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Post by adolphuscrowfeather on Mar 12, 2015 8:57:05 GMT -6
Well, I have been having some problems lately. Given, I have been on the path for, well, two-three months, and I have a lot of info on my back (so much I think it will be hard to remember all of it.) Well, that isn't my actual problem. My problem is, and it does make sense for people who know what I'm talking about, I can't really practice my religion,.... Not really at all. Like, only hidden in my art projects in Contemporary Crafts and the occasional bloody nose or devotional poem or song, but sadly, I think it isn't enough, and worse yet, I'm sure I'm offering it wrong. I said here before about how songs just pop up, but really since I can't advance in the relationship,the songs have gone quiet, as I feel saying the same song (most I forget) is disrespectful or shows kind of not from the heart at the current moment. I think my so called "grace period" is over, and I am still somewhat confused on what I can really do. Even more so, I feel what I feel for the gods I follow (mainly the Morrigan (still don't know plural or one of the group)) is right, but what I know about them is skewed, messing things up. It's not the easiest to answer I know. But for some one who can not do barely anything in such areas wanted to show great devotion, what is recommended?
Luc once said an mini-shrine, in an Altoid container, but I neither have been able to try it and it seems also not really able to as well... It's amazing how much suspicion I get.
Also, my school work is extensive, and then I have my cool down time from that work, and very little time for my devotions and loves in the path.
And no, I don't feel shutting out the path for 4-8 more years will help at all, and will most likely make me snap as if I lost everything.
P.S. By path I mean Gaelic Polytheisim and my path on it.
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Post by Allec on Mar 12, 2015 20:12:34 GMT -6
Hmm... This is complicated :/ What is it that you want your practice to look like?
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Post by adolphuscrowfeather on Mar 13, 2015 9:52:20 GMT -6
Hmm... This is complicated :/ What is it that you want your practice to look like? Well, I guess I will list for simplicity and if elaborating is needed I will add? Please respect my Aspergers if I have forgotten something or said something wrong, if so I'll expl in future posts (I just love hindered processing... ) - A Relationship With the Deities ( NEVVVVER Godspouse) With Less Focus on "I want or need this, help" (big sacrifice for me kind of) and more of "Hey I love you (not in marrying way of course) and I want to know you as you are and we be best of friends. - Acts of devotion either through offerings, song, poems, or other by deities will. ......it's hard to think what I really want in a practice..... - Gaelic Centered (aka, like mentioned I'm not leaving the beautiful Gaelic Polytheism) - Spiritual Practices /?lore friendly?/ (My Spiritual Feelings are Personal but if Needing Explanation I Will Try To Explain in Full to Protect My Stance To the Lore and Such) - Some "traditional magic" so to speak. I have heard of such, and I think it will help the community and if needed myself (no idea what or how) - somewhat Otherworld "stuff" - I have deducted by lore that the poets path has some sort of divination/foreseeing, ish... So something related to that?(TFBOMT)/look at the poets when they are on the towers/ - To be continued to the furthest extent of my hindered mind.....?  |
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Post by adolphuscrowfeather on Mar 13, 2015 9:53:59 GMT -6
--- Any and I express general other ideas I should consider that can be a part of a practice? That I may not know and should consider?---
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aondeug
Full Member
Posts: 141
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers, He/Him/His
Religion: Thai Theravada, Irish polytheism
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Post by aondeug on Mar 13, 2015 11:49:45 GMT -6
Let's try describing a few things I do or have gone through, I guess. Which might help? I hope it will. Anyway.
With me the relationship with gods thing just kind of. Happened. I am not even sure when or how the feelings I have about Lugh really developed. I assume it was a process over time and one about as impossible to tear apart as "how did I even become friends with this asshole???" One day I just kind of grew very cognizant of the fact while praying and broke down into a fit of crying. It definitely did start out with my making a concerted effort to start looking into him and talking though. The other three that I feel some sort of thing for also fall into "It just sort of happened". They just mean a lot to me. A lot a lot.
I am bad at explaining relationships. Though I guess my point is that it might be something not to stress out about. I mean you definitely have feelings about the Morrígan from what I can tell.
Also I try to make things like exercise a sort of devotional practice? And sometimes cooking or cleaning. Lots of little normal things. Even when I was Buddhist this was one of my standard ways of devoting myself to things. Normal things. Keeping up with schoolwork can be a sort of devotional activity. I did an outline, studied, and specifically made a point of being one of the most active people in a class discussion as a sort of "I'll show you you fuck," to my professor (I love him really but still) and the rest of the class. And this I also saw as a sort of religious thing. Because there's that horrible will to fight and prove something, and there I am doing something and not falling apart because I'm scared. I am not Cú Chulainn or any fancy warrior type by any stretch of the imagination, but I have my own sorts of battles and I think it's important. To try and live out philosophies. And to try and apply things to my life and vice versa. I WILL BREATHE THAT RELIGION.
With offerings if you can't do bigger formal ones I can say that I occasionally pour out bits of my water or coffee for them while I'm walking. No one on my campus really seems to question this or care much about it. Leaving bits of food doesn't seem to alert much attention either.
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Post by saintfelicity on Mar 13, 2015 18:26:04 GMT -6
So I think there's a few things going on here, but mostly it boils down to it sounds like you feel obligated to practice in a certain way, or to be feeling a certain way all of the time? I'll elaborate a bit here, let me know if I'm way off base -
A big problem, I think, with the internet/Tumblr pagan/polytheist community is that because of the way people talk about things and the things people choose to talk about, it creates this perception that you're supposed to be having these incredible revelations, and being able to pour your heart out, absolutely all the time. And I don't think that's the fault of anyone, it's just naturally how the internet is going to go because these are the things that people find the most interesting and the things that people want to talk about.
It is totally, completely okay to say repeated prayers. I think a lot of Gaelic Polytheism is finding sacred in the everyday, and this can absolutely involve routines. Prayers that we have some sort of record of are generally linked to everyday tasks, particularly things like banking the hearth or making food. In a way, I think GP is a lot about lots of little special moments in which you remember the Gods, rather than an obligation to be doing huge service to them. I doubt any deities are upset with you, or giving you a grace period; I'd guess that you might be feeling a little obligated to do something that you're not. Baby steps are important, too! It's good to be able to have those large pour-your-heart-out moments, but not all of your prayers need to be like that.
Another good thing to keep in mind is that in GP, we see the deities as being similar to humans in that they are not omniscient, they have flaws too, sometimes they'll have commitments to attend to. So they won't always be around to listen, and it's okay if you don't feel them all the time. It's about the little moments, and I think when they are around, they see the accumulation of these small moments and very much appreciate them.
Oh and, I just thought of this now - I think there's great power in things that you choose to repeat with intention. Almost like a sigil! If you create for yourself a small prayer to the deities who you are developing a relationship with, maybe even one for each, you can dedicate it to them and then chant it under your breath anytime that you like. I have a little four-note hum I do for the Three when I do my chores; the repetition is great for calming your mind a bit too.
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Post by Allec on Mar 14, 2015 3:24:44 GMT -6
I agree with what everyone so far has said. I know that practices build over time, too. Incorporating everything all at once won't happen--at least, not naturally nor easily.
I plan to Oath myself to Lugh in the fall, and I don't even talk to Him every day. I keep Him constantly in my thoughts, though. And those big moments with Him aren't common--they happen when Lugh has time. Which is yearly at best.
My daily practice wouldn't look like much to other people. I wear devotional jewelry. Sometimes I'll say a prayer if I need help. I try to do offerings when I have something I'm able to offer. I may read some books that pertain to Gaelic Polytheism (lore, history books, articles online, etc.) I may craft something that is in devotion to the Gods. I try to interact with the GP and Polytheist community.
I hope this helps. I also should mention that there's a prayer I sometimes say when holding a piece of jewelry. Same prayer every time, but I always say it with heart.
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veritywhitethorn
Junior Member
Posts: 60
Pronouns: She/her
Religion: Celtic polytheist
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Post by veritywhitethorn on Mar 15, 2015 4:39:05 GMT -6
I think that there's no disrespect in repetition, FWIW; just think about the Lord's Prayer, or the Hail Mary in the Christian/Catholic tradition—same prayers repeated over and over and it's something that's not only tolerated but encouraged.
I say the same prayer (most) every evening when I'm lying in bed waiting to go to sleep; it's one I memorised from Ceiswr Serith (sp?) Book of Pagan Prayer; there's a line for the gods, one for the ancestors, one for the land spirits and one for 'everything else'. It's very simple and only takes a couple of minutes, I usually just say it in my head.
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wickedlittlecritta
Full Member
A tempest in a teacup
Posts: 169
Pronouns: she/her
Religion: Gaelic polytheist
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Post by wickedlittlecritta on Mar 15, 2015 7:58:33 GMT -6
Repetition is also the basis for ritual, really. Like everyone else has said, there's no harm in it at all, but on the flip side, if it's feeling stale and not working for you, there's no harm in changing it.
TBH my daily practice is pretty pathetic and basically consists of random thoughts. I try and work the thing about clockwise movements into it, which mostly means that I rotate images that way, lol. I only do offerings about once a week, but since I usually offer tea I've invented my own little tea ritual with it. Which, again, doesn't look like much, but works for me.
And like saintfelicity said, we're not going to have big revelations every time we approach the gods. We may never have them. (I sure haven't!) And that's okay. It doesn't make our practice any less valid. The gods are just busy and how many divine revelations can they possibly give us without totally breaking us anyway?
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Post by adolphuscrowfeather on Mar 15, 2015 14:26:21 GMT -6
I want to thank everyone for their input. In a way, I think I over hyped myself by brimstone's say in the Morrígan. But still, I have found something I feel works, as I don't fear repetition anymore. Well, like I said in my take of creating music, I made this little thing. By your howl, (Fa Fa ^Do) By your caw, (^Do ^Do Fa) By my bow, (as in the action of bowing) (Fa Fa ^Do) And By your claw, (^ Re ^Do ^Do Fa) I am yours, Phantom Queens. (Fa Fa Do)(Do Do Fa) ----- Then, I begin to do things with the pronouns., so here is the whole thing in full. By your howl, By your caw, By my bow, And By your claw, I am yours, Phantom Queens. By my howl, By your caw, By my bow, And By your claw, I am yours, Phantom Queens. By my howl, By my caw, By my bow, And By your claw, I am yours, Phantom Queens. By my howl, By my caw, By my bow, And By my claw, I am yours, Phantom Queens. By our howls, By our caws, By my bow, And By our claws, I am yours, Phantom Queens. ----- I found it nice and easy to remember and do. And it feels nice to do. Honestly I can't wait to do an oath but have no idea how to. I love the Queens so much even when they aren't there I can't separate from them. If you follow me on tumblr, you even saw my painting/crayon melt I made to her. And to comment, I am a Late teen, able to learn, but not to practice, at least as I'd wish. One house of two maybe, but really don't know. Hi ever, now I feel like I can either way. Kind of like before, my thing is offering things, at least in the way of food. So thanks everyone!  . Things still worried/questionable of or on: - Otherworld things? - Traditional Magic -+ Oathing |
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Post by saintfelicity on Mar 15, 2015 17:10:29 GMT -6
That is absolutely beautiful, adolphus! I'll have to dig around for the source somewhere but if I remember correctly, that sort of repetition and patterns in phrasing is very traditional, I'm sure it will be very appreciated. As far as the other things, I think those are things that all of us are still kind of thinking about, questioning for ourselves, so knowledge of those and how you want to incorporate them will definitely come with time, your own study, and chatting with other people. Especially as far as Oathing, it's advisable to wait quite awhile before making an oath, since it's such a commitment - most people wait years. So especially don't feel like you have to have that figured out so soon! |
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Post by Allec on Mar 15, 2015 22:49:29 GMT -6
(*has been considering oathing for 5 years* *still working on it*)
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Post by adolphuscrowfeather on Mar 16, 2015 20:38:53 GMT -6
That is absolutely beautiful, adolphus! I'll have to dig around for the source somewhere but if I remember correctly, that sort of repetition and patterns in phrasing is very traditional, I'm sure it will be very appreciated. As far as the other things, I think those are things that all of us are still kind of thinking about, questioning for ourselves, so knowledge of those and how you want to incorporate them will definitely come with time, your own study, and chatting with other people. Especially as far as Oathing, it's advisable to wait quite awhile before making an oath, since it's such a commitment - most people wait years. So especially don't feel like you have to have that figured out so soon! Don't worry. I won't oaths so quick. And thanks. . In a way, that Do Re thing only is a short guide, cause passion changes tone a lot. But yeah, I definitely love traditional things, so I won't go mute here! . I just can't wait to get something going. Gaelic Polytheism is a, forgive the pun, godssend, and I couldn't ask for more. Of course, I'm still confused, but in due time, I know it will be, forgive pun again, divine. i just wish I knew how to get time to and how to actually study, and beyond that, well, actually comprehend it. |
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Post by Allec on Mar 16, 2015 20:45:10 GMT -6
Well hopefully with Ashley's summer project and some more resources and topics popping up on these threads, you can make your way to knowing more It'd be impossible for anyone's brain to absorb EVERYTHING there is about Gaelic Polytheism, so try to be patient with yourself. I'm still learning, Ashley's still learning...we're all still learning and it won't ever end. But I'm so happy you feel accepted by the Gaelic Gods and Religion I know the feeling very well haha. |
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cass
Junior Member
Posts: 77
Pronouns: they/their
Religion: Gaelic polytheist
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Post by cass on Mar 24, 2015 13:04:27 GMT -6
i thought you might enjoy knowing that since a lot of irish trad music is heterophonic and uses a great deal of improvised ornamentation, you changing the tone in that way is actually really fitting |
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