Barely Polytheist

This past weekend I attended Many Gods West, which is a polytheist conference that takes place in Olympia Washington. This was the second year of the conference, but my first year attending. Gwion and I put on a ritual for the Welsh Goddess Rhiannon. We offered it in the  Reclaiming style of ritual, because it encourages participation rather than simply watching or listening to ritualists do their thing with little regard for those folk that actually showed up for the ritual. The rite was also a devotional ritual to honor Rhiannon, to connect with her, and offer our gratitude for her witnessing our rite.

Later that evening, I was part of a conversation on what polytheism actually is. I thought the answer was pretty simple: a polytheist believes in many gods as actual and distinct beings, rather than say, archetypal representations of human characteristics. However, what I came to discover during this conference is that there are many differing opinions on what it means to be a polytheist. And mostly those opinions fall into the category of “let me tell you what a polytheist is, and by the way, you aren’t one.”

For some folks, if you aren’t putting devotion to the Godds (yes, spelled this way intentionally) as your first and foremost activity with them, then you aren’t really a polytheist. For some, devotion comes first. I can understand that. But is that the only way to be a polytheist? I think not.

I know it can be hard to believe for some in the wider community, because I appear to be quite young and I’m more quiet than flashy, and I don’t blog every five minutes on every topic under the sun, but I’ve been a polytheist for nearly twenty-five years; of course back then no one was wearing the term like some sort of badge of honor, it’s just what I was. Like a dictionary description Poly – Many, Theist – Gods. Times sure have changed and it seems that our already tiny religious minority feels a desire to further fraction ourselves into smaller pieces.

And let me be clear; I’m totally okay with that. You call yourself whatever you want to, but please don’t tell me what I am, barely or otherwise.

The Rhiannon ritual was used an example during the aforementioned conversation, as an event that was “barely polytheist”. This description was given because in our ritual we had a major element of self-reflection and self-exploration. It wasn’t just about pouring a libation to Rhiannon and calling it a ritual. We told a part of Her story, because we made a ritual choice to introduce Rhiannon to folks that might not know much about her. We encouraged participants to see their life in the context of her story. It was a celebration of Her energy. It was devotional to Her spirit. It was making Her real and connectable, not just a spirit “on high” that needs the occasional offering to be appeased.

To be totally transparent, the description of “barely polytheist” really pissed me off. I’ve been creating polytheist rituals for two decades. I think I know what I am. And after stewing on this for the nearly ten hour drive home I’ve come to a clear realization.

I’m okay with being a “barely” polytheist because I don’t need these ridiculous fractious labels.

I know what I am; I’m a witch. I’ve always been a witch and I will always be a witch. I am a witch that worships many Godds from several different Pantheons. I work devotionally with four specific deities every single day. And I have relationships with more of them for work, teaching, and more.

If all we do is devotional practice, if our relationships are so one sided, why bother? If we aren’t working and connected WITH our Godds what’s the point, I mean really?

And who are we to tell others what their spiritual relationships should look like? This “I’m right and this is the only way to do it” mentality is what has lead to hatred, wars, and terrorism. Do we really need that in our already tiny spiritual community? I would hope not, but it’s starting to make me worried.

So just in case it must be declared; I’m a polytheist, I’m a witch, and I get to decide what my labels are.

Oh, and Many Gods West was great – I’m sure I’ll post about it later.