R(2/2) And then there’s the question of whether the portrayals of the gods we’re pretty sure about (like the Morrigan or the Dagda or Mananan) were warped by Christian bias or literary necessity. How do you sort through all the mess?
Okay, I’ve combined your ask into one post, nonny, so let’s get to it.
First, thanks for the ask!
So, here’s the thing with the Divine (gods, goddesses, ancestors, spirits etc) in my opinion: it can make itself known to you in many, many different forms and while some texts and lore says “This one didn’t exist” or “we only have so much original evidence on what this goddess stood for”, ultimately, it is up to you and that being(s) to decide what you call it and what you venerate about it.
The struggle as a reconstructionist, for me, is piecing together what we can from the lore and historical sources and trying to find a foundation to base a modern day faith on with it. That’s the main part many people forget though – we are a modern faith. We don’t seek to worship exactly how they did in ancient times because we simply don’t know. So, we take what we do know, sort through it for the personal important parts and construct what we think a modern representation of that faith would look like and then try to practice it. It’s often highly individualized as is most matters of faith so I think my best piece of advice would be to take such an approach to the gods and goddesses you are having trouble with connecting to.
Let me break it down a bit better:
– Remember that we don’t really know much about the past in regards to how the Gaelic peoples worshiped these deities as everything we do have lore wise is through the lenses of Christianity, the past and centuries of folk lore. Do your research, yes, learn the lore (even the heavily Christianized parts) and see what speaks to you. Take that away from it and use it as your foundation.
– Your own personal beliefs, ideas and UPG (personal gnosis or spiritual experiences) are just as important as the lore. Yes, I’m a reconstructionist and I’ve said that UPG is just as important as the lore. Because it is. We simply don’t have an ancient Bible for GaelPol to go off. However, what we do have is a plethora of amazing and insightful modern material from Gaelic Polytheists of today and the last, oh, thirty or forty years (authors such as Erynn Rowan Laurie, Morgan Daimler and most of the stuff Clann Bhride is putting out on Brighid are pretty good places to start). The Irish scholarship in Celtic Studies, history, and archaeology alone in that time frame has given us so much to work with. We have a lot of voices out there – start there.
– Community, Community, Community! There is a thriving, intelligent and wonderful GaelPol community here on Tumblr. So many folks who’s brains you can pick for guidance or just to have a good conversation about the gods. A few of my favorite being @unfetteredwood and @nicstoirm – there are quite a few other great GaelPol bloggers but I’m exhausted and can’t remember names at the moment.
So, I hope that helps, nonnie. I hope you connect with the gods and goddesses you are searching for.
This is all such good advice from the wonderful @bogganbeliefs!
One thing I would add as reminder is that it’s a slow process. Don’t get too frustrated at not having all the answers – or any answers! – at the beginning. I’ve been adventuring into Gaelic Polytheism for… oh… 7 years now? And I still don’t know everything. I feel like I barely know anything! There’s still so much to learn and construct. So be patient with yourself. You’ll get where you need to go eventually ❤
^ that is a really good point
It took me two fucking years to work out that the goddess tapping me was Flidais because herself felt like playing coy, and learning what resonates with you and just making the time to familiarize yourself with the lore and learn more about yourself all take time. It gets frustrating sometimes, and it definitely helps to have a community to bounce ideas off of and vent frustration with.
I’m not affiliated with ADF, but they have a pair of mottos related to this that I’ve always liked.
One is “why not excellence?”
The other is something like “at the speed of a growing oak!” because excellence Takes Time.
Come in, get comfy, have yourself a tasty beverage. We’ll all be here for a while. 🙂
i was thinking about my guy manannan mac lir and then ended up reading the words “tide pod memes” as “tide pool memes” and honestly it’s better. let’s make those. for him.
Ocean's Meadow 