F
Faeden
Guest
Hi all I am new here
I hope this is allowed up on there forums, as I am writing this thread because I am interested in the views of people who practice Bushcraft on this following subject. This is not a post about religion, or to start one about it, just me wanting help on the question of what do Bushcrafters here think about this?
I am no expert on Bushcraft, but as a Pagan I have an interest in it, I have heard some people interested in Bushcraft are reluctant to accept that Bushcraft has a connection to ancient Paganism, and neo paganism, I can see why many people involved with Bushcraft might refuse to acknowledge it, because of the bad press movies and the media gives Paganism, and because some might be of a religious faith that doesnt look to kindly on Paganism, but the truth is, although the two are different things, they both have strong connections and similarities. Many people who are activists for the environment and to protect wildlife are Pagans including Greenpeace, because Paganism is an umbrella term for those who find spirituality through the beauty of nature, and therefore strive to protect it from the ever increasing greed of humanity and capitalism.
Some of the similarities as I see it are as follows ..
People who practice Bushcraft know all about the years seasons, respect and observe them. The pagan wheel of the year is a way to worship nature and the divine spirit that works through nature and its seasons so that symbolically it can be used for each time of year for the 8 Pagan festivals of every year. Pagans observe the wheel of the year as the seasons turn as eternally turning over and over again, so to symbolize birth, life, death, and rebirth.
Pagans use Herb craft as a means of healing, and take what they need and use the natural environment around them to aid them selves and others.
Pagans have a great understanding of natural foods that grow in the wild, in order to survive (although modern pagans or Bushcrafters will not need them to survive today, but do it for enjoyment and in a pagans case spirituality too)
Both Pagans and Bushcrafters are aware of the connection with themselves and the natural environment and are aware of nature being alive and that they are both in harmony with it.
Both Pagans and Bushcrafters know the importance of nature, and the importance of protecting nature as it is essential for the future of our planet.
Both pagans and Bushcrafters use the Moon and the Sun as a guide and tool for there work.
And the biggest similarity of all of how I see it, is both Bushcrafters and Pagans love and respect nature, enjoy it and only take what they need and give thanks.
Many of the things in Bushcraft come from the ancient peoples that where Pagan, so its inevitable that Bushcraft will have connections with Paganism and witchcraft, although one is spiritual, and for some is not. Bushcraft is apart of Paganism (to a Pagan), although paganism will have nothing to do with most Bushcrafters, as they do not see the spiritual side of it, which is good, but both enjoy nature in a respectful and a joyful way, which cant be a bad thing for either side.
Also the word "Pagan" in Latin means "Country dweller"
All the best
Faeden
I hope this is allowed up on there forums, as I am writing this thread because I am interested in the views of people who practice Bushcraft on this following subject. This is not a post about religion, or to start one about it, just me wanting help on the question of what do Bushcrafters here think about this?
I am no expert on Bushcraft, but as a Pagan I have an interest in it, I have heard some people interested in Bushcraft are reluctant to accept that Bushcraft has a connection to ancient Paganism, and neo paganism, I can see why many people involved with Bushcraft might refuse to acknowledge it, because of the bad press movies and the media gives Paganism, and because some might be of a religious faith that doesnt look to kindly on Paganism, but the truth is, although the two are different things, they both have strong connections and similarities. Many people who are activists for the environment and to protect wildlife are Pagans including Greenpeace, because Paganism is an umbrella term for those who find spirituality through the beauty of nature, and therefore strive to protect it from the ever increasing greed of humanity and capitalism.
Some of the similarities as I see it are as follows ..
People who practice Bushcraft know all about the years seasons, respect and observe them. The pagan wheel of the year is a way to worship nature and the divine spirit that works through nature and its seasons so that symbolically it can be used for each time of year for the 8 Pagan festivals of every year. Pagans observe the wheel of the year as the seasons turn as eternally turning over and over again, so to symbolize birth, life, death, and rebirth.
Pagans use Herb craft as a means of healing, and take what they need and use the natural environment around them to aid them selves and others.
Pagans have a great understanding of natural foods that grow in the wild, in order to survive (although modern pagans or Bushcrafters will not need them to survive today, but do it for enjoyment and in a pagans case spirituality too)
Both Pagans and Bushcrafters are aware of the connection with themselves and the natural environment and are aware of nature being alive and that they are both in harmony with it.
Both Pagans and Bushcrafters know the importance of nature, and the importance of protecting nature as it is essential for the future of our planet.
Both pagans and Bushcrafters use the Moon and the Sun as a guide and tool for there work.
And the biggest similarity of all of how I see it, is both Bushcrafters and Pagans love and respect nature, enjoy it and only take what they need and give thanks.
Many of the things in Bushcraft come from the ancient peoples that where Pagan, so its inevitable that Bushcraft will have connections with Paganism and witchcraft, although one is spiritual, and for some is not. Bushcraft is apart of Paganism (to a Pagan), although paganism will have nothing to do with most Bushcrafters, as they do not see the spiritual side of it, which is good, but both enjoy nature in a respectful and a joyful way, which cant be a bad thing for either side.
Also the word "Pagan" in Latin means "Country dweller"
All the best
Faeden