comfyfeet

Brilliant thread. :o)
I grew up with tarrot cards rather than church and have just started to learn about the different faiths.
What is your take on animal/spirt guides?

PollySis

Ello and welcome comfyfeet!

I dunno what others think - be interesting to get some different views. For my part I think some elementals may appear in a form we'd recognise as animals. Whether animals are what they actually are...? Not sure. But certainly our old cultures seem to have invested animals with certain attributes and magical significance. Also, thinking of all those folktales - thigns like witches skinturning themselves into hares, etc. Comfyfeet have you ever seen the Druid Animal Oracle deck? The book that comes with it's one of my fabourites and has loads about animal lore:

Amazon
Personally, have no direct experience of animal guides but am open minded to the whole idea. What's everyone else think?

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BeccaUK

i have an animal/spirit guide i meet in meditation. he basically helps me develop my abilities, but i'm avoiding him cos he's gonna give me an earbashing!
i also have a few animal spirits that visit me in real time. kinda like if i need a nudge, or some comforting, i'll see a dearly departed companion from my childhood around my legs.


as for any rituals i have planned pollysis, i tend to do little impromptu rituals on the sabbats if i have time. even if its just creating a circle and contemplating the time of year and what it means in relation to my life, like imbolc and new beginnings, beltane and samhain for honouring the departed and so on. if i have time i'll walk down by the thames to do them.

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comfyfeet

Becca that is really cool.
I heard that there tends to be animals that are present in your life and you will take something from each of them. I have always been drawn to cats, horses, wolves ( grew up with a large german shepard) and birds of prey esp eagle owls and falcons.
There is a wolf sanctary in wales that just screams out to me and I'm hoping to finally go this year and walk with the wolves. I'm trying to plan a trip in a few years time to fo to the far east where a friend of mine went and actually touched tigers. I have a little grey tiger and a fluffy panther at home that i love to bits, even when they run around at night playing kitten tig.
I think its the tribal stories that I like too.
I dont think we lisen to mother earth as much as we used to and we are now missing out on the wonderous things she can teach and show us.

BeccaUK

comfyfeet, thats why i like going down the river, i'm lucky to be at a stretch where there a trees and a few secluded bits, just before hampton court. living right next to london and not driving i don't get to see pure nature much, so its a blessing!

i grew up with dogs too. we had 5 (not all together unfortunately) while i as growing up, the first of which was a belgian shepard. he was really protective, like a dad (and a better one) and he used to snap at anyone who went near me, but never hurt me. lol sometimes i even used sleep in his kennel with him!
i definately got something different from each companion. as soon as i meet a new dog, its like i already know them. the same with cats, although we never had a cat until i was about 15. so dogs and cats are my main animals, but also raccoons. long story, but my dad always wanted one so he got one and i grew up with it. and again, he never ever hurt me. he was always a snuggly little honey with me and my dad. unfortunately not so with my next door neighbours ear.

i love horses too, but i am terrified of getting on one. i prefer to just look! (too many people i know have been seriously injured from horse riding)

speaking of wolves, if you love anywhere near south east london, there are usually wolves at witchfest international in nov/dec every year. not sure about witchfest england cos i haven't managed to get to that one yet though.

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comfyfeet

That is very cool.
I love the idea of something watching over us and sharing there wisdom to guide us to our full ability.
I had a very vivid dream once about being a wolf. I woke up in some grass, felt it cold on my body. Went over to a lake looked in the water and looking back at me was a face of a sliver wolf. I ran through a wooded area to the top of a hill and throw back my head and howled. I woke up that morning feeling so calm and at peace. I had that dream about 2 - 3 years ago and when I think of it the same peacfull feelings come back. i'll never forget it. Such a feeling of freedom :o)

hmeshow

Wow, this is so great to see. I am a very conservative Christian... I met a women last year and we became instant friends... it wasn't until about 6 months later that I found out that she is Pagan and calls herself a witch.
I know her and she is a great person, I would never judge anyone...
So, my 1st question.... she had mentioned an "alter" in her home... what is this? and what purpose does it serve?
Also, she has a tattoo and it is three six's joined to form a design.. that worries me A LOT.. in my religion that is "the mark of the beast" which translated to Satan....
I want to speak to her and just find out more information, she is such a wonderful person and I have learned so much from her. She has always thanked me for not judging her....she is such a doll and I want to continue our friendship. How would I go about speaking with her?
Thank You for starting this.. this has been making my heart heavy.

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Somewhat Damaged

An altar serves much the same purpose for most pagans as it does for Catholics and Christians... it's a place to hold your spiritual items, a place to pray, it can be a shrine, it can be elaborate or it can be simple Many pagans have a couple different altars for different purposes, and often the items on them and the 'theme' are changed based on the season. Sometimes you wouldn't even know it's an altar... it might just look like a regular part of a person's home.

As for the symbol you're referring to, the first thing that popped into my mind is that maybe it's a triskele? Does it look like the spirally design on this site? (this is a link to the anti-defamation league and there are some racist symbols on the page, just so you're aware) http://www.adl.org/hate_symbols/Triskele.asp
If so, there is a brief explanation of it's origins on the page. It's a Celtic symbol that represents different things to different people, but the most common I'm aware of is of the three aspects of the Goddess - maiden, mother, crone. I have never seen the spirally version of the triskele used for racist/neo-nazi purposes, but that was the first picture I found online! Wikipedia has a pretty good explanation of it's history: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triskelion

Anyway, if you are interested in learning more about her beliefs I would just ask. Most pagans/witches will gladly tell you about their personal beliefs, especially if they know you are genuinely interested in understanding things. The interesting thing about pagan religions is that many of us have different beliefs and practices, so it's hard to learn about an individual person's beliefs without asking them directly. Most of us are quite familiar with common misconceptions and are more than happy to talk about it and answer questions

PollySis

Hi Heather

As SomewhatDamaged says, that might be a triskele? I'd ask your friend - am sure as she appreciates your openmindedness, and friendship, she'd be happy to tell you what it is. I have a triskele necklace - it's an ancient symbol in the British Isles, symbolising the three elements (as in Celtic culture). I wear it for protection.

The pentacle is another symbol that has been demonised by later cultures, but in our culture stood for the five elements, and is used for various things but primarily, protection. It was a symbol also used by early christians - but for them, it symbolised the 5 wounds of Christ. Later on, when the church started executing pagans, it was also demonised, so there are historical reasons why christians find certain symbols 'scary' - but it's more to do with history and early church politics, than anything else.

For christians, certain other things have been made taboo - some of these have a foundation in scripture, no doubt; others arose for political reasons - for example, the Spanish inquisition, the 17thC witch hunts in Western Europe, the actions of people like James I, for example (who had large sections of the bible mistranslated, including *Thou shalt not suffer a poisoner to live* which became *Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live*).

But for your pagan friend, these things have a different significance - and she is coming from another perspective. Maybe she had the tattoo done when much younger and not so well informed! To most UK pagans, satanism is seen as nothing to do with paganism but we see it as another branch of christianity, as it is using their gods, devil and concept of good and evil - which are all things which a true pagan cannot adapt into our belief systems, because it would be accepting christianity, to worship its gods (or demons).

It is a misconception that's very common (maybe understandably) amongst non pagans - that satanism is a branch of paganism. But from a pagan perspective, it is a branch of christianity so the last thing that we would adopt. Through our culture, most people's 'education' in paganism was cheesy 1970s horror movies with '666's and goats' heads and sacrificial virgins! A better way to put it might be - pagans are not devil worshippers because how can you worship something you don't believe in?

Could be she was going through an emo phase!

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BecStan

Glad to be back around -- this is a SHOUT OUT to my fellow Pagan Cysters out there!!!! HAPPY SPRING TO YOU ALL!!

Many blessings!

I'm always here to chat with, answer questions, etc. I've been using the term Pagan for my beliefs for 21 years now, have been a student/teacher of several paths. I've been involved with a Cornish tradition now for seven years, and really enjoy it.

I'm now located in S. GA. -- so any southern Pagan Cysters out there, give me a shout!

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Married, mother of one son - 11 years old. I'm a SAHM, (former homeschooler). I have PCOS, hypothyroid, Type II Diabetes, and Sjogren's Disease as well. I have a cottage business making handmade soaps, lotions, etc.

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us."
~ Marianne Williamson

PollySis

Bec, I'd love to know more about the Cornish tradition?

I'm from the opposite end of England but have been to Cornwall a few times and we spent a couple of holidays finding not only the better known stone circles and holy sites, but some real off the beaten track ones! It's such a magical, beautiful place - even raised some power at a certain circle, at dusk, when everyone else left! We found out particularly evasive holy site which was yards from a cliff edge but it was so foggy you couldn't see and the fog lifted for the precise period of time we were there, long enough for us to see the whole thing. It was afternoon, but the sun and the moon AND a rainbow appeared in the sky. When the fog started coming in again, my husband said *They want us to go now, don't they?* - and he's a non believer!

Here's a place where we had a strange experience too:

http://people.bath.ac.uk/prsrlp/kern...and/madron.htm

Anyway be interesting to know more about the Cornish tradition. Have you learned the language?

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BecStan

It's called Pellorys. Here's where you can read more about it:
http://pellorys.faithweb.com/


I traveled to Europe in 2000 for two weeks on a self planned spiritual pilgrimage. I visited many "off the beaten path" Sacred-Places in England, Wales and Ireland. It was a blessed time in my life. I hope to return some day. The energy (for me) was tangible there, the Ancestors - very close. It was truly a magical, deep spiritual time for me.


I visited there. I had a very strong, deeply moving experience while visiting the Well. It is a very sacred spot.

Know, I have not learned the language per say. For one, the language within our tradition is the older versions of Cornish, and not what the modern folks are trying to reclaim. So it differs.

I can honestly say part of my Heart is in Cornwall! No doubt about it.


Here's a shot from a site right around "the corner" from Madron's Well -- I guess I haven't scanned the pics I took at the Well yet.

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Married, mother of one son - 11 years old. I'm a SAHM, (former homeschooler). I have PCOS, hypothyroid, Type II Diabetes, and Sjogren's Disease as well. I have a cottage business making handmade soaps, lotions, etc.

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us."
~ Marianne Williamson

Juniper Raven

Wow, I had no idea this thread existed on this forum. How wonderful!

I have not yet read all 5 pages. It will take me some time to catch up. But just a little on me first.

I have been a pagan for almost 10 years now. Specifically, I've been following a Shamanic path based on the Andean Mountain people in Peru. There is not much information on the net about them as they and their culture hadn't been discovered until the 1950's (ish).

It's only since the last year and a half that I have been dedicated to this path, though. Before that, I was dabbling a little here and there, trying to find which one called to me the most.

I was raised Roman Catholic until I was 13. My mother and I "converted" around the same time and it is to her that I owe knowing my now Shamanic teacher. She found her first.

I will try my best to answer any questions anyone may have but being new to this myself, it may take me a little bit to find the answers (if I have to research them). It's so wonderful to share a common spiritual interest with fellow SoulCysters.

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fury

Hello everyone, I am new here and just found this thread. It compelled me to tell a little bit about myself as well.

I have been on the pagan path for 22 years, mainly off and on as most people do but have been very serious about it for at least the last 9 years. I consider myself to be a solitary eclectic 'witch' and really despise any label associated with it. I tend to reject any type of organized religion on the whole and just do what feels right to me. A lot of my beliefs and/or rituals are based on a wide variety of things from everything to Native Americanism to Wicca...on to some Buddhist beliefs, Light Workers beliefs...etc. I tend to live my life anymore along the lines of "Law of Attraction" and I tend to believe that it works with any kind of spirituality and have a deep feeling that is how our spells and prayers actually work. Of course, like anyone else that is my own opinion.

I think its very important to reiterate that Paganism is only an umbrella term or label to describe any kind of religion that (according to most definitions) is not anything that can fall under the category of Christianity or Judaism or Islamism. So there is a vast array of many religions, spiritualities and beliefs that can fall under that header. I think its sad that the Label of Paganism is seen in such a low light and is directly referred to something dark and evil right off the bat. Yeah...most of us know why but I want to add that I think its wonderful that we have something like the internet that will hopefully shed positive light on the subject.

I was a moderator of a very popular pagan forum for a few years and up until its final demise. Sadly, it had been hacked so many times that the cost and upkeep became something that was pretty much impossible for the former owner to maintain. The site was taken down and one of the former administrators started it again as a yahoo group. I am thankful for everything I learned there and the friends that I still have to this day from that place. I decided not to regularly follow the new place for my own reasons but still drop by from time to time.

I have seen a few questions here as to how pagans believe on this or that...and I honestly think that is impossible to answer from one persons point of view, no matter what religious beliefs are. You can ask 100 pagans the same questions and get 100 different answers, just as you would if you asked 100 different Christians. I appreciated that this thread was started and how most of the questions have been answered, but I think on the whole that its impossible to have only a few people speak for all pagans.

To me, casting a circle is a very important part of ritual for many different levels of protection. Astral protection, protection of mind and sanity, protection of your soul, protection of your work you are trying to accomplish, etc. When I cast a circle, depending on where I am and the supplies I have, I use anything from a athame ( a dull knife used for ritual purposes)or my wand, or even my finger when I need to. I stand in the middle of my "circle" that I am casting and rotate in place, drawing the circle with not only the tool I listed above, but also with my mind and heart. While I cast, I visualize a circle being drawn around me in bright white light. I normally draw a circle around the entire room that I am in and anyone else, including my altar and any animals/pets that happen to be there with me. If my child is in the room at the time, he knows that he is not to exit the room until the ritual is done. Everyone else in the house knows that they cannot come into the room until I am done. Anyhow, once my 'circle' is completely drawn out, I then visualize a pentagram inside the circle and I "throw" the pentagram upwards, throughout the room and sometimes higher then the roof of my house. (I've been known to cast circles around the entire house and even vehicle I am traveling in as well if I feel I needed extra protection.) The pentagram has many meanings to me too, but mainly its protection with the elements and guardians of the directions. I then do the work that I need to on my altar, normally with the Goddess, Diana (The Moon Goddess, to me) I have dedicated myself to but sometimes I ask for help from other deities, including "God". (I tend to believe that all major religions that have a belief in a male God are actually only One "Spirit or Deity"...the same Person, no matter what name He has been given, I refer to Him as the Lord)

As far as afterlife goes, I tend to believe that we are on a cycle of experiences and that in each life we have a certain lesson to learn. I believe that these experiences go according to our zodiac sign. I believe that if we learn the lesson that we were here for, that we move to the next sign. I also believe that if we screw it up, either we have to relive that life/sign or we slide back a sign...or sometimes if we messed it up really bad, we may even slide back a few signs. I believe that when we have learned everything we need to learn, that we do go to a summerlands or a paradise of sorts. Call it heaven if you want. I do believe that we end up in a place with perfect peace and perfect love. I do not believe that we ever end up in a 'hell' and do not believe that such a place exists. In fact, the only hell I would believe in, is having to relive a certain life over and over again before you get it right. It would be hell to me to drift aimlessly through a life and not know where I stood, where I was going or what my purpose was. Now with that being said, I do believe that we have a certain 'vacation' if you will between lives too. I believe that sometimes spirits lose their path or 'forget the way' especially when something tragic happened to them right before or right at the time of death. I also believe that some spirits have a hard time disconnecting themselves from the former family and need to stay around for awhile to protect or look over their former loved ones. And I believe that they can do this for as long as they wish. I don't believe that we are automatically thrown into another life or another world right away at death. I do believe that they are on a separate plane and have the ability to control a few things on a few different planes while in that state. LOL...its kind of hard to explain in words as to how I 'feel' it. I am sure most here can understand that feeling when it comes to how they believe.

As for politics, I tend to be an independent with liberal tendencies...but I have a socialist view on a few things to. I guess what I am trying to say is that there is no real label for anyone...I certainly don't feel that I fit perfectly under any label by anyone else's standards.

And on the abortion issue...this one is a tough one for me. Beings that I am lucky enough to be blessed with the one child I have given birth to and have known the hell of being infertile I think that abortion, when used as a form of birth control, is wrong. (I know a few women that have had several abortions simply because they were stupid enough not to protect themselves time and time again)Yet the Libra in me can see both sidest a certain degree. I disagree with South Dakota making abortion illegal. Its not the state's decision what a woman does with her body. Nor is it a churches right to say. I can promise you that had I been raped and gotten pregnant...or if it was conceived through incest, I know I would not want to go through the motions of being pregnant with a constant reminder of what happened. I would not want to be a mother to a rapist's child with the rapists gene's. Same for incest, not to mention all the genetic problems that could happen with it. Yet, if I ever got pregnant naturally, through love with my soon-to-be husband again and found out while I was pregnant that the child would have birth defects, I know I would feel different. I would not abort that pregnancy and I would love that child as much as my other child. So its very hard to say. I don't feel its something that anyone can classify under a religion or spirituality. It has so much more to do with where your heart leads you. Not the guilt in your mind, so much. I am sure that is confusing too. But I hope I made that clear for most people to understand.

As far as sexuality goes...in the pagan world and under MOST (not all) religions and spiritualities that fall under the general term, I have found that they are mostly accepting of pretty much anyone. I know this is going to sound like stereotyping and generalizing with Christianity...but I hope you will listen before you judge. In the bible it says that to lay with the same sex is wrong and is a sin. I am sure we agree there (that the bible says that). Under most pagan religions there is no such fear of eternal punishment on something termed a 'sin', most of the time, if you have done something out of contempt, spite or hate...you will be served a plate of cold, hard, nasty karma as a reward. But where in homosexuality, when you get down to the nitty gritty of it all, is there contempt, spite or hate? Usually its about following your heart and loving the person you love, regardless of what they are on the 'outside'. I personally do not see homosexuality as anything wrong. I do see it as beautiful that a person had enough guts to break out of the fear that is generally placed on them by society...and went on to love the people they were meant to love regardless of what other people thought about it. What happens in our bedrooms should ALWAYS be private and no one else's business but ours. Stay out of my bedroom and I promise to stay out of yours.

I was typing out what I believed about religions as, on a whole...and then I re-read it and decided that it sounded like a rant. So, I will save that to myself.

And lastly, as far as morals go?? Whose to say what is really morally right or wrong?? The Law (and if so, WHO's LAW?)?? The Church?? Your religion?? No. Not to me. Its all about what feels right to me. If I can truly feel what I am doing is right for me, all the way in my heart and soul, then who is to say that its wrong? I do not need to live in constant fear, nor do I need to repent for anything I've done. I know the difference between the basic rights and wrongs. I do not kill, I do not cheat, I do not cause spiteful harm, I do allow my heart and mind to work together. If there is something that is imbalanced between the two, then I know its not something I should do. I do try to help my fellow man, I do not discriminate against anyone based on anything such as color, race, religion, sexual preferences...etc. I feel the only reason to discriminate against a person is when they have repeatedly caused you harm, physically, emotionally, mentally...in any form. And even then, the best thing to do is to walk away and get your justice through the justice system, if its warranted. I try like heck to always have peace and happiness in my life anymore. I have no time for drama and since I have started living my life under the laws of attraction, I have looked back in my past and noticed how much drama I did have and how badly it affected my health. Its never worth it. I try as hard as I can to help others learn from my mistakes so they do not have to go down that same painful path...yet at the same time...I will allow them to walk it, if they show they must. Yet, somethings I have done in my life and repeated, because it felt right to me and was something that I took great pleasure in doing and although I am sure many of them would fall under the headings of SINNER...well then so be it. I am a sinner then. That label means nothing to me...its just another label, on top of about a thousand others, that also mean nil.

I do not feel the need to try and convert anyone to my way of thinking. If someone is ready to change the way they think and believe, that is their personal journey. If they ask my advice along the way...wonderful. If they don't...thats fine with me too. I wish them love, light and peace along the way. To me, thats much more important. To me, the Spirit/Creator/God/Lord/Lady/Goddess would want that for them more then anything else. We all stumble on our path. To me, its the strong ones that can stand up, dust themselves off and learn from the experience, especially when they can take credit for what THEY did wrong. I see it as weak when a person cannot take responsibilities for their own actions, especially when they constantly blame it on someone or something else, especially something 'evil'. But thats just me.

Ohh and one more thing that seems to be a common misconception about the "Harm none and do what they will' rule. So many times I have seen a pagan stick up for themselves...or even try to warn another about a certain person, for example. And so many times I have seen the offended one throw that term in the pagan's face. like.."I thought you believed in harm none...what a hypocrite" type of comment. So many people, including pagans do not know that the "Harm none" rule applies to the pagan as well. It means to live live your life as pure as possible to me. I means that I shall not purposely cause harm to anyone. It also has meant to me, that if I see a person trying to cause harm to another, that it is my duty to alert that person that harm is on its way. (I do feel differently about that now, somewhat, but on the whole I do believe it) Now, that is a double edged sword, because ultimately the person trying to cause harm takes immediate defense and tries to weasel their way out of the whole thing...causing as much drama as possible in most cases and will always usally try and place the blame on the person that alerted the other in the first place, claiming to have been harmed by it all...lol. But it also means NOT TO LET ANY HARM COME OUR WAY too. Wiccans, true Wiccans that know the true meanings, know to live their lives as peaceful as possible. Any one that lives under the Wiccan rede and ways is protected under that as well. Personally, if I see or hear that someone is trying to cause me harm, I will normally try to talk to them to see what the root of the problem is. If I inadvertanly caused them harm....I will apologize and try to do what it is right for all concerned. However, if its a drama mama out to cause problems and nothing, no matter what you do will stop their plight for attention and finger pointing, well...I normally will do a binding on them...but ONLY with perfect love and perfect trust, never out of spite. And when I bind them...I also include protection to them from causing harm to themselves. Its not an issue of spite, hate, frustration or a way of getting back at them. To me, a spell cast or a prayer ritual done out of a clouded mind from any of the above listed things is morally wrong. I do not believe in white/black/grey magick but to me, something done to target a person...something that causes harm in any way is wrong...morally wrong, if you will. In my younger more stupid years, I did do a few of these spells and the only one that paid for them was me. It took me a long time to rid myself of many things that I needed to let go, but once I did all my forgiveness I saw everything in a much different light. I think its also very important for anyone that performs spells/prayer rituals, especially when another person is involved, to be clean...from the soul out. Its your resposiblility to be as clean and true as possible. Especially for your own karma.

I think I am done now...I will return the soapbox from where I found it..lol

fury

I also just ran into some of the posts of some members that were experiencing watch batteries dying, lights coming on or turning off etc in their presence.

I thought it might help to add this survey. I know for a fact that I am an Adult Indigo and a mother of an indigo child. We have these things happen to both of us all the time. I cannot wear a watch because of it. I also drain cellphone batteries, ending up eventually killing the cellphone much faster then a non-indigo and have had alternator/car battery problems in every single car I have ever owned. I never knew why. Until a very dear friend told me...and it was very freeing to understand what I really am and why I am the way I am. This is one label I wear proudly...so I encourage all of you to see if you are one of us....here:
http://www.indigo-adults.com/topics/...ultIndigo.html

Happy Surveying!! And welcome to a higher (4th to be exact) plane....~wink~