There has been alot of talk in the past several months about defining Paganism, who is a 'real' witch and what constitutes "faith." I had hoped to get a post out for Pax's Pagan Values Blogging Month in June, but time got away on me and I feel as though most of what I wanted to say had already been said, and so much more elequently.
Still, I felt like I needed to put my little fingerprint on this subject, so this in a nutshell, is what I want to say about being a Pagan, a witch and my path of faith:
This is my path:
This is my path:
This is my path:
This is my path:
This is my path:
It's not flashy or grand. It's not bright and shiny and perfect. I struggle with being true to my beliefs in a family and community that doesn't understand or agree with them. I struggle with my daily practice when I've suddenly become a full time mother to neices who's own mother is too ill to take care of them. I struggle with balance when trying to keep the garden growing, the cats happy and healthy, while working my office job and lending a hand to my parents whenever there is heavy lifting or gardening to be done at their house.
My path is like everyone else's. Full of life and concerns and work and laughter.
I observe the seasons and cycles of the earth. I grow food and medicine and magical ingredients. I care for children and animals and the world around me. And although I don't always take as much time as I should to care for myself, I make an effort to put my spirituality on the top of my to-do list. So I have the drive (if not the energy) to continue the journey tomorrow.
This is my path.
24 comments:
What a beautiful post Rue, i think you have summed up what you wanted to say perfectly, and i think you have beautifully put into words that define what being a pagan is all about..
Pixie x x
Loving your photographic examples of your path. I think they say it all. But aside from that, I wanted to tell you also how much I love your header. It has a whimsical, artsy feel to it, and goes nicely with the wallpaper! Have a magical weekend! :o)
Great post my friend. I have faith in your path.
Cheers!
Very well said! :0)
very well put!!! this is my path exactly!!! i worship every minute of every day. much better than sitting in a church for 45 minutes a week.
Brava, well said. It is a beautiful thing when you can express "who you are".
Stellar post on what being a Pagan means to you! The exact same as most any other person. Your spiritual life is Pagan, some are Baptist, Jewish, Buddhist, Mormon, Mennonite or something else.
You are no different than anyone. Narrow minds may have narrow views. It is much more liberating to be open and kind to allow others their own beliefs.
You are not required to believe as any other person. How grand.
My own beliefs encompass several religious practices, it is my own path, and I love it. I am not required to believe as any other person. How grand.
I love the earth based Pagan traditions, I love the Buddhist peace and meditations and loving kindness approach to life, I still retain some of my Christian beliefs, I believe in astrology and reincarnation....so I am on my own path.
Thank you, for sharing!
You are a good person! I honored to know you!
Beautifully expressed, with photos and words. Your path is like my path, and I believe many others. No fancy tools, gimmicks, clothes. Just the simple daily living of a true Witch. Wonderful post!! Hugs and blessings from Robin.
Your Path travels right beside my own, and I can relate to your daily struggles too. My own personal challenge is to remind myself to honor my Path. I am too often consumed with the things that need to be done, but am trying to remember, while doing, to send out some energies of thankfulness and to remember where my own energy is coming from, and honor it.
I've learned from people whose beliefs were SO intertwined with their daily living, that they have become as one, without making a show of their faith, but is so powerful, you can feel it radiating from them. I don't think that I will attain that level in my lifetime, but there is joy in the journey.
I love your pictorial choices for your Path. VERY well represented! It is always a pleasure coming here.
Eloquently put yourself.
I'm not sure that I'm comfortable with the whole defining who is "real witch" etc. Faith is such a personal thing that putting labels on someone else based on my (or anyones)personal beliefs seems somehow counter to the most quoted lines of the Rede.
Ultimately making those distinctions doesn't do anyone any good. When we're able to share our paths, the parts that are the same and those that are different I think our faith is able to grow
Well said! Your Pagan path sounds alot like mine, and Im sure many other Pagans. I agree with putting your spirituality first! Although life can get in the way (quite often!) our spirituality as Pagans will always be there in the end. Many blessings to you!
Your path looks and sounds wonderful to me. People who get all bent out of shape about "defining" paganism and pontificating about who is a "true" witch or not have way too much time on their hands. Chillax and walk your own path, not someone else's.
You do not walk alone, many walk with you.
LOVED the photos.
Love Leanne
well said little sister, you have said what a lot of us feel, our path is a path of being
Beautiful post, Rue. Very well said and well thought out. Your path sounds very much like I want mine to be, perfectly integrated into life. =)
Beautifully articulated! I struggled so much when I first embraced the Pagan path because I thought I had to take a label and fit into the box assigned to that label. It's liberating not to feel the constraints of the walls pressing in on me.
Thanks so much for this post.
Being happy with your path is the most important part...
your path looks just like mine....
i loved all of this
sending love,
kary and l'il teddy
xx
Thank you so much for all your lovely comments!
Wendy - the header is courtesy of "itkupilli" at http://cutencool-itkupilli.blogspot.com
She has all kinds of wonderful headers and page designs. I suppose everything will be changing here soon though. By August I'll be ready for a more Autumn harvest look!
What a lovely post - elegantly expressed in beautiful simplicity. Your path sounds like mine, & apparently many others! I also dislike labels, & the boundarys they imply.
x
Beautiful post! I am new to your blog,I love the way you express what you believe and follow,my images would be similar.As long as we know how we feel thats what counts.Its nice to hear not everyone has to find the 'label' for the path they follow...
Priscilla x
Rue, I so admire your wonderful ability to say so much with so few words. These images speak volumes to my own soul. You have reminded me that though I do not always get the "formalities" of my path done, I live my witchy path each day both in the world around me and within my own heart. Thank you so much, dear friend.
beautifully said!
What a lovely post Rue,
It is hard to manage all these things and still have time for yourself, but you are doing a fantastic job.
Thank you for sharing your path with us all.
Much love and blessings to you.
VG
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