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Pagan interest thread

621 replies

MoonFaceMama · 04/09/2010 08:38

Hello,

As a pagan who practices alone i sometimes find it difficult to mark the passing of the wheel of the year in a secular society which largely ignores there things (ie, i sometimes forget special days Blush ) I get the feeling there might be others on here who feel the same, or who do remember, and that maybe we could support each other in reminders and suggestions for celebrations...

Personally i tend to mark the seasons in ways that feel appropriate and are informal, i'm not big into ritual (but willing to discuss this with those who are). Now that i have a ds i think i'm more concious of helping him to have structure to his year (when i was little i had this through the church) and am considering joining a local pagan group so that i have a community of support in this, which might, in time, be available to him should he wish to access it.

So...a place to discuss pagan celebrations, ideas etc... Any takers?

Smile
OP posts:
Earthymama · 31/03/2011 21:17

Apples and Moon how are you both?

apples82 · 01/04/2011 08:19

I'm very good thanks Earthymama, loving how green everything is getting around me. Everything is coming alive again Smile

MoonFaceMamaaaaargh · 02/04/2011 13:47

i'm great thanks earthy!

I've been thinking about how it is such a lovely time to be pg. That my baby, concieved in the dark of midwinter, is growing through the spring, will ripen through the summer, and be born at harvest time. Touch wood. Smile

Great news CofI. Smile

moonwitch · 04/04/2011 08:16

Hi everyone,
that's great news about your friend ChildofIsis and congrats to you pregnant ladies.
I work mostly as a solitary but sometimes with my husband as he is pagan too. I have 5 children, ds1 is 26, dd1 is 23, ds2 is 21, dd2 is 14 and dd3 is 4 (our gift from the Goddess!) My daughters also practice the Craft, even the little one joins in with ritual and has her own robe. I have been initiated and I'm working towards my second degree, I love everything about being a witch!
It's a wonderful thing watching the earth wake up in the spring, the colours are just beautiful.
Love and Bright Blessings.xx

Earthymama · 04/04/2011 09:40

Hi Everyone, hope you are all well on this Spring morning!
Though it's more like winter here in Wales.

Can I ask how people practice on a daily basis? I'm trying to do more things, learn more and struggle with time and competing daily tasks like cleaning and cooking. I do use the preparation of food as an intention and an offering but I want to be more organised and am being more and more drawn to the Wiccan/Goddess path.

moonwitch · 04/04/2011 12:49

Hi Earthymama, I have an altar permenantly set up with a Goddess and God statue,a gold and silver candle a pentacle and a representation of the elements, I change the colours to mark the Sabbats and I always have a variety of nature bits on it that my little one collects, feathers,cones, shells etc. I write in my journal everyday, not appointments and what to have for dinner like a diary but how I'm feeling, any dreams I remember, things I've seen that sort of thing along with the moon phase and which astrological sign the moon is in. I grow herbs for spellwork and they can easily be grown on a windowsill. In the garden along with the herbs I have representations of the elements at their direction ( a wind spinner with feathers attached for Air, A shell mobile for Water, a red five pointed star t light holder for Fire and a pentacle on slate for Earth)and a couple of Green man ornaments and fairies. I'm not sure I've been any help but these are some of the things we do. It is difficult fitting things in when you have a family but whatever you do, however small you think it is the Goddess will be happy as She knows what's in your heart.
Love and Bright Blessings.xx

ChildofIsis · 04/04/2011 15:02

Hi Earthymama, I make a bit of time each day to be grateful.
For me having a spirit of gratitude aids my contentment.
I speak daily with Isis, usually in the early hours when I can't sleep.
I've found a daily connection to Isis nurtures my soul and encourages me to then nurture my life and that of others.

Earthymama · 06/04/2011 22:47

Thank you, I too have an altar in the bedroom, a little shrine in the kitchen and living room. I start the day with affirmations and think of the Goddess throughout the day.
You are right about gratitude, it colours how one sees the world.
I have made a Triple Goddess with stones fromour local river and planted around them, it's lovely. I love the idea of the Elements (gets out Garden Planner Smile)
I want to learn more I guess, do some studying, chakras, reiki, magic; it feels as though there is so much to know and I want it all!

I'm going to start the journalling, that will be useful. Thanks again.

dreamofwhitehorses · 14/04/2011 23:31

Hi all, just read through most of the thread and found it very interesting and supportive.
When me and my dh got together we were both very active pagans, but in the last few years 'real life' got in the way. We both lost our way, and it took a bit of a crisis for us to realise how far we had drifted away from those things we once believed important. We thought we were being grown up and sensible, but we were killing something inside. Just so glad to be back on a spiritual path, and so much happier, even though its taken a real change in our circumstances to find it again.

Grockle · 21/04/2011 23:19

Hello dreamifwhitehorses... Your post made me wonder about families on this thread -are you ALL pagan or do you have DPs/ DHs/ DC with different beliefs? I found it very difficult to interest DS in Ostara because to him, it was just Easter at the 'wrong' time.

ChildofIsis · 23/04/2011 13:34

My dh is an atheist and doesn't mind what I do or don't celebrate.

I'll let him know when festivals are coming up and do invlove dd4 in a small way.
I've always seen my faith as intensely private. Mind you that probably comes from times when to speak out about paganism was to invite vilification.

Grockle · 24/04/2011 21:41

That sounds very similar to our situation. DS is atheist but is quite interested in my beliefs and always asks about each sabbat/ esbat. DS loves doing my celebrations and talking about the seasons but is also very caught up in the Christian festivals (through school) so we mark those too (but not in a religious way - in a story-telling/ learning about other faiths way)

MoonFaceMamaaaaargh · 25/04/2011 19:57

Hi all and welcome dreamofwhitehorses Smile

Earthy, I struggled to think of how I practice day today but guess it is like this...I go for a walk at least once a day. Being in nature is probably the most profound part of my faith. I also collect bits and bobs to go round the greenman. I try to obey "an it harm none..." amd the law of three fold return.

But really I would like to do more, tohave more structure or share more with others maybe. RL gets in the way though...but I have heeded what dream says and will try and make more effort.

So I'm off to think about my beltain plans...possibly my favourite festival as well as all the others

Any suggestions form any one?

MoonFaceMamaaaaargh · 25/04/2011 20:45

Well...havig said I'd like to do more, want more structure, share with others etc...the local pagan group is having an open ritual for beltane. Normally theyare in the evening so I can't go (bf ds), but thi one is at 4 for some reaon...so I could probably go (depending on what dh is working)...seems a little rude not to really given the way it's come up just as I was thinking about it...

Earthymama · 25/04/2011 22:30

I'm lucky as DP is pagan and we share our path. My Family are fine, SSIL and DNiece share this too. While my grown up children are atheist I talk to my grandchildren about the Earth Mother and we give thanks for our Blessings, we sing some songs aand celebrate the passing of the Seasons.

MoonFaceMamaaaaargh · 26/04/2011 08:33

earthy can i ask what you sing? I love singing. Smile

Grockle · 26/04/2011 20:56

I wish I could find a local Pagan group. Especially one that welcomed children. I was really involved in one where I lived before but there seems to be nothing round here.

I'd love to know songs too - I am a singer but I sing sacred music Grin hypocrite

Earthymama · 27/04/2011 09:03

We All Come From the Goddess,
And to Her we shall return,
Like a drop of ra-ain, flowing to the O-ocean
Hoof and Horn
Hoof and Horn
All that dies shall be reborn,
Corn and Grain
Corn and Grain
All that falls shall rise again,
We all come from the Goddess.

I'll find a link later, PC playing up

Earthymama · 27/04/2011 09:05
MoonFaceMamaaaaargh · 28/04/2011 08:12

Grockle I would sing anything if given the opportunity, be it sacred, profane or the phone book!

This group has a midsummer party that children are invited to but I don't tnk they can come to the open rituals...This one being at a time I could manage seems to be telling me something. But DH is working so it will come down to if MIL can look afetr ds for a couple of hours...she may already be booked oiut by another grandchild!

Earthy thank you for the link and lyrics. I love the wors but my old coal powered computer keeps crashing when I follow the link..I'll try it next time I'm at the library. Smile

I'm really looking forward to beltane (and our anniversary). We have had such and unseasonally summery spring everything is gogo...bluebells out, swallows back, peas up in the garden...ah!

Grin
dreamofwhitehorses · 28/04/2011 21:36

Thanks for the welcome all. I don't know where people are based but they have a lovely Beltane celebration at Thornborough Henge (near Ripon). Lots of dressing up, calling the quarters, play acting, handfastings, camping,and general fun for any age. www.celebratebeltane.co.uk/
I think this sort of thing is a great way to involve family, as everyone is really friendly and welcoming, and its just lots of fun!

ChildofIsis · 28/04/2011 22:24

DoWHorses I live near Ripon.

I've already got something lined up for Beltaine. It looks like a good day though.

dreamofwhitehorses · 28/04/2011 23:36

It should be, especially if the weather holds! Hope you have a special day, its lovely to imagine all these celebrations, big and small, public and personal going on all over. Grockle, even if it feels like your celebrating alone, your not really, we're all just a little part of something bigger.

Earthymama · 29/04/2011 22:49

Glastonbury for us, yeah!!

MoonFaceMamaaaaargh · 30/04/2011 10:11

DofWH I am going to thornborough!

I just found out about it t'other day and was coming on here to post about it just now!! Grin

Maybe I'll see yo there!

Have you been before? I was wondering if we can take our very well behaved dog. It says they can go in the camping section but I wondered if thery are alllowed in the main event...there are pics of dogs in the gallery. I've tried emailing but imagine they are all understandably busy as I've had no reply. I'm thinking I might take a punt and take him but obviously wouldn't if I knew he'd spend the afternoon tied up at a fence...hmm...

Any way, I hope you all have a wonderfull Beltaine, looks like we might get a sunny one! Grin