I get together regularly with friends to celebrate Holidays etc. We're a diverse group with many different beliefs, I'm more of a all out Nature (animist) kind of guy 9shamanism). nature=truth. there's a couple of Heathens, Wiccans, and Ceremonialists. Is that a word. i.e. the OTO. My question is or problem, is that there seems to be lacking spirituality at ceremonies, rituals. It tends to end up being a rehash of the same old same old. cakes and ale, calling corners, etc. then eating a dinner together and hanging out awhile chit chatting. Then decide who is going to be hosting the next holiday and where. Sometimes it seems as if, they are embarrassed by there beliefs and against new ideas and ways of celebrating life. I've discussed this with most everyone in the group and the feeling seems to be the same as mine but yet no one has any ideas as how to put more feeling, emotion, spirit into it. I've tried introducing different ideas, group activities, drumming, dancing, meditation, nature walks, etc. with very little active participation or willingness to try something different. Makes me think I am and was better off being the solo, solitary pagan I used to be. So my questions are: How do you put the spirituality into a ceremony for a gathering of friends with different beliefs ? Should I not let it bother me that spiritually I come away from these ceremonies feeling nothing and just accept them for the social gatherings they are ? I've considered not going to the gatherings, I feel so much more Spiritually by myself disappearing into the woods. :daisy: peace
You've spoken to them and they are content. I would say if you wish to continue the social interaction with them, do it and expect nothing more from it. You can perform ritual as a solitaire, even if it is a bit challenging, and put as much or little in to it as you want. Or, you could try joining with another group that hosts open Sabbats, if you want to be with a group for these.
thats a drag, but its true that many overlook the worship/spiritual aspects in group work and let it become a social event. Its tough on the organizers/leaders to prepare an event for a truly eclectic group, since there isnt one specific focus for everyone and the generalities can seem to take over and spread to all aspects of the meetings. Talking about it is always a good course, but its really up to you to decide how the group works for you. I always support communication in group work! or you can try skipping one and seeing if you feel better about it coming back afterwards. Sometimes a little break gives good insight
For real ! It's hard for me to fathom anyone NOT wanting to get your drum on. I really don't know what to make of this group. They're all good friends of mine. The friend and socializing part is great the spiritual gatherings just isn't working for me. I believe it to be inhibitions and embarrassment on there part. I'm going to skip out of the next gathering and do my own thing. I did my own thing today just like every day. I wake up and am thankful for the day and the blessings that will unfold. I went to the woods. I was gathering wild garlic in the woods and came across some cardinal feathers. I left some tobacco and sage as an offering. I took out an ear ring and I am wearing a feather in its place. When I finally walked back to the house, a non pagan who is not around pagan like folk very often (if ever) asked me why I kept them. I replied, evidently I was meant to find them, or else I wouldn't have. I feel as if they were left for me to find. This is the second male cardinal that has been left for me within a month. A friend messaged me today that I haven't heard from in a long time. She said: Hey, your alive, I was wondering I'm glad your alive I said: well thank you aha. I'm glad to be alive to. https://s-static.ak.************/images/blank.gif Maybe she's my cardinal. Life and Nature has a way of sending us messages if only we take the time to notice them. I think I have rambled a bit off topic tho. Anyways. yea. aha! I AM GLAD TO BE ALIVE !!!! LIFE IS GOOD !! because it is what you make of it. ~peace
Follow the signs. Good eyes to be able to see them so effortlessly. Very native american feel in your approach to spirituality. I'm with you on the drums dude. What is there to say no to? It's so simple and potent and perfect for a gathering like that. No doubt the spirits would appreciate it too. Follow your peace dude. Don't burn any bridges though, these are your friends and you are just in a different place than they.
No bridges to be burned. We've all been friends for years. I'm actually the newest to the group, about a year and a half now group wise but have known them much longer. I never had the inclination or felt the need to perform group ritual or practice spiritually with a group. At the time it felt like something I needed to explore. So I did. No regrets about it. My beliefs are all very Nature oriented and work for me really well. I try to be as close to the Natural World on a daily basis as I can. This way, I learn something new about myself and the world every day. My "religion" is a way of life for me. I try to give back more than I use up or take, and do a little extra for those that don't care about the wild natural places that are left. ~peace
If you're all friends, and you are happy to be friends, what is wrong with getting together for companionship, without the spirituality? Seems to be people who are there because they DON'T want to share the spirituality of others, and just want to do their own thing and be friends. I mean, drumming is cool. I'd be down. But why would you choose to leave the group just because they're not trying to replicate the fascist spirituality of the rest of the world, where you must do it with others and have your type and level of spirituality judged? Because that inherently WILL happen...... Why not just let it be? Maybe you're the one taking the spirituality down, putting some pressure on? No offence, just food for thought.
No offense taken. I posted for just this sort of opinion, views. Definitely gives me some things to think about. Being friends, most of us get together off and on as friends socially, hang out, have coffee, go fishing, etc. Normal friend kind of things. We all gather together for Pagan Holidays/Sabbats to celebrate them as a "group". It probably is wrong of me to expect to feel that same connection spiritually when with a group that I do when by myself because I know we don't all follow the same path. Perhaps it is my expectations that is interfering in group work. hmmmmm yep definitely something to think about. ~peace
You could try seeing what common beliefs you have, if any, for specific holidays. What themes they think of in relation to each holiday gathering. There are some similarities between paths, most especially nature. A lot of the holiday gatherings are to do with changing of seasons and/or changing cycles of moon or sun. Perhaps you can find some common ground? In honouring nature, you are honouring the divine, perhaps you use one word (like nature, divine, etc.) and think of your deity / nature itself. The intention in your heart will help make it more spiritual for you. I wouldn't stop attending the gatherings, you can still plan to do another ceremony of your own separate to the gathering, so you can still enjoy your solitary spiritual moments, which may well enrich the gatherings together (especially if you do your solitary event on the same day, perhaps before the gathering?) And you can enjoy the social gathering as a continuation of your holiday, as you wind down and enjoy the special time of year with similar minded people?
Not all friends nor even practicioners of the same arts are of likemind. To find a group that offers a group participation of what you seek, you may find within the group you meet with some individuals who may be of like-mind. Like mind means that the ways of perceiving are similar enough that a feeling of sympatico exists .... a lowering of the barriors - a trust between individuals. Because your way of perceiving things is similar enough, the group of like minded should be able to focus on the symbols needed to form meaningful ceremoial rituals for those involved. It may also be beneficial to have each coven within the larger group run expose's of types of rituals they practice to reach across the veil.
