Questions to an Australian Romuvis

The following questions were put to me over the last few years and were answered in the most honest way that I could as a Romuvis, an adherent of the old Baltic faith.
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How do you move through the tough times in your life?

- with Courage,optimism and faith.

How do you use your Spiritual belief to give you strength?
-Trust and Faith in the wisdom of Goddess Laima,Baltic Goddess of fate. Our life is like a beautifully woven sash of many colours. For every twist and curve in life, is thanks to her! 

What do you think is the best thing for a person in a hard situation to do?
-visit a hospital, Nursing Home or People with Disabilities to realise that your allotment is not really so bad and you really can endure this rough patch. I think it's only when you travel to other countries less fortunate that you really realise how lucky you are!

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Most of us know the Christian virtues, do you think we should aim for the same or do we have our own, "rules of conduct", that we strive for, in our own lives?
What do you believe to be Pagan/Earthling virtues?

"Courage", is a very good virtue to have as a Pagan/Earthling,Lithuanian Pagans were fierce warriors where courage was a national virtue. All Men and women were trained as warriors and to die in battle against invaders or crusaders, made you a hero, and was an honour.
In this day and age, Courage, is still an important virtue to have. Courage to face challenges in life and courage to explore the Self! Courage is a good virtue to have! 

A list of Pagan/Earthling virtues are:
-Accountability(to Earth Mother,Animals,plants and people)
-Honesty
-Compassion
-Open mindfullness/Receptiveness
-Courage

- Humility and Service are good virtues to have,
-Karmic awareness.
-Patience

All these virtues are from my own personal perspective as we don't have one sacred text to dictate to us on right living and conduct. Personally, I think is a good thing and quite liberating really. Too many times, I've seen Pagans and non Pagans who have over inflated egos and self serving validating their actions with interpretations of their own sacred texts.

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What are your thoughts on practicing magick of a culture from doesn't which come your own bloodline?
Should only people with Egyptian blood follow the Kemetic path, for example?

I agree that we are all drawn to the indigenous paths of our cultural ancestry and also our past life cultural ancestry which can sometimes complicate things. I also believe that people of a different ancestry is welcome to practise anothers path but respect must always be given and not to try to bastardise what is, a beautiful treasure of customs. Romuva for example, welcome any non Lithuanians to participate in their rites but insist on keeping their customs pure and not mixing their customs with others in a way that the tradition gets lost. For example, I would never try to mix Wicca with Romuva but I feel fine about participating in Wiccan customs but would never try to mix Romuva into Wiccan customs out of respect for my faith and the request from my high Priest.

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What is it, do you think, that makes some (seemingly good) people, attract much more bad luck than others?

The Romuvos perspective is that we were born with our own unique sash, spun and woven for us by Laima and her two sisters, the Goddesses of fate. Dekla spins the thread, Laima weaves the thread and Giltine cuts the thread. In Lithuanian mythology, Giltine is a kind of female grim reaper. She comes for you when your thread is due to run out and escorts you to Dausos,Paradise,Sumerlands. But She is another topic! Some have more colours and some have more twists and curves in their sash. There is no rational explanation why I was born in Australia and not in third world Africa,no explanation why some people seem to be more "lucky" in life. It is just our share or allotment given us, that determines the ease or difficulty of our life.

It's not to say that our share cannot be increased or decreased at any time through common Pagan beliefs held in the guise of superstition. For example: In Lithuania,when the Cuckoo is heard for the first time of the year, (generally early Spring/late Winter), a person will check themselves. If they have money in their pockets,they will have money all year. If they are working hard then it will be a year of working hard. If they've just woken up, they will be lazy that year, and if they're eating, it will be a year of plentiful food.etc
Within this superstitious custom people practice a form of sympathetic magic that can be used to increase your fortune or luck for the year.

I practice this custom here in Australia, but where I live, the herald of Spring, fate and fortune, is the Pheasant Coukal. Her call signifies the start of Spring and warmer weather.When I anticipate her call, I also ensure that I have money in my pockets and my heart is light.

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How do you define the terms, Pagan/Neopagan?

There are many umbrella terms like this. eg Christian and Moslem.
The word,"Pagan",once a derogatory term, is now used as an umbrella term for people who believe in the sacredness of nature animate, inanimate and all life who rely on her to exist. It is generally believed that we need the ecosystem more than She needs us and concerns of ecology, in some form, is a common trait.
There is a definite need in the Pagan community to understand the myriad of denominations,(so to speak) of the Pagan faith. Only then can we, respectfully, embrace each other and their unique paths.

Just to make you think,I believe there are many people who practice witchcraft and don't necessarily identify with any other Pagan traits. Witchcraft and spellcraft, was a form of folklore that was practiced by a relatively small number of people in the community so there are many Pagan people who do not practise magic. Many Pagan people are simply living magic everyday.

I believe for myself that, a Pagan is defined as a person who is deeply and spiritually connected with Nature and Her many cycles. Lunar,seasonal,life through to death and to life again!

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"As Above, So Below."
What does this mean to you?
Do you believe this statement in your spiritual belief?
Are there any examples that you can give? 

Macrocosm within the Microcosm. My Pentacle is unique and had to have a jeweller make it to my specifications. It is the hexagram overlayed and within the Pentacle. So many jewellers told me it was impossible geometrically but I found who was able to make it perfectly!

A river delta, capillary veins of a leaf are a reflection of our own circulatory system.
The model of the solar system is the same idea of the atom which is the foundation of all life, animate and inanimate.
As above as below, even science demonstrates such an old philosophy!

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Do you worship Gods/Godesses?

As a Romuvis, we do not worship our Gods/Goddesses but honour them along with the Ancestors. We give them offerings and ask for their blessings with an understanding that we be favoured for favouring them. They are not seen as our superiors but our much loved brothers,Sisters, Mothers, Fathers, Aunts, Uncles and Grandparents, who can foster strife or harmony, depending on how you treat them. Laima, Goddess of Fate, also has alot to do with what luck and which lessons we have, so it's not all based on honour.
Just a perspective from a devout Romuvis.

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What do you believe concerning spell casting to affect weather and manipulating energy to the benefit of yourself?

My first lesson in magic was a warning against the Ego taking over which is easy when you realise that all the universal powers are contained with in. True magic happens when u let go of your control and let the universe do what it needs to do. Through humility, in my experience, life just falls into place without much effort at all!

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What do you believe about new years resolutions? Do you make any?

To me, every Sunrise and Moonrise is good for a new resolution! Mostly, mine is not to procrastinate on life and living, because I may never get the opportunity again!

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Do you do anything magical on a daily basis?

Oh yes! I sing my chants to Saule, the Sun Mother, in the mornings and honour her when she sets! The Sunrise and Sunset, is always a magical time to meditate, do spell work, or just give gratitude for another day!

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What are your thoughts on labels, names and terms, and what do you refer to your practices as?


We can be all placed in the Neo pagan umbrella but to really say who we are in this 1st world, I would prefer to use the term:
M.A.I.E.T.s. (Modern Adherents of Indigenous Earth Traditions), pronounced as MATES and similar in meaning.

We're at MAIETs from different denominations!

It is a descriptive label that defines us as a people in this modern age that may separate us from all other historically derogatory connotations of the word, "Pagan and Witch"

I don't believe that in the old world, there was anyone who really purely practices spell work only without having a Pagan outlook and lifestyle?
As a Romuvis,(a denomination that few in the western world has even heard of), we practice spellwork at certain times of need and practice community-based sympathetic magic at seasonal moments in the year to promote good harvest, contact with Ancestors, find luck, health, wealth and good fortune for the next cycle, etc There are certain people who do healings, curses and incantations as a lifestyle choice or career. We would call them Witches but in a Pagan country, we cannot say that everyone is a Witch but only practice witchcraft occasionally.

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Who is your patron god/dess and why?

I have many patron Gods and Goddesses, thinking about it, I can't really choose just one who guides and inspires me more than another. I have a whole family of Mothers, Fathers and Aunts, who guide me everyday. There are a few Deities who seem to have more influence in my conscious life and they are:
*Austeja,Bee Goddess is very important in my life for many reasons. Austeja sends her little Goddess Bees to pollinate the flowers of food crops around the world and in my own vege patch too. These Goddess Bees pollinate many flowers which maintain the continuation of nature in all her diversity which in turn, nurtures over all harmony on the Earth.
*Laima, Goddess of Fate guides me through life's ups and downs,weaving me a beautiful sash. It is to her whom I give thanks for every twist and curve in my life.
*Saule, Mother Sun, warms me daily and is reliable like a Mother. She constantly takes my breath when I see beautiful sunsets and sunrises.
*Perkunas, the Thunderer. He gives me strength, courage, power and might, especially when I hear the rumble of his chariot wheels as he crosses the skies. Many times he has guided me and encouraged me in my life. I feel that I can seek  his counsel in thunder storms. The sound of his axe or the rumble of his wheels, tells me the answers to my questions which I recieve intuitively. Perkunas always gives me a moral sense of right living which always leads to harmony within my own life.
*Praamzius,God of Eternity. Hi name literally means, "from before eternity, during eternity and beyond eternity". He reminds me of my place in the Universe.
*Zemyna,Goddess of Earth, is always with me. She nurtures and sustains me everyday.

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Do you celebrate Christmas?

Christmas is fine by me,as a family celebration and I like that most people wish each other peace,merriment and goodwill to all. I like the sentiments, even though it's not celebrated in the correct season in Australia. It is easy to avoid the ugly materialism Christmas brings when you don't have kids, which, is an evil perversion of the celebration. Good will should be an all year thing! I'd never get tired of that!

I embrace any seasonal ritual that includes blessing people for no reason at all! eg wishing people Happy xmas,easter,bEarthday,Yule,Solstice etc Peace and Goodwill on Earth I say at any special time of the year! I do however refuse my Muggle partner to decorate our house as a Winter wonderland in the middle of Summer! The Tree gets erected twice a year and everyone's happy!

Xmas has become very big in the secular world and people wish others a happy christmas without a thought or care to the Christian religious significance! That's great, because they're still blessing people instead of harming!
another answer"

I do buy presents for loved ones and family to join in the spirit of love and good tidings. I even allow the muggles in my home to erect the Xmas tree in my home! hehehe Of course as a Pagan I celebrate the Sventes/Sabbats seasonally appropriate. One of the tenets of Romuva is to constantly strive for Darna(Harmony) within yourself, within you r community, with your Gods and Goddesses and with your Ancestors. This is my way to be in harmony with my community. I give out sweets when Belloween (Beltaine/Halloween), when kids in costume knock on my door . Personally, I enjoy any season that promotes blessings of happiness, good will and peace on Earth, so to be in harmony with my community, I do make concessions although I refuse to make my home look like a Winter wonderland and I don't go carolling! lol I also enjoy the religious tolerance we have here in Australia! I love partaking in the food music and dance of Hanukah, Divali, end of Ramadan feasts etc I don't believe it requires a belief in their faith or get into the politics of religion. I merely enjoy the essence or sentiment of the celebration and a sense of community spirit.
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if you could tell the world one thing what would it be?

All Life is sacred, treasure and nurture her, like it was your own Mother! Look after this divine spark called Life, and she will look after you! This is true connectedness!
Don't fear Armageddon because when Mother Earth shifts so will you!
I know you only asked for 1 thing but once I start I have such passion that I can't stop heralding some of the wisdom that I have found!

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Are there any Sabbats or Sventes in the Baltic Lithuanian Calendar that you personally chose not to celebrate, or that you are less enthused by, and why?

I celebrate the Sabbats (or Sventes as we call them in Lithuanian). Same sentiment but different customs and terminology! Baltic Lithuanian Sventes are foreign to most Australian Pagans and Witches. I have organised many over the last several years, with a view to enriching the experience and understanding of my local Pagan community (Australia wide). Alas, I have not found many with the same enthusiasm to celebrate as myself. Many people give definite confirmations of participation but always seem to have an excuse not to attend. I get it that the Baltic way may be foreign to most but hey we're still celebrating the same thing!

Mind you, I have to say that I've had slightly more participation in Velines aka Samhain. I guess it just appeals to people to honour the ancestors by lighting candles on all the graves and having a picnic in the cemetery. It truly is a beautiful sight to behold to see the cemetery at night, lit up by candles!
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What is the view of purity, chastity and innocence in Romuva and Lithuanian culture? Is it necessary to be virginal and pure to practice magic in Romuva?

Lithuanian culture is very focused on marriage and promiscuity is actually encouraged at the time of Summer Solstice (Rasa/Dew) festival. Couples go into the forest at midnight to look for the fern that flowers which I believe to be an excuse to fornicate because the number of children conceived on Solstice night promised a good harvest that year!

Motherhood was always an honoured role in Lithuanian life.

The Maiden was beauty, innocence and frivolity!

in saying this, true magic is in the journey from from Maiden to Mother to Crone! and Knave to Knight to King for us guys. Life in these stages of life is a magical journey and each has to be experienced in its fullness for true magic to happen!

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What do you think of the premise of Deities having physical forms?
What qualities of your Deity do YOU encapsulate?

The Gods and the Goddesses exist in the physical realm and express themselves as Sunshine, Rain, Ocean, Rivers and tides that flow with Moonshine. I don't see them as human in form in my own mind but still a very palpable Force/Presence.
I just try to connect with these forces of nature in many ways. I think I am guided by them to live as I should, by looking to nature and seeing many of the answers to my questions in life. I believe that if I support nature by actively participating in agriculture and Bee-ology so she continues to support me and my family!

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1. Would you describe Romuva as an indigenous European tradition? Why?

2. What role have folk ways and traditions played in reviving Romuva in the modern world? What's the difference in this context between a folk way and a religion/spirituality?

3. Is Romuva better described as a reconstruction, or a revival of a complete and unbroken tradition? What, if anything, is missing as a result of Christian (and Soviet) occupation?

1. Romuva can be described as an Indigenous tradition of the Baltic peoples and more specific to Lithuanian people. It is described as an Indo European way of life because it is a blend of the Old European beliefs with those of the Indo tribes who migrated to the Baltic shores many centuries ago, no one really knows when.The name "Romuva" is derived from the Prussian temple in an old Oak Tree.

2. Many Lithuanians are returning to the old ways and it really does seem like an easy step because even the Lithuanian Catholic customs are still more traditional pagan than Catholic.

 Lithuanian traditions and customs can be considered as folk ways because it has been an intrinsic in their way of life. One of the definitions of Religion- something that you do on a regular basis. So Lithuanians have traditionally been very religious and by celebrating many of their Pagan festivals as a community and I believe, that by doing this, they have achieved a system of festivals that encourages a type of earth based spirituality that leads to a connectedness with the energies residing in the many realms within our universe. So in saying this there is a very little distinguishable difference between folkways and spirituality because the folkways lead to a uniquely Baltic spirituality. 

3. I believe that Romuva is a revival of a complete tradition although it was interrupted by Catholic conversions around 1410 but the pagan customs were adopted and renamed. The customs still remain the same as pre 1410. Even during Soviet occupation, all religion was banned but people still practiced their own faith in secrecy, even in the labor camps. People like Vydunas and Domas Šidlauskas-Visuomis were both instrumental in reviving the modern movement. Some dates have been confused because of the changes from the Gregorian calendar to Julian calendar and back again but, to my knowledge, most of the customs remain largely intact.
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What is the oldest recorded Romuva tradition?

The first record of Lithuania was n 1009 when Lithuanians first entered the history books when it was reported that Christian missionaries had been killed and thrown into a river. Since then, various chroniclers have recorded Lithuanian customs and Deities ( some were not so accurate). There are no records by Lithuanians themselves, before 1911 because Lithuanians did not trust anything in writing after reading many lies written by the Vatican for almost 300 years where they kept declaring Lithuania as part of the Holy Roman Empire! People never used written contracts and agreements were made with a handshake. Lithuanians, like many other indigenous people, passed down their traditions by word of mouth. Pagan practices were still quite common in the early 20th century and realising that these customs could be lost forever, many teams of ethnographers scoured the country to collect and collate many thousands of folk tales, songs and customs which are still in libraries today.

Archaeologists in Lithuania have discovered many artifacts that show the pagan Baltic customs developed from the Paleolithic (11th-9th millennium BC) period. That's a long time ago.

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While the Norse have elves What do you call your nature spirits?

Good question, but not a short answer. Kaukai and Nykstukai are Gnome like nature spirits. Laumes are Fairies and there are lots of different types of Fairies. For example there are Fairies of the rainbow, Spinning Fairies and Fairies who look after babies and children. Barstukas is a troll like spirit who is responsible for knotted hair.

Ezerinis is a Spirit of lakes. Upinis is a spirit of rivers. Mokas is a spirit of stone that is able to teach people. There are also numerous Spirits of the Fields, household Spirit and Spirits of the homestead.

These are just a few of Lithuanian nature Spirits. There are many many more. It really does take a long time to get to know them all!

I believe that alot of these Spirits exist in local areas of Lithuania and have greatest influence there because they have long been honoured with many tales and songs. In Australia, there are many Spirits of the Aboriginal Dreaming are Spirits of our land, on our part of the Mother Earth where we live.I believe that we have many unique Spirits of land who have been honoured for such a long time by the Aboriginal people and their ancestors, and so have real influence here in the sacred places of Australia. 
For example: When I open my Spirit and mind when in the sacred places of the bush, I really feel that I can sense them in a very real way.
I really feel the Rainbow Serpent when I visit rivers, I see his form in the mist of a waterfall and he has been my guide in many a tough time. 

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White Sophia asks," How is your tradition passed on/passed down? Is it formal or informal?"

There are 2 answers that I can give you.

In the distant past, I really haven't come across any information of initiation in the distant past Romuva was always considered a way of life and not a religion as such. There was even confusion when missionaries came to try to change their religion! If anything, Lithuanians saw this as an unwelcome change to their traditional way of life and not a change in religion. I believe, in the past, people would've simply learnt how to live by their parents.
Picture the Mother spinning with a spinning wheel on the porch, with children at her feet, secretly teaching language, folk tales and songs. That was the common way of teaching the old traditions and customs, in times of occupation.
In modern times Romuva has become a little more formalised for people who want to dedicate themselves to the path of Romuva. Jonas Trinkunas is a democratically nominated as high priest of Romuva in Lithuania, we call him Krivis. He holds a special ceremony on top of a sacred castle mount near Moletai in Lithuania at Jore (a Svente similar to Beltaine.) People who wish to dedicate themselves are given a piece of jewelry that is a reproduction from finds in archaeological digs. It is commonly a brooch of some kind. 
I hope this answers your question! :)

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In your tradition do you name children after Gods and Goddesses? Do you believe that these people will be embured with the power of that deity because of their namesake?

I can only speak about Lithuanians here. As the last Pagans in Europe, people still carry love of the Gods and Goddesses in their names and Souls. For instance many girls are Named:
Laima- Happiness/Goddess of Fate
Milda- Goddess of love,
Vaivorykste- Rainbow,
Ausra- Dawn/morning Star/Venus,
Saule- Goddess of the Sun,
Zemyna- Goddess of Earth,
Jurate- Mermaid Goddess of the Sea,
Birute- Beautiful flower,etc

typical boys first names:
Audra- Storm,
Girous- Forest,
Gintaras- Amber,
Kestutis,Vytautas,Gedminas- Names of Pagan Kings and heroes of Lithuania,

Surnames are also Pagan and some are quite funny,eg Mr and Mrs Potato/Beetroot/Christmas(Pagan)etc

I personally don't mind the idea of being named after the Gods and Goddesses. I think that your namesake can become your patron Deity.

I was quite embarrassed to be Kryzius,(Cross), when I thought it reffered to a crucifix. My surname would even confuse many Lithuanians because it sounds Christian.Then I discovered through research that there are many pagan Lithuanian Crosses. There's the Thunder Cross, Fire Cross, Sun Cross, and in western Lithuania where my family come from), the Laumes Kyryzius,Fairy Cross was known as the FIVE POINTED STAR, ie pentagram.
Now, I am very proud of my strong Pagan name!I do believe that having a powerful name would influence you in many ways.
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Do the deities change over time? Are they different in character than they were in our ancestors times?

For me,the animistic nature of my Lithuanian Gods and Goddesses aren't over complicated with sagas and myths. The Deity's personalities that can be gleaned through the wealth of Archeology,Folktales,chants and songs. We can fathom some of the aspects of the Deities personality held in the hearts and minds of the Old Pagans. This has taught me so much of the cultural relevence of the various Deities,that I can really connect with the worldview of the Old Pagans.

Just one example is Saule, Sun Mother. She rises everyday. She is reliable and dependable,unlike the Moon God, who disappears from the scene,for a few days, each month. The Sun gives me warmth on cold Winter days, She makes the crops grow,nourishing and sustaining all life. The relationship can be established through historical research,(you;re right Tom!). So much more can be learnt through personal experience with the Deity.

There's so many for us to discover and make part of your life so long as they are relevant to you,"In the Now", Deities come to you whether by profession or passion. eg Sun, Moon,Wind, Rain,Fire,Trees,Bees,Flax,Thunder,Rock,etc
Deities come and go in your life, depending on your needs that help you to connect with the World of Nature, around you.

In my Faith the Deities are always in a state of change. At times benevolent and at times malevolent,much depending on how we treat them. eg blowing nuclear bombs in the Earth's crust causes Mother Earth to backlash with more Earthquakes and Tsunamis.

In short, I don't think that the Deities change much from historical and cultural accounts only our personal experience with them.
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Paganism often stresses the importance of the feminine, sometimes to the exclusion of the masculine. So it's fairly easy to determine what some of its drawing power is for women, but what about the men? Why were you drawn to this path? What do you feel Paganism can provide you that other religions can't as a man?

For myself ,being Lithuanian,Pagan spirit has always been part of my soul even as a child. My faith in the Gods/Goddesses and Spirits has always been a very tangible part of me. I believe that we were all pagan way back when and those peoples who were more recently converted to foreign faith feel their pagan heritage more strongly,but I believe that all men and women have genetic memory of these times and so paganism just feels right. Unfortunately Neofeminism has risen up in the honour of the divine feminine which, I believe, is a very unbalanced view of a true pagan worldview,which identified with both divine genders and all life.
I tend to believe in many of Marija Gimbutas theories that she had about many of her archaeological findings across Europe.She believed that the Old Europeans were Goddess and when the Aistian peoples settled on the shores of the Baltic, they brought with them many Gods which didn't replace but supplement the Goddess tradition of Europe. I like this historical assimilation of the Aistians who are now known as Indo Europeans.
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What does the Serpent mean to you? How does this creature manifest to you, and how do you work with it?

Snake has so many spheres of influence in my life. As an Australian,I freeze as my blood runs cold when I see one,especially a venomous Snake. I have a healthy respect for them in their domain.
In Lithuania,the Snake,is called Zaltys=grass Snake and Gyvate=Snake.The word shares the root of the word for,"living and life",Snakes in Lithuania are non venomous.The Snake is considered to be sacred and the cult of Snakes was quite widespread throughout the country.

A Snake was found to live under the hearth in the home and would participate in certain rituals.One such ritual is where the snake was beckoned to the feast table where he would sample some of the dishes. The dishes sampled had magical power and everyone in the family then ate.

Lithuanians love Snakes and were known to attempt to dissuade new comers to the country who would want to hurt a Snake, when found to be sucking milk from a cows udder,if pleading didn't work, they were recorded in history,to grab Snake and run away.

Snakes are stewards of the Sun, (probably because they are often found basking in the Sun), they also feature on Springtime Easter eggs, known as marguciai.Snakes are messengers of the Souls of the underworld and would travel between the realms.

In Baltic Faith, the Sun is one of our Goddesses and Snakes are assigned both male and female. In the story of the young maiden named Egle who became Queen of Serpents after she married the King of the Serpents.

Philosophically,Snakes return to the Underworld often and so relate to death and Ancestors also Life and the living.Many Snakes also lay eggs!
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What influence does a persons name have in life? Does your name mean anything to you and your spiritual path?

When I was 3 my father changed our family name to "Keating",to be seen as more Australian and so us kids would not have to go through the same racism that he did as a child refugee.It wasn't until I had reached 16 years that I realised that my name wasn't really Keating. It was quite funny actually! For some reason when I was 16, I realised that Nanna and Pop spoke with a funny accent and thought that they must be WOGS! It took me 2 seconds to put 2 and 2 together and realised with quite a shock that I too was a WOG.

Although Nanna was Catholic,the very first thing that she proudly explained was that we were the last Pagans in Europe. Something inside just clicked! I realised why as a kid, I admired Nature so much,gazed at the Stars and loved animals so much. I could never understand why other kids my age were more interested in matchbox cars and tonka trucks and it was at that time that the penny dropped.It was then that I understood why I felt different to other kids. Nanna explained that our surname was a very old Lithuanian name that even most Lithuanians don't recognise and it meant "Cross".

It took a few years later to realise that the Cross my name referred to wasn't the crucifix but the many Pagan crosses of Lithuania. Snake cross Thunder Cross, Sun/Fire Cross, and in western Lithuania where my family come fom the "Fairy cross" was known as the 5 pointed star! I was overjoyed to make the realisation that it wasn't a Christian thing. Since changing my name back,I have become more grounded and really reconnected to the traditional faith of my ancestors.

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What is the difference between instinct and intuition to you?

My understandings were taught to me by study with Brahma Kumaris who believe that there are 5 types of thoughts:

-Wasteful/unnecessary thoughts (=worry thoughts about what happened last week and what might happen next week)
-Necessary thoughts =planning/constructive thoughts
-Positive and negative thoughts need no explanation,
and finally the inspirational thoughts from the Guides and higher Self. Those times when you get the urge to do something and don't know why, like when you have the urge to call a friend who happens to be in need or crisis.

Theses are the 5 types of thoughts as taught by BK and I believe that the 5th kind of thought is where much of our Intuition comes from and Instinct is a primal ability with which, many people have lost touch. When an animal gets stressed, they instinctively react to either ,fight or flight but many humans tolerate stress over a long time which can negatively affect mental and physical health. The ability to react in the "now" which is instinct for all beings in the plant and animal kingdoms,except modern man.
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If you could tell the world one thing what would it be?

All Life is sacred, treasure and nurture her, like it was your own Mother! Look after this divine spark called Life, and she will look after you! This is true connectedness!
Don't fear Armageddon because when she shifts so will you!
I know you only asked for 1 thing but once I start I have such passion that I can't stop heralding some of the wisdom that I have found!