For those for do, do you adapt the practices and the gods you work with to suit where you are? And if you are doing this, why not just get involved with the local pagan tradition or practices of that area?
(a) Because I have absolutely no interest or connection with Native American practices, and (b) because even if I did, this is widely seen as cultural imperialism. More than a few Recons have the idea that you should stick to the gods of your ancestors, you seem (if I'm reading you correctly) to think you should stick to the gods where you are (two viewpoints fundamentally in conflict, unless you're fortunate enough to still reside in the land of your ancestry)-- what if you're called by neither? I'm Kemetic because these are my gods. I didn't pick Them, They picked me.
Well. My ancestry is German, Australian, Welsh (Scotch and Irish, as well) and Native American, and I live in America. So does that mean that I am obligated to completely ignore all Druidic aspects of my life and only delve into the Native American? Besides that, I live in Florida and my tribal ancestry is from Illinois. Am I supposed to only connect with Seminole traditions instead of the traditions of my ancestor tribe because I've never actually been to Illinois? That doesn't make any sense. (which is why I do none of the above!) The gods are wherever you want them to be. If you make a home for a god, then a god is there. I think it's very vain to think that gods will only be in one area (not that I'm saying you're vain, yourself, but the idea is). If we, as mere mortals, can travel all around the world in our pathetic lifetimes, why can't the gods do the same? I know a couple of Celtic Recons who have actually been invited to various countries in the UK because of how devoted and accurate they are in their faith. None of them live
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The Gods travel with you in your heart no matter where you go. There are no boundrys where devotion is concerned. I am Irish and I live in Virginia now, And as much celtic/druid/asatru reconstruction as ive seen over here the gods have to go with you.
It depends upon which deity you look at. Some are definately tied to specific places. Others appear to be more broad-based, tied to people/tribes. My take would be to pay attention to the locals in whatever area you're in, but the ones that are a bit more mobile should be fair game too.
I think part of the reluctance to deal with some of the NA spirits comes from the fact that so much of NA spirituality has been raked over the coals by outsiders looking to leech what they can. I know I personally don't want to be associated with that. So, making that approach requires a bit of caution.
While I study Shamanism (in general) and have a very strong interest in NA culture, I will not approach and ask to be taught. If the Spirits deem me ready, worthy, or whatever, They will send me a teacher.
I have studied basics of Shamanism (again, not culture-specific,) and I incorporate those things into my spiritual practice, but I do not claim to be: 1) a Shaman or 2) an expert in any specific indigenous tradition.
I agree with what others have said in regards to deities of place. But as an American, who is a CR, the fact remains that the Celtics gods were of the land, and IMO, that means all land. I can kind of see the the squishy feelings on the practice of honouring AmerIndian deities, though I can't say I'm aware of the diaspora of AmerIndian descendants outside of North and Central America. Other than that, if you're reaching into your family's past to their culture because you feel it in your veins, then by all means, pursue and learn. If it reaches out to you, take its hand and see where you go with it.
For me, personally, I have more of a tie to my Celtic ancestry than I do with my Germanic or AmerIndian ancestry, so that's where I go.
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(a) Because I have absolutely no interest or connection with Native American practices, and (b) because even if I did, this is widely seen as cultural imperialism. More than a few Recons have the idea that you should stick to the gods of your ancestors, you seem (if I'm reading you correctly) to think you should stick to the gods where you are (two viewpoints fundamentally in conflict, unless you're fortunate enough to still reside in the land of your ancestry)-- what if you're called by neither? I'm Kemetic because these are my gods. I didn't pick Them, They picked me.
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I think part of the reluctance to deal with some of the NA spirits comes from the fact that so much of NA spirituality has been raked over the coals by outsiders looking to leech what they can. I know I personally don't want to be associated with that. So, making that approach requires a bit of caution.
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I have studied basics of Shamanism (again, not culture-specific,) and I incorporate those things into my spiritual practice, but I do not claim to be: 1) a Shaman or 2) an expert in any specific indigenous tradition.
That is up to the Spirits.
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For me, personally, I have more of a tie to my Celtic ancestry than I do with my Germanic or AmerIndian ancestry, so that's where I go.
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