The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum

I'm not sure what I'm asking in this thread. I guess, if anyone has felt this way before, what did you do? I'm not looking to leave Kemeticism; I love my Gods and my Patron especially. Yet I feel like Kemeticism is not inspiring me to put that spirituality and love into practice.

 
I've been watching the various discussions in the Kemeticism SIG with a lot of interest. To an extent, I've been where you are now - I worked with Athena and Dionysus for nearly all of my Paganhood, but was still struggling spiritually and unable to find the connection I needed. I felt nudged in the direction of Druidry and have now found a host of Celtic deities (Brighid and Manannan, at the moment) who are opening new paths for me. While I feel that I can (or will) one day return to the Theoi, right now Hellenic work has completely dropped off my radar. (My one exception is honoring Persephone's ascent from and descent to the underworld during the Spring and Fall Equinoxes.)

Sometimes... you just really need a change of scenery. And now you have the background experience to know what's spiritually effective for you, how much time you have to spend on devotions, and what you're looking for in a religious path. It can be scary and disconcerting, especially if you have the sense of your gods pushing you out of the nest to see if you can fly. It was really scary to feel like Athena and Dionysus were just cutting me loose to go do my own thing.

Maybe your Patron (Set, is it?) will follow you into the wild and wooly reaches of Japanese folk religion. Maybe He'll stand to the side and wait for you to learn whatever it is you need to learn. But I do believe that our gods want what's best for us and have a unique vantage point we just can't see from. Something that may seem aimless and random to you may be just what the doctor ordered. Best of luck, Firaza.

Sometimes... you just really need a change of scenery. And now you have the background experience to know what's spiritually effective for you, how much time you have to spend on devotions, and what you're looking for in a religious path. It can be scary and disconcerting, especially if you have the sense of your gods pushing you out of the nest to see if you can fly. It was really scary to feel like Athena and Dionysus were just cutting me loose to go do my own thing.

Maybe your Patron (Set, is it?) will follow you into the wild and wooly reaches of Japanese folk religion. Maybe He'll stand to the side and wait for you to learn whatever it is you need to learn. But I do believe that our gods want what's best for us and have a unique vantage point we just can't see from. Something that may seem aimless and random to you may be just what the doctor ordered. Best of luck, Firaza.

 
Thank you. I still feel my Patron's presence strongly, though Anpu (not Set, though I have worked with Him before) tends to be the type to silently watch as I go about my life, giving advice only when I seek it. Maybe I should consult Him, as I've always done.

For months, I've struggled with the knowledge that I get so much from even simply observing Shinto practices versus the feeling of obligation to the Kemetic path. I dealt with it by putting off any decision-making, blaming my busy school schedule instead for my lack of practice. Maybe it's time to jump into the fire feet-first.

Sounds similar to what happened to me a few years ago. Check out my post in the "Who are you working with" thread--I think it's in the Interfaith folder, but don't quote me (so to speak). I'm very inept at technical things like linking to threads and such. I pretty much sent up a flare saying "I'm here, who's listening?"

 
I went to read it. I'm familiar with Buddhism and do, in fact, take a few Buddhist teachings to heart, but for me, they are more like life guidelines. What's more fascinating (and powerful) to me is just how accepted Shinto is among the Japanese.

During one of my first days in Japan, I went on a tour of Inuyama Castle. The tour guide said, quite matter-of-factly, as if it were the most normal concept in the world, that the broken tree next to the castle had protected the castle from a lightning strike that would have destroyed one of Japan's national treasures. That alone was reason enough for the Japanese to believe that a kami lived in the tree. They had erected a roof over the remains of the tree and had tied gohei around the trunk. The Japanese regularly leave offerings of lucky coins at the tree's base, thanking the kami for protecting the castle.

I was so affected by the kami's power -- a power I tangibly felt, standing next to the tree -- that it's been with me ever since.

Hmm, I'm not really sure where I wanted to go with that rambling. :p Hopefully it's elaborated on what I'm basically looking for.

Thank you. I still feel my Patron's presence strongly, though Anpu (not Set, though I have worked with Him before) tends to be the type to silently watch as I go about my life, giving advice only when I seek it. Maybe I should consult Him, as I've always done.

Anpu, got it. I read so much from the Kemetic SIG I probably got you confused with someone else. Definitely, ask Him for some advice. Sometimes being really upfront and honest is the best. Let Him know you're worried/upset, but also looking forward to whatever-it-is.

I dealt with it by putting off any decision-making, blaming my busy school schedule instead for my lack of practice. Maybe it's time to jump into the fire feet-first.

 
Been there, done that, t-shirt in the mail.

Anpu, got it. I read so much from the Kemetic SIG I probably got you confused with someone else. Definitely, ask Him for some advice. Sometimes being really upfront and honest is the best. Let Him know you're worried/upset, but also looking forward to whatever-it-is.

 
Probably me XD I'm Kemetic, and on the Shinto path as well- and work with Set

-Devo

I really love this about Shintoism. It's so peaceful. So simple. When I was focusing on Shintoism, I didn't feel the need to GODORITUALEXACTLYRIGHTEVERYDAY. I just was. It was nice.

If you're interested in exploring Shintoism, I'd recommend you look into Tsubaki Grand Shrine of America. Rev. Barrish is very good at explaining things, and pointing people in the right direction. They have an FB page which is also nice.

Not sure if there is much else I can offer about your situation. It's probably best to just take the plunge, and see where you end up

-Devo

 
I've heard of the Tsubaki Grand Shrine and have made it one of my goals to visit it as soon as I can. I live on the East Coast, though, so getting to Washington state is a bit of a trip for me! I guess I'll have to work up the courage to contact the Reverend if it comes to it.

Thank you. I still feel my Patron's presence strongly, though Anpu (not Set, though I have worked with Him before) tends to be the type to silently watch as I go about my life, giving advice only when I seek it. Maybe I should consult Him, as I've always done.

 
I mean, if it's helpful to remember, Anpu is called "Guide to the Lost" for good reason, and if anyone understands moving on the edges between worlds, He does.  That and, well, psychopomps are everywhere because Their work is everywhere, all the time.  I don't think you'd have to leave Him behind.