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Post by Shannon on Oct 16, 2009 11:27:00 GMT -5
When in Rome?
When you are living in a region different from that of your own worship, do you feel that it is important to honor and get to know that land's culture and Gods?
I've been leaning towards Norse/Anglo-Saxon mythology, but living in the desert I've been wondering how involved or educated I should become with the local history. I DON'T want to become a New Age Medicine Woman/Shaman, but I am wondering if knowing the resident Gods would be beneficial to my spirituality.
For example, would you recognize the local rain gods, or envision a version of your own rain deity?
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Post by Denethor on Oct 16, 2009 14:39:23 GMT -5
I am always all in favor of learning new stuff! Really what can the hurt be? As you allude, of course, the New Age medicine woman/shaman - stereotypically a blond with a big perm and crystal earrings who thinks Native American spirituality was designed for the entertainment of white people - is a pitfall, but I think it unlikely to be one in which you will fall. I mean, you know what not to do. Don't crash anyone else's ceremonies, publicly re-image someone else's sacred practices (remember that "publicly" can include at home if you believe in perception on any "other planes" or what-have-you), or demand information no one has given you permission to access. But you, Shannon, know that; I'm just re-iterating for the benefit of our obviously large adoring public. Get out your library card, hit the Net. Is it important? Maybe the issue is less whether it's important, than whether a certain spiritual "courtesy" requires it. I'd say if something calls you, be polite and answer; if an understanding of local context seems important to what you want to do, gain it. Local history is always worthwhile. At the very least, if you encounter anything "local", be it an "entity" or a local hazard such as a scorpion or a rattlesnake, some understanding of said history/context would be helpful. Remember what's said about a little bit of knowledge, but the time may come when a little bit of knowledge is better than none.
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Post by blackrose on Oct 20, 2009 8:34:31 GMT -5
I tend to do an odd mixture of both.
Everyone is aware, I'm sure, of my draw to the Celtic side of things, and I tend to use Celtic names for the larger powers. But I also make it a point to recognize the local land spirits. It depends on time, place and context, really.
I think the storm is a good example of how I sometimes do a little bit of both. I sometimes recognize the individual storm essence, and sometimes I think of it in the terms of Taranis turning his wheel - and sometimes I do a little bit of both. I would not start calling on the particulars of Native spirits, however, unless I had a really strong calling to them. I don't know enough about any of the tribes or their particular beliefs to feel comfortable doing that - but if I am in a place which feels sacred, feels like it was sacred, I will honor the local spirit. I did so at Bushkills, and again at the Canyon, without reference to any particular myths or practices. When I was in Romania I felt that the forest god was different from the one I'm familiar with here - much more bear than stag. Perhaps because it was in the mountains... I said hi, made a small offering, and went on my way.
Anyway, as I said, for me it's a mix of both, depending on the particulars of time and space, or some such nonsense. :>
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