God/dess Worship?

[Mairwen]

Was reading my group's website tonight, and thought about starting this new thread.

How do You Worship Your Gods?


Here is the passage that made me think of it:



We practice two types of magic, worship magic and mind magic. Note that we use the term "magic" and not "magick". "Magick" was thought up by politically-minded Craft practitioners who didn't want their religious practices trivialized nor confused with sleight-of-hand. Worship magic is magic we perform together, at the Great Days of the Sun and the High Days of the Moon. Worship is considered a sense of rapport and love. We do not "worship" the Gods in the sense of "reverent love and allegiance accorded a deity, idol or sacred object". The Gods seek to be our honest friends and nothing more. Worship is the love and rapport we establish with our Gods. Mind magic involves the Concept of Oneness and the Duality of Reality.

[Ariannon]

Here's a peek at how I honor Arianrhod:

When I wake up I say "thanks" to Her for such a beautiful day - even when it's raining!
As I go about my day I give "thanks" for many little things - such as the glass that didn't break when I dropped it, my kids picking up their toys and cleaning the rest of the room with out any fuss, that I have such caring in-laws and friends who help me navigate thru the day. When I go to bed I thank Her for everything She sent me that day.

If I meditate with Her I always lay my heaviest of problems at Her feet so She may help me understand why I have been given this problem and to let me know if She can help me with it. She also calms me, joins with me in cleansing my energy....and many things.

On Full Moons - well, that's something I can't talk about here. It is sacred.

Ariannon

PS - I'm also a Gwyddon so there is a lot more to how I worship than just above. But I'll let Mairwen explain what she can as she is my High Priestess in the Gwyddonic Order!

[mol]

I perform Magick! Notice the 'k' ! ;) My Path is very much concetrated on the worship of the God and Goddess, but I also integrated quite a bit of "ritual" magick or "ceremonial" magick if you will. I have found that I draw more power for "work" in a ritualistic type of atmosphere. I dont say Magic'K' for the political reasons. I say that because I think the K adds a little bit more to what MagicK means to me. K makes me think of Kenetic's.

i wont ramble any more..or rant...well..maybe a little later I will.

[mol]

You are right, ew. Back on topic.

I worship in many ways. One is by mere thought...it seems I keep Them in my mind most of my day. I do honor the Sabbats and the Moons.

I also worship by taking care of Her. Her meaning this place. This Earth.

In fact, my Path (Which is changing right now, by the way for all who are interested) almost seperates the worship from Magick.

[Mairwen]

Your post made me think of something.

Great! I'm glad it did!! *applause!* :p

We cast "spells," say prayers, perform rituals, raise and direct power, etc. etc. etc., but we never do "Magick." Why do we say it so often? I don't know...


Interesting, indeed. Gwyddons don't "cast spells" as I've said before; in fact, we even very rarely "do magic", although our worship services are considered "magical acts", simply due to the fact that the level of rapport and love used are so "high" energy-wise.

If you flip through a Gwyddon Book of Lore, you'll rarely find the word "magic" used at all. I think I understand what you're trying to say, EW, but I'm at the board without coffee again ~ *rd&h before Mol whacks me with something!* ~ and I can barely put my finger on it. (I can glimpse it when I squint, though; does that count?)

[Mairwen]

{snipped}


On Full Moons - well, that's something I can't talk about here. It is sacred.

That's cool. I undersatnd that it's completely between the two of you.


PS - I'm also a Gwyddon so there is a lot more to how I worship than just above. But I'll let Mairwen explain what she can as she is my High Priestess in the Gwyddonic Order!

*blush* It's great having you, here, though. Usually I'm a Gwyddon in a crowd alone. heh.

[Mairwen]

I was thinking more along the lines of why we explain what we do as "Magick/magic" at all.


Well, yeah, me too.

Glad this topic has some interest. ;)

[Mairwen]

In fact, my Path (Which is changing right now, by the way for all who are interested) almost seperates the worship from Magick.

Splain!!!

[mol]

I mentioned change earlier and it is something that is going to be hard for me...and I will look for support from all you if you dont mind. I seem to have been led to the front door of a Path that, while similar, it will change the way I do things quite a bit. And it is going to be hard for me. Like starting over in fact.

Sorry for the OT post again...but..I just needed to say it.

[mol]

Originally posted by Mairwen

In fact, my Path (Which is changing right now, by the way for all who are interested) almost seperates the worship from Magick.

Splain!!!

Which Part? ;)

[Mairwen]

Nah, tis not off-topic. It contains the element of worship, right? ;D

[Ariannon]

<<*blush* It's great having you, here, though. Usually I'm a Gwyddon in a crowd alone. heh.>>

Well, now your not the only Gwyddon out there teaching about our path! You have me!

[mol]

Originally posted by Mairwen
Nah, tis not off-topic. It contains the element of worship, right? ;D
Yes. More so...in fact..

It seems that my ritualistic ties are being cut for a more Earth bound approach to worship and Magick. I have been led to a Path that I have seen labeled as 'Green'. I am currently under study right now. I have found its Celtic roots...but the pieces are not falling together well. I think a lot of Tradition has been lost along the years.

Why is this such a big deal. Well, I will be moving from my more Eclectic Path to an actual Tradition. If that makes any sense.

[Mairwen]

Makes perfect sense to me! How excellent for you!

[mol]

Originally posted by Mairwen
Makes perfect sense to me! How excellent for you!

Oh yes. How excellent! *sigh*

[Mairwen]

We see "spell casting" as somewhat of a childish way to explain what we do. We have traditional workings which resemble "spells" but in fact, are not.


Right, as do we. We have five "little works" which teach what Gwyddon magic is and how it's done ~ but nothing above and beyond that. Don't need it.


are considered "magical acts", simply due to the fact that the level of rapport and love used are so "high" energy-wise.

But I wonder why this is considered "magical" and not simply spiritual...


Who knows. I've been on this Path for 8.5 years, and have been trying to figure that out. Perhaps it's one of life's little mysteries? Or something Goddess is trying to drive us nuts with? :D

[Mairwen]

We do not try to "control, contort etc." nature, but strive to understand it, attain from it, and exist with it in harmony.


Well, I was sitting here typing my heart away, accidently hit the escape key and was left with nothing. :( So, I'm going to do this again, but I know it won't have the same "punch". *sigh* I was saying that I had sat here trying to think of a good definition for Gwyddon magic and came up with ... nothing. So, I pulled out a Book of Lore and started turning pages.

Now, I want to try to give you a better definition/understanding of what I/Gwyddons mean when I/we say "worship" ~ which is how this thread got started in the first place. Think about it: As individuals, all worship differently than we would in a group situation ~ or at least, I would think that some of us do; I do know some people who worship "individually" exactly the way they do with their group, and that's fine. Personally, I do things a bit differently on my own than when I do within group worship services. Why? Because I'm an individual ~ we're all individuals; we all have "our own" personal ways of doing things.

*pulls self back on track, hopefully*

Gwyddons practice two types of magic: worship magic and mind magic. I think that mind magic is way beyond the scope of this thread (Ariannon, whatst dost thou thinkst? ;)) (but I probably could briefly discuss it in the Magic forum sometime?). Besides, worship is what I'm trying to focus on here.

Okay. Worship magic is magic that Gwyddons perform together at Great Days of the Sun and High Days of the Moon. It's worship in the sense of "friendship, rapport and love". There are two types of worship magic ~ personal rapport and group rapport. Personal rapport is the friendship we establish with the Gods ~ and indeed, it is possible to have very strong friendship with many! Group rapport is the love and friendships we establish with our "Tuatha", which is our College family and the Family of Gods, The Tuatha of Kerridwen. The stronger our rapport with our tuatha, the stronger the power we express in our group magic.

I guess the "how" of it is a different post?



People often ask why I do not get involved with the Magick forums... well, I just do not feel their direction.


Honestly, I do, and I don't. But I'm there to try to learn something new, to see how other people "do things" and how their kind/brand of magic works. I'm used to doing things a lot differently than "mainstream" groups/people are. It's been interesting taking a peek at what other people do.

[Ariannon]

Well, some see the changing of their path as a major upheavel in their lives while others think of it as an evolution of the spirit. My opinion, I think you're going thru an evolution - not necessarily a change.

Ariannon

[Mairwen]

Um, Ariannon, what was this in reference to? *blonde moment* (and these durned "hotflashes" aren't helping!)

[Ariannon]

<<I have found its Celtic roots...but the pieces are not falling together well. I think a lot of Tradition has been lost along the years.
Why is this such a big deal. Well, I will be moving from my more Eclectic Path to an actual Tradition. If that makes any sense.>>

It was to Mol's above comments.

Ari

[Mairwen]

Thanks Ariannon! I was just lost in cyberspace. LOL! :D

[Mairwen]

So. How do you worship your gods?

[Ariannon]

Originally posted by Mairwen
So. How do you worship your gods?

To be 100% honest. I haven't worked with Gods. I've only worked with the Goddesses - and then mainly Arianrhod. Since I am a Gwyddon Seeker I am trying to rectify that...I just haven't found a comfortable way to yet.

Ariannon

[mol]

Originally posted by Ariannon
Well, some see the changing of their path as a major upheavel in their lives while others think of it as an evolution of the spirit. My opinion, I think you're going thru an evolution - not necessarily a change.

Ariannon

I appreciate your comments and I have taken them in...i do see viewing it as an evolution as a little bit better. It is not really the change that I am frustrated about...it is the unsureness that I feel about certain things. That is what I am in battle with...

[Mairwen]

To be 100% honest. I haven't worked with Gods.

What I meant was DEITY in general, not just the male form. :D

[Nyxee]

I think I might quite possibly be nuts :)

Does anyone else here argue back? To their God, that is. I occasionally have screaming fits at my Matron, Demeter. Usually when I disagree with something. I do believe that all lives are marked, and to some point affected by the Source we call God/dess. I know mine has been. Most of the time I'm accepting, as I know I can generally paint my own canvas, but for some of the greater things I get peeved.

I'll just crawl off back to my cave now *lol*

:) Blessings

Mellee

[Mairwen]

Does anyone else here argue back?


Of course. The Morrígan and I have squabbles all the time; she can be a harsh Momma sometimes ~ that beak of her's is rough! :D Now, Arianrhod and I don't argue, per se, but if perchance I ignore something she's trying to tell me, she makes things mighty rough until I come to my senses ~ I call this "Arianrhod hitting me in the head with a brick".

[Shatav]

I Don't worship deities, I learn their lessons and thank them for it...more like a mentor relationship than a bow to me relationship. But I have a rather Hermetic view on things. ;)

[Mairwen]

Originally posted by Shatav
I Don't worship deities, I learn their lessons and thank them for it...more like a mentor relationship than a bow to me relationship. But I have a rather Hermetic view on things. ;)

Right. I wasn't talking about/asking about "bow to me worship" ~ read my posts. ;)

[PaganBoyNC]

Here is how I worship the Hellenic gods..

In my day to day life I try to make my life itself a ritual in honor of the gods. I try to live justly and fairly in honor of Zeus, I honor the commitments I have made in my relationship to honor Hera, I use my words to honor Hermes, I live a moderate lifestyle and appreciate art/music/beauty to honor Apollo, I try to listen to logic/reason to honor Athena and let chaos and the occassional healthy excess honor Dionysus, etc.. Sometimes things that may please one god may anger another, hence the importance of moderation, but we must all take sides eventually, thus I pay special attention to the activities that have to do with those gods I am especially close to (namely Athena, Apollo, Aphrodite and Dionysus).

In addition to actions (as mentioned above), I make offerings of incense, food and drink to the gods and pray to them regularly. I try my best to observe the ancient festivals and the Athenian calendar of devotions. I also maintain simple shrines in my room to those gods I am especially close to.

Last, but not least, I keep my eyes open. I look for manifestations of, and actions from the gods. I recognize passionate, driven people as children of Ares and see the blessings of Aphrodite and Apollo in the artists and writers. I see Zeus in each Oak tree and Hera in each Willow tree. I feel the energy of Apollo in the blazing sun and of Artemis in the glowing moon.