Re: 2 new messages in 1 topic - digest

[Chessiebleu]

Welcome, err...gmltw, gary, hey you, whatever??  LOL   Glad you joined us, and don't worry about the name.....its all good.  As for your questions, well....   I find pagans are quite the (kof) interesting group.  Nowhere else can you find a general classification with such an endlessly diverse belief system.  Good or bad, right or wrong it all fits into the grand plan,...how and why is another question lol.  The answers are always there to everything we ask, and we are always given the answers, just not necessarily when we expect them (sometimes we even get the answers without ever actually asking the questions too....go figure LOL).   Ok just for grins, please allow me to introduce myself.  I hold the record for being biggest pain in Magicks'... uhhmm...."broom"  for the longest amount of time.  I have been a bit 'odd' since birth and what you have described to me is perfectly normal stuff.  The problem I had was growing up in a society that insisted people like me were evil, witches, strange, mentally ill, ect.  So I spent a large part of my childhood pretending to be and wishing I could be a normal kid and grow up to be a normal adult and raise a family and so on.  Well okay so much for that idea, if nothing else.....I found out that you can run but you can't hide roflmao!   (I can sense Wyrd reading this and laughing....and I haven't even sent the dang message yet)    Seriously, you have no specific area you belong in and an amazing future to look forward to.  My advice would be to fasten your seat belt "before" we take off.  (I've been known to time warp amongst other things).  Now on that note I'll hope the ol' crone bails me out (or better yet, backs me up) with a few 'first hand knowledge' stories she might be willing to share about me.  For now, I gotta fly......   Take care! Chessie   == 1 of 2 == Date: Thurs, Jul 10 2008 4:32 pm From: gmltw LOL, No, my ID doesn't really have any special meaning. It's my initials (GM) and the first few letters of one of my original websites called Live The Word which I later created a business and called the business LTW Contracting so my user name ended up being gmltwc. Nothing that special, just kind of plain and boring out of necessity and simplicity. I really don't have a nick name as of yet and I couldn't help but notice all of the cool and meaningful nicknames that so many have. I think that I will have to think about a meaningful name and maybe as time goes on and others get to know me better a nick name will emerge. Until then it is fine if I am called Gary or gmltwc or whatever is easy as long as I know it's me that's being referred to. :) I would like to know more about where Pagans draw their beliefs from the most. I have noticed that there are rituals and that some (if not all) believe in Gods and Goddesses and Sabbats (not sure how to spell that) and other things that I would like to know more about but I don't know where to start. I know practically nothing about Paganism. I don't know where I might remotely fit in in this whole religion. I don't know if I believe closer to Wiccans, Druids, Neo-Pagans, or what. Most likely some of the names I just mentioned are not even separate from each other. Basically, how can I learn more about where I belong in this community. I have experienced first hand many different facets of the supernatural and I believe that if I knew how to use the gifts given me that I could actually do something with them. I have experienced sight in my sleep ( I knew when someone was approaching me and could see them although my eyes were closed and I was mostly asleep.) I have prayed for someone and they have been healed instantly. I have prayed for God's help in a situation were I needed a tool to complete my task and it was a tool that I had lost the day before several hundred miles from where I was and God (or someone, something ) made it appear so that I had the tool. I have felt the power of God like a bolt of light and fire come down from the heavens through the top of my head and out of my mouth like fire to consume and purify the lies of a "man of God" who was teaching lies. I have experienced many more things that I don't have time to write down at this moment but I think this is enough to hopefully help someone give me direction. I am not saying all of these things to boast or say look at me. I only say these things hoping that this may sound like I should search or study in one particular place or another and maybe someone with experience can point me in the direction to learn. I would be happy to answer any questions in the pursuit of the path that I should follow. Thank you, Gary On Jul 9, 2:52 pm, Dyllea <magickw...@msn.com> wrote: > No worries, I know the profile option is limited. So, do you use any > other nickname? If not, that's ok, I'm sure your ID has a special > meaning. > > Can you please share with us anything you might like to know more > about? > > Thanks~ > > On Jul 6, 1:11 pm, gmltw <gml...@gmail.com> wrote: > > > Thank you for the warm welcome. > > > I attempted to update my Google profile but it seems they don't give > > you a lot of room for your profile. So I started a blog. This is > > something I have been wanting to do for years (not blog but write my > > story) and since I had already written a sort of introduction as to > > who I am religiously I thought I might as well use it. If you would > > like to have a read you can find it herehttp://gary-morris.livetheword.info/ > > . I welcome any comments and insight. > > > Gary > > > On Jul 5, 2:47 am, Dyllea <magickw...@msn.com> wrote: > > > > Gmltw is a new member, though he hasn't yet edited his personal > > > profile. He did provide us with a link where he shares a little about > > > himself and his current connection to paganism. Please take a minute > > > to visit:http://community.beliefnet.com/gmltw > > > > Welcome Gmltw, we are a small but growing pagan group who seek to > > > share ideas and opinions. Hopefully our members can respond to your > > > questions, feel free to address individuals or the group if you like, > > > we are all here for the same reason. All discussions are open, but > > > please use good judgement in all correspondence. Rules are simply that > > > we keep an open mind and heart, and respect other ideas and beliefs > > > even when you do not agree. > > > > I know folks have been busy recently, vacations, selling home and > > > preparation to move, but I encourage everyone to briefly welcome > > > Gmltw. > > > > We look forward to seeing your profile so we can get to know you > > > better! > > > > Blessed be~ > > > > Magickwyrd- Hide quoted text - > > > - Show quoted text - == 2 of 2 == Date: Mon, Jul 14 2008 5:47 pm From: Dyllea Hi Gmltw, Thank you for sharing Gary, it's interesting that you have already experienced opening your spiritual energies in "Live the Word". I've found some people start with shared ideals and experiences in an online blog or web-journaling. It's how we sometimes reach out to find like-minded truth-seekers. When you think differently than the herd, it can be difficult to find another who has spotted the inconsistencies and is also looking for the truth. Nicknames are fun, and after awhile maybe we will find a moniker for you if you like. You asked about where pagans draw their beliefs from, and the answer is open-ended. In my experience, pagan beliefs rise from within. They do not rely on the beliefs of others, meaning that a pagan does not always follow a particular path- unless it is of their own choosing. A pagan prefers to remain free to self-assess any path at any time. Pagans are typically self-reliant, they are not looking for a guide to take them to places like Heaven or Hell, Olam Haba, or to teach them about Sin, Nirvana, or how to battle Satan. These are man-made ideals and faith- based promises developed for the most part by men. These fath-based origins are likely related to gaining prestige and/or power within a social group. Pagans typically do not aknowledge manmade religious beliefs, including a savior, saints, holy spirits, or satan. In fact, pagans do not believe in faith-based doctrines because men who claim "divine favor, or inspiration directly from God" created them. There are many religions that are based on the words of men "inspired by God", who claim to know the only truth. It is typical for pagans to question "manmade truth". Pagans accept the truth than their own minds and bodies tell them. Pagan faith is consistent with the built-in consciousness that is part of the human spiritual condition. Most pagans understand that we are spiritual beings living a temporary human existence. It is easy to recognize that many people have lost or denied their connection to the universal existence, and instead they reply on a worldly guide, like their pastors, priests, rabbis, the various imams, etc... Please note that pagans do not force our faith in ourselves on anyone, we do not recruit, we do not condemn other beliefs. We do not profess to have "divine favor, and our works are not "inspired by God". What we do is respect that there is a "universal spiritual presence", and we offer thanks for the blessings of spiritual energies... that which generates life, and maintains the universe that we exist within. We see the female aspect as spiritual energy, since the universe uses the feminine body to generate life, and we see the male aspect as the material balance that maintains our continued existence. It is a simple truth that has not failed to produce tangible result. We are within ourselves, god and the universe, in a spiritual connection. Only our bodies connect us to our human condition. Paganism from a Western perspective, often refers to spiritualist, animistic or shamanic practices or beliefs. Polytheism is typical, meaning a belief in various gods. Pagans often prefer to venerate the feminine spirit, and may favor feminine attributes in our ritual works. The Goddesses that pagans embrace have specific identities. They exist in almost every faith, it is not the names but rather their personal characteristics that are recognized in pagan devotions and rituals. I'll give you a couple examples: Diana is known for her hunting prowess, a Goddess of strength and chastity, associated with woodlands and animals. Classical Greek Gaia is primordial, like the earth, she is an earth mother Goddess. Classical Greek Isis, patron of nature and magic, she is the "Ideal Mother", part of a union with her husband/brother Osiris and their conceived son Horus. Egyptian deity Maat, Goddess personification of truth, law, morality and justice. Maat was said to have set the order of the universe from chaos at the moment of creation. Egyptian deity Triple Goddess, held in particular reverence, she is the personification of "Maiden, Mother, and Crone". These are life aspects of the feminine spirit, and are found in devotion throughout the world. The Irish Brighid and her two sisters; The Norse "Norms", or Wyrd; the "Three Fates" from the Greek. Polytheistic. There are Gods to venerate, they are more related to materialistic levels. The Horned God who is represented by a Stag, and is a potent element on earth. European Arawn and Gaul, hunter Gods, protectors of the forest and keepers of wild animals. Welsh and Irish Poseidon, Earth and Sea, a God who ruled with power, able to cause earthquake, sudden springs, drownings and shipwrecks. Classical Greek Sky-Gods and Sun-Gods, Earth and Sea, all Gods seem to relate to powerful manifestations and "acts of God" that are tangible, creative and destructive. Well, that at least gives you something to start with, and you must remember that I am not an authority on all pagans, as I said, this is open ended. Paganism is most like "all things are possible that can be manifest within a spiritual existance". It can be earthy, modern, altruistic, faith-based, shamanic, animistic, polytheiistic, and more. Of note: Wiccans have a rede, "Do as you will, so long as it harms no- one". With a theory behind this, "what you give, you receive three- fold". These concepts simply mean we are free spirits who are socially responsible. To remain spiritually clean we behave with respect and trust. Those who behave irresponsibility to another's detriment will receive 3X the cause of distress, in return for their disregard. Blessed be~ MagickWyrd ============================================================================== You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "MagickWyrd Spiritual Craft Researchers" group. To post to this group, send email to magick-wyrd-spiritual-and-craft- resea...@googlegroups.com or visit http://groups.google.com/group/magick-wyrd-spiritual-and-craft-researchers?hl=en To unsubscribe from this group, send email to magick-wyrd-spiritual-and-c...@googlegroups.com To change the way you get mail from this group, visit: http://groups.google.com/group/magick-wyrd-spiritual-and-craft-researchers/subscribe?hl=en To report abuse, send email explaining the problem to ab...@googlegroups.com ============================================================================== Google Groups: http://groups.google.com?hl=en

[gmltw]

Thank you Chessie,

I believe that the things I have experienced among my spiritual
journey have made me who I am. Although I don't believe that anything
I have experienced was abnormal I do believe that there are not a
great number of "christians" that have experienced those things. I
can't really say one way or another for any other religion/belief or
whatever. Oh sure, they talk about miracles signs and wonders but
hardly anyone has ever seen one first hand ( still talking about the
self proclaimed christian peoples ). That's one reason that this is
exciting to me ( finding others that can relate ). I want to be able
to cultivate the power or whatever it is that is within me, around me,
or with me. I have had many dreams/visions of things that I believe
will happen but there is more for me to learn before it can happen.

I am pretty sure of my core beliefs and they have always been there,
or at least when I look back I can see that they were there. I have
always been one that has great respect for others. I have a big heart
and hold truth above pretty much everything.

I believe that there is one supreme being/God that exists in all of
time and space including within us. This supreme God exists in all
things and makes up all things and could probably be labeled as
something scientific if it where possible to discover the tiniest part
of all parts of things that exist and do not exist ( as in what exist
(or doesn't exist) within a void ). I do not know about the Gods and
Goddesses. I do not discount them as I believe that there are those
that have gone to another plane of existence and exist even now and
this is probably who they are but I am unlearned on the God/Goddesses
existence and where they come from or where they are now so this is
open to me for now.

I have always believed that what you do will come back to you in some
form or another. It happens to me often. Just today someone cut me off
while my family and I were in town and in less than a minute someone
did the same thing to them only it was a little worse. I knew when it
happened that they shouldn't have done it. Not because it bothered me
but because it was going to come back to them and it happened. This
type of thing happens all the time to me. Someone is horrible to me in
some way and I just try to give them as much room for their actions as
I can and then while I am still around to see the consequence of their
actions it comes back to them. When will people ever learn? :)

Where was I ? OH yeah, I believe that all life is valuable including
animal life. That doesn't mean that I don't eat meat but their is an
understanding of the sacrifice that was made for that meat. I have
known children and grown ups who kill for sport or just because they
felt like it and have no regard for the life they took. This is a
great wrong to me and hurts. I have always had a closeness to nature.
I love nature and it loves me. Animals are attracted to me and it
baffles people all the time. I have walked into yards with huge dogs
with the owners full out running out of their houses because they were
sure their dogs were going to "eat me up" only to find their vicious
dogs acting like I am a long lost friend. LOL

I believe that people have reasons for what they do. Their reasons may
not be clear to me but that does not negate their realness and reason
to them. I may not understand but that does not give me the right to
say what they are doing is wrong though I will probably ask for some
enlightenment from them to help me understand.

I think I may have already said this one somewhere. I believe that
everyone is born with a voice that tells them right from wrong and it
is up to each and every person to pursue the right in their life. No
preacher, prophet, pastor, or whatever can tell you what is right and
wrong in everything in your life.

I believe in another dimension or existence that is beyond normal
senses and reasoning but is still within reach. I sometimes sense a
presence or have seen on many many occasions shadow people. I don't
know what it is called but I used to drive a long haul truck and on
several occasions I would arrive at the delivery point only to be told
that it would be the next day or some vague time like 3 to 8 hours
before they are ready for me to unload and I would go to sleep in the
sleeper bunk. Then I would wake up sit up in bed pull on a shirt and
they would knock on my cab. It was as if I knew that they were coming
and as if I could feel there presence coming towards me even though I
couldn't see outside. This goes with the next one as well.

I believe that we are all connected in some way. The closer
(physically) we are to each other the stronger the connection and the
stronger the effect on each other. You've heard the saying that the
longer people live together the more they start to look and act alike.
LOL This may have something to do with that, who knows. ?

Good grief, that's enough of me babbling on about my beliefs.

Suffice to say that I really never fit into anyone's box about what I
was supposed to be either. I have been told on more than one occasion
that ( as an answer to a question ) sometimes we just aren't meant to
know the answers. This in response from an assistant pastor, pastor,
friends, etc. to one question or another about something I found in
the bible that they didn't know the answer and were willing to just
accept that they never would and shouldn't find the answer. I know
that I have been labeled as someone that asks way too many questions
on more than one occasion in my life. LOL

I have always been a loner in my beliefs, even when I was a christian.
I am sure that this part will not change entirely though I bet there
are more people that believe in similar to me in the Pagans than I
found in the "christians". Even if this turns out to not be the case,
it will not hinder my journey.

I am really interested to hear more from you about anything and
everything that you have experienced or learned on your journey.
Please forgive my endless babbling! :)

As far as spells, rituals, Sabbats and the like, where do most learn
about those things and why do they (perhaps you) believe them to be
true? Is there a witness that comes to you ( as in this is right or
wrong ) that lets you know you are following truth. I understand that
truth can be subjective to some extent and I can deal with that. It's
just because of what I have already been through in my journey, being
told this (whatever this might have been at the time ) is true and
then finding out it wasn't. How can you be sure that what you are
doing ( any ritual or sabbat or God/Goddess that I may worship, etc. )
is right outside of just knowing in your knower (so to speak). In
other words, I have learned that Pagans may not travel the same path
but many do worship the same Gods/Goddesses or may perform the same
ritual, etc. . Why do they come to that decision. What happened to let
them know that the way they are going is the way they should go. Not
that it would be the same for me but I would really like to hear how
it is/was for others.

By the way what does (kof) mean?

> resea...@googlegroups.com or visithttp://groups.google.com/group/magick-wyrd-spiritual-and-craft-resear...

>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
> magick-wyrd-spiritual-and-c...@googlegroups.com
>

> To change the way you get mail from this group, visit:http://groups.google.com/group/magick-wyrd-spiritual-and-craft-resear...