#open traditions

[pagansquare]

Some Thoughts on Shinto as a non-Japanese Person

So last night I reblogged a query sent to askpagans about Japanese deities. My answer was short and to the point: no. No, it is not inherently appropriative to honor Japanese deities. There are Shinto...

[ilthit]

We all know Nordic recreationist Pagan movements have a problem in that they attract and are appropriated by white supremacists.

As an actual Finn (with Karelian, Tavastian and Savonian ancestry for those of you who are very specific about that sort of thing) I say all Finnish culture and traditions are hereby declared open. It’s a modern European Christian country, nothing special about it. It does not deserve special treatment just because we were illiterate serfs to Swedes and Russians for six hundred years. 

So take it, take it all. Mix it up with your eclectic witchcraft. Pick up a kantele tomorrow and create some new spellrunos. Make an altar to Vellamo, mother of the waters. Hoist a bear skull to the top of a standing dead tree to help the bear’s spirit return to the stars. Reinterpret the Kalevala (it was partly made up in the 19th century anyway, like a lot of really good modern witch folklore.) It’s perfectly fine. Go for it.