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Post by Brenton on Dec 22, 2007 6:24:09 GMT -5
So, how do you guys do it? I'm talking about surviving Christmas as a Pagan, do you get bothered by it sometimes? Or is it easy for you to survive?
In some ways, these past few days I've actually grown a bit I guess, for example, a few days ago I was at the point where I was really very annoyed by all the Southern Hemisphere Christmas celebrations - with all the 'winter' songs and such - and in Australia, at this time of year, it's generally HOTT.
At one stage, one of my friends got very annoyed by me mocking songs such as "Walking in a winter wonderland," (being played on a rather warm evening, might I add). Initially, I was very taken aback by his attack, but then I realised something: it doesn't have to bother you. I can still be part of the energies of the celebration, even if they have this snow, sleighs and such in their minds - I can be part of the good energy and spirits of this celebration.
I think this year I've grown in that way quite a bit. How about everyone else?
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Post by Earth Daughter on Dec 24, 2007 1:26:12 GMT -5
Well...As a wiccan, and a daughter of a very strong Christian, the Christmas holidays have been a little rough. My mom found my Tarot cards one day and threw them away. I've since expanded my wiccan collection and kept it at my fathers. But since the holidays started, my mother has been commenting about me more and more. Like this, she was talking on the phone to one of her friends. 'Spiders and snakes aren't scary, but Wicca is.' Grrr. I don't slam her religion, I don't hate it...I just want religious freedom, which she pointed out that I don't have. So the holidays have been horrid for me.
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Post by Brenton on Dec 24, 2007 2:11:54 GMT -5
Hm.. It canbe hard like that.
I remember when my step-mother had one of her 'fundimentalist' moments, and, called my mother and was saying things like "He's got this book with rituals in it and I didn't even understand it but it's very scary, and i'll fax it to you blahblahblah."
So, I hid all my books before she could fax them, because in my mind I'm not sure how my mother would take my Wiccan path - good or bad, not really sure. She is a catholic. But she knows I'm interested in Tarot and so on, because today she called my brother and asked him to bring my tarot cards with him (I'm staying with mother for xmas, while my brother is at my dads).
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Post by wyldeflower on Dec 24, 2007 6:59:09 GMT -5
We had our celebrations last saturday so we have escaped xmas as such..its just a load of expensive greed..I havnt put a tree up to be honest i would rather have a bunch of holly.Than a plastic tree.
Sometimes people dont understand other peoples choices because its safer to run with the crowd llike a gang of sheep.
I have never been much of a christian as it didnt sit right with me and much prefer the old ways when everything isnt so material.
I presume you are all young when you are older and have your own homes then you can please yourself..I have allways had mediumistic abilitys and my adopted parents used to jump on me about the things i saw..but fortunately i have allways been headstrong and they didnt crush my beliefs.
my husband goes to the spiritualist church where they do healing and clairvoyance/mediumship..Thats not for me either..much prefer to walk my own path.
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Post by Fovena on Dec 24, 2007 19:31:31 GMT -5
Not being entirely Pagan, I can't say I've had any trouble. Though, all my friends and most of my family are really Christian. I guess, I'm lucky that my mother, even though she is Christian, supports my interests in being a Pagan. But, occasionally, I think she doesn't think I'll go all out with it, really I don't know if I will either, but I help but think she won't support me when I make the commitment. Though, I've never talking to them about it, I think my grandparents might totally disown me if they ever found out I don't beleive in Christianity... Same with me cousin...
On the other hand, I'm not so lucky with my friends. They are almost totally against Paganism and are really worried that I'm going to get possessed... *shruggs* We usually don't talk about it, but I still feel the strain from them.
As for Christmas, things are alright. I don't really consider it a religious gathering, but more of a family thing. I don't think I'll ever be able to avoid the joy or give up the tradition of giving and receiving presents.
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Post by Brenton on Dec 24, 2007 19:33:15 GMT -5
" I don't think I'll ever be able to avoid the joy or give up the tradition of giving and receiving presents." You wouldn't have to either, ever, it's Pagan dear.  At the moment I'm celebrating Christmas with my family. I'd prefer to be part of the good energy and spirit of Christmas celebrations with my family, and I am only 17, and as you say wyldeflower " when you are older and have your own homes then you can please yourself". |
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Post by wyldeflower on Dec 25, 2007 0:24:11 GMT -5
Well its brilliant here its xmas day and wf isnt slaving over a turkey in the kitchen for the first time ever..We had a small celebration saturday at the solstice and that was it.I havnt had to rush round shops or put myself out..The peace will be shattered a bit tommorow as the daughter and her kids are coming but i will make sure that passes as easy as possible too.
xmas is just a material thing now not a lot of people are actually celebrating the birth of jesus they are just running round shops or eating and drinking as much as possible..its just greed.Its turned into a big mooney machine you are expected to go out and spend money you cant afford as everyone else is doing that.
I shall go for a walk today with my camera and see if i can capture nature and the return of the light.
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