On her blog, A Forest Door, Dver has challenged Polytheists to write about their religious practices for the month of September. The blog post https://forestdoor.wordpress.com/2016/09/01/are-you-up-for-the-challenge/ and the John Beckett’s post which is referenced, are both worth reading.
It has been months since I last wrote a blog post, let alone a series of blog posts, but I felt like this was the perfect prompt to get writing again, no matter how raw I might feel.
Sometimes, Polytheism feels like a treasure hunt. Sometimes, you come home with a bag full of different bits and pieces and it takes time to sort through it all. Sometimes it is fun to connect all the dots and see how all these different bits can occasionally loop back on itself with synchronicities. As I mentioned in Day 1’s blog post, I do not have a family of origin religion. I haven’t felt called to dive into any particular reconstruction of Polytheist practice either. What I’ve cobbled together is uniquely mine.
I read things, hear snippets of poetry or folklore or myth and connect more dots. I don’t have the benefit of a continuous tradition or clergy to spell everything out for me. I find joy in making my own discoveries however, as if the Gods are conspiring to leave me a trail of popcorn leading me closer and closer.
From what little I have read so far (mostly at Nova Roma), I think Roman Polytheism is the closest match for what I do, though there are plenty of differences as well. Similarities include honoring one’s ancestors; honoring the Gods through prayer and offerings; offerings are simple and accessible; ethics is derived from a study of philosophy, not religion. However, as I learn about other Polytheist cultures and traditions, I find myself attracted to elements of their practices as well.
I’m not yet convinced that it is to my benefit to commit to a singular religious path or tradition, though anything is possible I suppose.