My path (real original isn't it)

[DragonDawn]

This discussion has been prompted by circumstances that have occurred in my life.

My path.
I guess the best way to describe my path is that it is a coming together of many different paths.
I love different cultures, I always have. It doesn’t surprise me that I am attracted to traditions from many different paths. Mesopotamian, Celtic, Egyptian, or Japanese they’re all good to me.
I’m just a happy little Pagan. I don’t follow a ‘set tradition.’ Depending on which deity I’m worshiping at the time my worship changes to accommodate how they were traditionally worshiped. If I’m just praying to those who watch out for me then I pray to them in a variety of ways also. Sometimes it might be a quiet prayer, other times it might be a symbolic sacrifice.
Just because I don’t follow a set tradition doesn’t make my beliefs less valuable. Don’t give me those funny looks when you ask me path I follow and I say my own. Its hard enough to get the weird looks from non-pagans, I don’t really need them from other Pagans too. I don’t question the validity of your path, please don’t question the validity of mine.

Ok I'm done now.

[Sibylle]

*applauds in the direction of DD's soap box* ;)

Ok seriously. You have a point. I only wonder, who said it wasn't allowed to follow one's own brand of paganism? It's what most people I know do. It certainly is what I do. And I've never had any funny looks from others.

Just curious...

Hugs!!

[DragonDawn]

The person who said it is an older Wiccan/kitchen witch. She belongs to a circle of ecclectic pagans in the community. She thinks that pagans generaly lean towards a certain path. They may not stick to it exactly but their rituals and what not have that paths certain...flavor i guess would be the right word. I guess for the most part that is probably true. But its not true for me.
She's a nice lady. I like her for the most part. Her oppinion on this gets on my nerves but hey everyones entitled to their opinion and I don't have a problem with that.
She's the only person thats ever questioned my decided path. Well the only person that knows i'm pagan that is.

I was in a bad mood when I posted the original post. I just got a wild hair to vent about that. I wanted to share with people that are looking for a path, it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks about your path as long as your happy and comfortable with it. :broomride

[calria]

Both what you're saying and what she's saying are, I think, very true.
Most pagans do have one or two basic traditions from which they draw a larger part of their beleifs. At the same time, though, the important part in that is the fact that you identify with and find meaning in what you draw from, not that you draw from any one specific thing.

[Lilith79]

I don't think there is a single thing wrong with creating your own path. Think of it this way..you are in your house and you need to get out to your car parked on the road. Only there has been a snowstorm and you can't see the path (sidewalk). Do you stay in your house and not go anywhere because you can't see the path? No! You go out and make your own. Creating your own path to the car doesn't invalidate the pre-laid path, nor does it make you bad for making your own. This is similar to creating your own path. Think of all of the religions in the world. They were created over time. They didn't exist until someone created them. You are creating your own, that is awesome. I think it takes a lot of courage to make your own path. Good for you!

[Sibylle]

I see what you mean, DragonDawn... And it's true, most people lean towards a certain path. Or have one or two major influences. Which doesn't mean however that it isn't absolutely ok to create one's own special brand, like I said.

And: where would you vent, if not here? We're listening, and offer to help you hide the body ;)

Hugs!!

[DragonDawn]

Thanks everyone. I just needed to vent about it.

Oh and Hag Stella, I'm good with the body hiding. We have a ravine not too far from here. Perfect place. :muwaha: :bigblue:

[SacredWithin]

Now that I think about it, since I'm a spiritualist but more or so get along well with and adopt practices of various pagans, I wonder why I haven't called myself an eclectic yet? :wtf:

I need some studying to do, lots, before I consider any path for myself. But I'm most like you DragonDawn, I make my own path. I do what needs to be done and try to be conscious of others whenever I can.

[Crystal_Raye]

Great hearts feel alike, DragonDawn. I follow the same path as you: my own path.

[Sibylle]

Oh and Hag Stella, I'm good with the body hiding. We have a ravine not too far from here. Perfect place. :muwaha: :bigblue:
:deviltail Good to know, mwahahaha!

[FairyMoon]

Even though sometimes I think its pointless, I'm stll looking for a specific path. I guess I can call myself ecclectic for now as I use and follow whatever I'm attracted to and works for me.

[Shanti]

I don't think there is a single thing wrong with creating your own path. Think of it this way..you are in your house and you need to get out to your car parked on the road. Only there has been a snowstorm and you can't see the path (sidewalk). Do you stay in your house and not go anywhere because you can't see the path? No! You go out and make your own. Creating your own path to the car doesn't invalidate the pre-laid path, nor does it make you bad for making your own. This is similar to creating your own path. Think of all of the religions in the world. They were created over time. They didn't exist until someone created them. You are creating your own, that is awesome. I think it takes a lot of courage to make your own path. Good for you!
I could not of said this better!!! :)

[semi]

For me, part of the cool thing about not being part of an organized religion is that I can do whatever I want, anywhere, anytime. My code of ethics and personal conscience moderate my behavior by eliminating activity that will not further my path, but other than that, it's wide open.
I practice Ifa which is an African religion that Santeria and Voodoo, as well as other paths, developed from. The very first ritual I ever did on this path, a long long time ago, resulted in a direct and very personal union with spirit. I've learned that I know what I'm doing and I do it well. But when I talk to my local Santeria Priest he says that what I'm doing isn't Santeria because, basically, I don't do it the way he does. My process is simple, my results are unquestionable. Not Santeria? Yeah, whatever, I don't care.
I received the opposite response from a friend of mine who is a Voodoo priest in New Orleans. He said something like "They(the spirits, for simplification purposes) appreciate everything you offer. They just enjoy the fact that that you talk to them, that you acknowledge that they're there" or something like that.
So my point is that you can do whatever you want. So your path isn't recognized by more official paths, so what? The only validation for your path that you need is what the path does for you or those you are trying to help. Doesn't work? Change paths. Works? Do it. The name applied to the path is meaningless. The criticism of others is meaningless. Do what works for you, what feels right. That is the right path regardless of what it is called or what anyone thinks. And there is great power and knowledge to be found when you forge your own path through the wilderness rather than follow the path that someone else has already set before you. Just trust yourself, trust your instincts, and do what feels right. It will be right.
As far as people thinking you're weird, well, that's what people do. Been done to me all my life. Now I have scars all over, long dark tentacle-like curly hair, a permanently angry scowl, and a bad attitude. People still think I'm weird but they get out of my way. There is no reason to care what people think of you, especially what they think of your spiritual path. The fact that you are pursueing a spiritual path at all means that you are able to access a beauty and depth inside you that most people can't reach. So just do it, be you, love you, and show them the way.
Do I write too much?

[DragonDawn]

Do I write too much?
Of course not. Especialy when what you says makes sense.