Starting out

[Seren_]

It seems we have some experienced recons around here, so...

With the benefit of all that experience, what advice would you give to someone who wants to start practising a reconstructionist path (your specific path, or reconstructionism in general)? What did you find difficult when you were starting out? And what were the solutions?

Or if you're still new to the path, what are you finding difficult, or helpful, in finding your feet?

[Morr]

Start from the basics -- Read the mythologies and folk stories of the culture you are interested in.

[Hærfest Leah]

What did you find difficult when you were starting out? And what were the solutions?

It felt more like overwhelming than difficult. The solutions was just to remind myself that in time it will not be like this anymore. Just take my time.

I feel the very 1st place to start is reading FAQ pages from different sites on the path your looking at. It'll answer those early beginner questions right off the bat.

[happyheathenmom]

It seems we have some experienced recons around here, so...

With the benefit of all that experience, what advice would you give to someone who wants to start practising a reconstructionist path (your specific path, or reconstructionism in general)? What did you find difficult when you were starting out? And what were the solutions?

Or if you're still new to the path, what are you finding difficult, or helpful, in finding your feet?

I'm still fairly new to Asatru, but not new to Paganism. (pagan for about 15 years or so, Asatru for only about 2)
What do I find difficult? Well, for starters, there's nobody face to face I can talk to, bounce ideas off of, learn from etc.
The internet is probably the most helpful thing, it can also be the worst thing (especially web sites that aren't historically sound, as history is an important aspect to the Recon's faith). With sites like the online medieval and classical library http://omacl.org and sacred texts http://www.sacred-texts.com
you can find myths and such to read online for free.

I have also found youtube to be a good source at times, not always, but at times. Steve Mcnallen has a vid up now, I don't think it's his personal account, but someone apparently uploaded it for him. It's about springtime and Victory and Sigrblot. Another great set of vids I have come across is Vinterulf's "What is Asatru" series. His recent vid in the series has a solitary ritual.

However, you can come across information that is not scholarly based, anywhere on the 'net. Or at worst, finding an Asatru site that at first seems really interesting, but the deeper you delve, it turns out to be racist (it's happened to me! I won't say the site name, but after digging around I found some stuff about keeping the white race pure among other things - I feel we should be proud of who we are but NOT at the expense of other races.. )

Anyway, what are the solutions then?
I would say just keep to the scholarly material, but sometimes you can find good stuff in the UPG type things (Unverified Personal Gnosis), and read all you can good or bad, that way you can recognize the bad from the good.
Also, get yourself a Mentor. Even if it's just online. I have a sort of mentor, I feel like I can ask her anything. She's been Asatru longer than me, and doesn't mind my silly questions. Often times the answers are obvious, but she has never hinted that she minds me asking. I've known her for quite a few years online. At least 4 or 5 years, give or take a few months. She lives in the new england area, and I live in Illinois, never met her in person, but we've sent pics of each other online back and forth. She's pretty cool. :)

The dude on youtube is really cool also. He really knows his stuff, and I've talked to him on a couple of occaisions on youtube's email. He recommended a few books I'm going to look into getting. I found one on amazon.com for cheap, but I gotta figure out how to buy online lol I've never done that. lmao. I've been on the internet since at least 1996 (in college) and I've never really bought anything online! HA! Well I guess it isn't that strange.. but still.. lol

Ok I'm done rambling now.. let somene else have a go.. :)

HHmom :whistle:

[inkywitch]

I'm a noob. I'm interested in Heathenry/Asatru.

I think the hardest part so far for me has been being told to start off by reading the mythos and stories surrounding my interest and not really being able to really understand why I'm reading them, or more specifically what I'm supposed to be gaining from reading them other than the general consensus of what the gods were/are like, and the stories associated with them. I'm not exactly sure how knowing them is supposed to help me.

And then being told to read them again when I ask about it! Haha.

[~Elise~]

If you were Christian - you would read the Bible to understand the basics (or foundation) of the religion.

The Eddas and Sagas are the same... it is your building blocks, your foundation on which to build the rest of your beliefs.

JMO from a non-Heathen (but married to one)

Elise

[inkywitch]

If you were Christian - you would read the Bible to understand the basics (or foundation) of the religion.

The Eddas and Sagas are the same... it is your building blocks, your foundation on which to build the rest of your beliefs.

JMO from a non-Heathen (but married to one)

Elise

I see the logic. I really, really do. Who knows... perhaps I'm just not very good with 'scripture'? I was awful with Bible studies, and while I find the Eddas and Sagas a lot more interesting, I still muddle around a bit with them like I did the Bible waaay back when.

[~Elise~]

Trust me, I understand where you're coming from. Might not want to let the 'lore-thumpers' know that though....LOL

Seriously though--it is easier than reading the bible--no thees and thous -- I"m down though with all the begetting and begotting though...just 'cause it's so much fun. AND now that I'm hooked into genealogy-it's interesting from that aspect too. LOL.

And the sagas can be good action adventure. Depressing though at times.

It will give you the mindset and foundation you need--so my advice is to muddle through. Heathen-ism can be called the Religion with Homework. IMO, all paganism fits into that IF it is approached properly. You're always learning.

JMO and YMMV

Elise

[OpenHands]

It seems we have some experienced recons around here, so...

With the benefit of all that experience, what advice would you give to someone who wants to start practising a reconstructionist path (your specific path, or reconstructionism in general)? What did you find difficult when you were starting out? And what were the solutions?

Or if you're still new to the path, what are you finding difficult, or helpful, in finding your feet?

Seren,

Here are some areas that I've personally struggled with as a recon-inclined polytheist:

- Information gathering. It can be overwhelming at first. Pace yourself with your studies and ask around for recommendations. Try to avoid information overload and burn-out. Accept that few concepts will be written in stone; experts will find all sorts of things to argue over. :)

- Application. Taking chunks of old religious practices (especially when there are gaps in knowledge and ambiguous areas under heavy debate) and applying them to a modern life will take time, thought and patience.

Don't get caught in the trap that many recons get stuck in: leaning all of the information and never doing much with it. I tend to get hesitant with application when I'm not sure if it's "legitimate" enough. If I have enough scholars on my side who would agree with my practices, for example. There's nothing wrong with getting creative to fill in gaps or replace stuff that can't reasonably be applied to one's life. Just don't go around claiming that it's ancient and you shouldn't have a problem.

- Contact with others. This can depend on the reconstructionist religion you follow. My area has a lot of Wicca-based pagans and no recons that I know of. Almost certainly no Canaanite polytheists like myself. If you want to connect with others, you'll have to explore your options. Real life contact may not always be possible or may take a lot of effort.

Just a few points off of the top of my head. Good luck with your studies!

[S_Wodening]

OpenHands gives very good advice. Probably the best thing you can do in the beginning is obtain academic books on your path. Read these before you read anything else, but the myths. They will help you understand the myths, as well as the practices of your religion. Once you have a good understanding of what your religion is about, then start obtaining books on your path if they are available and start reading websites. Do NOT use just one book or one website as a source. Even the best researchers sometimes slip up and put their personal spin on things. Try to find folks online to talk to if you cannot find people in person. Bounce ideas off of them, ask questions, and use them as a way of learning more. Anyway, that is my recommendation, read, read, read.

Welga!
Swain