Connection

So it's a new moon tonight! I was at first going to do a post on how to celebrate the new moon, but... there really isn't much that I could find online in a short time-frame, so....

First, I'd like to say that I'm feeling reasonabley good recently. I started saying my prayers regularly, morning and night, as well as grounding and centering practices most nights and some morning. I swear, I can honestly feel the difference and more of a connection to the great mother. I highly recommend trying this yourself - it's only a 3-5 minute practice, very nondemanding and quite simple. I plan to do a post on my particular practices and ways regarding this another day for those who don't have their own or aren't sure exactly what they're doing.

And I thought I'd mention, before I started I had a weak-to-nonexistent connection to the Goddess. It was there when I first started out, but I got slack in my practices, and it faded, burried under every-day modern-world drama. Now that I'm taking time out of my day, just a few minutes before bed, to connect with her, I'm feeling much more guided, calmer, and over all so much better. Plus, my cat started coming and curling up to me! I origionally tried to connect to him, but his love was bought by my mums boyfriend with fish, and I gave up. He's a very detached cat and usually won't sit on anyone or anything. Now I can't get rid of him!

Sex and Sexuality

This is one subject that I feel needs addressing.
First, sexuality is not the same as sex - I must point that out. While sex is a physical act, sexuality is ones orientation or form of attraction to others.


Sexuality.
It is common, especially among younger people, to shun and form of sexuality that isn't 'straight'. This is (not blaming, merely noting) due to the rise of Christianity, or so most would say. As this religion has ruled popularity for generations, it's no surprise that their belief that the only 'right' way is man-and-woman is widely believed. This consequently creates conflict and negative attitudes towards those who 'swing the other way'.
In terms of types, generally someone can be straight, bisexual, lesbian or gay - although there are others, and various terms and such, I'll be sticking to the main, common and widely known types.
As I've said, it is socially acceptable to be straight - it's the norm, and commonly viewed as the 'proper way' and a lot of people under this category (though not all) think it is wrong and disturbing to be anything else.
Then there are lesbians and gays - and I don't mean to lump the two together, but it is easier and I'm keeping this basic anyway - who are interested in the same gender / their own gender. Of course there are probably plenty of people who accept it even if they don't agree with it and people who don't care or mind either way. But you're always going to get at least a dozen who will hate and isolate someone for it, and things can get pretty nasty (or you get the sleezes who pick-and-choose who is allowed to be, such as those who find girl-on-girl hot but guy-on-guy sickening).
Lastly, there are bisexuals, who don't mind which gender comes knocking. This orientation is probably second-most common, and I know very many myself. I used to think that this would be somewhat more accepted by people, but I've actually found that there are many people who think it is worse that being gay or lesbian. I once spoke to a girl who thought that gays and lesbians were fine and acceptable but she couldn't stand bisexuals because they're indecisive - she seemed to believe that you should never date a bi because they could suddenly decide they're currently more interested in the other gender and move on. Though it's possible some people do do this, most probably don't. It's not a matter of who-you-feel-like-at-the-time, because both genders are attractive to that person - her belief is the same as a straight girl dating a guy, falling for a different guy and moving on.

Now that I've covered that, let's put sexulity in terms of religious belief. As I've said, Christian beliefs tend to stay true to the man-and-woman mind set.
Paganism, generally, is another story. Paganism is a very open and accepting, not only religion, but way of life. Pagans tend to believe "each to their own" and "live and let live", so you'll probably find that most don't care either way who likes who (though religion can't always rule every aspect of your life and it is possible to be pagan and still have a firm belief about what's right here).
Therefore, you don't need to 'fear god's wrath' or anything for likeing the same gender - it is okay, no matter who you are and which way you swing.
We are all equal.


Sex.
In Christian belief (correct me if you know I'm wrong, this is sort of out of my pool here), sex and related activities is shunned excect in marriage (therefore true love), and in reproduction.
When it comes to Paganism, it varies.
In fact, I'm pretty sure it's different in every belief (even if just slightly) and I highly recommend looking into common thoughts in relation to it within your specific religion. Here, I will cover what I know of certain beliefs, and what my personal thoughts are.

First, most of us have either been brought up to think or have heard of the opinion that sex is 'sacred' or at least special, and that is why people believe in no sex before marriage and such. This is perhaps an important belief to maintain, as it probably helps to keep the activity from becoming a dull routine with no meaning.
However, it is also important to recognize that most Pagan outlooks are more 'out there' and free than most are comfortable with - if you ignore the side of our present day life where girls are posing nude on magazines as a sex image to become a desired object.
Paganism is not slutty or skanky or promiscuous, but it is also not full of set restrictions.
'Back in the day', when people feared God more, peopele wore a lot more clothing and covered a lot more skin and were more faithful and certainly less sexual. In those times, many pagan beliefs probably would have been frowned upon and shunned (which is why it is portrayed as evil). Many Pagans perform rituals in the nude - that is not sexual at all, but as the body was 'private', it was abnormal and probably shameful to others, but it is natural to a Pagan that is so inclinced.
In todays day and age, where people are running around in scraps of material, posing nude for the camera, and just generally use their body as an object to gain desire, Pagan's are probably considered modest - depending on the sort and the beliefs of course. I suppose here you get more into morals.

General Pagan belief is that the body is a gift, and it is special, as everything is sacred, and is therefore something to be celebrated - but know where the line between celebrating and objectifying something is.
A Pagan probably believes that sex is not something to shun, but instead something to enjoy - it is a gift of pleasure from the goddess, and ment to be enjoyed. However, 'celebrating' it is supposed to be a ritual - yes, sex is a RITUAL, one of love, to show desire and want as well as love and care; it is not a simple 'act' that one does with any old person, and yet is not restricted to a single person for your entire life. It is something private to be done with someone special.
In todays world, sex is in, and everything is being sexualized - even in children (check out bratz dolls). Everything we design and do is to make ourselves more appealing to the opposite sex and is thinnly discuised as wanting someone to love you, but is actually a cry for someone to sleep with you (even if you are too young to be inclinced to want that - it is what is learnt from those older than us and therefore becomes 'the norm' at a younger age). We subject ourselves to showing as much skin as is acceptable, and perform multiple acts to fit the perfect appearance in hope that it will make someone want us, but these days if someone 'wants you' it means they want to sleep with you.


Personally, I hate what fashion has come to. Showing as much skin as possible is actually horrifyingly slutty to me and screams for guys to get in bed with them. It's alluring, even with this opinion I myself find it alluring, that is because we are taught that this is how to get a partner, this is how you get someone's attention, and this is what it takes to be (and therefore feel) beautiful and wanted. NO. It should not be this way, and therefore I refuse to conform. I show arms and lower legs, and sometimes a bit of chest, but that's it - not stomach, not thighs. That right, for me, is reserved for the eyes of a partner only because I don't want to flaunt my body like an object. This is not to say I'm either ashamed of my body or against the 'natural form' (bare skin), but I will not use it to objectify myself.
As for who you have sex with, I find it appalling that people sleep with anyone (yes, that means one night stands and even friends!), because that is not a ritual, that is a desperate attempt to make your life enjoyable, though in result it actually ends up destroying it. I think it is definately sacred, a ritual as thanks to the goddess, but not so strict as to keep to one person after marriage. I think it is wrong to get in bed with someone after a week of dating, let alone less - you do not love that person, and they do not love you.
Worse, I've heard girls defending themselves with the fact that it wasn't sex - but instead other various sexual acts. IT'S STILL THE SAME THING.

I feel like this image really embodies what it should be. Firstly, it has the Goddess and her Consort, symbolizing love and care - and both being connected to one tree could be seen as 'being one' - kindred souls sort of thing. Secondly, it is in a natural environment and they are nude, showing that it is natural, and acceptable. This is the essence of it.


I really have so much more to say, but I don't know how to organise it and I know this has already been a very long post, so I'll leave it there and perhaps touch up on it in other posts.

Really I suppose it is simply about finding balance and deciding personally which things you personally think are acceptable or right. Also, I'd like to say that although most religions have certain beliefs, you can't force yourself to believe something and it is okay to deviate from that.

Opinions? Thoughts? Your beliefs?
Blessed be.

The Pagan Blog Project: H is for the Horned God

So, this I know is LAST weeks post! But, I only just signed up, and I wanted to do two H's so...

Before looking into it in detail, here's what I know about the Horned God.
In Ditheism (the worship of two gods/goddess's), it is generally (but not always) believed that there is a God and a Goddess, masculine and feminine, two sides to balance each other. The main religion I know this to be true in is Wicca.
Though probably obvious, I'll say that the God is the masculine entity. In Wicca as well as various other beliefs, the Horned God is the Goddess's Consort (Husband), sometimes also her Son; you may also keep in mind that he is often called / portrayed as Pan. He is of the wild, of nature, and in my mind, of physical things (which I know is vague but, it might become clearer to you after the research...


RESEARCH:
Often portayed as a satyr (half man, half goat), or a man with antlers, the Horned God (often just called the Great God or The Lord) is lord of the woodlands, the hunt, and animals, as well as Guardian of man (and woman). He is ruler of life, death, and the underworld. He is the Sun to the Goddess's Moon, often seen as a server (not slave, as they are equal) of the Great Goddess / Triple Goddess.
In various beliefs he is portrayed as:

• Cernunnos, the Celtic God of fertility, animals, and the underworld.
• Pan, the Greek God of the woodlands.
• The Green Man, the lord of vegetation and woodlands.

Keep in mind that beliefs vary, and while some see the Horned God as all these aspects in one, others see them as seperate gods.
The nature aspect is what he is most commonly associated with, though he also repressents the life cycle (as does the Triple Goddess) in that in Wiccan tales, he is born a son to the Goddess, and then becomes her consort in adulthood to become the father of her child, and at his death is reincarnated into the son once again, every year as a cycle, the cycle of life.
He is also commonly seen as ruler of sexuality (and sex).
(So can you see how, to me personally, the God / Horned God / Lord is a symbol of all things physical? He is and is of the land, the bush, the animals, sex, and so on, where as the Goddess is often of  more abstract things [as well as some physical].)
Though this is not rule, or strict belief, it is often that while one may pray to the Goddess for protection and healing and other such things, it is often to the Horned God that one prays for meals, for food, as he is the provider, because he is of nature and animals.

I found this little rhyme / warning / prayer (however you want to see it) on Shrine of the Horned Gods:
"Never scorn
To wear the horns
They were a sign
'ere you were born."

You may also find in places, when searching the Horned God, images or descriptions of Satan, as in the Christian religion, Satan has horns (in some versions). This is unrelated to the Pagan Horned God, and should be avoided (unless such research is of interest to you).


Remembering that I am and eclectic Pagan, I was first Wiccan (or so I thought), and a lot of what I learned about Wicca influences what I believe today.
To me, the Horned God is the only god, consort of the Goddess, and is of the sun, nature, animals, and everything else mentioned above.
He is also, to me, of bravery and courage, and what are considered more 'masculine' emotions, or the atributes to which are thought to make one a man / manly.

"Ancient God of the forest deeps,

Master of beast and Sun;

Here where the world is hushed and sleeps

Now that the day is done.

I call You in the ancient way

Here in my circle round,

Asking that You will hear me pray

And send Your Sun force down."

As a last note, I quite enjoyed this (I'm a fan of rhymes):
Invocation of the Horned One
"By the flame that burneth bright,
O Horned One!
We call thy name into the night,
O Ancient One!
Thee we invoke, by moon-led sea,
By the standing stone and the twisted tree.
The we invoke, where gather thine own,
By the nameless shrine forgotten and alone.
Come where the round of the dance is trod,
Horn and hoof of the goatfoot god!
By moonlit meadow on dusky hill,
When the haunted wood is hushed and still,
Come to the charm of the chanted prayer,
As the moon bewitches the midnight air.
Evoke thy powers, that potent bide
In shining stream and the secret tide,
In fiery flame by starlight pale,
In shadowy host that rides the gale,
And by the fern-brakes fairy haunted
Of forests wild and woods enchanted.
Come! O come!
To the heart-beat's drum!
Come to us who gather below
When the broad white moon is climbing slow
Through the stars to the heaven's height.
We hear thy hoofs on the wind of night!
As black tree-branches shake and sigh,
By joy and terror we know thee nigh.
We speak the spell thy power unlocks
At solstice, Sabbat, and equinox,
Word of virtue the veil to rend,
From primal dawn to the wide world's end,
Since time began-
The blessing of Pan!
Blessed be all in hearth and hold,
Blessed in all worth more than gold.
Blessed be in strength and love,
Blessed be wher'er we rove.
Vision fade not from our eyes
Of the pagan paradise
Past the gates of death and birth,
Our inheritance of the earth.
From our soul the song of spring
Fade not in our wandering.
Our life with all life is one,
By blackest night or noonday sun.
Eldest of gods, on thee we call,
Blessing be on thy creatures all."

Life After Death

Most, if not all, Pagan religions believe in life-after-death; however, different forms have differing ideas of what exactly happens when we die.

Let me start at the beginning:
For any sort of life after death, we obviously need to have a spirit that can continue after our physical bodies are gone. This is a common belief in paganism, as it's basis in itself is about spirits.

But, of course, there is the endless question: what happens next?
Reincarnation is the most common answer; this is where your spirit is then reborn into a new child - though not neccessarily human, depending on the belief. In some cases, this is so one can become complete, which is achieved after 9 (or some other amount of) reincarnations, learning different lessons in each lifetime. Some beleive that once this is done, one becomes a diety or rests in another world. Then again, others think this reincarnation process to go on forever.
Other Pagan religions say your soul returns to the Great Mother, from whence it came, and you become a part of the earth and all living things; this could mean that a soul (so, that would be you) is simpley a peice of the Goddess that has parted temporarily to become you in order to... "improve" the Great Mother, to maintain "status" as an almighty being.
There are of course, also those who believe spirits roam the earth as ghosts; sometimes this is because they have unfinished business or because in life they were evil and therefore cursed to roam forever, unable to move on to the next life, etc. etc.
Another beleif is that there is a place where all souls gather - such as a mountain; an example of this in history is the Greek's Underworld, which was three sections: one for those who were very good, one for those who were average, and one for those who were evil, but still all in the same place inside the earth.
Then again, it is also still possible to be Pagan yet beleive that there is no life after death, and that your body rots in the ground and that is the end of your journey.

My personal belief, though I'm not sure which religion it comes from (though I know it is from somewhere) is this:
Spirits 'return to the earth/goddess", which I imagine as a summerland / paradise, where we may rest for a length of time until we wish to return, at which point, reincarnation occurs, and that it is only in spirit form that one remembers all their past lives.

What do you believe? Opinions on my belief?

Blessed Be.