Redfaery
Junior Member
Posts: 72
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Religion: Buddhist Polytheism
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Post by Redfaery on Mar 25, 2015 18:02:13 GMT -6
For Shinto, there are actually really great resources out there created by practitioners. Shinto Norito was written by Ann Evans, who is a priestess at the Tsubaki Shrine branch here in America. She was trained in Japan at the Tsubaki Grand Shrine itself, and the High Priest Dr.Yukitaka Yamamoto wrote a very thoughtful and informative Foreword to the book detailing Shinto theology. It is invaluable for a Westerner who intends to visit a shrine, as it describes shrine etiquette down to the last detail. It also lays out the basics for home worship, such as the layout of offerings. Tsubaki Grand Shrine of America also has a really awesome website with lots of information.
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Des
Junior Member
Posts: 53
Pronouns: She, Her, Them, They
Religion: Personal
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Post by Des on Feb 18, 2016 11:25:00 GMT -6
*Flails*
This thing, I'm trying to do this thing!!!
The caveat, is it's GaelPol specific. BUT, I think that the way I am approaching it might be adaptable to a general polytheistic 'How to' guide. I originally made it as a guide for myself, that I could revisit once I answered all my 'questions'. The point was to give me a foundation to start with, but I think that it could REALLY help anybody trying to build a foundation within Gaelic Polytheism. I *think* it's specific enough to guide along a GaelPol path, buuuut open enough that it allows for your own interpretations to be the foundation.
I'm unsure of how the format might translate to a general polytheistic 'how to' guide, though. It might go on the list of "Ideas to toss around", especially if anybody is actually interested in seeing it happen?
As it is, I kiiiind of would like reviews for what I'm creating once it's all written out in a understandable manner... If anybody who sees this post would like to be a critic for it! I want to get as many opinions as possible.
*flounders back on topic*
I know a lot of polytheists might say to start with making an offering of some sort, either to the general spirits with which your religious choice acknowledges (Deities, Ancestors, Specific known spirits of the religion, etc.), but I really think that it might be best to start a practice with thought. This kind of does tie into academic research, but in the same sense, not so much. What I'm trying to convey here, is maybe start by researching the concepts associated with your religion of choice, mark them down, then work on defining them. Once you've defined one, start trying to change your perspective to incorporate that thought. Sometimes changing your perspective to incorporate that thought means letting go of the old thought you bring from another religion that conflicts it in order to replace it with the new thought. Once you feel you have the new concept/thought down, move onto the next. Then the next, then the next. Until you've built this beautiful new perspective that you view the world through every day.
Some thoughts might require action--all of them should, actually--and that action will further reinforce the thought. But the importance is on reinforcing the *thought* until it becomes apart of your normal thinking process.
So, the approach I'm suggesting to practice is to put more emphasis on the thought/concept/perspective building, then the actual action. What I've noticed, through my own experiences and looking back on what I did, is a lot of people told me to do the thing and expected me to know WHY I was being told to do the thing. They expected me to understand what the thing was reinforcing, and not just view it as a thing that pagans/polytheists just do. Or, they gave me the resources that showed WHY but didn't quite explain what the WHY meant? (If that makes ANY sense to ANY of you at all. >.<) Like, "You're doing x because z", without explaining there was a 'y' that connected them both?
This is the emphasis that's being placed in the guide thingy that I'm trying to make usable for other new people. (It might even be useful as a 'redo this every 2-4 years for progress' type thing.)
I think it might be really useful to approach it in this manner for people with processing disabilities as well, but I am by NO means an expert on making things accessible for those with disabilities. I just know that my diagnosed disorder affects my processing and train of thought significantly enough that sometimes I won't *get it* when people explain it in a... normal way? I hesitate to use that term 'normal', but I'm kinda at a loss for the word to describe it.
My train of thought on the matter isn't to say that not doing the work is acceptable. It's just my attempt to put the two concepts together in a workable fashion, that's easy to understand, and facilitates productivity.
I'm just trying to create something systematic, that builds a personalized (heavy emphasis on personalized here) foundation of thought with which one can view the world. Something that connects all the x, y, and z's together so it makes sense to THEM.
Soooo...
Is any of this even reasonable? Or, is it problematic for reasons I'm unable to see without some help?
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Post by Allec on Feb 18, 2016 15:03:01 GMT -6
Ooo no I really like this approach! If I understand you correctly, you think one should approach religion by getting acquainted with the thoughts behind the religion. Like understanding hospitality, if we're talking about Gaelic Polytheism.
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Des
Junior Member
Posts: 53
Pronouns: She, Her, Them, They
Religion: Personal
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Post by Des on Feb 18, 2016 21:29:41 GMT -6
Ooo no I really like this approach! If I understand you correctly, you think one should approach religion by getting acquainted with the thoughts behind the religion. Like understanding hospitality, if we're talking about Gaelic Polytheism. Definitely!! That's exactly it, with the added part of creating actions which ingrain the thought behind the religion, if you know that religion is for you.
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Post by starlight on Aug 18, 2016 4:51:28 GMT -6
Re: Gaelic polytheism, I actually can't recommend enough not starting with an offering to a specific deity, but giving an offering to the Three in general - that is, the Gods, spirits, and ancestors. Offering to a specific deity definitely isn't a bad or wrong way to start, a lot of people come to the religion that way (I did!), but I think if you have the opportunity to, offering to the general Three first is a much more low-pressure (and traditional!) way to go about things. This lets you start building relationships and an exchange of respect in a more low-key way and, I think, helps folks to feel comfortable taking a lot more time to learn and feel things out before gravitating towards one or a few deities specifically. There are some GP practitioners who never even "pick" specific deities, as it were. This is my personal method, but usually when I give an offering, it's to the Three in general with special "invitations" to Brigid, Flidais, and Goibniu. I have a "hearth" candle that I light first to welcome the Three, and then I work clockwise lighting candles I've specifically selected scent-wise for Goibniu, Flidias, and Brigid respectively. Then I give my offering to everyone (for me, that's usually hot cocoa and cookies, because I like to make offerings before I settle in for my routine of documentary-watching and art-making, it's very cozy!). I do honor them individually from time to time, but that's usually for special prayers and thanks. Or holidays, things like that. Thank you for this suggestion, saintfelicity ! I was having the same issue as the OP - lots of research to do, but where and how to start with an actual hands-on practice. Lighting a candle and offering to the Three is a simple but effective way to begin. Just as a matter of interest, how do people (I mean anyone here in the community) see the difference between the Irish spirits and Irish ancestors? Are spirits the spirits of all life - plant and mineral included - or are they human non-ancestors? From the bit of research I did some years ago, I read that the Irish didn't actually have gods so much as see what we now call gods as ancestors who had gone before them. I can't quite recall where I read it, it might have been an online article. If I find it, I'll link to it. Perhaps my question belongs in a separate thread?
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Post by starlight on Aug 18, 2016 5:00:49 GMT -6
*Flails* This thing, I'm trying to do this thing!!! The caveat, is it's GaelPol specific. BUT, I think that the way I am approaching it might be adaptable to a general polytheistic 'How to' guide. I originally made it as a guide for myself, that I could revisit once I answered all my 'questions'. The point was to give me a foundation to start with, but I think that it could REALLY help anybody trying to build a foundation within Gaelic Polytheism. I *think* it's specific enough to guide along a GaelPol path, buuuut open enough that it allows for your own interpretations to be the foundation. I'm unsure of how the format might translate to a general polytheistic 'how to' guide, though. It might go on the list of "Ideas to toss around", especially if anybody is actually interested in seeing it happen? As it is, I kiiiind of would like reviews for what I'm creating once it's all written out in a understandable manner... If anybody who sees this post would like to be a critic for it! I want to get as many opinions as possible. (Hand up in air) Me! If you're still looking for a beta reader, I'm very interested in reading through the guide. So, the approach I'm suggesting to practice is to put more emphasis on the thought/concept/perspective building, then the actual action. What I've noticed, through my own experiences and looking back on what I did, is a lot of people told me to do the thing and expected me to know WHY I was being told to do the thing. They expected me to understand what the thing was reinforcing, and not just view it as a thing that pagans/polytheists just do. Or, they gave me the resources that showed WHY but didn't quite explain what the WHY meant? (If that makes ANY sense to ANY of you at all. >.<) Like, "You're doing x because z", without explaining there was a 'y' that connected them both? This is the emphasis that's being placed in the guide thingy that I'm trying to make usable for other new people. (It might even be useful as a 'redo this every 2-4 years for progress' type thing.) Sounds very good to me. Knowing what I'm doing and why - yes, please! I still want to do the research, but having a place to start would be a big help. I think reviewing every so often is a great idea, too.
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Post by starlight on Aug 19, 2016 1:15:50 GMT -6
Just as a matter of interest, how do people (I mean anyone here in the community) see the difference between the Irish spirits and Irish ancestors? Are spirits the spirits of all life - plant and mineral included - or are they human non-ancestors? From the bit of research I did some years ago, I read that the Irish didn't actually have gods so much as see what we now call gods as ancestors who had gone before them. I can't quite recall where I read it, it might have been an online article. If I find it, I'll link to it. Perhaps my question belongs in a separate thread? I've found Allec's Guide and it has the answers I've been looking for. Thank you, Allec! The Guide is a great stepping off point.
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Post by Allec on Aug 21, 2016 12:18:48 GMT -6
I've found Allec's Guide and it has the answers I've been looking for. Thank you, Allec! The Guide is a great stepping off point. I'm so glad it's helpful! Always message me or post on the Gaelic Polytheism Board if you have questions :]
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