Hi again to my readers! I hope my thoughts of Romuva Down Under have been an inspiration to my followers, thus far, and that your internal flame shines brighter as a result of this blog and your own journey. It's been a long time between posts but lie happens and it doesn't always time to write so please excuse my absence.
The following is a reflection that I have when I consider my own worldview, and I believe, perhaps this is also how my Lithuanian ancestors would have seen the world around them. Some descriptions of the Deities are just a sentence long, others longer, but all aspects are just as important in my worldveiw
I use the diminutive form of some of the deity names to denote my affection and endearment for them. So, for example: Zemyna (Earth Goddess) is referred to as Zemynele (Dear Goddess Earth). Other examples include: Ausra-Ausrine, Saule-Saulele
When I reflect on the accomplishments of my life,I think of my white privelege and the hand that the Goddesses of Fate, Laima,Dekla and Karta, have payed in my successes and failures. I see my life as a colourfully woven. Every twist and curve is thanks to the Goddesses of fate.
When I see the magnificent Sunrise or sunset, I think of the Goddess Saulele and how she loves me as a Mother. The Sun Goddess feeds us by growing our crops to feed us all and she rises everyday without fail to warm with her amber rays after a long,cold night.
When I am in the bush or forest, I think of the Godddess Medeina. I am astounded by all the creatures that she houses and protects in total balance and harmony.
When I see a magestic tree, I thank it for teaching me so many lessons about bending in the wind without breaking, weathering a storm and the connectedness of the cosmic world Tree. Just to name a few lessons that Trees have taught me over the years.
When I see the Moon, I think of the God Menulis and his influence in my life.
When I feel the wind on my face, I am reminded of Vejopatis and his power to transform even the hardest rock.
When I see Fire, I am reminded of the Fire of the atmospheric God Perkunas,the Earthly Fire of the Goddess Gabija, the Cosmic Fire of the Goddess Saulele and all her sister Stars. I am also reminde that Fire is a gateway to the other realms where I may make contact with my deaities and ancestors.
When I fondly look around me at my home, I am reminded of my own household Spirits who have made this house, a home.
When I see and hear the Thunder and flashes of lightning, I think of the mightiest God, God Perkunas. All my questions are answered in his rumblings. I think of the Lithuanian folktales of the God Perkunas. Fantastic tales of the God Perkunas travelling across the dark skies in a charot drawn by black goats. Wheels loudly rumble as Perkunas throws lightning at God Velnias to punish him for kidnapping Perkunas betrothed, the Rainbow Fairy.
I mark my Thursdays with lighting a Fire in honour of the God Perkunas and I am not remiss to remember some of the other Deities on certain days. I chant to the rising Sun,(Saulele), daily and sing a song to her on SUNdays. On Mondays,(MOONday), I find the Moon (Menulis) in the sky and say a prayer to him depending on the pse of the Moon. On Fridays, I remember Ausrine and Vakarine. One in the same, Goddess Venus and the most beautiful of all the daughters. I spend some time in contemplation. Recentering/reEarthing,rebalancing and harmonising myself as a caretaker. One recent revelation was that just as Ausrine and Vakarine are caretakera of their Mother the Sun Goddess just as I am caretaker of Zemynele and all her nature. I feel her love and wish to make her feel the same.
There are many of thetraditional Lithuanian Deities withwhom I connect with daily and this piece of writing represents just a handful.I have excluded the many Aboriginal,"Spirits of Place", who live in various places in Australia. They have made their precense known to me at times. I respect sacred Aboriginal places and don't seek them out unless invited. I really don't think that it's appropriate to do a sacred Fire Rite in an Aboriginal sacred place. I believe that others sacred places should always be respected and I try to be a good Ally while expressing my Baltic/Lithuanian faith. I hope this blog has displayed what it means to be a Animist and Pantheist just as my Lithuanian ancestors.
