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Post by Allec on Sept 3, 2015 15:27:24 GMT -6
I was thinking of looking into a terrarium, Callisto! I may re-look into it now that I've moved.
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Boggan
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Religion: Gaelic Polytheist
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Post by Boggan on Sept 7, 2015 8:30:30 GMT -6
My own connection with the land I live in has been a very slow process. I'm originally from Canada but have lived in Florida for the last twenty seven years, since I was a child. I've always hated the hot weather, the humidity and the fact that the only season change we get is the changing of the colors of the license plates as the snowbirds (seasonal residents) return and clog up our roads. Add in some flying palmetto bugs, plenty of spiders and snakes and you might understand my lack of a connection.
But, recently, as I've been working with the local spirits and taking the time to understand and appreciate some facets of the land around me, I've begun to enjoy it. Venerating Manannan Mac Lir has been a blessing as well since I can now appreciate and perhaps even love the beach and the ocean. I used to be deathly afraid of the water (two near drowning will do that!) but I've found peace in my work since then. So, yeah, it can certainly take work, time and effort!
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calluna
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Post by calluna on Sept 15, 2015 10:59:41 GMT -6
Question! Is it wrong to honour the gods and spirits on land for another faith? My Da is Christian and runs the grounds team for his church (and I get dragged along to meetings because he'll give in and do things he shouldn't unless I'm there to stop him.) The church has a walking/hiking trail in the woods and wetlands surrounding it, about 3/4 of a mile. It's an easy hike, and open to anyone, of any faith, but there are Bible verses posted now and then along it. However, at the same time, there are fairy gardens, faces put on trees, statues of animals here or there, and large flat stones that basically make perfect altar/offering places. They've basically invited the sidhe in with signs like "fairy crossing" and the fairy gardens...but do you think it's wrong to commune with the spirits and gods and sidhe on a church's property? I'm kind of stuck in two minds.
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Boggan
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Post by Boggan on Sept 15, 2015 12:26:06 GMT -6
I can give my outlook on it as someone who is in a similar situation. I belong to a Unitarian Universalist church and work there as well. We have a diverse representation of faiths in the congregation, ranging from Christians, Buddhists and Wiccans to Agnostics and Atheists. The grounds include a peace garden and some trails. There is a lovely spot by this brook near the peace garden that I use to make offerings to the local spirits as well as to the gods and it feels right to do so, even if the land itself is devoted to many faiths and not just one. If you feel a connection to the place and it seems inviting to the spirits, gods and the Sidhe, then by all means, let that connection come. I see no harm in communing in such a manner as it certainly sounds like a place that is inviting it and as long as you are respectful.
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moonbaby
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Post by moonbaby on Sept 18, 2015 11:54:20 GMT -6
Connecting to the land is what brought me to Irish Polytheism. I grew up in Northeastern PA and could easily be in the middle of nowhere if I felt the need to get away. Now I live in a concrete jungle that I am very much sick of, but it is unrealistic to go elsewhere until after I finish school. I have a big yard (for living in the city) and it's nearly all cement and gravel. The first year, I managed to grow myself a pretty decent vegetable garden in planter boxes before cold weather came along and then I was hit with an intense bout of seasonal depression. I made sure to really embrace the coming of spring and tripled the size of my garden. I even managed to grow several 8+ feet tall sunflowers and my yard has been filled with bees all summer. I also made sure there was at least 1 plant in every room of my house, that way the coming of winter (hopefully) wouldn't affect me so badly. Somewhere in the springtime, my appreciation for the changing of seasons became evident and, after much research, I starting incorporating the honoring of Irish deities in my nature veneration. For the first time in my life, I'm actually looking forward to cooler weather and am eager to see how this new path will help me once the dead of winter is here.
It is also worth mentioning that I was a life-long atheist and come from a family that can't get along to save their lives, so holidays have never been anything special to me. Being surrounded by plant-life makes celebrating the seasonal festivals feel more "natural" to me.
It's my first post, so my apologies for the mini-biography haha. My advice is to start small. I kept a couple succulents in my windowsills and that's really what kickstarted my sudden need to have more plants. Now I travel outside the city just to be completely engulfed by them.
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Boggan
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Post by Boggan on Sept 18, 2015 16:52:14 GMT -6
Living in a city can be quite challenging for those who take solace and spirituality in nature. I'm glad you are able to find some comfort in the changing of the seasons.
Oh and welcome to the forums!
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Searlait
Junior Member
Posts: 63
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Religion: Gaelic Polytheist
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Post by Searlait on Sept 29, 2015 16:09:48 GMT -6
I recently went to a ritual where we honored the genus loci of the rivers in our area. We offered them cornmeal (I don't remember the reasoning besides it being super harmless) and meditated on all the ways the rivers sustain our communities even in a suburban/urban area. Calling the goddesses by the rivers' names really helped personify them for me. It also helps that most of the rivers in my region are names taken from local Native American words.
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Post by Allec on Sept 30, 2015 1:04:03 GMT -6
I need to connect to the local river...it's hard when there are so few access points :/
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Searlait
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Post by Searlait on Oct 22, 2015 11:53:31 GMT -6
Allec If it helps, we weren't near a river. We just threw the offerings into the fire.
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Post by Allec on Oct 25, 2015 21:19:17 GMT -6
It's nice to know I'm not the only person who wants to honor rivers but can't get close to them xD
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Scrivener
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Post by Scrivener on Feb 29, 2016 3:02:49 GMT -6
Allec I am from Omaha, so I understand what you mean about the desolate plains. If you haven't discovered it already, definitely look up Fontenelle Forest. It has pretty awesome hiking and it winds down near the river. They also have a little raptor rehabilitation area, which I thought was awesome. Mahoney State Park is also very good, but I haven't been there in a couple of years. Indian Caves State Park is wonderful, too. I'm trying to give you some more forest-y areas that hopefully aren't too far out of your way. Indian Caves is probably going to be the hardest to get to, but I love that park.
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Post by Allec on Feb 29, 2016 10:07:00 GMT -6
Are you currently in Omaha?! Anyway, I -love- Fontenelle Forest, it's just a matter of time and money to visit :/ Same thing with Mahoney State Park, though I think I live closer to that now? I never heard of Indian Caves State Park, but I'll look into it! And thanks for focusing on the forest-y areas haha...Those are definitely the ones I'm most interested in
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Scrivener
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Post by Scrivener on Feb 29, 2016 19:50:21 GMT -6
Forgive me because I'm on mobile. I am unfortunately not in Omaha, but I live in Sioux City just north of there. Looking to move back hopefully sooner rather than later.
I connect a lot to the foresty areas, so I'm always on the look out for new places to enjoy. Another place you might like up by Blair is Desoto park. It is a little bit more marshy and watery, but I like it a lot because in the summer you can see large amounts of ducks, cranes, etc.
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Post by Allec on Mar 5, 2016 20:56:25 GMT -6
If you ever visit or move back, let me know! I'll treat you to coffee or tea~ Ooo I like swampy areas. Reminds me of the creeks I grew up with in PA
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Scrivener
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Post by Scrivener on Mar 7, 2016 1:23:50 GMT -6
Allec I come back from time to time! My SO goes to Creighton and lives in Omaha and then I've got family who pester me a bit if I "fall off the face of the earth" for too long. We should definitely meet up when we get the spare time!
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