Solstice Series: If You Hadn’t Become Pagan…

Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday in December we will be asking people questions about Paganism and Pagan religions and culture. Want to weigh in? Find the next question at the bottom of this post!

What important experience would you have never had, if you had not become Pagan?

Sarenth responds:

I would not be who I am today.  I would not be a Priest or a Shaman, and I would not know Odin as my Father, but some mythological one-eyed figure who came and went, bringing wisdom and sorrow.  I would never know my Father as someone who could be incredibly compassionate as much as He could be crafty.  I would never know Odin at all, and a huge part of who I am now would be missing.  He has fulfilled my life, in both purpose and presence, in ways I could never have had in my old faith.  He challenged me with hanging on Yggdrasil, and taking up the Runes like He did.  In so many ways, He has pushed me to better myself, and my community.  I would not be who I am if I had not become a Pagan, or found Odin.

Galina Krasskova responds:

The first thing that comes to mind, that hits me like a fist to my gut is that I’d never, ever have known my adopted mom. She was a devout Loki and Sigyn’s woman. We met when I was an adult and she legally adopted me as an adult. It was one of the greatest blessings of my life. It changed everything for me. This woman gave me roots and she gave me wings and to her, I was her ‘miracle daughter’…all when I’d been the real recipient of a miracle. She was my mother, and the witness to my life in all good and blessed ways. Had I not become Heathen, we’d never have met because she contacted me after reading a poem to Odin that I had submitted to “The Pagan’s Muse” anthology. She contacted me through the publisher. I still get nauseous when I think of how I had almost chosen not to submit that particular poem. Praise the Gods and ancestors for bringing us together.

Of course, were I not Heathen, I’d also be denying myself my relationship to Odin and Loki and the other Gods and Goddesses that I honor. Odin defines my life. He is my purpose and the object of my adoration. I cannot imagine living well or having any existence at all without Him. How could I ever deny myself that connection, and my relationship with Loki too? I’d be a fool to do so. Even through all the challenges—and serving the Gods can sometimes be very challenging, I recognize my blessings. May They always and ever be praised.

As for me? I guess the most obvious experience for me is working here at Patheos. Not many companies out there who view being a dedicated Pagan as a strong asset in an employee.

I would have never felt the pulsing energy as hundreds of people danced around a bonfire beneath a starry summer sky at Pagan Spirit Gathering.

I would have never found a way to express myself religiously that was totally satisfactory. My coven’s recent Yule ritual was precisely what I needed. Not one jot more or one jot less. I can’t recall ever feeling that at a church service.

I would never have had the healing experience of developing a close relationship with male Gods who honor, respect and love my womanhood without exception, stigma or qualification. There is no fancy roundabout language to assure me the Gods love me as much as my brothers, because women have equal and unapologetic places of honor in my faith. That is such a blessing and one I have become so accustomed to I sometimes forget that not all religions have this.

I would never have been so comfortable and assured in my convictions. Released from prohibitive dogma I find myself much more sure of what is right and wrong without needing to seek an outside authority. Emerald Rose has a line from “Summerland” that goes “because the Goddess speaks with certainty.” I could take that a step farther and say that I speak with certainty because the Goddesses speak through me and all women who honor and embrace them.

I would never have come to know and love so many Pagans from so many different backgrounds and stripes. My coven has become a family to me and I have this amazing network of friends all across the country, and even the world, who are all lovingly, passionately, courageously and persistently creating a better world. One made of love, honor, laughter and responsibility.

I would be expecting Armageddon and would not have this amazing sense of hope for the future. I have seen the future in the eyes and words of my brothers and sisters in this strange and beautiful movement known as Modern Paganism. It’s an amazing future and I feel so blessed to be able to add my small efforts in birthing this new and more glorious dawn.

Next question:

A Mormon friend introduced me to the concept of “holy envy”: admiring a religion, or an aspect of a religion, without desire for conversion. Do you ever find yourself in holy envy over something from a non-Pagan religious tradition?

If you’d like to weigh in just e-mail me your short response (250-500 words) before Dec 24th. It’s sfoster at patheos.com.