Hello again to all my friends, I’m glad you came to play. The fun and learning never ends; here’s what we did today! ß if you know where that is from…just stay quiet for fear of being banished from society! ;P
I’ve been receiving correspondences for a magick related school I happen to be a lifetime member of for a bit over 5 years now, although in the last year or so, I haven’t been using a lot of the sources. I noticed that they had reconstructed a couple courses, as well as have been working on new ones to offer its students. This had me itching to “check back in” and see what was there.
I started taking a couple of the new courses, which involve the course material and a test before moving on to the subsequent lesson. One is a 3 month course in Kabbalah, and another is a course on Dragons. There are of course self questions, exercises, research projects, and self practice to do along with every lesson, and I thought I might share some of those here with you guys!
Since I had mentioned a couple days ago that I wanted to refresh my brain with forms of divination, I thought why not go back and rework through the old course activities as well. The mind is an important tool in anyone’s life – if you let it sit for too long, it loses efficiency, just like anything else.
So for today’s post, I’ve gone allllllll the way back to the beginning exercises of the first year course in Wicca, after witch, is considered to place a person comparatively to a First Degree Coven Witch. I myself, don’t consider myself to be Wiccan specifically, although I do still celebrate Sabbats; there was still a lot to learn anyhow. When someone asks about my path, I have a really hard time answering because I find that I’m most comfortable involving bits and pieces of a few paths, rather than sticking to one. If I have to talk about it, I normally choose to mention identifying with Hellenism/Contemporary Paganism to make it less confusing for others. I do incorporate aspects of other religions and teachings depending on what it is I'm doing, but I'll just continue the post with what I mentioned.
I’ve been receiving correspondences for a magick related school I happen to be a lifetime member of for a bit over 5 years now, although in the last year or so, I haven’t been using a lot of the sources. I noticed that they had reconstructed a couple courses, as well as have been working on new ones to offer its students. This had me itching to “check back in” and see what was there.
I started taking a couple of the new courses, which involve the course material and a test before moving on to the subsequent lesson. One is a 3 month course in Kabbalah, and another is a course on Dragons. There are of course self questions, exercises, research projects, and self practice to do along with every lesson, and I thought I might share some of those here with you guys!
Since I had mentioned a couple days ago that I wanted to refresh my brain with forms of divination, I thought why not go back and rework through the old course activities as well. The mind is an important tool in anyone’s life – if you let it sit for too long, it loses efficiency, just like anything else.
So for today’s post, I’ve gone allllllll the way back to the beginning exercises of the first year course in Wicca, after witch, is considered to place a person comparatively to a First Degree Coven Witch. I myself, don’t consider myself to be Wiccan specifically, although I do still celebrate Sabbats; there was still a lot to learn anyhow. When someone asks about my path, I have a really hard time answering because I find that I’m most comfortable involving bits and pieces of a few paths, rather than sticking to one. If I have to talk about it, I normally choose to mention identifying with Hellenism/Contemporary Paganism to make it less confusing for others. I do incorporate aspects of other religions and teachings depending on what it is I'm doing, but I'll just continue the post with what I mentioned.
Project 1
I’ll be doing the project with what I know and believe, which you may not believe or agree with. I thank everyone who has stuck with me this far and chooses to remain here a bit longer! ::hugs::
With what I’ve already mentioned above, I will be answering the following questions presented to me:
I’ll be doing the project with what I know and believe, which you may not believe or agree with. I thank everyone who has stuck with me this far and chooses to remain here a bit longer! ::hugs::
With what I’ve already mentioned above, I will be answering the following questions presented to me:
- The tradition’s founders.
- Where and when it started.
- Where it’s based.
- Where it currently operates.
- What its specific systems are.
- What goddesses and gods it uses.
- Whether or not it has a degree system.
- Whether it has any tradition publications.
Tradition Founders / Where and when it started
There are Hellenic Reconstructionists, who will be able to place a “founder” of those specific revival groups, but as far as general Hellenism goes, there really isn’t any one person it can be pin pointed to (as far as my knowledge).
Hellenics have and are mostly private about their practices, which make determining timing difficult. Where you do see a bit of insight, are some of the ancient writings relating to philosophy and theology. There is not a specific time period that we can really say modern Hellenism began, although there has been evidence shown where similar practices had continued into the rise of Christianity.
Where it is based & currently operates
There are those that practice throughout the world, although they are often hard to find, especially in groups. Again, most people are private when it comes to practicing. In fact, if you attempt to look up groups and temples in North America, for example, you probably won’t pull up anything substantial. While there may be lesser known groups practicing together, most of what you will be able to find will be Hellenic Reconstruction groups. These cannot be confused with modern Hellenism, as their beliefs are somewhat different. In Greece, there is the YSEE headquarters, which serves as a meeting area for Pagans in general, although, the architecture surrounding it is that of Olympian gods. With a rise in the use of social media sites, there is more chance now at finding a group of people that you can have discussions with, but most of what I am a part of has a larger number of Reconstructionists I find.
Specific Systems
I wasn’t really sure what was meant by this topic, but if it is regards to what is practiced, this really depends on the person and what they believe. Some take a more scientific approach, others strictly spiritual based. While I do agree with parts of cosmology, I also believe that earning favour and the practice of karma is essential. The basics of rituals consist of cleansing (washing) oneself, offerings in the form of food, drink, and aromas.
There are major festivals (holidays) during the year, which correspond to astronomy. Both equinoxes and solstices are celebrated in full force. Each full moon is celebrated, and is associated with a specific God. This month’s (April) moon will be celebrated by worshiping Aphrodite. Lesser festivals happen all year around, and are sometimes celebrated.
I wasn’t really sure what was meant by this topic, but if it is regards to what is practiced, this really depends on the person and what they believe. Some take a more scientific approach, others strictly spiritual based. While I do agree with parts of cosmology, I also believe that earning favour and the practice of karma is essential. The basics of rituals consist of cleansing (washing) oneself, offerings in the form of food, drink, and aromas.
There are major festivals (holidays) during the year, which correspond to astronomy. Both equinoxes and solstices are celebrated in full force. Each full moon is celebrated, and is associated with a specific God. This month’s (April) moon will be celebrated by worshiping Aphrodite. Lesser festivals happen all year around, and are sometimes celebrated.
There are major festivals (holidays) during the year, which correspond to astronomy. Both equinoxes and solstices are celebrated in full force.
Each full moon is celebrated, and is associated with a specific God. This month’s (April) moon will be celebrated by worshiping Aphrodite. Lesser festivals happen all year around, and are sometimes celebrated.
Goddesses and Gods
Genders are equal when it comes to the sexes of deities. All twelve Olympian Gods are worshiped, as well as various other divinities and lesser Gods, depending on who is practicing.
Degree system
There is no hierarchy or degree of status when connecting and worshiping deities. In the past, it was common to have Priests and Priestesses serving as mediums between practitioners and the Gods, but that really isn’t the case in modern practice.
Publications
For the most part, people will refer to Orphean Hymns and Rhapsodies. Most other written sources, have been destroyed in religious wars. This doesn’t make the religion any less complex, however. Publications serve as a direction for information and connection. It is up to us to us to forge our path with the raw nature of the world and our connecting experiences.
Genders are equal when it comes to the sexes of deities. All twelve Olympian Gods are worshiped, as well as various other divinities and lesser Gods, depending on who is practicing.
Degree system
There is no hierarchy or degree of status when connecting and worshiping deities. In the past, it was common to have Priests and Priestesses serving as mediums between practitioners and the Gods, but that really isn’t the case in modern practice.
Publications
For the most part, people will refer to Orphean Hymns and Rhapsodies. Most other written sources, have been destroyed in religious wars. This doesn’t make the religion any less complex, however. Publications serve as a direction for information and connection. It is up to us to us to forge our path with the raw nature of the world and our connecting experiences.
I think it is really hard for some people to understand how a person doesn't simply follow one religion. Personally, I know most, if not all of the people in groups I belong to, do not just follow one path. It makes me curious to know if anyone I know here - online - outside of these groups do/feel the same...
Do any of you see yourselves using traditions from multiple religions? What is it you tell people that ask "what" you are?
I want to thank everyone who has stuck around with me through the long post today! The next time I write, I will be talking a bit about meditation tips, and journeys that I have taken this week.
Have a great weekend if you don't stop by til next week!
Do any of you see yourselves using traditions from multiple religions? What is it you tell people that ask "what" you are?
I want to thank everyone who has stuck around with me through the long post today! The next time I write, I will be talking a bit about meditation tips, and journeys that I have taken this week.
Have a great weekend if you don't stop by til next week!