We connect with the Gods we connect with. Often they are from our homelands, because it's easier that way, the way the Gods are tied into ones sense of home and belonging. But often people feel a strong connection to a God who's not fromt heir homeland, and, well, I say what the hell, they're Gods, they surpass borders and air miles :P
I have enough trouble with tutelary Irish Goddesses who are linked to specific locations. "Ireland to England" could be argued to be too long a distance to bring them, especially if you think of the nations as enemies during wartime
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The Gods go where the people who worship them go I think. After all, at one point, the celts did not spread as far across europe as they did in the beginning. As the Celts migrated across europe, so did their Gods.
Quite a few of the immigrants to canada and the US were Irish, Scottish, etc. It is not hard to imagine that the Gods of their ancestors would follow them across the sea. Their presence may not be as strong as the original local gods, and it may not be as strong as their own presence in their native lands, but their presence can still be felt.
Ah, but did the Gods follow the movements of the people, or did the people discover the gods as they came to new lands? The evidence points toward the druids having taken up the native traditions of the places they went to.
I doubt whether the Cailleach was known to the celts in Spain. I have no evidence to back this up, so if someone knows better please say.
I'm sure they found new gods as they moved through europe, but I'm also sure that other's followed them.
Maybe I've been reading too much quantum theory lately, but I think that once a deity touches a certain people, it's part of them forever. When you exist on whatever plane the Gods exist on, I don't think mundane geography matters.
Well, pretty much all white caucasians (for example in Australia or America) have ancestors at some point in history (and often not that far back) from Europe - the Spanish, French and British Empires (for example) extended across the globe, and there were all the immigrations, forced or voluntary. So you could say that a white caucasian has a connection to druidic (or British or Spanish or any other European) traditions. In the same way the Native Americans could have a strong connection to their traditions, or Aborigines [sp?] to theirs.
Perhaps ones ethnic background can forge a stronger link with some traditions than other. But equally, I also think that there is no reason why a person cannot feel connected to another tradition, particularly if they live in it's traditional area, or even if they don't.
I would agree with ethnic background forming a strong link. For me, that's definitely the way it is. My background would include Celts (although if I go back really far, I'm Italian), and even though I live in the U.S., I personally would feel a bit silly worshipping Native American deities from any of the groups (I believe Algonquins were the local group), because to me, that's an ethnic tie. I'm not going to argue with anyone else's right to practice that, it just wouldn't work for me, although I find it very interesting. I find a much deeper affinity with deities from what I consider to be my homeland, Scotland, because that is the place from my heritage that I feel closest too (needless to say, I love your icon). No, I haven't lived there, but my ancestors did, and we've passed down a fair amount of pride through the generations, and it is the place the has spiritually moved me the most, because of my background. So, I would say ethnic background/deities from a place that speaks to you are some of the strongest ties. If you'
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DISCLAIMER: I'm not arguing with you.bittercatAugust 26 2005, 14:33:57 UTC
That does not hold true for me. My ancestry is overwhelmingly northern Eurpoean: English, Welsh, German...BUT, I'm not drawn to any of those pantheons at all.
My personal pantheon includes Greek, Hindu, and African deities, primarily. I also have a strong interest in and sympahty for Native American traditions. I dabble in Norse lore, but not nearly as much.
I don't see it as being any form of rebellion against my ethnicity, either. The connections I feel to those Gods run deep and are strong. (The Greek deities are my very strongest and the ones I work with most.)
It depends, I think. A lot of Australians originally come from the British Isles. Like my family. I heard it said once that for many Australian and American people, Britain is where they spiritually come from. It's like a post made here some time ago that asked the question does heritage influence our path? I believe it does
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Most of the tribes I know of, are extremely inclusive, but that info is limited to the SE of the states. Unless you are part of the tribe, or have gained special permission, you're not allowed to the non-public rites (death/birth, manhood/womanhood rites). I know one person who has initiated into the local Creek tribe, and that's because he had good connections and strong desire to be part of them. Most AmerIndian medicine men and tradition-holders kinda look down upon those outside practicing their traditions in the manner that many practice Wicca today (aka, got hold of a book with basic info and went from there). They will denounce those who claim to be a part of their tradition, but have never taken part in any religious training.
I have compiled this page to help with the "plastic shaman" issue. It has several links to web sites that deal with newage fraud perpetrated under the label "Native American Spirituality".
As for the Australia issue (I am an American living in Australia) I can tell you that with the magick & ritual work I perform down here (as well as the magick & ritual work I've done in Mexico & in the US) I try to honour the "genii loci". This is not to say that I necessarily try to "worship" the local deities, but I do at least try not to antagonize them. It is best to be respectful of the Gods of the land, wherever you are. If they don't want you to be working in their area, they tend to let you know. :-)
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Quite a few of the immigrants to canada and the US were Irish, Scottish, etc. It is not hard to imagine that the Gods of their ancestors would follow them across the sea. Their presence may not be as strong as the original local gods, and it may not be as strong as their own presence in their native lands, but their presence can still be felt.
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I doubt whether the Cailleach was known to the celts in Spain. I have no evidence to back this up, so if someone knows better please say.
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Maybe I've been reading too much quantum theory lately, but I think that once a deity touches a certain people, it's part of them forever. When you exist on whatever plane the Gods exist on, I don't think mundane geography matters.
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Perhaps ones ethnic background can forge a stronger link with some traditions than other. But equally, I also think that there is no reason why a person cannot feel connected to another tradition, particularly if they live in it's traditional area, or even if they don't.
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My personal pantheon includes Greek, Hindu, and African deities, primarily. I also have a strong interest in and sympahty for Native American traditions. I dabble in Norse lore, but not nearly as much.
I don't see it as being any form of rebellion against my ethnicity, either. The connections I feel to those Gods run deep and are strong. (The Greek deities are my very strongest and the ones I work with most.)
Just wanted to point that out.
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http://www.geocities.com/css_witchcraft/CV
As for the Australia issue (I am an American living in Australia) I can tell you that with the magick & ritual work I perform down here (as well as the magick & ritual work I've done in Mexico & in the US) I try to honour the "genii loci". This is not to say that I necessarily try to "worship" the local deities, but I do at least try not to antagonize them. It is best to be respectful of the Gods of the land, wherever you are. If they don't want you to be working in their area, they tend to let you know. :-)
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