There are areas in which I have struggled to be completely honest with myself. Whether for fear of the unknown, fear of the consequences, fear of the religious voices in my head becoming angry, I regardless cannot avoid them indefinitely, for I have come to know that all the hidden places are meant to see light, eventually. The answer resides not in perpetual avoidance, but timing; not if I come to a place of examining it, but when. I believe wholeness is simply the willingness to be in touch with one's whole self, therefore, I am as a mighty Viking, armed and off to take some new territory in the uncharted corners of my soul. A new season of understanding and wholeness approaches.
It all began with a book. Well, really, it all began when I was born, but that would be too long a story, no doubt. So, I'll say it began with a book. I bought this book on a whim, maybe two years ago, at Powell's City of Books. There among the stacks and stacks, it jumped out at me off a Pagan shelf in the metaphysics section; a section I had previously always passed by with my nose in the air, resisting evil like a good girl. For whatever reason, on this day I had stopped and turned left toward 'Paganism' instead of right toward 'Bibles' (ironic?), feeling very much like a Christian caught with a Playboy Magazine. Looking over my shoulder to be certain no one I knew saw me, I began to read the spines. That's when the binding of this book appeared before me.
And without thinking too seriously, I bought it. I took it home and immediately read a chapter or two. Then I quickly put it aside, because it wasn't something I was able to face at that point in my life. I actually hid it, as if it possessed some power just by my looking at it. But, I didn't get rid of it, either, because it intrigued me and I knew the day would come when I was ready. I'm sure some people would think me ridiculous, but if you had been indoctrinated against this type of thing as I have, it would make sense.
Oh, I didn't tell you the name of the book? Silly me.
The Red-Haired Girl from the Bog: The Landscape of Celtic Myth and Spirit, by Patricia Monaghan.
Now, don't go getting your theology in a twist.
More later.
Fear and Honesty: The Pagan Stacks
Fear and Honesty: Connectedness
Fear and Honesty: Diverting from the Norm
Fear and Honesty: You are what You Read
It all began with a book. Well, really, it all began when I was born, but that would be too long a story, no doubt. So, I'll say it began with a book. I bought this book on a whim, maybe two years ago, at Powell's City of Books. There among the stacks and stacks, it jumped out at me off a Pagan shelf in the metaphysics section; a section I had previously always passed by with my nose in the air, resisting evil like a good girl. For whatever reason, on this day I had stopped and turned left toward 'Paganism' instead of right toward 'Bibles' (ironic?), feeling very much like a Christian caught with a Playboy Magazine. Looking over my shoulder to be certain no one I knew saw me, I began to read the spines. That's when the binding of this book appeared before me.
And without thinking too seriously, I bought it. I took it home and immediately read a chapter or two. Then I quickly put it aside, because it wasn't something I was able to face at that point in my life. I actually hid it, as if it possessed some power just by my looking at it. But, I didn't get rid of it, either, because it intrigued me and I knew the day would come when I was ready. I'm sure some people would think me ridiculous, but if you had been indoctrinated against this type of thing as I have, it would make sense.
Oh, I didn't tell you the name of the book? Silly me.
The Red-Haired Girl from the Bog: The Landscape of Celtic Myth and Spirit, by Patricia Monaghan.
Now, don't go getting your theology in a twist.
More later.
Fear and Honesty: The Pagan Stacks
Fear and Honesty: Connectedness
Fear and Honesty: Diverting from the Norm
Fear and Honesty: You are what You Read
19 comments:
Okay, you have my attention.
Now don't go getting all busy and write the next installment two months later.
:)
Don't worry, Jeff, I have the next couple of posts mostly written.
It looks like an interesting book, Erin. And considering the level of interest in Celtic Christian spirituality, it would be surprising if some of the pagan roots didn't show through. Honestly, I think our Western version of Christianity needs to hear some of those voices as a corrective to our overly intellectual, dualistic views -- like the Native American appreciation of creation and ourselves as part of the created order.
I have to admit I still find it challenging in an uncomfortable way to be immersed in a worldview so far from my own. I had that feeling reading E. Gilbert's Eat, Pray, Love, for example. But I think we have to get past the notion that if something isn't explicitly "Christian" it must be straight from the pit -- not to say there isn't a place for discernment (in the Bible stacks as well).
so when can I borrow it????
Sounds like a great read!!!
cool. looking forward to the what comes next.
As the owner of a number of books on ancient and modern pagan religions, I'm the last person to get my theology in a twist over you reading that!
To go off at a complete tangent, though, I do have one gripe: how come nearly everyone on that side of the Atlantic seems to think Celtic means Irish? Don't the rest of us (Welsh, Cornish, Breton, Manx and Scottish) Celts get a look in?
Maria - I think what you said is important...that anything not inherently Christian is evil by default. I lived under this, in fear, for so many years. It's refreshing to hear someone else say it.
Donna - You'd probably love it. One to look for when you venture into the City (of books, that is) :) And, yes, you can borrow it as soon as I'm done!
Thanks Cindy.
Barry - I don't think Celtic is synonymous with Irish...I think Celtic is synonymous with Celtic.
But any further explanation you would care to offer would be welcome. I like my information to be accurate, for sure.
Hey Erin- very cool to see you taking on Xena like style, or is it more Valkyrie hehe I am getting to know people on the forum over at transmillennial/parousia very very cool place. I think Jesus final words before He died, *it is finished* really did have as much impact as they sound like, done with the old in with the new as far as relationship with God. Look forward to your coming posts.
It's just a minor bugbear of mine. Most times I've heard Americans talking abotu anything Celtic, they generally tend to assume that Irish culture, language and history is what is meant by Celtic. I'm as Celtic as any Irishman - I was born and raised in a Celtic country, to native parents, and I'm fluent in a Celtic language.
Nothing at all to do with your actual post, but there we are!
"Celtic" these days generally refers to the language, history and culture of the people of Wales, Cornwall, Brittany, Scotland, Ireland and the Isle of Man. I guess that because there are so many Irish-Americans the Irish background tends to receive more coverage over there.
I"m not familiar with that particular book. I look forward to hearing more about it in the future.
I completely identify with you reading some of it and putting it down - not being ready to process the new perspective yet. When I was finally ready to allow my mind to be open and not be concerned if it was evil or sinful to do so, I delved into lots of new topics that wound up very interesting and enlightening.
Robert - So are you a convinced preterist yet, for hanging around Transmillennial? Haha!
Yes it was finished, and I think people have been trying to unfinish it ever since. We think it really couldn't be that simple.
Barry - I think maybe just because Ireland is the largest nation it gets the most attention. But I've tried to understand it the way you explain it.
I'll be writing more, Jarred.
That's what I love about this place, Michelle...to have that freedom. But it takes time to shake the old fear, ya know?
Sounds good. Do you have Irish roots? I was just thinking about all this stuff last night, how drawn I am to the Celtic, and I guess some of that is because that is where my bloodlines lie.
You would so love my art therapist, Erin. She lives by the Celtic year and is often telling me bits and pieces about Celtic customs and stuff. Coolness.
Book sounds good. When I first read it I thought it said, "The Red Haired Girl From the Blog". Heh :) Look forward to hearing more :)
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