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Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2008 2:58 pm
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Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2008 10:29 am
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Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2008 5:34 pm
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I don't self-identify as anything more specific than Neopagan, but I also don't tend to consider myself eclectic as my own system does have a rather specific angle to it (there simply doesn't seem to be a pre-existing labeled tradition that pegs me right). I don't follow any classical Pantheon nor do I mix deities from any classical Pantheon. Since my path is extremely Nature-centered (even for a Neopagan) it did not make sense to me to allegorically detach from Nature by using classical Pagan deities. In other words, worshiping Ra doesn't make sense to me, but simply worshiping the Sun for the Spirit/Divinity that it is, DOES make sense to me. I can't imagine limiting myself to one particular allegorical interpretation of the Sun Spirit when I can draw upon all the mythos and science of the world's cultures to greater understand the Divinity that is the Sun Spirit. I live in the Information Age. I intend to make good use of it. whee
The question of a higher power is an interesting one. I think many people get afraid of that term, which is too bad. The terms 'higher' and 'lower' are really a function of point of view and values. As such, they're subjectively assessed qualities. But I'm not going to get off on a philosophical diatribe here. Suffice it to say that in my view of things, everything in the universe is Sacred and should be honored for what it is. It is neither higher nor lower, but when you view something as Sacred, you view it as intrinsically greater than yourself. I find it much more enriching to look up upon the world and awe at its wonders than to stare down my nose at it and complain all the time about its nature.
As far as attempting to pigeonhole how I see the Divine, it doesn't really work very well. I do not believe that any human description of the Divine is the Divine any sooner than I think the dictionary definition of a pencil is actually what a pencil is. Whenever you define something it's always one step removed from what that thing actually IS. I find all descriptions of the Divine to be valid and enlightening; they each provide a different angle on this thing called the Divine. In terms of practice, I tend to have a strong Pantheistic and Animistic bent, but the question of 'how many' is irrelevant to me. It's like asking is there a forest or a bunch of trees.
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Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 9:12 am
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Thank you for such insightful and intelligent responses! I find it very interesting to read about other peoples beliefs.
I would label myself, if at all, as a witch or kitchen witch. I have come to this classification after a lot of others that didn't fit. I have been exploring Pagan religions for almost my entire life, and my own combination of bits of those is what fits me best.
I do not believe in any one specific deity or God/Goddess, but only in what they represent. Similar to what Starlock said, I see no point in calling on a specific God of something, when I can simply call on the essence or energy of that something. I truly believe in magic, not as a skill or something borrowed or invoked, but as the act of focusing energy, whether your own or someone else's.
I am not nearly so eloquent on this as Starlock, as I don't have much excuse to talk intelligently about this.
So, another question, if anyone feels like answering:
How did you come to you beliefs? What life experiences directed you to what you now believe?
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Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 3:57 pm
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Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 8:29 pm
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Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 9:20 pm
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Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 9:55 pm
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Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 6:27 pm
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Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 4:20 pm
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Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2008 11:59 am
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