Sacrifice and where to draw the line

[Mòrag Elasaid Ní Dhòmhnaill]

I know that everyone seems to have a different view on how and what makes a good sacrifice, but I'm curious as to where some would draw the line. For me personally, I don't think that offering incense or say chocolate (you get my point) qualifies as a sacrifice, as sacrifice to me implies giving up something important and meaningful to the individual. Historically it is well documented to find broken swords, etc in rivers given as sacrifice. This is something that to a warrior would be very important, and the breaking of the sword was done so that it could no longer be used in this world.

Along those lines, I would view a good example of sacrifice as perhaps a pair of scissors as crafting/sewing is something very important and meaningful to me. I prefer to make my offerings outdoors (I've found a great natural spring nearby that is perfectly in line with my beliefs and my interpretation of archaelogical evidence) and so I was wondering, especially in this day and age where we are growing more and more conscious of living a "green" lifestyle, where do you cross the line between an offering and littering? I would hesitate at leaving, per my example, a pair of dulled/broken scissors at that spring I mentioned as I'd be afraid of how it would impact the environment and animals that live in the area. But at the same time, because that is something that is representative of and important to me in a way that precious little else is, I have a hard time imagining leaving something else behind.

I'm not looking for suggestions of other items I could leave as an offering, but more a discussion on where/when we cross that line and how it should be handled in the modern world.

[LadyWinter]

Interesting question....I cant say I have ever considered going back and picking up my "sacrifices"....When a sacrifice is given it is given in another time and another place with otherworldly beings present...IMO they do not mind the gifts (litter) and maybe the earth doesnt mind the gifts if they are to her....As for animals, they have been dealing with human litter for years....Imo I guess its about intent....harm (litter) gifts.......I am interested in a what others who are obviously greener will say.

Winter
not very green lol

[Mòrag Elasaid Ní Dhòmhnaill]

That's pretty much the way I feel about it too. I would NEVER go back to pick up a sacrifice or offering that has been made as it is no longer mine. The sacrifice isn't meant to cause harm to any and I believe that the Spirits understand that. However, that doesn't discount the fact that it can and likely does in fact cause harm to the environment. I'm normally very environmentally aware and so am of course really curious about how others view the topic.

I guess this is the sort of question you get when you've been up since 3:30 AM. :-)

Completely OT: Whereabouts in PA are you from LadyWinter? I live in the South Hills of Pgh and am just curious.

[Seren_]

What about clootie trees? There's a long tradition of leaving a piece of cloth near a well and 'silvering' the water with a bent penny. I've been wondering if that's a sort of evolution of the tradition (the penny being bent and effectively broken/'killed' like the swords were), and it's something I'd be more comfortable doing if the alternative might be harmful. I wouldn't want to cross the line either.

Historically, stone age axes and other tools are often found as offerings in Celtic contexts in addition to the broken weapons, and these also seem to have been broken at the time of being deposited. Presumably the stone age axes wouldn't have been in use, being replaced by better tools, but they were offered all the same. Who knows what significance they had, but since a lot of the other offerings along with them were practical in nature, it makes you wonder why they did it...

[Mòrag Elasaid Ní Dhòmhnaill]

I actually did think about the clootie trees as well Seren, and as my spring is located in the middle of the woods, it's definitely something I'll be doing. Especially since as a sewer I have a lot of scrap material. I've a bag full of scraps that I've been wondering what to do with, but just couldn't throw away. Now they have a purpose. Thanks for the reminder. :-)

The bent pennies though I have to wonder if they could still cause harm. I'd have to look more in depth into the process of how they are made and what goes into it. If they are made with toxic chemicals, I don't want to be putting that into the water.

It'll probably be a bit of time before I make an offerings at the spring as I would like to get to know the local spirit better. Maybe through getting to know the spirit, I'll get a better sense of what is acceptable and what is not.

[Seren_]

The bent pennies though I have to wonder if they could still cause harm. I'd have to look more in depth into the process of how they are made and what goes into it. If they are made with toxic chemicals, I don't want to be putting that into the water.

True, I guess old pennies were made of much purer metal than they are today.

[Rick]

Nope. Copper is copper. Found naturally in the earth. Never heard of anyone (or any creature) perishing from copper poisoning (of course, I'm sure there might be those that are allergic). I usually give silver coins, when possible... more of a sacrifice to throw away a quarter than a penny, plus silver may be beneficial (I know I take colloidal silver at the first sign of a cold or the flu).

[Kira Catgirl]

Unfortunately, American coins aren't pure metals anymore, and silver hasn't been used for decades. Modern-day pennies are in fact largely zinc and copper-plated, while quarters are mostly copper with a little nickel. I'm fairly certain they're all still harmless metals, though, so it's pretty much a moot point. :)