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Post by dreamguardian on Jan 17, 2011 21:01:44 GMT -1
(Course I'm not Hindu either so I can't explain the Shiva thing, and it was pretty definite as well) I wasn't doubting that for a moment. I have never been to the states & so I was curious of where american pagans feel their 'spiritual connections' lie. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 18, 2011 5:51:26 GMT -1
(Course I'm not Hindu either so I can't explain the Shiva thing, and it was pretty definite as well) I wasn't doubting that for a moment. I have never been to the states & so I was curious of where american pagans feel their 'spiritual connections' lie. No I know you weren't,  I can't speak for all American Pagans but there is I think a caution when approaching native Deities because there is always the worry about cultural misappropriation ( www.aics.org/war.html) |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 27, 2011 4:41:24 GMT -1
I am very strongly connected to my place, Middle Tennessee. I live a few miles away from where I grew up, after spending most of my 20's in very different regions. My current home is about 100 yards from a very old river and I'm fortunate enough to live at the border of parkland. I have no native names for the spirits I feel closest to here, they are of Place and most likely need no names. The river is full of wildlife... otters, fish, ducks and two kids of herons.
Years ago when I started on my spiritual path, I did the genealogy bit and quite easily traced my fathers family to both Southern Wales and the Sheffield area. My mothers family is nearly all from Western Ireland. Both sides have been here for around 150 years, so the tracing wasn't too difficult. The ancestors I feel closest are the farmers who settled this area as first and second generation immigrants who retained much of the cultures from whence they came. I've been exploring the idea of venerating "heroic" ancestors and have a small shrine to Ceridwen on my mantle. It's been interesting.
The goddesses I feel closest to are Brigid and the Cailleach. I have a passing fair relationship with the Dagda as well. I try to acknowledge the gods at the times of year that seems sensible and our seasons here are quite close to those in the Isles.
As for daily practice... It is daily. I play the harp, which for me is intimately connected to my spirituality. I meditate in the morning and at night before bed. I also sew for part of my livelihood, and I do make ritual items for other people. I find that I pour myself into those in a very powerful way, much different from making clothing. I suppose that is also part of my practice.
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I can't speak for all American Pagans but there is I think a caution when approaching native Deities because there is always the worry about cultural misappropriation (