What is Brythonic Polytheism?

[darren]

I realise that not all my questions on here are going to get answered (though better here than elsewhere). But I'll have another try.

Just a couple more  things I would like to ask peoples opinion on, even those not ‘in the know’. Then I promise to stop asking awkward questions-

(a) The recent blog post links the gods with the landscape, so do you have to be in the Brythonic lands to worship the Brythonic gods?

(b) Do you have to be racially Brythonic (or otherwise Celtic) to worship the Brythonic/pan- Celtic gods?

[Lee]

Hi Darren,

This page on the Brython website also summarises your title question.

In answer to your two questions though;

(a) No, you dont. Think of it is using a Brythonic lens to view he gods that arise from he landscape, and a brythonic lens through whihc we look and act when interacting with them. You can use that lens on any landscpe in any part of the world. Just be mindful that the landscape may be very different and there might not a 'frame of reference' within the brythonic cultures for what is there e.g deserts or coral reefs

(b) nope, not at all. race plays no part of it. for us it is a fluke we happened to be born on this island. it may well be that if we all got our DNA sequenced we find we are 'ethnically' descended from one of a dozen peoples who have moved, lived and settled here over the millennia. it is about worldview and interaction with that world - not skin, not DNA, not gender.

[Heron]

@ Lee I love your 'Brythonic Lens' analogy: a very good way of putting it!

@ Darren I concur with both of Lee's answers to your questions. While the Brythonic gods and their landscape is our 'Ground Zero', we are responsive, as polytheists have always been, to other gods - Irish, Norse ... - whose territory and spheres of cultural influence overlap with our own. Racial origins are only likely to be a factor in that they may also determine cultural attitudes. As far as the gods are concerned I don't think this is an issue. We all stem from a common gene pool in the span of god-time.

[potia]

What they said!

[darren]

Thank you to those who responded. Specially Lee for that direction to the web page which is as clear and well written account as anyone could wish for. It's understandable that you are more eclectic on this forum and on the blog as was explained. So I think I'm clear on your approach now.

[saber]

Hi Lee
I'm new and want a good understanding I've read the highlighted part and found it very interesting. Could you recommend any books for me to get a much clearer understanding. I am Polytheism and always have been from a young age but due to parental religious beliefs I have only just started to explore more. Thanks for any advice you can give me.

[lorna]

Aug 29, 2017 11:48:33 GMT -1 saber said:

Hi Lee
I'm new and want a good understanding I've read the highlighted part and found it very interesting. Could you recommend any books for me to get a much clearer understanding. I am Polytheism and always have been from a young age but due to parental religious beliefs I have only just started to explore more. Thanks for any advice you can give me.

Saber, just in case Lee doesn't see this, this is the link to our Recommended Reading page - www.dunbrython.org/recommended-reading.html

[gruffudd]

Hi darren,

"The recent blog post links the gods with the landscape, so do you have to be in the Brythonic lands to worship the Brythonic gods?" -

I really like Lee's analogy to glasses for this one so can't put it better myself.

"Do you have to be racially Brythonic (or otherwise Celtic) to worship the Brythonic/pan- Celtic gods?" -

I would say definitely not as there never was a Brythonic let alone Celtic ethnicity. Its simply a region of Europe connected by common languages, culture and art styles. I have heard of some religions stating their gods only respond to specific bloodlines but not in this case.

Besides even those religions at the end of the day could be debated whether you're a soft or hard polytheist, as soft would say all similar gods are representations of the same god so in essence are being honoured and responding to others through other names. Personally I think it comes from that lovely superiority complex so rampant amongst some religions/people.

Personally I identify as a hard polytheist but do enjoy debating the other side haha

[Heron]

Welcome Saber.

As Lorna suggests, do look at the recommended reading list on the website and ask if you need guidance for a more specific focus.

[gwiddon]

I didn't introduce myself properly before, as this forum doesn't seem to be very active at the moment. But, because it helps me to think aloud, I'll throw a few things in here and maybe get a response.

There are lots of things in here listed as Brythonic sources , mostly medieval Welsh. But what about sources in English like, say, GawaIn and the Green Knight - can these be counted as Brythonic ?

I ask because I'VE lived in Wales and England at different times and involved with Wicca, but I 'm re-assessing myself as a Brythonic as these sources speak to me most strongly and I'm trying to understand what could be included.

Anyone want to discuss?

[ysbryd]

Hello gwiddon, I’ve always thought of the Gawain and the Green Knight story as ‘celtic’ even though it is written in dialect English. It is set in the borders of N Wales, Cheshire, Lancashire I think, and has a theme that tunes in with what feels yo me like it has roots in the older Brythonic culture of the area. So I think you can include it.

Your description of a wiccan background with Brythonic leanings is familiar as it’s just like mine
So it’s nice to have company.

Love your avatar btw

[gwiddon]

Sept 10, 2022 13:09:57 GMT -1 ysbryd said:

Hello gwiddon, I’ve always thought of the Gawain and the Green Knight story as ‘celtic’ even though it is written in dialect English. It is set in the borders of N Wales, Cheshire, Lancashire I think, and has a theme that tunes in with what feels yo me like it has roots in the older Brythonic culture of the area. So I think you can include it.

Your description of a wiccan background with Brythonic leanings is familiar as it’s just like mine
So it’s nice to have company.

Love your avatar btw

Thanks ysbryd, nice to hear from a kindred sister. Let's see if anyone else responds  on here .

And thanks for offering your company;)  Maybe this isn't the best place? (Seems to be open to spammers etc) Looks like there 's a private messaging facility on here so look there for a message from me. 
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