Saturn or Pluto), or seasons (Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter) might be represented in some way. The wood should be nearest to the size of their palm or foot. A fourth can hold a cup of Water to the West -- if you're fortunate enough to hold your ritual near an ocean or river, use that to represent Water. Traditions from both . We'll help you get your affairs in order and make sure nothing is left out. E-mal:. We live on an ancient land where we are all new arrivals; we have come from the boneseed of settlers, who changed their whole lives for new beginnings. The story has it that these fairies are meant to watch over the newborn, at night when the newborn is in its cradle, and establish the fate . Others choose periwinkle, a nod to past meetings, while some take irises for respect and honor. A pagan funeral may include a ceremony or ritual that follows the faith/tradition of the deceased. Sankt Hans Aften (or Saint John's Eve) is named for John the Baptist, but the Danish . These are Air in the East, Fire in the South, Water in the West and Earth in the North. Both are dogmatic. ins.style.minWidth = container.attributes.ezaw.value + 'px'; There are a number of jewelers who offer memorial jewelry, which is typically a small pendant with a hole in the back. The two examples below offer reverence for Nature and also one for the god Osiris. This is a beautiful blessing for a final sendoff to a precious friend who exuded kindness. The ritual continues: If you have not attended a pagan funeral before, you'll discover a lot of ancient rites and rituals. Often referred to as a humanist or atheist funeral, they tend to follow a similar structure to a traditional ceremony. Others see it vaguely as a realm without forms, where energy swirls coexist with the greatest energiesthe Goddess and God in their celestial identities.". For information about opting out, click here. For those Pagans who dont have a defined name or description of the afterlife, there is still typically a notion that the spirit and the soul live on somewhere, even if we dont know where it is or what to call it. The tradition of an Easter bunny is centuries-old. Instagram. It all depends on what the individual pagan believes; however, many pagan and witch burials lean towards the eco-friendly. The traditional Pagan blessing is an ode to togetherness and remembrance. Hellenists align themselves with philosopherslike Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. Lastly, this Celtic blessing for weddings is also appropriate for funerals. Much love to you. The ashes can be spread in a natural or holy spot. var ins = document.createElement('ins'); We walk on land that was never ceded by the First Peoples, and yet many of us were born here in this place, on this soil, among these vast . "For I am the Soul of Nature, who giveth life to the universe; from me, all things proceed, and unto me must all things return; and before my face, beloved of gods and mortals, thine inmost divine self shall be unfolded in the rapture of infinite joy. 6 Q . In fact, many of today's contemporary funeral practices might be considered a bit strange by our ancestors. The difference is that Shamanism is isolationist and tribal, while Wiccan beings share some beliefs with the spiritually minded. generalized educational content about wills. There may be food and drink served. Pagan religions are known to have existed longer than Judaism, Christianity, or Hinduism. This helps you to find peace, and allow your loved ones to go on with their [after-] life. Many users would be better served consulting an attorney than using a do-it-yourself online Hellenic Pagans may see the afterlife as Hades. They celebrate nature and its cyclical workings and give thanks for the life which has been enjoyed. And the Danish midsummer celebration might be the most ancient of the country's traditions. It simply isa non-physical reality much less dense than ours. For Pagans who follow an Asatru or Heathen belief system, prayers, and chants to Odin or to the goddesses Hel and Freya might be appropriate. Some Pagan and Wiccan funerals may be more informal than a traditional Christian service and the wake may reflect this. A good funeral director will guide you and help you plan the funeral you desire to have. This may take the form of a traditional after-funeral reception, held in a private venue, restaurant or bar. var container = document.getElementById(slotId); Imbolc is a pagan holiday celebrated from February 1 through sundown February 2. . The creatures, deities, or spirits responsible for guiding the dead to the afterlife will be called upon to fulfill their duty. var cid = '6036397256'; that I would love someone to share upon my burial. They feel the connection of all beings and the beauty of natures design. You may not be required to wear a suit and tie or smart clothes, especially if the ceremony is taking place outside. For the god Osiris, "Thy crown penetrateth the height of heaven, thou art the companion of the stars, and the guide of every god. It was believed that a big fire can help the soul to reach the kingdom of the dead. What about planting a tree in his honor? They are often wild places with lots of nature, which makes them a welcoming space for pagans. If the person loved the mountains, hold the service on a mountaintop. My brother had already been cremated, but we added his ashes to the fire, and we sang a song honoring him and his accomplishments, and introducing him to Odin and Valhalla, and then we continued it by calling upon our ancestors, going back about eight generations. Regional customs vary and can be quite complex. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Of course, depending on the specifics of the deceased beliefs, each funeral will be different. The following are some of the Jehovah's Witnesses' funeral rituals and customs: Body Preparation No special rituals are performed on the deceased's body in advance. The wood for the fire was stacked to create a . The four elements are Air in the East, Fire in the South, Water in the East, and Earth in the North. Gods and Goddesses of Death and the Underworld, Pagan and Wiccan Prayers for All Occasions. Then, build a cairn of 67 small stones over the wood. window.ezoSTPixelAdd(slotId, 'stat_source_id', 44); You may hear readings from pagan sources such as the Egyptian Book of the Dead, the Prose Edda, the Mabinogion, the Book of Shadows, or the Carmina Gadelica. Pagan Sabbat rituals mark the cycle of Sun and Seasons, also known as the Wheel of the Year. What can be done to honor the persons beliefs and send them on their way in a way that they themselves would have valued, while still managing to maintain sensitivity in dealing with their non-Pagan family members and friends? Ancient civilizations sometimes burned the body of the deceased. Learn Religions, Aug. 28, 2020, learnreligions.com/pagan-views-of-the-afterlife-2561443. Loss is hard. [The funeral ritual, which typically included the sacrifice of a pig or other animal victim, proclaimed the status of the dead as one of the Di Manes - protecting spirits of the dead] and the offerings made to the deceased and to his manes (wine, oil, perfumes) were burnt on the pyre or in a fire next to the tomb. In the past, it would have been a parlor but more often these days a bedroom is used. They evoke positivity and compassion, even in the most difficult of times. Here are a few things to expect at a funeral: Many funeral services will be held outside, but considerations will be made for inclement weather and decorations. Unsurprisingly, flowers are very important in many pagan funerals. There are shamans and ordained pagan ministers all over the country and the world. For the Celtic tradition, the Celtic Otherworld, Faery Realm or Tir Na Nog. This is reflected in how we conduct funerals. These are steeped in ancient traditions with reverence for the gods, nature, and the celebration of life. Place a small cairn of stones over the place you buried the wood. Most funeral directors offer services for all religions and beliefs, including Pagan or Wiccan funerals. If you follow an Egyptian, or Kemetic, path, you may choose to honor Anubis, the jackal-headed god of death. Ashes are poured into the pendant, the hole is sealed with a screw, and then the friends and family of the dead can keep them nearby any time they like. She is currently raising a pagan husband and three children. How about the gentleman who gave so much time cleaning up local parks? This classic Norse lullaby encourages readers to put their troubles away. Traditional Scottish blessings are Pagan in origin. You can share some of these passages or quotes during the memorial or have the officiant add it to his/her speech: When I die, plant flowers over my grave, so when the seeds bloom, you can pick me and hold me once more. ~ Anonymous, I have been in many shapes:I have been in a narrow blade of a sword;I have been a drop in the air:I have been a shining star;I have been a word in a book;I have been an eagle;I have been on a boat on the sea;I have been a string on a harp;I have been enchanted for a year in the foam of water.There is nothing in which I have not been. ~ Taliesin (Welsh Bard), Beauty before me, with it I wander.Beauty behind me, with it I wander.Beauty below me, with it I wander.Beauty above me, with it I wander. ~ Navajo Night Chant, Cattle die, Kinsmen die, All men are mortal.Words of praise, Will never perishNor a noble name. ~ Havamal, After all, to the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure. ~ Dumbledore, Harry Potter, But know this: the ones that love us never truly leave us. ~ Dumbledore, Harry Potter. The pagan holiday of Samhain also occurs on the 31st, and it is a time for honoring the dead. Cultures have, since the beginning of time, honored deities associated with the process of dying, the act itself, and the journey of the spirit or soul into the afterlife. Yet, its time itself that is everlasting. A Pagan Blessing for the Dead: This simple memorial ceremony can be performed for a deceased loved one. Then, add the painted wood atop the cord after the leather is alight. Their goal is to achieve civility and a higher mentality. Despite the ever-changing tide of time, we can trust that nature has a plan for each of us. Brainstorm with your funeral director or event planner to help you figure out the logistics or any limitations. placing a circle of candles around the body and keeping watch until the funerary rites, call on the individuals gods and/or ancestors to protect and guide them to the afterlife, a picture or statue of the individuals gods/ancestors/guides can be placed with the deceased to ease in transition (for me, Id ask for my statues/figures of Odin and Freya, specifically), prayers should be said to aid the deceased in their travel to the afterlife, pipes and tobacco can be smoked near the deceased the smoke wards off evil spirits, bouquets of hydrangeas around the deceased to ward off negativity and cleanse the air, burning frankincense and myrrh upon death, upon death, if at home, cover the mirrors and open a few windows to allow the deceaseds soul the ability to leave this earthly plane, cover the body in white linen, white and black flowers, have dinner, feast, drink and celebrate their life (this was SO important back in the day, and actually aids in the souls transition to the afterlife. 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