Fighting against picking a hearth culture.

Jan 29, 2010 14:05

So, I've been a fan of Gaia (the deity) for some time. I posted about it in my Dedicant Blog and I'm pretty sure that I posted my experience here too ( Read more... )

greek, spirituality, hearth culture, adf

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Comments 14

tanrinia January 29 2010, 19:40:00 UTC
There's more to Norse than just the warrior stuff. You just happen to be hanging around folks attracted to that aspect :)

There could be a reason that you studied so much about Hellenism early on, in that this what you are attracted to.

The only other suggestion I have is that keeping oneself open, as a polytheist, we'll keep those 'options' open as well. So many people get stuck in the "i will ONLY honor these gods here....no one else!" I've had some very profound experiences with deities that are not strictly part of my hearth culture, and learned a lot. if you keep yourself open, and don't rule out anything (including greek) then you're more likely to get some direction from the kindred.

Also, nothing says you have to have one (although you have to write about looking for one, which seems silly). Being polytheist means you don't necessarily have to make such choices.

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ravenna_blue January 29 2010, 19:51:10 UTC
I know you know a LOT more about the Norse culture than I do, but isn't the point of life (from the Norse opinion) to live and die a warrior and your deeds get you into Walhalla? (sp?)

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unnamed525 January 29 2010, 20:46:52 UTC
All you have to do to get on Walhalla is buy a house there. *badumchee* Sorry. Couldn't resist.

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tanrinia January 30 2010, 18:43:12 UTC
Only those who are "Odin's" go to Valhalla. And die in battle too, I think. Although society has changed a lot since then, so I'm not sure what the requirements would be.

Most folks end up in Helheim, which is neither a good nor a bad place...it just is. Some folks can go to the halls of deities they are close to. And some of those are decidedly not warrior-esque, like Frigga, Freya (okay, she has her moments, but she has other qualities), Frey....

Ookay, so they all have their warrior moments, but to be Dumezilian for a moment, they almost all encompass all three of the social classes. One could even follow Odin and NOT be a warrior!

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sidhehealer January 29 2010, 19:41:15 UTC
Keep in mind this is not saying you are choosing this hearth culture forever, you are simply using this culture as the basis for discussion in the DP. Perhaps you will learn you have a connection, perhaps not.

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ravenna_blue January 29 2010, 19:53:51 UTC
Oh I definitely believe I have a connection. I have just been fighting it, since I didn't want to move right to Greek without looking into other pantheons.

Does that make sense?

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sidhehealer January 29 2010, 20:50:14 UTC
absolutely. I started out greek then travelled around and now am back home.

Perhaps this analogy will help. Greece is home, but the Celtic Isles, Norse Mountains, Vedic lands etc can be your vacation spots. After all, we always learn from a change of scenery.

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chronarchy January 29 2010, 21:46:38 UTC
I have a suggestion: I'll make you some copies of some Vedic hymns I particularly like, and you can get to know the Vedic deities :)

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ravenna_blue January 29 2010, 23:29:25 UTC
I would really love that. I have little togo on as far as vedic cultures are concerned. I'd love to learn more, but am not sure what sources are good for this.

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chronarchy January 30 2010, 01:48:53 UTC
Fortunately, with 1,028 hymns in the first Vedic text alone, there's plenty of source material to choose from :)

I'll find some good stuff :)

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tanrinia January 31 2010, 04:29:17 UTC
Here is, exactly, what the exit standard says:

"A brief account of the efforts of the Dedicant to develop and explore a personal (or Grovecentered)
spiritual practice, drawn from a specific culture or combination of cultures."

Seamus said he just talked about what he does at home in addition to the grove stuff. It seems like it's pretty open to interpretation, but what I do not see is anything about hearth culture. It sort of implies that you have a bit of knowledge about the cultures from which you get your practices and from where any spirits that you honor come from.

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