From Cult to Atheism to the Great Beyond

[Amethyst Rose]

My journey to the craft started about a year ago, although all my life I’ve felt a deeper connection to nature and felt like something was missing. First though, a little about me: I’m 37, mother of 2, married and work full time. Husband and I just bought our first house this year! We’ve been together 10 years. My general interests are anything space/sci-fi (books, movies, etc), technology (I'm a transhumanist), music (I sing in a couple bands and write music), nature/outdoors/gardening (I grew up in Alaska and that was a significant formative influence on who I am today), DIY crafting, cooking/baking, and probably a few more things I’m overlooking. I unfortunately have some health issues that keep me from doing all the things I want to (arthritis, fibromyalgia and a few other things) but most days I try to keep a positive outlook.

Having magick in my life (or rather, acknowledging and working with it) is somewhat new, and I’m still figuring out exactly how my practice will shape out. I was raised in a religious cult, so for the last 17 years or so I was atheist. Reconciling that with my practice of the craft has been a journey in itself. I have decided that while I don’t believe the deities are actually individual, sentient beings, I do see the value in using their characters as a representation of certain energies and that helps with visualization and intentionality. Because I’m Irish, Swedish and Cherokee, tend to feel most close to deities and archetypes from those cultures. I So far I know that Elen is my matron, and I’ve also identified Loki, Diana, Athena, Gaia, Venus, Morrigan and Brigid as influential characters in my pantheon. I have a slightly different version of the horned god, he looks very much like a Native American shaman and wears a bison head. I would say that the paths I identify with most are green/kitchen/hearth and hedge/shamanism. I’ve already had some brushes with astral travel and dreams/visions.

What I seem to struggle with most so far is really collecting my thoughts and intentions when I’m doing a ritual or spell. Sometimes I just “wing it” and do whatever feels right, but I feel like I could be much more effective in my practice if I were more intentional. Anyway, I’m glad to be here and can’t wait to learn from you all!

[Firebird]

Welcome!
I like winging it, sometimes those are the best rituals
Anyway, glad to see you find a nurturing path unfold before you, it does seem to reveal itself in layers , yes?
I'm on a similar path as you with Celtic, Native American (I'm part Lenni Lenape) and Norse, (on my moms side) as my focus.
I hope you have found healing from the cult, thank goodness you are free.
Enjoy your journey around the board!
Blessings, Firebird

[Amethyst Rose]

Thank you! Can I ask what your pantheon and practice consists of? If there's an easy link to something you've already posted that's cool. I was going to say "I'm happy that someone who seems so similar responded" ... but I have a feeling I'm going to see a lot of that, for which I'm quite excited

[Firebird]

I work with Cerridwen mostly, and my practice is primarily Celtic, yet I dabble here and there and work with the energies of the land. I haven't really made a thread on that or a BoS here, but yea, There is lots of like minded here Good to meet you.

[SpiritTalker]

Hi AmethystRose and welcome. My WC experience is mongrel

[Blu-Luna]

A very warm welcome AmethystRose!

[Amethyst Rose]

Thank you all for the welcome!

[Shekinah]

A warm welcome to ye. You will enjoy your journey with us.

[Lenaleanna]

Merry meet and a warm welcome Amethyst Rose!!! Hope you find your ~own~ path that will help you!!! Everyone finds their own way and when you find it- you know it!!!
Bright blessings,
Lenaleanna

[EveningWithAstaroth]

Welcome to the forum.

I as well have an interest in Green witchcraft, and practice quite a bit of Native practices within my path.

I am Scottish, English, French Canadian, and Romani with a small percentage of Native American.

I was born in the United States, I am American, but my roots are European.

I do not really have a pantheon myself- I rather worship a single deity, a God, but lately have found myself drawn to the deities of the Gaul people.

I find their version of the Triple Goddess very interesting, as well as their reverence for hot springs.

Hope you enjoy the forum, and stick around.