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Showing posts with label druidism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label druidism. Show all posts
Friday, October 10, 2014
Thursday, October 9, 2014
Saturday, September 27, 2014
Friday, September 26, 2014
Sunday, September 21, 2014
Mother Earth, Beloved Garden
I attended my local UU church’s outdoor service/picnic today, held in a pavilion next to the beach. And as I had been doing the past few weeks, I asked around to see if there might be any parishioners interested in opening a CUUPs (Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans) chapter at the church. And before the service begun, I briefly glanced at the song printouts and noticed one song was distinctly Pagan, due to addressing the 5 elements of earth, air, fire, water and spirit. (The lyrics are below.) But when we sang it, I noticed that the song wasn’t just Pagan. But distinctly Wiccan. I think this church is going to be a good fit. Mother Earth, Beloved Garden Mother Earth, beloved garden Living treasure under foot, All our days you ground our being: Sage and thistle, grass and root. Herbs to heal us, plants to feed us, Land to till and tend and plow. With the pendant, deep as midnight, North we ask you: be here now. Father Air, your inspiration Holds together all that lives As we breathe, our minds see clearly, Leading us to love and give. Raging whirlwind, whispered breezes, Violent gale and gentle cloud. With the blade as sharp as morning, East we ask you: be here now. Brother Fire, great transformer, Share the passion of the sun. In our hearths, your warmth revives us, Cooks our food and heats our homes. Flaming candle, blood within us, Blazing desert, will to grow. With the wand, directing power, South we ask you: be here now. Sister Water, ever flowing Ocean, river, pond and rain. Drink we now and quench our thirsting; Cleanse us, we begin again. Mist and ice, a host of changes: All that courage will allow With the cup, the holy chalice, West we ask you: be here now. Lover Spirit, intuition In the centre of our souls In your love we find relation. All connected, we are whole. Timeless mystery, quiet conscience, Deepest values, voice inside. With the drum and with the cauldron, This we ask you: be here now
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
What if our patron deity is really our spirit guide through and between multiple lives?
Yes, this is a bit “New Agey,” and may turn off some pagans (and non pagans as well). Also I’m not 100% convinced of reincarnation (or anything spiritual for that matter), but for now I’m going with it.
I’ve been a devotee of Brighid on and off. But if Brighid is just the form that my guide has taken (and taken other forms in the past, like Mary, Kali, Saraswati, etc.) I’ve always been a devotee.
I’ve been in an “on” phase with Brighid these past few months. But then I started reading Dr. Michael Newton’s book “Journey of Souls” which talks about how we all have a “Guide” that accompanies us throughout our lives, and between them. And I thought, what if Brighid is my Guide, or my Guide is Brighid, or is sometimes in the form of Brighid?
And yes, this naturally creates a non-worshipy relationship. More like a best friend, or a big sister or aunt, or college advisor.
I was thinking about this last night during this meditation. Have I known Brighid through many lifetimes? Have we shared wonderful moments between lives? When I head off to a new incarnation, is there a sad farewell? And a joyful reunion when I return? Is she overjoyed when I occasionally pierce through the veil of this illusionary world and “talk” to her? And is she a bit sad when I forget her weeks, months, or years on end? Does she wince when I go through necessary trials in this life that are teaching me the lessons that she and I set up before this incarnation?
All just thoughts. And pleasant ones at that.
I’ve been a devotee of Brighid on and off. But if Brighid is just the form that my guide has taken (and taken other forms in the past, like Mary, Kali, Saraswati, etc.) I’ve always been a devotee.
I’ve been in an “on” phase with Brighid these past few months. But then I started reading Dr. Michael Newton’s book “Journey of Souls” which talks about how we all have a “Guide” that accompanies us throughout our lives, and between them. And I thought, what if Brighid is my Guide, or my Guide is Brighid, or is sometimes in the form of Brighid?
And yes, this naturally creates a non-worshipy relationship. More like a best friend, or a big sister or aunt, or college advisor.
I was thinking about this last night during this meditation. Have I known Brighid through many lifetimes? Have we shared wonderful moments between lives? When I head off to a new incarnation, is there a sad farewell? And a joyful reunion when I return? Is she overjoyed when I occasionally pierce through the veil of this illusionary world and “talk” to her? And is she a bit sad when I forget her weeks, months, or years on end? Does she wince when I go through necessary trials in this life that are teaching me the lessons that she and I set up before this incarnation?
All just thoughts. And pleasant ones at that.
Monday, September 8, 2014
If I had to narrow my Pagan spirituality down to one word, it would probably be "beauty"
I have explored and participated in many paths. And the one thing I appreciate about Paganism is that it takes the world as it is. And to me, the world is largely “beautiful.”
Yes, nature is a big part of Paganism, and my own personal paganism. But what do I get out of nature? Yes, there is wisdom and balance. But there is chiefly beauty. I also get the sense that Paganism is a very sensual religion. There is much to please the eyes, be it candles, color, magical tools, statues or drinking in a sunset. And music, poetry and the sounds of nature for the ears. And so on with touch, taste, and smell…swimming in the ocean, incense, good food and drink, dirt under our feet, wind in our hair, sun on our skin.
And there is beauty in each other. All of us, deep down, are beautiful in our own way. Even if it’s buried under a thick layer of fear and hate. We find beauty in talking and listening and dancing together.
I guess I’m saying that I feel that Pagans enjoy this world. Not think that it is evil, broken, or flawed. We’re not (necessarily) trying to figure everything out. Or make some strict divine being happy. Or convince others of our views.
We're just trying enjoy life as much as we can.
Yes, nature is a big part of Paganism, and my own personal paganism. But what do I get out of nature? Yes, there is wisdom and balance. But there is chiefly beauty. I also get the sense that Paganism is a very sensual religion. There is much to please the eyes, be it candles, color, magical tools, statues or drinking in a sunset. And music, poetry and the sounds of nature for the ears. And so on with touch, taste, and smell…swimming in the ocean, incense, good food and drink, dirt under our feet, wind in our hair, sun on our skin.
And there is beauty in each other. All of us, deep down, are beautiful in our own way. Even if it’s buried under a thick layer of fear and hate. We find beauty in talking and listening and dancing together.
I guess I’m saying that I feel that Pagans enjoy this world. Not think that it is evil, broken, or flawed. We’re not (necessarily) trying to figure everything out. Or make some strict divine being happy. Or convince others of our views.
We're just trying enjoy life as much as we can.
Saturday, September 6, 2014
Idea for a Pagan holiday slogan
You know the Christmas slogan "Jesus is the reason for the season?" Well, what would be a good slogan for Pagans to use during Yule? Or any of the holidays or seasons? Because we are so tied to the four seasons, and celebrate all of them, how about these slogans? The season is the reason for the season Or The season is reason enough Think I’m going to mock up designs and put them on T-shirts in time for Yule. Or even in time for Samhain. Maybe make one for each season, and use colors and plants related to that season.
Friday, September 5, 2014
Thursday, September 4, 2014
A wonderful video of a fellow Pagan's spiritual journey
What a wonderful story and video. As I've found with many Pagans, he and I have similar paths. And I like the idea of writing a spiritual biography and videotaping it to share with the world. Think I might do it myself!
The task of religion is to help us live creatively, peacefully, and even joyously with realities for which there are no easy explanations.
This is a quote by the spiritual author Karen Armstrong. And though she was talking about religion in general, I have always felt that it ESPECIALLY applies to Paganism.
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