A Reason For Returning To Our Pagan Roots.

The dominance imposed on the world by Christianity and other Abrahamic doctrines has resulted in the loss of many indigenous cultures and spirituality, "The Old Ways''

In the Middle East and West, Christiananity controlled Society by restricting freedom of choice and native beliefs as well as enforcing the concept of ''the devil'' on people.

Christians gave dominance to man over nature, viewing mankind as superior to animals. With these doctrines imposed, Societies lost the oneness they always had with nature.

This is especially true of the Celts and the Native Americans who revered the Earth and all of nature. Peoples who lived with a close connection to the land, not by owning the land, but by being the Care Takers of it.

Christianity moved worship into separate buildings, away from nature where previously the Druids had worshipped in the Oak Groves, The natural world was their altar.

However, I am not here to judge what the Christians and other dominant religions have done, this is just the way it was, this is what happened, we can't hide truth's with untruths and history cannot be changed although we can learn from our mistakes. It should be acknowledged that there are many Christians who do try to live positively and in harmony with the natural world.

WHY would I want to return to The Old Ways, ? I hear you ask. Weren't they cruel times with sacrifices ?

Nothing in this world is permanant , change is part of the circle, and no we can't go completely back to our indigenous cultures, time has moved on.

We can however take what was good, what worked from those times and make those values important within our world today.

We are a consumer society, we run about trying to see what we can buy next, whether we need it or not. What material goods we possess, seems to be more important than love,honour,respect and harmony. We are judged by what we own... a big house, top of the range car etc.

Do we really want that sort of Society ? or deep down do we yearn for a Spiritual path that can help help us to connect once more?

Today many people are seeking out alternative religions to the dominant two or three, many are turning to Wicca, Druidry, Heathenry and Native American Spirituality, they are searching, I believe, because we have lost that connection with nature.

They know within themselves that the time has come to reconnect. With so many advances in technology , information is much more easily come by than it ever was. Although information is knowledge and which is a good thing, we must be careful, as there are many so called experts out there claiming to be Medicine men/women, Priestesses, Holy Men etc that are no more experts than you or I.

It is time for humans to stop thinking of only themselves and to think about future generations, they too are very definately part of the circle.

The greed of humans must stop , we cannot keep taking and never giving anything in return.

No regard is given to the needs of others, the animals who live there, the plants and trees that support our life. It is in many cases done to the

needs of lining a few people's pockets.

Lets think about the way the Celts and Native Americans lived. They had an affinity with the land, they took only what they needed to survive and no more.

They respected Mother Earth knowing that she supplied everything they required to survive.They understood the importance of the sun, they knew it provided energy to nourish the plants that would provide food, clothes, wood, medicine, shelter and warmth for them.They understood that nature was balanced, everything has to be balanced, including ourselves.

The Native Americans , in my mind are an exceptional people who have had devastating injustices inflicted upon them over centuries... just as in Britain, the Scots Highlanders suffered in a similiar way... As the Native Americans were displaced into reservations, the Gaels were pushed out of their homelands and both of these peoples knew about this balance. They lived in harmony with nature. They would watch, listen and learn from the natural world.

The Native Americans understand that everything is connected, and that everything occurs in circles, such as night and day, the seasons, the sun travelling

around Earth, birds build their nests in circles. By knowing this, they can see that ones actions do not just have an affect directly upon oneself but on everything.

Mitakuye Oyasin. ( We Are All Related )

So what can we do ?

Well, we can connect with nature, we can learn from it, we too can watch, listen and learn, really understand that we are connected .

Instead of going to the shops this weekend, go out into nature, open your eyes and see , I mean REALLY SEE! the beauty of all.

Sit still and quietly listen to your heart and thoughts, watch out for any signs nature is giving you.

Think about the next generation and what they would think of your imprints on this planet, would they be proud of you ?

or would they think of you as selfish ?

If you learn to see that we are all connected you will understand that we are no more special than the four legged or winged ones.

You will understand the circle.

We all have one Mother earth,learn to live in harmony , disregard previous doctrines imposed on you about your superiority to our animal friends.

You may be able to offer help in many ways, for example you can tell others about your new found insights and pass on the teachings.

You can do what You can to give back to Mother Earth by planting trees and flowers.

You can reduce your carbon footprints on this earth.

You can teach the next generation about good values and the importance of nature.

You can support many good causes by giving up a little of your free time.

You can support an animal, perhaps an endangered species or one that you have a particular affinity with.

You can be tolerant of others, respectful of their religions and views.

You do what you can with good intentions.