Animal Deity Question-- eat or not to eat

[Agaliha]

For those of you that honor deities that are closely linked to certian animals, do you abstain from eating that animal (if it's a common meat source and you eat meat) or not?

So for example HetHert is closey linked to cows, would it be okay for the person honoring her to also eat beef?

I can see some different POVs--
1. No, because the animal is sacred to [insert name] and therefore much not be eaten. Or you consume other by-products (in the case of a cow-- butter and milk) but not the meat. (Hindu-like POV)
2. Yes, eating the animal is taking in the nutrition and becomes part of you (or something like that).
3. Other.
Anyone have any opinions--personal or otherwise?

Don't limit it to just cows though, there are plenty of deities linked to other meat sources-- rabbits, birds, deer, crocodiles, fish, etc.

[arianrhods_daughter]

I personally eat what I can when I can, you never know when there will be a day or so when we won't have enough to scrape through till next payday I'd say option 2, as long as it is acknowledged and you don't get slapped then I don't see a problem if they don't

[_Banbha_]

I think it depends on a lot of varibles.

Just one example: Domestic
animals choosen for sacrifice were often considered the finest or most flawless specimens of the herd. They were fat, heathly and honored. Animals raised for consumption today are not sacred (or even valued in many cases), but products raised with the lowest possible bottom line. So I am not sure how it can be compared in a general sense. If cattle were raised in this country as sacrifices to deity, they would be treated much better than they are now.

So, I guess I'm saying if you honor a deity that cattle are in some form sacred, can you eat meat from cattle (or any animal for me) that is factory farmed and slaughtered? That was a deal breaker for me so I don't eat meat. I look at it as my core pagan values evolving with the times.

[Agaliha]

Thanks for replying.

This is something that I am still figuring out for myself.
I used the example of cattle because I honor Hindu gods and cattle is sacred there. I eat beef now and I know that's a no-no in Hinduism--- but I never claimed to be a "Hindu" rather I feel the Hindu gods transcend the boundaries of the religion.
I've read all the articles about the reasoning for cattle to be sacred and I understand them. It all makes sense on a symbolic level, but then in a way I still feel I can eat cattle and honor their contribution to the world.
I think I read somewhere that the old Brahmins actually ate cattle and they were originally symbols of wealth and that it wasn't until later though time that their status was elevated.

I know other paths honor various animals due to their linkage to deities.
Amun and rams, Wadjet and snakes, Morrigan and crows, Eostre and rabbits, etc. So I'm hoping other people that honor other pantheons can give me their ideas on the matter.
I'm pretty sure many ancient civilizations ate the meat connected to a deity in a non-sacrifice/religious sort of way, but as food for the day.
:spaceman:

[coeur]

There's always asking.

For instance, several people who have worked with the Goetia report being told to honor the animal the demon is frequently associated with in some way for a certain amount of time. For instance, one demon asked for a donation of 150USD to the save the timber wolves charity. Another demon asked the practitioner to honor horses. For these instances the deity frequently tells you what they'd like you to do.

So in conclusion: ask!

[Agaliha]

I don't know anything about demons, so it's interesting to hear that.

You are right, asking the deity is a good way to know.

[Philosophia]

Before I eat an animal that maybe considered "sacred" to a deity, I always give a little prayer of thanks. To me, its a sign of respect to both the deity and animal.

[Agaliha]

Sounds like a good idea, Minerva. :)

[arianrhods_daughter]

I think always be thankful for the food you consume and ask, if they are really that cranky about it I'm sure they'll backhand you :lol:

[SilentDreams]

I think this is solely left up to personal choice. For myself, I don't see anything wrong with eating animals that are associated with a diety.(As long as you know the diety would be okay with it. If you don't know forsure, I think my reasoning will allow for the consumption of the animals anyway.)

I believe that as long as one respects the life and energy of the animal as a living creature, and secondly as a creature associated with a diety then it's fine to eat it. I feel as long as you treat it as a privilidge and not a right then it's fine.

[omar]

The Native Americans always thank the spirit of the animal to for give them for killing them & thank them for providing them with food.

[LadyCelt]

I don't have a patron deity besides God as the top and Jesus with God. But, I am a big fan of Artemis and Diana. I have decided not to eat deer. I used to eat venison. I do not anymore. I oculd possibly see eating it if it were at a festival or something for her, but not on my own.