Bones Beneath the Skin
Yesterday morning I read a Witchvox article wherein the author promised to explore the basics of what Pagans might need "in order to connect with our God(s) in a mutually satisfactory manner", but then only just made a list of fripperies that we clearly don't.
That was disappointing; the idea of what the basics of a pagan practice might entail is something I've been working on over the last two years. Since 2008 my altar and all my own fripperies have been packed away in storage, along with all the rest of my belongings. I've been sleeping on couches and guest beds, in motels and spare rooms. The challenge of staying close to my gods has been a day-to-day process.
I've found myself relying a lot on moongazing and prayers, journalling and woodswalks, but it makes me wonder: how do other solitary pagans do it? What are the bare bones for each of us that cannot go missing? Does the ritual always have to be in a cast circle, or have a functioning Cakes & Ale? Is prayer alone enough, or does there have to be an active portion, an offering? Is meditation alone enough, or does thought have to be given form through voice?
I've always read that we don't need all the tools and toys to worship our gods or do magic, because the gods are immanent as well as transcendent and, after all, the elements of magic are within us, body and soul.
But once the accessories that we all love so well are taken away, what does it mean to be a practicing pagan? What is the minimum needed to keep close to our gods?
That was disappointing; the idea of what the basics of a pagan practice might entail is something I've been working on over the last two years. Since 2008 my altar and all my own fripperies have been packed away in storage, along with all the rest of my belongings. I've been sleeping on couches and guest beds, in motels and spare rooms. The challenge of staying close to my gods has been a day-to-day process.
I've found myself relying a lot on moongazing and prayers, journalling and woodswalks, but it makes me wonder: how do other solitary pagans do it? What are the bare bones for each of us that cannot go missing? Does the ritual always have to be in a cast circle, or have a functioning Cakes & Ale? Is prayer alone enough, or does there have to be an active portion, an offering? Is meditation alone enough, or does thought have to be given form through voice?
I've always read that we don't need all the tools and toys to worship our gods or do magic, because the gods are immanent as well as transcendent and, after all, the elements of magic are within us, body and soul.
But once the accessories that we all love so well are taken away, what does it mean to be a practicing pagan? What is the minimum needed to keep close to our gods?