A Couple Of Questions

[Tyrannical Princess]

Forgotten, don't take any of these questions personally, they are very important to help understand and guide you. Balance can mean alot of things to alot of people and is interpreted differently between religious groups.

Nature is not the positive force people like to pretend it is. Damn hippies. stare
Not that it's the negative force others view it as either.
But these are things it is best to think through and discover for yourself.  

[ForgottenDreamsMyLove]

TeaDidikai

ForgottenDreamsMyLove

Nuri

ForgottenDreamsMyLove

Another question: Is there a path that is mainly about becoming balanced or are all of them like that...
sorry im a bit confused.

What do you mean by becoming balanced?

I mean inner peace and feeling at peace with nature and such... it hard to explain

Why is peace a virtue?

Why does one want to be at peace with nature?
Is this with all of nature?
How does one achieve peace with floods, tsunamis and storms that drown people?
How about forest fires that engulf people and animals burning them alive?

Umm like I said a little hard to explain but i'll try. Okay I don't mean to be like hippie but like the realise to appreciate what we have. To be optimistic and balance to me is when you realise full potential and find inner peace with yourself. Weird I know.  

[ForgottenDreamsMyLove]

Bacodus

Forgotten, don't take any of these questions personally, they are very important to help understand and guide you. Balance can mean alot of things to alot of people and is interpreted differently between religious groups.

Nature is not the positive force people like to pretend it is. Damn hippies. stare
Not that it's the negative force others view it as either.
But these are things it is best to think through and discover for yourself.

Sorry im not tring to sound all hippieish.
I didn't meant appericating what you have like I had said before.  

[patch99329]

Currently, I think it would be best to not focus on what you want to label your path, and simply work it out and practice it. It dosen't have to be an aleready existing path.  

[Ulfrikr inn Hrafn]

ForgottenDreamsMyLove

Okay... im so gona sound weird here (in my oppion) but what are the four elements? Are they the commonly use water fire wind and earth or are they metal wood water and fire? Im sorry im a little lost here and I have a lot of questions... so here goes nothing

A question is as valid as any other smile

ForgottenDreamsMyLove

1) What are the four elements?

Hmmm, Tea has provided a good list, but you need to also be aware that there are more than just four in some traditions. In the Germanic Folkways, there are two sets, as follows:

Ice - Pre-existing element - Niflheim
Fire - Pre-existing element - Muspellheim
Water - Pre-existing element - Niflheim
Air - Byproduct of action of Fire on Ice creating steam/atmosphere
Yeast - Pre-existing element - Niflheim
Venom - Pre-existing element - Niflheim
Iron - Pre-existing element - Muspellheim
Stone - Pre-exisitng element - Muspellheim and/or already exists on its own.
Salt - Pre-existing element present in the ice - Niflheim

From the Body of Ymir are made:

Flesh - Earth
Bone - Stone
Blood - Water
Eye - Sun
Mind - Moon
Breath - Wind
Brains - Cloud
Skull - Heavens
Hair - Plants

Possible correlation between the two elemental systems:

Flesh - Earth - Closest affinity to Iron, Stone, Water, Ice
Bone - Stone - Closest affinity to Stone
Blood - Water - Closest affinity to Water also in the case of Oceans, Salt.
Eye - Sun - Closest affinity to Muspellheim
Mind - Moon - Closest affinity to Stone, whilst it is a product of
Muspellheim, the Moon has cooled and is not a radiative body, but instead a reflective one.
Breath - Wind - Closest affinity to Air
Brains - Cloud - Closest affintiy to Air and Water
Skull - Heavens - Tough one this. The skull bounds the universe as we know it, and would allude to either a steady state universe or a constantly
shrinking universe.
Hair - Plants - Closest affinity to Air, Water, Stone

ForgottenDreamsMyLove

2) Is there anythign specail you need while meditating (inscents, candles, stuff like that)

What-ever achieves your state of meditation. In some cultures, complete and utter silence and going internal achieve meditation, in others, it's dancing or drumming. Basically, it's what works.

ForgottenDreamsMyLove

3) What do gems do? And where do you get them?

Gems are in general pretty rocks. The attributation of powers or influence to them is based in my personal opinion on affinities with the psyche more than anything else. That said, we know for a fact that quartz crystal has interesting electro-magnetic properties, so there is a bit of science to be considered in the whole process too. Ultimately, their effect is what you choose their effect to be, and that is by far a greater level of effect than anything that they can hold inherently.

You can usually purchase semi-precious stones at most New Age shops or the like, but if you want a better selection and better quality stuff, then I recommend you find yourself a Lapidary supplier or true gemstone supplier.

ForgottenDreamsMyLove

4) Is there any books you can read online or sites about this stuff cause I can't afford books?

Stuff on the elements, both good and bad will be had in an avalanche from a Google search on, say, "four elements". Same can be said for gemstones. What's good? Well, on the elements thing, I'd start on historical works on the subject which identify cultural underpinnings and information on the origin of the systems, rather than modern interpretations or re-interpretations on the subject matter, and for gemstones, start with scientific sites which will give you information on composition, locations you can find them, etc.

Start with a solid foundation based on fact, and then move forward from there.

ForgottenDreamsMyLove

5) I also want to know (if any) what Gods and Goddesses are there?

How long is a piece of string?

Essentially, every culture has gods and goddesses, yes, even the Judaic people were originally polytheists. So, as I infered with my string reference, the only limit is that of cultural considerations of the peoples through-out the ages, and deities even changed between generations and locations within a particular cultural context.  

[Ulfrikr inn Hrafn]

ForgottenDreamsMyLove

CuAnnan

TeaDidikai

CuAnnan

5) Why should we tell you what Gods there are and aren't?

I personally viewed it as an open invitation to discussion.

So did I.
I'm just confused as to how we can be expected to answer.
If we take a mathematical analogy.
It is perfectly understandable that a four dimensional frame of reference can describe five dimensional systems. But only in a limited manner.
We as human beings can not describe the Gods in any more than a limited manner.
As such, I am attempting to determine the motivation behind the question in an attempt to better understand how to answer.

i am basically asking what Gods and Goddesses people believe in. You don't have to tell me im just asking what ones you may believe in. Im sorry is that a bad question to ask?

No, it's a perfectly fine question to ask smile If people don't want to tell you, then they won't answer biggrin

Personally, I believe in the gods and goddesses of my ancestors, the Germanic Folk. Specifically I am Vinr (friend) to Oðinn, Frey, Freyja, Njorð, Forseti, Sunna, Mani. Note, that friend in the context of the Germanic Folkway means something far more than it does in contemporary society, indeed, part of the Folkway is the definitions of those whom are friend and those whom are not, and how one determines that has much to do with the Germanic concept of Honour.  

[Ulfrikr inn Hrafn]

ForgottenDreamsMyLove

Another question: Is there a path that is mainly about becoming balanced or are all of them like that...
sorry im a bit confused.

Balance is defined in different ways to different belief systems, and indeed, balance can be achieved by wildly varying from one extreme to the other without causing oneself to fall off. Think of say what was once called manic/depression, periods of frenetic activity alternating with bouts of severe depression, can be inferred to be in balance when they alternate and the individual doesn't end up diving into one too deeply, essentially, if you graphed the behavioural patterns, they would cycle around a median point, the point of balance.

There are other types of balance, that of being truly 'middle of the road', neither one way or the other, but that means one can be so balanced that you cannot hold an opinion, for you'd always see both sides of an argument and would never be able to decide between them as you'd always be occupying the middle ground.

Then there's the balance of the knife-edge, something along the lines of someone whom deals a great deal with Oðinn and the concept of Wod (from where the name Woden comes from), with Wod being both divine inspiration and divine madness, and teetering between the one and the other, attempting to gain the inspiration, without sinking into the madness, and always walking the knife-edge. That's balance too.

So, yes, there's lots of different ideas of balance smile  

[Ulfrikr inn Hrafn]

TeaDidikai

ForgottenDreamsMyLove

Nuri

ForgottenDreamsMyLove

Another question: Is there a path that is mainly about becoming balanced or are all of them like that...
sorry im a bit confused.

What do you mean by becoming balanced?

I mean inner peace and feeling at peace with nature and such... it hard to explain

Why is peace a virtue?

Why does one want to be at peace with nature?
Is this with all of nature?
How does one achieve peace with floods, tsunamis and storms that drown people?
How about forest fires that engulf people and animals burning them alive?

mrgreen

Love your work Tea biggrin

Aye, how does one be at peace with nature? I'd more want to be in Frith with nature. In other words, I work within the context of the natural world as it presents itself, working to ensure my own survival by ensuring that we don't destroy our environs, but also managing that environment in the best way possible to enable us to live at the best living standards we can as well, including being as prepared as possible for the events which can take place within the natural environment which may cause us harm, or even end our lives.

Balance with nature for me is about working with the natural environment and respecting it, and the capability it has to cause us harm, but also ensuring that it supports the living needs of me and my family and folk.  

[TeaDidikai]

ForgottenDreamsMyLove

To be optimistic and balance to me is when you realise full potential and find inner peace with yourself.

I'm not trying to harsh on you- but this doesn't really address my question. Why is peace a virtue? Why is optimism a function of balance? Why does one want to find "inner peace"? What is "inner peace"?

Ulfrikr inn Hrafn

mrgreen

Love your work Tea biggrin

As always, it is mutual. I was hoping you, Godhi or Deo would come around and do the Norse elements. I fear my understanding of them is very watered down. ~grumblegoddamnfluffyasatrugrumble~

That said- can you provide me with citations for yours?

Quote:

Aye, how does one be at peace with nature? I'd more want to be in Frith with nature. In other words, I work within the context of the natural world as it presents itself, working to ensure my own survival by ensuring that we don't destroy our environs, but also managing that environment in the best way possible to enable us to live at the best living standards we can as well, including being as prepared as possible for the events which can take place within the natural environment which may cause us harm, or even end our lives.

Balance with nature for me is about working with the natural environment and respecting it, and the capability it has to cause us harm, but also ensuring that it supports the living needs of me and my family and folk.

Very well put.

I tend to personally double take when people talk about nature as a benevolent thing. wink Thank you for your posts Ulfrikr.  

[Ethermus Prime]

TeaDidikai

Why is peace a virtue?

Social conditioning, and persona moral agreements. ?

Quote:

Why is optimism a function of balance?

I'd contend that it isn't a function of balance. It's a perspective, and a choice. A balanced function would to be too see things as they are...and choose then choose to be optimistic or pessimistic about it.

Quote:

Why does one want to find "inner peace"?

In the same manner..."as above, so below"....As within, so with-out.

Quote:

What is "inner peace"?

Perspective?

Seriously though? In my perspective, Inner peace is Self knowing..and self understanding  

[TheDisreputableDog]

ForgottenDreamsMyLove

1) What are the four elements?

Others already gave you more than you asked for on this one. wink When I work with my local group we use Earth, Air, Fire, Water (as Tea said, the Classical elements); my personal path doesn't really single any out.

Quote:

2) Is there anythign specail you need while meditating (inscents, candles, stuff like that)

What purpose do you see meditation serving for you in your religious or personal life? Meditation is a tool. If you don't have an answer or the answer is "because I thought that's what pagans did," you might want to explore other options as well. I don't really meditate, but I do pray silently or quietly, or semi-trance in music or movement.

Quote:

3) What do gems do? And where do you get them?

Museums, the Internet, gem shops, your backyard... It depends on what kind of gem or stone you are looking for. As for what they do, what do you think they do? For me, many stones or gems are pleasing offerings to my gods. Other than that, they look pretty, or have emotional significance for me. The proper use of a tool can be rooted in your history, your impressions, and your culture's opinions of it.

Quote:

5) I also want to know (if any) what Gods and Goddesses are there?

To answer your clarification, I acknowledge many sources and forms of deity around the world, but I was called to worship the gods commonly known as the Egyptian pantheon. If I talk about the Names or Netjer in my posts, that's Who I mean.  

[ForgottenDreamsMyLove]

TeaDidikai

ForgottenDreamsMyLove

To be optimistic and balance to me is when you realise full potential and find inner peace with yourself.

I'm not trying to harsh on you- but this doesn't really address my question. Why is peace a virtue? Why is optimism a function of balance? Why does one want to find "inner peace"? What is "inner peace"?

Ulfrikr inn Hrafn

mrgreen

Love your work Tea biggrin

As always, it is mutual. I was hoping you, Godhi or Deo would come around and do the Norse elements. I fear my understanding of them is very watered down. ~grumblegoddamnfluffyasatrugrumble~

That said- can you provide me with citations for yours?

Quote:

Aye, how does one be at peace with nature? I'd more want to be in Frith with nature. In other words, I work within the context of the natural world as it presents itself, working to ensure my own survival by ensuring that we don't destroy our environs, but also managing that environment in the best way possible to enable us to live at the best living standards we can as well, including being as prepared as possible for the events which can take place within the natural environment which may cause us harm, or even end our lives.

Balance with nature for me is about working with the natural environment and respecting it, and the capability it has to cause us harm, but also ensuring that it supports the living needs of me and my family and folk.

Very well put.

I tend to personally double take when people talk about nature as a benevolent thing. wink Thank you for your posts Ulfrikr.

Perfectly oka about being harsh I suppose thats one of the best ways to learn.
Peace is something I value because when things are not peaceful there is a lot of Negitive energy to me. I like being in a enviroment where there is (how do I put this?) almost a balance of choas and order and thats peace to me. (Truly I am not sure if that awnsers your question sorry...)
being optimistic is a function of balance for me because I don't think you can be truly balanced if you only look on the dark side of things. I order to be balanced to me is when you realise there is a dark side to everything but not focusing on it.
Inner peace is accually different for people just as the ways of meditation are. Okay this is the best way I can explain it so here we go its almost as if your emotions towards yourself and others are at war with each other and when you have peace their isn't that battle. When people do not have inner peace they often act too soon. Like when you fight with someone they are often the quickest to resort to violence because of that battle of emotions they have no control.  

[Tyrannical Princess]

Ulfrikr inn Hrafn

There are other types of balance, that of being truly 'middle of the road', neither one way or the other, but that means one can be so balanced that you cannot hold an opinion, for you'd always see both sides of an argument and would never be able to decide between them as you'd always be occupying the middle ground.

And what a terrible blessing/curse it is...  

[Tyrannical Princess]

ForgottenDreamsMyLove

Peace

Again, what do you mean? Do you mean quiet? Do you mean stillness? Do you mean the lack of warfare? Do you mean the lack of negative emotion?
Or of all emotion, like the guru does? Do you mean tranquility? Do you mean death?

ForgottenDreamsMyLove

is something I value because when things are not peaceful there is a lot of Negitive energy to me.

How is this bad? What is "negative energy"? Do you mean negative emotion and feeling? If so, which emotions would you characterize as "negative"?

To me, you must embrace both the emotions that society sees as negative AND positive for "emotional balance". However, you must learn to understand their context and control them as well. All emotions have their place.

ForgottenDreamsMyLove

I like being in a enviroment where there is (how do I put this?) almost a balance of choas and order and thats peace to me.

Can you provide an example? An erupting volcano could fit the image of "pure chaos", "pure order", or the "balance" you refer to depending on your perspective.

ForgottenDreamsMyLove

being optimistic is a function of balance for me because I don't think you can be truly balanced if you only look on the dark side of things.

Nor can you be "balanced" in your description if you only look on the bright side of things (which is what optimism is by definition)

ForgottenDreamsMyLove

Inner peace is accually different for people just as the ways of meditation are.

We understand that. This is why we are asking YOU what YOU mean by "inner peace".

ForgottenDreamsMyLove

Like when you fight with someone they are often the quickest to resort to violence because of that battle of emotions they have no control.

What if they are the quickest to resort to violence because they rationally believe that you will do them harm and they want to disable you before you can do so? Does one have to be out of control with their emotions to be violent in your opinion?