h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hello. I've been wondering about the different rituals people practice in celebration of their own spirituality. I was hoping for some input from the Wiccan front as my own spiritual views tend to be very earth-centered. Any comments or input would be appreciated.

I realize this forum has been kind of dead, but was hoping some folks would wake up fairly soon and see my post...

Prayer is a good way of celebrating your relationship with the Goddess and God, but I'm still a Novice and have also come here to learn, but also to meet other Wiccans. It seems h2g2 has quite a Wiccan Community growing here.

Well, I guess what I'm really talking about is more like traditions than rituals, although daily rituals are good too. Prayer, in and of itself, does very little for me. I mean I pray all the time, even though I'm not sure who or what I'm praying to. I figure S/He knows who S/He is. I find it reassuring and it seems to help, but I'm kind of looking for more.

Actually I guess I'm not really sure what I'm looking for. I'm just glad someone finally replied to my post.

For those of us who have opted out of traditional religions, the lack of ritual and mysticism in our lives CAN leave a bit of a void, Talene. (I, for one, greatly miss Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, and the pre-Easter celebrations; I loved them til they switched the mass from it's traditional Slovak to English, and I finally understood what they were saying!!!) It is up to each of us to find a way to fill that void. Some practice ancient rituals (I don't myself, but check out the entry titled "Books" to the left of this page to get pointed in the right direction as far as Wiccan rituals go). Some people meditate. Some find other "rituals"; they dance or paint or write in celebration of the forces of life.

Are you looking for something to put the zip back in your sense of spirituality, or are you looking for an outlet for that spirituality? There are many paths. For a fun non-Wiccan look at other paths to spirituality, I recommand "The Tao of Pooh" by Benjamin Hoff for a modern, easily digestible introduction to Taoism. It worked for me, anyway.

*smiles*

Swimming works for me..

I'm looking for both an outlet for my spirituality and an affirmation of it. My sister and mother believe that since I don't believe as they do, that means I have no beliefs. Sometimes their negativity gets to me, and I really would just like some kind of daily or weekly rituals, traditions, meditations, whatever to give me a personal way to affirm my spirituality and celebrate it in my own way. Thanks for pointing out the books thread. I found some interesting leads there.

I understand that.

Personal rituals? Hmmm...

I have found my gardening to be the greatest ritual. In growing things from herbs upwards to trees, I am afirming my sense of nature and life. Watching a seed go through its life cycle, you are constantly reminded of the frailty of the world around us, and the beauty there in... and how some T.L.C. can make all the difference. It is also calming, and meditational. All those plant pots and lumps of dirt become a shrine of sorts... worship while you rake.

This might not rank up there with a Midnight Mass, but it is a celebration of the life around us. And in the end, are they not the same thing?

Contemplation

What a beautiful thought. I think that working with nature is a singularly spiritual activity. Thanks for pointing that out.

I like my garden. I'm growing Honeysuckle up a trellice (sp?). I'd like to have an altar out there.

Do you have any recommendations on the subject of Wiccan and pagan publications? And does anyone know where I can buy such things as dried rose hips? I want to make a tea for my Dad.

Hello there...

Rose hips for tea, eh? Hmmm...

The best place to start is health food stores. Many here in the U.S. stock herbs and such. Most places, if they don't have it on hand, they can get it for you, as long as you don't mind waiting a few days for it to be delivered.

What region of the world are you in? I might be able to find some contacts for you. Would you prefer actual walk in stores, catalog/ mail order services, or maybe a web based companies? I have a horrible knack for finding things...

Contemplation

Oops... almost forgot..

About the books on Wicca and Paganism- There are a number of good suggestions in the Books section of the Wiccan Forum, as you may already have seen. What sort of information are you looking for? Any specifics? Is it just to satisfy your curiosity, or are you looking for more of the basics of practicing?

Please let me know, and I will see if there is anything I can match you up with.

Contemplation

Wow! Thanks, Contemplation!

I'm here in the UK. I'll start checking health food shops. It sounds like it's much easier to find stuff like that in the States. A web-based store might be useful.

On the subject of books -

I'm looking for a healthy selection of information. Though actual ritual scripts would be useful. I've got a couple out of books already but I'm looking to compare them all.

Thank you again! This forum is great!

P

Hello again...

Finally found the time to run some searches for the rose hips. The best links I found were in the brewing industry. The first link is in the UK, but it looks more like a bulk supplier, such as for buisnesses. They will, according to their website, ship to areas that do not have local suppliers of brewing materials.

http://www.harrisfilters.fsbusiness.co.uk

The second link I have for you is from the USA. They have an online catalog, with many other flavoring items available. They even gave me some ideas

http://www.stpats.com/

The only problem with the USA link is that you will probably end up spending more to have it shipped to you in the UK than what the rose hips actually cost

Other than these, the search was rather sparse. I will keep an eye out for more info and pass it along when I can.

Blessed be...

Contemplation

So it goes. I have read the Tao of Pooh and it's sequal several times. Those books more than anything, set me on the path to eastern thought. At this time, I am trying to reconcile my first Celtic beliefs with new taoist ideas. At first it is a boon to think as a pagan, but sometimes the beliefs do not mesh so well. Like the elements. Celtic-earth air fire water and spirit. Eastern-earth wood metal fire water. some agree, some set themselves apart. Anyone out there have experience like me. I still read and surf alot about these ideas, but so far conversation has been eluding me.

Hmmm... reconciling the elements from different belief systems? Interesting thought...

I personally try to look past the idea of set "elements" composing everything. That in itself is limiting, and detrimental to expanding ones ideas. If, let's say, you only accept that elements x and y are everything, how can you accept the existance of something that can only be represented by the element z?

Now, by the same token, the elements do play an important role in understanding the different philosophies of the world. The relations expresssed between man and nature are illustrated and made understandable by using "elements". While they do have actual physical forms, they also have more metaphorical meanings that we all need to learn to see.

Think it over, and see if maybe a more "loose" and less rigid interpetation of the elements can allow you to mesh the two systems of thought.

Good luck, and blessed be...

Contemplation