Paganistan: Notes from the Secret Commonwealth

In Which One Midwest Man-in-Black Confers, Converses & Otherwise Hob-Nobs with his Fellow Hob-Men (& -Women) Concerning the Sundry Ways of the Famed but Ill-Starred Tribe of Witches.

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Have You Spoken With the Sun Lately?

 

 

Have you spoken with the Sun lately?

Have you said “thanks” recently for his goodly (and godly) gift of light? Of warmth? Have you thanked him for your very life?

If not, why not? Are you in the habit of taking gifts for granted?

(Of course, one might just as readily say “her” here; the Sun is a star and, as such, an ungendered being; or maybe “pangendered” would be better. But we, as humans, gendered beings ourselves, are—as ever—wont to project. He or she is not the point here; you is the point.)

Me, I speak to the Sun every day, individual to individual: when I can, at least. (Alas, it looks as if today, I may not get the opportunity. Historically, December is Minnesota's cloudiest month.) When first I see the Sun in the morning, I kiss my hand and greet him. I thank him; I tell him that I love him. (“Love to you, my Pahh.” ) When he nears the western horizon, I bid good-night, farewell, See you in the morning, kissing again my hand.

(Similarly, I also daily greet the Winds, the Moon, the River...the pagan's day—and life—is filled with gods.)

Does he hear me when I do this? No, probably not. But that obviates neither the relationship, nor the responsibly. The Sun burns in self-sacrificial love; this is his nature. We say “thank you” and “I love you”: this is ours.

What are we, we living beings? Are we not minerals and energy, minerals-in-motion? One from the Sun, the other from Earth. Truly, in the most literal way possible, we are sunlight and soil, children of Earth and Sun.

In us, they see, and think, and understand. In us, they know love and thanks. This is our “why.” Is this not a wonder?

Humans, we speak in words, and dance. Gods speak in what they do, and are.

Soon comes the Yule of the year. Now, we speak to the Sun on our own recognizance, one on one.

Then, we will do so together.

If you haven't recently, speak to the Sun. Thank him for his gifts.

Tell him that you love him.

 

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Poet, scholar and storyteller Steven Posch was raised in the hardwood forests of western Pennsylvania by white-tailed deer. (That's the story, anyway.) He emigrated to Paganistan in 1979 and by sheer dint of personality has become one of Lake Country's foremost men-in-black. He is current keeper of the Minnesota Ooser.

Comments

  • John Zelasko
    John Zelasko Friday, 10 December 2021

    Hello Steven, and deep thanks for the many posts you've written that I have valued but never commented on. This is my first post, although I joined almost 4 years ago. I'll do better.

    Honouring the consciousness and physical presence of the solar deity was a must for me, especially as a horticulturist. I created a shrine for the solar deity on the eastern wall of my home decades ago, and have a brass wall plaque of the sun (Surya) encircled by the zodiacal symbols of the constellations. On my shrine I have gold coloured rocks and minerals (citrine, pyrite, etc.), as well as gold and amber glass votive candle holders, and brass diya oil lamps from India. Although I honour the solar deity daily at my shrine, Sunday is of course a special day. Being an eclectic Pagan, I burn the incenses and essential oils associated with the sun in western occult traditions (cinnamon, frankincense, cloves, copal and others), but my chant/mantra is in Sanskrit to Surya. Surya means sun god or solar deity in Sanskrit.

    Off topic, I have several shrines in my dwelling very important to me. One is Kemetic, another honours 6 deities of Sanatana Dharma ("Hinduism"), and one is exclusively for Lord Cernunnos. How is that for diversity? This might drive some Pagans crazy, especially the re-constructionists - but my home is MY temple and not theirs. I have been on this path for over 60 years and I am quite progressive and content with it.

    Again, thank you for your many contributions, Steven.
    John

  • Steven Posch
    Steven Posch Sunday, 12 December 2021

    You're more than welcome, John, and my respectful obeisances at the shrine of Surya, in all its varied richness.

    Re. off topic: Most of us these days are mutts, and that's just fine with me. In the end, purism is its own punishment.

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