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 Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2011 4:15 pm
I have decided that I am going to attempt to forge my own Path, to become an Eccletic. The thread I posted, your guys' responses, my own thoughts and musings and speaking with my mother led me to this conclusion: I am not a group person. I dont like people. And as much as I'd like to feel a sense of community from Worship I dont think there is any group out there that is right for me, that I could wholly believe in and follow. So if there is no group for me than I must form my own Path. This feels right. It's scary as hell and so I am trying to shy away from it but I am not going to let myself. I am posting here to make it official. I am also gonna be borrowing and adapting from here and there. I cant come up with everything myself and I need to expose myself to more ideas. That being said I will not be foolish enough to just pick and choose. I will be responsible about it, do research and make sure I understand everything and its context before taking. I feel suspicously like there was something else I was going to put here. Until I remember..... I am done.
The O is for Open so please come on in and ask questions! If possible only post once so I get a chance to reply to everyone. Thanks guys. And really I mean it. I could never have come this far without you.
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Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2011 4:16 pm
Table of Contents
Section 1- Old 30 Days information for my referencing
Section 2- Tenets
Section 3- Beliefs
Section 4- Cosomology
Section 5- Not sure yet but something will be here
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Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2011 4:17 pm
Day 1- Why Not Paganism?
While I have stated elsewhere that I have always had a certain pull towards Gods and Goddesses in general it has not been until recently that it culminated into a desire to become Pagan.
Before that I simply believe something existed that organized and for lack of a better word 'ruled' things but what it was I had no clue nor could I understand it. And I left it at that. In Highschool I was in the IB program, and at least for me, because of the inherent mixing up of cultures you had three groups. The deeply devout kids, either Christian or Muslim, though the Christian kids tended to be much louder about it and got the most riled up when 'poked' shall we say. The next group was those that were religious but not that devout or out of a devotion to family. The last group, where I kinda just got put, was the Atheists/Non-religious.
Because I left it at, I cant understand it, I was fairly secular and to a degree arrogant about it which meant that in a lot of the discussions we had I was an a**. I admit it freely. Some of the kids tried to convert me but I would have nothing to do with it. However once out of high school I was exposed by some friends to a few Pagan ideas and they kinda stuck. Unlike Christianity or Islam, which I have read some portions of the Bible and Qu'ran and had it explained by trusted friends, I didnt feel like these higher beings 'ruled' me and demanded subservience. Instead I felt they wanted to help and nurture and that you showed appreciation, and respect but not servitude. That was the main draw for me.
So I started to do some research, looking into my own heritage's ancient religions, namely Zoroastrianism. While quite a few of the concepts made sense to me, such as the idea that we are fighting for Good via our actions, there was still that tone of superiority, of being ruled, of never being able to question anything. Which does not work for me. So I kept looking. I found Wicca, but after having been explained what it is(again thanks guys), I have decided Wicca is not for me.
I am not fertility centered, while confused I still know that I am not that.
So in short I am drawn to Paganism because unlike the other religions I have been exposed to its members do not seem hypocritical, one is not expected to the absolute servant and slave of some higher being and that I can really relate to the Gods. How can you relate to some perfect all encompassing being, like the God of Christiantiy? I cant but in the case of the Gods and Goddesses I can understand them.
Day 2-Belief-Cosmology
Well since I dont really have a set Path right now I am not really sure what to put here. Especially since I have conflicting and paradoxical thoughts on this. While to me Reincarnation makes the most sense, even in terms of science, I still hold the notion that the Dead are separate from us and are Somewhere and possibly Somewheres based on their deeds in life. And to be frank thats really all I am concerned with. Death while it scares me is not what I am hung up on, I want to live here and now in a way that makes me happy and gives me meaning.
Day 3-Beliefs-Deities
As for this..its hard to say. I have not yet been claimed by and God or Goddess nor have I really had any experience I could tie to any of Them. All I know for sure is they definitely exist and that I am a hard polytheist though...still not too comfortable with that idea yet. The only things in Nature or really period I have felt anything that could maybe count as Spiritual is in the Ocean and when I see the Moon. I think the Gods and Goddesses care, they are much wiser than us(duh), and want to help us because....well I dunno why really it just seems the would. Perhaps in Their wisdom they have see we need help and know they can. But being so new I am not fully formed on my ideas here.
I guess this can go here but....yeah. I have come.to.a.few conclusions andg.I.don't like them.at all. Each relates to Fear. First part of my reluctance and maybe problem with finding a Path or hell direction in life is I am terrified. I am really not much more than a scared little boy. I am scared of losing control.of.letting anything influence me of being controlled that religion scares me and I don't want.to be influenced. I am scared of becoming some.religious extremist, or.just...crazy. And I am just as scared of being a hippocrate. So really the only thing.I believe in at the end.is Fear
Sorry for any.grammar or.misspellings I am on my phone
Another conclusion. I realize now that in me and, in my thinking, in everyone is an animal. Humans are animals. There is a beast in us and we have to accept that. That means not repressing it, but understanding it. Balancing it with...whatever the opposite of it would be called. Not letting either rule. Repressing it makes us snap. Giving into it makes us far too dangerous. But sometimes you just gotta let the beast out to romp for a bit.
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Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2011 4:18 pm
Section 2- Tenets
For lack of a better word here is where I am going to put the Tenets of my Path, the basic conclusions from which I will base all else. These tenets may change, be wrong, be removed or added to. I just dont know right now.
Tenet 1- Wandering
Here I am using the word in its adjective form. I am taking it to mean moving from place to place without a fixed plan; roaming; rambling. What I mean by this is that my Path is just as much about finding out what my Path is as it is about anything else. My Path is seeking out and searching for my Path and what should and shouldnt be on my Path. But I am also not just searching, not just seeking, I am also letting the Gods and Goddesses, Life, Fate, Destiny everything push me along to. In simple terms I am also letting myself see where Life takes me too.
Tenet 2- The Aspects of the world
To me the world around us and everything in it, including us is made up of three aspects: The Physical, The Mental and a third Aspect. I am not sure what to exactly label this third Aspect. Its not quite Spiritual, nor is pure Emotion or anything else. Really the best way to describe it for me is that its the not the Physical and not the Mental. For now I shall call it Energy but I dont think this is the right word. Basically what I am saying is anything is made up of three things, what is in front of us(the Physical), what we think or mentally perceive to be in front of us(the Mental) and what we feel about the object in front of us(the Energy). Not quite sure I worded this right.
Tenet 3- Elements
1) To me as stated everything is made up of the Physical, Mental and the Energy. In the same way that the Physical is made up of atoms building up together, and that the Mental is made up of mental concepts and ideas building up together the Energy is made up of the Elements. The Energy Aspect of anything is made up of Elements.
2) This therefore means Elements exist. But I havent a clue how many, which ones, how they are arranged and ordered and how they build up Energy. But that's ok, I am going to figure that out hopefully
3) That being said there are some elements that have to exist. Physical and Scientific proof state so. So here they are for now.
Fire, Water, Earth, Air, Time, Space, Life, Death, Reality and Non-Reality. Things like Night and Day obviously exist but they would fall under the category of Time just like Rain would fall under Water.
Tenet 4- People are made up of Elements
If everything is made up of Elements and so people are too. And I think we are made up of every Element that exists. How and why and such I dont know. But I also think people tend to take on Attributes of those Elements and people have a tendency to become most 'like' some of them. And for now I believe this means I am most like Earth. It also would logically mean that, sense I have yet to prove other Elements, people would take Attributes from those above.
Tenet 5- There must be Balance
I am not sure if Balance should be an Element or not. Its certainly a possibility. That being said I believe that the Universe seeks a Balance. Not necessarily that there everything has to have an opposite but that something somewhere Balances it. I am also not too sure what the difference is
Tenet 6- In everyone is an Animal
This is by far the Tenet that relates least to the other ones but I nonetheless believe it to be true. And trust me as soon as I figure out how it fits with the others I will let you know. But I believe that everyone has a tendency in them to be Animalistic. How much so, how often and such depends but everyone does. It's what drives us to live, to have children and sex, to eat when we are hungry and to sleep when we are tired. It is our Violence and Anger and Rage and Passion and Emotion. And every now and then it needs to come out.
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Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2011 4:29 pm
Section 3- Beliefs
Unfortunately I cant think of a good way to arrange this. So for now its a list.
-I believe the Dead go somewhere. How, where, why, how long? Not sure. Reincarnation makes the most sense. But I still believe my Ancestors are there watching me. Perhaps their Souls go somewhere and their Energy back in a new Body.
-Love is important, is for me but not others necesarrily between two people a man and a woman and in such both people play certain roles to help themselves and their partner. And if it is between many people each contributes something to the overall relationship.
- I am a hard polytheist though this is very new to me and so I am fairly certain I have offended the Gods by misspeakin. Actually being religious and thinkin bout what I say because of that is new.
-Kinda obvious but putting it down here anyway I believe that the Gods and Goddesses exist. Who they are exactly, and all that I havent a clue.
-I believe that you outta do good for.the sake.of it.
- I definitely believe in Good and Evil Honor and Justice.
-Being in the Element I most resemble, Earth, I am stronger. I feel better. Nature in general makes me feel stronger.
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Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2011 4:33 pm
Section 4- Cosomology
I hold to the Cosomology of the Norse.
I worship Thor and Odin.
I have a Spirit Ally, whom I refer to at the moment only as My Bear.
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Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2011 4:35 pm
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Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2011 4:35 pm
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Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2011 4:37 pm
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Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2011 7:19 am
After reading through properly, I think you're doing this in the wrong direction. You're mapping out what you believe now and that's good - this stuff is really useful to have, so you can look back on it and see how things have changed. But these things are likely to change, perhaps drastically, if you start to worship specific deities, as they will already have a cosmology and a paradigm into which they fit.
Find the cultures that appeal most to you first, and then work off've them. It's really hard relating to deities if you're already set in a different paradigm, and you won't be able to respectfully fit them into something they are the wrong shape for. You don't need to be a recon to find real value in historical research.
What you have now is useful in that you can see what other cultures and religions might be similar. But don't set it in stone because you'll end up re-evaluating most of it as you go.
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Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2011 7:28 am
Sanguina Cruenta After reading through properly, I think you're doing this in the wrong direction. You're mapping out what you believe now and that's good - this stuff is really useful to have, so you can look back on it and see how things have changed. But these things are likely to change, perhaps drastically, if you start to worship specific deities, as they will already have a cosmology and a paradigm into which they fit. Find the cultures that appeal most to you first, and then work off've them. It's really hard relating to deities if you're already set in a different paradigm, and you won't be able to respectfully fit them into something they are the wrong shape for. You don't need to be a recon to find real value in historical research. What you have now is useful in that you can see what other cultures and religions might be similar. But don't set it in stone because you'll end up re-evaluating most of it as you go. Mm. I see what you're saying. I think. But, if I am understanding properly, I dont have a set cosmology specifically because I dont know which Gods or Goddesses I will end up worshiping. And my Paradigm doesnt include anything that would affect how I worship the Gods...does it? Maybe I am doing this wrong way? If I understand what you're saying is find cultures that appeal to me and work off of that. If you mean that it would best to keep this but not hold to it and find a culture that suits me and take that as my beliefs....I cant do that. I dont fit in any group. Which is why I would pick and choose like I said. I have tried to find an established Path or Culture I fit in and I always find something that really appeals to me but something that rejects me in it. If you mean take ideas, respectfully and in context, from Cultures I relate to and use that as the basis for my Path thats what I am trying to do. Most of the Tenets are Concepts I encountered elsewhere. This is just the begining though. I think I put it in there somewhere I am going to let the Gods and Goddesses and Life push me in directions too. If I come across something that suits me really really well then I will take that as my beliefs and consider this the step that got me there. But I dont think it will happen.
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Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2011 7:46 am
PersianPapiiChulo Mm. I see what you're saying. I think. But, if I am understanding properly, I dont have a set cosmology specifically because I dont know which Gods or Goddesses I will end up worshiping. And my Paradigm doesnt include anything that would affect how I worship the Gods...does it? Yeah, it does. Your elemental system will not jive with any Pagan religion I know about. For some religions this isn't an issue at all, for others the elements are pretty important. Valued qualities change from religion to religion. Standards of behaviour change. Rules and laws change. Approved offerings change. Ritual forms change. Now you don't have to, as an eclectic, do ritual in a historically inspired way, but you should know how the gods you are worshipping used to be worshipped, because it's a lot easier to understand them that way. Quote: Maybe I am doing this wrong way? If I understand what you're saying is find cultures that appeal to me and work off of that. If you mean that it would best to keep this but not hold to it and find a culture that suits me and take that as my beliefs....I cant do that. I dont fit in any group. Which is why I would pick and choose like I said. I have tried to find an established Path or Culture I fit in and I always find something that really appeals to me but something that rejects me in it. So, what does this mean? What are you picking and choosing from? How are you choosing? Do you understand the things you are taking in their original contexts before taking them? Who are you worshipping? This is the important part. If you're setting all this up in hopes that the god you're going to worship will nestle easily into your system, it doesn't work that way. You have said that no gods have come calling, but that you are a hard polytheist... so what does this mean for your religion? Will it be non-theistic, until a god shows an interest? If a god does, what will you change? Quote: If you mean take ideas, respectfully and in context, from Cultures I relate to and use that as the basis for my Path thats what I am trying to do. Most of the Tenets are Concepts I encountered elsewhere. Which is fine, but what happens if these conflict with the gods you end up worshipping?
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Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2011 8:20 am
Sorry I am so terrible at forum posting. My responses are in Green. Sanguina Cruenta PersianPapiiChulo Mm. I see what you're saying. I think. But, if I am understanding properly, I dont have a set cosmology specifically because I dont know which Gods or Goddesses I will end up worshiping. And my Paradigm doesnt include anything that would affect how I worship the Gods...does it? Yeah, it does. Your elemental system will not jive with any Pagan religion I know about. For some religions this isn't an issue at all, for others the elements are pretty important. Valued qualities change from religion to religion. Standards of behaviour change. Rules and laws change. Approved offerings change. Ritual forms change. Now you don't have to, as an eclectic, do ritual in a historically inspired way, but you should know how the gods you are worshipping used to be worshipped, because it's a lot easier to understand them that way. So then I would need to make sure it works with that religion or....just scrap it. Quote: Maybe I am doing this wrong way? If I understand what you're saying is find cultures that appeal to me and work off of that. If you mean that it would best to keep this but not hold to it and find a culture that suits me and take that as my beliefs....I cant do that. I dont fit in any group. Which is why I would pick and choose like I said. I have tried to find an established Path or Culture I fit in and I always find something that really appeals to me but something that rejects me in it. So, what does this mean? What are you picking and choosing from? How are you choosing? Do you understand the things you are taking in their original contexts before taking them? Who are you worshipping? This is the important part. If you're setting all this up in hopes that the god you're going to worship will nestle easily into your system, it doesn't work that way. You have said that no gods have come calling, but that you are a hard polytheist... so what does this mean for your religion? Will it be non-theistic, until a god shows an interest? If a god does, what will you change? I would be picking and choose from the concepts and ideas in other Paths. From anything from Heathenism to Buddhism to Egyptian Re-Con. To books or movies. I would be choosing concepts that make sense to me. I would be choosing based on them making sense and feeling right to me. And I would do my best to make sure I understand the original context first.
I was pretty much leaving the Gods out of it for now because I thought I could establish all this first and then seek Gods. If Gods showed interest in me I would change things to suit them. I am not worshiping any of the Gods. Not yet. Quote: If you mean take ideas, respectfully and in context, from Cultures I relate to and use that as the basis for my Path thats what I am trying to do. Most of the Tenets are Concepts I encountered elsewhere. Which is fine, but what happens if these conflict with the gods you end up worshipping? But I dont know if I can even do this or....How do I put this? Groups dont work for me I now realize. I dont think it's possible for me to actually worship the Gods in an established manner. And that seems to be the only proper way to do it. What I am saying is that I dont think there is a Place for me anywhere among the established Paths or even among any of the Gods and Goddesses. I feel a bit like the kid no one wants to play with so I am trying to make a Place for myself. And in doing so I am hoping to find where I am actually supposed to be. I still believe the Gods exist and care...I just dont think they have any particular interest in me.
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Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2011 8:16 pm
So basically...You're currently building all this around what suits your spiritual and emotional groove right now, with no Gods involved. You believe that the Gods exist but that you haven't met them yet and you don't worship any of them at present. If one, or more should make themselves known in a significant way, or you happen to encounter a pantheon or path that you were unaware of that seems to suit you, you will change your outlook accordingly. Does that sound about right?
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Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2011 6:51 am
CalledTheRaven So basically...You're currently building all this around what suits your spiritual and emotional groove right now, with no Gods involved. You believe that the Gods exist but that you haven't met them yet and you don't worship any of them at present. If one, or more should make themselves known in a significant way, or you happen to encounter a pantheon or path that you were unaware of that seems to suit you, you will change your outlook accordingly. Does that sound about right? Yep. That is pretty much it. Thats kinda the essence of the Path. It changes as I need it to. Not on a whim but as my Spiritual needs change so would it. If one or more of them made themselves known, or I did find a Path or Pantheon that worked for me, I would count that as something that changed my Spiritual needs so my Path changes.
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