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Polytheism and Archetypal Deities Posted Thursday, May 08, 2008 by Randall
I know many of you are hard polytheists and was wondering ** what you think about the various archetypal deities worshipped by Wiccans and others. I'm talking about deities such as the Green Man & Woman, the Oak and Holly Kings, the Earth Mother, the Horned God, so forth and so on ad nauseum.
Do you believe they exist? If so, in what context? Do they have specific names or only these titles?
** Of course, I'm not discluding (?) all the various degrees of polytheism represented here, I'm interested in all viewpoints and want to see what everyone thinks about this.
An Orthodoxy of Fear? Posted Tuesday, May 06, 2008 by Randall
I think this has been touched on briefly in the Cill SIG, but I think it's an appropriate discussion for this SIG as well.
Erynn Rowan Laurie's essay on the cr_r LJ community is an interesting and pointed look at the negative atmosphere surrounding Celtic Recon and its attitude to UPG:
Borrowing vs Stealing Posted Monday, May 05, 2008 by Randall
It seems that many folks make a distinction between using concepts from another faith, and misappropriating concepts from another path? Do you believe that there is a line between borrowing and stealing from other religions---or is this a false dichotomy? If you DO think there is a line, what are some examples of how it might be crossed?
Is Sacred Always Spiritual? Posted Monday, May 05, 2008 by Randall
Can you have sacred(ness) without the presence of deity? Need you believe in a spiritual world beyond the physical at all to have sacred associations, items, or moments?
Under Appreciated Authors of Religious/Spiritual Materials? Posted Sunday, May 04, 2008 by Randall
Since many of you are folks that read a wide variety of spiritual materials, I wondered who you think are some of the most under appreciated authors of religious/spiritual materials? This could be for the contributions these folks made directly, or because of their influence on others.
How was your Beltaine? Posted Friday, May 02, 2008 by Randall
As a newbie I'm eager to hear how everyone was celebrating. So what did you plan and how did it work out? Or what are planning if you want to celebrate at the weekend?
Here in Germany there's a holiday on the first of May, because it's workers' day (with the traditional union and left wing demonstrations) and a Christian holiday. Folk tradition is to have a dance on May Eve, drink a lot and in some regions the young men put up a tree at the front of their admired girls houses the next morning.
I've been doing neither of those options. I've been reading articles about Beltane, doing a big (and very necessary) dorm cleaning. Then I've been outside in the forest a bit (it was raining every 5 minutes, but great!). I've done a very small 'ritual' if you can even call it such. Just banished some personal negative energies in a very simple newbie-like way (walking around burning sage and saying a few words), put up wards and lighted a candle. But it was fun! I know that's not necessarily Beltaine work, but I needed it and read somewhere there was the peasant custom to go around the compound and repair fences.
Eclectics Posted Wednesday, April 30, 2008 by Randall
I am interested in hearing from individuals who identify themselves as Eclectic practitioners. What exactly makes up your practice from the standpoint of deities, ceremonies, beliefs, etc. and how did you go about forming it? How do you incorporate new things into your practice as it evolves?
Basically, I'm just trying to find out about Eclecticism from first-hand accounts.
Welcoming a new Tarot deck or any magical tool Posted Wednesday, April 30, 2008 by Randall
Have bought a new deck (Robin Wood) and want to try it out.
Do you use any sort of 'welcome ritual' or meditation to attune yourself to a new magical tool and attune the tool to you? I guess it matters if you have a receptive tool like cards or something you actively works magic with, but well what do you do?
I'm thinking on smudging the deck shortly, though it is fully new. More for the reason to give it my flavor than for cleansing it.
Celtic Creation Myth? Posted Sunday, April 27, 2008 by Randall
To my knowledge there does not exist a complete Celtic creation myth, but there are some fragments and hints floating around out there in different sources.
Have any of you tried taking those fragments and hints and combined them with UPG and/or myths from non-Celtic cultures to come up with a Celtic creation myth? Know of anyone who has?
Warlork or Male Witch? Posted Sunday, April 27, 2008 by Randall
I know the term "Warlock" has been given a bad rap over the years... but I've done a little research on Wiki and found out that the term refers to a Male Witch. However, today's views is that a Warlock is an oathbreaker or one who is banished from a Coven.
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