"The Big Questions" - Reaction

So, I watched the programme which debated "Is Paganism more relevant today than Christianity?" on Sunday morning.  I watched it again when it appeared, in two parts on Youtube.

And, here is what I thought:  I felt completely unrepresented.

I felt that the pagan speakers were poor.  For example, none of the pagans refuted the statement that past pagans practised human sacrifice, let alone counter with the Christian God requiring Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac.   It was stated that paganism had no benefit as pagans were portrayed as nothing more than nature worshippers, and a non-religion, having no moral or ethical guidelines.  Well, I, for one, don't worship nature. I do have moral and ethical guidelines, not borne of a "sustainable relationship with nature", as stated by ERO, but from the society in which I live and the myths of my ancestors; the central tenet of my particular faith being "truth" (roughly translated).  Those that follow the Norse tradition have a set of strict ethical and moral codes to which they adhere, as do several other groups, including Wicca.  So, the statement that paganism is not a religion because it has no moral/ethical guidelines is false, but was weakly rebutted on the programme offering only that morals and ethics were innate.

Paganism is not a religion, it is a "hold-all" term for many different faiths, religions and philosophies, and it is impossible to refer to pagans as a cohesive whole.   Although ERO tried to explain this in relation to the question of afterlife, it was ignored and the debate continued as though all pagans have the same ideas about everything and worship or practice in the same way.   Even the opening statement fostered this impression, when Nicky Campbell announced that "Pagans will be celebrating Imbolc on Tuesday".   Really?  It was my understanding that while some pagans will celebrate Imbolc, others won't recognise the festival at all.  I laughed when the gentlemen said the statements on JF's website were contradictory. Well, of course they are, because pagans are not a cohesive whole.

However, I was appalled at the Christian-bashing, made by JF, with sweeping generalisations and misrepresentations.

There was only a brief discussion which spoke to the question of paganism or Christianity being more relevant to today's society, and Mr Harvey's contribution was reduced to the matter of environmental issues, after which I got the impression he just gave up and watched the rest of the farce.  Certainly some of the faces he was pulling (in the background) led me to this assumption.

I am beginning to see why so many are rejecting the use of the word pagan, and opting for something else instead. I must admit I tend to refer to myself as a polytheist these days.

"The Big Questions"

The BBC programme, "The Big Questions" is to debate "Is Paganism more relevant today than Christianity?" this Sunday, 31 January 2010, at 10.00 a.m. on BBC2 in the United Kingdom.

It's a little early in the day for me, but thought it might be of interest to readers of these pages.

Cúchulainn on the Big Screen

It would appear that the story of the Irish mythological hero, Cúchulainn, is to be made into a film.  I have seen the odd news item, here and there, announcing it as being in pre-production.  According to the film company, the movie is to be made along the lines of 300, and Beowulf, wherein the actors are real, but everything else is CGI.  The graphics seem okay on the Facebook pages.  If they get it right, it could be a cracking film, and I hope they do get it right, as I would like to see more mythology revived in the minds of the general public.

I imagine it's going to be a long, long wait before we see this film in the cinema, since it is currently in pre-production and there are no details of any sort, just synopses.

Meditation

It occurred to me, in the early hours of this morning, that my meditation practice had fallen by the wayside. 

Meditation never came easy to me, I had to start with physical meditation - focussing exclusively on the act of walking -  and work from there, but I have never attained the ability to sit still and focus on a solitary thought, without an interruption from my "monkey brain".   Rather I use housekeeping for meditative purposes: ironing, washing up, dusting and vacuuming all serve me well, as they are repetitive and help me hone my focus. 

Lately, I have been using tasks to think, not meditate, and I thought it might be because I feel I have somehow failed.  Even as I write this, "monkey brain" is grinning at me and shaking it's head, like a chimpanzee - perhaps in victory?   Is time that I accepted "monkey brain" has won, and physical meditation is all I can hope for?  I wonder if I am giving up to early and should continue to strive for a more peaceful route in meditation, even if I've been attempting to do so for over 20 years?

I guess I know what I'll be thinking about when I'm scrubbing the bathroom floor tomorrow.

The Druids

I stumbled across a review of the Stuart Piggot book, entitled "The Druids", which consisted of seven words, ending with "very little information."  The reviewer gave the book one star and I had to wonder if they had missed the point of the book.  

I have not finished it (as yet), but the author starts by saying what evidence there is in regard to this particular caste of early European society is fragmentary and scarce.  From what I can understand, most of what is known by the general populace is based on supposition and romantic notions fostered in the seventeenth and eighteenth century. Archaeology reveals very little, and the Greek and Roman writers might have engaged in a bit of spin-doctoring, stirring up fear by over-stating the barbaric nature of a society which they intended to invade, and overpower, so that they were no longer a threat to their idea of a civilised society.   [Sound familiar?]  It is often asserted that not all of the classical writers might have had direct contact with the druids, but are merely quoting or paraphrasing earlier writers.  Though all this, too, is supposition, as there really is very little information on the societies in which druids thrived. 

It struck me, reading the review of "The Druids", that although I am vastly ignorant, I am not completely so.  At least I am aware of the fact that little is known about the druids, and I don't require authors to "pad out" information in order to satisfy my thirst for knowledge.  Hope for me yet?

Winter Solstice Blessing

I send you heartfelt solstice charms,
to keep you safe from ills and harms,
to last throughout the coming year,
to ward off doubt and dismiss fear,
and welcome joy with open arms.

Spellcraft Magazine - New Editor Wanted

The "The Only Magickal Magazine in the Southern Hemisphere" is seeking someone to take over the helm. I haven't seen it advertised, except on their Spellcraft in a small section in the top left hand corner, though they have put together a two page description of the type of person they hope to find to fill the shoes of She D'Montford, who held the position for the first twelve issues.

So, if you know of anyone that might be interested in getting involved in publishing a pagan magazine that sells in newsagents across Australia, send them along to the Spellcraft website, to read the job description.

The Ballinderry River Sings!

I listen to the Coast and Country podcast and on last week's episode "Ripples of the Ballinderry River", Helen Marks explored the Ballinderry River in Northern Ireland.

For me, the most interesting report related to a sound engineer, Professor Paul Moore, who has recorded the sound of Ballinderry River, using sensors floating on top of the water, and converted these recordings to a song, or music, in order to give the river a voice - "a soundscape, as well as a landscape". It is startling: the usual gurgling sounds, but with a haunting backdrop, almost like whale song, which Professor Moore referred to as the Ban Sidhe of the river. It certainly got my attention; I was in awe.

I wish I could get a copy of some of the recordings, but, alas, I have to make do with the snippet broadcast on the podcast. They are endeavouring to expand their recordings to other rivers, and recording the individual songs.

Competition

Competition

A fountain pen?
Now there's a thing to win.

What to write?
If only I wasn't so dim.

Some inspiration?
Now that's what I need.

And ideas?
But my mind has gone to seed.



© Ancestral Celt 2009

Yule Poetry Competition

The PPP is delighted to announce that thanks to the success of the Poetry Anthology we have an excellent prize fund for our Yule Competition and thus some great prizes to be won.

First Prize will be this beautiful Fountain Pen:

(if not available at time of winning, we will get a fountain pen of similar value and style) PLUS a £20 Amazon Gift Voucher!

Second and third prize consist of £10 gift Amazon vouchers.

The competition is open to everyone. The closing date for entries is December 24th and the winners will be announced in January.

You may submit as many entries as you like. All entries will be considered for the Competition Edition in January as well as for the Competition itself.

RULES: View the following images:

Using either as your inspiration write a poem. Submit the poem, clearly indicating to which image your work refers. You can submit by either emailing the editors (at) paganpoetrypages (dot) com or, if you are a member of the PPPages by submitting a private message to to Beirn.

For further information, see the Pagan Poetry Pages.