Ask the pagan

[Caitlin.ann]

Because I'm utterly and completely bored I thought it would be nice to start a thread where anyone can come in and ask questions of myself and anyone else who wants to chime in that also follows a pagan path. Since "pagan" is an umbrella term and now a somewhat subjective term it should be expected that answers will be as varied and diverse as paganism is, so I can only give answers specific to me and my path, however I will also try to answer questions regarding other paths I know about to the best of my ability.

 

[Cognitive]

Why do you eat children?

 

[Caitlin.ann]

Why do you eat children?

Because they taste good and they're better for my diet.

 

[Chesterton]

How did the universe come into existence?

 

[Caitlin.ann]

I tend to agree with the current scientific theories, or what is commonly taught right now with the information we have at hand. It is my belief that the gods did not create the universe, but they are a product of it just as we are.

 

[Gardenia]

Just as an example of the diversity mentioned in the first post..

How did the universe come into existence

I believe that the universe was brought into existence by Deity, although I do not see this as in conflict with what science has shown.. I don't take any one creation story as literal, but rather see all of them as symbolic pieces of a bigger picture that we can't fully understand right now.

 

[Völuspá]

What's the meaning behind your username?

 

[marlowe007]

Do you believe that gods exist on a level of reality stronger than metaphor or archetype? If so, what reason is there to exclude some gods from existence while embracing others? In other words, if you worship the Greek pantheon for example, why exclude the Norse gods? Moreover, if you believe that all gods are equal, why call yourself a pagan rather than a Hindu, since Hindus subscribe to the universalist notion of the equality of all religions too?

 

[Wicked Willow]

Do you believe that gods exist on a level of reality stronger than metaphor or archetype? If so, what reason is there to exclude some gods from existence while embracing others? In other words, if you worship the Greek pantheon for example, why exclude the Norse gods? Moreover, if you believe that all gods are equal, why call yourself a pagan rather than a Hindu, since Hindus subscribe to the universalist notion of the equality of all religions too?

I think I'll answer these questions in reverse:

I have much in common with (certain aspects of) Hinduism in terms of my view of Deity (particularly the panentheistic aspects of its more philosophical strains). However, Hinduism is mostly defined a shared set of culture-specific rituals and practices that are alien to me. Thus, calling myself a Hindu even though I'm unfamiliar with most things that would readily make my beliefs and practices identifiable as such - well, I guess you get the picture.
Which leads me to the second question: actually, I don't worship any specific pantheon, but see them all as facets of a single diamond, emanations of Transcendence, archetypes, and expressions of Man's attempt to understand concepts that cannot be readily defined and put into words.
As for the level of reality-question: well, that's a tough one; I suppose that putting my views into words would take a LONG time, but it's an interesting task. I guess I'll get back to you on that one! For now, let's just say that I'd grant the archetypes a certain kind of elusiveness or independence, existing outside of the immediate range of our conscious influence. Cultures or even individuals can give them slightly different shapes, or at least interpret them differently, but they still remain the same.

 

[Gardenia]

Do you believe that gods exist on a level of reality stronger than metaphor or archetype?

Yes, I believe that Deity truly and literally exists. Although I am what is often called a soft polytheist, I view my Gods as much more than metaphor. I see all Gods as part of a single whole.. Just because there is Ra, Amun, and Amun-Ra, who are all part of the One, doesn't mean I think they exist any less.

If so, what reason is there to exclude some gods from existence while embracing others? In other words, if you worship the Greek pantheon for example, why exclude the Norse gods?

I do not exclude them from existing. Just because I worship the Egyptian pantheon does not mean I think the Greek or Norse Gods do not exist. Why I worship one pantheon, and even more specifically why I am devoted to specific deities within the pantheon, rather than all of them.. well, that answer has a few parts. First, a rather simple one.. If I tried to be devoted to every God in a pantheon, let alone every God in existence, well.. I'd have no time for it all!

The Egyptian Gods are the only ones who have ever spoken to me. I originally tried to worship the Greek Gods when I became a pagan, no go. I have tried to follow other pagan Gods, and other non-pagan Gods for that matter, with out ever hearing a peep. My Gods came to me, they chose me, I think it would be foolish to ignore them.

I believe the Names exist because the majority of humans can not fully understand, let alone begin to know, the vastness of the One. We are drawn to Gods to have a relationship with the One. We learn from Deity through it's many faces. Why we are drawn to specific Deities, why some come into our lives and others never do, why we learn the lessons we learn.. well, it's all different answers depending on the individual, and we may not even know why some of these things happen in our own lives.

Again, just my beliefs. Some pagans do worship from multiple pantheons, or have other reasons for following a specific pantheon. Some do not feel that all Gods actually do exist. But, they will have to answer for themselves.

Moreover, if you believe that all gods are equal, why call yourself a pagan rather than a Hindu, since Hindus subscribe to the universalist notion of the equality of all religions too?

This is a bit like asking why Muslims just don't call themselves Jews. Islam and Judaism both have the same concept of God (monotheism), and they have some other beliefs and practices in common, but they also have their differences. So it is with Hinduism and paganism. There are many things which Hindus believe that I personally do not believe. I often do not practice my religion in the same way. Also, not all pagans do believe that all Gods are one, or that all religions are equal.

 

[Caitlin.ann]

Will answer when I get back from the gym. I'm glad Gardenia and Wicked Willow have also chimed in.

 

[sidhe]

Why do you eat children?

Protein.

How did the universe come into existence?

Naturally. There's a lengthy and complex metaphor for it, though.

What's the meaning behind your username?

"sidhe" is the Irish Gaelic word for "hill", but also for "fairy". I think it better conjures the image of the fae folk as the kind of creatures that kill you for giving the wrong answer to a question, as opposed to Tinkerbell.

Do you believe that gods exist on a level of reality stronger than metaphor or archetype?

Yes, they exist on a level of reality beyond metaphor or archetype, but our meager facilities can only relate on the level of metaphor or archetype.

Or, to paraphrase Rabbi Lamed Ben Clifford - yes, they're real. Yes, they're archetypes; you just have no clue how real an archetype can be.

If so, what reason is there to exclude some gods from existence while embracing others? In other words, if you worship the Greek pantheon for example, why exclude the Norse gods?

Personal connection, basically. The strange collection of deities I relate to aren't from a uniform pantheon, but tend to represent a uniform set of archetypes.

Moreover, if you believe that all gods are equal, why call yourself a pagan rather than a Hindu, since Hindus subscribe to the universalist notion of the equality of all religions too?

Because I don't necessarily think they're all equal, and I also don't have any connection to Hindu deities.

 

[Caitlin.ann]

What's the meaning behind your username?

I came up with my username years ago in highschool when I was undergoing a very transitional time in my life. I had recently discovered paganism and also something called vampirism and my world view was changing. Having grown up in a Christian home, I was now seeing some things as sacred (like magic) which I was once taught was sinful. And it worked on many levels, many things, including my new path, were now sacred to me but sinful to others and would have been sinful to me in the past. I've been using it ever since, so its just kind of stuck.

Do you believe that gods exist on a level of reality stronger than metaphor or archetype? If so, what reason is there to exclude some gods from existence while embracing others? In other words, if you worship the Greek pantheon for example, why exclude the Norse gods? Moreover, if you believe that all gods are equal, why call yourself a pagan rather than a Hindu, since Hindus subscribe to the universalist notion of the equality of all religions too?

This is where it gets sticky...
I am a hard polytheist, so I believe many gods exist, however I only worship a few. I believe they are their own entity and not representative of a single great power/god/energy. However I also believe that myths are metaphores shaped by topography and ancient peoples in order to describe natural events they couldn't explain and to pass on important cultural beliefs throughout the generations. I do not believe that Odin really threw his eye into Mimir's wheel, however these stories/metaphores do shape the gods. So I see deities as their own separate entities, but they are shaped by man as man tries to understand the divine and their natural world. I don't really believe that any god is omnipotent so my view of deity is different from most of those around me.

Now on the subject of pantheons..I am most drawn to the Norse pantheon so I focus a lot of energy in that direction. However I also work with one Greek and one Celtic deity and have worked with those two since I began exploring paganism. I exclude others only because I am most drawn to these specific gods I already work with. Maybe in the future more deities from different pantheons will draw my attention, and I'm quite open to that possibility.

Some believe Hinduism falls under the umbrella term of "Paganism", however while other gods exist I am not drawn to them. Brahma does nothing for me in comparison to Odin, Thor, or Cernunnos. Its simply what I'm drawn to. So while all gods may be equal, they are not equally appealing to me. There are many who believe the gods choose their followers, not the other way around. All I can really say is I haven't felt the pull towards Asian deities so I've found what I am drawn to and what gods "called" to me.

Hope that answered your questions adequately.

 

[MichaelNZ]

Do your spells actually bring about any supernatural effects, or are they simply another method of prayer? I know that there are shamans in Malaysia and Singapore called bomohs who practise magic (often black magic) and they supposedly produce supernatural effects. My wife has forbidden me to have anything to do with them.
Could you cast a spell to control someone or make someone who hates you fall madly in love with you? Those are the sorts of things that would require supernatural powers.

Brahma does nothing for me in comparison to Odin, Thor, or Cernunnos

I'm not surprised. Brahma was cursed by Lord Shiva never to be worshipped and even today there are very few temples in all of India dedicated to Him. There are thousands of temples dedicated to Vishnu, Shiva, Ganesha, Durga, Krishna, Rama, Murugan, Hanuman etc but only a few dedicated to Brahma.

 

[awitch]

Originally Posted by Chesterton

How did the universe come into existence?

I believe deity created the universe with the Big Bang in a "big exploding way", and let nature run its course from there.

​

Originally Posted by Völuspá
What's the meaning behind your username?

I'm a witch. I used to use a-witch on different forums, but CF didn't allow dashes.

Do you believe that gods exist on a level of reality stronger than metaphor or archetype? If so, what reason is there to exclude some gods from existence while embracing others? In other words, if you worship the Greek pantheon for example, why exclude the Norse gods? Moreover, if you believe that all gods are equal, why call yourself a pagan rather than a Hindu, since Hindus subscribe to the universalist notion of the equality of all religions too?

Yes, I believe the gods exist beyond metaphor/archetype. I exclude deities based on my experience, or lack thereof. I have a Celtic pantheon. I don't deny the existence of other pantheons, I'm just not concerned with them.

I don't believe that all gods are equal and my tradition does not resemble any Hindu practice.

Could you cast a spell to control someone or make someone who hates you fall madly in love with you?

Anyone can, but there is no guarantee it will work. That kind of stuff interferes too much with free-will so in my tradition such spells would be unethical. I don't use magic very much, and except for a curse, I don't use it on anyone without an explicit request.

 

[Chesterton]

"sidhe" is the Irish Gaelic word for "hill", but also for "fairy". I think it better conjures the image of the fae folk as the kind of creatures that kill you for giving the wrong answer to a question, as opposed to Tinkerbell.

Questions like "What is the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow"?

 

[sidhe]

Questions like "What is the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow"?

Actually, yeah, that would be the kind of arbitrary question.

The famous one is "Is there a chance for the damned to be redeemed?"

Answer "Yes", you're presumptuous about G-d's mercy, and need to die.

Answer "No", you haven't the spirit of forgiving others, and need to die.

Answer, "We won't know until the end", and your honesty saves your life.

That comes from post-Catholic Irish legend.

Arbitrary questions or trick questions.

 

[awitch]

Questions like "What is the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow"?

African or European?

 

[marlowe007]

Brahma does nothing for me in comparison to Odin, Thor, or Cernunnos. Its simply what I'm drawn to. So while all gods may be equal, they are not equally appealing to me. There are many who believe the gods choose their followers, not the other way around. All I can really say is I haven't felt the pull towards Asian deities so I've found what I am drawn to and what gods "called" to me.

Do you believe that one's ancestry has any significance in determining their connection with specific gods? I've heard some pagans say that it would be meaningless for a person of European descent to worship Baron Samedi or Shango or Inari or Veracoca.

 

[Caitlin.ann]

Do your spells actually bring about any supernatural effects, or are they simply another method of prayer? I know that there are shamans in Malaysia and Singapore called bomohs who practise magic (often black magic) and they supposedly produce supernatural effects. My wife has forbidden me to have anything to do with them.
Could you cast a spell to control someone or make someone who hates you fall madly in love with you? Those are the sorts of things that would require supernatural powers.

I don't practice witchcraft so I couldn't say. Nothing against it, but i'm too lazy to learn a craft at this hectic time in my life. Maybe someone else here will be able to better answer your questions.

I'm not surprised. Brahma was cursed by Lord Shiva never to be worshipped and even today there are very few temples in all of India dedicated to Him. There are thousands of temples dedicated to Vishnu, Shiva, Ganesha, Durga, Krishna, Rama, Murugan, Hanuman etc but only a few dedicated to Brahma.

It was just an example.