After recently reading "Paganism" by Joyce and River Higgenbotham, I have decided that the Pagan path is right for me. Last night, I bought the book called "Nocturnicon" by Konstantinos, and I love it. My question is this: I know of various pagan traditions like Wicca, Asatru, Druidism, etc, but what tradition does Konstantinos' support? I think it is for me, yet I don't know what it is. Much thanks in advance.

I have a question. Are you actually going to believe the pagan gods exist or just follow the general theme?

I have a question for you. Which Pagan gods of which tradition?

quote:Originally posted by Paradise Lost:

I have a question. Are you actually going to believe the pagan gods exist or just follow the general theme?

Most people who believe in pagan religions believe in the gods metaphorical significance. Not their actuality.

Cheers,

Lost

Whichever branch you want to follow. I just want to know if you converted to that faith would you believe those gods exist.

EDIT: Thank you, Lost.

[This message has been edited by Paradise Lost (edited 11-02-2005).]

quote:Originally posted by LostCause:

Most people who believe in pagan religions believe in the gods metaphorical significance. Not their actuality.

Cheers,

Lost

No.

quote:Originally posted by LostCause:

Most people who believe in pagan religions believe in the gods metaphorical significance. Not their actuality.

Cheers,

Lost

She's right.

[This message has been edited by malaria (edited 11-02-2005).]

quote:Originally posted by LostCause:

Most people who believe in pagan religions believe in the gods metaphorical significance. Not their actuality.

Cheers,

Lost

Yeah. I'm considering a philosophical conversion to asatru. I don't think I could ever literally believe, but Valhalla at least gives me something to say comes after death.

The tragic thing about Paganism is that so little is known about it in its original forms. In fact, most of what we call 'paganism' (Wicca, Druidism, and the like) are really constructions of Christian apologists as an combination of traditional elements from various pre-Christian faiths. The very word "pagan" (from the Latin paganus, man of the country, farm, or earth) was originally designed as an insult to the plebian mentality of so-called barbaric polytheists.

The last thing I would recommend is to make an attempt at actually devising a religion from the tattered remains of primordial religions. Philosophically, they're awesome, but hardly correlate as a religion.

Wicca, by the way, is a flat-out lie. If a religion claims to be older than Christianity, but is historically the same age as the Beat Generation, it's a fucking lie.

quote:Originally posted by Tyrant:

The tragic thing about Paganism is that so little is known about it in its original forms. In fact, most of what we call 'paganism' (Wicca, Druidism, and the like) are really constructions of Christian apologists as an combination of traditional elements from various pre-Christian faiths. The very word "pagan" (from the Latin paganus, man of the country, farm, or earth) was originally designed as an insult to the plebian mentality of so-called barbaric polytheists.

The last thing I would recommend is to make an attempt at actually devising a religion from the tattered remains of primordial religions. Philosophically, they're awesome, but hardly correlate as a religion.

Wicca, by the way, is a flat-out lie. If a religion claims to be older than Christianity, but is historically the same age as the Beat Generation, it's a fucking lie.

But omg, my spiritual ancestors were persecuted at Salem!

My question still hasn't been answered though. What tradition does Konstantinos' literature support?

quote:Originally posted by SurahAhriman:

Yeah. I'm considering a philosophical conversion to asatru. I don't think I could ever literally believe, but Valhalla at least gives me something to say comes after death.

Valhalla is supposed to be for those who die in battle, which I am pretty certain you won't do. You'd most likely go to Hel, but in general most Asatruar don't focus on the afterlife (no one attempts to explain it).

quote:Originally posted by Samurai warrior:

My question still hasn't been answered though. What tradition does Konstantinos' literature support?

It appears he is into witchcraft. I am not into that myself, though, so you'll have to find someone who is either wiccan/lame or a witch (I'm told there is a difference).

quote:Originally posted by malaria:

Valhalla is supposed to be for those who die in battle, which I am pretty certain you won't do. You'd most likely go to Hel, but in general most Asatruar don't focus on the afterlife (no one attempts to explain it).

Yeah. I understand that. It's something to say.

quote:Originally posted by SurahAhriman:

Yeah. I understand that. It's something to say.

What's the point if you're not going to be genuine about it?

quote:Originally posted by The_Rabbi:

What's the point if you're not going to be genuine about it?

About the philosophy, I am genuine. It suits me more so than any other belif structure I've ever heard of. I do want to read more, beyond winterscapes and the paltry information available online before I make a decision of that importance. Even should I decide to become an asatruar, I'm not going to be a literal believer. The norse pantheon makes a great allegory and metaphor, but I'm not going to claim that the world is a tree.

Similarly, I doubt I'd ever get to the point that I accept the norse afterlife as a literal truth. But I suppose that occasionally making references as though I did accept that literal belief suits my sense of wit. If thats insulting, by all means tell me. I know the lore, not the modern religion.

quote:Originally posted by Samurai warrior:

My question still hasn't been answered though. What tradition does Konstantinos' literature support?

If it isn't clear from the context, he is probably making it up.

quote:Originally posted by SurahAhriman:

If thats insulting, by all means tell me.

It's not, I just didn't want you saying that somewhere and someone calling you on it. You would probably feel like a top class dumbass.

Here (http://ansuz.worldash.org/asatru/articles/intro/wicca_compar.html) is a good article about the similarities/differences between Heathenry/Asatru and Wicca.

quote:Originally posted by malaria:

It's not, I just didn't want you saying that somewhere and someone calling you on it. You would probably feel like a top class dumbass.

No, if I were to say it it would be in a facetious manner. I trust any of my friends to catch that, and would make further jokes at anyone who didn't.

quote:Originally posted by Samurai warrior:

After recently reading "Paganism" by Joyce and River Higgenbotham, I have decided that the Pagan path is right for me. Last night, I bought the book called "Nocturnicon" by Konstantinos, and I love it. My question is this: I know of various pagan traditions like Wicca, Asatru, Druidism, etc, but what tradition does Konstantinos' support? I think it is for me, yet I don't know what it is. Much thanks in advance.

Looks reputable......... http://konstantinos.com/about.htm

quote:Originally posted by Samurai warrior:

My question still hasn't been answered though. What tradition does Konstantinos' literature support?

Nothing... It's becoming increasingly apparent that this guy just picks and chooses what he likes about certain pagan beliefs. The point is, he just makes it up. But you're not even sure what the premise is, but you're ready to follow him. I don't get it.

Yes, that is right. From what you have said yourself, there seems to be know premise to understand. Besides, being a Pagan isn't about having the most structured, organized faith. It's about believing in what YOU want to believe in. Everybody has a right to believe what they want, and In my opinion, they do not owe anyone an explanation as to what or why they believe.