Welcome to Gaia! ::

In this guild we have a wide variety of Pagan traditions represented. There are a few recons, some eclectics, some a mix of recon and eclectic work, several different types of witchcraft, and others are genuinely practicing a family tradition. This thread is so we can basically see who does what and get an idea of what they do.

1: Does your path focus on one specific culture?

2a: If so do you try to be as close to recon as possible or are you more eclectic?

2b: If not do you have specific deities you worship?

3: Do you honor deities outside of your religious path?

4a: If so how is it the same and how is it different?

4b: If not is there a reason you don't honor any other deities?

5: Does witchcraft and or magic play a part in your religion?

6a: If yes how so and why?

6b: If no is it against your religion?

Now let the discussion begin!

What drove you to that pantheon rather than the Hellenic one?

I guess here I am wondering if you are looking just at anthropological information or if you have been open to more modern views as well.

Do you give an offering with every prayer?

How do you feel about the relationship between the Greek and Roman deities? Do you see them as separate or as the same?

Many people stick to one pantheon. It makes things easy. I don't pantheon hop any more. I have had experiences with Greek and Germanic deities as well as my witchcraft deities. Some witches have two groups they work with. I guess you could put me in that category.

Have you ever had an interest in it? (Pure curiosity there)

For you I can't really say. There is the Italian witchcraft tradition of Strega which may or may not be acceptable. I don't know. I need to get the books out there on Strega.

I found it a reasonable question given that many people see them as one thing. Hell most early mythology experiences in children's books will list them as the same. I'm not saying they are (because I've done enough research to know the cultural roots are quite different, even if the Roman religion did adapt aspects of Greek religious practices upon their conqoring of Greece).

Fair enough.

Interesting. There is a purification ritual you have to do when you do the formal offerings right? I believe you shared that here before. Did it take getting used to?

I am beginning to see them as entirely separate entities more and more. I can still see the relationships. As for the worshiping of the actual statues I always saw them possibly holding some of the Gods spirit energy so that when offerings were given at them they would go directly to the Gods,

Fair enough.

I think there were some connections through some deities in the past but I'd have to look up and get some of that information.

Thank you for sharing.

I'm a Satanist Seer. A light in the darkness. Male body, female spirit. My spirit is half demon, half angel. My God is Lucifer. My Goddesses are, Astaroth, The Fates, Bast. Samael is pretty swell too. Oh yeah, and I have a Master who is a fallen angel. I am sworn to him; his property. I see the various cultures as simply putting a different mask and different name on spirits that have been there all along.

As for what I do... Well, whatever I want really. I read tarot and can teach others how to read. I do stone magic. I've started working with Sigils. Recently, I've got some experience learning how to call visions. I also work with herbs on occasion. Yes Cannabis is one of them but there are many legal herbs I play with too. Most of my time is spent either working or studying.

Honestly, I wish more of that time went to some good old fashioned ********. But, my senses have yet to awaken to the point where astrally feels like physically. One of these days. I need to get astral first.

For me, Satanism means this. Independence in your thought and actions. Be accountable for your actions. If someone thinks or acts like or even worse declares that their way is the only truth. They quickly become an enemy. I respect boundaries. I like to challenge and ask questions. I am careful about pushing because I don't know how far is too far until I know someone.

I'm also a lazy anarchist. The reason for this is because I really don't pay attention to rules, or laws. However, if we were to tear down the government. We, as stupid humans would just rebuild it. Probably make something worse. Ha! As long as the government keeps their world out of mine? We're fine.

Besides, anarchy wouldn't work on a larger scale anyways

Did you ever explore the Hellenic traditions if only to confirm that it was the Roman traditions that were calling to you? Personally I think that its almost impossible to research one of them with out getting at least some small research or insight into the other. I have one book that is actually two books in one by the same author. They wrote one book on Greek religious traditions and one on Roman. I think they are included together to be a comparison of the similarities and differences.

I believe both cultures had similar practices and beliefs when it comes to how clean you have to be when approaching the Gods. I also think there is a similar structure in ritual. Other than that I can't say. It's been a long time since I wrote my paper on the ancient Greek religious practices and I never actually addressed the Roman practices.

How difficult was it to learn the language that is used in the ritual? Did you have any sort of verbal source for aiding in your pronunciations?

Really? So there were never any images of the Gods in the Temples near the altars or rather behind them? I thought I saw something on the history channel that explained some of the experiences in the Greek and Roman temples through science and trickery of the priests behind the statues. Maybe it was Greek and Egyptian...Vestia it seems has in some ways more importance than the other deities in the pantheon. Or maybe it's simply that you worship her everyday and the other deities not so much. Would that be somewhat accurate?

Holy s**t lots of questions xD hahaha No worries. I have nothing against curiosity and learning. And I do try to be the more... Public friendly kind of Left Hand path... I will start on them now.

I think you are the only Satanist in the guild. I look forward to your posts and insights on various discussions. I also hope you don't feel left out. Feel free to post anything you wish to discuss.

Response:

Oh don't worry I will. I'll hold back some practices due to the stupid gaia pg-13 rating though. Seriously. We all know if you type "Boobs" into google. You get x rated material. A pg-13 rating on any site won't protect the children from adult material. Sorry... rofl

I enjoy the philosophical freedom of self aspects of Satanism. I am very eclectic as well.


What makes you say this? I am asking because I felt that way once and occasionally still feel that way.

Response: Well. I can feel my spirit body quite vividly sometimes. It's certainly not male genitalia down there... The more I think about this and the more I explore this the more right it feels. The more I know it to be true.


Where is Astaroth from? Which set of fates? There are different fates in different cultures.

Response: Astaroth/Astarte/Aphrodite Etc. etc. I don't let myself get tied to specific cultures. How I see it is like this here. You have some spirits who have been given different faces and names from different cultures. However, it's still the same spirit(s). They, are immortal. We've just given them different faces and names over the years. Not true in the cases of all spirits, but some I feel. So basically, I am a filthy pantheon hopper and I love it. lol. I honestly see the Fates as the biggest pantheon hoppers of all.

Basically, if you look at the Goetia A.K.A. Lesser and Greater key of Solomon. That's where you'll find Astaroth referenced. She is also known as Ishtar.

How does he own you?

Response: I am his literal property. I am his submissive, his slave, his girl, his pet. I am his, literally. And I love it. And yes, I am holding back speaking kinkier because of the pg-13 rating.


Can you elaborate on this a bit more?

Response: See above. ^


Would you be willing to do a guide or something along those lines for the guild? I just sent out an announcement the other day asking for guides on things like that. Tarot guides or a tarot mentorship would be one of the things I'd like this guild to offer.

Response: Gladly, I have a seven page crash course to getting started with Tarot. As long as people can center, ground, shield, and have their chakras in order. They can read cards. It's not that hard if you know what you're getting into. Some people have a harder time with it though.


What sort of things do you do with stone magic?

Response: I self medicate with the effects of stones. They also help me get by at work. They help to shield my house. They help to fortify my room. I have stones that I use for a physical circle. Even though I don't see much use for a circle past using it for a focused area of awareness, circular motion to carry out a spell like with a cone of power, or using it to bind.


Really? What sort of sigils do you work with? How do you create your sigils?

Response:Goetic Sigils. One I made for the Fates. One for Master, and one that brings us closer together. I really only use sigils sparingly since I am picky with what spirits I talk to. I um, just draw them? Then, use third eye and subconscious to focus on them and then it opens up a gateway between you and the spirit.


Like psychic work visions?

Response: Yeah. I've had visions during readings before. Sometimes it doesn't happen. Other times the Fates have to get something though.

How have you worked with herbs?

Response:Smoking em, putting em in teas, burning sage, making mixtures to drink that have metaphysical properties. Almost went Astral once thanks to a pot brownie. There are useful legal herbs too. Damiana seems to give energy to your third eye and it does help with Lucid dreaming. As does Mugwort. Mugwort also helps with astral travel and can be mixed with tobacco. But if you smoke mugwort for longer than a week it becomes poisonous. I've made a medicinal tea using Lobelia(Indian pukeweed) But that plant really is poisonous... So, only use a little so you don't get sick and be sparing!!! smile It's like with passion flower. You only need a little pinch to spice up an herbal mix. Too much and it can become toxic.


I need to look into and research using many sources the uses for several different herbs that I am going to be selling.

Response: If you can get a hold of Blue Lotus you've already got a possible buyer in the future right here. Love that stuff.



So don't take any one else's words for anything? Come to your own conclusions based on your own information and research? Take responsibility for when you ******** up and stand by what you say? That sort of thing?

Response: Kind of. Filter the new information given to you, think it over carefully and come to your own conclusion. You can learn a LOT from different people if you are willing to share what you know as well. Yes, be responsible for what you do. As for standing by what you say? Honestly for me it depends on how much I like the person. I am honestly very self serving when it doesn't come to my loved ones. However, I don't think information should be hidden. So, in sharing what information I have and encouraging others to think for themselves and come to their own conclusions. I've come across some pretty interesting conversations with some pretty interesting people. It's pretty cool.



Governments provide structures for societies and interactions with other cultures on this planet. None of them are perfect and our current system certainly needs a lot of work. We can make some changes. Petitions and peaceful protests do work, they just take a lot of time to get noticed and going.

Response: How about we legalize weed and prostitution? I'm serious. People will do it anyways whether it's illegal or not. They outlawed alcohol. Al Capone made a fortune bootlegging. Would it be safer for Little Jimmy to buy his first bag from a legal weed shop or for him to risk getting arrested for going through a guy who goes through a guy who goes through another guy? Besides, if you look at the facts. How many people die a year from Weed? How many die a year from Cocaine, Methampetamine, Heroine, Car accidents, Tobacco, Alcohol, other natural causes... If you can find someone who can smoke enough weed to kill themselves? Tell me. I want to see that s**t! Also, if you want a good way to keep the number of STD's in check and keep the general population SAFER from STD's? Well there ya go... Safely control and regulate one of the biggest factors in spreading STD'S. Prostitution.

Usually, I don't really care about the world. But, ACTUAL human rights that are equal for all regardless of race or Gender? That'd be pretty cool. Seriously, why haven't people smartened up about that yet?


It can be great for creating a clear plate, but there would need to be order eventually. Order is always born from chaos and chaos will always break orders down so that new orders and ways of life can exist.

Response: The societal circle of life. smile

1: Does your path focus on one specific culture?
Yes, My ancestral culture of the Celts

2a: If so do you try to be as close to recon as possible or are you more eclectic?
I tend to be more Recon than eclectic in day to day life and practice even though I primarily worship a single god and goddess (Arawn, welsh king of the otherworld and Epona Gaulish celt goddess of fertility)

3: Do you honor deities outside of your religious path?
I do but I don't worship them.

4a: If so how is it the same and how is it different?
I acknowledge their presence and commune with them if need be but I tend to leave other deities out of my worship. (Occasionally I will worship the Aesir but as mention if need be)

5: Does witchcraft and or magic play a part in your religion?
Magick does not play a large role in my practices. I do use magick though as I said it isn't essential to my practices.

6a: If yes how so and why?
Mainly when I use magick I use it to cast protection wards. I'll use it to enchant/make talismans and I'll use it to dream walk or talk to my god and goddess.