Ok so I admit it I did start down this path as a Wiccan. In retrospect
though, in the early 90’s in rural Idaho, I didn’t have many other choices. And
while it worked well for me for nearly two decades, in the last few years I started
exploring other options. Why? Well simply I needed something else. While I don’t
see anything inherently wrong with Wicca and I do still think it is a valid
religion for the many that it works well for, it just doesn’t work for me any
longer.
So then what am I? Well at the moment, I’m not sure. I’m somewhere
between Heathen (Nordic/Germanic Reconstructionist paganism) and Celtic Reconstructionist
(also called CR as there isn’t a big word used for it yet). What both of these
movements are doing is trying to re-create the pre-Christian religious
practices of their ancestors (and I have ancestors from both cultures).
Well isn’t that Wicca? Um no, Wicca is a modern religion popularized by Gerald Gardner in the 1950’s.
And while there is debate over whether or not Gardner’s work was based on an
older system (most people now opting for the belief he made the whole thing up)
but it now a very eclectic religion that borrows heavily from ceremonial lodges
(the golden dawn, O.T.O., freemasons, etc.)as well as the eastern philosophies
of Buddhism and Hinduism. Again not that there is anything wrong with this, but
it is not what was practiced in the world of the ancient Celtic or Germanic peoples.
Another big difference between the two paths is that Wicca
is pantheistic (all gods are one god and all that) while those of us on the Reconstructionist
path are polytheistic (we believe in the existence of multiple gods who are wholly
independent of one another). Where Wiccans like to work with archetypes like “Maiden,
Mother, and Crone”; “The Horned God”; or “The Great Mother” (or “Father”)
Next, looking at ritual work or religious observances, we
find many other differences. Wiccans cast circle, invoke the elements, and
evoke the god forms and all that big show of ritual work. In CR or Heathenry it
is simpler. Once a space is sacred it is sacred (unless desecrated) all that
needs be done is give an offering of thanks, say a prayer or two and maybe ask
for help or guidance. Magic is normally not done in a ritual context either
(unlike most Wiccan groups who feel that rituals are mostly about magic’k’)
Of course I understand I’m treading a grey line as I try to
blend between the CR and Heathen faiths, but then I am new to both and maybe
one will win out over the other. But I doubt
it. For me I resonate heavily to the culture of the Celtic people, especially the
Highland Clansmen of Scotland. While I feel closer to the Gods of the Nordic
people save for Brigid, Llugh, Cernuous, and the Cailleach (who are all very Celtic). But
many of the Highlanders have mixed descent of Nordic/Celtic ancestry and some
even claim Pictish. So who knows, maybe I am on to something eh?
In addition to my Scottish identity, my Husband spent two
years living in Ireland before we met and his stories and interest have blended
with mine over time (of course I do have Irish ancestors as well as Scottish)
so this with a strong Welch ancestry for both of us has created a kind of
Pan-Celtic Identity for both of us. Then over the last year I have focused on
my genealogy and come to find a very Germanic heritage as well, with Germany,
Denmark, and Switzerland heavy in my family tree. So now I am exploring those
cultural identities as well.
What this means for me is I have a lot of homework in the
future (never fear, I will share much of that with you) and lots of
experimentation as I try to find new roots for my spiritual identity. But for now I am content to having shrines to
the various Gods I pray to, as well as to my ancestors and the land spirits
around me. Lots of prayer and meditation will accompany my studies as will lots
of Celtic music (bring on the fiddle and bag pipes!!).
