The Goddess Religions (2)

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 20 Jan 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Pollux	20 Jan 2002
This question is "meantime" one. So the differences in all the religions should the the Deities, right? For Example: 1) I invoke Gaia, Brigantia and Isis 2) XYZ invokes Tiamat, Nike and Duergar (1) + (2) => 3) We have different Goddess Religions. ??? Support and Knowledge seriously wanted ??? And, a Goddess Religion implies ONE Goddess and no other? - I am so skeptical, exp about the latter: what Pagan wuold I be having ONE deity? Doesn't Pagan also imply politeism? These days, anyhow, my Goddess is Epona.

Pollux	20 Jan 2002
I also wanted to add... that someone (excuse me if I don't remember names so easily :( ) named "Celtic Pagan". My question is ... How can I find out about these? PLEASE! May the Goddess punish me if I mean to hurt anyone! P.S. Bzz-zbzz (Pollux PC kisses his fingers goodbye, and explodes in an iridescent flare... ;D ) KABO-OM!

Malachite	20 Jan 2002
Do you believe in all the aspects of your Goddess?

divinerguy	20 Jan 2002
I think you might be mixing apples with oranges here. First, for every follower of Wicca and Paganism (yes, they are different), there are slightly different belief structures. I consider myself a pantheistic pagan, not entirely unlike Spinoza or Einstein. I do not worship a Goddess. I do believe a spirit is present in all things, and I revere that spirituality. Many pagans do not worship a Goddess per se, but nonetheless celebrate her existence and her divinity. For some, a Goddess represents the idea of a deity, but not the deity itself. She is someone with whom they can communicate concerning spiritual matters, a familiar name with whom they can connect for purposes of communion with their deity. Hence, all the different names and forms. I'll be the first to admit that I'm not a student of any particular Goddess worship group. However, I have no doubt that some do actually revere a particular Goddess. Many Goddess worshippers consider the various iterations to be the same Goddess, while some others are no doubt dogmatic. No matter what, I've found Goddess worshippers, on the whole, to be quite tolerant of the views of others. I find them to be quite pleasant to be near. Gary

Greenman	20 Jan 2002
you must understand that all these different names are various 'aspects' of the divine. an example; i am Greenman. to my son (if i had one), i am 'father'. to my niece i am 'uncle'. and to my wife i am 'husband'. yet all three know that i am still 'Greenman'. but my aspect changes according to their point of view, their relationship, their needs, etc. so it is with deity. polarity notwithstanding, in the warrior aspect He is Mars, in the lover aspect She is Venus, etc. i hope this helps clarify it a little.

Kiama	21 Jan 2002
Quote: Pollux (20 Jan, 2002 22:35): I also wanted to add... that someone (excuse me if I don't remember names so easily :( ) named "Celtic Pagan". *Kiama lowers her eyes, and clears her throt nervously...* Um... That was me. Sorry. Its because I can indentify more with the Celtc aspects of the Goddess than others. Its not that I am celebrating a different Goddess to say, someone who invokes Isis. Greenman: You answer was excellent. Kiama

Diana	21 Jan 2002
I'm not sure how this is going to go down (but a spoon full of sugar may help), but sometimes I really wonder why it seems necessary to say "I'm a this" or "I'm a that". Can't we just BE! Period. Does one have to put a label on oneself? My past experience has been that to put oneself in a category often blocks oneself off from new experiences and insights.

Malachite	21 Jan 2002
If you WANT to put a label on yourself, then its fine!...its only when other people give you a label that it gets patronising...(or matronising, of course...) ;-)

purplelady	21 Jan 2002
Pollux, I think it really depends on the person and the particular "branch" of goddess worship or wicca or paganism they adhere to , if any! Some may worship One Goddess , the Goddess may have a particular name , for instance "Diana" or "Hecate" , others may worship only "The Goddess " or "The Triple Goddess". Some people may believe and worship the Goddess and the God. Some may worship many Goddesses , while others only one. I suppose you need to read different books about it on your own to get an idea of what You believe.

purplelady	21 Jan 2002
However, referring to your first post at the top, I wouldn't say that the only difference between the pagan or Goddess religions is the dieties. There are probubly many more differences than that. While also there may be many similarities. Confusing?! I would pick a few of the more recommended books and read them!

Moonklad	21 Jan 2002
Pollux- I know alot of this may be confusing and at times it can seem like you get contradictory information.One source says this, another that. Here is what really helped me. When I first started studing Paganism and Wicca I read alot of books, talked to alot of people, got opinions etc. I found truth in many places but still felt somewhat confused. I spend alot of time wondering where to turn next. Finally, I put all my books aside and starting listening to myself. I had a long period of time where I just thought about what I believed, what my opinions were. I decided what I believed THEN I went looking for others that may believe the same. I found them. I found my path. That is what worked for me. Now I am not telling you to ignore everything you hear. I am just saying sometimes its best to just listen to your inner voice. Discover yourself first and you'll find that you have actually discovered something more valuable than anything you will read. Just my thoughts. Good luck and blessings to you, Moonklad

Pollux	22 Jan 2002
The "Spell of Straying Post" worked even better here! ;D I keep forgetting to check out my posts, I'm sorry! :( The fact is not that I want a label... I only wanted to discern. However, all of your posts helped me figure this out! Kiama, now I understand what it means. Thanks for the explanation! I believe that Wicca and Celtic Pantheon walked hand in hand. Now I understand it's not like this by rule. Diana: in my case, understanding what I feel doesn't mean blocking but starting to walk! It's not a label I want, after all. I only mean to learn, and "pick up". I feel in a great paistries shop: if you don't tell me what's inside the sweets on show, I'll never be able to know which one I like best ;D So, please, forgive me for my ignorance and lack of experience: many of the things I seemed to mean I didn't even take into account!

The The Goddess Religions (2) thread was originally posted on 20 Jan 2002 in the Spirituality board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Spirituality, or read more archived threads.