I've been asked this and pondering it for a little while now and want to first say - I cannot answer this question for all polytheists, traditions, belief systems, religions, or witches. That is between you and your Gods. I can only answer this for myself.
For me, the answer is yes, witchcraft does have a place in my Northern Pagan Tradition polytheism, specifically within my place as an earthly handmaiden to Frigga. One of the best ways to explain it, I think, would be to share with you a piece of my practice with Frigga.
A woman I know only through friends was in the hospital. Her baby was born early and was in NICU. I felt strongly that I should pray for her, even though we had never met. I went to Frigga and I asked that she lay her hands on this mother and child, to heal the child or, of the threads of Wyrd say that the child must not be with us in Midgard for long, that She ease the child in a painless passing and give the mother strength and compassion.
Frigga said she would be there for the woman and child, but that I must do the work. Nothing comes for free.
She instructed me in the making of a cap for the child and in a poppet and carrier for the mother. The cap was easy but I had no idea what I was doing with the poppet. The carrier was crocheted out of white wool (I used white acrylic for the cap for fear the baby might have a wool allergy). It was a small pouch, about the side of my palm, with a long strap so that the mother could wear it or hang it near the bed. I gave instructions to my husband to carve a wooden poppet in the form Frigga showed me. I then took it and carved on the belly the rune Berkana and coated the poppet in chamomile and a blessing before putting it within the carrier. I sent the piece on its way and knew that Frigga would be there with them.
The creation of a magical poppet or items of protection and healing are prime examples of witchcraft.
For an example of manifestation or modern, new age, or energetic witchcraft:
I decided to get back to work on creating a business around 6 months after my son was born. I felt ready. I also felt a little scared because I wanted to be successful, to do good in the world, to live my purpose. I went to Frigga to ask for guidance and help. She told me to stop reading tarot at events - my largest source of income before I had my son. This was not what I had in mind when I asked for help. I asked what I should do if I couldn't read the tarot at events. She said for me to trust Her, do her work helping other spiritual mothers, and to focus on my writing. She would see me through it if I had faith and did what she told me to do.
I said my affirmations, wrote them down, envisioned myself as a successful spiritual adviser to other mothers. I did all the manifestation ju ju I could think of and I had faith in my Lady.
It worked. Not only do I now have the first draft of a book I know in my heart will not only sell but touch the hearts of other mothers in the world but I am also making money writing articles in areas that I feel passionate about, I have a new method of tarot reading that is more beneficial to clients than any event reading could be, and am even taking a class on returning divination to an act of sacred service with a teacher I have long admired. All that in 6 months and I'm only just starting.
To me, our Gods might guide us, comfort us, protect us, teach us, etc. However, we have to do the work and, for some of us, that work is witchcraft.
Showing posts with label Polytheism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Polytheism. Show all posts
Monday, October 24, 2016
Sunday, September 11, 2016
Spirit of Place: Honoring Our Land Wights
So where does that leave me? Am I therefore a bad person?
I'm sure many pagans think so. I'm already a killer in the eyes of the vegetarians and vegans in the local witchy groups. I have already attributed to the human overpopulation by having a child. I see these accusations and the anger behind them even when they aren't directed at me by name. So we shall add tree-killer and local eco-system destroyer to the list.
That all being said, our ancestors who honored place and Gods and spirits had to have ways of balancing the need to build homes with honoring the spirits of the place they are building in.
I think of this as I take my son out for a walk. How can I honor the spirit of the place where we plan to live out much of the rest of our lives? Can I explain my intentions of creating a garden and horgr and grove after we build? Will that be enough?
At first I grumbled - there is no reason there should be this much garbage on the side of this road. It is a residential area that ends in a circle, meaning no through-traffic. So all of this garbage was littered by people who actually live here. My grumbling went on to thinking of the manicured lawns as green and chemical laden as golf courses in front of these houses. Out abutting neighbors had the nerve to ask us about cutting down trees that were, previously, creating a visual barrier between our land and theirs and yet they have hardly a tree on their whole lot and take every precaution against weeds and saplings.
Instead, in my breathing and picking up trash, I tried my best to emanate a vibe of courtesy and openness. I sang to my son who grinned at every stop and even waved at trees or things in the trees I was not seeing. I turned my task from one of grudging labor to an offering to the spirits there and the land. I offered my care and work to make this area cleaner and free of human waste.
After this, I made note of other ways we are and can contribute to the land.
- Avoid using chemicals for pesticides and herbicides.
- Planting local wild flowers on the banks by the road rather than attempting to keep a pristine lawn.
- Repurpose the wood, rock, and dirt we remove and use it in other places on the land.
- Nothing is going to waste, nothing is done without thought.
- Even my husband, before cutting down trees, stands among them for a long moment, meditating. He shares with the trees and the land his intentions and gives thanks to them for providing shelter, heat, or the base for his craft as some of the birch here will be dried and used in his woodwork making bowls, pipes, mortars and pestles, statuary, and more.
I'm sure some people will think this isn't enough. I am open to other ideas. This is simply a step on the path.
Saturday, September 10, 2016
Challenge Accepted: Choosing a Polytheist Paganism
I have been reading Essays in Contemporary Paganism from Moon Books and while I expected to be inspired by the essay on parenting or the one on polytheism most, I was, in fact, brought into deep thought on my own practice most by the final article "After Paganism" by Emma Restal Orr. In this article, Orr points out that she has, at times, wondered if she wanted to associate with the term Pagan after seeing many pagans and groups labeled pagan performing acts of defiling nature even as they claim to honor the land they live on. She goes on to delve into the why behind these actions and why they are so common among the pagan community.
"Paganism focuses from the outset on this search for the self. However, in most Pagan teachings, this appears as the be-all and end-all, the ultimate goal."
She then points out the problem of this thinking when it comes to community, "However, all too often, the self-importance of the I takes over, the insecure ego working solely to benefit itself."
While Orr looks at this issue from the perspective of a nature-loving pagan with a focus on the spirituality of the land and conection to the spirit in community, forests, animals, etc. I looked at this issue in regard to practicing Polytheism.
Not long ago I read Polytheism and Devotion on Galina Krasskova's blog. I began thinking of my religion from the idea of pure and total devotion to Frigga and other Gods that have approached me or that I have approached within the Norse pantheon.
In my witchcraft background, I often approached Gods but almost always only to petition for something for myself. If I gave offering it was in act of thanks for receiving what I asked for. Today, I often give small offerings to My Lady from baked goods I create to flowers I've grown or gathered when out for a walk. I have given offerings in petition to the Gods since I began my polytheist practice in earnest but now I do so far less than when I offer simply out of devotion.
When I contemplated this - I often wonder why the Gods would bother with witches at all unless their petition was something that could benefit more than the witch themselves. Why bother with someone who only comes to you when they want something like a spoiled child? Not even a child, at least then unconditional love might be a factor.
While I was considering this, I came across a conversation on Facebook asking why does Paganism have all these little terms and titles like Wiccan, Polytheist, Heathen, etc. Many people explained the need for the separation and labels much like the denominations of Christianity and defined each word. I focused on how Paganism or Witch does not mean Religious at all much less Polytheist.
Orr says in her essay, "It is no wonder that many give up on gods as actual beings when they have chosen to work with a goddess or god simply because they like the list of associations that go with it. Motherhood, fertility, the wildwood, strength, wizardry, whatever it may be, we are encouraged when we find others who can confirm that Cernunnos or Hecate is what we believe him or her to be. But these are ideas, found in books and shared with other people. They are not the gods that we encounter..."
She goes on to point out similar issues in ancestor work when many pagans profess to honor their ancestors but conveniently disregard parents, grandparents, and other close relations who they have issues with either because of religious conflict or other problems.
It is inconvenient to see Gods or spirits as they are when we can easily focus on ourselves and mold them as ideas that we need in the here and now and can readily dispose of the rest.
If, like me, you believe the Gods had a hand in creating our world and the things within it such as teaching us certain crafts like herbalism, blacksmithing, woodworking, how to survive harsh winters, etc - then that alone would be enough to be in Awe of these caretakers and teachers and cause honor.
I honor the Gods even when I don't feel comfortable with them. Odinn is a great example of this as he has come to me since I began working with runes (drawing his attention is often a result, whether desired or not, when working with runes as they are spirits he has close affinity and workings with). Odinn has told me I am his, I told him I most certainly am not, feeling the need to be loyal to Frigga. He just laughed at me. Odinn has many attributes that I would not like to approach or deal with magically or otherwise. These are not energies I am at all comfortable with. Does that mean I do not honor him or give him respect? No, I honor him not only as the husband of My Lady, not just as the All-Father who rules from Asgard, but also as an entity far greater and wiser than myself.
I honor Frigga because she showed me her face in a time when I needed aid to see me through my second pregnancy and first birth of a live baby. She came to me and helped me through long nights and wrapped me in her love when I needed rest. She hasn't always been so comforting - there have been times her words have been sharp and she has given me no room to squirm out of what I have to do in order to be the very best mother, devotee, and witch I can be in this world and community. For this and more, I honor her.
If I had to choose a God to devote myself too, I probably wouldn't have chosen Frigga. I would have chosen a deity that had more information readily available, who had a darker outlook to match my more gothic aesthetic, who had places to go on pilgrimage to or devotees that could teach me and take me under their wing. Alas, I did not choose and Frigga's lore and those that are devoted to her that are public are few. I did not choose Frigga and, in the beginning, confused her omens and symbols that she sent me to let me know she was there as signs of other Goddesses such as Hekate and Juno. I struggled and yet I couldn't be happier now that things have been made clearer even if it is harder to be a devotee to a Goddess that I do not understand, that I cannot fit into a box with a list of associations on a page in a Modern Pagan handbook.
I honor Frigga and her Handmaidens, Odinn and Mani and Njord and the other Gods and spirits because they are greater than me. I honor them because in my heart I knew honoring them is right and good. I can't make anyone else feel that unless they are open to it and I have no desire to instill this feeling in anyone who would come before the altars of the Gods begrudgingly.
Recently, Dver of Forest Door asked Are You Up For The Challenge? Are polytheists up for discussing their rituals and practices of polytheism. I accept the challenge not just for September but beyond as sharing my practice with others with the hope to inspire polytheist and pagan mamas (and non-mamas who are reading) out there is what this blog is about. I figured the first way to do this is the clarify who I honor and worship and why. The who is partially answered slowly in my 30 Days of Devotion to Frigga posts. The why is, in part, answered here.
Orr says, "To be in company with Pagans whose relationships with their gods and ancestors are evident, who are communicating with other entities within nature’s mind instead of talking to themselves, is a true delight."
I agree. I love that Dver is posting this challenge and people are accepting it. I love hearing about the relationships some Polytheists build with the Gods they worship. Not only does reading about these relationships make me feel a little less alone and crazy but it also inspires me to dig deeper. Reading the practices of others either inspired by text and lore or by UPG, inspires me to develop my practices further. Such inspiration can only be for the better when it comes to community.
"Paganism focuses from the outset on this search for the self. However, in most Pagan teachings, this appears as the be-all and end-all, the ultimate goal."
She then points out the problem of this thinking when it comes to community, "However, all too often, the self-importance of the I takes over, the insecure ego working solely to benefit itself."
While Orr looks at this issue from the perspective of a nature-loving pagan with a focus on the spirituality of the land and conection to the spirit in community, forests, animals, etc. I looked at this issue in regard to practicing Polytheism.
Not long ago I read Polytheism and Devotion on Galina Krasskova's blog. I began thinking of my religion from the idea of pure and total devotion to Frigga and other Gods that have approached me or that I have approached within the Norse pantheon.
In my witchcraft background, I often approached Gods but almost always only to petition for something for myself. If I gave offering it was in act of thanks for receiving what I asked for. Today, I often give small offerings to My Lady from baked goods I create to flowers I've grown or gathered when out for a walk. I have given offerings in petition to the Gods since I began my polytheist practice in earnest but now I do so far less than when I offer simply out of devotion.
When I contemplated this - I often wonder why the Gods would bother with witches at all unless their petition was something that could benefit more than the witch themselves. Why bother with someone who only comes to you when they want something like a spoiled child? Not even a child, at least then unconditional love might be a factor.
While I was considering this, I came across a conversation on Facebook asking why does Paganism have all these little terms and titles like Wiccan, Polytheist, Heathen, etc. Many people explained the need for the separation and labels much like the denominations of Christianity and defined each word. I focused on how Paganism or Witch does not mean Religious at all much less Polytheist.
Orr says in her essay, "It is no wonder that many give up on gods as actual beings when they have chosen to work with a goddess or god simply because they like the list of associations that go with it. Motherhood, fertility, the wildwood, strength, wizardry, whatever it may be, we are encouraged when we find others who can confirm that Cernunnos or Hecate is what we believe him or her to be. But these are ideas, found in books and shared with other people. They are not the gods that we encounter..."
She goes on to point out similar issues in ancestor work when many pagans profess to honor their ancestors but conveniently disregard parents, grandparents, and other close relations who they have issues with either because of religious conflict or other problems.
It is inconvenient to see Gods or spirits as they are when we can easily focus on ourselves and mold them as ideas that we need in the here and now and can readily dispose of the rest.
So why should we look beyond ourselves to honor the Gods?
Well, I suppose this is an answer each person who believes in and honors the Gods has to answer for themselves.If, like me, you believe the Gods had a hand in creating our world and the things within it such as teaching us certain crafts like herbalism, blacksmithing, woodworking, how to survive harsh winters, etc - then that alone would be enough to be in Awe of these caretakers and teachers and cause honor.
I honor the Gods even when I don't feel comfortable with them. Odinn is a great example of this as he has come to me since I began working with runes (drawing his attention is often a result, whether desired or not, when working with runes as they are spirits he has close affinity and workings with). Odinn has told me I am his, I told him I most certainly am not, feeling the need to be loyal to Frigga. He just laughed at me. Odinn has many attributes that I would not like to approach or deal with magically or otherwise. These are not energies I am at all comfortable with. Does that mean I do not honor him or give him respect? No, I honor him not only as the husband of My Lady, not just as the All-Father who rules from Asgard, but also as an entity far greater and wiser than myself.
If I had to choose a God to devote myself too, I probably wouldn't have chosen Frigga. I would have chosen a deity that had more information readily available, who had a darker outlook to match my more gothic aesthetic, who had places to go on pilgrimage to or devotees that could teach me and take me under their wing. Alas, I did not choose and Frigga's lore and those that are devoted to her that are public are few. I did not choose Frigga and, in the beginning, confused her omens and symbols that she sent me to let me know she was there as signs of other Goddesses such as Hekate and Juno. I struggled and yet I couldn't be happier now that things have been made clearer even if it is harder to be a devotee to a Goddess that I do not understand, that I cannot fit into a box with a list of associations on a page in a Modern Pagan handbook.
I honor Frigga and her Handmaidens, Odinn and Mani and Njord and the other Gods and spirits because they are greater than me. I honor them because in my heart I knew honoring them is right and good. I can't make anyone else feel that unless they are open to it and I have no desire to instill this feeling in anyone who would come before the altars of the Gods begrudgingly.
Recently, Dver of Forest Door asked Are You Up For The Challenge? Are polytheists up for discussing their rituals and practices of polytheism. I accept the challenge not just for September but beyond as sharing my practice with others with the hope to inspire polytheist and pagan mamas (and non-mamas who are reading) out there is what this blog is about. I figured the first way to do this is the clarify who I honor and worship and why. The who is partially answered slowly in my 30 Days of Devotion to Frigga posts. The why is, in part, answered here.
Orr says, "To be in company with Pagans whose relationships with their gods and ancestors are evident, who are communicating with other entities within nature’s mind instead of talking to themselves, is a true delight."
I agree. I love that Dver is posting this challenge and people are accepting it. I love hearing about the relationships some Polytheists build with the Gods they worship. Not only does reading about these relationships make me feel a little less alone and crazy but it also inspires me to dig deeper. Reading the practices of others either inspired by text and lore or by UPG, inspires me to develop my practices further. Such inspiration can only be for the better when it comes to community.
Why do you honor the Gods?
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