Misconceptions About Being Spiritual and Cultural Appropriation

 Something that was relayed to me by my mother a while back has recently resurfaced in my mind, coupled with what a lot of people assume and expect (and their lack of knowledge) of being spiritual, I've come to realize I need to touch on this subject.

 A few years ago a friend of the family and my mother were talking, our friend is a metaphysical shop owner and my mother; an ordained minister; both are connected with more Native North American earth based practices and beliefs (All three of us have native ancestry, this is pertinent information I promise). While they were talking I was apparently brought up in their conversation, talking about my beliefs and practices. As my mother explained I had turned to practice Paganism our friend looked at her, and from what it sounded like was more a statement than a question, that I had abandoned my ancestors. I didn't abandon my ancestors, just a different group of my ancestors are calling me, leading me to their practices as best they can.

 It seems to be a very common misconception that in order to be earth based and spiritual, that you either have to be Indigenous or practice North/South American Indigenous practices/cultures and beliefs, or it has to be eastern/Asian practices or beliefs. I have seen this belief in this misconception in every group of people, even some in the Pagan community., as if those practices are somehow more superior and more in-tuned with the earth.

 Now, the biggest problem with this misconception is that it wipes away the validity of Pagan practices and European history pre-Christian era. Because it does this, it also leads to another big problem, Cultural Appropriation. I know, some of you who are reading this might probably be groaning right now, but the truth of the matter is that Cultural Appropriation is real, it does happen, AND it is also highly exaggerated when it comes to people (most of the time by people not a part of those cultures or who are just uneducated) claiming certain things that are not unique to a single culture as appropriation.

 What many people need to understand, especially European/Euro descent people, is that before Christianity (a foreign religion even to Europe), the European people were Pagan, and they were very much tribal and earth based in their own practices and cultures before discovering metallurgy. They had nature-spirits, they had deities/Gods, they had spirit animals/totems, they had their medicine people/shamans, they had their own creatures of legend. They had their sacred clothing, songs, dances, and other practices involving these spirits and their ancestors.  They wore braids, used feathers and other animal parts, wore leather and fur, and even painted their faces. Some were nomadic and used shelters similar to what you might see in the plains of North America, others stayed and farmed. Even after discovering metallurgy they were still Pagan and earth based in beliefs and practice. Euro-people didn't just go from caves to large Christian medieval kingdoms and cities overnight.

 The invasive actions of the Roman Empire, Charlemagne, and the constant push of Christianity, even coming down to very violent conversion tactics, left a huge wound in the Euro peoples. One that many have felt for centuries, and are still feeling now, leading them to seek out some kind of re-connection to the earth in some form of old spiritual practice. Because of the misconceptions about spirituality, and the lack of knowledge that the Euro People were also once indigenous in their own ways and practices in Europe, has lead to many Euro descent people looking to many Native North American, South American, Polynesian, etc., practices. Completely unaware or ignoring their own history, and appropriating practices that many do not understand because they were not taught/raised in them.

 Paganism isn't lesser nor superior to the many Native/Indigenous practices around the world, its just different in its beliefs, in the practices themselves; but because the majority of the knowledge, if not all of the knowledge, of those practices have been wiped out, those of us who are Pagan are having to piece together what we do know of the past, and try to fill in the rest with our own communing with the earth, the spirits, and our ancestors. You don't have to seek in another culture's spirituality/religion/beliefs to be spiritual and connected with the earth. I won't ignore that there are some of non-native descent who are called to the Red Road, and they have shown that they are true to that calling and to that walk, but more often than not, many of those who aren't really learning and connecting with those communities are simply longing for any kind of connection like that and are grabbing what pieces they can get.

 One of the best things to do to combat this misconception and to help stop cultural appropriation is research. Educate yourself, and in turn, allow the opportunity to educate others who may also be unaware; but you must never stop researching, never stop learning, never stop connecting with your ancestors, the earth, and the spirits you are meant to work with. In truth, we are all indigenous to this planet, we are all human, and all of our peoples were at some point tribal in life, practice, and beliefs. Many of us just need to re-learn how to connect and rediscover or develop our own practices, instead of simply taking another's without any regard to why they are sacred. Your ancestors are there, ready to teach you, to help you reconnect, all you have to do is listen.

                         The Sami People of North Scandinavia https://thornews.com/2012/08/07/the-sami-people/
                             One Example of Tribal European people still very much in existence and practice to this day.

Struggling with an Identity

If you've read my previous blogs, you know I've touched on the subject already; talking about the lack of cultural identity that many American's face. In this one I will be getting more personal about the struggle's I face with being one of many who have lost any connection to any of my ancestral heritage.

I am American born, from a family that has been here for many generations, even more depending on the part of my family you focus on. While my ancestry on my father's side is more unknown to me because I have yet to be given a lot of info aside from O'Hanlon, on my mother's side I come from a few lines. I'm an Esplin, I'm a Duncan, I'm a Litostansky. There is rumor (have yet to find physical proof, just word of mouth from family) that the father of one of my Great Gandmother's on my mother's side was Algonquin. In total heritage wise, I have been told I am Irish, Scottish, Welsh, English, French, German-Dutch, Polish, and Algonquin (been told I am also of Cherokee, but haven't found the family link yet).

The point I bring all of this up is simple, I have no culture. I don't have a cultural identity because I grew up away from it all. I had a few years being exposed to Lakota traditions, but I was never raised in it. I wasn't raised in any culture. (Redundant, I know)

I feel lost in so many ways when it comes to what and who I am. I've had to depend on where I have felt called to follow spiritually, which in turn has lead me to take even a closer look at my heritage/genetics. I am a Northern Tradition Pagan, I feel called to the Norse gods and many of the practices, but because I've had no one to teach me the traditions I don't call myself a Heathen and instead; I create my own path with what I have learned from the Sagas and my connection with the Gods I follow.

Even though I follow the path I create, that still doesn't mean I don't feel a certain emptiness when it comes to culture. And that is simply because the US doesn't have a culture aside from the many different indigenous cultures (which are closed cultures to outsiders and only the rare few who get adopted into the cultures or have been able to prove their heritage and are allowed to join their tribe, are allowed to learn and partake in said culture).

I'm a mutt with no home, and I know I'm not the only one that feels like this. Its because of this that I seek the path that I seek, but its been difficult due to many from the origins of those cultures not always being very welcoming to outsiders. Which I can understand due to some who are seeking to learn only wanting to so they can abuse what they've been taught to make money off of it.

I know eventually I will find a way to find my cultural home, even if it means I must create one to teach to my son and any future children. So future generations of my family will not feel the way that I feel and will have their home. I know its possible that the ancestors from the other bloodlines that run through our veins can call to them to lead them to another path. Which in a sense is how things are with myself and my mother. The native indigenous ancestors of our family have called to her and she has followed to the best of her ability as she can, while for me, my European ancestry has called to me.

Cultures have come and gone on this planet, and new ones will arise over time, which is why I've begun to think while learning about my ancestry and practices are good, I must create my own if I am to feel at home. Which in turn means I must do my best to make sure I do not appropriate from other cultures, that I don't use practises and items that are unique to a specific culture (like native headdress's and many other items from other cultures).

Were/Are Religious Leaders Hiding Something?

(For the point of this article, we are going to assume that the stories mentioned are in fact true to some degree.)

Last night as I laid in bed letting my mind wander as I drifted off to sleep, a theory/realization came to my mind. My thoughts started off on how now, with the help of science, a woman can fertilize another woman's egg by using bone-marrow or some other for of material that holds the proper information of DNA. A child born of this way will always be female, because the only chromosomes being provided are the X chromosomes. Y Chromosomes, which are needed for male children are only carried by males.

As I continued down this train of thought, I began to think about how if a woman could inseminate herself, again the child would be female because the only DNA being provided would be female. Which then got me thinking about the many religious stories about immaculate conception, specifically the story of Mary and Jesus. It was then that I realized, because immaculate conception is self insemination, it would mean one of two things;

1) None of the women who became pregnant were Virgins, because if they had given birth to a male child, they had to have sex with someone who could provide the Y Chromosome, deity or otherwise. And that action in itself removes the status of being a Virgin.

2) If the women were indeed Virgins, then that would mean the children born were in fact female. This means two scenarios would have happened for Christianity:
                      - Either the man we know as Jesus was actually in fact the husband of the female prophet, having to speak for her since in that society a woman's word when it came to anything, especially religion, was completely ignored.

                      - Or religious leaders did some serious heavy editing to make the woman a man instead.
(both scenarios either way would really give new meaning to what would be considered as the Holy Grail)

The truth of the matter is, this wouldn't be too surprising considering how much the Church and other organized religions are very much for being Patriarchal and suppressing women and taking away any form of power or influence they used to hold in many Pagan societies.

Now, for those who might argue the whole miracle of God thing, in order for Mary to have gained the Y Chromosome, he would have had to take physical form in order for that chromosome to be passed on, again, negating her Virgin status.

As for the stories of deities who immaculately conceived, again for the sake of the article we are going to assume the stories are true and they are deities. We don't know anything about their genetics, nor how things would work scientifically for them. Which means it is quite possible their women also carried a Y Chromosome of some sort, so they could give birth to both females and males. I mean, considering Zeus gave birth to Athena from his forehead, with her fully dressed in armour, there is definitely a lot that is a complete mystery when it comes to the Gods and Spirits.

If my theory is correct, this would mean that this is probably the biggest secret the Vatican, and a number of serious religions leaders of organized religions are keeping from everyone else's knowledge.

In the end, this is merely a theory, and until there is any way to prove these stories are even remotely true, theories will remain as theories.

(Artist/Photographer unknown)

Regional Land and Water Spirits/Beings

I just saw an article about how Pennsylvania state park is evicting gnomes from the gnome houses that were made for them on some of the trees. Now, while I can understand why people are upset about this, because the belief in the Fae, Fair Folk, Gnomes, Trolls, and such are on the rise in other countries aside from Scandinavia, I don't think you are going to find them in North America.

I have a good reason for saying this.

These fantastical beings are regional, they are land and water beings, tied to the land of their lore. North America has their own land and water beings/spirits that you aren't going to find in Europe or in Asia. Some creatures seem to be world wide (such as vampires, werewolves, and shapeshifters), but those are not creatures of the land or waters. They are creatures that are human or once were human and therefore not tied to the lands they originated in. You are not going find the Raven Mocker in France, the Panti' roaming around Germany, the Bakwas floating in the forests of Scandinavia, the Urayuli walking about the woods of Romania, or the Achiyalatopa roaming around Greece.

North America does have their own versions of similar creatures to Europe, some examples are the Ishigaq from the Inuit lore, the Gaasyendietha from Seneca lore, Skin-walkers from the Navajo lore (though they are much more malevolent and dangerous than other shapeshifters), Yehasuri of the Catawba lore, Unhcegila from the Lakota lore, Tsul 'Kalu from the Cherokee lore, etc.

There are many spirits and land/water beings that exist all throughout the world, some are very similar to one another, others are almost identical, and many are extremely unique.

The point of this article is that while many of us Pagans practice and follow European paths and believe in many European creatures, we assume that those same practices and creatures are here in North America. It is disrespectful to the land and surroundings beings when you follow the rules and traditions of another land when dealing with the local beings, instead of learning and understanding the rules that they follow here.

Not saying some house creatures didn't come over with those who immigrated from Europe, but they are few and probably stay within those houses and yards. My best suggestion, is while you follow your path and learn about the creatures of Europe, learn about the local creatures and their rules as well, that way when you work with the land and its inhabitants, you are showing them respect and acknowledgement that they are there.

"How Morning Star Lost Her Fish", from Stories the Iroquois Tell Their Children by Mabel Powers, 1917

Larry MacDougall

A Loss of Identity

One thing you see a lot of in the US, typically more so than anywhere else, is the constant process of labelling of ones self. And I do not mean the labels of religions or clothing styles, or even sexual orientation/gender. I mean when we label ourselves from some form of heritage such as "I'm African American", "I'm Irish American", "I'm Asian American", etc. Usually, you hear these kinds of descriptions from people whose family has been in the US for a few generations now. We don't see to completely identify as simply just Americans, and I have a theory as to why this may be.

You find in many other countries, that when a person is a citizen of that country, unless they are a dual citizen, you won't here "I'm African British", "I'm Asian Canadian", or "I'm Scottish Norwegian". You typically only find those kinds of labels in the US. And I feel this is due to one major thing that the US doesn't have that the other countries do have. A Culture.

As a country, we do not truly have a culture that defines us as Americans. We are a conglomerate of many individual cultures brought over from all over the world. And while this is a very wonderful thing to see, to be able to see so many different backgrounds being able to live in the same country, it also creates an emptiness for many who's families have been here for many generations due to the loss of their families culture. Its why we get so hung up on trying to find an identity, and why, sometimes in religions, you will get people who want that religion to only be for certain people. You see this mostly in Heathen and Wiccan communities, and I am sure you see it in other communities as well.

Because we lack an identity, a culture, a way to connect to where we come from, we become so caught up in our labels that sometimes we take it too far, and make it too important. Its why in Heathenism you have a 50/50 chance of either finding a page or group that is truly open and accepting of those who have been called by the gods of that path, or finding a page or group that believes only people of European descent (specifically Scandinavian) have any right to even follow the Heathen path.

And in Wicca, again you have a 50/50 chance of either finding those who are open and accepting of who you are and your practice style is, or finding those who say unless you come from a family tradition you cannot claim to be Wiccan.

I think its because of our loss of identity and culture that many become so clingy of these things, and become so protective of it that they turn it into something negative.

Everywhere else you go you have a culture of people, but in the US all we have is a culture of money.

I honestly have no idea how we could work to correct this issue, but maybe we already are. Many groups, religiously, and heritage are working to become more open and to share knowledge with many others. And maybe, just maybe, if we all were to let go of our tight grips on our labels, to work on finding who were are as a people now, while still remembering our ancestors and where we come from, a new culture may emerge that will give us and those to come an identity we can be proud of, that will unite us as Americans, rather than "Insert heritage here" Americans.

(I apologize for any redundancies and/or bad grammar, its almost midnight when I wrote this so there are bound to be mistakes, but these are some of the thoughts that have been rummaging through my head for the past year)

When Pagan Pages Attack

I do apologize that my first blog of the year is another rant blog, but this is to address an issue that pops up a lot in many Pagan pages that I have come across. Though none as bad as actually being asked if I was the one who hacked their page all because I was disagreeing with the meme they used, not the message they were trying to get across.

There seems to be a problem with many Pagan pages now a days that are pretty much banning any form of disagreements on their pages. Disagreement of opinions, views, messages, and other things. Now, many people who make comments that disagree with a post on these pages half the time are very aggressive and are attacking the page/poster. Then there is the other half where the person is actually polite and is not attacking anything, but is simply commenting their opinion.

Then there are pages who are like the aggressive commentators, who will attack anyone who comments a disagreement with anything. Today I came across a post on a page, who I have loved, followed, and supported for a few months now thinking that the admins where pretty cool and I loved the messages they were posting. The post they made had a great message about how the Pagan community need to be united, caring, and helpful to one another and of other pages. Nothing wrong with that message, I fully agree with it. What seemed a bit off with that message was the meme associated with the post which stated "A Queen never leaves her throne to address a peasant throwing stones". Now, on the surface this seems like a pretty great quote and is very empowering.

If you dig a little deeper though into that statement, thinking about it from a perspective of leader and country, its actually a very pompous statement.

If you have peasants throwing stones, there is always a reason for it. If a queen never goes to see why the peasant is throwing the stone, the situation can never be fixed and will lead to disorder and eventually an uprising against said queen. A good leader will always leave their throne when it comes to their people who they are in charge of caring for.

Reading the meme, I felt it was contradictory to what the admin's message was and I stated as such. I said that the comment wasn't towards the message because I agreed with it, but it was aimed at the meme and I said why I felt it wasn't such the best of statements to use and that maybe something more along the lines of "A Queen never leaves her throne to address the heckles from others". Implying that anyone, rich or peasant, who simply wants to hate the leader for her being who she is will be ignored.

My comment was taken as if I was attacking them, their message, and their page. When I clarified what I was saying and apologized if I had caused confusion of my intentions of my comment, I was told that commenting disagreements brought people down and found my comment deleted.

Admittedly I was very upset by this, and still a little am. Nothing in my comment was derogatory, offensive, nor attacking anyone or anything. I kept it civil and polite. And yet, have been made out to look like I was attacking them, their message, and their page, and have now even been asked if I was the one who had hacked their page, all because apparently my small not serious disagreement was negative and attacking them.

I know I am not the only who has probably had a similar thing happen to them. All I know is such things are what tears people apart. Trying to silence someone by saying they are being negative and attacking them, telling them that disagreements bring people down and are basically not allowed is just as bad as attacking a person because you disagree with them. Both are trying to suppress individualism and free thought. Both try to suppress what it means to be human and what it means to be Pagan.

How else are we all going to grow and learn if we aren't allowed to express our disagreements? I fully agree that being aggressive and attacking people is not the way to do things, but trying to suppress even the smallest hint of a disagreement in a post/comment is wrong.

What will make us stronger as a community is being able to civilly and politely discuss our disagreements, our viewpoints, and our stances on things without name calling or attacking each other. Being able to talk things through so we not only better understand one another, but also ourselves makes us a strong community and people. Its why, as long as any disagreements are civil and polite, even if I don't agree with what is stated, I will not remove comments from my blogs, nor my pages.

I hope this problem with this page, and many others will eventually stop and we all can be the community we have been looking for. Supportive, and not afraid to expression our ideas, thoughts, and opinions because we know they will be discussed rather than attacked.

(Page name will not be mentioned because this is simply a rant, not a slander article. If you happen to know the page of which I am speaking about, I request that their name is not commented for their privacy.)

Image from http://blog.stonehenge-stone-circle.co.uk/2011/06/

The Native American Headdress and Cultural Appropriation (Small Blog Rant)

I will admit I am a bit frustrated today.

So I came across a video of a musician playing a song. The song was pretty cool and very well done. And I probably would have become a fan if it wasn't for one thing. He has decided to incorporate a costume Plains Native American Headdress as a part of his "brand". He has made the excuse that because it isn't the same as a Ceremonial Headdress that its okay for him to wear and use as a part of his costume.

What he fails to understand is the fact that making a costume out of any sacred item of any culture is extremely disrespectful of that culture. The many people in the Native Community have spoken out against being used as a Mascot, having their regalia and sacred items being turned into a costume, and basically having their entire culture and history being turned into a joke.

I am of Native Descent. My Great Grandmother was half Algonquin on my mothers side, and I know I am of Cherokee on my fathers side. I was raised around Lakota beliefs and culture up until a certain point when life took a different turn.

My point to mentioning my heritage is that I don't go walking around pretending I am some how a representative of all American Indians just because of that little bit. I haven't been a part of the culture now for many years. But yet I have seen people on his page saying "I'm a Native American and I think its cool". When I have taken a closer look at their profiles, its easy to see they are not at all involved in the community or the culture.

I do still pay attention to the struggles they go through. I do still have a great respect for my ancestors of this continent. And I will always stand with those who are fighting to protect their culture and to keep it alive.

All this musician has done is create an excuse all because he doesn't want to be told he is doing something wrong. He has now labeled everyone who is speaking out against him wearing the mock headdress as "Haters". He ignores the fact that creating a mock replica of a sacred item of a culture, or using anything that is a mock replica unique to a culture is cultural appropriation and is disrespectful of the people and their struggles and history.

If he wants to look like some kind of Goth Tribal person, there are ways to look tribal without using anything that is appropriating a culture. Make something up. Get creative. Don't just take from a culture you have no right to take from. A people's culture, a people's way of life, their history, is not something to be turned into a costume or a brand, especially if you are not a part of said culture.

Some people might make an argument saying that telling someone they can't wear the headdress is the same as telling someone who isn't Christian they can't wear a cross. A Culture and a Religion are two different things. You can convert to a Religion, but when it comes to a culture, you are either born into it, or adopted by it by being brought in by others who practice said culture.

If you want to see the video I will post it here along with his >> page << so you can see for yourself.

The Media, The Pagans, and The Bad Journalism

Where do I begin.

So many "news" (and I use that term loosely) media outlets seem to have become guilty of bad journalism. Many spreading misinformation and outright lies that cause fear among the viewers and readers all over. Instead of reporting facts, they just report the opinions of those being interviewed; they no longer do research to inform the public.

One such piece was brought to the attention of a group I am in written by a "Journalist" (again using the term loosely) entitled 'Wiccan Ritual Killing' Leaves Family of Three Dead in Pensacola: Police. While it was the officer Sgt.Hobbes who specifically claimed it to be a "Wiccan" ritual killing, the journalist made no attempt to give plausible other options, nor inform the readers of the facts of Wicca and other Pagan religions.

Instead they only reported what the Officer Sgt.Hobbes commented, and interviewed a neighbor's opinion which continued the claim of it being Wicca and Satanic related.

To inform those who may not know, Wicca is a Duotheistic religion that follows a Harm None law. They follow the belief that what they do to others comes back to them three fold. So someone who is truly following the Wiccan religion wouldn't even attempt such a thing.

Now, I can't say whether the killing was ritualistic or not, I do not know the details of the bodies that were found; aside from two having their heads bashed and throats cut, and the third being shot and having her throat cut. But as many know, there are people everywhere, in every community, who are deranged and will find some form of reasoning for taking someones life, no matter what their religious beliefs are.

Its plausible that yes it could have been a Ritual killing, but done by someone who is deranged and picked up a book on magic or a bible. Rituals aren't solely Pagan, people in Christianity also perform some form of rituals. Cleansing and Blessing homes, Exorcisms, Baptizing Babies/People, leading a sermon/mass. Rituals aren't only about performing a spell, it could simply be to remind ones self of their deity or to bless people.

Not too long ago, there was a dreadful case in which a deranged young man who followed Christianity killed another young man who was in a Rock Band. This is because he believed that the band member was practicing Witchcraft due to their use of a Pentacle as a part of their logo. People who know the young man have made statements that he was also a Christian and had no ties to Witchcraft or any Pagan practices.

I bring this up because people are treating the killer as a deranged person and do not view him as a reflection or representation of the religion he followed. And yet, when it comes to a religious minority, if a case pops up caused by one or a small handful of individuals, they reflect and represent the entirety of that religious community. Blaming a religious minority for the actions of a few individuals is very biased caused by misinformation, ignorance, and lack of understanding of those minorities.

As mentioned in the Article, one of the victims was working for Homeland security. That is a dangerous job on its own, and if he was working in the field, its possible that someone who was being investigated decided to attack him after finding his information, and his family happened to be caught up in the matter. There are other plausible reasons aside from a deranged killer who decided to ritualistically kill a family.

My message to the "News" Media Outlets, it is your job to give the facts, not just the opinions. It is your job to do the research and inform the public, not spread false claims and fear. You have every opportunity to include research and factual information done along with sharing the comments from those being interviewed. News is supposed to be unbiased, it is allowed to share more than one side of what is being reported. I, as a viewer and reader of your News Reports, request and demand that proper Journalism is followed; that facts are reported along with opinions; and that the News remains unbiased and shares both sides.

What it means to live in Harmony with Nature

So many people constantly get the wrong idea when they hear or read the phrase "living harmoniously with nature" or "live in harmony with nature". They think that in order to do such things you HAVE to be vegetarian or vegan, that everything you HAVE to use is vegan and isn't of any animal product or byproduct.

For some reason, people have this idea that Nature is some happy fairytale place where everything lives in happy harmony. Or that, we must put ourselves above our natural instincts in order to better live in harmony with nature. Its this thought about putting ourselves above our instincts and the natural world that has lead us to the issues we have now.

Nature is anything but happy harmony. It is harmonious, but in a chaotic sense. Nature yes is loving, but also very cruel and harsh. Animals kill other animals, mostly for food, but sometimes sport or to just teach their offspring how to kill. Predators are NEEDED for the survival and health of an environment, of an ecosystem. Sometimes they fight, either to take charge and become the leader, or to gain new territories to better serve their pack/family.

If there were no predators, the animals that only eat vegetation would grow in numbers, eating more and more of the grass and other plants. It would become a world barren, with no vegetation what so ever. The earth would wash away due to there not being any roots to hold the soil in place, or be blown away when it hasn't rained and the soil is dry. The planet would become a wasteland with maybe only sea life surviving, and even then there would be issues.

Predators keep the plant eating population low, letting grass and other vegetation to grow back. Predators pick off the sick, which could be carrying an illness that could affect other animals, and the weak, which would allow the strong to pass on their genetics and make the species even stronger. Its like pruning a bush or a tree; you aren't doing it because you want control over it, you are doing it because it is healthy for the plant and makes it stronger.

As I stated in my blog To Be An Earth Warrior, I said that eating meat is a very natural thing to do. As humans, we are omnivores, like some bear species, we eat both vegetation and meat. If someone choose to be vegetarian or vegan that is their decision.

To live in harmony with nature means you have to be a part of nature. This means you also follow the laws of Nature. And the laws of nature are chaotic but necessary. Never take more than you can give, never take more than what is needed, never allow the negative impact on the ecosystem be greater than the positive impact.

If there are predators hunting too well, their numbers increase and the number prey shrink, which then would lead to the predators starving and shrink until the number of prey increases. If there are too many prey or predators, it could lead to the extinction of a or of many species. There is a delicate balance needed in order to keep species alive.

In order for nature to be as beautiful and as wondrous as it is, it must have these chaotic laws. So, if you wish to claim to live in harmony with nature, to be a part of nature, you cannot put yourself above nature and you must follow its laws. Otherwise, you are simply just living in nature.

What is in a Name?

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose, By any other name would smell as sweet" - Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet.

It is true, if we took a rose and gave it a new name it would smell all the same, but names have power, there is a reason we feel we must name things and give our newborn children names. It is so we may protect ourselves and our children for there is a name that holds such power it is dangerous to reveal to anyone else. For every one of us, we typically will have three names (maybe more) in our life times (I am specifically speaking about people who follow some sort of Spiritual path). There are reasons as to why this is the case, it is to protect us, to protect our very essence of being, to protect our souls/spirit. The three names we have in a life are as follows, Our Birth Name, Our Given Name, and Our True Name.

Everyone has the first and the third, we really don't have a choice in the matter, the second one sometimes we don't have a choice and sometimes we do.

Our birth name is obvious, its the one given to us typically at the time of our birth, it is the name we grow up with, it is the name we recognize the moment it is called out, it is a name close to our hearts and spirit. It is a name that both protects us and makes us vulnerable all in one fell swoop. The reason for this is because whether we like it or not we have attachment to the name, so when used in spell work, it is somewhat easy to be targeted when dealing with those who have a tendency to use more negative magicks. But it is also the first shield that is put up to hide our true selves, so in a way, its the barrier given to us with love so we still have our free will.

The second name is our Given Name, usually magick practitioners will choose a name to use in rituals, or sometimes it is given to us by spirit/gods/goddesses. This name can change from time to time depending on how our life changes or sometimes it will stay the same for the entire life. It is a name we identify with and holds power of pure protection, it allows us to work and stay shielded from outside influences. Sometimes when doing a ritual for taking a name, some may weave a spell around the name so no one can use it for harm against the name holder. It is our shield, our mask, our cloaks, it hides and protects us, and envelopes our being so our true name is truly hidden to the outside.

And lastly, there is our third name, our True Name (also known as a Soul Name or a Spirit Name or a Divine Name). This name is everything we were, are, and will become, it is our very essence of being, it is the heart of our souls/spirits. It is a very potent but also very dangerous tool, while it aids in empowering us, if ever heard by another, be it spirit or mortal, it could be used against us. To know your true name is usually found through feeling, it may take time or sometimes you might hear it at random, but what you will feel will tell you that it is you, it is your true name. If said by accident by another typically won't have effects aside from making us feel weird, due to them not focusing any intent on the name. But if someone where to use it against us, they could pretty much do what they want with us and bypass all barriers and shields, because they are attacking straight at the heart of our very being.

The true name never really changes from life to life, if something drastically changes us to such a depth then yes its possible, but otherwise that name will stick with your being till the end of time. If ever found you must guard it with everything you have, never tell it to another even if you think you can trust them, because people are unpredictable and we never know their true intentions or if they can truly keep a secret. If you ever find your life mate/soul mate, one may feel compelled to tell them, but even then use caution, and truly think about it. In the end it is your name and you will choose who you share it with, but you must always be careful. And if you do decide to share it, do it in a way no ears may eavesdrop and no eyes can pry, if you write it down burn it immediately after sharing, leave no physical record of the name.

So in the end, be careful with the names you pick, because if it feels a little too right, it may very well be a name not meant for the ears of others. 

An Observation: Heathen Communities (American vs. Other Countries)

Being someone who has been drawn to the Norse Gods and trying to find a group I can learn from, I've come across an interesting, and sometimes disturbing, mix of people in the Heathen communities. Most of those who I've come across have been pretty great, they don't support racism, they don't focus too much on politics or which version of worshiping the Gods is right. They support each other, and are very open and welcoming. I've found that warmth and welcome both inside and outside of the US.

But, like anywhere else you look, the Heathen communities have their hate filled zealot people as well, more so in the US rather than out. These minority groups in the US are very vocal of racism and nationalism (again, not saying they aren't found anywhere else, I've just seen more here in the US).

I think half of the reason we find this hatred here is because it is the US. We are a melting pot of people, cultures, and heritages, and as I've looked about, while it is an amazing sight to see so many people from so many different backgrounds being able to work together, it has also caused a very negative backlash. The loss of our heritages, our cultures, the memory of our ancestors and where we've come from and who we are. We've become a country with no real culture, the only exception to that is the native indigenous who are working hard to keep their languages, their cultures, alive.

This is just a theory from what I've seen of human nature, but the only reason I can see as to why there is so much of this kind of hatred in the Heathen community, and in other religious/cultural communities, in the US is because of fear. Fear that if they don't cling to their heritage, to their ancestral culture, that they lose any identity they feel they have gained. That somehow, someone who doesn't look like them or believe the same way they do, will take away that identity.

While you still find racism and nationalism in other countries and other communities, they have to be careful about how they say things due to hate speech and discrimination being illegal. While in the US, discrimination isn't fully illegal, and hate speech is being disguised as "Freedom of Speech". Some may be wondering what hate speech entails. Hate Speech is any kind of speech that focuses on a specific group or multiple groups of people/organizations, to insight hatred and violence towards those groups. So, as an example, if Westboro was in the UK, they would be charged for Hate Speech crimes because they are promoting violence, hatred, and discrimination towards others. (Also, those laws in place don't prevent protesting, if you are against something in the UK you are free to protest it, so long as it doesn't promote violence or hatred).

Here in the US, because people want to include hate speech under "Freedom of Speech", Westboro and a number of other racist and nationalist groups can flourish, so long as they don't take any physical action. That's why here in the US we see more vocal minority hate groups in the Heathen communities, and its because they are more vocal we see come across them more often and it makes it look like they are the majority.

Apparently this turned into a slight rant and I do apologize about that. My main point to all of this is that I've found it interesting, but yet not surprising that the Icelandic Asatru Association receives hate mail from groups in the US.

But remember, there are also groups against Hatred and Racism such as Heathens United Against Racism, Heathens Against Hate, and a number of other groups out there.

Finding Your Soulmate and The Pain and Struggle of Distance

Its a raw experience, one that we all think we know till we feel it. Its one that shakes us, breaks us down, washing what we thought we knew about love away. It is a traumatizing and wonderful experience and feeling all at once. Its the person who doesn’t complete you or make you whole, they are an extension, as if you are connected by an unbreakable thread, and you both are on either end. And it feels like that thread wraps around you both, keeping you both together as if it was glue. An unbreakable bond of spirit. They help you become more than you realized you could be.

Finding that person is something we all search for.

My meeting my fiance, us ending up together normally wouldn’t have happened under the circumstances on which we met. Nothing bad, just highly unlikely.

Back in August 2010, I had just moved into my new apartment with my then Boyfriend and a Roommate in Indiana. I hadn’t found work yet, so aside from keeping the place clean and looking for work, I didn’t have much else to do. One day a friend of mine who I went to High School with in Virginia messaged me. He asked if I knew about TeamSpeak and if I would be willing to use it if I didn’t have it on my computer. He was a part of a chat room that was nothing but guys, and he felt they needed a female in the group, and I was the only one he could think of that could keep up (as in with games, science, and their type of humor). 

I had finished everything needed so I said why not and downloaded TS and joined the chat room. There was one guy who I got on pretty well with, but we never swapped information. No finding each other on Facebook, no exchanging emails, nothing. I didn’t know how to use TS so I didn’t book mark the channel, so unless my friend gave me the address for the chat room again, I wouldn’t be able to rejoin. I never got the address. 

A year passed and I had removed TS from my computer. Issues sprang up forcing me, my bf, and our son back down to my home town in Virginia. A week or so later, through a female friend of mine I met John. He was pretty cool and we became really great friends. He and my friend started to date again (long distance dating, since he lives in the UK), they had dated previously but for reasons unknown to me they had broken up. Issues occurred, I broke up with my bf, and she moved in with us. More issues arose and my ex was then kicked out due to him trying to control what was going on in my life outside of our child.

One day my friend asked if I had TS on my computer, told her I used to and that I could get it again. So I did, she wanted to talk with John in a chat room. So once it was set up she and I joined the chat. As we all were talking, I began to think John’s voice sounded really familiar. I then saw his Nickname in the chat and it clicked. I had met him previously before my friend introduced me to John. And I immediately told him, and he remembered, both of us flipping out because what where the chances that happening.

Time passed, I stopped dating for a year to better understand myself and what I was looking for in a partner, my ex had pretty all but stopped talking to me and refused to help out with my son’s expenses, and even said he gave up his parental rights to him. I still remained great friends with John, he had become one of my best friends, helping me keep my head on straight and working through things when I was too upset to figure things out clearly.

My friend eventually moved out. And then there was a lull in my and John’s conversing. We still talked, but not as much. 

Some more time passed and I had started dating again, but was at a point of just giving up finding someone. I messaged John to see how he was doing and he told me my friend was breaking up with him. I was honestly surprised and upset, I thought they were great together, but I knew there were reasons that I didn’t know, so all I could do was comfort John and try my best to keep him cheered up. (I saw how he was when she tried to visit him in England but was denied entry into the country, yeah, wasn’t a pleasant sight to see, he was absolutely miserable).

So because I didn’t want that to happen to him again, I did my best to keep him smiling and happy. About a month or so passed and he was no longer bothered by the break up. We spent hours talking, hanging out on Google, enjoying each others company and just being friends. Then around the beginning of April, a random thought hit me. I thought about what having his last name to mind sounded like. I froze and flipped out. ‘Why would I think that? I can’t! Nonononononononono bad! He is my friends ex! And he lives in a different country, why would I want another long distance relationship? The last one ended in me being a single parent!’. I did my best to force those thoughts of him and I together out of my mind. Didn’t work.

I found out a week later, I wasn’t the only one dealing with those kinds of thoughts. He too was struggling for similar reasons (minus the single parent bit), I’m his ex’s friend, he didn’t want another long distance relationship. It got to a point that we joked a little about it, calling those forbidden thoughts and feelings our Balrogs. That we had accidentally dug too deep with our friendship and released something from the dark depths.

So we did our best to assemble Gandalf and the many armies of Middle Earth to combat our Balrogs. Yeeeeah, it didn’t go so well. The Balrogs grew, his ate middle earth, and mine just skipped merrily through, knocking the armies and Gandalf off to the side as if they were rain drops bouncing off.

We couldn’t fight against them anymore, we had to give in or stop talking altogether, and the latter wasn’t an option, we were too good of friends that stop talking to each other would suck big time.

We admitted to each other we had started developing feelings for each other, so we decided he would come and visit, and we would see if there was anything, but not start a relationship before then, and that we would keep it secret until we knew (thinking, no point in upsetting his ex/my friend or getting anyones hopes up if there wasn’t anything).

Well, exactly how well do any plans like this work out? They usually don’t unless there really isn’t much there to cause the plan to fail. A week later, he had some friends over, and we were all chatting. Chris, sat there watching John and I talk for about 5 minutes, got up walked out. John and I were confused by this. A few minutes later Chris came back in, sat down next to John in front of the computer and looked directly at me. He asked me “Do you fancy John?”, I was shocked by the question and he asked it again. Knowing what John and I had planned, I didn’t know how to answer. I decided to be honest and I said yes, he then turned to John and asked if he fancied me. John also said yes. Chris then just said “there ya go” and sat there satisfied with himself.

Apparently, it had been obvious to everyone else around us, for a reaaaaally long time now, that we had an interest in each other, even when we didn’t know it. When we made it official that we were together, a lot of people responded with “finally”, “its about time”, “I knew it”. 

Ever since then, John and I have gone through ups and downs, ins and outs, but we have come out of all of it stronger. We want to be with each other, we want to be in each others life, and have each other in our life. We have been tested time and again, and still come out of it. Yes we were’t unscathed, and yes some of the tests were very rough on us, but we haven’t given up on each other.

Now we are going through another test, one of time, distance, and willingness to seek help. We have been together for almost 2 years, and known each other for almost 4 years. We are engaged and haven’t seen each other for a year now. He is a wonderful man, and very loving to both me and my son, and my son loves him and has even started to call him Daddy. We are having problems financially and need help to get the money so we can get the visas needed for my son and myself. John can afford the plane tickets, he can afford to support us, and he can afford our wedding. But because of health issues, being betrayed, and now the up most need to move due to the house falling apart, he has had to use the money he had saved up.

So we have to ask for help, even if its just 5 an nothing more, that is more than helpful. Little amounts build up. Please, help our family be reunited. Donate, share/reblog, or both. Any help at all is greatly appreciated by the both of us. We really do not want to have to spend any more time apart from each other.

Many thanks and Blessings to you

GoFundMe to be Rejoined with my Fiance

Phantom Wounds: When the Past Bleeds Through to the Present

This, I have never talked about with a lot of people except some of my closest friends. Phantom wounds. We all probably have heard about the Phantom limbs experience, either if you are an amputee yet you still feel as if the limb is still there, or if you are one who identifies as Otherkin, then you might feel as if you have ears, tail, wings, etc.

Something I haven't really seen talked discussed about is Phantom wounds. Wounds either inflicted spiritually or that were experienced in a past life that seem to crop up again in the present life, yet there are no physical signs or placements of where those wounds are/were. I experience two different Phantom wounds, from what I can guess are two different past lives because I have not experienced any spiritually inflicted wounds (at least not to my knowledge).

The first one, and longest one I've experienced, even since I was a child, was a pain in my chest. One that isn't for cause of worry (had it checked before). Anytime I start to feel it, it feels like I have a pole sticking out of my chest. Well, if you have read my blog about remembering past lives, you know in the one I spoke about I died due to taking a spear to the chest.

The other one, I don't know the origins of just yet, but with it acting up recently I have a feeling I will. This one is only as I can describe as a slash to the face. Going diagonally from the middle of my forehead, over my right eye, and stopping just at the cheek.

I've felt this wound a few times but it had never caused any kind of discomfort or pain like the first one has. Today, it has done just that. It started up out of nowhere, a searing pain down my face and over my eye. It even caused that eye to blur for a while, but now it has just turned to a dull ache. It feels almost as if I had recently been injured.

I can think I will be gaining memories of the life in which I experienced receiving this wound, its the only reason I can come up with as to why it would start acting up like it has.

And for those who may never have experienced phantom wounds before, it feels like any other pain. I have bad knees, and there are day when I can't walk very well because of the pain they cause. These phantom wounds feel just as physical as these physical injuries I am dealing with from my teen years. They cause pain, and I actually feel it. They happen at random and I never know when I will feel them.

A New Age for the Old Ways: My views on the term New Age

New Age, a term that is either loved or disliked for a multitude of reasons in the spiritual communities. A lot of the time there is a difference pointed out between someone who is New Age and someone who is Pagan. Typically a lot of New Age shops hold a lot of expensive items, even some items you could find elsewhere for a lot less money, and almost all of the items are machine made. While in Metaphysical Shops, prices will be more appropriate for the items worth, and you may come across many more hand-crafted items.

There have even been differences pointed out between New Age and Paganism, such as someone who is New Age won't really care much for the history of things, they are more focused on the new spiritual trend. While with Pagans, they are focused on the spiritual aspects of their beliefs, they care about the history, and truly delve into things.

And finally, much of the dislike is due to how the term sounds in comparison to the religions/spiritual paths. Many of these religions go back thousands of years, so hearing someone call it New Age upsets them because the religion is anything but new.

While I can fully understand this and agree with a lot of the sentiments for the face meaning of the term, I am also focusing on more of the deeper meaning behind it.

New Age; a new time, a new era, its really not trying to say that the religions and spirituality is new, but more, it is a new time to practice these old beliefs. A New Age for the Old Ways. And what many people forget is that, while yes, the religions and spirituality have roots that go back hundreds to thousands of years, time changes things.

I am very much a big supporter of reaching back to our roots, because without our past, we don't have a future. We should yes try to reconstruct as much as possible of the ancient beliefs, but we also must keep in mind that what we are practicing will never be exactly as how it was practiced in the past. So in a sense, there is still a newness to the practices because they are being revived after much of the practices being lost for so long.

Time moves forward, it doesn't go back, things will never be the same as they once were because anything that doesn't change dies. Beliefs are like water, as long as its flowing there is always fresh oxygen, there is a constant renewal and it stays clean and alive, but when water becomes stagnant, very little life can come about. There is no renewal, no way to clean it and remove any of the debris that has gathered, and eventually barely anything is alive in it.

So in a way it is a New Age, a New Age for reconnecting to our roots,  a New Age to reconnect with the Universal energies, a New Age for the Old Ways to live once again.

When the Past is Remembered

Because it is February, and in the Northern Hemisphere this is a time of awakening in the earth, I feel called to write about another type of awakening.

I'm a big believer in past lives, always have been, but even more so now. And I'm one who has always been curious about what my past lives were, but I've never gone through past life regression nor have I tried to on my own.

I only remember three past lives, and they all popped up on their own, or had been triggered. The most significant was the second life I remembered, because it is also of a life I shared with my husband, and he was even the one who triggered it.

It began when he and I were having a chat and he suddenly stopped and had somewhat of a confused yet questioning look on his face. I had asked what was up and he said a random name popped up in his mind and asked me if the name meant something to me. The moment he spoke the name, instantly I began to hear the sounds of men screaming, clashing of metal, and that name being shouted just loud enough to be heard over the sounds of battle. A day passed and that was all I heard mixed in with every day noise.

It was after that that the visual memories came forward, I remember rushing, fighting, doing my best not to get hit by any of the weapons I faced. And then hearing the name once more, but closer and more panicked, causing me to turn around, a second later struck in the chest by a spear. The pain was immense and I immediately dropped to the ground. I remember my vision starting to fade and sounds becoming more of a faint echo and hallowed.

I remembered the last moments of my life in that time period (couldn't tell you when exactly nor what kind of life I lead before my death). I can definitely say it isn't pleasant remembering such a thing, but it also was a very interesting experience, that, was repeated again with the third set of memories (not getting into that one).

It took some time, and reassuring things, for me to learn and accept it wasn't just my imagination going wild or anything. (You know how it is, you experience something, and immediately question whether it was legit or not). After my husband spoke about some of the things he remembered (which he was the one calling my name), before I told him what I remembered, reassured me that yes it wasn't my imagination.

I have never pushed to remember anything else, because for me, I have come to accept I will remember what I am supposed to remember. There is specific information, knowledge, or wisdom I am to gain from those memories, so I know I won't remember anything that will not help me in this life.

One thing I will say is that I have come to learn the difference between what is my imagination, and what isn't. For me, I can still control what happens in my imagination, basically, lucid daydreaming. When it isn't my imagination, I cannot control anything, everything happens on its own, like a vision. And its that difference that allows me to know when I'm actually remembering something or having some form of vision, or spiritually traveling.

And learning this, having these memories, has helped me move forward in my path and I have learned to better trust my abilities. Every experience we have helps us grow, and helps us awaken in our spiritual path.

The Call of Home

Deep within my blood my ancestors flow, as yours do within your blood. They are in our very DNA, they are our physical history, our very origins, our beginnings. There is a memory in our bodies, whether a physical or a spiritual one, those memories are there.

I have ancestors and heritage from the North American continent, the European Continent, and the British Isles. I even grew up with Lakota (a North American Indigenous people) traditions up until I was 12. But unlike my mother, my NA Indigenous roots are not what calls to me. I do love the traditional music, the way of life, the deep love for their traditions, but they are not the ones who speak to me.

Instead, my ancestors who's descendants came across the ocean, who traveled 3,000 miles to come to this continent, are calling me home. The traditional folk music of the British Isles and European countries speak to me, I yearn for the old ways of life of the people there, the land itself calls to me and are familiar to me, yet I have yet to take a single step on those lands.

I even found love there, a wonderful man who, even though we aren't legally married, I call my husband, and he calls me his wife. It was an unexpected and unsought love. Whats even more, he is one I have shared many past lives with, for it wasn't until he and I came together, that memories started to crop up. I know him as I know the land, the memories of him and my home are seeded deep within my spirit.

Ever since I was 10 and had visited Seoul, SK that I knew I would never settle here. I always knew I would find my family, I would find my true home, and I would find my true place of belonging. As I got older and graduated High School, I gave up on that knowing, thinking it would never happen, especially after becoming a mother.

I had broken up with my child's biological father, which had started out as a long distance relationship. The last thing I wanted after that was another long distance relationship, so I focused on those who were closer to me. I even considered moving to Canada if I could find a way to afford it, but to be honest I didn't have too much hope in doing so.

And then the universe decided to step in and has lead me to where I am now. I will be reunited with my husband, I will be returning home, and I will be with my family, and even more, my son is coming with me. I plan on making sure he has the option to be able to live in either country, for I feel it is the best thing I can do for him when he reaches the age of 18, so he isn't left with so little options. If his ancestors from this continent speak to him, and call him back, then he will be able to return.

We all have our calling, we all have the place to be, the path to follow, and the experiences to have. The universe has shown me, if it is to happen, it will, but you must be willing to take the steps forward when the way is presented to you, otherwise you will miss it.

I was lucky enough to have a second encounter in meeting my husband, had he and I not exchanged contact information, and kept in contact, I probably wouldn't be on the way I am now. I wouldn't have my loving Soulmate, I wouldn't be able to return home, and I wouldn't have my family.

When you feel that call, when you feel that undeniable pull, don't fight it, follow it. There may be trials and struggles and tests along that path, but as we know, the right path is never easy.

Deities part 2: The Importance of New Deities

So, as my previous article spoke about, it is possible to "Create" new Gods. If you have not read it yet, please read Deities: Ancient and the Creation of the New. This article will speak of the importance of the new deities.

As many of us who are spiritual in a sense understand, life has cycles, there is birth, aging, death, and rebirth. Deities also have their own life cycle in a sense. They are given name and form, they help us connect and to lead our lives, revealing to us the wisdoms of our times, and then events take place that will lead to their fading. And eventually, as time passes, and as old wisdoms are remembered and revived, new forms, faces, and names come forward to carry forward the ancient wisdoms to give foundation so new wisdoms can reveal themselves and have foundation. And the process repeats itself, giving new life, new strength, and new vitality to the universal energies.

For many years now, there has been a stillness in this process and it has been stagnant. But as the New Age movement has cropped up, yes there has been a lot of BS, but it has also allowed for the ancient process to start its cycle once more. Now there are many who are reviving the Ancient Gods and the Ancient Wisdoms, starting to give foundation for new ways, new wisdoms, and even new deities based and founded on the ancient to carry forward those wisdoms and to allow new wisdoms to arise.

At times, when it comes to the ancient deities, it is difficult for many to connect with them because sometimes our paths focus is more with the here and now and/or the of the path ahead. It doesn't mean the Ancient deities are any less important to those individuals, it just simply means they are a form of energy they are not meant to work with.

Even though many traditionalist Wiccans claim Wicca is an Ancient religion, there truly is no actual historical proof to show this. But, what they may not realize is they are a part of this cyclical process. The names for their Coven's God and Goddess are Oath-bound, this would mean that the many branches of Wicca and the many Covens that exist will not have the same name and form for their God and Goddess. Which means, the ancient energies that are the Gods are being given new life.

Without the past we cannot have a future, the past is just as important as the future, but we cannot live in the past. No matter how hard we try we can never truly return to the old ways. We can take the wisdoms of the ancients and create new ways that are very similar and are founded upon the old.

We each have our own paths, we each have a spiritualism that will vary to one another, but we all must have a foundation to support our paths. We all could come in contact with the same deity, with the same energies that wish to work with us, but will reveal a new face and a new name to work with us by.

Now, as I mentioned in the previous article, the "creation" of new deities is not for beginners due to the dangers of negative entities that would wish us harm, coming forward and presenting themselves as a deity. They are simply low beings who do not live on the higher plains that the beings who are known as deities exist. They are more focused on feeding off of individuals for their own gain and are of lower energies rather than helping guide and keeping the balance and being of the universal energies.

And because of this, that is why new deities don't come about too often. It takes time for the previous deities to live out their time to teach what they must, to add to the ancient wisdom that is being carried forward, and for a time of new wisdom to come forth.

Deities part 1: Ancient and the Creation of the New

For thousands of years there have always been deities and the religions that were/are associated with them. Each deity has their own name, and the energies/qualities associated with those names. I have always viewed the deities as one of the same being, kind of like the many branches on a tree. They are each their own branch, but they all come from the trunk of the tree. So they can have their own form, their own name, and their own consciousness, but still can be one whole being when brought together. The belief and prayer that has gone to the ancient names of these deities has been tremendous due to the many years they have been worshiped,and therefore are still very much alive.

But here is a thought that I have never considered till I read a rant by the admin of the FB page 'Rantings of a Male Witch'. What about creating NEW deities? Would it be possible and would they be just as powerful as those who are ancient?

And I have come to the answer that not only is it possible, but of course they would be just as powerful. The ancient gods are simply energies/qualities given form and name, these energies have existed since the very beginning of time. All that has changed has been the names and which energies were grouped or singled out. There are names of deities that are no longer spoken because they have been lost, but if they ever resurfaced, would still have the power they once did.

Now, 'Rantings of a Male Witch' did bring up a very good point, creating new deities is definitely not for beginners. Because it doesn't matter if you "created" them or not, they are still deities and once created can not be controlled by our whims, and I use the term created loosely. All we are truly creating is the name and form, and qualities the deity is taking on, we are NOT creating the energies nor the consciousness the deity will have. We will never truly control the powers of the Universe for they are not ours (nor the deities) to control. And the reason I say that even deities cannot control the powers of the Universe is because even they must live by its laws, just as the branches and leaves must live by the cycle of the tree.

So, just to keep it simple, when "creating" new deities, all we are doing is taking ancient energy and projecting a new form and name. This is why there are so many ancient deities that have similar energy/qualities even though they are so wide spread across the world. And this is why many may find similar tales and roles between the many eras about that times deities (because as time passes or a new religion comes along, those qualities which felt are needed are passed on to a new name and face).

Another reason these deities would be just as powerful (at least for those who "created" them) is because there will be a bond between that person and their deity. There are many of us who have searched and meditated and have yet to find any deities we have felt close to or who haven't reached out to work with us. Sometimes, the deity we are searching for or wishes to work with us will send to us a name that (for all we know) doesn't exist. So because of that, a very strong spiritual bond forms between the person and that/those deities. (Which is another reason such a step isn't recommended for beginners).

When we first start out, we barely know who or what is need, or what our path is or where it will lead. This is why its good to spend some time learning, studying, practicing with those who are experienced and with deities who already exist. It helps us find ourselves and find out whether or not the personal creation of a new deity is even needed. And so, the last thing we would want is to create such a bond with a being we may not even need/ is supposed to work with. (Think of creating a new deity like having a child, do not create one unless you are ready and willing to have the responsibility that bond creates).

So, yes, because these new deities would be just as powerful as the ancient, they deserve just as much respect for they are just as alive as those who are ancient. Life is ever changing, just as the energy all come from.