Pagan Information Question #15. What happens when you die?

Question

For some reason this question was deleted and I never recieved a notification. So, We'll try it again.

Many non-Pagans have asked me this and I would like other Pagans to answer it from their individual perspectives according to their traditions.

I believe that we spend a time in Summerland to rest and review the lessons of our life, determine our next set of lesons in the next life, develope a plan for undergoing those experiences and plan for the circumstances that will best enable us to learn that knew spiritual knowledge. What are YOUR concepts?

This is NOT to serve as a platform for Fundamentalists from ANY Religion to shower with their Dogma. the Fundamentalist dogma is already available for public dissemintation. This is YOUR chance to learn about who us Pagans are, how we worship and some of our basic beleifs. The intent is to provide quality knowledge and understanding so that there will be less fear of us that occurs from a lack of knowledge.

Raji the Green Witch

Tahuti, what a beautiful answer. I love it a lot. BB, Raji

Answer 1

Yeah. That's weird, I remember answering this one, but I can't find it anywhere, so it must have accidentally been deleted from YA.
I believe in reincarnation. I think Physics proves that not only are we made up of energy (string theory) but that energy never disappears, it just changes form. (from body to ghost, then we can reattach ourselves to a new egg and be reborn)
So, I believe in reincarnation, but also in multiple soul theory. We are all more than one soul. Mostly our souls get along, with one dominant, but others who come into play when we do specific things. When I'm playing drums downtown this coming New Years, the soul of mine who remembers thousands of Jazz tunes will come forth and take over. This is not my soul who is the pagan ritualist, or the one who is still a Christian deep down when it comes to Mercy and Love for the Poor.
After I die, perhaps many of these souls will stay together, and reattach to another human, maybe with some of the souls of someone I know and love, or a perfect stranger. Maybe some of my souls will be reborn as animals or plants. Certainly some of my souls from the past are in people I meet and plants and animals I love.

Answer 2

I believe that in all likelihood, when we die we are gone. Our molecules and atoms continue and will transform into other things, like dirt which then becomes part of a tree, etc. I believe that the memory of me will live on in those who loved me. I believe that my genes will carry on through m descendents. I believe that since there will be no physical support system (my body) to sustain and nourish my brain cells, which house my thoughts and feelings and self, that I will vanish, most likely. And I think it will be like the time before I was born. This does indeed scare me some, but I realize that there is nothing I can do about it, and that all the religions in the world aren't going to change what is going to happen to me, and to everyone.

I think that we struggle with this question very hard and that we have created so many religions because of this not knowing, and because of being afraid of not existing. I say this with the utmost respect, with no disrespect intended ,in light of my disagreement with many of my esteemed pagan colleagues. I also believe that when we live long enough, that Mother Nature often brings in us a sense of completion, of being tired, of being finished with life, of being ready fo be done. Nature has a way of doing things gradually in us, so that there aren't too many overnight changes in our bodies or spirits which would be too jolting. We scarcely notice growing older, it goes day by day.

I read the other answers. A very interesting and thoughtful group of answers.

Blessings, and Merry Yule, Raji!
Lady Morgana )0(

Answer 3

My personal belief is that the energy that makes me "me" (my soul or spirit, if you will) is returned to the Universe, like a glass of water being poured back into the ocean. It doesn't retain consciousness or cohesiveness, it simply becomes part of the Universe again.

And when another being is created, the energy that makes it a unique individual is taken from the Universal Energy, like dipping a glass into the ocean and filling it. Some (but not all) of the energy that used to be "me" may end up in that new being.

I feel this helps explain why different people can feel they have been the same person in a past life - they all got part of that person's energy. I also feel it helps explain why you sometimes feel a "natural connection" with others, or an affinity with certain animals / types of animals.

::humming "We All Come From the Goddess"::

Answer 4

In Hellenic Tradition, when the person dies his or her soul goes before the judges of the dead, If the person is worthy they are able to go to the Elysian Fields, otherwise they are in the Fields of Asphodel. Only if they have commited major crimes are they sent to Tartarus.

Initiates of the Elysian Mysteries were exempted from the judgement and went straight to Elysium. Souls are able to reincarnate if they wish.

Before they are reborn, they drink from one of two pools. the pool of Lethe (forgetfulness) and the pool of Mnymosyne (Memory). Most souls drink from the first, only the wise know to drink from the second instead.

If a person lives three worthy lives consecutively OR are great heroes during a lifetime they do not go to Elysium but rather to the Isles of the Blessed....

Answer 5

Heathen

I believe that when we die we are escorted to the hall of our patron deity (if they think we've been outstanding) or taken to a peaceful part of Hella's realm for a peaceful existence.

Part of our soul returns to the family (or close family) blood lines. "You act just like your grandfather and he died before you were born!" This isn't reincarnation - it's part of the soul but not the entirety.

Many people have heard about Valhalla - Odin's hall of the battle slain but many don't realize that all the gods have halls and there are two realms of the gods, Asgard, the garth of the Aesir and Vanaheim - home of the Vanir. Personally, I feel I could end up in Valhalla or Freya's hall as they are both active in my life as patron gods. I wouldn't mind any of the other gods as well, though.

We're told in the myths and Eddas that those who have led dishonorable or criminal lives end up in violent parts of Hella's realm - like the River of Knives (i.e. probably cold as ice). Is this punishment for "sin"? No, it's the end result of crimes. Technical, yes, but there is a difference.

Answer 6

Well, I just kinda answered this question a few moments ago regarding another person's question regarding science being compatable with "everlasting life".

To quote myself.....*LOL*.......According to the laws of physics, energy is converted from one form to another, but it is never created or destroyed.

Since the Divine is present in every aspect of the Universe, including the laws of science, I would have to take this to mean that after I leave this body, my energy.........my soul, if you will...........is going to continue on in some form, shape, dimension, or way of being.

I personally believe that I am going to continue on in different human forms to learn as many lessons as I can until I experience absolutely everything. Then I will reach Enlightenment.

A tad Buddhist of me? Perhaps. But I feel it is the only way that the Divine spark that resides in me (and all creatures) is going to find its way back to the Source of All.

Answer 7

I believe the same as you do. Except that once I leave this life I will meet up with my real family, who are not human, I might add.
The day I arrive in Summerlands there will be a huge party. And all my animals, pets, friends and family will be there.

I will get to see Zeus in person! I'm looking forward to it.

Answer 8

I honestly have no idea. And to be even more honest, I don't care.
I live THIS life the best I can. I do what I can to ensure my traditions and luck through my children. I see eternal life through my bloodlines, my kids. Total UPG but there it is. My "reward" shouldn't effect how I live. And it doesnt'. The afterlife has nothing to do with my current one. The Gods will do with me what they will and I'll find out when I die.


edit: Wow Hestia that is really neat. I didn't know all that. Good to see you around again there cupcake. ;)

Answer 9

I follow your train of thought, and I agree. I however cull my belief system closer to the Buhddist view of reincarnation...which I feel closly resembles your thoughts about the afterlife.

P.S. to the respondent that questions reincarnation and the population continually growing. Earth existence is NOT the only place that souls inhabit...there are many other ways and places to reincarnate to and from, Thus you now have an answer.

Answer 10

I think I remember answering this before, too. . . .

I really like Hestia's Priestess's answer, as I am Drawn to the Hellenic path.

I believe very strongly in Ancestors. I believe that those who die become Ancestor Spirits. They go to the Underworld, but they have access to this world to guide and protect the living. I believe that we can receive messages from our ancestors in dreams.