Should Pagans Pray?
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- Опубликовано: 5 мар 2024
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I believe in a more unified spiritual world. One not built on hate or division, but of understanding and respect. That is why his content has always be free of modern and divisive content. I am committed to providing information free of bias, drama, and ego. I believe religion, spirituality, and global healing is for everyone regardless of race, sexuality, gender, or political ideology.
Don't pray out of fear, pray out of belief.
Also, REWILD SCOTLAND! Those hills are supposed to be covered with lush, green, temperate rainforests!
That's my soapbox for today.
Will be talking about that soon!
Rewild the world, and then when we build, our buildings must sanctify the land, not desecrate it.
Modernity, for all of its material comforts, is a spiritual plague on the earth. It spiritually saps us and drains us.
I'm new to the faith, but this was the first time I TRULY felt the gods after prayer, long story short I am a warehouse worker, I got hurt at work and didn't go to the doctor or take time off or anything, admittedly because I'm stubborn, I fell out of a truck onto my ankle and my back slammed against the lugnuts on the truck, but all throughout the month when I was hurting I would grab my Mjolnir and ask Thor to give me the strength to keep working. I toughened my way through it and wanted to give gratitude to Thor for helping me find the strength within myself to get through my injury and keep the paychecks coming to pay my bills, I knelt down at my altar and offered him some beer and thanked him. That night there were thunderstorms in my area, there was no doubt in my mind that Thor heard my prayers and helped me find the strength within myself. Hail Thor!
Ohh ouch!
Prayer has changed dramatically for me as I recover from Christianity. I too had that cringe reaction at first...but I have changed how I think about the word "pray". I talk to the Gods, the Spirits of the Land and my Home, I talk to my ancestors...and all of that is prayer. It is a spiritual connection between our dimension/realm to the other dimensions/realms. It doesn't matter how it is done, so I make no judgements in how people do it. There is not right or wrong. Intention is the key. We can't let ego or fear get in the way. Thanks Jacob!
There is no need to recover from Christianity.
If you need to recover from it, it's not Christianity, but a perversion of it. And, the "not Christianity" is sadly more common than the actual Christianity.
See: Tolstoy's "The Kingdom of God is Within You," and Christian anarchy.
But, in addition, another aberration was the knocking out of the spiritual realm reflected on earth. Christianity used to incorporate the Pagan practices. The giant lie is that the incorporation was the sense of "you're a bunch of dumb Pagans and we're fooling you with your symbols on our church," when in reality, the way it works is that all True, Beautiful, and Good things are of God, and belong to God, and in fact, help you understand the bigger picture.
Paganism is coming back because it was incorrectly dismissed. People became arrogant and they tried to build the ceiling of a church with no walls, and of course, it came crashing down.
In the Middle Ages, Christians knew the trees are alive with spirit, and that you can love and appreciate them. They knew there were other spirits and principalities. It's a very Renaissance/Enlightenment era arrogance that led to the rejection of this truth, leaving us spiritually bankrupt, shoving our natural spiritual world into a literary genre that we call "fantasy."
recovery from christianity? you say it like it's an illness.
I agree entirely. I see a lot of people trying to cut and prune anything and everything that has a relationship to Christianity. That comes more from a place of bitterness than sincerity IMHO. Christianity and paganism are both spiritual pursuits, so there will be some overlap. I proudly pray to my gods, ancestors and for my folk.
@@Tehrawrzorz Christianity is made up of fallible people trying to understand the incomprehensible.
If you ever wanted to know why it sometimes goes wrong.
@@TehrawrzorzAm I shadowbanned?
What an interesting and thought provoking topic!
Invocation, chanting, meditating, worshiping, blessing, dedicating, giving thanks, ceremony, etc.
All of those things are considered some form of prayer.
Unpack/ditch that Christian baggage, folks. We do many things within paganism that is a form of prayer whether we realize it or not.
I "pray" every day. Whenever I go outside, I talk to the Gods, I thank them , offer my gratitude and respect. I offer myself to be of service if I'm not doing an actual ritual.
I connect to Sköpnir anytime im woodworking and that is my praying to her. I connect to freya when I'm in my garden. I connect to Odin through new knowledge gained.
Thank you for making a video on this subject. I believe everyone should do what they feel is right for themselves. ❤
Thanks for watching 🙌
Well it’s a matter of perspective really. I’ve always considered my rituals to just be prayer with some theatre, and I talk to my gods in meditation.
Far as I’m concerned, any form of talking to a higher power is prayer. Prayer doesn’t need to be a dirty word or a strictly Christian thing.
A bit off-topic but one of my least favorite phrases is "thoughts and prayers". As an American, it immediately makes me think of school shootings and that it's a disingenuous substitute for actual engagement. Growing up Roman Catholic, I never prayed beyond a perfunctory recitation of the words. To me, now, I view meditation and self-reflection as the closest thing I do to prayer.
I grew up in a christian household and was christian for a long time. That christian understanding of prayer has made it easier for me to pray to the Gods and connect to them.
Thank you for the lovely video. I feel like I took a journey with you. ❤
Yeah good! Hoping to do that more with these videos when I hike and have a conversation
I like to think prayer can be verbal and non-verbal. Through the words we speak, the feelings we give off, the energy we give and take , and our offerings.
Theres a wonderful book I read a while back called When a Pagan Prays. It talked about the history of prayer in many traditions and the process and purpose of prayer in a pagan context. Would recommend, especially if you are reluctant to "pray" it lays it out in a very approachable manner and clears up a lot of those misconceptions people have about it.
It took me years to get over my aversion to the terms "holy" and "pray". It would have taken me longer, but I had to swallow it when trying to explain my practice and beliefs to curious family members.
What helped me be alright with the "numbness" as it were of having been forced to use those words and ultimately make peace with them started with the word "pray".
Years ago, I came across something someone online said, but I can't remember who, where, or if they're even still online. "Prayer is when you talk, meditation is when you listen."
It was so profound that making peace with the word "holy" began a short while after. I still prefer the word "sacred", but I'm more alright with using the word "holy" to provide a frame of reference to anyone who asks.
This also led me to the realization that most of the Christians I know personally are fairly chill and have no problem with listening even though they don't "actively meditate". A couple of them "talk" way too much, usually when asking their god for something or another, and they don't slow themselves down enough to "listen" even outside of a meditative context.
If the person who said the thing I quoted happens to read this, I want to thank you a whole bunch and give you a truckload of virtual hugs. You've helped me so much. ❤
I was taught decades ago that prayer is when we talk (e.g. express gratitude, acknowledge, request guidance & assistance) and meditation is when we listen. It is also profound wisdom for me. I love the idea of conversation with the other worlds.
I believe and have practiced two different ways of communicating with the gods. Through day to day activities I’ve spoken to them almost like they are there. The other day I walked outside on my way to work and it had been horribly hot for a week or so but when I stepped outside it was absolutely beautiful. The blue sky, the white puffy clouds, the sun was perfect to where everything, even man made was beautiful and I just immediately thought of Freja and the stories of her beauty. I chuckled and just said out loud “I see you Freja” and moved along with my day. The other route is a more serious path. If I am seriously struggling I will do a more “prayer” type conversation to a specific deity explaining my issue at hand and asking for advice or help with the topic. It is almost like interacting with your parents, sometimes it’s brief and relaxed, sometimes it’s serious and straight to the point.
I get the same twitch when I hear someone say that phrase as well because it’s association. Calling it by another term helped me get over that. I’d say I’m going to take a moment with the gods. Thanks for the beautiful places you share with us!♥️Drone it up!
Fantastic video, thank you for this conversation.
Amazing, keep up the great work ❤
One time on a lunch break a colleague of mine told me a story of a friend was diagnosed with diabetes since childhood and he pray to god to thank him for seeing the sunrise each day and he at least 50 now. It came from saying people these days don’t it’s both a miracle and blessing to see the next sunrise.
You make some really good points here. Thankyou.
Beautiful video brother, live well and hope to see another.
I found it interesting what you said about offering spit. I live in a very hot climate. When I take from a plant I often (politely) spit on the base where the roots grow and say "I water you with some of what waters me". Water can be precious here.
Love this question.!
I never believed in limiting myself, so yes, as part of most of my rituals, I pray to the Gods, in the pantheon that I follow, as well as nature spirits and my ancestors. And yes, I also speak to them throughout most of my days..
Great video Jacob.!
A few thoughts:
1. Thank you!
2. An herb teacher suggested a hair as an offering of gratitude after requesting permission to harvest.
3. Another commenter already mentioned prayer as talking and meditation as listening and I replied.
4. The comments on your channel are as delightful as your videos. That is testament to your humility and invitation. 🤗
A great video
As always. Very thought provoking. Be well and may the blessings of the Gods and ancestors go with you on your travels!
Glad you liked it 🙏
I understand the aversion to the actual word. It brings to mind someone begging for help with something because they don't have the strength to deal with it. Please give me a jail free card! Or worse, Help my team win the championship. But every thought is a potential prayer, every word a spell.
Amazing! 😊
Thank you Jacob for this, i enjoyed your perspective. I also pray, quite frequently yet sporadically. )0(
Having grown up in the christian faith and since left, I used to cringe when someone would say they were praying for me. Like you said, I just changed the definition in my head and now I am gratefull and thank them, since they are thinking of me and sending me good vibes.
We shouldn't shy away from words and terms because "they sound christian". To anyone who thinks this, look to Buddhism and Hinduism (in India!). Look to Zoroastrianism. Shintoism. All sorts of religions that are older than Christianity, and have not been influenced by it. They pray. Prayer is not copyrighted by the Abrahamic religion. Neither is the word "holy". Take it back from the false piety, false holiness and false "prayer" (now known as "asking for stuff") from the 20th century christians!
Amazing video❤
Usually my personal answer is pray as often as you need, not as you think you have too. This includes in whatever way makes you feel a connection.
I feel the difference between Pagan and the Abrahamic religions is that we approach our Deities with respect and awe but not as supplicants.
I prayed once, I was begging for help with my mental illnesses, I was answered with a wave of calm, I thought at the time that it was God, but now I know it was a diety, I had a reading done and they said it was Odin but the way you describe him makes me think otherwise lol
Perhaps it was validation that you were on the path of learning the lesson from the "mental illness" that was bothering you?
Thank you for bringing your perspective to this topic. For me, and I'm sure others as well that come from a Christian background struggle with this concept. It feels natural to want to pray to something. But a lot of what I gathered when I first stepped into this realm kind of comes across like "we don't pray to gods to solve our problems we work with them to help us solve them ourselves" But what I think gets lost, and you seem to agree as well, is that there is a difference in asking a god to help you solve your problems and asking a god to help you along your journey and empower you. I recognize that I was put on this Earth to learn valuable lessons and there are things that I must go through but its not about not praying and trying to figure things out on your own its how you go about that "prayer" and your intention behind it. Like you said, when dealing with anxiety and depression to just give that back to the Earth and ask for guidance and strength feels so reviving. To give that power back to the Earth and surrender to the experience you are having. and if I learned anything from every religion and spiritual path I have experimented with its that gratitude is everything. And to be grateful for all not just the pagan. And that seems more pagan to me than to limit yourself. And now I'm ranting, but thank you again for this video and confirming what I felt in my heart all along was right for me and my path. Much love to anyone reading this.
I think it doesn't always have to be a long prayer also....for example I've just developed a habit of just simply greeting everything when I'm hiking or noticing something. Like I greet the sun and the moon when I see them, I greet the tree spirits if I feel a strong one, greet the animals I see, greet the raven buddies that I encounter in our wildlife areal etc... Helps me feel more connected 😊 even if I dont have anything to say or to ask. Its as simple as a little "oh hey there"😊
I think every pagan can decide how they want to communicate with their deities. Pray isn't just a Christian word or a dirty one.
For me, “prayer” is most often just hailing the Sun at sunset. But I don’t use the word prayer typically. You’re right, it is worth looking at the language outside of the box.
I’ve always been told to be very specific in prayer, recognize exactly what we are grateful for, and any ask for a specific intervention to help improve the situation. It’s also about projecting and bringing into being the energy one wants out in the world. I’m lucky, I’ve grown up with indigenous elders who trained with pre-Christian trained elders (in northern Canada.)
hey brother, I LOVE this and I am totally on the same page as you!!! -Hannah
Heeeeeey what’s up! 😂
I prefer the word " invoke"~ this helps me think of it more of a meditation or connection. My husband is a Pagan and he prays often. If a christian family member asks me if they can pray for me I usually say "no" though because I know they are just trying to "fix " me. I have had multiple christians as clients though that I would allow to pray for me because the intent would be better.~
Coming from a Christian home and just recently finding my path with the Gods I definately relate to finding the freedom of it all a bit hard. Watched several videos where people explained it doesnt have to be constant ceromony with the Norse Gods/Goddesses.
Loki was actually the first who called to me and the other day I found myself just looking around while taking a walk and I said out loud "What a beautiful day huh Loki? "
It felt strange but in a good way...i felt the connection.
I never felt that in Christianity "prayers"
I've also heard American folk practices say that you can leave your saliva in exchange for plants you harvest if you don't have anything else, it's giving a piece of yourself and your own DNA in a way so I think it can be meaningful that way
Huh. That's an interesting practice, never heard of it before
A word I like is “discourse.” Any relationship requires some level of discourse.
In my own way i suppose i do pray to Ukko Ylijumala, just silently in my head being thankful for what i have, what i've become and that sorta thing. Sometimes I ask for good luck in achieving something important, i.e. yesterday i thought of a small spell (poem) in my head, for getting a new apartment i really need so i dont go homeless, but i rarely ask for anything, definetly nothing superficial or "extra" material stuff. Im not quite sure yet what i should offer in return for good favour, so I offer myself, I aim to be a good person in return, for those near me and around me, helpful and kind. I offer my time, to those that might need something, i.e. doing oddjobs for the family or such for no cost. Idk if im 'doing it right' or if there is a way to do it right, this is just my own personal thing that has developed during my years.
I transmit how I feel and what changes I need to the Sun mentally with my eyes closed, I just visualize myself emerging with the Sun, I soak it's energy and I feel good
I think that prayer, invocation, or connection to the gods and nature has been important not to religion, but to humanity as we have developed. I think that, because of the wide spread nature of christianity, that the concept of prayer or talking to the gods has been coopted by the singular belief system that wasn't theirs to begin with. As a ex-christian/ ex-mormon I do tend to cringe away from prayer as a term, but I don't pray for the gods' benefit, though I hope that my venoration grants them something, but for my own. Even if that prayer is nothing more than a, "Thank you for this view, and let me continue to be safe on this hike." the moment of peace is exceptionally valuable to me.
I am Pagan, but also go to the Unitarian Universalist Church. Members (UUs) are from many different faiths: Agnostic, Pagan, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and ‘nones’. We do sing, but the hymn books are rather contemporary. There are many individual groups (also a Pagan group) that meet besides the Sunday services. I am always happy when I leave! Check it out.
One of the wonderful things about modern day Paganism/Polytheism is that we don't all have to do the same thing. But prayer is definitely part of my personal practice as a Hellenic/Kemetic Polytheist. Hymns and prayers have always been part of my traditions.
I wouldn't personally offer spit, as in Kemetic practice spitting is often used in cursing because it is akin to the cobra spitting venom. But improvising a poem or prayer, singing, chanting, dancing, arranging natural materials such as stones, twigs, or leaves to make art, and other actions can definitely be offerings in my experience. A friend even does martial arts kata every morning as an offering to one of his deities.
To me, "prayer" is simply communicating with the gods and ancestors. We have our gratitude, offerings, petitions, and conversations. Whether we call it prayer, invocation, meditation or something entirely different, it is our sacred commune with them. I was born into a Christian family, but found my way back to the old ways as a young teenager. I completely understand the "cringe", but I've found that we have to go with what resonates within us...whatever it is to be called. ✨
Personally I believe however you connect with the gods/divine/source is sacred
I pray almost everyday. Talking to the gods is a very special moment to me, even when Tyr scolds me (i'm working with him to be more disciplined). I dont think christianity did all bad. They have plenty of good, and if it is indeed good, than why not?
I prefer meditation to prayer, because one allows the answers to come from the Gods, the other is talking to the Gods more than listening. Also, prayer implies asking for something we don't have, a view of lack, instead of listening and learning from the Gods as to why you feel the lack in the first place. But it must be said, I believe everything happens exactly when and how it is supposed to, even if unpleasant, to teach us about ourselves. My task is to pay attention to when to do what at any given time, through the guidance of the Gods.
8:05 a sign from spirit 😅🌌💕
That's a beautiful hike
Such a beautiful dog in that lighting!
Gorgeous video footage and interesting topic. Thank you for that. I am triggered by the words, pray and prayer too. I imagine it as more of a ritual, and not being raised to regular spiritual ritual/practice, means I fail to nurture and fully adopt a habit of offerings, even though I like the idea. Some of my art practicing gurus often light a candle first. I feel no benefit from the ritual of lighting a candle to create space. What I do, is I am constantly in conversation with the natural world, as if it was a friend, an equal.
If I have to kill a fly, I apologize. It's not that my life force is more valuable than it's was, but I happen to be bigger, and it posed some threat to me, like risk of spreading disease to my food. if I asked it to go away, and it chose not to, then the consequence are what they are.
If I prune a plant in my garden, I tell it why and how I believe it benefits it, or apologize, because the action benefits me more than it.
I pick up rocks and tell them why I admire them. I enjoy visualizing connection between my feet and the earth, water, and imagine myself apart of the dipole magnetics. The words I am comfortable with are, 'Being in reverence'.
That said, twice in my life I hit the wall of, I can go on no longer by myself and dropped to my knees in prayer. In less than 24 hours, both times a life altering option entered my experience from outside my frame of reference. The Christians say their God answered and that's the proof, I prefer to to call it The Universe.
The Universe excludes no belief or origin story humans need to make sense of the world. The Universe is our support, with and without prayer. The Universe doesn't not divvy the world into good/ bad, right/wrong, (which provides it's own discomforts). In my world view, The Universe does not favour humans.
As Is tudied Greco-Roman studies in univeristy, we have archealogical and epigraphic evidence that prayers were a large part of reiligion of their day. It is painting a alrge stroke across all reilgions, buts I feel like prayer is fundamental to religion as a whole, no matter the beleif system.
I love this. I do think that we (Pagans and other, more secular religions) can learn from each other.
I have let my prayer fall by the wayside, because I'm stuck in that mindset of "I need to give Them something in order to pray," like you spoke about.
I love the idea of praying more, and would even count just simple chats with the Gods as praying. I feel self conscious about it, though, I think because my mindset is along the lines of "They must have so many better things to do with Their time, why am I bothering Them?"
I'm working through this mindset as best as I can, though.
That’s why I prefer to “pray” in nature rather than inside. Feels more connected to the pagan mindset
I have seen prayers have a positive impact on the individual praying- empathy and being able to do something in what’s often a time they cannot do anything else. It can also be positive to know someone cares. It doesn’t really work for me but I do appreciate when people care enough to spend time praying to whomever.
I am a Celtic pagan and I pray. I often talk to the Gods (or maybe the land I’m on) when I’m out or when I want to offer instant thanks when I feel help/positivity coming my way. But, the point is that I did similar when I was Christian, so it’s become second nature to me. Finally, I agree there is an ever present fear in Christianity which I don’t feel in the pagan world, where, I feel,the onus is centred around respect.
I had never thought of praying as anything but trying to talk to God but I do see your point in extending the meaning to "talking to any deity" yet yeah, the term can cause cringe. Thank you that insight and the view, Jacob!
praying is maybe just a way to... Connect ?! ;)
There are many historical examples of pagan people praying, whether it be in statue form, written or as paintings. Typically, the people I have met who are anti-praying pagans adopt the stance more to be anti-established religion and (bluntly speaking) have a chip on their shoulder. I admire, respect and love the gods and will gladly pray to them without worrying about how my fellow man interprets it.
For me is reflexion en meditation important.
One of the things I've always hated is how Christians use "I'll pray for you" as an insult rather than a term of solidarity. Like anything you say they don't like they'll be like "I'll pray for you" which means "I'm gonna pray that you change completely because you're wrong and I don't respect your opinions."
It's not the same thing as if I am going through a difficult time in my life and you say "I'll pray for you" meaning that you're gonna bring my issues to Gods attention because you care and you have my back and want to help me get through it and the only thing you can do is pray but since that's something it's still worth it.
I have started saying “I pray for me too!” Back at them 🤣
If it's not a well-intentioned "I'll pray for you", I just say "thank you, and I will pray for you as well". I say it sincerely because I will send a thought for them to the universe that they will find inner peace, since if they had it, they wouldn't feel the need to use their religious beliefs as a weapon.
That thing where people pray for me bc they perceive me as wrong has bothered me also. I consider us all to be connected in the web of life. So, now I interpret this as their best attempt to find peace. It does seem less violent than continuing an unproductive, judgemental conversation.
My Grandma was a Methodist. She didn't directly express anger at anyone ever. Instead, she said "Well, bless your heart." It frustrated and mystified me for decades.
I feel like even if you "don't have anything to give" like an apple or something like this- that's not true. Before you hike you can offer your work, the hike, sweat and the whole act of hiking, gym session. I personally feel great connection to God's because of it
You can if you want to. I pray during my offerings
I also have struggled with this term after switching my faith and felt confused as I felt connected when I used to pray. I decided that why I felt that connection was because I actually was praying to the spirits everyone does they just call it different terms. And in the end its all about your intention.
Should do that after a offering
❤❤❤❤
Maybe a small side conversation/question here, but do you ponder the idea of Father sky/sun god contrasted with Teutonic myth? Or do you merge them? Or acknowledge them as separate, which in a way I find challenging.
I very much agree with your conclusion: prayer can be very good, and the gods are open to receive them. From the Greek tradition, the Orphic Hymns are beautiful examples of ancient prayer songs, and of course we can just pray from our heart spontaneously.
I see prayer as a way to contact the gods, and I don't feel like I need to give anything material, as they are not really material beings on this planet. I give them my gratitude for all the things, lessons, my own growth. But I also work mostly with energy
Thoughts and prayers are form of meditation
I don’t traditionally pray cause of my beliefs I’m usually in some form that could be construed as a gnosis prayer. However those who are the most opposed to prayer should be the ones who do it the most. It honestly centers your mind. Allowing em to meditate, ground and center better on all levels. And if you mix deep prayer ritual with fasting, you really get some quite incredible effects. Especially if you’re going to go into transe work or even a sacrifice of your personal physical pain for the gods or for that emotion and sensations to be centered and sent to wherever/whatever your centering on. Such as bleedings or human suspension. Meanwhile you mix prayer with transework for that one. And not for most to get into to.
i think the Reflective Meditative and it's curative serenity build is always important no matter how Heathen one may be..
i think is part of the spiritual values of all things
and i don't mean to go on your Knees begging to Divinity for the next expensive car or Lottery...
or whatever Mundane Sht
Hail Scotland and it's Vast HIGHLAND Beauty
As a Slavic pagan I think we pray when we thank our Gods. When I have a success in business/money I thank Veles in a ritual. That is what I find a pray in paganism.
One must be religious (fundamentals, stories, ceremonies, faith, and prayers) in order to actually grasp the reason the Religion works so well.
I never cringe when someone says that they will "pray" for me because of something in my life. I take it as a compliment. I have also used the term "pray" when the person does not know that I am a pagan. Pray is a generic word that comes from many cultures. When I call out to the Gods for such a beautiful day, or when I am having the worst day of my life and I ask the Gods for wisdom, that's praying. Just remember Christianity stole so much from paganism. Don't include me in your "we". If a pagan is insulted by someone of another faith saying they will pray for them, then, in my honest opinion, there is no respect from that pagan. Praying, talking, offerings all comes down to the same thing. Just have respect for each other, take it with a smile and say thank you, and move on.
I used to belief a pagan couldn't pray to their gods and goddesses but you have opened my eyes to the difference between praying and pagan "praying" but i am curious how would a norse pagan pary to their gods (sorry if you talked about this in the video i must have missed it)
Thank you, I have recently come to the conclusion after leaving Christianity years ago that it's OK to say "pray" and tell people you will pray for them. I just don't say that I'm not praying to Jesus or God, although it doesn't hurt to pray to God or Jesus but it's with an understanding that I also pray to goddesses and to my spirit guides. I think of doing spells and rituals as the same thing as praying. It's putting a thought or intent into something, which can have power in and of itself.
As much as I know germanic pagans prayed to the diety connected to the day of the week. Yet a lot of those prayers are not very popular today. There is one, which was preserved by the bavarian state archive for Wednesday = Wodansday -Odin which I allways recite once or more on wednesdays, which goes like this:
Truttin Wodan Leader Wodan
Tu mi hilb Help me
indi vorgib mir And provide me with
gauwitzi Wisdom
Indi Wodan galaubhün And good faith
sinna minna your effection/goodness
In die rechten Wileon and rightousness
haili indi gazünti blessings and help
Indisina Wodanes hüldi and your wodans fairness
After that I do a little blot/offering of food/drinks or both
I like the idea of invocation instead, but I like the idea of not associated prayer with only Christian beliefs is empowering
Pray out of belief not out of fear
Whenever I stub my toe in barefoot I always invoke a deity. I don't do it lightly. I call out in earnest. After I am called out for blaspheming, I always have to point out how often I call on deity and therefore I am more pious than those around me. I am no longer getting called out for blaspheming. 😗
I feel like I pray/commune with my Ancestors more than the Gods. I do pray to a Goddess or two. But I feel like my Ancestors are more invested in me in the mundane daily stuff.
arguing about language has always been silly to me because we all have different meanings for words. Although the "meaning" is the same for everyone, the feelings, emotions, experiences, uses behind that word are different for everyone. Its like arguing over whos color is the real red. There is no real red, only what each individual experiences.
Not sure if what I do is prayer, I talk to them, they're my friends/family, so mmm we talk.
I do “pray” to the Gods frequently. Whether others call it talking to them or something else, it doesn’t always have to be done during rituals. Depending on the situation that tells me who I need to “pray” to.
I consult the Gods ❤
Hmm 🤔
I pray to the Goddess Brigid, in my church which is nature
I talk to the Gods and the spirits. Whether they listen? Who knows lol. But I personally believe they do. If I 'pray' in the traditional sense of asking for something, its always for strength to help me endure something difficult. I never ask for anything beyond that. Its not that I don't believe Odin, if he wanted, couldn't give me something. Its more that I understand the Gods aren't my personal gifting machines so to speak.
I believe they listen and they care, but ultimately we need to deal with issues on our own, they won't hold our hands through life. They may (and will in my opinion) give strength, guidance in their own way, but it is on our shoulders to do the work.
For me when it comes to heathenry there isn't a right or wrong way to practice. We have various sources which hint at how things were done in pre Christian Times, but no real evidence. So with that in mind, nobody can dictate how someone should practice or which terms to use. If someone doesn't want to use the word "prayer" that's fine. If you just see it as conversing with the gods, that's also cool. Religion is supposed to bring us comfort, not make us scared or concerned we're not doing it right. For me, that's the opposite of comforting.
No right or wrong way to do your personal connections ✌️🖖🤟👍🤙 The word Amen means: And so it is (Not sure if that helps anyone to know ✌️)
There’s nothing inherently Christian about praying: it’s just mainstream so much with Christianity that’s what people think on immediately.
Praying is in every culture, belief system, etc., be it under the umbrella Pagan term or Abrahamic.
In itself, Christianity was cobbled together from multiple belief systems including Mesopotamian. It borrowed holidays to get people to cross the fence line easier but gave the holiday a different name.
So if you’re the kind that doesn’t want to pray bc “it’s Christian” - be aware it’s not, and you’re doing yourself a disservice by limiting your connection with whatever Deity(s) you favor.
yeah i really dont get that video us pagan are the one that made the practice of praying to begin with .
Don’t forget…Pagans were the first people to pray. It is a reclaiming of our actions!
i think they might have changed
it from sing together to pray
together..
(because not interested
in making people more powerful
but less powerful)
when i see photographs from
common pagan prayers that also
looks somewhat forced to me
(it´s all the priest religions
that are the problem, they don´t
seem to fit the natural way of
living).
you can google "mari sacred grove"
to see what i mean.. some people
would say an uninterrupted pagan
tradition, i would say forced
priest tradition.
(behind that "front" you should
find the real pagan ways, that are
of course individual)
Hinduism is pagan, and we pray as usual...
yeah, it's difficult to pray if there aren't so many guides like Vedas for other pagan religions.
If we want to then yes.