Rhiannon S
2004-10-20 13:13:07 UTC
Ok, this will probably sound silly (since it's me asking), but ever since that
megalithic vandal thread a couple of weeks ago I've been wondering; do pagans
(however you define the term) make any new places of worship?
I mean all the other religions do, even though they do use old ones too, but it
seems that pagans only ever use old sites, there doesn't seem to be any new
ones. Which seems strange to me because paganism is really a new religion, ok
it may borrow as many old bits as possible but it is still a new rather cobbled
together belief system. Does the re-using of old sites such as Stonehenge, the
Rollrights etc give some sort of heritage that we're lacking? And why aren't
we making new sites, or are we and I haven't heard about them?
Are there any new circle and henges being made, and if so what is the symbolism
behind them, or are they just copies because "the ancients" did it that way?
Are there any new sacred groves being planted, and if so what makes them
sacred? Does the act of people turning up for worship in a "safe area" count
as a sacred place?
I'm going back to the question of why aren't we making new places of worship.
Is it because there is no central figure in paganism, or wicca, or druidism,
etc? Does the word "etc" in the previous question explain it, is paganism such
a loose collective that it would be impossible to agree on a sacred site much
less find the resources to buy land and develop it? Or is it something else?
Finally, if you were building a scared place what would you put in it, and
where would you put it?
Me, being the fuffy bunny that I am, I'd have to have it somewhere in the
countryside. But close enough to a major transport hub as possible. I'd also
put in a big carpark too. Something wooden or perhaps a converted barn, with a
big library, several large rooms with big windows where people can congregate
and discuss things or possible just have a cup of coffee, perhaps a few smaller
rooms for meditating, or just being alone with your thoughts. A kitchen (of
course, and a workroom attached to the kitchen for experiments), a herb garden
and I'd definately include an orchard interspaced with a few yew trees (no real
pagan reason, it's just that I happen to like yew trees anyway).
And a big area for fires and burning inquisitive policemen too. Ok, maybe just
for bonfires only.
What about anyone else?
--
Rhiannon
http://www.livejournal.com/users/rhiannon_s/
"The trick is to commit crimes so confusing that police feel too stupid to even
write a crime report about them."
Aubrey on remaining at liberty
www.somethingpositive.net
megalithic vandal thread a couple of weeks ago I've been wondering; do pagans
(however you define the term) make any new places of worship?
I mean all the other religions do, even though they do use old ones too, but it
seems that pagans only ever use old sites, there doesn't seem to be any new
ones. Which seems strange to me because paganism is really a new religion, ok
it may borrow as many old bits as possible but it is still a new rather cobbled
together belief system. Does the re-using of old sites such as Stonehenge, the
Rollrights etc give some sort of heritage that we're lacking? And why aren't
we making new sites, or are we and I haven't heard about them?
Are there any new circle and henges being made, and if so what is the symbolism
behind them, or are they just copies because "the ancients" did it that way?
Are there any new sacred groves being planted, and if so what makes them
sacred? Does the act of people turning up for worship in a "safe area" count
as a sacred place?
I'm going back to the question of why aren't we making new places of worship.
Is it because there is no central figure in paganism, or wicca, or druidism,
etc? Does the word "etc" in the previous question explain it, is paganism such
a loose collective that it would be impossible to agree on a sacred site much
less find the resources to buy land and develop it? Or is it something else?
Finally, if you were building a scared place what would you put in it, and
where would you put it?
Me, being the fuffy bunny that I am, I'd have to have it somewhere in the
countryside. But close enough to a major transport hub as possible. I'd also
put in a big carpark too. Something wooden or perhaps a converted barn, with a
big library, several large rooms with big windows where people can congregate
and discuss things or possible just have a cup of coffee, perhaps a few smaller
rooms for meditating, or just being alone with your thoughts. A kitchen (of
course, and a workroom attached to the kitchen for experiments), a herb garden
and I'd definately include an orchard interspaced with a few yew trees (no real
pagan reason, it's just that I happen to like yew trees anyway).
And a big area for fires and burning inquisitive policemen too. Ok, maybe just
for bonfires only.
What about anyone else?
--
Rhiannon
http://www.livejournal.com/users/rhiannon_s/
"The trick is to commit crimes so confusing that police feel too stupid to even
write a crime report about them."
Aubrey on remaining at liberty
www.somethingpositive.net