Isira
New Member
Posts: 2
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Post by Isira on Oct 15, 2013 10:52:35 GMT -8
Wow, I just read though everything you all have posted and there are so many different magickal things going on out there!
I was introduced to Wicca at age 16 and when I met the Goddess, it changed me. I worked with a coven for several years, gradually becoming one of the High Priestesses of our covens. The first grew too large, and so two hived off so we had three sister covens that worked together. When I was 20 or so, I moved, then moved again for college. Married my mate from our hometown, where my magickal community was. We still go there often, but I am 41 now, and the group has long been disbanded. Core members are still living there but have broken into solitary work now. I long for those days. We were a mix of Gardnerian/Alexandrian and I was the one in our group who knew and loved Isis. I worked with an LA based coven of Egyptian Wicca, (Tameran Wicca). Many years later, I became involved with the Temple of Isis, where I am an ordained Reverend and Priestess. The Temple doesn't identify with any one group and does not consider itselfl Kemetic, but there are many Kemetic members. Mainly Egyptian Goddesses are worshipped. Mainly Isis of course, the Mother of All. And many Priestesses don't call themselves pagan. But I do. I personally need to define what I am for myself. It's nice to connect with you All. More later. Blessings of Isis <>¦-- Isira Imhotep
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Post by zephrene on Oct 15, 2013 18:35:12 GMT -8
Hello, everyone!
I got pointed to this site by RedeSeeker, much thanks!
I'm Keri, I live in Houston, TX. I'm still figuring out what I'm doing, but I've started with more dedicated ancestor veneration.
Looking forward to conversing and learning with this group.
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Erin
New Member
Practotioner of the Creideamh Si and flamekeeper/priestess of Brigit.
Posts: 40
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Post by Erin on Oct 20, 2013 22:33:09 GMT -8
Greetings. I'm Erin, follower of the Irish-Gaelic, polytheist and animist Creideamh Sidhe tradition, and am mother priestess of a Brigidine priestess and flamekeeper Order for goddess Brigit called Nigheanan Brighde. The links to my websites are in my signature. I gradually moved towards hard polytheism after a few years as a self-initiatory-styled Wiccan and then many more in the goddess spirituality tradition. When I felt worn out with those paths and desired studying something grounded in my heritage and ancestry I eventually gravitated towards hard rather than the previous soft polytheism, and towards tradition, folklore, and devotional practice. While I always felt connected to nature and to my heritage, it was only about 8 years ago that I made a connection with animistic polytheism. I resonate most with hearth and priestess traditions. I admire the druidic path but have found that it does not actually resonate with me. I am a homeschooling mom and share traditions with my sons. I do not feel at home any longer in most mainstream pagan communities due to the cultural and worldview differences in our approaches to our religions, and so very much appreciate forums like this catering especially to hard polytheists who have devotional practices. Brigit came to me over 10 years ago during a reiki atunement and has been my spiritual foster-mother ever since. I also connect with the land goddess where I live, and the fae of the trees and landscape. My flamekeeping practice for Brigit is both devotional and mystical. I like a tribal approach to hearth tradition, but a mystical approach to faery tradition. I love to read, write, research, learn, discuss, debate, sing, and share experiences with other hard polytheists, recon-type traditionalists, and devotional priestesses. And I recognize some names here, as others have, and send out waves to them. Glad to be here.  |
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Post by Wynn Dark on Oct 22, 2013 7:48:50 GMT -8
Hello everyone, I'm Wynn Dark which acts for now as my writing handle and one day as the name of my hand built wood ship. I've been around a few different 'pagan scenes' for years now but am only recently really coming into worshiping the gods (the Hellenic gods in my case) and tentatively venerating the ancestors within the past two years. The Theoi I especially worship are Priapus, Aphrodite, and Dionysus, though I've had my bacon saved by Apollon and Heracles during a particularly brutal period of my life they have since mostly stayed in the background. I have an incredibly strong affinity with the sea and as such the group of dead that I am trying to honor are those that have been lost to her embrace.
I am also a homesteader, working hard to build a house alongside my better half, apprentice blacksmith, amateur (very) historian, glass worker and soon to be hard-core rennie since our homestead is on a permanent renaissance faire site that Might open in a few years time. Oh and I live so far south in Alabama that I'm nearly in Florida.
I’m sure I’ve forgotten plenty of important information but, well, there we have it for now.
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lily
New Member
Posts: 12
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Post by lily on Oct 30, 2013 4:20:59 GMT -8
Hi everyone, I'm Lily. I live in Yorkshire in the UK. I'm in the last year of my degree, and I'm planning to go on to train as a counsellor. I'm a historically informed polytheist. I tried to go down the reconstructionist path but it wasn't a good fit. I'm not very good with these introduction things, so I've probably missed off lots of things I should have mentioned, but for the time being, hi |
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Post by anfiasaloch on Nov 7, 2013 21:55:37 GMT -8
Hello, I'm Brandon, an Irish Gaelic Polytheist and one of the brughaid (hospitaller) of An Chuallacht Ghaol Naofa. I use Gaol Naofa's term for our practice which is Ár nDóigh Bheatha Ildiach is Gaelach (meaning "Our Gaelic Polytheist Lifeway", Ar Dòigh-Beatha Ioma-Dhiadhach Ghàidhealach in Scottish Gaelic), which may be a bit of a mouthful, but that's kind of the point. I have been a Gaelic Polytheist for about 6 years officially, having looked into Celtic religious practices for the two years before that, and have been with Gaol Naofa since its founding 5 years ago. However, I have been familiar with neo-pagan religions since I was very young, maybe 7 or 8, when my mother began looking into witchcraft. She left that behind soon after, but I had already been reading some of her (terrible) books on neo-paganism and kept on until I was about 14 and then decided I wanted to look into the historical ancestral traditions of the Irish American family that I was raised in. My father is of Vietnamese and Chinese descent, but he took off long ago, so I grew up with my mother's family and I was raised with many Irish-influenced ideas and beliefs which are what I have always known and connected to culturally.
I live in Minnesota, went to college in Duluth, dropped out, backpacked (I literally walked...with a 60 lb. backpack...and occasionally hitched) around Ireland last year for 7 weeks where I also worked on an organic farm for 2 of them. Since then I have been taking it easy, saving up for my next trip and making goals to own a farm someday. For now, I am taking Irish classes, soon going to be taking boxing lessons, and am working at a hotel (which might be especially appropriate, as a brughaid).
I primarily honor Brigid, as she is often the focus of my daily prayers and devotions and is almost always honored in ceremony, though especially when I am at home before the hearth shrine. I have prayed and honored a number of other deities (especially traveling around Ireland), and have recently been considering building a formal shrine for Manannán mac Lir. Currently I have my hearth shrine (which is primarily dedicated to Brigid and my ancestors), a shrine for household spirits, and a shrine in the garden for the spirits of the land.
Its been a long while since I have been on a forum that wasn't specifically Gaelic Polytheist oriented, but I thought I'd give it a shot and see what's going on in other polytheist communities.
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Post by aclockworkireland on Nov 8, 2013 4:59:10 GMT -8
Hello, I'm Brandon, an Irish Gaelic Polytheist and one of the brughaid (hospitaller) of An Chuallacht Ghaol Naofa. I use Gaol Naofa's term for our practice which is Ár nDóigh Bheatha Ildiach is Gaelach (meaning "Our Gaelic Polytheist Lifeway", Ar Dòigh-Beatha Ioma-Dhiadhach Ghàidhealach in Scottish Gaelic), which may be a bit of a mouthful, but that's kind of the point. I have been a Gaelic Polytheist for about 6 years officially, having looked into Celtic religious practices for the two years before that, and have been with Gaol Naofa since its founding 5 years ago. However, I have been familiar with neo-pagan religions since I was very young, maybe 7 or 8, when my mother began looking into witchcraft. She left that behind soon after, but I had already been reading some of her (terrible) books on neo-paganism and kept on until I was about 14 and then decided I wanted to look into the historical ancestral traditions of the Irish American family that I was raised in. My father is of Vietnamese and Chinese descent, but he took off long ago, so I grew up with my mother's family and I was raised with many Irish-influenced ideas and beliefs which are what I have always known and connected to culturally. I live in Minnesota, went to college in Duluth, dropped out, backpacked (I literally walked...with a 60 lb. backpack...and occasionally hitched) around Ireland last year for 7 weeks where I also worked on an organic farm for 2 of them. Since then I have been taking it easy, saving up for my next trip and making goals to own a farm someday. For now, I am taking Irish classes, soon going to be taking boxing lessons, and am working at a hotel (which might be especially appropriate, as a brughaid). I primarily honor Brigid, as she is often the focus of my daily prayers and devotions and is almost always honored in ceremony, though especially when I am at home before the hearth shrine. I have prayed and honored a number of other deities (especially traveling around Ireland), and have recently been considering building a formal shrine for Manannán mac Lir. Currently I have my hearth shrine (which is primarily dedicated to Brigid and my ancestors), a shrine for household spirits, and a shrine in the garden for the spirits of the land. Its been a long while since I have been on a forum that wasn't specifically Gaelic Polytheist oriented, but I thought I'd give it a shot and see what's going on in other polytheist communities. Hi Brandon its a shame you didnt get in contact with Irish neopagans while you were here someone wouldve shown you around a bit. Save you hitching too much. Next time ey. Did you get up to the blackstairs mountains to see where the brigantians lived? I really like that spot in the summer. |
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Post by anfiasaloch on Nov 8, 2013 9:29:25 GMT -8
I don't really know anyone outside the GRP communities, generally I keep to myself and my own and don't have any connections in the neopagan groups. I didn't mind hitching, though, it was like a spiritual pilgrimage and I was able to stop and check out anywhere I wanted. I didn't get to the Blackstairs Mountains, but I hiked the Wicklow Way and that was quite enough mountains for me, haha. I did a big loop around the whole country, though, starting in Dublin, then going north and west, then south through the west of Ireland, all the way to Cork and then east from there and north from Waterford. |
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Post by aclockworkireland on Nov 8, 2013 12:59:54 GMT -8
Jazuz that was some treck for one visit. Did you get to baltinglass in Wicklow? Thats a nice spot.
Its worth getting in contact with local pagans here if youre coming again. A few people work in heritage tourism and even people that dont will know stuff thats not in any guide book. Theres pagan federation Ireland, witchvox or just google paganism ireland and youll find someone. No matter who you get in touch with we all atleast know of each other cos its a small insular scene so you wont be left stuck for someone in the country who is free when youre here.
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Post by anfiasaloch on Nov 8, 2013 15:13:58 GMT -8
Yeah, it was a bit exhausting, but worth it and wish I could have stayed longer. I didn't get to Baltinglass, and I mixed up Waterford and Wexford above, went north from Wexford, took a bus to Arklow and hiked up towards the mountains starting by Glendalough (which was really nice o see) and then to Roundwood for a bus ride to Dublin the night before our flight. I must say, though, the Wicklow mountains are not friendly in early November. It was the windiest and coldest hike. I might take a car if I go back that way, hahaha.
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rhyd
New Member
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/asenseofplace/2013/11/worlding-the-earth/
Posts: 5
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Post by rhyd on Nov 17, 2013 7:26:46 GMT -8
Oi, all! I'm Rhyd. Close enough to 37 to call it. Studying druidry through OBOD. Came to polytheism recently after being a "cultural" pagan most of my adult life (that is, liking the aesthetic but never taking it very seriously). Started with some severe dreams and events that pretty much knocked me hard into actually interacting with the gods. I primarily worship Welsh gods (Brân, Ceridwen, Arianrhod, along with Ffraid/Brighid) though have had some intense interactions with Dionysus and The Morrigan. I'm also a Marxist/Anarchist, and not only see no contradictions therein, but find both my polytheism and my politics seem increasingly to inform each other. Also, I'm a big ol' thuggish queer. One of my primary interests is the experience of Divine Trauma, as well as the mediation of perceptions of Madness in polytheism. More specifically, the accusations (overt or implied) of many humanist/Jungian pagans about us polytheists is that we're insane or deluded, and I've been feeling "called" to help at least build a framework where devotion to actually-existing deities is not seen as a mental-disorder and more polytheists will feel comfortable talking about their experiences. From my experience in both social work and radical communities, I think this sort of thing will be vital. I write at paganarch.blogspot.com and now at Patheos Pagan: A Sense of PlaceIf I need anything, it's someone to help me learn Welsh or Breton. If I could benefit from anything, it would be conversations with others who've worked with the Welsh gods as a polytheist. And I can offer a kind and understanding ear--I'm not a licensed therapist; however, I've been able to help a lot of friends through Tarot and re-narrating their stories. Used to joke I was "older-brother" to the world. :) |
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Post by stephyjh on Nov 23, 2013 0:25:45 GMT -8
I'm Stephy. Late 20s, North Carolina, Celtic polytheist owned primarily by Brighid, but loaned out on occasion to the Morrigan, Aengus, and Lugh. I used to work often with Manannan, but that was in a different life, when I lived near the sea in St. Croix, in the US Virgin Islands.
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Post by Aldrin of the Two Trees on Dec 5, 2013 0:23:26 GMT -8
Hi, I'm Aldrin and I'm a Hellenistic cultor from the Philippines. Like Hélio, I also have a culturally diverse pantheon, but with a primarily Graeco-Roman religious background. I was raised in a part folkish, part liberal Catholic household, and whilst I renounced my ties with the Church a long time ago, I still adhere to some of our family's "Catholic" traditions. I still have one or two Marian devotions, and I religiously maintain our Catholic shrine at home as well as the pan-pagan one. I'm also not a stranger to the local Hindu community. They cook some of the best food I've tasted and they have really intense devotionals! I am especially devoted to Hermês, the household deities, and my ancestors, but Dionysos, Apollôn, Hêra, and Athênê are some of the most commonly uttered names in my prayers. I also maintain two blogs, Aldrin is the Hermês Boy and Under Two Trees (the latter being strictly devoted to my religious ramblings). |
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Post by turningtides on Dec 6, 2013 0:31:18 GMT -8
Hi Aldrin, I'm Turningtides. It's great to meet another Filipino polytheist! I've also found myself continuing the family folk Catholicism (here in the U.S.), though I am learning about and giving devotions to the Canaanite gods (the Iluma). Still trying to make peace cognitively that "it's ok" when Catholic school taught that even considering it was a sin... I hope you don't mind me looking on your WP. I've never met other Filipinos from the Philippines who are openly polytheist. Plus, I am looking to know more about current practices in the Philippines, the blended practices with Catholicism, and what ancestral traditions have survived (or are being revived). (I keep a spirituality blog as well, though it's a little spare at the moment: shiftingspectrums.wordpress.com/) |
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Post by Aldrin of the Two Trees on Dec 6, 2013 19:38:14 GMT -8
Hi Aldrin, I'm Turningtides. It's great to meet another Filipino polytheist! I've also found myself continuing the family folk Catholicism (here in the U.S.), though I am learning about and giving devotions to the Canaanite gods (the Iluma). Still trying to make peace cognitively that "it's ok" when Catholic school taught that even considering it was a sin... I hope you don't mind me looking on your WP. I've never met other Filipinos from the Philippines who are openly polytheist. Plus, I am looking to know more about current practices in the Philippines, the blended practices with Catholicism, and what ancestral traditions have survived (or are being revived). (I keep a spirituality blog as well, though it's a little spare at the moment: shiftingspectrums.wordpress.com/)Oh, hey! I just read your message over at Gods and Fairy Tales. Mabuti naman ako.  When you have the time, go ahead and try out Tagalog and Ilocano. They are magical. Interestingly, I also grew up with Ilocano family members, but I never got to learn the language. Neither Lebanese [Arabic], really. My Filipino ancestors are from Cavite and Ilocos Sur, so that's a Tagalog-Ilocano mix. The Visayans have a much more stable mythology, though, like I said. Their babaylanes (priestesses) were amongst the fiercest rebels against the Spaniards up until the 18th century. Here's a blog that talks about the Visayan deities and their myths: vizayanmyths.blogspot.com. It doesn't hurt to find inspiration in them, especially since Tagalogs and Visayans were closely related groups before branching north and south, respectively. Yes, much of the Philippines was once part of this vast Hindu-Buddhist maritime empire, so the numerous Sanskrit loanwords are to be expected. There's Bathalà (the Tagalog 'All-father'), aghám (science), and karma, to name a few. It's a pity that diwatà changed its meaning from deity to fairy, but that's certainly changing. It takes a while to get over the polytheistic polemic in Christianity, but one eventually gets over it. When you realise that the Gods aren't a jealous bunch, it'll be much easier. Especially with Catholicism! You know how Catholics are with their fiestas and rain dances. That's interesting that you know other Filipino Americans who have taken interest in indigenous cultus! That's so cool! Most Neopagans here are Wiccans or some generic breed of Llewellyn-Neopaganism. Hey, I just followed back your blog. You certainly blog more often than I do, but feel free to look around. |
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When you have the time, go ahead and try out Tagalog and Ilocano. They are magical. Interestingly, I also grew up with Ilocano family members, but I never got to learn the language. Neither Lebanese [Arabic], really.