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Offerings? Posted Thursday, July 02, 2009 by Randall
Now, I know that offerings vary from God(dess) to God(dess), but that's where I'm finding I'm getting confused. I've read where some people offer things sacred to that particular God(dess), and then others wouldn't think about it, and then there are those who wouldn't offer something to a God because it was sacred to someone they really didn't get along with.(an Example of the 3rd one is with Aset, I've heard that she hates pork because its sacred to Set. (BTW I read this particular one on the HON Forums)) I'm curious because I don't want to offer the wrong thing.
So my question is what do you guys do? Do you offer things sacred to them? Do you avoid offering things sacred to them or their "Enemies"? Or is it just a Trial and Error type deal?
What do you think of the principle of turning to religion only when you feel as though you need it? For instance at a time of stress, despair, or loss?
Do you think that there is anything wrong with turning to religion only at these times? Would you say that it is selfish? Disloyal to the God(s) involved?
Does it make a difference if there are no Gods involved with the religion you turn to in your time of need?
Does it make a difference depending on which religion you turn to?
That tricky word "Kemeticism" Posted Tuesday, June 30, 2009 by Randall
I have heard a lot of controversy surrounding this word.
I have heard that it is used specifically by groups who believe that white people should not explore this tradition.
I have also heard that that it is used by people who have left HoN to distinguish themselves from Kemetic orthodoxy.
It seems like there is a lot of baggage connected with the word. To me, the word simply makes sense. If one is Catholic, then one practices Catholicism. So doesn't it naturally follow that if one is Kemetic, one practices Kemeticism?
Despite the fact that the use of the word seems to be just plain proper English, I am find myself concerned about the connotations. I tend to describe myself as a "Kemetic Pagan", or tell people that I am on a "Kemetic Path", rather than use the word "Kemeticism". I'd prefer not to cause drama by inadvertently implying something I did not intend. At the same time, I'm wondering if I'm making too much effort, walking on eggshells to do this when I should just be calling my path what it is.
What do you all think? Is the word "Kemeticism" too hot to handle?
Moving Meditation, Exercise, etc? Posted Friday, June 26, 2009 by Randall
I am one of those people who cannot meditate without having something to think about. I can't turn my brain off; it will get distracted by even the slightest change in environment. I recently spent several months working in a very remote area that was also exceedingly quiet--during the day, I could rest assured knowing there was not another human being within a 5-mile radius, most of the time even more. I would try to meditate sometimes, when it wasn't too hot and the wind was still, and it was the quietest place you could possibly conceive of--yet I'd still get distracted, if not by my own thoughts (and I was extremely un-stressed then), then by the extremely faint sound of a rare car on the highway 7 miles away, or a slight change in air pressure. Needless to say, since I normally live in a large city, tuning out all senses is pretty difficult and I have a hard time meditating. Yoga classes are kind of a wash for me; I stare at the floor and think about the floorboards too much during the meditations.
Anyway, I do exercise a lot. Some of it requires a fair amount of concentration (bike commuting, f'ex) but when I'm at the gym, I can get into a good rhythm on the treadmill or cross-trainer, put on some music, close my eyes, and completely zone out--and after a while I get a hit of endorphins, so happy times, it's a bit of an ecstatic state, but I don't know what to do with it. I think it has something to do with the rhythmic motion, though, as the other times I've reached the same state have either been when I'm dancing or singing.
So I guess I'm asking, does anyone do any kind of meditation while moving or immediately afterward? What do you focus on? Suggestions for resources? Similar experiences? Any thoughts are welcome.
I tend to think of the pentacle as a symbol with a rich history and many meanings. I don't exactly go around dripping with occult jewelry, but I do own a few pieces which are pentacular in nature. I personally associate it with witchcraft and magick and certain old philosophical systems.
But the pentagram-in-circle is also claimed by Wiccans as a somewhat "official" religious symbol. I'm neither Wiccan nor particularly Wiccish, but if wearing a pentacle have sometimes been assumed to be.
I'm curious as to how others in the Pagan community (however one chooses to define that vague term) tend to see it. If you see someone wearing a pentacle, do you assume "Wiccan"? If you're an unWiccish sort, do you ever wear one?
How Do You Regain Your Faith? Posted Sunday, June 21, 2009 by Randall
This is a problem I have always struggled with and have yet to find a solution. Does anyone have any suggestions on what I can do to become a more spiritual and grounded person? Thanks in advance.
I've had a very interesting life when it comes to religion. It seems to chase me. As in, I was raised secularly, and was an atheist...until I had an incredibly powerful experience that led me to believe in some sort of Higher Power. That's how everything seems to work for me...I try to go about living my life how I want to, when suddenly something new will pop into my face. Such as dreaming of angels when I didn't really believe in them, to the point where I started getting hassled by them even when I was awake.
And now I'm getting hassled by a god. I didn't even really believe gods and goddesses existed...but yet again it seems someone's just out to prove me wrong.
The thing is, it's been hard for me dealing with this. Very hard. And the other day something about a "dedication" was mentioned, but not explained. I feel so lost and overwhelmed. My friends told me I'm "god-bothered", and I'm beginning to realize it's futile to try and keep ignoring things. But I don't know what all this dedication would entail, and the last thing I want to do is anger a god.
Is there anyone else here who kinda got pushed or hassled into paganism? Any tips? Thank you guys!
Why Can't You Perform a Spell on a Sabbat? Posted Saturday, June 20, 2009 by Randall
Why can't you perform a spell on a Sabbat? Litha is coming up and some sites suggest it is a good time to do this or that kinda magic but others say you are not allowed to perform magic on a Sabbat. But every book I've ever read has some form of magic performed. Not really a spell but for instance Ann Moura for Ostara she has you plant a seed and wish on it for a purpose and it's supposed to grow and manifest your wish...kinda a spell but not?? So is that a spell? Can you do magical workings on a Sabbat but just not formalized spell work? or neither?
It'll soon be summer solstice here in the Northern Hemisphere, and for those of you who, like me, observe it, I'm sending my best wishes now, since I'll be outdoors all day on June 21 without access to a computer. Same to any of you Southern Hemisphere folks observing the winter solstice.
And speaking of being outdoors all day, keep your fingers crossed for me that, here in the northeastern U.S., in this exceedingly wet June, the 21st will be rain-free!
As those of you who saw my post over on the Prayer and Energy Requests board, a classmate of mine went missing in the Housatonic River on Tuesday. We've been trying to hold out hope, but it rained today and will most likely continue to rain through the weekend, which means they can't get search teams out into the river to look for him. Most of us have started to accept the fact that he... I can't bring myself to even type it, but I think you know what I'm getting at.
This caused me to start thinking about the grieving process. Everybody handles death differently, but does your faith cause you grieve in a certain way? Meaning, do you accept the person's death easier because you know they'll be going to a better place? If you don't believe in an afterlife, do you find it harder to accept that they're gone? Do you pray for their soul or not? Or do you not associate religion with it at all and handle it in a completely unique way?
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