As an Australian Lithuanian,I follow the Romuvos Lithuanian Faith. Although now predominately Catholic, Lithuanians will always be the the first to inform people that they were the last Pagan country in Europe(officially 1385 but it really took a hundred years or more after this date for conversion to be semi complete but in reality Lithuanians have a very nice blend of the Pagan and the Catholic.In Lithuania,they still celebrate Summer Solstice in the Pagan tradition,it's even a public holiday, but now they call it St John the Baptist Day.
Romuvos Faith is an Indo European Pagan Faith,relative of Indian Hinduism and similar in many ways. Our Faith honours the cycles in Nature which were predicted by the Sun,Moon,Stars and planets.and believe that all of Nature is Sacred,Animate and Inanimate.
Unlike the Peoples of the Old European Faith who honoured the Spirits and Gods of Earth ,the Indo Europeans worshipped the Skies and the celestial bodies.Over centuries the religion and worldview of the Indo European tribes began to meld with the Old Europeans and as a result, many of their Gods and Goddesses became fused into the Indo European Faith.
Today in Lithuania there is a fairly lively debate as to whether the revival of Lithuanian Faith is Neo Pagan or Paleo Pagan,Whether Romuva is a new religion or a traditional religion with authenticity.I tend to believe that Lithuanians are Pagan in practice whether or not they identify as Romuviecai or Catholic so the debate is moot.Some traditions would have undoubtedly been lost or forgotten but the core Faith has never been completely lost.
A kin Pagan friend made me realise that most religions are both Neo and Paleo expressions of paganism.I tend to agree, as all religion and their traditions must constantly change in order to evolve and still remain relevant for the people of today.
I believe in the scientific law of Thermodynamics which state that Everything is made of energy,Energy can neither be created or destroyed,it can only change forms. A good scientific argument for reincarnation I think.Everything in nature of our universe,animate and inanimate (of course including us) is in a constant cycle of change. in order to maintain harmony with all that change requires more than just positive thinking and affirmations,it can be so difficult especially if the Fates decree that you must endure a cyclone,hurricane, flood,earthquake or bushfire. It requires a constant struggle as we strive to establish and re establish Harmony in our lives
The Romuvos Faith simply requires us to constantly strive for that harmony with in ourselves,with our community,with the Gods(Energies) of Nature of the the world and the universe. .Finally honour of our Ancestors is a very important feature in most annual Lithuanian calendar cerebrations.
I am not ignorant of science and when I see a shooting star,I do know scientifically the explanation for this phenomenon but I see it as the pre Catholic Lithuanians did and that is as an Aitvaras. An Aitvaras to Lithuanians was a demon or spirit that was believed to be a dragon with a flaming tale searching for a home to live in,when inside a house it's form would change to a black rooster with a flaming tale. There are some really nice legends about these Aitvarai (plural),returning money,food and goods but also bringing bad luck at times(if not appeased). You know that when I see a shooting star,I know what it is thanks to science but I choose to see it as Pagan Lithuanians,I see an Aitvaras and it's wonderful,magical and mysterious and so my world becomes that little bit more magical and mysterious. This is the worldview of the Pagan Lithuanians that I have chosen to connect myself with which helps me to the past,with my indigenous and ethnic heritage and the true magic of the universe.
Nature is magical!
Science has explained a lot about "How" Nature and the Universe works but will never be able to explain "Why" that clump of atoms is a Tree and this clump of atoms is me. Science explains well how a blade of grass grows using photosynthesis but not why. This knowledge is mystery and magic and by embracing nature I can truly connect with the Universe and tap into this magic in a way that is hard to explain.The best word I can find right now is simply "Connectedness".
I hope you enjoyed this blog and may even tempt you to comment! ;) be the first! .
Steve
No comments:
Post a Comment