I find that when I became Pagan 10 years ago I really went all out for myself , as time goes on I am more meditative about the holidays and celebrate in a personal way. I still have to celebrate all of the Christian holidays as well...so I in some ways I feel like I am cheating myself because I have to get my act together for family holidays and don't put forth the effort for myself.
2006-11-24 03:44:36 · 11 answers · asked by LongAgo 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I usually celebrate holidays with my group, and then again alone. I find, sometimes, that the preparation for a solitary rite is sometimes just as meaningful as the celebration itself. I know how you feel. I used to feel that way many years ago. I put forth more effort for my family's holidays rather than my own. That's when I started coming up with special preperation for my own holidays and it made each one more special for me. Now I have 10+ year traditions for myself and I get really excited about them.
For example - Before Summer Solstice, I put the summer wreath on the door (make seasonal wreaths - it's a blast!), and then re-decorate my living room altar to honor the Gods of the sun and fire. I leave each altar up for a month or so. I'll change the altar depending on the meaning behind the celebration so it's always changing. I'll set aside time for long pre-ritual baths. I'll take the time to bake a cake. Take my time shopping for wine. Those sorts of things.
2006-11-24 04:00:25 · answer #1 · answered by swordarkeereon 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I am a solitary, but I have a group of friends that are also solitaries. We usually get together with each other and our families for as many of the sabbats as we can. It's always fun to have a reason to celebrate with friends.
But I also observe the sabbats on my own in a more personal and meditative way.
I guess I have the best of both pagan worlds.
2006-11-24 11:49:24 · answer #2 · answered by DontPanic 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure if I qualify as a solitary since my husband celebrates with me. I have always been very low key and introspective towards holidays. Then I married someone who is that way too. I've celebrated the seasons since I was a kid, my husband has celebrated for the past 15 years. So here we are---two hermits who prefer to worship alone. But it works. We perform our rituals in private but then share the rest of the day together. We relax and really take it easy on the holidays and enjoy life. Our natures are too simplistic to rush around much--we like the simpler things in life. A fire, a good meal, perhaps a game of skill, and LOTS of talking and laughter........
Is there any way for you to make things simpler for yourself and your family so that you have the time for what really matters most to you?
2006-11-25 01:18:33 · answer #3 · answered by Witchy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Depends on the Sabbat (though I'm neither strictly pagan nor strictly solitary; depending on the Sabbat, again, I celebrate with aywhere from one to five other people). Samhain, Midsummer, Beltane, and Yule are undoubtedly my favorites--in that order--and we often don't do a thing for the others.
2006-11-24 11:50:18 · answer #4 · answered by angk 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think the real aim of spirituality should be the reduction of the self and the realization that everyone and everything are part of us. And this leads to the desire for more community and less identity with our beliefs, concepts, and practices. We then use our practices and beliefs as tools for integration with others instead of as tools that go toward separation and the creation of our self concepts. The end result of our religious practice should be the realization that we're not special and that it doesn't matter what anyone believes or doesn't believe. With this,. we then realize that christian holidays are not something that is outside of our faith or practice. We realize that they are the very essence of our practice -- a time to come together with other people and to not think of ourselves as being an outsider or one of a different faith. Instead, we're there to be with others and celebrate being alive and with them. If we have a thought of ourselves being spiritually advanced or special for thinking this, then we need to stop that, too. Once we reduce the self and don't see ourselves with any label (nto as pagan or wiccan or christian or atheist) or as anything special, then we're there. And it's ONLY about getting ourselves there -- NOT wondering why 'christians' don't adopt this same all-accepting attitude. It's ONLY about one person -- me.
2006-11-24 12:18:07 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Not pagan, but have pagan friends--anyone in your life who would be willing to participate in a celebration with you out of respect for your faith? (Everyone likes a party!)
It can be hard to get excited about the holidays when you have no one to celebrate with.
2006-11-24 11:51:00 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The past several years we've been on a plane at Yule, flying home to see my family, so I've generally "scaled back" to smaller rituals for myself.
I have seen several "public rituals" by various pagan groups in my area, and I've gone to a couple (Litha), so I might do that for Yule this year before we go.
2006-11-24 11:56:12 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Oh my Yes!!! Alone or with others I like to party! If I'm alone then I party it up with Loki, He's way way Cool! This year let's You and me cut the rug Sugar, You know how to get a hold of me; I'll be wrapped up under Your Yuletide Tree!!!!
2006-11-24 14:48:42 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I like your name and would like to wish you a happy "holly-day"
2006-11-24 11:48:41 · answer #9 · answered by Just Wondering 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Celebrate all you want it ultimately does not matter.
2006-11-24 11:46:01 · answer #10 · answered by Irreverend 6 · 0⤊ 3⤋