What I Believe

Over the weekend, I participated in an event that got me thinking about who and what I am. For those of you who read on a regular basis, you know my policy on revealing specifics, so lets just say that those who were there will know what I'm talking about. As for the thinking, it was essentially about my spirituality.

I normally don't discuss my beliefs openly as I'm rather fiercely protective of my faith. I don't like drawing unwanted attention from those who might see my faith as an affront to their own, and  might decide they want to harass me or those close to me because of it. On the other side of this however, I'm starting to realize that by hiding myself from the world, I've also prevented myself from expressing myself in the manner I should be. Granted, this does not mean I'm going to go up to any random Tom, Dick, or Harry on the street and tell proceed to explain my faith to them. I have slightly better sense than that. But since the majority of you who read my blog are those who are family, or who I come close to considering family, I feel safe in sharing my beliefs here. So, in an effort to shed some light on myself, here are my beliefs.

Deities:
I personally believe that there are a whole host of gods and goddesses out there. Not simply those of the old pantheons, but native gods, as well as those of the Christians, Jews, and Muslims. That isn't to say that they coexist peacefully of course. After all, when you have one god telling his people that no others exist, it's bound to create tension. I know and am friends with people who follow a wide variety of these deities, and have no problem with it whatsoever.

My deities, however, seem to be none of the above. When I speak to them, they always appear the same way. I will be kneeling on a stone floor in what appears to be an ancient stone hall. On a raised dais, and arranged in a semi-circle before me stand the gods and goddesses whom I serve. They have no faces, and don't speak, but I know they hear me. I don't know their names, so don't ask. I only know that they are my gods, and that they have set my purpose.

Purpose:
I don't know my purpose specifically. Then again, who does? What I do know is that my gods created me with a purpose, and I believe it to be one of guidance and protection. For whom? The gods don't tell me. They only guide me to where I need to be and trust that the gifts they've given me will help me to fulfill my purpose.

Afterlife:
My spirit, my purpose is eternal. When I die, my gods will either pass my spirit on to another form to continue with the tasks they have given me, or they will keep me with them because I am not specifically needed just then. I know that, eventually the time will come when I will no longer be needed in this world, and they will allow me an eternal rest. Only they know when this will be. Until then, I am ever their servant.

Balance:
This is something that is of particular importance to me. Perhaps this was instilled in me by my gods to help me perform my duties. Perhaps it was this trait which caused them to choose me for this purpose. Either way, balance is important to me. When I hear someone speaking out against sometjing, or someone else, I can't simply rush to judgement. I have to hear the other side first. Even when I make a decision for myself, I have to look at all sides. It can be infuriating sometimes because, in some cases both sides are valid, and so choosing one is not as simple as having a good choice and a bad choice. But that is on a small scale.

On the larger scale, I believe that the model of balance shown by two cups hanging evenly is far too simple to the point of being invalid. When I think of balance on the larger scale (no pun intended) I see a scale with uncounted arms radiating out froma central point, each with uncounted arms of their own. The arms are of varying length and size, as are the cups of varying size and depth. If something happens to one of those cups, it affects all others to varying degrees.

Spirits, etc.: I do believe in spirits, the fae, elements, and all the other innumerable beings out there. As the bumper sticker on my truck used to read, just because you can't see it, doesn't mean it isn't there.

There you have it. My beliefs in a nutshell. Hopefully it will help thse of you who care to understand me a bit better. Should you have questions, you know how to reach me. Comments are welcome. Closed minded flames will be deleted.