Symbology and Pagans?

Question

Are there any other Pagans out there that believe it doesn't matter where a rite or practice or prayer or whatever originated, but rather what it symbolizes to a certain person?

I use Holy Santos candles, a dream catcher by my bed, animal totems, gems- all kinds of stuff, and it all has certain meaning to me. Is there anyone else out there like this?

Maybe non-Pagans could also identify with this.

Answer 1

I agree 110%! The most inviting thing about paganism in general is it's lack of dogma. There's no big, thick book of "The Rules." Instead, there are hundreds (maybe thousands) of sects, groups, ect. We agree on a few fundamentals, and the rest is up to you to pick and choose what best guides your own path. And anyone who says otherwise is trying to destroy a very good thing, as far as I'm concerned!

You go, girl! Bright Blessings!

Answer 2

Taking all sorts of stuff from random sources and using them as symbols for whatever they mean to you (as opposed to what they might mean to others) sounds a bit like Chaos Magic - that idea's spread a bit over the years, so not too uncommon. I thin there's an element of that in a lot of people's practices.

That said, there's a certain amount of respect that needs to be given to certain symbols and rites. Some things are very sacred, and very powerful, and quite a few Pagans have been more than happy to snap up whatever they can get their hands on with little thought to what sort of impact it might have. The devil's in the details, so to speak, and ignoring those details can cause a lot of friction, either with the gods, or with their human followers.

Let me use a non-Pagan example that a lot of people might be familiar with - Catholic Communion. You're not supposed to take the wafer if you're not Catholic, and haven't gone to confession recently. If a non-Catholic came along and wanted to use some sort of bread in a religious ceremony, that's fine - but if they wanted to use Communion wafers, and *call* it Communion, I'd fully expect Catholics to be up in arms. Same thing with other religions. Some things might be small, or might not be enough to get riled over - but there's other things that are pretty major.

My recommendation, before appropriating anything, is to do some research and speak with a practitioner or three if possible.

Answer 3

I believe that Paganism is more about your own spiritual peace rather than the practice of rites, practices et cetera, and anything that makes you feel more at peace with the world and yourself is more than enough to show your spiritualism.

It doesn't matter that I do not use scented candles, a dream catcher, even have an altar or read much on the path I have chosen in Wicca, because what I know and do use for certain things (incense, meditation, pentagram) is what makes me content in my following of paganism.

Cut short, you could use a severed child doll's head that is caked in syrup for all your needs, if you really believe that is what shows your devotion to your path.

Answer 4

I use what is at hand, when the spirit moves me for a spontaneous rite. It's usually something in my garden, like a rock or a stick or a leaf. Sometimes I pick up something while I walk my dog, something that just speaks to me and I listen. When I was dedicated as a Witch, I chose the spot only a little before hand, and I had only what was available there, some stones and some flowers on a rocky river beach. I kept one rock as my Witch rock and it is in a special place in my house. To others it is just a pretty red rock. To me, it symbolizes each element, the color red for fire, it was found near a river (water) it has streaks of white like lacy clouds, (air) and it is a rock (earth).

The power of ritual, I have found, doesn't come nearly as strong when I plan for it as it does when it comes upon me. It comes when I am open to receive it, not when I demand it come.

Blessings,
Lady Morgana )0(

Answer 5

I even have a collection of rocks I've found with natural holes in them. I don't know why but they seem interesting in a magical way. I have fairies all around my jacoozie and pool (they're concrete fairies). Odd pieces of driftwood can be found all over the house. Icons from the Eastern Orthodox Church decorate the top of each doorway into each room. I'm doing calligraphy of all my favorite scriptures (Mostly things Jesus said from the Bible and the Gnostic gospels) into my book of light that will sit beside my book of shadows, which has my poems, personal thoughts, dreams and concerns recorded.
My old ritual gear is still in storage except the ancient two-handed sword “Meshclevrada” that rest under my bead she is there for protection and was forged around the time of the Norman conquest. Some day I think I’ll rebuild my altar, but not unless I can do it right and dedicate an entire space (room or outside area) exclusively for worship. It will be my place to meditate and consider all things inspirational without the distractions of the world.
No person should overlook any opportunity to find inspiration or make your environment conducive to inspiration because inspiration is God whispering directions for you to find him.
Let nothing discourage you neither man nor spirit for they will come in the name of God but stinking of aggression and judgment to discourage and harm as they have always done. No person of the spirit wants to return to the dark days of old but these I have warned you of will persist till all is midnight if not suppressed by wisdom and foresight.
Love from Christ to all of you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uh-1JVctSOY
♥Blessed Be♥
♥=∞

Answer 6

you should fit your spiritual practise ,the spiritual practise shoudnt fit you.

that what is wrong with joining a Cooke cutter church.that makes you fit the mold, and if you don't they punish you

when you walk in the woods you need to keep your wits about you , so that you dont fall over a Cliff.as in spirituality ,even Hindu, i did a certain mantra for 20 years , because some one said [this is the one]but it wasn't the be all and end all for me so i had to move on and lost a lot of friends,

i like teachers that say read every thing and do ,all most every thing ,because you dont know what [fits you] until you try it.

Answer 7

EXTERNALS THINGS R JUST SYMBOLS,WHICH acts like hinderence during yr true journey to within,nothing is holy outside,the source of holiness is resting in yr own spinal cord,be there and feel the difference.

Answer 8

I agree with you. Ritual or prayer equipment should mean something to you. Symbology is very important in Paganism. It helps us to focus our energy more accurately.

Answer 9

i call myself eclectic for that very reason. whenever i find something that fits i use it, and make it my own

one of the many nice things about being a pagan. there is no set "you have to do this in just this way or you're not a real pagan".

bright blessings to you

Answer 10

yes i agree to some extent.

when i use a ritual tool or a ritual that i have been taught, i always use it in the exact contest of how it was practiced or used by the people that designed it.

for example. i do not use my Native American Feather fan, to fan smoke for my Celtic Rituals. and i do not use my Sickle to prepair herbs for my Native Medicine.

i do not use native language when praying to Celtic Gods. and i do not use Gaelic when praying to Creator.

however this i believe is simply my way. however you choose to follow your path is fine by me.