read the poetry. It was magical. Truly.
I discovered that the God/desses love to be read to. I felt like I was giving them an offering from the heart instead of obligation. I felt a true connection with them and look forward to making this a part of my daily devotions.
While I was reading, I saw in my mind's eye a thread of Awen weaving itself in the air currents, dancing on the wind. Wow!
This might not be right for anyone else but it completed me, made my spirituality alive and whole. I am so glad I walked down the Greek path for a while and I am so grateful to the Greek Reconstructionists for the things I learned from them. And to the Greek pantheon for the new relationships I've made. I am happiest with Celtic Paganism; Druidry comes closest to my philisophical and spiritual beliefs so I'm glad that the Greeks showed me how I can best worship my God/desses within the Wheel of the Year. And I'm so grateful that the Greek Gods cleared my Celtic path of the distractions and obstacles that prevented me from walking it freely.
Blessed be
Your experience is really beautiful, thanks for sharing. I've also noticed that some recons react defensively at the idea of incorporating gods from different pantheons into practice. I'm of the belief that the gods are beyond pantheons and cultures.
ReplyDeleteOf course, the stories and cultural rites associated with them can be useful learning experiences, but in the end they are simply ways to better relate and understand them.
I'm not trying to be disrespectful to the cultures of others, I just find it difficult to accept the idea of a god being confined to one culture. In my mind, it goes against the definition of the word god. Besides that, I'm glad you had such a fulfilling experience.
Like, like, like!!!! Beautiful experience, Kathy!
ReplyDeleteHooray! Love this!
ReplyDeleteThanks, everyone.
ReplyDeleteAdalis, I find Greek and Celtic reconstructionists less scary than the Christian variety (Dominionists) as they are trying to impose their beliefs into our society and political process. They want a theonomy. I'll take a little grouching over someone wanting to stone my son for being gay.
Still, while I acknowledge that their path is indeed their path, it pains me to see the same kind of elitism in Paganism I left Christianity over. And yet, I've got nothing but love for them. I so appreciate all versions of Pagan reconstructionism I've run into. I just disagree with its exclusivism.
Thanks, Tana. I've got you to thank for this mostly as I do a lot of "what would Tana do" when I think these things out. LOL
Love ya, Debra. Thanks for the support!!
There are many spiritual ways, and everyone has to find his or her own. Even if it means mixing and inventing. Some people may not feel comfortable with this, and that is okay *for them*, but at least they should acknowledge that others may walk different paths.
ReplyDelete(That's what Pagans expect from Christians, and we should be able to get this kind of respect from other Pagans as well.)
Diandra, thanks so much for commenting. I so agree with you.
ReplyDeleteIt was really disheartening to learn that there were Pagans who were as intolerant as some of the Christians I've known all my life, but I came to realize that it's not about religion, it's about human nature. In my experience, though, I've found that more Pagans are loving and accepting than Christians are so I don't let the minority upset me.
I do understand how Greek reconstructionists see things. They view the co-opting of their Gods as violating the essences of their Gods. They believe their Gods view magick as hubris, so anyone who has added their Gods to their pantheon and is using magick is, in their opinion, violating their Gods.
I get that. But I don't agree with it. It seems to me that that is trying to own the Gods rather than worship and respect them.
But as I said, I still have a great deal of love for them and for the information I gained from my brief encounter with them.