between Lakota sioux and Wiccan beliefs

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Permalink Reply by Kara Harkins on July 14, 2010 at 9:47am

I was recently talking to the Chief of the internet-based native american group I spend a lot of time at. Part of that conversation was observing that both pagans and native americans had things stolen by the Christians. It seems to be a habit with them.

I also agree with the idea that you choose your path for yourself. One of the things we do in my wicca circle in the first year of people studying it is to create a religion that makes sense to us ... not blindly copy by rote something that makes sense to someone else. For example, some people stick to one mythos when choosing the deities to do workings with, finding it makes sense to them. Meanwhile I chose one from each of the cultures my ancestors were from and carefully made sure they balanced.

Permalink Reply by Ihokawin on May 9, 2010 at 11:47am

I can't speak to your relationship with your second mother, or her outlook, but I read a book titled Mother Earth Spirituality by Ed McGaa and he talks in that book about the similarities between Lakota beliefs and Celtic beliefs. He strongly advocates that these two belief systems arise from the same underlying concepts.

For me personally, I started out pagan (not necessarily wiccan) and then moved into wiccan and joined a coven. Then I moved toward Lakota beliefs and customs, finding that they fit better with my internal world view. I have had several guides, and they have no issues with me combining some of my earlier activities (casting a circle, calling on the Great Spirit as both the Great Mother and her Consort) with their teachings. I feel like some of the wiccan beliefs are centered in the land of Europe, England and Ireland and their energy doesn't have a strong connection here, whereas, the lakota energy and beliefs are strongly centered here (especially where I live, in Sahiya country). For me, the energy is all, but I also resonate with lakota philosophy; not just spiritual, but also cultural.

One of the things to consider, is that culture is taught and passed on primarily in the spiritual teachings and thoughts of a people. Your second mother may be feeling that the lakota culture/language/spirituality will be lost if you combine the two and her fear is what is driving her conversations with you. Choosing our own paths is part of growing up. It does not mean you disrespect her or her teaching. Although, you also don't have to rub it in her face either. I'm sure you understand that balancing act. Our parents don't need to know every thing.

So, what does your heart tell you? If combining them works for you, brings you closer to the Great Spirit, fulfills your life in a way that was empty before and increases your spiritual well-being, then I would say go for it. If it feels conflicted, then you need to sort out why.

I hope this helps.

Permalink Reply by Meihera on May 9, 2010 at 12:55pm

I agree with what was said before me. The one thing my High Priestess stresses to everyone is: Does it feel right to you? If it does, then continue on the path that you're on. The Gods know your heart. If, however, you feel you are crossing boundaries not meant to be crossed, then by all means, try another route, or, take a break, center, and listen. What do the Gods tell you? What does Wakan Tanka tell you?

Personally, I try to incorporate 7 paths into my spirituality: Greek, Celtic, and Egyptian are my main three; and Navajo, Norse, Hindu, and Sumerian are others I draw on. If there is anything I've learned, I've learned that it's all about balance! I work heavily with stones, so I sometimes tend to lean towards the Native side of me, or the Earth Mothers of the other paths. It just depends on my mood as to who I call on. Believe me, they will let you know when they want some alone time with you ;)

-Meryt

Permalink Reply by Amyna on May 9, 2010 at 1:55pm

I have found a lot of similarities between the Lakota and Wiccan beliefs. I also remembering my second mom (Cat) telling me that people just give names to things, they give names to make things feel more comfortable but overall its the same source that we all pull from. But in any case thank you for sharing your wisdom, I appreciate it. I will find whats best for me, it has just been a confusing time for me. I mean getting to know the mother and father through nature has been amazing, but at the same time, I still feel like Im kinda just floating around without really a certain way to go or a certainty of what exactly I believe. I just want to find a secure ground to stand on. But I know I will find it in time.

Permalink Reply by Ihokawin on May 9, 2010 at 1:51pm

One other thing to consider . . . is that contrary to the Christian teaching that there is only one path, it seems to me that there are many paths. . . and the core teaching of both wiccan/pagan belief and native spiritual belief is that you may do as you wish, provided you harm none. That was one of the core principles of Lakota belief - that every individual has the right and obligation to choose their own path - and it is at the core of pagan belief (I use pagan rather than wiccan, because I follow an older philosophy and choose not to cast "spells") and was also the core of Celtic belief. It is much harder a philosophy to live by if you truly try not to cause any harm to any living creature then the philosophy of doing whatever you wish knowing you will be forgiven because you have been "saved".

Permalink Reply by Amyna on May 9, 2010 at 2:50pm

Yah thats true, its hard to find that balance, I mean I dont want to abandon one belief for another when I feel there is a connection. I just dont want to think of them as different, I think that would be a limiting mindset. But in any case, its just getting a feel for what I am comfortable with. But thank you for your input. :) I like to get opinions of others who might have a better idea on something that I am not entirely sure about.

Permalink Reply by WeeBGB on May 9, 2010 at 8:36pm

This is just my humble opinion here, but to me, personally, I believe "ALL" beliefs are "True", mainly because I believe we are all connected to "All That Is", "Great Spirit", God/dess, whatever you call the Source that created us. (Wiccans and Native Americans, along with Celtics and many others believe this within their "religions".)

Each culture or belief system has it's own little quirks and rituals, and they sometimes "seem" to be different, but if you think about it, we are ALL God/dess/Great Spirit/All That Is, so therefore, there cannot be any separation or "difference".

If what you feel in your Heart feels Good and True, then by all means follow your Heart and believe in whatever makes you feel that Connection. It doesn't matter what that is, and you would never be "abandoning" one for the other. I feel that they all compliment each other, even when they seem to be total opposites! Ever heard of "Yin and Yang"???? That is total Balance! :O) See what I mean? You can't have dark without light, day without night, Love without hate. It ALL works together.

Namaste!!!!
Blessings and Peace!!!!
WeeBGB :O)

Permalink Reply by Amyna on May 10, 2010 at 12:28pm

I appreciate your opinion WeeBGB. I think its all connected as well. I guess there are just some barriers in my mind that I need to break. But its a working progress for sure. :)

Permalink Reply by WeeBGB on May 10, 2010 at 12:39pm

Well, it's taken me MANY years to realize and accept all of this, so just take "baby steps" until you find what "Your" Truth is! :O) It's all good!!!!

Permalink Reply by Kira WolfShadow on May 16, 2011 at 9:42pm

MM, WeeBGB, I agree with your comment about all beliefs essentially being sent to the Great All Above, no matter what the name. I believe there is a true Universal Consciousness that is shared among all creatures -- man and beast -- and no matter what the being is referred to. The importance is love to the fullest, followed the way of love and light, and bring harm to none.

Goddess bless.

 

Kira

Permalink Reply by Ihokawin on July 14, 2010 at 7:54pm

One of the things to think about is that Western culture has aligned the term witch with the concept of shaman or healer (as opposed to the Navajo belief in witches as skinwalkers - evil entities). This was done in the dark ages to target women and men who chose not to convert to Christianity, and instead, followed older traditions. It's not really discussed in school that millions of Goddess-worshipping pagan people were burned at the stake in Europe in order to convert the population there into Christians. (Source: Anthropology of Religion; UCLA; 1984.) By changing shamans from healers to "witches" (the term for witch carries an evil connotation every where else in the world similar to the Navajo belief), which also aligned with biblical definition, Christian priests could target pagans with immunity.

Permalink Reply by Zili on July 16, 2010 at 3:10am

I am an eclectic pagan following many paths because I see the truth in the many I follow. I cannot ignore a truth, so I cannot simply chose to turn away from it.

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