What pagan paths/deities exist for the balkans? I am of Bosnian and Montenegrin heritage, I would like to learn about any pagan religions past or present in this region, thank you!
A while ago I posted i was leaving some space to grow wild along the edges of my yard. This is what it looks like so far. You can't really see in the picture but there's a bunch of butterflies now!
Since doing this i hear birds more, we have rabbits, lightening bugs, butterflies, bats, and I'm noticing frogs and bees now!
I started this journey not too long ago and it's really helped with my own mental health. I never thought I was having any big issues but diving back into being amongst nature and following pagan and animistic paths have unveiled to me that there was something missing and it's being filled.
Just wanted to share!
This is gonna be long and jambled, im gonna try my best to make this easy for you guys to read.
I *want* to worship something. I want to take the time out of my day to offer something to a god, acknowledge it, learn about it, and become a better person through the journey. The thing is, I hate the idea of "miasma" or "purity" within Hellenic Polytheism and Kemeticism. Like, I feel like I should (in my own belief) be able to go to these imperfect gods as I am because I am a human and I am imperfect. I feel like I shouldn't have to purify myself for a god or anyone for that matter unless I think a lot of negative energy has came around, then I'd cleanse myself.
I also don't want to worship something that won't necessarily care about me or may appear as strict. I can describe myself as a free, wild person. Wild as in I dont like rules that feel restricting to my true self and others, not wild as in a party animal. The gods dont need us, they have no reason to even like us, and that is what throws me off a bit, because when I worship a god I hope that it will be fond of me at some point.
Another thing is, it feels like specific religions tend to be restricting (besides norse paganism, but for some reason I haven't really felt a pull to worship any specific god there) and so many people worship these (non closed) gods that aren't the common Egyptian pagan God, greek pagan god, or norse pagan god. They are like some sort of other god that I didnt even know existed and cant find any information on
I also find this idea of the afterlife wayyyy too closed off. Like why do you only believe in limited afterlifes? "The gods will send you to this place or this place depending on how you were" or "you're nothing after you die" or "reincarnation." Like why cant we choose? Why does no religion believe in an unlimited afterlife where you can *choose* where to go just like you *chose* to worship them in the first place?
also I have tried "creating" (discovering) gods but I never feel a strong connection. Some people have been lucky enough to dream about the god coming to them or literally the god is making themselves known but ive always had to go towards a god, it never feels like they make themselves known, which is a lot harder for me
I just wish I could devote time to a god i truly feel comfortable with without any strings attached, and then when I die I get to respect their sanctuary, tend to it, and still worship them while flying with the wings i chose to have (i always wished I could fly) yet it feels like NOBODY believes this is possible and I wish there were more people who did so I can have some reassurance that im not crazy
I hope this post doesn't seem rude, I just have a lot on my mind that i need to find some sort of help with.
I started some sort of pagan work in 2020 and in the past I didn't have problems with "connection" to nature, deities, energy etc. Unfortunately with my partner of 3 years it feels quite difficult to get the same feeling as before. Whenever we go to some important pagan place (my practice is mostly Slavic, we live on territory of last Slavic pagans, so it's not that the land is just barren or of foreign beliefs) I don't feel anything like I used to when travelling alone in the past.
Whenever we are somewhere I feel unable to connect, to fucus and I kinda feel like I'm in a glass jar unable to feel things?
It's not his active doing. That's what I'm sure of. He's never been discouraging, mocking or anything like that. He was brought up eastern orthodox, currently atheist/agnostic, but willing and open to learn and experience things with me.
I tried some stuff like walking X distance away whenever we are somewhere and some other things like that but nothing worked so far. Does anyone have an idea what up with it? Is it some energetic differences, or just skill issues on my side?
As far as I've learnt the basic story/summary of Baba Yaga is: "In a distant kingdom, a wise woman named Baba Yaga, bony-legged, has an only son of virtuous character. He marries a human girl. She begins to despise her daughter-in-law and plots to kill her someway or another." Baba Yaga is known for punishing those who oppose her and granting those who don't gifts as long as they complete a near impossible task. Most stories agree she is a witch or an Old hag that is associated with the wildlife around her. She is typically found in places such as Poland, Russia, and Ukraine. She flys around in a wooden mortar, a spice grinder, and has a hut with chicken legs that is alive. She has been a tale for centuries and she is associated with the workings of both life and death. Baba Yaga has been included in media such as D&D, movies, and comics. Serbian, Crotian, Macedonian, Romaina, and Bulgaria all have different meanings of her name but the most common is 'Woman' particularly a nasty one.
Curious what people know and if i'm wrong about anything!
So I have been practicing lunar worship. Praying to the Moon and recently bought a necklace as a type of representation and reminder of my worship to Selene, Chandra, Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto. And I was wondering if I am doing something wrong from how I practice.
I don’t have an altar, I don’t partake in offerings, but I try to pray to be more like the personifications of the Moon. I study the lunar calendar to keep track of new moons, full moons, etc. And like I’m wondering is this enough? Because this has been a rather relaxing and easygoing process after separating from the Abrahamic religion I’ve grown up with.
I welcome people into my home and have fellowship with them in the form of a meal, regardless of their own beliefs. I give others plants to spread my own stewardship of nature and the belief that it heals to others
I believe Frigg and Freya walk with me
Just thought I’d share, have a great weekend!
Eat a meal with a friend or an acquaintance.