Making Offerings To The Gods

Now, this question has been with me for a while; what do the Gods consider offerings??? What do I do with them afterwards?  Do not panic! All is perfectly well, you are safe. The Gods will not smite you because you have not offered them lavish riches or a tasty treat; they love you far too much.

What Do The Gods Consider Offerings

A number of things! You can give them food, you can burn incense, you can play music for them if you worship a God of music, put fresh water for those who preside over water, a beautiful and lovely scented candle, practically anything. EXCEPT FLESH! DO NOT SACRIFICE! DO NOT OFFER ANYTHING WITH FLESH AND A SOUL AS AN OFFERING! I understand that it was believed - and possibly true - that it happened in the past, but think about the Bible. The standings of their God is old and part of the past, and those that follow their God have done everything in their power to stick to his word by the letter. They have not evolved from tradition and created a new tradition. The great thing about our Gods and the people who worship them is that we can flow with the times, and that means that the Gods will understand that offerings of the flesh - unless you give yourself to them in a spiritual-sexual manner - cannot be done anymore.

Mainly, think about what your God/Goddess represents. Hathor is a Goddess of beauty and music. For her, I sing! I may not be very good and in the spiritual realm she may shun from my horrible voice, but at least she knows that I love her enough to show her that she means so much to me. Anubis? Decorate your altar with skulls - at least that's to what my thinking is. Poseidon? Lay a bowl of water on your altar, some sunglasses, starfish, beach stuff! Always remember that whatever offerings you lay down, make sure that the God/Goddess you are offering to KNOWS about it. Just laying on your altar will have small significance and will only make it look pretty or cluttered.

How To Get Rid of Offerings

Now, if you want to put offerings of food on your altar, that's kind of a different story. You can! You most certainly can! Remember to think about the culture your God/Goddess comes from  and think about them personally as to what they like. Hathor may like sweet things, being a Goddess of love. Poseidon must love fish! Of course there's the whole grapes, cheese, and crackers that you can put down when in doubt! The Gods will surely feel pampered.

Now, getting rid of your food offerings? What ever shall you do?

It all depends on your type of worship. For Hellenic polytheism, food can be eaten afterwards or burnt for the Ouranic deities. For Khthonic deities, it's usually traditional to bury these, do not eat them. Kemeticism allows for the food to be eaten so not to waste anything. It also goes that you are sharing a meal with the Gods as if they were family.

P.S. For those who are poor, do not fret! Like I said, you can keep it simple! Incense, things of symbolism, etc.

I hope that this has helped, it did with me. Also, I am always looking forward to questions, and if I do not have the answers, I will move mountains to ensure you of good information that will help you in your time of need!

Blessed be!

Information for this post came from http://pagan-positivity.tumblr.com/

Wedding Ceremonies

Do you even know the history of marriage where it all came from ? 

The word, "Wedding" comes from the Roman Pagan word "wedd" that meant a man would marry a woman and pay the Bride's father. 

Roman Pagan Wedding Ceremony Vows 
A Tradition that goes back over 6 thousand years 
I, N., take thee N to my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, for fairer or fouler, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us depart, according to Goddess's holy ordinance; and thereunto I plight thee my troth. 
I N. take thee N to my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to be bonny and buxom at bed and at board, to love and to cherish, till death us depart, according to Goddess's holy ordinance; and thereunto I plight thee my troth. 
Sound Familier this tradition is still carried to this very day 

Wedding Ring 

The first recorded marriage rings date back to the days when early man. Approximately 3,000 BC, Egyptians originated the phrase "without beginning, without end" in describing the significance of the wedding ring. These rings were made of woven hemp which constantly wore out and needed replacement. Later Romans used metal rings Although Romans originally used iron but later gold was used now as a symbol of all that is pure. Diamonds were first used by Italians, who believed that it was created from the flames of love. 

Bridal Veil 
During the Roman and Greek Empire 
Brides wore a crown of flowers during the wedding ceremony. The couple may walk around the altar three times representing the Holy Pagan Trinity Goddesses to give thanks and blessings from 
Pagan Goddesses , 
Athena Goddess of Wisdom 
who blessed the wedding with fertility and knowledge 

Artemis She was also a goddess of childbirth, 
Goddess of Virginity and the protectress of the women against abusive husbands 

Hera Her chief function was as the goddess of women and marriage. In Roman mythology, Juno was the name of Hera 

June which named for Juno or Hera is the most popular month for women to get married is there is any reason why maybe this is why 

Bouquet 

Wedding bouquets were originally made of such strong herbs as thyme and garlic, which were meant to frighten away evil spirits, and to cover the stench emitting from people who had not bathed recently 

Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue 

A tradition that goes back to the Roman and Greek Empire days 

This superstition of the Bride wearing something that fits each of these four categories originated in Europe to ward off evil spirits. Something Old: This tradition symbolized the sense of continuity while making the transition from a single person to that of a married couple. Something New: This tradition symbolized that marriage represented a transition to adulthood. Something Borrowed: This tradition symbolized the popular belief that by borrowing something from a happily married couple, good fortune would follow the newlyweds. Something Blue: In ancient Israel, blue was the border color of the Bride's dress, symbolizing purity, constancy and fidelity. 


Tying The Knot 

This comes from the days of the Roman empire when the Bride wore a girdle that was tied in knots. The Groom untied the knots prior to the consummation of their marriage. 

Wedding Cake 

Also during the days of the Roman empire, wedding cakes were baked of wheat or barley. At the reception, they were traditionally broken over the head of the new Bride by the Groom as a symbol of her fertility. Guests would then scramble for pieces of the cake, and take them home for good luck. It later became a tradition to place many small cakes on top of each other as high as possible. 

Shoes On Vehicle 

Ancient Romans used to transfer to the Groom his authority over his Bride when her Father gave the Groom her shoes. In later years, guests threw their own shoes at the newlyweds to signify this transfer of authority. Today, this tradition is kept alive by simply tying old shoes to the back of the newlywed's vehicle before they leave their wedding reception celebration. 


Stag Parties 

This is the male equivalent of the Bridal Shower. Roman empire soldiers would feast with the Groom the night before his wedding to say goodbye to his irresponsible days of bachelorhood, and to renew their vows of allegiance to their friendships. 


Carrying The Bride Over The Threshold 
Symbolic Roman and Greek tradition 
the Theshold or doorway was a Reference to the Pagan god Janus 
looking from the past and looking into the future steeping or carrying the bride over the Threshold means 
leaving the past and going on future together 
back then people kept thier Brooms over the Threshold 
and would jump over a broom to symbolize new life from old 


Tossing Rice 
An Ancient Roman and Greek Tradition 
By believing that newlyweds brought good luck, guests used to shower them with nuts and grains to insure a bountiful harvest, and many children to work the land. During years of a poor harvest, rice was tossed instead. This tradition continues today with rice or birdseed (where permitted), or bubbles to wish the Bride and Groom much happiness. Incidentally, it is not true that birds eating rice thrown after a wedding ceremony will cause their stomachs to enlarge and eventually explode. This myth may have simply evolved from church and synagogue employees weary from cleaning up after every wedding ceremony! 

Today couples also Release Butterflies which is a pagan Symbol of Transformation 

Walking or Throwing of Rose petals 
is a tribute to the Pagan Goddess Venus the Goddess of love and beauty 
the Rose is her Symbol 


Wedding Toast 
am Ancient Roman and Greek and Eygptian tradition 
where bread would be placed in the bottom of two drinking glasses usually of wine or mead or sweet honey drink for the newlyweds. They would then drink as fast as they could to be the first person to get to the toast. According to legend, the winner would rule their household! 
A tradition still carried to this day 

White Wedding Dress 
was not orignally part of the wedding tradition 
Back in Roman and Greek and even Eygptian times 
Women could not afford expensive gowns so 
Brides simply wore their best dress on their wedding day 
This was made popular in the 1840's by Queen Victoria, who chose this instead of the traditional royal "silver" wedding dress. 
contratory to popular belief white is not a symbol of purity 
but GOLD or Silver are Symbols of Purity that is why wedding gowns of Royaly used to be made of gold or silver until queen Victoria who wore white now traditational wedding gowns are white. 

Tuxedo 
this was not a Original Custom 
Orginally in Roman and Greek and Eygptian empire days men 
wore what they could afford to the wedding 
and most men wore battle armor to a wedding 
Early marriages were literally carried out by the Groom and his "Bridesmen" (or "Bridesknights") who would kidnap a woman (the origin of "carrying a Bride over the threshold") from another tribe! The Groom and his fellow conspirators would then fight off the female's family of tribesmen with swords held in their right hand while the Groom would hold the captured Bride in his left hand, which is the origin of why a Bride stands on the left side of the Groom at a wedding. 

After a successful capture, another politically correct practice was for the Groom to hide his new Bride for one month for mating purposes. It is said that the word "honeymoon" was created to describe this one month cycle of the moon when they would drink mead, which was a honey sweetened alcoholic brew that effects both sobriety and the acidity of the womb, thus increasing fertility. 

Classic example King Author married in armor 
Until the 20th century, the Groom simply wore his "Sunday best" on his wedding day. It is said that President Teddy Roosevelt popularized the modern tuxedo. 

Hand Fasting a Tradition when Pagans were not allowed to marry 
so they married in Secret with Hand Fasting 

The very word handfasting got it's origin in the wedding custom of tying the bride and groom's hands (actually, wrists) together. 

Handfasting is a traditional Roman ceremony of (temporary or permanent) Wedding 
Traditional trial-marriage ceremony, during which couples were literally bound together. The handfasting was a temporary agreement, that expired after a year and a day. However, it could be made permanent after at that time, if both spouses agreed. 

Hand Fasting is in many Cultures in Asia 
but It stems from Roman Empire and Greek Empire 


During the 1995 movie, Braveheart, Mel Gibson, in the role of William Wallace, was handfasted with his girlfriend Murron. Handfasting has since grown in popularity among non-Pagans.

This information came from my group Pagan is Us on Sodahead : http://www.sodahead.com/fun/pagan-is-us/group-22609/hang-out-station/forum-54417/many-of-todays-popular-wedding-ceremony-and-reception-traditions-can-be-traced-to-ancient-pagan-rom/discussion-527137/

The Different Pagan Religions

Since I am new to this, and I know that most of you are too, let's start with the Pagan religions that are out there:

• Asatru
• Church of All Worlds
• Discordianism
• Druidry
• Feri
• Gwyddons
• Hellenismos
• Kemeticism
• Religio Romana
• Senistrognata
• Thelema
• Wicca

And sometimes individuals and sub-groups of the following religions self-identify as Pagan:

• Candomble
• Demonolatry
• Santeria
• Satanism (Theistic Satanists are the most likely to identify as Pagan)
• Voudon

I only know about the Wiccan religion, which my parents don't seem to like, but we'll go through all of them one at a time and we'll be guided through this together. Let's start with Asatru.

Asatru is a Norse religion that is Christian-Germanic. From my understanding, it honors a God and Goddess, but not as equals like Wicca. It says that there are Nine Worlds and two of them are of the humans and of the Gods. It seems like there are a lot of drinking rituals. Already, it doesn't seem to interest me, but the rest of you may like it. http://www.asatru.org/

Church of All Worlds seems to be a Neopagan group of all kinds of religions, but they believe in returning the world back to Gaia - mother Earth. I wasn't really into this one, but those of you who are thinking about Nature being your base this might be good for you. http://www.caw.org/

Discordianism is the religion that believes in the Goddess Eris, who is the Greco-Roman Goddess of Chaos. Discordianism is centered on the idea that both order and disorder are illusions imposed on the universe by the human nervous system, and that neither of these illusions of apparent order and disorder is any more accurate or objectively true than the other. http://www.discordian.com/

Druidry primarily promotes balance with nature and harmony and respect for all beings, including the environmental. It was originated in Britain during the 18th Century. It, like many other Pagan religions, is associated with Nature and Harmony. http://www.druidry.org/

Feri is the tradition of contemporary witchcraft (don't be afraid of the word because it really doesn't mean anything bad). It's based off of the sensual experience (including sexual mysticism). Feri witches consider themelves "Fey". They believe that much of reality is unseen, or at least has uncertain boundaries. Within the tradition there is a deep respect for the wisdom of nature, a love of beauty, and an appreciation of bardic and mantic creativity. (Mantic means relating to divination or prophecy). http://www.feritradition.org/

Gwyddons try to focus on the clarity of the mind and mainly travel the road of wisdom and they mainly try to possess inner-strength. Here is a website that should explain more about it, since I have NO clue to what it really is (http://gwyddoniad.org/). 

Hellenismos is mainly Greek religion. It's making a big comeback since it died out when Christianity became a big hit. This religion is based on the Greek Gods of old (Titans, Olympians included). A website that might explain more is http://hellenismos.us/f/YaBB.pl 

Kemeticism is the same as Kemetism. The word Kemet means "people of the Black Land", which means people of Egypt. This interests me like many other people, because Egyptian culture is fascinating. Kemetism is based on the worship of the Egyptian Gods. Here's a website that you can look at and it will be something I will do aswell. http://www.roundtable.kemeticrecon.com/ 

Religio Romana really means (in Latin) "Roman Religion". This religion is based off of the Roman traditions, including the Roman Gods. Many of the Roman Gods have been ideas taken from the Greek traditions, and one could argue this all night, but there are a lot of the Roman traditions that do not follow the Greek ways. This one has also interested me and I believe there will be many of you that will agree with me. http://www.novaroma.org/religio_romana/ 

Senistrognata is mainly Celtic traditions for cultural Celtics or for anyone else. Many of the Celtic traditions have been unknown because every region of Celtics had their own Gods. They honor their ancestors and the Nature spirits of their regions. There used to be a website for Senistrognata, but it is currently inactive, but it is kept up for historical interest, if you want to check it out. http://www.imbas.org/ 

Thelema is a 20th century religion created by a British writer after he and his wife had a spiritual experience in Egypt. This isn't like Kemetism, but it shares the same interest of the ancient Egyptian Gods. I haven't really found anything that fully explains Thelema, but it is a college based religion that can be looked at. http://www.thelema.org/ 

Wicca is a religion that I am familiar with, it is mainly Nature based and was created in the first half of the 20th century. It is the worship of a God and a Goddess. Wiccans celebrate holidays that are called Sabbats. There are many websites out on the web that explain the view of Wicca, but here's one that explains it all and is one that I used a while ago when Wicca interested me. http://www.religioustolerance.org/wic_beli.htm 

Those were really the most known Pagan religions, and there are many others out there, but I felt like maybe you should know those. You don't have to pick your certain religion of Paganism from this list or ever if you don't want to, but what really interests me is Kemetism, Hellenism, and Religio Romana. If you would like to look up more information on them, you can look however you'd like!

Pagan Gods - The Great and Powerful

Beings that have been immortal and all knowing has been known through every culture in the world. One thing that most cultures have in common is that their Gods reflect those of Nature or of Man. In Hinduism you can see that the Gods clearly depict that of Nature and have been worshiped as two beings - the darkness and the light of each person; this, I believe, is because of the belief in reincarnation. If humans can be reincarnated, why not Gods? (Also, Hinduism is a mixture of multiple beliefs and these beliefs are recorded in the Upanishads).

But, there are many Gods that represent many of the same ideals. I'll give you a list of some of the people who have been known to have Gods (and there may be more) that house these major Gods and you may do away with it as you will. But, just remember, there is a God and/or a Goddess out there for you, and they will be very close to you (a mother/father, sister/brother, aunt/uncle, or a best friend). Take good care in whom you choose and who has chosen you. Blessed Be.

• Egyptian
• Greek
• Roman
• Hindu
• Norse
• Chinese
• Japanese
• Mongolian
• Hawaiian
• Native American 
• Mayan
• Aztec/Mexica
• Inca
• Cherokee
• Mohawk
• Navajo
• Blackfoot

SO MANY GODS!

p.s. I, like many others, have a strong connection to the Ancient Egyptian beliefs and I feel a good connection to Anubis, because I have always faulted and have needed the guidance of an older brother, but I hope to find a mother-like figure for me. It may be Isis, Bast, or maybe even Sekhmet. If anyone has a good and clear way of finding who your God/Goddess is, it may be helpful to others, but here is a good site that I found that may be of use. Good luck!

Witch's Book of the Dead by Christian Day

So I read this really good book and I thought that I should probably introduce you to it a bit.

Christian Day's book of the Dead is really informational and creative. It tells the lore of death and interesting ways that a witch can get connected to the other side, but there are warnings that you should not ignore. Some of the spells and rituals are simple and require meditation (something you should consider on doing), but remember not to mess with the dead. Even though you will be able to communicate with them, the dead require life, a sacrifice to get what you require. This doesn't mean that you have to sacrifice someone else's life or an animal, no it just means that you'll be giving up a bit of your life energy. Since you'll be doing that, you have to keep yourself healthy and energized (not with monsters!) But I guess I'll explain more when I buy the book.

After reading the book it just got me really interested into what I think I should do in my practices. I've really been connected to the dead, meaning it's really affected me in negative and positive ways, and it has just really fascinated me. Anyway, I should think on this a little more, but it's just a thought.

Question for you:
Who do you believe is your God patron? Remember, you don't have to pick a God from your region or your culture. It can be any that you want, or you don't have to pick one (though it would be helpful to have one). On my next post I'll explain more about the God and Goddess and the Gods. Have a good week everyone!