Is this possible?

[WinterTree]

A few days ago I started reading some of the Heathenry threads in the Cirlce of Teaching forum. At the bottom of one particular thread was a series of links featuring different paths of Heathenry.....I saw the link for Vanatru, was very interested and started to read about it.....Now, I'm not jumping into anything, but Vanatru sounds like something that really suits me. I have always felt a strong pull towards Norse deities, especially the Vanir, as well as the myths and legends concerning them. So....while I'm not taking oaths just yet I am considering making Vanatru a part of my path.

The only problem is, many of my beliefs are strongly rooted in Celtic religion also, more concerning their spiritual concepts than their deities....the only Celtic deity that I am truly intrigued by is The Horned One (Cernunnos/Herne/etc.) Also, I am told that if I wish to have a strong relationship with my patroness, Mielikki (and I do) or any Finnish deities, I need to include some basic Finnish beliefs into my path also......

What I'm trying to say is, how is this going to work? Would I be disrespectfully "stripping down" Celtic religion by taking in only its ideas and spiritual conepts into my path and not its gods? And since I have heard that some pantheons of deities, such as Japanese and Chinese gods/goddesses do not like being "meshed", would the Norse and Finnish deities dislike it if I tried to be involved with both of them?

I am extremely confused, and researching like crazy......Can anyone give me some advice on this? Even just an opinion would help....I know ultimately I need to firgure this out for myself, but I'm not very experienced and need some help.

[Shanti]

I believe if we follow what fits us indinidualy its what is meant for us. I dont think the gods have rules written down for us. I belive they know more than us so what we should do is what our hearts say is correct. Theres a reason to everything including how we feel about our beliefs.

[Tullip Troll]

I often think that what we think are different Gods are actually the same Gods....perhaps you should examine the Gods on both sides and you might find that you are able to find the Horned One elswhere...
However I also believe you can mix your path up...there really are no rules...but I would do what feels right...if you have a little voice in your head that says "Dude I am your God Bob and I don't like Judy... you can't put her on the alter next to me" You have to ask yourself if perhaps it's not a good combination...OR change your cereal.

MheraPai

I think I really need some coffee...how about you Bob

[LadyTrinity]

I believe if we follow what fits us indinidualy its what is meant for us. I dont think the gods have rules written down for us. I belive they know more than us so what we should do is what our hearts say is correct. Theres a reason to everything including how we feel about our beliefs.


I agree

[Mòrag Elasaid Ní Dhòmhnaill]

Personally I think it's terribly disrespectful to seperate the spiritual beliefs of a religion away from the culture and gods they were a part of. But then again I'm not a big fan of the great salad bar that is eclecticism. However, as long as you do borrow respectfully, meaning you not only understand what you're borrowing but how and why there beliefs came to be and how they relate to the gods and their culture, then no one can fault you for simply following your heart. But I must stress that it should be done with understanding.

For instance, though Cernunnos is commonly called a horned god, he is actually antlered which is quite different. Antlers fall off every year, and the grow back, which has some great symbology. Horns are more of a permanent thing.

[WinterTree]

First of all, thank you all for your input; I truly appreciate it.

I know that I should follow my heart and embark on whatever path that feels right to me, it's just that I am just starting out on my path and I feel like everything is being thrown at me at once. I need to take a breath, relax, and go with what comes to me.... I have put a lot of time and research into different religions and mytholgoies, specifically Norse and Celtic, and I will definately continue to do so.

[bshore]

As someone who is also just starting out on her pagan path, I'll pass along some good advice i got:

Don't worry so much about defining your religion. Think long and hard about the things you believe in, why you believe in them, and what is important to you in a religion. Right them down. Next, start looking for a religion that fits you, not the other way arround. Even if you never find one that really works, you'll be content to know that you are secure in your faith and can commune with dieties that you really relate to. If you need a name, call it "Briggs's Pagan Tradition" and make yourself a business card, and be content.

[WinterTree]

As someone who is also just starting out on her pagan path, I'll pass along some good advice i got:

Don't worry so much about defining your religion. Think long and hard about the things you believe in, why you believe in them, and what is important to you in a religion. Right them down. Next, start looking for a religion that fits you, not the other way arround. Even if you never find one that really works, you'll be content to know that you are secure in your faith and can commune with dieties that you really relate to. If you need a name, call it "Briggs's Pagan Tradition" and make yourself a business card, and be content.

Thank you so much for that advice. I just kind of got all wound up the day I wrote this thread and wasn't sure what to do.

[mothwench]

A few days ago I started reading some of the Heathenry threads in the Cirlce of Teaching forum. At the bottom of one particular thread was a series of links featuring different paths of Heathenry.....I saw the link for Vanatru, was very interested and started to read about it.....Now, I'm not jumping into anything, but Vanatru sounds like something that really suits me. I have always felt a strong pull towards Norse deities, especially the Vanir, as well as the myths and legends concerning them. So....while I'm not taking oaths just yet I am considering making Vanatru a part of my path.

The only problem is, many of my beliefs are strongly rooted in Celtic religion also, more concerning their spiritual concepts than their deities....the only Celtic deity that I am truly intrigued by is The Horned One (Cernunnos/Herne/etc.) Also, I am told that if I wish to have a strong relationship with my patroness, Mielikki (and I do) or any Finnish deities, I need to include some basic Finnish beliefs into my path also......
if this is too personal, then just ignore: which are these spiritual concepts that you find appealing? yes, including some finnish beliefs if you work with finnish deities would make sense.


What I'm trying to say is, how is this going to work?
you'll make it work.

Would I be disrespectfully "stripping down" Celtic religion by taking in only its ideas and spiritual conepts into my path and not its gods?
ummm... yes, a little. if the concepts you speak of are unique to a celtic tradition, it would seem wise to give thanks and credit to the right people.


And since I have heard that some pantheons of deities, such as Japanese and Chinese gods/goddesses do not like being "meshed", would the Norse and Finnish deities dislike it if I tried to be involved with both of them?
find out. i have no idea about the finns and i still don't know which of the celtic peoples you refer to, so i can't speak for them.
as for the norse, rest assured, there was never anything along the lines of Thou Shalt Not Worship Any Other Gods. in fact, they didn't even have the concept of "pagan / heathen" to describe ppl outside their own religion.


I am extremely confused, and researching like crazy......Can anyone give me some advice on this? Even just an opinion would help....I know ultimately I need to firgure this out for myself, but I'm not very experienced and need some help.
ah, one of these days i'll just have to do it. i've been meaning to start a thread in this paths forum about eclectic reconstructionism.
but i gotta admit, i'm kinda scared of all the raised eyebrows and "you can't do that!" -reactions myself. :whatgives

[Mòrag Elasaid Ní Dhòmhnaill]

ah, one of these days i'll just have to do it. i've been meaning to start a thread in this paths forum about eclectic reconstructionism.
but i gotta admit, i'm kinda scared of all the raised eyebrows and "you can't do that!" -reactions myself. :whatgives

You can't do that!!! :veryweird

[MorningDove030202]

When you mix two relgions doesn't it as some point stop being either of those religions? I feel that the path of Christian Wicca is valid one, I just don't think it has the right name.... I don't think it should be called Wicca or Christian.


Christ Mysticism or something.... I think have one's own name would give the path it's independense from it's two parent religion that it realy deserves. The freedom to do it's own thing.... Ya know?

Dove