Welcome to Gaia! ::

Have you ever lost your beliefs or lost your path? Have you been so overwhelmed by life that your path has taken a place on the back burner?

If you'd like to share, please do.

I can relate to that. I use to really be aggressive about learning and now, I too, look at my books and think: "Mmmm.... I really want to read them, but there isn't enough time...even though I have quite a few hours with nothing to do..."

Like I stated in the previous topic, I restarted my BOS. Also, I am redefining my practice based on my location and heritage. I'm 3/5 German and 2/5 English-Irish-Welsh. Unfortunately, I am not in connection with Norse deity, but wish to learn their "mythology". TBC.

I get like that, usually in the dead of winter when everything seems to be in this "hum well...it's not like theres anything else to do outside with all this snow". Its rather sad because my inner circle retreats indoors and we all sort of become sedentary and really unhealthy...yuck. Buuut, sometime around when Spring begins to show herself a bit more its like this spells been lifted and I'm all motivated to do -everything-. This particular Winter I really reflected on this idea, ironically. The Earth goes into hibernation of sorts, and so do we. In many Pagan/Wiccan teachings, winter is a time for introspection, and rest. It isn't until Ostara-ish that things really get interesting on the Wheel of the Year, what with all of those fertility and harvest rituals biggrin .

However, if you're feeling like, an entire absence of Spirit, this could be considered a Dark Night of the Soul. Its an idea put forth, ironically, by Christian spirituality (but not limited to, of course). A person metaphorically (because Spirit never -truely- leave us) feels lost and alone in their beliefs. It can cause much unrest and disruption, especially if you feel particularly strong in your beliefs (So seasonal affective disorder-ees aren't really included here...j/k). The most common reason for this feeling, aside from general loss of spiritual-libido (if I may call it that), is a feeling of absence from the higher ups.
This could be because a spell seemed to go nowhere, rituals might feel quiet, or one has fallen into a rut of life to the point they don't easily recognize the divine around them.
There are loads of rituals out there to tackle a DNotS, I particularly like, and have performed the one Edain McCoy describes in 'Advanced Witchcraft', but there are some all over the webz.

I will say, however, that it is moments like these that make or break Pagans. The ones who will go on with their path will, naturally, move on through these periods. The ones who won't...well...you get the picture. It isn't a bad thing, per se, its actually a good learning experience. It gives you time and place to really question what is valuable to you and your spirituality. It was when I decided that the Goddess changes faces to me, in order to embrace her in all forms opposed to just one. Another time, it was when I decided to take a years hiatus, because I was really just not in the right place or time to be making such important decisions. And, in another instance, it put me on the path of being a Pan-theist, opposed to sticking to a belief system that I had fallen out with.

I wish you the best of luck smile And of course, we're all here for ya!