Pagan things (talking to myself...)

[treeskin]

I found the following *paper* journal entry this evening, as I excavated my craft table, and felt the need to share:

1/4/00

Language is a freedom, and a barrier. Even when the words are the same, there are limits to understanding.

I say that I am pagan, but what does that mean?

I say that I am dedicated to the old gods, which only provokes more questions.

I call myself Jera, and try to walk a path of fluid balance, but that is too personal to discuss with strangers.

I practice a religion whose language is ten thousand years of mythology, seven continent's gods: a renaissance of pantheism, ancient gnosis, and 20th century science, psychology, and popular fiction.

It is difficult to define to someone who does not know our stories. It is difficult to define at all: spiritual rather than religious, experiential and evocative, without liturgy or doctorine.

Comments

[florilegia.livejournal.com]

I find that just saying the questions aloud helps to gain perspective on them. I said to my book club that I have not found a path yet...maybe I never will. You are right about the words getting in the way, while, at the same time being necessary to the description of what you are thinking. Too bad there isn't an ancient culture template so that you could get into the mindframe of an ancient before trying to describe your thoughts.

On a side note, it was good to see you today. I saw a long preview for LOTR, and Treebeard wasn't in it. Still hoping they don't screw with the plot too much. Think that I thought of you for this comment simply because of your LJ nickname.

[treeskin.livejournal.com]

"treeskin" is actually something Cat used to call me, when she lived with us. After watching me talking to, and about, me plants, she decided that I was a (short!) tree in human skin.