The Forgotten “Pagan” Religions
Mon ,15/02/2010I have to say that five’o'clock in the morning is definitely early. It’s becoming increasingly more common that I’m “awake” to greet the day at this time of morning. This morning, however, saw my eyes pop open at the earlier hour of four. As early as this is, as tired as I should be, I was indeed wide awake and well rested, the same familiar face the first thing in my mind as has been for the past… almost two years now. First thought upon waking, last thought before drifting into welcoming sleep. Some patterns are just so beautiful.
Why did I wake up so early? Perhaps it has something to do with retiring to bed so early as well. My children, when they are here, go to bed at 8:00pm. I wasn’t far behind.
So here I am, up before sunrise, up before those birds that are supposed to be catching their worms. Not that I can blame them, it’s hard to find worms under several inches of snow. What does one do with this sort of time? I realize some people get up this early almost every day, people have to work all sorts of schedules. I’m not among the employed, so where’s my excuse?
Sure, in another hour, hour and a half, I’ll be waking the kids up, making sure they get dressed and have breakfast, before I take my son to school. I’m taking some time to write here, but… something more.
This morning I’m being called. Called to by something more beautiful than birdsong, on a sense that’s more elusive than hearing. Something beyond sight, touch, taste or smell as well. I feeling, a need, a longing to greet the day. To stand facing east, to welcome the sun, to watch his slow ascent over the horizon, bringing life and color back into the world. Compound this with the humming of approaching spring, and it’s irresistible.
Lyon over at The Wandering Hearth recently made a reference to the television show “30 Days”. On one of the episodes, the show’s creator goes to live on a Navajo reservation for 30 days, and learns to greet the morning every day. I’ve always been drawn to and intrigued by Navajo spirituality, ever since I was a kid and read Tony Hillerman’s Navajo police mysteries. The Beauty Way is … well … beautiful, and really speaks to me.
Something I’ve notice, in Pagan culture, is how often we look over the seas, back to Ireland, Greece, Rome, Egypt, Scandinavia, etc., for our ideals on spirituality. I don’t have any problem with this, I’ve chose and been chosen by Gods and Goddesses from those cultures. But we often seem to overlook the earth-born spirituality of the indigenous peoples of our own country. This, of course, assuming you are in the United States. We talk about honoring and worshipping nature, but we overlook the people that have been doing just that, in THIS natural environment, for time out of mind. I often feel frustrated with the Celtic traditions as they pertain to Michigan. I’m not going to find Rowan or Yew here. I don’t live in a natural environment that supports that. Were the Celts the only ones who had a line on the spirituality found in nature? What about the Chippewa who used to live here. Who would know better the spirits and practices of living in harmony with nature in the Saginaw Valley of Michigan, then they? What did they used to practice? What were their beliefs? What trees, animals, etc, were sacred to them. All I’m sure, but in what ways, etc.
I really want to find out more about what used to be (and may still be to some degree) practiced HERE. Where I live and breathe. I’m not forsaking other teachings, or giving up other Gods. But what more meaningful and honest practice than to follow the path of nature in one’s OWN environment. We brought our Gods and Goddesses to America, and overran the ones that existed here before us. Wouldn’t it behoove us, as Pagans, to honor those that came before us in our localities?
I’m challenging myself to learn more about this. To learn the ways of those that lived here before. I adore the Navajo way, I love its teachings. Now I want to find out more of the Chippewa.
I hope everybody’s mornings are filled with sunshine and positivity!