My cold has waned and my aching body is feeling better, especially after some very good and deep sleep last night so I thought it was time to get back on spiritual track. I had been reading about the history of the Norse religion, which was really a good read, but I felt like it was time to get into learning about the practice of the Norse path. I had been taking my time getting there until I felt like I was ready.
I'm ready.
In addition to Our Troth, volumes 1 & 2, I also bought True Hearth, by James Allen Chisholm. It's a slim book and the proof-reading leaves a lot to be desired, but the information in it is pretty darned good. He makes a claim in Chapter 3 that (i)n the Ring of Troth there is no such thing as a "heretic." How I loved to read those words, especially having lived in on a spiritual path that made everyone a heretic at one point or another, depending on who was interpreting the scriptures. There is no set of orthodox dogmas or doctrines to which one must adhere in order to be thought "true" to the Gods and ancestors. Again...words I needed to hear so much. I am not encountering the rigidity that I've seen in other reconstructionist paths, although I'm sure there are those elements in the Norse path. Nearly everyone I've encountered on this path, who have claimed to be recons, have always applied those criteria only to themselves. Live and let live seems to be the prevailing wisdom.
Another thing I read today that brightened my heart was (t)he Teutonic tradition is one that values change and flux. It is also common for true folk to change their view of the Gods and Goddesses as their knowledge of the lore deepens and is brought together with their life experiences. To me, these are magickal words. I had been putting off any kind of practice or worship because I didn't want to do it wrong. This was a combination of my Christian experiences and the Greek period, in which everywhere I turned was the fear that not doing it right invoked hubris from the gods. For some of you that seems a bit incomprehensible that anyone could be afraid to worship the gods, but I can assure you it was a very real fear of mine.
Learn as I go? What a concept.
So, I feel the pull to just wing it and let it happen. Light the candles. Talk to the gods. Have heart-to-hearts with the ancestors. Connect with the past and live in the present. Don't even worry about feeling a connection yet. Just do it.
It feels like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders and more and more like this path has much to offer me. And much that I can offer in return.
And now...off to read some more.
I'm ready.
In addition to Our Troth, volumes 1 & 2, I also bought True Hearth, by James Allen Chisholm. It's a slim book and the proof-reading leaves a lot to be desired, but the information in it is pretty darned good. He makes a claim in Chapter 3 that (i)n the Ring of Troth there is no such thing as a "heretic." How I loved to read those words, especially having lived in on a spiritual path that made everyone a heretic at one point or another, depending on who was interpreting the scriptures. There is no set of orthodox dogmas or doctrines to which one must adhere in order to be thought "true" to the Gods and ancestors. Again...words I needed to hear so much. I am not encountering the rigidity that I've seen in other reconstructionist paths, although I'm sure there are those elements in the Norse path. Nearly everyone I've encountered on this path, who have claimed to be recons, have always applied those criteria only to themselves. Live and let live seems to be the prevailing wisdom.
Another thing I read today that brightened my heart was (t)he Teutonic tradition is one that values change and flux. It is also common for true folk to change their view of the Gods and Goddesses as their knowledge of the lore deepens and is brought together with their life experiences. To me, these are magickal words. I had been putting off any kind of practice or worship because I didn't want to do it wrong. This was a combination of my Christian experiences and the Greek period, in which everywhere I turned was the fear that not doing it right invoked hubris from the gods. For some of you that seems a bit incomprehensible that anyone could be afraid to worship the gods, but I can assure you it was a very real fear of mine.
Learn as I go? What a concept.
So, I feel the pull to just wing it and let it happen. Light the candles. Talk to the gods. Have heart-to-hearts with the ancestors. Connect with the past and live in the present. Don't even worry about feeling a connection yet. Just do it.
It feels like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders and more and more like this path has much to offer me. And much that I can offer in return.
And now...off to read some more.
Awesome. All of it. Just awesome. Learn as we go, let it happen, wing it - true freedom.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tana. Odd how something so simple can be so profound and yet so out of reach when you're searching for it.
ReplyDelete