September 21st, 2007 @ 7:40 am
I’m struggling with incorporating my holidays into dd’s world. On the one hand, I don’t want to push her into anything, on the other I want to bring her up pagan. Yes, these are mutually incompatible goals.
At the moment, I’m doing things simply. We can celebrate Autumn by collecting leaves and pine cones, buying a some decorative gourds and corn, and making a centerpiece. I’m going to try to take us apple picking as well. Maybe we’ll make leaf rubbings too. Unfortunately, while it may be only a few days until the equinox, the leaves are not really changing yet. But I think with some perseverance we’ll find a few.
Here’s a great article by Peg Aloi on Witchvox: http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=usny&c=holidays&id=12061
Parenting
said,
September 21, 2007 at 12:33 pm
Sounds like so much fun. We’re in Florida where Autumn is a lot like Summer and I really miss the briskness and colorfulness of my favorite season . . .
I think it is better to raise children spiritually than not and the best way to ‘not push her’ is to teach her about other beliefs and festivals as well. And of course, don’t push her to do anything she’s not interested in.
Certainly many pagan rituals can be enjoyed as a celebration for the world that can be held sacred by the religious and not so religious alike!
said,
September 21, 2007 at 3:22 pm
What I find interesting is that many cultures, religious or otherwise, celebrate the same holidays; they have the same ideals, with different deities, with a different name for the holiday. Whenever we celebrate something, we talk about the many different ways people celebrate the same thing. I usually also mention how the church appropriated pagan holidays in order to gain control of the locals and ‘bring them in to the fold,’ and I’m especially vocal about it at Christmas time. I get so annoyed with Christians screaming “give us back our holiday.” HelloooOOOooo! Whose holiday? LOL Sorry, that’s a button with me for some reason. Christianity is a young religion; they didn’t start anything…not even human sacrifices.
said,
September 22, 2007 at 5:35 am
Yeah, but how else would we have ended up with Saint Brigid and Saint Christopher?
Seriously, you should read some Joseph Campbell if you haven’t already. He’s a fabulous comparative religion/mythology author, and I think you’d groove on him.
said,
September 23, 2007 at 10:06 am
Oh, yes, Joseph Campbell. I’ve grooved on him! I do like the way all the religions have elements in common. It either gives credence to the possible reality of gods, or credence to the human enjoyment of the idea..but either way, it’s fascinating. I still get a little ranty over the fundie-Christians, though.