Comments on: Post-Agrarian Paganism http://phoener.com/post-agrarian-paganism/ of the Phoenix Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:45:24 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 <img class='wavatar' src='http://phoener.com/wp-content/cache/wavatars/b1626d6271c388357.png' width='40' height='40' alt='Wavatar' />By: Gayze http://phoener.com/post-agrarian-paganism/comment-page-1/#comment-34 Wavatar Gayze Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:45:24 +0000 http://phoener.com/?p=91#comment-34 So much of our society, even for pagan-folk, has drifted away from truly feeling the cycles of the earth-mother. As ancient as the traditions may be, fixing sabbath celebrations to a calendar date is really not nature's way. Our tribal ancestors, after all, didn't know it was "June 21st" for the summer solstice ... they watched the sun and made their plans according to his edict. Likewise with other details of worship and celebration. Just one example: While doing ritual, not that I do so often :-), I always felt the need to adjust the standard symbolism of the directions because my East and West felt "backwards" ... the wind comes from the West at my home, and there is water to the East. The traditions were created to celebrate the earth ... and while traditions are important, and keep us connected to our ancestral roots, is it more important to follow them to the letter, or listen to the heartbeat of the most ancient ancestor of all ... the earth herself? The cycles have changed. Whether by natural design or pattern, or due to man's selfish and greedy design, they have changed. How does the old saying go? That which does not adapt, dies? Well ... just the ramble of an addled old mind, in response to your very thoughtful post, my friend. So much of our society, even for pagan-folk, has drifted away from truly feeling the cycles of the earth-mother.

As ancient as the traditions may be, fixing sabbath celebrations to a calendar date is really not nature’s way. Our tribal ancestors, after all, didn’t know it was “June 21st” for the summer solstice … they watched the sun and made their plans according to his edict. Likewise with other details of worship and celebration. Just one example: While doing ritual, not that I do so often :-) , I always felt the need to adjust the standard symbolism of the directions because my East and West felt “backwards” … the wind comes from the West at my home, and there is water to the East.

The traditions were created to celebrate the earth … and while traditions are important, and keep us connected to our ancestral roots, is it more important to follow them to the letter, or listen to the heartbeat of the most ancient ancestor of all … the earth herself?

The cycles have changed. Whether by natural design or pattern, or due to man’s selfish and greedy design, they have changed.

How does the old saying go? That which does not adapt, dies?

Well … just the ramble of an addled old mind, in response to your very thoughtful post, my friend.

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